Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Nos. 333-254632 and 333-254632-02

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated March 23, 2021)

 

 

LOGO

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

$1,500,000,000

$1,100,000,000 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024

$400,000,000 Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024

The Debentures will be Absolutely, Irrevocably and

Unconditionally Guaranteed by

NextEra Energy, Inc.

 

 

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. (“NEE Capital”) will pay interest semi-annually on the 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024 (the “Fixed Rate Debentures”) on March 21 and September 21 of each year, beginning September 21, 2022. NEE Capital will pay interest quarterly on the Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024 (the “Floating Rate Debentures” and together with the Fixed Rate Debentures, the “Debentures”) at a rate equal to Compounded SOFR (as defined herein) plus 1.02%, subject to the provisions set forth under “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures.” Interest on the Floating Rate Debentures will be payable quarterly on March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21 of each year, beginning June 21, 2022.

NEE Capital, at its option, may redeem some or all of the Debentures of either series at any time on or after September 21, 2022, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date.

NEE Capital’s corporate parent, NextEra Energy, Inc. (“NEE”), has agreed to absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Debentures. The Debentures and the guarantee are unsecured and unsubordinated and rank equally with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding of NEE Capital and NEE, respectively. NEE Capital does not intend to apply to list the Debentures on a securities exchange.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement to read about certain factors you should consider before making an investment in the Debentures.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other securities commission in any jurisdiction has approved or disapproved of the Debentures or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

     Price to Public      Underwriting Discount      Proceeds to NEE Capital
before expenses
 
     Per
Debenture
    Total      Per
Debenture
    Total      Per
Debenture
    Total  

Fixed Rate Debenture

     99.994   $ 1,099,934,000        0.250   $ 2,750,000       
99.744

  $
1,097,184,000
 

Floating Rate Debenture

     100.000   $ 400,000,000        0.250   $ 1,000,000        99.750   $ 399,000,000  

In addition to the Price to Public set forth above, each purchaser will pay an amount equal to the interest, if any, accrued on the Debentures from the date that the Debentures are originally issued to the date that they are delivered to that purchaser.

The Debentures are expected to be delivered in book-entry only form through The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and/or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, against payment in New York, New York on or about March 21, 2022.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Barclays   BofA Securities   Citigroup   Credit Suisse
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   J.P. Morgan   Morgan Stanley   Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is March 17, 2022.


Table of Contents

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from NEE Capital, NEE or the underwriters specifying the final terms of the offering. None of NEE Capital, NEE or the underwriters have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. None of NEE Capital, NEE or the underwriters are making an offer of the Debentures in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that the information incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1  

Risk Factors

     S-4  

Use of Proceeds

     S-7  

Consolidated Capitalization of NEE and Subsidiaries

     S-8  

Certain Terms of the Debentures

     S-9  

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders

     S-22  

Underwriting

     S-25  

Prospectus

 

About this Prospectus

     1  

Risk Factors

     1  

NEE

     1  

NEE Capital

     2  

Use of Proceeds

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     2  

Incorporation by Reference

     2  

Forward-Looking Statements

     3  

Description of NEE Common Stock

     4  

Description of NEE Preferred Stock

     8  

Description of NEE Depositary Shares

     10  

Description of NEE Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

     10  

Description of NEE Warrants

     10  

Description of NEE Senior Debt Securities

     11  

Description of NEE Subordinated Debt Securities

     11  

Description of NEE Junior Subordinated Debentures

     11  

Description of NEE Capital Preferred Stock

     11  

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Preferred Stock

     12  

Description of NEE Capital Depositary Shares

     13  

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Depositary Shares

     13  

Description of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities

     13  

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities

     24  

Description of NEE Capital Subordinated Debt Securities and NEE Subordinated Guarantee

     26  

Description of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and NEE Junior Subordinated Guarantee

     26  

Information Concerning the Trustees

     41  

Plan of Distribution

     41  

Experts

     43  

Legal Opinions

     43  

 

S-i


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

You should read the following summary in conjunction with the more detailed information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements should be read with the cautionary statements in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” and the important factors discussed in this prospectus supplement and in the incorporated documents. To the extent the following information is inconsistent with the information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the following information. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement to determine whether an investment in the Debentures is appropriate for you.

NEE CAPITAL

The information in this section supplements the information in the “NEE Capital” section on page 1 of the accompanying prospectus.

NEE Capital owns and provides funding for all of NEE’s operating subsidiaries other than Florida Power & Light Company (“FPL”) and FPL’s subsidiaries. NEE Capital was incorporated in 1985 as a Florida corporation and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEE.

NEE Capital’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone number (561) 694-4000, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.

NEE

The information in this section supplements the information in the “NEE” section on page 1 of the accompanying prospectus.

NEE is a holding company incorporated in 1984 as a Florida corporation and conducts its operations principally through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, FPL and, indirectly through NEE Capital, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC (collectively “NEER”). FPL is a rate-regulated electric utility engaged primarily in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in Florida. NEER currently owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets in the U.S. and Canada. NEER produces the majority of its electricity from clean and renewable sources, including wind and solar. In addition, NEER develops and constructs battery storage projects and also owns, develops, constructs and operates rate-regulated transmission facilities across North America, and transmission lines that connect its electric generation facilities to the electric grid. NEER also engages in energy-related commodity marketing and trading activities and participates in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil production and in pipeline infrastructure construction, management and operations.

NEE’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone number (561) 694-4000, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.

 

S-1


Table of Contents

THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

 

Guarantor

NextEra Energy, Inc.

 

Debentures Offered

$1,100,000,000 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024.

 

  $400,000,000 Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024.

 

Maturity

The Fixed Rate Debentures will mature on March 21, 2024.

 

  The Floating Rate Debentures will mature on March 21, 2024.

 

Interest Rate

The Fixed Rate Debentures will bear interest at the rate of 2.94% per year.

 

  The Floating Rate Debentures will bear interest at the rate equal to Compounded SOFR plus 1.02%.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the Fixed Rate Debentures will be payable semi-annually on March 21 and September 21 of each year, beginning September 21, 2022.

 

  Interest on the Floating Rate Debentures will be payable quarterly on March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21 of each year, beginning June 21, 2022.

 

Optional Redemption

At any time and from time to time on or after September 21, 2022, each series of Debentures will be subject to redemption at the option of NEE Capital in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures being redeemed to but excluding the date of redemption.

 

Guarantee and Ranking

NEE Capital’s corporate parent, NEE, has agreed to absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Debentures. The Debentures and the guarantee are unsecured and unsubordinated and rank equally with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding of NEE Capital and NEE, respectively. See “Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Denominations

The Debentures will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Use of Proceeds

NEE Capital will add the net proceeds from the sale of the Debentures to its general funds. NEE Capital intends to use its general funds to fund investments in energy and power projects and for other general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of NEE Capital’s outstanding commercial paper obligations.

 

S-2


Table of Contents

No Listing

Each series of Debentures is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. NEE Capital does not intend to apply for listing of any of the Debentures on a securities exchange. NEE Capital cannot give any assurance as to the maintenance of any trading market for, or the liquidity of, either series of the Debentures.

 

Risk Factors

Before purchasing the Debentures, investors should carefully consider the discussion of risks in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement together with the risk factors and other information incorporated by reference or provided in the accompanying prospectus or in this prospectus supplement in order to evaluate an investment in the Debentures.

 

S-3


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

The information in this section supplements the information in the “Risk Factors” section on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus.

Before purchasing the Debentures, investors should carefully consider the following risk factors together with the risk factors and other information incorporated by reference or provided in the accompanying prospectus or in this prospectus supplement in order to evaluate an investment in the Debentures.

Risks Relating to NEE’s and NEE Capital’s Business

Investors should carefully consider the information under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in NEE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Risks Relating to the Floating Rate Debentures

The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is a relatively new reference rate and its composition and characteristics are not the same as the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).

On June 22, 2017, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York identified the SOFR as the rate that, in the consensus view of the ARRC, represented best practice for use in certain new U.S. dollar derivatives and other financial contracts. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and has been published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since April 2018. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has also begun publishing historical indicative Secured Overnight Financing Rates from 2014. Investors should not rely on any historical changes or trends in SOFR as an indicator of future changes in SOFR.

The composition and characteristics of SOFR are not the same as those of LIBOR, and SOFR is fundamentally different from LIBOR for two key reasons. First, SOFR is a secured rate, while LIBOR is an unsecured rate. Second, SOFR is an overnight rate, while LIBOR is a forward-looking rate that represents interbank funding over different maturities (e.g., three months). As a result, there can be no assurance that SOFR (including Compounded SOFR) will perform in the same way as LIBOR would have at any time, including, without limitation, as a result of changes in interest and yield rates in the market, market volatility or global or regional economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events.

SOFR may be more volatile than other benchmark or market rates.

Since the initial publication of SOFR, daily changes in SOFR have, on occasion, been more volatile than daily changes in other benchmark or market rates, such as U.S. dollar LIBOR. Although changes in Compounded SOFR generally are not expected to be as volatile as changes in daily levels of SOFR, the return on and value of the Floating Rate Debentures may fluctuate more than floating rate debt securities that are linked to less volatile rates. In addition, the volatility of SOFR has reflected the underlying volatility of the overnight U.S. Treasury repurchase agreement (“repo”) market. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has at times conducted operations in the overnight U.S. Treasury repo market in order to help maintain the federal funds rate within a target range. There can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will continue to conduct such operations in the future, and the duration and extent of any such operations is inherently uncertain. The effect of any such operations, or of the cessation of such operations to the extent they are commenced, is uncertain and could be materially adverse to investors in the Floating Rate Debentures.

 

S-4


Table of Contents

Any failure of SOFR to gain market acceptance could adversely affect the Floating Rate Debentures.

According to the ARRC, SOFR was developed for use in certain U.S. dollar derivatives and other financial contracts as an alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR in part because it is considered a good representation of general funding conditions in the overnight U.S. Treasury repo market. However, as a rate based on transactions secured by U.S. Treasury securities, it does not measure bank-specific credit risk and, as a result, is less likely to correlate with the unsecured short-term funding costs of banks. This may mean that market participants would not consider SOFR a suitable replacement or successor for all of the purposes for which U.S. dollar LIBOR historically has been used (including, without limitation, as a representation of the unsecured short-term funding costs of banks), which may, in turn, lessen market acceptance of SOFR. Any failure of SOFR to gain market acceptance could adversely affect the return on and value of the Floating Rate Debentures and the price at which investors can sell the Floating Rate Debentures.

In addition, if SOFR does not prove to be widely used as a benchmark in securities that are similar or comparable to the Floating Rate Debentures, the trading price of the Floating Rate Debentures may be lower than those of securities that are linked to rates that are more widely used. Similarly, market terms for floating-rate debt securities linked to SOFR, such as the spread over the base rate reflected in interest rate provisions or the manner of compounding the base rate, may evolve over time, and trading prices of the Floating Rate Debentures may be lower than those of later-issued SOFR-based debt securities as a result. Investors in the Floating Rate Debentures may not be able to sell the Floating Rate Debentures at all or may not be able to sell the Floating Rate Debentures at prices that will provide them with a yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market, and may consequently suffer from increased pricing volatility and market risk.

The interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures is based on a Compounded SOFR rate and the SOFR Index, both of which are relatively new in the marketplace.

For each interest period (as defined below), the interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures is based on Compounded SOFR, which is calculated using the SOFR Index (as defined below) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York according to the specific formula described under “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures—Compounded SOFR,” not the SOFR rate published on or in respect of a particular date during such interest period or an arithmetic average of SOFR rates during such period. For this and other reasons, the interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures during any interest period will not necessarily be the same as the interest rate on other SOFR-linked investments that use an alternative basis to determine the applicable interest rate. Further, if the SOFR rate in respect of a particular date during an interest period is negative, its contribution to the SOFR Index will be less than one, resulting in a reduction to Compounded SOFR used to calculate the interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures on the Floating Rate Interest Payment Date (as defined below) for such interest period.

Very limited market precedent exists for securities that use SOFR as the interest rate and the method for calculating an interest rate based upon SOFR in those precedents varies. In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York only began publishing the SOFR Index on March 2, 2020. Accordingly, the use of the SOFR Index or the specific formula for the Compounded SOFR rate used in the Floating Rate Debentures may not be widely adopted by other market participants, if at all. If the market adopts a different calculation method, that would likely adversely affect the liquidity and market value of the Floating Rate Debentures.

Compounded SOFR and, therefore, the total amount of interest payable with respect to a particular interest period will only be capable of being determined near the end of the relevant interest period.

Compounded SOFR applicable to a particular interest period and, therefore, the amount of interest payable with respect to such interest period will be determined on the Interest Payment Determination Date (as defined below) for such interest period. Because each such date is near the end of such interest period, you will not know the amount of interest payable with respect to a particular interest period until shortly prior to the related Floating

 

S-5


Table of Contents

Rate Interest Payment Date and it may be difficult for you to reliably estimate the amount of interest that will be payable on each such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date. In addition, some investors may be unwilling or unable to trade the Floating Rate Debentures without changes to their information technology systems. An inability to reliably estimate accrued and unpaid interest as well as potential need for some investors to change their information technology systems could both adversely impact the liquidity and trading price of the Floating Rate Debentures.

The SOFR Index may be modified or discontinued and the Floating Rate Debentures may bear interest by reference to a rate other than Compounded SOFR, which could adversely affect the value of the Floating Rate Debentures.

The SOFR Index is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on data received by it from sources other than NEE Capital, and NEE Capital has no control over its methods of calculation, publication schedule, rate revision practices or availability of the SOFR Index at any time. There can be no guarantee, particularly given its relatively recent introduction, that the SOFR Index will not be discontinued or fundamentally altered in a manner that is materially adverse to the interests of investors in the Floating Rate Debentures. If the manner in which the SOFR Index is calculated, including the manner in which SOFR is calculated, is changed, that change may result in a reduction in the amount of interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures and the trading prices of the Floating Rate Debentures. In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may withdraw, modify or amend the published SOFR Index or SOFR data in its sole discretion and without notice. The interest rate for any interest period will not be adjusted for any modifications or amendments to the SOFR Index or SOFR data that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may publish after the interest rate for that interest period has been determined.

If NEE Capital (or its designee (which may be an independent financial advisor or any other designee of NEE Capital (any of such entities, a “Designee”)) determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (each as defined below) have occurred in respect of the SOFR Index, then the interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures will no longer be determined by reference to the SOFR Index, but instead will be determined by reference to a different rate, plus a spread adjustment, which is referred to as a “Benchmark Replacement”, as further described under “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures.”

If a particular Benchmark Replacement (as defined below) or Benchmark Replacement Adjustment (as defined below) cannot be determined, then the next-available Benchmark Replacement or Benchmark Replacement Adjustment will apply. These replacement rates and adjustments may be selected, recommended or formulated by (i) the Relevant Governmental Body (as defined below) (such as the ARRC), (ii) the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) or (iii) in certain circumstances, NEE Capital (or its Designee). In addition, the terms of the Floating Rate Debentures expressly authorize NEE Capital (or its Designee) to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes (as defined below) with respect to, among other things, the definition of “interest period”, the timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, the rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters. The determination of a Benchmark Replacement, the calculation of the interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures by reference to a Benchmark Replacement (including the application of a Benchmark Replacement Adjustment), any implementation of Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and any other determinations, decisions or elections that may be made under the terms of the Floating Rate Debentures in connection with a Benchmark Transition Event, could adversely affect the value of the Floating Rate Debentures, the return on the Floating Rate Debentures and the price at which you can sell the Floating Rate Debentures.

In addition, (i) the composition and characteristics of the Benchmark Replacement will not be the same as those of Compounded SOFR, the Benchmark Replacement may not be the economic equivalent of Compounded SOFR, there can be no assurance that the Benchmark Replacement will perform in the same way as Compounded SOFR would have at any time and there is no guarantee that the Benchmark Replacement will be a comparable

 

S-6


Table of Contents

substitute for Compounded SOFR (each of which means that a Benchmark Transition Event could adversely affect the value of the Floating Rate Debentures, the return on the Floating Rate Debentures and the price at which you can sell the Floating Rate Debentures), (ii) any failure of the Benchmark Replacement to gain market acceptance could adversely affect the Floating Rate Debentures, (iii) the Benchmark Replacement may have a very limited history and the future performance of the Benchmark Replacement cannot be predicted based on historical performance, (iv) the secondary trading market for Floating Rate Debentures linked to the Benchmark Replacement may be limited and (v) the administrator of the Benchmark Replacement may make changes that could change the value of the Benchmark Replacement or discontinue the Benchmark Replacement and has no obligation to consider your interests in doing so.

NEE Capital (or its Designee) will make certain determinations with respect to the Floating Rate Debentures, which determinations may adversely affect the Floating Rate Debentures.

NEE Capital (or its Designee) will make certain determinations with respect to the Floating Rate Debentures as further described under “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures.” For example, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, NEE Capital (or its Designee) will make certain determinations with respect to the Floating Rate Debentures in its (or its Designee’s) sole discretion as further described under the caption “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures.” Any determination, decision or election pursuant to the benchmark replacement provisions not made by NEE Capital’s Designee will be made by NEE Capital. Any of these determinations may adversely affect the value of the Floating Rate Debentures, the return on the Floating Rate Debentures and the price at which you can sell such Floating Rate Debentures. Moreover, certain determinations may require the exercise of discretion and the making of subjective judgments, such as with respect to Compounded SOFR or the occurrence or non-occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the value of the Floating Rate Debentures, the return on the Floating Rate Debentures and the price at which you can sell such Floating Rate Debentures. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Interest and Payment—Floating Rate Debentures.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

The information in this section supplements the information in the “Use of Proceeds” section on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus. Please read these two sections together.

NEE Capital will add the net proceeds from the sale of the Debentures, which are expected to be approximately $1.496 billion (after deducting the underwriting discount and other offering expenses), to its general funds. NEE Capital intends to use its general funds to fund investments in energy and power projects and for other general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of NEE Capital’s outstanding commercial paper obligations. As of March 16, 2022, NEE Capital had approximately $2.436 billion of outstanding commercial paper obligations, which had maturities of up to 42 days and which had annual interest rates ranging from 0.30% to 0.95%. NEE Capital will temporarily invest in short-term instruments any proceeds that are not immediately used for these purposes.

 

S-7


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION OF NEE AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following table shows NEE’s consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2021, and as adjusted to reflect the issuance of the Debentures and the other transactions described below. This table, which is presented in this prospectus supplement solely to provide limited introductory information, is qualified in its entirety by, and should be considered in conjunction with, the more detailed information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus.

 

     December 31, 2021      Adjusted(a)  
   Amount      Percent  
     (In Millions)         

Total common shareholders’ equity

   $ 37,202      $ 37,202        37.0

Noncontrolling interests

     8,222        8,222        8.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     45,424        45,424        45.2  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     245        245        0.2  

Long-term debt (excluding current maturities)

     50,960        54,960        54.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 96,629      $ 100,629        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

To give effect only to (i) the issuance of the Debentures offered by this prospectus supplement, (ii) the issuance of $1.5 billion principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds, 2.45% Series due February 3, 2032 (the “Bonds”) in January 2022 by FPL and (iii) the issuance of $1.0 billion principal amount of Floating Rate Notes, Series due January 12, 2024 (the “Notes”) in January 2022 by FPL. Adjusted amounts do not reflect the addition of any premiums or deduction of any discounts or debt issuance costs in connection with the issuance of the Debentures, the Bonds, or the Notes. Adjusted amounts also do not reflect any possible additional borrowings or issuance and sale of additional securities by NEE and its subsidiaries, including NEE Capital, from time to time after the date of this prospectus supplement or the offering of $275 million principal amount of 4.30% Debentures, Series due 2062 by NEE Capital.

 

S-8


Table of Contents

CERTAIN TERMS OF THE DEBENTURES

The information in this section supplements the information in the “Description of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” section beginning on page 13 of the accompanying prospectus. Please read these two sections together.

General. NEE Capital will issue each series of the Debentures under an indenture, dated as of June 1, 1999, as amended, referred to in this prospectus supplement as the “Indenture,” between NEE Capital and The Bank of New York Mellon, as indenture trustee, and referred to in this prospectus supplement as the “Indenture Trustee.” Officer’s certificates will supplement the Indenture and create the specific terms of each series of the Debentures. Under the Indenture, NEE Capital may issue an unlimited amount of additional debt securities. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of indebtedness that NEE Capital and its subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur. The Guarantee Agreement referred to below under “—Mandatory Redemption” does not limit the aggregate amount of indebtedness that NEE and its subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur.

The Debentures will be initially issued as follows:

 

   

the Fixed Rate Debentures will initially be issued in the principal amount of $1,100,000,000 and

 

   

the Floating Rate Debentures will initially be issued in the principal amount of $400,000,000.

The Debentures will be issued in minimum denominations of  $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

NEE Capital’s corporate parent, NEE, has agreed to absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Debentures. The Debentures and the guarantee are unsecured and unsubordinated and rank equally with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding of NEE Capital and NEE, respectively. See “Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The Indenture Trustee will initially be the security registrar and the paying agent for the Debentures. All transactions with respect to the Debentures, including registration, transfer and exchange of the Debentures, will be handled by the security registrar at an office in New York City designated by NEE Capital. NEE Capital has initially designated the corporate trust office of the Indenture Trustee as that office. In addition, holders of the Debentures should address any notices to NEE Capital regarding the Debentures to that office. NEE Capital will notify holders of the Debentures of any change in the location of that office.

Interest and Payment.

Fixed Rate Debentures. NEE Capital will pay interest semi-annually on the Fixed Rate Debentures at the rate of 2.94% per year. The Fixed Rate Debentures will mature on March 21, 2024.

NEE Capital will pay interest on the Fixed Rate Debentures on March 21 and September 21 of each year, each such date referred to as a “Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date,” until maturity or earlier redemption. The first Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date will be September 21, 2022. The record date for interest payable on the Fixed Rate Debentures on any Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business on (1) the business day immediately preceding such Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date so long as all of the Fixed Rate Debentures remain in book-entry only form or (2) the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date if any of the Fixed Rate Debentures do not remain in book-entry only form. See “—Book-Entry Only Issuance.” Interest on the Fixed Rate Debentures will accrue from and including the date of original issuance to but excluding the first Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date. Starting on the first Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date, interest on each Fixed Rate Debenture will accrue from and including the last Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date to which NEE Capital has paid, or duly provided for the payment of, interest on that Fixed Rate Debenture to but

 

S-9


Table of Contents

excluding the next succeeding Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date. No interest will accrue on a Fixed Rate Debenture for the day that the Fixed Rate Debenture matures. The amount of interest payable on a Fixed Rate Debenture for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable on a Fixed Rate Debenture for any period shorter than a full semi-annual period for which interest is computed will be computed on the basis of the number of days in the period using 30-day calendar months. If any date on which interest, principal or premium, if any, is payable on the Fixed Rate Debentures falls on a day that is not a business day, then payment of the interest, principal or premium payable on that date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a business day, and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay. A “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in New York City are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

Floating Rate Debentures. NEE Capital will pay interest quarterly on the Floating Rate Debentures at a floating rate per annum equal to Compounded SOFR plus 1.02% (1.02%, the “Margin”). The Floating Rate Debentures will mature on March 21, 2024.

NEE Capital will pay interest on the Floating Rate Debentures on March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21 of each year, each such date referred to as a “Floating Rate Interest Payment Date,” until maturity or earlier redemption. The first Floating Rate Interest Payment Date will be June 21, 2022. The record date for interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures on any Floating Rate Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business on (1) the business day immediately preceding such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date so long as all of the Floating Rate Debentures remain in book-entry only form or (2) the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Floating Rate Interest Payment Date if any of the Floating Rate Debentures do not remain in book-entry only form. See “—Book-Entry Only Issuance.” Interest on the Floating Rate Debentures will accrue from and including the date of original issuance to but excluding the first Floating Rate Interest Payment Date. Starting on the first Floating Rate Interest Payment Date, interest on each Floating Rate Debenture will accrue from and including the last Floating Rate Interest Payment Date to which NEE Capital has paid, or duly provided for the payment of, interest on that Floating Rate Debenture to but excluding the next succeeding Floating Rate Interest Payment Date. No interest will accrue on a Floating Rate Debenture for the day that the Floating Rate Debenture matures. The amount of interest payable on a Floating Rate Debenture for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period (as defined below).

If any Floating Rate Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a business day, NEE Capital will make the interest payment on the next succeeding business day unless that business day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than in the case of the maturity date or a redemption date) NEE Capital will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding business day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding business day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If the maturity date or a redemption date of the Floating Rate Debentures falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding business day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of such postponement.

As further described herein, on each Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Floating Rate Interest Payment Date, the calculation agent (as defined below) will calculate the amount of accrued interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures by multiplying (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Floating Rate Debentures by (ii) the product of (a) the interest rate for the relevant interest period multiplied by (b) the quotient of the actual number of calendar days in such Observation Period divided by 360. In no event will the interest rate on the Floating Rate Debentures be less than zero.

The term “interest period”, with respect to the Floating Rate Debentures, means (i) the period from and including any Floating Rate Interest Payment Date (or, with respect to the initial interest period only, from and including March 21, 2022) to but excluding the next succeeding Floating Rate Interest Payment Date, (ii) in the

 

S-10


Table of Contents

case of the last such period, the period from and including the Floating Rate Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the maturity date to but excluding the maturity date or (iii) in the event of any redemption of the Floating Rate Debentures, the period from and including the Floating Rate Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the applicable redemption date to but excluding such redemption date.

Secured Overnight Financing Rate and the SOFR Index. SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.

The SOFR Index is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and measures the cumulative impact of compounding SOFR on a unit of investment over time, with the initial value set to 1.00000000 on April 2, 2018, the first value date of SOFR. The SOFR Index value reflects the effect of compounding SOFR each business day and allows the calculation of compounded SOFR averages over custom time periods.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York notes on its publication page for the SOFR Index that use of the SOFR Index is subject to important limitations, indemnification obligations and disclaimers, including that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may alter the methods of calculation, publication schedule, rate revision practices or availability of the SOFR Index at any time without notice. The interest rate for any interest period will not be adjusted for any modifications or amendments to the SOFR Index or SOFR data that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may publish after the interest rate for that interest period has been determined.

Compounded SOFR. “Compounded SOFR” will be determined by the calculation agent in accordance with the following formula (and the resulting percentage will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point):

 

LOGO

where:

“SOFR IndexStart” = For periods other than the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value on the preceding Interest Payment Determination Date, and, for the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value on March 17, 2022;

“SOFR IndexEnd” = The SOFR Index value on the Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Floating Rate Interest Payment Date (or, in the final interest period, relating to the maturity date, or in the case of a redemption of the Floating Rate Debentures, relating to the applicable redemption date); and

“dc” is the number of calendar days in the relevant Observation Period.

For purposes of determining Compounded SOFR,

“Interest Payment Determination Date” means the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each Floating Rate Interest Payment Date (or, in the final interest period, before the maturity date or, in the case of a redemption of Floating Rate Debentures, before the applicable redemption date).

“Observation Period” means, in respect of each interest period for a Floating Rate Debenture, the period from and including the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in such interest period to but excluding the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the Floating Rate Interest Payment Date for such interest period (or, in the final interest period, preceding the maturity date or, in the case of a redemption of the Floating Rate Debentures, preceding the applicable redemption date).

 

S-11


Table of Contents

“SOFR Index” means, with respect to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day:

 

  (1)

the SOFR Index value as published by the SOFR Administrator (as defined below) as such index appears on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day (the “SOFR Index Determination Time”); provided that:

 

  (2)

if a SOFR Index value does not so appear as specified in (1) above at the SOFR Index Determination Time, then: (i) if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to the “SOFR Index Unavailable Provisions” described below, or (ii) if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to the “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event” provisions described below.

“SOFR” means the daily secured overnight financing rate as provided by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of SOFR).

“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the documentation relating to the Floating Rate Debentures, if NEE Capital (or its Designee) determines on or prior to the relevant Reference Time (as defined below) that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to determining Compounded SOFR, then the benchmark replacement provisions set forth below under “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event” will thereafter apply to all determinations of the rate of interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures.

For the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with the benchmark replacement provisions, after a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate for each interest period on the Floating Rate Debentures will be an annual rate equal to the sum of the Benchmark Replacement and the applicable margin.

SOFR Index Unavailable Provisions. If a SOFR IndexStart or SOFR IndexEnd is not published on the associated Interest Payment Determination Date and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, “Compounded SOFR” means, for the applicable interest period for which such index is not available, the rate of return on a daily compounded interest investment calculated in accordance with the formula for SOFR Averages, and definitions required for such formula, published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website, initially located at https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/treasury-repo-reference-rates-information. For the purposes of this provision, references in the SOFR Averages compounding formula and related definitions to “calculation period” shall be replaced with “Observation Period” and the words “that is, 30-, 90-, or 180- calendar days” shall be removed. If SOFR does not so appear for any day “i” in the Observation Period, SOFRi for such day “i” shall be SOFR published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

 

S-12


Table of Contents

Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

Benchmark Replacement. If NEE Capital (or its Designee) determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Floating Rate Debentures in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, NEE Capital (or its Designee) will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time.

Decisions and Determinations. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by NEE Capital (or its Designee) pursuant to the benchmark replacement provisions described in this subsection “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event,” including any determination with respect to tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, will be made in NEE Capital’s (or its Designee’s) sole discretion, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the documentation relating to the Floating Rate Debentures, shall become effective without consent from the holders of the Floating Rate Debentures or any other party.

Certain Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

Benchmark” means, initially, Compounded SOFR, as such term is defined above; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Compounded SOFR (or the published SOFR Index used in the calculation thereof) or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.

Benchmark Replacement” means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark, plus the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment for such Benchmark; provided that if NEE Capital (or its Designee) cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date, then “Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by NEE Capital (or its Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

 

  (1)

the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

  (2)

the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and

 

  (3)

the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by NEE Capital (or its Designee) as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by NEE Capital (or its Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

 

  (1)

the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;

 

  (2)

if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and

 

S-13


Table of Contents
  (3)

the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by NEE Capital (or its Designee) giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time.

The Benchmark Replacement Adjustment shall not include the Margin specified in this prospectus supplement and such Margin shall be applied to the Benchmark Replacement to determine the interest payable on the Floating Rate Debentures.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definitions or interpretations of “interest period”, the timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, the rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that NEE Capital (or its Designee) decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if NEE Capital (or its Designee) decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if NEE Capital (or its Designee) determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as NEE Capital (or its Designee) determines is reasonably necessary or practicable).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

  (1)

in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or

 

  (2)

in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

  (1)

a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;

 

  (2)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or

 

  (3)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.

 

S-14


Table of Contents

Interpolated Benchmark” with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (1) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is shorter than the Corresponding Tenor and (2) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.

ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.

ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.

Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Compounded SOFR, the SOFR Index Determination Time, as such time is defined above, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Compounded SOFR, the time determined by NEE Capital (or its Designee) in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Calculation of the Floating Interest Rate

The “calculation agent” means a banking institution or trust company appointed by NEE Capital to act as calculation agent, initially The Bank of New York Mellon.

Absent willful misconduct, bad faith or manifest error, the calculation of the applicable interest rate for each interest period by the calculation agent, or in certain circumstances described above, by NEE Capital (or its Designee) will be final and binding on NEE Capital, the Indenture Trustee, and the holders of the Floating Rate Debentures.

None of the Indenture Trustee, paying agent, registrar or calculation agent shall be under any obligation (i) to monitor, determine or verify the unavailability or cessation of SOFR or the SOFR Index, or whether or when there has occurred, or to give notice to any other transaction party of the occurrence of, any Benchmark Transition Event or related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement, or other successor or replacement benchmark index, or whether any conditions to the designation of such a rate or index have been satisfied, (iii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, or other modifier to any replacement or successor index, or (iv) to determine whether or what Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes are necessary or advisable, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing. In connection with the foregoing, each of the Indenture Trustee, paying agent, registrar and calculation agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any determinations made by NEE Capital (or its Designee) without independent investigation, and none will have any liability for actions taken at the direction of NEE Capital in connection therewith.

None of the Indenture Trustee, paying agent, registrar or calculation agent shall be liable for any inability, failure or delay on its part to perform any of its duties described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as a result of the unavailability of SOFR, the SOFR Index or other applicable

 

S-15


Table of Contents

Benchmark Replacement, including as a result of any failure, inability, delay, error or inaccuracy on the part of any other transaction party in providing any direction, instruction, notice or information contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and reasonably required for the performance of such duties. In connection with any determinations made under this subsection “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event”, none of the Indenture Trustee, paying agent, registrar or calculation agent shall be responsible or liable for the actions or omissions of NEE Capital (or its Designee), or for any failure or delay in the performance by NEE Capital (or its Designee), nor shall any of the Indenture Trustee, paying agent, registrar or calculation agent be under any obligation to oversee or monitor the performance of NEE Capital (or its Designee).

Optional Redemption. NEE Capital may redeem some or all of the Debentures of either series, at its option, at any time or from time to time on or after September 21, 2022 (each a “redemption date”). If NEE Capital redeems all or any part of the Debentures of a particular series, it will pay a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.

Subject to the following sentence, the Debentures will be redeemable upon notice from NEE Capital at least 30 days but no more than 60 days prior to the applicable redemption date. NEE Capital has reserved the right to amend the Indenture without any consent, vote or other action of the holders of any debt securities issued under the Indenture after December 1, 2021, including the Debentures, to provide that notice of any redemption shall be given in the manner provided in the Indenture to the holders of the debt securities to be redeemed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of redemption.

If NEE Capital at any time elects to redeem some but not all of the Debentures of a particular series, the security registrar will select the particular Debentures to be redeemed by lot. However, if the Debentures are solely registered in the name of Cede & Co. and traded through The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” then DTC will select the Debentures to be redeemed in accordance with its practices as described below in “—Book-Entry Only Issuance.”

If, at the time notice of redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the Indenture Trustee, then, if such notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of the redemption moneys on or before the redemption date and such notice of redemption shall be of no force or effect unless such moneys are received.

Mandatory Redemption. The following constitute “Guarantor Events” with respect to the Debentures:

 

   

the guarantee agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, between NEE, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as guarantee trustee (the “Guarantee Agreement”), ceases to be in full force and effect;

 

   

a court issues a decree ordering or acknowledging the bankruptcy or insolvency of NEE, or appointing a custodian, receiver or other similar official for NEE, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the decree remains in effect for 90 days; or

 

   

NEE seeks or consents to relief under federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or to the appointment of a custodian, receiver or other similar official for NEE, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or admits in writing that it is bankrupt or insolvent.

NEE Capital shall, if a Guarantor Event occurs and is continuing, redeem all of the outstanding Debentures within 60 days after the occurrence of the Guarantor Event at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption unless, within 30 days after the occurrence of the Guarantor Event, S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (if the outstanding Debentures of the applicable series are then rated by those rating agencies, or, if the outstanding Debentures of the applicable series are then rated by only one of those rating agencies, then such rating agency, or, if the outstanding Debentures of the applicable series are not then rated by

 

S-16


Table of Contents

either one of those rating agencies but are then rated by one or more other nationally recognized rating agencies, then at least one of those other nationally recognized rating agencies) shall have reaffirmed in writing that, after giving effect to such Guarantor Event, the credit rating on the outstanding Debentures of the applicable series is investment grade (i.e., in one of the four highest categories, without regard to subcategories within such rating categories, of such rating agency).

If a Guarantor Event occurs and NEE Capital is not required to redeem the outstanding Debentures as described above, NEE Capital will provide to the Indenture Trustee and the holders of the outstanding Debentures annual and quarterly reports containing the information that NEE Capital would be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were subject to the reporting requirements of either of those Sections. If NEE Capital is, at that time, subject to the reporting requirements of either of those Sections, the filing of annual and quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to either of those Sections will satisfy this requirement.

Events of Default. In addition to the events of default relating to any series of debt securities issued under the Indenture, as set forth under the “Description of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities—Events of Default” section on page 19 of the accompanying prospectus, each of the following events will be an event of default under the Indenture with respect to each series of the Debentures:

 

  (1)

NEE consolidates with or merges into any other entity or conveys, transfers or leases substantially all of its properties and assets to any entity, unless

 

  (a)

the entity formed by such consolidation or into which NEE is merged, or the entity to which NEE conveys, transfers or leases substantially all of its properties and assets is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes the obligations of NEE under the Guarantee Agreement; and

 

  (b)

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default under the Indenture and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing; or

 

  (2)

NEE Capital fails to redeem any of the Debentures of the applicable series that it is required to redeem as described under “Certain Terms of the Debentures—Mandatory Redemption” above.

Book-Entry Only Issuance. The Debentures will trade through DTC. The Debentures of each series will be represented by one or more global certificates and registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. Upon issuance of the Debentures, DTC or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amount of the Debentures represented by such global certificates to the accounts of institutions that have an account with DTC or its participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global certificates will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. The global certificates will be deposited with the Indenture Trustee as custodian for DTC.

Purchasers of the Debentures may hold interests in a global security through DTC, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”), or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”), directly if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

DTC. DTC is a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities for its participants. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement of securities transactions among its participants

 

S-17


Table of Contents

through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges in the participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Others who clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant can use the DTC system. The rules that apply to DTC and those using its systems are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Purchases of the Debentures within the DTC system must be made through participants, who will receive a credit for the Debentures on DTC’s records. The beneficial ownership interest of each purchaser will be recorded on the appropriate participant’s records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners should receive written confirmations of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through whom they purchased Debentures. Transfers of ownership in the Debentures are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of the participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates for their Debentures, except if use of the book-entry system for the Debentures is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Debentures deposited by participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the Debentures with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effects no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the Debentures. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the participants to whose accounts such Debentures are credited. These participants may or may not be the beneficial owners. Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to participants, and by participants to beneficial owners, will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners of the Debentures may wish to take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the Debentures, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults and proposed amendments to the Indenture or the Guarantee Agreement. Beneficial owners of the Debentures may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the Debentures has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to the beneficial owners.

Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co., as registered holder of the Debentures. If less than all of the Debentures of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the Debentures of each participant to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to Debentures, unless authorized by a participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to NEE Capital as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those participants to whose accounts the Debentures are credited on the record date. NEE Capital and NEE believe that these arrangements will enable the beneficial owners to exercise rights equivalent in substance to the rights that can be directly exercised by a registered holder of the Debentures.

Payments of redemption proceeds, principal of, and interest on the Debentures will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from NEE Capital or its agent, on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. Payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC, the Indenture Trustee, NEE Capital or NEE, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, principal and interest to

 

S-18


Table of Contents

Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by DTC) is the responsibility of NEE Capital. Disbursement of payments to participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of participants.

Except as provided in this prospectus supplement, a beneficial owner will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Debentures. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the Debentures.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the Debentures at any time by giving reasonable notice to NEE Capital. In the event no successor securities depositary is obtained, certificates for the Debentures will be printed and delivered. NEE Capital and NEE may decide to replace DTC or any successor depositary. Additionally, subject to the procedures of DTC, NEE Capital and NEE may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary) with respect to some or all of the Debentures. In that event, certificates for such Debentures will be printed and delivered. If certificates for Debentures are printed and delivered,

 

   

the Debentures will be issued in fully registered form without coupons;

 

   

a holder of certificated Debentures would be able to exchange those Debentures, without charge, for an equal aggregate principal amount of the Debentures of the same series, having the same issue date and with identical terms and provisions; and

 

   

a holder of certificated Debentures would be able to transfer those Debentures without cost to another holder, other than for applicable stamp taxes or other governmental charges.

Clearstream, Luxembourg. Clearstream, Luxembourg is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector, also known as Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream, Luxembourg Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to interests in the Debentures held beneficially through Clearstream, Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures.

Euroclear. Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear Operator”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers

 

S-19


Table of Contents

and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly. Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the terms and conditions governing use of Euroclear and the related operating procedures of Euroclear, and applicable Belgian law, which are referred to collectively as the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no records of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the Debentures by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities.

Purchases of global securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the global securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records and Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will credit on their book-entry registration and transfer systems the amount of Debentures sold to certain non-U.S. persons to the account of institutions that have accounts with Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or their respective nominee participants. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct participant or indirect participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction.

Title to book-entry interests in the Debentures will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear or DTC, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective procedures. Book-entry interests in the Debentures may be transferred within Clearstream, Luxembourg and within Euroclear and between Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear. Book-entry interests in the Debentures may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by DTC. Transfers of book-entry interests in the Debentures among Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and DTC may be effected in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear and DTC.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within the established deadlines of such system. Due to time-zone differences, credits of the Debentures received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such Debentures settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg Participant or Euroclear Participant on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of sales of the Debentures by or through a Clearstream, Luxembourg Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

 

S-20


Table of Contents

Although DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of the Debentures among participants of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time. None of NEE Capital, NEE or the Indenture Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear or their direct participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear, as the case may be.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear has been obtained from sources that NEE Capital and NEE believe to be reliable, but none of NEE Capital, NEE, the underwriters or the Indenture Trustee takes any responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

S-21


Table of Contents

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Debentures applicable to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this discussion deals only with Debentures that are held as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (generally, assets held for investment) by Non-U.S. Holders that purchase the Debentures in the offering at their “issue price,” which will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the Debentures is sold for money to holders (not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). The tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder may vary depending on the holder’s particular situation. This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders that may be subject to special tax treatment, including (but not limited to) financial institutions, insurance companies, and accrual method taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of financial statements. In addition, this discussion does not address any aspects of state, local or foreign tax laws. This discussion is based on the U.S. federal income tax laws, regulations, rulings and decisions in effect as of the date hereof, which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Debentures that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a nonresident alien individual (but not a U.S. expatriate);

 

   

a foreign corporation other than a “controlled foreign corporation” or a “passive foreign investment company” (each as defined in the Code);

 

   

an estate the income of which is not subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis; or

 

   

a trust if no court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration or if no U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, and that does not have a valid election in effect to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Debentures, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Non-U.S. Holders that are partners of partnerships holding Debentures should consult their tax advisors.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of the Debentures, including the application and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws.

United States Federal Withholding Tax

Subject to the discussion below under “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act,” the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax that is generally imposed on interest from U.S. sources should not apply to interest paid (including any payments deemed to be payments of interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as original issue discount) on a Debenture to a Non-U.S. Holder under the “portfolio interest exemption,” provided that:

 

   

the interest is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.;

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of NEE Capital’s stock entitled to vote;

 

S-22


Table of Contents
   

the Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank acquiring the Debentures as an extension of credit entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business;

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related directly or constructively to NEE Capital through stock ownership; and

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder provides to the withholding agent, in accordance with specified procedures, a statement to the effect that such Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person (generally by providing a properly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or other applicable and/or successor forms).

Special certification and other rules apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are pass through entities rather than individuals or foreign corporations.

If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the portfolio interest exemption described above, interest paid (including any payments deemed to be payments of interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as original issue discount) on the Debentures made to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless that Non-U.S. Holder provides the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or a suitable substitute form) claiming a reduction of or an exemption from withholding under an applicable tax treaty or IRS Form W-8ECI (or a suitable substitute form) stating that such payments are not subject to withholding because they are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.

In general, the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income that a Non-U.S. Holder realizes on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the Debentures.

United States Federal Income Tax

If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. (and, if an applicable U.S. income tax treaty applies, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment or fixed base within the U.S.) and the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an applicable U.S. income tax treaty applies, is attributable to that permanent establishment or fixed base), that Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if that Non-U.S. Holder were a United States person (as defined in the Code). In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Subject to the discussion below under “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” any gain realized on the disposition of a Debenture generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

   

that gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (and, if an applicable U.S. income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S.); or

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

The amount of interest paid on the Debentures to Non-U.S. Holders generally must be reported annually to the IRS. These reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by any applicable income tax treaty. Copies of the information returns reflecting income in respect of the Debentures may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or information sharing agreement.

 

S-23


Table of Contents

A Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to additional information reporting or to backup withholding with respect to payments on the Debentures or to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Debentures to or through a U.S. office of any broker, as long as the Non-U.S. Holder:

 

   

has furnished to the payor or broker a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or other applicable and/or successor forms, certifying, under penalties of perjury, the Non- U.S. Holder’s status as a non U.S. person;

 

   

has furnished to the payor or broker other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payments as made to a non U.S. person in accordance with applicable Treasury regulations; or

 

   

otherwise establishes an exemption.

The payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of Debentures to or through a foreign office of a broker will generally not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale or disposition of Debentures will be subject to information reporting, but generally not backup withholding, if it is to or through a foreign office of a U.S. broker or a non U.S. broker with certain enumerated connections with the U.S. unless the documentation requirements described above are met or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will otherwise be refundable, provided that the requisite procedures are followed and the proper information is filed with the IRS on a timely basis. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption, if applicable.

Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act

Under sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act or “FATCA”) and under associated Treasury regulations and related administrative guidance, a U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate applies to interest payments on the Debentures if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or a certification identifying its direct or indirect substantial United States owners, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. An applicable intergovernmental agreement regarding FATCA between the U.S. and a foreign jurisdiction may modify the rules discussed in this paragraph. If U.S. federal withholding tax under FATCA, or otherwise, is required on payments made to any holder of Debentures, such withheld amount will be paid to the IRS. That payment, if made, will be treated as a payment of cash to the holder of the Debentures with respect to whom the payment was made and will reduce the amount of cash to which such holder would otherwise be entitled. Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes from the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA to their investment in the Debentures.

The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Debentures, including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign and other tax laws.

 

S-24


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

The information in this section supplements the information in the “Plan of Distribution” section beginning on page 41 of the accompanying prospectus. Please read these two sections together.

NEE Capital is selling the Debentures to the underwriters named in the table below pursuant to an underwriting agreement between NEE Capital, NEE and the underwriters named below. Subject to certain conditions, NEE Capital has agreed to sell to each of the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of the Debentures of the respective series set forth opposite that underwriter’s name in the table below:

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount
of Fixed Rate
Debentures
     Principal Amount
of Floating Rate
Debentures
 

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 137,500,000      $ 50,000,000  

BofA Securities, Inc.

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     137,500,000        50,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     137,500,000        50,000,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,100,000,000      $ 400,000,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Under the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters must buy all of the Debentures when and if they buy any of them. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters pursuant thereto are subject to certain conditions. In the event of a default by an underwriter, the underwriting agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the purchase commitment of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. The underwriters will sell the Debentures to the public when and if the underwriters buy the Debentures from NEE Capital.

NEE Capital will compensate the underwriters by selling the Debentures of each series to them at a price that is less than the price to public set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement by the respective amount of the “Underwriting Discount” set forth in the table below. The underwriters will sell the Debentures of each series to the public at the respective price to public and may sell the Debentures to certain dealers at a price that is less than the price to public by no more than the amount of the corresponding “Initial Dealers’ Concession” set forth in the table below. The underwriters and such dealers may sell the Debentures to certain other dealers at a price that is less than the respective price to public by no more than the amounts of the corresponding “Initial Dealers’ Concession” and the corresponding “Reallowed Dealers’ Concession” set forth in the table below.

 

     Per Fixed Rate
Debenture
     Per Floating Rate
Debenture
 
     (expressed as a percentage of principal amount)  

Underwriting Discount

     0.250%        0.250%  

Initial Dealers’ Concession

     0.150%        0.150%  

Reallowed Dealers’ Concession

     0.100%        0.100%  

An underwriter may reject any or all offers for the Debentures. After the initial public offering of the Debentures, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms of the Debentures.

 

S-25


Table of Contents

New Issue

Each series of Debentures is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. NEE Capital does not intend to apply to list either series of the Debentures on a securities exchange. The underwriters have advised NEE Capital that they intend to make a market in each series of the Debentures but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue such market-making activities at any time without notice. NEE Capital cannot give any assurance as to the maintenance of any trading market for, or the liquidity of, either series of the Debentures.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the Debentures in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment includes syndicate sales of the Debentures in excess of the principal amount of the Debentures to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the Debentures in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of the Debentures made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Debentures while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim an initial dealers’ concession from a syndicate member when any of the underwriters, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchases the Debentures originally sold by that syndicate member.

Any of these activities may cause the price of the Debentures to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Selling Restrictions

General

The Debentures are being offered for sale in the United States and in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, subject to applicable law.

Canada

The Debentures may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal, that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Debentures must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment) contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

S-26


Table of Contents

Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Debentures to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For the purposes of this provision: (a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”) and (b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Debentures to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Debentures. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Debentures or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Debentures or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

United Kingdom

Prohibition of Sales to UK Retail Investors

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Debentures to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the “UK”). For the purposes of this provision: (a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (the “EUWA”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA and (b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Debentures to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Debentures. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Debentures or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Debentures or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

Other Regulatory Restrictions

In the United Kingdom, this offering document is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons (i) who fall within Article 19(5) (“investment professionals”) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”) or (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order or (iii) who are persons to whom this offering document may otherwise lawfully be communicated without the need for such document to be approved, made or directed by an “authorised person” (as defined by Section 31(2) of the FSMA) under Section 21 of the FSMA (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”).

In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this offering document relates, including the Debentures, is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, this offering document must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons.

 

S-27


Table of Contents

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

   

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Debentures in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to NEE Capital or NEE; and

 

   

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Debentures in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that the Debentures may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Debentures may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Debentures which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

The Debentures have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “FIEA”) and accordingly, each underwriter has represented and agreed that it will not offer or sell any Debentures, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any Japanese person, or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any Japanese person except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and all other applicable laws, regulations and governmental guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese person” means any person who is a resident of Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Debentures may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Debentures be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”)) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where the Debentures are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each

 

S-28


Table of Contents

of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Debentures under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA, (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer, (3) where the transfer is by operation of law, (4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or (5) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

Switzerland

The Debentures may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the Debentures to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Debentures constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Debentures may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Taiwan

The Debentures have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan, the Republic of China (“Taiwan”) pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in any manner which would constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or would otherwise require registration or filing with or the approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized or will be authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering or sale of the Debentures in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been reviewed, approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (the “UAE”), the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (the “SCA”) or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the UAE including, without limitation, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, a regulatory authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not intended to, and do not, constitute an offer, sale or delivery of shares or other securities under the laws of the UAE. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that the Debentures have not been and will not be registered with the SCA or the UAE Central Bank, the Dubai Financial Market, the Abu Dhabi Securities Market or any other UAE regulatory authority or exchange.

The Debentures have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been

 

S-29


Table of Contents

approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Expenses and Indemnification

NEE Capital estimates that its expenses in connection with the sale of the Debentures, other than underwriting discounts, will be approximately $800,000. This estimate includes expenses relating to printing, rating agency fees, trustee’s fees and legal fees, among other expenses. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse NEE Capital for certain expenses incurred in connection with this offering.

NEE Capital and NEE have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Certain Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates may engage in transactions with, and may perform services for, NEE, its subsidiaries (including NEE Capital) and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business and have engaged, and may engage in the future, in commercial banking and/or investment banking transactions with NEE, its subsidiaries and its affiliates.

 

S-30


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

NextEra Energy, Inc.

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Stock Purchase Contracts,

Stock Purchase Units, Warrants, Senior Debt Securities,

Subordinated Debt Securities and Junior Subordinated Debentures

 

 

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities,

Subordinated Debt Securities and Junior Subordinated Debentures

Guaranteed as described in this prospectus by

NextEra Energy, Inc.

 

 

NextEra Energy, Inc. (“NEE”) and/or NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. (“NEE Capital”) may offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time in amounts authorized from time to time. This prospectus may also be used by a selling securityholder of the securities described herein.

NEE and/or NEE Capital will provide specific terms of the securities, including the offering prices, in supplements to this prospectus. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

NEE’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “NEE.”

NEE and/or NEE Capital may offer these securities directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers. The supplements to this prospectus will describe the terms of any particular plan of distribution, including any underwriting arrangements. The “Plan of Distribution” section beginning on page 41 of this prospectus also provides more information on this topic.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of this prospectus to read about certain factors you should consider before purchasing any of the securities being offered.

NEE’s and NEE Capital’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420, telephone number (561) 694-4000, and their mailing address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

March 23, 2021


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page

About this Prospectus

  

1

Risk Factors

  

1

NEE

  

1

NEE Capital

  

2

Use of Proceeds

  

2

Where You Can Find More Information

  

2

Incorporation by Reference

  

2

Forward-Looking Statements

   3

Description of NEE Common Stock

   4

Description of NEE Preferred Stock

   8

Description of NEE Depositary Shares

  

10

Description of NEE Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

  

10

Description of NEE Warrants

  

10

Description of NEE Senior Debt Securities

  

11

Description of NEE Subordinated Debt Securities

  

11

Description of NEE Junior Subordinated Debentures

  

11

Description of NEE Capital Preferred Stock

  

11

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Preferred Stock

   12

Description of NEE Capital Depositary Shares

  

13

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Depositary Shares

  

13

Description of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities

  

13

Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities

   24

Description of NEE Capital Subordinated Debt Securities and NEE Subordinated Guarantee

  

26

Description of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and NEE Junior Subordinated Guarantee

  

26

Information Concerning the Trustees

  

41

Plan of Distribution

  

41

Experts

  

43

Legal Opinions

  

43

 

i


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that NEE, NEE Capital, and Florida Power & Light Company (“FPL”) have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process.

Under this shelf registration process, NEE and/or NEE Capital may issue and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time in amounts authorized by the board of directors of NEE or NEE Capital, as the case may be. NEE may offer any of the following securities: common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debentures and guarantees related to the preferred stock, depositary shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debentures that NEE Capital may offer. NEE Capital may offer any of the following securities: preferred stock, depositary shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debentures.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that NEE and/or NEE Capital may offer. Each time NEE and/or NEE Capital sells securities, NEE and/or NEE Capital will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the offered securities will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement if necessary. The applicable prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

For more detailed information about the securities, please read the exhibits to the registration statement. Those exhibits have been either filed with the registration statement or incorporated by reference from earlier SEC filings listed in the registration statement.

RISK FACTORS

Before purchasing the securities, investors should carefully consider the risk factors described in NEE’s annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, together with the other information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or in a related prospectus supplement in order to evaluate an investment in the securities.

NEE

NEE is a holding company incorporated in 1984 as a Florida corporation and conducts its operations principally through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, FPL and, indirectly through NEE Capital, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC (collectively “NEER”). FPL is a rate-regulated electric utility engaged primarily in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in Florida. NEER currently owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets in the U.S. and Canada. NEER produces the majority of its electricity from clean and renewable sources, including wind and solar. In addition, NEER develops and constructs battery storage projects and also owns and operates rate-regulated transmission facilities, primarily in Texas and California, and transmission lines that connect its electric generation facilities to the electric grid. NEER also engages in energy-related commodity marketing and trading activities and participates in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil production and in pipeline infrastructure construction, management and operations.

 

1


Table of Contents

NEE’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone number (561) 694-4000, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.

NEE CAPITAL

NEE Capital owns and provides funding for all of NEE’s operating subsidiaries other than FPL and its subsidiaries. NEE Capital was incorporated in 1985 as a Florida corporation and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEE.

NEE Capital’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone number (561) 694-4000, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, NEE and NEE Capital will each add the net proceeds from the sale of its securities to its respective general funds. NEE uses its general funds for corporate purposes, including to provide funds for its subsidiaries, to repurchase common stock and to repay, redeem or repurchase outstanding debt or equity issued by its subsidiaries. NEE Capital uses its general funds for corporate purposes, including to repay short-term borrowings and to repay, redeem or repurchase outstanding debt. NEE and NEE Capital may each temporarily invest any proceeds that it does not need to use immediately in short-term instruments.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

NEE files annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any information filed by NEE with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including NEE. NEE also maintains an internet website (www.nexteraenergy.com). Information on NEE’s internet website or any of its subsidiaries’ internet websites is not a part of this prospectus.

NEE Capital does not file and does not intend to file reports or other information with the SEC under Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. NEE includes summarized financial information relating to NEE Capital in some of its reports filed with the SEC.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows NEE and NEE Capital to “incorporate by reference” information that NEE files with the SEC, which means that NEE and NEE Capital may, in this prospectus, disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. NEE and NEE Capital are incorporating by reference the documents listed below and any future filings NEE makes with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this

 

2


Table of Contents

prospectus (other than any documents, or portions of documents, not deemed to be filed) until NEE and/or NEE Capital sell all of the securities covered by the registration statement:

 

  (1)

NEE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020,

 

  (2)

NEE’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 11, 2021 (excluding those portions furnished and not filed), February  12, 2021, February  22, 2021, March  1, 2021, March  12, 2021 and March 17, 2021, and

 

  (3)

the description of the NEE common stock contained in NEE’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2020, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

You may request a copy of these documents, at no cost to you, by writing or calling Thomas P. Giblin, Jr., Esq., Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178, (212) 309-6000. NEE will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, NEE and NEE Capital are herein filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause NEE’s and NEE Capital’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, made by or on behalf of NEE and NEE Capital in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies, future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “may result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “believe,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “estimated,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “future,” “projection,” “goals,” “target,” “outlook,” “predict,” and “intend” or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, important factors discussed in NEE’s reports that are incorporated herein by reference (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could have a significant impact on NEE’s and NEE Capital’s operations and financial results, and could cause NEE’s and/or NEE Capital’s actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NEE or NEE Capital.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and NEE and NEE Capital undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including, but not limited to, unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement.

The issues and associated risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that are incorporated herein by reference are not the only ones NEE or NEE Capital may face. Additional issues may arise or become material as the energy industry evolves. The risks and uncertainties associated with those additional issues could impair NEE’s and NEE Capital’s businesses in the future.

 

3


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF NEE COMMON STOCK

The following summary description of the terms of the common stock of NEE is not intended to be complete. The description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of NEE’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as currently in effect (“NEE’s Charter”), and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as currently in effect (“NEE’s Bylaws”), and the other documents described below. Each of NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws and the other documents described below has previously been filed with the SEC and they are exhibits to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. Reference is also made to the Florida Business Corporation Act, or “Florida Act,” and other applicable laws.

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

NEE’s Charter authorizes it to issue 3,300,000,000 shares of capital stock, each with a par value of $.01, consisting of:

 

   

3,200,000,000 shares of common stock, and

 

   

100,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

As of January 31, 2021, there were 1,959,874,682 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock Terms

Voting Rights. In general, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common stock, including the election of directors. Each holder of common stock is entitled to attend all special and annual meetings of NEE’s shareholders. The holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

In general, if a quorum exists at a meeting of NEE’s shareholders, unless a greater or different vote is required by the Florida Act, NEE’s Charter or NEE’s Bylaws, or by action of the board of directors, (1) on all matters other than the election of directors, action on such matters will be approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, (2) in an uncontested director election, a nominee for director will be elected if the votes cast for the nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against the nominee’s election, and (3) in a contested director election, which is an election in which the number of persons considered for election to the board of directors exceeds the total number of directors to be elected, a nominee for director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Other voting rights of shareholders are described below under “—Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions in NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws.”

Dividend Rights. The holders of common stock are entitled to participate on an equal per share basis in any dividends declared on the common stock by NEE’s board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments.

The declaration and payment of dividends on the common stock is within the sole discretion of NEE’s board of directors. NEE’s Charter does not limit the dividends that may be paid on the common stock.

The ability of NEE to pay dividends on the common stock is currently subject to, and in the future may be limited by:

 

   

various risks which affect the businesses of FPL and NEE’s other subsidiaries that may in certain instances limit the ability of such subsidiaries to pay dividends to NEE, and

 

   

various contractual restrictions applicable to NEE and some of its subsidiaries, including those described below.

 

4


Table of Contents

FPL is subject to the terms of its Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of January 1, 1944, with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as mortgage trustee, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “FPL Mortgage”), that secures its obligations under outstanding first mortgage bonds issued by it from time to time. In specified circumstances, the terms of the FPL Mortgage could restrict the amount of retained earnings that FPL can use to pay cash dividends on its common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, no retained earnings were restricted by these provisions of the FPL Mortgage.

Other contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of NEE and its subsidiaries are contained in outstanding financing arrangements, and similar or other restrictions may be included in future financing arrangements. As of the date of this prospectus, NEE has equity units outstanding. In accordance with the terms of the equity units, NEE has the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts that form a part of the equity units to a date no later than the applicable purchase contract settlement date. As of the date of this prospectus, NEE Capital has junior subordinated debentures outstanding. In accordance with the terms of the junior subordinated debentures NEE Capital has the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of interest on its outstanding junior subordinated debentures on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. NEE, FPL and NEE Capital may issue, from time to time, additional equity units, junior subordinated debentures or other securities that (i) provide them with rights to defer the payment of interest or other payments and (ii) contain dividend restrictions in the event of the exercise of such rights. In the event that NEE or NEE Capital were to exercise any right to defer interest or other payments on currently outstanding or future series of equity units, junior subordinated debentures or other securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, NEE would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on the common stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In the event that FPL was to issue equity units, junior subordinated debentures or other securities having similar provisions and was to exercise any such right to defer the payment of interest or other payments on such securities, or if there was to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, FPL would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends to NEE or any other holder of its common stock or preferred stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In addition, NEE, NEE Capital and FPL might issue other securities in the future containing similar or other restrictions on, or that affect, NEE’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock and on the ability of NEE’s subsidiaries, including NEE Capital and FPL, to pay dividends to any holder of their respective common stock or preferred stock, including NEE.

In addition, the right of the holders of NEE’s common stock to receive dividends might become subject to the preferential dividend, redemption, sinking fund or other rights of the holders of any series of NEE preferred stock that may be issued in the future, and the right of the holders (including NEE) of FPL or NEE Capital, as the case may be, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, to receive dividends might become subject to the preferential dividend, redemption, sinking fund or other rights of the holders of any series of FPL or NEE Capital, as the case may be, preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

Liquidation Rights. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NEE, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in any assets remaining after NEE has paid, or provided for the payment of, all of its debts and other liabilities, and after NEE has paid, or provided for the payment of, any preferential amounts payable to the holders of any outstanding preferred stock.

Other Rights. The holders of common stock do not have any preemptive, subscription, conversion or sinking fund rights. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions in NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws

NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws contain provisions that may make it difficult and expensive for a third party to pursue a takeover attempt that NEE’s board of directors and management oppose even if a change in control of NEE might be beneficial to the interests of holders of common stock.

 

5


Table of Contents

NEE’s Charter Provisions. Among NEE’s Charter provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect are those that:

 

   

provide that a vacancy on the board of directors may be filled only by a majority vote of the remaining directors,

 

   

prohibit the shareholders from taking action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of shareholders,

 

   

limit the persons who may call a special meeting of shareholders to the chairman of the NEE board of directors, the president or the secretary, a majority of the board of directors or the holders of 20% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be presented at the meeting,

 

   

require any action by shareholders to amend or repeal NEE’s Bylaws, or to adopt new bylaws, to receive the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class, and

 

   

require the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class, to alter, amend or repeal specified provisions of NEE’s Charter, including the foregoing provisions.

NEE’s Bylaw Provisions. NEE’s Bylaws contain some of the foregoing provisions contained in NEE’s Charter. NEE’s Bylaws also contain a provision limiting to 16 directors the maximum number of authorized directors of NEE. In addition, NEE’s Bylaws contain provisions that establish advance notice requirements for shareholders to nominate candidates for election as directors at any annual or special meeting of shareholders or to present any other business for consideration at any annual meeting of shareholders. These provisions generally require a shareholder to submit in writing to NEE’s secretary any nomination of a candidate for election to the board of directors or any other proposal for consideration at any annual meeting not earlier than 120 days or later than 90 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. NEE’s Bylaws also require a shareholder to submit in writing to NEE’s secretary any nomination of a candidate for election to the board of directors for consideration at any special meeting not earlier than 120 days before such special meeting and not after the later of 90 days before such special meeting or the tenth day following the day of the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the fact that directors are to be elected at the meeting. For the shareholder’s notice to be in proper form, it must include all of the information specified in NEE’s Bylaws.

Preferred Stock. The rights and privileges of holders of common stock may be adversely affected by the rights, privileges and preferences of holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which NEE’s board of directors may authorize for issuance from time to time. NEE’s board of directors has broad discretion with respect to the creation and issuance of any series of preferred stock without shareholder approval, subject to any applicable rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock outstanding at any time. In that regard, NEE’s Charter authorizes NEE’s board of directors from time to time and without shareholder action to provide for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to determine the designations, preferences, limitations and relative or other rights of any such series, including voting rights, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions, conversion privileges and redemption rights. Among other things, by authorizing the issuance of shares of preferred stock with particular voting, conversion or other rights, the board of directors could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and could discourage any attempt to effect a change in control of NEE, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to the interests of holders of common stock. See the description of NEE’s Preferred Stock in “Description of NEE Preferred Stock.”

Restrictions on Affiliated and Control Share Transactions under Florida Act

Affiliated Transactions. As a Florida corporation, NEE is subject to the Florida Act, which provides that a Florida corporation generally may not engage in an “affiliated transaction” with an “interested shareholder,”

 

6


Table of Contents

as those terms are defined in the statute, for three years following the date a shareholder becomes an “interested shareholder,” unless:

 

   

prior to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, the board of directors approved either the affiliated transaction or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder,

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85 percent of the voting shares of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, subject to certain exclusions, or

 

   

at or subsequent to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, the affiliated transaction is approved by the board of directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares which are not owned by the interested shareholder.

The Florida Act generally defines an “interested shareholder” as any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 15% of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. The affiliated transactions covered by the Florida Act include, with specified exceptions:

 

   

mergers and consolidations to which the corporation and the interested shareholder are parties,

 

   

sales or certain other dispositions of assets representing 10% or more of the aggregate fair market value of the corporation’s assets, outstanding shares, earning power or net income to the interested shareholder,

 

   

generally, issuances by the corporation of 10% or more of the aggregate fair market value of its outstanding shares to the interested shareholder,

 

   

the adoption of any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation proposed by or pursuant to an arrangement with the interested shareholder,

 

   

any reclassification of the corporation’s securities, recapitalization of the corporation, merger or consolidation, or other transaction which has the effect of increasing by more than 10% the percentage of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested shareholder, and

 

   

the receipt by the interested shareholder of certain loans or other financial assistance from the corporation.

The foregoing transactions generally also include transactions involving any affiliate of the interested shareholder and involving or affecting any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation.

The voting requirements above will not apply if, among other things, subject to specified qualifications:

 

   

the transaction has been approved by a majority of the corporation’s disinterested directors,

 

   

the interested shareholder has been the beneficial owner of at least 80% of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares for at least three years preceding the transaction,

 

   

the interested shareholder is the beneficial owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting shares, or

 

   

specified fair price and procedural requirements are satisfied.

Control-Share Acquisitions. The Florida Act also contains a control-share acquisition statute which provides that a person who acquires shares in an “issuing public corporation,” as defined in the statute, in excess of certain specified thresholds generally will not have any voting rights with respect to such shares unless such voting rights are approved by the holders of a majority of the votes of each class of securities

 

7


Table of Contents

entitled to vote separately, excluding shares held or controlled by the acquiring person. The thresholds specified in the Florida Act are the acquisition of a number of shares representing:

 

   

one-fifth or more, but less than one-third, of all voting power of the corporation,

 

   

one-third or more, but less than a majority, of all voting power of the corporation, or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power of the corporation.

The statute does not apply if, among other things, the acquisition:

 

   

is approved by the corporation’s board of directors before the acquisition, or

 

   

is effected pursuant to a statutory merger or share exchange to which the corporation is a party.

The statute also does not apply to an acquisition of shares of a corporation in excess of a specified threshold if, before the acquisition, the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws provide that the corporation will not be governed by the statute. The statute also permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws providing for the redemption of the acquired shares by the corporation in specified circumstances. NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws do not contain such provisions.

Indemnification

Florida law generally provides that a Florida corporation, such as NEE, may indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities and expenses they may incur. Florida law also limits the liability of directors to NEE and other persons. NEE’s Bylaws contain provisions requiring NEE to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents under specified conditions. In addition, NEE carries insurance permitted by the laws of Florida on behalf of its directors, officers, employees and agents.

Shareholder Access

NEE’s Bylaws permit a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning continuously for at least three years 3% or more of NEE’s outstanding common stock (an “eligible shareholder”) to nominate and include in NEE’s annual meeting proxy materials director candidates to occupy (together with any nominees of other eligible shareholders) up to two or 20% of the number of directors in office (whichever is greater), provided that such eligible shareholder satisfies the requirements set forth in NEE’s Bylaws. Those requirements generally include receipt by NEE’s secretary of written notice from an eligible shareholder of the nomination not earlier than 150 days or later than 120 days before the first anniversary of the mailing of NEE’s proxy materials for the most recent annual meeting. For the eligible shareholder’s notice to be in proper form, it must include all of the information specified in NEE’s Bylaws.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Listing

The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “NEE.”

DESCRIPTION OF NEE PREFERRED STOCK

General. The following statements describing NEE’s preferred stock are not intended to be a complete description. For additional information, please see NEE’s Charter and NEE’s Bylaws. You should read this

 

8


Table of Contents

summary together with the articles of amendment to NEE’s Charter, which will describe the terms of any preferred stock to be offered hereby, for a complete understanding of all the provisions. Please also see the FPL Mortgage, which contains restrictions which may in certain instances restrict the amount of retained earnings that FPL can use to pay cash dividends on its common stock. Each of these documents has previously been filed, or will be filed, with the SEC and each is or will be an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. Reference is also made to the Florida Act and other applicable laws.

NEE Preferred Stock. NEE may issue one or more series of its preferred stock, $.01 par value, without the approval of its shareholders. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding.

Some terms of a series of preferred stock may differ from those of another series. The terms of any preferred stock being offered will be described in a prospectus supplement. These terms will also be described in articles of amendment to NEE’s Charter, which will establish the terms of the preferred stock being offered. These terms will include any of the following that apply to that series:

 

  (1)

the title of that series of preferred stock,

 

  (2)

the number of shares in the series,

 

  (3)

the dividend rate, or how such rate will be determined, and the dividend payment dates for the series,

 

  (4)

whether the series will be listed on a securities exchange,

 

  (5)

the date or dates on which the series of preferred stock may be redeemed at the option of NEE and any restrictions on such redemptions,

 

  (6)

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate NEE to repurchase, redeem or retire the series of preferred stock,

 

  (7)

the amount payable on the series of preferred stock in case of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NEE and any additional amount, or method of determining such amount, payable in case any such event is voluntary,

 

  (8)

any rights to convert the shares of the series of preferred stock into shares of another series or into shares of any other class of capital stock,

 

  (9)

the voting rights, if any, and

 

  (10)

any other terms that are not inconsistent with the provisions of NEE’s Charter.

In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could make it difficult for another company to acquire NEE and make it harder to remove current management. See also “Description of NEE Common Stock.”

There are contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of NEE and its subsidiaries contained in outstanding financing arrangements, and similar or other restrictions may be included in future financing arrangements. As of the date of this prospectus, NEE has equity units outstanding. In accordance with the terms of the equity units, NEE has the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts that form a part of the equity units to a date no later than the purchase contract settlement date. NEE Capital has outstanding junior subordinated debentures giving NEE Capital the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of interest on its outstanding junior subordinated debentures on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. NEE, NEE Capital and FPL may issue, from time to time, additional equity units, junior subordinated debentures or other securities that (i) provide them with rights to defer the payment of interest or other payments and (ii) contain dividend restrictions in the event of the exercise of such rights. In the event that NEE or NEE Capital were to exercise any right to defer interest or other payments on currently outstanding or future series of equity units, junior subordinated debentures or such other securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, NEE would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on the preferred stock (and NEE Capital would not be able to pay dividends to NEE or any other

 

9


Table of Contents

holder of its common stock if it defers interest on its junior subordinated debentures) during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In the event that FPL were to issue equity units, junior subordinated debentures or other securities having similar provisions and were to exercise any such right to defer the payment of interest or other payments on such securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, FPL would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends to NEE or any other holder of its common stock or preferred stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In addition, NEE, NEE Capital and FPL might issue other securities in the future containing similar or other restrictions on, or that affect, NEE’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock or preferred stock and on the ability of NEE’s subsidiaries, including NEE Capital and FPL to pay dividends to any holder of their respective common stock or preferred stock, including NEE.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE DEPOSITARY SHARES

NEE may issue depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of NEE preferred stock of any series. In connection with the issuance of any depositary shares, NEE will enter into a deposit agreement with a bank or trust company, as depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the related deposit agreement. Following the issuance of the security related to the depositary shares, NEE will deposit the shares of its preferred stock with the relevant depositary and will cause the depositary to issue, on its behalf, the related depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest in the share of preferred stock represented by the related depositary share, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of, and will be subject to all of the limitations and restrictions on, the preferred stock represented by the depositary receipt (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, conversion, exchange, redemption, sinking fund, subscription and liquidation rights).

The terms of any depositary shares being offered will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

NEE may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts that obligate holders to purchase from NEE, and NEE to sell to these holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of common stock or preferred stock or per depositary share may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and either debt securities of NEE Capital, debt securities of NEE, or debt securities of third parties including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury securities, that would secure the holders’ obligations to purchase common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require NEE to make periodic payments to the holders of some or all of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under these stock purchase contracts in a specified manner.

The terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units being offered will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE WARRANTS

NEE may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. The terms of any such warrants being offered and any related warrant agreement between NEE and a warrant agent will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

10


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF NEE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

NEE may issue its senior debt securities, in one or more series, under one or more indentures between NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of any offered senior debt securities and the applicable indenture will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

NEE may issue its subordinated debt securities (other than the NEE Junior Subordinated Debentures (as defined below under “Description of NEE Junior Subordinated Debentures”)), in one or more series, under one or more indentures between NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of any offered subordinated debt securities and the applicable indenture will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

NEE may issue its junior subordinated debentures (the “NEE Junior Subordinated Debentures”), in one or more series, under one or more indentures between NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of any offered junior subordinated debentures and the applicable indenture will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE CAPITAL PREFERRED STOCK

General. The following statements describing NEE Capital’s preferred stock are not intended to be a complete description. For additional information, please see NEE Capital’s Articles of Incorporation, as currently in effect (“NEE Capital’s Charter”), and NEE Capital’s bylaws, as currently in effect. You should read this summary together with the articles of amendment to NEE Capital’s Charter, which will describe the terms of any preferred stock to be offered hereby, for a complete understanding of all the provisions. Each of these documents has previously been filed, or will be filed, with the SEC and each is or will be an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. Reference is also made to the Florida Act and other applicable laws.

NEE Capital Preferred Stock. NEE Capital may issue one or more series of its preferred stock, $.01 par value, without the approval of its shareholders. The NEE Capital preferred stock will be guaranteed by NEE as described under “Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Preferred Stock.” No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding.

Some terms of a series of preferred stock may differ from those of another series. The terms of any preferred stock being offered will be described in a prospectus supplement. These terms will also be described in articles of amendment to NEE Capital’s Charter, which will establish the terms of the preferred stock being offered. These terms will include any of the following that apply to that series:

 

  (1)

the title of that series of preferred stock,

 

  (2)

the number of shares in the series,

 

  (3)

the dividend rate, or how such rate will be determined, and the dividend payment dates for the series,

 

  (4)

whether the series will be listed on a securities exchange,

 

  (5)

the date or dates on which the series of preferred stock may be redeemed at the option of NEE Capital and any restrictions on such redemptions,

 

11


Table of Contents
  (6)

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate NEE Capital to repurchase, redeem or retire the series of preferred stock,

 

  (7)

the amount payable on the series of preferred stock in case of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NEE Capital and any additional amount, or method of determining such amount, payable in case any such event is voluntary,

 

  (8)

any rights to convert the shares of the series of preferred stock into shares of another series or into shares of any other class of capital stock,

 

  (9)

the voting rights, if any, and

 

  (10)

any other terms that are not inconsistent with the provisions of NEE Capital’s Charter.

There are contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of NEE Capital contained in outstanding financing arrangements, and similar or other restrictions may be included in future financing arrangements. As of the date of this prospectus, NEE Capital has outstanding junior subordinated debentures giving NEE Capital the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of interest on its outstanding junior subordinated debentures on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. NEE Capital may issue, from time to time, additional junior subordinated debentures or other securities that (i) provide it with rights to defer the payment of interest or other payments and (ii) contain dividend restrictions in the event of the exercise of such rights. In the event that NEE Capital were to exercise any right to defer interest or other payments on currently outstanding or future series of junior subordinated debentures or such other securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, NEE Capital would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on the preferred stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In addition, NEE Capital might issue other securities in the future containing similar or other restrictions on NEE Capital’s ability to pay dividends to any holder of its preferred stock.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE GUARANTEE OF NEE CAPITAL PREFERRED STOCK

The following statements describing NEE’s guarantee of NEE Capital’s preferred stock are not intended to be a complete description. For additional information, please see NEE’s guarantee agreement relating to NEE Capital’s preferred stock. You should read this summary together with the guarantee agreement for a complete understanding of all the provisions. Please also see the FPL Mortgage, which contains restrictions which may in certain instances limit the ability of FPL to pay dividends to NEE. Each of these documents has previously been filed with the SEC and each is an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part.

NEE will absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of accumulated and unpaid dividends, and payments due on liquidation or redemption, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that NEE Capital may have or assert. NEE’s guarantee of NEE Capital’s preferred stock will be an unsecured obligation of NEE and will rank (1) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of NEE (except those made pari passu or subordinate by their terms), (2) equal in right of payment with the most senior preferred or preference stock that may be issued by NEE and with any other guarantee that may be entered into by NEE in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of NEE, and (3) senior to NEE’s common stock. The terms of NEE’s guarantee of NEE Capital’s preferred stock will be described in a prospectus supplement.

While NEE is a holding company that derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries, NEE’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any payments under the NEE guarantee of NEE Capital preferred stock or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, the NEE guarantee of NEE Capital preferred stock will effectively be subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock, incurred or issued by NEE’s subsidiaries.

 

12


Table of Contents

In addition to trade liabilities, many of NEE’s operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will effectively be senior to the NEE guarantee of NEE Capital preferred stock. NEE’s guarantee of NEE Capital preferred stock does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that NEE’s subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or incur. See “Description of NEE Common Stock—Common Stock Terms—Dividend Rights” for a description of contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of some of NEE’s subsidiaries.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE CAPITAL DEPOSITARY SHARES

NEE Capital may issue depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of NEE Capital preferred stock of any series. In connection with the issuance of any depositary shares, NEE Capital will enter into a deposit agreement with a bank or trust company, as depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the related deposit agreement. Following the issuance of the security related to the depositary shares, NEE Capital will deposit the shares of its preferred stock with the relevant depositary and will cause the depositary to issue, on its behalf, the related depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest in the share of preferred stock represented by the related depositary share, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of, and will be subject to all of the limitations and restrictions on, the preferred stock represented by the depositary receipt (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, exchange, redemption, sinking fund, subscription and liquidation rights).

The terms of any depositary shares being offered will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE GUARANTEE OF NEE CAPITAL DEPOSITARY SHARES

NEE may guarantee any NEE Capital depositary shares. The terms of any such guarantee and the guarantee agreement would be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE CAPITAL SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

General. NEE Capital may issue its senior debt securities, in one or more series, under an Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1999, between NEE Capital and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. This Indenture, as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time, is referred to in this prospectus as the “Indenture.” The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the Indenture, is referred to in this prospectus as the “Indenture Trustee.” The senior debt securities of NEE Capital offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are referred to as the “Offered Senior Debt Securities.”

The Indenture provides for the issuance from time to time of debentures, notes or other senior debt by NEE Capital in an unlimited amount. The Offered Senior Debt Securities and all other debentures, notes or other debt of NEE Capital issued previously or hereafter under the Indenture are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “Senior Debt Securities.”

This section briefly summarizes some of the terms of the Offered Senior Debt Securities and some of the provisions of the Indenture. This summary does not contain a complete description of the Offered Senior Debt Securities or the Indenture. You should read this summary together with the Indenture and the officer’s certificates or other documents creating the Offered Senior Debt Securities for a complete understanding of all the provisions and for the definitions of some terms used in this summary. The Indenture, the form of officer’s certificate that may be used to create a series of Offered Senior Debt Securities and a form of Offered Senior Debt Securities have previously been filed with the SEC, and are exhibits to the registration statement filed with

 

13


Table of Contents

the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, the Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and therefore subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for a complete understanding of its provisions.

All Offered Senior Debt Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time, and a series may be re-opened for issuances of additional Offered Senior Debt Securities of such series. This means that NEE Capital may from time to time, without notice to, or the consent of any existing holders of the previously-issued Offered Senior Debt Securities of a particular series, create and issue additional Offered Senior Debt Securities of such series. Such additional Offered Senior Debt Securities will have the same terms as the previously-issued Offered Senior Debt Securities of such series in all respects except for the issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date. The additional Offered Senior Debt Securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the previously-issued Offered Senior Debt Securities of such series.

Each series of Offered Senior Debt Securities may have different terms. NEE Capital will include some or all of the following information about a specific series of Offered Senior Debt Securities in a prospectus supplement relating to that specific series of Offered Senior Debt Securities:

 

  (1)

the title of those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (2)

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (3)

the date(s) on which the principal of those Offered Senior Debt Securities will be paid,

 

  (4)

the rate(s) of interest on those Offered Senior Debt Securities, or how the rate(s) of interest will be determined, the date(s) from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be paid and the record date for any interest payable on any interest payment date,

 

  (5)

the person to whom interest will be paid on those Offered Senior Debt Securities on any interest payment date, if other than the person in whose name those Offered Senior Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on the record date for that interest payment,

 

  (6)

the place(s) at which or methods by which payments will be made on those Offered Senior Debt Securities and the place(s) at which or methods by which the registered owners of those Offered Senior Debt Securities may transfer or exchange those Offered Senior Debt Securities and serve notices and demands to or upon NEE Capital,

 

  (7)

the security registrar and any paying agent or agents for those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (8)

any date(s) on which, the price(s) at which and the terms and conditions upon which those Offered Senior Debt Securities may be redeemed at the option of NEE Capital, in whole or in part, and any restrictions on those redemptions,

 

  (9)

any sinking fund or other provisions, including any options held by the registered owners of those Offered Senior Debt Securities, that would obligate NEE Capital to repurchase or redeem those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (10)

the denominations in which those Offered Senior Debt Securities may be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000,

 

  (11)

the currency or currencies in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those Offered Senior Debt Securities may be paid (if other than in U.S. dollars),

 

  (12)

if NEE Capital or a registered owner may elect to pay, or receive, principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those Offered Senior Debt Securities in a currency other than that in which those Offered Senior Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made,

 

  (13)

if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those Offered Senior Debt Securities are payable in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property and the terms and conditions upon which NEE Capital or a registered owner may elect to pay or receive those payments,

 

14


Table of Contents
  (14)

if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those Offered Senior Debt Securities may be determined by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of the Indenture, the manner in which those amounts will be determined,

 

  (15)

the portion of the principal amount of those Offered Senior Debt Securities that will be paid upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of those Offered Senior Debt Securities, if other than the entire principal amount of those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (16)

events of default, if any, with respect to those Offered Senior Debt Securities and covenants of NEE Capital, if any, for the benefit of the registered owners of those Offered Senior Debt Securities, other than those specified in the Indenture,

 

  (17)

the terms, if any, pursuant to which those Offered Senior Debt Securities may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities of any other entity,

 

  (18)

a definition of “Eligible Obligations” under the Indenture with respect to those Offered Senior Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars,

 

  (19)

any provisions for the reinstatement of NEE Capital’s indebtedness in respect of those Offered Senior Debt Securities after their satisfaction and discharge,

 

  (20)

if those Offered Senior Debt Securities will be issued in global form, necessary information relating to the issuance of those Offered Senior Debt Securities in global form,

 

  (21)

if those Offered Senior Debt Securities will be issued as bearer securities, necessary information relating to the issuance of those Offered Senior Debt Securities as bearer securities,

 

  (22)

any limits on the rights of the registered owners of those Offered Senior Debt Securities to transfer or exchange those Offered Senior Debt Securities or to register their transfer, and any related service charges,

 

  (23)

any exceptions to the provisions governing payments due on legal holidays or any variations in the definition of business day with respect to those Offered Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (24)

other than the Guarantee described under “Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” below, any collateral security, assurance, or guarantee for those Offered Senior Debt Securities, and

 

  (25)

any other terms of those Offered Senior Debt Securities that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 301).

NEE Capital may sell Offered Senior Debt Securities at a discount below their principal amount. Some of the important United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Offered Senior Debt Securities sold at a discount below their principal amount may be discussed in the related prospectus supplement. In addition, some of the important United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Offered Senior Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars may be discussed in the related prospectus supplement.

Except as otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the covenants in the Indenture would not give registered owners of Offered Senior Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving NEE Capital or NEE.

Security and Ranking. The Offered Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of NEE Capital. The Indenture does not limit NEE Capital’s ability to provide security with respect to other Senior Debt Securities. All Senior Debt Securities issued under the Indenture will rank equally and ratably with all other Senior Debt Securities issued under the Indenture, except to the extent that NEE Capital elects to provide security with respect to any Senior Debt Security (other than the Offered Senior Debt Securities) without providing that

 

15


Table of Contents

security to all outstanding Senior Debt Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Offered Senior Debt Securities will rank senior to NEE Capital’s Subordinated Debt Securities and NEE Capital’s Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Indenture does not limit NEE Capital’s ability to issue other unsecured debt.

While NEE Capital is a holding company that derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries, NEE Capital’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any payments on the Senior Debt Securities or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, the Senior Debt Securities will effectively be subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock, incurred or issued by NEE Capital’s subsidiaries. In addition to trade liabilities, many of NEE Capital’s operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will effectively be senior to the Senior Debt Securities. The Indenture does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that NEE Capital’s subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or incur. See “Description of NEE Common Stock—Common Stock Terms—Dividend Rights” for a description of contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of NEE Capital.

Payment and Paying Agents. Except as stated in the related prospectus supplement, on each interest payment date NEE Capital will pay interest on each Offered Senior Debt Security to the person in whose name that Offered Senior Debt Security is registered as of the close of business on the record date relating to that interest payment date. However, on the date that the Offered Senior Debt Securities mature, NEE Capital will pay the interest to the person to whom it pays the principal. Also, if NEE Capital has defaulted in the payment of interest on any Offered Senior Debt Security, it may pay that defaulted interest to the registered owner of that Offered Senior Debt Security:

 

  (1)

as of the close of business on a date that the Indenture Trustee selects, which may not be more than 15 days or less than 10 days before the date that NEE Capital proposes to pay the defaulted interest, or

 

  (2)

in any other lawful manner that does not violate the requirements of any securities exchange on which that Offered Senior Debt Security is listed and that the Indenture Trustee believes is practicable. (Indenture, Section 307).

Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Offered Senior Debt Securities at maturity will be payable when such Offered Senior Debt Securities are presented at the main corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon, as paying agent, in New York City. NEE Capital may change the place of payment on the Offered Senior Debt Securities, appoint one or more additional paying agents, including NEE Capital, and remove any paying agent. (Indenture, Section 602).

Transfer and Exchange. Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, Offered Senior Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged at the main corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon, as security registrar, in New York City. NEE Capital may change the place for transfer and exchange of the Offered Senior Debt Securities and may designate one or more additional places for that transfer and exchange.

Except as otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, there will be no service charge for any transfer or exchange of the Offered Senior Debt Securities. However, NEE Capital may require payment of any tax or other governmental charge in connection with any transfer or exchange of the Offered Senior Debt Securities.

NEE Capital will not be required to transfer or exchange any Offered Senior Debt Security selected for redemption. Also, NEE Capital will not be required to transfer or exchange any Offered Senior Debt Security during a period of 15 days before notice is to be given identifying the Offered Senior Debt Securities selected to be redeemed. (Indenture, Section 305).

 

16


Table of Contents

Defeasance. NEE Capital may, at any time, elect to have all of its obligations discharged with respect to all or a portion of any Senior Debt Securities. To do so, NEE Capital must irrevocably deposit with the Indenture Trustee or any paying agent, in trust:

 

  (1)

money in an amount that will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those Senior Debt Securities, on or prior to their maturity, or

 

  (2)

in the case of a deposit made prior to the maturity of that series of Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (a)

direct obligations of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States and entitled to the benefit of its full faith and credit that do not contain provisions permitting their redemption or other prepayment at the option of their issuer, and

 

  (b)

certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments that evidence a direct ownership interest in those obligations or in any specific interest or principal payments due in respect of those obligations that do not contain provisions permitting their redemption or other prepayment at the option of their issuer,

the principal of and the interest on which, when due, without any regard to reinvestment of that principal or interest, will provide money that, together with any money deposited with or held by the Indenture Trustee, will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those Senior Debt Securities, on or prior to their maturity, or

 

  (3)

a combination of (1) and (2) that will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those Senior Debt Securities, on or prior to their maturity. (Indenture, Section 701).

Limitation on Liens. So long as any Senior Debt Securities remain outstanding, NEE Capital will not secure any indebtedness with a lien on any shares of the capital stock of any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, which shares of capital stock NEE Capital now or hereafter directly owns, unless NEE Capital equally secures all Senior Debt Securities. However, this restriction does not apply to or prevent:

 

  (1)

any lien on capital stock created at the time NEE Capital acquires that capital stock, or within 270 days after that time, to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for that capital stock,

 

  (2)

any lien on capital stock existing at the time NEE Capital acquires that capital stock (whether or not NEE Capital assumes the obligations secured by the lien and whether or not the lien was created in contemplation of the acquisition),

 

  (3)

any extensions, renewals or replacements of the liens described in (1) and (2) above, or of any indebtedness secured by those liens; provided, that,

 

  (a)

the principal amount of indebtedness secured by those liens immediately after the extension, renewal or replacement may not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness secured by those liens immediately before the extension, renewal or replacement, and

 

  (b)

the extension, renewal or replacement lien is limited to no more than the same proportion of all shares of capital stock as were covered by the lien that was extended, renewed or replaced, or

 

  (4)

any lien arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that, either

 

  (a)

the execution or enforcement of that lien is effectively stayed within 30 days after entry of the corresponding judgment (or the corresponding judgment has been discharged within that 30 day period) and the claims secured by that lien are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,

 

  (b)

the payment of that lien is covered in full by insurance and the insurance company has not denied or contested coverage, or

 

17


Table of Contents
  (c)

so long as that lien is adequately bonded, any appropriate legal proceedings that have been duly initiated for the review of the corresponding judgment, decree or order have not been fully terminated or the periods within which those proceedings may be initiated have not expired.

Liens on any shares of the capital stock of any of NEE Capital’s majority-owned subsidiaries, which shares of capital stock NEE Capital now or hereafter directly owns, other than liens described in (1) through (4) above, are referred to in this prospectus as “Restricted Liens.” The foregoing limitation does not apply to the extent that NEE Capital creates any Restricted Liens to secure indebtedness that, together with all other indebtedness of NEE Capital secured by Restricted Liens, does not at the time exceed 5% of NEE Capital’s Consolidated Capitalization. (Indenture, Section 608).

For this purpose, “Consolidated Capitalization” means the sum of:

 

  (1)

Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity,

 

  (2)

Consolidated Indebtedness for borrowed money (exclusive of any amounts which are due and payable within one year), and, without duplication,

 

  (3)

any preference or preferred stock of NEE Capital or any Consolidated Subsidiary which is subject to mandatory redemption or sinking fund provisions.

The term “Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity” as used above means the total assets of NEE Capital and its Consolidated Subsidiaries less all liabilities of NEE Capital and its Consolidated Subsidiaries. As used in this definition, the term “liabilities” means all obligations which would, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, be classified on a balance sheet as liabilities, including without limitation:

 

  (1)

indebtedness secured by property of NEE Capital or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries whether or not NEE Capital or such Consolidated Subsidiary is liable for the payment thereof unless, in the case that NEE Capital or such Consolidated Subsidiary is not so liable, such property has not been included among the assets of NEE Capital or such Consolidated Subsidiary on such balance sheet,

 

  (2)

deferred liabilities, and

 

  (3)

indebtedness of NEE Capital or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries that is expressly subordinated in right and priority of payment to other liabilities of NEE Capital or such Consolidated Subsidiary.

As used in this definition, “liabilities” includes preference or preferred stock of NEE Capital or any Consolidated Subsidiary only to the extent of any such preference or preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption or sinking fund provisions.

The term “Consolidated Indebtedness” means total indebtedness as shown on the consolidated balance sheet of NEE Capital and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

The term “Consolidated Subsidiary,” means at any date any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary whose financial statements would be consolidated with those of NEE Capital in NEE Capital’s consolidated financial statements as of such date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (Indenture, Section 608).

The foregoing limitation does not limit in any manner the ability of:

 

  (1)

NEE Capital to place liens on any of its assets other than the capital stock of directly held, majority-owned subsidiaries,

 

  (2)

NEE Capital or NEE to cause the transfer of its assets or those of its subsidiaries, including the capital stock covered by the foregoing restrictions,

 

  (3)

NEE to place liens on any of its assets, or

 

18


Table of Contents
  (4)

any of the direct or indirect subsidiaries of NEE Capital or NEE (other than NEE Capital) to place liens on any of their assets.

Redemption. The redemption terms of the Offered Senior Debt Securities, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, and except with respect to Offered Senior Debt Securities redeemable at the option of the holder, Offered Senior Debt Securities will be redeemable upon notice between 30 and 60 days prior to the redemption date. If less than all of the Offered Senior Debt Securities of any series or any tranche thereof are to be redeemed, the Security Registrar will select the Offered Senior Debt Securities to be redeemed. In the absence of any provision for selection, the Security Registrar will choose such method of selection as it deems fair and appropriate. (Indenture, Sections 403 and 404).

Offered Senior Debt Securities selected for redemption will cease to bear interest on the redemption date. The paying agent will pay the redemption price and any accrued interest once the Offered Senior Debt Securities are surrendered for redemption. (Indenture, Section 405). Except as stated in the related prospectus supplement, on the redemption date NEE Capital will pay interest on the Offered Senior Debt Securities being redeemed to the person to whom it pays the redemption price. If only part of an Offered Senior Debt Security is redeemed, the Indenture Trustee will deliver a new Offered Senior Debt Security of the same series for the remaining portion without charge. (Indenture, Section 406).

Any redemption at the option of NEE Capital may be conditional upon the receipt by the paying agent, on or prior to the date fixed for redemption, of money sufficient to pay the redemption price. If at the time notice of redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the paying agent, then, if such notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of the redemption moneys on or before the Redemption Date and such notice of redemption shall be of no force or effect unless such moneys are received. (Indenture, Section 404).

Purchase of the Offered Senior Debt Securities. NEE Capital or its affiliates, may at any time and from time to time, purchase all or some of the Offered Senior Debt Securities at any price or prices, whether by tender, in the open market or by private agreement or otherwise, subject to applicable law.

Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets. Under the Indenture, NEE Capital may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:

 

  (1)

the entity formed by that consolidation, or the entity into which NEE Capital is merged, or the entity that acquires or leases NEE Capital’s properties and assets, is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia and that entity expressly assumes NEE Capital’s obligations on all Senior Debt Securities and under the Indenture,

 

  (2)

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the Indenture and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the Indenture exists, and

 

  (3)

NEE Capital delivers an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the Indenture Trustee, as provided in the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 1101).

The Indenture does not restrict NEE Capital in a merger in which NEE Capital is the surviving entity.

Events of Default. Each of the following is an event of default under the Indenture with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series:

 

  (1)

failure to pay interest on the Senior Debt Securities of that series within 30 days after it is due,

 

  (2)

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the Senior Debt Securities of that series when it is due,

 

19


Table of Contents
  (3)

failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty in the Indenture, other than a covenant or warranty that does not relate to that series of Senior Debt Securities, that continues for 90 days after (i) NEE Capital receives written notice of such failure to comply from the Indenture Trustee or (ii) NEE Capital and the Indenture Trustee receive written notice of such failure to comply from the registered owners of at least 33% in principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of that series,

 

  (4)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of NEE Capital, or

 

  (5)

any other event of default specified with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series. (Indenture, Section 801).

In the case of an event of default listed in item (3) above, the Indenture Trustee may extend the grace period. In addition, if registered owners of a particular series have given a notice of default, then registered owners of at least the same percentage of Senior Debt Securities of that series, together with the Indenture Trustee, may also extend the grace period. The grace period will be automatically extended if NEE Capital has initiated and is diligently pursuing corrective action. (Indenture, Section 801). An event of default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of a particular series will not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any other series issued under the Indenture.

Remedies. If an event of default applicable to the Senior Debt Securities of one or more series, but not applicable to all outstanding Senior Debt Securities, exists, then either (i) the Indenture Trustee or (ii) the registered owners of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of each of the affected series may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Senior Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. (Indenture, Section 802). However, under the Indenture, some Senior Debt Securities may provide for a specified amount less than their entire principal amount to be due and payable upon that declaration. Such a Senior Debt Security is defined as a “Discount Security” in the Indenture.

If an event of default is applicable to all outstanding Senior Debt Securities, then either (i) the Indenture Trustee or (ii) the registered owners of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Senior Debt Securities of all series, voting as one class, and not the registered owners of any one series, may make a declaration of acceleration. However, the event of default giving rise to the declaration relating to any series of Senior Debt Securities will be automatically waived, and that declaration and its consequences will be automatically rescinded and annulled, if, at any time after that declaration and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained:

 

  (1)

NEE Capital pays or deposits with the Indenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

  (a)

all overdue interest on all Senior Debt Securities of that series,

 

  (b)

the principal of and any premium on any Senior Debt Securities of that series that have become due for reasons other than that declaration, and interest that is then due,

 

  (c)

interest on overdue interest for that series, and

 

  (d)

all amounts then due to the Indenture Trustee under the Indenture, and

 

  (2)

any other event of default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series has been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 802).

Other than its obligations and duties in case of an event of default under the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the registered owners of the Senior Debt Securities, unless those registered owners offer reasonable indemnity to the Indenture Trustee. (Indenture, Section 903). If they provide this reasonable indemnity, the registered owners of a majority in principal amount of any series of Senior Debt Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Indenture Trustee, with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series. However, if

 

20


Table of Contents

an event of default under the Indenture relates to more than one series of Senior Debt Securities, only the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series of Senior Debt Securities, considered as one class, will have the right to make that direction. Also, the direction must not violate any law or the Indenture, and may not expose the Indenture Trustee to personal liability in circumstances where the indemnity would not, in the Indenture Trustee’s sole discretion, be adequate, and the Indenture Trustee may take any other action that it deems proper and not inconsistent with such direction. (Indenture, Section 812).

A registered owner of a Senior Debt Security has the right to institute a suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on that Senior Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in that Senior Debt Security. (Indenture, Section 808). No registered owner of Senior Debt Securities of any series will have any other right to institute any proceeding under the Indenture, or any other remedy under the Indenture, unless:

 

  (1)

that registered owner has previously given to the Indenture Trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series,

 

  (2)

the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of all series in respect of which an event of default under the Indenture exists, considered as one class, have made written request to the Indenture Trustee to institute that proceeding in its own name as trustee, and have offered reasonable indemnity to the Indenture Trustee against related costs, expenses and liabilities,

 

  (3)

the Indenture Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of that notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding, and

 

  (4)

no direction inconsistent with that request was given to the Indenture Trustee during this 60 day period by the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of all series in respect of which an event of default under the Indenture exists, considered as one class. (Indenture, Section 807).

NEE Capital is required to deliver to the Indenture Trustee an annual statement as to its compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 606).

Modification and Waiver. Without the consent of any registered owner of Senior Debt Securities, NEE Capital and the Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture for any of the following purposes:

 

  (1)

to provide for the assumption by any permitted successor to NEE Capital of NEE Capital’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or a conveyance, transfer or lease of NEE Capital’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety,

 

  (2)

to add covenants of NEE Capital or to surrender any right or power conferred upon NEE Capital by the Indenture,

 

  (3)

to add any additional events of default,

 

  (4)

to change, eliminate or add any provision of the Indenture, provided that if that change, elimination or addition will materially adversely affect the interests of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities of any series or tranche, that change, elimination or addition will become effective with respect to that particular series or tranche only

 

  (a)

when the required consent of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities of that particular series or tranche has been obtained, or

 

  (b)

when no Senior Debt Securities of that particular series or tranche remain outstanding under the Indenture,

 

21


Table of Contents
  (5)

to provide collateral security for all but not a part of the Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (6)

to create the form or terms of Senior Debt Securities of any other series or tranche,

 

  (7)

to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer securities and the related coupons and for other matters relating to those bearer securities,

 

  (8)

to accept the appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of one or more series and to change any of the provisions of the Indenture as necessary to provide for the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one trustee,

 

  (9)

to add procedures to permit the use of a non-certificated system of registration for all, or any series or tranche of, the Senior Debt Securities,

 

  (10)

to change any place where

 

  (a)

the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all, or any series or tranche of, Senior Debt Securities are payable,

 

  (b)

all, or any series or tranche of, Senior Debt Securities may be surrendered for registration, transfer, or exchange, and

 

  (c)

notices and demands to or upon NEE Capital in respect of Senior Debt Securities and the Indenture may be served, or

 

  (11)

to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to add or change any other provisions with respect to matters and questions arising under the Indenture, provided those changes or additions may not materially adversely affect the interests of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities of any series or tranche. (Indenture, Section 1201).

The registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by NEE Capital with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 607). The registered owners of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest and a default with respect to certain restrictive covenants or provisions of the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding Senior Debt Security of that series affected. (Indenture, Section 813).

In addition to any amendments described above, if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date of the Indenture in a way that requires changes to the Indenture or in a way that permits changes to, or the elimination of, provisions that were previously required by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Indenture will be deemed to be amended to conform to that amendment of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or to make those changes, additions or eliminations. NEE Capital and the Indenture Trustee may, without the consent of any registered owners, enter into supplemental indentures to make that amendment. (Indenture, Section 1201).

Except for any amendments described above, the consent of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of all series then outstanding, considered as one class, is required for all other modifications to the Indenture. However, if less than all of the series of Senior Debt Securities outstanding are directly affected by a proposed supplemental indenture, then the consent only of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Debt Securities of all directly affected series, considered as one class, is required. But, if NEE Capital issues any series of Senior Debt Securities in more than one tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture directly affects the rights of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities of less than all of those tranches, then the consent only of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of all directly affected tranches, considered as one class, will be required. However, none of those amendments or modifications may:

 

  (1)

change the dates on which the principal of or interest on a Senior Debt Security is due without the consent of the registered owner of that Senior Debt Security,

 

22


Table of Contents
  (2)

reduce any Senior Debt Security’s principal amount or rate of interest (or the amount of any installment of that interest) or change the method of calculating that rate without the consent of the registered owner of that Senior Debt Security,

 

  (3)

reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of a Senior Debt Security without the consent of the registered owner of that Senior Debt Security,

 

  (4)

change the currency (or other property) in which a Senior Debt Security is payable without the consent of the registered owner of that Senior Debt Security,

 

  (5)

impair the right to sue to enforce payments on any Senior Debt Security on or after the date that it states that the payment is due (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) without the consent of the registered owner of that Senior Debt Security,

 

  (6)

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of any series or tranche whose owners must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding Senior Debt Security of that particular series or tranche,

 

  (7)

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting of any series or tranche without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding Senior Debt Security of that particular series or tranche, or

 

  (8)

modify certain of the provisions of the Indenture relating to supplemental indentures, waivers of certain covenants and waivers of past defaults with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series or tranche, without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding Senior Debt Security affected by the modification.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of the Indenture that has expressly been included only for the benefit of one or more particular series or tranches of Senior Debt Securities, or that modifies the rights of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities of that particular series or tranche with respect to that provision, will not affect the rights under the Indenture of the registered owners of the Senior Debt Securities of any other series or tranche. (Indenture, Section 1202).

The Indenture provides that, in order to determine whether the registered owners of the required principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the Indenture, or whether a quorum is present at the meeting of the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities, Senior Debt Securities owned by NEE Capital or any other obligor upon the Senior Debt Securities or any affiliate of NEE Capital or of that other obligor (unless NEE Capital, that affiliate or that obligor owns all Senior Debt Securities outstanding under the Indenture, determined without regard to this provision) will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding. (Indenture, Section 101).

If NEE Capital solicits any action under the Indenture from registered owners of Senior Debt Securities, NEE Capital may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for determining the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities entitled to take that action, but NEE Capital will not be obligated to do so. If NEE Capital fixes such a record date, that action may be taken before or after that record date, but only the registered owners of record at the close of business on that record date will be deemed to be registered owners of Senior Debt Securities for the purposes of determining whether registered owners of the required proportion of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities have authorized that action. For these purposes, the outstanding Senior Debt Securities will be computed as of the record date. Any action of a registered owner of any Senior Debt Security under the Indenture will bind every future registered owner of that Senior Debt Security, or any Senior Debt Security replacing that Senior Debt Security, with respect to anything that the Indenture Trustee or NEE Capital do, fail to do, or allow to be done in reliance on that action, whether or not that action is noted upon that Senior Debt Security. (Indenture, Section 104).

Resignation and Removal of Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time with respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities by giving written notice of its resignation to NEE Capital. Also,

 

23


Table of Contents

the registered owners of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of one or more series of Senior Debt Securities may remove the Indenture Trustee at any time with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series, by delivering an instrument evidencing this action to the Indenture Trustee and NEE Capital. The resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee will not become effective until a successor trustee accepts its appointment.

Except with respect to a trustee under the Indenture appointed by the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities, the Indenture Trustee will be deemed to have resigned and the successor will be deemed to have been appointed as trustee in accordance with the Indenture if:

 

  (1)

no event of default under the Indenture or event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default under the Indenture exists, and

 

  (2)

NEE Capital has delivered to the Indenture Trustee a resolution of its Board of Directors appointing a successor trustee and that successor trustee has accepted that appointment in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. (Indenture, Section 910).

Notices. Notices to registered owners of Senior Debt Securities will be sent by mail to the addresses of those registered owners as they appear in the security register for those Senior Debt Securities. (Indenture, Section 106).

Title. NEE Capital, the Indenture Trustee, and any agent of NEE Capital or the Indenture Trustee, may treat the person in whose name a Senior Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of that Senior Debt Security, whether or not that Senior Debt Security is overdue, for the purpose of making payments and for all other purposes, regardless of any notice to the contrary. (Indenture, Section 308).

Governing Law. The Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereunder, except to the extent that the law of any other jurisdiction is mandatorily applicable. (Indenture, Section 112).

DESCRIPTION OF NEE GUARANTEE OF

NEE CAPITAL SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

General. This section briefly summarizes some of the provisions of the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, between NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon, as guarantee trustee, referred to in this prospectus as the “Guarantee Trustee.” The Guarantee Agreement, referred to in this prospectus as the “Guarantee Agreement,” was executed for the benefit of the Indenture Trustee, which holds the Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of registered owners of the Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement. This summary does not contain a complete description of the Guarantee Agreement. You should read this summary together with the Guarantee Agreement for a complete understanding of all the provisions. The Guarantee Agreement has previously been filed with the SEC and is an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, the Guarantee Agreement is qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and therefore subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for a complete understanding of its provisions.

Under the Guarantee Agreement, NEE absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the prompt and full payment, when due and payable (including upon acceleration or redemption), of the principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Senior Debt Securities that are covered by the Guarantee Agreement to the registered owners of those Senior Debt Securities, according to the terms of those Senior Debt Securities and the Indenture. Pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, all of the Senior Debt Securities are covered by the Guarantee Agreement except Senior Debt Securities that by their terms are expressly not entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee Agreement. All of the Offered Senior Debt Securities will be covered by the Guarantee Agreement.

 

24


Table of Contents

This guarantee is referred to in this prospectus as the “Guarantee.” NEE is only required to make these payments if NEE Capital fails to pay or provide for punctual payment of any of those amounts on or before the expiration of any applicable grace periods. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.01). In the Guarantee Agreement, NEE has waived its right to require the Guarantee Trustee, the Indenture Trustee or the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement to exhaust their remedies against NEE Capital prior to bringing suit against NEE. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.06).

The Guarantee is a guarantee of payment when due (i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against NEE to enforce its rights under the Guarantee Agreement without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). The Guarantee is not a guarantee of collection. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.01).

Except as otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the covenants in the Guarantee Agreement would not give registered owners of the Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving NEE.

Security and Ranking. The Guarantee is an unsecured obligation of NEE and will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of NEE. There is no limit on the amount of other indebtedness, including guarantees, that NEE may incur or issue.

While NEE is a holding company that derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries, NEE’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any payments under the Guarantee Agreement or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, the Guarantee effectively is subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock, incurred or issued by NEE’s subsidiaries. In addition to trade liabilities, many of NEE’s operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will effectively be senior to the Guarantee. Neither the Indenture nor the Guarantee Agreement places any limit on the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that NEE’s subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or incur.

Events of Default. An event of default under the Guarantee Agreement will occur upon the failure of NEE to perform any of its payment obligations under the Guarantee Agreement. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 1.01). The registered owners of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement have the right to:

 

  (1)

direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee Agreement, or

 

  (2)

direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee Agreement. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 3.01).

The Guarantee Trustee must give notice of any event of default under the Guarantee Agreement known to the Guarantee Trustee to the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement within 90 days after the occurrence of that event of default, in the manner and to the extent provided in subsection (c) of Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, unless such event of default has been cured or waived prior to the giving of such notice. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 2.07). The registered owners of all outstanding Senior Debt Securities may waive any past event of default and its consequences. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 2.06).

The Guarantee Trustee, the Indenture Trustee and the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement have all of the rights and remedies available under applicable law and may sue to enforce the terms of the Guarantee Agreement and to recover damages for the breach of the Guarantee Agreement. The remedies of each of the Guarantee Trustee, the Indenture Trustee and the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement, to the extent permitted by law, are cumulative and

 

25


Table of Contents

in addition to any other remedy now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. At the option of any of the Guarantee Trustee, the Indenture Trustee or the registered owners of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement, that person or entity may join NEE in any lawsuit commenced by that person or entity against NEE Capital with respect to any obligations under the Guarantee Agreement. Also, that person or entity may recover against NEE in that lawsuit, or in any independent lawsuit against NEE, without first asserting, prosecuting or exhausting any remedy or claim against NEE Capital. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.06).

NEE is required to deliver to the Guarantee Trustee an annual statement as to its compliance with all conditions under the Guarantee Agreement. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 2.04).

Modification. NEE and the Guarantee Trustee may, without the consent of any registered owner of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement, agree to any changes to the Guarantee Agreement that do not materially adversely affect the rights of registered owners. The Guarantee Agreement also may be amended with the prior approval of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement. However, the right of any registered owner of Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement to receive payment under the Guarantee Agreement on the due date of the Senior Debt Securities held by that registered owner, or to institute suit for the enforcement of that payment on or after that due date, may not be impaired or affected without the consent of that registered owner. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 6.01).

Termination of the Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantee Agreement will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full payment of all Senior Debt Securities covered by the Guarantee Agreement. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.05).

Governing Law. The Guarantee Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereunder, except to the extent that the law of any other jurisdiction is mandatorily applicable. (Guarantee Agreement, Section 5.07).

DESCRIPTION OF NEE CAPITAL SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

AND NEE SUBORDINATED GUARANTEE

NEE Capital may issue its subordinated debt securities (other than the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures (as defined above under “Description of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and NEE Junior Subordinated Guarantee”)), in one or more series, under one or more indentures between NEE Capital and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of any offered subordinated debt securities, including NEE’s guarantee of NEE Capital’s payment obligations under such subordinated debt securities, and the applicable indenture will be described in a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF NEE CAPITAL

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND

NEE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED GUARANTEE

General. NEE Capital may issue its junior subordinated debentures in one or more series, under an Indenture, dated as of September 1, 2006, among NEE Capital, NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, or another subordinated indenture among NEE Capital, NEE and The Bank of New York Mellon as specified in the related prospectus supplement. The indenture or indentures pursuant to which NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be issued, as they may be amended and supplemented from time to time, are referred to in this prospectus as the “NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture.” The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, is referred to in this prospectus as the “Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee.” The junior subordinated debentures of NEE Capital offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are referred to as the “NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures.”

 

26


Table of Contents

The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture provides for the issuance from time to time of subordinated debt in an unlimited amount. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and all other subordinated debt issued previously or hereafter under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities.”

This section briefly summarizes some of the terms of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, NEE’s junior subordinated guarantee of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Junior Subordinated Guarantee”), and some of the provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. This summary does not contain a complete description of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Junior Subordinated Guarantee or the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. You should read this summary together with the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture and the officer’s certificates or other documents creating the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Guarantee for a complete understanding of all the provisions and for the definitions of some terms used in this summary. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture which includes the Junior Subordinated Guarantee, the form of officer’s certificate that may be used to create a series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and a form of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures have previously been filed with the SEC, and are exhibits to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, each NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture is or will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and therefore subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for a complete understanding of its provisions.

All NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of one series need not be issued at the same time, and a series may be re-opened for issuances of additional NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series. This means that NEE Capital may from time to time, without notice to, or the consent of any existing holders of the previously-issued NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of a particular series, create and issue additional NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series. Such additional NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will have the same terms as the previously-issued NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series in all respects except for the issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date. The additional NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be consolidated and form a single series with the previously-issued NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series.

The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured, subordinated obligations of NEE Capital which rank junior to all of NEE Capital’s Senior Indebtedness. The term “Senior Indebtedness” with respect to NEE Capital will be defined in the related prospectus supplement. All NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures issued under a particular NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture will rank equally and ratably with all other NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures issued under that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, except to the extent that NEE Capital elects to provide security with respect to any series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures without providing that security to all outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures in accordance with the respective NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures issued under a particular NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture may rank senior to, pari passu with, or junior to, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by NEE Capital under another NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by NEE as to payment of principal, and any interest and premium, pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Guarantee included in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture for such NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, which Junior Subordinated Guarantee ranks junior to all of NEE’s Senior Indebtedness, and may rank senior to, pari passu with, or junior to, NEE’s obligations under a separate junior subordinated guarantee. See “—Junior Subordinated Guarantee of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures” below.

Each series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be issued under each NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture may have different terms. NEE Capital will include some or all of the

 

27


Table of Contents

following information about a specific series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures in a prospectus supplement relating to that specific series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures:

 

  (1)

the title of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (2)

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (3)

the date(s) on which the principal of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be paid,

 

  (4)

the rate(s) of interest on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, or how the rate(s) of interest will be determined, the date(s) from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be paid and the record date for any interest payable on any interest payment date,

 

  (5)

the person to whom interest will be paid on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures on any interest payment date, if other than the person in whose name those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are registered at the close of business on the record date for that interest payment,

 

  (6)

the place(s) at which or methods by which payments will be made on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and the place(s) at which or methods by which the registered owners of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may transfer or exchange those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and serve notices and demands to or upon NEE Capital,

 

  (7)

the security registrar and any paying agent or agents for those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (8)

any date(s) on which, the price(s) at which and the terms and conditions upon which those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed at the option of NEE Capital, in whole or in part, and any restrictions on those redemptions,

 

  (9)

any sinking fund or other provisions, including any options held by the registered owners of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, that would obligate NEE Capital to repurchase, redeem or repay those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (10)

the denominations in which those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be issued, if other than denominations of $25 and any integral multiple of $25,

 

  (11)

the currency or currencies in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be paid (if other than in U.S. dollars),

 

  (12)

if NEE Capital or a registered owner may elect to pay, or receive, principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures in a currency other than that in which those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made,

 

  (13)

if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be paid in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property and the terms and conditions upon which NEE Capital or a registered owner may elect to pay or receive those payments,

 

  (14)

if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be determined by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, the manner in which those amounts will be determined,

 

  (15)

the portion of the principal amount of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures that will be paid upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, if other than the entire principal amount of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (16)

events of default, if any, with respect to those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and covenants of NEE Capital, if any, for the benefit of the registered owners of those NEE Capital Junior

 

28


Table of Contents
  Subordinated Debentures, other than those specified in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, or any exceptions to those specified in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture,

 

  (17)

the terms, if any, pursuant to which those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities of any other entity,

 

  (18)

a definition of “Eligible Obligations” under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture with respect to those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars,

 

  (19)

any provisions for the reinstatement of NEE Capital’s indebtedness in respect of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures after their satisfaction and discharge,

 

  (20)

if those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued in global form, necessary information relating to the issuance of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures in global form,

 

  (21)

if those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued as bearer securities, necessary information relating to the issuance of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures as bearer securities,

 

  (22)

any limits on the rights of the registered owners of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures to transfer or exchange those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures or to register their transfer, and any related service charges,

 

  (23)

any exceptions to the provisions governing payments due on legal holidays or any variations in the definition of business day with respect to those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures,

 

  (24)

any collateral security, assurance, or guarantee for those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, including any security, assurance of guarantee in addition to, or any exceptions to, the Junior Subordinated Guarantee,

 

  (25)

any variation in the definition of pari passu securities, if applicable, and

 

  (26)

any other terms of those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 301).

NEE Capital may sell NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures at a discount below their principal amount. Some of the important United States federal income tax considerations applicable to NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures sold at a discount below their principal amount may be discussed in the related prospectus supplement. In addition, some of the important United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars may be discussed in the related prospectus supplement.

Except as otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the covenants in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture would not give registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving NEE Capital or NEE.

Subordination. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of NEE Capital. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Article Fifteen). No payment of the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, or interest, or premium, if any, on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made by NEE Capital, until all holders of Senior Indebtedness of NEE Capital have been paid in full (or provision has been made for such payment), if any of the following occurs:

 

  (1)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of NEE Capital,

 

29


Table of Contents
  (2)

any Senior Indebtedness of NEE Capital is not paid when due (after the expiration of any applicable grace period) and that default continues without waiver, or

 

  (3)

any other default has occurred and continues without waiver (after the expiration of any applicable grace period) pursuant to which the holders of Senior Indebtedness of NEE Capital are permitted to accelerate the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1502).

Upon any distribution of assets of NEE Capital to creditors in connection with any insolvency, bankruptcy or similar proceeding, all principal of, and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on all Senior Indebtedness of NEE Capital must be paid in full before the holders of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are entitled to receive or retain any payment from such distribution. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1502).

While NEE Capital is a holding company that derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries, NEE Capital’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any payments on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will effectively be subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock, incurred or issued by NEE Capital’s subsidiaries. In addition to trade liabilities, many of NEE Capital’s operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will effectively be senior to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that NEE Capital’s subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or incur. See “Description of NEE Common Stock—Common Stock Terms—Dividend Rights” for a description of contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of NEE Capital.

Junior Subordinated Guarantee of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures. Pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Guarantee, NEE will absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal of and any interest and premium, if any, on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, when due and payable, whether at the stated maturity date, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. The Junior Subordinated Guarantee will remain in effect until the entire principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures has been paid in full or otherwise discharged in accordance with the provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Article Fourteen).

The Junior Subordinated Guarantee will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of NEE. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1402). The term “Senior Indebtedness” with respect to NEE will be defined in the related prospectus supplement. No payment of the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, or interest, or premium, if any, on, the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made by NEE under the Junior Subordinated Guarantee until all holders of Senior Indebtedness of NEE have been paid in full (or provision has been made for such payment), if any of the following occurs:

 

  (1)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of NEE,

 

  (2)

any Senior Indebtedness of NEE is not paid when due (after the expiration of any applicable grace period) and that default continues without waiver, or

 

  (3)

any other default has occurred and continues without waiver (after the expiration of any applicable grace period) pursuant to which the holders of Senior Indebtedness of NEE are permitted to accelerate the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1403).

Upon any distribution of assets of NEE to creditors in connection with any insolvency, bankruptcy or similar proceeding, all principal of, and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on all Senior

 

30


Table of Contents

Indebtedness of NEE must be paid in full before the holders of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are entitled to receive or retain any payment from such distribution. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1403).

While NEE is a holding company that derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries, NEE’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make any payments under the Junior Subordinated Guarantee or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, the Junior Subordinated Guarantee will effectively be subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock, incurred or issued by NEE’s subsidiaries. In addition to trade liabilities, many of NEE’s operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will effectively be senior to the Junior Subordinated Guarantee. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that NEE’s subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or incur. See “Description of NEE Common Stock—Common Stock Terms—Dividend Rights” for a description of contractual restrictions on the dividend-paying ability of some of NEE’s subsidiaries.

Payment and Paying Agents. Except as stated in the related prospectus supplement, on each interest payment date NEE Capital will pay interest on each NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture to the person in whose name that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered as of the close of business on the record date relating to that interest payment date. However, on the date that the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures mature, NEE Capital will pay the interest to the person to whom it pays the principal. Also, if NEE Capital has defaulted in the payment of interest on any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture, it may pay that defaulted interest to the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture:

 

  (1)

as of the close of business on a date that the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee selects, which may not be more than 15 days or less than 10 days before the date that NEE Capital, or NEE, as the case may be, proposes to pay the defaulted interest, or

 

  (2)

in any other lawful manner that does not violate the requirements of any securities exchange on which that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture is listed and that the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee believes is practicable. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 307).

Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures at maturity will be payable when such NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are presented at the main corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon, as paying agent, in New York City. NEE Capital and NEE may change the place of payment on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, appoint one or more additional paying agents, including NEE Capital, and remove any paying agent. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 602).

Transfer and Exchange. Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures may be transferred or exchanged at the main corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon, as security registrar, in New York City. NEE Capital may change the place for transfer and exchange of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and may designate one or more additional places for that transfer and exchange.

Except as otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, there will be no service charge for any transfer or exchange of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures. However, NEE Capital may require payment of any tax or other governmental charge in connection with any transfer or exchange of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures.

NEE Capital will not be required to transfer or exchange any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture selected for redemption. Also, NEE Capital will not be required to transfer or exchange any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture during a period of 15 days before notice is to be given identifying the

 

31


Table of Contents

NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures selected to be redeemed. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 305).

Defeasance. NEE Capital and NEE may, at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to all or a portion of any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities. To do so, NEE Capital or NEE must irrevocably deposit with the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee or any paying agent, in trust:

 

  (1)

money in an amount that will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, on or prior to their maturity, or

 

  (2)

in the case of a deposit made prior to the maturity of that series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities,

 

  (a)

direct obligations of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States and entitled to the benefit of its full faith and credit that do not contain provisions permitting their redemption or other prepayment at the option of their issuer, and

 

  (b)

certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments that evidence a direct ownership interest in those obligations or in any specific interest or principal payments due in respect of those obligations that do not contain provisions permitting their redemption or other prepayment at the option of their issuer,

the principal of and the interest on which, when due, without any regard to reinvestment of that principal or interest, will provide money that, together with any money deposited with or held by the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, on or prior to their maturity, or

 

  (3)

a combination of (1) and (2) that will be sufficient to pay all or that portion of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, on or prior to their maturity. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 701).

Option to Defer Interest Payments. If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, NEE Capital will have the option to defer the payment of interest from time to time on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures for one or more periods. Interest would, however, continue to accrue on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, during any optional deferral period neither NEE nor NEE Capital may:

 

  (1)

declare or pay any dividend or distribution on its capital stock,

 

  (2)

redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of its capital stock,

 

  (3)

pay any principal, interest or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that are equal or junior in right of payment with the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, or with the Junior Subordinated Guarantee, or

 

  (4)

make any payments with respect to any guarantee of debt securities if such guarantee is equal or junior in right of payment to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures or the Junior Subordinated Guarantee,

other than

 

  (a)

purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of its capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or agents or a stock purchase or dividend reinvestment plan, or the satisfaction of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date that the payment of interest is deferred requiring it to purchase, redeem or acquire its capital stock,

 

32


Table of Contents
  (b)

any payment, repayment, redemption, purchase, acquisition or declaration of dividend listed as restricted payments in clauses (1) and (2) above as a result of a reclassification of its capital stock or the exchange or conversion of all or a portion of one class or series of its capital stock for another class or series of its capital stock,

 

  (c)

the purchase of fractional interests in shares of its capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of its capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, or in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts,

 

  (d)

dividends or distributions paid or made in its capital stock (or rights to acquire its capital stock), or repurchases, redemptions or acquisitions of capital stock in connection with the issuance or exchange of capital stock (or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock) and distributions in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts,

 

  (e)

redemptions, exchanges or repurchases of, or with respect to, any rights outstanding under a shareholder rights plan or the declaration or payment thereunder of a dividend or distribution of or with respect to rights in the future,

 

  (f)

payments under any preferred trust securities guarantee or guarantee of subordinated debentures executed and delivered by NEE concurrently with the issuance by a trust of any preferred trust securities, so long as the amount of payments made with respect to any preferred trust securities or subordinated debentures (as the case may be) is paid on all preferred trust securities or subordinated debentures (as the case may be) then outstanding on a pro rata basis in proportion to the full distributions to which each series of preferred trust securities or subordinated debentures (as the case may be) is then entitled if paid in full,

 

  (g)

payments under any guarantee of junior subordinated debentures executed and delivered by NEE (including the Junior Subordinated Guarantee), so long as the amount of payments made on any junior subordinated debentures is paid on all junior subordinated debentures then outstanding on a pro rata basis in proportion to the full payment to which each series of junior subordinated debentures is then entitled if paid in full,

 

  (h)

dividends or distributions by NEE Capital on its capital stock to the extent owned by NEE, or

 

  (i)

redemptions, purchases, acquisitions or liquidation payments by NEE Capital with respect to its capital stock to the extent owned by NEE. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 608).

NEE and NEE Capital have reserved the right to amend the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of September 1, 2006, without the consent or action of the holders of any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities issued after October 1, 2006, including the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, to modify the exceptions to the restrictions described in clause (f) above to allow payments with respect to any preferred trust securities or debt securities, or any guarantee thereof (including the Junior Subordinated Guarantee), executed and delivered by NEE, NEE Capital or any of their subsidiaries, in each case that rank equal in right of payment to such junior subordinated debentures or the related guarantee, as the case may be, so long as the amount of payments made on account of such securities or guarantees is paid on all such securities or guarantees then outstanding on a pro rata basis in proportion to the full payment to which each series of such securities or guarantees is then entitled if paid in full.

Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, (i) before an optional deferral period ends, NEE Capital may further defer the payment of interest and (ii) after any optional deferral period and the payment of all amounts then due, NEE Capital may select a new optional deferral period. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, no optional deferral period may exceed the period of time specified in that prospectus supplement. No interest period may be deferred beyond the maturity of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Redemption. The redemption terms of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, and

 

33


Table of Contents

except with respect to NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures redeemable at the option of the holder, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures will be redeemable upon notice between 30 and 60 days prior to the redemption date. If less than all of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series or any tranche thereof are to be redeemed, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee will select the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures to be redeemed. In the absence of any provision for selection, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee will choose such method of selection as it deems fair and appropriate. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Sections 403 and 404).

NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures selected for redemption will cease to bear interest on the redemption date. The paying agent will pay the redemption price and any accrued interest once the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures are surrendered for redemption. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 405). Except as stated in the related prospectus supplement, on the redemption date NEE Capital will pay interest on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures being redeemed to the person to whom it pays the redemption price. If only part of a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture is redeemed, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee will deliver a new NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debenture of the same series for the remaining portion without charge. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 406).

Any redemption at the option of NEE Capital may be conditional upon the receipt by the paying agent, on or prior to the date fixed for redemption, of money sufficient to pay the redemption price. If at the time notice of redemption is given, the redemption moneys are not on deposit with the paying agent, then, if such notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of the redemption moneys on or before the Redemption Date and such notice of redemption shall be of no force or effect unless such moneys are received. (Indenture, Section 404).

Purchase of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures. NEE or its affiliates, including NEE Capital, may at any time and from time to time, purchase all or some of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures at any price or prices, whether by tender, in the open market or by private agreement or otherwise, subject to applicable law.

Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets. Under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, neither NEE Capital nor NEE may consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:

 

  (1)

the entity formed by that consolidation, or the entity into which NEE Capital or NEE, as the case may be, is merged, or the entity that acquires or leases the properties and assets of NEE Capital or NEE, as the case may be, is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia and that entity expressly assumes NEE Capital’s or NEE’s, as the case may be, obligations on all NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities and under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture,

 

  (2)

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture exists, and

 

  (3)

NEE Capital or NEE, as the case may be, delivers an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, as provided in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1101).

The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture does not prevent or restrict:

 

  (a)

any consolidation or merger after the consummation of which NEE Capital or NEE, as the case may be, would be the surviving or resulting entity,

 

  (b)

any consolidation of NEE Capital with NEE or any other entity all of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by NEE, or any merger of any such entity into any other of

 

34


Table of Contents

such entities, or any conveyance or other transfer, or lease, of properties or assets by any thereof to any other thereof,

 

  (c)

any conveyance or other transfer, or lease, of any part of the properties or assets of NEE Capital or NEE which does not constitute the entirety, or substantially the entirety, thereof,

 

  (d)

the approval by NEE Capital or NEE of or the consent by NEE Capital or NEE to any consolidation or merger to which any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of NEE Capital or NEE, as the case requires, may be a party, or any conveyance, transfer or lease by any such subsidiary or affiliate of any or all of its properties or assets, or

 

  (e)

any other transaction not contemplated by (1), (2) or (3) in the preceding paragraph. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1103).

Events of Default. Each of the following is an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series:

 

  (1)

failure to pay interest on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series within 30 days after it is due (provided, however, that a failure to pay interest during a valid optional deferral period will not constitute an event of default),

 

  (2)

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series when it is due,

 

  (3)

failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, other than a covenant or warranty that does not relate to that series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, that continues for 90 days after (i) NEE Capital and NEE receive written notice of such failure to comply from the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee or (ii) NEE Capital, NEE and the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee receive written notice of such failure to comply from the registered owners of at least 33% in principal amount of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series,

 

  (4)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of NEE Capital or NEE,

 

  (5)

with certain exceptions, the Junior Subordinated Guarantee ceases to be effective, is found by a judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or is denied or disaffirmed by NEE, or

 

  (6)

any other event of default specified with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 801).

In the case of an event of default listed in item (3) above, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee may extend the grace period. In addition, if registered owners of a particular series have given a notice of default, then registered owners of at least the same percentage of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures of that series, together with the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, may also extend the grace period. The grace period will be automatically extended if NEE Capital or NEE has initiated and is diligently pursuing corrective action in good faith. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 801). An event of default with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of a particular series will not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any other series issued under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture.

Remedies. If an event of default applicable to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of one or more series, but not applicable to all outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, exists, then either (i) the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee or (ii) the registered owners of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of each of the affected series may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. (NEE Capital Junior

 

35


Table of Contents

Subordinated Indenture, Section 802). However, under the Indenture, some NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities may provide for a specified amount less than their entire principal amount to be due and payable upon that declaration. Such a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security is defined as a “Discount Security” in the Indenture.

A majority of the currently outstanding series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities contain an exception to the right to accelerate payment of the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of those series for an event of default listed in item (3) under “Events of Default” above. With respect to such NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, if an event of default listed in item (3) under “Events of Default” above exists, the registered owners of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of such series will not be entitled to vote to make a declaration of acceleration (and these NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will not be considered outstanding for the purpose of determining whether the required vote, described above, has been obtained), and the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee will not have a right to make such declaration with respect to these NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the terms of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities issued in the future will contain this exception.

If an event of default is applicable to all outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, then either (i) the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee or (ii) the registered owners of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all series, voting as one class, and not the registered owners of any one series, may make a declaration of acceleration. However, the event of default giving rise to the declaration relating to any series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will be automatically waived, and that declaration and its consequences will be automatically rescinded and annulled, if, at any time after that declaration and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained:

 

  (1)

NEE Capital or NEE pays or deposits with the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

  (a)

all overdue interest, if any, on all NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series then outstanding,

 

  (b)

the principal of and any premium on any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series that have become due for reasons other than that declaration, and interest that is then due,

 

  (c)

interest on overdue interest for that series, and

 

  (d)

all amounts then due to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, and

 

  (2)

if, after application of money paid or deposited as described in item (1) above, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series would remain outstanding, any other event of default with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series has been cured or waived as provided in the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 802).

Other than its obligations and duties in case of an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture at the request or direction of any of the registered owners of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, unless those registered owners offer reasonable indemnity to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 903). If they provide this reasonable indemnity, the registered owners of a majority in principal amount of any series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will have the right to direct the time,

 

36


Table of Contents

method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series. However, if an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture relates to more than one series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, only the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, considered as one class, will have the right to make that direction. Also, the direction must not violate any law or the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, and may not expose the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee to personal liability in circumstances where the indemnity would not, in the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee’s sole discretion, be adequate, and the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee may take any other action that it deems proper and not inconsistent with such direction. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 812).

A registered owner of a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security has the right to institute a suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security on or after the applicable due date specified in that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 808). No registered owner of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series will have any other right to institute any proceeding under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, or any other remedy under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, unless:

 

  (1)

that registered owner has previously given to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series,

 

  (2)

the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all series in respect of which an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture exists, considered as one class, have made written request to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee to institute that proceeding in its own name as trustee, and have offered reasonable indemnity to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee against related costs, expenses and liabilities,

 

  (3)

the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of that notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding, and

 

  (4)

no direction inconsistent with that request was given to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee during this 60 day period by the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all series in respect of which an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture exists, considered as one class. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 807).

Each of NEE Capital and NEE is required to deliver to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee an annual statement as to its compliance with all conditions and covenants applicable to it under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 606).

Modification and Waiver. Without the consent of any registered owner of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, NEE Capital, NEE and the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture for any of the following purposes:

 

  (1)

to provide for the assumption by any permitted successor to NEE Capital or NEE of NEE Capital’s or NEE’s obligations under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture and the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or a conveyance, transfer or lease of NEE Capital or NEE’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety,

 

  (2)

to add covenants of NEE Capital or NEE or to surrender any right or power conferred upon NEE Capital or NEE by the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture,

 

37


Table of Contents
  (3)

to add any additional events of default,

 

  (4)

to change, eliminate or add any provision of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, provided that if that change, elimination or addition will materially adversely affect the interests of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series or tranche, that change, elimination or addition will become effective with respect to that particular series or tranche only

 

  (a)

when the required consent of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that particular series or tranche has been obtained, or

 

  (b)

when no NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that particular series or tranche remain outstanding under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture,

 

  (5)

to provide collateral security for all but not a part of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities,

 

  (6)

to create the form or terms of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any other series or tranche or any Junior Subordinated Guarantees,

 

  (7)

to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer securities and the related coupons and for other matters relating to those bearer securities,

 

  (8)

to accept the appointment of a successor Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee or co-trustee with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of one or more series and to change any of the provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture as necessary to provide for the administration of the trusts under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture by more than one trustee,

 

  (9)

to add procedures to permit the use of a non-certificated system of registration for all, or any series or tranche of, the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities,

 

  (10)

to change any place where

 

  (a)

the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all, or any series or tranche of, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities are payable,

 

  (b)

all, or any series or tranche of, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities may be surrendered for registration, transfer or exchange, and

 

  (c)

notices and demands to or upon NEE Capital or NEE in respect of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities and the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture may be served, or

 

  (11)

to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to add or change any other provisions with respect to matters and questions arising under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, provided those changes or additions may not materially adversely affect the interests of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series or tranche. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1201).

The registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by NEE Capital or NEE with certain restrictive provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 607). The registered owners of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series may waive any past default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest and a default with respect to certain restrictive covenants or provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security of that series affected. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 813).

 

38


Table of Contents

In addition to any amendments described above, if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture in a way that requires changes to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture or in a way that permits changes to, or the elimination of, provisions that were previously required by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture will be deemed to be amended to conform to that amendment of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or to make those changes, additions or eliminations. NEE Capital, NEE and the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee may, without the consent of any registered owners, enter into supplemental indentures to make that amendment. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1201).

Except for any amendments described above, the consent of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all series then outstanding, considered as one class, is required for all other modifications to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. However, if less than all of the series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities outstanding are directly affected by a proposed supplemental indenture, then the consent only of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all directly affected series, considered as one class, is required. But, if NEE Capital issues any series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities in more than one tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture directly affects the rights of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of less than all of those tranches, then the consent only of the registered owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of all directly affected tranches, considered as one class, will be required. However, none of those amendments or modifications may:

 

  (1)

change the dates on which the principal of or interest (except as described above under “—Option to Defer Interest Payments”) on a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security is due without the consent of the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security,

 

  (2)

reduce any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security’s principal amount or rate of interest (or the amount of any installment of that interest) or change the method of calculating that rate without the consent of the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security,

 

  (3)

reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security without the consent of the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security,

 

  (4)

change the currency (or other property) in which a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security is payable without the consent of the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security,

 

  (5)

impair the right to sue to enforce payments on any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security on or after the date that it states that the payment is due (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) without the consent of the registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security,

 

  (6)

impair the right to receive payments under the Junior Subordinated Guarantee or to institute suit for enforcement of any such payment under the Junior Subordinated Guarantee,

 

  (7)

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series or tranche whose owners must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security of that particular series or tranche,

 

  (8)

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting of any series or tranche without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security of that particular series or tranche, or

 

39


Table of Contents
  (9)

modify certain of the provisions of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture relating to supplemental indentures, waivers of certain covenants and waivers of past defaults with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any series or tranche, without the consent of the registered owner of each outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security affected by the modification.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture that has expressly been included only for the benefit of one or more particular series or tranches of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, or that modifies the rights of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that particular series or tranche with respect to that provision, will not affect the rights under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture of the registered owners of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of any other series or tranche. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 1202).

The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that, in order to determine whether the registered owners of the required principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, or whether a quorum is present at the meeting of the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities owned by NEE Capital, NEE or any other obligor upon the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities or any affiliate of NEE Capital, NEE or of that other obligor (unless NEE Capital, NEE, that affiliate or that obligor owns all NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities outstanding under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, determined without regard to this provision), will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 101).

If NEE Capital or NEE solicits any action under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture from registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, each of NEE Capital or NEE may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for determining the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities entitled to take that action, but neither NEE Capital nor NEE will be obligated to do so. If NEE Capital or NEE fixes such a record date, that action may be taken before or after that record date, but only the registered owners of record at the close of business on that record date will be deemed to be registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities for the purposes of determining whether registered owners of the required proportion of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities have authorized that action. For these purposes, the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will be computed as of the record date. Any action of a registered owner of any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture will bind every future registered owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security, or any NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security replacing that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security, with respect to anything that the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, NEE Capital or NEE do, fail to do, or allow to be done in reliance on that action, whether or not that action is noted upon that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 104).

Resignation and Removal of Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee. The Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee may resign at any time with respect to any series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities by giving written notice of its resignation to NEE Capital and NEE. Also, the registered owners of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of one or more series of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities may remove the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee at any time with respect to the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities of that series, by delivering an instrument evidencing this action to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, NEE Capital and NEE. The resignation or removal of the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee will not become effective until a successor trustee accepts its appointment.

 

40


Table of Contents

Except with respect to a trustee under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture appointed by the registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee will be deemed to have resigned and the successor will be deemed to have been appointed as trustee in accordance with the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture if:

 

  (1)

no event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture or event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture exists, and

 

  (2)

NEE Capital and NEE have delivered to the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee resolutions of their Boards of Directors appointing a successor trustee and that successor trustee has accepted that appointment in accordance with the terms of the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 910).

Notices. Notices to registered owners of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will be sent by mail to the addresses of those registered owners as they appear in the security register for those NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 106).

Title. NEE Capital, NEE, the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, and any agent of NEE Capital, NEE or the Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, may treat the person in whose name a NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security is registered as the absolute owner of that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security, whether or not that NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Security is overdue, for the purpose of making payments and for all other purposes, regardless of any notice to the contrary. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 308).

Governing Law. The NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture and the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereunder, except to the extent that the law of any other jurisdiction is mandatorily applicable. (NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture, Section 112).

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEES

NEE and its subsidiaries, including NEE Capital, and various of their affiliates maintain various banking and trust relationships with The Bank of New York Mellon and its affiliates. The Bank of New York Mellon acts, or would act, as (i) Indenture Trustee, security registrar and paying agent under the Indenture described under “Description of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” above, (ii) Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee Agreement described under “Description of NEE Guarantee of NEE Capital Senior Debt Securities” above, (iii) purchase contract agent under purchase contract agreements with respect to stock purchase units and (iv) Junior Subordinated Indenture Trustee, security registrar and paying agent under the NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Indenture described under “Description of NEE Capital Junior Subordinated Debentures and NEE Junior Subordinated Guarantee” above. In addition, The Bank of New York Mellon acts, or would act, as trustee under indentures for debt securities of NEE and FPL.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

NEE and NEE Capital may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus (“Offered Securities”):

 

  (1)

through underwriters or dealers,

 

  (2)

through agents, or

 

  (3)

directly to one or more purchasers.

 

41


Table of Contents

This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Through Underwriters or Dealers. If NEE and/or NEE Capital uses underwriters in the sale of the Offered Securities, the underwriters will acquire the Offered Securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the Offered Securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the Offered Securities directly or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement relating to the Offered Securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase those Offered Securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of those Offered Securities if they purchase any of them. If NEE and/or NEE Capital uses a dealer in the sale, NEE and/or NEE Capital will sell the Offered Securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell those Offered Securities at varying prices determined at the time of resale.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Through Agents. NEE and/or NEE Capital may designate one or more agents to sell the Offered Securities. Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

Directly. NEE and/or NEE Capital may sell the Offered Securities directly to one or more purchasers. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved.

General Information. A prospectus supplement will state the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent and the amount of any compensation, underwriting discounts or concessions paid, allowed or reallowed to them. A prospectus supplement will also state the proceeds to NEE and/or NEE Capital from the sale of the Offered Securities, any initial public offering price and other terms of the offering of those Offered Securities.

NEE and/or NEE Capital may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the Offered Securities from NEE and/or NEE Capital at the public offering price and on the terms described in the related prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.

The Offered Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms, which are referred to herein as the “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as agent for NEE and/or NEE Capital, as applicable. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with NEE and/or NEE Capital, and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.

NEE and/or NEE Capital may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by NEE and/or NEE Capital or borrowed from any of them or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from NEE and/or NEE Capital in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

42


Table of Contents

NEE and/or NEE Capital may have agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters, dealers and agents may be required to make in respect of, certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from NextEra Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of NextEra Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York, New York and Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Miami, Florida, co-counsel to NEE and NEE Capital, will pass upon the legality of the Offered Securities for NEE and NEE Capital. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon the legality of the Offered Securities for any underwriters, dealers or agents. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP may rely as to all matters of Florida law upon the opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP may rely as to all matters of New York law upon the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

 

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any written communication from NEE or NEE Capital specifying the final terms of a particular offering of securities. Neither NEE nor NEE Capital has authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. Neither NEE nor NEE Capital is making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that the information incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference.

 

43


Table of Contents

 

 

 

LOGO

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

$1,500,000,000

$1,100,000,000 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024

$400,000,000 Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024

The Debentures will be Absolutely, Irrevocably and

Unconditionally Guaranteed by

NextEra Energy, Inc.

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

March 17, 2022

 

 

Barclays

BofA Securities

Citigroup

Credit Suisse

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

J.P. Morgan

Morgan Stanley

Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

 

EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables (1)

Form 424(b)(2)

(Form Type)

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

NextEra Energy, Inc.(2)

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities and Carry Forward Securities

 

   

Security

type

  Security
class
title
  Fee
calculation
or carry
forward rule
  Amount
registered
  Proposed
maximum
offering
price
per unit
    Maximum
aggregate
offering price
    Fee rate     Amount of
registration fee
    Carry
forward
form type
    Carry
forward
file number
    Carry
forward
initial
effective date
    Filing fee
previously paid
in connection
with unsold
securities
to be carried
forward
 

 

Newly Registered Securities

 

Fees to Be Paid   Debt   NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024   Rule 457(r)   $1,100,000,000     99.994%       $1,099,934,000       0.0000927       $101,963.88          
  Other   NextEra Energy, Inc. Guarantee of 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024   Rule 457(n) (2)                     (2)          
  Debt   NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024   Rule 457(r)   $400,000,000     100.00%       $400,000,000       0.0000927       $37,080          
  Other   NextEra Energy, Inc. Guarantee of Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024   Rule 457(n) (2)                     (2)          
Fees Previously Paid                                    

 

Carry Forward Securities

 

Carry Forward Securities                                            
  Total Offering Amounts     $ 1,499,934,000       $ 139,043.88          
         

 

 

         
  Total Fees Previously Paid                    
         

 

 

         
  Total Fee Offsets                    
         

 

 

         
  Net Fee Due         $ 139,043.88          
               

 

 

         


(1)

These “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” shall be deemed to update the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in Registration Statement Nos. 333-254632 and 333-254632-02.

 

(2)

NextEra Energy, Inc. has agreed to absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024 and the Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024. The value attributable to the NextEra Energy, Inc. guarantees, if any, are reflected in the offering price of the 2.94% Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024 and the Floating Rate Debentures, Series due March 21, 2024. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, no separate fee for the NextEra Energy, Inc. guarantees is payable.