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TerraForm Power (TERP) to Acquire Wind Generation Projects from Atlantic Power (AT)

April 1, 2015 8:22 AM EDT

Atlantic Power (NYSE: AT) announced an agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to sell its wind generation projects to TerraForm Power, Inc. ("TerraForm") (Nasdaq: TERP) for cash proceeds of approximately $350 million, subject to certain adjustments.

These operating wind projects, representing 521 MW net ownership, are indirectly owned by Atlantic Power Transmission, Inc., a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of the Company, and will be acquired by TerraForm AP Acquisition Holdings, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of TerraForm. The following five projects located in Idaho and Oklahoma will be transferred to TerraForm subject to the Purchase Agreement: Goshen North (12.5% economic interest), Idaho Wind (27.6% economic interest), Meadow Creek (100% economic interest); Rockland Wind Farm ("Rockland") (50% economic interest, but consolidated on a 100% basis); and Canadian Hills (99% economic interest).

In addition to the receipt of approximately $350 million in cash proceeds, the Company will deconsolidate approximately $249 million of project debt (or approximately $275 million as adjusted for the Company's proportional ownership of Rockland, Goshen North and Idaho Wind) and approximately $239 million of non-controlling interest related to tax equity interests at Canadian Hills and the minority ownership interests at Rockland and Canadian Hills. On that basis, the total enterprise value ("EV") of the transaction is expected to be approximately $837 million, net of estimated reserves and other cash at the projects at closing.

"Together with our board, we considered a wide range of options for asset divestitures over the last six months as well as options for refinancing the balance sheet without asset sales," said James J. Moore, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Power. "This transaction represents a compelling valuation for our assets and will enhance our financial strength and flexibility."

Based on the Company's 2015 guidance and adjusting for the Company's proportional ownership of Rockland and Canadian Hills, the EV/Project Adjusted EBITDA multiple implied by the transaction is approximately 14 times. The equity valuation of $350 million represents a multiple of approximately 13 times expected 2015 cash distributions from the projects.

Mr. Moore continued, "In addition to completing the wind transaction, we are focused on executing the other elements of our business plan, including evaluating the best use of proceeds to optimize our capital structure for the benefit of shareholders, continuing to implement significant reductions in our corporate general and administrative expenses beyond the level already targeted for 2015, and making ongoing investments in our fleet at attractive cash-on-cash returns."

Net proceeds to the Company from the transaction are expected to be approximately $338 million after estimated transaction fees and transaction-related taxes. The Company's 2015 guidance provided on February 26, 2015 did not assume any potential asset sales. The Company expects to update this guidance for the sale of its wind assets when it reports results for the first quarter of 2015 after the market closes on May 7, 2015.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions. The sale is subject to various closing conditions and approvals, including the receipt of regulatory approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, antitrust approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and other required governmental, third party and lender consents and approvals. The Purchase Agreement contains certain termination rights for both parties, including if the closing does not occur within ninety (90) days following the date of the Purchase Agreement (subject to extension to one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the Purchase Agreement, if necessary to obtain applicable governmental approvals). Closing of the transaction is expected by the end of the second quarter.

In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company also entered into a Guaranty Agreement (the "Guaranty Agreement"), under which it has agreed to guarantee the full and prompt payment of all payment obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement. The parties have agreed to utilize representation and warranty insurance for coverage of certain indemnification obligations, subject to a cap and certain exclusions.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as financial advisor to the Company. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as legal counsel.



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