Hydro One to Acquire Avista to Create Growing North American Utility Leader
July 26, 2017
Hydro One will acquire Avista for C$67 (US$53) per share in a C$6.7 billion (US$5.3 billion) all-cash transaction. Together, Hydro One and Avista will create a North American leader in regulated electricity and natural gas business with over C$32.2 billion (US$25.4 billion) in combined assets. The transaction brings together two industry-leading regulated utilities with over 230 years of collective operational experience as well as shared corporate cultures and values. The combined entity will safely and reliably serve more than two million retail and industrial customers and hold assets throughout North America including Ontario, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
“This marks a proud moment for Canadian champions as we grow our business into a North American leader,” said Mayo Schmidt, President and CEO, Hydro One Limited. “This transaction demonstrates the power and value of the transition into an investor-owned utility, by allowing for healthy expansion into new lines of regulated utility business and new jurisdictions, such as the U.S. Pacific Northwest which is experiencing customer and economic growth.”
“With a focus on operational excellence and building our earnings streams, we are positioned for long-term, sustainable growth,” said Schmidt. “We are further accomplishing this goal by bringing together two companies with shared cultures and industry expertise to create a North American regulated utility leader. This combination means greater scale, diversity and financial flexibility.”
This strategic combination demonstrates the value of consolidation by bringing together two highly complementary platforms to create one of North America’s largest regulated utilities, meaningfully enhancing both shareholder and customer value. In addition, over time, non-headcount efficiencies will be realized through collaboration and sharing of best practices on IT, innovation and supply chain purchasing, all of which will further enhance cost savings. No workforce reductions are anticipated as a result of this transaction for either Avista or Hydro One.
Avista Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Scott Morris said, “For Avista, the decision to team up with Hydro One at a time of strength and growth represents a win for our customers, employees, shareholders and the communities we serve. Through this agreement, we have a unique opportunity to secure a partnership that allows us to continue to define and control, to a significant degree, future operations and opportunities in a consolidating industry landscape for the benefit of our customers. In Hydro One, we believe we’ve found a partner that allows us to preserve our identity and our proud legacy, while also preparing us for the future. We look forward to joining forces with Hydro One and its dynamic team.”
“This is the coming together of two highly respected and reputable companies steeped in history and shared commitment to the communities they serve. Both teams also share a common vision and a dedication to serving customers safely and reliably every day,” said Schmidt.
“The strength of the combined company enables the accelerated deployment of innovation programs and infrastructure upgrades for the benefit of customers while continuing to deliver on shareholder expectations for consistent, healthy, financial performance. Together, we will deliver even more possibilities for the shareholders, customers, employees, and communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Schmidt.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the second half of 2018, subject to Avista common shareholder approval and certain regulatory and government approvals and clearances, including approval by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Oregon, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, the Public Service Commission of the State of Montana, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and compliance with applicable requirements under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
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