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Acquisitions Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions Disclosures [Text Block] ACQUISITIONS
Atacama Solar — On December 27, 2024, the Company closed an agreement for the purchase of 100% of Atacama Solar SpA, which owns and operates photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 150 MW and is developing a 250 MW BESS as well as a 100 MW solar project. This acquisition will enhance the operational capacity, and the total consideration was $105 million. The main assets acquired were PP&E valued at $102 million and right-of-use assets for $28 million. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition that did not meet the definition of a business. As Atacama Solar is not a VIE, any difference between the fair value of the assets and the consideration transferred was allocated to PP&E and intangible assets on a relative fair value basis. Atacama Solar is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Felix — Felix DevCo, LLC ("Felix") was a joint venture with Air Products formed in 2022 to develop a green hydrogen production facility in Texas, and was previously accounted for as an equity method investment. On November 5, 2024, the Company acquired the remaining 50% ownership interest in Felix from Air Products as part of a step-acquisition for $34 million, including contingent consideration of $14 million. The main assets acquired were development intangibles valued at $74 million. As a result of the transaction, Felix was consolidated by the Company and no longer accounts for its investment under the equity method. The Company recognized a gain on the acquisition of $14 million reported in Other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Felix is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
AES Clean Energy Solar Project Acquisitions — In 2024, the Company closed on the acquisitions of 1.1 GW of renewables development projects in Texas, Virginia, Illinois, and California (the purchase of 100% of the equity interests in Armadillo, Red Brick, Pulaski, Staley, Stags, and Jasmine solar projects). The total consideration of these acquisitions was $97 million, including contingent consideration of $44 million. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. The fair value of the consideration paid was attributed to identifiable assets and liabilities, consisting of intangible assets for $92 million, primarily project development intangibles, right-of-use assets for $40 million, PP&E for $18 million, and lease liabilities for $40 million. The transactions were accounted for as asset acquisitions of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. AES Clean Energy is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Long Point and Hot Air — On September 20, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase Long Point, an early development-stage project consisting of a 300 MW wind facility, a 150 MW solar facility, and a 40 MW battery storage facility, and Hot Air, an early development-stage 350 MW wind facility, both located in Arizona. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The total consideration paid of $6 million, including transaction costs, was allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities on a relative fair value basis, primarily consisting of intangible assets. The remaining contingent consideration of up to $47 million, which is not recorded at this time, will be recognized as part of the projects’ assets when the contingencies are resolved, and the consideration is paid or becomes payable. Long Point and Hot Air are reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Madison and Birdseye — On April 5, 2024, the Company closed on the acquisition of the Madison solar project, a 63 MW construction-stage solar project in Virginia under contract with a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement ("VPPA"), and a pipeline of early-stage renewable energy development projects ("Birdseye"), to enhance its renewable energy portfolio. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination with a purchase price of $20 million paid in cash; therefore, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, primarily consisting of CWIP valued at $78 million and an off-market VPPA liability of $53 million, were recorded at their fair values. The Company recorded preliminary amounts for the purchase price allocation at the time of the acquisition. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation and made measurement-period adjustments to the fair value of the assets acquired, primarily due to the determination that the Madison solar project would qualify for an increased ITC based on studies performed subsequent to the acquisition date.
The acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain of $20 million, recognized in Other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This gain represents the excess of the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired over the purchase price. The primary reason for the bargain purchase gain was the determination that the Madison solar project would qualify for an increased ITC, which had not been assigned value in the purchase price. Additionally, the safe harbor period was expiring at the end of 2024 for certain equipment associated with the Madison solar project, jeopardizing the tax credits associated with the asset. In order to capture the highest value from the project, the seller needed to complete a sale to a buyer that could complete construction
in 2024. This is consistent with the seller's announcement in February 2023 that they would no longer invest in non-regulated solar generation projects and intended to divest their portfolio. Before recognizing the bargain purchase gain, the Company reassessed whether all assets and liabilities were correctly identified and valued. This included a reassessment of the reasonableness of all significant assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the market PPA price, forecasted operating expenses, and the discount rates utilized. We conducted an analysis and made detailed inquiries to confirm there were no material unrecorded liabilities or contingencies that would decrease the valuation. We monitored the projects subsequent to the acquisition and did not identify any indicators that the fair value of the net assets acquired should be reduced or that the assets were impaired. Madison and Birdseye are reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Rexford — On October 2, 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary Rexford 1 Holdings, LLC., entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests in 20SD 8me LLC., a 300 MW solar and 240 MW BESS project. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration paid of approximately $253 million, including contingent consideration of $4 million. The nature of the assets acquired is largely tangible as they relate to construction in progress, along with typical working capital items and certain equipment.
We estimated the fair value of the construction in progress at approximately $282 million, using a discounted cash flow valuation methodology. The cash flow assumptions align with executed contracts, and incorporate forward energy pricing curves after the expiration date of such contracts. The cash flow and discount rates assumptions are considered Level 3 inputs. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Rexford is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Hoosier Wind — In August 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary AES Indiana, filed for IURC issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity approving the acquisition of 100% of the interests in Hoosier Wind Project, LLC., which is an existing 106 MW wind facility located in Benton County, Indiana. IURC approval was received on January 24, 2024, and the transaction closed on February 29, 2024. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Of the total consideration transferred of $93 million, including transaction costs, approximately $49 million was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired on a relative fair value basis, primarily consisting of tangible wind farm assets and typical working capital items. The remaining consideration was allocated to the termination of the pre-existing PPA between AES Indiana and the Hoosier Wind Project, estimated using a discounted cash flow valuation methodology, which was deferred as a long-term regulatory asset resulting from AES Indiana regulatory approval to recover associated costs. Hoosier Wind is reported in the Utilities SBU reportable segment.
Petersburg Solar Project — On August 31, 2023, the Company entered into agreements for project development and for the purchase of 100% of the membership in Petersburg Energy Center, LLC, a 250 MW solar and BESS project. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration paid of approximately $49 million. Petersburg Solar Project is reported in the Utilities SBU reportable segment.
Calhoun — On July 18, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests in Calhoun County Solar Project, LLC., which holds a late development-stage 125 MW solar project. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration paid of approximately $64 million, including contingent consideration of $42 million. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for Calhoun was determined using probability-weighted discounted cash flows based on internal forecasts, which are considered Level 3 inputs. The probability of achieving the milestone payment used to calculate the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration was 99%. Payments under the contingent consideration arrangement are largely binary and thus, a single probability of achieving the milestone was applied in the calculation of fair value. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Calhoun is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Bellefield — On June 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests in the Bellefield projects, consisting of two late development-stage solar and BESS projects of 1 GW each. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The Company agreed to make total cash payments including reimbursement of development and equipment costs of up to approximately $449 million, a portion of which is contingent upon future milestones and price adjustments. This contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration to be paid of approximately $358 million, including cash paid of $165 million, contingent consideration of $165 million, and deferred payments of $28 million. The significant assets acquired include project development intangibles, land option intangibles, deposits made towards integral equipment purchases, and typical working capital items.
We estimated the fair value of the project development intangibles at approximately $200 million, using a discounted cash flow valuation methodology. The cash flow assumptions align with executed contracts, and incorporate forward energy pricing curves after the expiration date of such contracts. The cash flow assumptions and discount rates are considered Level 3 inputs.
We estimated the fair value of the land option intangibles at approximately $82 million, by comparing the intrinsic value (estimated using a sales comparison approach for purchase options and an income capitalization method for lease options) and the strike price of each option.
The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration of Bellefield was determined using probability-weighted discounted cash flows based on internal forecasts, which are considered Level 3 inputs. The weighted average probability of achieving the development milestones used to calculate the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration was 91.9%. Payments under the contingent consideration arrangements are largely binary and thus, a single probability of achieving the milestone was applied in the calculation of fair value. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Bellefield is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Bolero Solar Park — On June 9, 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary AES Andes S.A., acquired 100% of the equity interests in Helio Atacama Tres SpA, owner of the Bolero photovoltaic power plant for consideration of $114 million. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition that did not meet the definition of a business. As Helio Atacama Tres is not a VIE, any difference between the fair value of the assets and consideration transferred will be allocated to PP&E on a relative fair value basis. Helio Atacama Tres is reported in the Energy Infrastructure SBU reportable segment.
Cubico II — On November 30, 2022, the Company, through its subsidiary AES Brasil Energia S.A ("AES Brasil") acquired 100% of shares of an operational wind complex comprised of (i) Ventos de São Tomé Holding S.A., (ii) Ventos de São Tito Holdings S.A., and (iii) REB Empreendimentos e Administradora de Bens S.A. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their relative fair values. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $185 million. The Cubico II wind complex was reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment prior to the sale of AES Brasil in October 2024.
Agua Clara — On June 17, 2022, the Company, through its subsidiaries AES Dominican Renewable Energy and AES Andres DR, S.A., acquired 100% of the equity interests in Agua Clara, S.A.S., a wind project, for consideration of $98 million. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition that did not meet the definition of a business. As Agua Clara is not a VIE, any difference between the fair value of the assets and consideration transferred was allocated to PP&E on a relative fair value basis. Agua Clara is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Tunica Windpower, LLC — On June 17, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests in Tunica Windpower, LLC. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration paid of approximately $22 million, including contingent consideration of $7 million. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Tunica Windpower is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.
Windsor PV1, LLC — On May 27, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement for the purchase of 100% of the membership interests in Windsor PV1, LLC, an early development-stage solar project. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration paid of approximately $17 million, including contingent consideration of $5 million. The contingent consideration will be updated quarterly with any prospective changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Windsor is reported in the Renewables SBU reportable segment.