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

Robert Hope: Okay. Got it. I appreciate that color. Thank you. And then maybe turning over to the regulated businesses. Higher operating costs were kind of flagged in the MD&A, especially on the gas side. Can you maybe add a little bit of commentary on where you’re seeing operating costs and whether or not it’s been a material drag on ROEs into ’22 and into ’23?

Johnny Johnston : Rob, it’s Johnny. I mean, I think, overall, we feel — well, we always manage our operating costs pretty closely, and you look at the track record over time as our operating cost is I think have come down, give or take, probably the 1% CAGR over the last five years or so. And so I think we feel that we’ve got a pretty good track record going forward in terms of managing our operating costs.

Operator: Our next question is from Naji Baydoun with IA Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Naji Baydoun: Hi, good morning. Just wanted to revisit Atlantica Yield and the assets or program. Can you just give us maybe your thoughts on what’s different with this strategic review versus the one that was launched a couple of years ago? And are you still looking to launch — or have you already launched other assets of programs?

Arun Banskota: Sorry, Naji, I didn’t get the last part of your question.

Naji Baydoun: Yes. I was just saying, are you still looking to begin or have you already begun other processes to sell assets other than Atlantica?

Arun Banskota: Sure. Again, you’re right. Atlantica did go through a strategic review process back in 2018. However, these are very different times. And this is a different board that has announced the strategic review process, and we’re just going to let that unfold and Atlantica will give updates with time. When we did our investor update in January 12, that was clearly before the Board of Atlantica had announced its strategic review. So we are confident in the $1 billion asset sales because like I keep saying, with our over $17 billion of assets, we have lots of optionalities and we are very much deep in the planning stages, including Phase 2 of our renewable asset sell-out.

Naji Baydoun: Okay. That helps. Thank you. And just a question on Kentucky. Is there a scenario where we get past the April 26 deadline and some updates or positive updates on regulatory approvals? Just any thoughts on what happens then? What are kind of your options at that point?

Arun Banskota: Sure, Naji. So look, with the December 15 denial by FERC, obviously, to be put in for management need to be looking at all options. But at the same time, as under our — all of our obligations and our commitments if we will continue to use reasonable best efforts to close this transaction all the way until the outside date. And before that, it will probably not be potent from me to speculate on the what if.

Naji Baydoun: Okay, understood. Thank you.

Operator: There are no further — I do apologize. We do have a question from Richard Sunderland with JPMorgan. Please go ahead.

Richard Sunderland : Hi, good morning. Thanks for the time today. And just one for me. I know you’ve given this in the script, but could you speak a little bit more to the 4Q impairment and the valuation allowance alongside that? Just I’m wondering if this relates at all to changing expectations for the renewables development activities going forward. It doesn’t sound like there’s been a change in the pipeline, but just a little more color there would be helpful? Thank you.