Analyst
Muhammad Atif Chaudhry
Atif.Chaudhry@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Assigns the Preliminary Rating to Lucky Electric Power Company Limited | PPSTS-8 | PKR 5bln | TBI
Rating Type | Debt Instrument | |
Current (20-Mar-23 ) |
||
Action | Preliminary | |
Long Term | AA | |
Short Term | A1+ | |
Outlook | Stable | |
Rating Watch | - |
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited ("LEPCL" 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), which will be started in May-24. The previous tentative month was May-23. The Company has also signed imported coal supply agreement with reputable coal suppliers. Currently, plant is generating electricity through the mix of local & imported coal. The Company has generated 1.8mln MWh since Mar'22. The Company has generated a topline of ~ PKR 45.7bln during 6MFY23. Lucky Electric Power Company Limited generated a humble bottom line of ~PKR 2.19bln during the same period. 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 45.2bln (including the debt instruments amounting to PKR 27bln) for operational needs. The financial strength and experience in the energy chain of the sponsoring company Lucky Cement – are considered positive for the ratings. Further, the sponsor has given explicit comfort to provide sufficient liquidity support. This is a key consideration in the assigned ratings. However, considering the unusual increase in working capital requirement due to the significant devaluation of PKR, supply chain issues and tariff adjustments LEPCL is striving to manage its need. 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.
About
the Entity
LEPCL, incorporated in Pakistan on June 13, 2014 as public unlisted company at Port Qasim, Karachi, Sindh. Lucky Cement Limited owns 100% shareholding of LEPCL. Lucky Cement Limited stands as the flagship company of Yunus Brothers Group. The Company’s board comprises 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
LEPCL is in the process to issue a rated, unsecured, unlisted, privately placed short-term sukuk Lucky Electric Power Company Limited | PPSTS-8 | PKR 5bln | TBI ("PPSTS-8") of PKR 5,000mln (inclusive of green option of PKR 1,000m1n) in Mar-23. PPSTS-8 will be issued in the replacement of privately placed short-term sukuk ("PPSTS-4") which is going to redeem on 28-Mar-23. 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. PPSTS-8 will carry a profit rate of 6MK+65bps. Profit and principal will be realized at the time of maturity.