Profile
Plant
Helios Power Limited (“Helios” or “the Company”)
was established as a private limited company under the repealed Companies
Ordinance, 1984 (currently the Companies Act, 2017) on April 28, 2015. The
Company transitioned to a public unlisted company on December 30, 2021. Its
primary business activity is the development, ownership, operation, and
maintenance of a 50MW solar power plant located in Goth Gagrawara, Taluka Saleh
Pat, District Sukkur. The plant commenced commercial operations (COD) on
February 1, 2024. The Company’s registered office is located at G-30/4,
KDA Scheme, Clifton, Karachi.
Tariff
Helios was awarded a reference tariff of PKR 6.7532 and
cost-plus reference levelized tariff of PKR 5.6988/kWh (equivalent to US Cents
3.6683/kWh) on February 21, 2020. The tariff is quarterly adjusted at PKR
11.1494 for the months of April to June 2025. The tariff, determined by a
Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, is indexed to the Pakistan Rupee-US Dollar
exchange rate and adjusted for inflation using Pakistan Consumer Price Indices
(CPIs). The scalable components of the tariff include principal and interest
repayments, return on equity (ROE), insurance and operation and maintenance
(O&M) costs.
Return on Project
The Authority has approved a Return on Equity (ROE) and
Return on Equity During Construction (ROEDC) for Helios at a rate of 14%.
Ownership
Ownership Structure
Scatec Sukkur B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scatec
Solar Netherlands B.V. (based in the Netherlands), is itself a wholly owned
subsidiary of Scatec ASA (Scatec), a prominent Norwegian renewable energy
company. Scatec Sukkur B.V. holds a 75% equity stake in Helios, with the
remaining 25% owned by Nizam Energy (Pvt.) Limited.
Stability
Scatec, established on February 2, 2007, is a publicly
listed Norwegian company incorporated and headquartered in Norway, with its
registered office located at Askekroken 11, NO-0277 Oslo, Norway. As a leading
provider of renewable energy solutions, Scatec is dedicated to accelerating
access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. With a long-term
commitment to sustainability, Scatec develops, builds, owns, and operates
renewable energy plants. Currently, the Company has around 5 GW of renewable
energy assets in operation and under construction across four continents.
Driven by a shared vision of "Improving our Future," Scatec’s
passionate employees and partners are committed to expanding the company's
renewable energy capacity. Nizam Energy (Pvt.) Limited, established in 2012,
specializes in providing EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction)
services, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and the distribution of
high-quality solar panels, inverters, and lithium battery storage solutions. In
collaboration with Nizam Energy, Scatec Solar has developed and grid connected
a 150 MWp solar power portfolio in Sukkur, Pakistan, which includes Helios.
This partnership is solidified by a formal agreement, strengthening the
Company's stability and long-term prospects.
Business Acumen
By capitalizing on its extensive experience and deep
understanding of the energy sector, Scatec has built a strong portfolio across
solar, wind, and hydropower projects, with a keen emphasis on long-term value
creation. The company’s ability to secure and manage complex EPC contracts,
alongside its expertise in navigating regulatory environments and securing
financing, underpins its growth. Scatec’s partnerships with local and
international players, such as its collaboration with Nizam Energy in Pakistan,
further solidify its market presence and enable it to deliver impactful energy
solutions. Through a combination of innovation, strategic partnerships, and a
commitment to sustainability, Scatec continues to strengthen its position as a
leader in the global renewable energy market.
Financial Strength
Scatec benefits from a diversified income stream across
multiple geographies and energy sectors. The Company’s ability to attract significant
capital investment, secure financing for large-scale projects, and manage risk
through structured contracts, such as PPAs, enhances its financial stability.
Scatec's group revenue is approximately NOK 12,714 million, with an EBITDA in
the range of NOK 3,845 million. Scatec’s healthy balance sheet, coupled with
its operational efficiency, positions the Company to capitalize on new
opportunities, ensuring continued growth and resilience in a competitive
market. Meanwhile, Nizam Group's revenue as of June 2024 is approximately PKR
13,111 million.
Governance
Board Structure
The Board of Directors (BoD) of Helios is composed of three
executive members, including the CEO, representing the interests of the
Company's sponsors.
Members’ Profile
Mr. Jawad Ali serves as a Nominee Director of Scatec Sukkur B.V. and holds the position of Finance and Asset Manager for Scatec ASA’s operations in Pakistan, where he oversees all financial and commercial matters. A Chartered Accountant by profession, he brings 19 years of experience with expertise in project finance, financial reporting, treasury operations, and stakeholder management, and has previously worked in the local power sector in a similar capacity. Mr. Raphael Aaron A. Letaba serves as a Nominee Director of Scatec Sukkur B.V. and holds the position of Vice President – Finance & Investments Asia at Scatec ASA. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy from the University of the Philippines Diliman and holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification in the Philippines. In his role, he leads a multinational team of accounting, finance, and investment professionals responsible for Finance & Asset Management as well as Project Finance & Investment functions across Scatec’s Asian markets, including India, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Board Effectiveness
The board brings together a wealth of diverse expertise from
various industries, ensuring a broad and comprehensive approach to governance.
This diverse composition enables effective strategic decision-making, with a
focus on leveraging the members' varied backgrounds to guide the company's
growth and long-term success. Through their collective experience and
leadership, the Board ensures that Helios operates with strong oversight, sound
judgment, and a commitment to delivering value to its stakeholders.
Financial Transparency
A.F. Ferguson & Co., Chartered Accountants, a member
firm of PwC, serves as the external auditor for Helios. The firm has issued an
unqualified opinion on the Company's financial statements for CY24, confirming
that the financial position is presented fairly and free from any material
misstatements.
Management
Organizational Structure
Helios operates with a structured organizational framework
that includes clearly defined reporting lines. Each department is led by
experienced professionals who report directly to the CEO, ensuring efficient
decision-making and accountability across the company. The CEO, in turn,
reports to the BoD, strengthening the Company's governance and oversight
mechanisms. This clear hierarchy supports effective management and reinforces a
robust governance framework, promoting transparency and strategic alignment throughout
the organization.
Management Team
The CEO, Mr. Usman Ahmed is an entrepreneur and belongs to a
family of businessmen having an interest in diverse sectors. A graduate in
Computer Information Systems and Business, Mr. Usman has an experience of over a decade working in his family businesses. Subsequently, he also serves as
the CEO of Nizam Energy, looking after its operations and growth perspectives.
Furthermore, he is also serving as a Non-Executive Director on the board of H.
Nizam Din & Sons (Pvt) Limited. The remaining team members are qualified
professionals with relevant experience looking after the day-to-day operations
of the Company including invoicing, managing receivables and payables, debt
repayments, and other matters.
Effectiveness
The management of Helios demonstrates effectiveness through
its structured organization, experienced leadership, and clear reporting lines.
The management is supported by the board, which oversees the plant’s overall
performance and ensures optimal effectiveness through regular evaluations,
provides guidance, and supports key decision-making for the smooth operations
of the Company.
Control Environment
The Company maintains an adequate MIS that enables the
management to effectively monitor operations and maintain seamless coordination
with the O&M operator. Additionally, the presence of an in-house internal
audit department ensures proactive identification and management of risks
arising from operations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency,
efficiency, and operational resilience.
Operational Risk
Power Purchase Agreement
Helios has entered into an Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA)
with the Central Power Purchasing Agency (Guarantee) Limited (CPPA-G), the
designated Power Purchaser, for a term of 25 years, commencing from the
Commercial Operations Date (COD) on February 1, 2024. Under the terms of the
EPA, Helios is entitled to receive energy payments against the delivered energy
during the period.
Operation and Maintenance
The operations and maintenance of Helios are managed by Scatec Solar under its integrated business model, which spans the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects, including development, financing, construction, ownership, and ongoing operations and maintenance. This vertically integrated approach enables effective coordination across all phases of the project, supporting efficient execution, operational reliability, and long term sustainability, while maintaining consistent oversight from project inception through to steady state operations.
Resource Risk
The resource risk for Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
under Pakistan's Renewable Energy Policy 2006 for solar energy primarily stems
from the variability in sunlight availability, directly impacting energy
generation. Under this policy, the IPP bears the resource risk, meaning that if
solar output is lower than expected due to insufficient sunlight, it will
affect the revenue of the solar plant. The policy encourages IPPs to mitigate
this risk through efficient project design, such as the use of solar tracking
systems and energy storage solutions. However, any reduction in generation due
to low solar radiation directly influences the IPP's revenue, as the risk of
resource availability is not transferred to the Power Purchaser or the
government. For Helios, the trend in solar generation will evolve as the plant
continues its operations.
Insurance Cover
Helios has adequate insurance coverage for business
interruptions, property damages, etc., as per the agreements.
Performance Risk
Industry Dynamics
In FY25, Pakistan’s power generation stabilized at around
127,159 GWh, ending a two-year decline as improved hydel and solar output
offset earlier contraction driven by high tariffs, inflation, and weak economic
activity. Installed capacity rose modestly to approximately 46,605 MW, though
dependable capacity fell due to aging thermal infrastructure. The energy mix
continued shifting away from fossil fuels, with solar emerging as the leading
electricity source in early 2025, contributing to a record 25% share for
renewables, while hydel and nuclear provided 30.4% and 19.1% respectively.
Thermal power’s share in actual generation dropped below 50%, reflecting a
policy push toward cleaner, indigenous sources. Nearly 2.8 GW of solar capacity
was added through utility-scale and net-metering growth, bringing total
distributed solar to 4.9 GW by March 2025. Despite these gains, rapid solar
adoption has stressed the national grid, prompting regulatory adjustments and
proposed reforms to net-metering tariffs. Looking ahead, power demand is
expected to rise in FY26 as economic activity recovers and captive industrial
units reconnect to the grid, reinforcing the need for continued investment in
grid modernization and clean energy infrastructure.
Generation
During CY25, the plant successfully generated and supplied 97.9 GWh of energy
to the national grid.
Performance Benchmark
As per the EPA, the Company is required to maintain the
plant's efficiency and availability factors to prevent the power purchaser from
charging liquidated damages to the Company. Hence, during the period, the plant maintained its required benchmarks.
Financial Risk
Financing Structure Analysis
The total project cost, including cost overruns, amounted to
USD 38.124 million, with the EPC cost contributing a major component of the
total, amounting to USD 29.417 million. The sponsors contributed an initial
equity of USD 6.332 million (16.61%), out of which Scatec contributed USD 4,749
million (75%) and Nizam contributed USD 1,583 million (25%). The total cost
overruns, including the funding shortfall, amounted to USD 10.419 million. The remaining portion of the total
project cost, amounting to USD 21.373 million, is funded through a mix of local
(40%) and foreign debt (60%). The foreign debt is availed from FMO while the
local debt is procured from a consortium of local banks.
Liquidity Profile
The Company’s trade receivables, mainly representing outstanding payments from CPPA-G against energy supplied, declined significantly to ~PKR 177 million as of 9MCY25 from ~PKR 608 million in CY24, reflecting improved cash collections during the period. Consequently, Gross Working Capital days improved to ~96 days as of 9MCY25 compared to ~365 days in CY24, indicating a marked easing in liquidity pressure and reduced reliance on working capital funding. However, the Company’s liquidity profile remains sensitive to the timeliness of payments from CPPA-G, given the prevailing circular debt dynamics in the power sector.
Working Capital Financing
The Company has been managing its working capital requirements primarily through internal cash generation, supported by improved receivables realization and a relatively lean operating cost structure. This has reduced reliance on external working capital borrowings and strengthened the Company’s liquidity position. However, the ability to sustain internally funded operations remains contingent upon timely cash inflows from CPPA-G, with any deterioration in collections potentially increasing short-term financing needs.
Cash Flow Analysis
The Company’s cash flows are primarily derived from the sale of electricity to the power purchaser at an agreed tariff. As of 9MCY25, the Company generated adequate funds from core operations (FCFOs) of ~PKR 821 million, compared to ~PKR 895 million in CY24. Lower finance costs, driven by the decline in interest rates during the period, supported debt servicing capacity, with interest coverage (EBITDA to finance cost) improving to ~1.0x as of 9MCY25 from ~0.9x in CY24.
Capitalization
As of end 9MCY25, the Company’s leverage increased to ~109.9% from ~103% in CY24, reflecting continued balance sheet pressure. Lenders have restricted servicing of the subordinated parent loan, amounting to ~PKR 2.74 billion as of September 2025, to prevent cash outflows until the tariff true up is finalized. Meanwhile, the interest bearing portion, which constitutes the majority of the loan, continues to accrue finance costs.The continued accumulation of losses has eroded the equity base, resulting in a negative equity position of ~PKR 736 million. Going forward, the Company’s leverage and capital structure metrics are expected to remain constrained, with any meaningful improvement dependent on sustained cash flow generation from electricity sales to the power purchaser, timely realization of receivables, and disciplined servicing of outstanding debt obligations.
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