Hallador Energy Signs Exclusive Commitment Agreement with Global Data Center Developer

Rhea-AI Summary

Hallador Energy Company (HNRG) has announced that its subsidiary, Hallador Power Company, signed a Conversion Transaction Commitment Agreement with a leading global data center developer on January 2, 2025. The agreement provides 105 Business Days of exclusivity in negotiations and includes potential payments of up to $5 million to Hallador Power, structured as $1 million in January, $2 million in March, and $2 million in June, contingent on certain conditions.

During the exclusivity period, the parties will work to finalize utility partner selection and complete definitive agreements. If successful, the transaction is expected to contract the majority of Hallador's energy and capacity at above-market prices for more than a decade. The agreement follows a non-binding term sheet signed in Q3 2024 and aims to support energy delivery to a potential data center development in Indiana.

Positive

• Potential payments of up to $5 million during exclusivity period
• Expected to secure majority of company's energy and capacity contracts at above-market prices
• Long-term contract potential extending beyond a decade
• Partnership with a major global data center developer

Negative

• Transaction completion subject to multiple conditions and uncertainties
• No guarantee of definitive agreements being reached
• Extended negotiation period of 105 business days creates uncertainty

Insights

Financial Analyst

This Agreement marks a strategic pivot for Hallador Energy, potentially transforming its business model and revenue structure. The $5 million in staged exclusivity payments demonstrates strong commitment from the data center developer. The most compelling aspect is the prospect of securing long-term contracts above market rates for the majority of Hallador's energy and capacity. This could significantly enhance revenue predictability and potentially improve profit margins, addressing a key concern in the volatile energy sector. The structured payment schedule ($1 million in January, $2 million in March and $2 million in June) provides near-term cash flow benefits while negotiations proceed. For a company with a market cap of $496 million, securing a decade-plus contract with above-market pricing could fundamentally alter its valuation metrics. However, investors should note the conditional nature of the agreement and the extended 105-business-day exclusivity period, suggesting complex negotiations ahead.

Energy Infrastructure Expert

The strategic implications of this agreement extend beyond immediate financial considerations. By potentially partnering with a global data center developer, Hallador is positioning itself at the intersection of two critical infrastructure sectors: power generation and data centers. This move aligns with the growing trend of data center operators seeking reliable, dedicated power sources. The agreement's structure, requiring utility partner selection, indicates a sophisticated multi-party arrangement that could create a new model for power plant asset optimization. The long-term contract potential at above-market rates suggests the data center developer values the dedicated capacity and reliability more than pure price competition. This could establish a blueprint for other power generators to transition from traditional utility service to direct industrial partnerships, potentially revolutionizing how energy assets are monetized in the digital age.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) (“Hallador” or the “Company”), today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Hallador Power Company, LLC, executed a Conversion Transaction Commitment Agreement (the “Agreement”) with a leading global data center developer, effective January 2, 2025. This Agreement is in furtherance of the previously announced non-binding term sheet signed during the third quarter of 2024, reflecting an important milestone as both the Company and the developer seek to finalize a definitive transaction agreement to support the delivery of energy and capacity (through a utility partner) to a potential data center development within the State of Indiana.

The Agreement provides exclusivity in negotiations to the counterparty for a period of 105 Business Days (“Exclusivity Period”) and cumulative payments of up to $5 million to Hallador Power Company, LLC, with $1 million due in January, $2 million of payments due in March, if the parties have not satisfied certain conditions precedent to the proposed transaction, and an additional $2 million in June if such conditions precedent have not been satisfied by the end of the Exclusivity Period. The parties will use the Exclusivity Period to finalize selection of a utility partner and to negotiate and complete other definitive agreements related to the proposed transaction. If the Company is successful in executing definitive agreements and once the transaction commences, it is expected to contract the majority of the Company’s energy and capacity at prices higher than the forward curve for more than a decade.

“We are pleased to advance this opportunity with a global leader in data center development,” said Brent Bilsland, CEO of Hallador Energy. “These exclusivity payments highlight the legitimacy of our counterparty and the sincerity of both our companies’ interest in consummating the proposed transaction. We are excited as this Agreement further demonstrates our progress towards forging a strategic relationship that we believe will create significant value for our shareholders for years to come.”

Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to, among other things, finalizing definitive agreements. There can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated on the terms or timeframe currently contemplated, or at all.

About Hallador Energy Company

Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) is a vertically-integrated Independent Power Producer (IPP) based in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Company has two core businesses: Hallador Power Company, LLC, which produces electricity and capacity at its one Gigawatt (GW) Merom Generating Station, and Sunrise Coal, LLC, which produces and supplies fuel to the Merom Generating Station and other companies. To learn more about Hallador, visit the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "guidance," "target," "potential," "possible," or "probable" or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "will," "should," or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to our ability to execute definitive agreements with respect to the Agreement and the non-binding term sheet with a leading global data center developer. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Hallador and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Hallador’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Hallador undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Company Contact

Marjorie Hargrave
Chief Financial Officer
(303) 917-0777
MHargrave@halladorenergy.com

Investor Relations Contact

Sean Mansouri, CFA
Elevate IR
(720) 330-2829
HNRG@elevate-ir.com

FAQ

What is the value of Hallador Energy's (HNRG) new data center agreement?

The agreement includes potential payments of up to $5 million to Hallador Power Company, structured as $1 million in January, $2 million in March, and $2 million in June 2025.

How long is the exclusivity period in HNRG's data center agreement?

The agreement provides 105 Business Days of exclusivity for negotiations with the global data center developer.

What are the expected benefits of HNRG's data center partnership?

If successful, the partnership is expected to contract the majority of Hallador's energy and capacity at above-market prices for more than a decade.

When did Hallador Energy (HNRG) sign the data center commitment agreement?

Hallador Energy signed the Conversion Transaction Commitment Agreement on January 2, 2025.

Where will HNRG's potential data center development be located?

The potential data center development will be located within the State of Indiana.