TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 29, 2014) - Northland Power Inc. ("Northland") (TSX:NPI)(TSX:NPI.DB.A)(TSX:NPI.PR.A)(TSX:NPI.PR.C) today announced it has entered into agreements for the rights to acquire Typhoon Offshore B.V.'s 5% interest in Gemini, a 600MW offshore wind project currently in advanced development. Subject to final documentation and the approval of its Board, this would top up Northland's intended majority equity stake in Gemini to 60%.
Gemini is located 85 kilometres off the coast of the Netherlands in the North Sea. Combining favourable sea bed conditions with one of the strongest and most reliable wind resources in the world, the North Sea could produce enough energy to power Europe four times over. Once constructed, Gemini will be the largest wind farm in the North Sea.
Northland has taken a lead role in completing the remaining outstanding development activities since its announcement in August 2013, and intends to continue its active leadership role during construction and into operations.
Gemini will play an important role in helping the Government of Netherlands' achieve renewable energy targets mandated by the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive, which calls for all Member States to reach a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020. There is currently 5 GW of installed capacity in 58 operating offshore wind farms in European waters with another 5.5 GW in construction or advanced development. According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), it is anticipated that there will be up to 150 GW of installed offshore wind power in the EU by 2030, meeting 14% of the EU's electricity demand.
"Today's announcement underlines our confidence in this project," noted John Brace, CEO of Northland Power. "We are very pleased with the progress made to date, and look forward to working with our consortium partners to bring Gemini to fruition."
Gemini is well advanced, and has received commitments for EUR 950 million in senior secured construction and term debt from 10 international commercial banks. In association with a EUR 500 million facility previously announced by the European Investment Bank and loans under negotiation with three European export credit agencies (Denmark's EKF, Germany's Euler Hermes and Belgium's ONDD), this completes the EUR 2 billion of senior debt required by Project Gemini.
Project Gemini's total cost is projected to be EUR2.8 billion, and is expected to be financed with a combination of non-recourse project debt, mezzanine financing and equity from the consortium.
"Acquiring the rights to a majority equity stake in Gemini is consistent with our commitment to fostering sustainable growth that allows us to deliver reliable returns to investors," added James Temerty, Chairman of Northland Power's Board of Directors. "The accretive nature of this project will benefit Northland's shareholders over the long-term."
ABOUT NORTHLAND
Northland is an independent power producer founded in 1987, and publicly traded since 1997. Northland develops, builds, owns and operates facilities that produce 'clean' (natural gas) and 'green' (wind, solar, and hydro) energy, providing sustainable long-term value to shareholders, stakeholders, and host communities.
The company owns or has a net economic interest in 1,329 MW of operating generating capacity, with an additional 90 MW (60 MW net to Northland) of generating capacity currently in construction, and another 190 MW (119 MW net to Northland) of wind, solar and run-of-river hydro projects with awarded power contracts. In addition, Northland has acquired the rights to a majority equity stake in Gemini. Northland's cash flows are diversified over five geographically separate regions and regulatory jurisdictions in Canada, Europe and the United States.
Northland's common shares, Series 1 and Series 3 preferred shares and convertible debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NPI, NPI.PR.A, NPI.PR.C and NPI.DB.A, respectively.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains certain forward-looking statements which are provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans. Readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "intends," "targets," "projects," "forecasts" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would" and "could." These statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding future EBITDA, free cash flows, dividend payment and dividend payout ratios, the construction, completion, attainment of commercial operations, cost and output of development projects, plans for raising capital, and the operations, business, financial condition, priorities, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of Northland and its subsidiaries. These statements are based upon certain material factors or assumptions that were applied in developing the forward-looking statements, including the design specifications of development projects, the provisions of contracts to which Northland or a subsidiary is a party, management's current plans, its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon management's current reasonable expectations and assumptions, they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Some of the factors that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, but are not limited to, construction risks, counterparty risks, operational risks, foreign exchange rates, regulatory risks, maritime risks for construction and operation, and the variability of revenues from generating facilities powered by intermittent renewable resources and the other factors described in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of Northland's 2012 Annual Report and Annual Information Form, both of which can be found at www.sedar.com under Northland's profile and on Northland's website www.northlandpower.ca. Northland's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur.
The forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on assumptions that were considered reasonable on January 29, 2014. Other than as specifically required by law, Northland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.