8-KEarnings & ResultsRegulation FDOther Events+1

EVERSOURCE ENERGY 8-K Report, Financial Results (Jan 8, 2024)

Filed January 8, 2024For Securities:ES

Summary

Eversource Energy (ES) has announced significant updates regarding its planned divestiture of a 50 percent ownership interest in three offshore wind projects: South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind, and Sunrise Wind. The company is in advanced, exclusive negotiations with a leading global private infrastructure investor to sell its stake. This announcement comes alongside a substantial estimated other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily due to increased construction costs driven by supply chain constraints and uncertainties surrounding the Sunrise Wind rebid process in New York. While the company expects to finalize the sale, the closing is contingent on regulatory approvals and the finalization of partnership agreements with Ørsted. The impairment charge, though significant, is a non-cash event and will not impact Eversource's current cash balances or future cash flows. Investors will receive further updates on 2024 guidance, long-term growth rates, equity needs, and capital forecasts in mid-February.

Key Highlights

  • 1Eversource is in advanced, exclusive negotiations to sell its 50% stake in South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind, and Sunrise Wind projects.
  • 2An estimated other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion is expected for Q4 2023 related to these offshore wind investments.
  • 3The impairment is driven by increased construction costs (supply chain, installation vessels) and uncertainties from the Sunrise Wind rebid process in New York.
  • 4The sale is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals and new partnership agreements with Ørsted.
  • 5The impairment charge is a non-cash item and will not affect current cash balances or future cash flows.
  • 6Eversource is confident in realizing the $400 million value from the investment tax credit (ITC) energy community adder.
  • 7Further financial and business updates, including 2024 guidance, are expected in mid-February.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eversource expects to record an after-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge in the range of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Importantly, this is a non-cash charge and will not impact Eversource's future cash flows or its current cash balances.

The impairment is primarily due to revised project construction forecasts reflecting additional expenditures for construction and scheduling pressures, including increased costs for installation vessels and supply chain constraints. Additionally, uncertainties related to the Sunrise Wind rebid process in New York have impacted the potential sales price.

Eversource is in advanced, exclusive negotiations with a leading global private infrastructure investor to sell its 50 percent ownership interest in the three offshore wind projects. However, the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals and the finalization of partnership agreements with Ørsted.

Eversource expects to issue its 2024 earnings guidance, long-term earnings growth rate, equity needs, and a five-year capital forecast, along with other business updates, on its fourth quarter earnings call, which is scheduled for mid-February.