OMAHA, Neb. – Tenaska has closed financing on its 130-megawatt Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center South project through an issuance of $319.4 million of senior secured, long-term notes. The private placement received an investment-grade rating of BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and Kroll.
“Tenaska Imperial South is a sound project and the market responded favorably,” said Jerry Crouse, CEO, Tenaska Energy, Inc. “We saw a significant and positive response to the issuance and appreciate our investors’ participation.”
Tenaska Imperial South began full commercial operation in early November and has a 25-year power purchase agreement with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). The project is located near El Centro in California’s Imperial Valley, and its nearly 2 million solar panels can generate enough electricity to power approximately 44,000 homes. At the time of its initial financing in 2012, Tenaska Imperial South was one of the largest solar facilities financed in the U.S. commercial bank market.
An affiliate of Tenaska is the majority owner of Tenaska Imperial South. Prudential Capital Group is acquiring a minority interest in the project, subject to regulatory approvals. Tenaska affiliates will manage the project. RBC Capital Markets, LLC acted as financial advisor to Tenaska on the sale of the equity interest to Prudential Capital Group.
“An attractive market for project debt led us to refinance our existing mini-perm loan,” said Dave Kirkwood, Tenaska vice president and treasurer. “We hope to build upon the success of this transaction as we look to arrange financing for our next project, Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center West.”
Tenaska Imperial West, located near Tenaska Imperial South, will produce up to 150 MW of electricity under a 25-year power purchase agreement with SDG&E. Construction of the project is expected to begin in the first half of 2014 with initial commercial operation scheduled for 2015.
Both Tenaska Imperial South and Tenaska Imperial West were developed by Tenaska Solar Ventures (TSV), an affiliate of Tenaska focused on developing solar energy projects in the Imperial Valley and North America.
California law requires utilities to procure 33 percent of their power from renewable energy resources and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The state’s renewable portfolio standards law, combined with the added access to transmission infrastructure, created a favorable market for large-scale solar projects like Tenaska Imperial South.
Barclays acted as lead placement agent for the senior secured notes, and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as co-placement agents. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Royal Bank of Canada are providing letter of credit and working capital facilities.
Riverside Risk Advisors assisted Tenaska in designing and executing its interest rate risk management program.
About Tenaska
Tenaska, based in Omaha, Neb., is one of the leading independent power producers in the U.S., with regional offices in Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh and Calgary and Vancouver, Canada. Forbes magazine ranks Tenaska 35th among the largest privately held U.S. companies, based on 2011 revenues. Tenaska and its affiliates have developed and constructed approximately 9,000 megawatts (MW) of natural gas-fueled and renewable power generation, and manage operations for approximately 11,000 MW of power generation consisting of 15 power plants. Tenaska formed CSOLAR IV South, LLC to build, own and operate the Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center South. Affiliates of Tenaska serve as the managing partner. The company also markets natural gas, electric power, biofuels and related commodities, and natural gas fuels, and provides energy risk management services. Tenaska is involved in asset acquisition, fuel supply, natural gas exploration, production and transportation systems, and electric transmission development. For more information about Tenaska or Tenaska Solar Ventures, visit www.tenaska.com or www.tenaskasolarventures.com.
Media Contacts:
Delette Olberg
Office: (402) 691-9595
Mobile: (402) 332-9380
dolberg@tenaska.com