N.C. utility agrees to deal involving renewables branch
Duke Energy, the Charlotte-based utility, said earlier this week it has reached an agreement to sell its unregulated utility scale Commercial Renewables business to Brookfield Renewable, one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets, for a value of approximately $2.8 billion.
Duke Energy’s expected net proceeds from this transaction are approximately $1.1 billion, subject to certain customary adjustments, according to a company press release dated June 12. Duke says it "will utilize the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and avoid additional holding company debt issuances. This will allow the company to focus on the growth of its regulated businesses, including investments to enhance grid reliability and help incorporate over 30,000 megawatts of regulated renewable energy into its system by 2035."
“As one of the country’s largest renewable energy operators, Brookfield has the resources to support the continued growth and success of the Commercial Renewables’ portfolio,” said Lynn Good, Duke Energy chair, president and CEO. “This sale is an important step in our transition into a purely regulated company with significant grid and clean energy investment plans that will deliver benefits to our customers and stakeholders.”
The sale agreement for the Commercial Renewables business platform includes more than 3,400 megawatts (alternating current) of utility scale solar, wind and battery storage across the U.S., net of joint venture partners ownership, in addition to operations, new project development, and current projects under construction. The primary operations of the Commercial Renewables business will remain in Charlotte, N.C. and the Duke Energy employees that support the business will transition over to Brookfield to maintain business continuity for its operations and customers.
“With this acquisition, we are adding a scale operating renewable platform with a full suite of in-house capabilities and a proven management team experienced in operations and development,” said Connor Teskey, CEO of Brookfield Renewable. “We are also adding to our pipeline of renewable development projects, solidifying our position as one of the largest renewable energy businesses in the U.S. with almost 90,000 megawatts of operating and development assets.”
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