TransAlta Renewables Spinoff Gives Growth Edge

TransAlta Corp., the worst-performing power generation stock in North America the past year, is betting a spinoff of its wind and hydroelectric power plants will increase the company’s value and help reverse two years of losses.

Canada’s largest publicly traded electricity generator gained 9.7 percent since the company said on June 26 it plans an initial public offering of some renewable energy assets. TransAlta has expanded its wind and hydro power capacity to about 25 percent from 15 percent in 2008 with developments in eastern Canada and parts of the U.S., even as power prices in its main markets of Alberta and Washington State declined.