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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commission File Number | | Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter, address of principal executive offices and registrant's telephone number | | IRS Employer Identification Number |
1-36518 | | NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP | | 30-0818558 |
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
(561) 694-4000
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization: Delaware
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of exchange on which registered |
Common units | | NEP | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months. Yes þ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
Large Accelerated Filer þ Accelerated Filer ☐ Non-Accelerated Filer ☐ Smaller Reporting Company ☐ Emerging Growth Company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ☐ No ☑
Number of NextEra Energy Partners, LP common units outstanding at March 31, 2024: 93,539,258
DEFINITIONS
Acronyms and defined terms used in the text include the following: | | | | | |
Term | Meaning |
| |
2020 convertible notes | senior unsecured convertible notes issued in 2020 |
2021 convertible notes | senior unsecured convertible notes issued in 2021 |
2022 convertible notes | senior unsecured convertible notes issued in 2022 |
2023 Form 10-K | NEP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 |
| |
ASA | administrative services agreement |
BLM | U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
| |
| |
| |
CSCS agreement | amended and restated cash sweep and credit support agreement |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
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Genesis Holdings | Genesis Solar Holdings, LLC |
IDR fee | certain payments from NEP OpCo to NEE Management as a component of the MSA which are based on the achievement by NEP OpCo of certain target quarterly distribution levels to its unitholders |
IPP | independent power producer |
| |
| |
| |
limited partner interest in NEP OpCo | limited partner interest in NEP OpCo's common units |
| |
Management's Discussion | Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
| |
| |
MSA | Fourth Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement among NEP, NEE Management, NEP OpCo and NEP OpCo GP |
MW | megawatt(s) |
MWh | megawatt-hour(s) |
NEE | NextEra Energy, Inc. |
NEECH | NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. |
NEE Equity | NextEra Energy Equity Partners, LP |
NEE Management | NextEra Energy Management Partners, LP |
NEER | NextEra Energy Resources, LLC |
NEP | NextEra Energy Partners, LP |
NEP GP | NextEra Energy Partners GP, Inc. |
NEP OpCo | NextEra Energy Operating Partners, LP |
NEP OpCo credit facility | senior secured revolving credit facility of NEP OpCo and its direct subsidiary |
NEP OpCo GP | NextEra Energy Operating Partners GP, LLC |
| |
NEP Pipelines | NextEra Energy Partners Pipelines, LLC |
| |
NEP Renewables II | NEP Renewables II, LLC |
NEP Renewables III | NEP Renewables III, LLC |
NEP Renewables IV | NEP Renewables IV, LLC |
NOLs | net operating losses |
Note __ | Note __ to condensed consolidated financial statements |
O&M | operations and maintenance |
| |
| |
| |
PPA | power purchase agreement |
| |
PTC | production tax credit |
| |
| |
SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
| |
| |
Silver State | Silver State South Solar, LLC |
| |
| |
Texas pipelines | natural gas pipeline assets located in Texas |
| |
| |
U.S. | United States of America |
| |
VIE | variable interest entity |
Each of NEP and NEP OpCo has subsidiaries and affiliates with names that may include NextEra Energy, NextEra Energy Partners and similar references. For convenience and simplicity, in this report, the terms NEP and NEP OpCo are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific subsidiaries, affiliates or groups of subsidiaries or affiliates. The precise meaning depends on the context. Discussions of NEP's ownership of subsidiaries and projects refers to its controlling interest in the general partner of NEP OpCo and NEP's indirect interest in and control over the subsidiaries of NEP OpCo. See Note 7 for a description of the noncontrolling interest in NEP OpCo. References to NEP's projects generally include NEP's consolidated subsidiaries and the projects in which NEP has equity method investments. References to NEP's pipeline investment refers to its equity method investment in contracted natural gas assets.
NEE, NEECH and NEER each has subsidiaries and affiliates with names that may include NextEra Energy, NextEra Energy Resources, NextEra and similar references. For convenience and simplicity, in this report the terms NEE, NEECH and NEER are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific subsidiaries, affiliates or groups of subsidiaries or affiliates. The precise meaning depends on the context.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies, future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as may result, are expected to, will continue, anticipate, believe, will, could, should, would, estimated, may, plan, potential, future, projection, goals, target, outlook, predict and intend or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could have a significant impact on NEP's operations and financial results, and could cause NEP's actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NEP in this Form 10-Q, in presentations, on its website, in response to questions or otherwise.
Performance Risks
•NEP's ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders is affected by the performance of its renewable energy projects which could be impacted by wind and solar conditions and in certain circumstances by market prices.
•Operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects and pipelines involve significant risks that could result in unplanned power outages, reduced output or capacity, property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
•NEP's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects can be materially adversely affected by weather conditions and related impacts, including, but not limited to, the impact of severe weather.
•NEP depends on certain of the renewable energy projects and the investment in pipeline assets in its portfolio for a substantial portion of its anticipated cash flows.
•The repowering of renewable energy projects requires up-front capital expenditures and could expose NEP to project development risks.
•Geopolitical factors, terrorist acts, cyberattacks or other similar events could impact NEP's projects, pipeline investment or surrounding areas and adversely affect its business.
•The ability of NEP to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. NEP's insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses.
•NEP relies on interconnection and transmission and other pipeline facilities of third parties to deliver energy from its renewable energy projects and to transport natural gas to and from its pipeline investment. If these facilities become unavailable, NEP's projects and pipeline investment may not be able to operate or deliver energy or may become partially or fully unavailable to transport natural gas.
•NEP's business is subject to liabilities and operating restrictions arising from environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, compliance with which may require significant capital expenditures, increase NEP's cost of operations and affect or limit its business plans.
•NEP's renewable energy projects and pipeline investment may be adversely affected by new or revised laws or regulations, interpretations of these laws and regulations or a failure to comply with current applicable energy and pipeline regulations.
•NEP does not own all of the land on which the projects in its portfolio are located and its use and enjoyment of the property may be adversely affected to the extent that there are any lienholders or land rights holders that have rights that are superior to NEP's rights or the BLM suspends its federal rights-of-way grants.
•NEP is subject to risks associated with litigation or administrative proceedings.
•NEP is subject to risks associated with its ownership interests in projects that it identifies for repowering, which could result in its inability to complete construction at those projects on time or at all, and make those projects too expensive to complete or cause the return on an investment to be less than expected.
Contract Risks
•NEP relies on a limited number of customers and is exposed to the risk that they may be unwilling or unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to NEP or that they otherwise terminate their agreements with NEP.
•NEP or its pipeline investment may not be able to extend, renew or replace expiring or terminated PPAs, natural gas transportation agreements or other customer contracts at favorable rates or on a long-term basis.
•If the energy production by or availability of NEP's renewable energy projects is less than expected, they may not be able to satisfy minimum production or availability obligations under their PPAs.
Acquisition Risks
•NEP's ability to acquire assets involves risks.
•Reductions in demand for natural gas in the U.S. and low market prices of natural gas could materially adversely affect NEP's pipeline investment's operations and cash flows.
•Government laws, regulations and policies providing incentives and subsidies for clean energy could be changed, reduced or eliminated at any time and such changes may negatively impact NEP and its ability to make acquisitions.
•NEP's ability to acquire projects depends on the availability of projects developed by NEE and third parties, which face risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, the environment, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements.
•Acquisitions of existing clean energy projects involve numerous risks.
•NEP may acquire assets that use other renewable energy technologies and may acquire other types of assets. Any such acquisition may present unforeseen challenges and result in a competitive disadvantage relative to NEP's more-established competitors.
•Certain agreements which NEP or its subsidiaries are parties to have provisions which may preclude NEP from engaging in specified change of control and similar transactions.
•NEP faces substantial competition primarily from regulated utility holding companies, developers, IPPs, pension funds and private equity funds for opportunities in North America.
•The natural gas pipeline industry is highly competitive, and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect NEP's pipeline investment.
Risks Related to NEP's Financial Activities
•NEP may not be able to access sources of capital on commercially reasonable terms.
•Restrictions in NEP and its subsidiaries' financing agreements could adversely affect NEP's business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders.
•NEP may be unable to maintain its current credit ratings.
•NEP's cash distributions to its unitholders may be reduced as a result of restrictions on NEP's subsidiaries’ cash distributions to NEP under the terms of their indebtedness or other financing agreements or otherwise to address alternative business purposes.
•NEP's and its subsidiaries’ substantial amount of indebtedness may adversely affect NEP's ability to operate its business, and its failure to comply with the terms of its subsidiaries' indebtedness or refinance, extend or repay the indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on NEP's financial condition.
•NEP is exposed to risks inherent in its use of interest rate swaps.
•Widespread public health crises and epidemics or pandemics may have material adverse impacts on NEP’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders.
Risks Related to NEP's Relationship with NEE
•NEE has influence over NEP.
•Under the CSCS agreement, NEP receives credit support from NEE and its affiliates. NEP's subsidiaries may default under contracts or become subject to cash sweeps if credit support is terminated, if NEE or its affiliates fail to honor their obligations under credit support arrangements, or if NEE or another credit support provider ceases to satisfy creditworthiness requirements, and NEP will be required in certain circumstances to reimburse NEE for draws that are made on credit support.
•NEER and certain of its affiliates are permitted to borrow funds received by NEP OpCo or its subsidiaries and is obligated to return these funds only as needed to cover project costs and distributions or as demanded by NEP OpCo. NEP's financial condition and ability to make distributions to its unitholders, as well as its ability to grow distributions in the future, is highly dependent on NEER’s performance of its obligations to return all or a portion of these funds.
•NEER's right of first refusal may adversely affect NEP's ability to consummate future sales or to obtain favorable sale terms.
•NEP GP and its affiliates may have conflicts of interest with NEP and have limited duties to NEP and its unitholders.
•NEP GP and its affiliates and the directors and officers of NEP are not restricted in their ability to compete with NEP, whose business is subject to certain restrictions.
•NEP may only terminate the MSA under certain limited circumstances.
•If certain agreements with NEE Management or NEER are terminated, NEP may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms.
•NEP's arrangements with NEE limit NEE's potential liability, and NEP has agreed to indemnify NEE against claims that it may face in connection with such arrangements, which may lead NEE to assume greater risks when making decisions relating to NEP than it otherwise would if acting solely for its own account.
Risks Related to Ownership of NEP's Units
•NEP's ability to make distributions to its unitholders depends on the ability of NEP OpCo to make cash distributions to its limited partners.
•If NEP incurs material tax liabilities, NEP's distributions to its unitholders may be reduced, without any corresponding reduction in the amount of the IDR fee, which is currently suspended.
•Holders of NEP's units may be subject to voting restrictions.
•NEP's partnership agreement replaces the fiduciary duties that NEP GP and NEP's directors and officers might have to holders of its common units with contractual standards governing their duties and the New York Stock Exchange does not require a publicly traded limited partnership like NEP to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.
•NEP's partnership agreement restricts the remedies available to holders of NEP's common units for actions taken by NEP's directors or NEP GP that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duties.
•Certain of NEP's actions require the consent of NEP GP.
•Holders of NEP's common units currently cannot remove NEP GP without NEE's consent and provisions in NEP's partnership agreement may discourage or delay an acquisition of NEP that NEP unitholders may consider favorable.
•NEE's interest in NEP GP and the control of NEP GP may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.
•Reimbursements and fees owed to NEP GP and its affiliates for services provided to NEP or on NEP's behalf will reduce cash distributions from NEP OpCo and from NEP to NEP's unitholders, and there are no limits on the amount that NEP OpCo may be required to pay.
•Increases in interest rates could adversely impact the price of NEP's common units, NEP's ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes and NEP's ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders.
•The liability of holders of NEP's units, which represent limited partnership interests in NEP, may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of NEP's business.
•Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.
•The issuance of common units, or other limited partnership interests, or securities convertible into, or settleable with, common units, and any subsequent conversion or settlement, will dilute common unitholders’ ownership in NEP, may decrease the amount of cash available for distribution for each common unit, will impact the relative voting strength of outstanding NEP common units and issuance of such securities, or the possibility of issuance of such securities, as well as the resale, or possible resale following conversion or settlement, may result in a decline in the market price for NEP's common units.
Taxation Risks
•NEP's future tax liability may be greater than expected if NEP does not generate NOLs sufficient to offset taxable income or if tax authorities challenge certain of NEP's tax positions.
•NEP's ability to use NOLs to offset future income may be limited.
•NEP will not have complete control over NEP's tax decisions.
•Distributions to unitholders may be taxable as dividends.
These factors should be read together with the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the 2023 Form 10-K and investors should refer to that section of the 2023 Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and NEP undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including, but not limited to, unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement.
Website Access to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Filings. NEP makes its SEC filings, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, available free of charge on NEP's internet website, www.nexteraenergypartners.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after those documents are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information and materials available on NEP's website are not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(millions, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
OPERATING REVENUES(a) | | | | | $ | 257 | | | $ | 245 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
Operations and maintenance(b) | | | | | 123 | | | 146 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | 136 | | | 123 | |
Taxes other than income taxes and other | | | | | 19 | | | 11 | |
Total operating expenses – net | | | | | 278 | | | 280 | |
| | | | | | | |
OPERATING LOSS | | | | | (21) | | | (35) | |
OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS) | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | | | (13) | | | (206) | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees | | | | | 30 | | | 28 | |
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-economic ownership interests | | | | | 4 | | | (8) | |
Other – net | | | | | 22 | | | 3 | |
Total other income (deductions) – net | | | | | 43 | | | (183) | |
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | | | 22 | | | (218) | |
INCOME TAX BENEFIT | | | | | (13) | | | (36) | |
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | | | | | 35 | | | (182) | |
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax expense of $2 million | | | | | — | | | 31 | |
NET INCOME (LOSS)(c) | | | | | 35 | | | (151) | |
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | | | | | 35 | | | 137 | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NEP | | | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | (14) | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) per common unit attributable to NEP – basic and assuming dilution: | | | | | | | |
From continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.75 | | | $ | (0.23) | |
From discontinued operations | | | | | — | | | 0.06 | |
Earnings (loss) per common unit attributable to NEP – basic and assuming dilution | | | | | $ | 0.75 | | | $ | (0.17) | |
____________________
(a) Includes related party revenues of approximately $3 million and $(10) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(b) Total O&M expenses presented include related party amounts of approximately $15 million and $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(c) For the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP recognized less than $1 million of other comprehensive income related to equity method investees, which was primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, NEP recognized less than $1 million of other comprehensive income related to equity method investees, which was primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests.
This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes herein and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(millions)
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 245 | | | $ | 274 | |
Accounts receivable | 133 | | | 114 | |
Other receivables | 70 | | | 64 | |
Due from related parties | 1,506 | | | 1,575 | |
Inventory | 88 | | | 82 | |
| | | |
Other | 141 | | | 107 | |
Total current assets | 2,183 | | | 2,216 | |
Other assets: | | | |
Property, plant and equipment – net | 14,732 | | | 14,837 | |
Intangible assets – PPAs – net | 1,945 | | | 1,987 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Goodwill | 833 | | | 833 | |
Investments in equity method investees | 1,840 | | | 1,853 | |
| | | |
Other | 803 | | | 785 | |
Total other assets | 20,153 | | | 20,295 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 22,336 | | | $ | 22,511 | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 72 | | | $ | 72 | |
Due to related parties | 61 | | | 87 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | 1,349 | | | 1,348 | |
Accrued interest | 45 | | | 38 | |
| | | |
Accrued property taxes | 22 | | | 43 | |
Other | 55 | | | 83 | |
Total current liabilities | 1,604 | | | 1,671 | |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | | | |
Long-term debt | 4,942 | | | 4,941 | |
Asset retirement obligations | 335 | | | 331 | |
| | | |
Due to related parties | 55 | | | 53 | |
Intangible liabilities – PPAs – net | 1,186 | | | 1,210 | |
Other | 236 | | | 248 | |
Total other liabilities and deferred credits | 6,754 | | | 6,783 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 8,358 | | | 8,454 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | |
| | | |
EQUITY | | | |
Common units (93.5 and 93.4 units issued and outstanding, respectively) | 3,564 | | | 3,576 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (7) | | | (7) | |
Noncontrolling interests | 10,421 | | | 10,488 | |
TOTAL EQUITY | 13,978 | | | 14,057 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 22,336 | | | $ | 22,511 | |
This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes herein and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(millions)
(unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | 35 | | | $ | (151) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 136 | | | 132 | |
Intangible amortization – PPAs | 21 | | | 20 | |
Change in value of derivative contracts | (51) | | | 164 | |
Deferred income taxes | 11 | | | (34) | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of distributions received | 14 | | | 13 | |
Equity in losses (earnings) of non-economic ownership interests | (4) | | | 8 | |
| | | |
Other – net | 5 | | | 6 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | |
Current assets | (45) | | | (4) | |
Noncurrent assets | (11) | | | (6) | |
Current liabilities | (33) | | | (66) | |
| | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 78 | | | 82 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Acquisition of membership interests in subsidiaries – net | — | | | (84) | |
Capital expenditures and other investments | (64) | | | (401) | |
| | | |
Proceeds from sale of a business | — | | | 51 | |
Payments from related parties under CSCS agreement – net | 68 | | | 277 | |
| | | |
Reimbursements from related parties for capital expenditures | 34 | | | 356 | |
Other – net | 4 | | | — | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | 42 | | | 199 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of common units – net | 3 | | | 154 | |
Issuances of long-term debt, including premiums and discounts | 24 | | | 63 | |
Retirements of long-term debt | (25) | | | (9) | |
Debt issuance costs | (2) | | | (2) | |
| | | |
Partner contributions | 29 | | | — | |
Partner distributions | (188) | | | (169) | |
| | | |
Payments to Class B noncontrolling interest investors | (18) | | | (70) | |
Buyout of Class B noncontrolling interest investors | — | | | (196) | |
Proceeds on sale of differential membership interests | — | | | 92 | |
Proceeds from differential membership investors | 75 | | | 61 | |
Payments to differential membership investors | (11) | | | (202) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Other – net | — | | | 2 | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (113) | | | (276) | |
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | 7 | | | 5 | |
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH – BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 294 | | | 284 | |
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH – END OF PERIOD | $ | 301 | | | $ | 289 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | | |
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $ | 50 | | | $ | 47 | |
Cash received for income taxes | $ | (24) | | | $ | — | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Accrued property additions | $ | 42 | | | $ | 735 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes herein and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(millions)
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Units | | | | | | | | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | Units | | Amount | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Noncontrolling Interests | | Total Equity | | |
Balances, December 31, 2023 | 93.4 | | | $ | 3,576 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 10,488 | | | $ | 14,057 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common units – net | 0.1 | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | — | | | 70 | | | — | | | (35) | | | 35 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Related party note receivable | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | 2 | | | |
Related party contributions | — | | | — | | | — | | | 26 | | | 26 | | | |
Distributions, primarily to related parties | — | | | — | | | — | | | (106) | | | (106) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other differential membership investment activity | — | | | — | | | — | | | 64 | | | 64 | | | |
Payments to Class B noncontrolling interest investors | — | | | — | | | — | | | (18) | | | (18) | | | |
Distributions to unitholders(a) | — | | | (82) | | | — | | | — | | | (82) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other – net | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | |
Balances, March 31, 2024 | 93.5 | | | $ | 3,564 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 10,421 | | | $ | 13,978 | | | |
_________________________
(a) Distributions per common unit of $0.8800 were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Units | | | | | | | | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Units | | Amount | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Noncontrolling Interests | | Total Equity | | Redeemable Non-controlling Interests |
Balances, December 31, 2022 | 86.5 | | | $ | 3,332 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 11,346 | | | $ | 14,671 | | | $ | 101 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common units – net(a) | 2.4 | | | 167 | | | — | | | — | | | 167 | | | — | |
Acquisition of subsidiary with noncontrolling ownership interest | — | | | — | | | — | | | 72 | | | 72 | | | — | |
Net income (loss) | — | | | (14) | | | — | | | (139) | | | (153) | | | 2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions, primarily to related parties | — | | | — | | | — | | | (98) | | | (98) | | | — | |
Changes in non-economic ownership interests | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11 | | | 11 | | | — | |
Other differential membership investment activity | — | | | — | | | — | | | 142 | | | 142 | | | — | |
Payments to Class B noncontrolling interest investors | — | | | — | | | — | | | (70) | | | (70) | | | — | |
Distributions to unitholders(b) | — | | | (70) | | | — | | | — | | | (70) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Buyout of Class B noncontrolling interest investors | — | | | — | | | — | | | (196) | | | (196) | | | — | |
Other – net | — | | | (1) | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | |
Balances, March 31, 2023 | 88.9 | | | $ | 3,414 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 11,069 | | | $ | 14,476 | | | $ | 103 | |
_____________________________
(a) See Note 9 – ATM Program for further discussion. Includes deferred tax impact of approximately $15 million.
(b) Distributions per common unit of $0.8125 were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
This report should be read in conjunction with the Notes herein and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2023 Form 10-K. In the opinion of NEP management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. All adjustments are normal and recurring unless otherwise noted. Certain amounts included in the prior year's condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation, including presentation of discontinued operations as discussed in Note 2. The results of operations for an interim period generally will not give a true indication of results for the year.
1. Acquisitions
In June 2023, an indirect subsidiary of NEP acquired from indirect subsidiaries of NEER ownership interests (2023 acquisition) in a portfolio of four wind and three solar generation facilities with a combined generating capacity totaling approximately 688 MW located in various states across the U.S.
Supplemental Unaudited Pro forma Results of Operations
NEP’s pro forma results of operations in the combined entity had the 2023 acquisition been completed on January 1, 2022 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | | | | | |
| | | | | (millions) |
Unaudited pro forma results of operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma revenues | | | | | $ | 264 | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma operating loss | | | | | $ | (27) | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss | | | | | $ | (153) | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss attributable to NEP | | | | | $ | (10) | | | | | | | | | |
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated results of operations include adjustments to:
•reflect the historical results of the business acquired had the 2023 acquisition been completed on January 1, 2022 assuming consistent operating performance over all periods;
•reflect the estimated depreciation and amortization expense based on the estimated fair value of property, plant and equipment – net, intangible assets – PPAs – net and intangible liabilities – PPAs – net;
•reflect assumed interest expense related to funding the acquisition; and
•reflect related income tax effects.
The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the transaction been made at the beginning of the period presented or the future results of the condensed consolidated operations.
2. Discontinued Operations
In December 2023, a subsidiary of NEP completed the sale of its ownership interests in the Texas pipelines. NEP's results of operations for the Texas pipelines are presented as income from discontinued operations on its condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
The table below presents the financial results of the Texas pipelines included in income from discontinued operations:
| | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| | | (millions) |
| | | |
| | | |
OPERATING REVENUES(a) | | | $ | 56 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | |
Operations and maintenance(b) | | | 8 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 9 | |
Taxes other than income taxes and other | | | 1 | |
Total operating expenses – net | | | 18 | |
| | | |
OPERATING INCOME | | | 38 | |
OTHER DEDUCTIONS | | | |
Interest expense | | | (4) | |
| | | |
Other – net | | | (1) | |
Total other deductions – net | | | (5) | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | 33 | |
INCOME TAXES | | | 2 | |
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS(c) | | | $ | 31 | |
| | | |
_____________________________(a) Represents service revenues earned under gas transportation agreements. Includes related party revenues of approximately $7 million.
(b) Includes related party amounts of approximately $5 million.
(c) Includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of approximately $25 million. Income tax expense attributable to noncontrolling interests is less than $1 million.
NEP has elected not to separately disclose discontinued operations on its condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. The table below presents cash flows from discontinued operations for major captions on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to the Texas pipelines:
| | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
| (millions) |
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 9 | |
Change in value of derivative contracts | $ | 2 | |
Deferred income taxes | $ | 2 | |
Capital expenditures and other investments | $ | (25) | |
3. Revenue
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. NEP's operating revenues are generated primarily from various non-affiliated parties under PPAs and, in 2023, natural gas transportation agreements (see Note 2 regarding sale of the Texas pipelines). NEP's operating revenues from contracts with customers are partly offset by the net amortization of intangible assets – PPAs and intangible liabilities – PPAs. Revenue is recognized as energy and any related renewable energy attributes are delivered, based on rates stipulated in the respective PPAs, or natural gas transportation services are performed. NEP believes that the obligation to deliver energy and provide the natural gas transportation services is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes benefits provided by NEP. In addition, NEP believes that the obligation to deliver renewable energy attributes is satisfied at multiple points in time, with the control of the renewable energy attribute being transferred at the same time the related energy is delivered. NEP’s operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are revenue from contracts with customers for renewable energy sales of approximately $242 million. NEP’s operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are revenue from contracts with customers for renewable energy sales of approximately $245 million and revenue from contracts with customers for natural gas transportation services, all of which is included in discontinued operation, of $56 million. NEP's accounts receivable are associated with revenues earned from contracts with customers. Receivables represent unconditional rights to consideration and reflect the differences in timing of revenue recognition and cash collections. For substantially all of NEP's receivables, customer and counterparty credit risk is managed in the same manner and the terms and conditions of payment are similar.
NEP recognizes revenues as energy and any related renewable energy attributes are delivered or natural gas transportation services are performed, consistent with the amounts billed to customers based on rates stipulated in the respective agreements.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
NEP considers the amount billed to represent the value of energy delivered or services provided to the customer. NEP’s customers typically receive bills monthly with payment due within 30 days.
Revenues yet to be earned under contracts with customers to deliver energy and any related energy attributes, which have maturity dates ranging from 2025 to 2051, will vary based on the volume of energy delivered. At March 31, 2024, NEP expects to record approximately $166 million of revenues related to the fixed price components of one PPA through 2039 as the energy is delivered.
4. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity
NEP uses derivative instruments (primarily interest rate swaps) to manage the interest rate cash flow risk associated with outstanding and expected future debt issuances and borrowings and to manage the physical and financial risks inherent in the sale of electricity. NEP records all derivative instruments that are required to be marked to market as either assets or liabilities on its condensed consolidated balance sheets and measures them at fair value each reporting period. NEP does not utilize hedge accounting for its derivative instruments. All changes in the interest rate contract derivatives' fair value are recognized in interest expense and the equity method investees' related activity is recognized in equity in earnings of equity method investees in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the net notional amounts of the interest rate contracts were approximately $3.1 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. All changes in commodity contract derivatives' fair value are recognized in operating revenues in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP had derivative commodity contracts for power with net notional volumes of approximately 3.8 million and 4.6 million MW hours, respectively. Cash flows from the interest rate and commodity contracts are reported in cash flows from operating activities in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
Fair Value Measurement of Derivative Instruments – The fair value of assets and liabilities are determined using either unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) or other observable inputs (Level 2) whenever that information is available and using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate fair value only when relevant observable inputs are not available. NEP uses different valuation techniques to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities, relying primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or similar assets and liabilities for those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain financial instruments may be valued using multiple inputs including discount rates, counterparty credit ratings and credit enhancements. NEP’s assessment of the significance of any particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement of those assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. Non-performance risk, including the consideration of a credit valuation adjustment, is also considered in the determination of fair value for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels occur at the beginning of the period in which the transfer occurred.
NEP estimates the fair value of its derivative instruments using an income approach based on a discounted cash flows valuation technique utilizing the net amount of estimated future cash inflows and outflows related to the agreements. The primary inputs used in the fair value measurements include the contractual terms of the derivative agreements, current interest rates and credit profiles. The significant inputs for the resulting fair value measurement of interest rate contracts are market-observable inputs and the measurements are reported as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
The tables below present NEP's gross derivative positions, based on the total fair value of each derivative instrument, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, as required by disclosure rules, as well as the location of the net derivative positions, based on the expected timing of future payments, on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2024 |
| | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Netting(a) | | Total |
| | (millions) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 225 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 225 | |
Commodity contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | (3) | | | 1 | |
Total derivative assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 226 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10 | |
Commodity contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24 | | | $ | (3) | | | 21 | |
Total derivative liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net fair value by balance sheet line item: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current other assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 64 | |
Noncurrent other assets | | | | | | | | | | 162 | |
Total derivative assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 226 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current other liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 8 | |
Noncurrent other liabilities | | | | | | | | | | 23 | |
Total derivative liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
____________________(a) Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2023 |
| | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Netting(a) | | Total |
| | (millions) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 195 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | 199 | |
Commodity contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | — | | | 1 | |
Total derivative assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 200 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 30 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | 34 | |
Commodity contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 21 | | | $ | — | | | 21 | |
Total derivative liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 55 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net fair value by balance sheet line item: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current other assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 61 | |
Noncurrent other assets | | | | | | | | | | 139 | |
Total derivative assets | | | | | | | | | | $ | 200 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current other liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 18 | |
Noncurrent other liabilities | | | | | | | | | | 37 | |
Total derivative liabilities | | | | | | | | | | $ | 55 | |
____________________
(a) Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
Financial Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments – Gains (losses) related to NEP's derivatives are recorded in NEP's condensed consolidated financial statements as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (millions) |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts – interest expense | | | | | $ | 69 | | | $ | (149) | |
Interest rate contracts – income from discontinued operations | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (1) | |
Commodity contracts – operating revenues | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2) | |
Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features – Certain of NEP's derivative instruments contain credit-related cross-default and material adverse change triggers, none of which contain requirements to maintain certain credit ratings or financial ratios. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate fair value of NEP's derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position was approximately $9 million and $30 million, respectively.
5. Non-Derivative Fair Value Measurements
Non-derivative fair value measurements consist of NEP's cash equivalents. The fair value of these financial assets is determined using the valuation techniques and inputs as described in Note 4 – Fair Value Measurement of Derivative Instruments. The fair value of money market funds that are included in cash and cash equivalents, current other assets and noncurrent other assets on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets is estimated using a market approach based on current observable market prices. Financial Instruments Recorded at Other than Fair Value – The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments recorded at other than fair value are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Carrying Value | | Fair Value | | Carrying Value | | Fair Value |
| (millions) |
Long-term debt, including current maturities(a) | $ | 6,291 | | | $ | 6,114 | | | $ | 6,289 | | | $ | 6,136 | |
____________________
(a) At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately $6,097 million and $6,120 million, respectively, of the fair value is estimated using a market approach based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2); the balance is estimated using an income approach utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation technique, considering the current credit profile of the debtor (Level 3). At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately $1,469 million and $1,446 million, respectively, of the fair value relates to the 2020 convertible notes, the 2021 convertible notes and the 2022 convertible notes and is Level 2.
6. Income Taxes
Income taxes are calculated for NEP as a single taxpaying corporation for U.S. federal and state income taxes (based on NEP's election to be taxed as a corporation). NEP recognizes in income its applicable ownership share of U.S. income taxes due to the disregarded/partnership tax status of substantially all of the U.S. projects under NEP OpCo. Net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests includes minimal U.S. taxes.
The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was approximately (59)% and 17%, respectively. The effective tax rate for continuing operations is below the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax benefit attributable to noncontrolling interests of approximately $11 million and tax benefit attributable to PTCs of $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The effective tax rate for continuing operations is below the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax expense attributable to noncontrolling interests of approximately $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
7. Variable Interest Entities
NEP has identified NEP OpCo, a limited partnership with a general partner and limited partners, as a VIE. NEP has consolidated the results of NEP OpCo and its subsidiaries because of its controlling interest in the general partner of NEP OpCo. At March 31, 2024, NEP owned an approximately 48.6% limited partner interest in NEP OpCo and NEE Equity owned a noncontrolling 51.4% limited partner interest in NEP OpCo. The assets and liabilities of NEP OpCo as well as the operations of NEP OpCo represent substantially all of NEP's assets and liabilities and its operations.
In addition, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP OpCo consolidated 20 VIEs related to certain subsidiaries which have sold differential membership interests (see Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests) in entities which own and operate 40 wind
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
generation facilities as well as eight solar projects, including related battery storage facilities, and one stand-alone battery storage facility. These entities are considered VIEs because the holders of the differential membership interests do not have substantive rights over the significant activities of these entities. The assets, primarily property, plant and equipment – net, and liabilities, primarily accounts payable and accrued expenses and asset retirement obligations, of the VIEs, totaled approximately $11,374 million and $535 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024 and $11,453 million and $552 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP OpCo also consolidated five VIEs related to the sales of noncontrolling Class B interests in certain NEP subsidiaries (see Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests) which have ownership interests in and operate wind and solar facilities with a combined net generating capacity of approximately 5,560 MW and battery storage capacity of 120 MW, as well as ownership interests in natural gas pipeline assets (Class B VIEs). These entities are considered VIEs because the holders of the noncontrolling Class B membership interests do not have substantive rights over the significant activities of the entities. The assets, primarily property, plant and equipment – net, intangible assets – PPAs and investments in equity method investees, and the liabilities, primarily accounts payable and accrued expenses, long-term debt, intangible liabilities – PPAs, noncurrent other liabilities and asset retirement obligations, of the VIEs totaled approximately $13,473 million and $2,642 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024 and $13,576 million and $2,693 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. Certain of the Class B VIEs include six other VIEs related to NEP's ownership interests in Rosmar Holdings, LLC, Silver State, Meade Pipeline Co LLC, Pine Brooke Class A Holdings, LLC, Star Moon Holdings, LLC (Star Moon Holdings) and Emerald Breeze Holdings, LLC (Emerald Breeze). In addition, certain of the Class B VIEs contain entities which have sold differential membership interests and approximately $7,566 million and $7,640 million of assets and $417 million and $437 million of liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, are also included in the disclosure of the VIEs related to differential membership interests above.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP OpCo consolidated Sunlight Renewables Holdings, LLC (Sunlight Renewables Holdings) which is a VIE. The assets, primarily property, plant and equipment – net, and the liabilities, primarily accounts payable and accrued expenses, asset retirement obligation and noncurrent other liabilities, of the VIE totaled approximately $437 million and $10 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024 and $440 million and $10 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. This VIE contains entities which have sold differential membership interests and approximately $351 million and $353 million of assets and $10 million and $10 million of liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, are also included in the disclosure of VIEs related to differential membership interests above.
Certain subsidiaries of NEP OpCo have noncontrolling interests in entities accounted for under the equity method that are considered VIEs.
NEP has an indirect equity method investment in three NEER solar projects with a total generating capacity of 277 MW and battery storage capacity of 230 MW. Through a series of transactions, a subsidiary of NEP issued 1,000,000 NEP OpCo Class B Units, Series 1 and 1,000,000 NEP OpCo Class B Units, Series 2, to NEER for approximately 50% of the ownership interests in the three solar projects (non-economic ownership interests). NEER, as holder of the NEP OpCo Class B Units, will retain 100% of the economic rights in the projects to which the respective Class B Units relate, including the right to all distributions paid by the project subsidiaries that own the projects to NEP OpCo. NEER has agreed to indemnify NEP against all risks relating to NEP’s ownership of the projects until NEER offers to sell economic interests to NEP and NEP accepts such offer, if NEP chooses to do so. NEER has also agreed to continue to manage the operation of the projects at its own cost, and to contribute to the projects any capital necessary for the operation of the projects, until NEER offers to sell economic interests to NEP and NEP accepts such offer. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP's equity method investment related to the non-economic ownership interests of approximately $115 million and $111 million, respectively, is reflected as noncurrent other assets on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets. All equity in earnings (losses) of the non-economic ownership interests is allocated to net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. NEP is not the primary beneficiary and therefore does not consolidate these entities because it does not control any of the ongoing activities of these entities, was not involved in the initial design of these entities and does not have a controlling interest in these entities.
8. Debt
Long-term debt issuances and borrowings by subsidiaries of NEP during the three months ended March 31, 2024 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Date Issued/Borrowed | | Debt Issuances/Borrowings | | Interest Rate | | Principal Amount | | Maturity Date |
| | | | | | (millions) | | |
| | | | | | | | |
February 2024 | | Other long-term debt | | Fixed(a) | | $ | 24 | |
| (a) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
————————————
(a)See Note 10 – Related Party Long-Term Debt.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
In February 2024, the loan parties extended the maturity date from February 2028 to February 2029 for substantially all of the NEP OpCo credit facility.
NEP OpCo and its subsidiaries' secured long-term debt agreements are secured by liens on certain assets and contain provisions which, under certain conditions, could restrict the payment of distributions or related party fee payments. At March 31, 2024, NEP and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all financial debt covenants under their financings.
9. Equity
Distributions – On April 22, 2024, the board of directors of NEP authorized a distribution of $0.8925 per common unit payable on May 15, 2024 to its common unitholders of record on May 7, 2024. NEP anticipates that an adjustment will be made to the conversion ratios for each of the 2022 convertible notes and the 2021 convertible notes under the related indentures on the ex-distribution date for such distribution, which will be computed using the last reported sale price of NEP's units on the day before the ex-distribution date, subject to certain carryforward provisions in the related indentures.
Earnings (Loss) Per Unit – Diluted earnings per unit is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common units and potential common units outstanding during the period, including the dilutive effect of convertible notes and, in 2023, common units issuable pursuant to an exchange notice (see Common Unit Issuance below). During the periods with dilution, the dilutive effect of the 2022 convertible notes, the 2021 convertible notes and the 2020 convertible notes is calculated using the if-converted method and common units issuable pursuant to the exchange notice is calculated using the treasury stock method.
The reconciliation of NEP's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per unit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| | | | | (millions, except per unit amounts) | |
Numerator – Net income (loss) attributable to NEP: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
From continuing operations – basic and assuming dilution | | | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | (20) | | |
From discontinued operations – basic and assuming dilution | | | | | — | | | 6 | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to NEP | | | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | (14) | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average number of common units outstanding – basic | | | | | 93.5 | | | 87.3 | | |
Dilutive effect of common units issuable and convertible notes(a) | | | | | — | | | 0.6 | | |
Weighted-average number of common units outstanding – assuming dilution | | | | | 93.5 | | | 87.9 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) per common unit attributable to NEP – basic and assuming dilution: | | | | | | | | |
From continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.75 | | | $ | (0.23) | | |
From discontinued operations | | | | | — | | | 0.06 | | |
Earnings (loss) per common unit attributable to NEP – basic and assuming dilution | | | | | $ | 0.75 | | | $ | (0.17) | | |
————————————
(a)During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the 2022 convertible notes, the 2021 convertible notes and the 2020 convertible notes were antidilutive and as such were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per unit.
ATM Program – During the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP did not issue any common units under its at-the-market equity issuance program (ATM program). During the three months ended March 31, 2023, NEP issued approximately 2.3 million common units under the ATM program for net proceeds of approximately $152 million. Fees related to the ATM program were approximately $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Common Unit Issuance – In January 2023, NEE Equity delivered notice to NEP OpCo of its election to exchange 0.9 million NEP OpCo common units for NEP common units on a one-for-one basis and in April 2023, NEP issued 0.9 million NEP common units to consummate the exchange.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – During the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP recognized less than $1 million of other comprehensive income related to equity method investee. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, NEP recognized less than $1 million of other comprehensive income related to equity method investee. At March 31, 2024 and 2023, NEP's accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled approximately $14 million and $16 million, respectively, of which $7 million and $9 million, respectively, was attributable to noncontrolling interest and $7 million and $7 million, respectively, was attributable to NEP.
10. Related Party Transactions
Each project entered into O&M agreements and ASAs with subsidiaries of NEER whereby the projects pay a certain annual fee plus actual costs incurred in connection with certain O&M and administrative services performed under these agreements. These services are reflected as operations and maintenance in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Additionally, certain NEP subsidiaries pay affiliates for transmission and retail power services which are reflected as operations and maintenance in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Certain projects have also entered into various types of agreements including those related to shared facilities and transmission lines, transmission line easements, technical support and construction coordination with subsidiaries of NEER whereby certain fees or cost reimbursements are paid to, or received by, certain subsidiaries of NEER.
Management Services Agreement – Under the MSA, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NEE provides operational, management and administrative services to NEP, including managing NEP’s day-to-day affairs and providing individuals to act as NEP’s executive officers and directors, in addition to those services that are provided under the existing O&M agreements and ASAs described above between NEER subsidiaries and NEP subsidiaries. NEP OpCo pays NEE an annual management fee equal to the greater of 1% of the sum of NEP OpCo’s net income plus interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expense less certain non-cash, non-recurring items for the most recently ended fiscal year and $4 million (as adjusted for inflation beginning in 2016), which is paid in quarterly installments with an additional payment each January to the extent 1% of the sum of NEP OpCo’s net income plus interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expense less certain non-cash, non-recurring items for the preceding fiscal year exceeds $4 million (as adjusted for inflation beginning in 2016). NEP OpCo also made certain payments to NEE based on the achievement by NEP OpCo of certain target quarterly distribution levels to its unitholders. In May 2023, the MSA was amended to suspend these payments to be paid by NEP OpCo in respect to each calendar quarter beginning with the payment related to the period commencing on (and including) January 1, 2023 and expiring on (and including) December 31, 2026. NEP’s O&M expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 include approximately $1 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 include approximately $41 million related to the MSA.
Cash Sweep and Credit Support Agreement – NEP OpCo is a party to the CSCS agreement with NEER under which NEER and certain of its affiliates provide credit support in the form of letters of credit and guarantees to satisfy NEP’s subsidiaries’ contractual obligations. NEP OpCo pays NEER an annual credit support fee based on the level and cost of the credit support provided, payable in quarterly installments. NEP’s O&M expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 include approximately $2 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 include approximately $2 million related to the CSCS agreement.
NEER and certain of its affiliates may withdraw funds (Project Sweeps) from NEP OpCo under the CSCS agreement or NEP OpCo's subsidiaries in connection with certain long-term debt agreements, and hold those funds in accounts belonging to NEER or its affiliates to the extent the funds are not required to pay project costs or otherwise required to be maintained by NEP's subsidiaries. NEER and its affiliates may keep the funds until the financing agreements permit distributions to be made, or, in the case of NEP OpCo, until such funds are required to make distributions or to pay expenses or other operating costs or NEP OpCo otherwise demands the return of such funds. If NEER or its affiliates fail to return withdrawn funds when required by NEP OpCo's subsidiaries’ financing agreements, the lenders will be entitled to draw on any credit support provided by NEER or its affiliates in the amount of such withdrawn funds. If NEER or one of its affiliates realizes any earnings on the withdrawn funds prior to the return of such funds, it will be permitted to retain those earnings, and will not pay interest on the withdrawn funds except as otherwise agreed upon with NEP OpCo. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the cash sweep amounts held in accounts belonging to NEER or its affiliates were approximately $1,443 million and $1,511 million, respectively, and are included in due from related parties on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP recorded interest income of approximately $18 million due from NEER for cash sweep amounts held relating to proceeds from the sale of the Texas pipelines (see Note 2), which is reflected in other – net on the condensed consolidated statement of income and is included in due from related parties on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2024.
Guarantees and Letters of Credit Entered into by Related Parties – Certain PPAs include requirements of the project entities to meet certain performance obligations. NEECH or NEER has provided letters of credit or guarantees for certain of these performance obligations and payment of any obligations from the transactions contemplated by the PPAs. In addition, certain financing agreements require cash and cash equivalents to be reserved for various purposes. In accordance with the terms of these financing agreements, guarantees from NEECH have been substituted in place of these cash and cash equivalents
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(unaudited)
reserve requirements. Also, under certain financing agreements, indemnifications have been provided by NEECH. In addition, certain interconnection agreements and site certificates require letters of credit or a surety bond to secure certain payment or restoration obligations related to those agreements. NEECH also guarantees the Project Sweep amounts held in accounts belonging to NEER, as described above. At March 31, 2024, NEECH or NEER guaranteed or provided indemnifications, letters of credit or surety bonds totaling approximately $2.0 billion related to these obligations.
Related Party Long-Term Debt – In connection with the December 2022 acquisition from NEER of Emerald Breeze, a subsidiary of NEP acquired a note payable from a subsidiary of NEER relating to restricted cash reserve funds put in place for certain operational costs at the project based on a requirement of the differential membership investor. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the note payable was approximately $85 million and $62 million, respectively and is included in long-term debt on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets. The note payable does not bear interest and does not have a maturity date.
Due to Related Parties – Noncurrent amounts due to related parties on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets primarily represent amounts owed by certain of NEP's wind projects to NEER to refund NEER for certain transmission costs paid on behalf of the wind projects. Amounts will be paid to NEER as the wind projects receive payments from third parties for related notes receivable recorded in noncurrent other assets on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Transportation and Fuel Management Agreements – In connection with the Texas pipelines (see Note 2), a subsidiary of NEP assigned to a subsidiary of NEER certain gas commodity agreements in exchange for entering into transportation agreements and a fuel management agreement whereby the benefits of the gas commodity agreements (net of transportation paid to the NEP subsidiary) were passed back to the NEP subsidiary. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, NEP recognized approximately $2 million in revenues related to the transportation and fuel management agreements which are reflected in income from discontinued operations on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Tax Allocations – In March 2024, NEE Equity, as holder of the Class P units, was allocated for the 2023 tax year taxable gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $154 million from the transaction specified in the limited partnership agreement of NEP OpCo, which will decrease each of NEP's deferred tax liabilities – investment in partnership and deferred tax assets – net operating loss carryforwards by $26 million. See Note 2.
11. Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies
Restricted Cash – At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, NEP had approximately $56 million and $20 million, respectively, of restricted cash included in current other assets on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is primarily related to an operating cash reserve. Restricted cash reported as current assets are recorded as such based on the anticipated use of these funds.
Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| (millions) |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | $ | 17,325 | | | $ | 17,299 | |
Accumulated depreciation | (2,593) | | | (2,462) | |
Property, plant and equipment – net | $ | 14,732 | | | $ | 14,837 | |
| | | |
Noncontrolling Interests – At March 31, 2024, noncontrolling interests on NEP's condensed consolidated balance sheets primarily reflect the Class B noncontrolling ownership interests (the Class B noncontrolling ownership interests in NEP Renewables II, NEP Pipelines, Genesis Holdings, NEP Renewables III and NEP Renewables IV owned by third parties), the differential membership interests, NEE Equity's approximately 51.4% noncontrolling interest in NEP OpCo, NEER's 50% noncontrolling ownership interest in Silver State, NEER's 33% noncontrolling interest in Sunlight Renewables Holdings, NEER's 51% noncontrolling interest in Emerald Breeze, a third-party's 50% interest in Star Moon Holdings and the non-economic ownership interests. The impact of the net income (loss) attributable to the differential membership interests and the Class B noncontrolling ownership interests are allocated to NEE Equity's noncontrolling ownership interest and the net income attributable to NEP based on the respective ownership percentage of NEP OpCo.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Concluded)
(unaudited)
Details of the activity in noncontrolling interests are below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class B Noncontrolling Ownership Interests | | Differential Membership Interests | | NEE's Indirect Noncontrolling Ownership Interests(a) | | Other Noncontrolling Ownership Interests | | Total Noncontrolling Interests |
Three months ended March 31, 2024 | | (millions) |
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Balances, December 31, 2023 | | $ | 4,417 | | | $ | 4,143 | | | $ | 899 | | | $ | 1,029 | | | $ | 10,488 | |
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Related party note receivable | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | 2 | |
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | 77 | | | (203) | | | 73 | | | 18 | | | (35) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Related party contributions | | — | | | — | | | 26 | | | — | | | 26 | |
Distributions, primarily to related parties | | — | | | — | | | (94) | | | (12) | | | (106) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Differential membership investment contributions, net of distributions | | — | | | 64 | | | — | | | — | | | 64 | |
Payments to Class B noncontrolling interest investors | | (18) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (18) | |
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Balances, March 31, 2024 | | $ | 4,476 | | | $ | 4,004 | | | $ | 906 | | | $ | 1,035 | | | $ | 10,421 | |
————————————
(a)Primarily reflects NEE Equity's noncontrolling interest in NEP OpCo and NEER's noncontrolling interests in Silver State, Sunlight Renewables Holdings and Emerald Breeze.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class B Noncontrolling Ownership Interests | | Differential Membership Interests | | NEE's Indirect Noncontrolling Ownership Interests(a) | | Other Noncontrolling Ownership Interests | | Total Noncontrolling Interests |
Three months ended March 31, 2023 | | (millions) |
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Balances, December 31, 2022 | | $ | 5,031 | | | $ | 4,359 | | | $ | 891 | | | $ | 1,065 | | | $ | 11,346 | |
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Acquisition of subsidiary with noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | 72 | | | — | | | 72 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | 88 | | | (193) | | | (49) | | | 15 | | | (139) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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Distributions, primarily to related parties | | — | | | — | | | (88) | | | (10) | | | (98) | |
Changes in non-economic ownership interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11 | | | 11 | |
Differential membership investment contributions, net of distributions | | — | | | 50 | | | — | | | — | | | 50 | |
Payments to Class B noncontrolling interest investors | | (70) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (70) | |
Sale of differential membership interest | | — | | | 92 | | | — | | | — | | | 92 | |
Buyout of Class B noncontrolling interest investors | | (196) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (196) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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Other – net | | — | | | (1) | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | 1 | |
Balances, March 31, 2023 | | $ | 4,853 | | | $ | 4,307 | | | $ | 827 | | | $ | 1,082 | | | $ | 11,069 | |
————————————
(a)Primarily reflects NEE Equity's noncontrolling interest in NEP OpCo and NEER's noncontrolling interests in Silver State, Sunlight Renewables Holdings and Emerald Breeze.
Disposal of Wind Project – In January 2023, a subsidiary of NEP completed the sale of a 62 MW wind project located in Barnes County, North Dakota for approximately $50 million. Approximately $45 million of the cash proceeds from the sale were distributed to the third-party owner of Class B membership interests in NEP Renewables II.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
NEP is a growth-oriented limited partnership with a strategy that emphasizes acquiring, managing and owning contracted clean energy assets with stable long-term cash flows with a focus on renewable energy projects. NEP consolidates the results of NEP OpCo and its subsidiaries through its controlling interest in the general partner of NEP OpCo. At March 31, 2024, NEP owned an approximately 48.6% limited partner interest in NEP OpCo and NEE Equity owned a noncontrolling 51.4% limited partner interest in NEP OpCo. Through NEP OpCo, NEP owns, or has partial ownership interest in, a portfolio of contracted renewable energy assets consisting of wind, solar and solar-plus-storage projects and a stand-alone battery storage project, as well as a pipeline investment. NEP's financial results are shown on a consolidated basis with financial results attributable to NEE Equity reflected in noncontrolling interests.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Notes contained herein and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K. The results of operations for an interim period generally will not give a true indication of results for the year. In the following discussions, all comparisons are with the corresponding items in the prior year period.
In January 2023, NEP completed the sale of a 62 MW wind project located in North Dakota. See Note 11 – Disposal of Wind Project. In March 2023, in connection with the December 2022 acquisition from NEER, a wind generation facility with a net generating capacity of approximately 54 MW was transferred to a subsidiary of NEP. In June 2023, an indirect subsidiary of NEP completed the acquisition of ownership interests in a portfolio of wind and solar generation facilities with a combined net generating capacity totaling approximately 688 MW from NEER (see Note 1). In July 2023, Yellow Pine Solar, a 125 MW solar generation and 65 MW storage facility in Nevada, which was part of the December 2022 acquisition from NEER, achieved commercial operations. In December 2023, NEP sold its Texas pipelines which has been presented as discontinued operations (see Note 2).
Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (millions) |
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OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | $ | 257 | | | $ | 245 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
Operations and maintenance | | | | | 123 | | | 146 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | 136 | | | 123 | |
Taxes other than income taxes and other | | | | | 19 | | | 11 | |
Total operating expenses – net | | | | | 278 | | | 280 | |
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OPERATING LOSS | | | | | (21) | | | (35) | |
OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS) | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | | | (13) | | | (206) | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees | | | | | 30 | | | 28 | |
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-economic ownership interests | | | | | 4 | | | (8) | |
Other – net | | | | | 22 | | | 3 | |
Total other income (deductions) – net | | | | | 43 | | | (183) | |
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | | | 22 | | | (218) | |
INCOME TAX BENEFIT | | | | | (13) | | | (36) | |
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | | | | | 35 | | | (182) | |
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax expense of $2 million | | | | | — | | | 31 | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) | | | | | 35 | | | (151) | |
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | | | | | 35 | | | 137 | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NEP | | | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | (14) | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues primarily consist of income from the sale of energy under NEP's PPAs, partly offset by the net amortization of intangible assets – PPAs and intangible liabilities – PPAs. Wind resource levels, weather conditions and the performance of NEP's renewable energy portfolio represent significant factors that could affect its operating results because these variables impact energy sales. NEP utilizes the wind production index to determine the favorability of wind resource levels. The wind production index represents a measure of the actual wind speeds available for energy production for a stated period relative to long-term average wind speeds. NEP compares the actual wind speeds observed at each wind facility applied to turbine-specific power curves to produce the estimated MWh production for a stated period to the estimated long-term average wind speeds at each wind facility applied to the same turbine-specific power curves to produce the long-term average MWh production which results in the current period wind production index to determine the favorability of wind resource for the stated period.
Operating revenues increased $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase primarily reflects higher revenues of approximately $22 million associated with the renewable energy projects acquired or placed in service in 2023, partly offset by lower revenues of $10 million primarily due to unfavorable wind resource (97% of long-term average wind speeds in 2024 compared to 102% in 2023).
Operating Expenses
Operations and Maintenance
O&M expenses decreased $23 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflecting lower corporate operating expenses of approximately $44 million primarily relating to the suspension of the IDR fee in May 2023, partly offset by higher net operating expenses at the existing NEP projects of $14 million and higher O&M expenses of $6 million associated with the renewable energy projects acquired in 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $13 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflecting depreciation and amortization associated with the renewable energy projects acquired in 2023.
Other Income (Deductions)
Interest Expense
The decrease in interest expense of $193 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflects approximately $212 million of favorable mark-to-market activity ($51 million of gains recorded in 2024 compared to $161 million of losses in 2023).
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Non-Economic Ownership Interests
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-economic ownership interests increased $12 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflecting favorable mark-to-market activity on interest rate swaps in 2024.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP recorded income tax benefit of $13 million on income from continuing operations before income taxes of $22 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (59)%. The tax benefit is comprised primarily of income tax benefit of approximately $11 million attributable to noncontrolling interests and $8 million attributable to PTCs, partly offset by income tax expense of $5 million at the statutory rate of 21%.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, NEP recorded income tax benefit of $36 million on loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $218 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 17%. The tax benefit is comprised primarily of income tax benefit of approximately $46 million at the statutory rate of 21%, $7 million attributable to PTCs and $6 million of state taxes, partly offset by income tax expense of $22 million attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Income from Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations reflects the operations of the Texas pipelines prior to the sale in December 2023. See Note 2.
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the change in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests primarily reflects a higher net income allocation of approximately $122 million to NEE Equity's noncontrolling interest in 2024 compared to 2023, partly offset by $11 million of lower net income allocation to Class B noncontrolling interest investors due to buyouts in 2023 and $10 million higher net loss allocation to differential membership investors resulting from the renewable energy projects acquired in 2023. See Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
NEP’s ongoing operations use cash to fund O&M expenses, including related party fees discussed in Note 10, maintenance capital expenditures, debt service payments and related derivative obligations (see Note 8 and Note 4), distributions to common unitholders and distributions to the holders of noncontrolling interests. NEP expects to satisfy these requirements primarily with cash on hand and cash generated from operations. In addition, as a growth-oriented limited partnership, NEP expects from time to time to make acquisitions (see Note 1), including in connection with the exercise of buyout rights (see Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests), and other investments. These acquisitions and investments are expected to be funded with borrowings under credit facilities or term loans, issuances of indebtedness, issuances of additional NEP common units, including under its ATM program, or capital raised pursuant to other financing structures, cash on hand and cash generated from operations and divestitures (see Note 2). NEP may also utilize non-voting common units (convertible into common units) to fund the payment of specified portions of the purchase price payable in connection with the exercise of certain buyout rights (see Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests). In addition, NEP expects to fund debt maturities through refinancing. NEP may, but does not expect to, issue common units to satisfy NEP's conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the convertible notes upon conversion.
These sources of funds are expected to be adequate to provide for NEP's short-term and long-term liquidity and capital needs, although its ability to make future acquisitions, fund repowering of existing projects, fund the purchase price payable in connection with the exercise of buyout rights, refinance debt maturities and maintain and increase its distributions to common unitholders will depend on its ability to access capital on acceptable terms.
As a normal part of its business, depending on market conditions, NEP expects from time to time to consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance its indebtedness or equity arrangements. In addition, NEP expects from time to time to consider potential investments in new acquisitions and the repowering of existing projects. These events may cause NEP to seek additional debt or equity financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. If available, additional debt financing, including refinancing, could impose operating restrictions, additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants, including limitations on distributions to common unitholders.
NEP OpCo has agreed to allow NEER or one of its affiliates to withdraw funds received by NEP OpCo or its subsidiaries and to hold those funds in accounts of NEER or one of its affiliates to the extent the funds are not required to pay project costs or otherwise required to be maintained by NEP's subsidiaries, until the financing agreements permit distributions to be made, or, in the case of NEP OpCo, until such funds are required to make distributions or to pay expenses or other operating costs. NEP OpCo will have a claim for any funds that NEER fails to return:
• when required by its subsidiaries’ financings;
• when its subsidiaries’ financings otherwise permit distributions to be made to NEP OpCo;
• when funds are required to be returned to NEP OpCo; or
• when otherwise demanded by NEP OpCo.
In addition, NEER and certain of its affiliates may withdraw funds in connection with certain long-term debt agreements and hold those funds in accounts belonging to NEER or its affiliates and provide credit support in the amount of such withdrawn funds. If NEER fails to return withdrawn funds when required by NEP OpCo's subsidiaries’ financing agreements, the lenders will be entitled to draw on any credit support provided by NEER in the amount of such withdrawn funds.
If NEER or one of its affiliates realizes any earnings on the withdrawn funds prior to the return of such funds, it will be permitted to retain those earnings, and will not pay interest on the withdrawn funds except as otherwise agreed upon with NEP OpCo.
Liquidity Position
At March 31, 2024, NEP's liquidity position was approximately $4,138 million. The table below provides the components of NEP’s liquidity position:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | Maturity Date |
| (millions) | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 245 | | | |
Amounts due under the CSCS agreement | 1,443 | | | |
Revolving credit facility(a) | 2,500 | | | 2029 |
| | | |
Less issued letters of credit | (50) | | | |
Total | $ | 4,138 | | | |
____________________
(a) Approximately $50 million of the NEP OpCo credit facility expires in 2025 and an additional $50 million expires in 2028.
Management believes that NEP's liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be adequate to finance O&M expenses, maintenance capital expenditures, distributions to its unitholders and to the holders of noncontrolling interests and liquidity commitments. Management continues to regularly monitor NEP's financing needs consistent with prudent balance sheet management.
Financing Arrangements
NEP OpCo and its direct subsidiary are parties to the $2,500 million NEP OpCo credit facility. See Note 8.
NEP OpCo and certain indirect subsidiaries are subject to financings that contain financial covenants and distribution tests, including debt service coverage ratios. In general, these financings contain covenants customary for these types of financings, including limitations on investments and restricted payments. Certain of NEP's financings provide for interest payable at a fixed interest rate. However, certain of NEP's financings accrue interest at variable rates based on an underlying index plus a margin. Interest rate contracts were entered into for certain of these financings to hedge against interest rate movements with respect to interest payments on the related borrowings. In addition, under the project-level financing structures, each project or group of projects will be permitted to pay distributions out of available cash so long as certain conditions are satisfied, including that reserves are funded with cash or credit support, no default or event of default under the applicable financing has occurred and is continuing at the time of such distribution or would result therefrom, and each project or group of projects is otherwise in compliance with the related covenants. For substantially all of the project-level financing structures, minimum debt service coverage ratios must be satisfied in order to make a distribution. For one project-level financing, the project must maintain a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio in order to make a distribution. At March 31, 2024, NEP's subsidiaries were in compliance with all financial debt covenants under their financings.
Capital Expenditures
Annual capital spending plans are developed based on projected requirements for the projects. Capital expenditures primarily represent the estimated cost of capital improvements, including construction expenditures that are expected to increase NEP OpCo’s operating income or operating capacity over the long term. Capital expenditures for projects that have already commenced commercial operations are generally not significant because most expenditures relate to repairs and maintenance and are expensed when incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, NEP had capital expenditures of approximately $64 million and $401 million, respectively. The 2023 capital expenditures primarily relate to the assets acquired from NEER in December 2022 which were acquired under construction or had recently been placed in service. Such expenditures were reimbursed by NEER as contemplated in the acquisition. Estimates of planned capital expenditures, including those relating to expected wind turbine repowerings, are subject to continuing review and adjustments and actual capital expenditures may vary significantly from these estimates.
Cash Distributions to Unitholders
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, NEP distributed approximately $82 million to its common unitholders. On April 22, 2024, the board of directors of NEP authorized a distribution of $0.8925 per common unit payable on May 15, 2024 to its common unitholders of record on May 7, 2024.
Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the comparative periods:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| (millions) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 78 | | | $ | 82 | | | $ | (4) | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | 42 | | | $ | 199 | | | $ | (157) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (113) | | | $ | (276) | | | $ | 163 | |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the timing of transactions impacting working capital, partly offset by higher operating cash flows from new projects and lower corporate O&M expenses due to the suspension of the IDR fee.
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (millions) |
Acquisition of membership interests in subsidiaries – net | $ | — | | | $ | (84) | |
Capital expenditures and other investments | (64) | | | (401) | |
Proceeds from sale of a business | — | | | 51 | |
Payments from related parties under CSCS agreement – net | 68 | | | 277 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Reimbursements from related parties for capital expenditures | 34 | | | 356 | |
Other – net | 4 | | | — | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | 42 | | | $ | 199 | |
The change in net cash provided by investing activities was primarily driven by lower payments received from NEER subsidiaries (net of amounts paid) under the CSCS agreement, partly offset by the absence of payments to acquire membership interests in subsidiaries.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (millions) |
Proceeds from issuance of common units – net | $ | 3 | | | $ | 154 | |
Issuances (retirements) of long-term debt – net | (1) | | | 54 | |
Partner contributions | 29 | | | — | |
Partner distributions | (188) | | | (169) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Proceeds (payments) related to differential membership interests – net | 64 | | | (49) | |
| | | |
Payments related to Class B noncontrolling interests – net | (18) | | | (70) | |
Buyout of Class B noncontrolling interest investors | — | | | (196) | |
| | | |
Other – net | (2) | | | — | |
Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (113) | | | $ | (276) | |
The change in net cash used in financing activities primarily reflects the absence of buyouts of Class B noncontrolling interests (see Note 11 – Noncontrolling Interests), higher proceeds related to differential membership interests and lower payments to Class B noncontrolling interests, partly offset by lower proceeds related to the issuance of common units – net and lower proceeds from issuances of long-term debt – net.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
NEP is exposed to market risks in its normal business activities. Market risk is measured as the potential loss that may result from hypothetical reasonably possible market changes associated with its business over the next year. The types of market risks include interest rate and counterparty credit risks.
Interest Rate Risk
NEP is exposed to risk resulting from changes in interest rates associated with outstanding and expected future debt issuances and borrowings. NEP manages interest rate exposure by monitoring current interest rates, entering into interest rate contracts and using a combination of fixed rate and variable rate debt. Interest rate swaps are used to mitigate and adjust interest rate exposure when deemed appropriate based upon market conditions or when required by financing agreements (see Note 4).
NEP has long-term debt instruments that subject it to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates. At March 31, 2024, approximately 99% of the long-term debt, including current maturities, was not exposed to fluctuations in interest expense as it was either fixed rate debt or financially hedged. At March 31, 2024, the estimated fair value of NEP's long-term debt was approximately $6.1 billion and the carrying value of the long-term debt was $6.3 billion. See Note 5 – Financial Instruments Recorded at Other than Fair Value. Based upon a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates, the fair value of NEP's long-term debt would increase by approximately $55 million at March 31, 2024.
At March 31, 2024, NEP had interest rate contracts with a net notional amount of approximately $3.1 billion related to managing exposure to the variability of cash flows associated with outstanding and expected future debt issuances and borrowings. Based upon a hypothetical 10% decrease in rates, NEP’s net derivative assets at March 31, 2024 would decrease by approximately $57 million.
Counterparty Credit Risk
Risks surrounding counterparty performance and credit risk could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties under the terms of their contractual obligations. NEP monitors and manages credit risk through credit policies that include a credit approval process and the use of credit mitigation measures such as prepayment arrangements in certain circumstances. NEP also seeks to mitigate counterparty risk by having a diversified portfolio of counterparties.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See Management's Discussion – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2024, NEP had performed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of NEP's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of NEP concluded that NEP's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
NEP is continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and of its internal controls. This results in refinements to processes throughout NEP. However, there has been no change in NEP's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during NEP's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, NEP's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None. With regard to environmental proceedings to which a governmental authority is a party, NEP's policy is to disclose any such proceeding if it is reasonably expected to result in monetary sanctions of greater than or equal to $1 million.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the 2023 Form 10-K. The factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the 2023 Form 10-K, as well as other information set forth in this report, which could materially adversely affect NEP's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders, should be carefully considered. The risks described in the 2023 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing NEP. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to NEP, or that are currently deemed to be immaterial, also may materially adversely affect NEP's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a)Information regarding purchases made by NEP of its common units during the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Units Purchased(a) | | Average Price Paid Per Unit | | Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program | | Maximum Number of Units that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program |
| 1/1/24 – 1/31/24 | | — | | | — | | | — | | — |
| 2/1/24 – 2/29/24 | | 14,016 | | $ | 28.37 | | | — | | — |
| 3/1/24 – 3/31/24 | | — | | — | | | — | | — |
| Total | | 14,016 | | $ | 28.37 | | | — | | |
____________________
(a) In February 2024, shares of common units were withheld from recipients to pay certain withholding taxes upon the vesting of stock awards granted to such recipients under the NextEra Energy Partners, LP 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan.
Item 5. Other Information
(a) NEP held its 2024 Annual Meeting of Unitholders (2024 Annual Meeting) on April 22, 2024. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, NEP's unitholders elected all of NEP’s nominees for director and approved three proposals. The proposals are described in detail in NEP's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the 2024 Annual Meeting (Proxy Statement), filed with the SEC on March 5, 2024. The voting results below reflect any applicable voting limitations and cutbacks as described in the Proxy Statement.
The final voting results with respect to each proposal voted upon at the 2024 Annual Meeting are set forth below.
Proposal 1
NEP's unitholders elected each of the four nominees to the board of directors of NEP until the next annual meeting of unitholders by a majority of the votes cast, as set forth below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | FOR | | % VOTES CAST FOR | | AGAINST | | ABSTENTIONS | | BROKER NON-VOTES |
Susan D. Austin | | 54,632,900 | | 95.3% | | 2,714,775 | | 193,662 | | 24,209,168 |
Robert J. Byrne | | 54,127,261 | | 94.4% | | 3,200,881 | | 213,195 | | 24,209,168 |
John W. Ketchum | | 42,039,776 | | 73.3% | | 15,320,663 | | 180,898 | | 24,209,168 |
Peter H. Kind | | 53,965,018 | | 94.3% | | 3,260,752 | | 315,567 | | 24,209,168 |
Without giving effect to the voting limitation and cutbacks that apply to the election of directors as described in the Proxy Statement, the percent of the votes cast FOR Ms. Austin would have been 98.3%, FOR Messrs. Byrne and Kind would have been 98.0% and FOR Mr. Ketchum would have been 90.6%.
Proposal 2
NEP's unitholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as NEP's independent registered public accounting firm for 2024, as set forth below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOR | | % VOTES CAST FOR | | AGAINST | | ABSTENTIONS | | BROKER NON-VOTES |
170,608,892 | | 99.6% | | 727,827 | | 197,445 | | — |
Proposal 3
NEP's unitholders approved, by non-binding advisory vote, NEP's compensation of its named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement, as set forth below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOR | | % VOTES CAST FOR | | AGAINST | | ABSTENTIONS | | BROKER NON-VOTES |
126,046,903 | | 85.8% | | 20,815,199 | | 462,894 | | 24,209,168 |
Proposal 4
NEP’s unitholders approved the NextEra Energy Partners, LP 2024 Long Term Incentive Plan, as set forth below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FOR | | % VOTES CAST FOR | | AGAINST | | ABSTENTIONS | | BROKER NON-VOTES |
144,975,147 | | 98.7% | | 1,940,538 | | 409,311 | | 24,209,168 |
(c) During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or officer of NEP adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 6. Exhibits | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
10.1* | | |
10.2* | | |
10.3* | | Third Amended and Restated NextEra Energy Partners, LP Guaranty dated as of January 18, 2024 in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as collateral agent under the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement by and between NextEra Energy US Partners Holdings, LLC, NextEra Energy Operating Partners, LP, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders parties thereto, dated as of May 27, 2022 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, File No. 1-36518) |
10.4 | | |
10.5 | | |
31(a) | | |
31(b) | | |
32 | | |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document – XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
101.SCH | | XBRL Schema Document |
101.PRE | | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document |
101.CAL | | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.LAB | | XBRL Label Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | | XBRL Definition Linkbase Document |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
___________________________
* Incorporated herein by reference
NEP agrees to furnish to the SEC upon request any instrument with respect to long-term debt that NEP has not filed as an exhibit pursuant to the exemption provided by Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 23, 2024
| | | | | |
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP |
(Registrant) |
|
|
JAMES M. MAY |
James M. May Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
NextEra Energy Partners, LP
2024 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
NextEra Energy Partners, LP, a limited partnership (the "Partnership"), sets forth herein the terms of its 2024 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), as follows:
1. PURPOSE
The Plan is intended to (1) provide participants with an incentive to contribute to the Partnership's success and to manage the Partnership's business in a manner that will provide for the Partnership's long-term growth and profitability to benefit its unitholders and other important stakeholders, including its employees and customers, and (2) provide a means of obtaining, rewarding and retaining key personnel.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents (including the Plan and Award Agreements), the following definitions shall apply:
2.1 "Affiliate" of the Partnership means any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person in question. As used herein, the term "Control" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
2.2 "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein and (b) the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Units are listed.
2.3 "Award" means a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Unit Appreciation Right, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, Unrestricted Units, a Performance Unit or other Performance-Based Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.
2.4 "Award Agreement" means the agreement between the Partnership and a Grantee that evidences and sets out the terms and conditions of an Award.
2.5 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the General Partner.
2.6 "Cause" means, with respect to any Grantee, as determined by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between such Grantee and the Partnership or an Affiliate, (a) repeated violations by such Grantee of such Grantee's obligations to the Partnership or such Affiliate (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which are demonstrably
willful and deliberate on such Grantee's part, which are committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such violations are in the best interests of the Partnership or such Affiliate and which are not remedied within a reasonable period of time after such Grantee's receipt of written notice from the Partnership specifying such violations, (b) the conviction of such Grantee of a felony involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of such Grantee at the expense of the Partnership or an Affiliate, or
(c) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Committee whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding and conclusive.
2.7 "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any Person, other than a Person approved by the General Partner, becoming the general partner of the Partnership.
2.8 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.
2.9 "Committee" means a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board.
2.10 "Deferred Unit" means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) Unit awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10 that (a) is not subject to vesting, or (b) is subject to time-based vesting, but not to performance-based vesting.
2.11 "Determination Date" means the Grant Date or such other date as of which the Fair Market Value of a Unit is required to be established for purposes of the Plan.
2.12 "Disability" means any condition as a result of which a Grantee is determined to be totally disabled for purposes of (a) the Partnership's executive long-term disability plan, for Grantees who participate in such plan, or (b) the Partnership's long-term disability plan, for Grantees who do not participate in the Partnership's executive long-term disability plan.
2.13 "Employee" means, as of any date of determination, an employee (including an officer) of the Partnership or an Affiliate.
2.14 "Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
2.15 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
2.16 "Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of a Unit for purposes of the Plan, which shall be determined as of any Determination Date as follows:
(a) If on such Determination Date the Units are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another established securities market (a "Securities Market"), the Fair Market Value of a Units shall be the closing price of the Unit on the trading day immediately preceding such Determination Date as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on the trading day immediately preceding such Determination Date,
the Fair Market Value of a Unit shall be the closing price of the Unit on the next preceding day on which any sale of Units shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.
(b) If on such Determination Date the Units are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a Unit shall be the value of the Unit on such Determination Date as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.
2.17 "General Partner" means NextEra Energy Partners GP, Inc.
2.18 "Grant Date" means, as determined by the Committee, (a) the date as of which the Committee completes the corporate action constituting the Award or (b) such date subsequent to the date specified in clause (a) above as may be specified by the Committee.
2.19 "Grantee" means a person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.
2.20 "Option" means an option to purchase one or more Units pursuant to the Plan, which will be non-qualified options (i.e. options that do not meet the requirements of section 422 of the Code).
2.21 "Option Price" means the exercise price for each Unit subject to an Option.
2.22 "Outside Director" means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
2.23 "Other Equity-Based Award" means an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Units, other than an Option, a Unit Appreciation Right, Restricted Units, a Deferred Unit or Unrestricted Units.
2.24 "Partnership" means NextEra Energy Partners, LP.
2.25 "Performance-Based Award" means an Award of Options, Unit Appreciation Rights, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, Performance Units or Other Equity-Based Awards made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a performance period specified by the Committee.
2.26 "Plan" means this NextEra Energy Partners, LP. 2024 Long Term Incentive Plan.
2.27 "Person" means "person", as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor section thereto).
2.28 “Prior Plan” means the NextEra Energy Partners, LP. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan.
2.29 "Restricted Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
2.30 "Restricted Units" means Units awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.
2.31 "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
2.32 "Service" means service of a Grantee as an Employee or service of such Grantee as a member of the Board or of the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing, such Grantee's change in position or duties with the Partnership or any Affiliate shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as the Grantee continues to be an Employee or continues to serve as a member of the Board or of the board of directors or similar governing body of any Affiliate. Any determination by the Committee whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive. A Grantee shall not be considered to have terminated Service with the Partnership or any of its Affiliates for purposes of any payments under this Plan which are subject to Section 409A of the Code until the Grantee has incurred a “separation from service” from the Partnership or such Affiliate within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
2.33 "Stock Exchange" means the New York Stock Exchange or another established national or regional stock exchange.
2.34 "Substitute Award" means an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Partnership or an Affiliate or with which the Partnership or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.
2.35 "Units" means the common units, par value $0.01 per unit, of the Partnership, or any security which units may be changed into or for which units may be exchanged.
2.36 "Unit Appreciation Right" or "UAR" means a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.
2.37 "UAR Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1
2.38 "Unrestricted Units" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to "including" shall mean "including without limitation."
References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations promulgated under such Code Section.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
3.1 Committee.
3.1.1 Powers and Authorities.
The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement, and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present (a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum), or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing in accordance with the Partnership's partnership agreement and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award or such Award Agreement. In the event that the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee
3.1.2 Composition of Committee.
The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two directors of the General Partner designated by the Board to administer the Plan and such committee members shall satisfy any independence standards required by Applicable Law or Stock Exchange. The Committee may delegate the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to any employee or group of employees of the Partnership or any Affiliate provided that such delegation and grants are consistent with Applicable Law.
3.2 Board.
The Board from time to time may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Partnership's partnership agreement and bylaws and Applicable Laws.
3.3 Terms of Awards.
3.3.1 Committee Authority.
Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:
(a) designate Grantees;
(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;
(c) determine the number of Units to be subject to an Award;
(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option), the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or Units subject thereto, and the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements);
(e) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award; and
(f) subject to the limitation on repricing in Section 3.4, amend, modify or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural persons who are foreign nationals or are natural persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, impair the Grantee's rights under such Award.
3.3.2 Forfeiture; Recoupment.
The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of Employees or clients of the Partnership or any Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Partnership or any Affiliate, (e) Partnership policy or procedure, (f) other agreement or (g) any other obligation of such Grantee to the Partnership or any Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. The Committee may annul an outstanding Award if the Grantee thereof is an Employee and is terminated for Cause as defined in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement or for "cause" as defined in any other agreement between the Partnership or such Affiliate and such Grantee, as applicable. Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Partnership to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (a) any Partnership "clawback" or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or otherwise, or (b) any law, rule or regulation which imposes mandatory recoupment under circumstances set forth in such law, rule or regulation.
3.4 No Repricing.
Except in connection with a transaction involving the Partnership (including, without limitation, any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities or other property), unit split, extraordinary cash distribution, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Units or other securities or similar transaction), the Partnership may not, without obtaining unitholder approval: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or UARs to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or UARs; (b) cancel outstanding Options or UARs in exchange for Options or UARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or UARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or UARs with an exercise price above the current unit price in exchange for cash or other securities.
3.5 Deferral Arrangement.
The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.
3.6 No Liability.
No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement.
3.7 Registration; Units Certificates.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the Units issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
4. UNITS SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Number of Units Available for Awards.
Subject to such additional Units as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 16, the maximum number of Units available for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 1,100,000 Units, plus the number of Units subject to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of such Units.
4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Units.
In the event of any change in the outstanding Units by reason of any Unit distribution or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, combination or transaction or exchange of Units or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to holders of Units other than regular cash distributions or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person shall make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of Units or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan or pursuant to outstanding Awards, (ii) the Option Price or exercise price of any Unit Appreciation Right and/or (iii) any other affected terms of such Awards.
4.3 Units Usage.
(a) Units subject to an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date.
(b) Any Units that are subject to Awards, shall be counted against the Units issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) Unit for every one (1) Unit subject to an Award. With respect to UARs, the number of Units subject to an Award of UARs will be counted against the aggregate number of Units available for issuance under the Plan regardless of the number of Units actually issued to settle the UAR upon exercise. The target number of Units issuable under a Performance Units grant shall be counted against the Units issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1 as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of Units issued upon settlement of the Performance Units to the extent different from such target number of Units.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b), any Units subject to Awards under the Plan which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise, without the issuance of such Units, shall be available again for issuance under the Plan.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4, the number of Units (i) tendered or withheld or subject to an Award surrendered in connection with the purchase of Units upon exercise of an Option as provided in Section 12.2, (ii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award in connection with the Partnership's tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 17.3 or (iii) purchased by the Partnership with proceeds from Option exercises will not increase the number of Units available for issuance under the Plan.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
5.1 Effective Date.
The Plan was adopted by the Board on April 22, 2024, and shall become effective on such date (the "Effective Date") without further action, provided that no Awards may be granted hereunder until the earlier of (a) the effectiveness of the Partnership’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions, as amended, and (b) the Units being listed or approved for listing upon notice of issuance of the Stock Exchange.
5.2 Term.
The Plan shall terminate automatically ten (10) years after the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date as provided in Section 5.3.
5.3 Amendment and Termination.
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any Units as to which Awards have not been made. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be contingent on approval of such amendment by the Partnership's unitholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws (including the rules of any Stock Exchange on which the Units are then listed), provided that no amendment shall be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section 3.4 or the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1 without the approval of the Partnership's unitholders. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the Grantee thereof.
6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS
Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to any individual who is an Employee or a non-employee director (or other independent service provider) as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time.
7. AWARD AGREEMENT
Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements employed under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions, but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan.
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
8.1 Option Price.
The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. The Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) Unit on the Grant Date.
8.2 Vesting.
Subject to Section 8.3 and Section 16, each Option granted under the Plan shall become exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing.
8.3 Term.
Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase Units thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option.
8.4 Termination of Service.
Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee's Service.
8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 16 which results in the termination of such Option.
8.6 Method of Exercise.
Subject to the terms of Section 12 and Section 16, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee's delivery to the Partnership or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Partnership's principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Partnership and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of Units with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the Units for which such Option is being exercised plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Partnership may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.
8.7 Rights of Holders of Options.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a unitholder of the Partnership (for example, the right to receive distributions attributable to the Units subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the Units subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Partnership's unitholders) until the Units subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other person.
8.8 Delivery of Units.
Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee's ownership of the Units subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.7.
8.9 Transferability of Options.
During the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee's legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee's guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNIT APPRECIATION RIGHTS
9.1 Right to Payment and Grant Price.
A UAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of
(x) the Fair Market Value of one (1) Unit on the date of exercise over (y) the per unit exercise price of such UAR (the "UAR Price") as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a UAR shall specify the UAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) Unit on the Grant Date of such UAR. UARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award or without regard to any Option or other Award, provided that a UAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a UAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) Unit on the Grant Date of such UAR.
9.2 Other Terms.
The Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a UAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements), the time or times at which UARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of
Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Units shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a UAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any and all other terms and conditions of any UAR.
9.3 Term.
Each UAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such UAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such UAR.
9.4 Transferability of UARS.
During the lifetime of a Grantee of a UAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee's legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee's guardian or legal representative) may exercise such UAR. No UAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED UNITS AND DEFERRED UNITS
10.1 Grant of Restricted Units or Deferred Units.
Awards of Restricted Units and Deferred Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, other than the par value of the Unit, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Partnership or an Affiliate.
10.2 Restrictions.
At the time a grant of Restricted Units or Deferred Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a period of time (a "Restricted Period") applicable to such Restricted Units or Deferred Units and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Restricted Units or Deferred Units as provided in Section 14.
10.3 Registration; Restricted Units Certificates.
Pursuant to Section 3.7, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Units is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Units under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.7 and the immediately following sentence, the Partnership may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Units has been granted, unit certificates representing the total number of Restricted Units granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Units. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that either (a) the Secretary of the Partnership shall hold such certificates for such Grantee's benefit until such time as such Units of Restricted Units are forfeited to the Partnership or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a power to the Partnership with respect to each certificate, or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such certificates shall bear legends that comply with applicable securities laws and regulations and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Units under the Plan and such Award Agreement.
10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Units.
Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement or in the partnership agreement, holders of Restricted Units shall have the right to vote such Units and the right to receive any distributions paid with respect to such Units. The Committee may provide that such distributions may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to the Restricted Units. Distributions paid on Restricted Units which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Restricted Units are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Restricted Units shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Partnership such distribution payments. All unit distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Units as a result of any unit split, distribution, combination of units, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Units.
10.5 Rights of Holders of Deferred Units.
10.5.1 Voting and Distribution Rights.
Holders of Deferred Units shall have no rights as unitholders of the Partnership (for example, the right to receive cash distributions attributable to the Units subject to such Deferred Units, to direct the voting of the Units subject to
such Deferred Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Partnership's unitholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Deferred Units that the holder of such Deferred Units shall be entitled to receive the Partnership's payment of a cash distribution on its outstanding Units. Such cash payments paid in connection with Deferred Units which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such Deferred Units are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Deferred Units shall promptly forfeit and repay to the Partnership such cash payments.
10.5.2 Creditor's Rights.
A holder of Deferred Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Partnership. Deferred Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Partnership, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.
10.6 Termination of Service.
Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is entered into, but prior to termination of Grantee's Service, upon the termination of such Grantee's Service, any Restricted Units or Deferred Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Units or Deferred Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Units or any right to receive distributions with respect to such Restricted Units or Deferred Units.
10.7 Delivery of Units.
Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Units or Deferred Units settled in Units shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a unit certificate evidencing ownership of such Units shall be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee's beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee's beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Deferred Units once the Units represented by such Deferred Units have been delivered.
11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED UNITS AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS
11.1 Unrestricted Unit Awards.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive Units free of any restrictions ("Unrestricted Units") under the Plan.
Unrestricted Unit Awards may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of past or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Partnership or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, or in lieu of, or in addition to, any cash compensation due to such Grantee.
11.2 Other Equity-Based Awards.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11.2 may be granted with vesting, value and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Equity-Based Awards at the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, upon the termination of a Grantee's Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Award, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.
12. FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS
12.1 General Rule.
Payment of the Option Price for the Units purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Partnership.
12.2 Surrender of Units.
To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for Units purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Partnership of Units, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.
12.3 Cashless Exercise.
To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of
the Option Price for Units purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Partnership to sell Units and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Partnership in payment of such Option Price and any withholding taxes, or, with the consent of the Partnership, by issuing the number of Units equal in value to the difference between such Option Price and the Fair Market Value of the Units subject to the portion of such Option being exercised.
13. [RESERVED]
14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS
14.1 Grant of Performance-Based Awards.
Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance-Based Awards to a Plan participant in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.
14.2 Value of Performance-Based Awards.
Each grant of a Performance-Based Award shall have an initial value or target number of Units that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the value and/or number of Units subject to a Performance-Based Award that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.
14.3 Earning of Performance-Based Awards.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of Performance- Based Awards shall be entitled to receive a payout on the value or number of the Performance-Based Awards earned by such Grantee over such Performance Period.
14.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards.
Payment of earned Performance-Based Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance- Based Awards in Units and shall pay the Awards that have been earned at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals have been achieved, provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. Any Units paid out under such Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement for the Awards.
14.5 Performance Goals.
The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance-Based Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance goals as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals.
14.6 Settlement of Awards; Other Terms
Settlement of Performance-Based Awards shall be in Units, other Awards or other property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance-Based Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Service by the Grantee prior to the end of a Performance Period or settlement of such Awards.
15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW
The Partnership shall not be required to offer, sell or issue any Units under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or UAR or otherwise, if the offer, sale or issuance of
such Units would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Partnership or an Affiliate, or any other person, of any provision of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Partnership shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of any Units subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, issuance, sale or purchase of Units in connection with any Award, no Units may be offered, issued or sold to the Grantee or any other person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or UAR or otherwise, unless such listing, registration or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Partnership, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any UAR that may be settled in Units or the delivery of any Units underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the Units subject to such Award, the Partnership shall not be required to offer, sell or issue such Units unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other person exercising such Option or UAR or accepting delivery of such Units may acquire such Units pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Partnership may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any Units or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Partnership shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a UAR or the issuance of Units or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or UAR that may be settled in Unit shall not be exercisable until the Unit subject to such Option or UAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or UAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.
16. CHANGE IN Control
16.1 Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Options, UARs, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, or Other Equity-Based Awards are not being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent not assumed or continued:
(a) in each case with the exception of Performance-Based Awards,
(i) all outstanding Restricted Units shall be deemed to have vested, all Deferred Units shall be deemed to have vested and the Units subject thereto shall be delivered, immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, and fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of such Change in Control, all Options and UARs outstanding hereunder shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days; or
(ii) the Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, and/or UARs and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Units and Deferred Units equal to the formula or fixed price per Units
paid to holders of Units pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or UARs, equal to the product of the number of Units subject to such Options or UARs (the "Award Units") multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per Units paid to holders of Units pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or UAR Price applicable to such Award Units.
(b) For Performance-Based Awards denominated in Units, if less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Units or Performance Units assuming target performance has been achieved (or into Unrestricted Units if no further restrictions apply). If at least half the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Units or Performance Units based on actual performance to date (or into Unrestricted Units if no further restrictions apply). If actual performance is not determinable, such Performance-Based Awards shall be converted into Restricted Units or Performance Units assuming target performance has been achieved, based on the discretion of the Committee (or into Unrestricted Units if no further restrictions apply).
(c) Other Equity-Based Awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.
With respect to the Partnership's establishment of an exercise window, (A) any exercise of an Option or UAR during the fifteen (15)-day period referred to above shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and (B) upon consummation of any Change in Control, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised Options and UARs shall terminate. The Committee shall send notice of an event that shall result in such a termination to all natural persons and entities who hold Options and UARs not later than the time at which the Partnership gives notice thereof to its unitholders.
16.2 Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Options, UARs, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, or Other Equity-Based Awards are being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed or continued:
The Plan and the Options, UARs, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Options, UARs, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards, or for the substitution for such Options, UARs, Restricted Units, Deferred Units, and Other Equity-Based Awards of new common units, options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, and other equity-based awards relating to the units of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of units (disregarding any consideration that is not common units) and option and unit appreciation rights exercise prices.
16.3 Adjustments.
Adjustments under Section 4.2 and this Section 16 related to Units or other securities of the Partnership shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be
final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Units or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole unit. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement at the time of grant, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Section 4.2 and Sections 16.1 and 16.2. This Section 16 shall not limit the Committee's ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event that is not a Change in Control.
16.4 No Limitations on Partnership.
The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Partnership to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Affiliate) or engage in any other transaction or activity.
17. GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.1 Disclaimer of Rights.
No provision in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ or Service of the Partnership or an Affiliate, or to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Partnership or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any natural person or entity at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any natural person or entity and the Partnership or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Partnership to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Partnership to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.
17.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan.
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the unitholders of the Partnership for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board in its discretion determines desirable.
17.3 Withholding Taxes.
The Partnership or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any Units upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award.
At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Partnership or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Partnership or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation, provided that if there is a same-day sale of Units subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Partnership or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Partnership or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by causing the Partnership or such Affiliate to withhold Units otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (b) by delivering to the Partnership or such Affiliate Units already owned by the Grantee. The Units withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the Units used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Partnership or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 17.3 may satisfy such Grantee's withholding obligation only with Units that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements. The maximum number of Units that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of Units pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of Units having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Partnership or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions or payment of Units. Notwithstanding Section 2.16 or this Section 17.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to this Section 17.3, for any Unit subject to an Award that are sold by or on behalf of a Grantee on the same date on which such Units may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the related Award Agreement, the Fair Market Value of such Units shall be the sale price of such Units on such date (or if sales of such Units are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such Units on such date), so long as such Grantee has provided the Partnership, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.
17.4 Captions.
The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.
17.5 Other Provisions.
Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
17.6 Number and Gender.
With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.
17.7 Severability.
If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
17.8 Governing Law.
The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
17.9 Section 409A of the Code.
The parties intend for the Awards granted under the Plan to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code or, if not so exempt, to be paid or provided in a manner which complies with the requirements of such section, and intend that this Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intention. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, (i) no amounts shall be paid to a Grantee under this Plan until the Grantee would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Partnership and its Affiliates within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (ii) amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to this Plan during the six-month period immediately following the Grantee's separation from service shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the Grantee's separation from service (or death, if earlier), (iii) each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separately identified payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (iv) any payments that are due within the “short term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires.
RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
under the
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP 2024 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
This Restricted Unit Award Agreement (“Agreement”), between NextEra Energy Partners, LP (hereinafter called the “Company”) and #ParticipantName+C# (hereinafter called the “Grantee”) is dated #GrantDate#. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement which are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the NextEra Energy Partners, LP 2024 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”).
1. Grant of Restricted Unit Award. The Company hereby grants to the Grantee #QuantityGranted# common units, which units (the “Awarded Units”) shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof, as well as all other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan. The par value of the Awarded Units shall be deemed paid by the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the terms of section 3(d) hereof, the Grantee shall have the right to receive distributions on the Awarded Units as and when paid.
2. Vesting–Restrictions and Limitations. (a) Subject to the limitations and other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, the Awarded Units shall vest, the Company shall remove all restrictions from the Awarded Units and the Grantee shall obtain unrestricted ownership of the Awarded Units in accordance with the schedule set forth below:
- #VestQty1# units on the later to occur of (i) #VestDate1#, or (ii) the date on which the Committee makes the certification described in section 2(b)(i) hereof (the “First Vest”);
- #VestQty2# units on the later to occur of (i) #VestDate2#, or (ii) the date on which the Committee makes the certification described in section 2(b)(ii) hereof (the “Second Vest”); and
- #VestQty3# units on the later to occur of (i) #VestDate3#, or (ii) the date on which the Committee makes the certification described in section 2(b)(iii) hereof (the “Final Vest”).
The period from the Grant Date of any Awarded Units through the date immediately preceding the date on which such Awarded Units vest shall, with respect to such Awarded Units, be hereinafter referred to as the “Restricted Period.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2(a) hereof,
(i) The First Vest (#VestDate1#) shall be conditioned on, subject to and shall not occur until certification by the Committee (by resolution or in such other manner as the Committee deems appropriate) that the performance target established by the Committee for purposes of this Agreement (such performance target being hereinafter referred to as
the “Performance Target”), for 2025 has been achieved. If the Committee does not or cannot certify that the Performance Target has been achieved by December 31, 2026, then the Grantee shall forfeit the right to the Awarded Units subject to the First Vest, and such Awarded Units shall be cancelled.
(ii) The Second Vest (#VestDate2#) shall be conditioned on, subject to and shall not occur until certification by the Committee (by resolution or in such other manner as the Committee deems appropriate) that the Performance Target for 2026 has been achieved. If the Committee does not or cannot certify that the Performance Target has been achieved by December 31, 2027, then the Grantee shall forfeit the right to the Awarded Units subject to the Second Vest, and such Awarded Units shall be cancelled.
(iii) The Final Vest (#VestDate3#) shall be conditioned on, subject to and shall not occur until certification by the Committee (by resolution or in such other manner as the Committee deems appropriate) that the Performance Target for 2027 has been achieved. If the Committee does not or cannot certify that the Performance Target has been achieved by December 31, 2028, then the Grantee shall forfeit the right to the Awarded Units subject to the Final Vest, and such Awarded Units shall be cancelled.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 2(a), 2(b) and 4 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the Plan, if (i) the Grantee is a party to an Executive Retention Employment Agreement with NextEra Energy, Inc. (the “Corporation”) (as amended from time to time, “Retention Agreement”) and has not waived his or her rights, either entirely or in pertinent part, under such Retention Agreement, and (ii) the Effective Date (as defined in the Retention Agreement) has occurred and the Employment Period (as defined in the Retention Agreement) has commenced and has not terminated pursuant to section 3(b) of the Retention Agreement then, the Awarded Units shall vest upon or in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Retention Agreement) as provided in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Retention Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 2(a), 2(b) and 4 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the Plan, if (i) the Grantee is not a party to a Retention Agreement with the Company, and (ii) prior to the second anniversary of a Change in Control (as defined, as of the date hereof, in the Plan or as defined in the 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Corporation (in either case, a “Change in Control”)), the Grantee’s Service is involuntarily terminated other than for Cause or Disability, then-unvested Awarded Units shall vest upon such termination.
(e) If as a result of a Change of Control (as defined in the Retention Agreement) or Change in Control, as applicable, the common units are exchanged for or converted into a different form of equity security and/or the right to receive other property (including cash), payment in respect of the Awarded Units shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be made in the same form.
3. Terms and Conditions. The Awarded Units shall be registered in the name of the Grantee effective on the Grant Date. The Company shall issue the Awarded Units either (i) in
certificated form, subject to a restrictive legend substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent, and shall provide for retention of custody of the Awarded Units prior to vesting and/or (ii) in the form of a book-entry or direct registration, subject to restrictions and instructions of like effect. Prior to vesting (and if the Awarded Units have not theretofore been forfeited in accordance herewith), the Grantee shall have the right to enjoy all unitholder rights (including without limitation the right to receive distributions (subject to forfeiture as more fully set forth below) and to vote the Awarded Units at all meetings of the unitholders of the Company at which unitholders have the right to vote) with the exception that:
(a) The Grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of Awarded Units until vesting.
(b) The Grantee may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of the Awarded Units prior to vesting thereof.
(c) In addition to the provisions set forth in section 4 hereof, a breach by the Grantee of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement shall result in the immediate forfeiture of all then unvested Awarded Units.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if all or a portion of the Awarded Units do not vest, whether upon the termination of the Grantee’s Service (including without limitation Service to any successors to the Company or an Affiliate), or otherwise (including without limitation if the Company fails to meet one or more Performance Targets established as described in section 2(b) hereof or if the Grantee breaches any provision hereof, including without limitation the provisions of section 9 hereof), all distributions paid to the Grantee on Awarded Units which have not vested (and which shall not thereafter vest in accordance with section 4 hereof) shall be forfeited, and shall be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Grantee’s obligation to repay such distributions accrues. For purposes hereof, such obligation to repay such distributions shall accrue (1) on such date as the Committee establishes that a Performance Target has not been met, as to all distributions paid on Awarded Units which are forfeited due to failure to meet such Performance Target; (2) on the date of termination of Service, as to all distributions paid on Awarded Units which are forfeited upon such termination of Service; and (3) upon forfeiture of unvested Awarded Units upon a breach by the Grantee of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (including without limitation any such forfeiture occurring after termination of Service).
4. Termination of Service. Except as otherwise set forth herein, with respect to any Awarded Units, the Grantee must remain in continuous Service (including to any successors to the Company or an Affiliate) from the effective date of this Agreement through the relevant vesting date for such Awarded Units as set forth in (or determined in accordance with) section 2 hereof in order for such Awarded Units to vest and in order to retain the distributions paid prior to vesting with respect to such Awarded Units. Except as otherwise set forth (a) herein, (b) in the Plan in connection with a Change in Control if the Grantee is not a party to a Retention
Agreement, or (c) in a Retention Agreement to which the Grantee is a party in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in such Retention Agreement), in the event that the Grantee’s Service (including to any successors to the Company or an Affiliate) terminates for any reason (or converts to inactive status in the manner specified in Section 4(b) hereof) prior to vesting, his or her rights hereunder shall be determined as follows:
(a) If the Grantee’s termination of Service is due to resignation, discharge, or retirement prior to age 55 and does not meet the condition set forth in section 4(d) hereof, all rights to Awarded Units not theretofore vested (including without limitation rights to distributions not theretofore paid and rights to retain distributions on Awarded Units which have not theretofore vested, as more fully set forth in section 3(d) hereof) under this Agreement shall be immediately forfeited. Forfeited distributions shall be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days after the Grantee’s termination of Service.
(b) If the Grantee’s termination of Service is due to Disability or death, or if the Grantee converts to inactive employee status on account of a determination of such Grantee’s total and permanent Disability under any long-term disability plan of the Company or an Affiliate (a “Disability Plan”), the then-unvested portion of the Awarded Units shall vest (1) in the case of the Grantee’s Disability, on the vesting schedule and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions (including without limitation satisfaction of the applicable Performance Targets) set forth in section 2 hereof, notwithstanding that the Grantee’s Service shall have previously terminated or the Grantee has converted to inactive employee status on account of Disability under any Disability Plan, and (2) in the case of the Grantee’s death, upon such termination of Service (treating the applicable Performance Targets in section 2 hereof as having been achieved).
(c) If the Grantee’s termination of Service is due to retirement on or after age 55 after completing at least ten years of continuous Service with the Company and does not meet the condition set forth in section 4(d) hereof, a pro rata unit of the then-unvested portion of the Awarded Units (determined as follows: (A) with respect to any unvested Awarded Units included in the First Vest, the product of (x) the quotient (which shall not exceed 1.0) of (I) the total number of full days of the Grantee’s Service completed during the Restricted Period divided by (II) 365, multiplied by (y) such unvested portion of the Awarded Units, and rounded to the nearest common unit; (B) with respect to any unvested Awarded Units included in the Second Vest, the product of (x) the quotient (which shall not exceed 1.0) of (I) the total number of full days of the Grantee’s Service completed during the Restricted Period divided by (II) 730, multiplied by (y) such unvested portion of the Awarded Units, and rounded to the nearest common unit; and (C) with respect to any unvested Awarded Units included in the Final Vest, the product of (x) the quotient (which shall not exceed 1.0) of (I) the total number of full days of the Grantee’s Service completed during the
Restricted Period divided by (II) 1,095, multiplied by (y) such unvested portion of the Awarded Units, and rounded to the nearest common unit) shall vest on the vesting schedule and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions (including without limitation satisfaction of the applicable Performance Targets) set forth in section 2 hereof, notwithstanding that the Grantee’s Service shall have previously terminated. For purposes of this section 4(c), 0.5 of a common unit shall be rounded up to the nearest unit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, after termination of Service but prior to vesting of all or any portion of the Awarded Units, the Grantee breaches any provision hereof, including without limitation the provisions of section 9 hereof, the Grantee shall immediately forfeit all rights to the then-unvested Awarded Units and any distributions theretofore paid on such then-unvested Awarded Units. Forfeited distributions shall be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Grantee’s obligation to repay such distributions accrues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any then-unvested Awarded Units shall not vest if the Company’s chief executive officer, or chief executive officer’s delegate, objectively determines that the Grantee’s retirement is detrimental to the Company.
(d) If the Grantee’s termination of Service is due to retirement on or after age 50, and if, but only if, such retirement is evidenced by a writing which specifically acknowledges that this provision shall apply to such retirement and is executed by the Company’s chief executive officer (or, if the Grantee is an executive officer, by a member of the Committee or the chief executive officer at the direction of the Committee, other than with respect to himself), the then-unvested portion of the Awarded Units shall vest on the vesting schedule and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions (including without limitation satisfaction of the applicable Performance Targets) set forth in section 2 hereof, notwithstanding that the Grantee’s Service shall have previously terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, after termination of Service but prior to vesting of all or a portion of the Awarded Units, the Grantee breaches any provision hereof, including without limitation the provisions of section 9 hereof, the Grantee shall immediately forfeit all rights to the then-unvested Awarded Units and any distributions theretofore paid on such then-unvested Awarded Units. Forfeited distributions shall be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Grantee’s obligation to repay such distributions accrues.
(e) If the Grantee's Service is terminated prior to vesting of all or a portion of the Awarded Units for any reason other than as set forth in sections 4(a), (b), (c), and (d) hereof, or if an ambiguity exists as to the interpretation of those sections, the Committee shall determine whether the Grantee's then-unvested Awarded Units shall be forfeited or whether the Grantee shall be entitled to full vesting or pro rata vesting as set forth above based upon completed days of service during the Restricted Period, and any Awarded Units which may vest shall do so on the vesting schedule and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions
(including without limitation satisfaction of the applicable Performance Targets) set forth in section 2 hereof, notwithstanding that the Grantee’s Service shall have previously terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, after termination of Service but prior to vesting of all or a portion of the Awarded Units, the Grantee breaches any provision hereof, including without limitation the provisions of section 9 hereof, the Grantee shall immediately forfeit all rights to the then-unvested Awarded Units and any distributions theretofore paid on such then-unvested Awarded Units. Forfeited distributions shall be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Grantee’s obligation to repay such distributions accrues.
(f) As a condition to this Restricted Unit Award, the Grantee hereby consents to the deduction from the Grantee’s final paycheck of an amount necessary to satisfy any obligation to repay forfeited distributions arising pursuant to this Section 4.
5. Income Taxes. The Grantee shall notify the Company immediately of any election made with respect to this Agreement under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Upon vesting and delivery of Awarded Units to the Grantee, the Company shall have the right to withhold from any such distribution, in order to meet the Company’s obligations for the payment of withholding taxes, common units with a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding for taxes (including federal and state income taxes and payroll taxes applicable to the supplemental taxable income relating to such distribution) and any other tax liabilities for which the Company has an obligation relating to such distribution.
6. Nonassignability. The Grantee's rights and interest in the Awarded Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of prior to vesting except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
7. Effect Upon Employment. This Agreement is not to be construed as giving any right to the Grantee for continuous employment by the Company or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate. The Company and its Subsidiaries and other Affiliates retain the right to terminate the Grantee at will and with or without cause at any time (subject to any rights the Grantee may have under the Grantee’s Retention Agreement).
8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company and the Grantee and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.
9. Protective Covenants. In consideration of the Awarded Units granted under this Agreement, the Grantee covenants and agrees as follows: (the “Protective Covenants”):
(a) During the Grantee's Service with the Company, and for a two-year period following the termination of the Grantee's Service with the Company, the Grantee agrees not to (i) compete or attempt to compete for, or act as a broker or otherwise participate in, any projects in which the Company has at any time done any work or undertaken any development efforts, or (ii) directly or indirectly solicit any of the Company’s customers, vendors, contractors, agents,
or any other parties with which the Company has an existing or prospective business relationship, for the benefit of the Grantee or for the benefit of any third party, nor shall the Grantee accept consideration or negotiate or enter into agreements with such parties for the benefit of the Grantee or any third party.
(b) During the Grantee's Service with the Company, and for a two-year period following the termination of the Grantee's Service with the Company, the Grantee shall not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of the Grantee or for any other business, person or entity, entice, induce or solicit or attempt to entice, induce or solicit any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates to leave the Company's employ (or the employ of such Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or to hire or to cause any employee of the Company to become employed for any reason whatsoever.
(c) The Grantee shall not, at any time or in any way, disparage the Company or its current or former officers, directors, and employees, orally or in writing, or make any statements that may be derogatory or detrimental to the Company’s good name or business reputation.
(d) The Grantee acknowledges that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law for monetary damages if the Grantee breaches these Protective Covenants. Therefore, in addition to all remedies to which the Company may be entitled for a breach or threatened breach of these Protective Covenants, including but not limited to monetary damages, the Company shall be entitled to specific enforcement of these Protective Covenants and to injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for a breach or threatened breach. In addition, upon any breach of these Protective Covenants or any separate confidentiality agreement or confidentiality provision between the Company and the Grantee, all the Grantee’s rights to receive theretofore unvested Awarded Units and distributions relating thereto under this Agreement shall be forfeited.
(e) The Grantee shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company al secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Grantee during the Grantee’s employment by the Company and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts of the Grantee or representatives of the Grantee in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.
(f) For purposes of this section 9, the term “Company” shall include all Subsidiaries and other Affiliates of the Company (such Subsidiaries and other Affiliates being hereinafter referred to as the “NextEra Entities”). The Company and the Grantee agree that each of the NextEra Entities is an intended third-party
beneficiary of this section 9, and further agree that each of the NextEra Entities is entitled to enforce the provisions of this section 9 in accordance with its terms.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the terms of these Protective Covenants shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain in effect.
10. Incorporation of Plan's Terms; Other Governing Provisions. This Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all the provisions of the Plan are also provisions of this Agreement, provided, however, (a) if there is a difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the mandatory provisions of the Plan, such mandatory provisions of the Plan shall govern, (b) if there is a difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the non-mandatory provisions of the Plan, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern, and (c) if there is a difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and/or a provision of the Plan with a provision of a Retention Agreement, such provision of such Retention Agreement shall govern. Any Retention Agreement constitutes “another agreement with the Grantee” within the meaning of the Plan (including without limitation sections 17.3 and 17.4 thereof). The Company and the Committee retain all authority and powers granted by the Plan and not expressly limited by this Agreement. The Grantee acknowledges that he or she may not and shall not rely on any statement of account or other communication or document issued in connection with the Plan other than the Plan, this Agreement, and any document signed by an authorized representative of the Company that is designated as an amendment of the Plan or this Agreement.
11. Interpretation. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of this Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or this Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive, absent manifest error.
12. Governing Law/Jurisdiction/Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. All suits, actions, and proceedings relating to this Agreement or the Plan shall be brought only in the courts of the State of Florida located in Palm Beach County or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Company and the Grantee hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of the courts described in this section 12 for the purpose of all suits, actions, and proceedings relating to the Agreement or the Plan. The Company and the Grantee each waive all objections to venue and to all claims that a court chosen in accordance with this section 12 is improper based on a venue or a forum non conveniens claim.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT WHICH ANY PARTY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING, LITIGATION OR COUNTERCLAIM BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
13. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part and in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, at any time and from time to time, by written agreement between the Company and the Grantee.
14. Adjustments. If the number of outstanding common units is increased or decreased or the common units are changed into or exchanged for a different number of units or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in common units effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, then the number of Awarded Units shall be adjusted proportionately. No adjustment shall be made in connection with the payment by the Company of any cash distribution on its common units or in connection with the issuance by the Company of any warrants, rights, or options to acquire additional common units or of securities convertible into common units.
15. Data Privacy. By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee: (i) authorizes the Company or any of the NextEra Entities, and any agent of the Company or any of the NextEra Entities administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services, to disclose to the Company or any of the NextEra Entities such information and data as the Company or any such NextEra Entities shall reasonably request in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement; and (ii) authorizes the Company or any of the NextEra Entities to store and transmit such information in electronic form, provided such information is appropriately safeguarded in accordance with Company policy.
By signing this Agreement, the Grantee accepts and agrees to all of the foregoing terms and provisions and to all the terms and provisions of the Plan incorporated herein by reference and confirms that the Grantee has received a copy of the Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
NEXTERA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
________________________________
John Ketchum
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
________________________________
#ParticipantName#
#EmployeeID#
Exhibit “A”
LEGEND TO BE PLACED ON STOCK CERTIFICATE
The common units represented by this certificate are subject to the provisions of the NextEra Energy Partners, LP 2024 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a Restricted Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the holder hereof and NextEra Energy Partners, LP and may not be sold or transferred except in accordance therewith. Copies of the Plan and Agreement are kept on file by the Executive Services Department of NextEra Energy, Inc.