TransAlta announces acquisition of Solomon power station in Western Australia
05 September 2012 - 6:34AM
Marketwired
TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX:TA) (NYSE:TAC) announced
today that its wholly owned subsidiary has entered into an
agreement with Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (Fortescue) (ASX: FMG)
to acquire its 125 megawatt (MW) dual-fuel Solomon power station
for U.S. $318 million.
"This acquisition represents a significant expansion of our
energy business in Western Australia and provides TransAlta with a
new valued customer," said Dawn Farrell, TransAlta President and
CEO. "It fits with our strategy of being a leading behind-the-fence
generator in that region and provides us with a broader platform
for future growth."
The Solomon power station will be fully contracted with
Fortescue under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and will
support their iron ore mining operations in the Solomon Hub,
located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The initial
term of the PPA is 16 years after which Fortescue will have the
option to either extend the PPA by an additional five years under
the same terms, or to acquire the facility from TransAlta for a
value equivalent to the five year extension.
The power station is currently under construction and is
expected to be commissioned in Q4 2012. The acquisition is expected
to generate unlevered after-tax returns in the low double digits
and pre-financing cash flows of approximately $40 million per year.
Under International Financial Reporting Standards, TransAlta will
account for the facility as a finance lease.
The acquisition is expected to close by the end of September,
2012 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Investment Highlights of Solomon Acquisition:
-- Fits directly with TransAlta's strategy to be a leading behind-the-fence
generator in Western Australia
-- Increases TransAlta's net generation capacity in Western Australia by
over 40 per cent to 425 MW, significantly advancing our growth target of
owning and operating 600 MW in Western Australia
-- Long-term PPA that is fully guaranteed by Fortescue provides stable and
growing cash flows through capacity payments that escalate annually
-- Flow through of operating, fuel, maintenance and capital costs
-- Proven technology and operating model
-- Accretive to both earnings and free cash flow per share
TransAlta is a power generation and wholesale marketing company
focused on creating long-term shareholder value. TransAlta
maintains a low-to-moderate risk profile by operating a highly
contracted portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States and
Australia. TransAlta's focus is to efficiently operate our
geothermal, wind, hydro, natural gas and coal facilities in order
to provide our customers with a reliable, low-cost source of power.
For 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a
proud contributor to the communities where we work and live.
TransAlta is recognized for its leadership on sustainability by the
Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, the FTSE4Good Index
and the Jantzi Social Index. TransAlta is Canada's largest
investor-owned renewable energy provider.
This news release may contain forward looking statements,
including statements regarding the business and anticipated
financial performance of TransAlta Corporation. These statements
are based on TransAlta Corporation's belief and assumptions based
on information available at the time the assumption was made. These
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors
that could cause such differences include, pricing in the market
place, our inability to enter into long term contracts due to
prevailing market conditions, legislative or regulatory
developments, competition, global capital markets activity, changes
in interest rates, currency exchange rates, inflation levels and
general economic conditions in geographic areas where TransAlta
Corporation operates.
Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless noted
otherwise.
Contacts: TransAlta Corporation - Investor Inquiries Jess
Nieukerk Director, Investor Relations 1
800-387-3598investor_relations@transalta.com TransAlta Corporation
- Media Inquiries TransAlta Media Relations 1 403-267-3999
www.transalta.com
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