Catalyst Paper to Sell Interest in Powell River Energy
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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has agreed, subject to court approval, to sell its approximately 50% interest in Powell River Energy Inc. and Powell River Energy Limited Partnership to Powell River Energy Trust, a Brookfield Renewable Energy affiliate, for $33 million. Powell River Energy Trust currently holds the other 50% stake in the Powell River Energy joint venture originally established in 2001.
"Sale of this energy asset to our joint venture partner enables a smooth operational transition, maintains reliable electricity supply for our Powell River paper mill under a power purchase agreement, and ensures we meet the terms of the plan of arrangement in a timely way," said President and CEO Kevin J. Clarke. All electricity generated by Powell River Energy will be sold to Catalyst under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2016 with possible extension to 2021 at Catalyst's discretion.
Pursuant to its plan of arrangement under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act ,which became effective Sept. 13, 2012, Catalyst is required to sell its stake in Powell River Energy and to distribute to certain unsecured creditors of Catalyst who did not elect to receive shares in Catalyst in settlement of their claims, their pro rata share of 50% of the net proceeds of the sale (which, given that many creditors elected to instead receive shares, will result in a distribution of approximately 40% of the net proceeds of the sale). The company will offer to purchase a portion of its Floating Rate Senior Secured Notes with the balance of the net proceeds. The sale is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2013 and is subject to various closing conditions. The company expects to apply to the British Columbia Supreme Court for approval of the sale in the next 10 days.
Catalyst Paper produces specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. With three mills in British Columbia, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 1.5 million metric tons.
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