AES Reports Strong First Quarter Results; Reaffirms 2024 Guidance & Long-Term Growth Rates

Signed an Additional 1 GW of Solar-Plus-Storage Under a Long-Term Contract with Amazon, for a Total of 2 GW at Bellefield in California

Strategic Accomplishments

• Signed 1.2 GW of renewables and energy storage under long-term contracts, bringing total backlog of projects signed under long-term contracts to 12.7 GW
  
  • Includes an additional 1 GW under a 15-year contract with Amazon, for a total of 2 GW at Bellefield, the largest single solar-plus-storage facility in the US
• Completed the construction or acquisition of 593 MW of renewables; on track to add 3.6 GW of new projects to operations in full year 2024
• AES Indiana received approval for its rate case settlement, allowing investment in reliability, resiliency and enhanced customer offerings
• Retired 276 MW Norgener coal plant in Chile, for a total of 13.5 GW of coal exits announced or closed since 2017

Q1 2024 Financial Highlights

• Diluted EPS of $0.60, compared to $0.21 in Q1 2023
• Adjusted EPS¹ of $0.50, compared to $0.22 in Q1 2023
• Net Income of $278 million, compared to $189 million in Q1 2023
• Adjusted EBITDA² of $635 million, compared to $628 million in Q1 2023
• Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes^2,3 of $863 million, compared to $641 million in Q1 2023

Financial Position and Outlook

• Reaffirming 2024 guidance for Adjusted EPS¹ of $1.87 to $1.97
  
  • Reaffirming annualized Adjusted EPS¹ growth target of 7% to 9% through 2025, off a base of 2020
  • Reaffirming annualized Adjusted EPS¹ growth target of 7% to 9% through 2027, off a base of 2023 guidance
• Reaffirming 2024 guidance for Adjusted EBITDA² of $2,600 to $2,900 million
  
  • Reaffirming annualized growth target² of 5% to 7% through 2027, off a base of 2023 guidance
  • Reaffirming expectation of 2024 Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes^2,3 of $3,550 to $3,950 million

ARLINGTON, Va., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

"We had a strong first quarter, financially and strategically, in line with our expectations.  During the quarter, we signed 1 GW of long-term contracts for renewables with Amazon, for a total of 3.1 GW since 2021, making AES one of the largest renewables developers in Amazon's portfolio," said Andrés Gluski, AES President and Chief Executive Officer.  "To-date, we have signed nearly 6 GW of renewables PPAs with technology customers, and with our unique project structuring capabilities and resilient supply chain and construction programs, we continue to be best positioned to meet the needs of this and other rapidly growing market segments."

"With our first quarter results and our future outlook, I am pleased to reaffirm our full year 2024 guidance and long-term growth rates through 2027," said Stephen Coughlin, AES Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  "We continue to maintain balance sheet discipline by using highly capital-efficient structures to finance our growth, including the use of long-term, fixed rate debt that is non-recourse to the AES Parent.  In addition, our strategy of pre-hedging future debt issuances means we have minimal exposure to interest rates."

Q1 2024 Financial Results

First quarter 2024 Net Income was $278 million, an increase of $89 million compared to first quarter 2023.  This increase is the result of favorable contributions at the Utilities and New Energy Technologies Strategic Business Units (SBU), partially offset by lower contributions from the Renewables and Energy Infrastructure SBUs.

First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA⁴ (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $635 million, an increase of $7 million compared to first quarter 2023, primarily driven by higher revenues under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) termination agreement at the Energy Infrastructure SBU, higher contributions at the Utilities SBU, and lower losses from affiliates at the New Energy Technologies SBU; partially offset by lower LNG transactions, higher contract generation cost, and outages at the Energy Infrastructure SBU, and worse hydrology and lower wind generation at the Renewables SBU.

Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes^4,5 was $863 million, an increase of $222 million compared to first quarter 2023, primarily due to higher realized tax attributes⁵ driven by more renewables projects placed in service, and the drivers above.

First quarter 2024 Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (Diluted EPS) was $0.60, an increase of $0.39 compared to first quarter 2023, primarily reflecting lower income tax expense, higher contributions from renewables projects placed in service in the current year, and a gain on dilution of the Company's interest in Uplight; partially offset by higher asset impairments in the current year.

First quarter 2024 Adjusted Earnings Per Share⁶ (Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure) was $0.50, an increase of $0.28, compared to first quarter 2023, mainly driven by a lower adjusted tax rate and higher contributions from renewables projects placed in service in the current year.

Strategic Accomplishments

• As of the end of the first quarter of 2024, the Company's backlog, which consists of projects with signed contracts, but which are not yet operational, is 12.7 GW, including 5.8 GW under construction.
• Since the Company's fourth quarter 2023 earnings call in February 2024, the Company completed the construction or acquisition of 593 MW of wind, solar and energy storage and expects to add a total of 3.6 GW to its operating portfolio by year-end 2024.
• Since the Company's fourth quarter 2023 earnings call in February 2024, the Company signed 1.2 GW of long-term contracts for new renewables.
• Including the 1 GW of Bellefield 2 signed in the first quarter of 2024, the Company has signed long-term PPAs for 5.9 GW of renewables to serve data center and technology customers in the US and South America since 2018.
• AES Indiana received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to implement new customer rates beginning in mid-May 2024. AES Indiana will continue to be among the lowest residential rates of any investor-owned utility in Indiana.

Guidance and Expectations^6,7

The Company is reaffirming its expectation for annualized growth in Adjusted EBITDA⁷ of 5% to 7% through 2027, from a base of its 2023 guidance of $2,600 to $2,900 million.

The Company is reaffirming its 2024 guidance for Adjusted EBITDA⁷ of $2,600 to $2,900 million.  Results are expected to be driven by the impacts from significant asset sales closed in 2023 and expected to close in 2024, as well as prior year margins earned on LNG transactions, partially offset by contributions from new renewables projects, improved margins in Chile, rate base growth at US utilities.

The Company is reaffirming its expectation for 2024 Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes^7,8 of $3,550 to $3,950 million, driven by new renewables.

The Company is reaffirming its annualized growth target for Adjusted EPS⁶ of 7% to 9% through 2025, from a base year of 2020.  The Company is also reaffirming its annualized growth target for Adjusted EPS⁶ of 7% to 9% through 2027, from a base of its 2023 guidance of $1.65 to $1.75. 

The Company is reaffirming its 2024 guidance for Adjusted EPS⁹ of $1.87 to $1.97.  Growth in 2024 is expected to be primarily driven by new renewables commissionings, rate base growth at US utilities, and improved margins in Chile, but partially offset by asset sales and prior year margins on LNG transactions.

The Company's 2024 guidance is based on foreign currency and commodity forward curves as of March 31, 2024.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

See Non-GAAP Measures for definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes, Tax Attributes, Adjusted Earnings Per Share, and Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution, as well as reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.

Attachments

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Segment Information, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Parent Financial Information.

Conference Call Information

AES will host a conference call on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).  Interested parties may listen to the teleconference by dialing 1-833-470-1428 at least ten minutes before the start of the call. International callers should dial +1-404-975-4839.  The Participant Access Code for this call is 395200.  Internet access to the conference call and presentation materials will be available on the AES website at www.aes.com by selecting "Investors" and then "Presentations and Webcasts."

A webcast replay will be accessible at www.aes.com beginning shortly after the completion of the call.

About AES

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy.  Together with our many stakeholders, we're improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs.  Our diverse workforce is committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence, while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today.  For more information, visit www.aes.com.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to future earnings, growth and financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a guarantee of future results, but instead constitute AES' current expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Forecasted financial information is based on certain material assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding accurate projections of future interest rates, commodity price and foreign currency pricing, continued normal levels of operating performance and electricity volume at our distribution companies and operational performance at our generation businesses consistent with historical levels, as well as the execution of PPAs, conversion of our backlog and growth investments at normalized investment levels, and rates of return consistent with prior experience.

Actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are discussed in AES' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Item 1A: "Risk Factors" and Item 7: "Management's Discussion & Analysis" in AES' 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to read AES' filings to learn more about the risk factors associated with AES' business. AES undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except where required by law.

Any Stockholder who desires a copy of the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2024 with the SEC may obtain a copy (excluding the exhibits thereto) without charge by addressing a request to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company's website at www.aes.com.

Website Disclosure

AES uses its website, including its quarterly updates, as channels of distribution of Company information.  The information AES posts through these channels may be deemed material.  Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following AES' press releases, quarterly SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.  In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about AES when you enroll your e-mail address by visiting the "Subscribe to Alerts" page of AES' Investors website.  The contents of AES' website, including its quarterly updates, are not, however, incorporated by reference into this release.

 

 

 

 

THE AES CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 (Unaudited)
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA, ADJUSTED PTC AND ADJUSTED EPS

We define EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for the impact of NCI and interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of our equity affiliates, adding back interest income recognized under service concession arrangements, and excluding gains or losses of both consolidated entities and entities accounted for under the equity method due to (a) unrealized gains or losses pertaining to derivative transactions, equity securities, and financial assets and liabilities measured using the fair value option; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and gains and losses recognized at commencement of sales-type leases; (d) losses due to impairments; and (e) gains, losses, and costs due to the early retirement of debt or troubled debt restructuring. We define Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes as Adjusted EBITDA, adding back the pre-tax effect of Production Tax Credits ("PTCs"), Investment Tax Credits ("ITCs"), and depreciation tax deductions allocated to tax equity investors, as well as the tax benefit recorded from tax credits retained or transferred to third parties.

The GAAP measure most comparable to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes is net income. We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes better reflect the underlying business performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA is the most relevant measure considered in the Company's internal evaluation of the financial performance of its segments. Factors in this determination include the variability due to unrealized gains or losses pertaining to derivative transactions, equity securities, or financial assets and liabilities remeasurement, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses, losses due to impairments, strategic decisions to dispose of or acquire business interests or retire debt, and the variability of allocations of earnings to tax equity investors, which affect results in a given period or periods. In addition, each of these metrics represent the business performance of the Company before the application of statutory income tax rates and tax adjustments, including the effects of tax planning, corresponding to the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Attributes should not be construed as alternatives to net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

THE AES CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 (Unaudited)
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA, ADJUSTED PTC AND ADJUSTED EPS

We define Adjusted PTC as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation excluding gains or losses of the consolidated entity due to (a) unrealized gains or losses pertaining to derivative transactions, equity securities, and financial assets and liabilities measured using the fair value option; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits, and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and gains and losses recognized at commencement of sales-type leases; (d) losses due to impairments; and (e) gains, losses, and costs due to the early retirement of debt or troubled debt restructuring.  Adjusted PTC also includes net equity in earnings of affiliates on an after-tax basis adjusted for the same gains or losses excluded from consolidated entities.

We define Adjusted EPS as diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding gains or losses of both consolidated entities and entities accounted for under the equity method due to (a) unrealized gains or losses pertaining to derivative transactions, equity securities, and financial assets and liabilities measured using the fair value option; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and the tax impact from the repatriation of sales proceeds, and gains and losses recognized at commencement of sales-type leases; (d) losses due to impairments; and (e) gains, losses, and costs due to the early retirement of debt or troubled debt restructuring.

The GAAP measure most comparable to Adjusted PTC is income from continuing operations attributable to AES. The GAAP measure most comparable to Adjusted EPS is diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. We believe that Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS better reflect the underlying business performance of the Company and are considered in the Company's internal evaluation of financial performance. Factors in this determination include the variability due to unrealized gains or losses pertaining to derivative transactions, equity securities, or financial assets and liabilities remeasurement, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses, losses due to impairments, and strategic decisions to dispose of or acquire business interests or retire debt, which affect results in a given period or periods. In addition, for Adjusted PTC, earnings before tax represents the business performance of the Company before the application of statutory income tax rates and tax adjustments, including the effects of tax planning, corresponding to the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS should not be construed as alternatives to income from continuing operations attributable to AES and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, which are determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.60 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. For purposes of measuring earnings per share under U.S. GAAP, income available to AES common stockholders is reduced by increases in the carrying amount of redeemable stock of subsidiaries to redemption value. While the adjustment reduced earnings per share, it did not impact Net income on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For purposes of computing Adjusted EPS, the Company excluded the adjustment to redemption value from the numerator. The table below reconciles the income available to AES common stockholders used in GAAP diluted earnings per share to the income from continuing operations used in calculating the non-GAAP measure of Adjusted EPS.

 

 

Investor Contact: Susan Harcourt 703-682-1204, [email protected]
Media Contact: Amy Ackerman 703-682-6399, [email protected]

 

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SOURCE The AES Corporation