CWEN 10-K Annual Report Dec. 31, 2017

CLEARWAY ENERGY, INC.

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10-K 1 yieldinc201710-k.htm 10-K Document

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K



x		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017.

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition period from to .

Commission File Number: 001-36002

NRG Yield, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		46-1777204 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

804 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey (Address of principal executive offices)		08540 (Zip Code)

(609) 524-4500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of Each Class		Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, Class A, par value $0.01		New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock, Class C, par value $0.01		New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o	Emerging Growth Company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

As of the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $1,705,887,079 based on the closing sale prices of such shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.



Class		Outstanding at January 31, 2018
Common Stock, Class A, par value $0.01 per share		34,586,250
Common Stock, Class B, par value $0.01 per share		42,738,750
Common Stock, Class C, par value $0.01 per share		64,730,519
Common Stock, Class D, par value $0.01 per share		42,738,750

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Index



GLOSSARY OF TERMS	3
PART I	7
Item 1 — Business	7
Item 1A — Risk Factors	14
Item 1B — Unresolved Staff Comments	34
Item 2 — Properties	35
Item 3 — Legal Proceedings	38
Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures	38
PART II	39
Item 5 — Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	39
Item 6 — Selected Financial Data	41
Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	43
Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	69
Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	70
Item 9 — Changes in Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	70
Item 9A — Controls and Procedures	70
Item 9B — Other Information	72
PART III	73
Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	73
Item 11 — Executive Compensation	76
Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	76
Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	76
Item 14 — Principal Accounting Fees and Services	76
PART IV	77
Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	77
EXHIBIT INDEX	130
Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary	135

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below:



2019 Convertible Notes		$345 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Convertible Notes due 2019
2020 Convertible Notes		$287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Notes due 2020
2024 Senior Notes		$500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% unsecured senior notes due 2024, issued by NRG Yield Operating LLC
2026 Senior Notes		$350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior notes due 2026, issued by NRG Yield Operating LLC
Alta TE Holdco		Alta Wind X-XI TE Holdco LLC
Alta Wind Portfolio		Seven wind facilities that total 947 MW located in Tehachapi, California and a portfolio of associated land leases
AOCL		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
ARO		Asset Retirement Obligation
ARRA		American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
ASC		The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which the FASB established as the source of authoritative GAAP
ASU		Accounting Standards Updates – updates to the ASC
ATM Program		At-The-Market Equity Offering Program
August 2017 Drop Down Assets		The remaining 25% interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco, an 814 net MW portfolio of twelve wind projects, acquired from NRG on August 1, 2017
Buckthorn Solar		The 154 MW Buckthorn Solar project
Buffalo Bear		Buffalo Bear, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Buffalo Bear project
CAA		Clean Air Act
CAFD		Cash Available For Distribution, which the Company defines as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, plus cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, cash receipts from notes receivable, less cash distributions to noncontrolling interests, maintenance capital expenditures, pro-rata EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates, cash interest paid, income taxes paid, principal amortization of indebtedness and changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments
Carlsbad		The Carlsbad Energy Center, a 527 MW natural gas fired project located in Carlsbad, CA
CfD		Contract for Differences
CFTC		U.S. Commodity Future Trading Commission
COD		Commercial Operation Date
Code		Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Company		NRG Yield, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries
CVSR		California Valley Solar Ranch
CVSR Drop Down		The Company's acquisition from NRG of the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco
CVSR Holdco		CVSR Holdco LLC, the indirect owner of CVSR
DGCL		Delaware General Corporation Law
DGPV Holdco 1		NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC
DGPV Holdco 2		NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC
DGPV Holdco 3		NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC
Distributed Solar		Solar power projects, typically less than 20 MW in size, that primarily sell power produced to customers for usage on site, or are interconnected to sell power into the local distribution grid
Drop Down Assets		Collectively, the June 2014 Drop Down Assets, January 2015 Drop Down Assets, November 2015 Drop Down Assets, CVSR Drop Down, March 2017 Drop Down Assets, August 2017 Drop Down Assets and November 2017 Drop Down Assets
Economic Gross Margin		Energy and capacity revenue, less cost of fuels
EDA		Equity Distribution Agreement



EGU		Electric Utility Generating Unit
El Segundo		NRG West Holdings LLC, the subsidiary of Natural Gas Repowering LLC, which owns the El Segundo Energy Center project
EPC		Engineering, Procurement and Construction
ERCOT		Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the ISO and the regional reliability coordinator of the various electricity systems within Texas
EWG		Exempt Wholesale Generator
Exchange Act		The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB		Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC		Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FPA		Federal Power Act
GAAP		Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
GenConn		GenConn Energy LLC
GHG		Greenhouse gas
GIP		Global Infrastructure Partners
GW		Gigawatt
HLBV		Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value
IASB		International Accounting Standards Board
IRS		Internal Revenue Service
ISO		Independent System Operator, also referred to as Regional Transmission Organization, or RTO
ITC		Investment Tax Credit
January 2015 Drop Down Assets		The Laredo Ridge, Tapestry and Walnut Creek projects, which were acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on January 2, 2015
June 2014 Drop Down Assets		The TA High Desert, Kansas South and El Segundo projects, which were acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on June 30, 2014
Kansas South		NRG Solar Kansas South LLC, the operating subsidiary of NRG Solar Kansas South Holdings LLC, which owns the Kansas South project
KPPH		1,000 Pounds Per Hour
Laredo Ridge		Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Mission Wind Laredo, LLC, which owns the Laredo Ridge project
LIBOR		London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
Management Services Agreement		Agreement between NRG and the Company for various operational, management and administrative services
March 2017 Drop Down Assets		(i) Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC, which owns a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm and (ii) NRG's 100% ownership in the Class A equity interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio (defined below), both acquired by the Company on March 27, 2017
Marsh Landing		NRG Marsh Landing LLC, formerly GenOn Marsh Landing LLC
May 9, 2017 Form 8-K		NRG Yield, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 9, 2017 in connection with NRG Yield Operating LLC's acquisition of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets
MMBtu		Million British Thermal Units
MW		Megawatt
MWh		Saleable megawatt hours, net of internal/parasitic load megawatt-hours
MWt		Megawatts Thermal Equivalent
NECP		NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh LLC
NERC		North American Electric Reliability Corporation
Net Exposure		Counterparty credit exposure to NRG Yield, Inc. net of collateral
NOLs		Net Operating Losses
November 2015 Drop Down Assets		75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, which was acquired by Yield Operating LLC from NRG on November 3, 2015



November 2017 Drop Down Assets		38 MW portfolio of distributed and small utility-scale solar assets, primarily comprised of assets from NRG's Solar Power Partners (SPP) funds, in addition to other projects developed since the acquisition of SPP by NRG, which was acquired by NRG Yield Operating LLC from NRG on November 1, 2017
NO _x		Nitrogen Oxides
NPNS		Normal Purchases and Normal Sales
NRG		NRG Energy, Inc.
NRG Power Marketing		NRG Power Marketing LLC
NRG ROFO Agreement		Second Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement between the Company and NRG
NRG Transaction		On February 6, 2018, GIP entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NRG for the acquisition of NRG's full ownership interest in the Company and NRG's renewable energy development and operations platform. GIP, NRG and the Company also entered into a consent and indemnity agreement in connection with the purchase and sale agreement.
NRG Transformation Plan		A three-year, three-part improvement plan announced by NRG on July 12, 2017, which includes exploring strategic alternatives for NRG's renewables platform and its interest in the Company
NRG Wind TE Holdco		NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC
NRG Yield, Inc.		NRG Yield, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company
NRG Yield LLC		The holding company through which the projects are owned by NRG, the holder of Class B and Class D units, and NRG Yield, Inc., the holder of the Class A and Class C units
NRG Yield Operating LLC		The holder of the project assets that belong to NRG Yield LLC
OCI/OCL		Other comprehensive income/loss
O&M		Operations and Maintenance
OSHA		Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PG&E		Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Pinnacle		Pinnacle Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Pinnacle project
PJM		PJM Interconnection, LLC
PPA		Power Purchase Agreement
PTC		Production Tax Credit
PUCT		Public Utility Commission of Texas
PUHCA		Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005
PURPA		Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
QF		Qualifying Facility under PURPA
REC		Renewable Energy Certificate
Recapitalization		The adoption of the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which authorized two new classes of common stock, Class C common stock and Class D common stock, and distributed shares of such new classes of common stock to holders of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, through a stock split on May 14, 2015
ROFO Assets		Specified assets subject to sale, as described in the NRG ROFO Agreement
RPM		Reliability Pricing Model
RPS		Renewable Portfolio Standards
RPV Holdco		NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC
RTO		Regional Transmission Organization
SCE		Southern California Edison
SEC		U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Senior Notes		Collectively, the 2024 Senior Notes and the 2026 Senior Notes
SO ₂		Sulfur Dioxide
SPP		Solar Power Partners



TA High Desert		TA-High Desert LLC, the operating subsidiary of NRG Solar Mayfair LLC, which owns the TA High Desert project
Taloga		Taloga Wind, LLC, the operating subsidiary of Tapestry Wind LLC, which owns the Taloga project
Tapestry		Collection of the Pinnacle, Buffalo Bear and Taloga projects
Tax Act		Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Thermal Business		The Company's thermal business, which consists of thermal infrastructure assets that provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units
UPMC		University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
U.S.		United States of America
U.S. DOE		U.S. Department of Energy
Utah Solar Portfolio		Collection consists of Four Brothers Solar, LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC, and Iron Springs Holdings, LLC, which are equity investments owned by Four Brothers Holdings, LLC, Granite Mountain Renewables, LLC, and Iron Springs Renewables, LLC, respectively, and are part of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets acquisition that closed on March 27, 2017
Utility Scale Solar		Solar power projects, typically 20 MW or greater in size (on an alternating current, or AC, basis), that are interconnected into the transmission or distribution grid to sell power at a wholesale level
VaR		Value at Risk
VIE		Variable Interest Entity
Walnut Creek		NRG Walnut Creek, LLC, the operating subsidiary of WCEP Holdings, LLC, which owns the Walnut Creek project

PART I

Item 1 — Business

General

NRG Yield, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, is a dividend growth-oriented company that has historically served as the primary vehicle through which NRG owns, operates and acquires contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. On February 6, 2018, Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP, entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NRG, or the NRG Transaction, for the acquisition of NRG’s full ownership interest in NRG Yield, Inc. and NRG’s renewable energy development and operations platform.

The Company believes it is well positioned to be a premier company for investors seeking stable and growing dividend income from a diversified portfolio of lower-risk, high-quality assets. The Company owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. The Company’s contracted generation portfolio collectively represents 5,118 net MW as of December 31, 2017 . Nearly all of these assets sell substantially all of its output pursuant to long-term offtake agreements with creditworthy counterparties. The weighted average remaining contract duration of these offtake agreements was approximately 15 years as of December 31, 2017 based on CAFD. The Company also owns thermal infrastructure assets with an aggregate steam and chilled water capacity of 1,319 net MWt and electric generation capacity of 123 net MW. These thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot and/or chilled water, and, in some instances, electricity to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations, principally through long-term contracts or pursuant to rates regulated by state utility commissions.

A complete listing of the Company's interests in facilities, operations and/or projects owned or leased as of December 31, 2017 can be found in Item 2 — Properties.

History

The Company was formed by NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG, as a Delaware corporation on December 20, 2013. NRG, through its holdings of Class B common stock and Class D common stock, has a 55.1% voting interest in the Company and receives distributions from NRG Yield LLC through its ownership of Class B units and Class D units. The holders of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class C common stock are entitled to dividends as declared and have 44.9% of the voting power in the Company.

The Company is the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC and operates and controls all of its business and affairs and consolidates the financial results of NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries. NRG Yield LLC is a holding company for the companies that directly and indirectly own and operate the Company's assets. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company and NRG have 53.7% and 46.3% economic interests in NRG Yield LLC, respectively. As a result of the current ownership of the Class B common stock and Class D common stock, NRG continues at the present time to control the Company, and the Company in turn, as the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC, controls NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries.

The diagram below depicts the Company’s organizational structure as of December 31, 2017 :

Strategic Sponsorship with Global Infrastructure Partners

On February 6, 2018, Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP, entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NRG, or the NRG Transaction, for the acquisition of NRG’s full ownership interest in NRG Yield, Inc. and NRG’s renewable energy development and operations platform. The NRG Transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary legal and regulatory approvals. The Company expects the NRG Transaction to close in the second half of 2018.

In connection with the NRG Transaction, the Company entered into a Consent and Indemnity Agreement with NRG and GIP setting forth key terms and conditions of the Company's consent to the NRG Transaction. Key provisions of the Consent and Indemnity Agreement include:

Minimized impact to CAFD from potential change in control costs — No more than $10 million in reduced annual CAFD on a recurring basis that would result from changes in the Company's cost structure or any impact from various consents.

Enhanced ROFO pipeline — Upon closing, the Company will enter into a new ROFO agreement with GIP that adds 550 MW to the current pipeline through the operational 150 MW Langford Wind project and the 400 MW Mesquite Star Wind project which is under development. The NRG ROFO Agreement will be amended to remove the Ivanpah solar facility.

Financial cooperation and support — GIP has arranged a $1.5 billion backstop credit facility to manage any change of control costs associated with the Company's corporate debt. GIP has also committed to provide up to $400 million in financial support, if necessary, for the purchase of the Carlsbad Energy Center.

Voting and Governance Agreement — As part of the NRG Transaction, the parties have agreed to enter into a voting and governance agreement, which would provide that:


•	the Chief Executive Officer of the Company will at all times be a full-time Company employee appointed by the Board of Directors, or the Board, of the Company;


•	the parties thereto will use their commercially reasonable efforts to submit to the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders a charter amendment to classify the Board into two classes (with the independent directors and directors designated by an affiliate of GIP allocated across the two classes); and


•	the Board will be expanded to nine members at the closing of the NRG Transaction, comprised at that date of five directors designated by GIP, three independent directors and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Business Strategy

The Company's primary business strategy is to focus on the acquisition and ownership of assets with predictable, long-term cash flows in order that it may be able to increase the cash dividends paid to holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock over time without compromising the ongoing stability of the business. The Company's plan for executing this strategy includes the following key components:

Focus on contracted renewable energy and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. The Company owns and operates utility scale and distributed renewable energy and natural gas-fired generation, thermal and other infrastructure assets with proven technologies, low operating risks and stable cash flows. The Company believes by focusing on this core asset class and leveraging its industry knowledge, it will maximize its strategic opportunities, be a leader in operational efficiency and maximize its overall financial performance.

Growing the business through acquisitions of contracted operating assets. The Company believes that its base of operations and relationship with NRG provide a platform in the conventional and renewable power generation and thermal sectors for strategic growth through cash accretive and tax advantaged acquisitions complementary to its existing portfolio. In addition to acquiring renewable generation, conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets from third parties where the Company believes its knowledge of the market and operating expertise provides it with a competitive advantage, the Company entered into a Right of First Offer Agreement with NRG, or the NRG ROFO Agreement. Under the NRG ROFO Agreement, NRG has granted the Company and its affiliates a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of certain assets of NRG until February 24, 2022. NRG is not obligated to sell the remaining NRG ROFO Assets to the Company and, if offered by NRG, the Company cannot be sure whether these assets will be offered on acceptable terms, or that the Company will choose to consummate such acquisitions. The assets listed in the table below represent the NRG ROFO Assets:



Asset	Fuel Type	Rated Capacity (MW) ^(a)	COD
Agua Caliente	Solar	102	2014
Ivanpah	Solar	196	2013
Hawaii ^(b)	Solar	80	2019
Distributed Solar (up to $190 million of equity in distributed solar generation portfolio(s) ^(b)	Solar	various	various
Buckthorn Solar ^(c)	Solar	154	2018
Carlsbad ^(d)	Conventional	527	2018
Puente/Mandalay ^(e)	Conventional	Project not expected to move forward
Community	Wind	Sold to third party
Jeffers	Wind	Sold to third party
Minnesota Portfolio	Wind	Sold to third party

^(a) Represents the maximum, or rated, electricity generating capacity of the facility in MW multiplied by NRG's percentage ownership interest in the facility as of December 31, 2017 .

^(b) Hawaii and Distributed Solar are part of the NRG ROFO Agreement. These are not expected to be offered by NRG prior to consummation of the NRG Transaction and, at that time, would become part of a new ROFO Agreement with GIP.

^(c) The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.

^(d) The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is contingent upon the consummation of the NRG Transaction. Reflects capacity per the Power Purchase & Tolling Agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric; actual tested capacity is expected to be 530 MW.

^(e) On November 3, 2017, the California Energy Commission suspended the permitting process for the Puente Power Project after two commissioners issued a statement stating their intention to deny the permit. If the CEC formally denies a permit for the Puente Power Project, then the project will not move forward.

Upon closing of the NRG Transaction, the Company will enter into a new ROFO agreement with GIP that adds 550 MW to the current pipeline through the operational 150 MW Langford Wind project and the 400 MW Mesquite Star Wind project which is under development. The NRG ROFO Agreement will be amended to remove the Ivanpah solar facility.

Primary focus on North America. The Company intends to primarily focus its investments in North America (including the unincorporated territories of the U.S.). The Company believes that industry fundamentals in North America present it with significant opportunity to acquire renewable, natural gas-fired generation and thermal infrastructure assets, without creating significant exposure to currency and sovereign risk. By primarily focusing its efforts on North America, the Company believes it will best leverage its regional knowledge of power markets, industry relationships and skill sets to maximize the performance of the Company.

Maintain sound financial practices to grow the dividend. The Company intends to maintain a commitment to disciplined financial analysis and a balanced capital structure to enable it to increase its quarterly dividend over time and serve the long-term

interests of its stockholders. The Company's financial practices include a risk and credit policy focused on transacting with credit-worthy counterparties; a financing policy, which focuses on seeking an optimal capital structure through various capital formation alternatives to minimize interest rate and refinancing risks, ensure stable long-term dividends and maximize value; and a dividend policy that is based on distributing a significant portion of CAFD each quarter that the Company receives from NRG Yield LLC, subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws, regulations and other contractual obligations. The Company intends to evaluate various alternatives for financing future acquisitions and refinancing of existing project-level debt, in each case, to reduce the cost of debt, extend maturities and maximize CAFD. The Company believes it has additional flexibility to seek alternative financing arrangements, including, but not limited to, debt financings and equity-like instruments.

Competition

Power generation is a capital-intensive business with numerous and diverse industry participants. The Company competes on the basis of the location of its plants and on the basis of contract price and terms of individual projects. Within the power industry, there is a wide variation in terms of the capabilities, resources, nature and identity of the companies with whom the Company competes with depending on the market. Competitors for energy supply are utilities, independent power producers and other providers of distributed generation. The Company also competes to acquire new projects with renewable developers who retain renewable power plant ownership, independent power producers, financial investors and other dividend, growth-oriented companies. Competitive conditions may be substantially affected by capital market conditions and by various forms of energy legislation and regulation considered by federal, state and local legislatures and administrative agencies, including tax policy. Such laws and regulations may substantially increase the costs of acquiring, constructing and operating projects, and it could be difficult for the Company to adapt to and operate under such laws and regulations.

The Company's thermal business has certain cost efficiencies that may form barriers to entry. Generally, there is only one district energy system in a given territory, for which the only competition comes from on-site systems. While the district energy system can usually make an effective case for the efficiency of its services, some building owners nonetheless may opt for on-site systems, either due to corporate policies regarding allocation of capital, unique situations where an on-site system might in fact prove more efficient, or because of previously committed capital in systems that are already on-site. Growth in existing district energy systems generally comes from new building construction or existing building conversions within the service territory of the district energy provider.

Competitive Strengths

Stable, high quality cash flows. The Company's facilities have a stable, predictable cash flow profile consisting of predominantly long-life electric generation assets that sell electricity under long-term fixed priced contracts or pursuant to regulated rates with investment grade and certain other credit-worthy counterparties. Additionally, the Company's facilities have minimal fuel risk. For the Company's conventional assets, fuel is provided by the toll counterparty or the cost thereof is a pass-through cost under the CfD. Renewable facilities have no fuel costs, and most of the Company's thermal infrastructure assets have contractual or regulatory tariff mechanisms for fuel cost recovery. The offtake agreements for the Company's conventional and renewable generation facilities have a weighted-average remaining duration of approximately 15 years as of December 31, 2017 , based on CAFD, providing long-term cash flow stability. The Company's generation offtake agreements with counterparties for whom credit ratings are available have a weighted-average Moody’s rating of A3 based on rated capacity under contract. All of the Company's assets are in the U.S. and accordingly have no currency or repatriation risks.

High quality, long-lived assets with low operating and capital requirements. The Company benefits from a portfolio of relatively younger assets, other than thermal infrastructure assets. The Company's assets are comprised of proven and reliable technologies, provided by leading original solar and wind equipment manufacturers such as General Electric, Siemens AG, SunPower Corporation, or SunPower, First Solar Inc., or First Solar, Vestas, Suzlon and Mitsubishi. Given the modern nature of the portfolio, which includes a substantial number of relatively low operating and maintenance cost solar and wind generation assets, the Company expects to achieve high fleet availability and expend modest maintenance-related capital expenditures. Additionally, with the support of services provided by NRG, the Company expects to continue to implement the same rigorous preventative operating and management practices that NRG uses across its fleet of assets.

Significant scale and diversity. The Company owns and operates a large and diverse portfolio of contracted electric generation and thermal infrastructure assets. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's 5,118 net MW contracted generation portfolio benefits from significant diversification in terms of technology, fuel type, counterparty and geography. The Company's thermal business consists of twelve operations, seven of which are district energy centers that provide steam and chilled water to approximately 695 customers, and five of which provide generation. The Company believes its scale and access to best practices across the fleet improves its business development opportunities through enhanced industry relationships, reputation and understanding of regional power market dynamics. Furthermore, the Company's diversification reduces its operating risk profile and reliance on any single market.

Relationship with NRG. The Company believes its relationship with NRG, a leading competitive power generator in the U.S., provides significant benefits to the Company, including access to the significant resources of NRG to support its operational, financial, legal, regulatory and environmental functions.

Relationship with GIP. The Company believes its potential relationship with GIP, should the NRG Transaction be consummated, may provide significant benefits to the Company. GIP is an independent infrastructure fund with over $45 billion in assets under management that invests in infrastructure assets and businesses in both OECD and select emerging market countries. GIP has a strong track record of investment and value creation in the renewable energy sector. Additionally, GIP has extensive experience with publicly traded yield vehicles and development platforms, ranging from Europe's first application of a yield company/development company model to the largest renewable platform in Asia-Pacific.

Environmentally well-positioned portfolio of assets. The Company's portfolio of electric generation assets consists of 3,173 net MW of renewable generation capacity that are non-emitting sources of power generation. The Company's conventional assets consist of the dual fuel-fired GenConn assets as well as the Marsh Landing and Walnut Creek simple cycle natural gas-fired peaking generation facilities and the El Segundo combined cycle natural gas-fired peaking facility. The Company does not anticipate having to expend any significant capital expenditures in the foreseeable future to comply with current environmental regulations applicable to its generation assets. Taken as a whole, the Company believes its strategy will be a net beneficiary of current and potential environmental legislation and regulatory requirements that may serve as a catalyst for capacity retirements and improve market opportunities for environmentally well-positioned assets like the Company's assets once its current offtake agreements expire.

Thermal infrastructure business has high entry costs. Significant capital has been invested to construct the Company's thermal infrastructure assets, serving as a barrier to entry in the markets in which such assets operate. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's thermal gross property, plant, and equipment was approximately $473 million . The Company's thermal district energy centers are located in urban city areas, with the chilled water and steam delivery systems located underground. Constructing underground delivery systems in urban areas requires long lead times for permitting, rights of way and inspections and is costly. By contrast, the incremental cost to add new customers in existing markets is relatively low. Once thermal infrastructure is established, the Company believes it has the ability to retain customers over long periods of time and to compete effectively for additional business against stand-alone on-site heating and cooling generation facilities. Installation of stand-alone equipment can require significant modification to a building as well as significant space for equipment and funding for capital expenditures. The Company's system technologies often provide economies of scale in terms of fuel procurement, ability to switch between multiple types of fuel to generate thermal energy, and fuel conversion efficiency.

Segment Review

The following tables summarize the Company's operating revenues, net income (loss) and assets by segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , as discussed in Item 15 — Note 13 , Segment Reporting , to the Consolidated Financial Statements. All amounts have been recast to include the effect of the acquisitions of the Drop Down Assets, which were accounted for as transfers of entities under common control. The accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. Accordingly, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfers as if they had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period).



	Year ended December 31, 2017
(In millions)	Conventional Generation		Renewables		Thermal		Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	336	$	501	$	172	$	—		$	1,009
Net income (loss)	120		9		25		(177		)	(23		)
Total assets	1,897		5,811		422		153			8,283



	Year ended December 31, 2016
(In millions)	Conventional Generation		Renewables			Thermal		Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	333	$	532		$	170	$	—		$	1,035
Net income (loss)	153		(86		)	29		(94		)	2
Total assets	1,993		6,114			426		429			8,962



	Year ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)	Conventional Generation		Renewables			Thermal		Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	336	$	458		$	174	$	—		$	968
Net income (loss)	156		(18		)	22		(88		)	72

Government Incentives

Government incentives, including PTCs and ITCs, can enhance the economics of the Company's generating assets and investments by providing, for example, loan guarantees, cash grants, favorable tax treatment, favorable depreciation rules or other incentives. The Company cannot predict the effects that the current U.S. presidential administration will have on government incentives.

Regulatory Matters

As owners of power plants and participants in wholesale and thermal energy markets, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are subject to regulation by various federal and state government agencies. These agencies include FERC and the PUCT, as well as other public utility commissions in certain states where the Company's assets are located. Each of the Company's U.S. generating facilities qualifies as an EWG or QF. In addition, the Company is subject to the market rules, procedures and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which it participates. Likewise, the Company must also comply with the mandatory reliability requirements imposed by NERC and the regional reliability entities in the regions where the Company operates. The Company's operations within the ERCOT footprint are not subject to rate regulation by FERC, as they are deemed to operate solely within the ERCOT market and not in interstate commerce. These operations are subject to regulation by PUCT.

FERC

FERC, among other things, regulates the transmission and the wholesale sale of electricity in interstate commerce under the authority of the FPA. The transmission of electric energy occurring wholly within ERCOT is not subject to FERC’s jurisdiction under Sections 203 or 205 of the FPA. Under existing regulations, FERC determines whether an entity owning a generation facility is an EWG, as defined in the PUHCA. FERC also determines whether a generation facility meets the ownership and technical criteria of a QF under the PURPA. Each of the Company’s non-ERCOT generating facilities qualifies as an EWG.

The FPA gives FERC exclusive rate-making jurisdiction over the wholesale sale of electricity and transmission of electricity in interstate commerce of public utilities (as defined by the FPA). Under the FPA, FERC, with certain exceptions, regulates the owners of facilities used for the wholesale sale of electricity or transmission in interstate commerce as public utilities, and establishes market rules that are just and reasonable.

Public utilities are required to obtain FERC’s acceptance, pursuant to Section 205 of the FPA, of their rate schedules for the wholesale sale of electricity. All of the Company’s non-QF generating entities located outside of ERCOT make sales of electricity pursuant to market-based rates, as opposed to traditional cost-of-service regulated rates. Every three years FERC will conduct a review of the Company’s market based rates and potential market power on a regional basis.

In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, FERC has approved the NERC as the national Energy Reliability Organization, or ERO. As the ERO, NERC is responsible for the development and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards for the wholesale electric power system. In addition to complying with NERC requirements, each entity must comply with the requirements of the regional reliability entity for the region in which it is located.

The PURPA was passed in 1978 in large part to promote increased energy efficiency and development of independent power producers. The PURPA created QFs to further both goals, and FERC is primarily charged with administering the PURPA as it applies to QFs. Certain QFs are exempt from regulation, either in whole or in part, under the FPA as public utilities.

The PUHCA provides FERC with certain authority over and access to books and records of public utility holding companies not otherwise exempt by virtue of their ownership of EWGs, QFs, and Foreign Utility Companies. The Company is exempt from many of the accounting, record retention, and reporting requirements of the PUHCA.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to a wide range of environmental laws in the development, construction, ownership and operation of projects. These laws generally require that governmental permits and approvals be obtained before construction and during operation of facilities. The Company is also subject to laws regarding the protection of wildlife, including migratory birds, eagles, threatened and endangered species. Federal and state environmental laws have historically become more stringent over time, although this trend could change with respect to federal laws under the current U.S. presidential administration.

In October 2015, the EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan, or CPP, addressing GHG emissions from existing EGUs. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the CPP. The D.C. Circuit heard oral argument on the legal challenges to the CPP in September 2016. At the EPA's request, the D.C. Circuit agreed on April 28, 2017 to hold the case in abeyance. On October 16, 2017, the EPA proposed a rule to repeal the CPP. Accordingly, the Company believes the CPP is not likely to survive.

Customers

The Company sells its electricity and environmental attributes, including RECs, primarily to local utilities under long-term, fixed-price PPAs. During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company derived approximately 41% of its consolidated revenue from Southern California Edison, or SCE, and approximately 23% of its consolidated revenue from Pacific Gas and Electric, or PG&E.

Employees

The Company employs Christopher Sotos as its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chad Plotkin as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. As of December 31, 2017, other than Messrs. Sotos and Plotkin, the Company did not employ any other employees. The majority of personnel who manage operations of the Company are employees of NRG or third parties managed by NRG, and their services are provided for the Company's benefit under the Management Services Agreement and project operations and maintenance agreements with NRG as described in Item 15 — Note 15 , Related Party Transactions , to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Available Information

The Company's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through the Company's website, www.nrgyield.com , as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The Company also routinely posts press releases, presentations, webcasts, and other information regarding the Company on its website. The information posted on the Company's website is not a part of this report.

Item 1A — Risk Factors

Risks Related to the Proposed NRG Transaction

The Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of the NRG Transaction.

On February 6, 2018, Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP, entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NRG for the acquisition of NRG’s full ownership interest in the Company and NRG’s renewable energy development and operations platform. Also on February 6, 2018, the Company entered into a consent and indemnity agreement with NRG and GIP in connection with the purchase and sale agreement between NRG and GIP. The consent and indemnity agreement and the purchase and sale agreement are collectively referred to as the NRG Transaction. Consummation of the NRG Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of certain contractual consents and regulatory approvals from certain regulatory agencies, including approval by FERC and approvals from certain state regulatory agencies. While the parties have begun the process of notifying agencies and obtaining regulatory approvals and consents, there is no assurance that the parties will be able to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals or consents to satisfy the closing conditions. Additionally, the NRG Transaction requires the Company’s consent which is conditioned upon a number of items, all of which may not be met on a timely basis, or at all.

If the NRG Transaction is consummated, GIP may exercise substantial influence over the Company’s policies and procedures and exercise substantial influence over the Company’s Board, management and the types of third party acquisitions the Company makes. The Company may not identify future acquisitions or be able to secure financing on attractive terms or at all for future acquisitions and the Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of the financing support to be provided by GIP, which includes a $1.5 billion backstop credit facility to manage any change-of-control costs associated with the Company’s corporate debt and up to $400 million in financing support for the Company’s acquisition of the Carlsbad Energy Center. Further, GIP may not be able to maintain the Company’s current relationships with customers, counterparties, suppliers, lenders and other third parties. Uncertainty about the effect of the NRG Transaction may negatively affect the Company’s relationship with its counterparties and have a significant impact on the Company’s business. The foregoing risks may adversely affect the Company’s operational performance or limit the Company’s growth prospects, including its ability to grow its dividend per share.

Following the consummation of the NRG Transaction, GIP and its affiliates will control the Company and have the ability to designate a majority of the members of the Company’s Board.

The governance agreements to be entered into among NRG, the Company, GIP and its affiliates in connection with the NRG Transaction provide GIP the ability to designate a majority of the Company’s Board to the Company’s Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee for nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders and also require that the Company and GIP use their commercially reasonable efforts to submit to the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders a charter amendment to classify the Company’s Board into two classes (with the independent directors and directors designated by GIP allocated across the two classes). Due to such agreements and GIP's approximate 55.1% combined voting power in the Company following the completion of the NRG Transaction, the ability of other holders of the Company’s Class A and Class C common stock to exercise control over the corporate governance of the Company will be limited. In addition, due to its approximate 55.1% combined voting power in the Company following the completion of the NRG Transaction, GIP and its affiliates will have a substantial influence on the Company’s affairs and its voting power will constitute a large percentage of any quorum of the Company’s stockholders voting on any matter requiring the approval of the Company’s stockholders, including the classification of the Board of Directors. GIP may hold certain interests that are different from those of the Company or other holders of the Company’s Class A and Class C common stock and there is no assurance that GIP will exercise its control over the Company in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s interests or those of the holders of the Company’s Class A and Class C common stock.

Risks Related to the Company's Business

Certain facilities are newly constructed and may not perform as expected.

Certain of the Company's conventional and renewable assets are newly constructed. The ability of these facilities to meet the Company's performance expectations is subject to the risks inherent in newly constructed power generation facilities and the construction of such facilities, including, but not limited to, degradation of equipment in excess of the Company's expectations, system failures, and outages. The failure of these facilities to perform as the Company expects could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and its ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company's common stock.

Pursuant to the Company's cash dividend policy, the Company intends to distribute a significant amount of the CAFD through regular quarterly distributions and dividends, and the Company's ability to grow and make acquisitions through cash on hand could be limited.

The Company expects to distribute a significant amount of the CAFD each quarter and to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including the issuance of debt and equity securities and, if applicable, borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility to fund acquisitions and growth capital expenditures. The Company may be precluded from pursuing otherwise attractive acquisitions if the projected short-term cash flow from the acquisition or investment is not adequate to service the capital raised to fund the acquisition or investment, after giving effect to the Company's available cash reserves. To the extent the Company issues additional equity securities in connection with any acquisitions or growth capital expenditures, the payment of dividends on these additional equity securities may increase the risk that the Company will be unable to maintain or increase its per share dividend. The incurrence of bank borrowings or other debt by NRG Yield Operating LLC or by the Company's project-level subsidiaries to finance the Company’s growth strategy will result in increased interest expense and the imposition of additional or more restrictive covenants, which, in turn, may impact the cash distributions the Company receives to distribute to holders of the Company’s common stock.

The Company may not be able to effectively identify or consummate any future acquisitions on favorable terms, or at all.

The Company's business strategy includes growth through the acquisitions of additional generation assets (including through corporate acquisitions). This strategy depends on the Company’s ability to successfully identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities and consummate acquisitions on favorable terms. However, the number of acquisition opportunities is limited. In addition, the Company will compete with other companies for these limited acquisition opportunities, which may increase the Company’s cost of making acquisitions or cause the Company to refrain from making acquisitions at all. Some of the Company’s competitors for acquisitions are much larger than the Company with substantially greater resources. These companies may be able to pay more for acquisitions and may be able to identify, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of assets than the Company’s financial or human resources permit. If the Company is unable to identify and consummate future acquisitions, it will impede the Company’s ability to execute its growth strategy and limit the Company’s ability to increase the amount of dividends paid to holders of the Company’s common stock.

Furthermore, the Company’s ability to acquire future renewable facilities may depend on the viability of renewable assets generally. These assets currently are largely contingent on public policy mechanisms including ITCs, cash grants, loan guarantees, accelerated depreciation, RPS and carbon trading plans. These mechanisms have been implemented at the state and federal levels to support the development of renewable generation, demand-side and smart grid and other clean infrastructure technologies. The availability and continuation of public policy support mechanisms will drive a significant part of the economics and viability of the Company’s growth strategy and expansion into clean energy investments.

The Company’s ability to effectively consummate future acquisitions will also depend on the Company’s ability to arrange the required or desired financing for acquisitions.

The Company may not have sufficient availability under the Company’s credit facilities or have access to project-level financing on commercially reasonable terms when acquisition opportunities arise. An inability to obtain the required or desired financing could significantly limit the Company’s ability to consummate future acquisitions and effectuate the Company’s growth strategy. If financing is available, utilization of the Company’s credit facilities or project-level financing for all or a portion of the purchase price of an acquisition could significantly increase the Company’s interest expense, impose additional or more restrictive covenants and reduce CAFD. Similarly, the issuance of additional equity securities as consideration for acquisitions could cause significant stockholder dilution and reduce the Company’s dividends if the acquisitions are not sufficiently accretive. The Company’s ability to consummate future acquisitions may also depend on the Company’s ability to obtain any required regulatory approvals for such acquisitions, including, but not limited to, approval by FERC under Section 203 of the FPA.

Finally, the acquisition of companies and assets are subject to substantial risks, including the failure to identify material problems during due diligence (for which the Company may not be indemnified post-closing), the risk of over-paying for assets (or not making acquisitions on an accretive basis) and the ability to retain customers. Further, the integration and consolidation of acquisitions requires substantial human, financial and other resources and, ultimately, the Company's acquisitions may divert management’s attention from the Company's existing business concerns, disrupt the Company's ongoing business or not be successfully integrated. There can be no assurances that any future acquisitions will perform as expected or that the returns from such acquisitions will support the financing utilized to acquire them or maintain them. As a result, the consummation of acquisitions may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock.

Even if the Company consummates acquisitions that it believes will be accretive to CAFD per share of Class A common stock and Class C common stock, those acquisitions may decrease the CAFD per share of Class A common stock and Class C common stock as a result of incorrect assumptions in the Company’s evaluation of such acquisitions, unforeseen consequences or other external events beyond the Company’s control.

The acquisition of existing generation assets involves the risk of overpaying for such projects (or not making acquisitions on an accretive basis) and failing to retain the customers of such projects. While the Company will perform due diligence on prospective acquisitions, the Company may not discover all potential risks, operational issues or other issues in such generation assets. Further, the integration and consolidation of acquisitions require substantial human, financial and other resources and, ultimately, the Company’s acquisitions may divert the Company’s management’s attention from its existing business concerns, disrupt its ongoing business or not be successfully integrated. Future acquisitions might not perform as expected or the returns from such acquisitions might not support the financing utilized to acquire them or maintain them. A failure to achieve the financial returns the Company expects when it acquires generation assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its Class A and Class C stockholders. Any failure of the Company’s acquired generation assets to be accretive or difficulty in integrating such acquisition into the Company’s business could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to grow its business and make cash distributions to its Class A and Class C stockholders.

The Company’s indebtedness could adversely affect its ability to raise additional capital to fund the Company’s operations or pay dividends. It could also expose the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and limit the Company’s ability to react to changes in the economy or the Company’s industry as well as impact the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had approximately $5,897 million of total consolidated indebtedness, $4,376 million of which was incurred by the Company's non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s share of its unconsolidated affiliates’ total indebtedness and letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2017 , totaled approximately $777 million and $98 million , respectively (calculated as the Company’s unconsolidated affiliates’ total indebtedness as of such date multiplied by the Company’s percentage membership interest in such assets).

The Company’s substantial debt could have important negative consequences on the Company’s financial condition, including:


•	increasing the Company’s vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;

•

requiring a substantial portion of the Company’s cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on the Company’s indebtedness, therefore reducing the Company’s ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company’s capital stock (including the Class A and Class C common stock) or to use the Company’s cash flow to fund its operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;


•	limiting the Company’s ability to enter into long-term power sales or fuel purchases which require credit support;


•	limiting the Company’s ability to fund operations or future acquisitions;


•	restricting the Company’s ability to make certain distributions with respect to the Company’s capital stock (including the Class A and Class C common stock) and the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to make certain distributions to it, in light of restricted payment and other financial covenants in the Company’s credit facilities and other financing agreements;


•	exposing the Company to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of the Company’s borrowings, which may include borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, are at variable rates of interest;


•	limiting the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing for working capital including collateral postings, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and


•	limiting the Company’s ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing it at a competitive disadvantage compared to the Company’s competitors who have less debt.

The Company's revolving credit facility contains financial and other restrictive covenants that limit the Company’s ability to return capital to stockholders or otherwise engage in activities that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests. The Company’s inability to satisfy certain financial covenants could prevent the Company from paying cash dividends, and the Company’s failure to comply with those and other covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment or enforce their security interests, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, failure to comply with such covenants may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment and accelerate all such indebtedness.

The agreements governing the Company’s project-level financing contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit the Company’s project subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions to the Company or otherwise engage in activities that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests. The project-level financing agreements generally prohibit distributions from the project entities to the Company unless certain specific conditions are met, including the satisfaction of certain financial ratios. The Company’s inability to satisfy certain financial covenants may prevent cash distributions by the particular project(s) to it and, the Company’s failure to comply with those and other covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment or enforce their security interests, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, failure to comply with such covenants may entitle the related lenders to demand repayment and accelerate all such indebtedness. If the Company is unable to make distributions from the Company’s project-level subsidiaries, it would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock.

Letter of credit facilities to support project-level contractual obligations generally need to be renewed after five to seven years, at which time the Company will need to satisfy applicable financial ratios and covenants. If the Company is unable to renew the Company’s letters of credit as expected or replace them with letters of credit under different facilities on favorable terms or at all, the Company may experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, such inability may constitute a default under certain project-level financing arrangements, restrict the ability of the project-level subsidiary to make distributions to it and/or reduce the amount of cash available at such subsidiary to make distributions to the Company.

In addition, the Company’s ability to arrange financing, either at the corporate level or at a non-recourse project-level subsidiary, and the costs of such capital, are dependent on numerous factors, including:


•	general economic and capital market conditions;


•	credit availability from banks and other financial institutions;


•	investor confidence in the Company, its partners, NRG, as the Company’s principal stockholder (on a combined voting basis) and manager under the Management Services Agreement, or GIP, as successor to NRG's interests in the Company if the NRG Transaction is consummated, and the regional wholesale power markets;


•	the Company’s financial performance and the financial performance of the Company subsidiaries;


•	the Company’s level of indebtedness and compliance with covenants in debt agreements;


•	maintenance of acceptable project credit ratings or credit quality;


•	cash flow; and


•	provisions of tax and securities laws that may impact raising capital.

The Company may not be successful in obtaining additional capital for these or other reasons. Furthermore, the Company may be unable to refinance or replace project-level financing arrangements or other credit facilities on favorable terms or at all upon the expiration or termination thereof. The Company's failure, or the failure of any of the Company’s projects, to obtain additional capital or enter into new or replacement financing arrangements when due may constitute a default under such existing indebtedness and may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Certain of the Company's long-term bilateral contracts result from state-mandated procurements and could be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction.

A significant portion of the Company's revenues are derived from long-term bilateral contracts with utilities that are regulated by their respective states, and have been entered into pursuant to certain state programs. Certain long-term contracts that other companies have with state-regulated utilities have been challenged in federal court and have been declared unconstitutional on the grounds that the rate for energy and capacity established by the contracts impermissibly conflicts with the rate for energy and capacity established by FERC pursuant to the FPA. If certain of the Company's state-mandated agreements with utilities are ever held to be invalid, the Company may be unable to replace such contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The generation of electric energy from solar and wind energy sources depends heavily on suitable meteorological conditions.

If solar or wind conditions are unfavorable, the Company's electricity generation and revenue from renewable generation facilities may be substantially below the Company's expectations. The electricity produced and revenues generated by a solar or wind energy generation facility is highly dependent on suitable solar or wind conditions, as applicable, and associated weather conditions, which are beyond the Company's control. Furthermore, components of the Company's systems, such as solar panels and inverters, could be damaged by severe weather, such as hailstorms or tornadoes. In addition, replacement and spare parts for key components may be difficult or costly to acquire or may be unavailable. Unfavorable weather and atmospheric conditions could impair the effectiveness of the Company's assets or reduce their output beneath their rated capacity or require shutdown of key equipment, impeding operation of the Company's renewable assets. In addition, climate change may have the long-term effect of changing wind patterns at our projects. Changing wind patterns could cause changes in expected electricity generation. These events could also degrade equipment or components and the interconnection and transmission facilities’ lives or maintenance costs.

Although the Company bases its investment decisions with respect to each renewable generation facility on the findings of related wind and solar studies conducted on-site prior to construction or based on historical conditions at existing facilities, actual climatic conditions at a facility site, particularly wind conditions, may not conform to the findings of these studies and may be affected by variations in weather patterns, including any potential impact of climate change. Therefore, the Company's solar and wind energy facilities may not meet anticipated production levels or the rated capacity of the Company's generation assets, which could adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Operation of electric generation facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the power industry that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The ongoing operation of the Company's facilities involves risks that include the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes or performance below expected levels of output or efficiency due to wear and tear, latent defect, design error or operator error or force majeure events, among other things. Operation of the Company's facilities also involves risks that the Company will be unable to transport its products to its customers in an efficient manner due to a lack of transmission capacity. Unplanned outages of generating units, including extensions of scheduled outages due to mechanical failures or other problems, occur from time to time and are an inherent risk of the business. Unplanned outages typically increase operation and maintenance expenses, capital expenditures and may reduce revenues as a result of selling fewer MWh or require the Company to incur significant costs as a result of obtaining replacement power from third parties in the open market to satisfy forward power sales obligations. The Company's inability to operate its electric generation assets efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs and generate earnings and cash flow from the Company's asset-based businesses could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While the Company maintains insurance, obtains warranties from vendors and obligates contractors to meet certain performance levels, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover the Company's lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments should it experience equipment breakdown or non-performance by contractors or vendors.

Power generation involves hazardous activities, including acquiring, transporting and unloading fuel, operating large pieces of rotating equipment and delivering electricity to transmission and distribution systems.

In addition to natural risks such as earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane and wind, other hazards, such as fire, explosion, structural collapse and machinery failure are inherent risks in the Company's operations. These and other hazards can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment and contamination of, or damage to, the environment and suspension of operations. The occurrence of any one of these events may result in the Company being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, including for environmental cleanup costs, personal injury and property damage and fines and/or penalties. The Company maintains an amount of insurance protection that it considers adequate but cannot provide any assurance that the Company's insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which the Company may be subject. Furthermore, the Company's insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, caps, exclusions and other limitations. A loss for which the Company is not fully insured (which may include a significant judgment against any facility or facility operator) could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Further, due to rising insurance costs and changes in the insurance markets, the Company cannot provide any assurance that its insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Maintenance, expansion and refurbishment of electric generation facilities involve significant risks that could result in unplanned power outages or reduced output.

The Company's facilities may require periodic upgrading and improvement. Any unexpected operational or mechanical failure, including failure associated with breakdowns and forced outages, could reduce the Company's facilities' generating capacity below expected levels, reducing the Company's revenues and jeopardizing the Company's ability to pay dividends to holders of its common stock at expected levels or at all. Degradation of the performance of the Company's solar facilities above levels provided for in the related offtake agreements may also reduce the Company's revenues. Unanticipated capital expenditures associated with maintaining, upgrading or repairing the Company's facilities may also reduce profitability.

If the Company makes any major modifications to its conventional power generation facilities, it may be required to install the best available control technology or to achieve the lowest achievable emission rates as such terms are defined under the new source review provisions of the CAA in the future. Any such modifications could likely result in substantial additional capital expenditures. The Company may also choose to repower, refurbish or upgrade its facilities based on its assessment that such activity will provide adequate financial returns. Such facilities require time for development and capital expenditures before commencement of commercial operations, and key assumptions underpinning a decision to make such an investment may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding construction costs, timing, available financing and future fuel and power prices. These events could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements may not fulfill their obligations and, as the contracts expire, the Company may not be able to replace them with agreements on similar terms in light of increasing competition in the markets in which the Company operates.

A significant portion of the electric power the Company generates is sold under long-term offtake agreements with public utilities or industrial or commercial end-users, with a weighted average remaining duration of approximately 15 years based on CAFD. As of December 31, 2017 , the largest customers of the Company's power generation assets, including assets in which the Company has less than a 100% membership interest, were SCE and PG&E, which represented 40% and 23% , respectively, of the net electric generation capacity of the Company's facilities.

If, for any reason, any of the purchasers of power under these agreements are unable or unwilling to fulfill their related contractual obligations or if they refuse to accept delivery of power delivered thereunder or if they otherwise terminate such agreements prior to the expiration thereof, the Company's assets, liabilities, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, to the extent any of the Company's power purchasers are, or are controlled by, governmental entities, the Company's facilities may be subject to legislative or other political action that may impair their contractual performance.

The power generation industry is characterized by intense competition and the Company's electric generation assets encounter competition from utilities, industrial companies and other independent power producers, in particular with respect to uncontracted output. In recent years, there has been increasing competition among generators for offtake agreements and this has contributed to a reduction in electricity prices in certain markets characterized by excess supply above designated reserve margins. In light of these market conditions, the Company may not be able to replace an expiring or terminated agreement with an agreement on equivalent terms and conditions, including at prices that permit operation of the related facility on a profitable basis. In addition, the Company believes many of its competitors have well-established relationships with the Company's current and potential suppliers, lenders and customers, and have extensive knowledge of its target markets. As a result, these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements than the Company will be able to. Adoption of technology more advanced than the Company's could reduce its competitors' power production costs resulting in their having a lower cost structure than is achievable with the technologies currently employed by the Company and adversely affect its ability to compete for offtake agreement renewals. If the Company is unable to replace an expiring or terminated offtake agreement, the affected facility may temporarily or permanently cease operations. External events, such as a severe economic downturn, could also impair the ability of some counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements and other customer agreements to pay for energy and/or other products and services received.

The Company's inability to enter into new or replacement offtake agreements or to compete successfully against current and future competitors in the markets in which the Company operates could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company’s facilities may operate, wholly or partially, without long-term power sales agreements.

The Company’s facilities may operate without long-term power sales agreements for some or all of their generating capacity and output and therefore be exposed to market fluctuations. Without the benefit of long-term power sales agreements for the facilities, the Company cannot be sure that it will be able to sell any or all of the power generated by the facilities at commercially attractive rates or that the facilities will be able to operate profitably. This could lead to less predictable revenues, future impairments of the Company's property, plant and equipment or to the closing of certain of its facilities, resulting in economic losses and liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

A portion of the steam and chilled water produced by the Company's thermal assets is sold at regulated rates, and the revenue earned by the Company's GenConn assets is established each year in a rate case; accordingly, the profitability of these assets is dependent on regulatory approval.

Approximately 378 net MWt of capacity from certain of the Company's thermal assets are sold at rates approved by one or more federal or state regulatory commissions, including the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission for the thermal assets. Similarly, the revenues related to approximately 380 MW of capacity from the GenConn assets are established each year by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. While such regulatory oversight is generally premised on the recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, the rates that the Company may charge, or the revenue that the Company may earn with respect to this capacity are subject to authorization of the applicable regulatory authorities. There can be no assurance that such regulatory authorities will consider all of the costs to have been prudently incurred or that the regulatory process by which rates or revenues are determined will always result in rates or revenues that achieve full recovery of costs or an adequate return on the Company's capital investments. While the Company's rates and revenues are generally established based on an analysis of costs incurred in a base year, the rates the Company is allowed to charge, and the revenues the Company is authorized to earn, may or may not match the costs at any given time. If the Company's costs are not adequately recovered through these regulatory processes, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Supplier and/or customer concentration at certain of the Company's facilities may expose the Company to significant financial credit or performance risks.

The Company often relies on a single contracted supplier or a small number of suppliers for the provision of fuel, transportation of fuel, equipment, technology and/or other services required for the operation of certain facilities. In addition, certain of the Company's suppliers provide long-term warranties with respect to the performance of their products or services. If any of these suppliers cannot perform under their agreements with the Company, or satisfy their related warranty obligations, the Company will need to utilize the marketplace to provide or repair these products and services. There can be no assurance that the marketplace can provide these products and services as, when and where required. The Company may not be able to enter into replacement agreements on favorable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to enter into replacement agreements to provide for fuel, equipment, technology and other required services, it would seek to purchase the related goods or services at market prices, exposing the Company to market price volatility and the risk that fuel and transportation may not be available during certain periods at any price. The Company may also be required to make significant capital contributions to remove, replace or redesign equipment that cannot be supported or maintained by replacement suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, credit support terms and cash flows.

In addition, potential or existing customers at the Company’s district energy centers and combined heat and power plants, or the Energy Centers, may opt for on-site systems in lieu of using the Company’s Energy Centers, either due to corporate policies regarding the allocation of capital, unique situations where an on-site system might in fact prove more efficient, because of previously committed capital in systems that are already on-site, or otherwise. At times, the Company relies on a single customer or a few customers to purchase all or a significant portion of a facility's output, in some cases under long-term agreements that account for a substantial percentage of the anticipated revenue from a given facility.

The failure of any supplier to fulfill its contractual obligations to the Company or the Company’s loss of potential or existing customers could have a material adverse effect on its financial results. Consequently, the financial performance of the Company's facilities is dependent on the credit quality of, and continued performance by, the Company's suppliers and vendors and the Company’s ability to solicit and retain customers.

The Company currently owns, and in the future may acquire, certain assets in which the Company has limited control over management decisions and its interests in such assets may be subject to transfer or other related restrictions.

As described in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities , the Company has limited control over the operation of certain of its assets, because the Company beneficially owns less than a majority of the membership interests in such assets. The Company may seek to acquire additional assets in which it owns less than a majority of the related membership interests in the future. In these investments, the Company will seek to exert a degree of influence with respect to the management and operation of assets in which it owns less than a majority of the membership interests by negotiating to obtain positions on management committees or to receive certain limited governance rights, such as rights to veto significant actions. However, the Company may not always succeed in such negotiations. The Company may be dependent on its co-venturers to operate such assets. The Company's co-venturers may not have the level of experience, technical expertise, human resources management and other attributes necessary to operate these assets optimally. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise in the future between the Company and its stockholders, on the one hand, and the Company's co-venturers, on the other hand, where the Company's co-venturers' business interests are inconsistent with the interests of the Company and its stockholders. Further, disagreements or disputes between the Company and its co-venturers could result in litigation, which could increase expenses and potentially limit the time and effort the Company's officers and directors are able to devote to the business.

The approval of co-venturers may also be required for the Company to receive distributions of funds from assets or to sell, pledge, transfer, assign or otherwise convey its interest in such assets, or for the Company to acquire NRG's interests in such co-ventures as an initial matter. Alternatively, the Company's co-venturers may have rights of first refusal or rights of first offer in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of the Company's interests in such assets. These restrictions may limit the price or interest level for interests in such assets, in the event the Company wants to sell such interests.

Furthermore, certain of the Company's facilities are operated by third-party operators, such as First Solar. To the extent that third-party operators do not fulfill their obligations to manage operations of the facilities or are not effective in doing so, the amount of CAFD may be adversely affected.

The Company's assets are exposed to risks inherent in the use of interest rate swaps and forward fuel purchase contracts and the Company may be exposed to additional risks in the future if it utilizes other derivative instruments.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. In addition, the Company uses forward fuel purchase contracts to hedge its limited commodity exposure with respect to the Company's district energy assets. If the Company elects to enter into such commodity hedges, the related asset could recognize financial losses on these arrangements as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying commodities or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. If actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources are not available, the valuation of these contracts would involve judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. If the values of these financial contracts change in a manner that the Company does not anticipate, or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract, it could harm the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company's business is subject to restrictions resulting from environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. In addition, the Company may be held primarily or jointly and severally liable for costs relating to the investigation and clean-up of any property where there has been a release or threatened release of a hazardous regulated material as well as other affected properties, regardless of whether the Company knew of or caused the release. In addition to these costs, which are typically not limited by law or regulation and could exceed an affected property's value, the Company could be liable for certain other costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons, property or natural resources. Further, some environmental laws provide for the creation of a lien on a contaminated site in favor of the government as security for damages and any costs the government incurs in connection with such contamination and associated clean-up. Although the Company generally requires its operators to undertake to indemnify it for environmental liabilities they cause, the amount of such liabilities could exceed the financial ability of the operator to indemnify the Company. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may adversely affect the Company's ability to operate the business.

The Company does not own all of the land on which its power generation or thermal assets are located, which could result in disruption to its operations.

The Company does not own all of the land on which its power generation or thermal assets are located and the Company is, therefore, subject to the possibility of less desirable terms and increased costs to retain necessary land use if it does not have valid leases or rights-of-way or if such rights-of-way lapse or terminate. Although the Company has obtained rights to construct and operate these assets pursuant to related lease arrangements, the rights to conduct those activities are subject to certain exceptions,

including the term of the lease arrangement. The Company is also at risk of condemnation on land it owns. The loss of these rights, through the Company's inability to renew right-of-way contracts, condemnation or otherwise, may adversely affect the Company's ability to operate its generation and thermal infrastructure assets.

The Company’s use and enjoyment of real property rights for its projects may be adversely affected by the rights of lienholders and leaseholders that are superior to those of the grantors of those real property rights to the Company.

Solar and wind projects generally are, and are likely to be, located on land occupied by the project pursuant to long-term easements and leases. The ownership interests in the land subject to these easements and leases may be subject to mortgages securing loans or other liens (such as tax liens) and other easement and lease rights of third parties (such as leases of oil or mineral rights) that were created prior to the project’s easements and leases. As a result, the project’s rights under these easements or leases may be subject, and subordinate, to the rights of those third parties. The Company performs title searches and obtains title insurance to protect itself against these risks. Such measures may, however, be inadequate to protect the Company against all risk of loss of its rights to use the land on which the wind projects are located, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The electric generation business is subject to substantial governmental regulation and may be adversely affected by changes in laws or regulations, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or other legal requirements.

The Company's electric generation business is subject to extensive U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Compliance with the requirements under these various regulatory regimes may cause the Company to incur significant additional costs, and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the shutdown of the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines, and/or civil or criminal liability. Public utilities under the FPA are required to obtain FERC acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services. Except for generating facilities within the footprint of ERCOT which are regulated by the PUCT, all of the Company’s assets make wholesale sales of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services in interstate commerce and are public utilities for purposes of the FPA, unless otherwise exempt from such status. FERC's orders that grant market-based rate authority to wholesale power marketers reserve the right to revoke or revise that authority if FERC subsequently determines that the seller can exercise market power in transmission or generation, create barriers to entry, or engage in abusive affiliate transactions. In addition, public utilities are subject to FERC reporting requirements that impose administrative burdens and that, if violated, can expose the company to criminal and civil penalties or other risks.

The Company's market-based sales will be subject to certain rules prohibiting manipulative or deceptive conduct, and if any of the Company's generating companies are deemed to have violated those rules, they will be subject to potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation, penalties, suspension or revocation of market based rate authority. If such generating companies were to lose their market-based rate authority, such companies would be required to obtain FERC's acceptance of a cost-of-service rate schedule and could become subject to the significant accounting, record-keeping, and reporting requirements that are imposed on utilities with cost-based rate schedules. This could have a material adverse effect on the rates the Company is able to charge for power from its facilities.

Most of the Company's assets are operating as EWGs as defined under the PUHCA, or QFs as defined under the PURPA, as amended, and therefore are exempt from certain regulation under the PUHCA and the PURPA. If a facility fails to maintain its status as an EWG or a QF or there are legislative or regulatory changes revoking or limiting the exemptions to the PUHCA, then the Company may be subject to significant accounting, record-keeping, access to books and records and reporting requirements and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the imposition of penalties and additional compliance obligations.

Substantially all of the Company's generation assets are also subject to the reliability standards promulgated by the designated Electric Reliability Organization (currently the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC) and approved by FERC. If the Company fails to comply with the mandatory reliability standards, it could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties and increased compliance obligations. The Company will also be affected by legislative and regulatory changes, as well as changes to market design, market rules, tariffs, cost allocations, and bidding rules that occur in the existing regional markets operated by RTOs or ISOs, such as PJM. The RTOs/ISOs that oversee most of the wholesale power markets impose, and in the future may continue to impose, mitigation, including price limitations, offer caps, non-performance penalties and other mechanisms to address some of the volatility and the potential exercise of market power in these markets. These types of price limitations and other regulatory mechanisms may have a material adverse effect on the profitability of the Company's generation facilities acquired in the future that sell energy, capacity and ancillary products into the wholesale power markets. The regulatory environment for electric generation has undergone significant changes in the last several years due to state and federal policies affecting wholesale competition and the creation of incentives for the addition of large amounts of new renewable generation and, in some cases, transmission assets. These changes are ongoing and the Company cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on the

Company's business. In addition, in some of these markets, interested parties have proposed to re-regulate the markets or require divestiture of electric generation assets by asset owners or operators to reduce their market share. Other proposals to re-regulate may be made and legislative or other attention to the electric power market restructuring process may delay or reverse the deregulation process. If competitive restructuring of the electric power markets is reversed, discontinued, or delayed, the Company's business prospects and financial results could be negatively impacted.

The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that impose extensive and increasingly stringent requirements on its operations, as well as potentially substantial liabilities arising out of environmental contamination.

The Company's assets are subject to numerous and significant federal, state and local laws, including statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies, directives and other requirements governing or relating to, among other things: protection of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; air emissions; discharges into water; water use; the storage, handling, use, transportation and distribution of dangerous goods and hazardous, residual and other regulated materials, such as chemicals; the prevention of releases of hazardous materials into the environment; the prevention, presence and remediation of hazardous materials in soil and groundwater, both on and offsite; land use and zoning matters; and workers' health and safety matters. The Company's facilities could experience incidents, malfunctions and other unplanned events that could result in spills or emissions in excess of permitted levels and result in personal injury, penalties and property damage. As such, the operation of the Company's facilities carries an inherent risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities (including potential civil actions, compliance or remediation orders, fines and other penalties), and may result in the assets being involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings relating to such matters. The Company has implemented environmental, health and safety management programs designed to continually improve environmental, health and safety performance. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become more stringent over time. Significant costs may be incurred for capital expenditures under environmental programs to keep the assets compliant with such environmental laws and regulations. If it is not economical to make those expenditures, it may be necessary to retire or mothball facilities or restrict or modify the Company's operations to comply with more stringent standards. These environmental requirements and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks that are beyond the Company's control, including but not limited to acts of terrorism or related acts of war, natural disaster, hostile cyber intrusions or other catastrophic events, could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company's generation facilities that were acquired or those that the Company otherwise acquires or constructs and the facilities of third parties on which they rely may be targets of terrorist activities, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with them, that could cause environmental repercussions and/or result in full or partial disruption of the facilities ability to generate, transmit, transport or distribute electricity or natural gas. Strategic targets, such as energy-related facilities, may be at greater risk of future terrorist activities than other domestic targets. Hostile cyber intrusions, including those targeting information systems as well as electronic control systems used at the generating plants and for the related distribution systems, could severely disrupt business operations and result in loss of service to customers, as well as create significant expense to repair security breaches or system damage.

Furthermore, certain of the Company's power generation thermal assets are located in active earthquake zones in California and Arizona, and certain project companies and suppliers conduct their operations in the same region or in other locations that are susceptible to natural disasters. In addition, California and some of the locations where certain suppliers are located, from time to time, have experienced shortages of water, electric power and natural gas. The occurrence of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, drought, flood or localized extended outages of critical utilities or transportation systems, or any critical resource shortages, affecting the Company or its suppliers, could cause a significant interruption in the business, damage or destroy the Company's facilities or those of its suppliers or the manufacturing equipment or inventory of the Company's suppliers. Any such terrorist acts, environmental repercussions or disruptions or natural disasters could result in a significant decrease in revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, beyond what could be recovered through insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The operation of the Company’s businesses is subject to cyber-based security and integrity risk.

Numerous functions affecting the efficient operation of the Company’s businesses depend on the secure and reliable storage, processing and communication of electronic data and the use of sophisticated computer hardware and software systems. The operation of the Company's generating assets rely on cyber-based technologies and, therefore, subject to the risk that such systems could be the target of disruptive actions, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, or otherwise be compromised by unintentional events. As a result, operations could be interrupted, property could be damaged and sensitive customer information could be lost or stolen, causing the Company to incur significant losses of revenues, other substantial liabilities and damages, costs to replace or repair damaged equipment and

damage to the Company's reputation. In addition, the Company may experience increased capital and operating costs to implement increased security for its cyber systems and generating assets.

Government regulations providing incentives for renewable generation could change at any time and such changes may negatively impact the Company's growth strategy.

The Company's growth strategy depends in part on government policies that support renewable generation and enhance the economic viability of owning renewable electric generation assets. Renewable generation assets currently benefit from various federal, state and local governmental incentives such as ITCs, cash grants in lieu of ITCs, loan guarantees, RPS, programs, modified accelerated cost-recovery system of depreciation and bonus depreciation. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress enacted an extension of the 30% solar ITC so that projects that began construction in 2016 through 2019 will continue to qualify for the 30% ITC. Projects beginning construction in 2020 and 2021 will be eligible for the ITC at the rates of 26% and 22%, respectively. The same legislation also extended the 10-year wind PTC for wind projects that began construction in years 2016 through 2019. Wind projects that begin construction in the years 2018 and 2019 are eligible for PTC at 60% and 40% of the statutory rate per kWh, respectively.

Many states have adopted RPS programs mandating that a specified percentage of electricity sales come from eligible sources of renewable energy. However, the regulations that govern the RPS programs, including pricing incentives for renewable energy, or reasonableness guidelines for pricing that increase valuation compared to conventional power (such as a projected value for carbon reduction or consideration of avoided integration costs), may change. If the RPS requirements are reduced or eliminated, it could lead to fewer future power contracts or lead to lower prices for the sale of power in future power contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future growth prospects. Such material adverse effects may result from decreased revenues, reduced economic returns on certain project company investments, increased financing costs, and/or difficulty obtaining financing. Furthermore, the ARRA included incentives to encourage investment in the renewable energy sector, such as cash grants in lieu of ITCs, bonus depreciation and expansion of the U.S. DOE loan guarantee program. It is uncertain what loan guarantees may be made by the U.S. DOE loan guarantee program in the future. In addition, the cash grant in lieu of ITCs program only applies to facilities that commenced construction prior to December 31, 2011, which commencement date may be determined in accordance with the safe harbor if more than 5% of the total cost of the eligible property was paid or incurred by December 31, 2011.

If the Company is unable to utilize various federal, state and local government incentives to acquire additional renewable assets in the future, or the terms of such incentives are revised in a manner that is less favorable to the Company, it may suffer a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company relies on electric interconnection and transmission facilities that it does not own or control and that are subject to transmission constraints within a number of the Company's regions. If these facilities fail to provide the Company with adequate transmission capacity, it may be restricted in its ability to deliver electric power to its customers and may either incur additional costs or forego revenues.

The Company depends on electric interconnection and transmission facilities owned and operated by others to deliver the wholesale power it will sell from its electric generation assets to its customers. A failure or delay in the operation or development of these interconnection or transmission facilities or a significant increase in the cost of the development of such facilities could result in lost revenues. Such failures or delays could limit the amount of power the Company's operating facilities deliver or delay the completion of the Company's construction projects. Additionally, such failures, delays or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations. If a region's power transmission infrastructure is inadequate, the Company's recovery of wholesale costs and profits may be limited. If restrictive transmission price regulation is imposed, the transmission companies may not have a sufficient incentive to invest in expansion of transmission infrastructure. The Company also cannot predict whether interconnection and transmission facilities will be expanded in specific markets to accommodate competitive access to those markets. In addition, certain of the Company's operating facilities' generation of electricity may be curtailed without compensation due to transmission limitations or limitations on the electricity grid's ability to accommodate intermittent electricity generating sources, reducing the Company's revenues and impairing its ability to capitalize fully on a particular facility's generating potential. Such curtailments could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, economic congestion on transmission networks in certain of the markets in which the Company operates may occur and the Company may be deemed responsible for congestion costs. If the Company were liable for such congestion costs, its financial results could be adversely affected.

The Company's costs, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely impacted by the disruption of the fuel supplies necessary to generate power at its conventional and thermal power generation facilities.

Delivery of fossil fuels to fuel the Company's conventional and thermal generation facilities is dependent upon the infrastructure (including natural gas pipelines) available to serve each such generation facility as well as upon the continuing financial viability of contractual counterparties. As a result, the Company is subject to the risks of disruptions or curtailments in the production of power at these generation facilities if a counterparty fails to perform or if there is a disruption in the fuel delivery infrastructure.

The Company depends on key management employees, the loss of any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

The Company believes its current operations and future success depend largely on the continued services of the management employees that it employs, in particular Christopher Sotos, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chad Plotkin, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Although the Company currently has access to the resources of NRG, the loss of Mr. Sotos’ or Mr. Plotkin’s services, or other key management personnel employed by the Company in connection with the NRG Transaction or in the future, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to the Company's Relationship with NRG

NRG is the Company's controlling stockholder and exercises substantial influence over the Company. The Company is highly dependent on NRG.

NRG owns all of the Company's outstanding Class B and Class D common stock. The Company's outstanding Class B and Class D common stock is entitled to one vote per share and 1/100th of a vote per share, respectively. As a result of its ownership of the Class B and Class D common stock, NRG owns 55.1% of the combined voting power of the Company's common stock as of December 31, 2017 . As a result of this ownership, NRG has a substantial influence on the Company's affairs and its voting power will constitute a large percentage of any quorum of the Company's stockholders voting on any matter requiring the approval of the Company's stockholders. Such matters include the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to the Company's restated certificate of incorporation and third amended and restated bylaws and approval of mergers or sale of all or substantially all of its assets. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company or discouraging others from making tender offers for the Company's shares. In addition, NRG has the right to elect all of the Company's directors. NRG may cause corporate actions to be taken even if their interests conflict with the interests of the Company's other stockholders (including holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock). If the NRG Transaction is consummated, GIP will become the Company’s controlling stockholder and, like NRG, will have substantial control and influence over the Company. See the risk factor entitled “ Following the consummation of the NRG Transaction, GIP and its affiliates will control the Company and have the ability to designate a majority of the members of the Company’s Board.”

Furthermore, the Company depends on the management and administration services provided by or under the direction of NRG under the Management Services Agreement. NRG personnel and support staff that provide services to the Company under the Management Services Agreement are not required to, and the Company does not expect that they will, have as their primary responsibility the management and administration of the Company or to act exclusively for the Company and the Management Services Agreement does not require any specific individuals to be provided by NRG. Under the Management Services Agreement, NRG has the discretion to determine which of its employees perform assignments required to be provided to the Company. Any failure to effectively manage the Company's operations or to implement its strategy could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Management Services Agreement will continue in perpetuity, until terminated in accordance with its terms.

The Company also depends upon NRG for the provision of management, administration and certain other services at all of the Company's facilities and contracts with NRG, or its subsidiaries, to procure fuel and sell power for certain of its operating facilities. Any failure by NRG to perform its requirements under these arrangements or the failure by the Company to identify and contract with replacement service providers, if required, could adversely affect the operation of the Company's facilities and have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In connection with the proposed NRG Transaction, GIP has agreed to enter into certain agreements with the Company relating to the provision of services and NRG has agreed to enter into certain agreements with the Company relating to transition services and ongoing commercial arrangements. While the provision of transitional services is contemplated under the proposed NRG Transaction, it is uncertain whether, after the transition services end, GIP or its affiliates would continue to provide the same services, or offer the same capabilities and resources, to the Company that the Company currently receives from NRG or whether the Company may have to seek alternative service providers. The Company may not be able to replicate the same level of services, capabilities, experience and familiarity with the Company’s business offered by NRG either through GIP or through alternative service providers or on terms or costs similar to those provided by NRG. The loss of services provided by NRG and the benefits offered to the Company through its relationship with NRG, such as management, operational and financing expertise, could have an impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See also the risk factor entitled “ If NRG terminates the Management Services Agreement or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, or if the transition services to be provided by NRG to the Company in connection with the consummation of the NRG Transaction are inadequate or end, the Company may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms, or at all.”

The Company may not be able to consummate future acquisitions from NRG.

Until the NRG Transaction is consummated, if at all, the Company's ability to grow through acquisitions depends, in part, on NRG's ability to identify and present the Company with acquisition opportunities. NRG established the Company to hold and acquire a diversified suite of power generating assets in the U.S. and its territories. Although NRG has agreed to grant the Company a right of first offer with respect to certain power generation assets that NRG may elect to sell in the future, NRG is under no obligation to sell any such power generation assets or to accept any related offer from the Company. In addition, NRG has not agreed to commit any minimum level of dedicated resources for the pursuit of renewable power-related acquisitions. There are a number of factors which could materially and adversely impact the extent to which suitable acquisition opportunities are made available from NRG, including:

•

the same professionals within NRG's organization that are involved in acquisitions that are suitable for the Company have responsibilities within NRG's broader asset management business, which may include sourcing acquisition opportunities for NRG. Limits on the availability of such individuals will likewise result in a limitation on the availability of acquisition opportunities for the Company; and

•

in addition to structural limitations, the question of whether a particular asset is suitable is highly subjective and is dependent on a number of factors including an assessment by NRG relating to the Company's liquidity position at the time, the risk profile of the opportunity and its fit with the balance of the Company's then current operations and other factors. If NRG determines that an opportunity is not suitable for the Company, it may still pursue such opportunity on its own behalf, or on behalf of another NRG affiliate.

In making these determinations, NRG may be influenced by factors that result in a misalignment with the Company's interests or conflict of interest.

The departure of some or all of NRG's employees could prevent the Company from achieving its objectives.

The Company depends on the diligence, skill and business contacts of NRG's professionals and the information and opportunities they generate during the normal course of their activities. Furthermore, approximately 24% of NRG's employees at the Company's generation plants are covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2017 . The Company's future success will depend on the continued service of these individuals, who are not obligated to remain employed with NRG, or otherwise successfully renegotiate their collective bargaining agreements when such agreements expire or otherwise terminate. NRG has experienced departures of key professionals and personnel in the past and may do so if the NRG Transaction is consummated, and the Company cannot predict the impact that any such departures will have on its ability to achieve its objectives. The Management Services Agreement does not require NRG to maintain the employment of any of its professionals or to cause any particular professional to provide services to the Company or on its behalf. The departure of a significant number of NRG's professionals or a material portion of the NRG employees who work at any of the Company's facilities for any reason, or the failure to appoint qualified or effective successors in the event of such departures, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve its objectives.

The Company's organizational and ownership structure may create significant conflicts of interest that may be resolved in a manner that is not in the best interests of the Company or the best interests of holders of its Class A and Class C common stock and that may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company's organizational and ownership structure involves a number of relationships that may give rise to certain conflicts of interest between the Company and holders of its Class A and Class C common stock, on the one hand, and NRG, on the other hand. Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement with NRG, certain of the Company's executive officers are shared NRG executives and devote their time to both the Company and NRG as needed to conduct the respective businesses. Although the Company's directors and executive officers owe fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders, these shared NRG executives have fiduciary and other duties to NRG, which duties may be inconsistent with the Company's best interests and holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock. In addition, NRG and its representatives, agents and affiliates have access to the Company's confidential information. Although some of these persons are subject to confidentiality obligations pursuant to confidentiality agreements or implied duties of confidence, the Management Services Agreement does not contain general confidentiality provisions.

Additionally, all of the Company's executive officers continue to have economic interests in NRG and, accordingly, the benefit to NRG from a transaction between the Company and NRG will proportionately inure to their benefit as holders of economic interests in NRG. NRG is a related person under the applicable securities laws governing related person transactions and may have interests which differ from the Company's interests or those of holders of the Class A and Class C common stock, including with respect to the types of acquisitions made, the timing and amount of dividends by the Company, the reinvestment of returns generated by the Company's operations, the use of leverage when making acquisitions and the appointment of outside advisors and service providers. Any material transaction between the Company and NRG will be subject to the Company's related person transaction policy, which will require prior approval of such transaction by the Company's Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee. Those of the Company's executive officers who have economic interests in NRG may be conflicted when advising the Company's Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee or otherwise participating in the negotiation or approval of such transactions. These executive officers have significant project- and industry-specific expertise that could prove beneficial to the Company's decision-making process and the absence of such strategic guidance could have a material adverse effect on the Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee's ability to evaluate any such transaction. Furthermore, the Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee and the Company's related person transaction approval policy may not insulate the Company from derivative claims with respect to related person transactions and the conflicts of interest described in this risk factor. Regardless of the merits of such claims, the Company may be required to expend significant management time and financial resources in the defense thereof. Additionally, to the extent the Company fails to appropriately deal with any such conflicts, it could negatively impact the Company's reputation and ability to raise additional funds and the willingness of counterparties to do business with the Company, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company may be unable or unwilling to terminate the Management Services Agreement.

The Management Services Agreement provides that the Company may terminate the agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to NRG upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) NRG defaults in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or covenant contained therein in a manner that results in material harm to the Company and the default continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof is given to NRG; (ii) NRG engages in any act of fraud, misappropriation of funds or embezzlement that results in material harm to the Company; (iii) NRG is grossly negligent in the performance of its duties under the agreement and such negligence results in material harm to the Company; or (iv) upon the happening of certain events relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of NRG. Furthermore, if the Company requests an amendment to the scope of services provided by NRG under the Management Services Agreement and is not able to agree with NRG as to a change to the service fee resulting from a change in the scope of services within 180 days of the request, the Company will be able to terminate the agreement upon 30 days prior notice to NRG. The Company will not be able to terminate the agreement for any other reason, including if NRG experiences a change of control, and the agreement continues in perpetuity, until terminated in accordance with its terms. If NRG's performance does not meet the expectations of investors, and the Company is unable to terminate the Management Services Agreement, the market price of the Class A and Class C common stock could suffer.

If NRG terminates the Management Services Agreement or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, or if the transition services to be provided by NRG to the Company in connection with the consummation of the NRG Transaction are inadequate or end, the Company may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms, or at all.

The Company relies on NRG to provide management services under the Management Services Agreement and has limited executive or senior management personnel independent from NRG. The Management Services Agreement provides that NRG may terminate the agreement upon 180 days prior written notice of termination to the Company if it defaults in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or covenant contained in the agreement in a manner that results in material harm and the default continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice of the breach is given. If NRG terminates the Management Services Agreement or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, or if the transition services to be provided by NRG to the Company, in the event the NRG Transaction is consummated, are not adequate or end, the Company may be unable to contract with GIP or a substitute service provider on similar terms or at all, and the costs of substituting service providers may be substantial. In addition, in light of NRG's familiarity with the Company's assets, GIP or a substitute service provider may not be able to provide the same level of service due to lack of pre-existing synergies. If the Company cannot locate a service provider that is able to provide substantially similar services as NRG does under the Management Services Agreement on similar terms, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

The liability of NRG is limited under the Company's arrangements with it and the Company has agreed to indemnify NRG against claims that it may face in connection with such arrangements, which may lead NRG to assume greater risks when making decisions relating to the Company than it otherwise might if acting solely for its own account.

Under the Management Services Agreement, NRG does not assume any responsibility other than to provide or arrange for the provision of the services described in the Management Services Agreement in good faith. In addition, under the Management Services Agreement, the liability of NRG and its affiliates is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law to conduct involving bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, action that was known to have been unlawful. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify NRG to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses incurred by an indemnified person or threatened in connection with the Company's operations, investments and activities or in respect of or arising from the Management Services Agreement or the services provided by NRG, except to the extent that the claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses are determined to have resulted from the conduct in respect of which such persons have liability as described above. These protections may result in NRG tolerating greater risks when making decisions than otherwise might be the case, including when determining whether to use leverage in connection with acquisitions. The indemnification arrangements to which NRG is a party may also give rise to legal claims for indemnification that are adverse to the Company and holders of its common stock.

Certain of the Company’s PPAs and project-level financing arrangements include provisions that would permit the counterparty to terminate the contract or accelerate maturity in the event NRG ceases to control or own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting power of the Company.

Certain of the Company’s PPAs and project-level financing arrangements contain change in control provisions that provide the counterparty with a termination right or the ability to accelerate maturity in the event of a change of control of the Company without the counterparty's consent. These provisions are triggered in the event NRG ceases to own, directly or indirectly, capital stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock outstanding on such date, or, in some cases, if NRG ceases to be the majority owner, directly or indirectly, of the applicable project subsidiary. As a result, if NRG ceases to control, or in some cases, own a majority of the voting power of the Company, as is contemplated by the NRG Transaction, the counterparties could terminate such contracts or accelerate the maturity of such financing arrangements. Even though the Company’s consent to the NRG Transaction is conditioned upon the receipt of consents from such counterparties, the Company may have to expend significant resources and funds to obtain the consents of such counterparties to the NRG Transaction and there can be no assurance that such counterparties will provide their consents at all. The termination of any of the Company’s PPAs or the acceleration of the maturity of any of the Company’s project-level financing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

The Company is a “controlled company," controlled by NRG, and as a result, is exempt from certain corporate governance requirements that are designed to provide protection to stockholders of companies that are not controlled companies.

As of December 31, 2017, NRG controls 55.1% of the Company's combined voting power and is able to elect all of the Company's board of directors. As a result, the Company is considered a "controlled company" for the purposes of the NYSE listing requirements. Additionally, the Company is expected to continue to be a "controlled company" if the NRG Transaction is consummated. As a "controlled company," the Company is permitted to, and the Company may, opt out of the NYSE listing requirements that would require (i) a majority of the members of the Company's board of directors to be independent, (ii) that the Company establish a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee, each comprised entirely of independent

directors, or (iii) an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and governance and compensation committees. The NYSE listing requirements are intended to ensure that directors who meet the independence standards are free of any conflicting interest that could influence their actions as directors. While the Company has elected to have a Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance, Conflicts and Nominating Committee consisting entirely of independent directors and to conduct an annual performance evaluation of these committees, the majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors are not considered independent. Therefore, the Company’s stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the applicable NYSE listing requirements. It is also possible that the interests of NRG or GIP (in the event the NRG Transaction is consummated) may in some circumstances conflict with the Company's interests and the interests of the holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

Risks Inherent in an Investment in the Company

The Company may not be able to continue paying comparable or growing cash dividends to holders of its common stock in the future.

The amount of CAFD principally depends upon the amount of cash the Company generates from its operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things:


•	the level and timing of capital expenditures the Company makes;


•	the level of operating and general and administrative expenses, including reimbursements to NRG for services provided to the Company in accordance with the Management Services Agreement;


•	variations in revenues generated by the business, due to seasonality, weather, or otherwise;


•	debt service requirements and other liabilities;


•	fluctuations in working capital needs;


•	the Company's ability to borrow funds and access capital markets;


•	restrictions contained in the Company's debt agreements (including project-level financing and, if applicable, corporate debt); and


•	other business risks affecting cash levels.

As a result of all these factors, the Company cannot guarantee that it will have sufficient cash generated from operations to pay a specific level of cash dividends to holders of its Class A or Class C common stock. Furthermore, holders of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock should be aware that the amount of CAFD depends primarily on operating cash flow, and is not solely a function of profitability, which can be affected by non-cash items.

The Company may incur other expenses or liabilities during a period that could significantly reduce or eliminate its CAFD and, in turn, impair its ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock during the period. Because the Company is a holding company, its ability to pay dividends on the Company's Class A or Class C common stock is restricted and further limited by the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to make distributions to the Company, including restrictions under the terms of the agreements governing the Company's corporate debt and project-level financing. The project-level financing agreements generally prohibit distributions from the project entities prior to COD and thereafter prohibit distributions to the Company unless certain specific conditions are met, including the satisfaction of financial ratios. The Company's revolving credit facility also restricts the Company's ability to declare and pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or if the payment of the dividend would result in an event of default.

NRG Yield LLC's CAFD will likely fluctuate from quarter to quarter, in some cases significantly, due to seasonality. As a result, the Company may cause NRG Yield LLC to reduce the amount of cash it distributes to its members in a particular quarter to establish reserves to fund distributions to its members in future periods for which the cash distributions the Company would otherwise receive from NRG Yield LLC would be insufficient to fund its quarterly dividend. If the Company fails to cause NRG Yield LLC to establish sufficient reserves, the Company may not be able to maintain its quarterly dividend with respect to a quarter adversely affected by seasonality.

Finally, dividends to holders of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock will be paid at the discretion of the Company's board of directors. The Company's board of directors may decrease the level, or entirely discontinue payment, of dividends.

The Company is a holding company and its only material asset is its interest in NRG Yield LLC, and the Company is accordingly dependent upon distributions from NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries to pay dividends and taxes and other expenses.

The Company is a holding company and has no material assets other than its ownership of membership interests in NRG Yield LLC, a holding company that has no material assets other than its interest in NRG Yield Operating LLC, whose sole material assets are the project companies. None of the Company, NRG Yield LLC or NRG Yield Operating LLC has any independent means of generating revenue. The Company intends to continue to cause NRG Yield Operating LLC's subsidiaries to make distributions to NRG Yield Operating LLC and, in turn, make distributions to NRG Yield LLC, and, in turn, to make distributions to the Company in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes payable and dividends, if any, declared by the Company. To the extent that the Company needs funds for a quarterly cash dividend to holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock or otherwise, and NRG Yield Operating LLC or NRG Yield LLC is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or is otherwise unable to provide such funds (including as a result of NRG Yield Operating LLC's operating subsidiaries being unable to make distributions), it could materially adversely affect the Company's liquidity and financial condition and limit the Company's ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

Market interest rates may have an effect on the value of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

One of the factors that influences the price of shares of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock is the effective dividend yield of such shares (i.e., the yield as a percentage of the then market price of the Company's shares) relative to market interest rates. An increase in market interest rates, which are currently at low levels relative to historical rates but are steadily rising, may lead investors of shares of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock to expect a higher dividend yield and the Company's inability to increase its dividend as a result of an increase in borrowing costs, insufficient CAFD or otherwise, could result in selling pressure on, and a decrease in the market prices of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock as investors seek alternative investments with higher yield.

If the Company is deemed to be an investment company, the Company may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and the Company's activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for the Company to complete strategic acquisitions or effect combinations.

If the Company is deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act, the Company's business would be subject to applicable restrictions under the Investment Company Act, which could make it impracticable for the Company to continue its business as contemplated. The Company believes it is not an investment company under Section 3(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act because the Company is primarily engaged in a non-investment company business. The Company intends to conduct its operations so that the Company will not be deemed an investment company. However, if the Company were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act, including limitations on the Company's capital structure and the Company's ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for the Company to continue its business as contemplated.

Market volatility may affect the price of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

The market price of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, most of which the Company cannot predict or control, including general market and economic conditions, disruptions, downgrades, credit events and perceived problems in the credit markets; actual or anticipated variations in its quarterly operating results or dividends; changes in the Company's investments or asset composition; write-downs or perceived credit or liquidity issues affecting the Company's assets; market perception of NRG or the proposed NRG Transaction, the Company's business and the Company's assets; the Company's level of indebtedness and/or adverse market reaction to any indebtedness that the Company may incur in the future; the Company's ability to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; loss of any major funding source; the termination of the Management Services Agreement or additions or departures of the Company's executive officers or NRG's key personnel; changes in market valuations of similar power generation companies; and speculation in the press or investment community regarding the Company, NRG or the proposed NRG Transaction.

Securities markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Any broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

Volatility of market conditions may increase certain of the risks the Company faces.

The capital markets in general are often subject to volatility that is unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Market volatility can affect the plans and perspectives of various market participants, including operating entities, consumers and financing providers, and may increase uncertainty and heighten some of the risks the Company faces. The Company and other companies may have to adjust their plans and priorities in light of such volatility.

Risks that may increase as a result of market volatility include, but are not limited to, risks related to access to capital and liquidity and risks related to the performance of third parties, including NRG or GIP. The Company has significant relationships with, and in certain areas depends significantly on, NRG. In particular, NRG provides management and operational services and other support. Until the proposed NRG Transaction is consummated, the Company’s growth strategy depends on its ability to identify and acquire additional facilities from NRG and unaffiliated third parties. The Company interacts with or depends on NRG for many third-party acquisition opportunities and for operations and maintenance support on various pending and completed transactions. As a result, the Company’s financial and operating performance and prospects, including the Company’s ability to grow its dividend per share, may be affected by the performance, prospects, and priorities of NRG (including the consummation of the NRG Transaction), and material adverse developments at NRG or changes in its strategic priorities may materially affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, any significant disruption to the Company’s ability to access the capital markets, or a significant increase in interest rates, could make it difficult for the Company to successfully acquire attractive projects from third parties and may also limit the Company’s ability to obtain debt or equity financing to complete such acquisitions. If the Company is unable to raise adequate proceeds when needed to fund such acquisitions, the ability to grow the Company’s project portfolio may be limited, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to implement its growth strategy and, ultimately, its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Provisions of the Company's charter documents or Delaware law could delay or prevent an acquisition of the Company, even if the acquisition would be beneficial to holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock, and could make it more difficult to change management.

Provisions of the Company's restated certificate of incorporation and third amended and restated bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock may consider favorable, including transactions in which such stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. This is because these provisions may prevent or frustrate attempts by stockholders to replace or remove members of the Company's management. These provisions include:


•	a prohibition on stockholder action through written consent;


•	a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be called upon a resolution approved by a majority of the Company's directors then in office;


•	advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations; and


•	the authority of the board of directors to issue preferred stock with such terms as the board of directors may determine.

Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder, generally a person that together with its affiliates owns or within the last three years has owned 15% of voting stock, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Additionally, the Company's restated certificate of incorporation prohibits any person and any of its associate or affiliate companies in the aggregate, public utility or holding company from acquiring, other than secondary market transactions, an amount of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock sufficient to result in a transfer of control without the prior written consent of the Company's board of directors. Any such change of control, in addition to prior approval from the Company's board of directors, would require prior authorization from FERC. Similar restrictions may apply to certain purchasers of the Company's securities which are holding companies regardless of whether the Company's securities are purchased in offerings by the Company or NRG, in open market transactions or otherwise. A purchaser of the Company's securities which is a holding company will need to determine whether a given purchase of the Company's securities may require prior FERC approval.

Investors may experience dilution of ownership interest due to the future issuance of additional shares of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock.

The Company is in a capital intensive business, and may not have sufficient funds to finance the growth of the Company's business, future acquisitions or to support the Company's projected capital expenditures. As a result, the Company may require additional funds from further equity or debt financings, including tax equity financing transactions, sales under the ATM Program or sales of preferred shares or convertible debt to complete future acquisitions, expansions and capital expenditures and pay the general and administrative costs of the Company's business. In the future, the Company may issue shares under its ATM Program and the Company's previously authorized and unissued securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of purchasers of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock. Under the Company's restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, 1,000,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, 1,000,000,000 shares of Class D common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with preferences and rights as determined by the Company's board of directors. The potential issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock or convertible debt may create downward pressure on the trading price of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about the Company, the Company's business or the Company's market, or if they change their recommendations regarding the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock adversely, the stock price and trading volume of the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock could decline.

The trading market for the Company's Class A and Class C common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about the Company, the Company's business, the Company's market or the Company's competitors. If any of the analysts who may cover the Company change their recommendation regarding the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about the Company's competitors, the price of the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock would likely decline. If any analyst who covers the Company were to cease coverage of the Company or fail to regularly publish reports on the Company, the Company could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the stock price or trading volume of the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock to decline.

Future sales of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock by NRG may cause the price of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock to fall.

The market price of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock could decline as a result of sales by NRG of such shares (issuable to NRG upon the exchange of some or all of its NRG Yield LLC Class B or Class D units, respectively) in the market, or the perception that these sales could occur.

The market price of the Company's Class A or Class C common stock may also decline as a result of NRG disposing or transferring some or all of the Company's outstanding Class B or Class D common stock, which disposals or transfers would reduce NRG's ownership interest in, and voting control over, the Company, as contemplated by the proposed NRG Transaction. These sales might also make it more difficult for the Company to sell equity securities at a time and price that the Company deems appropriate. NRG and certain of its affiliates have certain demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to shares of the Company's Class A common stock issuable upon the exchange of NRG Yield LLC's Class B units and/or Class C common stock issuable upon the exchange of NRG Yield LLC's Class D units. The presence of additional shares of the Company's Class A and/or Class C common stock trading in the public market, as a result of the exercise of such registration rights, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company's securities.

Risks Related to Taxation

The Company's future tax liability may be greater than expected if the Company does not generate NOLs sufficient to offset taxable income, if federal, state and local tax authorities challenge certain of the Company’s tax positions and exemptions or if changes in federal, state and local tax laws occur.

The Company expects to generate NOLs and carryforward prior year NOL balances to offset future taxable income. Based on the Company's current portfolio of assets, which include renewable assets that benefit from accelerated tax depreciation deductions, the Company does not expect to pay significant federal income tax for a period of approximately ten years. While the Company expects these losses will be available as a future benefit, in the event that they are not generated as expected, successfully challenged by the IRS or state and local jurisdictions (in a tax audit or otherwise) or subject to future limitations from a potential change in ownership as discussed below, the Company's ability to realize these benefits may be limited. In addition, the Company’s ability to realize state and local tax exemptions, including property or sales and use tax exemptions, is subject to various tax laws. If these exemptions are successfully challenged by state and local jurisdictions or if a change in tax law occurs,

the Company’s ability to realize these exemptions could be affected. A reduction in the Company's expected NOLs, a limitation on the Company's ability to use such losses or tax credits, and challenges by tax authorities to the Company’s tax positions may result in a material increase in the Company's estimated future income, sales/use and property tax liability and may negatively impact the Company's liquidity and financial condition.

The Company's ability to use NOLs to offset future income may be limited.

The Company's ability to use NOLs could be substantially limited if the Company were to experience an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the Code. In general, an "ownership change" would occur if the Company's "5-percent shareholders," as defined under Section 382 of the Code, collectively increased their ownership in the Company by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. A corporation that experiences an ownership change will generally be subject to an annual limitation on the use of its pre-ownership change deferred tax assets equal to the equity value of the corporation immediately before the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate for the month in which the ownership change occurs. Future sales of any class of the Company's common stock by NRG, as well as future issuances by the Company, could contribute to a potential ownership change.

A valuation allowance may be required for the Company's deferred tax assets.

The Company's expected NOLs and tax credits will be reflected as a deferred tax asset as they are generated until utilized to offset income. Valuation allowances may need to be maintained for deferred tax assets that the Company estimates are more likely than not to be unrealizable, based on available evidence at the time the estimate is made. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be affected by changes to tax laws, statutory tax rates and future taxable income levels. In the event that the Company was to determine that it would not be able to realize all or a portion of the net deferred tax assets in the future, the Company would reduce such amounts through a charge to income tax expense in the period in which that determination was made, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Distributions to holders of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock may be taxable.

The amount of distributions that will be treated as taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on the amount of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits. It is difficult to predict whether the Company will generate earnings or profits as computed for federal income tax purposes in any given tax year. Generally, a corporation's earnings and profits are computed based upon taxable income, with certain specified adjustments. Distributions will constitute ordinary dividend income to the extent paid from the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits, and a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of a stockholder's basis in his or her Class A or Class C common stock. Distributions in excess of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a stockholder's basis will be treated as gain from the sale of the common stock.

For U.S. tax purposes, the Company's distributions to its stockholders in 2017 and 2016 are classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a nontaxable return of capital and reduction of a U.S. stockholder's tax basis, to the extent of a U.S. stockholder's tax basis in each of the Company's common shares, with any remaining amount being taxed as capital gain.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words "believes," "projects," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the factors described under Item 1A — Risk Factors and the following:


•	The Company's ability to maintain and grow its quarterly dividend;


•	Potential risks to the Company as a result of the NRG Transaction;


•	The Company's ability to successfully identify, evaluate and consummate acquisitions from third parties;


•	The Company's ability to acquire assets from NRG;


•	The Company's ability to raise additional capital due to its indebtedness, corporate structure, market conditions or otherwise;


•	Changes in law, including judicial decisions;

•

Hazards customary to the power production industry and power generation operations such as fuel and electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions (including wind and solar conditions), catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints and the possibility that the Company may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards;


•	The Company's ability to operate its businesses efficiently, manage maintenance capital expenditures and costs effectively, and generate earnings and cash flows from its asset-based businesses in relation to its debt and other obligations;


•	The willingness and ability of counterparties to the Company's offtake agreements to fulfill their obligations under such agreements;


•	The Company's ability to enter into contracts to sell power and procure fuel on acceptable terms and prices as current offtake agreements expire;


•	Government regulation, including compliance with regulatory requirements and changes in market rules, rates, tariffs and environmental laws;


•	Operating and financial restrictions placed on the Company that are contained in the project-level debt facilities and other agreements of certain subsidiaries and project-level subsidiaries generally, in the NRG Yield Operating LLC amended and restated revolving credit facility, in the indentures governing the Senior Notes and in the indentures governing the Company's convertible notes;


•	Cyber terrorism and inadequate cybersecurity, or the occurrence of a catastrophic loss and the possibility that the Company may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards or the inability of the Company's insurers to provide coverage;


•	The Company's ability to engage in successful mergers and acquisitions activity; and


•	The Company's ability to borrow additional funds and access capital markets, as well as the Company's substantial indebtedness and the possibility that the Company may incur additional indebtedness going forward.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be construed as exhaustive.

Item 1B — Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2 — Properties

Listed below are descriptions of the Company's interests in facilities, operations and/or projects owned or leased as of December 31, 2017 .



		Capacity
		Rated MW	Net MW ^(a)	Owner-ship				PPA Terms
Assets	Location	Rated MW	Net MW ^(a)	Owner-ship		Fuel	COD	Counterparty	Expiration
Conventional
El Segundo	El Segundo, CA	550	550	100	%	Natural Gas	August 2013	Southern California Edison	2023
GenConn Devon	Milford, CT	190	95	50	%	Natural Gas/Oil	June 2010	Connecticut Light & Power	2040
GenConn Middletown	Middletown, CT	190	95	50	%	Natural Gas/Oil	June 2011	Connecticut Light & Power	2041
Marsh Landing	Antioch, CA	720	720	100	%	Natural Gas	May 2013	Pacific Gas and Electric	2023
Walnut Creek	City of Industry, CA	485	485	100	%	Natural Gas	May 2013	Southern California Edison	2023
Total Conventional		2,135	1,945
Utility Scale Solar
Agua Caliente	Dateland, AZ	290	46	16	%	Solar	June 2014	Pacific Gas and Electric	2039
Alpine	Lancaster, CA	66	66	100	%	Solar	January 2013	Pacific Gas and Electric	2033
Avenal	Avenal, CA	45	23	50	%	Solar	August 2011	Pacific Gas and Electric	2031
Avra Valley	Pima County, AZ	26	26	100	%	Solar	December 2012	Tucson Electric Power	2032
Blythe	Blythe, CA	21	21	100	%	Solar	December 2009	Southern California Edison	2029
Borrego	Borrego Springs, CA	26	26	100	%	Solar	February 2013	San Diego Gas and Electric	2038
CVSR	San Luis Obispo, CA	250	250	100	%	Solar	October 2013	Pacific Gas and Electric	2038
Desert Sunlight 250	Desert Center, California	250	63	25	%	Solar	December 2014	Southern California Edison	2034
Desert Sunlight 300	Desert Center, California	300	75	25	%	Solar	December 2014	Pacific Gas and Electric	2039
Four Brothers Solar	New Castle/Milford, UT	320	160	50	%	Solar	July 2016 - August 2016	PacifiCorp	2036
Granite Mountain	Cedar City, UT	130	65	50	%	Solar	September 2016	PacifiCorp	2036
Iron Springs	Cedar City, UT	80	40	50	%	Solar	August 2016	PacifiCorp	2036
Kansas South	Lemoore, CA	20	20	100	%	Solar	June 2013	Pacific Gas and Electric	2033
Roadrunner	Santa Teresa, NM	20	20	100	%	Solar	August 2011	El Paso Electric	2031
TA High Desert	Lancaster, CA	20	20	100	%	Solar	March 2013	Southern California Edison	2033
Total Utility Scale Solar		1,864	921
Distributed Solar
Apple I LLC Projects	CA	9	9	100	%	Solar	October 2012 - December 2012	Various	2032
AZ DG Solar Projects	AZ	5	5	100	%	Solar	December 2010 - January 2013	Various	2025-2033
SPP Projects	Various	25	25	100	%	Solar	June 2008 - June 2012	Various	2026-2037
Other DG Projects	Various	13	13	100	%	Solar	October 2012 - October 2015	Various	2023-2039
Total Distributed Solar		52	52
Wind
Alta I	Tehachapi, CA	150	150	100	%	Wind	December 2010	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta II	Tehachapi, CA	150	150	100	%	Wind	December 2010	Southern California Edison	2035



		Capacity
		Rated MW	Net MW ^(a)	Owner-ship				PPA Terms
Assets	Location	Rated MW	Net MW ^(a)	Owner-ship		Fuel	COD	Counterparty	Expiration
Alta III	Tehachapi, CA	150	150	100	%	Wind	February 2011	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta IV	Tehachapi, CA	102	102	100	%	Wind	March 2011	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta V	Tehachapi, CA	168	168	100	%	Wind	April 2011	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta X ^(b)	Tehachapi, CA	137	137	100	%	Wind	February 2014	Southern California Edison	2038
Alta XI ^(b)	Tehachapi, CA	90	90	100	%	Wind	February 2014	Southern California Edison	2038
Buffalo Bear	Buffalo, OK	19	19	100	%	Wind	December 2008	Western Farmers Electric Co-operative	2033
Crosswinds ^(b)	Ayrshire, IA	21	21	99	%	Wind	June 2007	Corn Belt Power Cooperative	2027
Elbow Creek ^(b)	Howard County, TX	122	122	100	%	Wind	December 2008	NRG Power Marketing LLC	2022
Elkhorn Ridge ^(b)	Bloomfield, NE	81	54	66.7	%	Wind	March 2009	Nebraska Public Power District	2029
Forward ^(b)	Berlin, PA	29	29	100	%	Wind	April 2008	Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.	2022
Goat Wind ^(b)	Sterling City, TX	150	150	100	%	Wind	April 2008/June 2009	Dow Pipeline Company	2025
Hardin ^(b)	Jefferson, IA	15	15	99	%	Wind	May 2007	Interstate Power and Light Company	2027
Laredo Ridge	Petersburg, NE	80	80	100	%	Wind	February 2011	Nebraska Public Power District	2031
Lookout ^(b)	Berlin, PA	38	38	100	%	Wind	October 2008	Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative	2030
Odin ^(b)	Odin, MN	20	20	99.9	%	Wind	June 2008	Missouri River Energy Services	2028
Pinnacle	Keyser, WV	55	55	100	%	Wind	December 2011	Maryland Department of General Services and University System of Maryland	2031
San Juan Mesa ^(b)	Elida, NM	120	90	75	%	Wind	December 2005	Southwestern Public Service Company	2025
Sleeping Bear ^(b)	Woodward, OK	95	95	100	%	Wind	October 2007	Public Service Company of Oklahoma	2032
South Trent	Sweetwater, TX	101	101	100	%	Wind	January 2009	AEP Energy Partners	2029
Spanish Fork ^(b)	Spanish Fork, UT	19	19	100	%	Wind	July 2008	PacifiCorp	2028
Spring Canyon II ^(b)	Logan County, CO	32	29	90.1	%	Wind	October 2014	Platte River Power Authority	2039
Spring Canyon III ^(b)	Logan County, CO	28	25	90.1	%	Wind	December 2014	Platte River Power Authority	2039
Taloga	Putnam, OK	130	130	100	%	Wind	July 2011	Oklahoma Gas & Electric	2031
Wildorado ^(b)	Vega, TX	161	161	100	%	Wind	April 2007	Southwestern Public Service Company	2027
Total Wind		2,263	2,200
Thermal Generation
Dover	Dover, DE	103	103	100	%	Natural Gas	June 2013	NRG Power Marketing LLC	2018
Paxton Creek Cogen	Harrisburg, PA	12	12	100	%	Natural Gas	November 1986	Power sold into PJM markets
Princeton Hospital	Princeton, NJ	5	5	100	%	Natural Gas	January 2012	Excess power sold to local utility
Tucson Convention Center	Tucson, AZ	2	2	100	%	Natural Gas	January 2003	Excess power sold to local utility
University of Bridgeport	Bridgeport, CT	1	1	100	%	Natural Gas	April 2015	University of Bridgeport	2034
Total Thermal Generation		123	123
Total NRG Yield, Inc. ^(c)		6,437	5,241

^(a) Net capacity represents the maximum, or rated, generating capacity of the facility multiplied by the Company's percentage ownership in the facility as of December 31, 2017 .

^(b) Projects are part of tax equity arrangements, as further described in Note 2 , Summary of Significant Accounting Policies .

^(c) NRG Yield's total generation capacity is net of 6 MWs for noncontrolling interest for Spring Canyon II and III. NRG Yield's generation capacity including this noncontrolling interest was 5,247 MWs.

In addition to the facilities owned or leased in the table above, the Company entered into partnerships to own or purchase solar power generation projects, as well as other ancillary related assets from a related party via intermediate funds. The Company does not consolidate these partnerships and accounts for them as equity method investments. The Company's net interest in these projects is 247 MW based on cash to be distributed. For further discussions, refer to Item 15 — Note 5 , Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Company's thermal steam and chilled water facilities as of December 31, 2017 :



Name and Location of Facility	Thermal Energy Purchaser	% Owned	Rated Megawatt Thermal Equivalent Capacity (MWt)	Net Megawatt Thermal Equivalent Capacity (MWt)	Generating Capacity
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis, MN	Approx. 100 steam and 55 chilled water customers	100	322 136	322 136	Steam: 1,100 MMBtu/hr. Chilled water: 38,700 tons
NRG Energy Center San Francisco, CA	Approx. 180 steam customers	100	133	133	Steam: 454 MMBtu/hr.
NRG Energy Center Omaha, NE	Approx. 60 steam and 65 chilled water customers	100 12 ^(a) 100 0 ^(a)	142 73 77 26	142 9 77 0	Steam: 485 MMBtu/hr Steam: 250 MMBtu/hr Chilled water: 22,000 tons Chilled water: 7,250 tons
NRG Energy Center Harrisburg, PA	Approx. 125 steam and 5 chilled water customers	100	108 13	108 13	Steam: 370 MMBtu/hr. Chilled water: 3,600 tons
NRG Energy Center Phoenix, AZ	Approx. 35 chilled water customers	24 ^(a) 100 12 ^(a) 0 ^(a)	5 104 14 28	1 104 2 0	Steam: 17 MMBtu/hr Chilled water: 29,600 tons Chilled water: 3,920 tons Chilled water: 8,000 tons
NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA	Approx. 25 steam and 25 chilled water customers	100	88 49	88 49	Steam: 302 MMBtu/hr. Chilled water: 13,874 tons
NRG Energy Center San Diego, CA	Approx. 20 chilled water customers	100	31	31	Chilled water: 8,825 tons
NRG Energy Center Dover, DE	Kraft Heinz Company; Proctor and Gamble	100	66	66	Steam: 225 MMBtu/hr.
NRG Energy Center Princeton, NJ	Princeton HealthCare System	100	21 17	21 17	Steam: 72 MMBtu/hr. Chilled water: 4,700 tons
	Total Generating Capacity (MWt)		1,453	1,319

^(a) Net MWt capacity excludes 134 MWt available under the right-to-use provisions contained in agreements between two of the Company's thermal facilities and certain of its customers.

Other Properties

Through the Management Services Agreement with NRG, the Company utilizes NRG's leased corporate headquarters offices at 804 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey.

Item 3 — Legal Proceedings

See Item 15 — Note 16 , Commitments and Contingencies , to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party.

Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5 — Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information, Equity Holders, and Dividends

The Company's Class A common stock and Class C common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade under the ticker symbols "NYLD.A" and "NYLD," respectively. The Company's Class B common stock and Class D common stock are not publicly traded.

As of January 31, 2018 , there were two holders of record of the Class A common stock, one holder of record of the Class B common stock, two holders of record of the Class C common stock and one holder of record of the Class D common stock.

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the high and low sales prices, the closing price of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, as well as dividends per common share paid during those periods.



Common Stock Price Class A	Fourth Quarter 2017	Third Quarter 2017	Second Quarter 2017	First Quarter 2017	Fourth Quarter 2016	Third Quarter 2016	Second Quarter 2016	First Quarter 2016
High	$19.91	$19.54	$17.84	$17.53	$16.50	$17.78	$15.97	$14.12
Low	18.03	16.47	16.08	15.03	13.40	14.93	13.01	9.83
Closing	18.85	18.97	17.06	17.39	15.36	16.32	15.22	13.57
Dividends Per Common Share	$0.288	$0.28	$0.27	$0.26	$0.25	$0.24	$0.23	$0.225
Common Stock Price Class C
High	$20.15	$20.00	$18.35	$18.20	$17.01	$18.56	$16.78	$14.93
Low	18.20	16.95	16.45	15.42	13.98	15.33	13.78	$10.49
Closing	18.90	19.30	17.60	17.70	15.80	16.96	15.59	$14.24
Dividends Per Common Share	$0.288	$0.28	$0.27	$0.26	$0.25	$0.24	$0.23	$0.225

On February 15, 2018 , the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class C common stock of $0.298 per share payable on March 15, 2018 , to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2018 .

The Company's Class A and Class C common stock dividends are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws and regulations. The Company expects that, based on current circumstances, comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the foreseeable future.

Stock Performance Graph

The performance graph below compares the Company's cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Class A common stock for the period from July 16, 2013 through May 14, 2015, the date of the Recapitalization, and the Company's Class A common stock and Class C common stock from May 15, 2015 through December 31, 2017 , with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, or S&P 500, and the Philadelphia Utility Sector Index, or UTY.

The performance graph shown below is being furnished and compares each period assuming that $100 was invested on the initial public offering date in each of the Class A common stock of the Company, the Class C common stock of the Company, the stocks included in the S&P 500 and the stocks included in the UTY, and that all dividends were reinvested.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return



	July 16, 2013		December 31, 2013		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016		December 31, 2017
NRG Yield, Inc. Class A common stock	$	100.00	$	183.04	$	222.39	$	137.17	$	161.81	$	211.11
NRG Yield, Inc. Class C common stock ^(a)	100.00		183.04		222.39		144.60		164.80		209.31
S&P 500	100.00		111.36		126.61		128.36		143.71		175.09
UTY	100.00		97.77		126.06		118.18		138.73		156.52

^(a) Class C common stock price has been indexed to the Class A common stock price from the NRG Yield, Inc. initial public offering date until the Recapitalization, and reflects the Class C common stock Total Return Performance beginning on May 15, 2015.

Item 6 — Selected Financial Data

The following table presents the Company's historical selected financial data, which has been recast to include the Drop Down Assets, as if the transfers had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period, or from the date the respective entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). The acquisitions are further described in Item 15 — Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, for all periods prior to the initial public offering, the data below reflects the Company's accounting predecessor, or NRG Yield, the financial statements of which were prepared on a ''carve-out'' basis from NRG and are intended to represent the financial results of the contracted renewable energy and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. that were acquired by NRG Yield LLC on July 22, 2013. For all periods subsequent to the initial public offering, the data below reflects the Company's consolidated financial results.

This historical data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto in Item 15 and Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.



	Fiscal year ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
Statement of Income Data:
Operating Revenues
Total operating revenues	$	1,009		$	1,035		$	968		$	844		$	451
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of operations	326			308			323			279			156
Depreciation and amortization	334			303			303			240			98
Impairment losses	44			185			1			—			—
General and administrative	19			16			12			8			7
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	3			1			3			4			—
Total operating costs and expenses	726			813			642			531			261
Operating Income	283			222			326			313			190
Other Income (Expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	71			60			31			22			27
Other income, net	4			3			3			6			4
Loss on debt extinguishment	(3		)	—			(9		)	(1		)	—
Interest expense	(306		)	(284		)	(267		)	(222		)	(72		)
Total other expense, net	(234		)	(221		)	(242		)	(195		)	(41		)
Income Before Income Taxes	49			1			84			118			149
Income tax expense (benefit)	72			(1		)	12			4			8
Net (Loss) Income	(23		)	2			72			114			$	141
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	8			(4		)	—			50			32
Net (Loss) Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net (Loss) Income of Drop Down Assets	(31		)	6			72			64			109
Less: Predecessor income prior to initial public offering on July 22, 2013	—			—			—			—			54
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15		)	(51		)	39			48			42
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(16	)	$	57		$	33		$	16		$	13
Earnings Per Share Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. Class A and Class C Common Stockholders
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$	(0.16	)	$	0.58		$	0.40		$	0.30		$	0.29
Dividends per Class A common share	$	1.098		$	0.945		$	1.015		$	1.42		$	0.23
Dividends per Class C common share ^(a)	$	1.098		$	0.945		0.625			N/A			N/A
Other Financial Data:
Capital expenditures	$	31		$	20		$	29		$	79		$	790
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	516		$	577		$	425		$	363		$	174
Investing activities	(283		)	(131		)	(1,098		)	(760		)	(987		)
Financing activities	(415		)	(202		)	354			767			853
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148		$	322		$	111		$	430		$	60
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,204			5,554			5,980			6,119			3,488
Total assets	8,283			8,962			8,926			9,063			4,966
Long-term debt, including current maturities	5,837			6,049			5,660			5,811			2,916
Total liabilities	6,145			6,363			6,023			6,157			3,212
Total stockholders' equity	2,138			2,599			2,903			2,906			1,754

^(a) The Company began paying dividends on Class C common stock after the Recapitalization on May 14, 2015.

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

The following discussion analyzes the Company's historical financial condition and results of operations, which were recast to include the effect of the Drop Down Assets acquired from NRG. As further discussed in Item 15 — Note 1 , Nature of Business , to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the purchases of these assets were accounted for in accordance with ASC 805-50 , Business Combinations - Related Issues , whereas the assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and, accordingly, were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash proceeds and historical value of the net assets was recorded as a distribution to/from NRG and offset to the noncontrolling interest on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with GAAP, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfers as if they had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period, or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). The Company reduces net income attributable to its Class A and Class C common stockholders by the pre-acquisition net income for the Drop Down Assets, as it was not available to the stockholders.

As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations to this Form 10-K, which present the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 . 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.

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.

Executive Summary

Introduction and Overview

The Company is a dividend growth-oriented company that has historically served as the primary vehicle through which NRG owns, operates and acquires contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets. The Company believes it is well positioned to be a premier company for investors seeking stable and growing dividend income from a diversified portfolio of lower-risk high-quality assets.

The Company owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the U.S. The Company’s contracted generation portfolio collectively represents 5,118 net MW. Each of these assets sells substantially all of its output pursuant to long-term offtake agreements with creditworthy counterparties. The average remaining contract duration of these offtake agreements was approximately 15 years as of December 31, 2017 , based on CAFD. The Company also owns thermal infrastructure assets with an aggregate steam and chilled water capacity of 1,319 net MWt and electric generation capacity of 123 net MW. These thermal infrastructure assets provide steam, hot water and/or chilled water, and in some instances electricity, to commercial businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental units in multiple locations, principally through long-term contracts or pursuant to rates regulated by state utility commissions.

Strategic Sponsorship with Global Infrastructure Partners

Enhanced ROFO pipeline — Upon closing, the Company will enter into a new ROFO agreement with GIP that immediately adds 550 MW to the current pipeline. The NRG ROFO Agreement will be amended to remove the Ivanpah solar facility.

Voting and Governance Agreement — As part of the NRG Transaction, the parties have agreed to enter into a voting and governance agreement, which would provide that:


•	the Chief Executive Officer of the Company will at all times be a full-time Company employee appointed by the Board of Directors, or the Board, of the Company;


•	the parties thereto will use their commercially reasonable efforts to submit to the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders a charter amendment to classify the Board into two classes (with the independent directors and directors designated by an affiliate of GIP allocated across the two classes); and


•	the Board will be expanded to nine members at the closing of the NRG Transaction, comprised at that date of five directors designated by GIP, three independent directors and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Significant Events

NRG Transaction


•	On February 6, 2018, NRG entered into agreements with GIP for the sale of 100% of its interest in NRG Yield, Inc. and its renewable energy development and operations platform. In connection with this, the Company entered into a Consent and Indemnity Agreement with NRG and GIP. For further discussion, refer to Item 1 — Business.

Tax Act


•	The Tax Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, makes significant changes to the taxation of U.S. businesses. These changes include a permanent reduction to the federal corporate income tax rate which reduced the Company’s net deferred tax asset and net income during 2017 by $68 million.

Drop Down Assets Acquisitions

•

On February 6, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with NRG to purchase its interest in Carlsbad Energy Holdings LLC, which indirectly owns the Carlsbad project, a 527 MW natural gas fired project in Carlsbad, CA. The purchase price for the transaction is $365 million in cash consideration, subject to working capital and other adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is contingent upon the consummation of the NRG Transaction.


•	On January 24, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with NRG to acquire 100% of NRG's ownership interest in Buckthorn Solar for total consideration of $42 million, subject to adjustments, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.


•	As discussed in Item 15 — Note 3 , Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements , the Company acquired the following:

◦

On November 1, 2017, a 38 MW solar portfolio primarily comprised of assets from NRG's Solar Power Partners (SPP) funds and other projects developed by NRG, or the November 2017 Drop Down Assets, for cash consideration of $74 million plus assumed non-recourse debt of $26 million . During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, NRG recorded an impairment of $13 million related to the November 2017 Drop Down Assets.

◦

On August 1, 2017, the remaining 25% interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco, a portfolio of 12 wind projects, from NRG for total cash consideration of $44 million . The purchase agreement also included potential additional payments to NRG dependent upon actual energy prices for merchant periods beginning in 2027, which were estimated and accrued as contingent consideration in the amount of $8 million as of December 31, 2017.


◦	On March 27, 2017, the following entities: Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC and NRG's interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio, for cash consideration of $132 million . The Company recorded the acquired interests as equity method investments. The Company also assumed non-recourse debt of $41 million and $287 million on Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC and the Utah Solar Portfolio.

Impairment Losses

•

During the fourth quarter of 2017 , the Company recorded asset impairment losses of $31 million , with respect to Elbow Creek and Forward projects from the Renewables segment. For further discussion, refer to Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and Critical Accounting Policies in this Item 7 below, as well as Item 15 — Note 9 , Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing Activities

•

On February 6, 2018, NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC amended the revolving credit facility to modify the change of control provisions to permit the consummation of the NRG Transaction, and also to permit NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC and certain subsidiaries to incur up to $1.5 billion of unsecured indebtedness in order to repurchase or make other required cash payments, in each case if applicable, with respect to NRG Yield Operating LLC’s outstanding senior notes and NRG Yield's outstanding convertible notes in connection with the NRG Transaction.

•

On March 16, 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, amended the shelf facility of its existing Thermal financing arrangement to allow for the issuance of an additional $10 million of Series F notes at a 4.60% interest rate, or the Series F Notes, increasing the total principal amount of notes available for issuance under the shelf facility to $80 million. The Series F Notes are secured by substantially all of the assets of NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC. NRG Thermal LLC has guaranteed the indebtedness and its guarantee is secured by a pledge of the equity interests in all of NRG Thermal LLC’s subsidiaries.


•	During the year ended December 31, 2017, NRG Yield, Inc. issued 1,921,866 shares of Class C common stock under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of $35 million and incurred commission fees of $346 thousand , as described in Sources of Liquidity in this Item 7.

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 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.

Tax Reform

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the Tax Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, makes significant changes to the taxation of U.S. businesses. These changes include, but are not limited to a permanent reduction to the federal corporate income tax rate, changes in the deductibility of interest on certain debt obligations and limiting the amount of NOL available to offset taxable income in the future.

Operational Matters

Walnut Creek Forced Outage

During the first half of 2017, Walnut Creek experienced forced outages due to mechanical failures of turbine parts that caused downstream damage to several of the plant's Units, primarily Unit 1. The repairs necessary to return Unit 1 to service were completed in the second quarter of 2017 and the plant has performed reliably since then. The estimated cost of this outage is approximately $2 million after the recovery of insurance proceeds. Also, during 2017, the Company recorded a loss on disposal of assets of $14 million , in relation to the Unit 1 forced outage. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company, through Walnut Creek, executed an amendment to the contractual service agreement with the original equipment manufacturer to improve long term reliability. The amendment provides for the original equipment manufacturer to perform all required, currently available and future turbine reliability upgrades, and collateral damage reimbursement rights in exchange for an investment of $15 million that would be paid over the next five years, of which $8 million is expected to be paid in 2018.

El Segundo Forced Outage

In January 2017, the El Segundo Energy Center began a forced outage on Units 5 and 6 due to increasing vibrations on successive operations at Unit 5. In consultation with the Company’s operations and maintenance service provider, a subsidiary of NRG, the Company elected to replace the rotor on Unit 5. Both Unit 5 and 6 returned to service on February 24, 2017. In July 2017, the Company executed a warranty settlement agreement with the original equipment manufacturer that reduced total cost from $12 million to $5 million.

Consolidated Results of Operations

2017 compared to 2016

The following table provides selected financial information:



	Year ended December 31,
(In millions)	2017			2016			Change
Operating Revenues
Energy and capacity revenues	$	1,078		$	1,104		$	(26	)
Contract amortization	(69		)	(69		)	—
Total operating revenues	1,009			1,035			(26		)
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of fuels	63			61			2
Emissions credit amortization	—			6			(6		)
Operations and maintenance	197			176			21
Other costs of operations	66			65			1
Depreciation and amortization	334			303			31
Impairment losses	44			185			(141		)
General and administrative	19			16			3
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	3			1			2
Total operating costs and expenses	726			813			(87		)
Operating Income	283			222			61
Other Income (Expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	71			60			11
Other income, net	4			3			1
Loss on debt extinguishment	(3		)	—			3
Interest expense	(306		)	(284		)	(22		)
Total other expense, net	(234		)	(221		)	(13		)
Income Before Income Taxes	49			1			48
Income tax expense (benefit)	72			(1		)	73
Net (Loss) Income	(23		)	2			(25		)
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	8			(4		)	12
Net (Loss) Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income of Drop Down Assets	(31		)	6			(37		)
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15		)	(51		)	36
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(16	)	$	57		$	(73	)



	Year ended December 31,
Business metrics:	2017	2016
Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) ^(a)	6,844	7,291
Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) ^(a)(b)	1,809	1,697
Thermal MWt sold (in thousands)	1,926	1,966
Thermal MWh sold (in thousands) ^(c)	35	71

^(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.

^(c) MWh sold do not include 72 and 204 MWh generated by NRG Dover, a subsidiary of the Company, under the PPA with NRG Power Marketing during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, as further described in Item 15 — Note 15 , Related Party Transactions , to the Consolidated Financial Statements .

Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

Gross Margin

The Company calculates gross margin in order to evaluate operating performance as operating revenues less cost of sales, which includes cost of fuel, contract and emission credit amortization and mark-to-market for economic hedging activities.

Economic Gross Margin

In addition to gross margin, the Company evaluates its operating performance using the measure of economic gross margin, which is not a GAAP measure and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. Economic gross margin should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the Company' presentation of gross margin, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Economic gross margin is not intended to represent gross margin. The Company believes that economic gross margin is useful to investors as it is a key operational measure reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. Economic gross margin is defined as energy and capacity revenue less cost of fuels. Economic gross margin excludes the following components from GAAP gross margin: contract amortization, mark-to-market results, emissions credit amortization and (losses) gains on economic hedging activities. Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses on contracts that are not yet settled.

The below tables present the composition of gross margin, as well as the reconciliation to economic gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 :



	Conventional			Renewables			Thermal			Total
(In millions)
Year ended December 31, 2017
Energy and capacity revenues	$	341		$	563		$	174		$	1,078
Cost of fuels	(1		)	—			(62		)	(63		)
Contract amortization	(5		)	(62		)	(2		)	(69		)
Gross margin	335			501			110			946
Contract amortization	5			62			2			69
Economic gross margin	$	340		$	563		$	112		$	1,015

Year ended December 31, 2016
Energy and capacity revenues	$	338		$	594		$	172		$	1,104
Cost of fuels	(1		)	—			(60		)	(61		)
Contract amortization	(5		)	(62		)	(2		)	(69		)
Emissions credit amortization	(6		)	—			—			(6		)
Gross margin	326			532			110			968
Contract amortization	5			62			2			69
Emissions credit amortization	6			—			—			6
Economic gross margin	$	337		$	594		$	112		$	1,043

Gross margin decreased by $22 million and economic gross margin decreased by $28 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 , compared to the same period in 2016 , primarily due to:



(In millions)
Renewables:
A 7% decrease in volume generated by wind projects, due to lower wind resources at the Alta Wind and NRG Wind TE Holdco projects	$	(31	)
Conventional:
Higher revenues due to 2016 higher priced peak season forced outages, as well as additional start-up revenue from Marsh Landing in 2017	3
Decrease in economic gross margin	$	(28	)
Emissions credit amortization of NOx allowances at Walnut Creek and El Segundo in compliance with amendments to the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market program in 2016	6
Decrease in gross margin	$	(22	)

Operations and Maintenance Expense



	Conventional		Renewables		Thermal		Total
(In millions)
Year ended December 31, 2017	$	52	$	97	$	48	$	197
Year ended December 31, 2016	32		96		48		176

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $21 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 , due to the forced outages in the Conventional segment. The Company recorded higher operations and maintenance costs in Walnut Creek in connection with the Unit 1 forced outages that took place in April of 2017, including an increase of loss on disposal of assets of $12 million, as well as higher operations and maintenance costs in El Segundo due to the forced outages in Units 5 and Unit 6 that took place in January 2017.

Impairment Losses

The Company recorded impairment losses of $44 million and $185 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company’s annual budget, it was determined that both Elbow Creek and Forward projects were impaired due to the continued declining merchant power prices in the post contract periods. As a result, the Company recorded impairment losses of $26 million and $5 million for the Elbow Creek and Forward projects, respectively.

In addition, in connection with the sale of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets, it was identified that undiscounted cash flows were lower than the book value of certain SPP funds and NRG recorded an impairment expense of $13 million . In accordance with the guidance for transfer of assets under common control, the impairment is reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the period ended December 31, 2017.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, it was determined that the cash flows for the Elbow Creek and Goat Wind projects and the Forward project were below the carrying value of the related assets, primarily driven by declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. The Company recorded impairment losses of $117 million , $60 million and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind, and Forward, respectively. The other impairments of $2 million related to the projects that were part of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets. Since the acquisition by the Company of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets related to transfer of assets under common control, these impairments were reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the period ending December 31, 2016. For further discussion see Item 15 — Note 9 , Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in this Item 7.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $11 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 , compared to the same period in 2016 , primarily due to higher earnings from the solar partnerships with NRG, as well as acquisition of the Utah Solar Portfolio in November 2016, partially offset by lower earnings from the San Juan Mesa investment.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $22 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to:



	(In millions)
Assumption of the Utah Solar Portfolio debt in connection with the March 2017 Drop Down Assets	$	14
Issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes in the third quarter of 2016	11
Issuance of new project level debt in the second half of 2016 and 2017 partially offset by the lower principal balances on project level debt in 2017	2
Higher borrowings in 2016 on the revolving credit facility	(5		)
	$	22

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company recorded an income tax expense of $72 million on pretax income of $49 million . For the same period in 2016 , the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1 million on pretax income of $1 million . For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to tax expense recorded from the revaluation of the existing net deferred tax asset pursuant to the reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 21% in accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to taxable earnings allocated to NRG resulting from NRG's interest in NRG Yield LLC and PTCs and ITCs generated from certain wind and solar assets, respectively.

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company's effective rate is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
	(In millions, except percentages)
Income Before Income Taxes	49			1
Tax at 35%	17			—
State taxes, net of federal benefit	(3		)	—
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - tax rate change	68			—
Investment tax credits	(1		)	(1		)
Impact of non-taxable partnership earnings	(9		)	(1		)
Production tax credits, including prior year true-up	(1		)	4
Other	1			(3		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	72		$	(1	)
Effective income tax rate	147		%	(100		)%

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 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) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company had income of $60 million attributable to NRG's interest in the Company and a loss of $75 million attributable to noncontrolling interests with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method.

For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company had income of $ 60 million attributable to NRG's interest in the Company and a loss of $111 million attributable to noncontrolling interests with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method, which was primarily related to the impairment losses described above.

Consolidated Results of Operations

2016 compared to 2015

The following table provides selected financial information:



	Year ended December 31,
(In millions)	2016			2015			Change
Operating Revenues
Energy and capacity revenues	$	1,104		$	1,024		$	80
Contract amortization	(69		)	(54		)	(15		)
Mark-to-market economic hedging activities	—			(2		)	2
Total operating revenues	1,035			968			67
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of fuels	61			71			(10		)
Emissions credit amortization	6			—			6
Operations and maintenance	176			180			(4		)
Other costs of operations	65			72			(7		)
Depreciation and amortization	303			303			—
Impairment losses	185			1			184
General and administrative	16			12			4
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	1			3			(2		)
Total operating costs and expenses	813			642			171
Operating Income	222			326			(104		)
Other Income (Expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	60			31			29
Other income, net	3			3			—
Loss on debt extinguishment	—			(9		)	9
Interest expense	(284		)	(267		)	(17		)
Total other expense, net	(221		)	(242		)	21
Income Before Income Taxes	1			84			(83		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1		)	12			(13		)
Net Income	2			72			(70		)
Less: Pre-acquisition net loss of Drop Down Assets	(4		)	—			(4		)
Net Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net (Loss) Income of Drop Down Assets	6			72			(66		)
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(51		)	39			(90		)
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	57		$	33		$	24



	Year ended December 31,
Business metrics:	2016	2015
Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) ^(a)	7,291	6,463
Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) ^(a)(b)	1,697	2,487
Thermal MWt sold (in thousands)	1,966	1,946
Thermal MWh sold (in thousands) ^(c)	71	297

^(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.

^(c) MWh sold do not include 204 MWh generated by NRG Dover, a subsidiary of the Company, under the PPA with NRG Power Marketing during the year ended December 31, 2016 , respectively, as further described in Item 15 — Note 15 , Related Party Transactions , to the Consolidated Financial Statements .

Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Gross Margin

Economic Gross Margin

The following tables present the composition of gross margin, as well as the reconciliation to economic gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 :



	Conventional			Renewables			Thermal			Total
(In millions)
Year ended December 31, 2016
Energy and capacity revenues	$	338		$	594		$	172		$	1,104
Cost of fuels	(1		)	—			(60		)	(61		)
Contract amortization	(5		)	(62		)	(2		)	(69		)
Emissions credit amortization	(6		)	—			—			(6		)
Gross margin	$	326		$	532		$	110		$	968
Contract amortization	5			62			2			69
Emissions credit amortization	6			—			—			6
Economic gross margin	$	337		$	594		$	112		$	1,043

Year ended December 31, 2015
Energy and capacity revenues	$	341		$	507		$	176		$	1,024
Cost of fuels	(1		)	(1		)	(69		)	(71		)
Contract amortization	(5		)	(47		)	(2		)	(54		)
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—			(2		)	—			(2		)
Gross margin	$	335		$	457		$	105		$	897
Contract amortization	5			47			2			54
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—			2			—			2
Economic gross margin	$	340		$	506		$	107		$	953

Gross margin increased by $71 million and economic gross margin increased by $90 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 , compared to the same period in 2015 , driven by:



Renewables:	(In millions)
26% increase in volume generated at the Alta wind projects, as well as a 7% increase in generation at other Wind projects. Additionally, there was an increase of $4 million in economic gross margin due to the acquisition of Spring Canyon in May 2015	$	61
Increase in average price per MWh due to higher pricing in the Alta X and XI PPAs which were effective in January 2016, compared with merchant prices in 2015	27
Thermal:
Higher sales volume in 2016 as a result of milder weather in 2015, as well as the completion of a project for a new customer in the second half of the year	5
Conventional:
Lower revenues at Walnut Creek as a result of forced outages in 2016, partially offset by higher revenues at El Segundo in 2016 as a result of forced outages in 2015	(3		)
Increase in economic gross margin	$	90
Higher contract amortization primarily for the Alta X and XI PPAs, which began in January 2016	(15		)
Emissions credit amortization of NOx allowances at Walnut Creek and El Segundo in compliance with amendments to the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market program	(6		)
Unrealized losses on forward contracts prior to the start of the PPA for Elbow Creek which began October 2015	2
Increase in gross margin	$	71

Operations and Maintenance Expense



	Conventional		Renewables		Thermal		Total
(In millions)
Year ended December 31, 2016	$	32	$	96	$	48	$	176
Year ended December 31, 2015	30		99		51		180

Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $4 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 , compared to the same period in 2015 , driven by:



	(In millions)
Increase in Conventional segment primarily due to Walnut Creek forced outages in 2016, compared to the forced outages at El Segundo in 2015	$	2
Decrease in Renewables segment primarily due to insurance proceeds received at Wildorado in 2016 in connection with a 2014 wind outage claim	(3		)
Decrease in Thermal segment primarily due to acceleration of maintenance work on thermal facilities into 2015	(3		)
	$	(4	)

Other Costs of Operations

Other costs of operations decreased by $7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 , compared to the same period in 2015 , primarily due to lower assessments for property taxes at Alta X and XI and NRG Wind TE Holdco.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 , primarily due to new executive compensation in 2016, and an increase in base management fee for the Management Services Agreement with NRG in connection with the acquisition of the Drop Down Assets.

Impairment Losses

For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company recorded impairment losses of $185 million , primarily due to the impairments of property, plant and equipment for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind, and Forward, as further described in Item 15 — Note 9 , Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements , as well as in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in this Item 7 below. Because the projects were acquired from NRG and related to interests under common control by NRG, the property, plant and equipment for these assets was recorded at historical cost of $298 million rather than estimated fair value of $132 million at the acquisition date. The three projects were acquired as part of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets. As discussed in Item 15 — Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , the historical cost for November 2015 Drop Down Assets was $369 million for the net assets, which was higher than the fair value paid of $207 million. The difference between the historical cost of net assets and the fair value paid for the November 2015 Drop Down Assets was recorded to noncontrolling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

A loss on debt extinguishment of $9 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2015 , driven by the refinancing of the El Segundo credit facility and the termination of the interest rate swaps for Alta Wind X and XI in connection with the sale of an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco to a financial institution as further described in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $29 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 , compared to the same period in 2015 , primarily due to an increase in equity earnings from Desert Sunlight, which was acquired in June 2015, DGPV Holdco 1 and RPV Holdco, partially offset by losses from Elkhorn Ridge.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $17 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 , compared to the same period in 2015 , due to:



	(In millions)
Amortization of the fair value of interest rate swaps primarily acquired with the January 2015 Drop Down Assets and November 2015 Drop Down Assets	$	10
Issuance of the 2020 Convertible Notes in the second quarter of 2015 and amortization of the related discount and debt issuance costs	8
Issuance of 2026 Senior Notes in August 2016	7
Utah Solar Portfolio debt assumed in connection with the March 2017 Drop Down Assets	6
Issuance of 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes in July 2016	4
Higher revolving credit facility borrowings in 2016	2
Repricing of project-level financing arrangements and lower principal balances	(20		)
	$	17

Income Tax Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1 million on pretax income of $1 million . For the same period in 2015 , the Company recorded income tax expense of $12 million on pretax income of $84 million . For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to taxable earnings allocated to NRG resulting from NRG's interest in NRG Yield LLC and PTCs and ITCs generated from certain wind and solar assets, respectively.

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company's effective rate is as follows:




	2016			2015

Income Before Income Taxes	1			84
Tax at 35%	—			29
State taxes, net of federal benefit	—			2
Investment tax credits	(1		)	(1		)
Impact of non-taxable partnership earnings	(1		)	(17		)
Production tax credits, including prior year true-up	4			(4		)
Other	(3		)	3
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	(1	)	$	12
Effective income tax rate	(100		)%	14		%

Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company had income of $60 million attributable to NRG's interest in the Company and a loss of $111 million attributable to noncontrolling interests with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method, which was primarily related to the impairment losses described above.

For the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company had income of $53 million attributable to NRG's interest in the Company and a loss of $14 million attributable to noncontrolling interests with respect to its tax equity financing arrangements and the application of the HLBV method.

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, 2017 and 2016 , the Company's liquidity was approximately $682 million and $933 million , respectively, comprised of cash, restricted cash, and availability under the Company's revolving credit facility.



	As of December 31,
	2017		2016
	(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148	$	322
Restricted cash - operating	86		76
Restricted cash - reserves	82		100
Total	316		498
Total credit facility availability	366		435
Total liquidity	$	682	$	933

The Company's liquidity includes $168 million and $176 million of restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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. Of these funds as of December 31, 2017 , approximately $25 million is designated for current debt service payments, $25 million is designated to fund operating expenses and $36 million is designated for distributions to the Company, with the remaining $82 million restricted for reserves including debt service, performance obligations and other reserves, as well as capital expenditures.

The Company's various financing arrangements are described in Item 15 — Note 10 , Long-term Debt , to the Consolidated Financial Statements . As of December 31, 2017 , $55 million of borrowings and $74 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

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.

NRG Transaction and Related Liquidity Considerations

On February 6, 2018, NRG entered into agreements for the sale of 100% of its interest in NRG Yield, Inc. and its renewable energy development and operations platform, or the NRG Transaction. In connection with this, the Company entered into a Consent and Indemnity Agreement with NRG and Global Infrastructure Partners. For further discussion of the NRG Transaction and the related ROFO impacts, refer to Item 1 — Business, as well as, Item 15 — Note 1 , Nature of Business .

As part of the Consent and Indemnity Agreement, GIP has arranged a $1.5 billion backstop credit facility to manage any change of control costs associated with NRG Yield's corporate debt. In addition, GIP has committed to provide $400 million in financing support for the Carlsbad Energy Center transaction, which would be exercised if necessary.

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, 2017 . The ratings outlook is stable.



	S&P	Moody's
NRG Yield, Inc.	BB	Ba2
5.375% Senior Notes, due 2024	BB	Ba2
5.000% Senior Notes, due 2026	BB	Ba2

On February 7, 2018, S&P and Moody's reaffirmed the ratings outlook as stable.

Sources of Liquidity

The Company's principal sources of liquidity include cash on hand, cash generated from operations, 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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and above in Significant Events During the Year Ended December 31, 2017 , the Company's financing arrangements consist of the revolving credit facility, the 2019 Convertible Notes, the 2020 Convertible Notes, the 2024 Senior Notes, the 2026 Senior Notes, the ATM Program and project-level financings for its various assets.

At-the-Market Equity Offering Program

In 2016, NRG Yield, Inc. entered into an equity distribution agreement, or EDA, with Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as sales agents. Pursuant to the terms of the EDA, NRG Yield, Inc. may offer and sell shares of its Class C common stock par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the sales agents, as NRG Yield, Inc.’s sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $150,000,000 through an at-the-market equity offering program, or ATM Program. NRG Yield, Inc. may also sell shares of its Class C common stock to any of the sales agents, as principals for its own account, at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. As of December 31, 2017 , NRG Yield, Inc. issued 1,921,866 shares of Class C common stock under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of $35 million and incurred commission fees of $346 thousand . At December 31, 2017, approximately $115 million of Class C common stock remains available for issuance under the ATM Program.

Thermal Financing

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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) acquisitions and investments; and (iv) cash dividends to investors.

Debt Service Obligations

Principal payments on debt as of December 31, 2017 are due in the following periods:



Description	2018		2019		2020		2021		2022		There-after		Total
	(In millions)
NRG Yield, Inc. Convertible Notes, due 2019	$	—	$	345	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	345
NRG Yield, Inc. Convertible Notes, due 2020	—		—		288		—		—		—		288
NRG Yield Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2024	—		—		—		—		—		500		500
NRG Yield Operating LLC Senior Notes, due 2026	—		—		—		—		—		350		350
NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, due 2019	—		55		—		—		—		—		55
Total Corporate-level debt	—		400		288		—		—		850		1,538
Project-level debt:
Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038	1		1		1		1		1		36		41
Alpine, due 2022	8		8		8		8		103		—		135
Alta Wind I - V lease financing arrangements, due 2034 and 2035	40		41		45		45		47		708		926
CVSR, due 2037	26		24		21		23		25		627		746
CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037	6		6		6		7		9		160		194
El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023	48		49		53		57		63		130		400
Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2025	7		11		11		11		11		32		83
Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031	—		—		—		—		—		125		125
Laredo Ridge, due 2028	5		5		6		6		7		66		95
Marsh Landing, due 2023	55		57		60		62		65		19		318
Tapestry, due 2021	11		11		11		129		—		—		162
Utah Solar Portfolio, due 2022	12		14		13		13		226		—		278
Viento, due 2023	16		18		16		16		17		80		163
Walnut Creek, due 2023	45		47		49		52		55		19		267
Other	26		30		69		25		24		269		443
Total project-level debt	306		322		369		455		653		2,271		4,376
Total debt	$	306	$	722	$	657	$	455	$	653	$	3,121	$	5,914

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, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , the Company used approximately $31 million , $20 million , and $29 million , respectively, to fund capital expenditures, including maintenance capital expenditures of $27 million , $16 million , and $20 million , respectively. Growth capital expenditures in 2017 were in primarily in the Thermal segment and relate to servicing new customers in district energy centers. Growth capital expenditures in 2016 and 2015 primarily related to the servicing new customers in district energy centers within the Thermal segment and construction of the Company's solar generating assets. The Company develops annual capital spending plans based on projected requirements for maintenance and growth capital. The Company estimates $32 million of maintenance expenditures for 2018. These estimates are subject to continuing review and adjustment and actual capital expenditures may vary from these estimates.

Acquisitions and Investments

The Company intends to acquire generation and thermal infrastructure assets developed and constructed by NRG or other third parties in the future, as well as generation and thermal infrastructure 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 CAFD.

On February 24, 2017, the Company amended and restated the ROFO Agreement, expanding the ROFO Assets pipeline with the addition of 234 net MW of utility-scale solar projects, consisting of Buckthorn Solar, a 154 net MW solar facility in Texas, and Hawaii solar projects, which have a combined capacity of 80 net MW.

On February 6, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with NRG to purchase 100% of the membership interests in Carlsbad Energy Holdings LLC, which indirectly owns the Carlsbad project, a 527 MW natural gas fired project in Carlsbad, CA, pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. The purchase price for the transaction is $365 million in cash consideration, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2018 and is contingent upon the consummation of the NRG Transaction.

On January 24, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with NRG to purchase 100% of NRG's ownership interest in Buckthorn Solar pursuant to the ROFO Agreement for cash consideration of $42 million , subject to other adjustments. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2018.

As discussed in Item 1 — Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , the Company completed the following acquisitions in 2017:

November 2017 Drop Down Assets — On November 1, 2017, the Company acquired a 38 MW solar portfolio primarily comprised of assets from NRG's Solar Power Partners (SPP) funds and other projects developed by NRG , for cash consideration of $74 million , including a working capital adjustment of $3 million , plus assumed non-recourse debt of $26 million .

August 2017 Drop Down Assets — On August 1, 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco, a portfolio of 12 wind projects, from NRG for total cash consideration of $44 million , including a working capital adjustment of $ 3 million . The transaction also includes potential additional payments to NRG dependent upon actual energy prices for merchant periods beginning in 2027.

Investment Partnership with NRG

On September 26, 2017, the Company entered into an additional partnership with NRG by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC, or DGPV Holdco 3, in which the Company would invest up to $50 million in an operating portfolio of distributed solar assets, primarily comprised of community solar projects, developed by NRG. The Company owns approximately 43 MW of distributed solar capacity, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average contract life of approximately 20 years as of December 31, 2017 .

During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company invested $64 million in distributed generation partnerships with NRG.

Cash Dividends to Investors

The Company intends to use the amount of cash that it receives from its distributions from NRG Yield LLC to pay quarterly dividends to the holders of its Class A common stock and Class C common stock. NRG Yield 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, including among others, maintenance capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of the assets. CAFD is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, plus cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, cash receipts from notes receivable, less cash distributions to noncontrolling interests, maintenance capital expenditures, pro-rata EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates, cash interest paid, income taxes paid, principal amortization of indebtedness and changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments. Dividends on t he 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, 2017 :



	Fourth Quarter 2017		Third Quarter 2017		Second Quarter 2017		First Quarter 2017
Dividends per Class A share	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26
Dividends per Class C share	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26

Cash Flow Discussion

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 2016 :



Year ended December 31,	2017			2016			Change
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	516		$	577		$	(61	)
Net cash used in investing activities	(283		)	(131		)	(152		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(415		)	(202		)	(213		)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities



Changes to net cash provided by operating activities were driven by:	(In millions)
Decrease in operating income adjusted for non-cash items driven by primarily by lower revenues in the Renewables segment in 2017 compared to 2016	$	(62	)
Decrease in working capital driven primarily by the timing of accounts receivable collections, and inventory build up in the Renewables segment in connection with the transition to self operations, as well as higher prepaid expenses in 2017 compared to 2016	(13		)
Higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates primarily due to the acquisition of the Utah Solar Portfolio, which was acquired by the Company in March 2017 and by NRG in November 2016	14
	$	(61	)

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities



Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:	(In millions)
Payments for the acquisition of the March 2017, August 2017, and November 2017 Drop Down Assets in 2017 compared to the payments made for the CVSR Drop Down in 2016	$	(173	)
Higher return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates combined with lower investments primarily in DGPV HoldCo entities in 2017	29
Higher capital expenditures primarily related to maintenance capital expenditures at Walnut Creek as a result of the forced outages in 2017	(11		)
Higher insurance proceeds in 2017 in the Conventional segment compared to the insurance proceeds in 2016 in the Renewables segment	3
	$	(152	)

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities



Changes in net cash used in financing activities were driven by:	(In millions)
Higher borrowing in 2016, primarily related to the 2026 Senior Notes and CVSR Holdco Notes due 2037 partially offset by higher repayments of long-term debt in 2017	$	(751	)
Net payments of $306 million under the revolving credit facility in 2016 compared to proceeds of $55 million in 2017	361
Lower net payments of distributions to NRG for the Drop Down Assets relating to the pre-acquisition period in 2017 compared to 2016	164
Proceeds from the NRG Yield, Inc. Class C common stock offerings under the ATM Program, net of underwriting discounts and commissions	34
Increase in dividends paid to common stockholders and distributions paid to NRG, primarily driven by a 16% increase in declared dividends and distributions from 2016 to 2017	(29		)
Increase in net contributions from noncontrolling interests due to higher production-based payments in 2017 compared to 2016	8
	$	(213	)

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015

The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 2015 :



Year ended December 31,	2016			2015			Change
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	577		$	425		$	152
Net cash used in investing activities	(131		)	(1,098		)	967
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(202		)	354			(556		)

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 driven by higher revenues mainly in the Renewables segment in 2016 compared to 2015	$	120
Changes in working capital driven primarily by the timing of accounts receivable collections in 2015 compared to 2016	34
Lower distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	(2		)
	$	152

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities



Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:	(In millions)
Higher payments for the acquisition of the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets in 2015 compared to the payments made for the CVSR Drop Down in 2016	$	621
Higher net investments in unconsolidated affiliates in 2015, primarily due to investment in Desert Sunlight	305
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired, in 2015	37
Decrease in capital expenditures primarily due to the completion of a project in the Thermal segment in 2015, as well as lower maintenance capital expenditures in 2016	9
Other	(5		)
	$	967

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities



Changes in net cash provided by financing activities were driven by:	(In millions)
Higher payments of distributions to NRG from Drop Down Assets prior to the acquisition dates	$	(105	)
Proceeds from sale of an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco in 2015, as further described in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities , compared to lower net contributions from tax equity investors in 2016	(117		)
Proceeds from Class C equity offering on June 29, 2015	(599		)
Increase in dividends paid to common stockholders, as declared dividends increased 16.3% from 2015 to 2016	(34		)
Net repayments of $306 million under the revolving credit facility in 2016 compared to the net borrowings of $306 million in 2015	(612		)
Issuance of the Series D Notes in October 2016, 2026 Senior Notes in August 2016, and CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037 in July 2016, partially offset by lower debt principal payments throughout 2016, compared to 2015	913
Higher debt issuance costs paid in 2016	(2		)
	$	(556	)

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

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company has a cumulative federal NOL carry forward balance of $870 million for financial statement purposes, which will begin expiring in 2033, and does not anticipate any federal income tax payments for 2018 . As a result of the Company's tax position, and based on current forecasts, the Company does not anticipate significant income tax payments for state and local jurisdictions in 2018 . Based on the Company's current and expected NOL balances generated primarily by accelerated tax depreciation of its property, plant and equipment, the Company does not expect to pay significant federal income tax for a period of approximately ten years, inclusive of any NOL generated in 2018 or later subject to an 80% limitation against future taxable income pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The Company has no uncertain tax benefits.

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, 2017 , the Company has several investments with an ownership interest percentage of 50% or less in energy and energy-related entities that are accounted for under the equity method. NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC , NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC, NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC and GenConn are variable interest entities 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 $777 million as of December 31, 2017 . 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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

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



	By Remaining Maturity at December 31,
	2017										2016
Contractual Cash Obligations	Under 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		Over 5 Years		Total		Total
	(In millions)
Long-term debt (including estimated interest)	$	593	$	1,870	$	1,500	$	3,907	$	7,870	$	8,342
Operating leases	9		18		18		151		196		199
Fuel purchase and transportation obligations	11		8		6		16		41		45
Other liabilities ^(a)	29		45		29		105		208		129
Total	$	642	$	1,941	$	1,553	$	4,179	$	8,315	$	8,715

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The Company may enter into fuel 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, 2017 , based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at December 31, 2017 . 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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



Derivative Activity (Losses)/Gains	(In millions)
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2016	$	(76	)
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period	32
Changes in fair value	(2		)
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2017	$	(46	)

Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2017

Maturity

Fair Value Hierarchy Losses

1 Year or Less

Greater Than 1 Year to 3 Years

Greater Than 3 Years to 5 Years

Greater Than 5 Years

Total Fair

Value

(In millions)

Level 2

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, NRG, on behalf of 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. NRG'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.

The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Item 15 — Note 2 , Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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, impairment of long lived assets and other intangible assets and acquisition accounting.



Accounting Policy	Judgments/Uncertainties Affecting Application

Income Taxes and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets	Ability to withstand legal challenges of tax authority decisions or appeals
	Anticipated future decisions of tax authorities
	Application of tax statutes and regulations to transactions
	Ability to utilize tax benefits through carry backs to prior periods and carry forwards to future periods
Impairment of Long Lived Assets	Recoverability of investments through future operations
	Regulatory and political environments and requirements
	Estimated useful lives of assets
	Operational limitations and environmental obligations
	Estimates of future cash flows
	Estimates of fair value
	Judgment about triggering events
Acquisition Accounting	Identification of intangible assets acquired
	Inputs for fair value of assets and liabilities acquired
	Application of various methodologies

Income Taxes and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a valuation allowance of $10 million, reduced from $16 million at December 22, 2017 due to the corporate income tax rate reduction from 35% to 21% in accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The valuation allowance is related to a deferred tax asset expected to result in a capital loss for which no existing capital gains or tax planning strategies to utilize the asset in the future are available. Other than for this expected capital loss, 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 impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act upon 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. In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which addresses how a company may recognize provisional amounts for the effect of the changes related to the Tax Act. Consistent with that guidance, the Company recognized provisional amounts based upon our interpretation of the tax laws and estimates which require significant judgments.

Considerable judgment is required to determine the tax treatment of a particular item that involves interpretations of complex tax laws. The project-level entities, as former subsidiaries of NRG, are no longer subject to federal audit examination for years prior to 2015, but are subject to state and local audit for multiple years in various jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations for all years beginning in 2013.

Evaluation of Assets for Impairment and Other-Than-Temporary Decline in Value

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment , or ASC 360, property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. Examples of such indicators or events are:


•	Significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset;


•	Significant adverse change in the manner an asset is being used or its physical condition;


•	Adverse business climate;


•	Accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the construction or acquisition of an asset;


•	Current-period loss combined with a history of losses or the projection of future losses; and


•	Change in the Company's intent about an asset from an intent to hold to a greater than 50% likelihood that an asset will be sold or disposed of before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, through considering project specific assumptions for long-term power pool prices, escalated future project operating costs and expected plant operations. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value may be determined by factoring in the probability weighting of different courses of action available to the Company as appropriate. Generally, fair value will be determined using valuation techniques such as the present value of expected future cash flows or comparable values determined by transactions in the market. The Company uses its best estimates in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including forward price curves for energy, fuel costs and operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in the Company's estimates, and the impact of such variations could be material.

Annually, during the fourth quarter, the Company revises its views of power prices, including the Company's fundamental view for long-term power prices, forecasted generation and operating and capital expenditures, in connection with the preparation of its annual budget.

The Company recorded certain long-lived asset impairments in 2017 and 2016, as described in Item 15 — Note 9 , Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements, with respect to several wind projects.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, the Company determined that the cash flows for the Elbow Creek and Forward facilities were below the carrying value of the related assets, primarily driven by continued declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. The fair value of the facilities was determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for each respective plant. The income approach utilizes estimates of discounted future cash flows, which include key inputs, such as forecasted power prices, operations and maintenance expense, and discount rates. The Company measured the impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets and recorded impairment losses of $26 million and $5 million for Elbow Creek and Forward, respectively.

The Company is also required to evaluate its equity method investments to determine whether or not they are impaired. ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures , or ASC 323, provides the accounting requirements for these investments. The standard for determining whether an impairment must be recorded under ASC 323 is whether the value is considered to be an other-than-temporary decline in value. The evaluation and measurement of impairments under ASC 323 involves the same uncertainties as described for long-lived assets that the Company owns directly and accounts for in accordance with ASC 360. Similarly, the estimates that the Company makes with respect to its equity method investments are subjective, and the impact of variations in these estimates could be material. Additionally, if the projects in which the Company holds these investments recognize an impairment under the provisions of ASC 360, the Company would record its proportionate share of that impairment loss and would evaluate its investment for an other-than-temporary decline in value under ASC 323.

Certain of the Company’s projects have useful lives that extend well beyond the contract period and therefore, management’s view of long-term power prices in the post-contract periods may have a significant impact on the expected future cash flows for these projects. Accordingly, if management’s view of long-term power prices in certain markets continues to decrease, it is possible that some of the Company’s other long-lived assets may be impaired.

Acquisition Accounting

The Company applies ASC 805, Business Combinations , when accounting for the acquisition of a business, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The Company completes the accounting for an acquisition when the evaluations are completed to the extent that additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The allocation of the purchase price may be modified up to one year from the date of the acquisition as more information is obtained about the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Consideration is measured based on fair value of the assets transferred to the seller.

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.

The Company must apply ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues, when it acquires an interest from NRG. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company related to interests under common control by NRG must be recorded at historical cost, with the difference between the amount paid and the historical value of the related equity recorded as a distribution to or contribution from NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest. Economics may change in the years subsequent to NRG’s construction or acquisition of certain assets, and although the Company may acquire these assets from NRG based on a different valuation, the Company must record the assets at historical cost. These changes in economics may impact the amount that the Company pays for the assets but will not alter the carrying amount. Accordingly, significant changes in the economics related to these assets may trigger a requirement for impairment testing.

Recent Accounting Developments

See Item 15 — Note 2 , Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting developments.

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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Based on a sensitivity analysis using simplified assumptions, the impact of a $0.50 per MMBtu increase or decrease in natural gas prices across the term of the derivative contracts would cause a change of approximately $1 million in the net value of derivatives as of December 31, 2017 .

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. NRG's risk management policies allow the Company to reduce interest rate exposure from variable rate debt obligations. See item 15 — Note 7 , Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , to the Consolidated Financial Statements 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 , to the Consolidated Financial Statements 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, 2017 , the Company would have owed the counterparties $50 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, 2017 , a 1% change in interest rates would result in an approximately $3 million change in market interest expense on a rolling twelve-month basis.

As of December 31, 2017 , the fair value of the Company's debt was $5,930 million and the carrying value was $5,897 million . The Company estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of its long-term debt by $306 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 1 , Nature of Business , and Note 6 , Fair Value of Financial Instruments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about concentration of credit risk.

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

None.

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 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) that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2017 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, 2017 .

The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 , has been audited by KPMG LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is included in this Form 10-K.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

NRG Yield, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited NRG Yield, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss)/income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule “Schedule I. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant” (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

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’s 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 of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included 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.

(signed) KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 1, 2018

Item 9B — Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Directors

Kirkland B. Andrews has served as a director since the Company's formation in December 2012. Mr. Andrews served as the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from December 2012 to November 2016. Mr. Andrews has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NRG since September 2011. Prior to joining NRG, he served as Managing Director and Co-Head Investment Banking, Power and Utilities—Americas at Deutsche Bank Securities from June 2009 to September 2011. Prior to this, he served in several capacities at Citigroup Global Markets Inc., including Managing Director, Group Head, North American Power from November 2007 to June 2009, and Head of Power M&A, Mergers and Acquisitions from July 2005 to November 2007. In his banking career, Mr. Andrews led multiple large and innovative strategic, debt, equity and commodities transactions. Mr. Andrews’ extensive investment banking experience, specifically in the energy industry and financial structuring, brings important experience and skills to the Company’s board of directors.

John Chillemi has served as a director of the Company since May 2016. Mr. Chillemi has also served as Executive Vice President, National Business Development of NRG since December 2015. In this role, Mr. Chillemi is responsible for all wholesale generation development activities for NRG across the nation. Prior to December 2015, Mr. Chillemi was Senior Vice President and Regional President, West since NRG’s acquisition of GenOn Energy, Inc., or GenOn, in December 2012. Mr. Chillemi served as the Regional President in California and the West for GenOn from December 2010 to December 2012, and as President and Vice President of the West at Mirant Corporation from 2007 December 2010. Mr. Chillemi has 30 years of power industry experience, beginning with Georgia Power in 1986. Mr. Chillemi’s knowledge of the Company’s assets, operations and businesses bring important experience and skills to the Company’s board of directors.

John F. Chlebowski is the Company's Lead Independent Director and has been a director since July 2013. Mr. Chlebowski served as the Company's Interim Chairman of the Board from December 2015 to May 2016. Mr. Chlebowski had been a director of NRG from December 2003 to July 2013. Mr. Chlebowski served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeshore Operating Partners, LLC, a bulk liquid distribution firm, from March 2000 until his retirement in December 2004. From July 1999 until March 2000, Mr. Chlebowski was a senior executive and cofounder of Lakeshore Liquids Operating Partners, LLC, a private venture firm in the bulk liquid distribution and logistics business, and from January 1998 until July 1999, he was a private investor and consultant in bulk liquid distribution. From 1994 until 1997, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Terminals Corporation, a subsidiary of GATX Corporation. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of GATX Corporation from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Chlebowski served as a director of First Midwest Bancorp Inc. from June 2007 until May 2017. Mr. Chlebowski also served as the Non-Executive Chairman of SemGroup Corporation from December 2009 until January 2017. Mr. Chlebowski also served as a director of Laidlaw International, Inc. from June 2003 until October 2007, SpectraSite, Inc. from June 2004 until August 2005, and Phosphate Resource Partners Limited Partnership from June 2004 until August 2005. Mr. Chlebowski’s extensive leadership and financial expertise, as a result of his position as a former chief executive officer and his service on several boards of companies involved in the restructuring or recovery of their core business, enable him to contribute to the board of directors' significant managerial, strategic, and financial oversight skills. Furthermore, Mr. Chlebowski’s service on other public boards, notably as a non-executive Chairman, provides valuable insight into the application of various governance principles to the Company’s board of directors.

Brian R. Ford has served as a director since July 2013. 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 public companies: GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a global provider of marine transportation, since 2009, where he also serves as the chairman of the audit committee and as a member of the governance nominating committee; AmeriGas Propane, Inc., a propane company, since 2013, where he also serves as a member of its audit committee and corporate governance committee; FS Investment Corporation III, 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 board of Drexel University. 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.

Mauricio Gutierrez has served as Chairman of the board of directors of the Company since May 2016, and a director since the Company's formation in December 2012. Mr. Gutierrez was the Company's Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from December 2015 to May 2016 and the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from December 2012 to December 2015. Mr. Gutierrez has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NRG since December 2015. Prior to December 2015, Mr. Gutierrez was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NRG from July 2010 to December 2015. Mr. Gutierrez has been with NRG since August 2004 and served in multiple executive positions within NRG including Executive Vice President - Commercial Operations of NRG from January 2009 to July 2010 and Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations of NRG from March 2008 to January 2009. Prior to joining NRG in August 2004, Mr. Gutierrez held various commercial positions within Dynegy, Inc. Mr. Gutierrez’s knowledge of the Company’s assets, operations and businesses bring important experience and skills to the Company’s board of directors.

Ferrell P. McClean 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.

Christopher S. Sotos has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2016, and as a director since May 2013. Mr. Sotos has 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 joined NRG in 2004 as a Senior Finance Analyst, following more than nine years in key financial roles within the energy sector and other industries for Houston-based companies such as Koch Capital Markets, Entergy Wholesale Operations and Service Corporation International. Mr. Sotos also serves on the board of FuelCell Energy, Inc. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Sotos provides the Company's Board 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.

Executive Officers

Christopher S. Sotos has 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 has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since November 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served in various roles at NRG, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy, of NRG since January 2016. 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.

David Callen has served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since March 2015. In this capacity, Mr. Callen is responsible for directing the Company's financial accounting and reporting activities. Mr. Callen also has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of NRG since February 2016 and Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from March 2015 to February 2016. Prior to this, Mr. Callen served as NRG's Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis from November 2010 to March 2015. He previously served as Director, Finance from October 2007 through October 2010, Director, Financial Reporting from February 2006 through October 2007, and Manager, Accounting Research from September 2004 through February 2006. Prior to NRG, Mr. Callen was an auditor for KPMG LLP in both New York City and Tel Aviv, Israel, from October 1996 through April 2001.

David R. Hill has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel since the Company's formation in December 2012. Mr. Hill has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of NRG since September 2012. Prior to joining NRG, Mr. Hill was a partner and co-head of Sidley Austin LLP's global energy practice group from February 2009 to August 2012. Prior to joining Sidley Austin, Mr. Hill served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy from August 2005 to January 2009 and, for the three years prior to that, as Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy of the U.S. DOE. Prior to his federal government services, Mr. Hill was a partner at major law firms in Washington D.C. and Kansas City, Missouri, and handled a variety of regulatory, litigation and corporate matters.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled "NRG Yield Code of Conduct" that applies to directors and officers of the Company. It may be accessed through the "Corporate Governance" section of the Company's website at http://www.nrgyield.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 "NRG Yield, Inc. Code of Conduct" 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 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans



Plan Category	(a) Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights	(b) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights		(c) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders - Class A common stock	29,183	$	—	— ⁽¹⁾
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders - Class C common stock	332,340	—		1,627,506
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	—	N/A		—
Total	361,523	$	—	1,627,506

⁽¹⁾ Consists of 1,627,506 shares of Class A and Class C common stock issuable under the NRG Yield, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Beginning in May 2015, awards granted and associated dividend equivalent rights will 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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

PART IV

Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1) Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of NRG Yield, Inc. and related notes thereto, together with the reports thereon of KPMG LLP, are included herein:

Consolidated Statements of Operations — Years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity — Years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

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

NRG Yield, Inc. Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , are included in NRG Yield, 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

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

NRG Yield, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NRG Yield, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss)/income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule “Schedule I. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant” (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, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, 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, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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 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.

(signed) KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 1, 2018

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



	Year ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share amounts)	2017			2016 ^(a)			2015 ^(a)
Operating Revenues
Total operating revenues	$	1,009		$	1,035		$	968
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of operations	326			308			323
Depreciation and amortization	334			303			303
Impairment losses	44			185			1
General and administrative	19			16			12
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	3			1			3
Total operating costs and expenses	726			813			642
Operating Income	283			222			326
Other Income (Expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	71			60			31
Other income, net	4			3			3
Loss on debt extinguishment	(3		)	—			(9		)
Interest expense	(306		)	(284		)	(267		)
Total other expense, net	(234		)	(221		)	(242		)
Income Before Income Taxes	49			1			84
Income tax expense (benefit)	72			(1		)	12
Net (Loss) Income	(23		)	2			72
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	8			(4		)	—
Net (Loss) Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income (Loss) of Drop Down Assets	(31		)	6			72
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15		)	(51		)	39
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(16	)	$	57		$	33
Earnings Per Share Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. Class A and Class C Common Stockholders
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	35			35			35
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	64			63			49
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$	(0.16	)	$	0.58		$	0.40
Dividends Per Class A Common Share	$	1.098		$	0.945		$	1.015
Dividends Per Class C Common Share	$	1.098		$	0.945		$	0.625

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME



	Year ended December 31,
	2017			2016 ^(a)			2015 ^(a)
(In millions)
Net (Loss) Income	$	(23	)	$	2		$	72
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($7), $0, and $10	10			13			(7		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10			13			(7		)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(13		)	15			65
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	8			(4		)	—
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	(37		)	50
Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(16	)	$	56		$	15

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016 ^(a)
ASSETS	(In millions)
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148		$	322
Restricted cash	168			176
Accounts receivable — trade	95			95
Inventory	39			39
Notes receivable — current	13			16
Prepayments and other current assets	19			22
Total current assets	482			670
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,204			5,554
Other Assets
Equity investments in affiliates	1,178			1,152
Intangible assets, net	1,228			1,303
Deferred income taxes	128			216
Other non-current assets	63			67
Total other assets	2,597			2,738
Total Assets	$	8,283		$	8,962
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	$	306		$	323
Accounts payable — trade	27			23
Accounts payable — affiliate	48			40
Derivative instruments	17			33
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	88			86
Total current liabilities	486			505
Other Liabilities
Long-term debt	5,531			5,726
Accounts payable — affiliate	—			9
Derivative instruments	31			46
Other non-current liabilities	97			77
Total non-current liabilities	5,659			5,858
Total Liabilities	6,145			6,363
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	—			—
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 500,000,000, Class B 500,000,000, Class C 1,000,000,000, Class D 1,000,000,000); 184,780,837 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 64,717,087, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2017 and 182,848,000 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 62,784,250, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2016	1			1
Additional paid-in capital	1,843			1,879
Accumulated deficit	(69		)	(2		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(28		)	(28		)
Noncontrolling interest	391			749
Total Stockholders' Equity	2,138			2,599
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	8,283		$	8,962

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



	Year ended December 31,
	2017			2016 ^(a)			2015 ^(a)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	(In millions)
Net (loss) income	$	(23	)	$	2		$	72
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(71		)	(60		)	(31		)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	72			58			60
Depreciation and amortization	334			303			303
Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts	25			20			16
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts	70			76			55
Loss on debt extinguishment	3			—			9
Change in deferred income taxes	72			(1		)	12
Impairment losses	44			185			1
Changes in derivative instruments	(16		)	(15		)	(44		)
Loss on disposal of asset components	16			6			3
Cash provided by (used in) changes in other working capital:
Changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments	(4		)	(8		)	(12		)
Changes in other working capital	(6		)	11			(19		)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	516			577			425
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—			—			(37		)
Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired	(250		)	(77		)	(698		)
Capital expenditures	(31		)	(20		)	(29		)
Cash receipts from notes receivable	17			17			17
Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates	47			28			42
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(73		)	(83		)	(402		)
Other	7			4			9
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(283		)	(131		)	(1,098		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net contributions from noncontrolling interests	13			5			122
Net distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets	(20		)	(184		)	(79		)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	34			—			599
Payments of dividends and distributions	(202		)	(173		)	(139		)
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility	55			60			551
Payments for the revolving credit facility	—			(366		)	(245		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	41			740			293
Payments of debt issuance costs	(4		)	(15		)	(13		)
Payments for long-term debt	(332		)	(269		)	(735		)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	(415		)	(202		)	354
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(182		)	244			(319		)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	498			254			573
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	316		$	498		$	254

Supplemental Disclosures
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	$	(297	)	$	(271	)	$	(279	)
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to fixed assets for accrued capital expenditures	4			3			3
Decrease to fixed assets for deferred tax asset	—			—			19
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of assets	(20		)	44			38
Non-cash return of capital and distributions to NRG, net of contributions	$	(2	)	$	65		$	(9	)

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NRG YIELD, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



(In millions)	Preferred Stock		Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at December 31, 2014 ^(a)	$	—	$	—	$	1,240		$	3		$	(9	)	$	1,610		$	2,844
Members' equity - Acquired Drop Down Assets	—		—		—			—			—			62			62
Balances at December 31, 2014	—		—		1,240			3			(9		)	1,672			2,906
Net income ^(b)	—		—		—			33			—			39			72
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives, net of tax	—		—		—			—			(18		)	11			(7		)
Payments for January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets	—		—		—			—			—			(698		)	(698		)
Distributions and returns of capital to NRG, net of contributions, cash ^(b)	—		—		—			—			—			(79		)	(79		)
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash ^(b)	—		—		—			—			—			(9		)	(9		)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, cash	—		—		—			—			—			122			122
Noncontrolling interest acquired in Spring Canyon acquisition	—		—		—			—			—			74			74
Stock-based compensation	—		—		1			—			—			—			1
Proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock	—		1		598			—			—			—			599
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of property, plant and equipment	—		—		38			—			—			—			38
Equity portion of the 2020 Convertible Notes	—		—		23			—			—			—			23
Common stock dividends	—		—		(45		)	(24		)	—			(70		)	(139		)
Balances at December 31, 2015	$	—	$	1	$	1,855		$	12		$	(27	)	$	1,062		$	2,903
Net income (loss) ^(b)	—		—		—			57			—			(51		)	6
Pre-acquisition net loss of acquired Drop Down Assets	—		—		—			—			—			(4		)	(4		)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives, net of tax	—		—		—			—			(1		)	14			13
Payment for CVSR Drop Down Asset	—		—		—			—			—			(77		)	(77		)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions, cash	—		—		—			—			—			5			5
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, cash ^(b)	—		—		—			—			—			(184		)	(184		)
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash ^(b)	—		—		—			—			—			65			65
Stock-based compensation	—		—		1			—			—			—			1
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of property, plant and equipment	—		—		44			—			—			—			44
Common stock dividends	—		—		(21		)	(71		)	—			(81		)	(173		)
Balances as of December 31, 2016	$	—	1		$	1,879		$	(2	)	$	(28	)	$	749		$	2,599
Net loss	—		—		—			(16		)	—			(15		)	(31		)
Pre-acquisition net income of acquired Drop Down Assets	—		—		—			—			—			8			8
Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax	—		—		—			—			—			10			10
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	—		—		—			5			—			—			5
Payments for the March 2017, August 2017 and November 2017 Drop Down Assets	—		—		—			—			—			(250		)	(250		)
August 2017 Drop Down Assets contingent consideration	—		—		—			—			—			(8		)	(8		)
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions, cash	—		—		—			—			—			11			11
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, cash	—		—		—			—			—			(18		)	(18		)
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash	—		—		—			—			—			(2		)	(2		)
Stock-based compensation	—		—		2			—			—			—			2
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C Common Stock	—		—		34			—			—			—			34
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of assets	—		—		(20		)	—			—			—			(20		)
Common stock dividends	—		—		(52		)	(56		)	—			(94		)	(202		)
Balances as of December 31, 2017	$	—	1		$	1,843		$	(69	)	$	(28	)	$	391		$	2,138

^(a) As previously reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, included in the Company's May 9, 2017 Form 8-K.

^(b) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NRG YIELD, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Nature of Business

The Company was formed by NRG as a Delaware corporation on December 20, 2012 and closed its initial public offering on July 22, 2013. In connection with its initial public offering, the Company's shares of Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYLD.”

The Company is the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC and operates and controls all of its business and affairs and consolidates the financial results of NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries. NRG Yield LLC is a holding company for the companies that directly and indirectly own and operate the Company's business. As a result of the current ownership of the Class B common stock and Class D common stock, NRG continues at the present time to control the Company, and the Company in turn, as the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC, controls NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries.

The following table represents the structure of the Company as of December 31, 2017 :

On July 12, 2017, NRG announced that it had adopted and initiated a three-year, three-part improvement plan, or the NRG Transformation Plan. As part of the NRG Transformation Plan, NRG announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its renewables platform and its interest in the Company. NRG, through its holdings of Class B common stock and Class D common stock, has a 55.1% voting interest in the Company and receives distributions from NRG Yield LLC through its ownership of Class B units and Class D units.

On February 6, 2018, Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP, entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NRG, or the NRG Transaction, for the acquisition of NRG's full ownership interests in the Company and NRG's renewable development and operations platform. The NRG Transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary legal and regulatory approvals. The Company expects the NRG Transaction to close in the second half of 2018. NRG is the Company's controlling stockholder and the Company has been highly dependent on NRG for, among other things, growth opportunities and management and administration services. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors for risks related to the Strategic Sponsorship with GIP and the Company's relationship with NRG.

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's operating assets are comprised of the following projects:



Projects	Percentage Ownership		Net Capacity (MW) ^(a)	Offtake Counterparty	Expiration
Conventional
El Segundo	100	%	550	Southern California Edison	2023
GenConn Devon	50	%	95	Connecticut Light & Power	2040
GenConn Middletown	50	%	95	Connecticut Light & Power	2041
Marsh Landing	100	%	720	Pacific Gas and Electric	2023
Walnut Creek	100	%	485	Southern California Edison	2023
			1,945
Utility Scale Solar
Agua Caliente	16	%	46	Pacific Gas and Electric	2039
Alpine	100	%	66	Pacific Gas and Electric	2033
Avenal	50	%	23	Pacific Gas and Electric	2031
Avra Valley	100	%	26	Tucson Electric Power	2032
Blythe	100	%	21	Southern California Edison	2029
Borrego	100	%	26	San Diego Gas and Electric	2038
CVSR	100	%	250	Pacific Gas and Electric	2038
Desert Sunlight 250	25	%	63	Southern California Edison	2034
Desert Sunlight 300	25	%	75	Pacific Gas and Electric	2039
Kansas South	100	%	20	Pacific Gas and Electric	2033
Roadrunner	100	%	20	El Paso Electric	2031
TA High Desert	100	%	20	Southern California Edison	2033
Utah Solar Portfolio ^(b)(e)	50	%	265	PacifiCorp	2036
			921
Distributed Solar
Apple I LLC Projects	100	%	9	Various	2032
AZ DG Solar Projects	100	%	5	Various	2025-2033
SPP Projects	100	%	25	Various	2026-2037
Other DG Projects	100	%	13	Various	2023-2039
			52
Wind
Alta I	100	%	150	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta II	100	%	150	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta III	100	%	150	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta IV	100	%	102	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta V	100	%	168	Southern California Edison	2035
Alta X ^(b)	100	%	137	Southern California Edison	2038
Alta XI ^(b)	100	%	90	Southern California Edison	2038
Buffalo Bear	100	%	19	Western Farmers Electric Co-operative	2033
Crosswinds ^(b)(f)	99	%	21	Corn Belt Power Cooperative	2027
Elbow Creek ^(b)(f)	100	%	122	NRG Power Marketing LLC	2022
Elkhorn Ridge ^(b)(f)	66.7	%	54	Nebraska Public Power District	2029
Forward ^(b)(f)	100	%	29	Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.	2022
Goat Wind ^(b)(f)	100	%	150	Dow Pipeline Company	2025
Hardin ^(b)(f)	99	%	15	Interstate Power and Light Company	2027



Projects	Percentage Ownership		Net Capacity (MW) ^(a)	Offtake Counterparty	Expiration
Laredo Ridge	100	%	80	Nebraska Public Power District	2031
Lookout ^(b)(f)	100	%	38	Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative	2030
Odin ^(b)(f)	99.9	%	20	Missouri River Energy Services	2028
Pinnacle	100	%	55	Maryland Department of General Services and University System of Maryland	2031
San Juan Mesa ^(b)(f)	75	%	90	Southwestern Public Service Company	2025
Sleeping Bear ^(b)(f)	100	%	95	Public Service Company of Oklahoma	2032
South Trent	100	%	101	AEP Energy Partners	2029
Spanish Fork ^(b)(f)	100	%	19	PacifiCorp	2028
Spring Canyon II ^(b)	90.1	%	29	Platte River Power Authority	2039
Spring Canyon III ^(b)	90.1	%	25	Platte River Power Authority	2039
Taloga	100	%	130	Oklahoma Gas & Electric	2031
Wildorado ^(b)(f)	100	%	161	Southwestern Public Service Company	2027
			2,200
Thermal
NRG Energy Center Dover LLC	100	%	103	NRG Power Marketing LLC	2018
Thermal generation	100	%	20	Various	Various
			123
Total net generation capacity ^(c)			5,241

Thermal equivalent MWt ^(d)	100	%	1,319	Various	Various

^(a) Net capacity represents the maximum, or rated, generating capacity of the facility multiplied by the Company's percentage ownership in the facility as of December 31, 2017 .

^(b) Projects are part of tax equity arrangements.

^(c) The Company's total generation capacity is net of 6 MWs for noncontrolling interest for Spring Canyon II and III. The Company's generation capacity including this noncontrolling interest was 5,247 .

^(d) For thermal energy, net capacity represents MWt for steam or chilled water and excludes 134 MWt available under the right-to-use provisions contained in agreements between two of the Company's thermal facilities and certain of its customers.

^(e) Represents interests in Four Brothers Solar, LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC, and Iron Springs Holdings, LLC, all acquired as part of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets acquisition (ownership percentage is based upon cash to be distributed).

^(f) Projects are part of NRG Wind TE Holdco portfolio.

In addition to the facilities owned or leased in the table above, the Company entered into partnerships to own or purchase solar power generation projects, as well as other ancillary related assets from a related party via intermediate funds. The Company does not consolidate these partnerships and accounts for them as equity method investments. The Company's net interest in these projects is 247 MW based on cash to be distributed as of December 31, 2017 . For further discussions, refer to Note 5 , Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Substantially all of the Company's generation assets are under long-term contractual arrangements for the output or capacity from these assets. The thermal assets are comprised of district energy systems and combined heat and power plants that produce steam, hot water and/or chilled water and, in some instances, electricity at a central plant. Certain district energy systems are subject to rate regulation by state public utility commissions (although they may negotiate certain rates) while the other district energy systems have rates determined by negotiated bilateral contracts.

As described in Note 15 , Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has a management services agreement with NRG for various services, including human resources, accounting, tax, legal, information systems, treasury, and risk management.

Stockholders' equity represents the equity associated with the Class A and Class C common stockholders, the equity associated with the Class B and Class D common stockholder, NRG, and the third-party interests under certain tax equity arrangements are classified as noncontrolling interest.

During the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company completed four acquisitions of Drop Down Assets from NRG. The accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period). For further discussion, see Note 3 , Business Acquisitions to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The ASC is the source of authoritative GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. In addition, the rules and interpretative releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.

The consolidated financial statements include the Company's accounts and operations and those of its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. As such, the Company applies the guidance of ASC 810, Consolidations, or ASC 810, to determine when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through its voting interests, referred to as a variable interest entity, or VIE, should be consolidated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents held at project subsidiaries was $124 million and $111 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
	(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148	$	322	$	111
Restricted cash	168		176		143
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	316		498		254

Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held to satisfy the requirements of certain debt agreements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their use. Of these funds as of December 31, 2017 , approximately $25 million is designated for current debt service payments, $25 million is designated to fund operating expenses and $36 million is designated for distributions to the Company, with the remaining $82 million restricted for reserves including debt service, performance obligations and other reserves, as well as capital expenditures.

Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet at the invoiced amount adjusted for any write-offs and the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed periodically based on amounts past due and significance. The allowance for doubtful accounts was immaterial as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Inventory

Inventory consists principally of spare parts and fuel oil. Spare parts inventory is valued at weighted average cost, unless evidence indicates that the weighted average cost will not be recovered with a normal profit in the ordinary course of business. Fuel oil inventory is valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market. The Company removes fuel inventories as they are used in the production of steam, chilled water or electricity. Spare parts inventory are removed when they are used for repairs, maintenance or capital projects.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or, in the case of third party business acquisitions, fair value; however impairment adjustments are recorded whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. See Note 3 , Business Acquisitions for more information on acquired property, plant and equipment. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized as incurred, while repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the respective asset are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. Certain assets and their related accumulated depreciation amounts are adjusted for asset retirements and disposals with the resulting gain or loss included in cost of operations in the consolidated statements of operations. For further discussion of the Company's property, plant and equipment refer to Note 4 , Property, Plant and Equipment to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asset Impairments

Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded in operating costs and expenses in the statements of operations. Fair values are determined by a variety of valuation methods, including appraisals, sales prices of similar assets and present value techniques. For further discussion of the Company's long-lived asset impairments, refer to Note 9 , Asset Impairments to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments accounted for by the equity method are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures , which requires that a loss in value of an investment that is an other-than-temporary decline should be recognized. The Company identifies and measures losses in the value of equity method investments based upon a comparison of fair value to carrying value.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized as interest expense on a basis which approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs related to the long term debt are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt in both the current and prior periods. Debt issuance costs related to the senior secured revolving credit facility line of credit are recorded as a non-current asset on the balance sheet and are amortized over the term of the credit facility.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represent contractual rights held by the Company. The Company recognizes specifically identifiable intangible assets including power purchase agreements, leasehold improvements, customer relationships, customer contracts, and development rights when specific rights and contracts are acquired. These intangible assets are amortized primarily on a straight-line basis. For further discussion of the Company's intangible assets, refer to Note 8 , Intangible Assets to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable consist of receivables related to the financing of required network upgrades. The notes issued with respect to network upgrades will be repaid within a 5 -year period following the date each facility reached commercial operations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes , or ASC 740, which requires that the Company use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes and provide deferred income taxes for all significant temporary differences.

The Company has two categories of income tax expense or benefit — current and deferred, as follows:


•	Current income tax expense or benefit consists solely of current taxes payable less applicable tax credits, and


•	Deferred income tax expense or benefit is the change in the net deferred income tax asset or liability, excluding amounts charged or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income.

The Company reports some of its revenues and expenses differently for financial statement purposes than for income tax return purposes, resulting in temporary and permanent differences between the Company's financial statements and income tax returns. The tax effects of such temporary differences are recorded as either deferred income tax assets or deferred income tax liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company measures its deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities using income tax rates that are currently in effect. 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, net of valuation allowances. In arriving at this conclusion to utilize projections of future profit before tax in its estimate of future taxable income, including the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Company considered the profit before tax generated in recent years. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the net deferred tax assets to an amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, which applies to all tax positions related to income taxes. Under ASC 740, tax benefits are recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit recognized from a position that has surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

In accordance with ASC 740 and as discussed further in Note 14 , Income Taxes , changes to existing net deferred tax assets or valuation allowances or changes to uncertain tax benefits, are recorded to income tax expense.

NRG Yield, Inc. is included in certain NRG consolidated unitary state tax return filings which is reflected in NRG Yield, Inc.'s state effective tax rate. If NRG Yield, Inc. filed under a separate standalone methodology, there would be an additional state tax expense of approximately $1 million as of December 31, 2017 due to a change in the NRG Yield, Inc. state effective tax rate.

Revenue Recognition

Thermal Revenues

Steam and chilled water revenue is recognized based on customer usage as determined by meter readings taken at month-end. Some locations read customer meters throughout the month, and recognize estimated revenue for the period between meter read date and month-end. The Thermal Business subsidiaries collect and remit state and local taxes associated with sales to their customers, as required by governmental authorities. These taxes are presented on a net basis in the income statement.

Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs

The majority of the Company’s revenues are obtained through PPAs or other contractual agreements, which are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 840. ASC 840 requires the minimum lease payments received to be amortized over the term of the lease and contingent rentals are recorded when the achievement of the contingency becomes probable. Judgment is required by management in determining the economic life of each generating facility, in evaluating whether certain lease provisions constitute minimum payments or represent contingent rent and other factors in determining whether a contract contains a lease and whether the lease is an operating lease or capital lease.

Certain of these leases have no minimum lease payments and all of the rental income under these leases is recorded as contingent rent on an actual basis when the electricity is delivered. The contingent rental income recognized in the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 was $559 million , $583 million , and $443 million , respectively. These balances include intercompany revenue for Elbow Creek of $8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , as further discussed in Note 15 Related Party Transactions .

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging , or ASC 815, which requires the Company to record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value unless they qualify for a NPNS exception. Changes in the fair value of non-hedge derivatives are immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, if elected for hedge accounting, are either:


•	Recognized in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged assets, liabilities and firm commitments; or


•	Deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated OCI until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings.

The Company's primary derivative instruments are power purchase or sale contracts used to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in market prices, fuels purchase contracts used to control customer reimbursable fuel cost, and interest rate instruments used to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in interest rates. On an ongoing basis, the Company assesses the effectiveness of all derivatives that are designated as hedges for accounting purposes in order to determine that each derivative continues to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Internal analyses that measure the statistical correlation between the derivative and the associated hedged item determine the effectiveness of such a contract designated as a hedge. If it is determined that the derivative instrument is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting will be discontinued prospectively. In this case, the gain or loss previously deferred in accumulated OCI would be frozen until the underlying hedged item is delivered unless the transaction being hedged is no longer probable of occurring in which case the amount in OCI would be immediately reclassified into earnings. If the derivative instrument is terminated, the effective portion of this derivative deferred in accumulated OCI will be frozen until the underlying hedged item is delivered.

Revenues and expenses on contracts that qualify for the NPNS exception are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is delivered. While these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, they are not recorded at fair value, but on an accrual basis of accounting. If it is determined that a transaction designated as NPNS no longer meets the scope exception, the fair value of the related contract is recorded on the balance sheet and immediately recognized through earnings.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable, notes receivable and derivative instruments, which are concentrated within entities engaged in the energy and financial industry. These industry concentrations may impact the overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. In addition, many of the Company's projects have only one customer. However, the Company believes that the credit risk posed by industry concentration is offset by the diversification and creditworthiness of its customer base. See Note 6 , Fair Value of Financial Instruments for a further discussion of derivative concentrations and Note 13 , Segment Reporting , for concentration of counterparties.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts receivable - affiliate, accounts payable, current portion of account payable - affiliate, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 6 , Fair Value of Financial Instruments , for a further discussion of fair value of financial instruments.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations, or AROs, are accounted for in accordance with ASC 410-20, Asset Retirement Obligations, or ASC 410-20. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets included within the scope of ASC 410-20 are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. ASC 410-20 requires an entity to recognize the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.

Upon initial recognition of a liability for an ARO, the asset retirement cost is capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its future value, while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The Company's AROs are primarily related to the future dismantlement of equipment on leased property and environmental obligations related to site closures and fuel storage facilities. The Company records AROs as part of other non-current liabilities on its balance sheet.

The following table represents the balance of ARO obligations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , along with the additions and accretion related to the Company's ARO obligations for the year ended December 31, 2017 :



	(In millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	49
Revisions in estimates for current obligations/Additions	2
Accretion — expense	4
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	55

Guarantees

The Company enters into various contracts that include indemnification and guarantee provisions as a routine part of its business activities. Examples of these contracts include operation and maintenance agreements, service agreements, commercial sales arrangements and other types of contractual agreements with vendors and other third parties, as well as affiliates. These contracts generally indemnify the counterparty for tax, environmental liability, litigation and other matters, as well as breaches of representations, warranties and covenants set forth in these agreements. Because many of the guarantees and indemnities the Company issues to third parties and affiliates do not limit the amount or duration of its obligations to perform under them, there exists a risk that the Company may have obligations in excess of the amounts agreed upon in the contracts mentioned above. For those guarantees and indemnities that do not limit the liability exposure, the Company may not be able to estimate what the liability would be, until a claim is made for payment or performance, due to the contingent nature of these contracts.

Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method

The Company has investments in various energy projects accounted for by the equity method, several of which are VIEs, where the Company is not a primary beneficiary, as described in Note 5 , Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities . The equity method of accounting is applied to these investments in affiliates because the ownership structure prevents the Company from exercising a controlling influence over the operating and financial policies of the projects. Under this method, equity in pre-tax income or losses of the investments is reflected as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Distributions from equity method investments that represent earnings on the Company's investment are included within cash flows from operating activities and distributions from equity method investments that represent a return of the Company's investment are included within cash flows from investing activities.

Sale Leaseback Arrangements

The Company is party to sale-leaseback arrangements that provide for the sale of certain assets to a third party and simultaneous leaseback to the Company. In accordance with ASC 840-40, Sale-Leaseback Transactions , if the seller-lessee retains, through the leaseback, substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to the ownership of the property sold, the sale-leaseback transaction is accounted for as a financing arrangement. An example of this type of continuing involvement would include an option to repurchase the assets or the buyer-lessor having the option to sell the assets back to the Company. This provision is included in most of the Company’s sale-leaseback arrangements. As such, the Company accounts for these arrangements as financings.

Under the financing method, the Company does not recognize as income any of the sale proceeds received from the lessor that contractually constitutes payment to acquire the assets subject to these arrangements. Instead, the sale proceeds received are accounted for as financing obligations and leaseback payments made by the Company are allocated between interest expense and a reduction to the financing obligation. Interest on the financing obligation is calculated using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the inception of the arrangement on the outstanding financing obligation. Judgment is required to determine the appropriate borrowing rate for the arrangement and in determining any gain or loss on the transaction that would be recorded either at the end of or over the lease term.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for its business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, or ASC 805. For third party acquisitions, ASC 805 requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. It also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are expensed as incurred. For acquisitions that relate to entities under common control, ASC 805 requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period of from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period). The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity is recorded as a distribution/contribution from/to NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amounts of net earnings during the reporting periods. Actual results could be different from these estimates.

In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Company uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as plant depreciable lives, tax provisions, uncollectible accounts, environmental liabilities, acquisition accounting and legal costs incurred in connection with recorded loss contingencies, among others. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates.

Tax Equity Arrangements

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 into to finance the cost of wind facilities eligible for certain tax credits. Additionally, certain portions of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates reflect the Company’s interests in tax equity arrangements, that are not consolidated by the Company, that have been entered into to finance the cost of distributed solar energy systems under operating leases or PPAs 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 hypothetical liquidation at book value, or 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 and investment in unconsolidated affiliates 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.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

Recent Accounting Developments - Adopted in 2017

ASU 2018-02 — In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, or ASU No. 2018-02. Prior to ASU 2018-02, GAAP required the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax laws or rates to be presented in net income from continuing operations, even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income were originally recognized in other comprehensive income. As a result, such items, referred to as stranded tax effects, did not reflect the appropriate tax rate. Under ASU No. 2018-02, entities are permitted, but not required, to reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings those stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim

periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effective December 31, 2017. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $5 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017.

ASU 2017-12 — In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) , Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, or ASU No. 2017-12. ASU No. 2017-12 amends ASU No. 2016-15. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-15 were issued to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and more closely aligning financial reporting for hedging relationships with economic results of an entity's risk management activities. The issues addressed by ASU No. 2017-12 include but are not limited to alignment of risk management activities and financial reporting, risk component hedging, accounting for the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments, amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and other simplifications of hedge accounting guidance. The amendments of ASU No. 2017-12 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period and the effect of the adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-12 during the fourth quarter 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows, and statement of financial position.

ASU 2016-18 — In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) , Restricted Cash, or ASU No. 2016-18. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 require an entity to include amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted and the adoption of ASU No. 2016-18 will be applied retrospectively. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2016-18 during the second quarter of 2017. Net cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased by $33 million . The sum of Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 equals the beginning balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017. The sum of Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 equals to the ending balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Recent Accounting Developments - Not Yet Adopted

ASU 2016-02 — In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), or Topic 842, with the objective to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to improve financial reporting by expanding the related disclosures. The guidance in Topic 842 provides that a lessee that may have previously accounted for a lease as an operating lease under current GAAP should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from a lease on the balance sheet. In addition, Topic 842 expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures with regards to lease arrangements. The Company will adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019 and expects to elect certain of the practical expedients permitted, including the expedient that permits the Company to retain its existing lease assessment and classification. The Company is currently working through an adoption plan and evaluating the anticipated impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position and results of operations, the Company expects to recognize lease liabilities and right of use assets. The extent of the increase to assets and liabilities associated with these amounts remains to be determined pending the Company’s review of its existing lease contracts and service contracts which may contain embedded leases. While this review is still in process, the Company believes the adoption of Topic 842 may be material to its financial statements. The Company is continuing to monitor potential changes to Topic 842 that have been proposed by the FASB and will assess any necessary changes to the implementation as the guidance is updated.

ASU 2014-09 — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), or Topic 606, which was further amended through various updates issued by the FASB thereafter. The amendments of ASU No. 2014-09 completed the joint effort between the FASB and the IASB, to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and IFRS, and to improve financial reporting. The guidance under Topic 606 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services provided and establishes a five step model to be applied by an entity in evaluating its contracts with customers. The Company has elected the practical expedient available under Topic 606 for measuring progress toward complete satisfaction of a performance obligation and for disclosure requirements of remaining performance obligations. The practical expedient allows an entity to recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has the right to invoice such that the entity has a right to the consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for performance completed to date by the entity. The majority of the Company's revenues are obtained through PPAs, which are currently accounted for as operating leases. In connection with the implementation of Topic 842, as described above, the Company expects to elect

certain of the practical expedients permitted, including the expedient that permits the Company to retain its existing lease assessment and classification. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method. As leases are excluded from the scope of Topic 606, the adoption of Topic 606 at the date of initial application will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. The adoption of Topic 606 also includes additional disclosure requirements beginning in the first quarter of 2018. As a significant portion of the Company’s revenue is generated through operating leases, the majority of the new required disclosures will not be relevant or material to the Company.

Note 3 — Business Acquisitions

2017 Acquisitions

November 2017 Drop Down Assets — On November 1, 2017, the Company acquired a 38 MW solar portfolio primarily comprised of assets from NRG's Solar Power Partners (SPP) funds and other projects developed by NRG, for cash consideration of $74 million , including working capital adjustments of $3 million , plus assumed non-recourse debt of $26 million .

The purchase price for the November 2017 Drop Down Assets was funded with cash on hand. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues . The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity was recorded as a contribution from NRG and increased the balance of its noncontrolling interest. Because the transaction constituted a transfer of net assets under common control, the guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control.

The following is a summary of assets and liabilities transferred in connection with the acquisition of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets as of November 1, 2017:



	(In millions)
Assets:
Current assets	$	7
Property, plant and equipment	83
Non-current assets	12
Total assets	102
Liabilities:
Debt (Current and non-current) ^(a)	23
Other current and non-current liabilities	3
Total liabilities assumed	26
Net assets acquired	$	76

^(a) Net of $3 million of net debt issuance costs.

The following tables present a summary of the Company's historical information combining the financial information for the November 2017 Drop Down Assets transferred in connection with the acquisition:



	Year ended December 31, 2016						Year ended December 31, 2015
	As Previously Reported ^(a)		November 2017 Drop Down Assets		As Currently Reported		As Previously Reported ^(a)		November 2017 Drop Down Assets		As Currently Reported
(In millions)
Total operating revenues	$	1,021	$	14	$	1,035	$	953	$	15	$	968
Operating income	218		4		222		320		6		326
Net income	2		—		2		70		2		72

^(a) As previously reported in the May 9, 2017 Form 8-K filed in connection with the March 2017 Drop Down completed on March 27, 2017.



	As of December 31, 2016
(In millions)	As Previously Reported ^(a)		November 2017 Drop Down Assets		As Currently Reported
Assets:
Current assets	$	656	$	14	$	670
Property, plant and equipment	5,460		94		5,554
Non-current assets	2,720		18		2,738
Total assets	8,836		126		8,962
Liabilities:
Debt	5,987		62		6,049
Other current and non-current liabilities	310		4		314
Total liabilities	6,297		66		6,363
Net assets	$	2,539	$	60	$	2,599

^(a) As previously reported in the May 9, 2017 Form 8-K filed in connection with the March 2017 Drop Down completed on March 27, 2017.

Since the acquisition date, the November 2017 Drop Down Assets have contributed $1 million in operating revenues to the Company.

August 2017 Drop Down Assets — On August 1, 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco, a portfolio of 12 wind projects, from NRG for total cash consideration of $44 million , including working capital adjustment of $ 3 million . The purchase agreement also included potential additional payments to NRG dependent upon actual energy prices for merchant periods beginning in 2027, which were estimated and accrued as contingent consideration in the amount of $8 million as of September 30, 2017.

The Company originally acquired 75% of NRG Wind TE Holdco on November 3, 2015, or November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which were consolidated with 25% of the net assets recorded as noncontrolling interest. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company related to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combination - Related Issues. As the Company had reflected NRG's 25% ownership of NRG Wind TE Holdco in noncontrolling interest, the difference between the cash paid of $44 million , net of the contingent consideration of $8 million , and the historical value of the remaining 25% of $87 million as of July 31, 2017, was recorded as an adjustment to NRG's noncontrolling interest. Since the transaction constituted a transfer of entities under common control, the accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period).

The Class A interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco are owned by a tax equity investor, or TE Investor, who receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the TE Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the TE Investor change to 8.53% . The Company generally receives 100% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 91.47% . If the flip point has not occurred by a specified date, 100% of CAFD is allocated to the TE Investor until the flip point occurs. NRG Wind TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary, through its position as managing member, and consolidates NRG Wind TE Holdco.

March 2017 Drop Down Assets — On March 27, 2017, the Company acquired the following interests from NRG: (i) Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC, which owns a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm, one of the ROFO Assets, representing ownership of approximately 46 net MW of capacity and (ii) NRG's interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio. Agua Caliente is located in Yuma County, AZ and sells power subject to a 25 -year PPA with Pacific Gas and Electric, with 22 years remaining on that contract. The seven utility-scale solar farms in the Utah Solar Portfolio are owned by the following entities: Four Brothers Capital, LLC, Iron Springs Capital, LLC, and Granite Mountain Capital, LLC. These utility-scale solar farms achieved commercial operations in 2016, sell power subject to 20 -year PPAs with PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and are part of a tax equity structure with Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., or Dominion, through which the Company is entitled to receive 50% of cash to be distributed, as further described below. The Company paid cash consideration of $132 million , including $2 million of working capital. The acquisition of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets was funded with cash on hand. The Company recorded the acquired interests as equity method investments. The Company also assumed non-recourse debt of $41 million and $287 million on Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC and the Utah Solar Portfolio, respectively, as

further described in Note 10 , Long-term Debt , as well as its pro-rata share of non-recourse project-level debt of Agua Caliente Solar LLC.

The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combination - Related Issues. The difference between the cash paid and the historical value of the entities' equity of $8 million was recorded as an adjustment to NRG's noncontrolling interest. Since the transaction constituted a transfer of entities under common control, the accounting guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect from the beginning of the financial statement period or from the date the entities were under common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statement period). Accordingly, in connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company adjusted its financial statements to reflect its results of operations, financial position and cash flows as if it recorded its interests in the Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC on January 1, 2016, and its interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio on November 2, 2016.

The following is a summary of assets and liabilities transferred in connection with the acquisition of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets as of March 27, 2017:



	(In millions)
Assets:
Cash	$	6
Equity investment in projects	456
Total assets acquired	462
Liabilities:
Debt (Current and non-current) ^(a)	320
Other current and non-current liabilities	3
Total liabilities assumed	323
Net assets acquired	$	139

^(a) Net of $8 million of debt issuance costs.

2016 Acquisitions

CVSR Drop Down — Prior to September 1, 2016, the Company had a 48.95% interest in CVSR, which was accounted for as an equity method investment. On September 1, 2016, the Company acquired from NRG the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC, which indirectly owns the CVSR solar facility, or the CVSR Drop Down, for total cash consideration of $78.5 million , plus an immaterial working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed additional debt of $496 million , which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement, as of the closing date. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand.

The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues . The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the CVSR Drop Down of $112 million , as well as $6 million of AOCL, was recorded as a distribution to NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest. Because the transaction constituted a transfer of net assets under common control, the guidance requires retrospective combination of the entities for all periods presented as if the combination has been in effect since the inception of common control. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of its debt, consisting of $771 million of project level debt and $200 million of notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement as of September 1, 2016 . In addition, the Company has removed the equity method investment from all prior periods and adjusted its financial statements to reflect its results of operations, financial position and cash flows as if it had consolidated CVSR from the beginning of the financial statement period.

2015 Acquisitions

November 2015 Drop Down Assets from NRG — On November 3, 2015, the Company acquired the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for cash consideration of $207 million . The Company was responsible for its pro-rata share of non-recourse project debt of $193 million and noncontrolling interest associated with a tax equity structure of $159 million (as of the acquisition date).

The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings from its revolving credit facility. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the entities' equity was recorded as a distribution from NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest.

Desert Sunlight — On June 29, 2015, the Company acquired 25% of the membership interest in Desert Sunlight Investment Holdings, LLC, which owns two solar photovoltaic facilities that total 550 MW, located in Desert Center, California from EFS Desert Sun, LLC, an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services for a purchase price of $285 million . Power generated by the facilities is sold to Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric under long-term PPAs with approximately 20 years and 25 years of remaining contract life, respectively. The Company accounts for its 25% investment as an equity method investment.

Spring Canyon — On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired a 90.1% interest in Spring Canyon II, a 32 MW wind facility, and Spring Canyon III, a 28 MW wind facility, each located in Logan County, Colorado, from Invenergy Wind Global LLC. The purchase price was funded with cash on hand. Power generated by Spring Canyon II and Spring Canyon III is sold to Platte River Power Authority under long-term PPAs, each with approximately 24 years of remaining contract life.

University of Bridgeport Fuel Cell — On April 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of the University of Bridgeport Fuel Cell project in Bridgeport, Connecticut from FuelCell Energy, Inc. The project added an additional 1.4 MW of thermal capacity to the Company's portfolio, with a 12 -year contract, with the option for a 7 -year extension. The acquisition is reflected in the Company's Thermal segment.

January 2015 Drop Down Assets from NRG — On January 2, 2015, the Company acquired the following projects from NRG: (i) Laredo Ridge, an 80 MW wind facility located in Petersburg, Nebraska, (ii) Tapestry, which includes Buffalo Bear, a 19 MW wind facility in Buffalo, Oklahoma; Taloga, a 130 MW wind facility in Putnam, Oklahoma; and Pinnacle, a 55 MW wind facility in Keyser, West Virginia, and (iii) Walnut Creek, a 485 MW natural gas facility located in City of Industry, California, for total cash consideration of $489 million , including $9 million for working capital, plus assumed project-level debt of $737 million . The Company funded the acquisition with cash on hand and drawings under its revolving credit facility. The assets and liabilities transferred to the Company relate to interests under common control by NRG and were recorded at historical cost. The difference between the cash paid and the historical value of the entities' equity of $61 million , as well as $23 million of AOCL, was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its noncontrolling interest.

Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company’s major classes of property, plant, and equipment were as follows:



	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016			Depreciable Lives
	(In millions)
Facilities and equipment	$	6,289		$	6,339		2 - 45 Years
Land and improvements	166			167
Construction in progress ^(a)	34			24
Total property, plant and equipment	6,489			6,530
Accumulated depreciation	(1,285		)	(976		)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	5,204		$	5,554

^(a) As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , construction in progress includes $24 million and $20 million of capital expenditures that relate to prepaid long-term service agreements in the Conventional segment, respectively.

The Company recorded long-lived asset impairments during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, as further described in Note 9 , Asset Impairments .

Note 5 — Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities

Equity Method Investments

The following table summarizes the Company's equity method investments as of December 31, 2017 :



Name	Economic Interest	Investment Balance
		(In millions)
Utah Solar Portfolio ^(a)	50%	$345
Desert Sunlight	25%	272
GenConn ^(b)	50%	102
Agua Caliente Borrower 2	16%	92
Elkhorn Ridge ^(c)	66.7%	73
San Juan Mesa ^(c)	75%	66
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC ^(d)	95%	76
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC ^(d)	95%	61
NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC ^(d)	99%	39
NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC ^(d)	95%	58
Avenal	50%	(6)
Total equity investments in affiliates		$1,178

^(a) Economic interest based on cash to be distributed. Four Brothers Solar, LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC and Iron Springs Holdings, LLC are tax equity structures and VIEs. The related allocations are described below.

^(b) GenConn is a variable interest entity.

^(c) San Juan Mesa and Elkhorn Ridge are part of the Wind TE Holdco tax equity structure, as described below. San Juan Mesa and Elkhorn Ridge are owned 75% and 66.7% , respectively, by Wind TE Holdco. The Company owns 100% of the Class B interests in Wind TE Holdco.

^(d) Economic interest based on cash to be distributed. NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC and NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC are tax equity structures and VIEs. The related allocations are described below.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company had $ 57 million and $ 51 million , respectively, of undistributed earnings from its equity method investments.

The Company acquired its interest in Desert Sunlight on June 30, 2015, for $285 million , which resulted in a difference between the purchase price and the basis of the acquired assets and liabilities of $171 million . The difference is attributable to the fair value of the property, plant and equipment and power purchase agreements. In addition, the difference between the basis of the acquired assets and liabilities and the purchase price for the Utah Solar Portfolio (Four Brothers Solar, LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC and Iron Springs Holdings, LLC) of $106 million is attributable to the fair value of the property, plant and equipment. The Company is amortizing the related basis differences to equity in earnings (losses) over the related useful life of the underlying assets acquired.

Non-recourse project-level debt of unconsolidated affiliates

The Company's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt held by unconsolidated affiliates was $777 million as of December 31, 2017 .

The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company's significant equity method investments:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016				2015
Income Statement Data:	(In millions)
GenConn
Operating revenues	$	71		$	72			$	78
Operating income	36			38				40
Net income	26			26				28
Desert Sunlight
Operating revenues	207			211				206
Operating income	127			129				124
Net income	80			80				73
Utah Solar Portfolio ^(a)
Operating revenues	75			13				—
Operating income (loss)	18			(6		)		(1		)
Net income (loss)	18			(6		)		(1		)
DGPV entities ^(b)
Operating revenues	37			14				1
Operating income	7			2				—
Net loss	(3		)	—				—
RPV Holdco
Operating revenues	16			13				4
Operating income	3			2				(6		)
Net income (loss)	$	3		$	2			$	(6	)
				As of December 31,
				2017				2016
Balance Sheet Data:				(In millions)
GenConn
Current assets				$	38			$	36
Non-current assets				374				389
Current liabilities				18				16
Non-current liabilities				189				196
Desert Sunlight
Current assets				133				281
Non-current assets				1,350				1,401
Current liabilities				64				64
Non-current liabilities				1,003				1,043
Utah Solar Portfolio ^(a)
Current assets				13				20
Non-current assets				1,090				1,105
Current liabilities				5				14
Non-current liabilities				24				38
DGPV entities ^(b)
Current assets				74				44
Non-current assets				671				562
Current liabilities				83				112
Non-current liabilities				216				23
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest				44				28
RPV Holdco
Current assets				3				15
Non-current assets				183				191
Current liabilities				—				11
Non-current liabilities				7				7
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest				$	16		—	$	—

^(a) Utah Solar Portfolio was acquired by NRG on November 2, 2016.

^(b) Includes DGPV Holdco 1, DGPV Holdco 2 and DGPV Holdco 3.

Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs

Entities that are Consolidated

NRG Wind TE Holdco — As described in Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , on August 1, 2017, the Company acquired from NRG the remaining 25% interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco. NRG Wind TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary through its position as managing member and consolidates NRG Wind TE Holdco. The Class A interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco are owned by a tax equity investor, or TE Investor, who receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the TE Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the TE Investor change to 8.53% . The Company generally receives 100% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 91.47% . If the flip point has not occurred by a specified date, 100% of CAFD is allocated to the TE Investor until the flip point occurs. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the TE Investor noncontrolling interest.

Alta TE Holdco — On June 30, 2015, the Company sold an economic interest in Alta TE Holdco to a financial institution in order to monetize certain cash and tax attributes, primarily PTCs. The financial institution, or Alta Investor, receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the Alta Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the Alta Investor change to 5% . The Company receives 94.34% until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD will change to 97.12% , unless the flip point will not have occurred by a specified date, which would result in 100% of CAFD allocated to the Alta Investor until the flip point occurs. Alta TE Holdco is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary through its position as managing member, and therefore consolidates Alta TE Holdco, with the Alta Investor's interest shown as noncontrolling interest. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the noncontrolling interest.

Spring Canyon — The Company holds a 90.1% of the Class B interests in Spring Canyon II, a 32 MW wind facility, and Spring Canyon III, a 28 MW wind facility, each located in Logan County, Colorado, and Invenergy Wind Global LLC owns 9.9% of the Class B interests. The projects are financed with a partnership flip tax-equity structure with a financial institution, who owns the Class A interests, to monetize certain cash and tax attributes, primarily PTCs. Until the flip point, the Class A member receives a variable percentage of cash distributions based on the projects’ production level during the prior year. The Class A member received 34.81% of the cash distributions and the Company and Invenergy received 65.19% during the period ended December 31, 2017. After the flip point, cash distributions are allocated 5% to the Class A member and 95% to the Company and Invenergy. Spring Canyon is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary through its position as managing member, and therefore consolidates Spring Canyon. The Class A member and Invenergy's interests are shown as noncontrolling interest. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the Class A member. Net income or loss attributable to the Class B interests is allocated to Invenergy's noncontrolling interest based on its 9.9% ownership interest.

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Summarized financial information for the Company's consolidated VIEs consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 :



(In millions)	NRG Wind TE Holdco		Alta TE Holdco		Spring Canyon
Other current and non-current assets	$	172	$	17	$	2
Property, plant and equipment	376		436		95
Intangible assets	2		262		—
Total assets	550		715		97
Current and non-current liabilities	197		9		5
Total liabilities	197		9		5
Noncontrolling interest	9		93		60
Net assets less noncontrolling interests	$	344	$	613	$	32

Entities that are not Consolidated

The Company has interests in entities that are considered VIEs under ASC 810, Consolidation , but for which it is not considered the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for its interests in these entities under the equity method of accounting.

Utah Solar Portfolio Assets — As described in Note 3, Business Acquisitions , as part of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets acquisition, the Company acquired from NRG 100% of the Class A equity interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio, comprised of Four Brothers Solar, LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC, and Iron Springs Holdings, LLC. The Class B interests of the Utah Solar Portfolio are owned by a tax equity investor, or TE Investor, who receives 99% of allocations of taxable income and other items until the flip point, which occurs when the TE Investor obtains a specified return on its initial investment, at which time the allocations to the TE Investor change to 50% . The Company generally receives 50% of distributable cash throughout the term of the tax-equity arrangements. The three entities comprising the Utah Solar Portfolio are VIEs. As the Company is not the primary beneficiary, the Company uses the equity method of accounting to account for its interests in the Utah Solar Portfolio. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine its share of the income or losses in the investees.

NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC — The Company and NRG are parties to the NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC partnership, or DGPV Holdco 1, the purpose of which is to own or purchase solar power generation projects and other ancillary related assets from NRG Renew LLC or its subsidiaries via intermediate funds. The Company owns approximately 47 MW of distributed solar capacity, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average contract life of 18 years . Under this partnership, the Company committed to fund up to $100 million of capital.

NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC — The Company and NRG are parties to the NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC partnership, or DGPV Holdco 2, the purpose of which is to own or hold solar power generation projects as well as other ancillary related assets from NRG Renew LLC or its subsidiaries. The Company owns approximately 113 MW of distributed solar capacity, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average contract life of 21 years . Under this partnership, the Company committed to fund up to $60 million of capital.

NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC — On September 26, 2017, the Company entered into an additional partnership with NRG by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 3 LLC, or DGPV Holdco 3, in which the Company would invest up to $50 million in an operating portfolio of distributed solar assets, primarily comprised of community solar projects, developed by NRG. The Company owns approximately 43 MW of distributed solar capacity, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average contract life of approximately 20 years as of December 31, 2017 .

The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment in DGPV Holdco 1, DGPV Holdco 2 and DGPV Holdco 3, which was $176 million on a combined basis.

NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC — The Company and NRG are parties to the NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC partnership, or RPV Holdco, the purpose of which is to hold operating portfolios of residential solar assets developed by NRG's residential solar business, including: (i) an existing, unlevered portfolio of over 2,200 leases across nine states representing approximately 14 MW, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average remaining lease term of approximately 15 years that was acquired outside of the partnership; and (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 5,400 leases representing approximately 30 MW, based on cash to be distributed, with a weighted average remaining lease term for the existing and new leases of approximately 18 years . The Company has fully funded the partnership as of December 31, 2017.

The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment, which was $58 million as of December 31, 2017 .

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Note 6 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable — affiliate, accounts receivable, accounts payable, current portion of accounts payable — affiliate, accrued expenses and other liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments and are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

The estimated carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s recorded financial instruments not carried at fair market value are as follows:



	As of December 31, 2017				As of December 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In millions)
Assets:
Notes receivable, including current portion	$	13	$	13	$	30	$	30
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	5,897	$	5,930	$	6,122	$	6,121

Fair Value Accounting under ASC 820

ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:


•	Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.


•	Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.


•	Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability only used when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

In accordance with ASC 820, the Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement in its entirety falls, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of the Company's publicly-traded long-term debt is based on quoted market prices and is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of debt securities, non-publicly traded long-term debt and certain notes receivable of the Company are based on expected future cash flows discounted at market interest rates, or current interest rates for similar instruments with equivalent credit quality and are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents the level within the fair value hierarchy for long-term debt, including current portion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 :



	As of December 31, 2017				As of December 31, 2016
	Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3
	(In millions)
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	1,502	$	4,428	$	1,455	$	4,666

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company records its derivative assets and liabilities at fair market value on its consolidated balance sheet. The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy:



	As of December 31, 2017			As of December 31, 2016
		Fair Value ^(a)		Fair Value ^(a)		Fair Value ^(a)
(In millions)		Level 2		Level 1		Level 2
Derivative assets:
Commodity contracts		$	1	$	1	$	1
Interest rate contracts		1		—		1
Total assets		$	2	1		2
Derivative liabilities:
Commodity contracts		$	1	—		1
Interest rate contracts		47		—		78
Total liabilities		$	48	$	—	$	79

^(a) There were no derivative assets or liabilities classified Level 1 as of December 31, 2017 . There were no derivative assets or liabilities classified Level 3 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Derivative Fair Value Measurements

The Company's contracts are non-exchange-traded and valued using prices provided by external sources. For the Company’s energy markets, management receives quotes from multiple sources. To the extent that multiple quotes are received, the prices reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices obtained from all sources believed to provide the most liquid market for the commodity.

The fair value of each contract is discounted using a risk free interest rate. In addition, a credit reserve is applied to reflect credit risk, which for interest rate swaps, is calculated based on credit default swaps utilizing the bilateral method. For commodities, to the extent that NRG's net exposure under a specific master agreement is an asset, the Company uses the counterparty's default swap rate. If the exposure under a specific master agreement is a liability, the Company uses NRG's default swap rate. For interest rate swaps and commodities, the credit reserve is added to the discounted fair value to reflect the exit price that a market participant would be willing to receive to assume the liabilities or that a market participant would be willing to pay for the assets. As of December 31, 2017 , the credit reserve resulted in a $1 million increase in fair value in interest expense. It is possible that future market prices could vary from those used in recording assets and liabilities and such variations could be material.

Concentration of Credit Risk

In addition to the credit risk discussion as disclosed in Note 2 , Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , the following item is a discussion of the concentration of credit risk for the Company's financial instruments. 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; (ii) daily monitoring of counterparties' credit limits; (iii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as margin, collateral, prepayment arrangements, or volumetric limits; (iv) the use of payment netting agreements; and (v) the use of master netting agreements that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures of various contracts associated with a single counterparty. 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.

Counterparty credit exposure includes credit risk exposure under certain long-term agreements, including solar and other PPAs. As external sources or observable market quotes are not available to estimate such exposure, the Company estimates the exposure related to these contracts based on various techniques including but not limited to internal models based on a fundamental analysis of the market and extrapolation of observable market data with similar characteristics. Based on these valuation techniques, as of December 31, 2017 , credit risk exposure to these counterparties attributable to the Company's ownership interests was approximately $2.7 billion for the next five years . The majority of these power contracts are with utilities with strong credit quality and public utility commission or other regulatory support . However, such regulated utility counterparties can be impacted by changes in government regulations, which the Company is unable to predict.

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Note 7 — Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

ASC 815 requires the Company to recognize all derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities and to measure them at fair value each reporting period unless they qualify for a NPNS exception. The Company may elect to designate certain derivatives as cash flow hedges, if certain conditions are met, and defer the change in fair value of the derivatives to accumulated OCI/OCL, until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as cash flow hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the changes in the fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. Certain derivative instruments may qualify for the NPNS exception and are therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment. ASC 815 applies to the Company's energy related commodity contracts and interest rate swaps.

Energy-Related Commodities

To manage the commodity price risk associated with its competitive supply activities and the price risk associated with wholesale power sales, the Company may enter into derivative hedging instruments, namely, forward contracts that commit the Company to sell energy commodities or purchase fuels/electricity in the future. The objectives for entering into derivatives contracts designated as hedges include fixing the price for a portion of anticipated future electricity sales and fixing the price of a portion of anticipated fuel/electricity purchases for the operation of its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had forward contracts for the purchase of fuel commodities relating to the forecasted usage of the Company’s district energy centers extending through 2020 and electricity contracts to supply retail power to the Company's district energy centers extending through 2020. At December 31, 2017 , these contracts were not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.

Also, as of December 31, 2017 , the Company had other energy-related contracts that did not meet the definition of a derivative instrument or qualified for the NPNS exception and were therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment as follows:


•	Power tolling contracts through 2039, and


•	Natural gas transportation contracts through 2028.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates through the issuance of variable rate debt. In order to manage interest rate risk, it enters into interest rate swap agreements.

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had interest rate derivative instruments on non-recourse debt extending through 2036, a portion of which are designated as cash flow hedges.

Volumetric Underlying Derivative Transactions

The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of the Company's open derivative transactions broken out by commodity as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 :



		Total Volume
		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Commodity	Units	(In millions)
Natural Gas	MMBtu	2		3
Interest	Dollars	$	1,940	$	2,090

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Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheet:



	Fair Value
	Derivative Assets ^(a)				Derivative Liabilities
	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In millions)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate contracts current	$	—	$	—	$	4	$	26
Interest rate contracts long-term	1		1		9		39
Total Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	1		1		13		65
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate contracts current	—		—		12		6
Interest rate contracts long-term	—		—		22		7
Commodity contracts current	1		2		1		1
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	1		2		35		14
Total Derivatives	$	2	$	3	$	48	$	79

^(a) Derivative Asset balances classified as current are included within the prepayments and other current assets line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Derivative Asset balances classified as long-term are included within the other non-current assets line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company has elected to present derivative assets and liabilities on the balance sheet on a trade-by-trade basis and does not offset amounts at the counterparty master agreement level. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , there was no outstanding collateral paid or received. The following tables summarize the offsetting of derivatives by counterparty master agreement level:



	Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2017	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities			Derivative Instruments			Net Amount
Commodity contracts:	(In millions)
Derivative assets	$	1		$	—		$	1
Derivative liabilities	(1		)	—			(1		)
Total commodity contracts	—			—			—
Interest rate contracts:
Derivative assets	1			(1		)	—
Derivative liabilities	(47		)	1			(46		)
Total interest rate contracts	(46		)	—			(46		)
Total derivative instruments	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(46	)



	Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2016	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities			Derivative Instruments			Net Amount
Commodity contracts:	(In millions)
Derivative assets	$	2		$	—		$	2
Derivative liabilities	(1		)	—			(1		)
Total commodity contracts	1			—			1
Interest rate contracts:
Derivative assets	1			(1		)	—
Derivative liabilities	(78		)	1			(77		)
Total interest rate contracts	(77		)	—			(77		)
Total derivative instruments	$	(76	)	$	—		$	(76	)

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the effects on the Company’s accumulated OCL balance attributable to interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedge derivatives, net of tax:



	Year ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(In millions)
Accumulated OCL beginning balance	$	(70	)	$	(83	)	$	(76	)
Reclassified from accumulated OCL to income due to realization of previously deferred amounts	10			13			14
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts	—			—			(21		)
Accumulated OCL ending balance, net of income tax benefit of $9, $16 and $16, respectively	$	(60	)	$	(70	)	$	(83	)
Accumulated OCL attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32		)	(42		)	(56		)
Accumulated OCL attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(28	)	$	(28	)	$	(27	)
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months, net of income tax benefit of $2	$	13

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL into income are recorded to interest expense.

Accounting guidelines require a high degree of correlation between the derivative and the hedged item throughout the period in order to qualify as a cash flow hedge. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's regression analysis for Viento Funding II interest rate swaps, while positively correlated, did not meet the required threshold for cash flow hedge accounting. As a result, the Company de-designated the Viento Funding II cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2016, and will prospectively mark these derivatives to market through the income statement.

The Company's regression analysis for Marsh Landing, Walnut Creek and Avra Valley interest rate swaps, while positively correlated, no longer contain matching terms for cash flow hedge accounting. As a result, the Company voluntarily de-designated the Marsh Landing, Walnut Creek and Avra Valley cash flow hedges as of April 28, 2017, and will prospectively mark these derivatives to market through the income statement.

Impact of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income

The Company has interest rate derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges. The effect of interest rate hedges is recorded to interest expense. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 the impact to the consolidated statements of income was a gain of $7 million , loss of $2 million and a gain of $17 million , respectively.

A portion of the Company’s derivative commodity contracts relates to its Thermal Business for the purchase of fuel/electricity commodities based on the forecasted usage of the thermal district energy centers. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are reflected in the costs that are permitted to be billed to customers through the related customer contracts or tariffs and, accordingly, no gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income for these contracts.

In 2015, commodity contracts also hedged the forecasted sale of power for the Elbow Creek until the start of the PPA with NRG Power Marketing LLC, or Power Marketing, with effective date of November 1, 2015. The effect of these commodity hedges was recorded to operating revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , the impact to the consolidated statements of income was an unrealized loss of $2 million .

See Note 6 , Fair Value of Financial Instruments , for a discussion regarding concentration of credit risk.

Note 8 — Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets — The Company's intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily reflect intangible assets established from its business acquisitions and are comprised of the following:


•	PPAs — Established predominantly with the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio, Walnut Creek, Tapestry and Laredo Ridge, these represent the fair value of the PPAs acquired. These are amortized, generally on a straight-line basis, over the term of the PPA.


•	Leasehold Rights — Established with the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio, this represents the fair value of

106

contractual rights to receive royalty payments equal to a percentage of PPA revenue from certain projects. These are amortized on a straight-line basis.


•	Customer relationships — Established with the acquisition of NRG Energy Center Phoenix and NRG Energy Center Omaha, these intangibles represent the fair value at the acquisition date of the businesses' customer base. The customer relationships are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense based on the expected discounted future net cash flows by year.


•	Customer contracts — Established with the acquisition of NRG Energy Center Phoenix, these intangibles represent the fair value at the acquisition date of contracts that primarily provide chilled water, steam and electricity to its customers. These contracts are amortized to revenues based on expected volumes.


•	Emission Allowances — These intangibles primarily consist of SO ₂ and NO x emission allowances established with the El Segundo and Walnut Creek acquisitions. These emission allowances are held-for-use and are amortized to cost of operations, with NO x allowances amortized on a straight-line basis and SO ₂ allowances amortized based on units of production.


•	Development rights — Arising primarily from the acquisition of solar businesses in 2010 and 2011, these intangibles are amortized to depreciation and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the related project portfolio.


•	Other — Consists primarily of the acquisition date fair value of the contractual rights to a ground lease for South Trent and to utilize certain interconnection facilities for Blythe, as well as land rights acquired in connection with the acquisition of Elbow Creek.

The following tables summarize the components of intangible assets subject to amortization:



Year ended December 31, 2017	PPAs			Leasehold Rights			Customer Relationships			Customer Contracts			Emission Allowances			Development Rights			Other			Total
(In millions)
January 1, 2017	$	1,286		$	86		$	66		$	15		$	9		$	3		$	6		$	1,471
Asset impairments ^(a)	(6		)	—			—			—			—			—			—			(6		)
December 31, 2017	1,280			86			66			15			9			3			6			1,465
Less accumulated amortization	(205		)	(13		)	(5		)	(8		)	(3		)	(1		)	(2		)	(237		)
Net carrying amount	$	1,075		$	73		$	61		$	7		$	6		$	2		$	4		$	1,228

^(a) $6 million of asset impairments relate to one of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets that was recorded by NRG during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, as further described in Note 9 , Asset Impairments .



Year ended December 31, 2016	PPAs			Leasehold Rights			Customer Relationships			Customer Contracts			Emission Allowances			Development Rights			Other			Total
(In millions)
January 1, 2016	$	1,286		$	86		$	66		$	15		$	15		$	3		$	6		$	1,477
Other	—			—			—			—			(6		)	—			—			(6		)
December 31, 2016	1,286			86			66			15			9			3			6			1,471
Less accumulated amortization	(143		)	(9		)	(4		)	(7		)	(2		)	(1		)	(2		)	(168		)
Net carrying amount	$	1,143		$	77		$	62		$	8		$	7		$	2		$	4		$	1,303

The Company recorded amortization expense of $71 million during each of years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and $56 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 . Of these amounts, $70 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and $55 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 , were recorded to contract amortization expense and reduced operating revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company estimates the future amortization expense for its intangibles to be $71 million for the next five years through 2022.

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Out-of-market contracts — The out-of-market contract liability represents the out-of-market value of the PPAs for the Blythe solar project and Spring Canyon wind projects and the out-of-market value of the land lease for Alta Wind XI, LLC, as of their respective acquisition dates. The Blythe solar project's liability of $7 million was recorded to other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and is amortized to revenue in the consolidated statements of income on a units-of-production basis over the twenty -year term of the agreement. Spring Canyon's liability of $3 million was recorded to other non-current liabilities and is amortized to revenue on a straight-line basis over the twenty-five year term of the agreement. The Alta Wind XI, LLC's liability of $5 million was recorded to other non-current liabilities and is amortized as a reduction to cost of operations on a straight-line basis over the thirty-four year term of the land lease. At December 31, 2017 , accumulated amortization of out-of-market contracts was $4 million and amortization expense was $1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Note 9 — Asset Impairments

During the quarter ended December 31, 2017 , as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, the Company determined that the cash flows for Elbow Creek, located in Texas, and the Forward project, located in Pennsylvania, were below the carrying value of the related assets, primarily driven by continued declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. The fair value of the facilities was determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for each respective plant. The income approach utilized estimates of discounted future cash flows, which were Level 3 fair value measurement and include key inputs, such as forecasted power prices, operations and maintenance expense, and discount rates. The Company measured the impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets and recorded impairment losses of $26 million and $5 million for Elbow Creek and Forward, respectively.

Additionally, during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, in connection with the preparation of the model for sale of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets, it was identified that undiscounted cash flows were lower than the book value of certain SPP funds and NRG recorded an impairment expense of $13 million , $8 million of which relates to property, plant, and equipment and $5 million to PPAs, as described in Note 8 , Intangible Assets . In accordance with the guidance for transfer of assets under common control, the impairment is reflected in the pre-acquisition net income of Drop Down Assets of the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the period ended December 31, 2017 .

During the fourth quarter of 2016, as the Company updated its estimated cash flows in connection with the preparation and review of the Company's annual budget, the Company determined that the cash flows for the Elbow Creek and Goat Wind projects and the Forward project were below the carrying value of the related assets, primarily driven by declining merchant power prices in post-contract periods, and that the assets were considered impaired. These projects were acquired in connection with the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets and were recorded as part of the Renewables segment of the Company. The projects were recorded at historical cost at acquisition date as they were related to interests under common control by NRG. The fair value of the facilities was determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the long-term budgets for each respective plant. The income approach utilized estimates of discounted future cash flows, which were Level 3 fair value measurement and include key inputs, such as forecasted power prices, operations and maintenance expense, and discount rates. The Company measured the impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets and recorded impairment losses of $117 million , $60 million and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind, and Forward, respectively.

Other Impairments — During the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, NRG recorded impairment losses of approximately $2 million and $1 million , respectively, related to the projects that were part of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets. Since the acquisition by the Company of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets related to transfer of assets under common control, these impairments were reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the periods ending December 31, 2016 and 2015.

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Note 10 —

Long-term Debt

The Company's borrowings, including short term and long term portions consisted of the following:



	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016			Interest rate % ^(a)		Letters of Credit Outstanding at December 31, 2017
	(In millions, except rates)
2026 Senior Notes	$	350		$	350		5.000
2024 Senior Notes	500			500			5.375
2020 Convertible Notes	288			288			3.250
2019 Convertible Notes	345			345			3.500
NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, due 2019 ^(b)	55			—			L+2.500		$	74
Project-level debt:
Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038	41			—			5.430		17
Alpine, due 2022	135			145			L+1.750		16
Alta Wind I - V lease financing arrangements, due 2034 and 2035	926			965			5.696 - 7.015		119
CVSR, due 2037	746			771			2.339 - 3.775		—
CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037	194			199			4.680		13
El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023	400			443			L+1.75 - L+2.375		102
Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2025	83			96			5.950	%	—
Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031	125			125			3.550		—
Laredo Ridge, due 2028	95			100			L+1.875		10
Marsh Landing, due 2023	318			370			L+1.875		22
Tapestry, due 2021	162			172			L+1.625		20
Utah Solar Portfolio, due 2022	278			287			various		13
Viento, due 2023	163			178			L+3.00		27
Walnut Creek, due 2023	267			310			L+1.625		41
Other	443			505			various		38
Subtotal project-level debt	4,376			4,666
Total debt	5,914			6,149
Less current maturities	(306		)	(323		)
Less net debt issuance costs	(60		)	(73		)
Less discounts ^(c)	$	(17	)	$	(27	)
Total long-term debt	$	5,531		$	5,726

^(a) As of December 31, 2017 , L+ equals 3 month LIBOR plus x%, except for Viento, due 2023 where L+ equals 6 month LIBOR plus 3.00%.

^(b) Applicable rate is determined by the borrower leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement.

^(c) Discounts relate to the 2019 Convertible Notes and 2020 Convertible Notes.

The financing arrangements listed above contain certain covenants, including financial covenants that the Company is required to be in compliance with during the term of the respective arrangement. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all of the required covenants.

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NRG Yield Operating LLC 2026 Senior Notes

On August 18, 2016, NRG Yield Operating LLC issued $350 million of senior unsecured notes, or the 2026 Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.00% and mature on September 15, 2026. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The 2026 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of NRG Yield Operating LLC and are guaranteed by NRG Yield LLC, and by certain of NRG Yield Operating LLC’s wholly owned current and future subsidiaries. A portion of the proceeds of the 2026 Senior Notes were used to repay the Company's revolving credit facility during 2016, as described below.

2020 Convertible Senior Notes

The Company has outstanding $288 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020, or the 2020 Convertible Notes. The 2020 Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, into the Company’s Class C common stock, cash or a combination thereof at an initial conversion price of $27.50 per Class C common share, which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 36.3636 shares of Class C common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes. Interest on the 2020 Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2019, the 2020 Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The 2020 Convertible Notes are guaranteed by NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC.

The Company separately accounts for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the 2020 Convertible Notes and recognized $23 million as the value for the equity component in 2015 with the offset to debt discount. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method through June 2020.

As of December 31, 2017 , the 2020 Convertible Notes were trading at approximately 98.8% of their face value, resulting in a total market value of $284 million compared to a carrying value of $276 million . The actual conversion value of the 2020 Convertible Notes is based on the product of the conversion rate and the market price of the Company's Class C common stock, as defined in the 2020 Convertible Notes indenture. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's Class C common stock closed at $18.90 per share, resulting in a pro forma conversion value for the 2020 Convertible Notes of approximately $198 million .

2019 Convertible Senior Notes

The Company has outstanding $345 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Convertible Notes due 2019, or the 2019 Convertible Notes. The 2019 Convertible Notes were convertible, under certain circumstances, into the Company’s Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof at a conversion rate was of approximately 42.9644 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2019 Convertible Notes in accordance with the terms of the related indenture. The 2019 Convertible Notes mature on February 1, 2019, unless earlier repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms. Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding August 1, 2018, the 2019 Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The 2019 Convertible Notes are guaranteed by NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC.

The Company separately accounts for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the 2019 Convertible Notes and recognized $23 million as the value for the equity component in 2014 with the offset to debt discount. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method through February 2019.

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As of December 31, 2017 , the 2019 Convertible Notes were trading at approximately 100.9% of their face value, resulting in a total market value of $348 million compared to a carrying value of $340 million . The actual conversion value of the 2019 Convertible Notes is based on the product of the conversion rate and the market price of the Company's Class A common stock, as defined in the Convertible Debt indenture. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's Class A common stock closed at $18.85 per share, resulting in a pro forma conversion value for the Convertible Notes of approximately $279 million .

During each year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company recorded the following expenses in relation to the 2020 and 2019 Convertible Notes on a combined basis at the effective rates of 5.10% and 5.00% , respectively:



(In millions)
Interest expense ^(a)	$	21
Debt discount amortization	9
Debt issuance costs amortization	3
	$	33

^(a) Interest expense is calculated using coupon rate of 3.25% and 3.5% for 2020 and 2019 Convertible Notes, respectively.

NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility

The Company borrowed $55 million from the revolving credit facility during the year ended December 31, 2017 for general corporate needs as well as to fund dividend payments.

The Company used its proceeds of $97.5 million from the CVSR Holdco Financing Arrangement, a portion of its proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes, as well as its cash on hand to repay the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility during the year ended December 31, 2016.

On February 6, 2018, NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC amended the revolving credit facility to modify the "change of control" provisions to permit the consummation of the NRG Transaction, and also to permit NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC and certain subsidiaries to incur up to $1.5 billion of unsecured indebtedness in order to repurchase or make other required cash payments, in each case if applicable, with respect to NRG Yield Operating LLC’s outstanding senior notes and NRG Yield's outstanding convertible notes in connection with the NRG Transaction.

Project - level Debt

November 2017 Drop Down Assets Debt

As part of the November 2017 Drop Down acquisition, the Company assumed non-recourse debt of $26 million relating to certain SPP funds. The assumed debt consisted of the following: a) a term loan under a credit agreement with a bank, with a maturity date of December 31, 2038 and interest rate of 4.69% . The credit agreement includes a letter of credit supporting debt service requirements and a letter of credit in support of the PPA; b) and financing obligation in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction with a bank for a period through March 31, 2032. The company will accrete the financing obligation over the lease term based on the lease's implicit interest rate of 8% .

Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038

On February 17, 2017, Agua Caliente Borrower 1 LLC, an indirect subsidiary of NRG, and Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC, issued $130 million of senior secured notes under the Agua Caliente Borrower 1 LLC and Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC financing agreement, or Agua Caliente Holdco Financing Agreement, that bear interest at 5.43% and mature on December 31, 2038. As described in Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , on March 27, 2017, the Company acquired Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC from NRG as part of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets acquisition and assumed NRG's portion of senior secured notes under the Agua Caliente Holdco Financing Agreement. Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC holds $41 million of the Agua Caliente Holdco debt as of December 31, 2017 . The debt is joint and several with respect to Agua Caliente Borrower 1 LLC and Agua Caliente Borrower 2 LLC and is secured by the equity interests of each borrower in the Agua Caliente solar facility.

Utah Solar Portfolio, due 2022

As part of the March 2017 Drop Down Assets acquisition, the Company assumed non-recourse debt of $287 million relating to the Utah Solar Portfolio at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.625% . The debt matures on December 16, 2022. The $287 million consisted of $222 million outstanding at the time of NRG's acquisition of the Utah Solar Portfolio on November 2, 2016, and

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additional borrowings of $65 million , net of debt issuance costs, incurred during 2016. The Company holds $278 million of the Utah Solar Portfolio debt as of December 31, 2017 .

Thermal Financing

On October 31, 2016, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, received proceeds of $125 million from the issuance of 3.55% Series D notes due October 31, 2031, or the Series D Notes, and entered into a shelf facility for the anticipated issuance of an additional $70 million of Series E notes at a 4.80% fixed rate. The Series D Notes will be secured by substantially all of the assets of NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC. NRG Thermal LLC has guaranteed the indebtedness and its guarantee is secured by a pledge of the equity interests in all of NRG Thermal LLC’s subsidiaries. NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC distributed the proceeds of the Series D Notes to NRG Thermal LLC, which in turn distributed the proceeds to NRG Yield Operating LLC to be utilized for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.

On March 16, 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Thermal LLC, amended the shelf facility of its existing Thermal financing arrangement to allow for the issuance of an additional $10 million of Series F notes at a 4.60% interest rate, or Series F Notes, increasing the total principal amount of notes available for issuance under the shelf facility to $80 million . The Series E and Series F Notes will be secured by substantially all of the assets of NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC. NRG Thermal LLC has guaranteed the indebtedness and its guarantee is secured by a pledge of the equity interests in all of NRG Thermal LLC’s subsidiaries.

CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037

On July 15, 2016, CVSR Holdco, the indirect owner of the CVSR solar facility, issued $200 million of senior secured notes under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement, or 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes, that bear interest at 4.68% and mature on March 31, 2037. Net proceeds were distributed to the Company and NRG based on their respective ownership as of July 15, 2016, and, accordingly, the Company received net proceeds of $97.5 million .

As described in Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , on September 1, 2016, the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% of CVSR, and assumed additional debt of $496 million , which represents 51.05% of the CVSR project level debt and 51.05% of the 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, as described in Note 1, Nature of Business , the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of its debt, consisting of $771 million of project level debt and $200 million of 2037 CVSR Holdco Notes as of September 1, 2016.

Interest Rate Swaps — Project Financings

Many of the Company's project subsidiaries entered into interest rate swaps, intended to hedge the risks associated with interest rates on non-recourse project level debt. These swaps amortize in proportion to their respective loans and are floating for fixed where the project subsidiary pays its counterparty the equivalent of a fixed interest payment on a predetermined notional value and will receive quarterly the equivalent of a floating interest payment based on the same notional value. All interest rate swap payments by the project subsidiary and its counterparty are made quarterly and the LIBOR is determined in advance of each interest period.

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The following table summarizes the swaps, some of which are forward starting as indicated, related to the Company's project level debt as of December 31, 2017 :



	% of Principal		Fixed Interest Rate		Floating Interest Rate	Notional Amount at December 31, 2017 (In millions)		Effective Date	Maturity Date
Alpine	85	%	various		3-Month LIBOR	$	115	various	various
Avra Valley	85	%	2.333	%	3-Month LIBOR	46		November 30, 2012	November 30, 2030
AWAM	100	%	2.47	%	3-Month LIBOR	17		May 22, 2013	May 15, 2031
Blythe	75	%	3.563	%	3-Month LIBOR	13		June 25, 2010	June 25, 2028
Borrego	75	%	1.125	%	3-Month LIBOR	5		April 3, 2013	June 30, 2020
El Segundo	75	%	various		3-Month LIBOR	340		various	various
Kansas South	75	%	2.368	%	6-Month LIBOR	21		June 28, 2013	December 31, 2030
Laredo Ridge	75	%	2.31	%	3-Month LIBOR	75		March 31, 2011	March 31, 2026
Marsh Landing	75	%	3.244	%	3-Month LIBOR	295		June 28, 2013	June 30, 2023
Roadrunner	75	%	4.313	%	3-Month LIBOR	26		September 30, 2011	December 31, 2029
South Trent	75	%	3.265	%	3-Month LIBOR	40		June 15, 2010	June 14, 2020
South Trent	75	%	4.95	%	3-Month LIBOR	21		June 30, 2020	June 14, 2028
Tapestry	75	%	2.21	%	3-Month LIBOR	146		December 30, 2011	December 21, 2021
Tapestry	50	%	3.57	%	3-Month LIBOR	60		December 21, 2021	December 21, 2029
Utah Solar Portfolio	80	%	various		1-Month LIBOR	223		various	September 30, 2036
Viento Funding II	90	%	various		6-Month LIBOR	148		various	various
Viento Funding II	90	%	4.985	%	6-Month LIBOR	65		July 11, 2023	June 30, 2028
Walnut Creek Energy	75	%	various		3-Month LIBOR	239		June 28, 2013	May 31, 2023
WCEP Holdings	90	%	4.003	%	3-Month LIBOR	45		June 28, 2013	May 31, 2023
Total						$	1,940

Annual Maturities

Annual payments based on the maturities of the Company's debt, for the years ending after December 31, 2017 , are as follows:



	(In millions)
2018	$	306
2019	722
2020	657
2021	455
2022	653
Thereafter	3,121
Total	$	5,914

Note 11 — (Loss) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Shares issued during the year are weighted for the portion of the year that they were outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a manner consistent with that of basic earnings per share while giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period.

The number of shares and per share amounts for the period ended December 31, 2015 have been retrospectively restated to reflect the Recapitalization as further described in Note 12 , Stockholders' Equity .

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The reconciliation of the Company's basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share is shown in the following table:



	Year Ended December 31, 2017						Year Ended December 31, 2016				Year Ended December 31, 2015
(In millions, except per share data) ^(a)	Common Class A			Common Class C			Common Class A		Common Class C		Common Class A		Common Class C
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. common stockholders
Net (loss) income attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(6	)	$	(10	)	$	20	$	37	$	14	$	19
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic and diluted	35			64			35		63		35		49
(Loss) Earnings per weighted average common share — basic and diluted	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.16	)	$	0.58	$	0.58	$	0.40	$	0.40

^(a) Net (loss) income attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. and basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share might not recalculate due to presenting values in millions rather than whole dollars.

The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company's diluted earnings per share:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017	2016	2015
	(In millions of shares)
2019 Convertible Notes - Common Class A	15	15	15
2020 Convertible Notes - Common Class C	10	10	5

Note 12 — Stockholders' Equity

On July 22, 2013, in connection with its initial public offering, the Company authorized 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, of which 22,511,250 were issued to the public and became outstanding. In addition, the Company authorized 500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, of which 42,738,750 were issued to NRG concurrently with the initial public offering and became outstanding. The Company utilized proceeds from the issuance of the Class A common stock to acquire a controlling interest in NRG Yield LLC from NRG. Each share of the Class A common stock and the Class B common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters.

In 2014, the Company issued 12,075,000 shares of Class A common stock and used the proceeds to acquire 12,075,000 additional Class A units of NRG Yield LLC.

Recapitalization

On May 5, 2015, the Company's stockholders approved amendments to the Company's certificate of incorporation that adjusted the Company’s capital structure by creating two new classes of capital stock, Class C common stock and Class D common stock, and distributed shares of Class C and Class D common stock to holders of the Company's outstanding Class A and Class B common stock, respectively, through a stock split. The Recapitalization became effective on May 14, 2015.

The Company also retrospectively adjusted all prior period share and per share amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the effect of the stock dividend, so that all periods are comparable.

Class C Common Stock Issuance

On June 29, 2015, the Company closed on its offering of 28,198,000 shares of Class C common stock, which included 3,678,000 shares of Class C common stock purchased by the underwriters through the exercise of an over-allotment option. Net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Class C common stock were $599 million , net of underwriting discounts and commissions of $21 million . The Company utilized the proceeds of the offering to acquire 28,198,000 additional Class C units of NRG Yield LLC.

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At-the-Market Equity Offering Program, or the ATM Program

NRG Yield, Inc. is party to an equity distribution agreement with Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as sales agents. Pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement, NRG Yield, Inc. may offer and sell shares of its Class C common stock par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the sales agents up to an aggregate sales price of $150 million through an at-the-market equity offering program, or the ATM Program. NRG Yield, Inc. may also sell shares of its Class C common stock to any of the sales agents, as principals for its own account, at a price agreed upon at the time of sale.

As of December 31, 2017 , Yield, Inc. issued 1,921,866 shares of Class C common stock under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of $35 million and incurred commission fees of $346 thousand . At December 31, 2017, approximately $115 million of Class C common stock remains available for issuance under the ATM Program.

As a result of the Company's sale of shares of Class C common stock under the ATM Program, the public shareholders of Class A and Class C common stock increased their economic and voting interests in NRG Yield, Inc. to 53.7% , and 44.9% , respectively, as of December 31, 2017 .

Dividends to Class A and Class C common stockholders

The following table lists the dividends paid on the Company's Class A and Class C common stock during the year ended December 31, 2017 :



	Fourth Quarter 2017		Third Quarter 2017		Second Quarter 2017		First Quarter 2017
Dividends per Class A share	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26
Dividends per Class C share	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26

Dividends on the Class A 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 Company also authorized 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. None of the shares of preferred stock have been issued.

Distributions/Contributions to/from NRG

The following table lists the distributions paid to NRG during the year ended December 31, 2017 :



	Fourth Quarter 2017		Third Quarter 2017		Second Quarter 2017		First Quarter 2017
Distributions per Class B unit	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26
Distributions per Class D unit	$	0.288	$	0.28	$	0.27	$	0.26

The portion of the distributions paid by NRG Yield LLC to NRG is recorded as a reduction to the Company's noncontrolling interest balance. The portion of the distributions paid by NRG Yield LLC to the Company was utilized to fund the dividends to the Class A and Class C common stockholders described above.

On February 15, 2018 , NRG Yield LLC declared a quarterly distribution on its Class B and Class D common stock of $0.298 per unit payable to NRG on March 15, 2018 .

During 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , the Company acquired the Drop Down Assets from NRG, as described in Note 3 , Business Acquisitions . The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the acquired Drop Down Assets was recorded as a distribution to/contribution from NRG with the offset to noncontrolling interest. As the projects were owned by NRG prior to the Drop Down Assets acquisitions, the pre-acquisition income (loss) of such projects are recorded as attributable to NRG's noncontrolling interest. Prior to the date of acquisition, certain of the projects made distributions to NRG and NRG made contributions into certain projects. These amounts are reflected within the Company’s statement of stockholders’ equity as changes in the noncontrolling interest balance.

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Note 13 — Segment Reporting

The Company’s segment structure reflects how management currently operates and allocates resources. The Company's businesses are segregated based on conventional power generation, renewable businesses which consist of solar and wind, and the thermal and chilled water business. The Corporate segment reflects the Company's corporate costs. The Company's chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer, evaluates the performance of its segments based on operational measures including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Adjusted EBITDA, and CAFD, as well as economic gross margin and net income (loss).

The Company generated more than 10% of its revenues from the following customers for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 :



	2017		2016		2015
Customer	Conventional (%)	Renewables (%)	Conventional (%)	Renewables (%)	Conventional (%)	Renewables (%)
SCE	21%	20%	21%	21%	22%	17%
PG&E	12%	11%	12%	11%	12%	12%



	Year ended December 31, 2017
(In millions)	Conventional Generation			Renewables			Thermal			Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	336		$	501		$	172		$	—		$	1,009
Cost of operations	77			133			116			—			326
Depreciation and amortization	103			210			21			—			334
Impairment losses	—			44			—			—			44
General and administrative	—			—			—			19			19
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—			—			—			3			3
Operating income (loss)	156			114			35			(22		)	283
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	12			59			—			—			71
Other income, net	1			2			—			1			4
Loss on debt extinguishment	—			(3		)	—			—			(3		)
Interest expense	(49		)	(163		)	(10		)	(84		)	(306		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	120			9			25			(105		)	49
Income tax expense	—			—			—			72			72
Net Income (Loss)	$	120		$	9		$	25		$	(177	)	$	(23	)
Balance Sheet
Equity investment in affiliates	$	102		$	1,076		$	—		$	—		$	1,178
Capital expenditures ^(a)	15			4			16			—			35
Total Assets	$	1,897		$	5,811		$	422		$	153		$	8,283

^(a) Includes accruals.

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	Year ended December 31, 2016
(In millions)	Conventional Generation			Renewables			Thermal			Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	333		$	532		$	170		$	—		$	1,035
Cost of operations	66			128			114			—			308
Depreciation and amortization	80			203			20			—			303
Impairment losses	—			185			—			—			185
General and administrative	—			—			—			16			16
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—			—			—			1			1
Operating income (loss)	187			16			36			(17		)	222
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	13			47			—			—			60
Other income, net	1			2			—			—			3
Interest expense	(48		)	(151		)	(7		)	(78		)	(284		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	153			(86		)	29			(95		)	1
Income tax benefit	—			—			—			(1		)	(1		)
Net Income (Loss)	$	153		$	(86	)	$	29		$	(94	)	$	2
Balance Sheet
Equity investments in affiliates	$	106		$	1,046		$	—		$	—		$	1,152
Capital expenditures ^(a)	7			2			14			—			23
Total Assets	$	1,993		$	6,114		$	426		$	429		$	8,962

^(a) Includes accruals.



	Year ended December 31, 2015
(In millions)	Conventional Generation			Renewables			Thermal			Corporate			Total
Operating revenues	$	336		$	458		$	174		$	—		$	968
Cost of operations	59			138			126			—			323
Depreciation and amortization	81			203			19			—			303
Impairment losses	—			1			—			—			1
General and administrative	—			—			—			12			12
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—			—			—			3			3
Operating income (loss)	196			116			29			(15		)	326
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14			17			—			—			31
Other income, net	1			2			—			—			3
Loss on debt extinguishment	(7		)	(2		)	—			—			(9		)
Interest expense	(48		)	(151		)	(7		)	(61		)	(267		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	156			(18		)	22			(76		)	84
Income tax expense	—			—			—			12			12
Net Income (Loss)	$	156		$	(18	)	$	22		$	(88	)	$	72

117

Note 14 — Income Taxes

Effective Tax Rate

The income tax provision consisted of the following amounts:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(In millions, except percentages)
Current
U.S. Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
State	—			—			—
Total — current	—			—			—
Deferred
U.S. Federal	75			(1		)	10
State	(3		)	—			2
Total — deferred	72			(1		)	12
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	72		$	(1	)	$	12

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company's effective rate is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(In millions, except percentages)
Income Before Income Taxes	$	49		$	1		$	84
Tax at 35%	17			—			29
State taxes, net of federal benefit	(3		)	—			2
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - tax rate change	68			—			—
Investment tax credits	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
Impact of non-taxable partnership earnings	(9		)	(1		)	(17		)
Production tax credits, including prior year true-up	(1		)	4			(4		)
Other	1			(3		)	3
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	72		$	(1	)	$	12
Effective income tax rate	147		%	(100		)%	14		%

For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to tax expense recorded from the revaluation of the existing net deferred tax asset pursuant to the reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 21% in accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which addresses how a company may recognize provisional amounts for the effect of the changes related to the Tax Act. Consistent with that guidance, the Company recognized provisional amounts based upon our interpretation of the tax laws and estimates which require significant judgments.

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to taxable earnings allocated to NRG resulting from its interest in NRG Yield LLC and production and investment tax credits generated from certain wind and solar assets, respectively.

The Company currently owns 53.7% of NRG Yield LLC and consolidates the results due to its controlling interest. The Company records NRG's 46.3% ownership as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. For tax purposes, NRG Yield LLC is treated as a partnership; therefore, the Company and NRG each record their respective share of taxable income or loss.

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The temporary differences, which gave rise to the Company's deferred tax assets, consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2017			2016
	(In millions)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investment in projects	$	70		$	19
Total deferred tax liabilities	70			19
Deferred tax assets:
Production tax credits carryforwards	7			5
Investment tax credits	1			1
U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards	183			226
Capital loss carryforwards	10			16
State net operating loss carryforwards	7			3
Total deferred tax assets	208			251
Valuation allowance	$	(10	)	$	(16	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	198		$	235
Net deferred noncurrent tax asset	$	128		$	216

The primary driver for the decrease in the net deferred tax asset from $216 million to $128 million is the revaluation of the ending balance utilizing a 21% corporate income tax rate pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as of December 22, 2017.

Tax Receivable and Payable

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company has no current or long term tax receivable or payable to be recorded.

Deferred Tax Assets and Valuation Allowance

Net deferred tax balance — As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , NRG recorded a net deferred tax asset of $138 million and $232 million , respectively. 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 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 Company believes that $10 million , a deferred tax asset, expected to generate a capital loss, for which there are no existing capital gains or available tax planning strategies to utilize the asset in the future may not be realized, resulting in the recording of a valuation allowance.

NOL carryforwards — At December 31, 2017 , the Company had domestic NOLs carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $183 million and cumulative state NOLs of $7 million tax-effected.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company had no identified uncertain tax positions that require evaluation as of December 31, 2017 .

Note 15 — Related Party Transactions

In addition to the transactions and relationships described elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, certain subsidiaries of NRG provide services to the Company's project entities. Amounts due to NRG subsidiaries are recorded as accounts payable — affiliate and amounts due to the Company from NRG subsidiaries are recorded as accounts receivable — affiliate in the Company's balance sheet. The disclosures below summarize the Company's material related party transactions with NRG and its subsidiaries that are included in the Company's operating revenues and operating costs.

Power Hedge Contracts by and between Renewable Entities and NRG Texas Power LLC

Certain NRG Wind TE Holdco entities, which are subsidiaries in the Renewables segment, entered into power hedge contracts with NRG Texas Power LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, and generated $16 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2015. Effective October 2015, Elbow Creek entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing LLC, or NRG Power Marketing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, as further described below, and the hedge agreement between Elbow Creek and NRG Texas Power LLC was terminated.

119

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between the Company and NRG Power Marketing

Elbow Creek and Dover are parties to PPAs with NRG Power Marketing and generate revenue under the PPAs, which are recorded to operating revenues in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , Elbow Creek generated revenues of $8 million each year, and Dover generated revenues of $4 million and $5 million , respectively.

Energy Marketing Services Agreement by and between Thermal entities and NRG Power Marketing

NRG Energy Center Dover LLC, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis, NRG Energy Center Phoenix LLC, and NRG Energy Center Paxton LLC, or Thermal entities, are parties to Energy Marketing Services Agreements with NRG Power Marketing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. Under the agreements, NRG Power Marketing procures fuel and fuel transportation for the operation of Thermal entities. The Thermal entities purchased a total of $9 million of natural gas during each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2015 total purchases of natural gas under the agreement were $13 million .

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Services Agreements by and between Company's subsidiaries and NRG

Certain of the Company's subsidiaries are party to O&M Services Agreements with NRG, pursuant to which NRG subsidiaries provide necessary and appropriate services to operate and maintain the subsidiaries' plant operations, businesses and thermal facilities. NRG is reimbursed for the provided services, as well as for all reasonable and related expenses and expenditures, and payments to third parties for services and materials rendered to or on behalf of the parties to the agreements. NRG is not entitled to any management fee or mark-up under the agreements. The fees incurred under this agreement were $39 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and $36 million for each year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 .

The Company had $13 million due to NRG for the services performed during the year ended December 31, 2017 under the O&M Agreements, $5 million of which was paid off as of March 1, 2018. The Company had $22 million due to NRG for the services performed during the year ended December 31, 2016 under the O&M Agreements.

O&M Services Agreements by and between GenConn and NRG

GenConn incurs fees under two O&M agreements with wholly-owned subsidiaries of NRG. The fees incurred under the agreements were $5 million each year for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , and $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 .

Administrative Services Agreement by and between Marsh Landing and NRG West Coast LLC

On December 19, 2016, Marsh Landing entered into an administrative services agreement with NRG West Coast LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG. The administrative services agreement was previously between Marsh Landing and GenOn Energy Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG and was subsequently assigned to and assumed by NRG West Coast LLC. The Company reimbursed costs under this agreement of approximately $15 million , $14 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. There was a balance of $1 million due to NRG West Coast LLC in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Administrative Services Agreements by and between the Company and NRG Renew Operation & Maintenance LLC

Various wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in the Renewables segment are party to administrative services agreements with NRG Renew Operation & Maintenance LLC, or RENOM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, which provides O&M services to these subsidiaries. The Company incurred total expenses for these services in the amount of $23 million , $13 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. There was a balance of $5 million due to RENOM as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

120

Management Services Agreement by and between the Company and NRG

NRG provides the Company with various operational, management, and administrative services, which include human resources, accounting, tax, legal, information systems, treasury, and risk management, as set forth in the Management Services Agreement. As of December 31, 2017 , the base management fee was approximately $8.5 million per year, subject to an inflation-based adjustment annually, at an inflation factor based on the year-over-year U.S. consumer price index. The fee is also subject to adjustments following the consummation of future acquisitions and as a result of a change in the scope of services provided under the Management Services Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the fee was increased by approximately $1 million per year, primarily due to the acquisition of the March 2017, August 2017 and November 2017 Drop Down Assets, as further described in Note 3 , Business Acquisitions . In addition to the base management fee, the Company is also responsible for any expenses that are directly incurred and paid for by NRG on behalf of the Company. Costs incurred under this agreement were approximately $10 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , and $8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 . There was a balance of $4 million in accounts payable — affiliate due to NRG as of December 31, 2017 , which the Company paid off in January 2018.

EPC Agreement by and between NECP and NRG

On October 31, 2016, NRG Business Services LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, and NECP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an EPC agreement for the construction of a 73 MWt district energy system for NECP to provide 150 kpph of steam, 6,750 tons of chilled water and 7.5 MW of emergency backup power service to UPMC Mercy. The initial term of the energy services agreement with UPMC Mercy will be for a period of twenty years from the service commencement date. Pursuant to the terms of the EPC agreement, NECP agreed to pay NRG Business Services LLC $79 million , subject to adjustment based upon certain conditions in the EPC agreement, upon substantial completion of the project. The project is expected to reach COD in the first half of 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the parties made a number of amendments to the EPC Agreement, based on customer change orders, to increase the capacity of the district energy system from 73 MWt to 80 MWt, which also increased the payment from $79 million to $88 million .

Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases, some of which include escalation clauses, expiring on various dates through 2048. The effects of these scheduled rent increases, leasehold incentives, and rent concessions are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless another systematic and rational allocation basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the leased property is physically employed. Lease expense under operating leases was $17 million , $15 million , and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

The Company's future minimum lease commitments under operating leases are $9 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2018 through 2022, and $151 million thereafter.



Period	(In millions)

Gas and Transportation Commitments

The Company has entered into contractual arrangements to procure power, fuel and associated transportation services. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company purchased $34 million , $32 million and $40 million , respectively, under such arrangements. As further described in Note 15 , Related Party Transactions , these purchases include intercompany transactions between certain Thermal entities and NRG Power Marketing under the Energy Marketing Services Agreements in the amount of $9 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Total intercompany purchases of natural gas under the agreement were $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

121

As of December 31, 2017 , the Company's commitments under such outstanding agreements are estimated as follows:



Period	(In millions)
2018	$	11
2019	5
2020	3
2021	3
2022	3
Thereafter	16
Total	$	41

Contingencies

The Company's material legal proceedings are described below. The Company believes that it has valid defenses to these legal proceedings and intends to defend them vigorously. The Company records reserves for estimated losses from contingencies when information available indicates that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. As applicable, the Company has established an adequate reserve for the matters discussed below. In addition, legal costs are expensed as incurred. Management assesses such matters based on current information and makes a judgment concerning its potential outcome, considering the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the legal proceedings below or reasonably estimate the scope or amount of any associated costs and potential liabilities. As additional information becomes available, management adjusts its assessment and estimates of such contingencies accordingly. Because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings or developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of the Company's liabilities and contingencies could be at amounts that are different from its currently recorded reserves and that such difference could be material.

In addition to the legal proceedings noted below, the Company and its subsidiaries are party to other litigation or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Braun v. NRG Yield, Inc. — On April 19, 2016, plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against NRG Yield, Inc., the current and former members of its board of directors individually, and other parties in California Superior Court in Kern County, CA. Plaintiffs allege various violations of the Securities Act due to the defendants’ alleged failure to disclose material facts related to low wind production prior to NRG Yield, Inc.'s June 22, 2015 Class C common stock offering. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, rescission, attorney’s fees and costs. The defendants filed objections and a motion challenging jurisdiction on October 18, 2016. On December 1, 2017, the parties agreed to a stipulation which provides the plaintiffs' opposition is due on March 6, 2018 and the defendants' reply is due on May 4, 2018.

Ahmed v. NRG Energy, Inc. and the NRG Yield Board of Directors — On September 15, 2016, plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against NRG Energy, Inc., the directors of NRG Yield, Inc., and other parties in the Delaware Chancery Court. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their respective fiduciary duties with regard to the recapitalization of NRG Yield, Inc. common stock in 2015. The plaintiffs generally seek economic damages, attorney’s fees and injunctive relief. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on December 21, 2016. Plaintiffs filed their objection to the motion to dismiss on February 15, 2017. The defendants' reply was filed on March 24, 2017. The court heard oral argument on the defendants' motion to dismiss on June 20, 2017. On September 7, 2017, the court requested additional briefing which the parties provided on September 21, 2017. On December 11, 2017, the court dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, thereby ending the case.

GenOn Noteholders' Lawsuit — On December 13, 2016, certain indenture trustees for an ad hoc group of holders, or the Noteholders, of the GenOn Energy, Inc., or GenOn, 7.875% Senior Notes due 2017, 9.500% Notes due 2018, and 9.875% Notes due 2020, and the GenOn Americas Generation, LLC 8.50% Senior Notes due 2021 and 9.125% Senior Notes due 2031, along with certain of the Noteholders, filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware against NRG and GenOn alleging certain claims related to the Services Agreement between NRG and GenOn. On April 30, 2017, the Noteholders filed an amended complaint that asserts additional claims of fraudulent transfer, insider preference and breach of fiduciary duties. In addition to NRG and GenOn, the amended complaint names NRG Yield LLC and certain current and former officers and directors of GenOn as defendants. The plaintiffs, among other things, generally seek return of all monies paid under the Services Agreement and any other damages that the court deems appropriate. On April 28, 2017, the bondholders filed an amended complaint adding the GenOn directors and officers as defendants and asserting claims that they breached certain fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs specifically allege that the transfer of Marsh Landing to NRG Yield LLC constituted a fraudulent transfer. On June 12, 2017, certain GenOn entities, NRG and certain holders of the GenOn and GenOn Americas Generation, LLC senior notes entered into a restructuring support

122

and lock-up agreement. On December 14, 2017, a settlement agreement was entered into between GenOn and NRG which should ultimately resolve this lawsuit.

Note 17 — Unaudited Quarterly Data

Refer to Note 2 , Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , and Note 3 , Business Acquisitions , for a description of the effect of unusual or infrequently occurring events during the quarterly periods. Below is summarized unaudited quarterly financial data, which includes the results of the November 2017 Drop Down Assets Acquisition and its impact on every quarter of the 2017 and 2016 results, which were recast to include the November 2017 Drop Down Assets, where applicable:



	Quarter Ended
	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,		March 31,
	2017
	(In millions, except per share data)
Operating Revenues	$	231		$	269		$	288	$	221

Operating Revenues (as previously reported)	N/A			265			284		218
Change	N/A			4			4		3

Operating Income	19			85			124		55

Operating Income (as previously reported)	N/A			95			122		54
Change	N/A			(10		)	2		1

Net (Loss) Income	(98		)	30			47		(2		)

Net Income (Loss) (as previously reported)	N/A			41			45		(1		)
Change	N/A			(11		)	2		(1		)

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(70	)	$	29		$	28	$	(3	)
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding — basic	35			35			35		35
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding — diluted	35			49			49		35
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding — basic	65			64			63		63
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding — diluted	65			75			74		63
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic	(0.71		)	0.30			0.29		(0.03		)
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A Common Share - Diluted	(0.71		)	0.27			0.26		(0.03		)
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class C Common Share - Diluted	$	(0.71	)	$	0.29		$	0.28	$	(0.03	)

123



	Quarter Ended
	December 31,			September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	2016
	(In millions, except per share data)
Operating Revenues	$	235		$	276	$	287	$	237

Operating Revenues (as previously reported)	232			272		283		234
Change	3			4		4		3

Operating (Loss) Income	(100		)	119		130		73

Operating (Loss) Income (as previously reported)	(99		)	117		128		72
Change	(1		)	2		2		1

Net (Loss) Income	(115		)	51		65		1

Net (Loss) Income (as previously reported)	(114		)	50		64		2
(Change)	(1		)	1		1		(1		)

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(13	)	$	33	$	32	$	5
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding — basic	35			35		35		35
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding — diluted	35			49		49		35
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding — basic	63			63		63		63
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding — diluted	63			73		73		63
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic	(0.14		)	0.34		0.33		0.05
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class A Common Share - Diluted	(0.14		)	0.30		0.29		0.05
(Loss) Earnings per Weighted Average Class C Common Share - Diluted	$	(0.14	)	$	0.32	$	0.31	$	0.05

124

Schedule I

NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Condensed Statements of Operations



	Year ended December 31,
(In millions)	2017			2016 ^(a)			2015 ^(a)

Total operating expense	$	1		$	2		$	2
Equity earnings in consolidated subsidiaries	62			15			95
Interest expense	(12		)	(12		)	(9		)
Total other income, net	50			3			86
Income Before Income Taxes	49			1			84
Income tax expense (benefit)	72			(1		)	12
Net (Loss) Income	(23		)	2			72
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	8			(4		)	—
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15		)	(51		)	39
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(16	)	$	57		$	33

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

125

Schedule I

NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)

Condensed Balance Sheets



	December 31,			December 31,
	2017			2016 ^(a)
ASSETS	(In millions)

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2		$	1
Other Assets
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	2,008			2,364
Note receivable - Yield Operating	618			618
Deferred income taxes	128			216
Total Assets	$	2,756		$	3,199
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	2			2
Long-term debt	610			598
Other non-current liabilities	6			—
Total Liabilities	618			600

Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	—			—
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 500,000,000, Class B 500,000,000, Class C 1,000,000,000, Class D 1,000,000,000); 184,780,837 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 64,717,087, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2017 and 182,848,000 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 62,784,250, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2016	1			1
Additional paid-in capital	1,843			1,879
Accumulated deficit	(69		)	(2		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(28		)	(28		)
Noncontrolling interest	391			749
Total Stockholders' Equity	2,138			2,599
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,756		$	3,199

^(a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1 , Nature of Business .

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

126

Schedule I

NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows



	Years ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(In millions)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities	$	—		$	(5	)	$	2
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Investments in consolidated affiliates	(33		)	5			(600		)
Increase in notes receivable - affiliate	—			—			(281		)
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities	(33		)	5			(881		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			—			288
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	34			—			599
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			—			(7		)
Cash received from Yield LLC for the payment of dividends	108			92			69
Payment of dividends	(108		)	(92		)	(69		)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	34			—			880
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	1			—			1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	1			1			—
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	2		$	1		$	1

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

127

Schedule I

NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

Note 1 — Background and Basis of Presentation

Background

Effective May 14, 2015, the Company completed a stock split in connection with which each outstanding share of Class A common stock was split into one share of Class A common stock and one share of Class C common stock, and each outstanding share of Class B common stock was split into one share of Class B common stock and one share of Class D common stock. The stock split is referred to as the Recapitalization and all references to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the Recapitalization. Following the Recapitalization, the Company's Class A common stock continued trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "NYLD.A" and the Class C common stock began trading under the ticker symbol "NYLD".

NRG, through its holdings of Class B common stock and Class D common stock, has a 55.1% voting interest in the Company and receives distributions from NRG Yield LLC through its ownership of Class B units and Class D units. The holders of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class C common stock are entitled to dividends as declared and have 44.9% of the voting power in the Company.

The Company is the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC and operates and controls all of its business and affairs and consolidates the financial results of NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries. NRG Yield LLC is a holding company for the companies that directly and indirectly own and operate the Company's business. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company and NRG have 53.7% and 46.3% economic interests in NRG Yield LLC, respectively. As a result of the current ownership of the Class B common stock and Class D common stock, NRG continues at the present time to control the Company, and the Company in turn, as the sole managing member of NRG Yield LLC, controls NRG Yield LLC and its subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed parent-only company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04 of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of NRG Yield, Inc.’s subsidiaries exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of NRG Yield, Inc. The parent's 100% investment in its subsidiaries has been recorded using the equity basis of accounting in the accompanying condensed parent-only financial statements. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of NRG Yield, Inc.

Note 2 — Long-Term Debt

For a discussion of NRG Yield Inc.’s financing arrangements, see Note 10 , Long-term Debt , to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 — Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

See Note 14 , Income Taxes , and Note 16 , Commitments and Contingencies , to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of NRG Yield, Inc.’s commitments and contingencies.

Note 4 — Dividends

Cash distributions paid to NRG Yield, Inc. by its subsidiary, NRG Yield LLC, were $108 million , $92 million , and $69 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , respectively.

128

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016



	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Costs and Expenses			Charged to Other Accounts		Balance at End of Period
	(In millions)
Income tax valuation allowance, deducted from deferred tax assets
Year Ended December 31, 2017	$	16	$	(6	)	$	—	$	10
Year Ended December 31, 2016	$	—	$	—		$	16	$	16

129

EXHIBIT INDEX



Number	Description	Method of Filing
2.1	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Gas Development Company, LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.2	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Solar PV LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.3	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and between NRG Solar PV LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014.
2.4	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated June 3, 2014, by and among NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield Operating LLC, Terra-Gen Finance Company, LLC, NTD AWAM Holdings, LLC, CHIPS Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC and CHIPS Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2014.
2.5	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2014, by and between NRG Wind LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2014.
2.6	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2014, by and between NRG Arroyo Nogales LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2014.
2.7*^	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2015, by and between EFS Desert Sun, LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
2.8	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2015, by and between NRG Energy Gas & Wind Holdings, Inc. and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2015.
2.9	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2016, between NRG Solar CVSR Holdings 2 LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 9, 2016.
2.10*	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2018, by and between NRG Gas Development Company, LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Filed herewith.
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NRG Yield, Inc., dated as of May 2, 2016.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.
3.2	Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of NRG Yield, Inc., dated as of February 23, 2016.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2016.
4.1	Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG Yield LLC, dated as of May 14, 2015.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
4.2	Indenture, dated February 11, 2014, among NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, re: the Company’s 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2014.
4.3	Form of 3.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2019.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2014.
4.4	Indenture, dated August 5, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.
4.5	Form of 5.375% Senior Note due 2024.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.

130



4.6	Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the initial purchasers.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.
4.7	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 7, 2014, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2014.
4.8	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 25, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2015.
4.9	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, the other guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2015.
4.10	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2015, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2015.
4.11	Indenture, dated June 29, 2015, among NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield Operating LLC and NRG Yield LLC, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2015.
4.12	Form of 3.25% Convertible Senior Note due 2020.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2015 .
4.13	Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on May 8, 2015.
4.14	Specimen Class C Common Stock Certificate.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on May 8, 2015.
4.15	Indenture, dated August 18, 2016, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
4.16	Form of 5.000% Senior Note due 2026.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
4.17	Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2016.
4.18	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2018, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and Delaware Trust Company (as successor in interest to Law Debenture Trust Company of New York).	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NRG Yield LLC's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 31, 2018.
4.19	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2018, among NRG Yield Operating LLC, the guarantors named therein and the Delaware Trust Company (as successor in interest to Law Debenture Trust Company of New York).	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to NRG Yield LLC's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 31, 2018.
10.1	Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2015, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.2	Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2015, by and among NRG Energy, Inc., NRG Yield, Inc. and NRG Yield LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.3	Second Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2017, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2017.
10.4	Management Services Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2013, by and between NRG Energy, Inc., NRG Yield, Inc., NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2013.
10.5	Trademark License Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2013, by and between NRG Energy, Inc. and NRG Yield, Inc.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2013.

131



10.6	Loan Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2011, by and among High Plains Ranch II, LLC, as borrower, the U.S. Department of Energy, as guarantor, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as loan servicer.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on February 13, 2013.
10.7	Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, by and between Avenal Solar Holdings LLC and NRG Energy Services LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1filed on February 13, 2013.
10.8	Asset Management Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2012, by and between NRG Solar Avra Valley LLC and NRG Solar Asset Management LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.9	Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2012, by and between NRG Energy Services LLC and NRG Solar Borrego I LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.10	Asset Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2012, by and between NRG Solar Alpine LLC and NRG Solar Asset Management LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.11	Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2011, by and between NRG Energy Services LLC and High Plains Ranch II, LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.12	Project Administration Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2010, by and between South Trent Wind LLC and NRG Texas Power LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 13, 2013.
10.13	Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2009, by and between GenConn Devon LLC and Devon Power LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013.
10.14	Operation and Maintenance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2009, by and between GenConn Middletown LLC and Middletown Power LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013.
10.15	Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2009, by and between GenOn Energy Services, LLC (formerly Mirant Services, LLC) and NRG Marsh Landing, LLC (formerly Mirant Marsh Landing, LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013.
10.16†	NRG Yield, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, dated as of May 14, 2015.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2015.
10.17	Form of Indemnification Agreement.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 21, 2013.
10.18.1	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 25, 2014, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Bank of America, N.A., as L/C Issuers and RBC Capital Markets as Sole Left Lead Arranger and Sole Left Lead Book Runner.	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2014.
10.18.2	First Amendment to Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 26, 2015, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, Royal Bank of Canada and the Lenders party thereto.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.18.3	Second Amendment to Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 6, 2018, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, NRG Yield LLC, the guarantors party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2018.
10.19.1	Credit Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2011, among NRG West Holdings LLC, ING Capital LLC, Union Bank, N.A., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., RBS Securities Inc., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and each of lenders and issuing banks thereto.*	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.19.2	Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated October 7, 2011, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.19.3	Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, dated February 29, 2012, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.

132



10.19.4	Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2014, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.19.5	Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2014, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC, El Segundo Energy Center LLC and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.19.6	Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2015, by and between NRG West Holdings LLC and ING Capital LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.20.1	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 17, 2014, by and among NRG Marsh Landing LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and the lenders party thereto.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.20.2	First Amendment to the Credit Agreement and Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated July 17, 2014, by and among NRG Marsh Landing LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and the lenders party thereto.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2014.
10.21^	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of April 9, 2015.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.22^	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of May 8, 2015.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2015.
10.23^	Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and between NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC and NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.
10.24^	Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and among NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC, NRG Renew DG Holdings LLC and NRG Renew LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.
10.25^	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, dated as of March 1, 2016, by and among NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC, NRG Renew DG Holdings LLC, and NRG Renew LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2016.
10.26	Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, dated as of August 5, 2016, by and between NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC and NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2016.
10.27†	Employment Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2016, between NRG Yield, Inc. and Christopher S. Sotos.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on August 9, 2016.
10.28†	Amendment, dated January 1, 2018 to Employment Agreement between NRG Yield, Inc. and Christopher Sotos.	Filed herewith.
10.29†	Form of NRG Yield, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Officers.	Filed herewith.
10.30†	Form of NRG Yield, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Non-officers.	Filed herewith.
10.31†	Form of NRG Yield, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Relative Performance Stock Unit Agreement.	Filed herewith.
10.32†	NRG Yield, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan for Designated Corporate Officers.	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2017.
10.33†	NRG Yield, Inc. Executive Change-in-Control and General Severance Plan.	Filed herewith.

133



10.34^	Consent and Indemnity Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2018, by and among NRG Energy, Inc., NRG Repowering Holdings LLC, NRG Yield, Inc., and GIP III Zephyr Acquisition Partners, L.P., and NRG Yield Operating LLC (solely with respect to Sections E.5, E.6 and G.12).	Filed herewith.
21.1	Subsidiaries of NRG Yield, Inc.	Filed herewith.
23.1	Consent of KPMG LLP.	Filed herewith.
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of Christopher S. Sotos.	Filed herewith.
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of Chad Plotkin.	Filed herewith.
31.3	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of David Callen.	Filed herewith.
32	Section 1350 Certification.	Furnished herewith.
101 INS	XBRL Instance Document.	Filed herewith.
101 SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.	Filed herewith.
101 CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.	Filed herewith.
101 DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.	Filed herewith.
101 LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.	Filed herewith.
101 PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.	Filed herewith.



†		Indicates exhibits that constitute compensatory plans or arrangements.
*		This filing excludes schedules pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, which the registrant agrees to furnish supplementary to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Commission.
^		Portions of this exhibit have been redacted and are subject to a confidential treatment request filed with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

134

Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary

None.

135

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	NRG YIELD, INC. (Registrant)

	/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS
	Christopher S. Sotos
	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 1, 2018

136

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David R. Hill and Brian E. Curci, each or any of them, such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report on Form 10-K, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on March 1, 2018 .



Signature	Title	Date
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	March 1, 2018
Christopher S. Sotos	(Principal Executive Officer)	March 1, 2018
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN	Chief Financial Officer	March 1, 2018
Chad Plotkin	(Principal Financial Officer)	March 1, 2018
/s/ DAVID CALLEN	Chief Accounting Officer	March 1, 2018
David Callen	(Principal Accounting Officer)	March 1, 2018
/s/ MAURICIO GUTIERREZ	Chairman of the Board	March 1, 2018
Mauricio Gutierrez	Chairman of the Board	March 1, 2018
/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS	Director	March 1, 2018
Kirkland B. Andrews	Director	March 1, 2018
/s/ JOHN CHILLEMI	Director	March 1, 2018
John Chillemi	Director	March 1, 2018
/s/ JOHN CHLEBOWSKI	Director	March 1, 2018
John Chlebowski	Director	March 1, 2018
/s/ BRIAN FORD	Director	March 1, 2018
Brian Ford	Director	March 1, 2018
/s/ FERRELL MCCLEAN	Director	March 1, 2018
Ferrell McClean	Director	March 1, 2018

137

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I Item 1 Business Item 1A Risk Factors Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments Item 2 Properties Item 3 Legal Proceedings Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures Part II Item 5 Market For Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities Item 6 Selected Financial Data Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and The Results Of Operations Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Item 9A Controls and Procedures Item 9B Other Information Part III Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Item 11 Executive Compensation Item 12 Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Item 14 Principal Accounting Fees and Services Part IV Item 15 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules Note 1 Nature Of Business Note 2 Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Note 3 Business Acquisitions Note 4 Property, Plant and Equipment Note 5 Investments Accounted For By The Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities Note 6 Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Note 7 Accounting For Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Note 8 Intangible Assets Note 9 Asset Impairments Note 10 Long-term Debt Note 11 (loss) Earnings Per Share Note 12 Stockholders' Equity Note 13 Segment Reporting Note 14 Income Taxes Note 15 Related Party Transactions Note 16 Commitments and Contingencies Note 17 Unaudited Quarterly Data Note 1 Background and Basis Of Presentation Note 2 Long-term Debt Note 3 Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Note 4 Dividends Item 16 Form 10-k Summary

Exhibits

CWEN 10-K Fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2017

Exhibits