CIT, a division of First Citizens Bank, announced that its Power and Energy business served as co-coordinating lead arranger on an $85 million construction-to-term debt financing for NineDot Energy LLC ("NineDot Energy"), a leading developer of distributed community energy projects in the New York City metro region.

NineDot Energy, a portfolio company of the global investment firm Carlyle Group Inc., will use the proceeds to develop 11 stand-alone battery storage projects totaling 43 megawatts of capacity across the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island.

All projects will qualify under a New York state program designed to encourage the development of distributed energy resources to increase the resiliency of the electrical grid. SMBC served as the other co-coordinating lead arranger on the financing.

"NineDot Energy's battery storage installations will be an increasingly important contributor to the New York City metro area's grid resiliency and a valuable infrastructure component to support renewable power in urban settings," said David Arfin, NineDot Energy CEO and Co-founder. "CIT's expertise in financing battery storage projects was an important factor in the success of this financing package."

"NineDot Energy has an exceptional reputation as a leading developer of distributed community energy projects and we are confident these new battery storage facilities will add to their successful track record," said Mike Lorusso, managing director and group head for CIT's Power and Energy business. "We appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with NineDot Energy on this financing and look forward to future opportunities to support their growth."