NextEra Energy, Dominion to combine in all-stock transaction

NextEra Energy (NEE) and Dominion Energy (D) entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction. Dominion Energy shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.8138 shares of NextEra Energy for each share of Dominion Energy they own at the close of the transaction, resulting in NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy shareholders owning approximately 74.5% and 25.5% of the combined company, respectively. The combination will create the world’s largest regulated electric utility business, fortified by North America’s premier energy infrastructure platform and developer. The combined company will be more than 80% regulated, serve approximately 10 million utility customer accounts across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and own 110 gigawatts of generation across a broad mix of energy sources. The combined company will drive affordability in the long term by leveraging scale and operating and capital efficiencies as the company makes smart investments on behalf of its customers to meet growing power demand. Additionally, the combined company is proposing $2.25B in bill credits for Dominion Energy’s customers in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina spread over two years post-close. With growth drivers evenly balanced between regulated and long-term contracted businesses and more than 130 GW of large-load opportunities in its pipeline, the combined company will have a broader opportunity set, more ways to grow and the scale, balance sheet and best-in-class operating, supply chain, construction and technology capabilities to deliver the generation, transmission and grid investments needed to serve customers, support economic growth and cost-effectively meet surging power demand while keeping bills affordable. The transaction is structured as a 100% stock-for-stock transaction and is expected to be tax-free to shareholders. The combined company will operate under the NextEra Energy name and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NEE. It will have a significant local presence, with dual headquarters in Juno Beach, Florida, and Richmond, Virginia, and Dominion Energy South Carolina’s existing operational headquarters in Cayce, South Carolina. Dominion Energy’s utility companies will continue to operate as Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy North Carolina and Dominion Energy South Carolina. John Ketchum will serve as chairman and CEO of the combined company, and Robert Blue will serve as president and CEO of regulated utilities and as a member of the board of directors. Edward Baine will be president and CEO of Dominion Energy Virginia, Keller Kissam will be president and CEO of Dominion Energy South Carolina and Scott Bores will be president and CEO of Florida Power & Light Company. Highlights: Expected to be immediately accretive to adjusted earnings per share at closing, with approximately 9%+ adjusted earnings per share growth expected through 2032 and a 9%+ target through 2035, all off NextEra Energy’s 2025 base expectations; Attractive annual dividend growth policy of 6% through 2028, resulting in an expected dividend payout ratio below 55% by 2030. In addition, Dominion Energy shareholders to continue to receive Dominion’s current quarterly dividend through close plus a one-time cash payment of $360 million at close. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The transaction is expected to close in 12 to 18 months, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals by the shareholders of NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act and approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The companies will also file for review and approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. Under terms of the agreement, Dominion Energy shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.8138 shares of NextEra Energy for each share of Dominion Energy they own at the close of the transaction. In addition, Dominion Energy shareholders will continue to receive Dominion’s current quarterly dividend through closing plus a one-time cash payment of $360M at closing. Thereafter, Dominion Energy will participate in NextEra Energy’s pro forma dividend growth policy. NextEra Energy shareholders will continue to own the same number of shares of the combined company that they hold of NextEra Energy immediately prior to the closing of the transaction. Upon completion of the merger, NextEra Energy shareholders will own approximately 74.5% and Dominion Energy shareholders will own approximately 25.5% of the combined company.