TransAlta Announces 300 MW White Rock Wind Project

Rhea-AI Summary

TransAlta Corporation (TSX: TA, NYSE: TAC) has signed long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for its 300 MW White Rock Wind Project in Oklahoma, ensuring full off-take of its generation. The project, consisting of 51 Vestas turbines, is set to begin construction in late 2022 with a targeted commercial operation date in mid-2023. Total capital is estimated at US$460 million to US$470 million, with anticipated annual EBITDA of about US$44 million. This project aligns with TransAlta's goal of achieving 2 GW of capacity by 2025 and expands its wind generation portfolio.

Positive

• Secured long-term PPAs for 100% of generation from White Rock Wind Project.
• Total construction capital estimated at US$460 million to US$470 million.
• Projected annual EBITDA of approximately US$44 million from the project.
• Significant expansion of TransAlta's wind generation fleet.

Negative

• None.

CALGARY, AB, Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - TransAlta Corporation ("TransAlta" or the "Company") (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today that it has entered into two long-term Power Purchase Agreements ("PPAs") for the offtake of 100 per cent of the generation from its 300 MW White Rock East and White Rock West Wind Power Projects (collectively, "White Rock Wind Project" or the "facility"), to be located in Caddo County, Oklahoma.  Contracting the renewable electricity and environmental attributes to an outstanding new customer with an AA credit rating from S&P Global Ratings enables TransAlta to move into the construction phase and add the 300 MW White Rock Wind Project to its growing wind generation fleet. 

"TransAlta is thrilled to make our White Rock Wind Project a reality. The delivery of low-cost, reliable, and clean energy from White Rock supports our customer's sustainability goals and provides an excellent opportunity to expand our wind fleet in the United States," said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta. "This project is another step towards executing our recently announced Clean Electricity Growth Plan of delivering 2 GW of capacity by 2025.  White Rock East and West will collectively be the largest wind project we have undertaken and are excellent additions to our Company's expanding wind portfolio."

The White Rock Wind Project will consist of a total of 51 Vestas turbines with construction expected to begin in late 2022 and a target commercial operation date in the second half of 2023. TransAlta will construct, operate and own the facility. Total construction capital is estimated at approximately US$460 million to US$470 million and is expected to be financed with existing liquidity and tax equity. Over 90 per cent of the project costs are captured under executed fixed price turbine supply agreements with Vestas and executed fixed price engineering, procurement, and construction agreements with M.A. Mortenson Company. The project is expected to generate total annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") of approximately US$44 million including production tax credits.  It is expected that the White Rock Wind Project will remain a TransAlta project.

About TransAlta Corporation:

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with clean, affordable, energy-efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada's largest producers of wind power and Alberta's largest producer of hydroelectric power. For over 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud community-member where its employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information about TransAlta, visit our web site at transalta.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information", within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, and "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "plan", "expected", "estimated", "will", "continue", "goal", "target" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: TransAlta's Clean Electricity Growth Plan; the timing of turbine construction and commercial operation of the White Rock East and West Projects; the estimated construction capital for the White Rock Wind Project; expected sources of financing for the White Rock Wind Project;  the expected project costs and annual EBITDA generation; and the expectation that the White Rock Wind Project will remain TransAlta projects. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to the Company's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to the extent of regulations pertaining to COVID-19 not becoming significantly more onerous and current conditions and expected future developments.  These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause such differences include: the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises, including COVID-19; labour availability; disruptions to the Company's supply chains;  failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities from time to time and as also set forth in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect TransAlta's expectations only as of the date of this news release. The purpose of the financial outlooks contained in this news release are to give the reader information about management's current expectations and plans and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes and is given as of the date of this news release. TransAlta disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release contains references to financial measures that are calculated and presented using methodologies other than in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, including EBITDA, and such measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. These non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Certain additional disclosures for these non-IFRS financial measures have been incorporated by reference and can be found on page M29 under the "Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures" and page M30 under the "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" sections of TransAlta's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov, and on TransAlta's website under the Investor Centre section. TransAlta utilizes these measures in managing the business, including for performance measurement, capital allocation and valuation purposes and believes that providing these performance measures on a supplemental basis to its IFRS results is helpful to investors in assessing the overall performance of TransAlta's businesses. TransAlta cautions readers that these non-IFRS financial measures or other financial metrics may differ from the calculations disclosed by other businesses and, as a result, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and entities.

Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

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SOURCE TransAlta Corporation

FAQ

What is the White Rock Wind Project by TransAlta?

The White Rock Wind Project is a 300 MW facility in Oklahoma, consisting of 51 Vestas turbines, set to begin construction in late 2022.

When is the expected completion of the White Rock Wind Project?

The project aims for a commercial operation date in the second half of 2023.

What is the estimated cost of the White Rock Wind Project?

The construction cost is estimated to be between US$460 million and US$470 million.

How much annual EBITDA is projected from the White Rock Wind Project?

The project is expected to generate approximately US$44 million in annual EBITDA.

What are Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)?

PPAs are long-term contracts to sell energy generated by a power facility, ensuring a stable revenue stream.