Duke Venture Buys Stake in Path 15 - Analyst Blog
March 12 2013 - 11:30AM
Zacks
Duke-American Transmission Co. (DATC) – a Duke Energy
Corporation (DUK) and American Transmission Co. joint
venture – has entered into a purchase sale agreement with
Atlantic Power Corporation (AT). As per the
agreement DATC will purchase Atlantic Power’s stake in the Path 15
transmission project including Atlantic Path 15 Transmission, LLC,
Atlantic Holdings Path 15, LLC and Atlantic Path 15, LLC for
approximately $56 million.
Per the terms of the agreement, DATC will acquire a 72% interest in
the Path 15 transmission line. Pacific Gas & Electric, a
subsidiary of PG&E Corp. (PCG), has an 18%
interest in the project through its ownership and operation of the
connecting Los Banos and Gates substations. The remaining 10%
interest is owned by Western Area Power Administration, which will
continue to operate and maintain the line.
Located in central California, the Path 15 transmission project is
an 84-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line. The project was placed
into service in 2004 and since then it has maintained a strong
operating track record. The line is capable of providing access to
several California load centers.
With a capacity of approximately 1,500 megawatts of power, the line
is fully integrated into the California Independent System Operator
grid. Moreover, it plays an important role in maintaining regional
electric system reliability and market efficiency.
Going forward, the deal will prove to be an important step for the
Duke Energy joint venture. The purchase will place DATC in a
favorable position in its commercial transmission business. Subject
to customary closing conditions and approvals, the deal is expected
to be closed in the second quarter of 2013.
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy is a diversified
energy company with a portfolio of domestic and international,
natural gas and electric, regulated and unregulated businesses,
which supply, deliver, and process energy for customers in North
America and selected international markets.
Looking ahead, our bullish outlook for the company is supported by
its mega merger with Progress Energy Inc. thereby creating the
largest utility in the country, its strong balance sheet and
ongoing capital expansion projects. However, we remain concerned
about the present unfavorable macro backdrop, predominantly
fossil-fuel based generation assets, tepid demand for electricity
and pending regulatory cases. The company presently retains a
short-term Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
In the near term, we would advise investors to accumulate Duke
Energy’s short-term Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy rating) peer
Huaneng Power International, Inc. (HNP).
ATLANTIC PWR CP (AT): Free Stock Analysis Report
DUKE ENERGY CP (DUK): Free Stock Analysis Report
HUANENG POWER (HNP): Free Stock Analysis Report
PG&E CORP (PCG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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