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CWEN US Equity

Clearway Energy, Inc.Utilities · Electric Services · CIK 1567683 · FY ends Dec 31
$32.56
-0.08 (-0.25%)
USD · as of 2026-08-21 · marketstack

CWEN · 10-K · period ended 2021-12-31

← all CWEN documents
filed 2022-02-28 · EDGAR original ↗

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Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations

As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations to this Form 10-K. Also refer to Item 1 — Business and Item 1A — Risk Factors, which include detailed discussions of various items impacting the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. Discussions of the year ended December 31, 2019 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and year-to-year comparisons of the year ended December 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The discussion and analysis below has been organized as follows:

•Executive Summary, including a description of the business and significant events that are important to understanding the results of operations and financial condition;

•Results of operations, including an explanation of significant differences between the periods in the specific line items of the consolidated statements of operations;

•Financial condition addressing liquidity position, sources and uses of cash, capital resources and requirements, commitments, and off-balance sheet arrangements;

•Known trends that may affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in the future; and

•Critical accounting policies which are most important to both the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgment.

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Executive Summary

Introduction and Overview

Clearway Energy, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, is a publicly-traded energy infrastructure investor in and owner of modern, sustainable and long-term contracted assets across North America. The Company is indirectly owned by Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP. GIP is an independent infrastructure fund manager that makes equity and debt investments in infrastructure assets and businesses. The Company is sponsored by GIP through GIP's portfolio company, Clearway Energy Group LLC, or CEG.

The Company is one of the largest renewable energy owners in the U.S. with over 5,000 net MW of installed wind and solar generation projects. The Company's over 9,000 net MW of assets also includes approximately 2,500 net MW of environmentally-sound, highly efficient natural gas-fired generation facilities as well as the Thermal Business. Through this environmentally-sound, diversified and primarily contracted portfolio, the Company endeavors to provide its investors with stable and growing dividend income.Substantially all of the Company's generation assets are under long-term contractual arrangements for the output or capacity from these assets. The weighted average remaining contract duration of these offtake agreements was approximately 12 years as of December 31, 2021 based on CAFD.

Significant Events

Thermal Disposition

•On October 22, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC entered into a binding agreement to sell the Thermal Business to KKR for total consideration of $1.9 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments, which is referred to herein as the Thermal Disposition. Based on current estimates, the Company expects total net cash proceeds of approximately $1.35 billion after the assumption of project level debt, estimated taxes and obligations owed, transaction expenses and capital expenditures required to be funded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement. The closing of the transaction is subject to various customary closing conditions, approvals and consents and is expected to close in the first half of 2022. The Company's Thermal segment is comprised solely of the Thermal Business's results of operations.

Corporate Level Financing

•On November 30, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC entered into a senior secured bridge credit agreement, or the Bridge Loan Agreement, that provides for a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $335 million. The Bridge Loan Agreement will mature no later than November 29, 2022. The Company intends to use proceeds from the Thermal Disposition to repay the outstanding principal balance of the term loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement. The borrowings under the term loan facility were used to acquire the Utah Solar Portfolio on December 1, 2021, as described below.

•On November 30, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC entered into the Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to provide for an increase of the maximum permitted Borrower Leverage Ratio to 6.00 to 1.00 during the period commencing on November 30, 2021 and ending on the leverage period termination date, which is the earliest of (i) two business days following the consummation of the Thermal Disposition, (ii) 120 days following the termination or expiration of the binding agreement entered into with KKR to sell the Thermal Business and (iii) the maturity date of the Bridge Loan Agreement. The Sixth Amendment also permits the incurrence of the term loan facility under the Bridge Loan Agreement, permits the incurrence of hedging obligations, permits the prepayment of indebtedness and implements certain other technical modifications.

•On October 1, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC completed the sale of $350 million of senior unsecured notes due 2032, or the 2032 Senior Notes. The 2032 Senior Notes bear interest at 3.750% and mature on January 15, 2032. The net proceeds from the 2032 Senior Notes were used, together with existing corporate liquidity, to repurchase the 2026 Senior Notes, as described below.

•In October 2021, the Company repurchased and redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $350 million of the 2026 Senior Notes, through the cash tender offer announced on September 24, 2021 and the redemption of the remaining amount on October 25, 2021. The repurchases and redemption were effectuated at a premium of approximately 103% for total consideration of $359 million.

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•On March 9, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC completed the sale of $925 million of senior unsecured notes due 2031, or the 2031 Senior Notes. The 2031 Senior Notes bear interest at 3.750% and mature on February 15, 2031. The net proceeds from the 2031 Senior Notes were used to repurchase the 2025 Senior Notes, as described below, as well as to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

•In March 2021, the Company repurchased and redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $600 million of the 2025 Senior Notes, through the cash tender offer announced on March 2, 2021 and the redemption of the remaining amount on March 17, 2021. The repurchases and redemption were effectuated at a premium of approximately 106% for total consideration of $636 million.

Project-Level Financing Activities

•On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into a financing agreement for non-recourse debt for a total commitment of $126 million related to the repowering of the Pinnacle wind project. The debt consists of a construction loan at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Company's initial borrowings of $79 million were utilized to repay $53 million of the outstanding balance under the Tapestry financing agreement, which related to the Pinnacle wind project, and to reimburse Clearway Renew LLC for previous contributions and pay vendor invoices and fees. On December 15, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding principal amount of $117 million utilizing existing corporate liquidity, along with proceeds from tax equity.

Third-Party Acquisitions

•On December 1, 2021, the Company acquired the remaining 50% equity interest in the Utah Solar Portfolio from Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., for approximately $335 million before working capital and purchase price adjustments in the net amount of $5 million, representing total net consideration of $330 million. Borrowings under the Bridge Loan Agreement were used to fund the acquisition. The Utah Solar Portfolio consists of seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah representing 530 MW of capacity. The assets within the portfolio sell power subject to 20-year PPAs with PacifiCorp that have approximately 15 years remaining under the agreements. Following the close of the transaction, the Company owns 100% of the membership interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio. The Company removed its equity method investment and consolidates its interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio within the Renewables segment from the date of the acquisition.

•On April 23, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in NedPower Mount Storm LLC, or Mt. Storm, from Castleton Commodities International for approximately $96 million before working capital and purchase price adjustments in the net amount of $4 million, representing a total net consideration of $100 million. Mt. Storm is a 264 MW wind project located in Grant County, West Virginia. Mt. Storm has a 10-year energy hedge with an investment-grade counterparty.

•On February 3, 2021, the Company acquired an additional 35% equity interest in the Agua Caliente solar project from NRG Energy, Inc. for $202 million. Agua Caliente is a 290 MW solar project located in Dateland, Arizona in which the Company previously owned a 16% equity interest. The project has a 25-year PPA with PG&E, with approximately 17 years remaining under the agreement. Following the close of the transaction, the Company owns a 51% equity interest in Agua Caliente. The Company removed its equity method investment and consolidates its interest in Agua Caliente within the Renewables segment from the date of the acquisition.

Drop Down Transactions

•On December 29, 2021, the Company, through its indirect subsidiary Lighthouse Renewable Holding Sub LLC, acquired the Class B membership interests in Black Rock Wind Holding LLC from Clearway Renew LLC, a subsidiary of CEG, for $60 million in cash consideration, $37 million of which was paid on December 29, 2021, with the remaining $23 million paid in February 2022 after all remaining turbines were operational. Lighthouse Renewable Holding Sub LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Renewable Holdco LLC, which is a partnership between the Company and a third-party investor. The Class A membership interests of Black Rock Wind Holding LLC are owned by another third-party investor. Black Rock Wind Holding LLC, through its subsidiary, is the primary beneficiary and consolidates its interests in a tax equity fund, Black Rock TE Holdco LLC, that holds the Black Rock wind project, a 115 MW utility scale wind project located in Mineral County and Grant County, West Virginia. As of December 31, 2021, 70 MW of the 115 MW rated capacity were operational, representing fourteen of the twenty-three wind turbines, and the remaining 45 MW rated capacity became operational in January 2022. A majority of the project’s output is backed by contracts with investment-grade counterparties with a 15-year weighted average contract life.

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•On December 17, 2021, the Company through its indirect subsidiary Lighthouse Renewable Holdco 2 LLC, acquired the Class B membership interests in Mesquite Sky Holding LLC from Clearway Renew LLC, a subsidiary of CEG, for $61 million in cash consideration. Lighthouse Renewable Holdco 2 LLC is a partnership between the Company and a third-party investor. The Class A membership interests of Mesquite Sky Holding LLC are owned by another third-party investor. Mesquite Sky Holding LLC, through its subsidiary, is the primary beneficiary and consolidates its interests in a tax equity fund, Mesquite Sky TE Holdco LLC that holds the Mesquite Sky wind project, a 340 MW utility scale wind project located in Callahan County, Texas, which achieved commercial operations in December 2021. A majority of the project’s output is backed by contracts with investment-grade counterparties with a 12-year weighted average contract life.

•On October 28, 2021, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into an agreement with CEG to acquire the Class A membership interests in the Daggett 3 solar project upon the project meeting certain milestones. Daggett 3 is a 300 MW solar generating facility under development with a combined 144 MW and 576 MWh battery energy storage system located in San Bernardino, California. The Company expects to invest approximately $21 million, subject to closing adjustments. Commercial operations of the facility and the Company's investment are expected to occur in 2022.

•On August 2, 2021, the CEG ROFO Agreement was amended to remove the 100 MW Wildflower utility scale solar project from the ROFO pipeline.

•On June 24, 2021, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into agreements with CEG to acquire the Class A membership interests in the Mililani I and Waiawa solar projects upon the projects reaching certain milestones. Mililani I is a 39 MW solar generating facility under development with a combined 39 MW and 156 MWh battery energy storage system located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Waiawa is a 36 MW solar generating facility under development with a combined 36 MW and 144 MWh battery energy storage system located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Company expects to invest approximately $39 million, subject to closing adjustments. Commercial operations of the facilities and the Company's investment are expected to occur in 2022.

•On February 26, 2021, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into an amended partnership agreement with CEG to repower the Pinnacle wind project, a 54 MW wind facility located in Mineral County, West Virginia. The existing Pinnacle wind power purchase agreements will continue to run through 2031. On March 10, 2021, the Pinnacle wind project acquired equipment from CEG for $21 million in cash consideration. On December 14, 2021, the repowering project reached COD and on December 15, 2021, the Company funded $64 million in corporate capital, which was utilized in part to repay the Pinnacle Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC construction loan, along with proceeds from tax equity.

•On January 12, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of CEG's equity interest and a third-party investor's minority interest in CWSP Rattlesnake Holding LLC for $132 million in cash consideration. CWSP Rattlesnake Holding LLC indirectly consolidates the Rattlesnake wind project, a 160 MW wind facility with 144 MW deliverable capacity located in Adams County, Washington that achieved commercial operations in December 2020. The Company's net capital commitment was $119 million after proceeds from a state sales and use tax refund, which was received in May 2021. The project has a 20-year PPA, which began when the facility reached commercial operations.

Resource Adequacy Agreements

•On September 28, 2021, Walnut Creek contracted with SCE to sell 483 MW of Resource Adequacy, which is the full net qualifying capacity of the plant, commencing in June 2023 and ending in December 2026.

•On September 10, 2021, Marsh Landing contracted with PG&E to sell approximately 500 MW of Resource Adequacy commencing in May 2023. The contract is for approximately three years. On May 3, 2021, Marsh Landing contracted with a California Load Serving Entity to sell 100 MW of Resource Adequacy commencing in May 2023. The contract is for approximately seven and a half years. Collectively, these contracts represent approximately 80% of the plant's net qualifying capacity.

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February 2021 Winter Events in Texas

•In February 2021, Texas experienced extreme winter weather conditions in which certain of the Company's wind projects were unable to operate and experienced outages due to the weather conditions at that time. Due to this event, and inclusive of amounts related to third-party equity investors, the Company recorded a reduction of approximately $50 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2021 to settle obligations for wind facilities during the extreme weather conditions. After factoring in third-party equity investor contributions, the cash impact to the Company during the first quarter of 2021 was approximately $25 million.

Environmental Matters and Regulatory Matters

Details of environmental matters and regulatory matters are presented in Item 1 — Business, Regulatory Matters and Item 1A — Risk Factors. Details of some of this information relate to costs that may impact the Company's financial results.

Trends or Matters Affecting Results of Operations and Future Business Performance

Wind and Solar Resource Availability

The availability of the wind and solar resources affects the financial performance of the wind and solar facilities, which may impact the Company’s overall financial performance. Due to the variable nature of the wind and solar resources, the Company cannot predict the availability of the wind and solar resources and the potential variances from expected performance levels from quarter to quarter. To the extent the wind and solar resources are not available at expected levels, it could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial performance for such periods.

Recent Developments Affecting Industry Conditions and the Company's Business

COVID-19

In response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Company has implemented preventative measures and developed corporate and regional response plans to protect the health and safety of its employees, customers and other business counterparties, while supporting the Company's suppliers and customers' operations to the best of its ability in the circumstances. The Company continues to promote heightened awareness and vigilance, hygiene, and implementation of more stringent cleaning protocols across its facilities and operations and continues to evaluate these measures, response plans and business practices in light of the evolving effects of COVID-19 and its variants.

As of the date of this report, the Company has not experienced any material financial or operational impacts related to COVID-19, or variants thereof. All of the Company’s facilities have remained operational. The Company has experienced a decrease in volumetric sales on a weather normalized basis at certain Thermal locations in part due to COVID-19 related impacts, which has not resulted in any material financial impacts to the Company. The Company believes that all of its accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 2021 are collectible. The Company will continue to assess collectability based on any future developments.

The Company cannot predict the full impact that COVID-19 and its variants will have on the Company’s financial expectations, its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, its ability to make distributions to its stockholders, the market prices of its common stock and its ability to satisfy its debt service obligations at this time, due to numerous uncertainties. The ultimate impact will depend on future developments, including, among others, the ultimate geographic spread of the virus and related variants, the consequences of governmental and other measures designed to prevent the spread of the virus, the development of effective treatments, including vaccines, the duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities, customers, suppliers and other third parties, workforce availability and the timing and extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume For additional discussion regarding risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.

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Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table provides selected financial information:

Year ended December 31,

Operating Revenues

Contract amortization (144) (88) (71)

Mark-to-market for economic hedges (87) — (9)

Operating Costs and Expenses

Other costs of operations 97 74 72

Depreciation, amortization and accretion 509 428 401

General and administrative 40 34 29

Transaction and integration costs 7 9 3

Development costs 6 5 5

Other Income (Expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 32 7 83

Impairment loss on investment — (8) —

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate — 49 —

Other income, net 3 4 9

Loss on debt extinguishment (53) (24) (16)

Derivative interest income (expense) 53 4 (65)

Loss Before Income Taxes (63) (54) (104)

Income tax expense (benefit) 12 8 (8)

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (126) (87) (85)

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc. $ 51 $ 25 $ (11)

Year ended December 31,

Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) (a) 11,313 7,460 6,584

Thermal MWh sold (in thousands) 59 68 176

Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) (a)(b) 1,108 1,475 1,095

Conventional equivalent availability factor 94.7 % 94.9 % 94.9 %

(a) Volumes do not include the MWh generated/sold by the Company's equity method investments.

(b) Volumes generated are not sold as the Conventional facilities sell capacity rather than energy.

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Management's discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased by $87 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, due to a combination of the drivers summarized in the table below:

(In millions)

Operations and Maintenance Expense

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $60 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, primarily from the acquisition of solar and wind projects during the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021 as well as the consolidation of the DGPV investments on November 2, 2020.

Other Costs of Operations Expense

Other costs of operations expense, which primarily consists of insurance and property taxes, increased by $23 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. This was largely due to a net increase in the Renewables segment primarily from the acquisition of solar and wind projects during the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021, in addition to refunds of property taxes received in 2020.

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense increased by $81 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a $90 million increase in the Renewables segment, offset slightly by a $9 million decrease in the Thermal segment, as a result of the Thermal Business assets being reclassified to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2021, as further described in Item 15 — Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions. The increase in the Renewables segment was driven by the acquisition of solar and wind projects during the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021, as well as the consolidation of the DGPV investments on November 2, 2020, resulting in a cumulative increase of $65 million. In addition, approximately $34 million of accelerated depreciation was recorded in 2021, related to the repowering of the Pinnacle wind facility, which is an increase of $25 million compared to the same period in 2020.

Impairment Losses

The Company recorded impairment losses of $6 million and $24 million, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily related to several wind projects within the Renewables segment, as further described in Item 15 — Note 9, Asset Impairments.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in net MSA fees charged by CEG, personnel costs and various consulting fees.

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Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, primarily driven by increased earnings from Desert Sunlight and Avenal in 2021, the acquisition of Mesquite Star on September 1, 2020, which had losses in 2020, and the consolidation of the DGPV investments on November 2, 2020, which had losses in 2020. These increases were partially offset by theabsence of equity in earnings for Agua Caliente, which was consolidated due to the acquisition of an additional interest in February 2021, and the sale of the interests in RPV Holdco in May 2020, which had earnings in 2020.

Impairment Loss on Investment

The Company recorded an $8 million impairment loss during the year ended December 31, 2020 related to San Juan Mesa, an equity method investment within the Renewables segment, as further described in Item 15 — Note 9, Asset Impairments.

Gain on Sale of Unconsolidated Affiliate

On May 14, 2020, the Company sold its interests in RPV Holdco to a third-party, which resulted in a gain on sale of investment of approximately $49 million, as further described in Item 15 — Note 3, Acquisition and Dispositions.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

The Company recorded loss on debt extinguishment of $53 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily driven by the write-off of previously deferred finance costs and payment of premiums related to the redemption of the 2026 Senior Notes and the 2025 Senior Notes in 2021, as further described in Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt.

The Company recorded loss on debt extinguishment of $24 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, which reflects the write-off of previously deferred debt issuance costs, primarily related to the repayment of debt and related refinancing activities in the Renewables segment, as further described in Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $103 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to:

(In millions)

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps $ (122)

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Income Tax Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded income tax expense of $12 million on pretax loss of $63 million. For the same period in 2020, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $8 million on pretax loss of $54 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the taxable earnings and losses allocated to partners’ interest in Clearway Energy LLC, which includes the effects of applying the hypothetical liquidation at book value, or HLBV, method of accounting for book purposes to certain partnerships.

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% to the Company's effective rate is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

(In millions, except percentages)

Loss Before Income Taxes $ (63) $ (54)

State taxes, net of federal benefit (4) (4)

Impact of non-taxable partnership earnings 34 24

Valuation allowance (14) —

Production tax credits, including prior year true-up (1) (1)

Rate change (2) 2

Partnership state basis 8 —

State taxes assessed at subsidiaries 2 —

Other 2 (2)

Income tax expense $ 12 $ 8

Effective income tax rate (19.0) % (14.8) %

The effective income tax rate may vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of earnings and losses, earnings and losses allocated to partners' interest in Clearway Energy LLC which includes the effects of applying the HLBV method of accounting for book purposes to certain partnerships, and changes in valuation allowances in accordance with ASC 740. These factors and others, including the Company's history of pre-tax earnings and losses, are taken into account in assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets.

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had a loss of $126 million attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable interests comprised of the following:

(In millions)

Losses attributable to CEG's interest in partnerships (3)

CEG's economic interest in Clearway Energy LLC 47

Income attributable to third-party partnerships 4

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had a loss of $87 million attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable interests comprised of the following:

(In millions)

CEG's economic interest in Clearway Energy LLC 26

Income attributable to third-party partnerships 13

Income attributable to CEG's interest in partnerships 9

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's principal liquidity requirements are to meet its financial commitments, finance current operations, fund capital expenditures, including acquisitions from time to time, service debt and pay dividends. As a normal part of the Company's business, depending on market conditions, the Company will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance its indebtedness. Changes in the Company's operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may cause the Company to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions.

Current Liquidity Position

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company's liquidity was approximately $821 million and $894 million, respectively, comprised of cash, restricted cash and availability under the Company's revolving credit facility.

As of December 31,

(In millions)

Cash and cash equivalents:

Clearway Energy, Inc. and Clearway Energy LLC, excluding subsidiaries $ 33 $ 119

Restricted cash:

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 654 465

Revolving credit facility availability 167 429

The Company's liquidity includes $475 million and $197 million of restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Restricted cash consists primarily of funds to satisfy the requirements of certain debt arrangements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their use. As of December 31, 2021, these restricted funds were comprised of $246 million designated to fund operating expenses, approximately $34 million designated for current debt service payments, and $131 million restricted for reserves including debt service, performance obligations and other reserves, as well as capital expenditures. The remaining $64 million is held in distribution reserve accounts.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $245 million of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $83 million in letters of credit outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company borrowed $622 million under the revolving credit facility, and subsequently repaid $377 million utilizing cash on hand and the proceeds from the issuance of the 2031 Senior Notes.

Management believes that the Company's liquidity position, cash flows from operations and availability under its revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet the Company's financial commitments; debt service obligations; growth, operating and maintenance capital expenditures; and to fund dividends to holders of the Company's Class A common stock and Class C common stock. Management continues to regularly monitor the Company's ability to finance the needs of its operating, financing and investing activity within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management.

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Credit Ratings

Credit rating agencies rate a firm's public debt securities. These ratings are utilized by the debt markets in evaluating a firm's credit risk. Ratings influence the price paid to issue new debt securities by indicating to the market the Company's ability to pay principal, interest and preferred dividends. Rating agencies evaluate a firm's industry, cash flow, leverage, liquidity and hedge profile, among other factors, in their credit analysis of a firm's credit risk.

The following table summarizes the credit ratings for the Company and its Senior Notes as of December 31, 2021. The ratings outlook is stable.

S&P Moody's

Clearway Energy, Inc. BB Ba2

Sources of Liquidity

The Company's principal sources of liquidity include cash on hand, cash generated from operations, proceeds from sales of assets, borrowings under new and existing financing arrangements and the issuance of additional equity and debt securities as appropriate given market conditions. As described in Item 15 —Note 10, Long-term Debt, the Company's financing arrangements consist of corporate level debt, which includes Senior Notes and the revolving credit facility; the ATM Programs; and project-level financings for its various assets.

Thermal Disposition

On October 22, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC entered into a binding agreement to sell the Thermal Business to KKR for total consideration of $1.9 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments. Based on current estimates, the Company expects total net cash proceeds of approximately $1.35 billion after the assumption of project level debt, estimated taxes and obligations owed, transaction expenses and capital expenditures required to be funded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement. The closing of the transaction is subject to various customary closing conditions, approvals and consents and is expected to close in the first half of 2022.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company has a total of $167 million available under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2021. The facility will continue to be used for general corporate purposes including financing of future acquisitions and posting letters of credit.

Bridge Loan Agreement

On November 30, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC entered into a senior secured bridge credit agreement, or the Bridge Loan Agreement, that provides for a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $335 million that will mature no later than November 29, 2022. The Company intends to use proceeds from the Thermal Disposition to repay the outstanding principal balance of the term loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement. The borrowings under the Bridge Loan Facility were used to acquire the Utah Solar Portfolio on December 1, 2021, as described below.

2032 Senior Notes

On October 1, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC completed the sale of $350 million of senior unsecured notes due 2032, or the 2032 Senior Notes. The 2032 Senior Notes bear interest at 3.750% and mature on January 15, 2032. Interest on the 2032 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The 2032 Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of Clearway Energy Operating LLC and are guaranteed by Clearway Energy LLC and by certain of Clearway Energy Operating LLC's wholly-owned current and future subsidiaries. The net proceeds from the 2032 Senior Notes were used, together with existing corporate liquidity, to repurchase the 2026 Senior Notes.

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Pinnacle Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC Financing

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into a financing agreement for non-recourse debt for a total commitment of $126 million related to the repowering of the Pinnacle wind project. The debt consists of a construction loan at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.00%. The company's initial borrowings of $79 million were utilized to repay $53 million of the outstanding balance under the Tapestry Wind LLC financing agreement, which related to the Pinnacle wind project, and to reimburse Clearway Renew LLC for equipment purchases and pay vendor invoices and fees. On December 15, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding principal amount of $117 million utilizing existing corporate liquidity, along with proceeds from tax equity.

2031 Senior Notes

On March 9, 2021, Clearway Energy Operating LLC completed the sale of $925 million of senior unsecured notes due 2031, or the 2031 Senior Notes. The 2031 Senior Notes bear interest at 3.750% and mature on February 15, 2031. Interest on the 2031 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2031 Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of Clearway Energy Operating LLC and are guaranteed by Clearway Energy LLC and by certain of Clearway Energy Operating LLC's wholly-owned current and future subsidiaries. The net proceeds from the 2031 Senior Notes were used to repurchase the 2025 Senior Notes, as well as to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

Oahu and Kawailoa Hawaii Refundable Tax Credits

In 2020, the members of the partnerships holding the Oahu Solar and Kawailoa Solar projects submitted applications to the state of Hawaii for refundable tax credits based on the cost of construction of the projects. In April 2021, the members of the partnerships contributed their respective portions of the tax credits in the amount of $49 million to the Oahu Solar and Kawailoa project companies, which was recorded to restricted cash on the Company's consolidated balance sheet with an offsetting adjustment to noncontrolling interests. In accordance with the projects' related agreements, the cash is held in a restricted account and utilized to offset invoiced amounts under the projects' PPAs. As of December 31, 2021, $20 million of the $49 million has been utilized to offset invoiced amounts under the projects' PPAs.

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Uses of Liquidity

The Company's requirements for liquidity and capital resources, other than for operating its facilities, are categorized as: (i) debt service obligations, as described more fully in Item 15 —Note 10, Long-term Debt; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) off-balance sheet arrangements; (iv) acquisitions and investments; and (v) cash dividends to investors.

Debt Service Obligations

Principal payments on debt as of December 31, 2021, are due in the following periods:

(In millions)

Clearway Energy Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2031 — — — — — 925 925

Clearway Energy Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2032 — — — — — 350 350

Project-level debt:

Alta Wind Asset Management LLC 1 1 1 1 1 8 13

Carlsbad Energy Holdings LLC, due 2038 — — — — — 407 407

(a) Principal debt payments relate toThermal Business long-term debt reclassified to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2021.

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Capital Expenditures

The Company's capital spending program is mainly focused on maintenance capital expenditures, consisting of costs to maintain the assets currently operating, such as costs to replace or refurbish assets during routine maintenance, and growth capital expenditures consisting of costs to construct new assets, costs to complete the construction of assets where construction is in process, and capital expenditures related to acquiring additional thermal customers.

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company used approximately $151 million, and $124 million, respectively, to fund capital expenditures, including maintenance capital expenditures of $25 million and $23 million, respectively. Growth capital expenditures in 2021 include $96 million in the Renewables segment, $43 million incurred in connection with the repowering of the Pinnacle wind project, $19 million incurred in connection with the Rattlesnake wind project, $18 million incurred in connection with the Rosamond Central solar project, $13 million incurred in connection with the Mesquite Star wind project and $3 million incurred by other wind projects. The Company also incurred $30 million of growth capital expenditures in the Thermal and Conventional segments in connection with various development projects.

The Company estimates $36 million of maintenance capital expenditures for 2022, which includes the Thermal segment for all of 2022. These estimates are subject to continuing review and adjustment and actual capital expenditures may vary from these estimates.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

The Company may enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties.

Retained or Contingent Interests

The Company does not have any material retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity.

Obligations Arising Out of a Variable Interest in an Unconsolidated Entity

Variable interest in equity investments — As of December 31, 2021, the Company has several investments with an ownership interest percentage of 50% or less. GenConn is a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt held by unconsolidated affiliates was approximately $345 million as of December 31, 2021. This indebtedness may restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to issue dividends or distributions to the Company. See also Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Inaddition to the Company's capital expenditure programs, the Company has a variety of contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that represent prospective cash requirements. The following table summarizes the Company's contractual obligations. See Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17, Leases, for additional discussion.

By Remaining Maturity at December 31,

(In millions)

Fuel purchase and transportation obligations 7 1 — — 8 14

(a)Remaining maturities of Thermal Business long-term debt reclassified to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2021 are $19 million, $40 million, $57 million and $596 million due under 1 Year, 1-3 Years, 3-5 Years and Over 5 Years, respectively.

(b)Remaining maturities of Thermal Business operating leases reclassified to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2021 are $1 million, $2 million, $2 million and $31 million due under 1 Year, 1-3 Years, 3-5 Years and Over 5 Years, respectively.

(c) Includes water right agreements, service and maintenance agreements, and LTSA commitments.

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Acquisitions and Investments

The Company intends to acquire generation assets developed and constructed by CEG as well as generation assets from third parties where the Company believes its knowledge of the market and operating expertise provides a competitive advantage, and to utilize such acquisitions as a means to grow its business.

Black Rock Drop Down —On December 29, 2021, the Company, through its indirect subsidiary Lighthouse Renewable Holding Sub LLC, acquired the Class B membership interests in Black Rock Wind Holding LLC from Clearway Renew LLC, a subsidiary of CEG, for $60 million in cash consideration, $37 million of which was paid on December 29, 2021, with the remaining $23 million paid in February 2022 after all remaining turbines were operational. Lighthouse Renewable Holding Sub LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Renewable Holdco LLC, which is a partnership between the Company and a third-party investor. Black Rock Wind Holding LLC is the primary beneficiary and consolidates its interest in a tax equity fund, Black Rock TE Holdco LLC, that holds the Black Rock wind project, a 115 MW utility scale wind project located in Mineral County and Grant County, West Virginia. As of December 31, 2021, 70 MW of the 115 MW rated capacity were operational, representing fourteen of the twenty-three wind turbines, and the remaining 45 MW rated capacity became operational in January 2022. The investment was funded with existing sources of liquidity.

Mesquite Sky Drop Down —On December 17, 2021, the Company, through its indirect subsidiary Lighthouse Renewable Holdco 2 LLC, acquired the Class B membership interests of Mesquite Sky Holding LLC from Clearway Renew LLC, a subsidiary of CEG for $61 million in cash consideration. Lighthouse Renewable Holdco 2 LLC is a partnership between the Company and a third-party investor. Mesquite Sky Holding LLC, through its subsidiary, is the primary beneficiary and consolidates its interest in a tax equity fund, Mesquite Sky TE Holdco LLC, that holds the Mesquite Sky wind project, a 340 MW utility scale wind project located in Callahan County, Texas, which achieved commercial operations in December 2021. The investment was funded with existing sources of liquidity.

Utah Portfolio Acquisition — On December 1, 2021, the Company acquired the remaining 50% equity interest in the Utah Solar Portfolio from Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., for approximately $335 million before working capital and purchase price adjustments in the net amount of $5 million, representing total net consideration of $330 million. The Utah Solar Portfolio consists of seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah, representing 530 MW of capacity. Borrowings under the Bridge Loan Agreement were used to fund the acquisition.

Mt. Storm Acquisition — On April 23, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in NedPower Mount Storm LLC, or Mt. Storm, from Castleton Commodities International for approximately $96 million before working capital and purchase price adjustments in the net amount of $4 million, representing a total net consideration of $100 million. Mt. Storm is a 264 MW wind project located in Grant County, West Virginia.

Pinnacle Wind Repowering — On February 26, 2021, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary, entered into an amended partnership agreement with CEG to repower the Pinnacle wind project, a 54 MW wind facility located in Mineral County, West Virginia. On March 10, 2021, the Pinnacle wind project acquired equipment from CEG for $21 million in cash consideration. On December 14, 2021, the repowering project reached COD and on December 15, 2021, the Company funded $64 million in existing corporate liquidity, which was utilized in part to repay the Pinnacle Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC construction loan, along with proceeds from tax equity.

Agua Caliente Acquisition — On February 3, 2021, the Company acquired an additional 35% equity interest in the Agua Caliente solar project from NRG Energy, Inc. for $202 million. Agua Caliente is a 290 MW solar project located in Dateland, Arizona in which the Company previously owned a 16% equity interest.

Rattlesnake Drop Down — On January 12, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of CEG's equity interest and a third-party investor's minority interest in CWSP Rattlesnake Holding LLC for $132 million in cash consideration. CWSP Rattlesnake Holding LLC indirectly consolidates the Rattlesnake wind project, a 160 MW wind facility located in Adams County, Washington that achieved commercial operations in December 2020. The Company's net capital commitment was $119 million after proceeds from a state sales and use tax refund, which was received in May 2021.

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Debt Repurchases

2026 Senior Notes Tender Offer and Redemption— In October 2021, the Company repurchased and redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $350 million of the 2026 Senior Notes, through the cash tender offer announced on September 24, 2021 and the redemption of the remaining principal amount of $227 million on October 25, 2021. The 2026 Senior Notes repurchased and redeemed in October 2021 were effectuated at a premium of approximately 103% for total consideration of $359 million and, as a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment in the amount of $9 million. The Company recorded an additional $3 million loss on extinguishment to write off the remaining unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 2026 Senior Notes.

2025 Senior Notes Tender Offer and Redemption— In March 2021, the Company repurchased and redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $600 million of the 2025 Senior Notes, through the cash tender offer announced on March 2, 2021 and the redemption of the remaining principal amount of $183 million on March 17, 2021. The 2025 Senior Notes repurchased and redeemed in March 2021 were effectuated at a premium of approximately 106% for total consideration of $636 million and, as a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment in the amount of $36 million. In addition, the Company recorded a $5 million loss on extinguishment to write off the remaining unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 2025 Senior Notes.

Cash Dividends to Investors

The Company intends to use the amount of cash that it receives from its distributions from Clearway Energy LLC to pay quarterly dividends to the holders of its Class A common stock and Class C common stock. Clearway Energy LLC intends to distribute to its unit holders in the form of a quarterly distribution all of the CAFD that is generated each quarter less reserves for the prudent conduct of the business. Dividends on the Class A common stock and Class C common stock are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws, regulations and other contractual obligations. The Company expects that, based on current circumstances, comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the foreseeable future.

The following table lists the dividends paid on the Company's Class A common stock and Class C common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021:

On February 17, 2022, the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class C common stock of $0.3468 per share payable on March 15, 2022, to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2022.

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Cash Flow Discussion

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020:

(In millions)

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 701 $ 545 $ 156

Net cash used in investing activities (865) (62) (803)

Net cash used in financing activities 367 (435) 802

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Changes to net cash provided by operating activities were driven by:

(In millions)

Increase in operating income adjusted for non-cash items $ 142

Decrease in distributions from unconsolidated affiliates (23)

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:

(In millions)

Changes in cash paid for Drop Down assets (107)

Changes in capital expenditures (27)

Consolidation of DGPV Holdco 3 in 2020 (17)

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

Changes in net cash used in financing activities were driven by:

(In millions)

Increase in net contributions from noncontrolling interest members $ 720

Increase in net proceeds under the revolving line of credit 245

Decrease in net proceeds received from issuance of common stock (62)

Increase in dividends paid to common stockholders (57)

Other 7

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NOLs, Deferred Tax Assets and Uncertain Tax Position Implications, under ASC 740

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has a cumulative federal NOL carry forward balance of $1.3 billion for financial statement purposes, of which $0.9 billion will begin expiring between 2033 to 2037 if unutilized. The Company does not anticipate any federal income tax payments for 2022. Additionally, as of December 31, 2021, the Company has a cumulative state NOL carryforward balance of $769 million for financial statement purposes, which will expire between 2023 to 2040 if unutilized. In addition, the Company has PTC and ITC carryforward balances totaling $15 million, which will expire between 2034 and 2041 if unutilized.

Based on the Company's current portfolio of assets, which include renewable assets that benefit from accelerated tax depreciation deductions and federal tax credits, current and expected NOL balances, and after taking into account the projected taxable gain from the Thermal Disposition that is anticipated to close in the first half of 2022, the Company estimates that it will not pay material federal income tax through 2027, but does expect to pay material state income tax across certain jurisdictions beginning in 2023. If the anticipated Thermal Disposition is not completed, the Company expects that it would not pay significant federal income tax for a period of approximately 10 years.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has an interest disallowance carry forward of $7 million as a result of the proposed §163(j) regulation, which was enacted as part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. The disallowed interest deduction has an indefinite carry forward period and any limitations on the utilization of this carry forward have been factored into the Company's valuation allowance analysis.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, or the CARES Act, was signed into law, which includes modifications to the business interest expense disallowance and net operating loss provisions. While the Company utilized previously disallowed interest expense during 2020 as a result of the modifications, the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to assess the effects of the CARES Act and ongoing government guidance related to COVID-19 that may be issued.

The Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities for income tax returns filed in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. All tax returns filed by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 and forward remain subject to audit. The Company believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in tax audits of the Company are resolved in a manner inconsistent with its expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

The Company has no uncertain tax benefits.

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Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The Company may enter into commodity purchase contracts and other energy-related financial instruments to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in spot market prices and to hedge fuel requirements at certain generation facilities. In addition, in order to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the issuance of variable rate debt, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements.

The tables below disclose the activities of non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value in accordance with ASC 820. Specifically, these tables disaggregate realized and unrealized changes in fair value; disaggregate estimated fair values at December 31, 2021, based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at December 31, 2021. For a full discussion of the Company's valuation methodology of its contracts, see Derivative Fair Value Measurements in Item 15 —Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Derivative Activity (Losses)/Gains (In millions)

Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2020 $ (172)

Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period 39

Contracts acquired during the period (52)

Changes in fair value (51)

Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2021 $ (236)

Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2021

Maturity

(In millions)

The Company has elected to disclose derivative assets and liabilities on a trade-by-trade basis and does not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. As discussed below in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk -Commodity Price Risk, the Company measures the sensitivity of the portfolio to potential changes in market prices using VaR, a statistical model which attempts to predict risk of loss based on market price and volatility. The Company's risk management policy places a limit on one-day holding period VaR, which limits the net open position.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance as well as the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. The application of these policies necessarily involves judgments regarding future events, including the likelihood of success of particular projects, legal and regulatory challenges and the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. These judgments, in and of themselves, could materially affect the financial statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions, which may be appropriate to use. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a significant effect, not only on the operation of the business, but on the results reported through the application of accounting measures used in preparing the financial statements and related disclosures, even if the nature of the accounting policies has not changed.

On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these estimates, utilizing historic experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable. Actual results may differ substantially from the Company's estimates. Any effects on the Company's business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the information that gives rise to the revision becomes known.

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The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Item 15 — Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company identifies its most critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of the Company's financial position and results of operations, and that require the most difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments by management regarding estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company's critical accounting policies include income taxes and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, accounting utilizing Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value, or HLBV, and acquisition accounting.

Accounting Policy Judgments/Uncertainties Affecting Application

Anticipated future decisions of tax authorities

Application of tax statutes and regulations to transactions

Estimated calculation of specified target investor returns

Application of liquidation provisions of operating agreements

Acquisition Accounting Identification of assets acquired

Inputs for fair values of assets and liabilities acquired

Application of appropriate fair value methodologies

Income Taxes and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a valuation allowance of $1 million. The valuation allowance is related to state net operating losses the Company expects to expire unutilized. Other than for the state NOLs mentioned above, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income which includes the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences to realize deferred tax assets. The Company considered the timing and future realization of net deferred tax assets, the profit before tax generated in recent years as well as projections of future earnings and estimates of taxable income in arriving at this conclusion. The realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon earnings in federal and various state and local jurisdictions.

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Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value (HLBV)

Certain portions of the Company's noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries represent third-party interests in the net assets under certain tax equity arrangements, which are consolidated by the Company, that have been entered to finance the cost of wind facilities eligible for certain tax credits. The Company has determined that the provisions in the contractual agreements of these structures represent substantive profit sharing arrangements. Further, the Company has determined that the appropriate methodology for calculating the noncontrolling interest and investment in unconsolidated affiliates that reflects the substantive profit sharing arrangements is a balance sheet approach utilizing the HLBV method. Under the HLBV method, the amounts reported as noncontrolling interests and investment in unconsolidated affiliates represent the amounts the investors to the tax equity arrangements would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet date under the liquidation provisions of the contractual agreements, assuming the net assets of the funding structures were liquidated at their recorded amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. The investors' interests in the results of operations of the funding structures are determined as the difference in noncontrolling interests at the start and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between the structures and the funds' investors. The calculations utilized to apply the HLBV method include estimated calculations of taxable income or losses for each reporting period as well as estimated calculations of tax capital accounts based on the relevant provisions of each agreement and the related tax guidance. In addition, these calculations often take into account the stipulated targeted investor return specified in the subsidiaries' operating agreement and agreed by the members of the arrangement. In certain circumstances, the Company and its partners in the tax equity arrangements agree that certain tax benefits are to be utilized outside of the tax equity arrangements, which may result in differences in the amount an investor would hypothetically receive at the initial balance sheet date calculated strictly in accordance with related contractual agreements. These differences are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations using a systematic and rational method over the period during which the investor is expected to achieve its target return. In certain cases, the Company must apply judgment in determining the methodology for applying these concepts in the HLBV method and changes in certain factors may have a significant impact on the amounts that an investor would receive upon a hypothetical liquidation. The use of the HLBV method to allocate income (loss) to the noncontrolling interest holders may create volatility in the consolidated statements of operations.

Acquisition Accounting

The Company applies ASC 805, Business Combinations, when accounting for acquisitions, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition date. For many of the Company's acquisitions, the Company applies ASC 805-50, which provides that acquisitions of entities under common control are recorded at historical cost, except in the case where the ultimate parent has a different basis, such as when an acquiree did not elect to apply pushdown accounting. In those circumstances, the Company may also be required to record its acquired assets and liabilities at fair value.

Significant judgment is required in determining the acquisition date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, predominantly with respect to property, plant and equipment, power purchase agreements, asset retirement obligations and other contractual arrangements. Evaluations include numerous inputs including forecasted cash flows that incorporate the specific attributes of each asset including age, useful life, equipment condition and technology as well as current replacement costs for similar assets. Other key inputs that require judgment include discount rates, comparable market transactions, estimated useful lives and probability of future transactions. The Company evaluates all available information as well as all appropriate methodologies, when determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. In addition, once the appropriate fair values are determined, the Company must determine the remaining useful life for property, plant and equipment and the amortization period and method of amortization for each finite-lived intangible asset.

Recent Accounting Developments

See Item 15 — Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for a discussion of recent accounting developments.

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Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to several market risks in its normal business activities. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with the Company's power generation or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. The types of market risks the Company is exposed to are commodity price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk.

Commodity Price Risk

Commodity price risks result from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices, volatilities, and correlations between various commodities, such as electricity, natural gas and emissions credits. The Company manages the commodity price risk of its merchant generation operations by entering into derivative or non-derivative instruments to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted power sales or purchases of fuel. The portion of forecasted transactions hedged may vary based upon management's assessment of market, weather, operation and other factors. See Item 15 — Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, for more information.

Based on a sensitivity analysis using simplified assumptions, the impact of a $0.50 per MMBtu decrease in natural gas prices across the term of the derivative contracts would cause an increase of approximately $1 million to the net value of natural gas derivatives, and an increase of $0.50 MMBtu in natural gas prices across the term of the derivative contracts would cause an increase of approximately $3 million to the net value of natural gas derivatives as of December 31, 2021. The impact of a $0.50 per MWh increase or decrease in power prices across the term of the derivative contracts would cause a change of approximately $7 million to the net value of power derivatives as of December 31, 2021.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates through its issuance of variable rate debt. Exposures to interest rate fluctuations may be mitigated by entering into derivative instruments known as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and put or call options. These contracts reduce exposure to interest rate volatility and result in primarily fixed rate debt obligations when taking into account the combination of the variable rate debt and the interest rate derivative instrument. See Item 15 — Note 7, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, for more information.

Most of the Company's project subsidiaries enter into interest rate swaps, intended to hedge the risks associated with interest rates on non-recourse project level debt. See Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, for more information about interest rate swaps of the Company's project subsidiaries.

If all of the above swaps had been discontinued on December 31, 2021, the Company would have owed the counterparties $63 million. Based on the credit ratings of the counterparties, the Company believes its exposure to credit risk due to nonperformance by counterparties to its hedge contracts to be insignificant.

The Company has long-term debt instruments that subject it to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2021, a 1% change in interest rates would result in an approximately $6 million change in interest expense on a rolling twelve-month basis.

As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Company's debt was $7,997 million and the carrying value was $7,782 million. The Company estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of its long-term debt by $540 million.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk arises from the general funding needs of the Company's activities and in the management of the Company's assets and liabilities.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. The Company monitors and manages credit risk through credit policies that include: (i) an established credit approval process, and (ii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as prepayment arrangements or volumetric limits. Risks surrounding counterparty performance and credit could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. The Company seeks to mitigate counterparty risk by having a diversified portfolio of counterparties. See Item 15 — Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for more information about concentration of credit risk.

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Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements and schedules are listed in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K.

Item 9 — Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

As previously reported in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2021, on March 9, 2021, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company dismissed KPMG LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and appointed Ernst & Young LLP (PCAOB ID:42), an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. For more information, please refer to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2021.

Item 9A — Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2021, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls

The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

1. Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company's assets;

2. Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that the Company's receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of its management and directors; and

3. Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), the Company's management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.

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The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is included in this Form 10-K.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Clearway Energy, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Clearway Energy, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2021 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2022

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Item 9B — Other Information

Disclosure Pursuant to Item 5.02 of Form 8-K – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 22, 2022, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) elected Jennifer Lowry to serve as an independent director of the Company, effective immediately. Ms. Lowry will serve on all three Committees of the Board.

Upon her election to the Company’s board of directors, Ms. Lowry became entitled to compensation pursuant to the compensation program established for the Company’s independent directors, as more fully described in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Pursuant to the compensation program, Ms. Lowry will receive an annual retainer of $80,000 in the form of cash and $110,000 in the form of stock awards issued under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.

In addition, the Company and Ms. Lowry have entered into an indemnification agreement that provides Ms. Lowry with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. The foregoing description of Ms. Lowry’s indemnification agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Form of Indemnification Agreement, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.9 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Lowry and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Lowry was elected to serve on the Company’s board of directors. Ms. Lowry has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

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PART III

Item 10 — Information about Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Directors

Nathaniel Anschuetz, 34, has served as a director since August 2018. Mr. Anschuetz is a Principal at GIP. Prior to joining GIP in 2012, Mr. Anschuetz was an Analyst in the Power & Utilities Coverage Group at Citigroup from June 2010 through June 2012. Mr. Anschuetz is also a member of the Board of Directors of Clearway Energy Group LLC and Eolian. Mr. Anschuetz graduated with cum laude honors from Columbia College in 2010 with an A.B. in Economics and Operations Research, and a concentration in Sustainable Development. Mr. Anschuetz's financial expertise provides significant value to the Company's board of directors.

Jonathan Bram, 56, has served as Chairman of the board of directors of the Company since August 2018. Mr. Bram is a Founding Partner of GIP and serves on its Investment and Operating Committees. He leads GIP’s Power industry investment team in North America. Prior to the formation of GIP in 2006, Mr. Bram spent 15 years at Credit Suisse as a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Division, where he served as Co-Head of the Global Industrial and Services Group. From 2002 to 2004, he was Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Banking Division and prior to that time he was co-head of corporate finance for the 150 person U.S. Energy Group. Mr. Bram represented the firm in raising more than $30 billion of debt and equity capital for electric utilities and independent power generators globally. These companies and projects included renewable power facilities that utilized wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric technologies. Mr. Bram is also a member of the Board of Directors of Clearway Energy Group LLC and previously served on the boards of Terra-Gen Power, Guacolda Energia, S.A. and Channelview Cogeneration. Mr. Bram holds an A.B. in Economics from Columbia College. Mr. Bram’s significant experience in investment banking for, and investments in, energy and power companies, as well as his leadership role at GIP, provide strong financial and transactional experience to the Company's board of directors.

Brian R. Ford, 73, has served as a director since July 2013 and Lead Independent Director since January 2019. Mr. Ford was the Chief Executive Officer of Washington Philadelphia Partners, LP, a real estate investment company, from 2008 through 2010. He retired as a partner from Ernst & Young LLP in June 2008 where he had been employed since 1971. Mr. Ford currently serves on the board of various companies, including FS Investment Corporation portfolios, a specialty finance company that invests primarily in the debt securities of private U.S. middle-market companies, since 2013, where he also serves as the chairman of the audit committee. He also serves on the boards of Drexel University and BAYADA Home Health. From 2013 to 2020, Mr. Ford served on the board of AmeriGas Propane, Inc., where he also served as a member of its audit and corporate governance committees. Mr. Ford received his B.S. in Economics from Rutgers University. Mr. Ford's extensive experience in accounting and public company matters provides strong financial, audit and accounting skills to the Company's board of directors.

Bruce MacLennan, 55, has served as a director since August 2018. Mr. MacLennan is a Partner of GIP and serves on its Investment and Operating Committees. Prior to joining GIP at its formation in 2006, Mr. MacLennan spent eight years at Credit Suisse, where he most recently served as a Director in the Investment Banking Division. Previously, he spent six years at Citibank and Citicorp Securities in New York and Tokyo. Mr. MacLennan holds an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Clearway Energy Group LLC and Eolian and previously served on the Board of Competitive Power Ventures. Mr. MacLennan’s significant experience in investment banking for, and investments in, energy and power companies, as well as his leadership role at GIP, provide strong financial and transactional experience to the Company's board of directors.

Ferrell P. McClean, 75, has served as a director since July 2013. Ms. McClean was a Managing Director and the Senior Advisor to the head of the Global Oil & Gas Group in Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. from 2000 through the end of 2001. She joined J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated in 1969 and founded the Leveraged Buyout and Restructuring Group within the Mergers & Acquisitions Group in 1986. From 1991 until 2000, Ms. McClean was a Managing Director and co-headed the Global Energy Group within the Investment Banking Group at J.P. Morgan & Co. She retired as a director of GrafTech International in 2014, El Paso Corporation in 2012 and Unocal Corporation in 2005. Ms. McClean's experience in investment banking for industrial companies as well as her experience and understanding of financial accounting, finance and disclosure matters enables her to provide essential guidance to the Company's board of directors and management team.

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Daniel B. More, 65, has served as a director since February 2019. Mr. More has been a Senior Advisor with Guggenheim Securities since October 2015. Mr. Moreretiredas a Managing Director and Global Head of Utility Mergers & Acquisitions of the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley in 2014. He held such position since 1996. Mr. More has been an investment banker since 1978 and has specialized in the utility sector since 1986. Mr. More has served as a director of SJW Group since April 2015. He served as a director of Saeta Yield from February 2015 to June 2018 and served as a director of the New York Independent System Operator from April 2014 until February 2016. Mr. More’s extensive experience in investment banking, including capital raising and strategic initiatives, combined with experience as a director of energy industry companies, provides significant value to the Company's board of directors.

E. Stanley O'Neal, 70, has served as a director since August 2018. Mr. O'Neal served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. until October 2007. He became Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Lynch in 2002 and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2003. Mr. O’Neal was employed with Merrill Lynch for 21 years, serving as President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2001 to December 2002; President of U.S. Private Client from February 2000 to July 2001; Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to 2000 and Executive Vice President and Co-head of Global Markets and Investment Banking from 1997 to 1998. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Mr. O’Neal was employed at General Motors Corporation where he held a number of financial positions of increasing responsibility. Currently, Mr. O’Neal is chairman of the nominating and governance committee and a member of the committee of Arconic Corp., an aluminum manufacturing company and the former parent company of Alcoa Inc. Mr. O’Neal is also a director and member of the nominating and governance committee of Element Solutions Inc. (formerly Platform Specialty Products Corporation), a global, diversified producer of high technology specialty chemical products and provider of technical services. Mr. O’Neal was a director of General Motors Corporation from 2001 to 2006, chairman of the board of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. from 2003 to 2007, and a director of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission) from 2009 to September 2012. Mr. O’Neal’s extensive executive experience, financial expertise and leadership skills enable him to provide unique guidance to the Company's board of directors and management team.

Christopher S. Sotos, 50,has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2016, and as a director since May 2013. Mr. Sotos had also served in various positions at NRG, including most recently as Executive Vice President - Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions from February 2016 through May 2016 and Senior Vice President - Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions from November 2012 through February 2016. In this role, he led NRG’s corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and other special projects for NRG. Previously, he served as NRG’s Senior Vice President and Treasurer from March 2008 to September 2012, where he was responsible for all treasury functions, including raising capital, valuation, debt administration and cash management. Mr. Sotos also previously served as a director of FuelCell Energy, Inc. from September 2014 to April 2019. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Sotos provides the Company's board of directors with management’s perspective regarding the Company’s day to day operations and overall strategic plan. Mr. Sotos also brings strong financial and accounting skills to the Company's board of directors.

Jennifer Lowry, 53, has served as a director since February 2022. Ms. Lowry served as Vice President of Risk, Treasury and Corporate Finance for McCormick & Company, Inc. from October 2019 through July 2021, and as Vice President of Corporate Finance from November 2016 through October 2019. From 2012 to 2016, Ms. Lowry held management positions with Exelon Corporation as Senior Vice President, Generation Company Strategy and Constellation Energy Group, Inc as Vice President and Treasurer. Prior to that, she held executive positions at companies within the electric power industry including AES Corporation and Cogentrix Energy Group, Inc. Ms. Lowry served on numerous governing committees within Constellation and Exelon and was recently Chair of the Maryland Zoo Board of Trustees. Ms. Lowry has also been a member of the Board of Directors of MYR Group, Inc. since 2018, and currently serves on its Audit Committee. Ms. Lowry’s financial and energy industry experience provides significant value to the Company’s board of directors.

Executive Officers

Christopher S. Sotoshas served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2016, and as a director of the Company since May 2013. For additional biographical information for Mr. Sotos, see above under “Directors.”

Chad Plotkin, 46, has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2016 and was promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President in January 2022. From January 2016 until his appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in November 2016, Mr. Plotkin served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy. Prior to this, he served in varying capacities at NRG, including as Vice President of Investor Relations of both the Company and NRG from September 2015 to January 2016 and from January 2012 to February 2015 and Vice President of Finance of NRG from February 2015 to September 2015. From October 2007 to January 2012, Mr. Plotkin served in various capacities in the Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions group of NRG, including as Vice President, beginning in December 2010.

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Kevin P.Malcarney, 55, has served as the Company’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since May 11, 2018, and was promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President in January 2022. Mr. Malcarney served as Interim General Counsel of the Company from March 16, 2018 to May 11, 2018. Mr. Malcarney was previously Vice President and Deputy General Counsel and served in various other roles at NRG since September 2008. Prior to NRG, Mr. Malcarney worked at two major law firms in Princeton, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and handled mergers and acquisitions, project financing and general corporate matters.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled "Clearway Energy, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics" that applies to all of the Company’s directors and employees, including the Company's Officers (e.g., CEO, CFO, and Principal Accounting Officer). It may be accessed through the "Corporate Governance" section of the Company's website at http://www.clearwayenergy.com. The Company also elects to disclose the information required by Form 8-K, Item 5.05, "Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics," through the Company's website, and such information will remain available on this website for at least a 12-month period. A copy of the "Clearway Energy, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics" is available in print to any stockholder who requests it.

Other information required by this Item will be incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

75

Item 11 — Executive Compensation

Information required by this Item will be incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Securities Authorized for Issuance under the Clearway Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Compensation Plan

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — N/A —

(1) Beginning in May 2015, awards to be granted and associated dividend equivalent rights to be issued under the Clearway Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan convert to Class C common stock upon vesting.

Other information required by this Item will be incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information required by this Item will be incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 14 — Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information required by this Item will be incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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PART IV

Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1) Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of Clearway Energy, Inc. and related notes thereto, together with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are included herein:

Consolidated Statements of Operations — Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity — Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

The following schedules of Clearway Energy, Inc. are filed as part of Item 15 of this report and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements:

Schedule I — Clearway Energy, Inc. (Parent) Condensed Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, are included in Clearway Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to the requirements of Rule 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore, have been omitted

(a)(3) Exhibits: See Exhibit Index submitted as a separate section of this report

(b) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index submitted as a separate section of this report

(c) Not applicable

77

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Clearway Energy, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Clearway Energy, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 25, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allocation of earnings to noncontrolling interests in tax equity arrangements

78

Fair value of Level 3 energy related commodity contracts

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2022

79

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Clearway Energy, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Clearway Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two‐year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedules “Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant” and “Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two‐year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We served as the Company’s auditor from 2012 to 2021.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 1, 2021

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CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31,

Operating Revenues

Operating Costs and Expenses

Depreciation, amortization and accretion 509 428 401

General and administrative 40 34 29

Transaction and integration costs 7 9 3

Development costs 6 5 5

Other Income (Expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 32 7 83

Impairment loss on investment — (8) —

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate — 49 —

Other income, net 3 4 9

Loss on debt extinguishment (53) (24) (16)

Loss Before Income Taxes (63) (54) (104)

Income tax expense (benefit) 12 8 (8)

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (126) (87) (85)

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc. $ 51 $ 25 $ (11)

Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic 82 80 74

Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - diluted 82 81 74

Dividends Per Class A Common Share $ 1.33 $ 1.05 $ 0.80

Dividends Per Class C Common Share $ 1.33 $ 1.05 $ 0.80

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

81

CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Year ended December 31,

(In millions)

Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax

Other comprehensive income 19 1 7

Comprehensive Loss (56) (61) (89)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

82

CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS (In millions)

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 179 $ 268

Accounts receivable — trade 144 143

Current assets held-for-sale 631 —

Prepayments and other current assets 65 58

Property, plant and equipment, net 7,650 7,217

Other Assets

Equity investments in affiliates 381 741

Intangible assets for power purchase agreements, net 2,419 1,230

Other intangible assets, net 80 140

Deferred income taxes 95 104

Derivative instruments 6 1

Right-of-use assets, net 550 337

Other non-current assets 101 114

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt $ 772 $ 384

Accounts payable — trade 74 72

Accounts payable — affiliates 107 17

Derivative instruments 46 38

Accrued interest expense 54 44

Current liabilities held-for-sale 494 —

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 84 79

Other Liabilities

Deferred income taxes 13 —

Long-term lease liabilities 561 345

Other non-current liabilities 173 178

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued — —

Accumulated deficit (33) (84)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6) (14)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 12,813 $ 10,592

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

83

CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended December 31,

Cash Flows from Operating Activities (In millions)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (32) (7) (83)

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates 38 61 34

Depreciation, amortization and accretion 509 428 401

Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts 14 15 17

Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts 146 90 71

Loss on debt extinguishment 53 24 16

Reduction in carrying amount of right-of-use assets 11 4 7

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate — (49) —

Change in deferred income taxes 12 8 (8)

Changes in derivative instruments 28 44 85

Loss on disposal of asset components — 3 9

Cash provided (used) in changes in other working capital

Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements 5 (1) 1

Changes in other working capital (14) (45) (10)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 701 545 477

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (533) — (100)

Partnership interest acquisition — — (29)

Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired (229) (122) (161)

Buyout of Wind TE Holdco noncontrolling interest — — (19)

Asset purchase from affiliate (21) — —

Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates 47 79 56

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates — (11) (13)

Proceeds from sale of assets — 90 20

Consolidation of DGPV Holdco 3 LLC — 17 —

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (865) (62) (468)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net of distributions 967 247 174

Buyout of Repowering Partnership II LLC noncontrolling interest — (70) —

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock — 62 100

Payments of dividends and distributions (268) (211) (155)

Proceeds from the revolving credit facility 622 265 152

Payments for the revolving credit facility (377) (265) (152)

Payments of debt issuance costs (20) (20) (25)

Other 7 — —

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 367 (435) (175)

Reclassification of Cash to Assets Held-for-Sale (14) — —

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 465 417 583

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period $ 654 $ 465 $ 417

Supplemental Disclosures

Interest paid, net of amount capitalized $ (337) $ (325) $ (313)

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Reductions to fixed assets for accrued capital expenditures (32) (18) (2)

Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis (7) 21 28

Non-cash contributions from CEG, net of distributions 31 6 36

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

84

CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Net loss — — — (11) — (85) (96)

Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax — — — — 3 4 7

Buyout of Wind TE Holdco non-controlling interest — — (5) — — (14) (19)

Carlsbad Drop Down — — — — — (35) (35)

Distributions to CEG, net of contributions, cash — — — — — (68) (68)

Cumulative effect of change in the accounting principle — — — (2) — (1) (3)

Contributions from CEG net of distributions, non-cash — — — — — 36 36

Stock-based compensation — — 3 (1) — — 2

Proceeds from the issuance of Class C Common Stock — — 100 — — — 100

Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis — — 28 — — — 28

Common stock dividends — — (87) — — (68) (155)

Net income (loss) — — — 25 — (87) (62)

Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax — — — — 1 — 1

Contributions from CEG, non-cash — — — — — 6 6

Contributions from CEG, cash — — — — — 6 6

Distributions to noncontrolling interests, non-cash — — — — — (2) (2)

DGPV Drop Down and Consolidation — — — — — (20) (20)

Mesquite Star Drop Down and Consolidation — — — — — 361 361

Langford Drop Down — — — — — 76 76

Rosamond Central Drop Down — — — — — 57 57

Lighthouse Partnership Yield Protection Agreement — — (15) — — — (15)

Stock-based compensation — — 2 — — — 2

Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis — — 21 — — — 21

Common stock dividends and distributions to CEG — — (84) (37) — (90) (211)

Net income (loss) — — — 51 — (130) (79)

Source: SEC EDGAR (public domain) · 10-K for the period ended 2021-12-31, filed 2022-02-28 · accession 0001567683-22-000006

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