MONTREAL, Feb. 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valener Inc. (“Valener”) (TSX: VNR) (TSX: VNR.PR.A), the public
investment vehicle in Énergir, L.P., today reported its fiscal 2019 first quarter results. The results of Énergir, L.P., Valener’s
primary investment, are also presented in this press release.
Summary of Valener's results
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Adjusted net income (1),( 2) of $24.6 million ($0.63 per common share) for the first quarter of
fiscal 2019, up 23% from $20.0 million ($0.51 per common share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2018;
- Normalized operating cash flows (1) of $12.3 million ($0.31 per common share) in the first quarter of
fiscal 2019, a year-over-year increase of 9% or $1.0 million ($0.02 per common share).
"The regulated and diversified portfolio of Énergir, which is Valener’s primary investment, performed very
well this first quarter, offsetting milder year-over-year wind conditions at the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms. These results
reflect the sound management of Énergir and its subsidiaries and we are confident about attaining the performance targets for the
current year,” said Pierre Monahan, Chairman of Valener’s Board of Directors.
| |
For the three months
ended December 31 |
| |
|
|
| (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated) |
2018 |
2017 |
| Net income |
28.3 |
14.4 |
| Net income attributable to common shareholders |
27.1 |
13.2 |
| Per common share (in $) |
0.69 |
0.34 |
| Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders (1) |
24.6 |
20.0 |
| Per common share (in $) (1) |
0.63 |
0.51 |
| Normalized operating cash flows (1) |
12.3 |
11.3 |
| Per common share (in $) (1) |
0.31 |
0.29 |
| Distributions received from Énergir, L.P. |
14.9 |
14.9 |
| Distributions received from Beaupré Éole and Beaupré Éole 4 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
For the first quarter of fiscal 2019, Valener generated adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders
of $24.6 million compared to $20.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, a $4.6 million increase that was driven mainly
by growth in Énergir, L.P.’s adjusted net income, partly offset by a decrease in wind power production in Québec. These results
translated into adjusted net income per common share of $0.63 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a year-over-year
increase of $0.12 per share.
Net income attributable to common shareholders totalled $27.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 for an
increase of $13.9 million, $4.6 million of which is explained above and $9.3 million of which stems from one-time adjustments
resulting from the effects of the December 2017 U.S. tax reform (commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) on
Énergir, L.P. and from the income taxes related to outside-basis temporary differences on Valener’s economic interest held in
Énergir, L.P.
Over the first three months of fiscal 2019, Valener generated normalized operating cash flows of $12.3 million,
a 9% year-over-year increase owing mainly to a favourable timing difference in the payment of taxes payable of $1.0 million.
(1) Financial measures not defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). A
reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is presented hereafter.
(2) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders.
Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms
The SDB Wind Farms (3) generated a combined 303,754 MWh of electricity during the first
quarter of fiscal 2019, down 11% year over year as the first quarter of 2018 had benefited from exceptionally strong winds.
As a result, the SDB Wind Farms generated $22.2 million in operating cash flows for the first quarter of fiscal
2019, a $1.5 million or 6% decrease compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
Énergir, L.P.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Adjusted net income (1), (4) of $102.4 million ($0.60 per share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, up 21% from
$84.5 million ($0.49 per share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2018;
- Québec Energy Distribution (“QDA”): Net income rose by $1.8 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to the
same quarter last year;
- Vermont Energy Distribution: Adjusted net income increased by $10.4 million; favorable impact of the US$7.4 million
amortization of regulatory liabilities of Green Mountain Power (“GMP”) relating to the U.S. tax reform, which will reverse by the
end of fiscal 2019, and the parameters of its 2018 and 2019 rate cases which provided for a US$5.1 million increase in net income
for fiscal 2019, which is mainly attributable to asset growth and a higher authorized rate of return; and
- Natural Gas Transportation: Adjusted net income increased by $3.8 million, due to higher volumes transported by Portland
Natural Gas Transmission Systems (“PNGTS”) to meet the growing demand for natural gas in the northeastern United States.
“Once again, Énergir is beginning a new year on solid footing. Our portfolio of commercially and
geographically diverse assets is paying off. We are also excited about the outlook for renewable natural gas (“RNG”) development. A
recent study (5) has confirmed that Québec possesses significant potential for producing RNG using
household, farm and forest waste. Énergir is already injecting this new, locally generated green energy into its network for the
benefit of the growing number of customers who want to reduce their environmental footprint, as demonstrated through a recent
agreement with Université Laval,” said Sophie Brochu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Énergir.
Énergir, L.P.’s segment results – Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to
Partners (1)
| (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated) |
|
|
| Segments |
Q1 2019 |
|
Q1 2018 |
|
| QDA |
65.9 |
|
64.1 |
|
| Distribution in Vermont |
38.2 |
|
27.8 |
|
| Natural Gas Transportation |
7.7 |
|
3.9 |
|
| Electricity Production |
(0.2 |
) |
0.7 |
|
| Energy Services, Storage and Other |
4.2 |
|
1.8 |
|
| Corporate Affairs |
(13.4 |
) |
(13.8 |
) |
| Total |
102.4 |
|
84.5 |
|
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of units outstanding (in millions) |
171.8 |
|
171.8 |
|
| Basic and diluted per unit (in $) |
0.60 |
|
0.49 |
|
(3) Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms 2 and 3 General Partnership and Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farm
4 General Partnership (collectively, the “SDB Wind Farms”).
(4) Adjusted net income attributable to Partners.
(5) The consortium made up of WSP Canada and Deloitte conducted a study at the request of Énergir to assess the
technical and economic potential of renewable natural gas production between now and 2030. To view this study, click here.
Net income attributable to the Partners of Énergir, L.P.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2019, net income attributable to the Partners of Énergir, L.P. totalled $118.6
million compared to $60.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. This increase was driven by the above-mentioned factors and
by the impacts of the U.S. tax reform felt in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 subsequent to legal and regulatory clarification as
well as by the impacts felt in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
QUÉBEC ENERGY DISTRIBUTION
QDA generated adjusted net income of $65.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a
$1.8 million year-over-year increase arising mainly from:
- higher normalized natural gas deliveries given the maturation of new sales from residential and commercial customers;
and
- a favourable regulatory timing difference that should reverse by the end of fiscal 2019;
partly offset by the impacts of the 2019 rate case, which suggest that net income will decrease by
$14.9 million for fiscal 2019 ($5.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019). This decrease reflects an amount of
$12.6 million in overearnings, realized in fiscal 2018 given higher normalized delivery volumes than those projected in the
rate case, as well as lower non-rate-base investments.
November and December 2018 economic statements
The economic statements issued by the Canadian government and Québec government in November and December 2018,
respectively, will translate into a tax decrease arising from changes to the tax depreciation applicable to certain assets. Since
this tax decrease will eventually be returned to customers, the fiscal 2019 net income attributable to Partners is expected to
decrease by approximately $6.6 million. Énergir, L.P. expects this unfavourable impact to be partly offset by the delivery volume
growth seen in the first quarter of 2019, but it is too early to clearly confirm this expectation.
Multiyear regulation plan
In December 2018, as part of Phase I of its 2020 rate case, QDA submitted a proposal to the Régie de l'énergie
that would ease the regulatory process by introducing multiyear treatments of certain rate-setting parameters. The proposal would
serve as a transitional model to be in effect for the next three rate cases (2020 to 2022), that is, until the rate structuring and
customer segmentation files (prerequisites to the implementation of an incentive mechanism) are completed. Key aspects of the model
include an indexing of operating expenses using a parametric formula, a revision to the method for sharing overearnings and
shortfalls, and a renewal of the actual rate of return on deemed common equity. A decision on operating expense indexation and
rate-of-return renewal is expected by March 2019 followed by a decision on the other aspects in autumn 2019.
ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN VERMONT
Through GMP and VGS, the Vermont Energy Distribution segment generated adjusted net income attributable to
Partners of $38.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a $10.4 million increase compared to the first quarter of fiscal
2018. These results, which include the effects of a higher U.S. dollar, reflect the favorable impact of the US$7.4 million
amortization of GMP's regulatory liabilities created following the U.S. tax reform and the combined impacts of its 2018 and 2019
rate cases, as approved by the regulator. These 2018 and 2019 rate cases provided for a US$5.1 million increase in adjusted net
income for fiscal 2019 (US$5.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019), mainly explained by asset growth and a
higher authorized rate of return.
As for the segment's first-quarter net income attributable to Partners, it totalled $38.2 million compared to
$21.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the above-mentioned factors as well as to the impacts of the U.S. tax
reform from the first quarter of 2018.
GMP – 2019 rate case
In December 2018, the Vermont Public Utility Commission ("VPUC") approved, with a few exceptions, GMP's 2019
rate case proposal, which was filed in April 2018. Consequently, the VPUC granted a rate increase of 5.43%, which has been in
effect since January 3, 2019, an authorized rate of return on common equity of 9.30%, a common equity ratio of 49.85% and an
average rate base of US$1,558 million, a US$125 million increase. However, this rate increase will be fully offset by the impact of
the start of reimbursements to customers of the regulatory liabilities recorded following the December 2017 U.S. tax reform and
will translate into an overall bill decrease of 0.90%.
To see the financial report, click here.
Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures
For additional information on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to Valener's MD&A for the fiscal years ended
September 30, 2018 and 2017.
Valener
Reconciliation of normalized operating cash flows |
| |
For the three months
ended December 31 |
| (in millions of dollars) |
2018
|
|
2017 |
|
| Cash flows related to operating activities |
13.5 |
|
12.4 |
|
| Dividends to preferred shareholders |
(1.2 |
) |
(1.1 |
) |
| Normalized operating cash flows |
12.3 |
|
11.3 |
|
| Per common share (in $) |
0.31 |
|
0.29 |
|
Valener
Reconciliation of adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders |
| |
For the three months
ended December 31 |
| (in millions of dollars) |
2018
|
|
2017 |
|
| Net income |
28.3 |
|
14.4 |
|
| Share in Énergir, L.P.'s net income adjustments |
(4.7 |
) |
7.0 |
|
| Deferred income taxes related to the outside-basis temporary difference on the interest in
Énergir, L.P. |
2.2 |
|
(0.2 |
) |
| Cumulative dividends on Series A preferred shares |
(1.2 |
) |
(1.2 |
) |
| Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders |
24.6 |
|
20.0 |
|
| Basic and diluted per common share (in $) |
0.63 |
|
0.51 |
|
Énergir, L.P.
Reconciliation of adjusted net income attributable to Partners |
| (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated) |
Q1 2019 |
| |
|
Adjustments |
|
| Segments |
Net income (loss)
attributable to Partners |
Impact of the U.S. tax reform (1) |
Adjusted net income (loss)
attributable to Partners |
| QDA |
65.9 |
|
— |
|
65.9 |
|
| Distribution in Vermont |
38.2 |
|
— |
|
38.2 |
|
| Natural Gas Transportation |
23.9 |
|
(16.2 |
) |
7.7 |
|
| Electricity Production |
(0.2 |
) |
— |
|
(0.2 |
) |
| Energy Services, Storage and Other |
4.2 |
|
— |
|
4.2 |
|
| Corporate Affairs |
(13.4 |
) |
— |
|
(13.4 |
) |
| Total |
118.6 |
|
(16.2 |
) |
102.4 |
|
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of units outstanding
(in millions) |
171.8 |
|
|
171.8 |
|
| Basic and diluted per unit (in $) |
0.69 |
|
|
0.60 |
|
| (in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated) |
Q1 2018 |
| |
|
Adjustments |
|
| Segments |
Net income (loss)
attributable to Partners |
Impact of the U.S. tax reform (1) |
Adjusted net income (loss)
attributable to Partners |
| QDA |
64.1 |
|
— |
|
64.1 |
|
| Distribution in Vermont |
21.3 |
|
6.5 |
|
27.8 |
|
| Natural Gas Transportation |
6.5 |
|
(2.6 |
) |
3.9 |
|
| Electricity Production |
0.7 |
|
— |
|
0.7 |
|
| Energy Services, Storage and Other |
1.8 |
|
— |
|
1.8 |
|
| Corporate Affairs |
(34.1 |
) |
20.3 |
|
(13.8 |
) |
| Total |
60.3 |
|
24.2 |
|
84.5 |
|
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of units outstanding (in millions) |
171.8 |
|
|
171.8 |
|
| Basic and diluted per unit (in $) |
0.35 |
|
|
0.49 |
|
(1) For additional information, refer to Valener’s MD&A for the three-month period ended
December 31, 2018 and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.
Conference call
Valener will hold a conference call today at 1:00 pm (Eastern Time) to discuss its results and those of Énergir,
L.P. for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The public is invited to join the call at 647-427-3388 or
toll-free at 877-223-4471. A simultaneous webcast will also be available using the link provided under "Events and
Presentations" in the “Investors” section of www.valener.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for
365 days following the call; a phone replay will be available for 30 days by dialing 416-621-4642 or toll-free
800-585-8367 (access code: 9881749).
Overview of Valener
Valener is a public company held entirely by its shareholders and serves as the investment vehicle in Énergir,
L.P. Through its investment in Énergir, L.P., Valener offers its shareholders a solid investment in a diversified and largely
regulated energy portfolio in Québec and Vermont. As a strategic partner, Valener, on the one hand, contributes to the growth of
Énergir, L.P., and on the other, invests in wind power production in Québec alongside Énergir, L.P. Valener favours energy
sources and uses that are innovative, clean, competitive and profitable. Valener’s common and preferred shares are listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the “VNR” symbol for common shares and the “VNR.PR.A” symbol for Series A preferred shares. www.valener.com
Overview of Énergir
With more than $7 billion in assets, Énergir, L.P. is a diversified energy company whose mission is to meet the
energy needs of some 520,000 customers and the communities it serves in an increasingly sustainable way. Énergir, L.P. is the
largest natural gas distribution company in Québec; through its subsidiaries, it also generates electricity from wind power. In the
United States, through its subsidiaries, the company operates in nearly fifteen states, where it produces electricity from
hydraulic, wind and solar sources, in addition to being the leading electricity distributor and the sole natural gas distributor in
Vermont. Énergir, L.P. values energy efficiency and invests both resources and efforts in innovative energy projects such as
renewable natural gas and liquefied and compressed natural gas. Through its subsidiaries, it also offers a wide range of energy
services. Énergir, L.P. is seeking to become the partner of choice for those striving toward a better energy future. www.energir.com
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Such forward-looking information reflects the intentions, plans, expectations and opinions of the management of Énergir Inc., in
its capacity as General Partner of Énergir, L.P., acting as manager of Valener (“the management of the manager”), and is based on
information currently available to the management of the manager and assumptions about future events. Forward-looking statements
can often be identified by words such as “plans,” “expects,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “anticipates”
or “believes” or similar expressions, including the negative and conjugated forms of these words. Forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond the control of the management of the manager. A number
of factors could cause the actual results of Valener or of Énergir, L.P. to differ significantly from historical results or current
expectations, as described in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the general nature of the
aforementioned, terms of decisions rendered by regulatory agencies, uncertainty that approvals will be obtained by Énergir, L.P.
from regulatory agencies and interested parties to carry out all of its activities and the socio-economic risks associated with
such activities, uncertainty related to the implementation of Québec’s 2030 Energy Policy, the competitiveness of natural gas in
relation to other energy sources in the context of fluctuating global oil prices, the reliability or costs of natural gas supply
and electricity supply, the integrity of the natural gas and electricity distribution and transportation systems, the evolution and
profitability of the SDB Wind Farms and other development projects, Valener’s ability to generate sufficient cash to support its
anticipated target annual dividend growth rate on its common shares, the ability to complete attractive acquisitions and the
related financing and integration aspects, the ability to complete new development projects, the ability to secure future
financing, general economic conditions, exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations, uncertainty surrounding the December 2017
U.S. tax reform commonly referred to as Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the weather conditions and other factors described in section E)
Risk Factors Relating to Valener and in section R) Risk Factors Relating to Énergir, L.P. of Valener’s MD&A for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2018 and in subsequent Valener quarterly MD&As that might address changes to these risks. Although the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on what the management of the manager believes to be
reasonable assumptions, in particular assumptions that no unforeseen changes in the legislative and regulatory framework of energy
markets in Québec and in the United States will occur; that the applications filed with various regulatory agencies will be
approved as submitted; that natural gas prices will remain competitive; that the supply of natural gas and electricity will be
maintained or will be available at competitive costs; that no significant event will occur outside the ordinary course of business,
such as a natural disaster or any other type of calamity, a major service interruption, or a threat to cybersecurity (or
cyberattack); that Énergir, L.P. can continue to distribute substantially all of its adjusted net income; that the SDB Wind Farms
will be able to make distribution payments to their partners; that Valener will be able to generate sufficient cash to support its
anticipated target annual dividend growth rate on its common shares; that Green Mountain Power Corporation will be able to continue
achieving efficiency gains and synergies from the merger with Central Vermont Public Service Corporation; that Valener and Énergir,
L.P. will be able to present their information in accordance with U.S. GAAP beyond 2023 or, after 2023, will adopt International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) that permit the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities; that liquidity needs for
Énergir, L.P.’s development projects will be obtained through a combination of operating cash flows, borrowings on credit
facilities, capital injections from partners, and issuances of debt securities; and that the subsidiaries will obtain the required
authorizations and funds needed to finance their development projects. In addition to the other assumptions described in the
Valener MD&A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the management
of the manager cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are made as of this date, and the management of the manager assumes no obligation to update or revise
them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. These statements do not
reflect the potential impact of any unusual item or any business combination or other transaction that may be announced or that may
occur after the date hereof. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
For additional information:
