Exhibit 10.5


EXECUTION


 


PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE
AGREEMENT


 


THIS PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE
AGREEMENT, dated as of July 25, 2019 (as it may from time to time be amended, this “Agreement”), is entered into by
and between Switchback Energy Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and NGP Switchback,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser”).


 


WHEREAS, the Company intends to consummate
an initial public offering of the Company’s units (the “Public Offering”), each unit consisting of one share
of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one-third of one
redeemable warrant as set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), File Number 333-232501 (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 5,333,333 warrants (or up
to 5,933,333 warrants if the over-allotment option in connection
with the Public Offering is exercised in full) (the “Private Placement Warrants”), each whole Private Placement Warrant
entitling the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.


 


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the
mutual promises contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby, intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:


 


AGREEMENT


 


Section 1. Authorization, Purchase and
Sale; Terms of the Private Placement Warrants.


 


A. Authorization of the Private Placement
Warrants. The Company has duly authorized the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants to the Purchaser.


 


B. Purchase and Sale of the Private
Placement Warrants.


 


(i) On the date that is one business day
prior to the date of the consummation of the Public Offering or on such earlier time and date as may be mutually agreed by the
Purchaser and the Company (the “Initial Closing Date”), the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the
Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, 5,333,333 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant for an aggregate
purchase price of $8,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”).
The Purchaser shall pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Company’s
wiring instructions. On the Initial Closing Date, upon the payment by the Purchaser of the Purchase Price, the Company shall, at
its option, deliver a certificate evidencing the Private Placement Warrants purchased on such date duly registered in the Purchaser’s
name to the Purchaser, or effect such delivery in book-entry form.


 


(ii) On the date that is one business day
prior to the date of the consummation of the closing of the over-allotment option in connection with the Public Offering or on
such earlier time and date as may be mutually agreed by the Purchaser and the Company (each such date, an “Over-allotment
Closing Date”, and each Over-allotment Closing Date (if any) and the Initial Closing Date being sometimes referred to herein
as a “Closing Date”), the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the
Company, up to 600,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of up to $900,000
(if the over-allotment option in connection with the Public Offering is exercised in full) (the “Over-allotment Purchase
Price”). The Purchaser shall pay the Over-allotment Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance
with the Company’s wiring instructions. On the Over-allotment Closing Date, upon the payment by the Purchaser of the Over-allotment
Purchase Price, the Company shall, at its option, deliver a certificate evidencing the Private Placement Warrants purchased on
such date duly registered in the Purchaser’s name to the Purchaser, or effect such delivery in book-entry form.


 






     


     


    

 


C. Terms of the Private Placement Warrants.


 


(i) Each Private Placement Warrant shall
have the terms set forth in a Warrant Agreement to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent, in connection with the Public
Offering (the “Warrant Agreement”).


 


(ii) At the time of the closing of the
Public Offering, the Company and the Purchaser shall enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will grant certain registration rights to the Purchaser relating to the Private
Placement Warrants and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants.


 


Section 2. Representations and Warranties
of the Company. As a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and purchase the Private Placement Warrants,
the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser (which representations and warranties shall survive each Closing Date)
that:


 


A. Organization and Corporate Power.
The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and
is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition, operating results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate
power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement.


 


B. Authorization; No Breach.


 


(i) The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the Private Placement Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company as of the Closing Date. This Agreement
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’
rights and to general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law). Upon issuance in accordance with,
and payment pursuant to, the terms of the Warrant Agreement and this Agreement, the Private Placement Warrants will constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms as of the Closing Date, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).


 


(ii) The execution and delivery by the
Company of this Agreement and the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance
of the shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective
terms hereof and thereof by the Company, do not and will not as of the Closing Date (a) conflict with or result in a breach of
the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) constitute a default under, (c) result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon the Company’s capital stock or assets under, (d) result in a violation of, or (e) require any
authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any court or administrative
or governmental body or agency pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or the Bylaws of the Company, or any
material law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which
the Company is subject, except for any filings required after the date hereof under federal or state securities laws.


 


C. Title to Securities. Upon issuance
in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Upon issuance in accordance
with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the Purchaser will have good title to the Private Placement
Warrants and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Private Placement Warrants, free and clear of all liens,
claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder and under the other agreements contemplated
hereby, (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (iii) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due
to the actions of the Purchaser.


 


D. Governmental Consents. No permit,
consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any governmental authority is required in connection with
the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of any other transactions
contemplated hereby.


 






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Section 3. Representations and Warranties
of the Purchaser. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and issue and sell the Private Placement
Warrants to the Purchaser, the Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company (which representations and warranties shall
survive each Closing Date) that:


 


A. Organization and Requisite Authority.
The Purchaser possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


 


B. Authorization; No Breach.


 


(i) This Agreement constitutes a valid
and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights
and to general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).


 


(ii) The execution and delivery by the
Purchaser of this Agreement and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms hereof by the Purchaser does not and shall not
as of each Closing Date conflict with or result in a breach by the Purchaser of the terms, conditions or provisions of any agreement,
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.


 


C. Investment Representations.


 


(i) The Purchaser is acquiring the Private
Placement Warrants and, upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise
(collectively, the “Securities”), for the Purchaser’s own account, for investment purposes only and not with
a view towards, or for resale in connection with, any public sale or distribution thereof.


 


(ii) The Purchaser is an “accredited
investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.


 


(iii) The Purchaser understands that the
Securities are being offered and will be sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of the
United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s
compliance with, the representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of
such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire such Securities.


 


(iv) The Purchaser did not decide to enter
into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the
Securities Act.


 


(v) The Purchaser has been furnished with
all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of
the Securities which have been requested by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of
the executive officers and directors of the Company. The Purchaser understands that its investment in the Securities involves a
high degree of risk and it has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed
investment decision with respect to the acquisition of the Securities.


 


(vi) The Purchaser understands that no
United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or
endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities by the Purchaser nor have such
authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.


 


(vii) The Purchaser understands that: (a)
the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be
offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (1) subsequently registered thereunder or (2) sold in reliance on an exemption
therefrom; (b) except as specifically set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any other person
is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the
terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder; and (c) Rule 144 adopted pursuant to the Securities Act will not be available
for resale transactions of Securities prior to a Business Combination and may not be available for resale transactions of Securities
after a Business Combination.


 






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(viii) The Purchaser has such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters, knows of the high degree of risk associated with investments in the securities
of companies in the development stage such as the Company, is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the
Securities and is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities in the amount contemplated hereunder for an
indefinite period of time. The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for its current financial needs and contingencies and
will have no current or anticipated future needs for liquidity which would be jeopardized by the investment in the Securities.
The Purchaser can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Securities.


 


Section 4. Conditions of the Purchaser’s
Obligations. The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Private Placement Warrants are subject to the fulfillment,
on or before each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:


 


A. Representations and Warranties.
The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct at and as of such Closing Date
as though then made.


 


B. Performance. The Company shall
have performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with by it on or before such Closing Date.


 


C. No Injunction. No litigation,
statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed
by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over
the matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the Warrant Agreement.


 


D. Warrant Agreement. The Company
shall have entered into a Warrant Agreement with a warrant agent on terms satisfactory to the Purchaser.


 


Section 5. Conditions of the Company’s
Obligations. The obligations of the Company to the Purchaser under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before
each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:


 


A. Representations and Warranties.
The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct at and as of such Closing
Date as though then made.


 


B. Performance. The Purchaser shall
have performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with by the Purchaser on or before such Closing Date.


 


C. Corporate Consents. The Company
shall have obtained the consent of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants hereunder.


 


D. No Injunction. No litigation,
statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed
by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over
the matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the Warrant Agreement.


 


E. Warrant Agreement. The Company
shall have entered into a Warrant Agreement with a warrant agent on terms satisfactory to the Company.


 


Section 6. Termination. This Agreement
may be terminated at any time after September 30, 2019 upon the election by either the Company or the Purchaser upon written notice
to the other party if the closing of the Public Offering does not occur prior to such date.


 






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Section 7. Survival of Representations
and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each Closing Date.


 


Section 8. Definitions. Terms used
but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Registration Statement.


 


Section 9. Miscellaneous.


 


A. Successors and Assigns. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the
parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the parties may not assign this Agreement, other than assignments
by the Purchaser to affiliates thereof (including, without limitation, one or more of its members).


 


B. Severability. Whenever possible,
each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if
any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective
only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.


 


C. Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, none of which need contain the signatures of more than one party, but
all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.


 


D. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation.
The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement.
The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.


 


E. Governing Law. This Agreement
shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance
with the internal laws of the State of New York.


 


F. Amendments. This Agreement may
not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.


 


[Signature page follows]


 




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties
hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.


 


	 	COMPANY:
	 	 
	 	SWITCHBACK ENERGY ACQUISITION CORPORATION
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Jim Mutrie
	 	Name:	Jim Mutrie
	 	Title:	Chief Commercial Officers,

General Counsel and Secretary
	 	 	 
	 	PURCHASER:
	 	 
	 	NGP SWITCHBACK, LLC
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Jim Mutrie
	 	Name:	Jim Mutrie
	 	Title:	Chief Commercial Officer,

General Counsel and Secretary


 


[Signature Page to Private Placement Warrants Purchase
Agreement]