Innergex Renewable Energy announced the closing of a construction financing and tax-equity commitment for the Foard City wind project located in Foard County, Texas.
The Foard City wind project will benefit from a 100% of the production tax credits, representing $0.024 per KWh of electricity produced for the first 10 years of operations. This will support the $275.0 million tax-equity investment.
“Foard City is the largest wind farm project ever built by Innergex and, with the Phoebe solar project under construction, will add almost 600 MW of new installed capacity in the United States by the end of 2019,” said Michel Letellier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex.”
The U.S.$290.9 million financing has been arranged with lenders Santander, MUFG, Zions Bancorp and the Royal Bank of Canada, backed by a $275.0 million (CAN$367.5 million) tax-equity commitment from Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Additionally, this includes a $23.3 million, seven-year term loan facility with a 10-year amortization period to be provided by the lenders upon the commercial operation date.
“The construction activities progress well on site and Innergex is excited to secure financings which optimize the capital structure in a way that creates maximum value for our shareholders,” added Letellier.
Management expects to receive approval of a layout of 327.6 MW for the Foard City wind project from the Federal Aviation Administration in the coming months. Up to now, 94 turbines out of 130 already received their approval.
Overall, construction costs should amount to $384.8 million and the project is expected to reach commercial operation in Fall 2019. The facility is expected to produce a gross estimated long-term average of 1,230 GWh. Projected revenues and projected Adjusted EBITDA for the first full year of operation are $20.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
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