Constellation to Acquire Calpine in Stock and
Cash
Joins Best-in-Class Customer Platforms,
Providing Opportunities to Better Serve Customers with a Broader
Array of Energy and Sustainability Products
Combines Nation’s Premier Nuclear, Natural Gas
and Geothermal Fleets to Create Cleanest and Most Reliable Energy
Producer, with Coast-to-Coast Presence
Immediately and Highly Accretive to
Constellation’s EPS and Cash Flow with Value Creation for
Constellation Owners
Ownership Commitment from Calpine’s Owners, led
by Energy Capital Partners (ECP), Who Will Receive Stock in the Pro
Forma Company as Consideration
Constellation to Host Conference Call and
Webcast Today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG) and Calpine Corp. today announced
they have entered into a definitive agreement under which
Constellation will acquire Calpine in a cash and stock transaction
valued at an equity purchase price of approximately $16.4 billion,
composed of 50 million shares of Constellation stock and $4.5
billion in cash plus the assumption of approximately $12.7 billion
of Calpine net debt. After accounting for cash that is expected to
be generated by Calpine between signing and the expected closing
date, as well as the value of tax attributes at Calpine, the net
purchase price is $26.6 billion, reflecting an attractive
acquisition multiple of 7.9x 2026 EV/EBITDA.
The agreement creates the nation’s largest clean energy
provider, opening opportunities to serve more customers
coast-to-coast with a broader array of energy and sustainability
products. Already the nation’s largest producer of 24/7
emissions-free electricity, Constellation will add Calpine, the
largest U.S. producer of energy from low-emission natural gas
generation and an expanded renewable energy portfolio, including
the largest geothermal generation operation in the U.S. The
combination also forms the nation’s leading competitive retail
electric supplier, providing 2.5 million customers with a broader
array of customized energy and sustainability solutions and new
product offerings to help them manage energy costs and achieve
their sustainability goals.
“This acquisition will help us better serve our customers across
America, from families to businesses and utilities,” said Joe
Dominguez, president and CEO, Constellation. “By combining
Constellation’s unmatched expertise in zero-emission nuclear energy
with Calpine’s industry-leading, best-in-class, low-carbon natural
gas and geothermal generation fleets, we will be able to offer the
broadest array of energy products and services available in the
industry. Both companies have been at the forefront of America’s
transition to cleaner, more reliable and secure energy, and those
shared values will guide us as we pursue investments in new and
existing clean technologies to meet rising demand. What makes this
combination even more special is it brings together two world-class
teams, with the most talented women and men in the industry, who
share a noble passion for safety, sustainability, operational
excellence and helping America’s families, businesses and
communities thrive and grow. We look forward to welcoming the
Calpine team upon closing of this transaction.”
Calpine’s low-emission natural gas plants will play a key role
in maintaining grid reliability for decades to come as customers
transition to cleaner energy sources. Both companies have been
early investors in carbon sequestration technology to help ensure
America’s abundant natural gas can continue to reliably power
customers. At the same time, Constellation will invest in adding
more zero-emission energy to the grid by extending the life of
existing clean energy sources, exploring new advanced nuclear
projects, investing in renewables and increasing the output of
existing nuclear plants, in addition to restarting the Crane Clean
Energy Center in Pennsylvania.
Andrew Novotny, president and CEO of Calpine, said, “This is an
incredible opportunity to bring together top tier generation
fleets, leading retail customer businesses and the best people in
our industry to help drive a stronger American economy for a
cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future. Together, we will
be better positioned to bring accelerated investment in everything
from zero-emission nuclear to battery storage that will power our
economy in a way that puts people and our environment first. It’s a
win for every American family and business in our newly combined
footprint that wants clean and reliable energy. ECP’s commitment to
these goals over the last seven years was critical to the progress
we have made as a company and to laying a foundation for future
growth.”
Tyler Reeder, president & managing partner of ECP, said,
“Since acquiring Calpine in 2018, we have focused on unlocking
value and driving future potential growth avenues for the business,
which we believe have been recognized through this combination. We
truly cannot thank the Calpine team enough for their partnership
and are excited to support their continued contributions to the
Constellation team. Following the closing of the transaction, we
will remain committed as a shareholder of Constellation, reflecting
our high confidence in the continued value and growth potential
created by this combination.”
The transaction will deliver benefits to Constellation’s owners,
with expected immediate adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings per
share (EPS) accretion of more than 20% in 2026 and at least $2 per
share of EPS accretion in future years. The transaction is
projected to add more than $2 billion (non-GAAP) of free cash flow
annually, creating strategic capital and scale to reinvest in the
business. Constellation’s base earnings outlook is expected to
continue growing at a double-digit rate through the decade.
Constellation remains committed to a strong, investment-grade
balance sheet with current ratings expected to be affirmed by
S&P and Moody’s.
Strategic Benefits:
- Creates the cleanest and most reliable generation portfolio
in the U.S., with a diverse, coast-to-coast portfolio of zero- and
low-emission generation assets and expands Constellation’s
footprint in the fastest growing area of demand for power:
Together, Constellation and Calpine will have nearly 60 gigawatts
of capacity from zero- and low-emission sources, including nuclear,
natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, cogeneration and
battery storage. The combined company’s footprint will span the
continental U.S. and include a significantly expanded presence in
Texas, the fastest growing market for power demand, as well as
other key strategic states, including California, Delaware, New
York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
- Combines best-in-class retail and commercial businesses with
a premier customer solutions platform, establishing a
coast-to-coast presence and providing opportunities to serve more
customers with a broader array of energy and sustainability
products to meet increasing demand: The transaction will expand
Constellation’s industry-leading customer solutions business to
position the combined company as the leading U.S. retail
electricity supplier, helping 2.5 million homes and businesses
nationwide achieve their energy and sustainability needs. The
combined company will offer customers a broader array of reliable
energy solutions, including new product offerings that can
integrate nuclear, renewable and natural gas technologies tailored
to customers’ unique needs. Customers also will enjoy more
predictability and competitive prices as a result of the two
companies’ complementary generation assets, load, fuel diversity,
geographies and product offerings.
- Reinforces Constellation’s position as the largest clean
energy producer with the lowest carbon emissions intensity in the
U.S.: Constellation is already the top clean energy producer in
the U.S., providing 10% of the nation’s emissions-free energy.
Joining Calpine with Constellation broadens this position by
increasing Constellation’s renewable portfolio, including the
Geysers facility in Northern California, the largest geothermal
generator in the U.S. The combined company is poised for further
growth, enhanced by its increased scale and cash flow.
- Joins proven, experienced, best-in-class teams with strong
cultures of safety, operating excellence and commitment to serving
customers, communities and the country. Constellation and
Calpine’s people share a passion for powering America’s families
and businesses with energy that is reliable, clean and available
whenever it’s needed. Both companies are innovators recognized
across the industry for operating at the highest levels of safety,
efficiency and reliability, and for offering competitive products
that allow customers to cost-effectively meet their energy needs.
After closing, Calpine CEO Andrew Novotny will bring his decades of
energy expertise and leadership to Constellation and continue to
lead the Calpine business.
- Strengthens shared commitment to supporting clean, healthy
and growing communities through workforce development, philanthropy
and community investment: Together, the combined company will
increase its positive impact, serving as an economic engine for
local communities through jobs, tax payments and other economic
activity. The combined company will continue its commitment to
communities through more than $21.1 million in combined annual
Foundation, corporate and employee philanthropy, in addition to
thousands of employee volunteer hours, with a focus on economically
disadvantaged communities.
Additional Transaction Details
The cash and stock transaction will have a value of
approximately $16.4 billion, composed of 50 million shares of
Constellation stock using the trailing 20-day VWAP of $237.98 and
$4.5 billion in cash plus the assumption of approximately $12.7
billion of Calpine net debt. Constellation expects to fund the cash
portion of the transaction through a combination of cash on hand
and cash flow generated by Calpine in the period between signing
and closing of the transaction (that will be assumed at
closing).
Reflecting their confidence in Constellation’s growth and value
creation through this acquisition, Calpine’s significant
shareholders, including ECP, Canada Pension Plan Investments (CPP
Investments) and Access Industries, have agreed to an 18-month
lock-up with respect to their equity ownership of Constellation
common stock, subject to an agreed upon schedule for potential
sales.
The transaction is expected to close within 12 months of
signing, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing
conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting
period pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and regulatory
approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the
Canadian Competition Bureau, the New York Public Service
Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and other
regulatory agencies.
Following the close of the transaction, Constellation will
continue to be headquartered in Baltimore and will continue to
maintain a significant presence in Houston, where Calpine is
currently headquartered.
Advisors
Lazard is serving as financial advisor to Constellation. J.P.
Morgan Securities LLC is also serving as financial advisor to
Constellation, and Kirkland & Ellis is serving as legal
counsel.
Evercore served as lead financial advisor to Calpine. Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., and Barclays
US are serving as additional financial advisors to Calpine and ECP,
and Latham & Watkins and White & Case are serving as legal
counsel.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Constellation will host a conference call today, Jan. 10, 2025,
at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement.
The live audio webcast of the conference call, including
presentation slides, will be available at
https://investors.constellationenergy.com.
About Constellation
A Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, Constellation
Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG) is the nation’s largest producer
of clean, emissions-free energy and a leading supplier of energy
products and services to businesses, homes, community aggregations
and public sector customers across the continental United States,
including three fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual
output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar
facilities paired with the nation’s largest nuclear fleet have the
generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes,
providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy. We are further
accelerating the nation’s transition to a carbon-free future by
helping our customers reach their sustainability goals, setting our
own ambitious goal of achieving 100% carbon-free generation by
2040, and by investing in promising emerging technologies to
eliminate carbon emissions across all sectors of the economy.
Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.
About Calpine
Calpine Corporation is America’s largest generator of
electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with
operations in competitive power markets. Our fleet of 79 energy
facilities in operation represents over 27,000 megawatts of
generation capacity. Through wholesale power operations and our
retail businesses, we serve customers in 22 states and Canada. Our
clean, efficient, modern and flexible fleet uses advanced
technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally
responsible manner. We are uniquely positioned to benefit from the
secular trends affecting our industry, including the abundant and
affordable supply of clean natural gas, environmental regulation,
aging power generation infrastructure and the increasing need for
dispatchable power plants to successfully integrate intermittent
renewables into the grid.
If you would like to learn more about Calpine follow us:
Twitter.com/Calpine or Linkedin.com/Calpine.
About Energy Capital Partners (ECP)
Energy Capital Partners (ECP), founded in 2005, is a leading
equity and credit investor across energy transition,
electrification and decarbonization infrastructure assets. The ECP
team, comprised of 90 people with 800 years of collective industry
experience, deep expertise and extensive relationships, has
consummated more than 100 equity (representing nearly $60 billion
of enterprise value) and over 20 credit transactions since
inception. In 2024, ECP combined with London listed Bridgepoint
Group Plc (LSE: BPT.L) to create a global leader in value added
middle-market investing with a combined $73 billion of assets under
management across private equity, credit and infrastructure. For
more information, visit www.ecpgp.com and www.bridgepoint.eu.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Words such as
“could,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “targets,”
“goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,”
“estimates,” “predicts,” and variations on such words, and similar
expressions that reflect Constellation’s and Calpine’s current
views with respect to future events and operational, economic, and
financial performance, are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed
transaction between Constellation and Calpine, the expected closing
of the proposed transaction and the timing thereof, the financing
of the proposed transaction and the pro forma combined company and
its operations, strategies and plans, enhancements to
investment-grade credit profile, synergies, opportunities and
anticipated future performance and capital structure, and expected
accretion to earnings per share and free cash flow. Information
adjusted for the proposed transaction should not be considered a
forecast of future results. Although Constellation and Calpine
believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, statements
made regarding future results are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to numerous assumptions, uncertainties
and risks that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements
are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that
involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected.
Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from the
results stated or implied in the forward-looking statements
included in this press release due to a number of factors,
including, but not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change
or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of
the merger agreement; the risk that Constellation or Calpine may be
unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for
the proposed transaction, or required governmental and regulatory
approvals may delay the proposed transaction or result in the
imposition of conditions that could cause the parties to abandon
the proposed transaction; the risk that the parties may not be able
to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely
manner or at all; the risk that problems may arise in successfully
integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in
the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently
as expected; and the risk that the combined company may be unable
to achieve synergies or other anticipated benefits of the proposed
transaction or it may take longer than expected to achieve those
synergies or benefits. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not
discussed in this press release could also have material adverse
effects on forward-looking statements.
The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements made by Constellation and
Calpine include those factors discussed herein, as well as the
items discussed in (1) Constellation’s 2023 Annual Report on Form
10-K in (a) Part I, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) Part II, ITEM 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations, and (c) Part II, ITEM 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data: Note 19, Commitments and
Contingencies; (2) Constellation’s Third Quarter 2024 Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q in (a) Part II, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) Part
I, ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, and (c) Part I, ITEM 1.
Financial Statements: Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies; and
(3) other factors discussed in filings with the SEC by
Constellation. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, which
apply only as of the date of this press release. Constellation and
Calpine undertake no obligation to publicly release any revision to
these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this press release.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250109143771/en/
Paul Adams Constellation Communications 667-218-7700
paul.adams@constellation.com
Brett Kerr Calpine External Affairs 713-830-8809
Brett.kerr@calpine.com
ECP FGS Global Nick Rust / Akash Lodh ECP@fgsglobal.com
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