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Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Summary of significant accounting policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation | (a) Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and include the consolidated accounts and operations of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of the majority of the voting interest of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as a variable interest entity, through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. We apply the standard that requires consolidation of variable interest entities ("VIEs"), for which we are the primary beneficiary. The guidance requires a variable interest holder to consolidate a VIE if that party has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance, as well as either the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We have determined that our equity investments are not VIEs by evaluating their design and capital structure. Accordingly, we use the equity method of accounting for all of our investments in which we do not have an economic controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation. |
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| Cash and cash equivalents | (b) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash deposited at banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. |
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| Restricted cash | (c) Restricted cash: Restricted cash represents cash and cash equivalents that are maintained by the projects to support payments for major maintenance costs and meet project level contractual debt obligations. |
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| Deferred financing costs | (d) Deferred financing costs: Deferred financing costs represent costs to obtain long-term financing and are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt which range from 5 to 28 years. The net carrying amount of deferred financing costs recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets was $47.2 million and $40.7 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $4.4 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million, respectively. |
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| Inventory | (e) Inventory: Inventory represents small parts and other consumables and fuel, the majority of which is consumed by our projects in provision of their services, and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost includes the purchase price, transportation costs and other costs to bring the inventories to their present location and condition. The cost of inventory items that are interchangeable are determined on an average cost basis. For inventory items that are not interchangeable, cost is assigned using specific identification of their individual costs. |
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| Property, plant and equipment | (f) Property, plant and equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset, up to 45 years. As major maintenance occurs and parts are replaced on the plant's combustion and steam turbines, maintenance costs are either expensed or transferred to property, plant and equipment if the maintenance extends the useful lives of the major parts. These costs are depreciated over the parts' estimated useful lives, which is generally 3 to 6 years, depending on the nature of maintenance activity performed. |
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| Project development costs and capitalized interest | (g) Project development costs and capitalized interest: Project development costs are expensed in the preliminary stages of a project and capitalized when the project is deemed to be commercially viable. Commercial viability is determined by one or a series of actions including among others, obtaining a PPA. Interest incurred on funds borrowed to finance capital projects is capitalized, until the project under construction is ready for its intended use. The amount of interest capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $17.0 million, $3.0 million, and $5.0 million, respectively. When a project is available for operations, capitalized interest and project development costs are reclassified to property, plant and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the project's related assets. Capitalized costs are charged to expense if a project is abandoned or management otherwise determines the costs to be unrecoverable. |
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| Transmission system rights | (h) Transmission system rights: Transmission system rights are an intangible asset that represents the long-term right to approximately 72% of the capacity of the Path 15 transmission line in California. Transmission system rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years, the regulatory life of Path 15. See Note 19, Assets held for sale, for further information. |
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| Other intangible assets | (i) Other intangible assets: Other intangible assets include PPAs and fuel supply agreements at our projects. PPAs are valued at the time of acquisition based on the contract prices under the PPAs compared to projected market prices. Fuel supply agreements are valued at the time of acquisition based on the contract prices under the fuel supply agreement compared to projected market prices. The balances are presented net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the agreement. |
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| Impairment of long-lived assets, non-amortizing intangible assets and equity method investments | (j) Impairment of long-lived assets, non-amortizing intangible assets and equity method investments: Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, transmission system rights and other intangible assets and liabilities subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Investments in and the operating results of 50%-or-less owned entities not consolidated are included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of the equity method of accounting. We review our investments in such unconsolidated entities for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. We also review a project for impairment and perform a two-step test at the earlier of executing a new PPA (or other arrangement) or six months prior to the expiration of an existing PPA. Factors such as the business climate, including current energy and market conditions, environmental regulation, the condition of assets, and the ability to secure new PPAs are considered when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary might include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds that are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. Our assessment as to whether any decline in value is other than temporary is based on our ability and intent to hold the investment and whether evidence indicating the carrying value of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. We generally consider our investments in our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments. Therefore, we complete our assessments with a long-term view. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, the asset is written down to its fair value. |
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| Discontinued operations | (k) Discontinued operations Long-lived assets or disposal groups are classified as discontinued operations when all of the required criteria are met. Criteria include, among others, existence of a qualified plan to dispose of an asset or disposal group, an assessment that completion of a sale within one year is probable and approval of the appropriate level of management. In addition, upon completion of the transaction, the operations and cash flows of the disposal group must be eliminated from our ongoing operations, and the disposal group must not have any significant continuing involvement with us. Discontinued operations are reported at the lower of the asset's carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. |
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| Investments accounted for by the equity method | (l) Investments accounted for by the equity method: We make investments in entities that own power producing assets with the objective of generating accretive cash flow that is available to be distributed to our shareholders. The equity method of accounting is applied to such investments in affiliates, which include joint ventures and partnerships, because the ownership structure prevents us from exercising a controlling influence over the operating and financial policies of the projects. Our investments in partnerships and limited liability companies with 50% or less ownership, but greater than 5% ownership in which we do not have a controlling interest are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We apply the equity method of accounting to investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies with greater than 5% ownership because our influence over the investment's operating and financial policies is considered to be more than minor. Under the equity method, equity in pre-tax income or losses of our investments is reflected as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. The cash flows that are distributed to us from these unconsolidated affiliates are directly related to the operations of the affiliates' power producing assets and are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We record the return of our investments in equity investees as cash flows from investing activities. Cash flows from equity investees are considered a return of capital when distributions are generated from proceeds of either the sale of our investment in its entirety or a sale by the investee of all or a portion of its capital assets. |
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| Goodwill | (m) Goodwill: Goodwill is the residual amount that results when the purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of the amounts allocated to the assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, based on their fair values. Goodwill is allocated, as of the date of the business combination, to our reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment, annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2011-08 "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other." This new guidance on testing goodwill provides us the option to first perform a qualitative assessment ("step zero") to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that this is the case, we are required to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test, as described below, to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit (if any). If we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. In our test, we first perform step zero to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (i.e. more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors may include the following: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant entity-specific events. If the qualitative assessment determines that an impairment is more likely than not, then we perform a two-step quantitative impairment test. In the first step of the quantitative analysis, the carrying amount of the reporting unit is compared with its fair value. When the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. The second step is carried out when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case, the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is compared with its carrying amount to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the value of goodwill is determined in a business combination, using the fair value of the reporting unit as if it were the purchase price. When the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess and is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. |
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| Derivative financial instruments | (n) Derivative financial instruments: We use derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts to manage our current and anticipated exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We have also entered into natural gas supply contracts and natural gas forwards or swaps to minimize the effects of the price volatility of natural gas, which is a major production cost. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Certain derivative instruments qualify for a scope exception to fair value accounting because they are considered normal purchases or normal sales in the ordinary course of conducting business. This exception applies when we have the ability to, and it is probable that we will deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. We have designated two of our interest rate swaps as a hedge of cash flows for accounting purposes. Tests are performed to evaluate hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis, both retroactively and prospectively. Derivatives accounted for as hedges are recorded at fair value in the balance sheet. Unrealized gains or losses on derivatives designated as a hedge are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Derivative financial instruments not designated as a hedge are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. The following table summarizes derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and the accounting treatment in the consolidated statements of operations of the changes in fair value and cash settlements of such derivative financial instrument:
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| Income taxes | (o) Income taxes: Income tax expense includes the current tax obligation or benefit and change in deferred income tax asset or liability for the period. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes and record deferred income taxes for all significant temporary differences. Income tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized when we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be ultimately sustained. Refer to Note 13 for more information. |
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| Revenue recognition | (p) Revenue recognition: We recognize energy sales revenue on a gross basis when electricity and steam are delivered under the terms of the related contracts. PPAs, steam purchase arrangements and energy services agreements are long-term contracts to sell power and steam on a predetermined basis. Energy—Energy revenue is recognized upon transmission to the customer. Physical transactions, or the sale of generated electricity to meet supply and demand, are recorded on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of operations. Capacity—Capacity payments under the PPAs are recognized as the lesser of (1) the amount billable under the PPA or (2) an amount determined by the kilowatt hours made available during the period multiplied by the estimated average revenue per kilowatt hour over the term of the PPA. |
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| Other power purchase arrangements containing a lease | (q) Other power purchase arrangements containing a lease: We have entered into PPAs to sell power at predetermined rates. PPAs are assessed as to whether they contain leases which convey to the counterparty the right to the use of the project's property, plant and equipment in return for future payments. Such arrangements are classified as either capital or operating leases. PPAs that transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership of property to the PPA counterparty are classified as direct financing leases. Finance income related to leases or arrangements accounted for as direct financing leases is recognized in a manner that produces a constant rate of return on the net investment in the lease. The net investment is comprised of net minimum lease payments and unearned finance income. Unearned finance income is the difference between the total minimum lease payments and the carrying value of the leased property. Unearned finance income is deferred and recognized in net income (loss) over the lease term. For PPAs accounted for as operating leases, we recognize lease income consistent with the recognition of energy revenue. When energy is delivered, we recognize lease income in energy revenue. |
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| Foreign currency translation and transaction gains and losses | (r) Foreign currency translation and transaction gains and losses: The local currency is the functional currency of our U.S. and Canadian projects. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated at end-of-period rates of exchange. Revenues, expenses, and cash flows are translated at the weighted-average rates of exchange for the period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are not included in the determination of our statements of operations for the period, but are accumulated and reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity until sale of the net investment in the project takes place. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are reported within foreign exchange (gain) loss in our statements of operations. |
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| Equity compensation plans | (s) Equity compensation plans: The officers and certain other employees are eligible to participate in the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). The number of notional units that vest is based, in part, on the total shareholder return of Atlantic Power compared to a group of peer companies in Canada. In addition, vesting of the notional units for officers of Atlantic Power occurs on a three-year cliff basis as opposed to ratable vesting over three years for non-officers. In April 2012, the LTIP was amended. Awards to senior officers under the revised LTIP will be made annually based on the performance over the applicable fiscal year and will vest as to one third over each of the three years following the year of the award. Notional shares granted prior to the amendment are still subject to three-year cliff vesting. Vested notional units are expected to be redeemed one-third in cash and two-thirds in shares of our common stock. Notional units granted that are expected to be redeemed in cash upon vesting are accounted for as liability awards. Notional units granted that are expected to be redeemed in common shares upon vesting are accounted for as equity awards. Unvested notional units are entitled to receive dividends equal to the dividends per common share during the vesting period in the form of additional notional units. Unvested units are subject to forfeiture if the participant is not an employee at the vesting date or if we do not meet certain ongoing cash flow performance targets. The final number of notional units for officers that will vest, if any, at the end of the three-year vesting period is based on our achievement of target levels of relative total shareholder return, which is the change in the value of an investment in our common stock, including reinvestment of dividends, compared to that of a peer group of companies during the performance period. The total number of notional units vesting will range from zero up to a maximum 150% of the number of notional units in the executives' accounts on the vesting date for that award, depending on the level of achievement of relative total shareholder return during the measurement period. Compensation expense related to awards granted to participants in the LTIP is recorded over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date for notional units accounted for as equity awards and the fair value of the award at each balance sheet date for notional units accounted for as liability awards. The fair value of awards granted under the LTIP with market vesting conditions is based upon a Monte Carlo simulation model on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized regardless of the relative total shareholder return performance, provided that the LTIP participant remains employed by Atlantic Power. The aggregate number of shares that may be issued from treasury under the amended LTIP is limited to 1.3 million. On April 23, 2012 the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by our shareholders on June 22, 2012. Under the terms of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant to certain employees restricted stock, unrestricted stock or cash based awards. Unrestricted stock and cash based awards are recorded as compensation expense on the grant date of the award. The value of unrestricted stock granted is based on the market price of our common shares on the grant date. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the grant date market price of our common shares and is expensed ratably over the vesting period which has a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years. |
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| Asset retirement obligations | (t) Asset retirement obligations: The fair value for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, we either settle the obligation for its recorded amount or incur a gain or loss. |
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| Pensions | (u) Pensions: We offer pension benefits to certain employees through a defined benefit pension plan. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit plan in the consolidated balance sheet in other long-term liabilities and record an offset to other comprehensive income (loss). In addition, we also recognize on an after-tax basis, as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), gains and losses as well as all prior service costs that have not been included as part of our net periodic benefit cost. The determination of our obligation and expenses for pension benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions. These assumptions determined by management include the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and the rate of future compensation increases. Our actuarial consultants use assumptions for such items as retirement age. The assumptions used may differ materially from actual results, which may result in a significant impact to the amount of our pension obligation or expense recorded. |
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| Business combinations | (v) Business combinations: We account for our business combinations in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, which requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. It also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are expensed as incurred. |
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| Concentration of credit risk | (w) Concentration of credit risk: The financial instruments that potentially expose us to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, derivative instruments and accounts receivable. Cash and restricted cash are held by major financial institutions that are also counterparties to our derivative instruments. We have long-term agreements to sell electricity, gas and steam to public utilities and corporations. We have exposure to trends within the energy industry, including declines in the creditworthiness of our customers. We do not normally require collateral or other security to support energy-related accounts receivable. We do not believe there is significant credit risk associated with accounts receivable due to payment history. See Note 20, Segment and geographic information, for a further discussion of customer concentrations. |
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| Use of estimates | (x) Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. During the periods presented, we have made a number of estimates and valuation assumptions, including the fair values of acquired assets, the useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and liabilities related to PPAs and fuel supply agreements, the recoverability of equity investments, the recoverability of deferred tax assets, tax provisions, the valuation of shares associated with our Long-Term Incentive Plan and the fair value of financial instruments and derivatives. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. These estimates and valuation assumptions are based on present conditions and our planned course of action, as well as assumptions about future business and economic conditions. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Should the underlying valuation assumptions and estimates change, the recorded amounts could change by a material amount. |
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| Federal grants | (y) Federal grants: Certain projects are eligible to receive grants and similar government incentives for the construction of renewable energy facilities. Proceeds from these grants reduce the basis of the corresponding asset balance when the cash is received. |
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| Allocation of net income or losses to certain investors using HLBV | (z) Allocation of net income or losses to certain investors using HLBV: For consolidated investments with flip structures that allocate taxable income and losses, tax credits and cash distributions under allocation provisions of agreements with third-party investors, net income or loss is allocated to third-party investors for accounting purposes using the Hypothetical Liquidation Book Value (HLBV) method. HLBV is a balance sheet oriented approach that calculates the change in the claims of each partner on the net assets of the investment at the beginning and end of each period. Each partner's claim is equal to the amount each party would receive or pay if the net assets of the investment were to liquidate at book value and the resulting cash was then distributed to investors in accordance with their respective liquidation preferences. We report the net income or loss attributable to the third-party investors as income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of operations. |
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| Recently issued accounting standards | (aa) Recently issued accounting standards:
On January 1, 2012, we adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") to conform existing guidance regarding fair value measurement and disclosure between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. These changes both clarify the FASB's intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and amend certain principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The clarifying changes relate to the application of the highest and best use and valuation premise concepts, measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in a reporting entity's shareholders' equity, and disclosure of quantitative information about unobservable inputs used for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments relate to measuring the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio; application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement; and additional disclosures concerning the valuation processes used and sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs for those items categorized as Level 3, a reporting entity's use of a nonfinancial asset in a way that differs from the asset's highest and best use, and the categorization by level in the fair value hierarchy for items required to be measured at fair value for disclosure purposes only. The adoption of these changes had no impact on our consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2012, we adopted changes issued by the FASB to the presentation of comprehensive income (loss). These changes give an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income (loss), the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income (loss) or in two separate but consecutive statements; the option to present components of other comprehensive income (loss) as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity was eliminated. The items that must be reported in other comprehensive income (loss) or when an item of other comprehensive income (loss) must be reclassified to net income were not changed. Additionally, no changes were made to the calculation and presentation of earnings per share. We elected to present the two-statement option. Other than the change in presentation, the adoption of these changes had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In July 2012, the FASB issued changes to the testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, similar to the goodwill changes issued in September 2011. These changes provide an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (more than 50%) that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors may include the following: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; cost factors; overall financial performance; and other relevant entity-specific events. If an entity elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that an impairment is more likely than not, the entity is then required to perform the existing two-step quantitative impairment test, otherwise no further analysis is required. An entity also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and, instead, proceed directly to the two-step quantitative impairment test. These changes became effective for us for any indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test performed on January 1, 2013 or later. We do not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |