Transactions with Affiliates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Transactions with Affiliates

13. Transactions with Affiliates

Transactions with Affiliates

We enter into transactions with and pay certain costs on behalf of affiliates that are commonly controlled in order to reduce risk, reduce administrative expense, create economies of scale, create strategic alliances and supply goods and services to these related parties. We also sell and purchase natural gas and electricity with affiliates and pay an affiliate to perform telemarketing activities. We present receivables and payables with the same affiliate on a net basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as all affiliate activity is with parties under common control. Affiliated transactions include certain services to the affiliated companies associated with employee benefits provided through our benefit plans, insurance plans, leased office space, administrative salaries, due diligence work, recurring management consulting, and accounting, tax, legal, or technology services. Amounts billed are based on the services provided, departmental usage, or headcount, which are considered reasonable by management. As such, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include costs that have been incurred by us and then directly billed or allocated to affiliates, as well as costs that have been incurred by our affiliates and then directly billed or allocated to us, and are recorded net in general and administrative expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations with a corresponding accounts receivable—affiliates or accounts payable—affiliates, respectively, recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Transactions with affiliates for sales or purchases of natural gas and electricity are recorded in retail revenues, retail cost of revenues, and net asset optimization revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations with a corresponding accounts receivable—affiliate or accounts payable—affiliate are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Cost Allocations

Where costs incurred on behalf of the affiliate or us cannot be determined by specific identification for direct billing, the costs are allocated to the affiliated entities or us based on estimates of percentage of departmental usage, wages or headcount. The total net amount direct billed and allocated (to)/from affiliates was $(0.8) million and $(0.2) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

General and administrative costs of $0.1 million and zero were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020 related to telemarketing activities performed by an affiliate.

Accounts Receivable and Payable—Affiliates

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had current accounts receivable—affiliates of $5.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, and current accounts payable—affiliates of $1.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Revenues and Cost of Revenues—Affiliates

Revenues recorded in net asset optimization revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 related to affiliated sales were $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Cost of revenues recorded in net asset optimization revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 related to affiliated purchases were less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. These amounts are presented as net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Distributions to and Contributions from Affiliates

During three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, Spark HoldCo made distributions to affiliates of our Founder of $3.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively, for the payments of quarterly distribution on their respective Spark HoldCo units. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, Spark HoldCo also made distributions to these affiliates for gross-up distributions of $2.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in connection with distributions made between Spark HoldCo and Spark Energy, Inc. for payment of income taxes incurred by us.

Subordinated Debt Facility

In June 2019, we and Spark HoldCo entered into a Subordinated Debt Facility with an affiliate owned by our Founder, which allows the Company to borrow up to $25.0 million. The Subordinated Debt Facility allows us to draw advances in increments of no less than $1.0 million per advance up to the maximum principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Facility. Advances thereunder accrue interest at 5% per annum from the date of the advance. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was $10.0 million and zero in outstanding borrowings under the Subordinated Debt Facility. See Note 9 "Debt" for a further description of terms and conditions of the Subordinated Debt Facility.