Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

The fair value of assets and liabilities are determined using either unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) or pricing inputs that are observable (Level 2) whenever that information is available and using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate fair value only when relevant observable inputs are not available. NEP uses several different valuation techniques to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities relying primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or comparable assets and liabilities for those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain financial instruments may be valued using multiple inputs including discount rates, counterparty credit ratings and credit enhancements. NEP’s assessment of the significance of any particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement of those assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. Non-performance risk, including the consideration of a credit valuation adjustment, is also considered in the determination of fair value for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels occur at the beginning of the period in which the transfer occurred.

Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents - The fair value of money market funds that are included in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets is estimated using a market approach based on current observable market prices.

Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Contracts - NEP estimates the fair value of its derivatives using an income approach based on a discounted cash flows valuation technique utilizing the net amount of estimated future cash inflows and outflows related to the agreements. The primary inputs used in the fair value measurements include the contractual terms of the derivative agreements, current interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and credit profiles. The significant inputs for the resulting fair value measurement are market-observable inputs and the measurements are reported as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

NEP’s financial assets and liabilities and other fair value measurements made on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level are as follows:



	September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total
	(millions)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	47	$	—	$	47	$	66	$	—	$	66
Restricted cash equivalents	30		—		30		29		—		29
Interest rate contracts	—		3		3		—		15		15
Foreign currency contracts	—		—		—		—		1		1
Total assets	$	77	$	3	$	80	$	95	$	16	$	111
Liabilities:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	40	$	40	$	—	$	44	$	44
Foreign currency contracts	—		3		3		—		—		—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	43	$	43	$	—	$	44	$	44

Financial Instruments Recorded at Other than Fair Value - The carrying amount of short-term debt approximates its fair value. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments recorded at other than fair value are as follows:



	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(millions)
Long-term debt, including current maturities^(a)	$	4,335	$	4,482	$	3,586	$	3,680

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(a)

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, approximately $3,585 million and $2,808 million, respectively, of the fair value is estimated using a market approach based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2); the balance is estimated using an income approach utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation technique, considering the current credit profile of the debtor (Level 3).

Contingent Consideration - NEP recorded a liability related to a contingent holdback as part of the Texas pipelines acquisition. The contingent holdback was payable if the Texas pipelines entered into one or more written contracts by December 31, 2016 related to certain financial performance and capital expenditure thresholds. Contingent consideration is required to be reported at fair value at each reporting date. NEP determined this fair value measurement based on management's probability assessment. The significant inputs and assumptions used in the fair value measurement included the estimated probability of executing contracts related to financial performance and capital expenditure thresholds as well as the appropriate discount rate. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, NEP recorded approximately $101 million and $118 million, respectively, in fair value adjustments to decrease the contingent consideration based on updated estimates associated with management's probability assessment as of September 30, 2016. The fair value adjustments are reflected as revaluation of contingent consideration in NEP's condensed consolidated statements of income.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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