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EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - Pattern Energy Group Inc.pegi2017123110kexhbit211.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
 
 
 
FORM 10-K
 
 
 
(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017.
-OR-
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-36087
 
 
 
PATTERN ENERGY GROUP INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
 
90-0893251
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Pier 1, Bay 3, San Francisco, CA 94111
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 283-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Toronto Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  ý
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
 
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 Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The aggregate market value of the voting stock and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based upon the last trading price of the registrant’s Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2017 was approximately $1,656,909,633. This excludes 18,136,573 shares of Class A common stock held by directors, officers, Pattern Renewables LP and certain of its affiliates, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board. Exclusion of shares does not reflect a determination that persons are affiliates for any other purpose.
The registrant’s Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PEGI".
On February 23, 2018, the registrant had 97,865,865 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders (the "2018 Proxy Statement") are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K where indicated. The 2018 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 15.
Item 16.


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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "should," "will," "would," or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our current plans, strategies, prospects, and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition, and other similar matters. While we believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or control, and there can be no assurance that future developments affecting our business will be those that we anticipate. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements, include but are not limited to, those summarized below and further described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors:"
our ability to complete acquisitions of power projects;
our ability to complete construction of construction projects and transition them into financially successful operating projects;
fluctuations in supply, demand, prices and other conditions for electricity, other commodities and renewable energy credits (RECs);
our electricity generation, our projections thereof and factors affecting production, including wind and other conditions, other weather conditions, availability and curtailment;
changes in law, including applicable tax laws;
public response to and changes in the local, state, provincial and federal regulatory framework affecting renewable energy projects, including those related to taxation, the U.S. federal production tax credit (PTC), investment tax credit (ITC) and potential reductions in Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requirements;
the ability of our counterparties to satisfy their financial commitments or business obligations;
the availability of financing, including tax equity financing, for our power projects;
an increase in interest rates;
our substantial short-term and long-term indebtedness, including additional debt in the future;
competition from other power project developers;
development constraints, including the availability of interconnection and transmission;
potential environmental liabilities and the cost and conditions of compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;
our ability to operate our business efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs effectively and generate cash flow;
our ability to retain and attract executive officers and key employees;
our ability to keep pace with and take advantage of new technologies;
the effects of litigation, including administrative and other proceedings or investigations, relating to our wind power projects under construction and those in operation;
conditions in energy markets as well as financial markets generally, which will be affected by interest rates, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and general economic conditions;
the effectiveness of our currency risk management program;
the effective life and cost of maintenance of our wind turbines and other equipment;
the increased costs of, and tariffs on, spare parts;
scarcity of necessary equipment;
negative public or community response to wind power projects;
the value of collateral in the event of liquidation; and
other factors discussed under "Risk Factors."

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Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Statistical Data
The statistical data used throughout this Form 10-K, other than data relating specifically solely to us, are based upon independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. We did not commission any of these publications or reports. These publications generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies and publications is reliable, we have not independently verified such data and make no representation as to the accuracy of such information.
Currency Information
In this Form 10-K, reference to "C$" and "Canadian dollars" are to the lawful currency of Canada, references to "JPY" and Japanese Yen are to the lawful currency of Japan and references to "$", "US$" and "U.S. dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States. All dollar amounts herein are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
MEANING OF CERTAIN REFERENCES
Unless the context provides otherwise, references herein to "we," "our," "us," "our company" and "Pattern" refer to Pattern Energy Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, unless the context requires otherwise, any reference in this Form 10-K to:
"FERC" refers to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
"FIT" refers to feed-in-tariff regime;
"FPA" refers to the Federal Power Act;
"GPI" refers to Green Power Investment Corporation;
"Identified ROFO Projects" refers to projects that we have identified as development projects, owned by either of the Pattern Development Companies and subject to our Project Purchase Rights. See Identified ROFO Projects list in Item 1. Business;
"IPPs" refers to independent power producers;
"ISOs" refers to independent system organizations, which are organizations that administer wholesale electricity markets;
"ITCs" refers to investment tax credits;
"kWh" refers to kilowatt hour
"Multilateral Management Services Agreement" (MSA) refers to the amended and restated multilateral services agreement between us and each of the Pattern Development Companies;
"MW" refers to megawatts;
"MWh" refers to megawatt hours;
"Non-Competition Agreement" refers to the second amended and restated non-competition agreement between us and each of the Pattern Development Companies in which we and each of the Pattern Development Companies have agreed to various arrangements with respect to how we may and may not compete with each other;
"Pattern Development Companies" refers collectively to Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 and their respective subsidiaries ;
"Pattern Development Purchase Rights" refer collectively to our right to acquire Pattern Development 1.0 or substantially all of its assets, as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 1.0 (Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Right) and to our right to acquire Pattern Development 2.0 or

4


substantially all of its assets, as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 2.0 (Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Right);
“Pattern Development 1.0” refers to Pattern Energy Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and, where the context so requires, its subsidiaries (excluding us);
“Pattern Development 2.0” refers to Pattern Energy Group 2 LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and, where the context so requires, its subsidiaries. We hold an approximate 21% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0;
"PSAs" or "power sale agreements" refer to PPAs and/or hedging arrangements, as applicable;
"PPAs" refer to power purchase agreements;
"Project Purchase Rights" refers collectively to our right of first offer with respect to power projects that Pattern Development 1.0 decides to sell, as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 1.0, and our right of first offer with respect to power projects that Pattern Development 2.0 decides to sell, as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 2.0 (in each case including any Identified ROFO Projects);
"PSP Investments" refers to the Public Sector Pension Investment Board;
"Purchase Rights" refers collectively to the Project Purchase Rights, and the Pattern Development Purchase Rights, as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 1.0 and the Amended and Restated Purchase Rights Agreement between us and Pattern Development 2.0;
"RECs" refers to renewable energy credits;
"Riverstone" refers to Riverstone Holdings LLC;
"ROFO" refers to right of first offer;
"RPS" refers to Renewable Portfolio Standards; and
"Sarbanes-Oxley Act" refers to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.




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PART I
Item 1.    Business

Overview
We are an independent power company focused on owning and operating power projects with stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets with potential for continued growth of our business.
We hold interests in 25 wind and solar power projects, including projects we have committed to acquire, with a total owned capacity of 2,942 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan and Chile that use proven and best-in-class technology. Each of our projects has contracted to sell all or a majority of its output pursuant to long-term, fixed-price power sale agreements (PSAs), some of which are subject to price escalation. Ninety-two percent of the electricity to be generated by our projects will be sold under our PSAs which have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 14 years as of December 31, 2017.
We were organized in the state of Delaware in October 2012. We issued 100 shares in October 2012 to Pattern Renewables LP, a 100% owned subsidiary of Pattern Development 1.0 and subsequently in October 2013 conducted an initial public offering.
Our Relationship with the Pattern Development Companies
Pursuant to the MSA, certain of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, also are shared executives of the Pattern Development Companies and devote their time to both us and the Pattern Development Companies as is prudent in carrying out their executive responsibilities and fiduciary duties. In December 2016, certain investment funds managed by Riverstone Holdings LLC, which own interests in Pattern Development 1.0, engaged in a transaction in which (a) certain assets of Pattern Development 1.0 consisting principally of early and mid-stage U.S. development assets (including the Grady, Stillwater Big Sky, Crazy Mountain and Ishikari projects which are Identified ROFO Projects) were transferred to a newly formed entity, Pattern Development 2.0, and (b) Pattern Development 1.0 retained the remainder of its assets consisting principally of the other Identified ROFO Projects, non-U.S. development assets, and its ownership interest in our Class A common stock. The purpose of the transaction was to facilitate additional long-term capital raises by Pattern Development 2.0 to support the growth in the development pipeline. We also entered into other agreements with Pattern Development 2.0 which were amended and restated in June 2017 and relate to the relationships among us and the Pattern Development Companies, including relating to purchase rights, service agreements and competition.
In 2017, we acquired approximately 21% ownership of Pattern Development 2.0. In February 2018, we made an additional contribution of $35.2 million pursuant to a Pattern Development 2.0 capital call, of which approximately $27 million was used toward Pattern Development 2.0's purchase of GPI. We have also committed to contribute up to an additional $197.5 million to Pattern Development 2.0 in one or more subsequent rounds of financing, which could result in our ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0 increasing up to 29%. If we do not participate in such subsequent rounds of financing, our ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0 may be diluted on a pro rata basis based on fair market value.
As of December 31, 2017, Pattern Development 1.0 owned approximately 7.5% of our outstanding Class A common stock. Our continuing relationship with the Pattern Development Companies provides us with access to a pipeline of acquisition opportunities. We believe the Pattern Development Companies’ focus on project development combined with our Project Purchase Rights will complement our acquisition strategy, which focuses on the identification and acquisition of operational and construction-ready power projects and investment in development companies.
Our Relationship with PSP Investments
In June 2017, we entered into a strategic joint venture agreement with PSP Investments. The joint venture agreement provides that PSP Investments has the right to co-invest alongside us, up to an aggregate amount of approximately $500 million, in energy projects we may acquire from the Pattern Development Companies, cooperate with us to complete third-party acquisitions (including possibly arranging for or providing bridge loans and construction financing), and we may add a person that has been designated by PSP Investments to our board of directors. In 2017, we, together with PSP Investments, acquired the Meikle Wind Energy Project from Pattern Development 1.0. In addition, in 2017, we sold a portion of our interest in the Panhandle 2 wind project to PSP Investments. This relationship provides us the ability to increase our portfolio with limited capital investment. In 2018, we expect to acquire Mont Sainte-Marguerite (MSM), together with PSP Investments from Pattern Development 1.0. PSP Investments is also an investor in Pattern Development 2.0. Additionally, in June 2017, PSP Investments acquired 8.7 million shares, or approximately 9.9%, of our outstanding Class A common

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stock from Pattern Development 1.0 and an additional 0.6 million shares from the Company's public offering that occurred on October 23, 2017.


7


Structure of Our Company
pegiorgchart.jpg
Industry
Wind and solar power have been two of the fastest growing sources of electricity generation in North America and globally over the past decade. In 2016, growth in solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity was larger than any other form of generation with 75 gigawatts (GW) of solar installed, bringing the installed PV capacity to 303 GW worldwide and representing 1.8% of global electricity demand. In 2017,

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global installed wind capacity grew by nearly 11%, bringing the global total to 540 GW. Projections by the International Energy Agency indicate renewable energy will continue to grow at a faster rate than fossil fuels over the next two decades.
Growth in the industry is largely attributable to the increasing cost competitiveness of wind and solar energy relative to other power generation technologies and public support for renewable energy driven by energy security and environmental concerns. The 11th annual report by Lazard on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for electricity-generating technologies shows renewables are the cheapest available sources of electricity even without government incentives. Globally, the LCOE for both utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind technologies are down approximately 6% from 2016. This is a trend confirmed by similar analyses of wind and solar costs by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Given increased demand, falling costs, and the inherent stability of the cost of renewable energy sources, we believe that our markets present substantial growth opportunities. We require a relatively small share of a very large market to meet our growth objectives, and we believe we will achieve growth through the acquisition of operational and construction-ready projects from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties.
Our Current Markets
The United States remains the second largest growth market for renewables in the world. In 2016, total wind power capacity in the United States reached 82,634 MW, representing 8% of installed capacity and approximately 6% of total electricity demand. Solar energy capacity reached 41,825 MW, representing 4% of installed capacity and 1% of total electricity demand. Government incentives contribute to the competitiveness of renewable energy by providing accelerated depreciation, tax credits for a portion of the development costs, decreasing the costs associated with developing, and creating demand for renewable energy assets through state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) programs. Additionally, demand has been increasing from commercial and industrial customers, such as major consumer brands and universities, and from the voluntary utility market. Nearly half of Fortune 500 companies and 63% of Fortune 100 companies have at least one climate or clean energy target. The Energy Information Administration expects these demand drivers to push renewable energy to 18% of electricity sales by 2030. State RPSs, specifically, are expected to drive an annual average increase of 4 GW of installed renewables capacity, with 18 GW added by 2020 and 55 GW by 2030.
The Canadian wind power industry has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, with installed capacity growing by an average of 15% per year during the last five years. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, installed wind power was 12,108 MW at the end of 2016, representing 9% of installed capacity in the country and 3% of energy generation. Clean energy policy occurs mostly at the provincial level. Alberta’s new Renewable Electricity Program is expected to drive development of at least 4,000 MW of new wind energy capacity by 2030, contributing to the expectation that demand met by renewable sources will triple from 9% today to 30% during this timeframe. Saskatchewan aims to have wind energy meet 30% of its electricity generating capacity by 2030, adding about 1,600 MW of new wind capacity.
In February 2018, we entered the Japan renewable energy market by committing to the acquisition of three wind projects, two of which are under construction, and two solar projects for a total owned capacity of 206 MW in Japan. In addition, we increased our investment in Pattern Development 2.0 in connection with its acquisition of a controlling interest in Green Power Investments (GPI), a well-established operating and development management team in Japan. Roughly 15% of Japan’s power needs were met by renewable energy in 2016. Wind and solar energy accounted for 6% of total generation and 18% of installed capacity, with 3,230 MW of wind power and 45,596 MW of solar power. Following the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011, the Japanese government has placed a greater emphasis on the development of renewable resources, aiming to have 22 to 24% of Japan's power generated by renewable energy by 2030. This effort was supported by the introduction of a Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program in 2012 that offered fixed-term, fixed-price contracts for up to 20 years to renewable power projects. Recently, the fixed-price for large solar projects has been replaced with a reverse auction system that has a bid floor set at Japanese Yen (JPY) 21 per kWh. The tariff prices for wind power remain fixed until March 2020, with an onshore wind tariff of JPY21 per kWh and an offshore wind tariff of JPY36 per kWh. As such, there remains a strong incentive for continued investment in the Japanese renewables market.
At the end of 2016, renewables represented 12% of all generation, with wind and solar representing 6% of generation in Chile. There was a total of 1,159 MW of wind power and 1,612 MW of solar power, totaling 12% of Chile’s installed capacity. Chile introduced a time sub-block system for power auctions in 2014, which creates opportunities for wind and solar to take advantage of the times of the day when available natural resources match the country’s energy needs. Mining operations in the country are energy-intensive and represent a large source of demand. The copper industry alone accounted for 29% of total energy generated in 2015. Relief from curtailment of renewables that has occurred since 2015 is expected in 2018 from the interconnection of Chile’s largest two system operators.

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Our Developing Markets
The Pattern Development Companies are actively working in Mexico, and we expect to add Mexican projects to the Identified ROFO Projects list in the future. Mexico’s Congress has enacted sweeping reforms to its electric generation industry in recent years, opening new opportunities for private investment in generation and creating a mandate to obtain at least 35% of its generation from clean sources by 2024. The Ministry of Energy estimates an additional 13.41 GW of wind and solar during this period, representing an average annual addition of 871 MW per year for wind power and 804 MW per year for solar. The government expects energy demand to increase 2.9% annually over the next fifteen years. In this period, wind is expected to grow by 13 GW and solar by 8 GW. At the end of 2016, wind and solar energy accounted for 3% of total generation and 5% of installed capacity, with 3,468 MW of wind power and 349 MW of solar power.
The map below provides a depiction of our projects and Identified ROFO Projects geographically:
pegimap.jpg

Our Core Values and Financial Objectives
We intend to maximize long-term value for our stockholders in an environmentally responsible manner and with respect for the communities in which we operate. Our business is built around three core values of creative energy and spirit, pride of ownership and follow-through, and a team first attitude, which guide us in: 
creating a safe and high-integrity work environment for our employees;
applying rigorous analysis to all aspects of our business in a timely, disciplined and functionally integrated manner to understand patterns in wind regimes, technology developments, market trends and regulatory, financial and legal constraints; and
working proactively with our stakeholders to address environmental and community concerns, which we believe is a socially responsible approach that also benefits our business by reducing operating risks at our projects.

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Our financial objectives, which we believe will maximize long-term value for our stockholders, are to: 
produce stable and sustainable cash available for distribution;
selectively grow our project portfolio and our dividend per Class A share of common stock; and
maintain a strong balance sheet and flexible capital structure.
Our Business Strategy
To achieve our financial objectives while adhering to our core values, we intend to execute the following business strategies:
Maintaining and Increasing the Value of Our Projects
We intend to efficiently operate our projects to meet projected revenue and cash available for distribution. We expect to maximize the long-term value of our projects by focusing on value-oriented project availability (by ensuring our projects are operational when the wind is strong and power sale agreement prices are at their highest) and by regularly scheduled and preventative maintenance. We believe that good operating performance begins with a long-term maintenance program for our equipment. We also seek to improve performance or lower operating costs by working closely with our equipment vendors and considering contracting with third parties for maintenance, when appropriate.
We believe it is important to employ our own personnel in aspects of our business that we deem critical to the value of our projects. We have entered into revised long-term turbine manufacturer service arrangements at certain of our projects pursuant to which the turbine manufacturer will continue to provide routine and corrective maintenance service, but we would become responsible for a portion of the maintenance and repairs, including on major component parts. We expect to continue entering into similar arrangements at other projects in the future. We employ on-site personnel, maintain a 24/7 operations control center to monitor our projects and control all critical aspects of commercial asset management.
Selectively Growing Our Business
Our strategy for growth is focused on the acquisition of operational and construction-ready power projects from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties that, together such measured investments into the development business, we believe will contribute to the growth of our business and enable us to increase our dividend per share of Class A common stock over time. We expect that projects we may acquire in the future will represent a logical extension of our existing business and be consistent with our risk profile, and that any incremental assumption of risk will require commensurate expectations of higher returns. As a result, our near-term growth strategy will remain focused on largely contracted cash flows with creditworthy counterparties and operating or in-construction projects.
We expect that opportunities will continue to arise from our relationship with the Pattern Development Companies, which provide us with the opportunity to acquire projects as they develop, construct and achieve commercial operations at these projects. Additionally, the investment in Pattern Development 2.0 supports growth in Pattern Development 2.0's development pipeline.
From time to time, we may also consider the disposal of a project, particularly if we believe we can utilize funds realized from such a disposal in a more productive manner or generate a higher return on investment.
Maintaining a Prudent Capital Structure and Financial Flexibility
We intend to maintain a conservative approach to our capital structure to protect our ability to meet our financial obligations, pay our regular dividends and to fund investments for future growth. Power projects by their nature require significant capital investment, and as a result, we seek to protect our business through careful management of our capital structure.
The foundation of our capital structure is built on project finance arrangements intended to ensure risk segmentation across our large project portfolio, and our practice has been to structure our project finance arrangements comprised of a mix of debt, tax equity and equity to conform to investment grade-like credit standards. Specifically, we seek to structure our project finance arrangements to:
match assets with liabilities based on a project’s off-take tenor and currency denomination;
fix or hedge project debt on a long-term basis;
amortize our third party project finance capital within the tenor of the off-take arrangement; and
apply conservative debt service coverage or tax equity structuring standards.

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Our project capital structure is supplemented with a corporate capital layer that primarily relies on equity capital. Our corporate indebtedness, which includes unsecured senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million which we issued in January 2017 (the 2024 Unsecured Senior Notes), is modest, and intended to ensure broad capital access. In addition, our strategic partnership with PSP Investments is intended to expand capital access and improve flexibility in managing capital requirements.
We seek to ensure financial flexibility and stability through our corporate revolving credit facility, maturity staging, minimization of interest rate exposure, and maintenance of our credit ratings. Our foreign currency denominated project dividends are further managed through a short-to-medium term foreign exchange program. We believe this approach, together with a strategic consideration of project-level financial restructuring and recapitalization opportunities, will contribute to our ability to maintain and, over time, increase our cash available for distribution.    
Working Closely with Our Stakeholders
We believe that close working relationships with our various stakeholders, including suppliers, power sales agreement counterparties, regulators, the local communities where we are located and environmental organizations and with the Pattern Development Companies and other developers enable us to best support our existing projects and will help us access attractive, construction-ready projects.

Competition
We compete with other wind and solar power, infrastructure funds and renewable energy companies, as well as conventional power companies, to acquire profitable construction-ready and operating projects. In addition, competitive conditions may be substantially affected by various forms of energy legislation and regulation considered from time to time by federal, state, provincial and local legislatures and administrative agencies.
Competitive Strengths
We believe we compete with other industry participants by having high quality projects which are positioned to generate stable long-term cash flows which in turn give us access to low-cost project-level debt and strong stakeholder relationships. Some of the key attributes of our projects include long-term fixed priced power sale agreements, a geographically diverse market with varying wind and solar regimes and regulatory environment; and state-of-the-art wind turbines and solar panels. Further contributing to our competitive strength is our approach to project selection which focuses on the acquisition of projects that are operational and have long term power sales agreements with creditworthy counterparties. We believe our relationship with the Pattern Development Companies provides us with access to a pipeline of acquisition opportunities that also supplements our competitive strengths. Pattern Development 1.0's ownership interest in us is 7.5%.
Our Projects
We hold interests in 25 wind and solar power projects, including projects which we have committed to acquire, with a total owned capacity of 2,942 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan and Chile that use proven and best-in-class technology. Each of our projects has contracted to sell all or a majority of its output pursuant to long-term, fixed-price PSAs, some of which are subject to price escalation. Each of our projects has gone through a rigorous vetting process to meet our investment and our lenders’ financing criteria. As a result, our projects generally have the following characteristics: 
multi-year on-site wind and solar data analysis tied to one or more long-term wind and solar energy reference sources;
long-term PSAs designed to ensure a predictable revenue stream;
contractually secured real estate property and easement rights for a period well in excess of the project’s expected useful life and contractual obligations;
a firm right to interconnect to the electricity grid through interconnection agreements, which define the cost allocation and schedule for interconnection, as well as any upgrades required to connect the project to the transmission system;
long-term, limited-recourse, amortizing project financing designed to match the long-lived nature of our power projects and the related power sales agreements;
secured construction and operating permits and other requisite federal, state or provincial and local permits, and regulatory approvals;
fixed-price turbine supply and construction contracts with guaranteed completion dates;

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an operations and maintenance service program based on our own on-site personnel and central operations management as well as equipment warranties (for at least the first two years of operation) and service arrangements with qualified providers experienced in wind and solar project maintenance (including in some instances our internal operations group); and
safety, environmental and community programs to support our existing projects and relationships in the communities in which we operate.

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The following table provides an overview of our wind and solar projects:
Operating Project
 
Location
 
Commencement of Commercial Operations
 
Rated Capacity in MW(1)
 
Our Owned Capacity(2)
 
Type
 
Contracted
Volume(3)
 
Counterparty
 
Counterparty Credit Rating(4)
 
Contract Expiration
Hatchet Ridge
 
California
 
2010
 
101

 
101

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Pacific Gas & Electric
 
A-/A2
 
2025
Ocotillo
 
California
 
2012(5)
 
265

 
265

 
PPA
 
100%
 
San Diego Gas & Electric
 
A/A1
 
2033
Spring Valley
 
Nevada
 
2012
 
152

 
152

 
PPA
 
100%
 
NV Energy
 
A/Baa2
 
2032
Gulf Wind
 
Texas
 
2009
 
283

 
283

 
Hedge
 
58%
 
Morgan Stanley
 
BBB+/A3
 
2019
Panhandle 1
 
Texas
 
2014
 
218

 
172

 
Hedge
 
80%
 
Citigroup Energy Inc.
 
BBB+/Baa1
 
2027
Panhandle 2
 
Texas
 
2014
 
182

 
75

 
Hedge
 
80%
 
Morgan Stanley
 
BBB+/A3
 
2027
Logan's Gap
 
Texas
 
2015
 
200

 
164

 
PPA
 
58%
 
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
 
AA/Aa2
 
2025
Logan's Gap
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedge
 
17%
 
Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc.
 
A-/A3
 
2028
Post Rock
 
Kansas
 
2012
 
201

 
120

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Westar Energy, Inc.
 
BBB+/Baa1
 
2032
Lost Creek
 
Missouri
 
2010
 
150

 
150

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
 
AA/A1
 
2030
Amazon Wind
 
Indiana
 
2015
 
150

 
116

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Amazon.com, Inc.
 
AA-/Baa1
 
2028
St. Joseph
 
Manitoba
 
2011
 
138

 
138

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Manitoba Hydro
 
A+/Aa2
 
2039
Santa Isabel
 
Puerto Rico
 
2012
 
101

 
101

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority
 
D/Ca
 
2037
El Arrayán
 
Chile
 
2014
 
115

 
81

 
Hedge
 
74%
 
Minera Los Pelambres
 
NA
 
2034
Grand
 
Ontario
 
2014
 
149

 
67

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Independent Electricity System Operator(7)
 
NA/Aa2
 
2034
South Kent
 
Ontario
 
2014
 
270

 
135

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Independent Electricity System Operator(7)
 
NA/Aa2
 
2034
K2
 
Ontario
 
2015
 
270

 
90

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Independent Electricity System Operator(7)
 
NA/Aa2
 
2035
Armow
 
Ontario
 
2015
 
180

 
90

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Independent Electricity System Operator(7)
 
NA/Aa2
 
2035
Broadview
 
New Mexico
 
2017
 
324

 
272

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Southern California Edison
 
BBB+/A2
 
2037
Meikle
 
British Columbia
 
2017
 
179

 
91

 
PPA
 
100%
 
BC Hydro
 
NA/Aaa
 
2042
Mont Sainte-Marguerite (6)
 
Quebec
 
2018
 
143

 
73

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Hydro-Quebec
 
NA/Aa2
 
2043
Futtsu Solar (8)
 
Japan
 
2016
 
29

 
29

 
PPA
 
100%
 
TEPCO Energy Partner
 
Ba2
 
2036
Kanagi Solar (8)
 
Japan
 
2016
 
10

 
10

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Chugoku Electric Power Company
 
A3
 
2036
Otsuki (8)
 
Japan
 
2006
 
12

 
12

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Shikoku Electric Power Company
 
A-
 
2026
Ohorayama (8)
 
Japan
 
2018
 
33

 
33

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Shikoku Electric Power Company
 
A-
 
2038
Tsugaru (8)
 
Japan
 
2020
 
122

 
122

 
PPA
 
100%
 
Tohoku Electric Power Company
 
Unrated
 
2040
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,977

 
2,942

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

14


(1) 
Rated capacity represents the maximum electricity generating capacity of a project in MW. As a result of weather and other conditions, a project will not operate at its rated capacity at all times and the amount of electricity generated may be less than its rated capacity. The amount of electricity generated may vary based on a variety of factors.
(2) 
Owned capacity represents the maximum, or rated, electricity generating capacity of the project in MW multiplied by our percentage ownership interest in the distributable cash flow of the project.
(3) 
Represents the approximate percentage of a project’s total estimated average annual MWh of electricity generation contracted under power purchase agreements or hedge arrangements.
(4) 
Reflects the counterparty’s or counterparty guarantor's corporate credit ratings issued by either Standard and Poor's (S&P) or Moody’s, or both S&P and Moody's, as of December 31, 2017.
(5) 
In 2013, 42 MW of owned capacity was added to our owned capacity.
(6) 
In June 2017, we committed to acquire from Pattern Development 1.0 a 51% interest in MSM, a 143MW wind power project.
(7) 
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) acts as the settlement agent under the respective PPA
(8) 
In February 2018, we committed to acquire 206 MW of owned capacity in wind and solar power projects in Japan from Pattern Development 1.0 and GPI.
Identified Right of First Offer Projects
Our continuing relationship with the Pattern Development Companies provides us with access to a pipeline of acquisition opportunities. Currently, the Pattern Development Companies have a more than a 10 GW pipeline of development projects, which are subject to our right of first offer. We target achieving a total owned or managed capacity of 5,000 MW by year end 2020 through a combination of acquisitions from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties capitalizing on the large and fragmented global renewable energy market. Our business is primarily focused in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Chile; however, we expect opportunities in Mexico will form part of our growth strategy.
Below is a summary of the Identified ROFO Projects that we expect to acquire from Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 in connection with our Project Purchase Rights:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capacity (MW)
Identified
ROFO Projects
 
Status
 
Location
 
Construction
Start
 (1)
 
Commercial
Operations 
(2)
 
Contract
Type
 
Rated (3)
 
Pattern
Development
Companies
Owned
(4)
Pattern Development 1.0 Projects
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conejo Solar(5)
 
Operational
 
Chile
 
2015
 
2016
 
PPA
 
104
 
104
Belle River
 
Operational
 
Ontario
 
2016
 
2017
 
PPA
 
100
 
43
El Cabo
 
Operational
 
New Mexico
 
2016
 
2017
 
PPA
 
298
 
125
North Kent
 
Operational
 
Ontario
 
2017
 
2018
 
PPA
 
100
 
35
Henvey Inlet
 
In construction
 
Ontario
 
2017
 
2019
 
PPA
 
300
 
150
Pattern Development 2.0 Projects
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stillwater Big Sky
 
Late stage development
 
Montana
 
2017
 
2018
 
PPA
 
79
 
67
Crazy Mountain
 
Late stage development
 
Montana
 
2017
 
2019
 
PPA
 
80
 
68
Grady
 
Late stage development
 
New Mexico
 
2018
 
2019
 
PPA
 
220
 
188
Sumita
 
Late stage development
 
Japan
 
2019
 
2021
 
PPA
 
100
 
55
Ishikari
 
Late stage development
 
Japan
 
2019
 
2022
 
PPA
 
100
 
100
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,481
 
935
(1) 
Represents year of actual or anticipated commencement of construction.
(2) 
Represents year of actual or anticipated commencement of commercial operations.
(3) 
Rated capacity represents the maximum electricity generating capacity of a project in MW. As a result of weather and other conditions, a project will not operate at its rated capacity at all times and the amount of electricity generated may be less than its rated capacity. The amount of electricity generated may vary based on a variety of factors.
(4) 
Pattern Development Companies-Owned capacity represents the maximum, or rated, electricity generating capacity of the project in MW multiplied by Pattern Development 1.0's or Pattern Development 2.0's percentage ownership interest in the distributable cash flow of the project.
(5) 
From time to time, we conduct strategic reviews of our markets. We have been conducting a strategic review of the market, growth, and opportunities in Chile. In the event we believe we can utilize funds that have already been invested in Chile or funds that might otherwise be invested in Chile in a more productive manner elsewhere that could generate a higher return on investment, we may decide to exit Chile for other opportunities with greater potential. In addition, Pattern Development 1.0 is also concurrently exploring strategic alternatives for its assets in Chile.
Government Incentives and Tax Credits
Renewable energy sources in the United States have benefited from various federal and state governmental incentives, such as production tax credits and investment tax credits. Production tax credits and investment tax credits for wind energy on the federal level were extended in December of 2015, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act which extended the expiration date for tax credits for wind facilities commencing construction, with a five-year phase-down beginning for wind projects commencing construction after December 31, 2014.
Hedging Activity
Most of our revenue is subject to long-term PPAs. To the extent that PPAs are not available in a given market, but market prices allow for acceptable project economics, we will enter into hedging agreements to obtain a fixed price for the energy output of our projects, typically by hedging volumes that are expected to be exceeded 99.0% of the time. Those hedging agreements are executed for a monthly or hourly production profile that matches the forecasted production profile of the project.
Most of our interest rate exposure is hedged either through fixed-rate debt arrangements or hedging of floating rate loans. We enter into interest rate hedging agreements to convert floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt for some of our projects, usually at the time we close

15


construction or term financing of a project. We also monitor our corporate-level interest rate exposure and may, from time to time, enter into interest rate hedges to mitigate our exposure.
We have a currency risk management program. The objective of the program is to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk arising from transactions or cash flows that have a direct or underlying exposure in non-U.S. dollar denominated currencies in order to reduce volatility in our cash flow, which may have an adverse impact to our short-term liquidity or financial condition.
Geographic information
The table below provides information about our consolidated operations by country. Revenue is recorded in the country in which it is earned and assets are recorded in the country in which they are located (in thousands):
 
 
Revenue
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
United States
 
$
315,642

 
$
285,187

 
$
258,542

 
$
3,121,387

 
$
2,652,122

 
$
2,791,259

Canada
 
62,063

 
39,207

 
39,178

 
550,183

 
177,093

 
184,115

Chile
 
33,639

 
29,658

 
32,111

 
293,551

 
305,947

 
319,246

Total
 
$
411,344

 
$
354,052

 
$
329,831

 
$
3,965,121

 
$
3,135,162

 
$
3,294,620

Customers
We sell our electricity and RECs primarily to local utilities under long-term, fixed-price PPAs or, in limited instances, local liquid ISO markets. For the year ended December 31, 2017, San Diego Gas & Electric was our only significant customer representing 13.4% of our total revenue.

16


Suppliers
There are a limited number of renewable equipment suppliers; however, we believe that current manufacturing capacity is adequate. Our equipment supply strategy is largely based on maintaining strong relationships with leading equipment suppliers to secure our supply needs.
Project
 
Supplier
 
Number of
Turbines/Panels
 
Equipment Type
Hatchet Ridge
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
44
 
SWT-2.3-93
Ocotillo
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
112
 
SWT-2.3-108
Spring Valley
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
66
 
SWT-2.3-101
Gulf Wind
 
Mitsubishi
 
118
 
MWT 95/2.4
Panhandle 1
 
General Electric
 
118
 
1.85 - 87
Panhandle 2
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
79
 
SWT-2.3-108
Logan’s Gap
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
87
 
SWT-2.3-108
Post Rock
 
General Electric
 
134
 
1.5-82.5
Lost Creek
 
General Electric
 
100
 
1.5-82.5
Amazon Wind
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
65
 
SWT-2.3-108
St. Joseph
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
60
 
SWT-2.3-101
Santa Isabel
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
44
 
SWT-2.3-108
El Arrayán
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
50
 
SWT-2.3-101
Grand
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
67
 
SWT-2.3-101
South Kent
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
124
 
SWT-2.3-101
K2
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
140
 
SWT-2.3-101
Armow
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
91
 
SWT-2.3-101
Broadview
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
141
 
SWT-2.3-108
Meikle
 
General Electric
 
61
 
GE 2.75-120 & GE 3.2-103
Mont Sainte-Marguerite (1)
 
Siemens-Gamesa
 
46
 
SWT-3.2-113
Futtsu Solar (2)
 
Kyocera
 
168,840
 
KK250P-3CF-3CG
Kanagi Solar (2)
 
Kyocera
 
54,720
 
KK250P-3CF-3CG
Otsuki (2)
 
Mitsubishi
 
12
 
MWT 1000 A
Ohorayama (2)
 
General Electric
 
11
 
GE 3.0MW-103
Tsugaru
 
General Electric
 
38
 
GE 3.2MW-103
(1) 
We have committed to acquire the MSM project and expect to close in early to mid 2018.
(2) 
We have also committed to acquire in Japan the Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki, Ohorayama and Tsugaru projects which we expect to close in early to mid 2018.
Other important suppliers include engineering and construction companies, such as M. A. Mortenson Company, RES-Americas and Blattner Energy, Inc., with whom we contract to perform civil engineering, electrical work and other infrastructure construction for our projects.
While we do self-perform some turbine service and maintenance activities, the majority of our service work is currently performed by the original equipment manufacturers, primarily Siemens-Gamesa and General Electric. Both of these providers are industry leaders in the renewable service business. As described elsewhere, while we expect over time to increase self-perform activities, we do expect to continue to utilize both original equipment manufacturers and qualified independent service companies for a substantial amount of our service and maintenance needs.
Regulatory Matters
Our operations are subject to regulation by various federal and state government agencies, including, but, not limited to, the following:

17


U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Our current projects in operation in the United States are operating as Exempt Wholesale Generators (EWGs) as defined under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended, (PUHCA) and therefore are exempt from certain regulation under PUHCA. Other than Gulf Wind, Panhandle 1, Panhandle 2, and Logan’s Gap, our operating projects in the United States are, however, public utilities under the Federal Power Act subject to rate regulation by FERC. Our future projects in the United States will also likely be subject to such rate regulation once they are placed into service. Our projects in the United States that are subject to FERC rate regulation are required to obtain acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of energy (i.e., not retail sales to consumers), capacity and ancillary services, including their ability to charge “market-based rates.”
Independent System Operators (ISOs)
Most of our North American projects are located in regions in which the wholesale electric markets are administered by ISOs and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs).
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
All of our current operating projects located in North America are also subject to the reliability standards of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). If we fail to comply with the mandatory reliability standards, we could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties.
Regulatory Matters - Canada
All of our current operating projects in Canada are subject to exclusive provincial regulatory authority with respect to the generation and production of electricity, which varies across provincial jurisdictions. In Canada, activities related to owning and operating wind projects and participating in wholesale and retail energy markets are regulated at the provincial level. In Ontario, for example, electricity generation facilities must be licensed by the Ontario Energy Board and may also be required to complete registrations and maintain market participant status with the IESO, in which case they must agree to be bound by and comply with the provisions of the market rules for the Ontario electricity market as well as the mandatory reliability standards of the NERC.
Environmental Regulation
Our operations are required to comply with various environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These existing and future laws and regulations may impact existing and new projects, require us to obtain and maintain permits and approvals, comply with all environmental laws and regulations applicable within each jurisdiction and implement environmental, health and safety programs and procedures to monitor and control risks associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of regulated or permitted energy assets, all of which involve a significant investment of time and resources. Existing initiatives and rules, some of which could potentially have a material effect (either positive or negative) on us, are as follows:
Avian/Bat Regulations and Wind Turbine Siting Guidelines
We are subject to numerous environmental regulations and guidelines related to threatened and endangered species and their habitats, as well as avian and bat species, for the ongoing operations of our facilities. Environmental laws in the U.S., including the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as well as similar environmental laws in Canada (such as the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Endangered Species Act of 2007), among others, provide for the protection of migratory birds, eagles and bats and endangered species of birds and bats and their habitats. In addition to regulations, voluntary wind turbine siting guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set forth siting, monitoring and coordination protocols that are designed to support wind development in the U.S. while also protecting both birds and bats and their habitats.
Regulation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
The U.S. Congress and certain states and regions, as well as the Government of Canada and its provinces, have taken and continue to take certain actions, such as finalizing regulation or setting targets and goals, regarding the reduction of GHG emissions and the increase of renewable energy generation.

18


Environmental Matters— Domestic
We are required to obtain a range of environmental permits and other approvals to build and operate our projects, including, but not limited to, those described below from U.S. federal, state and local governmental authorities. In addition to being subject to these regulatory requirements, we could experience and have experienced significant opposition from third parties when we initially apply for permits or when there is an appeal proceeding after permits are issued. The delay or denial of a permit or the imposition of conditions that are costly or difficult to comply with can impair or even prevent the development of a project or can increase the cost so substantially that the project is no longer attractive to us.
Federal Clean Water Act
Frequently, our U.S. projects are located near wetlands, and we are required to obtain permits under the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands and streams. The Clean Water Act also requires that we mitigate any loss of wetland functions and values that accompanies our activities, obtain permits under the Clean Water Act for water discharges, such as storm water runoff associated with construction activities, and to follow a variety of best management practices to ensure that water quality is protected and impacts are minimized.
Federal Bureau of Land Management Permits
As some of our U.S. projects are located on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, we are required to obtain rights-of-way from the Bureau of Land Management. The Bureau of Land Management encourages the development of wind power within acceptable areas, consistent with Environmental Policy Act of 2005 and the Bureau of Land Management’s energy and mineral policy.
National Environmental Policy Act
Our U.S. projects may also be subject to environmental review under the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of all "major federal actions" significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The granting of a land lease, a federal permit or similar authorization for a major development project, or the interconnection of a significant private project into a federal project generally is considered a "major federal action" that requires review under NEPA. As part of the NEPA review, the federal agency considers a broad array of environmental impacts, including impacts on air quality, water quality, wildlife, historical and archaeological resources, geology, socioeconomics and aesthetics and alternatives to the project. A federal agency may decide to deny a permit based on its environmental review under NEPA, though in most cases a project would be redesigned to reduce impacts or agree to provide some form of mitigation to offset impacts before a denial is issued.
National Historic Preservation Act
U.S. federal agencies consider a project’s impact on historical or archeological resources under the U.S. National Historic Preservation Act and may require us to conduct archeological surveys or take other measures to protect these resources. The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to evaluate the impact of all federally funded or permitted projects on historic properties (buildings, archaeological sites, etc.)
Other State and Local Programs
In addition to federal requirements, our U.S. projects, and any future U.S. projects we may acquire, are subject to a variety of state environmental review and permitting requirements. Many states where our projects are located, or may in the future be located, have laws that require state agencies to evaluate a broad array of environmental impacts before granting state permits. The state environmental review process often resembles the federal NEPA process and may be more stringent than the federal review. Our projects also often require state law based permits in addition to federal permits.
Our projects also are subject to local environmental and regulatory requirements, including county and municipal land use, zoning, building and transportation requirements. Local or state regulatory agencies may require modeling and measurement of permissible sound levels in connection with the permitting and approval of our projects. Local or state agencies also may require us to develop decommissioning plans for dismantling the project at the end of its functional life and establish financial assurances for carrying out the decommissioning plan.

19


Environmental Matters—Canada
We are required to obtain a range of environmental permits and other approvals to build and operate our Canadian projects, including, but not limited to, those described below from Canadian federal, provincial and local governmental authorities. In addition to being subject to these regulatory requirements, we could experience and have experienced significant opposition from third parties, including, but not limited to, environmental non-governmental organizations, neighborhood groups, municipalities and First Nations when the permits were initially applied for or when there is an appeal proceeding after permits are issued. The delay or denial of a permit or the imposition of conditions that are costly or difficult to comply with can impair or even prevent the development of a project or can increase the cost so substantially that the project is no longer attractive to us.
Ontario Renewable Energy Approvals
Our projects in Ontario are subject to Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, which requires proponents of significant renewable energy projects to obtain a Renewable Energy Approval (REA). The REA application requires a variety of studies on environmental, archeological and heritage issues. Significant public consultation, as well as consultation with indigenous communities, is also required. Before issuing a REA, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment evaluates a broad range of potential impacts, including on wildlife, wetlands and water resources, communities, scenic areas, species and heritage resources, as well as impacts on people. This review can be time consuming and expensive, and an approval can be rejected or approved with conditions that are costly or difficult to comply with. REAs are also subject to appeal by third parties and can result and have resulted in lengthy appeal tribunal hearings.
Quebec Environmental Impact Assessment
Quebec`s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a required permit for wind energy projects with a nameplate capacity above 10 MW. The EIA requires a variety of studies related to environmental, archeological and heritage issues. Significant public consultation, as well as consultation with indigenous communities, is also required. The culmination of this permitting process is the issuing of a project specific decree by the provincial council of ministers. Before issuing the decree, the Quebec Ministry of Environment evaluates a broad range of potential impacts, including on wildlife, wetlands and water resources, communities, scenic areas, species and heritage resources, as well as impacts on people.
Quebec Commission for the Protection of Agricultural Land
In addition to the EIA process, the other major permit in Quebec is granted by the Quebec Commission for the Protection of Agricultural Land. This permit is only required on land that is zoned agricultural. This permitting body will push proponents to minimize footprints during both the construction phase and the operations phase.
Manitoba Environment Act
The Manitoba Environment Act requires proponents of significant projects to submit a proposal with the Manitoba Conservation Environmental Assessment & Licensing Branch, and to comply with Manitoba’s environmental assessment process under the Environment Act. This process will consider a similar range of impacts on the environment, the heritage and scenic values of an area and on people, communities and wildlife as the Ontario process, and brings with it similar risks.
Endangered Species Legislation
Our Canadian renewable energy projects may be subject to endangered species legislation, either federally or provincially, which prohibits and imposes stringent penalties for harming endangered or threatened species and their habitats. Our projects may also be subject to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, which protects the habitat of migratory species, and which may also trigger federal "Species at Risk" requirements. Because the operation of wind turbines may result in injury or fatalities to birds and bats, avian and bat risk assessments are generally required both prior to permits being issued for projects and after commercial operations. In Ontario, if any of the affected species are listed as endangered or threatened, permits under the Endangered Species Act may also be required.
Other Approvals
Our Canadian projects, and any future projects we may acquire, are subject to a variety of other federal, provincial and municipal permitting and zoning requirements. Most provinces where our projects are located or may be located have laws that require provincial agencies to evaluate a broad array of environmental impacts before granting permits and approvals. These agencies evaluate similar issues as the permitting regimes above, including impact on wildlife, historic sites, aesthetics, wetlands and water resources, scenic areas, endangered and threatened species and communities. In addition, federal government approvals dealing with, among other things, aeronautics,

20


fisheries, navigation or species protection may be required and could in some cases trigger additional environmental assessment requirements. Additional requirements related to the permitting of transmission lands may be applicable in some cases. Our projects are also subject to certain municipal requirements, including land use and zoning requirements except where superseded by Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009, as well as requirements for building permits and other municipal approvals that can be difficult or costly to comply with and impair or prevent the development of a project.
Environmental Matters – Chile
We are required to obtain a range of environmental permits and other approvals from various governmental agencies in Chile to build and operate our projects, including, but not limited to, items described below.
Ministry of Environment
The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the formulation and implementation of environmental policies, including those affecting the wind industry, plans and programs, as well as for the formulation of environmental quality and emission standards, the protection and conservation of biological diversity, renewable natural resources and water resources, and for promoting sustainable development and the integrity of environmental policy and regulations.
Environmental Assessment Service
The Environmental Assessment Service is responsible for assessing whether projects that might have an adverse effect on the environment, including wind projects, comply with Chilean environmental laws and regulations.
Superintendency of Environment
The Superintendency of the Environment’s primary responsibilities are monitoring compliance with the terms of the corresponding environmental licenses, as well as monitoring compliance with government plans to prevent environmental damage or to clean or restore contaminated geographical areas. The Superintendency of the Environment has the power to suspend activities that it deems to have an adverse environmental impact, even if such activities comply with a previously approved environmental impact assessment. In case of noncompliance with environmental regulations, it is enabled to apply fines, revoke the environmental license of a project or determine its closure.
The Environmental Courts, and Health and Safety
The Environmental Courts are principally responsible for hearing appeals of determinations made by the Superintendency of the Environment and for adjudicating claims for environmental damage.
Companies in the wind energy sector, like all companies, must comply with the general principles concerning employee health and safety contained in the Chilean Sanitary Code, Labor Code and other labor and health regulations. The Chilean Health Ministry and the Department of Labor are responsible for the enforcement of those standards, with the authority to impose fines among other sanctions. In addition, the Superintendence of Electricity and Fuels has the responsibility to monitor compliance and also the authority to impose fines and stop operations of violators.
Management, Disposal and Remediation of Hazardous Substances
We own and lease real property and may be subject to requirements regarding the storage, use and disposal of petroleum products and hazardous substances, including spill prevention, control and counter-measure requirements. If our owned or leased properties are contaminated, whether during or prior to our ownership or operation, we could be responsible for the costs of investigation and cleanup and for any related liabilities, including claims for damage to property, persons or natural resources. That responsibility may arise even if we were not at fault and did not cause or were not aware of the contamination. In addition, waste we generate is at times sent to third-party disposal facilities. If those facilities become contaminated, we and any other persons who arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at those sites may be jointly and severally responsible for the costs of investigation and remediation, as well as for any claims for damage to third parties, their property or natural resources.
Employees
As of December 31, 2017, we had 210 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered by any collective bargaining agreement.

21


Available Information
We make our United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including our 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 our website, www.patternenergy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after those documents are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information and materials available on our website are not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks, together with other information provided to you in this Form 10-K. If any of the following risks were to occur, our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might have to decrease, or may not be able to pay, dividends on our Class A shares, the trading price of our Class A shares could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our company. Risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Projects
Electricity generated from wind energy depends heavily on suitable wind conditions and wind turbines being available for operation. If wind conditions are unfavorable or below our expectations, or our wind turbines are not available for operation, our projects’ electricity generation and the revenue generated from our projects may be substantially below our expectations.
The revenue generated by our projects is principally dependent on the number of MWh generated in a given time period. The quantity of electricity generation from a wind power project depends heavily on wind conditions, which are variable. Variability in wind conditions can cause our project revenues to vary significantly from period to period. We base our decisions about which projects to acquire as well as our electricity generation estimates, in part, on the findings of long-term wind and other meteorological studies conducted on the project site and its region, which measure the wind’s speed, prevailing direction and seasonal variations. Projections of wind resources also rely upon assumptions about turbine placement, wind turbine power curves, interference between turbines and the effects of vegetation, land use and terrain, which involve uncertainty and require us to exercise considerable judgment. We may make incorrect assumptions in conducting these wind and other meteorological studies. Any of these factors could cause our projects to generate less electricity than we expect and reduce our revenue from electricity sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Even if an operating project’s historical wind resources are consistent with our long-term estimates, the unpredictable nature of wind conditions often results in daily, monthly and yearly material deviations from the average wind resources we may anticipate during a particular period. If the wind resources at a project are materially below the average levels we expect for a particular period, our revenue from electricity sales from the project could correspondingly be less than expected. A diversified portfolio of projects located in different geographical areas tends to reduce the magnitude of the deviation, but material deviations may still occur. Our cash available for distribution is most directly affected by the volume of electricity generated and sold by our projects. However, for a static portfolio of projects, our consolidated expenses, including operating expenses and interest payments on indebtedness, have less variability than the volume of electricity generated and sold. Accordingly, decreases in the volume of electricity generated and sold by our projects typically result in a proportionately greater decrease in our cash available for distribution. See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation-Factors that Significantly Affect our Business-Factors Affecting our Operational Results-Electricity Sales and Energy Derivative Settlements of Our Operating Projects.”
A reduction in electricity generation and sales, whether due to the inaccuracy of wind energy assessments or otherwise, could lead to a number of material adverse consequences for our business, including:
our projects’ failure to produce sufficient electricity to meet our commitments under our PPAs, hedge arrangements or contracts for sale of RECs, which could result in our having to purchase electricity or RECs on the open market to cover our obligations or result in the payment of damages or the termination of a PPA;

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our projects not generating sufficient cash flow to make payments of principal and interest as they become due on project-related debt, or distributing sufficient cash flow to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares. For example, certain of our projects have experienced lower than expected production and merchant power prices resulting in those projects failing to pass financial tests that measure cumulative cash distributions to the members. This has in the past, and may in the future, result in a temporary change of the cash percentage to be directed to the tax equity members until the shortfall is remedied. See “-Risks Related to Ownership of our Class A Shares - Our cash available for distribution to holders of our Class A shares may be reduced as a result of restrictions on our subsidiaries’ cash distributions to us under the terms of their indebtedness;” and
our projects’ hedging arrangements being ineffective or more costly.
Our projects rely on a limited number of key power purchasers.
There are a limited number of possible power purchasers for electricity and RECs produced in a given geographic location. Because our projects depend on sales of electricity and RECs to certain key power purchasers, our projects are highly dependent upon these power purchasers fulfilling their contractual obligations under their respective PPAs. Our projects’ power purchasers may not comply with their contractual payment obligations or may become subject to insolvency or liquidation proceedings during the term of the relevant contracts and, in such event, we may not be able to find another purchaser on similar or favorable terms or at all. In addition, we are exposed to the creditworthiness of our power purchasers and there is no guarantee that any power purchaser will maintain its credit rating, if any. For example, the power purchaser at our Santa Isabel project in Puerto Rico has been experiencing difficulties as further described in the following risk factor. To the extent that any of our projects’ power purchasers are, or are controlled by, governmental entities, our projects may also be subject to legislative or other political action that impairs their contractual performance. In addition to the failure by any key power purchasers to meet their contractual commitments or the insolvency or liquidation of one or more of our power purchasers, we note that our key power purchasers may seek to renegotiate or terminate PPAs that were contracted for at a time when the prices for power were higher than they may currently be in the relevant markets by asserting that we have not performed our obligations under our contractual commitments under a PPA. Each such situation could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
The power purchaser at our Santa Isabel project in Puerto Rico has been experiencing difficulties that have affected our Santa Isabel project.
Our 101 MW Santa Isabel project located on the south coast of Puerto Rico sells 100% of its electricity generation including environmental attributes to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) under a 20-year PPA. On July 2, 2017, the Financial Oversight and Management Board (or Oversight Board) established pursuant to the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (or PROMESA) with oversight authority over the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its agencies, including PREPA, filed a voluntary petition for relief for PREPA in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The petition was filed pursuant to PROMESA thereby commencing a case under Title III thereof which is a specific statutory vehicle that allows the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities, such as PREPA, to adjust their debt (similar to a bankruptcy proceeding). While PREPA has previously made payments of amounts due under the PPA for production, including full payment for all pre-petition receivables, no assurances can be given that PREPA will pay future receivables. Furthermore, under the Title III proceeding, PREPA and the Oversight Board will eventually need to determine whether to assume the PPA or reject the PPA, subject to court approval. A rejection of the PPA would likely have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The fact of PREPA’s insolvency and its filing under Title III each constituted an event of default under the project’s financing agreement. However, in August 2017, the lender issued a letter withdrawing the event of default associated with the PREPA insolvency. Pursuant to our agreement with the lender, the Santa Isabel project may not make distributions to us until such time as lender consents (which will not be unreasonably withheld if PREPA assumes the PPA). Despite such agreement, no assurances can be given that PREPA will determine to assume the PPA, will not take actions that separately constitute an event of default under our financing agreement, or that Santa Isabel will be able to remain current with respect to its payments under the financing agreement. In any such event, another event of default under the financing agreement would occur and no assurances can be given that the lender would agree to a further withdrawal, waiver or other standstill of any such other event of default, or the lender would not otherwise decide in such circumstance to accelerate and declare the entire amount of debt under the financing agreement immediately due and payable. Even though the Santa Isabel financing agreement is non-recourse to us, it is secured by the Santa Isabel project and any exercise of remedies by the lender could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, on September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, made direct landfall on Puerto Rico and caused substantial damage to PREPA’s electricity transmission and distribution assets. PREPA asserted a force majeure event under the PPA with respect to its assets, claiming relief of its obligations to perform substantially all of its obligations under the PPA, except its obligation to make payments thereunder. While our project equipment did not suffer significant damage, Santa Isabel was not authorized to return to service by PREPA due to system reliability issues until mid-February 2018 and, even after returning to service, remains heavily curtailed. No assurances can be given as to if or when Santa Isabel may begin to operate at its full capacity.

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In connection with the asserted force majeure event, PREPA stated that immediately after Hurricane Maria, PREPA believed approximately 80% of its energy transmission and distribution infrastructure had been damaged, resulting in PREPA being unable to provide electrical power to the majority of its customers. High disaster recovery costs coupled with negligible utility billings of its customers due to interruption of service have contributed to a short term liquidity constraint that PREPA has acknowledged and which is limiting its ability to pay suppliers timely. Further, given the current condition of PREPA’s transmission and distribution assets and the logistical complexity associated with remediating the damage, no assurances can be given as to when the asserted force majeure under the PPA might abate and PREPA’s timely performance might resume under the PPA, or how the disruption will affect PREPA’s bankruptcy-like proceedings under Title III of the PROMESA (including any decision by PREPA whether to assume the Santa Isabel PPA).
A prolonged environment of low prices for natural gas, other conventional fuel sources, or competing renewable resources could have a material adverse effect on our long-term business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Historically low prices for traditional fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, could cause demand for wind power and solar power to decrease and adversely affect the price of the electricity we generate for sale on a spot-market basis. In addition, excessive building of competing renewable resources in a limited geographic area resulting in congestion and potential curtailment could also adversely affect pricing available on the spot-market. See Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Commodity Price Risk." Low spot-market power prices, if combined with other factors, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash available for distribution. Additionally, cheaper conventional fuel sources or competing renewable resources could also have a negative impact on the power prices we are able to negotiate upon the expiration of our current power sale agreements or upon entering into a power sale agreement for a subsequently acquired power project. As a result, the price of our electricity or RECs subject to the open market could be materially and adversely affected, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash available for distribution.
Operation and maintenance problems at our renewable energy projects including natural events may cause our electricity generation to fall below our expectations.
Our electricity generation levels depend upon our ability to maintain the working order of our wind turbines and balance of the plant. A natural disaster, severe weather, accident, failure of major equipment, shortage of or inability to acquire critical replacement or spare parts, failure in the operation of any future transmission facilities that we may acquire, including the failure of interconnection to available electricity transmission or distribution networks, could damage or require us to shut down our turbines or related equipment and facilities, impeding our ability to maintain and operate our facilities and decreasing electricity generation levels and our revenues. For example, Hurricane Maria resulted in damage to PREPA’s transmission and distribution assets that caused our Santa Isabel project in Puerto Rico to be shut-in until mid-February 2018. The power purchaser at our Santa Isabel project in Puerto Rico has been experiencing difficulties that have affected our Santa Isabel project. In addition, several of our projects had previously experienced blade failures, and no assurances can be given that potential equipment deficiencies will not in fact continue to occur, that we will always have warranty coverage for any such defects, that the warranty provider would fulfill its obligations under such warranty coverage (including any liquidated damages compensation provisions), or that any such effects will not have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
We typically enter into warranty agreements with the turbine manufacturer for two to ten-year terms, however, such agreements are typically subject to an aggregate maximum liability cap and there can be no assurance that the manufacturer or third-party service provider will be able to fulfill its contractual obligations. In addition, such agreements can vary as to what equipment maintenance risks are fully assumed by the service provider and what equipment failure risks will be repaired at the owner’s cost.
As warranty terms with the manufacturer expire, we have entered and intend to continue entering into revised long-term turbine manufacturer service arrangements at certain of our projects pursuant to which the turbine manufacturer continues to provide routine and corrective maintenance service, but we are responsible for a portion of the maintenance and repairs, including on major component parts. While the revised service arrangements reduce fixed contract costs, in the event of unexpectedly high turbine component failures for which we as owner have assumed responsibility, we may face decreased revenues of a project and increased project expense which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our investors. We expect over time in the future to continue taking on additional risks as an owner, including increased self-performance of maintenance and service work with our own technicians instead of utilizing service providers, which will have expected cost benefits, but will similarly come with additional increased risks and reduced third party warranty and guarantee protections.
Replacement and spare parts for wind turbines and key pieces of electrical equipment may be difficult or costly to acquire or may be unavailable. Sources for some significant spare parts and other equipment are often located outside of the jurisdictions in which our power projects operate. Additionally, our operating projects generally do not hold spare substation main transformers. These transformers are designed specifically for each wind power project, and order lead times can be lengthy. If one of our projects had to replace any of its

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substation main transformers, it would be unable to sell all of its power until a replacement is installed. To the extent we experience a prolonged interruption at one of our operating projects due to natural events or operational problems and such events are not fully covered by insurance, our electricity generation levels and revenues could materially decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
Climate change may have the long-term effect of changing wind patterns at our projects which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our investors
Climate change may have the long-term effect of changing wind patterns at our projects. Changing wind patterns could cause changes in expected electricity generation. These events could also degrade equipment or components and the interconnection and transmission facilities’ lives or maintenance costs. We may face decreased revenues of a project and increased project expense which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our investors.
Many of our projects have limited operating history and our growth may make it difficult for us to manage our project expansion efficiently.
We have a relatively new portfolio of assets, including several projects that have only recently commenced commercial operations. Stockholders should consider our prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties growing companies encounter in rapidly evolving industries such as ours. Also, our anticipated near-term growth could make it difficult for us to manage our project expansion efficiently due to an inability to employ a sufficient number of skilled personnel or otherwise to effectively manage our capital expenditures and control our costs, including the requisite general and administrative costs necessary to achieve our anticipated growth. These challenges could adversely affect our ability to manage our current or future operating projects in an efficient manner and complete construction of any construction projects in a timely manner, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
Our operations are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.
Our projects are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which our projects operate or will operate. These laws and regulations require our projects to obtain and maintain permits and approvals, undergo environmental impact assessments and review processes and implement environmental, health and safety programs and procedures to control risks associated with the siting, construction, operation and decommissioning of power projects. For example, to obtain permits some projects are, in certain cases, required to undertake programs to protect and maintain local endangered or threatened species. If such programs are not successful, our projects could be subject to increased levels of mitigation, penalties or revocation of our permits.
Violations of environmental and other laws, regulations and permit requirements, including certain violations of laws protecting wetlands, migratory birds, bald and golden eagles and threatened or endangered species, may also result in criminal sanctions or injunctions. In addition, if our projects do not comply with applicable laws, regulations or permit requirements, or if there are endangered or threatened species fatalities at our projects, we may be required to pay penalties or fines or curtail or cease operations of the affected projects. For example, in connection with a permit we obtained at our Spring Valley wind facility, we had to adopt a mitigation plan with respect to injuries and fatalities to golden eagles, and were required to establish a process in the event of incidents, including reporting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We have followed such required processes in connection with three golden eagle incidents since January 1, 2013, and, in addition, we have filed an application for an eagle take permit which is under consideration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While we have entered into an agreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to fund additional research into mitigation measures and incurred nominal fines with respect to the prior eagle incidents, no assurances can be given that we will not be required to implement further increased levels of mitigation, or face additional penalties, fines, or other measures as a result of golden eagle incidents at our Spring Valley facility or any of our other wind facilities.  In addition, no assurances can be given that our eagle take permit will be approved.
Certain environmental laws impose liability on current and previous owners and operators of real property for the cost of removal or remediation of hazardous substances, even if the owner or operator did not know of, or was not responsible for, the release of such hazardous substances. In addition to actions brought by governmental agencies, private plaintiffs may also bring claims arising from the presence of hazardous substances on a property or exposure to such substances. Our projects’ liabilities at properties we own or operate arising from past releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements may change and become more stringent. Any such changes could require our projects to incur additional material costs or cause our projects to suffer adverse consequences. For example, the Ministry

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of Environment in Ontario has established regulatory requirements governing noise restrictions for wind farms which are an integral part of the permitting framework for our projects in certain jurisdictions. In the event of changes in either the regulatory requirements or permitting framework, there is risk that our projects that were designed for compliance within the existing framework and requirements for noise could still be evaluated by regulators as noncompliant. These risks are enhanced because testing for compliance with noise requirements is technically complex, carries some degree of uncertainty, and does not have significant precedent in that market. In the event of a determination of noncompliance, there is risk that the necessary mitigation, which would likely need to occur during periods of higher wind speeds, could require curtailment of energy production at the facility, with a resulting reduction in revenues.
Our projects’ costs of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements (including any change in noise regulations), and any liabilities, fines or other sanctions resulting from violations of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be unable to complete any future construction projects on time, and our construction costs could increase to levels that make a project too expensive to complete or make the return on our investment in that project less than expected.
While we have agreements to acquire projects in construction, including Mont Sainte-Marguerite, Ohorayama and Tsugaru, which is in construction, we currently do not own any projects in construction. There may be delays or unexpected developments in completing any of our own future construction projects, which could cause the construction costs of these projects to exceed our expectations. Our construction projects would typically be designed and constructed under fixed-price and schedule engineering, procurement, and construction contracts with reputable construction and equipment suppliers, and would typically have liquidated damages provisions for non-performance by the contractors subject to specified limitations on the amount of damages we can recover from the contractor. We may suffer significant construction delays or construction cost increases as a result of underperformance of these contractors and equipment suppliers, as well as other suppliers, to our projects. No assurances can be given that disputes with project construction providers will not arise in the future. While we will attempt to reach a settlement if disputes do arise, no assurances can be given that we would actually reach a settlement or that any such settlement amount would be covered by the remaining budgeted project contingencies. If an equitable settlement cannot be reached, arbitration or legal action could be commenced, and any final judgment or decision could result in increased costs which could make the return on our investment in the project less than expected.
Additionally, various other factors could contribute to construction-cost overruns and construction delays, including:
inclement weather conditions;
failure to receive generating equipment or other critical components and equipment necessary to maintain the operating capacity of our projects, in a timely manner or at all;
failure to complete interconnection to transmission networks, which relies on several third parties, including interconnection facilities provided by local utilities;
failure to maintain all necessary rights to land access and use;
failure to receive quality and timely performance of third-party services;
failure to maintain environmental and other permits or approvals;
failure to meet domestic content requirements;
appeals of environmental and other permits or approvals that we hold;
lawful or unlawful protests by or work stoppages resulting from local community objections to a project;
shortage of skilled labor on the part of our contractors;
adverse environmental and geological conditions; and
force majeure or other events out of our control.
Any of these factors could give rise to construction delays and construction costs in excess of our expectations. These circumstances could prevent our construction projects from commencing operations or from meeting our original expectations about how much electricity

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they will generate or the returns they will achieve. In addition, substantial delays could cause defaults under our financing agreements or under PPAs that require completion of project construction by a certain date at specified performance levels or could result in the loss or reduction of expected tax benefits. Our inability to transition construction projects into financially successful operating projects would have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay dividends.
Our projects rely on interconnections to transmission lines and other transmission facilities that are owned and operated by third parties which exposes us to risks. Our projects are also exposed to interconnection and transmission facility development and curtailment risks, which may delay the completion of any construction projects or reduce the return to us on those investments.
Our projects depend upon interconnection to electric transmission lines owned and operated by regulated utilities to deliver the electricity we generate. A failure or delay in the operation or development of these interconnection or transmission facilities could result in our losing revenues because such a failure or delay could limit the amount of power our operating projects deliver or delay the completion of any construction projects. For example, we have experienced situations where the substation to which a project was required to deliver power under its PPA had been shut down for maintenance and we needed to then take steps to mitigate the transmission outage at the delivery substation, including making alternative transmission arrangements to deliver power at an alternative substation through alternative short term transmission and revenue arrangements and selling environmental attributes to a third party. If similar circumstances occurred in the future, there could be no assurances that we would be able to make alternative transmission arrangements or the revenues produced from any alternative arrangements would be equivalent to the revenues that would have been generated had such transmission outage not occurred. Furthermore, individual alternative arrangements made to mitigate the transmission outage may present their own risks, such as possible curtailment risks on the alternative transmission arrangements or pricing risks in the merchant power market, which could adversely affect the overall efficacy of any mitigation efforts. If we were unable to mitigate potential losses, other future sustained transmission outages at a delivery substation could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, certain of our operating projects’ generation of electricity may be curtailed without compensation (or, in some cases, choose to continue operating but accept negative power prices) due to transmission limitations or limitations on the electricity grid’s ability to accommodate intermittent electricity generating sources, reducing our revenues and impairing our ability to capitalize fully on a particular project’s potential. Such a failure or curtailment at levels above our expectations could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. For example, in certain geographic areas in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market in Texas, construction of renewable energy projects has exceeded the available capacity of the existing transmission infrastructure resulting in localized congestion on transmission facilities utilized by certain of our projects. While these projects have financial hedges that partially protect revenues against movement in broader power markets, these instruments generally do not provide protection against localized congestion impacts, which are borne by the projects. In addition, planned or forced outages of transmission circuits in such strained areas of the grid can, and has, compounded the adverse impact on our operations. While efforts to construct additional transmission facilities are underway, there is no assurance that such additional facilities will be sufficient to relieve congestion, or that construction of new generation facilities will not continue to exceed the capacity of any added transmission in the future.
In addition to the risks described above regarding the broader electric grid, many of our projects also own private transmission lines to deliver our power to available electricity transmission or distribution networks. In some cases, these facilities may span significant distances. A failure in our operation of these facilities that causes the facilities to be temporarily out of service, or subject to reduced service, could result in lost revenues because it could limit the amount of electricity our operating projects are able to deliver. In addition, in many of the markets in which we operate or are looking to expand operations, should there be any excess capacity available in those generator lead facilities, and should a third party request access to such capacity, the relevant regulatory authority in such jurisdiction, such as FERC in the United States, or other authorities might, require our projects to provide service over such facilities for that excess capacity to the requesting third party at regulated rates. Should this occur in markets with such regulations, the projects could be subject to additional regulatory risks and costly compliance burdens associated with being considered the owner and operator of a transmission facility.
The loss of one or more of our executive officers or key employees may adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our operating projects and complete any construction projects on schedule.
We depend on our experienced management team and the loss of one or more key executives could have a negative impact on our business. We also depend on our ability to retain and motivate key employees and attract qualified new employees. Because the wind power industry is relatively new, there is a scarcity of experienced employees in the wind power industry. We may not be able to replace departing members of our management team or key employees. Integrating new executives into our management team and training new employees with no prior experience in the power industry could prove disruptive to our projects, require a disproportionate amount of resources and management attention and ultimately prove unsuccessful. An inability to attract and retain sufficient technical and managerial personnel

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could limit our ability to effectively manage our operating projects and complete any construction projects on schedule and within budget, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
The employee transfer may adversely affect our costs.
Under the Amended and Restated Multilateral Management Services Agreement (“A&R Multilateral Services Agreement”) we entered into with both Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 in June 2017, we continue to have the option to cause the employees of Pattern Development 1.0 to become our employees. We refer to this event as the Pattern Development 1.0 employee transfer, and we may effect such employee transfer after the earliest to occur of notice from Pattern Development 1.0 that it will be completing a wind-down, June 16, 2020, and the failure of Pattern Development 1.0 to provide the resources and services called for under the A&R Multilateral Services Agreement after notice and opportunities to cure. In addition, while Pattern Development 2.0 currently does not have any employees, the A&R Multilateral Services Agreement provides for certain circumstances pursuant to which we can require Pattern Development 2.0 to cause its employees (if any) to become our employees. We refer to this event as the Pattern Development 2.0 employee transfer. Following the occurrence of either a Pattern Development 1.0 employee transfer event or (in the event Pattern Development 2.0 has employees) a Pattern Development 2.0 employee transfer event, we will be faced with increased costs associated with employing a larger number of employees. If either Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 reduce the scope of their development activities and are therefore not paying us for the services of the transferred employees pursuant to the terms of the A&R Multilateral Services Agreement and our development activities remain insignificant, we may not immediately require the services of all such employees. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
Our use and enjoyment of real property rights for our projects may be adversely affected by the rights of lienholders and leaseholders that are superior to those of the grantors of those real property rights to our projects.
Our projects generally are, and any of our future projects are likely to be, located on land occupied pursuant to long-term easements, leases and rights-of-way. The ownership interests in the land subject to these easements, leases and rights-of-way may be subject to mortgages securing loans or other liens (such as tax liens) and other easement, lease rights and rights-of-way of third parties (such as leases of oil or mineral rights) that were created prior to our projects’ easements, leases and rights-of-way. As a result, certain of our projects’ rights under these easements, leases or rights-of-way may be subject, and subordinate, to the rights of those third parties. We perform title searches, obtain title insurance and enter into non-disturbance agreements to protect ourselves against these risks. Such efforts may, however, be inadequate to protect our operating projects against all risk of loss of our rights to use the land on which our projects are located, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, certain lands, such as lands under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are subject to contractual rights that permit the BLM to periodically adjust rent due on properties and other obligations, such as the amount of required reclamation security, to market terms. Any such loss or curtailment of our rights to use the land on which our projects are located, any increase in rent due, or any increase in other obligations with respect to such lands could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operating projects are, and other future projects may be, subject to various governmental regulations, approvals, and compliance requirements that regulate the sale of electricity, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our current projects in operation in the United States are operating as EWGs as defined under PUHCA and therefore are exempt from certain regulation under PUHCA. Other than Gulf Wind, Panhandle 1, Panhandle 2, and Logan’s Gap, our operating projects in the United States are, however, public utilities under the Federal Power Act subject to rate regulation by FERC. Our future projects in the United States will also likely be subject to such rate regulation once they are placed into service. Our projects in the United States that are subject to FERC rate regulation are required to obtain acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of energy (i.e., not retail sales to consumers), capacity and ancillary services, including their ability to charge “market-based rates.” FERC may revoke or revise an entity’s authorization to make wholesale sales at market-based rates if FERC subsequently determines that such entity and its affiliates can exercise horizontal or vertical market power, create barriers to entry or engage in abusive affiliate transactions or market manipulation. In addition, public utilities in the United States are subject to FERC reporting requirements that impose administrative burdens and that, if violated, can expose the company to criminal and civil penalties or other risks.
Most of our North American projects are located in regions in which the wholesale electric markets are administered by ISOs and RTOs. Several of our current operating projects are subject to CAISO which is the ISO that prescribes rules for the terms of participation in the California energy market; the ERCOT, which is the ISO that prescribes the rules for and terms of participation in the Texas energy market; and IESO, which is the ISO that administers the wholesale electricity market in Ontario. The Southwest Power Pool is the RTO and regional market administrator for our Post Rock project. Lost Creek is in the Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. a subregion of the SERC Reliability Corporation. Amazon Wind is in the PJM RTO. Many of these entities can impose rules, restrictions and terms of service

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that are quasi-regulatory in nature and can have a material adverse impact on our business. For example, ISOs and RTOs have developed bid-based locational pricing rules for the energy markets that they administer. In addition, most ISOs and RTOs have also developed bidding, scheduling and market behavior rules, both to curb the potential exercise of market power by electricity generating companies and to ensure certain market functions and system reliability. These actions could materially adversely affect our ability to sell, and the price we receive for, our energy, capacity and ancillary services.
All of our current operating projects located in North America are also subject to the reliability standards of the NERC. If we fail to comply with the mandatory reliability standards, we could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties. Although our U.S. projects are not subject to state utility regulation because our projects sell power exclusively on a wholesale basis, we are subject to certain state regulations that may affect the sale of electricity from our projects, the operations of our projects, as well as the potential for state electricity taxes. All of our current operating projects in Canada are subject to exclusive provincial regulatory authority with respect to the generation and production of electricity, which varies across provincial jurisdictions. Changes in regulatory treatment at the state and provincial level are difficult to predict and could have a significant impact on our ability to operate and on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our industry could be subject to increased regulatory oversight.
Our industry could be subject to increased regulatory oversight. Changing regulatory policies and other actions by governments and third parties with respect to curtailment of electricity generation, electricity grid management restrictions, interconnection rules and transmission may all have the effect of limiting the revenues from, and increasing the operating costs of, our projects which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Due to regulatory restructuring initiatives at the federal, provincial and state levels, the electricity industry has undergone changes over the past several years. Future government initiatives will further change the electricity industry. Some of these initiatives may delay or reverse the movement towards competitive markets. We cannot predict the future design of wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that on-going regulatory changes will have on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our projects are not able to insure against all potential risks and may become subject to higher insurance premiums.
Our projects are exposed to the risks inherent in the construction and operation of wind, solar and transmission power projects, such as breakdowns, manufacturing defects, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and sabotage. We are also exposed to environmental risks. We have insurance policies covering certain risks associated with our business. Our insurance policies do not, however, cover losses as a result of certain force majeure events or terrorism. In addition, our insurance policies for our projects may cover losses as a result of certain types of natural disasters or sabotage, among other things, but such coverage is not always available in the insurance market on commercially reasonable terms and is often capped at predetermined limits that may not be adequate. Our insurance policies are subject to annual review by our insurers and may not be renewed on similar or favorable terms or at all. A serious uninsured loss or a loss significantly exceeding the limits of our insurance policies could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations may have an impact on our financial results and condition.
We have exposures to currency exchange rate fluctuations, primarily the Canadian dollar and (commencing in 2018) Japanese yen, related to owning and operating part of our business outside of the United States. A portion of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and we expect net revenue from non-U.S. dollar markets to continue to represent a portion of our net revenue. We manage our currency exposure through a variety of methods, including efforts to match our asset and liabilities in the same currencies, mainly by raising local currency debt. In addition, we have implemented a currency hedging program to, in part, manage short and medium term fluctuations in our dividends from our wind facilities located outside the United States. However, any measures that we have implemented or may implement in the future to reduce the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations and other risks of our global operations may not be effective or may be expensive. We cannot provide assurance that currency exchange rate fluctuations will not otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations or cause significant fluctuations in quarterly and annual results of operations.
Foreign currency translation risk arises upon the translation of balance sheet and statement of operations items of our non-U.S. dollar denominated subsidiaries whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar into the functional currency and reporting currency of us (which is the U.S. dollar) for purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K presented in U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. dollar denominated subsidiaries are translated at the closing rate at the date of reporting and statement of operations items are translated at the average rate for the period. All resulting exchange differences are recognized in a separate component of equity, “Foreign currency translation, net of tax,” and are recorded in “Other comprehensive

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income (loss), net of tax.” These foreign currency translation differences may have significant negative or positive impacts. Our foreign currency translation risk mainly relates to our operations in Canada and Japan, commencing in 2018.
In addition, foreign currency transaction risk arises when we or our subsidiaries enter into transactions where the settlement occurs in a currency other than the functional currency of us or our subsidiary. Exchange differences (gains and losses) arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they arise. In order to reduce significant foreign currency transaction risk from our operating activities, we may use forward currency derivative instruments to hedge forecasted cash inflows and outflows. Furthermore, most non-U.S. dollar denominated debts are held by non-U.S. dollar denominated subsidiaries in the same functional currency of those subsidiary operations.
Our cross-border operations require us to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Doing business in multiple countries requires us and our subsidiaries to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various non-U.S. jurisdictions. Our failure to comply with these rules and regulations may expose us to liabilities. These laws and regulations may apply to our companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents and may restrict our operations, trade practices, investment decisions and partnering activities. In particular, our non-U.S. operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA). The FCPA prohibits U.S. companies and their officers, directors, employees and agents acting on their behalf from corruptly offering, promising, authorizing or providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment. The FCPA also requires companies to make and keep books, records and accounts that accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets and to maintain a system of adequate internal accounting controls. As part of our business, we deal with state-owned business enterprises, the employees and representatives of which may be considered foreign officials for purposes of the FCPA. As a result, business dealings between our employees or our agents and any such foreign official could expose our company to the risk of violating anti-corruption laws even if such business practices may be customary or are not otherwise prohibited between our company and a private third-party. Violations of these legal requirements are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment, civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, injunctions, debarment from government contracts as well as other remedial measures. We have established policies and procedures designed to assist us and our personnel in complying with applicable U.S. and non-U.S. laws and regulations; however, we cannot assure stockholders that these policies and procedures will completely eliminate the risk of a violation of these legal requirements, and any such violation (inadvertent or otherwise) could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We own, and in the future may acquire, certain projects in joint ventures, and our joint venture partners’ interests may conflict with our and our stockholders’ interests.
We own certain projects in joint ventures, including South Kent, Armow, Grand and K2, in which we have a 50%, 50%, 45% and 33% interest, respectively, and El Arrayán, in which we have a 70% interest. In addition, in connection with our strategic partnership with PSP Investments, we have joint venture arrangements with PSP Investments in Meikle in which we have a 51% interest. In December 2017, we also entered into a joint venture arrangement with PSP Investments in connection with the sale to PSP Investments of 49% of our Class B interests in Panhandle 2. In the future, we may acquire or invest in other projects with a joint venture partner, including certain projects which may be owned by one of the Pattern Development Companies. In addition, our arrangements with PSP Investments include arrangements in which PSP Investments may co-invest in ROFO projects based on a process that is controlled by us, and we can elect the percentage interest to offer to PSP Investments in each project, which is expected to range from 30% to 49.9%. Joint ventures inherently involve a lesser degree of control over business operations, which could result in an increase in the financial, legal, operational or compliance risks associated with a project, including, but not limited to, variances in accounting and internal control requirements. To the extent we do not have a controlling interest in a project, our joint venture partners could take actions that decrease the value of our investment and lower our overall return. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise in the future between our company and our stockholders, on the one hand, and our joint venture partners, on the other hand, where our joint venture partners’ business interests are inconsistent with our and our stockholders’ interests. Further, disagreements or disputes between us and our joint venture partners may arise which could result in litigation, increase our expenses and potentially limit the time and effort our officers and directors are able to devote to our business, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

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Security breaches, including cybersecurity breaches, and other disruptions could compromise our business operations and critical and proprietary information and expose us to liability, which could adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition and reputation.
In the ordinary course of our business, we store sensitive data and proprietary information regarding our business, employees, shareholders, offtakers, service providers, business partners and other individuals in our data center and on our network. Additionally, we use and are dependent upon information technology systems that utilize sophisticated operational systems and network infrastructure to run our wind farms. Through our 24/7 operations control center, we can, among other things, monitor and control each wind turbine, monitor regional and local climate, track real time market prices and, for some of our projects, monitor certain environmental activities. The secure maintenance of information and information technology systems is critical to our operations. Despite security measures we have employed, including certain measures implemented pursuant to mandatory NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, our infrastructure may be increasingly vulnerable to attacks by hackers or terrorists as a result of the rise in the sophistication and volume of cyberattacks. Also, our information and information technology systems may be breached due to viruses, human error, malfeasance or other malfunctions and disruptions. Any such attack or breach could: (i) compromise our turbines and wind farms thereby adversely affecting generation and transmission to the grid; (ii) adversely affect our operations; (iii) corrupt data; or (iv) result in unauthorized access to the information stored on our networks, including, company proprietary information and employee data causing the information to be publicly disclosed, lost or stolen or result in incidents that could result in harmful effects on the environment and human health, including loss of life. Any such attack, breach, access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in lost revenue, the inability to conduct critical business functions, legal claims or proceedings, regulatory penalties, increased regulation, increased protection costs for enhanced cyber security systems or personnel, damage to our reputation and/or the rendering of our disclosure controls and procedures ineffective, all of which could adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition and reputation.
Risks Related to Future Growth and Acquisitions
The growth of our business depends on locating and acquiring interests in additional attractive independent power and transmission projects.
Our business strategy includes acquiring power projects that are either operational, construction-ready, or in limited circumstances outside of activities conducted by Pattern Development 2.0, under development. We intend to pursue opportunities to acquire projects from third-party owners where we may submit bids from time to time, and from each of the Pattern Development Companies pursuant to our respective Purchase Rights. To enhance alignment and allow us to benefit from development, we have to date made investments of $102.5 million in Pattern Development 2.0 resulting in an ownership of approximately 21%. We have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in subsequent capital calls for a total commitment of up to $300 million, and if this right is exercised for all future capital calls, this would increase our ownership to approximately 29%.
Various factors could affect the availability of attractive projects to grow our business, including:
competing bids for a project, including a project subject to our respective Purchase Rights, from other owners, including companies that may have substantially greater capital and other resources than we do;
fewer third-party acquisition opportunities than we expect, which could result from, among other things, available projects having less desirable economic returns or higher risk profiles than we believe suitable for our business plan and investment strategy;
failure by either of the Pattern Development Companies to complete the development of (i) an Identified ROFO Project, which could result from, among other things, permitting challenges, failure to procure the requisite financing, equipment or interconnection, local opposition to the project which may entail litigation, or an inability to satisfy the conditions to effectiveness of project agreements such as PPAs and (ii) any of the other projects in its respective development pipeline, in a timely manner, or at all, in either case, which could limit our acquisition opportunities under our respective Purchase Rights and/or the value of our investment in Pattern Development 2.0;
our failure to exercise our respective Purchase Rights or acquire assets from Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0;
our failure to successfully develop and finance projects, to the extent that we decide to pursue development activities with respect to new power projects outside of activities conducted by Pattern Development 2.0. See also “- Our growth strategy is dependent upon the acquisition of attractive power projects developed by third-parties, including Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, and an inability of such development companies to obtain the requisite financing to develop and construct projects could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our business." In addition, we also must also potentially

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anticipate obtaining funds from equity or debt financings to complete an acquisition or construction of an acquired project which exposes us to similar financing risks;
local opposition to wind turbine installations is growing in certain markets due to concerns about noise, health and other alleged impacts of wind power projects. In addition, indigenous communities in the United States and Canada, including Native Americans and First Nations, are becoming more involved in the development of wind power projects and have certain treaty rights that can negatively affect the viability of power projects. As a result, for these and other reasons, litigation and challenges to wind power projects has increased; and
limited access to capital, or an increase in the cost of our capital, may impair our ability to buy certain projects or buy them at the time we had expected.
Any of these factors could prevent us from executing our growth strategy or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. See also “We have invested in Pattern Development 2.0 which exposes us directly to project development risks.”
Additionally, even if we consummate acquisitions that we believe will be accretive to cash available for distribution per share, those acquisitions may in fact result in a decrease in cash available for distribution per Class A share as a result of incorrect assumptions in our evaluation of such acquisitions, unforeseen consequences or other external events beyond our control. Furthermore, if we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly, and stockholders will not generally have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider in determining the application of these funds and other resources.
Capital market conditions can have an effect on both our timing and ability to consummate future acquisitions. We must also potentially anticipate obtaining funds from equity or debt financings to complete construction or pay capital costs of an acquired project which exposes us to financing risks.
Since we often finance acquisitions of projects partially or wholly through the issuance of additional Class A shares or the issuance of notes or other debt instruments, we may need to be able to access the capital markets on commercially reasonable terms when acquisition opportunities arise. For example, we issued senior notes in January 2017 to help finance the acquisition of the Broadview project and to repay other debt previously incurred to finance acquisition opportunities. In addition, we utilized in part proceeds from an underwritten public offering of our Class A shares in October 2017 and at-the-market offerings under an equity distribution agreement we entered into in May 2016 for investment in acquisition opportunities and to repay other debt previously incurred to finance acquisition opportunities. Our ability to access the equity and debt capital markets is dependent on, among other factors, the overall state of the capital markets and investor appetite for investment in clean energy projects in general and our Class A shares and our debt securities in particular. Volatility in the market price of our Class A shares or our credit rating may prevent or limit our ability to utilize our equity or debt securities as a source of capital to help fund acquisition opportunities.
During 2017, the prices for our Class A shares traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ranged from a high of $26.56 to a low of $18.83. On February 23, 2018, the last reported sale price of our Class A shares on such market was $18.91. In connection with the issuance of senior notes in January 2017, we obtained a BB-/Ba3 credit rating from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively. An inability to obtain equity or debt financing on commercially reasonable terms could significantly limit our timing and ability to consummate future acquisitions, and to effectuate our growth strategy. In addition, the issuance of additional Class A shares in connection with acquisitions, particularly if consummated at depressed price levels or consummated at price levels that declined significantly between the signing and closing of an acquisition, could cause significant shareholder dilution, expose us to risks of being unable to consummate an acquisition we had agreed to due to an inability to obtain financing, and reduce the cash distribution per share if the acquisitions are not sufficiently accretive.
We must also potentially anticipate obtaining funds from equity or debt financings, including tax equity transactions, or from other sources in order to fund any required construction and other capital costs of the acquired projects. The availability of tax equity financing with respect to any future acquisitions by us will likely be narrowed as a result of impacts of the recent comprehensive U.S. federal tax reform passed in late 2017 and Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax, or BEAT, provisions. In addition, management believes there may be potential delays in tax equity financings as tax equity investors analyze the impact of the BEAT on their current and future tax position. While uncertainty remains, no assurances can be given that there will not be a material adverse effect on the willingness of investors to provide tax equity financing, an ability by us to obtain alternative financings which would be as attractive as was available from tax equity investors prior to tax reform, or that the terms of any tax equity financing that may be obtained would be as favorable as those currently in place at certain of our existing projects.

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We currently intend to acquire power projects that are at least at the stage of being construction-ready, which is generally the point in time when the project is able to procure construction financing and secure tax equity investor commitments.
In the event we determine it is not economical to utilize, or we are unable to utilize our equity or debt securities as a source of capital to fund acquisition opportunities, or as a source of capital to complete any construction outstanding or pay capital costs of acquired projects, we may need to consider utilizing other sources of capital, such as cash on hand, borrowings under our existing credit facilities, or arranging additional credit facilities, none of which may be available or may not be available at attractive terms. Our inability to effectively consummate future acquisitions, or to finance construction or other capital costs cost-effectively, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our business and make cash distributions to our shareholders.
Acquisition and disposal of power projects involves numerous risks.
Our strategy includes acquiring power projects. The acquisition of power projects involves numerous risks, many of which may not be able to be discovered through our due diligence process, including exposure to previously existing liabilities and unanticipated costs associated with the pre-acquisition period; difficulty in integrating the acquired projects into our existing business; and, if the projects are in new markets, the risks of entering markets where we have limited experience. We are entering new markets, such as Japan and Mexico, with different languages and cultures which may further enhance risks relating to assimilating new operations and personnel in these markets, becoming familiar with applicable local laws and regulations, providing effective control over operations in remote locations, and diverting time and attention of management to address integration issues. In addition, while we will perform our due diligence on prospective acquisitions, we may not be able to discover all potential operational deficiencies in such projects or problematic wind characteristics. A failure to achieve the financial returns we expect when we acquire power projects could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, from time to time, we may believe it in the best interests of ourselves and our stockholders to dispose of power projects. Reasons for a disposal may include limited opportunities in a market, changes in business environment or law which reduces the attractiveness of a market, excessive competition in the market, changes in business strategy, or a belief we can utilize funds realized from such a disposal in a more productive manner or generate a higher return on investment. The disposal of power projects involves numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control, including the ability to locate an attractive buyer of a power project, the management attention required to devote to the disposal, the ability to obtain a favorable price for a power project, the length of time required to complete the disposal process, and the potential difficulty of re-entering a market in the future after exiting a market. In the event we decide to dispose of a power project, no assurances can be given that we would be successful in consummating the disposal in a timely manner (or at all), that we would achieve an attractive (or positive) financial return from the disposal, or that we would be successful in re-deploying funds generated from any disposal in a manner that would generate higher returns.
Our growth strategy is dependent upon the acquisition of attractive power projects developed by others, including Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 (in which we hold a minority interest), and an inability of such development companies to obtain the requisite financing to develop and construct projects could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow our business.
Power project development is a capital intensive, high-risk business that relies heavily on and, therefore, is subject to the availability of debt and equity financing sources to fund projected construction and other projected capital expenditures. As a result, in order to successfully develop a power project, development companies, including Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, from which we may seek to acquire power projects, must obtain at-risk funds sufficient to complete the development phase of their projects. Any significant disruption in the credit and capital markets, or a significant increase in interest rates, could make it difficult for development companies to successfully develop attractive projects. If development companies from which we seek to acquire projects are unable to raise funds when needed, the ability to grow our project portfolio may be limited, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We have invested in Pattern Development 2.0 which exposes us directly to project development risks.
Pattern Development 2.0 was structured to allow us to potentially invest in Pattern Development 2.0, and in July 2017 we consummated a transaction in which we made an initial capital contribution to Pattern Development 2.0 of approximately $60 million for an approximately 20% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0. In December 2017, we funded an additional $7.3 million and $35.2 million in 2018. As a result of such fundings, we hold an approximate 21% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0. In addition, we have the right to contribute up to an additional approximately $197.5 million to Pattern Development 2.0 in one or more subsequent rounds of financing, which could result in our ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0 increasing up to approximately 29%. If we do not participate in such subsequent rounds of financing, our ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0 may be diluted.

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As a result of our investment in Pattern Development 2.0, we are exposed directly to, and in the event we elected to further increase our investment in Pattern Development 2.0 by participating in additional capital calls or otherwise decided to invest in other project development opportunities, we would further expose ourselves directly to project development risks, including permitting challenges, failure to secure PPAs, failure to procure the requisite financing, equipment or interconnection, or an inability to satisfy the conditions to effectiveness of project agreements such as PPAs. Generally, project development may entail risks of making investments in assets that are not profitable, and we are, and if we invested further could be further, exposed to significant investment activities that require capital prior to having certainty that a project can move forward. We may lose money invested without generating returns. No assurances can be given that we would be successful in project development activities we undertake, whether through the investment in Pattern Development 2.0 or otherwise, which can diminish our capital available for investment in operating power projects and adversely impact our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to grow our cash available for distribution is substantially dependent on our ability to make acquisitions from the Pattern Development Companies or third parties on economically favorable terms.
Our goal of growing our cash available for distribution and increasing dividends to our Class A stockholders is substantially dependent on our ability to make and finance acquisitions on terms that result in an increase in cash available for distribution per Class A share. To grow our cash available for distribution per Class A share through acquisitions, we must be able to acquire new generation assets, such as the Identified ROFO Projects, on economically favorable terms. If we are unable to make accretive acquisitions from the Pattern Development Companies or third parties because we are unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable purchase contracts, obtain financing on economically acceptable terms (as a result of the then current market value of our Class A shares or otherwise) or are outbid by competitors, we may not be able to realize our targeted growth in cash available for distribution per Class A share.
The energy industry in the markets in which we operate, as well as the markets we are looking to expand into, benefit from governmental support that is subject to change. With respect to the U.S. market, legislators and the current U.S. administration have proposed environmental and tax policies that have created regulatory uncertainty in the clean energy sector.
The energy industry in the markets in which we operate and are looking to expand into, including both fossil fuel and renewable energy sources, in general benefits from various forms of governmental support. Renewable energy sources in Canada benefit from federal and provincial incentives, such as RPS programs, accelerated cost recovery deductions, the availability of off-take contracts through RFP and standard offer programs including the Hydro-Quebec call for tenders, the Ontario feed-in tariff and large renewable procurement programs, and other commercially oriented incentives. Renewable energy sources in the United States have benefited from various federal and state governmental incentives, such as PTCs, ITCs, ITC cash grants, loan guarantees, RPS programs and accelerated tax depreciation. PTCs and ITCs for wind energy on the federal level were extended in December 2015. The extension extended the expiration date for tax credits for wind facilities with a five year phase-down for wind projects commencing construction after December 31, 2014. Renewable energy sources in Chile benefit from the Renewable and Non-Conventional Energy Law, which stipulates that by 2025 a portion of the total energy withdrawn from the grid, starting with 5% in 2015 and progressively increasing up to 20% by 2025, shall be produced with renewable and non-conventional technologies. Such obligations translate into “green attributes” which can be freely traded. In 2012, Japan introduced a feed-in-tariff program that offered fixed term, fixed price contracts of up to 20 years to renewable power projects. The Mexican congress has established a mandate that at least 35% of its energy consumption be supplied by clean sources by 2024.
While such developments extending various forms of governmental support provide general benefits to the wind power industry in which we operate, to the extent that these governmental incentive programs may be amended or changed in the future, particularly if amendments or changes are unexpected or unfavorable and after we have developed long-term business plans and strategies based upon them, it could adversely affect the price of electricity sold to power purchasers generated by developed or planned wind power projects, decrease demand for wind power, or reduce the number of projects available to us for acquisition, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the current U.S. administration has announced that it is taking measures to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a regulation issued by the EPA under the prior U.S. administration aimed at reducing use of existing coal fired electricity generation facilities and increasing renewable generation in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The current U.S. administration has also proposed other environmental policies that have created regulatory uncertainty in the clean energy sector, including the sectors in which we operate, and may lead to a reduction or removal of various clean energy programs and initiatives designed to curtail climate change. Such a reduction or removal of incentives may diminish the markets in which we operate. As a part of recent comprehensive income tax reform, the corporate tax rate was reduced, and while such reductions may have certain positive impacts on our financial results as applied to our own corporate taxes, a reduction in the corporate tax rate could also have adverse consequences, such as diminishing the capacity of potential investors in our projects to benefit from incentives and reduce the value of accelerated depreciation deductions. As a part of comprehensive tax reform in late 2017, there were proposed amendments in Congress that would have adversely affected the value and ability to preserve benefits of PTCs for wind energy on the federal level. While these amendments

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were in large part not adopted, no assurances can be given that there will not be future efforts to make amendments that could adversely affect the value and benefits of the PTC. The current administration also made public statements regarding overturning or modifying policies of or regulations enacted by the prior administration that placed limitations on coal and gas electric generation, mining and/or exploration. Efforts to overturn federal and state laws, regulations or policies that are supportive of wind energy generation or that remove costs or other limitations on other types of generation that compete with wind energy projects could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
Wind power procurement in Canada is a provincial matter, with relatively irregular, infrequent and competitive procurement windows.
Each province in Canada has its own regulatory framework and renewable energy policy, with few material federal policies to drive the growth of renewable energy. Renewable energy developers must anticipate the future policy direction in each of the provinces, and secure viable projects before they can bid to procure a PPA through highly competitive PPA auctions. Most markets are relatively small. Energy policy in our key market of Ontario is subject to a political process, including with respect to its FIT program, and renewable energy procurement may change dramatically as a result of changes in the provincial government or political climate.
We face competition primarily from other renewable energy IPPs and, in particular, other wind power companies.
We believe our primary competitors are infrastructure funds and some wind power companies or IPPs focused on renewable energy generation. We compete with these companies to acquire well-developed projects with projected stable cash flows that can be built in a cost-effective manner. We also compete with other wind power developers and operators for the limited pool of personnel with requisite industry knowledge and experience. Furthermore, in past years, there have been times of increased demand for wind turbines and their related components, causing turbine suppliers to have difficulty meeting the demand. If these conditions return in the future, turbine and other component manufacturers may give priority to other market participants, including our competitors, who may have resources greater than ours.
We compete with other renewable energy companies (and power companies in general) for the lowest cost financing, which provides the highest returns for our projects. Once we have acquired a construction project and put it into operation, we may compete on price if we sell electricity into power markets at wholesale market prices. Depending on the regulatory framework and market dynamics of a region, we may also compete with other wind power companies and other renewable energy generators, when our projects bid on or negotiate for long-term power sale agreements or sell electricity or RECs into the spot-market. Our ability to compete on price with other wind power companies and other renewable energy IPPs may be negatively impacted if the regulatory framework of a region favors other sources of renewable energy over wind power.
We have no control over where our competitors may erect wind power projects. Our competitors may erect wind power projects adjacent to our wind projects that may cause upwind array losses to occur at our wind projects. Upwind array losses reflect the diminished wind resource available at a project resulting from interference with available wind caused by adjacent wind turbines. An adjacent wind power project that causes upwind array losses could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.
Any change in power consumption levels could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
The amount of wind power consumed by the electric utility industry is affected primarily by the overall demand for electricity, environmental and other governmental regulations and the price and availability of fuels such as nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil as well as other sources of renewable energy. A decline in prices for these fuels could cause demand for wind power to decrease and adversely affect the demand for renewable energy. For example, low natural gas prices have led, in some instances, to increased natural gas consumption by electricity-generating utilities in lieu of other power sources. To the extent renewable energy and wind power, in particular, becomes less cost-competitive on an overall basis as a result of a lack of governmental incentives, cheaper alternatives or otherwise, demand for wind power and other forms of renewable energy could decrease. Slow growth in overall demand for electricity or a long-term reduction in the demand for renewable energy could have a material adverse effect on our plan to grow our business and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Some states and provinces with renewable energy targets have met their targets, or will meet them in the near future, which could cause demand for new wind and solar power capacity to decrease.
Renewable Portfolio Standard programs in the United States represent sixty percent of the growth in non-hydro renewable energy generation since 2000. Enactment of new RPS policies has waned but states continue to hone existing policies. Roughly half of all RPS states have raised their overall RPS targets or carve-outs since initial RPS adoption. Recent legislation in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Vermont extended targets to 2030 and beyond. However, other states are starting to approach their final targets. Five states reached the

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final year of their RPS in 2015. Most others will do so in 2020 or 2025. Many bills have also been proposed to repeal, reduce, or freeze RPS programs, though only two have been enacted.
While some Canadian provinces have increased their renewable energy targets - Saskatchewan 50% by 2030 and Alberta 30% by 2030 - others have reduced their demand for renewables, including Ontario, which has halted its Large Renewable Procurement Process. Additionally, hydro power dominates when it comes to meeting renewable energy targets.
As a result of achieving targets, and if such U.S. states and Canadian provinces do not increase non-hydro renewable energy targets in the future, demand for additional wind and solar power generating capacity could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
New projects being developed that we may acquire may need governmental approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits, for construction and operation. Any failure to obtain or maintain in effect necessary permits could adversely affect the amount of our growth.
The design, construction and operation of wind power projects are highly regulated, require various governmental approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits, and may be subject to the imposition of related conditions that vary by jurisdiction. In some cases, these approvals and permits require periodic renewal and a subsequently issued permit may not be consistent with the permit initially issued. In other cases, these permits may require compliance with terns that can change over time. We cannot predict whether all permits required for a given project will be granted or whether the conditions associated with the permits, as such conditions may change over time, will be achievable. The denial or loss of a permit essential to a project, or the imposition of impractical or burdensome conditions upon renewal or over time, could impair our ability to construct and operate a project. In addition, we cannot predict whether seeking the permits will attract significant opposition or whether the permitting process will be lengthened due to complexities, legal claims or appeals. Delay in the review and permitting process for a project can impair or delay our ability to construct or acquire a project or increase the cost such that the project is no longer attractive to us.
In developing certain of our projects, Pattern Development 1.0 experienced delays in obtaining non-appealable permits and we, Pattern Development 1.0, and/or Pattern Development 2.0 may experience delays in the future. For example, when we acquired our Ocotillo project, it was then the subject of four active lawsuits brought by a variety of project opponents, all of which challenged the prior issuance of Ocotillo’s primary environmental analysis and right-of-way entitlement. We had commenced commercial operations at the Ocotillo project in anticipation of securing favorable rulings on these lawsuits. In Ontario, in prior years anti-wind advocacy groups have opposed the Renewable Energy Approval environmental permit granted to our South Kent, Grand, K2 and Armow wind projects by commencing proceedings before the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal. Each of these appeals ultimately was unsuccessful and dismissed by the Tribunal.
We are subject to the risk of being unable to complete construction of our projects, or continue operation of our projects, if any of the key permits are revoked or permit conditions are violated. If this were to occur at any future project, we would likely lose a significant portion of our investment in the project and could incur a loss as a result, which would have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to make an offer, make an attractive offer, or make an acceptable final offer in the event one of the Pattern Development Companies delivered notice that it is seeking a purchaser for a project on the identified ROFO list, we may be unable to acquire such project from the relevant Pattern Development Company pursuant to our respective Project Purchase Right.
Generally, we have a Project Purchase Right with each of Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, and although Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 may choose to seek a purchaser of a project at a time of its choosing whether earlier in the project’s development stage or later at a time, we have generally anticipated that Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 will seek a purchaser of its development projects upon or after construction-readiness following commencement of its construction. We do not control either Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0, and Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 may deem it necessary or desirable to deliver such notice to us that is seeking a purchaser for its projects at any time for its own capital, liquidity, shareholder, or other requirements. In the event Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 delivered notice for a project on the identified ROFO list, for which we are unable to, or do not, deliver a written first rights project offer, make an attractive offer, or make an acceptable final offer to purchase its entire interest in such project, such respective Pattern Development Company may be able to sell the project to a third party (including a competitor), provided it is at a price not less than 105%, in the case of a project developed by Pattern Development 1.0, and 110%, in the case of a project developed by Pattern Development 2.0, of our first rights project offer (if any), greater than our final offer price, and on other terms not materially less favorable. If this occurred, we would not acquire such project from Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 (as the case may be). An inability to acquire projects on

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the identified ROFO list under our respective Project Purchase Right with Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 could materially adversely affect our ability to implement our growth strategy.
In spite of our Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights and Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights, it is possible that Pattern Development 1.0 and/or Pattern Development 2.0, respectively, might be sold to third parties. In addition, each of our respective Project Purchase Rights, Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights and Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights may expire, and the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement with Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 might terminate.
To the extent we do not exercise our Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights and/or Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights (or upon their expiration), Pattern Development 1.0 and /or Pattern Development 2.0, respectively, or substantially all of its respective assets may be sold to third parties, including our competitors. Even if we are interested in exercising the Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights and/or Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights, Pattern Development 1.0 and/or Pattern Development 2.0 may seek a purchaser at an inopportune time for us, or we may not be able to reach an agreement on pricing or other terms. If we are unable to reach an agreement with Pattern Development 1.0, Pattern Development 2.0, or its respective equity owners or if we decline to make an offer, Pattern Development 1.0, Pattern Development 2.0, or its respective equity owners may seek alternative buyers, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, our Project Purchase Right with Pattern Development 1.0 and our Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights terminate upon the third occasion on which we decline to exercise our respective Project Purchase Right with respect to an operational or construction-ready project for which we did not make a final offer for such projects (excluding a failure to make an offer for the Conejo project). Our Project Purchase Right with Pattern Development 2.0 and our Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights terminate upon winding-up of Pattern Development 2.0. Following termination of our respective Project Purchase Right, and our Pattern Development 1.0 Purchase Rights and Pattern Development 2.0 Purchase Rights, Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0, as the case may be, will be under no obligation to offer any of its projects to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and ultimately on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Once our respective Purchase Rights with Pattern Development 1.0 and/or Pattern Development 2.0 terminate, the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement with respect to Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0, as the case may be, will also terminate. In addition, we also have the right terminate the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement upon the earlier of wind-up of Pattern Development 2.0 or the valid rejection by Pattern Development 2.0 of three or more first rights project offers representing a cumulative net capacity of at least 600 MWs. Under the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement, (among other things) Pattern Development 2.0 is granted an exclusive right, with certain exceptions, to pursue all power generation, storage or transmission development projects in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that have not completed construction, but this does not restrict us from acquiring any company or business that is principally engaged in the business of owning and operating renewable energy facilities. In addition, at any time that Tokyo, Japan-based Green Power Investment Corporation is majority owned by either us, Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0, such majority owner (which is currently Pattern Development 1.0) is granted exclusive development rights, with certain exceptions, over power generation, storage or transmission projects in Japan.
The loss of one or more of Pattern Development 1.0’s or Pattern Development 2.0’s officers, or key employees, may adversely affect our ability to implement our growth strategy.
In addition to relying on our management team for managing our projects, our growth strategy relies on Pattern Development 1.0’s and Pattern Development 2.0’s officers and key employees for their strategic guidance and expertise in the selection of projects that we may acquire in the future. Because the wind power industry is relatively new, there is a scarcity of experienced officers and employees in the wind power industry. As a result, if one or more of Pattern Development 1.0’s or Pattern Development 2.0’s officers or key employees leaves or retires, and Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 are unable to find a suitable replacement, our ability to implement our growth strategy may be diminished, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. See also “- Risks Related to Our Projects - The loss of one or more of our executive officers or key employees may adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our operating projects and complete any construction projects on schedule.”

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We may decide to further expand our acquisition strategy to include other types of power projects or transmission projects besides wind power. Any future additional acquisitions of non-wind power projects or transmission projects may present unforeseen challenges and result in a competitive disadvantage relative to our more-established competitors.
With the consummation of the acquisition of the 35-mile 345 kV Western Interconnect transmission line as a part of the acquisition of the Broadview projects which we acquired in April 2017, and assuming the consummation of the acquisitions of the Kanagi Solar and Futtsu Solar projects (representing in aggregate 39 MW of owned-capacity in solar) which we have committed to acquire in March 2018, we have expanded our operations into other types of projects besides wind power. In the future, we may further expand our acquisition strategy into other types of power projects or transmission projects besides wind power. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify other attractive non-wind or transmission acquisition opportunities or acquire such projects at a price and on terms that are attractive or that, once acquired, such projects will operate profitably. Additionally, these acquisitions could expose us further to increased operating costs, unforeseen liabilities or risks, and regulatory and environmental concerns associated with entering new sectors of the power industry, including requiring a disproportionate amount of our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse impact on our business, as well as place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to more established non-wind energy market participants. A failure to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our existing project portfolio as a result of unforeseen operational difficulties or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to risks associated with litigation or administrative proceedings that could materially impact our operations, including proceedings in the future related to power projects we subsequently acquire.
We are subject to risks and costs, including potential negative publicity, associated with lawsuits, in particular, with respect to environmental claims and lawsuits, claims contesting the construction or operation of our projects, or shareholder suits. See Item 3 "Legal Proceedings.” The result of, and costs associated with, defending any such lawsuit, regardless of the merits and eventual outcome, may be material and could have a material adverse effect on our operations. In the future, we may be involved in legal proceedings, disputes, administrative proceedings, claims and other litigation that arise in the ordinary course of business related to a power project that we subsequently acquire. For example, individuals and interest groups may sue to challenge the issuance of a permit for a power project or seek to enjoin construction or operation of a power project. We may also become subject to claims from individuals who live in the proximity of our power projects based on alleged negative health effects related to acoustics caused by wind turbines or alleged contamination of groundwater. In addition, we have been and may subsequently become subject to legal proceedings or claims contesting the construction or operation of our power projects. Any such legal proceedings or disputes could delay our ability to complete construction of a power project in a timely manner, or at all, or materially increase the costs associated with commencing or continuing commercial operations at a power project. Settlement of claims and unfavorable outcomes or developments relating to these proceedings or disputes, such as judgments for monetary damages, injunctions or denial or revocation of permits, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our growth strategy and, ultimately, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Financial Activities
Our substantial amount of indebtedness may adversely affect our ability to operate our business and impair our ability to pay dividends.
Our consolidated indebtedness not including financing costs as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $2.0 billion. Despite our current consolidated debt levels, we or our subsidiaries may still incur substantially more debt or take other actions which would intensify the risks discussed below.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including, for example:
failure to comply with the covenants in the agreements governing these obligations could result in an event of default under those agreements, or, under certain circumstances, cross-default to other debt instruments, which could be difficult to cure, or result in our bankruptcy;
in the event a project is unable to meet its debt service obligations through its own project cash flows, excess cash flow from other projects may be required to help service such obligations, thereby reducing funds available to pay dividends;
in the event a project is unable to meet its debt service obligations, it may result in a foreclosure on the project collateral and loss of the project;
our limited financial flexibility could reduce our ability to plan for and react to unexpected opportunities; and

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our substantial debt service obligations make us vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, credit and capital markets, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation, and place us at a disadvantage compared with competitors with less debt.
Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. If we do not comply with our obligations under our debt instruments, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, borrow additional amounts or sell securities, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all. In addition, increases in interest rates and changes in debt covenants may reduce the amounts that we can borrow, reduce our cash flows and increase the equity investment we may be required to make to complete any construction of our projects. These increases could cause some of our projects to become economically unattractive. If we are unable to raise additional capital or generate sufficient operating cash flow to repay our indebtedness, we could be in default under our lending agreements and could be required to delay construction of our projects, reduce overhead costs, reduce the scope of our projects or abandon or sell some or all of our projects, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our indebtedness may limit the amount of cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of our business which could have a material adverse effect on business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Subject to the limits contained in our revolving credit facility, we may incur substantial additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other purposes. If we do so, the risks related to our level of indebtedness could intensify. Specifically, a high level of indebtedness could have important consequences due to the adverse ways in which it affects us, including the following:
requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividend payments, development activity, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions;
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or the industries in which we operate;
making us more vulnerable to increases in interest rates, as borrowings under our revolving credit facility are at variable rates;
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital or other purposes; and
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness.
Our ability to comply with restrictions and covenants under the terms of our indebtedness may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with these restrictions and covenants, and any such default under our debt agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition or other corporate opportunities.
Despite our current consolidated debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our revolving credit facility and our future debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt. Although our revolving credit facility contains restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and could be amended or waived, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial and may also be secured. Accordingly, we may, in compliance with these restrictions, incur additional debt, secure existing or future debt, recapitalize our debt or take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of our existing indebtedness and that could have the effect of intensifying the risks discussed above.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to make payments in cash which may be required under the terms of the notes we have issued upon conversion settlement, repayment at maturity, or upon exercise of a repurchase obligation, and our debt agreements may limit our ability to pay cash upon conversion, repurchase or redemption of these notes.
Holders of the convertible notes we issued in July 2015 have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their convertible notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, upon conversion of the convertible notes, unless we elect to deliver solely our Class A shares to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required

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to make cash payments in respect of the convertible notes being converted. In addition, holders of the senior notes we issued in January 2017 may have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes upon a change of control triggering event at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of notes surrendered therefor, pay cash at their maturity, or (with respect to convertible notes) pay cash upon conversion settlement. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes or to pay cash upon conversions of the convertible notes may be limited by law, regulatory authority or agreements governing our indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or (with respect to the convertible notes) to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the convertible notes pursuant to the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture governing the issuance of the respective notes. A fundamental change, change of control triggering event, or a default under the indenture could also lead to a default under agreements governing our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments upon redemptions thereof.
The conditional conversion feature of the convertible notes we have issued, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
The convertible notes we issued in July 2015 have a conditional conversion feature. In the event the conditional conversion feature of the convertible notes is triggered, holders of convertible notes will be entitled to convert such notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If one or more holders elect to convert their convertible notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely our Class A shares (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their convertible notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the convertible notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.
Provisions in the indentures governing our outstanding notes may deter or prevent a business combination that may be favorable to investors.
If a fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date of the convertible notes we issued in July 2015 or a change of control triggering event occurs prior to the maturity date of the senior notes we issued in January 2017, holders of such notes may have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their respective notes. In addition, if a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date of the convertible notes, we will in some cases be required to increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its convertible notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. Furthermore, our indentures prohibit us from engaging in certain mergers or acquisitions unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations thereunder. These and other provisions in our indentures could deter or prevent a third party from acquiring us even when the acquisition may be favorable to investors.
If our subsidiaries default on their obligations under their project-level debt, we may decide to make payments to lenders to prevent foreclosure on the collateral securing the project-level debt, which would, without such payments, cause us to lose certain of our projects.
Our subsidiaries incur various types of debt. Non-recourse debt is repayable solely from the applicable project’s revenues and is secured by the project’s physical assets, major contracts, cash accounts and, in many cases, our ownership interest in the project subsidiary. Limited recourse debt is debt where we have provided a limited guarantee, and recourse debt is debt where we have provided a full guarantee, which means if our subsidiaries default on these obligations, we will be liable directly to those lenders, although in the case of limited recourse debt only to the extent of our limited recourse obligations. To satisfy these obligations, we may be required to use amounts distributed by our other subsidiaries as well as other sources of available cash, reducing our cash available to execute our business plan and pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares. In addition, if our subsidiaries default on their obligations under non-recourse financing agreements, we may decide to make payments to prevent the lenders of these subsidiaries from foreclosing on the relevant collateral. Such a foreclosure would result in our losing our ownership interest in the subsidiary or in some or all of its assets. The loss of our ownership interest in one or more of our subsidiaries or some or all of their assets could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, on our cash available for distribution.
We are subject to indemnity and guarantee obligations.
We provide a variety of indemnities in the ordinary course of business to contractual counterparties and to our lenders and other financial partners. For example, the Hatchet Ridge indemnity indemnifies MetLife Capital, Limited Partnership, the owner participant, under the

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Hatchet Ridge Wind Lease Financing against certain tax losses. In addition, we have entered into tax equity partnership agreements in connection with six of our projects which also provide for specific allocations in certain circumstances.
In addition, although we primarily rely on limited recourse or non-recourse financing at our project-level entities, we sometimes provide specific indemnities to support such financings. For example, some of our subsidiaries in the United States had obtained construction bridge loans to finance a portion of project construction costs, and in certain cases, such loans were secured by the ITC cash grant proceeds received from the U.S. Treasury. We have assumed certain indemnities that were originally provided by Pattern Development 1.0 to certain of these bridge lenders and other on-going term lenders in the event that the ITC cash grant is recaptured by the U.S. Treasury, in whole or in part. The cash grant indemnities are in effect for five years from the date the relevant project commences commercial operations. If, for any of those subsidiaries which received the ITC cash grant, the ITC cash grant is recaptured, in whole or in part, we may be required to make payments under the indemnities to prevent the lenders of those subsidiaries from foreclosing on the relevant project collateral. Payment by us under a cash grant indemnity could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, on our cash available for distribution.
Our failure to pay any of these indemnities would enable the applicable project lenders to foreclose on the project collateral. The payments we may be obligated to make pursuant to these indemnities could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, on our cash available for distribution.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Certain borrowings under our revolving credit facility are subject to variable rates of interest, primarily based on the International Continental Exchange London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR), and expose us to interest rate risk. Such rates tend to fluctuate based on general economic conditions, general interest rates, Federal Reserve rates and the supply of and demand for credit in the relevant interbanking market. Increases in the interest rate generally, and particularly when coupled with any significant variable rate indebtedness, could materially adversely impact our interest expenses. If interest rates were to increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. A hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates by 1% would have increased or decreased interest expense related to our revolving credit facility by $0 million, $2.6 million and $1.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under our revolving credit facility. To the extent we borrow under our revolving credit facility, we are not required to enter into interest rate swaps to hedge such indebtedness. If we decide not to enter into hedges on such indebtedness, our interest expense on such indebtedness will fluctuate based on LIBOR, CDOR or other variable interest rates. Consequently, we may have difficulties servicing such unhedged indebtedness and funding our other fixed costs, and our available cash flow for general corporate requirements may be materially adversely affected. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk.
Our hedging activities may not adequately manage our exposure to commodity and financial risk, which could result in significant losses or require us to use cash collateral to meet margin requirements, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, which could impair our ability to execute favorable financial hedges in the future.
Certain of the electricity we generate is sold on the open market at spot-market prices. In order to stabilize all or a portion of the revenue from such sales, we have entered, and may in the future enter, into financial swaps, day-ahead sales transaction or other hedging arrangements. We may acquire additional assets in the future with similar hedging agreements. In an effort to stabilize our revenue from electricity sales from these projects, we evaluate the electricity sale options for each of our projects, including the appropriateness of entering into a PPA, a physical sale, a financial swap, or combination of these arrangements. If we sell our electricity into an ISO market without a PPA, we may enter into a physical sale or financial swap to stabilize all or a portion of our estimated revenue stream. Under the term of our existing physical sales, we are obligated to physically deliver electricity to a common delivery point. Under these arrangements, we sell the electricity produced at our facility to the ISO at the project node and buy electricity at the common delivery point to meet the delivery obligations under the physical sale. The delivery obligations under the physical sale are for specified volumes in each hour for an overall quantity that we estimate we are highly likely to produce. Under the terms of our existing financial swaps, we are not obligated to physically deliver or purchase electricity. Instead, we receive payments for specified quantities of electricity based on a fixed price and are obligated to pay our counterparty the real time market price for the same quantities of electricity. These financial swaps cover quantities of electricity that we estimate we are highly likely to produce. Gains or losses under the physical sales and financial swaps are designed to be offset by decreases or increases in our revenues from real time market sales of electricity in liquid ISO markets. However, the actual amount of electricity we generate from operations may be materially different from our estimates for a variety of reasons, including variable wind conditions and wind turbine availability. If a project does not generate the volume of electricity covered

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by the associated physical sale or financial swap contract, we could incur significant losses if electricity prices in the market rise substantially above the fixed price provided for in the physical sale or financial swap. If a project generates more electricity than is contracted in the physical sale or financial swap, the excess production will not be hedged and the related revenues will be exposed to market price fluctuations.
We would also incur financial losses as a result of adverse changes in the mark-to-market values of the financial swaps or if the counterparties to our hedging contracts fail to make payments when due. We could also experience a reduction in cash flow if we are required to post margin in the form of cash collateral to secure our delivery or payment obligations under these hedging agreements. We are not currently required to post cash collateral or issue letters of credit to backstop our obligations under our hedging arrangements after commercial operation has been achieved, but we may be required to do so in the future. If we were required to do so, our available cash or available borrowing capacity under the credit facilities under which these letters of credit are issued would be correspondingly reduced.
We enter into PPAs when we sell our electricity into markets other than deregulated ISO markets or where we believe it is otherwise advisable. Under a PPA, we contract to sell all or a fixed proportion of the electricity generated by one of our projects, sometimes bundled with RECs and capacity or other environmental attributes, to a power purchaser which is often a utility or large commercial entity. We do this to stabilize our revenues from that project. We are exposed to the risk that the power purchaser will fail to perform under a PPA, with the result that we will have to sell our electricity at the market price sometime in the future, which could be substantially lower than the price provided in the applicable PPA. In most instances, we also commit to sell minimum levels of generation on an annual basis to the power purchaser. If the project generates less than the committed minimum volumes, we may be required to buy the shortfall of electricity (or RECs and other environmental attributes) on the open market or make payments of liquidated damages or be in default under a PPA, which could result in its termination.
We sometimes seek to sell forward a portion of our RECs or other environmental attributes to fix the revenues from those attributes and hedge against future declines in prices of RECs or other environmental attributes. If our projects do not generate the amount of electricity required to earn the RECs or other environmental attributes sold forward or if for any reason the electricity we generate does not produce RECs or other environmental attributes for a particular state, we may be required to make up the shortfall of RECs or other environmental attributes through purchases on the open market or make payments of liquidated damages. Further, current market conditions may limit our ability to hedge sufficient volumes of our anticipated RECs or other environmental attributes, leaving us exposed to the risk of falling prices for RECs or other environmental attributes. Future prices for RECs or other environmental attributes are also subject to the risk that regulatory changes will adversely affect prices.
Risks Related to Ownership of our Class A Shares
We are a holding company with no operations of our own, and we depend on our power projects for cash to fund all of our operations and expenses, including to make dividend payments.
Our operations are conducted almost entirely through our power projects and our ability to generate cash to meet our debt service obligations or to pay dividends is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from our project subsidiaries through distributions or intercompany loans. Our power projects’ ability to generate adequate cash depends on a number of factors, including wind conditions, timely completion of any construction projects, the price of electricity, payments by key power purchasers, increased competition, foreign currency exchange rates, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and other factors. See Item 1A "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Projects.” Our ability to declare and pay regular quarterly cash dividends is subject to our obtaining sufficient cash distributions from our project subsidiaries after the payment of operating costs, debt service and other expenses. See Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters-Cash Dividend to Investors.” We may lack sufficient available cash to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares due to shortfalls attributable to a number of operational, commercial or other factors, including insufficient cash flow generation by our projects, as well as unknown liabilities, the cost associated with governmental regulation, increases in our operating or general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs.
Our cash available for distribution to holders of our Class A shares may be reduced as a result of restrictions on our subsidiaries’ cash distributions to us under the terms of their indebtedness, or in the event certain specified events occurred under our tax equity arrangements that change the percentage of cash distributions to be made to the tax equity investors.
We intend to declare and pay regular quarterly cash dividends on all of our outstanding Class A shares. However, in any period, our ability to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares depends on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute cash to us, as well as all of the other factors discussed under Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters-Cash Dividend to Investors.” The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness and the provisions existing and future tax equity arrangements.

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Restrictions on distributions to us by our subsidiaries under our revolving credit facility and the agreements governing their respective project-level debt could limit our ability to pay anticipated dividends to holders of our Class A shares. These agreements contain financial tests and covenants that our subsidiaries must satisfy prior to making distributions. We may agree to similar restrictions on distributions under future debt instruments we may enter into in connection with future note or bond offerings. If any of our subsidiaries is unable to satisfy these restrictions or is otherwise in default under such agreements, it would be prohibited from making distributions to us that could, in turn, limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares. For example, low wind conditions contributed to one of our projects not satisfying financial tests required to permit distributions to us during certain quarters of 2017 and also resulted in a requirement that such trapped cash be utilized to prepay certain debt at the project level. The terms of our project indebtedness typically require commencement of commercial operations prior to our ability to receive cash distributions from a project. The terms of any such indebtedness also typically include cash management or similar provisions, pursuant to which revenues generated by projects subject to such indebtedness are immediately, or upon the occurrence of certain events, swept into an account for the benefit of the lenders under such debt agreements. As a result, project revenues typically only become available to us after the funding of reserve accounts for, among other things, operations and maintenance expenses, debt service, taxes and insurance at the project level. In some instances, projects may be required to sweep cash to reserve funds intended to mitigate the results of pending litigation or other potentially adverse events.
In addition, the terms of operating agreements for our wind facilities with tax equity investors, which include Panhandle 1, Panhandle 2, Post Rock, Logan’s Gap, Amazon Wind and Broadview, generally provide for specified allocations of distributions between the tax equity investors and ourselves which change at a specified point when the tax equity investor has realized a target after tax internal rate of return. In the event this change has not occurred by a targeted date, the tax equity investor begins to receive a greater allocation of distributions until the targeted rate of return has been achieved. In addition, the operating agreements also provide for earlier increases in the percentage of distributable cash to be allocated to the tax equity investors if the project fails to achieve certain defined minimum performance levels that are likely to cause the tax equity investors to not achieve the targeted after tax return by the targeted date and for increases under certain circumstances to match allocations of taxable income that are made to mitigate a negative capital account balance for such tax equity investors. As a result, in the event our share of distributable cash from these projects is changed as a result of one of these events, our distributions from such wind facilities may be less than expected that could, in turn, limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares.
Some of our wind facilities with tax equity investors have experienced lower than expected production and merchant power prices resulting in each of those projects failing to pass financial tests that measure cumulative cash distributions to the members. This resulted in 2017, and could additionally result in 2018, in a change of the cash percentage allocated to the tax equity members which will continue until the shortfall is remedied.
If our projects do not generate sufficient cash available for distribution, we may be required to reduce or eliminate our dividend, or fund dividends from working capital or other sources of liquidity, which may not be available, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Class A shares and on our ability to pay dividends at anticipated levels or at all.
Our ability to pay regular dividends on our Class A shares is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Our Class A stockholders have no contractual or other legal right to dividends. The payment of future dividends on our Class A shares is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends, consideration of factors such as our payout ratio, and other considerations that our Board of Directors deems relevant. Our Board of Directors has the authority to establish cash reserves for the prudent conduct of our business, and the establishment of or increase in those reserves could result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to pay dividends on our Class A shares at anticipated levels. Accordingly, we may not be able to make, or may have to reduce or eliminate, the payment of dividends on our Class A shares, which could adversely affect the market price of our Class A shares.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired and investors’ views of us could be harmed.
U.S. securities laws require, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. We must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
If we identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses (even if such material weaknesses do not result in a misstatement of our financial statements), it could adversely affect investor perceptions of our company.  Furthermore, if there was a failure in the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting which results in misstatements in

43


our financial statements, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, could cause the market price of our shares to decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchanges on which we list, the SEC, the Canadian Securities Administrators or other regulatory authorities, and could adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets.
Risks Regarding Our Cash Dividend Policy
While we believe that we will have sufficient available cash to enable us to pay the aggregate dividend on our Class A shares for the year ending December 31, 2018, we may be unable to pay the quarterly dividend or any amount on our Class A shares during these periods or any subsequent period. Holders of our Class A shares have no contractual or other legal right to receive cash dividends from us on a quarterly or other basis and, while we currently intend to at least maintain our current dividend and to grow our business and continue to increase our dividend per Class A share over time, our cash dividend policy is subject to all the risks inherent in our business and may be changed at any time. Some of the reasons for such uncertainties in our stated cash dividend policy include the following factors:
Our revolving credit facility includes customary affirmative and negative covenants that will subject certain of our project subsidiaries to restrictions on making distributions to us. Our subsidiaries are also subject to restrictions on distributions under the agreements governing their respective project-level debt. Additionally, we may incur debt in the future to acquire new power projects, the terms of which will likely require commencement of commercial operations prior to our ability to receive cash distributions from such acquired projects. These agreements also likely will contain financial tests and covenants that our subsidiaries must satisfy prior to making distributions. In the future, we may also enter into debt instruments in connection with note or bond offerings which may also contain restrictions on making distributions. If any of our subsidiaries is unable to satisfy applicable financial tests and covenants or are otherwise in default under our financing agreements, it would be prohibited from making distributions to us, which could, in turn, limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our Class A shares at our intended level or at all. See "-Risks Related to our Financial Activities-Our substantial amount of indebtedness may adversely affect our ability to operate our business and impair our ability to pay dividends."
Under the terms of operating agreements for our wind facilities with tax equity investors, the share of distributable cash we may receive from these projects may change under certain circumstances, and if these circumstances occurred and were adverse, our distributions from such wind facilities may be less than expected. For example, two of our wind facilities with tax equity investors have experienced lower than expected production and merchant power prices resulting in each of those projects failing to pass financial tests that measure cumulative cash distributions to the members. This resulted in 2017 in a change of the cash percentage allocated to the tax equity members which will continue until the shortfall is remedied. See "-Our cash available for distribution to holders of our Class A shares may be reduced as a result of restrictions on our subsidiaries' cash distributions to us under the terms of their indebtedness, or in the event certain specified events occurred under our tax equity arrangements that change the percentage of cash distributions to be made to the tax equity investors."
Our Board of Directors will have the authority to establish cash reserves for the prudent conduct of our business, and the establishment of or increase in those reserves would reduce the cash available to pay our dividends.
We may lack sufficient cash available for distribution to pay our dividends due to operational, commercial or other factors, some of which are outside of our control, including insufficient cash flow generation by our projects, as well as unexpected operating interruptions, insufficient wind resources, legal liabilities, the cost associated with governmental regulation, changes in governmental subsidies or regulations, increases in our operating or selling, general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements and anticipated cash reserve needs.
We are an SEC foreign issuer under Canadian securities laws and, therefore, are exempt from certain requirements of Canadian securities laws applicable to other Canadian reporting issuers.
Although we are a reporting issuer in Canada, we are an SEC foreign issuer under Canadian securities laws and are exempt from certain Canadian securities laws relating to continuous disclosure obligations and proxy solicitation if we comply with certain reporting requirements applicable in the United States, provided that the relevant documents filed with the SEC are filed in Canada and sent to our Class A stockholders in Canada to the extent and in the manner and within the time required by applicable U.S. requirements. In some cases, the disclosure obligations applicable in the United States are different or less onerous than the comparable disclosure requirements applicable in Canada for a Canadian reporting issuer that is not exempt from Canadian disclosure obligations. Therefore, there may be less or different publicly available information about us than would be available if we were a Canadian reporting issuer that is not exempt from such Canadian disclosure obligations.

44


Pattern Development 1.0’s and Pattern Development 2.0’s general partners and their officers and directors have fiduciary or other obligations to act in the best interests of the owners of such entities, which could result in a conflict of interest with us and our stockholders.
Pattern Development 1.0 holds approximately 7.5% of our outstanding Class A shares, representing in the aggregate an approximate 7.5% voting interest in our company. We are party to the Multilateral Management Services Agreement, pursuant to which each of our executive officers (including our Chief Executive Officer) is a shared executive and devotes time to each of our company, Pattern Development 1.0, and Pattern Development 2.0 as needed to conduct the respective businesses. As a result, these shared executives have fiduciary and other duties to these Pattern Development Companies. Conflicts of interest may arise in the future between our company (including our stockholders other than Pattern Development 1.0), and Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 (and their respective owners and affiliates). Our directors and executive officers owe fiduciary duties to the holders of our shares. However, Pattern Development 1.0’s and Pattern Development 2.0’s general partners and their officers and directors also have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of Pattern Development 1.0’s and Pattern Development 2.0’s limited partners, respectively, which interest may differ from or conflict with that of our company and our other stockholders.
The share ownership of certain significant stockholders may limit other stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Pattern Development 1.0 (and its affiliates) hold approximately 9.5% and 7.5%, respectively, of the combined voting power of our shares. The voting power of each of these stockholders may limit other stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters, and as a result, actions may be taken that other stockholders may not view as beneficial. As a result of their ownership in our company, each of these entities have significant influence over all matters that require approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors. The interests of these significant stockholders may differ from or conflict with the interests of our other stockholders.
In addition, under the Joint Venture Agreement we have entered into with PSP Investments, we may add a person that has been designated by PSP Investments to our Board of Directors.
Certain of our executive officers will continue to have an economic interest in, and all of our executive officers will continue to provide services to, Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, which could result in conflicts of interest.
All of our executive officers provide services to Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 pursuant to the terms of the Multilateral Management Services Agreement between our company, Pattern Development 1.0, and Pattern Development 2.0, and, as a result, in some instances, have fiduciary or other obligations to such Pattern Development Companies. However, neither our Chief Financial Officer, or Chief Investment Officer, receives compensation from, or has an economic interest in, either Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0. Additionally, while none of our Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Business Development, and Executive Vice President and General Counsel, receive compensation from either Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0, such officers have economic interests in such Pattern Development Companies and, accordingly, the benefit to such Pattern Development Companies from a transaction between such Pattern Development Company and our company will proportionately inure to their benefit as holders of economic interests in such Pattern Development Company. Each of Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 are related parties under the applicable securities laws governing related party transactions and, as a result, any material transaction between our company and Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 is subject to our corporate governance guidelines, which require prior approval of any such transaction by the conflicts committee, which is comprised solely of independent members of our Board of Directors. Those of our executive officers who have economic interests in Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 may be conflicted when advising the conflicts committee or otherwise participating in the negotiation or approval of such transactions. These executive officers have significant project- and industry-specific expertise that could prove beneficial to the conflicts committee’s decision-making process and the absence of such strategic guidance could have a material adverse effect on our company’s ability to evaluate any such transaction and, in turn, on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Riverstone is under no obligation to offer us an opportunity to participate in any business opportunities that it may consider from time to time, including those in the energy industry, and, as a result, Riverstone’s existing and future portfolio companies may compete with us for investment or business opportunities.
Conflicts of interest could arise in the future between us, on the one hand, and Riverstone, including its portfolio companies, on the other hand, concerning among other things, potential competitive business activities or business opportunities. Riverstone is a private equity firm in the business of making investments in entities primarily in the energy industry. As a result, Riverstone’s existing and future portfolio companies (other than Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, which are subject to the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement) may compete with us for investment or business opportunities. These conflicts of interest may not be resolved in our favor.

45


Subject to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement with, and our respective Purchase Rights granted to us by, each of Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, we have expressly renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that may be from time to time presented to Riverstone or any of its officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members or partners or business opportunities that such parties participate in or desire to participate in, even if the opportunity is one that we might reasonably have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and no such person shall be liable to us for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or controlling stockholder or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues or acquires any such business opportunity, directs any such business opportunity to another person or fails to present any such business opportunity, or information regarding any such business opportunity, to us unless, in the case of any such person who is our director or officer, any such business opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer. In view of Riverstone’s policies and practices with respect to the apportionment of business opportunities presented to the investment funds managed or advised by it and their respective portfolio companies, a business opportunity presented to such fund or portfolio company may generally be pursued by such fund (or other Riverstone funds, as applicable) or directed to any such portfolio company.
As a result, Riverstone may become aware, from time to time, of certain business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities, and may direct such opportunities to other businesses in which it has invested, in which case we may not become aware of or otherwise have the ability to pursue such opportunities. Further, such businesses may choose to compete with us for these opportunities. As a result, our renouncing our interest and expectancy in any business opportunity that may be from time to time presented to Riverstone could adversely impact our business or prospects if attractive business opportunities are procured by such parties for their own benefit rather than for ours.
Our actual or perceived failure to deal appropriately with conflicts of interest with the Pattern Development Companies could damage our reputation, increase our exposure to potential litigation and have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our conflicts committee is required to review, and make recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding, any future transactions involving the acquisition of an asset or investment in an opportunity offered to us by Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 to determine whether the offer is fair and reasonable (including any acquisitions by us of assets of Pattern Development 1.0 or Pattern Development 2.0 pursuant to our respective Purchase Rights). Furthermore, during 2017 and through February 2018 we have made an aggregate investment of $102.5 million in Pattern Development 2.0 resulting in an ownership of approximately 21%. We have established certain governance procedures between ourselves and Pattern Development 2.0 to manage conflicts issues which may arise between ourselves and Pattern Development 2.0, which include having the chair of the conflicts committee, or his designee, attend regularly scheduled meetings of the Pattern Development 2.0 board at which the development pipeline will be reviewed and anticipated funding needs will be discussed, and regular reporting of reasonably expected potential conflicts between us and Pattern Development 2.0 to the conflicts committee.
However, our establishment of a conflicts committee and governance procedures for our Pattern Development 2.0 investment may not prevent holders of our shares from filing derivative claims against us related to these conflicts of interest and related party transactions. Regardless of the merits of their claims, we may be required to expend significant management time and financial resources on the defense of such claims. Additionally, to the extent we fail to appropriately deal with any such conflicts, it could negatively impact our reputation and ability to raise additional funds and the willingness of counterparties to do business with us, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Market interest and foreign exchange rates may have an effect on the value of our Class A shares.
One of the factors that influences the price of our Class A shares will be the effective dividend yield of our Class A shares (i.e., the yield as a percentage of the then market price of our Class A shares) relative to market interest rates. An increase in market interest rates, which are currently at low levels relative to historical rates, may lead prospective purchasers of our Class A shares to expect a higher dividend yield and, our inability to increase our dividend as a result of an increase in borrowing costs, insufficient cash available for distribution or otherwise, could result in selling pressure on, and a decrease in the market price of, our Class A shares as investors seek alternative investments with higher yield. Additionally, we intend to pay a regular quarterly dividend in U.S. dollars and, as a result, to the extent the value of the U.S. dollar dividend decreases relative to Canadian dollars, the market price of our Class A shares in Canada could decrease.

46


The price of our Class A shares may fluctuate significantly, and stockholders could lose all or part of their investment.
Volatility in the market price of our shares may prevent stockholders from being able to sell their Class A shares at or above the price stockholders paid for their shares. The market price of our Class A shares could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, including:
our operating and financial performance and prospects;
our quarterly or annual results of operations or those of other companies in our industry;
a change in interest rates or changes in currency exchange rates;
the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the SEC;
changes in, or failure to meet, earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our Class A shares or the stock of other companies in our industry;
the failure of research analysts to cover our Class A shares;
strategic actions by us, our power purchasers or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
material litigation or government investigations;
changes in applicable tax laws;
changes in general conditions in the United States, Canadian and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism or responses to such events;
changes in key personnel;
sales of Class A shares by us or members of our management team;
termination of lock-up agreements with our management team and principal stockholders;
the granting or exercise of employee stock options;
volume of trading in our Class A shares; and
the realization of any risks described under “Risk Factors.”
Volatility in the stock markets has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry and yieldcos. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our Class A shares could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce the share price of our Class A shares and cause stockholders to lose all or part of their investment. Further, in the past, market fluctuations and price declines in a company’s stock have led to securities class action litigation. If such a suit were to arise, it could have a substantial cost and divert our resources regardless of the outcome.
We incur increased costs and demands upon management as a result of complying with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, which could harm our operating results.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with current corporate governance requirements, Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall

47


Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as rules implemented by the SEC, the Canadian Securities Administrators and the stock exchanges on which our Class A shares are traded.
The expenses incurred by public companies for reporting and corporate governance purposes have increased dramatically over the past several years. Greater expenditures may be necessary in the future with the advent of new laws and regulations pertaining to public companies. If we are not able to comply with these requirements in a timely manner, the market price of our Class A shares could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, the Canadian Securities Administrators, the applicable stock exchanges or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
As a result of the FPA and FERC’s regulations in respect of transfers of control, absent prior authorization by FERC, neither we nor Pattern Development 1.0 can convey, nor will an investor in our company generally be permitted to obtain, a direct and/or indirect voting interest in 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting securities, and a violation of this limitation could result in civil or criminal penalties under the FPA and possible further sanctions imposed by FERC under the FPA.
We are a holding company with U.S. operating subsidiaries that are “public utilities” (as defined in the FPA) and, therefore, subject to FERC’s jurisdiction under the FPA. As a result, the FPA requires us or Pattern Development 1.0, as the case may be, either to (i) obtain prior authorization from FERC to transfer an amount of our voting securities sufficient to convey direct or indirect control over any of our public utility subsidiaries or (ii) qualify for a blanket authorization granted under or an exemption from FERC’s regulations in respect of transfers of control. Similar restrictions apply to purchasers of our voting securities who are a “holding company” under the PUHCA, in a holding company system that includes a transmitting utility or an electric utility, or an “electric holding company,” regardless of whether our voting securities were purchased in our initial public offering, subsequent offerings by us or Pattern Development 1.0, in open market transactions or otherwise. A purchaser of our voting securities would be a “holding company” under the PUHCA and an electric holding company if the purchaser acquired direct or indirect control over 10% or more of our voting securities or if FERC otherwise determined that the purchaser could directly or indirectly exercise control over our management or policies (e.g., as a result of contractual board or approval rights). Under the PUHCA, a “public-utility company” is defined to include an “electric utility company,” which is any company that owns or operates facilities used for the generation, transmission or distribution of electric energy for sale, and which includes EWGs such as our U.S. operating subsidiaries. Accordingly, absent prior authorization by FERC or an increase to the applicable percentage ownership under a blanket authorization, for the purposes of sell-side transactions by us or Pattern Development 1.0 and buy-side transactions involving purchasers of our securities that are electric holding companies, no purchaser can acquire 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting securities. A violation of these regulations by us or Pattern Development 1.0, as sellers, or an investor, as a purchaser of our securities, could subject the party in violation to civil or criminal penalties under the FPA, including civil penalties of up to approximately $1.25 million per day per violation (which amount is adjusted annually to account for inflation) and other possible sanctions imposed by FERC under the FPA.
As a result of the FPA and FERC’s regulations in respect of transfers of control, and consistent with the requirements for blanket authorizations granted thereunder or exemptions therefrom, absent prior authorization by FERC, no purchaser of our Class A common stock in the open market, or in subsequent offerings of our voting securities, will be permitted to purchase an amount of our securities that would cause such purchaser and its affiliate and associate companies to collectively hold 10% or more of our voting securities outstanding. Additionally, investors should manage their investment in us in a manner consistent with FERC’s regulations in respect of obtaining direct or indirect “control” of our company. Accordingly, absent prior authorization by FERC, investors in our Class A common stock are advised not to acquire a direct and/or indirect voting interest in 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting securities, whether in connection with an offering by us or Pattern Development 1.0 or in open market purchases or otherwise.
Provisions of our organizational documents and Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, as a result, depress the trading price of our Class A shares.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our company may deem advantageous. These provisions:
authorize the issuance of blank check preferred stock that our Board of Directors could issue to increase the number of outstanding shares and to discourage a takeover attempt;
prohibit our stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders;
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which requires all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders;

48


provide that the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, or to alter or repeal our bylaws; and
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
These anti-takeover defenses could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and cause us to take corporate actions other than those desired.
Future sales of our shares in the public market could lower our Class A share price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities may dilute stockholders’ ownership in us and may adversely affect the market price of our Class A shares.
In addition to follow-on offerings of our Class A shares in each of 2014, 2015 and 2016, in October 2017 we completed a follow-on offering in which a total of 9,200,000 Class A shares were sold. We also established an “at-the-market” equity distribution program in May 2016 under which we sold approximately 1.2 million and 1.1 million shares in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In addition, previously in July 2015, we issued $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020. If we sell, or if Pattern Development 1.0 or other significant stockholders sell, additional large numbers of our Class A shares, or if we issue a large number of shares of our Class A common stock in connection with future acquisitions, financings, or other circumstances, the market price of our Class A shares could decline significantly. Moreover, the perception in the public market that we, Pattern Development 1.0 or another significant stockholder might sell Class A shares could depress the market price of those shares.
In addition, in May 2014, Pattern Development 1.0 entered into a loan agreement pursuant to which it may pledge our Class A shares owned by it to secure such loan. As of December 31, 2017, substantially all of our Class A shares owned by Pattern Development 1.0, approximating 7.4 million Class A shares, have been pledged as security for such loan. If Pattern Development 1.0 were to default on its obligations under the loan, the lenders would have the right to sell shares to satisfy Pattern Development 1.0’s obligation. Such an event could cause our stock price to decline. In addition, in August 2017, Pattern Development 1.0 entered into a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to which periodic sales of up to an aggregate of 6.0 million Class A shares may be made, subject to the terms of the trading plan. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our Class A shares, sales of our Class A shares, or sales of securities convertible into our Class A shares, or the effect, if any, that any such future issuances or sales will have on the market price of our shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our shares (including sales pursuant to either Pattern Development 1.0’s or PSP Investments's registration rights and shares issued in connection with an acquisition) or securities convertible into our shares, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A shares.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments. 
None.  
Item 2.
Properties.
Leased Facilities
Our corporate headquarters and executive offices are located in San Francisco, California and we additionally lease office space in Houston, Texas.
Our Projects
We hold interests in 25 wind and solar power projects, including projects which we have committed to acquire. Our projects are located in the United States, Canada, Japan and Chile and have a total owned capacity of 2,942 MW. We typically finance our wind and solar projects through project entity specific debt secured by each project's assets with no recourse to us. For details on our operating wind and solar power projects, please see Item 1 "Business - Our Projects" in this Form 10-K.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
During the third quarter of 2015, rights to appeal prior decisions granting the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act for our K2 facility were exhausted without further appeal. As a result, a stay of a previously filed civil suit against the K2 facility pending final determination of the REA was lifted, allowing such suit to move forward if the claimants so chose to continue such suit. K2 has been awarded their legal fees in connection with the portion of the claim that was stricken, and has reached a settlement agreement under which K2 will waive entitlement to the legal fees and in return claimants have agreed to full dismissal of all pending claims.
We are also subject, from time to time, to various other routine legal proceedings and claims arising out of the normal course of business. These proceedings primarily involve claims from landowners related to calculation of land royalties and warranty claims we initiate against equipment suppliers. The outcome of these legal proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty. Nevertheless, we believe the outcome of any of such currently existing proceedings, even if determined adversely, would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

49


PART II
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
Our Class A common stock is traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Global Select Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbol “PEGI.” On February 23, 2018, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $18.91 per share and on the TSX was C$23.93 per share.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market: 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
Fourth Quarter
 
$
24.94

 
$
20.58

 
$
23.01

 
$
18.68

Third Quarter
 
$
26.56

 
$
22.87

 
$
25.13

 
$
22.27

Second Quarter
 
$
25.42

 
$
19.82

 
$
23.02

 
$
17.70

First Quarter
 
$
21.28

 
$
18.83

 
$
21.01

 
$
14.56

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices for our Class A common stock on the TSX:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
Fourth Quarter
 
C$
30.82

 
C$
26.50

 
C$
30.65

 
C$
25.01

Third Quarter
 
C$
32.57

 
C$
29.66

 
C$
33.00

 
C$
29.01

Second Quarter
 
C$
33.35

 
C$
26.65

 
C$
29.74

 
C$
23.24

First Quarter
 
C$
27.74

 
C$
25.35

 
C$
29.20

 
C$
20.50

On October 23, 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of our Class A common stock. In total, 9,200,000 shares of our Class A common stock were sold at a public offering price of $23.40 per share. This includes 1,200,000 shares purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments. Aggregate net proceeds of the equity offering, including the proceeds of the over-allotment option, were approximately $211.9 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions, and transaction expenses.
On May 9, 2016, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the Agents, as our sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $200.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we sold 1,068,261 shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement and net proceeds under the issuances were $25.3 million.
Holders of Record
Because many of our shares of Class A common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders. As of February 23, 2018, there were approximately 15 stockholders of record of our Class A common stock.

50


Stock performance chart
This performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the "Exchange Act," or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Pattern Energy Group Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the "Securities Act."
The following graph shows a comparison from September 27, 2013 (the date our Class A common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ) through December 31, 2017 of the cumulative total stockholder return for our Class A common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index (NASDAQ Composite) and the Philadelphia Utility Sector Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested at the market close on September 27, 2013 in the Class A common stock of Pattern Energy Group Inc., the NASDAQ Composite and the Philadelphia Utility Sector Index and also assumes reinvestments of dividends. The stock price performance of the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

chart-bf217c4ba72d5a95a8f.jpg

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Cash Dividend to Investors
We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends in U.S. dollars to holders of our Class A stock. The following table sets forth the dividends declared on shares of Class A common stock for the periods indicated. On February 22, 2018, we maintained our dividend at $0.4220 per share of Class A common stock, or $1.688 per share of Class A common stock on an annualized basis, commencing with respect to dividends paid on April 30, 2018 to holders of record on March 30, 2018.
 
Dividends Declared
2018
 
First Quarter
$
0.4220

2017

Fourth Quarter
$
0.4220

Third Quarter
$
0.4200

Second Quarter
$
0.4180

First Quarter
$
0.4138

2016

Fourth Quarter
$
0.4080

Third Quarter
$
0.4000

Second Quarter
$
0.3900

First Quarter
$
0.3810

We have established our quarterly dividend level based on a targeted cash available for distribution payout ratio, after considering the annual cash available for distribution that we expect our projects will be able to generate and with due regard to retaining a portion of the cash available for distribution to grow our business. We intend to grow our business primarily through the acquisition of operational and construction ready power projects, which, we believe, will facilitate the growth of our cash available for distribution and enable us to increase our dividend per share of Class A common stock over time. We may in the future raise capital and make investments in new power projects upon or near the commencement of construction of such projects and therefore prior to the expected commencement of operations of the new projects, which could result in a passage of time of twelve or more months before we begin to receive any cash flow contributions from such projects to our cash available for distribution. In connection with these investments, we may increase our dividends prior to the receipt of such cash flow contributions, which would likely cause our payout ratio to temporarily exceed our targeted run-rate payout ratio. However, the determination of the amount of cash dividends to be paid to holders of our Class A common stock will be made by our Board of Directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, long-term prospects and any other matters that our Board of Directors deem relevant. See Item 1ARisk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of our Class A Shares—Risks Regarding our Cash Dividend Policy.”
We expect to pay a quarterly dividend on or about the 30th day following each fiscal quarter to holders of record of our Class A common stock on the last day of such quarter.
Our cash available for distribution is likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter, perhaps significantly, as a result of variability in wind conditions and other factors. Accordingly, during quarters in which we generate cash available for distribution in excess of the amount required to pay our stated quarterly dividend, we may reserve a portion of the excess to fund dividends in future quarters. In addition, we may use sources of cash not included in our calculation of cash available for distribution, such as certain net cash provided by financing and investing activities, to pay dividends to holders of our Class A common stock in quarters in which we do not generate sufficient cash available for distribution to fund our stated quarterly dividend. Although these other sources of cash may be substantial and available to fund a dividend payment in a particular period, we exclude these items from our calculation of cash available for distribution because we consider them non-recurring or otherwise not representative of the operating cash flows we typically expect to generate. See Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Metrics—Cash Available for Distribution."

52


Repurchase of Equity Securities
The table below provides information with respect to repurchases of our Class A common stock during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017. All shares were tendered to us in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants under our 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan. We currently do not have a stock repurchase plan in place. 
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
10/1/17-10/31/17
 

 
$

11/1/17-11/30/17
 

 
$

12/1/17-12/31/17
 
42,666

 
$
21.41

 
 
42,666

 
$
21.41

For information on the equity compensation plans see Item 12 "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters."


53


Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
Set forth below is our summary historical consolidated financial data. This information may not be indicative of our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Item 7Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We believe that the assumptions underlying the preparation of our historical consolidated financial statements are reasonable.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue(1)
 
$
411,344

 
$
354,052

 
$
329,831

 
$
265,493

 
$
201,573

Operating income (expense)
 
10,259

 
5,311

 
37,105

 
57,593

 
48,393

Net income (loss)
 
(82,410
)
 
(52,299
)
 
(55,607
)
 
(39,999
)
 
10,072

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(64,505
)
 
(35,188
)
 
(23,074
)
 
(8,709
)
 
(6,887
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pattern Energy
 
$
(17,905
)
 
$
(17,111
)
 
$
(32,533
)
 
$
(31,290
)
 
$
16,959

Less: Net income attributable to Pattern Energy prior to the initial public offering on October 2, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30,295
)
Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy subsequent to the initial public offering
 
 
 


 


 

 
$
(13,336
)
Loss per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock: basic and diluted loss per share
 
$
(0.20
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.46
)
 
$
(0.56
)
 
$
(0.17
)
Class B common stock: basic and diluted loss per share
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
(0.49
)
 
(0.48
)
Dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per Class A common share
 
$
1.67

 
$
1.58

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.30

 
$
0.31

Deemed dividends per Class B common share
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
1.41

 

Balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets(1)(2)
 
$
4,741,531

 
$
3,752,767

 
$
3,829,592

 
$
2,795,287

 
$
1,872,233

Revolving credit facility
 
$

 
$
180,000

 
$
355,000

 
$
50,000

 
$

Long-term debt including current portion, net of financing costs(2)
 
$
1,930,731

 
$
1,383,672

 
$
1,415,886

 
$
1,413,858

 
$
1,217,820

Total liabilities
 
$
2,393,389

 
$
1,874,023

 
$
2,053,830

 
$
1,630,553

 
$
1,304,229

(1)
Total revenues and total assets increased during the years ended and as of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2015 and 2014 compared to the years ended and as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily due to acquisitions and the commencement of operations at various project wind farms. For further details of acquisitions, see Note 3, Acquisitions, in the notes to consolidated financial statements.
(2)
In 2015, we early adopted ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." As a result, we reclassified deferred financing costs from other assets to long-term debt. In the table above, prior year presentation of long-term debt reflects the reclassification of deferred financing costs.

54


Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following discussion contains "forward-looking statements" that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those we discuss under Item 1A "Risk Factors" elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. See "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Overview
We are an independent power company focused on owning and operating power projects with stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets with potential for continued growth of our business. We hold interests in 25 wind and solar power projects, including projects that we have committed to acquire with a total owned capacity of 2,942 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan and Chile that use proven and best-in-class technology. Each of our projects has contracted to sell all or a majority of its output pursuant to a long-term, fixed-price PSAs, some of which are subject to price escalation. Ninety-two percent of the electricity to be generated by our projects will be sold under our PSAs which have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 14 years as of December 31, 2017.
We intend to maximize long-term value for our stockholders in an environmentally responsible manner and with respect for the communities in which we operate. Our business is built around three core values of creative energy and spirit, pride of ownership and follow-through and a team first attitude, which guide us in creating a safe, high-integrity work environment, applying rigorous analysis to all aspects of our business and proactively working with our stakeholders to address environmental and community concerns. Our financial objectives, which we believe will maximize long-term value for our stockholders, are to produce stable and sustainable cash available for distribution, selectively grow our project portfolio and our dividend per Class A share and maintain a strong balance sheet and flexible capital structure.
Our growth strategy is focused on the acquisition of operational and construction-ready power projects from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties that, together with measured investments into the development business, we believe will contribute to the growth of our business and enable us to increase our dividend per share of Class A common stock over time. The Pattern Development Companies (Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development 1.0), Pattern Energy Group 2 LP (Pattern Development 2.0) and their respective subsidiaries) are leading developers of renewable energy and transmission projects. Our continuing relationship with the Pattern Development Companies, including a 21% interest in Pattern Development 2.0, provides us with access to a pipeline of acquisition opportunities. Currently, the Pattern Development Companies have a more than 10 GW pipeline of development projects, all of which are subject to our right of first offer. We target achieving a total owned or managed capacity of 5,000 MW by year end 2020 through a combination of acquisitions from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties capitalizing on the large and fragmented global renewable energy market. Our business is primarily focused in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Chile; however, we expect Mexico will form part of our growth strategy.
The discussion and analysis below has been organized as follows:
Recent Developments
Factors that Significantly Affect our Business
Trends Affecting our Industry
Factors Affecting our Operational Results
Key Metrics
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
Uses of Liquidity
Covenants, Distribution Conditions and Events of Default
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

55


Recent Developments
On February 26, 2018, we entered into a series of purchase and sale agreements with Pattern Development 1.0 and Green Power Investments (GPI) to purchase 206 MW of renewable energy projects, consisting of Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki, Ohorayama and Tsugaru. The acquisition price for the 84 MW project portfolio (Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki and Ohorayama) is approximately $131.5 million, subject to certain closing price adjustments. The acquisition price of Tsugaru for the 122 MW wind project is approximately $194.0 million, consisting of an initial payment of approximately $79.7 million to be funded at closing and approximately JPY12.567 billion payable to Pattern Development 1.0 upon the term conversion of the construction loan and to the extent such term conversion does not occur, such second consideration payment will be made upon the commencement of commercial operations at Tsugaru which is expected in 2020. We expect to close on these transactions in early to mid 2018.
On October 23, 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of our Class A common stock. In total, 9,200,000 shares of our Class A common stock were sold at a public offering price of $23.40 per share. This includes 1,200,000 shares purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments. Aggregate net proceeds of the equity offering, including the proceeds of the over-allotment option, were approximately $211.9 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses.
On August 10, 2017, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Pattern Development 1.0, we acquired 50.99% of the limited partner interests in Meikle Wind Energy Limited Partnership (Meikle) and 70% of the issued and outstanding shares of Meikle Wind Energy Corp. (Meikle Corp) for a purchase price of approximately $67.4 million, paid at closing, in addition to $1.1 million of capitalized transaction-related expenses. Meikle operates the approximately 179 MW wind farm located in the Peace River Regional District of British Columbia, Canada, which achieved commercial operations in the first quarter of 2017. 
On June 16, 2017, we entered into several agreements with the Pattern Development Companies and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) which resulted in the following transactions:
On July 27, 2017, we funded an initial investment of $60 million in Pattern Development 2.0 for an approximately 20% initial ownership, with a right, but not the obligation, to participate in subsequent capital calls for a total commitment of up to $300 million. If this right is exercised for all future capital calls, this would increase our ownership to approximately 29%. On December 26, 2017, we funded an additional capital call for $7.3 million. In February 2018, we also funded approximately $35.2 million into Pattern Development 2.0 of which approximately $27 million will be used by Pattern Development 2.0 to fund the purchase of GPI.
We entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with PSP Investments pursuant to which PSP Investments will have the right to co-invest up to an aggregate amount of approximately $500 million in projects acquired by us under our Project Purchase Rights with the Pattern Development Companies, including investments in Meikle, MSM and Panhandle 2.
In August 2017, we acquired a 51% interest in Meikle as discussed above.
We committed to acquire from Pattern Development 1.0 a 51% interest in MSM, a 143MW wind power project, for approximately $40 million.
On December 22, 2017, we sold 49% of the Class B membership interest in the 182 MW Panhandle 2 project to PSP Investments for $58.6 million.
On April 21, 2017, we acquired an 84% initial distributable cash flow interest in Broadview and a 99% ownership interest in Western Interconnect from Pattern Development 1.0. Consideration consisted of $214.7 million of cash, a $2.4 million assumed liability and a post-closing payment of approximately $21.3 million contingent upon the commercial operation of the Grady Project. As part of the acquisition, we also assumed $51.2 million of construction debt and accrued interest outstanding at Western Interconnect which was immediately extinguished, and concurrently, we entered into a variable rate term loan for $54.4 million. The Grady Project is a wind project on the Identified ROFO Projects list being separately developed by Pattern Development 2.0 which is expected to begin full construction in 2018, and which intends to interconnect through Western Interconnect. Following the commencement of commercial operations of the Grady Project, at which time the Grady Project will begin making transmission service payments to Western Interconnect, the Company will make the aforementioned contingent post-closing payment.
In March 2017, we entered into revised Long-term Service Agreements (LTSAs) at certain of our projects pursuant to which the turbine manufacturer will continue to provide routine and corrective maintenance service, but we have become responsible for a portion of the maintenance and repairs, including on major component parts.

56


Factors that Significantly Affect our Business
Our results of operations in the near-term, as well as our ability to grow our business and revenue from electricity sales over time, could be impacted by a number of factors, including trends affecting our industry and factors affecting our operating results as discussed below:
Trends Affecting our Industry
The growth in the industry is largely attributable to renewable energy’s increasing cost competitiveness with other power generation technologies, the advantages of wind and solar power over other renewable energy sources and growing public support for renewable energy driven by energy security and environmental concerns.
We believe that the key drivers for the long-term growth of renewable power include:
increased demand for renewable energy resulting from regulatory or policy initiatives. Notable initiatives include country, state or provincial RPS programs;
governmental incentives for renewable energy including feed-in-tariff regimes, carbon credits and the U.S. federal based production or investment tax credits, which were extended through December 2019 (wind) and December 2022 (solar), that improve the cost competitiveness of renewable energy compared to traditional sources;
new demand created by corporate and industrial buyers directly procuring renewable electricity on a large scale;
efficiency and capital cost improvements in wind, solar and other renewable energy technologies, enabling wind and other forms of renewable energy to compete successfully in more markets;
environmental and social factors supporting increasing levels of wind, solar and other renewable technologies in the generation mix;
regulatory barriers, market pressure and public acceptance challenges increase the time, cost and difficulty of permitting new fossil fuel-fired facilities, notably coal, and nuclear facilities;
decommissioning of aging coal-fired and nuclear facilities is expected to leave a gap in electricity supply; and
policy initiatives to include such externalities as the cost of carbon pollution, methane leakage and water usage in conventional fossil fuel-fired electricity generation over time will increase costs of conventional generation.
In general, we continue to believe that there will be additional acquisition opportunities in the United States in the short term and that the longer-term growth trend will continue.
Our Outlook
Our projects are generally unaffected by short-term trends given that 92% of the electricity to be generated by our projects is to be sold under our fixed-price power sale agreements, which have a weighted average remaining life of approximately 14 years as of December 31, 2017.
Our near-term growth strategy will focus on wind and solar power projects. We expect that most of our short-term growth will come from opportunities to acquire the Identified ROFO Projects, but we will evaluate unaffiliated third-party asset acquisition opportunities as well. In addition, we will continue to evaluate further investment in Pattern Development 2.0 as discussed below.
Factors Affecting our Operational Results
The primary factors that will affect our financial results are (i) electricity sales and energy derivative settlements of our operating projects, (ii) project operations, (iii) debt financing, (iv) congestion in the Texas market, (v) general and administrative costs, (vi) acquisitions and (vii) investment in Pattern Development 2.0.
Electricity Sales and Energy Derivative Settlements of our Operating Projects
Our electricity sales and energy derivative settlements are primarily determined by the price of electricity and any environmental attributes we sell under our power sale agreements and the amount of electricity that we produce, which is in turn principally the result of the wind conditions at our project sites and the performance of our equipment. We base our estimates of each project’s capacity to generate electricity on the findings of our internal and external experts’ long-term meteorological studies, which include on-site data collected from equipment on the property and relevant reference wind data from other sources, as well as specific equipment power curves and estimates for the

57


performance of our equipment over time. Ninety-two percent of the electricity to be generated across our projects is currently committed under long-term, fixed-price power sale agreements which have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 14 years as of December 31, 2017.
Our wind analysis evaluates the wind’s speed and prevailing direction, atmospheric conditions, and wake and seasonal variations for each project. The result of our meteorological analysis is a probabilistic assessment of a project’s likely output. A P50 level of production indicates we believe a 50% probability exists that the electricity generated from a project will exceed a specified aggregate amount of electricity generation during a given period. While we plan for variability around this P50 production level, it generally provides the foundation for our base case expectation. The variability is measured in a spectrum of possible output levels such as a P75 output level, which indicates that over a specified period of time, such as one or ten years, the P75 output level would be exceeded 75% of the time. Similarly, the P25 output level would be exceeded 25% of the time. We often use P95, P90 and P75 production levels to plan ahead for low-wind years, while recognizing that we should also have corresponding high-wind years.
In addition to annual P50 variability, we also expect seasonal variability to occur. Variability increases as the period of review shortens, so it is likely that we will experience more variability in monthly or quarterly production than we do for annual production. Therefore, our periodic cash flow and payout ratios will also reflect more variability during periods shorter than a year. As a result, we use cash reserves to help manage short term production and cash flow variability.
When analyzed together, a portfolio’s probability of exceeding a specific output level changes when all the projects are considered as a portfolio instead of on a stand-alone basis. Due to the geographical separation between our projects, the uncertainty variables and wind speed correlations are diverse enough across the portfolio to provide reduction in the overall uncertainty, which we refer to as the portfolio effect. For example, the sum of our individual projects’ P75 output levels is approximately 93% of the aggregate P50 output level (which is unaffected by the portfolio effect), while the P75 output level, when taking into account the portfolio effect, is approximately 96% of our aggregate P50 output level. On a portfolio basis, our P90 and P95 production estimates for the annual electricity generation of our twenty operating projects (excluding projects in Japan we have agreed to acquire) are approximately 91% and 89%, respectively, of our estimated P50 output levels. The portfolio effect results in an improvement in the production stability across the portfolio. A greater diversity of projects in the portfolio has the effect of increasing the frequency of occurrences aggregated around the expected result (probability level).
Our electricity generation is also dependent on the equipment that we use. We have selected high-quality equipment with a goal of having a concentration of turbines from top manufacturers. With a combination of high-quality equipment and scale and in-house operating capability, we have structured our projects such that we may expect high availability and long-term production from the equipment, develop operating expertise and experience, which can be shared among our operators, obtain a high level of attention and focus from the manufacturers and common operating practices. Given our manufacturers’ global fleet sizes and strong balance sheets, the warranties that we secure for our turbines and our operating approach described below, we are confident in our expectations for reliable long-term turbine operation.
Impact of Derivative Instruments
Where possible, we have sought to protect ourselves against electricity and interest rate exposures with a relatively longer term hedging strategy. We expect to hedge exposure to foreign currency exchange rates in the future over shorter periods of time. Accordingly, we have experienced in the past, and expect to record in the future, substantial volatility in the components of our net income that relate to the mark-to-market adjustments on our undesignated energy and interest rate derivatives.
We believe that mark-to-market adjustments that we make to the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities are generally mirrored by changes in the economic value of the related operating or financial assets, such as our wind projects and our project loans, for which the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) does not permit us to record such economic gains and losses. For this reason, and because one of our principal financial objectives is to produce stable and sustainable cash available for distribution, we believe that the economic value to our shareholders reflected in these derivative instruments, outweighs the risk of volatility in net income that we expect to report. Accordingly, we believe it is useful to investors to consider supplemental financial measures that we report, such as Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion (Adjusted EBITDA), where we have subtracted and added back, as applicable, the unrealized gains and losses arising from mark-to-market adjustments on our derivative instruments, and cash available for distribution.

58


Project Operations
Turbine Availability
Our ability to generate electricity in an efficient and cost-effective manner is impacted by our ability to maintain the operating capacity of our projects. We use reliable and proven wind turbines and other equipment for each of our projects. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our turbine availability across our projects was 97.4% and 96.8% respectively, which is in line with industry standards for original investment projections reviewed by independent engineering firms.
Operations and maintenance - self-perform
In early 2017, we revised long-term turbine manufacturer service arrangements at certain of our projects pursuant to which the turbine manufacturer continues to provide routine and corrective maintenance service, but we are responsible for a portion of the maintenance and repairs, including on major component parts. These revised service arrangements have reduced our fixed contract costs. Over time we are generally taking on more operational responsibility and risks as an owner, including self-performing maintenance and service work with our own technicians instead of utilizing service providers, which will have continuing expected cost benefits, but will similarly come with increased risks and reduced third party warranty and guarantee protections. We completed this transition to self-perform at five of our projects by the end of 2017 and expect to make a similar transition at additional projects in the future.
Debt Financing
We intend to use a portion of our revenue from electricity sales to cover our subsidiaries’ interest expense and principal payments on borrowings under their respective project financing facilities. Our interest expense primarily reflects (i) imputed interest on the lease financing of our Hatchet Ridge project, (ii) periodic interest on the term loan financing arrangements, including the effects of interest rate swaps, at our other operating projects, (iii) interest on our convertible senior notes issued in 2015 and the Unsecured Senior Notes issued in 2017 and (iv) interest on short-term loan facilities, including any borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
We believe that our projects have been financed on average with stronger coverage ratios than is typical in our industry. A debt service coverage ratio is generally defined as a project’s operating cash flows divided by scheduled payments of principal and interest for a period. While we believe that the commercial bank market generally seeks a minimum average annual debt service coverage ratio for wind power projects, based on P50 output levels, of between 1.4 and 1.5 to 1.0, our projects, on a portfolio basis, have an expected average annual debt service coverage ratio over the remaining scheduled loan amortization periods of approximately 2.0 to 1.0.
Congestion in the Texas market
In addition to the risks we face in broad commodity markets, many of our projects, especially in ERCOT, also face project-specific risks related to transmission system limitations which can result in local prices that are lower than the broader market prices (congestion). In the case of adverse congestion, our revenues are negatively impacted, and our PSAs do not protect us from these impacts, since under those contracts, this risk is fully allocated to our projects and not to the counterparty (e.g. we sell our power at the lower local price, but still have to buy power for the counterparty at the higher broad market or hub price). In the past these impacts have been material to our economic results, and we expect that congestion will continue to be a material risk, in the future.
General and Administrative Cost
In addition to reducing our project expense through restructuring service agreements and a transition to self-perform, we are also focused on measures to reduce our general and administrative expenses, including our net related party charges to and from Pattern Development 1.0. We are investing in a number of efficiency initiatives (principally automation and other process improvements) in accounting, procurement, human resources, loan administration, and asset management, among others, that we believe will also result in a lower administrative cost structure. In 2017, these initiatives along with measures we took to remediate our material weaknesses in internal controls in 2017 resulted in higher audit, consulting and staffing expenses; however, we anticipate that the consequent changes we make to our control environment together with the efficiency initiatives will reduce certain general and administrative costs starting in 2018.
Acquisitions
Our ability to grow our cash available for distribution is substantially dependent on our ability to make acquisitions. During 2017, our acquisitions of Broadview and Meikle increased our operating capacity by 363 MW or 14%. In addition, the Broadview acquisition included the acquisition of Western Interconnect. Our investment in 2017 and our additional commitment to fund capital calls in Pattern Development 2.0 facilitates additional long-term capital for Pattern Development 2.0 to support the growth in the development pipeline.

59


In 2018, we committed to acquire several entities in Japan which when consummated will increase our project portfolio capacity by 206 MW including 39 MW of solar renewable energy projects. Additionally, we expect to complete the acquisition of MSM, of which our proportionate interest will be 51%, in 2018.
Potential Dispositions
As discussed below, we have been conducting a strategic review of the market, growth and opportunities in Chile. To that end, we began a process to solicit bids for the potential sale of El Arrayan. In early 2018, we received a range of initial non-binding bids for the purchase of El Arrayan, and we elected to continue the strategic review with certain bidders, a process we expect to conclude in early to mid 2018. No assurances can be given that we will accept any bid and that if we did accept a bid, it would be above the current carrying value of El Arrayan. During the time we are evaluating our opportunities in Chile, we will continue to report the assets and liabilities as held and used on our consolidated balance sheets until such time as the strategic review of Chile advances to a point where it might meet (if ever) the assets held for sale requirements specified in ASC 360.
Our aggregate owned capacity is 2,942 MW. We expect that the acquisition of operational power projects from the Pattern Development Companies and other third parties will continue to contribute to our operational results.
Below is a summary of the Identified ROFO Projects that we expect to acquire from the Pattern Development Companies in connection with our Project Purchase Rights:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capacity (MW)
Identified
ROFO Projects
 
Status
 
Location
 
Construction
Start
 (1)
 
Commercial
Operations 
(2)
 
Contract
Type
 
Rated (3)
 
Pattern
Development
Companies
Owned
(4)
Pattern Development 1.0 Projects
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conejo Solar(5)
 
Operational
 
Chile
 
2015
 
2016
 
PPA
 
104
 
104
Belle River
 
Operational
 
Ontario
 
2016
 
2017
 
PPA
 
100
 
43
El Cabo
 
Operational
 
New Mexico
 
2016
 
2017
 
PPA
 
298
 
125
North Kent
 
Operational
 
Ontario
 
2017
 
2018
 
PPA
 
100
 
35
Henvey Inlet
 
In construction
 
Ontario
 
2017
 
2019
 
PPA
 
300
 
150
Pattern Development 2.0 Projects
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stillwater Big Sky
 
Late stage development
 
Montana
 
2017
 
2018
 
PPA
 
79
 
67
Crazy Mountain
 
Late stage development
 
Montana
 
2017
 
2019
 
PPA
 
80
 
68
Grady
 
Late stage development
 
New Mexico
 
2018
 
2019
 
PPA
 
220
 
188
Sumita
 
Late stage development
 
Japan
 
2019
 
2021
 
PPA
 
100
 
55
Ishikari
 
Late stage development
 
Japan
 
2019
 
2022
 
PPA
 
100
 
100
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,481
 
935
(1) 
Represents year of actual or anticipated commencement of construction.
(2) 
Represents year of actual or anticipated commencement of commercial operations.
(3) 
Rated capacity represents the maximum electricity generating capacity of a project in MW. As a result of weather and other conditions, a project will not operate at its rated capacity at all times and the amount of electricity generated may be less than its rated capacity. The amount of electricity generated may vary based on a variety of factors.
(4) 
Pattern Development Companies-Owned capacity represents the maximum, or rated, electricity generating capacity of the project in MW multiplied by Pattern Development 1.0's or Pattern Development 2.0's percentage ownership interest in the distributable cash flow of the project.
(5) 
From time to time, we conduct strategic reviews of our markets. We have been conducting a strategic review of the market, growth, and opportunities in Chile. In the event we believe we can utilize funds that have already been invested in Chile or funds that might otherwise be invested in Chile in a more productive manner elsewhere that could generate a higher return on investment, we may decide to exit Chile for other opportunities with greater potential. In addition, Pattern Development 1.0 is also concurrently exploring strategic alternatives for its assets in Chile.
Investment in Pattern Development 2.0
In December 2016, certain investment funds managed by Riverstone Holdings LLC, which own interests in Pattern Development 1.0, engaged in a transaction in which (a) certain assets of Pattern Development 1.0 consisting principally of early and mid-stage U.S. development assets (including the Grady project which is an Identified ROFO Project) were transferred to a newly formed entity, Pattern Development 2.0, and (b) Pattern Development 1.0 retained the remainder of its assets consisting principally of the other Identified ROFO Projects, non-U.S. development assets, and its ownership interest in our Class A common stock. Subsequently, in June 2017, concurrently

60


with the entry into the strategic relationship with PSP Investments, we entered into a series of new arrangements and amendments to existing arrangements with each of Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0, the purpose of which was to increase opportunities for growth with improved alignment with our core business strategy.
During 2017, we invested $67.3 million in Pattern Development 2.0 and in February 2018, we also funded approximately $35.2 million into Pattern Development 2.0 of which approximately $27 million will be used by Pattern Development 2.0 to fund the purchase of GPI. During the remainder of 2018, we will continue to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of an investment in Pattern Development 2.0. Strategic benefits include a strengthened link to Pattern Development 2.0's development pipeline and increased return on investment expectations commensurate with increased development risk. To the extent we invest in Pattern Development 2.0, we will be initially exposed to capital requirements prior to having certainty that a project can move forward. As projects are successfully completed, we anticipate that our return on our capital investment will increase. However, there are risks in project development that we have not yet been exposed to including, but not limited to, permitting challenges, failure to secure PPAs, failure to procure the requisite financing, equipment or interconnection, or an inability to satisfy the conditions to effectiveness of project agreements such as PPAs.

Key Metrics
We regularly review a number of financial measurements and operating metrics to evaluate our performance, measure our growth and make strategic decisions. In addition to traditional U.S. GAAP performance and liquidity measures, such as total revenue, cost of revenue, net loss and net cash provided by operating activities, we also consider cash available for distribution as a supplemental liquidity measure and Adjusted EBITDA, MWh sold and average realized electricity price in evaluating our operating performance. We disclose cash available for distribution, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, because management recognizes that it will be used as a supplemental measure by investors and analysts to evaluate our liquidity. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, because management believes this metric assists investors and analysts in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating performance. Each of these key metrics is discussed below.
Limitations to Key Metrics
We disclose cash available for distribution, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, because management recognizes that it will be used as a supplemental measure by investors and analysts to evaluate our liquidity. However, cash available for distribution has limitations as an analytical tool because it:
excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion;
does not capture the level of capital expenditures necessary to maintain the operating performance of our projects;
is not reduced for principal payments on our project indebtedness except to the extent they are paid from operating cash flows during a period; and
excludes the effect of certain other cash flow items, all of which could have a material effect on our financial condition and results from operations.
Because of these limitations, cash available for distribution should not be considered an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other liquidity measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs. In addition, our calculation of cash available for distribution is not necessarily comparable to cash available for distribution as calculated by other companies.
We disclose Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, because management believes this metric assists investors and analysts in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our operating performance. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to net income (loss), as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool. Some of these limitations include:
Adjusted EBITDA
does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

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does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt, or our proportional interest in the interest expense of our unconsolidated investments or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on the debt borne by our unconsolidated investments;
does not reflect our income taxes or the cash requirement to pay our taxes; or our proportional interest in income taxes of our unconsolidated investments or the cash requirements necessary to pay the taxes of our unconsolidated investments;
does not reflect depreciation, amortization and accretion which are non-cash charges; or our proportional interest in depreciation, amortization and accretion of our unconsolidated investments. The assets being depreciated, amortized and accreted will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
does not reflect the effect of certain mark-to-market adjustments and non-recurring items or our proportional interest in the mark-to-market adjustments at our unconsolidated investments.
We do not have control, nor have any legal claim to the portion of the unconsolidated investees' revenues and expenses allocable to our joint venture partners. As we do not control, but do exercise significant influence, we account for the unconsolidated investments in accordance with the equity method of accounting. Net earnings from these investments are reflected within our consolidated statements of operations in "Earnings in unconsolidated investments, net." Adjustments related to our proportionate share from unconsolidated investments include only our proportionate amounts of interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and mark-to-market adjustments included in "Earnings in unconsolidated investments, net;" and
Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Cash Available for Distribution
We define cash available for distribution as net cash provided by operating activities as adjusted for certain other cash flow items that we associate with our operations. It is a non-U.S. GAAP measure of our ability to generate cash to service our dividends.
Cash available for distribution represents cash provided by operating activities as adjusted to:
(i) add or subtract changes in operating assets and liabilities;
(ii) subtract net deposits into restricted cash accounts, which are required pursuant to the cash reserve requirements of financing agreements, to the extent they are paid from operating cash flows during a period;
(iii) subtract cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests;
(iv) subtract scheduled project-level debt repayments in accordance with the related loan amortization schedule, to the extent they are paid from operating cash flows during a period;
(v) subtract non-expansionary capital expenditures, to the extent they are paid from operating cash flows during a period;
(vi) add cash distributions received from unconsolidated investments (as reported in net cash used in investing activities), to the extent such distributions were derived from operating cash flows; and
(vii) add or subtract other items as necessary to present the cash flows we deem representative of our core business operations.

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The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure to cash available for distribution is net cash provided by operating activities. The following table is a reconciliation of our net cash provided by operating activities to cash available for distribution for the periods presented (unaudited and in thousands):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net cash provided by operating activities (1)
 
$
217,613

 
$
163,664

 
$
117,849

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
(31,568
)
 
(11,000
)
 
(6,880
)
Network upgrade reimbursement
 
9,282

 
4,821

 
2,472

Release of restricted cash to fund project and general and administrative costs
 
7,239

 
640

 
1,611

Operations and maintenance capital expenditures
 
(783
)
 
(1,017
)
 
(779
)
Distributions from unconsolidated investments
 
13,358

 
41,698

 
34,216

Reduction of other asset - Gulf Wind energy derivative deposit
 

 

 
6,205

Other
 
2,182

 
(302
)
 
(323
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
(20,250
)
 
(17,896
)
 
(7,882
)
Principal payments paid from operating cash flows
 
(51,278
)
 
$
(47,634
)
 
$
(54,041
)
Cash available for distribution
 
$
145,795

 
$
132,974

 
$
92,448

(1) 
Included in net cash provided by operating activities is the portion of distributions from unconsolidated investments paid from cumulative earnings representing the return on investment.
Cash available for distribution was $145.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $133.0 million in the prior year. This $12.8 million increase in cash available for distribution was primarily due to:
a $49.0 million increase in revenues (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) driven by projects acquired during 2017;
a $10.6 million increase in total distributions from unconsolidated investments;
a $6.6 million increase in release of restricted cash to fund project costs; and
a $4.5 million increase in network upgrade reimbursement primarily related to Broadview.
These increases were partially offset by:
a $23.0 million increase in interest expense (excluding amortization of financing costs and debt discount/premium) primarily due to the issuance of the Unsecured Senior Notes in January 2017 and debt associated with our acquisitions;
a $21.2 million increase in transmission cost and project expense;
a $7.0 million increase in operating expenses;
a $3.6 million increase in principal payments of project-level debt; and
a $2.4 million increase in distributions to noncontrolling interests.
Cash available for distribution was $133.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $92.4 million in the prior year. This $40.5 million increase in cash available for distribution was due to:
additional revenues of $47.3 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily from projects which were acquired or commenced commercial operations during 2015;
an increase of $22.5 million in cash distributions from our unconsolidated investments when compared to the same period in the prior year which was due to full year operations at K2 and the acquisition of Armow in the fourth quarter of 2016;
reduced principal payments of project-level debt by $6.4 million; and
decreased net losses on transactions of $3.1 million.

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These increases were partially offset by:
increased transmission cost and project expense of $14.2 million;
increased operating expenses of $10.7 million;
increased distributions to noncontrolling interests of $10.0 million; and
the $6.2 million cash distribution from the partial refund of a deposit associated with the Gulf Wind energy derivative in 2015.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization and accretion, including our proportionate share of net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization and accretion of unconsolidated investments. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes the effect of certain mark-to-market adjustments and infrequent items not related to normal or ongoing operations, such as early payment of debt, realized derivative gain or loss from refinancing transactions, gain or loss related to acquisitions or divestitures, and adjustments from unconsolidated investments. In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, we exclude mark-to-market adjustments to the value of our derivatives because we believe that it is useful for investors to understand, as a supplement to net income (loss) and other traditional measures of operating results, the results of our operations without regard to periodic, and sometimes material, fluctuations in the market value of such assets or liabilities.
Adjustments from unconsolidated investments represent distributions received in excess of the carrying amount of our investment and suspended equity earnings, during periods of suspension of recognition of equity method earnings. We may suspend the recognition of equity method earnings when we receive distributions in excess of the carrying value of our investment. As we are not liable for the obligations of the investee nor otherwise committed to provide financial support, we record gains resulting from such excess distributions in the period the distributions occur. Additionally, when our carrying value in an unconsolidated investment is zero and we are not liable for the obligations of the investee nor otherwise committed to provide financial support, we will not recognize equity in earnings (losses) in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated investments.
The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss). The following table reconciles net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (unaudited and in thousands):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net loss
 
$
(82,410
)
 
$
(52,299
)
 
$
(55,607
)
Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest income
 
100,687

 
76,598

 
75,309

Tax provision
 
11,734

 
8,679

 
4,943

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
215,492

 
184,002

 
145,322

EBITDA
 
$
245,503

 
$
216,980

 
$
169,967

Unrealized loss on energy derivative (1)
 
14,045

 
22,767

 
791

(Gain) loss on derivatives
 
9,787

 
3,324

 
16,711

Early extinguishment of debt
 
8,643

 

 
4,941

Other
 

 
326

 
3,400

Adjustments from unconsolidated investments (2)
 

 
(659
)
 

Plus, proportionate share from unconsolidated investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest income
 
39,240

 
32,103

 
23,537

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
35,311

 
27,763

 
22,680

(Gain) loss on derivatives
 
(8,829
)
 
1,552

 
8,514

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
343,700

 
$
304,156

 
$
250,541

(1) 
Amount is included in electricity sales on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) 
Adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2016, consists of $19.9 million gains on distributions from unconsolidated investments and ($19.2) million of suspended equity earnings. See Note 7. Unconsolidated Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, for further discussion.

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Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $343.7 million compared to $304.2 million in the prior year, an increase of $39.5 million, or approximately 13.0%. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA during 2017 as compared to 2016 was primarily due to:
a $49.0 million increase in revenue (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily attributable to projects which were acquired or commenced commercial operations in 2017; and
a $20.9 million increase in our proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated investments.
These increases were partially offset by:
a $21.2 million increase in transmission cost and project expense;
a $7.0 million increase in operating expenses; and
a $1.0 million increase in transaction cost.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $304.2 million compared to $250.5 million in the prior year, an increase of $53.6 million, or approximately 21.4%. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA during 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to:
a $47.3 million increase in revenues (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) driven by projects which were acquired or commenced commercial operations in 2015;
a $26.6 million increase in our proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated investments; and
a $3.5 million increase in other income, net primarily due to gains on foreign currency transaction.
These increases were partially offset by:
a $14.2 million increase in project expense and transmission cost; and
a $10.7 million increase in operating expenses.
MWh Sold and Average Realized Electricity Price
The number of consolidated MWh, unconsolidated investments proportional MWh and proportional MWh sold, as well as consolidated average realized price per MWh and the proportional average realized price per MWh sold, are the operating metrics that help explain trends in our revenue, earnings from our unconsolidated investments and net income (loss) attributable to us.
Consolidated MWh sold for any period presented, represents 100% of MWh sold by wholly-owned and partially-owned subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest and are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements;
Noncontrolling interest MWh represents that portion of partially-owned subsidiaries not attributable to us;
Controlling interest in consolidated MWh is the difference between the consolidated MWh sold and the noncontrolling interest MWh;
Unconsolidated investments proportional MWh is our proportion in MWh sold from our equity method investments;
Proportional MWh sold for any period presented, represents the sum of the controlling interest and our percentage interest in our unconsolidated investments; and
Average realized electricity price for each of consolidated MWh sold, unconsolidated investments proportional MWh sold and proportional MWh sold represents (i) total revenue from electricity sales for each of the respective MWh sold, discussed above, excluding unrealized gains and losses on our energy derivative and the amortization of finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities, divided by (ii) the respective MWh sold.

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The following table presents selected operating performance metrics for the periods presented (unaudited):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
MWh sold
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
% Change
Consolidated MWh sold
 
7,700,853

 
6,745,525

 
955,328

 
14.2
 %
Less: noncontrolling MWh
 
(1,147,409
)
 
(940,358
)
 
(207,051
)
 
22.0
 %
Controlling interest in consolidated MWh
 
6,553,444

 
5,805,167

 
748,277

 
12.9
 %
Unconsolidated investments proportional MWh
 
1,233,967

 
1,001,105

 
232,862

 
23.3
 %
Proportional MWh sold
 
7,787,411

 
6,806,272

 
981,139

 
14.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized electricity price per MWh
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
54

 
$
55

 
$
(1
)
 
(1.8
)%
Unconsolidated investments proportional average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
112

 
$
112

 
$

 
 %
Proportional average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
65

 
$
66

 
$
(1
)
 
(1.5
)%
Our consolidated MWh sold for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 7,700,853 MWh, as compared to 6,745,525 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 955,328 MWh, or 14.2%. The change in consolidated MWh sold was primarily attributable to:
an increase in volume of 917,166 MWh as a result of acquisitions in 2017; and
an increase in volume of 254,443 MWh from projects that existed in 2016 primarily due to favorable wind conditions.
This increase was partially offset by:
a decrease in volume of 216,146 MWh from projects that existed in 2016 due to lower availability and curtailment.
Our proportional MWh sold for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 7,787,411 MWh, as compared to 6,806,272 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 981,139 MWh, or 14.4%. The change in proportional MWh sold was primarily attributable to:
an increase in volume of 748,277 MWh from controlling interest in consolidated MWh primarily due to acquisitions in 2017 and favorable wind conditions partially offset by lower availability; and
an increase in volume of 232,862 MWh from unconsolidated investments primarily due to the acquisition of Armow in the fourth quarter of 2016 and favorable wind conditions partially offset by lower availability.
Our consolidated average realized electricity price was $54 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $55 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease of $1 per MWh was primarily due to an increase in volume of lower priced PPAs coupled with lower spot market pricing as a result of congestion in the Texas market.
Proportional average realized electricity price was $65 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $66 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease of $1 per MWh in the proportional average realized electricity price was primarily due to an increase in volume of lower priced PPAs coupled with the presence of ERCOT market congestion.

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The following table presents selected operating performance metrics for the periods presented (unaudited):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
MWh sold
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
% Change
Consolidated MWh sold
 
6,745,525

 
5,257,976

 
1,487,549

 
28.3
 %
Less: noncontrolling MWh
 
(940,358
)
 
(877,847
)
 
(62,511
)
 
7.1
 %
Controlling interest in consolidated MWh
 
5,805,167

 
4,380,129

 
1,425,038

 
32.5
 %
Unconsolidated investments proportional MWh
 
1,001,105

 
756,546

 
244,559

 
32.3
 %
Proportional MWh sold
 
6,806,272

 
5,136,675

 
1,669,597

 
32.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized electricity price per MWh
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
55

 
$
62

 
$
(7
)
 
(11.3
)%
Unconsolidated investments proportional average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
112

 
$
118

 
$
(6
)
 
(5.1
)%
Proportional average realized electricity price per MWh
 
$
66

 
$
73

 
$
(7
)
 
(9.6
)%
Our consolidated MWh sold for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 6,745,525 MWh, as compared to 5,257,976 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 1,487,549 MWh, or 28.3%. The change in consolidated MWh sold was primarily attributable to:
an increase in volume of 153,835 MWh from projects which commenced commercial operations prior to 2015;
an increase in volume of 460,159 MWh from projects acquired in 2015; and
an increase in volume of 873,556 MWh from projects which completed construction during 2015.
Our proportional MWh sold in the year ended December 31, 2016 was 6,806,272 MWh, as compared to 5,136,675 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of 1,669,597 MWh or 32.5%. This change in proportional MWh sold was primarily attributable to:
an increase in volume of 1,425,038 MWh from controlling interest in consolidated MWh; and
an increase in volume of 244,559 MWh from unconsolidated investments due to the acquisition of Armow in October 2016 and K2 in June 2015.
Our consolidated average realized electricity price was $55 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $62 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease of $7 per MWh was primarily due to an increase in volume of lower priced PPAs coupled with lower spot market pricing as a result of increased supply at certain electric hubs.
Proportional average realized electricity price was $66 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $73 per MWh for the year ended December 31, 2015. The $7 per MWh decrease in the proportional average realized electricity price was primarily due to an increase in volume of lower priced PPAs coupled with lower spot market pricing as a result of increased supply of energy at certain electric hubs partially offset by an increase in volume of higher priced contracts at our unconsolidated investments primarily due to Armow which was acquired in October 2016 and K2 which was acquired in June 2015.

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Results of Operations
The following table provides selected financial information for the periods presented (in thousands, except percentages):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Total revenue
 
$
411,344

 
$
354,052

 
$
329,831

 
$
57,292

 
16.2
%
 
$
24,221

 
7.3
 %
Total cost of revenue
 
348,677

 
303,342

 
257,995

 
45,335

 
14.9

 
45,347

 
17.6

Total operating expenses
 
52,408

 
45,399

 
34,731

 
7,009

 
15.4

 
10,668

 
30.7

Operating income
 
10,259

 
5,311

 
37,105

 
4,948

 
93.2

 
(31,794
)
 
(85.7
)
Total other expense
 
80,935

 
48,931

 
87,769

 
32,004

 
65.4

 
(38,838
)
 
(44.3
)
Net loss before income tax
 
(70,676
)
 
(43,620
)
 
(50,664
)
 
(27,056
)
 
62.0

 
7,044

 
(13.9
)
Tax provision
 
11,734

 
8,679

 
4,943

 
3,055

 
35.2

 
3,736

 
75.6

Net loss
 
(82,410
)
 
(52,299
)
 
(55,607
)
 
(30,111
)
 
57.6

 
3,308

 
(5.9
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(64,505
)
 
(35,188
)
 
(23,074
)
 
(29,317
)
 
83.3

 
(12,114
)
 
52.5

Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy
 
$
(17,905
)
 
$
(17,111
)
 
$
(32,533
)
 
$
(794
)
 
4.6
%
 
$
15,422

 
(47.4
)%
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016 and
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Total Revenue
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $411.3 million compared to $354.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $57.3 million, or approximately 16.2%. The increase in total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to:
a $54.1 million increase in electricity sales driven by projects acquired in 2017;
an $18.0 million increase in electricity sales due to favorable wind availability and an increase in PPA contractual volumes for Amazon Wind; and
an $8.7 million decrease in unrealized loss on our energy derivative primary due to lower forward natural gas price curves when compared to the prior period.
The increase in electricity sales was partially offset by:
a $4.5 million decrease related to an interruption caused principally by a hurricane in Puerto Rico; and
a $16.4 million decrease driven by presence of ERCOT market congestion.
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $354.1 million compared to $329.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $24.2 million, or approximately 7.3%. The change in total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to:
a $48.9 million in additional electricity sales from projects which were acquired or commenced commercial operations during 2015;
a $2.2 million increase from related party revenue related to management fees.
The increase in total revenues was partially offset by:
$22.0 million in higher unrealized losses due to higher forward electricity price curves when compared to the prior period; and
a $5.2 million decrease in electricity sales from projects which were in operation prior to 2015.

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Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $348.7 million compared to $303.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $45.3 million, or approximately 14.9%. The increase in cost of revenue during 2017 as compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to:
a $19.0 million and a $12.4 million increase in transmission costs and project expense, respectively for costs associated with projects acquired in 2017; and
a $24.2 million increase in depreciation, primarily due to projects acquired in 2017.
The increase in cost of revenue was partially offset by a $10.2 million decrease primarily due to the turbine maintenance expense.
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $303.3 million compared to $258.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $45.3 million, or approximately 17.6%. The increase in cost of revenue during 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to:
an $11.9 million increase in expenses associated with turbine operations and maintenance for new projects which were acquired or became commercially operable during 2015 as discussed above; and
a $31.1 million increase in depreciation for projects which became commercially operable during 2015.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $52.4 million compared to $45.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $7.0 million, or approximately 15.4%. The increase in operating expenses during 2016 as compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to:
a $5.1 million increase in employee related costs primarily to support growth in employee headcount;
a $4.6 million net increase in professional fees and other general administrative; and
a $3.9 million increase in related party general and administrative expense.
The increase in operating expense was partially offset by a $6.6 million increase in related party reimbursement.
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $45.4 million compared to $34.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $10.7 million, or approximately 30.7%. The increase in operating expenses during 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to:
a $5.0 million increase in employee related costs primarily to support growth in employee headcount;
a $5.6 million net increase in professional fees, office related lease expenses, travel and entertainment; and
a $2.3 increase in related party general and administrative expense.
The increase in operating expense was partially offset by a $2.4 million increase in related party reimbursement.
Other expense
Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $80.9 million compared to $48.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $32.0 million, or approximately 65.4%. The increase was primarily attributable to:
a $24.2 million increase in interest expense primarily due to the issuance of the Unsecured Senior Notes in January 2017 and debt associated with our acquisitions in 2017;
an $8.6 million increase in early extinguishment loss associated with Ocotillo debt;
a $6.5 million increase in loss on derivatives primarily as a result of an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates and a realized loss due to the termination of the interest rate swaps; and
a $2.8 million increase in net losses on transactions and accretion expense primarily related to the acquisition of the Broadview Project.
The increase in other expense was partially offset by an $11.1 million increase in equity in earnings in unconsolidated investments, net.

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Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $48.9 million compared to $87.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $38.8 million, or approximately 44.3%. The change in other expense during 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to:
a $14.1 million increase in equity in earnings in unconsolidated investments, net primarily due to increased recognition of gains on distributions from unconsolidated investments as a result of the 2016 suspension of equity method accounting for certain of our unconsolidated investments and increased project income from investments acquired in 2015 and late 2016;
an $11.2 million realized loss on designated derivatives, net for the July 2015 termination of a designated interest rate swap;
a $4.9 million early extinguishment of debt occurring in July and November of 2015;
a $3.5 million increase in other income primarily from foreign currency transactions;
a $3.1 million decrease in net losses on transactions; and
a $2.2 million net increase in earnings from undesignated derivatives primarily due to increases in the interest rate curves compared to the interest rate curves in the prior year offset by decreases in foreign currency price curves compared to foreign currency price curves in the prior year.
Tax provision
We are subject to taxation in the United States, Chile, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The tax provision was $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Generally, the amount of tax expense or benefit allocated to continuing operations is determined without regard to the tax effects of other categories of income or loss, such as other comprehensive income (loss). However, an exception to the general rule is provided within the intraperiod tax allocation rules when there is a pre-tax loss from continuing operations and pre-tax income from other categories in the current year. This exception resulted in a tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017. The expense of $11.7 million is principally related to our Canadian operations partially offset by a tax benefit earned from the intraperiod tax allocation rules that are applied when there is a pre-tax loss from continuing operations and pre-tax income from other categories in the year such as other comprehensive income (loss) and benefits earned in our Chilean operations.
The tax provision was $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $4.9 million for the same period in the prior year. The expense of $8.7 million is principally related to our Canadian operations offset against tax benefits earned in our Chilean operations.
Effective tax rate
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation (the Tax Act), which significantly revises the ongoing U.S. corporate income tax law by lowering the U.S federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system, imposing one-time tax on foreign unremitted earnings and setting limitations on deductibility of certain costs, among other things.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118) was issued due to the complexities involved in accounting for the recently enacted Tax Act. SAB 118 requires a company to include in its financial statements, a reasonable estimate of the impact of the Tax Act on earnings to the extent such estimate has been determined. Accordingly, the U.S. provision for income tax for 2017 is based on the reasonable estimate guidance provided by SAB 118. We are continuing to assess the impact from the Tax Act and will record adjustments in 2018, as necessary. The final impact on us from the Tax Act's transition tax legislation may differ from the reasonable estimate due to the complexity of calculating and supporting with primary evidence U.S. tax attributes such as accumulated foreign earnings and profits, foreign tax paid, and other tax components involved in foreign tax credit calculations for prior years back to 2013. Such differences could be material, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act, future legislative action to address questions that arise because of the Tax Act, changes in accounting standards for income taxes, related interpretations in response to the Tax Act, or any updates or changes to estimates we have utilized to calculate the transition tax's reasonable estimate.
Our effective tax rate was (16.6)% in 2017 compared to (19.8)% in 2016. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rates primarily due to adjustments for income in non-taxable entities allocable to noncontrolling interest, consideration of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% in applying the exception to the general intra-period tax allocation rule, and foreign tax rate differential on pre-tax book income.

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Net loss
Net loss was $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $52.3 million for the prior year; an increase in net loss of $30.1 million or 57.6%. The increase in net loss was primarily attributed to:
a $45.3 million increase in cost of revenues due primarily to acquisitions in 2017;
a $32.0 million increase in other expense primarily related to increases in interest expense, early extinguishment loss, losses on derivatives due to unfavorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rates and the termination of the interest rate swaps;
a $7.0 million increase in operating expense, as discussed above; and
a $3.1 million increase in the tax provision.
The increase in net loss was partially offset by a $57.3 million increase in total revenue, as discussed above.
Net loss was $52.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $55.6 million for the prior year; a decrease in loss of $3.3 million or 5.9%. The decrease in loss was primarily attributed to:
a $24.2 million increase in total revenue, as discussed above; and
a $38.8 million decrease in other expense primarily related to an increase in earnings in unconsolidated investments, decreased net losses on transactions, expenses in 2015 for the early extinguishment of debt, and the termination of designated interest rate derivatives.
The decrease in net loss was partially offset by:
a $45.3 million increase in cost of revenue associated with project related expense and increased depreciation expense primarily for projects that were acquired or became commercially operable during 2015 and 2016;
a $10.7 million increase in operating expenses, as discussed above; and
a $3.7 million increase in the tax provision.
Noncontrolling interest
The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to a $35.2 million net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increased loss of $29.3 million, or approximately 83.3%, was primarily attributable to allocations of losses for tax equity projects, including allocations related to projects acquired in 2017.
The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to a $23.1 million net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increased loss of $12.1 million, or approximately 52.5%, was primarily attributable to allocations of losses for tax equity projects which commenced commercial operations or were acquired during 2015 and 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our business requires substantial liquidity to fund (i) equity investments in our construction projects, (ii) current operational costs, (iii) debt service payments, (iv) dividends to our stockholders, (v) potential investments in new acquisitions, (vi) modifications to our projects, (vii) unforeseen events and (viii) other business expenses. As a part of our liquidity strategy, we plan to retain a portion of our cash flows in above-average wind years in order to have additional liquidity in below-average wind years.
Sources of Liquidity
Our sources of liquidity include cash generated by our operations, cash reserves, borrowings under our corporate and project-level credit agreements and further issuances of equity and debt securities.

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The principal indicators of our liquidity are our unrestricted and restricted cash balances and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and project level facilities. Our available liquidity is as follows (in millions):
 
December 31, 2017
Unrestricted cash
$
116.8

Restricted cash
21.2

Revolving Credit Facility availability(1)
392.5

Project facilities:
 
Post construction use
135.9

Total available liquidity
$
666.4

(1) 
As of February 26, 2018, the amount available on the Revolving Credit Facility is $339.8 million.
We believe that throughout 2018, we will have sufficient liquid assets, cash flows from operations, and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility to meet our financial commitments debt service obligations, contingencies and anticipated required capital expenditures for at least the next 24 months, not including capital required for additional project acquisitions or capital call from Pattern Development 2.0. However, we are subject to business and operational risks that could adversely affect our cash flow. A material decrease in our cash flows would likely produce a corresponding adverse effect on our borrowing capacity.
In connection with our future capital expenditures and other investments, including any project acquisitions that we may make, or capital call on Pattern Development 2.0 we elect to participate in, we may, from time to time, issue debt or equity securities. Our ability to access the debt and equity markets is dependent on, among other factors, the overall state of the debt and equity markets and investor appetite for investment in clean energy projects in general and our Class A shares in particular. Volatility in the market price of our Class A shares may prevent or limit our ability to utilize our equity securities as a source of capital to help fund acquisitions. An inability to obtain debt or equity financing on commercially reasonable terms could significantly limit our timing and ability to consummate future acquisitions, and to effectuate our growth strategy.
Financing Developments
On November 21, 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the Revolving Credit Facility). The Revolving Credit Facility provides for a revolving credit facility of $440 million, decreased from the previous limit of $500 million. The Revolving Credit Facility permits the borrower to request increases to the facility up to the greater of $600 million and 250% of Borrower Cash Flow (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), subject to receipt of commitments and other customary conditions. The facility has a five-year term and is comprised of a revolving loan facility, a letter of credit facility and a swingline facility. The facility is secured by pledges of the capital stock and ownership interests in certain of our holding company subsidiaries, in addition to other customary collateral.
On October 23, 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of our Class A common stock. In total, 9,200,000 shares of our Class A common stock were sold at a public offering price of $23.40 per share. This includes 1,200,000 shares purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments. Aggregate net proceeds of the equity offering, including the proceeds of the over-allotment option, were approximately $211.9 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions, and transaction expenses.
In January 2017, we issued the Unsecured Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million. Net proceeds to us were approximately $345.0 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount, commissions and transaction expenses. We used approximately $215 million of the net proceeds to partially fund our acquisition of the Broadview projects, as described above and used $128 million of proceeds to repay borrowings incurred under the Revolving Credit Facility to finance the 2016 purchase of the Armow project. The Unsecured Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, beginning on August 1, 2017 and maturing on February 1, 2024, unless repurchased or redeemed at an earlier date. The Unsecured Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Pattern US Finance Company, one of our subsidiaries.
On May 9, 2016, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the Agents, as our sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $200.0 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the shares for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness and the funding of acquisitions and investments. For the year ended December 31, 2017 we sold 1,068,261 shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement and net proceeds under the issuance were $25.3 million.

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Subject to market conditions, we will continue to consider various forms of repricings, refinancings, and/or repayments of our project level finance facilities. No assurances, however, can be given that we will be able to consummate any such transactions, the transactions can be consummated on terms that are financially favorable to us, or that such transactions will have the intended financial effects of improving the consolidated statements of operations, net cash provided by operating activities, or cash available for distribution.
Cash Flows
We use traditional measures of cash flow, including net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used in investing activities and net cash provided by financing activities, as well as cash available for distribution discussed earlier, to evaluate our periodic cash flow results. Below is a summary of our cash flows for each period (in millions):
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
217.6

 
$
163.7

 
$
117.8

Net cash used in investing activities
(319.1
)
 
(124.3
)
 
(759.1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
124.7

 
(76.7
)
 
643.7

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
5.4

 
0.3

 
(5.5
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
28.6

 
$
(36.9
)
 
$
(3.1
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $217.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to $163.7 million in the prior year, an increase of $53.9 million, or approximately 33.0%. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher revenues of $49.0 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily from projects which were acquired in 2017 and increase of $38.9 million in distributions from unconsolidated investments. These increases were partially offset by an increase of $21.2 million in transmission and project expense, an increase of $16.3 million in interest payments, an increase of $7.0 million in operating expense and other changes in working capital as a result of the timing of receipts of payments and disbursements.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $163.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $117.8 million in the prior year, an increase of $45.8 million, or approximately 38.9%. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher revenues of $47.3 million (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) from projects which were acquired since May 2015 or which commenced commercial operations since September 2015, increased distributions from unconsolidated investments of $15.0 million, increase in working capital of $4.1 million, and a decrease in transaction costs of $3.1 million. These increases were partially offset by increased project and transmission expense of $14.2 million and operating expenses of $10.7 million.
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $319.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which consisted primarily of $227.8 million in cash paid, net of cash and restricted cash acquired for acquisitions completed in 2017, $68.8 million in cash invested in Pattern Development 2.0, $43.8 million for capital expenditures, which primarily relates to payments for construction liabilities assumed with our acquisitions completed in 2017, partially offset by $13.4 million in distributions from unconsolidated investments and $8.0 million in reimbursement of interconnection costs.
Net cash used in investing activities was $124.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which consisted primarily of $135.8 million for the acquisition of a 50% interest in Armow, net of cash and restricted cash acquired, $32.9 million for capital expenditures primarily related to payments made in 2016 for projects that became commercially operable in 2015 and capital expenditures incurred in 2015 and leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures, partially offset by $41.7 million in distributions from unconsolidated investments.
Net cash used in investing activities was $759.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which consisted primarily of $422.4 million for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired, which primarily includes $222.1 million for both Lost Creek and Post Rock, $65.2 million for Amazon Wind and $128.4 million for an unconsolidated investment in K2, in addition to $380.5 million for capital expenditures primarily related to the construction at Logan’s Gap and Amazon Wind. These increases were partially offset by $38.2 million of distributions from unconsolidated investments.

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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $124.7 million. Net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of the following:
$693.7 million in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt;
$237.1 million in net proceeds from equity issuances, net of expenses;
$333.0 million in draws on the Revolving Credit Facility; and
$57.8 million in proceeds from the partial sale of Panhandle 2.
Net cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by:
$513.0 million in repayments of the Revolving Credit Facility;
$145.2 million in dividend payments;
$483.0 million in repayment of long-term debt;
$20.3 million in distributions to noncontrolling interests; and
$15.9 million in financing fee payments; and
$14.1 million in termination of designated derivatives payment.
Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $76.7 million. Net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of the following:
$286.3 million in net proceeds from equity issuances, net of expenses; and
$175.0 million in draws on the Revolving Credit Facility.
Net cash used in financing activities were partially offset by:
$350.0 million in repayments of the Revolving Credit Facility;
$120.2 million in dividend payments;
$47.6 million in repayment of long-term debt; and
$17.9 million in distributions to noncontrolling interests.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $643.7 million. Net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of the following:
$317.4 million in net proceeds from our February 2015 equity offering, net of expense;
$405.0 million in draws on the Revolving Credit Facility;
$329.1 million in proceeds from construction debt related to our construction projects;
$165.0 million in proceeds from issuance of long term debt;
$218.9 million from the July 2015 issuance of convertible debt, net of issuance costs; and
$336.0 million in capital contributions from noncontrolling interests.
Net cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by:
$785.9 million in repayments of debt;
$121.2 million in payments for the purchase of the noncontrolling interest at Gulf Wind and Lost Creek;
$100.0 million in repayments of the Revolving Credit Facility;
$90.6 million in dividend payments;
$13.7 million in payments for deferred financing costs; and
$11.1 million in payments for interest rate derivatives.

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Uses of Liquidity
Cash Dividends to Investors
We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends in U.S. dollars to holders of our Class A common stock. On February 22, 2018, we maintained our dividend at $0.4220 per Class A share, or $1.688 per Class A share on an annualized basis, commencing with respect to dividends to be paid on April 30, 2018 to holders of record on March 30, 2018. Cash paid for dividends for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $145.2 million.
We expect to pay a quarterly dividend on or about the 30th day following each fiscal quarter to holders of record of our Class A common stock on the last day of such quarter.
Capital Expenditures and Investments
In 2017, total cash used for capital expenditures was $43.8 million. We do not include capital expenditures at our projects held at our unconsolidated equity investments. Cash paid for acquisitions was $227.8 million.
We expect to make investments in additional projects in 2018 and provide further capital to Pattern Development 2.0. We have committed to acquire MSM from Pattern Development 1.0 for a purchase price of approximately CAD $53.0 million, which is currently expected to occur by the second quarter of 2018. We have also committed to acquire the 84 MW project portfolio (Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki and Ohorayama) for approximately $131.5 million, subject certain closing price adjustments and Tsugaru for approximately $194.0 million, consisting of an initial payment of approximately $79.7 million to be funded at closing and approximately JPY12.567 billion payable to Pattern Development 1.0 upon the term conversion of the construction loan and to the extent such term conversion does not occur, such second consideration payment will be made upon the commencement of commercial operations at Tsugaru which is expected in 2020. We expect to close on these transactions in early to mid 2018. In February 2018, we also funded approximately $35.2 million into Pattern Development 2.0 of which approximately $27 million will be used by Pattern Development 2.0 to fund the purchase of GPI.
We also evaluate, from time to time, third-party acquisition opportunities. We believe that we will have sufficient cash and Revolving Credit Facility capacity to complete the funding of future commitments, but this may be affected by any other acquisitions or investments that we make. To the extent that we make any such investments or acquisitions, we will evaluate capital markets and other corporate financing sources available to us at the time. In addition, we will make investments, from time to time, at our operating projects. Operational capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain our long-term operating capacity. Capital expenditures for the projects are generally made at the project level using project cash flows and project reserves, although funding for major capital expenditures may be provided by additional project debt or equity. Therefore, the distributions that we receive from the projects may be made net of certain capital expenditures needed at the projects.
For the year ending December 31, 2018, we have budgeted $2.3 million for operational capital expenditures and $17.3 million for expansion capital expenditures.
Contractual Obligations
We have a variety of contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that represent prospective cash requirements in addition to our capital expenditure programs. See also Note 8, Debt, and Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, in the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of contractual obligations.

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The following table summarizes estimates of future commitments related to the various agreements that we have entered into as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
Contractual Obligations (1)
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than
5 Years
 
Total
Revolving credit facility
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Corporate-level debt principal payments
 

 
225,000

 

 
350,000

 
575,000

Corporate-level interest payments on debt instruments
 
30,284

 
60,539

 
42,536

 
34,142

 
167,501

Project-level debt principal payments
 
53,704

 
132,937

 
147,584

 
1,058,402

 
1,392,627

Project-level interest payments on debt instruments
 
60,806

 
116,194

 
106,200

 
242,092

 
525,292

Transmission service agreements
 
23,600

 
47,200

 
47,200

 
520,465

 
638,465

Operating leases
 
15,822

 
31,815

 
33,086

 
320,718

 
401,441

Service and maintenance agreements
 
39,817

 
51,526

 
44,288

 
54,562

 
190,193

Acquisition and other commitments
 
46,576

 
7,546

 
4,240

 
16,270

 
74,632

Asset retirement obligations
 

 

 

 
56,620

 
56,620

Total
 
$
270,609

 
$
672,757

 
$
425,134

 
$
2,653,271

 
$
4,021,771

(1) The table above does not include our commitment to purchase the Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki, Ohorayama and Tsugaru projects discussed earlier, or the commitments we will assume in connection with the purchase.
Credit Agreements for Equity Method Investments
Below is a summary of our proportion of debt in unconsolidated investments, as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Total
Project Debt
 
Percentage of
Ownership
 
Our Portion of
Unconsolidated
Project Debt
South Kent
 
$
489,858

 
50.0
%
 
$
244,929

Grand
 
282,153

 
45.0
%
 
126,969

K2
 
599,821

 
33.3
%
 
199,920

Armow
 
405,709

 
50.0
%
 
202,855

Pattern Development 2.0
 
$
103,443

 
20.9
%
 
$
21,620

Unconsolidated investments - debt
 
$
1,880,984

 
 
 
$
796,293

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2017, we did not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
Covenants, Distribution Conditions and Events of Default
Corporate-Level Debt
Revolving Credit Facility
Our Revolving Credit Facility has customary covenants, prepayment provisions and events of default. The most restrictive of such provisions is the maintenance coverage ratio that requires the subsidiary borrowers to maintain a leverage ratio (the ratio of borrower debt to borrower cash flow) that does not exceed 5.50:1.00 and an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of borrower cash flow to borrower interest expense) that is not less than 1.75:1.00.
In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are subject to usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility. Specifically, with limited exceptions, such subsidiaries are prohibited from distributing funds to us unless the following conditions are met: (i) no event of default under the corporate credit facility has occurred and is continuing or would be caused by such distribution and (ii) the corporate credit facility borrowers are in compliance with the leverage ratio test and the interest coverage ratio test, both before and after giving effect to such distribution.

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Convertible Notes
The indenture for the convertible notes contains customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the convertible notes then outstanding may declare the unpaid principal of the convertible notes and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us, the principal amount of the convertible notes together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon will automatically become and be immediately due and payable.
Unsecured Senior Notes
Under the Unsecured Senior Notes issued in January 2017, we have agreed to certain restrictions on our or the subsidiary guarantor's ability to incur secured debt and our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.
Consolidated Project-Level Debt and Unconsolidated Investments Project-Level Debt
Under the respective credit agreements for each of Hatchet Ridge, St. Joseph, Spring Valley, Santa Isabel, Ocotillo, El Arrayán, and Lost Creek, Western Interconnect and Meikle, our projects are subject to certain covenants, events of default and distribution conditions. In addition, the respective credit agreements for each of our unconsolidated investments South Kent, Grand, K2 and Armow contain certain covenants, events of default and distribution conditions. While terms may vary between the individual credit agreements, the most significant and restrictive include the following:
restrict the project’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business.
In general, the distribution conditions included in the credit agreements are as follows:
to the extent the project has letter of credit facilities under the project debt, there are no letter of credit loans outstanding;
to the extent the project has reserve requirements, accounts are fully funded;
any mandatory prepayment required has been made;
no default has occurred and such distribution will not result in an event of default; and
the applicable project has met its debt service coverage ratio.
Distributions from Unconsolidated Investments
In general, distributions result from excess cash flows from our unconsolidated investments, which represent revenues received from the sale of electricity, as reduced by operating expenses, interest and principal payments on project level debt provided that specified distribution requirements are met under the project loan agreement. Project financing arrangements typically limit the timing of such distributions from the project entity to the same frequency as the scheduled principal and interest payments made by such project entity, which is usually on a quarterly basis although some financing arrangements instead call for monthly or semiannual payments. Distributions from our unconsolidated investments may be affected by the underlying performance of the windfarm for each project entity, significant underperformance of the windfarm could result in distributions not being made for some period of time. Overall, however, we expect that we will receive distributions throughout the term of the project's PPA.
Tax Equity Partnership
Generally, tax equity partnerships have specific commercial terms that dictate distributions of cash and allocation of tax items among the partners, who are divided into one of two categories: tax equity and cash investor. A disproportionate share of income and cash is given to tax equity in order for them to achieve a target after-tax yield or “flip” near year 10 of project operations. The target yield and flip term vary by agreement and are dependent on project performance. Prior to the flip, tax items (income, PTCs) are commonly allocated 99% to the tax equity. On the other hand, distributable cash is divided among the partners in percentages that do not match the tax items. Cash distribution percentages can be temporarily increased for tax equity in the event that certain cumulative distribution thresholds are not achieved. This has occurred for certain projects in 2017 and may occur for additional projects in 2018. Once tax equity reaches their target yield, the allocations and distributions “flip” to different amounts. After the flip, income and cash are

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typically allocated 5% to the tax equity and 95% to the cash investor. REC sales are often specially addressed in each agreement with most of the cash and income directed to the cash investor both pre and post-flip.
Tax equity partnership imposes a range of affirmative and negative covenants that are similar to what a term lender would require, such as, financial reporting, insurance maintenance and prudent operator standards. Most of these restrictions end once the flip point occurs and any deficit restoration obligation of the tax equity has been eliminated. There are also covenants that specifically seek to preserve the tax attributes of the project that are not customary for project term lenders.
If tax equity suffers any losses or damages as the result of a breach of representation, covenant, or other obligation by the cash investor in its capacity as managing member, tax equity may provide notice to the cash investor and require that any distributions otherwise required to be paid to the cash investor shall, instead, be paid to tax equity to cover any damages.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated historical financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In applying the critical accounting policies set forth below, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates. These estimates are based on management’s experience, the terms of existing contracts, management’s observance of trends in the wind power industry, information provided by our power purchasers and information available to management from other outside sources, as appropriate. These estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.
We use estimates, assumptions and judgments for certain items, including the calculation of our acquisitions, noncontrolling interest balances, and derivatives. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are derived and continually evaluated based on available information, experience and various assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. To the extent these estimates are materially incorrect and need to be revised, our operating results may be materially adversely affected.
Acquisitions
We adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01) which provides a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities should not be considered a business. Under ASU 2017-01, we will set up an initial screening test that, if met, results in the conclusion that the set is not a business. If the initial screening test is not met, we will evaluate whether the set is a business based on whether there are inputs and a substantive process in place. The definition of a business impacts whether we consolidate an acquisition under business combination guidance or asset acquisition guidance. When the acquisition is recognized as an equity method investment, the definition of a business impacts whether equity method goodwill can be recognized.
Business Combinations, Asset Acquisitions, and Equity Method Investments
When we acquire a controlling interest in an entity deemed to be a business, the purchase is accounted for using the acquisition method, and the fair value of the purchase consideration is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. Contingent consideration is also recognized and measured at fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess, if any, of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable net assets is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, the excess, if any, of the net fair value of the identifiable net assets over the fair value of the purchase consideration is recorded as a gain. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred.
When we acquire assets and liabilities that do not constitute a business, the fair value of the purchase consideration, including transaction costs of the asset acquisition, is assumed to be equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired. The purchase consideration, including the transaction costs, is allocated to the individual assets and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Contingent consideration associated with the acquisition is generally recognized when the contingency is resolved and the consideration is paid or becomes payable. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill, and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired.
When we acquire a noncontrolling interest in an entity where it is not the primary beneficiary, does not control any of the ongoing activities of the entity, and does not meet consolidation requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810, Consolidation, and ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, the investment is initially recognized as an equity method investment at cost. Any difference between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying equity in net assets of an investee are considered basis differences. Basis difference related to the property, plant and equipment will be amortized over the estimated economic useful life of the underlying long-lived assets, while basis difference related to the PPA will be amortized over the remaining term of the PPA. Transaction costs associated with equity method investments are included in the investment.
Additionally, if the projects in which we hold these investments recognize an impairment under the provisions of ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, we would record our impairment loss and would evaluate our investment for an other than temporary decline in value under ASC 323, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures.
Significant judgment is required in determining the acquisition date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using either an income, market, or cost-based valuation method. The valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, revenue and operating expense growth, future expected cash flows, and discount rates.
For business combinations, during the measurement period, which is one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.
The allocation of the purchase price directly affects the following items in our consolidated financial statements:
The amount of purchase price allocated to the various tangible and intangible assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheets;
The amounts of purchase price allocated to the value of above-market and below-market power purchase agreement, which is subsequently amortized to electricity sales over the remaining terms of each respective arrangement; and
The period of time over which tangible and intangible assets are depreciated or amortized varies, and thus, changes in the amounts allocated to these assets will have a direct impact on our results of operations.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of our net income (loss), net assets and comprehensive income (loss) that is not allocable to us and is calculated based on our ownership percentage, for certain projects.
For those projects where economic benefits are not allocated based on pro rata ownership percentage, we have determined that the appropriate methodology for calculating the noncontrolling interest balances that reflects the substantive economic arrangements in the operating agreements is a balance sheet approach using the hypothetical liquidation at book value (HLBV) method.
Under the HLBV method, the amounts reported as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets represent the amounts third-party investors would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet reporting date under the liquidation provisions of the operating partnership agreements, assuming the net assets of our projects were liquidated at amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and distributed to the investors. Therefore, the noncontrolling interest balances in these projects are reported as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
The third-party interests in the results of operations for those projects using HLBV is determined as the difference in noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets at the start and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between our projects and the third-party investors.
Factors used in the HLBV calculation include U.S. GAAP income, taxable income, capital contributions, production tax credits, and distributions, and the stipulated targeted equity investor return specified in the projects' operating agreements.
Changes in these factors could have a significant impact on the amounts that investors would receive upon a hypothetical liquidation. The use of the HLBV methodology to allocate income to the noncontrolling interest holders may create volatility in our consolidated statements of operations as the application of HLBV can drive changes in net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from quarter to quarter.
Derivatives
We enter into derivative transactions primarily for the purpose of reducing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and electricity prices. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements and have designated certain of these derivatives as cash flow hedges of expected interest payments on variable rate debt. We also enter into foreign exchange currency transactions to hedge the distributions in Canadian dollars from our operational Canadian project entities. These foreign exchange currency derivatives currently do not qualify for hedge accounting. We may also enter into interest rate caps and energy derivative agreements. Currently, we do not hold interest rate cap arrangements. Furthermore, the energy derivative agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting.
We recognize our derivative instruments at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the normal purchase normal sale (NPNS) scope exception to derivative accounting. Accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative

78


instrument depends on whether the derivative instrument has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship.
For derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of change in fair value of the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of change, if any, in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations. The change in fair value for undesignated derivative instruments is reported as a component of net income (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations. Certain of our energy derivative agreements qualify for the NPNS scope exception and therefore are not accounted for as derivatives.
Energy prices are subject to wide swings as supply and demand are impacted by, among many other unpredictable items, weather, market liquidity, generating facility availability, customer usage, storage, and transmission and transportation constraints. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon fluctuations in interest rates. Also, foreign currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuations in market movements and can be impacted by, among other factors, economic conditions, inflation rate, political stability and public debt. We do not hedge all of our commodity price, foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portion to changes in market prices.
Market price quotations for certain electricity and natural gas trading hubs related to energy derivative agreements are not as readily obtainable due to the lengths of the contracts. Given that limited market data exists for these contracts, as well as for those contracts that are not actively traded, we use forward price curves derived from third-party models based on perceived pricing relationships to major trading hubs that are based on unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value of energy derivative agreements is a function of underlying forward energy prices, related volatility, counterparty creditworthiness, and duration of the contracts. The assumptions used in the valuation models are critical and any changes in assumptions could have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of the contract.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We have significant exposure to commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, as described below. To mitigate these market risks, we have entered into multiple derivatives. We have not applied hedge accounting treatment to all of our derivatives, therefore we are required to mark some of our derivatives to market through earnings on a periodic basis, which will result in non-cash adjustments to our earnings and may result in volatility in our earnings, in addition to potential cash settlements for any losses.
Commodity Price Risk
We manage our commodity price risk for electricity sales primarily through the use of fixed price long-term power purchase agreements with creditworthy counterparties. Our financial results reflect approximately 618,103 MWh of electricity sales in the year ended December 31, 2017 that were subject to spot market pricing. A hypothetical increase or decrease of 10% or $1.69 per MWh in the merchant market prices would have increased or decreased revenue by $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
In addition to the risks we face in broad commodity markets, many of our projects, especially in ERCOT, also face project-specific risks related to transmission system limitations which can result in local prices that are lower than the broader market prices (congestion). In the case of adverse congestion, our revenues are negatively impacted, and our PSAs do not protect us from these impacts, since under those contracts, this risk is fully allocated to our projects and not to the counterparty (e.g. we sell our power at the lower local price, but still have to buy power for the counterparty at the higher broad market or hub price). In the past these impacts have been material to our economic results, and we expect that congestion will continue to be a material risk, in the future.
Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2017, our long-term debt includes both fixed and variable rate debt. As long-term debt is not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets, changes in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only if we were to reacquire all or a portion of these instruments prior to their maturity. The fair market value of our outstanding convertible senior notes, or "debentures," is subject to interest rate risk, market price risk and other factors due to the convertible feature of the debentures. The fair market value of the debentures will generally increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. In addition, the fair market value of the debentures will generally increase as the market price of our Class A common stock increases and decrease as the market price of our Class A common stock falls. The interest and market value changes affect the fair market value of the debentures, but do not impact our financial position, cash flows or results of operations due to the fixed nature of the debt obligations, except to the extent that changes in the fair value of the debentures or value of Class A common stock permit the holders of the debentures to convert into shares. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of our debt was $1.9 billion and the carrying value of our debt was $1.9 billion. The fair value of variable interest

79


rate long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost. A hypothetical increase or decrease in market interest rates by 1% would have resulted in a $48.0 million decrease or $52.0 million increase in the fair value of our fixed rate debt.
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rate risk as a result of our variable rate debt and outstanding amounts due under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
We may use a variety of derivative instruments, with respect to our variable rate debt, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, including interest rate swaps and interest rate caps. As a result, our interest rate risk is limited to the unhedged portion of the variable rate debt. As of December 31, 2017, the unhedged portion of our variable rate debt was $310.8 million. A hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates by 1% would have a $3.1 million impact to interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Our wind power projects are located in the United States, Canada and Chile. As a result, our financial results could be significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we operate. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the relative value in revenue earned in the respective foreign currency decreases. When the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the relative value in revenue earned in the respective foreign currency increases. A majority of our power sale agreements and operating expenditures are transacted in U.S. dollars, with a growing portion transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Canadian dollar. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our financial results included C$72.8 million, or $55.7 million calculated based on the monthly average exchange rate, in Canadian dollar denominated net income, from our Canadian operations. A hypothetical increase or decrease of 10% in exchange rates between the Canadian and U.S. dollar would have increased or decreased net earnings of our Canadian operations by $5.6 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In January 2015, we established a currency risk management program. The objective of the program is to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk arising from transactions or cash flows that have a direct or underlying exposure in non-U.S. dollar denominated currencies in order to reduce volatility in our cash flow, which may have an adverse impact to our short-term liquidity or financial condition. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized an unrealized loss on foreign currency forward contracts of $4.8 million in loss on derivatives, net in the consolidated statements of operations. We also recognized a realized loss of $2.0 million in loss on derivatives, net in the consolidated statements of operations related to foreign currency forward contracts that matured during the year ended December 31, 2017.
As of December 31, 2017, a 10% devaluation in the Canadian dollar to the United States dollar would result in our consolidated balance sheets being negatively impacted by a $36.9 million cumulative translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements and schedules are listed in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K, beginning at page F-1, Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None. 
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K.

80


Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).
Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting, which appears below.
Remediation of Prior Material Weaknesses
As previously discussed in Item 9A “Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report for the period ended December 31, 2016 and Item 4 “Controls and Procedures” of our 2017 Form 10-Q’s, management identified material weaknesses in five areas of its internal controls: inadequate training of personnel, inadequate documentation of and ineffective accounting policies, ineffective management review and monitoring controls, ineffective contract review procedures and ineffective procure-to-pay procedures.
During the fourth quarter of 2016 and throughout 2017, management conducted an extensive remediation plan to address its material weaknesses. The remediation plan involved extensive redesign of our overall system of internal controls, implementation of a number of newly designed controls and improved documentation of our system of internal controls specific to the five identified material weaknesses. Management took the following actions in remediating the material weaknesses.
Inadequate training of personnel - general Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) awareness training was conducted with a broad base of employees and management. In addition, SOX workshops and mock walkthroughs were conducted with narrative and control owners. Additional areas of training were conducted for accounting policies, journal entry preparation and review, account reconciliations, accruals, mergers and acquisitions, treasury, debt, tax, HLBV, and what could go wrong risk analysis. Additionally, management hired a number of key personnel with public company experience across its accounting, internal audit and SOX compliance office functions.
Inadequate documentation of and ineffective accounting policies - Management formally documented 33 accounting policies and established a process for their periodic updates as well as a review and approval process over each policy. Protocols were established for the maintenance and availability of such policies to accounting personnel.
Ineffective management review and monitoring controls - Management documented, redesigned and implemented numerous monitoring and review controls, including controls over budget versus actual, account reconciliations, cashflow, journal entry review, technical accounting review, footnote disclosures and financial statement tie-out, disclosure committee, period-over-period fluctuation analysis, HLBV, tax, and fixed assets.
Ineffective contract review procedures - Management conducted a risk-based retrospective contract review process to ensure that all existing contracts are accounted for appropriately. For all new contracts, a formal contract review process was designed and implemented to ensure all contracts are reviewed and appropriate accounting conclusions are documented.
Ineffective procure-to-pay procedures - Management updated and implemented three new policies related to procure-to-pay; Sub-delegation of Authority Policy, Procurement Policy and Invoice Approval Policy. These policies are maintained on our internal website and an update, review and approval process was documented and implemented for each policy. In addition, we

81


made a number of system enhancements to automate controls within the procure-to-pay cycle and redesigned and implemented additional controls.
Implementation of management's remediation plans described above have strengthened our internal control over financial reporting and addressed the material weaknesses that were identified in 2016. Based on its assessment, management concluded that the material weaknesses have been remediated as of December 31, 2017.
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management continuously reviews disclosure controls and procedures, and internal control over financial reporting, and accordingly may, from time to time, make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness to ensure that its systems evolve with its business. Except as noted above with respect to the remediation procedures for the previously identified material weaknesses, there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.


82



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Pattern Energy Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Pattern Energy Group Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Pattern Energy Group Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule I listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”) and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 1, 2018



83


Item 9B.
Other Information.
None

84


PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Form 10-K because the registrant will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or the 2018 Proxy Statement, within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required under this Item 10 is incorporated by reference to our 2018 Proxy Statement.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
The information required under this Item 11 is incorporated by reference to our 2018 Proxy Statement.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required under this Item 12 is incorporated by reference to our 2018 Proxy Statement.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required under this Item 13 is incorporated by reference to our 2018 Proxy Statement.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required under this Item 14 is incorporated by reference to our 2018 Proxy Statement.

85


PART IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)

 
Documents filed as part of this report
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
Consolidated financial statements—Pattern Energy Group Inc.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements—Pattern Energy Group Inc. Parent and Equity Method Investments
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)
 
Financial Statement Schedules - All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is either included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto, is not applicable or is not required.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3
)
 
Exhibits
  
 

86


The following documents are filed or furnished as part of this Form 10-K. The Company will furnish a copy of any exhibit listed to requesting stockholders upon payment of the Company’s reasonable expenses in furnishing those materials. 
Exhibit No.
 
Description Of Exhibits
 
 
3.1
  
 
 
3.2
  
 
 
4.1
  
 
 
4.2
  
 
 
4.3
  
 
 
 
4.4
 
 
 
 
4.5
 
 
 
10.1
  
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
  
 
 
10.3
  
 
 
10.4
  
 
 
10.5
  
 
 
10.6
  
 
 
10.7
  
 
 
10.8
  
 
 
10.9
  
 
 
10.10
  
 
 
10.11
  
 
 
 
 
10.12
  
 
 

87


Exhibit No.
 
Description Of Exhibits
10.13
  
 
 
10.14
  
 
 
10.15
  
 
 
10.16
  
 
 
10.17
  
 
 
 
10.18
 
 
 
 
10.19
 
 
 
 
10.20
 
 
 
 
10.21
 
 
 
10.22
  
 
 
10.23
  
 
 
10.24
  
 
 
10.25
  
 
 
 
10.26
 
 
 
10.27
 
 
 
 
10.28
 
 
 
10.29
 

88


Exhibit No.
 
Description Of Exhibits
 
 
 
10.30
 
 
 
 
10.31
 
 
 
 
10.32
 
 
 
 
10.33
 
 
 
 
10.34
 
 
 
 
10.35
 
 
 
 
10.36
 
 
 
 
10.37
 
 
 
 
10.38
 
 
 
 
10.39
 
 
 
 
10.40
 
 
 
 
10.41
 
 
 
 
10.42
  
 
 
 
10.43
  

 
 
 
10.44
 
 
 
 
10.45
 
 
 
 
10.46
 

89


Exhibit No.
 
Description Of Exhibits
 
 
 
10.47
 

 
 
 
10.48
 
 
 
 
10.49
 
 
 
 
10.50
 
 
 
 
10.51
 
 
 
 
10.52
 

 
 
 
10.53
 
 
 
 
21.1**
  
 
 
23.1**
  
 
 
23.2**
  
 
 
24.1
  
 
 
31.1**
  
 
 
31.2**
  
 
 
32*
  
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS**
  
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH**
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL**
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF**
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB**
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE**
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*
These certifications accompany this Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

**    Filed herewith.


90


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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: 
March 1, 2018
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
 
By
/s/ Michael M. Garland
 
 
 
Michael M. Garland
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dyann Blaine and Michael Lyon, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 

91


Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
/s/ MICHAEL M. GARLAND
  
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director of
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 1, 2018
Michael M. Garland
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ ALAN R. BATKIN
  
Director and Chairman of
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
Alan R. Batkin
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PATRICIA S. BELLINGER
  
Director of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
Patricia S. Bellinger
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ THE LORD BROWNE OF MADINGLEY
  
Director of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
The Lord Browne of Madingley
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DOUGLAS G. HALL
  
Director of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
Douglas G. Hall
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MICHAEL B. HOFFMAN
  
Director of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
Michael B. Hoffman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PATRICIA M. NEWSON
  
Director of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
 
March 1, 2018
Patricia M. Newson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MICHAEL J. LYON
  
Chief Financial Officer of
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
March 1, 2018
Michael J. Lyon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ RICHARD A. OSTBERG
 
Senior Vice President, Controller
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
March 1, 2018
Richard A. Ostberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

92


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 


F-1



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule I listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Pattern Energy Group Inc. at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We did not audit the financial statements of SP Armow Wind Ontario LP, South Kent Wind LP and Grand Renewable Wind LP partnerships in which the Company has a 50%, 50% and 45% interest, respectively. In the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s investment in SP Armow Wind Ontario LP, South Kent Wind LP and Grand Renewable Wind LP is stated at $145,652,000 and $136,243,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and the Company’s equity in the net earnings (losses) of SP Armow Wind Ontario LP, South Kent Wind LP and Grand Renewable Wind LP is stated at $46,000,000, $24,704,000 and $12,233,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The statements for SP Armow Wind Ontario LP, South Kent Wind LP and Grand Renewable Wind LP were audited by other auditors whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for SP Armow Wind Ontario LP, South Kent Wind LP and Grand Renewable Wind LP, is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unmodified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
San Francisco, California
March 1, 2018






F-2


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and par value data)

 
December 31,
 
2017

2016
Assets



Current assets:



Cash and cash equivalents (Note 6)
$
116,753


$
83,932

Restricted cash (Note 6)
9,065


11,793

Funds deposited by counterparty
29,780

 
43,635

Trade receivables (Note 6)
54,900


37,510

Derivative assets, current
19,445


17,578

Prepaid expenses (Note 6)
17,847


13,803

Other current assets (Note 6)
21,105


7,350

Deferred financing costs, current, net of accumulated amortization of $2,580 and $9,350 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
1,415


2,456

Total current assets
270,310


218,057

Restricted cash (Note 6)
12,162


13,646

Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 6)
3,965,121


3,135,162

Unconsolidated investments
311,223


233,294

Derivative assets
9,628


26,712

Deferred financing costs
7,784


4,052

Net deferred tax assets
6,349


5,559

Finite-lived intangible assets, net (Note 6)
136,048


91,895

Other assets (Note 6)
22,906


24,390

Total assets
$
4,741,531


$
3,752,767




(Continued)


















Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and par value data)

 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Liabilities and equity



Current liabilities:



Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (Note 6)
$
53,615


$
31,305

Accrued construction costs (Note 6)
1,369


1,098

Counterparty deposit liability
29,780

 
43,635

Accrued interest (Note 6)
16,460


9,545

Dividends payable
41,387


35,960

Derivative liabilities, current
8,409


11,918

Revolving credit facility


180,000

Current portion of long-term debt, net
51,996


48,716

Other current liabilities (Note 6)
14,018


4,698

Total current liabilities
217,034


366,875

Long-term debt, net
1,878,735


1,334,956

Derivative liabilities
20,972


24,521

Net deferred tax liabilities
56,491


31,759

Finite-lived intangible liability, net
51,194


54,663

Contingent liabilities
62,398

 
576

Other long-term liabilities (Note 6)
106,565


60,673

Total liabilities
2,393,389


1,874,023

Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)



Equity:



Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 97,860,048 and 87,410,687 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
980


875

Additional paid-in capital
1,234,846


1,145,760

Accumulated loss
(112,175
)

(94,270
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(25,691
)

(62,367
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 157,812 and 110,964 shares of Class A common stock as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
(3,511
)

(2,500
)
Total equity before noncontrolling interest
1,094,449


987,498

Noncontrolling interest
1,253,693


891,246

Total equity
2,348,142


1,878,744

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,741,531


$
3,752,767


(Concluded)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity sales
$
401,888


$
346,000

 
$
324,275

Other revenue
9,456


8,052

 
5,556

Total revenue
411,344


354,052


329,831

Cost of revenue:



 
 
Project expense
130,561


128,428

 
114,619

Transmission costs
19,472

 
424

 

Depreciation and accretion
198,644


174,490

 
143,376

Total cost of revenue
348,677


303,342


257,995

Gross profit
62,667


50,710

 
71,836

Operating expenses:



 
 
General and administrative
38,583


35,499

 
27,142

Related party general and administrative
13,825


9,900

 
7,589

Total operating expenses
52,408


45,399


34,731

Operating income
10,259


5,311

 
37,105

Other income (expense):



 
 
Interest expense
(102,229
)

(78,004
)
 
(77,907
)
Loss on derivatives
(9,787
)

(3,324
)
 
(16,711
)
Earnings in unconsolidated investments, net
41,299


30,192

 
16,119

Early extinguishment of debt
(8,643
)


 
(4,941
)
Net loss on transactions
(1,322
)

(326
)
 
(3,400
)
Other income (expense), net
(253
)

2,531

 
(929
)
Total other expense
(80,935
)

(48,931
)

(87,769
)
Net loss before income tax
(70,676
)

(43,620
)
 
(50,664
)
Tax provision
11,734


8,679


4,943

Net loss
(82,410
)

(52,299
)
 
(55,607
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(64,505
)

(35,188
)

(23,074
)
Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy
$
(17,905
)

$
(17,111
)
 
$
(32,533
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding



 
 
Basic and diluted
89,179,343


79,382,388


70,535,568

Loss per share attributable to Pattern Energy



 
 
Basic and diluted
$
(0.20
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.46
)
Dividends declared per Class A common share
$
1.67

 
$
1.58

 
$
1.43

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-4


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net loss
$
(82,410
)
 
$
(52,299
)
 
$
(55,607
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

Foreign currency translation, net of tax provision of $3,569, zero and zero, respectively
15,313

 
4,785

 
(28,947
)
Derivative activity:

 

 

Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($758), $833 and $1,860, respectively
(2,738
)
 
(6,751
)
 
(16,163
)
Reclassifications to net loss due to termination of interest rate derivatives, net of zero tax impact
2,207

 

 
17,139

Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $1,060, $949 and $670, respectively
8,935

 
7,462

 
12,234

Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives
8,404

 
711

 
13,210

Proportionate share of equity investee's derivative activity:


 


 


Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($2,094), ($375) and $2,394, respectively
5,807

 
1,039

 
(6,640
)
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $2,887, $1,656 and $870, respectively
8,006

 
4,594

 
2,412

Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives
13,813

 
5,633

 
(4,228
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
37,530

 
11,129

 
(19,965
)
Comprehensive loss
(44,880
)
 
(41,170
)
 
(75,572
)
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:


 


 


Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(64,505
)
 
(35,188
)
 
(23,074
)
Foreign currency translation, net of zero tax impact
168

 

 

Derivative activity:


 


 


Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $80, $44 and $185, respectively
(182
)
 
(119
)
 
(1,740
)
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $117, $107 and $201, respectively
868

 
290

 
2,088

Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives
686

 
171

 
348

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(63,651
)
 
(35,017
)
 
(22,726
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pattern Energy
$
18,771

 
$
(6,153
)
 
$
(52,846
)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-5



Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)

 
Class A Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Loss
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances at December 31, 2014
62,088,306

 
$
621

 
(25,465
)
 
$
(717
)
 
$
723,938

 
$
(44,626
)
 
$
(45,068
)
 
$
634,148


$
530,586

 
$
1,164,734

Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs
12,435,000

 
124

 

 

 
316,828

 

 

 
316,952

 

 
316,952

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity incentive award plan, net
186,136

 
2

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares for employee tax withholding

 

 
(39,836
)
 
(860
)
 

 

 

 
(860
)
 

 
(860
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
4,462

 

 

 
4,462

 

 
4,462

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 
(102,893
)
 

 

 
(102,893
)
 

 
(102,893
)
Dividend equivalents declared upon vesting of deferred restricted stock units

 

 

 

 
23

 

 

 
23

 

 
23

Acquisition of Post Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
205,100

 
205,100

Conversion option of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs

 

 

 

 
23,743

 

 

 
23,743

 

 
23,743

Buyout of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
16,715

 

 
(7,944
)
 
8,771

 
(95,047
)
 
(86,276
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
334,231

 
334,231

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(7,882
)
 
(7,882
)
Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(32,533
)
 

 
(32,533
)
 
(23,074
)
 
(55,607
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20,313
)
 
(20,313
)
 
348

 
(19,965
)
Balances at December 31, 2015
74,709,442

 
747

 
(65,301
)
 
(1,577
)
 
982,814

 
(77,159
)
 
(73,325
)
 
831,500


944,262


1,775,762

Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs
12,540,504

 
125

 

 

 
285,994

 

 

 
286,119

 

 
286,119

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity incentive award plan, net
271,705

 
3

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares for employee tax withholding

 

 
(45,663
)
 
(923
)
 

 

 

 
(923
)
 

 
(923
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
5,391

 

 

 
5,391

 

 
5,391

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 
(128,502
)
 

 

 
(128,502
)
 

 
(128,502
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(17,896
)
 
(17,896
)
Other

 

 

 

 
66

 

 

 
66

 
(103
)
 
(37
)
Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(17,111
)
 

 
(17,111
)
 
(35,188
)
 
(52,299
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
10,958

 
10,958

 
171

 
11,129

Balances at December 31, 2016
87,521,651

 
875

 
(110,964
)
 
(2,500
)
 
1,145,760

 
(94,270
)
 
(62,367
)
 
987,498


891,246


1,878,744

Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs
10,268,261

 
103

 

 

 
237,156

 

 

 
237,259

 

 
237,259

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity incentive award plan, net
227,948

 
2

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares for employee tax withholding

 

 
(46,848
)
 
(1,011
)
 

 

 

 
(1,011
)
 

 
(1,011
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
5,322

 

 

 
5,322

 

 
5,322

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 
(151,503
)
 

 

 
(151,503
)
 

 
(151,503
)
Acquisition of Broadview and Meikle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
390,388

 
390,388

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20,250
)
 
(20,250
)
Sale of a partial interest in Panhandle 2 to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
(2,003
)
 

 

 
(2,003
)
 
56,174

 
54,171

Other

 

 

 

 
116

 

 

 
116

 
(214
)
 
(98
)
Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(17,905
)
 

 
(17,905
)
 
(64,505
)
 
(82,410
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 
36,676

 
36,676

 
854

 
37,530

Balances at December 31, 2017
98,017,860

 
$
980

 
(157,812
)
 
$
(3,511
)
 
$
1,234,846

 
$
(112,175
)
 
$
(25,691
)
 
$
1,094,449

 
$
1,253,693

 
$
2,348,142


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities




 
 
Net loss
$
(82,410
)

$
(52,299
)
 
$
(55,607
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:





 
 
Depreciation and accretion
198,644


174,490

 
143,376

Amortization of financing costs
7,871


6,968

 
7,435

Amortization of debt discount/premium, net
4,583


4,226

 
1,660

Amortization of power purchase agreements, net
3,509


3,049

 
1,946

Loss on derivatives
16,243


22,239

 
13,440

Stock-based compensation
5,322


5,391

 
4,462

Deferred taxes
15,012


8,247

 
4,494

Intraperiod tax allocation
(3,569
)
 

 

Earnings in unconsolidated investments, net
(41,299
)

(30,192
)
 
(16,180
)
Distribution from unconsolidated investments
53,930


15,015

 

Early extinguishment of debt
8,643



 
4,722

Other reconciling items
(434
)
 
(4,470
)
 
1,221

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:





 
 
Funds deposited by counterparty
13,855

 
(43,635
)
 

Trade receivables
(10,342
)

7,796

 
(2,254
)
Prepaid expenses
(2,658
)

709

 
1,272

Other current assets
(11,521
)

(4,300
)
 
(2,218
)
Other assets (non-current)
1,977


1,379

 
(2,336
)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
17,643


(2,546
)
 
4,716

Counterparty deposit liability
(13,855
)

43,635

 

Accrued interest
5,550

 
458

 
4,489

Other current liabilities
8,570


876

 
515

Long-term liabilities
21,222


6,628

 
2,696

Contingent liabilities
822



 

Derivatives
305





Net cash provided by operating activities
217,613


163,664

 
117,849

Investing activities





 
 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired
(227,840
)

(135,778
)
 
(422,413
)
Capital expenditures
(43,777
)

(32,901
)
 
(380,458
)
Distribution from unconsolidated investments
13,358


41,698

 
38,240

Other assets
7,997


2,696

 
5,559

Investment in Pattern Development 2.0
(68,813
)




Other investing activities
(3
)

31

 
(3
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(319,078
)

(124,254
)
 
(759,075
)

F-7


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from public offering, net of issuance costs
237,090


286,298

 
317,432

Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs



 
218,929

Dividends paid
(145,207
)

(120,207
)
 
(90,582
)
Buyout of noncontrolling interest

 

 
(121,224
)
Capital contributions - noncontrolling interest



 
336,043

Capital distributions - noncontrolling interest
(20,250
)

(17,896
)
 
(7,882
)
Refund of deposit for letters of credit



 
3,425

Payment for financing fees
(15,886
)

(542
)
 
(13,667
)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
333,000


175,000

 
405,000

Repayment of revolving credit facility
(513,000
)

(350,000
)
 
(100,000
)
Proceeds from construction loans




329,070

Proceeds from long-term debt
693,735



 
164,973

Repayment of long-term debt
(482,974
)

(47,634
)
 
(785,923
)
Payment for interest rate derivatives



 


Payment for termination of designated derivatives
(14,056
)



(11,061
)
Disposition of controlling interest, net
57,846





Other financing activities
(5,639
)

(1,682
)
 
(860
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
124,659


(76,663
)
 
643,673

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
5,415


332

 
(5,501
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
28,609


(36,921
)
 
(3,054
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
109,371


146,292

 
149,346

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
137,980


$
109,371

 
$
146,292

Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for income taxes
$
335


$
375

 
$
342

Cash payments for interest expense
$
85,930


$
69,666

 
$
62,607

Schedule of non-cash activities





 


Change in property, plant and equipment
$
2,071


$
540

 
$
15,695

Change in additional paid-in capital
$
(2,003
)

$


$
16,715

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1.    Organization
Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern Energy or the Company) was organized in the state of Delaware on October 2, 2012. Pattern Energy is an independent energy generation company focused on constructing, owning and operating energy projects with long-term energy sales contracts located in the United States, Canada and Chile. Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development 1.0) owns a 7.5% interest in the Company. The Pattern Development Companies (Pattern Development 1.0, Pattern Energy Group 2 LP (Pattern Development 2.0) and their respective subsidiaries) are leading developers of renewable energy and transmission projects.
The Company consists of the consolidated operations of certain entities and assets contributed by, or purchased principally from, Pattern Development 1.0, except for purchases of Lost Creek, Post Rock and certain additional interests in El Arrayán (each as defined below, which were purchased from third-parties). Each of the Company's wind projects and certain assets are consolidated into the Company's subsidiaries which are organized by geographic location as follows:
Pattern US Operations Holdings LLC (which consists primarily of 100%  ownership of Hatchet Ridge Wind, LLC (Hatchet Ridge), Spring Valley Wind LLC (Spring Valley), Pattern Santa Isabel LLC (Santa Isabel), Ocotillo Express LLC (Ocotillo), Pattern Gulf Wind LLC (Gulf Wind) and Lost Creek Wind, LLC (Lost Creek), as well as the following consolidated controlling interest in Pattern Panhandle Wind LLC (Panhandle 1), Pattern Panhandle Wind 2 LLC (Panhandle 2), Post Rock Wind Power Project, LLC (Post Rock), Logan's Gap Wind LLC (Logan's Gap), Fowler Ridge IV Wind Farm LLC (Amazon Wind), and Broadview Finco Pledgor LLC ((Broadview Project) (which consists primarily of Broadview Energy KW, LLC and Broadview Energy JN, LLC (together, Broadview) and Western Interconnect LLC, a transmission line (Western Interconnect)));
Pattern Canada Operations Holdings ULC (which consists primarily of 100% ownership of St. Joseph Windfarm Inc. (St. Joseph), a consolidated controlling interest in Meikle Wind Energy Limited Partnership (Meikle) and noncontrolling interests in South Kent Wind LP (South Kent), Grand Renewable Wind LP (Grand), K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership (K2), and SP Armow Wind Ontario LP (Armow) which are accounted for as unconsolidated investments); and
Pattern Chile Holdings LLC (which includes a controlling interest in Parque Eólico El Arrayán SpA (El Arrayán) and a controlling interest in Don Goyo Transmisión S.A. (Don Goyo), a transmission asset of El Arrayán).
On July 27, 2017, the Company funded an initial investment of $60 million in Pattern Development 2.0. On December 27, 2017, the Company contributed an additional $7.3 million to Pattern Development 2.0. As a result of such funding, and the related funding by other investors in Pattern Development 2.0 and consummation of certain redemptions, the Company holds an approximate 21% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0.
2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). They include the results of wholly-owned and partially-owned subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest with all significant intercompany accounts and transactions eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.

F-9


Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash balances which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage and includes cash to collateralize bank letters of credit related primarily to interconnection rights, power sale agreements (PSA) and for certain reserves required under the Company’s loan agreements.
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash as presented on the Statements of Cash Flows
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
116,753

 
$
83,932

 
$
94,808

 
$
101,656

Restricted cash - current
 
9,065

 
11,793

 
14,609

 
7,945

Restricted cash
 
12,162

 
13,646

 
36,875

 
39,745

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows
 
$
137,980

 
$
109,371

 
$
146,292

 
$
149,346

Funds Deposited by Counterparty
As a result of a counterparty's credit rating downgrade, the Company received cash collateral related to an energy derivative agreement, as discussed in Note 10, Derivative Instruments. The Company does not have the right to pledge, invest, or use the cash collateral for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded a current asset of $29.8 million to funds deposited by counterparty and a current liability of $29.8 million to counterparty deposit liability representing the cash collateral received and corresponding obligation to return the cash collateral, respectively. The cash was deposited into a separate custodial account for which the Company is not entitled to the interest earned on the cash collateral.
Trade Receivables
The Company’s trade receivables are generated by selling energy and renewable energy credits primarily to creditworthy utilities. The Company believes that all amounts are collectible and an allowance for doubtful accounts is not required as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Derivatives
The Company may enter into interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, forwards and other agreements to manage its interest rate, electricity price and foreign exchange rate risk. The Company recognizes its derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the "normal purchase normal sale" (NPNS) scope exception to derivative accounting.
Contracts used in normal business operations that are settled by physical delivery, among other criteria, are eligible for and may be designated as NPNS. NPNS contracts do not meet the definition of derivatives, and therefore, contracts associated with the sale of energy are recognized as electricity sales and contracts associated with the production of electricity are recognized as project expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company does not have contracts subject to master netting agreements with counterparties, as such assets and liabilities are presented gross on the consolidated balance sheets. Accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship. For derivative instruments that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of change in fair value of the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI), and is reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of change in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) on the consolidated

F-10


statements of operations. The Company discontinues hedge accounting for its cash flow hedges prospectively when it has determined that the hedging relationship has materially changed since its inception or when the derivative instrument is no longer considered highly effective at offsetting the hedged risk. If the hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, any gain or loss previously deferred in OCI will be immediately recognized into earnings. If hedge accounting is discontinued for any other reason, any previously deferred gain or loss will remain in OCI and amortized into earnings as the hedged transaction affects future earnings. For undesignated derivative instruments, the change in fair value is reported as a component of net income (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied which may involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. See Note 12, Fair Value Measurement.
Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs incurred with securing a construction loan are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an offset to the construction loan and amortized over the contractual life of the loan to construction in progress using the effective interest method. Financing costs incurred with securing a term loan are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an offset to the term loan and amortized to interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method. If the term loan has not been drawn on, financing costs incurred with securing the term loan are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an asset.
Financing costs related to a revolving credit facility or a letter of credit facility are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an asset and amortized to interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the arrangement.
Construction in Progress
Construction in-progress represents the accumulation of project development costs and construction costs, including the costs incurred for the purchase of major equipment such as turbines for which the Company has taken legal title, civil engineering, electrical and other related costs. Other capitalized costs include reclassified deferred development costs, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest and other costs required to place a project into commercial operation. Deferred development costs represent the accumulated costs of initial permitting, environmental reviews, land rights and obligations and preliminary design and engineering work. The Company expenses all project development costs until a project is determined to be technically feasible and likely to achieve commercial success. The Company begins capitalizing deferred development costs as a component of construction in progress on the date the project commences construction. Once the project achieves commercial operation, the Company reclassifies the amounts recorded in construction in progress to property, plant and equipment.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment represents the costs of completed and operational projects transferred from construction in progress, as well as other costs incurred for purchasing assets such as land, computer equipment and software, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements and other equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the respective assets’ useful lives. Wind farms for which construction began before 2011 are depreciated over 20 years and wind farms for which construction began after 2011 are depreciated over 25 years. Transmission assets are depreciated over 50 years. The remaining assets are depreciated over two to five years. Improvements to property, plant and equipment deemed to extend the useful economic life of an asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Intangible Liability
Finite-lived intangible assets and intangible liability primarily include power purchase agreements (PPAs), land easements, land options, tax savings and mining rights. PPAs obtained through acquisitions are valued at the time of acquisition and the difference between the contract price and the estimated fair value results in an intangible asset or an intangible liability. If the contract price is higher than the estimated fair value, the Company will recognize an intangible asset. If the contract price is lower than the estimated fair value, the

F-11


Company will recognize an intangible liability. Land easements, land options and mining rights are recognized at the carryover basis from the seller as these amounts approximate fair value.
The Company generally amortizes its finite-lived intangible assets and intangible liability using the straight-line method over the remaining term of the related PPA. The Company amortizes land easements, land options, tax savings and mining rights using the straight-line method over the term of their estimated useful lives, which represents the term of the land easements, land option, tax savings and mining rights agreements, ranging from approximately 12-51 years. The Company periodically evaluates whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable, or information indicates that impairment may exist.
Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically evaluates long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate that impairment may exist, or the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable based on its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. An impairment loss is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the long-lived asset over the fair value of such long-lived asset, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. There was no impairment for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Variable Interest Entities
Variable interest entities (VIEs) are entities that do not qualify for a scope exception from the variable interest model and are therefore subject to consolidation under the variable interest model. An entity is considered to be a VIE if (1) the entity does not have enough equity to finance its own activities without additional support, (2) the entity’s at-risk equity holders lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (3) the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. ASC 810, Consolidation, defines the criteria for determining the existence of VIEs and provides guidance for consolidation. The Company consolidates VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.
To the extent the entity does not meet the definition of a VIE, the ASC 810 guidance for voting interest entities (VOEs) is applied. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest, and therefore consolidation by the Company, is ownership of a majority voting interest of a corporation or a majority of kick-out rights for a limited partnership.
To the extent the entity is not consolidated under the VIE or VOE models, the Company will use the equity method of accounting. These amounts are included in unconsolidated investments in the consolidated balance sheets.
Acquisitions
On July 1, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01) which provides a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities should not be considered a business. Under ASU 2017-01, the Company will set up an initial screening test that, if met, results in the conclusion that the set is not a business. If the initial screening test is not met, the Company evaluates whether the set is a business based on whether there are inputs and a substantive process in place. The definition of a business impacts whether the Company consolidates an acquisition under business combination guidance or asset acquisition guidance. When the Company's acquisition is recognized as an equity method investment, the definition of a business impacts whether equity method goodwill can be recognized.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for its business combinations by recognizing the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date. The purchase is accounted for using the acquisition method, and the fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values. Contingent consideration is also recognized and measured at fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess, if any, of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable net assets is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, the excess, if any, of the net fair values of the identifiable net assets over the fair value of the purchase consideration is recorded as a gain. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, useful lives and discount rates. During the measurement period, which is one

F-12


year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding offset to either goodwill or gain, depending on whether the fair value of purchase consideration is in excess of or less than net assets acquired. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred.
Asset Acquisitions
When the Company acquires assets and liabilities that do not constitute a business, the fair value of the purchase consideration, including the transaction costs of the asset acquisition, is assumed to be equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired. The purchase consideration, including the transaction costs, is allocated to the individual assets and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Contingent consideration associated with the acquisition is generally recognized only when the contingency is resolved. No goodwill is recognized in an asset acquisition. Transaction costs associated with asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the costs of the group of assets acquired.
Equity Method Investments
When the Company acquires a noncontrolling interest in an entity where it is not the primary beneficiary, does not control any of the ongoing activities of the entity, and does not meet consolidation requirements of ASC 810 and ASU 2015-02, the investment is initially recognized as an equity method investment at cost. Any difference between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying equity in net assets of an investee are considered basis differences. Basis differences related to the property, plant and equipment will be amortized over the estimated economic useful life of the underlying long-lived assets while basis differences related to the PPA will be amortized over the remaining term of the PPA. Transactions costs associated with equity method investments are included in the investment.
When the Company receives distributions in excess of the carrying value of its investment, and the Company is not liable for the obligations of the investee nor otherwise committed to provide financial support, the Company recognizes such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur. Additionally, when the Company's carrying value in an unconsolidated investment is zero and the Company is not liable for the obligations of the investee nor otherwise committed to provide financial support, the Company will not recognize equity in earnings (losses) or equity in other comprehensive income of unconsolidated investments. When the investee subsequently reports income, the Company does not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of distributions in excess of the carrying value that were previously recognized in income and previously unrecognized losses. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no such obligations, commitments or requirements to provide additional funding to its unconsolidated investments.
As a result, equity income or loss reported on the Company's income statement for certain unconsolidated investments may differ from a mathematical calculation of net income or loss attributable to the Company's equity interest based upon the factor of its equity interest and the net income or loss attributable to equity owners as shown on investee companies' income statements.
To the extent that cumulative comprehensive income exceeds cumulative distributions received, the Company records the distribution as distributions from unconsolidated investments on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows within operating cash flows. All other distributions are recorded as distributions from unconsolidated investments on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows within investing activities.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of the Company’s net income (loss), net assets and comprehensive income (loss) that is not allocable to the Company and is calculated based on ownership percentage, for applicable projects.
For the noncontrolling interests in the Company’s Panhandle 1, Panhandle 2, Post Rock, Logan's Gap, Amazon Wind, and Broadview Holdings, the Company has determined that the operating partnership agreements do not allocate economic benefits pro rata to its two classes of investors and the appropriate methodology for calculating the noncontrolling interest balance that reflects the substantive profit sharing arrangement is a balance sheet approach using the hypothetical liquidation at book value (HLBV) method.
Under the HLBV method, the amounts reported as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations represent the amounts the third party would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet reporting date under the liquidation provisions of the operating partnership agreement assuming the net assets of the projects were liquidated at recorded amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and distributed to the investors. The noncontrolling interest in the results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) is determined as the difference in noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets at the start and end of each

F-13


reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between the projects and the third party. The noncontrolling interest balances in the projects are reported as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company records asset retirement obligations (AROs) for the estimated costs of decommissioning turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring sites, at the time when a contractual decommissioning obligation is incurred. AROs represent the present value of the expected costs and timing of the related decommissioning activities. The ARO assets and liabilities are recorded in property, plant and equipment and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company records accretion expense, which represents the increase in the asset retirement obligations, over the remaining or operational life of the associated wind project. Accretion expense is recorded as cost of revenue in the consolidated statements of operations using accretion rates based on credit adjusted risk-free interest rates. Changes resulting from revisions to the timing or amount of the original estimate of cash flows are recognized as an increase or a decrease in the asset retirement cost, or income when the asset retirement cost is depleted.
Contingent Liabilities
Contingent obligations that are acquired through business combinations are initially recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition while contingent obligations that are acquired through asset acquisitions are recorded when the contingency is resolved. Subsequent to the initial recognition of contingent obligations accounted for as a business combination, the Company accounts for these contingent obligations in a systematic and rational method in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies.
The Company’s contingent liabilities related to turbine availability warranties with turbine manufacturers and turbine availability guarantees associated with long-term turbine service arrangements are reported at net realizable value. Pursuant to these warranties and guarantees, if a turbine operates at less than minimum availability during the warranty or guarantee period, the manufacturer or service provider is obligated to pay, as liquidated damages, an amount for each percent that the turbine operates below the minimum availability threshold at the end of the warranty period. However, the Company does not recognize liquidated damages that remain contingent until the end of the warranty period. In addition, pursuant to certain of these warranties and guarantees, if a turbine operates at more than a specified availability during the warranty or guarantee period, the Company has an obligation to pay a bonus to the turbine manufacturer or service provider at the end of the warranty period. The Company records contingent liabilities at each reporting period associated with these bonuses expected to be paid at the end of the warranty period.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, reimbursable interconnection costs and derivative instruments. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are with high quality institutions. The Company has exposure to credit risk to the extent cash and cash equivalent balances, including restricted cash, exceed amounts covered by federal deposit insurance; however, the Company believes that its credit risk is immaterial. In addition, reimbursable interconnection costs are with large creditworthy utility companies and the Company’s derivative instruments are placed with counterparties that are creditworthy institutions. The Company generally does not require collateral.
The Company sells electricity and renewable energy credits (RECs) primarily to creditworthy utilities under long-term, fixed-priced PSAs. During the year ended December 31, 2017, Standard & Poor’s Rating Service's credit rating of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) remained unchanged at D. Through December 31, 2017, Moody’s Investor Service’s credit rating of PREPA changed from Caa3 to Ca.
The table below presents significant customers who accounted for greater than 10% of total revenue and PREPA, and the related maximum amount of credit loss based on their percentages of total trade receivables as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
Revenue
 
Trade Receivables
 
Revenue
 
Trade Receivables
 
Revenue
 
Trade Receivables
San Diego Gas & Electric
13.4
%
 
6.4
%
 
14.6
%
 
5.1
%
 
17.1
%
 
16.6
%
Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.
9.1
%
 
3.3
%
 
10.9
%
 
4.4
%
 
5.9
%
 
7.8
%
PREPA
4.2
%
 
4.9
%
 
6.0
%
 
6.1
%
 
8.4
%
 
8.6
%

F-14


Revenue Recognition
The Company sells electricity and related RECs under the terms of PSAs, PPAs or at market prices. Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered at rates specified under the contracts, or at market prices for spot market transactions, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When renewable energy credits are sold as a separate component, revenue is recognized at the time title to the energy credits is transferred to the buyer. Depending on the terms of the PSA, the Company may account for the contracts as operating leases pursuant to ASC 840, Leases (ASC 840), or derivative instruments pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). In considering ASC 840, it was determined that certain of the Company's PPAs are operating leases. ASC 840, requires minimum lease payments to be recognized over the term of the lease and contingent rents to be recorded when the achievement of the contingency becomes probable. All energy sales under the PPAs, which are considered leases, are contingent rent due to the inherent uncertainty and variability associated with a fuel source (i.e., wind) that is outside the control of the parties to the PPA. None of the operating leases have minimum lease payments; therefore, revenue from these contracts and any related renewable energy attributes are recognized as electricity sales when delivered. Contingent rents for the years ending December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $316.5 million, $262.4 million and $252.0 million, respectively. Contracts that meet the NPNS scope exception to derivative accounting are accounted for under the accrual method, where revenues are recorded in the period they are earned.
Energy derivative instruments that reduce exposure to changes in commodity prices may allow the Company to lock in a fixed price per megawatt hour (MWh) for a specified amount of annual electricity generation over the life of the swap contract. Monthly settlement amounts under energy hedges are accounted for as energy derivative settlements in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of energy hedges are recorded in electricity sales in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company recognizes revenue for warranty settlements in other revenue upon resolution of outstanding contingencies. Any cash receipts for amounts subject to future adjustment or repayment are deferred in other liabilities until the final settlement amount is considered fixed and determinable.
Cost of Revenue
The Company’s cost of revenue is comprised of direct costs of operating and maintaining its wind project facilities, including labor, turbine service arrangements, land lease royalties, depreciation, accretion, property taxes and insurance.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation related to stock options granted to employees by estimating the fair value of the stock-based awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model includes assumptions regarding dividend yields, expected volatility, expected option term, and risk-free interest rates. Expense is recognized by amortizing the fair value of the stock options granted using a straight-line method over the applicable vesting period. The Company estimates expected volatility based on the historical volatility of comparable publicly traded companies for a period that is equal to the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period commensurate with the estimated expected term of the stock option. The expected term of options granted is derived using the "simplified" method as allowed under the provisions of the ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation related to restricted stock award grants and restricted stock unit grants by amortizing the fair value of the restricted stock award grants, which is the grant date market price, over the applicable vesting period. For certain restricted stock award grants, the Company measures the fair value at the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model and amortizes the fair value over the longer of the requisite period or performance period. The Monte Carlo simulation model includes assumptions regarding dividend yields, expected volatility, risk-free interest rates and initial total shareholder return (TSR) performance.
With the adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09), the Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax

F-15


rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company has a policy to classify interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions together with the related liability, and the expenses incurred related to such accruals, if any, are included in the provision for income taxes.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, is comprised primarily of changes in foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense amounts are translated at average rates during the period, with resulting foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss). Where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, re-measurement adjustments are recorded in other (expense) income, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Segment Data and Geographic Information
Segment data
Operating segments are defined as components of a company about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer. Based on the financial information presented to and reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate the resources and in assessing the Company’s performance, the Company has determined its wind projects represent individual operating segments with similar economic characteristics that meet the criteria for aggregation into a single reporting segment for financial statement purposes.
Geographic information
The table below provides information, by country, about the Company’s consolidated operations. Revenue is recorded in the country in which it is earned and assets are recorded in the country in which they are located (in thousands):
 
 
Revenue
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2017
 
2016
United States
 
$
315,642

 
$
285,187

 
$
258,542

 
$
3,121,387

 
$
2,652,122

Canada
 
62,063

 
39,207

 
39,178

 
550,183

 
177,093

Chile
 
33,639

 
29,658

 
32,111

 
293,551

 
305,947

Total
 
$
411,344

 
$
354,052

 
$
329,831

 
$
3,965,121

 
$
3,135,162

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, which provides a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single

F-16


identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, with early application permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 on July 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 resulted in the acquisition of Meikle being accounted for as an asset acquisition.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09, effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2018-02). ASU 2018-02 permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings as a result of the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 (Tax Act). ASU 2018-02, is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the United States federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recognized. ASU 2018-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12), which amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The amendments are intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Company is also assessing the accounting impact of the ASU 2016-02 as it applies to its PPAs, land leases, office leases and equipment leases. As the Company progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 beginning January 1, 2019.
In the first quarter of 2018, the Company will adopt ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers.
The new standard permits adoption by either using (i) the full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. The Company will adopt these updates beginning with the first quarter of its fiscal year 2018 and anticipates doing so using the modified retrospective method. The Company is in the process of finalizing its

F-17


evaluation of the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on historical contracts and other arrangements. The Company’s assessment efforts to date have included identification of revenue streams from its contracts with customers, reviewing current accounting policies and drafting revised accounting policies affected by the standard, assessing the redesign of internal controls, processes, and systems requirements, as well as assigning internal resources and engaging third-party consultants to assist in the process. Additionally, the Company has reviewed historical contracts and other arrangements to identify potential differences that could arise from the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and evaluated the expanded disclosure requirements. As a result of the review of revenue arrangements, the Company is evaluating its current conclusions with respect to the impact of certain pricing structures on the timing of revenue recognition. The Company is also continuing to assess the potential effects that this new standard and its anticipated adoption of ASU 2016-02, as discussed above, may have on its consolidated financial statements as it relates to PSAs accounted for as leases and its leasing arrangements with landowners.
In September 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments (ASU 2017-13), which amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting Topic 606 and Topic 842 using the adoption dates available for non-public entities. Certain of the Company's unconsolidated investments, for which the Company may be required to include in its Form 10-K, have elected to utilize the adoption date available for non-public entities. The Company does not expect their adoption of this update to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
3.    Acquisitions
Business Combinations
Broadview Project Acquisition
On April 21, 2017, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Pattern Development 1.0, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Broadview Project which indirectly owns both 100% of the Class B membership interest in Broadview Energy Holdings LLC (Broadview Holdings) and a 99% ownership interest in Western Interconnect, a 35-mile 345 kV transmission line. Broadview Holdings owns100% ownership interests that comprise the 324 MW Broadview wind power projects, which achieved commercial operations in the first quarter of 2017. The acquisition is in alignment with the Company's growth strategy to expand its portfolio of generating projects. The Company's indirect Class B membership interest in Broadview Holdings represents an 84% interest in initial distributable cash flow from Broadview. Consideration consisted of $214.7 million of cash, a $2.4 million assumed liability and a post-closing payment of approximately $21.3 million contingent upon the commercial operation of the Grady Project (as defined below). As part of the acquisition, the Company also assumed $51.2 million of construction debt and related accrued interest outstanding at Western Interconnect which was immediately extinguished, and concurrently the Company entered into a variable rate term loan for $54.4 million. The Grady Wind Energy Center, LLC (the Grady Project) is a wind power project on the identified right of first offer projects (identified ROFO Projects) list being developed by Pattern Development 2.0 separately from Broadview, which is expected to begin full construction in 2018, and which will be interconnected through Western Interconnect. Following the commencement of commercial operations of the Grady Project, at which time the Grady Project will begin making transmission service payments to Western Interconnect, the Company will make the aforementioned contingent post-closing payment.
The identifiable assets, operating contracts and liabilities assumed for the Broadview Project were recorded at their fair values, which corresponded to the sum of the cash purchase price, contingent consideration payment, and the fair value of the other investors' noncontrolling interests.

F-18


The fair values are as follows (in thousands):

April 21, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,022

Trade receivables
3,259

Prepaid expenses
187

Other current assets
9,830

Restricted cash
44,383

Deferred financing costs, net
1,890

Property, plant and equipment
627,502

Intangible assets
22,346

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
(2,956
)
Accrued interest
(108
)
Long-term debt, current portion
(51,053
)
Accrued construction costs
(38,814
)
Related party payable
(674
)
Contingent liability
(36,205
)
Asset retirement obligation
(6,296
)
Other long-term liabilities
(12,350
)
Total consideration before non-controlling interest
563,963

Less: noncontrolling interests
(325,600
)
Total consideration
$
238,363

Current assets, non-current restricted cash, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, accrued interest, accrued construction costs, related party payable and current portion of long-term debt were recorded at carrying value, which was representative of the fair value on the date of acquisition. Property, plant and equipment, finite-lived intangible assets, contingent liabilities and long-term liabilities were recorded at fair value estimated using the cost and income approach. The fair value of asset retirement obligations was recorded at fair value using a combination of market data, operational data and discounted cash flows and was adjusted by a discount rate factor reflecting current market conditions at the time of acquisition.
Concurrent with the closing, certain tax equity investors made capital contributions to acquire 100% of the Class A membership interests in Broadview Holdings and have been admitted as noncontrolling members in the entity, with a 16% initial interest in the distributable cash flow from Broadview. The noncontrolling interest was recorded at fair value estimated using the purchase price from the purchase agreement executed on April 21, 2017 among the Company and the tax equity investors.
The Company recorded a $7.2 million contingent obligation, payable to a third party who holds a 1% interest in Western Interconnect, at fair value upon the acquisition of the Broadview Project. These contingent payments are subject to certain conditions, including the actual energy production of Broadview in a production year and the continued operation of Broadview. Additionally, the Company recorded a $29.0 million contingent obligation, payable to the same counterparty, at fair value upon the acquisition of the Broadview Project. These contingent payments are subject to certain conditions, including the commercial operation of the Grady Project. The contingent payment is calculated as a percentage of additional transmission revenue earned by Western Interconnect upon the Grady Project's commercial operation.
The Broadview Project acquisition includes contingent consideration, which requires the Company to make an additional payment upon the commercial operation of the Grady Project. See Note 12, Fair Value Measurement for further discussion on the fair value of the contingent consideration.
The Company incurred transaction-related expense of $0.4 million which were recorded in net loss on transactions in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on preliminary calculations and valuations, and the estimates and assumptions are subject to change as additional information is obtained for the estimates during the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company adjusted the initial valuation and

F-19


decreased property, plant and equipment by $1.0 million, decreased accrued construction costs by $1.3 million and increased asset retirement obligations by $0.3 million. These changes are a result of the updated inputs, assumptions and methodologies used in determining the fair value of these assets and liabilities. The accounting for this acquisition is final as of December 31, 2017.
The Company has determined that the operating partnership agreement does not allocate economic benefits pro rata to its two classes of investors for Broadview and will use the HLBV method to calculate the noncontrolling interest balance that reflects the substantive profit sharing arrangement.
Wind Capital Group Acquisition
On May 15, 2015, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests in Lost Creek Wind Finco, LLC (Lost Creek Finco) from Wind Capital Group LLC, an unrelated third party, and 100% of the membership interests in Lincoln County Wind Project Holdco, LLC (Lincoln County Holdco) from Lincoln County Wind Project Finco, LLC, an unrelated third party. Lost Creek Finco owns 100% of the Class B membership interests in Lost Creek Wind Holdco, LLC (Lost Creek Wind Holdco), a company which owns a 100% interest in the Lost Creek wind project. Lincoln County Holdco owns 100% of the Class B membership interests in Post Rock Wind Power Project, LLC, a company which owns a 100% interest in the Post Rock wind project. The acquisition of 100% of the membership interests in Lost Creek Finco and Lincoln County Holdco was for an aggregate consideration of approximately $242.0 million, paid at closing. The Company also assumed certain project level indebtedness and ordinary course performance guarantees securing project obligations. Lost Creek is a 150 megawatt (MW) wind project in King City, Missouri, and Post Rock is a 201MW wind project in Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties, Kansas.
The Company acquired assets and operating contracts for Lost Creek and Post Rock, including assumed liabilities. The identifiable assets and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which corresponded to the sum of the cash purchase price and the fair value of the other investors’ noncontrolling interests. The accounting for the Lost Creek and Post Rock acquisition was completed as of March 31, 2016 at which point the fair values became final. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
 
May 15, 2015
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,501

Restricted cash, current
11,787

Trade receivables
7,910

Prepaid expenses
1,232

Other current assets
444

Restricted cash
4,592

Property, plant and equipment
543,347

Finite-lived intangible assets
97,400

Other assets
17,632

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
(2,611
)
Accrued interest
(951
)
Derivative liabilities, current
(3,759
)
Current portion of long-term debt, net of financing costs
(7,463
)
Finite-lived intangible liabilities
(60,300
)
Asset retirement obligations
(7,192
)
Long-term debt, net of financing costs
(108,838
)
Derivative liabilities
(14,631
)
Total consideration before temporary equity and noncontrolling interests
482,100

Less: temporary equity
(35,000
)
Less: noncontrolling interests
(205,100
)
Total consideration after temporary equity and noncontrolling interests
$
242,000

Current assets, non-current restricted cash, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities and accrued interest were recorded at carrying value, which is representative of the fair value on the date of acquisition. Property, plant and equipment, finite-lived intangible asset, finite-lived intangible liability and debt were recorded at fair value estimated using the income approach. The fair values of other assets, derivatives and asset retirement obligations were recorded at fair value using a combination of market data, operational data and discounted cash flows and were adjusted by a discount rate factor reflecting current market conditions at the time of acquisition.

F-20


The noncontrolling interest in Post Rock was recorded at fair value estimated using a projected cash flow stream of distributable cash and tax benefits anticipated based on the existing Partnership Agreement, discounted to present value with a discount rate reflecting the estimated return on investment required by participants in the tax equity market. The noncontrolling interest in Lost Creek was recorded at fair value estimated using the purchase price from a purchase agreement executed on May 15, 2015 between the Company and the tax equity investor.
The Company incurred transaction-related expenses of $1.7 million which were recorded in net gain (loss) on transactions in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.
On July 30, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the Class A membership interests in Lost Creek Wind Holdco for a cash purchase price of approximately $35.2 million. As a result, Lost Creek became wholly owned as of July 30, 2015.
The Company has determined that the operating partnership agreement does not allocate economic benefits pro rata to its two classes of investors and will use the HLBV method to calculate the noncontrolling interest balance that reflects the substantive profit sharing arrangement.
Supplemental pro forma data (unaudited)
Broadview reached commercial operations in March 2017 and until approximately three weeks before acquisition, Broadview was still under construction. Therefore, pro forma data for Broadview has not been provided as there is no material difference between pro forma data that give effect to the Broadview Project acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2016 and actual data reported for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The unaudited pro forma statement of operations data below gives effect to the Lost Creek and Post Rock acquisitions, as if they had occurred on January 1, 2014. The pro forma net loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was adjusted to exclude nonrecurring transaction related expenses of $1.7 million. The unaudited pro forma data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of actual results that would have been achieved had these acquisitions been consummated as of January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma data should not be considered representative of the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations.
 
Year ended December 31,
Unaudited pro forma data (in thousands)
2015
Pro forma total revenue
$
351,094

Pro forma total expenses
411,746

Pro forma net loss
(60,652
)
Less: pro forma net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(29,091
)
Pro forma net loss attributable to Pattern Energy
$
(31,561
)
The following table presents the amounts included in the consolidated statements of operations for Lost Creek and Post Rock from their respective dates of acquisition through December 31, 2015 and for the Broadview Project from its date of acquisition through December 31, 2017:
 
Year ended December 31,
Unaudited data (in thousands)
2017
 
2015
Total revenue
$
33,073

 
$
31,093

Total expenses
50,225

 
34,574

Net loss
(17,152
)
 
(3,481
)
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(17,315
)
 
(5,114
)
Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy
$
163

 
$
1,633

Asset Acquisition
Meikle
On August 10, 2017, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among the Company, Pattern Development 1.0, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), the Company acquired 50.99% of the limited partner interests in Meikle and 70% of the

F-21


issued and outstanding shares of Meikle Wind Energy Corp. (Meikle Corp) for a purchase price of $67.4 million, paid at closing, in addition to $1.1 million of capitalized transaction-related expenses. PSP Investments acquired 48.99% of the limited partner interest in Meikle and 30% of the issued and outstanding shares of Meikle Corp for a purchase price of $64.8 million. Meikle operates the approximately 179 MW wind farm located in the Peace River Regional District of British Columbia, Canada, which achieved commercial operations in the first quarter of 2017.
The fair value of the purchase consideration, including transaction-related expenses of the asset acquisition, and fair value of the noncontrolling interest is allocated to the relative fair value of the individual assets, operating contracts and liabilities assumed. The noncontrolling interest was recorded at fair value estimated using the purchase price paid by PSP Investments pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Meikle acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
 
August 10, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,865

Trade receivables
5,432

Prepaid expenses
1,194

Deferred financing costs, current
36

Other current assets
432

Restricted cash
6,808

Deferred financing costs
726

Property, plant and equipment
375,717

Finite lived intangible asset
29,287

Other assets
80

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
(4,676
)
Accrued construction costs
(1,762
)
Related party payable
(96
)
Accrued interest
(1,180
)
Derivative liabilities, current
(1,980
)
Current portion of long-term debt
(7,291
)
Long-term debt, net
(258,303
)
Derivative liabilities, noncurrent
(13,198
)
Other long-term liabilities
(1,816
)
Total consideration before non-controlling interest
133,275

Less: noncontrolling interests
(64,789
)
Total consideration
$
68,486


F-22


Unconsolidated Investments
Pattern Development 2.0
Under the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Pattern Development 2.0 (A&R LPA), the Company has the right to contribute up to $300.0 million to Pattern Development 2.0 in one or more subsequent rounds of financing. On July 27, 2017, the Company funded an initial $60.0 million capital call and on December 26, 2017, the Company funded an additional $7.3 million capital call. As a result of such funding, and the related funding by other investors in Pattern Development 2.0 and consummation of certain redemptions, the Company holds an approximate 21% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0 as of December 31, 2017. The Company is a noncontrolling investor in Pattern Development 2.0, but has significant influence over Pattern Development 2.0. Accordingly, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
The Company capitalized $1.5 million of transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company's initial investment in Pattern Development 2.0 of $60.0 million was $40.6 million higher than the Company's underlying equity in the net assets of Pattern Development 2.0 at the time of the initial funding. This equity method basis difference was primarily attributable to equity method goodwill.
Armow
On October 17, 2016, the Company acquired from Pattern Development 1.0 a 50% equity interest in Armow for approximately $132.3 million, in addition to $0.3 million of capitalized transaction-related expenses, plus assumed estimated proportionate debt, net of deferred financing cost, of approximately $193.6 million. Armow is a joint venture established to develop, construct and operate a wind power project located in Ontario, Canada. The project operates under a 20-year PPA and commenced commercial operation in December 2015. The Company’s investment in Armow was funded through general corporate funds and borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The Company is a noncontrolling investor in Armow, but has significant influence over Armow. Accordingly, the investment is being accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
The cost of the Company’s investment in Armow was $138.2 million higher than the Company’s underlying equity in the net assets of Armow. This equity method basis difference was comprised of $89.8 million related to property, plant and equipment and $48.4 million related to the PPA. The difference between the purchase price paid, including transaction costs of $132.6 million and the equity method basis differences of $138.2 million was due to the Armow project having a negative equity balance of $5.6 million as of the acquisition date primarily due to losses incurred on its interest rate derivative.
4.    Property, Plant and Equipment
The following presents the categories within property, plant and equipment (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating wind farms
$
4,640,718

 
$
3,707,823

Transmission line
93,849

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
12,643

 
9,307

Land
141

 
141

Subtotal
4,747,351

 
3,717,271

Less: accumulated depreciation
(782,230
)
 
(582,109
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
3,965,121

 
$
3,135,162

The Company recorded depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment of $194.8 million, $171.7 million and $141.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

F-23


5.    Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liability
The following presents the major components of the finite-lived intangible assets and liability (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2017
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life
 
Gross
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power purchase agreement
15

$
127,084


$
(17,611
)
 
$
109,473

Industrial revenue bond tax savings
24
 
12,778

 
(351
)
 
12,427

Other intangible assets
34

15,234


(1,086
)
 
14,148

Total intangible assets
 
 
$
155,096

 
$
(19,048
)
 
$
136,048

Intangible liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power purchase agreement
15

$
60,300


$
(9,106
)
 
$
51,194

 
December 31, 2016
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life
 
Gross
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power purchase agreement
13

$
97,400


$
(10,632
)

$
86,768

Other intangible assets
15

5,666


(539
)

5,127

Total intangible assets
 
 
$
103,066

 
$
(11,171
)
 
$
91,895

Intangible liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power purchase agreement
16

$
60,300


$
(5,637
)
 
$
54,663

The Company presents amortization of the PPA asset and PPA liability as an offset to electricity sales in the consolidated statements of operations, which resulted in net expense of $3.5 million, $3.0 million and $1.9 million in electricity sales for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to other intangible assets in depreciation and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations.
The acquisition of the Broadview Project provided for future property tax savings as a result of the issuance of industrial revenue bonds during construction of the Broadview Project. The Company considered the future tax savings an intangible asset and calculated the fair value of the asset at the acquisition date. The tax savings was calculated by forecasting the difference between the property tax payments that the Broadview Project would be liable for if the industrial revenue bond structure was not in place and the actual payments in lieu of tax. The fair value of the property tax savings was recorded to finite-lived intangible assets, net on the consolidated balance sheets at the acquisition date, and such value will be amortized to depreciation and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations over the 25 year exemption period that remains as of the acquisition date. The Company recorded amortization expense of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to the industrial revenue bond tax savings intangible asset.
The following table presents estimated future amortization for the next five years related to the PPA asset and PPA liability and other intangible assets:
Year ended December 31,
 
Power Purchase Agreements, Net
 
Industrial revenue bond tax savings
Other Intangible Assets
2018
 
$
4,243

 
$
513

$
603

2019
 
4,243

 
513

605

2020
 
4,264

 
513

605

2021
 
4,243

 
513

605

2022
 
4,243

 
513

605

Thereafter
 
37,043

 
9,862

11,125


F-24



6.     Variable Interest Entities
The Company consolidates VIEs in which it holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. The Company has determined that Logan's Gap, Panhandle 1, Panhandle 2, Post Rock, Amazon Wind and Broadview Holdings are VIEs. The Company determined that as the managing member of the VIEs it is the primary beneficiary by reference to the power and benefits criterion under ASC 810, Consolidation and therefore, consolidates the VIEs. The Company considered responsibilities within the contractual agreements, which grant it the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. Such activities include management of the wind farms' operations and maintenance, budgeting, policies and procedures. In addition, the Company has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIEs on the basis of the income allocations and cash distributions.
The Company’s equity method investment in Pattern Development 2.0 is considered to be a VIE primarily because the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit Pattern Development 2.0 to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support by the equity holders. The Company does not hold the power or benefits to be the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate the VIE. The carrying value of its unconsolidated investment in Pattern Development 2.0 was $62.2 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company's maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying value of its investment in PEGH 2. See Note 3, Acquisitions, for additional information.
The following presents the carrying amounts of the consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands). Assets presented below are restricted for settlement of the consolidated VIEs' obligations and all liabilities presented below can only be settled using the VIE resources.
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016 (1)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
33,273

 
$
12,745

Restricted cash
4,314

 
4,291

Trade receivables
12,769

 
6,290

Prepaid expenses
4,965

 
4,468

Other current assets
2,597

 
1,456

Total current assets
57,918

 
29,250

 
 
 
 
Restricted cash
3,330

 
3,203

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,984,606

 
1,538,793

Finite-lived intangible assets, net
12,210

 
2,070

Other assets
12,984

 
13,622

Total assets
$
2,071,048

 
$
1,586,938

 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
$
26,826

 
$
12,635

Accrued construction costs
759

 
709

Accrued interest
78

 
77

Other current liabilities
4,789

 
2,090

Total current liabilities
32,452

 
15,511

 
 
 
 
Contingent liabilities
87

 
81

Other long-term liabilities
47,345

 
20,081

Total liabilities
$
79,884

 
$
35,673

(1) 
Does not include Broadview Holdings as it was acquired in April 2017.
7.    Unconsolidated Investments
The Company's unconsolidated investments consist of the following for the periods presented below (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
Percentage of Ownership
 
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
South Kent
$
6,151

 
$
1,537

 
50.0
%
 
50.0
%
Grand
6,611

 
3,459

 
45.0
%
 
45.0
%
K2
103,328

 
97,051

 
33.3
%
 
33.3
%
Armow
132,890

 
131,247

 
50.0
%
 
50.0
%
Pattern Development 2.0
62,243

 

 
20.9
%
 
NA

Unconsolidated investments
$
311,223

 
$
233,294

 
 
 
 

F-25


South Kent
The Company is a noncontrolling investor in a joint venture established to develop, construct, and own a wind power project located in Ontario, Canada. The project has a 20-year PPA, and commenced commercial operation in March 2014.
Grand
The Company is a noncontrolling investor in a joint venture established to develop, construct, and own a wind power project located in Ontario, Canada. The project has a 20-year PPA and commenced commercial operation in December 2014.
K2
The Company is a noncontrolling investor in a joint venture established to develop, construct and own a wind power project located in Ontario, Canada. The project has a 20-year PPA and commenced commercial operation in May 2015.
Armow
The Company is a noncontrolling investor in a joint venture established to develop, construct, and own a wind power project located in Ontario, Canada. The project has a 20-year PPA, and commenced commercial operation in December 2015. See Note 3, Acquisitions - Unconsolidated Investments, for disclosure on the acquisition of the 50% interest in Armow.
Pattern Development 2.0
The Company is a noncontrolling investor in the long-term development vehicle. The core of Pattern Development 2.0's assets consists of the early and mid-stage U.S. development assets. The investment allows the Company to secure access to an exclusive pipeline of new projects and enhance its alignment with the development business. See Note 3, Acquisitions - Unconsolidated Investments, for disclosure on the acquisition of the equity interest in Pattern Development 2.0.
Basis Amortization of Unconsolidated Investments
The cost of the Company’s investment in the net assets of unconsolidated investments was higher than the fair value of the Company’s equity interest in the underlying net assets of its unconsolidated investments. The basis differences were primarily attributable to property, plant and equipment, PPAs, and equity method goodwill. The Company amortizes the basis difference attributable to property, plant and equipment, and PPAs over their useful life and contractual life, respectively. The Company does not amortize equity method goodwill. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded basis difference amortization for its unconsolidated investments of $11.4 million, $6.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, in earnings in unconsolidated investments, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
Suspension of Equity Method Accounting
During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company's equity method balances for South Kent and Grand were zero. In accordance with ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the Company suspended recognition of South Kent's and Grand's equity method earnings or losses and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), until the fourth quarter of 2016 when South Kent's and Grand's cumulative equity method earnings and other comprehensive income exceeded cumulative distributions received, cumulative equity method losses and, where applicable, cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) during the suspension period. As the Company has no explicit or implicit commitment to fund losses at the unconsolidated investments, the Company has recorded gains resulting from distributions received in excess of the carrying amount of its unconsolidated investments. For the year ended December 31, 2016, earnings (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net as reported on the consolidated statement of operations attributable to South Kent and Grand includes $19.9 million in distributions received in excess of the carrying amount of the Company's investment and equity earnings of $0.6 million. During 2017, there was no suspension of equity method earnings or losses.
During the suspension period, the Company maintains a memo ledger that records the components of the suspended activity. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the memo ledger balance was made up of distributions received in excess of the carrying amount of the Company's investment of $19.9 million, suspended equity losses of $4.6 million and suspended other comprehensive income of $0.7 million which were offset by equity earnings of $23.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2016 when cumulative equity method earnings and other comprehensive income exceeded cumulative distributions received, cumulative equity method losses and, where applicable, cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) during the suspension period. As a result, the Company's memo ledger as of December 31, 2016 is $0.0 million.

F-26


8.    Debt
The Company’s debt consists of the following for periods presented below (in thousands): 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31,
 
Contractual Interest Rate
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
Maturity
Corporate-level
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
$

 
$
180,000

 
varies

(1 
) 
%
 
November 2022
2020 Notes
225,000

 
225,000

 
4.00
%
 
6.60
%
 
July 2020
2024 Notes
350,000

 

 
5.88
%
 
5.88
%
 
February 2024
Project-level
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
Fixed interest rate
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
El Arrayán EKF term loan
99,112

 
103,904

 
5.56
%
 
5.56
%
 
March 2029
Santa Isabel term loan
103,878

 
107,090

 
4.57
%
 
4.57
%
 
September 2033
Variable interest rate
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
Ocotillo commercial term loan (2)
289,339

 
193,257

 
6.00
%
 
6.06
%
(3 
) 
June 2033
Lost Creek term loan (4)

 
103,846

 
%
 
%
 
N/A
El Arrayán commercial term loan
90,102

 
94,458

 
4.25
%
 
5.72
%
(3 
) 
March 2029
Spring Valley term loan
125,678

 
130,658

 
3.45
%
 
5.12
%
(3 
) 
June 2030
Ocotillo development term loan

 
102,300

 
%
 
%
 
N/A
St. Joseph term loan (2)
171,487

 
162,356

 
3.17
%
 
3.91
%
(3 
) 
November 2033
Western Interconnect term loan (2)
54,395

 

 
3.70
%
 
4.26
%
 
April 2027
Meikle term loan (2)
266,557

 

 
3.04
%
 
3.90
%
 
May 2024
Imputed interest rate
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
Hatchet Ridge financing lease obligation
192,079

 
202,593

 
1.43
%
 
1.43
%
 
December 2032
 
1,967,627

 
1,605,462

 
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized premium/discount, net (4)
(13,470
)
 
(17,019
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized financing costs
(23,426
)
 
(24,771
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt, net
$
1,930,731

 
$
1,563,672

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As reflected on the consolidated balance sheets

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility
$

 
$
180,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of financing costs
51,996

 
48,716

 
 
 
 
 
 
Long term debt, net of financing costs
1,878,735

 
1,334,956

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt, net
$
1,930,731

 
$
1,563,672

 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) 
Refer to Revolving Credit Facility for interest rate details.
(2) 
The amortization for the St. Joseph term loan, the Western Interconnect term loan and the Meikle term loan are through September 2036, March 2036 and December 2038, respectively, which differs from the stated maturity date of such loans due to prepayment requirements.
(3) 
Includes impact of interest rate swaps. See Note 10, Derivative Instruments, for discussion of interest rate swaps.
(4) 
The discount relates to the 2020 Notes and the premium relates to the Lost Creek term loan as of December 31, 2016. The Lost Creek term loan was terminated in September 2017.

F-27


The following are principal payments, excluding deferred financing costs, due under the Company's debt as of December 31, 2017 for the following years (in thousands):
 
 
Amount
2018
 
$
53,704

2019
 
64,426

2020
 
293,511

2021
 
71,821

2022
 
75,763

Thereafter
 
1,408,402

Total
 
$
1,967,627

Interest and commitment fees incurred and interest expense for debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Corporate-level interest and commitment fees incurred
$
33,777

 
$
18,171

 
$
9,983

Project-level interest and commitment fees incurred
55,535

 
47,994

 
64,903

Capitalized interest, commitment fees, and letter of credit fees

 

 
(6,607
)
Amortization of debt discount/premium, net
4,583

 
4,226

 
1,660

Amortization of financing costs
7,871

 
6,968

 
7,435

Other interest
463

 
645

 
533

Interest expense
$
102,229

 
$
78,004

 
$
77,907

Corporate Level Debt
Revolving Credit Facility
On November 21, 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the Revolving Credit Facility). The Revolving Credit Facility provides for a revolving credit facility of $440 million, decreased from the previous limit of $500 million. The facility has a five-year term and is comprised of a revolving loan facility, a letter of credit facility and a swingline facility. The facility is secured by pledges of the capital stock and ownership interests in certain of our holding company subsidiaries, in addition to other customary collateral.
As of December 31, 2017, $392.5 million was available for borrowing under the $440 million Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Company’s holding company subsidiaries' ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business. As of December 31, 2017, the Company's holding company subsidiaries are in compliance with covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility.
The loans under the Revolving Credit Facility are base rate loans, Eurodollar rate loans, Canadian prime rate loans or CDOR rate loans. The base rate loans accrue interest at the fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of the (i) the U.S. dollar prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (iii) LIBOR one month plus 1.0%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.625% to 0.875% (corresponding to applicable leverage ratios of the borrowers). The Eurodollar rate loans accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR, as published by Reuters plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.625% to 1.875% (corresponding to applicable leverage ratios of the borrowers). The Canadian prime rate loans accrue interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the Canadian dollar prime rate and (ii) the average CDOR rate for a 30 day term plus 0.50%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.625% to 0.875% (corresponding to applicable leverage ratios of the borrowers). The CDOR rate loans accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to CDOR, as published by Reuters plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.625% to 1.875% (corresponding to applicable leverage ratios of the borrowers). Under the facility, the Company pays a revolving commitment fee equal to a percentage per annum determined by reference to the leverage ratio of the borrowers, ranging from 0.30% to 0.50%. Letter of credit fees are also paid.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, letters of credit of $47.5 million and $31.7 million, respectively, were available to be issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

F-28


2024 Notes
In January 2017, the Company issued unsecured senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million (Unsecured Senior Notes or 2024 Notes). Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $345.0 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount, commissions and transaction expenses. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, beginning on August 1, 2017 and maturing on February 1, 2024, unless repurchased or redeemed at an earlier date. The 2024 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Pattern US Finance Company, one of the Company's subsidiaries.
2020 Notes
In July 2015, the Company issued $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% convertible senior notes due 2020 (2020 Notes). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.00% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2016. The 2020 Notes will mature on July 15, 2020. The 2020 Notes were sold in a private placement. Upon conversion, the Company may, at its discretion, pay cash, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, or a combination of cash and stock. The 2020 Notes were set at an initial conversation rate of 35.4925 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $28.175 per share of Class A common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in some events (including, but not limited to, certain cash dividends made to holders of the Company's Class A common stock which exceed the initial dividend threshold of $0.363 per quarter per share). The conversion rate would be adjusted to offset the effect of the portion of the dividend in excess of $0.363, provided that the adjustment would result a change of at least 1% in the then effective conversion rate. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the conversion rate increased to 35.8997 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2020 Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity.
The 2020 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by a subsidiary of the Company and are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The obligations rank senior in rights of payment to the Company’s subordinated debt, equal in right of payment to the Company’s unsubordinated debt and effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.
The following table presents a summary of the equity and liability components of the 2020 Notes (in thousands):

December 31,

2017
 
2016
Principal
$
225,000

 
$
225,000

Less:

 

Unamortized debt discount
(13,470
)
 
(18,196
)
Unamortized financing costs
(2,794
)
 
(3,894
)
Carrying value of convertible senior notes
$
208,736

 
$
202,910



 

Carrying value of the equity component (1)
$
23,743

 
$
23,743

(1) 
Included in the consolidated balance sheets as additional paid-in capital, net of $0.7 million in equity issuance costs.
Project-level Financing Arrangements
The Company typically finances its wind projects through project entity specific debt secured by each project's assets with no recourse to the Company. Typically, these financing arrangements provide for a construction loan, which upon completion may be converted into a term loan or repaid through capital contributions from the Company and tax equity investors.
Collateral for project level facilities typically include each project's tangible assets and contractual rights and cash on deposit with the depository agents. Each loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict each project's ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease certain assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, make distributions and change their business. As of December 31, 2017, all projects were in compliance with their financing covenants.

F-29


Ocotillo
In December 2017, the Company refinanced Ocotillo's commercial term loan of $179.3 million and development term loan of $101.2 million and letters of credit associated with the loans and entered into a new Commercial term loan for $289.3 million maturing in June 2033 and letters of credits totaling $58.2 million. The refinancing was treated as an extinguishment of debt; however, as the refinancing included existing lenders, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million in other income, net on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The $8.6 million loss on extinguishment includes the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.3 million and new financing fees of $4.3 million. The interest rate on the term loan is LIBOR plus 1.5%.
Lost Creek
In September 2017, the Company prepaid 100% of the outstanding balance of the Lost Creek project's term loan of $100.1 million. A $0.1 million loss on the debt extinguishment was recorded in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations, primarily due to the offsetting impact of writing-off the debt premium and deferred financing costs. As a result of the early extinguishment of debt, the Company terminated the related interest rate swaps. See Note 10, Derivative Instruments, for additional information.
Meikle
In August 2017, in connection with the Meikle acquisition, the Company assumed a $265.6 million variable rate term loan maturing on May 12, 2024. The interest rate on the term loan is Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 1.50%.
Collateral for the term loan includes Meikle’s tangible assets and contractual rights and cash on deposit with the collateral agent. Such credit agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict Meikle's ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease certain assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, make distributions, or change its business.
Western Interconnect
In April 2017, in connection with the Broadview Project acquisition, the Company assumed a $51.2 million senior construction loan facility, including accrued interest, which was immediately extinguished. Concurrently, the Company entered into a variable rate term loan maturing on April 21, 2027 for $54.4 million. The interest rate on the term loan is LIBOR plus 2.00% (with periodic increases of 0.25% every four years).
Collateral for the term loan includes Western Interconnect's tangible assets and contractual rights and cash on deposit with the depository agent. Such loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict Western Interconnect's ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease certain assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, make distributions, or change its business.
Financing Lease Obligations
In December 2010, Hatchet Ridge entered into a sale-leaseback agreement to finance the project facility for 22 years. The Company evaluated the agreement in accordance with ASC 840 and ASC 360, Property Plant and Equipment, and determined that due to continuing involvement with the project facility, the Company is precluded from treating the agreement as a sale-lease back transaction and accounts for the agreement as a financing lease obligation.
Collateral for the agreement includes Hatchet Ridge’s tangible assets and contractual rights and cash on deposit with the depository agent. Its loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict Hatchet Ridge’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business.
Payments under the financing lease for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, were $13.4 million, $15.0 million and $16.9 million, respectively.
9.    Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company’s asset retirement obligations represent the estimated cost of decommissioning the turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring the sites at the end of its estimated economic useful life.

F-30


The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amounts of asset retirement obligation (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning asset retirement obligations
 
$
44,783

 
$
42,197

Net additions during the year
 
8,701

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
208

 
63

Accretion expense
 
2,927

 
2,523

Ending asset retirement obligations
 
$
56,619

 
$
44,783

10.    Derivative Instruments
The Company employs a variety of derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in electricity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Energy prices are subject to wide swings as supply and demand are impacted by, among many other unpredictable items, weather, market liquidity, generating facility availability, customer usage, storage, and transmission and transportation constraints. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon movement in interest rates. Additionally, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily from its business operations in Canada and Chile.
The Company’s objectives for holding these derivative instruments include reducing, eliminating and efficiently managing the economic impact of these exposures as effectively as possible. The Company does not hedge all of its electricity price risk, interest rate risks, and foreign currency exchange rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portions to changes in market prices.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had other energy-related contracts that did not meet the definition of a derivative instrument or qualified for the NPNS exception and were therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment.
The following tables present the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments on a gross basis as reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Current
 
Long-Term
Fair Value of Designated Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
1,968

 
$
4,397

 
$
17,961

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Undesignated Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 

 
228

 
858

 
2,542

Energy derivative
 
19,440

 
7,432

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
5

 

 
3,154

 
469

Total Fair Value
 
$
19,445

 
$
9,628

 
$
8,409

 
$
20,972

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Current
 
Long-Term
Fair Value of Designated Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
40

 
$
8,289

 
$
21,058

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Undesignated Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 

 
1,788

 
3,238

 
3,463

Energy derivative
 
16,209

 
24,707

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
1,369

 
177

 
391

 

Total Fair Value
 
$
17,578

 
$
26,712

 
$
11,918

 
$
24,521

The following table summarizes the notional amounts of the Company's outstanding derivative instruments (in thousands except for MWh):
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Unit of Measure
 
2017
 
2016
Designated Derivative Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
USD
 
$
253,271

 
$
365,443

Interest rate swaps
 
CAD
 
$
736,136

 
$
196,425

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Undesignated Derivative Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
USD
 
$
85,474

 
$
257,389

Energy derivative
 
MWh
 
697,471

 
1,201,691

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
CAD
 
$
127,500

 
$
95,800


F-31


Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has interest rate swap agreements to hedge variable rate project-level debt. Under these interest rate swaps, the projects make fixed-rate interest payments and the counterparties to the agreements make variable-rate interest payments. For interest swaps that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which a cash settlement occurs. The designated interest rate swaps have remaining maturities ranging from approximately 6.0 years to 21.0 years.
The following table presents the pre-tax effect of the derivative instruments designated as cash flow recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, amounts reclassified to earnings for the following periods, as well as, amounts recognized in interest expense (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
Description
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated OCI
 
Effective portion of change in fair value
 
$
(1,980
)
 
$
(7,584
)
 
$
(18,023
)
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
Derivative settlements
 
$
(9,995
)
 
$
(8,411
)
 
$
(12,904
)
Loss on derivatives
 
Termination of derivatives
 
$
(2,207
)
 
$

 
$
(11,221
)
Loss on derivatives
 
De-designation of derivatives
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5,918
)
Interest expense
 
Ineffective portion
 
$
136

 
$
346

 
$
(809
)
The Company estimates that $3.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
The following table presents gains and losses on derivatives not designated as hedges (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31,
Derivative Type
 
Financial Statement Line Item
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate derivatives
 
Loss on derivatives
 
$
(813
)
 
$
(1,828
)
(1 
) 
$
(10,596
)
Energy derivative
 
Electricity sales
 
$
5,155

 
$
(1,181
)
 
$
19,776

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Loss on derivatives
 
$
(6,767
)
 
$
(1,496
)
 
$
5,106

(1) 
Amount includes the reclassification of $5.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the de-designation of certain interest rate derivative instruments at Spring Valley.
Interest Rate Derivatives
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company has interest rate swap agreements to hedge variable rate project-level debt. Under these interest rate swaps, the projects make fixed-rate interest payments and the counterparties to the agreements make variable-rate interest payments. For interest rate swaps that are not designated and do not qualify as cash flow hedges, the changes in fair value are recorded in loss on derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations as these hedges are not accounted for under hedge accounting. All of the Company's undesignated interest rate swaps have a remaining maturity of 12.5 years.
Energy Derivative
In 2010, Gulf Wind acquired an energy derivative instrument to manage its exposure to variable electricity prices over the life of the arrangement. The energy price swap fixes the price for a predetermined volume of production (the notional volume) over the life of the swap contract, through April 2019, by locking in a fixed price per MWh. The notional volume agreed to by the parties is approximately 504,220 MWh per year. The energy derivative instrument does not meet the criteria required to adopt hedge accounting. As a result, changes in fair value are recorded in electricity sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

F-32


As a result of the counterparty's credit rating downgrade, the Company received cash collateral related to the energy derivative agreement. The Company does not have the right to pledge, invest, or use the cash collateral for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded a current asset of $29.8 million to funds deposited by counterparty and a current liability of $29.8 million to counterparty deposit liability representing the cash collateral received and corresponding obligation to return the cash collateral, respectively. The cash was deposited into a separate custodial account for which the Company is not entitled to the interest earned on the cash collateral.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Company has established a currency risk management program. The objective of the program is to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk arising from transactions or cash flows that have a direct or underlying exposure in non-U.S. dollar denominated currencies in order to reduce volatility in the Company’s cash flow, which may have an adverse impact to the Company's short-term liquidity or financial condition. A majority of the Company’s power sale agreements and operating expenditures are transacted in U.S. dollars, with a growing portion transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Canadian dollar. The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts at various times to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk on Canadian dollar denominated cash flows. These instruments have remaining maturities ranging from three to twenty-one months. The foreign currency forward contracts are considered non-designated derivative instruments and are not used for trading or speculative purposes. As a result, changes in fair value and settlements are recorded in loss on derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations.

11.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes changes in the accumulated other comprehensive loss balance, net of tax, by component (in thousands):
 
 
Foreign Currency
 
Effective Portion of Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
 
Proportionate Share of Equity Investee's OCI
 
Total
Balances at December 31, 2014
 
$
(19,338
)
 
$
(26,672
)
 
$
(7,903
)
 
$
(53,913
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(28,947
)
 
(16,163
)
 
(6,640
)
 
(51,750
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss due to termination/de-designation of interest rate derivatives
 

 
17,139

 

 
17,139

Other amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 
12,234

 
2,412

 
14,646

Net current period other comprehensive loss
 
(28,947
)
 
13,210

 
(4,228
)
 
(19,965
)
Balances at December 31, 2015
 
(48,285
)
 
(13,462
)
 
(12,131
)
 
(73,878
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
4,785

 
(6,751
)
 
1,039

 
(927
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 
7,462

 
4,594

 
12,056

Net current period other comprehensive loss
 
4,785

 
711

 
5,633

 
11,129

Balances at December 31, 2016
 
(43,500
)
 
(12,751
)
 
(6,498
)
 
(62,749
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
15,313

 
(2,738
)
 
5,807

 
18,382

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss due to termination of interest rate derivatives
 

 
2,207

 

 
2,207

Other amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 
8,935

 
8,006

 
16,941

Net current period other comprehensive income
 
15,313

 
8,404

 
13,813

 
37,530

Balances at December 31, 2017
 
$
(28,187
)
 
$
(4,347
)
 
$
7,315

 
$
(25,219
)
12.    Fair Value Measurement
The Company’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market, and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Nonperformance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on current market inputs when available, such as credit default hedge spreads. When such information is not available, internal models may be used.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are set forth below. Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of each quarter. The Company did not recognize any transfers between levels during the periods presented.

F-33


Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuations technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Financial Instruments
The carrying value of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximates their fair value, based on the nature and short maturity of these instruments, and they are presented in the Company’s financial statements at carrying cost. Certain other assets and liabilities were measured at fair value upon initial recognition and unless conditions give rise to an impairment, are not remeasured.
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities which require fair value measurement on a recurring basis are classified within the fair value hierarchy as follows (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
2,196

 
$

 
$
2,196

Energy derivative

 

 
26,872

 
26,872

Foreign currency forward contracts

 
5

 

 
5

 
$

 
$
2,201

 
$
26,872

 
$
29,073

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
25,758

 
$

 
$
25,758

Foreign currency forward contracts

 
3,623

 

 
3,623

Contingent consideration

 

 
21,943

 
21,943

 
$

 
$
29,381

 
$
21,943

 
$
51,324

 
December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
1,828

 
$

 
$
1,828

Energy derivative

 

 
40,916

 
40,916

Foreign currency forward contracts

 
1,546

 

 
1,546

 
$

 
$
3,374

 
$
40,916

 
$
44,290

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
36,048

 
$

 
$
36,048

Foreign currency forward contracts

 
391

 

 
391

 
$

 
$
36,439

 
$

 
$
36,439

Level 2 Inputs
Derivative instruments subject to re-measurement are presented in the financial statements at fair value. The Company's interest rate swaps were valued by discounting the net cash flows using the forward LIBOR curve with the valuations adjusted by the Company’s

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credit default hedge rate. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts were valued using the income approach based on the present value of the forward rates less the contract rates, multiplied by the notional amounts.
Level 3 Inputs
Energy Hedge
The fair value of the energy derivative instrument is determined based on a third-party valuation model. The methodology and inputs are evaluated by management for consistency and reasonableness by comparing inputs used by the third-party valuation provider to another third-party pricing service for identical or similar instruments and also reconciling inputs used in the third-party valuation model to the derivative contract for accuracy. Any significant changes are further evaluated for reasonableness by obtaining additional documentation from the third-party valuation provider.
The energy derivative instrument is valued by discounting the projected net cash flows over the remaining life of the derivative instrument using forward electricity prices which are derived from observable prices, such as forward gas curves, adjusted by a non-observable heat rate for when the contract term extends beyond a period for which market data is available. The significant unobservable input in calculating the fair value of the energy derivative instrument is forward electricity prices. Significant increases or decreases in this unobservable input would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
Contingent Consideration
The Broadview Project acquisition includes contingent consideration, which requires the Company to make an additional payment upon the commercial operation of the Grady Project. The contingent post-closing payment reflects the fair value of the Company's interest in the increase in the projected 25-year transmission wheeling revenue Western Interconnect will receive from the Grady Project, adjusted for the estimated production loss incurred by Broadview due to wake effects and transmission losses induced by the operation of the Grady Project. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the acquisition date was $21.3 million. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a discounted cash flow technique which utilized unobservable inputs presented in the table below. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. As of December 31, 2017, there were no significant inputs changes in the calculation of the contingent consideration recognized since the acquisition of the Broadview Project. Significant changes in these unobservable inputs may result in significant changes in fair value.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the energy derivative contract measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (in thousands):
Energy Derivative
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
40,916

 
$
63,683

Total gains (losses) included in electricity sales
 
5,155

 
(1,181
)
Settlements
 
(19,199
)
 
(21,586
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
26,872

 
$
40,916

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized unrealized losses of $14.0 million, $22.8 million, and $0.8 million relating to the energy derivative asset held at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were recorded to energy sales in the consolidated statements of operations.
Contingent Consideration Liability
 
2017
 
2016
Balances, beginning of year
 
$

 
$

Broadview Project acquisition
 
21,284

 

Total loss in other income, net
 
659

 

Balances, end of year
 
$
21,943

 
$

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $0.7 million loss on the contingent consideration liability, which was recorded to other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

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The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in recurring Level 3 fair value measurements were as follows (in thousands, for fair value):
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Energy derivative
 
$26,872
 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward electricity prices
 
$14.44 - $71.45(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
1.69%-1.96%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration
 
$21,943
 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
4.00% - 8.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual energy production loss
 
1.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Energy derivative
 
$40,916
 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward electricity prices
 
$15.83 - $81.76(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
1.00% - 1.52%
(1) 
Represents price per MWh
Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value
The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value and the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, but for which fair value is disclosed (in thousands):
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
As reflected on
the balance sheet
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt, net
$
1,930,731

 
$

 
$
1,937,671

 
$

 
$
1,937,671

December 31, 2016

 
 
 

 
 
 

Total debt, net
$
1,563,672

 
$

 
$
1,562,038

 
$

 
$
1,562,038

Long term debt is presented on the consolidated balance sheets, net of financing costs, discounts and premiums. The fair value of variable interest rate long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost. The fair value of fixed interest rate long-term debt is estimated based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied, using the net present value of cash flow streams over the term using estimated market rates for similar instruments and remaining terms.

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13.    Income Taxes
The following table presents significant components of the provision for income taxes (in thousands):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$

 
$

 
$

State
 

 

 

Foreign
 
292

 
378

 
489

Total current expense
 
292

 
378

 
489

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
(3,751
)
 

 

State
 

 

 

Foreign
 
15,193

 
8,301

 
4,454

Total deferred expense
 
11,442

 
8,301

 
4,454

Total provision for income taxes
 
$
11,734

 
$
8,679

 
$
4,943

The following table presents the domestic and foreign components of net loss before income tax provision (in thousands):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
U.S.
 
$
(119,067
)
 
$
(71,405
)
 
$
(66,883
)
Foreign
 
48,391

 
27,785

 
16,219

Total
 
$
(70,676
)
 
$
(43,620
)
 
$
(50,664
)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate, as a percentage of income before taxes for the following periods:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Computed tax at statutory rate
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
Adjustment for income in non-taxable entities allocable to noncontrolling interest
 
(32.6
)%
 
(25.6
)%
 
(13.0
)%
Foreign rate differential
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax rate differential on pre-tax book income
 
(16.6
)%
 
(16.9
)%
 
(6.6
)%
Local tax on branch profits/(losses)—Puerto Rico
 
0.1
 %
 
 %
 
0.3
 %
Permanent book/tax differences (domestic only)
 
(3.6
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.1
)%
Valuation allowance
 
47.7
 %
 
(18.8
)%
 
(25.1
)%
Chilean shareholder benefit due to tax regime change
 
0.1
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
0.4
 %
Tax credits
 
31.6
 %
 
7.6
 %
 
 %
Effect of U.S. tax rate change under Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
 
(78.1
)%
 
 %
 
 %
Other
 
(0.2
)%
 
(1.6
)%
 
(0.7
)%
Effective income tax rate
 
(16.6
)%
 
(19.8
)%
 
(9.8
)%

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Generally, the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to continuing operations is determined without regard to the tax effects of other categories of income or loss, such as discontinued operations, extraordinary items, other comprehensive income and items charged or credited to shareholders' equity. However, an exception to the general rule is provided when there is a pre-tax loss from continuing operations, a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets and pre-tax income from other categories in the current year. In such instances, income from other categories must be considered in allocating the total income tax provision for the period among the various categories. Income tax benefit related to continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a benefit of approximately $3.6 million as a result of the application of the exception to the general intra-period tax allocation rule. Accumulated other comprehensive income includes a corresponding amount of income tax expense of approximately $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The following table presents significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 
Accruals and prepaids
 
$
2,769

 
$
2,331

Basis difference in derivatives
 

 
3,411

Hatchet Ridge financing
 
17,351

 
27,521

Asset retirement obligation
 
6,321

 
9,012

Unrealized loss on derivatives
 
1,570

 
6,372

Net operating loss carryforwards
 
274,730

 
344,522

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
3,239

 
12,314

Other deferred tax assets
 
1,490

 

Tax credits
 
41,563

 
19,270

Total gross deferred tax assets
 
349,033

 
424,753

Less: Valuation allowance
 
(141,317
)
 
(171,020
)
Total gross deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance
 
$
207,716

 
$
253,733

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
$
(189,342
)
 
$
(246,267
)
Partnership interest
 
(65,124
)
 
(27,440
)
Deferred interest, commitment fees and financing costs
 
(1,551
)
 
(4,543
)
Basis difference in subsidiaries
 
(1,087
)
 
(865
)
Basis difference in derivatives
 
(268
)
 

Other deferred tax liabilities
 
(486
)
 
(818
)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
 
(257,858
)
 
(279,933
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
 
$
(50,142
)
 
$
(26,200
)
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted, which significantly revises the ongoing U.S. corporate income tax law by lowering the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a one-time tax on foreign unremitted earnings. The Tax Act also establishes several new tax provisions effective in 2018.
ASC 740 requires a company to record the effects of a tax law change in the period of enactment. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 allows registrants to record provisional amounts during a one year “measurement period” similar to that used when accounting for business combinations. The measurement period ends when the company has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year. Accordingly, the Company's U.S. provision is based on the reasonable estimate guidance provided by SAB 118. The Company made a reasonable estimate of the impact of several provisions of the Tax Act, including the repatriation provisions and the Tax Act’s reduction of the U.S. federal tax rate from 35% to 21% which impacts the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets and deferred liabilities. The U.S operations are in a net deferred tax asset position offset by a full valuation allowance and thus, any adjustments to the deferred accounts should not impact the tax provision. Although the

F-38


Company has made a reasonable estimate of the amounts related to the repatriation provisions and deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities disclosed, a final determination of the Tax Act’s impact on the Company’s tax provision and deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities and related valuation allowance requirements remains incomplete pending a full analysis of the provisions and their interpretations.
The Tax Act also includes a provision to tax global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) of foreign subsidiaries and a base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT) measure that taxes certain payments between a U.S. corporation and its subsidiaries. The Company may be subject to the GILTI and/or BEAT provisions effective beginning January 1, 2018 and is in the process of analyzing their effects, including how to account for the GILTI provision from an accounting policy standpoint.
The deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulted primarily from temporary differences between book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The U.S. operations are in a net deferred tax asset position offset by full valuation allowance. The change in net deferred tax assets during the period ended December 31, 2017 was mainly due to the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% under the Tax Act. The Company revalued its ending deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 due to the change in tax rate resulting in a reduction of net deferred tax assets and corresponding valuation allowance of $55.3 million. The change was also due to deferred tax assets established for potential future U.S. foreign tax credits of $28.2 million that may be generated by the reversal of the deferred tax liability (foreign taxes paid) related to temporary differences from Canadian operations that are conducted through a branch for U.S. tax purposes.
The Company regularly assesses the likelihood that future taxable income levels will be sufficient to ultimately realize the tax benefits of the deferred tax assets. Should the Company determine that future realization of the tax benefits is not more likely than not, additional valuation allowance would be established which would increase the Company’s tax provision in the period of such determination. The net deferred tax assets and net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are attributed primarily to the Company’s Canadian, Puerto Rican and Chilean entities. The net change in valuation allowance was a decrease of $29.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by operating losses in the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions offset by a change in tax rate in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, as well as potential U.S. foreign tax credits related to Canada branch operations.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has U.S federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in the amount of $1.0 billion and $197.6 million, respectively, which begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2032 for federal and state purposes. The Company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards in Canada of $75.2 million which begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2029, foreign net operating loss carryforwards in Puerto Rico of $9.2 million that begins to expire in the year ending December 31, 2022, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards in Chile of $61.4 million that can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company's production tax credits of $13.7 million begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2033.
Internal Revenue Code Section 382 places a limitation (the Section 382 Limitation) on the amount of taxable income that can be offset by NOL and credit carryforwards, as well as built-in loss items, after a change in control (generally greater than 50% change in ownership) of a loss corporation. California has similar rules. The Company did not have any historic U.S. NOLs prior to October 2, 2013 except for NOLs from its Puerto Rico entity which may be subject to Section 382 Limitation.
The Company experienced a change in ownership on May 14, 2014. As a result, the Company’s NOL carryforwards and credits generated through the date of change are subject to an annual limitation under Section 382. Accordingly, if the Company generates sufficient taxable income, the NOL carryforwards or credits prior to the change in ownership are not expected to expire.
The Company is required to recognize in the financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2017, the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits and does not have any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within 12 months after the year ended December 31, 2017.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions and foreign jurisdictions for its Canadian, Chilean and Puerto Rican operations. The Company’s U.S. and foreign income tax returns for 2012 through 2017 are subject to examination.
The Company has a policy to classify accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions together with the related liability, and the expenses incurred related to such accruals are included in the provision for income taxes. The Company did not incur any interest expenses or penalties or have outstanding liabilities on the balance sheet associated with unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The Company operates under a tax holiday in Puerto Rico which enacted a special tax rate of 4% for businesses dedicated to the production of energy for consumption through the use of renewal sources. The Company previously operated under the "Economic Incentives for the Development of Puerto Rico Act" (Act 73) which was enacted in order to promote the development of green energy projects through

F-39


economic incentives to reduce the island’s dependency on oil. On September 15, 2016, the Company surrendered operations under Act 73 and commenced operations under the "Green Energy Incentives Act of Puerto Rico" (Act 83) which affords the Company identical tax benefits to Act 73 and extends the special tax rate for 25 years at the date of conversion. The impact of the tax holiday decreased foreign deferred tax benefit by $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The impact of the tax holiday on basic and diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $0.01.

14.    Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company has 100,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock issuable in one or more series. The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to determine the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of any such series. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was no preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
On October 23, 2017, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock. In total, 9,200,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock were sold at a public offering price of $23.40 per share. This includes 1,200,000 shares purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments. Aggregate net proceeds of the equity offering, including the proceeds of the over-allotment option, were approximately $211.9 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions, and transaction expenses.
On August 12, 2016, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock. In total, 10,000,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock were sold. In connection with the equity offering, the underwriters had a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments. On August 22, 2016, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option and purchased an additional 1,300,000 shares of Class A common stock. Aggregate net proceeds of the equity offering, including the proceeds of the over-allotment option, were approximately $258.6 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions, and transaction expenses.
On May 9, 2016, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with RBC Capital Markets, LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (collectively, the Agents). Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company may offer and sell shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the Agents, as the Company’s sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $200.0 million. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company sold 1,068,261 and 1,240,504 shares, respectively, under the Equity Distribution Agreement; net proceeds under the issuances were $25.3 million and $27.5 million and the aggregate compensation paid by the Company to the Agents with respect to such sales was $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $144.2 million in aggregate offering price remained available to be sold under the agreement.
On July 28, 2015, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock. In total, 5,435,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock were sold. Net proceeds generated for the Company were approximately $120.8 million after deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses.
On February 9, 2015, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock. In total, 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were sold. Of this amount, the Company issued and sold 7,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock and Pattern Development 1.0, the selling stockholder, sold 5,000,000 shares of Class A common stock. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $196.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares sold by Pattern Development 1.0.
Voting Rights
Holders of the Company’s Class A common stock as of December 31, 2017 are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and will vote as a single class under all circumstances.
Dividend Rights
Holders of Class A common stock are eligible to receive dividends on common stock held when funds are available and as approved by the Board of Directors. The following table presents cash dividends declared on Class A common stock for the periods presented:

F-40


 
Dividends Per Share
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$
0.4220

 
October 26, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
January 31, 2018
Third Quarter
$
0.4200

 
August 3, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 31, 2017
Second Quarter
$
0.4180

 
May 4, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 31, 2017
First Quarter
$
0.4138

 
February 24, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 28, 2017
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Class A common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the Company’s assets that remain after payment or provision for payment of all of its debts and obligations and after liquidation payments to holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any.
Noncontrolling Interests
The following table presents the balances for noncontrolling interests by project (in thousands).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
El Arrayán
 
$
31,828

 
$
32,237

Logan's Gap
 
171,137

 
180,092

Panhandle 1
 
174,518

 
190,415

Panhandle 2
 
208,397

 
170,139

Post Rock
 
160,206

 
178,676

Amazon Wind
 
133,950

 
139,687

Broadview Project
 
307,672

 

Meikle
 
65,985

 

Noncontrolling interest
 
$
1,253,693

 
$
891,246

On December 22, 2017, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement with PSP Investments, the Company sold 49% of its indirect Class B membership interests in Panhandle 2 for consideration of $58.6 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Company owns 51% of Class B membership in Panhandle 2, and, as such, it still retains a controlling financial interest.

F-41


The following table presents the components of total noncontrolling interest as reported in stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).
 
Capital
 
Accumulated Income (Loss)
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Noncontrolling Interest
Balances at December 31, 2014
$
529,539

 
$
9,892

 
$
(8,845
)
 
$
530,586

Acquisition of Post Rock
205,100

 

 

 
205,100

Buyout of noncontrolling interests
(88,747
)
 
(14,244
)
 
7,944

 
(95,047
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
334,231

 

 

 
334,231

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(7,882
)
 

 

 
(7,882
)
Net loss

 
(23,074
)
 

 
(23,074
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 
348

 
348

Balances at December 31, 2015
972,241

 
(27,426
)
 
(553
)
 
944,262

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(17,896
)
 

 

 
(17,896
)
Other
(103
)
 

 

 
(103
)
Net loss

 
(35,188
)
 

 
(35,188
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 
171

 
171

Balances at December 31, 2016
954,242

 
(62,614
)
 
(382
)
 
891,246

Acquisition of Broadview and Meikle
390,388

 

 

 
390,388

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(20,250
)
 

 

 
(20,250
)
Sale of a partial interest in Panhandle 2 to noncontrolling interests
56,174

 

 

 
56,174

Other
(214
)
 

 

 
(214
)
Net loss

 
(64,505
)
 

 
(64,505
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 
854

 
854

Balances at December 31, 2017
$
1,380,340

 
$
(127,119
)
 
$
472

 
$
1,253,693

Allocations of Distributions and Tax Allocations for Tax Equity Partnerships
Generally, tax equity partnerships have specific commercial terms that dictate distributions of cash and allocation of tax items among the partners, who are divided into one of two categories: tax equity and cash investor. A disproportionate share of income and cash is given to tax equity in order for them to achieve a target after-tax yield or “flip” near year 10 of project operations. The target yield and flip term vary by agreement and are dependent on project performance. Prior to the flip, tax items (income, US Federal production tax credits) are commonly allocated 99% to the tax equity. On the other hand, distributable cash is divided among the partners in percentages that do not match the tax items. Cash distribution percentages can be temporarily increased for tax equity in the event that certain cumulative distribution thresholds are not achieved. Once tax equity reaches their target yield, the allocations and distributions “flip” to different amounts. After the flip, income and cash are typically allocated 5% to the tax equity and 95% to the cash investor. REC sales are often specially addressed in each agreement with most of the cash and income directed to the cash investor both pre and post-flip.
Tax equity partnership imposes a range of affirmative and negative covenants that are similar to what a term lender would require, such as, financial reporting, insurance maintenance and prudent operator standards. Most of these restrictions end once the flip point occurs and any deficit restoration obligation of the tax equity has been eliminated. There are also covenants that specifically seek to preserve the tax attributes of the project that are not customary for project term lenders.
If tax equity suffers any losses or damages as the result of a breach of representation, covenant, or other obligation by the cash investor in its capacity as managing member, tax equity may provide notice to the cash investor and require that any distributions otherwise required to be paid to the cash investor shall, instead, be paid to tax equity to cover any damages.

15.    Equity Incentive Award Plan
Under the Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (2013 Plan), the Company may issue 3,000,000 aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock for equity awards including incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards (RSAs)

F-42


and restricted stock units (RSUs) to employees, directors and consultants. RSAs provide the holder with immediate voting rights, but are restricted in all other respects until released. RSUs generally entitle the holders the right to receive the underlying shares of the Company's Class A common stock upon vesting. Upon cessation of services to the Company, any nonvested RSAs and RSUs will be forfeited. All nonvested RSAs and RSUs accrue dividends and distributions, which are subject to vesting and paid in cash upon release. Accrued dividends and distributions are forfeitable to the extent that the underlying awards do not vest. As of December 31, 2017, there were 2,036,815 aggregate number of Class A shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expenses related to, RSAs, RSUs and stock options are recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and totaled $5.3 million, $5.4 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company granted time-based RSAs to certain employees. The Company measures the fair value of the RSAs at the grant date and accounts for stock-based compensation by amortizing the fair value on a straight line basis over the related vesting period.
The following table summarizes RSA activity under the 2013 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2016
 
126,365
 
$
21.31

Granted
 
125,597
 
$
20.35

Vested
 
(137,123)
 
$
22.29

Forfeited
 
(4,260
)
 
$
14.81

Nonvested at December 31, 2017
 
110,579
 
$
19.26

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the total fair value of RSAs vested was $3.0 million, $2.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair values per RSA granted during the same periods were $20.35, $18.76 and $29.58, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, the total unrecorded stock-based compensation expense for nonvested RSAs was $2.1 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
RSAs that contain Market Conditions
The Company granted TSR-RSAs to certain senior management personnel. The number of awards granted represented the target number of shares of Class A common stock that may be earned; however, the number of vested TSR-RSAs is assessed at the end of a three-year performance period in accordance with the level of total shareholder return of the Company's stock price achieved relative to a peer group during the specified period. Following the date of grant, rights to dividends will accrue on the maximum number of shares and may be forfeited if the market or service conditions are not achieved.

F-43


The Company measures the fair value of these restricted stock awards at the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model and amortizes the fair value over the longer of the requisite period or performance period. The Company estimates expected volatility based on the actual volatility of the Company's daily closing share price since listing on September 27, 2013 and the historical volatility of comparable publicly traded companies for a period that is equal to the performance period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield on U.S. government bonds for a period commensurate with the performance period. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of TSR-RSAs are as follows:
 
 
Years ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Expected stock price volatility(1)
 
34%
 
35%
 
30%
Expected dividend yield
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Risk-free interest rate
 
1.60%
 
1.11%
 
0.80%
Expected performance period in years(2)
 
2.8
 
2.8
 
2.7
(1) 
The expected volatility was estimated using the historical volatility derived from the Company's Class A common stock.
(2) 
The expected performance period was estimated based on the length of the remaining performance period from the grant date.
The following table summarizes TSR-RSAs activity under the 2013 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2016
 
147,804

 
$
27.76

Granted
 
71,073
 
$
19.48

Nonvested at December 31, 2017
 
218,877
 
$
25.07

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, the weighted-average grant-date fair value per TSR-RSAs granted was $19.48, $20.63 and $39.16, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, the total unrecorded stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested TSR-RSAs was $1.9 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
Restricted Stock Units
In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted time-based deferred RSUs to certain independent directors. Deferred RSUs are equity awards that entitle the holder the right to receive shares of the Company's Class A common stock upon vesting and are settled on, or as soon as administratively possible after the settlement date which is January 1 following the date of the director's termination of service. The Company measures the fair value of deferred RSUs at the grant date and accounts for stock-based compensation by amortizing the fair value on a straight line basis over the related vesting period.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were RSU grants of 27,714 shares, all of which vested. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the total fair value of deferred RSUs vested was $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock awards granted during the same periods was $18.99, $20.29 and $25.94, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, there were no nonvested deferred RSUs.
Stock Options
During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, no options were granted or exercised.
A summary of option activity under the employee share option plan as of December 31, 2017, and changes during the year then ended is presented below.

F-44



 
Shares

Weighted-Average Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
429,962


$
22.00

 

 
 
Forfeited or expired
 
(18,639
)

$
22.00

 

 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
411,323


$
22.00

 
5.7
 

Exercisable at December 31, 2017
 
411,323

 
$
22.00

 
5.7
 

16.    Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reportable period. Diluted loss per share is computed by adjusting basic loss per share for the effect of all potential common shares unless they are anti-dilutive. For purpose of this calculation, potentially dilutive securities are determined by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options and the assumed vesting of outstanding RSAs and release of deferred RSUs. Potentially dilutive securities related to convertible senior notes are determined using the if-converted method.
The Company's vested deferred RSUs have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to release and are considered participating securities. Accordingly, they are included in the computation of basic and diluted loss per share, pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities are excluded from net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share. However, net losses are not allocated to participating securities since they are not contractually obligated to share in the losses of the Company.
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were 8.9 million, 8.0 million and 3.5 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The computations for Class A basic and diluted loss per share are as follows (in thousands except share data):
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017

2016

2015
Numerator for basic and diluted loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy
$
(17,905
)
 
$
(17,111
)
 
$
(32,533
)
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities
(104
)
 
(53
)
 
(32
)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$
(18,009
)
 
$
(17,164
)
 
$
(32,565
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock - basic and diluted
89,179,343

 
79,382,388

 
70,535,568

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
$
(0.20
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.46
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per Class A common share
$
1.67

 
$
1.58

 
$
1.43


F-45


17.    Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The following table summarizes estimates of future commitments related to the various agreements that the Company has entered into as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Transmission service agreements (1)
 
$
23,600

 
$
23,600

 
$
23,600

 
$
23,600

 
$
23,600

 
$
520,465

 
$
638,465

Operating leases (2)
 
15,822

 
15,829

 
15,986

 
16,557

 
16,529

 
320,718

 
401,441

Service and maintenance agreements
 
39,817

 
28,008

 
23,518

 
23,921

 
20,367

 
54,562

 
190,193

Other commitments
 
46,576

 
4,130

 
3,416

 
2,695

 
1,545

 
16,270

 
74,632

Total commitments
 
$
125,815

 
$
71,567

 
$
66,520

 
$
66,773

 
$
62,041

 
$
912,015

 
$
1,304,731

(1)Future commitments under the transmission service agreements are based on current rates, which are subject to future changes.
(2)Certain operating leases have adjustments for market provisions. Amounts in the above table represent the best estimates of future payments to be made under these leases.
Transmission Service Agreements
In connection with the Broadview Project acquisition, the Company became a party to various long-term transmission service agreements expiring between 25-30 years. The Company recorded transmission service costs related to such agreements of $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Operating Leases
The Company has entered into various non-cancellable long-term operating lease agreements related to offices and lands for its wind farms which expire in 2053. Certain of these arrangements contain contingent rental payment provisions based upon the volume of electricity generated at a particular windfarm. The Company recognizes rent expense under such arrangements on a straight-line basis. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded rent expenses of $15.1 million, $13.1 million and $12.0 million, respectively, in project expense in its consolidated statements of operations.
Service and Maintenance Agreements
The Company has entered into service and maintenance agreements with third party contractors to provide turbine operations and maintenance services and modifications and upgrades for varying periods over the next 17 years. The computation of outstanding commitments includes an estimated annual price adjustment for inflation of 2%, where applicable. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded service and maintenance expense under these agreements of $47.1 million, $53.4 million and $42.9 million, respectively, in project expense in its consolidated statements of operations.
Other Commitments
Included in other commitments are acquisition commitments, payments in lieu of taxes, and various other commitments related to the Company's projects and operations of its business. The acquisition commitment includes an agreement to purchase an ownership interest in a limited partnership described below. Payments in lieu of taxes include payments the Company is required to make in lieu of taxes as a result of tax savings realized as part of the issuance of the industrial revenue bonds. See Note 5, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liability, for further discussion.

F-46


On June 16, 2017, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Pattern Development 1.0 to purchase (i) a 51% limited partner interest in a newly-formed limited partnership (which will hold 100% of the economic interests in Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind Farm LP (MSM), (ii) a 70% interest in Pattern MSM GP Holdings Inc., and (iii) a 70% interest in Pattern Development MSM Management ULC, in exchange for aggregate consideration of CAD $53.0 million (subject to certain adjustments). MSM operates the approximately 143 MW wind farm located near Québec City, Canada.
Letters of Credit
Power Sale Agreements
The Company owns and operates wind power projects, and has entered into various long-term PSAs that terminate from 2019 to 2042. The terms of these agreements generally provide for the annual delivery of a minimum amount of electricity at fixed prices and in some cases include price escalation over the term of the agreement. Under the terms of these agreements, as of December 31, 2017, irrevocable letters of credit totaling $156.5 million were available to be issued to guarantee the Company's performance for the duration of the agreements.
Project Finance and Lease Agreements
The Company has various project finance and lease agreements which obligate the Company to provide certain reserves to enhance its credit worthiness and facilitate the availability of credit. As of December 31, 2017, irrevocable letters of credit totaling $171.6 million which includes letters of credit available under the Revolving Credit Facility were available to be issued to ensure performance under these various project finance and lease agreements.
Contingencies
Turbine Operating Warranties and Service Guarantees
The Company has various turbine availability warranties from its turbine manufacturers and service guarantees from its service and maintenance providers. Pursuant to these guarantees, if a turbine operates at less than minimum availability during the guarantee measurement period, the service provider is obligated to pay, as liquidated damages at the end of the warranty measurement period, an amount for each percent that the turbine operates below the minimum availability threshold. In addition, pursuant to certain of these guarantees, if a turbine operates at more than a specified availability during the guarantee measurement period, the Company has an obligation to pay a bonus to the service provider at the end of the warranty measurement period. As of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded liabilities of $1.6 million associated with bonuses payable to turbine manufacturers and service providers.
Contingencies in connection with the Broadview Project Acquisition
The Company recorded a $7.2 million contingent obligation, payable to a third party who holds a 1% interest in Western Interconnect, at fair value upon the acquisition of the Broadview Project. These contingent payments are subject to certain conditions, including the actual energy production of Broadview in a production year and the continued operation of Broadview. Additionally, the Company recorded a $29.0 million contingent obligation, payable to the same counterparty, at fair value upon the acquisition of the Broadview Project. These contingent payments are subject to certain conditions, including the commercial operation of the Grady Project. The contingent payment is calculated as a percentage of additional transmission revenue earned by Western Interconnect upon the Grady Project's commercial operation.
Contingencies in connection with the Sale of Panhandle 2 interests
In connection with the sale of Panhandle 2, the Company agreed to indemnify PSP Investments up to $5.0 million to cover PSP Investments's pro rata share of the economic impacts resulting from planned transmission outages in the Texas market until December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a contingent liability of $3.7 million associated with the indemnity.

Legal Matters
From time to time, the Company has become involved in claims and legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Management is not currently aware of any matters that will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

F-47


Indemnity
The Company provides a variety of indemnities in the ordinary course of business to contractual counterparties and to its lenders and other financial partners. The Company is party to certain indemnities for the benefit of project finance lenders and tax equity partners of certain projects. These consist principally of indemnities that protect the project finance lenders from, among other things, the potential effect of any recapture by the U.S. Department of the Treasury of any amount of the Cash Grants previously received by the projects and eligibility of production tax credits and certain legal matters, limited to the amount of certain related costs and expenses.
18.    Related Party Transactions
Management fees
The Company provides management services and receives a fee for such services under agreements with its joint venture investees, South Kent, Grand, K2, and Armow, in addition to various Pattern Development 1.0 subsidiaries and equity method investments. The Company reclassified its presentation of management service fees received from related party to other revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.
Management Services Agreement and Shared Management
The Company has entered into an Amended and Restated Multilateral Management Services Agreement (MSA) with the Pattern Development Companies, which provides for the Company and the Pattern Development Companies to benefit, primarily on a cost-reimbursement basis, from the parties’ respective management and other professional, technical and administrative personnel, all of whom report to the Company’s executive officers. Costs and expenses incurred at the Pattern Development Companies or their respective subsidiaries on the Company's behalf will be allocated to the Company. Conversely, costs and expenses incurred at the Company or its respective subsidiaries on the behalf of a Pattern Development Company will be allocated to the respective Pattern Development Company.
Pursuant to the MSA, certain of the Company’s executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer (shared PEG executives), also serve as executive officers of the Pattern Development Companies and devote their time to both the Company and the Pattern Development Companies as is prudent in carrying out their executive responsibilities and fiduciary duties. The shared PEG executives have responsibilities for both the Company and the respective Pattern Development Companies and, as a result, these individuals do not devote all of their time to the Company’s business. Under the terms of the MSA, each of the respective Pattern Development Companies is required to reimburse the Company for an allocation of the compensation paid to such shared PEG executives reflecting the percentage of time spent providing services to such Pattern Development Company. The Company reclassified its presentation of related party receivables and payables as disclosed in prior periods to be presented within other current assets and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively. In addition, the Company reclassified its presentation of reimbursements received from the Pattern Development Companies under the MSA from related party income, as disclosed in prior periods, to a reduction to general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations. The MSA costs incurred by the Company are included in related party general and administrative on the consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Savings Plan
The Company participates in a 401(k) plan sponsored and maintained by Pattern Development 1.0, established on August 3, 2009 and restated on October 3, 2013. The Company also sponsors a Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), established on October 2, 2013. Participants in the plans are allowed to defer a portion of their compensation, not to exceed the respective Internal Revenue Service or Canada Revenue Agency annual allowance contribution guidelines, and are 100% vested in their respective deferrals and earnings. Participants may choose from a variety of investment options. The Company contributes 5% of base compensation to each employee’s 401(k) or RRSP account, up to the annual compensation limit. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company contributed $0.8 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively which was recorded as general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

F-48


Related Party Transactions
The table below presents amounts due from and to related parties as included in the consolidated balance sheets for the following periods (in millions):
 
December 31, 2017
 
2017
 
2016
Other current assets:
 
 
 
Total due from related parties
$
13.2

 
$
1.1

 
 
 
 
Other current liabilities:
 
 
 
Total due to related parties
$
10.8

 
$
1.3

The table below presents the revenue, reimbursement and (expenses) recognized for management services and under the MSA, as included in the statements of operations for the following periods (in thousands):
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Related Party Agreement
Financial Statement Line Item
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Management fees
Other revenue
$
7,742

 
$
5,793

 
$
3,640

MSA reimbursement
General and administrative
$
11,685

 
$
5,074

 
$
2,665

MSA costs
Related party general and administrative expense
$
(13,825
)
 
$
(9,900
)
 
$
(7,589
)
Purchase and Sales Agreements
During the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, the Company consummated the following investment and acquisitions with Pattern Development 1.0 and 2.0 which are further detailed in Note 3, Acquisitions (in millions):
Investment in Pattern Development 2.0
 
Date of Investment
 
Cash Consideration
 
Debt Assumed
 
Contingent Consideration
Pattern Development 2.0
 
various
 
$
67.3

 
N/A
 
N/A
Acquisitions from Pattern Development 1.0
 
Date of Acquisition
 
Cash consideration
 
Debt Assumed
 
Contingent Consideration
Broadview Project
 
April 21, 2017
 
$
214.7

 
$
51.1

 
$
21.3

Meikle
 
August 10, 2017
 
67.4

 
265.6

 
N/A

Armow
 
October 17, 2016
 
132.3

 
193.6

 
N/A

Investment in Pattern Development 2.0
On July 27, 2017, the Company funded an initial investment of $60.0 million in Pattern Development 2.0. On December 26, 2017, the Company contributed an additional $7.3 million to Pattern Development 2.0. As a result of such funding, and the related funding by other investors in Pattern Development 2.0 and consummation of certain redemptions, the Company holds an approximate 21% ownership interest in Pattern Development 2.0.
PSP Investments Joint Venture
In June 2017, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with PSP Investments pursuant to which PSP Investments will have the right to co-invest up to an aggregate amount of approximately $500 million in projects acquired by the Company under its identified ROFO project list with the Pattern Development Companies, including investments in Meikle, MSM and Panhandle 2. As discussed in Note 3, Acquisitions and Note 14, Stockholders' Equity, PSP Investments acquired a 49% interest in Meikle and 49% of Class B membership in Panhandle 2 during 2017. In addition, on June 16, 2017, PSP Investments purchased approximately 8.7 million shares of the Company's common stock from Pattern Development 1.0 and an additional 0.6 million shares from the Company's public offering that occurred on October 23, 2017.

F-49


Sponsor Services Agreement
On June 16, 2017, the Company entered into a Sponsor Services Agreement with PSP Investments, pursuant to which we will provide certain mutually agreed services to PSP Investments and its affiliates with respect to the administration of the joint ownership of the project companies that PSP Investments invests in alongside us pursuant to the PSP Investments Joint Venture Agreement in exchange for certain fees set forth in the Sponsor Services Agreement. Related party fee amounts recorded during 2017 were immaterial.

19.    Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following tables summarize the Company’s unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations for each of the eight quarters in the two year period ended December 31, 2017. The quarterly consolidated statements of operations data were prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Quarterly financial data in thousands, except per share data:
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2017
 
2017
 
2017
Revenue
 
$
110,721

 
$
92,030

 
$
107,760

 
$
100,833

Gross profit
 
$
15,331

 
$
(1,702
)
 
$
21,115

 
$
27,923

Net income (loss)
 
$
(21,889
)
 
$
(48,376
)
 
$
(14,684
)
 
$
2,539

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
$
(13,939
)
 
$
(18,548
)
 
$
(28,904
)
 
$
(3,114
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pattern Energy
 
$
(7,950
)
 
$
(29,828
)
 
$
14,220

 
$
5,653

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share—Class A common stock
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.34
)
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.06

Cash dividends declared per Class A common share
 
$
0.42

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.41

 
 
Three months ended
 
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2016
 
2016
 
2016
Revenue
 
$
81,061

 
$
91,914

 
$
93,438

 
$
87,639

Gross profit
 
$
5,490

 
$
16,837

 
$
16,401

 
$
11,982

Net income (loss)
 
$
3,445

 
$
(11,050
)
 
$
(15,646
)
 
$
(29,048
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
$
(10,350
)
 
$
(7,037
)
 
$
(12,423
)
 
$
(5,378
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pattern Energy
 
$
13,795

 
$
(4,013
)
 
$
(3,223
)
 
$
(23,670
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share—Class A common stock
 
$
0.16

 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.32
)
Cash dividends declared per Class A common share
 
$
0.41

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.38


20.    Subsequent Events
On February 22, 2018, the Company approved a dividend for the first quarter 2018, payable on April 30, 2018, to holders of record on March 30, 2018, in the amount of $0.4220 per Class A share, which represents $1.688 on an annualized basis.
On February 26, 2018, the Company entered into a series of purchase and sale agreements with Pattern Development 1.0 and Green Power Investments to purchase 206 MW of renewable energy projects, consisting of Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki, Ohorayama and Tsugaru. The acquisition price for the 84 MW project portfolio (Futtsu Solar, Kanagi Solar, Otsuki and Ohorayama) is approximately $131.5 million, subject certain closing price adjustments. The acquisition price of Tsugaru for the 122 MW wind project is approximately $194.0 million, consisting of an initial payment of approximately $79.7 million to be funded at closing and approximately $114.3 million payable to Pattern Development 1.0 upon the term conversion of the construction loan and to the extent such term conversion does not

F-50


occur, such second consideration payment will be made upon the commencement of commercial operations at Tsugaru which is expected in 2020.
In February 2018, the Company also funded approximately $35.2 million into Pattern Development 2.0 of which approximately $27 million will be used by Pattern Development 2.0 to fund the purchase of GPI.

F-51



Condensed Parent-Company Financial Statements
Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Condensed Financial Information of Parent
Balance Sheets
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and par value data)
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
9,282

 
$
12,014

Derivative assets, current
5

 
1,369

Prepaid expenses
1,014

 
583

Other current assets
24,252

 
4,882

Deferred financing costs, current, net

 
11

Total current assets
34,553

 
18,859

Restricted cash
250

 
250

Property, plant and equipment, net
4,093

 
4,362

Investments in subsidiaries
1,404,245

 
987,300

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries
311,223

 
233,294

Derivative assets

 
177

Deferred financing costs

 
75

Net deferred tax assets
181

 

Finite-lived intangible assets, net
964

 
1,052

Other assets
1,132

 
138

Total assets
$
1,756,641

 
$
1,245,507

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
$
11,577

 
$
9,107

Accrued interest
12,738

 
4,328

Dividend payable
41,387

 
35,960

Derivative liabilities, current
3,154

 
391

Other current liabilities
9,042

 
1,310

Total current liabilities
77,898

 
51,096

Long-term debt, net of financing costs of $8,641 and $3,894 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
552,889

 
202,910

Other long-term liabilities
31,405

 
4,003

Total liabilities
662,192

 
258,009

Equity:
 
 
 
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 97,860,048 and 87,410,687 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
980

 
875

Additional paid-in capital
1,207,286

 
1,118,200

Accumulated loss
(84,615
)
 
(66,710
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(25,691
)
 
(62,367
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 157,812 and 110,964 shares of Class A common stock as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
(3,511
)
 
(2,500
)
Total equity
1,094,449

 
987,498

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,756,641

 
$
1,245,507

See accompanying notes to parent company financial statements

S- 1


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Condensed Financial Information of Parent
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$

 
$

 
$

Expenses
34,257

 
34,132

 
26,818

Operating loss
(34,257
)
 
(34,132
)
 
(26,818
)
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(34,889
)
 
(14,692
)
 
(6,107
)
Equity in earnings (loss) from subsidiaries
14,333

 
3,054

 
(19,058
)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net
41,299

 
30,192

 
16,119

Gain (loss) on undesignated derivatives, net
(6,767
)
 
(1,496
)
 
5,107

Other income (expense), net
(1,247
)
 
130

 
(1,558
)
Total other income (expense), net
12,729

 
17,188

 
(5,497
)
Net loss before income tax
(21,528
)
 
(16,944
)
 
(32,315
)
Tax provision (benefit)
(3,623
)
 
167

 
218

Net loss
(17,905
)
 
(17,111
)
 
(32,533
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Proportionate share of subsidiaries' other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax benefit (provision) of ($5,350), $(53) and $1,206, respectively
22,863

 
5,325

 
(16,085
)
Proportionate share of affiliates' other comprehensive income (loss) activity, net of tax benefit (provision) of ($4,981), $(2,031) and $1,524, respectively
13,813

 
5,633

 
(4,228
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
36,676

 
10,958

 
(20,313
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
18,771

 
$
(6,153
)
 
$
(52,846
)
See accompanying notes to parent company financial statements


S- 2


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Condensed Financial Information of Parent
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(17,905
)
 
$
(17,111
)
 
$
(32,533
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and accretion
561

 
198

 

Amortization of financing costs
1,982

 
1,102

 
472

Amortization of debt discount
4,726

 
4,428

 
1,794

Deferred taxes
3,387

 

 

Intraperiod tax allocation
(3,569
)
 

 

(Gain) loss on derivatives
4,773

 
2,955

 
(4,110
)
Stock-based compensation
5,322

 
5,391

 
4,462

Equity in losses (earnings) from subsidiaries
(14,333
)
 
(3,054
)
 
19,058

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated investments, net
(41,299
)
 
(30,192
)
 
(16,119
)
Other reconciling items

 
(493
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses
(430
)
 
(97
)
 
35

Other current assets
(19,581
)
 
(1,616
)
 
(1,782
)
Other assets (non-current)

 
(138
)
 

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
2,573

 
1,691

 
473

Other current liabilities
7,727

 
(333
)
 
1,642

Long-term liabilities
1,221

 
3,713

 

Accrued interest payable
8,410

 
486

 
3,842

Net cash used in operating activities
(56,435
)
 
(33,070
)
 
(22,766
)
Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 
(65,042
)
Capital expenditures
(287
)
 
(3,889
)
 

Distributions received from subsidiaries
371,999

 
307,978

 
244,969

Contribution to subsidiaries
(682,013
)
 
(449,710
)
 
(613,089
)
Investment in Pattern Development 2.0
(68,813
)
 

 

Other assets
(520
)
 
(1,236
)
 

Other investing activities

 
(172
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(379,634
)
 
(147,029
)
 
(433,162
)

S- 3


 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from public offering, net of issuance costs
237,090

 
286,298

 
317,432

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of issuance costs
343,271

 

 
218,929

Refund for deposit for letters of credit

 

 
3,425

Dividends paid
(145,207
)
 
(120,207
)
 
(90,582
)
Other financing activities
(1,817
)
 
(916
)
 
(860
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
433,337

 
165,175

 
448,344

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(2,732
)
 
(14,924
)
 
(7,584
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
12,264

 
27,188

 
34,772

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
9,532

 
$
12,264

 
$
27,188

Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for income taxes
$

 
$
167

 
$
218

Cash payments for interest expense
$
19,771

 
$
8,675

 
$

Equity issuance costs paid in prior period related to current period offerings
$

 
$

 
$
433

Schedule of non-cash activities
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash increase in additional paid-in capital
$
(2,003
)

$


$
16,715


See accompanying notes to parent company financial statements

S- 4


Pattern Energy Group Inc.
Note to Parent Company Financial Statements

Supplemental Notes
1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The condensed, standalone financial statements of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (parent company) have been presented in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X as the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of the parent company exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the parent company and its subsidiaries. The condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and should be read in conjunction with the parent company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto.
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash as presented on the Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
9,282

 
$
12,014

 
$
26,938

Restricted cash
 
250

 
250

 
250

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows
 
$
9,532

 
$
12,264

 
$
27,188

Investments
For purposes of these financial statements, the parent company’s wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries are recorded based on its proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ assets. The parent company’s share of net income of its unconsolidated subsidiaries is included in income using the equity method.
Debt
2024 Unsecured Senior Notes
In January 2017, the Company issued unsecured senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million (the 2024 Unsecured Senior Notes). Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $345.0 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount, commissions and transaction expenses. The 2024 Unsecured Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, beginning on August 1, 2017 and maturing on February 1, 2024, unless repurchased or redeemed at an earlier date. The 2024 Unsecured Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Pattern US Finance Company, one of the Company's subsidiaries.
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
In July 2015, the Company issued $225 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% convertible senior notes due 2020 (2020 Notes). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.00% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2016. The 2020 Notes will mature on July 15, 2020. The 2020 Notes were sold in a private placement. Upon conversion, the Company may, at its discretion, pay cash, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, or a combination of cash and stock. The 2020 Notes are set at an initial conversation rate of 35.4925 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $28.175 per share of Class A common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in some events (including, but not limited to, certain cash dividends made to holders of the Company's Class A common stock which exceed the initial dividend threshold of $0.363 per quarter per share). The conversion rate would be adjusted to offset the effect of the portion of the dividend in excess of $0.363, provided that the adjustment would result a change of at least 1% in the then effective conversion rate. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the conversion rate increased to 35.8997 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2020 Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity.

S- 5


The 2020 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by a subsidiary of the Company and are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The obligations rank senior in rights of payment to the Company’s subordinated debt, equal in right of payment to the Company’s unsubordinated debt and effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.
The following table presents a summary of the equity and liability components of the 2020 Notes (in thousands):

December 31,

2017
 
2016
Principal
$
225,000

 
$
225,000

Less:

 

Unamortized debt discount
(13,470
)
 
(18,196
)
Unamortized financing costs
(2,794
)
 
(3,894
)
Carrying value of convertible senior notes
$
208,736

 
$
202,910



 

Carrying value of the equity component (1)
$
23,743

 
$
23,743

(1)
Included in the consolidated balance sheets as additional paid-in capital, net of $0.7 million in equity issuance costs.
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Operating leases
 
$
3,678

 
$
3,766

 
$
3,855

 
$
3,947

 
$
4,041

 
$
15,328

 
$
34,615

On February 3, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office facilities in Houston, Texas, effective August 2016, to replace the Pattern Development 1.0-leased office facilities which expired in June 2016. In addition, effective January 1, 2016, Pattern Development 1.0 assigned to the Company, all of Pattern Development 1.0’s rights, title, commitments and interest under an office lease, dated as of September 9, 2009, with respect office space in San Francisco. As a result of this lease assignment, the Company assumed remaining rental commitments under the lease plus certain annual operating expense reimbursements and customary security deposits. Concurrently with the lease assignment, the Company entered into an extension through 2026 of the office lease, which previously terminated at the end of February 2017. Total future commitments are included in operating leases in the table above.


S- 6









South Kent Wind LP

Financial Statements
in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States
of America (U.S. GAAP)
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

S- 7



South Kent Wind LP


 
 
 
 
Contents
Page
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report
 
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Balance Sheets
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity
Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
 
 

S- 8




pwclogoa08.jpg


February 20, 2018



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of South Kent Wind LP


Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of South Kent Wind LP (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, statement of changes in partners' equity, and statement of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and its results of operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
We have served as the Partnership's auditor since 2011.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 0B2
T: +1 416 863 1133, F: +1 416 365 8215, www.pwc.com/ca
“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.

S- 9


South Kent Wind LP
Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017
 
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
12,842

 
$
16,074

Restricted cash (note 3)
 
1,982

 
2,057

Accrued revenue (note 2)
 
20,911

 
21,706

Other current assets
 
386

 
429

Total current assets
 
36,121

 
40,266

Property, plant and equipment - net of accumulated depreciation of $116,245 and $86,966 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (note 4)
 
620,841

 
650,010

Intangible assets - net of accumulated amortization of $812 and $770 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (note 5)
 
626

 
668

Total assets
 
$
657,588

 
$
690,944

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
$
3,187

 
$
2,705

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities - related parties (note 11)
 
217

 
193

Current portion of long-term debt, net of financing costs of $3,296 and $3,426 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 6)
 
23,523

 
22,347

Current portion of long-term contingent liabilities (note 10)
 
541

 
1,050

Derivative liabilities, current (note 8)
 
6,415

 
11,397

Other current liabilities
 
235

 
160

Total current liabilities
 
34,118

 
37,852

Long-term debt, net of financing costs of $8,095 and $11,391 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 6)
 
581,027

 
604,550

Long-term contingent liabilities, net of current (note 10)
 
7,500

 
8,000

Derivative liabilities (note 8)
 
19,384

 
36,876

Asset retirement obligation (note 7)
 
6,493

 
6,153

Total liabilities
 
648,522

 
693,431

Commitments and contingencies (note 10)
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
Partners’ capital
 
(130,122)

 
(61,730)

Accumulated net income
 
139,188

 
59,243

Total partners’ equity
 
9,066

 
(2,487)

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
657,588

 
$
690,944


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 10


South Kent Wind LP
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017

 
2016

 
2015

Revenue (note 2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy delivered
 
$
65,867

 
$
87,142

 
$
102,076

Compensation for forgone energy
 
64,739

 
38,326

 
22,345

Other revenue
 
2,376

 
2,297

 
2,981

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
132,982

 
127,765

 
127,402

Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project expenses
 
10,900

 
13,064

 
13,232

Project expenses - related parties (note 11)
 
1,491

 
1,469

 
1,446

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
29,662

 
29,698

 
29,710

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cost of revenue
 
42,053

 
44,231

 
44,388

Gross profit
 
90,929

 
83,534

 
83,014

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
 
524

 
504

 
929

General and administrative - related parties (note 11)
 
523

 
516

 
507

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
 
1,047

 
1,020

 
1,436

Operating income
 
89,882

 
82,514

 
81,578

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (note 6)
 
(31,477)

 
(32,596)

 
(35,342)

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (note 8)
 
22,474

 
3,269

 
(18,428)

Other expense, net
 
(934)

 
(912)

 
(1,099)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other expense
 
(9,937)

 
(30,238)

 
(54,869)

Net income
 
79,945

 
52,276

 
26,709

Other comprehensive income
 
-

 
-

 
-

Comprehensive income
 
$
79,945

 
$
52,276

 
$
26,709


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 11


South Kent Wind LP
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
Partners’
capital

 
Accumulated
net income (loss)

 
Total

Balance at January 1, 2015
 
$
53,412

 
$
(19,742
)
 
$
33,670

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distribution
 
(50,712)

 
-

 
(50,712)

Net loss
 
-

 
26,709

 
26,709

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
2,700

 
6,967

 
9,667

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distribution
 
(64,430)

 
-

 
(64,430)

Net income
 
-

 
52,276

 
52,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
(61,730)

 
59,243

 
(2,487)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distribution
 
(68,392)

 
-

 
(68,392)

Net income
 
-

 
79,945

 
79,945

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
(130,122
)
 
$
139,188

 
$
9,066


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

S- 12



South Kent Wind LP
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017

 
2016

 
2015

Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
79,945

 
$
52,276

 
$
26,709

Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives
 
(22,474)

 
(3,269)

 
18,428

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
29,662

 
29,698

 
29,710

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
3,426

 
3,546

 
3,388

Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued revenue
 
794

 
(3,539)

 
(2,204)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
(3)

 
103

 
(2,555)

Other, net
 
118

 
182

 
168

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
91,468

 
78,997

 
73,644

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(610)

 
(4,247)

 
(247)

Decrease in restricted cash
 
75

 
4,494

 
8,302

Increase in restricted cash
 
0

 
(1)

 
(836)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(535)

 
246

 
7,219

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
-

 
-

 
5,106

Repayment of long-term debt
 
(25,773)

 
(22,109)

 
(23,185)

Deferred financing costs paid
 
-

 
-

 
(5,129)

Distribution to partners
 
(68,392)

 
(64,430)

 
(50,712)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(94,165)

 
(86,539)

 
(73,920)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(3,232)

 
(7,296)

 
6,943

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of year
 
16,074

 
23,370

 
16,427

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents - End of year
 
$
12,842

 
$
16,074

 
$
23,370

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for interest and commitment fees
 
$
27,978

 
$
28,894

 
$
31,954

Schedule of non-cash activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remeasurement of asset retirement obligation
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,027


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 13

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


1
General information
The Partnership
South Kent Wind LP (the Partnership), a limited partnership under the laws of the Province of Ontario, was formed on January 10, 2011, as a joint venture project between Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (Samsung) and Pattern South Kent LP Holdings LP, a subsidiary of Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC (PRHC), each as 49.99% limited partners of the Partnership, and South Kent Wind GP Inc. (the GP), as the 0.02% general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership was created to develop, build and operate a wind power project in the Regional Municipality of Chatham-Kent with generation capacity totaling approximately 270 megawatts (MW) of power (the Project).
On February 24, 2013, Samsung transferred all of its LP interest in the Partnership to SRE SKW LP Holdings LP, an affiliate of Samsung.
On October 2, 2013, in a series of transactions: (i) Pattern South Kent GP Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PRHC, transferred all of the general partner interests in Pattern South Kent LP Holdings LP to PRHC, causing Pattern South Kent LP Holdings LP to be dissolved by operation of law and PRHC to acquire the LP interests in the Partnership that previously were held by Pattern South Kent LP Holdings LP; (ii) PRHC transferred its LP interest in the Partnership and its ownership interest in Pattern South Kent GP Holdings Inc., which owned PRHC’s ownership interest in the GP, to Pattern Canada Operations Holdings ULC (PCOH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern); and (iii) Pattern South Kent GP Holdings Inc. was dissolved.
On December 17, 2014, PCOH transferred all of its LP interest in the Partnership to Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PCOH.
The Partnership is controlled by its general partner, the GP, also a joint venture controlled by affiliates of Samsung and Pattern. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership’s ownership interests were distributed as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
SRE SKW LP Holdings LP
 
49.99%
 
49.99%
Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC
 
49.99
 
49.99
South Kent Wind GP Inc.
 
0.02
 
0.02
Total
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
The Project
The Project is a 270 MW wind project consisting of 124 Siemens wind turbine generators located in the Regional Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. On March 28, 2014 the Project achieved the Commercial Operation Date (“COD”) and commenced commercial operations.
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for a period of 20 years from the COD. The IESO oversees the wholesale electricity market, where the price of energy is determined. It also administers the rules that govern the market and, through an arm's-length market monitoring function, ensures that it is operated fairly and efficiently. The IESO is an agent among the market participants in Ontario and is neither exposed to, nor benefits from, any transactions. In such capacity, the IESO executes agreements to help the market meet the renewable energy mandates of the government of the Province of Ontario. There are approximately 70 electric distribution companies in Ontario, all of which have government mandates to purchase renewable energy. The PPA provides for guaranteed pricing from IESO that removes volatility caused by fluctuations in market rates. The Ontario government established the Global Adjustment (“GA”) which is designed to adjust consumer rates depending on the price of energy. The IESO establishes a monthly variable GA rate based on GA costs and Ontario electricity demand which effectively establishes a pass through mechanism to the consumer and eliminates the IESO's economic exposure to our contract price.

S- 14

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

2    Summary of significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.
Basis of preparation
The accompanying financial statements are presented using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of U.S. GAAP financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Because the use of estimates is inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Partnership uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as accrued revenue, asset retirement obligation, valuation of derivative contracts and contingencies.
These financial statements do not include assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the GP and limited partners. The financial statements of the Partnership reflect no provision or liability for income taxes because profits and losses of the Partnership are allocated to the partners and are included in the income tax returns of the partners. Income and losses for tax purposes may differ from the financial statement amounts and the partners’ equity reflected in the financial statements does not necessarily reflect their tax basis.
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of the Partnership are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Partnership operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Canadian Dollars, which is the Partnership’s functional and presentation currency.
Fair value of financial instruments
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash mainly consists of cash reserves required under the Partnership’s loan agreements and security deposits required to collateralize commercial bank letter of credit facilities related to easement rights (note 3).
Trade receivables
The Partnership’s trade receivables are generated by selling energy in Ontario, Canada through the IESO as a settlement agent. The allowance for doubtful accounts, if needed, is computed based upon management’s estimates of uncollectible accounts. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership has no outstanding trade receivables.

S- 15

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Accrued revenue
Accrued revenue represents revenues recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented to customers as of the balance sheet date. These amounts are billed and generally collected within two months.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Partnership places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with creditworthy institutions located in Canada, which the management believes to have minimal risk. At times, such balances may be in excess of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insurance coverage limit. CDIC insurance currently covers up to $100 per depositor at each insured bank.
The Partnership’s derivative agreements expose the Partnership to losses under certain circumstances, such as the counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the swap agreements or if the swap agreements provide an imperfect hedge. Counterparties to the Partnership’s derivative contracts are major financial institutions that have been accorded investment grade ratings.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying value or recognized as separate assets, as appropriate, only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Partnership and the cost of the item can be reliably measured.
The asset retirement obligation included in property, plant and equipment is stated at the present value of future cash flows of asset retirement obligation at the time of COD.
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful life. The power plant is depreciated over 25 years and the remaining assets are depreciated over 5 years. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Intangible assets (lease options)
Lease options are recognized at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently accounted for at cost. Lease options have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of lease options over the period of expected future benefit (i.e., the contract period of each lease option). Separately acquired lease options are capitalized on the basis of the costs incurred to enter into the respective contract.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Partnership periodically evaluates whether events have occurred that would require revision of the remaining useful life of equipment and improvements and purchased intangible assets or render them not recoverable. If such circumstances arise, the Partnership uses an estimate of the undiscounted value of expected future operating cash flows to determine whether the long-lived assets are impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, the resulting impairment charge to be recorded is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the fair value of such assets, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Through December 31, 2017, no impairment charges were recorded.
Deferred financing costs
Financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining construction and term financing, which include direct financing, legal and other upfront costs of borrowing, are capitalized and recorded as a reduction to long-term debt and amortized over the lives of the respective loans using the effective-interest method. Amortization of deferred financing costs is capitalized during construction or expensed following COD.

S- 16

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Derivatives
The Partnership recognizes its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies and has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI). Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
For undesignated derivative instruments, their change in fair value is reported as a component of net income (loss) in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Partnership enters into derivative transactions for the purpose of managing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, such as interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are instruments used to fix the interest rate on variable interest rate debt.
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Payables with payment terms extended beyond one year from the balance sheet dates are presented as non-current liabilities.
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are recognized when: the Partnership has a present legal obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership records an asset retirement obligation for the estimated costs of decommissioning turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring sites, at the time when a contractual decommissioning obligation materializes. The Partnership records accretion expense, which represents the increase in the asset retirement obligation, over the remaining life of the associated wind project. Accretion expense is recorded as cost of revenue in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) using accretion rates based on a credit adjusted risk free interest rate of 5.54%.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered or curtailed at rates specified under the contracts, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When curtailment revenue is earned, it is recorded as compensation for forgone revenue. The Partnership evaluates its PPA to determine whether it is in substance a lease or derivative and, if applicable, recognizes revenue pursuant to ASC 840, Leases and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the PPA was not considered a lease or a derivative instrument, as multiple market participants purchase the energy at market-based prices with IESO working as a settlement agent. As a result, revenue (including any revenue from the price guaranteed by IESO), is recognized on an accrual basis.
The Partnership recognizes revenue under other revenue for warranty settlements and liquidated damages from a turbine manufacturer upon resolution of outstanding contingencies and for economic development adder from the IESO based on the amount of energy delivered. Any cash receipts for amounts subject to future adjustment or repayment are deferred in other liabilities until the final settlement amount is considered fixed and determinable.

S- 17

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Cost of revenue
The Partnership’s cost of revenue is comprised of direct costs of operating and maintaining its project facilities, including labor, turbine service arrangements, metering service and shadow settlement, environmental fee, land lease royalties, property tax, insurance, depreciation, amortization and accretion.
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying statements of changes in partners’ equity.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU 2017-05). ASU 2017-05 is meant to clarify the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method as outlined in the guidance and is effective at the same time as ASU 2014-09. Further, the Partnership is required to adopt this guidance at the same time that it adopts the guidance in ASU 2014-09 which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The Partnership has assessed the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-05 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Partnership is currently assessing the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which creates FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 will not have material impact on the financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Partnership is currently in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and

S- 18

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

system requirements. The Partnership is also assessing the future accounting impact of this update on its financial statements and related disclosures as it applies to its PPA, land lease arrangements and other lease arrangements. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts.
3
Restricted cash
The following table presents the components of restricted cash:
 
 
December 31
 
 
2017
 
2016
Completion reserve account
 
$
1,982

 
$
2,032

10% holdback account for contractors
 
-

 
25

Subtotal
 
1,982

 
2,057

Less: Current portion
 
(1,982
)
 
(2,057
)
Restricted cash, non-current
 
-

 
-

The amount in the completion reserve account is reserved to pay outstanding project costs specified during term conversion (note 6). Upon full payment of outstanding project costs, the remaining balance will be released from restricted cash.

4
Property, plant and equipment
The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation, at:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Power plant
 
$
731,212

 
$
731,212

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
501

 
501

Asset retirement obligation - asset
 
5,263

 
5,263

Capital spares
 
110

 
-

Subtotal
 
737,086

 
736,976

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(116,245)

 
(86,966)

 
 
$
620,841

 
$
650,010

Depreciation expense of $29,279, $29,332 and $29,361 was charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

S- 19

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

5
Intangible assets
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning net book value
 
668
 
711
Amortization expense
 
(42)
 
(43)
Closing net book value
 
626
 
668
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cost
 
1,438
 
1,438
Accumulated amortization
 
(812)
 
(770)
Net book value
 
626
 
668
Amortization expense of $42, $43 and $43 was charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
6
Long-term debt
Upon achievement of the COD on March 28, 2014, and the construction facility converted to a term loan on August 28, 2014. On May 7, 2015, the Partnership amended the credit agreement to reduce the related interest rate to Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) plus 1.625% per annum. A fee facility was added with a principal amount of $5,106 to cover all fees for the amendment. The modifications have resulted in a current effective interest rate of 3.175% with a maturity date of August 2021. In connection with the credit agreement, the Partnership entered into interest rate swaps that would fix the interest rate for 90% of the outstanding notional amount.
Collateral under the financing agreement consists of substantially all of the Partnership’s assets. Its loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Partnership’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interest, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business. The Partnership is in compliance with all loan covenants. All of the limited and general partners and shareholders of general partners pledged shares of partnership units or common stock owned as collateral for the loan.
Terms and conditions of outstanding borrowings were as follows:
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate
 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
615,941
 
$
(11,391)
 
$
604,550
 
3.175%
 
August 2021
Less: current portion
 
 
(26,819)
 
 
3,296
 
 
(23,523)
 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
589,122
 
$
(8,095)
 
$
581,027
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate
 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
641,714
 
$
(14,817)
 
$
626,897
 
2.565%
 
August 2021
Less: current portion
 
 
(25,773)
 
 
3,426
 
 
(22,347)
 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
615,941
 
$
(11,391)
 
$
604,550
 
 
 
 

S- 20

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows as of December 31, 2017:
2018
$
26,819
2019
 
28,144
2020
 
29,974
2021
 
37,033
2022
 
34,900
Thereafter
 
459,071
 
$
615,941
The following table presents a reconciliation of interest expense presented in the Partnerships’ statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
Interest incurred
$
28,051
 
$
29,050
 
$
31,954
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
3,426
 
 
3,546
 
 
3,388
Interest expense
$
31,477
 
$
32,596
 
$
35,342
Letters of credit facilities
On August 28, 2014, letters of credit of $40,600 and $12,000 were issued upon term conversion for a debt service reserve and operations and maintenance reserve, respectively, with a seven-year term. Funds, when and if drawn on the facility, accrue interest at 0.625% plus Prime Rate, and at the partners’ option, the rate can be converted to a rate of CDOR plus 1.625% per annum. In addition, the Partnership shall pay letter of credit fees on the basis of the undrawn amount of the facility at 1.625% per annum. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the letters of credit facility did not have an outstanding balance, and no amounts were drawn in 2017 and 2016. Letter of credit fees of $855, $857 and $1,015 were charged to other expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

7
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership’s asset retirement obligation represents the estimated cost of decommissioning the turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring the sites at the end of its estimated useful life.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amounts of the asset retirement obligation:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Asset retirement obligation - Beginning of year
 
$
6,153
 
$
5,829
Accretion expense
 
 
340
 
 
324
Asset retirement obligation - End of year
 
$
6,493
 
$
6,153

8
Derivatives
The Partnership uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon movement in market prices. The Partnership’s objectives for holding these derivative instruments include reducing, eliminating and efficiently managing the economic impact of interest rate exposures as effectively as possible. The Partnership does not hedge all of its interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portions to changes in market prices.

S- 21

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

The following tables present the fair values of the Partnership's derivative instruments on a gross basis as reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheets:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
Current
 
Long-term
 
Current
 
Long-term
Fair value of undesignated derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
6,415
 
$
19,384
 
$
11,397
 
$
36,876
Total fair value
 
$
6,415
 
$
19,384
 
$
11,397
 
$
36,876
The following table summarizes the notional amounts of the Partnership's outstanding derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Unit of measure
 
2017
 
2016
Undesignated derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
CAD
 
$
549,751
 
$
572,947
The changes in the fair value of these swaps are recognized directly into earnings as follows:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
2015
Gains (losses) recognized in earnings
 
 
 
$
22,474
 
$
3,269
(18,428
)
9
Fair value measurement
The Partnership’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market, and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Non-performance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on current market inputs when available, such as credit default hedge spreads. When such information is not available, internal models are used.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements are categorized based on the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Short-term financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. Based on the nature and short maturity of these instruments, their fair value is approximated using carrying cost and they are presented in the financial statements at carrying cost.
Long-term debt is presented on the balance sheets at amortized cost. The fair value of variable interest rate for long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost.
Derivatives are presented in the financial statements at fair value. The interest rate swaps were valued by discounting the net cash flows using the forward CDOR curve with the valuations adjusted by the Project’s credit default swap rate.

S- 22

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

The Partnership’s financial assets (liabilities) which require fair value measurement on a recurring basis are classified within the fair value hierarchy as follows:
 
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
-
 
$
(25,799)
 
$
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
-
 
$
(48,273)
 
$
-

10
Commitments and contingencies
1)
Commitments
Land Lease Agreements
The Partnership has entered into various long-term land lease agreements. The annual fees range from minimum rent payments varying by lease to maximum rent payments of a certain percentage of energy delivered revenues, varying by lease.
Lease payments, including amortization of the lease option, of $2,392, $2,949 and $3,253 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The future payments related to these leases as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
2018
 
$
4,144
2019
 
 
4,161
2020
 
 
4,180
2021
 
 
4,198
2022
 
 
4,220
Thereafter
 
 
48,353
Total
 
$
69,256
Service and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership has entered into service and maintenance agreements with Siemens to provide and carry out turbine maintenance and service activities for the Project until April 2020. Based on the terms of the agreements, Siemens shall be entitled to receive a daily base fee per turbine that may be subject to periodic price adjustments for inflation, over the terms of the agreements. As of December 31, 2017, outstanding commitments with Siemens were $1,629, including an estimated annual price adjustment for inflation of 2%, where applicable, payable over the full term of the agreement.
2)
Contingencies
Community Fund Agreement
On April 17, 2013, the GP, in its capacity as general partner and on behalf of the Partnership, entered into the South Kent Wind Community Fund Agreement with Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, in which the Partnership committed to twenty annual contributions of $500 plus an initial contribution of $1,000. The remaining payments are recorded as a contingent liability in the amount of $8,000.
Turbine Availability Warranty
The Partnership has a turbine availability warranty from its turbine manufacturer. Pursuant to the warranty, if a turbine operates at less than minimum availability during the warranty period, the turbine manufacturer is obligated to pay, as liquidated damages,

S- 23

South Kent Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

an amount for each percent that the turbine operates below the minimum availability threshold. In addition, if a turbine operates at more than a specified availability during the warranty period, the Partnership has an obligation to pay a bonus to the turbine manufacturer. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership recorded a liability of $41 associated with bonuses payable to the turbine manufacturer.

11
Related party transactions
The Partnership is controlled by the GP, which is jointly controlled by Samsung and Pattern in accordance with the terms of the Shareholder Agreement. Certain terms of the Samsung Pattern Joint Venture Wind Development Agreement, entered into between Samsung and an affiliate of PRHC on July 27, 2010, directed the responsibilities of Samsung and PRHC for the Project.
The following transactions were carried out with related parties:
a)
Management, Operation, and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA)
On March 8, 2013, the Partnership entered into a MOMA with Pattern Operators Canada ULC, which is owned by PCOH to operate and manage the maintenance of the wind plant and to perform certain other services pertaining to the wind plant in accordance with terms and conditions set forth in the MOMA.
$1,491, $1,469 and $1,446 were charged to the project expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
b)
Project Administration Agreement (PAA)
On March 8, 2013, the Partnership entered into the PAA with SRE Wind PA LP (PA), which is 100% owned by Samsung to supply project administrative services.
$523, $516 and $507 were invoiced to the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and expensed as general and administrative expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
c)
The Partnership recorded the following balances with related parties:
 
 
2017
 
2016
Related party payable to Pattern Operators Canada ULC
 
$
168
 
$
144
Related party payable to SRE Wind PA LP
 
 
49
 
 
49
 
 
$
217
 
$
193

12
Subsequent events
The Partnership declared distributions to partners in the amount of $12,282 on February 14, 2018.

S- 24









Grand Renewable Wind LP
Financial Statements
in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of
America (U.S. GAAP)


December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


S- 25



Grand Renewable Wind LP

 
 
 
 
Contents
Page
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report
 
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Balance Sheets
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity
Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
 
 


S- 26



pwclogoa07.jpg


February 20, 2018
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors of Grand Renewable Wind LP
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Grand Renewable Wind LP (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, statement of changes in partners’ equity, and statement of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and its results of operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
We have served as the Partnership's auditor since 2011.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 0B2
T: +1 416 863 1133, F: +1 416 365 8215, www.pwc.com/ca
“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.




S- 27


Grand Renewable Wind LP
Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,563

 
$
3,673

 
Restricted cash (note 3)
 
4,336

 
4,334

 
Accrued revenue (note 2)
 
11,043

 
11,085

 
Other current assets
 
312

 
348

 
Total current assets
 
18,254

 
19,440

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment - net of accumulated depreciation of $53,439 and $36,060 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (note 4)
 
379,850

 
397,105

 
Intangible assets - net of accumulated amortization of $258 and $174 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (note 5)
 
1,414

 
1,498

 
Total assets
 
$
399,518

 
$
418,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
$
1,785

 
$
1,865

 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities - related parties (note 11)
 
355

 
329

 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of financing costs of $1,356 and $1,413 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 6)
 
16,015

 
13,125

 
Derivative liabilities, current (note 8)
 
4,811

 
7,767

 
Other current liabilities (note 10)
 
603

 
524

 
Total current liabilities
 
23,569

 
23,610

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of financing costs of $4,287 and $5,643 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 6)
 
333,116

 
349,132

 
Derivative liabilities (note 8)
 
35,756

 
46,260

 
Asset retirement obligation (note 7)
 
2,992

 
2,809

 
Total liabilities
 
395,433

 
421,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (note 10)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
Partners’ capital
 
8,350

 
28,230

 
Accumulated net loss
 
8,148

 
(5,896)

 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(12,413)

 
(26,102)

 
Total partners’ equity
 
4,085

 
(3,768)

 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
399,518

 
$
418,043

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

S- 28



Grand Renewable Wind LP
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue (note 2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy delivered
 
$
39,693

 
$
44,353

 
$
56,138

Compensation for forgone energy
 
24,866

 
19,172

 
5,227

Other revenue
 
712

 
713

 
1,046

Total revenue
 
65,272

 
64,238

 
62,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project expenses
 
8,780

 
8,270

 
8,179

Project expenses - related parties (note 11)
 
1,277

 
1,258

 
1,244

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
17,562

 
17,545

 
17,498

Total cost of revenue
 
27,619

 
27,073

 
26,921

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
37,653

 
37,165

 
35,490

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
 
1,015

 
1,125

 
1,546

General and administrative - related parties (note 11)
 
419

 
412

 
406

Total operating expenses
 
1,434

 
1,537

 
1,952

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
36,219

 
35,628

 
33,538

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (note 6)
 
(21,079)

 
(21,648)

 
(21,958)

Unrealized loss on derivatives (note 8)
 
(230)

 
(7,253)

 
(3,354)

Other (expense) income, net
 
(867)

 
(883)

 
(434)

Total other expense
 
(22,176)

 
(29,784)

 
(25,746)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
14,044

 
5,844

 
7,792

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative activity (notes 8 and 10):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective portion of change in fair value of derivatives

 
6,121

 
(826)

 
(14,397)

Reclassifications to net income (loss)
 
7,568

 
8,582

 
8,320

   Total change in effective portion of change in
fair market value of derivatives
 
13,689

 
7,756

 
(6,077)

Comprehensive income
 
$
27,733

 
$
13,600

 
$
1,715


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

S- 29



Grand Renewable Wind LP
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
Partners’
capital
 
Accumulated net income
(loss)
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2015
 
$
67,990

 
$
(19,532
)
 
$
(27,781
)
 
$
20,677

Cash distribution
 
(20,310)

 

 

 
(20,310)

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(6,077)

 
(6,077)

Net income
 

 
7,792

 

 
7,792

Balance at December 31, 2015
 
47,680

 
(11,740)

 
(33,858)

 
2,082

Cash distribution
 
(19,450)

 

 

 
(19,450)

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
7,756

 
7,756

Net income
 

 
5,844

 

 
5,844

Balance at December 31, 2016
 
28,230

 
(5,896)

 
(26,102)

 
(3,768)

Cash distribution
 
(19,880)

 

 

 
(19,880)

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 
13,689

 
13,689

Net income
 

 
14,044

 

 
14,044

Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
8,350

 
$
8,148

 
$
(12,413
)
 
$
4,085

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

S- 30



Grand Renewable Wind LP
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017

 
2016

 
2015

Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
14,044

 
$
5,844

 
$
7,792

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives
 
230

 
7,253

 
3,354

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
17,646

 
17,628

 
17,582

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,413

 
1,248

 
1,593

Interest expense added on principal
 

 

 
5,832

Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued revenue
 
42

 
(1,855)

 
(5,732)

Sales tax recoverable
 

 

 
6,586

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
(28)

 
(4,546)

 
(15,460)

Other, net
 
87

 
210

 
(1,963)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
33,434

 
25,782

 
19,584

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(125)

 
(2,240)

 
(18,082)

Decrease in restricted cash
 
15

 
8,124

 
8,039

Increase in restricted cash
 
(16)

 
(17)

 
(14,252)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(126)

 
5,867

 
(24,295)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 

 

 
39,968

Repayment of long-term debt
 
(14,538)

 
(13,897)

 
(12,172)

Distribution to partners
 
(19,880)

 
(19,450)

 
(20,310)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(34,418)

 
(33,347)

 
7,486

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(1,110)

 
(1,697)

 
2,775

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of year
 
3,673

 
5,371

 
2,596

Cash and cash equivalents - End of year
 
$
2,563

 
$
3,673

 
$
5,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for interest and commitment fees
 
$
19,615

 
$
20,291

 
$
16,218

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Schedule of non-cash activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remeasurement of asset retirement obligation
 
$

 
$

 
$
598

See accompanying notes to financial statements.



S- 31

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


1
General information
The Partnership
Grand Renewable Wind LP (the Partnership), a limited partnership under the laws of the Province of Ontario, was formed on January 10, 2011 as a joint venture project between Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (Samsung) and Pattern Grand LP Holdings LP, a subsidiary of Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC (PRHC), each as 49.99% limited partners of the Partnership, and Grand Renewable Wind GP Inc. (the GP), as the 0.02% general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership was created to develop, build and operate a wind power project in Haldimand County with generation capacity totaling approximately 149 megawatts (MW) of power (the Project).
On February 24, 2013, Samsung transferred its LP interest in the Partnership to SRE GRW LP Holdings LP, an affiliate of Samsung.
On December 20, 2013, in a series of transactions: (i) Pattern Grand GP Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PRHC, transferred all of the general partner interests in Pattern Grand LP Holdings LP to PRHC, causing Pattern Grand LP Holdings LP to be dissolved by operation of law and PRHC to acquire the LP interests in the Partnership that previously were held by Pattern Grand LP Holdings LP, (ii) PRHC transferred its LP interest in the Partnership and its ownership interest in Pattern Grand GP Holdings Inc., which owned PRHC’s ownership interest in the GP, to Pattern Canada Operations Holdings ULC, (PCOH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern), and (iii) Pattern Grand GP Holdings Inc. was dissolved.
On December 17, 2014, PCOH transferred all of its LP interest in the Partnership to Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PCOH.
Six Nations agreements
On May 25, 2012, the Partnership entered into certain agreements with the Six Nations of the Grand River, a band within the meaning of the Indian Act (Canada) through its elected council (the Six Nations), in which the Partnership provides an option for economic participation by way of an annual royalty from the Partnership or the right to purchase a 10% interest in the Partnership.
On June 11, 2013, the Six Nations exercised its option to purchase a 10% LP interest in the Partnership and the Partnership Agreement was amended and restated to reflect such ownership. Affiliates of Samsung and Pattern each maintain a 45% interest in the Partnership. The Six Nations is not involved in the GP.
The Partnership is controlled by its general partner, the GP, also a joint venture controlled by affiliates of Samsung and Pattern. The Partnership’s ownership interests were distributed as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
SRE GRW LP Holdings LP
 
44.99%
 
44.99%
Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC
 
44.99
 
44.99
Six Nations of the Grand River
 
10.00
 
10.00
Grand Renewable Wind GP Inc.
 
0.02
 
0.02
Total
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
The Project
The Project is a 149 MW wind project consisting of 67 Siemens wind turbine generators located in Haldimand County, Ontario. On December 9, 2014 the Project achieved the Commercial Operation Date (“COD”) and commenced commercial operations.
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with the Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) for a period of 20 years from the COD. The IESO oversees the wholesale electricity market, where the price of energy is determined. It also administers the rules that govern the market and, through an arm's-length market monitoring function, ensures that it is operated fairly and efficiently. The IESO is an agent among the market participants in Ontario and is neither exposed to, nor

S- 32

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


benefits from, any transactions. In such capacity, the IESO executes agreements to help the market meet the renewable energy mandates of the government of the Province of Ontario. There are approximately 70 electric distribution companies in Ontario, all of which have government mandates to purchase renewable energy. The PPA provides for guaranteed pricing from IESO that removes volatility caused by fluctuations in market rates. The Ontario government established the Global Adjustment (“GA”) which is designed to adjust consumer rates depending on the price of energy. The IESO establishes a monthly variable GA rate based on GA costs and Ontario electricity demand which effectively establishes a pass through mechanism to the consumer and eliminates the IESO's economic exposure to our contract price.
A 100 MW solar facility developed by an affiliate of Samsung is sharing the usage and ownership of the transmission line and substation. The Project connected to the Ontario transmission grid by way of a 20 km transmission line sited in the municipal road allowance.

2
Summary of significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.
Basis of preparation
The accompanying financial statements are presented using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of U.S. GAAP financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Because the use of estimates is inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Partnership uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as accrued revenue, asset retirement obligation, valuation of long-term derivative contracts and contingencies.
These financial statements do not include assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the GP and limited partners. The financial statements of the Partnership reflect no provision or liability for income taxes because profits and losses of the Partnership are allocated to the partners and are included in the income tax returns of the partners. Income and losses for tax purposes may differ from the financial statement amounts and the partners’ equity reflected in the financial statements does not necessarily reflect their tax basis.
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of the Partnership are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Partnership operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Partnership’s functional and presentation currency.
Fair value of financial instruments
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.

S- 33

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash mainly consists of cash reserves required under the Partnership’s loan agreements (note 3).
Trade receivables
The Partnership’s trade receivables are generated by selling energy in Ontario, Canada through the IESO as a settlement agent. The allowance for doubtful accounts, if needed, is computed based upon management’s estimates of uncollectible accounts. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership has no outstanding trade receivables.
Accrued revenue
Accrued revenue represents revenues recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented to customers as of the balance sheet date. These amounts are billed and generally collected within two months.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Partnership places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with creditworthy institutions located in Canada, which the management believes to have minimal risk. At times, such balances may be in excess of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insurance coverage limit. CDIC insurance currently covers up to $100 per depositor at each insured bank.
The Partnership’s derivative agreements expose the Partnership to losses under certain circumstances, such as the counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the swap agreements or if the swap agreements provide an imperfect hedge. Counterparties to the Partnership’s derivative contracts are major financial institutions that have been accorded investment grade ratings.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying value or recognized as separate assets, as appropriate, only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Partnership and the cost of the item can be reliably measured.
The asset retirement obligation included in property, plant and equipment is stated at the present value of future cash flows of asset retirement obligation at the time of COD.
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives. The power plant is depreciated over 25 years and the remaining assets are depreciated over 5 years. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Intangible assets
Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method and recorded against revenue over the remaining term of the PPA.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Partnership periodically evaluates whether events have occurred that would require revision of the remaining useful life of equipment and improvements and purchased intangible assets, or render them not recoverable. If such circumstances arise, the

S- 34

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Partnership uses an estimate of the undiscounted value of expected future operating cash flows to determine whether the long-lived assets are impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, the resulting impairment charge to be recorded is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the fair value of such assets, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Through December 31, 2017, no impairment charges were recorded.
Deferred financing costs
Financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining construction and term financing, which include direct financing, legal and other upfront costs of borrowing, are capitalized and recorded as a reduction to long-term debt and amortized over the lives of the respective loans using the effective-interest method. Amortization of deferred financing costs is capitalized during construction or expensed following COD.
Derivatives
The Partnership recognizes its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies and has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and the type of hedging relationship.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI) or loss (OCL). Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
For undesignated derivative instruments, their change in fair value is reported as a component of net income in the statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The Partnership enters into derivative transactions for the purpose of managing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, such as interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are instruments used to fix the interest rate on variable interest rate debt.
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Payables with payment terms extended beyond one year from the balance sheet dates are presented as non-current liabilities.
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are recognized when: the Partnership has a present legal obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership records an asset retirement obligation for the estimated costs of decommissioning turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring sites, at the time when a contractual decommissioning obligation materializes. The Partnership records accretion expense, which represents the increase in the asset retirement obligation, over the remaining life of the associated wind project. Accretion expense is recorded as cost of revenue in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) using accretion rates based on a credit adjusted risk free interest rate of 6.51%.

S- 35

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered or curtailed at rates specified under the contracts, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When curtailment revenue is earned, it is recorded as compensation for forgone revenue. The Partnership evaluates its PPA to determine whether it is in substance a lease or derivative and, if applicable, recognizes revenue pursuant to ASC 840 Leases and ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the PPA was not considered a lease or a derivative instrument, as multiple market participants purchase the energy at market-based prices with IESO working as a settlement agent. As a result, revenue (including any revenue from the price guaranteed by IESO), is recognized on an accrual basis.
The Partnership recognizes revenue for warranty settlements and liquidated damages from a turbine manufacturer in other revenue upon resolution of outstanding contingencies. Any cash receipts for amounts subject to future adjustment or repayment are deferred in other liabilities until the final settlement amount is considered fixed and determinable.
Cost of revenue
The Partnership’s cost of revenue is comprised of direct costs of operating and maintaining its project facilities, including labor, turbine service arrangements, metering service and shadow settlement, environmental fee, land lease royalties, property tax, insurance, depreciation, amortization and accretion.
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying statements of changes in partners’ equity.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU 2017-05). ASU 2017-05 is meant to clarify the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method as outlined in the guidance and is effective at the same time as ASU 2014-09. Further, the Partnership is required to adopt this guidance at the same time that it adopts the guidance in ASU 2014-09 which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The Partnership has assessed the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-05 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Partnership is currently assessing the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which creates FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 will not have material impact on the financial statements.

S- 36

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Partnership is currently in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Partnership is also assessing the future accounting impact of this update on its financial statements and related disclosures as it applies to its PPA, land lease arrangements and other lease arrangements. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts.
3
Restricted cash
The following table presents the components of restricted cash:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Completion reserve account
 
$
4,336

 
$
4,334

Subtotal
 
4,336

 
4,334

Less: Current portion
 
(4,336)

 
(4,334)

Restricted cash, non-current
 
$

 
$

The amount in the completion reserve account is reserved to pay outstanding project costs specified during term conversion (note 6). Upon full payment of outstanding project costs, the remaining balance will be released from restricted cash.
4
Property, plant and equipment
The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation, at:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Power plant
 
$
430,421

 
$
430,421

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
281

 
281

Asset retirement obligation - asset
 
2,463

 
2,463

Capital spares
 
124

 

Subtotal
 
433,289

 
433,165

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(53,439)

 
(36,060)

 
 
$
379,850

 
$
397,105

Depreciation expense of $17,379, $17,373 and $17,337 was charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

S- 37

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


5
Intangible assets
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning net book value
 
$
1,498

 
$
1,581

Amortization expense
 
(84)

 
(83)

Closing net book value
 
$
1,414

 
$
1,498

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Cost
 
$
1,672

 
$
1,672

Accumulated amortization
 
(258)

 
(174)

Net book value
 
$
1,414

 
$
1,498

Amortization expense of $84, $83, and $84 was charged as a reduction to revenue in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
6
Long-term debt
Upon achievement of the COD in December 2014, the construction facility converted to term loan on July 29, 2015. The loan matures on July 29, 2022. In connection with the financing agreement, the Partnership entered into interest rate swaps on 90% of the loan commitment.
Collateral under the financing agreement consists of substantially all of the Partnership’s assets. The loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Partnership’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interest, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business. The Partnership is in compliance with all loan covenants. All of the limited and general partners and shareholders of general partners pledged shares of partnership units or common stock owned as collateral for the loan.
Terms and conditions of outstanding borrowings were as follows:
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate
 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
354,774

 
$
(5,643
)
 
$
349,131

 
3.80
%
 
July 2022
Less: current portion
 
(17,371)

 
1,356

 
(16,015)

 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
337,403

 
$
(4,287
)
 
$
333,116

 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate
 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
369,313

 
$
(7,056
)
 
$
362,257

 
3.19
%
 
July 2022
Less: current portion
 
(14,538)

 
1,413

 
(13,125)

 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
354,775

 
$
(5,643
)
 
$
349,132

 
 
 
 

S- 38

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows as of December 31, 2017:
2018
 
$
17,371

2019
 
18,418

2020
 
19,525

2021
 
19,680

2022
 
17,901

Thereafter
 
261,880

 
 
$
354,775

The following table presents a reconciliation of interest expense presented in the Partnerships’ statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Interest incurred
 
$
19,666

 
$
20,400

 
$
20,023

Commitment fees incurred
 

 

 
342

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,413

 
1,248

 
1,593

Interest expense
 
$
21,079

 
$
21,648

 
$
21,958

Letters of credit facilities
On July 29, 2015, letters of credit of $24,000, $8,000 and $5,000 were issued upon term conversion for a debt service reserve, operations and maintenance reserve, and decommissioning reserve, respectively, with a seven-year term. Funds, when and if drawn on the facility, accrue interest at 1.25% plus Prime Rate, and at the partners’ option, the rate can be converted to a rate of CDOR plus 2.25% per annum. In addition, the Partnership shall pay letter of credit fees on the basis of the undrawn amount of the facility at 2.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2017, the letters of credit facility did not have an outstanding balance, and no amounts were drawn in 2017. Letter of credit fees of $832 and $835 were charged to other expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

7
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership’s asset retirement obligation represents the estimated cost of decommissioning the turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring the sites at the end of its estimated useful life.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Asset retirement obligation - Beginning of year
 
$
2,809

 
$
2,637

Accretion expense
 
183

 
172

Asset retirement obligation - End of year
 
$
2,992

 
$
2,809


8
Derivatives
The Partnership uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon movement in market prices. The Partnership’s objectives for holding these derivative instruments include reducing, eliminating and efficiently managing the economic impact of interest rate exposures as effectively as possible. The Partnership does not hedge all of its interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portions to changes in market prices.

S- 39

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


The following tables present the fair values of the Partnership's derivative instruments on a gross basis as reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheets:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
Current
 
Long-term
 
Current
 
Long-term
Fair value of designated derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
4,811

 
$
7,601

 
$
7,767

 
$
18,335

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of undesignated derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
28,155

 
$

 
$
27,925

Total fair value
 
$
4,811

 
$
35,756

 
$
7,767

 
$
46,260

The following table summarizes the notional amounts of the Partnership's outstanding derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
 
Unit of measure
 
2017
 
2016
Designated derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
CAD
 
$
321,998

   
$
335,082

The following table presents losses on derivative contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, as well as, losses on other derivative contracts and amounts reclassified to earning for the following periods:
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
 
Description
 
2017
 
2016
2015
Income (losses) recognized in accumulated OCL
 
Effective portion
 
$
13,689

   
$
7,756

$
(6,077
)
Losses recognized in earnings on other derivative contracts
 
Effective portion
 
$
(230
)
 
$
(7,253
)
$
(3,354
)
Losses reclassified from accumulated OCL into interest expense
 
Derivative settlements
 
$
(7,568
)
 
$
(8,582
)
$
(8,320
)
No ineffectiveness was recorded on these swaps for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The Partnership estimates that $5,868 in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months.
9
Fair value measurement
The Partnership’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market, and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Non-performance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on current market inputs when available, such as credit default hedge spreads. When such information is not available, internal models are used.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

S- 40

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Short-term financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. Based on the nature and short maturity of these instruments their fair value is approximated using carrying cost and they are presented in the financial statements at carrying cost.
Long-term debt is presented on the balance sheets at amortized cost. The fair value of variable interest rate for long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost.
Derivatives are presented in the financial statements at fair value. The interest rate swaps were valued by discounting the net cash flows using the forward CDOR curve with the valuations adjusted by the Project’s credit default swap rate.
The Partnership’s financial assets (liabilities) which require fair value measurement on a recurring basis are classified within the fair value hierarchy as follows:
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
(40,568
)
 
$

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
(54,027
)
 
$

10
Commitments and contingencies
1)
Commitments
Land Lease Agreements
The Partnership has entered into various long-term land lease agreements. The annual fees range from minimum rent payments varying by lease to maximum rent payments of a certain percentage of energy delivered revenues, varying by lease.
Lease payments, including amortization of the lease option, of $1,719, $1,936 and $1,864 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
The future payments related to these leases as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
2018
 
$
1,877

2019
 
1,915

2020
 
1,953

2021
 
1,992

2022
 
2,031

Thereafter
 
30,402

Total
 
$
40,170

Service and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership has entered into service and maintenance agreements with Siemens to provide and carry out turbine maintenance and service activities for the Project until January 2021. Based on the terms of the agreements, Siemens shall be entitled to receive a daily base fee per turbine that may be subject to periodic price adjustments for inflation, over the terms of the agreements. As of December 31, 2017, outstanding commitments with Siemens were $4,180, including an estimated annual price adjustment for inflation of 2%, where applicable, payable over the full term of the agreement.
2)
Contingencies
Community Vibrancy Fund

S- 41

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


On September 26, 2011, the Partnership entered into a Community Vibrancy Fund (CVF) Agreement with the Corporation of Haldimand County, in which the Partnership will make annual payments into a fund managed by the municipality in amounts of $3.5 per MW of the Project installed capacity plus $5 per kilometer (km) of high voltage overhead transmission line that is installed in municipal right-of-way. The payments are calculated annually and are owed for the 20-year term of the PPA. In exchange for CVF payments, the municipality undertakes certain obligations to support the Project, including entering into a road use agreement in which the Project may utilize municipal right-of-ways for collection and transmission lines.
Turbine Availability Warranty
The Partnership has a turbine availability warranty from its turbine manufacturer. Pursuant to the warranty, if a turbine operates at less than minimum availability during the warranty period, the turbine manufacturer is obligated to pay, as liquidated damages, an amount for each percent that the turbine operates below the minimum availability threshold. In addition, if a turbine operates at more than a specified availability during the warranty period, the Partnership has an obligation to pay a bonus to the turbine manufacturer. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership recorded a liability of $436 associated with bonuses payable to the turbine manufacturer.

11
Related party transactions
The Partnership is controlled by the GP, which is jointly controlled by Samsung and Pattern in accordance with the terms of the Shareholder Agreement. Certain terms of the Samsung and Pattern Joint Venture Wind Development Agreement, entered into between Samsung and an affiliate of PRHC on July 27, 2010, directed the responsibilities of Samsung and PRHC for the Project.
The following transactions were carried out with related parties:
a)
Management, Operation, and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA)
Balance of Plant MOMA
On September 13, 2013, the Partnership entered into a MOMA with Pattern Operators Canada ULC, which is owned by PCOH to operate and manage the maintenance of the wind plant and to perform certain other services pertaining to the wind plant in accordance with terms and conditions set in the MOMA.
The amounts of $1,225, $1,206 and $1,187 were invoiced to the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Transmission Line MOMA (TL MOMA)
On September 13, 2013, the Partnership and Grand Renewable Solar LP entered into TL MOMA with Pattern Operators Canada ULC, which is 100% owned by an affiliate of Pattern, to operate and manage the maintenance of the transmission line and common assets of the substation and to perform certain other services pertaining to the wind plant in accordance with terms and conditions set in TL MOMA.
The amounts of $52, $52 and $57 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
b)
Engineering Procurement and Construction Contract (EPC contract)
Transmission Line EPC
On September 13, 2013, the Partnership entered into TL EPC contract with Grand Renewable Solar LP, and SRE GRW EPC LP, which is 100% owned by Samsung to build the transmission line, and $0 and $(1) were capitalized to property, plant and equipment on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

S- 42

Grand Renewable Wind LP
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


c)
Project Administration Agreement (PAA)
On September 13, 2013, the Partnership entered into PAA with SRE Wind PA LP (PA), which is 100% owned by Samsung to receive project administrative services.
$419, $412 and $406 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
d)
Transmission Facilities Co-ownership Agreement (TFCA)
On March 8, 2013, the Partnership entered into the TFCA with a planned 100 MW solar project developed by an affiliate of Samsung which provides for the co-ownership of the transmission line and substation of the Project. Under the co-ownership agreement, the Project and the solar project each contributed 50% of the construction and operating costs of the transmission line and substation and each received a 50% undivided interest in such shared facilities.
e)
The Partnership recorded the following balances with related parties:
 
 
2017
 
2016
Related party payable to Pattern Operators Canada ULC
 
$
276

 
$
290

Related party payable to SRE Wind PA LP
 
79

 
39

 
 
$
355

 
$
329

12
Subsequent events
The Partnership declared distributions to partners in the amount of $2,100 on February 14, 2018.


S- 43








SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Financial Statements
in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of
America (U.S. GAAP)

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and
for the year ended December 31, 2017
and for the period from October 18 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)



S- 44


SP Armow Wind Ontario LP

 
 
 
 
Contents
Page
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report
 
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Balance Sheet
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Statement of Changes in Partners’ Equity
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
 
 

S- 45





pwclogoa09.jpg


February 20, 2018

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Board of Directors of SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of SP Armow Wind Ontario LP (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, statement of changes in partners' equity, and statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and its results of operations and its cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
We have served as the Partnership's auditor since 2011.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 0B2
T: +1 416 863 1133, F: +1 416 365 8215, www.pwc.com/ca
“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.


S- 46



SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
10,685

 
$
21,856
Restricted cash (note 3)
 
10

 
 
814
Accrued revenue (note 2)
 
12,935

 
 
13,115
Other current assets
 
1,406

 
 
1,457
Total current assets
 
25,036

 
 
37,242
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted cash (note 3)
 
3,172

 
 
7,086
Property, plant and equipment - net of accumulated depreciation
of $45,627 and $23,724 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (note 4)
 
501,405

 
 
522,867
Other assets
 
872

 
 
923
Total assets
$
530,485

 
$
568,118
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
$
2,440

 
$
3,642
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities - related parties (note 10)
 
183

 
 
374
Current portion of long-term debt, net of financing costs of $1,338 and $1,381 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 5)
 
18,972

 
 
6,020
Contingent liabilities (note 9)
 
579

 
 
446
Derivative liabilities, current (note 7)
 
3,703

 
 
7,357
Other current liabilities
 
1,938

 
 
1,959
Total current liabilities
 
27,815

 
 
19,798
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of financing costs of $5,142 and $6,480 in 2017 and 2016, respectively (notes 2 and 5)
 
484,681

 
 
503,653
Derivative liabilities (note 7)
 
22,338

 
 
35,555
Asset retirement obligation (note 6)
 
5,274

 
 
5,023
Total liabilities
 
540,108

 
 
564,029
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (note 9)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Partners’ capital
 
(49,840)

 
 
13,567
Accumulated net income
 
66,258

 
 
33,434
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(26,041)

 
 
(42,912)
Total partners’ equity
 
(9,623
)
 
 
4,089
Total liabilities and equity
$
530,485

 
$
568,118
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

S- 47



SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

 
 
2017
 
 
2016
Revenue (note 2):
 
 
 
 
 
Energy delivered
$
55,718

 
$
16,498
Compensation for forgone energy
 
34,284

 
 
6,473
Other revenue
 
1,014

 
 
300
Total revenue
 
91,016

 
 
23,271
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Project expenses
 
9,633

 
 
2,040
Project expenses - related parties (note 10)
 
1,377

 
 
277
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
22,153

 
 
4,544
Total cost of revenue
 
33,163

 
 
6,861
Gross profit
 
57,853

 
 
16,410
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
 
1,147

 
 
237
General and administrative - related parties (note 10)
 
413

 
 
83
Total operating expenses
 
1,560

 
 
320
Operating income
 
56,293

 
 
16,090
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (note 5)
 
(22,838)

 
 
(4,898)
Other expense, net
 
(631)

 
 
(148)
Total other expense
 
(23,469)

 
 
(5,046)
Net income
 
32,824

 
 
11,044
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative activity (notes 7 and 8):
 
 
 
 
 
Effective portion of change in fair value of derivatives

 
9,191

 
 
17,064
Reclassifications to net income
 
7,680

 
 
2,154
   Total change in effective portion of change in
fair market value of derivatives
 
16,871

 
 
19,218
Comprehensive income
$
49,695

 
$
30,262

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 48


SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Statement of Changes in Partners’ Equity
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

 
 
 
Partners’
capital
 
 
Accumulated
net income
 
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
 
Total
Balance at October 18, 2016
 
$
25,020

 
$
22,390

 
$
(62,130)

 
$
(14,720)

Other comprehensive income
 
 

 
 

 
 
19,218

 
 
19,218

Net income
 
 

 
 
11,044

 
 

 
 
11,044

Cash distribution
 
 
(11,453)

 
 

 
 

 
 
(11,453)

Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
13,567

 
$
33,434

 
$
(42,912)

 
$
4,089

Other comprehensive income
 
 

 
 

 
 
16,871

 
 
16,871

Net income
 
 

 
 
32,824

 
 

 
 
32,824

Cash distribution
 
 
(63,407)

 
 

 
 

 
 
(63,407)

Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
(49,840
)
 
$
66,258

 
$
(26,041
)
 
$
(9,623
)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 49


SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

 
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,824

$
11,044

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
22,153

 
4,544

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,381

 
285

Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
 
 
 
 
Accrued revenue
 
181

 
(2,654)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
(487)

 
424

Other, net
 
81

 
(4,869)

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
56,133

 
8,774

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(441)

 
(326)

Net changes in sales taxes recoverable and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities related to investing activities
 
(773)

 
(851)

Decrease in restricted cash
 
4,835

 
458

Increase in restricted cash
 
(117)

 

Net cash used in investing activities
 
3,504

 
(719)

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Repayment of long-term debt
 
(7,401)

 

Distribution to partners
 
(63,407)

 
(11,453)

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(70,808)

 
(11,453)

 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(11,171)

 
(3,605)

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of the period
 
21,856

 
25,254

Cash and cash equivalents - End of the period
$
10,685

$
21,856

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental non-cash activities disclosure:
 
 
 
 
Effective portion of change in fair value of derivatives
$
(9,191
)
$

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash activities disclosure:
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for interest
$
21,478

$
7,482

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


S- 50

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


1
General information
The Partnership
SP Armow Wind Ontario LP (the Partnership), a limited partnership under the laws of the Province of Ontario, was formed on August 29, 2011 as a joint venture project between Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (Samsung) and Pattern Armow LP Holdings LP, a subsidiary of Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC (PRHC), each as 49.99% limited partners of the Partnership, and SP Armow Wind Ontario GP Inc. (the GP), as the 0.02% general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership was created to develop, build and operate a wind power project in Kincardine, Bruce County with generation capacity totaling approximately 180 megawatts (MW) of power (the Project).
On August 6, 2014, Samsung transferred all of its LP interest in the Partnership to SRE Armow LP Holdings LP, an affiliate of Samsung.
On October 17, 2016, Pattern Armow LP Holdings LP transferred all of its LP interest in the Partnership to Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern).
The Partnership is controlled by its general partner, the GP, also a joint venture controlled by affiliates of Samsung and Pattern. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership’s ownership interests were distributed as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
SRE Armow LP Holdings LP
 
49.99
%
 
49.99
%
Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC
 
49.99
%
 
49.99
%
SP Armow Wind Ontario GP Inc.
 
0.02
%
 
0.02
%
 
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
The Project
The Project is a 179 MW wind project consisting of 91 Siemens wind turbine generators located in Haldimand County, Ontario. On December 7, 2015 the Project achieved the Commercial Operation Date (“COD”) and commenced commercial operations.
The Partnership has a power purchase agreement ("PPA") with the Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) for a period of 20 years from the COD. The IESO oversees the wholesale electricity market, where the price of energy is determined. It also administers the rules that govern the market and, through an arm's-length market monitoring function, ensures that it is operated fairly and efficiently. The IESO is an agent among the market participants in Ontario and is neither exposed to, nor benefits from, any transactions. In such capacity, the IESO executes agreements to help the market meet the renewable energy mandates of the government of the Province of Ontario. There are approximately 70 electric distribution companies in Ontario, all of which have government mandates to purchase renewable energy. The PPA provides for guaranteed pricing from IESO that removes volatility caused by fluctuations in market rates. The Ontario government established the Global Adjustment (“GA”) which is designed to adjust consumer rates depending on the price of energy. The IESO establishes a monthly variable GA rate based on GA costs and Ontario electricity demand which effectively establishes a pass through mechanism to the consumer and eliminates the IESO's economic exposure to our contract price.

2
Summary of significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to the period presented, unless otherwise stated.



S- 51

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Basis of presentation
In accordance with Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, full financial statements of significant equity investments are required to be presented in the annual report of the investor. For purposes of S-X 3-09, the investee’s separate annual financial statements should only depict the period of the fiscal year in which it was accounted for by the equity method by the investor. On Oct 17, 2016, Pattern purchased its interest in the partnership. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the comparatives financial statements have been prepared for the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016 (stub period).
Basis of preparation
The accompanying financial statements are presented using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of U.S. GAAP financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Because the use of estimates is inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Partnership uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as accrued revenue, asset retirement obligation, valuation of derivative contracts and contingencies.
These financial statements do not include assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the GP and limited partners. The financial statements of the Partnership reflect no provision or liability for income taxes because profits and losses of the Partnership are allocated to the partners and are included in the income tax returns of partners. Income and losses for tax purposes may differ from the financial statement amounts and the partners’ equity reflected in the financial statements does not necessarily reflect their tax basis.
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of the Partnership are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Partnership operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Partnership’s functional and presentation currency.
Fair value of financial instruments
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied.
These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash consists of cash reserves required under the Partnership’s loan agreements and security deposits required to collateralize commercial bank letter of credit facilities related primarily to a power purchase agreement (PPA) and road use agreements (note 3).

S- 52

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Trade receivables
The Partnership’s trade receivables are generated by selling energy in Ontario, Canada through the IESO as a settlement agent. The allowance for doubtful accounts, if needed, is computed based upon management’s estimates of uncollectible accounts. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership has no outstanding trade receivables.
Accrued revenue
Accrued revenue represents revenues recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented to customers as of the balance sheet date. These amounts are billed and generally collected within two months.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Partnership places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with creditworthy institutions located in Canada, which management believes to have minimal risk. At times, such balances may be in excess of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insurance coverage limit. CDIC insurance currently covers up to $100 per depositor at each insured bank.
The Partnership’s derivative agreements expose the Partnership to losses under certain circumstances, such as the counterparty defaulting on its obligations under the swap agreements or if the swap agreements provide an imperfect hedge. Counterparties to the Partnership’s derivative contracts are major financial institutions that have been accorded investment grade ratings.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying value or recognized as separate assets, as appropriate, only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Partnership and the cost of the item can be reliably measured.
The asset retirement obligation included in property, plant and equipment is stated at the present value of future cash flows of asset retirement obligation at the time of COD.
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives. The power plant is depreciated over 25 years and the remaining assets are depreciated over 5 years. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Partnership periodically evaluates whether events have occurred that would require revision of the remaining useful life of equipment and improvements or render them not recoverable. If such circumstances arise, the Partnership uses an estimate of the undiscounted value of expected future operating cash flows to determine whether the long-lived assets are impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, the resulting impairment charge to be recorded is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the fair value of such assets, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Through December 31, 2017, no impairment charges were recorded.
Deferred financing costs
Financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining construction and term financing, which include direct financing, legal and other upfront costs of borrowing, are capitalized and recorded as a reduction to long-term debt and amortized over the lives of the respective loans using the effective-interest method. Amortization of deferred financing costs is capitalized during construction or expensed following COD.

S- 53

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Derivatives
The Partnership recognizes its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies and has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss (OCI or OCL). Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
For undesignated derivative instruments, their change in fair value is reported as a component of net income in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Partnership enters into derivative transactions for the purpose of managing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, such as interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are instruments used to fix the interest rate on variable interest rate debt.
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
Trade payables are an obligation to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Payables with payment terms extended beyond one year from the balance sheet dates are presented as non-current liabilities.
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are recognized when: the Partnership has a present legal obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership records an asset retirement obligation for the estimated costs of decommissioning turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring sites, at the time when a contractual decommissioning obligation materializes. The Partnership records accretion expense, which represents the increase in the asset retirement obligation, over the remaining life of the associated wind project. Accretion expense is recorded as cost of revenue in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) using accretion rates based on a credit adjusted risk free interest rate of 4.989%.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered or curtailed at rates specified under the contracts, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. When curtailment revenue is earned it is recorded as compensation for forgone revenue. The Partnership evaluates its PPA to determine whether it is in substance a lease or derivative and, if applicable, recognizes revenue pursuant to ASC 840 Leases and ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the PPA was not considered a lease or a derivative instrument, as multiple market participants purchase the energy at market-based prices with IESO working as a settlement agent. As a result, revenue (including any revenue from the price guaranteed by IESO), is recognized on an accrual basis.
The Partnership recognizes revenue for warranty settlements and liquidated damages from a turbine manufacturer in other revenue upon resolution of outstanding contingencies. Any cash receipts for amounts subject to future adjustment or repayment are deferred in other liabilities until the final settlement amount is considered fixed and determinable.
Cost of revenue
The Partnership’s cost of revenue is comprised of direct costs of operating and maintaining its project facilities, including labor, turbine service arrangements, metering service and shadow settlement, environmental fee, land lease royalties, property tax, insurance, depreciation, amortization and accretion.

S- 54

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying statements of changes in partners’ equity.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU 2017-05). ASU 2017-05 is meant to clarify the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method as outlined in the guidance and is effective at the same time as ASU 2014-09. Further, the Partnership is required to adopt this guidance at the same time that it adopts the guidance in ASU 2014-09 which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The Partnership has assessed the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-05 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Partnership is currently assessing the future impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures and expects to adopt these updates beginning January 1, 2018.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which creates FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 will not have material impact on the financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Partnership is currently in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Partnership is also assessing the future accounting impact of this update on its financial statements and related disclosures as it applies to its PPA, land lease arrangements and other lease arrangements. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts.


S- 55

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


3
Restricted cash
The following table presents the components of restricted cash:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017

 
 
2016
Completion reserve account
$
3,172

 
$
5,086
Security deposits for letters of guarantee
 
10

 
 
2,010
10% holdback account for contractors
 

 
 
804
Subtotal
 
3,182

 
 
7,900
Less: Current portion
 
(10)

 
 
(814)
Restricted cash, non-current
$
3,172

 
$
7,086
The amount completion reserve account is reserved to pay outstanding project costs specified during term conversion. Upon full payment of outstanding project costs, the remaining balance will be released from restricted cash.
The Partnership maintains term deposits that are restricted as security for the letters of guarantee. $5,400 was provided to the IESO as the security deposit under the PPA in 2014, and $69 was additionally provided to the IESO for electricity use in 2015. These amounts were released during 2016. The Partnership also provided $2,000 to the Municipality of Kincardine and $50 to the County of Bruce as the security deposits for road use in 2014. The security deposit of $50 was reduced to $10 in 2016.
The 10% holdback account relates to amounts withheld from payments to contractors in compliance with local regulations, which will be released to contractors when specific performance conditions are substantially met.

4
Property, plant and equipment
The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation, at:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
Power plant
$
542,095
 
$
541,654
Machinery and equipment
 
169
 
 
169
Asset retirement obligation – asset
 
4,768
 
 
4,768
Subtotal
 
547,032
 
 
546,591
Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(45,627)
 
 
(23,724)
 
$
501,405
 
$
522,867
Depreciation expense of $21,903 and $4,494 was charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and the stub period, respectively.
5
Long-term debt
Upon achievement of the COD in December 2015, the construction facility converted to term loan on May 20, 2016. The loan matures on May 20, 2023. In connection with the financing agreement, the Partnership entered into interest rate swaps on 90% of the loan commitment.
Collateral under the financing agreement consists of substantially all of the Partnership’s assets. The loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Partnership’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interest, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business. The Partnership is in compliance with all loan

S- 56

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


covenants. All of the limited and general partners and shareholders of general partners pledged shares of partnership units or common stock owned as collateral for the loan.
Terms and conditions of outstanding borrowings were as follows:
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate

 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
510,133
 
$
(6,480)
 
$
503,653
 
3.035
%
 
May 20, 2023
Less: current portion
 
 
(20,310)
 
 
1,338
 
 
(18,972)
 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
489,823
 
$
(5,142)
 
$
484,681
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Principal
 
Deferred
financing costs
 
Net of financing costs
 
Interest rate

 
Maturity date
Term loan
 
$
517,534
 
$
(7,861)
 
$
509,673
 
2.525
%
 
May 20, 2023
Less: current portion
 
 
(7,401)
 
 
1,381
 
 
(6,020)
 
 
 
 
Net of current
 
$
510,133
 
$
(6,480)
 
$
503,653
 
 
 
 
The following are the amounts due for long-term debt as of December 31, 2017:
2018
 
$
20,310
2019
 
 
23,352
2020
 
 
25,250
2021
 
 
26,514
2022
 
 
27,836
Thereafter
 
 
386,871
 
 
$
510,133
Interest and commitment fees incurred, and interest expense recorded in the Partnership’s statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
Interest incurred
$
21,457

$
4,613
Amortization of financing cost
 
1,381

 
285
Interest expense
$
22,838

$
4,898
Letter of credit facilities
On May 20, 2016, letters of credit of $30,000 and $11,000 were issued upon term conversion for a debt service reserve and operations and maintenance reserve, respectively, with a seven-year term. Funds, when and if drawn on the facility, accrue interest at 0.625% plus Prime Rate, and at the partners’ option, the rate can be converted to a rate of CDOR plus 1.625% per annum. In addition, the Partnership shall pay letter of credit fees on the basis of the undrawn amount of the facility at 1.625% per annum. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the letters of credit facility did not have an outstanding balance, and no amounts were drawn in 2017 and 2016. Letter of credit fees of $666 and $140 were charged to other expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the stub period, respectively.


S- 57

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


6
Asset retirement obligation
The Partnership’s asset retirement obligation represents the estimated cost of decommissioning the turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring the sites at a date that is 25 years from the commencement of commercial operations.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of the period
$
5,023
 
$
4,973
Accretion expense
 
251
 
 
50
Asset retirement obligation, end of the period
$
5,274
 
$
5,023
7
Derivatives
The Partnership uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon movement in market prices. The Partnership’s objectives for holding these derivative instruments include reducing, eliminating and efficiently managing the economic impact of interest rate exposures as effectively as possible. The Partnership does not hedge all of its interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portions to changes in market prices.
The following tables present the fair values of the Partnership's derivative instruments on a gross basis as reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheets:
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
Current
 
Long-term
 
Current
 
 
Long-term
Fair value of designated derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
3,703
 
$
22,338
 
$
7,357
 
$
35,555
Total fair value
 
$
3,703
 
$
22,338
 
$
7,357
 
$
35,555
The following table summarizes the notional amounts of the Partnership's outstanding derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Unit of measure
 
2017
 
2016
Designated derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
CAD
 
$
459,119
$
478,597
The following table presents losses on derivative contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the following periods:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Description
 
2017
 
2016
Gain recognized in accumulated OCI
 
Effective portion
 
$
16,871
$
19,218
Losses reclassified from accumulated OCL into interest expense
 
Derivative
settlements
 
$
(7,680)
$
(2,154)
No ineffectiveness was recorded on these swaps for the years ended December 31, 2017 and stub period. The Partnership estimates that $5,805 in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months.

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SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)


8
Fair value measurement
The Partnership’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market, and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Non-performance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on current market inputs when available, such as credit default swap spreads. When such information is not available, internal models are used.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements are categorized based on the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Short-term financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. Based on the nature and short maturity of these instruments their fair value is approximated using carrying cost and they are presented in the financial statements at carrying cost.
Long-term debt is presented on the balance sheets at amortized cost. The fair value of variable interest rate for long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost.
Derivatives are presented in the financial statements at fair value. The interest rate swaps were valued by discounting the net cash flows using the forward CDOR curve with the valuations adjusted by the counterparties’ credit default swap rate.
The following table presents the fair values according to each defined level.
Financial assets (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
Level 1

 
 
Level 2

 
 
Level 3

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
(26,041
)
 
$

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
(42,912)

 
$

9
Commitments and contingencies
1)
Commitments
Land lease agreements
The Partnership has entered into various long-term land lease agreements. The annual fees range from minimum rent payments to maximum rent payments of a certain percentage of energy delivered revenues, varying by lease.

S- 59

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Lease payments, including amortization of the lease option, of $1,735 and $369 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and the stub period, respectively.
The future payments related to these leases as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
2018
 
$
1,935
2019
 
 
2,051
2020
 
 
2,051
2021
 
 
2,054
2022
 
 
2,054
Thereafter
 
 
36,387
Total
 
$
46,532
Service and Maintenance Agreement
The Partnership has entered into service and maintenance agreements with Siemens to provide and carry out turbine maintenance and service activities for the Project until January 2019. Based on the terms of the agreements, Siemens shall be entitled to receive a daily base fee per turbine that may be subject to periodic price adjustments for inflation, over the terms of the agreements. As of December 31, 2017, outstanding commitments with Siemens were $5,611, including an estimated annual price adjustment for inflation of 2%, where applicable, payable over the full term of the agreement.
2)
Contingencies
Development Agreement
On May 21, 2014, the Partnership entered into a Development Agreement (DA) with the Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine, in which the Partnership committed to twenty annual contributions of $630 plus an initial contribution of $1,030. In exchange for DA payments, the municipality undertakes certain obligations to support the Project, including entering into a road use agreement.
Turbine Availability Warranty
The Partnership has a turbine availability warranty from its turbine manufacturer. Pursuant to the warranty, if a turbine operates at less than minimum availability during the warranty period, the turbine manufacturer is obligated to pay, as liquidated damages, an amount for each percent that the turbine operates below the minimum availability threshold. In addition, if a turbine operates at more than a specified availability during the warranty period, the Partnership has an obligation to pay a bonus to the turbine manufacturer. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership recorded a liability of $579 associated with bonuses payable to the turbine manufacturer.

10
Related party transactions
The Partnership is controlled by the GP, which is jointly controlled by Samsung and Pattern in accordance with the terms of the Shareholder Agreement. Certain terms of the Samsung Pattern Joint Venture Wind Development Agreement, entered into between Samsung and an affiliate of PRHC on July 27, 2010, directed the responsibilities of Samsung and PRHC for the Project.
The following transactions were carried out with related parties:
a)
Management, Operation, and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA)

S- 60

SP Armow Wind Ontario LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016

(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)

On October 24, 2014, the Partnership entered into a MOMA with Pattern Operators Canada ULC, which is owned by an affiliate of Pattern to operate and manage the maintenance of the wind plant and to perform certain other services pertaining to the wind plant in accordance with terms and conditions set forth in the MOMA.
$1,377 and $277 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and the stub period, respectively.
c)
Project Administration Agreement (PAA)
On October 24, 2014, the Partnership entered into the PAA with SRE Wind PA LP (PA), which is 100% owned by Samsung to supply project administrative services.
$413 and $83 were charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and the stub period, respectively.
d)
The Partnership recorded the following balances with related parties:
 
 
2017
 
2016
Related party payable to Pattern Operators Canada ULC
 
$
144

 
$
128
Related party payable to SRE Wind PA LP
 
 
39

 
 
38
Related party payable and accrued liabilities to SRE Armow EPC LP
 
 

 
 
208
 
 
$
183

 
$
374

S- 61









FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 (audited) and
for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (unaudited)
with Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
















k2logo.jpg


S- 62


K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Audited Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and
for the year ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (audited) and
for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (unaudited)
 



Contents
 
Page
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
 
Audited Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheets
 
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (Deficit)
 
Statements of Cash Flows
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 





S- 63


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Partners
K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership, which comprise the statements of financial position as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
February 28, 2018




S- 64


K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Balance Sheets
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
16,000

 
$
17,975

Trade receivables
21,344

 
25,091

Prepaid expenses
1,652

 
1,751

Other current assets
205

 
49

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $235 and $173 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
61

 
61

Total current assets
39,262

 
44,927

 
 
 
 
Restricted cash
8,061

 
8,081

Property, plant and equipment, net
785,897

 
820,929

Deferred financing costs
877

 
939

Total assets
$
834,097

 
$
874,876

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and partners' (deficit) capital
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
$
2,457

 
$
5,569

Accrued interest
3,128

 
3,277

Accrued construction costs
624

 
668

Related party payable
157

 
155

Derivative liabilities, current
7,915

 
13,339

Other current liabilities
287

 
289

Current portion of long-term debt, net
32,429

 
29,872

Total current liabilities
46,997

 
53,169

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net
710,276

 
742,704

Asset retirement obligation
5,278

 
5,004

Derivative liabilities
59,400

 
79,286

Total liabilities
821,951

 
880,163

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
 
 
 
Partners' capital (deficit):
 
 
 
Capital (deficit)
(49,086
)
 
10,933

Accumulated income (loss)
128,547

 
76,406

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(67,315
)
 
(92,626
)
Total partners' capital (deficit)
12,146

 
(5,287
)
Total liabilities and partners' capital (deficit)
$
834,097

 
$
874,876

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.


S- 65


K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2017
(Audited)
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
(Audited)
 
Period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Unaudited

Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity sales
$
87,012

 
$
99,525

 
$
69,125

Compensation for forgone energy
56,089

 
40,389

 
228

Total revenue
143,101

 
139,914

 
69,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Operations and maintenance
11,443

 
11,042

 
5,405

General and administrative
6,255

 
6,066

 
4,179

Depreciation and accretion
35,306

 
35,295

 
19,140

Total cost of revenue
53,004

 
52,403

 
28,724

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
90,097

 
87,511

 
40,629

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(38,043
)
 
(39,503
)
 
(13,469
)
Other income (expense), net
87

 
(1
)
 
84

Total other income (expense)
(37,956
)
 
(39,504
)
 
(13,385
)
Net income (loss)
52,141

 
48,007

 
27,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives
11,190

 
(15,597
)
 
(24,305
)
Reclassifications to net income (loss)
14,121

 
15,978

 
1,466

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
25,311

 
381

 
(22,839
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
77,452

 
$
48,388

 
$
4,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.


S- 66


K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (Deficit)
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contributed Surplus
 
Accumulated Income (Loss)
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balances at June 17, 2015 (unaudited)
$
130,783

 
$
1,155

 
$
(70,168
)
 
$
61,770

Distributions
(48,005
)
 

 

 
(48,005
)
Net income (loss)

 
27,244

 

 
27,244

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
$
(22,839
)
 
(22,839
)
Balances at January 1, 2016
$
82,778

 
$
28,399

 
$
(93,007
)
 
$
18,170

Distributions
(71,845
)
 

 

 
(71,845
)
Net income (loss)

 
48,007

 

 
48,007

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
381

 
381

Balances at December 31, 2016
10,933

 
76,406

 
(92,626
)
 
(5,287
)
Distributions
(60,019
)
 

 

 
(60,019
)
Net income (loss)

 
52,141

 

 
52,141

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
25,311

 
25,311

Balances at December 31, 2017
$
(49,086
)
 
$
128,547

 
$
(67,315
)
 
$
12,146

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.


S- 67


K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2017 (Audited)
 
Year ended December 31, 2016 (Audited)
 
Period from
June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
52,141

 
$
48,007

 
$
27,244

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and accretion
35,306

 
35,295

 
19,140

Amortization of financing costs
1,401

 
1,460

 
737

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Trade receivables
3,747

 
(5,717
)
 
(12,897
)
Prepaid expenses
99

 
(208
)
 
(167
)
Other current assets
(156
)
 
215

 
19,891

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
(3,110
)
 
2,337

 
5,434

Accrued interest
(149
)
 
(617
)
 
3,894

Other current liabilities
1

 
24

 
(3,736
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
89,280

 
80,796

 
59,540

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(44
)
 
(9,433
)
 
(81,043
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(44
)
 
(9,433
)
 
(81,043
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Payment for deferred financing costs

 
(62
)
 
(25
)
Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 
94,842

Capital distributions
(60,019
)
 
(71,845
)
 
(48,005
)
Repayment of long-term debt
(31,212
)
 
(32,581
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(91,231
)
 
(104,488
)
 
46,812

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
(1,995
)
 
(33,125
)
 
25,309

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning
26,056

 
59,181

 
33,872

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
$
(24,061
)
 
$
26,056

 
$
59,181

 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for interest expense, net of capitalized interest
$
36,790

 
$
38,780

 
$
1,125

 
 
 
 
 
 
Schedule of non-cash activities
 
 
 
 
 
Change in property, plant and equipment associated with accrued liabilities and capitalized interest

 
$
792

 
$
39,986

 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.
 
 


S- 68

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements


1. General information
Business
K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership (K2 Wind or the Company), a limited partnership under the laws of the Province of Ontario, was formed on July 27, 2011, as a joint venture project between Capital Power L.P., Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. (Samsung) and Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC (PRHC), each holding a 33.33% ownership interest as limited partners of the Company, and K2 Wind Ontario Inc. (the GP), holding a 0.01% ownership interest as general partner of the Company.
The GP is a corporation jointly owned among affiliates of Samsung, Pattern, and Capital Power. The Samsung affiliate originally owned a 50% GP interest and the Pattern and Capital Power affiliates each originally owned a 25% GP interest.
On June 17, 2015, Pattern K2 LP Holdings LP transferred all of its interests in K2 Wind to PRHC and PRHC subsequently transferred all of its interests in K2 Wind to Pattern Canada Finance Company ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern).
On March 15, 2016, Samsung transferred a portion of its GP interest so that each of the Samsung, Pattern and Capital Power affiliates then held equal 33.33% interests in the GP.
On July 7, 2016, CP K2 Holdings Inc.’s LP interest in K2 Wind, was transferred through an internal reorganization to Capital Power LP Holdings Inc., an entity wholly owned by Capital Power.
On August 5, 2016, Samsung sold its LP interest in K2 Wind to K2 Wind Co LP and its GP interest to K2 Wind Co GP Inc. K2 Wind Co LP and K2 Wind Co GP Inc. are owned by a consortium of Axium Infrastructure Canada II LP, ATRF INF (DB) LTD. and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.
The partners’ liability and losses for K2 Wind are limited to each limited partner’s capital contribution plus any unpaid capital contributions agreed to by the partners. The partners shall not be required to make additional capital contributions, or have any personal liability, in respect of the liabilities or the obligations of K2 Wind.
The Project
K2 Wind owns a 270 megawatt (MW) wind project consisting of 140 wind turbine generators located in the township of Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh in Ontario, Canada (the Project). The Project reached its commercial operation date (COD) on May 29, 2015.
The Company has a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for a period of 20 years from the COD. The IESO oversees the wholesale electricity market, where the price of energy is determined. It also administers the rules that govern the market and, through an arm's-length market monitoring function, ensures that it is operated fairly and efficiently. The IESO is an agent among the market participants in Ontario and is neither exposed to, nor benefits from, any transactions. In such capacity, the IESO executes agreements to help the market meet the renewable energy mandates of the government of the Province of Ontario. There are approximately 70 electric distribution companies in Ontario, all of which have government mandates to purchase renewable energy. The PPA provides for guaranteed pricing from IESO that removes volatility caused by fluctuations in market rates. The Ontario government established the Global Adjustment (GA) which is designed to adjust consumer rates depending on the price of energy. The IESO establishes a monthly variable GA rate based on GA costs and Ontario electricity demand which effectively establishes a pass through mechanism to the consumer and eliminates the IESO's economic exposure to our contract price.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented using United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of U.S. GAAP basis financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because the use of estimates is inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

S- 69

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

These financial statements do not include assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the GP and limited partners.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.
Functional and Presentation Currency
Items included in the financial statements of the Company are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates, the (functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash balances required to collateralize commercial bank letter of credit facilities related primarily to the PPA and for reserves required under the Company’s credit agreements. Non-current restricted cash includes $5.0 million and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of construction completion costs that were moved into a restricted cash account upon conversion of the construction loan to term loan.
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash as presented on the Statements of Cash Flows
Restricted cash consists of cash balances which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage and includes cash to collateralize bank letters of credit related primarily to interconnection rights, PPA and for certain reserves required under the Company's loan agreements. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows (in thousands):
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
16,000

 
$
17,975

$
38,711

Restricted cash - current
 

 

4,163

Restricted cash
 
8,061

 
8,081

16,307

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows
 
$
24,061

 
$
26,056

$
59,181

Trade Receivables
The Company’s trade receivables are generated by selling energy in Ontario, Canada through the IESO as a settlement agent. The Company believes that all amounts are collectible and an allowance for doubtful accounts is not required as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

S- 70

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

Property, Plant and Equipment
The Project is recorded at historical cost on the balance sheets. The Project is being depreciated using the straight-line method over its 25-year life beginning at the COD. Capitalized assets acquired in support of the plant operations are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset.
The remaining assets are depreciated over two to five years. Improvements to property, plant and equipment deemed to extend the useful economic life of an asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically evaluates long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate that impairment may exist, or the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable based on its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. An impairment loss is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the long-lived asset over the fair value of such long-lived asset, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015, no impairment losses were recorded in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining construction and term financing are deferred and amortized over the terms of the respective loans using the effective-interest method. Deferred financing costs are capitalized and recorded as an offset to the respective loans in the Company's balance sheets and are amortized to interest expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining letters of credit are recorded as a separate asset in the Company's balance sheets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the letters of credit to interest expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Derivatives and Risk Management
The Company may enter into interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, forwards and other agreements to manage its interest rate risk. The Company recognizes its derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in the balance sheets. The Company does not have contracts subject to master netting agreements with counterparties, as such assets and liabilities are presented gross on the balance sheets.
Accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship. For derivative instruments that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of change in fair value of the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) until the contract settles and the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of change in fair value is recorded as a component of net income (loss) on the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it has determined that a derivative contract no longer qualifies as an effective hedge or when it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, debt, derivatives and revenue. The Company places its cash and restricted cash with high-quality institutions. The Company’s derivative instruments are placed with counterparties that are credit worthy institutions.
Contingent Liabilities
Contingent liabilities are recognized when the Company has a present legal obligation as a result of past events for which it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Contingent liabilities are not recognized for future operating losses.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities are recognized when the Company has a present legal obligation as a result of past events for which it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

S- 71

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company records an asset retirement obligation (ARO) for the estimated costs of decommissioning turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring sites, at the time when a contractual decommissioning obligation is incurred. The ARO represents the present value of the expected costs and timing of the related decommissioning activities. The ARO asset and liability are recorded in property, plant and equipment and asset retirement obligation, respectively, on the accompanying balance sheets. The Company records accretion expense, which represents the increase in the asset retirement obligation, over the remaining or operational life of the Project. Accretion expense is recorded as operating costs in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) using an accretion rate based on a credit adjusted risk-free interest rate. Changes resulting from revisions to the timing or amount of the original estimate of cash flows are recognized as an increase or a decrease in the asset retirement cost, or income when the asset retirement cost is depleted.
Income Taxes
The financial statements of the Company reflect no provision or liability for income taxes because profits and losses of the Company are allocated to the partners and are included in the income tax returns of the partners.
Income and losses for tax purposes may differ from the financial statement amounts and the partners’ capital (deficit) reflected in the financial statements does not necessarily reflect their tax basis.
Revenue Recognition
The Company sells the electricity it generates through the IESO. Revenue is recognized based upon the amount of electricity delivered or curtailed at rates specified under the contracts, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Revenue earned from curtailment is recorded as compensation for forgone energy in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company evaluates its PPA to determine whether it is in substance a lease or derivative and, if applicable, recognizes revenue pursuant to ASC 840, Leases, and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the PPA was not considered a lease or a derivative instrument, as multiple market participants purchase the energy at market-based prices with IESO working as a settlement agent. As a result, revenue (including any revenue from the price guaranteed by IESO), is recognized on an accrual basis.
Cost of Revenue
The Company’s cost of revenue is comprised of direct costs of operating and maintaining its project facilities, including labor, turbine service arrangements, metering service and shadow settlement, environmental fee, land lease royalties, property tax, insurance, depreciation and accretion.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU 2017-05). ASU 2017-05 is meant to clarify the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method as outlined in the guidance and is effective at the same time as ASU 2014-09. Further, the Company is required to adopt this guidance at the same time that it adopts the guidance in ASU 2014-09 which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09). The adoption of ASU 2017-05 on January 1, 2018 did not have impact on Company's financial statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12), which amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The amendments are intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments -Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU

S- 72

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Partnership is currently in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Partnership has assigned internal resources in addition to the engagement of a third party service provider to assist in evaluation. The Partnership is also assessing the future accounting impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures as it applies to its PPAs, land leases, office leases and equipment leases. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts.
In the first quarter of 2018, the Company will adopt Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 will not have material impact on Company's financial statements.
3. Property, Plant and Equipment
The aggregate cost of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation were as follows (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Land
$
1,067

 
$
1,067

Operating wind farm
875,705

 
875,705

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
52

 
52

Subtotal
876,824

 
876,824

Accumulated depreciation
(90,927
)
 
(55,895
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
785,897

 
$
820,929

The Company recorded depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment of $35.0 million, $35.0 million and $19.0 million (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015, respectively.

4. Long-Term Debt
On November 20, 2015, the Company entered into a term loan in the amount of $818.0 million with an amortization period of 18 years, at a variable rate interest at Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) plus 1.75% per annum. The loan has a maturity date on November 20, 2022 due to prepayment requirements in the partnership’s credit agreement. In connection with the term loan, the Company entered into interest rate swaps on 90% of the loan commitment. The interest rate swaps are organized in two tranches with fixed effective interest rates of 3.11% and 4.45% for years 1-7 and years 8-18, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, $754.2 million was outstanding under the term loan including the current portion, and no amount was drawn on the letter of credit facilities.
Collateral under the financing agreement consists of substantially all of the Company’s assets. Its loan agreement contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Company’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease assets, transfer equity interest, dissolve, pay distributions and change its business. All the limited partners, general partners and shareholders of general partners pledged shares of partnership units or common stock owned as collateral for the loan. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

S- 73

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

Terms and conditions of outstanding borrowings were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
December 31,
 
Contractual Interest Rate
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
Maturity Date
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
Principal
 
$
754,207

 
$
785,419

 
3.16%
 
4.69%
 
November 2022
Unamortized financing costs
 
(11,502
)
 
(12,843
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion
 
(32,429
)
 
(29,872
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
 
$
710,276

 
$
742,704

 
 
 
 
 
 
The following are the amounts due under the Partnership’s term loan for the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
2018
 
 
33,714

2019
 
 
37,328

2020
 
 
39,338

2021
 
 
41,467

2022
 
 
41,660

Thereafter
 
 
560,700

Total long-term debt, including current maturities
 
 
$
754,207

Interest and commitment fees incurred and interest expense for long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
Year ended December 31,
 
Period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 
2017
 
2016
 
Interest and commitment fees incurred
$
35,583

 
$
36,984

 
$
12,405

Letter of credit fees incurred
1,059

 
1,059

 
327

Amortization of financing costs
1,401

 
1,460

 
737

Interest expense
$
38,043

 
$
39,503

 
$
13,469

The Company has two letter of credit facilities available in the amount of $60.5 million as set out in the Company’s credit agreement. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, no amounts had been drawn on these letters of credit.

5. Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company’s ARO represents the estimated cost of decommissioning the turbines, removing above-ground installations and restoring the sites at a date that is 25 years from the COD. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $5.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in ARO using a project specific credit adjusted risk free rate at COD of 5.46%.

S- 74

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amounts of the ARO for the following periods (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning asset retirement obligation
$
5,004

 
$
4,745

Accretion expense
274

 
259

Ending asset retirement obligation
$
5,278

 
$
5,004

6. Derivatives and Risk Management
The Company uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to fluctuation in interest rates. Interest rate risk exists primarily on variable-rate debt for which the cash flows vary based upon movement in interest rates. The Company’s objectives for holding these derivative instruments include reducing, eliminating and efficiently managing the economic impact of interest rate exposure as effectively as possible. The Company does not hedge of all of its interest rate risk, thereby exposing the unhedged portion to changes in market prices.
The following tables present the fair values of the Company's designated derivative instruments on a gross basis as reflected on the Company’s balance sheets (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Derivative Liabilities
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Current
 
Long-Term
Interest rate swaps
 
$
7,915

 
$
59,400

 
$
13,339

 
$
79,286

Total Fair Value
 
$
7,915

 
$
59,400

 
$
13,339

 
$
79,286

The following table summarizes the notional amounts of the Company's outstanding designated derivative instruments (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Unit of Measure
 
2017
 
2016
Interest rate swaps
 
CAD
 
$
678,786

 
$
706,877

The Company’s interest rate swaps have remaining maturities ranging from approximately 4.7 years to 15.4 years.
The following table presents gains and losses on derivative contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as well as, amounts reclassified to earning for the following periods (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
December 31,
Period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 
 
Description
 
2017
 
2016
Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated OCI
 
Effective portion
 
$
11,190

 
$
(15,597
)
$
(24,035
)
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
Derivative settlements
 
$
14,121

 
$
15,978

$
1,466

The Company estimates that $7.9 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months.
No ineffectiveness was recorded on these swaps for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17 to December 31, 2015. The changes in the fair value of these swaps are recognized into other comprehensive income (loss).
No margin cash collateral was received or recorded from the counterparty during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.


S- 75

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

7. Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market, and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Non-performance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on current market inputs when available, such as credit default hedge spreads. When such information is not available, internal models may be used.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the combined financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuations technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
The carrying value of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximates their fair value, based on the nature and short maturity of these instruments, and they are presented in the Company’s financial statements at carrying cost. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain other assets and liabilities were measured at fair value upon initial recognition and unless conditions give rise to an impairment, are not remeasured.
Long term debt is presented on the balance sheets at amortized cost. The fair value of variable interest rate long-term debt is approximated by its carrying cost, and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s financial assets and (liabilities) which require fair value measurement on a recurring basis are classified within the fair value hierarchy as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Units
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
67,315

 
$

Total Fair Value
 
$

 
$
67,315

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
92,625

 
$

Total Fair Value
 
$

 
$
92,625

 
$

Level 2 Inputs
Derivative instruments subject to re-measurement are presented in the financial statements at fair value. The Company's interest rate swaps were valued by discounting the net cash flows using the forward Canadian dollar offered rate curve with the valuations adjusted by the Company’s credit default hedge rate.


S- 76

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

8. Commitments, Contingencies and Warranties
Commitments
The Company has entered into various purchase, construction, as well as other commitments, land leases, and turbine operations and maintenance agreements. Detailed below are estimates of future commitments under these arrangements as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Purchase and other commitments
 
$
713

 
$
716

 
$
719

 
$
722

 
$
725

 
$
8,717

 
$
12,312

Land leases
 
2,944

 
2,955

 
2,956

 
2,957

 
2,958

 
64,004

 
78,774

Service and maintenance
 
5,046

 

 

 

 

 

 
5,046

Total Commitments
 
$
8,703

 
$
3,671

 
$
3,675

 
$
3,679

 
$
3,683

 
$
72,721

 
$
96,132

Purchase and other commitments
The Company has entered into various commitments with service providers related to the projects and operations of its business. Outstanding commitments include those related to construction, and commitments related to donations to local community and government organizations.
In March 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the local township in which the Company will make annual payments into a fund managed by the township in amounts of $2,600 per nameplate MW of the Project installed capacity. The payments are calculated annually and are owed for the 20-year term of the PPA. In exchange for payments, the township undertakes certain obligations to support the Project, including entering into a road use agreement in which the Project may utilize municipal right-of-ways for collection and transmission lines.
The Company has also made various public statements that payments will be made to local landowners, for which the Company will not receive any future benefits. The Company considers these statements to be cancellable and not legally binding; therefore the Company has not recognized a liability for these amounts, nor are the payments included in the table above. Payments under the statements are approximately $0.5 million per year, for the next 18 years.
Land leases
The Company has acquired leases for land where the wind farm will be located through the exercise of land options acquired from Capital Power and also executed new land lease agreements in 2014. The leases provide for the land interests necessary for the construction and operation of the project. The Company recorded $2.9 million, $2.7 million and $1.7 million (unaudited) of lease expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015, respectively.
Service and maintenance
The Company has entered into service and maintenance agreements with third party contractors to provide turbine operations and maintenance services and modifications and upgrades for a three year period beginning after the COD. The computation of outstanding commitments includes an estimated annual price adjustment for inflation of 2%, where applicable. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015, the Company recorded service and maintenance expense under these agreements of $7.3 million, $7.1 million and $3.8 million (unaudited), respectively, in project expense in the statements of operations.
Warranties and Guarantees
Turbine Operating Warranties and Service Guarantees
The Company entered in to a warranty agreement with Siemens for a two-year period from the commissioning of each turbine. Pursuant to the warranty, if the turbines operate at less than a specified percentage of availability during each consecutive thirty month period, Siemens is obligated to pay liquidated damages to the Company. In addition, the Company will pay Siemens a bonus if the availability of the turbines exceeds a certain specified availability percentage during the thirty-month period. As of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a liability of $0.3 million associated with bonuses to Siemens.

S- 77

K2 Wind Ontario Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements

Siemens
On March 8, 2013, an Operational Incentive Agreement was entered into among Samsung, an affiliate of PRHC and Siemens. The agreement defines operational objectives, the terms and conditions upon which the Company may make operational incentive payments to Siemens for achieving one or more of such operational objectives under the turbine supply agreements for joint development projects. Siemens earned an initial payment of $1.1 million, which was paid in 2013 for having satisfied the Peak Capacity Objective defined under the agreement. The Company did not record any liability related to the agreement as of December 31, 2017.
Legal Proceedings
Renewable Energy Approval
During the third quarter of 2015, rights to appeal prior decisions granting the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act for the Project were exhausted without further appeal. As a result, a stay of a previously filed civil suit against the Project pending final determination of the REA was lifted, allowing such suit to move forward if the claimants so chose to continue such suit. The Project has been awarded their legal fees in connection with the portion of the claim that was stricken, and has reached a settlement agreement under which the Project will waive entitlement to the legal fees and in return Plaintiff has agreed to full dismissal of all pending claims.

9. Related Party Transactions
The Company is controlled by the GP, which was jointly controlled by Pattern, Samsung, and Capital Power in accordance with the Unanimous Shareholder Agreement dated December 5, 2011. At December 31, 2017, the GP was jointly controlled by Pattern, Axium and Capital Power following Samsung's sale of interest in the Company.
The following transactions were carried out with the related parties:
Management, Operation, and Maintenance Agreement (MOMA)
On March 20, 2014, the Company entered into the MOMA with Pattern Operators Canada ULC (POC), which is owned by an affiliate of Pattern to operate and manage the maintenance of the wind plant and to perform certain other services pertaining to the wind plant in accordance with terms and conditions set in the MOMA.
The fixed annual fee for the service is $0.9 million pro-rated for the period from March 20, 2013 until the COD and thereafter the annual fee was increased to $1.4 million until expiry of the contract in 2035. Additionally, the Company recorded expense of $1.5 million, $1.4 million and $0.8 million (unaudited) to operations and maintenance expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in related party payable.
Project Administration Agreement (PAA)
On March 20, 2014, the Company entered into the PAA with POC, which is 100% owned by an affiliate to receive project administrative services. A fixed annual fee of $0.4 million is payable during the period between the COD until expiry of the PPA in 2035. The Company recorded expense of $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million to general and administrative expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and for the period from June 17, 2015 to December 31, 2015 respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not record any related party payable.

10. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events through February 27, 2018, which is the date these financial statements were available to be issued and noted that there were no subsequent events to disclose.


S- 78


pegilogo2.jpg
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
 
 
As of December 31, 2017 and for the period from
July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017
with Report of Independent Auditors
 
 pegilogo1.jpg
 
pegilogo3.jpg
 
 

S- 79



Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2017 and for the period from
July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017

Contents
 
Page
 
 
 
Report of Independent Auditors
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 


S- 80


Report of Independent Auditors

To the Partners,

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP. We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP at December 31, 2017, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
February 24, 2018


S- 81


Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
Assets
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
40,211

Restricted cash, current
 
2,451

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
6,893

Total current assets
 
49,555

 
 
 
Restricted cash
 
14,242

Related party receivable
 
17,248

Major equipment advances
 
50,495

Deferred development costs
 
17,825

Construction in progress
 
164,288

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
2,710

Unconsolidated investments
 
6,063

Other assets
 
12,170

Total assets
 
$
334,596

 
 
 
Liabilities and partners' capital
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
$
16,985

Related party payable, current
 
11,565

Current portion of long-term debt
 
101,920

Total current liabilities
 
130,470

 
 
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
843

Total liabilities
 
131,313

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
 
 
 
 
 
Partners' capital:
 
 
General partners
 

Limited partners
 
202,846

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
98

Total capital before noncontrolling interest
 
202,944

Noncontrolling interest
 
339

Total partners' capital
 
203,283

Total liabilities and partners' capital
 
$
334,596

 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


S- 82


Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017
Revenue:
 
 
Total revenue
 
$

 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
Development expense
 
18,065

General and administrative
 
2,722

Related party expenses
 
11,777

Total operating expenses
 
32,564

 
 
 
Operating loss
 
(32,564
)
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
Interest expense
 
(1,240
)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investments
 
(1,829
)
Other income, net
 
156

Total other expense
 
(2,913
)
 
 
 
Net loss
 
(35,477
)
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

Net loss attributable to controlling interest
 
$
(35,477
)
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


S- 83


Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017
Net loss
 
$
(35,477
)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
 
98

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
98

Comprehensive loss
 
(35,379
)
 
 
 
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

Comprehensive loss attributable to controlling interest
 
$
(35,379
)
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


S- 84


Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Partners
 
Limited Partners
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
 
Total
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total Partners' Capital
Balances at July 27, 2017
 
$

 
$
103,633

 
$

 
$
103,633

 
$
339

 
$
103,972

Contributions
 

 
229,956

 

 
229,956

 

 
229,956

Redemptions
 

 
(89,023
)
 

 
(89,023
)
 

 
(89,023
)
Distributions
 

 
(6,243
)
 

 
(6,243
)
 

 
(6,243
)
Net loss
 

 
(35,477
)
 

 
(35,477
)
 

 
(35,477
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 
98

 
98

 

 
98

Balances at December 31, 2017
 
$

 
$
202,846

 
$
98

 
$
202,944

 
$
339

 
$
203,283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


S- 85


Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(35,477
)
 
 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
 
 
operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation
 
80

Amortization of financing costs
 
547

Unrealized loss on exchange rate changes
 
129

Equity in losses in unconsolidated investments
 
1,829

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
(2,861
)
Related party receivable
 
47

Other assets
 
1,038

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
10,194

Related party payable
 
4,003

Long-term liabilities
 
581

Net cash used in operating activities
 
(19,890
)
 
 
 
Investing activities
 
 
Assets acquired in common control transactions
 
(13,833
)
Cash paid for asset acquisitions
 
(4,750
)
Capital expenditures
 
(55,064
)
Contribution to unconsolidated investments
 
(3,119
)
Other current and non-current assets
 
(38
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(76,804
)
 
 
 
Financing activities
 
 
Capital contributions
 
229,956

Redemptions
 
(89,023
)
Distributions in common control transactions
 
(6,243
)
Payment for financing costs
 
(712
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
133,978

 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
 
37

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
 
37,321

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period
 
19,583

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
 
$
56,904

 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



S- 86

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


1. Organization
On November 10, 2016, Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP ("PEG LP 2") and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "Pattern Development 2.0", "we", "our", or the "Partnership") were formed as a Delaware limited partnership with the purpose, through its subsidiaries, to acquire and develop early to mid-stage renewable energy generation and electrical transmission assets ("Project Entities").
On July 12, 2017, PEG LP 2’s General Partner executed the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP (“Capital and Redemption Agreement”) with R/C Wind II LP ("Riverstone"), Pattern Energy Group Holdings LP ("PEGH"), Management ("Existing LPs") and new investors, Riverstone Pattern Energy II Holdings LP (“Riverstone II”) and Pattern Energy Group, Inc. (“PEGI”). Per the terms of the Capital and Redemption Agreement, a capital call was approved by PEG LP 2’s Board of Directors. The Capital and Redemption Agreement became effective on July 27, 2017 when PEG LP 2 received $205.0 million from the capital call. The capital call funds were used to redeem approximately 49% of the Existing LPs’ investment including all of PEGH’s investment, purchase Project Entities, and provide working capital funds. On December 26, 2017, PEG LP 2's Board of Directors approved an additional capital call of $25.0 million.
Business
On the December 8, 2016, PEG LP 2 entered into a contribution agreement with PEGH. PEGH, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Pattern Energy Group LP (“Pattern Development 1.0”), contributed all of its equity interests in certain development subsidiaries of $25.6 million plus $82.5 million in cash to Pattern Development 2.0 in exchange for partnership interests in the Partnership (the “Contribution”).
In June 2017, Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 entered into three separate agreements to transfer additional equity interests to the Partnership. PEGH sold equity interests in development subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (the “Second Contribution”) to the Partnership for $20.0 million.
As a result of the transactions with PEGH, the Partnership’s purchase of Project Entities from third parties, and the Partnership’s formation of greenfield Project Entities, the Partnership has varying interests in approximately 46 Project Entities in various degrees of development, which constitutes a pipeline of approximately 7,000 MWs of electricity.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). They include the results of wholly-owned and partially-owned subsidiaries in which the Partnership has a controlling interest with all significant intercompany accounts and transactions eliminated.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PEG LP 2 and all other entities in which the Partnership has a controlling financial interest and those variable interest entities ("VIEs") where the Partnership is the primary beneficiary. Results of operations of acquired entities are included from the date of acquisition or the date the Partnership became the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of the Partnership’s net income (loss), net assets and comprehensive income (loss) that is not allocable to the Partnership and is calculated based on ownership percentage for certain Project Entities. The Partnership’s investments in which the Partnership exercises significant influence, but not a controlling interest, are accounted for using the equity method. When the Partnership holds a non-controlling interest in a Project Entity and does not exercise significant influence over the investment, the Partnership records the investment under the cost method.
Asset Acquisitions
When the Partnership acquires assets and liabilities that do not constitute a business, the fair value of the purchase consideration, including the transaction costs of the asset acquisition, is assumed to be equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired. The purchase consideration, including transaction costs, is allocated to the individual assets and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Contingent consideration associated with the acquisition is generally recognized when the contingency is resolved. No goodwill is recognized in an asset acquisition.

S- 87

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Variable Interest Entities
In the normal course of our business, we have 100% ownership interests in Project Entities that have been determined to be VIEs because the Project Entities lack sufficient equity to develop, construct, and operate the project. The Partnership is the primary beneficiary since we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to fund the development of the project. When a Project Entity begins construction and obtains construction financing, we generally determine that the Project Entity is no longer a VIE because the entity has sufficient equity to finance the construction without additional subordinated financial support. We also enter into joint venture agreements with third parties to develop and construct projects. We generally have a variable interest in these entities and an obligation to co-develop the project. Prior to construction financing these entities are usually VIEs, but we generally are not the primary beneficiary.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of fixed assets and recoverability of long-lived assets.
Fair Value Measurements
The Partnership’s fair value measurements incorporate various factors, including the credit standing and performance risk of the counterparties, the applicable exit market and specific risks inherent in the instrument. Nonperformance and credit risk adjustments on risk management instruments are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing and asset or liability, including estimates or risk. When such information is not available, internal models may be used. (Refer to Footnote 9. Fair Value Measurements).
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuations technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted cash consists of cash balances which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage and includes cash held in reserves required under the Partnership’s letter of credit ("LC") agreements.
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash as presented on the Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
40,211

 
Restricted cash - current
 
2,451

 
Restricted cash
 
14,242

 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows
 
$
56,904

 

S- 88

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Major Equipment Advances
Major equipment advances represent amounts advanced to suppliers for the manufacture of wind turbines and solar panels in accordance with component equipment supply agreements and for which the Partnership has not taken title. These advances are reclassified to construction in progress when the Partnership takes legal title of the equipment.
Deferred Development Costs and Construction in Progress
The Partnership expenses all project development costs until a project is determined to be technically feasible and likely to achieve commercial success. When the project is deemed feasible, project development costs are recorded as deferred developments costs. Deferred development costs represent the accumulated cost of initial permitting, environmental reviews, land rights and obligations, and preliminary design and engineering work.
Upon commencement of construction, all construction costs along with applicable previously deferred development costs are recorded as a component of construction in progress. Construction in progress represents the accumulation of project development costs and construction costs, including costs incurred for the purchase of major equipment, such as turbines and modules for which the Partnership has taken legal title, civil engineering, electrical, and other related costs. Construction in progress is reclassified to property, plant and equipment when the project achieves commercial operation.
As of December 31, 2017, construction in progress consists primarily of $161.8 million related to wind generation turbines purchased.
Capitalization of Other Costs
The Partnership capitalizes certain employee compensation and other indirect costs ("indirect costs") associated with development and construction projects. Indirect costs are capitalized based on time estimates spent on each project when the project is determined to be probable or technically feasible and likely to achieve commercial success.
The Partnership capitalizes interest and related financing fees related to the long-term debt used to finance projects in construction. Capitalization is discontinued when the project achieves commercial operation.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment represent land, computer software, and other equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the respective assets’ useful lives, varying between two to ten years. Land is not depreciated. Improvements to property, plant and equipment deemed to extend the useful economic life of an asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Partnership periodically evaluates long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate that impairment may exist, or the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable based on its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. An impairment loss is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the long-lived asset over the fair value of such long-lived asset, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
Income Taxes
The Partnership is organized as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. Federal and state income taxes are assessed at the owner level and each owner is liable for its own tax payments. The Partnership is subject to other state-based taxes. Certain entities are corporations or have elected to be taxed as corporations. In these circumstances, income tax is accounted for under the asset and liability method. The Partnership is subject to Canadian, Dutch, and Mexican income taxes based upon the tax laws and rates in effect in the countries in which operations are conducted.
The asset and liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Partnership recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Partnership considers all available

S- 89

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning and results of recent operations. If the Partnership determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The Partnership records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, it recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Partnership has a policy to classify interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions together with the related liability and the expenses incurred related to such accruals, if any, are included in the provision for income taxes.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, major equipment advances, and transmission security deposits. The Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents are with high quality institutions. The Partnership has exposure to credit risk to the extent cash and cash equivalent balances, including restricted cash, exceed amounts covered by federal deposit insurance. Exposure to credit risk for major equipment advances and transmission security deposits are limited by the amount of the deposit. Major equipment advances are with large creditworthy companies and transmission security deposits are held with public utilities. The Partnership believes that its credit risk is immaterial.
As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership paid $7.3 million in transmission security deposits to public utilities companies in southwest U.S. and $50.5 million in major equipment advances to a major turbine supplier.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars (“USD”) at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense amounts are translated at average rates during the period, with the resulting foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated statements of changes in partners’ capital and comprehensive income (loss). Where the USD is the functional currency, re-measurement adjustments are recorded in other (expense) income, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-10, Development Stage Entities ("ASU 2014-10"), which eliminated the definition of a development stage entity and the financial reporting requirements specific to development state entities. The amendments changed the method that previously existed in ASC 810 for determining whether a development stage entity had sufficient equity at risk and therefore was a VIE. ASU 2014-10 is effective for non-public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”) to modify the analysis that companies must perform in order to determine whether a legal entity should be consolidated. ASU 2015-02 simplifies current guidance by reducing the number of consolidation models; eliminating the risk that a reporting entity may have to consolidate based on a fee arrangement with another legal entity; placing more weight on the risk of loss in order to identify the party that has a controlling financial interest; reducing the number of instances that related party guidance needs to be applied when determining the party that has a controlling financial interest; and changing rules for companies in certain industries that ordinarily employ limited partnership or VIE structures.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810) - Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control (“ASU 2016-17”). The ASU changes how a single decision maker considers its indirect interests when performing the primary beneficiary analysis under the VIE model. For non-public companies, this guidance (as well as that in ASU 2015-02) is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods after December 15, 2017.
The Partnership adopted ASU 2014-10, 2015-02, and 2016-17 as of January 1, 2017. Due to the change in methodology for determining whether a development stage entity has sufficient equity at risk, substantially all of the Partnership’s development stage Project Entities became VIEs as of January 1, 2017. The change of status to VIE will not have any impact to the financial statements, other than disclosures, since all of the Project Entities were previously consolidated under the voting interest model and the primary beneficiaries and Project Entities in each case are under common control; therefore, there’s no change to the reporting manner or accounting basis for the Project Entities.

S- 90

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Recently Issued Accounting Standards not yet Adopted
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets ("ASU 2017-05"). ASU 2017-05 is meant to clarify the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method as outlined in the guidance and is effective at the same time as ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts from Customers, which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and supersedes ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASU 2014-09"). Further, the Partnership is required to adopt this guidance at the same time that it adopts the guidance in ASU 2014-09. The Partnership is currently assessing the future impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business ("ASU 2017-01"), which provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application of this ASU is allowed for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of this amendment, only if the transaction has not been reported in previously issued financial statements. Early application of this ASU is also permitted for transactions in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only if the transaction has not been reported in previously issued financial statements. The amendments should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date and no disclosures are required at transition. The Partnership is currently assessing the future impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets including trade receivables held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases ("ASU 2016-02"), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date of each lease. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments of this update should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Partnership is in the initial stages of evaluating the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Partnership is also assessing the accounting impact of the ASU 2016-02 as it applies to its power purchase agreements ("PPAs"), land leases, office leases and equipment leases. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to review other types of contracts.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). The new standard replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the new standard requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies how to apply the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations related to the sale of goods or services to a customer as updated by ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas, as updated by ASU 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which makes narrow scope amendments to Topic 606 including implementation issues on collectability, non-cash consideration and completed contracts at transition. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which make additional narrow scope amendments to Topic 606 including loan guarantee fees, impairment testing of contract costs, provisions for losses on construction-type and production-type contracts.

S- 91

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


The new standard permits adoption by either using (i) the full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Partnership plans to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2019.
The Partnership currently plans to adopt using the modified retrospective approach. However, a final decision regarding the adoption method has not been finalized at this time. The Partnership's final determination will depend on a number of factors, such as the significance of the impact of the new standard on its financial results and its ability to analyze the information necessary to assess the impact on its prior period consolidated financial statements, as necessary.
The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact of the new standards on its accounting policies, processes and system requirements. The Partnership has assigned internal resources in addition to the engagement of a third party service provider to assist in evaluation. The Partnership is also assessing the accounting impact of the new standard as it applies certain elements of its revenue arrangements such as contracts that contain the sale of electricity and related renewable energy credits, contracts that contain volume variability, and contracts that contain modification clauses. As the Partnership progresses further in its analysis, the scope of this assessment could be expanded to include other contract elements that could have an accounting impact under the new standard.
The Partnership continues to assess the potential impacts of the new standard and cannot reasonably estimate quantitative information related to the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements at this time.

3. Asset Acquisitions

The Partnership enters into agreements to purchase renewable energy assets to increase the Partnership’s portfolio of Project Entities. The purchase agreements usually require an initial payment and contingent payments based on the project reaching certain milestones. For the period July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the Partnership paid $4.8 million in initial and milestone payments included in deferred development costs.


S- 92

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


4. Property, Plant and Equipment
The following table presents the categories within property, plant and equipment, and accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
Depreciable Life (Years)
 
2017
 
Development equipment
$
2,434

 
2-10
Computer software
12

 
3-5
Land
1,320

 
 
 
3,766

 
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
(1,056
)
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
2,710

 
 
The Partnership recorded depreciation expense in the consolidated statement of operations related to property, plant and equipment of $80 thousand for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

5. Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
We have Project Entities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, in the development stage where the Partnership has 100% of the ownership interests, the entities are VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary.
As a result of the Contribution and the Second Contribution, the Partnership became the direct and indirect parent of five Project Entity structures that are subject to a profit-sharing arrangement under an X/Y share structure. The X shares have 100% of the voting interests and will receive 10% of the distributions after the Partnership has been returned all of its invested capital. The Y shares are non-voting and have no obligations to fund capital into the projects. The Project Entities are in the development stage, are VIEs and the Partnership has been determined to be the primary beneficiary.
The following presents the carrying amounts of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands). Assets presented below are restricted for settlement of the consolidated VIEs’ obligations and all liabilities presented below can only be settled using the VIE’s resources.

S- 93

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
Assets
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
5,616

Restricted cash
 
2,451

Other current assets
 
6,199

Total current assets
 
14,266

 
 
 
Related party receivable
 
17,248

Deferred development costs
 
16,395

Construction in progress
 
164,288

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
1,364

Unconsolidated investments
 

Other assets
 
9,057

Total assets
 
$
222,618

 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
 
$
16,174

Related party payable, current
 
628

Current portion of long-term debt
 
101,920

Total current liabilities
 
118,722

 
 
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
843

Total liabilities
 
$
119,565

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Partnership has variable interests through its equity interest in joint ventures projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Project Entities are VIEs, but the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary; therefore, the Project Entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting (Refer to Footnote 6. Unconsolidated Investments).
As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss is estimated at $6.1 million, which represents the carrying value of the investments in unconsolidated VIEs. The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss that the Partnership could be required to recognize assuming all the investees’ assets are worthless, without consideration of the probability of a loss or of any actions the Partnership may take to mitigate any such loss.

6. Unconsolidated Investments
The unconsolidated investments of $6.1 million comprise of seven investments with ownership percentages varying from 29.0% to 51.0%.
As a result of the Second Contribution, the Partnership has guaranteed 49.0% of the future contingent payments for a project under an asset purchase agreement. The guaranty is a guarantee of payment, not of collection or performance. The guarantee will terminate if the Partnership abandons the project or pays all contingent payment obligations up to the aggregate maximum recovery amount of $7.4 million.


S- 94

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


7. Other Assets
The following table presents the major components of other long-term assets as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
Deposits
 
$
9,642

Other long-term assets
 
2,528

Other assets
 
$
12,170


8. Long-Term Debt
The following table presents long-term debt as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Loan Balance
 
Contractual Interest Rate
 
Maturity
Loan Facility
 
$
103,443

 
LIBOR plus 3.25%
 
June 2018
Less: deferred financing costs
 
(1,523
)
 
 
 
 
Total debt
 
101,920

 
 
 
 
Less: current portion of long-term debt
 
(101,920
)
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net
 
$

 
 
 
 
On December 22, 2016, the Partnership entered into a financing agreement with two lenders for an equipment loan ("Loan Facility") of $68.4 million that has a maturity date of June 28, 2018. On April 28, 2017, a third lender was added to the financing agreement and that lender provided an additional $35.0 million. The Loan Facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%. The financing provides for a LC facility of $44.2 million to satisfy security requirements under a transmission services agreement ("TSA") with the public utilities companies in southwest U.S.
Collateral for the Loan Facility includes a secured interest in a Project Entity's tangible assets, contractual rights and cash on deposit with the depository agent. The Loan Facility contains a broad range of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Project Entity’s ability to incur debt, grant liens, sell or lease certain assets, transfer equity interests, dissolve, make distributions, or change their business.
As of the date of these financial statements, no events or conditions which constitutes an event of default in relation to these covenants existed.
For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the Partnership incurred interest and amortized financing costs of $3.4 million, which was capitalized to construction in progress in the consolidated balance sheet and commitment fees related to letters of $1.2 million, which was recorded in interest expense.

9. Fair Value Measurements
The carrying value of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximates their fair value based on the nature of their short maturity, and these instruments are presented in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements at carrying cost. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying value of debt is presented on the consolidated balance sheet, net of financing costs, discounts and premiums, which approximates the fair value of the variable interest rate debt. These debt fair values are Level 3 measurements because they are estimated based on the Partnership's incremental borrowing rates. (Refer to Footnote 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies).
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

S- 95

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.
The Partnership periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or circumstances warrant such a review. Fair value is determined primarily using anticipated cash flows assumed by a market participant discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. These assets would generally be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

10. Income Taxes
The Partnership did not record any current or deferred tax expenses for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017. The following table presents the principal components of the Partnership’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2017
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities):
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
$
905

Other
142

Property, plant and equipment
543

Capitalized start-up costs
75

Investment in partnerships
(9
)
Total gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
1,656

Less: valuation allowance
(1,656
)
Total net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
$

The deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulted primarily from temporary differences between book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Partnership regularly assesses the likelihood that future taxable income levels will be sufficient to ultimately realize the tax benefits of the deferred tax assets. Should the Partnership determine that future realization of the tax benefits is more likely than not, an adjustment would be made to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for the income taxes in the period of such determination.
As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership has net operating loss carryforwards in the amount of $3.3 million, which will begin to expire commencing in 2029 for U.S., Canada, and Mexico tax purposes.
The Partnership is required to recognize in the financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership does not have any unrecognizable tax benefits and does not have any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within 12 months of the year ended December 31, 2017. The Partnership files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions. The Partnership's U.S. and foreign income tax returns for 2013 and forward are subject to examination.
The Partnership has a policy to classify accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions together with the related liability, and the expenses incurred related to such accruals are included in the provision for income taxes. The Partnership did not incur any interest expense or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2017.

11. Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, the Partnership becomes involved in claims and legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Management is not currently aware of any matters that will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations or cash flows of the Partnership.

S- 96

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Commitments
The Partnership entered into various commitments with service providers related to the Partnership’s Project Entities and operations of its business. Outstanding commitments with these vendors were $12.8 million as of December 31, 2017.
The following table summarizes estimates of future commitments related to the various agreements that the Partnership has entered into (in thousands):
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Purchase agreements
 
$
149,396

 
$
11,266

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
160,662

Operating leases
 
3,702

 
3,795

 
3,819

 
1,391

 
1,479

 
6,123

 
20,309

Total Commitments
 
$
153,098

 
$
15,061

 
$
3,819

 
$
1,391

 
$
1,479

 
$
6,123

 
$
180,971

Purchase Agreements
On September 29, 2017, the Partnership entered into a turbine agreement with a major turbine producer to purchase wind turbines for $160.7 million. The payments and delivery of turbines are scheduled to begin in 2018.
Operating Leases
Rent expense recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as general and administrative expense was $2.1 million for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
The Partnership entered into various long-term land leases and other land agreements for various projects in development. The leases have various terms based on the project's stage of development and most of the leases are cancelable if we do not proceed with construction or reach commercial operation. Some leases contain provisions that require us to purchase the property or part of the property if we reach commercial operation. Many of the leases have damage clauses that require us to pay for damages caused during our development activities. The leases include both fixed minimum and contingent rent based on us reaching development milestones and upon reaching commercial operation. If the project reaches commercial operation the contingent rent portion of the land leases will generally be based on total megawatts of electricity produced and delivered to the grid. Contingent rental payments are generally recognized as rent expenses as incurred.
Contingencies
Unrecorded Contingent Consideration
Unrecorded contingent consideration exists in our acquisition of Project Entities which are asset acquisitions. The nature of the contingencies may vary by contract but generally these contingent payments become due and payable upon (i) signing of a PPA, (ii) closing construction financing or (iii) the commercial operations date. In addition to achieving these milestones, the contingent consideration liabilities may also be subject to purchase price adjustments, such as the final amount of the PPA price, the name plate capacity or annual energy production level of the project. The amount of unrecorded contingent consideration is estimated to be $54.5 million at December 31, 2017.
The Partnership entered into agreements with law firms to engage them as counsel in connection with the development of one or more transmission expansion projects. Pursuant to the agreements, certain billings are only due if ground-breaking and construction financing occurs. As of December 31, 2017, we have not accrued any future payments under these agreements.
Letters of Credits
During development activities, the Partnership routinely enters into long term agreements, many of which require security deposits to guarantee our performance under the agreements. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership has obtained letters of credit to provide security for four PPAs totaling $14.5 million and three interconnection agreements totaling $17.1 million. These letters of credit are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 as $14.2 million and $17.2 million in restricted cash and related party receivable, respectively. The LCs are generally released when the project begins commercial operations.
The Partnership entered into long term TSAs in order to be able to schedule the generator's energy to specific locations on the transmission providers' system. The various TSAs terminate from 2018 to 2048. To ensure its performance under the terms of the TSA, the Partnership obtained an LC facility of $44.2 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership has not drawn on this LC facility.

S- 97

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017



12. Related Party Transactions
Multilateral Service Agreement
The Partnership entered into a Multilateral Management Services Agreement ("MSA") with PEGH and PEGI, collectively, the Pattern Companies, which provides for the Partnership and the Pattern Companies to benefit, primarily on a cost-reimbursement basis, plus a 5.0% fee on certain direct costs, from the parties' respective management and other professional, technical and administrative personnel. Pursuant to the MSA, certain of PEGI’s executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer and executive officers of PEGH ("shared Pattern executives"), also serve as executive officers of the Partnership and devote their time to the Partnership and the other Pattern Companies as is prudent in carrying out their executive responsibilities and fiduciary duties. The shared Pattern executives have responsibilities for the Partnership, PEGI and PEGH and, as a result, these individuals do not devote all of their time to the Partnership’s business. Under the terms of the MSA, the Partnership is required to reimburse the Pattern Companies for an allocation of the compensation paid to such shared Pattern executives reflecting the percentage of time spent providing services to the Partnership.
Furthermore, since the Partnership has no employees, the MSA costs are allocated from PEGI and PEGH to the Partnership and not vice versa. The MSA costs are included in related party general and administrative expenses, as applicable on the consolidated statement of operations. The MSA was further amended and restated in June 2017.
Other Arrangements with Pattern Companies
The Partnership entered into a purchase rights agreement that provides PEGI the right of first offer with respect to any power project that the Partnership decides to sell as well as a right of first offer with respect to Pattern Development 2.0 itself.
Pattern Development 2.0 was formed as a result of Project Entities contributed by Pattern Development 1.0 for an amount of $25.6 million as well as cash in the amount of $82.5 million. In June 2017, Pattern Development 1.0 and Pattern Development 2.0 entered into the Second Contribution to transfer additional Project Entities to the Partnership for $23.5 million. Five of the Project Entities contributed to the Partnership have an X/Y equity structure. The structure is designed to provide residual returns of PEGH. (Refer to Footnote 5. Variable Interest Entities).
From January 1, 2017 through April 27, 2017, PEGH contributed $13 million in exchange for partnership interest in the Partnership. On July 12, 2017, PEG LP 2’s General Partner executed the Capital and Redemption Agreement with Existing LPs and new investors, Riverstone II and PEGI.
Per the terms of the Capital and Redemption Agreement, a Capital Call was approved by PEG LP 2’s Board of Directors on July 12, 2017. The capital call funds were used to redeem all of PEGH’s investment in the Partnership. PEGI contributed $60.0 million giving PEGI approximately 20% equity ownership in the Partnership. On December 26, 2017, PEGI contributed an additional $7.3 million increasing PEGI's equity ownership to approximately 21%.
The Partnership funded LC deposits to guarantee the PPA performance of Grady Wind Energy Center, LLC ("Grady") and interconnection security deposits for other development projects. As of December 31, 2017, the Partnership has $17.2 million recorded in its consolidated balance sheet as a related party receivable related to these LC deposits. The deposits are held by Pattern Development 1.0 as restricted cash. The LC deposits will be released when the respective projects become operational, which is projected in 2019.
Services Agreements
As a result of the Contribution, the Partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Grady, has a TSA with Western Interconnect LLC ("WI") (a subsidiary of PEGI), which enables Grady to connect to the grid once the windfarm is operational. Currently, Grady has not yet commenced construction, and no payments are due under these agreements. Grady has only provided a deposit to WI for the amount of $0.5 million, which is recorded as related party receivable.
Grady has a one-third undivided interest in common facilities shared with Broadview KW and Broadview JN (subsidiaries of PEGI), and collectively the three projects are parties to a common facilities operations and maintenance agreement with a subsidiary of PEGI, Pattern Operators LP. As a result of the undivided interest in the common shared facilities, in 2016, Grady recorded a $2.4 million deemed distribution related to the construction of the shared facility with Broadview JN. No other amounts are due or payable under the common facilities operations and maintenance agreement as Grady is still in early development and not yet operational.

S- 98

Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


The following table presents amounts receivable from related parties as included in the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
Related party receivable:
 
 
Amounts due from Pattern Development 1. 0
 
$
16,789

Amounts due from PEGI
 
459

Total related party receivable
 
$
17,248

The following table presents amounts payable from related parties recognized under the MSA as included in the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
Related party payable:
 
 
Amounts due to Pattern Development 1.0
 
$
9,468

Amounts due to PEGI
 
2,097

Total related party payable
 
$
11,565

The table below presents expenses recognized for management services under the MSA, as included in the consolidated statement of operations for the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Total
Related party expense from Pattern Development 1.0
 
$
10,094

Related party expense from PEGI
 
1,683

Total related party expenses
 
$
11,777


13. Partnership Capital
Class A and Class B Units
The Capital and Redemption Agreement effective July 27, 2017, authorized PEG LP 2 to issue Class A units to the Class A limited partners (the “Class A Partners”) and Class B units to the Class B limited partners (the “Class B Partners”).
PEG LP 2 is authorized to issue additional Class A units at $1.00 per share and admit additional Class A Partners with certain approvals and conditions as indicated in the Capital and Redemption Agreement. For the period from July 27, 2017 through December 31, 2017,
PEG LP 2 received capital contributions of $230.0 million from the Class A Partners. Additionally, during 2017 the Partnership redeemed $89.0 million to Class A Partners.
PEG LP 2 is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 Class B units, of which six Class B-1 units were issued on December 8, 2016, and 752,494 Class B-2 units were issued on June 16, 2017. A total of 752,500 Class B units have been issued to Class B Partners.
Distributions and Allocations
Class A Partners are entitled to receive a Class A Preference Amount, which is equal to an annual pre-tax return of 8.0% compounded quarterly on all unreturned capital contributions.

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Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017


Class A units are senior to the Class B units with respect to distributions. Upon sale or liquidation of the Partnership, distributions would occur in the following order:
First, 100% to the Class A Partners in proportion to their unreturned capital contributions until unreturned capital contributions have been reduced to zero;
Second, 100% to the Class A Partners in proportion to their unpaid preference amounts until unpaid preference amounts have been reduced to zero;
Third, 50% to the Class A Partners in proportion to their respective Class A Unit Sharing Percentages and 50% to the Class B Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Class B Unit Sharing Percentages, until the Class B Payout occurs; and
Thereafter, 85% to the Class A Partners and 15% to the Class B Partners.
Board of Directors and Voting Rights
The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five Directors: (a) three of whom shall be appointed by Riverstone II (“Riverstone Delegates”), and (b) two of whom shall be appointed by the Class B Majority (“Class B Delegates”). Each Director shall have one vote; however, Riverstone Delegates may cast more than one vote in certain circumstances to always give the Riverstone Delegates three votes.

14. Subsequent Event
The Partnership has evaluated subsequent events through February 24, 2018, which is the date these consolidated financial statements were available to be issued, and noted the following subsequent event.On February 12, 2018, the Partnership executed four Purchase and Sale Development Service Agreements ("Purchase Agreements") to purchase assets related to four solar farm projects. The total initial payment under the Purchase Agreements was $200 thousand with additional future contingent payments of approximately $8.0 million due to the seller based upon the projects achieving certain milestones.

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Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary

None.

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