Dominion Energy, Stonepeak Announce Closing of Sale of Noncontrolling Equity Interest In Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Dominion Energy has closed a transaction to sell a 50% noncontrolling interest in the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project to Stonepeak. This partnership improves Dominion Energy's business risk profile and concludes its ~$21 billion debt reduction initiatives. Key points:

• Dominion Energy retains full operational control of CVOW
• Stonepeak will fund 50% of project construction costs
• The 2.6-gigawatt CVOW is on schedule for completion in late 2026
• CVOW will power up to 660,000 homes with clean, renewable energy
• Dominion Energy received $2.6 billion at closing

This transaction marks the successful completion of Dominion Energy's business review, improving its balance sheet and establishing a renewed focus as a pure-play, state-regulated electric utility business.

Positive

• Successful completion of ~$21 billion debt reduction initiatives
• Improved balance sheet and reduced risk profile
• Received $2.6 billion in proceeds from the transaction
• Stonepeak to fund 50% of remaining project costs
• CVOW project proceeding on-time and on-budget

Negative

• Sale of 50% noncontrolling interest in CVOW project

Insights

Financial Analyst

This transaction marks a significant milestone for Dominion Energy, substantially improving its financial position and risk profile. The $2.6 billion proceeds from the sale of a 50% stake in CVOW to Stonepeak, coupled with Stonepeak's commitment to fund half of the remaining project costs, provide Dominion with substantial financial flexibility. This partnership effectively reduces Dominion's exposure to potential cost overruns in the massive $21 billion offshore wind project.

The completion of Dominion's debt reduction initiatives, totaling approximately $21 billion, is a major achievement. This substantial deleveraging, combined with the company's transition to a pure-play, state-regulated electric utility business, should significantly enhance its credit profile and potentially lead to improved credit ratings. For investors, this translates to lower financial risk and potentially more stable returns.

The strategic partnership with Stonepeak, a major infrastructure investor, not only brings in capital but also validates the project's viability. This could boost investor confidence in CVOW's long-term prospects and Dominion's overall strategy in the renewable energy sector.

Energy Sector Analyst

The closing of this deal represents a significant step forward for the U.S. offshore wind industry. At 2.6 gigawatts, CVOW is poised to become the largest offshore wind farm in the United States, capable of powering up to 660,000 homes by late 2026. This project's scale and Stonepeak's involvement signal growing confidence in the viability of large-scale offshore wind projects in the U.S.

For Dominion Energy, retaining operational control while sharing financial risk is a strategic move. It allows the company to leverage its expertise in project execution while mitigating financial exposure. This model could set a precedent for future large-scale renewable energy projects, potentially accelerating the development of offshore wind in the U.S.

The project's progress, reported as on-time and on-budget, is important given the challenges faced by other offshore wind projects in the U.S. If CVOW maintains this trajectory, it could become a benchmark for the industry, potentially influencing policy and investment decisions in favor of offshore wind development.

• Improves Dominion Energy's quantitative & qualitative business risk profile via highly credit-positive partnership
• Stonepeak to fund 50% of project construction costs with meaningful protection from any unforeseen increases in the current project construction budget
• Successfully concludes ~$21 billion debt reduction initiatives associated with Dominion Energy's business review

RICHMOND, Va. and NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE: D), today announced that it has closed on a transaction to sell a 50% noncontrolling interest in the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project to Stonepeak. Dominion Energy will retain full operational control of the construction and operations of the project, and Stonepeak will have customary minority rights. The transaction was previously announced Feb. 22, 2024.

With this transaction, Dominion Energy has now successfully completed its business review debt reduction initiatives. During the review, the company announced transactions that represent approximately $21 billion of debt reduction. With the closings of the Cove Point LNG, East Ohio Gas, Questar Gas and Wexpro, and Public Service Company of North Carolina sales; and completion of the fuel securitization at Dominion Energy Virginia and the offshore wind partnership, Dominion Energy has now achieved 100% of the business review target. These actions have improved the company's balance sheet, reduced its risk profile, and established a renewed focus as a pure-play, state-regulated electric utility business.

Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy chair, president and chief executive officer, said:

"We are pleased to partner with Stonepeak on CVOW, which continues to proceed on-time and on-budget, consistent with our previously communicated timing and cost expectations. Stonepeak is one of the world's largest infrastructure investors in large energy projects such as offshore wind, and its financial participation in CVOW will benefit both the project and the people who will rely on electricity from CVOW to keep the lights on and fuel economic growth in the Commonwealth."

Rob Kupchak, senior managing director at Stonepeak, added:

"We are excited to have closed this investment in CVOW, which exemplifies many of the core tenets of essential infrastructure that we invest behind at Stonepeak. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Dominion Energy's talented team to bring what promises to be one of the most impactful energy projects in the United States to commercial operation."

The 2.6-gigawatt CVOW, the largest offshore wind farm currently under construction in the United States, is on schedule to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes once fully constructed in late 2026. CVOW will consist of 176 turbines and three offshore substations in a nearly 113,000-acre lease area off the coast of Virginia Beach.

At closing, Dominion Energy received proceeds of $2.6 billion, representing reimbursement of approximately 50% of project-to-date capital investment. Stonepeak will fund 50% of remaining project costs as they are incurred, subject to certain conditions as previously disclosed.

About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va., provides regulated electricity service to 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and regulated natural gas service to 400,000 customers in South Carolina. The company is one of the nation's leading developers and operators of regulated offshore wind and solar power and the largest producer of carbon-free electricity in New England. The company's mission is to provide the reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy that powers its customers every day. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

About Stonepeak
Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $70 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, with a focus on downside protection and strong risk-adjusted returns. Stonepeak, as sponsor of private equity and credit investment vehicles, provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, energy and energy transition, transport and logistics, and real estate. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Houston, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These factors are identified in Dominion Energy's Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Dominion Energy refers readers to those reports for further information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Dominion Energy undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date on which it is made.

 

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SOURCE Dominion Energy

FAQ

What is the capacity of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project?

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project has a capacity of 2.6 gigawatts, making it the largest offshore wind farm currently under construction in the United States.

When is the CVOW project expected to be completed?

The CVOW project is scheduled to be fully constructed and operational by late 2026.

How many homes will the CVOW project power once completed?

Once fully constructed, the CVOW project is expected to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes.

What percentage of the CVOW project did Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) sell to Stonepeak?

Dominion Energy sold a 50% noncontrolling interest in the CVOW project to Stonepeak.

How much did Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) receive from the sale of the CVOW project stake?

Dominion Energy received proceeds of $2.6 billion at closing, representing reimbursement of approximately 50% of project-to-date capital investment.