Meridian looks to issue bonds as well as notes

At this stage, Meridian is only testing public interest in its proposed issue of up to $200 million in five-and seven-year Renewable Energy Bonds. The REBs will be senior retail bonds offered on a minimum subscription of $5,000, with an intended offer size of $150 million and the ability to accept up to $50 million in oversubscriptions.

The offer is expected to open in late January 2010 and Meridian is applying to have the bonds NZX-listed. Meridian is seeking preliminary indications of interest.  No indication of interest will involve an obligation or commitment of any kind. 

No money is currently being sought and no applications for the REBs will be accepted or money received unless the subscriber has received an Investment Statement. Very inter

Meridian's spokesman Alan Seay confirmed also that the company's existing Renewable Energy Bonds, which were suspended when the Brownlee reforms were announced, would be relaunched once new legal documentation was complete.