Item 8.01Item 8.01 - Other Events
Item 8.01. Other Events.
As previously announced, on March 1, 2026, The AES Corporation (the “Company”)
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Horizon Parent, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (“Parent”), and Horizon Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger.
On September 17, 2026, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued an order approving the Merger (the “PUCO Approval”). The PUCO Approval is a condition to the closing of the Merger, which remains subject to certain additional regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Upon
the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company will be jointly owned by investment vehicles affiliated with one or more funds, accounts or other entities owned, managed or advised by Global Infrastructure
Management, LLC and the EQT Infrastructure VI fund as well as other investors.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the safe harbor created by, the federal securities
laws, including statements related to the proposed transaction between AES and Horizon Parent, L.P. (the “Transaction”), including financial estimates and statements as to the expected
timing, completion and effects of the Transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on AES’ current expectations, estimates and projections regarding, among other things, the expected date of closing of the Transaction and the potential
benefits thereof, its business and industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by AES, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, because they relate to events and
depend upon future circumstances that may or may not occur, such as the consummation of the Transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. These and other forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) the completion
of the Transaction on anticipated terms and timing; (ii) the risk that the conditions to the completion of the Transaction, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, are not satisfied in a timely manner or at all; (iii) potential
litigation relating to the Transaction, including resulting expense or delay, and the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (iv) the risk that disruptions from the Transaction will harm AES’ business, including current plans and operations; (v)
the ability of AES to retain and hire key personnel; (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (vii) continued availability of capital and financing and
rating agency actions; (viii) certain restrictions during the pendency of the Transaction that may impact AES’ ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (ix) significant transaction costs associated with the
Transaction; (x) the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (xi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to
the termination of the Transaction, including in circumstances requiring AES to pay a termination fee or other expenses; (xii) competitive responses to the Transaction; and (xiii) the risks and uncertainties pertaining to AES’ business, including
those set forth in Part I, Item 1A of AES’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of AES’ subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other
reports filed by AES with the SEC. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Transaction, are more fully discussed in the Proxy Statement provided to AES’ stockholders on or about May 15, 2026 in connection with the Transaction. While
the list of factors presented here, and the list of factors presented in the Proxy Statement, is considered representative, no such list should be considered a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may
present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and AES does not undertake to and specifically disclaims any obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.