Analyst
Madiha Sohail
madiha.sohail@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Assigns the Preliminary Rating to Lucky Electric Power Company Limited | PPCP-2 | PKR 6bln | TBI
Rating Type | Debt Instrument | |
Current (27-Oct-22 ) |
||
Action | Preliminary | |
Long Term | AA | |
Short Term | A1+ | |
Outlook | Stable | |
Rating Watch | - |
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited (Lucky Electric or The Company) has set up a 1x660MW (gross) coal fired power plant. The project achieved COD in March-22 and is successfully connected to and providing electricity to the grid. The primary fuel is Coal; a coal supply agreement is signed with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), SECMC will provide the coal from its developing Block-II (Phase III). The Company has also signed imported coal supply agreement with reputable coal suppliers. Currently, plant is generating electricity through imported coal. Comfort is drawn from the experience of O&M contractor - KEPCO. Going forward, the Company’s main focus would be to keep the plant operational. The Company has procured short-term financing facilities aggregating to PKR 46.5bln (including the debt instruments amounting to PKR 30bln) for operational needs. The financial strength and experience in the energy chain of the sponsoring company – Lucky Cement are considered to be positive for the ratings. Further, the sponsor has given explicit assurance to provide sufficient liquidity support or otherwise fund the Company in such a manner that sufficient funds are available at all times to discharge its short-term financing obligations as per the term of financing agreements. This is a key consideration in the assigned ratings. The parent company has defined a financial discipline around that as well. The offtake agreement is with CPPA-G, which will, upon the plant’s availability as per the contract, provide capacity payments even if no purchase order is placed. The Government of Pakistan has given a payment guarantee against dues from CPPA-G
The management’s ability along with the explicit support from the sponsor to effectively manage operational risks provides comfort to assigned ratings. The trend in operational profitability would bode well for rating. External factors such as any adverse changes in the regulatory framework may impact the rating.
About
the Entity
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited, incorporated in Pakistan on June 13, 2014 as public unlisted company at Port Qasim, Karachi, Sindh. Lucky Cement Limited owns 100% shareholding of Lucky Electric Power Company Limited. Lucky Cement Limited stands as the flagship company of Yunus Brothers Group. The Company’s board comprises of seven directors, including CEO, all the board members represent Lucky Cement. Mr. Muhammad Ali Tabba, the Chairman, has been associated with the Group in different capacities for nearly three decades and is currently chairing the Board with his visionary leadership and vast experience
About
the Instrument
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited is in the process to issue a rated, privately placed, unsecured, commercial paper (PPCP-2) of PKR 6,000mln (inclusive of green option of PKR 2,000mln) in October 2022 in replacement of privately placed commercial paper (PPCP) amounting to PKR 6,000mln which was issued on 06-May-22. The tenor of the instrument will be 6 months. The purpose of the instrument is to be utilized by the Company to meet its working capital requirements. The instrument will carry a profit rate of 6MK+150bps. Profit and principal will be realized at time of maturity.