At the end of the quarter, service backlog, which includes power purchase agreements, totaled $347 million and includes 94 megawatts of future fuel cell module production.
we have five projects totaling 11.2 megawatts in our operating portfolio
The portfolio generates energy sales of more than 7 million annually, with an average remaining term of 18 years
For the life of this portfolio, we estimate over $130 million of committed revenue over $80 million of expected EBITDA and over $50 million of forecasted free cash flow, after debt and lease payments
We are continuing to build on this in 2017, and we are not dependent on the federal investment tax credit in the U.S. to finance our projects and to grow our portfolio.
As we expand our operating portfolio, it lowers our breakeven targets by generating incremental EBITDA.
We have a multibillion-dollar activity pipeline, including revenue from services. Individual projects have multiple paths to closure. Project development and subsequent closure is a continuous process. Our business model aligns with this approach and is unique to FuelCell Energy. This model can and will lead to continuous profitability and growth.
In addition to the Beacon Falls Energy Park, we are advancing other fuel cell projects in Connecticut totaling over 50 megawatts. These projects make sense both economically and environmentally for multiple stakeholders
In our European served area, where we now have multiple operating installations, interest in fuel cells continues to grow. We are continuing to work to expand the market with European partners, including E.ON, one of the largest utilities in Europe.
As our installed base expands, a growing portion of our total production will be filled by scheduled fuel cell module replacements under long-term service agreements up to 20 years. This locked-in recurring production is built into the business model, which currently represents 94 megawatts of future production.
The DFC4000 was designed to be competitive with utility-scale combined cycle plants in terms of efficiency and economics, but with the important advantage that it is cleaner, can be sited in residential neighborhoods, and minimizes or avoids transmission. This innovative design generates ultra-clean power, up to 60% in electrical efficiency. Taking into account transmission losses delivered, and we mean delivered electrical efficiency is actually superior to that of a combined cycle power plant which is built away from the population centers and loses power and transmission. The dramatically higher efficiency of the DFC4000 translates directly into a more competitive, levelized cost of energy, or LCOE, which is an advantage in the absence of tax credits or other incentives.
They are a homegrown technology, with U.S. manufacturing and supply chains that can be exported to meet global demand. And they can be used to stabilize coal industry jobs and drive demand for U.S. natural gas by performing an affordable solution for carbon capture.
The ability to produce power while efficiently capturing a concentrating carbon is a potential game changer. ExxonMobil agrees, and is enthusiastically promoting carbon capture in their public communications.
We do see leading utilities and oil and gas companies investing in carbon capture, independent of any specific government mandate.
We recently announced an oil sands engineering study in Canada, for example. And ExxonMobil sees additional sizable opportunities in Asia. Our project in partnership with ExxonMobil is progressing as expected, and both parties are pleased with the progress against our milestones.
We’re focused on cost reductions, balance sheet, and margin improvement. Recently, the Company took timely and prudent steps to adjust to our current business realities while continuing to maintain the potential for long-term growth. Looking forward, we see the accomplishments in 2016 are positioning us for the future. The installed base is expanding with 41 megawatts commissioned globally, including the first commercial megawatt fuel cell power plant in Europe, and a new 20 megawatt fuel cell park in Korea.
We are making progress in developing our innovative energy storage solution for utilities, capitalizing on the potential, the proprietary technologies that are cornerstone of our business, and we are investing in services. Representing the best of U.S. innovation and manufacturing, clean and affordable fuel cell power plant meet and exceed clean energy objectives, drive economic development, create jobs and serve customers and rate payers like no other technology.
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