Speaker #1: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Brookfield Renewable Partners fourth quarter and full year 2025 results. At this time, all participants are on a listen-only mode.
Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Brookfield Renewable Partners Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you'll need to press star one one on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I'd now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Conor Teskey, Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you'll need to press star, one, one on your telephone.
Speaker #1: You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star, one, one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.
Speaker #1: I'd now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Connor Teskey, Chief Executive Officer. Please go
Speaker #1: ahead. Thank you,
Speaker #2: Operator. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our fourth quarter 2025 conference call. Before that a copy of our news release and investor supplement can be found on our website.
Connor Teskey: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our Q4 2025 conference call. Before we begin, we would like to remind you that a copy of our news release and investor supplement can be found on our website. We also want to remind you that we may make forward-looking statements on this call. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, and our future results may differ materially. For more information, you are encouraged to review our regulatory filings available on SEDAR+, EDGAR, and on our website. On today's call, we will provide a review of our 2025 performance, share our perspectives on the energy market today, and provide an update on the growth outlook for our business.
Speaker #2: We also want to remind you that we may make forward-looking statements on this call. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and are future results may differ materially.
Speaker #2: For more information, you are encouraged to review our regulatory filings available on CedarPlusEdgar and on our website. On today's call, we will provide a review of our 2025 performance, share our perspectives on the energy market today, and provide an update on the growth outlook for our business.
Speaker #2: to Patrick, who will discuss our We will then turn the call over operating results and strong financial position, as well as outline how our increasingly differentiated access to capital is providing a clear advantage for our franchise today.
Connor Teskey: We will then turn the call over to Patrick, who will discuss our operating results and strong financial position, as well as outline how our increasingly differentiated access to capital is providing a clear advantage for our franchise today. He will then conclude our remarks with an update on our growing asset recycling program. Following our comments, we look forward to taking your questions. 2025 was another excellent year for our business. We delivered strong financial results, strengthened our balance sheet, and most importantly, further positioned the business to continue delivering strong growth and value creation for our unit holders going forward. This past year, we delivered $2.01 of FFO per unit, up 10% year-over-year and in line with our long-term growth target. On the back of solid operating performance, expanded development activities, accretive acquisitions, and growing capital recycling.
Speaker #2: He will then conclude our remarks with an update on our growing asset recycling program. Following our comments, we look forward to taking your questions.
Speaker #2: 2025 was another excellent year for our business. We delivered strong financial results, strengthened our balance sheet, and most importantly, further positioned the business to continue delivering strong growth and value creation for our unit holders going forward.
Speaker #2: This past year, we delivered $2.01 of SFO per unit, up 10% year over year and in line with our long-term growth target. On the back of solid operating performance, expanded development activities, a creative acquisitions, and growing capital recycling.
Speaker #2: We deployed or committed a record $8.9 billion or $1.9 billion in growth net to BEP, highlighted by the privatization of NAON, our carve-out of Geronimo Power in the United States, and our increased investment in ESAHEN, one of our strongest performing businesses over the last decade.
Connor Teskey: We deployed or committed a record $8.9 billion or $1.9 billion in growth net to BEP, highlighted by the privatization of Neoen, our carve-out of Geronimo Energy in the United States, and our increased investment in Isagen, one of our strongest performing businesses over the last decade. We were successful in advancing our various commercial priorities, signing contracts on over 9 GW of generation capacity. We also continued to scale our development activities, bringing online over 8 GW of new capacity globally, a record for our business. We delivered on our asset recycling targets, reaching agreements to sell assets, generating $4.5 billion of proceeds, or $1.3 billion net to BEP at returns above the high end of our targets.
Speaker #2: We were successful in advancing our various commercial priorities, signing contracts on over nine gigawatts of generation capacity. We also continued to scale our development activities, bringing online over eight gigawatts of new capacity globally, a record for our business.
Speaker #2: We delivered on our asset recycling targets, reaching agreements to sell assets generating $4.5 billion of proceeds or $1.3 billion net to BEP, at returns above the high end of our targets.
Speaker #2: And we accomplished this all the while strengthening our balance sheet ending the year with $4.6 billion in available liquidity. Stepping back and looking at the broader market today, it is now clear that power is a strategic priority around the world and is the bottleneck to growth for both governments and corporates.
Connor Teskey: And we accomplished this all the while strengthening our balance sheet, ending the year with $4.6 billion in available liquidity. Stepping back and looking at the broader market today, it is now clear that power is a strategic priority around the world and is the bottleneck to growth for both governments and corporates. Investment in new generation capacity over the past several years was largely about replacing carbon-intensive generation in a world of modest or even flat electricity demand growth. Today, that backdrop has fundamentally shifted. Energy demand is rising at a pace not seen in decades, driven by the multi-decade trends of electrification and renewed industrial activity. This demand growth is being further amplified by AI and the unprecedented investment and energy consumption from some of the largest companies in the world...
Speaker #2: Investment in new generation capacity over the past several years was largely about replacing carbon-intensive generation in a world of modest, or even flat, electricity demand.
Speaker #2: Today, that backdrop has fundamentally shifted. Energy demand is rising at a pace not seen in decades, driven by the multi-decade trends of electrification and renewed industrial activity.
Speaker #2: This demand growth is being further amplified by AI and the unprecedented investment and energy consumption from some of the largest companies in the world.
Speaker #2: As a result, we are not only transitioning the grid, but adding substantial net new generation for the first time in decades. Said another way, we have shifted from a period focused on energy transition to a period focused on energy addition.
Connor Teskey: As a result, we are not only transitioning the grid, but adding substantial net new generation for the first time in decades. Said another way, we have shifted from a period focused on energy transition to a period focused on energy addition. This shift is driving a move from incremental grid upgrades to large-scale expansion, prioritizing fast-to-deploy renewables, scale baseload generation, and capacity to ensure reliability. Meeting this demand will require a mix of all the scale and efficient technologies over time. Solar and onshore wind will play a critical role, given their speed to market and low cost. Hydro and nuclear are important for their baseload and scale, natural gas for its flexibility, and battery solutions will be critical for ensuring the reliability of grids going forward.
Speaker #2: This shift is driving a move from incremental grid upgrades to large-scale expansion, prioritizing fast-to-deploy renewables, scale-based load generation, and capacity to ensure reliability. Meeting this demand will require a mix of all the scale and efficient technologies over time.
Speaker #2: Solar and onshore wind will play a critical role given their speed to market and low cost. Hydro and nuclear are important for their base load and scale, natural gas for its flexibility, and battery solutions will be critical for ensuring the reliability of grids going forward.
Speaker #2: In this evolving environment, we have deliberately positioned our business at the epicenter of many of these technologies, allowing us to capitalize on the rapidly expanding opportunity set given our operating and development capabilities, strong partnerships, and significant access to capital.
Connor Teskey: In this evolving environment, we have deliberately positioned our business at the epicenter of many of these technologies, allowing us to capitalize on the rapidly expanding opportunity set, given our operating and development capabilities, strong partnerships, and significant access to capital. First, we are scaling our development of low-cost, fast-to-market solar and onshore wind to meet the accelerating demand for power in the near term. Over the past year, we commissioned a record amount of new solar and onshore wind capacity and are on track to reach a run rate of delivering roughly 10 gigawatts of new capacity per year by 2027, all while maintaining our disciplined approach to development. Second, against the backdrop of growing demand for reliable baseload power, we are well-positioned in the current market through our operating hydro assets and our ownership of Westinghouse.
Speaker #2: First, we are scaling our development of low-cost, fast-to-market solar and onshore wind to meet the accelerating demand for power in the near term. Over the past year, we commissioned a record amount of new solar and onshore wind capacity and are on track to reach a run rate of delivering roughly 10 gigawatts of new capacity per year by 2027, all while maintaining our disciplined approach to development.
Speaker #2: Second, against the backdrop of growing demand for reliable base load power, we are well-positioned in the current market through our operating hydro assets and our ownership of Westinghouse.
Speaker #2: As power systems require more scale, base load generation, flexibility, and enhanced reliability, the value of hydro is being recognized more than ever before. This has been highlighted by the execution of three 20-year power purchase agreements at strong pricing with hyperscalers—a first for our business.
Connor Teskey: As power systems require more scaled baseload generation, flexibility, and enhanced reliability, the value of hydro is being recognized more than ever before. This has been highlighted by the execution of 3 20-year power purchase agreements at strong pricing with hyperscalers, a first for our business, as well as the signing of the framework agreement with Google to deliver up to 3 gigawatts of hydro generation in the United States. With respect to nuclear, only slightly more than 2 years ago, we invested in Westinghouse, gaining exposure to this critical technology for current and future electricity grids, given its scale and baseload characteristics. Our investment was underpinned by Westinghouse's highly contracted infrastructure-like cash flows from its fuel and maintenance business, its strong market share, and its leading and proven technology for large-scale nuclear power reactors.
Speaker #2: As well as the signing of the framework agreement with Google to deliver up to 3 gigawatts of hydro generation in the United States. With respect to nuclear, only slightly more than two years ago, we invested in Westinghouse.
Speaker #2: Gaining exposure to this critical technology for current and future electricity grids, given its scale and base load characteristics. Our investment was underpinned by Westinghouse's highly contracted infrastructure-like cash flows from its fuel and maintenance business.
Speaker #2: Its strong market share, and its leading and proven technology for large-scale nuclear power reactors. The current energy demand environment has reinvigorated the nuclear sector with increasing recognition of the role nuclear can play to enable economic growth and provide energy security.
Connor Teskey: The current energy demand environment has reinvigorated the nuclear sector, with increasing recognition of the role nuclear can play to enable economic growth and provide energy security. Perhaps the most impactful development for the sector is the recently announced landmark agreement with the US government to deliver new nuclear reactors utilizing Westinghouse technology in the United States. This agreement delivers significant economic value to Westinghouse and BEP via the development of multiple reactors, and then through the long-term provision of fuel and maintenance services over the 80+-year life of those reactors. A commitment of this scale provides long-term demand certainty, helping unlock supply chain investment, and positions Westinghouse to expand deployment well beyond this initial program to both corporates and governments in the US and internationally.
Speaker #2: Perhaps the most impactful development for the sector is the recently announced landmark agreement with the US government to deliver new nuclear reactors utilizing Westinghouse technology in the United States.
Speaker #2: This agreement delivers significant economic value to Westinghouse and BEP via the development of multiple reactors, and then through the long-term provision of fuel and maintenance services over the 80-plus year life of those reactors.
Speaker #2: A commitment of this scale provides long-term demand certainty, helping unlock supply chain investment and positions Westinghouse to expand deployment well beyond this initial program to both corporates and governments in the US and internationally.
Speaker #2: Since signing this agreement, all parties have been working to progress the sites to construction as quickly as possible. Largely focusing on site selection, and the ordering of long lead time items.
Connor Teskey: Since signing this agreement, all parties have been working to progress the sites to construction as quickly as possible, largely focusing on site selection and the ordering of long lead time items. Against this backdrop and the known development timeline for nuclear, the limited new hydro capacity available, and the growing backlog for natural gas plants, we are seeing batteries play an increasingly important role in the near term, with their importance set to grow over time as additional low-cost renewables come online. Battery costs have declined by an astonishing 95% since 2010, following a trajectory similar to solar panels a decade ago, and we see a growing opportunity to deploy this technology on a contracted basis at strong risk-adjusted returns.
Speaker #2: Against this backdrop, and the known development timeline for nuclear, the limited new hydro capacity available, and the growing backlog for natural gas plants, we are seeing batteries play an increasingly important role in the near term, with their important set to grow over time as additional low-cost renewables come online.
Speaker #2: Battery costs have declined by an astonishing 95% since 2010, following a trajectory similar to solar panels a decade ago. And we see a growing opportunity to deploy this technology on a contracted basis at strong risk-adjusted returns.
Speaker #2: Our recent acquisition of NAON significantly expanded our operating footprint, capabilities, and development pipeline in battery technology. And we expect to quadruple our battery storage capacity over the next three years, to over 10 gigawatts.
Connor Teskey: Our recent acquisition of Neoen significantly expanded our operating footprint, capabilities, and development pipeline in battery technology, and we expect to quadruple our battery storage capacity over the next three years to over 10 GW. This growth is highlighted by one of the largest standalone battery storage projects globally, totaling over 1 GW, which we are currently advancing through Neoen in partnership with a sovereign wealth fund. Taken together, rising energy demand across global markets is driving the need for rapid additions of renewable capacity, large-scale baseload power, and battery storage. Backed by long-term partnerships with the world's largest corporate buyers of power and governments, we are delivering more generation than ever before. By being positioned in markets with accelerating demand, combined with our global scale, significant access to capital, and our operating and development capabilities across key technologies,...
Speaker #2: This growth is highlighted by one of the largest standalone battery storage projects globally, totaling over one gigawatt, which we are currently advancing through NAON in partnership with a sovereign wealth fund.
Speaker #2: Taken together, rising energy demand across global markets is driving the need for rapid additions of renewable capacity, large-scale base load power, and battery storage.
Speaker #2: Backed by long-term partnerships with the world's largest corporate buyers of power and governments, we are delivering more generation than ever before. By being positioned in markets with accelerating demand, combined with our global scale, significant access to capital, and our operating and development capabilities across key technologies, we are best positioned to deliver comprehensive energy solutions across all markets at scale, and are entering into a period of outsized earnings growth, generating significant value for our unitholders over the long term.
Connor Teskey: We are best positioned to deliver comprehensive energy solutions across all markets at scale, and are entering into a period of outsized earnings growth, generating significant value for our unit holders over the long term. And with that, I'll pass it on to Patrick to discuss our operating results, our diverse sources of scale capital, our balance sheet, as well as our recent capital recycling initiatives.
Speaker #2: And with that, I'll pass it on to Patrick to discuss our operating results, our diverse sources of scale capital, our balance sheet, as well as our recent capital recycling initiatives.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Connor. And good morning to everyone on the call. As Connor noted at the outset of his remarks, 2025 was a strong year across almost every metric, with the business delivering 10% FFO per unit growth, achieving our target while maintaining our best-in-class balance sheet, and further positioning ourselves to generate significant growth and forward.
Patrick Taylor: Thanks, Conor, and good morning to everyone on the call. As Conor noted at the outset of his remarks, 2025 was a strong year across almost every metric, with the business delivering 10% FFO per unit growth, achieving our target while maintaining our best-in-class balance sheet, and further positioning ourselves to generate significant growth and value going forward. In the fourth quarter, we delivered FFO of $346 million, up 14% year-over-year, or $0.51 per unit. On a full year basis, we delivered FFO of $1,334 million, or $2.01 per unit, up 10% year-over-year. Results are driven by the strength of our contracted inflation-linked cash flows across our diversified global operating fleet, growth from development activities, accretive acquisitions, and scaling capital recycling.
Speaker #2: In the fourth quarter, we delivered FFO of $346 million, up 14% year over year, or $0.51 per unit. On a full-year basis, we delivered FFO of $1,334 million, or $2.01 per unit, up 10% year on year.
Speaker #2: Contracted inflation-linked cash flows across our results are driven by the strength of our diversified global operating fleet, growth from development activities, accretive acquisitions, and recycling.
Speaker #2: Looking across our segments, our hydroelectric segment delivered strong results this year, with FFO of $607 million, up 19% from the prior year, benefiting from solid generation across our Canadian and Colombian fleets, higher revenues from commercial initiatives, and gains from the sale of a non-core hydro portfolio, all of which offset weaker hydrology in the US.
Patrick Taylor: Looking across our segments, our hydroelectric segment delivered strong results this year, with FFO of $607 million, up 19% from the prior year, benefiting from solid generation across our Canadian and Colombian fleets, higher revenues from commercial initiatives, and gains from the sale of a non-core hydro portfolio, all of which offset weaker hydrology in the US. Our wind and solar segments generated a combined $648 million of FFO, supported by contributions from the acquisitions of Neoen and Geronimo Energy, as well as our investment in a portfolio of contracted offshore wind assets in the UK. This growth was offset by gains on sales recorded in last year's results, which included the sale of Saeta Yield and the partial disposition of Shepherds Flat.
Speaker #2: Our wind and solar segments generated a combined $648 million of FFO, supported by contributions from the acquisitions of NAON and Geronimo Power, as well as our investment in a portfolio of contracted offshore wind assets in the UK.
Speaker #2: This growth was offset by gains on sales recorded in last year's results, which included the sale of SAYA and the partial disposition of Shepherd's Flat.
Speaker #2: In our distributed energy storage and sustainable solutions segments, we generated record results of 614 million dollars, up almost 90% from the prior year, driven by growth through development, the acquisition of NAON, and strong performance at Westinghouse, on the back of continued momentum in the nuclear sector.
Patrick Taylor: In our distributed energy storage and sustainable solutions segments, we generated record results of $614 million, up almost 90% from the prior year, driven by growth through development, the acquisition of Neoen, and strong performance at Westinghouse on the back of continued momentum in the nuclear sector. In addition to the strong results, a continued focus of ours has and will always be to maintain balance sheet strength and financial flexibility. This enables us to be opportunistic when it comes to deploying capital into growth and protecting us against downside risks. We ended 2025 with $4.6 billion of liquidity, and over the past year, we reaffirmed our BBB+ investment-grade credit rating, which we remain firmly committed to maintaining going forward.
Speaker #2: In addition to the strong results, a continued focus of ours has, and will always be, to maintain balance sheet strength and financial flexibility. This enables us to be opportunistic when it comes to deploying capital into growth, and protecting us against downside risks.
Speaker #2: We ended 2025 with 4.6 billion dollars of liquidity, and over the past year, we reaffirmed our triple B plus investment credit investment-grade credit rating, which we remain firmly committed to maintaining going forward.
Speaker #2: Our rating, significant liquidity, and strong financial position enable us to be very opportunistic with respect to our financing activities, which further strengthens our balance sheet.
Patrick Taylor: Our rating, significant liquidity, and strong financial position enable us to be very opportunistic with respect to our financing activities, which further strengthens our balance sheet. In 2025, we executed over $37 billion in financings, a record for our franchise. These financings were highlighted by the completion of $2.2 billion in investment-grade up financings, primarily at our hydro assets, where we are seeing strong lender demand for these assets and are leveraging the benefits of newly signed long-term contracts at strong pricing. In March of this past year, we issued CAD 450 million of 10-year notes at what was our lowest spread in almost 20 years at the time.
Speaker #2: In 2025, we executed over 37 billion dollars in financings, a record for our franchise. These financings were highlighted by the completion of 2.2 billion dollars in investment-grade up financings, primarily at our hydro assets, where we are seeing strong lender demand for these assets, and are leveraging the benefits of newly signed long-term contracts at strong pricing.
Speaker #2: In March of this past year, we issued $450 million Canadian of 10-year notes at what was our lowest spread in almost 20 years at the time.
Speaker #2: We then, more recently, topped this, issuing $500 million Canadian of 30-year notes this January, at our lowest spread ever. This reflects the strong demand for our credit and our ability to be nimble and take advantage of a favorable spread environment.
Patrick Taylor: We then more recently topped this, issuing CAD 500 million of 30-year notes this January at our lowest spread ever, reflecting the strong demand for our credit and our ability to be nimble and take advantage of a favorable spread environment. In November this past year, we also executed a $650 million bought deal equity raise in concurrent private placement. We were successful deploying capital ahead of our targets in the 12 months prior to the equity raise, and this financing provides capital to invest even further in the expanding opportunity set in areas where we have a differentiated ability to deploy capital, such as hydro, nuclear, and battery storage. Our strong balance sheet is further enhanced by the fact that we deploy our capital alongside a large pool of third-party funds raised by Brookfield Asset Management.
Speaker #2: In November this past year, we also executed a 650 million dollar bought deal equity raise in concurrent private placement. We were successful deploying capital ahead of our targets in the 12 months prior to the equity raise, and this financing provides capital to invest even further in the expanding opportunity set in areas where we have a differentiated ability to deploy capital, such as hydro, nuclear, and battery storage.
Speaker #2: Our strong balance sheet is further enhanced by the fact that we deploy our capital alongside a large pool of third-party funds raised by Brookfield Asset Management.
Speaker #2: In 2025, Brookfield successfully completed fundraising of over $20 billion for its second vintage of its Global Transition Fund. This capital will support large-scale investments alongside BEP that few others can make.
Patrick Taylor: In 2025, Brookfield successfully completed fundraising of over $20 billion for its second vintage of its global transition fund. This capital will support large-scale investments alongside BEP that few others can make, further enhancing our access to large, high-quality M&A opportunities that help us achieve strong and consistent growth. In addition to our financing activities across the business, we are continuing to scale our capital recycling program, which is increasingly providing significant liquidity to support our growth and crystallize value creation within our business. We continue to see robust demand from private investors for de-risked, infrastructure-like, cash-flowing, operating assets. At the same time, with our scaling development activities, we have a growing portfolio of assets and platforms that we are selling on an annual basis.
Speaker #2: Further enhancing our access to large, high-quality M&A opportunities, that help us achieve strong, and consistent growth. In addition to our financing activities across the business, we are continuing to scale our capital recycling program, which is increasingly providing significant liquidity to support our growth, and crystallized value creation within our business.
Speaker #2: We continue to see robust demand from private investors for de-risked, infrastructure-like, cash-flowing operating assets. At the same time, with our scaling development activities, we have a growing portfolio of assets and platforms that we are selling on an annual basis.
Speaker #2: The size of our portfolio, and our flexibility to sell whole platforms, standalone assets, or minority stakes, is enabling us to be active in the market, consistently selling at prices that deliver on our target returns.
Patrick Taylor: The size of our portfolio and our flexibility to sell whole platforms, standalone assets, or minority stakes, is enabling us to be active in the market, consistently selling at prices that deliver on our target returns. This past year, we generated record proceeds of $4.5 billion, or $1.3 billion net to BEP, from asset recycling alone. This year, our asset rotation activities were highlighted by the sale of a major North American distributed energy platform, a 50% interest in a portfolio of non-core hydro assets in the US, and the establishment of an asset rotation program at Neoen that was successful in executing the sale of $1 billion of enterprise value of assets in our first year of ownership alone.
Speaker #2: This past year, we generated record proceeds of 4.5 billion dollars, or 1.3 billion dollars net to BEP, from asset recycling alone. This year, our asset rotation activities were highlighted by the sale of a major North American distributed energy platform.
Speaker #2: A 50% interest in a portfolio of non-core hydro assets in the US, and the establishment of an asset rotation program at NAON that was successful in executing the sale of $1 billion of enterprise value of assets, in our first year of ownership alone.
Speaker #2: Looking ahead, we are focusing on continuing to scale our capital recycling program, and generating proceeds from sales in a more recurring manner. In January this year, we agreed to sell a two-thirds stake in a large portfolio of recently built operating and solar asset wind and solar assets in North America.
Patrick Taylor: Looking ahead, we are focusing on continuing to scale our capital recycling program and generating proceeds from sales in a more recurring manner. In January this year, we agreed to sell a two-thirds stake in a large portfolio of recently built operating wind and solar assets in North America, generating proceeds of $860 million or $210 million net to BEP, and are actively progressing the sale of the remaining interest. In conjunction with this sale, we are also establishing a framework for the future sale of select assets that meet certain criteria to the same buyers. This framework, which proposes the sale of up to $1.5 billion of additional assets, further de-risks our development platforms and provides a scalable source of capital to fund future growth.
Speaker #2: Generating proceeds of $860 million, or $210 million net to BEP, and we are actively progressing the sale of the remaining interest. In conjunction with this sale, we are also establishing a framework for the future sale of select assets that meet certain criteria to the same buyers.
Speaker #2: This framework, which proposes the sale of up to $1.5 billion of additional assets, further de-risks our development platforms and provides a scalable source of capital to fund future growth.
Speaker #2: We are exploring similar initiatives in other regions across our global platforms, and look forward to providing updates on our progress throughout the year. We also wanted to note that after the quarter end, we announced a fully discretionary $400 million at-the-market equity issuance program for our BEPC shares.
Patrick Taylor: We're exploring similar initiatives in other regions across our global platforms and look forward to providing updates on our progress throughout the year. We also wanted to note that after the quarter end, we announced a fully discretionary $400 million at-the-market equity issuance program for our BEP-C shares. We expect to use the proceeds to repurchase BEP LP units on a one-for-one basis under our existing NCIB. The purpose of the program is to increase BEP-C's float and liquidity in a non-dilutive manner, while also allowing us to capture value from the persistent premium at which those shares trade, providing incremental cash to deploy into growth or buy back even more shares.
Speaker #2: We expect to use the proceeds to repurchase BEP LP units on a one-for-one basis under our existing NCIB. The purpose of the program is to increase BEPC's float and liquidity in a non-dilutive manner.
Speaker #2: While also allowing us to capture value from the persistent premium at which those shares trade. Providing incremental cash to deploy into growth, or buyback even more shares.
Speaker #2: Lastly, with our record results, and in conjunction with our strong liquidity and robust outlook for our business, we are pleased to announce an over 5% increase to our annual distribution to one dollar and 46.8 cents per unit.
Patrick Taylor: Lastly, with our record results, and in conjunction with our strong liquidity and robust outlook for our business, we are pleased to announce an over 5% increase to our annual distribution to $1.468 per unit. Since Brookfield Renewable was listed in 2011, we have now delivered 15 consecutive years of annual distribution growth of at least 5% each year. In closing, we remain focused on delivering 12% to 15% long-term total returns for our investors, while remaining disciplined allocators of capital, leveraging our scale and operational capabilities to enhance and de-risk our business. On behalf of the board and management, we thank all of our unitholders and shareholders for their ongoing support. That concludes our formal remarks for today's call. Thank you for joining us this morning. And with that, I'll pass it back to our operator for questions.
Speaker #2: Since Brookfield Renewable was listed in 2011, we have now delivered 15 consecutive years of annual distribution growth of at least 5% each year. In closing, we remain focused on delivering 12 to 15% long-term total returns for our investors.
Speaker #2: While remaining disciplined allocators of capital, leveraging our scale and operational capabilities to enhance and de-risk our business. On behalf of the board and management, we thank all of our unit holders and shareholders for their ongoing support.
Speaker #2: That concludes our formal remarks for today's call. Thank you for joining us this morning, and with that, I'll pass it back to our operator for questions.
Speaker #2: As a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question at this time, please press star 11 on your telephone. And wait for your name to be announced.
Operator: As a reminder, if you'd like to ask a question at this time, please press star one, one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one, one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from Sean Steuart with TD Cowen.
Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from Sean Stewart with TD
Speaker #2: Cowan. Thanks, good morning
Speaker #3: everyone. couple questions, to start with. Connor, 2026, would be the first year, where you start to, to feed projects into the Microsoft Framework Agreement.
Sean Steuart: Thanks. Good morning, everyone. A couple questions to start with. Connor, 2026 would be the first year where you start to feed projects into the Microsoft framework agreement. Can you give us an update on progress there and the expected cadence of capacity into that deal through 2030? How is that advancing at this point?
Speaker #3: Can you give us an update on progress there, and the expected cadence of, of capacity, into that deal through 2030? how is that advancing at this
Speaker #3: point? Good morning,
Speaker #4: Sean, I would make this comment more broadly on a wholesale basis, beyond very simply our, our, our strong relationship with Microsoft. The demand we are seeing from corporates, and in particular the large hyperscalers, is at an all-time high.
Connor Teskey: Good morning, Sean. I would make this comment more broadly on a wholesale basis beyond very simply our strong relationship with Microsoft. The demand we are seeing from corporates, and in particular, the large hyperscalers, is at an all-time high. I recognize that we've been saying that for a number of years, but that demand just continues to accelerate and continues to grow. We're seeing that in terms of the projects and the execution that we are doing with counterparties such as Microsoft on an ongoing basis. When we launched that program, we had a defined set of projects in our pipeline that we thought would fill the 10.5GW that was initially outlined.
Speaker #4: A-and I recognize that we've been saying that for a number of years, but, that demand, just continues to accelerate and continues to grow. And we're seeing that in terms of the, the projects and, and the execution that we are, doing with, counterparty such as Microsoft on an ongoing basis.
Speaker #4: when we launched that program, we had a defined set of projects in our pipeline that we thought would fill, the 10 and a half gigawatts, that was initially outlined.
Speaker #4: I would say since we announced that agreement, in 2025, we are seeing counterparty such as Microsoft look for power in a broader spectrum of regions and markets, particularly across the United States.
Connor Teskey: I would say since we announced that agreement, in 2025, we are seeing counterparties such as Microsoft look for power in a broader spectrum of regions and markets, particularly across the United States, and even a broader spectrum of technologies, to meet their power demands. So, we will see growth in 2026, and we expect to see that growth do nothing but accelerate from 2026 through the rest of the decade.
Speaker #4: And even a broader spectrum of technologies to meet their power demand. So, we will see growth in 2026, and we expect to see that growth do nothing but accelerate from 2026 through the rest of the—
Speaker #4: decade. Okay, thanks for that
Speaker #3: Perspective. And Patrick, a question on the balance sheet. You guys were busy with financing initiatives in the fourth quarter, asset recycling. When I look at the ratio of available liquidity versus the scale of the secured development pipeline, or versus the installed asset base, those ratios have moderated a little bit the last year and a half.
Sean Steuart: Okay, thanks for that perspective. And Patrick, a question on the balance sheet. You guys were busy with financing initiatives in the fourth quarter, asset recycling. When I look at the ratio of available liquidity versus the scale of the secure development pipeline or versus the installed asset base, those ratios have moderated a little bit the last year and a half. I guess any commentary on broader comfort with the liquidity position? I appreciate you're going to be busy recycling assets. But are there ratios you're focused on to sort of sustain a comfort level with available liquidity relative to an expanding growth opportunity set?
Speaker #3: I, I guess, any commentary on broader comfort with the, the liquidity position? I appreciate you're going to be busy recycling assets. But are, are there ratios you're focused on to sort of sustain a comfort level with available liquidity relative to an expanding growth?
Speaker #3: opportunity set? Yeah, I absolutely, Sean.
Speaker #5: And, and I would, I would say we're very comfortable. first of all, and, and when we think about our available liquidity and, and the business obviously having grown over the last several years, we're very focused on sort of maintaining a minimum level in and around that $4 billion mark.
Patrick Taylor: Yeah, absolutely, Sean. And I would say we're very comfortable, first of all. And when we think about our available liquidity and the business, obviously, having grown over the last several years, we're very focused on sort of maintaining a minimum level in and around that $4 billion mark. We're fairly, fairly focused on it. It's not a hard line by any means, but we have been at or around that or above that, I should say.
Speaker #5: We're pretty, fairly focused on it. It's not a hard line by any means, but we have been at or around that, or above that, I should say, for the last several years at this point.
Speaker #5: It's a level, given the scope of our business today, that we feel quite comfortable being at. And to your point, as the development pipeline continues to grow, we're complementing that by scaling our capital recycling as well.
Connor Teskey: ... for the last several years at this point. It's a level, given the scope of our business today, that we feel quite comfortable being at. And to your point, as the development pipeline continues to grow, we're complementing that by scaling our capital recycling as well. So that allows us to be in and around that $4 billion mark and be very comfortable with our funding, availability of, of our liquidity, I should say.
Speaker #5: So that allows us to be in and around that $4 billion mark and be very comfortable with our funding, availability of, of our liquidity, I should say.
Speaker #3: Okay, but when you think about $4 billion, I mean, you've, you've been there for a while now. You're, you're organic growth pipeline is expanded really rapidly.
Sean Steuart: Okay. But when you think about $4 billion, I mean, you've been there for a while now. Your organic growth pipeline has expanded really rapidly, you know, is that – is, I would imagine there's sort of like a dynamic element to this as the velocity of capital deployment changes for you guys. It, you know, as, as-
Speaker #3: you know, is that, is, is I would imagine there's sort of like a dynamic element to this is the velocity of capital deployment changes for you guys.
Speaker #3: You know, as the organic pipeline grows, is there other thoughts to—
Speaker #3: That? No, I—I think it's fair.
Speaker #5: As the organic pipeline continues to grow, there'll be an element where we may look to increase that over time. But we're at a level right now where, as we look out over the next several years, we're quite comfortable at these levels.
Connor Teskey: Yeah
Sean Steuart: ... the organic pipeline grows, is there other thoughts to that?
Connor Teskey: No, I think it's fair that as the organic pipeline continues to grow, there'll be an element where we'll-- we may look to increase that over time. But we're at a level right now where as we look out over the next several years, we're quite comfortable at these levels. And part of it is just because of that visibility we see on accelerating recycling.
Speaker #5: and part of it is just because of that visibility we see on, on accelerating, recycling.
Speaker #3: Okay. Okay, that's all I have for now. Thanks very much.
Speaker #2: Our next question comes from Nelson Ng with RBC Capital
Sean Steuart: Okay. Okay, that's all I have for now. Thanks very much.
Speaker #2: Markets. Great, thanks Ann.
Speaker #6: Good morning everyone. so quick question, in, in terms of the 8 gigawatts commission this year, I think about 2 and a half, were in North America.
Operator: Our next question comes from Nelson Ng with RBC Capital Markets.
Nelson Ng: Great. Thanks, and good morning, everyone. So quick question. In terms of the 8 gigawatts commissioned this year, I think about 2.5 were in North America. But obviously, there's a lot in the US. So when you look at developing projects in the US, are you still seeing any, like, headwinds or bottlenecks from the federal government, from a permitting perspective for onshore wind and solar? Like, obviously, it's a different story for offshore wind, but you're doing onshore. But are you seeing any headwinds there?
Speaker #6: but obviously there's a lot in the US. so when you look US, are you still seeing at developing projects in the any like headwinds or bottlenecks from, from the federal government, from a, permitting perspective for, for onshore wind and solar?
Speaker #6: Like obviously it's, different story for offshore wind, but, but you're, you're doing onshore, but are, are you seeing any headwinds there?
Speaker #4: Hi Nelson. thank you for the question. Really put this into buckets. what we would say is, when it comes to solar, which is the, the broadest component o-of our pipeline, solar and batteries in the US, we are seeing no slowdown.
Connor Teskey: Hi, Nelson. Thank you for the question. Really put this in two buckets. What we would say is, when it comes to solar, which is the broadest component of our pipeline, solar and batteries in the US, we are seeing no slowdown. We are seeing an acceleration. And this is driven by solar is quick to deploy, it's cheap, it's the lowest cost form of production, and quite frankly, the corporates need the power as quick as possible. So on solar, we are seeing no change, if anything, an acceleration, and we're trying to pull projects forward as fast as possible. On wind, onshore wind, there has been some slowdown in permitting from the federal government, but projects are still getting done.
Speaker #4: We are seeing an acceleration. and this is driven by solar is quick to deploy, it's cheap, it's the lowest cost form of production. a-and quite frankly, the, the corporates, on solar, we are seeing no change, if anything, in acceleration, and we're trying to pull projects forward as, as fast as possible.
Speaker #4: On wind, onshore wind, there has been some slowdown in permitting from the federal government, but projects are still getting done. And we've taken that into account in our development and execution process.
Speaker #4: That's reflected in the pipeline that we prep, we present. I would say that wind is progressing slower than onshore solar in the US market, but both are still getting—
Connor Teskey: We've taken that into account into our development and execution process. That's reflected in the pipeline that we present. I would say that wind is progressing slower than onshore solar in the US market, but both are still getting done.
Speaker #4: done.
Speaker #3: Got it. Thanks for the
Speaker #3: Color. And then, just switching topics a bit. So, obviously, we're hearing a lot about the elevated power prices in the US.
Speaker #3: And the fact that you are signing more long-term hydro contracts, but when I look at your realized power prices for the US hydro segment in the supplemental document, I think the realized hydro price has been flat year over year at about $83.
Nelson Ng: All right. Thanks for the color. Then just switching topics a bit. So obviously, we're hearing a lot about the elevated power prices in the US and the fact that you are signing more long-term hydro contracts. But when I look at your realized power prices for the US hydro segment in the supplemental document, I think the realized hydro price has been flat year-over-year at about $83. I'm just wondering whether that's just due to the generation mix, given that it was below average in the past year, and should we be seeing an increase going forward?
Speaker #3: I'm just wondering whether that's just due to the generation mix given that it was below average in the past year, and should we be seeing an increase going
Speaker #3: forward?
Speaker #4: see an increase going forward. And there, there's a lot of, different dynamics that flow through, those numbers, but the overarching point, to be made is the scarcity value of hydroelectric power is at an all-time high right now.
Connor Teskey: You should see an increase going forward. There's a lot of different dynamics that flow through those numbers. But the overarching point to be made is the scarcity value of hydroelectric power is at an all-time high right now. It perhaps gets glossed over in the breadth of our broader business. But the three contracts, three 20-year take-or-pay PPAs, inflation-linked with some of the largest corporates around the world from our perpetual hydro assets, we have never seen demand of that scale at the prices we have seen in, I'd say, the last year, but in particular, in the last six months. As those contracts get layered in, some of those contracts don't start immediately. They start in a couple of years when the existing contracts roll off.
Speaker #4: And it perhaps gets glossed over in the breadth of our broader business, but the three contracts—three 20-year take-or-pay PPAs, inflation-linked, with some of the largest corporates around the world—from our perpetual hydro assets, we have never seen demand of that scale at the prices we have seen in, I'd say, the last year, but in particular in the last six months.
Speaker #4: And as those contracts get layered in, some of those contracts don't start immediately. They start in a couple of years, when the existing contracts roll off.
Speaker #4: You will begin to see higher achieved, contracted power prices across our hydro.
Speaker #4: portfolio. Great,
Speaker #3: thanks. And I'll, I'll try to squeeze in one more question. I-in terms of capital recycling, you guys mentioned that you have a, I guess, a potential framework to, to sell a-an additional 1.5 billion to, to some buyers.
Connor Teskey: You will begin to see higher achieved contracted power prices across our hydro portfolio.
Nelson Ng: Great, thanks. I'll try to squeeze in one more question. In terms of capital recycling, you guys mentioned that you have a, I guess, a potential framework to sell an additional $1.5 billion to some buyers, to some existing buyers. So when you look at recycling assets, like, how much of your customers are or how much of the buyers are essentially repeat customers? And should that streamline your asset recycling process going forward?
Speaker #3: To some existing buyers. So, when you look at recycling assets, how much of your customers, or how much of the buyers, are essentially repeat customers?
Speaker #3: And should that streamline your asset recycling process going forward?
Speaker #3: forward? short answer, yes,
Speaker #4: But let me provide a little bit more color. Since we started to grow our development business, I would say in 2019 or 2020, our capital recycling activities have understandably grown on a similar trajectory, but probably on a three-ish year lagged basis.
Connor Teskey: Short answer, yes, but let me provide a little bit more color. Since we started to grow our development business, I would say in 2019 or 2020, our capital recycling activities have understandably grown on a similar trajectory, but probably on a three-ish year lagged basis, the time it takes to pull a project out of the ground. As a result, over the past two or three years, our asset recycling proceeds have become a very consistent, recurring, predictable source of both funding and earnings for our business. And given the trajectory of our development activities and the visibility of our pipeline today, we would expect this activity to continue going forward, with 2026 being no different.
Speaker #4: The, the time it takes to, to pull a project out of the ground. As a result, over the past two or three years, our asset recycling proceeds have become a very consistent recurring predictable source of both funding and earnings for our business.
Speaker #4: And given the trajectory of our development activities and the visibility of our pipeline today, we would expect this activity to continue going forward, with 2026 being no different.
Speaker #4: Then when it comes to the, the recent, we will call them frameworks we've set up in terms of asset recycling, similar to in the past how we have raised capital to facilitate a greater level of deployment into growth, we think about this as raising capital to facilitate a, greater amount of capital recycling in the business.
Connor Teskey: Then when it comes to the recent, we will call them frameworks we've set up in terms of asset recycling, similar to in the past, how we have raised capital to facilitate a greater level of deployment into growth, we think about this as raising capital to facilitate a greater amount of capital recycling in the business. And we're pretty excited about what we've designed and executed here, because what these frameworks, and we've executed one, and we're pursuing others in different regions around the world that we would hope to execute in the near term. What we have done is, we would say we have created almost a framework or a program to recycle newly built assets at scale quickly on a recurring basis.
Speaker #4: And we're pretty excited about what we've designed and executed here, because what these frameworks—and we've executed one, and we're pursuing others in different regions around the world that we would hope to execute in the near term—what we have done is, we would say, we have created almost a framework or a program to recycle newly built assets at scale, quickly, on a recurring basis.
Speaker #4: And the impact to our business is it significantly de-risks our development platforms around the world and the business plans we're seeking to execute, and it significantly de-risks our capital recycling and funding plans for our business for the next several years.
Connor Teskey: The impact to our business is it significantly de-risks our development platforms around the world and the business plans we're seeking to execute, and it significantly de-risks our capital recycling and funding plans for our business for the next several years. I will go out on a limb and say, I think this is going to be a huge differentiator for our franchise. Yes, we've signed one since the end of the year, focused on North America, but we expect to sign others in the near term here, and these are very significant in terms of scale. And not only are they going to provide an accretive source of funding for our business, they significantly de-risk our development activities that continue to grow.
Speaker #4: I—I will go out on a limb and say I think this is going to be a huge differentiator for our franchise. Yes, we've signed one since the end of the year, focused on North America, but we expect to sign others in the near term here.
Speaker #4: And these are very significant in terms of scale, and not only are they going to provide an accretive source of funding for our business, they significantly de-risk our development activities that continue to grow.
Speaker #3: Great news. Thanks for the color. I-I'll leave it
Speaker #3: there. Our next
Speaker #1: question comes from Robert Hope with
Speaker #1: Scotiabank. morning w everyone.
Speaker #5: So, at the recent investment that you spoke quite bullishly about, the battery outlook—and I believe you commented that it could be seven gigawatts in a couple years—and today you're saying it could be ten gigawatts.
Nelson Ng: Great news. Thanks for the color. I'll leave it there.
Operator: Our next question comes from Robert Hope with Scotiabank.
Robert Hope: Morning, everyone. So at the recent investor day, you spoke quite bullishly about the battery outlook, and I believe you commented that it could be 7 gigs in a couple of years, and today you're saying it could be 10 gigs. Is the accelerating development pipeline here or an increasingly bullish outlook here, in part due to the fact that you're seeing larger opportunities? You know, the 1 gigawatt battery project for the Sovereign Wealth Fund, is this indicative of where you think development is going, larger projects to ensure reliability for the grid?
Speaker #5: Is the accelerating development pipeline here, or an increasingly bullish outlook here, in part due to the fact that you're seeing larger opportunities? You know, the 1-gigawatt battery project for the sovereign wealth fund—is this indicative of where you think development is going?
Speaker #5: Larger projects to ensure reliability for the grid?
Speaker #4: Yes. A-and, hi Rob. The short answer is yes. Make no mistake, batteries are the fastest growing part of our platform today, and we expect that to continue.
Speaker #4: But what this is really driven by is the simple fact that battery costs have come down so dramatically over the last decade; they've come down more than 60% over the last 24 months.
Connor Teskey: Yes, and... Hi, Rob. The short answer is yes. Make no mistake, batteries are the fastest-growing part of our platform today, and we expect that to continue. But what this is really driven by is the simple fact that battery costs have come down so dramatically over the last decade. They've come down more than 60% over the last 24 months, and as a result, they are becoming increasingly economic solution in more and more markets, around the world. This dynamic continues, costs continue to go down, technology advances continue to be made, and therefore, we are seeing batteries as a potential solution in more and more of our projects and in more and more of our markets.
Speaker #4: And as a result, they are becoming an increasingly economic solution in more and more markets around the world. This dynamic continues, costs continue to go down, technology advances continue to be made, and batteries are becoming a potential solution in more and more of our projects and in more and more of our markets.
Speaker #4: The other thing we would highlight, i-is we do, all think ab at Brookfield Renewable think about battery development probably a little bit different than generation development because it can be executed faster.
Connor Teskey: The other thing we would highlight is we do all think at Brookfield Renewable think about battery development, probably a little bit different than generation development, because it can be executed faster. Much of the equipment shows up pre-built on site, and because batteries and energy storage reduce grid congestion as opposed to add to it, there is significant incentive from grids to bring batteries online faster. Therefore, yes, we have accelerated or increased our outlook for batteries, but it's very simply just a reflection of what we're seeing across our business and what we're doing with our Sovereign Wealth Fund partner. We would expect to do other similar projects like that going forward.
Speaker #4: Much of the equipment shows up pre-built on site, and because batteries and energy storage reduce grid congestion as opposed to add to it, there is significant incentive from grids to bring batteries online faster.
Speaker #4: Therefore, yes, we have accelerated or increased our outlook for batteries, but it's very simply just a reflection of what we're seeing, a-across our business.
Speaker #4: And what we're doing with our sovereign wealth fund partner, we would expect to do other similar projects like that going forward.
Speaker #4: forward. All right.
Speaker #5: Appreciate that. and then maybe turning over to the M&A environment, you know, you've been very, successful, monetizing assets, but on the other side, acquiring assets, what does that environment look like, in a rising price environment as well as the power addition environment?
Speaker #5: Appreciate that. And then, maybe turning over to the M&A environment—you know, you've been very successful monetizing assets, but on the other side, acquiring assets. What does that environment look like in a rising price environment, as well as the power addition?
Robert Hope: All right, appreciate that. And then maybe turning over to the M&A environment, you know, you've been very successful monetizing assets, but on the other side, acquiring assets, what does that environment look like in a rising price environment as well as the power addition environment?
Speaker #4: So perhaps I'll almost tie this back to Patrick's answer on funding a little bit. We've always been very opportunistic in terms of funding our business, and right now we see scale capital as an increasing competitive advantage in today's market, and we see a very constructive market for deployment into growth.
Connor Teskey: So perhaps I'll almost tie this back to Patrick's answer on funding a little bit. We've always been very opportunistic in terms of funding our business, and right now, we see scale capital as an increasing competitive advantage in today's market, and we see a very constructive market for deployment into growth. This is why we took the decision earlier this year to strengthen our already very strong capital and balance sheet position, because we do believe we are at the start of a period of very attractive deployment into growth and M&A, and very simply, a broader consolidation of our space, where we think we can play a very significant role.
Speaker #4: This is why we took the decision—already a very strong capital and balance sheet position—because we do believe we are at the start of a period of very attractive deployment into growth and M&A, and, very simply, a broader consolidation of our space where we think we can play a very significant role.
Speaker #4: role. Thank
Speaker #1: Next question comes from the you. line of Balthas Sidhu with National Bank of
Speaker #1: Canada. Thank you.
Speaker #5: And, good morning everyone. So Connor, just given that renewable infrastructure valuations remain compressed and, and you've noted the large largely US-based development pipeline, where are you seeing the most attractive risk-adjusted opportunities today?
Robert Hope: Thank you.
Operator: Next question comes from the line of Baltej Sidhu with National Bank of Canada.
Baltej Sidhu: Thank you, and good morning, everyone. So, Conor, just given that renewable infrastructure valuations remain compressed, and you've noted the largely US-based development pipeline, where are you seeing the most attractive risk-adjusted opportunities today? Is it operating assets, late-stage development, or early-stage platforms? And how do you think that mix will evolve, looking into 2026?
Speaker #5: Is it development, or new-stage platforms? Is it operating assets, late-stage? And how do you think that mix will evolve, looking into 2026?
Speaker #4: The opportunities we are seeing are pretty broad-based around the world, but, perhaps to focus on a few themes that we are seeing right now.
Connor Teskey: The opportunities we are seeing are pretty broad-based around the world, but perhaps to focus on a few themes that we are seeing right now, I would perhaps highlight three, where we're seeing the greatest volume of opportunities that we view as attractive. Absolutely, yes, public companies that would be number one in the current environment. The second point we would highlight would be carve-outs from broader utilities or energy businesses. Because there are such significant capital needs across the industry, market participants are needing to choose where they will allocate their capital budgets.
Speaker #4: I, I would perhaps highlight three where we're seeing, the greatest volume of opportunities that we, we view as attractive. absolutely, yes, public companies, that would be number one, in the current environment.
Speaker #4: The second point we would highlight would be carve-outs from broader utilities or energy businesses. Because there are such significant capital needs across the industry, market participants are needing to choose where they will allocate their capital budgets. And to put it bluntly, some market participants can't fund 100% of the opportunities they have at their disposal, and therefore they may look to sell divisions that they don't expect to fund all the growth opportunities in. That could be an opportunity with us, given our robust capital position.
Connor Teskey: And to put it bluntly, some market participants can't fund 100% of the opportunities they have at their disposal, and therefore, they may look to sell divisions that they don't expect to fund all the growth opportunities in. And that could be an opportunity with us, given our robust capital position. The last point we would make is, we are seeing a unique dynamic in the developer market, where we are seeing a bifurcation between what we would call high-quality developers and maybe less high-quality developers. High-quality developers price at an absolute premium in today's environment, given the growth trajectory of electricity demand and the value of projects that can be pulled out of the ground.
Speaker #4: The last point we would make is we are seeing a unique dynamic in the developer market where we are seeing a bifurcation between what we would call high-quality developers and, maybe, less high-quality developers.
Speaker #4: High-quality developers price at an absolute premium in today's environment given the, growth trajectory of electricity demand and the value of projects that can be pulled out of the ground.
Speaker #4: However, developers that maybe don't have the capabilities to navigate the current environment but do have large pipelines of projects—we are seeing more attractive pricing at that end of the market, and would expect to be active there in order to add projects to our pipeline that we can then contract with the demand we're seeing from our...
Connor Teskey: However, developers that maybe don't have scale capabilities to navigate the current environment but do have large pipelines of projects, we are seeing more attractive pricing at that end of the market. And would expect to be active there in order to add projects to our pipeline that we can then contract with the demand we're seeing from our customers.
Speaker #3: Patrick, thanks for the covering. Customers, for me, just from the Q2 at Hydro that you had alluded to and speaking towards the Google HFA, which could see you potentially acquiring additional hydro to facilitate the entirety of the 3 gigawatts.
Baltej Sidhu: Got it. Thanks for the color. Just one more for me. Just on the CSV of hydros that you had alluded to and speaking towards the Google HFA, which could see you potentially acquiring additional hydros to facilitate the entirety of the 3GW. What are you seeing in the market and how are you thinking about the district going forward in that regard?
Speaker #3: What are you seeing in the market, and how are you thinking about it just looking forward in that regard?
Speaker #4: Sure. What we would say when it comes to Hydro's is, it very much depends on location. As mentioned, we've seen really strong demand for our Hydro's and premium valuations, both in contracts and in assets, in markets in the US like PGM and MISO.
Connor Teskey: Sure. What, what we would say when it, when it comes to hydros is it very much depends on location. As mentioned, we've seen really strong demand for our hydros and premium valuations, both in contracts and in assets, in markets in the US, like PJM and MISO, and our activities in 2025 reflect that. However, what I would say is, what we are seeing is the offtakers of these hydro assets increasingly looking now beyond those two markets, which have really been their focus, I would say, for the last two years.
Speaker #4: And our activities in 2025 reflect that. However, what I would say is, what we are seeing is the off-takers of these hydro assets increasingly looking now beyond those two markets, which have really been their focus, I would say, for the last two years.
Speaker #4: Therefore, when we look to potentially acquire assets, we're probably looking for assets in these markets that have been viewed as non-core in the past, where we can acquire assets, execute operational improvement programs, and re-contract them under our framework agreements.
Connor Teskey: Therefore, when we look to potentially acquire assets, we're probably looking for assets in these markets that have been viewed as non-core in the past, where we can acquire assets, execute operational improvement programs, and recontract them under our framework agreements. But the biggest point I would say is it's very location-specific.
Speaker #4: But the biggest point I would say is it's very
Speaker #4: location-specific. Great.
Speaker #5: Thank you.
Speaker #1: Our next question comes from Benjamin Pham with—
Speaker #1: BMO. Hi,
Speaker #6: thanks. Good morning. I'm, I wanted to ask a couple of questions. You mentioned the battery storage opportunity. I'm, I'm curious, couple of things is, is, is the plan mostly, greenfield development that you picked up a couple of meg actually, quite a number of megawatts from, from NEON, or, or are there opportunities to, to also do, do M&A?
Baltej Sidhu: Great. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from Benjamin Pham with BMO.
Benjamin Pham: Hi, thanks. Good morning. I wanted to ask a couple questions. You mentioned the battery storage opportunity, and I'm curious, a couple of things is, is the plan mostly greenfield development? So you picked up a couple, actually, quite a number of megawatts from Neoen. Or are there opportunities to also do the M&A? And then I'm also secondly curious, the revenue model with storage for you specifically, is that you expect to be mostly contract, or is there an element of merchant arbitrage in there?
Speaker #6: And then I'm also, secondly, curious about the revenue model with storage for you specifically. Is it that you expect it to be mostly contracts, or is there an element of merchant arbitrage in...
Speaker #6: there?
Speaker #4: good
Speaker #4: Morning, Ben. Great question. So, in terms of batteries, we view ourselves to be in quite a fortunate position because we do have a very large, organic development pipeline.
Connor Teskey: Good morning, Ben. Great question. So in terms of batteries, we view ourselves to be in quite a fortunate position because we do have a very large organic development pipeline. A lot of that did come through the acquisition of Neoen. Candidly, Neoen was the largest acquisition in the history of Brookfield Renewable. We recognize that perhaps a lot of people knew Neoen as a leading global renewable power developer. We obviously saw that and the value of that, but we thought what was underappreciated in their business is the fact that they're the leading global energy storage developer as well. And what you've seen in our first year of ownership is us really accelerating the growth in the business, but particularly on the energy storage side.
Speaker #4: A lot of that did come through the acquisition of NEON. Candidly, NEON was the largest acquisition in the history of Brookfield Renewable. We recognize that perhaps a lot of people knew NEON as a leading global renewable power developer.
Speaker #4: We obviously saw that and the value of that, but we thought what was underappreciated in their business is the fact that they're the leading global energy storage developer as well.
Speaker #4: And what you've seen in our really accelerating the growth in the first year of ownership is us business, but particularly on the energy storage side.
Speaker #4: we are also looking at, at M&A opportunities, in the battery space, but we've positioned ourselves that we can be, quite discerning and, and balance the, the returns we're seeing in M&A versus the returns we're seeing in, organic development.
Connor Teskey: We are also looking at M&A opportunities in the battery space, but we've positioned ourselves that we can be quite discerning and balance the returns we're seeing in M&A versus the returns we're seeing in organic development. To your question about contracting, we're very excited about the evolution of what we've seen in the energy storage space, where only perhaps two, maybe three years ago, a lot of the revenue models were arbitrage or merchant-related. Increasingly, what we are seeing is long-term tolling or almost take-or-pay capacity contracts on newly built battery assets. And very simply, as an example of the large project that Neoen is pursuing, that would be on a 100% contracted basis for the entire life of those assets.
Speaker #4: To your question about the evolution of what contracting—we're very excited about what we've seen in the energy storage space, where only perhaps two, maybe three years ago, a lot of the revenue models were arbitrage or merchant-related.
Speaker #4: Increasingly, what we are seeing is long-term tolling, or almost take-or-pay capacity contracts, on newly built battery assets. And very simply, as an example of the large project that NEON is pursuing, that would be on a 100% contracted basis for the entire life of those assets.
Speaker #4: So, a development and revenue profile very much in line with, or potentially even stronger than, what we do all day, every day, on the wind and solar.
Speaker #4: side. Okay.
Speaker #6: I understood. Th-thanks for that. A-and then, can I also ask on the offshore wind side—you, previous comments, you, you didn't like it for a while, maybe 7 to 10 years.
Connor Teskey: So, a development and revenue profile, very much in line with or potentially even stronger than what we do all day, every day on the wind and solar side.
Speaker #6: You got maybe more open to it. Did—did it deal, or instead, where does Brookfield stand today then on offshore wind?
Benjamin Pham: Okay, understood. Thanks for that. And then can I also ask on the offshore wind side, your previous comments, you didn't like it for a while, maybe 7, 10 years. You got maybe more open to it, that did a deal, Orsted. Where does Brookfield stand today then on offshore wind?
Speaker #4: Understandably, it would be very market-specific, but we are seeing, in some markets—we won't bury the lead here—Europe, in particular, is increasingly more constructive from an offshore wind perspective.
Connor Teskey: Understandably, it would be very market-specific. But we are seeing some markets, we won't bury the lead here. Europe, in particular, increasingly more constructive from an offshore wind perspective, and we are evaluating opportunities in the space there. That being said, as with everything, we will compare the investment profile and the risk return we see in those opportunities versus what we see elsewhere in the portfolio, and only pursue them if we think we're being appropriately compensated.
Speaker #4: And we are evaluating opportunities in the space there. That being said, as with everything, we will compare the investment profile and the risk-return we see in those opportunities versus what we see elsewhere in the portfolio.
Speaker #4: And only pursue them if we think we're being appropriately
Speaker #6: If I may, just to follow up on that—okay, on that—there’s been maybe a trend of offshore wind assets in Europe, as they reach end of contract life, they become more merchant-like.
Benjamin Pham: Okay. And if I may, to follow up on that, there's been maybe a trend of offshore wind assets in Europe, as they reach end of contract life, they become more merchant-like. Is that something that maybe Brookfield could opportunistic take advantage of?
Speaker #6: Is that something that maybe Brookfield could opportunistically take advantage of?
Speaker #6: of?
Speaker #4: Certainly.
Speaker #4: And, in particular, if we could bring our contracting to bear such that we could acquire those assets based on a merchant profile but bring our power marketing capabilities to quickly de-risk them through a new long-term contract.
Connor Teskey: Certainly, and in particular, if we could bring our contracting to bear, such that we could acquire those assets based on a merchant profile, but bring our power marketing capabilities to quickly de-risk them through a new long-term contract, yes, that's absolutely something we would look at. We would be clear that we, we've seen a couple of those opportunities, but it's not the largest opportunity set in the world today.
Speaker #4: Yes, that's absolutely something we would look at. We would be clear that we—we've seen a couple of those opportunities, but it's not the largest opportunity set in the world.
Speaker #4: today. Okay.
Speaker #6: Understood. Okay. Thanks,
Speaker #1: Our next question comes from Connor. Anthony Crowdell with—
Speaker #7: Hey, hey, good morning, Connor. J-just a quick one. A follow-up, maybe, on the previous question or two questions ago on PJM. Just, several weeks ago, the Trump administration created that backstop auction, which is very light on details.
Benjamin Pham: Okay, understood. Okay, thanks, Conor.
Operator: Our next question comes from Anthony Crowdell with Mizuho.
Anthony Crowdell: Hey, hey, good morning, Conor. Just a quick one, follow-up maybe on the previous question or two questions on PJM. Just, several weeks ago, the Trump administration created that backstop auction, which is, very light on details. I'm just curious if you think that plays maybe or pushes hyperscalers to focus more on Brookfield Renewables development side, where you bring a new generation in, or the company could be opportunistic with some repricing, some existing generation?
Speaker #7: I'm just curious if you think that plays maybe or pushes hyperscalers to focus more on Brookfield Renewable's development side, where you bring new generation in, or if the company could be opportunistic with some repricing on some existing generation.
Speaker #4: Good morning. So, w-with the activity and the announcements around PJM, w-we very much see this as simply a reflection of the demand for energy and, quite frankly, how tight the system has become, in particular in markets with the highest levels of energy demand growth.
Connor Teskey: Good morning. So the activity and the announcements around PJM, we very much see this as simply a reflection of the demand for energy, and quite frankly, how tight the system has become, in particular, in markets with the highest levels of energy demand growth. We've been saying for years that the supply-demand imbalance has been growing materially, and this inevitable evolution leads to the immediate need for large-scale capacity to be added to grids, around the world and in different markets in the United States. So from our perspective, one of the most constructive outcomes of this discussion is that it should create a dialogue to facilitate an acceleration of new capacity coming online, over the long term.
Speaker #4: W-we've been saying for years that this so supply-demand imbalance has been growing materially, and this inevitable evolution, leads to, the immediate need for, for large-scale capacity to be added to, to grids, around the, the world in, in different markets in the United States.
Speaker #4: So, from our perspective, one of the most constructive outcomes of this discussion is that it should create a dialogue to facilitate an acceleration of new capacity coming online over the long term.
Speaker #4: That's obviously incredible for the market, and it's incredible for our business given our large pipeline of development opportunities. All that being said, we've already contracted our hydro fleet in the PJM region with the recent Google agreement, which really insulates us from any near-term market impacts, depending on how these discussions and announcements related to PJM evolve in the coming weeks.
Connor Teskey: That's obviously incredible for the market, and it's incredible for our business, given our large pipeline of development opportunities. All that being said, we've already contracted our hydro fleet in the PJM region with the recent Google agreement, which really insulates us from any near-term market impacts, depending on how these discussions and announcements related to PJM evolve in the coming weeks. But as an existing generator with contracted assets today and a development pipeline focused on meeting the growing and incremental demand, we view this as a step towards addressing the underlying supply-demand imbalance for our business and... Sorry, addressing the underlying supply-demand imbalance in that market, and we view that as very positive for our business.
Speaker #4: But, as an existing generator with contracted assets today and a development pipeline focused on meeting the growing and incremental demand, we view this as a step towards addressing the underlying supply-demand imbalance for our business and—sorry—addressing the underlying supply-demand imbalance in that market.
Speaker #4: And we view that as very positive for our business.
Speaker #7: Great. Thanks for taking my
Speaker #1: That concludes today's question and answer session. I'd like to turn the call back to Connor Teskey for closing remarks.
Speaker #4: Great. Well, thank you, everyone, for joining our Q4 conference call. We appreciate your continued support and interest in Brookfield Renewable, and we look forward to providing an update after Q1.
Anthony Crowdell: Great. Thanks for taking my question.
Operator: That concludes today's question-and-answer session. I'd like to turn the call back to Conor Teskey for closing remarks.
Connor Teskey: Great. Well, thank you everyone for joining our Q4 conference call. We appreciate your continued support and interest in Brookfield Renewable, and we look forward to providing an update after Q1. Thank you, and have a great day.
Speaker #4: Thank you, and have a great—
Speaker #4: day. This concludes
Operator: This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.
