PNM Resources today announced with AVANGRID that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AVANGRID will acquire all the outstanding shares of PNM Resources. The agreement, which has been unanimously approved by both companies' Boards of Directors, creates a leading U.S. regulated utility and renewable energy platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, PNM Resources shareholders will receive $50.30 in cash for each share of PNM Resources common stock held at closing, representing an equity value of approximately $4.3 billion. The proposed transaction implies a 19.3% premium to PNM Resources 30-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) as of 10/20/20.
"We are excited to be part of this transaction that provides so many benefits to our customers, communities, employees and shareholders," said Pat Vincent-Collawn, Chairman, President and CEO of PNM Resources. "Our combined companies provide greater opportunities to invest in the infrastructure and new technologies that will help us navigate our transition to clean energy while maintaining our commitments to our local teams and communities."
The combination creates a larger, more diversified regulated utility and renewable energy company with electric and gas utilities in complementary geographies. Regulated utility operations expand under the transaction and provide increased operational and regulatory diversification, serving more than 4 million electric and natural gas customers of 10 regulated utilities across New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Texas. These combined operations are supported by $14 billion of rate base, including more than 104,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines.
AVANGRID is the third largest wind operator in the U.S. and is a leading sustainable energy company with more than 7.4 GW of installed wind and solar capacity. The strategic combination with PNM Resources also provides a platform for AVANGRID to expand its renewables business in the Southwest beyond its existing 1.9-GW capacity wind projects in New Mexico and Texas and 200 MW of wind and solar capacity in Arizona. The scope and diversity of the combined business results in greater ability to invest in energy efficiency and new technologies.
The combined company's robust financial profile will provide flexibility to pursue near- and long-term growth opportunities, particularly in electric transmission and renewable energy. Through AVANGRID's parent company, Iberdrola, S.A., the combined company will have access to extensive financial resources to support this growth profile.
Ignacio Galán, Iberdrola and Avangrid Chairman: "This transaction is a consequence of the IBERDROLA Group's disciplined strategy followed over more than 20 years. This is a friendly transaction, focused on regulated businesses and renewables in highly rated states with legal and regulatory stability and predictability offering future growth opportunities."
Dennis Arriola, Avangrid's CEO who will remain as CEO of the combined Company said: "This merger between Avangrid and PNM Resources is a strategic fit and helps us further our growth in both clean energy distribution and transmission, as well as helping to expand our growing leadership position in renewables. Our two companies also share the same values as we both are passionate about our customers, employees, and the communities we serve. In addition, both AVANGRID and PNM Resources are leaders in environmental, social and governance issues that impact our stakeholders."
The combined company recognizes the value that local management's knowledge and expertise bring to serving the communities in which its businesses operate. PNM Resources operations will continue to be overseen locally and the current headquarters of the utilities in New Mexico and Texas will remain. Customers of Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP), the wholly-owned regulated utility subsidiaries of PNM Resources, will benefit from the shared knowledge and technology across a global organization. The combined entity will have access to greater resources to continue providing safe and reliable service that supports an accelerated transition to clean energy and provides customer value.
Pat Vincent-Collawn will step down as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer upon closing of the transaction. Don Tarry, current Chief Financial Officer of PNM Resources, will oversee the continuing operations of PNM and TNMP. Two directors from the current PNM Resources Board will serve as independent directors of AVANGRID. One director from the current PNM Resources Board will also serve on the Board of the Avangrid Networks business.
PNM remains committed to exiting coal through the approved abandonment of San Juan Generating Station in 2022 and the continued efforts to exit its 200-MW ownership interest in the Four Corners Power Plant earlier than originally planned. PNM sees the potential for additional customer savings by exiting the plant sooner than the expiration of the ownership and coal supply agreements in 2031. An earlier exit from Four Corners also opens the door for the combined company to bring additional renewable resources onto the grid in support of New Mexico's increasing renewable energy standards and 2045 carbon-free mandate.
The transaction is subject to PNM Resources shareholder approval, regulatory approvals from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Justice (Hart Scott-Rodino Clearance), Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close between October and December 2021.
