NYLD Nrg Yield Class C

• Closed November Drop Down acquisition: a 38 MW portfolio of solar assets from NRG Energy
• Increasing 2017 guidance following the close of the November Drop Down acquisition
• Initiating 2018 guidance incorporating the full year contribution of growth capital deployed year-to-date
• Pursuant to the Right of First Offer (ROFO) Agreement with NRG Energy, formed a new distributed solar partnership focused primarily on community solar projects
• Received offer from NRG Energy to acquire the 154 MW Buckthorn Solar ROFO Asset
• Increasing quarterly dividend by 2.9%, achieving 15% year-over-year dividend per share growth

NRG Yield, Inc. (NYSE: NYLD, NYLD.A) today reported third quarter 2017 financial results including Net Income of $41 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $265 million, Cash from Operating Activities of $203 million, and Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD) of $134 million.

"NRG Yield continues to execute on its business while collaborating with NRG Energy on its Transformation Plan. During the third quarter, the Company's diversified portfolio performed exceptionally well with high availability at the conventional segment during the critical summer period and at the renewables segment where solid wind conditions at Alta more than offset poor wind resource across the balance of the portfolio", said Christopher Sotos, NRG Yield's President and Chief Executive Officer. "NRG Yield also continued to deliver on its growth objectives with now $295 million of capital deployed over the last 12 months. This included several new opportunities including the recently closed November Drop Down, a new distributed solar partnership with NRG enabling up to $50 million of investment, and an expansion of the existing distributed solar partnerships by $10 million. We now look to the next potential drop down with NRG's offer of the 154 MW Buckthorn Solar project."

Overview of Financial and Operating Results

Segment Results

Table 1: Net Income1

($ millions)   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended Segment 9/30/17   9/30/16 9/30/17   9/30/16 Conventional 36 39 87 108 Renewables 28 37 69 76 Thermal 10 10 22 24 Corporate (33 ) (36 ) (93 ) (92 ) Net Income 41   50   85   116    

Table 2: Adjusted EBITDA2

($ millions)   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended Segment 9/30/17   9/30/16 9/30/17   9/30/16 Conventional 82 77 221 225 Renewables 169 162 466 447 Thermal 18 17 46 45 Corporate (4 ) (4 ) (14 ) (10 ) Adjusted EBITDA 265   252   719   707    

Table 3: Cash from Operating Activities and Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD)

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended ($ millions) 9/30/17   9/30/16 9/30/17   9/30/16 Cash from Operating Activities 203 225 374 443 Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD) 134     139     208     249  

For the third quarter of 2017, NRG Yield reported Net Income of $41 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $265 million, Cash from Operating Activities of $203 million, and CAFD of $134 million. Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA results in the Conventional segment were higher in 2017 due to more starts and higher availability than in 2016. Adjusted EBITDA results in the Renewables segment were higher due to the acquisition of the Utah Solar Portfolio, partially offset by lower renewable energy production in 2017 versus third quarter 2016. Including the impacts to Adjusted EBITDA, CAFD results were lower than 2016 primarily due to additional debt service from both non-recourse project and corporate level financings raised in 2016 and additional maintenance capital expenditures at the Walnut Creek facility. This decrease was partially offset by higher distributions received from the distributed generation partnerships.

Operational Performance

Table 4: Selected Operating Results

(MWh and MWht in thousands)   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   9/30/17   9/30/16 9/30/17   9/30/16 Equivalent Availability Factor (Conventional) 99.3% 97.3% 92.4% 94.1% Renewables Generation Sold (MWh) 1,544 1,744 5,295 5,563 Thermal Generation Sold (MWht)33 Also includes Thermal MWh sold 472   508   1,477   1,558  

During the first half of 2017, Walnut Creek experienced forced outages due to mechanical failures of turbine parts that caused downstream damage to several of the plant's units, primarily Unit 1. The repairs necessary to return Unit 1 to service were completed in the second quarter of 2017; and since then, the plant has performed reliably. The estimated financial impact from the Unit 1 outage was approximately $8 million before the recovery of insurance proceeds, a significant portion of which the Company believes will be recoverable by year-end 2017.

In the third quarter of 2017, the Company, through the Walnut Creek project, executed an amendment to the contractual service agreement with the original equipment manufacturer to improve long-term reliability. The amendment provides for the original equipment manufacturer to perform all required, currently available and future turbine reliability upgrades in exchange for an investment of approximately $15 million that will be paid over the next five years.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Table 5: Liquidity4

($ millions)   9/30/17   6/30/17   12/31/16 Cash and Cash Equivalents 179 181 322 Restricted Cash 140   114   165 Total Cash 319 295 487 Revolver Availability 427   427   435 Total Liquidity 746   722   922  

Total liquidity as of September 30, 2017 was $746 million, a decrease of $176 million from December 31, 2016. This reflects a decrease in total cash of $168 million5 which was primarily used for the drop down acquisitions completed in March and August 2017 and dividend payments made year-to-date.

Potential future sources of liquidity include the $150 million at-the-market (ATM) program, of which $115 million remains available at the end of September 2017, excess operating cash flow in the business, and availability under the corporate revolver. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company issued 987,727 shares of Class C common stock under the ATM program, raising proceeds of approximately $18 million.

Growth Investments

Closed the November 2017 Drop Down Transaction with NRG Energy

On November 1, 2017, the Company acquired a 38 MW solar portfolio from NRG primarily comprised of assets from NRG's Solar Power Partners (SPP) funds and other projects developed by NRG for cash consideration of $71 million, excluding working capital adjustments, plus assumed non-recourse project debt of approximately $26 million. The purchase price for the November 2017 Drop Down was funded with cash on hand and is expected to increase CAFD on an average annual basis by approximately $8.8 million6 beginning in 2018 with a weighted average contract life by CAFD of approximately 16 years as of September 30, 2017.

Investment Partnerships with NRG Energy

During the third quarter of 2017, NRG Yield invested approximately $11 million in the existing business-renewable focused distributed solar partnerships, and separately, through the ROFO Agreement, expanded the company's investment commitment from $210 million to $220 million. As of September 30, 2017, NRG Yield has invested $181 million7 (of the existing $220 million commitment) in the investment partnerships (including $48 million since the third quarter of 2016). As of September 30, 2017, through these existing partnership agreements, NRG Yield co-owns approximately 179 MW8 of distributed solar capacity with a weighted average contract life by CAFD of approximately 20 years as of September 30, 2017.

Pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, on September, 26, 2017, the Company formed a new investment partnership in which NRG Yield would invest up to $50 million in a portfolio of distributed solar assets, primarily comprised of community solar projects developed by NRG. NRG Yield invested $4 million during September 2017 and co-owns approximately 33 MW9 of distributed solar capacity via this partnership with a weighted average contract life by CAFD of approximately 20 years as of September 30, 2017.

Drop Down Offer from NRG Energy

Pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, NRG Yield received an offer from NRG to acquire Buckthorn Solar, a 154 MW solar facility located near Fort Stockton, Texas with a 25-year PPA with the City of Georgetown. The acquisition is subject to negotiation and approval by NRG Yield's Independent Directors.

Quarterly Dividend Update

On October 31, 2017, NRG Yield’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on Class A and Class C common stock of $0.288 per share (approximately $1.15 per share annualized) payable on December 15, 2017, to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2017. This equates to a 2.9% increase over the prior quarter, and a 15% year-over-year increase.

Seasonality

NRG Yield’s quarterly operating results are impacted by seasonal factors, as well as variability in renewable energy resources. The majority of NRG Yield’s revenues are generated from the months of May through September, as contracted pricing and renewable resources are at their highest levels in the Company’s core markets. The factors driving the fluctuation in Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash from Operating Activities, and CAFD include the following:

• Higher summer capacity prices from conventional assets;
• Higher solar insolation during the summer months;
• Higher wind resources during the spring months;
• Debt service payments which are made either quarterly or semi-annually; and
• Timing of maintenance capital expenditures and the impact of both unforced and forced outages.

The Company takes into consideration the timing of these factors to ensure sufficient funds are available for distribution on a quarterly basis.

Increasing 2017 and Initiating 2018 Financial Guidance

As a result of the November Drop Down acquisition10, NRG Yield is updating its full-year 2017 financial guidance for Adjusted EBITDA. However, given the time of year, the November Drop Down will contribute an immaterial amount of CAFD in 2017. The Company is also factoring in, for both Adjusted EBITDA and CAFD guidance, improved portfolio performance during the third quarter. The Company continues to expect the likely cash recovery of a substantial portion of the Walnut Creek Unit 1 outage costs from insurance proceeds through the end of 2017.

NRG Yield is also initiating 2018 full year financial guidance. This financial guidance factors in the impact from growth capital deployed in 2017, but does not include growth investments under evaluation or not yet completed. Additionally, guidance includes the portion of the investment being made at Walnut Creek during 2018. Financial guidance continues to be based on median renewable energy production estimates.

      ($ millions)

Prior 2017 Full Year Guidance

 

Updated 2017 Full Year Guidance

 

2018 Full Year Guidance

Net Income 140 100 125 Adjusted EBITDA 920 935 950 Cash from Operating Activities 557 568 599 Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD) 255   260   280  

NRG Yield is targeting dividend per share growth of 15% annually on each of its Class A and Class C common stock through 2018.

Earnings Conference Call

On November 2, 2017, NRG Yield will host a conference call at 9:15 a.m. Eastern to discuss these results. Investors, the news media and others may access the live webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials by logging on to NRG Yield’s website at http://www.nrgyield.com and clicking on “Presentations & Webcasts.”

About NRG Yield

NRG Yield owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the United States, including fossil fuel, solar and wind power generation facilities that provide the capacity to support more than two million American homes and businesses. Our thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations. NRG Yield’s Class C and Class A common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols NYLD and NYLD.A, respectively. Visit www.nrgyield.com for more information.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include our Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash from Operating Activities, cash available for distribution, expected earnings, future growth and financial performance, and typically can be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe” and similar terms.

Although NRG Yield, Inc. believes that the expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated herein include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, weather conditions, including wind and solar performance, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation, the condition of capital markets generally, our ability to access capital markets, potential risks to the Company as a result of NRG Energy, Inc.'s transformation plan, cyber terrorism and inadequate cyber security, the ability to engage in successful mergers and acquisitions activity, unanticipated outages at our generation facilities, adverse results in current and future litigation, failure to identify or successfully execute acquisitions, our ability to enter into new contracts as existing contracts expire, our ability to acquire assets from NRG Energy, Inc. or third parties, our ability to maintain or create successful partnering relationships with NRG Energy and other third parties, our ability to close Drop Down transactions, and our ability to maintain and grow our quarterly dividends. Furthermore, any dividends are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws and regulations.

NRG Yield, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution are estimates as of today’s date, November 2, 2017, and are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable as of this date. NRG Yield expressly disclaims any current intention to update such guidance. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG Yield’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG Yield’s future results included in NRG Yield’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. In addition, NRG Yield makes available free of charge at www.nrgyield.com, copies of materials it files with, or furnish to, the SEC.

 

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,

(In millions, except per share amounts)

2017   2016 2017   2016 Operating Revenues Total operating revenues $ 265   $ 272   $ 767   $ 789   Operating Costs and Expenses Cost of operations 78 76 239 238 Depreciation and amortization 88 75 241 224 General and administrative 4 4 14 10 Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs —   —   2   —   Total operating costs and expenses 170   155   496   472   Operating Income 95   117   271   317   Other Income (Expense) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 28 16 63 34 Other income, net 1 1 3 3 Interest expense (75 ) (71 ) (237 ) (213 ) Total other expense, net (46 ) (54 ) (171 ) (176 ) Income Before Income Taxes 49 63 100 141 Income tax expense 8   13   15   25   Net Income 41 50 85 116 Less: Pre-acquisition net income of Drop Down Assets 1   11   18   20   Net Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income of Drop Down Assets 40 39 67 96 Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interests 11   6   13   26   Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. $ 29   $ 33   $ 54   $ 70   Earnings Per Share Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. Class A and Class C Common Stockholders Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding - basic 35 35 35 35 Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding - diluted 49 49 35 49 Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic 64 63 63 63 Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - diluted 75 73 63 63 Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic $ 0.30   $ 0.34   $ 0.56   $ 0.72   Earnings per Weighted Average Class A Common Share - Diluted 0.27   0.30   0.56   0.68   Earnings per Weighted Average Class C Common Share - Diluted 0.29   0.32   0.56   0.72   Dividends Per Class A Common Share 0.28   0.24   0.81   0.70   Dividends Per Class C Common Share $ 0.28   $ 0.24   $ 0.81   $ 0.70      

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,

(In millions)

2017   2016 2017   2016 Net Income $ 41 $ 50 $ 85 $ 116 Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss), net of tax Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of income tax benefit of $0, $1, $0 and $13 7   21   7   (36 ) Other comprehensive gain (loss) 7   21   7   (36 ) Comprehensive Income 48 71 92 80 Less: Pre-acquisition net income of Drop Down Assets 1 11 18 20 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17   28   19   11   Comprehensive Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. $ 30   $ 32   $ 55   $ 49      

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

  September 30, 2017   December 31, 2016 ASSETS (unaudited)   Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 179 $ 322 Restricted cash 140 165 Accounts receivable — trade 126 92 Inventory 38 39 Derivative instruments — 2 Notes receivable 15 16 Prepayments and other current assets 22   20   Total current assets 520 656 Property, plant and equipment, net 5,247 5,460 Other Assets Equity investments in affiliates 1,183 1,152 Intangible assets, net 1,234 1,286 Derivative instruments — 1 Deferred income taxes 202 216 Other non-current assets 56   65   Total other assets 2,675   2,720   Total Assets $ 8,442   $ 8,836   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current Liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 300 $ 291 Accounts payable — trade 27 23 Accounts payable — affiliate 45 40 Derivative instruments 23 32 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 95   86   Total current liabilities 490   472   Other Liabilities Long-term debt 5,520 5,696 Accounts payable — affiliate 3 9 Derivative instruments 43 44 Other non-current liabilities 87   76   Total non-current liabilities 5,653   5,825   Total Liabilities 6,143   6,297   Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued — —

Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000,000shares authorized (Class A 500,000,000, Class B 500,000,000, Class C 1,000,000,000,Class D 1,000,000,000); 184,780,837 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250,Class B 42,738,750, Class C 64,717,087, Class D 42,738,750) at September 30, 2017 and182,848,000 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, ClassC 62,784,250, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2016

1 1 Additional paid-in capital 1,864 1,879 Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit) 24 (2 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (27 ) (28 ) Noncontrolling interest 437   689   Total Stockholders' Equity 2,299   2,539   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 8,442   $ 8,836      

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

  Nine months ended September 30, 2017   2016 (In millions) Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income $ 85 $ 116 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (63 ) (34 ) Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates 52 43 Depreciation and amortization 241 224 Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts 18 15 Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts 52 57 Changes in deferred income taxes 15 25 Changes in derivative instruments (2 ) (5 ) Loss on disposal of asset components 8 5 Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements 5 2 Changes in other working capital (37 ) (5 ) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 374   443   Cash Flows from Investing Activities Payments for the Drop Down Assets (176 ) (77 ) Capital expenditures (23 ) (16 ) Cash receipts from notes receivable 11 11 Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates 32 16 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (48 ) (69 ) Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (204 ) (135 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Net contributions from noncontrolling interests 13 7 Net distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets (49 ) (126 ) Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 34 — Payments of dividends and distributions (149 ) (127 ) Payments of debt issuance costs (4 ) (6 ) Proceeds from the revolving credit facility — 60 Payments for the revolving credit facility — (366 ) Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 41 550 Payments for long-term debt (224 ) (204 ) Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (338 ) (212 ) Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (168 ) 96 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 487   242   Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period $ 319   $ 338    

Appendix Table A-1: Three Months Ended September 30, 2017, Segment Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):

($ in millions)   Conventional   Renewables   Thermal   Corporate   Total Net Income/(Loss) 36   28   10   (33 ) 41 Plus: Income Tax Expense — — — 8 8 Interest Expense, net 13 39 2 21 75 Depreciation and Amortization 27 56 5 — 88 ARO Expense — 1 — — 1 Contract Amortization 1 16 1 — 18 Other non-recurring charges 2 — — — 2 Adjustments to reflect NRG Yield’s pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from Unconsolidated Affiliates 3   29   —   —   32 Adjusted EBITDA 82   169   18   (4 ) 265  

Appendix Table A-2: Three Months Ended September 30, 2016, Segment Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):

($ in millions)   Conventional   Renewables   Thermal   Corporate   Total Net Income/(Loss) 39   37   10   (36 ) 50 Plus: Income Tax Expense — — — 13 13 Interest Expense, net 13 36 2 19 70 Depreciation and Amortization 20 50 5 — 75 ARO Expense 1 — — — 1 Contract Amortization 1 16 — — 17 Adjustments to reflect NRG Yield’s pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from Unconsolidated Affiliates 3   23   —   —   26 Adjusted EBITDA 77   162   17   (4 ) 252  

Appendix Table A-3: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017, Segment Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):

($ in millions)   Conventional   Renewables   Thermal   Corporate   Total Net Income/(Loss) 87   69   22   (93 ) 85 Plus: Income Tax Expense — — — 15 15 Interest Expense, net 39 127 7 62 235 Depreciation and Amortization 77 149 15 — 241 ARO Expense — 3 — — 3 Contract Amortization 4 46 2 — 52 Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs — — — 2 2 Other non-recurring charges 4 3 — — 7 Adjustments to reflect NRG Yield’s pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from Unconsolidated Affiliates 10   69   —   —   79 Adjusted EBITDA 221   466   46   (14 ) 719  

Appendix Table A-4: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016, Segment Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):

($ in millions)   Conventional   Renewables   Thermal   Corporate   Total Net Income/(Loss) 108   76   24   (92 ) 116 Plus: Income Tax Expense — — — 25 25 Interest Expense, net 36 114 5 57 212 Depreciation and Amortization 60 149 15 — 224 ARO Expense 1 1 — — 2 Contract Amortization 10 46 1 — 57 Other non-recurring charges — 3 — — 3 Adjustments to reflect NRG Yield’s pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from Unconsolidated Affiliates 10   58   —   —   68 Adjusted EBITDA 225 447 45 (10 ) 707  

Appendix Table A-5: Cash Available for Distribution Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of Cash Available for Distribution and provides a reconciliation to Cash from Operating Activities:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended ($ in millions)   9/30/17   9/30/16 9/30/17   9/30/16 Adjusted EBITDA   265   252   719   707   Cash interest paid (79 ) (63 ) (227 ) (198 ) Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements 69 67 5 2 Pro-rata Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates (59 ) (42 ) (142 ) (102 ) Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates 23 17 49 39 All other changes in working capital   (16 ) (6 ) (30 ) (5 ) Cash from Operating Activities   203   225   374   443   All other changes in working capital 16 6 30 5 Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates 7 (2 ) 32 16 Net contributions (to)/from non-controlling interest (2 ) (4 ) 5 (2 ) Maintenance Capital expenditures (10 ) (3 ) (21 ) (12 ) Principal amortization of indebtedness (82 ) (81 ) (224 ) (203 )

Cash receipts from notes receivable11

  2   2   11   11   Cash Available for Distribution (Recast)   134   143   207   258  

Adjustment to reflect NYLD's CAFD pre Drop Down acquisition12,13

  —   (4 ) 1   (9 ) Cash Available for Distribution   134   139   208   249    

Appendix Table A-6: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017, Sources and Uses of Liquidity

The following table summarizes the sources and uses of liquidity in the first nine months of 2017:

  Nine Months Ended ($ in millions) 9/30/17 Sources: Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 374 Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 41 Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 34 Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates 32     Uses: Payments for long-term debt (224 ) Payments for the Drop Down Assets (176 ) Payment of dividends to shareholders and distributions to NRG (149 ) Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (48 ) Other net cash outflows (29 ) Capital expenditures (23 )     Change in total cash ( 168 )  

Appendix Table A-7: Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution Guidance

($ in millions)  

Prior 2017 Full Year Guidance

 

Updated 2017 Full Year Guidance

 

2018 Full Year Guidance

Net Income 140     100     125   Income Tax Expense 25   20   25 Interest Expense, net 290 310 310 Depreciation, Amortization, and Accretion Expense 381 400 405 Other non-recurring charges 4 25 — Adjustment to reflect NRG share of Adjusted EBITDA in unconsolidated affiliates 80     80     85   Adjusted EBITDA 920     935     950   Cash interest paid (295 ) (298 ) (286 ) Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements (4 ) (4 ) —

Changes in prepaid long term maintenance contract14

— (2 ) (2 ) Pro-rata Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates (175 ) (179 ) (188 ) Cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates 111     116     125   Cash from Operating Activities 557     568     599   Net contributions from non-controlling interest 1 1 6

Maintenance capital expenditures15

(29 ) (26 ) (32 ) Principal amortization of indebtedness (291 ) (329 ) (306 )

Cash receipts from notes receivable16

16     16     13   Cash Available for Distribution (Recast) 254     230     280  

Adjustment to reflect NYLD's CAFD pre drop down acquisition17,18

1     30     —   Cash Available for Distribution 255     260     280    

Appendix Table A-8: Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution Drop Downs

($ in millions)  

November Drop Down - 5 Year Average from 2018-2022

Net Income   6   Interest Expense, net   2 Depreciation, Amortization, and ARO   4   Adjusted EBITDA   12   Cash interest paid   (2 ) Cash from Operating Activities   10   Principal amortization of indebtedness   (1.2 ) Estimated Cash Available for Distribution   8.8    

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. These measurements are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that NRG Yield’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

EBITDA represents net income before interest (including loss on debt extinguishment), taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented because NRG Yield considers it an important supplemental measure of its performance and believes debt and equity holders frequently use EBITDA to analyze operating performance and debt service capacity. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

• EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments;
• EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs;
• EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments;
• Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
• Other companies in this industry may calculate EBITDA differently than NRG Yield does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to use to invest in the growth of NRG Yield’s business. NRG Yield compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. See the statements of cash flow included in the financial statements that are a part of this news release.

Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a further supplemental measure of operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for mark-to-market gains or losses, asset write offs and impairments; and factors which we do not consider indicative of future operating performance. The reader is encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons NRG Yield considers it appropriate for supplemental analysis. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to all of the limitations applicable to EBITDA. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, the reader should be aware that in the future NRG Yield may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this news release.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other users of our financial statements in evaluating our operating performance because it provides them with an additional tool to compare business performance across companies and across periods. This measure is widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items such as interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired.

Additionally, Management believes that investors commonly adjust EBITDA information to eliminate the effect of restructuring and other expenses, which vary widely from company to company and impair comparability. As we define it, Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for the effects of impairment losses, gains or losses on sales, dispositions or retirements of assets, any mark-to-market gains or losses from accounting for derivatives, adjustments to exclude the Adjusted EBITDA related to the non-controlling interest, gains or losses on the repurchase, modification or extinguishment of debt, and any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items plus adjustments to reflect the Adjusted EBITDA from our unconsolidated investments. We adjust for these items in our Adjusted EBITDA as our management believes that these items would distort their ability to efficiently view and assess our core operating trends.

In summary, our management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of operating performance to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis and to readily view operating trends, as a measure for planning and forecasting overall expectations and for evaluating actual results against such expectations, and in communications with our Board of Directors, shareholders, creditors, analysts and investors concerning our financial performance.

Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD) is adjusted EBITDA plus cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, cash receipts from notes receivable, less cash distributions to non-controlling interests, maintenance capital expenditures, pro-rata adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates, cash interest paid, income taxes paid, principal amortization of indebtedness, and changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments. Management believes cash available for distribution is a relevant supplemental measure of the Company’s ability to earn and distribute cash returns to investors.

We believe cash available for distribution is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because securities analysts and other interested parties use such calculations as a measure of our ability to make quarterly distributions. In addition, cash available for distribution is used by our management team for determining future acquisitions and managing our growth. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to cash available for distribution is cash from operating activities.

However, cash available for distribution has limitations as an analytical tool because it does not include changes in operating assets and liabilities and excludes the effect of certain other cash flow items, all of which could have a material effect on our financial condition and results from operations. Cash available for distribution is a non GAAP measure and should not be considered an alternative to cash from operating activities or any other performance or liquidity measure determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs. In addition, our calculations of cash available for distribution are not necessarily comparable to cash available for distribution as calculated by other companies. Investors should not rely on these measures as a substitute for any GAAP measure, including cash from operating activities.

1 In accordance with GAAP, 2016 results have been recast to include the March 2017 Drop Down Assets as if the combinations had been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period2 In accordance with GAAP, 2016 results have been recast to include the March 2017 Drop Down Assets as if the combinations had been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period3 Also includes Thermal MWh sold4 In accordance with GAAP, 2016 results have been recast to include the March 2017 Drop Down Assets as if the combinations had been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period5 See Appendix A-6 Sources and Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents for Nine Months Ended September 30, 20176 CAFD average over the 5-year period from 2018-20227 Excludes $26 million for 14 MW of residential solar leases acquired outside of partnerships, not adjusted for dividends received8 Based on cash to be distributed; excludes 14 MW of residential solar leases acquired outside of partnership9 Based on cash to be distributed10 In accordance with GAAP, except for CAFD, all financial results include the full year impact of the drop down as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. CAFD impact represents November through December estimates only.11 Reimbursement of network upgrades12 Adjustment to YTD 2017 to reflect debt service paid by the Utah solar assets prior to ownership by NRG Yield13 Adjustment to Q3 2016 and YTD 2016 reflect the cash distribution from the CVSR project to NRG Yield while it was an unconsolidated equity investment in 201614 Adjustment to reflect cash payment for the Walnut Creek facility's long term maintenance plan15 Net of property damage insurance proceeds to replace equipment16 Reimbursement of network upgrades17 Prior 2017 Guidance Adjustment to reflect debt service paid by the Utah solar assets prior to ownership by NRG Yield18 Updated 2017 Guidance Adjustment to reflect debt service paid by the Utah solar assets and debt service paid by the SPP funds prior to ownership by NRG Yield

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NRG Yield, Inc.Media:Sheri Woodruff, 609-524-4608orMarijke Shugrue, 609-524-5262orInvestors:Kevin L. Cole, CFA, 609-524-4526orLindsey Puchyr, 609-524-4527