Document
                                                


 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
x
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2016.
 
 
 
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition period from                      to                       .
Commission File Number: 333-203369
NRG Yield LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
32-0407370
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
804 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
08540
(Zip Code)
(609) 524-4500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes o    No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.   Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 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.  (Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer and not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although not subject to these filing requirements, the registrant has filed all reports that would have been required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months had the registrant been subject to such requirements.) Yes o    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes o    No x
NRG Yield LLC's outstanding equity interests are held by NRG Yield, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. and there are no equity interests held by non-affiliates.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date. There is no public market for the registrant's outstanding units.
Class
 
Outstanding at January 31, 2017
Class A Units
 
34,586,250
Class B Units
 
42,738,750
Class C Units
 
62,789,804
Class D Units
 
42,738,750
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
None.
NOTE: WHEREAS NRG YIELD LLC MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K, THIS FORM 10-K IS BEING FILED WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(2).
 
 
 
 
 


                                                


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
PART I
Item 1 — Business
Item 1A — Risk Factors
Item 1B — Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2 — Properties
Item 3 — Legal Proceedings
Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5 — Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6 — Selected Financial Data
Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9 — Changes in Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A — Controls and Procedures
Item 9B — Other Information
PART III
Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11 — Executive Compensation
Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14 — Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
EXHIBIT INDEX
Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below:
2017 Drop Down Assets
 
(i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm and (ii) NRG's interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah. Both are subject of the definitive purchase agreements that the Company entered into with NRG on February 24, 2017
2019 Convertible Notes
 
Yield, Inc.'s $345 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Convertible Notes due 2019
2020 Convertible Notes
 
Yield, Inc.'s $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Notes due 2020
2024 Senior Notes
 
$500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% unsecured senior notes due 2024, issued by NRG Yield Operating LLC
2026 Senior Notes
 
$350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior notes due 2026, issued by NRG Yield Operating LLC
2037 Notes
 
$200 million aggregate principal amount of 4.68% senior secured notes due 2037, issued by CVSR Holdco
Alta TE Holdco
 
Alta Wind X-XI TE Holdco LLC
Alta Wind Portfolio
 
Seven wind facilities that total 947 MW located in Tehachapi, California and a portfolio of associated land leases
AOCL
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
ARO
 
Asset Retirement Obligation
ARRA
 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
ASC
 
The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which the FASB established as the source of
authoritative GAAP
ASU
 
Accounting Standards Updates – updates to the ASC
ATM Program
 
At-The-Market Equity Offering Program
Buffalo Bear
 
Buffalo Bear, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Buffalo Bear project
CAA
 
Clean Air Act
CAFD
 
Cash Available For Distribution, which the Company defines as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, plus cash distributions from
unconsolidated affiliates, cash receipts from notes receivable, less cash distributions to noncontrolling interests, maintenance capital expenditures, pro-rata EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates, cash interest paid, income taxes paid, principal amortization of indebtedness and changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments
CfD
 
Contract for Differences
CFTC
 
U.S. Commodity Future Trading Commission
COD
 
Commercial Operations Date
Code
 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Company
 
NRG Yield LLC, together with its consolidated subsidiaries
CVSR
 
California Valley Solar Ranch
CVSR Drop Down
 
The Company's acquisition from NRG of the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco
CVSR Holdco
 
CVSR Holdco LLC, the indirect owner of CVSR
DGPV Holdco 1
 
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC
DGPV Holdco 2
 
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC
Distributed Solar

 
Solar power projects, typically less than 20 MW in size, that primarily sell power produced to customers for usage on site, or are interconnected to sell power into the local distribution grid
Drop Down Assets
 
Collectively, the June 2014 Drop Down Assets, January 2015 Drop Down Assets, November 2015 Drop Down Assets, and CVSR Drop Down
Economic Gross Margin
 
Energy and capacity revenue, less cost of fuels
EDA
 
Equity Distribution Agreement
EGU
 
Electric Utility Generating Unit

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El Segundo
 
NRG West Holdings LLC, the subsidiary of Natural Gas Repowering LLC, which owns the El Segundo Energy Center project
EME
 
Edison Mission Energy
EME Assets
 
The January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the November 2015 Drop Down Assets (other than Elbow Creek), originally acquired by NRG from EME on April 1, 2014
EPC
 
Engineering, Procurement and Construction
ERCOT

 
Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the ISO and the regional reliability coordinator of the various electricity systems within Texas
EWG
 
Exempt Wholesale Generator
Exchange Act
 
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FPA
 
Federal Power Act
GAAP
 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
GenConn
 
GenConn Energy LLC
GHG
 
Greenhouse gas
GW
 
Gigawatt
HLBV
 
Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value
IASB
 
International Accounting Standards Board
IRS
 
Internal Revenue Service
ISO
 
Independent System Operator, also referred to as Regional Transmission Organization, or RTO
ITC
 
Investment Tax Credit
January 2015 Drop Down Assets
 
The Laredo Ridge, Tapestry and Walnut Creek projects, which were acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on January 2, 2015
June 2014 Drop Down Assets
 
The TA High Desert, Kansas South and El Segundo projects, which were acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on June 30, 2014
Kansas South
 
NRG Solar Kansas South LLC, the operating subsidiary of NRG Solar Kansas South Holdings LLC, which owns the Kansas South project
KPPH
 
1,000 Pounds Per Hour
Laredo Ridge
 
Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Mission Wind Laredo, LLC, which owns the Laredo Ridge project
LIBOR
 
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
Marsh Landing
 
NRG Marsh Landing LLC, formerly GenOn Marsh Landing LLC
MMBtu
 
Million British Thermal Units
MW
 
Megawatt
MWh
 
Saleable megawatt hours, net of internal/parasitic load megawatt-hours
MWt
 
Megawatts Thermal Equivalent
NECP
 
NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh LLC
NERC
 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
Net Exposure
 
Counterparty credit exposure to NRG Yield, Inc. net of collateral
November 2015 Drop Down Assets
 
75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, which was acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on November 3, 2015
NOx
 
Nitrogen Oxides
NPNS
 
Normal Purchases and Normal Sales
NRG
 
NRG Energy, Inc.
NRG Wind TE Holdco
 
NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC
OCI/OCL
 
Other comprehensive income/loss
OSHA
 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PG&E
 
Pacific Gas & Electric Company

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Pinnacle
 
Pinnacle Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Pinnacle project
PJM
 
PJM Interconnection, LLC
PPA
 
Power Purchase Agreement
PTC
 
Production Tax Credit
PUCT
 
Public Utility Commission of Texas
PUHCA
 
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005
PURPA
 
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
QF
 
Qualifying Facility under PURPA
REC
 
Renewable Energy Certificate
Recapitalization
 
The adoption of the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which authorized two new classes of common stock, Class C common stock and Class D common stock, and distributed shares of such new classes of common stock to holders of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, through a stock split on May 14, 2015 
ROFO Agreement
 
Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement between Yield, Inc. and NRG
RPM
 
Reliability Pricing Model
RPS
 
Renewable Portfolio Standards
RPV Holdco
 
NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC
RTO
 
Regional Transmission Organization
SCE
 
Southern California Edison
SEC
 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Senior Notes
 
Collectively, the 2024 Senior Notes and the 2026 Senior Notes
SO2
 
Sulfur Dioxide
TA High Desert
 
TA-High Desert LLC, the operating subsidiary of NRG Solar Mayfair LLC, which owns the TA High Desert project
Taloga
 
Taloga Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Taloga project
Tapestry
 
Collection of the Pinnacle, Buffalo Bear and Taloga projects
Thermal Business
 
The Company's thermal business, which consists of thermal infrastructure assets that provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units
UPMC
 
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
U.S.
 
United States of America
U.S. DOE
 
U.S. Department of Energy
Utility Scale Solar

 
Solar power projects, typically 20 MW or greater in size (on an alternating current, or AC, basis), that are interconnected into the transmission or distribution grid to sell power at a wholesale level
VaR
 
Value at Risk
VIE
 
Variable Interest Entity
Walnut Creek
 
NRG Walnut Creek, LLC, the operating subsidiary of WCEP Holdings, LLC, which owns the Walnut Creek project
Yield, Inc.
 
NRG Yield, Inc.
Yield Operating LLC
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC, the holding company that owns the project companies and is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Yield LLC

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PART I
Item 1 — Business
General
NRG Yield LLC, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, is a limited liability company formed to serve as the primary vehicle through which NRG owns, operates and acquires contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. The Company believes it is well positioned to be a premier company for investors seeking stable and growing dividend income from a diversified portfolio of lower-risk, high-quality assets.
The Company owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. The Company’s contracted generation portfolio collectively represents 4,563 net MW as of December 31, 2016. Each of these assets sells substantially all of its output pursuant to long-term offtake agreements with creditworthy counterparties. The weighted average remaining contract duration of these offtake agreements was approximately 16 years as of December 31, 2016, based on CAFD. The Company also owns thermal infrastructure assets with an aggregate steam and chilled water capacity of 1,319 net MWt and electric generation capacity of 123 net MW. These thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot and/or chilled water, and, in some instances, electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations, principally through long-term contracts or pursuant to rates regulated by state utility commissions.
A complete listing of the Company's interests in facilities, operations and/or projects owned or leased as of December 31, 2016 can be found in Item 2 — Properties.
History
On July 22, 2013, Yield, Inc. closed the initial public offering of 22,511,250 shares of its Class A common stock for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, of $468 million, of which Yield, Inc. used $395 million to purchase 19,011,250 of the Company's Class A units from NRG and $73 million to purchase 3,500,000 of the Company's Class A units directly from the Company. On July 29, 2014, Yield, Inc. issued 12,075,000 shares of Class A common stock for net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and expenses, of $630 million and utilized the proceeds of the offering to acquire 12,075,000 additional Class A units of the Company.
Effective May 14, 2015, Yield, Inc. amended its certificate of incorporation to create two new classes of capital stock, Class C common stock and Class D common stock, and distributed shares of the Class C common stock and Class D common stock to holders of Yield, Inc.'s outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, through a stock split. The stock split is referred to as the Recapitalization. Contemporaneously with Yield, Inc.’s Recapitalization, each Class A unit of the Company was automatically reclassified into one Class A unit and one Class C unit and each Class B unit of the Company was automatically reclassified into one Class B unit and one Class D unit. On June 29, 2015, Yield, Inc. issued 28,198,000 shares of Class C common stock for net proceeds of $599 million and utilized the proceeds of the offering to acquire 28,198,000 Class C units of the Company.
    As of December 31, 2016, NRG owned 42,738,750 of each of the Company's Class B units and Class D units and Yield, Inc. owned 34,586,250 of the Company's Class A units and 62,784,250 of the Company's Class C units. Yield, Inc., through its holdings of Class A units and Class C units, has a 53.3% economic interest in the Company. Yield, Inc. consolidates the results of the Company through its controlling interest as sole managing member. NRG, through its holdings of Class B units and Class D units, has a 46.7% economic interest in the Company.
The Company is a holding company for the companies that directly and indirectly own and operate Yield, Inc.'s business. As of December 31, 2016, NRG continues to control Yield, Inc., and Yield, Inc. in turn, as the sole managing member of the Company, controls the Company and its subsidiaries.

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The diagram below depicts the Company’s organizational structure as of December 31, 2016:
https://cdn.kscope.io/cebb5cd53e1e2c01f318d42a5d5a74a5-image6a11.jpg

Business Strategy
The Company's primary business strategy is to focus on the acquisition and ownership of assets with predictable, long-term cash flows in order that it may be able to increase the cash distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG over time without compromising the ongoing stability of the business. The Company's plan for executing this strategy includes the following key components:
Focus on contracted renewable energy and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. The Company owns and operates utility scale and distributed renewable energy and natural gas-fired generation, thermal and other infrastructure assets with proven technologies, low operating risks and stable cash flows. The Company believes by focusing on this core asset class and leveraging its industry knowledge, it will maximize its strategic opportunities, be a leader in operational efficiency and maximize its overall financial performance.
Growing the business through acquisitions of contracted operating assets. The Company believes that its base of operations and relationship with NRG provide a platform in the conventional and renewable power generation and thermal sectors for strategic growth through cash accretive and tax advantaged acquisitions complementary to its existing portfolio. In addition to acquiring renewable generation, conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets from third parties where the Company believes its knowledge of the market and operating expertise provides it with a competitive advantage, the Company entered into a Right of First Offer Agreement with NRG, or the ROFO Agreement. On February 24, 2017, the Company amended and restated the ROFO Agreement, expanding the NRG ROFO pipeline with the addition of 234 net MW of utility-scale solar projects, consisting of Buckthorn, a 154 net MW solar facility in Texas, and Hawaii solar projects, which have a combined capacity of 80 net MW. Under the ROFO Agreement, NRG has granted the Company and its affiliates a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of certain assets of NRG until February 24, 2022. In addition to the assets described in the table below which reflects the assets subject to sale, the ROFO Agreement also provides the Company with a right of first offer with respect to up to $250 million of equity in one or more distributed solar generation portfolios developed by affiliates of NRG, together with the assets listed in the table below, the NRG ROFO Assets.

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Asset
 
Fuel Type
 
Rated Capacity
(MW)(a)
 
COD
Ivanpah(b)
 
Solar
 
193
 
2013
Agua Caliente(c)
 
Solar
 
148
 
2014
Buckthorn
 
Solar
 
154
 
2018
Hawaii
 
Solar
 
80
 
2019
Carlsbad
 
Conventional
 
527
 
2018
Puente/Mandalay
 
Conventional
 
262
 
2020
Wind TE Holdco(d):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elkhorn Ridge
 
Wind
 
13
 
2009
San Juan Mesa
 
Wind
 
22
 
2005
Wildorado
 
Wind
 
40
 
2007
Crosswinds
 
Wind
 
5
 
2007
Forward
 
Wind
 
7
 
2008
Hardin
 
Wind
 
4
 
2007
Odin
 
Wind
 
5
 
2007
Sleeping Bear
 
Wind
 
24
 
2007
Spanish Fork
 
Wind
 
5
 
2008
Goat Wind
 
Wind
 
37
 
2008/2009
Lookout
 
Wind
 
9
 
2008
Elbow Creek
 
Wind
 
30
 
2008
Community
 
Wind
 
30
 
2011
Jeffers
 
Wind
 
50
 
2008
Minnesota Portfolio(e)
 
Wind
 
40
 
2003/2006
 
(a) Represents the maximum, or rated, electricity generating capacity of the facility in MW multiplied by NRG’s percentage ownership interest in the facility as of December 31, 2016.
(b) Represents 49.95% of NRG’s 50.01% ownership interest in Ivanpah. Following a sale of this 49.95% interest, the remaining 50.05% of Ivanpah would be owned by NRG, Google Inc. and BrightSource Energy Inc.
(c) Represents NRG’s 51% ownership interest in Agua Caliente. The remaining 49% of Agua Caliente is owned by BHE AC Holdings, LLC. As further described below, the Company has entered into an agreement with NRG to acquire 16% of Agua Caliente.
(d) Represents NRG's remaining 25% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco. NRG Yield, Inc. acquired 75% of the Class B interests in November 2015. A tax equity investor owns the Class A interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco.
(e) Includes Bingham Lake, Eastridge, and Westridge projects.
NRG is not obligated to sell the remaining NRG ROFO Assets to the Company and, if offered by NRG, the Company cannot be sure whether these assets will be offered on acceptable terms, or that the Company will choose to consummate such acquisitions. In addition, NRG may offer additional assets to the Company, as described in Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
In December 2016, NRG offered the Company the opportunity to purchase the following assets: (i) the Minnesota Portfolio, a 40 MW portfolio of wind projects; (ii) the 30 MW Community wind project; (iii) the 50 MW Jeffers wind projects; and (iv) a 16% interest in the 290 MW Agua Caliente solar project, pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. In addition to these ROFO Assets, NRG also offered the Company the opportunity to purchase NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar projects located in Utah, representing 265 net MW of capacity, based on cash to be distributed, that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison.
On February 24, 2017, the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm, one of the NRG ROFO assets, representing ownership of approximately 46 net MW of capacity. Agua Caliente is located in Yuma County, AZ and sells power subject to a 25-year PPA with Pacific Gas and Electric, with 22 years remaining on that contract; and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah representing 265 net MW of capacity, based on cash to be distributed, that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison. The Utah assets achieved commercial operations in 2016, sell power subject to 20-year PPAs with PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and are part of a tax equity structure with Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., or Dominion, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million for the transaction, excluding adjustments for working capital and assume non-recourse project debt of approximately $328 million, which will be consolidated, as well as its pro-rata share of non-recourse project level debt of $136 million. The Company elected not to pursue the acquisition of the Minnesota Portfolio, Community and Jeffers wind projects at this time, but may continue its evaluation of the projects. The Company has retained the

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right with NRG, pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, to participate in any third party process to the extent NRG elected to pursue a third party sale of these assets.
Primary focus on North America. The Company intends to primarily focus its investments in North America (including the unincorporated territories of the U.S.). The Company believes that industry fundamentals in North America present it with significant opportunity to acquire renewable, natural gas-fired generation and thermal infrastructure assets, without creating significant exposure to currency and sovereign risk. By primarily focusing its efforts on North America, the Company believes it will best leverage its regional knowledge of power markets, industry relationships and skill sets to maximize the performance of the Company.
Competition
Power generation is a capital-intensive business with numerous and diverse industry participants. The Company competes on the basis of the location of its plants and on the basis of contract price and terms of individual projects. Within the power industry, there is a wide variation in terms of the capabilities, resources, nature and identity of the companies with whom the Company competes with depending on the market. Competitors for energy supply are utilities, independent power producers and other providers of distributed generation. The Company also competes to acquire new projects with renewable developers who retain renewable power plant ownership, independent power producers, financial investors and other dividend, growth-oriented companies. Competitive conditions may be substantially affected by capital market conditions and by various forms of energy legislation and regulation considered by federal, state and local legislatures and administrative agencies, including tax policy. Such laws and regulations may substantially increase the costs of acquiring, constructing and operating projects, and it could be difficult for the Company to adapt to and operate under such laws and regulations.
The Company's thermal business has certain cost efficiencies that may form barriers to entry. Generally, there is only one district energy system in a given territory, for which the only competition comes from on-site systems. While the district energy system can usually make an effective case for the efficiency of its services, some building owners nonetheless may opt for on-site systems, either due to corporate policies regarding allocation of capital, unique situations where an on-site system might in fact prove more efficient, or because of previously committed capital in systems that are already on-site. Growth in existing district energy systems generally comes from new building construction or existing building conversions within the service territory of the district energy provider.
Competitive Strengths
Stable, high quality cash flows. The Company's facilities have a highly stable, predictable cash flow profile consisting of predominantly long-life electric generation assets that sell electricity under long-term fixed priced contracts or pursuant to regulated rates with investment grade and certain other credit-worthy counterparties. Additionally, the Company's facilities have minimal fuel risk. For the Company's conventional assets, fuel is provided by the toll counterparty or the cost thereof is a pass-through cost under the CfD. Renewable facilities have no fuel costs, and most of the Company's thermal infrastructure assets have contractual or regulatory tariff mechanisms for fuel cost recovery. The offtake agreements for the Company's conventional and renewable generation facilities have a weighted-average remaining duration of approximately 16 years as of December 31, 2016, based on CAFD, providing long-term cash flow stability. The Company's generation offtake agreements with counterparties for whom credit ratings are available have a weighted-average Moody’s rating of A3 based on rated capacity under contract. All of the Company's assets are in the U.S. and accordingly have no currency or repatriation risks.
High quality, long-lived assets with low operating and capital requirements. The Company benefits from a portfolio of relatively newly-constructed assets, other than thermal infrastructure assets. The Company's assets are comprised of proven and reliable technologies, provided by leading original solar and wind equipment manufacturers such as General Electric, Siemens AG, SunPower Corporation, or SunPower, First Solar Inc., or First Solar, Vestas, Suzlon and Mitsubishi. Given the modern nature of the portfolio, which includes a substantial number of relatively low operating and maintenance cost solar and wind generation assets, the Company expects to achieve high fleet availability and expend modest maintenance-related capital expenditures. Additionally, with the support of services provided by NRG, the Company expects to continue to implement the same rigorous preventative operating and management practices that NRG uses across its fleet of assets.
Significant scale and diversity. The Company owns and operates a large and diverse portfolio of contracted electric generation and thermal infrastructure assets. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's 4,563 net MW contracted generation portfolio benefits from significant diversification in terms of technology, fuel type, counterparty and geography. The Company's thermal business consists of twelve operations, seven of which are district energy centers that provide steam and chilled water to approximately 705 customers, and five of which provide generation. The Company believes its scale and access to best practices across the fleet improves its business development opportunities through enhanced industry relationships, reputation and understanding of regional power market dynamics. Furthermore, the Company's diversification reduces its operating risk profile and reliance on any single market.

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Relationship with NRG. The Company believes its relationship with NRG, including NRG’s expressed intention to maintain a controlling interest in the Company, provides significant benefits to the Company, including:
Management and Operational Expertise. The Company has access to the significant resources of NRG, the largest competitive power generator in the U.S., to support its operational, financial, legal, regulatory and environmental functions.
Development and Acquisition Track Record. NRG's development and strategic teams are focused on the development and acquisition of renewable and conventional generation assets, which may provide future growth opportunities for the Company in addition to the assets set forth in the ROFO Agreement.  The Company believes NRG’s ownership position in the Company incentivizes NRG to support the Company's growth strategy, including through the development of renewable and conventional generation projects.  During 2016, NRG acquired 1,639 MWs of utility scale solar and wind projects and 107 MWs of distributed generation and community solar projects that are currently under development or in operation. 
Financing Expertise. The Company, with the support of NRG, has been able to achieve a successful track record of sourcing attractive low-cost, long duration capital to fund acquisitions.  The Company expects to continue to realize benefits from NRG’s financing and structuring expertise as well as its relationships with financial institutions and other lenders.
Environmentally well-positioned portfolio of assets. The Company's portfolio of electric generation assets consists of 2,618 net MW of renewable generation capacity that are non-emitting sources of power generation. The Company's conventional assets consist of the dual fuel-fired GenConn assets as well as the Marsh Landing and Walnut Creek simple cycle natural gas-fired peaking generation facilities and the El Segundo combined cycle natural gas-fired peaking facility. The Company does not anticipate having to expend any significant capital expenditures in the foreseeable future to comply with current environmental regulations applicable to its generation assets. Taken as a whole, the Company believes its strategy will be a net beneficiary of current and potential environmental legislation and regulatory requirements that may serve as a catalyst for capacity retirements and improve market opportunities for environmentally well-positioned assets like the Company's assets once its current offtake agreements expire.
Thermal infrastructure business has high entry costs. Significant capital has been invested to construct the Company's thermal infrastructure assets, serving as a barrier to entry in the markets in which such assets operate. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's thermal gross property, plant, and equipment was approximately $467 million. The Company's thermal district energy centers are located in urban city areas, with the chilled water and steam delivery systems located underground. Constructing underground delivery systems in urban areas requires long lead times for permitting, rights of way and inspections and is costly. By contrast, the incremental cost to add new customers in existing markets is relatively low. Once thermal infrastructure is established, the Company believes it has the ability to retain customers over long periods of time and to compete effectively for additional business against stand-alone on-site heating and cooling generation facilities. Installation of stand-alone equipment can require significant modification to a building as well as significant space for equipment and funding for capital expenditures. The Company's system technologies often provide economies of scale in terms of fuel procurement, ability to switch between multiple types of fuel to generate thermal energy, and fuel conversion efficiency.
Segment Review
The following tables summarize the Company's operating revenues, net income (loss) and assets by segment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 12, Segment Reporting, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to that footnote for additional information about the Company's segments. In addition, refer to Item 2 — Properties, for information about the facilities in each of the Company's segments. All amounts have been recast to include the effect of the acquisitions of the Drop Down Assets, which were accounted for as transfers of entities under common control. The accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. Accordingly, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfers as if they had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period).  
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
333

 
$
518

 
$
170

 
$

 
$
1,021

Net income (loss)
153

 
(103
)
 
29

 
(81
)
 
(2
)
Total assets
1,993

 
5,535

 
426

 
213

 
8,167


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Year ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
336

 
$
443

 
$
174

 
$

 
$
953

Net income (loss)
156

 
(25
)
 
22

 
(65
)
 
88

Total assets
2,102

 
5,970

 
428

 
22

 
8,522

 
Year ended December 31, 2014
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
317

 
$
316

 
$
195

 
$

 
$
828

Net income (loss)
141

 
(19
)
 
31

 
(36
)
 
117

Government Incentives
Government incentives, including PTCs and ITCs, can enhance the economics of the Company's generating assets and investments by providing, for example, loan guarantees, cash grants, favorable tax treatment, favorable depreciation rules or other incentives.  The Company cannot predict the effects that the new U.S. presidential administration will have on government incentives.
Regulatory Matters
As owners of power plants and participants in wholesale and thermal energy markets, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are subject to regulation by various federal and state government agencies. These agencies include FERC and the PUCT, as well as other public utility commissions in certain states where the Company's assets are located. Each of the Company's U.S. generating facilities qualifies as an EWG or QF. In addition, the Company is subject to the market rules, procedures and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which it participates. Likewise, the Company must also comply with the mandatory reliability requirements imposed by NERC and the regional reliability entities in the regions where the Company operates. The Company'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 PUCT.
CFTC
The CFTC, among other things, regulates the trading of swaps, futures and many commodities under the Commodity Exchange Act, or CEA. Since 2010, there have been a number of reforms to the regulation of the derivatives markets. These regulations, and any further changes thereto, or adoption of additional regulations, including any regulations relating to position limits on futures and other derivatives or margin for derivatives, could negatively impact the Company’s ability to hedge its portfolio in an efficient, cost-effective manner by, among other things, potentially decreasing liquidity in the forward commodity and derivatives markets or limiting the Company’s ability to utilize non-cash collateral for derivatives transactions.
FERC
FERC, among other things, regulates the transmission and the wholesale sale of electricity in interstate commerce under the authority of the FPA. The transmission of electric energy occurring wholly within ERCOT is not subject to FERC’s jurisdiction under Sections 203 or 205 of the FPA. Under existing regulations, FERC determines whether an entity owning a generation facility is an EWG, as defined in the PUHCA. FERC also determines whether a generation facility meets the ownership and technical criteria of a QF under the PURPA. Each of the Company’s non-ERCOT generating facilities qualifies as an EWG.
The FPA gives FERC exclusive rate-making jurisdiction over the wholesale sale of electricity and transmission of electricity in interstate commerce of public utilities (as defined by the FPA). Under the FPA, FERC, with certain exceptions, regulates the owners of facilities used for the wholesale sale of electricity or transmission in interstate commerce as public utilities, and establishes market rules that are just and reasonable.
Public utilities are required to obtain FERC’s acceptance, pursuant to Section 205 of the FPA, of their rate schedules for the wholesale sale of electricity. All of the Company’s non-QF generating entities located outside of ERCOT make sales of electricity pursuant to market-based rates, as opposed to traditional cost-of-service regulated rates. Every three years FERC will conduct a review of the Company’s market based rates and potential market power on a regional basis.

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In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, FERC has approved the NERC as the national Energy Reliability Organization, or ERO. As the ERO, NERC is responsible for the development and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards for the wholesale electric power system. In addition to complying with NERC requirements, each entity must comply with the requirements of the regional reliability entity for the region in which it is located.
The PURPA was passed in 1978 in large part to promote increased energy efficiency and development of independent power producers. The PURPA created QFs to further both goals, and FERC is primarily charged with administering the PURPA as it applies to QFs. Certain QFs are exempt from regulation, either in whole or in part, under the FPA as public utilities.
The PUHCA provides FERC with certain authority over and access to books and records of public utility holding companies not otherwise exempt by virtue of their ownership of EWGs, QFs, and Foreign Utility Companies. The Company is exempt from many of the accounting, record retention, and reporting requirements of the PUHCA.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to a wide range of environmental laws in the development, construction, ownership and operation of projects. These laws generally require that governmental permits and approvals be obtained before construction and during operation of facilities. The Company is also subject to laws regarding the protection of wildlife, including migratory birds, eagles, threatened and endangered species. Federal and state environmental laws have become more stringent over time, although this trend could change in the near term with respect to federal laws under the new U.S. presidential administration.
In October 2015, the EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan, or CPP, addressing GHG emissions from existing EGUs. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the CPP. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, sitting en banc, heard oral argument on the legal challenges to the CPP in September 2016. Due to the ongoing litigation and the potential impact of the new U.S. presidential administration, the Company believes the CPP is not likely to survive.
Customers
The Company sells its electricity and environmental attributes, including RECs, primarily to local utilities under long-term, fixed-price PPAs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company derived approximately 42% of its consolidated revenue from Southern California Edison, or SCE, and approximately 23% of its consolidated revenue from Pacific Gas and Electric, or PG&E.
Employees
The Company employs Christopher Sotos as its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chad Plotkin as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Other than Messrs. Sotos and Plotkin, the Company does not employ any other employees. The personnel that manage operations of the Company are employees of NRG or third parties managed by NRG, and their services are provided for the Company's benefit under the Management Services Agreement and project operations and maintenance agreements with NRG as described in Item 15 — Note 13, Related Party Transactions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Available Information
The Company's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through Yield, Inc.'s website, www.nrgyield.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The Company also routinely posts press releases, presentations, webcasts, and other information regarding the Company on Yield, Inc.'s website.

Item 1A — Risk Factors
Risks Related to the Company's Business
Certain facilities are newly constructed and may not perform as expected.
Certain of the Company's conventional and renewable assets are newly constructed. The ability of these facilities to meet the Company's performance expectations is subject to the risks inherent in newly constructed power generation facilities and the construction of such facilities, including, but not limited to, degradation of equipment in excess of the Company's expectations, system failures, and outages. The failure of these facilities to perform as the Company expects could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and its ability to pay distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG.

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Pursuant to the Company's cash distribution policy, the Company intends to distribute all or substantially all of the CAFD through regular quarterly distributions, and the Company's ability to grow and make acquisitions through cash on hand could be limited.
The Company expects to distribute all or substantially all of the CAFD each quarter and to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including the issuance of debt and equity securities and, if applicable, borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility to fund acquisitions and growth capital expenditures. The Company may be precluded from pursuing otherwise attractive acquisitions if the projected short-term cash flow from the acquisition or investment is not adequate to service the capital raised to fund the acquisition or investment, after giving effect to the Company's available cash reserves. The incurrence of bank borrowings or other debt by NRG Yield Operating LLC or by the Company's project-level subsidiaries to finance the Company’s growth strategy will result in increased interest expense and the imposition of additional or more restrictive covenants, which, in turn, may impact the cash distributions the Company makes to Yield, Inc. and NRG.
The Company may not be able to effectively identify or consummate any future acquisitions on favorable terms, or at all.
The Company's business strategy includes growth through the acquisitions of additional generation assets (including through corporate acquisitions). This strategy depends on the Company’s ability to successfully identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities and consummate acquisitions on favorable terms. However, the number of acquisition opportunities is limited. In addition, the Company will compete with other companies for these limited acquisition opportunities, which may increase the Company’s cost of making acquisitions or cause the Company to refrain from making acquisitions at all. Some of the Company’s competitors for acquisitions are much larger than the Company with substantially greater resources. These companies may be able to pay more for acquisitions and may be able to identify, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of assets than the Company’s financial or human resources permit. If the Company is unable to identify and consummate future acquisitions, it will impede the Company’s ability to execute its growth strategy and limit the Company’s ability to increase the amount of dividends paid to holders of Yield, Inc.'s common stock.

Furthermore, the Company’s ability to acquire future renewable facilities may depend on the viability of renewable assets generally. These assets currently are largely contingent on public policy mechanisms including ITCs, cash grants, loan guarantees, accelerated depreciation, RPS and carbon trading plans. These mechanisms have been implemented at the state and federal levels to support the development of renewable generation, demand-side and smart grid and other clean infrastructure technologies. The availability and continuation of public policy support mechanisms will drive a significant part of the economics and viability of the Company’s growth strategy and expansion into clean energy investments.
The Company’s ability to effectively consummate future acquisitions will also depend on the Company’s ability to arrange the required or desired financing for acquisitions.
The Company may not have sufficient availability under the Company’s credit facilities or have access to project-level financing on commercially reasonable terms when acquisition opportunities arise. An inability to obtain the required or desired financing could significantly limit the Company’s ability to consummate future acquisitions and effectuate the Company’s growth strategy. If financing is available, utilization of the Company’s credit facilities or project-level financing for all or a portion of the purchase price of an acquisition could significantly increase the Company’s interest expense, impose additional or more restrictive covenants and reduce CAFD. The Company’s ability to consummate future acquisitions may also depend on the Company’s ability to obtain any required regulatory approvals for such acquisitions, including, but not limited to, approval by FERC under Section 203 of the FPA.
Finally, the acquisition of companies and assets are subject to substantial risks, including the failure to identify material problems during due diligence (for which the Company may not be indemnified post-closing), the risk of over-paying for assets (or not making acquisitions on an accretive basis) and the ability to retain customers. Further, the integration and consolidation of acquisitions requires substantial human, financial and other resources and, ultimately, the Company's acquisitions may divert management’s attention from the Company's existing business concerns, disrupt the Company's ongoing business or not be successfully integrated. There can be no assurances that any future acquisitions will perform as expected or that the returns from such acquisitions will support the financing utilized to acquire them or maintain them. As a result, the consummation of acquisitions may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG.
Even if the Company consummates acquisitions that it believes will be accretive to CAFD, those acquisitions may decrease CAFD as a result of incorrect assumptions in the Company’s evaluation of such acquisitions, unforeseen consequences or other external events beyond the Company’s control.
The acquisition of existing generation assets involves the risk of overpaying for such projects (or not making acquisitions

13

                                                


on an accretive basis) and failing to retain the customers of such projects. While the Company will perform due diligence on prospective acquisitions, the Company may not discover all potential risks, operational issues or other issues in such generation assets. Further, the integration and consolidation of acquisitions require substantial human, financial and other resources and, ultimately, the Company’s acquisitions may divert the Company’s management’s attention from its existing business concerns, disrupt its ongoing business or not be successfully integrated. Future acquisitions might not perform as expected or the returns from such acquisitions might not support the financing utilized to acquire them or maintain them. A failure to achieve the financial returns the Company expects when it acquires generation assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders. Any failure of the Company’s acquired generation assets to be accretive or difficulty in integrating such acquisition into the Company’s business could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its unitholders.
The Company’s indebtedness could adversely affect its ability to raise additional capital to fund the Company’s operations or pay distributions. It could also expose the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and limit the Company’s ability to react to changes in the economy or the Company’s industry as well as impact the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $5,782 million of total consolidated indebtedness, $4,314 million of which was incurred by the Company's non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s share of its unconsolidated affiliates’ total indebtedness and letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2016, totaled approximately $453 million and $86 million, respectively (calculated as the Company’s unconsolidated affiliates’ total indebtedness as of such date multiplied by the Company’s percentage membership interest in such assets). The Company’s substantial debt could have important negative consequences on the Company’s financial condition, including:
increasing the Company’s vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;
requiring a substantial portion of the Company’s cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on the Company’s indebtedness, therefore reducing the Company’s ability to pay distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG or to use the Company’s cash flow to fund its operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;
limiting the Company’s ability to enter into long-term power sales or fuel purchases which require credit support;
limiting the Company’s ability to fund operations or future acquisitions;
restricting the Company’s ability to make certain distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG and the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to make certain distributions to it, in light of restricted payment and other financial covenants in the Company’s credit facilities and other financing agreements;
exposing the Company to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of the Company’s borrowings, which may include borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, are at variable rates of interest;
limiting the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing for working capital including collateral postings, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and
limiting the Company’s ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing it at a competitive disadvantage compared to the Company’s competitors who have less debt.
The Company's revolving credit facility contains financial and other restrictive covenants that limit the Company’s ability to return capital to stockholders or otherwise engage in activities that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests. The Company’s inability to satisfy certain financial covenants could prevent the Company from paying cash distributions, and the Company’s failure to comply with those and other covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment or enforce their security interests, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, failure to comply with such covenants may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment and accelerate all such indebtedness.
The agreements governing the Company’s project-level financing contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit the Company’s project subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions to the Company or otherwise engage in activities that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests. The project-level financing agreements generally prohibit distributions from the project entities to the Company unless certain specific conditions are met, including the satisfaction of certain financial ratios. The Company’s inability to satisfy certain financial covenants may prevent cash distributions by the particular project(s) to it and, the Company’s failure to comply with those and other covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment or enforce their security interests, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, failure to comply with such covenants may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment and accelerate all such indebtedness. If the Company is unable to make distributions from the Company’s project-level subsidiaries, it would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to pay distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG.
Letter of credit facilities to support project-level contractual obligations generally need to be renewed after five to seven

14

                                                


years, at which time the Company will need to satisfy applicable financial ratios and covenants. If the Company is unable to renew the Company’s letters of credit as expected or replace them with letters of credit under different facilities on favorable terms or at all, the Company may experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, such inability may constitute a default under certain project-level financing arrangements, restrict the ability of the project-level subsidiary to make distributions to it and/or reduce the amount of cash available at such subsidiary to make distributions to the Company.
In addition, the Company’s ability to arrange financing, either at the corporate level or at a non-recourse project-level subsidiary, and the costs of such capital, are dependent on numerous factors, including:
general economic and capital market conditions;
credit availability from banks and other financial institutions;
investor confidence in the Company, its partners, Yield, Inc. (as the Company's sole managing member), NRG (as Yield Inc.’s principal stockholder, on a combined voting basis, and manager under the Management Services Agreement) and the regional wholesale power markets;
the Company’s financial performance and the financial performance of the Company subsidiaries;
the Company’s level of indebtedness and compliance with covenants in debt agreements;
maintenance of acceptable project credit ratings or credit quality;
cash flow; and
provisions of tax and securities laws that may impact raising capital.
The Company may not be successful in obtaining additional capital for these or other reasons. Furthermore, the Company may be unable to refinance or replace project-level financing arrangements or other credit facilities on favorable terms or at all upon the expiration or termination thereof. The Company's failure, or the failure of any of the Company’s projects, to obtain additional capital or enter into new or replacement financing arrangements when due may constitute a default under such existing indebtedness and may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Certain of the Company's long-term bilateral contracts result from state-mandated procurements and could be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction.
A significant portion of the Company's revenues are derived from long-term bilateral contracts with utilities that are regulated by their respective states, and have been entered into pursuant to certain state programs. Certain long-term contracts that other companies have with state-regulated utilities have been challenged in federal court and have been declared unconstitutional on the grounds that the rate for energy and capacity established by the contracts impermissibly conflicts with the rate for energy and capacity established by FERC pursuant to the FPA. If certain of the Company's state-mandated agreements with utilities are ever held to be invalid, the Company may be unable to replace such contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The generation of electric energy from solar and wind energy sources depends heavily on suitable meteorological conditions.
If solar or wind conditions are unfavorable, the Company's electricity generation and revenue from renewable generation facilities may be substantially below the Company's expectations. The electricity produced and revenues generated by a solar or wind energy generation facility is highly dependent on suitable solar or wind conditions, as applicable, and associated weather conditions, which are beyond the Company's control. Furthermore, components of the Company's systems, such as solar panels and inverters, could be damaged by severe weather, such as hailstorms or tornadoes. In addition, replacement and spare parts for key components may be difficult or costly to acquire or may be unavailable. Unfavorable weather and atmospheric conditions could impair the effectiveness of the Company's assets or reduce their output beneath their rated capacity or require shutdown of key equipment, impeding operation of the Company's renewable assets. In addition, climate change may have the long-term effect of changing wind patterns at our projects. Changing wind patterns could cause changes in expected electricity generation. These events could also degrade equipment or components and the interconnection and transmission facilities’ lives or maintenance costs.
Although the Company bases its investment decisions with respect to each renewable generation facility on the findings of related wind and solar studies conducted on-site prior to construction or based on historical conditions at existing facilities, actual climatic conditions at a facility site, particularly wind conditions, may not conform to the findings of these studies and may be affected by variations in weather patterns, including any potential impact of climate change. Therefore, the Company's solar and wind energy facilities may not meet anticipated production levels or the rated capacity of the Company's generation assets, which could adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

15

                                                


Operation of electric generation facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the power industry that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The ongoing operation of the Company's facilities involves risks that include the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes or performance below expected levels of output or efficiency due to wear and tear, latent defect, design error or operator error or force majeure events, among other things. Operation of the Company's facilities also involves risks that the Company will be unable to transport its products to its customers in an efficient manner due to a lack of transmission capacity. Unplanned outages of generating units, including extensions of scheduled outages due to mechanical failures or other problems, occur from time to time and are an inherent risk of the business. Unplanned outages typically increase operation and maintenance expenses, capital expenditures and may reduce revenues as a result of selling fewer MWh or require the Company to incur significant costs as a result of obtaining replacement power from third parties in the open market to satisfy forward power sales obligations. The Company's inability to operate its electric generation assets efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs and generate earnings and cash flow from the Company's asset-based businesses could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While the Company maintains insurance, obtains warranties from vendors and obligates contractors to meet certain performance levels, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover the Company's lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments should it experience equipment breakdown or non-performance by contractors or vendors.
Power generation involves hazardous activities, including acquiring, transporting and unloading fuel, operating large pieces of rotating equipment and delivering electricity to transmission and distribution systems.
In addition to natural risks such as earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane and wind, other hazards, such as fire, explosion, structural collapse and machinery failure are inherent risks in the Company's operations. These and other hazards can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment and contamination of, or damage to, the environment and suspension of operations. The occurrence of any one of these events may result in the Company being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, including for environmental cleanup costs, personal injury and property damage and fines and/or penalties. The Company maintains an amount of insurance protection that it considers adequate but cannot provide any assurance that the Company's insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which the Company may be subject. Furthermore, the Company's insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, caps, exclusions and other limitations. A loss for which the Company is not fully insured (which may include a significant judgment against any facility or facility operator) could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Further, due to rising insurance costs and changes in the insurance markets, the Company cannot provide any assurance that its insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Maintenance, expansion and refurbishment of electric generation facilities involve significant risks that could result in unplanned power outages or reduced output.
The Company's facilities may require periodic upgrading and improvement. Any unexpected operational or mechanical failure, including failure associated with breakdowns and forced outages, could reduce the Company's facilities' generating capacity below expected levels, reducing the Company's revenues and jeopardizing the Company's ability to pay distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG at expected levels or at all. Degradation of the performance of the Company's solar facilities above levels provided for in the related offtake agreements may also reduce the Company's revenues. Unanticipated capital expenditures associated with maintaining, upgrading or repairing the Company's facilities may also reduce profitability.
If the Company makes any major modifications to its conventional power generation facilities, it may be required to install the best available control technology or to achieve the lowest achievable emission rates as such terms are defined under the new source review provisions of the CAA in the future. Any such modifications could likely result in substantial additional capital expenditures. The Company may also choose to repower, refurbish or upgrade its facilities based on its assessment that such activity will provide adequate financial returns. Such facilities require time for development and capital expenditures before commencement of commercial operations, and key assumptions underpinning a decision to make such an investment may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding construction costs, timing, available financing and future fuel and power prices. These events could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

16

                                                


Counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements may not fulfill their obligations and, as the contracts expire, the Company may not be able to replace them with agreements on similar terms in light of increasing competition in the markets in which the Company operates.
A significant portion of the electric power the Company generates is sold under long-term offtake agreements with public utilities or industrial or commercial end-users, with a weighted average remaining duration of approximately 16 years (based on CAFD). As of December 31, 2016, the largest customers of the Company's power generation assets, including assets in which the Company has less than a 100% membership interest, were SCE and PG&E, which represented 45% and 25%, respectively, of the net electric generation capacity of the Company's facilities.
If, for any reason, any of the purchasers of power under these agreements are unable or unwilling to fulfill their related contractual obligations or if they refuse to accept delivery of power delivered thereunder or if they otherwise terminate such agreements prior to the expiration thereof, the Company's assets, liabilities, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, to the extent any of the Company's power purchasers are, or are controlled by, governmental entities, the Company's facilities may be subject to legislative or other political action that may impair their contractual performance.
The power generation industry is characterized by intense competition and the Company's electric generation assets encounter competition from utilities, industrial companies and other independent power producers, in particular with respect to uncontracted output. In recent years, there has been increasing competition among generators for offtake agreements and this has contributed to a reduction in electricity prices in certain markets characterized by excess supply above designated reserve margins. In light of these market conditions, the Company may not be able to replace an expiring or terminated agreement with an agreement on equivalent terms and conditions, including at prices that permit operation of the related facility on a profitable basis. In addition, the Company believes many of its competitors have well-established relationships with the Company's current and potential suppliers, lenders and customers and have extensive knowledge of its target markets. As a result, these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements than the Company will be able to. Adoption of technology more advanced than the Company's could reduce its competitors' power production costs resulting in their having a lower cost structure than is achievable with the technologies currently employed by the Company and adversely affect its ability to compete for offtake agreement renewals. If the Company is unable to replace an expiring or terminated offtake agreement, the affected facility may temporarily or permanently cease operations. External events, such as a severe economic downturn, could also impair the ability of some counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements and other customer agreements to pay for energy and/or other products and services received.
The Company's inability to enter into new or replacement offtake agreements or to compete successfully against current and future competitors in the markets in which the Company operates could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company’s facilities may operate, wholly or partially, without long-term power sales agreements.

The Company’s facilities may operate without long-term power sales agreements for some or all of their generating capacity and output and therefore be exposed to market fluctuations. Without the benefit of long-term power sales agreements for the facilities, the Company cannot be sure that it will be able to sell any or all of the power generated by the facilities at commercially attractive rates or that the facilities will be able to operate profitably. This could lead to less predictable revenues, future impairments of the Company's property, plant and equipment or to the closing of certain of its facilities, resulting in economic losses and liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

A portion of the steam and chilled water produced by the Company's thermal assets is sold at regulated rates, and the revenue earned by the Company's GenConn assets is established each year in a rate case; accordingly, the profitability of these assets is dependent on regulatory approval.
Approximately 378 net MWt of capacity from certain of the Company's thermal assets are sold at rates approved by one or more federal or state regulatory commissions, including the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission for the thermal assets. Similarly, the revenues related to approximately 380 MW of capacity from the GenConn assets are established each year by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. While such regulatory oversight is generally premised on the recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, the rates that the Company may charge, or the revenue that the Company may earn with respect to this capacity are subject to authorization of the applicable regulatory authorities. There can be no assurance that such regulatory authorities will consider all of the costs to have been prudently incurred or that the regulatory process by which rates or revenues are determined will always result in rates or revenues that achieve full recovery of costs or an adequate return on the Company's capital investments. While the Company's rates and revenues are generally established based on an analysis of costs incurred in a base year, the rates the Company is allowed

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to charge, and the revenues the Company is authorized to earn, may or may not match the costs at any given time. If the Company's costs are not adequately recovered through these regulatory processes, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Supplier and/or customer concentration at certain of the Company's facilities may expose the Company to significant financial credit or performance risks.
The Company often relies on a single contracted supplier or a small number of suppliers for the provision of fuel, transportation of fuel, equipment, technology and/or other services required for the operation of certain facilities. In addition, certain of the Company's suppliers provide long-term warranties with respect to the performance of their products or services. If any of these suppliers cannot perform under their agreements with the Company, or satisfy their related warranty obligations, the Company will need to utilize the marketplace to provide or repair these products and services. There can be no assurance that the marketplace can provide these products and services as, when and where required. The Company may not be able to enter into replacement agreements on favorable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to enter into replacement agreements to provide for fuel, equipment, technology and other required services, it would seek to purchase the related goods or services at market prices, exposing the Company to market price volatility and the risk that fuel and transportation may not be available during certain periods at any price. The Company may also be required to make significant capital contributions to remove, replace or redesign equipment that cannot be supported or maintained by replacement suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, credit support terms and cash flows.
In addition, potential or existing customers at the Company’s district energy centers and combined heat and power plants, or the Energy Centers, may opt for on-site systems in lieu of using the Company’s Energy Centers, either due to corporate policies regarding the allocation of capital, unique situations where an on-site system might in fact prove more efficient, because of previously committed capital in systems that are already on-site, or otherwise. At times, the Company relies on a single customer or a few customers to purchase all or a significant portion of a facility's output, in some cases under long-term agreements that account for a substantial percentage of the anticipated revenue from a given facility.
The failure of any supplier to fulfill its contractual obligations to the Company or the Company’s loss of potential or existing customers could have a material adverse effect on its financial results. Consequently, the financial performance of the Company's facilities is dependent on the credit quality of, and continued performance by, the Company's suppliers and vendors and the Company’s ability to solicit and retain customers.
The Company currently owns, and in the future may acquire, certain assets in which the Company has limited control over management decisions and its interests in such assets may be subject to transfer or other related restrictions.
As described in Item 15 - Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, the Company has limited control over the operation of certain of its assets, because the Company beneficially owns less than a majority of the membership interests in such assets. The Company may seek to acquire additional assets in which it owns less than a majority of the related membership interests in the future. In these investments, the Company will seek to exert a degree of influence with respect to the management and operation of assets in which it owns less than a majority of the membership interests by negotiating to obtain positions on management committees or to receive certain limited governance rights, such as rights to veto significant actions. However, the Company may not always succeed in such negotiations. The Company may be dependent on its co-venturers to operate such assets. The Company's co-venturers may not have the level of experience, technical expertise, human resources management and other attributes necessary to operate these assets optimally. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise in the future between the Company and its stockholders, on the one hand, and the Company's co-venturers, on the other hand, where the Company's co-venturers' business interests are inconsistent with the interests of the Company and its stockholders. Further, disagreements or disputes between the Company and its co-venturers could result in litigation, which could increase expenses and potentially limit the time and effort the Company's officers and directors are able to devote to the business.
The approval of co-venturers may also be required for the Company to receive distributions of funds from assets or to sell, pledge, transfer, assign or otherwise convey its interest in such assets, or for the Company to acquire NRG's interests in such co-ventures as an initial matter. Alternatively, the Company's co-venturers may have rights of first refusal or rights of first offer in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of the Company's interests in such assets. These restrictions may limit the price or interest level for interests in such assets, in the event the Company wants to sell such interests.
Furthermore, certain of the Company's facilities are operated by third-party operators, such as First Solar. To the extent that third-party operators do not fulfill their obligations to manage operations of the facilities or are not effective in doing so, the amount of CAFD may be adversely affected.

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The Company's assets are exposed to risks inherent in the use of interest rate swaps and forward fuel purchase contracts and the Company may be exposed to additional risks in the future if it utilizes other derivative instruments.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. In addition, the Company uses forward fuel purchase contracts to hedge its limited commodity exposure with respect to the Company's district energy assets. If the Company elects to enter into such commodity hedges, the related asset could recognize financial losses on these arrangements as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying commodities or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. If actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources are not available, the valuation of these contracts would involve judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. If the values of these financial contracts change in a manner that the Company does not anticipate, or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract, it could harm the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company's business is subject to restrictions resulting from environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.
The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. In addition, the Company may be held primarily or jointly and severally liable for costs relating to the investigation and clean-up of any property where there has been a release or threatened release of a hazardous regulated material as well as other affected properties, regardless of whether the Company knew of or caused the release. In addition to these costs, which are typically not limited by law or regulation and could exceed an affected property's value, the Company could be liable for certain other costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons, property or natural resources. Further, some environmental laws provide for the creation of a lien on a contaminated site in favor of the government as security for damages and any costs the government incurs in connection with such contamination and associated clean-up. Although the Company generally requires its operators to undertake to indemnify it for environmental liabilities they cause, the amount of such liabilities could exceed the financial ability of the operator to indemnify the Company. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may adversely affect the Company's ability to operate the business.
The Company does not own all of the land on which its power generation or thermal assets are located, which could result in disruption to its operations.
The Company does not own all of the land on which its power generation or thermal assets are located and the Company is, therefore, subject to the possibility of less desirable terms and increased costs to retain necessary land use if it does not have valid leases or rights-of-way or if such rights-of-way lapse or terminate. Although the Company has obtained rights to construct and operate these assets pursuant to related lease arrangements, the rights to conduct those activities are subject to certain exceptions, including the term of the lease arrangement. The Company is also at risk of condemnation on land it owns. The loss of these rights, through the Company's inability to renew right-of-way contracts, condemnation or otherwise, may adversely affect the Company's ability to operate its generation and thermal infrastructure assets.
The Company’s use and enjoyment of real property rights for its projects may be adversely affected by the rights of lienholders and leaseholders that are superior to those of the grantors of those real property rights to the Company.
Solar and wind projects generally are, and are likely to be, located on land occupied by the project pursuant to long-term easements and leases. The ownership interests in the land subject to these easements and leases may be subject to mortgages securing loans or other liens (such as tax liens) and other easement and lease rights of third parties (such as leases of oil or mineral rights) that were created prior to the project’s easements and leases. As a result, the project’s rights under these easements or leases may be subject, and subordinate, to the rights of those third parties. The Company performs title searches and obtains title insurance to protect itself against these risks. Such measures may, however, be inadequate to protect the Company against all risk of loss of its rights to use the land on which the wind projects are located, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.


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The electric generation business is subject to substantial governmental regulation and may be adversely affected by changes in laws or regulations, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or other legal requirements.
The Company's electric generation business is subject to extensive U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Compliance with the requirements under these various regulatory regimes may cause the Company to incur significant additional costs, and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the shutdown of the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines, and/or civil or criminal liability. Public utilities under the FPA are required to obtain FERC acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services. Except for generating facilities within the footprint of ERCOT which are regulated by the PUCT, all of the Company’s assets make wholesale sales of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services in interstate commerce and are public utilities for purposes of the FPA, unless otherwise exempt from such status. FERC's orders that grant market-based rate authority to wholesale power marketers reserve the right to revoke or revise that authority if FERC subsequently determines that the seller can exercise market power in transmission or generation, create barriers to entry, or engage in abusive affiliate transactions. In addition, public utilities are subject to FERC reporting requirements that impose administrative burdens and that, if violated, can expose the company to criminal and civil penalties or other risks.
The Company's market-based sales will be subject to certain rules prohibiting manipulative or deceptive conduct, and if any of the Company's generating companies are deemed to have violated those rules, they will be subject to potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation, penalties, suspension or revocation of market based rate authority. If such generating companies were to lose their market-based rate authority, such companies would be required to obtain FERC's acceptance of a cost-of-service rate schedule and could become subject to the significant accounting, record-keeping, and reporting requirements that are imposed on utilities with cost-based rate schedules. This could have a material adverse effect on the rates the Company is able to charge for power from its facilities.
Most of the Company's assets are operating as EWGs as defined under the PUHCA, or QFs as defined under the PURPA, as amended, and therefore are exempt from certain regulation under the PUHCA and the PURPA. If a facility fails to maintain its status as an EWG or a QF or there are legislative or regulatory changes revoking or limiting the exemptions to the PUHCA, then the Company may be subject to significant accounting, record-keeping, access to books and records and reporting requirements and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the imposition of penalties and additional compliance obligations.
Substantially all of the Company's generation assets are also subject to the reliability standards promulgated by the designated Electric Reliability Organization (currently the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC) and approved by FERC. If the Company fails to comply with the mandatory reliability standards, it could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties and increased compliance obligations. The Company will also be affected by legislative and regulatory changes, as well as changes to market design, market rules, tariffs, cost allocations and bidding rules that occur in the existing regional markets operated by RTOs or ISOs, such as PJM. The RTOs/ISOs that oversee most of the wholesale power markets impose, and in the future may continue to impose, mitigation, including price limitations, offer caps, non-performance penalties and other mechanisms to address some of the volatility and the potential exercise of market power in these markets. These types of price limitations and other regulatory mechanisms may have a material adverse effect on the profitability of the Company's generation facilities acquired in the future that sell energy, capacity and ancillary products into the wholesale power markets. The regulatory environment for electric generation has undergone significant changes in the last several years due to state and federal policies affecting wholesale competition and the creation of incentives for the addition of large amounts of new renewable generation and, in some cases, transmission assets. These changes are ongoing and the Company cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on the Company's business. In addition, in some of these markets, interested parties have proposed to re-regulate the markets or require divestiture of electric generation assets by asset owners or operators to reduce their market share. Other proposals to re-regulate may be made and legislative or other attention to the electric power market restructuring process may delay or reverse the deregulation process. If competitive restructuring of the electric power markets is reversed, discontinued, or delayed, the Company's business prospects and financial results could be negatively impacted.

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The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that impose extensive and increasingly stringent requirements on its operations, as well as potentially substantial liabilities arising out of environmental contamination.
The Company's assets are subject to numerous and significant federal, state and local laws, including statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies, directives and other requirements governing or relating to, among other things: protection of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; air emissions; discharges into water; water use; the storage, handling, use, transportation and distribution of dangerous goods and hazardous, residual and other regulated materials, such as chemicals; the prevention of releases of hazardous materials into the environment; the prevention, presence and remediation of hazardous materials in soil and groundwater, both on and offsite; land use and zoning matters; and workers' health and safety matters. The Company's facilities could experience incidents, malfunctions and other unplanned events that could result in spills or emissions in excess of permitted levels and result in personal injury, penalties and property damage. As such, the operation of the Company's facilities carries an inherent risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities (including potential civil actions, compliance or remediation orders, fines and other penalties), and may result in the assets being involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings relating to such matters. The Company has implemented environmental, health and safety management programs designed to continually improve environmental, health and safety performance. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become more stringent over time, although this trend could change in the near term under the new U.S. presidential administration. Significant costs may be incurred for capital expenditures under environmental programs to keep the assets compliant with such environmental laws and regulations. If it is not economical to make those expenditures, it may be necessary to retire or mothball facilities or restrict or modify the Company's operations to comply with more stringent standards. These environmental requirements and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Risks that are beyond the Company's control, including but not limited to acts of terrorism or related acts of war, natural disaster, hostile cyber intrusions or other catastrophic events, could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company's generation facilities that were acquired or those that the Company otherwise acquires or constructs and the facilities of third parties on which they rely may be targets of terrorist activities, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with them, that could cause environmental repercussions and/or result in full or partial disruption of the facilities ability to generate, transmit, transport or distribute electricity or natural gas. Strategic targets, such as energy-related facilities, may be at greater risk of future terrorist activities than other domestic targets. Hostile cyber intrusions, including those targeting information systems as well as electronic control systems used at the generating plants and for the related distribution systems, could severely disrupt business operations and result in loss of service to customers, as well as create significant expense to repair security breaches or system damage.
Furthermore, certain of the Company's power generation thermal assets are located in active earthquake zones in California and Arizona, and certain project companies and suppliers conduct their operations in the same region or in other locations that are susceptible to natural disasters. In addition, California and some of the locations where certain suppliers are located, from time to time, have experienced shortages of water, electric power and natural gas. The occurrence of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, drought, flood or localized extended outages of critical utilities or transportation systems, or any critical resource shortages, affecting the Company or its suppliers, could cause a significant interruption in the business, damage or destroy the Company's facilities or those of its suppliers or the manufacturing equipment or inventory of the Company's suppliers. Any such terrorist acts, environmental repercussions or disruptions or natural disasters could result in a significant decrease in revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, beyond what could be recovered through insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The operation of the Company’s businesses is subject to cyber-based security and integrity risk.
Numerous functions affecting the efficient operation of the Company’s businesses are dependent on the secure and reliable storage, processing and communication of electronic data and the use of sophisticated computer hardware and software systems. The operation of the Company's generating assets are reliant on cyber-based technologies and, therefore, subject to the risk that such systems could be the target of disruptive actions, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, or otherwise be compromised by unintentional events. As a result, operations could be interrupted, property could be damaged and sensitive customer information could be lost or stolen, causing the Company to incur significant losses of revenues, other substantial liabilities and damages, costs to replace or repair damaged equipment and damage to the Company's reputation. In addition, the Company may experience increased capital and operating costs to implement increased security for its cyber systems and generating assets.

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Government regulations providing incentives for renewable generation could change at any time and such changes may negatively impact the Company's growth strategy.
The Company's growth strategy depends in part on government policies that support renewable generation and enhance the economic viability of owning renewable electric generation assets. Renewable generation assets currently benefit from various federal, state and local governmental incentives such as ITCs, cash grants in lieu of ITCs, loan guarantees, RPS, programs, modified accelerated cost-recovery system of depreciation and bonus depreciation. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress enacted an extension of the 30% solar ITC so that projects that began construction in 2016 through 2019 will continue to qualify for the 30% ITC.  Projects beginning construction in 2020 and 2021 will be eligible for the ITC at the rates of 26% and 22%, respectively.  The same legislation also extended the 10-year wind PTC for wind projects that began construction in years 2016 through 2019.  Wind projects that begin construction in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 are eligible for PTC at 80%, 60% and 40% of the statutory rate per kWh, respectively.
Many states have adopted RPS programs mandating that a specified percentage of electricity sales come from eligible sources of renewable energy. However, the regulations that govern the RPS programs, including pricing incentives for renewable energy, or reasonableness guidelines for pricing that increase valuation compared to conventional power (such as a projected value for carbon reduction or consideration of avoided integration costs), may change. If the RPS requirements are reduced or eliminated, it could lead to fewer future power contracts or lead to lower prices for the sale of power in future power contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future growth prospects. Such material adverse effects may result from decreased revenues, reduced economic returns on certain project company investments, increased financing costs, and/or difficulty obtaining financing. Furthermore, the ARRA included incentives to encourage investment in the renewable energy sector, such as cash grants in lieu of ITCs, bonus depreciation and expansion of the U.S. DOE loan guarantee program. It is uncertain what loan guarantees may be made by the U.S. DOE loan guarantee program in the future. In addition, the cash grant in lieu of ITCs program only applies to facilities that commenced construction prior to December 31, 2011, which commencement date may be determined in accordance with the safe harbor if more than 5% of the total cost of the eligible property was paid or incurred by December 31, 2011.
If the Company is unable to utilize various federal, state and local government incentives to acquire additional renewable assets in the future, or the terms of such incentives are revised in a manner that is less favorable to the Company, it may suffer a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company relies on electric interconnection and transmission facilities that it does not own or control and that are subject to transmission constraints within a number of the Company's regions. If these facilities fail to provide the Company with adequate transmission capacity, it may be restricted in its ability to deliver electric power to its customers and may either incur additional costs or forego revenues.
The Company depends on electric interconnection and transmission facilities owned and operated by others to deliver the wholesale power it will sell from its electric generation assets to its customers. A failure or delay in the operation or development of these interconnection or transmission facilities or a significant increase in the cost of the development of such facilities could result in lost revenues. Such failures or delays could limit the amount of power the Company's operating facilities deliver or delay the completion of the Company's construction projects. Additionally, such failures, delays or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations. If a region's power transmission infrastructure is inadequate, the Company's recovery of wholesale costs and profits may be limited. If restrictive transmission price regulation is imposed, the transmission companies may not have a sufficient incentive to invest in expansion of transmission infrastructure. The Company also cannot predict whether interconnection and transmission facilities will be expanded in specific markets to accommodate competitive access to those markets. In addition, certain of the Company's operating facilities' generation of electricity may be curtailed without compensation due to transmission limitations or limitations on the electricity grid's ability to accommodate intermittent electricity generating sources, reducing the Company's revenues and impairing its ability to capitalize fully on a particular facility's generating potential. Such curtailments could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, economic congestion on transmission networks in certain of the markets in which the Company operates may occur and the Company may be deemed responsible for congestion costs. If the Company were liable for such congestion costs, its financial results could be adversely affected.

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The Company's costs, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely impacted by the disruption of the fuel supplies necessary to generate power at its conventional and thermal power generation facilities.
Delivery of fossil fuels to fuel the Company's conventional and thermal generation facilities is dependent upon the infrastructure (including natural gas pipelines) available to serve each such generation facility as well as upon the continuing financial viability of contractual counterparties. As a result, the Company is subject to the risks of disruptions or curtailments in the production of power at these generation facilities if a counterparty fails to perform or if there is a disruption in the fuel delivery infrastructure.
If the Company is deemed to be an investment company, the Company may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and the Company's activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for the Company to complete strategic acquisitions or effect combinations.
              If the Company is deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act, the Company's business would be subject to applicable restrictions under the Investment Company Act, which could make it impracticable for the Company to continue its business as contemplated.
              The Company believes it is not an investment company under Section 3(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act because the Company is primarily engaged in a non-investment company business. The Company intends to conduct its operations so that the Company will not be deemed an investment company. However, if the Company were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act, including limitations on the Company's capital structure and the Company's ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for the Company to continue its business as contemplated.
The Company depends on key management employees.
 
The Company believes its current operations and future success depend largely on the continued services of the management employees that it employs, in particular Christopher Sotos, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chad Plotkin, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Although the Company has access to the resources of NRG, the loss of Mr. Sotos’ or Mr. Plotkin’s services, or other key management personnel employed by the Company in the future, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to the Company's Relationship with NRG
NRG exercises substantial influence over the Company through its position as controlling shareholder of Yield, Inc. The Company is highly dependent on NRG.
NRG owns all of the outstanding Class B and Class D common stock of Yield, Inc. and owns 55.1% of the combined voting power of Yield, Inc. as of December 31, 2016. NRG has also expressed its intention to maintain a controlling interest in Yield, Inc. As a result of NRG's ownership of Yield, Inc. and Yield, Inc.'s position as sole managing member of the Company, NRG has a substantial influence on the Company's affairs and its voting power will constitute a large percentage of any quorum of Yield, Inc.'s stockholders voting on any matter requiring the approval of its stockholders. Such matters include approval of mergers or sale of all or substantially all of its assets. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Yield, Inc. or discouraging others from making tender offers for their shares. In addition, NRG has the right to elect all of Yield, Inc.'s directors. NRG may cause corporate actions to be taken even if their interests conflict with the interests of Yield, Inc.'s other stockholders.
Furthermore, the Company depends on the management and administration services provided by or under the direction of NRG under the Management Services Agreement. NRG personnel and support staff that provide services to the Company under the Management Services Agreement are not required to, and the Company does not expect that they will, have as their primary responsibility the management and administration of the Company or to act exclusively for the Company and the Management Services Agreement does not require any specific individuals to be provided by NRG. Under the Management Services Agreement, NRG has the discretion to determine which of its employees perform assignments required to be provided to the Company. Any failure to effectively manage the Company's operations or to implement its strategy could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Management Services Agreement will continue in perpetuity, until terminated in accordance with its terms.
The Company also depends upon NRG for the provision of management, administration and certain other services at all of the Company's facilities and contracts with NRG, or its subsidiaries, to procure fuel and sell power for certain of its operating facilities. Any failure by NRG to perform its requirements under these arrangements or the failure by the Company to identify and contract with replacement service providers, if required, could adversely affect the operation of the Company's facilities and have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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The Company may not be able to consummate future acquisitions from NRG.
The Company's ability to grow through acquisitions depends, in part, on NRG's ability to identify and present the Company with acquisition opportunities. NRG established the Company to hold and acquire a diversified suite of power generating assets in the U.S. and its territories. Although NRG has agreed to grant the Company a right of first offer with respect to certain power generation assets that NRG may elect to sell in the future, NRG is under no obligation to sell any such power generation assets or to accept any related offer from the Company. Furthermore, NRG has no obligation to source acquisition opportunities specifically for the Company. In addition, NRG has not agreed to commit any minimum level of dedicated resources for the pursuit of renewable power-related acquisitions. There are a number of factors which could materially and adversely impact the extent to which suitable acquisition opportunities are made available from NRG, including:
the same professionals within NRG's organization that are involved in acquisitions that are suitable for the Company have responsibilities within NRG's broader asset management business, which may include sourcing acquisition opportunities for NRG. Limits on the availability of such individuals will likewise result in a limitation on the availability of acquisition opportunities for the Company; and
in addition to structural limitations, the question of whether a particular asset is suitable is highly subjective and is dependent on a number of factors including an assessment by NRG relating to the Company's liquidity position at the time, the risk profile of the opportunity and its fit with the balance of the Company's then current operations and other factors. If NRG determines that an opportunity is not suitable for the Company, it may still pursue such opportunity on its own behalf, or on behalf of another NRG affiliate.
In making these determinations, NRG may be influenced by factors that result in a misalignment with the Company's interests or conflict of interest.
The departure of some or all of NRG's employees could prevent the Company from achieving its objectives.
The Company depends on the diligence, skill and business contacts of NRG's professionals and the information and opportunities they generate during the normal course of their activities. Furthermore, approximately 30% of NRG's employees at the Company's generation plants are covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2016. The Company's future success will depend on the continued service of these individuals, who are not obligated to remain employed with NRG, or otherwise successfully renegotiate their collective bargaining agreements when such agreements expire or otherwise terminate. NRG has experienced departures of key professionals and personnel in the past and may do so in the future, and the Company cannot predict the impact that any such departures will have on its ability to achieve its objectives. The Management Services Agreement does not require NRG to maintain the employment of any of its professionals or to cause any particular professional to provide services to the Company or on its behalf. The departure of a significant number of NRG's professionals or a material portion of the NRG employees who work at any of the Company's facilities for any reason, or the failure to appoint qualified or effective successors in the event of such departures, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve its objectives.
The Company's organizational and ownership structure may create significant conflicts of interest that may be resolved in a manner that is not in the best interests of the Company and that may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company's organizational and ownership structure involves a number of relationships that may give rise to certain conflicts of interest between the Company and NRG. Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement with NRG, certain of the Company's executive officers are shared NRG executives and devote their time to both the Company and NRG as needed to conduct the respective businesses. Although the Company's directors and executive officers owe fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders, these shared NRG executives have fiduciary and other duties to NRG, which duties may be inconsistent with the Company's best interests. In addition, NRG and its representatives, agents and affiliates have access to the Company's confidential information. Although some of these persons are subject to confidentiality obligations pursuant to confidentiality agreements or implied duties of confidence, the Management Services Agreement does not contain general confidentiality provisions.
Additionally, all of the Company's executive officers continue to have economic interests in NRG and, accordingly, the benefit to NRG from a transaction between the Company and NRG will proportionately inure to their benefit as holders of economic interests in NRG. NRG is a related person under the applicable securities laws governing related person transactions and may have interests which differ from the Company's interests, including with respect to the types of acquisitions made, the timing and amount of distributions by the Company, the reinvestment of returns generated by the Company's operations, the use of leverage when making acquisitions and the appointment of outside advisors and service providers. Any material transaction between the Company and NRG will be subject to the Company's related person transaction policy, which will require prior approval of such transaction by the Company's board committees. Those of the Company's executive officers who have economic interests in NRG

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may be conflicted when advising the Company's board committees or otherwise participating in the negotiation or approval of such transactions. These executive officers have significant project- and industry-specific expertise that could prove beneficial to the Company's decision-making process and the absence of such strategic guidance could have a material adverse effect on the board committees' ability to evaluate any such transaction. Furthermore, the creation of board committees and the Company's related person transaction approval policy may not insulate the Company from derivative claims with respect to related person transactions and the conflicts of interest described in this risk factor. Regardless of the merits of such claims, the Company may be required to expend significant management time and financial resources in the defense thereof. Additionally, to the extent the Company fails to appropriately deal with any such conflicts, it could negatively impact the Company's reputation and ability to raise additional funds and the willingness of counterparties to do business with the Company, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company may be unable or unwilling to terminate the Management Services Agreement.
The Management Services Agreement provides that the Company may terminate the agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to NRG upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) NRG defaults in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or covenant contained therein in a manner that results in material harm to the Company and the default continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof is given to NRG; (ii) NRG engages in any act of fraud, misappropriation of funds or embezzlement that results in material harm to the Company; (iii) NRG is grossly negligent in the performance of its duties under the agreement and such negligence results in material harm to the Company; or (iv) upon the happening of certain events relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of NRG. Furthermore, if the Company requests an amendment to the scope of services provided by NRG under the Management Services Agreement and is not able to agree with NRG as to a change to the service fee resulting from a change in the scope of services within 180 days of the request, the Company will be able to terminate the agreement upon 30 days prior notice to NRG. The Company will not be able to terminate the agreement for any other reason, including if NRG experiences a change of control, and the agreement continues in perpetuity, until terminated in accordance with its terms.
If NRG terminates the Management Services Agreement or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, the Company may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms, or at all.
The Company relies on NRG to provide management services under the Management Services Agreement and has limited executive or senior management personnel independent from NRG. The Management Services Agreement provides that NRG may terminate the agreement upon 180 days prior written notice of termination to the Company if it defaults in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or covenant contained in the agreement in a manner that results in material harm and the default continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice of the breach is given. If NRG terminates the Management Services Agreement or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, the Company may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms or at all, and the costs of substituting service providers may be substantial. In addition, in light of NRG's familiarity with the Company's assets, a substitute service provider may not be able to provide the same level of service due to lack of pre-existing synergies. If the Company cannot locate a service provider that is able to provide substantially similar services as NRG does under the Management Services Agreement on similar terms, it would likely have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.
The liability of NRG is limited under the Company's arrangements with it and the Company has agreed to indemnify NRG against claims that it may face in connection with such arrangements, which may lead NRG to assume greater risks when making decisions relating to the Company than it otherwise might if acting solely for its own account.
Under the Management Services Agreement, NRG does not assume any responsibility other than to provide or arrange for the provision of the services described in the Management Services Agreement in good faith. In addition, under the Management Services Agreement, the liability of NRG and its affiliates is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law to conduct involving bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, action that was known to have been unlawful. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify NRG to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses incurred by an indemnified person or threatened in connection with the Company's operations, investments and activities or in respect of or arising from the Management Services Agreement or the services provided by NRG, except to the extent that the claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses are determined to have resulted from the conduct in respect of which such persons have liability as described above. These protections may result in NRG tolerating greater risks when making decisions than otherwise might be the case, including when determining whether to use leverage in connection with acquisitions. The indemnification arrangements to which NRG is a party may also give rise to legal claims for indemnification that are adverse to the Company.

25

                                                


Certain of the Company’s PPAs and project-level financing arrangements include provisions that would permit the counterparty to terminate the contract or accelerate maturity in the event NRG ceases to control or own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting power of the Company.
 
Certain of the Company’s PPAs and project-level financing arrangements contain change in control provisions that provide the counterparty with a termination right or the ability to accelerate maturity in the event of a change of control of the Company without the counterparty's consent. These provisions are triggered in the event NRG ceases to own, directly or indirectly, capital stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of all of Yield, Inc.’s capital stock outstanding on such date, or, in some cases, if NRG ceases to be the majority owner, directly or indirectly, of the applicable project subsidiary. As a result, if NRG ceases to control, or in some cases, own a majority of the voting power of the Company, the counterparties could terminate such contracts or accelerate the maturity of such financing arrangements. The termination of any of the Company’s PPAs or the acceleration of the maturity of any of the Company’s project-level financing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

26

                                                


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Annual Report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield LLC, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, 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" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company'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. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the factors described under Item 1A — Risk Factors and the following:
The Company's ability to maintain and grow its quarterly distributions;
The Company's ability to successfully identify, evaluate and consummate acquisitions from third parties;
The Company's ability to acquire assets from NRG;
The Company's ability to raise additional capital due to its indebtedness, corporate structure, market conditions or otherwise;
Hazards customary to the power production industry and power generation operations such as fuel and electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions (including wind and solar 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 the Company may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards;
The Company's ability to operate its businesses efficiently, manage maintenance capital expenditures and costs effectively, and generate earnings and cash flows from its asset-based businesses in relation to its debt and other obligations;
The willingness and ability of counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements to fulfill their obligations under such agreements;
The Company's ability to enter into contracts to sell power and procure fuel on acceptable terms and prices as current offtake agreements expire;
Government regulation, including compliance with regulatory requirements and changes in market rules, rates, tariffs and environmental laws;
Changes in law, including judicial decisions;
Operating and financial restrictions placed on the Company and its subsidiaries that are contained in the project-level debt facilities and other agreements of certain subsidiaries and project-level subsidiaries generally, in the NRG Yield Operating LLC revolving credit facility and in the indentures governing the Senior Notes; and
The Company's ability to borrow additional funds and access capital markets, as well as the Company's substantial indebtedness and the possibility that the Company may incur additional indebtedness going forward.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be construed as exhaustive.
Item 1B — Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

27

                                                


Item 2 — Properties
Listed below are descriptions of the Company's interests in facilities, operations and/or projects owned or leased as of December 31, 2016.
 
 
 
 
Capacity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated MW
 
Net MW(a)
 
Owner-ship
 
 
 
 
 
PPA Terms
Assets
 
Location
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
COD
 
Counterparty
 
Expiration
Conventional
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
El Segundo
 
El Segundo, CA
 
550

 
550

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
August 2013
 
Southern California Edison
 
2023
GenConn Devon
 
Milford, CT
 
190

 
95

 
50
%
 
Natural Gas/Oil
 
June 2010
 
Connecticut Light & Power
 
2040
GenConn Middletown
 
Middletown, CT
 
190

 
95

 
50
%
 
Natural Gas/Oil
 
June 2011
 
Connecticut Light & Power
 
2041
Marsh Landing
 
Antioch, CA
 
720

 
720

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
May 2013
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2023
Walnut Creek
 
City of Industry, CA
 
485

 
485

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
May 2013
 
Southern California Edison
 
2023
Total Conventional
 
2,135

 
1,945

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility Scale Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alpine
 
Lancaster, CA
 
66

 
66

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
January 2013
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2033
Avenal
 
Avenal, CA
 
45

 
23

 
50
%
 
Solar
 
August 2011
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2031
Avra Valley
 
Pima County, AZ
 
26

 
26

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
December 2012
 
Tucson Electric Power
 
2032
Blythe
 
Blythe, CA
 
21

 
21

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
December 2009
 
Southern California Edison
 
2029
Borrego
 
Borrego Springs, CA
 
26

 
26

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
February 2013
 
San Diego Gas and Electric
 
2038
CVSR
 
San Luis Obispo, CA
 
250

 
250

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
October 2013
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2038
Desert Sunlight 250
 
Desert Center, California
 
250

 
63

 
25
%
 
Solar
 
December 2013
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Desert Sunlight 300
 
Desert Center, California
 
300

 
75

 
25
%
 
Solar
 
December 2013
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2040
Kansas South
 
Lemoore, CA
 
20

 
20

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
June 2013
 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2033
Roadrunner
 
Santa Teresa, NM
 
20

 
20

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
August 2011
 
El Paso Electric
 
2031
TA High Desert
 
Lancaster, CA
 
20

 
20

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
March 2013
 
Southern California Edison
 
2033
Total Utility Scale Solar
 
1,044

 
610

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributed Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AZ DG Solar Projects
 
AZ
 
5

 
5

 
100
%
 
Solar
 
December 2010 - January 2013
 
Various
 
2025 - 2033
PFMG DG Solar Projects
 
CA
 
9

 
4

 
51
%
 
Solar
 
October 2012 - December 2012
 
Various
 
2032
Total Distributed Solar
 
14

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wind
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alta I
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
150

 
150

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
December 2010
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta II
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
150

 
150

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
December 2010
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta III
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
150

 
150

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
February 2011
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta IV
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
102

 
102

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
March 2011
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta V
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
168

 
168

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
April 2011
 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta X (b)
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
137

 
137

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
February 2014
 
Southern California Edison
 
2038
Alta XI (b)
 
Tehachapi, CA
 
90

 
90

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
February 2014
 
Southern California Edison
 
2038

28

                                                


 
 
 
 
Capacity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rated MW
 
Net MW
 
Ownership
 
 
 
 
 
PPA Terms
Assets
 
Location
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
COD
 
Counterparty
 
Expiration
Buffalo Bear
 
Buffalo, OK
 
19

 
19

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
December 2008
 
Western Farmers Electric Co-operative
 
2033
Crosswinds (b)
 
Ayrshire, IA
 
21

 
16

 
74.3
%
 
Wind
 
June 2007
 
Corn Belt Power Cooperative
 
2027
Elbow Creek (b)
 
Howard County, TX
 
122

 
92

 
75
%
 
Wind
 
December 2008
 
NRG Power Marketing LLC
 
2022
Elkhorn Ridge (b)
 
Bloomfield, NE
 
54

 
41

 
50.3
%
 
Wind
 
March 2009
 
Nebraska Public Power District
 
2029
Forward (b)
 
Berlin, PA
 
29

 
22

 
75
%
 
Wind
 
April 2008
 
Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
 
2017
Goat Wind (b)
 
Sterling City, TX
 
150

 
113

 
74.9
%
 
Wind
 
April 2008/June 2009
 
Dow Pipeline Company
 
2025
Hardin (b)
 
Jefferson, IA
 
15

 
11

 
74.3
%
 
Wind
 
May 2007
 
Interstate Power and Light Company
 
2027
Laredo Ridge
 
Petersburg, NE
 
80

 
80

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
February 2011
 
Nebraska Public Power District
 
2031
Lookout (b)
 
Berlin, PA
 
38

 
29

 
75
%
 
Wind
 
October 2008
 
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
 
2030
Odin (b)
 
Odin, MN
 
20

 
15

 
74.9
%
 
Wind
 
June 2008
 
Missouri River Energy Services
 
2028
Pinnacle
 
Keyser, WV
 
55

 
55

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
December 2011
 
Maryland Department of General Services and University System of Maryland
 
2031
San Juan Mesa (b)
 
Elida, NM
 
90

 
68

 
56.3
%
 
Wind
 
December 2005
 
Southwestern Public Service Company
 
2025
Sleeping Bear (b)
 
Woodward, OK
 
95

 
71

 
75
%
 
Wind
 
October 2007
 
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
 
2032
South Trent
 
Sweetwater, TX
 
101

 
101

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
January 2009
 
AEP Energy Partners
 
2029
Spanish Fork (b)
 
Spanish Fork, UT
 
19

 
14

 
75
%
 
Wind
 
July 2008
 
PacifiCorp
 
2028
Spring Canyon II (b)
 
Logan County, CO
 
32

 
29

 
90.1
%
 
Wind
 
October 2014
 
Platte River Power Authority
 
2039
Spring Canyon III(b)
 
Logan County, CO
 
28

 
25

 
90.1
%
 
Wind
 
December 2014
 
Platte River Power Authority
 
2039
Taloga
 
Putnam, OK
 
130

 
130

 
100
%
 
Wind
 
July 2011
 
Oklahoma Gas & Electric
 
2031
Wildorado (b)
 
Vega, TX
 
161

 
121

 
74.9
%
 
Wind
 
April 2007
 
Southwestern Public Service Company
 
2027
Total Wind
 
2,206

 
1,999

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thermal Generation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dover
 
Dover, DE
 
103

 
103

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
June 2013
 
NRG Power Marketing LLC
 
2018
Paxton Creek Cogen
 
Harrisburg, PA 
 
12

 
12

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
November 1986
 
Power sold into PJM markets
Princeton Hospital
 
Princeton, NJ
 
5

 
5

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
January 2012
 
Excess power sold to local utility
Tucson Convention Center
 
Tucson, AZ
 
2

 
2

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
January 2003
 
Excess power sold to local utility
University of Bridgeport
 
Bridgeport, CT
 
1

 
1

 
100
%
 
Natural Gas
 
April 2015
 
University of Bridgeport
 
2034
Total Thermal Generation
 
123

 
123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total NRG Yield, Inc. (c)
 
5,522

 
4,686

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

29

                                                


(a) Net capacity represents the maximum, or rated, generating capacity of the facility multiplied by the Company's percentage ownership in the facility as of December 31, 2016.
(b) Projects are part of tax equity arrangements, as further described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
(c) NRG Yield's total generation capacity is net of 6 MWs for noncontrolling interest for Spring Canyon II and III. NRG Yield's generation capacity including this noncontrolling interest was 4,692 MWs.
In addition to the facilities owned or leased in the table above, the Company entered into partnerships to own or purchase solar power generation projects, as well as other ancillary related assets from a related party via intermediate funds.  The Company does not consolidate these partnerships and accounts for them as equity method investments. The Company's net interest in these projects is 131 MW based on cash to be distributed. For further discussions, refer to Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Company's thermal steam and chilled water facilities as of December 31, 2016:
Name and Location of Facility
 
Thermal Energy Purchaser
 
% Owned
 
Rated Megawatt
Thermal
Equivalent
Capacity (MWt)
 
Net Megawatt
Thermal
Equivalent
Capacity (MWt)
 
Generating
Capacity
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis, MN
 
Approx. 100 steam and 55 chilled water customers
 
100
 
322
136

 
322
136

 
Steam: 1,100 MMBtu/hr.
Chilled water: 38,700 tons
NRG Energy Center
San Francisco, CA
 
Approx. 180 steam customers
 
100
 
133

 
133

 
Steam: 454 MMBtu/hr.
NRG Energy Center
Omaha, NE
 
Approx. 60 steam and 65 chilled water customers
 
100
12
(a)
100
0
(a)
 
142
73
77
26

 
142
9
77
0

 
Steam: 485 MMBtu/hr
Steam: 250 MMBtu/hr
Chilled water: 22,000 tons
Chilled water: 7,250 tons
NRG Energy Center Harrisburg, PA
 
Approx. 130 steam and 5 chilled water customers
 
100
 
108
13

 
108
13

 
Steam: 370 MMBtu/hr.
Chilled water: 3,600 tons
NRG Energy Center Phoenix, AZ
 
Approx. 35 chilled water customers
 
24(a)
100
12
(a)
0
(a)
 
5
104
14
28

 
1
104
2
0

 
Steam: 17 MMBtu/hr
Chilled water: 29,600 tons
Chilled water: 3,920 tons
Chilled water: 8,000 tons
NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA
 
Approx. 25 steam and 25 chilled water customers
 
100
 
88
49

 
88
49

 
Steam: 302 MMBtu/hr.
Chilled water: 13,874 tons
NRG Energy Center
San Diego, CA
 
Approx. 20 chilled water customers
 
100
 
31

 
31

 
Chilled water: 8,825 tons
NRG Energy Center
Dover, DE
 
Kraft Heinz Company; Proctor and Gamble
 
100
 
66

 
66

 
Steam: 225 MMBtu/hr.
NRG Energy Center Princeton, NJ
 
Princeton HealthCare System
 
100
 
21
17

 
21
17

 
Steam: 72 MMBtu/hr.
Chilled water: 4,700 tons
 
 
Total Generating Capacity (MWt)
 
 
 
1,453

 
1,319

 
 
 
(a) Net MWt capacity excludes 134 MWt available under the right-to-use provisions contained in agreements between two of the Company's thermal facilities and certain of its customers.
Other Properties
Through the Management Services Agreement with NRG, the Company utilizes NRG's leased corporate headquarters offices at 804 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey.

30

                                                


Item 3 — Legal Proceedings
See Item 15 Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party.
Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.


31


PART II
Item 5 — Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information and Holders
As of the date of this report, there is no publicly-traded market for the Company's membership units. All of the Company's Class A and Class C units are held by Yield, Inc. and all of the Company's Class B and Class D units are held by NRG.
Distributions
The following table lists the distributions paid on the Company's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Fourth Quarter 2016
 
Third Quarter 2016
 
Second Quarter 2016
 
First Quarter 2016
Distributions per Class A and Class B unit
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

Distributions per Class C and Class D unit
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly distribution on its Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units of $0.26 per unit payable on March 15, 2017.

32

                                                


Item 6 — Selected Financial Data
The following table presents the Company's historical selected financial data, which has been recast to include the Drop Down Assets, as if the transfers had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period, or from the date the respective entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). The acquisitions are further described in Item 15 Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, for all periods prior to the formation of the Company, the data below reflects the Company's accounting predecessor, or NRG Yield, the financial statements of which were prepared on a ''carve-out'' basis from NRG and are intended to represent the financial results of the contracted renewable energy and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. that were acquired by the Company on July 22, 2013. For all periods subsequent to the formation of the Company, the data below reflects the Company's consolidated financial results.
This historical data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto in Item 15 and Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Fiscal year ended December 31,
(In millions)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Statement of Income Data:
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
1,021

 
$
953

 
$
828

 
$
434

 
$
186

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of operations
306

 
321

 
277

 
154

 
118

Depreciation and amortization
297

 
297

 
233

 
92

 
39

Impairment losses
183

 

 

 

 

General and administrative
14

 
10

 
8

 
7

 
7

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs
1

 
3

 
4

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses
801

 
631


522


253


164

Operating Income
220

 
322


306


181


22

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
37

 
26

 
17

 
20

 
19

Other income, net
3

 
3

 
6

 
4

 
3

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
(9
)
 
(1
)
 

 

Interest expense
(262
)
 
(254
)
 
(211
)
 
(72
)
 
(29
)
Total other expense, net
(222
)
 
(234
)
 
(189
)
 
(48
)
 
(7
)
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes
(2
)
 
88

 
117

 
133

 
15

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

 
(3
)
 
10

Net (Loss) Income
(2
)
 
88

 
117

 
$
136

 
$
5

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(142
)
 
(51
)
 
3

 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
140

 
$
139

 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Capital expenditures
$
20

 
$
29

 
$
60

 
$
782

 
$
1,398

Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating activities
$
560

 
$
404

 
$
362

 
$
168

 
$
57

    Investing activities
(161
)
 
(1,108
)
 
(739
)
 
(965
)
 
(1,421
)
    Financing activities
(193
)
 
385

 
747

 
834

 
1,362

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents
$
316

 
$
110

 
$
429

 
$
59

 
$
22

  Property, plant and equipment, net
5,460

 
5,878

 
6,009

 
3,388

 
3,392

  Total assets
8,167

 
8,522

 
8,661

 
4,582

 
3,790

  Long-term debt, including current maturities
5,728

 
5,625

 
5,748

 
2,849

 
1,880

  Total liabilities
6,032

 
5,982

 
6,078

 
3,138

 
2,449

  Total members' equity
$
2,135

 
$
2,540

 
$
2,583

 
$
1,444

 
$
1,341


33

                                                


Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations
The following discussion analyzes the Company's historical financial condition and results of operations, which were recast to include the effect of the Drop Down Assets acquired on June 30, 2014, January 2, 2015, November 3, 2015, and September 1, 2016. As further discussed in Item 15 — Note 1, Nature of Business, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the purchases of these assets were accounted for in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues, whereas the assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and, accordingly, were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash proceeds and historical value of the net assets was recorded as a distribution to/from NRG and offset to the noncontrolling interest. In accordance with GAAP guidance, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfers as if they had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period, or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). The financial statements reflect the transfers as if they had taken place on January 1, 2014 for Kansas South, TA High Desert, and CVSR Drop Down; April 1, 2014 for the January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the majority of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which represents the date these entities were acquired by NRG.
As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations to this Form 10-K, which present the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Also refer to Item 1 — Business and Item 1A — Risk Factors, which include detailed discussions of various items impacting the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The discussion and analysis below has been organized as follows:
Executive Summary, including a description of the business and significant events that are important to understanding the results of operations and financial condition;
Results of operations, including an explanation of significant differences between the periods in the specific line items of the consolidated statements of operations;
Financial condition addressing liquidity position, sources and uses of cash, capital resources and requirements, commitments, and off-balance sheet arrangements;
Known trends that may affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in the future; and
Critical accounting policies which are most important to both the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgment.

34

                                                


Executive Summary
Introduction and Overview
The Company is a dividend growth-oriented company formed to serve as the primary vehicle through which NRG owns, operates and acquires contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. The Company believes it is well positioned to be a premier company for investors seeking stable and growing distribution income from a diversified portfolio of lower-risk high-quality assets.
The Company owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. The Company’s contracted generation portfolio collectively represents 4,563 net MW. Each of these assets sells substantially all of its output pursuant to long-term offtake agreements with creditworthy counterparties. The average remaining contract duration of these offtake agreements was approximately 16 years as of December 31, 2016, based on CAFD. The Company also owns thermal infrastructure assets with an aggregate steam and chilled water capacity of 1,319 net MWt and electric generation capacity of 123 net MW. These thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations, principally through long-term contracts or pursuant to rates regulated by state utility commissions.

Significant Events During the Year Ended December 31, 2016
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded asset impairment losses of $117 million, $60 million, and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind and Forward, respectively. For further discussion, refer to Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and Critical Accounting Policies in this Item 7 below, as well as Item 15 — Note 9, Asset Impairments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
On October 31, 2016, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, received proceeds of $125 million from the issuance of 3.55% Series D notes due October 31, 2031, or the Series D Notes, and entered into a shelf facility for the anticipated issuance of an additional $70 million of notes at a 4.80% fixed rate. In the first quarter of 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC expects to amend its existing note purchase and private shelf agreement to permit the issuance of $10 million of notes, which if issued, will be utilized in addition to the existing, authorized $70 million of notes to make payments with respect to the EPC agreement discussed below.
Additionally, on October 31, 2016, NRG Business Services LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, and NECP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an EPC agreement for the construction of a 73 MWt district energy system for NECP to provide 150 kpph of steam, 6,750 tons of chilled water and 7.5 MW of emergency backup power service to UPMC Mercy. The initial term of the energy services agreement with UPMC Mercy will be for a period of twenty years from the service commencement date.  Pursuant to the terms of the EPC agreement, NECP agreed to pay NRG Business Services LLC $79 million, subject to adjustment based upon certain conditions in the EPC agreement, upon substantial completion of the project. The project is expected to reach COD in the first quarter of 2018. On January 5, 2017, the parties amended the EPC Agreement, based on a customer change order, to increase the capacity of the district energy system from 73 MWt to 80 MWt, which also increased the payment from $79 million to $87 million.
On September 1, 2016, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC from NRG for total cash consideration of $78.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed additional debt of $496 million, which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of its debt, consisting of $771 million, of project level debt and $200 million of notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement as of September 1, 2016.
On August 18, 2016, NRG Yield Operating LLC issued $350 million of senior unsecured notes, or the 2026 Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.00% and mature on September 15, 2026. A portion of the proceeds of the 2026 Senior Notes were used to repay the Company's revolving credit facility. For further discussion, refer to Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
On August 9, 2016, Yield, Inc. established a $150,000,000 at-the-market equity offering program, or ATM Program, as described in Sources of Liquidity in this Item 7 below. As of December 31, 2016, no shares were issued under the ATM Program.
On July 15, 2016, CVSR Holdco, issued $200 million of senior secured notes that bear interest at 4.68% and mature on March 31, 2037.  The proceeds were utilized, along with $28 million of cash on hand, to reduce borrowings under the

35

                                                


Company’s revolving credit facility. For further discussion, refer to Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Environmental Matters and Regulatory Matters
Details of environmental matters and regulatory matters are presented in Item 1 — Business, Regulatory Matters and Item 1A— Risk Factors. Details of some of this information relate to costs that may impact the Company's financial results.
Trends Affecting Results of Operations and Future Business Performance
Wind and Solar Resource Availability
The availability of the wind and solar resources affects the financial performance of the wind and solar facilities, which may impact the Company’s overall financial performance. Due to the variable nature of the wind and solar resources, the Company cannot predict the availability of the wind and solar resources and the potential variances from expected performance levels from quarter to quarter. To the extent the wind and solar resources are not available at expected levels, it could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial performance for such periods.
Capital Market Conditions
The capital markets in general are often subject to volatility that is unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The Company’s growth strategy depends on its ability to identify and acquire additional conventional and renewable facilities from NRG and unaffiliated third parties, which will require access to debt and equity financing to complete such acquisitions or replenish capital for future acquisitions. Any broad market fluctuations may affect the Company’s ability to access such capital through debt or equity financings. The Company believes that improved capital market conditions may allow it to access capital in 2017.
Operational Matters
Walnut Creek Forced Outage
In July and August 2016, Walnut Creek experienced two unrelated outages causing damage to a circuit breaker and a compressor resulting in forced outages on Units 2 and 4, respectively.  The Company has undertaken a root cause analysis and is reviewing what is covered by insurance.  Unit 2 returned to service on August 10, 2016 and Unit 4 returned to service on September 15, 2016.
El Segundo Forced Outage
In January 2017, the El Segundo Energy Center began a forced outage on Units 5 and 6 due to increasing vibrations on successive operations at Unit 5. In consultation with the Company’s operations and maintenance service provider, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc., the Company elected to replace the rotor on Unit 5. Both Unit 5 and 6 returned to service on February 24, 2017. The Company is reviewing the warranty coverage with the original equipment manufacturer as well as available insurance coverage.

36

                                                


Consolidated Results of Operations
2016 compared to 2015
The following table provides selected financial information:
 
Year ended December 31,
(In millions)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Energy and capacity revenues
$
1,089

 
$
1,009

 
$
80

Contract amortization
(68
)
 
(54
)
 
(14
)
Mark-to-market economic hedging activities

 
(2
)
 
2

Total operating revenues
1,021

 
953

 
68

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of fuels
61

 
71

 
(10
)
Emissions credit amortization
6

 

 
6

Operations and maintenance
174

 
178

 
(4
)
Other costs of operations
65

 
72

 
(7
)
Depreciation and amortization
297

 
297

 

Impairment losses
183

 

 
183

General and administrative
14

 
10

 
4

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs
1

 
3

 
(2
)
Total operating costs and expenses
801

 
631

 
170

Operating Income
220

 
322

 
(102
)
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
37

 
26

 
11

Other income, net
3

 
3

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
(9
)
 
9

Interest expense
(262
)
 
(254
)
 
(8
)
Total other expense, net
(222
)
 
(234
)
 
12

Net (Loss) Income
(2
)
 
88

 
(90
)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(142
)
 
(51
)
 
(91
)
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
140

 
$
139

 
$
1

 
Year ended December 31,
Business metrics:
2016
 
2015
Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) (a)
7,236

 
6,412

Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) (a)(b)
1,697

 
2,487

Thermal MWt sold (in thousands)
1,966

 
1,946

Thermal MWh sold (in thousands) (c)
71

 
297

 
(a) Volumes do not include the MWh generated/sold by the Company's equity method investments.
(b) Volumes generated are not sold as the Conventional facilities sell capacity rather than energy.
(c) MWh sold do not include 204 MWh generated by NRG Dover, a subsidiary of the Company, under the PPA with NRG Power Marketing during the year ended December 31, 2016, as further described in Item 15 — Note 13, Related Party Transactions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  


37

                                                


Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
Gross Margin
The Company calculates gross margin in order to evaluate operating performance as operating revenues less cost of sales, which includes cost of fuel, contract and emission credit amortization and mark-to-market for economic hedging activities.
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' 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 energy and capacity revenue less cost of fuels. Economic gross margin excludes the following components from GAAP gross margin: contract amortization, mark-to-market results, emissions credit amortization and (losses) gains on economic hedging activities. Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses on contracts that are not yet settled.
The below tables present the composition of gross margin, as well as the reconciliation to economic gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
Conventional
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Total
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy and capacity revenues
$
338

 
$
579

 
$
172

 
$
1,089

Cost of fuels
(1
)
 

 
(60
)
 
(61
)
Contract amortization
(5
)
 
(61
)
 
(2
)
 
(68
)
Emissions credit amortization
(6
)
 

 

 
(6
)
Gross margin
326

 
518

 
110

 
954

Contract amortization
5

 
61

 
2

 
68

Emissions credit amortization
6

 

 

 
6

Economic gross margin
$
337

 
$
579

 
$
112

 
$
1,028

 


 


 


 

Year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 

Energy and capacity revenues
$
341

 
$
492

 
$
176

 
$
1,009

Cost of fuels
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(69
)
 
(71
)
Contract amortization
(5
)
 
(47
)
 
(2
)
 
(54
)
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Gross margin
335

 
442

 
105

 
882

Contract amortization
5

 
47

 
2

 
54

Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
2

 

 
2

Economic gross margin
$
340

 
$
491

 
$
107

 
$
938



38

                                                


Gross margin increased by $72 million and economic gross margin increased by $90 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to:
(In millions)
 
Renewables:
 
26% increase in volume generated at the Alta wind projects, as well as a 7% increase in generation at other Wind projects. Additionally, there was an increase of $4 million in economic gross margin due to the acquisition of Spring Canyon in May 2015
$
61

Increase in average price per MWh due to higher pricing in the Alta X and XI PPAs which were effective in January 2016, compared with merchant prices in 2015
27

Thermal:
 
Higher sales volume in 2016 as a result of milder weather in 2015, as well as the completion of a project for a new customer in the second half of the year
5

Conventional:
 
Lower revenues at Walnut Creek as a result of forced outages in 2016, partially offset by higher revenues at El Segundo in 2016 as a result of forced outages in 2015
(3
)
Increase in economic gross margin
$
90

Higher contract amortization primarily for the Alta X and XI PPAs, which began in January 2016
(14
)
Emissions credit amortization of NOx allowances at Walnut Creek and El Segundo in compliance with amendments to the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market program
(6
)
Unrealized losses on forward contracts prior to the start of the PPA for Elbow Creek which began October 2015
2

Increase in gross margin
$
72

Operations and Maintenance Expense
 
Conventional
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Total
(In millions)
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
$
32

 
$
94

 
$
48

 
$
174

Year ended December 31, 2015
30

 
97

 
51

 
178


Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $4 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, due to:
 
(In millions)
Increase in Conventional segment primarily due to Walnut Creek forced outages in 2016, compared to the forced outages at El Segundo in 2015
$
2

Decrease in Renewables segment primarily due to insurance proceeds received at Wildorado in 2016 in connection with a 2014 wind outage claim
(3
)
Decrease in Thermal segment primarily due to acceleration of maintenance work on thermal facilities into 2015
(3
)
 
$
(4
)
Other Costs of Operations
Other costs of operations decreased by $7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to lower assessments for property taxes at Alta X and XI and NRG Wind TE Holdco.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to new executive compensation in 2016, and an increase in base management fee for the Management Services Agreement with NRG in connection with the acquisition of the Drop Down Assets.

39

                                                


Impairment Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded impairment losses of $183 million, due to the impairments of property, plant and equipment for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind, and Forward, as further described in Item 15 Note 9, Asset Impairments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in this Item 7 below. Because the projects were acquired from NRG and related to interests under common control by NRG, the property, plant and equipment for these assets was recorded at historical cost of $298 million rather than estimated fair value of $132 million at the acquisition date. The three projects were acquired as part of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets.  As discussed in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions,  the historical cost for November 2015 Drop Down Assets was $369 million for the net assets, which was higher than the fair value paid of $207 million.  The difference between the historical cost of net assets and the fair value paid for the November 2015 Drop Down Assets was recorded to contributed capital on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
A loss on debt extinguishment of $9 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2015, driven by the refinancing of the El Segundo credit facility and the termination of the interest rate swaps for Alta Wind X and XI in connection with the sale of an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco to a financial institution as further described in Item 15 Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $11 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to an increase in equity earnings from Desert Sunlight, which was acquired in June 2015, DGPV Holdco 1 and RPV Holdco, partially offset by losses from Elkhorn Ridge.
Interest Expense     
Interest expense increased by $8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015 due to:
 
(In millions)
Amortization of the fair value of interest rate swaps primarily acquired with the January 2015 Drop Down Assets and November 2015 Drop Down Assets
$
10

Issuance of 2026 Senior Notes in August 2016
7

Increase due to intercompany debt issued with Yield, Inc. in 2015, due 2020
5

Issuance of 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes in July 2016
4

Higher revolving credit facility borrowings in 2016
2

Repricing of project-level financing arrangements and lower principal balances
(20
)
 
$
8

Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had a loss of $31 million attributable to NRG's 25% ownership of the Class B interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco and a loss of $111 million attributable to noncontrolling interests with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had income of $11 million attributable to NRG's 25% ownership of the Class B interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco and a loss of $62 million attributable to noncontrolling interest with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method.


40

                                                


Consolidated Results of Operations
2015 compared to 2014
The following table provides selected financial information:
 
Year ended December 31,
(In millions)
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Energy and capacity revenues
$
1,009

 
$
855

 
$
154

Contract amortization
(54
)
 
(29
)
 
(25
)
Mark-to-market economic hedging activities
(2
)
 
2

 
(4
)
Total operating revenues
953

 
828

 
125

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of fuels
71

 
89

 
(18
)
Operations and maintenance
178

 
140

 
38

Other costs of operations
72

 
48

 
24

Depreciation and amortization
297

 
233

 
64

General and administrative — affiliate
10

 
8

 
2

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs
3

 
4

 
(1
)
Total operating costs and expenses
631

 
522

 
109

Operating Income
322

 
306

 
16

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
26

 
17

 
9

Other income, net
3

 
6

 
(3
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
(9
)
 
(1
)
 
(8
)
Interest expense
(254
)
 
(211
)
 
(43
)
Total other expense, net
(234
)
 
(189
)
 
(45
)
Net Income
88

 
117

 
(29
)
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(51
)
 
3

 
(54
)
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
139

 
$
114

 
$
25

 
Year ended December 31,
Business metrics:
2015
 
2014
Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) (a)
6,412

 
4,659

Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) (a)(b)
2,487

 
2,130

Thermal MWt sold (in thousands)
1,946

 
2,060

Thermal MWh sold (in thousands)
297

 
205

 
(a) Volumes do not include the MWh generated/sold by the Company's equity method investments.
(b) Volumes generated are not sold as the Conventional facilities sell capacity rather than energy.


41

                                                


Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
As described in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company completed the following acquisitions from NRG during the year ended December 31, 2015:
On November 3, 2015, the Company acquired 75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, or the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for total cash consideration of $209 million. In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million.
On January 2, 2015, the Company acquired the Laredo Ridge, Tapestry, and Walnut Creek projects, or the January 2015 Drop Down Assets, for total cash consideration of $489 million, plus assumed project-level debt of $737 million.
The January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the November 2015 Drop Down Assets (other than Elbow Creek) were originally acquired by NRG from EME on April 1, 2014, and are collectively referred to as "EME Assets" throughout this discussion. The Company prepared its consolidated financial statements for the periods ending December 31, 2015 and 2014 to reflect the acquisitions as if they had taken place from the date the entities were under common control, which was April 1, 2014 for the EME Assets. Accordingly, the results presented herein reflect the Company's ownership of the EME Assets for the full year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the nine months from April 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014.
Gross Margin
The Company calculates gross margin in order to evaluate operating performance as operating revenues less cost of sales, which includes cost of fuel, contract and emission credit amortization and mark-to-market for economic hedging activities.
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' 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 energy and capacity revenue less cost of fuels. Economic gross margin excludes the following components from GAAP gross margin: contract amortization, mark-to-market results, emissions credit amortization and (losses) gains on economic hedging activities. Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses on contracts that are not yet settled.

42

                                                


The following tables present the composition of gross margin, as well as the reconciliation to economic gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Conventional
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Total
 (In millions)
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 

Energy and capacity revenues
$
341

 
$
492

 
$
176

 
$
1,009

Cost of fuels
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(69
)
 
(71
)
Contract amortization
(5
)
 
(47
)
 
(2
)
 
(54
)
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Gross margin
$
335

 
$
442

 
$
105

 
$
882

Contract amortization
5

 
47

 
2

 
54

Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
2

 

 
2

Economic gross margin
$
340

 
$
491

 
$
107

 
$
938

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy and capacity revenues
$
321

 
$
337

 
$
197

 
$
855

Cost of fuels
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(86
)
 
(89
)
Contract amortization
(4
)
 
(23
)
 
(2
)
 
(29
)
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
2

 

 
2

Gross margin
$
315

 
$
315

 
$
109

 
$
739

Contract amortization
4

 
23

 
2

 
29

Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Economic gross margin
$
319

 
$
336

 
$
111

 
$
766

Gross margin increased by $143 million and economic gross margin increased by $172 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, driven by:
Renewables:
 (In millions)
Acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and Spring Canyon in May 2015
$
126

Acquisition of EME Assets (Wind)
31

Other
(2
)
Conventional:
 
Acquisition of EME Assets (Walnut Creek)
25

Forced outage at El Segundo in the first half of 2015
(4
)
Thermal:
 
Milder weather conditions in 2015 compared to 2014
(4
)
Increase in economic gross margin
$
172

Higher contract amortization primarily due to the amortization of the PPAs acquired in the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014
(25
)
Unrealized losses in 2015 and unrealized gains in 2014 on forward contracts with an NRG subsidiary hedging the forecasted sale of power from Elbow Creek, prior to the start of the PPA
(4
)
Increase in gross margin
$
143

Operations and Maintenance Expense
 
Conventional
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Total
 (In millions)
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
$
30

 
$
97

 
$
51

 
$
178

Year ended December 31, 2014
30

 
63

 
47

 
140


43

                                                


Operations and maintenance expense increased by $38 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, driven by:
 
(In millions)
Acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and Spring Canyon in May 2015
$
21

Acquisition of EME Assets, primarily in the Renewables segment
16

Other
1

 
$
38

Other Costs of Operations
Other costs of operations increased by $24 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to an increase in property taxes resulting from the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014, and the EME Assets in April 2014.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $64 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and the EME Assets in April 2014.
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $9 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to the acquisition of Desert Sunlight in June 2015 as well as the Elkhorn Ridge and San Juan Mesa projects, acquired as part of the EME Assets.
Interest Expense     
Interest expense increased by $43 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, due to:
 
(In millions)
Acquisition of Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014
$
32

Issuance of the Senior Notes due 2024 in the third quarter of 2014 and intercompany loans with Yield, Inc. in the second quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2014
27

Acquisition of EME Assets in April 2014
3

Repricing of project-level financing arrangements and principal repayments
(9
)
Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps
(10
)
 
$
43

Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had income of $11 million attributable to NRG's 25% ownership of the Class B interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco and a loss of $62 million attributable to noncontrolling interest with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had a loss of $6 million attributable to NRG's 25% ownership of the Class B interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco and income of $9 million attributable to noncontrolling interest with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method.

44

                                                


Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's principal liquidity requirements are to meet its financial commitments, finance current operations, fund capital expenditures, including acquisitions from time to time, service debt and pay distributions. As a normal part of the Company's business, depending on market conditions, the Company will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance its indebtedness. Changes in the Company's operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may cause the Company to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions.
Liquidity Position
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's liquidity was approximately $915 million and $374 million, respectively, comprised of cash, restricted cash, and availability under the Company's revolving credit facility. The Company's liquidity includes $164 million and $131 million of restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Restricted cash consists primarily of funds to satisfy the requirements of certain debt arrangements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their use. The Company's various financing arrangements are described in Item 15 Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings and the Company had $60 million of letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Management believes that the Company's liquidity position, cash flows from operations and availability under its revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet the Company's financial commitments; debt service obligations; growth, operating and maintenance capital expenditures; and to fund distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG.  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.
Credit Ratings
Credit rating agencies rate a firm's public debt securities. These ratings are utilized by the debt markets in evaluating a firm's credit risk. Ratings influence the price paid to issue new debt securities by indicating to the market the Company's ability to pay principal, interest and preferred dividends. Rating agencies evaluate a firm's industry, cash flow, leverage, liquidity, and hedge profile, among other factors, in their credit analysis of a firm's credit risk. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's 2024 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes are rated BB by S&P and Ba2 by Moody's. The ratings outlook is stable.
Sources of Liquidity
The Company's principal sources of liquidity include cash on hand, cash generated from operations, borrowings under new and existing financing arrangements and the issuance of additional equity and debt securities by Yield, Inc. or the Company as appropriate given market conditions. As described in Item 15— Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and above in Significant Events During the Year Ended December 31, 2016, the Company's financing arrangements consist of the revolving credit facility, the 2024 Senior Notes, the 2026 Senior Notes, its intercompany borrowings with Yield, Inc. and project-level financings for its various assets.
At-the-Market Equity Offering Program
On August 9, 2016, NRG Yield, Inc. entered into an equity distribution agreement, or EDA, with Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as sales agents. Pursuant to the terms of the EDA, NRG Yield, Inc. may offer and sell shares of its Class C common stock par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the sales agents, as NRG Yield, Inc.’s sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $150,000,000 through an at-the-market equity offering program, or ATM Program. NRG Yield, Inc. may also sell shares of its Class C common stock to any of the sales agents, as principals for its own account, at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. As of December 31, 2016, no shares were issued under the ATM Program.

45

                                                


Thermal Financing
On October 31, 2016, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Yield, Inc., received proceeds of $125 million from the issuance of 3.55% Series D notes due October 31, 2031, or the Series D Notes, and entered into a shelf facility for the anticipated issuance of an additional $70 million of notes. In the first quarter of 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC anticipates amending the shelf facility to allow for the issuance of an additional $10 million of notes, increasing the total principal amount of notes available for issuance under the shelf facility to $80 million. The Series D Notes are, and the additional notes, if issued, will be secured by substantially all of the assets of NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC. NRG Thermal LLC has guaranteed the indebtedness and its guarantee is secured by a pledge of the equity interests in all of NRG Thermal LLC’s subsidiaries. NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC distributed the proceeds of the Series D Notes to NRG Thermal LLC, who in turn distributed the proceeds to NRG Yield Operating LLC to be utilized for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.
Uses of Liquidity
The Company's requirements for liquidity and capital resources, other than for operating its facilities, are categorized as: (i) debt service obligations, as described more fully in Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt to the Consolidated Financial Statements; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) acquisitions and investments; and (iv) distributions.

46

                                                


Debt Service Obligations
Principal payments on debt as of December 31, 2016, are due in the following periods:
Description
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
There - after
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Long-term debt - affiliate, due 2019
$

 
$

 
$
337

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
337

Long-term debt - affiliate, due 2020

 

 

 
281

 

 

 
281

NRG Yield Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2024

 

 

 

 

 
500

 
500

NRG Yield Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2026

 

 

 

 

 
350

 
350

   Total Corporate-level debt

 

 
337

 
281

 

 
850

 
1,468

Project-level debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
11

 
11

 
12

 
12

 
12

 
184

 
242

Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
8

 
8

 
8

 
9

 
9

 
149

 
191

Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
8

 
8

 
8

 
9

 
9

 
156

 
198

Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
5

 
5

 
5

 
6

 
6

 
101

 
128

Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035
8

 
8

 
8

 
9

 
9

 
164

 
206

Alta Realty Investments, due 2031
1

 
2

 
2

 
1

 
2

 
23

 
31

Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
13

 
18

Alpine, due 2022
9

 
8

 
8

 
8

 
8

 
104

 
145

Avra Valley, due 2031
3

 
3

 
3

 
4

 
3

 
41

 
57

Blythe, due 2028
2

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
1

 
12

 
19

Borrego, due 2025 and 2038
3

 
3

 
3

 
3

 
3

 
54

 
69

CVSR, due 2037
25

 
26

 
24

 
21

 
23

 
652

 
771

CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037
5

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
7

 
169

 
199

El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023
43

 
48

 
49

 
53

 
57

 
193

 
443

Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2017 and 2025
13

 
7

 
11

 
11

 
11

 
43

 
96

Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031

 

 

 

 

 
125

 
125

Kansas South, due 2031
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
20

 
30

Laredo Ridge, due 2028
5

 
5

 
5

 
6

 
6

 
73

 
100

Marsh Landing, due 2017 and 2023
52

 
55

 
57

 
60

 
62

 
84

 
370

PFMG and related subsidiaries financing agreement, due 2030
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
1

 
21

 
27

Roadrunner, due 2031
3

 
3

 
3

 
2

 
3

 
23

 
37

South Trent Wind, due 2020
4

 
4

 
4

 
45

 

 

 
57

TA High Desert, due 2020 and 2032
3

 
3

 
3

 
3

 
3

 
34

 
49

Tapestry, due 2021
10

 
11

 
11

 
11

 
129

 

 
172

Viento, due 2023
13

 
16

 
18

 
16

 
16

 
99

 
178

Walnut Creek, due 2023
43

 
45

 
47

 
49

 
52

 
74

 
310

WCEP Holdings, due 2023
1

 
2

 
4

 
4

 
4

 
31

 
46

   Total project-level debt
282

 
292

 
306

 
353

 
439

 
2,642

 
4,314

Total debt
$
282

 
$
292

 
$
643

 
$
634

 
$
439

 
$
3,492

 
$
5,782


47

                                                


Capital Expenditures
The Company's capital spending program is mainly focused on maintenance capital expenditures, consisting of costs to maintain the assets currently operating, such as costs to replace or refurbish assets during routine maintenance, and growth capital expenditures, consisting of costs to construct new assets, costs to complete the construction of assets where construction is in process, and capital expenditures related to acquiring additional thermal customers. The Company develops annual capital spending plans based on projected requirements for maintenance and growth capital. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company used approximately $20 million, $29 million, and $60 million, respectively, to fund capital expenditures, including maintenance capital expenditures of $16 million, $20 million, and $8 million, respectively. Growth capital expenditures in 2016 were in primarily in the Thermal segment and relate to servicing new customers in district energy centers. Growth capital expenditures in 2015 and 2014 primarily related to the construction of the Company’s solar generating assets, Marsh Landing and El Segundo.
Acquisitions and Investments
The Company intends to acquire generation and thermal infrastructure assets developed and constructed by NRG in the future, as well as generation and thermal infrastructure assets from third parties where the Company believes its knowledge of the market and operating expertise provides a competitive advantage, and to utilize such acquisitions as a means to grow its CAFD.
On February 24, 2017, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah, which are part of a tax equity structure with Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., or Dominion, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million and assume non-recourse project debt. The purchase price for the acquisition, which is subject to working capital adjustments to be calculated at close, is expected to be funded with cash on hand. The Company expects to record its interests in the acquired projects as equity method investments.
On September 1, 2016, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC from NRG for total cash consideration of $78.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed additional debt of $496 million, which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of debt, or $771 million of CVSR project level debt and $200 million of notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement as of September 1, 2016.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company invested $80 million in distributed and residential solar investment partnerships with NRG, as further described in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounting for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities. 

Cash Distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG
The Company intends to distribute to its unit holders in the form of a quarterly distribution all of the CAFD that is generated each quarter less reserves for the prudent conduct of the business, including among others, maintenance capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of the assets. CAFD is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, plus cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, cash receipts from notes receivable, less cash distributions to noncontrolling interests, maintenance capital expenditures, pro-rata EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates, cash interest paid, income taxes paid, principal amortization of indebtedness and changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments. Distributions on units are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws, regulations and other contractual obligations. The Company expects that, based on current circumstances, comparable distributions will continue to be paid in the foreseeable future.

48

                                                


The following table lists the distributions paid on the Company's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Fourth Quarter 2016
 
Third Quarter 2016
 
Second Quarter 2016
 
First Quarter 2016
Distributions per Class A and Class B unit
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

Distributions per Class C and Class D unit
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly distribution on its Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units of $0.26 per unit payable on March 15, 2017.


49

                                                


Cash Flow Discussion
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2015:
Year ended December 31,
2016
 
2015
 
Change
(In millions)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
560

 
$
404

 
$
156

Net cash used in investing activities
(161
)
 
(1,108
)
 
947

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(193
)
 
385

 
(578
)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Changes to net cash provided by operating activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Increase in operating income adjusted for non-cash items driven by higher revenues mainly in the Renewables segment in 2016 compared to 2015
$
127

Changes in working capital driven primarily by the timing of accounts receivable collections in 2015 compared to 2016
23

Higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
6

 
$
156

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Higher payments for the acquisition of the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets in 2015 compared to the payments made for the CVSR Drop Down in 2016
$
621

Higher net investments in unconsolidated affiliates in 2015, primarily due to investment in Desert Sunlight
308

Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired, in 2015
37

Decrease in capital expenditures primarily due to the completion of a project in the Thermal segment in 2015, as well as lower maintenance capital expenditures in 2016
9

Receipt of insurance proceeds in 2016 in the Renewables segment
4

Higher restricted cash balances in 2016, primarily driven by higher revenues in the Renewables segment in the third and fourth quarters of 2016, which in turn provided more cash available for distribution by certain projects
(32
)
 
$
947

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities
Changes in net cash (used in) provided by financing activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Proceeds from sale of an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco in 2015, as further described in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, compared to lower net contributions from tax equity investors in 2016
$
(117
)
Higher payments of distributions to NRG related to NRG's 25% ownership of NRG Wind TE Holdco and distributions made to NRG from Drop Down Assets prior to the acquisition dates
(64
)
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C units in 2015
(599
)
Net repayments of $306 million under the revolving credit facility in 2016 compared to the net borrowings of $306 million in 2015
(612
)
Increase in debt proceeds, as well as a decrease in payments for long-term debt in 2016, compared to 2015
848

Increase in distributions paid to unit holders
(34
)
 
$
(578
)

50

                                                



Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 2014:
Year ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Change
(In millions)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
404

 
$
362

 
$
42

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,108
)
 
(739
)
 
(369
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
385

 
747

 
(362
)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Changes to net cash provided by operating activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Increase in operating income adjusted for non-cash items
$
21

Higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates for the year ending December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014
22

Changes in working capital primarily driven by timing of capacity payments
(1
)
 
$
42

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired (primarily the Alta acquisition in 2014)
$
864

Higher payments made to acquire Drop Down Assets in 2015 compared to payments made in 2014
(387
)
Decrease in capital expenditures due to several projects being placed in service in early 2014
31

Changes in restricted cash primarily due to cash transfers in connection with higher debt principal payments in 2015
(26
)
Proceeds from renewable energy grants in 2014
(422
)
Increase in net investments in unconsolidated affiliates in 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to the investment in Desert Sunlight made in 2015
(364
)
Receipt of indemnity from supplier for CVSR
(57
)
Other
(8
)
 
$
(369
)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
Changes in net cash provided by financing activities were driven by:
(In millions)
Lower payments of dividends and returns of capital to NRG, partially offset by contributions from NRG in 2014
$
274

Lower contributions from tax equity investors in 2015
(68
)
Lower net proceeds from the issuance of Class C units in 2015 compared to the net proceeds of Class A units issued in 2014
(31
)
Increase in distributions paid to unit holders
(38
)
Lower net proceeds from the revolving credit facility in 2015 compared to 2014
(194
)
A decrease in proceeds from long-term debt, as well as an increase in debt payments, in 2015 compared to 2014
(326
)
Decrease in debt issuance costs due to lower borrowing in 2015
21

 
$
(362
)

51

                                                


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts
The Company may enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties.
Retained or Contingent Interests
The Company does not have any material retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity.
Obligations Arising Out of a Variable Interest in an Unconsolidated Entity
Variable interest in equity investments — As of December 31, 2016, the Company has several investments with an ownership interest percentage of 50% or less in energy and energy-related entities that are accounted for under the equity method. NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC and GenConn are variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary.
The Company's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt held by unconsolidated affiliates was approximately $453 million as of December 31, 2016. This indebtedness may restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to issue dividends or distributions to the Company. See also Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The Company has a variety of contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that represent prospective cash requirements in addition to the Company's capital expenditure programs. The following table summarizes the Company's contractual obligations. See Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt and Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.
 
By Remaining Maturity at December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Contractual Cash Obligations
Under
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
Over
5 Years
 
Total
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Long-term debt (including estimated interest)
$
554

 
$
1,431

 
$
1,469

 
$
4,412

 
$
7,866

 
$
7,002

Operating leases
9

 
19

 
18

 
152

 
198

 
219

Fuel purchase and transportation obligations
13

 
7

 
6

 
19

 
45

 
48

Other liabilities (a)
14

 
22

 
21

 
72

 
129

 
105

Total
$
590

 
$
1,479

 
$
1,514

 
$
4,655

 
$
8,238

 
$
7,374

 
(a) Includes water right agreements, service and maintenance agreements, and LTSA commitments.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
The Company may enter into 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 certain generation facilities. In addition, in order to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the issuance of variable rate debt, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements.
The tables below disclose the activities of non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value in accordance with ASC 820. Specifically, these tables disaggregate realized and unrealized changes in fair value; disaggregate estimated fair values at December 31, 2016, based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at December 31, 2016. For a full discussion of the Company's valuation methodology of its contracts, see Derivative Fair Value Measurements in Item 15 — Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

                                                


Derivative Activity (Losses)/Gains
(In millions)
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2015
$
(100
)
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period
37

Changes in fair value
(6
)
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2016
$
(69
)
 
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2016
 
Maturity
Fair Value Hierarchy Losses
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
 
(In millions)
Level 1
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Level 2
(28
)
 
(27
)
 
(9
)
 
(6
)
 
(70
)
Total
$
(27
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(69
)
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. As discussed below in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk -Commodity Price Risk, NRG, on behalf of the Company, measures the sensitivity of the 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 net open position.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the 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 these policies necessarily 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.
On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these estimates, utilizing historic experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable. 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.
The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Item 15 — Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company identifies its most critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of the Company's financial position and results of operations, and that require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments by management regarding estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company's critical accounting policies include impairment of long lived assets and other intangible assets and acquisition accounting.

53

                                                


Accounting Policy
Judgments/Uncertainties Affecting Application
 
 
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
Recoverability of investments through future operations
 
Regulatory and political environments and requirements
 
Estimated useful lives of assets
 
Operational limitations and environmental obligations
 
Estimates of future cash flows
 
Estimates of fair value
 
Judgment about triggering events
Acquisition Accounting
Identification of intangible assets acquired
 
Inputs for fair value of assets and liabilities acquired
 
Application of various methodologies
Evaluation of Assets for Impairment and Other-Than-Temporary Decline in Value
In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, or ASC 360, property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. Examples of such indicators or events are:
Significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset;
Significant adverse change in the manner an asset is being used or its physical condition;
Adverse business climate;
Accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the construction or acquisition of an asset;
Current-period loss combined with a history of losses or the projection of future losses; and
Change in the Company's intent about an asset from an intent to hold to a greater than 50% likelihood that an asset will be sold or disposed of before the end of its previously estimated useful life.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, through considering project specific assumptions for long-term power pool prices, escalated future project operating costs and expected plant operations. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value may be determined by factoring in the probability weighting of different courses of action available to the Company as appropriate. Generally, fair value will be determined using valuation techniques such as the present value of expected future cash flows. The Company uses its best estimates in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including forward price curves for energy, fuel costs and operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in the Company's estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.
Annually, during the fourth quarter, the Company revises its views of power prices, including the Company's fundamental view for long-term power prices, forecasted generation and operating and capital expenditures, in connection with the preparation of its annual budget.
The Company recorded certain long-lived asset impairments in 2016, as described in Item 15 — Note 9, Asset Impairments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, with respect to several wind projects that were acquired in connection with the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets. Because the projects were acquired from NRG, they were recorded at historical cost rather than fair value. The historical cost of the assets was higher than its fair value at the date the interests under common control were acquired, as described in Item 15 Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, the Company determined that the cash flows for the Elbow Creek and Goat Wind projects located in Texas and the Forward project in Pennsylvania were below the carrying value (historical cost transferred under common control) of the related assets, primarily driven by declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. The fair value of the facilities was determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for each respective plant. The income approach utilizes estimates of discounted future cash flows, which include key inputs, such as forecasted power prices, operations and maintenance expense, and discount rates. The Company measured the impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets and recorded impairment losses of $117 million, $60 million and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind and Forward, respectively.

54

                                                


The Company is also required to evaluate its equity method investments to determine whether or not they are impaired. ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, or ASC 323, provides the accounting requirements for these investments. The standard for determining whether an impairment must be recorded under ASC 323 is whether the value is considered to be an other-than-temporary decline in value. The evaluation and measurement of impairments under ASC 323 involves the same uncertainties as described for long-lived assets that the Company owns directly and accounts for in accordance with ASC 360. Similarly, the estimates that the Company makes with respect to its equity method investments are subjective, and the impact of variations in these estimates could be material. Additionally, if the projects in which the Company holds these investments recognize an impairment under the provisions of ASC 360, the Company would record its proportionate share of that impairment loss and would evaluate its investment for an other-than-temporary decline in value under ASC 323.
Certain of the Company’s projects have useful lives that extend well beyond the contract period and therefore, management’s view of long-term power prices in the post-contract periods may have a significant impact on the expected future cash flows for these projects.  Accordingly, if management’s view of long-term power prices in certain markets continues to decrease, it is possible that some of the Company’s other long-lived assets may be impaired.   
Acquisition Accounting
The Company applies ASC 805, Business Combinations, when accounting for the acquisition of a business, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The Company completes the accounting for an acquisition when the evaluations are completed to the extent that additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The allocation of the purchase price may be modified up to one year from the date of the acquisition as more information is obtained about the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Consideration is measured based on fair value of the assets transferred to the seller.
Significant judgment is required in determining the acquisition date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, predominantly with respect to property, plant and equipment, power purchase agreements, asset retirement obligations and other contractual arrangements. Evaluations include numerous inputs including forecasted cash flows that incorporate the specific attributes of each asset including age, useful life, equipment condition and technology, as well as current replacement costs for similar assets. Other key inputs that require judgment include discount rates, comparable market transactions, estimated useful lives and probability of future transactions. The Company evaluates all available information, as well as all appropriate methodologies when determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. In addition, once the appropriate fair values are determined, the Company must determine the remaining useful life for property, plant and equipment and the amortization period and method of amortization for each finite-lived intangible asset.
The Company must apply ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues, when it acquires an interest from NRG. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company related to interests under common control by NRG must be recorded at historical cost, with the difference between the amount paid and the historical value of the related equity recorded as a distribution to or contribution from NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest. Economics may change in the years subsequent to NRG’s construction or acquisition of certain assets, and although the Company may acquire these assets from NRG based on a different valuation, the Company must record the assets at historical cost. These changes in economics may impact the amount that the Company pays for the assets but will not alter the carrying amount. Accordingly, significant changes in the economics related to these assets may trigger a requirement for impairment testing.
Recent Accounting Developments
See Item 15 — Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting developments.


55

                                                


Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to several market risks in its normal business activities. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with the Company's power generation or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. The types of market risks the Company is exposed to are commodity price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk.
Commodity Price Risk
Commodity price risks result from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices, volatilities, and correlations between various commodities, such as electricity, natural gas and emissions credits. The Company manages the commodity price risk of its merchant generation operations by entering into derivative or non-derivative instruments to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted power sales or purchases of fuel. The portion of forecasted transactions hedged may vary based upon management's assessment of market, weather, operation and other factors. See item 15 — Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
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 cause a change of approximately $1 million in the net value of derivatives as of December 31, 2016.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company 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 combination of the variable rate debt and the interest rate derivative instrument. NRG's risk management policies allow the Company to reduce interest rate exposure from variable rate debt obligations. See item 15 — Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Most of the Company's project subsidiaries enter into interest rate swaps, intended to hedge the risks associated with interest rates on non-recourse project level debt. See Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about interest rate swaps of the Company's project subsidiaries.
If all of the above swaps had been discontinued on December 31, 2016, the Company would have owed the counterparties $72 million. Based on the credit ratings of the counterparties, the Company believes its exposure to credit risk due to nonperformance by counterparties to its hedge contracts to be insignificant.
The Company has long-term debt instruments that subject it to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2016, a 1% change in interest rates would result in an approximately $3 million change in market interest expense on a rolling twelve month basis.
As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company's debt was $5,756 million and the carrying value was $5,782 million. The Company estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of its long-term debt by $476 million.
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.
Counterparty 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. The Company monitors and manages credit risk through credit policies that include: (i) an established credit approval process, and (ii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as prepayment arrangements or volumetric limits. Risks surrounding counterparty performance and credit could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. The Company seeks to mitigate counterparty risk by having a diversified portfolio of counterparties. See Item 15 — Note 1, Nature of Business, and Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about concentration of credit risk.
Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements and schedules are listed in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K.

56

                                                


Item 9 — Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A — Controls and Procedures
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, the Company 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 report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2016 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls
The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
1. Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company's assets;
2. Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that the Company's receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of its management and directors; and
3. Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), the Company's management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.
Item 9B — Other Information
None.
    

57


PART III
Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 10 has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
Item 11 — Executive Compensation
Item 11 has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 12 has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 13 has been omitted from this report pursuant to the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I to Form 10-K.
Item 14 — Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Audit and Nonaudit Fees
The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP, the Company's principal independent registered public accounting firm, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Audit Fees
$
1,952,210

 
$
1,680,000

Audit-Related Fees

 

Tax Fees
79,269

 
260,817

All Other Fees

 

Total
$
2,031,479

 
$
1,940,817


Audit Fees
For 2016 and 2015 audit services, KPMG LLP billed the Company approximately $1,952,210 and $1,680,000, respectively, for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the review of the Company’s quarterly consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q that are customary under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), and in connection with statutory audits.
Audit-Related Fees
There were no audit-related fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP for 2016 or 2015.
Tax Fees
There were approximately $79,269 in tax fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP for 2016, relating mainly to compliance work. There were approximately $260,817 in tax fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP for 2015.
All Other Fees
There were no other fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP for 2016 or 2015.

58

                                                


Policy on Audit Committee Pre-approval
The Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for, and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. The Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and permissible nonaudit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company.
The Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. will annually review and pre-approve services that are expected to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The term of the pre-approval will be 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. approves a shorter time period. The Audit Committee may periodically amend and/or supplement the pre-approved services based on subsequent determinations.
Unless the Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. has pre-approved Audit Services or a specified category of nonaudit services, any engagement to provide such services must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. if it is to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. must also pre-approve any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved budgeted fee levels for a specified type of service.
The Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. has authorized its Chair to pre-approve services in amounts up to $100,000 per engagement. Engagements exceeding $100,000 must be approved by the full Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. Engagements pre-approved by the Chair are reported to the Audit Committee of Yield, Inc. at its next scheduled meeting.


59

                                                


PART IV
Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of NRG Yield LLC and related notes thereto, together with the reports thereon of KPMG LLP, are included herein:
Consolidated Statements of Income — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Members' Equity — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Not applicable
(a)(3) Exhibits: See Exhibit Index submitted as a separate section of this report
(b) Exhibits
See Exhibit Index submitted as a separate section of this report
(c) Not applicable

60

                                                


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Members
NRG Yield LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NRG Yield LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NRG Yield LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

(signed) KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, PA
February 28, 2017


61

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Year ended December 31,
(In millions)
2016
 
2015 (a)
 
2014 (a)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
1,021

 
$
953

 
$
828

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of operations
306

 
321

 
277

Depreciation and amortization
297

 
297

 
233

Impairment losses
183

 

 

General and administrative
14

 
10

 
8

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs
1

 
3

 
4

Total operating costs and expenses
801

 
631

 
522

Operating Income
220

 
322

 
306

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
37

 
26

 
17

Other income, net
3

 
3

 
6

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
(9
)
 
(1
)
Interest expense
(262
)
 
(254
)
 
(211
)
Total other expense, net
(222
)
 
(234
)
 
(189
)
Net (Loss) Income
(2
)
 
88

 
117

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(142
)
 
(51
)
 
3

Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
140

 
$
139

 
$
114

 
(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

62

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (a)
 
2014 (a)
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Net (Loss) Income
$
(2
)
 
$
88

 
$
117

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
13

 
(17
)
 
(65
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
13

 
(17
)
 
(65
)
Comprehensive Income
11

 
71

 
52

Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(142
)
 
(52
)
 
1

Comprehensive Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
153

 
$
123

 
$
51

 
(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

63

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015 (a)
ASSETS
(In millions)
Current Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
316

 
$
110

Restricted cash
164

 
131

Accounts receivable — trade
91

 
101

Accounts receivable — affiliates
1

 
4

Inventory
39

 
36

Derivative instruments
2

 

Notes receivable — current
16

 
17

Prepayments and other current assets
16

 
20

Total current assets
645

 
419

Property, plant and equipment, net
5,460

 
5,878

Other Assets
 
 
 
Equity investments in affiliates
710

 
697

Notes receivable — non-current
14

 
30

Intangible assets, net
1,286

 
1,362

Derivative instruments
1

 

Other non-current assets
51

 
136

Total other assets
2,062

 
2,225

Total Assets
$
8,167

 
$
8,522

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt — external
$
282

 
$
264

Accounts payable — trade
23

 
23

Accounts payable — affiliate
40

 
86

Derivative instruments
29

 
39

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
84

 
76

Total current liabilities
458

 
488

Other Liabilities
 
 
 
Long-term debt — external
4,828

 
4,743

Long-term debt — affiliate
618

 
618

Accounts payable — affiliate
9

 

Derivative instruments
43

 
61

Other non-current liabilities
76

 
72

Total non-current liabilities
5,574

 
5,494

Total Liabilities
6,032

 
5,982

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
Members' Equity
 
 
 
Contributed capital
1,850

 
2,083

Retained earnings
55

 
93

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(83
)
 
(96
)
Noncontrolling interest
313

 
460

Total Members' Equity
2,135

 
2,540

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
$
8,167

 
$
8,522

 
(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

64

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (a)
 
2014 (a)
 
(In millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(2
)
 
$
88

 
$
117

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(37
)
 
(26
)
 
(17
)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
49

 
43

 
21

Depreciation, amortization and ARO accretion
300

 
299

 
235

Amortization of financing costs
8

 
7

 
6

Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts
75

 
54

 
28

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
9

 
1

Impairment losses
183

 

 

Changes in derivative instruments
(19
)
 
(43
)
 
(12
)
Loss on disposal of asset components
6

 
3

 

Cash provided by (used in) changes in other working capital:
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments
(8
)
 
(12
)
 

Changes in other working capital
5

 
(18
)
 
(17
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
560

 
404

 
362

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 
(37
)
 
(901
)
Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired
(77
)
 
(698
)
 
(311
)
Capital expenditures
(20
)
 
(29
)
 
(60
)
Receipt of indemnity from supplier

 

 
57

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
(33
)
 
(1
)
 
25

Cash receipts from notes receivable
17

 
17

 
14

Proceeds from renewable energy grants

 

 
422

Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates
28

 
42

 
4

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
(80
)
 
(402
)
 

Other
4

 

 
11

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(161
)
 
(1,108
)
 
(739
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions
5

 
122

 
190

Capital contributions from NRG

 

 
2

Distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets
(113
)
 
(59
)
 
(335
)
Proceeds from the issuance of class A and class C units

 
599

 
630

Payments of distributions
(183
)
 
(139
)
 
(101
)
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility
60

 
551

 
500

Payments for the revolving credit facility
(366
)
 
(245
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — external
675

 
6

 
178

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — affiliate

 
281

 
337

Payments of debt issuance costs
(7
)
 
(7
)
 
(28
)
Payments for long-term debt — external
(264
)
 
(724
)
 
(626
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
(193
)
 
385

 
747

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
206

 
(319
)
 
370

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
110

 
429

 
59

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
316

 
$
110

 
$
429

 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized
$
(266
)
 
$
(274
)
 
$
(192
)
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Additions (reductions) to fixed assets for accrued capital expenditures
3

 
1

 
(21
)
Decrease to fixed assets for accrued grants

 

 
34

Increase in debt due to accrued interest converted to debt

 

 
11

Non-cash return of capital and distributions to NRG, net of contributions
$
(43
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
1,058

 
(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

65

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY

(In millions)
 
Contributed Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total
Members' Equity
Balances at December 31, 2013 (a)
 
$
1,183

 
$
99

 
$
(1
)
 
$
58

 
$
1,339

Members' equity - Acquired Drop Down Assets
 
119

 
2

 
(16
)
 

 
105

Balances at December 31, 2013
 
$
1,302

 
$
101

 
$
(17
)
 
$
58

 
$
1,444

Net income (c)
 

 
114

 

 
3

 
117

Unrealized loss on derivatives (c)
 

 

 
(63
)
 
(2
)
 
(65
)
Payment for June 2014 Drop Down Assets
 
(357
)
 

 

 

 
(357
)
Capital contributions from NRG, non-cash (b)(c)
 
922

 

 

 
136

 
1,058

Distributions and returns of capital to NRG, net of contributions (c)
 
(282
)
 

 

 
(51
)
 
(333
)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors
 

 

 

 
190

 
190

Proceeds from the issuance of Class A units
 
630

 

 

 

 
630

Distributions paid to NRG on Class B and Class D units
 

 
(60
)
 

 

 
(60
)
Distributions paid to Yield, Inc.
 

 
(41
)
 

 

 
(41
)
Balances at December 31, 2014
 
$
2,215

 
$
114

 
$
(80
)
 
$
334

 
$
2,583

Net income (loss) (c)
 

 
139

 

 
(51
)
 
88

Unrealized loss on derivatives (c)
 

 

 
(16
)
 
(1
)
 
(17
)
Payment for January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets
 
(698
)
 

 

 

 
(698
)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors
 

 

 

 
122

 
122

Noncontrolling interest acquired in Spring Canyon acquisition
 

 

 

 
74

 
74

Distributions paid to NRG, net of contributions(c)
 
(28
)
 
(21
)
 

 
(10
)
 
(59
)
Distributions paid to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash (c)
 
(5
)
 

 

 
(8
)
 
(13
)
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C Common Stock
 
599

 

 

 

 
599

Distributions paid to NRG on Class B and Class D units
 

 
(70
)
 

 

 
(70
)
Distributions paid to Yield, Inc.
 

 
(69
)
 

 

 
(69
)
Balances at December 31, 2015
 
$
2,083

 
$
93

 
$
(96
)
 
$
460

 
$
2,540

Net income (loss)
 

 
140

 

 
(142
)
 
(2
)
Unrealized gain on derivatives
 

 

 
13

 

 
13

Payment for CVSR Drop Down Asset
 
(77
)
 

 

 

 
(77
)
Distribution to Yield, Inc., non-cash
 

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(5
)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions
 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Distributions paid to NRG
 
(113
)
 

 

 
(10
)
 
(123
)
Distributions paid to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash
 
(43
)
 

 

 

 
(43
)
Distributions paid to NRG on Class B and Class D units
 

 
(81
)
 

 

 
(81
)
Distributions paid to Yield, Inc.
 

 
(92
)
 

 

 
(92
)
Balances at December 31, 2016
 
$
1,850

 
$
55

 
$
(83
)
 
$
313

 
$
2,135

 
(a) As previously reported in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K.
(b) Capital contributions from NRG, non-cash, primarily represent Drop Down Assets' equity transferred from NRG to the Company in accordance with guidance on business combinations between entities under common control, as further described in Note 1, Nature of Business.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted, as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


66

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1Nature of Business
NRG Yield LLC, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, is the primary vehicle through which NRG owns, operates and acquires contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. NRG owns 100% of the Company's Class B units and Class D units and receives distributions through its ownership of these units. NRG Yield, Inc., or Yield, Inc., owns 100% of the Company's Class A units and Class C units. NRG Yield LLC, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NRG Yield Operating LLC, or Yield Operating LLC, holds a portfolio of renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets, primarily located in the Northeast, Southwest, Midwest and California regions of the U.S.
Yield, Inc. closed its initial public offering of Class A common stock in July 2013, which was then followed by a Class A common stock offering in July 2014, a Recapitalization in May 2015, as described below, and a Class C common stock offering in June 2015.
Effective May 14, 2015, Yield, Inc. amended its certificate of incorporation to create two new classes of capital stock, Class C common stock and Class D common stock, and distributed shares of the Class C common stock and Class D common stock to holders of Yield, Inc.'s outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, through a stock split. The stock split is referred to as the Recapitalization. The Company also amended its operating agreement to reflect the Recapitalization. Effective May 14, 2015, each Class A unit of the Company was automatically reclassified into one Class A unit and one Class C unit and each Class B unit of the Company was automatically reclassified into one Class B unit and one Class D unit.
The following table represents the structure of the Company as of December 31, 2016:
https://cdn.kscope.io/cebb5cd53e1e2c01f318d42a5d5a74a5-image6a11.jpg

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As of December 31, 2016, the Company's operating assets are comprised of the following projects:
Projects
 
Percentage Ownership
 
Net Capacity (MW) (a)
 
Offtake Counterparty
 
Expiration
Conventional
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
El Segundo
 
100
%
 
550

 
Southern California Edison
 
2023
GenConn Devon
 
50
%
 
95

 
Connecticut Light & Power
 
2040
GenConn Middletown
 
50
%
 
95

 
Connecticut Light & Power
 
2041
Marsh Landing
 
100
%
 
720

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2023
Walnut Creek
 
100
%
 
485

 
Southern California Edison
 
2023
 
 
 
 
1,945

 
 
 
 
Utility Scale Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alpine
 
100
%
 
66

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2033
Avenal
 
50
%
 
23

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2031
Avra Valley
 
100
%
 
26

 
Tucson Electric Power
 
2032
Blythe
 
100
%
 
21

 
Southern California Edison
 
2029
Borrego
 
100
%
 
26

 
San Diego Gas and Electric
 
2038
CVSR
 
100
%
 
250

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2038
Desert Sunlight 250
 
25
%
 
63

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Desert Sunlight 300
 
25
%
 
75

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2040
Kansas South
 
100
%
 
20

 
Pacific Gas and Electric
 
2033
Roadrunner
 
100
%
 
20

 
El Paso Electric
 
2031
TA High Desert
 
100
%
 
20

 
Southern California Edison
 
2033
 
 
 
 
610

 
 
 
 
Distributed Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AZ DG Solar Projects
 
100
%
 
5

 
Various
 
2025 - 2033
PFMG DG Solar Projects
 
51
%
 
4

 
Various
 
2032
 
 
 
 
9

 
 
 
 
Wind
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alta I
 
100
%
 
150

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta II
 
100
%
 
150

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta III
 
100
%
 
150

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta IV
 
100
%
 
102

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta V
 
100
%
 
168

 
Southern California Edison
 
2035
Alta X (b)
 
100
%
 
137

 
Southern California Edison
 
2038
Alta XI (b)
 
100
%
 
90

 
Southern California Edison
 
2038
Buffalo Bear
 
100
%
 
19

 
Western Farmers Electric Co-operative
 
2033
Crosswinds (b)
 
74.3
%
 
16

 
Corn Belt Power Cooperative
 
2027
Elbow Creek (b)
 
75
%
 
92

 
NRG Power Marketing LLC
 
2022
Elkhorn Ridge (b)
 
50.3
%
 
41

 
Nebraska Public Power District
 
2029
Forward (b)
 
75
%
 
22

 
Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
 
2017
Goat Wind (b)
 
74.9
%
 
113

 
Dow Pipeline Company
 
2025
Hardin (b)
 
74.3
%
 
11

 
Interstate Power and Light Company
 
2027
Laredo Ridge
 
100
%
 
80

 
Nebraska Public Power District
 
2031
Lookout (b)
 
75
%
 
29

 
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
 
2030
Odin (b)
 
74.9
%
 
15

 
Missouri River Energy Services
 
2028
Pinnacle
 
100
%
 
55

 
Maryland Department of General Services and University System of Maryland
 
2031
San Juan Mesa (b)
 
56.3
%
 
68

 
Southwestern Public Service Company
 
2025
Sleeping Bear (b)
 
75
%
 
71

 
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
 
2032
South Trent
 
100
%
 
101

 
AEP Energy Partners
 
2029
Spanish Fork (b)
 
75
%
 
14

 
PacifiCorp
 
2028

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Projects
 
Percentage Ownership
 
Net Capacity (MW) (a)
 
Offtake Counterparty
 
Expiration
Spring Canyon II (b)
 
90.1
%
 
29

 
Platte River Power Authority
 
2039
Spring Canyon III (b)
 
90.1
%
 
25

 
Platte River Power Authority
 
2039
Taloga
 
100
%
 
130

 
Oklahoma Gas & Electric
 
2031
Wildorado (b)
 
74.9
%
 
121

 
Southwestern Public Service Company
 
2027
 
 
 
 
1,999

 
 
 
 
Thermal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thermal equivalent MWt(c)
 
100
%
 
1,319

 
Various
 
Various
NRG Energy Center Dover LLC
 
100
%
 
103

 
NRG Power Marketing LLC
 
2018
Thermal generation
 
100
%
 
20

 
Various
 
Various
 
 
 
 
1,442

 
 
 
 
Total net capacity (excluding equivalent MWt) (d)
 
 
 
4,686

 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Net capacity represents the maximum, or rated, generating capacity of the facility multiplied by the Company's percentage ownership in the facility as of December 31, 2016.
(b) Projects are part of tax equity arrangements.
(c) For thermal energy, net capacity represents MWt for steam or chilled water and excludes 134 MWt available under the right-to-use provisions contained in agreements between two of the Company's thermal facilities and certain of its customers.
(d) NRG Yield's total generation capacity is net of 6 MWs for noncontrolling interest for Spring Canyon II and III. NRG Yield's generation capacity including this noncontrolling interest was 4,692 MWs.
In addition to the facilities owned or leased in the table above, the Company entered into partnerships to own or purchase solar power generation projects, as well as other ancillary related assets from  a related party via intermediate funds.  The Company does not consolidate these partnerships and accounts for them as equity method investments. The Company's net interest in these projects is 131 MW based on cash to be distributed. For further discussions, refer to Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Substantially all of the Company's generation assets are under long-term contractual arrangements for the output or capacity from these assets. The thermal assets are comprised of district energy systems and combined heat and power plants that produce steam, hot water and/or chilled water and, in some instances, electricity at a central plant. Three out of the fourteen district energy systems are subject to rate regulation by state public utility commissions while the other district energy systems have rates determined by negotiated bilateral contracts.
As described in Note 13, Related Party Transactions, the Company has a management services agreement with NRG for various services, including human resources, accounting, tax, legal, information systems, treasury, and risk management.
During the years ending December 31, 2016 and 2015 the Company completed three acquisitions of Drop Down Assets from NRG. The accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period). For further discussion, see Note 3, Business Acquisitions.
Note 2Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The ASC is the source of authoritative GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. In addition, the rules and interpretative releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.
The consolidated financial statements include the Company's accounts and operations and those of its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. As such, the Company applies the guidance of ASC 810, Consolidations, or ASC 810, to determine when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through its voting interests, referred to as a variable interest entity, or VIE, should be consolidated.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents held at project subsidiaries was $105 million and $93 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held to satisfy the requirements of certain debt agreements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their use. Of these funds as of December 31, 2016, approximately $25 million is designated for current debt service payments, $13 million is designated to fund operating expenses and $37 million is designated for distributions to the Company, with the remaining $90 million restricted for reserves including debt service, performance obligations and other reserves, as well as capital expenditures.
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet at the invoiced amount adjusted for any write-offs and the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed periodically based on amounts past due and significance. The allowance for doubtful accounts was immaterial as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Inventory
Inventory consists principally of spare parts and fuel oil. Spare parts inventory is valued at weighted average cost, unless evidence indicates that the weighted average cost will not be recovered with a normal profit in the ordinary course of business.  Fuel oil inventory is valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market. The Company removes fuel inventories as they are used in the production of steam, chilled water or electricity.  Spare parts inventory are removed when they are used for repairs, maintenance or capital projects.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or, in the case of third party business acquisitions, fair value; however impairment adjustments are recorded whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. See Note 3, Business Acquisitions, for more information on acquired property, plant and equipment. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized as incurred, while repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the respective asset are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. Certain assets and their related accumulated depreciation amounts are adjusted for asset retirements and disposals with the resulting gain or loss included in cost of operations in the consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded in operating costs and expenses in the statements of operations. Fair values are determined by a variety of valuation methods, including appraisals, sales prices of similar assets and present value techniques. For further discussion of the Company's long-lived asset impairments, refer to Note 9, Asset Impairments.
Investments accounted for by the equity method are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures, which requires that a loss in value of an investment that is an other-than-temporary decline should be recognized. The Company identifies and measures losses in the value of equity method investments based upon a comparison of fair value to carrying value.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized as interest expense on a basis which approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs related to the long term debt are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt in both the current and prior periods. Debt issuance costs related to the senior secured revolving credit facility line of credit are recorded as a non-current asset on the balance sheet and are amortized over the term of the loan.

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Intangible Assets
Intangible assets represent contractual rights held by the Company. The Company recognizes specifically identifiable intangible assets including power purchase agreements, leasehold improvements, customer relationships, customer contracts, and development rights when specific rights and contracts are acquired. These intangible assets are amortized primarily on a straight-line basis.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable consist of receivables related to the financing of required network upgrades. The notes issued with respect to network upgrades will be repaid within a 5-year period following the date each facility reached commercial operations.
Income Taxes
The Company is classified as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, federal and state income taxes are assessed at the partner level. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes in the accompanying financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Thermal Revenues
Steam and chilled water revenue is recognized based on customer usage as determined by meter readings taken at month-end. Some locations read customer meters throughout the month, and recognize estimated revenue for the period between meter read date and month-end. The Thermal Business subsidiaries collect and remit state and local taxes associated with sales to their customers, as required by governmental authorities. These taxes are presented on a net basis in the income statement.
Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs
The majority of the Company’s revenues are obtained through PPAs or other contractual agreements, which are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 840. ASC 840 requires the minimum lease payments received to be amortized over the term of the lease and contingent rentals are recorded when the achievement of the contingency becomes probable. Judgment is required by management in determining the economic life of each generating facility, in evaluating whether certain lease provisions constitute minimum payments or represent contingent rent and other factors in determining whether a contract contains a lease and whether the lease is an operating lease or capital lease.
Certain of these leases have no minimum lease payments and all of the rental income under these leases is recorded as contingent rent on an actual basis when the electricity is delivered. The contingent rental income recognized in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $553 million, $416 million and $296 million, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC 815, which requires the Company to record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value unless they qualify for a NPNS exception. Changes in the fair value of non-hedge derivatives are immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, if elected for hedge accounting, are either:
Recognized in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged assets, liabilities and firm commitments; or
Deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated OCI until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings.

71

                                                


The Company's primary derivative instruments are power purchase or sale contracts used to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in market prices, fuels purchase contracts used to control customer reimbursable fuel cost, and interest rate instruments used to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in interest rates. On an ongoing basis, the Company assesses the effectiveness of all derivatives that are designated as hedges for accounting purposes in order to determine that each derivative continues to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Internal analyses that measure the statistical correlation between the derivative and the associated hedged item determine the effectiveness of such a contract designated as a hedge. If it is determined that the derivative instrument is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting will be discontinued prospectively. In this case, the gain or loss previously deferred in accumulated OCI would be frozen until the underlying hedged item is delivered unless the transaction being hedged is no longer probable of occurring in which case the amount in OCI would be immediately reclassified into earnings. If the derivative instrument is terminated, the effective portion of this derivative deferred in accumulated OCI will be frozen until the underlying hedged item is delivered.
Revenues and expenses on contracts that qualify for the NPNS exception are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is delivered. While these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, they are not recorded at fair value, but on an accrual basis of accounting. If it is determined that a transaction designated as NPNS no longer meets the scope exception, the fair value of the related contract is recorded on the balance sheet and immediately recognized through earnings.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable, notes receivable and derivative instruments, which are concentrated within entities engaged in the energy and financial industry. These industry concentrations may impact the overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. In addition, many of the Company's projects have only one customer. However, the Company believes that the credit risk posed by industry concentration is offset by the diversification and creditworthiness of its customer base. See Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a further discussion of derivative concentrations and Note 12, Segment Reporting, for concentration of counterparties.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts receivable - affiliate, accounts payable, current portion of account payable - affiliate, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a further discussion of fair value of financial instruments.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations, or AROs, are accounted for in accordance with ASC 410-20, Asset Retirement Obligations, or ASC 410-20. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets included within the scope of ASC 410-20 are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. ASC 410-20 requires an entity to recognize the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an ARO, the asset retirement cost is capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its future value, while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The Company's AROs are primarily related to the future dismantlement of equipment on leased property and environmental obligations related to site closures and fuel storage facilities. The Company records AROs as part of other non-current liabilities on its balance sheet.
The following table represents the balance of ARO obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, along with the additions and accretion related to the Company's ARO obligations for the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
(In millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
43

Revisions in estimates for current obligations
2

Accretion — expense
3

Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
48


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Guarantees
The Company enters into various contracts that include indemnification and guarantee provisions as a routine part of its business activities. Examples of these contracts include operation and maintenance agreements, service agreements, commercial sales arrangements and other types of contractual agreements with vendors and other third parties, as well as affiliates. These contracts generally indemnify the counterparty for tax, environmental liability, litigation and other matters, as well as breaches of representations, warranties and covenants set forth in these agreements. Because many of the guarantees and indemnities the Company issues to third parties and affiliates do not limit the amount or duration of its obligations to perform under them, there exists a risk that the Company may have obligations in excess of the amounts agreed upon in the contracts mentioned above. For those guarantees and indemnities that do not limit the liability exposure, the Company may not be able to estimate what the liability would be, until a claim is made for payment or performance, due to the contingent nature of these contracts.
Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
The Company has investments in various energy projects accounted for by the equity method, four of which are VIEs, where the Company is not a primary beneficiary, and two of which are owned by a subsidiary that is consolidated as a VIE, as described in Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities. The equity method of accounting is applied to these investments in affiliates because the ownership structure prevents the Company from exercising a controlling influence over the operating and financial policies of the projects. Under this method, equity in pre-tax income or losses of the investments is reflected as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Distributions from equity method investments that represent earnings on the Company's investment are included within cash flows from operating activities and distributions from equity method investments that represent a return of the Company's investment are included within cash flows from investing activities.
Sale Leaseback Arrangements
The Company is party to sale-leaseback arrangements that provide for the sale of certain assets to a third party and simultaneous leaseback to the Company. In accordance with ASC 840-40, Sale-Leaseback Transactions, if the seller-lessee retains, through the leaseback, substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to the ownership of the property sold, the sale-leaseback transaction is accounted for as a financing arrangement. An example of this type of continuing involvement would include an option to repurchase the assets or the buyer-lessor having the option to sell the assets back to the Company. This provision is included in most of the Company’s sale-leaseback arrangements. As such, the Company accounts for these arrangements as financings.
Under the financing method, the Company does not recognize as income any of the sale proceeds received from the lessor that contractually constitutes payment to acquire the assets subject to these arrangements. Instead, the sale proceeds received are accounted for as financing obligations and leaseback payments made by the Company are allocated between interest expense and a reduction to the financing obligation. Interest on the financing obligation is calculated using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the inception of the arrangement on the outstanding financing obligation. Judgment is required to determine the appropriate borrowing rate for the arrangement and in determining any gain or loss on the transaction that would be recorded either at the end of or over the lease term.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for its business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, or ASC 805. For third party acquisitions, ASC 805 requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. It also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are expensed as incurred. For acquisitions that relate to entities under common control, ASC 805 requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period of from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period). The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity is recorded as a distribution/contribution from/to NRG with the offset to contributed capital. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

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Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during the reporting period. Actual results could be different from these estimates.
In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Company uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as plant depreciable lives, uncollectible accounts, environmental liabilities, acquisition accounting and legal costs incurred in connection with recorded loss contingencies, among others. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates.
Tax Equity Arrangements
Certain portions of the Company’s noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries represent third-party interests in the net assets under certain tax equity arrangements, which are consolidated by the Company, that have been entered into to finance the cost of wind facilities eligible for certain tax credits. Additionally, certain portions of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates reflect the Company’s interests in tax equity arrangements, that are not consolidated by the Company, that have been entered into to finance the cost of distributed solar energy systems under operating leases or PPAs eligible for certain tax credits. The Company has determined that the provisions in the contractual agreements of these structures represent substantive profit sharing arrangements. Further, the Company has determined that the appropriate methodology for calculating the noncontrolling interest and investment in unconsolidated affiliates that reflects the substantive profit sharing arrangements is a balance sheet approach utilizing the hypothetical liquidation at book value, or HLBV, method. Under the HLBV method, the amounts reported as noncontrolling interests and investment in unconsolidated affiliates represent the amounts the investors to the tax equity arrangements would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet date under the liquidation provisions of the contractual agreements, assuming the net assets of the funding structures were liquidated at their recorded amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. The investors’ interests in the results of operations of the funding structures are determined as the difference in noncontrolling interests and investment in unconsolidated affiliates at the start and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between the structures and the funds’ investors. The calculations utilized to apply the HLBV method include estimated calculations of taxable income or losses for each reporting period.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.
Recent Accounting Developments
ASU 2016-18 — In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash, or ASU No. 2016-18. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 were issued to address the diversity in classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows which is currently not addressed under Topic 230. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 would require an entity to include amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods.  Early adoption is permitted and the adoption of ASU No. 2016-18 should be applied retrospectively.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company’s statement of cash flows.
ASU 2016-16 — In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, or ASU No. 2016-16.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 were issued to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory.  Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party which has resulted in diversity in practice and increased complexity within financial reporting.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 would require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and do not require new disclosure requirements.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods.  Early adoption is permitted and the adoption of ASU No. 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

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ASU 2016-15 — In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, or ASU No. 2016-15. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-15 were issued to address eight specific cash flow issues for which stakeholders have indicated to the FASB that a diversity in practice existed in how entities were presenting and classifying these items in the statement of cash flows. The issues addressed by ASU No. 2016-15 include but are not limited to the classification of debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, payments made for contingent consideration for a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance proceeds, distributions received from equity method investees and separately identifiable cash flows and the application of the predominance principle. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-15 are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods in those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim fiscal period with all amendments adopted in the same period. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-15 is required to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company's statement of cash flows.
ASU 2016-07 — In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), or ASU No. 2016-07. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-07 eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting with no retroactive adjustment to the investment. In addition, ASU No. 2016-07 requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-07 is required to be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the standard to have a material impact on its results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
ASU 2016-02 — In 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), or Topic 842, with the objective to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to improve financial reporting by expanding the related disclosures. The guidance in Topic 842 provides that a lessee that may have previously accounted for a lease as an operating lease under current GAAP should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from a lease on the balance sheet. In addition, Topic 842 expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures with regards to lease arrangements. The Company expects to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019 utilizing the required modified retrospective approach for the earliest period presented. The Company expects to elect certain of the practical expedients permitted, including the expedient that permits the Company to retain its existing lease assessment and classification. The Company is currently working through an adoption plan and evaluating the anticipated impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position and results of operations, the Company expects to recognize lease liabilities and right of use assets. The extent of the increase to assets and liabilities associated with these amounts remains to be determined pending the Company’s review of its existing lease contracts and service contracts which may contain embedded leases. As this review is still in process, it is currently not practicable to quantify the impact of adopting the ASU at this time.
ASU 2016-01 — In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or ASU No. 2016-01. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-01 eliminate available-for-sale classification of equity investments and require that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be generally measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  Further, the amendments require that financial assets and financial liabilities to be presented separately in the notes to the financial statements, grouped by measurement category and form of financial asset.  The guidance in ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

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ASU 2015-16 — In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, or ASU No. 2015-16. The amendments of ASU No. 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts recognized in a business combination in the reporting period during which the adjustments are determined. Additionally, the amendments of ASU No. 2015-16 require the acquirer to record in the same period's financial statements the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of the measurement period adjustment, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date as well as disclosing on either the face of the income statement or in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-16 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-16 for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
ASU 2014-09 — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), or ASU No. 2014-09, which was further amended through various updates issued by the FASB thereafter.  The amendments of ASU No. 2014-09 completed the joint effort between the FASB and the IASB, to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and IFRS, and to improve financial reporting.  The guidance under Topic 606 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services provided and establishes a five step model to be applied by an entity in evaluating its contracts with customers.  The Company expects to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018 and apply the guidance retrospectively to contracts at the date of adoption. The Company will recognize the cumulative effect of applying Topic 606 at the date of initial application, as prescribed under the modified retrospective transition method. The Company also expects to elect the practical expedient available under Topic 606 for measuring progress toward complete satisfaction of a performance obligation and for disclosure requirements of remaining performance obligations.  The practical expedient allows an entity to recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has the right to invoice such that the entity has a right to the consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for performance completed to date by the entity. The majority of the Company's revenues are obtained through PPAs, which are currently accounted for as operating leases. In connection with the implementation of Topic 842, as described above, the Company expects to elect certain of the practical expedients permitted, including the expedient that permits the Company to retain its existing lease assessment and classification. As leases are excluded from the scope of Topic 606, the Company expects the standard to have an immaterial impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position, however, the Company continues to assess the impact in connection with its plan of adoption.
Note 3Business Acquisitions
2016 Acquisitions
CVSR Drop Down Prior to September 1, 2016, the Company had a 48.95% interest in CVSR, which was accounted for as an equity method investment. On September 1, 2016, the Company acquired from NRG the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC, which indirectly owns the CVSR solar facility, CVSR Drop Down, for total cash consideration of $78.5 million, plus an immaterial working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed additional debt of $496 million, which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement, as further described in Note 10, Long-term Debt. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of its debt, consisting of $771 million of project level debt and $200 million of notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement as of September 1, 2016.
The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity was recorded as a distribution to NRG with the offset to contributed capital. Because the transaction constituted a transfer of net assets under common control, the guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company has removed the equity method investment from all prior periods and adjusted its financial statements to reflect its results of operations, financial position and cash flows as if it had consolidated CVSR from the beginning of the financial statement period. As of June 30, 2016, the Company's recast consolidated balance sheet included a net receivable of $67 million related to current litigation with SunPower pursuant to indemnities in the project. The agreement between NRG and the Company for the CVSR Drop Down acquisition specified that all amounts related to the litigation with SunPower were excluded from the acquisition. Accordingly, prior to close of the transaction, the net receivable was transferred to NRG as a net reduction to its ownership interest in CVSR.

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The following is the summary of historical net liabilities assumed in connection with the CVSR Drop Down as of September 1, 2016:
 
CVSR
 
(In millions)
Current assets
$
95

Property, plant and equipment
826

Non-current assets
13

Total assets
934

 
 
Debt (a)
966

Other current and non-current liabilities
12

Total liabilities
978

Net liabilities assumed 
(44
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(25
)
Historical net liabilities assumed
$
(19
)
 
(a) Net of deferred financing costs of $5 million.
The Company incurred and expensed acquisition-related transaction costs related to the acquisition of CVSR of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Since the acquisition date, CVSR has contributed $22 million in operating revenues and a $2 million in net loss to the Company.
The following tables present the historical information summary combining the financial information for the CVSR Drop Down transferred in connection with the acquisition:
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
As Previously Reported
 
CVSR
 
As Currently Reported
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
321

 
$
98

 
$
419

Property, plant and equipment
5,056

 
822

 
5,878

Non-current assets
2,231

 
(6
)
 
2,225

Total assets
7,608

 
914

 
8,522

 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
4,835

 
843

 
5,678

Other current and non-current liabilities
339

 
(35
)
 
304

Total liabilities
5,174

 
808

 
5,982

Net assets
$
2,434

 
$
106

 
$
2,540


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Year ended December 31, 2015
 
As Previously Reported
 
CVSR
 
As Currently Reported
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
869

 
$
84

 
$
953

Operating income
279

 
43

 
322

Net income
78

 
10

 
88

 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
As Previously Reported (a)
 
CVSR
 
As Currently Reported
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$
746

 
$
82

 
$
828

Operating income
266

 
40

 
306

Net income
108

 
9

 
117

2015 Acquisitions
November 2015 Drop Down Assets from NRGOn November 3, 2015, the Company acquired the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for cash consideration of $209 million, subject to working capital adjustments. In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million. The Company is responsible for its pro-rata share of non-recourse project debt of $193 million and noncontrolling interest associated with a tax equity structure of $159 million (as of the acquisition date).
The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings from its revolving credit facility. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity was recorded as a distribution from NRG with the offset to contributed capital.
The Class A interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco are owned by a tax equity investor, or TE Investor, who receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the TE Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the TE Investor change to 8.53%. The Company generally receives 75% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 68.60%. If the flip point has not occurred by a specified date, 100% of CAFD is allocated to the TE Investor until the flip point occurs. NRG Wind TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary, through its position as managing member, and consolidates NRG Wind TE Holdco.
The following is a summary of assets and liabilities transferred in connection with the acquisition as of November 3, 2015:
 
NRG Wind TE Holdco
 
(In millions)
Current assets
$
30

Property, plant and equipment
669

Non-current assets
177

Total assets
876

 
 
Debt
193

Other current and non-current liabilities
32

Total liabilities
225

Less: noncontrolling interest
282

Net assets acquired
$
369



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Desert Sunlight On June 29, 2015, the Company acquired 25% of the membership interest in Desert Sunlight Investment Holdings, LLC, which owns two solar photovoltaic facilities that total 550 MW, located in Desert Center, California from EFS Desert Sun, LLC, an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services for a purchase price of $285 million. Power generated by the facilities is sold to Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric under long-term PPAs with approximately 20 years and 25 years of remaining contract life, respectively. The Company accounts for its 25% investment as an equity method investment.
Spring Canyon On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired a 90.1% interest in Spring Canyon II, a 32 MW wind facility, and Spring Canyon III, a 28 MW wind facility, each located in Logan County, Colorado, from Invenergy Wind Global LLC. The purchase price was funded with cash on hand. Power generated by Spring Canyon II and Spring Canyon III is sold to Platte River Power Authority under long-term PPAs, each with approximately 24 years of remaining contract life.
University of Bridgeport Fuel Cell On April 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of the University of Bridgeport Fuel Cell project in Bridgeport, Connecticut from FuelCell Energy, Inc. The project added an additional 1.4 MW of thermal capacity to the Company's portfolio, with a 12-year contract, with the option for a 7-year extension. The acquisition is reflected in the Company's Thermal segment.
January 2015 Drop Down Assets from NRGOn January 2, 2015, the Company acquired the following projects from NRG: (i) Laredo Ridge, an 80 MW wind facility located in Petersburg, Nebraska, (ii) Tapestry, which includes Buffalo Bear, a 19 MW wind facility in Buffalo, Oklahoma; Taloga, a 130 MW wind facility in Putnam, Oklahoma; and Pinnacle, a 55 MW wind facility in Keyser, West Virginia, and (iii)  Walnut Creek, a 485 MW natural gas facility located in City of Industry, California, for total cash consideration of $489 million, including $9 million for working capital, plus assumed project-level debt of $737 million. The Company funded the acquisition with cash on hand and drawings under its revolving credit facility. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash paid and the historical value of the entities' equity of $61 million was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its contributed capital.
2014 Acquisitions
Alta Wind Portfolio Acquisition On August 12, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of Alta Wind Asset Management Holdings, LLC, Alta Wind Company, LLC, Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC and Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC, which collectively own seven wind facilities that total 947 MW located in Tehachapi, California and a portfolio of associated land leases, or the Alta Wind Portfolio. Power generated by the Alta Wind Portfolio is sold to Southern California Edison under long-term PPAs with 21 years of remaining contract life for Alta I-V. The Alta Wind X and XI PPAs began in 2016 with a term of 22 years and sold energy and renewable energy credits on a merchant basis during the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The purchase price for the Alta Wind Portfolio was $923 million, which consisted of a base purchase price of $870 million, as well as a payment for working capital of $53 million, plus the assumption of $1.6 billion of non-recourse project-level debt. In order to fund the purchase price, the Company completed an equity offering of 12,075,000 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price of $54.00 per share on July 29, 2014, which resulted in net proceeds of $630 million, after underwriting discounts and expenses. In addition, on August 5, 2014, NRG Yield Operating LLC issued $500 million of Senior Notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.375% and mature in August 2024.
The acquisition was recorded as a business combination under ASC 805-50, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed provisionally recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The accounting for the business combination was completed as of August 11, 2015, at which point the fair values became final. The following table summarizes the provisional amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 31, 2014, as well as adjustments made through August 11, 2015, when the allocation became final.

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The purchase price of $923 million was allocated as follows:
 
 
Acquisition Date Fair Value at December 31, 2014
 
Measurement period adjustments
 
Revised Acquisition Date
Assets
 
(In millions)
Cash
 
$
22

 
$

 
$
22

Current and non-current assets
 
49

 
(2
)
 
47

Property, plant and equipment
 
1,304

 
6

 
1,310

Intangible assets
 
1,177

 
(6
)
 
1,171

Total assets acquired
 
2,552

 
(2
)
 
2,550

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
 
1,591

 

 
1,591

Current and non-current liabilities
 
38

 
(2
)
 
36

Total liabilities assumed
 
1,629

 
(2
)
 
1,627

Net assets acquired
 
$
923

 
$

 
$
923

The Company incurred and expensed acquisition-related transaction costs related to the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio of $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
June 2014 Drop Down Assets On June 30, 2014, the Company acquired from NRG: (i) El Segundo, a 550 MW fast-start, gas-fired facility located in Los Angeles County, California; (ii) TA High Desert, a 20 MW solar facility located in Los Angeles County, California; and (iii) Kansas South, a 20 MW solar facility located in Kings County, California. The Company paid total cash consideration of $357 million, which represents a base purchase price of $349 million and $8 million of working capital adjustments. In addition, the acquisition included the assumption of $612 million of project- level debt. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50. The difference between the cash proceeds and the historical value of the net assets was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its contributed capital. Since the transaction constituted a transfer of entities under common control, the guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the beginning of the financial statements period or the inception of common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). Accordingly, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfer as if it had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period.


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Note 4Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company’s major classes of property, plant, and equipment were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Depreciable Lives
 
(In millions)
 
 
Facilities and equipment
$
6,215

 
$
6,480

 
2 - 40 Years
Land and improvements
171

 
171

 
 
Construction in progress (a)
25

 
9

 
 
Total property, plant and equipment
6,411

 
6,660

 
 
Accumulated depreciation
(951
)
 
(782
)
 
 
Net property, plant and equipment
$
5,460

 
$
5,878

 
 
 
(a) As of December 31, 2016, construction in progress includes $20 million of capital expenditures that relate to prepaid long-term service agreements primarily in the Conventional segment.
Note 5Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities
2017 Drop Down Assets On February 24, 2017, the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm, one of the NRG ROFO assets, representing ownership of approximately 46 net MW of capacity. Agua Caliente is located in Yuma County, AZ and sells power subject to a 25-year PPA with Pacific Gas and Electric, with 22 years remaining on that contract and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah representing 265 net MW (based on cash distributed) of capacity that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison. These assets achieved commercial operations in 2016, sell power subject to 20-year PPAs with PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and are part of a tax equity structure with Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., or Dominion, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million and assume non-recourse project debt. The Company expects to fund the purchase price for the acquisition, which is subject to working capital adjustments to be calculated at close, with cash on hand. The Company expects to record its interests in the acquired projects as equity method investments.
Equity Method Investments
The following table summarizes the Company's equity method investments as of December 31, 2016:
Name
 
Economic Interest
 
Investment Balance
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Desert Sunlight
 
25%
 
$282
GenConn (a)
 
50%
 
106
Elkhorn Ridge (b)
 
50.3%
 
85
San Juan Mesa(b)
 
56.3%
 
74
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC (c)
 
95%
 
75
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC (c)
 
95%
 
24
NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC (c)
 
95%
 
71
Avenal
 
50%
 
(7)
Total equity investments in affiliates
 
 
 
$710
 
(a) GenConn is a variable interest entity.
(b) San Juan Mesa and Elkhorn Ridge are part of the Wind TE Holdco tax equity structure, as described below. San Juan Mesa and Elkhorn Ridge are owned 75% and 66.7%, respectively, by Wind TE Holdco. The Company owns 75% of the Class B interests in Wind TE Holdco.
(c) Economic interest based on cash to be distributed. NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, and NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC are tax equity structures and VIEs. The related allocations are described below.


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As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had $30 million and $39 million, respectively, of undistributed earnings from its equity method investments.
The Company acquired its interest in Desert Sunlight on June 30, 2015, for $285 million, which resulted in a difference between the purchase price and the basis of the acquired assets and liabilities of $171 million. The difference is attributable to the fair value of the property, plant and equipment and power purchase agreements. The Company is amortizing the related basis difference to equity in earnings (losses) over the related useful life of the underlying assets acquired.
Non-recourse project-level debt of unconsolidated affiliates
The Company's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt held by unconsolidated affiliates was approximately $453 million as of December 31, 2016.
Avenal — The Company owns a 50% equity interest in Avenal, which consists of three solar PV projects in Kings County, California totaling approximately 45 MWs. Eurus Energy owns the remaining 50% of Avenal. Power generated by the projects is sold under a 20-year PPA. On September 22, 2010, Avenal entered into a $35 million promissory note facility with the Company. Amounts drawn under the promissory note facility accrue interest at 4.5% per annum. Also, on September 22, 2010, Avenal entered into a $209 million financing arrangement with a syndicate of banks, or the Avenal Facility. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Avenal had outstanding $134 million and $143 million, respectively, under the Avenal Facility.
Desert Sunlight Desert Sunlight 250 and Desert Sunlight 300 each entered into three distinct tranches of debt. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Desert Sunlight had total debt outstanding of $1.1 billion under the three tranches.

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GenConn GenConn has a $237 million project note with an interest rate of 4.73% and a maturity date of July 2041 and a 5-year, $35 million working capital facility that matures in 2018 which can be used to issue letters of credit at an interest rate of 1.875% per annum. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $212 million and $220 million, respectively, were outstanding under the note. As of December 31, 2016, $14 million was drawn on the working capital facility. The note is secured by all of the GenConn assets. The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment in GenConn, which was $106 million as of December 31, 2016.
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC On June 30, 2016, NRG DGPV4 Borrower LLC, a direct subsidiary of NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC entered into a financing agreement to fund the acquisition of projects by the tax equity fund.  As of December 31, 2016 there was $21 million outstanding under the facility.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company's significant equity method investments:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Income Statement Data:
(In millions)
GenConn
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
$
72

 
$
78

 
$
82

Operating income
38

 
40

 
40

Net income
26

 
28

 
28

Desert Sunlight
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
$
211

 
$
206

 
 
Operating income
129

 
124

 
 
Net income
80

 
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
(In millions)
GenConn
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
$
36

 
$
36

Non-current assets
 
389

 
416

Current liabilities
 
16

 
16

Non-current liabilities
 
196

 
215

Desert Sunlight
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
$
281

 
$
310

Non-current assets
 
1,401

 
1,435

Current liabilities
 
64

 
82

Non-current liabilities
 
1,043

 
1,086


Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs
Entities that are Consolidated
NRG Wind TE Holdco On November 3, 2015, the Company acquired 75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, or the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for total cash consideration of $209 million, as described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions. In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million. NRG retained a 25% ownership of the Class B interest. The Class A interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco are owned by a tax equity investor, or TE Investor, who receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the TE Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the TE Investor change to 8.53%. The Company generally receives 75% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 68.60%. If the flip point has not occurred by a specified date, 100% of CAFD is allocated to the TE Investor until the flip point occurs. NRG Wind TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary, through its position as managing member, and consolidates NRG Wind TE Holdco. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the TE Investor noncontrolling interest. Net income or loss attributable to the Class B interests is allocated to NRG's noncontrolling interest based on its 25% ownership interest.

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Alta TE Holdco On June 30, 2015, the Company sold an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco to a financial institution in order to monetize certain cash and tax attributes, primarily PTCs. The financial institution, or Alta Investor, receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the Alta Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the Alta Investor change to 5%. The Company received 100% of CAFD through December 31, 2015, and subsequently will receive 94.34% until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD will change to 97.12%, unless the flip point will not have occurred by a specified date, which would result in 100% of CAFD allocated to the Alta Investor until the flip point occurs. Alta TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary through its position as managing member, and therefore consolidates Alta TE Holdco, with the Alta Investor's interest shown as noncontrolling interest. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the noncontrolling interest. The net proceeds of $119 million were reflected as noncontrolling interest in the Company's balance sheet.
Spring Canyon On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired a 90.1% of the Class B interests in Spring Canyon II, a 32 MW wind facility, and Spring Canyon III, a 28 MW wind facility, each located in Logan County, Colorado, from Invenergy Wind Global LLC. Invenergy owns 9.9% of the Class B interests. Prior to the acquisition date, the projects were financed with a partnership flip tax-equity structure with a financial institution, who owns the Class A interests, to monetize certain cash and tax attributes, primarily PTCs. Until the flip point, the Class A member will receive 34.81% of the cash distributions based on the projects’ production level and the Company and Invenergy will receive 65.19%. After the flip point, cash distributions are allocated 5% to the Class A member and 95% to the Company and Invenergy. Spring Canyon is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary through its position as managing member, and therefore consolidates Spring Canyon. The Class A member and Invenergy's interests are shown as noncontrolling interest. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the Class A member. Net income or loss attributable to the Class B interests is allocated to Invenergy's noncontrolling interest based on its 9.9% ownership interest.
Summarized financial information for the Company's consolidated VIEs consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016:
(In millions)
NRG Wind TE Holdco
 
Alta TE Holdco
 
Spring Canyon
Other current and non-current assets
$
193

 
$
17

 
$
4

Property, plant and equipment
441

 
461

 
100

Intangible assets
2

 
274

 

Total assets
636

 
752

 
104

Current and non-current liabilities
209

 
9

 
6

Total liabilities
209

 
9

 
6

Noncontrolling interest
139

 
107

 
67

Net assets less noncontrolling interests
$
288

 
$
636

 
$
31

Entities that are not Consolidated
The Company has interests in entities that are considered VIEs under ASC 810, Consolidation, but for which it is not considered the primary beneficiary.  The Company accounts for its interests in these entities under the equity method of accounting.
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC On May 8, 2015, the Company and NRG entered into a partnership by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, or DGPV Holdco 1, the purpose of which is to own or purchase solar power generation projects and other ancillary related assets from NRG Renew LLC or its subsidiaries via intermediate funds, including: (i) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 10 recently completed community solar projects representing approximately 8 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 19 years; (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 12 commercial photovoltaic systems representing approximately 37 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 18 years; and (iii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 3 commercial photovoltaic systems representing approximately 1 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 20 years. All of these investments relate to the Company's $100 million commitment to distributed solar projects in partnership with NRG.
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC On February 29, 2016, the Company and NRG entered into an additional partnership by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, or DGPV Holdco 2, to own or purchase solar power generation projects as well as other ancillary related assets from NRG Renew LLC or its subsidiaries, via intermediate funds including: (i) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 18 projects representing approximately 28 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 21 years; and (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 21 projects representing approximately 18 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 20 years.   Under this partnership, the Company committed to fund up to $50 million of capital. 
The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment in DGPV Holdco 1 and DGPV Holdco 2, which was $99 million on a combined basis, of which $14 million was payable to NRG, as of December 31, 2016.

84

                                                


NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC On April 9, 2015, the Company and NRG entered into a partnership by forming NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, or RPV Holdco, that holds operating portfolios of residential solar assets developed by NRG's residential solar business, including: (i) an existing, unlevered portfolio of over 2,200 leases across nine states representing approximately 15 MW with a weighted average remaining lease term of approximately 19 years that was acquired outside of the partnership; and (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 5,400 leases representing approximately 31 MW, with a weighted average remaining lease term for the existing and new leases of approximately 19 years.
In addition to the acquisition of the unlevered portfolio of leases, the Company had previously committed to fund up to $150 million of capital to invest in the tax equity financed portfolio. On February 29, 2016, the Company and NRG amended the RPV Holdco partnership agreement to reduce the aggregate commitment of $150 million to $100 million in connection with the formation of DGPV Holdco 2. On August 5, 2016, the Company and NRG amended the RPV Holdco partnership agreement to further reduce that capital commitment of $100 million to $60 million in connection with NRG’s change in business model approach in the residential solar business. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had contributed $59 million of this amount.
The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment, which was $71 million as of December 31, 2016.
Note 6Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable — affiliate, accounts receivable, accounts payable, current portion of accounts payable — affiliate, accrued expenses and other liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments and are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
The estimated carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s recorded financial instruments not carried at fair market value are as follows:
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
(In millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes receivable, including current portion
$
30

 
$
30

 
$
47

 
$
47

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portion — affiliate
618

 
608

 
618

 
553

Long-term debt, including current portion — external
$
5,164

 
$
5,148

 
$
5,060

 
$
4,974

Fair Value Accounting under ASC 820
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:
Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability only used when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.
In accordance with ASC 820, the Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement in its entirety falls, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

85

                                                


The fair value of the Company's publicly-traded long-term debt is based on quoted market prices and is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of non-publicly traded long-term debt, affiliate debt and certain notes receivable of the Company are based on expected future cash flows discounted at market interest rates, or current interest rates for similar instruments with equivalent credit quality and are 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(In millions)
Long-term debt, including current portion
$
833

 
$
4,923

 
$
413

 
$
5,114

Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company records its derivative assets and liabilities at fair market value on its consolidated balance sheet. There were no asset positions as of December 31, 2015. The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy:
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Fair Value (a)
 
Fair Value (a)
 
Fair Value (a)
(In millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 2
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1

 
$
1

 
$

Interest rate contracts

 
1

 

Total assets
$
1

 
$
2

 
$

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$

 
$
1

 
$
2

Interest rate contracts

 
71

 
98

Total liabilities
$

 
$
72

 
$
100

 
(a) There were no assets or liabilities classified as Level 1 as of December 31, 2015. There were no assets or liabilities classified Level 3 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Derivative Fair Value Measurements
The Company's contracts are non-exchange-traded and valued using prices provided by external sources. For the Company’s energy markets, management receives quotes from multiple sources. To the extent that multiple quotes are received, the prices reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices obtained from all sources believed to provide the most liquid market for the commodity.
The fair value of each contract is discounted using a risk free interest rate. In addition, a credit reserve is applied to reflect credit risk, which for interest rate swaps, is calculated based on credit default swaps utilizing the bilateral method. For commodities, to the extent that NRG's net exposure under a specific master agreement is an asset, the Company uses the counterparty's default swap rate. If the exposure under a specific master agreement is a liability, the Company uses NRG's default swap rate. For interest rate swaps and commodities, the credit reserve is added to the discounted fair value to reflect the exit price that a market participant would be willing to receive to assume the liabilities or that a market participant would be willing to pay for the assets. As of December 31, 2016, the credit reserve resulted in a $1 million increase in fair value in OCI. It is possible that future market prices could vary from those used in recording assets and liabilities and such variations could be material.
Concentration of Credit Risk
In addition to the credit risk discussion as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the following item is a discussion of the concentration of credit risk for the Company's financial instruments. 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. The Company monitors and manages credit risk through credit policies that include: (i) an established credit approval process; (ii) daily monitoring of counterparties' credit limits; (iii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as margin, collateral, prepayment arrangements, or volumetric limits; (iv) the use of payment netting agreements; and (v) the use of master netting agreements that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures of various contracts associated with a single counterparty. Risks surrounding counterparty performance and credit could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. The Company seeks to mitigate counterparty risk by having a diversified portfolio of counterparties.

86

                                                


Counterparty credit exposure includes credit risk exposure under certain long-term agreements, including solar and other PPAs. As external sources or observable market quotes are not available to estimate such exposure, the Company estimates the exposure related to 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 December 31, 2016, credit risk exposure to these counterparties attributable to the Company's ownership interests was approximately $2.6 billion for the next five years. The majority of these power contracts are with utilities with strong credit quality and public utility commission or other regulatory support. However, such regulated utility counterparties can be impacted by changes in government regulations, which the Company is unable to predict.
Note 7Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
ASC 815 requires the Company to recognize all derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities and to measure them at fair value each reporting period unless they qualify for a NPNS exception. The Company may elect to designate certain derivatives as cash flow hedges, if certain conditions are met, and defer the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives to accumulated OCI/OCL, until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is immediately recognized in earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as cash flow hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the changes in the fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. Certain derivative instruments may qualify for the NPNS exception and are therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment. ASC 815 applies to the Company's energy related commodity contracts and interest rate swaps.
Energy-Related Commodities
To manage the commodity price risk associated with its competitive supply activities and the price risk associated with wholesale power sales, the Company may enter into derivative hedging instruments, namely, forward contracts that commit the Company to sell energy commodities or purchase fuels/electricity in the future. The objectives for entering into derivatives contracts designated as hedges include fixing the price for a portion of anticipated future electricity sales and fixing the price of a portion of anticipated fuel/electricity purchases for the operation of its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had forward contracts for the purchase of fuel commodities relating to the forecasted usage of the Company’s district energy centers extending through 2018 and electricity contracts to supply retail power to the Company's district energy centers extending through 2020. At December 31, 2016, these contracts were not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.
Also, as of December 31, 2016, the Company had other energy-related contracts that did not meet the definition of a derivative instrument or qualified for the NPNS exception and were therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment as follows:
Power tolling contracts through 2039, and
Natural gas transportation contracts through 2028.
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates through the issuance of variable rate debt. In order to manage interest rate risk, it enters into interest rate swap agreements.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had interest rate derivative instruments on non-recourse debt extending through 2031, most of which are designated as cash flow hedges.
Volumetric Underlying Derivative Transactions
The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of the Company's open derivative transactions broken out by commodity as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Total Volume
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commodity
Units
 
(In millions)
Natural Gas
MMBtu
 
3

 
4

Interest
Dollars
 
$
1,839

 
$
1,991


87

                                                


Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
There were no derivative asset positions on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheet:
 
Fair Value
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(In millions)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts current
$

 
$
26

 
$
34

Interest rate contracts long-term
1

 
39

 
56

Total Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
1

 
65

 
90

Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts current

 
2

 
3

Interest rate contracts long-term

 
4

 
5

Commodity contracts current
2

 
1

 
2

Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
2

 
7

 
10

Total Derivatives
$
3

 
$
72

 
$
100

The Company has elected to present derivative assets and liabilities on the balance sheet on a trade-by-trade basis and does not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. As of December 31, 2016, there was no outstanding collateral paid or received. As of December 31, 2015, there were no offsetting amounts at the counterparty master agreement level or outstanding collateral paid or received. The following table summarizes the offsetting of derivatives by counterparty master agreement level as of December 31, 2016:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2016
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities
 
Derivative Instruments
 
Net Amount
Commodity contracts:
(In millions)
Derivative assets
$
2

 
$

 
$
2

Derivative liabilities
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Total commodity contracts
1

 

 
1

Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
1

 
(1
)
 

Derivative liabilities
(71
)
 
1

 
(70
)
Total interest rate contracts
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
Total derivative instruments
$
(69
)
 
$

 
$
(69
)
 

88

                                                


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes the effects on the Company’s accumulated OCL balance attributable to interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedge derivatives:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Accumulated OCL beginning balance
$
(99
)
 
$
(82
)
 
$
(17
)
Reclassified from accumulated OCL to income due to realization of previously deferred amounts
17

 
17

 
15

Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts
(4
)
 
(34
)
 
(80
)
Accumulated OCL ending balance
(86
)
 
(99
)
 
(82
)
Accumulated OCL attributable to noncontrolling interests
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
Accumulated OCL attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
(83
)
 
$
(96
)
 
$
(80
)
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months
$
19

 
 
 
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL into income and amounts recognized in income from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recorded to interest expense. There was no ineffectiveness for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Accounting guidelines require a high degree of correlation between the derivative and the hedged item throughout the period in order to qualify as a cash flow hedge. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's regression analysis for Viento Funding II interest rate swaps, while positively correlated, did not meet the required threshold for cash flow hedge accounting. As a result, the Company de-designated the Viento Funding II cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2016, and will prospectively mark these derivatives to market through the income statement.
Impact of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income
The Company has interest rate derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges. The effect of interest rate hedges is recorded to interest expense. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the impact to the consolidated statements of income was a gain of $2 million, $16 million and a loss of $22 million, respectively.
A portion of the Company’s derivative commodity contracts relates to its Thermal Business for the purchase of fuel/electricity commodities based on the forecasted usage of the thermal district energy centers. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are reflected in the costs that are permitted to be billed to customers through the related customer contracts or tariffs and, accordingly, no gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income for these contracts.
In 2015 and 2014, commodity contracts also hedged the forecasted sale of power for the Elbow Creek until the start of the PPA with NRG Power Marketing LLC, or Power Marketing, with effective date of November 1, 2015. The effect of these commodity hedges was recorded to operating revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the impact to the consolidated statements of income was an unrealized loss of $2 million and a gain of $2 million, respectively.
See Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a discussion regarding concentration of credit risk.
Note 8Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets — The Company's intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 primarily reflect intangible assets established from its business acquisitions and are comprised of the following:
PPAs — Established predominantly with the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio, Walnut Creek, Tapestry and Laredo Ridge, these represent the fair value of the PPAs acquired. These will be amortized, generally on a straight-line basis, over the term of the PPA.
Leasehold Rights Established with the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio, this represents the fair value of contractual rights to receive royalty payments equal to a percentage of PPA revenue from certain projects. These will be amortized on a straight-line basis.
Customer relationships — Established with the acquisition of NRG Energy Center Phoenix and NRG Energy Center Omaha, these intangibles represent the fair value at the acquisition date of the businesses' customer base. The customer relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense based on the expected discounted future net cash flows by year.

89

                                                


Customer contracts — Established with the acquisition of NRG Energy Center Phoenix, these intangibles represent the fair value at the acquisition date of contracts that primarily provide chilled water, steam and electricity to its customers. These contracts are amortized to revenues based on expected volumes.
Emission Allowances These intangibles primarily consist of SO2 and NOx emission allowances established with the El Segundo and Walnut Creek acquisitions. These emission allowances are held-for-use and are amortized to cost of operations, with NOx allowances amortized on a straight-line basis and SO2 allowances amortized based on units of production.
Development rights — Arising primarily from the acquisition of solar businesses in 2010 and 2011, these intangibles are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the related project portfolio.
Other — Consists of the acquisition date fair value of the contractual rights to a ground lease for South Trent and to utilize certain interconnection facilities for Blythe, as well as land rights acquired in connection with the acquisition of Elbow Creek.
The following tables summarize the components of intangible assets subject to amortization:
Year ended December 31, 2016
PPAs
 
Leasehold Rights
 
Customer
Relationships
 
Customer Contracts
 
Emission Allowances
 
Development
Rights
 
Other
 
Total
(In millions)
 
 
 
January 1, 2016
$
1,264

 
$
86

 
$
66

 
$
15

 
$
15

 
$
3

 
$
6

 
$
1,455

Other

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 

 

 
(6
)
December 31, 2016
1,264

 
86

 
66

 
15

 
9

 
3

 
6

 
1,449

Less accumulated amortization
(138
)
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(7
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(163
)
Net carrying amount
$
1,126

 
$
77

 
$
62

 
$
8

 
$
7

 
$
2

 
$
4

 
$
1,286

Year ended December 31, 2015
PPAs
 
Leasehold Rights
 
Customer
Relationships
 
Customer Contracts
 
Emission Allowances
 
Development
Rights
 
Other
 
Total
(In millions)
 
January 1, 2015
$
1,270

 
$
86

 
$
66

 
$
15

 
$
16

 
$
3

 
$
6

 
$
1,462

Other
(6
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(7
)
December 31, 2015
1,264

 
86

 
66

 
15

 
15

 
3

 
6

 
1,455

Less accumulated amortization
(75
)
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(93
)
Net carrying amount
$
1,189

 
$
81

 
$
63

 
$
9

 
$
14

 
$
2

 
$
4

 
$
1,362

The Company recorded amortization expense of $70 million, $55 million and $30 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Of these amounts, $69 million, $54 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were recorded to contract amortization expense and reduced operating revenues in the consolidated statements of income. The Company estimates the future amortization expense for its intangibles to be $71 million for the next five years through 2021.
Out-of-market contracts — The out-of-market contract liability represents the out-of-market value of the PPAs for the Blythe solar project and Spring Canyon wind projects and the out-of-market value of the land lease for Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC, as of their respective acquisition dates. The Blythe solar project's liability of $4 million is recorded to other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and is amortized to revenue in the consolidated statements of income on a units-of-production basis over the twenty-year term of the agreement. Spring Canyon's liability of $3 million is recorded to other non-current liabilities and is amortized to revenue on a straight-line basis over the twenty-five year term of the agreement. The Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC's liability of $5 million is recorded to other non-current liabilities and is amortized to cost of operations on a straight-line basis over the term of the land lease. At December 31, 2016, accumulated amortization of out-of-market contracts was $3 million and amortization expense was $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Note 9Asset Impairments
During the fourth quarter of 2016, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, the Company determined that the cash flows for the Elbow Creek and Goat Wind projects located in Texas and the Forward project in Pennsylvania were below the carrying value of the related assets, primarily driven by declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. These projects were acquired in connection with the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets and were recorded in the Renewables segment of the Company. The projects were recorded at historical cost at acquisition date as they were related to interests under

90

                                                


common control by NRG. The fair value of the facilities was determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for each respective plant. The income approach utilized estimates of discounted future cash flows, which were Level 3 fair value measurement and include key inputs, such as forecasted power prices, operations and maintenance expense, and discount rates. The Company measured the impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets and recorded impairment losses of $117 million, $60 million and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind, and Forward, respectively.
Note 10Long-term Debt
The Company's borrowings, including short term and long term portions consisted of the following:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Interest rate % (a)
 
Letters of Credit Outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
 
(In millions, except rates)
 
 
2026 Senior Notes
 
$
350

 
$

 
5.000
 
 
2024 Senior Notes
 
500

 
500

 
5.375
 
 
Long-term debt - affiliate, due 2020
 
281

 
281

 
3.325
 
 
Long-term debt - affiliate, due 2019
 
337

 
337

 
3.580
 
 
NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, due 2019 (b)
 

 
306

 
L+2.500
 
60

Project-level debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alpine, due 2022
 
145

 
154

 
L+1.750
 
37

Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
 
242

 
252

 
7.015
 
16

Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
 
191

 
198

 
5.696
 
27

Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
 
198

 
206

 
6.067
 
27

Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034
 
128

 
133

 
5.938
 
19

Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035
 
206

 
213

 
6.071
 
30

Alta Realty Investments, due 2031
 
31

 
33

 
7.000
 

Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031
 
18

 
19

 
L+2.375
 

Avra Valley, due 2031
 
57

 
60

 
L+1.750
 
3

Blythe, due 2028
 
19

 
21

 
L+1.625
 
6

Borrego, due 2025 and 2038
 
69

 
72

 
L+ 2.500/5.650
 
5

CVSR, due 2037
 
771

 
793

 
2.339 - 3.775
 

CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037
 
199

 

 
4.680
 
13

El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023
 
443

 
485

 
L+1.625 - L+2.250
 
82

Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2017 and 2025
 
96

 
108

 
5.950 -7.250
 

Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031
 
125

 

 
3.550
 

Kansas South, due 2031
 
30

 
33

 
L+2.000
 
4

Laredo Ridge, due 2028
 
100

 
104

 
L+1.875
 
10

Marsh Landing, due 2017 and 2023
 
370

 
418

 
L+1.750 - L+1.875
 
22

PFMG and related subsidiaries financing agreement, due 2030
 
27

 
29

 
6.000
 

Roadrunner, due 2031
 
37

 
40

 
L+1.625
 
5

South Trent Wind, due 2020
 
57

 
62

 
L+1.625
 
10

TA High Desert, due 2020 and 2032
 
49

 
52

 
L+2.500/5.150
 
8

Tapestry, due 2021
 
172

 
181

 
L+1.625
 
20

Viento, due 2023
 
178

 
189

 
L+2.750
 
27

Walnut Creek, due 2023
 
310

 
351

 
L+1.625
 
41

WCEP Holdings, due 2023
 
46

 
46

 
L+3.000
 

Other
 

 
2

 
various
 

Subtotal project-level debt
 
4,314

 
4,254

 
 
 
 
Total debt
 
5,782

 
5,678

 
 
 
 
Less current maturities
 
282

 
264

 
 
 
 
Less deferred financing costs
 
54

 
53

 
 
 
 
Total long-term debt
 
$
5,446

 
$
5,361

 
 
 
 
 

91

                                                


(a) As of December 31, 2016, L+ equals 3 month LIBOR plus x%, except for the Alpine term loan, Marsh Landing term loan, Walnut Creek term loan, and NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, where L+ equals 1 month LIBOR plus x% and Kansas South and Viento, where L+ equals 6 month LIBOR plus x%.
(b) Applicable rate is determined by the Borrower Leverage Ratio, as defined in the credit agreement.
The financing arrangements listed above contain certain covenants, including financial covenants, that the Company is required to be in compliance with during the term of the arrangement. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of the required covenants.
NRG Yield Operating LLC 2026 Senior Notes
On August 18, 2016, Yield Operating LLC issued $350 million of senior unsecured notes, or the 2026 Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.00% and mature on September 15, 2026. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, and interest payments will commence on March 15, 2017. The 2026 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Yield Operating LLC and are guaranteed by the Company, and by certain of Yield Operating LLC's wholly owned current and future subsidiaries. A portion of the proceeds of the 2026 Senior Notes were used to repay the Company's revolving credit facility, as described below.
NRG Yield Operating LLC 2024 Senior Notes
On August 5, 2014, Yield Operating LLC issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes, or the 2024 Senior Notes. The 2024 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.375% and mature in August 2024. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2024 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Yield Operating LLC and are guaranteed by the Company, and by certain of Yield Operating LLC’s wholly owned current and future subsidiaries.
Yield, Inc. 2020 Convertible Senior Notes and Related Intercompany Note
On June 29, 2015, Yield, Inc. closed on its offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020, or the 2020 Convertible Notes. The 2020 Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, into Yield, Inc.'s Class C common stock, cash or a combination thereof at an initial conversion price of $27.50 per Class C common share, which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 36.3636 shares of Class C common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Convertible Notes. The Company and Yield Operating LLC provided a guarantee to Yield, Inc. with respect to the 2020 Convertible Notes. In addition, Yield Operating LLC and Yield, Inc. entered into an intercompany borrowing arrangement, under which Yield Operating LLC received $281 million of the proceeds of the 2020 Convertible Notes. The intercompany note bears interest at a rate of 3.325% and matures in 2020.
Yield, Inc. 2019 Convertible Senior Notes and Related Intercompany Note
During the first quarter of 2014, Yield, Inc. closed on its offering of $345 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019, or the 2019 Convertible Notes. The 2019 Convertible Notes were convertible, under certain circumstances, into Yield, Inc.’s Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof at an initial conversion price of $46.55 per Class A common share, which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 42.9644 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2019 Convertible Notes in accordance with the terms of the related indenture. The Company and Yield Operating LLC provided a guarantee to Yield, Inc. with respect to the 2019 Convertible Notes. In addition, Yield Operating and Yield, Inc. entered into an intercompany borrowing arrangement, under which Yield Operating borrowed $337 million of the proceeds of the 2019 Convertible Notes. The intercompany note bears interest at a rate of 3.580% and matures in 2019.
NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility
In connection with the Yield, Inc. initial public offering in July 2013, as further described in Note 1, Nature of Business, the Company and Yield Operating LLC entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility, or the Yield Credit Facility, which was amended on June 26, 2015, to, among other things, increase the availability to $495 million. The Company's revolving credit facility can be used for cash or for the issuance of letters of credit.
During 2015, the Company borrowed $254 million from the revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets as discussed in Note 3, Business Acquisitions, as well as fund dividend payments and tax equity contributions.
The Company borrowed $60 million from the revolving credit facility and repaid $366 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company used its pro rata proceeds of $97.5 million from the CVSR Holdco Financing Arrangement in July 2016, a portion of its proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes in August 2015, as well as its cash on hand to repay the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

92

                                                


As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings and the Company had $60 million of letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Project - level Debt
Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Series D Notes
On October 31, 2016, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, received proceeds of $125 million from the issuance of 3.55% Series D notes due October 31, 2031, or the Series D Notes, and entered into a shelf facility for the anticipated issuance of an additional $70 million of notes at a 4.80% fixed rate. The Series D Notes will be secured by substantially all of the assets of NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC. NRG Thermal LLC has guaranteed the indebtedness and its guarantee is secured by a pledge of the equity interests in all of NRG Thermal LLC’s subsidiaries. NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC distributed the proceeds of the Series D Notes to NRG Thermal LLC, which in turn distributed the proceeds to NRG Yield Operating LLC to be utilized for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.
CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037
On July 15, 2016, CVSR Holdco, the indirect owner of the CVSR solar facility, issued $200 million of senior secured notes under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement, or 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes, that bear interest at 4.68% and mature on March 31, 2037.  Net proceeds were distributed to the Company and NRG based on their respective ownership as of July 15, 2016, and, accordingly, the Company received net proceeds of $97.5 million.
As described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions, on September 1, 2016, the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% of CVSR, and assumed additional debt of $496 million, which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, as described in Note 1, Nature of Business, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of its debt, consisting of $771 million of project level debt and $200 million of 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes as of September 1, 2016.
Avenal
On March 18, 2015, Avenal, one of the Company's equity method investments, amended its credit agreement to increase its borrowings by $43 million and to reduce the related interest rate from 6 month LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.25% to 6 month LIBOR plus 1.75% from March 18, 2015, through March 17, 2022, 6 month LIBOR plus 2.00% from March 18, 2022, through March 17, 2027, and 6 month LIBOR plus 2.25% from March 18, 2027, through the maturity date.  As a result of the credit agreement amendment, the Company received net proceeds of $20 million after fees from its 49.95% ownership in Avenal. Effective September 30, 2015, the Company increased its ownership to 50% by acquiring an additional 0.05% membership interest in Avenal.
Lease financing arrangements
Alta Wind Holdings (Alta Wind II - V) and Alta I (operating entities) have finance lease obligations issued under lease transactions whereby the respective operating entities sold and leased back undivided interests in specific assets of the project. The sale and related lease transactions are accounted for as financing arrangements as the operating entities have continued involvement with the property. The terms and conditions of each facility lease are substantially similar. Each operating entity makes rental payments as stipulated in the facility lease agreements on a semiannual basis every June 30 and December 30 through the final maturity dates. In addition, the operating entities have a credit agreement with a group of lenders that provides for the issuance of letters of credit to support certain operating and debt service obligations. Certain operations and maintenance, as well as rent reserve requirements are satisfied by letters of credit issued under the Yield Operating agreement. As of December 31, 2016, $965 million was outstanding under the finance lease obligations, and $119 million of letters of credit were issued under the credit agreement and $23 million were issued under the Yield Credit Facility.
Interest Rate Swaps Project Financings
Many of the Company's project subsidiaries entered into interest rate swaps, intended to hedge the risks associated with interest rates on non-recourse project level debt. These swaps amortize in proportion to their respective loans and are floating for fixed where the project subsidiary pays its counterparty the equivalent of a fixed interest payment on a predetermined notional value and will receive quarterly the equivalent of a floating interest payment based on the same notional value. All interest rate swap payments by the project subsidiary and its counterparty are made quarterly and the LIBOR is determined in advance of each interest period. In connection with the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in 2015, as described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions, the Company acquired thirty-one additional interest rate swaps, thirty of which were settled during 2015. During 2015, the Company acquired thirty-two additional interest rate swaps in connection with the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Downs, as described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions.


93

                                                


The following table summarizes the swaps, some of which are forward starting as indicated, related to the Company's project level debt as of December 31, 2016:
 
 
% of Principal
 
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Floating Interest Rate
 
Notional Amount at December 31, 2016 (In millions)
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
Alpine
 
85
%
 
2.744
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
$
115

 
various
 
December 31, 2029
Alpine
 
85
%
 
2.421
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
8

 
June 24, 2014
 
June 30, 2025
Avra Valley
 
85
%
 
2.333
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
49

 
November 30, 2012
 
November 30, 2030
AWAM
 
100
%
 
2.47
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
18

 
May 22, 2013
 
May 15, 2031
Blythe
 
75
%
 
3.563
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
14

 
June 25, 2010
 
June 25, 2028
Borrego
 
75
%
 
1.125
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
7

 
April 3, 2013
 
June 30, 2020
El Segundo
 
75
%
 
2.417
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
330

 
November 30, 2011
 
August 31, 2023
Kansas South
 
75
%
 
2.368
%
 
6-Month LIBOR
 
23

 
June 28, 2013
 
December 31, 2030
Laredo Ridge
 
75
%
 
2.31
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
79

 
March 31, 2011
 
March 31, 2026
Marsh Landing
 
75
%
 
3.244
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
342

 
June 28, 2013
 
June 30, 2023
Roadrunner
 
75
%
 
4.313
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
28

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2029
South Trent
 
75
%
 
3.265
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
43

 
June 15, 2010
 
June 14, 2020
South Trent
 
75
%
 
4.95
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
21

 
June 30, 2020
 
June 14, 2028
Tapestry
 
75
%
 
2.21
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
155

 
December 30, 2011
 
December 21, 2021
Tapestry
 
50
%
 
3.57
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
60

 
December 21, 2021
 
December 21, 2029
Viento Funding II
 
90
%
 
various

 
6-mo. LIBOR
 
160

 
various
 
various
Viento Funding II
 
90
%
 
4.985
%
 
6-mo. LIBOR
 
65

 
July 11, 2023
 
June 30, 2028
Walnut Creek Energy
 
75
%
 
various

 
3-Month LIBOR
 
276

 
June 28, 2013
 
May 31, 2023
WCEP Holdings
 
90
%
 
4.003
%
 
3-Month LIBOR
 
46

 
June 28, 2013
 
May 31, 2023
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,839

 
 
 
 
Annual Maturities
Annual payments based on the maturities of the Company's debt, for the years ending after December 31, 2016, are as follows:
 
(In millions)
2017
$
282

2018
292

2019
643

2020
634

2021
439

Thereafter
3,492

Total
$
5,782



94

                                                


Note 11Members' Equity
The following table lists the distributions paid on the Company's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Fourth Quarter 2016
 
Third Quarter 2016
 
Second Quarter 2016
 
First Quarter 2016
Distributions per Class A and Class B units
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

Distributions per Class C and Class D units
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.225

On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly distribution on its Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D units of $0.26 per share payable on March 15, 2017.
During 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company acquired the Drop Down Assets from NRG, as described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the CVSR Drop Down of $112 million was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its contributed capital in 2016. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets of $109 million was recorded as a contribution from NRG and increased the balance of its contributed capital in 2015. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the June 2014 Drop Down Assets of $113 million was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its contributed capital in 2014.  Prior to the date of acquisition, certain of the projects made distributions to NRG and NRG made contributions into certain projects.  These amounts are reflected within the Company’s statement of stockholders’ equity as changes in the contributed capital balance. In addition, NRG maintained a 25% ownership interest in the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco.  This 25% interest is also reflected within the Company’s noncontrolling interest balance.
Note 12Segment Reporting
The Company’s segment structure reflects how management currently operates and allocates resources. The Company's businesses are segregated based on conventional power generation, renewable businesses which consist of solar and wind, and the thermal and chilled water business. The Corporate segment reflects the Company's corporate costs. The Company's chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer, evaluates the performance of its segments based on operational measures including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Adjusted EBITDA, and CAFD, as well as economic gross margin and net income (loss).
The Company generated more than 10% of its revenues from the following customers for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Customer
Conventional (%)
 
Renewables (%)
 
Conventional (%)
 
Renewables (%)
 
Conventional (%)
 
Renewables (%)
SCE
21%
 
21%
 
23%
 
17%
 
24%
 
7%
PG&E
12%
 
11%
 
13%
 
12%
 
15%
 
13%


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Year ended December 31, 2016
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
333

 
$
518

 
$
170

 
$

 
$
1,021

Cost of operations
66

 
126

 
114

 

 
306

Depreciation and amortization
80

 
197

 
20

 

 
297

Impairment losses

 
183

 

 

 
183

General and administrative

 

 

 
14

 
14

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
1

 
1

Operating income (loss)
187

 
12

 
36

 
(15
)
 
220

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
13

 
24

 

 

 
37

Other income, net
1

 
2

 

 

 
3

Interest expense
(48
)
 
(141
)
 
(7
)
 
(66
)
 
(262
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
153

 
$
(103
)
 
$
29

 
$
(81
)
 
$
(2
)
Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Equity investment in affiliates
$
106

 
$
604

 
$

 
$

 
$
710

Capital expenditures (a)
7

 
2

 
14

 

 
23

Total Assets
$
1,993

 
$
5,535

 
$
426

 
$
213

 
$
8,167

 
(a) Includes accruals.
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
336

 
$
443

 
$
174

 
$

 
$
953

Cost of operations
59

 
136

 
126

 

 
321

Depreciation and amortization
81

 
197

 
19

 

 
297

General and administrative

 

 

 
10

 
10

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
3

 
3

Operating income (loss)
196

 
110

 
29

 
(13
)
 
322

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
14

 
12

 

 

 
26

Other income, net
1

 
2

 

 

 
3

Loss on debt extinguishment
(7
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
(9
)
Interest expense
(48
)
 
(147
)
 
(7
)
 
(52
)
 
(254
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
156

 
$
(25
)
 
$
22

 
$
(65
)
 
$
88

Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity investments in affiliates
$
110

 
$
587

 
$

 
$

 
$
697

Capital expenditures (a)
4

 
6

 
20

 

 
30

Total Assets
$
2,102

 
$
5,970

 
$
428

 
$
22

 
$
8,522

 
(a) Includes accruals.

96

                                                


 
Year ended December 31, 2014
(In millions)
Conventional Generation
 
Renewables
 
Thermal
 
Corporate
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
317

 
$
316

 
$
195

 
$

 
$
828

Cost of operations
55

 
83

 
139

 

 
277

Depreciation and amortization
82

 
133

 
18

 

 
233

General and administrative

 

 

 
8

 
8

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
4

 
4

Operating income (loss)
180

 
100

 
38

 
(12
)
 
306

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
14

 
3

 

 

 
17

Other income, net

 
5

 

 
1

 
6

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Interest expense
(53
)
 
(126
)
 
(7
)
 
(25
)
 
(211
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
141

 
$
(19
)
 
$
31

 
$
(36
)
 
$
117



97

                                                


Note 13Related Party Transactions
In addition to the transactions and relationships described elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, certain subsidiaries of NRG provide services to the Company's project entities. Amounts due to NRG subsidiaries are recorded as accounts payable — affiliate and amounts due to the Company from NRG subsidiaries are recorded as accounts receivable — affiliate in the Company's balance sheet. The disclosures below summarize the Company's material related party transactions with NRG and its subsidiaries that are included in the Company's operating revenues, operating costs and other income and expense.
Power Hedge Contracts by and between Renewable Entities and NRG Texas Power LLC
Certain NRG Wind TE Holdco entities, which are subsidiaries in the Renewables segment, entered into power hedge contracts with NRG Texas Power LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, and generated $16 million and $12 million of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are unrealized losses and gains, respectively, on forward contracts with NRG Texas Power LLC hedging the sale of power from Elbow Creek, extending through the end of 2015, as further described in Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Effective October 2015, Elbow Creek entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing LLC, or NRG Power Marketing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, as further described below, and the hedge agreement between Elbow Creek and NRG Texas Power LLC was terminated.
PPA by and between Elbow Creek and NRG
In October 2015, Elbow Creek, the Company's subsidiary in the Renewables segment, entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing for the sale of energy and environmental attributes with the effective date of November 1, 2015, and an expiration date of October 31, 2022. Elbow Creek generated $8 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016.
PPA by and between NRG Energy Center Dover LLC and NRG
In February 2016, NRG Energy Center Dover LLC, or NRG Dover, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing for the sale of energy and environmental attributes with an effective date of February 1, 2016 and expiration date of December 31, 2018. NRG Dover generated $5 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016. The agreement in place is in addition to the existing Power Sales and Services Agreement described further below.
Power Sales and Services Agreement by and between NRG Energy Center Dover LLC and NRG
NRG Dover is party to a Power Sales and Services Agreement with NRG Power Marketing. The agreement is automatically renewed on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by either party upon at least 30 day written notice. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing has the exclusive right to (i) manage, market and sell power, (ii) procure fuel and fuel transportation for operation of the Dover generating facility, to include for purposes other than generating power, (iii) procure transmission services required for the sale of power and (iv) procure and market emissions credits for operation of the Dover generating facility.
In addition, NRG Power Marketing has the exclusive right and obligation to direct the output from the generating facility, in accordance with and to meet the terms of any power sales contracts executed against the power generation of the Dover facility. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing pays NRG Dover gross receipts generated through sales, less costs incurred by NRG Power Marketing related to providing such services as transmission and delivery costs, as well as fuel costs. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, NRG Dover purchased approximately $1 million, $5 million and $10 million, respectively, of natural gas from NRG Power Marketing under the Power Sales and Services Agreement.
Energy Marketing Services Agreement by and between NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC and NRG
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, or NRG Minneapolis, a subsidiary of the Company is party to an Energy Marketing Services Agreement with NRG Power Marketing. The agreement commenced in August 2014 and is automatically renewed annually unless terminated by either party upon at least 90 day written notice prior to the end of any term. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing will procure fuel and fuel transportation for the operation of the Minneapolis generating facility. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, NRG Minneapolis purchased approximately $7 million, $8 million and $2 million, respectively, of natural gas from NRG Power Marketing.

98

                                                


Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services Agreements by and between Thermal Entities and NRG
On October 1, 2014, NRG entered into Plant O&M Services Agreements with certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. NRG provides necessary and appropriate services to operate and maintain the subsidiaries' plant operations, businesses and thermal facilities. NRG is to be reimbursed for the provided services, as well as for all reasonable and related expenses and expenditures, and payments to third parties for services and materials rendered to or on behalf of the parties to the agreements. NRG is not entitled to any management fee or mark-up under the agreements. Prior to October 1, 2014, NRG provided the same services to Thermal entities on an informal basis. For each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, total fees incurred under the agreements were $29 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, total fees incurred were $27 million. There was a balance of $20 million and $29 million due to NRG in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, $11 million of the balance was recorded in the current liabilities of the consolidated balance sheet and $9 million was recorded in non-current liabilities of the consolidated balance sheet.
O&M Services Agreements by and between GenConn and NRG
GenConn incurs fees under two O&M agreements with wholly-owned subsidiaries of NRG. The fees incurred under the agreements were $5 million, $4 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
O&M Services Agreements by and between El Segundo and NRG El Segundo Operations
El Segundo incurs fees under an O&M agreement with NRG El Segundo Operations, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. Under the O&M agreement, NRG El Segundo Operations, Inc. manages, operates and maintains the El Segundo facility for an initial term of ten years following the commercial operations date. For each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the costs incurred under the agreement were approximately $4 million. There was a balance of $1 million due to NRG El Segundo in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between Marsh Landing and GenOn Energy Services, LLC and related Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Marsh Landing was a party to an administrative services agreement with GenOn Energy Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG, through December 18, 2016. Under the agreement, GenOn Energy Services, LLC provided processing and invoice payment services on behalf of Marsh Landing. Marsh Landing reimbursed GenOn Energy Services, LLC for the amounts it paid. The Company reimbursed costs under this agreement of approximately $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, $2 million was capitalized. There was a balance of $1 million and $6 million due to GenOn Energy Services, LLC in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Marsh Landing had the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon thirty days prior written notice. In lieu of a termination of the agreement, Marsh Landing requested that GenOn Energy Services LLC enter into an assignment and assumption agreement with NRG West Coast LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG. The administrative services agreement was assigned to NRG West Coast LLC on December 19, 2016.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between CVSR and NRG
CVSR was a party to an administrative services agreement with NRG Energy Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, which was subsequently assigned to NRG Renew Operations & Maintenance LLC, or RENOM on July 15, 2015. The Company reimbursed a total of $4 million and $7 million to NRG Energy Services for the expenses incurred for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See below for further discussions of the costs incurred by CVSR under the administrative services agreement with RENOM in 2016.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between the Company and NRG Renew Operations & Maintenance LLC
Various wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in the Renewables segment are party to an administrative services agreement with RENOM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, which provides O&M services on behalf of these entities. The Company incurred total expenses for these services in the amount of $13 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There was a balance of $5 million and $1 million due to RENOM as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

99

                                                


O&M Services Agreements by and between Walnut Creek and NRG
Walnut Creek incurs fees under an O&M agreement with NRG Energy Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. Under the O&M agreement, NRG Energy Services LLC manages, operates and maintains the Walnut Creek facility and is reimbursed for the services provided. The Company incurred total expenses for these services in the amount of $3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Management Services Agreement by and between the Company and NRG
NRG provides the Company with various operational, management, and administrative services, which include human resources, accounting, tax, legal, information systems, treasury, and risk management, as set forth in the Management Services Agreement. As of December 31, 2016, the base management fee was approximately $7.5 million per year, subject to an inflation-based adjustment annually, at an inflation factor based on the year-over-year U.S. consumer price index. The fee is also subject to adjustments following the consummation of future acquisitions and as a result of a change in the scope of services provided under the Management Services Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the fee was increased by approximately $0.5 million per year, primarily due to the acquisition of the CVSR Drop Down. In addition to the base management fee, the Company is also responsible for any expenses that are directly incurred and paid for by NRG on behalf of the Company. Costs incurred under this agreement were approximately $10 million, $8 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was a balance of $3 million in accounts payable — affiliate due to NRG as of December 31, 2016.
Administrative Services Agreements by and between Wind TE Holdco LLC and NRG
NRG Asset Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, provides support services to NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC project entities pursuant to various support services agreements. The agreements provide for administrative and support services and reimbursements of certain insurance, consultant and credit costs. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the costs incurred under the agreements were $2 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively.
Accounts Payable to NRG Repowering Holdings LLC
During 2013, NRG Repowering Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, made payments to BA Leasing BSC, LLC, or BA Leasing, of $18 million, which were expected to be repaid with the proceeds of the cash grant received by BA Leasing with respect to the PFMG DG Solar Projects, in connection with a sale-leaseback arrangement between the PFMG DG Solar Projects and BA Leasing. As of December 31, 2014, PFMG DG Solar Projects had a corresponding receivable for the reimbursement of the cash grant from BA Leasing and related payable to NRG Repowering Holdings, LLC. In the first quarter of 2014, the PFMG DG Solar Projects received $11 million from BA Leasing and reduced the remaining receivable with an offset to the deferred liability recorded in connection with the sale - leaseback arrangement. The PFMG DG Solar Projects utilized the $11 million to repay NRG Repowering Holdings LLC. There was a balance of $7 million in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2015 which was settled in October 2016 with an offset to contributed capital in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet.
EPC Agreement by and between NECP and NRG
On October 31, 2016, NRG Business Services LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, and NECP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an EPC agreement for the construction of a 73 MWt district energy system for NECP to provide 150 kpph of steam, 6,750 tons of chilled water and 7.5 MW of emergency backup power service to UPMC Mercy. The initial term of the energy services agreement with UPMC Mercy will be for a period of twenty years from the service commencement date.  Pursuant to the terms of the EPC agreement, NECP agreed to pay NRG Business Services LLC $79 million, subject to adjustment based upon certain conditions in the EPC agreement, upon substantial completion of the project. The project is expected to reach COD in the first quarter of 2018. On January 5, 2017, the parties amended the EPC Agreement, based on a customer change order, to increase the capacity of the district energy system from 73 MWt to 80 MWt, which also increased the payment from $79 million to $87 million.
Note 14Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Lease Commitments
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases, some of which include escalation clauses, expiring on various dates through 2048. The effects of these scheduled rent increases, leasehold incentives, and rent concessions are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless another systematic and rational allocation basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the leased property is physically employed. Lease expense under operating leases was $15 million, $10 million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

100

                                                


Future minimum lease commitments under operating leases for the years ending after December 31, 2016, are as follows:
Period
(In millions)
2017
$
9

2018
9

2019
10

2020
9

2021
9

Thereafter
152

Total
$
198

Gas and Transportation Commitments
The Company has entered into contractual arrangements to procure power, fuel and associated transportation services. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased $32 million, $40 million and $55 million, respectively, under such arrangements. As further described in Note 13 Related Party Transactions, these balances include intercompany purchases in the amount of $8 million, $13 million, and $12 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company's commitments under such outstanding agreements are estimated as follows:
Period
(In millions)
2017
$
13

2018
5

2019
2

2020
3

2021
3

Thereafter
19

Total
$
45

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. The Company records reserves 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. In addition, legal costs are expensed as incurred. Management assesses such matters based on current information and makes a judgment concerning its potential outcome, considering the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the legal proceedings below 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 reserves and that such difference could be material.
In addition to the legal proceedings noted below, the Company 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 the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Braun v. NRG Yield, Inc. — On April 19, 2016, plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against NRG Yield, Inc., the current and former members of its board of directors individually, and other parties in California Superior Court in Kern County, CA.  Plaintiffs allege various violations of the Securities Act due to the defendants’ alleged failure to disclose material facts related to low wind production prior to NRG Yield, Inc.'s June 22, 2015 Class C common stock offering.  Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, rescission, attorney’s fees and costs. On August 3, 2016, the court approved a stipulation entered into by the parties. The stipulation provided that the plaintiffs would file an amended complaint by August 19, 2016, which they did on August 18, 2016. The defendants filed demurrers and a motion challenging jurisdiction on October 18, 2016. On February 24, 2017, the court approved the parties' stipulation which provides the plaintiffs' opposition is due on June 15, 2017 and defendants' reply is due on August 14, 2017.

101

                                                


Ahmed v. NRG Energy, Inc. and the NRG Yield Board of Directors — On September 15, 2016, plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against NRG Energy, Inc., the directors of NRG Yield, Inc., and other parties in the Delaware Chancery Court. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their respective fiduciary duties with regard to the recapitalization of NRG Yield, Inc. common stock in 2015. The plaintiffs generally seek economic damages, attorney’s fees and injunctive relief. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on December 21, 2016. Plaintiffs filed their objection to the motion to dismiss on February 15, 2017. Oral argument is scheduled for June 20, 2017.


102

                                                


Note 15Unaudited Quarterly Data
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 3, Business Acquisitions for a description of the effect of unusual or infrequently occurring events during the quarterly periods. Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is as follows:
 
Quarter Ended
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30, (a)
 
March 31, (a)
 
2016
 
(In millions)
Operating Revenues
$
232

 
$
272

 
$
283

 
$
234

(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
N/A

 
272

 
258

 
220

Change
N/A

 

 
25

 
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (Loss) Income
(99
)
 
118

 
128

 
73

(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
N/A

 
118

 
113

 
69

Change
N/A

 

 
15

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (Loss) Income
(149
)
 
64

 
79

 
4

(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
N/A

 
64

 
74

 
5

Change
N/A

 
$

 
$
5

 
$
(1
)
 
(a) The Company's unaudited quarterly financial data was recast for the effect of the CVSR Drop Down.


 
Quarter Ended
 
December 31, (a)
 
September 30, (a)
 
June 30, (a)
 
March 31, (a)
 
2015
 
(In millions)
Operating Revenues
$
224

 
$
256

 
$
259

 
$
214

(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
209

 
225

 
235

 
200

Change
15

 
31

 
24

 
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
71

 
102

 
99

 
50

(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
67

 
81

 
85

 
46

Change
4

 
21

 
14

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)
20

 
44

 
48

 
(24
)
(As previously reported)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)
21

 
36

 
44

 
(23
)
Change
$
(1
)
 
$
8

 
$
4

 
$
(1
)
 
(a) The Company's unaudited quarterly financial data was recast for the effect of the CVSR Drop Down.

103

                                                


Note 16Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

As of December 31, 2016, Yield Operating LLC had outstanding $500 million of the 2024 Senior Notes and $350 million of the 2026 Senior Notes, collectively Senior Notes, as described in Note 10, Long-term Debt. These Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Company, as well as certain of the Company's subsidiaries, or guarantor subsidiaries. These guarantees are both joint and several. The non-guarantor subsidiaries include the rest of the Company's subsidiaries, including the ones that are subject to project financing.
Unless otherwise noted below, each of the following guarantor subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes as of December 31, 2016:

NRG Yield LLC
Alta Wind 1-5 Holding Company, LLC
Alta Wind Company, LLC
NRG Energy Center Omaha Holdings LLC
NRG Energy Center Omaha LLC
NYLD Fuel Cell Holdings LLC
UB Fuel Cell, LLC
NRG South Trent Holdings LLC
NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC
NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC

Yield Operating LLC conducts much of its business through and derives much of its income from its subsidiaries. Therefore, its ability to make required payments with respect to its indebtedness and other obligations depends on the financial results and condition of its subsidiaries and Yield Operating LLC's ability to receive funds from its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the ability of any of the guarantor subsidiaries to transfer funds to Yield Operating LLC. However, there may be restrictions for certain non-guarantor subsidiaries.
The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial information of Yield LLC, Yield Operating LLC, the issuer of the Senior Notes, the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries in accordance with Rule 3-10 under the SEC Regulation S-X. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations or financial position had the guarantor subsidiaries or non-guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.
In this presentation, Yield LLC consists of parent company operations. Guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries of Yield LLC are reported on an equity basis. For companies acquired, the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired have been presented on a push-down accounting basis. As described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions, the Company completed the acquisition of the CVSR Drop Down and November 2015 Drop Down Assets from NRG on September 1, 2016 and November 3, 2015, respectively. The guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. Accordingly, the Company prepared its condensed consolidating financial statements to reflect the transfers as if they had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period. The Company has recorded all minority interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco as noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented.
In addition, the condensed parent company financial statements are provided in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of Yield LLC’s subsidiaries exceed 25 percent of the consolidated net assets of Yield LLC. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements and notes thereto of NRG Yield LLC. For a discussion of Yield LLC's long-term debt, see Note 10, Long-term Debt. For a discussion of Yield LLC's commitments and contingencies, see Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies. For a discussion of Yield LLC's distributions to Yield, Inc. and NRG Energy, see Note 11, Members' Equity.


104

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC (Note Issuer)
 
Eliminations(b)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$

 
$
22

 
$
999

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,021

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Cost of operations

 
14

 
292

 
1

 
(1
)
 
306

Depreciation and amortization

 
5

 
292

 

 

 
297

Impairment losses

 

 
183

 

 

 
183

General and administrative
2

 

 

 
12

 

 
14

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Total operating costs and expenses
2

 
19

 
767

 
14

 
(1
)
 
801

Operating (Loss) Income
(2
)
 
3

 
232

 
(13
)
 

 
220

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of consolidated affiliates
142

 
10

 

 
49

 
(201
)
 

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

 
9

 
(2
)
 
30

 

 
37

Other income, net

 

 
3

 

 

 
3

Interest expense

 

 
(196
)
 
(66
)
 

 
(262
)
Total other income (expense), net
142

 
19

 
(195
)
 
13

 
(201
)
 
(222
)
Net Income (Loss)
140

 
22

 
37

 

 
(201
)
 
(2
)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(1
)
 
(142
)
 
1

 
(142
)
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
140

 
$
22

 
$
38

 
$
142

 
$
(202
)
 
$
140

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

105

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer)
 
Eliminations(b)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Net Income
$
140

 
$
22

 
$
37

 
$

 
$
(201
)
 
$
(2
)
Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on derivatives
13

 
1

 
10

 
13

 
(24
)
 
13

Other comprehensive income
13

 
1

 
10

 
13

 
(24
)
 
13

Comprehensive Income
153

 
23

 
47

 
13

 
(225
)
 
11

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(1
)
 
(142
)
 
1

 
(142
)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
153

 
$
23

 
$
48

 
$
155

 
$
(226
)
 
$
153

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

106

                                                



NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2016

 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer)
 
Eliminations(b)
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
(In millions)
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
211

 
$

 
$
105

 
$

 
$

 
$
316

Restricted cash
 

 

 
164

 

 

 
164

Accounts receivable — trade
 

 
2

 
89

 

 

 
91

Accounts receivable — affiliates
 

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Inventory
 

 
2

 
37

 

 

 
39

Derivative instruments
 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Notes receivable — current
 

 

 
16

 

 

 
16

Prepayments and other current assets
 

 

 
15

 
1

 

 
16

Total current assets
 
211

 
4

 
429

 
1

 

 
645

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 

 
59

 
5,401

 

 

 
5,460

Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
 
1,611

 
527

 

 
2,971

 
(5,109
)
 

Equity investments in affiliates
 

 
99

 
158

 
453

 

 
710

Notes receivable — non-current
 

 

 
14

 

 

 
14

Intangible assets, net
 

 
56

 
1,230

 

 

 
1,286

Derivative instruments
 

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Other non-current assets
 

 

 
50

 
1

 

 
51

Total other assets
 
1,611

 
682

 
1,453

 
3,425

 
(5,109
)
 
2,062

Total Assets
 
$
1,822

 
$
745

 
$
7,283

 
$
3,426

 
$
(5,109
)
 
$
8,167

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


107

                                                



NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
December 31, 2016
 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer)
 
Eliminations(b)
 
Consolidated
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
 
(In millions)
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt — external
 
$

 
$

 
$
282

 
$

 
$

 
$
282

Accounts payable — trade
 

 
2

 
18

 
3

 

 
23

Accounts payable — affiliate
 

 
7

 
15

 
18

 

 
40

Derivative instruments
 

 

 
29

 

 

 
29

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 

 
1

 
59

 
24

 

 
84

Total current liabilities
 

 
10

 
403

 
45

 

 
458

Other Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt — external
 

 

 
3,989

 
839

 

 
4,828

Long-term debt — affiliate
 

 

 

 
618

 

 
618

Accounts payable — affiliate
 

 

 
9

 

 

 
9

Derivative instruments
 

 

 
43

 

 

 
43

Other non-current liabilities
 

 

 
76

 

 

 
76

Total non-current liabilities
 

 

 
4,117

 
1,457

 

 
5,574

Total Liabilities
 

 
10

 
4,520

 
1,502

 

 
6,032

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Members' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contributed capital
 
1,850

 
804

 
2,775

 
1,826

 
(5,405
)
 
1,850

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
 
55

 
(67
)
 
11

 
(132
)
 
188

 
55

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(83
)
 
(2
)
 
(87
)
 
(83
)
 
172

 
(83
)
Noncontrolling interest
 

 

 
64

 
313

 
(64
)
 
313

Total Members' Equity
 
1,822

 
735

 
2,763

 
1,924

 
(5,109
)
 
2,135

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
 
$
1,822

 
$
745

 
$
7,283

 
$
3,426

 
$
(5,109
)
 
$
8,167

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


108

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC (Note Issuer)
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
 
$

 
$
62

 
$
537

 
$
(39
)
 
$
560

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in investments in consolidated subsidiaries
 
325

 

 
(21
)
 
(304
)
 

Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 
(77
)
 
(77
)
Capital expenditures
 

 

 
(20
)
 

 
(20
)
Increase in restricted cash
 

 

 
(33
)
 

 
(33
)
Cash receipts from notes receivable
 

 

 
17

 

 
17

Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates
 

 
16

 

 
12

 
28

Net investments in unconsolidated affiliates
 

 
(80
)
 

 

 
(80
)
Other
 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
 
325

 
(64
)
 
(53
)
 
(369
)
 
(161
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions
 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets
 

 

 
(113
)
 

 
(113
)
Transfer of funds under intercompany cash management arrangement
 
54

 
2

 

 
(56
)
 

(Payments of) proceeds from distributions
 
(183
)
 

 
(420
)
 
420

 
(183
)
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 
60

 
60

Payments for the revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 
(366
)
 
(366
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 

 

 
325

 
350

 
675

Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 

 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
Payments for long-term debt
 

 

 
(264
)
 

 
(264
)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
 
(129
)
 
2

 
(474
)
 
408

 
(193
)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
196

 

 
10

 

 
206

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
15

 

 
95

 

 
110

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
211

 
$

 
$
105

 
$

 
$
316

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.


109

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer) (c)
 
Eliminations(b) (c)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$

 
$
21

 
$
922

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
953

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of operations

 
14

 
307

 

 

 
321

Depreciation and amortization

 
4

 
293

 

 

 
297

General and administrative

 

 

 
10

 

 
10

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Total operating costs and expenses

 
18

 
600

 
13

 

 
631

Operating Income (Loss)

 
3

 
322

 
(3
)
 

 
322

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated affiliates
139

 
(43
)
 

 
118

 
(214
)
 

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 
(2
)
 
3

 
25

 

 
26

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 
(9
)
 

 

 
(9
)
Other income, net

 

 
3

 

 

 
3

Interest expense

 

 
(202
)
 
(52
)
 

 
(254
)
Total other income (expense)
139

 
(45
)
 
(205
)
 
91

 
(214
)
 
(234
)
Net Income (Loss)
139

 
(42
)
 
117

 
88

 
(214
)
 
88

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(2
)
 
(51
)
 
2

 
(51
)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
139

 
$
(42
)
 
$
119

 
$
139

 
$
(216
)
 
$
139

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


110

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer) (c)
 
Eliminations(b) (c)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Net Income (Loss)
$
139

 
$
(42
)
 
$
117

 
$
88

 
$
(214
)
 
$
88

Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives
(16
)
 

 
(18
)
 
(17
)
 
34

 
(17
)
Other comprehensive loss
(16
)
 

 
(18
)
 
(17
)
 
34

 
(17
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
123

 
(42
)
 
99

 
71

 
(180
)
 
71

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 
(2
)
 
(52
)
 
2

 
(52
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
123

 
$
(42
)
 
$
101

 
$
123

 
$
(182
)
 
$
123

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


111

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2015

 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a)(c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer)
(c)
 
Eliminations(b)(c)
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
(In millions)
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
15

 
$

 
$
95

 
$

 
$

 
$
110

Restricted cash
 

 

 
131

 

 

 
131

Accounts receivable — trade
 

 
1

 
100

 

 

 
101

Accounts receivable — affiliates
 
55

 
4

 
6

 
10

 
(71
)
 
4

Inventory
 

 
2

 
34

 

 

 
36

Notes receivable — current
 

 

 
17

 
3

 
(3
)
 
17

Prepayments and other current assets
 

 
1

 
19

 

 

 
20

Total current assets
 
70

 
8

 
402

 
13

 
(74
)
 
419

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 

 
61

 
5,817

 

 

 
5,878

Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
 
2,010

 
548

 

 
3,535

 
(6,093
)
 

Equity investments in affiliates
 

 
128

 
176

 
393

 

 
697

Notes receivable — non-current
 

 

 
30

 

 

 
30

Intangible assets, net
 

 
57

 
1,305

 

 

 
1,362

Other non-current assets
 

 

 
134

 
2

 

 
136

Total other assets
 
2,010

 
733

 
1,645

 
3,930

 
(6,093
)
 
2,225

Total Assets
 
$
2,080

 
$
802

 
$
7,864

 
$
3,943

 
$
(6,167
)
 
$
8,522

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


112

                                                



NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
December 31, 2015

 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer)
 (c)
 
Eliminations (b) (c)
 
Consolidated
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
 
(In millions)
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt — external
 
$

 
$

 
$
267

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
264

Accounts payable — trade
 

 
1

 
19

 
3

 

 
23

Accounts payable — affiliate
 

 
8

 
46

 
104

 
(72
)
 
86

Derivative instruments
 

 
1

 
38

 

 

 
39

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 

 
1

 
58

 
17

 

 
76

Total current liabilities
 

 
11

 
428

 
124

 
(75
)
 
488

Other Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Long-term debt — external
 

 

 
3,943

 
800

 

 
4,743

Long-term debt — affiliate
 

 

 

 
618

 

 
618

Derivative instruments
 

 

 
61

 

 

 
61

Other non-current liabilities
 

 

 
72

 

 

 
72

Total non-current liabilities
 

 

 
4,076

 
1,418

 

 
5,494

Total Liabilities
 

 
11

 
4,504

 
1,542

 
(75
)
 
5,982

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Members' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contributed capital
 
2,083

 
879

 
3,398

 
2,015

 
(6,292
)
 
2,083

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
 
93

 
(85
)
 
(12
)
 
93

 
4

 
93

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(96
)
 
(3
)
 
(97
)
 
(96
)
 
196

 
(96
)
Noncontrolling interest
 

 

 
71

 
389

 

 
460

Total Members' Equity
 
2,080

 
791

 
3,360

 
2,401

 
(6,092
)
 
2,540

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
 
$
2,080

 
$
802

 
$
7,864

 
$
3,943

 
$
(6,167
)
 
$
8,522

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.



113

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (b)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (b)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC (Note Issuer) (b)
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
 
$

 
$
19

 
$
403

 
$
(18
)
 
$
404

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 
(37
)
 
(37
)
Changes in investments in consolidated subsidiaries
 
(464
)
 

 
285

 
179

 

Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 
(698
)
 
(698
)
Capital expenditures
 

 

 
(29
)
 

 
(29
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Decrease in notes receivable
 

 

 
17

 

 
17

Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates
 

 

 

 
42

 
42

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
 

 
(28
)
 

 
(374
)
 
(402
)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(464
)
 
(28
)
 
272

 
(888
)
 
(1,108
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Transfer of funds under intercompany cash management arrangement
 
(309
)
 
9

 

 
300

 

Net contributions from noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 
122

 
122

Distributions to NRG for NRG Wind TE Holdco and CVSR
 

 

 
(59
)
 

 
(59
)
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C and Class A units
 
599

 

 

 

 
599

(Payments of) proceeds from distributions
 
(139
)
 

 
(392
)
 
392

 
(139
)
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 
551

 
551

Payments for the revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 
(245
)
 
(245
)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt - external
 

 

 
6

 

 
6

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt affiliate
 

 

 

 
281

 
281

Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 

 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(7
)
Payments for long-term debt
 

 

 
(230
)
 
(494
)
 
(724
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
 
151

 
9

 
(681
)
 
906

 
385

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(313
)
 

 
(6
)
 

 
(319
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
328

 

 
101

 

 
429

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
15

 
$

 
$
95

 
$

 
$
110

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


114

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC (Note Issuer) (c)
 
Eliminations(b) (c)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenues
$

 
$
24

 
$
804

 
$

 
$

 
$
828

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of operations

 
16

 
261

 

 

 
277

Depreciation and amortization

 
4

 
229

 

 

 
233

General and administrative

 

 

 
8

 

 
8

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Total operating costs and expenses

 
20

 
490

 
12

 

 
522

Operating Income (Loss)

 
4

 
314

 
(12
)
 

 
306

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated affiliates
113

 
(22
)
 

 
134

 
(225
)
 

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 
(2
)
 
19

 

 
17

Other income, net
1

 

 
5

 

 

 
6

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Interest expense

 

 
(186
)
 
(25
)
 

 
(211
)
Total other income (expense), net
114

 
(22
)
 
(184
)
 
128

 
(225
)
 
(189
)
Net Income (Loss)
114

 
(18
)
 
130

 
116

 
(225
)
 
117

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
114

 
$
(18
)
 
$
130

 
$
113

 
$
(225
)
 
$
114

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


115

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (c)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (c)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC
(Note Issuer) (c)
 
Eliminations (b) (c)
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Net Income (Loss)
$
114

 
$
(18
)
 
$
130

 
$
116

 
$
(225
)
 
$
117

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives
(63
)
 

 
(63
)
 
(65
)
 
126

 
(65
)
Other comprehensive loss
(63
)
 

 
(63
)
 
(65
)
 
126

 
(65
)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
51

 
(18
)
 
67

 
51

 
(99
)
 
52

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to NRG Yield LLC
$
51

 
$
(18
)
 
$
67

 
$
50

 
$
(99
)
 
$
51

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.



116

                                                


NRG YIELD LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NRG Yield LLC (a) (b)
 
Other Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (b)
 
NRG Yield Operating LLC (Note Issuer) (b)
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
 
$

 
$
12

 
$
357

 
$
(7
)
 
$
362

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in investments in consolidated subsidiaries
 
(530
)
 

 
36

 
494

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 
(901
)
 
(901
)
Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired
 

 

 
46

 
(357
)
 
(311
)
Capital expenditures
 

 

 
(60
)
 

 
(60
)
Receipt of indemnity from supplier
 

 

 
57

 

 
57

Decrease in restricted cash, net
 

 

 
25

 

 
25

Decrease in notes receivable
 

 

 
12

 
2

 
14

Proceeds from renewable energy grants
 

 

 
422

 

 
422

Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates
 

 

 

 
4

 
4

Other
 

 

 
11

 

 
11

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
 
(530
)
 

 
549

 
(758
)
 
(739
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfer of funds under intercompany cash management arrangement
 
326

 
(12
)
 

 
(314
)
 

Contributions from tax equity investors
 

 

 
190

 

 
190

Capital contributions from NRG
 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets
 

 

 
(335
)
 

 
(335
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
 
630

 

 

 

 
630

(Payments of) proceeds from distributions
 
(101
)
 

 
(232
)
 
232

 
(101
)
Net borrowings from the revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 
500

 
500

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — external
 

 

 
178

 

 
178

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — affiliate
 

 

 

 
337

 
337

Payments of long-term debt — external
 

 

 
(626
)
 

 
(626
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 

 
(18
)
 
(10
)
 
(28
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
 
855

 
(12
)
 
(841
)
 
745

 
747

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
325

 

 
65

 
(20
)
 
370

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
3

 

 
36

 
20

 
59

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
328

 
$

 
$
101

 
$

 
$
429

 
(a) Shown separately from the other guarantors in lieu of preparing Schedule I pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X.
(b) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.


117

                                                


EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
 
Description
 
Method of Filing
2.1
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Gas Development Company, LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.2
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Solar PV LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.3
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Solar PV LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.4
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated June 3, 2014, by and among NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield Operating LLC, Terra-Gen Finance Company, LLC, NTD AWAM Holdings, LLC, CHIPS Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC and CHIPS Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2014.
2.5
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2014, by and between NRG Wind LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2014.
2.6
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2014, by and between NRG Arroyo Nogales LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2014.
2.7*^
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2015, by and between EFS Desert Sun, LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
2.8
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2015, by and between NRG Energy Gas & Wind Holdings, Inc. and NRG Yield Operating LLC.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2015.

2.9
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2016, between NRG Solar CVSR Holdings 2 LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 9, 2016.
3.1
 
Certificate of Formation of NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.01(a) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Formation of NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.01(b) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
3.3
 
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.02 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
3.4
 
Certificate of Formation of NRG Yield LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.03(a) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
3.5
 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Formation of NRG Yield LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.03(b) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
3.6
 
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG Yield LLC, dated as of May 14, 2015.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
4.1
 
Indenture, dated August 5, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.
4.2
 
Form of 5.375% Senior Note due 2024.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.

118

                                                


4.3
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the initial purchasers.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.
4.4
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 7, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2014.
4.5
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 25, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2015.
4.6
 
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, the other guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.07 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2015.
4.7
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2015.
4.8
 
Indenture, dated June 29, 2015, among NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2015.
4.9
 
Form of 3.25% Convertible Senior Note due 2020.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2015.
4.10
 
Indenture, dated August 18, 2016, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
4.11
 
Form of 5.000% Senior Note due 2026.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
4.12
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2015, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.2
 
Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2015, by and among NRG Energy, Inc., NRG Yield, Inc. and NRG Yield LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.3
 
Second Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2017, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2017.
10.4
 
Management Services Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2013, by and between NRG Energy, Inc., NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2013.
10.5
 
Trademark License Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2013, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2013.
10.6
 
Loan Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2011, by and among High Plains Ranch II, LLC, as borrower, the U.S. Department of Energy, as guarantor, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as loan servicer.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.7
 
Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, by and between Avenal Solar Holdings LLC and NRG Energy Services LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.8
 
Asset Management Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2012, by and between NRG Solar Avra Valley LLC and NRG Solar Asset Management LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.9
 
Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2012, by and between NRG Energy Services LLC and NRG Solar Borrego I LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.10
 
Asset Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2012, by and between NRG Solar Alpine LLC and NRG Solar Asset Management LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.

119

                                                


10.11
 
Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2011, by and between NRG Energy Services LLC and High Plains Ranch II, LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.12
 
Project Administration Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2010, by and between South Trent Wind LLC and NRG Texas Power LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.13
 
Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2009, by and between GenConn Devon LLC and Devon Power LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 6, 2013.
10.14
 
Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2009, by and between GenConn Middletown LLC and Middletown Power LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013.
10.15
 
Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2009, by and between GenOn Energy Services, LLC (formerly Mirant Services, LLC) and NRG Marsh Landing, LLC (formerly Mirant Marsh Landing, LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013.
10.16†
 
NRG Yield, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, dated as of May 14, 2015.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.17
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 21, 2013.
10.18.1
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 25, 2014, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Bank of America, N.A., as L/C Issuers and RBC Capital Markets as Sole Left Lead Arranger and Sole Left Lead Book Runner.
 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2014.
10.18.2
 
First Amendment to Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 26, 2015, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, Royal Bank of Canada and the Lenders party thereto.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.

10.19.1
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2011, among NRG West Holdings LLC, ING Capital LLC, Union Bank, N.A., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., RBS Securities Inc., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and each of lenders and issuing banks thereto.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.19.2
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated October 7, 2011, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.19.3
 
Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, dated February 29, 2012, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.19.4
 
Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2014, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.19.5
 
Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2014, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC, El Segundo Energy Center LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.

10.19.6
 
Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2015, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and ING Capital LLC.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.

10.20.1
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 17, 2014, by and among NRG Marsh Landing LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and the lenders party thereto.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.20.2
 
First Amendment to the Credit Agreement and Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated July 17, 2014, by and among NRG Marsh Landing LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and the lenders party thereto.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.21^
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of April 9, 2015.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.

120

                                                


10.22^
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of May 8, 2015.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.23^
 
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and between NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC and NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.

10.24^
 
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and among NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC, NRG Renew DG Holdings LLC and NRG Renew LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.

10.25^
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and among NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC, NRG Renew DG Holdings LLC, and NRG Renew LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.
10.26
 
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of August 5, 2016, by and between NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC and NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 9, 2016.

10.27†
 
Employment Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2016, between NRG Yield, Inc. and Christopher S. Sotos.

 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on August 9, 2016.
12.1
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
Filed herewith.
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of NRG Yield LLC.
 
Filed herewith.
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of Christopher S. Sotos.
 
Filed herewith.
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of Chad Plotkin.
 
Filed herewith.
31.3
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of David Callen.
 
Filed herewith.
32
 
Section 1350 Certification.
 
Furnished herewith.
101 INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
Filed herewith.
101 SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
 
Filed herewith.
101 CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
 
Filed herewith.
101 DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
 
Filed herewith.
101 LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
 
Filed herewith.
101 PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
 
Filed herewith.

 
Indicates exhibits that constitute compensatory plans or arrangements.
*
 
This filing excludes schedules pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, which the registrant agrees to furnish supplementary to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Commission.
^
 
Portions of this exhibit have been redacted and are subject to a confidential treatment request filed with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



121

                                                


Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary
None.

122

                                                



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 YIELD LLC
(Registrant) 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS  
 
 
Christopher S. Sotos
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
Date: February 28, 2017
 
 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David R. Hill and Brian E. Curci, each or any of them, such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report on Form 10-K, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on February 28, 2017.

 
Signatures
 
Title
 
 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Christopher S. Sotos
 
of NRG Yield LLC (Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date:
February 28, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Chad Plotkin
 
of NRG Yield LLC (Principal Financial Officer)
 
Date:
February 28, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DAVID CALLEN
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
David Callen
 
of NRG Yield LLC (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Date:
February 28, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NRG YIELD, INC.
 
Sole Managing Member
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Christopher S. Sotos
 
of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
Date:
February 28, 2017
 
 
 



123

                                                






Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS 
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
Kirkland B. Andrews
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JOHN CHILLEMI
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
John Chillemi
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JOHN CHLEBOWSKI
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
John Chlebowski
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ BRIAN FORD
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
Brian Ford
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MAURICIO GUTIERREZ
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
Mauricio Gutierrez
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ FERRELL MCCLEAN  
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
Ferrell McClean
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
 
Director of NRG Yield, Inc.
 
February 28, 2017
Christopher S. Sotos
 
Sole Managing Member of NRG Yield LLC
 


124

                                                


Supplemental Information to be Furnished with Reports Filed Pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants Which Have Not Registered
Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act
No annual report or proxy materials has been sent to securities holders and no such report or proxy material is to be furnished to securities holders subsequent to the filing of the annual report on this Form 10-K.


125
Exhibit


EXHIBIT 12.1
NRG YIELD OPERATING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (c)
 
2014 (c)
 
2013 (b)(c)
 
2012(a)(b)(c)
 
 
 
(in millions, except ratio)
Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income tax
$

 
$
88

 
$
116

 
$
133

 
$
15

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(37
)
 
(26
)
 
(17
)
 
(20
)
 
(19
)
Capitalized interest

 

 

 
(26
)
 
(35
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges
267

 
257

 
214

 
98

 
66

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
49

 
43

 
21

 
15

 
20

Amortization of capitalized interest
3

 
3

 
3

 
2

 
1

Total Earnings:
$
282

 
$
365

 
$
337

 
$
202

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Charges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
254

 
247

 
205

 
66

 
29

Capitalized interest

 

 

 
26

 
35

Amortization of debt issuance costs
8

 
7

 
6

 
5

 
1

Approximation of interest in rental expense
5

 
3

 
3

 
1

 
1

Total Fixed Charges:
$
267

 
$
257

 
$
214

 
$
98

 
$
66

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
1.06

 
1.42

 
1.57

 
2.06

 
0.73

 

(a) 
The ratio coverage for the year ended December 31, 2012 was less than 1:1. NRG Yield Operating LLC would have needed to generate additional earnings of $18 million to achieve a ratio coverage of 1:1 for that year.
(b) 
For all periods prior to the Yield, Inc.'s initial public offering on July 22, 2013, the accompanying combined financial statements represent the combination of the assets that the Company acquired and were prepared using NRG's historical basis in the assets and liabilities. For the purposes of the combined financial statements, the term "NRG Yield Operating LLC and Subsidiaries" represents the accounting predecessor, or the combination of the acquired businesses. For all periods subsequent to the Yield Inc. initial public offering, the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated results of the Company.
(c) 
Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Item 15 — Note 1, Nature of Business, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF NRG YIELD LLC
Entity Name
 
Jurisdiction
 Adams Community Solar Garden I LLC
 
Colorado
 Adams Community Solar Garden II LLC
 
Colorado
 Adams Community Solar Garden III LLC
 
Colorado
 Adams Community Solar Gardens LLC
 
Colorado
 Alta Interconnection Management II, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Interconnection Management III, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Interconnection Management, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Realty Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Realty Investments, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind 1-5 Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind Asset Management Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind Asset Management, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind I Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind I, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind II Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind II, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind III Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind III, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind IV Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind IV, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind V Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind V, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind X, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind X-XI TE Holdco LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC
 
Delaware
 Alta Wind XI, LLC
 
Delaware
 Apple I REC Holdco 2011 LLC
 
Delaware
 Arapahoe Community Solar Garden I LLC
 
Colorado
 Avenal Park LLC
 
Delaware
 Avenal Solar Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 Buffalo Bear, LLC
 
Oklahoma
 BWC Swan Pond River, LLC
 
Delaware
 Clear View Acres Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Colorado Shared Solar I LLC
 
Colorado
 Colorado Springs Solar Garden LLC
 
Colorado
 Continental Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 CVSR Holdco LLC
 
Delaware
 Cy-Hawk Wind Energy, LLC
 
Iowa
 Denver Community Solar Garden I LLC
 
Colorado
 Denver Community Solar Garden II LLC
 
Colorado





 Desert Sunlight Investment Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Eagle View Acres Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Elbow Creek Wind Project LLC
 
Texas
 Elkhorn Ridge Wind, LLC
 
Delaware
 Elk Lake Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 El Mirage Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 El Segundo Energy Center LLC
 
Delaware
 Federal Road Solar 1, LLC
 
Delaware
 Forward Wind Power LLC
 
Delaware
 FUSD Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 GCE Holding LLC
 
Connecticut
 GenConn Devon LLC
 
Connecticut
 GenConn Energy LLC
 
Connecticut
 GenConn Middletown LLC
 
Connecticut
 Goat Wind, LP
 
Texas
 Green Prairie Energy, LLC
 
Iowa
 Greene Wind Energy, LLC
 
Iowa
 Hardin Hilltop Wind, LLC
 
Iowa
 Hardin Wind Energy, LLC
 
Iowa
 Highland Township Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 High Plains Ranch II, LLC
 
Delaware
 HLE Solar Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 HSD Solar Holdings LLC
 
California
 Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC
 
Delaware
 Lenape II Solar LLC
 
Delaware
 Lindberg Field Solar 1, LLC
 
Delaware
 Longhorn Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 Lookout Wind Power LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Iowa Wind, LLC
 
California
 Mission Minnesota Wind II, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Goat Mountain, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Laredo, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind New Mexico, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Oklahoma, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind PA One, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind PA Three, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind PA Two, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Pennsylvania, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Texas II, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Texas, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Utah, LLC
 
Delaware
 Mission Wind Wildorado, LLC
 
Delaware
 Monster Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 Natural Gas Repowering LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG 2011 Finance Holdco, LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Alta Vista LLC
 
Delaware





 NRG Apple I LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG CA Fund LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV 1 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV 2 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV 3 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Fund 1 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 HoldCo A LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 HoldCo B LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Electricity Sales Princeton LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Elkhorn Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Dover LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Harrisburg LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center HCEC LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Omaha Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Omaha LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Paxton LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Phoenix LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Princeton LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center San Diego LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center San Francisco LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Smyrna LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Energy Center Tucson LLC
 
Arizona
 NRG Harrisburg Cooling LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Huntington Beach LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Marsh Landing Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Marsh Landing LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Renew Spark 2 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG RPV 1 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG RPV 2 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG RPV Fund 12 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG RPV HoldCo 1 LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Alpine LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Apple LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar AV Holdco LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Avra Valley LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Blythe LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Borrego Holdco LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Borrego I LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar CVSR Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Kansas South Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Kansas South LLC
 
Delaware





 NRG Solar Mayfair LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Oasis LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Roadrunner Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Solar Roadrunner LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG South Trent Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Thermal LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Walnut Creek II, LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Walnut Creek, LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG West Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Yield Operating LLC
 
Delaware
 NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC
 
Delaware
 NS Smith, LLC
 
Delaware
 NYLD Fuel Cell Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 OC Solar 2010, LLC
 
California
 Odin Wind Farm LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Eight, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Five, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Four, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF One, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Seven, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Six, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Three, LLC
 
Minnesota
 OWF Two, LLC
 
Minnesota
 Palo Alto County Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 PESD Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 PFMG 2011 Finance Holdco, LLC
 
Delaware
 PFMG Apple I LLC
 
Delaware
 Pikes Peak Solar Garden I LLC
 
Colorado
 Pinnacle Wind, LLC
 
Delaware
 PM Solar Holdings, LLC
 
California
 Pond Road Solar, LLC
 
Delaware
 Poverty Ridge Wind, LLC
 
Iowa
 Sand Drag LLC
 
Delaware
 San Juan Mesa Investments, LLC
 
Delaware
 San Juan Mesa Wind Project, LLC
 
Delaware
 SCWFD Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 Silver Lake Acres Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Sleeping Bear, LLC
 
Delaware
 South Trent Wind LLC
 
Delaware
 Spanish Fork Wind Park 2, LLC
 
Utah
 Spring Canyon Energy II LLC
 
Delaware
 Spring Canyon Energy III LLC
 
Delaware
 Spring Canyon Expansion Class B Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 Spring Canyon Expansion Holdings LLC
 
Delaware





 Spring Canyon Expansion LLC
 
Delaware
 Spring Canyon Interconnection LLC
 
Delaware
 Statoil Energy Power/Pennsylvania Inc.
 
Pennsylvania
 Steel Bridge Solar, LLC
 
Delaware
 Sun City Project LLC
 
Delaware
 Sunrise View Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Sunset View Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Sutton Wind Energy, LLC
 
Iowa
 TA- High Desert, LLC
 
California
 Taloga Wind LLC
 
Oklahoma
 Tapestry Wind, LLC
 
Delaware
 Topeka Solar 1, LLC
 
Delaware
 UB Fuel Cell, LLC
 
Connecticut
 Vail Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 Viento Funding II, LLC
 
Delaware
 Viento Funding, LLC
 
Delaware
 Virgin Lake Wind Farm, LLC
 
Iowa
 Walnut Creek Energy, LLC
 
Delaware
 WCEP Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Wildcat Energy, LLC
 
Arizona
 Wildorado Interconnect, LLC
 
Texas
 Wildorado Wind, LLC
 
Texas
 Wind Family Turbine, LLC
 
Iowa
 WSD Solar Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware
 Zontos Wind, LLC
 
Iowa



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Christopher S. Sotos, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield LLC;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
 
Christopher S. Sotos
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: February 28, 2017



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Chad Plotkin, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield LLC;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN
 
Chad Plotkin
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
Date: February 28, 2017



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 31.3
CERTIFICATION
I, David Callen, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield LLC;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DAVID CALLEN
 
David Callen
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Date: February 28, 2017



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of NRG Yield LLC on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 10-K”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer's knowledge:
(1)
The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Form 10-K.

Date: February 28, 2017

 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
 
 
Christopher S. Sotos
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN
 
 
Chad Plotkin
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DAVID CALLEN
 
 
David Callen
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of this Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to NRG Yield LLC and will be retained by NRG Yield LLC and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.