Document
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
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Commission File Number | | Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters, address of principal executive offices and registrants' telephone number | | IRS Employer Identification Number |
1-8841 | | NEXTERA ENERGY, INC. | | 59-2449419 |
2-27612
| | FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 700 Universe Boulevard Juno Beach, Florida 33408 (561) 694-4000 | | 59-0247775
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State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization: Florida
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| Name of exchange on which registered |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | |
NextEra Energy, Inc.: | Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.371% Corporate Units | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.123% Corporate Units | New York Stock Exchange |
Florida Power & Light Company: None | |
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. |
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NextEra Energy, Inc. Yes þ No o Florida Power & Light Company Yes þ No o |
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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NextEra Energy, Inc. Yes o No þ Florida Power & Light Company Yes o No þ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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NextEra Energy, Inc. Yes þ No o Florida Power & Light Company Yes þ No o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months.
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NextEra Energy, Inc. Yes þ No o Florida Power & Light Company Yes þ No o |
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
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NextEra Energy, Inc. | Large Accelerated Filer þ | Accelerated Filer o | Non-Accelerated Filer o | Smaller Reporting Company o | Emerging Growth Company o |
Florida Power & Light Company | Large Accelerated Filer o | Accelerated Filer o | Non-Accelerated Filer þ | Smaller Reporting Company o | Emerging Growth Company o |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrants have elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ¨ No þ
Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of NextEra Energy, Inc. held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2017 (based on the closing market price on the Composite Tape on June 30, 2017) was $65,589,650,954.
There was no voting or non-voting common equity of Florida Power & Light Company held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2017.
Number of shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at January 31, 2018: 470,793,941
Number of shares of Florida Power & Light Company common stock, without par value, outstanding at January 31, 2018, all of which were held, beneficially and of record, by NextEra Energy, Inc.: 1,000
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of NextEra Energy, Inc.'s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
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This combined Form 10-K represents separate filings by NextEra Energy, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Florida Power & Light Company makes no representations as to the information relating to NextEra Energy, Inc.'s other operations.
Florida Power & Light Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I.(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.
DEFINITIONS
Acronyms and defined terms used in the text include the following:
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Term | Meaning |
AFUDC | allowance for funds used during construction |
AFUDC - equity | equity component of AFUDC |
AOCI | accumulated other comprehensive income |
Bcf | billion cubic feet |
capacity clause | capacity cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC |
CO2 | carbon dioxide |
DOE | U.S. Department of Energy |
Duane Arnold | Duane Arnold Energy Center |
environmental clause | environmental cost recovery clause |
EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
ERCOT | Electric Reliability Council of Texas |
FERC | U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Florida Southeast Connection | Florida Southeast Connection, LLC, a wholly owned NEER subsidiary |
FPL | Florida Power & Light Company |
FPSC | Florida Public Service Commission |
fuel clause | fuel and purchased power cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC |
GAAP | generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. |
GHG | greenhouse gas(es) |
IPO | initial public offering |
ISO | independent system operator |
ITC | investment tax credit |
kW | kilowatt |
kWh | kilowatt-hour(s) |
Management's Discussion | Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
MMBtu | One million British thermal units |
mortgage | mortgage and deed of trust dated as of January 1, 1944, from FPL to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as supplemented and amended |
MW | megawatt(s) |
MWh | megawatt-hour(s) |
NEE | NextEra Energy, Inc. |
NEECH | NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. |
NEER | NextEra Energy Resources, LLC |
NEET | NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC |
NEP | NextEra Energy Partners, LP |
NEP OpCo | NextEra Energy Operating Partners, LP |
NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation |
Note __ | Note __ to consolidated financial statements |
NRC | U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
NYISO | New York ISO |
O&M expenses | other operations and maintenance expenses in the consolidated statements of income |
OCI | other comprehensive income |
OTC | over-the-counter |
OTTI | other than temporary impairment |
PJM | PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. |
PMI | NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC |
Point Beach | Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant |
PTC | production tax credit |
PV | photovoltaic |
Recovery Act | The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended |
regulatory ROE | return on common equity as determined for regulatory purposes |
ROE | return on common equity |
RPS | renewable portfolio standards |
RTO | regional transmission organization |
Sabal Trail | Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC, an entity in which a NEER subsidiary has a 42.5% ownership interest |
Seabrook | Seabrook Station |
SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
U.S. | United States of America |
NEE, FPL, NEECH and NEER each has subsidiaries and affiliates with names that may include NextEra Energy, FPL, NextEra Energy Resources, NextEra, FPL Group, FPL Group Capital, FPL Energy, FPLE, NEP and similar references. For convenience and simplicity, in this report the terms NEE, FPL, NEECH and NEER are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific subsidiaries, affiliates or groups of subsidiaries or affiliates. The precise meaning depends on the context.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies, future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as may result, are expected to, will continue, is anticipated, believe, will, could, should, would, estimated, may, plan, potential, future, projection, goals, target, outlook, predict and intend or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, important factors included in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could have a significant impact on NEE's and/or FPL's operations and financial results, and could cause NEE's and/or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NEE and/or FPL in this combined Form 10-K, in presentations, on their respective websites, in response to questions or otherwise.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and NEE and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including, but not limited to, unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement.
PART I
Item 1. Business
OVERVIEW
NEE is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America and a leader in the renewable energy industry. NEE has two principal businesses, FPL and NEER. FPL is the largest electric utility in the state of Florida and one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. FPL’s strategic focus is centered on investing in generation, transmission and distribution facilities to continue to deliver on its value proposition of low bills, high reliability, outstanding customer service and clean energy solutions for the benefit of its nearly five million customers. NEER is the world's largest operator of wind and solar projects. NEER’s strategic focus is centered on the development, construction and operation of long-term contracted assets throughout the U.S. and Canada, including renewable generation facilities, natural gas pipelines and battery storage projects.
As described in more detail in the following sections, NEE seeks to create value in its two principal businesses by meeting its customers' needs more economically and more reliably than its competitors. NEE's strategy has resulted in profitable growth over sustained periods at both FPL and NEER. Management seeks to grow each business in a manner consistent with the varying opportunities available to it; however, management believes that the diversification and balance represented by FPL and NEER is a valuable characteristic of the enterprise and recognizes that each business contributes to NEE's financial strength in different ways. FPL and NEER share a common platform with the objective of lowering costs and creating efficiencies for their businesses. NEE and its subsidiaries continue to develop and implement enterprise-wide initiatives focused on improving productivity, process effectiveness and quality.
NEE, which employed approximately 14,000 people at December 31, 2017, was incorporated in 1984 under the laws of Florida. NEE conducts its operations principally through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, FPL and NEER, which also constitute NEE's reportable segments for financial reporting purposes. See Note 14 for certain financial information about these segments. NEECH, another wholly owned subsidiary of NEE, owns and provides funding for NEER's and NEE's operating subsidiaries, other than FPL. NEP was formed in 2014. NEP acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. See NEER section below for further discussion of NEP, including changes to its governance structure, which resulted in the deconsolidation of NEP in January 2018.
FPL
FPL was incorporated under the laws of Florida in 1925 and is a rate-regulated electric utility engaged primarily in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in Florida. FPL is the largest electric utility in the state of Florida and one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. At December 31, 2017, FPL had approximately 26,600 MW of net generating capacity, approximately 75,000 circuit miles of transmission and distribution lines and approximately 620 substations. FPL provides service to its customers through an integrated transmission and distribution system that links its generation facilities to its customers. At December 31, 2017, FPL served approximately ten million people through nearly five million customer accounts. FPL's service territory, which covers most of the east and lower west coasts of Florida, and plant locations at December 31, 2017 were as follows (see FPL Sources of Generation below):
CUSTOMERS AND REVENUE
FPL's primary source of operating revenues is from its retail customer base; it also serves a limited number of wholesale customers within Florida. The percentage of FPL's operating revenues and customer accounts by customer class were as follows:
For both retail and wholesale customers, the prices (or rates) that FPL may charge are approved by regulatory bodies, by the FPSC in the case of retail customers, and by the FERC in the case of wholesale customers. In general, under U.S. and Florida law, regulated rates are intended to cover the cost of providing service, including a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. Since the regulatory bodies have authority to determine the relevant cost of providing service and the appropriate rate of return on capital employed, there can be no guarantee that FPL will be able to earn any particular rate of return or recover all of its costs through regulated rates. See FPL Regulation below.
FPL seeks to maintain attractive rates for its customers. Since rates are largely cost-based, maintaining low rates requires a strategy focused on developing and maintaining a low-cost position, including the implementation of ideas generated from cost savings initiatives. A common benchmark used in the electric power industry for comparing rates across companies is the price of 1,000 kWh of consumption per month for a residential customer. FPL's 2017 average bill for 1,000 kWh of monthly residential usage was well below both the average of reporting electric utilities within Florida and the July 2017 national average (the latest date for which this data is available) as indicated below:
FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS AND COMPETITION
FPL's service to its retail customers is provided primarily under franchise agreements negotiated with municipalities or counties. During the term of a franchise agreement, which is typically 30 years, the municipality or county agrees not to form its own utility, and FPL has the right to offer electric service to residents. FPL currently holds 181 franchise agreements with various municipalities and counties in Florida with varying expiration dates through 2048. These franchise agreements cover approximately 88% of FPL's retail customer base in Florida. FPL also provides service to 12 other municipalities and to 22 unincorporated areas within its service area without franchise agreements pursuant to the general obligation to serve as a public utility. FPL relies upon Florida law for access to public rights of way.
Because any customer may elect to provide his/her own electric services, FPL effectively must compete for an individual customer's business. As a practical matter, few customers provide their own service at the present time since FPL's cost of service is lower than the cost of self-generation for the vast majority of customers. Changing technology, economic conditions and other factors could alter the favorable relative cost position that FPL currently enjoys; however, FPL seeks as a matter of strategy to ensure that it delivers superior value, in the form of low customer bills, high reliability and outstanding customer service.
In addition to self-generation by residential, commercial and industrial customers, FPL also faces competition from other suppliers of electrical energy to wholesale customers and from alternative energy sources. In each of 2017, 2016 and 2015, operating revenues from wholesale and industrial customers combined represented approximately five percent of FPL's total operating revenues.
For the building of new steam and solar generating capacity of 75 MW or greater, the FPSC requires investor-owned electric utilities, including FPL, to issue a request for proposal (RFP) except when the FPSC determines that an exception from the RFP process is in the public interest. The RFP process allows independent power producers and others to bid to supply the new generating capacity. If a bidder has the most cost-effective alternative, meets other criteria such as financial viability and demonstrates adequate expertise and experience in building and/or operating generating capacity of the type proposed, the investor-owned electric utility would seek to negotiate a purchased power agreement with the selected bidder and request that the FPSC approve the terms of the purchased power agreement and, if appropriate, provide the required authorization for the construction of the bidder's generating capacity.
FPL SOURCES OF GENERATION
At December 31, 2017, FPL's resources for serving load consisted of 27,067 MW, of which 26,578 MW were from FPL-owned facilities and approximately 489 MW were available through purchased power agreements. FPL owned and operated 34 units that used fossil fuels, primarily natural gas, with generating capacity of 21,978 MW and had joint ownership interests in 3 coal units, which it does not operate, with net generating capacity of 888 MW. In addition, FPL owned, or had undivided interests in, and operated, 4 nuclear units with net generating capacity totaling 3,453 MW (see Nuclear Operations below) and owned and operated 5 solar generation facilities with generating capacity totaling 259 MW (excluding 75 MW of non-incremental solar capability which is provided through a natural gas generation facility). FPL customer usage and operating revenues are typically higher during the summer months, largely due to the prevalent use of air conditioning in FPL's service territory. Occasionally, unusually cold temperatures during the winter months result in significant increases in electricity usage for short periods of time.
In January 2018, the St. Johns River Power Park coal units (SJRPP), in which FPL had a 20% ownership interest (254 MW), were shut down. This shutdown had the effect of terminating FPL’s 375 MW take-or-pay purchased power contract with JEA, the joint owner of SJRPP (see Note 13 - Contracts).
Fuel Sources
FPL relies upon a mix of fuel sources for its generation facilities, the ability of some of its generation facilities to operate on both natural gas and oil, and on purchased power to maintain the flexibility to achieve a more economical fuel mix in order to respond to market and industry developments.
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*Oil is less than 1% | *Oil and Solar are collectively less than 1% |
Significant Fuel and Transportation Contracts. At December 31, 2017, FPL had the following significant fuel and transportation contracts in place:
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• | FPL has firm transportation contracts with seven different transportation suppliers for natural gas pipeline capacity for an aggregate maximum delivery quantity of 2,769,000 MMBtu/day currently, of which 1,969,000 MMBtu/day have expiration dates ranging from 2018 to 2036. The remaining 800,000 MMBtu/day increases to 1,200,000 MMBtu/day starting in mid-2020 through 2042. See Note 13 - Contracts. |
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• | FPL has several contracts for the supply of uranium and the conversion, enrichment and fabrication of nuclear fuel with expiration dates ranging from March 2018 through 2033. |
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• | Additionally, FPL enters into short- and medium-term natural gas supply contracts to provide a portion of FPL's anticipated needs for natural gas. The remainder of FPL's natural gas requirements is purchased in the spot market. |
Nuclear Operations
At December 31, 2017, FPL owned, or had undivided interests in, and operated the four nuclear units in Florida discussed below. FPL's nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate planned refueling and maintenance outages, including inspections, repairs and certain other modifications. Scheduled nuclear refueling outages typically require the unit to be removed from service for variable lengths of time.
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Facility | | FPL's Ownership (MW) | | Beginning of Next Scheduled Refueling Outage | | Operating License Expiration Date |
St. Lucie Unit No. 1 | | 981 | | March 2018 | | 2036 |
St. Lucie Unit No. 2 | | 840(a) | | August 2018 | | 2043 |
Turkey Point Unit No. 3 | | 811 | | October 2018 | | 2032(b) |
Turkey Point Unit No. 4 | | 821 | | March 2019 | | 2033(b) |
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(a) | Excludes 147 MW operated by FPL but owned by non-affiliates. |
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(b) | In January 2018, FPL filed an application with the NRC to renew the operating licenses for Turkey Point Units Nos. 3 and 4 for an additional 20 years, which license renewals are pending. |
NRC regulations require FPL to submit a plan for decontamination and decommissioning five years before the projected end of plant operation. FPL's current plans, under the existing operating licenses, provide for prompt dismantlement of Turkey Point Units Nos. 3 and 4 with decommissioning activities commencing in 2032 and 2033, respectively. Current plans provide for St. Lucie Unit No. 1 to be shut down in 2036 with decommissioning activities to be integrated with the prompt dismantlement of St. Lucie Unit No. 2 commencing in 2043.
FPL's nuclear facilities use both on-site storage pools and dry storage casks to store spent nuclear fuel generated by these facilities, which are expected to provide sufficient storage of spent nuclear fuel at these facilities through license expiration.
FPL ENERGY MARKETING AND TRADING
FPL's Energy Marketing & Trading division (EMT) buys and sells wholesale energy commodities, such as natural gas, oil and electricity. EMT procures natural gas and oil for FPL's use in power generation and sells excess natural gas, oil and electricity. EMT also uses derivative instruments (primarily swaps, options and forwards) to manage the physical and financial risks inherent in the purchase and sale of fuel and electricity. Substantially all of the results of EMT's activities are passed through to customers in the fuel or capacity clauses. See Management's Discussion - Energy Marketing and Trading and Market Risk Sensitivity and Note 3.
FPL REGULATION
FPL's operations are subject to regulation by a number of federal, state and other organizations, including, but not limited to, the following:
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• | the FPSC, which has jurisdiction over retail rates, service territory, issuances of securities, planning, siting and construction of facilities, among other things; |
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• | the FERC, which oversees the acquisition and disposition of generation, transmission and other facilities, transmission of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce, proposals to build and operate interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, and wholesale purchases and sales of electric energy, among other things; |
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• | the NERC, which, through its regional entities, establishes and enforces mandatory reliability standards, subject to approval by the FERC, to ensure the reliability of the U.S. electric transmission and generation system and to prevent major system blackouts; |
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• | the NRC, which has jurisdiction over the operation of nuclear power plants through the issuance of operating licenses, rules, regulations and orders; and |
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• | the EPA, which has the responsibility to maintain and enforce national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in some cases delegating authority to state agencies. The EPA also works with industries and all levels of government, including federal and state governments, in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts. |
FPL Rate Regulation
The FPSC sets rates at a level that is intended to allow FPL the opportunity to collect from retail customers total revenues (revenue requirements) equal to FPL's cost of providing service, including a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. To accomplish this, the FPSC uses various ratemaking mechanisms, including, among other things, base rates and cost recovery clauses.
Base Rates. In general, the basic costs of providing electric service, other than fuel and certain other costs, are recovered through base rates, which are designed to recover the costs of constructing, operating and maintaining the utility system. These basic costs include O&M expenses, depreciation and taxes, as well as a return on FPL's investment in assets used and useful in providing electric service (rate base). At the time base rates are established, the allowed rate of return on rate base approximates the FPSC's determination of FPL's estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which includes its costs for outstanding debt and an allowed ROE. The FPSC monitors FPL's actual regulatory ROE through a surveillance report that is filed monthly by FPL with the FPSC. The FPSC does not provide assurance that any regulatory ROE will be achieved. Base rates are determined in rate proceedings or through negotiated settlements of those proceedings. Proceedings can occur at the initiative of FPL or upon action by the FPSC. Base rates remain in effect until new base rates are approved by the FPSC.
Rates Effective January 2017 through December 2020 - In December 2016, the FPSC issued a final order approving a stipulation and settlement between FPL and several intervenors in FPL's base rate proceeding (2016 rate agreement). Key elements of the 2016 rate agreement, which is effective from January 2017 through at least December 2020, include, among other things, the following:
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• | New retail base rates and charges were established resulting in the following increases in annualized retail base revenues: |
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◦ | $400 million beginning January 1, 2017; |
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◦ | $211 million beginning January 1, 2018; and |
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◦ | $200 million when a new approximately 1,750 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit in Okeechobee County, Florida (Okeechobee Clean Energy Center) achieves commercial operation, which is expected to occur in mid-2019. |
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• | In addition, FPL is eligible to receive, subject to conditions specified in the 2016 rate agreement, base rate increases associated with the addition of up to 300 MW annually of new solar generation in each of 2017 through 2020 and may carry forward any unused MW to subsequent years during the term of the 2016 rate agreement. Approximately 300 MW of new solar generating capacity became operational in January 2018. An additional 300 MW is expected to be operational by March 2018 and in both of 2019 and 2020. FPL will be required to demonstrate that any proposed solar facilities are cost effective and scheduled to be in service before December 31, 2021. FPL has agreed to an installed cost cap of $1,750 per kW. |
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• | FPL's allowed regulatory ROE is 10.55%, with a range of 9.60% to 11.60%. If FPL's earned regulatory ROE falls below 9.60%, FPL may seek retail base rate relief. If the earned regulatory ROE rises above 11.60%, any party other than FPL may seek a review of FPL's retail base rates. |
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• | Subject to certain conditions, FPL may amortize, over the term of the 2016 rate agreement, up to $1.0 billion of depreciation reserve surplus plus the reserve amount remaining under FPL's 2012 rate agreement discussed below (approximately $250 million), provided that in any year of the 2016 rate agreement, FPL must amortize at least enough reserve to maintain a 9.60% earned regulatory ROE but may not amortize any reserve that would result in an earned regulatory ROE in excess of 11.60%. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve for discussion of the reserve amortization impact following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (tax reform). |
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• | Future storm restoration costs would be recoverable on an interim basis beginning 60 days from the filing of a cost recovery petition, but capped at an amount that could produce a surcharge of no more than $4 for every 1,000 kWh of usage on residential bills during the first 12 months of cost recovery. Any additional costs would be eligible for recovery in subsequent years. If storm restoration costs exceed $800 million in any given calendar year, FPL may request an increase to the $4 surcharge to recover amounts above $400 million. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve. |
In January 2017, the Sierra Club filed a notice of appeal challenging the FPSC’s final order approving the 2016 rate agreement, which notice of appeal is pending before the Florida Supreme Court.
Rates Effective January 2013 through December 2016 - Effective January 2013, pursuant to an FPSC final order approving a stipulation and settlement between FPL and several intervenors in FPL's base rate proceeding (2012 rate agreement), new retail base rates and charges for FPL were established resulting in an increase in retail base revenues of $350 million on an annualized basis. The 2012 rate agreement, provided for, among other things, the following:
•a regulatory ROE of 10.50% with a range of plus or minus 100 basis points;
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• | an increase in annualized base revenue requirements as each of three FPL modernized power plants became operational in April 2013, April 2014 and April 2016; |
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• | the continuation of cost recovery through the capacity clause (reported as retail base revenues) for a generating unit which was placed in service in May 2011 (beginning January 2017, under the 2016 rate agreement, cost recovery is through base rates); |
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• | subject to certain conditions, the right to reduce depreciation expense up to $400 million (reserve), provided that in any year of the 2012 rate agreement, FPL was required to amortize enough reserve to maintain an earned regulatory ROE within the range of 9.50% to 11.50% (the reserve amount was reduced by $30 million to up to $370 million as a result of a settlement in August 2015 related to the purchase of a 250 MW coal-fired generation facility located in Jacksonville, Florida (Cedar Bay generation facility), which FPL retired in December 2016); |
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• | an interim cost recovery mechanism for storm restoration costs (see Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve); and |
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• | an incentive mechanism whereby customers receive 100% of certain gains, including but not limited to gains from the purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas (including transportation and storage), up to a specified threshold; gains exceeding that specified threshold were shared by FPL and its customers. |
Cost Recovery Clauses. Cost recovery clauses are designed to permit full recovery of certain costs and provide a return on certain assets allowed to be recovered through the various clauses. Cost recovery clause costs are recovered through levelized monthly charges per kWh or kW, depending on the customer's rate class. These cost recovery clause charges are calculated at least annually based on estimated costs and estimated customer usage for the following year, plus or minus true-up adjustments to reflect the estimated over or under recovery of costs for the current and prior periods. An adjustment to the levelized charges may be approved during the course of a year to reflect revised estimates. FPL recovers costs from customers through the following clauses:
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• | Fuel - fuel costs and energy charges relating to purchased power agreements, the most significant of the cost recovery clauses in terms of operating revenues (see Note 1 - Rate Regulation); |
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• | Capacity - primarily capacity payments to non-utility generators and other utilities and certain costs associated with the acquisition of certain generation facilities (see Note 1 - Rate Regulation and Note 13 - Contracts); |
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• | Energy Conservation - costs associated with implementing energy conservation programs; and |
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• | Environmental - certain costs of complying with federal, state and local environmental regulations enacted after April 1993 and costs associated with three of FPL's solar facilities placed in service prior to 2016. |
The FPSC has the authority to disallow recovery of costs that it considers excessive or imprudently incurred. These costs may include, among others, fuel and O&M expenses, the cost of replacing power lost when fossil and nuclear units are unavailable, storm restoration costs and costs associated with the construction or acquisition of new facilities.
FERC
The Federal Power Act grants the FERC exclusive ratemaking jurisdiction over wholesale sales of electricity and the transmission of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce. Pursuant to the Federal Power Act, electric utilities must maintain tariffs and rate schedules on file with the FERC which govern the rates, terms and conditions for the provision of FERC-jurisdictional wholesale power and transmission services. The Federal Power Act also gives the FERC authority to certify and oversee a national electric reliability organization with authority to establish and independently enforce mandatory reliability standards applicable to all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system. See NERC below. Electric utilities are subject to accounting, record-keeping and reporting requirements administered by the FERC. The FERC also places certain limitations on transactions between electric utilities and their affiliates.
NERC
The NERC has been certified by the FERC as the national electric reliability organization. The NERC's mandate is to ensure the reliability and security of the North American bulk-power system through the establishment and enforcement of reliability standards approved by FERC. The NERC's regional entities also enforce reliability standards approved by the FERC. FPL is subject to these reliability standards and incurs costs to ensure compliance with continually heightened requirements, and can incur significant penalties for failing to comply with them.
FPL Environmental Regulation
FPL is subject to environmental laws and regulations as described in the NEE Environmental Matters section below. FPL expects to seek recovery through the environmental clause for compliance costs associated with any new environmental laws and regulations.
FPL EMPLOYEES
FPL had approximately 8,700 employees at December 31, 2017, with approximately 34% of these employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) under a collective bargaining agreement with FPL that expires October 31, 2020.
NEER
NEER, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, was formed in 1998 to aggregate NEE's competitive energy businesses. NEER is a diversified clean energy company with a business strategy that emphasizes the development, construction and operation of long-term contracted assets with a focus on renewable projects. Through its subsidiaries, NEER currently owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets primarily in the U.S., as well as in Canada and Spain. See Note 14 for information on revenues from foreign sources and long–lived assets located in foreign countries. NEER, with approximately 19,060 MW of total net generating capacity at December 31, 2017, is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 18,180 MW of net generating capacity across 32 states, and has 780 MW of net generating capacity in 4 Canadian provinces and 99.8 MW of net generating capacity in Spain. At December 31, 2017, NEER operates facilities with a total generating capacity of 20,950 MW. NEER produces the majority of its electricity from clean and renewable sources as described more fully below. NEER is the world's largest operator of wind and solar projects based on 2017 MWh produced. NEER develops and builds battery storage projects, which when combined with its renewable projects, serves to enhance its ability to meet customer needs for a firm generation source. NEER also owned and operated approximately 205 substations and 1,190 circuit miles of transmission lines at December 31, 2017.
NEER also engages in energy-related commodity marketing and trading activities, including entering into financial and physical contracts, primarily to hedge the production from its generation assets that is not sold under long-term power supply agreements. These contracts primarily include power and gas commodities and their related products, as well as provide full energy and capacity requirements services primarily to distribution utilities in certain markets and offer customized power and gas and related risk management services to wholesale customers. In addition, NEER participates in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil production primarily through non-operating ownership interests, and in pipeline infrastructure development, construction, management and operations, through either wholly owned subsidiaries or noncontrolling or joint venture interests, hereafter referred to as the gas infrastructure business. NEER also hedges the expected output from its gas infrastructure production assets to protect against price movements.
NEP - As discussed in the Overview above, NEP was formed in 2014. NEP acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows through a limited partner interest in NEP OpCo. Through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, NEE owns 101,440,000 common units of NEP OpCo representing a noncontrolling interest in NEP's operating projects of approximately 65.1% at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, NEE owned a controlling general partner interest in NEP and consolidated NEP for financial reporting purposes (see below for discussion of deconsolidation of NEP). At December 31, 2017, through the combination of NEER's contribution of energy projects to NEP OpCo in connection with NEP’s IPO in July 2014 and subsequent acquisitions of additional energy projects, NEP owned, or had an interest in, a portfolio of 26 wind and solar projects with generating capacity totaling approximately 3,728 MW and long-term contracted natural gas pipeline assets as discussed below. NEER operates substantially all of the energy projects in NEP's portfolio and its ownership interest in the portfolio's generating
capacity was approximately 2,429 MW at December 31, 2017. In addition in 2015, NEP OpCo issued 2 million NEP OpCo Class B Units to NEER in exchange for an approximately 50% ownership interest in three solar projects with a total generating capacity of 277 MW. NEER, as holder of the Class B Units, will retain 100% of the economic interests if, and until, NEER offers to sell the economic interests to NEP and NEP accepts such offer. NEP OpCo has a right of first offer for certain of NEER's assets (ROFO assets) if NEER should seek to sell the assets. The ROFO assets remaining at December 31, 2017, include contracted wind and solar projects with a combined generating capacity of approximately 1,076 MW. In addition, NEER and its subsidiaries (other than NEP OpCo and its subsidiaries) have a right of first refusal on any proposed sale of any of the NEP OpCo assets. In 2015, NEP acquired the membership interests in NET Holdings Management, LLC (Texas pipeline business), a developer, owner and operator of a portfolio of seven intrastate long-term contracted natural gas pipeline assets located in Texas (Texas pipelines). See Generation and Other Operations - Generation Assets and Other Operations - Other Operations below.
During 2017, changes were made to NEP's governance structure that, among other things, enhanced NEP unitholder governance rights. As a result of the governance changes, NEP was deconsolidated from NEE in January 2018 and going forward, NEE will reflect its ownership interest in NEP as an equity method investment and future earnings from NEP as equity in earnings of equity method investees in its consolidated financial statements. Additionally, sales of assets to NEP will be accounted for as third-party sales. See Note 1 - NextEra Energy Partners, LP.
GENERATION AND OTHER OPERATIONS
NEER sells products associated with its own generation facilities (energy, capacity, renewable energy credits (RECs) and ancillary services) in competitive markets in regions where those facilities are located. Customer transactions may be supplied from NEER generation facilities or from purchases in the wholesale markets, or from a combination thereof. See Markets and Competition below.
At December 31, 2017, NEER managed or participated in the management of essentially all of its generation projects and all of its natural gas pipeline assets in which it has an ownership interest. At December 31, 2017, the locations of NEER's generation facilities and natural gas pipeline assets in North America were as follows:
Generation Assets and Other Operations
Generation Assets.
NEER's portfolio of generation assets primarily consist of generation facilities with long-term power sales agreements for substantially all of their capacity and/or energy output. Information related to contracted generation assets at December 31, 2017 was as follows:
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• | represented approximately 17,012 MW of total net generating capacity; |
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• | weighted-average remaining contract term of the power sales agreements and the remaining life of the PTCs associated with repowered wind facilities of approximately 17 years, based on forecasted contributions to earnings and forecasted amounts of electricity produced by the repowered wind facilities; and |
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• | contracts for the supply of uranium and the conversion, enrichment and fabrication of nuclear fuel have expiration dates ranging from March 2018 through 2033 (see Note 13 - Contracts). |
NEER's merchant generation assets primarily consist of a nuclear generation facility and oil-fired generation facilities that do not have long-term power sales agreements to sell their capacity and/or energy output and therefore require active marketing and hedging. Merchant generation assets at December 31, 2017 represented approximately 2,047 MW of total net generating capacity, including 1,102 MW from nuclear generation and 781 MW from oil-fired peak generation facilities, and are primarily located in the Northeast region of the U.S. NEER utilizes swaps, options, futures and forwards to lock in pricing and manage the commodity price risk inherent in power sales and fuel purchases.
Other Operations.
Gas Infrastructure Business - At December 31, 2017, NEER had approximately $4.0 billion invested in the natural gas pipelines discussed below and ownership interests in investments located in oil and gas shale formations primarily in the Midwest and South regions of the U.S.
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| | | | | | | | | |
| Miles of Pipeline | | Pipeline Location/Route | | NEER's Ownership | | Total Capacity (per day) | | Actual/Expected In-Service Dates |
Operational: | | | | | | | | | |
Texas Pipelines(a) | 542 | | South Texas | | 61.4% | | 4.05 Bcf | | 1950 - 2014 |
Sabal Trail(b) | 515 | | Southwestern Alabama to Central Florida | | 42.5% | | 0.83 Bcf - 1.075 Bcf | | June 2017 - Mid-2021 |
Florida Southeast Connection(b) | 126 | | Central Florida to Martin County, Florida | | 100% | | 0.64 Bcf | | June 2017 |
In Development: | | | | | | | | | |
Mountain Valley Pipeline(c) | 301 | | Marcellus and Utica shale regions to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the U.S. | | 31% | | 2.00 Bcf | | End of 2018 |
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(a) | A NEP portfolio of seven natural gas pipelines, of which a third party owns a 10% interest in a 120 mile pipeline with a daily capacity of approximately 2.3 Bcf. Approximately 3.2 Bcf per day of capacity is contracted with firm ship-or-pay contracts that have expiration dates ranging from 2018 to 2035. |
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(b) | See Note 13 - Contracts for a discussion of transportation contracts with FPL. |
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(c) | Construction of the natural gas pipeline is subject to certain conditions, including FERC approval to proceed. See Note 13 - Commitments. |
Customer Supply and Proprietary Power and Gas Trading - NEER provides commodities-related products to customers, engages in energy-related commodity marketing and trading activities and includes the operations of a retail electricity provider. Through its subsidiary PMI, NEER:
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• | manages risk associated with fluctuating commodity prices and optimizes the value of NEER's power generation and gas infrastructure production assets through the use of swaps, options, futures and forwards; |
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• | sells output from NEER's plants that is not sold under long-term contracts and procures fossil fuel for use by NEER's generation fleet; |
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• | provides full energy and capacity requirements to customers; and |
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• | markets and trades energy-related commodity products and provides a wide range of electricity and fuel commodity products as well as marketing and trading services to customers. |
NEER Fuel/Technology Mix
NEER utilized the following mix of fuel sources for its generation facilities:
Wind Facilities
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• | located in 21 states in the U.S. and 4 provinces in Canada; |
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• | operated a total generating capacity of 14,255 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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• | ownership interests in a total net generating capacity of 13,111 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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◦ | all MW are from contracted wind assets located primarily throughout Texas and the West and Midwest regions of the U.S. and Canada; and |
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◦ | added approximately 355 MW of new generating capacity and 1,596 MW of wind repowering generating capacity in the U.S. in 2017. |
Solar Facilities
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• | located in 16 states in the U.S., 1 province in Canada and 1 province in Spain; |
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• | operated PV and solar thermal facilities with a total generating capacity of 2,035 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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• | ownership interests in PV and solar thermal facilities with a total net generating capacity of 2,024 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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◦ | essentially all MW are from contracted solar facilities located primarily throughout the West region of the U.S.; |
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◦ | added approximately 200 MW of generating capacity in the U.S. in 2017; and |
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◦ | sold approximately 80 MW of generating capacity in the U.S. in 2017. |
Fossil Facilities
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• | operated natural gas generation facilities with a total generating capacity of 730 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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• | ownership interests in natural gas generation facilities with a total net generating capacity of 420 MW at December 31, 2017; |
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◦ | approximately 262 MW are contracted and 158 MW are merchant; |
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◦ | located in 3 states in the Northeast region of the U.S.; and |
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• | operated oil-fired peak generation facilities with a total generating capacity of 878 MW with an ownership or undivided interests in total net generating capacity of 781 MW at December 31, 2017 primarily located in Maine. |
Nuclear Facilities
At December 31, 2017, NEER owned, or had undivided interests in, and operated the four nuclear units discussed below. NEER's nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate planned refueling and maintenance outages, including inspections, repairs and certain other modifications. Scheduled nuclear refueling outages typically require the unit to be removed from service for variable lengths of time.
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Facility | | Location | | NEER's Ownership (MW) | | Portfolio Category | | Next Scheduled Refueling Outage | | Operating License Expiration Date |
Seabrook | | New Hampshire | | 1,102(a) | | Merchant | | October 2018 | | 2030(b) |
Duane Arnold | | Iowa | | 431(c) | | Contracted(d) | | September 2018 | | 2034 |
Point Beach Unit No. 1 | | Wisconsin | | 595 | | Contracted(e) | | March 2019 | | 2030 |
Point Beach Unit No. 2 | | Wisconsin | | 595 | | Contracted(e) | | October 2018 | | 2033 |
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(a) | Excludes 147 MW operated by NEER but owned by non-affiliates. |
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(b) | In 2010, NEER filed an application with the NRC to renew Seabrook's operating license for an additional 20 years, which license renewal is pending. |
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(c) | Excludes 184 MW operated by NEER but owned by non-affiliates. |
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(d) | NEER sells all of its share of the output of Duane Arnold under a long-term contract expiring in December 2025. See Note 4 - Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements. |
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(e) | NEER sells all of the output of Point Beach Units Nos. 1 and 2 under long-term contracts through their current operating license expiration dates. |
NEER is responsible for all nuclear unit operations and the ultimate decommissioning of the nuclear units, the cost of which is shared on a pro-rata basis by the joint owners for the jointly-owned units. NRC regulations require plant owners to submit a plan for decontamination and decommissioning five years before the projected end of plant operation.
NEER's nuclear facilities use both on-site storage pools and dry storage casks to store spent nuclear fuel generated by these facilities, which are expected to provide sufficient storage of spent nuclear fuel at these facilities through license expiration.
Policy Incentives for Renewable Energy Projects
U.S. federal, state and local governments have established various incentives to support the development of renewable energy projects. These incentives include accelerated tax depreciation, PTCs, ITCs, cash grants, tax abatements and RPS programs. Pursuant to the U.S. federal Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), wind and solar projects are fully depreciated for tax purposes over a five-year period even though the useful life of such projects is generally much longer than five years.
Owners of utility-scale wind facilities are eligible to claim an income tax credit (the PTC, or an ITC in lieu of the PTC) upon initially achieving commercial operation. The PTC is determined based on the amount of electricity produced by the wind facility during the first ten years of commercial operation. This incentive was created under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and has been extended several times. Alternatively, an ITC equal to 30% of the cost of a wind facility may be claimed in lieu of the PTC. In order to qualify for the PTC (or ITC in lieu of the PTC), construction of a wind facility must begin before a specified date and the taxpayer must maintain a continuous program of construction or continuous efforts to advance the project to completion. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance stating that the safe harbor for continuous efforts and continuous construction requirements will generally be satisfied if the facility is placed in service no more than four years after the year in which construction of the facility began. The IRS also confirmed that retrofitted wind facilities may re-qualify for PTCs or ITCs pursuant to the 5% safe harbor for the begin construction requirement, as long as the cost basis of the new investment is at least 80% of the facility’s total fair value.
Owners of solar projects are eligible to claim a 30% ITC for new solar projects, or could have elected to receive an equivalent cash payment from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the value of the 30% ITC (convertible ITC) for qualifying solar projects where construction began before the end of 2011 and the projects were placed in service before 2017. Tax credits for qualifying wind and solar projects are subject to the following phase-down schedule.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year construction of project begins |
| 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 |
PTC(a) | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 80 | % | | 60 | % | | 40 | % | | - |
| | - |
| | - |
|
Wind ITC | 30 | % | | 30 | % | | 24 | % | | 18 | % | | 12 | % | | - |
| | - |
| | - |
|
Solar ITC(b) | 30 | % | | 30 | % | | 30 | % | | 30 | % | | 30 | % | | 26 | % | | 22 | % | | 10 | % |
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(a) | Percentage of the full PTC available for wind projects that begin construction during the applicable year. |
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(b) | ITC is limited to 10% for projects not placed in service before January 1, 2024. |
Other countries, including Canada and Spain, provide for incentives like feed-in-tariffs for renewable energy projects. The feed-in-tariffs promote renewable energy investments by offering long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, typically based on the cost of generation of each technology.
MARKETS AND COMPETITION
Electricity markets in the U.S. and Canada are regional and diverse in character. All are extensively regulated, and competition in these markets is shaped and constrained by regulation. The nature of the products offered varies based on the specifics of regulation in each region. Generally, in addition to the natural constraints on pricing freedom presented by competition, NEER may also face specific constraints in the form of price caps, or maximum allowed prices, for certain products. NEER's ability to sell the output of its generation facilities may also be constrained by available transmission capacity, which can vary from time to time and can have a significant impact on pricing.
The degree and nature of competition that NEER faces is different in wholesale markets and in retail markets. During 2017, approximately 87% of NEER's revenue was derived from wholesale electricity markets.
Wholesale power generation is a capital-intensive, commodity-driven business with numerous industry participants. NEER primarily competes on the basis of price, but believes the green attributes of NEER's generation assets, its creditworthiness and its ability to offer and manage reliable customized risk solutions to wholesale customers are competitive advantages. Wholesale power generation is a regional business that is highly fragmented relative to many other commodity industries and diverse in terms of industry structure. As such, there is a wide variation in terms of the capabilities, resources, nature and identity of the companies NEER competes with depending on the market. In wholesale markets, customers' needs are met through a variety of means, including long-term bilateral contracts, standardized bilateral products such as full requirements service and customized supply and risk management services.
In general, U.S. electricity markets encompass three classes of services: energy, capacity and ancillary services. Energy services relate to the physical delivery of power; capacity services relate to the availability of MW capacity of a power generation asset; and ancillary services are other services that relate to power generation assets, such as load regulation and spinning and non-spinning reserves. The exact nature of these classes of services is defined in part by regional tariffs. Not all regions have a capacity services class, and the specific definitions of ancillary services vary from region to region.
RTOs and ISOs exist throughout much of North America to coordinate generation and transmission across wide geographic areas and to run markets. NEER operates in all RTO and ISO jurisdictions. At December 31, 2017, NEER also had generation facilities with ownership interests in a total net generating capacity of approximately 2,845 MW that fall within reliability regions that are not under the jurisdiction of an established RTO or ISO, including 2,224 MW within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. Although each RTO and ISO may have differing objectives and structures, some benefits of these entities include regional planning, managing transmission congestion, developing larger wholesale markets for energy and capacity, maintaining reliability and facilitating competition among wholesale electricity providers. NEER has operations that fall within the following RTOs and ISOs:
NEER competes in different regions to different degrees, but in general it seeks to enter into long-term bilateral contracts for the full output of its generation facilities, and, at December 31, 2017, approximately 89% of NEER's net generating capacity was committed under long-term contracts. Where long-term contracts are not in effect, NEER sells the output of its facilities into daily spot markets. In such cases, NEER will frequently enter into shorter term bilateral contracts, typically of less than three years duration, to hedge the price risk associated with selling into a daily spot market. Such bilateral contracts, which may be hedges either for physical delivery or for financial (pricing) offset, serve to protect a portion of the revenue that NEER expects to derive from the associated generation facility. Contracts that serve the economic purpose of hedging some portion of the expected revenue of a generation facility but are not recorded as hedges under GAAP are referred to as “non-qualifying hedges” for adjusted earnings purposes. See Management's Discussion - Overview - Adjusted Earnings.
Certain facilities within the NEER wind and solar generation portfolio produce RECs and other environmental attributes which are typically sold along with the energy from the plants under long-term contracts, or may be sold separately for the wind and solar generation not sold under long-term contracts. The purchasing party is solely entitled to the reporting rights and ownership of the environmental attributes.
While the majority of NEER's revenue is derived from the output of its generation facilities, NEER is also an active competitor in several regions in the wholesale full requirements business and in providing structured and customized power and fuel products and services to a variety of customers. In the full requirements service, typically, the supplier agrees to meet the customer's needs for a full range of products for every hour of the day, at a fixed price, for a predetermined period of time, thereby assuming the risk of fluctuations in the customer's volume requirements.
Expanded competition in a frequently changing regulatory environment presents both opportunities and risks for NEER. Opportunities exist for the selective acquisition of generation assets and for the construction and operation of efficient facilities that can sell power in competitive markets. NEER seeks to reduce its market risk by having a diversified portfolio by fuel type and location, as well as by contracting for the future sale of a significant amount of the electricity output of its facilities.
NEER REGULATION
The energy markets in which NEER operates are subject to domestic and foreign regulation, as the case may be, including local, state and federal regulation, and other specific rules.
At December 31, 2017, NEER had ownership interests in operating independent power projects located in the U.S. that have received exempt wholesale generator status as defined under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, which represent approximately 99% of NEER's net generating capacity in the U.S. Exempt wholesale generators own or operate a facility exclusively to sell electricity to wholesale customers. They are barred from selling electricity directly to retail customers. NEER's exempt wholesale generators produce electricity from wind, fossil fuels, solar and nuclear facilities. While projects with exempt wholesale generator status are exempt from various restrictions, each project must still comply with other federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, those regarding siting, construction, operation, licensing, pollution abatement and other environmental laws.
Additionally, most of the NEER facilities located in the U.S. are subject to FERC regulations and market rules and the NERC's mandatory reliability standards, all of its facilities are subject to environmental laws and the EPA's environmental regulations, and its nuclear facilities are also subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC. See FPL - FPL Regulation for additional discussion of FERC, NERC, NRC and EPA regulations. With the exception of facilities located in ERCOT, the FERC has jurisdiction over various aspects of NEER's business in the U.S., including the oversight and investigation of competitive wholesale energy markets, regulation of the transmission and sale of natural gas, and oversight of environmental matters related to natural gas projects and major electricity policy initiatives. The Public Utility Commission of Texas has jurisdiction, including the regulation of rates and services, oversight of competitive markets, and enforcement of statutes and rules, over NEER facilities located in ERCOT.
NEER and its affiliates are also subject to federal and provincial or regional regulations in Canada and Spain related to energy operations, energy markets and environmental standards. In Canada, activities related to owning and operating wind and solar projects and participating in wholesale and retail energy markets are regulated at the provincial level. In Ontario, for example, electricity generation facilities must be licensed by the Ontario Energy Board and may also be required to complete registrations and maintain market participant status with the Independent Electricity System Operator, in which case they must agree to be bound by and comply with the provisions of the market rules for the Ontario electricity market as well as the mandatory reliability standards of the NERC.
In addition, NEER is subject to environmental laws and regulations as described in the NEE Environmental Matters section below. In order to better anticipate potential regulatory changes, NEER continues to actively evaluate and participate in regional market redesigns of existing operating rules for the integration of renewable energy resources and for the purchase and sale of energy commodities.
NEER EMPLOYEES
NEER and its subsidiaries had approximately 5,200 employees at December 31, 2017. Certain subsidiaries of NEER have collective bargaining agreements with the IBEW, the Utility Workers Union of America, the Security Police and Fire Professionals of America and the International Union of Operating Engineers, which collectively represent approximately 17% of NEER's employees. The collective bargaining agreements have three- to five-year terms and expire between late February 2018 and 2021.
NEE ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
NEE and FPL are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations, for the siting, construction and ongoing operations of their facilities. The U.S. government and certain states and regions, as well as the Government of Canada and its provinces, have taken and continue to take certain actions, such as proposing and finalizing regulation or setting targets or goals, regarding the regulation and reduction of GHG emissions and the increase of renewable energy generation. Numerous environmental regulations also affecting FPL, NEER and certain other subsidiaries relate to threatened and endangered species and their habitats, as well as other avian and bat species. Complying with these environmental laws and regulations could result in, among other things, changes in the design and operation of existing facilities and changes or delays in the location, design, construction and operation of new facilities. The impact of complying with current environmental laws and regulations has not had, and, along with compliance with proposed regulations as currently written, is not expected to have, a material adverse effect on the financial statements of NEE and FPL. As permitted by the environmental clause, FPL expects to seek recovery for compliance costs associated with any new environmental laws and regulations.
WEBSITE ACCESS TO SEC FILINGS
NEE and FPL make their SEC filings, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, available free of charge on NEE's internet website, www.nexteraenergy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after those documents are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information and materials available on NEE's website (or any of its subsidiaries' or affiliates' websites) are not incorporated by reference into this combined Form 10-K. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NEE(a)
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| | | | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position | | Effective Date |
Miguel Arechabala | | 57 | | Executive Vice President, Power Generation Division of NEE Executive Vice President, Power Generation Division of FPL | | January 1, 2014 |
Deborah H. Caplan | | 55 | | Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services of NEE Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services of FPL | | April 15, 2013 |
Terrell Kirk Crews, II | | 39 | | Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of NEE | | September 19, 2016 |
Paul I. Cutler | | 58 | | Treasurer of NEE Treasurer of FPL Assistant Secretary of NEE | | February 19, 2003 February 18, 2003 December 10, 1997 |
Joseph T. Kelliher | | 57 | | Executive Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs of NEE | | May 18, 2009 |
John W. Ketchum | | 47 | | Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of NEE Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of FPL | | March 4, 2016 |
Manoochehr K. Nazar | | 63 | | President Nuclear Division and Chief Nuclear Officer of NEE President Nuclear Division and Chief Nuclear Officer of FPL | | May 23, 2014 May 30, 2014 |
Armando Pimentel, Jr. | | 55 | | President and Chief Executive Officer of NEER | | October 5, 2011 |
James L. Robo | | 55 | | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NEE Chairman of FPL | | December 13, 2013 May 2, 2012 |
Charles E. Sieving | | 45 | | Executive Vice President & General Counsel of NEE Executive Vice President of FPL | | December 1, 2008 January 1, 2009 |
Eric E. Silagy | | 52 | | President and Chief Executive Officer of FPL | | May 30, 2014 |
William L. Yeager | | 59 | | Executive Vice President, Engineering, Construction and Integrated Supply Chain of NEE Executive Vice President, Engineering, Construction and Integrated Supply Chain of FPL | | January 1, 2013 |
______________________
| |
(a) | Information is as of February 16, 2018. Executive officers are elected annually by, and serve at the pleasure of, their respective boards of directors. Except as noted below, each officer has held his/her present position for five years or more and his/her employment history is continuous. Mr. Arechabala was president of NextEra Energy España, S.L., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NEE, from February 2010 to December 2013. Ms. Caplan was vice president and chief operating officer of FPL from May 2011 to April 2013. Mr. Crews served as NEE’s Vice President, Finance from April 2016 to September 2016. From July 2015 to April 2016, he was a partner in the national office of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte); from June 2013 to June 2015, he served as a professional accounting fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant of the SEC; and from June 2010 to June 2013, he was an audit service senior manager at Deloitte. Mr. Ketchum served as NEE’s Senior Vice President, Finance from February 2015 to March 2016, and Senior Vice President, Business Management and Finance from December 2013 to February 2015. From December 2012 to December 2013, he was Senior Vice President, Business Management of NEER. Mr. Nazar has been chief nuclear officer of NEE and FPL since January 2010 and was executive vice president, nuclear division of NEE and FPL from January 2010 to May 2014. Mr. Robo has been president and chief executive officer of NEE since July 2012 and was the chief executive officer of FPL from May 2012 to May 2014. Mr. Silagy has been president of FPL since December 2011. |
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Relating to NEE's and FPL's Business
The business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL are subject to a variety of risks, many of which are beyond the control of NEE and FPL. These risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties either not presently known or that are currently believed to not be material to the business, may materially adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL and may cause actual results of NEE and FPL to differ substantially from those that NEE or FPL currently expects or seeks. In that event, the market price for the securities of NEE or FPL could decline. Accordingly, the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future reports that NEE and FPL file with the SEC.
Regulatory, Legislative and Legal Risks
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected by the extensive regulation of their business.
The operations of NEE and FPL are subject to complex and comprehensive federal, state and other regulation. This extensive regulatory framework, portions of which are more specifically identified in the following risk factors, regulates, among other things and to varying degrees, NEE's and FPL's industries, businesses, rates and cost structures, operation and licensing of nuclear power facilities, construction and operation of electricity generation, transmission and distribution facilities and natural gas and oil production, natural gas, oil and other fuel transportation, processing and storage facilities, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of facilities and other assets, decommissioning costs and funding, service reliability, wholesale and retail competition, and commodities trading and derivatives transactions. In their business planning and in the management of their operations, NEE and FPL must address the effects of regulation on their business and any inability or failure to do so adequately could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected if they are unable to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise.
FPL is an electric utility subject to the jurisdiction of the FPSC over a wide range of business activities, including, among other items, the retail rates charged to its customers through base rates and cost recovery clauses, the terms and conditions of its services, procurement of electricity for its customers and fuel for its plant operations, issuances of securities, and aspects of the siting, construction and operation of its generation plants and transmission and distribution systems for the sale of electric energy. The FPSC has the authority to disallow recovery by FPL of costs that it considers excessive or imprudently incurred and to determine the level of return that FPL is permitted to earn on invested capital. The regulatory process, which may be adversely affected by the political, regulatory and economic environment in Florida and elsewhere, limits or could otherwise adversely impact FPL's earnings. The regulatory process also does not provide any assurance as to achievement of authorized or other earnings levels, or that FPL will be permitted to earn an acceptable return on capital investments it wishes to make. NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected if any material amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital cannot be recovered through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise. Certain other subsidiaries of NEE are transmission utilities subject to the jurisdiction of their regulators and are subject to similar risks.
Regulatory decisions that are important to NEE and FPL may be materially adversely affected by political, regulatory and economic factors.
The local and national political, regulatory and economic environment has had, and may in the future have, an adverse effect on FPSC decisions with negative consequences for FPL. These decisions may require, for example, FPL to cancel or delay planned development activities, to reduce or delay other planned capital expenditures or to pay for investments or otherwise incur costs that it may not be able to recover through rates, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL. Certain other subsidiaries of NEE are subject to similar risks.
FPL's use of derivative instruments could be subject to prudence challenges and, if found imprudent, could result in disallowances of cost recovery for such use by the FPSC.
The FPSC engages in an annual prudence review of FPL's use of derivative instruments in its risk management fuel procurement program and should it find any such use to be imprudent, the FPSC could deny cost recovery for such use by FPL. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Any reductions or modifications to, or the elimination of, governmental incentives or policies that support utility scale renewable energy, including, but not limited to, tax laws, policies and incentives, RPS or feed-in tariffs, or the imposition of additional taxes or other assessments on renewable energy, could result in, among other items, the lack of a satisfactory market for the development and/or financing of new renewable energy projects, NEER abandoning the development of
renewable energy projects, a loss of NEER's investments in renewable energy projects and reduced project returns, any of which could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEER depends heavily on government policies that support utility scale renewable energy and enhance the economic feasibility of developing and operating wind and solar energy projects in regions in which NEER operates or plans to develop and operate renewable energy facilities. The federal government, a majority of the 50 U.S. states and portions of Canada and Spain provide incentives, such as tax incentives, RPS or feed-in tariffs, that support or are designed to support the sale of energy from utility scale renewable energy facilities, such as wind and solar energy facilities. As a result of budgetary constraints, political factors or otherwise, governments from time to time may review their laws and policies that support renewable energy and consider actions that would make the laws and policies less conducive to the development and operation of renewable energy facilities. Any reductions or modifications to, or the elimination of, governmental incentives or policies that support renewable energy or the imposition of additional taxes or other assessments on renewable energy, could result in, among other items, the lack of a satisfactory market for the development and/or financing of new renewable energy projects, NEER abandoning the development of renewable energy projects, a loss of NEER's investments in the projects and reduced project returns, any of which could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected as a result of new or revised laws, regulations, interpretations or other regulatory initiatives.
NEE's and FPL's business is influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives, including, but not limited to, new or revised laws, including international trade laws, regulations, interpretations and other regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation or restructuring of the energy industry, regulation of the commodities trading and derivatives markets, and regulation of environmental matters, such as regulation of air emissions, regulation of water consumption and water discharges, and regulation of gas and oil infrastructure operations, as well as associated environmental permitting. Changes in the nature of the regulation of NEE's and FPL's business could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. NEE and FPL are unable to predict future legislative or regulatory changes, initiatives or interpretations, although any such changes, initiatives or interpretations may increase costs and competitive pressures on NEE and FPL, which could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
FPL has limited competition in the Florida market for retail electricity customers. Any changes in Florida law or regulation which introduce competition in the Florida retail electricity market, such as government incentives that facilitate the installation of solar generation facilities on residential or other rooftops at below cost or that are otherwise subsidized by non-participants, or would permit third-party sales of electricity, could have a material adverse effect on FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. There can be no assurance that FPL will be able to respond adequately to such regulatory changes, which could have a material adverse effect on FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEER is subject to FERC rules related to transmission that are designed to facilitate competition in the wholesale market on practically a nationwide basis by providing greater certainty, flexibility and more choices to wholesale power customers. NEE cannot predict the impact of changing FERC rules or the effect of changes in levels of wholesale supply and demand, which are typically driven by factors beyond NEE's control. There can be no assurance that NEER will be able to respond adequately or sufficiently quickly to such rules and developments, or to any other changes that reverse or restrict the competitive restructuring of the energy industry in those jurisdictions in which such restructuring has occurred. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE’s and FPL’s OTC financial derivatives are subject to rules implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and similar international regulations that are designed to promote transparency, mitigate systemic risk and protect against market abuse. NEE and FPL cannot predict the impact any proposed or not fully implemented final rules will have on their ability to hedge their commodity and interest rate risks or on OTC derivatives markets as a whole, but such rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's risk exposure, as well as reduce market liquidity and further increase the cost of hedging activities.
NEE and FPL are subject to numerous environmental laws, regulations and other standards that may result in capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities, and may require NEE and FPL to limit or eliminate certain operations.
NEE and FPL are subject to domestic and foreign environmental laws, regulations and other standards, including, but not limited to, extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality and usage, soil quality, climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases, including, but not limited to, CO2, waste management, hazardous wastes, marine, avian and other wildlife mortality and habitat protection, historical artifact preservation, natural resources, health (including, but not limited to, electric and magnetic fields from power lines and substations), safety and RPS, that could, among other things, prevent or delay the development of power generation, power or natural gas transmission, or other infrastructure projects, restrict the output of some existing facilities, limit the availability and use of some fuels required for the production of electricity, require additional pollution control equipment, and otherwise increase costs, increase capital expenditures and limit or eliminate certain operations.
There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future as a result of new requirements and stricter or more expansive application of existing environmental regulations. For example, among other new, potential or pending changes are state and federal regulation of the use of hydraulic fracturing or similar technologies to drill for natural gas and related compounds used by NEE's gas infrastructure business.
Violations of current or future laws, rules, regulations or other standards could expose NEE and FPL to regulatory and legal proceedings, disputes with, and legal challenges by, third parties, and potentially significant civil fines, criminal penalties and other sanctions. Proceedings could include, for example, litigation regarding property damage, personal injury, common law nuisance and enforcement by citizens or governmental authorities of environmental requirements.
NEE's and FPL's business could be negatively affected by federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal or state laws or regulations may be adopted that would impose new or additional limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases, including, but not limited to, CO2 and methane, from electric generation units using fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. The potential effects of greenhouse gas emission limits on NEE's and FPL's electric generation units are subject to significant uncertainties based on, among other things, the timing of the implementation of any new requirements, the required levels of emission reductions, the nature of any market-based or tax-based mechanisms adopted to facilitate reductions, the relative availability of greenhouse gas emission reduction offsets, the development of cost-effective, commercial-scale carbon capture and storage technology and supporting regulations and liability mitigation measures, and the range of available compliance alternatives.
While NEE's and FPL's electric generation units emit greenhouse gases at a lower rate of emissions than most of the U.S. electric generation sector, the results of operations of NEE and FPL could be materially adversely affected to the extent that new federal or state laws or regulations impose any new greenhouse gas emission limits. Any future limits on greenhouse gas emissions could:
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• | create substantial additional costs in the form of taxes or emission allowances; |
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• | make some of NEE's and FPL's electric generation units uneconomical to operate in the long term; |
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• | require significant capital investment in carbon capture and storage technology, fuel switching, or the replacement of high-emitting generation facilities with lower-emitting generation facilities; or |
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• | affect the availability or cost of fossil fuels. |
There can be no assurance that NEE or FPL would be able to completely recover any such costs or investments, which could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Extensive federal regulation of the operations and businesses of NEE and FPL exposes NEE and FPL to significant and increasing compliance costs and may also expose them to substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions for compliance failures.
NEE's and FPL's operations and businesses are subject to extensive federal regulation, which generally imposes significant and increasing compliance costs on their operations and businesses. Additionally, any actual or alleged compliance failures could result in significant costs and other potentially adverse effects of regulatory investigations, proceedings, settlements, decisions and claims, including, among other items, potentially significant monetary penalties. As an example, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, NEE and FPL, as owners and operators of bulk-power transmission systems and/or electric generation facilities, are subject to mandatory reliability standards. Compliance with these mandatory reliability standards may subject NEE and FPL to higher operating costs and may result in increased capital expenditures. If FPL or NEE is found not to be in compliance with these standards, it may incur substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions. Both the costs of regulatory compliance and the costs that may be imposed as a result of any actual or alleged compliance failures could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Changes in tax laws, guidance or policies, including but not limited to changes in corporate income tax rates, as well as judgments and estimates used in the determination of tax-related asset and liability amounts, could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's provision for income taxes and reporting of tax-related assets and liabilities require significant judgments and the use of estimates. Amounts of tax-related assets and liabilities involve judgments and estimates of the timing and probability of recognition of income, deductions and tax credits, including, but not limited to, estimates for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken and the ability to utilize tax benefit carryforwards, such as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Actual income taxes could vary significantly from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of, among other things, changes in tax laws, guidance or policies, including changes in corporate income tax rates, the financial condition and results of operations of NEE and FPL, and the resolution of audit issues raised by taxing authorities. These factors, including the ultimate resolution of income tax matters, may result in material adjustments to tax-related assets and liabilities, which could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected due to adverse results of litigation.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially affected by adverse results of litigation. Unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings in which NEE is involved or other future legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, class action lawsuits, may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL.
Operational Risks
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could suffer if NEE and FPL do not proceed with projects under development or are unable to complete the construction of, or capital improvements to, electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities or other facilities on schedule or within budget.
NEE's and FPL's ability to proceed with projects under development and to complete construction of, and capital improvement projects for, their electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities on schedule and within budget may be adversely affected by escalating costs for materials and labor and regulatory compliance, inability to obtain or renew necessary licenses, rights-of-way, permits or other approvals on acceptable terms or on schedule, disputes involving contractors, labor organizations, land owners, governmental entities, environmental groups, Native American and aboriginal groups, lessors, joint venture partners and other third parties, negative publicity, transmission interconnection issues and other factors. If any development project or construction or capital improvement project is not completed, is delayed or is subject to cost overruns, certain associated costs may not be approved for recovery or otherwise be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms that may be available, and NEE and FPL could become obligated to make delay or termination payments or become obligated for other damages under contracts, could experience the loss of tax credits or tax incentives, or delayed or diminished returns, and could be required to write off all or a portion of their investment in the project. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL may face risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements that may impede their development and operating activities.
NEE and FPL own, develop, construct, manage and operate electric-generation and transmission facilities and natural gas transmission facilities. A key component of NEE's and FPL's growth is their ability to construct and operate generation and transmission facilities to meet customer needs. As part of these operations, NEE and FPL must periodically apply for licenses and permits from various local, state, federal and other regulatory authorities and abide by their respective conditions. Should NEE or FPL be unsuccessful in obtaining necessary licenses or permits on acceptable terms, should there be a delay in obtaining or renewing necessary licenses or permits or should regulatory authorities initiate any associated investigations or enforcement actions or impose related penalties or disallowances on NEE or FPL, NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected. Any failure to negotiate successful project development agreements for new facilities with third parties could have similar results.
The operation and maintenance of NEE's and FPL's electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities are subject to many operational risks, the consequences of which could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities are subject to many operational risks. Operational risks could result in, among other things, lost revenues due to prolonged outages, increased expenses due to monetary penalties or fines for compliance failures, liability to third parties for property and personal injury damage, a failure to perform under applicable power sales agreements or other agreements and associated loss of revenues from terminated agreements or liability for liquidated damages under continuing agreements, and replacement equipment costs or an obligation to purchase or generate replacement power at higher prices.
Uncertainties and risks inherent in operating and maintaining NEE's and FPL's facilities include, but are not limited to:
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• | risks associated with facility start-up operations, such as whether the facility will achieve projected operating performance on schedule and otherwise as planned; |
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• | failures in the availability, acquisition or transportation of fuel or other necessary supplies; |
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• | the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, icing events, floods, earthquakes and droughts; |
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• | performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency; |
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• | breakdown or failure, including, but not limited to, explosions, fires, leaks or other major events, of equipment, transmission and distribution lines or pipelines; |
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• | availability of replacement equipment; |
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• | risks of property damage or human injury from energized equipment, hazardous substances or explosions, fires, leaks or other events; |
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• | availability of adequate water resources and ability to satisfy water intake and discharge requirements; |
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• | inability to identify, manage properly or mitigate equipment defects in NEE's and FPL's facilities; |
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• | use of new or unproven technology; |
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• | risks associated with dependence on a specific type of fuel or fuel source, such as commodity price risk, availability of adequate fuel supply and transportation, and lack of available alternative fuel sources; |
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• | increased competition due to, among other factors, new facilities, excess supply, shifting demand and regulatory changes; and |
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• | insufficient insurance, warranties or performance guarantees to cover any or all lost revenues or increased expenses from the foregoing. |
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be negatively affected by a lack of growth or slower growth in the number of customers or in customer usage.
Growth in customer accounts and growth of customer usage each directly influence the demand for electricity and the need for additional power generation and power delivery facilities, as well as the need for energy-related commodities such as natural gas. Customer growth and customer usage are affected by a number of factors outside the control of NEE and FPL, such as mandated energy efficiency measures, demand side management requirements, and economic and demographic conditions, such as population changes, job and income growth, housing starts, new business formation and the overall level of economic activity. A lack of growth, or a decline, in the number of customers or in customer demand for electricity or natural gas and other fuels may cause NEE and FPL to fail to fully realize the anticipated benefits from significant investments and expenditures and could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's growth, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects can be materially adversely affected by weather conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact of severe weather.
Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas and other fuels and affect the price of energy and energy-related commodities. In addition, severe weather and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, icing events and earthquakes, can be destructive and cause power outages and property damage, reduce revenue, affect the availability of fuel and water, and require NEE and FPL to incur additional costs, for example, to restore service and repair damaged facilities, to obtain replacement power and to access available financing sources. Furthermore, NEE's and FPL's physical plants could be placed at greater risk of damage should changes in the global climate produce unusual variations in temperature and weather patterns, resulting in more intense, frequent and extreme weather events, abnormal levels of precipitation and, particularly relevant to FPL, a change in sea level. FPL operates in the east and lower west coasts of Florida, an area that historically has been prone to severe weather events, such as hurricanes. A disruption or failure of electric generation, transmission or distribution systems or natural gas production, transmission, storage or distribution systems in the event of a hurricane, tornado or other severe weather event, or otherwise, could prevent NEE and FPL from operating their business in the normal course and could result in any of the adverse consequences described above. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
At FPL and other businesses of NEE where cost recovery is available, recovery of costs to restore service and repair damaged facilities is or may be subject to regulatory approval, and any determination by the regulator not to permit timely and full recovery of the costs incurred could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Changes in weather can also affect the production of electricity at power generation facilities, including, but not limited to, NEER's wind and solar facilities. For example, the level of wind resource affects the revenue produced by wind generation facilities. Because the levels of wind and solar resources are variable and difficult to predict, NEER's results of operations for individual wind and solar facilities specifically, and NEE's results of operations generally, may vary significantly from period to period, depending on the level of available resources. To the extent that resources are not available at planned levels, the financial results from these facilities may be less than expected.
Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt NEE's and FPL's business, or the businesses of third parties, may materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL are subject to the potentially adverse operating and financial effects of terrorist acts and threats, as well as cyber attacks and other disruptive activities of individuals or groups. There have been cyber attacks on energy infrastructure such as substations, gas pipelines and related assets in the past and there may be such attacks in the future. NEE's and FPL's generation, transmission and distribution facilities, fuel storage facilities, information technology systems and other infrastructure facilities and systems could be direct targets of, or otherwise be materially adversely affected by, such activities.
Terrorist acts, cyber attacks or other similar events affecting NEE's and FPL's systems and facilities, or those of third parties on which NEE and FPL rely, could harm NEE's and FPL's business, for example, by limiting their ability to generate, purchase or transmit power, natural gas or other energy-related commodities by limiting their ability to bill customers and collect and process payments, and by delaying their development and construction of new generation, distribution or transmission facilities or capital improvements to existing facilities. These events, and governmental actions in response, could result in a material decrease in
revenues, significant additional costs (for example, to repair assets, implement additional security requirements or maintain or acquire insurance), significant fines and penalties, and reputational damage, could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's operations (for example, by contributing to disruption of supplies and markets for natural gas, oil and other fuels), and could impair NEE's and FPL's ability to raise capital (for example, by contributing to financial instability and lower economic activity). In addition, the implementation of security guidelines and measures has resulted in and is expected to continue to result in increased costs. Such events or actions may materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The ability of NEE and FPL to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. NEE's and FPL's insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses.
Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be available at rates or on terms similar to those presently available to NEE and FPL. The ability of NEE and FPL to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. If insurance coverage is not available or obtainable on acceptable terms, NEE or FPL may be required to pay costs associated with adverse future events. NEE and FPL generally are not fully insured against all significant losses. For example, FPL is not fully insured against hurricane-related losses, but would instead seek recovery of such uninsured losses from customers subject to approval by the FPSC, to the extent losses exceed restricted funds set aside to cover the cost of storm damage. A loss for which NEE or FPL is not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE invests in gas and oil producing and transmission assets through NEER’s gas infrastructure business. The gas infrastructure business is exposed to fluctuating market prices of natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil and other energy commodities. A prolonged period of low gas and oil prices could impact NEER’s gas infrastructure business and cause NEER to delay or cancel certain gas infrastructure projects and for certain existing projects to be impaired, which could materially adversely affect NEE's results of operations.
Natural gas and oil prices are affected by supply and demand, both globally and regionally. Factors that influence supply and demand include operational issues, natural disasters, weather, political instability, conflicts, new discoveries, technological advances, economic conditions and actions by major oil-producing countries. There can be significant volatility in market prices for gas and oil, and price fluctuations could have a material effect on the financial performance of gas and oil producing and transmission assets. For example, in a low gas and oil price environment, NEER would generate less revenue from its gas infrastructure investments in gas and oil producing properties, and as a result certain investments might become less profitable or incur losses. Prolonged periods of low oil and gas prices could also result in oil and gas production and transmission projects to be delayed or cancelled or to experience lower returns, and for certain projects to become impaired, which could materially adversely affect NEE's results of operations.
If supply costs necessary to provide NEER's full energy and capacity requirement services are not favorable, operating costs could increase and materially adversely affect NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEER provides full energy and capacity requirements services primarily to distribution utilities, which include load-following services and various ancillary services, to satisfy all or a portion of such utilities' power supply obligations to their customers. The supply costs for these transactions may be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, events that may occur after such utilities have committed to supply power, such as weather conditions, fluctuating prices for energy and ancillary services, and the ability of the distribution utilities' customers to elect to receive service from competing suppliers. NEER may not be able to recover all of its increased supply costs, which could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Due to the potential for significant volatility in market prices for fuel, electricity and renewable and other energy commodities, NEER's inability or failure to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risks within its portfolios could materially adversely affect NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel, electricity and renewable and other energy commodities. NEE's inability or failure to manage properly or hedge effectively its assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, volumes, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures, based on factors that are either within, or wholly or partially outside of, NEE's control, may materially adversely affect NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Reductions in the liquidity of energy markets may restrict the ability of NEE to manage its operational risks, which, in turn, could negatively affect NEE's results of operations.
NEE is an active participant in energy markets. The liquidity of regional energy markets is an important factor in NEE's ability to manage risks in these operations. Market liquidity is driven in part by the number of active market participants, which has declined in recent years as some banks and other financial institutions have withdrawn from power marketing. Liquidity in the energy markets can be adversely affected by price volatility, restrictions on the availability of credit and other factors, and any reduction in the liquidity of energy markets could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's hedging and trading procedures and associated risk management tools may not protect against significant losses.
NEE and FPL have hedging and trading procedures and associated risk management tools, such as separate but complementary financial, credit, operational, compliance and legal reporting systems, internal controls, management review processes and other mechanisms. NEE and FPL are unable to assure that such procedures and tools will be effective against all potential risks, including, without limitation, employee misconduct. If such procedures and tools are not effective, this could have a material adverse effect on NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If price movements significantly or persistently deviate from historical behavior, NEE's and FPL's risk management tools associated with their hedging and trading procedures may not protect against significant losses.
NEE's and FPL's risk management tools and metrics associated with their hedging and trading procedures, such as daily value at risk, earnings at risk, stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines, are based on historical price movements. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in price movements and potential deviation from historical pricing behavior, NEE and FPL are unable to assure that their risk management tools and metrics will be effective to protect against material adverse effects on their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If power transmission or natural gas, nuclear fuel or other commodity transportation facilities are unavailable or disrupted, FPL's and NEER's ability to sell and deliver power or natural gas may be limited.
FPL and NEER depend upon power transmission and natural gas, nuclear fuel and other commodity transportation facilities, many of which they do not own. Occurrences affecting the operation of these facilities that may or may not be beyond FPL's and NEER's control (such as severe weather or a generation or transmission facility outage, pipeline rupture, or sudden and significant increase or decrease in wind generation) may limit or halt the ability of FPL and NEER to sell and deliver power and natural gas, or to purchase necessary fuels and other commodities, which could materially adversely impact NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL are subject to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors.
NEE and FPL are exposed to risks associated with the creditworthiness and performance of their customers, hedging counterparties and vendors under contracts for the supply of equipment, materials, fuel and other goods and services required for their business operations and for the construction and operation of, and for capital improvements to, their facilities. Adverse conditions in the energy industry or the general economy, as well as circumstances of individual customers, hedging counterparties and vendors, may adversely affect the ability of some customers, hedging counterparties and vendors to perform as required under their contracts with NEE and FPL. For example, the prolonged downturn in oil and natural gas prices has adversely affected the financial stability of a number of enterprises in the energy industry, including some with which NEE does business.
If any hedging, vending or other counterparty fails to fulfill its contractual obligations, NEE and FPL may need to make arrangements with other counterparties or vendors, which could result in material financial losses, higher costs, untimely completion of power generation facilities and other projects, and/or a disruption of their operations. If a defaulting counterparty is in poor financial condition, NEE and FPL may not be able to recover damages for any contract breach.
NEE and FPL could recognize financial losses or a reduction in operating cash flows if a counterparty fails to perform or make payments in accordance with the terms of derivative contracts or if NEE or FPL is required to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts.
NEE and FPL use derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forwards, some of which are traded in the OTC markets or on exchanges, to manage their commodity and financial market risks, and for NEE to engage in trading and marketing activities. Any failures by their counterparties to perform or make payments in accordance with the terms of those transactions could have a material adverse effect on NEE's or FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Similarly, any requirement for FPL or NEE to post margin cash collateral under its derivative contracts could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. These risks may be increased during periods of adverse market or economic conditions affecting the industries in which NEE participates.
NEE and FPL are highly dependent on sensitive and complex information technology systems, and any failure or breach of those systems could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL operate in a highly regulated industry that requires the continuous functioning of sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure. Despite NEE's and FPL's implementation of security measures, all of their technology systems are vulnerable to disability, failures or unauthorized access due to such activities. If NEE's or FPL's information technology systems were to fail or be breached, sensitive confidential and other data could be compromised and NEE and FPL could be unable to fulfill critical business functions.
NEE's and FPL's business is highly dependent on their ability to process and monitor, on a daily basis, a very large number of transactions, many of which are highly complex and cross numerous and diverse markets. Due to the size, scope, complexity and geographical reach of NEE's and FPL's business, the development and maintenance of information technology systems to keep track of and process information is critical and challenging. NEE's and FPL's operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are either within, or wholly or partially outside of, their control, such as operator error, severe weather, terrorist activities or cyber incidents. Any such failure or disabling event could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's ability to process transactions and provide services, and their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL add, modify and replace information systems on a regular basis. Modifying existing information systems or implementing new or replacement information systems is costly and involves risks, including, but not limited to, integrating the modified, new or replacement system with existing systems and processes, implementing associated changes in accounting procedures and controls, and ensuring that data conversion is accurate and consistent. Any disruptions or deficiencies in existing information systems, or disruptions, delays or deficiencies in the modification or implementation of new information systems, could result in increased costs, the inability to track or collect revenues and the diversion of management's and employees' attention and resources, and could negatively impact the effectiveness of the companies' control environment, and/or the companies' ability to timely file required regulatory reports.
NEE and FPL also face the risks of operational failure or capacity constraints of third parties, including, but not limited to, those who provide power transmission and natural gas transportation services.
NEE's and FPL's retail businesses are subject to the risk that sensitive customer data may be compromised, which could result in a material adverse impact to their reputation and/or have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL.
NEE's and FPL's retail businesses require access to sensitive customer data in the ordinary course of business. NEE's and FPL's retail businesses may also need to provide sensitive customer data to vendors and service providers who require access to this information in order to provide services, such as call center services, to the retail businesses. If a significant breach occurred, the reputation of NEE and FPL could be materially adversely affected, customer confidence could be diminished, or customer information could be subject to identity theft. NEE and FPL would be subject to costs associated with the breach and/or NEE and FPL could be subject to fines and legal claims, any of which may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of NEE and FPL.
NEE and FPL could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in OTC markets.
NEE and FPL execute transactions in derivative instruments on either recognized exchanges or via the OTC markets, depending on management's assessment of the most favorable credit and market execution factors. Transactions executed in OTC markets have the potential for greater volatility and less liquidity than transactions on recognized exchanges. As a result, NEE and FPL may not be able to execute desired OTC transactions due to such heightened volatility and limited liquidity.
In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of derivative instruments involves management's judgment and use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these derivative instruments and have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE and FPL may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity.
From time to time, political and public sentiment may result in a significant amount of adverse press coverage and other adverse public statements affecting NEE and FPL. Adverse press coverage and other adverse statements, whether or not driven by political or public sentiment, may also result in investigations by regulators, legislators and law enforcement officials or in legal claims. Responding to these investigations and lawsuits, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the proceeding, can divert the time and effort of senior management from NEE's and FPL's business.
Addressing any adverse publicity, governmental scrutiny or enforcement or other legal proceedings is time consuming and expensive and, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made, can have a negative impact on the reputation of NEE and FPL, on the morale and performance of their employees and on their relationships with their respective regulators. It may also have a negative impact on their ability to take timely advantage of various business and market opportunities. The direct and indirect effects of negative publicity, and the demands of responding to and addressing it, may have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected if FPL is unable to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate franchise agreements on acceptable terms with municipalities and counties in Florida.
FPL must negotiate franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida to provide electric services within such municipalities and counties, and electricity sales generated pursuant to these agreements represent a very substantial portion of FPL's revenues. If FPL is unable to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate such franchise agreements on acceptable terms, it could contribute to lower earnings and FPL may not fully realize the anticipated benefits from significant investments and expenditures, which could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected by work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs.
Employee strikes or work stoppages could disrupt operations and lead to a loss of revenue and customers. Personnel costs may also increase due to inflationary or competitive pressures on payroll and benefits costs and revised terms of collective bargaining agreements with union employees. These consequences could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions is subject to significant risks, including, but not limited to, the effect of increased competition for acquisitions resulting from the consolidation of the power industry.
NEE is likely to encounter significant competition for acquisition opportunities that may become available as a result of the consolidation of the power industry in general. In addition, NEE may be unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities at favorable prices and to complete and integrate them successfully and in a timely manner.
Nuclear Generation Risks
The operation and maintenance of NEE's and FPL's nuclear generation facilities involve environmental, health and financial risks that could result in fines or the closure of the facilities and in increased costs and capital expenditures.
NEE's and FPL's nuclear generation facilities are subject to environmental, health and financial risks, including, but not limited to, those relating to site storage of spent nuclear fuel, the disposition of spent nuclear fuel, leakage and emissions of tritium and other radioactive elements in the event of a nuclear accident or otherwise, the threat of a terrorist attack or cyber incident and other potential liabilities arising out of the ownership or operation of the facilities. NEE and FPL maintain decommissioning funds and external insurance coverage which are intended to reduce the financial exposure to some of these risks; however, the cost of decommissioning nuclear generation facilities could exceed the amount available in NEE's and FPL's decommissioning funds, and the exposure to liability and property damages could exceed the amount of insurance coverage. If NEE or FPL is unable to recover the additional costs incurred through insurance or, in the case of FPL, through regulatory mechanisms, their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected.
In the event of an incident at any nuclear generation facility in the U.S. or at certain nuclear generation facilities in Europe, NEE and FPL could be assessed significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums as a result of their participation in a secondary financial protection system and nuclear insurance mutual companies.
Liability for accidents at nuclear power plants is governed by the Price-Anderson Act, which limits the liability of nuclear reactor owners to the amount of insurance available from both private sources and an industry retrospective payment plan. In accordance with this Act, NEE maintains the maximum amount of private liability insurance obtainable, and participates in a secondary financial protection system, which provides liability insurance coverage for an incident at any nuclear reactor in the U.S. Under the secondary financial protection system, NEE is subject to retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums, plus any applicable taxes, for an incident at any nuclear reactor in the U.S. or at certain nuclear generation facilities in Europe, regardless of fault or proximity to the incident. Such assessments, if levied, could materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NRC orders or new regulations related to increased security measures and any future safety requirements promulgated by the NRC could require NEE and FPL to incur substantial operating and capital expenditures at their nuclear generation facilities and/or result in reduced revenues.
The NRC has broad authority to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation and maintenance of nuclear generation facilities, the addition of capacity at existing nuclear generation facilities and the construction of new nuclear generation facilities, and these requirements are subject to change. In the event of non-compliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines and/or shut down a nuclear generation facility, depending upon the NRC's assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved. Any of the foregoing events could require NEE and FPL to incur increased costs and capital expenditures, and could reduce revenues.
Any serious nuclear incident occurring at a NEE or FPL plant could result in substantial remediation costs and other expenses. A major incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world could cause the NRC to limit or prohibit the operation or licensing of any domestic nuclear generation facility. An incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world also could cause the NRC to impose additional conditions or other requirements on the industry, or on certain types of nuclear generation units, which could increase costs, reduce revenues and result in additional capital expenditures.
The inability to operate any of NEE's or FPL's nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If any of NEE's or FPL's nuclear generation facilities are not operated for any reason through the life of their respective operating licenses, NEE or FPL may be required to increase depreciation rates, incur impairment charges and accelerate future decommissioning expenditures, any of which could materially adversely affect their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
NEE's and FPL's nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate planned refueling and maintenance outages, and for other purposes. If planned outages last longer than anticipated or if there are unplanned outages, NEE's and FPL's results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
NEE's and FPL's nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate planned refueling and maintenance outages, including, but not limited to, inspections, repairs and certain other modifications as well as to replace equipment. In the event that a scheduled outage lasts longer than anticipated or in the event of an unplanned outage due to, for example, equipment failure, such outages could materially adversely affect NEE's or FPL's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Liquidity, Capital Requirements and Common Stock Risks
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets may negatively affect NEE's and FPL's ability to fund their liquidity and capital needs and to meet their growth objectives, and can also materially adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of NEE and FPL.
NEE and FPL rely on access to capital and credit markets as significant sources of liquidity for capital requirements and other operations requirements that are not satisfied by operating cash flows. Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in those capital and credit markets could increase NEE's and FPL's cost of capital and affect their ability to fund their liquidity and capital needs and to meet their growth objectives. If NEE or FPL is unable to access regularly the capital and credit markets on terms that are reasonable, it may have to delay raising capital, issue shorter-term securities and incur an unfavorable cost of capital, which, in turn, could adversely affect its ability to grow its business, could contribute to lower earnings and reduced financial flexibility, and could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Although NEE's competitive energy and certain other subsidiaries have used non-recourse or limited-recourse, project-specific or other financing in the past, market conditions and other factors could adversely affect the future availability of such financing. The inability of NEE's subsidiaries, including, without limitation, NEECH and NEP and their respective subsidiaries, to access the capital and credit markets to provide project-specific or other financing for electric generation or other facilities or acquisitions on favorable terms, whether because of disruptions or volatility in those markets or otherwise, could necessitate additional capital raising or borrowings by NEE and/or NEECH in the future.
The inability of subsidiaries that have existing project-specific or other financing arrangements to meet the requirements of various agreements relating to those financings could give rise to a project-specific financing default which, if not cured or waived, might result in the specific project, and potentially in some limited instances its parent companies, being required to repay the associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated, and if such repayment were not made, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project assets and related collateral. Such an occurrence also could result in NEE expending additional funds or incurring additional obligations over the shorter term to ensure continuing compliance with project-specific financing arrangements based upon the expectation of improvement in the project's performance or financial returns over the longer term. Any of these actions could materially adversely affect NEE's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the availability or terms of future financings for NEE or its subsidiaries.
NEE's, NEECH's and FPL's inability to maintain their current credit ratings may materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's liquidity and results of operations, limit the ability of NEE and FPL to grow their business, and increase interest costs.
The inability of NEE, NEECH and FPL to maintain their current credit ratings could materially adversely affect their ability to raise capital or obtain credit on favorable terms, which, in turn, could impact NEE's and FPL's ability to grow their business and service indebtedness and repay borrowings, and would likely increase their interest costs. In addition, certain agreements and guarantee arrangements would require posting of additional collateral in the event of a ratings downgrade. Some of the factors that can affect credit ratings are cash flows, liquidity, the amount of debt as a component of total capitalization, NEE's overall business mix and political, legislative and regulatory actions. There can be no assurance that one or more of the ratings of NEE, NEECH and FPL will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency.
NEE's and FPL's liquidity may be impaired if their credit providers are unable to fund their credit commitments to the companies or to maintain their current credit ratings.
The inability of NEE's, NEECH's and FPL's credit providers to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings could require NEE, NEECH or FPL, among other things, to renegotiate requirements in agreements, find an alternative credit provider with acceptable credit ratings to meet funding requirements, or post cash collateral and could have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's liquidity.
Poor market performance and other economic factors could affect NEE's defined benefit pension plan's funded status, which may materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and prospects.
NEE sponsors a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for substantially all employees of NEE and its subsidiaries. A decline in the market value of the assets held in the defined benefit pension plan due to poor investment performance or other factors may increase the funding requirements for this obligation.
NEE's defined benefit pension plan is sensitive to changes in interest rates, since, as interest rates decrease the funding liabilities increase, potentially increasing benefits costs and funding requirements. Any increase in benefits costs or funding requirements may have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
Poor market performance and other economic factors could adversely affect the asset values of NEE's and FPL's nuclear decommissioning funds, which may materially adversely affect NEE's and FPL's liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
NEE and FPL are required to maintain decommissioning funds to satisfy their future obligations to decommission their nuclear power plants. A decline in the market value of the assets held in the decommissioning funds due to poor investment performance or other factors may increase the funding requirements for these obligations. Any increase in funding requirements may have a material adverse effect on NEE's and FPL's liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of NEE's investments are subject to changes in market value and other risks, which may materially adversely affect NEE's liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
NEE holds certain investments where changes in the fair value affect NEE's financial results. In some cases there may be no observable market values for these investments, requiring fair value estimates to be based on other valuation techniques. This type of analysis requires significant judgment and the actual values realized in a sale of these investments could differ materially from those estimated. A sale of an investment below previously estimated value, or other decline in the fair value of an investment, could result in losses or the write-off of such investment, and may have a material adverse effect on NEE's liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
NEE may be unable to meet its ongoing and future financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock if its subsidiaries are unable to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to NEE.
NEE is a holding company and, as such, has no material operations of its own. Substantially all of NEE's consolidated assets are held by its subsidiaries. NEE's ability to meet its financial obligations, including, but not limited to, its guarantees, and to pay dividends on its common stock is primarily dependent on its subsidiaries' net income and cash flows, which are subject to the risks of their respective businesses, and their ability to pay upstream dividends or to repay funds to NEE.
NEE's subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no independent obligation to provide NEE with funds for its payment obligations. The subsidiaries have financial obligations, including, but not limited to, payment of debt service, which they must satisfy before they can provide NEE with funds. In addition, in the event of a subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization, NEE's right to participate in a distribution of assets is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors.
The dividend-paying ability of some of the subsidiaries is limited by contractual restrictions which are contained in outstanding financing agreements and which may be included in future financing agreements. The future enactment of laws or regulations also may prohibit or restrict the ability of NEE's subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or to repay funds.
NEE may be unable to meet its ongoing and future financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock if NEE is required to perform under guarantees of obligations of its subsidiaries.
NEE guarantees many of the obligations of its consolidated subsidiaries, other than FPL, through guarantee agreements with NEECH. These guarantees may require NEE to provide substantial funds to its subsidiaries or their creditors or counterparties at a time when NEE is in need of liquidity to meet its own financial obligations. Funding such guarantees may materially adversely affect NEE's ability to meet its financial obligations or to pay dividends.
NEP may not be able to access sources of capital on commercially reasonable terms, which would have a material adverse effect on its ability to consummate future acquisitions and on the value of NEE’s limited partner interest in NEP OpCo.
NEE understands that NEP expects, from time to time, to finance acquisitions of clean energy projects partially or wholly through the issuance of additional securities. NEP needs to be able to access the capital markets on commercially reasonable terms when acquisition opportunities arise. NEP's ability to access the capital markets is dependent on, among other factors, the overall state of the capital markets and investor appetite for investment in clean energy projects in general and NEP's common or preferred units in particular. An inability to obtain capital markets financing on commercially reasonable terms could significantly limit NEP's ability to consummate future acquisitions and to effectuate its growth strategy.
Furthermore there may not be sufficient availability under NEP OpCo's subsidiaries' revolving credit facility or other financing arrangements on commercially reasonable terms when acquisition opportunities arise. An inability to obtain the required or desired financing could significantly limit NEP's ability to consummate acquisitions and effectuate its growth strategy. If financing is available, it may be available only on terms that could significantly increase NEP's interest expense, impose additional or more restrictive covenants and reduce cash distributions to its unitholders. NEP's inability to effectively consummate future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on NEP's ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders.
Through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, NEE owns a limited partner interest in NEP OpCo. NEP's inability to access the capital markets on commercially reasonable terms and effectively consummate future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on NEP's ability to grow its cash distributions to its common unitholders, including NEE, and on the value of NEE’s limited partnership interest in NEP OpCo.
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets may exert downward pressure on the market price of NEE's common stock.
The market price and trading volume of NEE's common stock are subject to fluctuations as a result of, among other factors, general credit and capital market conditions and changes in market sentiment regarding the operations, business and financing strategies of NEE and its subsidiaries. As a result, disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets may, for example, have a material adverse effect on the market price of NEE's common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item 2. Properties
For a description of NEE's principal properties, see Item 1. Business - FPL and Item 1. Business - NEER.
Character of Ownership
Substantially all of FPL's properties are subject to the lien of FPL's mortgage, which secures most debt securities issued by FPL. The majority of FPL's real property is held in fee and is free from other encumbrances, subject to minor exceptions which are not of a nature as to substantially impair the usefulness to FPL of such properties. Some of FPL's electric lines are located on parcels of land which are not owned in fee by FPL but are covered by necessary consents of governmental authorities or rights obtained from owners of private property. The majority of NEER's generation facilities, pipeline facilities and transmission assets are owned by NEER subsidiaries and a number of those facilities and assets, including all of the Texas pipelines, are encumbered by liens securing various financings. Additionally, the majority of NEER's generation facilities, pipeline facilities and transmission lines are located on land leased or under easement from owners of private property. See Note 1 - Electric Plant, Depreciation and Amortization.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Common Stock Data. All of FPL's common stock is owned by NEE. NEE's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NEE." The high and low sales prices for the common stock of NEE as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange and the cash dividends per share declared for each quarter during the past two years are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
Quarter | | High | | Low | | Cash Dividends | | High | | Low | | Cash Dividends |
First | | $ | 133.28 |
| | $ | 117.33 |
| | $ | 0.9825 |
| | $ | 119.37 |
| | $ | 102.20 |
| | $ | 0.87 |
|
Second | | $ | 144.87 |
| | $ | 127.09 |
| | $ | 0.9825 |
| | $ | 130.43 |
| | $ | 112.44 |
| | $ | 0.87 |
|
Third | | $ | 151.60 |
| | $ | 138.00 |
| | $ | 0.9825 |
| | $ | 131.98 |
| | $ | 120.22 |
| | $ | 0.87 |
|
Fourth | | $ | 159.40 |
| | $ | 145.62 |
| | $ | 0.9825 |
| | $ | 128.46 |
| | $ | 110.49 |
| | $ | 0.87 |
|
The amount and timing of dividends payable on NEE's common stock are within the sole discretion of NEE's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors reviews the dividend rate at least annually (generally in February) to determine its appropriateness in light of NEE's financial position and results of operations, legislative and regulatory developments affecting the electric utility industry in general and FPL in particular, competitive conditions, change in business mix and any other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant. The ability of NEE to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent upon, among other things, dividends paid to it by its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions in effect that currently limit FPL's ability to pay dividends to NEE. In February 2018, NEE announced that it would increase its quarterly dividend on its common stock from $0.9825 per share to $1.11 per share. See Management's Discussion - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Covenants with respect to dividend restrictions and Note 10 - Common Stock Dividend Restrictions regarding dividends paid by FPL to NEE.
As of the close of business on January 31, 2018, there were 18,627 holders of record of NEE's common stock.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Information regarding purchases made by NEE of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2017 is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased(a) | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program(b) |
10/1/2017 - 10/31/17 | | — |
| | — |
| | — | | 45,000,000 |
11/1/2017 - 11/30/17 | | 190 |
| | $ | 157.36 |
| | — | | 45,000,000 |
12/1/2017 - 12/31/17 | | 435 |
| | $ | 158.14 |
| | — | | 45,000,000 |
Total | | 625 |
| | $ | 157.90 |
| | — | | |
______________________
| |
(a) | Includes: (1) in November 2017, shares of common stock withheld from employees to pay certain withholding taxes upon the vesting of stock awards granted to such employees under the NextEra Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan; and (2) in December 2017, shares of common stock purchased as a reinvestment of dividends by the trustee of a grantor trust in connection with NEE's obligation under a February 2006 grant under the NextEra Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (former LTIP) to an executive officer of deferred retirement share awards. |
| |
(b) | In May 2017, NEE's Board of Directors authorized repurchases of up to 45 million shares of common stock over an unspecified period. |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
SELECTED DATA OF NEE (millions, except per share amounts)(a): | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues | $ | 17,195 |
| | $ | 16,155 |
| | $ | 17,486 |
| | $ | 17,021 |
| | $ | 15,136 |
|
Income from continuing operations(b) | $ | 5,320 |
| | $ | 3,005 |
| | $ | 2,762 |
| | $ | 2,469 |
| | $ | 1,677 |
|
Net income(b)(c) | $ | 5,320 |
| | $ | 3,005 |
| | $ | 2,762 |
| | $ | 2,469 |
| | $ | 1,908 |
|
Net income attributable to NEE: | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations(b) | $ | 5,378 |
| | $ | 2,912 |
| | $ | 2,752 |
| | $ | 2,465 |
| | $ | 1,677 |
|
Gain from discontinued operations(c) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 231 |
|
Total | $ | 5,378 |
| | $ | 2,912 |
| | $ | 2,752 |
| | $ | 2,465 |
| | $ | 1,908 |
|
Earnings per share attributable to NEE - basic: | | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations(b) | $ | 11.47 |
| | $ | 6.29 |
| | $ | 6.11 |
| | $ | 5.67 |
| | $ | 3.95 |
|
Net income(b)(c) | $ | 11.47 |
| | $ | 6.29 |
| | $ | 6.11 |
| | $ | 5.67 |
| | $ | 4.50 |
|
Earnings per share attributable to NEE - assuming dilution: | | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations(b) | $ | 11.38 |
| | $ | 6.25 |
| | $ | 6.06 |
| | $ | 5.60 |
| | $ | 3.93 |
|
Net income(b)(c) | $ | 11.38 |
| | $ | 6.25 |
| | $ | 6.06 |
| | $ | 5.60 |
| | $ | 4.47 |
|
Dividends paid per share of common stock | $ | 3.93 |
| | $ | 3.48 |
| | $ | 3.08 |
| | $ | 2.90 |
| | $ | 2.64 |
|
Total assets(d) | $ | 97,827 |
| | $ | 89,993 |
| | $ | 82,479 |
| | $ | 74,605 |
| | $ | 69,007 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | $ | 31,463 |
| | $ | 27,818 |
| | $ | 26,681 |
| | $ | 24,044 |
| | $ | 23,670 |
|
Capital expenditures, independent power and other investments and nuclear fuel purchases: | | | | | | | | | |
FPL | $ | 5,291 |
| | $ | 3,934 |
| | $ | 3,633 |
| | $ | 3,241 |
| | $ | 2,903 |
|
NEER | 5,375 |
| | 5,521 |
| | 4,661 |
| | 3,701 |
| | 3,637 |
|
Corporate and Other | 74 |
| | 181 |
| | 83 |
| | 75 |
| | 142 |
|
Total | $ | 10,740 |
| | $ | 9,636 |
| | $ | 8,377 |
| | $ | 7,017 |
| | $ | 6,682 |
|
______________________
| |
(a) | See Note 1 - NextEra Energy Partners, LP for a discussion of the deconsolidation of NEP in January 2018. |
| |
(b) | Includes net unrealized mark-to-market after-tax gains (losses) associated with non-qualifying hedges of approximately $(35) million, $(92) million, $183 million, $153 million and $(53) million, respectively. 2017 also includes approximately $1,827 million ($1,928 million attributable to NEE) of net favorable tax reform impacts (see Note 5), exclusive of $95 million being offset in the non-qualifying hedge amount. 2017 and 2016 also include after-tax gains on sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business and natural gas generation facilities of $685 million and $219 million, respectively (see Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale). Also, on an after-tax basis, 2017 includes an impairment charge of $258 million related to Duane Arnold (see Note 4 - Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements) and 2013 includes impairment and other charges of approximately $342 million related to solar projects in Spain. |
| |
(c) | 2013 includes an after-tax gain from discontinued operations of $231 million related to the sale of hydropower generation plants. |
| |
(d) | Includes assets held for sale of approximately $140 million in 2017, $452 million in 2016 and $1,009 million in 2015. See Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale. |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
NEE’s operating performance is driven primarily by the operations of its two principal subsidiaries, FPL, which serves nearly five million customer accounts in Florida and is one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., and NEER, which together with affiliated entities is the world's largest operator of wind and solar projects based on 2017 MWh produced. The table below presents net income attributable to NEE and earnings per share attributable to NEE, assuming dilution, by reportable segment, FPL and NEER, and by Corporate and Other, which is primarily comprised of the operating results of NEET and other business activities, as well as other income and expense items, including interest expense, income taxes and eliminating entries (see Note 14 for additional segment information). The following discussions should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and all comparisons are with the corresponding items in the prior year.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Income Attributable to NEE | | Earnings Per Share Attributable to NEE, Assuming Dilution |
| Years Ended December 31, | | Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| (millions) | | |
FPL | $ | 1,880 |
| | $ | 1,727 |
| | $ | 1,648 |
| | $ | 3.98 |
| | $ | 3.71 |
| | $ | 3.63 |
|
NEER(a) | 2,963 |
| | 1,125 |
| | 1,092 |
| | 6.27 |
| | 2.41 |
| | 2.41 |
|
Corporate and Other | 535 |
| | 60 |
| | 12 |
| | 1.13 |
| | 0.13 |
| | 0.02 |
|
NEE | $ | 5,378 |
| | $ | 2,912 |
| | $ | 2,752 |
| | $ | 11.38 |
| | $ | 6.25 |
| | $ | 6.06 |
|
______________________ | |
(a) | NEER’s results reflect an allocation of interest expense from NEECH based on a deemed capital structure of 70% debt. |
For the five years ended December 31, 2017, NEE delivered a total shareholder return of approximately 162.4%, above the S&P 500’s 108.1% return, the S&P 500 Utilities' 81.1% return and the Dow Jones U.S. Electricity's 77.9% return. The historical stock performance of NEE's common stock shown in the performance graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
Adjusted Earnings
NEE prepares its financial statements under GAAP. However, management uses earnings excluding certain items (adjusted earnings), a non-GAAP financial measure, internally for financial planning, analysis of performance, reporting of results to the Board of Directors and as an input in determining performance-based compensation under NEE’s employee incentive compensation plans. NEE also uses adjusted earnings when communicating its financial results and earnings outlook to analysts and investors. NEE’s management believes that adjusted earnings provide a more meaningful representation of NEE's fundamental earnings power. Although the excluded amounts are properly included in the determination of net income under GAAP, management believes that the amount and/or nature of such items make period to period comparisons of operations difficult and potentially confusing. Adjusted earnings do not represent a substitute for net income, as prepared under GAAP.
The following table provides details of the after-tax adjustments to net income considered in computing NEE's adjusted earnings discussed above.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | | (millions) | | |
Net gains (losses) associated with non-qualifying hedge activity(a) | $ | (35 | ) | | $ | (92 | ) | | $ | 183 | |
Merger-related expenses - Corporate and Other(b) | $ | (63 | ) | | $ | (92 | ) | | $ | (20 | ) |
Operating results of solar projects in Spain - NEER | $ | 5 |
| | $ | (11 | ) | | $ | 5 | |
Income (losses) from OTTI on securities held in NEER's nuclear decommissioning funds, net of OTTI reversals(c) | $ | 2 |
| | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | (15 | ) |
Tax reform-related(d) | $ | 1,877 |
| | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Gain on sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business - Corporate and Other(e) | $ | 685 |
| | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Gains on sale of natural gas generation facilities(f) | $ | — |
| | $ | 219 | | | $ | — | |
Duane Arnold impairment charge(g) | $ | (258 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Resolution of contingencies related to a previous asset sale - NEER | $ | — |
| | $ | 5 | | | $ | — | |
______________________
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(a) | For 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately $47 million of gains, $233 million of losses and $175 million of gains, respectively, are included in NEER's net income; the balance is included in Corporate and Other. The change in non-qualifying hedge activity is primarily attributable to changes in forward power and natural gas prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, as well as the reversal of previously recognized unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses as the underlying transactions were realized. In 2017, net losses associated with non-qualifying hedge activity were partly offset by approximately $95 million of tax reform impacts. |
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(b) | See Note 1 - Merger Terminations. |
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(c) | Reflects OTTI losses on securities held in NEER’s nuclear decommissioning funds, net of the reversal of previously recognized OTTI losses on securities sold and losses on securities where price recovery was deemed unlikely (collectively, OTTI reversals). For 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately $2 million of income, $2 million of losses and $14 million of losses, respectively, are included in NEER's net income; the balance is included in Corporate and Other. |
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(d) | Approximately $1,925 million of net favorable tax reform impacts and $50 million of net unfavorable tax reform impacts are included in NEER's and FPL's net income, respectively; the balance is included in Corporate and Other. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve and Note 5. |
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(e) | See Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale for a discussion of the sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business. |
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(f) | Approximately $276 million of the gains is included in NEER's net income; the balance is included in Corporate and Other. See Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale for a discussion of the sale of the natural gas generation facilities. |
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(g) | Approximately $246 million of the impairment charge is included in NEER's net income; the balance is included in Corporate and Other. See Note 4 - Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements. |
NEE segregates into two categories unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses and timing impacts related to derivative transactions. The first category, referred to as non-qualifying hedges, represents certain energy derivative, interest rate derivative and foreign currency transactions entered into as economic hedges, which do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting, or for which hedge accounting treatment is not elected or has been discontinued. Changes in the fair value of those transactions are marked to market and reported in the consolidated statements of income, resulting in earnings volatility because the economic offset to certain of the positions are generally not marked to market. As a consequence, NEE's net income reflects only the movement in one part of economically-linked transactions. For example, a gain (loss) in the non-qualifying hedge category for certain energy derivatives is offset by decreases (increases) in the fair value of related physical asset positions in the portfolio or contracts, which are not marked to market under GAAP. For this reason, NEE's management views results expressed excluding the impact of the non-qualifying hedges as a meaningful measure of current period performance. The second category, referred to as trading activities, which is included in adjusted earnings, represents the net unrealized effect of actively traded positions entered into to take advantage of expected market price movements and all other commodity hedging activities. In 2016, NEE discontinued hedge accounting for its interest rate and foreign currency derivative instruments, which could result in increased volatility in the non-qualifying hedge category. At FPL, substantially all changes in the fair value of energy derivative transactions are deferred as a regulatory asset or liability until the contracts are settled, and, upon settlement, any gains or losses are passed through the fuel clause. See Note 3.
2017 Summary
Net income attributable to NEE for 2017 was higher than 2016 by $2,466 million, or $5.13 per share, assuming dilution, due to higher results at FPL, NEER and Corporate and Other, including the favorable impacts of tax reform.
FPL's increase in net income in 2017 was primarily driven by continued investments in plant in service and other property and increased retail rate base under the 2016 rate agreement, partly offset by the net impact of storm restoration costs due to Hurricane Irma discussed below.
NEER's results increased in 2017 primarily reflecting the impacts of tax reform, earnings from new investments and the non-qualifying hedge activity, partly offset by the Duane Arnold impairment charge and the absence of 2016 gains from the sale of natural gas generation facilities. In 2017, NEER added approximately 355 MW of new wind generating capacity, 1,596 MW of wind repowering generating capacity and 200 MW of solar generating capacity in the U.S., completed the sale of 80 MW of solar generating capacity and increased its backlog of contracted renewable development projects.
Corporate and Other's results in 2017 increased primarily reflecting the gain on sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business, partly offset by non-qualifying hedge activity.
NEE and its subsidiaries require funds to support and grow their businesses. These funds are primarily provided by cash flow from operations, borrowings or issuances of short- and long-term debt and proceeds from differential membership investors and, from time to time, issuances of equity securities. See Liquidity and Capital Resources - Liquidity.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income attributable to NEE for 2017 was $5.38 billion, compared to $2.91 billion in 2016 and $2.75 billion in 2015. In 2017 and 2016, net income attributable to NEE improved due to higher results at FPL, NEER and Corporate and Other.
In 2017, the enactment of tax reform required NEE and its subsidiaries to, among other things, revalue their deferred income tax assets and liabilities to the new 21% federal corporate income tax rate. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve and Note 5 for further discussion of the impacts of tax reform.
FPL: Results of Operations
FPL obtains its operating revenues primarily from the sale of electricity to retail customers at rates established by the FPSC through base rates and cost recovery clause mechanisms. FPL’s net income for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $1,880 million, $1,727 million and $1,648 million, respectively, representing an increase in 2017 of $153 million and an increase in 2016 of $79 million. The increases in 2017 and 2016 were primarily driven by higher earnings from investments in plant in service and other property. Such investments grew FPL's average retail rate base by approximately $3.5 billion and $2.4 billion in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and reflect, among other things, ongoing transmission and distribution additions, the replacement of certain gas turbines with high-efficiency, low-emission turbines, solar generation additions and the modernized Port Everglades Clean Energy Center that was placed in service on April 1, 2016 (Port Everglades power plant).
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed through Florida causing damage throughout much of FPL's service territory, resulting in approximately 4.4 million of FPL's customers losing electrical service. FPL restored power to approximately 50% of its affected customers within one day and to approximately 95% of affected customers within seven days. In December 2017, following the enactment of tax reform, FPL used available reserve amortization to offset nearly all of the write-off of Hurricane Irma storm restoration costs, and FPL plans to partially restore the reserve amortization through tax savings generated during the term of the 2016 rate agreement. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve.
The use of reserve amortization was permitted under the 2012 rate agreement and continues during the term of the 2016 rate agreement. See Item 1. Business - FPL - FPL Regulation - FPL Rate Regulation - Base Rates for additional information on the 2016 and 2012 rate agreements. In order to earn a targeted regulatory ROE, subject to limitations associated with the 2016 and 2012 rate agreements, reserve amortization is calculated using a trailing thirteen-month average of retail rate base and capital structure in conjunction with the trailing twelve months regulatory retail base net operating income, which primarily includes the retail base portion of base and other revenues, net of O&M, depreciation and amortization, interest and tax expenses. In general, the net impact of these income statement line items must be adjusted, in part, by reserve amortization to earn the targeted regulatory ROE. In certain periods, reserve amortization is reversed so as not to exceed the targeted regulatory ROE. The drivers of FPL's net income not reflected in the reserve amortization calculation typically include wholesale and transmission service revenues and expenses, cost recovery clause revenues and expenses, AFUDC - equity and revenue and costs not recoverable from retail customers by the FPSC. In 2017 and 2016, FPL recorded reserve amortization of $1,250 million and $13 million, respectively, and in 2015, FPL recorded the reversal of reserve amortization of approximately $15 million. FPL's regulatory ROE for 2017 was approximately 11.08% and, for both 2016 and 2015, was 11.50%.
During 2017, FPL’s operating revenues increased $1,077 million primarily related to increases of approximately $404 million in retail base revenues, $274 million in storm-related surcharge revenues and $262 million in fuel cost recovery revenues. During
2016, FPL's operating revenues decreased $756 million primarily related to decreases of approximately $755 million in fuel cost recovery revenues and $171 million in capacity clause revenues, partly offset by an increase of $154 million in retail base revenues.
Retail Base
FPL’s retail base revenues for 2017 reflect the 2016 rate agreement and for 2016 and 2015 reflect the 2012 rate agreement. In December 2016, the FPSC issued a final order approving the 2016 rate agreement which became effective January 2017 and will remain in effect until at least December 2020, establishes FPL's allowed regulatory ROE at 10.55%, with a range of 9.60% to 11.60%, and allows for retail rate base increases in 2017, 2018 and upon commencement of commercial operations at the Okeechobee Clean Energy Center and certain solar projects. See Item 1. Business - FPL - FPL Regulation - FPL Rate Regulation - Base Rates for additional information on the 2016 rate agreement.
Retail base revenues increased approximately $45 million in 2017 and $175 million in 2016 through a $216 million annualized retail base rate increase associated with the modernized Port Everglades power plant. In addition, the 2017 increase in retail base revenues reflects additional revenues of approximately $389 million related to new retail base rates under the 2016 rate agreement. In 2017 and 2016, retail base revenues were also impacted by decreases of 2.1% for each period in the average usage per retail customer and increases of 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively, in the average number of customer accounts. Despite generally favorable weather in 2017, usage per retail customer declined. Hurricane Irma contributed to the 2017 decrease in retail usage, resulting in a decrease in retail base revenues of approximately $60 million which represents a 1.0% decrease in retail base revenues. The decline in 2016 usage per retail customer was primarily due to milder weather and customer service interruptions as a result of hurricanes that impacted FPL's service territory in 2016 which had a modest negative impact on 2016 base revenue. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve.
Cost Recovery Clauses
Revenues from fuel and other cost recovery clauses and pass-through costs, such as franchise fees, revenue taxes and storm-related surcharges, are largely a pass-through of costs. Such revenues also include a return on investment allowed to be recovered through the cost recovery clauses on certain assets, primarily related to certain solar and environmental projects and the unamortized balance of the regulatory asset associated with FPL's acquisition of certain generation facilities. See Item 1. Business - FPL - FPL Regulation - FPL Rate Regulation - Cost Recovery Clauses. Underrecovery or overrecovery of cost recovery clause and other pass-through costs (deferred clause and franchise expenses and revenues) can significantly affect NEE's and FPL's operating cash flows. The 2017 and 2016 net overrecoveries were approximately $82 million and $94 million, respectively, and positively affected NEE’s and FPL’s cash flows from operating activities.
The 2017 increase in fuel cost recovery revenues primarily reflects a higher average fuel factor resulting in higher revenues of approximately $258 million. The 2016 decrease in fuel cost recovery revenues is primarily due to a decrease of approximately $737 million related to a lower average fuel factor. The 2017 increase in storm-related surcharge revenues relates to FPL's recovery of eligible storm restoration costs following hurricanes impacting FPL's service territory in 2016 and replenishment of the storm reserve for a 12-month period beginning on March 1, 2017. The 2016 decrease in capacity clause revenues was largely due to reductions in purchased power and capacity expenses associated with the capacity clause.
In 2017, 2016 and 2015, cost recovery clauses contributed approximately $120 million, $112 million and $103 million, respectively, to FPL’s net income. The increases in 2017 and 2016 primarily relate to the acquisitions of certain generation facilities in 2017 and 2015, a portion of the costs of which were recovered through cost recovery clauses. In January 2017, FPL assumed ownership of a 330 MW coal-fired generation facility located in Indiantown, Florida (Indiantown generation facility) for a purchase price of approximately $451 million (including existing debt of approximately $218 million). In September 2015, FPL assumed ownership of the Cedar Bay generation facility and terminated its long-term purchased power agreement for substantially all of the facility’s capacity and energy for a purchase price of approximately $521 million. FPL will recover the purchase price related to the Indiantown and Cedar Bay generation facilities and the associated income tax gross-up on Cedar Bay as regulatory assets which are being amortized over approximately nine years. See Note 1 - Rate Regulation for further discussion.
Other Items Impacting FPL's Consolidated Statements of Income
Fuel, Purchased Power and Interchange Expense
Fuel, purchased power and interchange expense increased $245 million and decreased $979 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase for 2017 primarily relates to approximately $314 million of higher fuel and energy prices, partly offset by a decrease of $103 million in capacity fees related in part to the Indiantown generation facility long-term purchased power agreement after FPL assumed ownership of the Indiantown generation facility. The decrease in 2016 primarily relates to approximately $453 million of lower fuel and energy prices and $27 million related to lower energy sales. In addition, FPL recognized approximately $49 million and $220 million of deferred retail fuel costs in 2017 and 2015, respectively, compared to the deferral of $11 million of retail fuel costs in 2016. The decrease in 2016 also reflects lower capacity fees of approximately $267 million related in part to the termination of the Cedar Bay generation facility long-term purchased power agreement after FPL assumed ownership of the Cedar Bay generation facility.
Storm Restoration Costs
In December 2017, following the enactment of tax reform, FPL determined that it would not seek recovery of Hurricane Irma storm restoration costs through a surcharge from customers and, as a result, the regulatory asset associated with Hurricane Irma was written off. As allowed under the 2016 rate agreement, FPL used available reserve amortization to offset nearly all of the expense, and plans to partially restore the reserve amortization through tax savings generated during the term of the 2016 rate agreement. See Note 1 - Securitized Storm-Recovery Costs, Storm Fund and Storm Reserve.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
The major components of FPL’s depreciation and amortization expense are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | | (millions) | | |
Reserve reversal (amortization) recorded under the 2016 and 2012 rate agreements | $ | (1,250 | ) | | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | 15 |
|
Other depreciation and amortization recovered under base rates | 1,608 |
| | 1,366 |
| | 1,359 |
|
Depreciation and amortization primarily recovered under cost recovery clauses and securitized storm-recovery cost amortization | 575 |
| | 298 |
| | 202 |
|
Total | $ | 933 |
| | $ | 1,651 |
| | $ | 1,576 |
|
Depreciation expense decreased $718 million and increased $75 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in 2017 primarily reflects approximately $1,237 million of higher reserve amortization, partly offset by higher depreciation recovered under base rates due to higher rates as a result of the 2016 rate agreement, higher storm-recovery cost amortization related to the recovery of restoration costs from hurricanes that impacted FPL's service territory in 2016 and higher plant in service balances. The reserve amortization, or reversal of such amortization, reflects adjustments to accrued asset removal costs provided under the 2016 and 2012 rate agreements in order to achieve the targeted regulatory ROE. Reserve amortization is recorded as a reduction to (or when reversed as an increase to) accrued asset removal costs which is reflected in noncurrent regulatory liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2017, no amounts remain in accrued asset removal costs related to reserve amortization.
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in 2016 primarily relates to higher amortization of a regulatory asset associated with the September 2015 acquisition of the Cedar Bay generation facility and higher depreciation related to higher plant in service balances, partly offset by the absence of 2015 amortization expenses associated with analog meters.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes and Other
Taxes other than income taxes and other increased $103 million in 2017 primarily due to higher franchise and revenue taxes, neither of which impacts net income, as well as higher property taxes reflecting growth in plant in service balances.
NEER: Results of Operations
NEER owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets primarily in the U.S., as well as in Canada and Spain. NEER also provides full energy and capacity requirements services, engages in power and gas marketing and trading activities and invests in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil production and pipeline infrastructure assets. NEER’s net income less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2,963 million, $1,125 million and $1,092 million, respectively, resulting in an increase in 2017 of $1,838 million and an increase in 2016 of $33 million. The primary drivers, on an after-tax basis, of these changes are in the following table.
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| | | | | | | | | |
| Increase (Decrease) From Prior Period |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
| (millions) |
New investments(a) | $ | 363 | | | $ | 293 | |
Existing assets(a) | (54 | ) | | (55 | ) |
Gas infrastructure(a) | (13 | ) | | (75 | ) |
Customer supply and proprietary power and gas trading(b) | 3 | | | (16 | ) |
Revaluation of contingent consideration | (80 | ) | | 80 | |
Interest and other general and administrative expenses(c) | (158 | ) | | (99 | ) |
Other | 79 | | | 36 | |
Change in non-qualifying hedge activity(d) | 280 | | | (408 | ) |
Change in OTTI losses on securities held in nuclear decommissioning funds, net of OTTI reversals(d) | 4 | | | 12 | |
Tax reform-related(d) | 1,925 | | | — | |
Duane Arnold impairment charge(d) | (246 | ) | | — | |
Operating results of the solar projects in Spain(d) | 16 | | | (16 | ) |
Gains on sale of natural gas generation facilities(d) | (276 | ) | | 276 | |
Resolution of contingencies related to a previous asset sale(d) | (5 | ) | | 5 | |
Increase in net income less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | 1,838 | | | $ | 33 | |
______________________ | |
(a) | Reflects after-tax project contributions, including PTCs, ITCs and deferred income taxes and other benefits associated with convertible ITCs for wind and solar projects, as applicable, (see Note 1 - Electric Plant, Depreciation and Amortization, - Income Taxes and - Sale of Differential Membership Interests and Note 5), as well as income tax benefits related to the Canadian tax restructuring, but excludes allocation of interest expense or corporate general and administrative expenses. Results from projects and pipelines are included in new investments during the first twelve months of operation or ownership. Project results are included in existing assets and pipeline results are included in gas infrastructure beginning with the thirteenth month of operation or ownership. |
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(b) | Excludes allocation of interest expense and corporate general and administrative expenses. |
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(c) | Includes differential membership interest costs. Excludes unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses related to interest rate derivative contracts, which are included in change in non-qualifying hedge activity. |
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(d) | See Overview - Adjusted Earnings for additional information. |
New Investments
In 2017, results from new investments increased primarily due to:
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• | higher earnings of approximately $316 million, including the net effect of deferred income taxes and other benefits associated with ITCs and convertible ITCs, related to the addition of approximately 1,818 MW of wind generating capacity and 1,378 MW of solar generating capacity during or after 2016, and |
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• | higher earnings of approximately $44 million related to additional investments in natural gas pipeline projects. |
In 2016, results from new investments increased primarily due to:
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• | higher earnings of approximately $223 million, including deferred income tax and other benefits associated with ITCs and convertible ITCs, related to the addition of approximately 2,819 MW of wind generating capacity and 1,226 MW of solar generating capacity during or after 2015, and |
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• | higher earnings of approximately $70 million related to the acquisition of the Texas pipelines in October 2015 and additional investments in other natural gas pipeline projects. |
Existing Assets
In 2017, results from NEER's existing asset portfolio decreased primarily due to:
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• | lower results from wind and solar assets of approximately $36 million primarily reflecting an increase in the amount of earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest and the absence of 2016 income tax benefits related to the Canadian tax restructuring, offset in part by lower depreciation related to the change in useful lives of certain wind assets (see Note 1 - Electric Plant, Depreciation and Amortization), and |
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• | lower results of approximately $27 million related to the sale of certain natural gas generation facilities (see Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale). |
In 2016, results from NEER's existing asset portfolio decreased primarily due to:
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• | lower results from wind and solar assets of approximately $40 million primarily due to lower state tax credits, the roll off of PTCs on certain wind projects after ten years of production (PTC roll off), higher project O&M expenses and an increase in the amount of earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, offset in part by higher wind generation and income tax benefits related to the Canadian tax restructuring, and |
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• | lower results of $6 million related to the sale of certain natural gas generation facilities (see Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale). |
Gas Infrastructure
The decrease in gas infrastructure results in 2016 is primarily due to increased depreciation expense reflecting higher depletion rates as well as lower commodity prices.
Revaluation of Contingent Consideration
For 2016, NEER's results reflect approximately $80 million of after-tax fair value adjustments, net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, to reduce the contingent holdback associated with the acquisition of the Texas pipelines (see Note 7 - Texas Pipeline Business).
Interest and General and Administrative Expenses
Interest and general and administrative expenses includes interest expense, differential membership interest costs and other corporate general and administrative expenses. In 2017 and 2016, interest and general and administrative expenses reflect higher borrowing costs and other costs to support the growth of the business.
Other Factors
Supplemental to the primary drivers of the changes in NEER's net income less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests discussed above, the discussion below describes changes in certain line items set forth in NEE's consolidated statements of income as they relate to NEER.
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues for 2017 increased $293 million primarily due to:
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• | higher revenues from new investments of approximately $318 million, |
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• | lower unrealized mark-to-market losses from non-qualifying hedges (approximately $71 million for 2017 compared to $273 million in 2016), and |
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• | higher revenues of approximately $125 million from the customer supply and proprietary power and gas trading business, |
partly offset by,
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• | lower revenues from existing assets of approximately $291 million primarily reflecting the sale of certain natural gas generation facilities in 2016, and |
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• | lower revenues from the gas infrastructure business of approximately $89 million. |
Operating revenues for 2016 decreased $551 million primarily due to:
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• | unrealized mark-to-market losses from non-qualifying hedges of approximately $273 million for 2016 compared to $275 million of gains on such hedges for 2015, and |
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• | lower revenues from existing assets of approximately $409 million reflecting lower revenues from the natural gas generation facilities sold in 2016, offset in part by higher wind generation due to stronger wind resource and higher revenues at Seabrook reflecting the absence of a 2015 refueling outage, |
partly offset by,
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• | higher revenues from new investments of approximately $384 million. |
Operating Expenses - net
Operating expenses - net for 2017 increased $899 million primarily due to:
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• | the absence of the 2016 gain on the sale of natural gas generation facilities of approximately $445 million, |
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• | the Duane Arnold impairment charge of approximately $420 million, and |
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• | higher operating expenses associated with new investments of approximately $167 million, |
partly offset by,
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• | lower depreciation expense on existing assets of approximately $98 million primarily related to the change in the estimated useful lives of certain equipment (see Note 1 - Electric Plant, Depreciation and Amortization) and lower depletion rates, and |
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• | lower fuel expense of approximately $85 million primarily related to the sale of certain natural gas generation facilities in 2016 offset in part by higher fuel purchases for the proprietary power and gas trading business. |
Operating expenses - net for 2016 decreased $446 million primarily due to:
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• | gains of approximately $446 million primarily related to the sale of natural gas generation facilities in 2016 and the profit sharing liability amortization related to ownership interests sold to NEP, and |
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• | lower fuel expense of approximately $284 million primarily reflecting lower fuel expense from the natural gas generation facilities sold in 2016, |
partly offset by,
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• | higher operating expenses associated with new investments of approximately $208 million, |
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• | higher O&M expenses reflecting higher costs associated with growth in the NEER business, and |
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• | higher depreciation of approximately $49 million on existing assets primarily reflecting an increase of $111 million of depreciation from the gas infrastructure business primarily related to higher depletion rates and increased production, partly offset by lower depreciation on the natural gas generation facilities sold in 2016. |
Interest Expense
NEER's interest expense for 2017 increased $69 million primarily reflecting higher average debt balances reflecting growth in the business. NEER’s interest expense for 2016 increased $107 million reflecting approximately $45 million of unfavorable changes in the fair value of interest rate derivative instruments compared to $11 million of favorable changes in 2015 and higher average debt balances reflecting growth in the business.
Benefits Associated with Differential Membership Interests - net
Benefits associated with differential membership interests - net for all periods presented reflect benefits recognized by NEER as third-party investors received their portion of the economic attributes, including income tax attributes, of the underlying wind and solar projects, net of associated costs. The increase for 2017 primarily relates to additional sales of differential membership interests in 2017 and 2016. The increase for 2016 primarily relates to lower interest costs associated with the ongoing paydown of the differential membership interest obligations, additional sales of differential membership interests and increased results of the underlying wind and solar projects. See Note 1 - Sale of Differential Membership Interests.
Gains on Disposal of Investments and Other Property - net
Gains on disposal of investments and other property - net for all periods presented primarily reflect gains on sales of securities held in NEER’s nuclear decommissioning funds.
Revaluation of Contingent Consideration
Revaluation of contingent consideration reflects 2016 fair value adjustments to reduce the contingent holdback associated with the acquisition of the Texas pipelines. Approximately $65 million of the fair value adjustments was attributable to noncontrolling interests. See Note 7 - Texas Pipeline Business.
Tax Credits, Benefits and Expenses
PTCs from wind projects and ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with convertible ITCs from solar and certain wind projects are reflected in NEER’s earnings. PTCs are recognized as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kWh rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, and were approximately $132 million, $120 million and $149 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with convertible ITCs totaled approximately $236 million, $150 million and $89 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. A portion of the PTCs and ITCs have been allocated to investors in connection with sales of differential membership interests. PTCs, ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with convertible ITCs can significantly affect the effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income. The amount of PTCs recognized can be significantly affected by wind generation and by PTC roll off. Also, NEE's effective income tax rate was affected by the favorable tax reform impacts in 2017 and the reversal of a noncash income tax charge associated with structuring Canadian assets in 2016. See Note 5.
NEP
In all periods presented, indirect subsidiaries of NEER sold additional ownership interests in wind and solar projects to indirect subsidiaries of NEP. See Note 1 - NextEra Energy Partners, LP.
During the third quarter of 2017, changes to NEP's governance structure were made that, among other things, enhanced NEP unitholder governance rights. The new governance structure established a NEP board of directors whereby NEP unitholders have the ability to nominate and elect board members, subject to certain limitations and requirements. As a result of these governance changes, NEP was deconsolidated from NEE in January 2018, which is when the term of office of the first NEP unitholder-elected directors took effect. As a result of the deconsolidation of NEP, NEE will reflect its ownership interest in NEP as an equity method
investment and future earnings from NEP as equity in earnings of equity method investees in its consolidated financial statements. Upon deconsolidation, the equity method investment was recorded at fair value which will result in a gain of approximately $4 billion ($3 billion after tax) to NEE in the first quarter of 2018. Additionally, sales of assets to NEP after deconsolidation will be accounted for as third-party sales.
Corporate and Other: Results of Operations
Corporate and Other is primarily comprised of the operating results of NEET and other business activities, as well as corporate interest income and expenses. Corporate and Other allocates a portion of NEECH's corporate interest expense to NEER. Interest expense is allocated based on a deemed capital structure of 70% debt and, for purposes of allocating NEECH's corporate interest expense, the deferred credit associated with differential membership interests sold by NEER’s subsidiaries is included with debt. Each subsidiary’s income taxes are calculated based on the "separate return method," except that tax benefits that could not be used on a separate return basis, but are used on the consolidated tax return, are recorded by the subsidiary that generated the tax benefits. Any remaining consolidated income tax benefits or expenses are recorded at Corporate and Other.
Corporate and Other's results increased $475 million and $48 million during 2017 and 2016. The increase for 2017 primarily relates to the approximately $685 million after-tax gain on the sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business in January 2017. See Note 1 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale. In addition, Corporate and Other's results reflect 2017 after-tax losses of approximately $82 million related to non-qualifying hedge activity compared to gains of $141 million in 2016. The increase in Corporate and Other's results for 2016 primarily relates to the non-qualifying hedge activity gains on interest rate and foreign currency derivative instruments and foreign currency transactions as hedge accounting was discontinued effective January 2016. See Note 3. The increase in 2016 was partly offset by higher merger-related expenses (see Note 1 - Merger Terminations) and unfavorable consolidating income tax adjustments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
NEE and its subsidiaries require funds to support and grow their businesses. These funds are used for, among other things, working capital, capital expenditures, investments in or acquisitions of assets and businesses, payment of maturing debt obligations and, from time to time, redemption or repurchase of outstanding debt or equity securities. It is anticipated that these requirements will be satisfied through a combination of cash flows from operations, short- and long-term borrowings, the issuance of short- and long-term debt and, from time to time, equity securities, and proceeds from differential membership investors, consistent with NEE’s and FPL’s objective of maintaining, on a long-term basis, a capital structure that will support a strong investment grade credit rating. NEE, FPL and NEECH rely on access to credit and capital markets as significant sources of liquidity for capital requirements and other operations that are not satisfied by operating cash flows. The inability of NEE, FPL and NEECH to maintain their current credit ratings could affect their ability to raise short- and long-term capital, their cost of capital and the execution of their respective financing strategies, and could require the posting of additional collateral under certain agreements.
In October 2015, NEE authorized a program to purchase, from time to time, up to $150 million of common units representing limited partner interests in NEP. Under the program, purchases may be made in amounts, at prices and at such times as NEE or its subsidiaries deem appropriate, all subject to market conditions and other considerations. The purchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Any purchases will be made in such quantities, at such prices, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as determined by NEE or its subsidiaries in their discretion, based on factors such as market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The common unit purchase program does not require NEE to acquire any specific number of common units and may be modified or terminated by NEE at any time. At December 31, 2017, NEE owned a controlling general partner interest in NEP and beneficially owned approximately 60.6% of NEP’s voting power. The purpose of the program is not to cause NEP’s common units to be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange or to cause the common units to be deregistered with the SEC. As of December 31, 2017, NEE had purchased approximately $36 million of NEP common units under this program. Also in October 2015, NEP put in place an at-the-market equity issuance program pursuant to which NEP may issue from time to time, up to $150 million of its common units. As of December 31, 2017, NEP had issued approximately $41 million of its common units under this program.
Cash Flows
NEE's sources and uses of cash for 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016* | | 2015* |
| (millions) |
Sources of cash: | | | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 6,413 |
| | $ | 6,293 |
| | $ | 6,089 |
|
Long-term borrowings | 8,354 |
| | 5,657 |
| | 5,772 |
|
Proceeds from differential membership investors | 1,414 |
| | 1,859 |
| | 761 |
|
Proceeds from sale of the fiber-optic telecommunications business | 1,454 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Sale of independent power and other investments of NEER | 178 |
| | 658 |
| | 52 |
|
Cash grants under the Recovery Act | 78 |
| | 335 |
| | 8 |
|
Issuances of common stock - net | 55 |
| | 537 |
| | 1,298 |
|
Net increase in commercial paper and other short-term debt | 1,867 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Proceeds from sales of noncontrolling interests in NEP | — |
| | 645 |
| | 345 |
|
Proceeds from issuance of NEP convertible preferred units - net | 548 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Effects of currency translation on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 26 |
| | 10 |
| | 17 |
|
Other sources - net | 149 |
| | 5 |
| | 107 |
|
Total sources of cash | 20,536 |
| | 15,999 |
| | 14,449 |
|
Uses of cash: | | | | | |
Capital expenditures, independent power and other investments and nuclear fuel purchases | (10,740 | ) | | (9,636 | ) | | (8,377 | ) |
Retirements of long-term debt | (6,780 | ) | | (3,310 | ) | | (3,972 | ) |
Net decrease in commercial paper and other short-term debt | — |
| | (268 | ) | | (356 | ) |
Dividends on common stock | (1,845 | ) | | (1,612 | ) | | (1,385 | ) |
Other uses - net | (717 | ) | | (416 | ) | | (352 | ) |
Total uses of cash | (20,082 | ) | | (15,242 | ) | | (14,442 | ) |
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 454 |
| | $ | 757 |
| | $ | 7 |
|
______________________
*Prior period amounts have been retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 - Restricted Cash.
NEE's primary capital requirements are for expanding and enhancing FPL's electric system and generation facilities to continue to provide reliable service to meet customer electricity demands and for funding NEER's investments in independent power and other projects. See Note 13 - Commitments for estimated capital expenditures in 2018 through 2022. The following table provides a summary of the major capital investments for 2017, 2016 and 2015.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| (millions) |
FPL: | | | | | |
Generation: | | | | | |
New | $ | 1,198 |
| | $ | 1,128 |
| | $ | 686 |
|
Existing | 1,285 |
| | 723 |
| | 811 |
|
Transmission and distribution | 2,151 |
| | 1,848 |
| | 1,681 |
|
Nuclear fuel | 117 |
| | 158 |
| | 205 |
|
General and other | 431 |
| | 331 |
| | 384 |
|
Other, primarily change in accrued property additions and exclusion of AFUDC - equity | 109 |
| | (254 | ) | | (134 | ) |
Total | 5,291 |
| | 3,934 |
| | 3,633 |
|
NEER: | | |
|
| |
|
|
Wind | 2,824 |
| | 2,474 |
| | 1,029 |
|
Solar | 759 |
| | 1,554 |
| | 1,494 |
|
Nuclear, including nuclear fuel | 220 |
| | 255 |
| | 315 |
|
Natural gas pipelines | 785 |
| | 853 |
| | 1,198 |
|
Other | 787 |
| | 385 |
| | 625 |
|
Total | 5,375 |
| | 5,521 |
| | 4,661 |
|
Corporate and Other | 74 |
| | 181 |
| | 83 |
|
Total capital expenditures, independent power and other investments and nuclear fuel purchases | $ | 10,740 |
| | $ | 9,636 |
| | $ | 8,377 |
|
Liquidity
At December 31, 2017, NEE's total net available liquidity was approximately $9.2 billion. The table below provides the components of FPL's and NEECH's net available liquidity at December 31, 2017.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Maturity Date |
| FPL | | NEECH | | Total | | FPL | | NEECH |
| | | (millions) | | | | | | |
Bank revolving line of credit facilities(a) | $ | 2,916 |
| | $ | 4,964 |
| | $ | 7,880 |
| | 2018 - 2022 | | 2018 - 2022 |
Issued letters of credit | (3 | ) | | (446 | ) | | (449 | ) | | | | |
| 2,913 |
| | 4,518 |
| | 7,431 |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Revolving credit facilities | 1,155 |
| | 1,485 |
| | 2,640 |
| | 2018 - 2019 | | 2018 - 2022 |
Borrowings | (1,000 | ) | | — |
| | (1,000 | ) | | | | |
| 155 |
| | 1,485 |
| | 1,640 |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Letter of credit facilities(b) | — |
| | 550 |
| | 550 |
| | | | 2019 - 2020 |
Issued letters of credit | — |
| | (468 | ) | | (468 | ) | | | | |
| — |
| | 82 |
| | 82 |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Subtotal | 3,068 |
| | 6,085 |
| | 9,153 |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 33 |
| | 1,679 |
| | 1,712 |
| | | | |
Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings outstanding | (1,687 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (1,692 | ) | | | | |
Net available liquidity | $ | 1,414 |
| | $ | 7,759 |
| | $ | 9,173 |
| | | | |
______________________
| |
(a) | Provide for the funding of loans up to $7,880 million ($2,916 million for FPL) and the issuance of letters of credit up to $3,450 million ($670 million for FPL). The entire amount of the credit facilities is available for general corporate purposes and to provide additional liquidity in the event of a loss to the companies’ or their subsidiaries’ operating facilities (including, in the case of FPL, a transmission and distribution property loss). FPL’s bank revolving line of credit facilities are also available to support the purchase of $838 million of pollution control, solid waste disposal and industrial development revenue bonds (tax exempt bonds) in the event they are tendered by individual bond holders and not remarketed prior to maturity. Approximately $2,315 million of FPL's and $3,730 million of NEECH's bank revolving line of credit facilities expire in 2022. |
| |
(b) | Only available for the issuance of letters of credit. |
At December 31, 2017, 68 banks participate in FPL’s and NEECH’s revolving credit facilities, with no one bank providing more than 7% of the combined revolving credit facilities. European banks provide approximately 24% of the combined revolving credit facilities. Pursuant to a 1998 guarantee agreement, NEE guarantees the payment of NEECH’s debt obligations under its revolving credit facilities. In order for FPL or NEECH to borrow or to have letters of credit issued under the terms of their respective revolving credit facilities and, also for NEECH, its letter of credit facilities, FPL, in the case of FPL, and NEE, in the case of NEECH, are required, among other things, to maintain a ratio of funded debt to total capitalization that does not exceed a stated ratio. The FPL and NEECH revolving credit facilities also contain default and related acceleration provisions relating to, among other things, failure of FPL and NEE, as the case may be, to maintain the respective ratio of funded debt to total capitalization at or below the specified ratio. At December 31, 2017, each of NEE and FPL was in compliance with its required ratio.
Capital Support
Guarantees, Letters of Credit, Surety Bonds and Indemnifications (Guarantee Arrangements)
Certain subsidiaries of NEE issue guarantees and obtain letters of credit and surety bonds, as well as provide indemnities, to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties and financings. Substantially all of the guarantee arrangements are on behalf of NEE’s consolidated subsidiaries, as discussed in more detail below. NEE is not required to recognize liabilities associated with guarantee arrangements issued on behalf of its consolidated subsidiaries unless it becomes probable that they will be required to perform. At December 31, 2017, NEE believes that there is no material exposure related to these guarantee arrangements.
NEE subsidiaries issue guarantees related to equity contribution agreements associated with the development, construction and financing of certain power generation facilities, engineering, procurement and construction agreements and natural gas pipeline development projects. Commitments associated with these activities are included in the contracts table in Note 13.
In addition, at December 31, 2017, NEE subsidiaries had approximately $4.0 billion in guarantees related to obligations under purchased power agreements, nuclear-related activities, payment obligations related to PTCs, as well as other types of contractual obligations.
In some instances, subsidiaries of NEE elect to issue guarantees instead of posting other forms of collateral required under certain financing arrangements, as well as for other project-level cash management activities. At December 31, 2017, these guarantees totaled approximately $786 million and support, among other things, cash management activities, including those related to debt service and O&M service agreements, as well as other specific project financing requirements.
Subsidiaries of NEE also issue guarantees to support customer supply and proprietary power and gas trading activities, including the buying and selling of wholesale and retail energy commodities. At December 31, 2017, the estimated mark-to-market exposure (the total amount that these subsidiaries of NEE could be required to fund based on energy commodity market prices at December 31, 2017) plus contract settlement net payables, net of collateral posted for obligations under these guarantees totaled approximately $720 million.
At December 31, 2017, subsidiaries of NEE also had approximately $1.3 billion of standby letters of credit and approximately $311 million of surety bonds to support certain of the commercial activities discussed above. FPL's and NEECH's credit facilities are available to support the amount of the standby letters of credit.
In addition, as part of contract negotiations in the normal course of business, certain subsidiaries of NEE have agreed and in the future may agree to make payments to compensate or indemnify other parties, including those associated with asset divestitures, for possible unfavorable financial consequences resulting from specified events. The specified events may include, but are not limited to, an adverse judgment in a lawsuit or the imposition of additional taxes due to a change in tax law or interpretations of the tax law or the triggering of cash grant recapture provisions under the Recovery Act. NEE is unable to estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under some of these contracts because events that would obligate them to make payments have not yet occurred or, if any such event has occurred, they have not been notified of its occurrence.
Certain guarantee arrangements described above contain requirements for NEECH and FPL to maintain a specified credit rating. For a discussion of credit rating downgrade triggers see Credit Ratings below. NEE has guaranteed certain payment obligations of NEECH, including most of its debt and all of its debentures and commercial paper issuances, as well as most of its payment guarantees and indemnifications, and NEECH has guaranteed certain debt and other obligations of NEER and its subsidiaries.
Shelf Registration
In July 2015, NEE, NEECH and FPL filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC for an unspecified amount of securities which became effective upon filing. The amount of securities issuable by the companies is established from time to time by their respective boards of directors. Securities that may be issued under the registration statement include, depending on the registrant, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, junior subordinated debentures, first mortgage bonds, common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, warrants and guarantees related to certain of those securities.
Contractual Obligations and Estimated Capital Expenditures
NEE’s commitments at December 31, 2017 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | Thereafter | | Total |
| (millions) |
Long-term debt, including interest:(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FPL(b) | $ | 949 |
| | $ | 938 |
| | $ | 1,238 |
| | $ | 511 |
| | $ | 562 |
| | $ | 16,273 |
| | $ | 20,471 |
|
NEER | 1,050 |
| | 948 |
| | 1,286 |
| | 898 |
| | 1,384 |
| | 8,668 |
| | 14,234 |
|
Corporate and Other | 1,113 |
| | 1,711 |
| | 1,936 |
| | 2,487 |
| | 272 |
| | 14,033 |
| | 21,552 |
|
Purchase obligations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FPL(c) | 6,420 |
| | 4,770 |
| | 5,370 |
| | 5,550 |
| | 5,530 |
| | 11,465 |
| | 39,105 |
|
NEER(d) | 1,700 |
| | 205 |
| | 120 |
| | 80 |
| | 100 |
| | 285 |
| | 2,490 |
|
Corporate and Other(d) | 80 |
| | 15 |
| | 15 |
| | 10 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 120 |
|
Elimination of FPL's purchase obligations to NEER(d) | (87 | ) | | (84 | ) | | (82 | ) | | (79 | ) | | (76 | ) | | (1,101 | ) | | (1,509 | ) |
Asset retirement activities:(e) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FPL(f) | 25 |
| | 28 |
| | 3 |
| | 18 |
| | 11 |
| | 8,644 |
| | 8,729 |
|
NEER(g) | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | 12,719 |
| | 12,724 |
|
Other commitments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NEER(h) | 256 |
| | 226 |
| | 130 |
| | 119 |
| | 108 |
| | 371 |
| | 1,210 |
|
Total | $ | 11,508 |
| | $ | 8,757 |
| | $ | 10,016 |
| | $ | 9,597 |
| | $ | 7,891 |
| | $ | 71,357 |
| | $ | 119,126 |
|
_________________________
| |
(a) | Includes principal, interest, interest rate contracts and payments by NEE under stock purchase contracts. Variable rate interest was computed using December 31, 2017 rates. See Note 11. |
| |
(b) | Includes tax exempt bonds of approximately $9 million maturing in 2020, $46 million in 2021, $96 million in 2022 and $687 million thereafter that permit individual bond holders to tender the bonds for purchase at any time prior to maturity. In the event bonds are tendered for purchase, they would be remarketed by a designated remarketing agent in accordance with the related indenture. If the remarketing is unsuccessful, FPL would be required to purchase the tax exempt bonds. As of December 31, 2017, all tax exempt bonds tendered for purchase have been successfully remarketed. FPL’s bank revolving line of credit facilities are available to support the purchase of tax exempt bonds. |
| |
(c) | Represents required capacity and minimum charges under long-term purchased power and fuel contracts and projected capital expenditures through 2022 (see Note 13 - Commitments and - Contracts). |
| |
(d) | See Note 13 - Contracts. |
| |
(e) | Represents expected cash payments adjusted for inflation for estimated costs to perform asset retirement activities. |
| |
(f) | At December 31, 2017, FPL had approximately $4,089 million in restricted funds for the payment of its portion of future expenditures to decommission the Turkey Point and St. Lucie nuclear units, which are included in NEE’s and FPL’s special use funds. See Note 12. |
| |
(g) | At December 31, 2017, NEER had approximately $1,913 million in restricted funds for the payment of its portion of future expenditures to decommission Seabrook, Duane Arnold and Point Beach nuclear units which are included in NEE’s special use funds. See Note 12. |
| |
(h) | Represents estimated cash distributions related to differential membership interests and payments related to the acquisition of certain development rights. For further discussion of differential membership interests, see Note 1 - Sale of Differential Membership Interests. |
Credit Ratings
NEE’s liquidity, ability to access credit and capital markets, cost of borrowings and collateral posting requirements under certain agreements is dependent on its and its subsidiaries credit ratings. At February 16, 2018, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) had assigned the following credit ratings to NEE, FPL and NEECH:
|
| | | | | |
| Moody's(a) | | S&P(a) | | Fitch(a) |
NEE:(b) | |