NRG Yield, Inc.has entered into an agreement with Terra-Gen Power LLC to acquire the Alta Wind facility located in Tehachapi, Calif., for $870 million, plus the assumption of $1.6 billion of non-recourse project financings and subject to customary working capital adjustments. The acquisition, which totals 947MW of operating wind capacity, also includes a portfolio of land leases associated with the Alta Wind facility.
NRG Yield intends to fund the purchase price through a combination of newly issued debt, common equity and cash on hand. The transaction is expected to increase both the annual run-rate EBITDA by approximately $220 million and Cash Available for Distribution by approximately $70 million (before debt service associated with acquisition financing) by 2016.
“Alta Wind is a landmark investment for NRG Yield,” said David Crane, NRG Yield’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The acquisition of the largest wind facility on the North American continent highlights not only our commitment to carbon-free generation, but also the strength of our acquisition capabilities to compete for contracted assets of world-class quality in the competitive marketplace. Alta Wind contributes to our objective of sustainable and visible dividend growth for our investors while supporting the generation of carbon-free electricity for thousands of homes through large-scale wind.”
NRG Yield expects to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2014. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, as well as notice of the acquisition to the California Public Utilities Commission.