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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
22-Mar-23

Analyst
Anam Waqas Ghayour
anam.waqas@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

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This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA

PACRA Maintains the Entity Ratings of Saif Power Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(22-Mar-23 )
Previous
(22-Mar-22 )
Action Maintain Upgrade
Long Term AA- AA-
Short Term A1 A1
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

Saif Power Limited (Saif Power) has been established to set up and operate, combined cycle dual fuel, 225 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 April 30, 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. 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&M) Contractor having both local and international experience in the energy sector. The primary fuel of the plant is Gas/Regasified 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 9MCY22, company generated revenues of PKR ~20,223mln (9MCY21: PKR ~13,010mln) with a Net Income of PKR ~1,494mln (9MCY21: PKR ~1,233mln; CY21: PKR ~1,747mln). 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 working capital lines of PKR ~14.531bln out of which 54% (PKR ~7,813mln) had been utilized as of 9MCY22. Saif 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 remain important. However, the management remains committed to sustain improvement in management of commercial obligations reflected by the timely and fully repayment of project debt.

About the Entity
Saif Power, established in 2004, as Independent Power Producer is operating under the Power Policy 2002. It is a Combined Cycle thermal power plant on build-own-operate (BOO) basis with a gross capacity of 225 MW. Saif Power's plant commenced operations on April 30, 2010. Saif Power was listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange in December 2014. Saif Holdings Limited, with (~23%) stake, is the majority shareholder of the company followed by sponsor family (~27%), Orastar Limited (~17%), and Financial Institutions (~15%). The seven-member Board of Directors (BoD), excluding CEO, comprises five representatives of the sponsoring family and two independent directors. Nominees of Saif Group are experienced professionals. Mrs. Hoor Yousafzai chairs the board. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sohail H. Hydari, has been associated with the company since inception. He is assisted by an experienced team.

The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.