Algonquin adds key assets

Article Excerpt

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES $12.82 (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares o/sanding: 273.3 million; Market cap: $5.6 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 4.6%; www.algonquinpower.com) continues to expand through big acquisitions, which adds risk. But the company cuts that risk by buying profitable utilities. Algonquin’s renewable energy projects also sell their power under long-term government-guaranteed contracts. Over the last few years, the company has successfully expanded across North America. In addition, it has now expanded overseas. Algonquin paid Spain’s Abengoa SA $608 million U.S. for a 25% stake in Atlantica Yield plc. That firm owns and operates a portfolio of 22 facilities; they comprise 1.4 gigawatts of renewable power generation, 300 megawatts of natural gas generation, 1,770 kilometres of electric transmission lines and two water desalination plants. Those assets are spread across Europe, South America, North America and Africa. All of the facilities sell their power under guaranteed contracts. On average, those contracts have 19 years remaining. What’s more, the 25% interest in Atlantica will add immediately to…