Analyst
Saadat Mirza
saadat.mirza@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
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PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Foundation Power Company Daharki Limited
Rating Type | Entity | |
Current (02-Apr-20 ) |
Previous (02-Oct-19 ) |
|
Action | Maintain | Maintain |
Long Term | AA- | AA- |
Short Term | A1+ | A1+ |
Outlook | Stable | Stable |
Rating Watch | - | - |
The ratings reflect strong business profile of Foundation Power Company Daharki Limited (Foundation Power) emanating from the demand risk coverage under Power Purchase Agreement signed between NTDC (through Central Power Purchasing Agency) and the company. Meanwhile, the Implementation Agreement provides sovereign guarantee for cashflows, given adherence to agreed performance benchmarks. The ratings incorporate low operational risk, a result of the performance of KEPCO - the O&M operator. Fuel of the plant is 'low BTU' gas, which is supplied by an associate - Mari Petroleum Company Limited (40% owned by Fauji Foundation). Thus, fuel supply risk is considered low. Although there are delays in payments from power purchaser, the company manages the impact by aligning the payments to fuel supplier with its receipts. This keeps working capital needs under check. Short-term borrowing lines of PKR 476 million are available at end-Dec19, out of which nothing has been utilized so far further, all the long term loan related to project will be repaid in FY 2020, as only current portion is appearing as of Dec-19. The company's association with Fauji Foundation (FF) provides comfort to the ratings.
Sustained good financial discipline and upholding strong operational performance in line with agreed performance levels remain important. Accumulation of circular debt would pose threat to the company's ability to continue with this practice. However, the management ably supported by sponsors who remains committed to sustain improvement in management of commercial obligations and timely debt repayments and also the Company is on priority list of NTDC's payment merit order because of low unit cost of electricity.
About
the Entity
Foundation Power was established in 2005 under the Companies Ordinance 1984 as an independent power producer. The company is operating a combined cycle power plant with a net initial capacity of 180MW. Foundation Power's plant commenced operations in May 2011. Foundation Power is majority owned by Daharki Power Holdings Limited, which, in turn is owned by FF (81%) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) (19%).
The six-member Board, comprising five representatives from Fauji Foundation and one from Asian Development Bank provides adequate guidance to the company. Maj Gen Asghar Nawaz, HI(M) (Retd), Managing Director of Foundation Power replaced Lt. Gen. Jamil Haider (Retd) during 2018. He is supported by an experienced senior management team.