RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion (NYSE: D) announced today that it has closed on the first phase of its previously announced sale of a 33 percent ownership interest in 425 megawatts (AC) of solar generating capacity to SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE). Dominion received approximately $180 million for the first phase, which includes an ownership interest in 253 megawatts (AC) of solar generating capacity at 15 sites in five states.

The second phase is expected to close by early 2016 for approximately $120 million, subject to working capital and certain other adjustments. It consists of a 33 percent ownership interest in nine projects in three states – totaling 172 megawatts (AC) of generating capacity.

Dominion expects to pay down debt with the cash proceeds.

About Dominion

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 24,600 megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,490 miles of electric transmission lines.  Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 928 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves utility and retail energy customers in 14 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

About SunEdison

SunEdison is the largest global renewable energy development company and is transforming the way energy is generated, distributed, and owned around the world. The company develops, finances, installs, owns and operates renewable power plants, delivering predictably priced electricity to its residential, commercial, government and utility customers.  SunEdison is one of the world's largest renewable energy asset managers and provides customers with asset management, operations and maintenance, monitoring and reporting services. Corporate headquarters are in the United States with additional offices and technology manufacturing around the world. SunEdison's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SUNE."  To learn more visit www.sunedison.com.

This news release includes certain forward-looking information that is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Words such as "expect," "target," "would," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should" and similar terms and phrases are used to identify forward-looking statements. A number of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are identified in Dominion's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are referred to those discussions for further information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made.

SOURCE Dominion