Innergex Disputes Curtailment Notices From BC Hydro
Innergex Disputes Curtailment Notices From BC Hydro |
[22-May-2020] |
LONGUEUIL, QC, May 22, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) ("Innergex" or the "Corporation") announced today that it has received notices from BC Hydro in relation to six of the Corporation's hydroelectric facilities in British Columbia stating that BC Hydro will not accept and purchase energy under the applicable electricity purchase agreements ("EPAs") above a specified curtailment level for the period starting on May 22, 2020 and ending on July 20, 2020, which period may be further extended by BC Hydro. The specified curtailment levels are 0.0 MW/h for the Jimmie Creek, Upper Lillooet River, Northwest Stave River, and Boulder Creek facilities, 2.0 MW/h for the Tretheway Creek facility and 4.0 MW/h for the Big Silver Creek facility. Maintaining these curtailment levels for the period specified would translate in a loss in revenues of less than $20 million for Innergex, based on past production levels. BC Hydro cites the current COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental measures taken in response to it as constituting a "force majeure" event under the EPAs, and resulting in a situation in which BC Hydro is unable to accept or purchase energy under the EPAs. The notices to Innergex follow public statements by BC Hydro regarding measures it is taking to address the reduced electricity demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and related challenges to the safe operation of its hydroelectric system. Innergex disputes that the current pandemic and related governmental measures in any way prevent BC Hydro from fulfilling it obligations to accept and purchase energy under the EPAs or enable it to invoke "force majeure" provisions under the EPAs to suspend these obligations. Innergex acknowledges that BC Hydro retains "turn-down" rights under the EPAs, which enable it to require Innergex to turn down or shut off its facilities in certain circumstances, including in order to avoid a safety or stability risk. Where BC Hydro exercises this right, it is required under the EPAs to compensate Innergex for energy that would have been produced at the facilities in the absence of the curtailment. Innergex intends to comply with BC Hydro's curtailment request, but will do so under protest and will seek to enforce its rights under the EPAs on the basis described above. About Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. Forward-Looking Information Disclaimer Forward-Looking Information includes future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of securities laws, including information regarding the Corporation's expected production, the estimated project costs, projected revenues, projected Adjusted EBITDA and projected Adjusted EBITDA Proportionate, Projected Free Cash Flow and intention to pay dividend quarterly, the estimated project size, costs and schedule, including obtainment of permits, start of construction, work conducted and start of commercial operation for Development Projects and Prospective Projects, The Corporation's intent to submit projects under Requests for Proposals, the qualification of U.S. projects for PTCs and ITCs and other statements that are not historical facts. Such information is intended to inform readers of the potential financial impact of expected results, of the expected commissioning of Development Projects, of the potential financial impact of completed and future acquisitions and of the Corporation's ability to sustain current dividends and to fund its growth. Such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking Information is based on certain key assumptions made by Innergex, including, without restrictions, assumptions concerning project performance, economic, financial and financial market conditions, expectations and assumptions concerning availability of capital resources and timely performance by third-parties of contractual obligations, receipt of regulatory approvals and the divestiture of select assets. Although Innergex believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, under the current circumstances, readers are cautioned not to rely unduly on this forward-looking information as no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and Innergex does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, unless so required by law. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, it is by its very nature subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed, implied or presented by the forward-looking information. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the ability of Innergex to execute its strategy for building shareholder value, its ability to raise additional capital and the state of the capital markets, liquidity risks related to derivative financial instruments, variability in hydrology, wind regimes and solar irradiation, uncertainties surrounding the development of new facilities, interest rate fluctuations and refinancing risks, financial leverage and restrictive covenants governing current and future indebtedness, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, variability of installations performance and related penalties, foreign exchange fluctuations and the fact that revenues from certain facilities will vary based on the market (or spot) price of electricity. To combat the spread of the COVID-19, authorities in all regions where we operate have put in place restrictive measures for businesses. However, these measures have not impacted the Corporation in a material way to date as electricity production has been deemed essential service in every region where we operate. Our renewable power production is sold mainly through PPAs to solid counterparts. It is not excluded that current or future restrictive measures might have an adverse effect on the financial stability of the Corporation's suppliers and other partners, or on the Corporation's operating results and financial position. The issuance of permits and authorizations, negotiations and finalizations of agreements with regards to development and acquisition projects, construction activities and procurement of equipment could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 restrictive measures. The following table outlines Forward-looking information contained in this press release, the principal assumptions used to derive this information and the principal risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from this information.
Although the Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions on which Forward-Looking Information is based are reasonable, readers of this press release are cautioned not to rely unduly on this Forward-Looking Information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Innergex undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. | ||||||||||||
Company Codes: Toronto:INE |
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