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, 2016.	
 	 	 	
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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x	 	Accelerated filer o	 	Non-accelerated filer o	 	Smaller reporting company o	
 	 	 	 	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	 	 	
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 $1,502,686,604 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, 2017	
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	 	62,789,804	
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 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K

 	 	 	 	 	

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index

GLOSSARY OF TERMS	3	
PART I	6	
Item 1 — Business	6	
Item 1A — Risk Factors	14	
Item 1B — Unresolved Staff Comments	33	
Item 2 — Properties	34	
Item 3 — Legal Proceedings	37	
Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures	37	
PART II	38	
Item 5 — Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	38	
Item 6 — Selected Financial Data	40	
Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	42	
Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	65	
Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	66	
Item 9 — Changes in Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	66	
Item 9A — Controls and Procedures	66	
Item 9B — Other Information	68	
PART III	69	
Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	69	
Item 11 — Executive Compensation	72	
Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	72	
Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	72	
Item 14 — Principal Accounting Fees and Services	72	
PART IV	73	
Item 15 — Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	73	
EXHIBIT INDEX	125	
Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary	129	

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

2017 Drop Down Assets	 	(i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah. Both are subject of the definitive purchase agreements that the Company entered into with NRG on February 24, 2017	
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	
2037 Notes	 	$200 million aggregate principal amount of 4.68% senior secured notes due 2037, issued by CVSR Holdco	
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	
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	
CfD	 	Contract for Differences	
CFTC	 	U.S. Commodity Future Trading Commission	
COD	 	Commercial Operations 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	
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, and CVSR Drop Down	
Economic Gross Margin	 	Energy and capacity revenue, less cost of fuels	
EDA	 	Equity Distribution Agreement	
EGU	 	Electric Utility Generating Unit	

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El Segundo	 	NRG West Holdings LLC, the subsidiary of Natural Gas Repowering LLC, which owns the El Segundo Energy Center project	
EME	 	Edison Mission Energy	
EME Assets	 	The January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the November 2015 Drop Down Assets (other than Elbow Creek), originally acquired by NRG from EME on April 1, 2014	
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	
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	
Marsh Landing	 	NRG Marsh Landing LLC, formerly GenOn Marsh Landing LLC	
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	
NOx	 	Nitrogen Oxides	
NPNS	 	Normal Purchases and Normal Sales	
NRG	 	NRG Energy, Inc.	
NRG Wind TE Holdco	 	NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC	
NRG Yield, Inc.	 	NRG Yield, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company	

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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	
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 Agreement	 	Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement between the Company and NRG	
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	
SO2	 	Sulfur Dioxide	
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	
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	
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	

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PART I
Item 1 — Business
General
NRG Yield, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Company, is a dividend growth-oriented company formed to serve 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  4,563 net MW  as of December 31, 2016 .  Each of these assets sells 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  16 years as of  December 31, 2016  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, 2016 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, 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.”
Effective May 14, 2015, the Company completed a stock split whereby 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, 2016, the Company and NRG have 53.3% and 46.7% 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.

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The diagram below depicts the Company’s organizational structure as of December 31, 2016:

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 ROFO Agreement. On February 24, 2017, the Company amended and restated the ROFO Agreement, expanding the NRG ROFO pipeline with the addition of 234 net MW of utility-scale solar projects, consisting of Buckthorn, a 154 net MW solar facility in Texas, and Hawaii solar projects, which have a combined capacity of 80 net MW. Under the 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. In addition to the assets described in the table below which reflects the assets subject to sale, the ROFO Agreement also provides the Company with a right of first offer with respect to up to $250 million of equity in one or more distributed solar generation portfolios developed by affiliates of NRG, together with the assets listed in the table below, the NRG ROFO Assets.

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Asset	 	Fuel Type	 	Rated Capacity
(MW)(a)	 	COD	
Ivanpah(b)	 	Solar	 	193	 	2013	
Agua Caliente(c)	 	Solar	 	148	 	2014	
Buckthorn	 	Solar	 	154	 	2018	
Hawaii	 	Solar	 	80	 	2019	
Carlsbad	 	Conventional	 	527	 	2018	
Puente/Mandalay	 	Conventional	 	262	 	2020	
Wind TE Holdco(d):	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Elkhorn Ridge	 	Wind	 	13	 	2009	
San Juan Mesa	 	Wind	 	22	 	2005	
Wildorado	 	Wind	 	40	 	2007	
Crosswinds	 	Wind	 	5	 	2007	
Forward	 	Wind	 	7	 	2008	
Hardin	 	Wind	 	4	 	2007	
Odin	 	Wind	 	5	 	2007	
Sleeping Bear	 	Wind	 	24	 	2007	
Spanish Fork	 	Wind	 	5	 	2008	
Goat Wind	 	Wind	 	37	 	2008/2009	
Lookout	 	Wind	 	9	 	2008	
Elbow Creek	 	Wind	 	30	 	2008	
Community	 	Wind	 	30	 	2011	
Jeffers	 	Wind	 	50	 	2008	
Minnesota Portfolio(e)	 	Wind	 	40	 	2003/2006	

 	
 	
(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, 2016.
(b) Represents 49.95% of NRG's 50.01% ownership interest in Ivanpah. Following a sale of this 49.95% interest, the remaining 50.05% of Ivanpah would be owned by NRG, Google Inc. and BrightSource Energy Inc.
(c) Represents NRG’s 51% ownership interest in Agua Caliente. The remaining 49% of Agua Caliente is owned by BHE AC Holdings, LLC. As further described below, the Company has entered into an agreement with NRG to acquire 16% of Agua Caliente.
(d) Represents NRG's remaining 25% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco. NRG Yield, Inc. acquired 75% of the Class B interests in November 2015. A tax equity investor owns the Class A interests in NRG Wind TE Holdco.
(e)  Includes Bingham Lake, Eastridge, and Westridge projects.
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. In addition, NRG may offer additional assets to the Company, as described in Item 7 —  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .
In December 2016, NRG offered the Company the opportunity to purchase the following assets: (i) the Minnesota Portfolio, a 40 MW portfolio of wind projects; (ii) the 30 MW Community wind project; (iii) the 50 MW Jeffers wind projects; and (iv) a 16% interest in the 290 MW Agua Caliente solar project, pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. In addition to these ROFO Assets, NRG also offered the Company the opportunity to purchase NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar projects located in Utah, representing 265 net MW of capacity, based on cash to be distributed, that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison.  
On February 24, 2017, the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm, one of the NRG ROFO assets, representing ownership of approximately 46 net MW of capacity. 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; and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah representing 265 net MW of capacity, based on cash to be distributed, that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison. The Utah assets 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, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million for the transaction, excluding adjustments for working capital and assume non-recourse project debt of approximately $328 million, which will be consolidated, as well as its pro-rata share of non-recourse project level debt of $136 million. The Company elected not to pursue the acquisition of the Minnesota Portfolio, Community and Jeffers wind projects at this time, but may continue its evaluation of the projects. The Company has retained the right with NRG, pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, to participate in any third party process to the extent NRG elected to pursue a third party sale of these assets.  

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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 highly 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  16 years  as of December 31, 2016, 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 newly-constructed 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.

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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, 2016, the Company's  4,563  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 705 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, including NRG’s expressed intention to maintain a controlling interest in the Company, provides significant benefits to the Company, including:
• Management and Operational Expertise. The Company has access to the significant resources of NRG, the largest competitive power generator in the U.S., to support its operational, financial, legal, regulatory and environmental functions.
• Development and Acquisition Track Record. NRG's development and strategic teams are focused on the development and acquisition of renewable and conventional generation assets, which may provide future growth opportunities for the Company in addition to the assets set forth in the ROFO Agreement.  The Company believes NRG’s ownership position in the Company incentivizes NRG to support the Company's growth strategy, including through the development of renewable and conventional generation projects.  During 2016, NRG acquired 1,639 MWs of utility scale solar and wind projects and 107 MWs of distributed generation and community solar projects that are currently under development or in operation. 
• Financing Expertise. The Company, with the support of NRG, has been able to achieve a successful track record of sourcing attractive low-cost, long duration capital to fund acquisitions.  The Company expects to continue to realize benefits from NRG’s financing and structuring expertise as well as its relationships with financial institutions and other lenders.
Environmentally well-positioned portfolio of assets. The Company's portfolio of electric generation assets consists of 2,618 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, 2016, the Company's thermal gross property, plant, and equipment was approximately $467 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.

10

                                                                            

Segment Review
The following tables summarize the Company's operating revenues, net income (loss) and assets by segment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 13,  Segment Reporting , to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to that footnote for additional information about the Company's segments. In addition, refer to Item 2 —  Properties , for information about the facilities in each of the Company's segments. 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, 2016	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	
 	Renewables	
 	Thermal	
 	Corporate	
 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	333	
 	 	$	518	
 	 	$	170	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,021	
 	
Net income (loss)	153	
 	 	(103	)	 	29	
 	 	(94	)	 	(15	)	
Total assets	1,993	
 	 	5,535	
 	 	426	
 	 	429	
 	 	8,383	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Year ended December 31, 2015	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	336	
 	 	$	443	
 	 	$	174	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	953	
 	
Net income (loss)	156	
 	 	(25	)	 	22	
 	 	(88	)	 	65	
 	
Total assets	2,102	
 	 	5,970	
 	 	428	
 	 	189	
 	 	8,689	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Year ended December 31, 2014	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	317	
 	 	$	316	
 	 	$	195	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	828	
 	
Net income (loss)	141	
 	 	(19	)	 	31	
 	 	(45	)	 	108	
 	
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 new 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.
CFTC
The CFTC, among other things, regulates the trading of swaps, futures and many commodities under the Commodity Exchange Act, or CEA. Since 2010, there have been a number of reforms to the regulation of the derivatives markets. These regulations, and any further changes thereto, or adoption of additional regulations, including any regulations relating to position limits on futures and other derivatives or margin for derivatives, could negatively impact the Company’s ability to hedge its portfolio in an efficient, cost-effective manner by, among other things, potentially decreasing liquidity in the forward commodity and derivatives markets or limiting the Company’s ability to utilize non-cash collateral for derivatives transactions.

11

                                                                            

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 become more stringent over time, although this trend could change in the near term with respect to federal laws under the new 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 U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, sitting  en banc , heard oral argument on the legal challenges to the CPP in September 2016. Due to the ongoing litigation and the potential impact of the new U.S. presidential administration, 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, 2016, the Company derived approximately 42% 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.

12

                                                                            

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. Other than Messrs. Sotos and Plotkin, the Company does not employ any other employees. The personnel that 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.

13

                                                                            

Item 1A — Risk Factors
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 all or substantially all 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 all or substantially all 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.

14

                                                                            

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, 2016, the Company had approximately $5,770 million of total consolidated indebtedness, $4,314 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, 2016, totaled approximately $453 million and $86 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.	

15

                                                                            

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, 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.

16

                                                                            

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.

17

                                                                            

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 16 years (based on CAFD). As of December 31, 2016, 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 45% and 25%, 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.

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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.

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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,

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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

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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, although this trend could change in the near term under the new U.S. presidential administration. 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 are dependent 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 are reliant 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

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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 2017, 2018 and 2019 are eligible for PTC at 80%, 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.

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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 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 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 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, 2016. NRG has also expressed its intention to maintain a controlling interest in the Company. 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).
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.

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The Company may not be able to consummate future acquisitions from NRG.
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. Furthermore, NRG has no obligation to source acquisition opportunities specifically for 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 30% of NRG's employees at the Company's generation plants are covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2016. 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 in the future, 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.

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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 board committees. Those of the Company's executive officers who have economic interests in NRG may be conflicted when advising the Company's board committees 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 board committees' ability to evaluate any such transaction. Furthermore, the creation of board committees 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, 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, the Company may be unable to contract with 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, 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 would likely have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

26

                                                                            

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, the counterparties could terminate such contracts or accelerate the maturity of such financing arrangements. 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, 2016, 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. 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 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.

27

                                                                            

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 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 common stock. Furthermore, holders of the Company's 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 common stock during the period. Because the Company is a holding company, its ability to pay dividends on the Company's common stock 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 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

28

                                                                            

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, 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, 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 or NRG.
              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.   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.  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, 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

29

                                                                            

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 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 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,

30

                                                                            

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. 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 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.

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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 2016 and 2015 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.

32

                                                                            

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;	
 	 	
•	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;	
 	 	
•	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;	
 	 	
•	Changes in law, including judicial decisions;	
 	 	
•	Operating and financial restrictions placed on the Company and its subsidiaries 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 revolving credit facility, in the indenture governing the Senior Notes and in the indentures governing the Company's convertible notes; 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.

33

                                                                            

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, 2016.

 	 	 	 	Capacity	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	Rated MW	 	Net MW (a)	 	Owner-ship	 	 	 	 	 	PPA Terms	 	
Assets	 	Location	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	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	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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 2013	 	Southern California Edison	 	2035	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Desert Sunlight 300	 	Desert Center, California	 	300	
 	 	75	
 	 	25	%	 	Solar	 	December 2013	 	Pacific Gas and Electric	 	2040	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	 	1,044	
 	 	610	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Distributed Solar	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
AZ DG Solar Projects	 	AZ	 	5	
 	 	5	
 	 	100	%	 	Solar	 	December 2010 - January 2013	 	Various	 	2025 - 2033	 	 	 	 	 	 	
PFMG DG Solar Projects	 	CA	 	9	
 	 	4	
 	 	51	%	 	Solar	 	October 2012 - December 2012	 	Various	 	2032	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total Distributed Solar	 	14	
 	 	9	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	 	 	 	 	 	 	

34

                                                                            

 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	Capacity	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	Rated MW	 	Net MW (a)	 	Owner- ship	 	 	 	 	 	PPA Terms	 	
Assets	 	Location	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Fuel	 	COD	 	Counterparty	 	Expiration	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	
 	 	16	
 	 	74.3	%	 	Wind	 	June 2007	 	Corn Belt Power Cooperative	 	2027	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Elbow Creek (b)	 	Howard County, TX	 	122	
 	 	92	
 	 	75	%	 	Wind	 	December 2008	 	NRG Power Marketing LLC	 	2022	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Elkhorn Ridge (b)	 	Bloomfield, NE	 	54	
 	 	41	
 	 	50.3	%	 	Wind	 	March 2009	 	Nebraska Public Power District	 	2029	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Forward (b)	 	Berlin, PA	 	29	
 	 	22	
 	 	75	%	 	Wind	 	April 2008	 	Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.	 	2017	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goat Wind (b)	 	Sterling City, TX	 	150	
 	 	113	
 	 	74.9	%	 	Wind	 	April 2008/June 2009	 	Dow Pipeline Company	 	2025	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Hardin (b)	 	Jefferson, IA	 	15	
 	 	11	
 	 	74.3	%	 	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	
 	 	29	
 	 	75	%	 	Wind	 	October 2008	 	Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative	 	2030	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Odin (b)	 	Odin, MN	 	20	
 	 	15	
 	 	74.9	%	 	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	 	90	
 	 	68	
 	 	56.3	%	 	Wind	 	December 2005	 	Southwestern Public Service Company	 	2025	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sleeping Bear (b)	 	Woodward, OK	 	95	
 	 	71	
 	 	75	%	 	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	
 	 	14	
 	 	75	%	 	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	
 	 	121	
 	 	74.9	%	 	Wind	 	April 2007	 	Southwestern Public Service Company	 	2027	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total Wind	 	2,206	
 	 	1,999	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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)	 	5,522	
 	 	4,686	

 	

(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, 2016.
(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 4,692 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

35

                                                                            

does not consolidate these partnerships and accounts for them as equity method investments. The Company's net interest in these projects is 131 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, 2016:

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. 130 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.

36

                                                                            

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.

37

                                                                            

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, 2017, 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. The Company's Class C common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2015. The historical Class A common stock sales prices below are adjusted to give effect to the stock split that occurred in connection with the Recapitalization:

Common Stock Price Class A	Fourth Quarter 2016	 	Third Quarter 2016	 	Second Quarter 2016	 	First Quarter 2016	 	Fourth Quarter 2015	 	Third Quarter 2015	 	Second Quarter 2015	 	First Quarter 2015  (a)	
High	$16.50	 	$17.78	 	$15.97	 	$14.12	 	$16.11	 	$22.55	 	$26.95	 	$26.65	
Low	13.40	 	14.93	 	13.01	 	9.83	 	10.50	 	10.44	 	21.84	 	22.19	
Closing	15.36	 	16.32	 	15.22	 	13.57	 	13.91	 	11.15	 	21.99	 	24.29	
Dividends Per Common Share	$0.25	 	$0.24	 	$0.23	 	$0.225	 	$0.215	 	$0.21	 	$0.20	 	$0.195	
Common Stock Price Class C	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
High	$17.01	 	$18.56	 	$16.78	 	$14.93	 	$16.79	 	$22.63	 	$28.11	 	N/A	
Low	13.98	 	15.33	 	13.78	 	10.49	 	11.30	 	10.79	 	21.79	 	N/A	
Closing	15.80	 	16.96	 	15.59	 	14.24	 	14.76	 	11.61	 	21.89	 	N/A	
Dividends Per Common Share	$0.25	 	$0.24	 	$0.23	 	$0.225	 	$0.215	 	$0.21	 	$0.20	 	$0.195	

 	
 	
(a)  Dividends per common share have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the stock split that occurred in connection with the Recapitalization.
N/A - Not applicable.
On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class C common stock of $0.26 per share payable on March 15, 2017, to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2017.
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.

38

                                                                            

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, 2016, 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	
NRG Yield, Inc. Class A common stock	$	100.00	
 	 	$	183.04	
 	 	$	222.39	
 	 	$	137.17	
 	 	$	161.81	
 	
NRG Yield, Inc. Class C common stock (a)	100.00	
 	 	183.04	
 	 	222.39	
 	 	144.60	
 	 	164.80	
 	
S&P 500	100.00	
 	 	111.36	
 	 	126.61	
 	 	128.36	
 	 	143.71	
 	
UTY	100.00	
 	 	97.77	
 	 	126.06	
 	 	118.18	
 	 	138.73	

 	

(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.

39

                                                                            

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.

40

                                                                            

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Fiscal year ended December 31,	
(In millions, except per share data)	2016	 	2015	 	2014	 	2013	 	2012	
Statement of Income Data:	 	 	 	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	1,021	
 	 	$	953	
 	 	$	828	
 	 	$	434	
 	 	$	186	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	306	
 	 	321	
 	 	277	
 	 	154	
 	 	118	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	297	
 	 	297	
 	 	233	
 	 	92	
 	 	39	
 	
Impairment losses	183	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
General and administrative	16	
 	 	12	
 	 	8	
 	 	7	
 	 	7	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	1	
 	 	3	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	803	
 	 	633	
 	 	522	
 	 	253	
 	 	164	
 	
Operating Income	218	
 	 	320	
 	 	306	
 	 	181	
 	 	22	
 	
Other Income (Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	37	
 	 	26	
 	 	17	
 	 	20	
 	 	19	
 	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	6	
 	 	4	
 	 	3	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	(9	)	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Interest expense	(274	)	 	(263	)	 	(216	)	 	(72	)	 	(29	)	
Total other expense, net	(234	)	 	(243	)	 	(194	)	 	(48	)	 	(7	)	
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(16	)	 	77	
 	 	112	
 	 	133	
 	 	15	
 	
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	 	8	
 	 	10	
 	
Net (Loss) Income	(15	)	 	65	
 	 	108	
 	 	125	
 	 	$	5	
 	
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	10	
 	 	(10	)	 	44	
 	 	16	
 	 	 	
Net Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net (Loss) Income of Drop Down Assets	(25	)	 	75	
 	 	64	
 	 	109	
 	 	 	
Less: Predecessor income prior to initial public offering on July 22, 2013	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	54	
 	 	 	
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(82	)	 	42	
 	 	48	
 	 	42	
 	 	 	
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	57	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	16	
 	 	$	13	
 	 	 	
Earnings Per Share Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. Class A and Class C Common Stockholders	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$	0.58	
 	 	$	0.40	
 	 	$	0.30	
 	 	$	0.29	
 	 	N/A	
 	
Dividends per Class A common share (a)	$	0.945	
 	 	$	1.015	
 	 	$	1.42	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	N/A	
 	
Dividends per Class C common share (a)	$	0.945	
 	 	$	0.625	
 	 	N/A	
 	 	N/A	
 	 	N/A	
 	
Other Financial Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Capital expenditures	$	20	
 	 	$	29	
 	 	$	60	
 	 	$	782	
 	 	$	1,398	
 	
Cash Flow Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Net cash provided by (used in):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
    Operating activities	$	560	
 	 	$	405	
 	 	$	362	
 	 	$	168	
 	 	$	57	
 	
    Investing activities	(161	)	 	(1,108	)	 	(739	)	 	(965	)	 	(1,421	)	
    Financing activities	(193	)	 	385	
 	 	747	
 	 	834	
 	 	1,362	
 	
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Cash and cash equivalents	$	317	
 	 	$	111	
 	 	$	429	
 	 	$	59	
 	 	$	22	
 	
  Property, plant and equipment, net	5,460	
 	 	5,878	
 	 	6,009	
 	 	3,388	
 	 	3,392	
 	
  Total assets	8,383	
 	 	8,689	
 	 	8,794	
 	 	4,717	
 	 	3,790	
 	
  Long-term debt, including current maturities	5,708	
 	 	5,593	
 	 	5,731	
 	 	2,849	
 	 	1,880	
 	
  Total liabilities	6,013	
 	 	5,951	
 	 	6,062	
 	 	3,129	
 	 	2,449	
 	
  Total stockholders' equity	$	2,370	
 	 	$	2,738	
 	 	$	2,732	
 	 	$	1,588	
 	 	$	1,341	

 	

(a)  The Company began paying dividends on Class A common stock after the initial public offering on July 22, 2013. The Company began paying dividends on Class C common stock after the Recapitalization on May 14, 2015.

41

                                                                            

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 on June 30, 2014, January 2, 2015, November 3, 2015, and September 1, 2016. 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. In accordance with GAAP guidance, 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 financial statements reflect the transfers as if they had taken place on January 1, 2014 for Kansas South, TA High Desert, and CVSR Drop Down; April 1, 2014 for the January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the majority of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which represents the date these entities were acquired by NRG. 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, 2016, 2015, and 2014. 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.	

42

                                                                            

Executive Summary
Introduction and Overview
The Company is a dividend growth-oriented company formed to serve 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  4,563 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  16 years as of December 31, 2016 ,  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.
Significant Events During the Year Ended December 31, 2016 
 	 	
•	During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded asset impairment losses of $117 million, $60 million, and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind and Forward, respectively. For further discussion, refer to  Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and Critical Accounting Policies  in this Item 7 below, as well as Item 15 — Note 9,  Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements.	
 	 	
•	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 notes at a 4.80% fixed rate. In the first quarter of 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC expects to amend its existing note purchase and private shelf agreement to permit the issuance of $10 million of notes, which if issued, will be utilized in addition to the existing, authorized $70 million of notes to make payments with respect to the EPC agreement discussed below.	
 	 	
•	Additionally, 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 quarter of 2018. On January 5, 2017, the parties amended the EPC Agreement, based on a customer change order, to increase the capacity of the district energy system from 73 MWt to 80 MWt, which also increased the payment from $79 million to $87 million.	
 	 	
•	On September 1, 2016, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements ,  the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC from NRG for total cash consideration of $78.5 million. 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. 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.	
 	 	
•	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. A portion of the proceeds of the 2026 Senior Notes were used to repay the Company's revolving credit facility.  For further discussion, refer to  Item 15 — Note 10,  Long-term Debt , to the Consolidated Financial Statements .	
 	 	
•	On August 9, 2016, NRG Yield, Inc. established a $150,000,000 at-the-market equity offering program, or ATM Program, as described in  Sources of Liquidity  in this Item 7 below. As of December 31, 2016, no shares were issued under the ATM Program.	
 	 	
•	On July 15, 2016, CVSR Holdco, issued $200 million of senior secured notes that bear interest at 4.68% and mature on March 31, 2037.  The proceeds were utilized, along with  $28 million  of cash on hand, to reduce borrowings under the	

43

                                                                            

Company’s revolving credit facility. For further discussion, refer to Item 15 — Note 10, Long-term Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements .
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.
CapitalMarket Conditions
The capital markets in general are often subject to volatility that is unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The Company’s growth strategy depends on its ability to identify and acquire additional conventional and renewable facilities from NRG and unaffiliated third parties, which will require access to debt and equity financing to complete such acquisitions or replenish capital for future acquisitions. Any broad market fluctuations may affect the Company’s ability to access such capital through debt or equity financings. The Company believes that improved capital market conditions may allow it to access capital in 2017.
Operational Matters
Walnut Creek Forced Outage
In July and August 2016, Walnut Creek experienced two unrelated outages causing damage to a circuit breaker and a compressor resulting in forced outages on Units 2 and 4, respectively.  The Company has undertaken a root cause analysis and is reviewing what is covered by insurance.  Unit 2 returned to service on August 10, 2016 and Unit 4 returned to service on September 15, 2016.
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 Energy Inc., the Company elected to replace the rotor on Unit 5. Both Unit 5 and 6 returned to service on February 24, 2017. The Company is reviewing the warranty coverage with the original equipment manufacturer as well as available insurance coverage.  

44

                                                                            

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	$	1,089	
 	 	$	1,009	
 	 	$	80	
 	
Contract amortization	(68	)	 	(54	)	 	(14	)	
Mark-to-market economic hedging activities	—	
 	 	(2	)	 	2	
 	
Total operating revenues	1,021	
 	 	953	
 	 	68	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of fuels	61	
 	 	71	
 	 	(10	)	
Emissions credit amortization	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	6	
 	
Operations and maintenance	174	
 	 	178	
 	 	(4	)	
Other costs of operations	65	
 	 	72	
 	 	(7	)	
Depreciation and amortization	297	
 	 	297	
 	 	—	
 	
Impairment losses	183	
 	 	—	
 	 	183	
 	
General and administrative	16	
 	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	1	
 	 	3	
 	 	(2	)	
Total operating costs and expenses	803	
 	 	633	
 	 	170	
 	
Operating Income	218	
 	 	320	
 	 	(102	)	
Other Income (Expense)	 	 	 	 	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	37	
 	 	26	
 	 	11	
 	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	(9	)	 	9	
 	
Interest expense	(274	)	 	(263	)	 	(11	)	
Total other expense, net	(234	)	 	(243	)	 	9	
 	
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(16	)	 	77	
 	 	(93	)	
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	(13	)	
Net (Loss) Income	(15	)	 	65	
 	 	(80	)	
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	10	
 	 	(10	)	 	20	
 	
Net (Loss) Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income of Drop Down Assets	(25	)	 	75	
 	 	(100	)	
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(82	)	 	42	
 	 	(124	)	
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)	7,236	
 	 	6,412	
 	
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, as further described in Item 15 — Note 15,  Related Party Transactions,  to the Consolidated Financial Statements .   

45

                                                                            

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

 	Conventional	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Total	
(In millions)	 	
Year ended December 31, 2016	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
Energy and capacity revenues	$	338	
 	 	$	579	
 	 	$	172	
 	 	$	1,089	
 	
Cost of fuels	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	(60	)	 	(61	)	
Contract amortization	(5	)	 	(61	)	 	(2	)	 	(68	)	
Emissions credit amortization	(6	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(6	)	
Gross margin	326	
 	 	518	
 	 	110	
 	 	954	
 	
Contract amortization	5	
 	 	61	
 	 	2	
 	 	68	
 	
Emissions credit amortization	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	6	
 	
Economic gross margin	$	337	
 	 	$	579	
 	 	$	112	
 	 	$	1,028	

 	

 	 	

 	
Year ended December 31, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Energy and capacity revenues	$	341	
 	 	$	492	
 	 	$	176	
 	 	$	1,009	
 	
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	
 	 	442	
 	 	105	
 	 	882	
 	
Contract amortization	5	
 	 	47	
 	 	2	
 	 	54	
 	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Economic gross margin	$	340	
 	 	$	491	
 	 	$	107	
 	 	$	938	

46

                                                                            

Gross margin increased by $72 million and economic gross margin increased by $90 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to:

(In millions)	 	
Renewables:	 	
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	(14	)	
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	$	72	
 	
Operations and Maintenance Expense

 	Conventional	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Total	
(In millions)	 	
Year ended December 31, 2016	$	32	
 	 	$	94	
 	 	$	48	
 	 	$	174	
 	
Year ended December 31, 2015	30	
 	 	97	
 	 	51	
 	 	178	
 	
Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $4 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, due to:

 	(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.

47

                                                                            

Impairment Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded impairment losses of $183 million, 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 $11 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 $11 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	
 	
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	)	
 	$	11	
 	
Income Tax Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1 million on a pretax loss of $16 million. For the same period in 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense of $12 million on pretax income of $77 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.
Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had income of $29 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 $56 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.

48

                                                                            

Consolidated Results of Operations
2015 compared to 2014 
The following table provides selected financial information:

 	Year ended December 31,	
(In millions)	2015	 	2014	 	Change	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	
Energy and capacity revenues	$	1,009	
 	 	$	855	
 	 	$	154	
 	
Contract amortization	(54	)	 	(29	)	 	(25	)	
Mark-to-market economic hedging activities	(2	)	 	2	
 	 	(4	)	
Total operating revenues	953	
 	 	828	
 	 	125	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of fuels	71	
 	 	89	
 	 	(18	)	
Operations and maintenance	178	
 	 	140	
 	 	38	
 	
Other costs of operations	72	
 	 	48	
 	 	24	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	297	
 	 	233	
 	 	64	
 	
General and administrative — affiliate	12	
 	 	8	
 	 	4	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	3	
 	 	4	
 	 	(1	)	
Total operating costs and expenses	633	
 	 	522	
 	 	111	
 	
Operating Income	320	
 	 	306	
 	 	14	
 	
Other Income (Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	26	
 	 	17	
 	 	9	
 	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	6	
 	 	(3	)	
Loss on debt extinguishment	(9	)	 	(1	)	 	(8	)	
Interest expense	(263	)	 	(216	)	 	(47	)	
Total other expense, net	(243	)	 	(194	)	 	(49	)	
Income Before Income Taxes	77	
 	 	112	
 	 	(35	)	
Income tax expense	12	
 	 	4	
 	 	8	
 	
Net Income	65	
 	 	108	
 	 	(43	)	
Less: Pre-acquisition net (loss) income of Drop Down Assets	(10	)	 	44	
 	 	(54	)	
Net Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net (Loss) Income of Drop Down Assets	75	
 	 	64	
 	 	11	
 	
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	42	
 	 	48	
 	 	(6	)	
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	33	
 	 	$	16	
 	 	$	17	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Year ended December 31,	
Business metrics:	2015	 	2014	
Renewables MWh generated/sold (in thousands) (a)	6,412	
 	 	4,659	
 	
Conventional MWh generated (in thousands) (a)(b)	2,487	
 	 	2,130	
 	
Thermal MWt sold (in thousands)	1,946	
 	 	2,060	
 	
Thermal MWh sold (in thousands)	297	
 	 	205	

 	

(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.

49

                                                                            

Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
As described in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company completed the following acquisitions from NRG during the year ended December 31, 2015:
 	 	
•	On November 3, 2015, the Company acquired 75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, or the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for total cash consideration of $209 million. In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million.	
 	 	
•	On January 2, 2015, the Company acquired the Laredo Ridge, Tapestry, and Walnut Creek projects, or the January 2015 Drop Down Assets, for total cash consideration of $489 million, plus assumed project-level debt of $737 million.	
The January 2015 Drop Down Assets and the November 2015 Drop Down Assets (other than Elbow Creek) were originally acquired by NRG from EME on April 1, 2014, and are collectively referred to as "EME Assets" throughout this discussion. The Company prepared its consolidated financial statements for the periods ending December 31, 2015 and 2014 to reflect the acquisitions as if they had taken place from the date the entities were under common control, which was April 1, 2014 for the EME Assets. Accordingly, the results presented herein reflect the Company's ownership of the EME Assets for the full year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the nine months from April 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014.
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.

50

                                                                            

The following tables present the composition of gross margin, as well as the reconciliation to economic gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 	Conventional	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Total	
 (In millions)	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
Energy and capacity revenues	$	341	
 	 	$	492	
 	 	$	176	
 	 	$	1,009	
 	
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	
 	 	$	442	
 	 	$	105	
 	 	$	882	
 	
Contract amortization	5	
 	 	47	
 	 	2	
 	 	54	
 	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Economic gross margin	$	340	
 	 	$	491	
 	 	$	107	
 	 	$	938	

Year ended December 31, 2014	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Energy and capacity revenues	$	321	
 	 	$	337	
 	 	$	197	
 	 	$	855	
 	
Cost of fuels	(2	)	 	(1	)	 	(86	)	 	(89	)	
Contract amortization	(4	)	 	(23	)	 	(2	)	 	(29	)	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Gross margin	$	315	
 	 	$	315	
 	 	$	109	
 	 	$	739	
 	
Contract amortization	4	
 	 	23	
 	 	2	
 	 	29	
 	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	—	
 	 	(2	)	 	—	
 	 	(2	)	
Economic gross margin	$	319	
 	 	$	336	
 	 	$	111	
 	 	$	766	
 	
Gross margin increased by $143 million and economic gross marginincreased by $172 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, driven by:

Renewables:	 (In millions)	
Acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and Spring Canyon in May 2015	$	126	
 	
Acquisition of EME Assets (Wind)	31	
 	
Other	(2	)	
Conventional:	
 	
Acquisition of EME Assets (Walnut Creek)	25	
 	
Forced outage at El Segundo in the first half of 2015	(4	)	
Thermal:	
 	
Milder weather conditions in 2015 compared to 2014	(4	)	
Increase in economic gross margin	$	172	
 	
Higher contract amortization primarily due to the amortization of the PPAs acquired in the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014	(25	)	
Unrealized losses in 2015 and unrealized gains in 2014 on forward contracts with an NRG subsidiary hedging the forecasted sale of power from Elbow Creek, prior to the start of the PPA	(4	)	
Increase in gross margin	$	143	
 	
Operations and Maintenance Expense

 	Conventional	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Total	
 (In millions)	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2015	$	30	
 	 	$	97	
 	 	$	51	
 	 	$	178	
 	
Year ended December 31, 2014	30	
 	 	63	
 	 	47	
 	 	140	

51

                                                                            

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $38 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, driven by:

 	 (In millions)	
Acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and Spring Canyon in May 2015	$	21	
 	
Acquisition of EME Assets, primarily in the Renewables segment	16	
 	
Other	1	
 	
 	$	38	
 	
Other Costs of Operations
Other costs of operations increased by $24 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to an increase in property taxes resulting from the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014, and the EME Assets in April 2014.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $64 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to the acquisitions of the Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014 and the EME Assets in April 2014.

 	
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by $9 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to the acquisition of Desert Sunlight in June 2015 as well as the Elkhorn Ridge and San Juan Mesa projects, acquired as part of the EME Assets.
Interest Expense     
Interest expense increased by $47 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, due to:

 	(In millions)	
Acquisition of Alta Wind Portfolio in August 2014	$	32	
 	
Issuance of the Senior Notes due 2024 in the third quarter of 2014, 2020 Convertible Notes in the second quarter of 2015, and the 2019 Convertible Notes in the first quarter of 2014	31	
 	
Acquisition of EME Assets in April 2014	3	
 	
Repricing of project-level financing arrangements and principal repayments	(9	)	
Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps	(10	)	
 	$	47	
 	
Income Tax Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense of $12 million on pretax income of $77 million. For the same period in 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense of $4 million on pretax income of $112 million. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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.
Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had income of $56 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. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had income of $48 million attributable to NRG's interest in the Company.

52

                                                                            

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.
Liquidity Position
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's liquidity was approximately $916 million and $375 million, respectively, comprised of cash, restricted cash, and availability under the Company's revolving credit facility. The Company's liquidity includes $164 million and $131 million of restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2016 and  2015 , 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. 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, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings and the Company had $60 million of letters of credit 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.
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, 2016. 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	
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, 2016,  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
On August 9, 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, 2016, no shares were issued under the ATM Program.

53

                                                                            

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 notes. In the first quarter of 2017, NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC anticipates amending the shelf facility to allow for the issuance of an additional $10 million of notes, increasing the total principal amount of notes available for issuance under the shelf facility to $80 million. The Series D Notes are, and the additional notes, if issued, 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, who in turn distributed the proceeds to Yield Operating LLC to be utilized for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.
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.

54

                                                                            

Debt Service Obligations
Principal payments on debt as of December 31, 2016 are due in the following periods:

Description	2017	 	2018	 	2019	 	2020	 	2021	 	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	
 	
   Total Corporate-level debt	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	345	
 	 	288	
 	 	—	
 	 	850	
 	 	1,483	
 	
Project-level debt:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	11	
 	 	11	
 	 	12	
 	 	12	
 	 	12	
 	 	184	
 	 	242	
 	
Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	9	
 	 	9	
 	 	149	
 	 	191	
 	
Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	9	
 	 	9	
 	 	156	
 	 	198	
 	
Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	5	
 	 	5	
 	 	5	
 	 	6	
 	 	6	
 	 	101	
 	 	128	
 	
Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	9	
 	 	9	
 	 	164	
 	 	206	
 	
Alta Realty Investments, due 2031	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	23	
 	 	31	
 	
Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	13	
 	 	18	
 	
Alpine, due 2022	9	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	104	
 	 	145	
 	
Avra Valley, due 2031	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	4	
 	 	3	
 	 	41	
 	 	57	
 	
Blythe, due 2028	2	
 	 	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	12	
 	 	19	
 	
Borrego, due 2025 and 2038	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	54	
 	 	69	
 	
CVSR, due 2037	25	
 	 	26	
 	 	24	
 	 	21	
 	 	23	
 	 	652	
 	 	771	
 	
CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037	5	
 	 	6	
 	 	6	
 	 	6	
 	 	7	
 	 	169	
 	 	199	
 	
El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023	43	
 	 	48	
 	 	49	
 	 	53	
 	 	57	
 	 	193	
 	 	443	
 	
Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2017 and 2025	13	
 	 	7	
 	 	11	
 	 	11	
 	 	11	
 	 	43	
 	 	96	
 	
Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	125	
 	 	125	
 	
Kansas South, due 2031	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	20	
 	 	30	
 	
Laredo Ridge, due 2028	5	
 	 	5	
 	 	5	
 	 	6	
 	 	6	
 	 	73	
 	 	100	
 	
Marsh Landing, due 2017 and 2023	52	
 	 	55	
 	 	57	
 	 	60	
 	 	62	
 	 	84	
 	 	370	
 	
PFMG and related subsidiaries financing agreement, due 2030	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	21	
 	 	27	
 	
Roadrunner, due 2031	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	2	
 	 	3	
 	 	23	
 	 	37	
 	
South Trent Wind, due 2020	4	
 	 	4	
 	 	4	
 	 	45	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	57	
 	
TA High Desert, due 2020 and 2032	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	34	
 	 	49	
 	
Tapestry, due 2021	10	
 	 	11	
 	 	11	
 	 	11	
 	 	129	
 	 	—	
 	 	172	
 	
Viento, due 2023	13	
 	 	16	
 	 	18	
 	 	16	
 	 	16	
 	 	99	
 	 	178	
 	
Walnut Creek, due 2023	43	
 	
 	45	
 	
 	47	
 	
 	49	
 	
 	52	
 	
 	74	
 	 	310	
 	
WCEP Holdings, due 2023	1	
 	
 	2	
 	
 	4	
 	
 	4	
 	
 	4	
 	
 	31	
 	 	46	
 	
   Total project-level debt	282	
 	 	292	
 	 	306	
 	 	353	
 	 	439	
 	 	2,642	
 	 	4,314	
 	
Total debt	$	282	
 	 	$	292	
 	 	$	651	
 	
 	$	641	
 	
 	$	439	
 	
 	$	3,492	
 	
 	$	5,797	

55

                                                                            

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. The Company develops annual capital spending plans based on projected requirements for maintenance and growth capital. For the years ended  December 31, 2016 , 2015, and 2014, the Company used approximately $20 million, $29 million, and $60 million, respectively, to fund capital expenditures, including maintenance  capital  expenditures  of $16 million, $20 million, and $8 million, respectively. Growth capital expenditures in 2016 were in primarily in the Thermal segment and relate to servicing new customers in district energy centers. Growth capital expenditures in 2015 and 2014 primarily related to the construction of the Company’s solar generating assets, Marsh Landing and El Segundo.
Acquisitions and Investments
The Company intends to acquire generation and thermal infrastructure assets developed and constructed by NRG 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, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 5, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities , the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah, which are part of a tax equity structure with Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc., or Dominion, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million and assume non-recourse project debt. The purchase price for the acquisition, which is subject to working capital adjustments to be calculated at close, is expected to be funded with cash on hand. The Company expects to record its interests in the acquired projects as equity method investments. 
On September 1, 2016, as discussed in Item 15 — Note 3, Business Acquisitions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements ,  the Company acquired the remaining 51.05% interest of CVSR Holdco LLC from NRG for total cash consideration of $78.5 million. 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. In connection with the retrospective adjustment of prior periods, the Company now consolidates CVSR and 100% of debt, or $771 million of CVSR project level debt and $200 million of notes issued under the CVSR Holdco Financing Agreement as of September 1, 2016.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company invested $80 million in distributed and residential solar investment partnerships with NRG, as further described in Item 15 — Note 5,  Investments Accounting for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities. 

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.

56

                                                                            

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, 2016:

 	Fourth Quarter 2016	 	Third Quarter 2016	 	Second Quarter 2016	 	First Quarter 2016	
Dividends per Class A share	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
Dividends per Class C share	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class C common stock of $0.26 per share payable on March 15, 2017, to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2017.

57

                                                                            

Cash Flow Discussion
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	$	560	
 	 	$	405	
 	 	$	155	
 	
Net cash used in investing activities	(161	)	 	(1,108	)	 	947	
 	
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(193	)	 	385	
 	 	(578	)	
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	$	127	
 	
Changes in working capital driven primarily by the timing of accounts receivable collections in 2015 compared to 2016	22	
 	
Higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	6	
 	
 	$	155	
 	
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	308	
 	
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	
 	
Receipt of insurance proceeds in 2016 in the Renewables segment	4	
 	
Higher restricted cash balances in 2016, primarily driven by higher revenues in the Renewables segment in the third and fourth quarters of 2016, which in turn provided more cash available for distribution by certain projects	(32	)	
 	$	947	
 	
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities

Changes in net cash (used in) provided by financing activities were driven by:	(In millions)	
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	)	
Higher payments of distributions to NRG related to NRG's 25% ownership of NRG Wind TE Holdco and distributions made to NRG from Drop Down Assets prior to the acquisition dates	(64	)	
Proceeds from Class C equity offering on June 29, 2015	(599	)	
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	842	
 	
Increase in dividends paid to common stockholders, as declared dividends increased 16.3% from 2015 to 2016	(34	)	
Lower debt issuance costs paid in 2016	6	
 	
 	$	(578	)	

58

                                                                            

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014 
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014:

Year ended December 31,	2015	 	2014	 	Change	
(In millions)	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	405	
 	 	$	362	
 	 	$	43	
 	
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,108	)	 	(739	)	 	(369	)	
Net cash provided by financing activities	385	
 	 	747	
 	 	(362	)	
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	$	19	
 	
Higher distributions from unconsolidated affiliates for the year ending December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014	22	
 	
Changes in working capital primarily driven by timing of capacity payments	2	
 	
 	$	43	
 	
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

Changes to net cash used in investing activities were driven by:	(In millions)	
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired (primarily the Alta acquisition in 2014)	$	864	
 	
Higher payments made to acquire Drop Down Assets in 2015 compared to payments made in 2014	(387	)	
Decrease in capital expenditures due to several projects being placed in service in early 2014	31	
 	
Changes in restricted cash primarily due to cash transfers in connection with higher debt principal payments in 2015	(26	)	
Proceeds from renewable energy grants in 2014	(422	)	
Increase in net investments in unconsolidated affiliates in 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to the investment in Desert Sunlight made in 2015	(364	)	
Receipt of indemnity from supplier for CVSR	(57	)	
Other	(8	)	
 	$	(369	)	
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Changes in net cash provided by financing activities were driven by:	(In millions)	
Lower payments of dividends and returns of capital to NRG, partially offset by contributions from NRG in 2014	$	274	
 	
Lower contributions from tax equity investors in 2015	(68	)	
Lower net proceeds from Class C equity offering on June 29, 2015 compared to the net proceeds from Class A equity offering on July 29, 2014	(31	)	
Increase in dividends paid to common stockholders	(38	)	
Lower net proceeds from the revolving credit facility in 2015 compared to 2014	(194	)	
A decrease in proceeds from long-term debt, as well as an increase in debt payments, in 2015 compared to 2014	(328	)	
Decrease in debt issuance costs due to lower borrowing in 2015	23	
 	
 	$	(362	)	

59

                                                                            

NOLs, Deferred Tax Assets and Uncertain Tax Position Implications, under ASC 740
As of December 31, 2016, the Company has a cumulative federal NOL carry forward balance of $648 million for financial statement purposes, which will begin expiring in 2033, and does not anticipate any federal income tax payments for 2017. 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 2017. 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.
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, 2016, 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 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 $453 million as of December 31, 2016. 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,	
 	2016	 	2015	
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)	$	554	
 	 	$	1,439	
 	 	$	1,475	
 	 	$	4,412	
 	 	$	7,880	
 	 	$	7,016	
 	
Operating leases	9	
 	 	19	
 	 	18	
 	 	152	
 	 	198	
 	 	219	
 	
Fuel purchase and transportation obligations	13	
 	 	7	
 	 	6	
 	 	19	
 	 	45	
 	 	48	
 	
Other liabilities (a)	14	
 	 	22	
 	 	21	
 	 	72	
 	 	129	
 	 	105	
 	
Total	$	590	
 	 	$	1,487	
 	 	$	1,520	
 	 	$	4,655	
 	 	$	8,252	
 	 	$	7,388	

 	

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

60

                                                                            

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, 2016 , based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at  December 31, 2016 . 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, 2015	$	(100	)	
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period	37	
 	
Changes in fair value	(6	)	
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2016	$	(69	)	

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2016	
 	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 1	$	1	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1	
 	
Level 2	(28	)	 	(27	)	 	(9	)	 	(6	)	 	(70	)	
Total	$	(27	)	 	$	(27	)	 	$	(9	)	 	$	(6	)	 	$	(69	)	
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.

61

                                                                            

 	
 	 	
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, 2016, the Company had a valuation allowance of $16 million 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 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.
The Company's operating entities, as former subsidiaries of NRG, continue to be under audit for multiple years by taxing authorities in other jurisdictions. 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 subject to examination by taxing authorities for income tax returns filed in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local 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.	

62

                                                                            

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. 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 2016, as described in Item 15 — Note 9, Asset Impairments , to the Consolidated Financial Statements, with respect to several wind projects that were acquired in connection with the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets. Because the projects were acquired from NRG, they were recorded at historical cost rather than fair value. The historical cost of the assets was higher than its fair value at the date the interests under common control were acquired, as described in Item 15  —  Note 3,  Business Acquisitions,  to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 located in Texas and the Forward project in Pennsylvania were below the carrying value (historical cost transferred under common control) of the related assets, primarily driven by 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 $117 million, $60 million and $6 million for Elbow Creek, Goat Wind 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.   

63

                                                                            

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.

64

                                                                            

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, 2016 .
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, 2016, the Company would have owed the counterparties $72 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, 2016 , 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, 2016, the fair value of the Company's debt was $5,769 million and the carrying value was $5,770 million. The Company estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of its long-term debt by $476 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.

65

                                                                            

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 2016 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, 2016.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, 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.

66

                                                                            

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
NRG Yield, Inc.:
We have audited NRG Yield, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in  Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). NRG Yield, Inc.’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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, 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.
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.
In our opinion, NRG Yield, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, 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), the consolidated balance sheets of NRG Yield, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and 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, 2016, and our report dated February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
(signed) KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, PA
February 28, 2017

67

                                                                            

Item 9B — Other Information
None.

68

                                                                            

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 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company 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 is a director of First Midwest Bancorp Inc. 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 principals 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.

69

                                                                            

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.  From December 2015 to May 2016, Mr. Gutierrez was the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. From December 2012 to December 2015, Mr. Gutierrez was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.  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. Sotoshas 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. Sotoshas served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2016, and as a director of the Company since May 2013. For additional biographical information for Mr. Sotos, see above under “Directors.”
Chad Plotkin has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since November 2016. Mr. Plotkin was employed by NRG for over nine years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy, for the Company since January 2016. Prior to this, Mr. Plotkin served as Vice President, Investor Relations of the Company and of NRG from September 2015 to January 2016. Mr. Plotkin served as Vice President of Finance of NRG from February 2015 to September 2015. From January 2012 until February 2015, Mr. Plotkin served as Vice President, Investor Relations of NRG and the Company following the Company's initial public offering in July 2013. 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.

70

                                                                            

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 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

71

                                                                            

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 2017 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	27,459	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	—(1)	
 	
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders - Class C common stock	176,452	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,796,089	
 	
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	—	
 	 	N/A	
 	 	—	
 	
Total	203,911	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	1,796,089	

 	

(1)  Consists of 1,796,089 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

72

                                                                            

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 Income — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity — Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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
(c) Not applicable

73

                                                                            

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
NRG Yield, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NRG Yield, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and 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, 2016. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule “Schedule I. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.” These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NRG Yield, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), NRG Yield, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 28, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(signed) KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, PA
February 28, 2017

74

                                                                            

NRG YIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 	Year ended December 31,	
(In millions, except per share amounts)	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	1,021	
 	 	$	953	
 	 	$	828	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	306	
 	 	321	
 	 	277	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	297	
 	 	297	
 	 	233	
 	
Impairment losses	183	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
General and administrative	16	
 	 	12	
 	 	8	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	1	
 	 	3	
 	 	4	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	803	
 	 	633	
 	 	522	
 	
Operating Income	218	
 	 	320	
 	 	306	
 	
Other Income (Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	37	
 	 	26	
 	 	17	
 	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	6	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	(9	)	 	(1	)	
Interest expense	(274	)	 	(263	)	 	(216	)	
Total other expense, net	(234	)	 	(243	)	 	(194	)	
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(16	)	 	77	
 	 	112	
 	
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	
Net (Loss) Income	(15	)	 	65	
 	 	108	
 	
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	10	
 	 	(10	)	 	44	
 	
Net (Loss) Income Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income (Loss) of Drop Down Assets	(25	)	 	75	
 	 	64	
 	
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(82	)	 	42	
 	 	48	
 	
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	57	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	16	
 	
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	
 	 	28	
 	
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	63	
 	 	49	
 	 	28	
 	
Earnings per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$	0.58	
 	 	$	0.40	
 	 	$	0.30	
 	
Dividends Per Class A Common Share	$	0.945	
 	 	$	1.015	
 	 	$	1.42	
 	
Dividends Per Class C Common Share	$	0.945	
 	 	$	0.625	
 	 	N/A	

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

75

                                                                            

NRG YIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 	Year ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
(In millions)	 	
Net (Loss) Income	$	(15	)	 	$	65	
 	 	$	108	
 	
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax	 	 	 	 	 	
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of income tax benefit of $0, $10, and $5	13	
 	 	(7	)	 	(60	)	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13	
 	 	(7	)	 	(60	)	
Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(2	)	 	58	
 	 	48	
 	
Less: Pre-acquisition net income (loss) of Drop Down Assets	10	
 	 	(10	)	 	44	
 	
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(68	)	 	53	
 	 	(3	)	
Comprehensive Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	56	
 	 	$	15	
 	 	$	7	
 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

76

                                                                            

NRG YIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 	December 31, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	
ASSETS	(In millions)	
Current Assets	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	317	
 	 	$	111	
 	
Restricted cash	164	
 	 	131	
 	
Accounts receivable — trade	91	
 	 	101	
 	
Inventory	39	
 	 	36	
 	
Derivative instruments	2	
 	 	—	
 	
Notes receivable — current	16	
 	 	17	
 	
Prepayments and other current assets	16	
 	 	20	
 	
Total current assets	645	
 	 	416	
 	
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,460	
 	 	5,878	
 	
Other Assets	 	 	 	
Equity investments in affiliates	710	
 	 	697	
 	
Notes receivable — non-current	14	
 	 	30	
 	
Intangible assets, net	1,286	
 	 	1,362	
 	
Derivative instruments	1	
 	 	—	
 	
Deferred income taxes	216	
 	 	170	
 	
Other non-current assets	51	
 	 	136	
 	
Total other assets	2,278	
 	 	2,395	
 	
Total Assets	$	8,383	
 	 	$	8,689	
 	
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	 	 	 	
Current Liabilities	 	 	 	
Current portion of long-term debt	$	282	
 	 	$	264	
 	
Accounts payable — trade	23	
 	 	23	
 	
Accounts payable — affiliate	40	
 	 	86	
 	
Derivative instruments	29	
 	 	39	
 	
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	85	
 	 	77	
 	
Total current liabilities	459	
 	 	489	
 	
Other Liabilities	 	 	 	
Long-term debt	5,426	
 	 	5,329	
 	
Accounts payable — affiliate	9	
 	 	—	
 	
Derivative instruments	43	
 	 	61	
 	
Other non-current liabilities	76	
 	 	72	
 	
Total non-current liabilities	5,554	
 	 	5,462	
 	
Total Liabilities	6,013	
 	 	5,951	
 	
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); 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 and 2015	1	
 	 	1	
 	
Additional paid-in capital	1,879	
 	 	1,855	
 	
(Accumulated deficit) Retained earnings	(2	)	 	12	
 	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(28	)	 	(27	)	
Noncontrolling interest	520	
 	 	897	
 	
Total Stockholders' Equity	2,370	
 	 	2,738	
 	
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	8,383	
 	 	$	8,689	
 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

77

                                                                            

NRG YIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 	Year ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	(In millions)	
Net (loss) income	$	(15	)	 	$	65	
 	 	$	108	
 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(37	)	 	(26	)	 	(17	)	
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	49	
 	 	43	
 	 	21	
 	
Depreciation, amortization and ARO accretion	300	
 	 	299	
 	 	235	
 	
Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts	20	
 	 	16	
 	 	11	
 	
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts	75	
 	 	54	
 	 	28	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	9	
 	 	1	
 	
Change in deferred income taxes	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	
Impairment losses	183	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(19	)	 	(43	)	 	(12	)	
Loss on disposal of asset components	6	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	
Cash provided by (used in) changes in other working capital:	 	 	 	 	 	
Changes in prepaid and accrued capacity payments	(8	)	 	(12	)	 	—	
 	
Changes in other working capital	7	
 	 	(15	)	 	(17	)	
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	560	
 	 	405	
 	
 	362	
 	
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—	
 	 	(37	)	 	(901	)	
Acquisition of Drop Down Assets, net of cash acquired	(77	)	 	(698	)	 	(311	)	
Capital expenditures	(20	)	 	(29	)	 	(60	)	
Receipt of indemnity from supplier	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	57	
 	
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(33	)	 	(1	)	 	25	
 	
Cash receipts from notes receivable	17	
 	 	17	
 	 	14	
 	
Proceeds from renewable energy grants	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	422	
 	
Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates	28	
 	 	42	
 	 	4	
 	
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(80	)	 	(402	)	 	—	
 	
Other	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(161	)	 	(1,108	)	
 	(739	)	
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	
Contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions	5	
 	 	122	
 	 	190	
 	
Capital contributions from NRG	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Distributions and return of capital to NRG prior to the acquisition of Drop Down Assets	(113	)	 	(59	)	 	(335	)	
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	—	
 	 	599	
 	 	630	
 	
Payments of dividends and distributions	(183	)	 	(139	)	 	(101	)	
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility	60	
 	 	551	
 	 	500	
 	
Payments for the revolving credit facility	(366	)	 	(245	)	 	—	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	675	
 	 	293	
 	 	523	
 	
Payments of debt issuance costs	(7	)	 	(13	)	 	(36	)	
Payments for long-term debt	(264	)	 	(724	)	 	(626	)	
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	(193	)	 	385	
 	 	747	
 	
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	206	
 	 	(318	)	 	370	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	111	
 	 	429	
 	 	59	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	317	
 	 	$	111	
 	 	$	429	

Supplemental Disclosures	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	$	(266	)	 	$	(274	)	 	$	(192	)	
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	
Additions (reductions) to fixed assets for accrued capital expenditures	3	
 	 	1	
 	 	(21	)	
Decrease to fixed assets for accrued grants	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	34	
 	
Decrease to fixed assets for deferred tax asset	—	
 	 	19	
 	 	7	
 	
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of assets	44	
 	 	38	
 	 	(14	)	
Increase in debt due to accrued interest converted to debt	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	
Non-cash return of capital and distributions to NRG, net of contributions	$	(43	)	 	$	(13	)	 	$	1,058	
 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

78

                                                                            

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, 2013	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	621	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	959	
 	 	$	1,588	
 	
Net income	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	 	—	
 	 	48	
 	 	64	
 	
Pre-acquisition net income of acquired Drop Down Assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	44	
 	 	44	
 	
Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(9	)	 	(51	)	 	(60	)	
Payment for June 2014 Drop Down Assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(357	)	 	(357	)	
Capital contributions from NRG, non-cash  (a)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,058	
 	 	1,058	
 	
Distributions and returns of capital to NRG net of contributions	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(333	)	 	(333	)	
Capital contributions from tax equity investors	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	190	
 	 	190	
 	
Proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	630	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	630	
 	
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of property, plant and equipment	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(14	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(14	)	
Equity portion of the 2019 Convertible Notes	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	
Common stock dividends	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(20	)	 	(21	)	 	—	
 	 	(60	)	 	(101	)	
Balances at December 31, 2014	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,240	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	(9	)	 	$	1,498	
 	 	$	2,732	
 	
Net income	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	33	
 	 	—	
 	 	42	
 	 	75	
 	
Pre-acquisition net loss of acquired Drop Down Assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(10	)	 	(10	)	
Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(18	)	 	11	
 	 	(7	)	
Payment for January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(698	)	 	(698	)	
Capital contributions from tax equity investors	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	122	
 	 	122	
 	
Noncontrolling interest acquired in Spring Canyon acquisition	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	74	
 	 	74	
 	
Distributions and return of capital to NRG	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(59	)	 	(59	)	
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(13	)	 	(13	)	
Stock-based compensation	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C 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 as of December 31, 2015	$	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	$	1,855	
 	 	$	12	
 	 	$	(27	)	 	$	897	
 	 	$	2,738	
 	
Net income (loss)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	57	
 	 	—	
 	 	(82	)	 	(25	)	
Pre-acquisition net loss of acquired Drop Down Assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	10	
 	 	10	
 	
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	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	5	
 	
Distributions and return of capital to NRG	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(123	)	 	(123	)	
Distributions and return of capital to NRG, net of contributions, non-cash	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(43	)	 	(43	)	
Stock-based compensation	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	44	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	44	
 	
Common stock dividends	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(21	)	 	(71	)	 	—	
 	 	(81	)	 	(173	)	
Balances as of December 31, 2016	$	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	$	1,879	
 	 	$	(2	)	 	$	(28	)	 	$	520	
 	 	$	2,370	

 	

(a) Capital contributions from NRG, non-cash, primarily represent Drop Down Assets' equity transferred from NRG to the Company in accordance with guidance on business combinations between entities under common control, as further described in Note 1,  Nature of Business.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

79

                                                                            

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.”
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, 2016, the Company and NRG have 53.3% and 46.7% 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 following table represents the structure of the Company as of December 31, 2016:

80

                                                                            

As of December 31, 2016, 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	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	 	2035	
Desert Sunlight 300	 	25	%	 	75	
 	 	Pacific Gas and Electric	 	2040	
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	
 	 	 	 	610	
 	 	 	 	 	
Distributed Solar	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
AZ DG Solar Projects	 	100	%	 	5	
 	 	Various	 	2025 - 2033	
PFMG DG Solar Projects	 	51	%	 	4	
 	 	Various	 	2032	
 	 	 	 	9	
 	 	 	 	 	
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)	 	74.3	%	 	16	
 	 	Corn Belt Power Cooperative	 	2027	
Elbow Creek (b)	 	75	%	 	92	
 	 	NRG Power Marketing LLC	 	2022	
Elkhorn Ridge (b)	 	50.3	%	 	41	
 	 	Nebraska Public Power District	 	2029	
Forward (b)	 	75	%	 	22	
 	 	Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.	 	2017	
Goat Wind (b)	 	74.9	%	 	113	
 	 	Dow Pipeline Company	 	2025	
Hardin (b)	 	74.3	%	 	11	
 	 	Interstate Power and Light Company	 	2027	
Laredo Ridge	 	100	%	 	80	
 	 	Nebraska Public Power District	 	2031	
Lookout (b)	 	75	%	 	29	
 	 	Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative	 	2030	
Odin (b)	 	74.9	%	 	15	
 	 	Missouri River Energy Services	 	2028	
Pinnacle	 	100	%	 	55	
 	 	Maryland Department of General Services and University System of Maryland	 	2031	
San Juan Mesa (b)	 	56.3	%	 	68	
 	 	Southwestern Public Service Company	 	2025	
Sleeping Bear (b)	 	75	%	 	71	
 	 	Public Service Company of Oklahoma	 	2032	
South Trent	 	100	%	 	101	
 	 	AEP Energy Partners	 	2029	
Spanish Fork (b)	 	75	%	 	14	
 	 	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	

81

                                                                            

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Projects	 	Percentage Ownership	 	Net Capacity (MW)  (a)	 	Offtake Counterparty	 	Expiration	
Taloga	 	100	%	 	130	
 	 	Oklahoma Gas & Electric	 	2031	
Wildorado (b)	 	74.9	%	 	121	
 	 	Southwestern Public Service Company	 	2027	
 	 	 	 	1,999	
 	 	 	 	 	
Thermal	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Thermal equivalent MWt(c)	 	100	%	 	1,319	
 	 	Various	 	Various	
NRG Energy Center Dover LLC	 	100	%	 	103	
 	 	NRG Power Marketing LLC	 	2018	
Thermal generation	 	100	%	 	20	
 	 	Various	 	Various	
 	 	 	 	1,442	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total net capacity (excluding equivalent MWt)  (d)	 	 	 	4,686	

 	

(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, 2016.
(b)  Projects are part of tax equity arrangements.
(c)  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.
(d)  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 4,692 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 131 MW based on cash to be distributed. 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. Three out of the fourteen district energy systems are subject to rate regulation by state public utility commissions while the other district energy systems have rates determined by negotiated bilateral contracts.
As described in Note 15, Related Party Transactions, 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, 2016 and 2015, the Company completed three 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.
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.

82

                                                                            

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 $105 million and $93 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Restricted Cash
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, 2016, approximately $25 million is designated for current debt service payments, $13 million is designated to fund operating expenses and $37 million is designated for distributions to the Company, with the remaining $90 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, 2016 and 2015.
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.
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 .
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.

83

                                                                            

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 loan.
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.
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, 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.

84

                                                                            

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, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $553 million, $416 million, and $296 million, respectively.
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.

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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, 2016 and 2015, along with the additions and accretion related to the Company's ARO obligations for the year ended December 31, 2016:

 	(In millions)	
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	43	
 	
Revisions in estimates for current obligations	2	
 	
Accretion — expense	3	
 	
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	48	
 	
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.

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Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
The Company has investments in various energy projects accounted for by the equity method, four of which are VIEs, where the Company is not a primary beneficiary, and two of which are owned by a subsidiary that is consolidated as a VIE, 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 amount 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 amount of net earnings during the reporting period. 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.

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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
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 were issued to address the diversity in classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows which is currently not addressed under Topic 230. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-18 would 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 should be applied retrospectively.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company’s statement of cash flows.
ASU 2016-16 — In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, or ASU No. 2016-16.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 were issued to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory.  Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party which has resulted in diversity in practice and increased complexity within financial reporting.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 would require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and do not require new disclosure requirements.  The amendments of ASU No. 2016-16 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. 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
ASU 2016-15 — In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, or ASU No. 2016-15. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-15 were issued to address eight specific cash flow issues for which stakeholders have indicated to the FASB that a diversity in practice existed in how entities were presenting and classifying these items in the statement of cash flows. The issues addressed by ASU No. 2016-15 include but are not limited to the classification of debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, payments made for contingent consideration for a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance proceeds, distributions received from equity method investees and separately identifiable cash flows and the application of the predominance principle. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-15 are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods in those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim fiscal period with all amendments adopted in the same period. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-15 is required to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company's statement of cash flows.
ASU 2016-07 — In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures  (Topic 323), or ASU No. 2016-07. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-07 eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies

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for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting with no retroactive adjustment to the investment. In addition, ASU No. 2016-07 requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-07 is required to be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the standard to have a material impact on its results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
ASU 2016-02 — In 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 expects to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019 utilizing the required modified retrospective approach for the earliest period presented. 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 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. As this review is still in process, it is currently not practicable to quantify the impact of adopting the ASU at this time.
ASU 2016-01 — In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , or ASU No. 2016-01. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-01 eliminate available-for-sale classification of equity investments and require that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be generally measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  Further, the amendments require that financial assets and financial liabilities to be presented separately in the notes to the financial statements, grouped by measurement category and form of financial asset.  The guidance in ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
ASU 2015-16 — In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments , or ASU No. 2015-16. The amendments of ASU No. 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts recognized in a business combination in the reporting period during which the adjustments are determined. Additionally, the amendments of ASU No. 2015-16 require the acquirer to record in the same period's financial statements the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of the measurement period adjustment, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date as well as disclosing on either the face of the income statement or in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-16 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-16 for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

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ASU 2014-09 — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),  or ASU No. 2014-09, 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 expects to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018 and apply the guidance retrospectively to contracts at the date of adoption. The Company will recognize the cumulative effect of applying Topic 606 at the date of initial application, as prescribed under the modified retrospective transition method. The Company also expects to elect 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. As leases are excluded from the scope of Topic 606, the Company expects the standard to have an immaterial impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position; however, the Company continues to assess the impact in connection with its plan of adoption.
Note 3 — Business Acquisitions 
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, 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 further described in Note 10,  Long-term Debt.   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 .
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 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 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. As of June 30, 2016, the Company's recast consolidated balance sheet included a net receivable of $67 million related to current litigation with SunPower pursuant to indemnities in the project. The agreement between NRG and the Company for the CVSR Drop Down acquisition specified that all amounts related to the litigation with SunPower were excluded from the acquisition. Accordingly, prior to close of the transaction, the net receivable was transferred to NRG as a net reduction to its ownership interest in CVSR.

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The following is the summary of historical net liabilities assumed in connection with the CVSR Drop Down as of September 1, 2016:

 	CVSR	
 	(In millions)	
Current assets	$	95	
 	
Property, plant and equipment	826	
 	
Non-current assets	13	
 	
Total assets	934	

Debt (a)	966	
 	
Other current and non-current liabilities	12	
 	
Total liabilities	978	
 	
Net liabilities assumed 	(44	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25	)	
Historical net liabilities assumed	$	(19	)	

 	
 	
(a) Net of deferred financing costs of $5 million.
The Company incurred and expensed acquisition-related transaction costs related to the acquisition of CVSR of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Since the acquisition date, CVSR has contributed $22 million in operating revenues and a $2 million in net loss to the Company.
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 $209 million, subject to working capital adjustments. In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million. The Company is 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.
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 75% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 68.60%. 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.
The following is a summary of assets and liabilities transferred in connection with the acquisition as of November 3, 2015:

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 	NRG Wind TE Holdco	
 	(In millions)	
Current assets	$	30	
 	
Property, plant and equipment	669	
 	
Non-current assets	177	
 	
Total assets	876	

Debt	193	
 	
Other current and non-current liabilities	32	
 	
Total liabilities	225	
 	
Less: noncontrolling interest	282	
 	
Net assets acquired	$	369	
 	
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.
2014 Acquisitions
Alta Wind Portfolio Acquisition — OnAugust 12, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of Alta Wind Asset Management Holdings, LLC, Alta Wind Company, LLC, Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC and Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC, which collectively own seven wind facilities that total 947 MW located in Tehachapi, California, and a portfolio of associated land leases, or the Alta Wind Portfolio. Power generated by the Alta Wind Portfolio is sold to Southern California Edison under long-term PPAs with 21 years of remaining contract life for Alta I-V. The Alta Wind X and XI PPAs began in 2016 with a term of 22 years and sold energy and renewable energy credits on a merchant basis during the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The purchase price for the Alta Wind Portfolio was $923 million, which consisted of a base purchase price of $870 million, as well as a payment for working capital of $53 million, plus the assumption of $1.6 billion of non-recourse project-level debt. In order to fund the purchase price, the Company completed an equity offering of 12,075,000 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price of $54.00 per share on July 29, 2014, which resulted in net proceeds of $630 million, after underwriting discounts and expenses. In addition, on August 5, 2014, NRG Yield Operating LLC issued $500 million of Senior Notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.375% and mature in August 2024.
The acquisition was recorded as a business combination under ASC 805-50, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed provisionally recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The accounting for the business combination was completed as of August 11, 2015, at which point the fair values became final. The following table summarizes the provisional

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amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 31, 2014, as well as adjustments made through August 11, 2015, when the allocation became final.
The purchase price of $923 million was allocated as follows:

 	 	Acquisition Date Fair Value at December 31, 2014	 	Measurement period adjustments	 	Revised Acquisition Date	
Assets	 	(In millions)	
Cash	 	$	22	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	22	
 	
Current and non-current assets	 	49	
 	 	(2	)	 	47	
 	
Property, plant and equipment	 	1,304	
 	 	6	
 	 	1,310	
 	
Intangible assets	 	1,177	
 	 	(6	)	 	1,171	
 	
Total assets acquired	 	2,552	
 	 	(2	)	 	2,550	

Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt	 	1,591	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,591	
 	
Current and non-current liabilities	 	38	
 	 	(2	)	 	36	
 	
Total liabilities assumed	 	1,629	
 	 	(2	)	 	1,627	
 	
Net assets acquired	 	$	923	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	923	
 	
The Company incurred and expensed acquisition-related transaction costs related to the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio of $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
June 2014 Drop Down Assets —On June 30, 2014, the Company acquired from NRG: (i) El Segundo, a 550 MW fast-start, gas-fired facility located in Los Angeles County, California; (ii) TA High Desert, a 20 MW solar facility located in Los Angeles County, California; and (iii) Kansas South, a 20 MW solar facility located in Kings County, California. The Company paid total cash consideration of $357 million, which represents a base purchase price of $349 million and $8 million of working capital adjustments. In addition, the acquisition included the assumption of $612 million of project-level debt. 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. The difference between the cash proceeds and the historical value of the net assets was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its noncontrolling interest. Since the transaction constituted a transfer of entities 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 beginning of the financial statements period or the inception of common control (if later than the beginning of the financial statements period). Accordingly, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements to reflect the transfer as if it had taken place from the beginning of the financial statements period.

Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment 
The Company’s major classes of property, plant, and equipment were as follows:

 	December 31, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	 	Depreciable Lives	
 	(In millions)	 	 	
Facilities and equipment	$	6,215	
 	 	$	6,480	
 	 	2 - 40 Years	
Land and improvements	171	
 	 	171	
 	 	 	
Construction in progress (a)	25	
 	 	9	
 	 	 	
Total property, plant and equipment	6,411	
 	 	6,660	
 	 	 	
Accumulated depreciation	(951	)	 	(782	)	 	 	
Net property, plant and equipment	$	5,460	
 	 	$	5,878	

 	

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

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Note 5 — Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities
2017 Drop Down Assets — On February 24, 2017, the Company and NRG entered into a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition of the following facilities: (i) a 16% interest (approximately 31% of NRG's 51% interest) in the Agua Caliente solar farm, one of the NRG ROFO assets, representing ownership of approximately 46 net MW of capacity. 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 and (ii) NRG's 50% interests in seven utility-scale solar farms located in Utah representing 265 net MW (based on cash to be distributed) of capacity that were part of NRG's recent acquisition of projects from SunEdison. These assets 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, from which NRG currently receives 50% of cash to be distributed. The Company expects to pay total cash consideration of $130 million and assume non-recourse project debt. The purchase price for the acquisition, which is subject to working capital adjustments to be calculated at close, is expected to be funded with cash on hand. The Company expects to record its interests in the acquired projects as equity method investments.
Equity Method Investments
The following table summarizes the Company's equity method investments as of December 31, 2016:

Name	 	Economic Interest	 	Investment Balance	
 	 	 	 	(In millions)	
Desert Sunlight	 	25%	 	$282	
GenConn(a)	 	50%	 	106	
Elkhorn Ridge(b)	 	50.3%	 	85	
San Juan Mesa(b)	 	56.3%	 	74	
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC (c)	 	95%	 	75	
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC (c)	 	95%	 	24	
NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC(c)	 	95%	 	71	
Avenal	 	50%	 	(7)	
Total equity investments in affiliates	 	 	 	$710	

 	
 	
(a)  GenConn is a variable interest entity.
(b) 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 75% of the Class B interests in Wind TE Holdco.
(c) Economic interest based on cash to be distributed. NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, and NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC are tax equity structures and VIEs. The related allocations are described below.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had $30 million and $39 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. The Company is amortizing the related basis difference 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 approximately $453 million as of December 31, 2016.
Avenal — The Company owns a 50% equity interest in Avenal, which consists of three solar PV projects in Kings County, California totaling approximately 45 MWs. Eurus Energy owns the remaining 50% of Avenal. Power generated by the projects is sold under a 20-year PPA. On September 22, 2010, Avenal entered into a $35 million promissory note facility with the Company. Amounts drawn under the promissory note facility accrue interest at 4.5% per annum. Also, on September 22, 2010, Avenal entered into a $209 million financing arrangement with a syndicate of banks, or the Avenal Facility. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Avenal had outstanding $134 million and $143 million, respectively, under the Avenal Facility.
Desert Sunlight —Desert Sunlight 250 and Desert Sunlight 300 each entered into three distinct tranches of debt. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, Desert Sunlight had total debt outstanding of $1.1 billion under the three tranches.

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GenConn — GenConn has a $237 million project note with an interest rate of 4.73% and a maturity date of July 2041 and a 5-year, $35 million working capital facility that matures in 2018 which can be used to issue letters of credit at an interest rate of 1.875% per annum. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $212 million and $220 million, respectively, were outstanding under the note. As of December 31, 2016, $14 million was drawn on the working capital facility. The note is secured by all of the GenConn assets. The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment in GenConn, which was $106 million as of December 31, 2016.
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC — On June 30, 2016, NRG DGPV4 Borrower LLC, a direct subsidiary of NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC entered into a financing agreement to fund the acquisition of projects by the tax equity fund.  As of December 31, 2016 there was $21 million outstanding under the facility.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company's significant equity method investments:

 	Year Ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
Income Statement Data:	(In millions)	
GenConn	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating revenues	$	72	
 	 	$	78	
 	 	$	82	
 	
Operating income	38	
 	 	40	
 	 	40	
 	
Net income	26	
 	 	28	
 	 	28	
 	
Desert Sunlight	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating revenues	$	211	
 	 	$	206	
 	 	 	
Operating income	129	
 	 	124	
 	 	 	
Net income	80	
 	 	73	

 	 	 	As of December 31,	
 	 	 	2016	 	2015	
Balance Sheet Data:	 	 	(In millions)	
GenConn	 	 	 	 	
Current assets	 	$	36	
 	 	$	36	
 	
Non-current assets	 	389	
 	 	416	
 	
Current liabilities	 	16	
 	 	16	
 	
Non-current liabilities	 	196	
 	 	215	
 	
Desert Sunlight	 	 	 	 	
Current assets	 	$	281	
 	 	$	310	
 	
Non-current assets	 	1,401	
 	 	1,435	
 	
Current liabilities	 	64	
 	 	82	
 	
Non-current liabilities	 	1,043	
 	 	1,086	

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Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs
Entities that are Consolidated
NRG Wind TE Holdco — On November 3, 2015, the Company acquired 75% of the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco, or the November 2015 Drop Down Assets, which owns a portfolio of 12 wind facilities totaling 814 net MW, from NRG for total cash consideration of $209 million, as described in Note 3,  Business Acquisitions . In February 2016, NRG made a final working capital payment of $2 million, reducing total cash consideration to $207 million. NRG retained a 25% ownership of the Class B interest. 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 75% of CAFD until the flip point, at which time the allocations to the Company of CAFD change to 68.60%. 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. The Company utilizes the HLBV method to determine the net income or loss allocated to the TE Investor noncontrolling interest. Net income or loss attributable to the Class B interests is allocated to NRG's noncontrolling interest based on its 25% ownership 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 received 100% of CAFD through December 31, 2015, and subsequently will receive 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. The net proceeds of $119 million were reflected as noncontrolling interest in the Company's balance sheet.
Spring Canyon — On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired 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, from Invenergy Wind Global LLC. Invenergy owns 9.9% of the Class B interests. Prior to the acquisition date, the projects were 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 will receive 34.81% of the cash distributions based on the projects’ production level and the Company and Invenergy will receive 65.19%. 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, 2016:

(In millions)	NRG Wind TE Holdco	 	Alta TE Holdco	 	Spring Canyon	
Other current and non-current assets	$	193	
 	 	$	17	
 	 	$	4	
 	
Property, plant and equipment	441	
 	 	461	
 	 	100	
 	
Intangible assets	2	
 	 	274	
 	 	—	
 	
Total assets	636	
 	 	752	
 	 	104	
 	
Current and non-current liabilities	209	
 	 	9	
 	 	6	
 	
Total liabilities	209	
 	 	9	
 	 	6	
 	
Noncontrolling interest	139	
 	 	107	
 	 	67	
 	
Net assets less noncontrolling interests	$	288	
 	 	$	636	
 	 	$	31	
 	
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.
NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC — On May 8, 2015, the Company and NRG entered into a partnership by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC, 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, including: (i) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 10 recently completed community solar projects representing approximately 8 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 19 years; (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 12 commercial photovoltaic systems representing approximately 37 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 18 years; and (iii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 3 commercial photovoltaic systems representing approximately 1 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 20 years. All of these investments relate to the Company's $100 million commitment to distributed solar projects in partnership with NRG.
NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC — On February 29, 2016,the Company and NRG entered into an additional partnership by forming NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC, or DGPV Holdco 2, to own or purchase solar power generation projects as well as other ancillary related assets from NRG Renew LLC or its subsidiaries, via intermediate funds including: (i) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 18 projects representing approximately 28 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 21 years; and (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of 21 projects representing approximately 18 MW with a weighted average remaining PPA term of 20 years.  Under this partnership, the Company committed to fund up to $50 million of capital. 
The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment in DGPV Holdco 1 and DGPV Holdco 2, which was $99 million on a combined basis, of which $14 million was payable to NRG, as of December 31, 2016.
NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC — On April 9, 2015, the Company and NRG entered into a partnership by forming NRG RPV Holdco 1 LLC, or RPV Holdco, that holds 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 15 MW with a weighted average remaining lease term of approximately 19 years that was acquired outside of the partnership; and (ii) a tax equity-financed portfolio of approximately 5,400 leases representing approximately 31 MW, with a weighted average remaining lease term for the existing and new leases of approximately 19 years.
In addition to the acquisition of the unlevered portfolio of leases, the Company had previously committed to fund up to $150 million of capital to invest in the tax equity financed portfolio. On February 29, 2016, the Company and NRG amended the RPV Holdco partnership agreement to reduce the aggregate commitment of $150 million to $100 million in connection with the formation of DGPV Holdco 2. On August 5, 2016, the Company and NRG amended the RPV Holdco partnership agreement to further reduce that capital commitment of $100 million to $60 million in connection with NRG’s change in business model approach in the residential solar business. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had contributed $59 million of this amount.
The Company's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment, which was $71 million as of December 31, 2016.

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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, 2016	 	As of December 31, 2015	
 	Carrying Amount	 	Fair Value	 	Carrying Amount	 	Fair Value	
 	(In millions)	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Notes receivable, including current portion	30	
 	 	30	
 	 	47	
 	 	47	
 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term debt, including current portion	5,770	
 	 	5,769	
 	 	5,656	
 	 	5,538	
 	
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.

98

                                                                            

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 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, 2016 and 2015:

 	As of December 31, 2016	 	As of December 31, 2015	
 	Level 2	 	Level 3	 	Level 2	 	Level 3	
 	(In millions)	
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	1,455	
 	 	$	4,314	
 	 	$	978	
 	 	$	4,560	
 	
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company records its derivative assets and liabilities at fair market value on its consolidated balance sheet. There were no asset positions as of December 31, 2015. 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, 2016	 	As of December 31, 2016	 	As of December 31, 2015	
 	Fair Value (a)	 	Fair Value (a)	 	Fair Value (a)	
(In millions)	Level 1	 	Level 2	 	Level 2	
Derivative assets:	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	$	1	
 	 	$	1	
 	 	$	—	
 	
Interest rate contracts	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	
Total assets	$	1	
 	 	$	2	
 	 	—	
 	
Derivative liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	$	—	
 	 	$	1	
 	 	2	
 	
Interest rate contracts	—	
 	 	71	
 	 	98	
 	
Total liabilities	$	—	
 	 	$	72	
 	 	$	100	

 	

(a)  There were no assets or liabilities classified as Level 1 as of December 31, 2015. There were no assets or liabilities classified Level 3 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
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, 2016, the credit reserve resulted in a $1 million increase in fair value in OCI. It is possible that future market prices could vary from those used in recording assets and liabilities and such variations could be material.

99

                                                                            

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, 2016, credit risk exposure to these counterparties attributable to the Company's ownership interests was approximately $2.6 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.
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 effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives to accumulated OCI/OCL, until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is immediately 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, 2016, 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 2018 and electricity contracts to supply retail power to the Company's district energy centers extending through 2020. At December 31, 2016, these contracts were not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.
Also, as of December 31, 2016, 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, 2016, the Company had interest rate derivative instruments on non-recourse debt extending through 2031, most of which are designated as cash flow hedges.

100

                                                                            

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, 2016 and 2015:

 	 	 	Total Volume	
 	 	 	December 31, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	
Commodity	Units	 	(In millions)	
Natural Gas	MMBtu	 	3	
 	 	4	
 	
Interest	Dollars	 	$	1,839	
 	 	$	1,991	
 	
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
There were no derivative asset positions on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheet:

 	Fair Value	
 	Derivative Assets	 	Derivative Liabilities	
 	December 31, 2016	 	December 31, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	
 	(In millions)	
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate contracts current	$	—	
 	 	$	26	
 	 	$	34	
 	
Interest rate contracts long-term	1	
 	 	39	
 	 	56	
 	
Total Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	1	
 	 	65	
 	 	90	
 	
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate contracts current	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	3	
 	
Interest rate contracts long-term	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	5	
 	
Commodity contracts current	2	
 	 	1	
 	 	2	
 	
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	2	
 	 	7	
 	 	10	
 	
Total Derivatives	$	3	
 	 	$	72	
 	 	$	100	
 	
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, 2016, there was no outstanding collateral paid or received. As of December 31, 2015, there were no offsetting amounts at the counterparty master agreement level or outstanding collateral paid or received. The following table summarizes the offsetting of derivatives by counterparty master agreement level as of December 31, 2016:

 	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	(71	)	 	1	
 	 	(70	)	
Total interest rate contracts	(70	)	 	—	
 	 	(70	)	
Total derivative instruments	$	(69	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(69	)	

 	

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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,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	(In millions)	
Accumulated OCL beginning balance	$	(83	)	 	$	(76	)	 	$	(16	)	
Reclassified from accumulated OCL to income due to realization of previously deferred amounts	13	
 	 	14	
 	 	14	
 	
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts	—	
 	 	(21	)	 	(74	)	
Accumulated OCL ending balance, net of income tax benefit of $16, $16 and $6, respectively	$	(70	)	 	$	(83	)	 	$	(76	)	
Accumulated OCL attributable to noncontrolling interests	(42	)	 	(56	)	 	(67	)	
Accumulated OCL attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	(28	)	 	$	(27	)	 	$	(9	)	
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months, net of income tax benefit of $3	$	16	
 	 	 	 	 	
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCL into income and amounts recognized in income from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recorded to interest expense. There was no ineffectiveness for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
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.
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the impact to the consolidated statements of income was a gain of $2 million, $16 million and a loss of $22 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 and 2014, 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 years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the impact to the consolidated statements of income was an unrealized loss of $2 million and a gain of $2 million, respectively.
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, 2016 and 2015 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 will be 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 contractual rights to receive royalty payments equal to a percentage of PPA revenue from certain projects. These will be amortized on a straight-line basis.	
 	 	
•	Customer relationships — Established with the acquisition of NRG Energy Center Phoenix and NRG Energy Center	

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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 SO2 and NOx 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 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, 2016	PPAs	 	Leasehold Rights	 	Customer
Relationships	 	Customer Contracts	 	Emission Allowances	 	Development
Rights	 	Other	 	Total	
(In millions)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
January 1, 2016	$	1,264	
 	 	$	86	
 	 	$	66	
 	 	$	15	
 	 	$	15	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	6	
 	 	$	1,455	
 	
Other	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(6	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(6	)	
December 31, 2016	1,264	
 	 	86	
 	 	66	
 	 	15	
 	 	9	
 	 	3	
 	 	6	
 	 	1,449	
 	
Less accumulated amortization	(138	)	 	(9	)	 	(4	)	 	(7	)	 	(2	)	 	(1	)	 	(2	)	 	(163	)	
Net carrying amount	$	1,126	
 	 	$	77	
 	 	$	62	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	7	
 	 	$	2	
 	 	$	4	
 	 	$	1,286	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2015	PPAs	 	Leasehold Rights	 	Customer Relationships	 	Customer Contracts	 	Emission
Allowances	 	Development Rights	 	Other	 	Total	
(In millions)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
January 1, 2015	$	1,270	
 	 	$	86	
 	 	$	66	
 	 	$	15	
 	 	$	16	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	6	
 	 	$	1,462	
 	
Other	(6	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	
December 31, 2015	1,264	
 	 	86	
 	 	66	
 	 	15	
 	 	15	
 	 	3	
 	 	6	
 	 	1,455	
 	
Less accumulated amortization	(75	)	 	(5	)	 	(3	)	 	(6	)	 	(1	)	 	(1	)	 	(2	)	 	(93	)	
Net carrying amount	$	1,189	
 	 	$	81	
 	 	$	63	
 	 	$	9	
 	 	$	14	
 	 	$	2	
 	 	$	4	
 	 	$	1,362	
 	
The Company recorded amortization expense of $70 million, $55 million and $30 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Of these amounts, $69 million, $54 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were recorded to contract amortization expense and reduced operating revenues in the consolidated statements of income. The Company estimates the future amortization expense for its intangibles to be $71 million for the next five years through 2021.

 	 	
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 Holding Company, LLC, as of their respective acquisition dates. The Blythe solar project's liability of $4 million is 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 is 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 Holding Company, LLC's liability of $5 million is recorded to other non-current liabilities and is amortized to cost of operations on a straight-line basis over the term of the land lease. At December 31, 2016, accumulated amortization of out-of-market contracts was $3 million and amortization expense was $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

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Note 9 — Asset Impairments 
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 located in Texas and the Forward project in Pennsylvania 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 in 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.

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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, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	 	Interest rate % (a)	 	Letters of Credit Outstanding at December 31, 2016	
 	(In millions, except rates)	 	 	
2026 Senior Notes	$	350	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	5.000	 	 	
2024 Senior Notes	500	
 	 	500	
 	 	5.375	 	 	
2020 Convertible Notes (b)	271	
 	 	266	
 	 	3.250	 	 	
2019 Convertible Notes (c)	335	
 	 	330	
 	 	3.500	 	 	
NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, due 2019  (d)	—	
 	 	306	
 	 	L+2.500	 	$	60	
 	
Project-level debt:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alpine, due 2022	145	
 	 	154	
 	 	L+1.750	 	37	
 	
Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	242	
 	 	252	
 	 	7.015	 	16	
 	
Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	191	
 	 	198	
 	 	5.696	 	27	
 	
Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	198	
 	 	206	
 	 	6.067	 	27	
 	
Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034	128	
 	 	133	
 	 	5.938	 	19	
 	
Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035	206	
 	 	213	
 	 	6.071	 	30	
 	
Alta Realty Investments, due 2031	31	
 	 	33	
 	 	7.000	 	—	
 	
Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031	18	
 	 	19	
 	 	L+2.375	 	—	
 	
Avra Valley, due 2031	57	
 	 	60	
 	 	L+1.750	 	3	
 	
Blythe, due 2028	19	
 	 	21	
 	 	L+1.625	 	6	
 	
Borrego, due 2025 and 2038	69	
 	 	72	
 	 	L+ 2.500/5.650	 	5	
 	
CVSR, due 2037	771	
 	 	793	
 	 	2.339 - 3.775	 	—	
 	
CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037	199	
 	 	—	
 	 	4.680	 	13	
 	
El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023	443	
 	 	485	
 	 	L+1.625 - L+2.250	 	82	
 	
Energy Center Minneapolis, due 2017 and 2025	96	
 	 	108	
 	 	5.950 -7.250	 	—	
 	
Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes, due 2031	125	
 	 	—	
 	 	3.550	 	—	
 	
Kansas South, due 2031	30	
 	 	33	
 	 	L+2.000	 	4	
 	
Laredo Ridge, due 2028	100	
 	 	104	
 	 	L+1.875	 	10	
 	
Marsh Landing, due 2017 and 2023	370	
 	 	418	
 	 	L+1.750 - L+1.875	 	22	
 	
PFMG and related subsidiaries financing agreement, due 2030	27	
 	 	29	
 	 	6.000	 	—	
 	
Roadrunner, due 2031	37	
 	 	40	
 	 	L+1.625	 	5	
 	
South Trent Wind, due 2020	57	
 	 	62	
 	 	L+1.625	 	10	
 	
TA High Desert, due 2020 and 2032	49	
 	 	52	
 	 	L+2.500/5.150	 	8	
 	
Tapestry, due 2021	172	
 	 	181	
 	 	L+1.625	 	20	
 	
Viento, due 2023	178	
 	 	189	
 	 	L+2.750	 	27	
 	
Walnut Creek, due 2023	310	
 	 	351	
 	 	L+1.625	 	41	
 	
WCEP Holdings, due 2023	46	
 	 	46	
 	 	L+3.000	 	—	
 	
Other	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	various	 	—	
 	
Subtotal project-level debt	4,314	
 	 	4,254	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total debt	5,770	
 	 	5,656	
 	 	 	 	 	
Less current maturities	282	
 	 	264	
 	 	 	 	 	
Less deferred financing costs 	62	
 	 	63	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total long-term debt	$	5,426	
 	 	$	5,329	

 	

(a) As of December 31, 2016, L+ equals 3 month LIBOR plus x%, except for the Alpine term loan, Marsh Landing term loan, Walnut Creek term loan, and NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility, where L+ equals 1 month LIBOR plus x% and Kansas South and Viento, where L+ equals 6 month LIBOR plus x%.
(b)  Net of discount of $16.5 million and $21.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(c)  Net of discount of $10 million and $15 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(d)  Applicable rate is determined by the Borrower Leverage Ratio, as defined in the credit agreement.
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 arrangement. As of December 31, 2016, 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, and interest payments will commence on March 15, 2017. 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, as described below.
NRG Yield Operating LLC 2024 Senior Notes
On August 5, 2014, NRG Yield Operating LLC issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes, or the 2024 Senior Notes. The 2024 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.375% and mature in August 2024. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2024 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.
2020 Convertible Senior Notes
The Company has outstanding $287.5 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. The 2020 Convertible Notes mature on June 1, 2020, unless earlier repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms. 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, 2016, the 2020 Convertible Notes were trading at approximately 97% of their face value, resulting in a total market value of $278 million compared to a carrying value of $271 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 Convertible Debt indenture. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's Class C common stock closed at $15.80 per share, resulting in a pro forma conversion value for the Convertible Notes of approximately $165 million.
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded the following expense in relation to the 2020 Convertible Notes at the effective rate of 5.10%:

(In millions)	 	2016	 	2015	
Interest expense at 3.25% coupon rate	 	$	9	
 	 	$	5	
 	
Debt discount amortization	 	4	
 	 	2	
 	
Debt issuance costs amortization	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	
 	 	$	14	
 	 	$	8	

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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. Interest on the 2019 Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year. 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.
As of December 31, 2016, the 2019 Convertible Notes were trading at approximately 99.6% of their face value, resulting in a total market value of $344 million compared to a carrying value of $335 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, 2016, the Company's Class A common stock closed at $15.36 per share, resulting in a pro forma conversion value for the Convertible Notes of approximately $228 million.
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded the following expense in relation to the 2019 Convertible Notes at the effective rate of 5.00%:

(In millions)	 	2016	 	2015	
Interest expense at 3.5% coupon rate	 	$	12	
 	 	$	12	
 	
Debt discount amortization	 	5	
 	 	4	
 	
Debt issuance costs amortization	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	
 	 	$	19	
 	 	$	18	

NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC Revolving Credit Facility
In connection with the Company's initial public offering of Class A common stock in July 2013, as further described in Note 1,  Nature of Business , NRG Yield LLC and NRG Yield Operating LLC entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility, or the Yield Credit Facility, which was amended  on June 26, 2015, to, among other things, increase the availability to $495 million.  The Company's revolving credit facility can be used for cash or for the issuance of letters of credit.
During 2015, the Company borrowed $254 million from the revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of the November 2015 Drop Down Assets as discussed in  Note 3,  Business Acquisitions ,  as well as fund dividend payments and tax equity contributions.
The Company borrowed $60 million from the revolving credit facility and repaid $366 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company used its pro rata proceeds of  $97.5 million  from the CVSR Holdco Financing Arrangement in July 2016, a portion of its proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes in August 2015, as well as its cash on hand to repay the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings and the Company had $60 million of letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Project - level Debt
Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Series D Notes 
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 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

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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.
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.
Avenal
On March 18, 2015, Avenal, one of the Company's equity method investments, amended its credit agreement to increase its borrowings by $43 million and to reduce the related interest rate from 6 month LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.25% to 6 month LIBOR plus 1.75% from March 18, 2015, through March 17, 2022, 6 month LIBOR plus 2.00% from March 18, 2022, through March 17, 2027, and 6 month LIBOR plus 2.25% from March 18, 2027, through the maturity date.  As a result of the credit agreement amendment, the Company received net proceeds of $20 million after fees from its 49.95% ownership in Avenal. Effective September 30, 2015, the Company increased its ownership to 50% by acquiring an additional 0.05% membership interest in Avenal.
Lease financing arrangements
Alta Wind Holdings (Alta Wind II - V) and Alta I (operating entities) have finance lease obligations issued under lease transactions whereby the respective operating entities sold and leased back undivided interests in specific assets of the project. The sale and related lease transactions are accounted for as financing arrangements as the operating entities have continued involvement with the property. The terms and conditions of each facility lease are substantially similar. Each operating entity makes rental payments as stipulated in the facility lease agreements on a semiannual basis every June 30 and December 30 through the final maturity dates. In addition, the operating entities have a credit agreement with a group of lenders that provides for the issuance of letters of credit to support certain operating and debt service obligations. Certain operations and maintenance, as well as rent reserve requirements are satisfied by letters of credit issued under the NRG Yield Operating agreement. As of December 31, 2016, $965 million was outstanding under the finance lease obligations, and $119 million of letters of credit were issued under the credit agreement and $23 million were issued under the Yield Credit Facility.
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. In connection with the acquisition of the Alta Wind Portfolio in 2015, as described in Note 3,  Business Acquisitions , the Company acquired thirty-one additional interest rate swaps, thirty of which were settled during 2015. During 2015, the Company acquired thirty-two additional interest rate swaps in connection with the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Downs, as described in Note 3,  Business Acquisitions.

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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, 2016:

 	 	% of Principal	 	Fixed Interest Rate	 	Floating Interest Rate	 	Notional Amount at December 31, 2016 (In millions)	 	Effective Date	 	Maturity Date	
Alpine	 	85	%	 	2.744	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	$	115	
 	 	various	 	December 31, 2029	
Alpine	 	85	%	 	2.421	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	8	
 	 	June 24, 2014	 	June 30, 2025	
Avra Valley	 	85	%	 	2.333	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	49	
 	 	November 30, 2012	 	November 30, 2030	
AWAM	 	100	%	 	2.47	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	18	
 	 	May 22, 2013	 	May 15, 2031	
Blythe	 	75	%	 	3.563	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	14	
 	 	June 25, 2010	 	June 25, 2028	
Borrego	 	75	%	 	1.125	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	7	
 	 	April 3, 2013	 	June 30, 2020	
El Segundo	 	75	%	 	2.417	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	330	
 	 	November 30, 2011	 	August 31, 2023	
Kansas South	 	75	%	 	2.368	%	 	6-Month LIBOR	 	23	
 	 	June 28, 2013	 	December 31, 2030	
Laredo Ridge	 	75	%	 	2.31	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	79	
 	 	March 31, 2011	 	March 31, 2026	
Marsh Landing	 	75	%	 	3.244	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	342	
 	 	June 28, 2013	 	June 30, 2023	
Roadrunner	 	75	%	 	4.313	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	28	
 	 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2029	
South Trent	 	75	%	 	3.265	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	43	
 	 	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	 	155	
 	 	December 30, 2011	 	December 21, 2021	
Tapestry	 	50	%	 	3.57	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	60	
 	 	December 21, 2021	 	December 21, 2029	
Viento Funding II	 	90	%	 	various	
 	 	6-mo. LIBOR	 	160	
 	 	various	 	various	
Viento Funding II	 	90	%	 	4.985	%	 	6-mo. LIBOR	 	65	
 	 	July 11, 2023	 	June 30, 2028	
Walnut Creek Energy	 	75	%	 	various	
 	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	276	
 	 	June 28, 2013	 	May 31, 2023	
WCEP Holdings	 	90	%	 	4.003	%	 	3-Month LIBOR	 	46	
 	 	June 28, 2013	 	May 31, 2023	
Total	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	1,839	
 	 	 	 	 	
Annual Maturities
Annual payments based on the maturities of the Company's debt, for the years ending after December 31, 2016, are as follows:

 	(In millions)	
2017	$	282	
 	
2018	292	
 	
2019	651	
 	
2020	641	
 	
2021	439	
 	
Thereafter	3,492	
 	
Total	$	5,797	
 	
Note 11 — 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 prior periods presented below 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 earnings per share is shown in the following table:

 	Year Ended December 31, 2016	 	Year Ended December 31, 2015	 	Year Ended December 31, 2014	
(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 earnings per share attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. common stockholders	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	20	
 	 	$	37	
 	 	$	14	
 	 	$	19	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	8	
 	
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic and diluted	35	
 	 	63	
 	 	35	
 	 	49	
 	 	28	
 	 	28	
 	
Earnings per weighted average common share — basic and diluted	$	0.58	
 	 	$	0.58	
 	 	$	0.40	
 	 	$	0.40	
 	 	$	0.30	
 	 	$	0.30	

 	

(a)  Net income attributable to NRG Yield, Inc. and basic and diluted 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,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	(In millions of shares)	
2019 Convertible Notes - Common Class A	15	
 	 	15	
 	 	12	
 	
2020 Convertible Notes - Common Class C	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 return for the issuance of these shares, the Company received $468 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions of $27 million. 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 $395 million of the 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.
On July 29, 2014, the Company issued 12,075,000 shares of Class A common stock for net proceeds, after underwriting discount and expenses, of $630 million. The Company utilized the proceeds of the offering 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 Class C common stock and Class D common stock have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and are identical in all respects to the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, as to all matters, except that each share of Class C common stock and Class D common stock is entitled to 1/100th of a vote on all stockholder matters. The par value per share of the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock remains unchanged at $0.01 per share after the effect of the stock split described above. Accordingly, the stock split was accounted for as a stock dividend. The Company recorded a transfer between retained earnings and common stock equal to the par value of each share of Class C common stock and Class D common stock that was issued. 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

110

                                                                            

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 and, as a result, it currently owns 53.3% of the economic interests of NRG Yield LLC, with NRG retaining 46.7% of the economic interests of NRG Yield LLC.
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, 2016:

 	Fourth Quarter 2016	 	Third Quarter 2016	 	Second Quarter 2016	 	First Quarter 2016	
Dividends per Class A share	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
Dividends per Class C share	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
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.
On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class C common stock of $0.26 per share payable on March 15, 2017, to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2017.
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 to NRG
The following table lists the distributions paid to NRG during the year ended December 31, 2016:

 	Fourth Quarter 2016	 	Third Quarter 2016	 	Second Quarter 2016	 	First Quarter 2016	
Distributions per Class B unit	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
Distributions per Class D unit	$	0.25	
 	 	$	0.24	
 	 	$	0.23	
 	 	$	0.225	
 	
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, 2017, NRG Yield LLC declared a quarterly distribution on its Class B and Class D common stock of $0.26 per unit payable to NRG on March 15, 2017.
During 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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 CVSR Drop Down of $112 million, as well as $6 million of AOCL, was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its noncontrolling interest in 2016. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the January 2015 and November 2015 Drop Down Assets of $109 million, as well as $32 million of AOCL, was recorded as a contribution from NRG and increased the balance of its noncontrolling interest in 2015. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the June 2014 Drop Down Assets of $113 million was recorded as a distribution to NRG and reduced the balance of its noncontrolling interest in 2014.  In addition, as the projects were owned by NRG prior to the Company’s acquisitions, the pre-acquisition earnings 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. In addition, NRG maintained a 25% ownership interest in the Class B interests of NRG Wind TE Holdco.  This 25% interest is also reflected within the Company’s noncontrolling interest balance.
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).

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The Company generated more than 10% of its revenues from the following customers for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
Customer	Conventional (%)	 	Renewables (%)	 	Conventional (%)	 	Renewables (%)	 	Conventional (%)	 	Renewables (%)	
SCE	21%	 	21%	 	23%	 	17%	 	24%	 	7%	
PG&E	12%	 	11%	 	13%	 	12%	 	15%	 	13%	

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

 	Year ended December 31, 2016	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	
 	Renewables	
 	Thermal	
 	Corporate	
 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	333	
 	
 	$	518	
 	
 	$	170	
 	
 	$	—	
 	
 	$	1,021	
 	
Cost of operations	66	
 	 	126	
 	 	114	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	306	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	80	
 	
 	197	
 	
 	20	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	297	
 	
Impairment losses	—	
 	 	183	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	183	
 	
General and administrative	—	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	16	
 	
 	16	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	
Operating income (loss)	187	
 	 	12	
 	 	36	
 	 	(17	)	 	218	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	13	
 	
 	24	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	37	
 	
Other income, net	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	3	
 	
Interest expense	(48	)	
 	(141	)	
 	(7	)	
 	(78	)	
 	(274	)	
Income (loss) before income taxes	153	
 	
 	(103	)	
 	29	
 	
 	(95	)	
 	(16	)	
Income tax benefit	—	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	(1	)	
 	(1	)	
Net Income (Loss)	$	153	
 	
 	$	(103	)	
 	$	29	
 	
 	$	(94	)	
 	$	(15	)	
Balance Sheet	

 	

 	

 	

 	

Equity investment in affiliates	$	106	
 	
 	$	604	
 	
 	$	—	
 	
 	$	—	
 	
 	$	710	
 	
Capital expenditures (a)	7	
 	
 	2	
 	
 	14	
 	
 	—	
 	
 	23	
 	
Total Assets	$	1,993	
 	
 	$	5,535	
 	
 	$	426	
 	
 	$	429	
 	
 	$	8,383	

 	

(a)  Includes accruals.

 	Year ended December 31, 2015	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	336	
 	 	$	443	
 	 	$	174	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	953	
 	
Cost of operations	59	
 	 	136	
 	 	126	
 	 	—	
 	 	321	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	81	
 	 	197	
 	 	19	
 	 	—	
 	 	297	
 	
General and administrative	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	12	
 	 	12	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	
Operating income (loss)	196	
 	 	110	
 	 	29	
 	 	(15	)	 	320	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14	
 	 	12	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	26	
 	
Other income, net	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	3	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	(7	)	 	(2	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(9	)	
Interest expense	(48	)	 	(147	)	 	(7	)	 	(61	)	 	(263	)	
Income (loss) before income taxes	156	
 	 	(25	)	 	22	
 	 	(76	)	 	77	
 	
Income tax expense	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	12	
 	 	12	
 	
Net Income (Loss)	$	156	
 	 	$	(25	)	 	$	22	
 	 	$	(88	)	 	$	65	
 	
Balance Sheet	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity investments in affiliates	$	110	
 	 	$	587	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	697	
 	
Capital expenditures (a)	4	
 	 	6	
 	 	20	
 	 	—	
 	 	30	
 	
Total Assets	$	2,102	
 	 	$	5,970	
 	 	$	428	
 	 	$	189	
 	 	$	8,689	

 	

(a)  Includes accruals.

112

                                                                            

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Year ended December 31, 2014	
(In millions)	Conventional Generation	 	Renewables	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	317	
 	 	$	316	
 	 	$	195	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	828	
 	
Cost of operations	55	
 	 	83	
 	 	139	
 	 	—	
 	 	277	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	82	
 	 	133	
 	 	18	
 	 	—	
 	 	233	
 	
General and administrative	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	4	
 	
Operating income (loss)	180	
 	 	100	
 	 	38	
 	 	(12	)	 	306	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	14	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	17	
 	
Other income, net	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	6	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	
Interest expense	(53	)	 	(126	)	 	(7	)	 	(30	)	 	(216	)	
Income (loss) before income taxes	141	
 	 	(19	)	 	31	
 	 	(41	)	 	112	
 	
Income tax expense	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	4	
 	
Net Income (Loss)	$	141	
 	 	$	(19	)	 	$	31	
 	 	$	(45	)	 	$	108	
 	
Note 14 — Income Taxes 
Effective Tax Rate
The income tax provision consisted of the following amounts:

 	Year Ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	(In millions, except percentages)	
Current	 	 	 	 	 	
U.S. Federal	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	
State	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Total — current	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Deferred	 	 	 	 	 	
U.S. Federal	(1	)	 	10	
 	 	2	
 	
State	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	2	
 	
Total — deferred	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(1	)	 	$	12	
 	 	$	4	
 	
Effective tax rate	6.3	%	 	15.6	%	 	3.6	%	
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company's effective rate is as follows:

 	Year Ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	(In millions, except percentages)	
Income Before Income Taxes	(16	)	 	77	
 	 	112	
 	
Tax at 35%	(6	)	 	27	
 	 	39	
 	
State taxes, net of federal benefit	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	1	
 	
Investment tax credits	(1	)	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	
Impact of non-taxable partnership earnings	5	
 	 	(15	)	 	(31	)	
Production tax credits, including prior year true-up	4	
 	 	(4	)	 	(6	)	
Change in state effective tax rate	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	
Other	(3	)	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	(1	)	 	$	12	
 	 	$	4	
 	
Effective income tax rate	6.3	%	 	15.6	%	 	3.6	%	
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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.

113

                                                                            

The Company currently owns 53.3% of NRG Yield LLC and consolidates the results due to its controlling interest. The Company records NRG's 46.7% 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.
The temporary differences, which gave rise to the Company's deferred tax assets, consisted of the following:

 	As of December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	
 	(In millions)	
Deferred tax liabilities:	 	 	 	
Investment in projects	$	3	
 	 	$	27	
 	
Total deferred tax liabilities	3	
 	 	27	
 	
Deferred tax assets:	 	 	 	
Production tax credits carryforwards	5	
 	 	10	
 	
Investment tax credits	1	
 	 	1	
 	
U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards	226	
 	 	181	
 	
State net operating loss carryforwards	3	
 	 	5	
 	
Total deferred tax assets	235	
 	 	197	
 	
Valuation allowance	$	(16	)	 	$	—	
 	
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	219	
 	 	$	197	
 	
Net deferred noncurrent tax asset	$	216	
 	 	$	170	
 	
Tax Receivable and Payable
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had a domestic tax receivable of $6 million, which related to federal cash grants for the Borrego project. This amount is fully reserved pending further discussions with the US Treasury Department.
Deferred Tax Assets and Valuation Allowance
Net deferred tax balance — As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, NRG recorded a net deferred tax asset of $232 million and $170 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 $16 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, 2016, the Company had domestic NOLs carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $226 million and cumulative state NOLs of $3 million tax-effected.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company had no identified uncertain tax positions that require evaluation as of December 31, 2016.

114

                                                                            

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, operating costs and other income and expense.
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 and $12 million of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Included in the revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014, are unrealized losses and gains, respectively, on forward contracts with NRG Texas Power LLC hedging the sale of power from Elbow Creek, extending through the end of 2015, as further described in Note 7 , Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . 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.
PPA by and between Elbow Creek and NRG
In October 2015, Elbow Creek, the Company's subsidiary in the Renewables segment, entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing for the sale of energy and environmental attributes with the effective date of November 1, 2015, and an expiration date of October 31, 2022. Elbow Creek generated $8 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016.
PPA by and between NRG Energy Center Dover LLC and NRG
In February 2016, NRG Energy Center Dover LLC, or NRG Dover, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a PPA with NRG Power Marketing for the sale of energy and environmental attributes with an effective date of February 1, 2016 and expiration date of December 31, 2018. NRG Dover generated $5 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016. The agreement in place is in addition to the existing Power Sales and Services Agreement described further below.
Power Sales and Services Agreement by and between NRG Energy Center Dover LLC and NRG
NRG Dover is party to a Power Sales and Services Agreement with NRG Power Marketing. The agreement is automatically renewed on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by either party upon at least 30 day written notice. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing has the exclusive right to (i) manage, market and sell power, (ii) procure fuel and fuel transportation for operation of the Dover generating facility, to include for purposes other than generating power, (iii) procure transmission services required for the sale of power and (iv) procure and market emissions credits for operation of the Dover generating facility.
In addition, NRG Power Marketing has the exclusive right and obligation to direct the output from the generating facility, in accordance with and to meet the terms of any power sales contracts executed against the power generation of the Dover facility. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing pays NRG Dover gross receipts generated through sales, less costs incurred by NRG Power Marketing related to providing such services as transmission and delivery costs, as well as fuel costs. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, NRG Dover purchased approximately $1 million, $5 million and $10 million, respectively, of natural gas from NRG Power Marketing under the Power Sales and Services Agreement.
Energy Marketing Services Agreement by and between NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC and NRG
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, or NRG Minneapolis, a subsidiary of the Company is party to an Energy Marketing Services Agreement with NRG Power Marketing. The agreement commenced in August 2014 and is automatically renewed annually unless terminated by either party upon at least 90 day written notice prior to the end of any term. Under the agreement, NRG Power Marketing will procure fuel and fuel transportation for the operation of the Minneapolis generating facility. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, NRG Minneapolis purchased approximately $7 million, $8 million and $2 million, respectively, of natural gas from NRG Power Marketing.

115

                                                                            

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services Agreements by and between Thermal Entities and NRG
On October 1, 2014, NRG entered into Plant O&M Services Agreements with certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. NRG provides necessary and appropriate services to operate and maintain the subsidiaries' plant operations, businesses and thermal facilities. NRG is to be 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. Prior to October 1, 2014, NRG provided the same services to Thermal entities on an informal basis. For each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, total fees incurred under the agreements were $29 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, total fees incurred were $27 million. There was a balance of $20 million and $29 million due to NRG in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, $11 million of the balance was recorded in the current liabilities of the consolidated balance sheet and $9 million was recorded in non-current liabilities of the consolidated balance sheet.
O&MServices 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, $4 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
O&MServices Agreements by and between El Segundo and NRG El Segundo Operations
El Segundo incurs fees under an O&M agreement with NRG El Segundo Operations, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. Under the O&M agreement, NRG El Segundo Operations, Inc. manages, operates and maintains the El Segundo facility for an initial term of ten years following the commercial operations date. For each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the costs incurred under the agreement were approximately $4 million. There was a balance of $1 million due to NRG El Segundo in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between Marsh Landing and GenOn Energy Services, LLC and related Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Marsh Landing was a party to an administrative services agreement with GenOn Energy Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG, through December 18, 2016. Under the agreement, GenOn Energy Services, LLC provided processing and invoice payment services on behalf of Marsh Landing. Marsh Landing reimbursed GenOn Energy Services, LLC for the amounts it paid. The Company reimbursed costs under this agreement of approximately $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, $2 million was capitalized. There was a balance of $1 million and $6 million due to GenOn Energy Services, LLC in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Marsh Landing had the right to terminate the agreement for convenience upon thirty days prior written notice. In lieu of a termination of the agreement, Marsh Landing requested that GenOn Energy Services LLC enter into an assignment and assumption agreement with NRG West Coast LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG. The administrative services agreement was assigned to NRG West Coast LLC on December 19, 2016.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between CVSR and NRG
CVSR was a party to an administrative services agreement with NRG Energy Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, which was subsequently assigned to NRG Renew Operations & Maintenance LLC, or RENOM, on July 15, 2015. The Company reimbursed a total of $4 million and $7 million to NRG Energy Services for the expenses incurred for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See below for further discussions of the costs incurred by CVSR under the administrative services agreement with RENOM in 2016.
Administrative Services Agreement by and between the Company and NRG Renew Operations & Maintenance LLC
Various wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in the Renewables segment are party to an administrative services agreement with RENOM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, which provides O&M services on behalf of these entities. The Company incurred total expenses for these services in the amount of $13 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There was a balance of $5 million and $1 million due to RENOM as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

116

                                                                            

O&MServices Agreements by and between Walnut Creek and NRG
Walnut Creek incurs fees under an O&M agreement with NRG Energy Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. Under the O&M agreement, NRG Energy Services LLC manages, operates and maintains the Walnut Creek facility and is reimbursed for the services provided. The Company incurred total expenses for these services in the amount of $3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
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, 2016, the base management fee was approximately $7.5 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, 2016, the fee was increased by approximately $0.5 million per year, primarily due to the acquisition of the CVSR Drop Down. 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, $8 million, and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. There was a balance of $3 million in accounts payable — affiliate due to NRG as of December 31, 2016.
Administrative Services Agreements by and between Wind TE Holdco LLC and NRG
NRG Asset Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, provides support services to NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC project entities pursuant to various support services agreements. The agreements provide for administrative and support services and reimbursements of certain insurance, consultant and credit costs. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the costs incurred under the agreements were $2 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively.
Accounts Payable to NRG Repowering Holdings LLC
During 2013, NRG Repowering Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, made payments to BA Leasing BSC, LLC, or BA Leasing, of $18 million, which were expected to be repaid with the proceeds of the cash grant received by BA Leasing with respect to the PFMG DG Solar Projects, in connection with a sale-leaseback arrangement between the PFMG DG Solar Projects and BA Leasing. As of December 31, 2014, PFMG DG Solar Projects had a corresponding receivable for the reimbursement of the cash grant from BA Leasing and related payable to NRG Repowering Holdings, LLC. In the first quarter of 2014, the PFMG DG Solar Projects received $11 million from BA Leasing and reduced the remaining receivable with an offset to the deferred liability recorded in connection with the sale - leaseback arrangement. The PFMG DG Solar Projects utilized the $11 million to repay NRG Repowering Holdings LLC. There was a balance of $7 million in accounts payable — affiliate as of December 31, 2015 which was settled in October 2016 with an offset to noncontrolling interest in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet.
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 quarter of 2018. On January 5, 2017, the parties amended the EPC Agreement, based on a customer change order, to increase the capacity of the district energy system from 73 MWt to 80 MWt, which also increased the payment from $79 million to $87 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 $15 million, $10 million, and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

117

                                                                            

Future minimum lease commitments under operating leases for the years ending after December 31, 2016, are as follows:

Period	(In millions)	
2017	$	9	
 	
2018	9	
 	
2019	10	
 	
2020	9	
 	
2021	9	
 	
Thereafter	152	
 	
Total	$	198	
 	
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased $32 million, $40 million and $55 million, respectively, under such arrangements. As further described in Note 15,  Related Party Transactions,  these balances include intercompany purchases in the amount of $8 million, $13 million, and $12 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company's commitments under such outstanding agreements are estimated as follows:

Period	(In millions)	
2017	$	13	
 	
2018	5	
 	
2019	2	
 	
2020	3	
 	
2021	3	
 	
Thereafter	19	
 	
Total	$	45	
 	
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. 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. On August 3, 2016, the court approved a stipulation entered into by the parties. The stipulation provided that the plaintiffs would file an amended complaint by August 19, 2016, which they did on August 18, 2016. The defendants filed demurrers and a motion challenging jurisdiction on October 18, 2016. On February 24, 2017, the court approved the parties' stipulation which provides the plaintiffs' opposition is due on June 15, 2017 and defendants' reply is due on August 14, 2017.

118

                                                                            

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. Oral argument is scheduled for June 20, 2017.
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. Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is as follows:

 	Quarter Ended	
 	December 31,	 	September 30,	 	June 30,	 	March 31,	
 	2016	
 	(In millions, except per share data)	
Operating Revenues	$	232	
 	 	$	272	
 	 	$	283	
 	 	$	234	
 	
Operating (Loss) Income	(99	)	 	117	
 	 	128	
 	 	72	
 	
Net (Loss) Income	(126	)	 	47	
 	 	63	
 	 	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	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Quarter Ended	
 	December 31,	 	September 30,	 	June 30,	 	March 31,	
 	2015	
 	(In millions, except per share data)	
Operating Revenues	$	224	
 	 	$	256	
 	 	$	259	
 	 	$	214	
 	
Operating Income	70	
 	 	101	
 	 	99	
 	 	50	
 	
Net Income (Loss)	12	
 	 	32	
 	 	42	
 	 	(21	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	11	
 	 	17	
 	 	10	
 	 	(5	)	
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	35	
 	 	35	
 	 	35	
 	 	35	
 	
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	63	
 	 	63	
 	 	35	
 	 	35	
 	
Earnings (Loss) per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$	0.12	
 	 	$	0.18	
 	 	$	0.15	
 	 	$	(0.07	)	

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Schedule I    
NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Statements of Income

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Year ended December 31,	
(In millions)	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating expense	$	2	
 	 	$	2	
 	 	$	—	
 	
Equity (loss) earnings in consolidated subsidiaries	(2	)	 	88	
 	 	117	
 	
Interest expense	(12	)	 	(9	)	 	(5	)	
Total other (loss) income, net	(14	)	 	79	
 	 	112	
 	
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(16	)	 	77	
 	 	112	
 	
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1	)	 	12	
 	 	4	
 	
Net (Loss) Income	(15	)	 	65	
 	 	108	
 	
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(82	)	 	42	
 	 	48	
 	
Less: Pre-acquisition net (loss) income of Drop Down Assets	10	
 	 	(10	)	 	44	
 	
Net Income Attributable to NRG Yield, Inc.	$	57	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	16	

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

120

                                                                            

Schedule I
NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)
Condensed Balance Sheets

 	Year ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	
 	(In millions)	
Assets	 	 	 	
Current Assets:	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1	
 	 	$	1	
 	
Noncurrent Assets:	 	 	 	
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	2,135	
 	 	2,540	
 	
Note receivable - Yield Operating	618	
 	 	618	
 	
Deferred income taxes	216	
 	 	170	
 	
Total Assets	2,970	
 	 	3,329	

Liabilities and Equity	 	 	 	
Accounts payable — affiliate	—	
 	 	4	
 	
Other current liabilities	2	
 	 	1	
 	
Long-term debt	598	
 	 	586	
 	
Total Liabilities	600	
 	 	591	

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); 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 and 2015	1	
 	 	1	
 	
Additional paid-in capital	1,879	
 	 	1,855	
 	
Retained earnings	(2	)	 	12	
 	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(28	)	 	(27	)	
Noncontrolling interest	520	
 	 	897	
 	
Total Stockholders' Equity	2,370	
 	 	2,738	
 	
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,970	
 	 	$	3,329	

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

121

                                                                            

Schedule I
NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Years ended December 31,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2014	
 	(In millions)	
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities	$	(5	)	 	$	2	
 	 	$	(1	)	
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	
Investments in consolidated affiliates	5	
 	 	(600	)	 	(630	)	
Increase in notes receivable - affiliate	—	
 	 	(281	)	 	(337	)	
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	5	
 	
 	(881	)	 	(967	)	
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—	
 	 	288	
 	 	345	
 	
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	—	
 	 	599	
 	 	630	
 	
Payment of debt issuance costs	—	
 	 	(7	)	 	(7	)	
Cash received from Yield LLC for the payment of dividends	92	
 	 	69	
 	 	41	
 	
Payment of dividends	(92	)	 	(69	)	 	(41	)	
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	—	
 	 	880	
 	 	968	
 	
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	1	
 	 	$	1	
 	 	$	—	
 	
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

122

                                                                            

Schedule I
NRG Yield, Inc. (Parent)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
Note 1 — Background and Basis of Presentation
Background
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.”
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, 2016, the Company and NRG have 53.3% and 46.7% 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 $92 million, $69 million, and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

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SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended December 31, 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, 2016	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	16	
 	 	$	16	

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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.	
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.	

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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.	
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.	 	Filed herewith.	
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.	
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.	

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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.
	
10.19.1	 	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.	
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.	

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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 Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on August 9, 2016.	
10.28†	 	Form of NRG Yield, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.	 	Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on November 4, 2016.	
10.29†	 	NRG Yield, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan for Designated Corporate Officers.	 	Filed herewith.	
10.30†	 	NRG Yield, Inc. Executive Change-in-Control and General Severance Plan.	 	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.

128

                                                                            

Item 16 — Form 10-K Summary
None.

129

                                                                            

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: February 28, 2017	 	 	

130

                                                                            

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 February 28, 2017.

Signature	 	Title	 	Date	 	
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS	 	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	
Christopher S. Sotos	 	(Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	 	
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN 	 	Chief Financial Officer	 	February 28, 2017	 	
Chad Plotkin	 	(Principal Financial Officer)	 	 	 	
/s/ DAVID CALLEN	 	Chief Accounting Officer	 	February 28, 2017	 	
David Callen	 	(Principal Accounting Officer)	 	 	 	
/s/ MAURICIO GUTIERREZ	 	Chairman of the Board	 	February 28, 2017	 	
Mauricio Gutierrez	 	 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS	 	Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	 	
Kirkland B. Andrews	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ JOHN CHILLEMI	 	Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	 	 	
John Chillemi	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ JOHN CHLEBOWSKI	 	Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	 	 	 	
John Chlebowski	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ BRIAN FORD 	 	Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	 	 	 	 	
Brian Ford	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ FERRELL MCCLEAN	 	Director	 	February 28, 2017	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ferrell McClean	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

131

Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTION VERSION

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER AGREEMENT
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 24th day of February 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between  NRG ENERGY, INC. , a Delaware corporation (“ NRG ”), and  NRG YIELD, INC. , a Delaware corporation (“ Yield ”). NRG and Yield are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, NRG is one of the nation’s largest competitive power generators and intends for Yield to serve as its primary vehicle for owning, operating and acquiring contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets;
WHEREAS, Yield expects to increase its cash available for distribution and dividend per share by acquiring additional assets, including assets acquired from NRG;
WHEREAS, NRG granted Yield an exclusive right of first offer to acquire certain assets owned by NRG and certain of its Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to that certain Right of First Offer Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and between NRG and Yield (“ 2013 ROFO Agreement ”), as amended and restated by that Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement dated March 12, 2015, by and between NRG and Yield (“ 2015 ROFO Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend and restate the 2015 ROFO Agreement to grant Yield, as of the Effective Date, an exclusive right of first offer to acquire additional assets owned by NRG and certain of its Affiliates on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, NRG and Yield hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1    Definitions. In addition to the terms defined above in the introduction and Recitals to this Agreement, the following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in this  Section 1.1 . “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to the Person in question, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such Person. For the purposes of this definition, the term “control” and its derivations means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Person in question, whether by the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.
“Agua Caliente” consists of (i) 100% of the membership interests in Agua Caliente Borrower 1 LLC, which in turn owns; (ii) 35% of the membership interests in Solar Holdings, which in turn owns; (iii) 100% of the membership interests interests in Agua Caliente Solar Holdings LLC, which in turn owns (iv) 100% of the membership interests in Agua Caliente Solar LLC.
“Applicable Law” means all statutes, laws, common law, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes or other legal requirements of any Governmental Authority and quasi-governmental agencies or entities, and any judgment, injunction, order, directive, decree or other judicial or regulatory requirement of any court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction affecting or relating to the Person or property in question.

 	 	 	

“Bingham Facilities” consist of (i) ALP Wind LLC, (ii) HyperGen, LLC, (iii) JMC Wind, LLC, (iv) LimiEnergy, LLC, (v) Maiden Winds, LLC, (vi) MD & E Wind, LLC, (vii) Power Beyond, LLC, (viii) Power Blades Windfarm, LLC, (ix) Stony Hills Wind Farm, LLC, (x) Tower of Power, LLC, (xi) Whispering Wind Acres, LLC, (xii) White Caps Windfarm, LLC, and (xiii) Windom Transmission, LLC.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any federal legal holiday.
“Buckthorn” consists of 100% of the membership interests in Buckthorn Renewables, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interests in Buckthorn Solar Portfolio, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Buckthorn Holdings, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interests in Buckthorn Westex, LLC.
“Carlsbad” consists of 100% of the membership interests in Carlsbad Energy Center LLC.
“Community Wind” consists of 99% of the membership interests in Community Wind North, LLC and its subsidiaries.
    “Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2014, by and among NRG Yield Operating LLC, as Borrower, NRG Yield LLC, as Holdings, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Bank of America, N.A., as L/C Issuers, the lenders party thereto, and RBC Capital Markets as Sole Left Lead Arranger and Sole Left Lead Book Runner (as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time).

“Crosswinds Facilities” consist of (i) Clear View Acres Wind Farm, LLC, (ii) Eagle View Acres Wind Farm, LLC, (iii) Elk Lake Wind Farm, LLC, (iv) Green Prairie Energy, LLC, (v) Highland Township Wind Farm, LLC, (vi) Palo Alto County Wind Farm, LLC, (vii) Silver Lake Acres Wind Farm, LLC, (viii) Sunrise View Wind Farm, LLC, (ix) Sunset View Wind Farm, LLC, (x) Virgin Lake Wind Farm, LLC, and (xi) Crosswind Transmission, LLC.

“Eastridge and Westridge Facilities” consist of (i) Bendwind, LLC, (ii) DeGreeff DP, LLC, (iii) DeGreeffpa, LLC, (iv) Groen Wind, LLC, (v) Hillcrest Wind, LLC, (vi) Larswind, LLC, (vii) Sierra Wind, LLC, (viii) TAIR Windfarm, LLC, (ix) Boeve Windfarm, LLC, (x) Fey Windfarm, LLC, (xi) K-Brink Windfarm, LLC, (xii) Windcurrent Windfarm, LLC, (xiii) East Ridge Transmission, LLC, (xiv) West Pipestone Transmission, LLC, and (xv) DanMar Transmission, LLC.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local government or political subdivision thereof, including, without limitation, any agency or entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative governmental powers or functions, in each case to the extent the same has jurisdiction over the Person or property in question.
“Hardin Facilities” consist of (i) Cy-Hawk Wind Energy, LLC, (ii) Greene Wind Energy, LLC, (iii) Hardin Wind Energy, LLC, (iv) Poverty Ridge Wind, LLC, (v) Sutton Wind Energy, LLC, (vi) Wind Family Turbine, LLC, (vii) Zontos Wind, LLC and (viii) Hardin Hilltop Wind, LLC.
“Ivanpah” consists of a 99.61% interest in Solar Ivanpah which in turn holds a 50.1446% ownership interest in Ivanpah Master Holdings, LLC. Ivanpah Master Holdings, LLC holds 100% of the membership interests of: (i) Ivanpah Project I Holdings, LLC; (ii) Ivanpah Project II Holdings, LLC; (iii) Ivanpah Project III Holdings, LLC; (iv) Solar Partners I, LLC; (v) Solar Partners II, LLC; and (vi) Solar Partners VIII, LLC.
“Jeffers” consists of 99.9% of the membership interests in Jeffers Wind 20, LLC.
“Kawailoa” consists of 100% of the membership interests in Kawailoa Solar Holdings, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interests in Kawailoa Solar, LLC.

 	 	 	
 	2	 	

“Losses” means, with respect to the Person in question, any actual liability, damage (but expressly excluding any consequential and punitive damages), loss, cost or expense, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs, incurred by such Person, as a result of the act, omission or occurrence in question.
“Mandalay/Oxnard” consists of 100% of the membership interests in NRG Energy Center Oxnard LLC.
“Minnesota Portfolio” consists of (i) 100% of the membership interests in Mission Bingham Lake Wind LLC, which holds 99% of the membership interests in the Bingham Facilities; and (ii) 100% of the membership interests in Mission Minnesota Wind, LLC, which holds (A) 99% of the membership interests in the Eastridge and Westridge Facilities, (B) 91% of the membership interests in Tofteland Windfarm, LLC, (C) 95% of the membership interests in Bisson Windfarm, LLC, (D) 92% of the membership interests in Westridge Windfarm, LLC, (E) 99% of the membership interests in CG Windfarm, LLC, and (F) 99% of the membership interests in TG Windfarm, LLC.
“Negotiation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Notice” has the meaning set forth in ‎Section 5.1.
“NRG Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in ‎Section 4.1.
“NRG Indemnitees” means NRG and its Affiliates (other than Yield and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, excluding any NRG ROFO Asset prior to the acquisition thereof by Yield or any of its Affiliates in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement), and each of their respective shareholders, members, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants and agents, and the successors, assigns, legal representatives, heirs, devisees and donees of each of the foregoing.
“NRG Oahu” consists of 100% of the membership interests in NRG Oahu Solar Holdings, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interests in NRG Oahu Solar, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in (i) NRG Mililani II Equity Holdings LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Mililani Land Holdings, LLC, and NRG Mililani II Managing Member LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in NRG Mililani II Solar Holdings LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Mililani South PV, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Lanikuhana Solar, LLC; and (ii) NRG Waipio Equity Holdings LLC which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Waipio Land Holdings, LLC, and NRG Waipio Managing Member LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in NRG Waipio Solar Holdings LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Waipio PV Holdings, LLC, which in turn owns 100% of the membership interest in Waipio PV, LLC.
“NRG ROFO Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“PayGo Facility” consists of 25% of the Class B interest in NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC, which in turn holds directly or indirectly: (i) 66.67% of the membership interests in Elkhorn Ridge Wind LLC, (ii) 75% of the membership interests in San Juan Mesa Wind Project, LLC, (iii) 99.9% of the membership interests in Wildorado Wind, LLC, (iv) 99% of the membership interests in the Crosswinds Facilities, (v) 100% of the membership interests in Forward WindPower LLC, (vi) 99% of the membership interests in the Hardin Facilities, (vii) 99.9% of the membership interests in Odin Wind Farm, LLC and its subsidiaries, (viii) 100% of the membership interests in Sleeping Bear, LLC, (ix) 100% of the membership interests in Spanish Fork Wind Park 2, LLC, (x) 99.9% of the general partnership interests in Goat Wind, LP, (xi) 100% of the membership interests in Lookout WindPower LLC, and (xii) 100% of the membership interests in Elbow Creek Wind Project, LLC.
“Permitted Back-Leverage Financing” means in respect of any NRG ROFO Asset, a debt financing structure pursuant to which NRG causes an entity that is a part of such NRG ROFO Asset to monetize its investment and cash flow in a project owned by the NRG ROFO Asset in a manner substantially similar to that employed by Agua Caliente Borrower 1 LLC in respect of Agua Caliente.
“Permitted Tax Equity Financing” has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement.

 	 	 	
 	3	 	

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, trust, estate, Governmental Authority or other legal entity, in each case whether in its own or a representative capacity.
“Project Level Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement.

    “ Required Securities Disclosure ” has the meaning set forth in  Section 4.1 .
“ROFO Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
“Solar Holdings” means AC Solar Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Solar Ivanpah” means NRG Solar Ivanpah LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Solar Portfolio” means one or more distributed generation portfolios developed or owned by NRG or its Affiliates after the Effective Date.
“Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Third Party” means any Person other than a Party or an Affiliate of a Party.
“Transaction Notice” has the meaning set forth in ‎Section 2.2.
“Transfer” means, other than in connection with any disposition of assets or granting of liens permitted under any Project Level Indebtedness [,any Permitted Tax Equity Financing or any Permitted Back-Leverage Financing,] of any NRG ROFO Asset, any assignment, sale, offer to sell, pledge, mortgage, hypothecation, encumbrance, disposition of or any other like transfer or encumbering (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law or otherwise);  provided , that this definition shall not include any (i) merger with or into, or sale of substantially all of NRG’s assets to, an unaffiliated third-party, or (ii) internal restructuring involving any NRG ROFO Asset (so long as the terms of any such restructuring will not limit, delay or hinder the ability of Yield or any of its Affiliates to acquire such NRG ROFO Asset from NRG in accordance with the terms of this Agreement if and when NRG elects to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of such NRG ROFO Asset to a third party).
ARTICLE II.    

RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER ON NRG ROFO ASSETS
Section 2.1    NRG ROFO Assets.    During the Term, and to the extent NRG or its Affiliates have an ownership interest in the NRG ROFO Assets as of the Effective Date, NRG hereby grants to Yield and its Affiliates a right of first offer on any proposed Transfer of each of Agua Caliente, Carlsbad, Buckthorn, Kawailoa, NRG Oahu, Community Wind, Ivanpah, Jeffers, Mandalay/Oxnard, Minnesota Portfolio, PayGo Facility and Solar Portfolio (each, individually, an “ NRG ROFO Asset ,” and collectively, the “ NRG ROFO Assets ”). In connection with the right of first offer on any proposed Transfer of the Solar Portfolio, NRG hereby grants Yield the right to make an equity investment of up to $250,000,000 in the Solar Portfolio.
Section 2.2    Notice of Transaction Related to NRG ROFO Assets and Negotiation of Definitive Terms for Transaction.     NRG must deliver a written notice to Yield no later than forty-five (45) days prior to engaging in any negotiation regarding any proposed Transfer of any NRG ROFO Asset (or any portion thereof), setting forth in reasonable detail the material terms and conditions of the proposed transaction (such notice, a “ Transaction Notice ”). If NRG delivers any Transaction Notice to Yield, then NRG and Yield shall enter non‑binding discussions and negotiate in good faith to attempt to agree on definitive terms acceptable to both Parties, in their sole and absolute discretion, for the Transfer of the applicable NRG ROFO Asset to Yield or any of its Affiliates. If, within thirty (30) calendar days

 	 	 	
 	4	 	

after the delivery of such Transaction Notice (the “Negotiation Period”), the Parties have not agreed to definitive terms for the Transfer of such NRG ROFO Asset to Yield, NRG will be able, within the next one hundred eighty (180) calendar days, to Transfer such NRG ROFO Asset to a Third Party (or agree in writing to undertake such transaction with a third party) in accordance with the terms of  Section 2.3 .
Section 2.3    Negotiations with Third Parties. Neither NRG nor any of its representatives, agents or Affiliates (excluding Yield and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, which subsidiaries shall not include any NRG ROFO Asset prior to the acquisition thereof by Yield or any of its Affiliates in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement) shall solicit offers from, or negotiate or enter into any agreement with, any Third Party for the Transfer of any NRG ROFO Asset (or any portion thereof) until the expiration of the Negotiation Period related to such NRG ROFO Asset and the proposed Transfer (the “ ROFO Termination Date ”). Yield agrees and acknowledges that for a period of one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from and after the ROFO Termination Date for any NRG ROFO Asset and the applicable proposed Transfer: (a) NRG shall have the absolute right to solicit offers from, negotiate with, and enter into agreements with, any Third Party to Transfer such NRG ROFO Asset, on terms generally no less favorable to NRG than those offered to Yield pursuant to the Transaction Notice, and (b) NRG shall have no further obligation to negotiate with Yield regarding, or offer Yield the opportunity to acquire any interest in, such NRG ROFO Asset;  provided , that the final terms of the Transfer of any NRG ROFO Asset to any Third Party be on terms generally no less favorable to NRG than those offered to Yield pursuant to the Transaction Notice and;  provided further , that if after such one hundred eighty (180) calendar day period NRG has not Transferred such NRG ROFO asset to a Third Party, such NRG ROFO Asset shall again be subject to this Agreement.
ARTICLE III.    

TERM; TERMINATION RIGHTS
Section 3.1    Term. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with this ‎ARTICLE III, the term of this Agreement (the “ Term ”) shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in effect until the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date, at which time this Agreement shall terminate and the Parties shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except those that expressly survive the termination of this Agreement.
Section 3.2    Termination Rights. NRG or Yield, as the case may be, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, with written notice to the other Party, if the other Party materially breaches or defaults in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or under any transaction agreement entered into by the Parties in connection with an NRG ROFO Assets, and such breach or default is continuing for 30 days after such breaching Party has been given a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder. Upon any such termination the Parties shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except those that expressly survive the termination of this Agreement.
Section 3.3    Exclusive Remedy. Other than with respect to a breach or default in the performance of a Party’s indemnification obligations under ‎ARTICLE IV, each Party’s sole and exclusive remedy for a breach or default by the other Party of its obligations under this Agreement shall be to terminate this Agreement in accordance with  Section 3.2 .
ARTICLE IV.    

CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 4.1    NRG Confidential Information. Yield shall keep confidential and not make any public announcement or disclose to any Person any terms of any other documents, materials, data or other information with respect to any NRG ROFO Asset which is not generally known to the public (the “ NRG Confidential Information ”);  provided ,  however , that NRG Confidential Information shall not include (a) the terms and conditions of this Agreement or (b) information that becomes available to Yield on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the NRG, its Affiliates or their directors, officers or employees,  provided , that, to Yield’s knowledge, such source was not prohibited from disclosing such information to Yield by any legal, contractual or fiduciary duty. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

 	 	 	
 	5	 	

Yield shall be permitted to (A) disclose any NRG Confidential Information to the extent required by court order or under Applicable Law, (B) make a public announcement regarding such matters (1) as agreed to in writing by NRG or (2) as required by the provisions of any securities laws or the requirements of any exchange on which Yield securities may be listed (a “ Required Securities Disclosure ”), or (C) disclose any NRG Confidential Information to any Person on a “need-to-know” basis, such as its shareholders, partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, consultants or lenders;  provided ,  however , that, other than in connection with a Required Securities Disclosure, Yield shall (y) advise such Person of the confidential nature of such NRG Confidential Information, and (z) cause such Person to be bound by obligations of confidentiality that are no less stringent than the obligations set forth herein. Yield shall indemnify and hold harmless the NRG Indemnitees for any Losses incurred by any of the NRG Indemnitees for a breach or default of Yield’s obligations under this  ‎Section 4.1 . This  ‎Section 4.1  shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V.    

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 5.1    Notices
(a)    Method of Delivery. All notices, requests, demands and other communications (each, a “ Notice ”) required to be provided to the other Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered (i) in person, (ii) by certified U.S. mail, with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, (iii) by overnight courier service, or (iv) by facsimile transmittal, with a verification copy sent on the same day by any of the methods set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), to the other Party to this Agreement at the following address or facsimile number (or to such other address or facsimile number as NRG or Yield may designate from time to time pursuant to this  ‎Section 5.1 ):
If to NRG:
NRG Energy, Inc.
804 Carnegie Center
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (609) 524-4501
With a copy to:

Jones Day	
51 Louisiana Avenue, NW	
Washington, DC 20001	
Attn: Gerald P. Farano
Fax: (202) 626-1700	

If to Yield:
NRG Yield, Inc.
804 Carnegie Center
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (609) 524-4589
With a copy to:

 	 	 	
 	6	 	

 	
 	
CROWELL & MORING LLP	
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.	
Washington, D.C. 20004-2595	
Attn: Patrick W. Lynch	
Fax: (202) 628-5116	

(b)    Receipt of Notices. All Notices sent by NRG or Yield under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been received by the Party to whom such Notice is sent upon (i) delivery to the address or facsimile number of the recipient Party, provided that such delivery is made prior to 5:00 p.m. (local time for the recipient Party) on a Business Day, otherwise the following Business Day, or (ii) the attempted delivery of such Notice if (A) such recipient Party refuses delivery of such Notice, or (B) such recipient Party is no longer at such address or facsimile number, and such recipient Party failed to provide the sending Party with its current address or facsimile number pursuant to this  ‎Section 5.1 ).
(c)    Change of Address. NRG and Yield and their respective counsel shall have the right to change their respective address and/or facsimile number for the purposes of this  ‎Section 5.1  by providing a Notice of such change in address and/or facsimile as required under this  ‎Section 5.1 .
Section 5.2    Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence of this Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the time period for the performance of any covenant or obligation, satisfaction of any condition or delivery of any notice or item required under this Agreement shall expire on a day other than a Business Day, such time period shall be extended automatically to the next Business Day.
Section 5.3    Assignment. Neither Party shall assign this Agreement or any interest therein to any Person, without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may be withheld in such Party’s sole discretion.
Section 5.4    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of NRG and Yield and their respective successors and permitted assigns (which include Yield’s Affiliates).
Section 5.5    Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies on any Person other than (i) the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns (including Yield’s Affiliates), and (ii) the NRG Indemnitees to the extent such NRG Indemnitees are expressly granted certain rights of indemnification in this Agreement.
Section 5.6    Other Activities. No Party hereto shall be prohibited from engaging in or holding an interest in any other business ventures of any kind or description, or any responsibility to account to the other for the income or profits of any such enterprises or have this Agreement be deemed to constitute any agreement not to compete. This Agreement shall not be deemed to create a partnership, joint venture, association or any other similar relationship between the Parties.
Section 5.7    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the STATE of DELAWARE, without giving effect to any principles regarding conflict of laws.
Section 5.8    Rules of Construction. The following rules shall apply to the construction and interpretation of this Agreement:
(a)    Singular words shall connote the plural as well as the singular, and plural words shall connote the singular as well as the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
(b)    All references in this Agreement to particular articles, sections, subsections or clauses (whether in upper or lower case) are references to articles, sections, subsections or clauses of this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to particular exhibits or schedules (whether in upper or lower case) are references to the

 	 	 	
 	7	 	

exhibits and schedules attached to this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly stated or clearly apparent from the context of such reference.
(c)    The headings contained herein are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(d)    Each Party and its counsel have reviewed and revised (or requested revisions of) this Agreement and have participated in the preparation of this Agreement, and therefore any usual rules of construction requiring that ambiguities are to be resolved against any Party shall not be applicable in the construction and interpretation of this Agreement or any exhibits hereto.
(e)    The terms “hereby,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “herein,” “hereunder” and any similar terms shall refer to this Agreement, and not solely to the provision in which such term is used.
(f)    The terms “include,” “including” and similar terms shall be construed as if followed by the phrase “without limitation.”
(g)    The term “sole discretion” with respect to any determination to be made by a Party under this Agreement shall mean the sole and absolute discretion of such Party, without regard to any standard of reasonableness or other standard by which the determination of such Party might be challenged.
Section 5.9    Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be or rendered invalid or unenforceable at any time in any jurisdiction, such term or provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, or the validity or enforceability of such affected terms or provisions at any other time or in any other jurisdiction.
Section 5.10    Jurisdiction; Venue. Any litigation or other court PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS Agreement shall be CONDUCTED in the COURTS OF RECORD IN THE state OF DELAWARE OR THE United States District Court for the District of DELAWARE, and NRG AND YIELD hereby submit to jurisdiction and consent to venue in such courts.
Section 5.11    WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. NRG AND YIELD HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION OR OTHER COURT PROCEEDING BY EITHER PARTY AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 5.12    Prevailing Party. If any litigation or other court action, arbitration or similar adjudicatory proceeding is sought, taken, instituted or brought by NRG or Yield to enforce its rights under this Agreement, all fees, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and court costs, of the prevailing Party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be borne by the Party against whose interest the judgment or decision is rendered.
Section 5.13    Recitals, Exhibits and Schedules. The recitals to this Agreement, and all exhibits and schedules referred to in this Agreement are incorporated herein by such reference and made a part of this Agreement. Any matter disclosed in any schedule to this Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated in all other schedules to this Agreement.
Section 5.14    Entire Agreement. This Agreementsets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties hereto, and shall supersede any other agreements and understandings (written or oral) between NRG and Yield on or prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to the matters contemplated in this Agreement.
Section 5.15    Amendments to Agreement. No amendment, supplement or other modification to any terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and executed and delivered by NRG and Yield.

 	 	 	
 	8	 	

Section 5.16    Facsimile; Counterparts. NRG and Yield may deliver executed signature pages to this Agreement by facsimile transmission to the other Party, which facsimile copy shall be deemed to be an original executed signature page; provided, however, that such Party shall deliver an original signature page to the other Party promptly thereafter. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which counterparts together shall constitute one agreement with the same effect as if the Parties had signed the same signature page.
[Signature Page Follows]

 	 	 	
 	9	 	

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, NRG and Yield each have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered in their names by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives.

 	
 	 	 	 	
NRG:	 	 	
 	 	 	
NRG ENERGY, INC.,	 	 	
a Delaware Corporation	 	 	
 	 	 	
By:	/s/ Gaetan Frotte	
Name:	Gaetan Frotte	
Title:	Treasurer	

YIELD:	
 	
NRG YIELD, INC.	
a Delaware Corporation	
 	
By:	/s/ Christopher S. Sotos	
Name:	Christopher S. Sotos	
Title:	President	

 	
 	 	 	
 	[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated ROFO Agreement]	 	

Exhibit 10.29

NRG YIELD, INC.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
FOR DESIGNATED CORPORATE OFFICERS  

1.    Definitions. When the following terms are used herein with initial capital letters, they shall have the following meanings:

1.1    Base Pay - as determined by Compensation Committee.
 	 	
1.2	Code - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time, and any proposed, temporary or final Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.	

1.3    Company - NRG Yield, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any of its affiliates that adopt this Plan.
 	 	
1.4	Company Performance Factor - The Company Performance Factor shall be directly and specifically tied to one or more of the following business criteria, determined with respect to the Company: consolidated pre-tax earnings; net or gross revenues; net earnings; operating income; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; cash flow; return on equity; return on net assets employed; earnings per share; fleet in-market availability; safety criteria; environmental criteria; revenue growth; cash flow from operations; net income, diluted or basic; return on sales; return on assets; earnings per share from continuing operations, diluted or basic; earnings from continuing operations; net asset turnover; capital expenditures; income from operations; income before income taxes; gross or operating margin; return on total assets; return on invested capital; return on investment; return on revenue; market share; economic value added; cost of capital; expense reduction levels; stock price; productivity; customer satisfaction; employee satisfaction; and total shareholder return for the applicable Performance Period, all as computed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (if relevant) as in effect from time to time and as applied by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements and subject to such other special rules and conditions as the Compensation Committee may establish at any time ending on or before the 90th day of the applicable Performance Period. For any Performance Period, Performance Factors may be determined on an absolute basis or relative to internal goals or relative to levels attained in years prior to such Performance Period or related to other companies or indices or as ratios expressing relationships between two or more Performance Factors. Performance Factors may be in respect of the performance of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any combination thereof on either a consolidated, business unit or divisional level. Performance Factors may be absolute or relative (to prior performance of the Company or to the performance of one or more other entities or external indices) and may be expressed in terms of a progression within a specified range. The foregoing criteria shall have any reasonable definitions that the Committee may specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items, as the Committee may specify: unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting changes; effects of currency fluctuations; effects of financing activities (e.g., effect on earnings per share of issuing convertible debt securities); expenses for restructuring, productivity initiatives or new business initiatives; non-operating items; acquisition expenses; and effects of divestitures. Such Performance Factors shall constitute the sole business criteria upon which the performance goals under this Plan shall be based.	
 	 	
1.5	Compensation Committee - a committee comprised solely of two or more members of the Board of Directors of NRG Yield, Inc., each of whom is an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and a "Non-Employee Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.	

1.6	Legal Representative - shall mean a guardian, legal representative, or other person acting in a similar capacity with respect to a Participant.	

1.7	Participant - the President and Chief Executive Officer, and any of the Officers of the Company who are designated by the Compensation Committee at any time ending on or before the 90th day of each Performance Period as Participants in this Plan.	

1.8	Performance Period - the twelve consecutive month period which coincides with the Company's fiscal year.	

1.9    Targeted Bonus Percentage - the percentage identified by the Compensation Committee.

2.    Administration.

2.1    Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall administer the Plan.
 	 	
2.2	Determinations Made Prior to Each Performance Period. At any time ending on or before the 90th day of each Performance Period, the Compensation Committee shall:	

(a)    designate Participants for that Performance Period;
 	 	
(b)	establish Targeted Bonus Percentages for the Performance Period;	

(c)	establish Company Performance Factors for the Performance Period.	

2.3	Certification. Following the close of each Performance Period and prior to payment of any bonus under the Plan, the Compensation Committee must certify in writing that the Company Performance Factor and all other factors upon which a bonus is based have been attained.	

2.4    Stockholder Approval. The material terms of this Plan shall be disclosed to and approved by the    stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code.

3.    Bonus Payment.
 	 	
3.1	Formula. Each Participant shall receive a bonus payment for each Performance Period in an amount not greater than:	

(a)    the Participant's Base Pay for the Performance Period.

(b)    the Participant's Targeted Bonus Percentage for the Performance Period.

(c)    the Participant's Company Performance Factor for the Performance Period.

3.2    Limitations.
 	 	
(a)	No payment if Company Performance Factor not achieved. In no event shall any Participant receive a bonus payment hereunder if the Company Performance Factor and all other factors on which the bonus payment is based is not achieved during the Performance Period.	

(b)	No payment in excess of pre-established amount. No Participant shall receive a bonus payment under this Plan for any Performance Period in excess of $5,000,000.	

        (c)    Compensation Committee may reduce bonus payment. The Compensation Committee retains sole            discretion to reduce the amount of or eliminate any bonus otherwise payable under this Plan.

3.3     Claw back.
 	 	
(a)	If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any participant who has been paid a bonus under this Plan based upon or affected by the restated financial report shall be required, at the discretion of the Board, to reimburse the Company for all or any portion of such bonus paid to such participant.	

4.    Amendments and Termination. The Compensation Committee may amend this Plan prospectively at any time and for any reason deemed sufficient by it without notice to any person affected by this Plan and may likewise terminate or curtail the benefits of this Plan both with regard to persons expecting to receive benefits hereunder in the future and persons already receiving benefits at the time of such action.

5.    Miscellaneous.

5.1    Effective Date. The effective date of this Plan shall be January 1, 2017.

 	 	
5.2	Term of the Plan. Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or terminated, the Plan shall terminate on January 1, 2027. No bonus shall be granted after the termination of the Plan; provided, however, that a payment with respect to a Performance Period which begins before such termination may be made thereafter. In addition, the authority of the Compensation Committee to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond the termination of the Plan.	

5.3	Headings. Headings are given to the sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.	

5.4	Applicability to Successors. This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and each Participant, the successors and assigns of the Company, and the beneficiaries, personal representatives and heirs of each Participant. If the Company becomes a party to any merger, consolidation or reorganization, this Plan shall remain in full force and effect as an obligation of the Company or its successors in interest.	

5.5	Employment Rights and Other Benefits Programs. The provisions of this Plan shall not give any Participant any right to be retained in the employment of the Company. In the absence of any specific agreement to the contrary, this Plan shall not affect any right of the Company, or of any affiliate of the Company, to terminate, with or without cause, the participant's employment at any time. This Plan shall not replace any contract of employment, whether oral, or written, between the Company and any Participant, but shall be considered a supplement thereto. This Plan is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other employee benefit plan or program in which any Participant may be or become eligible to participate by reason of employment with the Company. Receipt of benefits hereunder shall have such effect on contributions to and benefits under such other plans or programs as the provisions of each such other plan or program may specify.	

5.6	Governing Law. The place of administration of the Plan shall be in the State of Delaware. The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern issues relating to the validity and issuance of shares of Common Stock. Otherwise, the Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles relating to conflict of laws.	

5.7	Severability. If any provision of the Plan is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Compensation Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.	

5.8	Qualified Performance Based Compensation. All of the terms and conditions of the Plan shall be interpreted in such a fashion as to qualify all compensation paid hereunder to the maximum extent possible as qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.	

Exhibit 10.30

NRG Yield, Inc.

Executive Change-in-Control
and General Severance Plan for Tier IA and Tier IIA Executives
(Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2017)

 	

Contents

 	
 	 	 	
Article 1.	Establishment and Term of the Plan	1	
Article 2.	Definitions	2	
Article 3.	Severance Benefits	6	
Article 4.	Confidentiality and Noncompetition	10	
Article 5.	Certain Change in Control Payment	13	
Article 6.	Legal Fees and Notice	13	
Article 7.	Successors and Assignment	14	
Article 8.	Miscellaneous	14	

 	
 	 	 	
 	i	 	

NRG Yield, Inc.
Executive Change-in-Control
and General Severance Plan for Tier I and Tier II Executives
Article 1.Establishment and Term of the Plan
1.1    Establishment of the Plan. NRG Yield, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) hereby adopted this plan knows as the “NRG Yield, Inc. Executive Change-in-Control and General Severance Plan” (the “ Plan ”). The Plan is effective January 1, 2017. The Plan provides severance benefits to Tier IA Executives and Tier IIA Executives of the Company (each an “ Executive ” and collectively the “ Executives ”) upon certain terminations of employment from the Company.
The Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In this connection, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control may arise and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.
Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company’s management to their assigned duties without distraction in circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control of the Company.
1.2    Initial Term. This Plan commenced on January 1, 2017 (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue for a period of three (3) years (the “ Initial Term ”).
1.3    Successive Periods. The term of this Plan shall automatically be extended for one (1) additional year at the end of the Initial Term, and then again after each successive one (1) year period thereafter (each such one (1) year period following the Initial Term is referred to as a “ Successive Period ”). However, the Committee may terminate this Plan at the end of the Initial Term, or at the end of any Successive Period thereafter, by giving the Executives written notice of intent to terminate the Plan, delivered at least six (6) months prior to the end of such Initial Term or Successive Period. If such notice is properly delivered by the Company, this Plan, along with all corresponding rights, duties, and covenants, shall automatically expire at the end of the Initial Term or Successive Period then in progress.
1.4    Change-in-Control Renewal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.3 above, in the event that a Change in Control of the Company occurs during the Initial Term or any Successive Period, upon the effective date of such Change in Control, the term of this Plan shall automatically and irrevocably be renewed for a period of two (2) years from the effective date of such Change in Control. Further, this Plan may be assigned to the successor in such Change in Control, as further provided in Article 8  herein. This Plan shall thereafter automatically terminate following such two (2) year Change-in-Control renewal period; provided that such termination shall not affect or diminish the rights of Executives who become entitled to benefits or payments under this Plan.
Article 2.Definitions
Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized.
 	 	
(a)	“Base Salary” means the greater of the Executive’s annual rate of salary, whether or not deferred, at: (i) the Effective Date of Termination or (ii) at the date of the Change in Control.	
 	 	
(b)	“Beneficiary” means the persons or entities designated or deemed designated by the Executive pursuant to Section 8.6  herein.	

 	
 	 	 	
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(c)	“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.	
 	 	
(d)	“Cause” shall mean one or more of the following:	
 	 	
(i)	The conviction of, or an agreement to a plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; or	
 	 	
(ii)	The Executive’s willful and continuing refusal to substantially perform duties as reasonably directed by the Board under this or any other agreement (after receipt of written notice from the Board setting forth such duties and responsibilities to be performed); or	
 	 	
(iii)	In carrying out the Executive’s duties, the Executive engages in conduct that constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct which, in either case, results in demonstrable harm to the business, operations, prospects, or reputation of the Company; or	
 	 	
(iv)	Any other material breach of Article 4 of this Plan which is not cured to the Board’s reasonable satisfaction within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof to the Executive.	
For purposes of this Plan, there shall be no termination for Cause pursuant to subsections (i) through (iv) above, unless a written notice, containing a detailed description of the grounds constituting Cause hereunder, is delivered to the Executive stating the basis for the termination. Upon receipt of such notice, the Executive shall be given thirty (30) days to fully cure and remedy the neglect or conduct that is the basis of such claim. If the Executive fails to fully cure and remedy such neglect or misconduct within such thirty (30) day period, the Executive shall have an opportunity to be heard before the full Board. After such hearing, a termination for Cause shall only occur if there is a vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the Board to terminate the Executive for Cause.
 	 	
(e)	“Change in Control” shall mean the first to occur of any of the following events:	
 	 	
(i)	Any “person” (as that term is used in Sections 13 and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) other than NRG Energy, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates (A) becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, excluding any "person" who becomes a "beneficial owner" in connection with a Business Combination (as defined in paragraph (iii) below) which does not constitute a Change in Control under said paragraph (iii); or (B) obtains the power to, directly or indirectly, vote or cause to be voted fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, including by contract or through proxy; or	
 	 	
(ii)	Persons who on the Effective Date constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason, including without limitation, as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger, or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director of the Company subsequent to the Effective Date shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such person’s election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors; but provided further, that any such person whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a “person” (as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director; or	

 	
 	 	 	
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(iii)	Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the company resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company which, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; or	
 	 	
(iv)	The stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.	
 	 	
(f)	“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successors thereto.	
 	 	
(g)	“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any other committee appointed by the Board to perform the functions of the Compensation Committee.	
 	 	
(h)	“Company” means NRG Yield, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto as provided in Article 7  herein.	
 	 	
(i)	“Disability” shall mean the Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of his position with the Company and its affiliates as a result of any mental or physical disability or incapacity even with reasonable accommodations of such disability or incapacity, provided by the Company and its affiliates, or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable, for a period of twelve (12) months. The Executive shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether he has become disabled (including, without limitation, submitting to an examination by a medical doctor or other health care specialists selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive and authorizing such medical doctor or such other health care specialist to discuss the Executive’s condition with the Company).	
 	 	
(j)	“Effective Date” means the commencement date of this Plan as specified in Section 1.2 of this Plan.	
 	 	
(k)	“Effective Date of Termination” means the date on which a Qualifying Termination occurs, as defined hereunder, which triggers the payment of Severance Benefits hereunder.	
 	 	
(l)	“Former Parent Company” means NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and their affiliates and any successors thereto.	
 	 	
(m)	“Good Reason” shall mean without the Executive’s express written consent the occurrence of any one or more of the following:	
 	 	
(i)	The Company materially reduces the amount of the Executive’s then current Base Salary or the target for his annual bonus; or	
 	 	
(ii)	A material reduction in the Executive’s benefits under or relative level of participation in the Company’s employee benefit or retirement plans, policies, practices, or arrangements in which the Executive participates as of the Effective Date of this Plan; or	

 	
 	 	 	
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(iii)	A material diminution in the Executive’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities or the assignment of duties to the Executive which are materially inconsistent with his position; or	
 	 	
(iv)	The failure of the Company to obtain in writing the obligation to perform or be bound by the terms of this Plan by any successor to the Company or a purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company within fifteen (15) days after a merger, consolidation, sale, or similar transaction.	
For purposes of this Plan, the Executive is not entitled to assert that his termination is for Good Reason unless the Executive gives the Board written notice of the event or events which are the basis for such claim within ninety (90) days after the event or events occur, describing such claim in reasonably sufficient detail to allow the Board to address the event or events and a period of not less than thirty (30) days after to cure or fully remedy the alleged condition.
 	 	
(n)	“Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.	
 	 	
(o)	“Qualifying Termination ” means:	
 	 	
(i)	If such event occurs within twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control:	
 	 	
(A)	An involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for reasons other than Cause, death, or Disability pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Executive by the Company; or	
 	 	
(B)	A voluntary termination by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Company by the Executive; or	
 	 	
(ii)	If such event occurs at any other time:	
 	 	
(A)	An involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for reasons other than Cause, death, or Disability pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Executive by the Company.	
 	 	
(p)	“Severance Benefits” means the payment of Change-in-Control or General (as appropriate) Severance compensation as provided in Article 3 herein.	
 	 	
(q)	“Specified Employee” means any Executive described in section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code.	
 	 	
(r)	“Tier IA Executives” shall include those employees of the Company with the Job Level of EVP prior to the Change in Control, or such other employee who is designated as a Tier IA Executive in the Company’s human resources information system immediately prior to the Change in Control other than the CEO.	
 	 	
(s)	“Tier IIA Executives” shall include those employees of the Company with the Job Level of SVP prior to the Change in Control, or such other employee who is designated as a Tier IIA Executive in the Company’s human resources information system immediately prior to the Change in Control.	
Article 3.    Severance Benefits

 	 	 	
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3.1    Right to Severance Benefits - Change-in-Control Severance Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company Change-in-Control Severance Benefits, as described in  Section 3.2  herein, if a Qualifying Termination of the Executive’s employment has occurred within twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control of the Company.
 	 	
(a)	General Severance Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company General Severance Benefits, as described in  Section 3.3  herein, if a Qualifying Termination of the Executive’s employment has occurred other than during the twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control.	
 	 	
(b)	No Severance Benefits. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive Severance Benefits if the Executive’s employment with the Company ends for reasons other than a Qualifying Termination.	
 	 	
(c)	General Release and Acknowledgement of Restrictive Covenants. As a condition to receiving Severance Benefits under either  Section 3.2  or  3.3  herein, the Executive shall be obligated to execute a general release of claims in favor of the Company, its current and former affiliates and stockholders, and the current and former directors, officers, employees, and agents of the Company in a form acceptable to the Company, and any revocation period for such release must have expired, in each case within 60 days of the date of termination. The date upon which the executed release is no longer subject to revocation shall be referred to herein as the “ Release Effective Date ”. The Executive must also execute a notice acknowledging the restrictive covenants in  Article 4  within 60 days of the date of termination. Any payments under  Section 3.2  or  3.3  shall commence only after execution of the release and acknowledgement, and in the manner provided in  Section 3.4 .	
 	 	
(d)	No Duplication of Severance Benefits. If the Executive becomes entitled to Change-in-Control Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided for under  Section 3.2  hereunder shall be in lieu of all other Severance Benefits provided to the Executive under the provisions of this Plan and any other Company-related or Former Parent Company-related severance plans, programs, or agreements including, but not limited to, the Severance Benefits under  Section 3.3  herein. Likewise, if the Executive becomes entitled to General Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided under  Section 3.3  hereunder shall be in lieu of all other Severance Benefits provided to the Executive under the provisions of this Plan and any other Company-related severance plans, programs, or other agreements including, but not limited to, the Severance Benefits under  Section 3.2  herein .	
3.2    Description of Change-in-Control Severance Benefits. In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive Change-in-Control Severance Benefits, as provided in  Section 3.1  herein, the Company shall provide the Executive with the following:
 	 	
(a)	A lump-sum amount, paid upon the date that is sixty (60) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination, equal to the Executive’s unpaid Base Salary, accrued vacation pay, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the Effective Date of Termination, provided that to the extent the payment of any amounts pursuant to this  Section 3.2(a)  does not constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be paid upon the Release Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any instance in which the period in which the Executive could adopt a release (along with its accompanying revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.	
 	 	
(b)	A lump-sum amount, paid upon the date that is sixty (60) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination, equal to: (i) two and ninety-nine one-hundredths (2.99) for Tier I Executives, or (ii) two (2) for Tier II Executives times the sum of the following: (A) the Executive’s Base Salary and (B) the Executive’s annual target bonus opportunity in the year of termination; provided that to the extent the payment of any amounts pursuant to this  Section 3.2(b)  does not constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be paid upon the Release	

 	
 	 	 	
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Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any instance in which the period in which the Executive could adopt a release (along with its accompanying revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.
 	 	
(c)	A lump-sum amount, paid upon the date that is sixty (60) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination, equal to the Executive’s then current target bonus opportunity established under the bonus plan in which the Executive is then participating, for the plan year in which a Qualifying Termination occurs, adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the number of days the Executive was actually employed during the bonus plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, provided that to the extent the payment of any amounts pursuant to this  Section 3.2(c)  does not constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be paid upon the Release Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any instance in which the period in which the Executive could adopt a release (along with its accompanying revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.	
 	 	
(d)	Payment of all or a portion of the Executive’s cost to participate in COBRA medical and dental continuation coverage for eighteen (18) months following the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, such that Executive maintains the same coverage level and cost, on an after tax basis, as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination.	
Notwithstanding the above, these medical benefits shall be discontinued prior to the end of the stated continuation period in the event the Executive is eligible to receive substantially similar benefits from a subsequent employer, as determined solely by the Committee in good faith. For purposes of enforcing this offset provision, the Executive shall be deemed to have a duty to keep the Company informed as to the terms and conditions of any subsequent employment and the corresponding benefits earned from such employment, and shall provide, or cause to provide, to the Company in writing correct, complete, and timely information concerning the same.
 	 	
(e)	Treatment of outstanding long-term incentives shall be in accordance with the governing plan document and award agreements, if any.	
3.3    Description of General Severance Benefits. In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive General Severance Benefits as provided in  Section 3.1(a)  herein, the Company shall provide the Executive with the following:
 	 	
(a)	A lump-sum amount, paid upon the date that is sixty (60) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination, equal to the Executive’s unpaid Base Salary, accrued vacation pay, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the Effective Date of Termination; provided that to the extent the payment of any amounts pursuant to this  Section 3.3(a)  does not constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be paid upon the Release Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any instance in which the period in which the Executive could adopt a release (along with its accompanying revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.	
 	 	
(b)	A lump-sum amount, paid upon the date that is sixty (60) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination, equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the Executive’s Base Salary; provided that to the extent the payment of any amounts pursuant to this  Section 3.3(b)  does not constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be paid upon the Release Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any instance in which the period in which the Executive could adopt a release (along with its accompanying revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.	

 	
 	 	 	
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(c)	Payment of all or a portion of the Executive’s cost to participate in COBRA medical and dental continuation coverage for eighteen (18) months following the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination, such that Executive maintains the same coverage level and cost, on an after tax basis, as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination.	
Notwithstanding the above, these medical insurance benefits shall be discontinued prior to the end of the stated continuation period in the event the Executive is eligible to receive substantially similar benefits from a subsequent employer, as determined solely by the Committee in good faith. For purposes of enforcing this offset provision, the Executive shall be deemed to have a duty to keep the Company informed as to the terms and conditions of any subsequent employment and the corresponding benefits earned from such employment, and shall provide, or cause to provide, to the Company in writing correct, complete, and timely information concerning the same.
 	 	
(d)	Treatment of outstanding long-term incentives shall be in accordance with the governing plan document and award agreements, if any.	
3.4    Coordination with Release and Delay Required by Code Section 409A.
 	 	
(a)	To the extent any continuing benefit (or reimbursement thereof) to be provided is not “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such benefit shall commence or be made immediately after the Release Effective Date. To the extent any continuing benefit (or reimbursement thereof) to be provided is “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such benefits shall be reimbursed or commence upon the sixtieth (60) day following the Executive’s termination of employment. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had the benefits commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment.	
 	 	
(b)	Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if the Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a Specified Employee, then, once the release and acknowledgement required by  Section 3.1(c) is executed and delivered and no longer subject to revocation, any payment that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service” shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of the Executive, and (B) the date of the Executive’s death (the “ Delay Period ”) to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this  Section 3.4(b)  (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments due under this Plan shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.	

 	
 	 	 	
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Article 4.    Confidentiality and Noncompetition
In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive Change-in-Control Severance Benefits as provided in Section 3.2 herein or General Severance Benefits as provided in  Section 3.3  herein, the following shall apply:
 	 	
(a)	Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the information, observations, and data (including trade secrets) obtained by him while employed by the Company concerning the business or affairs of the Company or any of its affiliates (“ Confidential Information ”) are the property of the Company or such affiliate. Therefore, except in the course of the Executive’s duties to the Company or as may be compelled by law or appropriate legal process, the Executive agrees that he shall not disclose to any person or entity or use for his own purposes any Confidential Information or any confidential or proprietary information of other persons or entities in the possession of the Company and its affiliates (“ Third Party Information ”), without the prior written consent of the Board, unless and to the extent that the Confidential Information or Third Party Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of the Executive’s acts or omissions. Except in the course of the Executive’s duties to Company or as may be compelled by law or appropriate legal process, the Executive will not, during his employment with the Company, or permanently thereafter, directly or indirectly use, divulge, disseminate, disclose, lecture upon, or publish any Confidential Information, without having first obtained written permission from the Board to do so. As of the Effective Date of Termination, the Executive shall deliver to the Company, or at any other time the Company may reasonably request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer files, disks and tapes, printouts and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to Third Party Information, Confidential Information, or the business of the Company, or its affiliates which he may then possess or have under his control.	
 	 	
(b)	Intellectual Property, Inventions, and Patents. The Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, trade secrets, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and mask work (whether or not including any confidential information), and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which may relate to the Company’s or any of its affiliates’ actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, or made by the Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company and its affiliates (“ Work Product ”), belong to the Company or such affiliate. The Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after the Executive’s employment with the Company) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments). The Executive acknowledges that all applicable Work Product shall be deemed to constitute “works made for hire” under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended. To the extent any Work Product is not deemed a work made for hire, then the Executive hereby assigns to the Company or such affiliate all right, title, and interest in and to such Work Product, including all related intellectual property rights.	
The Executive is hereby advised that the above paragraph regarding the Company’s and its affiliates’ ownership of Work Product does not apply to any invention for which no equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information of the Company or any affiliate was used and which was developed entirely on the Executive’s own time, unless: (i) the invention relates to the business of the Company or any affiliate or to the Company’s or any affiliate’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (ii) the invention results from any work performed by the Executive for the Company or any affiliate.
 	 	
(c)	Noncompete. In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to the Executive hereunder, the Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company and its affiliates he shall become familiar with the Company’s trade secrets and with other Confidential	

 	
 	 	 	
 	8	 	

Information concerning the Company and its affiliates and that his services shall be of special, unique, and extraordinary value to the Company and its affiliates, and therefore, the Executive agrees that, during the Executive’s employment with the Company and for one (1) year thereafter (the “ Noncompete Period ”), the Executive shall not directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, be employed in an executive, managerial, or administrative capacity by, or in any manner engage in any company engaged in any business which competes with the businesses of the Company or its affiliates, as such businesses exist or are in process during the Executive’s employment with the Company, within any geographical area in which the Company or its affiliates engage or have definitive plans to engage in such businesses. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Executive from being a passive owner of not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as the Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this  Article 4(c)  shall not apply in the case of termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to any material breach of the Company’s obligations under Article 3  which remains uncured for more than twenty (20) days after notice is received from the Executive of such breach, which such notice shall include a detailed description of the grounds constituting such breach.
 	 	
(d)	Nonsolicitation. During the Noncompete Period, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity: (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or such affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any affiliate and any employee thereof; (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any affiliate during the last six (6) months of the Executive’s employment with the Company; or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, or other business relation of the Company or any affiliate to cease doing business with the Company or such affiliate, or in any interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, or business relation and the Company or any affiliate (including, without limitation, making any negative or disparaging statements or communications regarding the Company or its affiliates).	
 	 	
(e)	Nondisparagement. During the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not disparage the Company, its subsidiaries and parents, and their respective officers, managers, or make any public statement (whether written or oral) reflecting negatively on the Company, its subsidiaries and parents, and their respective officers, managers, and employees, including, but not limited to, any matters relating to the operation or management of the Company, irrespective of the truthfulness or falsity of such statement, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or compelled by process of law. By way of example and not limitation, Employee agrees that he will not make any written or oral statements that cast in a negative light the services, qualifications, business operations or business ethics of the Company or its employees. During the Noncompete Period, the Company shall not disparage Employee, or make any public statement (whether written or oral) reflecting negatively on Employee, including, but not limited to, any matters relating to the operation or management of the Company, irrespective of the truthfulness or falsity of such statement, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or compelled by process of law. Nothing in this Section 5(d) shall restrict either party's ability to: (i) consult with counsel, (ii) make truthful statements under oath or to a government agency or official, or (iii) take any legal action with respect to his employment or termination of employment with the Company.	
 	 	
(f)	Duration, Scope, or Area. If, at the time of enforcement of this Article 4, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope, or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope, and area permitted by law. Sections 4(c) and 4(d) shall not apply to any Executive whose principal work location for the Company at the time of termination was in the State of California.	

 	
 	 	 	
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(g)	Company Enforcement. In the event of a breach or a threatened breach by the Executive of any of the provisions of this  Article 4 , the Company would suffer irreparable harm, and in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, in the event of a breach or violation by the Executive of  Article 4(c) , the Noncompete Period shall be automatically extended by the amount of time between the initial occurrence of the breach or violation and when such breach or violation has been duly cured.	
Article 5.    Certain Change in Control Payments
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if any payments or benefits an Executive would receive from the Company under the Plan or otherwise in connection with the Change in Control (the “ Total Payments ”) (a) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (b) but for this  Article 5 , would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such Executive will be entitled to receive either (i) the full amount of the Total Payments or (ii) a portion of the Total Payments having a value equal to $1 less than three (3) times such individual’s “base amount” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(3)(A) of the Code), whichever of (i) and (ii), after taking into account applicable federal, state, and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by such employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest portion of the Total Payments. Any determination required under this  Article 5  shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent certified public accountants appointed prior to any change in ownership (as defined under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) or tax counsel selected by such accountants (the “ Accountants ”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes upon the applicable Executive. For purposes of making the calculations required by this  Article 5 , the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good-faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. If there is a reduction pursuant to this  Article 5  of the Total Payments to be delivered to the applicable Executive, the payment reduction contemplated by the preceding sentence shall be implemented by determining the “Parachute Payment Ratio” (as defined below) for each “parachute payment” and then reducing the “parachute payments” in order beginning with the “parachute payment” with the highest Parachute Payment Ratio. For “parachute payments” with the same Parachute Payment Ratio, such “parachute payments” shall be reduced based on the time of payment of such “parachute payments,” with amounts having later payment dates being reduced first. For “parachute payments” with the same Parachute Payment Ratio and the same time of payment, such “parachute payments” shall be reduced on a pro rata basis (but not below zero) prior to reducing “parachute payments” with a lower Parachute Payment Ratio. For purposes hereof, the term “Parachute Payment Ratio” shall mean a fraction the numerator of which is the value of the applicable “parachute payment” for purposes of Section 280G of the Code and the denominator of which is the actual present value of such payment.
Article 6.    Legal Fees and Notice
6.1    Payment of Legal Fees. Except as otherwise agreed to by the parties, the Company shall pay the Executive for costs of litigation or other disputes including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Executive during Executive’s lifetime in asserting any claims or defenses under this Plan, except that the Executive shall bear his own costs of such litigation or disputes (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) if the court (or arbitrator) finds in favor of the Company with respect to any claims or defenses asserted by the Executive.
6.2    Notice. Any notices, requests, demands, or other communications provided for by this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered or certified mail to the Executive at the last address he or she has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its principal offices.
Article 7.    Successors and Assignment
7.1    Successors to the Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, reorganization, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, liquidation, or otherwise) of all or a significant portion of the assets of the Company by agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive,

 	 	 	
 	10	 	

to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Regardless of whether such agreement is executed, the terms of this Plan shall be binding upon any successor in accordance with the operation of law and such successor shall be deemed the “Company” for purposes of this Plan.
7.2    Assignment by the Executive. This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies while any amount would still be payable to him or her hereunder had he or she continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Plan to the Executive’s Beneficiary. If the Executive has not named a Beneficiary, then such amounts shall be paid to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.
Article 8.    Miscellaneous
8.1    Employment Status. Except as may be provided under any other agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time, subject to applicable law.
8.2    Code Section 409A.
 	 	
(a)	All expenses or other reimbursements under this Plan shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Executive (provided that if any such reimbursements constitute taxable income to the Executive, such reimbursements shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses to be reimbursed were incurred), and no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.	
 	 	
(b)	For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.	
 	 	
(c)	Whenever a payment under this Plan specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.	
 	 	
(d)	A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Plan providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Plan, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”	
 	 	
(e)	Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Plan that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.	
 	 	
(f)	Notwithstanding any provisions in this Plan to the contrary, whenever a payment under this Plan may be made upon the Release Effective Date, and the period in which the Executive could adopt the release (along with its accompany revocation period) crosses calendar years, no payments shall be made until the succeeding calendar year.	
8.3    Entire Plan. This Plan supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto, with respect to the subject matter hereof, and constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, this Plan completely supersedes any and all prior employment agreements entered into by and between the Company and the Executive, and all amendments thereto,

 	 	 	
 	11	 	

in their entirety. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive has entered into any agreements or commitments with the Company with regard to Confidential Information, Noncompetition, or Nonsolicitation, such agreements or commitments will remain valid and will be read in harmony with this Plan to provide maximum protection to the Company.
8.4    Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this Plan shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.
8.5    Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Plan all federal, state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
8.6    Beneficiaries. The Executive may designate one (1) or more persons or entities as the primary and/or contingent beneficiaries of any amounts to be received under this Plan.
Such designation must be in the form of a signed writing acceptable to the Board or the Board’s designee. The Executive may make or change such designation at any time.
8.7    Payment Obligation Absolute. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for herein shall be absolute and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any offset, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other right which the Company may have against the Executive or anyone else.
Except as provided in Article 3 of this Plan, the Executive shall not be obligated to seek other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable or arrangements made under any provision of this Plan, and the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any reduction of the Company’s obligations to make the payments and arrangements required to be made under this Plan.
8.8    Contractual Rights to Benefits. Subject to approval and ratification by the Board of Directors, this Plan establishes and vests in the Executive a contractual right to the benefits to which he or she is entitled hereunder. However, nothing herein contained shall require or be deemed to require, or prohibit or be deemed to prohibit, the Company to segregate, earmark, or otherwise set aside any funds or other assets, in trust or otherwise, to provide for any payments to be made or required hereunder.
8.9    Modification. No provision of this Plan may be modified, waived, or discharged with respect to any particular Executive unless such modification, waiver, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by such Executive and by an authorized member of the Committee, or by the respective parties’ legal representatives and successors, provided, however, that the Committee may unilaterally amend this Plan without the Executive’s consent if such amendment does not materially adversely alter or impair in any significant manner any rights or obligations of the Executive under the Plan.
8.10    Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
8.11    Applicable Law. To the extent not preempted by the laws of the United States, the laws of the state of New Jersey shall be the controlling law in all matters relating to this Plan.

 	
 	 	 	
 	12	 	

EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF NRG YIELD, INC.

Entity Name	 	Jurisdiction	
 Adams Community Solar Garden I LLC	 	Colorado	
 Adams Community Solar Garden II LLC	 	Colorado	
 Adams Community Solar Garden III LLC	 	Colorado	
 Adams Community Solar Gardens LLC	 	Colorado	
 Alta Interconnection Management II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Interconnection Management III, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Interconnection Management, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Realty Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Realty Investments, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind 1-5 Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind Asset Management Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind Asset Management, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind I Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind I, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind II Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind III Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind III, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind IV Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind IV, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind V Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind V, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind X Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind X, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind X-XI TE Holdco LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind XI Holding Company, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Alta Wind XI, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Apple I REC Holdco 2011 LLC	 	Delaware	
 Arapahoe Community Solar Garden I LLC	 	Colorado	
 Avenal Park LLC	 	Delaware	
 Avenal Solar Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 Buffalo Bear, LLC	 	Oklahoma	
 BWC Swan Pond River, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Clear View Acres Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Colorado Shared Solar I LLC	 	Colorado	
 Colorado Springs Solar Garden LLC	 	Colorado	
 Continental Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 CVSR Holdco LLC	 	Delaware	
 Cy-Hawk Wind Energy, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Denver Community Solar Garden I LLC	 	Colorado	
 Denver Community Solar Garden II LLC	 	Colorado	

 	
 	 	 	
 Desert Sunlight Investment Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Eagle View Acres Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Elbow Creek Wind Project LLC	 	Texas	
 Elkhorn Ridge Wind, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Elk Lake Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 El Mirage Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 El Segundo Energy Center LLC	 	Delaware	
 Federal Road Solar 1, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Forward Wind Power LLC	 	Delaware	
 FUSD Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 GCE Holding LLC	 	Connecticut	
 GenConn Devon LLC	 	Connecticut	
 GenConn Energy LLC	 	Connecticut	
 GenConn Middletown LLC	 	Connecticut	
 Goat Wind, LP	 	Texas	
 Green Prairie Energy, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Greene Wind Energy, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Hardin Hilltop Wind, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Hardin Wind Energy, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Highland Township Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 High Plains Ranch II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 HLE Solar Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 HSD Solar Holdings LLC	 	California	
 Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Lenape II Solar LLC	 	Delaware	
 Lindberg Field Solar 1, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Longhorn Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 Lookout Wind Power LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Iowa Wind, LLC	 	California	
 Mission Minnesota Wind II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Goat Mountain, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Laredo, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind New Mexico, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Oklahoma, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind PA One, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind PA Three, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind PA Two, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Pennsylvania, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Texas II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Texas, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Utah, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Mission Wind Wildorado, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Monster Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 Natural Gas Repowering LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG 2011 Finance Holdco, LLC
	 	Delaware	
 NRG Alta Vista LLC	 	Delaware	

 	
 	 	 	
 NRG Apple I LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG CA Fund LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV 1 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV 2 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV 3 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Fund 1 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 HoldCo A LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 HoldCo B LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Fund 2 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Holdco 1 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG DGPV Holdco 2 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Electricity Sales Princeton LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Elkhorn Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Dover LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Harrisburg LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center HCEC LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Omaha Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Omaha LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Paxton LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Phoenix LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Princeton LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center San Diego LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center San Francisco LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Smyrna LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Energy Center Tucson LLC	 	Arizona	
 NRG Harrisburg Cooling LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Huntington Beach LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Marsh Landing Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Marsh Landing LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Renew Spark 2 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG RPV 1 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG RPV 2 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG RPV Fund 12 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG RPV HoldCo 1 LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Alpine LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Apple LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar AV Holdco LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Avra Valley LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Blythe LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Borrego Holdco LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Borrego I LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar CVSR Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Kansas South Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Kansas South LLC	 	Delaware	

 	
 	 	 	
 NRG Solar Mayfair LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Oasis LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Roadrunner Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Solar Roadrunner LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG South Trent Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Thermal LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Walnut Creek II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Walnut Creek, LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG West Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Wind TE Holdco LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Yield DGPV Holding LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Yield LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Yield Operating LLC	 	Delaware	
 NRG Yield RPV Holding LLC	 	Delaware	
 NS Smith, LLC	 	Delaware	
 NYLD Fuel Cell Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 OC Solar 2010, LLC	 	California	
 Odin Wind Farm LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Eight, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Five, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Four, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF One, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Seven, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Six, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Three, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 OWF Two, LLC	 	Minnesota	
 Palo Alto County Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 PESD Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 PFMG 2011 Finance Holdco, LLC	 	Delaware	
 PFMG Apple I LLC	 	Delaware	
 Pikes Peak Solar Garden I LLC	 	Colorado	
 Pinnacle Wind, LLC	 	Delaware	
 PM Solar Holdings, LLC	 	California	
 Pond Road Solar, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Poverty Ridge Wind, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Sand Drag LLC	 	Delaware	
 San Juan Mesa Investments, LLC	 	Delaware	
 San Juan Mesa Wind Project, LLC	 	Delaware	
 SCWFD Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 Silver Lake Acres Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Sleeping Bear, LLC	 	Delaware	
 South Trent Wind LLC	 	Delaware	
 Spanish Fork Wind Park 2, LLC	 	Utah	
 Spring Canyon Energy II LLC	 	Delaware	
 Spring Canyon Energy III LLC	 	Delaware	
 Spring Canyon Expansion Class B Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	

 	
 	 	 	
 Spring Canyon Expansion Holdings LLC	 	Delaware	
 Spring Canyon Expansion LLC	 	Delaware	
 Spring Canyon Interconnection LLC	 	Delaware	
 Statoil Energy Power/Pennsylvania Inc.	 	Pennsylvania	
 Steel Bridge Solar, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Sun City Project LLC	 	Delaware	
 Sunrise View Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Sunset View Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Sutton Wind Energy, LLC	 	Iowa	
 TA- High Desert, LLC	 	California	
 Taloga Wind LLC	 	Oklahoma	
 Tapestry Wind, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Topeka Solar 1, LLC	 	Delaware	
 UB Fuel Cell, LLC	 	Connecticut	
 Vail Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 Viento Funding II, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Viento Funding, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Virgin Lake Wind Farm, LLC	 	Iowa	
 Walnut Creek Energy, LLC	 	Delaware	
 WCEP Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
 Wildcat Energy, LLC	 	Arizona	
 Wildorado Interconnect, LLC	 	Texas	
Wildorado Wind, LLC	 	Texas	
 Wind Family Turbine, LLC	 	Iowa	
 WSD Solar Holdings, LLC	 	Delaware	
Zontos Wind, LLC	 	Iowa	

EXHIBIT 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
NRG Yield, Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements No. 333-206061 on Form S-8, No. 333-190071 on Form S-8, No. 333-212096 on Form S-3, No. 333-205140 on Form S-3 and No. 333-204589 on Form S-3 of NRG Yield, Inc. of our reports dated February 28, 2017, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of NRG Yield, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, cash flows, and comprehensive (loss) income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and all related financial statement schedules, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which reports appear in the December 31, 2016 annual report on Form 10‑K of NRG Yield, Inc.

(signed) KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2017

EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Christopher S. Sotos, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS	 	
Christopher S. Sotos
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)	 	
Date: February 28, 2017 

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Chad Plotkin, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN	 	
Chad Plotkin
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)	 	
Date: February 28, 2017 

EXHIBIT 31.3
CERTIFICATION
I, David Callen, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NRG Yield, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ DAVID CALLEN	 	
David Callen
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)	 	
Date: February 28, 2017 

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of NRG Yield, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 10-K”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer's knowledge:
 	 	
(1)	The Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 	 	
(2)	
The information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Form 10-K.	

Date: February 28, 2017 

 	 	 	 	 	
 	/s/ CHRISTOPHER S. SOTOS	 	
 	Christopher S. Sotos	 	
 	Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ CHAD PLOTKIN	 	
 	Chad Plotkin	 	
 	Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ DAVID CALLEN	 	
 	David Callen	 	
 	Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer) 	 	
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of this Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to NRG Yield, Inc. and will be retained by NRG Yield, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.