Unitil to Purchase Three Water Companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire from the Aquarion Water Authority

Rhea-AI Summary

Unitil Corporation (NYSE: UTL) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire three water companies from Aquarion Water Authority for $100.0 million, including $30.0 million in assumed debt. The acquisition includes Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts, Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, and Abenaki Water Co. The water systems serve approximately 23,000 customers across 15 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with approximately 330 miles of water distribution mains. The Aquarion Companies' rate base is estimated at $78.0 million as of December 2024 and forecasted to reach $87.0 million by December 2025. The transaction, expected to close in late 2025, is subject to regulatory approvals and is anticipated to support Unitil's long-term earnings per share growth of 5% to 7%. Scotiabank will provide committed debt financing for the purchase.

Positive

• Transaction expected to be earnings accretive, supporting 5-7% long-term EPS growth
• Expansion into complementary regulated utility service in existing operating states
• Addition of 23,000 new customers across 15 communities
• Rate base expected to grow from $78.0M to $87.0M by end of 2025

Negative

• Assumption of $30.0M in debt as part of the transaction
• Multiple regulatory approvals required which could delay or prevent closing
• Transaction completion dependent on separate sale closing of Aquarion Companies to AWA

Insights

Financial Analyst

Unitil's $100M water utility acquisition diversifies portfolio in existing markets, supporting long-term growth despite execution risks.

Unitil's $100 million acquisition of three water companies from Aquarion Water Authority represents a strategic diversification play that expands their utility footprint beyond electric and natural gas services. The transaction price includes $30 million in assumed debt and appears reasonably valued at approximately 1.15x the forecast 2025 rate base of $87 million.

The acquisition will add approximately 23,000 water customers across 15 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, complementing Unitil's existing base of 109,400 electric and 97,600 natural gas customers. This market overlap creates potential for operational efficiencies and leverages existing regulatory relationships in these states.

The rate base growth projection from $78 million in 2024 to $87 million in 2025 represents an 11.5% increase, indicating significant ongoing capital investment in these water systems. This aligns with typical water utility dynamics where aging infrastructure necessitates substantial investment.

Management's statement that the transaction will be "earnings accretive over the long-term" suggests the immediate earnings impact may be modest, with stronger contributions expected as operations are integrated. The debt financing structure through Scotiabank maintains Unitil's financial flexibility, though the impact on overall leverage ratios isn't specified.

Key execution risks include regulatory approvals from three state utility commissions and the transaction's dependency on the closing of AWA's acquisition of the ultimate parent company. These contingencies introduce uncertainty regarding the projected late 2025 closing timeline.

For investors, this represents a logical expansion that supports Unitil's 5-7% long-term EPS growth target while providing entry into the stable, regulated water utility segment, which typically enjoys favorable regulatory treatment for capital investments.

HAMPTON, N.H., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unitil Corporation (NYSE: UTL) (unitil.com) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts Inc., Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, Inc., and Abenaki Water Co., Inc. (the “Aquarion Companies”) from the Aquarion Water Authority (“AWA”) for $100.0 million including the assumption of approximately $30.0 million of debt, subject to certain closing conditions, customary purchase price adjustments, and purchase price adjustments for certain capital expenditures (the “Transaction”). AWA is a quasi-public corporation and political subdivision of the State of Connecticut, and a standalone, newly created water authority. Upon closing of the Transaction, the Aquarion Companies will become wholly owned subsidiaries of Unitil. The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions as well as other closing conditions, including (i) approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission and (ii) the closing of the sale of the ultimate parent company of the Aquarion Companies to AWA, which was announced earlier this year and is expected to close in late 2025, at which time this Transaction is also expected to close.

The water systems of the Aquarion Companies include approximately 330 miles of water distribution mains and serve approximately 12,000 customers in seven communities in Massachusetts, and 11,000 customers in eight communities in New Hampshire. The Aquarion Companies’ rate base is estimated to be approximately $78.0 million as of December 31, 2024, and is forecasted to be approximately $87.0 million as of December 31, 2025. The Transaction is expected to be earnings accretive over the long-term, supporting Unitil’s long-term earnings per share growth of 5% to 7%.

“Our acquisition of the Aquarion Companies presents a unique opportunity to expand into a complementary regulated utility service in states where we currently operate,” said Thomas P. Meissner, Jr., Unitil’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to welcoming the Aquarion Companies’ dedicated, locally managed teams to Unitil and continuing the high quality of service provided to the communities served in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.”

Unitil has obtained committed debt financing from Scotiabank to fund the purchase price. Unitil is being advised in this transaction by Scotiabank and by the law firm of Dentons.

About Unitil Corporation

Unitil Corporation provides energy for life by safely and reliably delivering electricity and natural gas in New England. We are committed to the communities we serve and to developing people, business practices, and technologies that lead to the delivery of dependable, more efficient energy. Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company with operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Together, Unitil’s operating utilities serve approximately 109,400 electric customers and, including the Company’s recent acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas Company, 97,600 natural gas customers. For more information about our people, technologies, and community involvement please visit unitil.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include declarations regarding Unitil’s beliefs and current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent risks and uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Some, but not all, of the risks and uncertainties include the following: the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed purchase of the Aquarion Companies in a timely manner or at all; the satisfaction of conditions precedent to consummation of the acquisition, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals and the closing of the sale of the ultimate parent company of the Aquarion Companies to AWA; Unitil’s ability to successfully complete its anticipated debt financing arrangements; Unitil’s ability to successfully integrate the Aquarion Companies; Unitil’s ability to retain employees of the Aquarion Companies; Unitil’s ability to make the Aquarion Companies accretive to Unitil’s earnings; the Aquarion Companies’ ability to meet their forecasted capital expenditures; Unitil’s and the Aquarion Companies’ regulatory environment (including regulations relating to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental matters); fluctuations in the supply of, the demand for, and the prices of, energy commodities and transmission and transportation capacity and Unitil’s ability to recover energy commodity costs in its rates; customers’ preferred energy sources; severe storms and Unitil’s ability to recover storm costs in its rates; general economic conditions; variations in weather; long-term global climate change; unforeseen or changing circumstances, which could adversely affect the reduction of company-wide direct greenhouse gas emissions; Unitil’s and the Aquarion Companies’ ability to retain its existing customers and attract new customers; increased competition; and other risks detailed in Unitil's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Unitil undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

For more information please contact:

Christopher Goulding – Investor Relations
Phone: 603-773-6466
Email: gouldingc@unitil.com

Alec O’Meara – External Affairs                                                                           
Phone: 603-773-6404
Email: omeara@unitil.com        

FAQ

What is the total value of UTL's acquisition of Aquarion water companies?

Unitil is acquiring the Aquarion water companies for $100.0 million, which includes the assumption of approximately $30.0 million in debt.

How many customers will UTL gain from the Aquarion water companies acquisition?

The acquisition will add approximately 23,000 customers (12,000 in Massachusetts and 11,000 in New Hampshire) across 15 communities.

When is UTL expected to close the Aquarion water companies acquisition?

The transaction is expected to close in late 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and the closing of the sale of Aquarion Companies to AWA.

What is the expected impact of the Aquarion acquisition on UTL's earnings?

The transaction is expected to be earnings accretive over the long-term, supporting Unitil's long-term earnings per share growth of 5% to 7%.

What regulatory approvals are needed for UTL's Aquarion acquisition?

The transaction requires approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission.