Pattern Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Financial Results

- Declares dividend of $0.4220 per Class A common share for first quarter 2019 -

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pattern Energy Group Inc. (the "Company" or "Pattern Energy") (NASDAQ & TSX: PEGI) today announced its financial results for the 2018 fourth quarter and year.

Highlights

(Comparisons made between fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 results, unless otherwise noted)

    --  Proportional gigawatt hours ("GWh") sold of 7,988 GWh, up 2%
    --  Net loss of $69 million, an improvement of 16%
    --  Cash available for distribution ("CAFD") of $167 million, up 14% and
        exceeding the midpoint of 2018 guidance
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $372 million, up 8%
    --  Revenue of $483 million, up 18%
    --  Declared a first quarter dividend of $0.4220 per Class A common share or
        $1.688 on an annualized basis, subsequent to the end of the period,
        unchanged from the previous quarter's dividend
    --  Completed 316 megawatts ("MW") of new investments in 2018 with no common
        equity raised, including the Japan portfolio, Mont Sainte-Marguerite and
        Stillwater acquisitions
    --  Successfully completed $230 million of asset rotations in 2018 with the
        sale of El Arrayán and K2 Wind
    --  Added 400MW of new wind projects to the identified right of first offer
        ("iROFO") list, consisting of three projects in New Mexico with
        contracted sales to purchasers in the California market, subsequent to
        the end of the period
    --  Announced changes to management roles, effective April 1, 2019, with
        Mike Garland retaining the Chief Executive Officer role, and the
        appointment of Mike Lyon to the role of President and Esben Pedersen to
        the role of Chief Financial Officer
    --  Announced changes to the Company's Board of Directors with appointment
        of Mona Sutphen and Richard Goodman and the resignation of Patricia
        Bellinger, as such the Board is now comprised of seven members, six of
        whom are independent

"We improved our net loss by 16% and successfully exceeded the midpoint of our CAFD guidance range reporting $167 million in CAFD in 2018, despite lower than anticipated wind resource in the fourth quarter. This result was due to effective capital management, cost improvements from our G&A and our self-perform O&M initiatives, as well as continued operational excellence as evidenced by our 97% turbine availability," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. "We have established a clear plan for CAFD growth through 2020 without the requirement of new common equity. We expect to grow our CAFD per share by approximately 10% on a CAGR basis through 2020. This results in CAFD of $175 million and $205 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively, at the midpoint of the guidance range((1)). With this growth, we believe we can achieve an 80% payout ratio at the current dividend level. We believe the opportunity for dropdowns from Pattern Development and our investment in the business will contribute material growth beyond 2019. During 2019, we have set a strategy to manage the impact of the Gulf Wind hedge rolling off and the continued congestion in ERCOT while at the same time maintaining our dividend and funding the acquisition of our identified ROFO projects."

(1) The forward looking measures of 2019 and 2020 full year cash available for distribution (CAFD) are non-GAAP measures that cannot be reconciled to net income as the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort primarily because of the uncertainties involved in estimating forward-looking mark-to-market changes in derivatives and proportionate share of earnings from unconsolidated investments to arrive at net income and which are subtracted therefrom to arrive at CAFD. A description of the adjustments to determine CAFD can be found within Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Key performance metrics, of Pattern Energy's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Financial and Operating Results

Pattern Energy sold 1,966,677 megawatt hours ("MWh") of electricity on a proportional basis in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to 2,130,343 MWh sold in the same period last year. Pattern Energy sold 7,988,192 MWh of electricity on a proportional basis for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the "full year 2018") compared to 7,794,125 MWh sold in 2017. The 8% decrease in the quarterly period was primarily due to a decrease in volume as a result of the sale of El Arrayán and due to a reduction in Pattern Energy's proportional interest at Panhandle 2 and lower wind partially offset by acquisitions in 2018. Production for the quarter was 14% below the long-term average forecast for the quarter with specific weakness in the Eastern U.S. and Western U.S. regions. The 2% improvement in the full year period was primarily due to an increase in volume from acquisitions in 2018 and 2017 partially offset by lower volume due to the sale of El Arrayán and due to a reduction in Pattern Energy's proportional interest at Panhandle 2.

Net loss was $22 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $22 million for the same period in 2017. Net loss remained constant in the quarterly period primarily due to a $32 million increase in cost of revenue primarily due to increased depreciation as a result of acquisitions and accelerated depreciation at the Gulf Wind repowering project and a $12 million increase in the tax provision, partially offset by a $46 million increase in other income (expense) primarily consisting of a $71 million pretax gain on the sale of K2 offset by a $26 million decrease in equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments due to losses at Pattern Development.

Net loss was $69 million for the full year 2018 compared to a net loss of $82 million for 2017. The decrease in net loss for the annual period was primarily due to a $72 million increase in revenue and a $41 million decrease in other income (expense) consisting primarily of a $71 million pretax gain on the sale of K2, $26 million favorable foreign currency exchange rates, a $41 million decrease in equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments due to losses at Pattern Development, a $9 million increase in contingent liability accretion associated with acquisitions and a $7 million increase in interest expense. The decrease in net loss for the annual period was also offset by increases of $71 million in cost of revenues primarily related to increased depreciation as a result of acquisitions and accelerated depreciation at the Gulf Wind repowering project, $20 million in the tax provision and $9 million in operating expenses primarily related to impairment expense at El Arrayán.

Adjusted EBITDA was $81 million for the fourth quarter 2018 compared to $100 million for the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $372 million for the full year 2018 compared to $344 million for 2017, an increase of $28 million, or approximately 8%. The 19% decrease in the quarterly period was primarily due to a $21 million decrease in the proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated investments. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA during 2018 was primarily due to a $83 million increase in revenue (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) primarily attributable to increases in electricity sales as a result of 2018 and 2017 acquisitions and an insurance settlement for Santa Isabel partially offset by a volume decrease due to the disposition of El Arrayán, a $33 million decrease in the proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated investments, a $13 million increase in project expenses and a $7 million increase in transmission costs.

Cash available for distribution was $35 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $42 million for the same period in 2017. The change in the quarterly period was primarily due to a $4 million increase in project expenses, a $3 million decrease in distributions received from unconsolidated investments and a $7 million decrease in the release of restricted cash. These decreases were partially offset by $4 million of pay-go contributions.

Cash available for distribution was $167 million for the full year 2018 compared to $146 million for 2017. Based on dividends paid during 2018, Pattern Energy's dividend payout ratio was 99% of 2018 cash available for distribution. The $21 million increase in the annual period was primarily due to an $83 million increase in revenues (excluding unrealized loss on energy derivative and amortization of PPAs) driven by projects acquired during 2018 and 2017 and $4 million of pay-go contributions. These improvements were partially offset by an $18 million increase in distributions to noncontrolling interests, a $13 million increase in project expenses, a $9 million decrease in total distributions received from unconsolidated investments, a $9 million increase in interest expense (excluding amortization of financing costs and debt discount/premium) primarily due to additional debt associated with acquisitions, an $8 million decrease in network upgrade reimbursement, a $7 million increase in transmission costs and a $3 million decrease in release of restricted cash.

2019 and 2020 Financial Guidance

For the full year 2019, Pattern Energy expects annual cash available for distribution((1)) in a range of $160 million to $190 million and for the full year 2020 expects annual cash available for distribution((1)) in a range of $185 million to $225 million.

(1) The forward looking measures of 2019 and 2020 full year cash available for distribution (CAFD) are non-GAAP measures that cannot be reconciled to net income as the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort primarily because of the uncertainties involved in estimating forward-looking mark-to-market changes in derivatives and proportionate share of earnings from unconsolidated investments to arrive at net income and which are subtracted therefrom to arrive at CAFD. A description of the adjustments to determine CAFD can be found within Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Key performance metrics, of Pattern Energy's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Quarterly Dividend

Pattern Energy declared a dividend for the first quarter 2019, payable on April 30, 2019, to holders of record on March 29, 2019 in the amount of $0.4220 per Class A common share, which represents $1.688 on an annualized basis. The amount of the first quarter 2019 dividend is unchanged from the fourth quarter 2018 dividend.

Executive Role Transition

Effective April 1, 2019, the following changes will be made to the executive roles of three team members in order to better position the business to meet the opportunities and growth targets ahead. Mike Garland retains the role of Chief Executive Officer and, as such, is responsible for overall business strategy, growth plan and accountability to the Board. Mike Lyon will be taking over the responsibilities of President from Mike Garland. Mr. Lyon will be responsible for the overall operations of Pattern Energy and the execution of its business plan. Esben Pedersen will be appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer of Pattern Energy and will be responsible for capital strategy, financial planning, reporting and financial operations for the business. Mr. Pedersen also serves as Chief Financial Officer of Pattern Development.

"These changes in responsibility further optimize our team's strengths and better position us to achieve our goals of growth and operational excellence," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. "Mike Lyon's natural leadership and knowledge of the business make his appointment to President seamless for the continued effective operations of the day-to-day business and executing our business plan. The appointment of Esben Pedersen to the role of Chief Financial Officer enables him to lead an integrated finance and accounting function for our companies. Esben has been with the Company since its founding and this role is a natural transition given he has led the structuring, administration, and treasury functions, as well as many of our capital transactions and acquisition activities. These changes allow me to dedicate more of my time to focus on strategic initiatives that will drive growth and generate sustainable value for our shareholders. These initiatives include: acquisitions, our three- to five-year business plan, the Japanese business and our access to lower cost capital. Each of us are excited about our roles and aligned in our vision to deliver for shareholders."

Acquisition Pipeline

Pattern Development (formerly referred to as Pattern Development 2.0) and Pattern Energy Group LP (formerly referred to as Pattern Development 1.0) have a pipeline of development projects totaling more than 10 gigawatts ("GW"). Pattern Energy has a ROFO on the pipeline of acquisition opportunities from these two companies. The identified ROFO list stands at 1.4 GW of total capacity and represents a portion of the pipeline of development projects, which are subject to Pattern Energy's ROFO. Since its IPO, Pattern Energy has purchased, or agreed to purchase, more than 1.6 GW from Pattern Energy Group LP and Pattern Development and in aggregate grown the identified ROFO list from 746 MW to more than 2 GW.

Below is a summary of the identified ROFO projects that Pattern Energy has the right to purchase from Pattern Development and Pattern Energy Group LP in connection with its respective purchase rights:


                                                                                                                                                                                  Capacity (MW)


         
            
              
                Identified   
           
              Status   
          
            Location           Construction                Commercial             Contract   Rated (3)                  Pattern
                        ROFO Projects                                                                       Start (1)              Operations (2)               Type                              Development-
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Owned (4)

    ---


       
              Pattern Energy Group LP



       Belle River                                       
           Operational          
          Ontario                         2016                       2017 
          PPA                      100                      43



       North Kent                                        
           Operational          
          Ontario                         2017                       2018 
          PPA                      100                      35



       Henvey Inlet                                    
           In construction        
          Ontario                         2017                       2019 
          PPA                      300                     150



       
              Pattern Development



       Crazy Mountain                               
          Late stage development     
          Montana                         2019                       2019 
          PPA                       80                      68



       Grady                                           
           In construction      
          New Mexico                        2018                       2019 
          PPA                      220                     188



       Sumita                                       
          Late stage development      
          Japan                          2020                       2022 
          PPA                      100                      55



       Ishikari                                     
          Late stage development      
          Japan                          2020                       2022 
          PPA                      112                     112



       Corona Wind Project(s)                       
          Late stage development   
          New Mexico                        2020                       2021 
          PPA                      400                     340



                                                                                                                                                                                          1,412                     991


              (1)              Represents year of actual or
                                  anticipated commencement of
                                  construction.





              (2)              Represents year of actual or
                                  anticipated commencement of commercial
                                  operations.





              (3)              Rated capacity represents the maximum
                                  electricity generating capacity of a
                                  project in MW. As a result of weather
                                  and other conditions, a project will
                                  not operate at its rated capacity at
                                  all times and the amount of
                                  electricity generated may be less than
                                  its rated capacity. The amount of
                                  electricity generated may vary based
                                  on a variety of factors.





              (4)              Owned capacity represents the maximum,
                                  or rated, electricity generating
                                  capacity of the project in MW
                                  multiplied by Pattern Energy Group
                                  LP's or Pattern Development's
                                  percentage ownership interest in the
                                  distributable cash flow of the
                                  project.







                                                                                
             
                Pattern Energy Group Inc.


                                                                          
             
                Consolidated Statements of Operations


                                                                   
              
               (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)


                                                                                      
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                              Three months ended                                       For the year ended
                                                     December 31,                                           December 31,


                                             2018                              2017                       2018                               2017

                                                                                                                                           ---


     Revenue:


      Electricity sales                                $
              110                                             $
              108                   $
           464       $
          402



     Other revenue                             3                                             2                                               19                 9




     Total revenue                           113                                           110                                              483               411




     Cost of revenue:


      Project expense                          38                                            34                                              143               130


      Transmission costs                        5                                             6                                               26                19


      Depreciation,
       amortization and
       accretion                               84                                            54                                              250               199



      Total cost of revenue                   127                                            94                                              419               348




     Gross profit                           (14)                                           16                                               64                63




     Operating expenses:


      General and
       administrative                          11                                             7                                               40                39


      Related party general
       and administrative                       3                                             3                                               15                14


      Impairment expense                        -                                                                                            7



      Total operating expenses                 14                                            10                                               62                53



      Operating income                       (28)                                            6                                                2                10




     Other income (expense):


      Interest expense                       (28)                                         (28)                                           (109)            (102)


      Gain (loss) on
       derivatives                              1                                             2                                               17              (10)


      Earnings in
       unconsolidated
       investments, net                      (12)                                           14                                                1                42


      Early extinguishment of
       debt                                   (6)                                          (9)                                             (6)              (9)


      Net earnings (loss) on
       transactions                            71                                                                                            69               (1)


      Other income (expense),
       net                                    (2)                                          (1)                                            (11)



      Total other expense                      24                                          (22)                                            (39)             (80)



      Net loss before income
       tax                                    (4)                                         (16)                                            (37)             (70)



      Income tax provision                     18                                             6                                               32                12




     Net loss                               (22)                                         (22)                                            (69)             (82)



      Net loss attributable to
       noncontrolling
       interests                              (9)                                         (14)                                           (211)             (64)


      Net income (loss)
       attributable to Pattern
       Energy                                         $
              (13)                                            $
              (8)                  $
           142      $
          (18)





                   Weighted-average number of common
                    shares outstanding



     Basic                            97,476,708                                    95,149,200                                       97,456,407        89,179,343



     Diluted                          97,476,708                                    95,149,200                                       97,651,501        89,179,343


                   Earnings (loss) per share attributable
                    to Pattern Energy



     Basic                                         $
              (0.15)                                         $
              (0.08)                 $
           1.45    $
          (0.20)



     Diluted                                       $
              (0.15)                                         $
              (0.08)                 $
           1.45    $
          (0.20)








     
                Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution Non-GAAP Reconciliations





     The following tables present reconciliations of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution, respectively, for the periods presented (in millions):




                                                                For the three months ended                                        For the year ended
                                                      December 31,                                          December 31,


                                               2018                            2017                         2018                             2017

                                                                                                                                           ---


     Net loss                                        $
              (22)                                           $
              (22)                                        $
           (69)    $
         (82)



     
                Plus:


      Interest expense, net of
       interest income                           28                                           28                                             107                                      101


      Income tax provision                       18                                            6                                              32                                       12


      Depreciation, amortization
       and accretion                             92                                           59                                             280                                      215




     EBITDA                                           $
              116                                              $
              71                                          $
           350      $
         246


      Unrealized (gain) loss on
       derivatives                                6                                            2                                               5                                       18


      Early extinguishment of
       debt                                       6                                            9                                               6                                        9


      Impairment expense                          -                                                                                          7


      (Gain) loss on asset sales               (71)                                                                                       (71)



     Other                                       -                                         (1)                                              2                                        6


      Plus, proportionate share from
       unconsolidated investments:


      Interest expense, net of
       interest income                            9                                           10                                              38                                       39


      Income tax provision
       (benefit)                                  -                                                                                          1


      Depreciation, amortization
       and accretion                              9                                            9                                              35                                       35


      (Gain) loss on derivatives                  6                                                                                         (1)                                     (9)




     Adjusted EBITDA                                   $
              81                                             $
              100                                          $
           372      $
         344



     
                Plus:


      Distributions from
       unconsolidated
       investments                               10                                           13                                              58                                       67


      Network upgrade
       reimbursement                              -                                                                                          1                                        9


      Release of restricted cash                  -                                           7                                               4                                        7


      Stock-based compensation                    1                                            1                                               5                                        5


      Pay-go contribution                         4                                                                                           4



     Other                                       4                                          (3)                                              1                                      (5)



     
                Less:


      Unconsolidated investment
       earnings and
       proportionate shares for
       EBITDA                                  (15)                                        (36)                                           (85)                                   (118)


      Interest expense, less
       non-cash items and
       interest income                         (25)                                        (23)                                           (99)                                    (91)



     Income taxes                              (4)                                                                                        (4)


      Non-expansionary capital
       expenditures                               -                                                                                                                                (1)


      Distributions to
       noncontrolling interests                 (9)                                         (7)                                           (38)                                    (20)


      Principal payments paid
       from operating cash flows               (12)                                        (10)                                           (52)                                    (51)



      Cash available for
       distribution                                     $
              35                                              $
              42                                          $
           167      $
         146





                   Weighted-average number of common shares
                    outstanding



     Basic                              97,476,708                                   95,149,200                                      97,456,407                               89,179,343




                   Cash available for distribution per share



     Basic                                           $
              0.36                                            $
              0.44                                         $
           1.71     $
         1.64







                          
      
                Pattern Energy Group Inc.


                         
      
                Consolidated Balance Sheets


                     
        
        (In millions of U.S. Dollars, except share data)




                                                         December 31,


                                     2018                                       2017

                                                                                ---

                  Assets


     Current assets:


     Cash
      and
      cash
      equivalents                                    $
              101                     $
       117


      Restricted
      cash                              4                                            9


      Counterparty
      collateral                        6                                           30


     Trade
      receivables                      50                                           55


      Derivative
      assets,
      current                          14                                           19


      Prepaid
      expenses                         18                                           18


      Deferred
      financing                  $3                      respectively
      costs,                     as
      current,                   of
      net                        December
      of                         31,
      accumulated                2018
      amortization               and
      of                         December
      $3                         31,
      and                               2                                            1


     Other
      current
      assets                           16                                           21



     Total
      current
      assets                          211                                          270


      Restricted
      cash                             18                                           12


     Major
      construction
      advances                         84


      Construction
      in
      progress                        259


      Property,
      plant
      and
      equipment,
      net                           4,119                                        3,965


      Unconsolidated
      investments                     270                                          311


      Derivative
      assets                            9                                           10


      Deferred
      financing
      costs                             8                                            8


     Net
      deferred
      tax
      assets                            5                                            6


      Intangible
      assets,
      net                             219                                          136


     Goodwill                          58


     Other
      assets                           34                                           24


     Total
      assets                                       $
              5,294                   $
       4,742





                            
              
                Pattern Energy Group Inc.


                           
              
                Consolidated Balance Sheets


                 
              
                (In millions of U.S. Dollars, except share data)




                                                               December 31,


                                            2018                             2017

                                                                             ---

                   Liabilities and equity



     Current liabilities:


      Accounts payable and
       other accrued
       liabilities                                    $
              67                           $
        54


      Accrued construction
       costs                                  27                                          1


      Counterparty collateral
       liability                               6                                         30


      Accrued interest                        14                                         17


      Dividends payable                       42                                         41


      Derivative liabilities,
       current                                 2                                          8


      Revolving credit
       facility, current                     198


      Current portion of long-
       term debt, net                         56                                         52


      Contingent liabilities,
       current                                31                                          3


      Asset retirement
       obligations, current                   24


      Other current
       liabilities                            11                                         12



      Total current
       liabilities                           478                                        218


      Revolving credit
       facility                               25


      Long-term debt, net                  2,004                                      1,879


      Derivative liabilities                  31                                         21


      Net deferred tax
       liabilities                           117                                         56


      Intangible liabilities,
       net                                    56                                         51


      Contingent liabilities                 142                                         62


      Asset retirement
       obligations                           185                                         57


      Other long-term
       liabilities                            71                                         50


      Advanced lease revenue                  26


      Total liabilities                    3,135                                      2,394



      Commitments and contingencies



     Equity:


      Class A common stock,
       $0.01 par value per
       share: 500,000,000
       shares authorized;
       98,051,629 and
       97,860,048 shares
       outstanding as of
       December 31, 2018 and
       December 31, 2017,
       respectively                            1                                          1


      Additional paid-in
       capital                             1,130                                      1,235


      Accumulated loss                      (27)                                     (112)


      Accumulated other
       comprehensive loss                   (52)                                      (26)


      Treasury stock, at cost;
       223,040 and 157,812
       shares of Class A
       common stock as of
       December 31, 2018 and
       December 31, 2017,
       respectively                          (5)                                       (4)



      Total equity before
       noncontrolling
       interests                           1,047                                      1,094


      Noncontrolling interests             1,112                                      1,254




     Total equity                         2,159                                      2,348


      Total liabilities and
       equity                                      $
              5,294                        $
        4,742







                                
         
             Pattern Energy Group Inc.


                           
          
           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                              
         
             (In millions of U.S. dollars)




                                                        For the year ended
                                               December 31,


                                               2018                            2017

                                                                               ---

                  Operating
                   activities


     Net
      loss                                            $
              (69)                     $
     (82)


     Adjustments to
      reconcile net loss
      to net cash
      provided by
      operating
      activities:


      Depreciation,
      amortization
      and
      accretion                                 280                                    215


      Impairment
      expense                                     7


     Loss
      on
      derivatives                                 4                                     16


     Stock-
      based
      compensation                                5                                      5


      Deferred
      taxes                                      16                                     15


      Earnings
      in
      unconsolidated
      investments,
      net                                       (1)                                  (41)


      Distribution
      from
      unconsolidated
      investments                                48                                     54


     Gain
      on
      transactions                             (71)


     Early
      extinguishment
      of
      debt                                        6                                      9


     Other
      reconciling
      items                                       1                                    (5)


     Changes in
      operating assets
      and liabilities:


      Counterparty
      collateral
      asset                                      24                                     14


     Trade
      receivables                                 1                                   (10)


     Other
      current
      assets                                     15                                   (14)


     Other
      assets
      (non-
      current)                                  (6)                                     2


      Accounts
      payable
      and
      other
      accrued
      liabilities                                 3                                     18


      Counterparty
      collateral
      liability                                (24)                                  (14)


      Advanced
      lease
      revenue                                    34


     Other
      current
      liabilities                                26                                     15


     Other
      long-
      term
      liabilities                              (20)                                    21



     Net
      cash
      provided
      by
      operating
      activities                                279                                    218


                  Investing
                   activities


     Cash
      paid                              cash
      for                               acquired
      acquisitions
      and
      investments,
      net
      of
      cash
      and
      restricted                              (415)                                 (297)


      Proceeds
      from                              distributed
      sale
      of
      investments,
      net
      of
      cash
      and
      restricted
      cash                                      214


      Capital
      expenditures                            (181)                                  (44)


      Distribution
      from
      unconsolidated
      investments                                10                                     13


     Other
      assets                                    (1)                                     8


     Net
      cash
      used
      in
      investing
      activities                              (373)                                 (320)







                          
              
                Pattern Energy Group Inc.


                    
              
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                        
              
                (In millions of U.S. dollars)




                                                          For the year ended
                                           December 31,


                                          2018                           2017

                                                                         ---

                  Financing activities


     Proceeds from public
      offering, net of
      issuance costs              
              $                                              $
        237


     Dividends paid                      (165)                                   (145)


     Capital contributions
      -noncontrolling
      interests                             98


     Capital distributions
      -noncontrolling
      interests                           (38)                                    (20)


     Payment for financing
      fees                                 (9)                                    (16)


     Proceeds from short-
      term debt                            562                                      333


     Repayment of short-
      term debt                          (402)                                   (513)


     Proceeds from long-
      term debt and other                  226                                      694


     Repayment of long-
      term debt and other                (186)                                   (483)


     Proceeds (payments)
      for termination of
      designated
      derivatives                            1                                     (14)


     Disposition of
      controlling
      interest, net                                                                 58


     Other financing
      activities                           (4)                                     (6)



     Net cash provided by
      (used in) financing
      activities                            83                                      125



     Effect of exchange
      rate changes on
      cash, cash
      equivalents and
      restricted cash                      (4)                                       6



     Net change in cash,
      cash equivalents and
      restricted cash                     (15)                                      29


     Cash, cash
      equivalents and
      restricted cash at
      beginning of period                  138                                      109



     Cash, cash
      equivalents and
      restricted cash at
      end of period                              $
              123                             $
        138



                  Supplemental disclosures


     Cash payments for
      income taxes                                 $
              2                        
     $


     Cash payments for
      interest expense                            $
              97                              $
        86


                  Schedule of non-cash activities


     Change in property,
      plant and equipment                        $
              224                               $
        2


     Change in additional
      paid-in capital             
              $                                              $
        (2)

Conference Call and Webcast

Pattern Energy will host a conference call and webcast to discuss these results at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 1, 2019. Mike Garland, President and CEO, and Mike Lyon, CFO, will co-chair the call. Participants should call (888) 231-8191 or (647) 427-7450 and ask an operator for the Pattern Energy earnings call. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call to secure a line. A replay will be available shortly after the call. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 or (416) 849-0833 and enter access code 7877796. The replay recording will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, March 22, 2019.

A live webcast of the conference call with a presentation that accompanies the call will be also available on the events page in the investor section of Pattern Energy's website at www.patternenergy.com. An archived webcast will be available for one year.

About Pattern Energy

Pattern Energy Group Inc. (Pattern Energy) is an independent power company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pattern Energy has a portfolio of 24 renewable energy projects with an operating capacity that totals approximately 4 GW in the United States, Canada and Japan that use proven, best-in-class technology. Pattern Energy's wind and solar power facilities generate stable long-term cash flows in attractive markets and provide a solid foundation for the continued growth of the business. For more information, visit www.patternenergy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the plan for CAFD growth through 2020 without the requirement for new common equity, the CAFD per share CAGR through 2020, the ability to achieve an 80% payout ratio, the ability of Japan and the investment in Pattern Development will contribute to material growth, the ability to manage the impact of the Gulf Wind hedge rolling off and continued congestion in ERCOT, the ability to achieve 2019 and 2020 CAFD guidance, the ability of the changes in executive roles to better position the business to achieve its goals for 2019 and beyond, and the ability of the Company to acquire identified ROFO projects. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and any quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The risk factors and other factors noted therein could cause actual events or the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.



       
                Contacts:





       Media Relations                                      
     Investor Relations


       Matt Dallas                                          
     Ross Marshall


       917-363-1333                                         
     416-526-1563

                               matt.dallas@patternenergy.com 
     
                
         ross.marshall@loderockadvisors.com

    ---

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pattern-energy-reports-fourth-quarter-and-year-end-2018-financial-results-300804852.html

SOURCE Pattern Energy Group Inc.