VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Chinese conglomerate Shenhua has dropped out from the bid for New South Wales (NSW) power generator Macquarie Generation (MacGen), leaving only three bidders, according to a report.

Singapore-based fund New Asia Investments invested an undisclosed amount to complete a new waste water treatment facility in Vietnam through its portfolio holding, GD Wasser.

CEZ Group, a utility conglomerate based in Prague, could ink a $10 billion deal to expand the Temelin nuclear power plant some time in the second quarter of 2015. CEZ is in talks with US' Westinghouse and a consortium that includes Russia's Atomstroyexport, according to a Reuters report.

Vale, the world's leading producer of iron ore, agreed to enter into a joint venture with power company Cemig to run six hydroelectric power plants. Vale also halved its 9% stake in Norte Energia, which builds a hydroelectric dam in Amazon, Brazil

UK engineering solutions provider Costain Group Plc exited its minority stake in three joint ventures to publicly traded water utility Severn Trent Plc to raise investment funds and working capital.

US-based private equity firms Carlyle Group and KKR & Co and Australian investment firm Archer Capital have advanced in the sale of Transpacific Industries Group's waste management business. The three firms are working with banks to put together loan packages to back their bids.

Hungary-based state-owned utility MVM Zrt announced on Tuesday its plan to purchase a minority stake in natural gas supplier Fogaz Zrt in a deal valued at HUF41 billion ($187.4 million).

Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corp has bought 140 million common shares of Mitsubishi Corp's equity in Manila Water Company Inc for PHP2.8 billion, according to an emailed statement.

In its latest assessment for the infrastructure in the US, the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) assessment had given the nation's roads, bridges, rail, drinking water, waste water, solid waste and others an aggregate almost flunking grade.

Power Assets Holdings Ltd. will spin off its subsidiary Hongkong Electric Company Ltd. to HK Electric Investments, a single-investment trust. Power Assets was said to be aiming for a HK Electric Investments listing early next year to raise $5.7 billion.

Israeli water meter developer Arad Group is in advanced talks to buy a 50% stake in a Mexican water-measuring company, a Bloomberg report said. The deal is reportedly worth $10 million and is expected to be closed early next year.

The government of Ireland has chosen a consortium led by British energy supplier Centrica PLC to acquire the retail unit of its gas utility Bord Gais Energy. Centrica's group will buy the asset for €1.12 billion.

The largest utility firm in Finland, Fortum Oyj, would be exiting from its power distribution business in Finland to Suomi Power Networks, Bloomberg said in its report.

The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported on Wednesday, including Fortum, National Vision, Saipem, CTT, MTS, Southern Pacific, Warrnambool, Verbund, Bakkafrost, Popular and Marathon Oil.

Fortis Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire UNS Energy Corporation for US$60.25 per common share in cash