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Innergex and MMBC Announce Construction Financial Close of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Wind Project

Innergex and MMBC Announce Construction Financial Close of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Wind Project

Globe and Mail2 days ago

LONGUEUIL, QC , May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX: INE) ("Innergex" or the "Corporation") and Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation ("MMBC") are pleased to announce the closing of the financing for the construction and operation of the 102 MW Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Wind Project. The financing consists in a $163.9 million green loan, an interconnection bridge loan of $41.0 million and a LC facility of $10.2 million with CIBC, Desjardins Group and National Bank of Canada as Lenders, Joint Bookrunners, Coordinating Lead Arrangers and Green Loan Coordinators. The financing was informed by the Green Loan Principles and the Desjardins Group acted as Administrative Agent for the senior lenders syndicate.
"We are proud to reach financial close on Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 and to continue advancing a project that is deeply rooted in collaboration, sustainability and regional economic impact," said Michel Letellier , President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex. "We thank MMBC and the Mi'gmaq communities for their continued trust and partnership. This project is a powerful example of how strong Indigenous-led partnerships and clean energy development go hand in hand to generate economic and environmental value."
"This project represents more than megawatts on the grid, it is a testament to Mi'gmaq leadership in the energy transition," said Frederic Vicaire , CEO of MMBC. "Through our equal partnership with Innergex and the support of key financial institutions, we are demonstrating that Indigenous-led clean energy projects can be ambitious, innovative and deeply rooted in reconciliation and economic empowerment."
Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 is a 102 MW wind project to be located in the MRC d'Avignon and an extension to the existing 150 MW Mesgi'g Ugju's'n wind facility commissioned in 2016. The wind project is the result of a 50-50 renewed partnership between Innergex and the three Mi'gmaq communities in Quebec – Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj – represented by MMBC.
The project recently obtained the government decree authorizing construction and major contract negotiations have advanced significantly, including the execution of the Balance of Plant agreement (BOPA) with Borea Construction and the Turbine Supply Agreement (TSA) with Nordex. These key milestones enable the teams to proceed with construction preparation and pave the way for activities to ramp up in the coming months.
Upon its commissioning scheduled in 2026, the electricity to be produced by Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 will be sold under a 30-year "take-or-pay" power purchase agreement indexed to 25% inflation with Hydro-Québec.
The project financing includes a subordinated construction loan of $92.5 million and an equity loan of $15.4 million provided by a Canadian financial institution, demonstrating the innovative structuring approach behind this Indigenous-led wind project.
Plan A Capital, as mandated financial advisor for MMBC, structured and sourced an equity loan from a Canadian financial institution to Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 Holding L.P.
About Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation
Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation ("MMBC") is an organization established by the three Mi'gmaq communities located on the territory of Gespe'gewa'gi, namely, Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj . MMBC is the economic arm of the three Mi'gmaq communities, and its mission is to create and manage wealth, and initiate business opportunities in the sustainable development of natural resources, as well as in services and knowledge industries. Through investments, acquisitions, and the establishment of partnerships and diverse business ventures, MMBC's goal is also to support meaningful improvement in employment and economic security. For more info, see http://mmcorporation.ca/.
About Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
For 35 years, Innergex has believed in a world where abundant renewable energy promotes healthier communities and creates shared prosperity. As an independent renewable power producer which develops, acquires, owns and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar farms and energy storage facilities, Innergex is convinced that generating power from renewable sources will lead the way to a better world. Innergex conducts operations in Canada , the United States , France and Chile and manages a large portfolio of high-quality assets currently consisting of interests in 91 operating facilities with an aggregate net installed capacity of 3,737 MW (gross 4,693 MW), including 42 hydroelectric facilities, 36 wind facilities, 10 solar facilities and 3 battery energy storage facilities. Innergex also holds interests in 16 projects under development with a net installed capacity of 915 MW (gross 1,547 MW), 5 of which are under construction, as well as prospective projects at different stages of development with an aggregate gross installed capacity totaling 10,288 MW. Its approach to building shareholder value is to generate sustainable cash flows and provide an attractive risk-adjusted return on invested capital. To learn more, visit innergex.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
To inform readers of the Corporation's future prospects, this press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("Forward-Looking Information"), including the Corporation's growth targets, power production, prospective projects, successful development, construction and financing (including tax equity funding) of the projects under construction and the advanced-stage prospective projects, sources and impact of funding, project acquisitions, execution of project-level financing (including the timing and amount thereof), and strategic, operational and financial benefits and accretion expected to result from such acquisitions, business strategy, future development and growth prospects, business integration, governance, business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-Looking Information can generally be identified by the use of words such as "approximately", "may", "will", "could", "believes", "expects", "intends", "should", "would", "plans", "potential", "project", "anticipates", "estimates", "scheduled" or "forecasts", or other comparable terms that state that certain events will or will not occur. It represents the projections and expectations of the Corporation relating to future events or results as of the date of this press release.
Forward-Looking Information includes future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of securities laws, including information regarding the Corporation's targeted production, the estimated targeted revenues and production tax credits, targeted Revenues and Production Tax Credits Proportionate, targeted Adjusted EBITDA and targeted Adjusted EBITDA Proportionate, targeted Free Cash Flow, targeted Free Cash Flow per Share and intention to pay dividend quarterly, the estimated project size, costs and schedule, including obtainment of permits, start of construction, work conducted and start of commercial operation for Development Projects and Prospective Projects, the Corporation's intent to submit projects under Requests for Proposals, the qualification of U.S. projects for PTCs and ITCs and other statements that are not historical facts. Such information is intended to inform readers of the potential financial impact of expected results, of the expected commissioning of Development Projects, of the potential financial impact of completed and future acquisitions and of the Corporation's ability to pay a dividend and to fund its growth. Such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Forward-Looking Information is based on certain key assumptions made by the Corporation, including, without restriction, those concerning hydrology, wind regimes and solar irradiance; performance of operating facilities, acquisitions and commissioned projects; availability of capital resources and timely performance by third parties of contractual obligations; favourable economic and financial market conditions; average merchant spot prices consistent with external price curves and internal forecasts; no material changes in the current assumed U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar and Euro to Canadian dollar exchange rate; no significant variability in interest rates; the Corporation's success in developing and constructing new facilities; no adverse political and regulatory intervention; successful renewal of PPAs; sufficient human resources to deliver service and execute the capital plan; no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business such as a natural disaster, pandemic or other calamity; continued maintenance of information technology infrastructure and no material breach of cybersecurity.
Forward-Looking Information involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed, implied or presented by the Forward-Looking Information. These are referred to in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Annual Report and include, without limitation: equipment supply; global climate change: variability in hydrology, wind regimes and solar irradiance; global climate change: extreme weather events; IT security risks and cyberattacks; increase in water rental cost or changes to regulations applicable to water use; performance of major counterparties, delays, cost overruns; non compliance with project site regulatory requirements leading to penalties, fines and other consequences; impact of failure to comply with project's environmental commitments or requirements throughout project lifetime; equipment failure, unexpected operations and maintenance activity and increased asset maintenance on ageing equipment; health and safety risks; availability and reliability of transmission systems; resource assessment and performance variability; preparedness to facing natural disasters and force majeure; pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies; inability to secure new profitable PPAs; inability to renew PPAs at adequately profitable prices; failure to bring projects into commercial operation within contractually stipulated delay; regulatory and political risks; risks related to U.S. production and investment tax credits, changes in U.S. corporate tax rates and availability of tax equity financing; increases in operational cost and financial uncertainty surrounding development of new facilities; social acceptance of renewable energy projects; inability to secure appropriate land; obtainment of permits; volatility of supply and demand in the energy market; exposure to many different forms of taxation in various jurisdictions; purchaser's inability to fulfill contractual obligations or refusal to accept delivery of power under power purchase agreements or power hedges; changes in governmental support to increase electricity to be generated from renewable sources by independent power producers; fluctuations affecting prospective power prices; relationships with Indigenous communities and stakeholders; inability of the Corporation to execute its strategy for building shareholder value; inability to raise additional capital and the state of the capital market; liquidity risks related to derivative financial instruments; interest rate fluctuations and refinancing; foreign exchange fluctuations; changes in general economic conditions; financial leverage and restrictive covenants governing current and future indebtedness; possibility that the Corporation may not declare a dividend or may reduce the amount of the dividend; insufficiency of insurance coverage; litigation; credit rating may not reflect actual performance of the Corporation or a lowering (downgrade) of the credit rating; revenues from certain facilities will vary based on the market (or spot) price of electricity; host country economic, social and political conditions; reliance on intellectual property and confidentiality agreements to protect the Corporation's rights and confidential information; reputational risks arising from misconduct of representatives of the Corporation; and ability to attract new talent or to retain officers or key employees.
For more information on the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed, implied or presented by the forward-looking information or on the principal assumptions used to derive this information, please refer to the "Forward-Looking Information" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 .

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