Lahore, June 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): Orient Power Company (Private) Limited (Orient Power or the Company) has been established to set up and operate, combined cycle dual fuel, 212.7 MW net power generation plant, for generation of electricity and onward sale of electricity to the Power Purchaser (CPPA-G). The plant achieved its commercial operations date (COD) on May 24, 2010. The ratings reflect strong business profile of the Company emanating from the demand risk coverage under 30 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed between CPPA-G and the Company starting from the COD.
Meanwhile, the Implementation Agreement provides sovereign guarantee for cash flows, given adherence to agreed performance benchmarks (Availability: 90%, Efficiency: 51.2% on gas/RLNG and 48.5% on HSD, subject to annual heat rate degradation and part load curves. During the period under review the Company continues to meet its performance benchmarks. Comfort is drawn from General Electric International Inc. (G.E) which is the Operations, Maintenance and Service (O and M) Contractor having both local and international experience in the energy sector.
The primary fuel of the plant is Gas/Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) which is supplied by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and HSD is the backup fuel. Thus, fuel supply risk is considered adequate, pertaining to the meaningful addition of RLNG in Pakistan’s fuel mix. During the period 9MFY23, Orient Power delivered ~360GWh of electricity to the national grid and recorded sales revenue of PKR ~13,862mln, with a Net Profit of PKR ~1,239mln. Equity of the Company as of 3QFY23 stood at PKR ~16,245mln.
Pursuant to Master Agreement dated 11 February 2021, the Company has revised its ROE in respect of local equity portion (29%) to 17% from 15% with no dollar indexation and in respect of foreign equity portion (71%) ROE has been revised to 12% from 15% with dollar indexation intact. The working capital requirements of the Company are fulfilled through mix of short term borrowing and deployment of internal cashflows. Currently, the Company has arranged amicable working capital lines of PKR ~10,487mln out of which 39% (PKR ~4,075mln) had been utilized as of 3QFY23. Orient Power has successfully paid its project related debt in March’20.
Upholding operational performance in line with agreed performance levels would remain a key rating driver. Sustained good financial discipline and upholding strong operational performance in line with agreed performance levels remains imperative for the assigned ratings.
For more information, contact:
Analyst,
The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA)
Awami Complex, FB1, Usman Block New Garden Town,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5869504-6
Fax: +92-42-5830425
Email: hammad.rashid@pacra.com
Website: www.pacra.com