Transaction Unlocks AQN's Value as a Pure-Play
Regulated Utility
Proceeds Expected to Recapitalize Balance
Sheet and Position Company for Future Growth
Company to Hold Second Quarter Earnings
Conference Call at 8:30 am
E.T.
OAKVILLE, ON, Aug. 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX/NYSE:
AQN) ("AQN" or the "Company") announced today that it has entered
into a definitive agreement to sell its renewable energy business
(excluding hydro) to a wholly-owned subsidiary of LS Power (the
"Buyer") for total consideration of up to $2.5 billion. All amounts are shown in
United States Dollars.
"We are pleased to announce this important transaction with LS
Power, which is the result of a highly competitive strategic sale
process," said Chris Huskilson, CEO
of AQN. "This major milestone, coupled with our previously
announced agreement to support the sale of our Atlantica shares,
delivers on our plan to transform AQN into a pure play regulated
utility, optimize our regulated business activities, strengthen our
balance sheet, and enhance our quality of earnings. We are
confident that our path towards a pure play regulated utility
supports our objective to create long term value for our customers
and shareholders."
Mr. Huskilson concluded, "The renewable energy business is a
compelling and competitive business with scale and strong assets.
That strength is a direct result of our employees' hard work and
dedication over the last three-plus decades, and I want to thank
them for being an integral part of that effort. AQN and LS Power
will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition."
Transaction Details, Approvals and Timing to Close
On August 9, 2024, the Company
entered into an agreement to sell the renewable energy business
(excluding hydro) to the Buyer for total consideration of up to
$2.5 billion excluding debt,
consisting of $2.28 billion of cash
at closing (subject to certain closing adjustments) and up to
$220 million of cash pursuant to an
earn out agreement relating to certain wind assets (the "Earn
Out"). The purchase price represents a compelling value relative to
other precedent transactions. The transaction was unanimously
approved by the Company's board of directors.
The sale is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing
conditions, including the approval of the U.S. Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission and approval under applicable competition
laws. The Company expects the transaction to close in the fourth
quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025 and to receive
estimated cash proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion (excluding the Earn Out) after
repaying construction financing, and net of taxes, transaction fees
and other closing adjustments.
J.P. Morgan served as the exclusive financial advisor to AQN in
connection with the transaction.
Second Quarter Financial Results
In a separate release issued today, the Company announced
financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. The earnings conference call will
be held at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on
Friday, August 9, 2024, by Chief Executive Officer,
Chris Huskilson, and Chief Financial
Officer, Darren Myers.
Date:
|
Friday, August 9,
2024
|
Time:
|
8:30 a.m. ET
|
Conference
Call:
|
Toll Free Dial-In
Number
|
1 (800)
715-9871
|
|
Toll Dial-In
Number
|
1 (647)
932-3411
|
|
Conference
ID
|
9608227
|
Webcast:
|
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/q3hkjcp5
|
|
Presentation also
available at: www.algonquinpower.com
|
About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and
Liberty
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of
Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission,
and distribution utility with approximately $18 billion of total assets. AQN is committed to
providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable
energy and water solutions through its portfolio of generation,
transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one
million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. In addition, AQN owns, operates,
and/or has net interests in over 4 GW of installed renewable energy
capacity. AQN's common shares, preferred shares, Series A, and
preferred shares, Series D are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's
common shares and Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN and AQNB,
respectively.
Visit AQN at www.algonquinpower.com and follow us on X.com
@AQN_Utilities.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements included in this news release constitute
''forward-looking information'' within the meaning of applicable
securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of
Canada and the respective
policies, regulations and rules under such laws and
''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively,
''forward-looking statements"). The words "will" and "expects" (and
grammatical variations of such terms) and similar expressions are
often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not
all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include,
but are not limited to, statements regarding the sale of the
Company's renewable energy business (excluding hydro), including
the expected timing, proceeds and impact on the Company.
These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were
applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection,
including assumptions based on historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking
statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very
nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks
and uncertainties. AQN cautions that although it is believed that
the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks
and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results
may differ materially from the expectations set out in the
forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the sale
of the Company's renewable energy business will occur on the
currently contemplated terms or otherwise, or that any of the
intended benefits and aims of such transaction will be realized.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are provided for the
purposes of assisting in understanding the Company and its
business, operations, risks, financial performance, financial
position and cash flows as at and for the periods indicated and to
present information about management's current expectations and
plans relating to the future and such information may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Material risk factors and
assumptions include those set out in AQN's Annual Information Form
and Annual Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2023, and Management
Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2024, each of which is or
will be available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. Given these risks,
undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking
statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as
specifically required by law, AQN undertakes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information,
subsequent or otherwise.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/algonquin-power--utilities-corp-agrees-to-sell-renewable-energy-business-to-ls-power-for-up-to-2-5-billion-302218796.html
SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.