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Derivative Instruments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]  
Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments
NEE and FPL use derivative instruments (primarily swaps, options, futures and forwards) to manage the physical and financial risks inherent in the purchase and sale of fuel and electricity, as well as interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated primarily with outstanding and expected future debt issuances and borrowings, and to optimize the value of NEER's power generation and gas infrastructure assets. NEE and FPL do not utilize hedge accounting for their cash flow and fair value hedges.

With respect to commodities related to NEE's competitive energy business, NEER employs risk management procedures to conduct its activities related to optimizing the value of its power generation and gas infrastructure assets, providing full energy and capacity requirements services primarily to distribution utilities, and engaging in power and fuel marketing and trading activities to take advantage of expected future favorable price movements and changes in the expected volatility of prices in the energy markets. These risk management activities involve the use of derivative instruments executed within prescribed limits to manage the risk associated with fluctuating commodity prices. Transactions in derivative instruments are executed on recognized exchanges or via the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, depending on the most favorable credit terms and market execution factors. For NEER's power generation and gas infrastructure assets, derivative instruments are used to hedge all or a portion of the expected output of these assets. These hedges are designed to reduce the effect of adverse changes in the wholesale forward commodity markets associated with NEER's power generation and gas infrastructure assets. With regard to full energy and capacity requirements services, NEER is required to vary the quantity of energy and related services based on the load demands of the customers served. For this type of transaction, derivative instruments are used to hedge the anticipated electricity quantities required to serve these customers and reduce the effect of unfavorable changes in the forward energy markets. Additionally, NEER takes positions in energy markets based on differences between actual forward market levels and management's view of fundamental market conditions, including supply/demand imbalances, changes in traditional flows of energy, changes in short- and long-term weather patterns and anticipated regulatory and legislative outcomes. NEER uses derivative instruments to realize value from these market dislocations, subject to strict risk management limits around market, operational and credit exposure.

Derivative instruments, when required to be marked to market, are recorded on NEE's and FPL's consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. At FPL, substantially all changes in the derivatives' fair value are deferred as a regulatory asset or liability until the contracts are settled, and, upon settlement, any gains or losses are passed through the fuel and purchased power cost recovery clause (fuel clause). For NEE's non-rate regulated operations, predominantly NEER, essentially all changes in the derivatives' fair value for power purchases and sales, fuel sales and trading activities are recognized on a net basis in operating revenues; fuel purchases used in the production of electricity are recognized in fuel, purchased power and interchange expense; and the equity method investees' related activity is recognized in equity in earnings of equity method investees in NEE's consolidated statements of income. Settlement gains and losses are included within the line items in the consolidated statements of income to which they relate. Transactions for which physical delivery is deemed not to have occurred are presented on a net basis in the consolidated statements of income. For commodity derivatives, NEE believes that, where offsetting positions exist at the same location for the same time, the transactions are considered to have been netted and therefore physical delivery has been deemed not to have occurred for financial reporting purposes. Settlements related to derivative instruments are primarily recognized in net cash provided by operating activities in NEE's and FPL's consolidated statements of cash flows.

For interest rate and foreign currency derivative instruments, all changes in the derivatives' fair value, as well as the transaction gain or loss on foreign denominated debt, are recognized in interest expense and the equity method investees' related activity is recognized in equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investees in NEE's consolidated statements of income. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, NEE reclassified from AOCI approximately $26 million ($6 million after tax), of which $23 million was reclassified to gains on disposal of businesses/assets - net (see Note 1 - Disposal of Businesses/Assets) with the balance to interest expense, and $11 million ($8 million after tax) and $3 million ($2 million after tax) to interest expense, respectively, because it became probable that related future transactions being hedged would not occur. At December 31, 2020, NEE's AOCI included amounts related to discontinued interest rate cash flow hedges with expiration dates through March 2035 and foreign currency cash flow hedges with expiration dates through September 2030. Approximately $7 million of net losses included in AOCI at December 31, 2020 are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months as the principal and/or interest payments are made. Such amounts assume no change in scheduled principal payments.
Fair Value Measurement of Derivative Instruments - 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. NEE and FPL use 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. NEE's and FPL's assessment of the significance of any particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement 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.

NEE and FPL measure the fair value of commodity contracts using a combination of market and income approaches utilizing prices observed on commodities exchanges and in the OTC markets, or through the use of industry-standard valuation techniques, such as option modeling or discounted cash flows techniques, incorporating both observable and unobservable valuation inputs. The resulting measurements are the best estimate of fair value as represented by the transfer of the asset or liability through an orderly transaction in the marketplace at the measurement date.

Most exchange-traded derivative assets and liabilities are valued directly using unadjusted quoted prices. For exchange-traded derivative assets and liabilities where the principal market is deemed to be inactive based on average daily volumes and open interest, the measurement is established using settlement prices from the exchanges, and therefore considered to be valued using other observable inputs.

NEE, through its subsidiaries, including FPL, also enters into OTC commodity contract derivatives. The majority of these contracts are transacted at liquid trading points, and the prices for these contracts are verified using quoted prices in active markets from exchanges, brokers or pricing services for similar contracts.

NEE, through NEER, also enters into full requirements contracts, which, in most cases, meet the definition of derivatives and are measured at fair value. These contracts typically have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation of the contract. In addition, certain exchange and non-exchange traded derivative options at NEE have one or more significant inputs that are not observable, and are valued using industry-standard option models.

In all cases where NEE and FPL use significant unobservable inputs for the valuation of a commodity contract, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. The primary input to the valuation models for commodity contracts is the forward commodity curve for the respective instruments. Other inputs include, but are not limited to, assumptions about market liquidity, volatility, correlation and contract duration as more fully described below in Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Recurring Fair Value Measurements. In instances where the reference markets are deemed to be inactive or do not have transactions for a similar contract, the derivative assets and liabilities may be valued using significant other observable inputs and potentially significant unobservable inputs. In such instances, the valuation for these contracts is established using techniques including extrapolation from or interpolation between actively traded contracts, or estimated basis adjustments from liquid trading points. NEE and FPL regularly evaluate and validate the inputs used to determine fair value by a number of methods, consisting of various market price verification procedures, including the use of pricing services and multiple broker quotes to support the market price of the various commodities. In all cases where there are assumptions and models used to generate inputs for valuing derivative assets and liabilities, the review and verification of the assumptions, models and changes to the models are undertaken by individuals that are independent of those responsible for estimating fair value.

NEE uses interest rate contracts and foreign currency contracts to mitigate and adjust interest rate and foreign currency exchange exposure related primarily to certain outstanding and expected future debt issuances and borrowings when deemed appropriate based on market conditions or when required by financing agreements. NEE estimates the fair value of these 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 tables below present NEE's and FPL's gross derivative positions at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, as required by disclosure rules. However, the majority of the underlying contracts are subject to master netting agreements and generally would not be contractually settled on a gross basis. Therefore, the tables below also present the derivative positions on a net basis, which reflect the offsetting of positions of certain transactions within the portfolio, the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements and the netting of margin cash collateral, as well as the location of the net derivative position on the consolidated balance sheets.
December 31, 2020
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Netting(a)
Total
(millions)
Assets:
NEE:
Commodity contracts$919 $1,881 $1,679 $(2,325)$2,154 
Interest rate contracts$ $81 $ $(41)40 
Foreign currency contracts$ $57 $ $(34)23 
Total derivative assets$2,217 
FPL - commodity contracts$ $1 $2 $ $3 
Liabilities:
NEE:
Commodity contracts$1,004 $1,468 $305 $(2,277)$500 
Interest rate contracts$ $1,042 $ $(41)1,001 
Foreign currency contracts$ $43 $ $(34)9 
Total derivative liabilities$1,510 
FPL - commodity contracts$ $ $3 $ $3 
Net fair value by NEE balance sheet line item:
Current derivative assets$570 
Noncurrent derivative assets(b)
1,647 
Total derivative assets$2,217 
Current derivative liabilities(c)
$311 
Noncurrent derivative liabilities1,199 
Total derivative liabilities$1,510 
Net fair value by FPL balance sheet line item:
Current other assets$3 
Current other liabilities$2 
Noncurrent other liabilities1 
Total derivative liabilities$3 
______________________
(a)Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements and the netting of margin cash collateral payments and receipts. NEE and FPL also have contract settlement receivable and payable balances that are subject to the master netting arrangements but are not offset within the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded in customer receivables - net and accounts payable, respectively.
(b)Reflects the netting of approximately $184 million in margin cash collateral received from counterparties.
(c)Reflects the netting of approximately $136 million in margin cash collateral paid to counterparties.
December 31, 2019
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Netting(a)
Total
(millions)
Assets:
NEE:
Commodity contracts$1,229 $2,082 $1,739 $(2,700)$2,350 
Interest rate contracts$— $24 $$(17)
Foreign currency contracts$— $26 $— $27 
Total derivative assets$2,386 
FPL - commodity contracts$— $$$(1)$
Liabilities:
NEE:
Commodity contracts$1,365 $1,446 $390 $(2,625)$576 
Interest rate contracts$— $598 $144 $(17)725 
Foreign currency contracts$— $38 $— $39 
Total derivative liabilities$1,340 
FPL - commodity contracts$— $$$(1)$13 
Net fair value by NEE balance sheet line item:
Current derivative assets(b)
$762 
Noncurrent derivative assets(c)
1,624 
Total derivative assets$2,386 
Current derivative liabilities(d)
$344 
Current other liabilities(e)
133 
Noncurrent derivative liabilities863 
Total derivative liabilities$1,340 
Net fair value by FPL balance sheet line item:
Current other assets$
Current other liabilities$12 
Noncurrent other liabilities
Total derivative liabilities$13 
______________________
(a)Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements and the netting of margin cash collateral payments and receipts. NEE and FPL also have contract settlement receivable and payable balances that are subject to the master netting arrangements but are not offset within the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded in customer receivables - net and accounts payable, respectively.
(b)Reflects the netting of approximately $2 million in margin cash collateral received from counterparties.
(c)Reflects the netting of approximately $139 million in margin cash collateral received from counterparties.
(d)Reflects the netting of approximately $66 million in margin cash collateral paid to counterparties.
(e)See Note 1 - Disposal of Businesses/Assets.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, NEE had approximately $6 million and $10 million (none at FPL), respectively, in margin cash collateral received from counterparties that was not offset against derivative assets in the above presentation. These amounts are included in current other liabilities on NEE's consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, NEE had approximately $315 million and $360 million (none at FPL), respectively, in margin cash collateral paid to counterparties that was not offset against derivative assets or liabilities in the above presentation. These amounts are included in current other assets on NEE's consolidated balance sheets.

Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The valuation of certain commodity contracts requires the use of significant unobservable inputs. All forward price, implied volatility, implied correlation and interest rate inputs used in the valuation of such contracts are directly based on third-party market data, such as broker quotes and exchange settlements, when that data is available. If third-party market data is not available, then industry standard methodologies are used to develop inputs that maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Observable inputs, including some forward prices, implied volatilities and interest rates used for determining fair value are updated daily to reflect the best available market information. Unobservable inputs which are related to observable inputs, such as illiquid portions of forward price or volatility curves, are updated daily as well, using industry standard techniques such as interpolation and extrapolation, combining observable forward inputs supplemented by historical market and other relevant data. Other unobservable inputs, such as implied correlations, block-to-hourly price shaping, customer migration rates from full
requirements contracts and some implied volatility curves, are modeled using proprietary models based on historical data and industry standard techniques.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of NEE's commodity contracts categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2020 are as follows:

Transaction TypeFair Value at
December 31, 2020
Valuation
Technique(s)
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
Range
Weighted-average(a)
AssetsLiabilities
(millions)
Forward contracts - power$792 $(1)Discounted cash flowForward price (per MWh)$—$137$29
Forward contracts - gas305 25 Discounted cash flowForward price (per MMBtu)$1$8$3
Forward contracts - congestion27 7 Discounted cash flowForward price (various)$(6)$30$—
Options - power35 10 Option modelsImplied correlations40%84%55%
Implied volatilities5%357%84%
Options - primarily gas128 131 Option modelsImplied correlations40%96%55%
Implied volatilities16%310%36%
Full requirements and unit contingent contracts
363 121 Discounted cash flowForward price (per MWh)$5$330$46
Customer migration rate(b)
—%122%2%
Forward contracts - other29 12 
Total$1,679 $305 
______________________
(a)Unobservable inputs were weighted by volume.
(b)Applies only to full requirements contracts.

The sensitivity of NEE's fair value measurements to increases (decreases) in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows:
Significant Unobservable InputPositionImpact on
Fair Value Measurement
Forward pricePurchase power/gasIncrease (decrease)
Sell power/gasDecrease (increase)
Implied correlationsPurchase optionDecrease (increase)
Sell optionIncrease (decrease)
Implied volatilitiesPurchase optionIncrease (decrease)
Sell optionDecrease (increase)
Customer migration rate
Sell power(a)
Decrease (increase)
————————————
(a)Assumes the contract is in a gain position.
The reconciliation of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are based on significant unobservable inputs is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
202020192018
NEEFPLNEEFPLNEEFPL
(millions)
Fair value of net derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at December 31 of prior year
$1,207 $(8)$647 $(36)$566 $— 
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings(a)
547  923 — 35 (1)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)(b)
1  — — 
Included in regulatory assets and liabilities
2 2 (18)(18)
Purchases191  141 — 152 (16)
Sales(c)
114  — — — — 
Settlements(562)6 (356)25 28 (2)
Issuances(123) (87)— (115)— 
Impact of adoption of revenue standard  — — (30)— 
Transfers in(d)
18 (1)(5)— — — 
Transfers out(d)
(21) (62)22 
Fair value of net derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at December 31
$1,374 $(1)$1,207 $(8)$647 $(36)
Gains (losses) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to derivatives held at the reporting date(e)
$317 $ $611 $— $100 $(1)
______________________
(a)For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, realized and unrealized gains of approximately $569 million, $956 million and $48 million are included in the consolidated statements of income in operating revenues and the balance is included in interest expense.
(b)Included in net unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(c)See Note 1 - Disposal of Businesses/Assets.
(d)Transfers into Level 3 were a result of decreased observability of market data. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 were a result of increased observability of market data.
(e)For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, unrealized gains of approximately $317 million, $638 million and $112 million are included in the consolidated statements of income in operating revenues and the balance is included in interest expense.

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments - Gains (losses) related to NEE's derivatives are recorded in NEE's consolidated statements of income as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(millions)
Commodity contracts:(a)
     
Operating revenues$352 $762 $377 
Fuel, purchased power and interchange — (2)
Foreign currency contracts - interest expense8 (7)19 
Interest rate contracts - interest expense(421)(699)(280)
Losses reclassified from AOCI:
Interest rate contracts(b)
(35)(32)(30)
Foreign currency contracts - interest expense(3)(4)(4)
Total$(99) $20  $80 
______________________
(a)For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, FPL recorded gains (losses) of approximately $6 million, $9 million and $(31) million, respectively, related to commodity contracts as regulatory liabilities (assets) on its consolidated balance sheets.
(b)For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $23 million was reclassified to gains on disposal of businesses/assets - net (see Note 1 - Disposal of Businesses/Assets); remaining balances were reclassified to interest expense on NEE's consolidated statements of income.

Notional Volumes of Derivative Instruments - The following table represents net notional volumes associated with derivative instruments that are required to be reported at fair value in NEE's and FPL's consolidated financial statements. The table includes significant volumes of transactions that have minimal exposure to commodity price changes because they are variably priced agreements. These volumes are only an indication of the commodity exposure that is managed through the use of derivatives. They do not represent net physical asset positions or non-derivative positions and the related hedges, nor do they represent NEE's and FPL's net economic exposure, but only the net notional derivative positions that fully or partially hedge the related asset positions. NEE and FPL had derivative commodity contracts for the following net notional volumes:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Commodity TypeNEEFPLNEEFPL
(millions)
Power(90)
MWh(a)
 (81)
MWh(a)
MWh(a)
Natural gas(607)
MMBtu(b)
87 
MMBtu(b)
(1,723)
MMBtu(b)
161 
MMBtu(b)
Oil(6)barrels (13)barrels— 
______________________
(a)Megawatt-hours
(b)One million British thermal units

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, NEE had interest rate contracts with a net notional amount of approximately $10.5 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively, and foreign currency contracts with a net notional amount of approximately $1.0 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features - Certain derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features including, among other things, the requirement to maintain an investment grade credit rating from specified credit rating agencies and certain financial ratios, as well as credit-related cross-default and material adverse change triggers. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the aggregate fair value of NEE's derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position was approximately $1.9 billion ($3 million for FPL) and $1.7 billion ($12 million for FPL), respectively.

If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these derivative agreements were triggered, certain subsidiaries of NEE, including FPL, could be required to post collateral or settle contracts according to contractual terms which generally allow netting of contracts in offsetting positions. Certain derivative contracts contain multiple types of credit-related triggers. To the extent these contracts contain a credit ratings downgrade trigger, the maximum exposure is included in the following credit ratings collateral posting requirements. If FPL's and NEECH's credit ratings were downgraded to BBB/Baa2 (a three level downgrade for FPL and a one level downgrade for NEECH from the current lowest applicable rating), applicable NEE subsidiaries would be required to post collateral such that the total posted collateral would be approximately $80 million (none at FPL) and $215 million (none at FPL) at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. If FPL's and NEECH's credit ratings were downgraded to below investment grade, applicable NEE subsidiaries would be required to post additional collateral such that the total posted collateral would be approximately $1.2 billion ($75 million at FPL) and $1.2 billion ($35 million at FPL) at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Some derivative contracts do not contain credit ratings downgrade triggers, but do contain provisions that require certain financial measures be maintained and/or have credit-related cross-default triggers. In the event these provisions were triggered, applicable NEE subsidiaries could be required to post additional collateral of up to approximately $880 million ($75 million at FPL) and $590 million ($75 million at FPL) at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Collateral related to derivatives may be posted in the form of cash or credit support in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, applicable NEE subsidiaries have posted approximately $2 million (none at FPL) and $2 million (none at FPL), respectively, in cash and $66 million (none at FPL) and $88 million (none at FPL), respectively, in the form of letters of credit each of which could be applied toward the collateral requirements described above. FPL and NEECH have capacity under their credit facilities generally in excess of the collateral requirements described above that would be available to support, among other things, derivative activities. Under the terms of the credit facilities, maintenance of a specific credit rating is not a condition to drawing on these credit facilities, although there are other conditions to drawing on these credit facilities.

Additionally, some contracts contain certain adequate assurance provisions whereby a counterparty may demand additional collateral based on subjective events and/or conditions. Due to the subjective nature of these provisions, NEE and FPL are unable to determine an exact value for these items and they are not included in any of the quantitative disclosures above.