Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”) is advising Equans, a subsidiary of the Bouygues group, on the proposed sale of its district heating and cooling networks in the UK to a consortium formed by Swiss Life Asset Managers and Schroders Greencoat. The portfolio includes district heating and cooling concessions often known as Equans Urban Energy, and includes East London Energy Limited and Equans DE Holding Company Limited. Humber Energy will also be included in the transaction. Completion of the transaction is expected in the last quarter of 2023, subject to relevant approvals. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Richard Johnson, Olivier Rogivue and Graham Watson, together with partners Giles Pratt on separation matters; David Haworth and Peter Clements on tax matters; Rikki Haria on merger control and foreign investment matters; and David Mendel on employment, benefits and pensions matters.