Cameco Corp (CCO.TO) and Brookfield Renewable Partners said on Tuesday they would acquire nuclear power plant equipment maker Westinghouse Electric in a $7.9-billion deal including debt, amid renewed interest in nuclear energy.
The deal for one of the most storied names in the American power industry at an equity value of $4.5 billion comes at a time when nuclear power is seeing an uptick in interest amid an energy crisis in Europe and soaring crude oil and natural gas prices.
Nuclear power is also key for countries to meet global net-zero carbon emission goals and could be on the cusp of a boom seen after the 1970s oil crisis.
“We’re witnessing some of the best market fundamentals we’ve ever seen in the nuclear energy sector,” Uranium fuel supplier Cameco’s chief executive, Tim Gitzel, said.
Cameco will own 49% of Westinghouse, while Brookfield Renewable and its institutional partners will own the rest.
Last year, Reuters reported that Brookfield Business was exploring options including the sale of a minority stake in Westinghouse.
Brookfield Renewable and its partners will pay about $2.3 billion for the deal, whereas Cameco will incur equity costs of about $2.2 billion. Westinghouse’s existing debt structure will remain in place.
Cameco, one of the largest suppliers of uranium fuel, said it would fund the purchase through a mix of cash, debt and equity.
Source: Reuters
