TransAlta

Digest

Siemens and Accenture joint venture on smart grid management systems; CenterPoint picks Itron for RF meter rollout; Memphis picks Elster electric, gas, and water AMI system; TransAlta acquires Wyoming wind farm from NextEra; NRG acquires Edison Mission Energy assets; Google to invest in Imperial Valley solar project; Sempra acquires Nebraska wind project; plus contracts and announcements from Babcock & Wilcox, Echelon, PJM, California ISO, and others.

TransAlta Renewables Acquires 144-MW Wind Farm from NextEra Energy Resources

TransAlta Renewables, through a wholly owned subsidiary of TransAlta, will acquire the economic interest in a 144-MW wind farm in Wyoming for approximately US$102 million from an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources. The wind farm is fully operational and contracted under a long-term PPA until 2028 with an investment grade counterparty. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of December 2013.

Five Years Later

Wall Street is back in business. What’s next for utility finance?

When Lehman Brothers went bankrupt in September 2008, it marked the beginning of a financial crisis. By most accounts, the utility industry has been a picture of stability through tumultuous times. The view from Wall Street remains bullish – despite some reasons for concern.