NRG ENERGY, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ | Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||||||||||
For the Quarterly Period Ended: | September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||
☐ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
Commission File Number: 001-15891
NRG Energy, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 41-1724239 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
910 Louisiana Street | Houston | Texas | 77002 | ||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(713) 537-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.01 | NRG | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has 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 Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 31, 2023, there were 225,764,436 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.01 per share.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words "believes," "projects," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "should," "forecasts," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond NRG's control, that may cause NRG's actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the factors described under Risk Factors, in Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q and the following:
•Business uncertainties related to NRG's ability to integrate the operations of Vivint Smart Home with its own;
•NRG's ability to obtain and maintain retail market share;
•General economic conditions, changes in the wholesale power and gas markets and fluctuations in the cost of fuel;
•Volatile power and gas supply costs and demand for power and gas, including the impacts of weather;
•Changes in law, including judicial and regulatory decisions;
•Hazards customary to the power production industry and power generation operations, such as fuel and electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions, catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints and the possibility that NRG may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards;
•The effectiveness of NRG's risk management policies and procedures and the ability of NRG's counterparties to satisfy their financial commitments;
•NRG's ability to enter into contracts to sell power or gas and procure fuel on acceptable terms and prices;
•NRG's ability to successfully integrate, realize cost savings and manage any acquired businesses;
•NRG's ability to engage in successful acquisitions and divestitures, as well as other mergers and acquisitions activity;
•Cyber terrorism and cybersecurity risks, data breaches or the occurrence of a catastrophic loss and the possibility that NRG may not have sufficient insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards or the inability of NRG's insurers to provide coverage;
•Counterparties' collateral demands and other factors affecting NRG's liquidity position and financial condition;
•NRG's ability to operate its businesses efficiently and generate earnings and cash flows from its asset-based businesses in relation to its debt and other obligations;
•The liquidity and competitiveness of wholesale markets for energy commodities;
•Government regulation, including changes in market rules, rates, tariffs and environmental laws;
•NRG's ability to develop and innovate new products, as retail and wholesale markets continue to change and evolve;
•Price mitigation strategies and other market structures employed by ISOs or RTOs that result in a failure to adequately and fairly compensate NRG's generation units;
•NRG's ability to mitigate forced outage risk;
•NRG's ability to borrow funds and access capital markets, as well as NRG's substantial indebtedness and the possibility that NRG may incur additional indebtedness in the future;
•Operating and financial restrictions placed on NRG and its subsidiaries that are contained in NRG's corporate credit agreements, and in debt and other agreements of certain of NRG subsidiaries and project affiliates generally;
•The ability of NRG and its counterparties to develop and build new power generation facilities;
•NRG's ability to implement its strategy of finding ways to meet the challenges of climate change, clean air and protecting natural resources, while taking advantage of business opportunities;
•NRG's ability to increase cash from operations through operational and market initiatives, corporate efficiencies, asset strategy, and a range of other programs throughout NRG to reduce costs or generate revenues;
•NRG's ability to successfully evaluate investments and achieve intended financial results in new business and growth initiatives; and
•NRG's ability to develop and maintain successful partnering relationships as needed.
3
In addition, unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and NRG undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable laws. The foregoing factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should not be construed as exhaustive.
4
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below:
2022 Form 10-K | NRG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||
ACE | Affordable Clean Energy | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization | |||||||
AESO | Alberta Electric System Operator | |||||||
ARO | Asset Retirement Obligation | |||||||
ASC | The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which the FASB established as the source of authoritative GAAP | |||||||
ASU | Accounting Standards Updates - updates to the ASC | |||||||
BTU | British Thermal Unit | |||||||
Business | NRG Business, which serves business customers | |||||||
CAA | Clean Air Act | |||||||
CAISO | California Independent System Operator | |||||||
CDD | Cooling Degree Day | |||||||
CEJA | Climate and Equitable Jobs Act | |||||||
CFTC | U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission | |||||||
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | |||||||
Company | NRG Energy, Inc. | |||||||
Convertible Senior Notes | As of September 30, 2023, consists of NRG’s $575 million unsecured 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2048 | |||||||
Cottonwood | Cottonwood Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled plant located in Deweyville, Texas, which NRG is leasing through May 2025 | |||||||
CPP | Clean Power Plan | |||||||
CPUC | California Public Utilities Commission | |||||||
CWA | Clean Water Act | |||||||
D.C. Circuit | U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit | |||||||
Dth | Dekatherms | |||||||
Economic gross margin | Sum of retail revenue, energy revenue, capacity revenue and other revenue, less cost of fuels and purchased energy and other cost of sales | |||||||
EGU | Electric Generating Unit | |||||||
EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |||||||
ERCOT | Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Independent System Operator and the regional reliability coordinator of the various electricity systems within Texas | |||||||
ESPP | NRG Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan | |||||||
Exchange Act | The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | |||||||
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |||||||
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |||||||
FGD | Flue gas desulfurization | |||||||
FTRs | Financial Transmission Rights | |||||||
GAAP | Generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. | |||||||
GHG | Greenhouse Gas | |||||||
Green Mountain Energy | Green Mountain Energy Company | |||||||
GW | Gigawatts | |||||||
GWh | Gigawatt Hour | |||||||
HDD | Heating Degree Day | |||||||
Heat Rate | A measure of thermal efficiency computed by dividing the total BTU content of the fuel burned by the resulting kWhs generated. Heat rates can be expressed as either gross or net heat rates, depending upon whether the electricity output measured is gross or net generation. Heat rates are generally expressed as BTU per net kWh | |||||||
Home | NRG Home, which serves residential customers |
5
HLW | High-level radioactive waste | |||||||
ICE | Intercontinental Exchange | |||||||
IESO | Independent Electricity System Operator | |||||||
ISO | Independent System Operator, also referred to as RTOs | |||||||
ISO-NE | ISO New England Inc. | |||||||
Ivanpah | Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation Station, a solar thermal power plant located in California's Mojave Desert in which NRG owns 54.5% interest | |||||||
kWh | Kilowatt-hour | |||||||
LaGen | Louisiana Generating, LLC | |||||||
LIBOR | London Inter-Bank Offered Rate | |||||||
LSEs | Load Serving Entities | |||||||
LTIPs | Collectively, the NRG long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") and the NRG Vivint LTIP | |||||||
MDth | Thousand Dekatherms | |||||||
Midwest Generation | Midwest Generation, LLC | |||||||
MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. | |||||||
MMBtu | Million British Thermal Units | |||||||
MW | Megawatts | |||||||
MWh | Saleable megawatt hour net of internal/parasitic load megawatt-hour | |||||||
NAAQS | National Ambient Air Quality Standards | |||||||
NEPOOL | New England Power Pool | |||||||
NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation | |||||||
Net Exposure | Counterparty credit exposure to NRG, net of collateral | |||||||
Net Revenue Rate | Sum of retail revenues less TDSP transportation charges | |||||||
Nodal | Nodal Exchange is a derivatives exchange | |||||||
NOL | Net Operating Loss | |||||||
NOx | Nitrogen Oxides | |||||||
NPNS | Normal Purchase Normal Sale | |||||||
NRC | U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission | |||||||
NRG | NRG Energy, Inc. | |||||||
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund | NRG's nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets, which are for the Company's portion of the decommissioning of the STP, Units 1 & 2 | |||||||
Nuclear Waste Policy Act | U.S. Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 | |||||||
NYISO | New York Independent System Operator | |||||||
NYMEX | New York Mercantile Exchange | |||||||
OCI/OCL | Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) | |||||||
PG&E | Pacific Gas and Electric Company | |||||||
PJM | PJM Interconnection, LLC | |||||||
PM2.5 | Particulate Matter that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers | |||||||
PPA | Power Purchase Agreement | |||||||
PUCT | Public Utility Commission of Texas | |||||||
RCRA | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 | |||||||
Receivables Facility | NRG Receivables LLC, a bankruptcy remote, special purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company's $1.4 billion accounts receivables securitization facility due 2024, which was last amended on October 6, 2023 | |||||||
Receivables Securitization Facilities | Collectively, the Receivables Facility and the Repurchase Facility | |||||||
Renewable PPA | A third-party PPA entered into directly with a renewable generation facility for the offtake of the Renewable Energy Certificates or other similar environmental attributes generated by such facility, couple with the associated power generated by that facility | |||||||
REP | Retail electric provider |
6
Repurchase Facility | NRG's $150 million uncommitted repurchase facility related to the Receivables Facility due 2024, which was last amended on October 6, 2023 | |||||||
Revolving Credit Facility | The Company's $4.3 billion revolving credit facility due 2028, was last amended on March 13, 2023 | |||||||
RGGI | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | |||||||
RTO | Regional Transmission Organization, also referred to as ISOs | |||||||
SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||||
Securities Act | The Securities Act of 1933, as amended | |||||||
Senior Notes | As of September 30, 2023, NRG's $4.6 billion outstanding unsecured senior notes consisting of $375 million of the 6.625% senior notes due 2027, $821 million of 5.75% senior notes due 2028, $733 million of the 5.25% senior notes due 2029, $500 million of the 3.375% senior notes due 2029, $1.0 billion of the 3.625% senior notes due 2031 and $1.1 billion of the 3.875% senior notes due 2032 | |||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes | As of September 30, 2023, NRG’s $3.2 billion outstanding Senior Secured First Lien Notes consists of $600 million of the 3.75% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2024, $500 million of the 2.0% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2025, $900 million of the 2.45% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2027, $500 million of the 4.45% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2029 and $740 million of the 7.000% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2033 | |||||||
Services | NRG Services, which primarily includes the services businesses acquired in the Direct Energy acquisition and the Goal Zero business | |||||||
SNF | Spent Nuclear Fuel | |||||||
SO2 | Sulfur Dioxide | |||||||
SOFR | Secured overnight financing rate | |||||||
South Central Portfolio | NRG's South Central Portfolio, which owned and operated a portfolio of generation assets consisting of Bayou Cove, Big Cajun-I, Big Cajun-II, Cottonwood and Sterlington, was sold on February 4, 2019. NRG is leasing back the Cottonwood facility through May 2025 | |||||||
STP | South Texas Project — nuclear generating facility located near Bay City, Texas in which NRG owned a 44% interest. NRG closed on the sale of its interest in STP on November 1, 2023 | |||||||
STPNOC | South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company | |||||||
TDSP | Transmission/distribution service provider | |||||||
TWh | Terawatt Hour | |||||||
U.S. | United States of America | |||||||
U.S. DOE | U.S. Department of Energy | |||||||
VaR | Value at Risk | |||||||
VIE | Variable Interest Entity | |||||||
Winter Storm Elliott | A major winter storm that had impacts across the majority of the United States and parts of Canada occurring in December 2022 | |||||||
Winter Storm Uri | A major winter and ice storm that had widespread impacts across North America occurring in February 2021 |
7
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 — CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except for per share amounts) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 7,946 | $ | 8,510 | $ | 22,016 | $ | 23,688 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Costs and Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below) | 6,421 | 7,802 | 20,161 | 18,619 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 308 | 145 | 813 | 485 | |||||||||||||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 43 | — | 198 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative costs | 638 | 378 | 1,586 | 1,076 | |||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs | 18 | 8 | 111 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 7,385 | 8,376 | 22,671 | 20,404 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | 22 | 202 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income/(Loss) | 561 | 156 | (453) | 3,335 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other Income/(Expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 6 | 11 | 16 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 14 | 21 | 43 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (173) | (105) | (472) | (313) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total other expense | (153) | (73) | (413) | (280) | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes | 408 | 83 | (866) | 3,055 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) | 65 | 16 | (182) | 739 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | $ | 343 | $ | 67 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock | 17 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Income/(Loss) Available for Common Stockholders | $ | 326 | $ | 67 | $ | (722) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic | 230 | 235 | 230 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average Common Share — Basic | $ | 1.42 | $ | 0.29 | $ | (3.14) | $ | 9.73 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted | 232 | 235 | 230 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average Common Share —Diluted | $ | 1.41 | $ | 0.29 | $ | (3.14) | $ | 9.73 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | $ | 343 | $ | 67 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (8) | (32) | — | (45) | |||||||||||||||||||
Defined benefit plans | 1 | (2) | — | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (7) | (34) | — | (28) | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive Income/(Loss) | $ | 336 | $ | 33 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,288 | |||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
(In millions, except share data and liquidation preference on preferred stock) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
Current Assets | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 401 | $ | 430 | |||||||
Funds deposited by counterparties | 263 | 1,708 | |||||||||
Restricted cash | 11 | 40 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 3,764 | 4,773 | |||||||||
Inventory | 630 | 751 | |||||||||
Derivative instruments | 3,710 | 7,886 | |||||||||
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities | 2 | 260 | |||||||||
Prepayments and other current assets | 601 | 383 | |||||||||
Current assets - held-for-sale | 86 | — | |||||||||
Total current assets | 9,468 | 16,231 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,779 | 1,692 | |||||||||
Other Assets | |||||||||||
Equity investments in affiliates | 146 | 133 | |||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 206 | 225 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 5,143 | 1,650 | |||||||||
Customer relationships, net | 2,299 | 943 | |||||||||
Other intangible assets, net | 1,907 | 1,189 | |||||||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund | — | 838 | |||||||||
Derivative instruments | 2,530 | 4,108 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 2,540 | 1,881 | |||||||||
Other non-current assets | 739 | 251 | |||||||||
Non-current assets - held-for-sale | 1,153 | 5 | |||||||||
Total other assets | 16,663 | 11,223 | |||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 27,910 | $ | 29,146 |
10
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
(In millions, except share data and liquidation preference on preferred stock) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Current Liabilities | |||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases | $ | 920 | $ | 63 | |||||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 91 | 83 | |||||||||
Accounts payable | 2,200 | 3,643 | |||||||||
Derivative instruments | 3,128 | 6,195 | |||||||||
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities | 263 | 1,708 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue current | 731 | 176 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 1,553 | 1,110 | |||||||||
Current liabilities - held-for-sale | 44 | 4 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 8,930 | 12,982 | |||||||||
Other Liabilities | |||||||||||
Long-term debt and finance leases | 10,741 | 7,976 | |||||||||
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 148 | 180 | |||||||||
Nuclear decommissioning reserve | — | 340 | |||||||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability | — | 477 | |||||||||
Derivative instruments | 1,552 | 2,246 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 129 | 134 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue non-current | 989 | 10 | |||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 977 | 942 | |||||||||
Non-current liabilities - held-for-sale | 926 | 31 | |||||||||
Total other liabilities | 15,462 | 12,336 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities | 24,392 | 25,318 | |||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies | |||||||||||
Stockholders' Equity | |||||||||||
Preferred stock; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 650,000 Series A shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 (liquidation preference $1,000); 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 650 | — | |||||||||
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 424,908,449 and 423,897,001 shares issued and 229,336,853 and 229,561,030 shares outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 8,527 | 8,457 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 425 | 1,408 | |||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost 195,571,596 and 194,335,971 shares at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | (5,911) | (5,864) | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (177) | (177) | |||||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 3,518 | 3,828 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 27,910 | $ | 29,146 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
11
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||||
Net (Loss)/Income | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to cash (used)/provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Equity in and distributions from (earnings)/losses of unconsolidated affiliates | (16) | 7 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 813 | 485 | |||||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | 14 | 20 | |||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 165 | 103 | |||||||||
Amortization of nuclear fuel | 42 | 42 | |||||||||
Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts | 42 | 17 | |||||||||
Amortization of in-the-money contracts and emissions allowances | 111 | 122 | |||||||||
Amortization of unearned equity compensation | 87 | 21 | |||||||||
Net gain on sale of assets and disposal of assets | (187) | (82) | |||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 198 | |||||||||
Changes in derivative instruments | 1,553 | (4,480) | |||||||||
Changes in current and deferred income taxes and liability for uncertain tax benefits | (225) | 688 | |||||||||
Changes in collateral deposits in support of risk management activities | (1,188) | 2,321 | |||||||||
Changes in nuclear decommissioning trust liability | (4) | 2 | |||||||||
Uplift securitization proceeds received from ERCOT | — | 689 | |||||||||
Changes in other working capital | (985) | (711) | |||||||||
Cash (used)/provided by operating activities | (462) | 1,758 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||||||
Payments for acquisitions of businesses and assets, net of cash acquired | (2,502) | (60) | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | (493) | (250) | |||||||||
Net purchases of emissions allowances | (25) | (4) | |||||||||
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | (293) | (361) | |||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | 280 | 363 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sales of assets, net of cash disposed | 229 | 107 | |||||||||
Proceeds from insurance recoveries for property, plant and equipment, net | 173 | — | |||||||||
Cash used by investing activities | (2,631) | (205) | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of fees | 635 | — | |||||||||
Payments of dividends to preferred and common stockholders | (295) | (252) | |||||||||
Payments for share repurchase activity(a) | (69) | (484) | |||||||||
Net receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements | 332 | 1,596 | |||||||||
Net proceeds of Revolving Credit Facility | 300 | — | |||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 731 | — | |||||||||
Payments of debt issuance costs | (29) | (1) | |||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt and finance leases | (15) | (4) | |||||||||
Cash provided by financing activities | 1,590 | 855 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | — | (5) | |||||||||
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash | (1,503) | 2,403 | |||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period | 2,178 | 1,110 | |||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash at End of Period | $ | 675 | $ | 3,513 |
(a)Includes $(19) million and $(6) million of equivalent shares purchased in lieu of tax withholdings on equity compensation issuances during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
12
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In millions) | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stock-holders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | — | $ | 4 | $ | 8,457 | $ | 1,408 | $ | (5,864) | $ | (177) | $ | 3,828 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (1,335) | (1,335) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock | 650 | (14) | 636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net(a) | 38 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (88) | (88) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | 650 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,481 | $ | (15) | $ | (5,864) | $ | (176) | $ | 3,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 308 | 308 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock | (1) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares reissuance for ESPP | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net(a) | 23 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (88) | (88) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | 650 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,504 | $ | 205 | $ | (5,861) | $ | (170) | $ | 3,332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 343 | 343 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | (7) | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share repurchases | (50) | (50) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net(a) | 23 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (89) | (89) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock dividends(c) | (34) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | 650 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,527 | $ | 425 | $ | (5,911) | $ | (177) | $ | 3,518 |
(a)Includes $(8) million, $(8) million and $(3) million of equivalent shares purchased in lieu of tax withholding on equity compensation issuances for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively
(b)Dividends per common share were $0.3775 for the quarters ended September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2023
(c)Dividend per Series A Preferred Stock was $52.96
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(In millions) | Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stock-holders' Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,531 | $ | 464 | $ | (5,273) | $ | (126) | $ | 3,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 1,736 | 1,736 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 8 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share repurchases | (187) | (187) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net(a) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (86) | (86) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(100) | 57 | (43) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,433 | $ | 2,171 | $ | (5,460) | $ | (118) | $ | 5,030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 513 | 513 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | (2) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares reissuance for ESPP | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share repurchases | (168) | (168) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net | 8 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (84) | (84) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2022 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,442 | $ | 2,600 | $ | (5,626) | $ | (120) | $ | 5,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 67 | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | (34) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share repurchases | (128) | (128) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based awards activity, net | 8 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends and dividend equivalents declared(b) | (83) | (83) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 4 | $ | 8,450 | $ | 2,584 | $ | (5,754) | $ | (154) | $ | 5,130 |
(a)Includes $(6) million of equivalent shares purchased in lieu of tax withholding on equity compensation issuances for the quarter ended March 31, 2022
(b)Dividends per common share were $0.35 for the quarters ended September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2022
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
14
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 — Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
General
NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, is a leading energy, smart home and services company fueled by market-leading brands, proprietary technologies, and complementary sales channels. Across the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative, sustainable solutions, predominately under brand names such as NRG, Reliant, Direct Energy, Green Mountain Energy and Vivint, while also advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice. The Company has a customer base that includes approximately 7.5 million residential consumers in addition to commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers, supported by approximately 15 GW of generation as of September 30, 2023.
The Company's business is segmented as follows:
•Texas, which includes all activity related to customer, plant and market operations in Texas, other than Cottonwood;
•East, which includes all activity related to customer, plant and market operations in the East;
•West/Services/Other, which includes the following assets and activities: (i) all activity related to customer, plant and market operations in the West and Canada, (ii) the Services businesses (iii) activity related to the Cottonwood facility, (iv) the remaining renewables activity, including the Company’s equity method investment in Ivanpah Master Holdings, LLC, and (v) activity related to the Company’s equity method investment for the Gladstone power plant in Australia;
•Vivint Smart Home; and
•Corporate activities.
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SEC's regulations for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The following notes should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies and other disclosures as set forth in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's 2022 Form 10-K. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments consisting of normal and recurring accruals necessary to present fairly the Company's consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2023, and the results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and statements of stockholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. The reclassifications did not affect consolidated results from operations, net assets or consolidated cash flows.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Vivint Smart Home Flex Pay
Under the Flex Pay plan (“Flex Pay”), offered by Vivint Smart Home, subscribers pay separately for smart home products and smart home and security services. The subscriber has the ability to pay for Vivint Smart Home products in the following three ways: (i) qualified subscribers may finance the purchase through third-party financing providers ("Consumer Financing Program" or “CFP”), (ii) Vivint Smart Home generally offers a limited number of subscribers not eligible for the CFP, but who qualify under Vivint Smart Home underwriting criteria, the option to enter into a retail installment contract directly with Vivint Smart Home or (iii) subscribers may conduct purchases by check, automatic clearing house payments, credit or debit card or by obtaining short term financing (generally no more than six-month installment terms) through Vivint Smart Home.
Although subscribers pay separately for products and services under Flex Pay, the Company has determined that the sale of products and services are one single performance obligation resulting in deferred revenue for the gross amount of products
15
sold. For products financed through the CFP, gross deferred revenues are reduced by (i) any fees the third-party financing provider (“Financing Provider”) is contractually entitled to receive at the time of loan origination, and (ii) the present value of expected future payments due to the Financing Providers. Loans are issued on either an installment or revolving basis with repayment terms ranging from 6 to 60 months.
For certain Financing Provider loans:
•Vivint Smart Home pays a monthly fee based on either the average daily outstanding balance of the installment loans, or the number of outstanding loans.
•Vivint Smart Home incurs fees at the time of the loan origination and receives proceeds that are net of these fees.
•Vivint Smart Home also shares liability for credit losses, with Vivint Smart Home being responsible for between 2.6% and 100% of lost principal balances.
Due to the nature of these provisions, the Company records a derivative liability at its fair value when the Financing Provider originates loans to subscribers, which reduces the amount of estimated revenue recognized on the provision of the services. The derivative liability is reduced as payments are made by Vivint Smart Home to the Financing Provider. Subsequent changes to the fair value of the derivative liability are realized through other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. For further discussion, see Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
Capitalized Contract Costs
Capitalized contract costs represent the costs directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts. These costs include installed products, commissions, other compensation and the cost of installation of new or upgraded customer contracts. The Company calculates amortization by accumulating all deferred contract costs into separate portfolios based on the initial month of service and amortizes those deferred contract costs on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, consistent with the pattern in which the Company provides services to its customers. The expected period of benefit for customers is approximately five years. The Company updates its estimate of the expected period of benefit periodically and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the expected period of benefit could change significantly. Such changes, if any, are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. Amortization of capitalized contract costs related to fulfillment are included in cost of operations and amortization of capitalized contract costs related to customer acquisition are included in selling, general and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations. Contract costs not directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts are expensed as incurred.
Other Balance Sheet Information
The following table presents the accumulated depreciation included in property, plant and equipment, net and accumulated amortization included in customer relationships, net and other intangible assets, net:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment accumulated depreciation | $ | 1,390 | $ | 1,478 | |||||||
Customer relationships and other intangible assets accumulated amortization | 2,563 | 2,112 |
Credit Losses
Retail trade receivables are reported on the consolidated balance sheet net of the allowance for credit losses within accounts receivables, net. Long-term receivables are recorded net in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company accrues a provision for current expected credit losses based on (i) estimates of uncollectible revenues by analyzing accounts receivable aging and current and reasonable forecasts of expected economic factors including, but not limited to, unemployment rates and weather-related events, (ii) historical collections and delinquencies, and (iii) counterparty credit ratings for commercial and industrial customers.
16
The following table represents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 120 | $ | 627 | $ | 133 | $ | 683 | |||||||||||||||
Acquired balance from Vivint Smart Home | — | — | 22 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 85 | 52 | 165 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||
Write-offs | (59) | (50) | (203) | (171) | |||||||||||||||||||
Recoveries collected | 9 | 9 | 30 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 3 | — | 11 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 158 | $ | 638 | $ | 158 | $ | 638 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and funds deposited by counterparties reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 401 | $ | 430 | |||||||
Funds deposited by counterparties | 263 | 1,708 | |||||||||
Restricted cash | 11 | 40 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, funds deposited by counterparties and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows | $ | 675 | $ | 2,178 |
Funds deposited by counterparties consist of cash held by the Company as a result of collateral posting obligations from its counterparties related to NRG's hedging program. The decrease in funds deposited by counterparties is driven by the significant decrease in forward positions as a result of decreases in natural gas and power prices compared to December 31, 2022. Though some amounts are segregated into separate accounts, not all funds are contractually restricted. Based on the Company's intention, these funds are not available for the payment of general corporate obligations; however, they are available for liquidity management. Depending on market fluctuations and the settlement of the underlying contracts, the Company will refund this collateral to the counterparties pursuant to the terms and conditions of the underlying trades. Since collateral requirements fluctuate daily and the Company cannot predict if any collateral will be held for more than twelve months, the funds deposited by counterparties are classified as a current asset on the Company's balance sheet, with an offsetting liability for this cash collateral received within current liabilities.
Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held to satisfy the requirements of certain financing agreements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their uses.
Goodwill
The following table presents the changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 710 | $ | 723 | $ | 217 | $ | — | $ | 1,650 | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill resulting from the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | — | — | — | 3,494 | 3,494 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of business | — | (2) | — | — | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2023 | $ | 710 | $ | 721 | $ | 218 | $ | 3,494 | $ | 5,143 |
Recent Accounting Developments - Guidance Adopted in 2023
ASU 2021-08 — In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2021-08, which requires that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination as if it had originated the contracts in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. As a result, an acquirer should recognize and
17
measure the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistently with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements. The amendments per ASU 2021-08 apply only to contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, as defined in Topic 606, such as refund liabilities and upfront payments to customers. Assets and liabilities under related Topics, such as deferred costs under Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs — Contracts with Customers, are not within the scope of amendments per ASU 2021-08. The Company adopted ASU 2021-08 prospectively effective January 1, 2023 and applied the amended requirements to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home.
Note 3 — Revenue Recognition
Vivint Smart Home Retail Revenue
Vivint Smart Home offers its subscribers combinations of smart home products and services, which together create an integrated smart home system that allows the Company's subscribers to monitor, control and protect their homes. As the products and services included in the subscriber's contract are integrated and highly interdependent, and because the products (including installation) and services must work together to deliver the monitoring, controlling and protection of their home, the Company has concluded that the products and services contracted for by the subscriber are generally not distinct within the context of the contract and, therefore, constitute a single, combined performance obligation. Revenues for this single, combined performance obligation are recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscriber's contract term, which is the period in which the parties to the contract have enforceable rights and obligations. The Company has determined that certain contracts that do not require a long-term commitment for monitoring services by the subscriber contain a material right to renew the contract, because the subscriber does not have to purchase the products upon renewal. Proceeds allocated to the material right are recognized over the expected period of benefit. The majority of Vivint Smart Home's subscription contracts are five years and are generally non-cancelable. These contracts generally convert into month-to-month agreements at the end of the initial term, while some subscribers are month-to-month from inception. Payment for Vivint Smart Home services is generally due in advance on a monthly basis. Product sales and other one-time fees are invoiced to subscribers at time of sale. Revenues for any products or services that are considered separate performance obligations are recognized upon delivery. Payments received or billed in advance are reported as deferred revenues.
Performance Obligations
As of September 30, 2023, estimated future fixed fee performance obligations are $414 million for the remaining three months of fiscal year 2023, and $1.4 billion, $1.0 billion, $722 million, $434 million and $103 million for the fiscal years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively. These performance obligations include Vivint Smart Home products and services as well as cleared auction MWs in the PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO and MISO capacity auctions. The cleared auction MWs are subject to penalties for non-performance.
18
Disaggregated Revenues
The following tables represent the Company’s disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home(a) | $ | 2,397 | $ | 544 | $ | 390 | $ | 478 | $ | (1) | $ | 3,808 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Business | 1,092 | 2,089 | 532 | — | — | 3,713 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenue(b) | 3,489 | 2,633 | 922 | 478 | (1) | 7,521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue(b) | 51 | 152 | 59 | — | (1) | 261 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue(b) | — | 64 | (4) | — | (1) | 59 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities(c) | — | (60) | (10) | — | — | (70) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (6) | 1 | — | — | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(b) | 146 | 26 | 10 | — | (2) | 180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 3,686 | 2,809 | 978 | 478 | (5) | 7,946 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Revenues accounted for under topics other than ASC 606 and ASC 815 | — | 8 | 10 | — | — | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Realized and unrealized ASC 815 revenue | 16 | 58 | (7) | — | — | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 3,670 | $ | 2,743 | $ | 975 | $ | 478 | $ | (5) | $ | 7,861 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home includes Services and Vivint Smart Home | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) The following table represents the realized revenues related to derivative instruments that are accounted for under ASC 815 and included in the amounts above: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | — | $ | 14 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | — | 77 | — | — | — | 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 27 | — | — | — | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue | 16 | — | 3 | — | — | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Revenue relates entirely to unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for under ASC 815 |
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Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home(a) | $ | 2,068 | $ | 530 | $ | 435 | $ | — | $ | 3,033 | |||||||||||||||||||
Business | 931 | 3,333 | 561 | — | 4,825 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenue | 2,999 | 3,863 | 996 | — | 7,858 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue(b) | 48 | 212 | 180 | 10 | 450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue(b) | — | 38 | — | — | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities(c) | 4 | 32 | (7) | 4 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (10) | 4 | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(b) | 94 | 43 | 2 | (2) | 137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 3,145 | 4,178 | 1,175 | 12 | 8,510 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Revenues accounted for under topics other than ASC 606 and ASC 815 | — | 3 | 14 | (1) | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Realized and unrealized ASC 815 revenue | 15 | 93 | 13 | 14 | 135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 3,130 | $ | 4,082 | $ | 1,148 | $ | (1) | $ | 8,359 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home includes Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) The following table represents the realized revenues related to derivative instruments that are accounted for under ASC 815 and included in the amounts above: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | — | $ | 90 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | — | (39) | 27 | 11 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 7 | — | — | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue | 11 | 3 | (7) | (1) | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Revenue relates entirely to unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for under ASC 815 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a)(b) | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home(b) | $ | 5,196 | $ | 1,641 | $ | 1,421 | $ | 1,070 | $ | (1) | $ | 9,327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Business | 2,646 | 7,366 | 1,572 | — | — | 11,584 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenue(c) | 7,842 | 9,007 | 2,993 | 1,070 | (1) | 20,911 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue(c) | 71 | 254 | 147 | — | — | 472 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue(c) | — | 154 | (3) | — | (1) | 150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities(d) | — | 27 | 80 | — | (11) | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (24) | — | — | — | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(c) | 322 | 70 | 27 | — | (8) | 411 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 8,235 | 9,488 | 3,244 | 1,070 | (21) | 22,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Revenues accounted for under topics other than ASC 606 and ASC 815 | — | 13 | 26 | — | — | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Realized and unrealized ASC 815 revenue | 28 | 270 | 97 | — | (10) | 385 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 8,207 | $ | 9,205 | $ | 3,121 | $ | 1,070 | $ | (11) | $ | 21,592 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Home includes Services and Vivint Smart Home | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) The following table represents the realized revenues related to derivative instruments that are accounted for under ASC 815 and included in the amounts above: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | — | $ | 57 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | — | 137 | 10 | — | 1 | 148 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 50 | — | — | — | 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue | 28 | (1) | 7 | — | — | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Revenue relates entirely to unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for under ASC 815 |
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Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home(a) | $ | 5,006 | $ | 1,526 | $ | 1,681 | $ | (1) | $ | 8,212 | |||||||||||||||||||
Business | 2,504 | 10,258 | 1,405 | — | 14,167 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenue | 7,510 | 11,784 | 3,086 | (1) | 22,379 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue(b) | 101 | 544 | 365 | 24 | 1,034 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue(b) | — | 242 | 2 | — | 244 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities(c) | 1 | (204) | (63) | 18 | (248) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (30) | 2 | — | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(b) | 245 | 71 | 3 | (12) | 307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 7,857 | 12,407 | 3,395 | 29 | 23,688 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Revenues accounted for under topics other than ASC 606 and ASC 815 | — | (10) | 33 | (1) | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Realized and unrealized ASC 815 revenue | (5) | (96) | (99) | 41 | (159) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 7,862 | $ | 12,513 | $ | 3,461 | $ | (11) | $ | 23,825 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home includes Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) The following table represents the realized revenues related to derivative instruments that are accounted for under ASC 815 and included in the amounts above: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | — | $ | 90 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | — | (13) | (13) | 24 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 29 | — | — | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue | (6) | 2 | (23) | (1) | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Revenue relates entirely to unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for under ASC 815 |
Contract Balances
The following table reflects the contract assets and liabilities included in the Company’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Capitalized contract costs | $ | 639 | $ | 126 | |||||||
Accounts receivable, net - Contracts with customers | 3,553 | 4,704 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net - Accounted for under topics other than ASC 606 | 188 | 64 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net - Affiliate | 23 | 5 | |||||||||
Total accounts receivable, net | $ | 3,764 | $ | 4,773 | |||||||
Unbilled revenues (included within Accounts receivable, net - Contracts with customers) | $ | 1,336 | $ | 1,952 | |||||||
Deferred revenues(a) | 1,720 | 186 |
(a) Deferred revenues from contracts with customers as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were approximately $1.7 billion and $175 million, respectively. The increase in deferred revenues is primarily due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home
The revenue recognized from contracts with customers during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 relating to the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of each period was $168 million and $173 million, respectively. The change in deferred revenue balances recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was primarily due to the timing difference of when consideration was received and when the performance obligation was transferred. The revenue recognized from contracts with customers during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 relating to the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of each period was $310 million and $159 million, respectively. The change in deferred revenue balances recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home.
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Note 4 — Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisitions
Vivint Smart Home Acquisition
On March 10, 2023 (the "Acquisition Closing Date"), the Company completed the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home, Inc., pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 6, 2022, by and among the Company, Vivint Smart Home, Inc. and Jetson Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Vivint Smart Home, Inc., with Vivint Smart Home, Inc. surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services, Vivint Smart Home brings approximately two million subscribers to NRG. Vivint Smart Home's single, expandable platform incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning into its operating system and its vertically integrated business model includes hardware, software, sales, installation, support and professional monitoring, enabling superior subscriber experiences and a complete end-to-end smart home experience. The acquisition accelerates the realization of NRG's consumer-focused growth strategy and creates a leading essential home services platform fueled by market-leading brands, unparalleled insights, proprietary technologies and complementary sales channels.
NRG paid $12 per share, or $2.6 billion in cash. The Company funded the acquisition using:
•proceeds of $724 million from newly issued $740 million 7.000% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2033, net of issuance costs and discount;
•proceeds of $635 million from newly issued $650 million 10.25% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs;
•proceeds of approximately $900 million drawn from its Revolving Credit Facility and Receivables Securitization Facilities; and
•cash on hand.
In February 2023, the Company increased its Revolving Credit Facility by $600 million to meet the additional liquidity requirements related to the acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases.
Acquisition costs of $38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are included in acquisition-related transaction and integration costs in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.
The acquisition has been recorded as a business combination under ASC 805, with identifiable assets and liabilities acquired provisionally recorded at their estimated Acquisition Closing Date fair value. The initial accounting for the business combination is not complete because the evaluation necessary to assess the fair value of certain net assets acquired and the amount of goodwill to be recognized is still in process. The provisional amounts are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed to the extent that additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the Acquisition Closing Date.
The total consideration of $2.623 billion includes:
(In millions) | ||||||||
Vivint Smart Home, Inc. common shares outstanding as of March 10, 2023 of 216,901,639 at $12.00 per share | $ | 2,603 | ||||||
Other Vivint Smart Home, Inc. equity instruments (Cash out RSUs and PSUs, Stock Appreciation Rights, Private Placement Warrants) | 6 | |||||||
Total Cash Consideration | $ | 2,609 | ||||||
Fair value of acquired Vivint Smart Home, Inc. equity awards attributable to pre-combination service | 14 | |||||||
Total Consideration | $ | 2,623 |
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The purchase price is provisionally allocated as follows:
(In millions) | |||||
Current Assets | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 120 | |||
Accounts receivable, net | 60 | ||||
Inventory | 113 | ||||
Prepayments and other current assets | 37 | ||||
Total current assets | 330 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 49 | ||||
Other Assets | |||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 35 | ||||
Goodwill(a) | 3,494 | ||||
Intangible assets, net(b): | |||||
Customer relationships | 1,740 | ||||
Technology | 860 | ||||
Trade name | 160 | ||||
Sales channel contract | 10 | ||||
Intangible assets, net | 2,770 | ||||
Deferred income taxes | 382 | ||||
Other non-current assets | 14 | ||||
Total other assets | 6,695 | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 7,074 | |||
Current Liabilities | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases | $ | 14 | |||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 13 | ||||
Accounts payable | 109 | ||||
Derivatives instruments | 80 | ||||
Deferred revenue current | 518 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 207 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 941 | ||||
Other Liabilities | |||||
Long-term debt and finance leases | 2,572 | ||||
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 28 | ||||
Derivatives instruments | 32 | ||||
Deferred income taxes | 18 | ||||
Deferred revenue non-current | 837 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities | 23 | ||||
Total other liabilities | 3,510 | ||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 4,451 | |||
Vivint Smart Home Purchase Price | $ | 2,623 |
(a)Goodwill arising from the acquisition is attributed to the value of the platform acquired, cross-selling opportunities, subscriber growth and the synergies expected from combining the operations of Vivint Smart Home with NRG's existing businesses. None of the goodwill recorded is expected to be deductible for tax purposes
(b)The weighted average amortization period for total amortizable intangible assets is approximately ten years
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Measurement Period Adjustments
The following measurement period adjustments were recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2023:
(In millions) | |||||
Goodwill | $ | 2 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 1 | ||||
Total increase in assets | $ | 3 | |||
Liabilities | |||||
Deferred revenue current | $ | 1 | |||
Deferred revenue non-current | 2 | ||||
Total increase in liabilities | $ | 3 | |||
Net change in net assets acquired | $ | — |
The measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts are primarily attributable to refinement of the underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired as more information was obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the Acquisition Closing Date.
Fair Value Measurement of Intangible Assets
The fair values of intangible assets as of the Acquisition Closing Date were measured primarily based on significant inputs that are observable and unobservable in the market and thus represent Level 2 and Level 3 measurements, respectively. Significant inputs were as follows:
Customer relationships – Customer relationships, reflective of Vivint Smart Home’s subscriber base, were valued using an excess earning method of the income approach, and is classified as Level 3. Under this approach, the Company estimated the present value of expected future cash flows resulting from existing subscriber relationships, considering attrition and charges for contributory assets (such as net working capital, fixed assets, workforce, trade name and technology) utilized in the business, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital of comparable companies. The subscriber relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization, ratably based on discounted future cash flows. The weighted average amortization period is twelve years.
Technology – Developed technology was valued using a "relief from royalty" method of the income approach, and is classified as Level 3. Under this approach, the fair value was estimated to be the present value of royalties saved which assumed the value of the asset based on discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid by a hypothetical market participant had they not owned the asset and instead licensed the asset from another company. The estimated cash flows from the developed technology considered the obsolescence factor and was discounted using a weighted average cost of capital of comparable companies. The developed technology is amortized to depreciation and amortization, ratably based on discounted future cash flows. The weighted average amortization period is five years.
Trade name – Trade name was valued using a "relief from royalty" method of the income approach, and is classified as Level 3. Under this approach, the fair value is estimated to be the present value of royalties saved which assumed the value of the asset based on discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid by a hypothetical market participant had they not owned the asset and instead licensed the asset from another company. The estimated cash flows from the trade name considered the expected probable use of the asset and was discounted using a weighted average cost of capital of comparable companies. The trade name is amortized to depreciation and amortization, on a straight line basis, over an amortization period of ten years.
Fair Value Measurement of Acquired Vivint Smart Home Debt
The Company acquired $2.7 billion in aggregate principal of Vivint Smart Home’s 2027 Senior Secured Notes, 2029 Senior notes and 2028 Senior Secured Term Loan (together, the "Acquired Vivint Smart Home Debt") which were recorded at fair value as of the Acquisition Closing Date. The difference between the fair value at the Acquisition Closing Date and the principal outstanding of the Acquired Vivint Smart Home Debt, of $152 million, is being amortized through interest expense over the remaining term of the debt. The Acquired Vivint Smart Home Debt is classified as Level 2 and were measured at fair value using observable market inputs based on interest rates at the Acquisition Closing Date. For additional discussion, see Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases.
Fair Value Measurement of Derivatives Liabilities
The derivative liabilities are recorded in connection with the contractual future payment obligations with the financing providers under Vivint Smart Home’s Consumer Financing Program. The fair values of the derivatives liabilities as of the
24
Acquisition Closing Date were valued using a discounted cash flow model, with inputs consisting of available market data, such as market yield discount rates, as well as unobservable internally derived assumptions, such as collateral prepayment rates, collateral default rates and credit loss rates. These derivatives are priced using a credit valuation adjustment methodology, and are classified as Level 3. Changes to the fair value are recorded through other income, net in the consolidated statement of operations. For additional discussion, see Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
The following table provides pro forma combined financial information of NRG and Vivint Smart Home, after giving effect to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition and related financing transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022. The pro forma financial information has been prepared for illustrative and informational purposes only, and is not intended to project future operating results or be indicative of what the Company's financial performance would have been had the transactions occurred on the date acquired. No effect has been given to prospective operating synergies.
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 7,946 | $ | 8,949 | $ | 22,302 | $ | 24,927 | |||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | 367 | (4) | (588) | 2,013 |
Amounts above reflect certain pro forma adjustments that were directly attributable to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition. These adjustments include the following:
(i)Income statement effects of fair value adjustments based on the preliminary purchase price allocation including amortization of intangible assets, reversal of historical Vivint Smart Home amortization of capitalized contract costs and reversal of historical Vivint Smart Home other income recorded for the change in fair value of warrant derivative liabilities, as the warrants are assumed to be cashed out upon the Acquisition Closing Date.
(ii)One-time expenses directly related to the acquisition.
(iii)Adjustments to reflect all acquisition and related transactions costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
(iv)Interest expense assumes the financing transactions directly attributable to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition occurred on January 1, 2022.
(v)Adjustments related to recording Vivint Smart Home's historical debt at Acquisition Closing Date fair value.
(vi)Adjustments to reflect the write-off of short-term deferred financing costs related to the bridge facility put in place for the acquisition prior to securing permanent financing during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 instead of the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
(vii) Income tax effect of the acquisition accounting adjustments and financing adjustments (adjusted for permanent book/tax differences) based on combined blended federal/state tax rate for all periods presented.
Dispositions
Sale of the 44% equity interest in STP
On November 1, 2023, the Company closed on the previously announced sale of its 44% equity interest in STP to Constellation Energy Generation ("Constellation"). Proceeds of $1.75 billion were reduced by preliminary working capital and other adjustments of $96 million, resulting in net proceeds of $1.654 billion. For discussion of the litigation matter related to the transaction, see Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies.
Sale of Gregory
On October 2, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of its 100% ownership in the Gregory natural gas generating facility in Texas for $102 million.
Sale of Astoria
On January 6, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of land and related generation assets from the Astoria site, within the East region of operations, for initial proceeds of $212 million, subject to transaction fees of $3 million and certain indemnifications, resulting in a $199 million gain. As part of the transaction, NRG entered into an agreement to lease the land back for the purpose of operating the Astoria gas turbines. The lease agreement is expected to terminate by the end of the year after decommissioning is complete.
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Sale of Watson
On June 1, 2022, the Company closed on the sale of its 49% ownership in the Watson natural gas generating facility for $59 million. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of $46 million.
Held-for-sale
As of September 30, 2023, the following is classified as held-for-sale in the consolidated balance sheets, which are primarily related to the sales of STP and Gregory within the Texas segment:
(In millions) | |||||
Inventory | $ | 68 | |||
Prepayments and other current assets | 18 | ||||
Current assets - held-for-sale | $ | 86 | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 248 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 12 | ||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund | 893 | ||||
Non-current assets - held-for-sale | $ | 1,153 | |||
Total assets held-for-sale | $ | 1,239 | |||
Current liabilities - held-for-sale | $ | 44 | |||
Nuclear decommissioning reserve | $ | 341 | |||
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability | 518 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities | 67 | ||||
Non-current liabilities - held-for-sale | $ | 926 | |||
Total liabilities held-for-sale | $ | 970 |
The Company recorded income before income taxes from its 44% equity interest in STP as follows:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes(a) | $ | 188 | $ | 175 | $ | 195 | $ | 331 |
(a)Excludes the impact of the Company's hedges at the portfolio level
Note 5 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For cash and cash equivalents, funds deposited by counterparties, restricted cash, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable, and cash collateral paid and received in support of energy risk management activities, the carrying amounts approximate fair values because of the short-term maturity of those instruments and are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
The estimated carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including current portion, is as follows:
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
Convertible Senior Notes | $ | 575 | $ | 612 | $ | 575 | $ | 576 | |||||||||||||||
Other long-term debt, including current portion | 11,137 | 10,028 | 7,523 | 6,432 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, including current portion(a) | $ | 11,712 | $ | 10,640 | $ | 8,098 | $ | 7,008 |
(a)Excludes deferred financing costs, which are recorded as a reduction to long-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheets
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The fair value of the Company's publicly-traded long-term debt and the Vivint Smart Home Senior Secured Term Loan are based on quoted market prices and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of the borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility approximates the carrying value because the interest rates vary with market interest rates, and is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents the level within the fair value hierarchy for long-term debt, including current portion, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Convertible Senior Notes | $ | 612 | $ | — | $ | 576 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Other long-term debt, including current portion | 9,728 | 300 | 6,432 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, including current portion | $ | 10,340 | $ | 300 | $ | 7,008 | $ | — |
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Debt securities, equity securities and trust fund investments, which are comprised of various U.S. debt and equity securities, and derivative assets and liabilities, are carried at fair market value.
The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy:
September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments in securities (classified within other current and non-current assets) | $ | 19 | $ | — | $ | 19 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Nuclear trust fund investments (classified within non-current assets - held-for-sale): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 25 | 25 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and federal agency obligations | 76 | 74 | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities | 110 | — | 110 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 31 | — | 31 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 111 | — | 111 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 451 | 451 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government fixed income securities | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | 12 | — | 12 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | 6,196 | 1,123 | 4,264 | 809 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | 32 | — | 32 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Measured using net asset value practical expedient: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities — nuclear trust fund investments (classified within non-current assets - held-for-sale) | 88 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities (classified within other non-current assets) | 6 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 7,158 | $ | 1,673 | $ | 4,582 | $ | 809 | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | 4,551 | 910 | 3,253 | 388 | |||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program | 128 | — | — | 128 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 4,680 | $ | 910 | $ | 3,254 | $ | 516 |
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December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments in securities (classified within other current and non-current assets) | $ | 19 | $ | — | $ | 19 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Nuclear trust fund investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 15 | 15 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and federal agency obligations | 86 | 84 | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities | 101 | — | 101 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 35 | — | 35 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 114 | — | 114 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 403 | 403 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government fixed income securities | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Other trust fund investments (classified within other non-current assets): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and federal agency obligations | 1 | 1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | 18 | — | 18 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | 11,976 | 1,929 | 8,796 | 1,251 | |||||||||||||||||||
Measured using net asset value practical expedient: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities — nuclear trust fund investments | 83 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities (classified within other non-current assets) | 6 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 12,858 | $ | 2,432 | $ | 9,086 | $ | 1,251 | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 2 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | 8,439 | 1,244 | 6,449 | 746 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 8,441 | $ | 1,244 | $ | 6,451 | $ | 746 |
The following table reconciles, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the beginning and ending balances for financial instruments that are recognized at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements, using significant unobservable inputs, for commodity derivatives:
Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Derivatives(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Three months ended September 30, 2023 | Three months ended September 30, 2022 | Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 905 | $ | 1,403 | $ | 505 | $ | 293 | |||||||||||||||
Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in earnings | 5 | (314) | (172) | 145 | |||||||||||||||||||
Purchases | (115) | 60 | 25 | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||
Transfers into Level 3(b) | (374) | (466) | 64 | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
Transfers out of Level 3(b) | — | (1) | (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 421 | $ | 682 | $ | 421 | $ | 682 | |||||||||||||||
Gains/(Losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets or liabilities still held as of period end | $ | 75 | $ | (240) | $ | (56) | $ | 294 |
(a)Consists of derivative assets and liabilities, net, excluding derivatives liabilities from Consumer Financing Program, which are presented in a separate table below
(b)Transfers into/out of Level 3 are related to the availability of external broker quotes and are valued as of the end of the reporting period. All transfers in/out are with Level 2
Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings that are related to the commodity derivatives are recorded in revenues and cost of operations.
28
The following table reconciles, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 the beginning and ending balances of the contractual obligations from the Consumer Financing Program that are recognized at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements, using significant unobservable inputs:
Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program | |||||||||||
(In millions) | Three months ended September 30, 2023 | Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 115 | $ | — | |||||||
Contractual obligations added from the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | — | 112 | |||||||||
New contractual obligations | 33 | 55 | |||||||||
Settlements | (21) | (43) | |||||||||
Total losses included in earnings | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 128 | $ | 128 |
Gains and losses that are related to the Consumer Financing Program derivative are recorded in other income, net.
Derivative Fair Value Measurements
A portion of NRG's contracts are exchange-traded contracts with readily available quoted market prices. A majority of NRG's contracts are non-exchange-traded contracts valued using prices provided by external sources, primarily price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter and on-line exchanges. The remainder of the assets and liabilities represent contracts for which external sources or observable market quotes are not available. These contracts are valued based on various valuation techniques including, but not limited to, internal models based on a fundamental analysis of the market and extrapolation of the observable market data with similar characteristics. As of September 30, 2023, contracts valued with prices provided by models and other valuation techniques make up 13% of derivative assets and 11% of derivative liabilities.
NRG's significant positions classified as Level 3 include physical and financial natural gas and power contracts executed in illiquid markets, as well as FTRs. The significant unobservable inputs used in developing fair value include illiquid natural gas and power location pricing, which is derived as a basis to liquid locations. The basis spread is based on observable market data when available or derived from historic prices and forward market prices from similar observable markets when not available. For FTRs, NRG uses the most recent auction prices to derive the fair value. The Consumer Financing Program derivatives are valued using a discounted cash flow model, with inputs consisting of available market data, such as market yield discount rates, as well as unobservable internally derived assumptions, such as collateral prepayment rates, collateral default rates and credit loss rates. These derivatives are priced quarterly using a credit valuation adjustment methodology.
The following tables quantify the significant, unobservable inputs used in developing the fair value of the Company's Level 3 positions as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Input/Range | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Assets | Liabilities | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Input | Low | High | Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas Contracts | $ | 94 | $ | 113 | Discounted Cash Flow | Forward Market Price (per MMBtu) | $ | 1 | $ | 16 | $ | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power Contracts | 683 | 222 | Discounted Cash Flow | Forward Market Price (per MWh) | 1 | 196 | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 32 | 53 | Discounted Cash Flow | Auction Prices (per MWh) | (30) | 190 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program | — | 128 | Discounted Cash Flow | Collateral Default Rates | 0.94 | % | 99.85 | % | 7.66 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discounted Cash Flow | Collateral Prepayment Rates | 2.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 2.95 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discounted Cash Flow | Credit Loss Rates | 6.00 | % | 60.00 | % | 12.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 809 | $ | 516 |
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December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Input/Range | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Assets | Liabilities | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Input | Low | High | Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas Contracts | $ | 340 | $ | 448 | Discounted Cash Flow | Forward Market Price (per MMBtu) | $ | 2 | $ | 48 | $ | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power Contracts | 843 | 216 | Discounted Cash Flow | Forward Market Price (per MWh) | 3 | 431 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 68 | 82 | Discounted Cash Flow | Auction Prices (per MWh) | (32) | 610 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,251 | $ | 746 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides sensitivity of fair value measurements to increases/(decreases) in significant, unobservable inputs as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Significant Unobservable Input | Position | Change In Input | Impact on Fair Value Measurement | |||||||||||||||||
Forward Market Price Natural Gas/Power | Buy | Increase/(Decrease) | Higher/(Lower) | |||||||||||||||||
Forward Market Price Natural Gas/Power | Sell | Increase/(Decrease) | Lower/(Higher) | |||||||||||||||||
FTR Prices | Buy | Increase/(Decrease) | Higher/(Lower) | |||||||||||||||||
FTR Prices | Sell | Increase/(Decrease) | Lower/(Higher) | |||||||||||||||||
Collateral Default Rates | n/a | Increase/(Decrease) | Higher/(Lower) | |||||||||||||||||
Collateral Prepayment Rates | n/a | Increase/(Decrease) | Lower/(Higher) | |||||||||||||||||
Credit Loss Rates | n/a | Increase/(Decrease) | Higher/(Lower) |
The fair value of each contract is discounted using a risk-free interest rate. In addition, the Company applies a credit reserve to reflect credit risk, which is calculated based on published default probabilities. As of September 30, 2023, the credit reserve resulted in a $19 million decrease primarily within cost of operations. As of December 31, 2022, the credit reserve resulted in a $9 million decrease primarily within cost of operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
In addition to the credit risk discussion as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company's 2022 Form 10-K, the following is a discussion of the concentration of credit risk for the Company's contractual obligations. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. NRG is exposed to counterparty credit risk through various activities including wholesale sales, fuel purchases and retail supply arrangements, as well as retail customer credit risk through its retail load activities.
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Counterparty Credit Risk
The Company's counterparty credit risk policies are disclosed in its 2022 Form 10-K. As of September 30, 2023, counterparty credit exposure, excluding credit exposure from RTOs, ISOs, registered commodity exchanges and certain long-term agreements, was $1.7 billion and NRG held collateral (cash and letters of credit) against those positions of $494 million, resulting in a net exposure of $1.2 billion. NRG periodically receives collateral from counterparties in excess of their exposure. Collateral amounts shown include such excess while net exposure shown excludes excess collateral received. Approximately 36% of the Company's exposure before collateral is expected to roll off by the end of 2024. Counterparty credit exposure is valued through observable market quotes and discounted at a risk free interest rate. The following tables highlight net counterparty credit exposure by industry sector and by counterparty credit quality. Net counterparty credit exposure is defined as the aggregate net asset position for NRG with counterparties where netting is permitted under the enabling agreement and includes all cash flow, mark-to-market and NPNS, and non-derivative transactions. The exposure is shown net of collateral held and includes amounts net of receivables or payables.
Net Exposure(a)(b) | |||||
Category by Industry Sector | (% of Total) | ||||
Utilities, energy merchants, marketers and other | 68 | % | |||
Financial institutions | 32 | ||||
Total as of September 30, 2023 | 100 | % |
Net Exposure (a)(b) | |||||
Category by Counterparty Credit Quality | (% of Total) | ||||
Investment grade | 56 | % | |||
Non-investment grade/non-rated | 44 | ||||
Total as of September 30, 2023 | 100 | % |
(a)Counterparty credit exposure excludes uranium and coal transportation contracts because of the unavailability of market prices
(b)The figures in the tables above exclude potential counterparty credit exposure related to RTOs, ISOs, registered commodity exchanges and certain long-term contracts
The Company currently has exposure to one wholesale counterparty in excess of 10% of total net exposure as of September 30, 2023. Changes in hedge positions and market prices will affect credit exposure and counterparty concentration.
RTOs and ISOs
The Company participates in the organized markets of CAISO, ERCOT, AESO, IESO, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM, known as RTOs or ISOs. Trading in the majority of these markets is approved by FERC, whereas in the case of ERCOT, it is approved by the PUCT, and whereas in the case of AESO and IESO, both exist provincially with AESO primarily subject to Alberta Utilities Commission and the IESO to the Ontario Energy Board. These ISOs may include credit policies that, under certain circumstances, require that losses arising from the default of one member on spot market transactions be shared by the remaining participants. As a result, the counterparty credit risk to these markets is limited to NRG’s share of the overall market and are excluded from the above exposures.
Exchange Traded Transactions
The Company enters into commodity transactions on registered exchanges, notably ICE, NYMEX and Nodal. These clearinghouses act as the counterparty and transactions are subject to extensive collateral and margining requirements. As a result, these commodity transactions have limited counterparty credit risk.
Long-Term Contracts
Counterparty credit exposure described above excludes credit risk exposure under certain long-term contracts, primarily Renewable PPAs. As external sources or observable market quotes are not always available to estimate such exposure, the Company values these contracts based on various techniques including, but not limited to, internal models based on a fundamental analysis of the market and extrapolation of observable market data with similar characteristics. Based on these valuation techniques, as of September 30, 2023, aggregate credit risk exposure managed by NRG to these counterparties was approximately $1.0 billion for the next five years.
Retail Customer Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to retail credit risk through the Company's retail electricity and gas providers as well as through Vivint Smart Home, which serve both Home and Business customers. Retail credit risk results in losses when a customer fails to pay for services rendered. The losses may result from both non-payment of customer accounts receivable and the loss of in-
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the-money forward value. The Company manages retail credit risk by using established credit policies, which include monitoring of the portfolio and the use of credit mitigation measures such as deposits or prepayment arrangements.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company's retail customer credit exposure to Home and Business customers was diversified across many customers and various industries, as well as government entities. Current economic conditions may affect the Company’s customers’ ability to pay bills in a timely manner, which could increase customer delinquencies and may lead to an increase in credit losses.
Note 6 — Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund
NRG's Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund assets, which are for the decommissioning of its 44% interest in STP, are comprised of securities classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value based on actively quoted market prices. NRG accounts for the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund in accordance with ASC 980, Regulated Operations, because the Company's nuclear decommissioning activities are subject to approval by the PUCT with regulated rates that are designed to recover all decommissioning costs and that can be charged to and collected from the ratepayers per PUCT mandate. Since the Company is in compliance with PUCT rules and regulations regarding decommissioning trusts and the cost of decommissioning is the responsibility of the Texas ratepayers, not NRG, all realized and unrealized gains or losses (including other-than-temporary impairments) related to the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund are recorded to the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust liability and are not included in net income or accumulated OCI, consistent with regulatory treatment. As of September 30, 2023, the trust liability is classified within non-current liabilities - held-for-sale on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The following table summarizes the aggregate fair values and unrealized gains and losses for the securities held in the trust funds, as well as information about the contractual maturities of those securities. As of September 30, 2023, the trust funds are classified within non-current assets - held-for-sale on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
As of September 30, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except maturities) | Fair Value | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Weighted-average Maturities (In years) | Fair Value | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Weighted-average Maturities (In years) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 25 | $ | — | $ | — | — | $ | 15 | $ | — | $ | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and federal agency obligations | 76 | — | 9 | 12 | 86 | — | 5 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities | 110 | — | 13 | 24 | 101 | — | 11 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 31 | — | 4 | 29 | 35 | — | 4 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 111 | — | 11 | 12 | 114 | — | 13 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 539 | 390 | — | — | 486 | 346 | 3 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government fixed income securities | 1 | — | — | 14 | 1 | — | — | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 893 | $ | 390 | $ | 37 | $ | 838 | $ | 346 | $ | 36 |
The following table summarizes proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities held in the trust funds and the related realized gains and losses from these sales. The cost of securities sold is determined on the specific identification method.
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Realized gains | $ | 7 | $ | 12 | |||||||
Realized losses | (15) | (19) | |||||||||
Proceeds from sale of securities | 280 | 363 |
Note 7 — Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Energy-Related Commodities
As of September 30, 2023, NRG had energy-related derivative instruments extending through 2036. The Company marks these derivatives to market through the consolidated statement of operations. NRG has executed energy-related contracts extending through 2036 that qualified for the NPNS exception and were therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment.
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Interest Rate Swaps
NRG is exposed to changes in interest rate through the Company's issuance of variable rate debt. To manage the Company's interest rate risk, NRG enters into interest rate swap agreements. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into $1.0 billion of interest rate swaps through 2027 to hedge the floating rate on the Term Loan acquired with the Vivint Smart Home acquisition. Additionally, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the floating rate on the Revolving Credit Facility extending through 2024, with $300 million outstanding as of September 30, 2023.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
NRG is exposed to changes in foreign currency primarily associated with the purchase of U.S. dollar denominated natural gas for its Canadian business. To manage the Company's foreign exchange risk, NRG entered into foreign exchange contracts. As of September 30, 2023, NRG had foreign exchange contracts extending through 2027. The Company marks these derivatives to market through the consolidated statement of operations.
Consumer Financing Program
Under the Consumer Financing Program, Vivint Smart Home pays a monthly fee to Financing Providers based on either the average daily outstanding balance of the loans or the number of outstanding loans. For certain loans, Vivint Smart Home incurs fees at the time of the loan origination and receives proceeds that are net of these fees. Vivint Smart Home also shares the liability for credit losses, depending on the credit quality of the subscriber. Due to the nature of certain provisions under the Consumer Financing Program, the Company records a derivative liability that is not designated as a hedging instrument and is adjusted to fair value, measured using the present value of the estimated future payments. Changes to the fair value are recorded through other income, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The following represent the contractual future payment obligations with the Financing Providers under the Consumer Financing Program that are components of the derivative:
• Vivint Smart Home pays either a monthly fee based on the average daily outstanding balance of the loans, or the number of outstanding loans, depending on the Financing Provider;
• Vivint Smart Home shares the liability for credit losses depending on the credit quality of the subscriber; and
• Vivint Smart Home pays transactional fees associated with subscriber payment processing.
The derivative is classified as a Level 3 instrument. The derivative positions are valued using a discounted cash flow model, with inputs consisting of available market data, such as market yield discount rates, as well as unobservable internally derived assumptions, such as collateral prepayment rates, collateral default rates and credit loss rates. These derivatives are priced quarterly using a credit valuation adjustment methodology. In summary, the fair value represents an estimate of the present value of the cash flows Vivint Smart Home will be obligated to pay to the Financing Provider for each component of the derivative.
Volumetric Underlying Derivative Transactions
The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of NRG's open derivative transactions broken out by category, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the NPNS exception, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Option contracts are reflected using delta volume. Delta volume equals the notional volume of an option adjusted for the probability that the option will be in-the-money at its expiration date.
Total Volume (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
Category | Units | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Emissions | Short Ton | — | 1 | |||||||||||
Renewable Energy Certificates | Certificates | 12 | 15 | |||||||||||
Coal | Short Ton | 10 | 11 | |||||||||||
Natural Gas | MMBtu | 841 | 422 | |||||||||||
Oil | Barrels | — | 1 | |||||||||||
Power | MWh | 201 | 192 | |||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program | Dollars | 1,142 | — | |||||||||||
Foreign Exchange | Dollars | 566 | 569 | |||||||||||
Interest | Dollars | 1,300 | — |
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Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheets:
Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts - current | $ | 21 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts - long-term | 11 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts - current | 7 | 11 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts - long-term | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program - short-term | — | — | 83 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program - long-term | — | — | 45 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts - current | 3,682 | 7,875 | 3,045 | 6,194 | |||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts - long-term | 2,514 | 4,101 | 1,506 | 2,245 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges | $ | 6,240 | $ | 11,994 | $ | 4,680 | $ | 8,441 | |||||||||||||||
The Company has elected to present derivative assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet on a trade-by-trade basis and does not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. In addition, collateral received or paid on the Company's derivative assets or liabilities are recorded on a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheet. The following table summarizes the offsetting of derivatives by counterparty master agreement level and collateral received or paid:
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets / Liabilities | Derivative Instruments | Cash Collateral (Held) /Posted | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 12 | $ | (1) | $ | — | $ | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (1) | 1 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total foreign exchange contracts | $ | 11 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 6,196 | $ | (4,331) | $ | (269) | $ | 1,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (4,551) | 4,331 | 11 | (209) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total commodity contracts | $ | 1,645 | $ | — | $ | (258) | $ | 1,387 | ||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Financing Program: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | $ | (128) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (128) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 32 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative instruments | $ | 1,560 | $ | — | $ | (258) | $ | 1,302 |
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Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets / Liabilities | Derivative Instruments | Cash Collateral (Held) /Posted | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 18 | $ | (2) | $ | — | $ | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (2) | 2 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total foreign exchange contracts | $ | 16 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 11,976 | $ | (7,897) | $ | (1,659) | $ | 2,420 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (8,439) | 7,897 | 20 | (522) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total commodity contracts | $ | 3,537 | $ | — | $ | (1,639) | $ | 1,898 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative instruments | $ | 3,553 | $ | — | $ | (1,639) | $ | 1,914 |
Impact of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations
Unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not accounted for as cash flow and fair value hedges are reflected in current period results of operations.
The following table summarizes the pre-tax effects of economic hedges that have not been designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges and trading activity on the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The effect of foreign exchange and commodity hedges are included within revenues and cost of operations. The effect of the interest rate contracts are included within interest expense. The effect of the Consumer Financing Program is included in other income, net.
(In millions) | Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized mark-to-market results | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | (522) | $ | (387) | $ | (1,519) | $ | (992) | |||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain)/loss positions related to economic hedges | (6) | (15) | 4 | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | 475 | 313 | (418) | 3,926 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total unrealized mark-to-market (losses)/gains for economic hedging activities | (53) | (89) | (1,933) | 2,907 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on settled positions related to trading activity | — | 2 | 11 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to trading activity | (1) | 7 | 13 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total unrealized mark-to-market (losses)/gains for trading activity | (1) | 9 | 24 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total unrealized (losses)/gains - commodities and foreign exchange | $ | (54) | $ | (80) | $ | (1,909) | $ | 2,900 |
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized (losses)/gains included in revenues - commodities | $ | (71) | $ | 42 | $ | 120 | $ | (255) | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains/(losses) included in cost of operations - commodities | 8 | (148) | (2,024) | 3,124 | |||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains/(losses) included in cost of operations - foreign exchange | 9 | 26 | (5) | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total impact to statement of operations - commodities and foreign exchange | $ | (54) | $ | (80) | $ | (1,909) | $ | 2,900 | |||||||||||||||
Total impact to statement of operations - consumer financing program | $ | (1) | $ | — | $ | (4) | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Total impact to statement of operations - interest rate contracts | $ | 8 | $ | — | $ | 32 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
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The reversals of acquired (gain)/loss positions were valued based upon the forward prices on the acquisition date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized gains or losses at the settled prices and are reflected in revenue or cost of operations during the same period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the $418 million unrealized loss from open economic hedge positions was primarily the result of a decrease in the value of forward positions as a result of decreases in natural gas and power prices in the East and West.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the $3.9 billion unrealized gain from open economic hedge positions was primarily due to increases in the value of forward positions as a result of increases in natural gas and power prices.
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features
Certain of the Company's trading agreements contain provisions that entitle the counterparty to demand that the Company post additional collateral if the counterparty determines that there has been deterioration in the Company's credit quality, generally termed “adequate assurance” under the agreements, or require the Company to post additional collateral if there were a downgrade in the Company's credit rating. The collateral potentially required for all contracts with adequate assurance clauses that are in a net liability position as of September 30, 2023 was $647 million. The Company is also party to certain marginable agreements under which it has net liability position, but the counterparty has not called for the collateral due, which was approximately $70 million as of September 30, 2023. In the event of a downgrade in the Company's credit rating and if called for by the counterparty, $3 million of additional collateral would be required for all contracts with credit rating contingent features as of September 30, 2023.
See Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for discussion regarding concentration of credit risk.
Note 8 — Impairments
2022 Impairment Losses
Astoria Redevelopment Impairment — During the third quarter of 2022, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the land and related assets at the Astoria generating site and the planned withdrawal and cancellation of its proposed Astoria redevelopment project. As a result, the Company impaired $43 million of Astoria project spend in the East segment.
PJM Asset Impairments — During the second quarter of 2022, the results of the PJM Base Residual Auction for the 2023/2024 delivery year were released leading the Company to revise its long-term view of certain facilities and announce the planned retirement of the Joliet generating facility in 2023. The Company considered the near-term retirement date of Joliet and the decline in PJM capacity prices to be a trigger for impairment and performed impairment tests on the PJM generating assets and the goodwill associated with Midwest Generation. The Company measured the impairment losses on the PJM generating assets and Midwest Generation goodwill as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the PJM generating assets and Midwest Generation reporting unit, respectively. Fair values were determined using an income approach in which the Company applied a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for the plants and reporting unit. Significant inputs impacting the income approach include the Company's long-term view of capacity and fuel prices, projected generation, the physical and economic characteristics of each plant and the reporting unit as a whole, and the discount rate applied to the after-tax cash flow projections. Impairment losses of $20 million and $130 million were recorded in the second quarter of 2022 in the East segment on the PJM generating assets and Midwest Generation goodwill, respectively.
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Note 9 — Long-term Debt and Finance Leases
Long-term debt and finance leases consisted of the following:
(In millions, except rates) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | Interest rate % | ||||||||||||||
Recourse debt: | |||||||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2027 | $ | 375 | $ | 375 | 6.625 | ||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2028 | 821 | 821 | 5.750 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2029 | 733 | 733 | 5.250 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2029 | 500 | 500 | 3.375 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2031 | 1,030 | 1,030 | 3.625 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Notes, due 2032 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 3.875 | ||||||||||||||
Convertible Senior Notes, due 2048(a) | 575 | 575 | 2.750 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes, due 2024 | 600 | 600 | 3.750 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes, due 2025 | 500 | 500 | 2.000 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes, due 2027 | 900 | 900 | 2.450 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes, due 2029 | 500 | 500 | 4.450 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured First Lien Notes, due 2033 | 740 | — | 7.000 | ||||||||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility | 300 | — | various | ||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt bonds | 466 | 466 | 1.250 - 4.750 | ||||||||||||||
Subtotal recourse debt | 9,140 | 8,100 | |||||||||||||||
Non-recourse debt: | |||||||||||||||||
Vivint Smart Home Senior Secured Notes, due 2027 | 600 | — | 6.750 | ||||||||||||||
Vivint Smart Home Senior Notes, due 2029 | 800 | — | 5.750 | ||||||||||||||
Vivint Smart Home Senior Secured Term Loan, due 2028 | 1,323 | — | various | ||||||||||||||
Subtotal all Vivint Smart Home non-recourse debt | 2,723 | — | |||||||||||||||
Subtotal long-term debt (including current maturities) | 11,863 | 8,100 | |||||||||||||||
Finance leases | 19 | 11 | various | ||||||||||||||
Subtotal long-term debt and finance leases (including current maturities) | 11,882 | 8,111 | |||||||||||||||
Less current maturities | (920) | (63) | |||||||||||||||
Less debt issuance costs | (70) | (70) | |||||||||||||||
Discounts | (151) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt and finance leases | $ | 10,741 | $ | 7,976 |
(a)As of the ex-dividend date of October 31, 2023, the Convertible Senior Notes were convertible at a price of $41.83, which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 23.9079 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount
Recourse Debt
Issuance of 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes
On March 9, 2023, the Company issued $740 million of aggregate principal amount of 7.000% senior secured first lien notes due 2033 (the "2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes"). The 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes are senior secured obligations of NRG and are guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in the same collateral that is pledged for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, which collateral consists of a substantial portion of the property and assets owned by the Company and the guarantors. The collateral securing the 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes will be released at the Company’s request if the senior unsecured long-term debt securities of the Company are rated investment grade by any two of the three rating agencies, subject to reversion if such rating agencies withdraw such investment grade rating or downgrade such rating below investment grade. Interest is paid semi-annually beginning on September 15, 2023 until the maturity date of March 15, 2033. The proceeds of the 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes, along with cash on hand and proceeds from certain other financings, were used to fund the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home.
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2048 Convertible Senior Notes
As of September 30, 2023, the Convertible Senior Notes were convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash or a combination of cash and the Company’s common stock at a price of $42.17 per common share, which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 23.7112 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes. The net carrying amounts of the Convertible Senior Notes as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $571 million and $570 million, respectively. The Convertible Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2048, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. The Convertible Senior notes are convertible at the option of the holders under certain circumstances. Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2024, the Convertible Senior Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter during specified periods as follows:
•from December 1, 2024 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before June 1, 2025; and
•from December 1, 2047 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date
The following table details the interest expense recorded in connection with the Convertible Senior Notes, due 2048:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
($ In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Contractual interest expense | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | $ | 12 | $ | 12 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred finance costs | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | $ | 13 | $ | 13 | |||||||||||||||
Effective Interest Rate | 0.76 | % | 0.76 | % | 2.28 | % | 2.28 | % |
Revolving Credit Facility
On February 14, 2023, the Company amended its Revolving Credit Facility to: (i) increase the existing revolving commitments thereunder by $600 million, (ii) extend the maturity date of a portion of the revolving commitments thereunder to February 14, 2028, (iii) transition the benchmark rate applicable to revolving loans from LIBOR to SOFR and (iv) make certain other amendments to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility for purposes of, among other things, providing additional flexibility. For further discussion, see Note 13, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases, of the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K.
On March 13, 2023, the Company further amended its Revolving Credit Facility to increase the existing revolving commitments by an additional $45 million. As of September 30, 2023, there were outstanding borrowings of $300 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of October 31, 2023, there were outstanding borrowings of $100 million under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Bilateral Letter of Credit Facilities
On May 19, 2023, May 30, 2023 and October 17, 2023 the Company increased the size of its bilateral letter of credit facilities by $25 million, $100 million and $50 million, respectively, to provide additional liquidity and to allow for the issuance of up to $850 million of letters of credit. These facilities are uncommitted.
Receivables Securitization Facilities
On June 22, 2023, NRG Receivables LLC (“NRG Receivables”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, amended its existing Receivables Facility to, among other things, (i) extend the scheduled termination date to June 21, 2024, (ii) increase the aggregate commitments from $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion (adjusted seasonally) and (iii) add a new originator. On October 6, 2023, the Receivables Facility was further amended to replace the benchmark interest rate of the Receivable Facility's subordinated note from LIBOR to SOFR. As of September 30, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings.
In addition, in connection with the amendments to the Receivables Facility, on June 22, 2023, the Company and the originators thereunder renewed the existing uncommitted Repurchase Facility. Such renewal, among other things, extended the maturity date to June 21, 2024 and joined an additional originator to the Repurchase Facility. On October 6, 2023, the Repurchase Facility was further amended to reflect the concurrent amendment to the Receivables Facility's subordinated note. As of September 30, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings.
For further information on the above facilities, see Note 13, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases, of the Company's 2022 Form 10-K.
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Dunkirk Bonds
On April 3, 2023, NRG remarketed $59 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25% tax-exempt refinancing bonds of the Chautauqua County Capital Resource Corporation (the "Dunkirk Bonds"). The Dunkirk Bonds are guaranteed on a first-priority basis by each of NRG's current and future subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Dunkirk Bonds are secured by a first priority security interest in the same collateral that is pledged for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, which consists of a substantial portion of the property and assets owned by NRG and the guarantors. The collateral securing the Dunkirk Bonds will, at the request of NRG, be released if NRG satisfies certain conditions, including receipt of an investment grade rating on its senior, unsecured debt securities from two out of the three rating agencies, subject to reversion if those rating agencies withdraw their investment grade rating of the Dunkirk Bonds or any of NRG's senior, unsecured debt securities or downgrade such ratings below investment grade. The Dunkirk Bonds are subject to mandatory tender and purchase on April 3, 2028 and have a final maturity date of April 1, 2042.
Pre-Capitalized Trust Securities Facility
On August 29, 2023, the Company entered into a Facility Agreement (as defined below) with Alexander Funding Trust II, a newly-formed Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the sale by the Trust of $500 million pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable July 31, 2028 (the “P-Caps”). The Trust invested the proceeds from the sale of the P-Caps in a portfolio of principal and interest strips of U.S. Treasury securities (the “Eligible Treasury Assets”). The P-Caps will replace the Company’s existing pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable 2023 issued by Alexander Funding Trust, which mature on November 15, 2023.
In connection with the sale of the P-Caps, the Company and the guarantors named therein entered into a facility agreement, dated August 29, 2023 (the “Facility Agreement”), with the Trust and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as notes trustee (the “Notes Trustee”). Under the Facility Agreement, the Company has the right, from time to time, to issue to the Trust, and to require the Trust to purchase from the Company, on one or more occasions (the “Issuance Right”), up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.467% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 (the “P-Caps Secured Notes”) in exchange for all or a portion of the Eligible Treasury Assets corresponding to the portion of the Issuance Right under the Facility Agreement being exercised at such time. The Company pays to the Trust a facility fee equal to 3.13427% applied to the unexercised portion of the Issuance Right on a semi-annual basis.
The P-Caps are to be redeemed by the Trust on July 31, 2028 or earlier upon an early redemption of the P-Caps Secured Notes. Following any distribution of P-Caps Secured Notes to the holders of the P-Caps, the Company may similarly redeem such P-Caps Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption price described in the Indenture (as defined below), plus accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any P-Caps Secured Notes outstanding and held by the Trust as a result of the exercise of the Issuance Right that remain outstanding will also mature on July 31, 2028.
The Issuance Right will be exercised automatically in full if (i) the Company fails to pay the facility fee when due or any amount due and owing under the trust expense reimbursement agreement or fails to purchase and pay for any Eligible Treasury Assets that are due and not paid on their payment date and such failure is not cured within 30 days or (ii) upon certain bankruptcy events of the Company. The Company will be required to mandatorily exercise the Issuance Right if certain mandatory exercise events occur upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Facility Agreement.
The P-Caps Secured Notes that may be sold to the Trust from time to time will be governed by the base indenture, dated August 29, 2023 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and the Notes Trustee, as supplemented by the supplemental indenture, dated August 29, 2023 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors named therein and the Notes Trustee.
The P-Caps Secured Notes will, if sold to the Trust, be guaranteed on a first-priority basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The P-Caps Secured Notes will, if sold to the Trust, be secured by a first priority security interest in the same collateral that is pledged for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, which consists of a substantial portion of the property and assets owned by the Company and the guarantors. The collateral securing the P-Caps Secured Notes will be released at the Company’s request if the senior unsecured long-term debt securities of the Company are rated investment grade by any two of the three rating agencies, subject to reversion if such rating agencies downgrade such rating below investment grade or withdraw such investment grade rating.
In connection with the issuance of the P-Caps, on August 29, 2023, the Company entered into a letter of credit facility agreement (the “LC Agreement”) with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”) and administrative agent, and certain financial institutions (the “LC Issuers”) for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $485 million. The LC Agreement replaces the Company’s existing letter of credit facility agreement, effective August 29, 2023. In addition, on August 29, 2023, the Trust entered into a pledge and control agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”), among the Company, the Trust and the Collateral Agent, under which the Trust agreed to grant a security interest over the Eligible Treasury Assets in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the LC Issuers. Pursuant to the LC
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Agreement and the Pledge Agreement, the Collateral Agent is entitled to withdraw Eligible Treasury Assets from the Trust’s pledged account, following notice to the Company, in the event the Company has failed to reimburse amounts drawn under any letter of credit issued pursuant to the LC Agreement, and the LC Issuers have the right to instruct the Collateral Agent to enforce the pledge over the Eligible Treasury Assets upon the occurrence of any event of default under the LC Agreement.
Non-recourse Debt
The following are descriptions of certain indebtedness of NRG's subsidiaries. All of NRG's non-recourse debt is secured by the assets in the subsidiaries as further described below.
Acquired Vivint Smart Home Debt
On March 10, 2023, in connection with the Vivint Smart Home acquisition, Vivint Smart Home's indirect wholly owned subsidiary, APX Group, Inc. ("APX"), retained its 6.750% senior secured notes due 2027, 5.750% senior notes due 2029, senior secured term loan credit agreement and senior secured revolving credit facility.
Vivint Smart Home 2027 Senior Secured Notes
Vivint Smart Home has outstanding $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% senior secured notes due 2027 (the "Vivint Smart Home 2027 Senior Secured Notes"). The Vivint Smart Home 2027 Senior Secured Notes are senior secured obligations of APX and are guaranteed by APX Group Holdings, Inc., each of APX's existing and future wholly owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries (subject to customary exclusions and qualifications) and Vivint Smart Home. Interest on the Vivint Smart Home 2027 Senior Secured Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 until the maturity date of February 15, 2027.
Vivint Smart Home 2029 Senior Notes
Vivint Smart Home has outstanding $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.750% senior notes due 2029 (the "Vivint Smart Home 2029 Senior Notes"). The Vivint Smart Home 2029 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of APX and are guaranteed by APX Group Holdings, Inc., each of APX's existing and future wholly owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries (subject to customary exclusions and qualifications) and Vivint Smart Home. Interest on the Vivint Smart Home 2029 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 until the maturity date of July 15, 2029.
Vivint Smart Home Senior Secured Credit Facilities
The Vivint Smart Home senior secured credit agreement (the “Vivint Smart Home Credit Agreement”) provides for (i) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.4 billion (the “Vivint Smart Home Term Loan Facility”, and the loans thereunder, the “Vivint Smart Home Term Loans”) and (ii) a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $370 million (the “Vivint Smart Home Revolving Credit Facility,” and the loans thereunder, the “Vivint Smart Home Revolving Loans”).
All of APX’s obligations under the Vivint Smart Home Credit Agreement are guaranteed by APX Group Holdings, Inc. and each of APX’s existing and future wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries (subject to customary exclusions and qualifications). The obligations under the Vivint Smart Home Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority perfected security interest in (i) substantially all of the present and future tangible and intangible assets of APX, and the guarantors, including without limitation equipment, subscriber contracts and communication paths, intellectual property, general intangibles, investment property, material intercompany notes and proceeds of the foregoing, subject to permitted liens and other customary exceptions, (ii) substantially all personal property of APX and the guarantors consisting of accounts receivable arising from the sale of inventory and other goods and services (including related contracts and contract rights, inventory, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts and securities accounts), inventory and intangible assets to the extent attached to the foregoing books and records of APX and the guarantors, and the proceeds thereof, subject to permitted liens and other customary exceptions, in each case held by APX and the guarantors and (iii) a pledge of all of the capital stock of APX, each of its subsidiary guarantors and each restricted subsidiary of APX and its subsidiary guarantors, in each case other than certain excluded assets and subject to the limitations and exclusions provided in the applicable collateral documents.
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The Vivint Smart Home Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, which, among other things, require APX to maintain a maximum first lien net leverage ratio when amounts outstanding under the Vivint Smart Home Revolving Facility exceed a certain threshold and restrict, subject to certain exceptions, APX and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;
•pay dividends and make other distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock;
•make certain investments;
•incur certain liens;
•enter into transactions with affiliates;
•merge or consolidate;
•materially change the nature of their business;
•enter into agreements that restrict the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make dividends or other payments to APX or grant liens on their assets;
•designate restricted subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries;
•amend, prepay, redeem or purchase certain material contractually subordinated debt; and
•transfer or sell certain assets.
On June 9, 2023, Vivint Smart Home entered into an amendment to the Vivint Smart Home Credit Agreement which transitioned the benchmark rate applicable to the Vivint Smart Home Term Loans and the Vivint Smart Home Revolving Loans from LIBOR to SOFR. As of September 30, 2023, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Vivint Term Loans was $1.3 billion. As of September 30, 2023, Vivint Smart Home had no outstanding borrowings under the Vivint Smart Home Revolving Credit Facility.
Note 10 — Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs
Entities that are not Consolidated
NRG accounts for the Company's significant investments using the equity method of accounting. NRG's carrying value of equity investments can be impacted by a number of elements including impairments and movements in foreign currency exchange rates. During 2022, the equity method of accounting for Ivanpah was suspended based on losses generated by the project, including the impact of debt service and depreciation.
Variable Interest Entities that are Consolidated
The Company has a controlling financial interest that has been identified as a VIE under ASC 810 in NRG Receivables LLC, which has entered into financing transactions related to the Receivables Facility as further described in Note 13, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases, to the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K.
The summarized financial information for the Company's consolidated VIE consisted of the following:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable and Other current assets | $ | 1,796 | $ | 2,108 | |||||||
Current liabilities | 153 | 152 | |||||||||
Net assets | $ | 1,643 | $ | 1,956 |
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Note 11 — Changes in Capital Structure
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized and 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized. The following table reflects the changes in NRG's preferred and common stock issued and outstanding:
Preferred | Common | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issued and Outstanding | Issued | Treasury | Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | — | 423,897,001 | (194,335,971) | 229,561,030 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under LTIPs | — | 1,011,448 | — | 1,011,448 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under ESPP | — | — | 86,516 | 86,516 | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock | 650,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased | — | — | (1,322,141) | (1,322,141) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2023 | 650,000 | 424,908,449 | (195,571,596) | 229,336,853 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under LTIPs | — | 55,507 | — | 55,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under ESPP | — | — | 104,733 | 104,733 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased | — | — | (3,732,657) | (3,732,657) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of October 31, 2023 | 650,000 | 424,963,956 | (199,199,520) | 225,764,436 |
Common Stock
Share Repurchases
In June 2023, NRG revised its long-term capital allocation policy to target allocating approximately 80% of cash available for allocation, after debt reduction, to be returned to shareholders. As part of the revised capital allocation framework, the Company announced an increase to its share repurchase authorization to $2.7 billion, to be executed through 2025. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company completed $50 million of share repurchases at an average price of $37.82 under the $2.7 billion authorization. Through October 31, 2023, an additional $150 million of share repurchases were executed at an average price of $40.17 per share.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company offers participation in the ESPP which allows eligible employees to elect to withhold between 1% and 10% of their eligible compensation to purchase shares of NRG common stock at the lesser of 90% of its market value on the offering date or 90% of the fair market value on the exercise date. An offering date occurs each April 1 and October 1. An exercise date occurs each September 30 and March 31. On April 27, 2023, NRG stockholders approved the adoption of the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective April 1, 2023, which included a reduction in the price at which eligible employees may purchase shares of NRG common stock from 95% to 90% of the fair market value of the shares on the applicable date. NRG stockholders also approved an increase of 4,400,000 shares available for the issuance under the ESPP.
NRG Common Stock Dividends
During the first quarter of 2023, NRG increased the annual dividend to $1.51 from $1.40 per share and expects to target an annual dividend growth rate of 7%-9% per share in subsequent years. A quarterly dividend of $0.3775 per share was paid on the Company's common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2023. On October 19, 2023, NRG declared a quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.3775 per share, payable on November 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of November 1, 2023. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, NRG will increase the annual dividend by 8% to $1.63 per share.
The Company's common stock dividends are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws, regulations and other contractual obligations.
Preferred Stock
Series A Preferred Stock
On March 9, 2023 ("Series A Issuance Date"), the Company issued 650,000 shares of 10.25% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock"). The net proceeds of $635 million, net of issuance costs, were used to partially fund the Vivint Smart Home acquisition.
The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property and has limited voting rights. The Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions, at the option of the
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Company at any time after March 15, 2028 ("Series A First Reset Date") and in certain other circumstances prior to the Series A First Reset Date. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends.
Series A Preferred Stock Dividends
The annual dividend rate on each share of Series A Preferred Stock is 10.25% from the Series A Issuance Date to, but excluding the Series A First Reset Date. On and after the Series A First Reset Date, the dividend rate on each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall equal the five-year U.S. Treasury rate as of the most recent reset dividend determination date (subject to a floor of 1.00%), plus a spread of 5.92% per annum. Cumulative cash dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable semiannually, in arrears, on each March 15 and September 15, when, as and if declared by the board of directors. In September 2023, the Company paid a semi-annual dividend of $52.96 per share on its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, totaling $34 million.
Note 12 — Income/(Loss) Per Share
Basic income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) less cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Shares issued and treasury shares repurchased during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they were outstanding. Diluted income/(loss) per share is computed in a manner consistent with that of basic income/(loss) per share while giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period when there is net income. The relative performance stock units, non-vested restricted stock units, and non-qualified stock options are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing basic income/(loss) per share. However, these instruments are included in the denominator for purposes of computing diluted income per share under the treasury stock method for periods when there is net income. The Convertible Senior Notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash or combination of cash and Company’s common stock. The Company is including the potential share settlements, if any, in the denominator for purposes of computing diluted income per share under the if converted method for periods when there is net income. The potential shares settlements are calculated as the excess of the Company's conversion obligation over the aggregate principal amount (which will be settled in cash), divided by the average share price for the period. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, there was no dilutive effect for the Convertible Senior Notes since there were no potential share settlements for the periods.
NRG's basic and diluted income/(loss) per share is shown in the following table:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic income/(loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | $ | 343 | $ | 67 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock | 17 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) available for common stockholders | $ | 326 | $ | 67 | $ | (722) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | 230 | 235 | 230 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) per weighted average common share — basic | $ | 1.42 | $ | 0.29 | $ | (3.14) | $ | 9.73 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted income/(loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | $ | 343 | $ | 67 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock | 17 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) available for common stockholders | $ | 326 | $ | 67 | $ | (722) | $ | 2,316 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | 230 | 235 | 230 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||
Incremental shares attributable to the issuance of equity compensation (treasury stock method) | 2 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive | 232 | 235 | 230 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) per weighted average common share — diluted | $ | 1.41 | $ | 0.29 | $ | (3.14) | $ | 9.73 |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had 6 million of outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company's diluted loss per share. For all other periods presented, the Company had an insignificant number of outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company's diluted income per share.
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Note 13 — Segment Reporting
The Company’s segment structure reflects how management currently makes financial decisions and allocates resources. The Company manages its operations based on the combined results of the retail and wholesale generation businesses with a geographical focus. The acquired operations from the Vivint Smart Home acquisition are reported within the Vivint Smart Home segment.
NRG’s chief operating decision maker, its chief executive officer, evaluates the performance of the Company's segments based on operational measures including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and allocation of capital, as well as net income/(loss). The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate | Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 3,686 | $ | 2,809 | $ | 978 | $ | 478 | $ | — | $ | (5) | $ | 7,946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 71 | 27 | 23 | 178 | 9 | — | 308 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) before income taxes | 463 | 314 | (205) | (24) | (140) | — | 408 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | $ | 463 | $ | 316 | $ | (168) | $ | (4) | $ | (264) | $ | — | $ | 343 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 3,145 | $ | 4,178 | $ | 1,175 | $ | — | $ | 12 | $ | 8,510 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 79 | 37 | 22 | 7 | — | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 43 | — | — | — | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | 22 | — | — | — | — | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in (losses)/earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | (1) | — | 12 | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Loss)/income before income taxes | (481) | 557 | 110 | (103) | — | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net (loss)/income | $ | (481) | $ | 557 | $ | 92 | $ | (101) | $ | — | $ | 67 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Corporate | Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 8,235 | $ | 9,488 | $ | 3,244 | $ | 1,070 | $ | — | $ | (21) | $ | 22,016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 219 | 87 | 70 | 410 | 27 | — | 813 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | 202 | — | — | — | — | 202 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) before income taxes | 1,532 | (1,188) | (684) | (86) | (440) | — | (866) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | $ | 1,532 | $ | (1,187) | $ | (601) | $ | (66) | $ | (362) | $ | — | $ | (684) |
(a)Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 7,857 | $ | 12,407 | $ | 3,395 | $ | — | $ | 29 | $ | 23,688 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 233 | 164 | 65 | 23 | — | 485 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 198 | — | — | — | 198 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain/(loss) on sale of assets | 10 | — | 43 | (2) | — | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in (losses)/earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | (2) | — | 2 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) before income taxes | 1,052 | 2,082 | 274 | (353) | — | 3,055 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | $ | 1,052 | $ | 2,083 | $ | 246 | $ | (1,065) | $ | — | $ | 2,316 |
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Note 14 — Income Taxes
Effective Income Tax Rate
The income tax provision consisted of the following:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except rates) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) before income taxes | $ | 408 | $ | 83 | $ | (866) | $ | 3,055 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) | 65 | 16 | (182) | 739 | |||||||||||||||||||
Effective income tax rate | 15.9 | % | 19.3 | % | 21.0 | % | 24.2 | % |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the effective tax rate approximated the statutory rate of 21%, which includes the impact of state and foreign taxes. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the effective tax rate was lower than the statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to a decrease in state tax expense resulting from a decrease in year-to-date financial statement losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the effective tax rate was lower than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the benefit resulting from carbon capture tax credits and the reduction in statutory state tax rates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state tax expense, partially offset by tax benefit resulting from the release of valuation allowance on state net operating losses and carbon capture tax credits.
The Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") enacted on August 16, 2022, introduced new provisions including a 15% corporate book minimum tax and a 1% excise tax on net share repurchases with both taxes effective beginning in fiscal year 2023 for NRG. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the corporate book minimum tax when the U.S. Treasury and the IRS release further guidance.
Uncertain Tax Benefits
As of September 30, 2023, NRG had a non-current tax liability of $48 million for uncertain tax benefits from positions taken on various federal, state, and foreign income tax returns inclusive of accrued interest. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, NRG accrued $1 million of interest relating to the uncertain tax benefits. As of September 30, 2023, NRG had cumulative interest and penalties related to these uncertain tax benefits of $3 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in income tax expense.
NRG is subject to examination by taxing authorities for income tax returns filed in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions including operations located in Australia and Canada. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2019. With few exceptions, state and Canadian income tax examinations are no longer open for years prior to 2014.
Note 15 — Related Party Transactions
NRG provides services to some of its related parties, who are accounted for as equity method investments, under operations and maintenance agreements. Fees for the services under these agreements include recovery of NRG's costs of operating the plants. Certain agreements also include fees for administrative service, a base monthly fee, profit margin and/or annual incentive bonus.
The following table summarizes NRG's material related party transactions with third-party affiliates:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues from Related Parties Included in Revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gladstone | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Ivanpah(a) | 15 | 10 | 70 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||
Midway-Sunset | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 16 | $ | 13 | $ | 74 | $ | 39 |
(a)Also includes fees under project management agreements with each project company
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Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
First Lien Structure
NRG has granted first liens to certain counterparties on a substantial portion of property and assets owned by NRG and the guarantors of its senior debt. NRG uses the first lien structure to reduce the amount of cash collateral and letters of credit that it would otherwise be required to post from time to time to support its obligations under out-of-the-money hedges. To the extent that the underlying hedge positions for a counterparty are out-of-the-money to NRG, the counterparty would have a claim under the first lien program. As of September 30, 2023, hedges under the first lien program were out-of-the-money for NRG on a counterparty aggregate basis.
Contingencies
The Company's material legal proceedings are described below. The Company believes that it has valid defenses to these legal proceedings and intends to defend them vigorously. NRG records accruals for estimated losses from contingencies when information available indicates that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. As applicable, the Company has established an adequate accrual for the applicable legal matters, including regulatory and environmental matters as further discussed in Note 17, Regulatory Matters, and Note 18, Environmental Matters. In addition, legal costs are expensed as incurred. Management has assessed each of the following matters based on current information and made a judgment concerning its potential outcome, considering the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought, and the probability of success. Unless specified below, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these legal proceedings or reasonably estimate the scope or amount of any associated costs and potential liabilities. As additional information becomes available, management adjusts its assessment and estimates of such contingencies accordingly. Because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings or developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of the Company's liabilities and contingencies could be at amounts that are different from its currently recorded accruals and that such difference could be material.
In addition to the legal proceedings noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are party to other litigation or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Environmental Lawsuits
Sierra club et al. v. Midwest Generation LLC — In 2012, several environmental groups filed a complaint against Midwest Generation with the Illinois Pollution Control Board ("IPCB") alleging violations of environmental law resulting in groundwater contamination. In June 2019, the IPCB found in an interim order that Midwest Generation violated the law because it had improperly handled coal ash at four facilities in Illinois and caused or allowed coal ash constituents to impact groundwater. On September 9, 2019, Midwest Generation filed a Motion to Reconsider numerous issues, which the court granted in part and denied in part on February 6, 2020. During the second quarter of 2023, the IPCB held hearings regarding the appropriate relief. Midwest Generation has been working with the Illinois EPA to address the groundwater issues since 2010.
Consumer Lawsuits
Similar to other energy service companies (“ESCOs”) operating in the industry, from time-to-time, the Company and/or its subsidiaries may be subject to consumer lawsuits in various jurisdictions where they sell natural gas and electricity.
Variable Price Cases — In the cases set forth below, referred to as the Variable Price Cases, such actions involve consumers alleging that one of the Company’s ESCOs promised that consumers would pay the same or less than they would have paid if they stayed with their default utility or previous energy supplier. The underlying claims of each case are similar and the Company continues to deny the allegations and is vigorously defending these matters. These matters were known and accrued for at the time of each acquisition.
XOOM Energy
Mirkin v. XOOM Energy (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 2019) is a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit pending in New York. The Court denied XOOM's motion for summary judgment and granted class certification. XOOM is currently petitioning to appeal the class certification grants and seeking a stay at the trial court.
Direct Energy
There are two putative class actions pending against Direct Energy: (1) Richard Schafer v. Direct Energy (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 2019; on appeal 2nd Cir. N.Y.) - The Second Circuit sent the matter back to the trial court in December 2021. After discovery, Direct Energy filed summary judgment. Direct Energy won summary judgment and Schafer appealed. The appeal is fully briefed. Oral argument occurred on October 25, 2023. Given the result of Martin Forte v. Direct Energy (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 2017), it is expected that the trial court's summary judgment will be upheld and Direct Energy will prevail; and (2) Andrew Gant v.
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Direct Energy and NRG (D.N.J. Aug. 2022) - The Court granted Direct Energy and NRG's Motion to Dismiss on July 21, 2023, but allowed for the Plaintiff to amend his Complaint. The case was dismissed on September 29, 2023. The parties reached a settlement for the Plaintiff's individual claim.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA") Cases — In the cases set forth below, referred to as the TCPA Cases, such actions involve consumers alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, as amended, by receiving calls, texts or voicemails without consent in violation of the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule, and/or state counterpart legislation. The underlying claims of each case are similar. The Company denies the allegations asserted by plaintiffs and intends to vigorously defend these matters. These matters were known and accrued for at the time of the acquisition.
There are two putative class actions pending against Direct Energy: (1) Holly Newman v. Direct Energy, LP (D. Md Sept 2021) - Direct Energy filed its Motion to Dismiss asserting the ruling in the Brittany Burk v. Direct Energy (S.D. Tex. Feb 2019) preempts the Plaintiff's ability to file suit based on the same facts. The Court denied Direct Energy's motion stating the Court does not have the benefit of all of the facts that were in front of the Burk court to issue a similar ruling. On October 19, 2022, Direct Energy filed a Motion to Transfer Venue asking the Court to transfer the case to the Southern District where the Burk case was filed. On April 12, 2023, the Court granted Direct Energy’s Motion to Transfer Venue, moving to the case to the Southern District of Texas; and (2) Matthew Dickson v. Direct Energy (N.D. Ohio Jan. 2018) - The case was stayed pending the outcome of an appeal to the Sixth Circuit based on the unconstitutionality of the TCPA during the period from 2015-2020. The Sixth Circuit found the TCPA was in effect during that period and remanded the case back to the trial court. Direct Energy refiled its motions along with supplements. On March 25, 2022, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of Direct Energy and dismissed the case. Dickson appealed. The Sixth Circuit found that Dickson has standing and reversed the trial court's dismissal of the case. The matter is back at the trial court. The parties will conduct further fact discovery and expert discovery and are likely to resubmit motions for further review by the Court.
Sales Practice Lawsuits
There are three litigation matters relating to claims made by Vivint Smart Home competitors against Vivint Smart Home alleging, among other things, that Vivint Smart Home's sales representatives used deceptive sales practices. These matters were known and accrued for at the time of the acquisition. The three matters are: (1) CPI Security Systems, Inc. ("CPI") v. Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (W.D.N.C. Sept. 2020). The CPI matter that was filed in 2020 went to trial, and in February 2023, the jury issued a verdict against Vivint Smart Home, in favor of CPI for $50 million of compensatory damages and an additional $140 million of punitive damages. Vivint Smart Home filed its post-trial motion in March 2023 and continues to evaluate its post-trial and appeal options. While Vivint Smart Home believes the CPI jury verdict is not legally or factually supported and intends to pursue post judgment remedies and file an appeal, there can be no assurance that such defense efforts will be successful; (2) ADT LLC, et al. ("ADT") v. Vivint Smart Home, Inc. f/k/a Mosaic Acquisition Corporation, et al.(S.D.Fl. Aug. 2020). The parties mediated in May 2023 and agreed on a settlement. In June 2023, the Court granted final approval of the settlement, which was paid in June 2023; and (3) Alert 360 Opco, Inc, et al. ("Alert 360") v. Vivint Smart Home, Inc., et al (N.D.Ok. March 2023). On March 1, 2023, Alert 360 filed a complaint against Vivint Smart Home alleging, among other things, deceptive sales practices. The parties mediated in August 2023 and agreed to a settlement, which is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Patent Infringement Lawsuits
SB IP Holdings LLC (“Skybell”) v. Vivint Smart Home, Inc. — On October 23, 2023, a jury in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, issued a verdict against the Company in favor of Skybell for $45 million in damages for patent infringement. The patents that were the basis for the claims made by Skybell were ruled invalid by the U.S. International Trade Commission in November 2021. In accordance with advice by legal counsel, the Company does not believe the verdict is legally supported and will pursue post-judgment and appellate remedies along with any other legal options available.
Contract Disputes
Alarm.com — In September 2022, Vivint Smart Home sent Alarm.com a notice asserting that it was no longer obligated to pay certain license fees under the Patent Cross License Agreement between the parties on the basis that Vivint Smart Home no longer practices any claim under any valid Alarm.com patent and, therefore, no license fees are due. Alarm.com filed an arbitration demand against Vivint Smart Home alleging, among other things, breach of the agreement due to continued use of the patents in question. The arbitration panel recently determined that Vivint Smart Home's challenge to the validity of certain Alarm.com patents will be considered as part of the arbitration proceeding.
STP — In July 2023, the partners in STP, CPS and Austin Energy, initiated a lawsuit and filed to intervene in the license transfer application with the NRC, claiming a right of first refusal exists in relation to the proposed sale of NRG South Texas' 44% interest in STP to Constellation. NRG believes the claims set forth by CPS and Austin Energy in the lawsuit and the NRC
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proceedings are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. For further discussion of the transaction, see Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
Winter Storm Uri Lawsuits
The Company has been named in certain property damage and wrongful death claims that have been filed in connection with Winter Storm Uri in its capacity as a generator and a REP. Most of the lawsuits related to Winter Storm Uri are consolidated into a single multi-district litigation matter in Harris County District Court. NRG's REPs have since been severed from the multi-district litigation and will be seeking dismissal in any remaining cases. As a power generator, the Company is named in various cases with claims ranging from: wrongful death; personal injury only; property damage and personal injury; property damage only; and subrogation. The case is currently stayed pending appeal by other parties on other issues. The Company intends to vigorously defend these matters.
Indemnifications and Other Contractual Arrangements
Washington-St. Tammany and Claiborne Electric Cooperative v. LaGen — On June 28, 2017, plaintiffs Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Claiborne Electric Cooperative, Inc. filed a lawsuit against LaGen in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. The plaintiffs claimed breach of contract against LaGen for allegedly improperly charging the plaintiffs for costs related to the installation and maintenance of certain pollution control technology. Plaintiffs sought damages for the alleged improper charges and a declaration as to which charges were proper under the contract. On February 4, 2019, NRG sold the South Central Portfolio, including the entities subject to this litigation. However, NRG had agreed to indemnify the purchaser for certain losses suffered in connection with this litigation. In February 2020, the federal court dismissed this lawsuit without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On March 17, 2020, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge in Louisiana alleging substantially the same matters, which was dismissed on October 2, 2023 pursuant to a settlement agreement.
Note 17 — Regulatory Matters
Environmental regulatory matters are discussed within Note 18, Environmental Matters.
NRG operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to regulation by various federal, state and provincial agencies. As such, NRG is affected by regulatory developments at the federal, state and provincial levels and in the regions in which NRG operates. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which NRG participates. These power markets are subject to ongoing legislative and regulatory changes that may impact NRG's wholesale and retail operations.
In addition to the regulatory proceeding noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are parties to other regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or have other regulatory exposure. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
California Station Power — As the result of unfavorable final and non-appealable litigation, the Company accrued a liability associated with consumption of station power at the Company's Encina power plant facility in California after August 30, 2010. The Company has established an appropriate accrual pending potential regulatory action by San Diego Gas & Electric regarding the Company's Encina facility.
Note 18 — Environmental Matters
NRG is subject to a wide range of environmental laws in the development, construction, ownership and operation of power plants. These laws generally require that governmental permits and approvals be obtained before construction and maintained during operation of power plants. The electric generation industry has been facing increasingly stringent requirements regarding air quality, GHG emissions, combustion byproducts, water use and discharge, and threatened and endangered species. In general, future laws are expected to require the addition of emissions controls or other environmental controls or to impose additional restrictions on the operations of the Company's facilities, which could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company has elected to use a $1 million disclosure threshold, as permitted, for environmental proceedings to which the government is a party.
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Air
CPP/ACE Rules — On July 8, 2019, the EPA promulgated the ACE rule, which rescinded the CPP, which had sought to broadly regulate CO2 emissions from the power sector. The ACE rule required states that have coal-fired EGUs to develop plans to seek heat rate improvements from coal-fired EGUs. On January 19, 2021, the D.C. Circuit vacated the ACE rule (but on February 22, 2021, at the EPA's request, stayed the issuance of the portion of the mandate that would vacate the repeal of the CPP). On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the "generation shifting" approach in the CPP exceeded the powers granted to the EPA by Congress. The Court did not address the related issues of whether the EPA may adopt only measures applied at each source. On May 23, 2023, the EPA proposed significantly revising the manner in which new and existing EGU's GHG emissions should be regulated including using hydrogen as a fuel, capturing and storing/sequestering CO2 and requiring new units to be more efficient. The EPA has stated that it intends to finalize these revisions in 2024. The Company expects that the final rule will be challenged in the courts and accordingly uncertain for several years.
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule ("CSAPR") — On March 15, 2023, the EPA signed and released a prepublication of a final rule that sought to significantly revise the CSAPR to address the good-neighbor obligations of the 2015 ozone NAAQS for 23 states after earlier having disapproved numerous state plans to address the issue. Several states, including Texas, challenged the EPA's disapproval of their state plans. On May 1, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stayed the EPA's disapproval of Texas' and Louisiana's state plans, which disapprovals are a condition precedent to the EPA imposing its plan on Texas and Louisiana. Several other states are also similarly situated because of similar stays. Nonetheless, on June 5, 2023, the EPA published this rule in the Federal Register. On July 31, 2023, the EPA promulgated an interim final rule that addresses the various judicial orders that have stayed several State-Implementation-Plan disapprovals by limiting the effectiveness of certain requirements of the final rule promulgated on June 5, 2023 in Texas and five other states. The final rule decreases, over time, the ozone-season NOx allowances allocated to generators in the states not affected by the judicial stays beginning this summer by assuming that participants in this cap-and-trade program had or would optimize existing NOx controls and later install additional NOx controls. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the legal challenges to the: (i) various state disapprovals; (ii) the final rule promulgated on June 5, 2023; and (iii) the interim final rule promulgated on July 31, 2023 that seeks to address the judicial orders.
Regional Haze Proposal — On May 2023, the EPA proposed to withdraw the existing Texas Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program and replace it with unit-specific SO2 limits for 12 units in Texas to address requirements to improve visibility at National Parks and Wilderness areas. If finalized as proposed, it would result in more stringent SO2 limits for two of the Company's coal-fired units in Texas. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proposal.
Water
Effluent Limitations Guidelines — In November 2015, the EPA revised the Effluent Limitations Guidelines ("ELG") for Steam Electric Generating Facilities, which imposed more stringent requirements (as individual permits were renewed) for wastewater streams from FGD, fly ash, bottom ash and flue gas mercury control. On September 18, 2017, the EPA promulgated a final rule that, among other things, postponed the compliance dates to preserve the status quo for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water by two years to November 2020 until the EPA amended the rule. On October 13, 2020, the EPA amended the 2015 ELG rule by: (i) altering the stringency of certain limits for FGD wastewater; (ii) relaxing the zero-discharge requirement for bottom ash transport water; and (iii) changing several deadlines. In 2021, the EPA announced that it was initiating a new rulemaking to evaluate revising the ELG rule but keeping the existing rule (as amended in 2020) in place. On March 29, 2023, the EPA proposed revisions to the ELG and sought comments on the proposal, which the EPA is currently analyzing. In October 2021, NRG informed its regulators that the Company intends to comply with the ELG by ceasing combustion of coal by the end of 2028 at its domestic coal units outside of Texas, and installing appropriate controls by the end of 2025 at its two plants that have coal-fired units in Texas.
Byproducts, Wastes, Hazardous Materials and Contamination
In April 2015, the EPA finalized the rule regulating byproducts of coal combustion (e.g., ash and gypsum) as solid wastes under the RCRA. On July 30, 2018, the EPA promulgated a rule that amended the ash rule by extending some of the deadlines and providing more flexibility for compliance. On August 21, 2018, the D.C. Circuit found, among other things, that the EPA had not adequately regulated unlined ponds and legacy surface impoundments. On August 28, 2020, the EPA finalized "A Holistic Approach to Close Part A: Deadline to Initiate Closure," which amended the April 2015 Rule to address the August 2018 D.C. Circuit decision and extend some of the deadlines. On November 12, 2020, the EPA finalized "A Holistic Approach to Closure Part B," which further amended the April 2015 Rule to, among other things, provide procedures for requesting approval to operate existing impoundments with an alternative liner. On May 23, 2023, the EPA proposed establishing requirements for: (i) inactive (or legacy) surface impoundments at inactive facilities and (ii) all coal combustion residual ("CCR") management units (regardless of how or when the CCR was placed) at regulated facilities. The EPA also solicited comments on this proposal. NRG anticipates further rulemaking related to the Federal Permit Program and legacy surface impoundments.
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ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis below has been organized as follows:
•Executive summary, including introduction and overview, business strategy, and changes to the business environment during the period, including environmental and regulatory matters;
•Results of operations;
•Liquidity and capital resources including liquidity position, financial condition addressing credit ratings, material cash requirements and commitments, and other obligations; and
•Known trends that may affect NRG's results of operations and financial condition in the future.
As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to NRG's condensed consolidated statements of operations to this Form 10-Q, which present the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Also refer to NRG's 2022 Form 10-K, which includes detailed discussions of various items impacting the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition, including: General section; Strategy section; Business Overview section, including how regulation, weather, and other factors affect NRG's business; and Critical Accounting Estimates section.
Executive Summary
Introduction and Overview
NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, is a leading energy, smart home and services company fueled by market-leading brands, proprietary technologies, and complementary sales channels. Across the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative, sustainable solutions, predominately under brand names such as NRG, Reliant, Direct Energy, Green Mountain Energy and Vivint, while also advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice. The Company has a customer base that includes approximately 7.5 million residential consumers in addition to commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers, supported by approximately 15 GW of generation as of September 30, 2023.
Strategy
NRG's strategy is to maximize stockholder value through the safe production and sale of reliable electricity and natural gas to its customers in the markets it serves, while also providing innovative home solutions to the end-use energy or service consumer. This strategy is intended to enable the Company to optimize the integrated model to generate stable and predictable cash flow, significantly strengthen earnings and cost competitiveness, and lower risk and volatility. Sustainability is a philosophy that underpins and facilitates value creation across NRG's business for its stakeholders. It is an integral piece of NRG's strategy and ties directly to the Company's business success, reduced risks and enhanced reputation.
To effectuate the Company’s strategy, NRG is focused on: (i) serving the energy needs of end-use residential, commercial and industrial, and wholesale counterparties in competitive markets and optimizing on cross selling opportunities through its multiple brands and channels; (ii) offering a variety of energy products and services, including renewable energy solutions and smart home products and services that are differentiated by innovative features, premium service, integrated platforms, sustainability, and loyalty/affinity programs; (iii) excellence in operating performance of its assets; (iv) optimal hedging of its portfolio; and (v) engaging in disciplined and transparent capital allocation.
Energy Regulatory Matters
The Company’s regulatory matters are described in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K in Item 1, Business — Regulatory Matters. These matters have been updated below and in Note 17, Regulatory Matters.
As participants in wholesale and retail energy markets and owners and operators of power plants, certain NRG entities are subject to regulation by various federal and state government agencies. These include the CFTC, FERC, NRC and the PUCT, as well as other public utility commissions in certain states where NRG's generation or distributed generation assets are located. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which it participates. Likewise, certain NRG entities participating in the retail markets are subject to rules and regulations established by the states and provinces in which NRG entities are licensed to sell at retail. NRG must also comply with the mandatory reliability requirements imposed by NERC and the regional reliability entities in the regions where NRG operates.
NRG's operations within the ERCOT footprint are not subject to rate regulation by FERC, as they are deemed to operate solely within the ERCOT market and not in interstate commerce. These operations are subject to regulation by the PUCT, as well as to regulation by the NRC with respect to NRG's ownership interest in STP.
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Regional Regulatory Developments
NRG is affected by rule/tariff changes that occur in the ISO regions. For further discussion on regulatory developments, see Note 17, Regulatory Matters.
Texas
Public Utility Commission of Texas’ Actions with Respect to Wholesale Pricing and Market Design — The PUCT continues to analyze and implement multiple options for promoting increased reliability in the wholesale electric market, including the adoption of a reliability standard for resource adequacy and market-based mechanisms to achieve this standard. During the 88th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature authorized deployment of the Performance Credit Mechanism ("PCM"), which will measure real-time contribution to system reliability and provide compensation for resources to be available, subject to certain "guardrails" such as an annual net cost cap, as part of its adoption of the PUCT Sunset Bill (House Bill 1500). The Texas Legislature also directed the PUCT to implement additional market design changes such as the creation of a new ancillary service called Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service ("DRRS") to further increase ERCOT's capability to manage net load variability and firming requirements for new generation resources which penalize poor performance during periods of low grid reserves. DRRS is expected to be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2024. Additionally, through Senate Bill 2627, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Energy Fund, subject to voter approval in November 2023, which will provide grants and low-interest loans to incentivize the development of more dispatchable generation and smaller backup generation in ERCOT.
Operating Reserve Demand Curve ("ORDC") — On August 3, 2023, the PUCT approved implementation of an enhancement to the ORDC as a bridge solution that was recommended by the ERCOT Technical Advisory Committee and the ERCOT board of directors. The ORDC enhancement will install price floors of $10 and $20 at reserve levels of 7,000 MW and 6,500 MW or below, respectively. ERCOT is expected to complete implementation in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Ruling on Pricing during Winter Storm Uri — On March 17, 2023, the Third Court of Appeals issued a ruling in Luminant Energy Co. v. PUCT, which is an appeal relating to the validity of two orders issued by the PUCT on February 15 and 16, 2021, respectively, governing scarcity pricing in the ERCOT wholesale electricity market during Winter Storm Uri. The Third Court found that the PUCT exceeded its statutory authority by ordering the market price of energy to be set at the high system wide offer cap due to scarcity conditions as a result of firm load shed occurring in ERCOT. The Third Court reversed the PUCT's orders and remanded the case. On March 23, 2023, the PUCT filed a petition for review to the Supreme Court of Texas seeking reversal of the Third Court's decision, which was granted on September 29, 2023. The Court has requested briefing on the merits and has set oral arguments for this case on January 30, 2024. The outcome of this appeal could potentially require a repricing of the market prices during the subject time period.
Voluntary Mitigation Plan ("VMP") Changes — On March 13, 2023, the PUCT Staff determined that a portion of NRG's VMP should be terminated due to the increase in procurement of ancillary services by ERCOT, specifically non-spin reserve services, following Winter Storm Uri. As such, PUCT Staff terminated part of the VMP for NRG which provides protection from wholesale market power abuse accusations related to offers for ancillary services. NRG agreed with these changes to the VMP. At the March 23, 2023 open meeting, the PUCT approved the amended VMP. Pursuant to amendments to Public Utility Regulation Act § 15.023 adopted during the 88th Legislative Session, NRG's VMP will be reviewed by the PUCT within two years or, in the event a wholesale market design change is made, not later than the 90th day after the implementation date of such change.
ERCOT Request for Proposals for Winter Capacity — On October 2, 2023, ERCOT issued a Request for Proposals for Capacity for Winter 2023-2024. Proposals are due in early November, and ERCOT will issue awards later in November. The contracts, if awarded, will start between December 1, 2023 and January 9, 2024 and will run until February 29, 2024. The costs of procurement of winter capacity, if any, will be charged to Qualified Scheduling Entities on an hourly load-ratio share basis. Increases in costs assessed to LSEs are expected to be included in customer pricing.
PJM
Revisions to PJM Local Deliverability Area Reliability Requirement — The Base Residual Auction for the 2024/2025 delivery year commenced on December 7, 2022 and closed on December 13, 2022. On December 19, 2022, PJM announced that it would delay the publication of the auction results. On December 23, 2022, PJM made a filing at FERC to revise the definition of Locational Deliverability Area Reliability Requirement in the Tariff. This would allow PJM to exclude certain resources from the calculation of the Local Deliverability Area Reliability Requirement. On February 21, 2023, FERC accepted PJM's filing. Multiple parties, including NRG, filed for rehearing. Rehearing was denied by operation of law, and multiple parties, including the Company, filed appeals to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The price of the auction cleared significantly lower as a result of the PJM Tariff change.
Capacity Performance Penalties and Bonuses from Winter Storm Elliott — PJM experienced approximately 23 hours of Capacity Performance events from December 23-24, 2022 across PJM's entire footprint. The Company is subject to penalty and
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bonus payments related to the events. On April 3, 2023, FERC approved PJM's request to allow Winter Storm Elliott penalty payments to be spread over 9 months (with interest) and allow future penalties to have a 9 month window to be satisfied without interest. Multiple generators filed various complaints against PJM at FERC alleging that PJM violated its Tariff in, among other things, the manner in which it operated the system during Winter Storm Elliott and the resulting assessment of capacity performance penalties. On June 5, 2023, FERC issued an order setting the various complaints for settlement. A settlement in principle has been reached and was filed with FERC on September 29, 2023. FERC also granted a waiver allowing PJM to defer collection of the remaining unbilled non-performance charges and suspended remaining bonus payments associated with Winter Storm Elliott until FERC decides on the merits of the settlement. The settling parties requested that FERC approve the settlement without modification or condition no later than December 29, 2023.
FERC Delays PJM Base Residual Auctions — On April 11, 2023, PJM filed to delay the Base Residual Auctions for the 2025/2026 to 2028/2029 delivery years. On October 13, 2023, PJM made two filings proposing to develop market reforms to improve the operation of the capacity market through changes to the Market Seller Offer Cap rules, changes to PJM's resource adequacy risk modeling and capacity accreditation processes, and changes to capacity performance enhancements. PJM proposes to restart the auctions after FERC's ruling on these market changes. On June 9, 2023, FERC issued an order approving the delay in the Base Residual Auctions and required PJM to make a compliance filing that will specify future auction dates. On June 26, 2023, PJM made its compliance filing setting the auction for June 2024 for the 2025/2026 delivery year through the 2028/2029 delivery year.
PJM Files to Make Changes to the Performance Assessment Interval Trigger — On May 30, 2023, PJM filed proposed tariff revisions at FERC that narrow the definition of Emergency Actions used to determine Performance Assessment Intervals ("PAIs"). On July 28, 2023, FERC accepted the tariff revisions, and PJM made its compliance filing on August 28, 2023. The new definition would decrease the instances of when PAIs would occur and therefore decrease the instances of when capacity performance penalties are assessed.
Independent Market Monitor Market Seller Offer Cap Complaint — On March 18, 2021, finding that the calculation of the default Market Seller Offer Cap was unjust and unreasonable, FERC issued an Order, which permitted the PJM May 2021 capacity auction for the 2022/2023 delivery year to continue under the existing rules and set a procedural schedule for parties to file briefs with possible solutions. On September 2, 2021, FERC issued an order in response to a complaint filed by the PJM Independent Market Monitor's proposal, which eliminated the Cost of New Entry-based Market Seller Offer Cap, implemented a limited default cap for certain asset classes based on going-forward costs and provided for unit specific cost review by the Independent Market Monitor for all other non-zero offers into the auctions. On October 4, 2021, as required by the Order, PJM submitted its compliance tariff and certain parties filed a motion for rehearing, which was denied by operation of law. On February 18, 2022, FERC addressed the arguments raised on rehearing and rejected the rehearing requests. Multiple parties filed appeals at the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and on August 15, 2023, the Court denied the petitions for review.
California
California Resource Adequacy Proceedings — As part of the Integrated Resource Procurement docket, the CPUC is requiring that all LSEs procure a pro rata share of 15.5 GW of new non-fossil resource adequacy from 2023 to 2026. A June 2023 decision in the resource adequacy ("RA") docket keeps the reserve margin at 17 percent in 2024 and 2025, but extends the CPUC orders for the state's major investor-owned utilities to procure additional summer reliability resources through 2025, creating an "effective" reserve margin of 21 to 23.5 percent. SB846 establishes a pathway for PG&E's Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant, which units are scheduled to close in 2024 and 2025, to remain open for at least five additional years. A CPUC decision expected by the end of 2023 will determine how the RA from the extension will be treated. Finally, the CPUC jurisdictional retail providers will be required to procure RA that meets their hourly load shape beginning in 2025. The result of these changes will likely keep RA prices elevated through 2024, and if LSEs cannot meet their RA obligations, penalties and restrictions on serving new customers may be issued.
Environmental Regulatory Matters
NRG is subject to numerous environmental laws in the development, construction, ownership and operation of power plants. These laws generally require that governmental permits and approvals be obtained before construction and maintained during operation of power plants. Federal and state environmental laws historically have become more stringent over time. Future laws may require the addition of emissions controls or other environmental controls or impose restrictions on the Company's operations. Complying with environmental laws often involves specialized human resources and significant capital and operating expenses, as well as occasionally curtailing operations. NRG decides to invest capital for environmental controls based on the relative certainty of the requirements, an evaluation of compliance options, and the expected economic returns on capital.
A number of regulations that affect the Company have been revised recently and continue to be revised by the EPA, including ash storage and disposal requirements, NAAQS revisions and implementation and effluent limitation guidelines.
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NRG will evaluate the impact of these regulations as they are revised but cannot fully predict the impact of each until anticipated revisions and legal challenges are resolved. The Company’s environmental matters are described in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K in Item 1, Business - Environmental Matters and Item 1A, Risk Factors. These matters have been updated in Note 18, Environmental Matters, to the condensed consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q and as follows.
Air
The CAA and related regulations (as well as similar state and local requirements) have the potential to affect air emissions, operating practices and pollution control equipment required at power plants. Under the CAA, the EPA sets NAAQS for certain pollutants including SO2, ozone, and PM2.5. Many of the Company's facilities are located in or near areas that are classified by the EPA as not achieving certain NAAQS (non-attainment areas). The relevant NAAQS may become more stringent. In January 2023, the EPA proposed increasing the stringency of the PM2.5 NAAQS. The Company maintains a comprehensive compliance strategy to address continuing and new requirements. Complying with increasingly stringent air regulations could require the installation of additional emissions control equipment at some NRG facilities or retiring of units if installing such controls is not economic. Significant changes to air regulatory programs affecting the Company are described below.
CPP/ACE Rules — The attention in recent years on GHG emissions has resulted in federal and state regulations. In October 2015, the EPA promulgated the CPP, addressing GHG emissions from existing EGUs. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the CPP. In July 2019, EPA promulgated the ACE rule, which rescinded the CPP, which had sought to broadly regulate CO2 emissions from the power sector. On January 19, 2021, the D.C. Circuit vacated the ACE rule (but on February 22, 2021, at the EPA's request, stayed the issuance of the portion of the mandate that would vacate the repeal of the CPP). On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the "generation shifting" approach in the CPP exceeded the powers granted to the EPA by Congress. The Court did not address the related issues of whether the EPA may adopt only measures applied at each source. On May 23, 2023, the EPA proposed significantly revising the manner in which new and existing EGU's GHG emissions should be regulated including using hydrogen as a fuel, capturing and storing/sequestering CO2 and requiring new units to be more efficient. The EPA has stated that it intends to finalize these revisions in 2024. The Company expects that the final rule will be challenged in the courts and accordingly uncertain for several years.
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule ("CSAPR") — On March 15, 2023, the EPA signed and released a prepublication of a final rule that sought to significantly revise the CSAPR to address the good-neighbor obligations of the 2015 ozone NAAQS for 23 states after earlier having disapproved numerous state plans to address the issue. Several states, including Texas, challenged the EPA's disapproval of their state plans. On May 1, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stayed the EPA's disapproval of Texas' and Louisiana's state plans, which disapprovals are a condition precedent to the EPA imposing its plan on Texas and Louisiana. Several other states are also similarly situated because of similar stays. Nonetheless, on June 5, 2023, the EPA published this rule in the Federal Register. On July 31, 2023, the EPA promulgated an interim final rule that addresses the various judicial orders that have stayed several State-Implementation-Plan disapprovals by limiting the effectiveness of certain requirements of the final rule promulgated on June 5, 2023 in Texas and five other states. The final rule decreases, over time, the ozone-season NOx allowances allocated to generators in the states not affected by the judicial stays beginning this summer by assuming that participants in this cap-and-trade program had or would optimize existing NOx controls and later install additional NOx controls. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the legal challenges to the: (i) various state disapprovals; (ii) the final rule promulgated on June 5, 2023; and (iii) the interim final rule promulgated on July 31, 2023 that seeks to address the judicial orders.
Regional Haze Proposal — On May 2023, the EPA proposed to withdraw the existing Texas Sulfur Dioxide Trading Program and replace it with unit-specific SO2 limits for 12 units in Texas to address requirements to improve visibility at National Parks and Wilderness areas. If finalized as proposed, the rule would result in more stringent SO2 limits for two of the Company's coal-fired units in Texas. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proposal.
Byproducts, Wastes, Hazardous Materials and Contamination
In April 2015, the EPA finalized the rule regulating byproducts of coal combustion (e.g., ash and gypsum) as solid wastes under the RCRA. On July 30, 2018, the EPA promulgated a rule that amended the ash rule by extending some of the deadlines and providing more flexibility for compliance. On August 21, 2018, the D.C. Circuit found, among other things, that the EPA had not adequately regulated unlined ponds and legacy surface impoundments. On August 28, 2020, the EPA finalized "A Holistic Approach to Closure Part A: Deadline to Initiate Closure," which amended the April 2015 Rule to address the August 2018 D.C. Circuit decision and extend some of the deadlines. On November 12, 2020, the EPA finalized "A Holistic Approach to Closure Part B: Alternative Demonstration for Unlined Surface Impoundments," which further amended the April 2015 Rule to, among other things, provide procedures for requesting approval to operate existing ash impoundments with an alternate liner. On May 23, 2023, the EPA proposed establishing requirements for: (i) inactive (or legacy) surface impoundments at inactive facilities and (ii) all CCR management units (regardless of how or when the CCR was placed) at regulated facilities. NRG anticipates further rulemaking related to the Federal Permit Program and legacy surface impoundments.
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Domestic Site Remediation Matters
Under certain federal, state and local environmental laws, a current or previous owner or operator of a facility, including an electric generating facility, may be required to investigate and remediate releases or threatened releases of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products. NRG may be responsible for property damage, personal injury and investigation and remediation costs incurred by a party in connection with hazardous material releases or threatened releases. These laws impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of or caused the presence of the hazardous substances, and the courts have interpreted liability under such laws to be strict (without fault) and joint and several. Cleanup obligations can often be triggered during the closure or decommissioning of a facility, in addition to spills during its operations.
Nuclear Waste — The federal government's program to construct a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada was discontinued in 2010. Since 1998, the U.S. DOE has been in default of the federal government's obligations to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel, or SNF, and high-level radioactive waste, or HLW, under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. Owners of nuclear plants, including the owners of STP, had been required to enter into contracts setting out the obligations of the owners and the U.S. DOE, including the fees to be paid by the owners for the U.S. DOE's services to license a spent fuel repository. Effective May 16, 2014, the U.S. DOE stopped collecting the fees.
On February 5, 2013, STPNOC entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. DOE for payment of damages relating to the U.S. DOE's failure to accept SNF and HLW under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act through December 31, 2013, which has been extended four times through addendums to cover payments through December 31, 2025. There are no facilities for the reprocessing or permanent disposal of SNF currently in operation in the U.S., nor has the NRC licensed any such facilities. STPNOC currently stores all SNF generated by its nuclear generating facilities on-site. STPNOC plans to continue to assert claims against the U.S. DOE for damages relating to the U.S. DOE's failure to accept SNF and HLW.
Under the federal Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980, as amended in 1985, the state of Texas is required to provide, either on its own or jointly with other states in a compact, for the disposal of all low-level radioactive waste generated within the state. Texas is currently in a compact with the state of Vermont, and the compact low-level waste facility located in Andrews County in Texas has been operational since 2012.
Water
The Company is required under the CWA to comply with intake and discharge requirements, requirements for technological controls and operating practices. As with air quality regulations, federal and state water regulations have become more stringent and imposed new requirements.
Effluent Limitations Guidelines — In November 2015, the EPA revised the ELG for Steam Electric Generating Facilities, which imposed more stringent requirements (as individual permits were renewed) for wastewater streams from FGD, fly ash, bottom ash and flue gas mercury control. On September 18, 2017, the EPA promulgated a final rule that, among other things, postponed the compliance dates to preserve the status quo for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water by two years to November 2020 until the EPA amended the rule. On October 13, 2020, the EPA amended the 2015 ELG rule by: (i) altering the stringency of certain limits for FGD wastewater; (ii) relaxing the zero-discharge requirement for bottom ash transport water; and (iii) changing several deadlines. In 2021, the EPA announced that it was initiating a new rulemaking to evaluate revising the ELG rule but keeping the existing rule (as amended in 2020) in place. On March 29, 2023, the EPA proposed revisions to the ELG and sought comments, which the EPA is currently analyzing. In October 2021, NRG informed its regulators that the Company intends to comply with the ELG by ceasing combustion of coal by the end of 2028 at its domestic coal units outside of Texas, and installing appropriate controls by the end of 2025 at its two plants that have coal-fired units in Texas.
Regional Environmental Developments
Ash Regulation in Illinois — On July 30, 2019, Illinois enacted legislation that required the state to promulgate regulations regarding coal ash at surface impoundments. On April 15, 2021, the state promulgated the implementing regulation, which became effective on April 21, 2021. NRG has applied for initial operating permits and has begun to apply for construction permits (for closure) as required by the regulation.
Houston Nonattainment for 2008 Ozone Standard — During the fourth quarter of 2022, the EPA changed the Houston area's classification from Serious to Severe nonattainment for the 2008 Ozone Standard. Accordingly, Texas is required to develop a new control strategy and submit it to the EPA.
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Significant Events
The following significant events have occurred during 2023 as further described within this Management's Discussion and Analysis and the condensed consolidated financial statements:
Sale of the 44% equity interest in STP
On November 1, 2023, the Company closed on the previously announced sale of its 44% equity interest in STP to Constellation. Proceeds of $1.75 billion were reduced by preliminary working capital and other adjustments of $96 million, resulting in net proceeds of $1.654 billion. For further discussion, see Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
Vivint Smart Home Acquisition
On March 10, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home. The Company paid $12 per share, or $2.6 billion in cash. For further discussion, see Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
Retirement of Joliet
During the second quarter of 2022, the Company announced the planned retirement of the Joliet generating facility in 2023. On September 1, 2023, the Joliet generating facility fully retired.
Sale of Gregory
On October 2, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of its 100% ownership in the Gregory natural gas generating facility in Texas for $102 million.
Series A Preferred Stock
On March 9, 2023, the Company issued 650,000 shares of 10.25% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, of $635 million were used to partially fund the Vivint Smart Home acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 11, Changes in Capital Structure.
Issuance of 2033 Senior Secured First Lien Notes
On March 9, 2023, the Company issued $740 million of aggregate principal amount of 7.000% senior secured first lien notes due 2033. The net proceeds of $724 million, net of issuance costs, were used to partially fund the Vivint Smart Home acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases.
Sale of Astoria
On January 6, 2023, NRG closed on the sale of land and related assets from the Astoria site, within the East region of operations, for initial proceeds of $212 million, subject to transaction fees of $3 million and certain indemnifications. NRG recognized a gain on the sale of $199 million. As part of the transaction, NRG entered into an agreement to lease the land back for the purpose of operating the Astoria gas turbines. The lease agreement is expected to terminate by the end of the year after decommissioning is complete.
W.A. Parish Return to Service
In May 2022, W.A. Parish Unit 8 came offline as a result of damage to the steam turbine/generator. The extended forced outage ended in September 2023 and the unit has returned to service.
Share Repurchases
In June 2023, NRG revised its long-term capital allocation policy to target allocating approximately 80% of cash available for allocation after debt reduction to be returned to shareholders. As part of the revised capital allocation framework, the Company announced an increase to its share repurchase authorization to $2.7 billion, to be executed through 2025. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company completed $50 million of share repurchases at an average price of $37.82 under the $2.7 billion authorization. Through October 31, 2023, an additional $150 million of share repurchases were executed at an average price of $40.17 per share. Following the closing of the STP sale on November 1, 2023, the Company intends to execute a $950 million accelerated share repurchase program.
Dividend Increase
In the first quarter of 2023, NRG increased the annual common stock dividend to $1.51 from $1.40 per share, representing an 8% increase from 2022. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, NRG will increase the annual dividend by 8% to $1.63 per share. The Company expects to target an annual dividend growth rate of 7-9% per share in subsequent years.
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Renewable Power Purchase Agreements
The Company's strategy is to procure mid to long-term generation through power purchase agreements. As of September 30, 2023, NRG has entered into Renewable PPAs totaling approximately 1.9 GW with third-party project developers and other counterparties, of which approximately 1.1 GW are operational. The average tenure of these agreements is eleven years. The Company expects to continue evaluating and executing similar agreements that support the needs of the business. The total GW procured through Renewable PPAs may be impacted by contract terminations when they occur.
Trends Affecting Results of Operations and Future Business Performance
The Company’s trends are described in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Business Environment.
Changes in Accounting Standards
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for a discussion of recent accounting developments.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table provides selected financial information for the Company:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | 7,521 | $ | 7,858 | $ | (337) | $ | 20,911 | $ | 22,379 | $ | (1,468) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue(a) | 261 | 450 | (189) | 472 | 1,034 | (562) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue(a) | 59 | 38 | 21 | 150 | 244 | (94) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | (70) | 33 | (103) | 96 | (248) | 344 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | (5) | (6) | 1 | (24) | (28) | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues(a)(b) | 180 | 137 | 43 | 411 | 307 | 104 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 7,946 | 8,510 | (564) | 22,016 | 23,688 | (1,672) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Costs and Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of fuel | 400 | 742 | 342 | 790 | 1,603 | 813 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased energy and other cost of sales(c) | 5,599 | 6,494 | 895 | 15,883 | 18,757 | 2,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | (17) | 122 | 139 | 2,029 | (3,155) | (5,184) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract and emissions credit amortization(c) | (12) | (16) | (4) | 78 | 87 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operations and maintenance | 336 | 359 | 23 | 1,080 | 1,049 | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other cost of operations | 115 | 101 | (14) | 301 | 278 | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below) | 6,421 | 7,802 | 1,381 | 20,161 | 18,619 | (1,542) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 308 | 145 | (163) | 813 | 485 | (328) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 43 | 43 | — | 198 | 198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative costs | 638 | 378 | (260) | 1,586 | 1,076 | (510) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs | 18 | 8 | (10) | 111 | 26 | (85) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 7,385 | 8,376 | 991 | 22,671 | 20,404 | (2,267) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | 22 | (22) | 202 | 51 | 151 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income/(Loss) | 561 | 156 | 405 | (453) | 3,335 | (3,788) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Income/(Expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 6 | 11 | (5) | 16 | — | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 14 | 21 | (7) | 43 | 33 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (173) | (105) | (68) | (472) | (313) | (159) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other expense | (153) | (73) | (80) | (413) | (280) | (133) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes | 408 | 83 | 325 | (866) | 3,055 | (3,921) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) | 65 | 16 | (49) | (182) | 739 | 921 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | $ | 343 | $ | 67 | $ | 276 | $ | (684) | $ | 2,316 | $ | (3,000) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Includes gains and losses from financially settled transactions
(b)Includes trading gains and losses and ancillary revenues
(c)Includes amortization of SO2 and NOx credits and excludes amortization of RGGI credits
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Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
Electricity Prices
The following table summarizes average on peak power prices for each of the major markets in which NRG operates for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The average on-peak power prices increased in Texas due to record loads, which were impacted by weather. East and West average on-peak power prices decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of lower natural gas prices.
Average on Peak Power Price ($/MWh) | |||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
Region | 2023 | 2022 | Change % | ||||||||||||||
Texas | |||||||||||||||||
ERCOT - Houston(a) | $ | 183.49 | $ | 128.61 | 43 | % | |||||||||||
ERCOT - North(a) | 181.72 | 131.62 | 38 | % | |||||||||||||
East | |||||||||||||||||
NY J/NYC(b) | $ | 40.86 | $ | 109.43 | (63) | % | |||||||||||
NEPOOL(b) | 40.41 | 99.14 | (59) | % | |||||||||||||
COMED (PJM)(b) | 39.38 | 101.00 | (61) | % | |||||||||||||
PJM West Hub(b) | 43.27 | 110.99 | (61) | % | |||||||||||||
West | |||||||||||||||||
MISO - Louisiana Hub(b) | $ | 38.53 | $ | 90.32 | (57) | % | |||||||||||
CAISO - SP15(b) | 67.59 | 110.03 | (39) | % |
(a)Average on peak power prices based on real time settlement prices as published by the respective ISOs
(b)Average on peak power prices based on day ahead settlement prices as published by the respective ISOs
Natural Gas Prices
The following table summarizes the average Henry Hub natural gas price for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change % | |||||||||||||||
($/MMBtu) | $ | 2.55 | $ | 8.20 | (69) | % |
Gross Margin
The Company calculates gross margin in order to evaluate operating performance as revenues less cost of fuel, purchased energy and other costs of sales, mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, contract and emissions credit amortization and depreciation and amortization.
Economic Gross Margin
In addition to gross margin, the Company evaluates its operating performance using the measure of economic gross margin, which is not a GAAP measure and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. Economic gross margin should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the Company's presentation of gross margin, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Economic gross margin is not intended to represent gross margin. The Company believes that economic gross margin is useful to investors as it is a key operational measure reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. Economic gross margin is defined as the sum of retail revenue, energy revenue, capacity revenue and other revenue, less cost of fuel, purchased energy and other cost of sales. Economic gross margin does not include mark-to-market gains or losses on economic hedging activities, contract amortization, emissions credit amortization, depreciation and amortization, operations and maintenance, or other cost of operations.
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The following tables present the composition and reconciliation of gross margin and economic gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | 3,489 | $ | 2,633 | $ | 922 | $ | 478 | $ | (1) | $ | 7,521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | 51 | 152 | 59 | — | (1) | 261 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 64 | (4) | — | (1) | 59 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | — | (60) | (10) | — | — | (70) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (6) | 1 | — | — | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(a) | 146 | 26 | 10 | — | (2) | 180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 3,686 | 2,809 | 978 | 478 | (5) | 7,946 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of fuel | (300) | (64) | (36) | — | — | (400) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased energy and other cost of sales(b)(c)(d) | (2,359) | (2,385) | (808) | (50) | 3 | (5,599) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | (42) | 244 | (185) | — | — | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract and emissions credit amortization | (5) | 22 | (5) | — | — | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (71) | (27) | (23) | (178) | (9) | (308) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 909 | $ | 599 | $ | (79) | $ | 250 | $ | (11) | $ | 1,668 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, net | (42) | 184 | (195) | — | — | (53) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Contract and emissions credit amortization, net | (5) | 16 | (4) | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization | (71) | (27) | (23) | (178) | (9) | (308) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Economic gross margin | $ | 1,027 | $ | 426 | $ | 143 | $ | 428 | $ | (2) | $ | 2,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes trading gains and losses and ancillary revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes capacity and emissions credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes $1.0 billion, $69 million and $207 million of TDSP expense in Texas, East and West/Services/Other, respectively | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home power sales volume (GWh) | 15,034 | 3,799 | 531 | — | — | 19,364 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business power sales volume (GWh) | 12,116 | 13,296 | 2,889 | — | — | 28,301 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 3,438 | 5,064 | — | — | 8,502 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 351,154 | 39,953 | — | — | 391,107 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,879 | 1,880 | 769 | — | — | 5,528 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,871 | 1,889 | 765 | — | — | 5,525 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Vivint Smart Home subscriber count (in thousands)(b) | — | — | — | 2,035 | — | 2,035 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending Vivint Smart Home subscriber count (in thousands) (b) | — | — | — | 2,051 | — | 2,051 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power generation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh sold | 11,918 | 2,837 | 1,726 | — | — | 16,481 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh generated(c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal | 5,459 | 873 | — | — | — | 6,332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas | 3,964 | 600 | 1,725 | — | — | 6,289 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nuclear | 2,495 | — | — | — | — | 2,495 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil | — | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Renewables | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 11,918 | 1,478 | 1,726 | — | — | 15,122 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home customer count includes recurring residential customers, services customers and municipal aggregations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Vivint Smart Home subscribers includes customers that also purchase other NRG products | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes owned and leased generation, excludes tolled generation and equity investments |
59
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | 2,999 | $ | 3,863 | $ | 996 | $ | — | $ | 7,858 | |||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | 48 | 212 | 180 | 10 | 450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 38 | — | — | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | 4 | 32 | (7) | 4 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (10) | 4 | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(a) | 94 | 43 | 2 | (2) | 137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 3,145 | 4,178 | 1,175 | 12 | 8,510 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of fuel | (489) | (140) | (113) | — | (742) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased energy and other cost of sales(b)(c)(d) | (2,012) | (3,609) | (865) | (8) | (6,494) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | (600) | 423 | 59 | (4) | (122) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract and emissions credit amortization | (4) | 29 | (9) | — | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (79) | (37) | (22) | (7) | (145) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | (39) | $ | 844 | $ | 225 | $ | (7) | $ | 1,023 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, net | (596) | 455 | 52 | — | (89) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Contract and emissions credit amortization, net | (4) | 19 | (5) | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization | (79) | (37) | (22) | (7) | (145) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Economic gross margin | $ | 640 | $ | 407 | $ | 200 | $ | — | $ | 1,247 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes trading gains and losses and ancillary revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes capacity and emissions credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes $846 million and $184 million of TDSP expense in Texas and West/Services/Other, respectively. TDSP expense in the East was immaterial due to the impact of certain provisions of the CEJA in Illinois, which took effect in June 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home power sales volume (GWh) | 14,053 | 3,838 | 533 | — | 18,424 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business power sales volume (GWh) | 11,006 | 12,753 | 3,194 | — | 26,953 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 4,212 | 5,345 | — | 9,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 315,952 | 30,602 | — | 346,554 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,963 | 1,794 | 800 | — | 5,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,890 | 1,788 | 797 | — | 5,475 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power generation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh sold | 11,921 | 3,291 | 1,858 | — | 17,070 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh generated(b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal | 5,448 | 1,532 | — | — | 6,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas | 3,960 | 323 | 1,860 | — | 6,143 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nuclear | 2,513 | — | — | — | 2,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Renewables | — | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 11,921 | 1,858 | 1,862 | — | 15,641 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home customer count includes recurring residential customers, services customers and municipal aggregations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes owned and leased generation, excludes tolled generation and equity investments |
60
The following table represents the weather metrics for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
Weather Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other(b) | ||||||||||||||
2023 | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs(a) | 2,039 | 817 | 1,291 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs(a) | — | 48 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs | 1,789 | 874 | 1,268 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs | — | 54 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
10-year average | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs | 1,673 | 824 | 1,173 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs | 5 | 52 | 9 |
(a) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Climate Prediction Center - A Cooling Degree Day, or CDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. A Heating Degree Day, or HDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. The CDDs/HDDs for a period of time are calculated by adding the CDDs/HDDs for each day during the period
(b) The West/Services/Other weather metrics are comprised of the average of the CDD and HDD regional results for the West - California and West - South Central regions
Gross Margin and Economic Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $645 million and economic gross margin increased $775 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
The following tables describe the changes in gross margin and economic gross margin by segment:
Texas
(In millions) | |||||
Higher gross margin due to the net effect of: •increased net revenue rates of $4.15 per MWh, or $118 million, primarily driven by changes in customer term, product and mix; and •a $225 million decrease in cost to serve the retail load, primarily driven by lower supply costs which were a result of lower realized power pricing, the diversified supply strategy and improved plant performance coupled with the 2022 impact of the W.A. Parish Unit 8 extended outage that began in May 2022 | $ | 343 | |||
Higher gross margin due to an increase in load of 1.3 TWhs, or $42 million, from weather, and an increase in load of 750 GWhs, or $7 million, driven by changes in customer mix | 49 | ||||
Higher gross margin due to market optimization activities | 5 | ||||
Other | (10) | ||||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 387 | |||
Increase in mark-to-market for economic hedging primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | 554 | ||||
Increase in contract and emissions credit amortization | (1) | ||||
Decrease in depreciation and amortization | 8 | ||||
Increase in gross margin | $ | 948 |
61
East
(In millions) | ||||||||
Lower gross margin due to a decrease in generation and capacity as a result of asset retirements | $ | (14) | ||||||
Higher electric gross margin due to lower supply costs of $8.00 per MWh, or $134 million, driven primarily by decreases in power prices, partially offset by lower net revenue rates as a result of changes in customer term, product and mix of $6.75 per MWh, or $97 million | 37 | |||||||
Lower electric gross margin from decreased volume due to changes in customer mix and weather | (7) | |||||||
Lower natural gas gross margin, including the impact of transportation and storage contract optimization, resulting in lower net revenue rates from changes in customer term, product, and mix of $4.25 per Dth, or $1.50 billion, partially offset by lower supply costs of $4.00 per Dth, or $1.43 billion | (74) | |||||||
Higher natural gas gross margin from increased volume due to an increase in customer count and change in customer mix | 19 | |||||||
Higher gross margin due to a reduction in capacity performance penalties resulting from Winter Storm Elliot in December 2022 and a 200% increase in NYISO capacity pricing, partially offset by a 36% decrease in PJM capacity prices and a 7% decrease in PJM capacity volumes | 21 | |||||||
Higher gross margin due to a decrease in supply costs at Midwest Generation, partially offset by a 43% decrease in generation volumes due to dark spread contractions | 49 | |||||||
Lower gross margin from sales of NOx emissions credits | (13) | |||||||
Other | 1 | |||||||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 19 | ||||||
Decrease in mark-to-market for economic hedging primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | (271) | |||||||
Increase in contract amortization | (3) | |||||||
Decrease in depreciation and amortization | 10 | |||||||
Decrease in gross margin | $ | (245) |
West/Services/Other
(In millions) | |||||
Lower gross margin primarily due to lower Services sales | $ | (21) | |||
Lower electric gross margin due to higher supply costs of $13.50 per MWh, or $46 million, partially offset by higher revenue rates of $8.50 per MWh, or $30 million | (16) | ||||
Higher natural gas gross margin due to lower supply costs of $2.35 per Dth, or $106 million, and changes in customer mix of $5 million, partially offset by lower revenue rates of $2.25 per Dth, or $101 million | 10 | ||||
Lower gross margin at Cottonwood driven by lower average realized prices and a reduction in capacity performance bonus payments resulting from PJM Winter Storm Elliott in December 2022 | (31) | ||||
Other | 1 | ||||
Decrease in economic gross margin | $ | (57) | |||
Decrease in mark-to-market for economic hedging primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | (247) | ||||
Decrease in contract amortization | 1 | ||||
Increase in depreciation and amortization | (1) | ||||
Decrease in gross margin | $ | (304) |
Vivint Smart Home
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | $ | 428 | |||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 428 | |||
Increase in depreciation and amortization | (178) | ||||
Increase in gross margin | $ | 250 |
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Mark-to-Market for Economic Hedging Activities
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities includes asset-backed hedges that have not been designated as cash flow hedges. Total net mark-to-market results increased by $36 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
The breakdown of gains and losses included in revenues and operating costs and expenses by segment was as follows:
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | — | $ | (8) | $ | 20 | $ | (2) | $ | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | — | (52) | (30) | 2 | (80) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market (losses) in revenue | $ | — | $ | (60) | $ | (10) | $ | — | $ | (70) | |||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | (298) | $ | (142) | $ | (94) | $ | 2 | $ | (532) | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain)/loss positions related to economic hedges | (11) | 11 | (6) | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | 267 | 375 | (85) | (2) | 555 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market (losses)/gains in operating costs and expenses | $ | (42) | $ | 244 | $ | (185) | $ | — | $ | 17 |
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | 1 | $ | 12 | $ | 2 | $ | (2) | $ | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain) positions related to economic hedges | — | (2) | — | — | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | 3 | 22 | (9) | 6 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in revenue | $ | 4 | $ | 32 | $ | (7) | $ | 4 | $ | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | (191) | $ | (151) | $ | (60) | $ | 2 | $ | (400) | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain)/loss positions related to economic hedges | (16) | 18 | (15) | — | (13) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges | (393) | 556 | 134 | (6) | 291 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market (losses)/gains in operating costs and expenses | $ | (600) | $ | 423 | $ | 59 | $ | (4) | $ | (122) |
`
Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses on contracts that are not yet settled. The settlement of these transactions is reflected in the same revenue or cost caption as the items being hedged.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the $70 million loss in revenues from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by a decrease in the value of open positions as a result of increases in PJM power prices. The $17 million gain in operating costs and expenses from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by an increase in the value of Texas and East open positions as a result of increases in ERCOT and PJM power prices, partially offset by the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains on contracts that settled during the period.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the $33 million gain in revenues from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by an increase in the value of open positions due to newly executed transactions during the quarter and the reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on contracts that settled during the period. The $122 million loss in operating costs and expenses from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains on contracts that settled during the period, partially offset by an increase in the value of open positions as a result of increases in natural gas and power prices.
63
In accordance with ASC 815, the following table represents the results of the Company's financial and physical trading of energy commodities for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The realized and unrealized financial and physical trading results are included in revenue. The Company's trading activities are subject to limits based on the Company's Risk Management Policy.
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Trading gains/(losses) | |||||||||||
Realized | $ | 7 | $ | 1 | |||||||
Unrealized | (1) | 9 | |||||||||
Total trading gains | $ | 6 | $ | 10 |
Operations and Maintenance Expense
Operations and maintenance expense is comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 132 | $ | 93 | $ | 55 | $ | 57 | $ | (1) | $ | 336 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | 214 | 90 | 55 | — | — | 359 |
Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | $ | 57 | |||
Decrease due to partial property insurance claims in 2023 for the extended outage at W.A. Parish, as well as restoration expenses incurred in 2022 | (76) | ||||
Decrease in major maintenance expenditures primarily associated with the timing of planned outages at STP | (11) | ||||
Increase in retail operation costs driven by higher personnel costs | 7 | ||||
Decrease in operations and maintenance expense | $ | (23) |
Other Cost of Operations
Other cost of operations is comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 78 | $ | 33 | $ | 3 | $ | 1 | $ | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | 59 | 38 | 4 | — | 101 |
Other cost of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased by $14 million, when compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase in retail gross receipt taxes due to higher revenues in Texas partially offset by lower revenues in the East | $ | 6 | |||
Increase primarily due to changes in ARO cost estimates at Midwest Generation | 5 | ||||
Increase in property insurance premiums and property taxes | 2 | ||||
Other | 1 | ||||
Increase in other cost of operations | $ | 14 |
64
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization are comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 71 | $ | 27 | $ | 23 | $ | 178 | $ | 9 | $ | 308 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | 79 | 37 | 22 | — | 7 | 145 |
Depreciation and amortization increased by $163 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to higher amortization of intangible assets due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home in March 2023.
Impairment Losses
Impairment losses of $43 million were recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2022 primarily related to the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the land and related assets at the Astoria generating site and planned withdrawal and cancellation of its proposed Astoria redevelopment project. For further discussion, see Note 8, Impairments.
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Selling, general and administrative costs are comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/ Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 237 | $ | 156 | $ | 66 | $ | 172 | $ | 7 | $ | 638 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022 | 190 | 115 | 65 | — | 8 | 378 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $260 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | $ | 172 | |||
Increase in personnel costs | 33 | ||||
Increase in provision for credit losses | 24 | ||||
Increase in marketing and media expenses | 22 | ||||
Increase in broker fee and commission expenses | 18 | ||||
Other | (9) | ||||
Increase in selling, general and administrative costs | $ | 260 |
Acquisition-Related Transaction and Integration Costs
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs of $18 million were incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2023, which consisted of $16 million of integration costs primarily related to Direct Energy and $2 million of integration costs related to Vivint Smart Home .
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs of $8 million were incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2022, which are comprised primarily of integration costs related to Direct Energy.
Gain on Sale of Assets
The gain on sale of assets of $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was due to the sale of the Company's 50% ownership interest in Petra Nova.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $68 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition including the impact of newly issued Senior Secured First Lien Notes, acquired debt of Vivint Smart Home and borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.
Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, income tax expense of $65 million was recorded on pre-tax income of $408 million. For the same period in 2022, income tax expense of $16 million was recorded on pre-tax income of $83 million. The effective tax rates were 15.9% and 19.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
65
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the effective tax rate was lower than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a decrease in state tax expense resulting from a decrease in year-to-date financial statement losses. For the same period in 2022, the effective tax rate was lower than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the benefit resulting from carbon capture tax credits and the reduction in statutory state tax rates.
66
Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
Electricity Prices
The following table summarizes average on peak power prices for each of the major markets in which NRG operates for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Texas - Houston, East and West average on-peak power prices decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of lower natural gas prices.
Average on Peak Power Price ($/MWh) | |||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
Region | 2023 | 2022 | Change % | ||||||||||||||
Texas | |||||||||||||||||
ERCOT - Houston (a) | $ | 89.00 | $ | 101.20 | (12) | % | |||||||||||
ERCOT - North(a) | 87.49 | 85.68 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
East | |||||||||||||||||
NY J/NYC(b) | $ | 39.43 | $ | 98.34 | (60) | % | |||||||||||
NEPOOL(b) | 41.87 | 96.30 | (57) | % | |||||||||||||
COMED (PJM)(b) | 33.05 | 76.82 | (57) | % | |||||||||||||
PJM West Hub(b) | 38.39 | 87.44 | (56) | % | |||||||||||||
West | |||||||||||||||||
MISO - Louisiana Hub(b) | $ | 34.54 | $ | 75.26 | (54) | % | |||||||||||
CAISO - SP15(b) | 63.38 | 71.86 | (12) | % |
(a) Average on peak power prices based on real time settlement prices as published by the respective ISOs
(b) Average on peak power prices based on day ahead settlement prices as published by the respective ISOs
Natural Gas Prices
The following table summarizes the average Henry Hub natural gas price for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change % | |||||||||||||||
($/MMBtu) | $ | 2.69 | $ | 6.77 | (60) | % |
Gross Margin
The Company calculates gross margin in order to evaluate operating performance as revenues less cost of fuel, purchased energy and other costs of sales, mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, contract and emissions credit amortization and depreciation and amortization.
Economic Gross Margin
In addition to gross margin, the Company evaluates its operating performance using the measure of economic gross margin, which is not a GAAP measure and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. Economic gross margin should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the Company's presentation of gross margin, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Economic gross margin is not intended to represent gross margin. The Company believes that economic gross margin is useful to investors as it is a key operational measure reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. Economic gross margin is defined as the sum of energy revenue, capacity revenue, retail revenue and other revenue, less cost of fuel, purchased energy and other cost of sales. Economic gross margin does not include mark-to-market gains or losses on economic hedging activities, contract and emissions credit amortization, depreciation and amortization, operations and maintenance, or other cost of operations.
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The following tables present the composition and reconciliation of gross margin and economic gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | 7,842 | $ | 9,007 | $ | 2,993 | $ | 1,070 | $ | (1) | $ | 20,911 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | 71 | 254 | 147 | — | — | 472 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 154 | (3) | — | (1) | 150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | — | 27 | 80 | — | (11) | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (24) | — | — | — | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(b) | 322 | 70 | 27 | — | (8) | 411 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 8,235 | 9,488 | 3,244 | 1,070 | (21) | 22,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of fuel | (596) | (102) | (92) | — | — | (790) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased energy and other cost of sales(c)(d)(e) | (5,017) | (8,091) | (2,679) | (102) | 6 | (15,883) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | 421 | (1,750) | (711) | — | 11 | (2,029) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract and emissions credit amortization | (9) | (59) | (10) | — | — | (78) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (219) | (87) | (70) | $ | (410) | (27) | (813) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 2,815 | $ | (601) | $ | (318) | $ | 558 | $ | (31) | $ | 2,423 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, net | 421 | (1,723) | (631) | — | — | (1,933) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Contract and emissions credit amortization, net | (9) | (83) | (10) | — | — | (102) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization | (219) | (87) | (70) | (410) | (27) | (813) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Economic gross margin | $ | 2,622 | $ | 1,292 | $ | 393 | $ | 968 | $ | (4) | $ | 5,271 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes trading gains and losses and ancillary revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes capacity and emissions credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Includes $2.4 billion, $174 million and $806 million of TDSP expense in Texas, East, and West/Services/Other, respectively | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) Excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home electricity sales volume (GWh) | 32,447 | 9,667 | 1,676 | — | — | 43,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business electricity sales volume (GWh) | 30,712 | 35,138 | 7,564 | — | — | 73,414 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 33,549 | 53,379 | — | — | 86,928 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 1,174,282 | 133,011 | — | — | 1,307,293 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,872 | 1,834 | 777 | — | — | 5,483 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,871 | 1,889 | 765 | — | — | 5,525 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Vivint Smart Home subscriber count (in thousands)(b) | — | — | — | 1,991 | — | 1,991 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending Vivint Smart Home subscriber count (in thousands)(b) | — | — | — | 2,051 | — | 2,051 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power generation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh sold | 24,612 | 4,719 | 4,595 | — | — | 33,926 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh generated(c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal | 11,230 | 1,239 | — | — | — | 12,469 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas | 6,374 | 685 | 4,592 | — | — | 11,651 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nuclear | 7,008 | — | — | — | — | 7,008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil | — | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Renewables | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 24,612 | 1,928 | 4,595 | — | — | 31,135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home customer count includes recurring residential customers, services customers and municipal aggregations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Vivint Smart Home subscribers includes customers that also purchase other NRG products | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes owned and leased generation, excludes tolled generation and equity investments |
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Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail revenue | $ | 7,510 | $ | 11,784 | $ | 3,086 | $ | (1) | $ | 22,379 | |||||||||||||||||||
Energy revenue | 101 | 544 | 365 | 24 | 1,034 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capacity revenue | — | 242 | 2 | — | 244 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | 1 | (204) | (63) | 18 | (248) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract amortization | — | (30) | 2 | — | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenue(a) | 245 | 71 | 3 | (12) | 307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 7,857 | 12,407 | 3,395 | 29 | 23,688 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of fuel | (1,018) | (315) | (270) | — | (1,603) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased energy and other cost of sales(b)(c)(d) | (4,979) | (11,040) | (2,725) | (13) | (18,757) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities | 662 | 2,241 | 270 | (18) | 3,155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contract and emissions credit amortization | — | (73) | (14) | — | (87) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (233) | (164) | (65) | (23) | (485) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 2,289 | $ | 3,056 | $ | 591 | $ | (25) | $ | 5,911 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, net | 663 | 2,037 | 207 | — | 2,907 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Contract and emissions credit amortization, net | — | (103) | (12) | — | (115) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization | (233) | (164) | (65) | (23) | (485) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Economic gross margin | $ | 1,859 | $ | 1,286 | $ | 461 | $ | (2) | $ | 3,604 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes trading gains and losses and ancillary revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes capacity and emissions credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Includes $2.3 billion, $106 million and $848 million of TDSP expense in Texas, East and West/Services/Other, respectively | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home electricity sales volume (GWh) | 34,879 | 10,298 | 1,629 | — | 46,806 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business electricity sales volume (GWh) | 29,859 | 37,110 | 7,753 | — | 74,722 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 35,423 | 58,963 | — | 94,386 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business natural gas sales volume (MDth) | — | 1,190,382 | 110,396 | — | 1,300,778 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,992 | 1,785 | 802 | — | 5,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending retail Home customer count (in thousands)(a) | 2,890 | 1,788 | 797 | — | 5,475 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power generation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh sold | 29,976 | 9,118 | 5,230 | — | 44,324 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
GWh generated(b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal | 14,765 | 5,361 | — | — | 20,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas | 7,628 | 475 | 5,236 | — | 13,339 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nuclear | 7,583 | — | — | — | 7,583 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Renewables | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 29,976 | 5,838 | 5,243 | — | 41,057 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Home customer count includes recurring residential customers, services customers and municipal aggregations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Includes owned and leased generation, excludes tolled generation and equity investments |
69
The following table represents the weather metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
Weather Metrics | Texas | East | West/Services/Other(b) | ||||||||||||||
2023 | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs(a) | 3,183 | 1,144 | 1,866 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs(a) | 856 | 2,619 | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs | 3,141 | 1,267 | 1,974 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs | 1,202 | 2,944 | 1,347 | ||||||||||||||
10-year average | |||||||||||||||||
CDDs | 2,761 | 1,220 | 1,776 | ||||||||||||||
HDDs | 1,050 | 3,124 | 1,290 |
(a) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Climate Prediction Center - A Cooling Degree Day, or CDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. A Heating Degree Day, or HDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. The CDDs/HDDs for a period of time are calculated by adding the CDDs/HDDs for each day during the period
(b) The West/Services/Other weather metrics are comprised of the average of the CDD and HDD regional results for the West-California and West-South Central regions
Gross Margin and Economic Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased $3.5 billion and economic gross margin increased $1.7 billion, both of which include intercompany sales, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
The following tables describe the changes in gross margin and economic gross margin by segment:
Texas
(In millions) | ||||||||
Higher gross margin due to the net effect of: •increased net revenue rates of $6.00 per MWh, or $435 million, primarily driven by changes in customer term, product and mix; and •a $418 million decrease in cost to serve the retail load, primarily driven by lower supply costs which were a result of lower realized power pricing, the diversified supply strategy and improved plant performance coupled with the 2022 impact of the W.A. Parish Unit 8 extended outage that began in May 2022 | $ | 853 | ||||||
Lower gross margin due to a decrease in load of 675 GWhs, or $74 million, driven by attrition and changes in customer mix, and a decrease in load of 905 GWhs, or $36 million, from weather | (110) | |||||||
Higher gross margin due to market optimization activities | 34 | |||||||
Other | (14) | |||||||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 763 | ||||||
Decrease in mark-to-market for economic hedging primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | (242) | |||||||
Increase in contract and emissions credit amortization | (9) | |||||||
Decrease in depreciation and amortization | 14 | |||||||
Increase in gross margin | $ | 526 |
70
East
(In millions) | |||||
Lower gross margin due to a decrease in generation and capacity as a result of asset retirements | $ | (97) | |||
Higher electric gross margin due to higher net revenue rates as a result of changes in customer term, product and mix of $3.25 per MWh, or $144 million, as well as lower supply costs of $1.25 per MWh, or $61 million, driven primarily by decreases in power prices | 205 | ||||
Lower electric gross margin due to attrition, changes in customer mix, and weather | (24) | ||||
Lower natural gas gross margin, including the impact of transportation and storage contract optimization, resulting in lower net revenue rates from changes in customer term, product and mix of $2.25 per Dth, or $2.69 billion, partially offset by lower supply costs of $2.20 per Dth, or $2.62 billion, driven primarily by decrease in gas costs | (74) | ||||
Lower natural gas gross margin from a decrease in volumes due to weather and changes in customer mix | (8) | ||||
Lower gross margin primarily due to a 56% decrease in PJM capacity prices and a 20% decrease in PJM capacity volumes, partially offset by a reduction in capacity performance penalties resulting from Winter Storm Elliot in December 2022, and a 94% increase in NYISO capacity pricing | (23) | ||||
Higher gross margin due to a decrease in supply costs at Midwest Generation, offset by lower gross margin as a result of a 68% decrease in generation volumes due to dark spread contractions | 46 | ||||
Lower gross margin from sales of NOx emissions credits | (17) | ||||
Lower gross margin from market optimization activities | (3) | ||||
Other | 1 | ||||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 6 | |||
Decrease in mark-to-market for economic hedging primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | (3,760) | ||||
Decrease in contract amortization | 20 | ||||
Decrease in depreciation and amortization | 77 | ||||
Decrease in gross margin | $ | (3,657) |
West/Services/Other
(In millions) | |||||
Lower gross margin primarily due to lower Services sales | $ | (40) | |||
Lower electric gross margin due to an increase in supply costs of $17.75 per MWh, or $165 million, partially offset by higher revenue rates of $13.50 per MWh, or $126 million, and changes in customer mix of $9 million | (30) | ||||
Higher natural gas gross margin due to a decrease in supply costs, of $119 million, and changes in customer mix of $7 million, partially offset by lower revenue rates, of $121 million | 5 | ||||
Lower gross margin at Cottonwood driven by current year planned outage and a reduction in capacity performance bonus payment resulting from PJM Winter Storm Elliott in December 2022 | (16) | ||||
Higher gross margin from market optimization activities | 14 | ||||
Other | (1) | ||||
Decrease in economic gross margin | $ | (68) | |||
Decrease in mark-to-market for economic hedges primarily due to net unrealized gains/losses on open positions related to economic hedges | (838) | ||||
Decrease in contract amortization | 2 | ||||
Increase in depreciation and amortization | (5) | ||||
Decrease in gross margin | $ | (909) |
Vivint Smart Home(a)
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | $ | 968 | |||
Increase in economic gross margin | $ | 968 | |||
Increase in depreciation and amortization | (410) | ||||
Increase in gross margin | $ | 558 |
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
71
Mark-to-Market for Economic Hedging Activities
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities includes asset-backed hedges that have not been designated as cash flow hedges. Total net mark-to-market results decreased by $4.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
The breakdown of gains and losses included in revenues and operating costs and expenses by segment was as follows:
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | — | $ | (23) | $ | 46 | $ | (8) | $ | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain) positions related to economic hedges | — | (1) | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains on open positions related to economic hedges | — | 51 | 34 | (3) | 82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market gains in revenue | $ | — | $ | 27 | $ | 80 | $ | (11) | $ | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | (416) | $ | (697) | $ | (429) | $ | 8 | $ | (1,534) | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired loss/(gain) positions related to economic hedges | 7 | 3 | (5) | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | 830 | (1,056) | (277) | 3 | (500) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in operating costs and expenses | $ | 421 | $ | (1,750) | $ | (711) | $ | 11 | $ | (2,029) |
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses/(gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | 2 | $ | (9) | $ | 38 | $ | (6) | $ | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired (gain) positions related to economic hedges | — | (1) | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses) on open positions related to economic hedges | (1) | (194) | (101) | 24 | (272) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in revenue | $ | 1 | $ | (204) | $ | (63) | $ | 18 | $ | (248) | |||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges | $ | (336) | $ | (547) | $ | (140) | $ | 6 | $ | (1,017) | |||||||||||||||||||
Reversal of acquired loss/(gain) positions related to economic hedges | 15 | (25) | (16) | — | (26) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains on open positions related to economic hedges | 983 | 2,813 | 426 | (24) | 4,198 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total mark-to-market gains in operating costs and expenses | $ | 662 | $ | 2,241 | $ | 270 | $ | (18) | $ | 3,155 |
Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses on contracts that are not yet settled. The settlement of these transactions is reflected in the same revenue or cost caption as the items being hedged.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the $96 million gain in revenues from economic hedge positions was driven by an increase in the value of open positions as a result of decreases in power prices. The $2.0 billion loss in operating costs and expenses from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains on contracts that settled during the period, as well as a decrease in the value of East and West/Other open positions as a result of decreases in natural gas and power prices. This was partially offset by an increase in the value of Texas open positions as a result of increases in ERCOT power prices.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the $248 million loss in revenues from economic hedge positions was driven by a decrease in the value of open positions as a result of increases in power prices across all segments, partially offset by the reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on contracts that settled during the period. The $3.2 billion gain in operating costs and expenses from economic hedge positions was driven primarily by an increase in the value of open positions as a result of increases in natural gas and power prices across all segments, partially offset by the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains on contracts that settled during the period.
72
In accordance with ASC 815, the following table represents the results of the Company's financial and physical trading of energy commodities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The realized and unrealized financial and physical trading results are included in revenue. The Company's trading activities are subject to limits based on the Company's Risk Management Policy.
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Trading gains/(losses) | |||||||||||
Realized | $ | 4 | $ | 3 | |||||||
Unrealized | 24 | (7) | |||||||||
Total trading gains/(losses) | $ | 28 | $ | (4) |
Operations and Maintenance Expense
Operations and maintenance expense are comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 513 | $ | 262 | $ | 179 | $ | 129 | $ | (3) | $ | 1,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | 598 | 304 | 149 | — | (2) | 1,049 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
Operations and maintenance expense increased by $31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home | $ | 129 | |||
Increase in major maintenance expenditures primarily associated with the timing of planned outages at STP and the scope and duration of outages at Texas gas facilities, Midwest Generation and Cottonwood | 56 | ||||
Increase in retail operations costs driven by higher personnel costs | 20 | ||||
Decrease due to the current year partial property insurance claim for the extended outage at W.A. Parish, as well as restoration expenses incurred in 2022 | (119) | ||||
Decrease due to changes in estimates of environmental remediation costs at deactivated sites in the East in 2022 | (24) | ||||
Decrease in variable operation and maintenance expense due to a reduction in PJM generation volumes in 2023 | (17) | ||||
Decrease driven primarily by East asset retirements partially offset by an increase in deactivation costs in the West | (15) | ||||
Other | 1 | ||||
Increase in operations and maintenance expense | $ | 31 |
Other Cost of Operations
Other Cost of operations are comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 190 | $ | 98 | $ | 11 | $ | 2 | $ | 301 | |||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | 153 | 113 | 12 | — | 278 |
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
73
Other cost of operations increased by $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase in property insurance premiums and property taxes | $ | 22 | |||
Increase in retail gross receipt taxes due to higher revenues in Texas offset by lower revenues in the East | 1 | ||||
Decrease due to changes in timing of ARO estimates | (6) | ||||
Other | 6 | ||||
Increase in other cost of operations | $ | 23 |
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses are comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 219 | $ | 87 | $ | 70 | $ | 410 | $ | 27 | $ | 813 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | 233 | 164 | 65 | — | 23 | 485 |
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
Depreciation and amortization increased by $328 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to higher amortization of intangible assets due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home in March 2023, partially offset by lower depreciation at Midwest Generation as a result of asset impairments and retirements in 2022.
Impairment Losses
Impairment losses of $198 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 include $155 million primarily related to the decline in PJM capacity prices and the near-term retirement date of Joliet and $43 million primarily related to the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the land and related assets at the Astoria generating site and the planned withdrawal and cancellation of its proposed Astoria redevelopment project. For further discussion, see Note 8, Impairments.
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Selling, general and administrative costs comprised of the following:
(In millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other | Vivint Smart Home(a) | Corporate/Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 580 | $ | 441 | $ | 171 | $ | 375 | $ | 19 | $ | 1,586 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | 500 | 362 | 180 | — | 34 | 1,076 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes results of operations following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
Total selling, general and administrative costs increased by $510 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, due to the following:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase due to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition | $ | 375 | |||
Increase in personnel costs | 66 | ||||
Increase in higher provision for credit losses | 42 | ||||
Increase in broker fee and commissions expenses | 36 | ||||
Increase in marketing and media expenses | 14 | ||||
Decrease in consulting and legal expenses | (12) | ||||
Other | (11) | ||||
Increase in selling, general and administrative costs | $ | 510 |
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Acquisition-Related Transaction and Integration Costs
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs were $111 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which consisted of $38 million of acquisition costs and $46 million of integration costs related to Vivint Smart Home, as well as $27 million of integration costs primarily related to Direct Energy. Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs were $26 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which were primarily integration costs related to Direct Energy.
Gain on Sale of Assets
The gain on sale of assets of $202 million and $51 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, included the following:
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Sale of Astoria Turbines in January 2023 | $ | 199 | $ | — | |||||||
Sale of the Company's 49% ownership in the Watson natural gas generating facility | — | 46 | |||||||||
Sale of the Company's 50% ownership in Petra Nova | — | 22 | |||||||||
Other asset sales | 3 | (17) | |||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | $ | 202 | $ | 51 |
Other Income, Net
Other income, net increased by $10 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily driven by higher interest income.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $159 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the Vivint Smart Home acquisition including the impact of newly issued Senior Secured First Lien Notes, acquired debt of Vivint Smart Home, borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility and the Receivables Securitization Facilities, as well as the write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the cancellation of the bridge facility for the Vivint Smart Home acquisition.
Income Tax (Benefit)/Expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an income tax benefit of $182 million was recorded on a pre-tax loss of $866 million. For the same period in 2022, income tax expense of $739 million was recorded on pre-tax income of $3.1 billion. The effective tax rates were 21.0% and 24.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, NRG's effective tax rate approximated the statutory rate of 21%, which includes the impact of state and foreign taxes. For the same period in 2022, NRG's overall effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to state tax expense, partially offset by the tax benefit resulting from the release of the valuation allowance on state net operating losses and carbon capture tax credits.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity Position
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, NRG's total liquidity, excluding funds deposited by counterparties, of approximately $4.1 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, was comprised of the following:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 401 | $ | 430 | |||||||
Restricted cash - operating | 3 | 5 | |||||||||
Restricted cash - reserves | 8 | 35 | |||||||||
Total | 412 | 470 | |||||||||
Total availability under Revolving Credit Facility and collective collateral facilities(a) | 3,723 | 2,324 | |||||||||
Total liquidity, excluding funds deposited by counterparties | $ | 4,135 | $ | 2,794 |
(a) Total capacity of Revolving Credit Facility and collective collateral facilities was $7.5 billion and $6.4 billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total liquidity, excluding funds deposited by counterparties, increased by $1.3 billion. Changes in cash and cash equivalent balances are further discussed hereinafter under the heading Cash Flow Discussion. Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2023 were predominantly held in bank deposits.
Management believes that the Company's liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be adequate to finance operating and maintenance capital expenditures, to fund dividends, and to fund other liquidity commitments in the short and long-term. Management continues to regularly monitor the Company's ability to finance the needs of its operating, financing and investing activity within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management.
The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and continues to work to achieve investment grade credit metrics over time primarily through debt reduction and the realization of growth initiatives.
Credit Ratings
On March 1, 2023, following the Vivint Smart Home acquisition financing launch, Standard and Poor's downgraded the Company's issuer credit to BB with a Stable outlook from BB+. There was no change to Moody's and Fitch ratings at the time.
Liquidity
The principal sources of liquidity for NRG's future operating and maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be derived from cash on hand, cash flows from operations, and financing arrangements. As described in Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases, to this Form 10-Q, the Company's financing arrangements consist mainly of the Senior Notes, Convertible Senior Notes, Senior Secured First Lien Notes, Revolving Credit Facility, the Receivables Securitization Facilities and tax-exempt bonds. The Company also issues letters of credit through bilateral letter of credit facilities and the P-Caps letter of credit facility. As part of the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home on March 10, 2023, NRG acquired Vivint Smart Home's existing debt, which includes senior secured notes, senior notes and a senior secured term-loan.
The Company's requirements for liquidity and capital resources, other than for operating its facilities, can generally be categorized by the following: (i) market operations activities; (ii) debt service obligations, as described in Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases; (iii) capital expenditures, including maintenance, repowering, development, and environmental; and (iv) allocations in connection with acquisition opportunities, debt repayments, share repurchases and dividend payments to stockholders, as described in Note 11, Changes in Capital Structure.
Sale of Gregory
On October 2, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of its 100% ownership in the Gregory natural gas generating facility in Texas for $102 million.
Sale of the 44% equity interest in STP
On November 1, 2023, the Company closed on the previously announced sale of its 44% equity interest in STP to Constellation. Proceeds of $1.75 billion were reduced by preliminary working capital and other adjustments of $96 million, resulting in net proceeds of $1.654 billion. For further discussion, see Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
Debt Reduction
The Company plans to reduce debt by $900 million during 2023 as part of its plan to achieve target investment-grade credit metrics, and intends to fund the reduction from cash from operations. NRG plans an additional $500 million of debt reduction in the fourth quarter of 2023 following the sale of STP as the transaction is intended to be leverage neutral. As of September 30, 2023, the Company executed $600 million in debt reduction.
Vivint Smart Home Acquisition
On March 10, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home. The Company paid $12 per share, or $2.6 billion in cash. The Company funded the acquisition using a combination of $740 million in newly-issued secured corporate debt, $650 million in newly-issued preferred stock, $900 million drawn from its Revolving Credit Facility and Receivables Facilities, and cash on hand.
Issuance of 2033 Senior Notes
On March 9, 2023, the Company issued $740 million of aggregate principal amount of 7.000% senior notes due 2033. The 2033 Senior Notes are senior secured obligations of NRG and are guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is paid semi-annually beginning on September 15, 2023 until the maturity date of March 15, 2033. For further discussion, see Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases.
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Series A Preferred Stock
On March 9, 2023, the Company issued 650,000 shares of 10.25% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock. For further discussion, see Note 11, Changes in Capital Structure.
Revolving Credit Facility
On February 14, 2023, the Company amended its Revolving Credit Facility to: (i) increase the existing revolving commitments thereunder by $600 million, (ii) extend the maturity date of a portion of the revolving commitments thereunder to February 14, 2028, (iii) transition the benchmark rate applicable to revolving loans from LIBOR to SOFR and (iv) make certain other amendments to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility for purposes of, among other things, providing additional flexibility.
On March 13, 2023, the Company further amended its Revolving Credit Facility to increase the existing revolving commitments by an additional $45 million. As of September 30, 2023, there were outstanding borrowings of $300 million and there were $1.4 billion in letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of October 31, 2023, there were outstanding borrowings of $100 million and $712 million in letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Receivables Securitization Facilities
On June 22, 2023, NRG Receivables amended its existing Receivables Facility to, among other things, (i) extend the scheduled termination date to June 21, 2024, (ii) increase the aggregate commitments from $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion (adjusted seasonally) and (iii) add a new originator. On October 6, 2023, the Receivables Facility was further amended to replace the benchmark interest rate of the Receivable Facility's subordinated note from LIBOR to SOFR. As of September 30, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings and there were $1.2 billion in letters of credit issued.
In addition, in connection with the amendments to the Receivables Facility, on June 22, 2023, the Company and the originators thereunder renewed the existing uncommitted Repurchase Facility that provides short-term financing secured by a subordinated note issued by NRG Receivables LLC. Such renewal, among other things, extends the maturity date to June 21, 2024 and joins an additional originator to the Repurchase Facility. On October 6, 2023, the Repurchase Facility was further amended to reflect the concurrent amendment to the Receivables Facility's subordinated note. As of September 30, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings.
Bilateral Letter of Credit Facilities
On May 19, 2023, May 30, 2023 and October 17, 2023 the Company increased the size of its bilateral letter of credit facilities by $25 million, $100 million and $50 million, respectively, to provide additional liquidity, allowing for the issuance of up to $850 million of letters of credit. These facilities are uncommitted. As of September 30, 2023, $620 million was issued under these facilities. As of October 31, 2023, $652 million was issued under these facilities.
Pre-Capitalized Trust Securities Facility
On August 29, 2023, the Company entered into a Facility Agreement with the Trust, in connection with the sale by the Trust of $500 million P-Caps. The P-Caps are to be redeemed by the Trust on July 31, 2028 or earlier upon an early redemption of the P-Caps Secured Notes. The P-Caps will replace the Company’s existing pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable 2023 issued by Alexander Funding Trust, which mature on November 15, 2023.
The Facility Agreements allows for the issuance of the P-Caps Secured Notes by the Company to the Trust. In addition, the Company entered into a LC Agreement for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $485 million. For further discussion, see Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases.
Sale of Astoria
On January 6, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of land and related assets from the Astoria site, within the East region of operations, for initial proceeds of $212 million, subject to transaction fees of $3 million and certain indemnifications. As part of the transaction, NRG entered into an agreement to lease the land back for the purpose of operating the Astoria gas turbines. The lease agreement is expected to terminate by the end of the year after decommissioning is complete.
Pension Plan Contribution
During 2023, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation issued a one-time waiver which provided relief for certain pension sponsors resulting in a reduction of the Company’s planned 2023 cash contribution. The Company elected to defer the remaining 2023 cash contribution to future years.
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Market Operations
The Company's market operations activities require a significant amount of liquidity and capital resources. These liquidity requirements are primarily driven by: (i) margin and collateral posted with counterparties; (ii) margin and collateral required to participate in physical markets and commodity exchanges; (iii) timing of disbursements and receipts (e.g., buying energy before receiving retail revenues); and (iv) initial collateral for large structured transactions. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had total cash collateral outstanding of $2 million and $3.8 billion outstanding in letters of credit to third parties primarily to support its market activities. As of September 30, 2023, total funds deposited by counterparties were $263 million in cash and $515 million of letters of credit.
Future liquidity requirements may change based on the Company's hedging activities and structures, fuel purchases, and future market conditions, including forward prices for energy and fuel and market volatility. In addition, liquidity requirements depend on the Company's credit ratings and general perception of its creditworthiness.
First Lien Structure
NRG has granted first liens to certain counterparties on a substantial portion of the Company's assets, subject to various exclusions including NRG's assets that have project-level financing and the assets of certain non-guarantor subsidiaries, to reduce the amount of cash collateral and letters of credit that it would otherwise be required to post from time to time to support its obligations under out-of-the-money hedge agreements. The first lien program does not limit the volume that can be hedged, or the value of underlying out-of-the-money positions. The first lien program also does not require NRG to post collateral above any threshold amount of exposure. The first lien structure is not subject to unwind or termination upon a ratings downgrade of a counterparty and has no stated maturity date.
The Company's first lien counterparties may have a claim on its assets to the extent market prices differ from the hedged prices. As of September 30, 2023, all hedges under the first liens were out-of-the-money on a counterparty aggregate basis.
The following table summarizes the amount of MW hedged against the Company's coal and nuclear assets and as a percentage relative to the Company's coal and nuclear capacity under the first lien structure as of September 30, 2023:
Equivalent Net Sales Secured by First Lien Structure(a) | 2023 | ||||
In MW | 142 | ||||
As a percentage of total net coal and nuclear capacity(b) | 3% |
(a) Equivalent Net Sales include natural gas swaps converted using a weighted average heat rate by region
(b) Net coal and nuclear capacity represents 80% of the Company’s total coal and nuclear assets eligible under the first lien, which excludes coal assets acquired with Midwest Generation and NRG's assets that have project level financing
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Capital Expenditures, Investments and Integration
The following table and descriptions summarize the Company's maintenance capital expenditures, environmental capital expenditures, and investments and integration spend for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the estimated forecast for the remainder of the year.
(In millions) | Maintenance | Environmental | Investments and Integration(a) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Texas | $ | 386 | $ | 1 | $ | 33 | $ | 420 | |||||||||||||||
East | 3 | — | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
West/Services/Other | 17 | — | 5 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate | 11 | — | 24 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||
Vivint Smart Home(b) | 12 | — | — | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total cash capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 | 429 | 1 | 63 | 493 | |||||||||||||||||||
Integration operating expenses(c) | — | — | 61 | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments | — | — | 108 | 108 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total cash capital expenditures and investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 | $ | 429 | $ | 1 | $ | 232 | $ | 662 | |||||||||||||||
Estimated cash capital expenditures and investments for the remainder of 2023(d) | 136 | 4 | 78 | 218 | |||||||||||||||||||
Estimated full year 2023 cash capital expenditures and investments | $ | 565 | $ | 5 | $ | 310 | $ | 880 |
(a)Full year estimate reflects the cash expected to be available for allocation for investments and Vivint Smart Home integration in 2023
(b)Includes expenditures following the acquisition date of March 10, 2023
(c)Excludes equity compensation related to integration
(d)Estimated capital expenditures related to W.A. Parish do not reflect expected insurance recoveries
Investments and Integration for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include growth expenditures, integration, small book acquisitions and other investments.
Environmental Capital Expenditures
NRG estimates that environmental capital expenditures from 2023 through 2027 required to comply with environmental laws will be approximately $47 million, primarily driven by the cost of complying with ELG at the Company's coal units in Texas.
Share Repurchases
In June 2023, NRG revised its long-term capital allocation policy to target allocating approximately 80% of cash available for allocation after debt reduction to be returned to shareholders. As part of the revised capital allocation framework, the Company announced an increase to its share repurchase authorization to $2.7 billion, to be executed through 2025. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company completed $50 million of share repurchases at an average price of $37.82 under the $2.7 billion authorization. Through October 31, 2023, an additional $150 million of share repurchases were executed at an average price of $40.17 per share. Following the closing of the STP sale on November 1, 2023, the Company intends to execute a $950 million accelerated share repurchase program.
Common Stock Dividends
During the first quarter of 2023, NRG increased the annual dividend to $1.51 from $1.40 per share and expects to target an annual dividend growth rate of 7%-9% per share in subsequent years. A quarterly dividend of $0.3775 per share was paid on the Company's common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2023. On October 19, 2023, NRG declared a quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.3775 per share, payable on November 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of November 1, 2023. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, NRG will increase the annual dividend by 8% to $1.63 per share.
Series A Preferred Stock Dividends
In September 2023, the Company paid a semi-annual dividend of $52.96 per share on its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, totaling $34 million.
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Obligations under Certain Guarantees
NRG and its subsidiaries enter into various contracts that include indemnifications and guarantee provisions as a routine part of the Company’s business activities. For further discussion, see Note 27, Guarantees, to the Company's 2022 Form 10-K.
Obligations Arising Out of a Variable Interest in an Unconsolidated Entity
Variable interest in equity investments — NRG’s investment in Ivanpah is a variable interest entity for which NRG is not the primary beneficiary. NRG's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt was approximately $467 million as of September 30, 2023. This indebtedness may restrict the ability of Ivanpah to issue dividends or distributions to NRG.
Contractual Obligations and Market Commitments
NRG has a variety of contractual obligations and other market commitments that represent prospective cash requirements in addition to the Company's capital expenditure programs, as disclosed in the Company's 2022 Form 10-K. See also Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases, and Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, to this Form 10-Q for a discussion of new commitments and contingencies that also include contractual obligations and market commitments that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Cash Flow Discussion
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the comparative nine month periods:
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||||||
Cash (used)/provided by operating activities | $ | (462) | $ | 1,758 | $ | (2,220) | |||||||||||
Cash used by investing activities | (2,631) | (205) | (2,426) | ||||||||||||||
Cash provided by financing activities | 1,590 | 855 | 735 |
Cash (used)/provided by operating activities
Changes to cash (used)/provided by operating activities were driven by:
(In millions) | |||||
Changes in cash collateral in support of risk management activities due to change in commodity prices | $ | (3,509) | |||
Increase in operating loss/income adjusted for other non-cash items | 2,252 | ||||
Decrease due to receipt of uplift securitization proceeds from ERCOT in 2022 | (689) | ||||
Decrease in working capital primarily driven by Vivint Smart Home capitalized contract costs partially offset by deferred revenues | (258) | ||||
Decrease in working capital primarily due to lower gas and power market pricing coupled with lower gas volumes | (16) | ||||
$ | (2,220) |
Cash used by investing activities
Changes to cash (used)/provided by investing activities were driven by:
(In millions) | |||||
Increase in cash paid for acquisitions primarily due to the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home in March 2023 | $ | (2,442) | |||
Increase in capital expenditures | (243) | ||||
Increase from insurance proceeds for property, plant and equipment, net in 2023 | 173 | ||||
Increase in proceeds from sale of assets primarily due to the sale of the land and related assets from the Astoria site in January 2023 | 122 | ||||
Decrease in proceeds from sales of emissions allowances, net of purchases | (21) | ||||
Decrease in proceeds from sales of investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities, net of purchases | (15) | ||||
$ | (2,426) |
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Cash provided by financing activities
Changes to cash (used)/provided by financing activities were driven by:
(In millions) | |||||
Decrease in net receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives | $ | (1,264) | |||
Increase in proceeds from issuance of long-term debt in 2023 | 731 | ||||
Increase in proceeds from issuance of preferred stock in 2023 | 635 | ||||
Increase due to lower payments for share repurchase activity in 2023 | 415 | ||||
Increase in proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility in 2023 | 300 | ||||
Increase in payments of dividends primarily due to preferred stock issued in 2023 | (43) | ||||
Increase in payments of deferred issuance costs | (28) | ||||
Decrease due to repayments of long-term debt and finance leases | (11) | ||||
$ | 735 |
NOLs, Deferred Tax Assets and Uncertain Tax Position Implications, under ASC 740
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had domestic pre-tax book loss of $553 million and foreign pre-tax book loss of $313 million. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had cumulative U.S. Federal NOL carryforwards of $8.2 billion, which do not have an expiration date, and cumulative state NOL carryforwards of $5.3 billion for financial statement purposes. NRG also has cumulative foreign NOL carryforwards of $382 million, most of which do not have an expiration date. In addition to the above NOLs, NRG has a $270 million indefinite carryforward for interest deductions, as well as $393 million of tax credits to be utilized in future years. In connection with the Vivint Smart Home acquisition, additional federal and state NOLs of $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, were added, as well as a federal carryforward for interest deductions of $739 million. As a result of the Company's tax position, including the utilization of federal and state NOLs, and based on current forecasts, the Company anticipates net income tax payments due to federal, state and foreign jurisdictions of up to $70 million in 2023. The Company does not anticipate that the corporate minimum book tax will have a material impact on the current year consolidated financial statements.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company has $45 million of tax-effected uncertain federal, state, and foreign tax benefits, for which the Company has recorded a non-current tax liability of $48 million (inclusive of accrued interest) until final resolution is reached with the related taxing authority.
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2019. With few exceptions, state and Canadian income tax examinations are no longer open for years prior to 2014.
Deferred tax assets and valuation allowance
Net deferred tax balance — As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, NRG recorded a net deferred tax asset, excluding valuation allowance, of $2.5 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. The Company believes certain state net operating losses may not be realizable under the more-likely-than-not measurement and as such, a valuation allowance was recorded as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 as discussed below.
NOL Carryforwards — As of September 30, 2023, the Company had a tax-effected cumulative U.S. NOLs consisting of carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes of $1.7 billion and $315 million, respectively. Additional federal and state NOLs of $446 million and $70 million, respectively, were added with the acquisition of Vivint Smart Home. The Company estimates it will need to generate future taxable income to fully realize the net federal deferred tax asset before the expiration of certain carryforwards commences in 2030. In addition, NRG has tax-effected cumulative foreign NOL carryforwards of $99 million.
Valuation Allowance — As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s tax-effected valuation allowance was $228 million and $224 million, respectively, consisting of state NOL carryforwards and foreign NOL carryforwards. The valuation allowance was recorded based on the assessment of cumulative and forecasted pre-tax book earnings and the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences.
Guarantor Financial Information
As of September 30, 2023, the Company's outstanding registered senior notes consisted of $375 million of the 2027 Senior Notes and $821 million of the 2028 Senior Notes as shown in Note 9, Long-term Debt and Finance Leases. These Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain of NRG's current and future 100% owned domestic subsidiaries, or guarantor subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). See Exhibit 22.1 to this Form 10-Q for a listing of the Guarantors. These guarantees are both joint and several.
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NRG conducts much of its business through and derives much of its income from its subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company's ability to make required payments with respect to its indebtedness and other obligations depends on the financial results and condition of its subsidiaries and NRG's ability to receive funds from its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the ability of any of the Guarantors to transfer funds to NRG. Other subsidiaries of the Company do not guarantee the registered debt securities of either NRG Energy, Inc or the Guarantors (such subsidiaries are referred to as the “Non-Guarantors”). The Non-Guarantors include all of NRG's foreign subsidiaries and certain domestic subsidiaries.
The following tables present summarized financial information of NRG Energy, Inc. and the Guarantors in accordance with Rule 3-10 under the SEC's Regulation S-X. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations or financial position of NRG Energy, Inc. and the Guarantors in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following table presents the summarized statement of operations:
(In millions) | Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | ||||
Revenue(a) | $ | 18,590 | |||
Operating loss(b) | (288) | ||||
Total other expense | (301) | ||||
Loss before income taxes | (589) | ||||
Net Loss | (511) |
(a)Intercompany transactions with Non-Guarantors of $7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023
(b)Intercompany transactions with Non-Guarantors including cost of operations of $22 million and selling, general and administrative of $153 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023
The following table presents the summarized balance sheet information:
(In millions) | September 30, 2023 | ||||
Current assets(a) | $ | 6,780 | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,207 | ||||
Non-current assets | 14,323 | ||||
Current liabilities(b) | 7,471 | ||||
Non-current liabilities | 11,385 |
(a)Includes intercompany receivables due from Non-Guarantors of $58 million as of September 30, 2023
(b)Includes intercompany payables due to Non-Guarantors of $39 million as of September 30, 2023
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
NRG may enter into power purchase and sales contracts, fuel purchase contracts and other energy-related financial instruments to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in spot market prices and to hedge fuel requirements at power plants or retail load obligations. In order to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the issuance of the Company's variable rate debt, NRG enters into interest rate swap agreements. In addition, in order to mitigate foreign exchange rate risk primarily associated with the purchase of U.S. dollar denominated natural gas for the Company's Canadian business, NRG enters into foreign exchange contract agreements.
Under Flex Pay, offered by Vivint Smart Home, subscribers pay for smart home products by obtaining financing from a third-party financing provider under the Consumer Financing Program. Vivint Smart Home pays certain fees to the financing providers and shares in credit losses depending on the credit quality of the subscriber.
NRG's trading activities are subject to limits in accordance with the Company's Risk Management Policy. These contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings.
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The following tables disclose the activities that include both exchange and non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). Specifically, these tables disaggregate realized and unrealized changes in fair value; disaggregate estimated fair values as of September 30, 2023, based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at September 30, 2023. For a full discussion of the Company's valuation methodology of its contracts, see Derivative Fair Value Measurements in Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Derivative Activity Gains/(Losses) | (In millions) | ||||
Fair Value of Contracts as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 3,553 | |||
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period | (1,452) | ||||
Vivint Smart Home contracts acquired during the period | (112) | ||||
Other changes in fair value | (429) | ||||
Fair Value of Contracts as of September 30, 2023 | $ | 1,560 |
Fair Value of Contracts as of September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hierarchy Gains | 1 Year or Less | Greater than 1 Year to 3 Years | Greater than 3 Years to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | $ | 26 | $ | 183 | $ | 3 | $ | 1 | $ | 213 | |||||||||||||||||||
Level 2 | 553 | 433 | 63 | 5 | 1,054 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | 3 | 70 | 72 | 148 | 293 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 582 | $ | 686 | $ | 138 | $ | 154 | $ | 1,560 |
The Company has elected to disclose derivative assets and liabilities on a trade-by-trade basis and does not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. Also, collateral received or posted on the Company's derivative assets or liabilities are recorded on a separate line item on the balance sheet. Consequently, the magnitude of the changes in individual current and non-current derivative assets or liabilities is higher than the underlying credit and market risk of the Company's portfolio. As discussed in Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk, to this Form 10-Q, NRG measures the sensitivity of the Company's portfolio to potential changes in market prices using VaR, a statistical model which attempts to predict risk of loss based on market price and volatility. NRG's risk management policy places a limit on one-day holding period VaR, which limits the Company's net open position. As the Company's trade-by-trade derivative accounting results in a gross-up of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities, the net derivative asset and liability position is a better indicator of NRG's hedging activity. As of September 30, 2023, NRG's net derivative asset was $1.6 billion, a decrease to total fair value of $2.0 billion as compared to December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by roll-off of trades that settled during the period, losses in fair value, and Vivint Smart Home contracts acquired during the period.
Based on a sensitivity analysis using simplified assumptions, the impact of a $0.50 per MMBtu increase or decrease in natural gas prices across the term of the derivative contracts would result in a change of approximately $1.8 billion in the net value of derivatives as of September 30, 2023.
Critical Accounting Estimates
NRG's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance as well as the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. The application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance involves judgments regarding future events, including the likelihood of success of particular projects, legal and regulatory challenges, and the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. These judgments, in and of themselves, could materially affect the financial statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions, which may be appropriate to use. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a significant effect, not only on the operation of the business, but on the results reported through the application of accounting measures used in preparing the financial statements and related disclosures, even if the nature of the accounting policies has not changed.
NRG evaluates these estimates, on an ongoing basis, utilizing historic experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable. In any event, actual results may differ substantially from the Company's estimates. Any effects on the Company's business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the information that gives rise to the revision becomes known.
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The Company identifies its most critical accounting estimates as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of the Company's financial position and results of operations, and require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments by management regarding estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain.
The Company's critical accounting estimates are described in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the Company's 2022 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company's critical accounting estimates since the 2022 Form 10-K.
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ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
NRG is exposed to several market risks in the Company's normal business activities. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with the Company's retail operations, merchant power generation or with existing or forecasted financial or commodity transactions. The types of market risks the Company is exposed to are commodity price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and currency exchange risk. The following disclosures about market risk provide an update to, and should be read in conjunction with, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, of the Company's 2022 Form 10-K.
Commodity Price Risk
Commodity price risks result from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices, volatilities and correlations between various commodities, such as natural gas, electricity, coal, oil and emissions credits. NRG manages the commodity price risk of the Company's load serving obligations and merchant generation operations by entering into various derivative or non-derivative instruments to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted sales and purchases of energy and fuel. NRG measures the risk of the Company's portfolio using several analytical methods, including sensitivity tests, scenario tests, stress tests, position reports and VaR. NRG uses a Monte Carlo simulation based VaR model to estimate the potential loss in the fair value of its energy assets and liabilities, which includes generation assets, gas transportation and storage assets, load obligations and bilateral physical and financial transactions, based on historical and forward values for factors such as customer demand, weather, commodity availability and commodity prices. The Company's VaR model is based on a one-day holding period at a 95% confidence interval for the forward 36 months, not including the spot month. The VaR model is not a complete picture of all risks that may affect the Company's results. Certain events such as counterparty defaults, regulatory changes, and extreme weather and prices that deviate significantly from historically observed values are not reflected in the model.
The following table summarizes average, maximum and minimum VaR for NRG's commodity portfolio, calculated using the VaR model for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2023 and 2022:
(In millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
VaR as of September 30, | $ | 63 | $ | 58 | |||||||
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
Average | $ | 64 | $ | 44 | |||||||
Maximum | 75 | 69 | |||||||||
Minimum | 45 | 26 | |||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
Average | $ | 66 | $ | 45 | |||||||
Maximum | 82 | 86 | |||||||||
Minimum | 45 | 26 |
The Company also uses VaR to estimate the potential loss of derivative financial instruments that are subject to mark-to-market accounting. These derivative instruments include transactions that were entered into for both asset management and trading purposes. The VaR for the derivative financial instruments calculated using the diversified VaR model for the entire term of these instruments entered into for both asset management and trading, was $156 million, as of September 30, 2023, primarily driven by asset-backed and hedging transactions.
Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. NRG is exposed to counterparty credit risk through various activities including wholesale sales, fuel purchases and retail supply arrangements, and retail customer credit risk through its retail load activities. Counterparty credit risk and retail customer credit risk are discussed below. See Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to this Form 10-Q for discussion regarding credit risk contingent features.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The Company's counterparty credit risk policies are disclosed in its 2022 Form 10-K. As of September 30, 2023, counterparty credit exposure, excluding credit exposure from RTOs, ISOs, registered commodity exchanges and certain long-term agreements, was $1.7 billion and NRG held collateral (cash and letters of credit) against those positions of $494 million, resulting in a net exposure of $1.2 billion. NRG periodically receives collateral from counterparties in excess of their exposure. Collateral amounts shown include such excess while net exposure shown excludes excess collateral received. Approximately 36% of the Company's exposure before collateral is expected to roll off by the end of 2024. Counterparty credit exposure is valued through observable market quotes and discounted at a risk free interest rate. The following tables highlight net
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counterparty credit exposure by industry sector and by counterparty credit quality. Net counterparty credit exposure is defined as the aggregate net asset position for NRG with counterparties where netting is permitted under the enabling agreement and includes all cash flow, mark-to-market and NPNS, and non-derivative transactions. The exposure is shown net of collateral held and includes amounts net of receivables or payables.
Net Exposure(a)(b) | |||||
Category by Industry Sector | (% of Total) | ||||
Utilities, energy merchants, marketers and other | 68 | % | |||
Financial institutions | 32 | ||||
Total as of September 30, 2023 | 100 | % |
Net Exposure (a)(b) | |||||
Category by Counterparty Credit Quality | (% of Total) | ||||
Investment grade | 56 | % | |||
Non-investment grade/non-rated | 44 | ||||
Total as of September 30, 2023 | 100 | % |
(a)Counterparty credit exposure excludes uranium and coal transportation contracts because of the unavailability of market prices
(b)The figures in the tables above exclude potential counterparty credit exposure related to RTOs, ISOs, registered commodity exchanges and certain long-term contracts
The Company currently has exposure to one wholesale counterparty in excess of 10% of total net exposure discussed above as of September 30, 2023. Changes in hedge positions and market prices will affect credit exposure and counterparty concentration.
RTOs and ISOs
The Company participates in the organized markets of CAISO, ERCOT, AESO, IESO, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM, known as RTOs or ISOs. Trading in the majority of these markets is approved by FERC, whereas in the case of ERCOT, it is approved by the PUCT, and whereas in the case of AESO and IESO, both exist provincially with AESO primarily subject to Alberta Utilities Commission and the IESO to the Ontario Energy Board. These ISOs may include credit policies that, under certain circumstances, require that losses arising from the default of one member on spot market transactions be shared by the remaining participants. As a result, the counterparty credit risk to these markets is limited to NRG’s share of the overall market and are excluded from the above exposures.
Exchange Traded Transactions
The Company enters into commodity transactions on registered exchanges, notably ICE, NYMEX and Nodal. These clearinghouses act as the counterparty and transactions are subject to extensive collateral and margining requirements. As a result, these commodity transactions have limited counterparty credit risk.
Long-Term Contracts
Counterparty credit exposure described above excludes credit risk exposure under certain long-term contracts, primarily solar under Renewable PPAs. As external sources or observable market quotes are not always available to estimate such exposure, the Company values these contracts based on various techniques including, but not limited to, internal models based on a fundamental analysis of the market and extrapolation of observable market data with similar characteristics. Based on these valuation techniques, as of September 30, 2023, aggregate credit risk exposure managed by NRG to these counterparties was approximately $1.0 billion for the next five years.
Retail Customer Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to retail credit risk through the Company's retail electricity and gas providers as well as through Vivint Smart Home, which serve both Home and Business customers. Retail credit risk results in losses when a customer fails to pay for services rendered. The losses may result from both non-payment of customer accounts receivable and the loss of in-the-money forward value. The Company manages retail credit risk through the use of established credit policies, which include monitoring of the portfolio and the use of credit mitigation measures such as deposits or prepayment arrangements.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company's retail customer credit exposure to Home and Business customers was diversified across many customers and various industries, as well as government entities. Current economic conditions may affect the Company’s customers’ ability to pay bills in a timely manner, which could increase customer delinquencies and may lead to an increase in credit losses.
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Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk arises from the general funding needs of the Company's activities and in the management of the Company's assets and liabilities. The Company is currently exposed to additional collateral posting if natural gas prices decline, primarily due to the long natural gas equivalent position at various exchanges used to hedge NRG's retail supply load obligations.
Based on a sensitivity analysis for power and gas positions under marginable contracts as of September 30, 2023, a $0.50 per MMBtu decrease in natural gas prices across the term of the marginable contracts would cause an increase in margin collateral posted of approximately $1.2 billion and a 1.00 MMBtu/MWh decrease in heat rates for heat rate positions would result in an increase in margin collateral posted of approximately $296 million. This analysis uses simplified assumptions and is calculated based on portfolio composition and margin-related contract provisions as of September 30, 2023.
Interest Rate Risk
NRG is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates through its issuance of variable rate debt. Exposures to interest rate fluctuations may be mitigated by entering into derivative instruments known as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and put or call options. These contracts reduce exposure to interest rate volatility and result in primarily fixed rate debt obligations when taking into account the combinations of the variable rate debt and the interest rate derivative instrument. NRG's management policies allow the Company to reduce interest rate exposure from variable rate debt obligations. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into $1.0 billion of interest rate swaps through 2027 to hedge the floating rate on the Term Loan acquired with the Vivint Smart Home acquisition. Additionally, the Company has entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the floating rate on the Revolving Credit Facility extending through 2024, with $300 million outstanding as of September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2023, the fair value and related carrying value of the Company's debt was $10.6 billion and $11.7 billion, respectively. NRG estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of September 30, 2023 by $848 million.
Currency Exchange Risk
NRG is subject to transactional exchange rate risk from transactions with customers in countries outside of the United States, primarily within Canada, as well as from intercompany transactions between affiliates. Transactional exchange rate risk arises from the purchase and sale of goods and services in currencies other than the Company's functional currency or the functional currency of an applicable subsidiary. NRG hedges a portion of its forecasted currency transactions with foreign exchange forward contracts. As of September 30, 2023, NRG is exposed to changes in foreign currency primarily associated with the purchase of U.S. dollar denominated natural gas for its Canadian business and entered into foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of $566 million.
The Company is subject to translation exchange rate risk related to the translation of the financial statements of its foreign operations into U.S. dollars. Costs incurred and sales recorded by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the respective period. As a result, the Company is exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar, primarily the Canadian and Australian dollars. A hypothetical 10% appreciation in major currencies relative to the U.S. dollar as of September 30, 2023 would have resulted in a decrease of $23 million to net income within the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
ITEM 4 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of NRG's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, NRG conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in NRG's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred in the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, NRG's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of material legal proceedings in which NRG was involved through September 30, 2023, see Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, to this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, there were no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2023.
ITEM 2 — UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of NRG or any "affiliated purchaser" (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of NRG's common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023 | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share(b) | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in millions) (a)(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Month #1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(July 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023) | 1,322,141 | $ | 37.82 | 1,322,141 | $ | 2,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Month #2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(August 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023) | — | $ | — | — | $ | 2,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Month #3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023) | — | $ | — | — | $ | 2,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total at September 30, 2023 | 1,322,141 | $ | 37.82 | 1,322,141 |
(a)In June 2023, as part of the revised capital allocation framework, the Company announced an increase to its share repurchase authorization to $2.7 billion to be executed through 2025. The Company began executing under the $2.7 billion authorization in July 2023
(b)The average price paid per share excludes excise taxes and commissions per share paid in connection with the open market share repurchases
(c)Includes commissions of $0.01 per share paid in connection with the open market share repurchases
ITEM 3 — DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 — MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
There have been no events that are required to be reported under this Item.
ITEM 5 — OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a 'Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement' or 'non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,' as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
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ITEM 6 — EXHIBITS
Number | Description | Method of Filing | ||||||||||||
4.1 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
4.2 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
4.3 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
4.4 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
4.5 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
4.6 | Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2023. | |||||||||||||
22.1 | Filed herewith. | |||||||||||||
31.1 | Filed herewith. | |||||||||||||
31.2 | Filed herewith. | |||||||||||||
31.3 | Filed herewith. | |||||||||||||
32 | Furnished herewith. | |||||||||||||
101 INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document. | The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | ||||||||||||
101 SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. | Filed herewith. | ||||||||||||
101 CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. | Filed herewith. | ||||||||||||
101 DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. | Filed herewith. | ||||||||||||
101 LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. | Filed herewith. | ||||||||||||
101 PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. | Filed herewith. | ||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page interactive data file does not appear in Exhibit 104 because it's Inline XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | Filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
NRG ENERGY, INC. (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||
/s/ MAURICIO GUTIERREZ | ||||||||||||||
Mauricio Gutierrez | ||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||||||
/s/ WOO-SUNG CHUNG | ||||||||||||||
Woo-Sung Chung | ||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||||||||
/s/ EMILY PICARELLO | ||||||||||||||
Emily Picarello | ||||||||||||||
Date: November 2, 2023 | Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||||
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