ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Asset Acquisition [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS

In accordance with Topic 805: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), transactions are evaluated and are accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses, and transaction costs are capitalized in asset acquisitions. It was determined that all of the below acquisitions met the criteria of asset acquisitions. The purchase price of certain acquisitions below includes intangibles recorded as long-term liabilities related to PPAs. See Note 19, Goodwill and Intangibles, for more information.

Acquisitions of Electric Generation Facilities in Wisconsin

In June 2023, WE completed the acquisition of 100 MWs of West Riverside's nameplate capacity, in the first of two potential option exercises. West Riverside is a commercially operational dual fueled combined cycle generation facility in Beloit, Wisconsin. Prior to acquisition, WPS received approval to transfer its ownership interest rights to WE. WE's investment was $95.3 million. In addition, WPS filed an application with the PSCW in September 2023 to exercise a second option to acquire an additional 100 MWs of West Riverside's nameplate capacity. As it did with the first option, WPS is also seeking approval to assign its ownership interest pursuant to this second option to WE. If these approvals are obtained, WE's incremental share of this investment is expected to be approximately $100 million, with the transaction expected to close in 2024.

In April 2023, WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, completed the acquisition of Red Barn, a commercially operational utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project is located in Grant County, Wisconsin and WPS owns 82 MWs of this project. WPS's share of the cost of this project was $143.8 million. Red Barn qualifies for PTCs.

In January 2023, WE and WPS completed the acquisition of Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electric generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin, for $76.0 million.

Acquisition of a Solar Generation Facility in Texas

In February 2023, WECI completed the acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in Samson I, a commercially operational 250 MW solar generating facility in Lamar County, Texas, for $249.4 million, which includes transaction costs and is net of cash acquired. The allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was primarily to property, plant, and equipment and an intangible liability related to the PPA. The project has an offtake agreement for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for a period of 15 years. Samson I qualifies for PTCs and is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.

Acquisition of Electric Generation Facility in Illinois

In February 2023, WECI completed the acquisition of a 90% ownership interest in Sapphire Sky, a commercially operational 250 MW wind generating facility in McLean County, Illinois, for a total investment of $442.6 million, which includes transaction costs and is net of cash acquired. The allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was primarily to property, plant, and equipment and an intangible liability related to the PPA. The project has an offtake agreement for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for a period of 12 years. Sapphire Sky qualifies for PTCs and is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.

In October 2022, WECI signed an agreement to acquire an 80% ownership interest in Maple Flats, a 250 MW solar generating facility under construction in Clay County, Illinois, for approximately $360 million. The project has an offtake agreement for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for a period of 15 years. The transaction is subject to FERC approval and commercial operation is expected to begin during 2024, at which time the transaction is expected to close. Maple Flats is expected to qualify for PTCs and will be included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.