Results of Operations
The table below illustrates our results of operations for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023.
| | Nine-month period ended September 30 | |
| | 2024 | | | 2023 | | | % Changes | |
| | ($ in millions) | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 918.7 | | | | 858.6 | | | | 7.0 | % |
Other operating income | | | 91.6 | | | | 57.4 | | | | 59.6 | % |
Employee benefit expenses | | | (85.2 | ) | | | (76.1 | ) | | | 12.0 | % |
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | | | (325.5 | ) | | | (310.5 | ) | | | 4.8 | % |
Other operating expenses | | | (291.9 | ) | | | (237.9 | ) | | | 22.7 | % |
Operating profit | | $ | 307.7 | | | | 291.5 | | | | 5.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial income | | | 16.3 | | | | 17.4 | | | | (6.3 | )% |
Financial expense | | | (245.0 | ) | | | (243.1 | ) | | | 0.8 | % |
Net exchange differences | | | (5.7 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | | | 2,750 | % |
Other financial expense, net | | | (20.3 | ) | | | (12.0 | ) | | | 69.2 | % |
Financial expense, net | | $ | (254.7 | ) | | | (237.9 | ) | | | 7.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method | | | 15.1 | | | | 6.9 | | | | 118.8 | % |
Profit before income tax | | $ | 68.1 | | | | 60.5 | | | | 12.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax | | | (28.9 | ) | | | (11.6 | ) | | | 149.1 | % |
Profit for the period | | $ | 39.2 | | | | 48.9 | | | | (19.8 | )% |
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests | | | (6.5 | ) | | | (2.8 | ) | | | 132.1 | % |
Profit for the period attributable to the company | | $ | 32.7 | | | | 46.1 | | | | (29.1 | )% |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding-basic | | | 116.2 | | | | 116.1 | | | | | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding-diluted | | | 120.0 | | | | 119.7 | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share (U.S. dollar per share) | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.40 | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per share (U.S. dollar per share) | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.40 | | | | | |
Dividend paid per share(1) | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.34 | | | | | |
Note:
(1) | On February 29, 2024, May 7, 2024 and July 31, 2024, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.445 per share corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2023, the first quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2024, which were paid on March 22, 2024, June 14, 2024 and September 16, 2024, respectively. On February 28, 2023, May 4, 2023, and July 31, 2023 our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.445 per share for each of the fourth quarter of 2022, the first quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2023, which were paid on March 25, 2023, June 15, 2023, and September 15, 2023, respectively. |
Comparison of the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
The significant variances or variances of the significant components of the results of operations are discussed in the following section.
Revenue
Revenue increased by 7.0% to $918.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $858.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
In Spain, revenue increased mostly due to higher reversal of the accounting provision related to the electricity price adjustment, since these assets have regulated returns (See “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations”). Revenue also increased at ACT in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 mostly due to higher O&M costs (see “Efficient natural gas & heat” below). In addition, revenue increased at our solar assets in the U.S. in nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period from the previous year due to higher electricity production as previously explained. Revenue also increased due to the assets recently consolidated. These effects were largely offset by the decrease in revenue at Kaxu due to lower production as a consequence of the unscheduled outage previously mentioned.
Other operating income
The following table sets forth our Other operating income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Other operating income | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Grants | | $ | 43.8 | | | $ | 44.1 | |
Gain on the sale of Atlantica´s equity interest in Monterrey | | | 12.0 | | | | - | |
Gain on the sale of part of Atlantica´s interest in the Colombian portfolio | | | - | | | | 4.6 | |
Insurance proceeds and other | | | 16.8 | | | | 8.7 | |
Income from construction services for contracted concessional assets of the Company accounted for under IFRIC 12 | | | 19.0 | | | | - | |
Total | | $ | 91.6 | | | $ | 57.4 | |
“Grants” represent the financial support provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to Solana and Mojave and consist of an ITC cash grant and an implicit grant related to the below market interest rates of the project loans with the Federal Financing Bank. Grants were stable for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to same period of the previous year.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, “Insurance proceeds and other” included $8.5 million of insurance proceeds related to the Kaxu unscheduled outage and $5.0 million related to costs which are entirely rebilled to the city council of Calgary in our district heating asset, corresponding to improvement works.
“Income from construction services for contracted concessional assets of the Company accounted for under IFRIC 12” is related to the construction of ATN Expansion 3, which reached commercial operation in August 2024, and ATS Expansion 1, currently under construction. Since these assets are accounted for under IFRIC 12, we are required to account for income from construction services as “Other operating income”, with the corresponding construction cost recorded within “Other operating expenses, Construction costs”.
Employee benefit expenses
Employee benefit expenses increased by 12.0% to $85.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $76.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the internalization of the operation and maintenance services in our solar assets in Spain at the end of March 2023.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges increased by 4.8% to $325.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $310.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase was mainly due to an impairment of $11.4 million recorded in our Chile PMGD project and to the consolidation of assets recently acquired or which entered in operation recently. This increase was partially offset by a $6.4 million decrease in the expected credit loss impairment provision compared to a $1.1 million increase in the expected credit loss impairment provision recorded for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Other operating expenses
The following table sets forth our Other operating expenses for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Other operating expenses | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Raw materials and consumables used | | $ | (18.7 | ) | | | 2.0 | % | | $ | (17.2 | ) | | | 2.0 | % |
Leases and fees | | | (10.9 | ) | | | 1.2 | % | | | (9.8 | ) | | | 1.1 | % |
Operation and maintenance | | | (119.4 | ) | | | 13.0 | % | | | (95.6 | ) | | | 11.1 | % |
Independent professional services | | | (27.4 | ) | | | 3.0 | % | | | (31.3 | ) | | | 3.6 | % |
Supplies | | | (25.4 | ) | | | 2.8 | % | | | (28.2 | ) | | | 3.3 | % |
Insurance | | | (31.6 | ) | | | 3.4 | % | | | (31.1 | ) | | | 3.6 | % |
Levies and duties | | | (23.7 | ) | | | 2.6 | % | | | (11.5 | ) | | | 1.3 | % |
Construction costs from construction services for contracted concessional assets of the Company accounted for under IFRIC 12 | | | (19.0 | ) | | | 2.1 | % | | | - | | | | - | |
Other expenses | | | (15.8 | ) | | | 1.7 | % | | | (13.3 | ) | | | 1.5 | % |
Total | | $ | (291.9 | ) | | | 31.8 | % | | $ | (237.9 | ) | | | 27.7 | % |
Other operating expenses increased by 22.7% to $291.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $237.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to higher “Operation and maintenance” expenses, “Construction costs” and “Levies and duties” costs, as shown above.
Our operation and maintenance costs increased during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year mainly due to higher costs at ACT. The price charged by the turbine O&M supplier for ACT is typically higher in certain quarters in anticipation of a future major overhaul. Operation and maintenance costs were also higher at Kaxu due to higher cost of repairs as a consequence of the unscheduled outage previously explained, at Coso mostly due to maintenance activities in several geothermal wells. In addition, levies and duties cost increased due to the progressive reinstatement of the electricity sales tax in Spain, which was 3.50% for the first quarter of 2024, 5.25% for the second quarter of 2024 and 7.00% for the third quarter of 2024. On the other hand, the cost of supplies decreased mostly due to lower electricity prices in our assets in Spain. Independent professional services includes $5.7 million related to the Transaction.
“Construction costs” refers to the cost of construction of ATS Expansion 1 and ATN Expansion 3.
Operating profit
As a result of the above-mentioned factors, operating profit increased by 5.6% to $307.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, from $291.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Financial income and financial expense
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Financial income and financial expense | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Financial income | | $ | 16.3 | | | $ | 17.4 | |
Financial expense | | | (245.0 | ) | | | (243.1 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | (5.7 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) |
Other financial expense, net | | | (20.3 | ) | | | (12.0 | ) |
Financial expense, net | | $ | (254.7 | ) | | $ | (237.9 | ) |
Financial income
The following table sets forth our Financial income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
| | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
Financial income | | ($ in millions) | |
Interest income on deposits and current accounts | | | 14.3 | | | | 15.1 | |
Interest income from loans and credits | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.0 | |
Interest rate gains on derivatives: cash flow hedges | | | 0.1 | | | | 0.3 | |
Total | | | 16.3 | | | | 17.4 | |
Financial income decreased from $17.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, to $16.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024. The increase in interest income due to higher remuneration of cash balances resulting from higher interest rates was mostly offset by lower average cash balances, mainly in Kaxu and at the corporate level.
Financial expense
The following table sets forth our Financial expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Financial expense | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Interest on loans and notes | | $ | (264.3 | ) | | $ | (260.9 | ) |
Interest rates gains derivatives: cash flow hedges | | | 19.3 | | | | 17.8 | |
Total | | $ | (245.0 | ) | | $ | (243.1 | ) |
Financial expense increased by 0.8% to $245.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $243.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
“Interest on loans and notes” expense increased in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to a higher balance drawn from our Revolving Credit Facility and higher amount outstanding under our commercial paper program, as well higher interest rates.
“Interest rate gains on derivatives: cash flow hedges”, where we record transfers from equity to the income statement when the hedged item impacts profit and loss, increased in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 mainly due to an increase in gains resulting from higher interest rates, largely offsetting the increase in interest expense.
Net exchange differences
Net exchange differences increased to a $5.7 million expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to a $0.2 million expense in the same period of the previous year. The decrease was mainly due to negative exchange differences in ACT in the first nine months of 2024 compared to positive exchange differences in the first nine months of 2023, mostly related to tax payments in local currency in the first nine months of 2024.
Other financial expense, net
The following table sets forth our Other financial expense, net for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Other financial expense, net | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Other financial income | | $ | 1.8 | | | $ | 7.8 | |
Other financial losses | | | (22.2 | ) | | | (19.8 | ) |
Total | | $ | (20.3 | ) | | $ | (12.0 | ) |
Other financial expense, net increased to a net expense of $20.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to a net expense of $12.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Other financial income in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, primarily included $0.8 million of income corresponding to the change in the fair value of the conversion option of the Green Exchangeable Notes in the period ($3.8 million of income in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023) and no impact from the non-monetary change in the fair value of derivatives at Kaxu, for which hedge accounting is not applied ($1.1 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023). Other financial income in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, also included a $2.1 million one-time income related to the extension in the maturity of the Green Project Finance.
Other financial losses primarily include non-monetary interest expenses for updating the present value of provisions and other long-term liabilities reflecting passage of time, expenses for guarantees and letters of credit and other bank fees.
Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method
Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method increased to $15.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $6.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, share of profit of associates carried under the equity method included $7.3 million corresponding to Amherst, most of which corresponds to our partner in the project and is recorded in “Profit attributable to non-controlling interest” for $7.1 million. As a result, the net profit attributable to the parent company from Amherst was limited to $0.2 million. These amounts were nil in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method also increased due to higher profit from Honaine.
Profit before income tax
As a result of the previously mentioned factors, we reported a profit before income tax of $68.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to a profit before income tax of $60.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Income tax
The effective tax rate for the periods presented has been established based on management’s best estimates. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, income tax amounted to an expense of $28.9 million, with a profit before income tax of $68.1 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, income tax amounted to an expense of $11.6 million, with a profit before income tax of $60.5 million. The effective tax rate differs from the nominal tax rate mainly due to the recognition of NOLs in UK, which accounts for a $13.7 million deferred tax impact in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024. After the acquisition of UK Wind 1 and 2, we consider probable using these NOLs to offset future taxable profits to be generated by these assets in the upcoming years. The effective tax rate also differs from the nominal tax rate due to permanent tax differences and unrecognized NOLs in some jurisdictions.
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests increased to $6.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. Profit attributable to non-controlling interests corresponds to the portion attributable to our partners in the assets that we consolidate (Kaxu, Skikda, Solaben 2 & 3, Solacor 1 & 2, Seville PV, Chile PV 1, Chile PV 2, Chile PV 3, Tenes and Amherst). In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, Profit attributable to non-controlling interest included $7.1 million corresponding to our partner in the project’s share in Amherst profit, as previously discussed in the section “Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method”. This amount was nil in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. Excluding Amherst, the decrease in profit attributable to non-controlling interest was mainly due to higher loss at Kaxu.
Profit attributable to the parent company
As a result of the previously mentioned factors, profit attributable to the parent company was $32.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to a profit of $46.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Segment Reporting
We organize our business into the following three geographies where the contracted assets and concessions are located: North America, South America and EMEA. In addition, we have identified four business sectors based on the type of activity: Renewable energy, Efficient natural gas and heat, Transmission lines and Water. We report our results in accordance with both criteria.
Comparison of the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA by geography
The following table sets forth our revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, by geographic region:
Revenue by geography
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Revenue by geography | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | $ | 372.1 | | | | 40.5 | % | | $ | 338.7 | | | | 39.4 | % |
South America | | | 140.8 | | | | 15.3 | % | | | 140.3 | | | | 16.4 | % |
EMEA | | | 405.8 | | | | 44.2 | % | | | 379.6 | | | | 44.2 | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 918.7 | | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 858.6 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Adjusted EBITDA by geography | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of Adjusted EBITDA | | | $ in millions | | | % of Adjusted EBITDA | |
North America | | $ | 279.7 | | | | 42.5 | % | | $ | 260.7 | | | | 41.6 | % |
South America | | | 108.4 | | | | 16.5 | % | | | 112.1 | | | | 17.9 | % |
EMEA | | | 269.4 | | | | 41.0 | % | | | 254.5 | | | | 40.6 | % |
Total Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 657.5 | | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 627.3 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Note:
(1) | Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Financial Measures”. |
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Volume /availability by geography | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | | |
North America (GWh) (1) | | | 4,287 | | | | 4,389 | |
North America availability(2) | | | 99.6 | % | | | 98.8 | % |
South America (GWh) (3) | | | 704 | | | | 696 | |
South America availability(2) | | | 99.5 | % | | | 99.9 | % |
EMEA (GWh) | | | 1,086 | | | | 1,190 | |
EMEA availability | | | 101.9 | % | | | 101.2 | % |
Note:
(1) | GWh produced includes total production in assets owned or consolidated for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, regardless of our percentage of ownership in each of the assets except for our unconsolidated affiliates, for which we have included their production weighted by our corresponding interest (49% for Vento and Chile PMGD, 50% for Honda 1 and Honda 2, and 30% for Monterrey until its sale in April 2024) |
(2) | Availability includes only those assets that have revenue based on availability. |
(3) | Includes curtailment production in wind assets for which we receive compensation. |
North America
Revenue increased by 9.9% to $372.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $338.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, while Adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.3% to $279.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $260.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase in revenue was mainly due to higher revenue at ACT (see “Efficient natural gas & heat” below) and to higher production in our solar assets in the U.S., as previously discussed. The increase in revenue was partially offset by a decrease at Coso mainly driven by lower production, as previously explained. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was lower than the increase in revenue mostly due to higher O&M costs at ACT (see “Efficient natural gas & heat” below) and higher operation and maintenance costs at Coso, caused by the ongoing repairs previously explained. These effects were partially offset by the $12.0 million gain from the sale of our 30% stake in Monterrey.
South America
Revenue remained stable at $140.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $140.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, while Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.3% to $108.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $112.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase in revenue in our wind assets in Uruguay was largely offset by the decrease in revenue in our solar assets in Chile. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was mostly due to a $4.6 million gain in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, related to the sale of part of Atlantica’s equity interest in our development company in Colombia.
EMEA
Revenue increased by 6.9% to $405.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $379.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 while Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.8% to $269.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $254.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was mainly due to higher revenues in Spain, as previously mentioned, and the contribution of the wind assets recently acquired in UK. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of the revenue at Kaxu due to the unscheduled outage previously mentioned.
Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
The following table sets forth our revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, by business sector:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Revenue by business sector | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 675.7 | | | | 73.5 | % | | $ | 640.1 | | | | 74.5 | % |
Efficient natural gas & heat | | | 107.3 | | | | 11.7 | % | | | 85.0 | | | | 9.9 | % |
Transmission lines | | | 92.7 | | | | 10.1 | % | | | 91.8 | | | | 10.7 | % |
Water | | | 43.0 | | | | 4.7 | % | | | 41.7 | | | | 4.9 | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 918.7 | | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 858.6 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Adjusted EBITDA by business sector | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of Adjusted EBITDA | | | $ in millions | | | % of Adjusted EBITDA | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 476.9 | | | | 72.5 | % | | $sni | | | | 73.4 | % |
Efficient natural gas & heat | | | 79.5 | | | | 12.1 | % | | | 66.5 | | | | 10.6 | % |
Transmission lines | | | 74.6 | | | | 11.3 | % | | | 73.3 | | | | 11.7 | % |
Water | | | 26.5 | | | | 4.0 | % | | | 27.1 | | | | 4.3 | % |
Total Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 657.5 | | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 627.3 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Note:
(1) | Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Financial Measures”. |
Volume by business sector
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
Volume /availability by business sector | | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
Renewable energy (GWh) (1) | | | 4,281 | | | | 4,383 | |
Efficient natural gas & heat (GWh) (2) | | | 1,795 | | | | 1,892 | |
Efficient natural gas & heat availability | | | 99.6 | % | | | 98.8 | % |
Transmission availability | | | 99.5 | % | | | 99.9 | % |
Water availability | | | 101.9 | % | | | 101.2 | % |
Note:
(1) | Includes curtailment production in wind assets for which we receive compensation. Includes our 49% of Vento II wind portfolio production since its acquisition. |
(2) | GWh produced includes 30% of the production from Monterrey until its sale in April 2024. |
Renewable energy
Revenue increased by 5.6% to $675.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 compared to $640.1 million for the same period of the previous year. Revenue increased mainly due to higher revenues in our solar assets in Spain, in the US, and in our wind assets in South America, as previously explained, as well as due to the contribution of assets that have recently entered in operation. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease at Kaxu due to the unscheduled outage, as previously discussed. Revenue also decreased at Coso and at our solar assets in Chile as previously explained.
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.6% to $476.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $460.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly due to the increase in revenues as previous explained. This increase was partially offset by the $4.6 million gain recorded in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 as a result of the sale of part of our equity interest in our development company in Colombia, as previously mentioned and by higher operation and maintenance costs at Coso.
Efficient natural gas & heat
Revenue increased by 26.2% to $107.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $85.0 million for nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to higher revenue in the portion of the tariff related to operation and maintenance services, driven by higher operation and maintenance costs. In ACT, the price charged by the turbine O&M supplier is typically higher in certain quarters in anticipation of a future major overhaul, as was the case in the first nine months of 2024. As a result, the increase in Adjusted EBITDA in ACT was modest. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA in the Efficient natural gas & heat segment was mostly due to the $8.9 million gain from the sale of our 30% stake in Monterrey, as previously mentioned.
Transmission lines
Revenue increased by 1.0% to $92.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $91.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 1.8% to $74.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $73.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. The increase in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was mostly due to inflation indexation mechanisms.
Water
Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA remained stable at $43.0 million and 26.5 million respectively for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $41.7 million and $27.1 million respectively for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal liquidity and capital requirements consist of the following:
| • | debt service requirements on our existing and future debt; |
| • | cash dividends to investors; and |
| • | investments in the development and construction of new assets and operations and acquisitions of assets (See “Recent Investments” and “Assets under Construction”). |
As part of our business, depending on market conditions, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions. In addition, any of the items discussed in detail under “Part I—Item 3.D.—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and other factors may also significantly impact our liquidity.
Liquidity position
| | As of September 30, 2024 | | | As of December 31, 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Corporate Liquidity | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure, plc, excluding subsidiaries | | $ | 19.0 | | | $ | 33.0 | |
Revolving Credit Facility availability | | | 301.3 | | | | 378.1 | |
Total Corporate Liquidity(1) | | $ | 320.3 | | | $ | 411.1 | |
Liquidity at project companies | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Cash | | | 183.1 | | | | 177.0 | |
Non-restricted cash | | | 232.5 | | | | 238.3 | |
Total cash at project companies | | $ | 415.6 | | | $ | 415.3 | |
Note:
(1) | Corporate Liquidity means cash and cash equivalents held at Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc as of September 30, 2024, and available revolver capacity as of September 30, 2024. |
As of September 30, 2024, we had $115.0 million of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and $33.7 million of letters of credit outstanding, therefore $301.3 million was available. As of December 31, 2023, we had $55 million of borrowings and $16.9 million of letters of credit outstanding and $378.1 million was available under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Cash at the project level includes $183.1 million and $177.0 million restricted cash balances as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Restricted cash consists primarily of funds required to meet the requirements of certain project debt arrangements.
Non-restricted cash at project companies includes among others, the cash that is required for day-to-day management of the companies, as well as amounts that are earmarked to be used for debt service in the future.
Management believes that the Company’s liquidity position, cash flows from operations and availability under its Revolving Credit Facility will be adequate to meet the Company’s working capital requirements, financial commitments and debt obligations; growth, operating and maintenance capital expenditures; and dividend distributions to shareholders. Management continues to regularly monitor the Company’s ability to finance the needs of its operating, financing and investing activities within the guidelines of prudent balance sheet management.
Credit ratings
Credit rating agencies rate us and part of our debt securities. These ratings are used by the debt markets to evaluate our credit risk. Ratings influence the price paid to issue new debt securities as they indicate to the market our ability to pay principal, interest and dividends.
On October 23, 2024, Bidco priced its 6.375% green senior notes due 2032 in aggregate principal amount of $745 million, and 5.625% green senior notes due 2032 in aggregate principal amount of €500 million. In connection with the foregoing, S&P and Fitch downgraded Atlantica’s rating to BB-, in both cases, based on the new capital structure of Atlantica proposed by Energy Capital Partners, the parent of Bidco, in connection with its proposed acquisition of Atlantica (the “Acquisition”). Such capital structure will only materialize after the closing of the Acquisition, if any. Fitch mentioned that it expects to reassess Atlantica’s credit rating if the Acquisition does not close. The following table summarizes our credit ratings as of September 30, 2024.
| S&P | Fitch |
Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure Corporate Rating | BB- | BB- |
Senior Secured Debt | BB+ | BB+ |
2020 Green Private Placement | BBB- | - |
Senior Unsecured Debt | BB- | BB- |
Sources of liquidity
We expect our ongoing sources of liquidity to include cash on hand, cash generated from our operations, project debt arrangements, tax equity investments, corporate debt and the issuance of additional equity securities, as appropriate, and given market conditions. Our financing agreements consist mainly of the project-level financing for our various assets and our corporate debt financings, including our Green Exchangeable Notes, the Note Issuance Facility 2020, the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Green Senior Notes, the Revolving Credit Facility, other credit lines and our commercial paper program.
| | | | | As of September 30, 2024 | | | As of December 31, 2023 | |
| | Maturity | | | ($ in millions) | |
Revolving Credit Facility | | 2025 | | | $ | 114.7 | | | | 54.4 | |
Other Facilities(1) | | | 2024-2028 | | | | 104.9 | | | | 53.3 | |
Green Exchangeable Notes | | | 2025 | | | | 112.4 | | | | 110.0 | |
2020 Green Private Placement | | | 2026 | | | | 321.9 | | | | 318.7 | |
Note Issuance Facility 2020 | | | 2027 | | | | 154.1 | | | | 152.4 | |
Green Senior Notes | | | 2028 | | | | 396.6 | | | | 396.0 | |
Total Corporate Debt(2) | | | | | | $ | 1,204.6 | | | | 1,084.8 | |
Total Project Debt | | | | | | $ | 4,248.3 | | | | 4,319.3 | |
Note:
(1) | Other facilities include the commercial paper program, accrued interest payable and other debts. |
(2) | Accounting amounts may differ from notional amounts. |
In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, project debt decreased by $71.0 million mainly due to scheduled repayments of our project debt for $160.2 million, which was partially offset by interest accrued and not paid during the first nine months of 2024 for $65.7 million and to foreign exchange translation differences for $27.7 million, mostly caused by the appreciation of the Euro and the Rand against the U.S. dollar.
A) | Corporate debt agreements |
Green Senior Notes
On May 18, 2021, we issued the Green Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $400 million due in 2028. The Green Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.125% per year, payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, and will mature on June 15, 2028.
The Green Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 18, 2021, by and among Atlantica as issuer, Atlantica Peru S.A., ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V., Atlantica Infraestructura Sostenible, S.L.U., Atlantica Investments Limited, Atlantica Newco Limited, Atlantica North America LLC, as guarantors, BNY Mellon Corporate Trustee Services Limited, as trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Dublin Branch, as registrar and transfer agent.
Our obligations under the Green Senior Notes rank equal in right of payment with our outstanding obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility, the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Note Issuance Facility 2020 and the Green Exchangeable Notes.
Under the Green Senior Notes a change of control, including the consummation of the Transaction, without the consent of the relevant required holders would trigger the obligation to make an offer to purchase the respective notes 101% of the principal amount. Such prepayment obligation would be triggered only if there is a credit rating downgrade by any of the agencies then rating the relevant notes. We intend to provide a security interest in certain collateral that will be shared with certain new revolving credit facility that will be entered into by the Issuer. The current BB+ rating of these notes assumes that the guarantees will be provided and that the Green Senior Notes will become secured. In this case, we do not expect to prepay the Green Senior Notes until maturity.
Green Exchangeable Notes
On July 17, 2020, we issued 4.00% Green Exchangeable Notes amounting to an aggregate principal amount of $100 million due in 2025. On July 29, 2020, we issued an additional $15 million aggregate principal amount in Green Exchangeable Notes. The Green Exchangeable Notes are the senior unsecured obligations of Atlantica Jersey, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantica, and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Atlantica on a senior, unsecured basis. The notes mature on July 15, 2025, unless they are repurchased or redeemed earlier by Atlantica or exchanged, and bear interest at a rate of 4.00% per annum.
Noteholders may exchange all or any portion of their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 15, 2025, only during certain periods and upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Noteholders may exchange all or any portion of their notes during any calendar quarter if the last reported sale price of Atlantica’s ordinary shares for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days, ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than 120% of the exchange price on each applicable trading day. On or after April 15, 2025, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date thereof, noteholders may exchange any of their notes at any time, at the option of the noteholder. Upon exchange, the notes may be settled, at our election, into Atlantica ordinary shares, cash or a combination of both. The initial exchange rate of the notes is 29.1070 ordinary shares per $1,000 of the principal amount of notes (which is equivalent to an initial exchange price of $34.36 per ordinary share). The exchange rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
Our obligations under the Green Exchangeable Notes rank equal in right of payment with our outstanding obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility, the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Note Issuance Facility 2020 and the Green Senior Notes.
Note Issuance Facility 2020
On July 8, 2020, we entered into the Note Issuance Facility 2020, a senior unsecured euro-denominated financing with a group of funds managed by Westbourne Capital as purchasers of the notes issued thereunder for a total amount of €140 million ($156 million). The notes under the Note Issuance Facility 2020 were issued on August 12, 2020, and are due on August 12, 2027. Interest accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the three-month EURIBOR plus a margin of 5.25% with a floor of 0% for the EURIBOR. We had a cap at 0% for the EURIBOR with 3.5 years maturity and in December 2023, we entered into a cap at 4% to hedge the variable interest rate risk with maturity on December 31, 2024.
Our obligations under the Note Issuance Facility 2020 rank equal in right of payment with our outstanding obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility, the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Green Exchangeable Notes and the Green Senior Notes. The notes issued under the Note Issuance Facility 2020 are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our subsidiaries Atlantica Infraestructura Sostenible, S.L.U., Atlantica Peru, S.A., ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V., Atlantica Investments Limited, Atlantica Newco Limited and Atlantica North America LLC.
2020 Green Private Placement
On March 20, 2020, we entered into a senior secured note purchase agreement with a group of institutional investors as purchasers providing for the 2020 Green Private Placement. The transaction closed on April 1, 2020, and we issued notes for a total principal amount of €290 million ($323 million), maturing on June 20, 2026. Interest accrues at a rate per annum equal to 1.96%. If at any time the rating of these senior secured notes is below investment grade, the interest rate thereon would increase by 100 basis points until such notes are again rated investment grade.
Our obligations under the 2020 Green Private Placement rank equal in right of payment with our outstanding obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Note Issuance Facility 2020 and the Green Senior Notes. Our payment obligations under the 2020 Green Private Placement are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by our subsidiaries Atlantica Infraestructura Sostenible, S.L.U., Atlantica Peru, S.A., ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V., Atlantica Investments Limited, Atlantica Newco Limited and Atlantica North America LLC. The 2020 Green Private Placement is also secured with a pledge over the shares of the subsidiary guarantors, the collateral of which is shared with the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Revolving Credit Facility
On May 10, 2018, we entered into a $215 million Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of banks. The Revolving Credit Facility was increased by $85 million to $300 million on January 25, 2019, and was further increased by $125 million (to a total limit of $425 million) on August 2, 2019. On March 1, 2021, this facility was further increased by $25 million (to a total limit of $450 million). On May 30, 2023, the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended to December 31, 2025. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, we are also able to request the issuance of letters of credit, which are subject to a sublimit of $100 million that are included in the aggregate commitments available under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, Term SOFR, plus a Term SOFR Adjustment equal to 0.10% per annum, plus a percentage determined by reference to our leverage ratio, ranging between 1.60% and 2.25% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. federal funds brokers on such day plus ½ of 1.00%, (ii) the prime rate of the administrative agent under the Revolving Credit Facility and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus a percentage determined by reference to our leverage ratio, ranging between 0.60% and 1.00%.
Our obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility rank equal in right of payment with our outstanding obligations under the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Note Issuance Facility 2020, the Green Exchangeable Notes and the Green Senior Notes. Our payment obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Atlantica Infraestructura Sostenible, S.L.U., Atlantica Peru, S.A., ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V., Atlantica Investments Limited, Atlantica Newco Limited and Atlantica North America LLC. The Revolving Credit Facility is also secured with a pledge over the shares of the subsidiary guarantors, the collateral of which is shared with the holders of the notes issued under the 2020 Green Private Placement.
Other Credit Lines
In July 2017, we signed a line of credit with a bank for up to €10.0 million ($11.1 million) which was available in euros or U.S. dollars. Amounts drawn accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the three-month EURIBOR or SOFR, plus a margin of 2%, with a floor of 0% for the EURIBOR or SOFR. On August 7, 2023, the limit was increased to €15 million ($16.7 million) and the maturity was extended until July 2025. On August 28, 2024, the maturity was extended to July 2026. As of September 30, 2024, we had $8.8 million of borrowings under this line of credit.
In December 2020 and January 2022, we also entered into two different loans with banks for €5 million ($5.6 million) each. The maturity dates are December 4, 2025 and January 31, 2026, respectively, and such loans accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to 2.50% and 1.90%, respectively. Furthermore, in February 2023, we entered into a loan with a bank for €7 million ($7.8 million) with maturity in February 2028 accrues interest at a rate per annum equal to 4.2%.
Commercial Paper Program
On November 21, 2023, we filed a euro commercial paper program with the Alternative Fixed Income Market (MARF) in Spain. The program has a maturity of twelve months and the Company's intends to renew it. The program allows Atlantica to issue short term notes for up to €100 million, with such notes having a tenor of up to two years. As of September 30, 2024, we had €69.7 million ($77.6 million) issued and outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program at an average cost of 4.82% maturing on or before September 2025 (€24.0 million, or $25.7 million, outstanding as of December 31, 2023).
Covenants, restrictions and events of default
The Note Issuance Facility 2020, the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Green Senior Notes and the Revolving Credit Facility contain covenants that limit certain of our and the guarantors’ activities. The Note Issuance Facility 2020, the 2020 Green Private Placement and the Green Exchangeable Notes also contain customary events of default, including a cross-default with respect to our indebtedness, indebtedness of the guarantors thereunder and indebtedness of our material non-recourse subsidiaries (project-subsidiaries) representing more than 25% of our cash available for distribution distributed in the previous four fiscal quarters, which in excess of certain thresholds could trigger a default. Additionally, under the 2020 Green Private Placement, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Note Issuance Facility 2020 we are required to comply with a leverage ratio of our corporate indebtedness excluding non-recourse project debt to our cash available for distribution of 5.00:1.00 (which may be increased under certain conditions to 5.50:1.00 for a limited period in the event we consummate certain acquisitions). In September 2024 we obtained a waiver from the lenders in the 2020 Green Private Placement allowing to increase our leverage ratio of our corporate indebtedness excluding non-recourse project debt to our cash available for distribution to 5.50:1.00 in September and December 2024.
Furthermore, our corporate debt agreements contain customary change of control provisions (as such term is defined in each of those agreements) or similar provisions, which may be triggered by the consummation of the Transaction. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, a change of control, including the consummation of the Transaction, without required lenders’ consent would trigger an event of default. In the other corporate debt agreements or securities, a change of control, including the consummation of the Transaction, without the consent of the relevant required holders would trigger the obligation to make an offer to purchase the respective notes at (i) 100% of the principal amount in the case of the 2020 Green Private Placement and Green Exchangeable Notes and at (ii) 101% of the principal amount in the case of the Note Issuance Facility 2020 and the Green Senior Notes. In the case of the Green Senior Notes, such prepayment obligation would be triggered only if there is a credit rating downgrade by any of the agencies then rating the relevant notes.
Subject to the conditions set forth therein, under the Transaction Agreement, Atlantica has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts in obtaining customary payoff letters, lien terminations and instruments of discharge necessary, or provide redemption notices, as the case may be, to be delivered at the closing of the Transaction to allow for the payoff, discharge or termination in full as of the closing of the Transaction of certain payoff indebtedness, including the Revolving Credit Facility, the 2020 Green Private Placement and the Note Issuance Facility 2020. As previously disclosed, we do not intend to prepay our Green Senior Notes at the closing of the Transaction.
See “Item 5.B–Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements” in our Annual Report for further detail on the rest of our financing arrangements.
B) Project debt refinancing
Project Financing of PS 10, PS 20 and Caparacena
On September 26, 2024 we entered into a euro-denominated senior loan agreement for PS 10 & 20 and Caparacena, our PV asset under construction in Spain with COD expected in 2026, with a local bank for a total amount of €45.0 million. The loan principal is €12.0 million for PS 10, with maturity in December 2030, €26.7 million for PS 20, with maturity in December 2033, and €6.3 million for Caparacena, with maturity in December 2041. The principal for Caparacena has not yet been disbursed and will be gradually disbursed as the construction of the asset advances. The interest on the loans for PS 10 & 20 accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of six-month EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.55% between 2024 and December 2029 and 1.65% from January 2030 onwards. The interest on the loan for Caparacena accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of six-month EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.65% from first utilization date until December 2033 and 2.50% from January 2034 onwards.
The principal is 100% hedged for the life of the loan, 70% through a swap with a strike between 2.38% and 2.54% and 30% through a cap at 2.60% strike. In the case of Caparacena and only for the construction period, the principal is 100% hedged through a cap at 2.60% strike.
As in previous financings, for the tranches corresponding to PS 10 and PS 20, the financing agreement also includes a mechanism under which, in the case that electricity market prices are above certain levels defined in the contract, a reserve account should be established and funded on a six-month rolling basis for the additional revenue arising from the difference between actual prices and prices defined in the agreement. Under certain conditions, such amounts, if any, should be used for early prepayments upon regulatory parameters changes.
The financing arrangements permit cash distributions to shareholders semi-annually based on a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x until December 2033 and 1.20x from January 2034 onwards.
In April 2024, an entity where we hold 30% equity interest closed the sale of Monterrey as planned. We have received $41.2 million for this sale. In addition, there is an earn-out mechanism that could result in additional proceeds for Atlantica of up to $7 million between 2026 and 2028.
In addition, on October 22, 2024, AYES International UK Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlantica, closed the sale of its 100% interest in Atlantica Yield Energy Solutions Canada Inc. to Algonquin. We have received $2 million for this sale.
Uses of liquidity and capital requirements
The principal payments of debt as of September 30, 2024, are detailed in Notes 15 and 16 to our Consolidated Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
B) | Contractual obligations |
In addition to the principal repayment debt obligations detailed above, we have other contractual obligations to make future payments. The material obligations consist of interest related to our project debt and corporate debt and agreements in which we enter in the normal course of business. We refer to our Annual Report for further detail.
C) | Cash dividends to investors |
Until closing of the Transaction, we intend to distribute a significant portion of our cash available for distribution to shareholders on an annual basis less all cash expenses including corporate debt service and corporate general and administrative expenses and less reserves for the prudent conduct of our business (including, among other things, dividend shortfall as a result of fluctuations in our cash flows), on an annual basis. We intend to distribute a quarterly to shareholders. The determination of the amount of the cash dividends to be paid to shareholders will be made by our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, long-term prospects and any other matters that our board of directors deem relevant. Our board of directors may, by resolution, amend the cash dividend policy at any time.
Our cash available for distribution is likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter and, in some cases, significantly as a result of the seasonality of our assets, the terms of our financing arrangements, maintenance and outage schedules, among other factors. Accordingly, during quarters in which our projects generate cash available for distribution in excess of the amount necessary for us to pay our stated quarterly dividend, we may reserve a portion of the excess to fund cash distributions in future quarters. During quarters in which we do not generate sufficient cash available for distribution to fund our stated quarterly cash dividend, if our board of directors so determines, we may use retained cash flow from other quarters, and other sources of cash to pay dividends to our shareholders.
The latest dividends paid and declared are presented below:
Declared | | Record Date | | Payment Date | | $ per share | |
July 31, 2023 | | August 31, 2023 | | September 15, 2023 | | | 0.445 | |
November 7, 2023 | | November 30, 2023 | | December 15, 2023 | | | 0.445 | |
February 29, 2024 | | March 12, 2024 | | March 22, 2024 | | | 0.445 | |
May 7, 2024 | | May 31, 2024 | | June 14, 2024 | | | 0.445 | |
July 31, 2024 | | August 30, 2024 | | September 16, 2024 | | | 0.445 | |
November 14, 2024 | | November 29, 2024 | | December 12, 2024 | | | 0.2225 |
|
On November 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of Atlantica approved a dividend of $0.2225 per share. This dividend is expected to be paid on December 12, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 29, 2024.
D) | Investments and Acquisitions |
The acquisitions and investments detailed in “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Investments” have been part of the use of our liquidity in the nine-month period ended on September 30, 2024 and are expected to be part of the use of our liquidity in the upcoming months. In addition, we have made investments in assets which are currently under development or construction. We expect to continue making investments in assets in operation or under construction or development to grow our portfolio.
In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 we invested $13.3 million in maintenance capital expenditures in our assets. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 we invested $24.7 million in maintenance capital expenditures in our assets.
Cash flow
The following table sets forth cash flow data for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | Nine-month period ended September 30, | |
| | 2024 | | | 2023 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Gross cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | |
Profit for the period | | $ | 39.1 | | | $ | 48.9 | |
Financial expense and non-monetary adjustments | | | 488.1 | | | | 561.0 | |
Profit for the period adjusted by non-monetary items | | $ | 527.2 | | | $ | 609.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Changes in working capital | | $ | (35.0 | ) | | $ | (116.1 | ) |
Net interest and income tax paid | | | (180.4 | ) | | | (159.9 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 311.8 | | | $ | 333.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | $ | (135.6 | ) | | $ | (24.6 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | $ | (192.2 | ) | | $ | (310.0 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (16.0 | ) | | | (0.7 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | | | 448.3 | | | | 601.0 | |
Translation differences in cash or cash equivalents | | | 2.2 | | | | (5.7 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | | $ | 434.6 | | | $ | 594.6 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was $311.8 million, a 6.6% decrease compared to $333.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
The decrease was mainly due to a lower “Profit for the period adjusted by non-monetary items” for approximately $82.7 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, net profit includes a $72.9 million non-monetary positive adjustment compared to a $3.9 million non-monetary negative adjustment in the same period of the previous year corresponding to the reversal and provisioning, respectively, of the accounting provision for electricity market prices in Spain. In addition, the non-monetary positive adjustment corresponding to IFRIC 12 is lower in the first nine months of 2024 by approximately $21.2 million compared to the same period of 2023.
The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2024 was also due to higher Net interest and income tax paid” of $20.5 million compared to the same period in the previous year, mostly related to higher income tax payments at ACT and higher interest paid resulting mostly from a higher average amount drawn under the revolving credit facility, commercial papers, and higher average interest rates.
These effects were partially offset by a lower negative change in working capital for $35.0 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a negative change in working capital for $116.1 million in the same period of the previous year:
| - | In the first nine months of 2024, negative change in working capital included an increase in accounts receivable in Spain of approximately $17 million compared to a $58 million increase in the same period of the previous year. During the year 2022, in our assets in Spain we collected revenue in line with the parameters corresponding to the regulation in place at the beginning of the year 2022, as the new parameters, reflecting lower revenue, became final on December 14, 2022. This resulted in a positive change in working capital in 2022. In the first nine months of 2023, collections at these assets in Spain were regularized, which caused a negative change in working capital of approximately $53 million. |
| - | Collections from Pemex in ACT were also higher during the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. |
Net cash used in investing activities
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in investing activities amounted to $135.6 million and corresponded mainly to $66.3 million acquisitions and investments in entities under the equity method, mostly related to the acquisition of the two wind assets in the United Kingdom, and $131.2 million investments in assets under development and construction which include $55.5 million related to the construction of Coso Batteries 1&2, $23 million related with Chile PV 3 Expansion and $13.4 million to the Imperial project. These cash outflows were partially offset by $41.2 million proceeds from the sale of Monterrey and $32.6 million of distributions received from associates under the equity method, of which $17.9 million corresponded to Vento II, and $9.7 million corresponded to Amherst by AYES Canada, most of which were paid to our partner in this project.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities amounted to $24.6 million and corresponded mainly to $76.0 million investments in new assets as well as the development and construction and investments in existing assets, including investments and replacements in Solana. These cash outflows were partially offset by $28.9 million of dividends received from associates under the equity method, of which $10.9 million corresponded to Amherst by AYES Canada, most of which were paid to our partner in this project, and $11.1 million corresponded to Vento II.
Net cash used in financing activities
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in financing activities amounted to $192.2 million and includes the scheduled principal repayment of our project financing for $160.3 million and dividends paid to shareholders for $155.1 million and non-controlling interests for $22.3 million. These cash outflows were partially offset by the proceeds of corporate debt mainly related to the Revolving Credit Facility, which was drawn for $60 million in the first nine months of 2024 and the issuance of commercial paper for a net amount of $50.6 million.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in financing activities amounted to $310.0 million and includes the scheduled repayment of principal of our project financing for $154.5 million and dividends paid to shareholders for $155.1 million and non-controlling interests for $25.8 million. These cash outflows were partially offset by the proceeds of corporate debt mainly related to the issuance of commercial paper for a net amount of $19.2 million and the Revolving Credit Facility, which was drawn for an additional $10 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk |
Our activities are undertaken through our segments and are exposed to market risks that include foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, electricity price risk and country risk. Our objective is to protect Atlantica against material economic exposures and variability of results from those risks. Risk is managed by our Risk Management and Finance Departments in accordance with mandatory internal management rules. The internal management rules provide written policies for the management of overall risk, as well as for specific areas, such as foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk, among others. Our internal management policies also define the use of hedging instruments and derivatives and the investment of excess cash. We use swaps and options on interest rates and foreign exchange rates to manage certain of our risks. None of the derivative contracts signed has an unlimited loss exposure.
The following table outlines Atlantica´s market risks and how they are managed:
Market Risk | Description of Risk | | Management of Risk |
Foreign exchange risk | We are exposed to foreign currency risk – including euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, South African rand, Colombian peso and Uruguayan peso – related to operations and certain foreign currency debt. Our presentation currency and the functional currency of most of our subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, as most of our revenue and expenses are denominated or linked to U.S. dollars. All our companies located in North America, with the exception of Calgary, whose revenue is in Canadian dollars, and most of our companies in South America have their revenue and financing contracts signed in or indexed totally or partially to U.S. dollars. Our solar power plants in Europe have their revenue and expenses denominated in euros; Kaxu, our solar plant in South Africa, has its revenue and expenses denominated in South African rand, our solar plants in Colombia, have their revenue and expenses denominated in Colombian pesos; Albisu, our solar plant in Uruguay, has its revenue denominated in Uruguayan pesos, with a maximum and a minimum price in US dollars; and our wind farms in the UK have their revenue and expenses denominated in British pounds. | | The main cash flows in our subsidiaries are cash collections arising from long-term contracts with clients and debt payments arising from project finance repayment. Project financing is typically denominated in the same currency as that of the contracted revenue agreement, which limits our exposure to foreign exchange risk. In addition, we maintain part of our corporate general and administrative expenses and part of our corporate debt in euros which creates a natural hedge for the distributions we receive from our assets in Europe. To further mitigate this exposure, our strategy is to hedge cash distributions from our assets in Europe. We hedge the exchange rate for the net distributions in euros and British pounds (after deducting interest payments and general and administrative expenses in euros and British pounds, respectively). Through currency options, we have hedged 100% of our euro and pound-denominated net exposure for the next 12 months and 75% of our euro-denominated net exposure for the following 12 months. We expect to continue with this hedging strategy on a rolling basis. If the difference between the euro/U.S. dollar hedged rate for the year 2024 and the current rate was reduced by 5%, it would create a negative impact on cash available for distribution of approximately $4 million. This amount has been calculated as the average net euro exposure expected for the years 2024 to 2027 multiplied by the difference between the average hedged euro /U.S. dollar rate for 2024 and the euro/U.S. dollar rate as of the date of this annual report reduced by 5%. |
| | | Although we hedge cash-flows in euros and British pounds, fluctuations in the value of the euro or British pound against the U.S. dollar may affect our operating results. For example, revenue in euro or British pound-denominated companies could decrease when translated to U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rate solely due to a decrease in the average foreign exchange rate, in spite of revenue in the original currency being stable. Fluctuations in the value of the South African rand, the Colombian peso and the Uruguayan peso against the U.S. dollar may also affect our operating results. Apart from the impact of these translation differences, the exposure of our income statement to fluctuations of foreign currencies is limited, as the financing of projects is typically denominated in the same currency as that of the contracted revenue agreement. |
Interest rate risk | We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable-rate debt. Interest rate risk arises mainly from our financial liabilities at variable interest rates (less than 10% of our consolidated debt currently). Interest rate risk may also arise in the future when we refinance our corporate debt, since interest rates at the moment of refinancing may be higher than current interest rates in our existing facilities. The most significant impact on our Annual Consolidated Interim Financial Statements related to interest rates corresponding to the potential impact of changes in EURIBOR or SOFR on the debt with interest rates based on these reference rates and on derivative positions. In relation to our interest rate swaps positions, an increase in EURIBOR or SOFR above the contracted fixed interest rate would create an increase in our financial expense which would be positively mitigated by our hedges, reducing our financial expense to our contracted fixed interest rate. However, an increase in EURIBOR or SOFR that does not exceed the contracted fixed interest rate would not be offset by our derivative position and would result in a stable net expense recognized in our consolidated income statement. In relation to our interest rate options positions, an increase in EURIBOR, or SOFR above the strike price would result in higher interest expenses, which would be positively mitigated by our hedges, reducing our financial expense to our capped interest rate. However, an increase in these rates of reference below the strike price would result in higher interest expenses. | | Our assets largely consist of long duration physical assets, and financial liabilities consist primarily of long-term fixed-rate debt or floating-rate debt that has been swapped to fixed rates with interest rate financial instruments to minimize the exposure to interest rate fluctuations. We use interest rate swaps and interest rate options (caps) to mitigate interest rate risk. As of September 30, 2024, approximately 91% of our consolidated debt has fixed rates or is hedged. As of that same date, 92% of our project debt and approximately 90% of our corporate debt either has fixed interest rates or has been hedged with swaps or caps. Our revolving credit facility has variable interest rates and is not hedged as further described in “Item 5.B— Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources— Corporate debt agreements—Revolving Credit Facility” in our Annual Report; In the event that EURIBOR and SOFR had risen by 25 basis points as of September 30, 2024, with the rest of the variables remaining constant, the effect in the consolidated income statement would have been a loss of $0.9 million (a loss of $0.7 million as of September 30, 2023) and an increase in hedging reserves of $15.9 million ($17.5 million as of September 30, 2023). The increase in hedging reserves would be mainly due to an increase in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as hedges. |
Credit risk | We are exposed to credit risk mainly from operating activities, the maximum exposure of which is represented by the carrying amounts reported in the statements of financial position. We are exposed to credit risk if counterparties to our contracts, trade receivables, interest rate swaps, or foreign exchange hedge contracts are unable to meet their obligations. The credit rating of Eskom is currently B from S&P, B2 from Moody’s and B from Fitch. Eskom is the off-taker of our Kaxu solar plant, a state-owned, limited liability company, wholly owned by the Republic of South Africa. In addition, Pemex’s credit rating is currently BBB from S&P, B3 from Moody’s and B+ from Fitch. We have experienced delays in collections from Pemex, especially since the second half of 2019, which have been significant in certain quarters, including the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2024.
| | The diversification by geography and business sector helps to diversify credit risk exposure by diluting our exposure to a single client. In the case of Kaxu, Eskom’s payment guarantees to our Kaxu solar plant are underwritten by the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, under the terms of an implementation agreement. The credit ratings of the Republic of South Africa as of the date of this quarterly report are BB-/Ba2/BB- by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, respectively. In the case of Pemex, we continue to maintain a proactive approach including fluent dialogue with our client. |
Liquidity risk | We are exposed to liquidity risk for financial liabilities. Our liquidity at the corporate level depends on distribution from the project level entities, most of which have project debt in place. Distributions are generally subject to the compliance with covenants and other conditions under our project finance agreements. | | The objective of our financing and liquidity policy is to ensure that we maintain sufficient funds to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. Project finance borrowing permits us to finance projects through project debt and thereby insulate the rest of our assets from such credit exposure. We incur project finance debt on a project-by-project basis or by groups of projects. The repayment profile of each project is established based on the projected cash flow generation of the business. This ensures that sufficient financing is available to meet deadlines and maturities, which mitigates the liquidity risk. In addition, we maintain a periodic communication with our lenders and regular monitoring of debt covenants and minimum ratios. As of September 30, 2024, we had $320.3 million liquidity at the corporate level, comprised of $19.0 million of cash on hand at the corporate level and $301.3 million available under our Revolving Credit Facility. |
| | | We believe that the Company’s liquidity position, cash flows from operations and availability under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet the Company’s financial commitments and debt obligations; growth, operating and maintenance capital expenditures; and dividend distributions to shareholders. Management continues to regularly monitor the Company’s ability to finance the needs of its operating, financing and investing activities within the guidelines of prudent balance sheet management. |
Electricity price risk | We currently have three assets with merchant revenues (Chile PV 1 and Chile PV 3, where we have a 35% ownership, and Lone Star II, where we have a 49% ownership) and one asset with partially contracted revenues (Chile PV 2, where we have a 35% ownership). Due to low electricity prices in Chile, the project debt of Chile 2 was under an event of default as of September 30, 2024. On August 29, 2024, together with our partner, we reached an agreement with the lenders of Chile PV 1 to allow them to sell the asset under certain conditions, including a minimum price. A substantial portion of the proceeds are expected to be used to partially repay the project debt. We do not expect to record an additional impairment on the value of this asset. Chile PV 1 default was waived as part of this agreement with the lenders. The debt of Chile PV 2 was still under an event of default as of September 30, 2024. Although we do not expect an acceleration of the debts to be declared by the credit entities, Chile PV 2 did not have a right to defer the settlement of the debts for at least twelve months as of September 30, 2024, and therefore the project debt was classified as current in our Consolidated Condensed Interim Financial Statements in the applicable dates, for a total amount of $23 million as of September 30, 2024. In addition, we are in preliminary discussions with the lenders of Chile PV 2, together with our partner, regarding a potential plan for Chile PV2. The value of the net assets contributed by Chile PV 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Condensed Interim Financial Statements, excluding non-controlling interest, was negative 5.9 million as of September 30, 2024 (see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Our Operations” in our Annual Report). | | We manage our exposure to electricity price risk by ensuring that most of our revenues are not exposed to fluctuations in electricity prices. Assets with merchant exposure represent less than 2% of our portfolio in terms of Adjusted EBITDA1. Regarding regulated assets with exposure to electricity market prices, these assets have the right to receive a “reasonable rate of return” (see “Item 4—Information on the Company— Regulation” in our Annual Report). As a result, fluctuations in market prices may cause volatility in results of operations and cash flows, but it should not affect the net value of these assets. |
5 Calculated as a percentage of our Adjusted EBITDA in 2023. If we included in the calculation the EBITDA of the assets recently acquired in the UK, our exposure to merchant electricity prices would also be less than 2%. This calculation does not include our assets in Spain, which are regulated and have the right to receive a “reasonable rate of return” (we refer to our Annual Report).
| In addition, in several of the jurisdictions in which we operate including Spain, Chile, Italy and the United Kingdom we are exposed to remuneration schemes which contain both regulated incentives and market price components. In such jurisdictions, the regulated incentive or the contracted component may not fully compensate for fluctuations in the market price component, and, consequently, total remuneration may be volatile. In Spain, market prices have been significantly below the price assumed by the regulation during the nine-month period ended on September 30, 2024. If market prices continue to be lower than the prices assumed by the regulation and the regulated parameters are not revised until 2026, we may have an adverse effect on revenues, results of operations and cash flows in 2024 and 2025, which we expect will be compensated starting in 2026 in accordance with the regulation in place. In addition, operating costs in certain of our existing or future projects depend to some extent on market prices of electricity used for self-consumption. | | |
Country risk | We consider that Algeria and South Africa, which represent a small portion of the portfolio in terms of cash available for distribution, are the geographies with a higher political risk profile. | | Most of the countries in which we have operations are OECD countries. In 2019, we entered into a political risk insurance policy with the Multinational Investment Guarantee Agency for Kaxu. The insurance provides protection for breach of contract up to $47.0 million in the event that the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy does not comply with its obligations as guarantor. We also have a political risk insurance policy in place for two of our assets in Algeria for up to $35.8 million, including one year of dividend coverage. These insurance policies do not cover credit risk. |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Not Applicable
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
In 2018, an insurance company covering certain Abengoa obligations in Mexico claimed certain amounts related to a potential loss. Atlantica reached an agreement under which Atlantica’s maximum theoretical exposure would in any case be limited to approximately $35 million, including $2.5 million to be held in an escrow account. In January 2019, the insurance company called on this $2.5 million from the escrow account and Abengoa reimbursed us for this amount. The insurance company could claim additional amounts if they faced new losses after following a process agreed between the parties and, in any case, Atlantica would only make payments if and when the actual loss has been confirmed and after arbitration if the Company initiates it. In the past we had indemnities from Abengoa for certain potential losses, but such indemnities are no longer valid following the insolvency filing by Abengoa S.A. in February 2021.
In addition, during 2021 and 2022, several lawsuits were filed related to the February 2021 winter storm in Texas against among others Electric Reliability Council of Texas, (“ERCOT”), two utilities in Texas and more than 230 individual power generators, including Post Oak Wind, LLC, the project company owner of Lone Star II, one of the wind assets in Vento II where we currently have a 49% equity interest. The basis for the lawsuit is that the defendants failed to properly prepare for cold weather, including failure to implement measures and equipment to protect against cold weather, and failed to properly conduct their operations before and during the storm.
Except as described above, Atlantica is not a party to any other significant legal proceedings other than legal proceedings (including administrative and regulatory proceedings) arising in the ordinary course of its business. Atlantica is party to various administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business.
While Atlantica does not expect the above noted proceedings, either individually or in combination, to have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations, because of the nature of these proceedings Atlantica is not able to predict their ultimate outcomes, some of which may be unfavorable to Atlantica.
None.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
Recent sales of unregistered securities
None.
Use of proceeds from the sale of registered securities
None.
Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers
None.
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 14, 2024 | | |
| | |
| ATLANTICA SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PLC |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ Santiago Seage |
| | Name: | Santiago Seage |
| | Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
| ATLANTICA SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PLC |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ Francisco Martinez-Davis |
| | Name: | Francisco Martinez-Davis |
| | Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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