Pattern Energy Group Inc. (NASDAQ/TSX: PEGI) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which CPPIB will acquire Pattern Energy in an all-cash transaction for $26.75 per share, implying an enterprise value of approximately $6.1 billion, including net debt.
Concurrently CPPIB and Riverstone Holdings LLC have concurrently entered into an agreement pursuant to which, at or following the completion of the proposed acquisition of Pattern Energy Group by CPPIB, CPPIB and Riverstone will combine Pattern Energy Group and Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP under common ownership, bringing together the operating assets of Pattern Energy with the world class development projects and capabilities of Pattern Development. Financial terms of the combination were not disclosed.
The Pattern Energy management team, led by Mike Garland, will lead the combined enterprise.
Pattern Energy Group Inc. is an independent power company with a portfolio of 28 renewable energy projects with an operating capacity of 4.4 GW in the United States, Canada and Japan.
Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP is a leader in developing renewable energy and transmission assets. With a long history in wind energy, Pattern Development has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 4,000 MW of wind and solar power projects.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) owns approximately 9.5% of Pattern Energy Group outstanding shares.
photo credit: Pattern Energy Group
News Release
Pattern Energy Enters Agreement to be Acquired by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Pattern Energy Shareholders to Receive $26.75 per Share in Cash;
Transaction Enterprise Value of Approximately $6.1 Billion
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Riverstone Holdings to Combine Pattern Energy and Pattern Development into an Integrated Renewable Energy Company
Transaction Expected to Close by the Second Quarter of 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, TORONTO, ON, and NEW YORK – November 04, 2019 – Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Nasdaq and TSX: PEGI) (“Pattern Energy” or “the Company”) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which CPPIB will acquire Pattern Energy in an all-cash transaction for $26.75 per share, implying an enterprise value of approximately $6.1 billion, including net debt.
CPPIB and Riverstone Holdings LLC (“Riverstone”) have concurrently entered into an agreement pursuant to which, at or following the completion of the proposed acquisition of Pattern Energy by CPPIB, CPPIB and Riverstone will combine Pattern Energy and Pattern Energy Group Holdings 2 LP (“Pattern Development”) under common ownership, bringing together the operating assets of Pattern Energy with the world class development projects and capabilities of Pattern Development.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Pattern Energy shareholders will receive $26.75 in cash consideration for each share of Pattern Energy, representing a premium of approximately 14.8% to Pattern Energy’s closing share price on August 9, 2019, the last trading day prior to market rumors regarding a potential acquisition of the Company. The consideration also represents a 15.1% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average price prior to that date.
The Pattern Energy management team, led by Mike Garland, will lead the combined enterprise.
“This agreement with CPPIB and Riverstone provides certain and significant value for Pattern Energy shareholders with an all cash transaction at a very attractive stock price,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. “Over the years, Pattern Energy has been able to provide shareholders with a consistent dividend and now our shareholders can realize the value embedded in the Company. We believe the proposed transaction reflects the strength of the platform we have built.”
“In reaching this transaction, the Pattern Energy Board of Directors undertook a robust process that we believe culminated in a transaction that delivers value to shareholders,” said Alan Batkin, Chairman of the Pattern Energy Board of Directors. “As part of this process, the Board formed a special committee, composed of independent directors that directed the process at all times, and retained independent legal and financial advisors to assist our review of the transaction and provide a fairness opinion. The special committee reviewed multiple bids as part of a thorough process that involved multiple parties and evaluated the transaction against the Company’s standalone prospects, performance and outlook relative to historic trading multiples and yields. Based on this review and in light of the transaction structure, the special committee unanimously determined that this transaction is in the best interest of the Company’s shareholders and recommended it to the full Pattern Energy Board, which also determined that this transaction is advisable and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders. The transaction delivers significant, immediate and certain value to the Company’s shareholders.”
“Pattern Energy is one of the most experienced renewables developers in North America and Japan with a high-quality, diversified portfolio of contracted operating assets, aligning well with CPPIB’s renewable energy investment strategy and the increasing global demand for low-carbon energy,” said Bruce Hogg, Managing Director, Head of Power and Renewables, CPPIB. “The Pattern Energy management team has a proven track record of identifying and executing development strategies with differentiated competitive advantages. We look forward to working with Pattern Energy and Riverstone to grow the company.”
“We have long been believers in Pattern Energy and have had a successful partnership with the Company since we first invested in it more than 10 years ago,” said Chris Hunt and Alfredo Marti, Partners at Riverstone. “We have worked closely with Mike and the Pattern Energy team to grow the Company from a development startup into a multinational operator and supplier of low cost, renewably sourced energy. We are confident the team will continue to develop world-class wind and solar assets, which will be an important part of our transition to cleaner forms of power generation. We look forward to continuing to support them in driving the Company’s next phase of development.”
Transaction Details
The transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2020, subject to Pattern Energy shareholder approval, receipt of the required regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. The Pattern Energy transaction is not contingent upon the completion of the Pattern Development transaction.
Upon the completion of the transaction, Pattern Energy will become a privately held company and shares of Pattern Energy’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. Pattern Energy will continue paying its quarterly dividend through the transaction close.
Advisors
Evercore and Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as independent financial advisors to Pattern Energy’s special committee, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as independent legal counsel to the special committee.
About Pattern Energy
Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern Energy) is an independent power company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pattern Energy has a portfolio of 28 renewable energy projects with an operating capacity of 4.4 GW in the United States, Canada and Japan that use proven, best-in-class technology. Pattern Energy’s wind and solar power facilities generate stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets and provide a solid foundation for the continued growth of the business. For more information, visit www.patternenergy.com.
About Pattern Development
Pattern Development is a leader in developing renewable energy and transmission assets. With a long history in wind energy, Pattern Development has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 4,000 MW of wind and solar power projects. A strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship drives the company’s dedication in working closely with communities to create renewable energy projects. Pattern Development has offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.patterndev.com.
About CPPIB
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to pay current benefits in the best interests of 20 million contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build diversified portfolios of assets, CPPIB invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, São Paulo and Sydney, CPPIB is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm’s length from governments. At June 30, 2019, the CPP Fund totalled C$400.6 billion. For more information about CPPIB, please visit www.cppib.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
About Riverstone Holdings
Riverstone is an energy and power-focused private investment firm founded in 2000 by David M. Leuschen and Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. with over $39 billion of equity capital raised to date. Riverstone conducts buyout and growth capital investments in the exploration & production, midstream, oilfield services, power and renewable sectors of the energy industry. With offices in New York, London, Houston and Mexico City, the firm has committed approximately $40 billion to more than 180 investments in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.