Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (NYSE:AQN) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Darren Myers: Yes, hi Nelson. I said that the update is consistent with the January update. We did end up right close to the 90% fixed rate. We did a number of things in the fourth quarter to improve the fixed to floating rate. And as we — assuming the close of Kentucky, we would expect the fixed percent to go down and then work our way back up through more fixed instruments as through the — through our capital plan for 2023, which we outlined at the January Investor Day. So I think as a target, we would expect to be — or we would target to be over 85% fixed at all given time. So we’re pleased that 90% that we’re at now, and we work to kind of maintain it at this level.

Nelson Ng: Okay. Thanks. And then next question relates to the renewable energy business, and maybe this is a question for Jeff. But you guys mentioned that you have roughly, I guess, 600 megawatts under construction and 450 megawatts that will be commissioned this year. Kind of looking out over the next few years, is 450 megawatts like a good run rate? Or do you see that ramping up over time? And I know Arun flagged that there’s obviously a lot of optionality and opportunities you see, but I’m just thinking whether the 450 is a good number or not?

JeffNorman: Yes. I think the 450 — if you look at our history, the build has fluctuated a little bit as high as 1,600 megawatts, but the projects are fairly clumpy as you know, in terms of minimum size, 100 megawatts to 300 megawatts, but 450 megawatts annually is a reasonable run rate for kind of our current capital planning.

Arun Banskota: Again, as a reminder, we have a lot of growth opportunities on the renewable side as well with over 4,000 megawatts of greenfield pipeline and over 1,700 megawatt hours of storage pipeline. So we’ll be able to get to that number. At the same time, as a reminder, we have said this time and again because of the nature of the renewables business, it does happen to be fairly lumpy with as much as like just at 1,600 megawatts in one year versus 450 megawatts this year.

Nelson Non-GAAP: Thanks for the color.

Operator: Our next question is from Rob Hope with Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Robert Hope: Good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking my questions. Just two follow-up ones. First, in Kentucky. Assuming the transaction is closed, has your outlook for your greening the fleet initiatives there have been changed or tempered at all? I realize that the Senate bills that have been proposed don’t necessarily directly impact you, but it does speak to we’ll maybe characterize it as maybe a tougher time to get renewables in the state?

Arun Banskota: Actually, Robert, I would say otherwise, with the Inflation Reduction Act really the goal is to reduce prices for green and clean energy to ultimate consumers. And what the IRA also does is provide a very long-term stability for developers like ourselves. And so while we obviously could make those economics work in Missouri with the 600 megawatts of investments on the wind side. And that was before the IRA, those investments pieces have become even more compelling with the IRA. The other thing I would like to point out is that in the Kentucky Power footprint, you’re talking about the retirement or the closure of more than 1,100 megawatts of coal and those have been the highest cost power for Kentucky Power. So we see lots of potential given the IRA and given the out-of-state coal retirements to be investing in greenfield. So the is even stronger, in fact.