Media Advisory: TransAlta and TransAlta Renewables Annual Meetings of Shareholders and First Quarter 2023 Results and Conference Call

Media Advisory: TransAlta and TransAlta Renewables Annual Meetings of Shareholders and First Quarter 2023 Results and Conference Call

2023 Annual Meeting of TransAlta Corporation Shareholders

On Friday, April 28, 2023, TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) will hold its annual meeting of shareholders at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time (2:30 p.m. ET) in a virtual-only meeting format via live audio webcast. The management proxy circular (available at https://transalta.com/investors/results-reporting/) provides detailed information about the business of the meeting and the voting process. TransAlta will only conduct the formal business of the meeting and there will not be a management presentation following the formal business of the meeting.      

2023 Annual Meeting of TransAlta Renewables Inc. Shareholders

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TransAlta Renewables) (TSX:RNW) will hold its annual meeting of shareholders at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time (12:00 p.m. ET) in a virtual-only meeting format via live audio webcast. The management proxy circular (available at https://transaltarenewables.com/investors/results-reporting/) provides detailed information about the business of the meeting and the voting process. TransAlta Renewables will only conduct the formal business of the meeting and there will not be a management presentation following the formal business of the meeting.  

Q1 2023 Earnings Release, Conference Call and Webcast

TransAlta and TransAlta Renewables will release their first quarter 2023 results before markets open on Friday, May 5, 2023. A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held for investors, analysts, members of the media and other interested parties the same day beginning at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time (11:00 a.m. ET). The media will be invited to ask questions following analysts.

Any questions regarding TransAlta Renewables may be asked on the TransAlta conference call.

First Quarter 2023 Conference Call:

Toll-free North American participants call: 1-888-664-6392
 Webcast link:
https://app.webinar.net/lGjLRb41wr2

Related materials will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta’s website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events/. If you are unable to participate in the call, the instant replay is accessible at 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and USA toll free) with TransAlta pass code 337489 followed by the # sign. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta’s website once it becomes available.

About TransAlta:

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has been recognized by CDP with an ‘A-‘ rating. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com.

About TransAlta Renewables Inc.:

TransAlta Renewables is among the largest of any publicly traded renewable independent power producers (“IPP”) in Canada. Our asset platform and economic interests are diversified in terms of geography, generation and counterparties and consist of interests in 26 wind facilities, 11 hydroelectric facilities, eight natural gas generation facilities, two solar facilities, one natural gas pipeline, and one battery storage project, representing an ownership interest of 2,965 megawatts of owned generating capacity, located in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, the States of Pennsylvania,  New Hampshire, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, North Carolina, and the State of Western Australia. For more information about TransAlta Renewables, visit its web site at transaltarenewables.com.

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S. Email: investor_relations@transalta.com
Media Inquiries: Toll-free media number: 1-855-255-9184 Email: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Corporation Enters into Automatic Share Purchase Plan

TransAlta Corporation Enters into Automatic Share Purchase Plan

TransAlta Corporation. (TransAlta€ or the €œCompany€) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today that it has entered into an automatic share purchase plan (ASPP) with a broker in order to facilitate repurchases of TransAlta’s common shares (the €œCommon Shares) under its previously announced normal course issuer bid (NCIB).  

The Company previously announced that it had received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to purchase up to 14,000,000 of its Common Shares, representing approximately 5.2% of the Company’s currently issued and outstanding Common Shares, during the 12-month period that commenced May 31, 2022 and terminates May 30, 2023. 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. Since the beginning of the NCIB on May 31, 2022, the Corporation has purchased 5,518,000 Common Shares at a weighted average price per Common Share of $11.85 for an aggregate value of $65,401,768. Purchases under the current plan include 2,575,700 Common Shares purchased in 2023 at a weighted average price per Common Share of $11.18 for an aggregate value of $28,802,633.  

The Company believes that the prevailing price for the Common Shares may not, from time to time, reflect the underlying value of the Common Shares and that the purchase of Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB may be an attractive and appropriate use of available funds relative to other alternatives. The ASPP will facilitate purchases under the NCIB as it will allow for purchases of Common Shares to be made at times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to make purchases, whether due to regulatory restriction or customary self-imposed blackout periods. TransAlta is committed to enhancing shareholder returns through appropriate capital allocation such as a share buyback and its quarterly dividend, which are underpinned by the Company’s strong free cash flow position.

Under the ASPP, the Company’s broker may purchase Common Shares from the effective date of the ASPP until the end of the NCIB. The ASPP will facilitate purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB by authorizing the Company’s broker to make purchases at its sole discretion based on parameters set by the Company in accordance with TSX rules, applicable law and the terms of the ASPP. Outside of periods that the Company is restricted from purchasing Common Shares pursuant to insider trading rules or its own internal trading blackout policies, Common Shares may also be purchased based on management’s discretion, in compliance with TSX rules and applicable law. 

All purchases of Common Shares made under the ASPP will be included in determining the number of Common Shares purchased under the NCIB. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company pursuant to the NCIB will be cancelled. The Company is not currently restricted from purchasing Common Shares pursuant to any insider trading rules or its own internal trading blackout policies. The ASPP has been pre-cleared by the TSX and will be effective on or before April, 1, 2023.  

The ASPP will terminate on the earliest of the date on which: (a) the maximum purchase limits under the ASPP are reached; (ii) the NCIB expires; or (iii) the Company terminates the ASPP in accordance with its terms.   

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 68 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 22 million tonnes since 2015 and has received scores of A- from CDP and A from MSCI.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information:

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words €œmay€ or €œwill€, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to TransAlta’s intentions with respect to the NCIB and ASPP and the purchase of Common Shares thereunder, including any enhancement to shareholder returns. These statements are based on TransAlta’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made. 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: legislative or regulatory developments; any significant changes to Common Share price or trading volume; continued availability of capital and financing; changes to general economic, market or business conditions; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by TransAlta; and other risk factors contained in the Company’s annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which reflect TransAlta’s expectations only 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.

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

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S. Email: investor_relations@transalta.com
Media Inquiries: Phone: 1-855-255-9184 Email: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results and Commits to Net-Zero by 2045

TransAlta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results and Commits to Net-Zero by 2045

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) of $541 million, an increase of 123% over the same period in 2021
  • Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)(1) of $315 million, or $1.17 per share, an increase of 303% on a per-share basis from the same period in 2021
  • Earnings before income taxes of $7 million, an improvement of $39 million from the same period in 2021
  • Cash flow from operating activities of $351 million, an increase of 550% from the same period in 2021

Full Year 2022 Financial Highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) of $1.63 billion, an increase of 27% from the same period in 2021
  • FCF(1) of $961 million or $3.55 per share, an increase of 64% on a per-share basis from the same period in 2021
  • Earnings before income taxes of $353 million, an increase of $733 million from 2021
  • Cash flow from operating activities of $877 million, a decrease of 12% from the same period in 2021

Other Business and ESG Highlights

  • Announced over 200 MW of renewable growth projects, including the Horizon Hill wind facility and Mount Keith 132kV transmission expansion, securing 40% of our 5-year 2 GW Clean Electricity Growth Plan target
  • Completed and executed contract renewals with our customers at the Sarnia Regional Cogeneration Plant (“Sarnia”), including the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
  • Announced a 10-year contract extension at the Kent Hills wind facility with New Brunswick Power Corporation (“NB Power”) and advanced rehabilitation efforts, with the facility expected to fully return to service in the second half of 2023. The parties have also agreed to evaluate the installation of a battery energy storage system and potential repowering at the facilities end of life in 2045
  • Announced agreement to acquire a 50% interest in a 320 MW early-stage pumped hydro development project
  • Reduced annual carbon emissions by 2.3 million tonnes, an 18% reduction compared to 2021
  • Accelerated our business transformation to become net-zero by 2045
  • Received ESG ratings of ‘A-‘ with CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) and ‘A’ with MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International)
  • Achieved a strong safety performance, including a record Total Recordable Injury Frequency of 0.39
  • Increased the common share dividend by 10% to an annualized dividend of $0.22 per share
  • Returned $54 million of capital to common shareholders during the year through share buybacks of 4.3 million common shares

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2022.

“2022 was a remarkable year for TransAlta, with results that exceeded the top end of our adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow guidance. We achieved exceptional financial performance from all our generation segments, as well as our Energy Marketing segment. On the growth front, we secured over 200 MW of renewables growth projects bringing the total under our Clean Electricity Growth Plan to 800 MW or 40 per cent of our 2 GW target.  During the year, we also added 1,980 MW of development opportunities to our pipeline and currently have 374 MW of projects in an advanced stage of development,- said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our evolution is on track, and the cash flows from our legacy fleet are positioning us well to transition our business towards contracted renewables,” added Mr. Kousinioris.

Key Business Developments

Early-Stage Pumped Hydro Development Project

On Feb. 16, 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 50 per cent interest in the Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex (Tent Mountain), an early-stage 320 MW pumped hydro energy storage development project, located in southwest Alberta, currently owned by Montem Resources Limited (Montem). The acquisition includes the land rights, fixed assets and intellectual property associated with the pumped hydro development project. The Company will pay Montem approximately $8 million upon closing the transaction with additional contingent payments of up to $17 million (approximately $25 million total) based on the achievement of specific development and commercial milestones. The Company and Montem will form a partnership and jointly manage the project, with the Company acting as project developer. The partnership will actively seek an offtake agreement over the development period for the energy and environmental attributes generated by the facility. The acquisition also includes the intellectual property associated with a 100 MW offsite green hydrogen electrolyser and a 100 MW offsite wind development project. The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of shareholder approval by Montem which is expected to occur in March 2023.

TransAlta and Lafarge Canada Advance Low-Carbon Fly Ash Repurposing Project

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Lafarge Canada that will advance low-carbon concrete projects in Alberta. The project will repurpose landfilled fly ash, a waste product from the Company’s Canadian coal-fired electricity facilities, which ceased operating on coal at the end of 2021. The ash will be used to replace cement in concrete manufacturing.

Changes to the Board of Directors

On Dec. 15, 2022, the Company announced the appointment of Ms. Manjit Sharma to the board of directors (the €œBoard€ or the €œBoard of Directors) effective Jan. 1, 2023. Ms. Sharma brings over 30 years of experience that spans a variety of industries, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer of WSP Canada Inc.

On Sept. 30, 2022, Ms. Beverlee Park retired from the Board of Directors. Ms. Park served on the Board of Directors since 2015 and as Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee from April 2018 to May 2022. The Company recognizes the many contributions made by Ms. Park to TransAlta, and thanks her for the many years of service.

Public Offering of Senior Green Bonds and Release of Inaugural Green Bond Framework

On Nov. 17, 2022, the Company issued US$400 million senior notes (“US$400 million Senior Green Bonds”), which have a coupon rate of 7.75 per cent per annum and mature on Nov. 15, 2029. Including the effects of settled interest rate swaps, the notes have an effective yield of approximately 5.98 per cent. The notes are an unsecured obligation, rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, and are senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated indebtedness. The interest payments on the bonds are made semi-annually, on November 15 and May 15, with the first payment commencing May 15, 2023.

The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the notes to repay $100 million drawn on its credit facility and replaced the balance sheet cash used to fund the repayment in full of the Company’s US$400 million 4.50 per cent unsecured senior notes.

The Company will allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance new and/or existing eligible green projects in accordance with its Green Bond Framework (the €œFramework). The Framework received a second-party opinion from Sustainalytics, which verified that it aligned with the Green Bond Principles from the International Capital Market Association.

Announced a 10% Common Share Dividend Increase

On Nov. 7, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a 10 per cent increase in its common share dividend and declared a dividend of $0.055 per common share that was paid on Jan. 1, 2023. The quarterly dividend of $0.055 per common share represents an annualized dividend of $0.22 per common share.

New Term Facility

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company closed a two-year $400 million floating-rate term facility (“Term Facility”) with its banking syndicate with a maturity date of Sept. 7, 2024. As at Dec. 31, 2022, the full amount was drawn on the Term Facility.

Executed Contract Renewals with the IESO at Sarnia and Melancthon 1 Wind Facilities

During the third quarter of 2022, TransAlta Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, announced that it was awarded capacity contracts for Sarnia and the Melancthon 1 wind facility from the IESO as part of the IESO’s Medium-Term Capacity Procurement Request for Proposals. The new capacity contracts for these two facilities run from May 1, 2026, to Apr. 30, 2031, and the existing contracts will be extended from Dec. 31, 2025 and March 3, 2026, respectively, to Apr. 30, 2026.

Executed Industrial Contract Extensions at Sarnia

During the second and fourth quarters of 2022, the Company executed contracts for the supply of electricity and steam from Sarnia with three of its legacy industrial customers, and with three new customers, who had previously been resold utilities as part of a legacy customer’s contract. Following the contracting efforts in 2021 and 2022, Sarnia has been fully recontracted without interruption to the industrial customers’ delivery terms. The contracts extend to Apr. 30, 2031 for four customers and to Dec. 31, 2032 for the other three customers.

Kent Hills Wind Facilities Update

On June 2, 2022, TransAlta Renewables announced the rehabilitation plan for the Kent Hills 1 and 2 wind facilities together with the execution of amended and extended power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) with NB Power. The amended agreements for the Kent Hills 1, 2 and 3 wind facilities provide for an additional 10-year contract term 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 its life in 2045. A waiver for the Kent Hills non-recourse bonds was also obtained from the project bondholders and a supplemental indenture was entered into with the bondholders that facilitates the rehabilitation of the Kent Hills 1 and 2 wind facilities.

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 which will support the Northern Goldfields-based operations of BHP Nickel West (“BHP”). The project is being developed under the existing PPA with BHP, which has a term of 15 years.

Executed Long-term PPA for the 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 for 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 commercial operation expected in the first half of 2023.

Energy Impact Partners Investment

On May 5, 2022, the Company entered into a commitment to invest US$25 million over the next four years in Energy Impact Partners Deep Decarbonization Frontier Fund 1 (the €œFrontier Fund). During 2022, the Company invested $10 million (US$8 million). The investment in the Frontier Fund provides the Company with a portfolio approach to investing in emerging technologies and the opportunity to identify, pilot, commercialize and bring to market emerging technologies that will facilitate the transition to net-zero emissions.

MSCI Environmental, Social and Governance Rating Upgrade

During the second quarter of 2022, TransAlta’s MSCI Environmental Social and Governance Rating was upgraded to ‘A’ from ‘BBB’. The upgrade reflects the Company’s strong renewable energy growth compared to its peers. In 2021, the Company grew its installed renewable energy capacity by 15 per cent through the 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.

Horizon Hill Wind Project and Fully Executed Corporate PPA with Meta

On April 5, 2022, TransAlta announced 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. Construction commenced in the fall of 2022 with a target commercial operation date in the second half of 2023. TransAlta will construct, operate and own the facility.

Alberta Electricity Portfolio

The Alberta Electricity Portfolio generated gross margin of $1,177 million, an increase of $319 million compared to the same period in 2021. Higher merchant margins were realized through dispatch optimization and the increase in realized power prices which more than offset higher fuel costs from increased natural gas prices in 2022 as compared to the prior year. Periods of strong weather-driven demand and unplanned outages resulted in opportunities for each of our fuel types in the Alberta Electricity Portfolio throughout the year.

Alberta’s annual demand for electricity expanded by approximately 1.7% from 2021 to 2022 due to the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, higher residential cooling demand in summer and stronger market conditions for energy commodities supporting power demand. The average pool price increased from $102 per MWh in 2021 to $162 per MWh in 2022. Pool prices were higher in the second through fourth quarters of 2022, compared to 2021 as a result of higher demand in the province, higher natural gas and carbon prices and stronger prices in an adjacent power market. August and December, specifically, were months with significant weather-driven demand in the province.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, the Alberta Electricity Portfolio achieved a realized merchant power price of $126 per MWh, compared to the Alberta electricity price, which averaged $162 per MWh. The Company was able to benefit during higher-priced periods by optimizing dispatch of each of the Alberta Hydro, and Gas fleet, ensuring high availability during peak demand, while hedged positions at Alberta Gas minimized unfavourable market pricing during lower-priced hours in the quarter.

Hedged volume for the 2022 fiscal year was 7,228 GWh at an average price of $86 per MWh compared to 6,992 GWh at an average price of $72 per MWh in 2021.

Liquidity and Financial Position

The Company continues to maintain a strong financial position in part due to long-term contracts and hedged positions. As at Dec. 31, 2022, TransAlta had access to $2.1 billion in liquidity, including $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2022 Highlights

 $ millions, unless otherwise stated

3 Months Ended

Year Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Adjusted availability (%)

89.5

83.8 

90

86.6 

Production (GWh)

6,005

5,823 

21,258

22,105 

Revenues

854

610

2,976

2,721 

Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2)

541

243

1,634

1,286 

FFO(1),(2)

459

186

1,346

994

FCF(1),(2)

315

79

961

585

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

7

(32)

353

(380)

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders

(163)

(78)

4

(576)

Cash flow from operating activities

351

54

877

1,001 

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted

$ (0.61)

$ (0.29)

$ 0.01

$ (2.13)

FFO per share(1),(4)

$ 1.71

$ 0.69 

$ 4.97

$ 3.67 

FCF per share(1),(4)

$ 1.17

$ 0.29

$ 3.55

$ 2.16 

Dividends declared per common share(3)

$ 0.11

$ 0.10 

$ 0.21

$ 0.19 

Dividends declared per preferred share(3)

$ 0.34

$ 0.25

$ 1.20

$ 1.02 

Fourth Quarter Financial Results Summary

Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2022 was $541 million, an increase of $298 million, or 123 per cent compared to the same period in 2021, largely due to higher adjusted EBITDA in our Hydro and Gas segments, which was driven by higher realized prices in the Alberta market, higher adjusted EBITDA in the Wind and Solar segment from higher wind resources in Eastern Canada and higher gross margin from our Energy Marketing segment. This was partially offset by lower adjusted EBITDA in the Energy Transition segment from the retirement of Keephills Unit 1 and Sundance Unit 4, partially offset by higher realized merchant prices and production at Centralia Unit 2.

FCF(1) for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2022 was $315 million compared to $79 million in the same period of 2021, as a result of higher adjusted EBITDA due to Alberta Electricity Portfolio performance and favourable changes in provisions from 2021, partially offset by higher current tax expense, higher distributions paid to subsidiaries’ non-controlling interests, higher realized foreign exchange losses, and higher sustaining capital expenditures.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $163 million compared to a net loss of $78 million in the same period of 2021, an increase of $85 million. The net loss in 2022 was impacted by higher depreciation and amortization expense due to the acceleration of useful lives on certain facilities in our Gas segment, higher OM&A expenses and higher income tax expense due to higher earnings before tax and current and prior period tax adjustments in the US to mitigate cash tax. These unfavourable impacts were partially offset by lower asset impairments, higher gains on sale of assets and other due to the timing of asset sales and higher adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $351 million, an increase of $297 million compared with the same period in 2021, mainly due to higher revenues net of unrealized gains and losses from risk management activities and favourable changes in working capital from movements in the collateral accounts related to high commodity prices and volatility in the markets, partially offset by higher fuel and purchased power costs and higher current income tax expense.

Full Year 2022 Financial Results Summary

Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $1.634 billion, an increase of $348 million compared to 2021. The increase in adjusted EBITDA is largely due to strong performance from our Alberta Electricity Portfolio, driven primarily by the hydro, gas and wind facilities as a result of higher merchant prices and dispatch optimization. Adjusted EBITDA was further improved by incremental production from new facilities, higher ancillary service revenues, liquidated damages recoverable due to turbine availability being below the contractual target at the Windrise wind facility, higher environmental attribute revenues in the Wind and Solar segment and lower carbon compliance costs in both the Gas and Energy Transition segments. This was partially offset by lower adjusted EBITDA from the retirement of Alberta coal units in the Energy Transition segment, higher natural gas fuel costs, lower production from the extended outage at the Kent Hills wind facilities, higher OM&A expenses related to the Company’s performance-related incentive accruals and increased general operating expenses.

FCF(1) for the full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $961 million, an increase of $376 million compared to $585 million for 2021, driven primarily by higher adjusted EBITDA, favourable changes in provisions from 2021 and a decrease in sustaining capital spending related to fewer planned maintenance turnarounds. This was partially offset by higher current income tax expense, higher distributions paid to subsidiaries’ non-controlling interests and higher decommissioning and restoration costs settled.

Earnings before income taxes for the full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $353 million, compared to a loss of $380 million for 2021, an increase of $733 million. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders for 2022 was $4 million compared to a loss of $576 million in 2021. In 2022, the Company benefited from higher revenues net of realized and unrealized losses from hedging and derivative positions and lower carbon compliance costs, partially offset by higher fuel and purchased power, higher depreciation due to the acceleration of useful lives on certain facilities, higher interest expense due to increased costs to support trading and hedging activities and higher accretion of provisions, partially offset by higher interest income and higher income tax expense due to higher earnings before tax and current and prior period tax adjustments in the US to mitigate cash tax. In addition, during 2022, the Company recognized liquidated damages recoverable due to turbine availability being below the contractual target at the Windrise wind facility. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders in 2021 were significantly impacted by higher asset impairment charges resulting from the Company’s decisions to shut down the Highvale mine, suspend the Sundance Unit 5 repowering project and retire Sundance Unit 4 and Keephills Unit 1.

Cash flow from operating activities for the full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, was $877 million, compared to $1,001 million for 2021, a decrease of $124 million, primarily due to unfavourable changes in working capital and higher fuel and purchased power costs. This was partially offset by higher revenues from risk management activities, higher net other operating (income) loss and lower carbon compliance costs.

Segmented Financial Performance

($ millions)

3 months ended

12 months ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Hydro

133

67

527

322

Wind and Solar

92

76

311

262

Gas

264

103

629

488

Energy Transition

19

37

86

133

Energy Marketing

63

(11)

183

166

Corporate

(30)

(29)

(102)

(85)

Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2)

541

243

1,634

1,286 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

7

(32)

353

(380)

Hydro:

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, increased by $205 million compared to 2021, primarily due to higher merchant prices, higher production and higher ancillary service prices and volumes in the Alberta market. This was partially offset by higher OM&A costs for the year related to increased insurance premiums for updated replacement value coverage.

Wind and Solar:

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, increased by $49 million compared to 2021, primarily due to higher production, higher realized merchant pricing in Alberta, higher environmental attribute revenues and the recognition of liquidated damages recoverable from turbine availability being below the contractual target at the Windrise wind facility. This was partially offset by lower production from the extended outage at Kent Hills, an increase in transmission rates and OM&A related to the addition of the Windrise wind and North Carolina Solar facilities. A one-time favourable adjustment as a result of the AESO transmission line loss ruling was included in 2021.

Gas:

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, increased by $141 million compared to 2021, mainly due to capturing higher realized energy prices through dispatch optimization of our Alberta assets, net of hedging, higher Ontario merchant pricing, steam generation and lower carbon compliance costs. This was partially offset by increased natural gas consumption on recently converted units, higher natural gas prices and higher OM&A due to the Company’s performance-related incentive accruals and increased general operating expenses. Carbon compliance costs were lower due to reductions in GHG emissions and utilization of compliance credits to settle a portion of the GHG obligation, partially offset by an increase in the carbon price per tonne and higher production. Lower GHG emissions were a direct result of operating exclusively on natural gas in Alberta rather than coal. Adjusted EBITDA for 2021 was also impacted by the unplanned short-term steam supply outages at the Sarnia cogeneration facility in 2021.

Energy Transition:

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, decreased by $47 million compared to 2021,  primarily due to the retirement of the Alberta coal assets and higher purchased power costs during outages at Centralia in 2022, partially offset by higher merchant and contract prices and higher production at Centralia, lower carbon costs in Alberta related to utilization of our compliance credits to settle the 2021 GHG obligation and lower OM&A as a result of the retirements on the coal fleet in 2021.

Energy Marketing:

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, increased by $17 million compared to 2021. Results exceeded segment expectations due to short-term trading of both physical and financial power and gas products across all North American deregulated markets. The Company was able to capitalize on short-term volatility in the trading markets without materially changing the risk profile of the business unit.

Corporate:

  • Our Corporate costs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, increased by $17 million compared to 2021, primarily due to higher incentive accruals reflecting the Company’s performance. The 2021 adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the receipt of CEWS proceeds and gains on the total return swap.

Conference call

TransAlta will hold a conference call and webcast at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) today, February 23, 2023, to discuss our fourth quarter and full year 2022 results. The call will begin with a short address by John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Todd Stack, EVP Finance and Chief Financial Officer,followed by a question and answer period for investment analysts and investors. A question and answer period for the media will immediately follow.

Dial-in numbers – Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results:
Toll-free North American participants call: 1-888-664-6392

A link to the live webcast will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta’s website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events/. If you are unable to participate in the call, the instant replay is accessible at 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and USA toll free) with TransAlta pass code 499174 followed by the # sign. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta’s website once it becomes available.

Notes

(1)These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. Presenting these items from period to period provides management and investors with the ability to evaluate earnings (loss) trends more readily in comparison with prior periods results. Please refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release for further discussion of these items, including, where applicable, reconciliations to measures calculated in accordance with IFRS.

(2) During 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to include the impact of closed exchange positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and the Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur. Therefore, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods.

(3)Weighted average of the Series A, B, C, D, E, and G preferred share dividends declared. Dividends declared vary year over year due to timing of dividend declarations and quarterly floating rates.

(4)Funds from operations per share and free cash flow per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2022 was 271 million shares (2021 – 271 million shares). Please refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section in this earnings release for the purpose of these non-IFRS ratios.

Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures

We use a number of financial measures to evaluate our performance and the performance of our business segments, including measures and ratios that are presented on a non-IFRS basis, as described below. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We believe that these non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios, read together with our IFRS amounts, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results.

Non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. They are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed in isolation from, as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, our IFRS results.

Adjusted EBITDA

Each business segment assumes responsibility for its operating results measured by adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is an important metric for management that represents our core business profitability. In the second quarter of 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was adjusted to include the impact of closed positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and the Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur. Accordingly, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods. Interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are not included, as differences in accounting treatments may distort our core business results. In addition, certain reclassifications and adjustments are made to better assess results, excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing business performance. This presentation may facilitate the readers’ analysis of trends.

Average Annual EBITDA

Average annual EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that is forward-looking, used to show the average annual EBITDA that the project currently under construction is expected to generate upon completion.

Funds From Operations (“FFO”)

FFO is an important metric as it provides a proxy for cash generated from operating activities before changes in working capital and provides the ability to evaluate cash flow trends in comparison with results from prior periods. FFO is a non-IFRS measure.

Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)

FCF is an important metric as it represents the amount of cash that is available to invest in growth initiatives, make scheduled principal repayments on debt, repay maturing debt, pay common share dividends or repurchase common shares. Changes in working capital are excluded so FFO and FCF are not distorted by changes that we consider temporary in nature, reflecting, among other things, the impact of seasonal factors and timing of receipts and payments. FCF is a non-IFRS measure.

Non-IFRS Ratios

FFO per share, FCF per share and adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS ratios that are presented in the MD&A. Refer to the Reconciliation of Cash Flow from Operations to FFO and FCF and Key Non-IFRS Financial Ratios sections of the MD&A for additional information.

FFO per share and FCF per share

FFO per share and FCF per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. FFO per share and FCF per share are non-IFRS ratios.

Reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most comparable IFRS measure are provided below.

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis

The following table reflects adjusted EBITDA and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2021:

Year ended Dec. 31, 2022

$ millions

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas

Energy Transition

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

606

303

1,209

714

160

(2)

2,990

(14)

€”

2,976

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Unrealized mark-to-market loss

1

104

251

10

12

€”

378

€”

(378)

€”

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchange positions

€”

€”

(4)

€”

47

€”

43

€”

(43)

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

46

€”

€”

€”

46

€”

(46)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

19

€”

€”

€”

19

€”

(19)

€”

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity

€”

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Adjusted revenues

607

407

1,521

724

218

(2)

3,475

(14)

(485)

2,976

Fuel and purchased power

22 

31

641

566

€”

3

1,263

€”

€”

1,263

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(4)

€”

€”

€”

(4)

€”

4

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

22 

31

637

566

€”

3

1,259

€”

4

1,263

Carbon compliance

€”

1

83

(1)

€”

(5)

78

€”

€”

78

Gross margin

585

375

801

159

218

€”

2,138

(14)

(489)

1,635

OM&A

55

68

195

69

35

101

523

(2)

€”

521

Taxes, other than income taxes

3

12

15

4

€”

1

35

(2)

€”

33

Net other operating (income) loss

€”

(23)

(38)

€”

€”

€”

(61)

3

€”

(58)

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Insurance recovery

€”

7

€”

€”

€”

€”

7

€”

(7)

€”

Adjusted net other operating (income) loss

€”

(16)

(38)

€”

€”

€”

(54)

3

(7)

(58)

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

527

311

629

86

183

(102)

1,634

     

Equity income

                 

9

Finance lease income

                 

19

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(599)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(9)

Net interest expense

                 

(262)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

4

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

52

Earnings before income taxes

                 

353

1)The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2)Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

Year ended Dec. 31, 2021
$ millions

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas

Energy Transition

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

383

323

1,109

709

211

4

2,739

(18)

€”

2,721

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€”

25

(40)

19

(38)

€”

(34)

€”

34

€”

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchange positions(2)

€”

€”

(6)

€”

29

€”

23

€”

(23)

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

41

€”

€”

€”

41

€”

(41)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

25

€”

€”

€”

25

€”

(25)

€”

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity

€”

€”

(3)

€”

€”

€”

(3)

€”

3

€”

Adjusted revenues

383

348

1,126

728

202

4

2,791

(18)

(52)

2,721

Fuel and purchased power

16

17

457

560

€”

4

1,054

€”

€”

1,054

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(4)

€”

€”

€”

(4)

€”

4

€”

Mine depreciation

€”

€”

(79)

(111)

€”

€”

(190)

€”

190

€”

Coal inventory write-down

€”

€”

€”

(17)

€”

€”

(17)

€”

17

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

16

17

374

432

€”

4

843

€”

211

1,054

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

118

60

€”

€”

178

€”

€”

178

Gross margin

367

331

634

236

202

€”

1,770

(18)

(263)

1,489

OM&A

42

59

175

117

36

84

513

(2)

€”

511

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Parts and materials writedown

€”

€”

(2)

(26)

€”

€”

(28)

€”

28

€”

Curtailment gain

€”

€”

€”

6

€”

€”

6

€”

(6)

€”

Adjusted OM&A

42

59

173

97

36

84

491

(2)

22

511

Taxes, other than income taxes

3

10

13

6

€”

1

33

(1)

€”

32

Net other operating loss (income)

€”

€”

(40)

48

€”

€”

8

€”

€”

8

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Royalty onerous contract and contract termination penalties

€”

€”

€”

(48)

€”

€”

(48)

€”

48

€”

Adjusted net other operating loss (income)

€”

€”

(40)

€”

€”

€”

(40)

€”

48

8

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

322

262

488

133

166

(85)

1,286

     

Equity income

                 

9

Finance lease income

                 

25

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(529)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(648)

Net interest expense

                 

(245)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

16

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

54

Loss before income taxes

                 

(380)

(1)The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2)In 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was adjusted to include the impact of closed positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and the Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur.

(3)Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

The following table reflects adjusted EBITDA by segment and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2022:

 

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas

Energy Transition

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

159

98

276

281

44

€”

858

(4)

€”

854

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

1

23

238

(7)

12

€”

267

€”

(267)

€”

Realized loss on closed exchange positions

€”

€”

7

€”

20

€”

27

€”

(27)

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

12

€”

€”

€”

12

€”

(12)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

4

€”

€”

€”

4

€”

(4)

€”

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity

€”

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Adjusted revenues

160

121 

537

274

75

€”

1,167

(4)

(309)

854

Fuel and purchased power

5

11

196

234

€”

€”

446

€”

€”

446

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(1)

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

5

11

195

234

€”

€”

445

€”

1

446

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

27

€”

€”

€”

27

€”

€”

27

Gross margin

155

110

315

40

75

€”

695

(4)

(310)

381

OM&A

22 

18

57

19

12

30

158

(1)

€”

157

Taxes, other than income taxes

€”

5

2

2

€”

€”

9

(1)

€”

8

Net other operating (income) loss

€”

(5)

(8)

€”

€”

€”

(13)

3

€”

(10)

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

133

92

264

19

63

(30)

541

     

Equity income

                 

4

Finance lease income

                 

4

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(188)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(5)

Net interest expense

                 

(67)

Foreign exchange loss

                 

(13)

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

46

Earnings before income taxes

                 

7

(1)The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2)Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

The following table reflects adjusted EBITDA by segment and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2021:

 

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas

Energy Transition

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

84

98

172

238

26

(2)

616

(6)

€”

610

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€”

3

82

(8)

(12)

€”

65

€”

(65)

€”

Realized gain on closed exchange positions(2)

€”

€”

(7)

€”

(20)

€”

(27)

€”

27

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

11

€”

€”

€”

11

€”

(11)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

6

€”

€”

€”

6

€”

(6)

€”

Adjusted revenues

84

101

264

230

(6)

(2)

671

(6)

(55)

610

Fuel and purchased power(3)

3

6

110

149

€”

(2)

266

€”

€”

266

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(1)

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Mine depreciation

€”

€”

€”

(11)

€”

€”

(11)

€”

11

€”

Coal inventory write-down

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

3

6

109

137

€”

(2)

253

€”

13

266

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

14

25

€”

€”

39

€”

€”

39

Gross margin

81

95

141

68

(6)

€”

379

(6)

(68)

305

OM&A(3)

13

17

46

20

5

29

130

€”

€”

130

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Parts and materials write-down

€”

€”

€”

3

€”

€”

3

€”

(3)

€”

Curtailment gain

€”

€”

€”

6

€”

€”

6

€”

(6)

€”

Adjusted OM&A

13

17

46

29

5

29

139

€”

(9)

130

Taxes, other than income taxes

1

2

2

1

€”

€”

6

€”

€”

6

Net other operating income

€”

€”

(10)

(8)

€”

€”

(18)

€”

€”

(18)

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                 

Royalty onerous contract and contract termination penalties

€”

€”

€”

9

€”

€”

9

€”

(9)

€”

Adjusted net other operating (income) loss

€”

€”

(10)

1

€”

€”

(9)

€”

(9)

(18)

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

67

76

103

37

(11)

(29)

243

     

Equity income

                 

4

Finance lease income

                 

6

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(134)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(28)

Net interest expense

                 

(59)

Foreign exchange loss

                 

(6)

Loss on sale of assets and other

                 

(2)

Loss before income taxes

                 

(32)

(1)The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2)In 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was adjusted to include the impact of closed positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and the Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur.

(3)In 2021, $6 million was reclassified from OM&A to fuel and purchased power for station service costs in the Hydro segment.

(4)Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

Reconciliation of Cash flow from operations to FFO and FCF

The table below reconciles our cash flow from operating activities to our FFO and FCF:

 

3 Months Ended

Year Ended

$ millions unless otherwise stated

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Cash flow from operating activities(1)

351

54

877

1,001 

Change in non-cash operating working capital balances

64

148

316

(174)

Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital

415

202

1,193

827

Adjustments

       

Share of adjusted FFO from joint venture(1)

1

6

8

13

Decrease in finance lease receivable

12

11

46

41

Clean energy transition provisions and adjustments(2)(3)

7

(6)

42

79

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchanged positions

21

(27)

37

23

Other(4)

3

€”

20

11

FFO(5)

459

186

1,346

994

Deduct:

       

Sustaining capital(1)

(67)

(55)

(142)

(199)

Productivity capital

(1)

(2)

(4)

(4)

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(12)

(10)

(43)

(39)

Distributions paid to subsidiaries non-controlling interests

(61)

(38)

(187)

(159)

Principal payments on lease liabilities

(3)

(2)

(9)

(8)

FCF(5)

315

79

961

585

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period

269

271

271

271

FFO per share(5)

1.71

0.69 

4.97

3.67 

FCF per share(5)

1.17

0.29

3.55

2.16 

(1)Includes our share of amounts for Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity accounted joint venture.

(2)2022 includes amounts related to onerous contracts recognized in 2021. 2021 includes a write-down on parts and material inventory and coal inventory for our coal operations and amounts related to onerous contracts and contract termination penalties.

(3)During the third quarter of 2022, to support the employees affected by the closure of the Highvale mine and our transition off coal to cleaner sources, the Company made a voluntary special contribution of $35 million to the Highvale mine pension plan. 2022 also includes amounts related to onerous contracts recognized in 2021.

(4)Other consists of production tax credits, which is a reduction to tax equity debt, less distributions from equity accounted joint venture.

(5)These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

The table below bridges our adjusted EBITDA to our FFO and FCF for the three months and year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and 2021:

 

3 Months Ended

Year Ended

 

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

541

243

1,634

1,286 

Provisions

20

(18)

25

(43)

Interest expense

(49)

(51)

(200)

(200)

Current income tax (expense) recovery

(29)

2

(65)

(56)

Realized foreign exchange loss

(18)

(4)

€”

(2)

Decommissioning and restoration costs settled

(12)

(5)

(35)

(18)

Other non-cash items

6

19

(13)

27

FFO(2)

459

186

1,346

994

Deduct:

       

Sustaining capital(3)

(67)

(55)

(142)

(199)

Productivity capital

(1)

(2)

(4)

(4)

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(12)

(10)

(43)

(39)

Distributions paid to subsidiaries non-controlling interests

(61)

(38)

(187)

(159)

Principal payments on lease liabilities

(3)

(2)

(9)

(8)

 FCF(2)

315

79

961

585

(1)Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Non-IFRS Measures section and reconciled to earnings (loss) before income taxes above.

(2)These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. FFO and FCF are defined in the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release and reconciled to cash flow from operating activities above.

(3)Includes our share of amounts for Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity accounted joint venture.

TransAlta is in the process of filing its Annual Information Form, Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, as well as the associated Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”). These documents will be available today on the Investors section of TransAlta’s website at www.transalta.com or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

TransAlta will also be filing its Form 40-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The form will be available through their website at www.sec.gov. Paper copies of all documents are available to shareholders free of charge upon request.

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 68 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 22 million tonnes since 2015 and has received scores of A- from CDP and A from MSCI.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: the rehabilitation of the Kent Hills 1 and 2 wind facilities, including the expected date that the facilities will fully return to service; the evaluation of a battery energy storage system at the Kent Hills site and the potential repowering at the end of life of the Kent Hills wind facilities;  achieving net-zero by 2045; the Tent Mountain pumped hydro development project; the Mount Keith transmission project; the Garden Plain wind project, including the expected timing of commercial operation; the ability to leverage our investment in EIP to identify, pilot and commercialize emerging technologies; and the Horizon Hill wind farm, including the expected timing of commercial operation.  

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on many assumptions including, but not limited to, the following material assumptions: merchant power prices in Alberta and the Pacific Northwest; our proportionate ownership of TransAlta Renewables not changing materially; and no material decline in the dividends expected to be received from TransAlta Renewables. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual plans, performance, results or outcomes to differ materially from current expectations. Factors that may adversely impact what is expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in merchant power prices, including lower pricing in Alberta, Ontario and Mid-Columbia; changes in demand for electricity and capacity; our ability to contract our electricity generation for prices that will provide expected returns; risks relating to our growth projects, including the Tent Mountain pumped hydro project and risks relating to interconnection, offtake contracts and geotechnical and environmental conditions of such project; our ability to replace or renew contracts as they expire; risks associated with our projects under construction and projects in development, namely as it pertains to capital costs, permitting, land rights, engineering risks, and delays in the construction or commissioning of such projects; any difficulty raising needed capital in the future, including debt, equity and tax equity, as applicable, on reasonable terms or at all; changes to the legislative, regulatory and political environments in the jurisdictions in which we operate; environmental requirements and changes in, or liabilities under, these requirements; operational risks involving our facilities, including unplanned outages; disruptions in the transmission and distribution of electricity, including congestion and basis risk; restricted access to capital and increased borrowing costs; changes in short-term and/or long-term electricity supply and demand; reductions in production; increased costs; a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivables due to credit defaults; impairments and/or write-downs of assets; adverse impacts on our information technology systems and our internal control systems, including increased cybersecurity threats; commodity risk management and energy trading risks, including the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management tools associated with hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses; reduced labour availability and ability to continue to staff our operations and facilities; disruptions to our supply chains, including our ability to secure necessary equipment on the expected timelines or at all; the effects of weather, including man made or natural disasters, as well as climate-change related risks; unexpected increases in cost structure; reductions to our generating units relative efficiency or capacity factors; disruptions in the source of fuels, including natural gas and coal, as well as the extent of water, solar or wind resources required to operate our facilities; general economic risks, including deterioration of equity markets, increasing interest rates or rising inflation; failure to meet financial expectations; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities, the threat of terrorism, diplomatic developments or other similar events; equipment failure and our ability to carry out or have completed the repairs in a cost-effective manner timely manner or at all, including if the rehabilitation at the Kent Hills wind facilities is more costly than expected; industry risk and competition; public health crises and the impacts of any restrictive directives of government and public health authorities; fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies; structural subordination of securities; counterparty credit risk; changes to our relationship with, or ownership of, TransAlta Renewables; changes in the payment or receipt of future dividends, including from TransAlta Renewables; inadequacy or unavailability of insurance coverage; our provision for income taxes; legal, regulatory and contractual disputes and proceedings involving the Company; reliance on key personnel; labour relations matters 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 MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022. 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. 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.

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

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Announces Acquisition of 50% Interest in Early-Stage Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Development Project

TransAlta Announces Acquisition of 50% Interest in Early-Stage Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Development Project

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 50% interest in the Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex (Tent Mountain€ or the €œProject), an early-stage 320 MW pumped hydro energy storage development project, located in southwest Alberta, currently owned by Montem Resources Limited (Montem) (ASX:MR1). TransAlta and Montem will form a partnership and jointly manage the Project, with TransAlta acting as project developer.  The acquisition includes the land rights, fixed assets and intellectual property associated with the pumped hydro development project. The Project leverages Montem’s existing assets at Tent Mountain, which include large legacy water reservoirs from past mining operations.

Pumped hydro is an environmentally sustainable solution for managing the intermittency of increased renewable electricity generation in the Province of Alberta; the characteristics of the Tent Mountain site are rare and present a unique opportunity to provide 15 hours of energy storage capability for the Alberta market. The Project is strategically located on private, industrial zoned land, including an existing upper reservoir that supports a cost competitive pumped hydro project compared to other similar projects. The Project has already completed key technical and environmental work including a hydrology assessment, with additional geotechnical analysis being planned in 2023 to further advance the design of the Project.  The Project will be developed over the next four years, with construction targeted to start as early as 2026 with a commercial operation date between 2028 and 2030, all subject to regulatory, commercial and engineering considerations.  

TransAlta has owned, operated, and constructed hydro facilities for more than 110 years and this Project offers similar long-term advantages as TransAlta’s other Alberta hydro facilities.  These long-term advantages include that the Project will have a life span of greater than 80 years, which will substantially reduce its operating costs compared to other technologies over the life of the Project. The Project’s closed loop system will result in minimal impacts to Alberta’s natural river system and will have the ability to provide flexible, firm clean power to customers at scale. The Project will actively seek an offtake agreement over the development period for the energy and environmental attributes generated by the facility; the Project will provide a unique value proposition to customers seeking carbon free electricity.  

€œThe Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex is a unique development opportunity for our Company and the Province of Alberta.  The Project can support the reliability of the Alberta grid with a proven technology that is non-emitting and has a significantly larger capacity and duration than other currently available storage options.  We believe long duration storage projects, like Tent Mountain, are essential to support the reliability of the grid in Alberta as wind and solar penetration increase on the path to net-zero electricity,- said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta.

€œWe are thrilled to be entering into this partnership with TransAlta to develop the Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex. TransAlta has been operating in the Alberta power market for more than 110 years and brings many skill sets which are complementary to Montem’s,- said Peter Doyle, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Montem.

TransAlta will pay Montem approximately $8 million upon closing the transaction with additional payments of up to $17 million (approximately $25 million total) contingent on the achievement of specific development and commercial milestones.  The acquisition also includes the intellectual property associated with a 100 MW offsite green hydrogen electrolyser and a 100 MW offsite wind development project.  The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt by Montem of shareholder approval, with closing expected to occur in March 2023. The Project will be independent of TransAlta’s existing Alberta hydro assets and will be managed through this partnership.  TransAlta bears no exposure to reclamation obligations nor to any environmental liabilities arising from Montem’s historical mining operations at the Tent Mountain site.

About Montem Resources

Montem Resources (ASX: MR1) is a steelmaking coal and renewable energy development company that owns and leases coal tenements and freehold land in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The Company’s objective is to advance its steelmaking coal projects and renewable energy complex in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The Company has planned an integrated mining complex in the Crowsnest Pass, focusing on the low-cost development of open-cut operations that leverage central infrastructure. This is centered around the Tent Mountain Mine Redevelopment Project, and the Chinook Vicary 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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has been recognized by CDP with an ‘A-‘ rating. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: the Project, including the ability of the Company to develop, construct and operate the Project; the ability of the Project to leverage Montem’s existing assets at Tent Mountain, including access to infrastructure; the energy storage capabilities, including as it pertains to duration; cost-competitiveness of the Project relative to similar projects;  additional geotechnical analysis to be undertaken in 2023 to further advance the design of the Project; the intention to actively seek an offtake agreement over the development period for the energy and environmental attributes generated by the Project; that the Project will have minimal impacts to Alberta’s natural river system; and TransAlta’s exposure to reclamation obligations and environmental liabilities arising from Montem’s historical mining operations at the Tent Mountain site. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on TransAlta’s belief and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made, including, but not limited to the price of power in Alberta and the condition of the financial and electricity markets not changing significantly. 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: adverse geotechnical conditions that may not support the construction and operation of the Project; potential inability to secure interconnection and other required infrastructure to support the Project; risks associated with relevant stakeholders, including any opposition from Indigenous and local communities;  inability to secure an offtake contract, which may be required to support the economic construction and operation of the Project; inability to access to any government grants or incentives; inability to secure qualified personnel or staff in regard to the development, construction or operation of the Project; supply chain constraints and limitations; inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; an event of bankruptcy or insolvency of Montem; ; 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 MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

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

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

Media Advisory: TransAlta and TransAlta Renewables Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results and Conference Call

Media Advisory: TransAlta and TransAlta Renewables Annual Meetings of Shareholders and First Quarter 2023 Results and Conference Call

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) will release its fourth quarter and full year 2022 results before markets open on Thursday, February 23, 2023. A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held for investors, analysts, members of the media and other interested parties the same day beginning at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time (11:00 a.m. ET). The media will be invited to ask questions following analysts.

TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TransAlta Renewables) (TSX:RNW) will release its fourth quarter and full year 2022 results before markets on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Any questions regarding TransAlta Renewables may be asked on the TransAlta conference call.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Conference Call:

Toll-free North American participants call: 1-888-664-6392
 Webcast link:
https://app.webinar.net/eodKJ0BLj5P

Related materials will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta’s website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events/. If you are unable to participate in the call, the instant replay is accessible at 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and USA toll free) with TransAlta pass code 499174 followed by the # sign. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta’s website once it becomes available.

About TransAlta:

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has been recognized by CDP with an ‘A-‘ rating. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com.

About TransAlta Renewables Inc.:

TransAlta Renewables is among the largest of any publicly traded renewable independent power producers (“IPP”) in Canada. Our asset platform and economic interests are diversified in terms of geography, generation and counterparties and consist of interests in 26 wind facilities, 11 hydroelectric facilities, eight natural gas generation facilities, two solar facilities, one natural gas pipeline, and one battery storage project, representing an ownership interest of 2,965 megawatts of owned generating capacity, located in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, the States of Pennsylvania,  New Hampshire, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, North Carolina, and the State of Western Australia. For more information about TransAlta Renewables, visit its web site at transaltarenewables.com.

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S. Email: investor_relations@transalta.com
Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-855-255-9184 Email: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Announces Outlook for 2023 and Update on Corporate Strategy

TransAlta Announces Outlook for 2023 and Update on Corporate Strategy

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today its financial outlook for 2023.

Highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) range of $1.20 billion to $1.32 billion
  • Free Cash Flow(1)(2)  range of $560 million to $660 million or FCF per share range of $2.07 to $2.44
  • Sustaining capital(3) range of $140 million to $170 million
  • Continued delivery of TransAlta’s Clean Electricity Growth Plan by reaching final investment decision on 500 MW of additional clean energy projects across Alberta, the United States and Australia to deliver $75 million to $100 million of incremental adjusted EBITDA
  • Appointment of Ms. Manjit Sharma to the Company’s Board of Directors effective Jan. 1, 2023

Strategy Update

  • Continuing strong FCF supports TransAlta’s strategy of increasing shareholder value through significant capital allocation to contracted renewables growth
  • Due to its strong financial position, TransAlta is positioned as the primary growth vehicle for the consolidated TransAlta group and expects to advance its Clean Electricity Growth Plan
  • The Company will support organic expansions and opportunities to manage the current Canadian and Australian tax horizons of TransAlta Renewables Inc. (“TransAlta Renewables”), as well as  support the sustainability of the TransAlta Renewables’ dividend

€œWe are pleased to announce that our annual outlook highlights continuing strong cash flow expectations for 2023. Our fleet remains well positioned to capture the ongoing strength that we see in the Alberta merchant market. We are focused on redeploying these cash flows toward growing our contracted renewables asset base, which will create further value for our shareholders as we work to deliver our 2 GW renewables growth target by 2025,” said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta.

€œAs we further advance our Clean Electricity Growth Plan and decarbonization efforts, TransAlta is well positioned to fully execute our growth plan.  As we move forward, we expect to prioritize new growth investments within the TransAlta parent company.  TransAlta Renewables will continue to retain growth opportunities where it has a right of first offer on organic expansions or where there is a mutual benefit to manage its tax horizon in order to sustain its current dividend, which is highly valued by its income-focused shareholders including TransAlta,€ added Mr. Kousinioris.

2023 Strategic Priorities

In addition to meeting the financial targets set out in the outlook, the Company is focused on the following key priorities for 2023:

  • Advance customer-centred power solutions, renewables and storage, and grid reliability products for our Canadian, United States and Australian markets
  • Continue execution of the Clean Electricity Growth Plan to deliver 2 GW of new generation and a 5 GW growth pipeline by 2025 by reaching final investment decision on 500 MW of additional clean energy projects across Canada, the United States and Australia
  • Develop and maintain a growing pipeline of greenfield and brownfield development opportunities that add at least 1,500 MW of new development sites to our pipeline
  • Achieve commercial operation and integration of the Garden Plain wind project, Northern Goldfields solar and storage project, White Rock and Horizon Hill wind projects and the Mount Keith transmission project ensuring these projects are delivered safely, on-time and on-budget consistent with their expected operating and financial performance expectations
  • Complete the rehabilitation of Kent Hills targeting a safe return of the wind facility to full operations in the second half of 2023
  • Advance a new technology roadmap that aligns with the Clean Electricity Growth Plan
  • Advance long-term contractedness of the Alberta Electricity Portfolio through new and existing sales channels
  • Deliver permanent financing for growth projects by executing tax equity or other financing program in order to monetize the value of production tax credits and other potential tax attributes

Update to Clean Electricity Growth Plan

To date, the Company has announced 800 MW of projects for a total cost of $1.5 billion toward our 2 GW Clean Electricity Growth Plan.  These projects are expected to deliver $147 million of annualized adjusted EBITDA.  With the current inflationary environment, we expect costs on future projects to be higher based on increases to expected pricing of equipment and construction labour. Although we estimate that the remaining projects will cost more, we see continuing demand for renewable energy and we expect PPA prices to respond to absorb these higher costs across the industry. As a result, we forecast that expected returns on projects will remain intact.  Accordingly, we have reset our capital investment target to $3.6 billion with an increased incremental EBITDA target of $315 million.

Clean Electricity Growth Plan TargetsRevised TargetOriginal  TargetAchieved to Date% of Revised Target Achieved
Renewable Energy Capacity2 GW2 GW800 MW40%
Capital Investment$3.6 billion$3 billion$1.5 billion41%
Incremental EBITDA$315 million$250 million$147 million47%

Appointment of New Board Member

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Manjit Sharma to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2023.  Ms. Sharma brings over 30 years of experience that spans a variety of industries, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer of WSP Canada Inc.  In this role, she was responsible for leading the finance, real estate, procurement, tax and shared services functions across Canada.  Prior to WSP Canada Inc., she was on the National Executive Team of General Electric Canada (GE Canada), serving as Chief Financial Officer from 2016 to 2019. From 1999 to 2016, she held various senior positions with GE Canada, with responsibilities that spanned strategic planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, tax oversight, risk, governance, and diversity and inclusion. Ms. Sharma currently serves as a board member of each of Vermilion Energy Inc., Finning International Inc. and Export Development Canada.  She is also a member of the GE Canada Pension Trust Committee. 

Ms. Sharma holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (with Honours) from the University of Toronto, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and holds the ICD.D Directors designation and the GCB.D Global Competent Boards designation.  In 2019, Ms. Sharma was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network.

ESG Targets

The Company has a comprehensive and ambitious set of environment, social, and governance (ESG) targets that support the long-term success of our business and highlight our ESG value proposition. These targets include:

Environment

  • Complete TransAlta’s off-coal transition by retiring our single remaining coal unit in the United States by the end of 2025
  • Achieve a company-wide reduction of greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) of 75 per cent over 2015 levels by 2026
  • Develop new renewable projects and power offerings that support customer sustainability goals by delivering low cost, reliable and clean energy solutions

Social

  • Achieve at least 40 per cent gender diversity among all employees by 2030
  • Maintain equal pay for women in equivalent roles as men
  • Support equal access to all levels of education for youth and Indigenous peoples through financial support and employment opportunities
  • Provide Indigenous cultural awareness training to all U.S. and Australian-based employees by the end of 2023

Governance

  • Achieve 50 per cent female representation on the Board of Directors of the Company by 2030
  • Maintain our position as a leader in integrated ESG disclosure

The Company continues to report on progress in alignment with major frameworks and was recently upgraded to an A- score from CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project).

2023 Financial Outlook

Comparable EBITDA is estimated to be between $1.20 billion to $1.32 billion. The midpoint of the range represents continued strong performance compared to historical levels. The Company expects comparable EBITDA for 2023 to be impacted by a number of factors, including:

  • Continued strong merchant pricing levels in Alberta though at a lowered target price range than 2022 based on our fundamental market forecast. The lower price expectations are driven by normalized weather expectations and the addition of new wind and solar supply including TransAlta’s Garden Plain wind facility, which is expected to achieve commercial operation in early 2023. This will be partially offset by lower fuel costs due to favourable natural gas hedges
  • Adjusted EBITDA contributions from newly commissioned projects that include Garden Plain, White Rock, Horizon Hill, Northern Goldfields Solar and Mount Keith transmission asset additions
  • Completion of the rehabilitation outage of Kent Hills 1 and 2 and fully returning the wind facility to service in the second half of 2023
  • Adjusted performance expectations from the Energy Marketing segment due to exceptional performance achieved in 2022 partially driven by timing of cash settlements. The reversal of these settlements are included in our 2023 outlook.

The Company expects sustaining capital to be in the range of $140 million to $170 million consistent with current levels.

FCF is expected to be between $560 million and $660 million excluding the impact of rehabilitation capital expenditures required at Kent Hills. The midpoint of the range represents a 9 per cent increase over 2021 levels and a 19 per cent decrease from the midpoint of the 2022 outlook.  This is  largely driven by lower expected Alberta power pricing in 2023 and a return to normal performance from the Energy Marketing segment, both of which will be partially offset by the contribution from new assets.

The following table summarizes and provides additional details pertaining to our 2023 outlook:

Measure (millions)2023 Target2022 Target2021 Actual
Adjusted EBITDA(1)$1,200 and $1,320$1,380 to $1,460$1,263
FCF (1)$560 and $660$725 to $775$562

Range of key power price assumptions:

Market2023  Prices2022  Prices
Alberta Spot ($/MWh)$105 and $135$125 to $150
Mid-C Spot ($/MWh)US$75 to US$85US$55 to US$65
AECO Gas Price ($/GJ)$4.60$5.00 to $6.00

Alberta spot price sensitivity: a +/- $1 per MWh change in spot price is expected to have a +/- $3.5 million annualized impact on Comparable EBITDA.

Other assumptions relevant to 2023 financial outlook (millions):

Sustaining capital(3)$140 to $170
Energy marketing gross margin$90 to $110

Alberta Hedging assumptions full year 2023:

Hedged production (GWh)5,200
Hedge price ($/MWh)$74.00
Hedged gas volumes (GJ)58.4 million
Hedge gas price ($/GJ)$2.24

Notes

(1) These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. Presenting these items from period to period provides management and investors with the ability to evaluate earnings (loss) trends more readily in comparison with prior periods results. Please refer to the Segmented Financial Performance and Operating Results section of the MD&A for further discussion of these items, including, where applicable, reconciliations to measures calculated in accordance with IFRS. See also the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of this release.

(2) Free cash flow per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 was 271 million shares. Please refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures section in this release for the purpose of this non-IFRS ratio.

(3) Excludes payments associated with finance leases and Kent Hills rehabilitation capital.

Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures

We use a number of financial measures to evaluate our performance and the performance of our business segments, including measures and ratios that are presented on a non-IFRS basis, as described below. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from our audited annual 2021 consolidated financial statements and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of earnings (loss) for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, prepared in accordance with IFRS. We believe that these non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios, read together with our IFRS amounts, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results.

Non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. They are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed in isolation from, or as an alternative for, or more meaningful than our IFRS results.

Adjusted EBITDA

In the fourth quarter of 2021, comparable EBITDA was relabeled as adjusted EBITDA to align with industry standard terminology. Each business segment assumes responsibility for its operating results measured by adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is an important metric for management that represents our core business profitability. In the second quarter of 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was adjusted to include the impact of closed positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur. Accordingly, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods. Interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are not included, as differences in accounting treatments may distort our core business results. In addition, certain reclassifications and adjustments are made to better assess results excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing business performance. This presentation may facilitate the readers’ analysis of trends. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. Please refer to M39-M40 of the MD&A for a description of adjustments made.

Average Annual EBITDA

Average annual EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that is forward-looking and is used to show the average annual EBITDA that the project currently under construction is expected to generate upon completion.

Funds From Operations

FFO is an important metric as it provides a proxy for cash generated from operating activities before changes in working capital and provides the ability to evaluate cash flow trends in comparison with results from prior periods. FFO is a non-IFRS measure.

Free Cash Flow

FCF is an important metric as it represents the amount of cash that is available to invest in growth initiatives, make scheduled principal repayments on debt, repay maturing debt, pay common share dividends or repurchase common shares. Changes in working capital are excluded so FFO and FCF are not distorted by changes that we consider temporary in nature, reflecting, among other things, the impact of seasonal factors and the timing of receipts and payments. FCF is a non-IFRS measure.

Non-IFRS Ratios

FFO per share, FCF per share and adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS ratios that are presented in the MD&A. Refer to the Reconciliation of Cash Flow from Operations to FFO and FCF and Key Financial Non-IFRS Ratios sections of the MD&A for additional information.

FFO per share and FCF per share

FFO per share and FCF per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. FFO per share and FCF per share are a non-IFRS ratios.

Reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most comparable IFRS measure are provided below.

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has been recognized by CDP with an ‘A-‘ rating. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: 2023 annual financial guidance, including adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow; the Company’s strategy of allocating capital to contracted renewables growth; TransAlta being the primary growth vehicle for the consolidated TransAlta group; the Company’s support for organic expansions and opportunities to manage the current Canadian and Australian tax horizons of TransAlta Renewables; the Company’s support for the sustainability of the TransAlta Renewables’ dividend; the Company’s execution towards targets associated with its Clean Electricity Growth Plan, including the amount of incremental EBITDA to be delivered on the execution of such growth plan ; the returns on the Company’s growth projects will remain intact despite an expected increase to costs; the execution of the Company’s growth plan without the need for external capital; the key priorities for 2023, including adding at least 1,500 MW of new development sites to the Company’s pipeline; achieving the commercial operation and integration of each of the Garden Plain wind project, Northern Goldfields solar and storage project, White Rock and Horizon Hill wind projects and the Mount Keith transmission project on-time and on-budget; completing the rehabilitation of Kent Hills and realizing a safe return of the wind facility to full operations in the second half of 2023; delivering permanent financing for growth projects by executing tax equity or other financing program in order to monetize the value of production tax credits and other potential tax attributes; sensitivity of 2023 financial performance to Alberta pricing; the Company’s ESG targets, including the Company’s ability to achieve targets relating to diversity and emission reductions; and guidance ranges for Alberta spot price, Mid-C spot price, AECO gas price, and sustaining capital. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on TransAlta’s belief and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made, including, but not limited to, the current political and regulatory environments; the price of power in Alberta and the extent of hedging to occur in Alberta (as described above); that PPA prices will increase generally to account for the higher costs across the industry; assumptions regarding Mid-C spot price and AECO gas price; and the condition of the financial markets not changing significantly. 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: operational risks involving our facilities; changes in market power and gas prices where we operate; unplanned outages at generating facilities and the capital investments required to address such outages; any delays, cost increases or operational issues with any of our current growth projects, including the Northern Goldfields Solar Project or the Garden Plain wind project; equipment failure and our ability to carry out repairs in a cost effective and timely manner, including the Kent Hills remediation; the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises; global supply chain disruptions impacting major maintenance and growth projects; disruptions in the source of thermal fuels, water, solar or wind resources required to operate our facilities; energy trading risks, including risks arising from the Company’s exposure to volatile markets and the regulatory risks associated with the Company’s trading and optimization activities; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; inability to satisfy all conditions and requirements associated with announced growth projects; cybersecurity breaches; negative impacts to our credit ratings; legislative or regulatory developments and their impacts; increasingly stringent environmental requirements and their impacts; increased competition; global capital markets activity (including our ability to access financing at a reasonable cost or at all); changes in prevailing interest rates, currency exchange rates and inflation levels; armed hostilities, including an escalation of the war in Ukraine; general economic conditions in the geographic areas in which TransAlta operates; disputes or claims involving TransAlta or TransAlta Renewables; 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 MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

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

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Declares Dividends

TransAlta Declares Dividends

The Board of Directors of TransAlta Corporation (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.055 per common share payable on April 1, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2023.

The Board of Directors also declared the following quarterly dividend on its Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares for the period starting from and including December 31, 2022 up to but excluding March 31, 2023:

Preferred SharesTSX Stock SymbolDividend RateDividend Per ShareRecord
Date
Payment
Date
Series ATA.PR.D2.877%$0.17981March 1, 2023March 31, 2023
Series B*TA.PR.E6.163%$0.37991March 1, 2023March 31, 2023
Series CTA.PR.F5.854%$0.36588March 1, 2023March 31, 2023
Series D*TA.PR.G7.233%$0.45578March 1, 2023March 31, 2023
Series ETA.PR.H6.894%$0.43088March 1, 2023March 31, 2023
Series GTA.PR.J4.988%$0.31175March 1, 2023March 31, 2023

*Please note the quarterly floating rate on the Series B and Series D Preferred Shares will be reset every quarter.

All currency is expressed in Canadian dollars except where noted. When the dividend payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is made the following business day.

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com.

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Announces Pricing of US$400 Million Senior Green Bond Offering

TransAlta Corporation Enters into Automatic Share Purchase Plan

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) is pleased to announce that it priced a public offering (the Offering) of US$400 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.750% senior notes due November 15, 2029, at an issue price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, in an underwritten U.S. public offering. Including the gain on the corresponding interest rate hedges, the issuance equates to an effective yield of approximately 5.982%. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about November 17, 2022.

TransAlta intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay C$100 million drawn on its credit facility and replace balance sheet cash used to fund the repayment in full of TransAlta’s 4.500% unsecured senior notes on November 15, 2022 and pay any related fees and expenses. We intend to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing eligible green projects in accordance with our Green Bond Framework.

The Offering is made pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement dated November 14, 2022 to a short form base shelf prospectus of TransAlta dated June 28, 2021, which forms a part of and is included in TransAlta’s registration statement on Form F-10, filed in the United States with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A final prospectus supplement in respect of the offering of the notes will be filed with the SEC. The short form base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplements contain important detailed information about the notes. Copies of these documents may be obtained without charge by visiting the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov or from Attention: RBC Capital Markets, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10281-8098, Telephone: 212-428-6200.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The notes being offered have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any Canadian securities regulatory authority, nor has any authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

About TransAlta:
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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: TransAlta’s intention to use the net proceeds from the Offering to replace balance sheet cash and any indebtedness drawn to fund the repayment in full of TransAlta’s 4.500% unsecured senior notes on November 15th, 2022, and pay any related fees and expenses; TransAlta’s intention to allocate an equivalent amount to the net proceeds of the Offering to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing eligible green projects in accordance with TransAlta’s Green Bond Framework; and the completion and expected closing date of the Offering. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on TransAlta’s belief and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made, including, but not limited to, the current political and regulatory environment, the price of power in Alberta and the condition of the financial markets. 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: operational risks involving our facilities; changes in market prices where we operate; unplanned outages at generating facilities and the capital investments required; equipment failure and our ability to carry out repairs in a cost effective and timely manner, including the Kent Hills remediation; the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises; global supply chain disruptions impacting major maintenance and growth projects; disruptions in the source of thermal fuels, water, solar or wind required to operate our facilities, including the necessary natural gas supply; energy trading risks; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; inability to satisfy all conditions and requirements associated with announced growth projects; negative impact to our credit ratings; legislative or regulatory developments and their impacts; increasingly stringent environmental requirements and their impacts; increased competition; global capital markets activity (including our ability to access financing at a reasonable cost); changes in prevailing interest rates; currency exchange rates; inflation levels and commodity prices; armed hostilities, including an escalation of the war in Ukraine; general economic conditions in the geographic areas where TransAlta operates; disputes or claims involving TransAlta or TransAlta Renewables; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in TransAlta’s materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities from time to time and as also set forth in TransAlta’s MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S. Email: investor_relations@transalta.com
Media Inquiries: Phone: 1-855-255-9184 Email: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Announces Public Offering of U.S. Senior Green Bonds and releases inaugural Green Bond Framework

TransAlta Announces Public Offering of U.S. Senior Green Bonds and releases inaugural Green Bond Framework

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) is pleased to announce it has commenced a U.S. public offering of its senior notes. TransAlta intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay C$100 million drawn on its credit facility and replace balance sheet cash used to fund the repayment in full of TransAlta’s 4.500% unsecured senior notes on November 15, 2022 and pay any related fees and expenses. TransAlta also intends to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing eligible green projects in accordance with our Green Bond Framework (the €œFramework). The Framework received a second-party opinion from Sustainalytics which verified that it aligned with the Green Bond Principles from the International Capital Markets Association. The precise timing, size and terms of the offering are subject to market conditions and other factors.

RBC Capital Markets LLC, BofA Securities Inc. and CIBC Capital Markets LLC are joint book runners for the offering which is being made pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement dated November 14, 2022, to a short form base shelf prospectus of TransAlta dated June 28, 2021, which forms a part of and is included in TransAlta’s registration statement on Form F-10, filed in the United States with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A final prospectus supplement in respect of the offering of the notes will be filed with the SEC. The short form base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplements contain important detailed information about the notes. Copies of these documents may be obtained without charge by visiting the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov or from Attention: RBC Capital Markets, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10281-8098, Telephone: 212-428-6200.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The notes being offered have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any Canadian securities regulatory authority, nor has any authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

About TransAlta:

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: the completion and timing of the offering, TransAlta’s intention to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to replace balance sheet cash and any indebtedness drawn to fund the repayment in full of

TransAlta’s 4.500% unsecured senior notes on November 15th, 2022, and pay any related fees and expenses; TransAlta’s intention to allocate an equivalent amount to the net proceeds of the offering to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing eligible green projects in accordance with TransAlta’s Green Bond Framework; and TransAlta’s expectations that its Green Bond Framework, and any future Green Bond issuances, will enable TransAlta to further expand its commitment to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and other environmentally beneficial projects . These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on TransAlta’s belief and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made, including, but not limited to, the current political and regulatory environment, the price of power in Alberta and the condition of the financial markets. 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: operational risks involving our facilities; changes in market prices where we operate; unplanned outages at generating facilities and the capital investments required; equipment failure and our ability to carry out repairs in a cost effective and timely manner, including the Kent Hills remediation; the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises; global supply chain disruptions impacting major maintenance and growth projects; disruptions in the source of thermal fuels, water, solar or wind required to operate our facilities, including the necessary natural gas supply; energy trading risks; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; inability to satisfy all conditions and requirements associated with announced growth projects; negative impact to our credit ratings; legislative or regulatory developments and their impacts; increasingly stringent environmental requirements and their impacts; increased competition; global capital markets activity (including our ability to access financing at a reasonable cost); changes in prevailing interest rates; currency exchange rates; inflation levels and commodity prices; armed hostilities, including an escalation of the war in Ukraine; general economic conditions in the geographic areas where TransAlta operates; disputes or claims involving TransAlta or TransAlta Renewables; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in TransAlta’s materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities from time to time and as also set forth in TransAlta’s MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

TransAlta Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results, Increases 2022 Financial Guidance, and Announces a 10% Common Share Dividend Increase

TransAlta Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results, Increases 2022 Financial Guidance, and Announces a 10% Common Share Dividend Increase

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

  • Adjusted EBITDA(1),(2) of $555 million, an increase of 38% over the same period in 2021
  • Free Cash Flow(1) of $393 million, or $1.45 per share, an increase of $0.68 or 88% on a per-share basis compared to the same period in 2021
  • Earnings before income taxes of $126 million, compared to a loss before income taxes of $441 in the same period in 2021
  • Net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $61 million or $0.23 per share, compared to a loss of $1.68 per share for the same period in 2021
  • Cash flow from operating activities of $204 million, a decrease of $406 million for the same period in 2021
  • Increased annual common share dividend by 10% to $0.22 per year effective Jan. 1, 2023, representing the fourth consecutive annual increase
  • Returned $34 million of capital to common shareholders during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, through share buybacks of 2.7 million common shares

Other Business Highlights

  • Executed contract renewals for five additional years for the Sarnia cogeneration and Melancthon 1 wind facilities with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”)
  • Expanded TransAlta’s development pipeline by 553 MW across Canada and the United States
  • Announced Ms. Beverlee Park’s retirement from the Board of Directors

2022 Revised Outlook

  • Increased 2022 annual financial guidance as set out below:
  • Adjusted EBITDA range of $1,380 to $1,460 million (original guidance of $1,065 to $1,185 million)
  • FCF range of $725 to $775 million (original guidance of $455 to $555 million)

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

“Our third quarter results demonstrated the value of our strategically diversified fleet in Alberta. Our Alberta Electricity Portfolio, comprising our Alberta hydro, gas and wind facilities, led our results with exceptional operational availability and a portfolio position that benefited from the strong pricing environment,” said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With this exceptional performance across the fleet and our continuing positive outlook on market expectations for the balance of the year, we have revised our 2022 financial guidance upwards for both adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, with revised ranges now exceeding the top end of our original targets. I am also pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved a 10% increase to the common share dividend effective for the first quarter 2023 dividend payment.”

“We continue to execute on our strategy of developing contracted renewables and are progressing several advanced-stage projects on multiple fronts. Our focus is to also expand our development pipeline and I am pleased to share that this quarter we have added 553 MW of development opportunities to our pipeline,” added Mr. Kousinioris.

Set out below are additional highlights of TransAlta’s business activities from the quarter, 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

Executed Contract Renewals with the IESO at Sarnia Cogeneration and Melancthon 1 Wind Facilities

On Aug. 23, 2022, TransAlta Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“TransAlta Renewables”) announced that it was awarded capacity contracts for the Sarnia cogeneration facility and the Melancthon 1 wind facility from the IESO as part of the IESO’s Medium-Term Capacity Procurement Request for Proposals. The new capacity contracts run from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2031 and will extend the period of contracted revenues of the Sarnia cogeneration facility to April 30, 2031. The Company expects the gross margin from the Sarnia cogeneration facility to step down by approximately thirty per cent as a result of the IESO price cap under the new contract.

New Term Facility

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company closed a two-year $400 million floating rate Term Facility with its banking syndicate with a maturity date of Sept. 7, 2024.

Changes to Board of Directors

On Sept. 30, 2022, Ms. Beverlee Park retired from TransAlta’s Board of Directors. Ms. Park served on the Board of Directors since 2015 and as Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee from April 2018 to April 2022. The Company recognizes her for the many contributions made by Ms. Park to TransAlta and thanks her for the many years of service.

Conversion Results for Series E and F Preferred Shares

On Sept. 21, 2022, there were 89,945 Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series E (Series E Shares) tendered for conversion, which was less than the one million shares required to give effect to conversions into Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series F (Series F Shares). As a result, the Series E Shares were not converted into Series F Shares.

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 third quarter of 2022, TransAlta had access to $2.3 billion in liquidity, including $0.8 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.

During the third quarter, the Company added 553 MW to its renewable development pipeline across Canada and the United States, bringing its development pipeline to between 3.6 GW and 4.7 GW.

As of Nov. 7, 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.

Clean Electricity Growth Plan TargetsTarget% of Target Achieved
Renewable Energy Capacity2 GW40%
Capital Investment$3 Billion49%
Incremental EBITDA$250 Million59%

Normal Course Issuer Bid

During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, the Company purchased and cancelled a total of 2.7 million common shares at an average price of $12.50 per common share, for a total cost of $34 million.

Third Quarter 2022 Highlights

 $ millions, unless otherwise stated

3 months ended

9 months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Adjusted availability (%)

93.8

89.2

90.1

87.5 

Production (GWh)

5,432

6,053 

15,253

16,282

Revenues

929

850

2,122

2,111 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

555

402

1,093

1,043 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

126

(441)

346

(348)

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders

61

(456)

167

(498)

Cash flow from operating activities

204

610

526

947 

FFO(1)

488

318

887

808

FCF(1)

393

210

646

506

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted

0.23

(1.68)

0.62

(1.84)

FFO per share(1),(2)

1.80

1.17 

3.27

2.98

FCF per share(1),(2)

1.45

0.77

2.38

1.87 

Third Quarter Financial Results Summary

Adjusted EBITDAfor the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased by $153 million compared to the same period in 2021, largely due to strong performance from our Alberta Electricity Portfolio, driven primarily by the Hydro and Gas segments as a result of strong weather-adjusted demand and higher power prices. This was partially offset by lower adjusted EBITDA from the retirement of units in the Energy Transition segment, lower production and lower revenues in the Wind and Solar segment, lower gross margin in Energy Marketing and higher corporate expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased by $50 million compared to the same period in 2021, largely due to higher adjusted EBITDA from higher production and merchant power pricing in the Hydro segment, continuing strong performance and contribution from the Gas segment for Alberta, incremental production from new facilities, liquidated damages related to turbine availability at the Windrise wind facility, higher environmental credit sales in the Wind and Solar segment and lower carbon compliance costs in both the Gas and Energy Transition segments. This was partially offset from lower production from the Gas and Energy Transition segments, higher fuel and purchased power costs within the Gas segment. On a year-to-date basis, the Energy Marketing segment results were lower but in line with expectations compared with the exceptional results in the prior period.

Earnings before income taxes for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased $567 million and $694 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 were $61 million and $167 million, respectively, compared to a net loss of $456 million and $498 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2021. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders in 2021 were significantly impacted by asset impairment charges resulting from the Company’s decisions to shut down the Highvale mine, suspend the Sundance Unit 5 repowering project, and retire Sundance Unit 4 and Keephills Unit 1. The Company benefited from higher revenues and lower carbon compliance costs, partially offset by higher fuel and purchased power, higher depreciation due to the acceleration of useful lives on certain facilities and higher tax expense. In addition, during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, the Company recognized liquidated damages payable to the Company related to turbine availability at the Windrise wind facility and insurance proceeds related to the replacement costs for a tower at the Kent Hills facility. During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, the Company recognized a gain on the sale of the Pioneer Pipeline.

Cash flow from operating activities for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 decreased by $406 million and $421 million, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2021, mainly due to unfavourable changes in working capital from higher accounts receivable and movements in the collateral accounts related to high commodity prices and volatility in the markets.

FCF for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased by $183 million and $140 million, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2021, driven primarily by higher adjusted EBITDA, higher realized foreign exchange gains, lower current income tax expenses and a decrease in sustaining capital spending related to fewer planned maintenance turnarounds.

Alberta Electricity Portfolio

The average spot power price in Alberta increased to $221 per MWh and $145 per MWh, respectively, for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, from $100 per MWh in both periods in 2021.

The Alberta Electricity Portfolio generated gross margin of $424 million and $756 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, an increase of $173 million and $84 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. Gross margin for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022, was positively impacted by higher merchant pricing resulting from strong weather-driven demand, higher natural gas prices and higher power prices in adjacent markets compared to 2021. Energy and ancillary services revenue from the Hydro segment was higher as a result of higher power prices and market volatility. Gross margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, was positively impacted by strong weather-driven demand, partially offset by a better-supplied market. The Gas and Energy Transition segment results were impacted by lower production due to unit retirements and higher dispatch optimization in response to lower market heat rates and higher gas prices.

Hedged production for the balance of 2022 is 1,850 GWh at an average price of $95 per MWh.

Increased 2022 Financial Guidance and Common Share Dividend

The Company increased its 2022 outlook for adjusted EBITDA to be between $1.38 billion and $1.46 billion. The midpoint of the range represents a 26 per cent increase over the Company’s previous 2022 outlook as at the second quarter.

FCF has also been increased and is now expected to be between $725 million and $775 million. The midpoint of the range represents a 49 per cent increase over the Company’s previous 2022 outlook.

On Nov. 7, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a 10 per cent increase to the common share dividend and declared a dividend of $0.055 per share on the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company to be payable on Jan. 1, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 1, 2022. The quarterly dividend of $0.055 per common share represents an annualized dividend of $0.22 per common share.

The following table provides additional details pertaining to the 2022 outlook:

MeasureUpdated Target 2022Original Target 20222021 Actual
Adjusted EBITDA(1)(3)$1,380 million – $1,460 million$1,065 million – $1,185 million$1,286 million
FCF(1)(3)$725 million – $775 million$455 million – $555 million$585 million

Range of key power and gas price assumptions:

MarketUpdated 2022 ExpectationsOriginal Expectations
Alberta Spot ($/MWh)$125 – $150$80 – $90
Mid-C Spot (US$/MWh)US$55 – US$65US$45 – US$55
AECO Gas Price ($/GJ)$5.00 – $6.00$3.60

Other assumptions relevant to 2022 financial outlook:

 Updated 2022 ExpectationsOriginal Expectations
Sustaining capital$145 million – $155 million$150 million – $170 million
Energy Marketing adjusted gross margin$145 million – $160 million$95 million – $115 million

Segmented Financial Performance

($ millions)

3 months ended

9 months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Hydro

245

82

394

255

Wind and Solar

42

55

219

186

Gas

195

155

365

385

Energy Transition

51

55

67

96

Energy Marketing

53

79

120

177

Corporate

(31)

(24)

(72)

(56)

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

555

402

1,093

1,043 

Total earnings (loss) before income taxes

126

(441)

346

(348)

Hydro:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased by $163 million and $139 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021, primarily due to higher merchant pricing and higher ancillary services realized prices in the Alberta market as well as higher energy and ancillary services volumes due to higher water resources. OM&A costs for the year are higher due to increased insurance premiums for updated replacement value coverage.  

Wind and Solar:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022, decreased by $13 million, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to lower production, lower environmental attribute revenues and an increase in OM&A related to the addition of the Windrise wind and North Carolina Solar facilities. This was partially offset by higher realized merchant pricing in Alberta. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 increased by $33 million, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to higher production, higher realized merchant pricing in Alberta, higher environmental attribute revenues and recognition of liquidated damages payable to the Company related to turbine availability at the Windrise wind facility. This was partially offset by an increase in transmission rates and OM&A related to the addition of the Windrise wind and North Carolina Solar facilities. A one-time favourable adjustment as a result of the AESO transmission line loss ruling was included in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021.

Gas:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022, increased by $40 million compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher merchant pricing in Alberta, net of hedging, lower carbon costs and a favourable change in legal provisions, partially offset by lower production, higher natural gas prices and increased natural gas consumption. Lower carbon costs and increased natural gas consumption in the period were a result of no longer operating on coal. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, decreased by $20 million compared to the same period in 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower production, higher natural gas prices and increased OM&A due to higher incentive accruals related to the Company’s performance and increased general operating expenses, partially offset by lower carbon compliance costs and higher merchant pricing in Alberta, net of hedging.  Carbon compliance costs were lower due to reductions in GHG emissions, lower production and utilization of our compliance credits to settle a portion of the GHG obligation, partially offset by an increase in the carbon price per tonne. Lower GHG emissions were a direct result of operating exclusively on natural gas in Alberta rather than coal, resulting in changes in the fuel mix ratio. The nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, was also impacted by the unplanned short-term steam supply outages at the Sarnia cogeneration facility in 2021.

Energy Transition:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, decreased by $4 million and $29 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The decreases were primarily due to lower production and higher purchased power costs incurred due to higher power prices during outages at Centralia Unit 2 in 2022, partially offset by higher merchant pricing at Centralia and lower carbon costs in Alberta. Carbon costs were lower as the facilities in Alberta no longer operated on coal and have now been retired. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, the Company utilized 0.5 million tonnes of emission credits to settle the 2021 carbon compliance obligation, reducing our carbon compliance costs by $5 million.

Energy Marketing:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, decreased by $26 million and  $57 million, respectively, compared to the same period in 2021. The decrease for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, exceeded segment expectations due to short-term trading of both physical and financial power and gas products across all North American markets but was below 2021 due to the exceptional results in the prior period. The Company was able to capitalize on short-term volatility in the trading markets without materially changing the risk profile of the business unit.

Corporate:

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, decreased by $7 million and $16 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021. The decrease was mainly due to higher contractor costs, higher incentive accruals reflecting the Company’s performance and higher general operating expenses. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the receipt of CEWS proceeds and gains on the total return swap.

Conference call

TransAlta will host a conference call and webcast at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) today, Nov. 8, 2022, to discuss our third quarter 2022 results. The call will begin with remarks by John Kousinioris, President and CEO, and Todd Stack, EVP Finance and Chief Financial Officer,followed by a question-and-answer period for investment analysts and investors. A question-and-answer period for the media will immediately follow.

Dial-in numbers – Third Quarter 2022 Results:

Toll-free North American participants call: 1-888-664-6392

A link to the live webcast will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta’s website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events. If you are unable to participate in the call, the instant replay is accessible at 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and USA toll free) with TransAlta pass code 828706 followed by the # sign. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta’s website once it becomes available.

Notes

(1) These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. Presenting these items from period to period provides management and investors with the ability to evaluate earnings (loss) trends more readily in comparison with prior periods results. Please refer to the Segmented Financial Performance and Operating Results section of the MD&A for further discussion of these items, including, where applicable, reconciliations to measures calculated in accordance with IFRS. See also the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of this earnings release.

(2) Funds from operations (“FFO”) per share and free cash flow (“FCF”) per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 was 271 million shares (Sept. 30, 2021 – 271 million for both periods). Please refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures section in this earnings release for the purpose of these non-IFRS ratios.

(3)The 2021 actual adjusted EBITDA and FCF were revised during the second quarter of 2022. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A.

Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures

We use a number of financial measures to evaluate our performance and the performance of our business segments, including measures and ratios that are presented on a non-IFRS basis, as described below. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from our audited annual 2021 consolidated financial statements and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of earnings (loss) for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022, prepared in accordance with IFRS. We believe that these non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios, read together with our IFRS amounts, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results.

Non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. They are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed in isolation from, or as an alternative for, or more meaningful than our IFRS results.

Adjusted EBITDA

In the fourth quarter of 2021, comparable EBITDA was relabeled as adjusted EBITDA to align with industry standard terminology. Each business segment assumes responsibility for its operating results measured by adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is an important metric for management that represents our core business profitability. In the second quarter of 2022, our adjusted EBITDA composition was adjusted to include the impact of closed positions that are effectively settled by offsetting positions with the same counterparty to reflect the performance of the assets and Energy Marketing segment in the period in which the transactions occur. Accordingly, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods. Interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are not included, as differences in accounting treatments may distort our core business results. In addition, certain reclassifications and adjustments are made to better assess results excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing business performance. This presentation may facilitate the readers’ analysis of trends. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. Please refer to M39-M40 of the MD&A for a description of adjustments made.

Average Annual EBITDA

Average annual EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that is forward-looking, used to show the average annual EBITDA that the project currently under construction is expected to generate upon completion.

Funds From Operations (“FFO”)

FFO is an important metric as it provides a proxy for cash generated from operating activities before changes in working capital and provides the ability to evaluate cash flow trends in comparison with results from prior periods. FFO is a non-IFRS measure.

Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)

FCF is an important metric as it represents the amount of cash that is available to invest in growth initiatives, make scheduled principal repayments on debt, repay maturing debt, pay common share dividends or repurchase common shares. Changes in working capital are excluded so FFO and FCF are not distorted by changes that we consider temporary in nature, reflecting, among other things, the impact of seasonal factors and the timing of receipts and payments. FCF is a non-IFRS measure.

Non-IFRS Ratios

FFO per share, FCF per share and adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS ratios that are presented in the MD&A. Refer to the Reconciliation of Cash Flow from Operations to FFO and FCF and Key Financial Non-IFRS Ratios sections of the MD&A for additional information.

FFO per share and FCF per share

FFO per share and FCF per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. FFO per share and FCF per share are a non-IFRS ratios.

Reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most comparable IFRS measure are provided below.

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis

The following tables reflects adjusted EBITDA and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2021

3 months ended Sept. 30, 2022

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas(2)

Energy Transition(3)

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

265

14

372

231

54

(4)

932

(3)

€”

929

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                   

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€”

53

47

6

46

€”

152

€”

(152)

€”

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchange positions

€”

€”

(4)

€”

(38)

€”

(42)

€”

42

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

12

€”

€”

€”

12

€”

(12)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

4

€”

€”

€”

4

€”

(4)

€”

Adjusted revenues

265

67

431

237

62

(4)

1,058

(3)

(126)

929

Fuel and purchased power

7

6

167

167

€”

1

348

€”

€”

348

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                   

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(1)

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

7

6

166

167

€”

1

347

€”

1

348

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

26

2

€”

(5)

23

€”

€”

23

Gross margin

258

61

239

68

62

€”

688

(3)

(127)

558

OM&A

12

19

49

17

9

30

136

(1)

€”

135

Taxes, other than income taxes

1

1

5

€”

€”

1

8

€”

€”

8

Net other operating income

€”

(1)

(10)

€”

€”

€”

(11)

€”

€”

(11)

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

245

42

195

51

53

(31)

555

     

Equity income

                 

1

Finance lease income

                 

4

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(179)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(70)

Net interest expense

                 

(66)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

6

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

4

Earnings before income taxes

                 

126

1) The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2) Includes the segments previously known as Australian Gas and North American Gas and the gas generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(3) Includes the segment previously known as Centralia and the coal generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(4) Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A

3 months ended Sept. 30, 2021

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas(2)

Energy Transition(3)

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

96

55

384

231

86

1

853

(3)

€”

850

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€”

21

(71)

(2)

(14)

€”

(66)

€”

66

€”

Realized loss on closed exchange positions

€”

€”

€”

€”

21

€”

21

€”

(21)

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

10

€”

€”

€”

10

€”

(10)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

6

€”

€”

€”

6

€”

(6)

€”

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity

€”

€”

(3)

€”

€”

€”

(3)

€”

3

€”

Adjusted revenues

96

76

326

229

93

1

821

(3)

32

850

Fuel and purchased power(4)

4

4

129

190

€”

1

328

€”

€”

328

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(1)

€”

€”

€”

(1)

€”

1

€”

Mine depreciation

€”

€”

(26)

(48)

€”

€”

(74)

€”

74

€”

Coal inventory write-down

€”

€”

€”

(5)

€”

€”

(5)

€”

5

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

4

4

102

137

€”

1

248

€”

80

328

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

33

14

€”

€”

47

€”

€”

47

Gross margin

92

72

191

78

93

€”

526

(3)

(48)

475

OM&A(4)

10

14

42

28

14

23

131

(1)

€”

130

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Parts and materials write-down

€”

€”

€”

(5)

€”

€”

(5)

€”

5

€”

Adjusted OM&A

10

14

42

23

14

23

126

(1)

5

130

Taxes, other than income taxes

€”

3

4

1

€”

1

9

€”

€”

9

Net other operating (income) loss

€”

€”

(10)

57

€”

€”

47

€”

€”

47

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Royalty onerous contract and contract termination penalties

€”

€”

€”

(58)

€”

€”

(58)

€”

58

€”

Adjusted net other operating income

€”

€”

(10)

(1)

€”

€”

(11)

€”

58

47

Adjusted EBITDA(5)

82

55

155

55

79

(24)

402

     

Equity income

                 

1

Finance lease income

                 

6

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(123)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(575)

Net interest expense

                 

(63)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

1

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

23

Loss before income taxes

                 

(441)

(1) The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2) Includes the segments previously known as Australian Gas and North American Gas and the gas generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(3) Includes the segment previously known as Centralia and the coal generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(4) During the three months ended Sept. 30, 2021, $1 million related to station service costs for the Hydro segment was reclassified from OM&A to fuel and purchased power for comparative purposes. This did not impact previously reported net earnings.

(5) Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A.

9 months ended Sept. 30, 2022

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas(2)

Energy Transition(3)

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

447

205

933

433

116

(2)

2,132

(10)

€”

2,122

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                   

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€”

81

13

17

€”

€”

111

€”

(111)

€”

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchange positions

€”

€”

(11)

€”

27

€”

16

€”

(16)

€”

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€”

€”

34

€”

€”

€”

34

€”

(34)

€”

Finance lease income

€”

€”

15

€”

€”

€”

15

 

(15)

€”

Adjusted revenues

447

286

984

450

143

(2)

2,308

(10)

(176)

2,122

Fuel and purchased power

17

20

445

332

€”

3

817

€”

€”

817

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                   

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(3)

€”

€”

€”

(3)

€”

3

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased power

17

20

442

332

€”

3

814

€”

3

817

Carbon compliance

€”

1

56

(1)

€”

(5)

51

€”

€”

51

Gross margin

430

265

486

119

143

€”

1,443

(10)

(179)

1,254

OM&A

33

50

138

50

23

71

365

(1)

€”

364

Taxes, other than income taxes

3

7

13

2

€”

1

26

(1)

€”

25

Net other operating income

€”

(18)

(30)

€”

€”

€”

(48)

€”

€”

(48)

Reclassifications and adjustments:

                   

Insurance recovery

€”

7

€”

€”

€”

€”

7

€”

(7)

€”

Adjusted net other operating income

€”

(11)

(30)

€”

€”

€”

(41)

€”

(7)

(48)

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

394

219

365

67

120

(72)

1,093

     

Equity income

                 

5

Finance lease income

                 

15

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(411)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(4)

Net interest expense

                 

(195)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

17

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

6

Earnings before income taxes

                 

346

(1) The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2) Includes the segments previously known as Australian Gas and North American Gas and the gas generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(3) Includes the segment previously known as Centralia and the coal generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(4) Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A.

9 months ended Sept. 30, 2021

Hydro

Wind & Solar(1)

Gas(2)

Energy Transition(3)

Energy

Marketing

Corporate

Total

Equity accounted investments(1)

Reclass Adjustments

IFRS Financials

Revenues

299

225

937

471

185

2,123

(12)

€” 

2,111

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss

€” 

22

(122)

27

(26)

€” 

(99)

€” 

99 

€” 

Realized loss on closed exchange positions

€” 

€” 

1

€” 

49 

€” 

50

€” 

(50)

€” 

Decrease in finance lease receivable

€” 

€” 

30 

€” 

€” 

€” 

30 

€” 

(30)

€” 

Finance lease income

€” 

€” 

19

€” 

€” 

€” 

19

€” 

(19)

€” 

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity

€”

€”

(3)

€”

€”

€”

(3)

€”

3

€”

Adjusted revenues

299

247

862

498

208

6

2,120

(12)

3

2,111

Fuel and purchased power(4)

13

11

347

411

€”

6

788

€”

€”

788

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Australian interest income

€”

€”

(3)

€”

€”

€”

(3)

€”

3

€”

Mine depreciation

€”

€”

(79)

(100)

€”

€”

(179)

€”

179

€”

Coal inventory write-down

€”

€”

€”

(16)

€”

€”

(16)

€”

16

€”

Adjusted fuel and purchased

power

13

11

265

295

€”

6

590

€”

198

788

Carbon compliance

€”

€”

104

35

€”

€”

139

€”

€”

139

Gross margin

286

236

493

168

208

€”

1,391

(12)

(195)

1,184

OM&A(4)

29

42

129

97

31

55

383

(2)

€”

381

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Parts and materials write-down

€”

€”

(2)

(28)

€”

€”

(30)

€”

30

€”

Adjusted OM&A

29

42

127

69

31

55

353

(2)

30

381

Taxes, other than income taxes

2

8

11

5

€”

1

27

(1)

€”

26

Net other operating (income) loss

€”

€”

(30)

56

€”

€”

26

€”

€”

26

Reclassifications and adjustments:

               

Royalty onerous contract and contract termination penalties

€”

€”

€”

(58)

€”

€”

(58)

€”

58

€”

Adjusted net other operating

income

€”

€”

(30)

(2)

€”

€”

(32)

€”

58

26

Adjusted EBITDA(5)

255

186

385

96

177

(56)

1,043

     

Equity income

                 

5

Finance lease income

                 

19

Depreciation and amortization

                 

(395)

Asset impairment charges

                 

(620)

Net interest expense

                 

(186)

Foreign exchange gain

                 

22

Gain on sale of assets and other

                 

56

Loss before income taxes

                 

(348)

(1) The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.

(2) Includes the segments previously known as Australian Gas and North American Gas and the gas generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(3) Includes the segment previously known as Centralia and the coal generation assets from the segment previously known as Alberta Thermal.

(4) During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, $6 million related to station service costs for the Hydro segment was reclassified from OM&A to fuel and purchased power for comparative purposes. This did not impact previously reported net earnings.

(5) Adjusted EBITDA is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A.

Reconciliation of Cash flow from operations to FFO and FCF  

The table below reconciles our cash flow from operating activities to our FFO and FCF:

 

3 months ended

9 months ended

$ millions unless otherwise stated

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Cash flow from operating activities

204

610

526

947 

Change in non-cash operating working capital balances

276

(378)

252

(322)

Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital

480

232

778

625

Adjustments

       

Share of adjusted FFO from joint venture(1)

2

3

7

7

Decrease in finance lease receivable

12

10

34

30

Clean energy transition provisions and adjustments(2)(4)

27

49

35

85

Realized (gain) loss on closed exchange positions

(42)

21

16

50

Other(3)

9

3

17

11

FFO(5)

488

318

887

808

Deduct:

       

Sustaining capital(1)

(27)

(44)

(75)

(144)

Productivity capital

(1)

(1)

(3)

(2)

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(11)

(9)

(31)

(29)

Distributions paid to subsidiaries non-controlling interests

(54)

(52)

(126)

(121)

Principal payments on lease liabilities and other(1)

(2)

(2)

(6)

(6)

FCF(5)

393

210

646

506

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period

271

271

271

271

FFO per share(5)

1.80

1.17 

3.27

2.98 

FCF per share(5)

1.45

0.77

2.38

1.87 

1) Includes our share of amounts for Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity accounted joint venture.

(2) Includes a write-down on parts and material inventory, and coal inventory for our coal operations in 2021 to net realizable value, amounts due to contractors for not proceeding with the Sundance Unit 5 repowering project and impairment of a previously recognized deferred asset, as it is no longer likely that we will incur sufficient capital or operating expenditures to utilize the remaining credit.

(3) Other consists of production tax credits which is a reduction to tax equity debt.

(4) During the third quarter of 2022, to support the employees affected by the closure of the Highvale mine and our transition off coal to cleaner sources, the Company made a voluntary special contribution of $35 million.

(5) These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A.

The table below bridges our adjusted EBITDA to our FFO and FCF for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2021:

 

3 months ended

9 Months Ended

 

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2021

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

555

402

1,093

1,043 

Provisions

(5)

(20)

5

(25)

Interest expense

(47)

(50)

(151)

(149)

Current income tax expense

(11)

(23)

(36)

(58)

Realized foreign exchange gain (loss)

3

5

18

2

Decommissioning and restoration costs settled

(9)

(5)

(23)

(13)

Other non-cash items

2

9

(19)

8

FFO(3)

488

318

887

808

Deduct:

       

Sustaining capital(2)

(27)

(44)

(75)

(144)

Productivity capital

(1)

(1)

(3)

(2)

Dividends paid on preferred shares

(11)

(9)

(31)

(29)

Distributions paid to subsidiaries non-controlling interests

(54)

(52)

(126)

(121)

Principal payments on lease liabilities and other(2)

(2)

(2)

(6)

(6)

 FCF(3)

393

210

646

506

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section and reconciled to earnings (loss) before income taxes above.

(2) Includes our share of amounts for Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity accounted joint venture.

(3) FFO and FCF are defined in the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures section and reconciled to cash flow from operating activities above.

TransAlta is in the process of filing its unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, as well as the associated Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”). These documents will be available Nov. 8, 2022 on the Investor Centre of TransAlta’s website at www.transalta.com or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

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 hydro-electric power. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and its climate change strategy with CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 61 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 2015.

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 “plans”, “expects”, “proposed”, “will”, “anticipates”, “develop”, “continue”, and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: 2022 annual financial guidance; the Company’s strategy of developing contracted renewables; the Company’s growth projects; the Company’s expansion of its development pipeline; execution towards targets associated with the Clean Electricity Growth Plan; and guidance ranges for Alberta spot price, Mid-C spot price, AECO gas price, and sustaining capital. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on TransAlta’s belief and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumptions were made, including, but not limited to, the current political and regulatory environment, the price of power in Alberta and the condition of the financial markets. 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: operational risks involving our facilities; changes in market power and gas prices where we operate; unplanned outages at generating facilities and the capital investments required; equipment failure and our ability to carry out repairs in a cost effective and timely manner, including the Kent Hills remediation; the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises; global supply chain disruptions impacting major maintenance and growth projects; disruptions in the source of thermal fuels, water, solar or wind required to operate our facilities, including the necessary natural gas supply; energy trading risks; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; inability to satisfy all conditions and requirements associated with announced growth projects; negative impact to our credit ratings; legislative or regulatory developments and their impacts; increasingly stringent environmental requirements and their impacts; increased competition; global capital markets activity (including our ability to access financing at a reasonable cost); changes in prevailing interest rates; currency exchange rates; inflation levels and commodity prices; armed hostilities, including an escalation of the war in Ukraine; general economic conditions in the geographic areas where TransAlta operates; disputes or claims involving TransAlta or TransAlta Renewables; 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 MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

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

For more information:

Investor Inquiries:Media Inquiries:
Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and U.S.Phone: 1-855-255-9184
Email: investor_relations@transalta.comEmail: ta_media_relations@transalta.com