Analyst
Ahsan Zahid
ahsan.zahid@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Upgrades the Entity Ratings of Lucky Electric Power Company Limited
Rating Type | Entity | |
Current (11-Apr-22 ) |
Previous (06-Aug-21 ) |
|
Action | Upgrade | Maintain |
Long Term | AA | AA- |
Short Term | A1+ | A1 |
Outlook | Stable | 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 term financing facilities aggregating to PKR 26bln for the operational needs. The financial strength and experience in the energy chain of the sponsoring company – Lucky Cement is 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 time to discharge it’s short term financing obligations as per term of financing agreements. This is 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 plant’s availability as per contract, provide capacity payments even if no purchase order is placed. The Government of Pakistan has given 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. Trend in operational profitability would bode well for rating. External factors such as any adverse changes in the regulatory framework may impact the ratings.
About
the Entity
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited, incorporated in Pakistan on June 13, 2014 as public unlisted company at Port Qasim, Karachi, Sindh. The capital structure comprises 25% equity and debt financing constitutes 75% of the initial estimated project cost; ~USD 883mln, financed from local and foreign financial institutions. Local currency facilities have been obtained from multiple consortium of banks aggregating to PKR 65.95bln and have a 10 year tenure starting June 2022 and to be paid in 40 quarterly installments. The foreign facility is USD 210mln. Out of which USD 20mln will be paid quarterly and USD 190mln, will be paid semi-annually. 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.