TransAlta Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

• Adjusted EBITDA^(1),(2) of $279 million, in line with expectations, a decrease of 13% over the same period in 2021
• Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)⁽¹⁾ of $145 million, or $0.54 per share, a decrease of $0.03 on a per-share basis compared to the same period in 2021
• Loss before income taxes of $22 million, a decrease of $94 million from the same period in 2021
• Net loss attributable to common shareholders of $80 million or $0.30 per share, compared to a loss of $0.04 per share for the same period in 2021
• Cash flow used in operating activities of $129 million, an increase of $209 million from same period in 2021

Other Business Highlights

• Announced a 10-year contract extension, receipt of waiver from bondholders and commencement of rehabilitation plan at Kent Hills wind facilities
• Announced the 200 MW Horizon Hill wind project supplying Meta with renewable power under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
• Secured capacity commitment extensions for three of the large industrial customers at the Sarnia cogeneration facility (one to 2031 and two to 2032)
• Reached agreement with BHP Nickel West to expand the Mount Keith 132kV transmission system in Western Australia
• Executed a long-term PPA for the remaining 30 MW of capacity at the Garden Plain wind project
• Added 325 MW to our renewable development pipeline in Canada and the United States
• Received an upgraded MSCI ESG Rating of ‘A’ from ‘BBB’
• Announced a US$25 million investment in Energy Impact Partners Deep Decarbonization Frontier Fund 1
• Received a decision from the Court of Appeal upholding TransAlta’s favourable force majeure arbitration decision
• In the year-to-date returned $18 million of capital to common shareholders through share buybacks of 1.4 million common shares
• Launched our new visual identity and “Energizing the Future” campaign
• Completed the conversion of elected Series C to Series D Preferred Shares which began trading on the TSX on June 30, 2022 under the symbol TA.PR.G

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

“TransAlta delivered solid second quarter results for 2022. Our Alberta Electricity Portfolio performed as anticipated, despite higher natural gas prices and compressed market heat rates, demonstrating the value of our strategically diversified fleet in Alberta and its ability to generate cash flow under dynamic market conditions. Our Alberta Wind and Hydro segments led our results, benefiting from the higher pricing environment and stronger production. Our Alberta Gas segment had limited opportunity to benefit from higher power prices realized in the market as it was highly hedged during the quarter,” said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The contributions from our new contracted assets at Windrise and North Carolina Solar and the exceptional results in our Energy Marketing segment further supported our financial results for the quarter as we continue to track towards the midpoint of our 2022 guidance.”

Set out below are additional highlights from the quarter on TransAlta’s business activities, including the Company’s progress on advancing its Clean Electricity Growth Plan as well as details regarding the Company’s financial performance and liquidity.

Key Business Developments

Kent Hills Wind Facility Outage Update

On June 2, 2022, TransAlta Renewables announced its rehabilitation plan for the Kent Hills wind facilities together with the execution of amended and extended contracts with New Brunswick Power Corporation (“NB Power”) in respect of each of the Kent Hills 1, 2 and 3 wind facilities providing for an additional 10-year period to December 2045 and an effective 10 per cent reduction to the original contract prices from January 2023 through December 2033. In addition, both parties have agreed to work in good faith to evaluate the installation of a battery energy storage system at Kent Hills and to consider a potential repowering of Kent Hills at the end of life in 2045. The Company also obtained a waiver for the Kent Hills wind non-recourse bonds (“KH Bonds”) from the project bond holders and entered into a supplemental indenture with the bond holders that facilitates the rehabilitation of the Kent Hills 1 and 2 wind facilities. 

Horizon Hill Wind Project and Fully Executed Corporate PPA with Meta

On April 5, 2022, TransAlta executed a long-term renewable energy PPA with a subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc. (“Meta”), formerly known as Facebook, Inc., for 100 per cent of the generation from its 200 MW Horizon Hill wind project to be located in Logan County, Oklahoma. Under this agreement, Meta will receive both renewable electricity and environmental attributes from the Horizon Hill facility. The facility will consist of a total of 34 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 between US$290 million and US$310 million and is expected to be financed with a combination of existing liquidity and tax equity financing. Over 90 per cent of project costs are fixed under executed turbine supply agreements and engineering, procurement and construction agreements. The project is expected to generate average annual EBITDA between US$27 million and US$30 million, inclusive of production tax credits.

Sarnia Cogeneration Facility Contract Extensions

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company executed contract extensions for the supply of electricity and/or steam with the remaining three of its industrial customers at the Sarnia cogeneration facility. These agreements will extend the delivery term for electricity and/or steam from Dec. 31, 2022 to April 30, 2031, in one case, and to Dec. 31, 2032, for the other two, with all agreements being subject to certain conditions, including the Company entering into a new contract with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (the €œIESO). The current contract with the IESO, in respect of the Sarnia cogeneration facility expires on Dec. 31, 2025. On July 19, 2021, the IESO released its Annual Acquisition Report, which included draft details for medium- and long-term procurement mechanisms for capacity for 2026 and beyond for existing and new generation. The Company has bid into the procurement process developed by the IESO and is seeking to secure a contract extension for the Sarnia cogeneration facility following the end of the current contract term. The Company expects the IESO to announce the successful bids in the third quarter of 2022.

Mount Keith 132kV Transmission Expansion

On May 3, 2022, TransAlta Renewables exercised its option to acquire an economic interest in the expansion of the Mount Keith 132kV transmission system in Western Australia, to support the Northern Goldfields-based operations of BHP Nickel West (“BHP”). Total construction capital is estimated at between AU$50 million and AU$53 million. Southern Cross Energy, a subsidiary of the Company, has entered into an engineering, procurement and construction agreement for the expansion. The project is being developed under the existing PPA with BHP, which has a term of 15 years. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023 and will generate annual EBITDA in the range of AU$6 million to AU$7 million. The project will facilitate the connection of additional generating capacity to our network to support BHP’s operations and increase their competitiveness as a supplier of low-carbon nickel.

Executed Long Term PPA for Remaining 30 MW at Garden Plain

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company entered into a long-term PPA for the remaining 30 MW of renewable electricity and environmental attributes at the Garden Plain wind project in Alberta with a new investment-grade globally recognized customer. The 130 MW Garden Plain wind project, which was announced in May 2021 with a 100 MW PPA contracted to Pembina Pipeline Corporation (“Pembina”), is now fully contracted with a weighted average contract life of approximately 17 years. Construction is underway with a target commercial operation date in the second half of 2022.

Customer Update at White Rock Wind Facilities

During the second quarter of 2022, TransAlta identified Amazon Energy LLC (Amazon) as the customer for the 300 MW White Rock Wind projects, to be located in Caddo County, Oklahoma. On Dec. 22, 2021, Amazon and TransAlta entered into two long-term PPAs for the supply of 100 per cent of the generation from the projects. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2022 with a target commercial operation date in the second half of 2023.

Energy Impact Partners (“EIP”) Investment

During the second quarter of 2022, The Company has entered into a commitment to invest US$25 million over the next four years in EIP’s Deep Decarbonization Frontier Fund 1 (the “Frontier Fund”) that will invest in early-stage, innovative technology companies that will accelerate the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. TransAlta’s investment in the Frontier Fund provides the Company with the opportunity to identify, pilot, commercialize and bring to market emerging technologies that will support its decarbonization goals.

MSCI Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Rating Upgrade

During the second quarter of 2022, TransAlta’s MSCI ESG Rating was upgraded to ‘A’ from ‘BBB’. The upgrade reflects the Company’s strong renewable energy growth compared to peers. In 2021, the Company grew its installed renewable energy capacity by 15 per cent through acquisition and construction of solar and wind facilities and secured 600 MW in additional renewable energy projects. In line with its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 75 per cent from 2015 emissions levels by 2026, TransAlta also completed coal-to-gas conversions of its Canadian coal-fired facilities in 2021, nine years ahead of Alberta’s coal phase-out plan.

Court of Appeal Upholds TransAlta’s Favourable Force Majeure Arbitration Decision

On June 9, 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal released a unanimous decision dismissing ENMAX Energy Corporation’s and the Balancing Pool’s application seeking to set aside an arbitration decision in favour of the Company. The Court of Appeal upheld the Company’s claim of force majeure that arose when its Keephills 1 generating unit tripped offline in 2013. As a result of the decision, the Company’s claim of force majeure remains valid and the associated costs of the force majeure event will not be reassessed against TransAlta.

TSX Acceptance of Normal Course Issuer Bid

On May 24, 2022, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) accepted the notice filed by the Company to renew its normal course issuer bid (NCIB) for a portion of its common shares. Pursuant to the NCIB, TransAlta may repurchase up to a maximum of 14,000,000 common shares, representing approximately 7.16 per cent of its public float of common shares as at May 17, 2022. Purchases under the NCIB may be made through open market transactions on the TSX and any alternative Canadian trading platforms on which the common shares are traded, based on the prevailing market price. Any common shares purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled. The period during which TransAlta is authorized to make purchases under the NCIB commenced on May 31, 2022 and ends on May 30, 2023, or such earlier date on which the maximum number of common shares are purchased under the NCIB or the NCIB is terminated at the Company’s election.

The NCIB provides the Company with a capital allocation alternative with a view to ensuring long-term shareholder value. TransAlta’s Board of Directors and Management believe that, from time to time, the market price of the common shares does not reflect their underlying value and purchases of common shares for cancellation under the NCIB may provide an opportunity to enhance shareholder value.

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company purchased and cancelled a total of 1.4 million common shares at an average price of $12.50 per common share, for a total cost of $18 million.   

Conversion Results for Series C and D Preferred Shares

On June 16, 2022, the Company announced that 1,044,299 of its 11,000,000 currently outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series C (Series C Shares) were tendered for conversion, on a one-for-one basis, into Cumulative Redeemable Floating Rate First Preferred Shares, Series D (Series D Shares) after having taken into account all election notices following the June 15, 2022 conversion deadline.

TransAlta Debuts New Brand Reiterating Commitment to a Clean Energy Future

On June 20, 2022, the Company announced a new visual identity including logo and tagline “Energizing the Future”. The new visual identity encapsulates the TransAlta of today while reinforcing the Company’s focus as a leader in creating a carbon-neutral future for our customers.

Liquidity and Financial Position

The Company continues to maintain a strong financial position in part due to long-term contracts and hedged positions. At the end of the second quarter, TransAlta had access to $1.9 billion in liquidity, including $0.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

Accelerated Clean Electricity Growth Plan

On Sept 28, 2021, the Company announced the strategic targets associated with its Clean Electricity Growth Plan.

As of August 4, 2022, the Company has made significant progress in achieving the targets of the Clean Electricity Growth Plan. Refer to Strategy and Capability to Deliver Results in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for further details.

During the second quarter, the Company added 325 MW to its renewable development pipeline across Canada and the United States.

Second Quarter 2022 Highlights

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