Pattern Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2016 Financial Results

- Increases dividend to $0.41375 per Class A common share for first quarter 2017 -

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pattern Energy Group Inc. (the "Company" or "Pattern Energy") PEGI PEG today announced its financial results for the 2016 fourth quarter and year.

Highlights

(Comparisons made between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 results, unless otherwise noted)

• Proportional GWh sold of 6,806 GWh, up 33%
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $164 million, up 39%
• Cash available for distribution (CAFD) of $133.0 million, up 44%
• Net loss of $52.3 million, an improvement of 6%
• Adjusted EBITDA of $304.2 million, up 21%
• Revenue of $354.1 million, up 7%
• Declared a first quarter dividend of $0.41375 per Class A common share or $1.655 on an annualized basis, subsequent to the end of the period, representing a 1.4% increase over the previous quarter's dividend and the twelfth consecutive dividend increase
• Increased owned capacity by 16% to 2,644 MW during 2016 with the acquisition of a 90 MW owned interest in the Armow project and an agreement to acquire a 272 MW owned interest in the Broadview projects, including the associated interconnect transmission line
• Reported construction progress is on schedule at Broadview and the commencement of commercial operations is expected in April 2017, at which time Pattern Energy has agreed to acquire its owned interest
• Completed a $350 million senior notes offering at 5.875% which matures in 2024, subsequent to the end of the period

"We delivered 44 percent growth in our cash available for distribution in 2016 which is approximately the midpoint of our guidance range. Our high-quality portfolio of 18 assets continues to supply stable cash flows. The outlook for renewables has never been stronger as technology improvements continue to drive the delivered cost of power lower.  Lower technology costs and our proven ability to develop new investment opportunities position us to continue to achieve high growth rates for the next several years and beyond," said Mike Garland, President and CEO of Pattern Energy. "In order to deliver on this potential, in September we launched an internal initiative called Pattern 2020 that outlined our vision for the business through 2020. The Pattern 2020 vision has three goals: 1) to make Pattern the best place to work in the industry; 2) to double the size of our portfolio; and 3) to continue to be a top competitor, which will include aggressively lowering our costs through operational initiatives, improved systems and automation and other actions. It's a vision that brings focus throughout the whole organization as we execute our day-to-day work to deliver safe, reliable, low cost renewable energy to communities."

Financial Results

Pattern Energy sold 1,817,651 MWh of electricity on a proportional basis in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 1,714,884 MWh sold for the same period in 2015. Pattern Energy sold 6,806,272 MWh of electricity on a proportional basis for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the "full year 2016"), compared to 5,136,675 MWh sold in 2015. The increase for the quarterly period is primarily due to the commencement of commercial operations of Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge in December 2015 and the acquisition of Armow in the fourth quarter of 2016. Overall, production was modestly below the Company's expectation for the fourth quarter compared to its long-term forecast. The increase in proportional MWh sold for the annual period was primarily attributable to a 1,425,038 MWh increase in volume from controlling interest in consolidated MWh and a 244,559 MWh increase in volume from unconsolidated investments due to the acquisitions of Armow in October 2016 and K2 in June 2015.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $56.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $32.4 million for the same period in 2015. The change quarter over quarter is primarily due to increases in working capital of $13.5 million, increased distributions from unconsolidated investments of $14.6 million and decreased cash payments for interest of $2.9 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in revenues of $4.1 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily due to decreases in MWh sold and increases in operating expenses of $2.2 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $163.7 million for the full year 2016 compared to $117.8 million in 2015, an increase of $45.8 million, or approximately 38.9%. The increase was primarily due to higher revenues of $47.3 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) from projects which were acquired since May 2015 or which commenced commercial operations since September 2015, increased distributions from unconsolidated investments of $15.0 million, increased working capital of $4.1 million, a decrease in transaction costs of $3.1 million, and a $2.4 million increase in related party income. These increases were partially offset by increased project expenses of $14.2 million and operating expenses of $13.1 million.

Cash available for distribution was $36.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $32.9 million for the same period in 2015. The $3.3 million increase in cash available for distribution is due to increases of $5.5 million in distributions from unconsolidated investments, a $4.2 million increase in network upgrade reimbursements, increased related party income of $0.7 million, decreased net losses on transactions of $0.7 million, decreased project expenses of $0.7 million, and decreased principal payments of $0.7 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in revenues of $4.1 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) due primarily to decreases in volumes, increases in operating expenses of $2.2 million, and increased distributions to noncontrolling interests of $2.6 million.

Cash available for distribution was $133.0 million for the full year 2016 compared to $92.4 million for 2015. Based on dividends paid during 2016, Pattern Energy's dividend payout ratio was 90% of 2016 cash available for distribution. The $40.5 million increase in cash available for distribution was due to additional revenues of $47.3 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily from projects which were acquired or commenced commercial operations during 2015. In addition, the Company received an increase of $22.5 million in cash distributions from its unconsolidated investments when compared to the same period in the prior year which was due to full year operations at K2 and the acquisition of Armow in the fourth quarter of 2016, reduced principal payments of project-level debt by $6.4 million, decreased net losses on transactions of $3.1 million, and increased related party income of $2.4 million. These increases were partially offset by increased project expenses of $14.2 million, operating expenses of $13.1 million, increased distributions to noncontrolling interests of $10.0 million, and the $6.2 million cash distribution from the partial refund of a deposit associated with the Gulf Wind energy derivative in 2015. Reconciliations of cash available for distribution to net cash provided by operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP for both the quarterly and annual periods are shown below.

Net income was $3.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million for the same period in 2015. The improvement in the quarterly period was primarily due to other income items related to gains on undesignated derivatives and lower interest expense. These improvements were offset by decreased revenues (including the unrealized loss on energy derivative) as well as increased operating expenses.

Net loss was $52.3 million for the full year 2016 compared to $55.6 million for 2015. The improvement in net loss for the annual period was primarily due to increased earnings in unconsolidated investments and increased revenues, partially offset by increased project expense, operating expenses and tax provision.

Adjusted EBITDA was $85.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $78.3 million for the same period in 2015. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2016 was $304.2 million compared to $250.5 million for 2015. The increase for the quarterly period was primarily attributable to the commencement of commercial operations of Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge in December 2015 and the acquisition of Armow in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in the annual period was primarily due to projects that were acquired or commenced commercial operation in 2015 and 2016. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss determined in accordance with GAAP for both the quarterly and annual periods are shown below.

2017 Financial Guidance

For 2017, Pattern Energy expects annual cash available for distribution in a range of $140 million to $165 million, representing an increase of 15% at the midpoint of the range, compared to cash available for distribution in 2016.^(*)

Quarterly Dividend

Pattern Energy declared an increased dividend for the first quarter 2017, payable on April 28, 2017, to holders of record on March 31, 2017 in the amount of $0.41375 per Class A common share, which represents $1.655 on an annualized basis. This is a 1.4% increase from the fourth quarter 2016 dividend of $0.408.

Construction Pipeline

The table below outlines the Broadview projects that Pattern Energy has agreed to acquire, which are currently in construction, the capacity owned and the projects' anticipated commencement date for commercial operation.

Acquisitions

In October 2016, Pattern Energy acquired 90 MW of owned capacity in the 179 MW Armow project from Pattern Development 1.0 for approximately US $133.0 million. The purchase price was funded from cash available and draws under the Company's revolving credit facility.

Located in Kincardine, Ontario, Armow consists of 91 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines and is jointly owned by Pattern Energy and Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. The facility reached commercial operation in December 2015 and operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario.

Acquisition Pipeline

Pattern Energy has the Right of First Offer (ROFO) on a pipeline of acquisition opportunities from Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 (together, the "Pattern Development Companies"). The identified ROFO list stands at 962 MW of total owned capacity. The list of identified ROFO projects represents a portion of the Pattern Development Companies' 5,900 MW pipeline of development projects, all of which are subject to Pattern Energy's ROFO.

Since its IPO, Pattern Energy has purchased 1,194 MW from Pattern Development 1.0 and in aggregate grown the identified ROFO list from 746 MW to a total of 2,156 MW. Below is a summary of the Identified ROFO Projects that the Company expects to acquire from the Pattern Development Companies in connection with Pattern Energy's project purchase rights:

Cash Available for Distribution and Adjusted EBITDA Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The following tables reconcile non-GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to cash available for distribution and net loss to Adjusted EBITDA, respectively, for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

Conference Call and Webcast

Pattern Energy will host a conference call and webcast, complete with slide presentation, to discuss these results at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Mike Garland, President and CEO, and Mike Lyon, CFO, will co-chair the call. Participants should call (888) 231-8191 or (647) 427-7450 and ask an operator for the Pattern Energy earnings call. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call to secure a line. A replay will be available shortly after the call. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 or (416) 849-0833 and enter access code 74242722. The replay recording will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, March 22, 2017.

A live webcast of the conference call will be also available on the events page in the investor section of Pattern Energy's website at www.patternenergy.com. An archived webcast will be available for one year.

About Pattern Energy

Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern Energy) is an independent power company listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pattern Energy has a portfolio of 18 wind power facilities, including one it has agreed to acquire, with a total owned interest of 2,644 MW in the United States, Canada and Chile that use proven, best-in-class technology. Pattern Energy's wind power facilities generate stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets and provide a solid foundation for the continued growth of the business. For more information, visit www.patternenergy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the ability to grow CAFD and to achieve the 2017 CAFD estimate, the Company's ability to achieve high growth rates in the future, the ability to achieve the goals of the Pattern 2020 vision, the ability to continue to grow the list of ROFO assets in 2017, and the ability to complete the Broadview projects. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and any quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The risk factors and other factors noted therein could cause actual events or the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

 

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SOURCE Pattern Energy Group Inc.