ATN and ATS are subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 30-year contract with the Peruvian Ministry of Energy of the Government of Peru.Energy. ATN2 is subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 18-year contract with Minera Las Bambas mining company, which is owned by a partnership consisting of subsidiaries of China Minmetals Corporation, Guoxin International Investment Co. Ltd and CITIC Metal Co. Ltd, and reached COD in June 2015. Quadra 1 and Quadra 2 are subject to a concession contract with Sierra Gorda SCM, a mining company owned by Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Mining and KGHM Polska Mietz. Palmucho is a six-mile electric transmission line and substation subject to a private concession agreement with a utility, Endesa Chile. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Electric Transmission—Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding” for details on the transmission assets held by ACBH.
Our water assets consist of minority stakes in two desalination plants in Algeria, Honaine and Skikda, with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day, which we acquired in February 2015. Each asset has a 30-year take-or-pay water purchase agreement with Sonatrach/Algérienne des Eaux.
Our primary business strategy is to generate stable cash flows with our portfolio of assets, which will allow usassets. With this, we intend to grow thedistribute a stable cash dividendsdividend to holders of our shares that we intend to pay to holders of our sharesgrow over time, while ensuring the ongoing stability of our business.
We intend to focus on owning and operating these types of assets, for which we possess deep know-how, extensive experience and proven systems and management processes, as well as the critical mass to benefit from operating efficiencies and scale. We expect that this will allow us to maximize value and cash flow generation going forward. We intend to maintain a diversified portfolio in the future, as we believe these technologies will undergo significant growth in our targeted geographies.
Some of our assets are newly operational and we believe that we can increase the cash flow generation of these assets through further management and optimization initiatives and in some cases through repowering. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Assets—Certain of our facilities are newly constructed and may not perform as expected.”
Increase cash available for distribution through the acquisition of new assets in renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission.
We will seek to grow our cash available for distribution and our dividend to shareholders by acquiring new contracted assets from our current sponsor, Abengoa, from third parties and from potential new future partners or sponsors. We have an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which provides us with a right of first offer on certain Abengoa’s assets in operation. The ROFO Agreement with Abengoa has provided and we expect it will continue to provide us with access to a number of acquisition opportunities that will allow us to achieve accretive growth over the next few years. Additionally, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners.owners or enter into partnerships with such developers or asset owners in order to acquire assets in operation or to invest directly or through investment vehicles in assets under development or construction, ensuring that such investments are always a small part of our total investments. Finally, we expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors where we operate. We believe that our know-how and operating expertise in our key markets together with a critical mass of assets in several geographic areas and the access to capital provided by being a listed company will permit us to successfully realize our growth plans.
We intend to maintain, over time, a portfolio of contracted assets with a low-risk profile due to creditworthy offtake counterparties, long-term contracted revenues, over 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed or hedged to the U.S. dollar and proven technologies in which we have deep expertise and significant experience, located in countries where we believe conditions to be stable and safe.
Additionally, our policies and management systems include thorough risk analysis and risk management processes that we apply whenever we acquire an asset, and which we review monthly throughout the life of the asset. Our policy is to insure all of our assets whenever economically feasible.
We intend to maintain a solid financial position through a combination of cash on hand and credit facilities. Conservative cash management may help us to mitigate any unexpected downturns that reduce our cash flow generation.
We believe that we are well positioned to execute our business strategies because of the following competitive strengths:
We believe that our recently-developed asset portfolio has a highly stable, predictable cash flow profile consisting of predominantly long-life electric power generation and electric transmission assets that generate revenues under long-term fixed priced contracts or pursuant to regulated rates with creditworthy counterparties. Additionally, our facilities have minimal to no fuel risk. The offtake agreements for our assets have a weighted average remaining duration of approximately 2221 years as of December 31, 2015,2016, providing long-term cash flow stability and visibility. Additionally, our business strategy and hedging policy is intended to ensure a minimum of 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed to or hedged to the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, due to the fact that we are a U.K. resident company we should benefit from a more favorable treatment than would apply if we were a corporation in the United States when receiving dividends from our subsidiaries that hold our international assets because they should generally be exempt from U.K. taxation due to the U.K.’s distribution exemption. Based on our current portfolio of assets, which include renewable assets that benefit from an accelerated tax depreciation schedule, and current tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we do not expect to pay significant income tax for a period of at least 10 years due to existing net operating losses, or NOLs, except for ACT in Mexico, where we do not expect to pay significant income taxes until the fifth or sixth year after our IPO (i.e., until 2019 or 2020) once we use existing NOLs. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our future tax liability may be greater than expected if we do not utilize Net Operating Losses, or NOLs, sufficient to offset our taxable income,” “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our ability to use U.S. NOLs to offset future income may be limited” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Changes in our tax position can significantly affect our reported earnings and cash flows.” Furthermore, based on our current portfolio of assets, we believe that there is minimal repatriation risk in the jurisdictions in which we operate. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the Markets in Which We Operate—We have international operations and investments, including in emerging markets that could be subject to economic, social and political uncertainties.”
We believe that our strategic exposure to international markets will allow us to pursue greater growth opportunities and achieve higher returns than we would if we had a narrow geographic or technological focus. Our portfolio of assets uses technologies that we expect to benefit from long-term trends in the electricity sector. Our renewable energy generation assets generate low or no emissions and serve markets where we expect growth in demand in the future. Additionally, our electric transmission lines connect electricity systems to key areas in their respective markets and we expect significant electric transmission investment in our geographies. As a result, we believe that we may be able to benefit from opportunities to repower some of our assets during the lives of our existing PPAs and to extend the terms of those contracts after current PPAs expire. We expect our well-diversified portfolio of assets by technology and geography to maintain cash flow stability.
Five of the eight members of our board of directors are independent from us and from Abengoa. We require a majority vote by our independent directors in connection with related party transactions, including acquisitions under the ROFO Agreement with Abengoa. Our management team has significant and valuable expertise in developing, financing, operating and managing renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission assets. We believe their financial and tax management skills will help us achieve our financial targets and continue to grow on a cash accretive basis over the medium- to long-term. Additionally, we intend to encourage our executives to ensure that they focus on stable, long-term cash flow generation.
Conventional Power
Our Operations
Renewable energy
The following table presents our renewable energy assets, allconventional power asset consists of which are operational:
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | Counterparty Credit Rating(1)
| | | | |
Solana | | Solar | | Arizona | | 280 MW | | APS | | U.S. dollars | | A-/A2/A | | 4Q 2013 | | 28 |
Mojave | | Solar | | California | | 280 MW | | PG&E | | U.S. dollars | | BBB/Baa1/BBB+ | | 4Q 2014 | | 24 |
Solaben 2/3 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 4Q 2012 & 2Q 2012 | | 22 / 21 |
Solacor 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 2Q 2012 &
4Q 2012
| | 21 / 21 |
PS10/20 | | Solar | | Spain | | 31 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 1Q 2007 &
4Q 2009
| | 16 / 18 |
Helioenergy 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 2Q 2012 &
4Q 2012
| | 22 / 22 |
Helios 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 2Q 2012 &
4Q 2012
| | 21 / 22 |
Solnova 1/3/4 | | Solar | | Spain | | 3x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 2Q 2012 &
4Q 2012
| | 19 / 19 / 20 |
Solaben 1/6 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/
BBB+
| | 3Q 2013 | | 23 /23 |
Kaxu | | Solar | | South Africa | | 100 MW | | Eskom | | Rand | | BBB-/Baa2/BBB(2)
| | 1Q 2015 | | 19 |
Palmatir | | Wind | | Uruguay | | 50 MW | | UTE | | U.S. dollars | | BBB-/Baa2/
BBB-(3)
| | 2Q 2014 | | 18 |
Cadonal | | Wind | | Uruguay | | 50 MW | | UTE | | U.S. dollars | | BBB-/Baa2/
BBB-(3)
| | 4Q 2014 | | 19 |
Notes:—
(1) | Reflects counterparty’s issuer credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. |
(2) | Refers to the credit rating of the Republic of South Africa. |
(3) | Refers to the credit rating of Uruguay, as UTE is unrated. |
Solana
Overview. The Solana Solar Project, or Solana,ACT, a 300 MW cogeneration plant in Mexico. ACT is a 250 MW net (280 MW gross) solar electric generation facility located in Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 70 miles southwest of Phoenix. Arizona Solar One LLC,party to a 20-year take-or-pay contract with Petroleos Mexicanos S.A. de C.V., or Arizona Solar, owns the Solana project. Solana includes a 22-mile 230kV transmission line and a molten salt thermal energy storage system. The construction of Solana commenced in December 2010 and Solana reached COD on October 9, 2013.
Solana relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The parabolic trough technology has been utilized for over 25 years at the Solar Electric Generating Systems, SEGS, facilities located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. Our 13 50-MW parabolic trough facilities in Spain have also used this technology since 2010. Solana produces electricity by means of an integrated process using solar energy to heat a synthetic petroleum-based fluid in a closed-loop system that, in turn, heats water to create steam to drive a conventional steam turbine. Solana employs a two-tank molten salt thermal energy storage system that provides an additional six hours of solar dispatchability to increase its efficiency. This type of storage system has been in operation in several commercial plants in Spain since March 2009 and is also similar to the Abengoa’s demonstration plant at its Solucar Platform in Seville that has been in operation since February 2009.
Abengoa Solar US Holdings Inc., the entity through which we indirectly invest in Solana, is not expected to pay U.S. federal income taxes in the next 10 years due to the relevant NOLs and NOL carryforwards generated by the application of tax incentives established in the United States, in particular MACRS accelerated depreciation.
Power Purchase Agreement. Solana has a 30-year, fixed-price PPA with Arizona Public Service Company, or APS, for at least 110% of the output of the project. The PPA providesPemex, for the sale of electricityelectric power and steam. Pemex also supplies the natural gas required for the plant at no cost to ACT, which insulates the project from natural gas price variations.
Electric Transmission
Our electric transmission assets consist of (i) three lines in Peru, ATN, ATN2 and ATS, spanning a fixed base price approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission with annual increasestotal of 1.84% per year. The PPA includes on-going performance obligations1,012 miles and is intended to provide Arizona Solar with consistent(ii) three lines in Chile, Quadra 1, Quadra 2 and predictable monthly revenues that are sufficient to cover operating costs and debt service and to earn an equity return.Palmucho, spanning a total of 87 miles.
APS is a load serving utility based in Phoenix, Arizona. APS has senior unsecured credit ratings of A- from S&P, A2 from Moody’s and A from Fitch.
The PPA was initially executed in February 2008 and received final approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission in December 2008. The PPA was most recently amended and restated in December 2010. The PPA expires on October 9, 2043.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of Solana was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain engineering, procurement and construction contract, or an EPC contract, that was executed on December 20, 2010. Abengoa completed construction of Solana on October 9, 2013. The EPC contract provides a three-year performance guarantee for the benefit of financing parties. The EPC contract contains warranties that protect Arizona Solar against defects in design, materials and workmanship for one year after completion and under these warranties Abengoa is required to conduct certain repairs and improvements to ensure the plant reaches its technical capacity. Abengoa constructed Solana using equipment from leading suppliers, including two 140 MW (gross) steam turbines supplied by Siemens.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solana interconnects to the existing 230kV APS panda substation via a newly-constructed 230kV transmission line between the facility switchyard and the APS panda substation. A large generator interconnection agreement, or LGIA, was executed with APS to govern the interconnection. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, approved the LGIA on August 31, 2010.
Operations & Maintenance. ASI Operations LLC, or ASI Operations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abengoa, provides operations and maintenance, or O&M, services for Solana, focused exclusively on personnel. ASI Operations has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Arizona Solar in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The Operations and Maintenance Agreement, or an O&M agreement, between ASI Operations and Arizona Solar is a 30-year cost-reimbursable contract with a fixed fee of $480,000 per year, which is indexed to U.S. CPI, and a variable fee that Arizona Solar will pay in periods when the project’s annual net operating profits exceed the target annual net operating profit. Payments to third-party suppliers are made directly by Arizona Solar. We expect that the variable fee will provide ASI Operations with a significant long-term interest in the success of the project, which we expect will align its interests with those of Arizona Solar.
Project Level Financing. Arizona Solar executed a loan guarantee agreement with the DOE on December 20, 2010 to provide a loan guarantee in connection with a two-tranche loan of approximately $1.445 billion from the Federal Financing Bank, or FFB. The FFB loan had a short-term tranche of $450 million as of December 31, 2013 that was repaid in April 2014 with the proceeds from the Investment Tax Credit Cash Grant, or ITC Cash Grant, that the project has received from the U.S. Treasury. The FFB loan has a long-term tranche payable over a 29-year term with the cash generated by the project. The principal balance of this tranche was $942 million as of December 31, 2015. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The FFB loan has a fixed average interest rate of 3.56%.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis after the first principal repayment of the long-term tranche, as long as the debt service coverage ratio for the previous four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x and the projected debt service coverage ratio for the next four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x.
Partnerships. On September 30, 2013, Abengoa entered into an agreement with Liberty Interactive Corporation, or Liberty, pursuant to which Liberty agreed to invest $300 million in Class A membership interests of ASO Holdings Company LLC, the parent of Arizona Solar, in exchange for a share of the dividends and the taxable loss generated by the project. See note 1 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. All figures in this Offering Memorandum take into account Liberty’s share of dividends. Atlantica Yield indirectly owns 100% of the Class B membership interests in ASO Holdings Company LLC.
Mojave
Overview. The Mojave Solar Project, or Mojave, is a 250 MW net (280 MW gross) solar electric generation facility located in San Bernardino County, California, approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Abengoa commenced construction of Mojave in September 2011. Mojave completed construction and reached COD on December 1, 2014. Mojave Solar LLC, or Mojave Solar, owns the Mojave project.
Mojave relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity and is similar to Solana with respect to technology and general design. The main difference between Solana and Mojave is that Mojave does not have a molten salt storage system, as the offtaker did not require one.
Mojave is not expected to pay federal income tax in the next 10 years due to the relevant NOLs and NOL carryforwards generated by the application of tax incentives established in the United States, in particular MACRS accelerated depreciation.
Power Purchase Agreement. Mojave has a 25-year, fixed-price PPA with Pacific Gas & Electric Company, or PG&E, for 100% of the output of Mojave. The PPA began on COD. The PPA provides for the sale of electricity at a fixed base price with seasonal adjustments and adjustments for time of delivery. Mojave Solar can deliver and receive payment for at least 110% of contracted capacity under the PPA. The PPA includes on-going performance obligations of up to 140% of annual contract quantity (approximately 617 GWh) in any 24-month period. The PPA is intended to provide Mojave Solar with consistent and predictable monthly revenues sufficient to cover operating costs and debt service and to earn an equity return.
PG&E, a utility based in San Francisco, is one of the largest integrated natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. PG&E has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB from S&P, Baa1 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Mojave was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa, or the contractor, under an arm’s-length, fixed-price EPC contract that was executed on September 12, 2010. Mojave issued a “full notice to proceed” on March 7, 2012 and reached COD on December 1, 2014.
The EPC contract includes a three-year performance guarantee linked to energy production. Mojave’s key equipment has been supplied by leading companies, including two twin turbines from General Electric.
Transmission and Interconnection. Mojave interconnects to the existing transmission system through Southern California Edison, or SCE, transmission lines. Mojave reached resource adequacy in September 2015, once all the requirements in the Kramer-Coolwater transmission were fulfilled.
Operations & Maintenance. ASI Operations provides O&M services for Mojave focused exclusively on personnel. Under the terms of the O&M agreement between ASI Operations and Mojave Solar, ASI Operations has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Mojave Solar in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a cost-reimbursable contract with a combination of fixed and variable fees. Payments to third-party suppliers are made directly by Arizona Solar. The fixed fee is $500,000 per year starting in the second year of full operations and will increase by 2.5% per year. The fixed fee will be $1.0 million during the start-up year and will be $750,000 during the first year of full operations. Mojave Solar will pay the variable fee in periods when the project’s annual net operating profits exceed the target annual net operating profit. We expect that the variable fee will provide ASI Operations with a significant long-term interest in the success of the project, which we expect will align its interests with those of Mojave Solar.
Project Level Financing. Mojave Solar executed a Loan Guarantee Agreement with the DOE on September 12, 2011 to provide a loan guarantee in connection with a two-tranche FFB loan of approximately $1,202 million. The FFB loan had a short-term tranche of $336 million as of December 31, 2014 that Mojave Solar repaid in October 2015 with the proceeds from the ITC Cash Grant that the project received from the U.S. Treasury. The FFB loan has a long-term tranche payable over a 25-year term with the cash generated by the project. The principal balance of this tranche was $788 million as of December 31, 2015. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The FFB loan has an average fixed interest rate of 2.75% and each disbursement is linked to the U.S. Treasury bond with the maturity of that disbursement.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis after the first principal repayment of the long-term tranche, as long as the debt service coverage ratio for the previous four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x and the projected debt service coverage ratio for the next four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x.
Solaben 2/3
Overview. The Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 projects are two 50 MW solar power plants and are part of Abengoa’s Extremadura Solar Complex located in the municipality of Logrosan, Spain. Abengoa commenced construction of Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 in August 2010. Solaben 2 reached COD in June 2012 and Solaben 3 reached COD in October 2012. Solaben Electricidad Dos, S.A., or SE2, owns Solaben 2 and Solaben Electricidad Tres, S.A., or SE3, owns Solaben 3.
Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 each rely on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in the United States and Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 are not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
We hold 70% of the shares of the entity holding Solaben 2 and Solaben 3. We also have a call option to purchase such shares for one euro exercisable during a four-year term.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from the Comision Nacional de los Mercados y de la Competencia, or CNMC, the Spanish state-owned regulator.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Engineering, ProcurementATN and Construction Agreement. The constructionATS are subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 30-year contract with the Peruvian Ministry of Solaben 2/3 was carried outEnergy. ATN2 is subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 18-year contract with Minera Las Bambas mining company, which is owned by a partnership consisting of subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-priceChina Minmetals Corporation, Guoxin International Investment Co. Ltd and date-certain EPCCITIC Metal Co. Ltd, and reached COD in June 2015. Quadra 1 and Quadra 2 are subject to a concession contract executed on December 16, 2010.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solaben 2/3, together with two other Abengoa Solaben projects and three plantsSierra Gorda SCM, a mining company owned by other companies, are connected to the electrical grid via common interconnection facilities that were jointly developedSumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Mining and are jointly owned. The interconnection facilities connect Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 from the SET Mesa de la Copa substation, whichKGHM Polska Mietz. Palmucho is located next to the Solaben projects, to the Valdecaballeros substation. The installation consists of a nodal transformer substation 220/400kV with a capacity of 600 MVA at SET Mesa de la Copa and asix-mile electric transmission line at 400kV of about 12 miles, which connect the nodaland substation withsubject to a post of 400kV in the Valdecaballeros substation.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Operations & Maintenance. Abengoa Solar Espana, S.A., or ASE, is the contractor for O&M services at Solaben 2/3. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solaben 2/3 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. SE2 and SE3 each entered into a 20-year loanprivate concession agreement with a syndicateutility, Endesa Chile.
Water
Our water assets consist of banks formed byminority stakes in two desalination plants in Algeria, Honaine and Skikda, with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day, which we acquired in February 2015. Each asset has a 30-year take-or-pay water purchase agreement with Sonatrach/Algérienne des Eaux.
Our Business Strategy
We are a company focused on owning and operating contracted assets across the Bankrenewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission line and water sectors in North America, South America and EMEA. We intend to grow our business, maintaining North America, South America and Europe as our core geographies.
We currently own or have interests in 21 assets, comprising 1,442 MW of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Mizuho, HSBCrenewable energy generation, 300 MW of conventional power generation, 10.5 M ft3 per day of water desalination and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation on December 16, 2010. Each loan is denominated1,099 miles of electric transmission lines. All of our assets have contracted revenues (regulated revenues in euros. The loan for Solaben 2 was for €169.3 millionthe case of our Spanish assets) with low-risk off-takers and the loan for Solaben 3 was for €171.5 million. The banks providing these loans obtained commercial and political risk insurance from Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, which allowed for lower financing costs. The interest rate for each loan iscollectively have a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a marginweighted average remaining contract life of 1.5% Each loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 50% through a swap set at approximately 3.7% and 50% through a cap with a 3.75% strike. In November 2013, SE2 and SE3 hedged through 2017 the remaining 20% exposure through a cap with a 0.75% strike.
The outstanding amount of these loans21 years as of December 31, 2015 was €149 million2016.
Our primary business strategy is to generate stable cash flows with our portfolio of assets. With this, we intend to distribute a stable cash dividend to holders of our shares that we intend to grow over time, while ensuring the ongoing stability of our business.
We intend to grow our business mainly through acquisitions of contracted assets in operation, in the segments where we are already present, maintaining renewable energy as our main segment and with a focus in North and South America. We may complement this strategy by dedicating a limited portion of our growth to projects in development.
Our plan for Solaben 2executing this strategy includes the following key components:
Focus on stable, long-term contracted assets in renewable energy, conventional power generation and €151 millionelectric transmission lines
We intend to focus on owning and operating these types of assets, for Solaben 3.which we possess deep know-how, extensive experience and proven systems and management processes, as well as the critical mass to benefit from operating efficiencies and scale. We expect that this will allow us to maximize value and cash flow generation going forward. We intend to maintain a diversified portfolio in the future, as we believe these technologies will undergo significant growth in our targeted geographies.
Maintain geographic diversification across three principal geographic areas
Our focus on three core geographies, North America, South America and Europe, helps to ensure exposure to markets in which we believe the renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission sectors will continue growing significantly.
Increase cash available for distribution by optimizing our existing assets
Some of our assets are newly operational and we believe that we can increase the cash flow generation of these assets through further management and optimization initiatives and in some cases through repowering. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Assets—Certain of our facilities are newly constructed and may not perform as expected.”
The financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x.
Partnerships. Itochu Corporation, a Japanese trading company, holds a 30% stake in the economic rights of each of Solaben 2 and Solaben 3.
Solacor 1/2
Overview. The Solacor 1/2 project is a 100 MW solar power complex and is part of Abengoa’s El Carpio Solar Complex, located in the municipality of El Carpio, Spain. Abengoa commenced construction of Solacor 1/2 in September 2010. COD was reached in January 2012 for Solacor 1 and in March 2012 for Solacor 2. JGC Corporation, a Japanese engineering company, currently owns 13% of Solacor 1/2.
Solacor 1/2 relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
We hold 87% of the shares of the entity holding Solacor 1 and Solacor 2.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solacor 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from the CNMC.
SolarIncrease cash available for distribution through the acquisition of new assets in renewable energy, conventional power plants receive,and electric transmission
We will seek to grow our cash available for distribution and our dividend to shareholders by acquiring new contracted assets from Abengoa, from third parties and from potential new future partners or sponsors. We have an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which provides us with a right of first offer on certain Abengoa’s assets in additionoperation. Additionally, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners or enter into partnerships with such developers or asset owners in order to acquire assets in operation or to invest directly or through investment vehicles in assets under development or construction, ensuring that such investments are always a small part of our total investments. Finally, we expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors where we operate. We believe that our know-how and operating expertise in our key markets together with a critical mass of assets in several geographic areas and the access to capital provided by being a listed company will permit us to successfully realize our growth plans.
Foster a low-risk approach
We intend to maintain, over time, a portfolio of contracted assets with a low-risk profile due to creditworthy offtake counterparties, long-term contracted revenues, over 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed or hedged to the revenues fromU.S. dollar and proven technologies in which we have deep expertise and significant experience, located in countries where we believe conditions to be stable and safe.
Additionally, our policies and management systems include thorough risk analysis and risk management processes that we apply whenever we acquire an asset, and which we review monthly throughout the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60%life of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. asset. Our policy is to insure all of our assets whenever economically feasible.
Maintain financial strength and flexibility
We expectintend to maintain a solid financial position through a combination of cash on hand and credit facilities. Conservative cash management may help us to mitigate any unexpected downturns that a plant would failreduce our cash flow generation.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we are well positioned to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solacor 1/2 delivers its electricity through an underground line 132 kV from the substationexecute our business strategies because of the plantfollowing competitive strengths:
Stable and predictable long-term U.S. and international cash flows with attractive tax profiles
We believe that our recently-developed asset portfolio has a highly stable, predictable cash flow profile consisting of predominantly long-life electric power generation and electric transmission assets that generate revenues under long-term fixed priced contracts or pursuant to the SET Pabellones 132 kV. This SET Pabellones connects directlyregulated rates with the line 132 kV Andujar/Lanchacreditworthy counterparties. Additionally, our facilities have minimal to no fuel risk. The offtake agreements for our assets have a weighted average remaining duration of Sevillana Endesa, where the connection point of the plants is located.
Operations & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at Solacor 1/2. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solacor 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. Solacor 1/2 entered into 20-year loan agreements with a syndicate of banks formed by BNP Paribas, Mizuho, HSBC and SMBC on August 6, 2010. The loans are denominated in euros. The loans for Solacor 1/2 totaled €353 million. The banks providing these loans obtained commercial and political risk insurance from Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, which allowed for lower financing costs. The interest rate for the loans is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.5% The loans were initially approximately 82% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 66% through a swap set at approximately 3.20% and 34% through a cap with a 3.25% strike. The total outstanding amount of these loans21 years as of December 31, 2015 was €302 million.
These financing arrangements permit2016, providing long-term cash flow stability and visibility. Additionally, our business strategy and hedging policy is intended to ensure a minimum of 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed to shareholders once per yearor hedged to the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, due to the fact that we are a U.K. resident company we should benefit from a more favorable treatment than would apply if we were a corporation in the audited financialsUnited States when receiving dividends from our subsidiaries that hold our international assets because they should generally be exempt from U.K. taxation due to the U.K.’s distribution exemption. Based on our current portfolio of assets, which include renewable assets that benefit from an accelerated tax depreciation schedule, and current tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we do not expect to pay significant income tax for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratioperiod of at least 1.10x.
Partnerships. On December 31, 2015, JGC Corporation, a Japanese engineering company, held a 26% stake10 years due to existing net operating losses, or NOLs, except for ACT in the economic rights in Solacor 1/2. On January 7, 2016,Mexico, where we closed the acquisition of 13% of the shares of Solacor 1/2 from JGC Corporation, which reduced their ownership in Solacor 1/2 to 13%.
PS10/20
Overview. PS10/20 is a 31 MW solar power complex and is part of Abengoa’s Solucar Solar Complex, located in the municipality of Sanlucar la Mayor, Spain. Construction of PS10 commenced in June 2004 and construction of PS20 commenced in November 2006. PS10 reached COD in June 2007 and PS20 reached COD in April 2009.
PS10/20 isdo not expectedexpect to pay significant income taxes until the fifth or sixth year after our IPO (i.e., until 2019 or 2020) once we use existing NOLs. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our future tax liability may be greater than expected if we do not utilize Net Operating Losses, or NOLs, sufficient to offset our taxable income,” “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our ability to use U.S. NOLs to offset future income may be limited” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Changes in our tax position can significantly affect our reported earnings and cash flows.” Furthermore, based on our current portfolio of assets, we believe that there is minimal repatriation risk in the next 10 years duejurisdictions in which we operate. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax ActMarkets in Which We Operate—We have international operations and applicableinvestments, including in emerging markets that could be subject to the tax consolidation group where this project is included.economic, social and political uncertainties.”
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in additionHighly diversified portfolio by geography and technology
We believe that our strategic exposure to the revenuesinternational markets will allow us to pursue greater growth opportunities and achieve higher returns than we would if we had a narrow geographic or technological focus. Our portfolio of assets uses technologies that we expect to benefit from the sale of electricitylong-term trends in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i)electricity sector. Our renewable energy generation assets generate low or no emissions and serve markets where we expect growth in demand in the future. Additionally, our electric transmission lines connect electricity systems to key areas in their respective markets and we expect significant electric transmission investment in our geographies. As a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacityresult, we believe that we may be able to benefit from opportunities to repower some of our assets during the lives of our existing PPAs and (ii)to extend the terms of those contracts after current PPAs expire. We expect our well-diversified portfolio of assets by technology and geography to maintain cash flow stability.
Strong corporate governance with a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that yearmajority independent board and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35%an experienced and 60%incentivized management team
Five of the maximum yearly hours, respectively.eight members of our board of directors are independent from us and from Abengoa. We expect thatrequire a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Transmission and Interconnection. PS10/20 connect to an overhead line of 66 kV from the substation of PS10/20 to the SET Sanlucar la Mayor 66 kV. This SET Sanlucar la Mayor is part of the grid of Sevillana Endesa, where the connection point of the plants is located.
Operations & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at PS10/20. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist PS10/20majority vote by our independent directors in connection with related party transactions, including acquisitions under the procurement of all necessary supportROFO Agreement with Abengoa. Our management team has significant and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 21-year all-in contract that expires on the 21st anniversary of COD.
Project Level Financing. PS10 entered into a 21.5-year loan agreement with a syndicate of banks formed by Bankiavaluable expertise in developing, financing, operating and Natixis on November 17, 2006. On June 14, 2007 the loan agreement was entered into a novation in ordermanaging renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission assets. We believe their financial and tax management skills will help us achieve our financial targets and continue to include in the syndicate of banks the European Investment Bank and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo, which was acquired by Banco Sabadell, S.A. The loan was for €43.4 million. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.10% (depending on the level of the debt service coverage ratio). The loan was initially 100% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.07% and 70% through a cap with a 4.25% strike. The outstanding amount of this loan as of December 31, 2015 was €30 million.
PS20 entered into a 24.5-year loan agreement with a syndicate of banks formed by Bankia and Natixis Banques Populaires, Spanish Branch on November 17, 2006. On June 14, 2007 the loan agreement was entered into a novation in order to include in the syndicate of banks the European Investment Bank and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo, which was acquired by Banco Sabadell, S.A. The loan was for €94.6 million. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.10% (depending on the level of the debt service coverage ratio). The loan was initially 100% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.07% and 70% through a cap with a 4.25% strike. The outstanding amount of this loan as of December 31, 2015 was €74 million.
These financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x.
Helios 1/2
Overview. The Helios 1/2 project is a 100 MW concentrating solar power facility known as Plataforma Solar Castilla la Mancha, located in the municipality of Arenas de San Juan, Puerto Lapice and Villarta de San Juan, Spain. Helios 1 reached COD in the second quarter of 2012 and Helios 2 reached COD in the third quarter of 2012. We indirectly own 100% of Helios 1/2.
Helios 1/2 reliesgrow on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Helios 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Helios 1/2 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on June 30, 2011.
Transmission and Interconnection. Helios 1/2 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 15 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Arenas de San Juan, where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at Helios 1/2. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Helios 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On June 6, 2011, Helios 1 entered into a 20-year loan agreement for €144.2 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Caixa Bank, Banif Investment Bank, Bankia, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Helaba and ICO. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 3.50% until August 12, 2016, plus a margin of 3.75% from August 10, 2016 to August 10, 2018 and plus a margin of 4.25% from August 10, 2018. The loan was initially approximately 75% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.85%
On June 6, 2011, Helios 2 entered into a 20-year loan agreement for €145.1 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Caixa Bank, Banif Investment Bank, Bankia, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Helaba and ICO. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 3.50% until August 12, 2016, plus a margin of 3.75% from August 10, 2016 to August 10, 2018 and plus a margin of 4.25% as of August 10, 2018. The loan was initially approximately 75% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.85%.
The total outstanding amount of these loans as of December 31, 2015 was €267 million.
The financing agreements of both plants permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x.
Helios 1/2 projects have a “cash-sweep” mechanism in the financing agreements by which all the cash generated by the projects from 2019 will be paid directly to the lenders. We expect to refinance Helios 1/2 before 2019.
Helioenergy 1/2
Overview. Helioenergy 1/2 is a 100 MW solar power complex located in Ecija, Spain. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries began construction on the Helioenergy 1/2 project in 2010 and reached COD in 2012. We indirectly own 100% of Helioenergy 1/2.
Helioenergy 1/2 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Helioenergy 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Helioenergy 1/2 under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on May 6, 2010.
Transmission and Interconnection. Helioenergy 1/2 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 220 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Villanueva del Rey (owned by Red Electrica de España), where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the O&M services contractor for Helioenergy 1/2. ASE agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Helioenergy 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On May 6, 2010, Helioenergy 1 entered into an 18-year loan agreement for €158.2 million with a syndicate of banks consisting of Santander, Barclays Bank, Bankia, Credit Agricole CIB, Caixa Bank, Société Générale, SMBC, Banco Popular, Bankinter and Unicaja. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% The loan was initially approximately 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.8205% strike.
On May 6, 2010, Helioenergy 2 entered into a 18-year loan agreement for €158.2 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Barclays Bank, Bankia, Crédit Agricole CIB, Caixa Bank, Société Générale, SMBC, Banco Popular, Bankinter and Unicaja. The loan is denominated in euro. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% The loan was initially approximately 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 80% through a swap set at approximately 3.8205% strike.
As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding amount of these loans was €278 million. The financing arrangements permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x.
Solnova 1/3/4
Overview. The Solnova 1/3/4 project is a 150 MW concentrating solar power facility and a part of the Sanlucar solar platform is located in the municipality of Sanlucar la Mayor, Spain. Solnova 1 and Solnova 3 projects reached COD in the second quarter of 2010 and Solnova 4 reached COD in the third quarter of 2010. We indirectly own 100% of the Solnova 1/3/4 projects.
Solnova 1/3/4 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solnova 1/3/4 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC. Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Taking into account the minimum thresholds and the historical performance of the plants, we expect that the plants will reach the minimum generation required.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Solnova 1/3/4 under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on October 10, 2007 for Solnova 1/3 and on July 28, 2007 for Solnova 4.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solnova 1/3/4 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 66 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Casaquemada, where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the O&M services contractor for Solnova Solar Platform. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solnova in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of COD.
Project Level Financing. On July 2, 2009, Solnova 1 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €233.4 million with a syndicate of banks consisting of Societe Generale, Santander, Credit Agricole CIB, Natixis, Banco Sabadell (Sabadell y Dexia), Credit Industriel et Commercial, Kfw IPEX-Bank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, SMBC, Caixa Bank, DEPFA Bank, Landesbank Baden – Wurttemberg and BEI. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.25% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 4.76% strike.
On July 2, 2009, Solnova 3 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €227.5 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Societe Generale, Santander, Credit Agricole CIB, Natixis, Banco Sabadell, Credit Industriel et Commercial, Kfw IPEX-Bank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, SMBC, Caixa Bank, DEPFA Bank, Landesbank Baden – Wurttemberg and BEI. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.15% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.34% cost and 70% through a cap at approximately 4.65%.
Solnova 4 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €217.1 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Bankia, Credit Agricole CIB, Banco Sabadell (Sabadell y Dexia), ING Belgium, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Ladesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, Natixis, Societe Generale and UBI Banca on July 2, 2009. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.60% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 4.87% strike.
As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding amount of these loans was €557 million.
The financing arrangements of the three plants permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x. for Solnova 1/3 and a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x for Solnova 4.
Solaben 1/6
Overview. Solaben 1/6 is a 100 MW solar power facility and is part of Abengoa’s Extremadura Solar Complex. The Extremadura Solar Complex consists of four concentrating solar power plants, Solaben 1, Solaben 2, Solaben 3 and Solaben 6, and is located in the municipality of Logrosan, Spain. Solaben 1/6 reached COD in late 2013.
Solaben 1/6 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solaben 1/6 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next years.
Regulation: Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Concentrating solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments in order to achieve the specific rate of return. These payments are comprised of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements: The construction of Solaben 1/6 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contracts executed on January 23, 2012.
Transmission and Interconnection: Solaben 1/6 together with Solaben 2/3 and three plants owned by other companies, are connected to the electrical grid via common interconnection facilities that were jointly developed and are jointly owned. The interconnection facilities connect Solaben 1/6 from the SET Mesa de la Copa substation, which is located next to the Solaben projects, to the Valdecaballeros substation. The installation consists of a nodal transformer substation 220/400kV with a capacity of 600 MVA at SET Mesa de la Copa and a transmission line at 400kV of about 12 miles, which connect the nodal substation with a post of 400kV in the Valdecaballeros substation.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Operation & Maintenance: ASE is the O&M services contractor for Solaben 1/6. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solaben 1/6 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On September 30, 2015, Solaben Luxembourg S.A., a holding company of the two project companies, issued a project bond for €285 million. The bonds mature in December 2034. The bonds have a coupon of 3.758% and interest are payable in semi-annual instalments on June 30 and December 31 of each year. The principal of the bonds is amortizedaccretive basis over the life of the bonds. The bonds permit dividend distributions once per year after the first repayment of debt has occurred, if the audited financial statements for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio greater than 1.30 until December 31, 2018 and greater than 1.40 after January 1, 2019. The outstanding amount of the project bonds as of December 31, 2015 was $275 million.
Palmatir
Overview. Palmatir is an on-shore wind farm facility in Uruguay with nominal installed capacity of 50 MW. Palmatir has 25 wind turbines and each turbine has a nominal capacity of 2 MW. Palmatir reached COD in May 2014.
The wind farm is located in Tacuarembo, 170 miles north of the city of Montevideo. Gamesa, a global leader in the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines, supplied the turbines from its U.S. subsidiary.
Palmatir is not expectedmedium- to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years duelong-term. Additionally, we intend to the specific tax exemptions established by the Uruguayan government for renewable assets.
Power Purchase Agreement. Palmatir signed a PPA with UTE on September 14, 2011 for 100% of the electricity produced. UTE pays a fixed tariff under the PPA, which is denominated in U.S. dollars and will be partially adjusted in January of each year based on a formula referring to U.S. CPI and the Uruguay’s Indice de Precios al Productor de Productos Nacionales and the applicable UYU/U.S. dollars exchange rate.
UTE is unrated and Uruguay has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Palmatir was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under a fixed price EPC contract that includes customary guarantees, such as a one-year warranty by the EPC contractor for defects plus a two-year performance guarantee linked to energy production.
Transmission and Interconnection. Palmatir connects to UTE’s grid at the Bonete substation via a newly-built 21-mile overhead line.
Operations & Maintenance. Palmatir signed an agreement with Epartir, a subsidiary of Omega that is in turn a wholly-owned Abengoa subsidiary, for the provision of O&M services for a 20-year term. The O&M agreement covers scheduled and unscheduled turbine maintenance, a supply of spare parts, wind farm monitoring and reporting services. The O&M agreement contains customary guarantees, such as two-year guarantee and repairs. Epartir subcontracted with the wind turbine manufacturer, Gamesa, for the wind turbine O&M services.
Project Level Financing. Palmatir signed a financing agreement on April 11, 2013 for a 20-year loan in two tranches in connection with the project. Each tranche is denominated in U.S. dollars. The first tranche is a $73 million loan from the U.S. Export Import Bank with a fixed interest rate of 3.11% The second tranche is a $40 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank with a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.125% The project hedged 80% of the floating rate loan with a swap at a rate of 2.22% with the financing bank. The combined principal balance of both tranches as of December 31, 2015 was $100 million.
Cash distributions are permissible every six months subject to a historical debt service coverage ratio for the previous twelve-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio for the following twelve-month period of at least 1.25x.
Cadonal
Overview. Cadonal is an on-shore wind farm facility in Uruguay with nominal installed capacity of 50 MW. Cadonal has 25 wind turbines of 2 MW each. Cadonal reached COD in December 2014.
The wind farm is located in Flores, 105 miles north of the city of Montevideo. Gamesa, a global leader in the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines, supplied the turbines.
Cadonal is not expected to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years due to the specific tax exemptions established by the Uruguayan government for renewable assets.
Power Purchase Agreement. Cadonal signed a PPA with UTE on December 28, 2012 for 100% of the electricity produced. UTE pays a fixed tariff under the PPA, which is denominated in U.S. dollars and will be adjusted every January considering both U.S. and Uruguay’s inflation indexes and the exchange rate between Uruguayan pesos and U.S. dollars.
UTE is unrated and Uruguay has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Cadonal was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under a fixed price EPC contract that includes customary guarantees, such as a one-year warranty by the EPC contractor for defects plus a two-year performance guarantee linked to energy production.
Transmission and Interconnection. Cadonal connects to UTE’s grid at Trinidad Substation through a 12-mile overhead line (OHL) connecting the wind farm substation and UTE’s substation.
Operations & Maintenance. Cadonal signed an agreement with Epartir, a subsidiary of Abengoa, for the provision of operations and maintenance services for 20 years. Although this agreement covered turbine scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, supply of spare parts, wind farm monitoring and reporting, Epartir subcontracted the wind turbine O&M to the wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa.
Project Level Financing. On September 15, 2014, Cadonal executed an A/B loan agreement and a subordinated debt tranche. The first drawdown occurred on November 28, 2014. The A/B loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The A tranche, with a tenor of 19.5 years, is a $40.5 million loan from Corporacion Andina de Fomento, or CAF, with a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 390 bps for as long as CAF has access to funding from BankBankengruppe Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, or KfW, a German public law development institution, through its program for the development of certain climate-relevant projects. An interest rate swap was arranged in order to mitigate interest rate risk for Tranch A loan, covering the 70% of the interests through a swap set at approximately 3.29% strike. The B tranche is a $40.5 million loan from DNB Bank with a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 365 bps for as long as CAF has access to funding from KfW, with a tenor of 17.5 years. The B tranche loan was approximately 70% hedged through swap set at approximately 3.16% strike. The subordinated debt tranche was signed with CAF in the amount of $9.1 million, with a tenor of 19.5 years and a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 650 bps. This subordinated debt tranche may be prepaid in the future at no significant cost to improve the cash generation profile.
The combined principal balance of these loans as of December 31, 2015 was $87 million.
Cash distributions are permissible every six months subject to a historical senior debt service coverage ratio for the previous twelve-month period of at least 1.20x, a total debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x and a projected senior debt service coverage ratio for the following twelve-month period of at least 1.10x, except in the case of the first distribution, in which case the projected senior debt service coverage ratio for the following twelve-month period must be at least 1.20x, the projected total debt service coverage for the following twelve-month period must be at least 1.10x, and both the historical senior debt coverage ratio and the historical total debt coverage ratio must be confirmed by the auditors.
Kaxu
Overview. Kaxu Solar One Solar, or Kaxu, is a 100 MW net solar conventional parabolic trough project located in Paulputs, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Atlantica Yield, through Abengoa Solar South Africa (Pty) Ltd, owns 51% of the Kaxu project. The project company, Kaxu Solar One (Pty) Ltd., is currently owned by us (51%), Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (29%) and Kaxu Community Trust (20%). The project reached COD in February 2015.
Kaxu relies on a conventional concentrating parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the South African Corporate Income Tax Act, Kaxu is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next years.
Power Purchase Agreement: Kaxu has a 20-year PPA with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., or Eskom, under a take or pay contract for the purchase of electricity up to the contracted capacity from the facility. The PPA expires in February 2035. Eskom purchases all the output of the Kaxu plant under a fixed-price formula in local currency subject to indexation to local inflation which we believe protects us from potential devaluation over the long term.
Eskom is a state-owned, limited liability company, wholly owned by the government of the Republic of South Africa. Eskom’s payment guarantees are underwritten by the South African Department of Energy, under the terms of an implementation agreement. The South African government has credit ratings of BBB-/Baa2/BBB-.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement: Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Kaxu under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain engineering, procurement and construction contract. The EPC contract contains warranties that protect the owner’s consortium against defects in design, materials and workmanship for two years after completion and provides a performance guarantee of 12 consecutive and uninterrupted months within the initial 24-month period for the benefit of the project company and the financing parties.
Transmission and Interconnection: Kaxu connects at 132kV at Paulputs substation, where Eskom has established a 132kV feeder bay. A 132kV line between Paulputs substation and the Kaxu plant substation has been built.
Operations & Maintenance: Kaxu entered into a 20 year O&M Agreement with Kaxu CSP O&M Company, a company owned by a subsidiary of Abengoa Solar (92%) and Kaxu Black Employee Trust, (8%) for the operation and maintenance of the Project. The operator operates the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices,encourage our executives to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Kaxu with the procurement of necessary support and ancillary services.that they focus on stable, long-term cash flow generation.
Project level Financing: Kaxu has closed long-term financing with a lenders’ group comprising local commercial banks Nedbank and RMB, local development finance institutions Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and Development Bank of Southern Africa, as well as the International Finance Corporation for a total approximate amount of 5,860.0 million South African rand. The loan consists of senior and subordinated long-term loans payable in South African rand over an 18-year term with the cash generated by the project. The loan was initially 100% hedged through a swap with the same banks providing the financing, and the coverage is progressively reduced over the 18 years.
As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding amount of these loans was $373 million.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis after the first repayment of debt has occurred, as long as the historical and projected debt service coverage ratios are at least 1.2x.
Conventional Power
Our conventional power asset consists of ACT, a 300 MW cogeneration plant in Mexico. ACT is a party to a 20-year take-or-pay contract with Petroleos Mexicanos S.A. de C.V., or Pemex, for the sale of electric power and steam. Pemex also supplies the natural gas required for the plant at no cost to ACT, which insulates the project from natural gas price variations.
Electric Transmission
Our electric transmission assets consist of (i) three lines in Peru, ATN, ATN2 and ATS, spanning a total of 1,012 miles and (ii) three lines in Chile, Quadra 1, Quadra 2 and Palmucho, spanning a total of 87 miles.
ATN and ATS are subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 30-year contract with the Peruvian Ministry of Energy. ATN2 is subject to a U.S. dollar-denominated 18-year contract with Minera Las Bambas mining company, which is owned by a partnership consisting of subsidiaries of China Minmetals Corporation, Guoxin International Investment Co. Ltd and CITIC Metal Co. Ltd, and reached COD in June 2015. Quadra 1 and Quadra 2 are subject to a concession contract with Sierra Gorda SCM, a mining company owned by Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Mining and KGHM Polska Mietz. Palmucho is a six-mile electric transmission line and substation subject to a private concession agreement with a utility, Endesa Chile.
Water
Our water assets consist of minority stakes in two desalination plants in Algeria, Honaine and Skikda, with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day, which we acquired in February 2015. Each asset has a 30-year take-or-pay water purchase agreement with Sonatrach/Algérienne des Eaux.
Our Business Strategy
We are a company focused on owning and operating contracted assets across the renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission line and water sectors in North America, South America and EMEA. We intend to grow our business, maintaining North America, South America and Europe as our core geographies.
We currently own or have interests in 21 assets, comprising 1,442 MW of renewable energy generation, 300 MW of conventional power generation, 10.5 M ft3 per day of water desalination and 1,099 miles of electric transmission lines. All of our assets have contracted revenues (regulated revenues in the case of our Spanish assets) with low-risk off-takers and collectively have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 21 years as of December 31, 2016.
Our primary business strategy is to generate stable cash flows with our portfolio of assets. With this, we intend to distribute a stable cash dividend to holders of our shares that we intend to grow over time, while ensuring the ongoing stability of our business.
We intend to grow our business mainly through acquisitions of contracted assets in operation, in the segments where we are already present, maintaining renewable energy as our main segment and with a focus in North and South America. We may complement this strategy by dedicating a limited portion of our growth to projects in development.
Our plan for executing this strategy includes the following key components:
Focus on stable, long-term contracted assets in renewable energy, conventional power generation and electric transmission lines
We intend to focus on owning and operating these types of assets, for which we possess deep know-how, extensive experience and proven systems and management processes, as well as the critical mass to benefit from operating efficiencies and scale. We expect that this will allow us to maximize value and cash flow generation going forward. We intend to maintain a diversified portfolio in the future, as we believe these technologies will undergo significant growth in our targeted geographies.
Maintain geographic diversification across three principal geographic areas
Our focus on three core geographies, North America, South America and Europe, helps to ensure exposure to markets in which we believe the renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission sectors will continue growing significantly.
Increase cash available for distribution by optimizing our existing assets
Some of our assets are newly operational and we believe that we can increase the cash flow generation of these assets through further management and optimization initiatives and in some cases through repowering. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Assets—Certain of our facilities are newly constructed and may not perform as expected.”
Increase cash available for distribution through the acquisition of new assets in renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission
We will seek to grow our cash available for distribution and our dividend to shareholders by acquiring new contracted assets from Abengoa, from third parties and from potential new future partners or sponsors. We have an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which provides us with a right of first offer on certain Abengoa’s assets in operation. Additionally, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners or enter into partnerships with such developers or asset owners in order to acquire assets in operation or to invest directly or through investment vehicles in assets under development or construction, ensuring that such investments are always a small part of our total investments. Finally, we expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors where we operate. We believe that our know-how and operating expertise in our key markets together with a critical mass of assets in several geographic areas and the access to capital provided by being a listed company will permit us to successfully realize our growth plans.
Foster a low-risk approach
We intend to maintain, over time, a portfolio of contracted assets with a low-risk profile due to creditworthy offtake counterparties, long-term contracted revenues, over 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed or hedged to the U.S. dollar and proven technologies in which we have deep expertise and significant experience, located in countries where we believe conditions to be stable and safe.
Additionally, our policies and management systems include thorough risk analysis and risk management processes that we apply whenever we acquire an asset, and which we review monthly throughout the life of the asset. Our policy is to insure all of our assets whenever economically feasible.
Maintain financial strength and flexibility
We intend to maintain a solid financial position through a combination of cash on hand and credit facilities. Conservative cash management may help us to mitigate any unexpected downturns that reduce our cash flow generation.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we are well positioned to execute our business strategies because of the following competitive strengths:
Stable and predictable long-term U.S. and international cash flows with attractive tax profiles
We believe that our recently-developed asset portfolio has a highly stable, predictable cash flow profile consisting of predominantly long-life electric power generation and electric transmission assets that generate revenues under long-term fixed priced contracts or pursuant to regulated rates with creditworthy counterparties. Additionally, our facilities have minimal to no fuel risk. The offtake agreements for our assets have a weighted average remaining duration of approximately 21 years as of December 31, 2016, providing long-term cash flow stability and visibility. Additionally, our business strategy and hedging policy is intended to ensure a minimum of 90% of cash available for distribution in, indexed to or hedged to the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, due to the fact that we are a U.K. resident company we should benefit from a more favorable treatment than would apply if we were a corporation in the United States when receiving dividends from our subsidiaries that hold our international assets because they should generally be exempt from U.K. taxation due to the U.K.’s distribution exemption. Based on our current portfolio of assets, which include renewable assets that benefit from an accelerated tax depreciation schedule, and current tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we do not expect to pay significant income tax for a period of at least 10 years due to existing net operating losses, or NOLs, except for ACT in Mexico, where we do not expect to pay significant income taxes until the fifth or sixth year after our IPO (i.e., until 2019 or 2020) once we use existing NOLs. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our future tax liability may be greater than expected if we do not utilize Net Operating Losses, or NOLs, sufficient to offset our taxable income,” “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Our ability to use U.S. NOLs to offset future income may be limited” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Taxation—Changes in our tax position can significantly affect our reported earnings and cash flows.” Furthermore, based on our current portfolio of assets, we believe that there is minimal repatriation risk in the jurisdictions in which we operate. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the Markets in Which We Operate—We have international operations and investments, including in emerging markets that could be subject to economic, social and political uncertainties.”
Highly diversified portfolio by geography and technology
We believe that our strategic exposure to international markets will allow us to pursue greater growth opportunities and achieve higher returns than we would if we had a narrow geographic or technological focus. Our portfolio of assets uses technologies that we expect to benefit from long-term trends in the electricity sector. Our renewable energy generation assets generate low or no emissions and serve markets where we expect growth in demand in the future. Additionally, our electric transmission lines connect electricity systems to key areas in their respective markets and we expect significant electric transmission investment in our geographies. As a result, we believe that we may be able to benefit from opportunities to repower some of our assets during the lives of our existing PPAs and to extend the terms of those contracts after current PPAs expire. We expect our well-diversified portfolio of assets by technology and geography to maintain cash flow stability.
Strong corporate governance with a majority independent board and an experienced and incentivized management team
Five of the eight members of our board of directors are independent from us and from Abengoa. We require a majority vote by our independent directors in connection with related party transactions, including acquisitions under the ROFO Agreement with Abengoa. Our management team has significant and valuable expertise in developing, financing, operating and managing renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission assets. We believe their financial and tax management skills will help us achieve our financial targets and continue to grow on a cash accretive basis over the medium- to long-term. Additionally, we intend to encourage our executives to ensure that they focus on stable, long-term cash flow generation.
Our Operations
Renewable energy
The following table presents our renewable energy assets, all of which are operational:
Assets | | Type | | Location | | Capacity (Gross) | | Offtaker | | Currency | | Counterparty Credit Rating(1) | | COD | | Contract Years Left |
Solana | | Solar | | Arizona | | 280 MW | | APS | | U.S. dollars | | A-/A3/BBB+ | | 4Q 2013 | | 27 |
Mojave | | Solar | | California | | 280 MW | | PG&E | | U.S. dollars | | BBB+/Baa1/A- | | 4Q 2014 | | 23 |
Solaben 2/3 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 3Q 2012 & 4Q 2012 | | 21 / 20 |
Solacor 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 1Q 2012 & 1Q 2012 | | 20 / 20 |
PS10/20 | | Solar | | Spain | | 31 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 1Q 2007 & 4Q 2009 | | 15 / 17 |
Helioenergy 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 4Q 2012 & 4Q 2012 | | 20 / 20 |
Helios 1/2 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 2Q 2012 & 4Q 2012 | | 21 / 21 |
Solnova 1/3/4 | | Solar | | Spain | | 3x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 2Q 2010 & 4Q 2010 | | 18 / 18 / 19 |
Solaben 1/6 | | Solar | | Spain | | 2x50 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 3Q 2013 | | 22 / 22 |
Seville PV | | Solar | | Spain | | 1 MW | | Wholesale market/ Spanish Electric System | | Euro | | BBB+/Baa2/ BBB+ | | 3Q 2006 | | 19 |
Kaxu | | Solar | | South Africa | | 100 MW | | Eskom | | Rand | | BBB-/Baa2/ BBB-(2) | | 1Q 2015 | | 19 |
Palmatir | | Wind | | Uruguay | | 50 MW | | UTE | | U.S. dollars | | BBB-/Baa2/ BBB-(3) | | 2Q 2014 | | 17 |
Cadonal | | Wind | | Uruguay | | 50 MW | | UTE | | U.S. dollars | | BBB-/Baa2/ BBB-(3) | | 4Q 2014 | | 18 |
Notes:—
(1) | Reflects counterparty’s issuer credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. |
(2) | Refers to the credit rating of the Republic of South Africa. |
(3) | Refers to the credit rating of Uruguay, as UTE is unrated. |
Solana
Overview. The Solana Solar Project, or Solana, is a 250 MW net (280 MW gross) solar electric generation facility located in Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 70 miles southwest of Phoenix. Arizona Solar One LLC, or Arizona Solar, owns the Solana project. Solana includes a 22-mile 230kV transmission line and a molten salt thermal energy storage system. The construction of Solana commenced in December 2010 and Solana reached COD on October 9, 2013.
Solana relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The parabolic trough technology has been utilized for over 25 years at the Solar Electric Generating Systems, SEGS, facilities located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. Our 13 50-MW parabolic trough facilities in Spain have also used this technology since 2010. Solana produces electricity by means of an integrated process using solar energy to heat a synthetic petroleum-based fluid in a closed-loop system that, in turn, heats water to create steam to drive a conventional steam turbine. Solana employs a two-tank molten salt thermal energy storage system that provides an additional six hours of solar dispatchability to increase its efficiency. This type of storage system has been in operation in several commercial plants in Spain since March 2009.
ASHUSA Inc., the entity through which we indirectly invest in Solana, is not expected to pay U.S. federal income taxes in the next 10 years due to the relevant NOLs and NOL carryforwards generated by the application of tax incentives established in the United States, in particular MACRS accelerated depreciation.
Power Purchase Agreement. Solana has a 30-year, fixed-price PPA with Arizona Public Service Company, or APS, for at least 110% of the output of the project. The PPA provides for the sale of electricity at a fixed base price approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission with annual increases of 1.84% per year. The PPA includes on-going performance obligations and is intended to provide Arizona Solar with consistent and predictable monthly revenues that are sufficient to cover operating costs and debt service and to earn an equity return.
APS is a load serving utility based in Phoenix, Arizona. APS has senior unsecured credit ratings of A- from S&P, A3 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
The PPA was initially executed in February 2008 and received final approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission in December 2008. The PPA was most recently amended and restated in December 2010. The PPA expires on October 9, 2043.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of Solana was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain engineering, procurement and construction contract, or an EPC contract, that was executed on December 20, 2010. Abengoa completed construction of Solana on October 9, 2013. The EPC contract contains warranties that protect Arizona Solar against defects in design, materials and workmanship for one year after completion and under these warranties Abengoa is required to conduct certain repairs and improvements to ensure the plant reaches its technical capacity. Abengoa constructed Solana using equipment from leading suppliers, including two 140 MW (gross) steam turbines supplied by Siemens. During 2015 and 2016 Solana did not achieve its technical capacity on a continuous basis. During 2016 and 2017, repairs and improvements were and will be conducted on 3 plant systems: the steam generator, the water plant and the storage heat exchangers. Additionally, in July 2016 the solar field was damaged after a severe wind event and damages are covered by the insurance after customary deductibles. If further repairs or improvements or equipment replacement (i.e. heat exchangers) were required, Abengoa has a number of obligations under current contracts.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solana interconnects to the existing 230kV APS panda substation via a newly-constructed 230kV transmission line between the facility switchyard and the APS panda substation. A large generator interconnection agreement, or LGIA, was executed with APS to govern the interconnection. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, approved the LGIA on August 31, 2010.
Operations & Maintenance. ASI Operations LLC, or ASI Operations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abengoa, provides operations and maintenance, or O&M, services for Solana, focused exclusively on personnel. ASI Operations has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Arizona Solar in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The Operations and Maintenance Agreement, or an O&M agreement, executed on December 20, 2010 between ASI Operations and Arizona Solar is a 30-year cost-reimbursable contract plus a fixed fee of $480,000 per year, which is indexed to U.S. CPI, and a variable fee that Arizona Solar will pay in periods when the project’s annual net operating profits exceed the target annual net operating profit. Payments to third-party suppliers are made directly by Arizona Solar. We expect that the variable fee will provide ASI Operations with a significant long-term interest in the success of the project, which we expect will align its interests with those of Arizona Solar.
Project Level Financing. Arizona Solar executed a loan guarantee agreement with the DOE on December 20, 2010, to provide a loan guarantee in connection with a two-tranche loan of approximately $1.445 billion from the FFB. The FFB loan had a short-term tranche of $450 million as of December 31, 2013, that was repaid in April 2014 with the proceeds from the Investment Tax Credit Cash Grant, or ITC Cash Grant, that the project received from the U.S. Treasury. The FFB loan has a long-term tranche payable over a 29-year term with the cash generated by the project. The principal balance of this tranche was $935 million as of December 31, 2016. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The FFB loan has a fixed average interest rate of 3.56%.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis as long as the debt service coverage ratio for the previous four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x (1.30x debt service coverage ratio and operating performance above certain thereholds for distributions before December 31, 2019) and the projected debt service coverage ratio for the next four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x.
Partnerships. On September 30, 2013, Abengoa entered into an agreement with Liberty, pursuant to which Liberty agreed to invest $300 million in Class A membership interests of ASO Holdings Company LLC, the parent of Arizona Solar, in exchange for the right to receive 61.20% of taxable losses and distributions until such time as Liberty reaches a certain rate of return, or the Flip Date, and 22.60% of taxable losses and distributions thereafter. See note 1 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. All figures in this annual report take into account Liberty’s share of dividends. We indirectly own 100% of the Class B membership interests in ASO Holdings Company LLC.
Mojave
Overview. The Mojave Solar Project, or Mojave, is a 250 MW net (280 MW gross) solar electric generation facility located in San Bernardino County, California, approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Abengoa commenced construction of Mojave in September 2011. Mojave completed construction and reached COD on December 1, 2014. Mojave Solar LLC, or Mojave Solar, owns the Mojave project.
Mojave relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity and is similar to Solana with respect to technology and general design. The main difference between Solana and Mojave is that Mojave does not have a molten salt storage system, as the offtaker did not require one.
Mojave is not expected to pay federal income tax in the next 10 years due to the relevant NOLs and NOL carryforwards generated by the application of tax incentives established in the United States, in particular MACRS accelerated depreciation.
Power Purchase Agreement. Mojave has a 25-year, fixed-price PPA with Pacific Gas & Electric Company, or PG&E, for 100% of the output of Mojave. The PPA began on COD. The PPA provides for the sale of electricity at a fixed base price with seasonal adjustments and adjustments for time of delivery. Mojave Solar can deliver and receive payment for at least 110% of contracted capacity under the PPA.
PG&E, a utility based in San Francisco, is one of the largest integrated natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. PG&E has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa1 from Moody’s and A- from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Mojave was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa, or the contractor, under an arm’s-length, fixed-price EPC contract that was executed on September 12, 2010. Mojave issued a “full notice to proceed” on March 7, 2012, and, as mentioned above, reached COD on December 1, 2014. Mojave’s key equipment has been supplied by leading companies, including two twin turbines from General Electric.
Transmission and Interconnection. Mojave interconnects to the existing transmission system through Southern California Edison, or SCE, transmission lines. Mojave reached resource adequacy in September 2015, once all the requirements in the Kramer-Coolwater transmission line at Kramer substation were fulfilled.
Operations & Maintenance. ASI Operations provides O&M services for Mojave focused exclusively on personnel. Under the terms of the O&M agreement between ASI Operations and Mojave Solar, ASI Operations has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Mojave Solar in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a cost-reimbursable contract plus a combination of fixed and variable fees. Payments to third-party suppliers are made directly by Arizona Solar. The fixed fee is $500,000 per year starting in the second year of full operations and will increase by 2.5% per year. The fixed fee will be $1.0 million during the start-up year and will be $750,000 during the first year of full operations. Mojave Solar will pay the variable fee in periods when the project’s annual net operating profits exceed the target annual net operating profit. We expect that the variable fee will provide ASI Operations with a significant long-term interest in the success of the project, which we expect will align its interests with those of Mojave Solar.
Project Level Financing. Mojave Solar executed a Loan Guarantee Agreement with the DOE on September 12, 2011, to provide a loan guarantee in connection with a two-tranche FFB loan of approximately $1,202 million. The FFB loan had a short-term tranche of $336 million as of December 31, 2014 that Mojave Solar repaid in October 2015 with the proceeds from the ITC Cash Grant that the project received from the U.S. Treasury. The FFB loan has a long-term tranche payable over a 25-year term with the cash generated by the project. The principal balance of this tranche was $774 million as of December 31, 2016. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The FFB loan has an average fixed interest rate of 2.75% and each disbursement is linked to the U.S. Treasury bond with the maturity of that disbursement.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis after the first principal repayment of the long-term tranche, as long as the debt service coverage ratio for the previous four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x and the projected debt service coverage ratio for the next four fiscal quarters is at least 1.20x.
Solaben 2/3
Overview. The Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 projects are two 50 MW solar power plants and are part of Abengoa’s Extremadura Solar Complex located in the municipality of Logrosan, Spain. Solaben 2 reached COD in July 2012 and Solaben 3 reached COD in May 2012. Solaben Electricidad Dos, S.A., or SE2, owns Solaben 2 and Solaben Electricidad Tres, S.A., or SE3, owns Solaben 3.
Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 each rely on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in the United States and Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 are not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from the Comision Nacional de los Mercados y de la Competencia, or CNMC, the Spanish state-owned regulator.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Solaben 2/3 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on December 16, 2010.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solaben 2/3, together with two other Abengoa Solaben projects and three plants owned by other companies, are connected to the electrical grid via common interconnection facilities that were jointly developed and are jointly owned. The interconnection facilities connect Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 from the SET Mesa de la Copa substation, which is located next to the Solaben projects, to the Valdecaballeros substation. The installation consists of a nodal transformer substation 220/400kV with a capacity of 600 MVA at SET Mesa de la Copa and a transmission line at 400kV of about 12 miles, which connect the nodal substation with a post of 400kV in the Valdecaballeros substation.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Operations & Maintenance. Abengoa Solar Espana, S.A., or ASE, is the contractor for O&M services at Solaben 2/3. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solaben 2/3 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD, under certain circumstances the contract can be terminated by us before the expiration date.
Project Level Financing. SE2 and SE3 each entered into a 20-year loan agreement with a syndicate of banks formed by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Mizuho, HSBC and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation on December 16, 2010. Each loan is denominated in euros. The loan for Solaben 2 was for €169.3 million and the loan for Solaben 3 was for €171.5 million. The banks providing these loans obtained commercial and political risk insurance from Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, which allowed for lower financing costs. The interest rate for each loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.5%. Each loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 50% through a swap set at approximately 3.7% and 50% through a cap with a 3.75% strike. In November 2013, SE2 and SE3 hedged through 2017 the remaining 20% exposure through a cap with a 0.75% strike.
The outstanding amount of these loans as of December 31, 2016 was €143 million for Solaben 2 and €146 million for Solaben 3.
The financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x.
Partnerships. Itochu Corporation, a Japanese trading company, holds a 30% stake in the economic rights of each of Solaben 2 and Solaben 3.
Solacor 1/2
Overview. The Solacor 1/2 project is a 100 MW solar power complex and is part of Abengoa’s El Carpio Solar Complex, located in the municipality of El Carpio, Spain. Abengoa commenced construction of Solacor 1/2 in September 2010. COD was reached in February 2012 for Solacor 1 and in March 2012 for Solacor 2. JGC Corporation, a Japanese engineering company, currently owns 13% of Solacor 1/2.
Solacor 1/2 relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. The technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
We hold 87% of the shares of the entity holding Solacor 1 and Solacor 2.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solacor 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from the CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Solacor 1/2 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on August 6, 2010.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solacor 1/2 delivers its electricity through an underground line 132 kV from the substation of the plant to the SET Pabellones 132 kV. This SET Pabellones connects directly with the line 132 kV Andujar/Lancha of Sevillana Endesa, where the connection point of the plants is located.
Operations & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at Solacor 1/2. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist Solacor 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 25-year, all-in contract that expires on the 25th anniversary of the COD, under certain circumstances the contract can be terminated by us before the expiration date.
Project Level Financing. Solacor 1/2 entered into 20-year loan agreements with a syndicate of banks formed by BNP Paribas, Mizuho, HSBC and SMBC on August 6, 2010. The loans are denominated in euros. The loans for Solacor 1/2 totaled €353 million. The banks providing these loans obtained commercial and political risk insurance from Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, which allowed for lower financing costs. The interest rate for the loans is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.5%. The loans were initially approximately 82% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 66% through a swap set at approximately 3.20% and 34% through a cap with a 3.25% strike. The total outstanding amount of these loans as of December 31, 2016 was €289 million.
These financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x.
Partnerships. On December 31, 2015, JGC Corporation, a Japanese engineering company, held a 26% stake in the economic rights in Solacor 1/2. On January 7, 2016, we closed the acquisition of 13% of the shares of Solacor 1/2 from JGC Corporation, which reduced their ownership in Solacor 1/2 to 13%.
PS10/20
Overview. PS10/20 is a 31 MW solar power complex and is part of Abengoa’s Solucar Solar Complex, located in the municipality of Sanlucar la Mayor, Spain. Construction of PS10 commenced in June 2004 and construction of PS20 commenced in November 2006. PS10 reached COD in March 2007 and PS20 reached COD in May 2009.
PS10/20 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years due to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act and applicable to the tax consolidation group where this project is included.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Transmission and Interconnection. PS10/20 connect to an overhead line of 66 kV from the substation of PS10/20 to the SET Sanlucar la Mayor 66 kV. This SET Sanlucar la Mayor is part of the grid of Sevillana Endesa, where the connection point of the plants is located.
Operations & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at PS10/20. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, and to assist PS10/20 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 21-year all-in contract that expires on the 21st anniversary of COD.
Project Level Financing. PS10 entered into a 21.5-year loan agreement with a syndicate of banks formed by Bankia and Natixis on November 17, 2006. On June 14, 2007, the loan agreement was entered into a novation in order to include in the syndicate of banks the European Investment Bank and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo, which was later acquired by Banco Sabadell, S.A. The loan was for €43.4 million. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.10% (depending on the level of the debt service coverage ratio). The loan was initially 100% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.07% and 70% through a cap with a 4.25% strike. The outstanding amount of this loan as of December 31, 2016 was €29 million.
PS20 entered into a 24.5-year loan agreement with a syndicate of banks formed by Bankia and Natixis Banques Populaires, Spanish Branch on November 17, 2006. On June 14, 2007, the loan agreement was entered into a novation in order to include in the syndicate of banks the European Investment Bank and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo, which was later acquired by Banco Sabadell, S.A. The loan was for €94.6 million. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.10% (depending on the level of the debt service coverage ratio). The loan was initially 100% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.07% and 70% through a cap with a 4.5% strike. The outstanding amount of this loan as of December 31, 2016 was €71 million.
These financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x.
Helios 1/2
Overview. The Helios 1/2 project is a 100 MW concentrating solar power facility known as Plataforma Solar Castilla la Mancha, located in the municipality of Arenas de San Juan, Puerto Lapice and Villarta de San Juan, Spain. Helios 1 reached COD in the second quarter of 2012 and Helios 2 reached COD in the third quarter of 2012. We indirectly own 100% of Helios 1/2.
Helios 1/2 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Helios 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Helios 1/2 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on June 30, 2011.
Transmission and Interconnection. Helios 1/2 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 15 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Arenas de San Juan, where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the contractor for O&M services at Helios 1/2. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, as well as to assist Helios 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 25-year, all-in contract that expires on the 25th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On June 6, 2011, Helios 1 entered into a 20-year loan agreement for €144.2 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Caixa Bank, Banif Investment Bank, Bankia, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Helaba and ICO. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 3.50% until August 12, 2016, plus a margin of 3.75% from August 10, 2016 to August 10, 2018 and plus a margin of 4.25% from August 10, 2018. The loan was initially approximately 75% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.85%
On June 6, 2011, Helios 2 entered into a 20-year loan agreement for €145.1 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Caixa Bank, Banif Investment Bank, Bankia, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Helaba and ICO. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 3.50% until August 12, 2016, plus a margin of 3.75% from August 10, 2016 to August 10, 2018 and plus a margin of 4.25% as of August 10, 2018. The loan was initially approximately 75% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.85%.
The total outstanding amount of these loans as of December 31, 2016 was €259 million.
The financing agreements of both plants permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x.
Helios 1/2 projects have a “cash-sweep” mechanism in the financing agreements by which all the cash generated by the projects from 2019 will be paid directly to the lenders. We expect to refinance Helios 1/2 before 2019.
Helioenergy 1/2
Overview. Helioenergy 1/2 is a 100 MW solar power complex located in Ecija, Spain. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries began construction on the Helioenergy 1/2 project in 2010 and reached COD in the fourth quarter of 2011. We indirectly own 100% of Helioenergy 1/2.
Helioenergy 1/2 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Helioenergy 1/2 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Helioenergy 1/2 under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on May 6, 2010.
Transmission and Interconnection. Helioenergy 1/2 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 220 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Villanueva del Rey (owned by Red Electrica de España), where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the O&M services contractor for Helioenergy 1/2. ASE agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, as well as to assist Helioenergy 1/2 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 20-year, all-in contract that expires on the 20th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On May 6, 2010, Helioenergy 1 entered into an 18-year loan agreement for €158.2 million with a syndicate of banks consisting of Santander, Barclays Bank, Bankia, Credit Agricole CIB, Caixa Bank, Société Générale, SMBC, Banco Popular, Bankinter and Unicaja. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% The loan was initially approximately 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 3.8205% strike.
On May 6, 2010, Helioenergy 2 entered into an 18-year loan agreement for €158.2 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Barclays Bank, Bankia, Crédit Agricole CIB, Caixa Bank, Société Générale, SMBC, Banco Popular, Bankinter and Unicaja. The loan is denominated in euro. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% The loan was initially approximately 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 80% through a swap set at approximately 3.8205% strike.
As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding amount of these loans was €267 million. The financing arrangements permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x.
Solnova 1/3/4
Overview. The Solnova 1/3/4 project is a 150 MW concentrating solar power facility and a part of the Sanlucar solar platform is located in the municipality of Sanlucar la Mayor, Spain. Solnova 1 and Solnova 3 projects reached COD in the second quarter of 2010 and Solnova 4 reached COD in the third quarter of 2010.
Solnova 1/3/4 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solnova 1/3/4 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC. Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments. These payments consist of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments for that year and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Taking into account the minimum thresholds and the historical performance of the plants, we expect that the plants will reach the minimum generation required.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Solnova 1/3/4 under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract executed on October 10, 2007, for Solnova 1/3 and on July 28, 2007, for Solnova 4.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solnova 1/3/4 delivers its electricity through an aerial-underground line 66 kV from the substation of the plant to a 220 kV line that ends in SET Casaquemada, where the connection point of the plant is located.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the O&M services contractor for Solnova Solar Platform. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, as well as to assist Solnova in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. The O&M agreement is a 25-year, all-in contract that expires on the 25th anniversary of COD.
Project Level Financing. On December 18, 2007, Solnova 1 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €233.4 million with a syndicate of banks consisting of Societe Generale, Santander, Credit Agricole CIB, Natixis, Banco Sabadell (Sabadell y Dexia), Credit Industriel et Commercial, Kfw IPEX-Bank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, SMBC, Caixa Bank, DEPFA Bank, Landesbank Baden – Wurttemberg and BEI. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.25% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 4.76% strike.
On January 15, 2008, Solnova 3 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €227.5 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Societe Generale, Santander, Credit Agricole CIB, Natixis, Banco Sabadell, Credit Industriel et Commercial, Kfw IPEX-Bank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, SMBC, Caixa Bank, DEPFA Bank, Landesbank Baden – Wurttemberg and BEI. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.15% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 30% through a swap set at approximately 4.34% cost and 70% through a cap at approximately 4.65%.
On August 5, 2008, Solnova 4 entered into a 22-year loan agreement for €217.1 million with a syndicate of banks formed by Santander, Bankia, Credit Agricole CIB, Banco Sabadell (Sabadell y Dexia), ING Belgium, Kfw IPEX-Bank, Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, Natixis, Societe Generale and UBI Banca. The interest rate for the loan is a floating rate based on EURIBOR (six months) plus a margin of 1.60% The loan was initially 80% hedged with the same banks providing the financing. The hedge was structured 100% through a swap set at approximately 4.87% strike.
As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding amount of these loans was €536 million.
The financing arrangements of the three plants permit cash distributions to shareholders once per year if the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x. for Solnova 1/3/4.
Solaben 1/6
Overview. Solaben 1/6 is a 100 MW solar power facility and is part of Abengoa’s Extremadura Solar Complex. The Extremadura Solar Complex consists of four concentrating solar power plants, Solaben 1, Solaben 2, Solaben 3 and Solaben 6, and is located in the municipality of Logrosan, Spain. Solaben 1/6 reached COD in the third quarter of 2013.
Solaben 1/6 relies on a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in other solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, Solaben 1/6 is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the upcoming years.
Regulation. Renewable energy projects in Spain sell the power they produce into the wholesale electricity market and receive additional payments from CNMC.
Solar power plants receive, in addition to the revenues from the sale of electricity in the market, two monthly payments in order to achieve the specific rate of return. These payments are comprised of: (i) a fixed monthly payment based on installed capacity and (ii) a variable payment based on net electricity produced. There is a maximum number of production hours per year beyond which no variable payment is received. The regulation also includes a minimum number of yearly hours of generation, under which the plant would receive no regulated payments and another higher threshold below which regulated payments would be reduced for a certain year. Those numbers are 35% and 60% of the maximum yearly hours, respectively. We expect that a plant would fail to achieve these thresholds only in cases of major breakdowns.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of Solaben 1/6 was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contracts executed on January 23, 2012.
Transmission and Interconnection. Solaben 1/6 together with Solaben 2/3 and three plants owned by other companies, are connected to the electrical grid via common interconnection facilities that were jointly developed and are jointly owned. The interconnection facilities connect Solaben 1/6 from the SET Mesa de la Copa substation, which is located next to the Solaben projects, to the Valdecaballeros substation. The installation consists of a nodal transformer substation 220/400kV with a capacity of 600 MVA at SET Mesa de la Copa and a transmission line at 400kV of about 12 miles, which connect the nodal substation with a post of 400kV in the Valdecaballeros substation.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Operation & Maintenance. ASE is the O&M services contractor for Solaben 1/6. ASE has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses and approvals, and feed-in tariff terms, as well as to assist Solaben 1/6 in connection with the procurement of all necessary support and ancillary services. Each O&M agreement is a 25-year, all-in contract that expires on the 25th anniversary of the COD.
Project Level Financing. On September 30, 2015, Solaben Luxembourg S.A., a holding company of the two project companies, issued a project bond for €285 million. The bonds mature in December 2034. The bonds have a coupon of 3.758% and interest are payable in semi-annual instalments on June 30 and December 31 of each year. The principal of the bonds is amortized over the life of the bonds. The bonds permit dividend distributions once per year after the first repayment of debt has occurred, if the audited financial statements for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio greater than 1.30 until December 31, 2018, and greater than 1.40 after January 1, 2019. The outstanding amount of the project bonds as of December 31, 2016 was €261 million.
Seville PV
Seville PV is a 1 MW photovoltaic farm located alongside PS 10/20 and Solnova 1/3/4, in Sanlucar La Mayor, Spain.
Seville PV is subject to the same regulations as our other solar facilities in Spain except that it has a regulatory life of 30 years. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Spain.”
Taking into account the minimum thresholds and the historical performance of Seville PV, we expect that it will reach the minimum generation required.
Spain has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Seville PV has an O&M agreement in place with Prodiel and does not have any project debt outstanding.
Palmatir
Overview. Palmatir is an on-shore wind farm facility in Uruguay with nominal installed capacity of 50 MW. Palmatir has 25 wind turbines and each turbine has a nominal capacity of 2 MW. Palmatir reached COD in May 2014.
The wind farm is located in Tacuarembo, 170 miles north of the city of Montevideo. Gamesa, a global leader in the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines, supplied the turbines from its U.S. subsidiary.
Palmatir is not expected to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years due to the specific tax exemptions established by the Uruguayan government for renewable assets.
Power Purchase Agreement. Palmatir signed a PPA with UTE on September 14, 2011 for 100% of the electricity produced. UTE pays a fixed tariff under the PPA, which is denominated in U.S. dollars and will be partially adjusted in January of each year based on a formula referring to U.S. CPI and the Uruguay’s Indice de Precios al Productor de Productos Nacionales and the applicable UYU/U.S. dollars exchange rate.
UTE is unrated and Uruguay has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Palmatir was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under a fixed price EPC contract that includes customary guarantees.
Transmission and Interconnection. Palmatir connects to UTE’s grid at the Bonete substation via a recently-built 21-mile overhead line.
Operations & Maintenance. Palmatir signed an agreement with Epartir, a subsidiary of Omega that is in turn a wholly-owned Abengoa subsidiary, for the provision of O&M services for a 20-year term. The O&M agreement covers scheduled and unscheduled turbine maintenance, a supply of spare parts, wind farm monitoring and reporting services. The O&M agreement contains customary guarantees, such as two-year guarantee and repairs. Epartir subcontracted with the wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa for the wind turbine O&M services.
Project Level Financing. Palmatir signed a financing agreement on April 11, 2013, for a 20-year loan in two tranches in connection with the project. Each tranche is denominated in U.S. dollars. The first tranche is a $73 million loan from the U.S. Export Import Bank with a fixed interest rate of 3.11%. The second tranche is a $40 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank with a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.125%. The project hedged 80% of the floating rate loan with a swap at a rate of 2.22% with the financing bank. The combined principal balance of both tranches as of December 31, 2016 was $99 million.
Cash distributions are permissible every six months subject to a historical debt service coverage ratio for the previous twelve-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25x for the following twelve-month period.
Cadonal
Overview. Cadonal is an on-shore wind farm facility in Uruguay with nominal installed capacity of 50 MW. Cadonal has 25 wind turbines of 2 MW each. Cadonal reached COD in December 2014.
The wind farm is located in Flores, 105 miles north of the city of Montevideo. Gamesa, a global leader in the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines, supplied the turbines.
Cadonal is not expected to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years due to the specific tax exemptions established by the Uruguayan government for renewable assets.
Power Purchase Agreement. Cadonal signed a PPA with UTE on December 28, 2012, for 100% of the electricity produced. UTE pays a fixed tariff under the PPA, which is denominated in U.S. dollars and is adjusted every January considering both U.S. and Uruguay’s inflation indexes and the exchange rate between Uruguayan pesos and U.S. dollars.
UTE is unrated and Uruguay has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Cadonal was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under a fixed price EPC contract that includes customary guarantees.
Transmission and Interconnection. Cadonal connects to UTE’s grid at Trinidad Substation through a 12-mile overhead line (OHL) connecting the wind farm substation and UTE’s substation.
Operations & Maintenance. Cadonal signed an agreement with Epartir, a subsidiary of Abengoa, for the provision of operations and maintenance services for 20 years. Although this agreement covered turbine scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, supply of spare parts, wind farm monitoring and reporting, Epartir subcontracted the wind turbine O&M to the wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa.
Project Level Financing. On September 15, 2014, Cadonal executed an A/B loan agreement and a subordinated debt tranche. The first drawdown occurred on November 28, 2014. The A/B loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The A tranche, with a tenor of 19.5 years, is a $40.5 million loan from Corporacion Andina de Fomento, or CAF, with a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 3.9% for as long as CAF has access to funding from BankBankengruppe Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, or KfW, a German public law development institution, through its program for the development of certain climate-relevant projects. An interest rate swap was arranged in order to mitigate interest rate risk for Tranch A loan, covering the 70% of the interests through a swap set at approximately 3.29% strike. The B tranche is a $40.5 million loan from DNB Bank with a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 3.65% for as long as CAF has access to funding from KfW, with a tenor of 17.5 years. The B tranche loan was approximately 70% hedged through swap set at approximately 3.16% strike. The subordinated debt tranche was signed with CAF in the amount of $9.1 million, with a tenor of 19.5 years and a floating interest rate of LIBOR (six months) plus 6.5%. This subordinated debt tranche may be prepaid in the future at no significant cost to improve the cash generation profile.
The combined principal balance of these loans as of December 31, 2016 was $85 million.
Cash distributions are permissible every six months subject to a historical senior debt service coverage ratio for the previous twelve-month period of at least 1.20x, a total debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10x and a projected senior debt service coverage ratio for the following twelve-month period of at least 1.10x, except in the case of the first distribution, in which case the projected senior debt service coverage ratio for the following twelve-month period must be at least 1.20x, the projected total debt service coverage for the following twelve-month period must be at least 1.10x, and both the historical senior debt coverage ratio and the historical total debt coverage ratio must be confirmed by the auditors.
Kaxu
Overview. Kaxu Solar One Solar, or Kaxu, is a 100 MW net solar conventional parabolic trough project with a molten salt thermal energy storage system and is located in Paulputs, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Atlantica Yield, through Abengoa Solar South Africa (Pty) Ltd, owns 51% of the Kaxu project. The project company, Kaxu Solar One (Pty) Ltd., is currently owned by: us (51%), Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (29%) and Kaxu Community Trust (20%). The project reached COD in January 2015.
Kaxu relies on a conventional parabolic trough solar power system to generate electricity. This technology is similar to the technology used in solar power plants that we own in Spain.
According to the tax accelerated depreciation regime established by the South African Corporate Income Tax Act, Kaxu is not expected to pay significant income taxes in the next 10 years.
Power Purchase Agreement. Kaxu has a 20-year PPA with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., or Eskom, under a take or pay contract for the purchase of electricity up to the contracted capacity from the facility. The PPA expires in February 2035. Eskom purchases all the output of the Kaxu plant under a fixed-price formula in local currency subject to indexation to local inflation which we believe protects us from potential devaluation over the long term.
Eskom is a state-owned, limited liability company, wholly owned by the government of the Republic of South Africa. Eskom’s payment guarantees are underwritten by the South African Department of Energy, under the terms of an implementation agreement. The South African government has credit ratings of BBB‑ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB‑ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of Kaxu under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain engineering, procurement and construction contract. The EPC contract provides a performance guarantee of 12 consecutive and uninterrupted months within the initial 24-month period, for the benefit of the project company and the financing parties. In December 2016, two water pumps failed, thereby temporarily limiting the plant’s production until repaired. These repairs, together with others, are currently underway. Existing guarantees and insurance should cover repair costs and loss of revenue after customary deductibles.
Transmission and Interconnection. Kaxu connects at 132kV at Paulputs substation, where Eskom has established a 132kV feeder bay. A 132kV line between Paulputs substation and the Kaxu plant substation has been built.
The Republic of South Africa has senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB from Fitch.
Operations & Maintenance. Kaxu entered into an O&M Agreement with Kaxu CSP O&M Company, a company owned by a subsidiary of Abengoa Solar (92%) and Kaxu Black Employee Trust, (8%) for the operation and maintenance of the Project. The O&M is for a period of 20 years from COD. The operator operates the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and PPA terms, and to assist Kaxu with the procurement of necessary support and ancillary services.
Project Level Financing. Kaxu has closed long-term financing with a lenders’ group comprising local commercial banks Nedbank and RMB, local development finance institutions Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and Development Bank of Southern Africa, as well as the International Finance Corporation for a total approximate amount of 5,860.0 million South African rand. The loan consists of senior and subordinated long-term loans payable in South African rand over an 18-year term with the cash generated by the project. The loan was initially 100% hedged through a swap with the same banks providing the financing, and the coverage is progressively reduced over the life of the loan with a current effective annual interest rate of 11.44%.
As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding amount of these loans was $420 million.
The financing arrangement permits dividend distributions on a semi-annual basis after the first repayment of debt has occurred, as long as the historical and projected debt service coverage ratios are at least 1.2x.
Conventional Power
The following table provides an overview of our sole conventional power asset:
AssetsAsset | | Location | | Capacity | | Currency | | Offtaker | | | | | | | | | | Counterparty Credit Rating(1)
| | COD | | | | |
ACT | | Mexico | | 300 MW | | U.S. dollars(2) | | Pemex | | BBB+/Baa1/ Baa3/BBB+ | | 2Q 2013 | | 1716 | |
Notes:—
(1) | Reflects the counterparty’s issuer credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. |
(2) | Payable in Mexican pesos. |
ACT Energy Mexico
Overview. ACT Energy Mexico, or ACT is a gas-fired cogeneration facility located inside the Nuevo Pemex Gas Processing Facility near the city of Villahermosa in the State of Tabasco, Mexico. It has a rated capacity of approximately 300 MW and between 550 and 800 metric tons per hour of steam. The plant includes a substation and an approximately 52-mile and 115-kilowatt transmission line. Abengoa commenced construction of ACT in October 2009 and it reached COD on April 1, 2013. ACT Energy Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., or ACT Energy Mexico, owns ACT.
The ACT Plant utilizes mature and proven gas combustion turbines and heat recovery technology. Specifically, the ACT Plant utilizes two GE Power & Water “F” technology natural gas-fired combustion turbines and two Cerrey, S.A. de C.V., or Cerrey, heat recovery steam generators.
ACT is not expected to pay significant income taxes until the fifth or sixth year after our IPO, i.e., until 2019 or 2020 due to the NOLs generated during the construction phase.
Conversion Services Agreement. On September 18, 2009, ACT entered into the Pemex Conversion Services Agreement, or the Pemex CSA, with Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, under which ACT is required to sell all of the plant’s thermal and electrical output to Pemex. The Pemex CSA has an initial term of 20 years from the in-service date and will expire on March 31, 2033. The parties may mutually extend the Pemex CSA for an additional 20-year period. The Pemex CSA requires Pemex to supply the facility, free of charge, with the fuel and water necessary to operate ACT, and the latter has to produce electrical energy and steam requested by Pemex based on the expected levels of efficiency. The Pemex CSA is denominated in U.S. dollars. The price is fixed and will be adjusted annually, part of it according to inflation and part according to a mechanism agreed in the contract that on average over the life of the contract reflects expected inflation.
Pemex has a corporate credit rating of BBB+ by S&P, Baa1Baa3 by Moody’s and BBB+ by Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of ACT was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa, which were responsible for the design, engineering, equipment procurement and construction under a turnkey EPC contract. CFE, Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission and Pemex supervised the engineering, procurement and construction work.
Transmission and Interconnection. The Transferred Transmission Line that connects the ACT Plant to the CFE transmission grid system includes seven outgoing lines connected to the Cactus Switcheo substation. On April 1, 2013, pursuant to the terms of the Pemex CSA and as required by Mexican laws and regulations, ACT Energy Mexico transferred ownership of the Transferred Transmission Line and the Cactus Switcheo substation to the CFE for no consideration.
Operations & Maintenance. GE International provides services for the maintenance, service and repair of the gas turbines as well as certain equipment, parts, materials, supplies, components, engineering support test services and inspection and repair services. In addition, NAES Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., or NAES, is responsible for the O&M of the ACT Plant. The O&M agreement with NAES expires upon the expiration of the Pemex CSA, although we may now cancel it after five years with no penalty. ACT Energy Mexico pays NAES for its reimbursable costs, operating costs and a $230,000$290,000 annual management fee.
Project Level Financing. On December 19, 2013, ACT Energy Mexico signed a $680 million senior loan agreement with a syndicate of banks led by Banco Santander, Banobras and Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank. Each tranche of the loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The financing consists of a $333 million of tranche one and a $327 million of tranche two plus an additional $20 million for the issuance of a letter of credit. After the entry of SMBC, EDC, La Caixa, Nafin and Bancomext into the financing in 2014 and subsequent to the first scheduled principal repayment, the first tranche amounted to $205.4 million and the second tranche to $450.4 million, thereby continuing to maintain the same aggregate total amount of $680 million.
The first tranche has a 10-year maturity, the second tranche has an 18-year maturity and the letter of credit may be convertible into additional principal that will be added to the first tranche. The interest rate on each tranche is a floating rate based on the three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% until December 2018, 3.5% from January 2019 to December 2023 and 3.75% from January 2024 to December 2031. The senior loan agreement requires ACT Energy Mexico to hedge the interest rate for a minimum amount of 75% of the outstanding debt amount during at least 75% of the debt term. In January 2014, ACT closed a swap for aan initial notional amount of $322.5$491.6 million at a weighted average rate of 3.53% and the remaining $172 million was closed in early April 2014 at a rate of 2.77%3.92%.
The senior loan agreement permits cash distributions to shareholders after six months provided that the debt service coverage ratio is at least 1.20x, or at any time provided that the last four quarters had a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.20x.
The outstanding amount of these loans as of December 31, 20152016 was $615$598 million.
Partnerships. We own all of the shares of ACT except for two ordinary shares, which represent less than 0.01% of the total capital of ACT and which are owned by Abengoa subsidiaries.
Electric Transmission
The following table provides an overview of our electric transmission assets, each of which is operational:
Asset | | Location | | Length | | | | Offtaker | | | | | | Counterparty Credit Rating(2)
| | COD | | | | |
ATN | | Peru | | 362 miles | | U.S. dollars | | Peru | | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | | 1Q 2011 | | 2524 | |
ATS | | Peru | | 569 miles | | U.S. dollars | | Peru | | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | | 1Q 2014 | | 2827 | |
ATN2 | | Peru | | 81 miles | | U.S. dollars | | Minera Las Bambas | | Not rated | | 2Q 2015 | | 1716 | |
Quadra 1 | | Chile | | 4349 miles | | U.S. dollars | | Sierra Gorda | | Not rated | | 2Q 2014 | | 1918 | |
Quadra 2 | | Chile | | 3832 miles | | U.S. dollars | | Sierra Gorda | | Not rated | | 1Q 2014 | | 1918 | |
Palmucho | | Chile | | 6 miles | | U.S. dollars | | EndesaEnel Generacion Chile | | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | | 4Q 2007 | | 2221 | |
Notes:—
(1) | Certain contracts denominated in U.S. dollars are payable in local currency. |
(2) | Reflects counterparty’s issuer credit ratings issued by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. |
In addition to the assets listed above, we own an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH, which is a subsidiary of Abengoa that holds entities involved in the development and construction of contracted assets, which are substantially all electric transmission lines, in Brazil. This investment is described further below.below and its current value is difficult to assess.
ATN
Overview. Abengoa Transmision Norte S.A., or the ATN Project, in Peru is part of the Guaranteed Transmission System, or Sistema Garantizado de Transmision, or SGT, and is comprised of the following facilities:
| (i) | the approximately 356-mile, 220kV line from Carhuamayo-Paragsha-Conococha-Kiman Ayllu-Cajamarca Norte; |
| (ii) | the 4.3-mile, 138kV link between the existing Huallanca substation and Kiman Ayllu substations; |
| (iii) | the 1.9-mile, 138kV link between the 138kV Carhuamayo substation and the 220kV Carhuamayo substation; |
| (iv) | the new Conococha and Kiman Ayllu substations; and |
| (v) | the expansion of the Cajamarca Norte, 220kV Carhuamayo, 138kV Carhuamayo and 220kV Paragsha substations. |
Abengoa started construction of the ATN Project in May 2008 and reached COD for each line as set forth below:
Line | | kV | | Beginning | | End | | COD | |
1 | | 220 | | Carhuamayo | | Paragsha | | January 11, 2011 | |
2 | | 220 | | Paragsha | | Conococha | | February 24, 2011 | |
3 | | 220 | | Conococha | | Kiman Ayllu | | December 28, 2011 | |
4 | | 220 | | Kiman Ayllu | | Cajamarca Norte | | June 26, 2011 | |
Credititulos Sociedad Titulizadora S.A., or Credititulos, acting as trustee for the senior bond holders of the trust and as owner of the ATN Project.
Concession Agreement. Pursuant to the initial concession agreement, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy, on behalf of the Peruvian Government, granted ATN a concession to construct, develop, own, operate and maintain the ATN Project. The initial concession agreement became effective on May 22, 2008, and will expire 30 years after the COD of Line 1, which was achieved on January 11, 2011.
Pursuant to the initial concession agreement, ATN owns all assets that it has acquired to construct and operate the ATN Project for the duration of the concession. The ownership of these assets will revert to the Peruvian Ministry of Energy upon termination of the initial concession agreement.
The ATN Project has a 30-year, fixed-price tariff base denominated in U.S. dollars that is adjusted annually after the COD for each line in accordance with the U.S. Finished Goods Less Food and Energy Index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Our receipt of the tariff base is independent from the effective utilization of the transmission lines and substations related to the ATN Project. The tariff base is intended to provide the ATN Project with consistent and predictable monthly revenues sufficient to cover the ATN Project’s operating costs and debt service and to earn an equity return.
Peruvian law requires the existence of a definitive concession agreement to perform electricity transmission activities where the transmission facilities cross public land or land owned by third parties. On February 20, 2010, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy executed a definitive concession agreement with ATN to transmit electricity using the transmission lines of the ATN Project. The Peruvian Ministry of Energy also approved the execution of the concession agreement between the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and ATN, which was executed on February 23, 2010, and formalized by Public Deedpublic deed dated March 9, 2010.
ATN has generated and will generate relevant NOL carryforwards that we expect to use to offset future taxable income. According to our estimates, ATN is not expected to pay income tax for a period of more than 10 years.
Peru has a long-term credit rating of BBB+ from S&P, A3 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of the ATN Project was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contracts. The procurement contract and the construction contract were executed on June 1, 2008 and all lines were completed by December 28, 2011.
Operations & Maintenance. Credititulos, as trustee, has an O&M agreement with Omega Peru, a subsidiary of Abengoa, specialized in O&M services for electric transmission lines across South American countries. TheThis O&M agreement has a five-year term that renews automatically for an additional five-year period until the termination of the Concession agreement, unless either party exercises its right not to renew the O&M agreement. The O&M agreement provides for a fixed price of $3.35 million per year and is adjusted yearly with the variation of the U.S. Finished Goods Less Food and Energy Index.
Project Level Financing. On September 26, 2013, ATN completed the issue of a project bond in three tranches. To implement the bond issuance, ATN created a trust holding all of the assets and economic rights arising out of the definitive concession agreement. Each tranche is denominated in U.S. dollars. The first tranche has a principal amount of $15 million with a five-year term with quarterly amortization and bears interest at a rate of 3.84375% per year. The second tranche has a principal amount of $50 million with a 15-year term with quarterly amortization and bears interest at a rate of 6.15% per year. The second tranche also has a five-year grace period for principal repayment. The third tranche has a principal amount of $45 million with a 26-year term and bears interest at a rate of 7.53% per year. The third tranche has a 15-year grace period for principal repayments. As of December 31, 2015, $1142016, $111 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding.
Cash distributions are subject to a historical debt service coverage ratio for the last six months of at least 1.10x.
ATS
Overview. Abengoa Transmision Sur S.A., or ATS Project, in Peru is part of the SGT, and consists of:
| (i) | one 500kV electric transmission line and two short 220kV electric transmission lines, which are linked to existing substations; |
| (ii) | three new 500kV substations; and |
| (iii) | the expansion of three existing substations (two existing 220kV substations and one existing 550/220kV substation), through the development of new transformers, line reactors, series reactive compensation and shunt reactions in some substations. |
The transmission lines span approximately 569 miles and cross over the Lima, Ica, Arequipa and Moquegua districts. The new substations are located in the district of Poroma (Marcona), Ocona and Montalvo. Abengoa Transmision Sur S.A., or ATS, owns the ATS Project. ATS reached COD on January 17, 2014.
Construction of the transmission lines and related substations required for operation of the ATS Project is complete. Pursuant to the concession agreements, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy granted ATS the right to operate the ATS Project for 30 years from achieving COD, which was achieved on January 17, 2014.COD. As part of the initial concession agreement, ATS agreed to construct the Montalvo substation second bus bar, which is a strip or bar of copper, brass or aluminum that conducts electricity within an electrical system. The second bus bar was not required for operation of the ATS Project and its construction was completed in December 2014.
ATS has generated, and will generate, relevant NOL carryforwards that we expect to use to offset future taxable income. According to our estimates, ATS is not expected to pay income tax for a period of more than 10 years.
Concession Agreement. Pursuant to the initial concession agreement, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy, on behalf of the Peruvian Government granted ATS a concession to construct, develop, own, operate and maintain the ATS Project. The initial concession agreement became effective on July 22, 2010, and will expire 30 years after achieving COD.
Pursuant to the initial concession agreement, ATS will own all assets it has acquired to construct and operate the ATS Project for the duration of the concession. These assets will revert to the Peruvian Ministry of Energy upon termination of the initial concession agreement.
The ATS Project has a 30-year, fixed-price tariff base denominated in U.S. dollars and is adjusted annually after the COD in accordance with the U.S. Finished Goods Less Food and Energy Index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Our receipt of the tariff base will be independent from the effective utilization of the transmission lines and substations related to the ATS Project. The tariff base is intended to provide the ATS Project with consistent and predictable monthly revenues sufficient to cover the ATS Project’s operating costs and debt service and to earn an equity return.
Peruvian law requires market participants to enter into a definitive concession agreement to perform electricity transmission activities where the transmission facilities cross public land or land owned by third parties. On June 6, 2012, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy granted ATS a definitive concession agreement to transmit electricity using the transmission lines of the ATS Project. The Peruvian Ministry of Energy approved the execution of the concession agreement between the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and ATS, which was executed on June 7, 2012 and formalized by Public Deed dated August 1, 2012.
Peru has a long-term credit rating of BBB+ from S&P, A3 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of the ATS Project was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa under arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contracts. The procurement contract and the construction contract were executed on July 22, 2010, and August 24, 2010, respectively, and COD was reached on January 17, 2014, except for the equipment related to the Montalvo substation second bus bar, which was completed in December 2014.respectively.
Operations & Maintenance. Omega Peru, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abengoa, provides O&M services for the ATS Project. Omega Peru has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and concession agreement terms. The O&M agreement provides for a fixed fee of $2.0 million per year and is adjusted annually on the anniversary of the execution of the O&M agreement to reflect the variation in the U.S. Finished Goods Less Food and Energy Index. The O&M agreement haswas executed for a five-year term that renews automatically for an additional five-year period until the termination of the initial concession agreement, unless either party exercises its right not to renew the O&M agreement.
Project Level Financing. On April 8, 2014, ATS issued a project bond in one tranche denominated in U.S. dollars. The project bond has a principal amount of $432 million with a 29-year term with semi-annual amortization and bears a fixed interest rate of 6.875%. The bond hashad a two-year grace period for principal repayment.repayment and as of December 31, 2016, $423 million was outstanding.
Cash distributions may be made every six months subject to a trailing historical debt service coverage ratio for the previous two quarters of at least 1.20x.
ATN2
Overview.Overview. ATN2, located in Peru, is part of the Complementary Transmission System, or Sistema Complementario de TransmisioTransmisionn,, SCT, and consists of the following facilities: (i) the approximately 130km, 220kV line from SE Cotaruse to Las Bambas; (ii) the connection to the gate of Las Bambas Substation and (iii) the expansion of the Cotaruse 220kV substation (works assigned to Consorcio Transmantaro). Abengoa started the permitting phase of ATN2 Project in May 2011. Construction has concluded andreached COD was reached in June 2015.
The Build-Own-Operate, or BOO, Contract. Pursuant to the BOO Contract executed on August 11, 2011, with Minera Las Bambas (formerly known as Xstrata Las Bambas), the project owns all assets to construct and operate the ATN2 Project.
Minera Las Bambas is owned by a partnership consisting of a China Minmetals Corporation subsidiary (62.5%), a wholly owned subsidiary of Guoxin International Investment Co. Ltd (22.5%) and CITIC Metal Co. Ltd (15.0%).
The ATN2 Project has an 18-year, contract with a fixed-price tariff base denominated in U.S. dollars, partially adjusted annually in accordance with the U.S. Finished Goods Less Food and Energy Index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Our receipt of the tariff base is independent from the effective utilization of the transmission lines and substations related to the ATN2 Project.
Peruvian law requires the existence of a definitive concession agreement to perform electricity transmission activities where transmission facilities cross public land or land owned by third parties. On May 31, 2014, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy granted a definitive concession agreement to the transmission lines of the ATN2 project.
ATN2 has generated and will generate relevant NOL carryforwards that we expect to use to offset future taxable income. According to our estimates, ATN2 is not expected to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements.Agreements. Certain Abengoa subsidiaries carried out the construction of the ATN2 project under an arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contract.
Operations & Maintenance. Omega Peru, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abengoa, provides O&M services for ATN2. Omega Peru has agreed to operate the facility in accordance with prudent utility practices, ensure compliance with all applicable government and agency permits, licenses, approvals and concession agreement terms.
Project Level Financing. Financing. On September 28, 2011, a 15-year loan agreement was executed with Banco de Credito del Peru, or BCP, for a commitment of $50.0 million at a fixed rate of 8.25%. On November 24, 2014, a new 15-year tranche was signed with BCP for $31.0 million at a fixed rate of 8.78%. The loan contemplates an amortization grace period during construction. As of December 31, 2015,2016, the outstanding amount of the ATN2 project loan was €75$95 million.
Cash distributions are subject to a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x.
Quadra 1 & Quadra 2
Overview. Transmisora Mejillones, or Quadra 1, is a transmission line project consisting of a 220kV double circuit transmission line that begins at the Encuentro electrical substation that is owned by Transelec and is located in the commune of Maria Elena. Quadra 1 connects to the Sierra Gorda substation owned by Sierra Gorda SCM, a mining company and is located in the commune of Sierra Gorda. The project covers approximately 49 miles. It is comprised of 232 metallic galvanized structures and 293 miles of installed conductors.
Transmisora Baquedano, or Quadra 2, is a transmission line project that provides electricity to the seawater pump stations owned by the Sierra Gorda SCM. It consists of a simple circuit 220kV electric transmission line that begins at the Angamos electrical substation owned by EE Cochrane, an electrical company, and is located in the commune of Mejillones. Quadra 2 connects to the PS1 transformer substation. This section of Quadra 2 covers approximately seven miles. This section is comprised of 29 metallic galvanized structures and has 21 miles of installed conductors. The existing pumps, which are owned by Sierra Gorda, feed from the PS1 substation and the energy is converted by a transformer from 220/110/13.2kV to 110kV to continue through a simple circuit 110kV transmission line up to the PS2 substation. This section of Quadra 2 covers approximately 25 miles. This section is comprised of 165 metallic galvanized structures and has 75 miles of installed conductors.
Abengoa Chile S.A., or Abengoa Chile, began constructing Quadra 1 and Quadra 2 in September 2012 and started operations in December 2013 and January 2014, respectively. Quadra 1 reached COD in April 2014 and Quadra 2 reached COD in March 2014.
According to our estimates, Quadra 1/2 has generated and will generate relevant NOL carryforwards that we expect to use to offset future taxable income. Quadra 1/2 is not expected to pay significant corporate taxes in the next 10 years.
Concession Agreement. Both projects have concession agreements with the Sierra Gorda SCM mining company, which is owned by Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Mining and KGHM Polska Mietz. The concession agreement is denominated in U.S. dollars and has a 21-year term that began on the COD. The contract price is indexed mainly to the U.S. CPI.
Sierra Gorda SCM requested additional work on Quadra 2 not initially foreseen, which required an additional capital expenditure of approximately $22 million. Construction of the additional work is substantially finished and has resulted in an increased tariff under the concession agreement with Sierra Gorda SCM.
The concession agreement grants in favor of Sierra Gorda a call option over the transmission line, exercisable at any time during the life of the contract. According to the call option, Sierra Gorda is entitled to purchase the transmission line at an agreed price and with a six monthsix-month prior written notice.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreements. The construction of both projects has been carried out by Abengoa Chile S.A. under arm’s-length, fixed-price and date-certain EPC contracts.
Operations and Maintenance. Quadra 1 and Abengoa Chile S.A. executed an agreement for O&M services at Quadra 1. Abengoa Chile, in turn, subcontracted the O&M of the two land strips at the Encuentro substation to Transelec. This also includes the use of its communication channels down to the CDEC-SING.
Quadra 2 and Abengoa Chile executed an agreement for the provision of O&M services at Quadra 2, subject to certain exceptions. First, the O&M for the land strip that is within the EE Cochrane property will be undertaken by EE Cochrane under an agreement with Abengoa Chile S.A.Quadra 2. Second, Gasatacama will undertake the operational representation against the CDEC-SING under an agreement with Abengoa Chile S.A.
Each O&M agreement with Abengoa Chile has a 252-month maturity and is denominated in U.S. dollars and indexed to Chilean CPI and to the average exchange rate. We are currently discussing the replacement of Abengoa Chile with several suppliers, pending the project lenders’ authorizations.
Project Level Financing. On July 6, 2012, Quadra 1 signed a financing contract for $40.2 million with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, or CA-CIB, Corpbanca, Banco BICE and the Inter-American Investment Corporation. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The term of the loan is 16 years and the loan matures on July 30, 2028. The loan has a semi-annual amortization schedule. The interest rate is a variable rate based on the six-month LIBOR plus 3.80% for the first seven years after COD and 4.0% thereafter. Quadra 1 signed an interest rate cap hedging contract with CA-CIB that covers 75% of the debt and fixed the six-month LIBOR to a maximum rate of 2.5% per year until maturity.
On November 20, 2012, Quadra 2 signed an initial financing contract for $34.4 million with CA-CIB and Corpbanca. The term of the loan is 16 years and the loan matures on August 31, 2028 and has a semi-annual amortization schedule. The interest rate is a variable rate based on the six-month LIBOR plus 3.80% for the first seven years after COD and 4.0% thereafter. Quadra 2 signed an interest rate swap hedging contract with Corpbanca that covers 75% of the debt and fixed the six-month LIBOR to 2.5175% until maturity. Due to the additional work required by Sierra Gorda SCM, an additional debt tranche for a total of $17 million was signed in May 2014. As of December 31, 2015, $812016, $79 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding in respect of Quadra 1 and Quadra 2.
With respect toThe financing arrangements of Quadra 1 and Quadra 2 the financing arrangements restrict cash distribution to shareholders unless a distribution test of 1.20x historical debt service coverage ratio for the previous six months is met in the case of Quadra 1, and of 1.10x historical debt service coverage ratio for the previous six months is met in the case of Quadra 2.
Palmucho
Palmucho is a short transmission line in Chile that is approximately 6 miles. It delivers energy generated by the Palmucho Plant, which is owned by EndesaEnel Generacion Chile, to the SIC. The Palmucho Plant connects to the number 2 circuit of the 220kV Ralco—Charrua transmission line at the 66/220kV Zona de Caida substation. The Palmucho project has been in operation since October 2007. Palmucho has a 14-year concession contract with Endesa Chile. BothEnel Generacion Chile, whereby both parties are obliged to enter into a four-year valid toll contract at the end of the term of the concession contract and the valid toll contract will be renewed for three periods of four years each until one of the parties decides not to renew. EndesaEnel Generacion Chile operates the Palmucho project and Abengoa Chile maintains the project. On October 24, 2008, Palmucho signed a long-term debt facility with Corpbanca for $7 million. The loan is denominated in U.S. dollars. The term of the loan is 13 years and the loan matures on October 25, 2021. The loan has a quarterly amortization schedule and the outstanding balance as of December 31, 20152016 was $4$3.7 million. EndesaEnel Generacion Chile has a senior unsecured credit rating of BBB+ from S&P, Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch.
Palmucho executed an operation and maintenance agreement with Cobra in February 2017 after terminating a previous agreement.
Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding
In addition to the assets listed above, we hold an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH, a subsidiary holding company of Abengoa that is engaged in the development, construction, investment and management of contracted concessions in Brazil, comprised mostly of transmission lines, in various stages of development. The transfer of the preferred equity investment in ACBH was completed immediately prior to our IPO. Abengoa holds 100% of the ordinary shares of ACBH.
ACBH currently has a stake in 15 projects, 14 of them transmission lines, 7some of which are in operation and 7 of which aresome under construction or pre-construction.construction. Each of the projects owned by ACBH has a 30-year concession agreement, and each concession agreement provides for indemnification and compensation at replacement value of non-depreciated assets at the end of the concession. ANEEL granted the concession agreements to the different project companies through an auction process. The revenues paid by ANEEL are denominated in Brazilian Reaisreais and indexed to the ICPA, which is the Brazilian consumer price index.
Brazilian Insolvency Procedure
On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed us that several of its indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, have initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”judiciaria”), as a “Pedido“Pedido de processamento conjunto”conjunto”, which means the substantial consolidation of the three main subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH. Given that this process will likely negatively affectIn April 2016, Abengoa presented a consolidated restructuring plan in the value of ourBrazilian Court, including ACBH and two other subsidiaries. In 2016, we did not receive any preferred equity investment and considering the high degree of uncertainty of its final outcome, we have recorded an impairment of this preferred equity investment (see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements).dividend from ACBH.
Shareholders’ Agreement
Pursuant to the amended and restated shareholders’ agreement dated June 30, 2015, entered into among us, ACBH and the ordinary shareholders of ACBH, we have the following rights under the exchangeable preferred equity investment:
| · | During the five-year period commencing on July 1, 2014, we have the right to receive, in four quarterly installments, a preferred dividend of $18.4 million per year. |
| · | Following the initial five-year period, we will have the option to (i) remain as a preferred equity holder with the right to receive the first $18.4 million that ACBH is able to distribute, if any, or (ii) during a specified period of time exchange the preferred equity investment into ordinary shares of one or several project companies owned by ACBH at the time of the exchange that yield, based on the then-prevailing conditions, an aggregated recurrent dividend of at least $18.4 million. ACBH and Abengoa will propose specified projects that fulfill the above-described criteria, and which may include minority and/or majority stakes in various operational projects. Our independent board members will then approve or reject the proposal. Any exchange of shares would be subject to relevant approvals, including from regulatory bodies, financing banks or equity partners at the project level. If ACBH cannot secure such approvals following Abengoa’s best efforts, the preferred equity investment will not be exchanged and we will retain the right to receive the first $18.4 million dividend that ACBH approves for distribution, if any. We cannot guarantee, after the initial five-year period, that the $18.4 million distribution will be made, as any distribution will depend, among others, on the actual performance of ACBH or of the project companies into which the preferred equity investment has converted, as the case may be. Furthermore, any such future payments will not be backed by any escrow arrangements. |
Parent Support Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of a parent support agreement entered into on December 9, 2014 among us, ACBH and Abengoa, Abengoa has guaranteed such dividend for the initial five-year period and in the event that, at any point in time, the amount deposited in New York City in U.S. dollars is lower than the preferred dividend payments that we have the right to receive as of such time, we will be entitled to retain all payments due to Abengoa and any of its affiliates, including dividends payable on our shares and payments related to all agreements entered into between us and/or our subsidiaries and Abengoa and/or its affiliates, without affecting their respective obligations to continue performing under the relevant contract.
On December 16, 2015, we retained $9 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa in the fourth quarter of 2015 in accordance with the provisions of the parent support agreement.
Deed
Pursuant to the terms of an amended deed we entered into with the Abengoa subsidiary holding Abengoa’s shares in us in its capacity as our shareholder on June 30, 2015, in the event the annual dividend paid by ACBH to us as holder of ACBH’s preferred equity is below $18.4 million in any given year, the Abengoa subsidiary holding Abengoa’s shares in us agreed that we can defer the payment of a portion of the dividend from us to that Abengoa shareholder in an amount equal to such shortfall (similar arrangements will apply if that Abengoa shareholder transfers any of our shares to its subsidiaries (other than us or our subsidiaries), any holding company of that Abengoa shareholder or any other subsidiaries of such holding companies, or the ACI Group). However, any such deferral will be made only if and to the extent that the Abengoa subsidiary holding Abengoa’s shares in us (or, where relevant, another member of the ACI Group) continues to be a shareholder of ours as of the relevant date. If the ACI Group’s ownership of us falls below a level such that the attributable share of our dividends to the ACI Group falls below $18.4 million, we have the option of requiring the relevant member or members of the ACI Group to purchase part or all of our preferred interest in ACBH so that the preferred dividend payable to us from ACBH following such purchase is equivalent to (but does not exceed) the ACI Group’s share of our dividend going forward. The price for the stake to be purchased by Abengoa shall be agreed in good faith by Abengoa and us. If we are unable to reach an agreement, the purchase price shall be determined by an independent expert selected by the independent board members of Atlantica Yield from one of the two Big 4 auditing firms previously selected by Abengoa.
The deed will cease to be in force when: (i) we cease to hold any exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH; (ii) we elect to exchange all of our preferred equity in ACBH for shares in ACBH’s projects; or (iii) the aggregate amount of dividends from projects owned by ACBH and paid to ACBH and which are freely distributable by ACBH to us reaches a minimum of $36 million per financial year for three consecutive financial years (provided that at that time: (a) all assets held by ACBH have entered into commercial operation and (b) ACBH’s cash flow projections for the following 12 months indicate that ACBH will be able to pay the preferred dividend of $18.4 million to us for the current fiscal year).
Since December 2015, we have retained a total amount of $28 million of dividends attributable to Abengoa in accordance with the provisions of the parent support agreement and the deed.
Agreement reached with Abengoa
In the third quarter of 2016, we signed an agreement with Abengoa on the ACBH preferred equity investment, among other subjects, with the following main consequences:
| · | Abengoa acknowledged it failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreements related to the preferred equity investment in ACBH and, as a result, we are the legal owner of the dividends amounting to $28.0 million that we had retained from Abengoa and $6.7 million we subsequently retained in the fourth quarter of 2016; |
| · | Abengoa recognizes a non-contingent credit for an amount of €300 million (approximately $316 million), corresponding to the guarantee provided by Abengoa, S.A. regarding the preferred equity investment in ACBH, subject to restructuring and adjustments for dividends retained after the agreement. On October 25, 2016, we signed Abengoa’s restructuring agreement and accepted, subject to implementation of the restructuring, to receive 30% of the amount (approximately $95 million nominal value) in the form of tradable notes to be issued by Abengoa. Upon completion of the restructuring, this debt, or Restructured Debt, would have a junior status within Abengoa debt structure post restructuring. The remaining 70% (approximately $221 million nominal) would be received in the form of equity in Abengoa. As of the date of this report, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the value of this debt and equity, which we believe will be significantly lower than its nominal value; and |
| · | In order to convert this junior debt into senior debt, we have agreed, subject to implementation of the restructuring, to participate in Abengoa’s issuance of asset-backed notes, or the New Money 1 Tradable Notes, with up to €48 million (approximately $51 million), subject to scale-back following allocation process contemplated in Abengoa’s restructuring. However, we expect the final investment to be significantly lower than €48 million (approximately $51 million). In the fourth quarter of 2016, we reached an agreement with an investment fund to sell them approximately 50% of the New Money 1 Tradable Notes that we are assigned. As a result, we expect the final investment to be less than €24 million (approximately $25 million). The New Money 1 Tradable Notes are backed by a ring-fenced structure including our shares and A3T, a cogeneration plant in Mexico. The New Money 1 Tradable Notes offer the highest level of seniority in Abengoa’s debt structure post restructuring. Upon our purchase of the New Money 1 Tradable Notes, the Restructured Debt would be converted into senior debt. |
Upon receipt of the Restructured Debt and Abengoa equity, we would waive our rights under the ACBH agreements, including our right to retain the dividends payable to Abengoa.
Water
The following table presents our interests in water assets, each of which is operational:
Assets | | Type | | Location | | Capacity | | Offtaker | | | | Counterparty TypeCredit
Rating(2) | | COD | | Contract Capacity Years Left | | | | | | Counterparty Credit Rating(2)
| | | | |
Honaine | | Water | | Algeria | | 7 M ft3/day | | Sonatrach | | U.S. dollar | | Not rated | | 3Q 2012 | | 2221 | |
Skikda | | Water | | Algeria | | 3.5 M ft3/day | | Sonatrach | | U.S. dollar | | Not rated | | 1Q 2009 | | 1817 | |
Note:—
(1) | Payable in local currency. |
Honaine
Overview. On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 25.5% of Honaine pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. Simultaneously, we entered into a two-year call and put option agreement with Abengoa under which we have put option rights to require Abengoa to purchase back this asset at the same price paid by us and Abengoa has call option rights to require us to sell back this asset if certain indemnities and guarantees provided by Abengoa related to past circumstances reach a certain threshold.
The Honaine project is a water desalination plant located in Taffsout, Algeria, near three important cities: Oran, to the northeast, and Sidi Bel Abbés and Tlemcen, to the southeast. Myah Bahr Honaine Spa, or MBH, is the vehicle incorporated in Algeria for the purposes of owning the Honaine project. Algerian Energy Company, SPA, or AEC, owns 49% and Sociedad Anonima Depuracion y Tratamientos, or Sadyt, a subsidiary of Sacyr, S.A., owns the remaining 25.5% of the Honaine project.
AEC is the Algerian agency in charge of delivering Algeria’s large-scale desalination program. It is a joint venture set up in 2001 between the national oil and gas company, Sonatrach, and the national gas and electricity company, Sonelgaz. Each of Sonatrach and Sonelgaz owns 50% of AEC.
The technology selected for the Honaine plant is currently the most commonly used in this kind of project. It consists of desalination using membranes by reverse osmosis. Honaine has a capacity of seven M ft3 ft3 per day of desalinated water and has been in operation since July 2012. The project represents approximately 9.0% of Algeria’s total desalination capacity and serves a population of 1.0 million.
Honaine has a corporate income tax exemption until 2022. After that period, in case the exemption is not extended, a claim may be made under the contractwater purchase agreement for compensation in the tariff.
Concessions Agreement. The water purchase agreement is a U.S. dollar indexed 30-year take-or-pay contract with Sonatrach/Algerienne des Eaux, or ADE.ADE, from the date of signature, or 25-year term from COD. The tariff structure is based upon plant capacity and water production, covering variable cost (water cost plus electricity cost). Tariffs are adjusted monthly based on the indexation mechanisms that include local inflation, U.S. inflation and the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and local currency.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Honaine was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa and the construction company Sacyr, S.A. under an arm’s-length, fixed price and date certain EPC contract executed in May 2007.
Operations & Maintenance. In May 2007, MBH signed an operation and maintenance contract and a membrane and chemical products supply contract with UTE Honaine O&M (a joint venture between Abengoa Water, S.L. and Sacyr, S.A., each holding 50%).
The O&M agreement is a 30-year contract from CODthe date of signature (or 25-year term from COD) with a fixed fee of $6.9 million per year and a variable component. The fixed O&M cost covers mainly structural and staff costs. The variable O&M cost covers the chemical products, filters cost and membranes costs related to the water production.
Project Level Financing. In May 2007, MBH signed a financing agreement (as amended in November 2008 and June 2013) with Crédit Populaire d’Algerie, or CPA. The final amount of the loan was $233 million and it accrues fixed-rate interest of 3.75%. The repayment of the Honaine facility agreement consists of sixty quarterly payments, ending in April 2027.
The financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year under certain conditions, including that the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25x.
Partnerships. 51% of the plant is owned by Geida Tlemcen, which is jointly owned by us (50%) and Sadyt (50%). The other 49% is held by AEC.
Skikda
Overview. On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 34.2% of Skikda pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. Simultaneously, we entered into a two-year call and put option agreement with Abengoa under which we have put option rights to require Abengoa to purchase back these assets at the same price paid by us and Abengoa has call option rights to require us to sell back these assets if certain indemnities and guarantees provided by Abengoa related to past circumstances reach a certain threshold.
The Skikda project is a water desalination plant located in Skikda, Algeria. Skikda is located 510 km east of Algiers. Aguas de Skikda, or ADS, is the vehicle incorporated in Algeria for the purposes of owning the Skikda project. AEC owns 49% and Sadyt owns the remaining 16.83% of the Skikda project.
AEC is the Algerian agency in charge of delivering Algeria’s large-scale desalination program. It is a joint venture set up in 2001 between the national oil and gas company, Sonatrach, and the national gas and electricity company, Sonelgaz. Each of Sonatrach and Sonelgaz owns 50% of AEC.
The technology selected for the Skikda plant is currently the most commonly used in this kind of project. It consists of the use of membranes to obtain desalinated water by reverse osmosis. Skikda has a capacity of 3.5 M ft3ft3 per day of desalinated water and ishas been in operation since February 2009. The project represents approximately 4.5% of Algeria’s total desalination capacity and serves a population of 0.5 million.
Skikda has a corporate income tax exemption until 2019. After that period, in case the exemption is not extended, a claim may be made under the water purchase agreement for compensation in the tariff.
Concessions Agreement. The water purchase agreement is a U.S. dollar indexed 30-year take-or-pay contract with Sonatrach/ADE.ADE from the date of signature, or 25-year term from COD. The tariff structure is based upon plant capacity and water production, covering variable cost (water cost plus electricity cost). Tariffs are adjusted monthly based on the indexation mechanisms that include local inflation, U.S. inflation and the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and local currency.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement. The construction of Skikda was carried out by subsidiaries of Abengoa and the construction company Sacyr, S.A. under an arm’s-length, fixed price and date certain EPC contract executed in July 2005.
Operations & Maintenance. In July 2005, ADS signed an operation and maintenance contract and a membrane and chemical products supply contract with UTE Geida O&M (a joint venture between Abengoa Water, S.L. holding 67%, and Sacyr, S.A., holding 33%).
The O&M agreement is a 30-year contract from CODthe date of signature (or 25-year term from COD) with a fixed fee of $4.3 million per year and a variable component. The fixed O&M cost covers mainly structural cost and staff costs. The variable O&M cost covers the chemical products, filters cost and membranes costs related to the water production.
Project Level Financing. In July 2005, ADS signed a financing agreement (as amended in May 2009) with Banque Nationale d’Algerie, or BNA. The final amount of the loan was $108.9 million and it accrues fixed-rate interest of 3.75%. The repayment of the Skikda facility agreement consists of sixty quarterly payments, ending in May 2024.
As of December 31, 2015,2016, the outstanding amount of the Skikda project loan was $47$42 million.
The financing arrangements permit cash distribution to shareholders once per year under certain conditions, including that the audited financials for the prior fiscal year indicate a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25x.
Partnerships. 51% of the plant is owned by Geida Skikda, which is jointly owned by us (67%) and Sadyt (33%). The other 49% is held by AEC.
Our Growth Strategy
We intend to grow our cash available for distribution by optimizing the operations of our existing assets and acquiring new contracted revenue-generating assets in operation from our current sponsor, Abengoa, from third parties and from potential new future sponsors.
We signed an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which we refer to as the ROFO Agreement, which provides us with a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of Abengoa’s contracted renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission or water assets in operation and located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and the European Union, as well as four assets in selected countries in Africa and the Middle East.Union. Under the ROFO Agreement, Abengoa is not obligated to sell any of the Abengoa ROFO Assets to us by any date or at all. Abengoa may offer and sell to third parties assets that are not yet contracted revenue assets in operation. As a result, we do not know when, if ever, Abengoa will offer us any assets for acquisition. In addition, in the event that Abengoa elects to sell Abengoa ROFO Assets, Abengoa will not be required to accept any offer we make for any such Abengoa ROFO Asset. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Right of First Offer” for more details.
In general, we expect to acquire only assets that are developed and operational. We intend to use the following investment guidelines in evaluating prospective acquisitions in order to successfully execute our accretive growth strategy:
| · | high quality offtakers, with long-term contracted revenue, ideally longer than 20 years; |
| · | project financing in place at each project; |
| · | operations and maintenance contract in place at each project; |
| · | management and operational systems and processes at our level; |
| · | focus on regions and countries that provide an optimal balance between growth opportunities and security and risk considerations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and the European Union, as well as selected countries in Africa and the Middle East;Union; and |
| · | preference for U.S. dollar-denominated revenues, in the absence of which, we will implement a cost-effective, ad-hoc hedging policy that will support stability of cash flows. |
Under the ROFO Agreement, if Abengoa offers an Abengoa ROFO Asset to us, we will have 60 days to complete due diligence and negotiate the acquisition of the asset. If we do not agree to purchase the applicable asset after such period, Abengoa will be free to pursue the sale with other potential buyers. Under the ROFO Agreement, Abengoa will not be obligated to sell any of the Abengoa ROFO Assets to us by any date or at all. As a result, we do not know when, if ever, Abengoa will offer any assets for acquisition. In addition, in the event that Abengoa elects to sell Abengoa ROFO Assets, Abengoa will not be required to accept any offer we make for any such Abengoa ROFO Asset. Abengoa also may, following the completion of good-faith negotiations with us during the 60-day period mentioned above, choose to sell Abengoa ROFO Assets to a third party or not to sell the assets at all. However, if we do not reach an agreement, any sale to a third party within 30 months following such 60-day period must be on terms and conditions generally no less favorable to Abengoa than those offered to us. After such 30-month period, the asset will cease to be an Abengoa ROFO Asset. We willPursuant to the ROFO Agreement, we are to pay Abengoa a fee of 1% of the equity purchase price of any Abengoa ROFO Asset that we acquire as consideration for Abengoa granting us the right of first offer.
In addition, we have a ROFO agreement with APW-1 mirroring the ROFO agreement we have with Abengoa. APW-1 is an investment vehicle initially created by Abengoa as a joint venture with EIG. Although the ROFO is in place, we cannot assure that it will survive the changes that APW-1 has experienced or will experience.
Abengoa may enter into agreements with other companies with the objective of jointly financing the construction of new projects consisting of concessional assets which are included in Abengoa’s current or future portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of the ROFO Agreement, we expect that any investing vehicle created by Abengoa and a potential partner with this purpose will sign the ROFO Agreement in the same terms of Abengoa.
Our agreements with Abengoa do not prohibit Abengoa from acquiring or operating contracted assets that fulfill our principles or selling any such assets prior to operation to third parties. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Relationship with Abengoa” and “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Project-Level Management and Administration Agreements” for further information.
In addition, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners or enter into partnerships with such developers or asset owners in order to acquire assets in operation or to invest directly or through investment vehicles in assets under development, ensuring that such investments are always a small part of our total investments.
Finally, we also expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors in which we operate.
We have made the following acquisitions from Abengoa and third parties since our IPO in June 2014:
First Dropdown Assets
On November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2;2, a 100 MW solar power plant in Spain; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20;20, a 100 MW solar power complex in Spain; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal, although we have the right to unwind the acquisition of Cadonal under the terms a put option agreement entered into with Abengoa if certain conditions are met by the end of March 2015. Solacor 1/2 has a capacity of 100 MW, PS10/20 has a capacity of 31 MW and Cadonal has a capacity of 50 MW. Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 are solar power plants located in Spain and Cadonal is an on-shore wind farm located in Uruguay.Uruguay with a capacity of 50 MW. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million (which consideration was determined in part by converting the portion of the purchase price of Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 denominated in euros into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on the date on which the payment was made). The First Dropdown Assets were financed with the proceeds of the 2019 Notes and with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—2019 Notes” and “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Second Dropdown Assets
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. Honaine and Skikda are two water desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day. We entered into a two-year call and put option agreement with Abengoa under which (i) we have a put option to require Abengoa to repurchase these assets at the same price paid by us and (ii) Abengoa has a call option to require us to resell these assets if certain indemnities and guarantees provided by Abengoa related to past circumstances reach a certain threshold. Revenues of these assets are indexed to U.S. dollars and payable in local currency. On February 23, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Second Dropdown Assets was $94 million and was mainly financed with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Third Dropdown Assets
On May 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Third Dropdown Assets was $682 million and was mainly financed with the proceeds of a capital increase completed in May 2015. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources of Liquidity”Resources”.
Fourth Dropdown Assets
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru from Abengoa and Sigma, a third-party financial investor in ATN2. On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. These assets were acquired from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. In addition, on January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake. The total aggregate consideration for the Fourth Dropdown Assets was $378 million and was mainly financed with Tranche B of our Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Additionally, on August 3, 2016, we completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain.
Customers and Contracts
We derive our revenue from selling electricity, electric transmission capacity and desalination capacity. Our customers are mainly comprised of governments and electrical utilities, the latter with which we typically have entered into PPAs. We also employ concession contracts, typically ranging from 20 to 30 years. See the description of each asset under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations” for more detail on each concession contract.
Our main contracts in our business also include the project finance contracts with banks or financial institutions and the operation and maintenance contracts of each of our assets. See description of financing and operation and maintenance contracts under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Additionally, we have entered into a ROFO Agreement, a Support Services Agreement, a Financial Support Agreement and a Trademark License Agreementother agreements with Abengoa. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions” for more detail on these contracts.
Competition
Renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission are all capital-intensive and significantly commodity-driven businesses with numerous industry participants. We compete based on the location of our assets and ownership of portfolios of assets in various countries and regions; however, because our assets typically have 20- to 30-year contracts, competition with other asset operations is limited until the expiration of the PPAs. Power generation and transmission are highly regulated businesses in each country in which we operate and are currently highly fragmented and have a diverse industry structure. Our competitors have a wide variety of capabilities and resources. Our competitors include, among others, regulated utilities and transmission companies, other independent power producers and power marketers or trading companies and state-owned monopolies.
Intellectual Property
On June 13, 2014,In general, the construction or other agreements in each asset allow us to use the technology and intellectual property of suppliers. We have applied to be the legal owner of the Atlantica Yield name and we entered intoown the www.atlanticayield.com domain as well as others. We still have in place a licensing agreement with Abengoa pursuant to which Abengoa granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license tofor the use of the name “Abengoa” and the Abengoa logo. Other than under this limited license, we will not have a legal right to use the “Abengoa” name or the Abengoa logo. On September 10, 2014, Abengoa transferred to us the domain names www.abengoayield.com, www.abengoayield.co.uk and www.abengoayield.es against payment of costs incurred by Abengoa in registering such domain names., which Abengoa is entitled to terminate the licensing agreement inunder the circumstances described underin “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Trademark License Agreement.”
On December 30, 2015, we filed a trademark application for the brand “Atlantica Yield”. We will change our legal name once approved by the shareholders at our next annual general meeting.
Regulatory and Environmental Matters
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation.”
Insurance
We maintain the types and amounts of insurance coverage that we believe are consistent with customary industry practices in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our insurance policies cover employee-related accidents and injuries, property damage, machinery breakdowns, fixed assets, facilities and liability deriving from our activities, including environmental liability. We maintain business interruption insurance for interruptions resulting from incidents covered by insurance policies. Our insurance policies also cover directors’ and officers’ liability and third-party insurance. We have not had any material claims under our insurance policies that would either invalidate our insurance policies or cause a material increase toand we negotiated most of our insurance premiums.policies in December 2016. We cannot assure you, however, that our insurance coverage will adequately protect us from all risks that may arise or in amounts sufficient to prevent any material loss.loss or that premiums will not increase in the future. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the Markets in Which We Operate—Our insurance may be insufficient to cover relevant risks and the cost of our insurance may increase.”
Seasonality
Our operating results and cash flows can be significantly affected by weather in some of our most relevant projects, such as the solar power plants. We expect to derive a majority of our annual revenues in the months of May through September, when demand for electricitysolar generation is generally at itsthe highest in the majority of our markets and when some of our offtake arrangements provide for higher payments to us.
Properties
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Legal Proceedings
On October 17, 2016, ACT received a request for arbitration from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce presented by Pemex. Pemex is requesting compensation of damages caused by a fire that occurred in their facilities during the construction of the ACT cogeneration plant in December 2012, for a total amount of approximately $20 million. In the event that the arbitration results in a negative outcome, we expect these damages to be covered by the existing insurance policy. As a result, we do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
A number of Abengoa's subcontractors and insurance companies that issued bonds covering such contracts in the United States have included our subsidiaries as co-defendants in claims against Abengoa. Until now our subsidiaries have been excluded in early stages of the process. Currently the most significant of such claims is related to Arb Inc. and two insurance companies that issued bonds with a total potential claim of approximately $33 million. We do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect.
Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any other legal proceeding other than legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are party to various administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While we do not expect these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, because of the nature of these proceedings we are not able to predict their ultimate outcomes, some of which may be unfavorable to us.
Regulation
Overview
We operate in a significant number of highly regulated markets. The degree of regulation to which our activities are subject varies by country. In a number of the countries in which we operate, regulation is carried out mainly by national regulatory authorities. In others, such as the United States and, to a certain degree, Spain, there are various additional layers of regulation at the state, regional and/or local level. In countries with these additional layers of regulatory agencies, the scope, nature and extent of regulation may differ among the various states, regions and/or localities.
While we believe the requisite authorizations, permits and approvals for our assets have been obtained and that our activities are operated in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we remain subject to a varied and complex body of laws and regulations that both public officials and private parties may seek to enforce. The following is a description of the primary industry-related regulations applicable to our assets that are currently in force in the principal markets in which we operate.
Regulation in the United States
In the United States, our electricity generation project companies are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern the development, ownership, business organization and operation of power generation facilities. The federal government regulates wholesale sales, operation and interstate transmission of electric power through FERC and through other federal agencies, and certain environmental, health and safety matters. State and local governments regulate the siting, permitting, construction and operation of power generation facilities, the retail sale of electricity and certain other environmental, health, safety and permitting matters.
United States Federal Regulation of the Power Generation Facilities and Electric Transmission
The United States federal government regulates the wholesale sale of electric power and the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce through the FERC, which draws its jurisdiction from the FPA, as amended, and from other federal legislation such as the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EPACT 2005. EPACT 2005 repealed the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and replaced it with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, or PUHCA.
Federal Regulation of Electricity Generators
The FPA provides FERC with exclusive ratemaking jurisdiction over all public utilities that engage in wholesale sales of electricity and/or the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce. The owners of renewable energy facilities selling at wholesale are therefore generally subject to FERC’s ratemaking jurisdiction. FERC may authorize a public utility to make wholesale sales of electric energy and related products at negotiated or market-based rates if the public utility can demonstrate that it does not have, or that it has adequately mitigated, horizontal and vertical market power and that it cannot otherwise erect barriers to market entry. Entities granted market-based rate approval face ongoing filing and compliance requirements. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in a revocation of market-based rate authority, disgorgement of profits, civil penalties or other remedies that FERC finds appropriate based on the specific underlying facts and circumstances. In granting market-based rate approval to a wholesale generator, FERC also typically grants blanket authorizations under Section 204 of the FPA and FERC’s regulations for the issuance of securities and the assumption of debt liabilities.
If the criteria for market-based rate authority are not met, FERC has the authority to impose conditions on the exercise of market rate authority that are designed to mitigate market power or to withhold or rescind market-based rate authority altogether and require sales to be made based on cost-of-service rates, which could in either case result in a reduction in rates. FERC also has the authority to assess substantial civil penalties (up to $1.0 million per day per violation) for failure to comply with tariff provisions or the requirements of the FPA.
FERC approval under the FPA may be required prior to a change in ownership or control of a 10% or greater voting interest, directly or through one or more subsidiaries, in any public utility (including one of our U.S. project companies) or any public utility assets. FERC approval may also be required for individuals to serve as common officers or directors of public utilities or of a public utility and certain other companies that provide financing or equipment to public utilities.
FERC also implements the requirements of PUHCA applicable to “holding companies” having direct or indirect voting interests of 10% or more in companies that (among other activities) own or operate facilities used for the generation of electricity for sale, which includes renewable energy facilities. PUHCA imposes certain record-keeping, reporting and accounting obligations on such holding companies and certain of their affiliates. However, holding companies that own only exempt wholesale generators, or EWGs, foreign utility companies, and certain qualifying facilities under PURPA are exempt from the federal access to books and records provisions of PUHCA. EWGs are owners or operators of electric generation facilities (including producers of renewable energy, such as solar projects) that are engaged exclusively in the business of owning and/or operating generating facilities and selling electricity at wholesale. An EWG cannot make retail sales of electricity, may only own or operate the limited interconnection facilities necessary to connect its generating facility to the grid, and faces restrictions in transacting business with affiliated regulated utilities.
Regulation of Electricity Sales
Electricity transactions in the United States may be bilateral in nature, whereby two parties contract for the sale and purchase of electricity, subject to various governmental approval processes or guidelines that may apply to the contract, or they may take place within a single, centralized clearing market for purchases and sales of energy, electric generating capacity and ancillary services. Given the limited interconnections between power transmission systems in the United States and differences among market rules, regional markets have formed as part of the power transmission systems operated by regional transmission organizations, or RTOs, or independent system operators, or ISOs, in places such as California, the Midwest, New York, Texas, the Mid-Atlantic region and New England.
Federal Reliability Standards
EPACT 2005 amended the FPA to grant FERC jurisdiction over all users, owners and operators of the bulk power system for the purpose of enforcing compliance with certain standards for the reliable operation of the bulk power system. Pursuant to its authority under the FPA, FERC certified the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, as the entity responsible for developing reliability standards, submitting them to FERC for approval, and overseeing and enforcing compliance with them, subject in each case to FERC review. NERC, in turn, has delegated certain monitoring and enforcement powers to regional reliability organizations. Users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system meeting certain materiality thresholds are required to register with the NERC compliance registry and comply with FERC-approved reliability standards.
In the western United States, NERC has a delegation agreement with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, or WECC, whose service territory extends from Canada to Mexico and includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states in between. WECC is the regional entity responsible for coordinating, promoting and enforcing bulk power system reliability in its service territory. Any entity that owns, operates or uses any portion of the bulk power system must comply with NERC or WECC’s mandatory reliability standards. Failure to comply with these mandatory reliability standards may subject a user, owner or operator to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties, which range from $1,000 to $1 million per day per violation for the most severe cases, where companies show negligence and lack evidence of adequate compliance.
Federal Environmental Regulation, Permitting and Compliance
Construction and operation of power generation facilities, including solar power plants, and the generation and electric transmission of renewable energy from such facilities are subject to environmental regulation at the federal, state and local level. State and local regulatory processes are discussed separately in a subsequent section. At the federal level, environmental laws and regulations typically require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals prior to construction, operation or modification of a generation project or electric transmission facilities. Prior to development, permitting authorities may require that project developers consider and address, among other things, the impact on water resources and water quality, endangered species and other biological resources, compatibility with existing land uses and zoning, agricultural resources, archaeological, paleontological, recreational and cultural considerations, environmental justice and cumulative and visual impacts. In an effort to identify and minimize the potential impacts to these resources, power generation facilities may be required to comply with a myriad of federal regulatory programs and applicable federal permits under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Environmental Protection and Community Right-to-Know Act and the National Wilderness Preservation Act, among other federal laws.
In addition, various federal environmental, health and safety regulations applicable during the construction phase are also applicable to the operational phase of power generation facilities. During the operational phase, obtaining certain federal permits or federal approval of certain operating documents (e.g., O&M plans, the spill prevention, control and countermeasure plan, and an emergency and preparedness response plan), as well as maintaining strict compliance with such permits or operating documents, is mandatory. Failure to maintain compliance may result in the revocation of any applicable permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines or potentially the closure of the plant.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Incentives and Other Federal Considerations for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities
The United States provides various federal, state and local tax incentives to stimulate investment in renewable energy generation capacity, including solar power. These tax incentives are subject to change and, possibly, elimination in the future. Certain U.S. federal income tax incentives are described below.
Section 1603 U.S. Treasury Grant Program
In lieu of claiming certain U.S. federal income tax credits, in particular, the ITC, owners of eligible solar energy property may be eligible to receive a cash grant from U.S. Treasury equal to 30% of the tax basis of the eligible property. Among other requirements, to be eligible for a 1603 Cash Grant, the eligible property must have been placed in service in 2009, 2010 or 2011 or, for property not placed in service during that period, the construction of the specified energy property must have begun after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012. In addition, eligible solar energy property must be placed in service by January 1, 2017. Applicants who began construction after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012, but who did not place the eligible solar energy property in service prior to October 1, 2012, were required to file a preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application prior to October 1, 2012. These applicants are further required to file a final or “converted” 1603 Cash Grant application no later than 180 days after the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed in September 2012, and the final 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed on November 14, 2013 with additional information provided to the U.S. Treasury in 2014. A final award from the U.S. Treasury was made as of October 2014. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Mojave was filed on September 14, 2012. Since Mojave reached COD in December 2014, a final 1603 Cash Grant application was recently filed on February 5, 2015.
The risks associated with the 1603 Cash Grant program are as follows:
| · | Disqualified Persons: Certain persons, “disqualified persons,” are ineligible to receive the 1603 Cash Grant and are prohibited from owning a direct or indirect interest in otherwise 1603 Cash Grant-eligible solar energy property, unless the indirect interest is held through an entity taxable as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. 1603 Cash Grants are subject to recapture during the five-year period beginning on the date the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The amount of the 1603 Cash Grant subject to recapture decreases ratably over the five-year recapture period. Among other events, failure of the eligible property to be used for its intended purpose or the direct or indirect transfer to a disqualified person (as described above) will cause recapture of the 1603 Cash Grant. |
| · | Sequestration of Cash Grant Funds: Certain legislation required a mandatory sequestration of discretionary spending if the U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on a deficit-reducing budget by March 1, 2013. Because the U.S. Congress did not approve the requisite budget by that deadline, President Obama signed a sequestration order. Under the current sequestration rules, every final decision by U.S. Treasury in respect of a 1603 Cash Grant, evidenced by an award letter that is delivered to a 1603 Cash Grant applicant on or after October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014, will reflect a 7.2% reduction in the 1603 Cash Grant award amount. For cash grant award letters issued on or after October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget has estimated that the sequestration reduction will be 7.3% This reduction applies regardless of the date on which the application for a 1603 Cash Grant was received by U.S. Treasury. |
Federal Loan Guarantee Program
The DOE, in an effort to promote the rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects, is authorized to grant guarantees with respect to certain loans to renewable energy projects and related manufacturing facilities and electric power transmission projects under Section 1703 of EPACT 2005. Previously, the DOE also granted guarantees with respect to certain loans made under Section 1705 of EPACT 2005. In order to have qualified for the Section 1705 program, physical construction must have commenced at the primary site of the project on or before September 30, 2011. NEPA review must have been completed prior to the issuance of a loan guarantee. In May 2011, the Section 1705 program expired by statute, and the DOE announced that it would no longer accept new applications under that program. On September 30, 2011, the Section 1705 loan guarantee program closed with no further loan guarantees to be issued. Loan guarantees under Section 1703 continue to be available for solar. However, eligibility is limited. The applicant must be located in the United States and may include foreign ownership so long as the project is located in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or a United States territory. The project must employ a new or significantly improved technology that is not a commercial technology. A commercial technology is defined as in general use in the commercial marketplace in the United States at the time the term sheet is issued by the DOE. A technology is considered to be in commercial use if it has been installed in and is being used in three or more commercial projects in the United States and has been in operation in each such commercial project for at least five years. The project must also pay prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act.
Accelerated Depreciation under Federal Regulation
Owners of eligible solar energy property also benefit from accelerated depreciation of the property over a five-year period under the MACRS under the IRC. Most of the equipment used in solar power projects, such as Solana and Mojave, qualifies for five-year depreciation under MACRS. In addition, some equipment used in solar power projects may qualify for bonus depreciation for equipment placed in service.
DOE Research Grants, State Energy Funding, Workforce Training, and Other Initiatives under the ARRA
The DOE received funding under the ARRA, which it has disbursed or is in the process of disbursing, to increase solar power production. Some funds were allocated as grants to support research and the development, demonstration, and deployment of projects. Funds were awarded to states on the basis of their electric consumption to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other energy programs. ARRA funds were allocated with the purpose of providing workforce training with respect to renewable energy and energy efficiency. A number of initiatives were funded by the DOE with ARRA monies, including initiatives addressing solar market transformation, the integration of photovoltaic generation into the distribution system, and base load solar power generation.
State and Local Regulation of the Electricity Industry in the United States
State regulatory agencies in the United States have jurisdiction over the rates and terms of electricity service to retail customers. Regulated investor-owned utilities often must obtain state approval for the contracts through which they purchase electricity, including renewable energy, if they seek to pass along the costs of these contracts to their retail ratepayers. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are typically governed on these matters by their city councils or elected boards of directors. Different states apply different standards for determining acceptable prices for utility procurement contracts, including PPAs. Our electricity generation project companies operate in Arizona and California. Information about the regulatory frameworks in Arizona and California is provided below.
United States State-Level Incentives
In addition to federal legislation, many states have enacted legislation, principally in the form of renewable portfolio standards, or RPS, which generally require electric utilities to generate or purchase a certain percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from renewable resources. In certain states, it is not only mandatory to meet these percentages from renewable resources, which in general are on the increase, but also electric utilities may be required to generate or purchase a percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from specific renewable energy technologies, including solar technology. Depending upon the state, various certifications, permits, contracts and approvals may be required in order for a project to qualify for particular RPS programs. Some states, for example, require that only renewable energy generated in-state counts towards the RPS. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, as of August 2014, 49 states and United States territories have adopted some type of RPS standards. Although there is currently no federal RPS program, there have been proposals to create a federal RPS standard for renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, are typically used in conjunction with RPS programs as tradable certificates demonstrating that a certain number of kWh have been generated from renewable resources. Under many RPS programs, a utility may generally demonstrate, through its ownership of RECs, that it has supported an amount of renewable energy generation equal to its state-mandated RPS percentage. The sale of RECs can represent a significant additional revenue stream for renewable energy generators. In RPS states where a liquid REC market does not exist, renewable energy can be bought or sold through “bundled” PPAs, where the PPA price includes the price for renewable energy attributes. Some states require that RECs and the associated electricity be purchased together in order to count towards the RPS. In states that do not have RPS requirements, certain entities buy RECs voluntarily. These RECs generally have lower prices than RECs that are used to meet RPS obligations. The price of RECs can vary significantly, depending on their availability, which in turn depends upon the amount of renewable generation that has been put in service in a state that has implemented RPS requirements. In some states, the number of successful projects has generated more RECs than required to meet the applicable RPS requirements for a given year or years, leading to steep drops in the market price for RECs. Additionally, demand for RECs can be driven by requirements (such as those imposed under the California Environmental Quality Act) that development projects mitigate potential significant GHG impacts identified in connection with environmental clearances.
Effective December 10, 2011, California enacted legislation that increases its existing RPS to 25% by 2016 and 33% by 2020, and expands the program to cover publicly-owned utilities, in addition to investor-owned utilities, or IOUs. In addition, the California Solar Initiative, or CSI, sets a goal of 1,940 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2016. The CSI provides monetary incentives for solar installation between 1 kW and 5 MW in size as well as grants for research, development, and demonstration. California’s feed-in tariff program obligates IOUs to purchase solar generation at a standard price until a purchase threshold is crossed. Colorado set an RPS of 30% by 2020 for IOUs, permits the trading of RECs, and requires that 3% of the RPS be met by distributed generation in 2020 for IOUs. Arizona set an RPS of 15% by 2025, with 30% of the RPS to be met from distributed generation. A Texas law signed in August 2005 requires that 5,880 MW of new renewable generation be built by 2015. The law also set a target of having 10,000 MW of renewable generation capacity by 2025. Additionally, Texas law establishes a minimum of 500 MW of non-wind renewable generation, and doubles the RPS compliance value provided by non-wind generation.
Other incentives that states and localities have adopted to encourage the development of renewable resources include property and state tax exemptions and abatements, state grants, and rebate programs. In addition, a number of states collect electricity surcharges on residential and commercial users and through public benefit funds reinvest some of these funds in renewable energy projects. California offers a property tax incentive for certain solar energy systems installed between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2016. The Arizona Department of Revenue provides a corporate tax credit based on production for solar, wind, or biomass systems that are 5 MW or larger and are installed on or after December 31, 2010 and before January 1, 2021.
Solar generation may also be incentivized by state GHG emission reduction measures, such as California’s cap and trade scheme, which caps and reduces GHG emissions. The California cap and trade program went into effect with respect to the electricity and other sectors starting in 2013.
Arizona
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in Arizona
The Arizona Corporation Commission, or ACC, has complete and exclusive jurisdiction over the rates and terms under which regulated utilities may provide electricity service to retail customers in Arizona. Under the Arizona Constitution, the ACC has unilateral authority over all utility regulation, including electric and natural gas utilities. The ACC also oversees all rate cases for its jurisdictional utilities, and as such has oversight of renewable energy procurement contracts by regulated electric utilities. Under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff, or REST, regulated electric utilities must supply an increasing percentage of their retail electric energy sales from eligible renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass, biogas and geothermal technologies. The renewable energy requirement is 4.5%4.7% of retail electric sales in 20142017 and increases annually until it reaches 15% in 2025.
Unlike many other state regulatory commissions, the ACC does not approve PPAs executed by regulated utilities, nor does it issue rulings of “prudency” regarding PPAs. This practice leaves a utility somewhat at risk of recovering its costs until a successful rate case finding is rendered by the ACC. Rate recovery requests may not be filed until the utility begins to make actual expenditures for power procurement. In the case of Solana, however, the power purchaser, Arizona Public Service Company, or APS, voluntarily sought a hearing before the ACC to request its informal opinion of the prudency of the Solana PPA. After ACC staff conducted an analysis of the costs and benefits of Solana to Arizona ratepayers, it recommended to the ACC commissioners that the PPA should be deemed “a reasonable means” by which APS could meet its requirements under the REST. The ACC affirmed the staff’s recommendation on September 30, 2008, thereby providing greater assurance of APS’s successful rate recovery request. APS is expected to file its full rate recovery request in 2016.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Solana’s PPA
The PPA executed between APS and Solana’s project company, Arizona Solar One LLC, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual renewable energy certificates, or REC,certificate (REC) eligible energy quantities to APS). The provisions are largely intended to protect APS’ ability to meet its mandatory requirements under the REST, and to prevent APS from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and presumablypossibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in Arizona
The Arizona Power Plant & Transmission Line Siting Committee, or Siting Committee, oversees utility and private developer applications to build power plants (of 100 MW or more) or transmission projects (of 115,000 volts or more) within Arizona. The Siting Committee holds public meetings and evidentiary hearings to determine whether a proposed generation or transmission project is compatible with the preservation of the state’s environmental protection interests, and if the finding is affirmative, makes a recommendation to the ACC to grant a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, or CEC, to the applicant. The ACC then has authority to approve, decline or modify the Siting Committee’s recommendation.
The ACC granted CECs to Solana on December 11, 2008, for both the 280 MW solar generation project and its associated 20.8-mile, 230 kilovolt transmission line. Both the generation facility and transmission line CECs contain obligatory conditions and stipulations, none of which could present a risk to Solana during the operational phase.
Other Arizona Permitting and Compliance Frameworks
Various state and county regulations, mostly related to the environment and public health and safety, are applicable during the operational phase of a solar power plant located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Such regulations include the Arizona Aquifer Water Quality Standards and Aquifer Protection Permit Rules, the Maricopa County Special Use Permit Stipulations, the Maricopa County Air Pollution Control Regulations, and the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinances and Regulations. Obtaining a permit or requesting the approval of certain operating plans, as well as strict compliance with such permits and plans, is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of the permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines, or potentially the closure of Solana.
In addition, in accordance with the NEPANational Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) designation of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued by the DOE, Solana must comply with certain water requirements due to the reduction in tail water runoff being contributed to a wash located near the site. In coordination with Arizona Game & Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Solana must provide 447 acre-feet of water annually as a direct off-set to the reduction in tail water runoff from the site. This requirement is for the duration of Solana, and failure to comply would trigger an administrative procedure that could cause temporary closure of the plant until the non-compliance condition is cured.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in Arizona
Many of the permits obtained for Solana carry specific conditions that must be complied with during the operational phase of the facility and which are continuously monitored, measured, and documented by the Solana plant operators. The primary obligations that commenced during commissioning and/or commercial operation are those related to reliability, emergency response, potential hazards of waste disposal, and human health and safety. These requirements originate with federal laws, and in many cases are enforced via delegated authority from the appropriate federal agency to a state or county agency. These include:
| · | NERC Reliability Standards and Critical Infrastructure Plans, delegated to WECC as the regional authority; |
| · | Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, delegated to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management; |
| · | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, delegated to EPA Region 9 in San Francisco, California; and |
| · | Occupational Safety and Health Administration federal requirements. |
California
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in California
The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, governs, among other entities, California’s three large investor-owned utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric Company, or PG&E. PG&E is required to file an RPS procurement plan annually with the CPUC. Once the CPUC approves the plan, PG&E issues a request for offers, or RFO, for renewable energy. It then evaluates all of the bids using a “least-cost, best-fit” evaluation process approved by the CPUC and develops a short list of acceptable bids. In August 2008, Mojave was submitted as a renewable solar thermal project in response to PG&E’s 2008 RFO solicitation and placed on their short list.list for additional negotiations. After two years of negotiations, PG&E and Mojave Solar executed a final PPA, for which PG&E filed with the CPUC an advice letter requesting approval of the PPA in July 2011. The CPUC reviewed the PPA and approved the contract by issuing a formal decision in November 2011. The terms of the PPA govern Mojave during its development, construction and operating period. The CPUC historically does not retroactively apply new regulations or rulings to previously approved PPAs that would result in any economic impact.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Mojave’s PPA
The PPA executed between PG&E and Mojave’s project company, Mojave Solar, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual REC eligible energy quantities to PG&E). The provisions are largely intended to protect PG&E’s ability to meet its mandatory requirements established by the CPUC, and to prevent PG&E from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and presumablypossibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in California
The California Energy Commission, or CEC, is the lead agency for licensing thermal power plants 50 MW and larger under the California Environmental Quality Act and has a certified regulatory program under such Act. The CEC is comprised of five commissioners, two of whom oversee all hearings, workshops and related proceedings on a specific project. The CEC’s siting process evaluates Applications for Certification, or AFCs, to ensure that only power plants whichthat are actually needed will be built, provides review by independent staff with technical expertise in public health and safety, environmental sciences, engineering and reliability, ensures simultaneous review and full participation by all state and local agencies, as well as coordination with federal agencies, resulting in issuance of one regulatory permit within a specific time frame, with full opportunity for participation by public and interest groups.
On August 10, 2009, Mojave’s AFC for its nominal 250 MW project was filed with the CEC. The CEC approved Mojave’s AFC with the CEC decision issued on September 8, 2010. The CEC monitors the power plant’s construction, operational phase and eventual decommissioning through a compliance proceeding.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in California
Mojave must maintain compliance with the CEC decision conditions of certification. These concern, among others, biological resources, health and safety, cultural resources, fire safety, and water. The conditions require Mojave to provide plans, notifications, and other reports on an ongoing basis. As noted above, such compliance is monitored by CEC staff. Per the CEC decision, “[f]ailure to comply with any of the Conditions of Certification or the compliance conditions may result in reopening of the case and revocation of Energy Commission certification; an administrative fine; or other action as appropriate.” Additional regulations are administered by the California Independent System Operator and under the terms of the federally administered Large Generator Interconnection Agreement.
Regulation in Mexico
Overview
The following is a description of the regulation of the Mexican power industry applicable to the conventional generation of electricity.
Pursuant to the Mexican Constitution, the electricity industry in Mexico was entirely controlled by the federal government, acting through the Federal Electricity Commission, Comision Federal de Electricidad, or CFE, an entity wholly owned and controlled by the Mexican government, and legally independent from the Mexican Ministry of Energy, Secretaria de Energia. CFE was the only entity authorized to provide electricity directly to the public and to supply services to the Mexican wholesale market. CFE was also responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure necessary for the delivery of electricity, such as the national electric grid, the Sistema Electrico Nacional, or SEN.
As a result of Mexico’s energy reform bill enacted on December 21, 2013, articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution were amended in order to end the long-standing state monopoly in the oil, petrochemical and power sectors, and allow private investment in these areas for their development in an open market. Hence, the power generation sector is now open to full private participation and investment, creating a competitive spot market in power generation, although electric transmission and distribution will remain public services to be provided exclusively by CFE. With the enactment of the secondary legislation, the generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power in Mexico is governed by a new legal framework which will likely improve the development of the sector.
Notwithstanding the legal changes, we do not expect any negative consequences for ACT Energy Mexico, or ACT, or for the power generated and delivered to Pemex Gas y Petroquimica Basica.
Until the recent energy reform, the whole set of activities regarding generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power for public use were considered areas of national strategic importance. As a result, such activities were carried out exclusively by CFE. The national electric grid was also controlled by CFE through the Centro Nacional de Control de Energia, or the CENACE, which operated the national electric grid and controlled delivery of all electricity generated by CFE and private generators connected to the grid. CFE is a vertically-integrated state monopoly that serves the whole country, and CENACE is a semi-independent agency that is part of CFE. As a result of the energy reform, CENACE became a decentralized public agency, which will continue to be responsible for the operation and control of the national electric grid with the aim of having an impartial third party (not CFE) operate the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid for both transmission and distribution of electricity. CENACE has emerged as an Independent System Operator, or ISO, which is a figure adopted worldwide in other mature energy markets.
The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity were regulated by the Ley del Servicio Publico de Energia Electrica, or Electricity Law; enacted in 1975 and amended in 1992. Since the implementation of the 1992 amendment to the Electricity Law, private entities have been allowed to participate in the following activities not considered public utility services, as defined by such law:
| · | Cogeneration. The electricity produced is used to supply power to the establishments associated with the cogeneration process and/or the shareholders of the cogeneration company; |
| · | Self-Supply Generation. The electricity produced is used for the self-supply purposes of the holder of the relevant self-supply power generation permit and/or its shareholders; |
| · | Independent Power Production. All the electricity produced is delivered to CFE; |
| · | Small-Scale Production. The electricity produced does not exceed 30 MW and is used for export purposes or the supply of all power output is sold to CFE; |
| · | Exports. The electricity produced is exported in its entirety; and |
| · | Imports for Independent Consumption. The import of power is used for self-supply purposes. |
The regulatory framework of the Mexican power industry is undergoing a transitory period, as the energy reform is still in the process of being fully implemented, given that the secondary legislation derived from such amendments to the Mexican Constitution was published in the Official Federal Gazette, or Diario Oficial de la Federacion, on August 11, 2014, and there are still several regulatory instruments pending issuance. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Mexico—Transitory Regime.”
The changes made by the energy reform will beare being implemented through a profound modification of the legal framework that hashad governed the development of the energy industry in the country, which involveshas involved the entrance into force of new laws and the amendment of current laws.
The new laws enacted so far are listed below:
| · | Oil and Gas Law, or Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law, or Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Federal Electricity Commission Law, or Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Energy Regulatory Bodies Law, or Ley de los Organos Reguladores Coordinados en Materia Energetica; |
| · | National Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection Law of the Oil and Gas Sector, or Ley de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Mexican Petroleum Fund for Stabilization and Development, or Ley del Fondo Mexicano del Petroleo para la Estabilizacion y el Desarrollo; and |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law, or Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, 12 laws were amended in order to unify their content with the new regulatory framework. The following are the amended laws:
| · | Foreign Investment Law, or Ley de Inversion Extranjera; |
| · | Mining Law, or Ley Minera; |
| · | Private Public Partnerships Law, or Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas; |
| · | National Water Law, or Ley de Aguas Nacionales; |
| · | Federal Law of Government-Owned Entities, or Ley Federal de las Entidades Paraestatales; |
| · | Public Sector Acquisitions, Leases and Services Law, or Ley de Adquisiciones, Arrendamientos y Servicios del Sector Publico; |
| · | Public Works and Related Services Law, or Ley de Obras Publicas y Servicios Relacionados con las mismas; |
| · | Organizational Law of the Federal Government, or Ley Organica de la Administracion Publica Federal; |
| · | Federal Fees Law, or Ley Federal de Derechos; |
| · | Fiscal Coordination Law, or Ley de Coordinacion Fiscal; |
| · | Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; and |
| · | General Public Debt Law, or Ley General de Deuda Publica. |
Furthermore, on October 31, 2014, the following regulations and regulatory instruments, which will contribute to the implementation of the aforementioned secondary legislation, were published in the Official Federal Gazette:
| · | Regulations of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Regulations of the activities referred to in Chapter Three of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de las actividades a que se refiere el Titulo Tercero de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Regulations of Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Regulations of the Federal Commission of Electricity Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Internal Regulations of the Mexican Ministry of Energy, or Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Energia; and |
| · | Internal Regulations of the National Agency of Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection, or Reglamento Interior de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, the executive branch also published the following decrees, which amended the existing regulations of different laws and which are relevant for the development of the energy sector:
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Public Partnerships Law Regulation, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas;Privadas; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulation for the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Mining Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Minera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law and of the National Registry of Foreign Investment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Inversion Extranjera y del Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Economics, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Economia; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territory and Urban Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law for Sustainable Forestry Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General de Desarrollo Forestal Sustentable; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Impact Assessment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Evaluacion del Impacto AmbientaAmbientall;; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding prevention and Control of Air Pollution, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Prevencion y Control de la Contaminacion de la Atmosfera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions for the Regulations of the General Law for Prevention and Integral Waste Management, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General para la Prevencion y Gestion Integral de Residuos; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Zoning, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Ordenamiento Ecologico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding Emissions to the Atmosphere and Transfer of Pollutants, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales; and |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Self-Regulation and Environmental Audits, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Autorregulacion y Auditorias Ambientales. |
Conventional Electricity Generation in Mexico
The former legal framework for conventional electricity generation in Mexico included the regulation of fossil fuels, such as carbon, diesel, fuel oil and natural gas, as well as nuclear fission regulation, which includes nuclear power plants and all related activities.
Accordingly, power generation under independent power production or self-supply schemes was not considered a public utility service and, therefore, could be performed by private companies and individuals pursuant to permits issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Comision Reguladora de Energia, or CRE. The CRE is a federal agency created in 1995 in order to enforce the laws and regulations relating to natural gas and electricity, and has the authority to issue permits, set tariffs, supervise, ensure adequate supply and, in the case of gas, promote competition.
As previously indicated, the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, controlled the entire chain of activities related to electric power, including generation, sale, distribution and transmission. The energy reform allows the private sector to openly participate in two important parts of the production chain: the generation and the sale of electricity.
Pursuant to the reform, the private energy sector is now able to invest in electricity generation with the requisite permits. The sale of electricity by private parties has not yet begun (with the initiation of operations of Wholesale Electricity Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista, or MEM) in Mexico under the new legal framework, privately sold electricity will be transmitted and distributed by CFE.
The reforms are expected to have positive effects on the electricity industry in Mexico, allowing the private sector to play an active role where a government monopoly once existed, generating greater investment and better technology.
As a result of the energy reform, the electricity sector will cease to be a chain of activities vertically integrated in a partially privatized sector, and become an area open to private investment in which, although CFE will maintain control, the possibility of private sector investment will be increased through a more flexible regulatory scheme that permits the execution of contracts to carry out various activities and the creation of new markets in the electricity sector. Among the most significant changes are the following:
| · | Participation open to the private sector in the generation of electricity through a permit granted by CRE. Private parties may also sell the energy generated and transmitted by CFE through commercial schemes. |
| · | Participation of the private sector, together with CFE, in the activities of transmission and distribution through the execution of the corresponding contracts. |
| · | Participation of the private sector in activities of financing, maintenance, management, operation and expansion of the power infrastructure through service contracts with CFE, with adequate compensation. |
| · | Transformation of the CENACE into a decentralized public body responsible for the operational control of the national electric grid, so that it is an impartial third party (and not the CFE) that operates the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid, for both transmission and distribution of electric power. |
| · | Creation of the MEM, operated by the CENACE, in which the participants carry out electric power purchase and sale transactions through contracts between the participants in the MEM. The CENACE is now responsible for managing the supply and demand of the MEM participants, carrying out transactions and generating prices continuously. The price that will be paid in the MEM transactions will be a competitive price, reflecting the costs of generation and other operating costs of electricity, as well as the volume of electric power demanded and supplied in the MEM. |
| · | Creation of the trader, under the new Electric Industry Law, as the holder of a MEM participant agreement, which purpose is to carry out trading activities (execution of contracts for purchase and sale of electricity within the MEM, among others). The traders may sign contracts with qualified users (through the provider-trader) or execute such contracts with other traders (non-provider trader). |
| · | The permits granted by the CRE under the currently repealed Electricity Law, will continue in force under its terms. The holders of those permits that choose to remain under the provisions of the Electricity Law may, at any time, transfer to the new rules. |
| · | The Geothermal Energy Law, the purpose of which is to regulate the recognition, exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources for the use of underground thermal energy within the limits of Mexican territory, in order to generate electricity or use it otherwise. |
| · | The activities regulated by the Geothermal Energy Law are considered to be in the public interest and their development will have preference over activities of other sectors when there is a conflict. |
| · | The activities pursued under the Geothermal Energy Law will be carried out through different registries, permits, authorizations and concessions granted by the competent authorities applicable for each case. For exploration activities, a permit will be sufficient, while for exploitation activities, a concession will be required. |
| · | Amendment of several articles of the National Water Law, for the purpose of (i) adapting certain definitions of that law to the new definitions introduced by the Geothermal Energy Law; (ii) including geothermal fields under regulated, prohibited or reserved zones; and (iii) establishing the obligation of requesting the relevant permits, authorizations and concessions from the National Water Commission in order to engage in the activities of geothermal fields exploration. |
Electric Industry Law
The Electric Industry Law, as part of the package of secondary legislation that implements the constitutional energy reform, regulates planning activities, the control of the national electric grid, the public services of transmission and distribution of electricity, and all other activities related to the Mexican energy industry, in order to promote the sustainable development of the industry and to ensure its continuous, efficient, and secure operation for the benefit of all users, as well as the fulfillment of the obligations to provide a general and public service of electricity, to develop clean energies, and to reduce contaminating emissions.
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, the government holds the operational control of the national electric grid, through the CENACE, and CENACE, as an ISO, will indicate the elements for the national transmission grid and the related operations which may correspond to the wholesale market.
Regulations of the Electric Industry Law
The Regulations of the Electric Industry Law provide details for the application of the Electric Industry Law and complete the implementation of the restructured electric industry in Mexico.
These regulations expand on certain administrative procedures in the electric industry, such as the development of public bidding procedures by CFE, for private sector contracts for activities related to the national electric grid; the specific requirements for the application for power generation and power supply permits with CRE; the process for infrastructure contributions by the private sector to the State; and the registration of participants in the wholesale spot market with CENACE.
Permits and Authorizations
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, all power plants with a capacity greater than or equal to 0.5 MW and all power plants of all capacities represented by a generator (i.e., the holder of one or more generation permits or holder of a wholesale market participant agreement that represents the corresponding power plants in the wholesale market or, prior authorization granted by CRE, power plants located abroad) require a generation permit granted by CRE. Authorization granted by CRE is also required for the import of electricity from a power plant located abroad and interconnected exclusively to the national electric grid. Power plants of any capacity exclusively intended for personal use during emergencies or interruptions in electric supply will not require a permit.
The Electric Industry Law provides for several requirements which generators who represent power plants interconnected to the national electric grid have to comply with, including, among others, the execution of the corresponding interconnection agreements, issued by CRE. Regarding the production of their power plants, generators may carry out commercialization activities which include, among others, the following: (i) representing exempt generators (i.e., owner or holder of one or more power plants which do not require or have a generation permit) in the MEM; (ii) carrying out sale and purchase transactions of energy, related services included in the MEM, and power or other products which ensure enough resources to meet the electric demand, and all other products, duties or penalties required for the efficient operation of the national electric grid, among others; and (iii) executing, among others, the corresponding electric coverage agreements (i.e., agreement entered into by participants of the MEM which purpose is the sale and purchase of electric energy or related products) with other MEM participants, including other generators, traders (i.e., holder of a MEM participant agreement which purpose is to carry out commercialization activities), and qualified users (i.e., final user who is registered before CRE to acquire electricity supply as a MEM participant or through a qualified provider).
Pursuant to the former legal framework for the Mexican electric industry, permits for self-supply, cogeneration, independent production, small production, import, and export of electricity were granted by CRE for indefinite periods of time, except for independent power producer permits, which were granted for 30-year renewable terms. In addition to the legal and technical requirements established by law to obtain such permits, CFE’s approval was required as part of CRE’s permit approval process. Pursuant to the transitory regime, such permits will be in force for the duration of the corresponding interconnection agreements executed under their scope.
CRE may also issue a supply permit for private parties, which will allow companies to participate in the MEM by carrying out transactions with final users, which are called “qualified users.” In this sense, private parties may supply power directly to consumers through bilateral long-term agreements, which will be partially regulated by the CRE.
Consequently, the Mexican power industry had been divided into two main areas: (i) the public service of electricity under CFE’s control, and (ii) the activities where private parties may be involved (such as where CFE actively promoted private investment in the construction and operation of power plants for supplying CFE and private parties under self-supply and cogeneration schemes).
While power generated in Mexico is still predominantly generated by CFE, there is a large amount of electricity generated by private energy producers, which generally fall under the categories of independent power production and self-supply generation, although cogeneration has come to be a relevant source of power as a result of certain amendments enacted in 2006 which allowed Pemex to develop new cogeneration projects independently and in collaboration with CFE. These amendments allowed Pemex to enter into the Pemex conversion services agreement and to receive the power generated by ACT.
As a consequence of the corresponding reforms the issuance of a new class of permit available to those interested in generating electricity is provided for pursuant to the Electric Industry Law. This permit will expand the ways in which entities are allowed to participate as energy producers under the Electric Industry Law and is within the scope of the CRE’s regulatory control.
The permits provided for in the Electric Industry Law are, as aforementioned, granted and issued by CRE, upon prior submission of the corresponding application, payment of the corresponding duties, all relevant legal and technical information, and project description. Such permits will be terminated or revoked pursuant to the different scenarios indicated in the Electric Industry Law and its regulations, and as determined by CRE.
The regulations listslist the documentation to be submitted to apply for a permit with CRE, as well as the corresponding timeline for the application procedure and the essential elements that CRE must include in the permit title.
Transmission and Distribution of Electricity in Mexico
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, regarding conventional energy generation, dispatchers and distributors are responsible for the national transmission grid and the general distribution grids and will operate their grids pursuant to the instruction provided by CENACE. Whereas in the past there were no regulatory limitations that would interfere with a private generator engaging in transmission activities, and, regarding distribution activities, these could only be performed by CFE, with the new regulatory framework derived from the constitutional reform and the legal provisions therein, the public service of electricity and its transmission are considered as strategic areas and will continue to be government-controlled, notwithstanding the possibility of the Mexican government, acting through CFE, to be able to enter into agreements with the private sector, or, acting through the Mexican Ministry of Energy, to form partnerships or enter into agreements with the private sector to carry out the financing, installation, maintenance, administration, operation or expansion of the infrastructure required to provide electricity transmission and distribution services, in terms of the provisions of the Electric Industry Law.
Such agreements will be awarded to private companies through bidding rounds, conducted by CENACE, which will determine the needs of the national electric grid, and carry out the corresponding tender processes. In addition, all dispatchers and distributors will have the obligation to execute the corresponding connection and interconnection agreements, based on the model contracts issued by CRE, regarding the interconnection of power plants or the connection of load centers, and the MEM regulations will indicate the criteria for CENACE to define the specifications for the required infrastructure necessary for the interconnection of power plants and the connection of load centers, as well as the mechanisms to determine preference matters for applications or requests and the procedure for their evaluation.
CFE is required by law to provide its wheeling (the transfer of electrical power through transmission and distribution lines to another utility), dispatch and backup services to all permit holders whenever the requested service is technically feasible on a first-come, first-served basis. CFE’s wheeling services are provided pursuant to an interconnection agreement and a transmission services agreement entered into between CFE and the relevant permit holder (in ACT’s case, these were executed by Pemex). Those agreements follow model contracts approved by the CRE, which also approves the methodology used to calculate the applicable tariffs. The permit holders must build their own transmission lines for self-use in order to connect to the power grid. In addition, permit holders are required to enter into a back-up services agreement with CFE, which also follow a model agreement approved by the CRE.
The Electric Industry Law incorporates new requirements to carry out the sale and purchase of electricity. Aside from being classified as a generator or qualified user, along with the need to comply with the rules issued by CRE for the execution of the corresponding agreements, there are new requirements for the interconnection to the transmission grid owned by CFE. The Electric Industry Law introduces and provides for the concepts of connection and interconnection, the first referring to the load points of users and the latter referring to generators’ power plants. Regarding interconnection, the most significant change is the need to execute new model agreements in order to adapt them to the new modalities and activities under the scope of regulation of the Electric Industry Law.
Furthermore, the transitory provisions contained in the Electric Industry Law provide that those interconnection agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force, notwithstanding the possibility that executing the new contract models that will be issued by CRE may prove beneficial in order to adapt to the new changing aspects of the industry; as with previous agreements, companies will only be limited to the authorized activities under such contracts (e.g. wheeling will only be available for the amount of energy and for the specific purpose established therein). This suggests that new models of interconnection agreements may be more flexible to cover the implementation of the various activities allowed.
The regulations provide that CRE must implement a regulatory regime providing for the conditions for the procurement of the public services of transmission and distribution of electric power based on the principles of proportionality and equality, aiming to prevent transporters, distributors and suppliers from exercising excessive market power that could negatively affect final users. Such regulatory regime will consider the degree of openness in the market, the concentration of participants and any other condition of the competition in every division of the industry. The regulations also anticipate the possible cases of curtailment of the services of transmission and distribution of electric power and provide for standard procedures in different situations.
Commercialization of Electricity
Under the Electric Industry Law, the trader will be the holder of a MEM participant agreement, and will carry out commercial activities, among which are executing electric coverage agreements for the sale and purchase of electricity within the MEM. Under the Electric Industry Law, electric coverage agreements are those agreements executed between MEM participants through which those Participantsparticipants engage in the sale of electric energy or related products. Traders may enter into such agreements with qualified users (through the figure of the provider-trader) or with other traders (who are not providers).
Excluding qualified users, basic providers will provide the basic supply to all people who so request it and whose load centers are located in their operation areas. Qualified providers will provide the qualified supply to qualified users in terms of free competition. Prior commencement of the Qualifiedqualified or basic supply services, the final user must execute a supply agreement with the appropriate provider, and such agreements will require registration before the Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer, or Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor, or PROFECO, CRE will issue the general terms and conditions for the electrical supply services, which will determine the rights and obligations of the service provider and the final user, correspondingly.
Qualified users are those final users who are duly registered as such before CRE in order to acquire power as MEM participants or by a qualified provider. In terms of the Electric Industry Law, users holding load points with a demand greater than or equal to 3 MW may be included in the qualified users registry (but such amount will decrease in one MW per year following the first year until reaching 1 MW). In this case, having the property in which the electric power is intended to be supplied registered as Qualifiedqualified under the corresponding rules to be issued will suffice. Within the MEM, qualified users may purchase energy through electric coverage agreements executed with CENACE or directly with traders.
Supply
Supply activities carried out in the new electric industry may be either in the basic or qualified modalities. Power supply agreements will be executed by and between providers and final users, under the corresponding supply permits issued by CRE. Basic supply refers to that which is provided by a provider under a regulated tariff to any applicant who is not a qualified user. Qualified Supply refers to that which is provided in terms of free competition to qualified users.
For basic supply, private generators may participate in the auctions conducted by CENACE, in order for CFE to acquire the energy in the most convenient economic terms and conditions, and thus CFE will be able to supply power to users who so request it before CENACE, who will carry out the referred auction and determine whom the electricity will be purchased from. CRE will also determine the requirements that providers must comply with in order to acquire energy and execute contracts for electric coverage with users.
As for qualified supply, qualified providers will carry out transactions directly through long-term supply agreements with qualified users. Under these agreements, the parties will be free to agree upon the terms and conditions (including economic conditions) thereof, abiding by certain general guidelines that will be issued by CRE.
Open Access
Both the Electric Industry Law and in the regulations thereunder establish that CFE will be obligated to grant non-discriminatory open access to all users of the national electric grid. This will enhance the existence of an open electricity market, where various competitors in almost all segments of the supply chain requiring the use of the national electric grid will coexist and develop their activities. Open access is a crucial component of the electric industry since CFE, as owner of the grid, will compete directly with other private sector participants in several activities of the industry, which could lead to a monopoly by CFE. In order to avoid such situation, the CENACE, as an independent system operator, will ensure competitive conditions for all users who want to use CFE’s infrastructure.
ThePursuant to the regulations, provide that CRE will issueissued the general guidelines regarding open access conditions, the procedure for users to request such open access and the procedure to which the CENACE will be subject to grant this open access, among others.
Tariffs
Transmission, distribution, basic supply and last resort supply, as well as the operation of CENACE, will be subject to regulatory accounting guidelines established by CRE. CRE will issueis currently issuing general administrative provisions regarding the methodology to determine the calculation and adjustment of the regulated tariffs for transmission, distribution, basic provider operation and CENACE operation services, as well as all related services which are not included in the MEM.
Dispatchers, distributors, basic providers and the CENACE will be required to publish their tariffs, as indicated by CRE, through general administrative provisions.
Wholesale Spot Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista
The Electric Industry Law provides for the creation of a MEM, operated by CENACE, in which Participants can carry out a number of different transactions provided for in said law, among which are the sale of electricity and related products.
MEM participants can be (i) generators, (ii) provider-traders, (iii) non-provider traders, or (iv) qualified users, prior to execution of the corresponding agreement with CENACE. Transactions carried out within the MEM must be formalized through “electric coverage agreements” executed by and between such MEM participants. Generators, as MEM participants may, sell their generated energy and both traders and qualified users may purchase such energy through CENACE, which is the independent operator of the electric system.
CENACE is responsible for managing the supply and demand of MEM participants, conducting transactions and continuously generating prices. The price to be paid in MEM transactions has to be a “competition price” in terms of the Electric Industry Law, and has to reflect elements such as electricity generation costs and other operating costs, as well as the amount of electricity demanded by and supplied within the MEM. Such competition price will serve as a reference for long-term supply agreements between providers and qualified users, partially replacing the current CFE-published tariffs.
Even though the Electric Industry Law provides the general guidelines to which the operation of the MEM is subject, on September 8, September 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Energy published the Guidelines of the Market (Bases del Mercado Electrico), as the general administrative provisions which establish the principles for the design and operation of the MEM. The regulations list certain topics which will be described in depth in the Rules of the Market (Reglas del Mercado), such as the methodology that will be used to forecast the level of demand in the spot market, information on market participants, and the methodology to determine the price of the electricity that will be sold and purchased within the spot market.
The Guidelines are part of the Rules of the Market, (which are administrative provisions of general application that will specifically detail different aspects of the operation of the MEM, and determine the rules that all market participants as generators, traders, suppliers, non-supplier traders or qualified users, as well as the competent authorities must comply with, and the procedures they must follow in order to maintain the proper management, operation and planning of the MEM. Pursuant to the Guidelines, which will subsequently be supplemented by guidelines for market practices, operational guidelines and criteria and operating procedures (some of which have already been issued), the different participants of the electricity industry will be able to carry out activities which are now open to private participation, due to the so-called Energy Reform that took place in late 2013, and which were regulated through the Electric Industry Law and its Regulations (such activities include, among others, transactions of sale of electricity and related services, power, financial transmission rights and clean energy certificates.
Public Consultation
The Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder set out the obligation to carry out a prior consultation process in the event a project is to be developed in certain lands where communities or indigenous people are found. This obligation, which is established in international treaties, as well as in Article 2 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, is now established in the new legal framework to provide certainty regarding community and social issues in all projects within the electric industry.
The aforementioned general obligation is provided for in the Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder detail the specific procedure to be followed, including the filing of a social and cultural impact assessment before the Mexican Ministry of Energy and the different stages that the prior consultation entail, among others.
Transitory Regime
Given that the Electric Industry Law sets various deadlines for the full implementation of its provisions (such as the issuance of the Market Rules pending to be determined, the full entry into operation of the MEM or the Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Electricity), a transitory regime has been established, intending to provide clarity and certainty to all participants of the industry who either have ongoing projects or plan to start projects in the near future.
Permits
Permits granted by CRE, in accordance with the Electricity Law, will continue to be governed under the terms set out therein and other applicable provisions. Holders of such permits who decide to remain under the regulation of Electricity Law may, at any time, migrate to the new regime if it suits their interests.
Interconnection agreements
In order to be able to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law (in the event not previously executed), those interested in doing so must comply with the following conditions: (i) having obtained or having applied for a permit in any of the modalities provided by the Electricity Law, prior to the entry into force of the Electric Industry Law (August 11, 2014); (ii) having notified CRE about its intention to continue with the development of the relevant project; and (iii) having provided proof evidencing that the appropriate financing for the project has already been obtained, that they have already contracted the supply of the main equipment required for the project, and that at least 30% of the total investment for the project has been paid before December 31, 2015.2016. Additionally, it is possible to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law if a company participated in an open season process, through which CRE granted transmission capacity to several participating companies.
The Electric Industry Law also provides certainty regarding interconnection agreements which have been executed with CFE prior to the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, as those agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force for their entire duration (although they will not be subject to renewal or extension upon their termination). With the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, it is now possible to modify executed interconnection agreements in relation to the load points, surplus sales, support services, cost of stamp wheeling and other conditions contained therein which may apply.
Permit holders who choose to remain under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law and decide to keep their interconnection agreements will be governed by the terms and conditions set forth therein and, consequently, will not be subject to the rules of the MEM.
Former Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and administrative provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the former regulatory framework:
| · | The Mexican Constitution. Pursuant to articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution, the supply of electricity, a public service in Mexico, including its generation, transmission, transformation, distribution and sale are activities expressly reserved to the Mexican federal government. |
| · | Electricity Law. Along with its regulations, this law provides the main legal framework through which the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, provides the public its electricity supply, as well as the regulations applicable to power generation, sale and purchase for the private sector. |
| · | Law of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Ley de la Comision Reguladora de Energia. This regulates the manner in which the CRE operates. |
| · | Resolution number RES/146/2001, issued by the CRE: Fee Calculation Methodology for Electricity Transmission Services, Metodologia para la determinacion de los cargos por servicios de transmision de energia electrica. This regulation provides the mechanism pursuant to which CFE will calculate the appropriate charges for the requests of transmission services. |
| · | Interconnection Agreement, Contrato de Interconexion, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Transmission Agreement, Convenio de Transmision, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Methodology and criteria for high-efficiency cogeneration, Metodologia y criterios de cogeneracion eficiente. |
| · | Guidelines for the validation as high-efficiency cogeneration systems (Disposiciones para acreditar sistemas de cogeneracion eficienteficientee)). |
Current Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and regulatory provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the recently enacted regulatory framework:
| · | Political Constitution of the Mexican United States.States |
| · | Electric Industry Law.Law |
| · | Regulation of the Electric Industry Law.Law |
| · | Law of the Federal Commission of Energy.Energy |
| · | Law of the Coordinated Regulatory Agencies in Energy Matters.Matters |
| · | Energy Transmission Law, or Ley de Transicion Energetica |
| · | Guidelines of the Market |
Notwithstanding the above-listed regulatory framework, it is noteworthy that this list remains subject to modifications, as the pending regulatory instruments are to be issued in coming months, and, pursuant to the transitory regime provided for in the new framework, certain former legal provisions will continue to be in force, as applicable, for specific projects which were started before the enactment and implementation of the new legal framework.
Regulation in Peru
Below is a general overview of certain Peruvian electricity sector regulations. This overview should not be considered a full description of all regulations.
The Electric Transmission Sector
The Peruvian electric system serves energy to a large area of the country through the SEIN that has transmission lines and substations operating at 500, 220, 138, 69 and 33-kV levels.
Pursuant to Law 28832, which is applicable to any transmission project commissioned after July 2006, the transmission facilities integrating the transmission grid are classified as those belonging to: either (i) the SGT for transmission facilities that are included in the transmission plan and developed pursuant to a concession agreement granted by the Peruvian government to the winner of a public tender, or (ii) the Complementary Transmission System, or Sistema Complementario de Transmision,Transmisión, or SCT, for transmission facilities that are either (a) included in the transmission plan and developed by the private entity that was awarded a concession as a result of the successful review of a private initiative proposal, or (b) not included in the transmission plan.
Under Law 28832, the projected expansions of the transmission system identified in the Peruvian transmission plan are now part of the SGT. The government also introducedorganizes tender procedures to call private investors interested in building the projected lines of the SGT. Under SGT concession agreements, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. Recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (30(up to 30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return to the State which shall call a new tender if the lines are required at such time for the operation of the system.
Transmission lines of interest to generation plants, distribution networks or large consumers are part of the SCT. The lines of the SCT included in the Peruvian transmission plan and certain projects that exclusively serve the demand, as defined by the government, may be subject to tenders for the granting of SCT concession agreements forup to 30 years. The rest of the SCT projects are subject to the general regime in which the owners of the SCT lines (for example, the generation companies building them to connect their plants to the system) are the holders of the respective Definitive Transmission Concession and own the transmission assets through the term of the concession.
Open Access Regime
The activity of electricity transmission is a public service according to Peruvian law; such service is subject to open access regulations, which imply that the owner of a transmission infrastructure is obliged to allow the third parties to connect to the SEIN through its transmission facilities. However, third parties requesting access to a transmission system have the obligation to assume the costs of any additional investment required to increase the connection capacity, if required to make the interconnection feasible. The terms and conditions of the required new investments shall be negotiated in thean interconnection agreement.
Access of third parties to the SGT with facilities that are not included in the Peruvian transmission plan requires a previous verification by the COES of the technical conformity of such connection facilities. For those facilities needed for the electrical continuity of the SGT, the third party seeking access assumes the costs of expansion and compensation for their use, and the corresponding SGT concessionaire is responsible for the implementation, operation and maintenance of these facilities. The operation and maintenance costs of these facilities are those arising from the agreement between the SGT concessionaire and the third party seeking access.
If a private interconnection agreement is not reached through private negotiation, a request for an interconnection mandate can be filed before the Organismo Supervisor de la Inversion en EnergiaEnergía y MineriaMinería, or OSINERGMIN, who will determine the conditions applicable to the connection, if it is technically feasible. To that end an assessment of the different connection possibilities shall be submitted to OSINERGMIN by the applicant to determine the most efficient technical solution.
The participation of OSINERGMIN shall guarantee and enforce compliance with the legal principle of open access to transmission and distribution networks. An interconnection mandate establishes the conditions under which the interconnection shall take place. The parties usually prefer to reach an agreement establishing those conditions. However, in cases where an agreement is not feasible due to the pre-existence of previous interconnection commitments with other companies, OSINERGMIN has been willing to grant new interconnection mandates as long as there is available capacity.
Tariff Regime
The SGT is compensated through the tariff base, which is the authorized annual remuneration for facilities belonging to the SGT. The tariff base is established in annual amounts and includes the following: (i) remuneration of investments (including adjustments), which is calculated based on a 30-year recovery period applying a 12% rate of return, (ii) efficient operating and maintenance costs, and (iii) the liquidation of imbalances between the authorized tariff base for the previous year and the proceeds obtained during that year.
The tariff base will be paid through the (i) tariff income and (ii) the transmission toll. The tariff income is paid monthly by the electricity generation companies in proportion to their respective capacity income. The transmission toll is paid by the electricity generation companies based on their collection of the transmission toll paid by their respective customers pursuant to Article 26 of Law 28832 and Article 27 of the Transmission Rules, or Reglamento de Transmision,Transmisión, approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM.
The electricity generation companies are paid by customers via capacity charges and energy charges established in their respective supply contracts. These capacity charges include a transmission toll per unit of peak demand (5% per kW-month) needed to cover the costs to be paid for the SGT.
The monthly payments to be made by electricity generation companies to the transmission companies are calculatedliquidated by the COES, taking into accountin application of the actual demand of their customers.tariffs determined by OSINERGMIN. A portion of the amount collected by the electricity generation companies from customers is allocated to the transmission companies that own facilities in the SGT. As such, electricity generation companies collect the money required to pay the SGT facilities from customers.
Non-regulated customers include large electricity consumers with a maximum annual power demand of over 2,500 kW and customers with maximum annual power demands between 200 kW and 2500 kW that may choose to be regulated customers or not. Non-regulated customers may freely negotiate their energy prices with suppliers.
The SCT is remunerated on the basis of the annual average cost of the corresponding facilities approved by OSINERGMIN. The applicable tariffs and their respective actualization formulas are approved by OSINERGMIN every four years.
Penalties
The concessionaires must maintain certain quality, safety and maintenance standards of the facilities. The failure to meet the quality standards established by applicable industry regulations, such as the Technical rules of quality for power services, approved by Supreme Decree No. 020-97-EM, and the National Power Code, may result in the imposition of penalties, fines and restrictions. In addition to these penalties, fines and restrictions, if our concession is terminated due to the breach of obligations under the Concession Agreements, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy may appoint an intervenor to supervise the operations related to the concession to ensure the continuity in the provision of the service, and the compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
If thea concessionaire suspends or interrupts the service for reasons other than regular maintenance and repairs, force majeure events, or breachesfailures caused by customers under their contracts, thethird parties, such concessionaire may be required to indemnify our customersthose who were affected for the damages caused by any such service interruption, in accordance with applicable regulations. In addition, the OSINERGMIN could impose penalties, including, among others, (a) admonishment, (b) successive fines, depending on the nature and effect of the interruption and its frequency, (c) temporary suspension of activities, and (d) definitive suspension of activities and the provisional administration of operations by an intervenor, if a termination event occurs and the Peruvian Ministry of Energy notifies of its desire to terminate the SGT concession agreement.
Also, the OEFA (Agency of Environmental Evaluation and Control) will be, the entity in charge of the supervision, inspection and sanction concerning environmental matters. In that scenario, OEFA couldmatters, may impose fines and corrective measures to the companies inspected.in case of violation of the environmental rules and regulations.
Electricity Legal Framework
The principal laws and regulations governing the Peruvian power sector, or the Power Legal Framework, are: (i) the Power Concessions Law (or Ley de Concesiones Electricas PCL), PCL), approved by Law No. 25844, and its implementing rules (Supreme Decree No. 09-93-EM); (ii) the Law to Ensure the Efficient Development of Electricity Generation (or Ley para Asegurar el Desarrollo Eficiente de la GeneracionGeneración Electrica), approved by Law No. 28832, or Law No. 28832; (iii) the Transmission Rules (or Reglamento de TransmisionTransmisión), approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM, or the Transmission Rules; (iv) the General Environmental Law (Law No. 28611); (v) the Rules for the Environmental Protection in Power Activities (Supreme Decree No. 029-94-EM); (vi) the Power Sector Antitrust Law (Law No. 26876) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 017-98-ITINCI); (vii) the Laws creating the Supervisory Agency of Investment in Energy and MiningOSINERGMIN (Law No. 26734 and Law No. 28964); (viii) the Supervisory Agency of Investment in Energy and MiningOSINERGMIN Rules (Supreme Decree No. 054-2001-PCM); (ix) the Regulatory Agencies of Private Investment in Public Services Framework Law (Law No. 27332); and (x) the Legislative Decree that promotes investment in the generation of power through renewable resources (Legislative Decree No. 1002) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 012-2011-EM).
These laws regulate how to enter the electricity sector (applicable permits and licenses); the main obligations of the different participants of the electricity market (generators, transmission companies and distribution companies); remuneration systems for the different market participants; rights of electricity consumers and the attributions of the competent authorities.
Other relevant laws are: (i) the Public Consultation Law and its regulations (Law No. 29758 and Supreme Decree No. 001-2012-MC) for projects that may affect rights of indigenous and native communities and (ii) Law of National PatrimonyHeritage (Law 28296) and relevant regulations (Supreme Resolution No. 004-2000-ED) for obtaining the CIRA which is issued by the Ministry of Culture, certifying there are no archaeological remains in an area. Prior to performance of any activity or construction works, titleholders shall obtain the corresponding CIRA.
Some of the main aspects of Peru’s regulatory framework concerning its power sector are: (i) the separation between the power generation, transmission and distribution activities; (ii) unregulated prices for the generation of power supplied to unregulated customers; (iii) regulated prices for the generation of power supplied to regulated customers; (iv) regulated prices applicable to transmission and distribution of power for both regulated and unregulated customers; and (v) the private administration of the SEIN, according to the principles of efficiency, cost reduction, guaranty of quality and reliability in the provision of services.
All entities that generate, transmit or distribute power to third parties in Peru, including self-generators and co-generators that sell their excess capacity and energy in the SEIN, are regulated by the Power Legal Framework.
Although significant private investments have been made in the Peruvian power sector and independent entities have been created to regulate and coordinate its oversight, the Peruvian government still retains ultimate oversight and regulatory control. In addition, the Peruvian government owns and controls various generation and distribution companies in Peru.
The Guaranteed Transmission System—SGT Concession Agreement
ATN and ATS, as concessionaires, have SGT concession agreements granted by the Peruvian government as a result of a public tender.
Under the SGT concession agreement, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy grants the concession necessary to construct, develop, own, operate, and maintain the transmission lines and substations comprising a project to provide electricity transmission services.services that has been included in the Peruvian transmission plan.
The SGT concession agreement must specify the works schedule of the project and the corresponding guaranties of compliance. It also specifies the causes of termination of the agreement. The SGT concessionaires are not obliged to pay the grantor any consideration for the SGT concession agreement.
IfUnder the concessionaire requests it, the grantor is required to impose easements required for the execution of the project upon accordance with applicable laws, but it does not assume the costs associated with such easements.
Upon request, the grantor is also required to use its best efforts to assist in obtaining licenses, permits, authorizations, concessions and other rights when the owner of the project complies with the legal requirements to obtain them and they are not granted on a timely basis by the competent authorities.
In this case,SGT concession agreement, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. The recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return to the state, which shall call a new tender if the lines are required at such time for the operation of the system.
In addition to the SGT Concession Agreement, the SGT concessionaire should obtain from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy a Definitive Concession which entitles such concessionaire to develop the activity of electricity transmission. The Definitive Concession will be granted for the term of the SGT concession agreement, and under the terms and conditions of the latter.
Under the Definitive Concession, if the concessionaire requests it, the grantor shall impose easements on the lands required for the execution of the project in accordance with applicable laws, but the grantor does not assume the costs associated with such easements.
Upon request, the grantor is also required to use its best efforts to assist in obtaining licenses, permits, authorizations, concessions and other rights when the owner of the project complies with the legal requirements to obtain them and they are not granted on a timely basis by the competent authorities.
Revenues
The revenues of the project are established under the terms of the SGT concession agreement. In addition, the revenues of the project are funded by the entire Peruvian electric transmission system.users of electricity.
In effect, the compensation for facilities that are part of the SGT is allocated to customers by OSINERGMIN according to the amounts of investment, operational and maintenance costs set forth in the SGT concession agreement. The SGT will receive monthly compensation from the generation companies that collect the tariff base from their customers. Their compensation will be paid on a monthly basis and these monthly payments are determinedliquidated by the COES, following the compensationtariffs established annually by OSINERGMIN.
As of the commercial operation date, the owner of a project receives the revenue from payments of the tariff base pursuant to the SGT concession agreement. The calculation of the tariff base is based on: (i) an amount which represents a return on investment, including operation and maintenance costs and (ii) the amount determined on May 1 of each year by OSINERGMIN, in order to compensate for any intra-year difference between the compensation we should have received in the immediately preceding tariff year in U.S. dollars and the amount actually paid in Peruvian nuevos soles,, determined at the exchange rate published in the Official Gazette “El Peruano” on the last working day prior to the fifteenth day of the month following the relevant month for which the services were charged to the electricity generation companies.
Every year, before the beginning of the new tariff period, OSINERGMIN will recalculate and determine the tariff base in U.S. dollars for the period which starts from May 1 of such year to April 30 of the following year. This determination is approved in April of each year through a resolution published in the Official Gazette, “El Peruano.“El Peruano.”
Regulation in Spain
On November 26, 1997, the European Union published a report, or White Paper, which outlined a strategy and a community-wide action plan aimed at doubling energy production from renewable energy sources in the European Union from 6% in 1996 to 12% by 2010. The White Paper proposed a number of measures to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including measures designed to provide renewable energy sources better access to the electricity market. The Kyoto Protocol, ratified by the EU and its Member States on May 31, 2002, imposed a target of reducing EU emissions of greenhouse gases by 8%
Directive 2009/28/EC on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, or the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, set mandatory national overall targets for each Member State consistent with at least 20% of EU total energy consumption coming from renewable energy sources by 2020. In order to comply with these mandatory renewable energy targets, all EU Member States, including Spain, were required to develop a national action plan, called a National Renewable Energy Action Plan, or NREAP. Spain’s NREAP was issued on June 30, 2010 and sent to the European Commission.
In its NREAP, Spain set a target of 22.7% for primary energy consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources and a target of 42.3% of total electricity consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources by 2020.
In 2011, a new Renewable Energies Plan, referred to as REP 2011-2020, was developed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive that added a new target to the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, a minimum of 10% of transportation energy consumption to be supplied from renewable energy sources in each Member State by 2020.
In Spain, these targets mean that energy from renewable sources should represent at least 20% of total energy consumption by 2020, consistent with the EU target, with a minimum of 10% of transportation consumption to be derived from renewable sources by that same year.
Article 3.3.(a)3.3(a) of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive states that in order to reach the targets set for 2020, Member States may apply support schemes and incentives for renewable energy. These support systems or incentives are different in each country, but the most common are:
| · | Green certificates. Producers of renewable energy receive a “green certificate” for each MWh they generate and suppliers of energy have an obligation to purchase part of the energy that they supply from renewable sources. |
| · | Investment grants and direct subsidies. These help defray the costs of installing renewable energy generation plants. |
| · | Tax exemptions or relief. These include ITCs, cash grants in lieu of tax credits and accelerated depreciation, among others. |
| · | System of direct support of prices. These include regulated tariffs and premiums and involve a regulatory guarantee to purchase energy generated by a renewable energy plant for an allotted period of time at a fixed tariff per kWh, for a maximum annual number of hours, so that the producer is ensured of a reasonable return on its investment. |
Solar Regulatory Framework Applicable to Solar Power Plants Currently in Operation
The applicable legal framework for solar power plants already in operation is set out in four primary legal instruments:
| · | Royal Decree-law 9/2013, of July 12, containing emergency measures to guarantee the financial stability of the electricity system, referred to as Royal Decree-law 9/2013; |
| · | Law 24/2013, of December 26, the Electricity Sector Act, referred to as the Electricity Act; |
| · | Royal Decree 413/2014, of June 6, regulating electricity production from renewable energy sources, combined heat and power and waste, referred to as Royal Decree 413/2014; and |
| · | Ministerial Order IET/1045/2014 of June 16, published on June 20, 2014, approving the remuneration parameters for standard facilities, applicable to certain electricity production facilities based on renewable energy, cogeneration and waste, referred to as Revenue Order.Order; and |
| · | Ministerial Order IET/1882/2014 of October 14, published on October 16, 2014, establishing the methodology for the calculation of the electricity associated to the gas consumption in CSP plants. |
Primary Rights and Obligations under the Electricity Act
The Electricity Act eliminates a previously existing distinction between ordinary electricity producers and those using renewable energy sources in their production of electricity, though it continues to recognize the following rights for producers with facilities that use renewable energy sources:
| · | Priority off-take. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will have priority over conventional generators in transmitting to off-takersofftakers the energy they produce over conventional generators under equal market conditions, subject to the secure operation of the national electricity system and based on transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Priority of access and connection to transmission and distribution networks. Producers of electricity from renewable energy sources will have priority in obtaining access and connecting to the grid, subject to the terms set forth in the regulations, on the basis of objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Entitlement to a specific payment scheme. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will receive specific reimbursement that shall not exceed the minimum amount necessary to cover their costs. This enables them to compete on a level playing field with the other, non-renewable technologies on the market while achieving a reasonable return on investment. |
The significant obligations of the renewable energy electricity producers under the Electricity Act include a requirement to:
| · | Offer to sell the energy they produce through the market operator even when they have not entered into a contract and so are excluded from the bidding system managed by the market operator. |
| · | Maintain the plant’s planned production capacity. Power lines, which include connections with the transmission or distribution network and transformers, are considered part of the production facility. |
| · | Contract and pay the corresponding fees, whether directly or through their representatives, to the transmission or distribution companies to which the renewable energy facilities are connected in order for their power to be fed into the grid. |
Registration on Public Registers
The Electricity Act and Royal Decree 413/2014 require electricity generation facilities to be entered on the official register of electricity production plants maintained by the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and Tourism.Digital Agenda.
The autonomous regions may keep their own registers of electricity generation plants they have authorized if such plants have a capacity of 50 MW or less. The registration details of these plants must be provided to the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and TourismDigital Agenda electronically.
Solaben 2/3 and Solaben 1/6 are on the register of the autonomous region Extremadura and the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and Tourism.Digital Agenda.
Solacor 1/2, PS10/20, Helioenergy 1/2 and Solnova 1/3/4 are on the register of the autonomous region of Andalucia and the Ministry of Industry, Energy,Tourism and Tourism.Digital Agenda.
Helios 1/2 is on the register of the autonomous region Castilla La Mancha and the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and Tourism.Digital Agenda.
To receive their facility-specific reimbursement, renewable energy facilities are required under the Electricity Act and Royal Decree 413/2014 to be listed on a new register entitled the Specific Payment System Register, Registro de Regimen Retributivo Especifico. Unregistered plants will only receive the pool price.
The first transitional provision of Royal Decree 413/2014 states that power plants based on renewable sources recognized under the previous economic regime, as in the case of Solaben 2/3, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20 will be automatically included in the Specific Payment System Register.
Change of Compensation System Applicable to Solar Power Plants
Royal Decree-law 9/2013 introduced a change in the payment system applicable to existing electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources to guarantee the financial stability of the electric system. The purpose of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, which entered into force on July 14, 2013, was to adopt a series of measures to ensure the sustainability of the electric system and to combat the shortfalls between electricity system revenues and costs, referred to as the tariff deficit.
The measures adopted were focused primarily on the following areas: (i) the legal and financial regime for existing electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources, co-generation and residual waste; (ii) the remuneration regime for transport and distribution activities; (iii) Spain’s guarantee of the Securitization Fund to cover the tariff deficit; and (iv) certain aspects related to capacity payments, assumption of the cost of the subsidized tariff and a review of access charges.
Royal Decree-law 9/2013 established an entirely new remuneration system, abolishing the remuneration system based on a regulated tariff applicable to electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources (including facilities in operation at the time that Royal Decree-law 9/2013 entered into force).
Prior to the adoption of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources received revenues tied to their electricity produced according to their power output. This involved receiving feed-in tariffs, in €/kWh, that were split into two components: (i) the pool price of electricity and (ii) an equivalent premium, consisting of the difference between the pool price and the set feed-in tariff for each type of plant (feed in tariff = pool price + equivalent premium). This revenue was received for a maximum annual number of hours and for a pre-determined number of years, depending on the technology used in each case. For any additional hours produced, producers received the pool price.
The repealed economic scheme was applied on a transitional basis until new provisions were approved to fully implement the new remuneration system. Settlements made after July 14, 2013 were made in accordance with the previous regime until the new implementing regulations have been adopted. However, following the implementation of these new regulations, payments made during this interim period will be recalculated in accordance with the new regulations. The difference between the amounts received under the prior regime and those calculated under the new regime will be deducted from the first nine settlements that follow the approval of the new implementing regulations.
New System
According to Royal Decree-lawDecree 413/2014, producers now receive: (i) the pool price for the power they produce and (ii) a payment based on the standard investment cost for each type of plant (without any relation whatsoever to the amount of power they generate). This payment based on investment (in €/MW of installed capacity) is supplemented (in cases of technologies with running costs in excess of the pool price) with an “operating payment” (in €/MWh produced).
The principle driving the new economic regime imposed by Royal Decree-lawDecree 413/2014 is that the incentives that an electricity producer receives should be equivalent to the costs that they are unable to recover on the electricity market where they compete with non-renewable technologies. The new economic regime seeks to allow a “well-run and efficient enterprise” to recover the costs of building and running a plant, plus a reasonable return on investment (project internal rate of return).
According to Royal Decree 413/2014, the remuneration for investment in respect of plants that were already in operation during the first statutory period (from July 14, 2013 to December 31, 2019) is calculated as follows:
| · | The “standard per-MW investment value” is added to the “standard per-MW operating cost” (both updated from July 2013 with a 7.398% rate of return); i.e., what it would have cost a well-run and efficient enterprise to build, maintain and run the facility from its start-up until the time Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force. |
| · | From the resulting total, the “standard per-MW total revenue valued at the electricity pool price,” earned by each type of plant from its start-up through entry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, also updated applying the 7.398% rate of return is subtracted. |
| · | The result (the standard per-MW investment value plus standard per-MW operating cost minus standard per-MW total revenue) is the “net investment value,” i.e., the costs unrecovered by the plant owner as of July 14, 2013. |
| · | Payments for investment to be made after Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force and during every year of a plant’s remaining statutory useful life are calculated by (a) adding the net investment value (calculated as explained above) to the “expected operating costs until the end of the asset’s statutory useful life;” and (b) deducting the “expected revenue on the market up to that same point in time” (in both cases, the amount would be discounted to July 2013 by applying the 7.398% rate of return). The annual amount to be received would be calculated so that it would be the same amount every year until the end of the statutory useful life. |
Accordingly, under Royal Decree 413/2014, the returns received by the owners of plants in excess of 7.398%, from start-up until Royal Decree-law 9/2013 took effect, would serve to reduce the unrecovered net investment value as of July 14, 2013.
Operating payments will only be available for those facilities whose costs exceed the estimated average pool price. However, the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and TourismDigital Agenda can cap operating payments at a maximum number of hours.
Payment Factors for Solar Power Plants
The payment system applicable for each plant is based on various criteria considered by the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Tourism and TourismDigital Agenda and includes the specific technology used, amount of power produced relative to operating costs, age of the facility and any other differentiating factor deemed necessary to consider in applications of the payment system.
Revenue Order recognizes six types of solar thermal plants: (i) parabolic trough collectors without a storage system, (ii) parabolic trough collectors with a storage system, (iii) central or tower receivers without a storage system, (iv) central or tower receivers with a storage system, (v) linear collectors and (vi) solar-biomass hybrids.
To determine the payment system applicable to each plant, the following factors are considered:
| · | Net investment value. This consists of a standard amount per MW for each type of plant, calculated by the method set out in Royal Decree 413/2014, which is the amount invested in the plant and not depreciated as of July 14, 2013. |
| · | Useful life of the plant. For solar thermal plants this is 25 years. |
| · | Return on investment. Considering the net asset value determined on the basis of a standard cost per MW built, an amount is set per unit of power, which enables investment costs that cannot be recovered through the pool price to be recouped over the useful life of the plant. |
| · | Operating remuneration. An amount is set per unit of power and hour that, added to the pool price, enables the producer to recoup all the plant’s operating and maintenance costs. Operating expenses include the cost of land, electricity, gas and water bills, management, security, corrective and preventive maintenance, representation costs, the Spanish tax on special immovable properties, insurance, applicable generation charges and a generation tax which is equal to 7% of total revenue. |
| · | Maximum number of operating hours. A maximum number of hours is set for which each plant type can receive the operating remuneration. |
| · | Operating threshold. Plants must operate for more than a set number of hours per year to receive the return on investment and operating remuneration. |
| · | Minimum operating hours. Plants that cross the operating threshold but operate for fewer hours than the annual minimum hours receive a lower remuneration. |
The payment criteria established in respectOn February 22, 2017, after the end of our solar assets in Spain arethe first half-period, the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda published the updated remuneration parameters of the standard facilities applicable to registered power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and waste during the regulatory half-period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 as set forth below:in the table below.
| | Useful Life1 | | Return on Investment 2015 (euros/MW) | | Operating Remuneration 2014 (euros/GWh) | | Maximum Hours | | Minimum Hours | | Operating Threshold | | | | Return on Investment 2017 (euros/MW) | | Operating Remuneration 2017 (euros/GWh) | | | | | | |
Solaben 2 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,224 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 3 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,224 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 1 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,224 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 2 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,224 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
PS 10 | | 25 years | | 554,217 | | 59,989 | | 1,866 | | 1,122 | | 655 | | 25 years | | 555,614 | | 67,735 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
PS 20 | | 25 years | | 410,683 | | 54,201 | | 1,866 | | 1,122 | | 655 | | 25 years | | 411,953 | | 61,918 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
Helioenergy 1 | | 25 years | | 404,929 | | 38,888 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helioenergy 2 | | 25 years | | 404,929 | | 38,888 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 1 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 2 | | 25 years | | 410,391 | | 39,090 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 1 | | 25 years | | 417,007 | | 39,453 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 3 | | 25 years | | 417,007 | | 39,453 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 4 | | 25 years | | 417,007 | | 39,453 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 1 | | 25 years | | 406,858 | | 38,960 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 6 | | 25 years | | 406,858 | | 38,960 | | 2,040 | | 1,124 | | 714 | | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Seville PV | | 30 years | | 714,115 | | 33,257 | | 2,092 | | 1,255 | | 732 |
1Note:—
(1) | According to the Royal Decree. |
Regulatory Periods
Payment criteria are based on prevailing economic conditions in Spain, demand for electricity and reasonable profits for electricity generation activities and can be revised mainly, every three or six years. The Royal Decree 413/2014 establishes statutory periods of six years, with the first regulatorystatutory period commenced onrunning from July 14, 2013 the(the date on whichof entry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013) to December 31, 2019. Each statutory period is divided into two statutory half-periods of three years. The first such half-period runs from July 14, 2013 came into force,to December 13, 2016.
This “statutory period” mechanism aims to set forth how and willwhen the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda is entitled to revise the different payment factors used to determine the specific remuneration to be received by the standard facilities.
At the end of each statutory half-period (three years) the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda may revise (i) the electricity market price estimates and (ii) the adjustment value for electricity market price deviations in the preceding statutory half-period.
As the first statutory half-period ended on December 31, 2019.
2016, such payment factors are currently under review by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda and may be subject to change upon the approval of the Proposal of Order updating the remuneration parameters of the standard facilities applicable to certain power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and waste during the regulatory half-period running from 1 January 2017, which is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2017. The definitions and values of all payment criteria can be changed at the end of each regulatory period, except for a plant’s useful life and the value of a plant’s initial investment that is recouped through the specific return on investment.
Unless reviewed, payment criteria will be considered to be extended for the subsequent regulatory period.
Reasonable Rate of ReturnFirst Dropdown Assets
ArticleOn November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar power plant in Spain; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20, a 100 MW solar power complex in Spain; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal, an on-shore wind farm located in Uruguay with a capacity of 50 MW. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million (which consideration was determined in part by converting the portion of the purchase price of Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 denominated in euros into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on the date on which the payment was made). The First Dropdown Assets were financed with the proceeds of the 2019 Notes and with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—2019 Notes” and “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Second Dropdown Assets
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. Honaine and Skikda are two water desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day. Revenues of these assets are indexed to U.S. dollars and payable in local currency. On February 23, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Second Dropdown Assets was $94 million and was mainly financed with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Third Dropdown Assets
On May 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Third Dropdown Assets was $682 million and was mainly financed with the proceeds of a capital increase completed in May 2015. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Fourth Dropdown Assets
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru from Abengoa and Sigma, a third-party financial investor in ATN2. On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. These assets were acquired from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. In addition, on January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake. The total aggregate consideration for the Fourth Dropdown Assets was $378 million and was mainly financed with Tranche B of our Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Additionally, on August 3, 2016, we completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain.
Customers and Contracts
We derive our revenue from selling electricity, electric transmission capacity and desalination capacity. Our customers are mainly comprised of governments and electrical utilities, the latter with which we typically have entered into PPAs. We also employ concession contracts, typically ranging from 20 to 30 years. See the description of each asset under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations” for more detail on each concession contract.
Our main contracts in our business also include the project finance contracts with banks or financial institutions and the operation and maintenance contracts of each of our assets. See description of financing and operation and maintenance contracts under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Additionally, we have entered into a ROFO Agreement, a Financial Support Agreement and other agreements with Abengoa. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions” for more detail on these contracts.
Competition
Renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission are all capital-intensive and significantly commodity-driven businesses with numerous industry participants. We compete based on the location of our assets and ownership of portfolios of assets in various countries and regions; however, because our assets typically have 20- to 30-year contracts, competition with other asset operations is limited until the expiration of the PPAs. Power generation and transmission are highly regulated businesses in each country in which we operate and are currently highly fragmented and have a diverse industry structure. Our competitors have a wide variety of capabilities and resources. Our competitors include, among others, regulated utilities and transmission companies, other independent power producers and power marketers or trading companies and state-owned monopolies.
Intellectual Property
In general, the construction or other agreements in each asset allow us to use the technology and intellectual property of suppliers. We have applied to be the legal owner of the Atlantica Yield name and we own the www.atlanticayield.com domain as well as others. We still have in place a licensing agreement with Abengoa for the use of the name “Abengoa”, which Abengoa is entitled to terminate under the circumstances described in “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Trademark License Agreement.”
Regulatory and Environmental Matters
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation.”
Insurance
We maintain the types and amounts of insurance coverage that we believe are consistent with customary industry practices in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our insurance policies cover employee-related accidents and injuries, property damage, machinery breakdowns, fixed assets, facilities and liability deriving from our activities, including environmental liability. We maintain business interruption insurance for interruptions resulting from incidents covered by insurance policies. Our insurance policies also cover directors’ and officers’ liability and third-party insurance. We have not had any material claims under our insurance policies that would invalidate our insurance policies and we negotiated most of our policies in December 2016. We cannot assure you, however, that our insurance coverage will adequately protect us from all risks that may arise or in amounts sufficient to prevent any material loss or that premiums will not increase in the future. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the Markets in Which We Operate—Our insurance may be insufficient to cover relevant risks and the cost of our insurance may increase.”
Seasonality
Our operating results and cash flows can be significantly affected by weather in some of our most relevant projects, such as the solar power plants. We expect to derive a majority of our annual revenues in the months of May through September, when solar generation is the highest in the majority of our markets and when some of our offtake arrangements provide for higher payments to us.
Properties
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Legal Proceedings
On October 17, 2016, ACT received a request for arbitration from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce presented by Pemex. Pemex is requesting compensation of damages caused by a fire that occurred in their facilities during the construction of the ACT cogeneration plant in December 2012, for a total amount of approximately $20 million. In the event that the arbitration results in a negative outcome, we expect these damages to be covered by the existing insurance policy. As a result, we do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
A number of Abengoa's subcontractors and insurance companies that issued bonds covering such contracts in the United States have included our subsidiaries as co-defendants in claims against Abengoa. Until now our subsidiaries have been excluded in early stages of the process. Currently the most significant of such claims is related to Arb Inc. and two insurance companies that issued bonds with a total potential claim of approximately $33 million. We do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect.
We are not a party to any other legal proceeding other than legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are party to various administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While we do not expect these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, because of the nature of these proceedings we are not able to predict their ultimate outcomes, some of which may be unfavorable to us.
Regulation
Overview
We operate in a significant number of highly regulated markets. The degree of regulation to which our activities are subject varies by country. In a number of the countries in which we operate, regulation is carried out mainly by national regulatory authorities. In others, such as the United States and, to a certain degree, Spain, there are various additional layers of regulation at the state, regional and/or local level. In countries with these additional layers of regulatory agencies, the scope, nature and extent of regulation may differ among the various states, regions and/or localities.
While we believe the requisite authorizations, permits and approvals for our assets have been obtained and that our activities are operated in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we remain subject to a varied and complex body of laws and regulations that both public officials and private parties may seek to enforce. The following is a description of the primary industry-related regulations applicable to our assets that are currently in force in the principal markets in which we operate.
Regulation in the United States
In the United States, our electricity generation project companies are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern the development, ownership, business organization and operation of power generation facilities. The federal government regulates wholesale sales, operation and interstate transmission of electric power through FERC and through other federal agencies, and certain environmental, health and safety matters. State and local governments regulate the siting, permitting, construction and operation of power generation facilities, the retail sale of electricity and certain other environmental, health, safety and permitting matters.
United States Federal Regulation of the Power Generation Facilities and Electric Transmission
The United States federal government regulates the wholesale sale of electric power and the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce through the FERC, which draws its jurisdiction from the FPA, as amended, and from other federal legislation such as the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EPACT 2005. EPACT 2005 repealed the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and replaced it with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, or PUHCA.
Federal Regulation of Electricity Generators
The FPA provides FERC with exclusive ratemaking jurisdiction over all public utilities that engage in wholesale sales of electricity and/or the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce. The owners of renewable energy facilities selling at wholesale are therefore generally subject to FERC’s ratemaking jurisdiction. FERC may authorize a public utility to make wholesale sales of electric energy and related products at negotiated or market-based rates if the public utility can demonstrate that it does not have, or that it has adequately mitigated, horizontal and vertical market power and that it cannot otherwise erect barriers to market entry. Entities granted market-based rate approval face ongoing filing and compliance requirements. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in a revocation of market-based rate authority, disgorgement of profits, civil penalties or other remedies that FERC finds appropriate based on the specific underlying facts and circumstances. In granting market-based rate approval to a wholesale generator, FERC also typically grants blanket authorizations under Section 204 of the FPA and FERC’s regulations for the issuance of securities and the assumption of debt liabilities.
If the criteria for market-based rate authority are not met, FERC has the authority to impose conditions on the exercise of market rate authority that are designed to mitigate market power or to withhold or rescind market-based rate authority altogether and require sales to be made based on cost-of-service rates, which could in either case result in a reduction in rates. FERC also has the authority to assess substantial civil penalties (up to $1.0 million per day per violation) for failure to comply with tariff provisions or the requirements of the FPA.
FERC approval under the FPA may be required prior to a change in ownership or control of a 10% or greater voting interest, directly or through one or more subsidiaries, in any public utility (including one of our U.S. project companies) or any public utility assets. FERC approval may also be required for individuals to serve as common officers or directors of public utilities or of a public utility and certain other companies that provide financing or equipment to public utilities.
FERC also implements the requirements of PUHCA applicable to “holding companies” having direct or indirect voting interests of 10% or more in companies that (among other activities) own or operate facilities used for the generation of electricity for sale, which includes renewable energy facilities. PUHCA imposes certain record-keeping, reporting and accounting obligations on such holding companies and certain of their affiliates. However, holding companies that own only exempt wholesale generators, or EWGs, foreign utility companies, and certain qualifying facilities under PURPA are exempt from the federal access to books and records provisions of PUHCA. EWGs are owners or operators of electric generation facilities (including producers of renewable energy, such as solar projects) that are engaged exclusively in the business of owning and/or operating generating facilities and selling electricity at wholesale. An EWG cannot make retail sales of electricity, may only own or operate the limited interconnection facilities necessary to connect its generating facility to the grid, and faces restrictions in transacting business with affiliated regulated utilities.
Regulation of Electricity Sales
Electricity transactions in the United States may be bilateral in nature, whereby two parties contract for the sale and purchase of electricity, subject to various governmental approval processes or guidelines that may apply to the contract, or they may take place within a single, centralized clearing market for purchases and sales of energy, electric generating capacity and ancillary services. Given the limited interconnections between power transmission systems in the United States and differences among market rules, regional markets have formed as part of the power transmission systems operated by regional transmission organizations, or RTOs, or independent system operators, or ISOs, in places such as California, the Midwest, New York, Texas, the Mid-Atlantic region and New England.
Federal Reliability Standards
EPACT 2005 amended the FPA to grant FERC jurisdiction over all users, owners and operators of the bulk power system for the purpose of enforcing compliance with certain standards for the reliable operation of the bulk power system. Pursuant to its authority under the FPA, FERC certified the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, as the entity responsible for developing reliability standards, submitting them to FERC for approval, and overseeing and enforcing compliance with them, subject in each case to FERC review. NERC, in turn, has delegated certain monitoring and enforcement powers to regional reliability organizations. Users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system meeting certain materiality thresholds are required to register with the NERC compliance registry and comply with FERC-approved reliability standards.
In the western United States, NERC has a delegation agreement with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, or WECC, whose service territory extends from Canada to Mexico and includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states in between. WECC is the regional entity responsible for coordinating, promoting and enforcing bulk power system reliability in its service territory. Any entity that owns, operates or uses any portion of the bulk power system must comply with NERC or WECC’s mandatory reliability standards. Failure to comply with these mandatory reliability standards may subject a user, owner or operator to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties, which range from $1,000 to $1 million per day per violation for the most severe cases, where companies show negligence and lack evidence of adequate compliance.
Federal Environmental Regulation, Permitting and Compliance
Construction and operation of power generation facilities, including solar power plants, and the generation and electric transmission of renewable energy from such facilities are subject to environmental regulation at the federal, state and local level. State and local regulatory processes are discussed separately in a subsequent section. At the federal level, environmental laws and regulations typically require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals prior to construction, operation or modification of a generation project or electric transmission facilities. Prior to development, permitting authorities may require that project developers consider and address, among other things, the impact on water resources and water quality, endangered species and other biological resources, compatibility with existing land uses and zoning, agricultural resources, archaeological, paleontological, recreational and cultural considerations, environmental justice and cumulative and visual impacts. In an effort to identify and minimize the potential impacts to these resources, power generation facilities may be required to comply with a myriad of federal regulatory programs and applicable federal permits under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Environmental Protection and Community Right-to-Know Act and the National Wilderness Preservation Act, among other federal laws.
In addition, various federal environmental, health and safety regulations applicable during the construction phase are also applicable to the operational phase of power generation facilities. During the operational phase, obtaining certain federal permits or federal approval of certain operating documents (e.g., O&M plans, the spill prevention, control and countermeasure plan, and an emergency and preparedness response plan), as well as maintaining strict compliance with such permits or operating documents, is mandatory. Failure to maintain compliance may result in the revocation of any applicable permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines or potentially the closure of the plant.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Incentives and Other Federal Considerations for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities
The United States provides various federal, state and local tax incentives to stimulate investment in renewable energy generation capacity, including solar power. These tax incentives are subject to change and, possibly, elimination in the future. Certain U.S. federal income tax incentives are described below.
Section 1603 U.S. Treasury Grant Program
In lieu of claiming certain U.S. federal income tax credits, in particular, the ITC, owners of eligible solar energy property may be eligible to receive a cash grant from U.S. Treasury equal to 30% of the tax basis of the eligible property. Among other requirements, to be eligible for a 1603 Cash Grant, the eligible property must have been placed in service in 2009, 2010 or 2011 or, for property not placed in service during that period, the construction of the specified energy property must have begun after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012. In addition, eligible solar energy property must be placed in service by January 1, 2017. Applicants who began construction after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012, but who did not place the eligible solar energy property in service prior to October 1, 2012, were required to file a preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application prior to October 1, 2012. These applicants are further required to file a final or “converted” 1603 Cash Grant application no later than 180 days after the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed in September 2012, and the final 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed on November 14, 2013 with additional information provided to the U.S. Treasury in 2014. A final award from the U.S. Treasury was made as of October 2014. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Mojave was filed on September 14, 2012. Since Mojave reached COD in December 2014, a final 1603 Cash Grant application was recently filed on February 5, 2015.
The risks associated with the 1603 Cash Grant program are as follows:
| · | Disqualified Persons: Certain persons, “disqualified persons,” are ineligible to receive the 1603 Cash Grant and are prohibited from owning a direct or indirect interest in otherwise 1603 Cash Grant-eligible solar energy property, unless the indirect interest is held through an entity taxable as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. 1603 Cash Grants are subject to recapture during the five-year period beginning on the date the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The amount of the 1603 Cash Grant subject to recapture decreases ratably over the five-year recapture period. Among other events, failure of the eligible property to be used for its intended purpose or the direct or indirect transfer to a disqualified person (as described above) will cause recapture of the 1603 Cash Grant. |
| · | Sequestration of Cash Grant Funds: Certain legislation required a mandatory sequestration of discretionary spending if the U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on a deficit-reducing budget by March 1, 2013. Because the U.S. Congress did not approve the requisite budget by that deadline, President Obama signed a sequestration order. Under the current sequestration rules, every final decision by U.S. Treasury in respect of a 1603 Cash Grant, evidenced by an award letter that is delivered to a 1603 Cash Grant applicant on or after October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014, will reflect a 7.2% reduction in the 1603 Cash Grant award amount. For cash grant award letters issued on or after October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget has estimated that the sequestration reduction will be 7.3% This reduction applies regardless of the date on which the application for a 1603 Cash Grant was received by U.S. Treasury. |
Federal Loan Guarantee Program
The DOE, in an effort to promote the rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects, is authorized to grant guarantees with respect to certain loans to renewable energy projects and related manufacturing facilities and electric power transmission projects under Section 1703 of EPACT 2005. Previously, the DOE also granted guarantees with respect to certain loans made under Section 1705 of EPACT 2005. In order to have qualified for the Section 1705 program, physical construction must have commenced at the primary site of the project on or before September 30, 2011. NEPA review must have been completed prior to the issuance of a loan guarantee. In May 2011, the Section 1705 program expired by statute, and the DOE announced that it would no longer accept new applications under that program. On September 30, 2011, the Section 1705 loan guarantee program closed with no further loan guarantees to be issued. Loan guarantees under Section 1703 continue to be available for solar. However, eligibility is limited. The applicant must be located in the United States and may include foreign ownership so long as the project is located in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or a United States territory. The project must employ a new or significantly improved technology that is not a commercial technology. A commercial technology is defined as in general use in the commercial marketplace in the United States at the time the term sheet is issued by the DOE. A technology is considered to be in commercial use if it has been installed in and is being used in three or more commercial projects in the United States and has been in operation in each such commercial project for at least five years. The project must also pay prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act.
Accelerated Depreciation under Federal Regulation
Owners of eligible solar energy property also benefit from accelerated depreciation of the property over a five-year period under the MACRS under the IRC. Most of the equipment used in solar power projects, such as Solana and Mojave, qualifies for five-year depreciation under MACRS. In addition, some equipment used in solar power projects may qualify for bonus depreciation for equipment placed in service.
DOE Research Grants, State Energy Funding, Workforce Training, and Other Initiatives under the ARRA
The DOE received funding under the ARRA, which it has disbursed or is in the process of disbursing, to increase solar power production. Some funds were allocated as grants to support research and the development, demonstration, and deployment of projects. Funds were awarded to states on the basis of their electric consumption to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other energy programs. ARRA funds were allocated with the purpose of providing workforce training with respect to renewable energy and energy efficiency. A number of initiatives were funded by the DOE with ARRA monies, including initiatives addressing solar market transformation, the integration of photovoltaic generation into the distribution system, and base load solar power generation.
State and Local Regulation of the Electricity Act providesIndustry in the United States
State regulatory agencies in the United States have jurisdiction over the rates and terms of electricity service to retail customers. Regulated investor-owned utilities often must obtain state approval for the contracts through which they purchase electricity, including renewable energy, if they seek to pass along the costs of these contracts to their retail ratepayers. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are typically governed on these matters by their city councils or elected boards of directors. Different states apply different standards for determining acceptable prices for utility procurement contracts, including PPAs. Our electricity generation project companies operate in Arizona and California. Information about the regulatory frameworks in Arizona and California is provided below.
United States State-Level Incentives
In addition to federal legislation, many states have enacted legislation, principally in the form of renewable portfolio standards, or RPS, which generally require electric utilities to generate or purchase a certain percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from renewable resources. In certain states, it is not only mandatory to meet these percentages from renewable resources, which in general are on the increase, but also electric utilities may be required to generate or purchase a percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from specific renewable energy technologies, including solar technology. Depending upon the state, various certifications, permits, contracts and approvals may be required in order for a project to qualify for particular RPS programs. Some states, for example, require that only renewable energy generated in-state counts towards the RPS. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, as of August 2014, 49 states and United States territories have adopted some type of RPS standards. Although there is currently no federal RPS program, there have been proposals to create a federal RPS standard for renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, are typically used in conjunction with RPS programs as tradable certificates demonstrating that a certain number of kWh have been generated from renewable resources. Under many RPS programs, a utility may generally demonstrate, through its ownership of RECs, that it has supported an amount of renewable energy generation equal to its state-mandated RPS percentage. The sale of RECs can represent a significant additional revenue stream for renewable energy generators. In RPS states where a liquid REC market does not exist, renewable energy can be bought or sold through “bundled” PPAs, where the PPA price includes the price for renewable energy attributes. Some states require that RECs and the associated electricity be purchased together in order to count towards the RPS. In states that do not have RPS requirements, certain entities buy RECs voluntarily. These RECs generally have lower prices than RECs that are used to meet RPS obligations. The price of RECs can vary significantly, depending on their availability, which in turn depends upon the amount of renewable generation that has been put in service in a state that has implemented RPS requirements. In some states, the number of successful projects has generated more RECs than required to meet the applicable RPS requirements for a given year or years, leading to steep drops in the market price for RECs. Additionally, demand for RECs can be driven by requirements (such as those imposed under the California Environmental Quality Act) that development projects mitigate potential significant GHG impacts identified in connection with environmental clearances.
Effective December 10, 2011, California enacted legislation that increases its existing RPS to 25% by 2016 and 33% by 2020, and expands the program to cover publicly-owned utilities, in addition to investor-owned utilities, or IOUs. In addition, the California Solar Initiative, or CSI, sets a goal of 1,940 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2016. The CSI provides monetary incentives for solar installation between 1 kW and 5 MW in size as well as grants for research, development, and demonstration. California’s feed-in tariff program obligates IOUs to purchase solar generation at a standard price until a purchase threshold is crossed. Colorado set an RPS of 30% by 2020 for IOUs, permits the trading of RECs, and requires that 3% of the RPS be met by distributed generation in 2020 for IOUs. Arizona set an RPS of 15% by 2025, with 30% of the RPS to be met from distributed generation. A Texas law signed in August 2005 requires that 5,880 MW of new renewable generation be built by 2015. The law also set a target of having 10,000 MW of renewable generation capacity by 2025. Additionally, Texas law establishes a minimum of 500 MW of non-wind renewable generation, and doubles the RPS compliance value provided by non-wind generation.
Other incentives that states and localities have adopted to encourage the development of renewable resources include property and state tax exemptions and abatements, state grants, and rebate programs. In addition, a number of states collect electricity surcharges on residential and commercial users and through public benefit funds reinvest some of these funds in renewable energy projects. California offers a property tax incentive for certain solar energy systems installed between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2016. The Arizona Department of Revenue provides a corporate tax credit based on production for solar, wind, or biomass systems that are 5 MW or larger and are installed on or after December 31, 2010 and before January 1, 2021.
Solar generation may also be incentivized by state GHG emission reduction measures, such as California’s cap and trade scheme, which caps and reduces GHG emissions. The California cap and trade program went into effect with respect to the electricity and other sectors starting in 2013.
Arizona
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in Arizona
The Arizona Corporation Commission, or ACC, has complete and exclusive jurisdiction over the rates and terms under which regulated utilities may provide electricity service to retail customers in Arizona. Under the Arizona Constitution, the ACC has unilateral authority over all utility regulation, including electric and natural gas utilities. The ACC also oversees all rate cases for its jurisdictional utilities, and as such has oversight of renewable energy procurement contracts by regulated electric utilities. Under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff, or REST, regulated electric utilities must supply an increasing percentage of their retail electric energy sales from eligible renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass, biogas and geothermal technologies. The renewable energy requirement is 4.7% of retail electric sales in 2017 and increases annually until it reaches 15% in 2025.
Unlike many other state regulatory commissions, the ACC does not approve PPAs executed by regulated utilities, nor does it issue rulings of “prudency” regarding PPAs. This practice leaves a utility somewhat at risk of recovering its costs until a successful rate case finding is rendered by the ACC. Rate recovery requests may not be filed until the utility begins to make actual expenditures for power procurement. In the case of Solana, however, the power purchaser, Arizona Public Service Company, or APS, voluntarily sought a hearing before the ACC to request its informal opinion of the prudency of the Solana PPA. After ACC staff conducted an analysis of the costs and benefits of Solana to Arizona ratepayers, it recommended to the ACC commissioners that the PPA should be deemed “a reasonable means” by which APS could meet its requirements under the REST. The ACC affirmed the staff’s recommendation on September 30, 2008, thereby providing greater assurance of APS’s successful rate recovery request.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Solana’s PPA
The PPA executed between APS and Solana’s project company, Arizona Solar One LLC, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual renewable energy certificate (REC) eligible energy quantities to APS). The provisions are largely intended to protect APS’ ability to meet its mandatory requirements under the REST, and to prevent APS from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and possibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in Arizona
The Arizona Power Plant & Transmission Line Siting Committee, or Siting Committee, oversees utility and private developer applications to build power plants (of 100 MW or more) or transmission projects (of 115,000 volts or more) within Arizona. The Siting Committee holds public meetings and evidentiary hearings to determine whether a proposed generation or transmission project is compatible with the preservation of the state’s environmental protection interests, and if the finding is affirmative, makes a recommendation to the ACC to grant a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, or CEC, to the applicant. The ACC then has authority to approve, decline or modify the Siting Committee’s recommendation.
The ACC granted CECs to Solana on December 11, 2008, for both the 280 MW solar generation project and its associated 20.8-mile, 230 kilovolt transmission line. Both the generation facility and transmission line CECs contain obligatory conditions and stipulations, none of which could present a risk to Solana during the operational phase.
Other Arizona Permitting and Compliance Frameworks
Various state and county regulations, mostly related to the environment and public health and safety, are applicable during the operational phase of a solar power plant located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Such regulations include the Arizona Aquifer Water Quality Standards and Aquifer Protection Permit Rules, the Maricopa County Special Use Permit Stipulations, the Maricopa County Air Pollution Control Regulations, and the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinances and Regulations. Obtaining a permit or requesting the approval of certain operating plans, as well as strict compliance with such permits and plans, is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of the permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines, or potentially the closure of Solana.
In addition, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) designation of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued by the DOE, Solana must comply with certain water requirements due to the reduction in tail water runoff being contributed to a wash located near the site. In coordination with Arizona Game & Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Solana must provide 447 acre-feet of water annually as a direct off-set to the reduction in tail water runoff from the site. This requirement is for the duration of Solana, and failure to comply would trigger an administrative procedure that could cause temporary closure of the plant until the non-compliance condition is cured.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in Arizona
Many of the permits obtained for Solana carry specific conditions that must be complied with during the operational phase of the facility and which are continuously monitored, measured, and documented by the Solana plant operators. The primary obligations that commenced during commissioning and/or commercial operation are those related to reliability, emergency response, potential hazards of waste disposal, and human health and safety. These requirements originate with federal laws, and in many cases are enforced via delegated authority from the appropriate federal agency to a state or county agency. These include:
| · | NERC Reliability Standards and Critical Infrastructure Plans, delegated to WECC as the regional authority; |
| · | Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, delegated to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management; |
| · | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, delegated to EPA Region 9 in San Francisco, California; and |
| · | Occupational Safety and Health Administration federal requirements. |
California
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in California
The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, governs, among other entities, California’s three large investor-owned utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric Company, or PG&E. PG&E is required to file an RPS procurement plan annually with the CPUC. Once the CPUC approves the plan, PG&E issues a request for offers, or RFO, for renewable energy. It then evaluates all of the bids using a “least-cost, best-fit” evaluation process approved by the CPUC and develops a short list of acceptable bids. In August 2008, Mojave was submitted as a renewable solar thermal project in response to PG&E’s 2008 RFO solicitation and placed on their short list for additional negotiations. After two years of negotiations, PG&E and Mojave Solar executed a final PPA, for which PG&E filed with the CPUC an advice letter requesting approval of the PPA in July 2011. The CPUC reviewed the PPA and approved the contract by issuing a formal decision in November 2011. The terms of the PPA govern Mojave during its development, construction and operating period. The CPUC historically does not retroactively apply new regulations or rulings to previously approved PPAs that would result in any economic impact.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Mojave’s PPA
The PPA executed between PG&E and Mojave’s project company, Mojave Solar, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual REC eligible energy quantities to PG&E). The provisions are largely intended to protect PG&E’s ability to meet its mandatory requirements established by the CPUC, and to prevent PG&E from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and possibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in California
The California Energy Commission, or CEC, is the lead agency for licensing thermal power plants 50 MW and larger under the California Environmental Quality Act and has a certified regulatory program under such Act. The CEC is comprised of five commissioners, two of whom oversee all hearings, workshops and related proceedings on a specific project. The CEC’s siting process evaluates Applications for Certification, or AFCs, to ensure that only power plants that are actually needed will be built, provides review by independent staff with technical expertise in public health and safety, environmental sciences, engineering and reliability, ensures simultaneous review and full participation by all state and local agencies, as well as coordination with federal agencies, resulting in issuance of one regulatory permit within a specific time frame, with full opportunity for participation by public and interest groups.
On August 10, 2009, Mojave’s AFC for its nominal 250 MW project was filed with the CEC. The CEC approved Mojave’s AFC with the CEC decision issued on September 8, 2010. The CEC monitors the power plant’s construction, operational phase and eventual decommissioning through a compliance proceeding.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in California
Mojave must maintain compliance with the CEC decision conditions of certification. These concern, among others, biological resources, health and safety, cultural resources, fire safety, and water. The conditions require Mojave to provide plans, notifications, and other reports on an ongoing basis. As noted above, such compliance is monitored by CEC staff. Per the CEC decision, “[f]ailure to comply with any of the Conditions of Certification or the compliance conditions may result in reopening of the case and revocation of Energy Commission certification; an administrative fine; or other action as appropriate.” Additional regulations are administered by the California Independent System Operator and under the terms of the federally administered Large Generator Interconnection Agreement.
Regulation in Mexico
Overview
The following is a description of the regulation of the Mexican power industry applicable to the conventional generation of electricity.
Pursuant to the Mexican Constitution, the electricity industry in Mexico was entirely controlled by the federal government, acting through the Federal Electricity Commission, Comision Federal de Electricidad, or CFE, an entity wholly owned and controlled by the Mexican government, and legally independent from the Mexican Ministry of Energy, Secretaria de Energia. CFE was the only entity authorized to provide electricity directly to the public and to supply services to the Mexican wholesale market. CFE was also responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure necessary for the delivery of electricity, such as the national electric grid, the Sistema Electrico Nacional, or SEN.
As a result of Mexico’s energy reform bill enacted on December 21, 2013, articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution were amended in order to end the long-standing state monopoly in the oil, petrochemical and power sectors, and allow private investment in these areas for their development in an open market. Hence, the power generation sector is now open to full private participation and investment, creating a competitive spot market in power generation, although electric transmission and distribution will remain public services to be provided exclusively by CFE. With the enactment of the secondary legislation, the generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power in Mexico is governed by a new legal framework which will likely improve the development of the sector.
Notwithstanding the legal changes, we do not expect any negative consequences for ACT Energy Mexico, or ACT, or for the power generated and delivered to Pemex Gas y Petroquimica Basica.
Until the recent energy reform, the whole set of activities regarding generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power for public use were considered areas of national strategic importance. As a result, such activities were carried out exclusively by CFE. The national electric grid was also controlled by CFE through the Centro Nacional de Control de Energia, or the CENACE, which operated the national electric grid and controlled delivery of all electricity generated by CFE and private generators connected to the grid. CFE is a vertically-integrated state monopoly that serves the whole country, and CENACE is a semi-independent agency that is part of CFE. As a result of the energy reform, CENACE became a decentralized public agency, which will continue to be responsible for the operation and control of the national electric grid with the aim of having an impartial third party (not CFE) operate the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid for both transmission and distribution of electricity. CENACE has emerged as an Independent System Operator, or ISO, which is a figure adopted worldwide in other mature energy markets.
The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity were regulated by the Ley del Servicio Publico de Energia Electrica, or Electricity Law; enacted in 1975 and amended in 1992. Since the implementation of the 1992 amendment to the Electricity Law, private entities have been allowed to participate in the following activities not considered public utility services, as defined by such law:
| · | Cogeneration. The electricity produced is used to supply power to the establishments associated with the cogeneration process and/or the shareholders of the cogeneration company; |
| · | Self-Supply Generation. The electricity produced is used for the self-supply purposes of the holder of the relevant self-supply power generation permit and/or its shareholders; |
| · | Independent Power Production. All the electricity produced is delivered to CFE; |
| · | Small-Scale Production. The electricity produced does not exceed 30 MW and is used for export purposes or the supply of all power output is sold to CFE; |
| · | Exports. The electricity produced is exported in its entirety; and |
| · | Imports for Independent Consumption. The import of power is used for self-supply purposes. |
The regulatory framework of the Mexican power industry is undergoing a transitory period, as the energy reform is still in the process of being fully implemented, given that the secondary legislation derived from such amendments to the Mexican Constitution was published in the Official Federal Gazette, or Diario Oficial de la Federacion, on August 11, 2014, and there are still several regulatory instruments pending issuance. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Mexico—Transitory Regime.”
The changes made by the energy reform are being implemented through a profound modification of the legal framework that had governed the development of the energy industry in the country, which has involved the entrance into force of new laws and the amendment of current laws.
The new laws enacted so far are listed below:
| · | Oil and Gas Law, or Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law, or Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Federal Electricity Commission Law, or Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Energy Regulatory Bodies Law, or Ley de los Organos Reguladores Coordinados en Materia Energetica; |
| · | National Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection Law of the Oil and Gas Sector, or Ley de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Mexican Petroleum Fund for Stabilization and Development, or Ley del Fondo Mexicano del Petroleo para la Estabilizacion y el Desarrollo; and |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law, or Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, 12 laws were amended in order to unify their content with the new regulatory framework. The following are the amended laws:
| · | Foreign Investment Law, or Ley de Inversion Extranjera; |
| · | Mining Law, or Ley Minera; |
| · | Private Public Partnerships Law, or Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas; |
| · | National Water Law, or Ley de Aguas Nacionales; |
| · | Federal Law of Government-Owned Entities, or Ley Federal de las Entidades Paraestatales; |
| · | Public Sector Acquisitions, Leases and Services Law, or Ley de Adquisiciones, Arrendamientos y Servicios del Sector Publico; |
| · | Public Works and Related Services Law, or Ley de Obras Publicas y Servicios Relacionados con las mismas; |
| · | Organizational Law of the Federal Government, or Ley Organica de la Administracion Publica Federal; |
| · | Federal Fees Law, or Ley Federal de Derechos; |
| · | Fiscal Coordination Law, or Ley de Coordinacion Fiscal; |
| · | Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; and |
| · | General Public Debt Law, or Ley General de Deuda Publica. |
Furthermore, on October 31, 2014, the following regulations and regulatory instruments, which will contribute to the implementation of the aforementioned secondary legislation, were published in the Official Federal Gazette:
| · | Regulations of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Regulations of the activities referred to in Chapter Three of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de las actividades a que se refiere el Titulo Tercero de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Regulations of Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Regulations of the Federal Commission of Electricity Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Internal Regulations of the Mexican Ministry of Energy, or Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Energia; and |
| · | Internal Regulations of the National Agency of Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection, or Reglamento Interior de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, the executive branch also published the following decrees, which amended the existing regulations of different laws and which are relevant for the development of the energy sector:
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Public Partnerships Law Regulation, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulation for the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Mining Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Minera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law and of the National Registry of Foreign Investment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Inversion Extranjera y del Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Economics, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Economia; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territory and Urban Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law for Sustainable Forestry Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General de Desarrollo Forestal Sustentable; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Impact Assessment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Evaluacion del Impacto Ambiental; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding prevention and Control of Air Pollution, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Prevencion y Control de la Contaminacion de la Atmosfera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions for the Regulations of the General Law for Prevention and Integral Waste Management, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General para la Prevencion y Gestion Integral de Residuos; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Zoning, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Ordenamiento Ecologico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding Emissions to the Atmosphere and Transfer of Pollutants, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales; and |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Self-Regulation and Environmental Audits, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Autorregulacion y Auditorias Ambientales. |
Conventional Electricity Generation in Mexico
The former legal framework for conventional electricity generation in Mexico included the regulation of fossil fuels, such as carbon, diesel, fuel oil and natural gas, as well as nuclear fission regulation, which includes nuclear power plants and all related activities.
Accordingly, power generation under independent power production or self-supply schemes was not considered a public utility service and, therefore, could be performed by private companies and individuals pursuant to permits issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Comision Reguladora de Energia, or CRE. The CRE is a federal agency created in 1995 in order to enforce the laws and regulations relating to natural gas and electricity, and has the authority to issue permits, set tariffs, supervise, ensure adequate supply and, in the case of gas, promote competition.
As previously indicated, the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, controlled the entire chain of activities related to electric power, including generation, sale, distribution and transmission. The energy reform allows the private sector to openly participate in two important parts of the production chain: the generation and the sale of electricity.
Pursuant to the reform, the private energy sector is now able to invest in electricity generation with the requisite permits. The sale of electricity by private parties has not yet begun (with the initiation of operations of Wholesale Electricity Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista, or MEM) in Mexico under the new legal framework, privately sold electricity will be transmitted and distributed by CFE.
The reforms are expected to have positive effects on the electricity industry in Mexico, allowing the private sector to play an active role where a government monopoly once existed, generating greater investment and better technology.
As a result of the energy reform, the electricity sector will cease to be a chain of activities vertically integrated in a partially privatized sector, and become an area open to private investment in which, although CFE will maintain control, the possibility of private sector investment will be increased through a more flexible regulatory scheme that permits the execution of contracts to carry out various activities and the creation of new markets in the electricity sector. Among the most significant changes are the following:
| · | Participation open to the private sector in the generation of electricity through a permit granted by CRE. Private parties may also sell the energy generated and transmitted by CFE through commercial schemes. |
| · | Participation of the private sector, together with CFE, in the activities of transmission and distribution through the execution of the corresponding contracts. |
| · | Participation of the private sector in activities of financing, maintenance, management, operation and expansion of the power infrastructure through service contracts with CFE, with adequate compensation. |
| · | Transformation of the CENACE into a decentralized public body responsible for the operational control of the national electric grid, so that it is an impartial third party (and not the CFE) that operates the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid, for both transmission and distribution of electric power. |
| · | Creation of the MEM, operated by the CENACE, in which the participants carry out electric power purchase and sale transactions through contracts between the participants in the MEM. The CENACE is now responsible for managing the supply and demand of the MEM participants, carrying out transactions and generating prices continuously. The price that will be paid in the MEM transactions will be a competitive price, reflecting the costs of generation and other operating costs of electricity, as well as the volume of electric power demanded and supplied in the MEM. |
| · | Creation of the trader, under the new Electric Industry Law, as the holder of a MEM participant agreement, which purpose is to carry out trading activities (execution of contracts for purchase and sale of electricity within the MEM, among others). The traders may sign contracts with qualified users (through the provider-trader) or execute such contracts with other traders (non-provider trader). |
| · | The permits granted by the CRE under the currently repealed Electricity Law, will continue in force under its terms. The holders of those permits that choose to remain under the provisions of the Electricity Law may, at any time, transfer to the new rules. |
| · | The Geothermal Energy Law, the purpose of which is to regulate the recognition, exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources for the use of underground thermal energy within the limits of Mexican territory, in order to generate electricity or use it otherwise. |
| · | The activities regulated by the Geothermal Energy Law are considered to be in the public interest and their development will have preference over activities of other sectors when there is a conflict. |
| · | The activities pursued under the Geothermal Energy Law will be carried out through different registries, permits, authorizations and concessions granted by the competent authorities applicable for each case. For exploration activities, a permit will be sufficient, while for exploitation activities, a concession will be required. |
| · | Amendment of several articles of the National Water Law, for the purpose of (i) adapting certain definitions of that law to the new definitions introduced by the Geothermal Energy Law; (ii) including geothermal fields under regulated, prohibited or reserved zones; and (iii) establishing the obligation of requesting the relevant permits, authorizations and concessions from the National Water Commission in order to engage in the activities of geothermal fields exploration. |
Electric Industry Law
The Electric Industry Law, as part of the package of secondary legislation that implements the constitutional energy reform, regulates planning activities, the control of the national electric grid, the public services of transmission and distribution of electricity, and all other activities related to the Mexican energy industry, in order to promote the sustainable development of the industry and to ensure its continuous, efficient, and secure operation for the benefit of all users, as well as the fulfillment of the obligations to provide a general and public service of electricity, to develop clean energies, and to reduce contaminating emissions.
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, the government holds the operational control of the national electric grid, through the CENACE, and CENACE, as an ISO, will indicate the elements for the national transmission grid and the related operations which may correspond to the wholesale market.
Regulations of the Electric Industry Law
The Regulations of the Electric Industry Law provide details for the application of the Electric Industry Law and complete the implementation of the restructured electric industry in Mexico.
These regulations expand on certain administrative procedures in the electric industry, such as the development of public bidding procedures by CFE, for private sector contracts for activities related to the national electric grid; the specific requirements for the application for power generation and power supply permits with CRE; the process for infrastructure contributions by the private sector to the State; and the registration of participants in the wholesale spot market with CENACE.
Permits and Authorizations
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, all power plants with a capacity greater than or equal to 0.5 MW and all power plants of all capacities represented by a generator (i.e., the holder of one or more generation permits or holder of a wholesale market participant agreement that represents the corresponding power plants in the wholesale market or, prior authorization granted by CRE, power plants located abroad) require a generation permit granted by CRE. Authorization granted by CRE is also required for the import of electricity from a power plant located abroad and interconnected exclusively to the national electric grid. Power plants of any capacity exclusively intended for personal use during emergencies or interruptions in electric supply will not require a permit.
The Electric Industry Law provides for several requirements which generators who represent power plants interconnected to the national electric grid have to comply with, including, among others, the execution of the corresponding interconnection agreements, issued by CRE. Regarding the production of their power plants, generators may carry out commercialization activities which include, among others, the following: (i) representing exempt generators (i.e., owner or holder of one or more power plants which do not require or have a generation permit) in the MEM; (ii) carrying out sale and purchase transactions of energy, related services included in the MEM, and power or other products which ensure enough resources to meet the electric demand, and all other products, duties or penalties required for the efficient operation of the national electric grid, among others; and (iii) executing, among others, the corresponding electric coverage agreements (i.e., agreement entered into by participants of the MEM which purpose is the sale and purchase of electric energy or related products) with other MEM participants, including other generators, traders (i.e., holder of a MEM participant agreement which purpose is to carry out commercialization activities), and qualified users (i.e., final user who is registered before CRE to acquire electricity supply as a MEM participant or through a qualified provider).
Pursuant to the former legal framework for the Mexican electric industry, permits for self-supply, cogeneration, independent production, small production, import, and export of electricity were granted by CRE for indefinite periods of time, except for independent power producer permits, which were granted for 30-year renewable terms. In addition to the legal and technical requirements established by law to obtain such permits, CFE’s approval was required as part of CRE’s permit approval process. Pursuant to the transitory regime, such permits will be in force for the duration of the corresponding interconnection agreements executed under their scope.
CRE may also issue a supply permit for private parties, which will allow companies to participate in the MEM by carrying out transactions with final users, which are called “qualified users.” In this sense, private parties may supply power directly to consumers through bilateral long-term agreements, which will be partially regulated by the CRE.
Consequently, the Mexican power industry had been divided into two main areas: (i) the public service of electricity under CFE’s control, and (ii) the activities where private parties may be involved (such as where CFE actively promoted private investment in the construction and operation of power plants for supplying CFE and private parties under self-supply and cogeneration schemes).
While power generated in Mexico is still predominantly generated by CFE, there is a large amount of electricity generated by private energy producers, which generally fall under the categories of independent power production and self-supply generation, although cogeneration has come to be a relevant source of power as a result of certain amendments enacted in 2006 which allowed Pemex to develop new cogeneration projects independently and in collaboration with CFE. These amendments allowed Pemex to enter into the Pemex conversion services agreement and to receive the power generated by ACT.
As a consequence of the corresponding reforms the issuance of a new class of permit available to those interested in generating electricity is provided for pursuant to the Electric Industry Law. This permit will expand the ways in which entities are allowed to participate as energy producers under the Electric Industry Law and is within the scope of the CRE’s regulatory control.
The permits provided for in the Electric Industry Law are, as aforementioned, granted and issued by CRE, upon prior submission of the corresponding application, payment of the corresponding duties, all relevant legal and technical information, and project description. Such permits will be terminated or revoked pursuant to the different scenarios indicated in the Electric Industry Law and its regulations, and as determined by CRE.
The regulations list the documentation to be submitted to apply for a permit with CRE, as well as the corresponding timeline for the application procedure and the essential elements that CRE must include in the permit title.
Transmission and Distribution of Electricity in Mexico
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, regarding conventional energy generation, dispatchers and distributors are responsible for the national transmission grid and the general distribution grids and will operate their grids pursuant to the instruction provided by CENACE. Whereas in the past there were no regulatory limitations that would interfere with a private generator engaging in transmission activities, and, regarding distribution activities, these could only be performed by CFE, with the new regulatory framework derived from the constitutional reform and the legal provisions therein, the public service of electricity and its transmission are considered as strategic areas and will continue to be government-controlled, notwithstanding the possibility of the Mexican government, acting through CFE, to be able to enter into agreements with the private sector, or, acting through the Mexican Ministry of Energy, to form partnerships or enter into agreements with the private sector to carry out the financing, installation, maintenance, administration, operation or expansion of the infrastructure required to provide electricity transmission and distribution services, in terms of the provisions of the Electric Industry Law.
Such agreements will be awarded to private companies through bidding rounds, conducted by CENACE, which will determine the needs of the national electric grid, and carry out the corresponding tender processes. In addition, all dispatchers and distributors will have the obligation to execute the corresponding connection and interconnection agreements, based on the model contracts issued by CRE, regarding the interconnection of power plants or the connection of load centers, and the MEM regulations will indicate the criteria for CENACE to define the specifications for the required infrastructure necessary for the interconnection of power plants and the connection of load centers, as well as the mechanisms to determine preference matters for applications or requests and the procedure for their evaluation.
CFE is required by law to provide its wheeling (the transfer of electrical power through transmission and distribution lines to another utility), dispatch and backup services to all permit holders whenever the requested service is technically feasible on a first-come, first-served basis. CFE’s wheeling services are provided pursuant to an interconnection agreement and a transmission services agreement entered into between CFE and the relevant permit holder (in ACT’s case, these were executed by Pemex). Those agreements follow model contracts approved by the CRE, which also approves the methodology used to calculate the applicable tariffs. The permit holders must build their own transmission lines for self-use in order to connect to the power grid. In addition, permit holders are required to enter into a back-up services agreement with CFE, which also follow a model agreement approved by the CRE.
The Electric Industry Law incorporates new requirements to carry out the sale and purchase of electricity. Aside from being classified as a generator or qualified user, along with the need to comply with the rules issued by CRE for the execution of the corresponding agreements, there are new requirements for the interconnection to the transmission grid owned by CFE. The Electric Industry Law introduces and provides for the concepts of connection and interconnection, the first referring to the load points of users and the latter referring to generators’ power plants. Regarding interconnection, the most significant change is the need to execute new model agreements in order to adapt them to the new modalities and activities under the scope of regulation of the Electric Industry Law.
Furthermore, the transitory provisions contained in the Electric Industry Law provide that those interconnection agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force, notwithstanding the possibility that executing the new contract models that will be issued by CRE may prove beneficial in order to adapt to the new changing aspects of the industry; as with previous agreements, companies will only be limited to the authorized activities under such contracts (e.g. wheeling will only be available for the amount of energy and for the specific purpose established therein). This suggests that new models of interconnection agreements may be more flexible to cover the implementation of the various activities allowed.
The regulations provide that CRE must implement a regulatory regime providing for the conditions for the procurement of the public services of transmission and distribution of electric power based on the principles of proportionality and equality, aiming to prevent transporters, distributors and suppliers from exercising excessive market power that could negatively affect final users. Such regulatory regime will consider the degree of openness in the market, the concentration of participants and any other condition of the competition in every division of the industry. The regulations also anticipate the possible cases of curtailment of the services of transmission and distribution of electric power and provide for standard procedures in different situations.
Commercialization of Electricity
Under the Electric Industry Law, the trader will be the holder of a MEM participant agreement, and will carry out commercial activities, among which are executing electric coverage agreements for the sale and purchase of electricity within the MEM. Under the Electric Industry Law, electric coverage agreements are those agreements executed between MEM participants through which those participants engage in the sale of electric energy or related products. Traders may enter into such agreements with qualified users (through the figure of the provider-trader) or with other traders (who are not providers).
Excluding qualified users, basic providers will provide the basic supply to all people who so request it and whose load centers are located in their operation areas. Qualified providers will provide the qualified supply to qualified users in terms of free competition. Prior commencement of the qualified or basic supply services, the final user must execute a supply agreement with the appropriate provider, and such agreements will require registration before the Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer, or Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor, or PROFECO, CRE will issue the general terms and conditions for the electrical supply services, which will determine the rights and obligations of the service provider and the final user, correspondingly.
Qualified users are those final users who are duly registered as such before CRE in order to acquire power as MEM participants or by a qualified provider. In terms of the Electric Industry Law, users holding load points with a demand greater than or equal to 3 MW may be included in the qualified users registry (but such amount will decrease in one MW per year following the first year until reaching 1 MW). In this case, having the property in which the electric power is intended to be supplied registered as qualified under the corresponding rules to be issued will suffice. Within the MEM, qualified users may purchase energy through electric coverage agreements executed with CENACE or directly with traders.
Supply
Supply activities carried out in the new electric industry may be either in the basic or qualified modalities. Power supply agreements will be executed by and between providers and final users, under the corresponding supply permits issued by CRE. Basic supply refers to that which is provided by a provider under a regulated tariff to any applicant who is not a qualified user. Qualified Supply refers to that which is provided in terms of free competition to qualified users.
For basic supply, private generators may participate in the auctions conducted by CENACE, in order for CFE to acquire the energy in the most convenient economic terms and conditions, and thus CFE will be able to supply power to users who so request it before CENACE, who will carry out the referred auction and determine whom the electricity will be purchased from. CRE will also determine the requirements that providers must comply with in order to acquire energy and execute contracts for electric coverage with users.
As for qualified supply, qualified providers will carry out transactions directly through long-term supply agreements with qualified users. Under these agreements, the parties will be free to agree upon the terms and conditions (including economic conditions) thereof, abiding by certain general guidelines that will be issued by CRE.
Open Access
Both the Electric Industry Law and in the regulations thereunder establish that CFE will be obligated to grant non-discriminatory open access to all users of the national electric grid. This will enhance the existence of an open electricity market, where various competitors in almost all segments of the supply chain requiring the use of the national electric grid will coexist and develop their activities. Open access is a crucial component of the electric industry since CFE, as owner of the grid, will compete directly with other private sector participants in several activities of the industry, which could lead to a monopoly by CFE. In order to avoid such situation, the CENACE, as an independent system operator, will ensure competitive conditions for all users who want to use CFE’s infrastructure.
Pursuant to the regulations, CRE issued the general guidelines regarding open access conditions, the procedure for users to request such open access and the procedure to which the CENACE will be subject to grant this open access, among others.
Tariffs
Transmission, distribution, basic supply and last resort supply, as well as the operation of CENACE, will be subject to regulatory accounting guidelines established by CRE. CRE is currently issuing general administrative provisions regarding the methodology to determine the calculation and adjustment of the regulated tariffs for transmission, distribution, basic provider operation and CENACE operation services, as well as all related services which are not included in the MEM.
Dispatchers, distributors, basic providers and the CENACE will be required to publish their tariffs, as indicated by CRE, through general administrative provisions.
Wholesale Spot Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista
The Electric Industry Law provides for the creation of a MEM, operated by CENACE, in which Participants can carry out a number of different transactions provided for in said law, among which are the sale of electricity and related products.
MEM participants can be (i) generators, (ii) provider-traders, (iii) non-provider traders, or (iv) qualified users, prior to execution of the corresponding agreement with CENACE. Transactions carried out within the MEM must be formalized through “electric coverage agreements” executed by and between such MEM participants. Generators, as MEM participants may, sell their generated energy and both traders and qualified users may purchase such energy through CENACE, which is the independent operator of the electric system.
CENACE is responsible for managing the supply and demand of MEM participants, conducting transactions and continuously generating prices. The price to be paid in MEM transactions has to be a “competition price” in terms of the Electric Industry Law, and has to reflect elements such as electricity generation costs and other operating costs, as well as the amount of electricity demanded by and supplied within the MEM. Such competition price will serve as a reference for long-term supply agreements between providers and qualified users, partially replacing the current CFE-published tariffs.
Even though the Electric Industry Law provides the general guidelines to which the operation of the MEM is subject, on September 8, 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Energy published the Guidelines of the Market (Bases del Mercado Electrico), as the general administrative provisions which establish the principles for the design and operation of the MEM. The regulations list certain topics which will be described in depth in the Rules of the Market (Reglas del Mercado), such as the methodology that will be used to forecast the level of demand in the spot market, information on market participants, and the methodology to determine the price of the electricity that will be sold and purchased within the spot market.
The Guidelines are part of the Rules of the Market, (which are administrative provisions of general application that will specifically detail different aspects of the operation of the MEM, and determine the rules that all market participants as generators, traders, suppliers, non-supplier traders or qualified users, as well as the competent authorities must comply with, and the procedures they must follow in order to maintain the proper management, operation and planning of the MEM. Pursuant to the Guidelines, which will subsequently be supplemented by guidelines for market practices, operational guidelines and criteria and operating procedures (some of which have already been issued), the different participants of the electricity industry will be able to carry out activities which are now open to private participation, due to the so-called Energy Reform that took place in late 2013, and which were regulated through the Electric Industry Law and its Regulations (such activities include, among others, transactions of sale of electricity and related services, power, financial transmission rights and clean energy certificates.
Public Consultation
The Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder set out the obligation to carry out a prior consultation process in the event a project is to be developed in certain lands where communities or indigenous people are found. This obligation, which is established in international treaties, as well as in Article 2 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, is now established in the new legal framework to provide certainty regarding community and social issues in all projects within the electric industry.
The aforementioned general obligation is provided for in the Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder detail the specific procedure to be followed, including the filing of a social and cultural impact assessment before the Mexican Ministry of Energy and the different stages that the prior consultation entail, among others.
Transitory Regime
Given that the Electric Industry Law sets various deadlines for the full implementation of its provisions (such as the issuance of the Market Rules pending to be determined, the full entry into operation of the MEM or the Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Electricity), a transitory regime has been established, intending to provide clarity and certainty to all participants of the industry who either have ongoing projects or plan to start projects in the near future.
Permits
Permits granted by CRE, in accordance with the Electricity Law, will continue to be governed under the terms set out therein and other applicable provisions. Holders of such permits who decide to remain under the regulation of Electricity Law may, at any time, migrate to the new regime if it suits their interests.
Interconnection agreements
In order to be able to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law (in the event not previously executed), those interested in doing so must comply with the following conditions: (i) having obtained or having applied for a permit in any of the modalities provided by the Electricity Law, prior to the entry into force of the Electric Industry Law (August 11, 2014); (ii) having notified CRE about its intention to continue with the development of the relevant project; and (iii) having provided proof evidencing that the appropriate financing for the project has already been obtained, that they have already contracted the supply of the main equipment required for the project, and that at least 30% of the total investment for the project has been paid before December 31, 2016. Additionally, it is possible to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law if a company participated in an open season process, through which CRE granted transmission capacity to several participating companies.
The Electric Industry Law also provides certainty regarding interconnection agreements which have been executed with CFE prior to the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, as those agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force for their entire duration (although they will not be subject to renewal or extension upon their termination). With the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, it is now possible to modify executed interconnection agreements in relation to the load points, surplus sales, support services, cost of stamp wheeling and other conditions contained therein which may apply.
Permit holders who choose to remain under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law and decide to keep their interconnection agreements will be governed by the terms and conditions set forth therein and, consequently, will not be subject to the rules of the MEM.
Former Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and administrative provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the former regulatory framework:
| · | The Mexican Constitution. Pursuant to articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution, the supply of electricity, a public service in Mexico, including its generation, transmission, transformation, distribution and sale are activities expressly reserved to the Mexican federal government. |
| · | Electricity Law. Along with its regulations, this law provides the main legal framework through which the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, provides the public its electricity supply, as well as the regulations applicable to power generation, sale and purchase for the private sector. |
| · | Law of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Ley de la Comision Reguladora de Energia. This regulates the manner in which the CRE operates. |
| · | Resolution number RES/146/2001, issued by the CRE: Fee Calculation Methodology for Electricity Transmission Services, Metodologia para la determinacion de los cargos por servicios de transmision de energia electrica. This regulation provides the mechanism pursuant to which CFE will calculate the appropriate charges for the requests of transmission services. |
| · | Interconnection Agreement, Contrato de Interconexion, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Transmission Agreement, Convenio de Transmision, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Methodology and criteria for high-efficiency cogeneration, Metodologia y criterios de cogeneracion eficiente. |
| · | Guidelines for the validation as high-efficiency cogeneration systems (Disposiciones para acreditar sistemas de cogeneracion eficiente). |
Current Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and regulatory provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the recently enacted regulatory framework:
| · | Political Constitution of the Mexican United States |
| · | Regulation of the Electric Industry Law |
| · | Law of the Federal Commission of Energy |
| · | Law of the Coordinated Regulatory Agencies in Energy Matters |
| · | Energy Transmission Law, or Ley de Transicion Energetica |
| · | Guidelines of the Market |
Notwithstanding the above-listed regulatory framework, it is noteworthy that this list remains subject to modifications, as the pending regulatory instruments are to be issued in coming months, and, pursuant to the transitory regime provided for in the new framework, certain former legal provisions will continue to be in force, as applicable, for specific projects which were started before the enactment and implementation of the new legal framework.
Regulation in Peru
Below is a general overview of certain Peruvian electricity sector regulations. This overview should not be considered a full description of all regulations.
The Electric Transmission Sector
The Peruvian electric system serves energy to a large area of the country through the SEIN that has transmission lines and substations operating at 500, 220, 138, 69 and 33-kV levels.
Pursuant to Law 28832, which is applicable to any transmission project commissioned after July 2006, the transmission facilities integrating the transmission grid are classified as those belonging to: either (i) the SGT for transmission facilities that are included in the transmission plan and developed pursuant to a concession agreement granted by the Peruvian government to the winner of a public tender, or (ii) the Complementary Transmission System, or Sistema Complementario de Transmisión, or SCT, for transmission facilities that are either (a) included in the transmission plan and developed by the private entity that was awarded a concession as a result of the successful review of a private initiative proposal, or (b) not included in the transmission plan.
Under Law 28832, the projected expansions of the transmission system identified in the Peruvian transmission plan are part of the SGT. The government organizes tender procedures to call private investors interested in building the projected lines of the SGT. Under SGT concession agreements, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. Recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (up to 30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return onto the State which shall call a new tender if the lines are required at such time for the operation of the system.
Transmission lines of interest to generation plants, distribution networks or large consumers are part of the SCT. The lines of the SCT included in the Peruvian transmission plan and certain projects that exclusively serve the demand, as defined by the government, may be subject to tenders for the granting of SCT concession agreements up to 30 years. The rest of the SCT projects are subject to the general regime in which the owners of the SCT lines (for example, the generation companies building them to connect their plants to the system) are the holders of the respective Definitive Transmission Concession and own the transmission assets through the term of the concession.
Open Access Regime
The activity of electricity transmission is a public service according to Peruvian law; such service is subject to open access regulations, which imply that the owner of a transmission infrastructure is obliged to allow third parties to connect to the SEIN through its transmission facilities. However, third parties requesting access to a transmission system have the obligation to assume the costs of any additional investment required to increase the connection capacity, if required to make the interconnection feasible. The terms and conditions of the required new investments shall be negotiated in an interconnection agreement.
Access of third parties to the SGT with facilities that are not included in the Peruvian transmission plan requires a previous verification by the COES of the technical conformity of such connection facilities. For those facilities needed for the electrical continuity of the SGT, the third party seeking access assumes the costs of expansion and compensation for their use, and the corresponding SGT concessionaire is responsible for the implementation, operation and maintenance of these facilities. The operation and maintenance costs of these facilities are those arising from the agreement between the SGT concessionaire and the third party seeking access.
If a private interconnection agreement is not reached through private negotiation, a request for an interconnection mandate can be filed before the Organismo Supervisor de la Inversion en Energía y Minería, or OSINERGMIN, who will determine the conditions applicable to the connection, if it is technically feasible. To that end an assessment of the different connection possibilities shall be submitted to OSINERGMIN by the applicant to determine the most efficient technical solution.
The participation of OSINERGMIN shall guarantee and enforce compliance with the legal principle of open access to transmission and distribution networks. An interconnection mandate establishes the conditions under which the interconnection shall take place. The parties usually prefer to reach an agreement establishing those conditions. However, in cases where an agreement is not feasible due to the pre-existence of previous interconnection commitments with other companies, OSINERGMIN has been willing to grant new interconnection mandates as long as there is available capacity.
Tariff Regime
The SGT is compensated through the tariff base, which is the authorized annual remuneration for facilities belonging to the SGT. The tariff base is established in annual amounts and includes the following: (i) remuneration of investments (including adjustments), which is calculated based on a 30-year recovery period applying a 12% rate of return, (ii) efficient operating and maintenance costs, and (iii) the liquidation of imbalances between the authorized tariff base for the previous year and the proceeds obtained during that year.
The tariff base will be paid through the (i) tariff income and (ii) the transmission toll. The tariff income is paid monthly by the electricity generation companies in proportion to their respective capacity income. The transmission toll is paid by the electricity generation companies based on their collection of the transmission toll paid by their respective customers pursuant to Article 26 of Law 28832 and Article 27 of the Transmission Rules, or Reglamento de Transmisión, approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM.
The electricity generation companies are paid by customers via capacity charges and energy charges established in their respective supply contracts. These capacity charges include a transmission toll per unit of peak demand (5% per kW-month) needed to cover the costs to be paid for the SGT.
The monthly payments to be made by electricity generation companies to the transmission companies are liquidated by the COES, in application of the tariffs determined by OSINERGMIN. A portion of the amount collected by the electricity generation companies from customers is allocated to the transmission companies that own facilities in the SGT. As such, electricity generation companies collect the money required to pay the SGT facilities from customers.
Non-regulated customers include large electricity consumers with a maximum annual power demand over 2,500 kW and customers with maximum annual power demands between 200 kW and 2500 kW that may choose to be regulated customers or not. Non-regulated customers may freely negotiate their energy prices with suppliers.
The SCT is remunerated on the basis of the annual average pre-tax yieldcost of Spanish government 10-year bondsthe corresponding facilities approved by OSINERGMIN. The applicable tariffs and their respective actualization formulas are approved by OSINERGMIN every four years.
Penalties
The concessionaires must maintain certain quality, safety and maintenance standards of the facilities. The failure to meet the quality standards established by applicable industry regulations, such as the Technical rules of quality for power services, approved by Supreme Decree No. 020-97-EM, and the National Power Code, may result in the imposition of penalties, fines and restrictions. In addition to these penalties, fines and restrictions, if our concession is terminated due to the breach of obligations under the Concession Agreements, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy may appoint an intervenor to supervise the operations related to the concession to ensure the continuity in the provision of the service, and the compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
If a concessionaire suspends or interrupts the service for reasons other than regular maintenance and repairs, force majeure events, or failures caused by third parties, such concessionaire may be required to indemnify those who were affected for the damages caused by any such service interruption, in accordance with applicable regulations. In addition, the OSINERGMIN could impose penalties, including, among others, (a) admonishment, (b) successive fines, depending on the secondary market.nature and effect of the interruption and its frequency, (c) temporary suspension of activities, and (d) definitive suspension of activities and the provisional administration of operations by an intervenor, if a termination event occurs and the Peruvian Ministry of Energy notifies of its desire to terminate the SGT concession agreement.
For plants that are alreadyAlso, OEFA (Agency of Environmental Evaluation and Control), the entity in operation, the reasonable return over the regulatory lifecharge of the plants is based onsupervision, inspection and sanction concerning environmental matters, may impose fines and corrective measures to the average pre-tax yield on Spanish government 10-year bonds oncompanies in case of violation of the secondary marketenvironmental rules and regulations.
Electricity Legal Framework
The principal laws and regulations governing the Peruvian power sector, or the Power Legal Framework, are: (i) the Power Concessions Law (or Ley de Concesiones Electricas, PCL), approved by Law No. 25844, and its implementing rules (Supreme Decree No. 09-93-EM); (ii) the Law to Ensure the Efficient Development of Electricity Generation (or Ley para Asegurar el Desarrollo Eficiente de la Generación Electrica), approved by Law No. 28832, or Law No. 28832; (iii) the Transmission Rules (or Reglamento de Transmisión), approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM, or the Transmission Rules; (iv) the General Environmental Law (Law No. 28611); (v) the Rules for the preceding 10 years, plus 300 basis points.Environmental Protection in Power Activities (Supreme Decree No. 029-94-EM); (vi) the Power Sector Antitrust Law (Law No. 26876) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 017-98-ITINCI); (vii) the Laws creating OSINERGMIN (Law No. 26734 and Law No. 28964); (viii) the OSINERGMIN Rules (Supreme Decree No. 054-2001-PCM); (ix) the Regulatory Agencies of Private Investment in Public Services Framework Law (Law No. 27332); and (x) the Legislative Decree that promotes investment in the generation of power through renewable resources (Legislative Decree No. 1002) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 012-2011-EM).
These laws regulate how to enter the electricity sector (applicable permits and licenses); the main obligations of the different participants of the electricity market (generators, transmission companies and distribution companies); remuneration systems for the different market participants; rights of electricity consumers and the attributions of the competent authorities.
Annex IIIOther relevant laws are: (i) the Public Consultation Law and its regulations (Law No. 29758 and Supreme Decree No. 001-2012-MC) for projects that may affect rights of indigenous and native communities and (ii) Law of National Heritage (Law 28296) and relevant regulations (Supreme Resolution No. 004-2000-ED) for obtaining the CIRA which is issued by the Ministry of Culture, certifying there are no archaeological remains in an area. Prior to performance of any activity or construction works, titleholders shall obtain the corresponding CIRA.
Some of the Revenue Order specifies thatmain aspects of Peru’s regulatory framework concerning its power sector are: (i) the 10-year average yieldseparation between the power generation, transmission and distribution activities; (ii) unregulated prices for the 10-year bond is 4.398%, which, increasedgeneration of power supplied to unregulated customers; (iii) regulated prices for the generation of power supplied to regulated customers; (iv) regulated prices applicable to transmission and distribution of power for both regulated and unregulated customers; and (v) the private administration of the SEIN, according to the principles of efficiency, cost reduction, guaranty of quality and reliability in the provision of services.
All entities that generate, transmit or distribute power to third parties in Peru, including self-generators and co-generators that sell their excess capacity and energy in the SEIN, are regulated by 300 bps, resultsthe Power Legal Framework.
Although significant private investments have been made in 7.398% per annum.the Peruvian power sector and independent entities have been created to regulate and coordinate its oversight, the Peruvian government still retains ultimate oversight and regulatory control. In addition, the Peruvian government owns and controls various generation and distribution companies in Peru.
The Guaranteed Transmission System—SGT Concession Agreement
ATN and ATS, as concessionaires, have SGT concession agreements granted by the Peruvian government as a result of a public tender.
Under no circumstances will amounts received by producersthe SGT concession agreement, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy grants the concession necessary to construct, develop, own, operate, and maintain the transmission lines and substations comprising a project to provide electricity transmission services that has been included in the Peruvian transmission plan.
The SGT concession agreement must specify the works schedule of the project and the corresponding guaranties of compliance. It also specifies the causes of termination of the agreement. The SGT concessionaires are not obliged to pay the grantor any consideration for electricity generated before July 14, 2013the SGT concession agreement.
Under the SGT concession agreement, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. The recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return to the state, which shall call a new tender if the lines are required to be returned or reimbursed underat such time for the newoperation of the system.
BeforeIn addition to the startSGT Concession Agreement, the SGT concessionaire should obtain from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy a new regulatory period, a revised reasonable return canDefinitive Concession which entitles such concessionaire to develop the activity of electricity transmission. The Definitive Concession will be establishedgranted for each plant type, calculated as the average yield on Spanish government 10-year bonds onterm of the secondary market inSGT concession agreement, and under the 24 months throughterms and conditions of the month of May preceding the new regulatory period, plus a spread.latter.
This spread is basedUnder the Definitive Concession, if the concessionaire requests it, the grantor shall impose easements on the following criteria:lands required for the execution of the project in accordance with applicable laws, but the grantor does not assume the costs associated with such easements.
| · | Appropriate profit for this specific type of renewable electricity generation and electricity generation as a whole, considering the financial condition of the Spanish electricity system and Spanish prevailing economic conditions; and |
Upon request, the grantor is also required to use its best efforts to assist in obtaining licenses, permits, authorizations, concessions and other rights when the owner of the project complies with the legal requirements to obtain them and they are not granted on a timely basis by the competent authorities.
| · | Borrowing costs for electricity generation companies using renewable energy sources with regulated payment systems, which are efficient and well run, within Europe. |
Revenues
The next regulatoryrevenues of the project are established under the terms of the SGT concession agreement. In addition, the revenues of the project are funded by the users of electricity.
In effect, the compensation for facilities that are part of the SGT is allocated to customers by OSINERGMIN according to the amounts of investment, operational and maintenance costs set forth in the SGT concession agreement. The SGT will receive monthly compensation from the generation companies that collect the tariff base from their customers. Their compensation will be paid on a monthly basis and these monthly payments are liquidated by the COES, following the tariffs established annually by OSINERGMIN.
As of the commercial operation date, the owner of a project receives the revenue from payments of the tariff base pursuant to the SGT concession agreement. The calculation of the tariff base is based on: (i) an amount which represents a return on investment, including operation and maintenance costs and (ii) the amount determined on May 1 of each year by OSINERGMIN, in order to compensate for any intra-year difference between the compensation we should have received in the immediately preceding tariff year in U.S. dollars and the amount actually paid in Peruvian nuevos soles, determined at the exchange rate published in the Official Gazette “El Peruano” on the last working day prior to the fifteenth day of the month following the relevant month for which the services were charged to the electricity generation companies.
Every year, before the beginning of the new tariff period, OSINERGMIN will beginrecalculate and determine the tariff base in U.S. dollars for the period which starts from May 1 of such year to April 30 of the following year. This determination is approved in April of each year through a resolution published in the Official Gazette, “El Peruano.”
Regulation in Spain
On November 26, 1997, the European Union published a report, or White Paper, which outlined a strategy and a community-wide action plan aimed at doubling energy production from renewable energy sources in the European Union from 6% in 1996 to 12% by 2010. The White Paper proposed a number of measures to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including measures designed to provide renewable energy sources better access to the electricity market. The Kyoto Protocol, ratified by the EU and its Member States on January 1,May 31, 2002, imposed a target of reducing EU emissions of greenhouse gases by 8%
Directive 2009/28/EC on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, or the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, set mandatory national overall targets for each Member State consistent with at least 20% of EU total energy consumption coming from renewable energy sources by 2020. In order to comply with these mandatory renewable energy targets, all EU Member States, including Spain, were required to develop a national action plan, called a National Renewable Energy Action Plan, or NREAP. Spain’s NREAP was issued on June 30, 2010 and sent to the European Commission.
In its NREAP, Spain set a target of 22.7% for primary energy consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources and a target of 42.3% of total electricity consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources by 2020.
Funding the Tariff Deficit
The Electricity Act also states that from January 1, 2014, tariff deficit amounts would no longer be paid for, as they had been previously, by the five major Spanish utilities. Instead, they will be paid by the companies that receive “regulated payments,” including distributors, transportation companies, producers of electricity from renewable plants, companies receiving capacity payments and others. Each of these entities will temporarily fund the tariff deficit in proportion to the costs that they represent for the electricity system inIn 2011, a given year and can recover these contributions in the following five years, plus interest at a market rate.
According to the Electricity Act, tariff deficit cannot exceed 2% of the estimated system revenues for each year. Furthermore, the accumulated debt due to previous’ years deficit cannot exceed 5% of the estimated system revenues for that period. If these thresholds are exceeded, the Spanish government is forced to review the access fees so that the system revenues increase accordingly.
Access Fee
Royal Decree-law 14/2010 was passed in order to eliminate the shortfalls between electricity system revenues and costs,new Renewable Energies Plan, referred to as REP 2011-2020, was developed by the tariff deficit inEuropean Parliament and the electricity sector.
The First Transitional ProvisionCouncil of Royal Decree-law 14/2010 providedthe European Union under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive that the owners of electricity production facilities payadded a fee for accessnew target to the grid2009 Renewable Energy Directive, a minimum of 10% of transportation energy consumption to the transmission and distribution companies (this access previously having been provided at no cost) from January 1, 2011. During the interim period, the access fee payable is: (i) calculated at €0.5 per MWh delivered to the network or (ii) any other amount that the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism establishes.
Royal Decree 1544/2011 implemented the First Transitional Provision of Royal Decree-law 14/2010 and confirmed the interim access fee imposed on electricity producers (€0.5 per MWh), subject to the adoption of a final method for calculating the access fee.
Electricity Sales Tax
On December 27, 2012, the Spanish Parliament approved Law 15/2012, which became effective on January 1, 2013. The aim of Law 15/2012 is to try to combat the problem of the so-called tariff deficit, which reached approximately €28 billion as of December 2013.
Law 15/2012, as amended, provides for an electricity sales tax which is levied on activities related to electricity production. The tax is triggered by the sale of electricity and affects ordinary energy producers and those generating powerbe supplied from renewable sources. The tax, a flat rate of 7%, is levied on the total income received from the power produced atenergy sources in each of the installations, which means that every calendar year, solar power plants will be required to pay 7% of the total amount which they are entitled to receive for production and incorporation into the electricity system of electric power, measured as the net output generated.
Tax Incentive of Accelerated Depreciation of New Assets
Under provisions of the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, tax-free depreciation is permitted on investments in new material assets and investment properties used for economic activities acquired between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012. Taxpayers who made investments during such period and have amounts pending to be deducted for this concept may apply such amounts with certain limitations.Member State by 2020.
Taxpayers who madeIn Spain, these targets mean that energy from renewable sources should represent at least 20% of total energy consumption by 2020, consistent with the EU target, with a minimum of 10% of transportation consumption to be derived from renewable sources by that same year.
Article 3.3(a) of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive states that in order to reach the targets set for 2020, Member States may apply support schemes and incentives for renewable energy. These support systems or will make investments from March 31, 2012 through March 31, 2015incentives are different in new material assets and investment properties used for economic activities are permitted to take accelerated depreciation for those assets subject to certain limitations. The accelerated depreciation is permitted if:each country, but the most common are:
| · | 40%Green certificates. Producers of renewable energy receive a “green certificate” for each MWh they generate and suppliers of energy have an obligation to purchase part of the tax base before the amortization or depreciation and before the offset of tax loss carryforwards for taxpayers (subject to requirements to keep up employment levels); orenergy that they supply from renewable sources. |
| · | 20%Investment grants and direct subsidies. These help defray the costs of the tax base before the amortization or depreciation and before the offset of tax loss carryforwards for taxpayers (without employment requirements). |
installing renewable energy generation plants.
Most of the investment in our Spanish assets was undertaken within the regime that applied between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012.
These limitations do not apply in respect of companies that meet the requirements set forth in article 108.1 of the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act related to the special rules for enterprises of a reduced size.
Regulation in Brazil
Electric transmission operations are subject to significant regulation in Brazil.
The Governmental Policy and Legislative Framework for the Electricity Sector
The electricity sector in Brazil has undergone two major institutional reforms in the last decades which results in its current form: the first in the 1990s and another in 2003, which aimed at modifying the rules applying to the National Interconnected System, Sistema Interligado Nacional, or SIN. The first change in the sector occurred after the enactment of Law No. 8,987 of 1995, as amended, which established the system for the concessions and permissions for rendering public services, or the Concessions’ General Act, and with the enactment of Law No. 9,074 of 1995, as amended, which sets forth specific rules for the concession of electricity public services. This law, inter alia:
| · | established the granting, duration and extension of concessions and permissions; |
| · | set forth the free access principle for the electric transmissionTax exemptions or relief. These include ITCs, cash grants in lieu of tax credits and distribution systems;accelerated depreciation, among others. |
| · | released free consumers (as defined below)System of direct support of prices. These include regulated tariffs and premiums and involve a regulatory guarantee to purchase energy generated by a renewable energy plant for an allotted period of time at a fixed tariff per kWh, for a maximum annual number of hours, so that the producer is ensured of a reasonable return on its investment. |
Solar Regulatory Framework Applicable to Solar Power Plants Currently in Operation
The applicable legal framework for solar power plants already in operation is set out in four primary legal instruments:
| · | Royal Decree-law 9/2013, of July 12, containing emergency measures to guarantee the financial stability of the electricity system, referred to as Royal Decree-law 9/2013; |
| · | Law 24/2013, of December 26, the Electricity Sector Act, referred to as the Electricity Act; |
| · | Royal Decree 413/2014, of June 6, regulating electricity production from renewable energy sources, combined heat and power and waste, referred to as Royal Decree 413/2014; |
| · | Ministerial Order IET/1045/2014 of June 16, published on June 20, 2014, approving the commercial monopoly of distribution concessionaires, allowing themremuneration parameters for standard facilities, applicable to choose their supplier;certain electricity production facilities based on renewable energy, cogeneration and waste, referred to as Revenue Order; and |
| · | introducedMinisterial Order IET/1882/2014 of October 14, published on October 16, 2014, establishing the independent power producer andmethodology for the self-producer agents.calculation of the electricity associated to the gas consumption in CSP plants. |
Law No. 9,074 of 1995 is regulated by Decree No. 1,717 of 1995, which establishesPrimary Rights and Obligations under the procedures for extending the concessions granted before the enactment of the Concessions’ GeneralElectricity Act for a period up to 20 years, and by Decree No. 2,003 of 1996, governing the independent producers’ and self-producers’ system.
Law No. 9,427 of 1996, as amended, inter alia, created ANEEL, the regulatory agency responsible for supervising the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity, and it is regulated by Decree No. 2,335 of 1997. Such law granted ANEEL the authority, inter alia, to run public tenders for concessions and permissions, as well as to execute and manage the agreements for the rendering of public services of this nature and to grant certain authorizations. Law No. 9,478 of 1997, as amended, created the National Committee on Energy Policy, Conselho Nacional de Politica Energetica, chaired by the Minister of Mining and Energy with the duty of advising the President of the Republic on the national policies in this domain.
The first phaseElectricity Act eliminates a previously existing distinction between ordinary electricity producers and those using renewable energy sources in their production of electricity, though it continues to recognize the reform was concludedfollowing rights for producers with the enactment in May 1998 of Law No. 9,648, later amended, which regulates competition in the electricity sector. Among many other provisions, it sets forth rules for:facilities that use renewable energy sources:
| · | Priority off-take. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will have priority over conventional generators in transmitting to offtakers the trading, importenergy they produce over conventional generators under equal market conditions, subject to the secure operation of the national electricity system and exportbased on transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Priority of power;access and connection to transmission and distribution networks. Producers of electricity from renewable energy sources will have priority in obtaining access and connecting to the grid, subject to the terms set forth in the regulations, on the basis of objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Entitlement to a specific payment scheme. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will receive specific reimbursement that shall not exceed the division,minimum amount necessary to cover their costs. This enables them to compete on a level playing field with the other, non-renewable technologies on the market while achieving a reasonable return on investment. |
The significant obligations of the renewable energy electricity producers under the Electricity Act include a requirement to:
| · | Offer to sell the energy they produce through the market operator even when they have not entered into separate agreements, ofa contract and so are excluded from the purchase and sale of energy, andbidding system managed by the free access to the electric transmission and distribution systems;market operator. |
| · | Maintain the creationplant’s planned production capacity. Power lines, which include connections with the transmission or distribution network and transformers, are considered part of the Electric System National Operator, Operador Nacional do Sistema Eletrico, or ONS, a legal entity organized under the private law, in charge of the coordination and operational control of the facilities for the electric and power generation and power transmission of interconnected electric systems in Brazil; andproduction facility. |
| · | Contract and pay the free negotiation ofcorresponding fees, whether directly or through their representatives, to the transmission or distribution companies to which the renewable energy within the scope of the Wholesale Market of Electricity, Mercado Atacadista de Energia Eletrica, or MAE,facilities are connected in order for their power to be created by a market agreement.fed into the grid. |
Registration on Public Registers
The second phaseElectricity Act and Royal Decree 413/2014 require electricity generation facilities to be entered on the official register of electricity production plants maintained by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda.
The autonomous regions may keep their own registers of electricity generation plants they have authorized if such plants have a capacity of 50 MW or less. The registration details of these plants must be provided to the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda electronically.
Solaben 2/3 and Solaben 1/6 are on the register of the reform redefinedautonomous region Extremadura and the sector’s institutional model, mainly concerning the energy market, by setting forth as chief goals the need for the system’s expansion while keeping tariffs lowMinistry of Energy, Tourism and competition present in power generation.Digital Agenda.
This new institutional framework was established by Law No. 10,848Solacor 1/2, PS10/20, Helioenergy 1/2 and Solnova 1/3/4 are on the register of 2004.the autonomous region of Andalucia and the Ministry of Energy,Tourism and Digital Agenda.
Law No. 10,848 created two co-existingHelios 1/2 is on the register of the autonomous region Castilla La Mancha and the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda.
To receive their facility-specific reimbursement, renewable energy markets: a regulated market, forfacilities are required under the protection of customers,Electricity Act and a free marketRoyal Decree 413/2014 to encourage consumers which are able to buy directly from producersbe listed on a competitive basis, or free consumers. Law No. 10,848 authorizednew register entitled the creationSpecific Payment System Register, Registro de Regimen Retributivo Especifico. Unregistered plants will only receive the pool price.
The first transitional provision of the Chamber of Electric Energy Trading, Camara de Comercializacao de Energia Eletrica, or CCEE, a non-profit private entity, functioningRoyal Decree 413/2014 states that power plants based on renewable sources recognized under the supervision of ANEEL to manage the agreements for the purchase and sale of energyprevious economic regime, as in the regulated contracting environment and the ascertainment and settlementcase of contractual differencesSolaben 2/3, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20 will be automatically included in the free contracting environment, which took over the responsibilities previously performed by MAE. This law further authorized the creation of the Committee on the Monitoring of the Electricity Sector, Comite de Monitoramento do Setor Eletrico, under the aegis of the government, to monitor the supply conditions of the electricity market and the advising of preventive actions for guaranteeing this supply.Specific Payment System Register.
On May 28, 2009, Provisional Measure No. 450Change of 2008 became Law No. 11,943 of 2009, as amended, which authorizes the federal governmentCompensation System Applicable to participateSolar Power Plants
Royal Decree-law 9/2013 introduced a change in the Guarantee Fund for Electric Energy Enterprises, or Fundo de Garantia a Empreendimentos de Energia Eletrica. Such fund aimspayment system applicable to provideexisting electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources to guarantee the financial guarantees proportional to the participation, direct or indirect, of federal or state companiesstability of the electric industry in specialsystem. The purpose companies, created for the development of electric-related projects in connection with the Growth Acceleration Program, Programa de Aceleracao do Crescimento, and other strategic programs appointed by an actRoyal Decree-law 9/2013, which entered into force on July 14, 2013, was to adopt a series of the Executive Branch.
More recently, the government passed Provisional Measure No. 577 of 2012, later converted into Law No. 12,767 of 2012, which establishes specific rules for the termination of concessions in the event of bankruptcy or forfeiture and for intervention by the granting authority, acting through ANEEL, in the management of concessionaires in ordermeasures to ensure the adequate rendering of services and compliance with contractual, regulatory and legal provisions. The goal of this law is to ensure the continuationsustainability of the serviceelectric system and its rulesto combat the shortfalls between electricity system revenues and costs, referred to as the tariff deficit.
The measures adopted were focused primarily on administrative intervention are stricter than the onesfollowing areas: (i) the legal and financial regime for existing electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources, co-generation and residual waste; (ii) the remuneration regime for transport and distribution activities; (iii) Spain’s guarantee of the Concessions’ General Act. Law No. 12,767Securitization Fund to cover the tariff deficit; and (iv) certain aspects related to capacity payments, assumption of 2012 expressly sets forth that the possibility of resorting to the judicial or extrajudicial reorganization procedure under Law No. 11,101 of 2005 (Law on Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy) shall not apply to the electricity concessionaires which exploit public services while the concession is in force.
In addition, the Provisional Measure No. 579 of 2012, later converted into Law No. 12,783 of 2013, regulated, among others, by Decree No. 7,805 of 2012, sets forth the rules for further extending the concession contracts up to 30 years, for one period only.
In March 2014, the federal government announced new measures to help distribution concessionaires reduce the immediate impact on consumers’ electricity bill caused by the use of electricity originated from thermal power plants and by the higher cost of energy in the spot market. The aid amounted to R$12.4 billionsubsidized tariff and had been made available by the federal government (R$1.2 billion) and by loans (R$11.2), but will be untimely born by the consumers, as the electricity bills are going to increase between 2015 and 2017. The loans were obtained by the federal government from private or public banks and intermediated by the CCEE. In August 2014, a new loan to distribution concessionaires in the amountreview of R$6.6 billion has been approved by the federal government, following similar rules and for the same purpose. A third loan to the distribution concessionaires in the amount of R$3.4 billion was approved in March 2015.access charges.
Another measure already implemented isRoyal Decree-law 9/2013 established an entirely new remuneration system, abolishing the remuneration system based on a newregulated tariff applicable to electricity production facilities using renewable energy auctionsources (including facilities in whichoperation at the distributors are abletime that Royal Decree-law 9/2013 entered into force).
Prior to purchasethe adoption of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, electricity for immediate supply. Beforeproduction facilities using renewable energy sources received revenues tied to their electricity produced according to their power output. This involved receiving feed-in tariffs, in €/kWh, that were split into two components: (i) the enactmentpool price of electricity and (ii) an equivalent premium, consisting of the Provisional Measure (Medida Provisoria) 641 of 2014, as regulated by Decree No. 8,213 of 2014 and Portaria MME No. 118 of 2014, there was a minimum one year gapdifference between the purchasepool price and the supplyset feed-in tariff for each type of energy. That gapplant (feed in some cases resultedtariff = pool price + equivalent premium). This revenue was received for a maximum annual number of hours and for a pre-determined number of years, depending on the technology used in concessionaries being forcedeach case. For any additional hours produced, producers received the pool price.
The repealed economic scheme was applied on a transitional basis until new provisions were approved to pay more for energy in the spot market. The first auction afterfully implement the new regulation took place on April 30, 2014. Despite MP 641 is no longerremuneration system. Settlements made after July 14, 2013 were made in force since July 21, 2014,accordance with the rightsprevious regime until the new implementing regulations have been adopted. However, following the implementation of these new regulations, payments made during this interim period will be recalculated in accordance with the new regulations. The difference between the amounts received under the prior regime and obligations created during its term are still valid and enforceable, and afterwardsthose calculated under the provision allowingnew regime will be deducted from the purchase of electricity byfirst nine settlements that follow the distributors in the same yearapproval of the beginning of the supply has been established again by Provisional Measure 656 of 2014, converted into Law 13,097 of 2015.new implementing regulations.
In November New System
According to Royal Decree 413/2014, ANEEL approved new rules limitingproducers receive: (i) the pool price for the power they produce and (ii) a payment based on the standard investment cost for each type of plant (without any relation whatsoever to the amount of power they generate). This payment based on investment (in €/MW of installed capacity) is supplemented (in cases of technologies with running costs in excess of the Price of Settlement of Differences, or PLD, in the spot market applicable in 2015. PLD maximum value was reduced from R$822.83 to R$388.45 per MWh. The purpose of such change was to reduce the impact of high energy prices deriving from drought, delay in the commercial operation of hydroelectric plants and t-lines, and the high cost of thermal power plants. Certain power producers claimed that such new ANEEL rules are illegal because they affect power supply and demand.pool price) with an “operating payment” (in €/MWh produced).
The Governmental or Administrative Authorizations Required forprinciple driving the Constructionnew economic regime imposed by Royal Decree 413/2014 is that the incentives that an electricity producer receives should be equivalent to the costs that they are unable to recover on the electricity market where they compete with non-renewable technologies. The new economic regime seeks to allow a “well-run and Operationefficient enterprise” to recover the costs of Electric Transmission Networksbuilding and running a plant, plus a reasonable return on investment (project internal rate of return).
BeforeAccording to Royal Decree 413/2014, the auctionremuneration for the concessioninvestment in respect of electric transmission lines, the environmental impact assessment and environmental impact reports shall be conducted and must be approved by the proper environmental agency. After the auction, the concession is granted by the federal government by means of the execution of the concession agreement, which is signed by and registered and filed with ANEEL. Next, the concessionaire should apply for ANEEL’s approval of the Basic Project for Power Transmission Facilities relating to the concession. The previous license (licenca previa), which isplants that were already in operation during the first environmental permit that allows the development of the environmental studies, and the installation license (licenca de instalacao), whichstatutory period (from July 14, 2013 to December 31, 2019) is the permit that authorizes the construction of the project, should be obtained at different stages from the environmental agencies. The concessionaire may use public land or request the granting authority to expropriate necessary private land for the benefit of the concessionaire. In this case, the concessionaire must compensate the affected private landowners. The Declaration of Public Interest from ANEEL, the tree cutting authorization and the operation license (licenca de operacao) issued by the environmental agency,calculated as well as the release certificate issued by the ONS are also required.follows:
The Requirements That Must Be Met to Obtain Access to such Public Service | · | The “standard per-MW investment value” is added to the “standard per-MW operating cost” (both updated from July 2013 with a 7.398% rate of return); i.e., what it would have cost a well-run and efficient enterprise to build, maintain and run the facility from its start-up until the time Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force. |
The regulation in force sets forth that the rendering of transmission services shall be preceded by the execution of Transmission Agreements and of Agreements for the Rendering of Supplementary Services, Contratos de Prestação de Servicos Ancilares. There are three different types of Transmission Agreements: (i) Agreement for the Rendering of Transmission Services, or CPST; (ii) Agreement for the Use of the Transmission Networks, or CUST; and (iii) Connection Agreement. The CPST is executed between the ONS and the concessionaire. The CUST is executed among the ONS, the concessionaire, represented by the ONS, and the user of the transmission network. These users may be: (i) agents holding a concession or a permission for the distribution of electricity; (ii) power generation agents directly connected to the basic grid or not connected to the basic grid but operating centrally, whether concessionaires or authorized companies; (iii) consumers connected to the basic grid; and (iv) importers and exporters of electricity directly connected to the basic grid. | · | From the resulting total, the “standard per-MW total revenue valued at the electricity pool price,” earned by each type of plant from its start-up through entry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, also updated applying the 7.398% rate of return is subtracted. |
| · | The result (the standard per-MW investment value plus standard per-MW operating cost minus standard per-MW total revenue) is the “net investment value,” i.e., the costs unrecovered by the plant owner as of July 14, 2013. |
| · | Payments for investment to be made after Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force and during every year of a plant’s remaining statutory useful life are calculated by (a) adding the net investment value (calculated as explained above) to the “expected operating costs until the end of the asset’s statutory useful life;” and (b) deducting the “expected revenue on the market up to that same point in time” (in both cases, the amount would be discounted to July 2013 by applying the 7.398% rate of return). The annual amount to be received would be calculated so that it would be the same amount every year until the end of the statutory useful life. |
There are threeAccordingly, under Royal Decree 413/2014, the returns received by the owners of plants in excess of 7.398%, from start-up until Royal Decree-law 9/2013 took effect, would serve to reduce the unrecovered net investment value as of July 14, 2013.
Operating payments will only be available for those facilities whose costs exceed the estimated average pool price. However, the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda can cap operating payments at a maximum number of hours.
Payment Factors for Solar Power Plants
The payment system applicable for each plant is based on various criteria considered by the Ministry Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda and includes the specific technology used, amount of power produced relative to operating costs, age of the facility and any other differentiating factor deemed necessary to consider in applications of the payment system.
Revenue Order recognizes six types of Connection Agreements:solar thermal plants: (i) Agreement for the Connection to the Transmission Network, Contrato de Conexao ao Sistema de Transmissao;parabolic trough collectors without a storage system, (ii) Agreement for Facilities’ Sharing, Contrato de Compartilhamento de Instalacoes;parabolic trough collectors with a storage system, (iii) central or tower receivers without a storage system, (iv) central or tower receivers with a storage system, (v) linear collectors and (iii) Agreement for the Connection to the Transmission Network—Adjustment Term, Contrato de Conexao ao Sistema de Transmissao—Termo de Ajuste. These agreements are executed between the transmission concessionaires and the connecting agents, while the ONS is an interested third party to such agreements.(vi) solar-biomass hybrids.
There is alsoTo determine the Financial Guarantee Contract, Contrato de Constituicao de Garantia, which is an agreement between the ONS, acting on its own behalf and on behalf of the transmission concessionaire, and the custodian bank which provides ONS with access to funds available in user-designated bank accounts in the event the latter fails to satisfy payments owed to the transmission concessionaires and to ONS under the corresponding CUST.
Concessionaires’ Obligations
Besides the obligations under the concession agreements, ANEEL regularly issues and publishes, in the Federal Official Gazette, Resolutions directed at the activities carried out by the electricity sector. They are regulatory acts of general interest, with the object of establishing directives, obligations, tasks, conditions, limits, rules, procedures, requirements, or any other rights and duties of the agents and the users of the public service. Some of these rules,payment system applicable to transmission concessionaires,each plant, the following factors are described below:considered:
| · | Full Performance GuaranteeNet investment value: The winner. This consists of a standard amount per MW for each type of plant, calculated by the public auction shall grant a full compliance guarantee on behalf of ANEELmethod set out in order to ensureRoyal Decree 413/2014, which is the compliance with the obligations established under the concession. Such guarantees may be replaced by lesser-value guarantees when ANEEL verifies the gradual execution of milestonesamount invested in the implementation landmarks’ schedule (and, in such cases, the reduction shall be proportional to the implementation);plant and not depreciated as of July 14, 2013.
|
| · | Changes in Controlling Interest: ANEEL must previously approve any change inUseful life of the concessionaire’s indirect and direct controlling interest;plant. For solar thermal plants this is 25 years.
|
| · | Agreements with Related PartiesReturn on investment: ANEEL provides for specific rules. Considering the net asset value determined on the transactions between agentsbasis of a standard cost per MW built, an amount is set per unit of power, which enables investment costs that cannot be recovered through the pool price to be recouped over the useful life of the electricity sector and related parties, especially concerning technology transfer, technical assistance, infrastructure sharing and provision of services. According to ANEEL’s Resolution No. 334 of 2008, some agreements shall be previously submitted to the Agency for approval;plant.
|
| · | FinancingOperating remuneration: ANEEL’s Resolution No. 532. An amount is set per unit of 2013 establishes limitspower and hour that, shall be observed by the concessionaire to offer to third parties the rights emerging from the concession, assets and future revenues relatedadded to the concession as guarantee in financing agreements. Notwithstandingpool price, enables the general rule thatproducer to recoup all the grantplant’s operating and maintenance costs. Operating expenses include the cost of land, electricity, gas and water bills, management, security, corrective and preventive maintenance, representation costs, the Spanish tax on special immovable properties, insurance, applicable generation charges and a security interest on concession rights requires ANEEL’s prior approval, such approval will not be required, for example, in the following situations: (a) project finance guarantee packages for new transmission projects; and (b) regulated auctions for new projects that require a guarantee; andgeneration tax which is equal to 7% of total revenue.
|
| · | ExpirationMaximum number of operating hours: When. A maximum number of hours is set for which each plant type can receive the concession expires, all assets, rights and privileges that are materially related to the rendering of the services revert to the Brazilian government. Following the expiration, the concessionaire is entitled to indemnification for its investments in assets that have not been fully amortized or depreciated on the expiration date.operating remuneration.
|
Governmental Incentives to Encourage Expansion of the Electric Transmission Grid | · | Operating threshold. Plants must operate for more than a set number of hours per year to receive the return on investment and operating remuneration. |
There are special credit lines available to entrepreneurs from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development, Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social. Also, Law No. 11,488 of 2007, as amended, created the Special Incentive Regimen for the Development of Infrastructure, Regime Especial de Incentivos para o Desenvolvimento da Infraestrutura, or REIDI, a general tax incentive to infrastructure projects, which directly applies to the expansion of the electric transmission grids. | · | Minimum operating hours. Plants that cross the operating threshold but operate for fewer hours than the annual minimum hours receive a lower remuneration. |
A recent innovation regardingOn February 22, 2017, after the grantingend of the REIDI was established afterfirst half-period, the editionMinistry of MinesEnergy, Tourism and Energy Ministerial Ordinance No. 274/2013, which stipulates allDigital Agenda published the data that is required in order to apply for this incentive, which includes, among other, the descriptionupdated remuneration parameters of the project, technicalstandard facilities applicable to registered power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and legal information, andwaste during the perspective of investmentregulatory half-period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 as set forth in equipment, materials and machines. All information required must be compiled in a specific petition and filed with ANEEL.the table below.
| | | Return on Investment 2017 (euros/MW) | | Operating Remuneration 2017 (euros/GWh) | | | | | | |
Solaben 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 3 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 1 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
PS 10 | 25 years | | 555,614 | | 67,735 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
PS 20 | 25 years | | 411,953 | | 61,918 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
Helioenergy 1 | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helioenergy 2 | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 1 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 1 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 3 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 4 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 1 | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 6 | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Seville PV | 30 years | | 714,115 | | 33,257 | | 2,092 | | 1,255 | | 732 |
Note:—
(1) | According to the Royal Decree. |
Regulatory Periods
Payment criteria are based on prevailing economic conditions in Spain, demand for electricity and reasonable profits for electricity generation activities and can be revised every three or six years. The Rates forRoyal Decree 413/2014 establishes statutory periods of six years, with the Provisionfirst statutory period running from July 14, 2013 (the date of Electric Transmission Servicesentry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013) to December 31, 2019. Each statutory period is divided into two statutory half-periods of three years. The first such half-period runs from July 14, 2013 to December 13, 2016.
Electric transmission companies are remunerated throughThis “statutory period” mechanism aims to set forth how and when the Annual Authorized Revenue, Receita Anual Permitida, or RAP, for the availabilityMinistry of their facilities to the ONSEnergy, Tourism and for the rendering of transmission services to the users.
Charges and Tariffs Owed by Electric Transmission Concessionaires
The Electricity Services Inspection Fee, Taxa de Fiscalizacao de Servicos de Energia Eletrica, or TFSEE, was created by Law No. 9,427 of 1996, as amended, and regulated by Decree No. 2,410 of 1997. TFSEE is an annual fee payable directly to ANEEL in 12 monthly payments, and is calculated based on the type of service rendered by the concessionaire and in proportion to the size of the concession. It is equivalent to 0.4% of the annual economic benefit earned by the concessionaire. Electricity transmission concessionaires also must invest each year a minimum of 1% of their net operating revenues in electricity research and development.
Penalties
The regulation issued by ANEEL governs the imposition of sanctions against the participants of the energy sector and classifies the appropriate penalties based on the nature and importance of the breach (including warnings, fines, temporary suspension from the right to participate in public auctions for new concessions, licenses or authorizations and forfeiture). For each breach, the fine may be up to 2% of the concessionaire revenues (net of value-added tax and services tax) in the 12-month period preceding any assessment notice. In addition, electricity generation, distribution and electric transmission concessionaires are strictly liable for any direct or consequential damages caused to third parties as a result of inappropriate provision of electricity services at their facilities. In case ONS is incapable of determining liability for the damages to a particular concessionaire, permissionaire or authorized agent, or if the damages are caused by ONS, liability is proportionately allocated to the electric transmission, distribution and generation agents in accordance with the voting rights of each category under the ONS bylaws.
Reinforcements and Improvements
The granting authority may unilaterally amend the concession agreements, including in the event of alterations to the project or previously unforeseen specifications (such as a requirement to strengthen or to improve the current electric transmission facilities). A concessionaireDigital Agenda is entitled to revise the economicdifferent payment factors used to determine the specific remuneration to be received by the standard facilities.
At the end of each statutory half-period (three years) the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and financial balanceDigital Agenda may revise (i) the electricity market price estimates and (ii) the adjustment value for electricity market price deviations in the preceding statutory half-period.
As the first statutory half-period ended on December 31, 2016, such payment factors are currently under review by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda and may be subject to change upon the approval of the concession agreementProposal of Order updating the remuneration parameters of the standard facilities applicable to certain power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and therefore, receives additional revenues by waywaste during the regulatory half-period running from 1 January 2017, which is expected to occur during the first quarter of amortization2017. The definitions and values of its investments inall payment criteria can be changed at the implementationend of these reinforcements or improvements.
Until May 2005,each regulatory period, except for a concessionaire’s obligation to implement strengthening actions, or Reinforcement, was subject toplant’s useful life and the value of a plant’s initial investment that is recouped through the specific prior authorization from ANEEL, which would then set the corresponding additional revenues.
Any improvement action, or Improvement, would not require prior authorization or additional revenues. The then-existing regulation, however, failed to clearly define Reinforcement and Improvement. Thus,return on May 23, 2005, ANEEL issued Resolution No. 158, distinguishing the projects and installations that would be considered as Reinforcements and those deemed to be classified as Improvements. In July 2011, Resolution No. 158 was replaced by Resolution No. 443, as amended.investment.
Improvement is defined as any installation, replacement or remodeling of equipment in orderUnless reviewed, payment criteria will be considered to ensure adequate electricity transmission services, pursuant tobe extended for the relevant concession agreement.subsequent regulatory period.
Reinforcement is defined as the implementation of new electricity transmission facilities, or replacement or adjustment of existing facilities in order to increase the electricity transmission capacity, the reliability of the SIN, the useful life or to connect users. Some Reinforcements are subject to prior authorization by ANEEL and certain types of Reinforcements may be implemented by transmission concessionaires directly, without prior authorization by ANEEL, provided that they are the result of a request by ONS aiming at expanding electric transmission capacity or the reliability of the SIN. In this case, however, ANEEL will not have previously established the additional revenues to which the concessionaire would be entitled for the implementation of such Reinforcement. These revenues, therefore, are included in the annual revision of the RAP.
The following summary chart sets forth our ownership structure as of the date of this annual report:
(1)
| ACIN directly holds one share in each of Abengoa Concessions Peru S.A., Abengoa Transmision Norte S.A. and Abengoa Transmisión Sur S.A. |
(2) | We do not have control over ACBH. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding.” |
(3) | Due to Mexican legal requirements, one share is held by Servicios Auxiliares de Administracion, S.A. de C.V. |
(4) | Abengoa Yield plc directly holds one share in Palmucho and 10 shares in each of Quadra 1 and Quadra 2. |
(5) | 30% is held by Itochu, a Japanese company. |
(6) | 13% is held by JGC, a Japanese company. |
(7) | AEC holds 49% of Honaine and Skikda. Sadyt holds 25.5% of Honaine and 16.9% of Skikda. |
D. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview.”
ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
The following discussion should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs, which are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3.D—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
The following discussion analyzes our historical financial condition and results of operations. For all periods prior to our IPO, the discussion reflects the combined financial statements of our predecessor, which represents the combination of the assets transferred by Abengoa to us immediately prior to the consummation of our IPO. For all periods subsequent to our IPO, the discussion reflects our and our subsidiaries’ consolidated results.
Overview
We are a total return company that owns, manages, and acquires renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission lines and water assets, focused on North America (the United States and Mexico), South America (Peru, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay) and EMEA (Spain, Algeria and South Africa). We also intend to expand to certain countries in the Middle East, maintaining North America, South America and Europe as our core geographies.
As of the date of this annual report, we own or have interests in 20 assets, comprising 1,441 MW of renewable energy generation, 300 MW of conventional power generation, 10.5 M ft3 per day of water desalination and 1,099 miles of electric transmission lines, as well as an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH. Each of the assets we own has a project-finance agreement in place. All of our assets have contracted revenues (regulated revenues in the case of our Spanish assets) with low-risk off-takers and collectively have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 22 years as of December 31, 2015.
We intend to take advantage of favorable trends in the power generation and electric transmission sectors globally, including energy scarcity and a focus on the reduction of carbon emissions. To that end, we believe that our cash flow profile, coupled with our scale, diversity and low-cost business model, offers us a lower cost of capital than that of a traditional engineering and construction company or independent power producer and provides us with a significant competitive advantage with which to execute our growth strategy.
We are focused on high-quality, newly-constructed and long-life facilities that have contracts with creditworthy counterparties that we expect will produce stable, long-term cash flows. We will seek to grow our cash available for distribution and our dividend to shareholders through organic growth and by acquiring new contracted assets from our current sponsor, Abengoa, from third parties and from potential new future sponsors.
We signed an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which we refer to as the ROFO Agreement, which provides us with a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of Abengoa’s contracted renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission or water assets in operation and located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and the European Union, as well as four assets in selected countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. We refer to the contracted assets subject to the ROFO Agreement as the “Abengoa ROFO Assets.” See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Growth Strategy” and “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Right of First Offer.”
Additionally, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners. In addition, we expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors where we operate.
With this business model, our objective is to pay a consistent and growing cash dividend to shareholders that is sustainable on a long-term basis. We expect to distribute a very high percentage of our cash available for distribution as cash dividends and we will seek to increase such cash dividends over time through organic growth and as we acquire assets with characteristics similar to those in our current portfolio.
Based on the acquisition opportunities available to us, we believe that we will have the opportunity to grow our cash available for distribution in a manner that would allow us to increase our cash dividends per share over time. Prospective investors should read “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash dividends to investors” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors,” including the risks and uncertainties related to our forecasted results, acquisition opportunities and growth plan, in their entirety.
Acquisitions
First Dropdown Assets
On November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar power plant in Spain; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20, a 100 MW solar power complex in Spain; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal, an on-shore wind farm located in Uruguay with a capacity of 50 MW. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million (which consideration was determined in part by converting the portion of the purchase price of Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 denominated in euros into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on the date on which the payment was made). The First Dropdown Assets were financed with the proceeds of the 2019 Notes and with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—2019 Notes” and “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Second Dropdown Assets
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. Honaine and Skikda are two water desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day. Revenues of these assets are indexed to U.S. dollars and payable in local currency. On February 23, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Second Dropdown Assets was $94 million and was mainly financed with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Third Dropdown Assets
On May 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. The total aggregate consideration for the Third Dropdown Assets was $682 million and was mainly financed with the proceeds of a capital increase completed in May 2015. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Fourth Dropdown Assets
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru from Abengoa and Sigma, a third-party financial investor in ATN2. On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. These assets were acquired from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Renewable Energy” for a description of such assets. In addition, on January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake. The total aggregate consideration for the Fourth Dropdown Assets was $378 million and was mainly financed with Tranche B of our Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Additionally, on August 3, 2016, we completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain.
Customers and Contracts
We derive our revenue from selling electricity, electric transmission capacity and desalination capacity. Our customers are mainly comprised of governments and electrical utilities, the latter with which we typically have entered into PPAs. We also employ concession contracts, typically ranging from 20 to 30 years. See the description of each asset under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations” for more detail on each concession contract.
Our main contracts in our business also include the project finance contracts with banks or financial institutions and the operation and maintenance contracts of each of our assets. See description of financing and operation and maintenance contracts under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Additionally, we have entered into a ROFO Agreement, a Financial Support Agreement and other agreements with Abengoa. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions” for more detail on these contracts.
Competition
Renewable energy, conventional power and electric transmission are all capital-intensive and significantly commodity-driven businesses with numerous industry participants. We compete based on the location of our assets and ownership of portfolios of assets in various countries and regions; however, because our assets typically have 20- to 30-year contracts, competition with other asset operations is limited until the expiration of the PPAs. Power generation and transmission are highly regulated businesses in each country in which we operate and are currently highly fragmented and have a diverse industry structure. Our competitors have a wide variety of capabilities and resources. Our competitors include, among others, regulated utilities and transmission companies, other independent power producers and power marketers or trading companies and state-owned monopolies.
Intellectual Property
In general, the construction or other agreements in each asset allow us to use the technology and intellectual property of suppliers. We have applied to be the legal owner of the Atlantica Yield name and we own the www.atlanticayield.com domain as well as others. We still have in place a licensing agreement with Abengoa for the use of the name “Abengoa”, which Abengoa is entitled to terminate under the circumstances described in “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Trademark License Agreement.”
Regulatory and Environmental Matters
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation.”
Insurance
We maintain the types and amounts of insurance coverage that we believe are consistent with customary industry practices in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our insurance policies cover employee-related accidents and injuries, property damage, machinery breakdowns, fixed assets, facilities and liability deriving from our activities, including environmental liability. We maintain business interruption insurance for interruptions resulting from incidents covered by insurance policies. Our insurance policies also cover directors’ and officers’ liability and third-party insurance. We have not had any material claims under our insurance policies that would invalidate our insurance policies and we negotiated most of our policies in December 2016. We cannot assure you, however, that our insurance coverage will adequately protect us from all risks that may arise or in amounts sufficient to prevent any material loss or that premiums will not increase in the future. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and the Markets in Which We Operate—Our insurance may be insufficient to cover relevant risks and the cost of our insurance may increase.”
Seasonality
Our operating results and cash flows can be significantly affected by weather in some of our most relevant projects, such as the solar power plants. We expect to derive a majority of our annual revenues in the months of May through September, when solar generation is the highest in the majority of our markets and when some of our offtake arrangements provide for higher payments to us.
Properties
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
Legal Proceedings
On October 17, 2016, ACT received a request for arbitration from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce presented by Pemex. Pemex is requesting compensation of damages caused by a fire that occurred in their facilities during the construction of the ACT cogeneration plant in December 2012, for a total amount of approximately $20 million. In the event that the arbitration results in a negative outcome, we expect these damages to be covered by the existing insurance policy. As a result, we do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
A number of Abengoa's subcontractors and insurance companies that issued bonds covering such contracts in the United States have included our subsidiaries as co-defendants in claims against Abengoa. Until now our subsidiaries have been excluded in early stages of the process. Currently the most significant of such claims is related to Arb Inc. and two insurance companies that issued bonds with a total potential claim of approximately $33 million. We do not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect.
We are not a party to any other legal proceeding other than legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are party to various administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While we do not expect these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, because of the nature of these proceedings we are not able to predict their ultimate outcomes, some of which may be unfavorable to us.
Regulation
Overview
We operate in a significant number of highly regulated markets. The degree of regulation to which our activities are subject varies by country. In a number of the countries in which we operate, regulation is carried out mainly by national regulatory authorities. In others, such as the United States and, to a certain degree, Spain, there are various additional layers of regulation at the state, regional and/or local level. In countries with these additional layers of regulatory agencies, the scope, nature and extent of regulation may differ among the various states, regions and/or localities.
While we believe the requisite authorizations, permits and approvals for our assets have been obtained and that our activities are operated in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we remain subject to a varied and complex body of laws and regulations that both public officials and private parties may seek to enforce. The following is a description of the primary industry-related regulations applicable to our assets that are currently in force in the principal markets in which we operate.
Regulation in the United States
In the United States, our electricity generation project companies are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern the development, ownership, business organization and operation of power generation facilities. The federal government regulates wholesale sales, operation and interstate transmission of electric power through FERC and through other federal agencies, and certain environmental, health and safety matters. State and local governments regulate the siting, permitting, construction and operation of power generation facilities, the retail sale of electricity and certain other environmental, health, safety and permitting matters.
United States Federal Regulation of the Power Generation Facilities and Electric Transmission
The United States federal government regulates the wholesale sale of electric power and the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce through the FERC, which draws its jurisdiction from the FPA, as amended, and from other federal legislation such as the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EPACT 2005. EPACT 2005 repealed the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and replaced it with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, or PUHCA.
Federal Regulation of Electricity Generators
The FPA provides FERC with exclusive ratemaking jurisdiction over all public utilities that engage in wholesale sales of electricity and/or the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce. The owners of renewable energy facilities selling at wholesale are therefore generally subject to FERC’s ratemaking jurisdiction. FERC may authorize a public utility to make wholesale sales of electric energy and related products at negotiated or market-based rates if the public utility can demonstrate that it does not have, or that it has adequately mitigated, horizontal and vertical market power and that it cannot otherwise erect barriers to market entry. Entities granted market-based rate approval face ongoing filing and compliance requirements. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in a revocation of market-based rate authority, disgorgement of profits, civil penalties or other remedies that FERC finds appropriate based on the specific underlying facts and circumstances. In granting market-based rate approval to a wholesale generator, FERC also typically grants blanket authorizations under Section 204 of the FPA and FERC’s regulations for the issuance of securities and the assumption of debt liabilities.
If the criteria for market-based rate authority are not met, FERC has the authority to impose conditions on the exercise of market rate authority that are designed to mitigate market power or to withhold or rescind market-based rate authority altogether and require sales to be made based on cost-of-service rates, which could in either case result in a reduction in rates. FERC also has the authority to assess substantial civil penalties (up to $1.0 million per day per violation) for failure to comply with tariff provisions or the requirements of the FPA.
FERC approval under the FPA may be required prior to a change in ownership or control of a 10% or greater voting interest, directly or through one or more subsidiaries, in any public utility (including one of our U.S. project companies) or any public utility assets. FERC approval may also be required for individuals to serve as common officers or directors of public utilities or of a public utility and certain other companies that provide financing or equipment to public utilities.
FERC also implements the requirements of PUHCA applicable to “holding companies” having direct or indirect voting interests of 10% or more in companies that (among other activities) own or operate facilities used for the generation of electricity for sale, which includes renewable energy facilities. PUHCA imposes certain record-keeping, reporting and accounting obligations on such holding companies and certain of their affiliates. However, holding companies that own only exempt wholesale generators, or EWGs, foreign utility companies, and certain qualifying facilities under PURPA are exempt from the federal access to books and records provisions of PUHCA. EWGs are owners or operators of electric generation facilities (including producers of renewable energy, such as solar projects) that are engaged exclusively in the business of owning and/or operating generating facilities and selling electricity at wholesale. An EWG cannot make retail sales of electricity, may only own or operate the limited interconnection facilities necessary to connect its generating facility to the grid, and faces restrictions in transacting business with affiliated regulated utilities.
Regulation of Electricity Sales
Electricity transactions in the United States may be bilateral in nature, whereby two parties contract for the sale and purchase of electricity, subject to various governmental approval processes or guidelines that may apply to the contract, or they may take place within a single, centralized clearing market for purchases and sales of energy, electric generating capacity and ancillary services. Given the limited interconnections between power transmission systems in the United States and differences among market rules, regional markets have formed as part of the power transmission systems operated by regional transmission organizations, or RTOs, or independent system operators, or ISOs, in places such as California, the Midwest, New York, Texas, the Mid-Atlantic region and New England.
Federal Reliability Standards
EPACT 2005 amended the FPA to grant FERC jurisdiction over all users, owners and operators of the bulk power system for the purpose of enforcing compliance with certain standards for the reliable operation of the bulk power system. Pursuant to its authority under the FPA, FERC certified the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, as the entity responsible for developing reliability standards, submitting them to FERC for approval, and overseeing and enforcing compliance with them, subject in each case to FERC review. NERC, in turn, has delegated certain monitoring and enforcement powers to regional reliability organizations. Users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system meeting certain materiality thresholds are required to register with the NERC compliance registry and comply with FERC-approved reliability standards.
In the western United States, NERC has a delegation agreement with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, or WECC, whose service territory extends from Canada to Mexico and includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states in between. WECC is the regional entity responsible for coordinating, promoting and enforcing bulk power system reliability in its service territory. Any entity that owns, operates or uses any portion of the bulk power system must comply with NERC or WECC’s mandatory reliability standards. Failure to comply with these mandatory reliability standards may subject a user, owner or operator to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties, which range from $1,000 to $1 million per day per violation for the most severe cases, where companies show negligence and lack evidence of adequate compliance.
Federal Environmental Regulation, Permitting and Compliance
Construction and operation of power generation facilities, including solar power plants, and the generation and electric transmission of renewable energy from such facilities are subject to environmental regulation at the federal, state and local level. State and local regulatory processes are discussed separately in a subsequent section. At the federal level, environmental laws and regulations typically require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals prior to construction, operation or modification of a generation project or electric transmission facilities. Prior to development, permitting authorities may require that project developers consider and address, among other things, the impact on water resources and water quality, endangered species and other biological resources, compatibility with existing land uses and zoning, agricultural resources, archaeological, paleontological, recreational and cultural considerations, environmental justice and cumulative and visual impacts. In an effort to identify and minimize the potential impacts to these resources, power generation facilities may be required to comply with a myriad of federal regulatory programs and applicable federal permits under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Environmental Protection and Community Right-to-Know Act and the National Wilderness Preservation Act, among other federal laws.
In addition, various federal environmental, health and safety regulations applicable during the construction phase are also applicable to the operational phase of power generation facilities. During the operational phase, obtaining certain federal permits or federal approval of certain operating documents (e.g., O&M plans, the spill prevention, control and countermeasure plan, and an emergency and preparedness response plan), as well as maintaining strict compliance with such permits or operating documents, is mandatory. Failure to maintain compliance may result in the revocation of any applicable permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines or potentially the closure of the plant.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Incentives and Other Federal Considerations for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities
The United States provides various federal, state and local tax incentives to stimulate investment in renewable energy generation capacity, including solar power. These tax incentives are subject to change and, possibly, elimination in the future. Certain U.S. federal income tax incentives are described below.
Section 1603 U.S. Treasury Grant Program
In lieu of claiming certain U.S. federal income tax credits, in particular, the ITC, owners of eligible solar energy property may be eligible to receive a cash grant from U.S. Treasury equal to 30% of the tax basis of the eligible property. Among other requirements, to be eligible for a 1603 Cash Grant, the eligible property must have been placed in service in 2009, 2010 or 2011 or, for property not placed in service during that period, the construction of the specified energy property must have begun after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012. In addition, eligible solar energy property must be placed in service by January 1, 2017. Applicants who began construction after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2012, but who did not place the eligible solar energy property in service prior to October 1, 2012, were required to file a preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application prior to October 1, 2012. These applicants are further required to file a final or “converted” 1603 Cash Grant application no later than 180 days after the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed in September 2012, and the final 1603 Cash Grant application for Solana was filed on November 14, 2013 with additional information provided to the U.S. Treasury in 2014. A final award from the U.S. Treasury was made as of October 2014. The preliminary 1603 Cash Grant application for Mojave was filed on September 14, 2012. Since Mojave reached COD in December 2014, a final 1603 Cash Grant application was recently filed on February 5, 2015.
The risks associated with the 1603 Cash Grant program are as follows:
| · | Disqualified Persons: Certain persons, “disqualified persons,” are ineligible to receive the 1603 Cash Grant and are prohibited from owning a direct or indirect interest in otherwise 1603 Cash Grant-eligible solar energy property, unless the indirect interest is held through an entity taxable as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. 1603 Cash Grants are subject to recapture during the five-year period beginning on the date the eligible solar energy property is placed in service. The amount of the 1603 Cash Grant subject to recapture decreases ratably over the five-year recapture period. Among other events, failure of the eligible property to be used for its intended purpose or the direct or indirect transfer to a disqualified person (as described above) will cause recapture of the 1603 Cash Grant. |
| · | Sequestration of Cash Grant Funds: Certain legislation required a mandatory sequestration of discretionary spending if the U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on a deficit-reducing budget by March 1, 2013. Because the U.S. Congress did not approve the requisite budget by that deadline, President Obama signed a sequestration order. Under the current sequestration rules, every final decision by U.S. Treasury in respect of a 1603 Cash Grant, evidenced by an award letter that is delivered to a 1603 Cash Grant applicant on or after October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014, will reflect a 7.2% reduction in the 1603 Cash Grant award amount. For cash grant award letters issued on or after October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget has estimated that the sequestration reduction will be 7.3% This reduction applies regardless of the date on which the application for a 1603 Cash Grant was received by U.S. Treasury. |
Federal Loan Guarantee Program
The DOE, in an effort to promote the rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects, is authorized to grant guarantees with respect to certain loans to renewable energy projects and related manufacturing facilities and electric power transmission projects under Section 1703 of EPACT 2005. Previously, the DOE also granted guarantees with respect to certain loans made under Section 1705 of EPACT 2005. In order to have qualified for the Section 1705 program, physical construction must have commenced at the primary site of the project on or before September 30, 2011. NEPA review must have been completed prior to the issuance of a loan guarantee. In May 2011, the Section 1705 program expired by statute, and the DOE announced that it would no longer accept new applications under that program. On September 30, 2011, the Section 1705 loan guarantee program closed with no further loan guarantees to be issued. Loan guarantees under Section 1703 continue to be available for solar. However, eligibility is limited. The applicant must be located in the United States and may include foreign ownership so long as the project is located in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or a United States territory. The project must employ a new or significantly improved technology that is not a commercial technology. A commercial technology is defined as in general use in the commercial marketplace in the United States at the time the term sheet is issued by the DOE. A technology is considered to be in commercial use if it has been installed in and is being used in three or more commercial projects in the United States and has been in operation in each such commercial project for at least five years. The project must also pay prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act.
Accelerated Depreciation under Federal Regulation
Owners of eligible solar energy property also benefit from accelerated depreciation of the property over a five-year period under the MACRS under the IRC. Most of the equipment used in solar power projects, such as Solana and Mojave, qualifies for five-year depreciation under MACRS. In addition, some equipment used in solar power projects may qualify for bonus depreciation for equipment placed in service.
DOE Research Grants, State Energy Funding, Workforce Training, and Other Initiatives under the ARRA
The DOE received funding under the ARRA, which it has disbursed or is in the process of disbursing, to increase solar power production. Some funds were allocated as grants to support research and the development, demonstration, and deployment of projects. Funds were awarded to states on the basis of their electric consumption to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other energy programs. ARRA funds were allocated with the purpose of providing workforce training with respect to renewable energy and energy efficiency. A number of initiatives were funded by the DOE with ARRA monies, including initiatives addressing solar market transformation, the integration of photovoltaic generation into the distribution system, and base load solar power generation.
State and Local Regulation of the Electricity Industry in the United States
State regulatory agencies in the United States have jurisdiction over the rates and terms of electricity service to retail customers. Regulated investor-owned utilities often must obtain state approval for the contracts through which they purchase electricity, including renewable energy, if they seek to pass along the costs of these contracts to their retail ratepayers. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are typically governed on these matters by their city councils or elected boards of directors. Different states apply different standards for determining acceptable prices for utility procurement contracts, including PPAs. Our electricity generation project companies operate in Arizona and California. Information about the regulatory frameworks in Arizona and California is provided below.
United States State-Level Incentives
In addition to federal legislation, many states have enacted legislation, principally in the form of renewable portfolio standards, or RPS, which generally require electric utilities to generate or purchase a certain percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from renewable resources. In certain states, it is not only mandatory to meet these percentages from renewable resources, which in general are on the increase, but also electric utilities may be required to generate or purchase a percentage of their electricity supplied to consumers from specific renewable energy technologies, including solar technology. Depending upon the state, various certifications, permits, contracts and approvals may be required in order for a project to qualify for particular RPS programs. Some states, for example, require that only renewable energy generated in-state counts towards the RPS. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, as of August 2014, 49 states and United States territories have adopted some type of RPS standards. Although there is currently no federal RPS program, there have been proposals to create a federal RPS standard for renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, are typically used in conjunction with RPS programs as tradable certificates demonstrating that a certain number of kWh have been generated from renewable resources. Under many RPS programs, a utility may generally demonstrate, through its ownership of RECs, that it has supported an amount of renewable energy generation equal to its state-mandated RPS percentage. The sale of RECs can represent a significant additional revenue stream for renewable energy generators. In RPS states where a liquid REC market does not exist, renewable energy can be bought or sold through “bundled” PPAs, where the PPA price includes the price for renewable energy attributes. Some states require that RECs and the associated electricity be purchased together in order to count towards the RPS. In states that do not have RPS requirements, certain entities buy RECs voluntarily. These RECs generally have lower prices than RECs that are used to meet RPS obligations. The price of RECs can vary significantly, depending on their availability, which in turn depends upon the amount of renewable generation that has been put in service in a state that has implemented RPS requirements. In some states, the number of successful projects has generated more RECs than required to meet the applicable RPS requirements for a given year or years, leading to steep drops in the market price for RECs. Additionally, demand for RECs can be driven by requirements (such as those imposed under the California Environmental Quality Act) that development projects mitigate potential significant GHG impacts identified in connection with environmental clearances.
Effective December 10, 2011, California enacted legislation that increases its existing RPS to 25% by 2016 and 33% by 2020, and expands the program to cover publicly-owned utilities, in addition to investor-owned utilities, or IOUs. In addition, the California Solar Initiative, or CSI, sets a goal of 1,940 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2016. The CSI provides monetary incentives for solar installation between 1 kW and 5 MW in size as well as grants for research, development, and demonstration. California’s feed-in tariff program obligates IOUs to purchase solar generation at a standard price until a purchase threshold is crossed. Colorado set an RPS of 30% by 2020 for IOUs, permits the trading of RECs, and requires that 3% of the RPS be met by distributed generation in 2020 for IOUs. Arizona set an RPS of 15% by 2025, with 30% of the RPS to be met from distributed generation. A Texas law signed in August 2005 requires that 5,880 MW of new renewable generation be built by 2015. The law also set a target of having 10,000 MW of renewable generation capacity by 2025. Additionally, Texas law establishes a minimum of 500 MW of non-wind renewable generation, and doubles the RPS compliance value provided by non-wind generation.
Other incentives that states and localities have adopted to encourage the development of renewable resources include property and state tax exemptions and abatements, state grants, and rebate programs. In addition, a number of states collect electricity surcharges on residential and commercial users and through public benefit funds reinvest some of these funds in renewable energy projects. California offers a property tax incentive for certain solar energy systems installed between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2016. The Arizona Department of Revenue provides a corporate tax credit based on production for solar, wind, or biomass systems that are 5 MW or larger and are installed on or after December 31, 2010 and before January 1, 2021.
Solar generation may also be incentivized by state GHG emission reduction measures, such as California’s cap and trade scheme, which caps and reduces GHG emissions. The California cap and trade program went into effect with respect to the electricity and other sectors starting in 2013.
Arizona
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in Arizona
The Arizona Corporation Commission, or ACC, has complete and exclusive jurisdiction over the rates and terms under which regulated utilities may provide electricity service to retail customers in Arizona. Under the Arizona Constitution, the ACC has unilateral authority over all utility regulation, including electric and natural gas utilities. The ACC also oversees all rate cases for its jurisdictional utilities, and as such has oversight of renewable energy procurement contracts by regulated electric utilities. Under Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff, or REST, regulated electric utilities must supply an increasing percentage of their retail electric energy sales from eligible renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass, biogas and geothermal technologies. The renewable energy requirement is 4.7% of retail electric sales in 2017 and increases annually until it reaches 15% in 2025.
Unlike many other state regulatory commissions, the ACC does not approve PPAs executed by regulated utilities, nor does it issue rulings of “prudency” regarding PPAs. This practice leaves a utility somewhat at risk of recovering its costs until a successful rate case finding is rendered by the ACC. Rate recovery requests may not be filed until the utility begins to make actual expenditures for power procurement. In the case of Solana, however, the power purchaser, Arizona Public Service Company, or APS, voluntarily sought a hearing before the ACC to request its informal opinion of the prudency of the Solana PPA. After ACC staff conducted an analysis of the costs and benefits of Solana to Arizona ratepayers, it recommended to the ACC commissioners that the PPA should be deemed “a reasonable means” by which APS could meet its requirements under the REST. The ACC affirmed the staff’s recommendation on September 30, 2008, thereby providing greater assurance of APS’s successful rate recovery request.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Solana’s PPA
The PPA executed between APS and Solana’s project company, Arizona Solar One LLC, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual renewable energy certificate (REC) eligible energy quantities to APS). The provisions are largely intended to protect APS’ ability to meet its mandatory requirements under the REST, and to prevent APS from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and possibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in Arizona
The Arizona Power Plant & Transmission Line Siting Committee, or Siting Committee, oversees utility and private developer applications to build power plants (of 100 MW or more) or transmission projects (of 115,000 volts or more) within Arizona. The Siting Committee holds public meetings and evidentiary hearings to determine whether a proposed generation or transmission project is compatible with the preservation of the state’s environmental protection interests, and if the finding is affirmative, makes a recommendation to the ACC to grant a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, or CEC, to the applicant. The ACC then has authority to approve, decline or modify the Siting Committee’s recommendation.
The ACC granted CECs to Solana on December 11, 2008, for both the 280 MW solar generation project and its associated 20.8-mile, 230 kilovolt transmission line. Both the generation facility and transmission line CECs contain obligatory conditions and stipulations, none of which could present a risk to Solana during the operational phase.
Other Arizona Permitting and Compliance Frameworks
Various state and county regulations, mostly related to the environment and public health and safety, are applicable during the operational phase of a solar power plant located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Such regulations include the Arizona Aquifer Water Quality Standards and Aquifer Protection Permit Rules, the Maricopa County Special Use Permit Stipulations, the Maricopa County Air Pollution Control Regulations, and the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinances and Regulations. Obtaining a permit or requesting the approval of certain operating plans, as well as strict compliance with such permits and plans, is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of the permit or authorization, civil and criminal charges and fines, or potentially the closure of Solana.
In addition, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) designation of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued by the DOE, Solana must comply with certain water requirements due to the reduction in tail water runoff being contributed to a wash located near the site. In coordination with Arizona Game & Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Solana must provide 447 acre-feet of water annually as a direct off-set to the reduction in tail water runoff from the site. This requirement is for the duration of Solana, and failure to comply would trigger an administrative procedure that could cause temporary closure of the plant until the non-compliance condition is cured.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in Arizona
Many of the permits obtained for Solana carry specific conditions that must be complied with during the operational phase of the facility and which are continuously monitored, measured, and documented by the Solana plant operators. The primary obligations that commenced during commissioning and/or commercial operation are those related to reliability, emergency response, potential hazards of waste disposal, and human health and safety. These requirements originate with federal laws, and in many cases are enforced via delegated authority from the appropriate federal agency to a state or county agency. These include:
| · | NERC Reliability Standards and Critical Infrastructure Plans, delegated to WECC as the regional authority; |
| · | Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, delegated to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management; |
| · | Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, delegated to EPA Region 9 in San Francisco, California; and |
| · | Occupational Safety and Health Administration federal requirements. |
California
Regulation of Retail Electricity Service in California
The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, governs, among other entities, California’s three large investor-owned utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric Company, or PG&E. PG&E is required to file an RPS procurement plan annually with the CPUC. Once the CPUC approves the plan, PG&E issues a request for offers, or RFO, for renewable energy. It then evaluates all of the bids using a “least-cost, best-fit” evaluation process approved by the CPUC and develops a short list of acceptable bids. In August 2008, Mojave was submitted as a renewable solar thermal project in response to PG&E’s 2008 RFO solicitation and placed on their short list for additional negotiations. After two years of negotiations, PG&E and Mojave Solar executed a final PPA, for which PG&E filed with the CPUC an advice letter requesting approval of the PPA in July 2011. The CPUC reviewed the PPA and approved the contract by issuing a formal decision in November 2011. The terms of the PPA govern Mojave during its development, construction and operating period. The CPUC historically does not retroactively apply new regulations or rulings to previously approved PPAs that would result in any economic impact.
Performance and Operational Provisions of Mojave’s PPA
The PPA executed between PG&E and Mojave’s project company, Mojave Solar, contains provisions related to guarantees of performance (e.g., provision of minimum annual REC eligible energy quantities to PG&E). The provisions are largely intended to protect PG&E’s ability to meet its mandatory requirements established by the CPUC, and to prevent PG&E from having to procure REC eligible power elsewhere at an unknown, and possibly higher, cost than the PPA price.
Siting and Construction of New Power Generation Facilities in California
The California Energy Commission, or CEC, is the lead agency for licensing thermal power plants 50 MW and larger under the California Environmental Quality Act and has a certified regulatory program under such Act. The CEC is comprised of five commissioners, two of whom oversee all hearings, workshops and related proceedings on a specific project. The CEC’s siting process evaluates Applications for Certification, or AFCs, to ensure that only power plants that are actually needed will be built, provides review by independent staff with technical expertise in public health and safety, environmental sciences, engineering and reliability, ensures simultaneous review and full participation by all state and local agencies, as well as coordination with federal agencies, resulting in issuance of one regulatory permit within a specific time frame, with full opportunity for participation by public and interest groups.
On August 10, 2009, Mojave’s AFC for its nominal 250 MW project was filed with the CEC. The CEC approved Mojave’s AFC with the CEC decision issued on September 8, 2010. The CEC monitors the power plant’s construction, operational phase and eventual decommissioning through a compliance proceeding.
Regulations Affecting Operating Generating Facilities in California
Mojave must maintain compliance with the CEC decision conditions of certification. These concern, among others, biological resources, health and safety, cultural resources, fire safety, and water. The conditions require Mojave to provide plans, notifications, and other reports on an ongoing basis. As noted above, such compliance is monitored by CEC staff. Per the CEC decision, “[f]ailure to comply with any of the Conditions of Certification or the compliance conditions may result in reopening of the case and revocation of Energy Commission certification; an administrative fine; or other action as appropriate.” Additional regulations are administered by the California Independent System Operator and under the terms of the federally administered Large Generator Interconnection Agreement.
Regulation in Mexico
Overview
The following is a description of the regulation of the Mexican power industry applicable to the conventional generation of electricity.
Pursuant to the Mexican Constitution, the electricity industry in Mexico was entirely controlled by the federal government, acting through the Federal Electricity Commission, Comision Federal de Electricidad, or CFE, an entity wholly owned and controlled by the Mexican government, and legally independent from the Mexican Ministry of Energy, Secretaria de Energia. CFE was the only entity authorized to provide electricity directly to the public and to supply services to the Mexican wholesale market. CFE was also responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure necessary for the delivery of electricity, such as the national electric grid, the Sistema Electrico Nacional, or SEN.
As a result of Mexico’s energy reform bill enacted on December 21, 2013, articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution were amended in order to end the long-standing state monopoly in the oil, petrochemical and power sectors, and allow private investment in these areas for their development in an open market. Hence, the power generation sector is now open to full private participation and investment, creating a competitive spot market in power generation, although electric transmission and distribution will remain public services to be provided exclusively by CFE. With the enactment of the secondary legislation, the generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power in Mexico is governed by a new legal framework which will likely improve the development of the sector.
Notwithstanding the legal changes, we do not expect any negative consequences for ACT Energy Mexico, or ACT, or for the power generated and delivered to Pemex Gas y Petroquimica Basica.
Until the recent energy reform, the whole set of activities regarding generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of power for public use were considered areas of national strategic importance. As a result, such activities were carried out exclusively by CFE. The national electric grid was also controlled by CFE through the Centro Nacional de Control de Energia, or the CENACE, which operated the national electric grid and controlled delivery of all electricity generated by CFE and private generators connected to the grid. CFE is a vertically-integrated state monopoly that serves the whole country, and CENACE is a semi-independent agency that is part of CFE. As a result of the energy reform, CENACE became a decentralized public agency, which will continue to be responsible for the operation and control of the national electric grid with the aim of having an impartial third party (not CFE) operate the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid for both transmission and distribution of electricity. CENACE has emerged as an Independent System Operator, or ISO, which is a figure adopted worldwide in other mature energy markets.
The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity were regulated by the Ley del Servicio Publico de Energia Electrica, or Electricity Law; enacted in 1975 and amended in 1992. Since the implementation of the 1992 amendment to the Electricity Law, private entities have been allowed to participate in the following activities not considered public utility services, as defined by such law:
| · | Cogeneration. The electricity produced is used to supply power to the establishments associated with the cogeneration process and/or the shareholders of the cogeneration company; |
| · | Self-Supply Generation. The electricity produced is used for the self-supply purposes of the holder of the relevant self-supply power generation permit and/or its shareholders; |
| · | Independent Power Production. All the electricity produced is delivered to CFE; |
| · | Small-Scale Production. The electricity produced does not exceed 30 MW and is used for export purposes or the supply of all power output is sold to CFE; |
| · | Exports. The electricity produced is exported in its entirety; and |
| · | Imports for Independent Consumption. The import of power is used for self-supply purposes. |
The regulatory framework of the Mexican power industry is undergoing a transitory period, as the energy reform is still in the process of being fully implemented, given that the secondary legislation derived from such amendments to the Mexican Constitution was published in the Official Federal Gazette, or Diario Oficial de la Federacion, on August 11, 2014, and there are still several regulatory instruments pending issuance. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation in Mexico—Transitory Regime.”
The changes made by the energy reform are being implemented through a profound modification of the legal framework that had governed the development of the energy industry in the country, which has involved the entrance into force of new laws and the amendment of current laws.
The new laws enacted so far are listed below:
| · | Oil and Gas Law, or Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law, or Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Federal Electricity Commission Law, or Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Energy Regulatory Bodies Law, or Ley de los Organos Reguladores Coordinados en Materia Energetica; |
| · | National Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection Law of the Oil and Gas Sector, or Ley de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Mexican Petroleum Fund for Stabilization and Development, or Ley del Fondo Mexicano del Petroleo para la Estabilizacion y el Desarrollo; and |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law, or Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, 12 laws were amended in order to unify their content with the new regulatory framework. The following are the amended laws:
| · | Foreign Investment Law, or Ley de Inversion Extranjera; |
| · | Mining Law, or Ley Minera; |
| · | Private Public Partnerships Law, or Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas; |
| · | National Water Law, or Ley de Aguas Nacionales; |
| · | Federal Law of Government-Owned Entities, or Ley Federal de las Entidades Paraestatales; |
| · | Public Sector Acquisitions, Leases and Services Law, or Ley de Adquisiciones, Arrendamientos y Servicios del Sector Publico; |
| · | Public Works and Related Services Law, or Ley de Obras Publicas y Servicios Relacionados con las mismas; |
| · | Organizational Law of the Federal Government, or Ley Organica de la Administracion Publica Federal; |
| · | Federal Fees Law, or Ley Federal de Derechos; |
| · | Fiscal Coordination Law, or Ley de Coordinacion Fiscal; |
| · | Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; and |
| · | General Public Debt Law, or Ley General de Deuda Publica. |
Furthermore, on October 31, 2014, the following regulations and regulatory instruments, which will contribute to the implementation of the aforementioned secondary legislation, were published in the Official Federal Gazette:
| · | Regulations of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Regulations of the activities referred to in Chapter Three of the Oil and Gas Law, or Reglamento de las actividades a que se refiere el Titulo Tercero de la Ley de Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Oil and Gas Revenue Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Ingresos sobre Hidrocarburos; |
| · | Electric Industry Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Industria Electrica; |
| · | Geothermal Energy Law Regulations, or Reglamento de la Ley de Energia Geotermica; |
| · | Regulations of Petroleos Mexicanos Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de Petroleos Mexicanos; |
| · | Regulations of the Federal Commission of Electricity Law, or Reglamento de la Ley de la Comision Federal de Electricidad; |
| · | Internal Regulations of the Mexican Ministry of Energy, or Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Energia; and |
| · | Internal Regulations of the National Agency of Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection, or Reglamento Interior de la Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Industrial y de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente del Sector Hidrocarburos. |
Additionally, the executive branch also published the following decrees, which amended the existing regulations of different laws and which are relevant for the development of the energy sector:
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Public Partnerships Law Regulation, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Asociaciones Publico Privadas; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Federal Budget and Treasury Accountability Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Presupuesto y Responsabilidad Hacendaria; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulation for the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Mining Law, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley Minera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law and of the National Registry of Foreign Investment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley de Inversion Extranjera y del Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Economics, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Economia; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territory and Urban Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law for Sustainable Forestry Development, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General de Desarrollo Forestal Sustentable; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Impact Assessment, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Evaluacion del Impacto Ambiental; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding prevention and Control of Air Pollution, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Prevencion y Control de la Contaminacion de la Atmosfera; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions for the Regulations of the General Law for Prevention and Integral Waste Management, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General para la Prevencion y Gestion Integral de Residuos; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Environmental Zoning, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Ordenamiento Ecologico; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection regarding Emissions to the Atmosphere and Transfer of Pollutants, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes; |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento Interior de la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales; and |
| · | Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection on Self-Regulation and Environmental Audits, or Decreto por el que reforman, adicionan y derogan diversas disposiciones del Reglamento de la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecologico y la Proteccion al Ambiente en Materia de Autorregulacion y Auditorias Ambientales. |
Conventional Electricity Generation in Mexico
The former legal framework for conventional electricity generation in Mexico included the regulation of fossil fuels, such as carbon, diesel, fuel oil and natural gas, as well as nuclear fission regulation, which includes nuclear power plants and all related activities.
Accordingly, power generation under independent power production or self-supply schemes was not considered a public utility service and, therefore, could be performed by private companies and individuals pursuant to permits issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Comision Reguladora de Energia, or CRE. The CRE is a federal agency created in 1995 in order to enforce the laws and regulations relating to natural gas and electricity, and has the authority to issue permits, set tariffs, supervise, ensure adequate supply and, in the case of gas, promote competition.
As previously indicated, the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, controlled the entire chain of activities related to electric power, including generation, sale, distribution and transmission. The energy reform allows the private sector to openly participate in two important parts of the production chain: the generation and the sale of electricity.
Pursuant to the reform, the private energy sector is now able to invest in electricity generation with the requisite permits. The sale of electricity by private parties has not yet begun (with the initiation of operations of Wholesale Electricity Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista, or MEM) in Mexico under the new legal framework, privately sold electricity will be transmitted and distributed by CFE.
The reforms are expected to have positive effects on the electricity industry in Mexico, allowing the private sector to play an active role where a government monopoly once existed, generating greater investment and better technology.
As a result of the energy reform, the electricity sector will cease to be a chain of activities vertically integrated in a partially privatized sector, and become an area open to private investment in which, although CFE will maintain control, the possibility of private sector investment will be increased through a more flexible regulatory scheme that permits the execution of contracts to carry out various activities and the creation of new markets in the electricity sector. Among the most significant changes are the following:
| · | Participation open to the private sector in the generation of electricity through a permit granted by CRE. Private parties may also sell the energy generated and transmitted by CFE through commercial schemes. |
| · | Participation of the private sector, together with CFE, in the activities of transmission and distribution through the execution of the corresponding contracts. |
| · | Participation of the private sector in activities of financing, maintenance, management, operation and expansion of the power infrastructure through service contracts with CFE, with adequate compensation. |
| · | Transformation of the CENACE into a decentralized public body responsible for the operational control of the national electric grid, so that it is an impartial third party (and not the CFE) that operates the wholesale electricity market, guaranteeing open access to the national electric grid, for both transmission and distribution of electric power. |
| · | Creation of the MEM, operated by the CENACE, in which the participants carry out electric power purchase and sale transactions through contracts between the participants in the MEM. The CENACE is now responsible for managing the supply and demand of the MEM participants, carrying out transactions and generating prices continuously. The price that will be paid in the MEM transactions will be a competitive price, reflecting the costs of generation and other operating costs of electricity, as well as the volume of electric power demanded and supplied in the MEM. |
| · | Creation of the trader, under the new Electric Industry Law, as the holder of a MEM participant agreement, which purpose is to carry out trading activities (execution of contracts for purchase and sale of electricity within the MEM, among others). The traders may sign contracts with qualified users (through the provider-trader) or execute such contracts with other traders (non-provider trader). |
| · | The permits granted by the CRE under the currently repealed Electricity Law, will continue in force under its terms. The holders of those permits that choose to remain under the provisions of the Electricity Law may, at any time, transfer to the new rules. |
| · | The Geothermal Energy Law, the purpose of which is to regulate the recognition, exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources for the use of underground thermal energy within the limits of Mexican territory, in order to generate electricity or use it otherwise. |
| · | The activities regulated by the Geothermal Energy Law are considered to be in the public interest and their development will have preference over activities of other sectors when there is a conflict. |
| · | The activities pursued under the Geothermal Energy Law will be carried out through different registries, permits, authorizations and concessions granted by the competent authorities applicable for each case. For exploration activities, a permit will be sufficient, while for exploitation activities, a concession will be required. |
| · | Amendment of several articles of the National Water Law, for the purpose of (i) adapting certain definitions of that law to the new definitions introduced by the Geothermal Energy Law; (ii) including geothermal fields under regulated, prohibited or reserved zones; and (iii) establishing the obligation of requesting the relevant permits, authorizations and concessions from the National Water Commission in order to engage in the activities of geothermal fields exploration. |
Electric Industry Law
The Electric Industry Law, as part of the package of secondary legislation that implements the constitutional energy reform, regulates planning activities, the control of the national electric grid, the public services of transmission and distribution of electricity, and all other activities related to the Mexican energy industry, in order to promote the sustainable development of the industry and to ensure its continuous, efficient, and secure operation for the benefit of all users, as well as the fulfillment of the obligations to provide a general and public service of electricity, to develop clean energies, and to reduce contaminating emissions.
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, the government holds the operational control of the national electric grid, through the CENACE, and CENACE, as an ISO, will indicate the elements for the national transmission grid and the related operations which may correspond to the wholesale market.
Regulations of the Electric Industry Law
The Regulations of the Electric Industry Law provide details for the application of the Electric Industry Law and complete the implementation of the restructured electric industry in Mexico.
These regulations expand on certain administrative procedures in the electric industry, such as the development of public bidding procedures by CFE, for private sector contracts for activities related to the national electric grid; the specific requirements for the application for power generation and power supply permits with CRE; the process for infrastructure contributions by the private sector to the State; and the registration of participants in the wholesale spot market with CENACE.
Permits and Authorizations
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, all power plants with a capacity greater than or equal to 0.5 MW and all power plants of all capacities represented by a generator (i.e., the holder of one or more generation permits or holder of a wholesale market participant agreement that represents the corresponding power plants in the wholesale market or, prior authorization granted by CRE, power plants located abroad) require a generation permit granted by CRE. Authorization granted by CRE is also required for the import of electricity from a power plant located abroad and interconnected exclusively to the national electric grid. Power plants of any capacity exclusively intended for personal use during emergencies or interruptions in electric supply will not require a permit.
The Electric Industry Law provides for several requirements which generators who represent power plants interconnected to the national electric grid have to comply with, including, among others, the execution of the corresponding interconnection agreements, issued by CRE. Regarding the production of their power plants, generators may carry out commercialization activities which include, among others, the following: (i) representing exempt generators (i.e., owner or holder of one or more power plants which do not require or have a generation permit) in the MEM; (ii) carrying out sale and purchase transactions of energy, related services included in the MEM, and power or other products which ensure enough resources to meet the electric demand, and all other products, duties or penalties required for the efficient operation of the national electric grid, among others; and (iii) executing, among others, the corresponding electric coverage agreements (i.e., agreement entered into by participants of the MEM which purpose is the sale and purchase of electric energy or related products) with other MEM participants, including other generators, traders (i.e., holder of a MEM participant agreement which purpose is to carry out commercialization activities), and qualified users (i.e., final user who is registered before CRE to acquire electricity supply as a MEM participant or through a qualified provider).
Pursuant to the former legal framework for the Mexican electric industry, permits for self-supply, cogeneration, independent production, small production, import, and export of electricity were granted by CRE for indefinite periods of time, except for independent power producer permits, which were granted for 30-year renewable terms. In addition to the legal and technical requirements established by law to obtain such permits, CFE’s approval was required as part of CRE’s permit approval process. Pursuant to the transitory regime, such permits will be in force for the duration of the corresponding interconnection agreements executed under their scope.
CRE may also issue a supply permit for private parties, which will allow companies to participate in the MEM by carrying out transactions with final users, which are called “qualified users.” In this sense, private parties may supply power directly to consumers through bilateral long-term agreements, which will be partially regulated by the CRE.
Consequently, the Mexican power industry had been divided into two main areas: (i) the public service of electricity under CFE’s control, and (ii) the activities where private parties may be involved (such as where CFE actively promoted private investment in the construction and operation of power plants for supplying CFE and private parties under self-supply and cogeneration schemes).
While power generated in Mexico is still predominantly generated by CFE, there is a large amount of electricity generated by private energy producers, which generally fall under the categories of independent power production and self-supply generation, although cogeneration has come to be a relevant source of power as a result of certain amendments enacted in 2006 which allowed Pemex to develop new cogeneration projects independently and in collaboration with CFE. These amendments allowed Pemex to enter into the Pemex conversion services agreement and to receive the power generated by ACT.
As a consequence of the corresponding reforms the issuance of a new class of permit available to those interested in generating electricity is provided for pursuant to the Electric Industry Law. This permit will expand the ways in which entities are allowed to participate as energy producers under the Electric Industry Law and is within the scope of the CRE’s regulatory control.
The permits provided for in the Electric Industry Law are, as aforementioned, granted and issued by CRE, upon prior submission of the corresponding application, payment of the corresponding duties, all relevant legal and technical information, and project description. Such permits will be terminated or revoked pursuant to the different scenarios indicated in the Electric Industry Law and its regulations, and as determined by CRE.
The regulations list the documentation to be submitted to apply for a permit with CRE, as well as the corresponding timeline for the application procedure and the essential elements that CRE must include in the permit title.
Transmission and Distribution of Electricity in Mexico
Pursuant to the Electric Industry Law, regarding conventional energy generation, dispatchers and distributors are responsible for the national transmission grid and the general distribution grids and will operate their grids pursuant to the instruction provided by CENACE. Whereas in the past there were no regulatory limitations that would interfere with a private generator engaging in transmission activities, and, regarding distribution activities, these could only be performed by CFE, with the new regulatory framework derived from the constitutional reform and the legal provisions therein, the public service of electricity and its transmission are considered as strategic areas and will continue to be government-controlled, notwithstanding the possibility of the Mexican government, acting through CFE, to be able to enter into agreements with the private sector, or, acting through the Mexican Ministry of Energy, to form partnerships or enter into agreements with the private sector to carry out the financing, installation, maintenance, administration, operation or expansion of the infrastructure required to provide electricity transmission and distribution services, in terms of the provisions of the Electric Industry Law.
Such agreements will be awarded to private companies through bidding rounds, conducted by CENACE, which will determine the needs of the national electric grid, and carry out the corresponding tender processes. In addition, all dispatchers and distributors will have the obligation to execute the corresponding connection and interconnection agreements, based on the model contracts issued by CRE, regarding the interconnection of power plants or the connection of load centers, and the MEM regulations will indicate the criteria for CENACE to define the specifications for the required infrastructure necessary for the interconnection of power plants and the connection of load centers, as well as the mechanisms to determine preference matters for applications or requests and the procedure for their evaluation.
CFE is required by law to provide its wheeling (the transfer of electrical power through transmission and distribution lines to another utility), dispatch and backup services to all permit holders whenever the requested service is technically feasible on a first-come, first-served basis. CFE’s wheeling services are provided pursuant to an interconnection agreement and a transmission services agreement entered into between CFE and the relevant permit holder (in ACT’s case, these were executed by Pemex). Those agreements follow model contracts approved by the CRE, which also approves the methodology used to calculate the applicable tariffs. The permit holders must build their own transmission lines for self-use in order to connect to the power grid. In addition, permit holders are required to enter into a back-up services agreement with CFE, which also follow a model agreement approved by the CRE.
The Electric Industry Law incorporates new requirements to carry out the sale and purchase of electricity. Aside from being classified as a generator or qualified user, along with the need to comply with the rules issued by CRE for the execution of the corresponding agreements, there are new requirements for the interconnection to the transmission grid owned by CFE. The Electric Industry Law introduces and provides for the concepts of connection and interconnection, the first referring to the load points of users and the latter referring to generators’ power plants. Regarding interconnection, the most significant change is the need to execute new model agreements in order to adapt them to the new modalities and activities under the scope of regulation of the Electric Industry Law.
Furthermore, the transitory provisions contained in the Electric Industry Law provide that those interconnection agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force, notwithstanding the possibility that executing the new contract models that will be issued by CRE may prove beneficial in order to adapt to the new changing aspects of the industry; as with previous agreements, companies will only be limited to the authorized activities under such contracts (e.g. wheeling will only be available for the amount of energy and for the specific purpose established therein). This suggests that new models of interconnection agreements may be more flexible to cover the implementation of the various activities allowed.
The regulations provide that CRE must implement a regulatory regime providing for the conditions for the procurement of the public services of transmission and distribution of electric power based on the principles of proportionality and equality, aiming to prevent transporters, distributors and suppliers from exercising excessive market power that could negatively affect final users. Such regulatory regime will consider the degree of openness in the market, the concentration of participants and any other condition of the competition in every division of the industry. The regulations also anticipate the possible cases of curtailment of the services of transmission and distribution of electric power and provide for standard procedures in different situations.
Commercialization of Electricity
Under the Electric Industry Law, the trader will be the holder of a MEM participant agreement, and will carry out commercial activities, among which are executing electric coverage agreements for the sale and purchase of electricity within the MEM. Under the Electric Industry Law, electric coverage agreements are those agreements executed between MEM participants through which those participants engage in the sale of electric energy or related products. Traders may enter into such agreements with qualified users (through the figure of the provider-trader) or with other traders (who are not providers).
Excluding qualified users, basic providers will provide the basic supply to all people who so request it and whose load centers are located in their operation areas. Qualified providers will provide the qualified supply to qualified users in terms of free competition. Prior commencement of the qualified or basic supply services, the final user must execute a supply agreement with the appropriate provider, and such agreements will require registration before the Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer, or Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor, or PROFECO, CRE will issue the general terms and conditions for the electrical supply services, which will determine the rights and obligations of the service provider and the final user, correspondingly.
Qualified users are those final users who are duly registered as such before CRE in order to acquire power as MEM participants or by a qualified provider. In terms of the Electric Industry Law, users holding load points with a demand greater than or equal to 3 MW may be included in the qualified users registry (but such amount will decrease in one MW per year following the first year until reaching 1 MW). In this case, having the property in which the electric power is intended to be supplied registered as qualified under the corresponding rules to be issued will suffice. Within the MEM, qualified users may purchase energy through electric coverage agreements executed with CENACE or directly with traders.
Supply
Supply activities carried out in the new electric industry may be either in the basic or qualified modalities. Power supply agreements will be executed by and between providers and final users, under the corresponding supply permits issued by CRE. Basic supply refers to that which is provided by a provider under a regulated tariff to any applicant who is not a qualified user. Qualified Supply refers to that which is provided in terms of free competition to qualified users.
For basic supply, private generators may participate in the auctions conducted by CENACE, in order for CFE to acquire the energy in the most convenient economic terms and conditions, and thus CFE will be able to supply power to users who so request it before CENACE, who will carry out the referred auction and determine whom the electricity will be purchased from. CRE will also determine the requirements that providers must comply with in order to acquire energy and execute contracts for electric coverage with users.
As for qualified supply, qualified providers will carry out transactions directly through long-term supply agreements with qualified users. Under these agreements, the parties will be free to agree upon the terms and conditions (including economic conditions) thereof, abiding by certain general guidelines that will be issued by CRE.
Open Access
Both the Electric Industry Law and in the regulations thereunder establish that CFE will be obligated to grant non-discriminatory open access to all users of the national electric grid. This will enhance the existence of an open electricity market, where various competitors in almost all segments of the supply chain requiring the use of the national electric grid will coexist and develop their activities. Open access is a crucial component of the electric industry since CFE, as owner of the grid, will compete directly with other private sector participants in several activities of the industry, which could lead to a monopoly by CFE. In order to avoid such situation, the CENACE, as an independent system operator, will ensure competitive conditions for all users who want to use CFE’s infrastructure.
Pursuant to the regulations, CRE issued the general guidelines regarding open access conditions, the procedure for users to request such open access and the procedure to which the CENACE will be subject to grant this open access, among others.
Tariffs
Transmission, distribution, basic supply and last resort supply, as well as the operation of CENACE, will be subject to regulatory accounting guidelines established by CRE. CRE is currently issuing general administrative provisions regarding the methodology to determine the calculation and adjustment of the regulated tariffs for transmission, distribution, basic provider operation and CENACE operation services, as well as all related services which are not included in the MEM.
Dispatchers, distributors, basic providers and the CENACE will be required to publish their tariffs, as indicated by CRE, through general administrative provisions.
Wholesale Spot Market, Mercado Electrico Mayorista
The Electric Industry Law provides for the creation of a MEM, operated by CENACE, in which Participants can carry out a number of different transactions provided for in said law, among which are the sale of electricity and related products.
MEM participants can be (i) generators, (ii) provider-traders, (iii) non-provider traders, or (iv) qualified users, prior to execution of the corresponding agreement with CENACE. Transactions carried out within the MEM must be formalized through “electric coverage agreements” executed by and between such MEM participants. Generators, as MEM participants may, sell their generated energy and both traders and qualified users may purchase such energy through CENACE, which is the independent operator of the electric system.
CENACE is responsible for managing the supply and demand of MEM participants, conducting transactions and continuously generating prices. The price to be paid in MEM transactions has to be a “competition price” in terms of the Electric Industry Law, and has to reflect elements such as electricity generation costs and other operating costs, as well as the amount of electricity demanded by and supplied within the MEM. Such competition price will serve as a reference for long-term supply agreements between providers and qualified users, partially replacing the current CFE-published tariffs.
Even though the Electric Industry Law provides the general guidelines to which the operation of the MEM is subject, on September 8, 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Energy published the Guidelines of the Market (Bases del Mercado Electrico), as the general administrative provisions which establish the principles for the design and operation of the MEM. The regulations list certain topics which will be described in depth in the Rules of the Market (Reglas del Mercado), such as the methodology that will be used to forecast the level of demand in the spot market, information on market participants, and the methodology to determine the price of the electricity that will be sold and purchased within the spot market.
The Guidelines are part of the Rules of the Market, (which are administrative provisions of general application that will specifically detail different aspects of the operation of the MEM, and determine the rules that all market participants as generators, traders, suppliers, non-supplier traders or qualified users, as well as the competent authorities must comply with, and the procedures they must follow in order to maintain the proper management, operation and planning of the MEM. Pursuant to the Guidelines, which will subsequently be supplemented by guidelines for market practices, operational guidelines and criteria and operating procedures (some of which have already been issued), the different participants of the electricity industry will be able to carry out activities which are now open to private participation, due to the so-called Energy Reform that took place in late 2013, and which were regulated through the Electric Industry Law and its Regulations (such activities include, among others, transactions of sale of electricity and related services, power, financial transmission rights and clean energy certificates.
Public Consultation
The Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder set out the obligation to carry out a prior consultation process in the event a project is to be developed in certain lands where communities or indigenous people are found. This obligation, which is established in international treaties, as well as in Article 2 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, is now established in the new legal framework to provide certainty regarding community and social issues in all projects within the electric industry.
The aforementioned general obligation is provided for in the Electric Industry Law and the regulations thereunder detail the specific procedure to be followed, including the filing of a social and cultural impact assessment before the Mexican Ministry of Energy and the different stages that the prior consultation entail, among others.
Transitory Regime
Given that the Electric Industry Law sets various deadlines for the full implementation of its provisions (such as the issuance of the Market Rules pending to be determined, the full entry into operation of the MEM or the Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Electricity), a transitory regime has been established, intending to provide clarity and certainty to all participants of the industry who either have ongoing projects or plan to start projects in the near future.
Permits
Permits granted by CRE, in accordance with the Electricity Law, will continue to be governed under the terms set out therein and other applicable provisions. Holders of such permits who decide to remain under the regulation of Electricity Law may, at any time, migrate to the new regime if it suits their interests.
Interconnection agreements
In order to be able to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law (in the event not previously executed), those interested in doing so must comply with the following conditions: (i) having obtained or having applied for a permit in any of the modalities provided by the Electricity Law, prior to the entry into force of the Electric Industry Law (August 11, 2014); (ii) having notified CRE about its intention to continue with the development of the relevant project; and (iii) having provided proof evidencing that the appropriate financing for the project has already been obtained, that they have already contracted the supply of the main equipment required for the project, and that at least 30% of the total investment for the project has been paid before December 31, 2016. Additionally, it is possible to execute an interconnection agreement in terms of the Electricity Law if a company participated in an open season process, through which CRE granted transmission capacity to several participating companies.
The Electric Industry Law also provides certainty regarding interconnection agreements which have been executed with CFE prior to the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, as those agreements which were executed under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law will remain in force for their entire duration (although they will not be subject to renewal or extension upon their termination). With the enactment of the Electric Industry Law, it is now possible to modify executed interconnection agreements in relation to the load points, surplus sales, support services, cost of stamp wheeling and other conditions contained therein which may apply.
Permit holders who choose to remain under the scope of regulation of the Electricity Law and decide to keep their interconnection agreements will be governed by the terms and conditions set forth therein and, consequently, will not be subject to the rules of the MEM.
Former Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and administrative provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the former regulatory framework:
| · | The Mexican Constitution. Pursuant to articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution, the supply of electricity, a public service in Mexico, including its generation, transmission, transformation, distribution and sale are activities expressly reserved to the Mexican federal government. |
| · | Electricity Law. Along with its regulations, this law provides the main legal framework through which the Mexican federal government, acting through CFE, provides the public its electricity supply, as well as the regulations applicable to power generation, sale and purchase for the private sector. |
| · | Law of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Ley de la Comision Reguladora de Energia. This regulates the manner in which the CRE operates. |
| · | Resolution number RES/146/2001, issued by the CRE: Fee Calculation Methodology for Electricity Transmission Services, Metodologia para la determinacion de los cargos por servicios de transmision de energia electrica. This regulation provides the mechanism pursuant to which CFE will calculate the appropriate charges for the requests of transmission services. |
| · | Interconnection Agreement, Contrato de Interconexion, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Transmission Agreement, Convenio de Transmision, issued by the CRE. |
| · | Methodology and criteria for high-efficiency cogeneration, Metodologia y criterios de cogeneracion eficiente. |
| · | Guidelines for the validation as high-efficiency cogeneration systems (Disposiciones para acreditar sistemas de cogeneracion eficiente). |
Current Regulatory Framework
The following laws and regulations include constitutional, legal and regulatory provisions applying to the development of cogeneration projects in Mexico, according to the recently enacted regulatory framework:
| · | Political Constitution of the Mexican United States |
| · | Regulation of the Electric Industry Law |
| · | Law of the Federal Commission of Energy |
| · | Law of the Coordinated Regulatory Agencies in Energy Matters |
| · | Energy Transmission Law, or Ley de Transicion Energetica |
| · | Guidelines of the Market |
Notwithstanding the above-listed regulatory framework, it is noteworthy that this list remains subject to modifications, as the pending regulatory instruments are to be issued in coming months, and, pursuant to the transitory regime provided for in the new framework, certain former legal provisions will continue to be in force, as applicable, for specific projects which were started before the enactment and implementation of the new legal framework.
Regulation in Peru
Below is a general overview of certain Peruvian electricity sector regulations. This overview should not be considered a full description of all regulations.
The Electric Transmission Sector
The Peruvian electric system serves energy to a large area of the country through the SEIN that has transmission lines and substations operating at 500, 220, 138, 69 and 33-kV levels.
Pursuant to Law 28832, which is applicable to any transmission project commissioned after July 2006, the transmission facilities integrating the transmission grid are classified as those belonging to: either (i) the SGT for transmission facilities that are included in the transmission plan and developed pursuant to a concession agreement granted by the Peruvian government to the winner of a public tender, or (ii) the Complementary Transmission System, or Sistema Complementario de Transmisión, or SCT, for transmission facilities that are either (a) included in the transmission plan and developed by the private entity that was awarded a concession as a result of the successful review of a private initiative proposal, or (b) not included in the transmission plan.
Under Law 28832, the projected expansions of the transmission system identified in the Peruvian transmission plan are part of the SGT. The government organizes tender procedures to call private investors interested in building the projected lines of the SGT. Under SGT concession agreements, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. Recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (up to 30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return to the State which shall call a new tender if the lines are required at such time for the operation of the system.
Transmission lines of interest to generation plants, distribution networks or large consumers are part of the SCT. The lines of the SCT included in the Peruvian transmission plan and certain projects that exclusively serve the demand, as defined by the government, may be subject to tenders for the granting of SCT concession agreements up to 30 years. The rest of the SCT projects are subject to the general regime in which the owners of the SCT lines (for example, the generation companies building them to connect their plants to the system) are the holders of the respective Definitive Transmission Concession and own the transmission assets through the term of the concession.
Open Access Regime
The activity of electricity transmission is a public service according to Peruvian law; such service is subject to open access regulations, which imply that the owner of a transmission infrastructure is obliged to allow third parties to connect to the SEIN through its transmission facilities. However, third parties requesting access to a transmission system have the obligation to assume the costs of any additional investment required to increase the connection capacity, if required to make the interconnection feasible. The terms and conditions of the required new investments shall be negotiated in an interconnection agreement.
Access of third parties to the SGT with facilities that are not included in the Peruvian transmission plan requires a previous verification by the COES of the technical conformity of such connection facilities. For those facilities needed for the electrical continuity of the SGT, the third party seeking access assumes the costs of expansion and compensation for their use, and the corresponding SGT concessionaire is responsible for the implementation, operation and maintenance of these facilities. The operation and maintenance costs of these facilities are those arising from the agreement between the SGT concessionaire and the third party seeking access.
If a private interconnection agreement is not reached through private negotiation, a request for an interconnection mandate can be filed before the Organismo Supervisor de la Inversion en Energía y Minería, or OSINERGMIN, who will determine the conditions applicable to the connection, if it is technically feasible. To that end an assessment of the different connection possibilities shall be submitted to OSINERGMIN by the applicant to determine the most efficient technical solution.
The participation of OSINERGMIN shall guarantee and enforce compliance with the legal principle of open access to transmission and distribution networks. An interconnection mandate establishes the conditions under which the interconnection shall take place. The parties usually prefer to reach an agreement establishing those conditions. However, in cases where an agreement is not feasible due to the pre-existence of previous interconnection commitments with other companies, OSINERGMIN has been willing to grant new interconnection mandates as long as there is available capacity.
Tariff Regime
The SGT is compensated through the tariff base, which is the authorized annual remuneration for facilities belonging to the SGT. The tariff base is established in annual amounts and includes the following: (i) remuneration of investments (including adjustments), which is calculated based on a 30-year recovery period applying a 12% rate of return, (ii) efficient operating and maintenance costs, and (iii) the liquidation of imbalances between the authorized tariff base for the previous year and the proceeds obtained during that year.
The tariff base will be paid through the (i) tariff income and (ii) the transmission toll. The tariff income is paid monthly by the electricity generation companies in proportion to their respective capacity income. The transmission toll is paid by the electricity generation companies based on their collection of the transmission toll paid by their respective customers pursuant to Article 26 of Law 28832 and Article 27 of the Transmission Rules, or Reglamento de Transmisión, approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM.
The electricity generation companies are paid by customers via capacity charges and energy charges established in their respective supply contracts. These capacity charges include a transmission toll per unit of peak demand (5% per kW-month) needed to cover the costs to be paid for the SGT.
The monthly payments to be made by electricity generation companies to the transmission companies are liquidated by the COES, in application of the tariffs determined by OSINERGMIN. A portion of the amount collected by the electricity generation companies from customers is allocated to the transmission companies that own facilities in the SGT. As such, electricity generation companies collect the money required to pay the SGT facilities from customers.
Non-regulated customers include large electricity consumers with a maximum annual power demand over 2,500 kW and customers with maximum annual power demands between 200 kW and 2500 kW that may choose to be regulated customers or not. Non-regulated customers may freely negotiate their energy prices with suppliers.
The SCT is remunerated on the basis of the annual average cost of the corresponding facilities approved by OSINERGMIN. The applicable tariffs and their respective actualization formulas are approved by OSINERGMIN every four years.
Penalties
The concessionaires must maintain certain quality, safety and maintenance standards of the facilities. The failure to meet the quality standards established by applicable industry regulations, such as the Technical rules of quality for power services, approved by Supreme Decree No. 020-97-EM, and the National Power Code, may result in the imposition of penalties, fines and restrictions. In addition to these penalties, fines and restrictions, if our concession is terminated due to the breach of obligations under the Concession Agreements, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy may appoint an intervenor to supervise the operations related to the concession to ensure the continuity in the provision of the service, and the compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
If a concessionaire suspends or interrupts the service for reasons other than regular maintenance and repairs, force majeure events, or failures caused by third parties, such concessionaire may be required to indemnify those who were affected for the damages caused by any such service interruption, in accordance with applicable regulations. In addition, the OSINERGMIN could impose penalties, including, among others, (a) admonishment, (b) successive fines, depending on the nature and effect of the interruption and its frequency, (c) temporary suspension of activities, and (d) definitive suspension of activities and the provisional administration of operations by an intervenor, if a termination event occurs and the Peruvian Ministry of Energy notifies of its desire to terminate the SGT concession agreement.
Also, OEFA (Agency of Environmental Evaluation and Control), the entity in charge of the supervision, inspection and sanction concerning environmental matters, may impose fines and corrective measures to the companies in case of violation of the environmental rules and regulations.
Electricity Legal Framework
The principal laws and regulations governing the Peruvian power sector, or the Power Legal Framework, are: (i) the Power Concessions Law (or Ley de Concesiones Electricas, PCL), approved by Law No. 25844, and its implementing rules (Supreme Decree No. 09-93-EM); (ii) the Law to Ensure the Efficient Development of Electricity Generation (or Ley para Asegurar el Desarrollo Eficiente de la Generación Electrica), approved by Law No. 28832, or Law No. 28832; (iii) the Transmission Rules (or Reglamento de Transmisión), approved by the Supreme Decree No. 027-2007-EM, or the Transmission Rules; (iv) the General Environmental Law (Law No. 28611); (v) the Rules for the Environmental Protection in Power Activities (Supreme Decree No. 029-94-EM); (vi) the Power Sector Antitrust Law (Law No. 26876) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 017-98-ITINCI); (vii) the Laws creating OSINERGMIN (Law No. 26734 and Law No. 28964); (viii) the OSINERGMIN Rules (Supreme Decree No. 054-2001-PCM); (ix) the Regulatory Agencies of Private Investment in Public Services Framework Law (Law No. 27332); and (x) the Legislative Decree that promotes investment in the generation of power through renewable resources (Legislative Decree No. 1002) and its regulations (Supreme Decree No. 012-2011-EM).
These laws regulate how to enter the electricity sector (applicable permits and licenses); the main obligations of the different participants of the electricity market (generators, transmission companies and distribution companies); remuneration systems for the different market participants; rights of electricity consumers and the attributions of the competent authorities.
Other relevant laws are: (i) the Public Consultation Law and its regulations (Law No. 29758 and Supreme Decree No. 001-2012-MC) for projects that may affect rights of indigenous and native communities and (ii) Law of National Heritage (Law 28296) and relevant regulations (Supreme Resolution No. 004-2000-ED) for obtaining the CIRA which is issued by the Ministry of Culture, certifying there are no archaeological remains in an area. Prior to performance of any activity or construction works, titleholders shall obtain the corresponding CIRA.
Some of the main aspects of Peru’s regulatory framework concerning its power sector are: (i) the separation between the power generation, transmission and distribution activities; (ii) unregulated prices for the generation of power supplied to unregulated customers; (iii) regulated prices for the generation of power supplied to regulated customers; (iv) regulated prices applicable to transmission and distribution of power for both regulated and unregulated customers; and (v) the private administration of the SEIN, according to the principles of efficiency, cost reduction, guaranty of quality and reliability in the provision of services.
All entities that generate, transmit or distribute power to third parties in Peru, including self-generators and co-generators that sell their excess capacity and energy in the SEIN, are regulated by the Power Legal Framework.
Although significant private investments have been made in the Peruvian power sector and independent entities have been created to regulate and coordinate its oversight, the Peruvian government still retains ultimate oversight and regulatory control. In addition, the Peruvian government owns and controls various generation and distribution companies in Peru.
The Guaranteed Transmission System—SGT Concession Agreement
ATN and ATS, as concessionaires, have SGT concession agreements granted by the Peruvian government as a result of a public tender.
Under the SGT concession agreement, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy grants the concession necessary to construct, develop, own, operate, and maintain the transmission lines and substations comprising a project to provide electricity transmission services that has been included in the Peruvian transmission plan.
The SGT concession agreement must specify the works schedule of the project and the corresponding guaranties of compliance. It also specifies the causes of termination of the agreement. The SGT concessionaires are not obliged to pay the grantor any consideration for the SGT concession agreement.
Under the SGT concession agreement, the concessionaire shall build the lines and be responsible for their operation and maintenance. The recovery of the investment during the term of the contract (30 years) is guaranteed thereunder. The concessionaire owns the transmission assets during the term of the contract. Upon expiry of the contract the assets return to the state, which shall call a new tender if the lines are required at such time for the operation of the system.
In addition to the SGT Concession Agreement, the SGT concessionaire should obtain from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy a Definitive Concession which entitles such concessionaire to develop the activity of electricity transmission. The Definitive Concession will be granted for the term of the SGT concession agreement, and under the terms and conditions of the latter.
Under the Definitive Concession, if the concessionaire requests it, the grantor shall impose easements on the lands required for the execution of the project in accordance with applicable laws, but the grantor does not assume the costs associated with such easements.
Upon request, the grantor is also required to use its best efforts to assist in obtaining licenses, permits, authorizations, concessions and other rights when the owner of the project complies with the legal requirements to obtain them and they are not granted on a timely basis by the competent authorities.
Revenues
The revenues of the project are established under the terms of the SGT concession agreement. In addition, the revenues of the project are funded by the users of electricity.
In effect, the compensation for facilities that are part of the SGT is allocated to customers by OSINERGMIN according to the amounts of investment, operational and maintenance costs set forth in the SGT concession agreement. The SGT will receive monthly compensation from the generation companies that collect the tariff base from their customers. Their compensation will be paid on a monthly basis and these monthly payments are liquidated by the COES, following the tariffs established annually by OSINERGMIN.
As of the commercial operation date, the owner of a project receives the revenue from payments of the tariff base pursuant to the SGT concession agreement. The calculation of the tariff base is based on: (i) an amount which represents a return on investment, including operation and maintenance costs and (ii) the amount determined on May 1 of each year by OSINERGMIN, in order to compensate for any intra-year difference between the compensation we should have received in the immediately preceding tariff year in U.S. dollars and the amount actually paid in Peruvian nuevos soles, determined at the exchange rate published in the Official Gazette “El Peruano” on the last working day prior to the fifteenth day of the month following the relevant month for which the services were charged to the electricity generation companies.
Every year, before the beginning of the new tariff period, OSINERGMIN will recalculate and determine the tariff base in U.S. dollars for the period which starts from May 1 of such year to April 30 of the following year. This determination is approved in April of each year through a resolution published in the Official Gazette, “El Peruano.”
Regulation in Spain
On November 26, 1997, the European Union published a report, or White Paper, which outlined a strategy and a community-wide action plan aimed at doubling energy production from renewable energy sources in the European Union from 6% in 1996 to 12% by 2010. The White Paper proposed a number of measures to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including measures designed to provide renewable energy sources better access to the electricity market. The Kyoto Protocol, ratified by the EU and its Member States on May 31, 2002, imposed a target of reducing EU emissions of greenhouse gases by 8%
Directive 2009/28/EC on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, or the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, set mandatory national overall targets for each Member State consistent with at least 20% of EU total energy consumption coming from renewable energy sources by 2020. In order to comply with these mandatory renewable energy targets, all EU Member States, including Spain, were required to develop a national action plan, called a National Renewable Energy Action Plan, or NREAP. Spain’s NREAP was issued on June 30, 2010 and sent to the European Commission.
In its NREAP, Spain set a target of 22.7% for primary energy consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources and a target of 42.3% of total electricity consumption to be supplied by renewable energy sources by 2020.
In 2011, a new Renewable Energies Plan, referred to as REP 2011-2020, was developed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive that added a new target to the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, a minimum of 10% of transportation energy consumption to be supplied from renewable energy sources in each Member State by 2020.
In Spain, these targets mean that energy from renewable sources should represent at least 20% of total energy consumption by 2020, consistent with the EU target, with a minimum of 10% of transportation consumption to be derived from renewable sources by that same year.
Article 3.3(a) of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive states that in order to reach the targets set for 2020, Member States may apply support schemes and incentives for renewable energy. These support systems or incentives are different in each country, but the most common are:
| · | Green certificates. Producers of renewable energy receive a “green certificate” for each MWh they generate and suppliers of energy have an obligation to purchase part of the energy that they supply from renewable sources. |
| · | Investment grants and direct subsidies. These help defray the costs of installing renewable energy generation plants. |
| · | Tax exemptions or relief. These include ITCs, cash grants in lieu of tax credits and accelerated depreciation, among others. |
| · | System of direct support of prices. These include regulated tariffs and premiums and involve a regulatory guarantee to purchase energy generated by a renewable energy plant for an allotted period of time at a fixed tariff per kWh, for a maximum annual number of hours, so that the producer is ensured of a reasonable return on its investment. |
Solar Regulatory Framework Applicable to Solar Power Plants Currently in Operation
The applicable legal framework for solar power plants already in operation is set out in four primary legal instruments:
| · | Royal Decree-law 9/2013, of July 12, containing emergency measures to guarantee the financial stability of the electricity system, referred to as Royal Decree-law 9/2013; |
| · | Law 24/2013, of December 26, the Electricity Sector Act, referred to as the Electricity Act; |
| · | Royal Decree 413/2014, of June 6, regulating electricity production from renewable energy sources, combined heat and power and waste, referred to as Royal Decree 413/2014; |
| · | Ministerial Order IET/1045/2014 of June 16, published on June 20, 2014, approving the remuneration parameters for standard facilities, applicable to certain electricity production facilities based on renewable energy, cogeneration and waste, referred to as Revenue Order; and |
| · | Ministerial Order IET/1882/2014 of October 14, published on October 16, 2014, establishing the methodology for the calculation of the electricity associated to the gas consumption in CSP plants. |
Primary Rights and Obligations under the Electricity Act
The Electricity Act eliminates a previously existing distinction between ordinary electricity producers and those using renewable energy sources in their production of electricity, though it continues to recognize the following rights for producers with facilities that use renewable energy sources:
| · | Priority off-take. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will have priority over conventional generators in transmitting to offtakers the energy they produce over conventional generators under equal market conditions, subject to the secure operation of the national electricity system and based on transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Priority of access and connection to transmission and distribution networks. Producers of electricity from renewable energy sources will have priority in obtaining access and connecting to the grid, subject to the terms set forth in the regulations, on the basis of objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. |
| · | Entitlement to a specific payment scheme. Producers of electricity from renewable sources will receive specific reimbursement that shall not exceed the minimum amount necessary to cover their costs. This enables them to compete on a level playing field with the other, non-renewable technologies on the market while achieving a reasonable return on investment. |
The significant obligations of the renewable energy electricity producers under the Electricity Act include a requirement to:
| · | Offer to sell the energy they produce through the market operator even when they have not entered into a contract and so are excluded from the bidding system managed by the market operator. |
| · | Maintain the plant’s planned production capacity. Power lines, which include connections with the transmission or distribution network and transformers, are considered part of the production facility. |
| · | Contract and pay the corresponding fees, whether directly or through their representatives, to the transmission or distribution companies to which the renewable energy facilities are connected in order for their power to be fed into the grid. |
Registration on Public Registers
The Electricity Act and Royal Decree 413/2014 require electricity generation facilities to be entered on the official register of electricity production plants maintained by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda.
The autonomous regions may keep their own registers of electricity generation plants they have authorized if such plants have a capacity of 50 MW or less. The registration details of these plants must be provided to the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda electronically.
Solaben 2/3 and Solaben 1/6 are on the register of the autonomous region Extremadura and the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda.
Solacor 1/2, PS10/20, Helioenergy 1/2 and Solnova 1/3/4 are on the register of the autonomous region of Andalucia and the Ministry of Energy,Tourism and Digital Agenda.
Helios 1/2 is on the register of the autonomous region Castilla La Mancha and the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda.
To receive their facility-specific reimbursement, renewable energy facilities are required under the Electricity Act and Royal Decree 413/2014 to be listed on a new register entitled the Specific Payment System Register, Registro de Regimen Retributivo Especifico. Unregistered plants will only receive the pool price.
The first transitional provision of Royal Decree 413/2014 states that power plants based on renewable sources recognized under the previous economic regime, as in the case of Solaben 2/3, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20 will be automatically included in the Specific Payment System Register.
Change of Compensation System Applicable to Solar Power Plants
Royal Decree-law 9/2013 introduced a change in the payment system applicable to existing electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources to guarantee the financial stability of the electric system. The purpose of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, which entered into force on July 14, 2013, was to adopt a series of measures to ensure the sustainability of the electric system and to combat the shortfalls between electricity system revenues and costs, referred to as the tariff deficit.
The measures adopted were focused primarily on the following areas: (i) the legal and financial regime for existing electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources, co-generation and residual waste; (ii) the remuneration regime for transport and distribution activities; (iii) Spain’s guarantee of the Securitization Fund to cover the tariff deficit; and (iv) certain aspects related to capacity payments, assumption of the cost of the subsidized tariff and a review of access charges.
Royal Decree-law 9/2013 established an entirely new remuneration system, abolishing the remuneration system based on a regulated tariff applicable to electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources (including facilities in operation at the time that Royal Decree-law 9/2013 entered into force).
Prior to the adoption of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, electricity production facilities using renewable energy sources received revenues tied to their electricity produced according to their power output. This involved receiving feed-in tariffs, in €/kWh, that were split into two components: (i) the pool price of electricity and (ii) an equivalent premium, consisting of the difference between the pool price and the set feed-in tariff for each type of plant (feed in tariff = pool price + equivalent premium). This revenue was received for a maximum annual number of hours and for a pre-determined number of years, depending on the technology used in each case. For any additional hours produced, producers received the pool price.
The repealed economic scheme was applied on a transitional basis until new provisions were approved to fully implement the new remuneration system. Settlements made after July 14, 2013 were made in accordance with the previous regime until the new implementing regulations have been adopted. However, following the implementation of these new regulations, payments made during this interim period will be recalculated in accordance with the new regulations. The difference between the amounts received under the prior regime and those calculated under the new regime will be deducted from the first nine settlements that follow the approval of the new implementing regulations.
New System
According to Royal Decree 413/2014, producers receive: (i) the pool price for the power they produce and (ii) a payment based on the standard investment cost for each type of plant (without any relation whatsoever to the amount of power they generate). This payment based on investment (in €/MW of installed capacity) is supplemented (in cases of technologies with running costs in excess of the pool price) with an “operating payment” (in €/MWh produced).
The principle driving the new economic regime imposed by Royal Decree 413/2014 is that the incentives that an electricity producer receives should be equivalent to the costs that they are unable to recover on the electricity market where they compete with non-renewable technologies. The new economic regime seeks to allow a “well-run and efficient enterprise” to recover the costs of building and running a plant, plus a reasonable return on investment (project internal rate of return).
According to Royal Decree 413/2014, the remuneration for investment in respect of plants that were already in operation during the first statutory period (from July 14, 2013 to December 31, 2019) is calculated as follows:
| · | The “standard per-MW investment value” is added to the “standard per-MW operating cost” (both updated from July 2013 with a 7.398% rate of return); i.e., what it would have cost a well-run and efficient enterprise to build, maintain and run the facility from its start-up until the time Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force. |
| · | From the resulting total, the “standard per-MW total revenue valued at the electricity pool price,” earned by each type of plant from its start-up through entry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013, also updated applying the 7.398% rate of return is subtracted. |
| · | The result (the standard per-MW investment value plus standard per-MW operating cost minus standard per-MW total revenue) is the “net investment value,” i.e., the costs unrecovered by the plant owner as of July 14, 2013. |
| · | Payments for investment to be made after Royal Decree-law 9/2013 came into force and during every year of a plant’s remaining statutory useful life are calculated by (a) adding the net investment value (calculated as explained above) to the “expected operating costs until the end of the asset’s statutory useful life;” and (b) deducting the “expected revenue on the market up to that same point in time” (in both cases, the amount would be discounted to July 2013 by applying the 7.398% rate of return). The annual amount to be received would be calculated so that it would be the same amount every year until the end of the statutory useful life. |
Accordingly, under Royal Decree 413/2014, the returns received by the owners of plants in excess of 7.398%, from start-up until Royal Decree-law 9/2013 took effect, would serve to reduce the unrecovered net investment value as of July 14, 2013.
Operating payments will only be available for those facilities whose costs exceed the estimated average pool price. However, the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda can cap operating payments at a maximum number of hours.
Payment Factors for Solar Power Plants
The payment system applicable for each plant is based on various criteria considered by the Ministry Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda and includes the specific technology used, amount of power produced relative to operating costs, age of the facility and any other differentiating factor deemed necessary to consider in applications of the payment system.
Revenue Order recognizes six types of solar thermal plants: (i) parabolic trough collectors without a storage system, (ii) parabolic trough collectors with a storage system, (iii) central or tower receivers without a storage system, (iv) central or tower receivers with a storage system, (v) linear collectors and (vi) solar-biomass hybrids.
To determine the payment system applicable to each plant, the following factors are considered:
| · | Net investment value. This consists of a standard amount per MW for each type of plant, calculated by the method set out in Royal Decree 413/2014, which is the amount invested in the plant and not depreciated as of July 14, 2013. |
| · | Useful life of the plant. For solar thermal plants this is 25 years. |
| · | Return on investment. Considering the net asset value determined on the basis of a standard cost per MW built, an amount is set per unit of power, which enables investment costs that cannot be recovered through the pool price to be recouped over the useful life of the plant. |
| · | Operating remuneration. An amount is set per unit of power and hour that, added to the pool price, enables the producer to recoup all the plant’s operating and maintenance costs. Operating expenses include the cost of land, electricity, gas and water bills, management, security, corrective and preventive maintenance, representation costs, the Spanish tax on special immovable properties, insurance, applicable generation charges and a generation tax which is equal to 7% of total revenue. |
| · | Maximum number of operating hours. A maximum number of hours is set for which each plant type can receive the operating remuneration. |
| · | Operating threshold. Plants must operate for more than a set number of hours per year to receive the return on investment and operating remuneration. |
| · | Minimum operating hours. Plants that cross the operating threshold but operate for fewer hours than the annual minimum hours receive a lower remuneration. |
On February 22, 2017, after the end of the first half-period, the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda published the updated remuneration parameters of the standard facilities applicable to registered power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and waste during the regulatory half-period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 as set forth in the table below.
| | | Return on Investment 2017 (euros/MW) | | Operating Remuneration 2017 (euros/GWh) | | | | | | |
Solaben 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 3 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 1 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solacor 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
PS 10 | 25 years | | 555,614 | | 67,735 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
PS 20 | 25 years | | 411,953 | | 61,918 | | 1,859 | | 1,115 | | 651 |
Helioenergy 1 | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helioenergy 2 | 25 years | | 406,247 | | 46,273 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 1 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Helios 2 | 25 years | | 411,681 | | 46,474 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 1 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 3 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solnova 4 | 25 years | | 418,356 | | 46,843 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 1 | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Solaben 6 | 25 years | | 408,123 | | 46,342 | | 2,028 | | 1,217 | | 710 |
Seville PV | 30 years | | 714,115 | | 33,257 | | 2,092 | | 1,255 | | 732 |
Note:—
(1) | According to the Royal Decree. |
Regulatory Periods
Payment criteria are based on prevailing economic conditions in Spain, demand for electricity and reasonable profits for electricity generation activities and can be revised every three or six years. The Royal Decree 413/2014 establishes statutory periods of six years, with the first statutory period running from July 14, 2013 (the date of entry into force of Royal Decree-law 9/2013) to December 31, 2019. Each statutory period is divided into two statutory half-periods of three years. The first such half-period runs from July 14, 2013 to December 13, 2016.
This “statutory period” mechanism aims to set forth how and when the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda is entitled to revise the different payment factors used to determine the specific remuneration to be received by the standard facilities.
At the end of each statutory half-period (three years) the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda may revise (i) the electricity market price estimates and (ii) the adjustment value for electricity market price deviations in the preceding statutory half-period.
As the first statutory half-period ended on December 31, 2016, such payment factors are currently under review by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda and may be subject to change upon the approval of the Proposal of Order updating the remuneration parameters of the standard facilities applicable to certain power generation facilities from renewable energy sources, cogeneration and waste during the regulatory half-period running from 1 January 2017, which is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2017. The definitions and values of all payment criteria can be changed at the end of each regulatory period, except for a plant’s useful life and the value of a plant’s initial investment that is recouped through the specific return on investment.
Unless reviewed, payment criteria will be considered to be extended for the subsequent regulatory period.
Reasonable Rate of Return
Article 14 of the Electricity Act provides that a reasonable return on investment is calculated on the basis of the average pre-tax yield of Spanish government 10-year bonds on the secondary market.
For plants that are already in operation, the reasonable return over the regulatory life of the plants is based on the average pre-tax yield on Spanish government 10-year bonds on the secondary market for the preceding 10 years, plus 300 basis points.
Annex III of the Revenue Order specifies that the 10-year average yield for the 10-year bond is 4.398%, which, increased by 300 bps, results in 7.398% per annum.
Under no circumstances will amounts received by producers for electricity generated before July 14, 2013 be required to be returned or reimbursed under the new system.
Before the start of a new regulatory period, a revised reasonable return can be established for each plant type, calculated as the average yield on Spanish government 10-year bonds on the secondary market in the 24 months through the month of May preceding the new regulatory period, plus a spread.
This spread is based on the following criteria:
| · | Appropriate profit for this specific type of renewable electricity generation and electricity generation as a whole, considering the financial condition of the Spanish electricity system and Spanish prevailing economic conditions; and |
| · | Borrowing costs for electricity generation companies using renewable energy sources with regulated payment systems, which are efficient and well run, within Europe. |
The next regulatory period will begin on January 1, 2020.
Funding the Tariff Deficit
The Electricity Act also states that from January 1, 2014, tariff deficit amounts would no longer be paid for, as they had been previously, by the five major Spanish utilities. Instead, they will be paid by the companies that receive “regulated payments,” including distributors, transportation companies, producers of electricity from renewable plants, companies receiving capacity payments and others. Each of these entities will temporarily fund the tariff deficit in proportion to the costs that they represent for the electricity system in a given year and can recover these contributions in the following five years, plus interest at a market rate.
According to the Electricity Act, tariff deficit cannot exceed 2% of the estimated system revenues for each year. Furthermore, the accumulated debt due to previous years’ deficit cannot exceed 5% of the estimated system revenues for that period. If these thresholds are exceeded, the Spanish government is forced to review the access fees so that the system revenues increase accordingly.
Access Fee
Royal Decree 14/2010 was passed in order to eliminate the shortfalls between electricity system revenues and costs, referred to as the tariff deficit in the electricity sector.
The First Transitional Provision of Royal Decree 14/2010 provided that the owners of electricity production facilities pay a fee for access to the grid to the transmission and distribution companies (this access previously having been provided at no cost) from January 1, 2011. During the interim period, the access fee payable is: (i) calculated at €0.5 per MWh delivered to the network or (ii) any other amount that the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda establishes.
Royal Decree 1544/2011 implemented the First Transitional Provision of Royal Decree 14/2010 and confirmed the interim access fee imposed on electricity producers (€0.5 per MWh), subject to the adoption of a final method for calculating the access fee.
Electricity Sales Tax
On December 27, 2012, the Spanish Parliament approved Law 15/2012, which became effective on January 1, 2013. The aim of Law 15/2012 is to try to combat the problem of the so-called tariff deficit, which reached approximately €28 billion as of December 2013.
Law 15/2012, as amended, provides for an electricity sales tax which is levied on activities related to electricity production. The tax is triggered by the sale of electricity and affects ordinary energy producers and those generating power from renewable sources. The tax, a flat rate of 7%, is levied on the total income received from the power produced at each of the installations, which means that every calendar year, solar power plants will be required to pay 7% of the total amount which they are entitled to receive for production and incorporation into the electricity system of electric power, measured as the net output generated.
Tax Incentive of Accelerated Depreciation of New Assets
Under provisions of the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act, tax-free depreciation is permitted on investments in new material assets and investment properties used for economic activities acquired between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012. Taxpayers who made investments during such period and have amounts pending to be deducted for this concept may apply such amounts with certain limitations.
Taxpayers who made or will make investments from March 31, 2012 through March 31, 2015 in new material assets and investment properties used for economic activities are permitted to take accelerated depreciation for those assets subject to certain limitations. The accelerated depreciation is permitted if:
| · | 40% of the tax base before the amortization or depreciation and before the offset of tax loss carryforwards for taxpayers (subject to requirements to keep up employment levels); or |
| · | 20% of the tax base before the amortization or depreciation and before the offset of tax loss carryforwards for taxpayers (without employment requirements). |
Most of the investment in our Spanish assets was undertaken within the regime that applied between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012.
These limitations do not apply in respect of companies that meet the requirements set forth in article 108.1 of the Spanish Corporate Income Tax Act related to the special rules for enterprises of a reduced size.
The following summary chart sets forth our ownership structure as of the date of this annual report:
Notes:—
(1) | ACIN directly holds one share in each of ABY Concessions Peru S.A., ATN S.A. and ATS S.A. |
(2) | We do not have control over ACBH. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.” |
(3) | Due to Mexican legal requirements, one share is held by Servicios Auxiliares de Administracion, S.A. de C.V. |
(4) | Atlantica Yield plc directly holds one share in Palmucho and 10 shares in each of Quadra 1 and Quadra 2. |
(5) | 30% is held by Itochu, a Japanese company. |
(6) | 13% is held by JGC, a Japanese company. |
(7) | AEC holds 49% of Honaine and Skikda. Sadyt holds 25.5% of Honaine and 16.9% of Skikda. |
(8) | 20% of Seville PV is held by Instituto de Diversificacion y Ahorro de la Energia, or IDEA, a Spanish state-owned company. |
(9) | ATN holds a 25% stake in ATN2. |
D. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview.”
ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
The following discussion should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs, which are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3.D—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
The following discussion analyzes our historical financial condition and results of operations. For all periods prior to our IPO, the discussion reflects the combined financial statements of our predecessor, which represents the combination of the assets transferred by Abengoa to us immediately prior to the consummation of our IPO. For all periods subsequent to our IPO, the discussion reflects our and our subsidiaries’ consolidated results.
Overview
We are a total return company that owns, manages, and acquires renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission lines and water revenue-generating assets, focused on North America (the United States and Mexico), South America (Peru, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay) and EMEA (Spain, Algeria and South Africa).
As of the date of this annual report, we own or have interests in 21 assets, comprising 1,442 MW of renewable energy generation, 300 MW of conventional power generation, 10.5 M ft3 per day of water desalination and 1,099 miles of electric transmission lines, as well as an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH. Most of the assets we own have a project-finance agreement in place. All of our assets have contracted revenues (regulated revenues in the case of our Spanish assets) with low-risk off-takers and collectively have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 21 years as of December 31, 2016.
We intend to take advantage of favorable trends in the power generation and electric transmission sectors globally, including energy scarcity and a focus on the reduction of carbon emissions. To that end, we believe that our cash flow profile, coupled with our scale, diversity and low-cost business model, offer us a lower cost of capital than that of a traditional engineering and construction company or independent power producer and provides us with a significant competitive advantage with which to execute our growth strategy.
We are focused on high-quality, newly-constructed and long-life facilities that have contracts with creditworthy counterparties that we expect will produce stable, long-term cash flows. We will seek to grow our cash available for distribution and our dividend to shareholders through organic growth and by acquiring new contracted assets from our current sponsor and from potential new future sponsors as well from third parties.
Upon our IPO, we signed an exclusive agreement with Abengoa, which we refer to as the ROFO Agreement, which provides us with a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of Abengoa’s contracted renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission or water assets in operation and located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and the European Union, as well as four assets in selected countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. We refer to the contracted assets subject to the ROFO Agreement as the “Abengoa ROFO Assets.” See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Growth Strategy” and “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Right of First Offer.”
Additionally, we plan to sign similar agreements with other developers or asset owners. In addition, we expect to acquire assets from third parties leveraging the local presence and network we have in the geographies and sectors where we operate.
With this business model, our objective is to pay a consistent and growing cash dividend to shareholders that is sustainable on a long-term basis. We expect to distribute a significant percentage of our cash available for distribution as cash dividends and we will seek to increase such cash dividends over time through organic growth and as we acquire assets with characteristics similar to those in our current portfolio.
Based on the acquisition opportunities available to us, we believe that we will have the opportunity to grow our cash available for distribution in a manner that would allow us to increase our cash dividends per share over time. Prospective investors should read “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash dividends to investors” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors,” including the risks and uncertainties related to our forecasted results, acquisition opportunities and growth plan, in their entirety.
Acquisitions
First Dropdown Assets
On November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar power plant in Spain; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20, a 100 MW solar power complex in Spain; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal, an on-shore wind farm located in Uruguay with a capacity of 50 MW. The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million.
Second Dropdown Assets
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda, which are two water desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day. We entered into a two-year call and put option agreement with Abengoa under which (i) we have a put option to require Abengoa to repurchase these assets at the same price paid by us and (ii) Abengoa has a call option to require us to resell these assets if certain indemnities and guarantees provided by Abengoa related to past circumstances reach a certain threshold. Revenues from these assets are indexed to U.S. dollars and payable in local currency. On February 23, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. All these assets were acquired from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. The total aggregate consideration for the Second Dropdown Assets was $94 million.
Third Dropdown Assets
On May 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex located in Spain. On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. The total aggregate consideration for the Third Dropdown Assets was $682 million.
Fourth Dropdown Assets
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru. On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. These assets were acquired from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. In addition, on January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake. The total aggregate consideration agreed for the Fourth Dropdown Assets was $378 million, of which $18.8 million have been paid during 2016. As of December 31, 2016, there is no pending balance.
Additionally, on August 3, 2016, we completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain for a total consideration of $3.2 million.
In February 2017, we signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of a 12.5% interest in a 114-mile transmission line in the U.S, from Abengoa. The asset will receive a FERC regulated rate of return, and is currently under development, with COD expected in 2020. We expect our total investment to be up to $10 million in the coming three years including an initial amount invested at cost. We would also gain certain rights to acquire an additional 12.5% interest in the same project.
119
Our Operations
We own a diversified portfolio of contracted assets across the renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission line and water sectors in North America (the United States and Mexico), South America (Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil) and EMEA (Spain, Algeria and South Africa). We intend to expand to certain countries in the Middle East, maintaining North America, South America and Europe as our core geographies. Our portfolio consists of 1213 renewable energy assets, a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility, several electric transmission lines and minority stakes in two water desalination plants, all of which are fully operational. In addition, we own an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH, a subsidiary holding company of Abengoa that is engaged in the development, construction, investment and management of contracted concessions in Brazil, consisting mostly of electric transmission lines. All of our assets have contracted revenues (regulated revenues in the case of our Spanish assets) with low-risk offtakers and collectively have a weighted average remaining contract life of approximately 2221 years as of December 31, 2015.2016. We expect that the majority of our cash available for distribution over the next fourthree years will be in U.S. dollars, indexed to the U.S. dollar or in euros. We intend to use currency hedging contracts to maintain a ratio of 90% of our cash available for distribution denominated in U.S. dollars. Approximately 89%86% of our project-level debt is hedged against changes in interest rates through an underlying fixed rate on the debt instrument or through interest rate swaps, caps or similar hedging instruments.
Results of Operations
Revenue by geography
Our revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography and business sector for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 and 20132014 are set forth in the following tables:
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | $ | 328.1 | | | | 41.5 | % | | $ | 195.5 | | | | 53.9 | % | | $ | 114.0 | | | | 54.1 | % | | $ | 337.0 | | | | 34.7 | % | | $ | 328.1 | | | | 41.5 | % | | $ | 195.5 | | | | 53.9 | % |
South America | | | 112.5 | | | | 14.2 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.0 | % | | | 25.4 | | | | 12.0 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 12.2 | % | | | 112.5 | | | | 14.2 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.0 | % |
EMEA | | | 350.3 | | | | 44.3 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.1 | % | | | 71.5 | | | | 33.9 | % | | | 516.0 | | | | 53.1 | % | | | 350.3 | | | | 44.3 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.1 | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 790.9 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 362.7 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 210.9 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 971.8 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 790.9 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 362.7 | | | | 100 | % |
Revenue by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable Energy | | $ | 543.0 | | | | 68.7 | % | | $ | 170.7 | | | | 47.1 | | | $ | 82.7 | | | | 39.2 | |
Conventional Power | | | 138.7 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 32.7 | | | | 102.8 | | | | 48.7 | |
Electric Transmission | | | 86.4 | | | | 10.9 | % | | | 73.2 | | | | 20.2 | | | | 25.4 | | | | 12.1 | |
Water | | | 22.8 | | | | 2.9 | % | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total revenue | | $ | 790.9 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 362.7 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 210.9 | | | | 100 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | $ | 279.6 | | | | 85.2 | % | | $ | 175.4 | | | | 89.7 | % | | $ | 96.7 | | | | 84.8 | % |
South America | | | 110.9 | | | | 98.6 | % | | | 77.2 | | | | 92.3 | % | | | 19.0 | | | | 74.8 | % |
EMEA | | | 233.7 | | | | 66.7 | % | | | 55.4 | | | | 66.3 | % | | | 42.8 | | | | 59.9 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | $ | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % | | $ | 158.5 | | | | 75.2 | % |
Revenue by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable Energy | | $ | 724.3 | | | | 74.5 | % | | $ | 543.0 | | | | 68.7 | % | | $ | 170.7 | | | | 47.1 | % |
Conventional Power | | | 128.1 | | | | 13.2 | % | | | 138.7 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 32.7 | % |
Electric Transmission | | | 95.1 | | | | 9.8 | % | | | 86.4 | | | | 10.9 | % | | | 73.2 | | | | 20.2 | % |
Water | | | 24.3 | | | | 2.5 | % | | | 22.8 | | | | 2.9 | % | | | — | | | | — | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 971.8 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 790.9 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 362.7 | | | | 100 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | $ | 284.7 | | | | 84.5 | % | | $ | 279.6 | | | | 85.2 | % | | $ | 175.4 | | | | 89.7 | % |
South America | | | 124.6 | | | | 104.9 | % | | | 110.9 | | | | 98.6 | % | | | 77.2 | | | | 92.3 | % |
EMEA | | | 354.0 | | | | 68.6 | % | | | 233.7 | | | | 66.7 | % | | | 55.4 | | | | 66.3 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 763.3 | | | | 78.5 | % | | $ | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | $ | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable Energy | | $ | 414.0 | | | | 76.2 | % | | $ | 137.8 | | | | 80.7 | % | | $ | 55.8 | | | | 67.5 | % |
Conventional Power | | | 107.7 | | | | 77.6 | % | | | 101.9 | | | | 85.8 | % | | | 83.3 | | | | 81.0 | % |
Electric Transmission | | | 89.0 | | | | 103.1 | % | | | 68.3 | | | | 93.3 | % | | | 19.4 | | | | 76.4 | % |
Water | | | 13.5 | | | | 59.6 | % | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | $ | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % | | $ | 158.5 | | | | 75.2 | % |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable Energy | | $ | 538.4 | | | | 74.3 | % | | $ | 414.0 | | | | 76.2 | % | | $ | 137.8 | | | | 80.7 | % |
Conventional Power | | | 106.5 | | | | 83.2 | % | | | 107.7 | | | | 77.6 | % | | | 101.9 | | | | 85.8 | % |
Electric Transmission | | | 104.8 | | | | 110.2 | % | | | 89.0 | | | | 103.1 | % | | | 68.3 | | | | 93.3 | % |
Water | | | 13.6 | | | | 56.0 | % | | | 13.5 | | | | 59.6 | % | | | — | | | | — | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | $ | 763.3 | | | | 78.5 | % | | $ | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | $ | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % |
Note:Notes:—
(1)(10) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 includes compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of ACBH dividends. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations
Commencement of operations of projects
The comparability of our results of operations is significantly influenced by the volume of projects that become operational during a particular year. The number of projects becoming operational and the length of lead times for projects under construction significantly affect our revenue and operating profit, which makes the comparison of periods difficult.
The following table sets forth the principal projects that commenced operations during 2014, including the quarter in which operations began.
Geography Segment | | Asset | | Business Sector | | Capacity | | Status | | | |
North America | | Mojave | | Renewable energy | | 280 MW | | Operational | | 4Q 2014 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
South America | | ATS | | Electric Transmission | | 569 miles | | Operational | | 1Q 2014 | |
| | Quadra 1 | | Electric Transmission | | 43 miles | | Operational | | 2Q 2014 | |
| | Quadra 2 | | Electric Transmission | | 38 miles | | Operational | | 1Q 2014 | |
| | Palmatir | | Renewable energy | | 50 MW | | Operational | | 2Q 2014 | |
All of our projects were in operation in 2015 and all of the assets were acquired were already in operation at the time of acquisition.
Acquisitions
On November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar power plant in Spain; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20, a 100 MW solar power complex in Spain; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal, an on-shore wind farm located in Uruguay with a capacity of 50 MW. On January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake.
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.17% stake in Skikda, which are two water desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day. On February 23, 30152015 we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain.
On May 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement.
On May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex located in Spain from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement.
On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement.
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 40% equity stake of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru from Abengoa under the ROFO Agreement. We also acquired the remaining 60% equity stake owned by Sigma, a third-party financial investor, in ATN2.
On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in Kaxu a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa.
On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 75% of the shares and a 30-year usufruct of the economic rights of the remaining 25% of the shares of Solaben 1/6 from Abengoa.
On August 3, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain.
The results of operations of each acquisition hashave been consolidated since the date of their respective acquisition except for Honaine, which was recorded under the equity method, and Helioenergy 1/2, which was recorded under the equity method from February 23, 2015, the date we acquired a 30% ownership stake in the asset, until May 25, 2015, the date we gained control over the asset. Helioenergy 1/2 has been fully consolidated since May 25, 2015.
These acquisitions, and any other acquisitions we may make from time to time, will affect the comparability of our results of operations.
Commencement of operations of projects
The comparability of our results of operations is significantly influenced by the volume of projects that become operational during a particular year. The number of projects becoming operational and the length of lead times for projects under construction significantly affect our revenue and operating profit, which makes the comparison of periods difficult.
The following table sets forth the principal projects that commenced operations since 2014, including the quarter in which operations began.
Geography Segment | | Asset | | Business Sector | | Capacity | | Status | | Commercial Operation Date | |
North America | | Mojave | | Renewable energy | | 280 MW | | Operational | | 4Q 2014 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
South America | | ATS | | Electric Transmission | | 569 miles | | Operational | | 1Q 2014 | |
| | Quadra 1 | | Electric Transmission | | 49 miles | | Operational | | 2Q 2014 | |
| | Quadra 2 | | Electric Transmission | | 32 miles | | Operational | | 1Q 2014 | |
| | Palmatir | | Renewable energy | | 50 MW | | Operational | | 2Q 2014 | |
All of our projects were in operation in 2016 and all of the assets acquired were already in operation at the time of acquisition.
Impairment
The results for the year ended December 31, 2016 are impacted by the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH
The of $22.1 million and the results offor the year ended December 31, 2015 are significantlywere impacted by the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH of $210.4 million and recorded in other financial expense, with no corresponding amount in the previous year. million.
On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed us that several indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, have initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”), as a “Pedido“Pedido de processamento conjunto”conjunto”, which means the substantial consolidation of the three main subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH. Given that this process will likely negatively affectIn April 2016, Abengoa presented a consolidated restructuring plan in the value of our preferred equity investmentBrazilian Court, including ACBH and considering the high degree of uncertainty on its final outcome,two other subsidiaries. As a result, we have recorded an impairment of this preferred equity investment of $210.4 million. This is a non-cash loss that we recorded in Other finance expense in our consolidated income statementmillion for the year ended December 31, 2015.
122
In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2016, we recorded an impairment of $20.3 million in our wind assets in Uruguay (see Note 6 of our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements).Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Regulation
We operate in a significant number of regulated markets. The degree of regulation to which our activities are subject varies by country. In a number of the countries in which we operate, regulation is carried out by national regulatory authorities. In some countries, such as the United States and, to a certain degree, Spain, there are various additional layers of regulation at the state, regional and/or local levels. In such countries, the scope, nature, and extent of regulation may differ among the various states, regions and/or localities.
While we believe the requisite authorizations, permits, and approvals for our existing activities have been obtained and that our activities are operated in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we remain subject to a varied and complex body of laws and regulations that both public officials and private parties may seek to enforce. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Regulation” for a description of the primary industry-related regulations applicable to our activities in the United States and Spain and currently in force in certain of the principal markets in which we operate.
Power purchase agreements and other contracted revenue agreements
As of December 31, 2015,2016, the average remaining life of our PPAs, concessions and contracted revenue agreements was approximately 2221 years. We believe that the average life of our PPAs and contracted revenue agreements is a significant indicator of our forecasted revenue streams and the growth of our business. Contracted assets and concessions consist of long-term projects awarded to and undertaken by us (in conjunction with other companies or on an exclusive basis) typically over a term of 20 to 30 years. Upon expiration of our PPAs and contracted revenue agreements and in order to maintain and grow our business, we must obtain extensions to these agreements or secure new agreements to replace them as they expire. Under most of our PPAs and concessions, there is an established price structure that provides us with price adjustment mechanisms that partially protect us against inflation. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.
Tax incentives in the United States for renewable energy assets
U.S. federal, state and local governments have established several incentives and financial mechanisms to reduce the cost of renewable energy and spur the development of energy from renewable, non-carbon–based, sources. Some of the major tax incentives applied in our projects are, among others, Investment Tax Credit, Cash Grant in Lieu of ITC, Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, or MACRS, and Loan Guarantee Program.
We do not expect Solana or Mojave to pay U.S. federal income tax in the next 10 years due to the relevant NOLs and NOL carryforwards generated by the application of the aforementioned tax incentives established in the United States, in particular MACRS accelerated depreciation.
Tax accelerated depreciation for Spanish new assets
For investments in new material assets and investment properties used for economic activities acquired in the tax periods commencing in 2009 up to March 31, 2012, tax free depreciation is allowed. Due to this special regime, Solaben 2/3, Solaben 1/6, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20, Helios 1/2, Helioenergy 1/2 and Solnova 1/3/4 do not expect to pay taxes in the followingnext 10 years.
Specific corporate income tax rules in Mexico
Our project in Mexico, ACT, must pay Mexican corporate income tax on its worldwide income. The general taxable income is calculated in a similar way to the other jurisdictions in which our assets are located; however, the Mexican corporate income tax provides for specific inflationary adjustments on monetary assets and liabilities.
Notwithstanding the above, the project is not expected to pay significant income taxes until the fifth2019 or sixth year after our IPO2020 due to the NOL carryforwards generated during the construction phase.
Capital expenditures
We finance our contracted assets primarily through project debt issued by a financial institution. Consequently, a significant part of our business is capital-intensive and our assets are highly leveraged. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital expenditures.”
Interest rates
We incur significant indebtedness at the corporate level and in our assets. The interest rate risk arises mainly from indebtedness with variable interest rates.
Most of our debt consists of project debt. As of December 31, 2015,2016, approximately 89%86% of our project debt has either fixed interest rates or has been hedged with swaps or caps.
Regarding our corporate debt, in November 2014, we incurred indebtedness at the corporate level through the issuance of the 2019 Notes, which have a fixed interest rate of 7.000% See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—2019 Notes.” We have also entered into and made borrowings under the Credit Facility. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
In addition, in December 2014, we signed Tranche A of the Credit Facility, amounting to $125 million, which accrues interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.75% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.75%. Loans under Tranche A has been hedged.of the Credit Facility mature in December 2018. Loans prepaid by us under Tranche A of the Credit Facility may be reborrowed. Tranche B of the Credit Facility, amounting to $290 million, accrues interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.50% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.50%. Loans under Tranche B of the Credit Facility mature in December 2017. Loans prepaid by us under Tranche B of the Credit Facility may be reborrowed. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.”
Additionally, on February 10, 2017, we signed a Note Issuance Facility, a senior secured note facility with a group of funds managed by Westbourne Capital as purchasers of the notes issued thereunder for a total amount of € 275 million (approximately $294 million), with three series of notes. Series 1 notes worth €92 million mature in 2022; series 2 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2023; and series 3 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2024. Interest on all three series accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of 3 month EURIBOR plus 4.90%. The proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility will be used for the repayment and termination of Tranche B under our Credit Facility. We intend to fully hedge the Note Issuance Facility with a swap to fix the interest rate as soon as possible after funding of the Notes.
To mitigate the interest rate risk, we primarily use long-term interest rate swaps and interest rate options which, in exchange for a fee, offer protection against a rise in interest rates. We estimate that currently approximately 86%88% of our total interest risk exposure is fixed or hedged.hedged once we hedge our Notes Issuance Facility. Nevertheless, our results of operations can be affected by changes in interest rates with respect to the unhedged portion of our indebtedness that bears interest at floating rates, which typically bears a spread over EURIBOR or LIBOR.
Exchange rates
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, as most of our revenues and expenses are denominated or linked to U.S. dollars. All our companies located in North America, South America and Algeria have their PPAs, or concessional agreements, and financing contracts signed in, or indexed to, U.S. dollars, and report their individual financial statements in U.S. dollars. Our solar power plants in Spain, Solaben 2/3, Solaben 1/6, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20, Helios 1/2, Helioenergy 1/2, and Solnova 1/3/4 and Seville PV, have their revenues and expenses denominated in euros. We haveOn May 12, 2015, we signed a five yearfive-year Currency Swap Agreement with Abengoa which provides for a fixed exchange rate for the cash available for distribution from our Spanish assets. The distributions from the Spanish assets are paid in euros and the Currency Swap Agreement provides for a fixed exchange rate at which euros will be converted into U.S. dollars. In addition, since the beginning of 2017, we have euro-denominated debt. We may therefore modify our Currency Swap Agreement with Abengoa. Interest payments in euros and our euro denominated general and administrative expenses create a natural hedge for a portion of the distributions from Spanish assets. Additionally, we signed two currency options with a leading international financial institution which guarantee an additional minimum Euro-U.S. dollar exchange rates for the distributions expected from Spanish solar assets in 2017 net of our corporate expense payments made in euros. Our corporate expenses consist mainly of the general and administrative expenses and interest expense related to the corporate debt denominated in Euros in the amount of the Note Issuance Facility signed in February 2017 amounting to €275 million.
The revenues and expenses of Kaxu are denominated in South African rand.
Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies (the euro and the South African rand) in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect our operating results. Impacts associated with fluctuations in foreign currency are discussed in more detail under “Item 11—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk—Foreign exchange rate risk.” In subsidiaries with functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using end-of-period exchange rates; revenue, expenses and cash flows are translated using average exchange rates.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Noon Buying Rate certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York expressed in U.S. dollar per €1.00. The Noon Buying Rate refers to the exchange for euro, expressed in U.S. dollars per euro, in the City of New York for cable transfers payable in foreign currencies as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes. The rates may differ from the actual rates used in the preparation of the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial information appearing in this annual report. We do not represent that the U.S. dollar amounts referred to below could be or could have been converted into euro at any particular rate indicated or any other rate.
The average rate of the Noon Buying Rate means the average rates for the euro on the last day reported of each month during the relevant period.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rate of the euro on February 19, 201617, 2017 was $1.1127$1.0614 per €1.00.
| | U.S. Dollar per €1.00 | |
| | High | | | Low | | | Average | | | Period End | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2013 | | | 1.3816 | | | | 1.2774 | | | | 1.3303 | | | | 1.3779 | |
2014 | | | 1.3927 | | | | 1.2101 | | | | 1.3296 | | | | 1.2101 | |
2015 | | | 1.2015 | | | | 1.0524 | | | | 1.1096 | | | | 1.0859 | |
Month | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
August 2015 | | | 1.1580 | | | | 1.0868 | | | | 1.1136 | | | | 1.1194 | |
September 2015 | | | 1.1358 | | | | 1.1104 | | | | 1.1229 | | | | 1.1162 | |
October 2015 | | | 1.1437 | | | | 1.0963 | | | | 1.1228 | | | | 1.1042 | |
November 2015 | | | 1.1026 | | | | 1.0562 | | | | 1.0727 | | | | 1.0562 | |
December 2015 | | | 1.1025 | | | | 1.0573 | | | | 1.0889 | | | | 1.0859 | |
January 2016 | | | 1.0964 | | | | 1.0743 | | | | 1.0855 | | | | 1.0832 | |
February 2016 (through February 19, 2016) | | 1.1362 | | | 1.0888 | | | 1.1140 | | | 1.1127 | |
| | U.S. Dollar per €1.00 | |
| | High | | | Low | | | Average | | | Period End | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2012 | | | 1.3463 | | | | 1.2062 | | | | 1.2858 | | | | 1.3186 | |
2013 | | | 1.3816 | | | | 1.2774 | | | | 1.3303 | | | | 1.3779 | |
2014 | | | 1.3927 | | | | 1.2101 | | | | 1.3296 | | | | 1.2101 | |
2015 | | | 1.2015 | | | | 1.0524 | | | | 1.1096 | | | | 1.0859 | |
2016 | | | 1.1516 | | | | 1.0375 | | | | 1.0552 | | | | 1.0552 | |
Month | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July 2016 | | | 1.1680 | | | | 1.0968 | | | | 1.1055 | | | | 1.1168 | |
August 2016 | | | 1.1334 | | | | 1.1078 | | | | 1.1207 | | | | 1.1146 | |
September 2016 | | | 1.1271 | | | | 1.1158 | | | | 1.1218 | | | | 1.1238 | |
October 2016 | | | 1.1212 | | | | 1.0866 | | | | 1.1014 | | | | 1.0962 | |
November 2016 | | | 1.1121 | | | | 1.0560 | | | | 1.0792 | | | | 1.0578 | |
December 2016 | | | 1.0758 | | | | 1.0375 | | | | 1.0545 | | | | 1.0552 | |
January 2017 | | | 1.0794 | | | | 1.0416 | | | | 1.0634 | | | | 1.0794 | |
February 2017 (through February 17, 2016) | | | 1.0802 | | | | 1.0577 | | | | 1.0680 | | | | 1.0614 | |
Apart from the impact of translation differences described above, the exposure of our income statement to fluctuations of foreign currencies is limited, as the financing of projects is typically denominated in the same currency as that of the contracted revenue agreement. This policy seeks to ensure that the main revenue and expenses in foreign companies are denominated in the same currency, limiting our risk of foreign exchange differences in our financial results.
In our discussion of operating results, we have included foreign exchange impacts in our revenue by providing constant currency revenue growth. The constant currency presentation is a non-IFRS financial measure, which excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations. We calculate constant currency amounts by converting our current period local currency revenue using the prior period foreign currency average exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior period reported results. This calculation may differ from similarly titled measures used by others and, accordingly, the constant currency presentation is not meant to substitute for recorded amounts presented in conformity with IFRS nor should such amounts be considered in isolation.
Key Performance Indicators
In addition to the factors described above, we closely monitor the following key drivers of our business sectors’ performance to plan for our needs, and to adjust our expectations, financial budgets and forecasts appropriately.
| | As of and for the year ended December 31 | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Renewable Energy | | | | | | | | | |
MW in operation | | | 1,441 | | | | 891 | | | | 380 | |
GWh produced | | | 2,536 | | | | 902 | | | | 280 | |
Conventional Power | | | | | | | | | | | | |
MW in operation | | | 300 | | | | 300 | | | | 300 | |
GWh produced | | | 2,465 | | | | 2,474 | | | | 1,849 | |
Availability (%) | | | 101.7 | % | | | 101.9 | % | | | 97.0 | % |
Electric Transmission | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Miles in operation | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,018 | | | | 368 | |
Availability (%) | | | 99.9 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 99.6 | % |
Water | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mft3 in operation | | | 10.5 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Availability (%) | | | 101.5 | % | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
MW in operation and Mft31 in operation representRepresents total installed capacity in assets owned at the end of the period, regardless of the stakeour percentage of ownership in each of the assets.
2 Conventional production and availability were impacted by a periodic scheduled major maintenance in February 2016.
3 Availability refers to actual availability divided by contracted availability.
Results of Operations
The table below illustrates our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013.2014.
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Revenue | | $ | 790.9 | | | $ | 362.7 | | | $ | 210.9 | | | $ | 971.8 | | | $ | 790.9 | | | $ | 362.7 | |
Other operating income | | | 68.8 | | | | 79.9 | | | | 379.6 | | | | 65.5 | | | | 68.8 | | | | 79.9 | |
Raw materials and consumables used | | | (23.2 | ) | | | (9.4 | ) | | | (6.2 | ) | | | (26.9 | ) | | | (23.2 | ) | | | (9.4 | ) |
Employee benefit expenses | | | (5.8 | ) | | | (1.7 | ) | | | (2.4 | ) | | | (14.8 | ) | | | (5.8 | ) | | | (1.7 | ) |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges | | | (261.3 | ) | | | (125.5 | ) | | | (46.9 | ) | | | (332.9 | ) | | | (261.3 | ) | | | (125.5 | ) |
Other operating expenses | | | (224.9 | ) | | | (132.7 | ) | | | (423.4 | ) | | | (260.3 | ) | | | (224.9 | ) | | | (132.7 | ) |
Operating profit/(loss) | | $ | 344.5 | | | $ | 173.3 | | | $ | 111.6 | | | $ | 402.4 | | | $ | 344.5 | | | $ | 173.3 | |
Financial income | | | 3.5 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 4.9 | |
Financial expense | | | (333.9 | ) | | | (210.3 | ) | | | (123.8 | ) | | | (408.0 | ) | | | (333.9 | ) | | | (210.3 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | 3.9 | | | | 2.1 | | | | (0.9 | ) | | | (9.6 | ) | | | 3.9 | | | | 2.1 | |
Other financial income/(expense), net | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | | | | (1.7 | ) | | | 8.5 | | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | |
Financial expense, net | | $ | (526.7 | ) | | $ | (197.4 | ) | | $ | (125.2 | ) | | $ | (405.8 | ) | | $ | (526.7 | ) | | $ | (197.4 | ) |
Share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method | | | 7.8 | | | | (0.8 | ) | | | — | | | | 6.7 | | | | 7.8 | | | | (0.8 | ) |
Profit/(loss) before income tax | | $ | (174.4 | ) | | $ | (24.9 | ) | | $ | (13.6 | ) | | $ | 3.4 | | | $ | (174.4 | ) | | $ | (24.9 | ) |
Income tax | | | (23.8 | ) | | | (4.4 | ) | | | 11.8 | | | | (1.7 | ) | | | (23.8 | ) | | | (4.4 | ) |
Profit/(loss) for the year | | $ | (198.2 | ) | | $ | (29.3 | ) | | $ | (1.8 | ) | | $ | 1.6 | | | $ | (198.2 | ) | | $ | (29.3 | ) |
Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | | (10.8 | ) | | | (2.3 | ) | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (6.5 | ) | | | (10.8 | ) | | | (2.3 | ) |
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company | | $ | (209.0 | ) | | $ | (31.6 | ) | | $ | (3.4 | ) | | $ | (4.9 | ) | | $ | (209.0 | ) | | $ | (31.6 | ) |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
Revenues
Revenues increased by 22.9% to $971.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $790.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase is largely attributable to the acquisitions of Helioenergy 1/2, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 as well as Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. Additionally, production at Mojave increased as the project entered into its second year of operations. These resulted in a net electricity production of 5,503 GWh in operation for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with 5,001 GWh produced in operation during the year ended December 31, 2015. The impact of exchange rates was immaterial in the year ended December 31, 2016 resulting in less than a 2.7% change in revenues mostly attributable to the depreciation of the South African rand.
Other operating income
The following table sets forth our other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
| | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Other operating income | | | $ in millions | |
Grants | | | 59.1 | | | | 67.8 | |
Income from various services | | | 6.4 | | | | 1.0 | |
Total | | | 65.5 | | | | 68.8 | |
Other operating income decreased by 4.8% to $65.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in Grants to $59.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $67.8 million in the same period of 2015. Income classified as grants representing the financial support provided by the U.S. Administration to Solana and Mojave consists of ITC Cash Grants and an implicit grant related to the below market interest rates of the project loans with the FFB. The decrease relates to the implicit grant of Mojave and is driven by the October 2015 repayment of the short-term tranche of its loans. Income from various services for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 due to the $5.1 million insurance income recorded at Solana.
Raw materials and consumables used
Raw materials and consumables used increased by $3.7 million to $26.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to the higher amount of spare parts and consumables at Solana and raw materials of the assets acquired during 2016.
Employee benefits expenses
Employee benefit expenses increased by $9.0 million to $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase is mainly due to the transfer of employees previously employed by subsidiaries of Abengoa who were providing services to us under the Support Services Agreement to our subsidiaries. The transfer occurred over the first six months of 2016 and the Support Service Agreement was terminated in the second quarter of 2016. Additionally, during 2015, Management employees of Atlantica Yield were transferred to companies within the perimeter of Atlantica Yield and the Executive Services Agreement was terminated, which has also caused an increase in employee benefits expenses.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges increased by 27.4% to $332.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $261.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was largely attributable to the depreciation and amortization expenses of Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 acquired in the second quarter of 2015 as well as Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 acquired in the third quarter of 2015. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized $20.3 million of impairment in our wind assets mainly due to lower than expected wind resource in the previous two years (see Note 6 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements).
Other operating expenses
The following table sets forth our other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
| | | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Other operating expenses | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Leases and fees | | | 5.3 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | 3.9 | | | | 0.5 | % |
Operation and maintenance | | | 133.3 | | | | 13.7 | % | | | 116.5 | | | | 14.7 | % |
Independent professional services | | | 30.5 | | | | 3.2 | % | | | 19.0 | | | | 2.4 | % |
Supplies | | | 17.2 | | | | 1.8 | % | | | 18.0 | | | | 2.3 | % |
Insurance | | | 23.4 | | | | 2.4 | % | | | 20.2 | | | | 2.6 | % |
Levies and duties | | | 44.5 | | | | 4.6 | % | | | 32.4 | | | | 4.1 | % |
Other expenses | | | 6.2 | | | | 0.6 | % | | | 14.9 | | | | 1.9 | % |
Total | | | 260.3 | | | | 26.8 | % | | | 224.9 | | | | 28.5 | % |
Other operating expenses increased by 15.8% to $260.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $224.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This was primarily due to the other operating expenses of the companies acquired in the second and third quarter of 2015. Levies and duties correspond largely to the electricity tax of our Spanish solar assets and the increase is mainly attributable to the acquisition of Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and Solaben 1/6.
We have changed our presentation of “Other operating expenses” to better reflect the nature of our business and costs. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the new classification presented in the table above.
Operating profit
As a result of the above factors, operating profit increased by 16.8% to $402.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $344.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Financial income and financial expense
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial income and financial expense | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Financial income | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.5 | |
Financial expense | | | (408.0 | ) | | | (333.9 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | (9.6 | ) | | | 3.9 | |
Other financial income/(expense), net | | | 8.5 | | | | (200.2 | ) |
Financial expense, net | | | (405.8 | ) | | | (526.7 | ) |
Net financial expense decreased to $405.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $526.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, mainly due to the impairment of the preferred equity investment in ACBH recognized in 2015 partially offset by the increase in the financing expense in 2016. Both effects are analyzed below.
Financial expense
The following table sets forth our financial expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial expense | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Expenses due to interest: | | | | | |
Loans with credit entities | | | (242.9 | ) | | | (197.9 | ) |
Other debts | | | (91.0 | ) | | | (81.9 | ) |
Interest rates losses derivatives: cash flow hedges | | | (74.1 | ) | | | (54.1 | ) |
Total | | | (408.0 | ) | | | (333.9 | ) |
Financial expense increased by 22.2% to $408.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $333.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was largely attributable to interest expenses from loans and credits of the assets acquired in the second (Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and ATN2) and third quarter (Kaxu and Solaben 1/2) of 2015. Interest expense also increased due to the interest corresponding to the Tranche B of to the Credit Facility closed on June 26, 2015 and fully drawn in September 2015.
Interest on other debt is primarily interest on the notes issued by ATS, Solaben 1/6 and ATN, and the 2019 Notes, as well as interest related to the investment from Liberty in Solana. The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015.
Losses from interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges correspond mainly to transfers from equity to financial expense when the hedged item is impacting the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The increase is principally due to the acquisition of solar assets in Spain that usually hedge interest rate risk with swaps.
Other financial income/(expense), net
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Other financial income/(expenses) | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Dividend from ACBH | | | 28.0 | | | | 18.4 | |
Other financial income | | | 13.0 | | | | 1.5 | |
Impairment preferred equity investment in ACBH | | | (22.1 | ) | | | (210.4 | ) |
Other financial losses | | | (10.4 | ) | | | (9.7 | ) |
Total | | | 8.5 | | | | (200.2 | ) |
Other financial income, net increased to $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a $200.2 million financial expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2015.
On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed us that several indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”), including ACBH. According to the agreement reached with Abengoa in the third quarter of 2016, they have acknowledged that Atlantica Yield is the legal owner of the dividends retained from Abengoa amounting to $28.0 million. As a result, we have recorded $28.0 million in our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the accounting treatment given previously to the ACBH dividend.
Additionally, taking into account the agreement signed with Abengoa regarding the ACBH preferred equity investment, we have performed a valuation of the instrument as of December 31, 2016 using a probability weighted average method. This valuation method considers the probability of the restructuring agreement being made effective and has resulted in an impairment of $22.1 million (see Note 8 to the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements). This impairment is a non-cash item.
The increase in other financial income corresponds principally to $7.7 million of subordinated debt with the EPC contractor of one of our assets which has been cancelled in the third quarter of 2016 and financial income from the early payment of payables to Abengoa.
Other financial losses mainly include guarantees and letters of credit, wire transfers and other bank fees and other minor financial expenses.
Share of profit of associates carried under the equity method
Share of profit of associates carried under the equity decreased to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease is mainly due to the results of Helioenergy 1/2 which were recorded under the equity method from the acquisition of the initial 29.6% stake in February 2015 until May 2015 when we gained control of Helioenergy 1/2 and fully consolidated the asset.
Profit/(loss) before income tax
As a result of the above factors, we reported a profit amounting to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a loss before income taxes of $174.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Income tax
Income tax expense amounted to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with an income tax expense of $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. In 2016, our effective tax rate differs from the average nominal tax rate mainly due to a net of different effects. Permanent differences in some jurisdictions, particularly in Mexico had a positive impact in our income tax expense. This effect was offset by tax losses for which we did not record a tax credit in some jurisdictions, in accordance with IFRS.
Income tax expense amounted to $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our effective tax rate differed from the average nominal tax rate mainly due to permanent differences resulting primarily from inflationary effects in ACT and incentives related mainly to the tax exemption of ACBH dividends.
Profit attributable to non-controlling interest
Profit attributable to non-controlling interest decreased by 39.7% to $6.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $10.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 mainly due to lower results in most of the projects in which we have partners.
Loss attributable to the parent company
As a result of the above factors, loss attributable to the parent company decreased to $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a loss attributable to the parent company of $209.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the parent company
Total comprehensive income attributable to the parent company amounted to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with total comprehensive loss of $249.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a net of different factors. Profit for the year 2016 amounted to $1.6 million. In addition, we recorded negative currency translation differences of $22.2 million in 2016 mainly due to the depreciation of Euro against the U.S. dollar. In addition, we recorded a loss of $37.5 million due to the change in fair value of our cash flow hedges recognized directly in equity in accordance with hedge accounting. These effects were offset by the transfer to the income statement of $72.8 million of cash flow hedges. The rest of our comprehensive income corresponds to the tax effects of these cash flow hedges movements.
Total comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was mainly due to a loss for the year of $198.2 million, which was highly impacted by the impairment of the preferred equity investment in ACBH of $210.4 million. In addition, other comprehensive loss amounted to $47.5 million mainly due to translation differences arising from the depreciation of the euro versus the U.S. dollar during 2015. Without considering the impact of the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH, total comprehensive loss attributable to the parent company would have amounted to $89.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
Revenues
Revenues increased by 118.1% to $790.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $362.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. On a constant currency basis, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been $859.4 million, representing an increase of 136.9% compared to the previous year. The increase is largely attributable to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2, PS 10/20 and Cadonal in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. The commencement of operations of Mojave in the last quarter of 2014 also contributed to the increase of revenues in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2014. These resulted in a net electricity production of 5,001 GWh and 1,099 miles of transmission lines in operation for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with 3,376 GWh produced and 1,018 miles of transmission lines in operation during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Other operating income
The following table sets forth our other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Other operating income | | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Grants | | | 67.8 | | | | 35.2 | | | | 67.8 | | | | 35.2 | |
Income from various services | | | 1.0 | | | | 6.1 | | | | 1.0 | | | | 6.1 | |
Income from subcontracted construction services for our assets and concessions | | | — | | | | 38.6 | | | | — | | | | 38.6 | |
Total | | | 68.8 | | | | 79.9 | | | | 68.8 | | | | 79.9 | |
Other operating income decreased by 13.8% to $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $79.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in income from subcontracted construction services for our assets and concessions, which decreased from $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $0 in the year ended December 31, 2015. As certain assets owned by us were under construction and subcontracted to related parties during 2014, we were required to account for income from construction services as “other operating income” in accordance with IFRIC 12. The corresponding costs of construction were recorded within “Other operating expenses.” These amounts reflect the construction progress of the assets and concessions during 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of construction of ATS. We do not expect to have any other operating income from construction activities in future periods.
Income from grants increased from $35.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 to $67.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. Income classified as grants is related to the financial support provided by the U.S. Treasury to Solana and Mojave. The increase is due to grants in respect to Mojave, which is fully consolidated from December 2014 once the asset reached COD and was recorded under the equity method until that time.
Raw materials and consumables used
Raw materials and consumables used increased by $13.8 million to $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to the increase in raw materials used in Solana, the commencement of operations of Mojave and the recent acquisition of Skikda in the first quarter of 2015.
Employee benefits expenses
Employee benefit expenses increased by $4.1 million to $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase in expenses was primarily attributable to the fact that during 2015 our management employees, of Atlantica Yield, who had been employed by Abengoa until March 2015 were transferred to companies within theour perimeter of Atlantica Yield and the Executive Services Agreement was terminated, which has caused an increase in employee benefit expenses. In addition, other employees previously employed by subsidiaries of Abengoa who were providing services to Atlantica Yieldus under the Support Services Agreement were transferred to subsidiaries of Atlantica Yield.our subsidiaries. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in employee benefit expenses in ATN due to the fact that in April 2014 all ATN employees were transferred to an entity excluded from the perimeter of Atlantica Yield.our perimeter.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges increased by 108.2% to $261.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $125.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Depreciation and amortization are recorded from the commencement of operations of the contracted assets. The net change was largely attributable to the commencement of operations of Mojave and to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2, PS 10/20 and Cadonal in the fourth quarter of 2014, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015.
Other operating expenses
The following table sets forth our other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Other operating expenses | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Leases and fees | | | 3.9 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | 1.8 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | 3.9 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | 1.8 | | | | 0.5 | % |
Repairs and maintenance | | | 24.7 | | | | 3.1 | % | | | 10.3 | | | | 2.8 | % | |
Operation and maintenance | | | | 116.5 | | | | 14.7 | % | | | 41.3 | | | | 11.4 | % |
Independent professional services(1) | | | 104.6 | | | | 13.2 | % | | | 38.1 | | | | 10.5 | % | | | 19.0 | | | | 2.4 | % | | | 11.5 | | | | 3.2 | % |
Supplies | | | 18.0 | | | | 2.3 | % | | | 7.7 | | | | 2.1 | % | | | 18.0 | | | | 2.3 | % | | | 7.6 | | | | 2.1 | % |
Other external services | | | 24.4 | | | | 3.1 | % | | | 10.2 | | | | 2.8 | % | |
Insurance | | | | 20.2 | | | | 2.5 | % | | | 9.3 | | | | 2.6 | % |
Levies and duties | | | 32.4 | | | | 4.1 | % | | | 14.2 | | | | 3.9 | % | | | 32.4 | | | | 4.1 | % | | | 14.2 | | | | 3.9 | % |
Other expenses | | | 16.9 | | | | 2.1 | % | | | 11.8 | | | | 3.3 | % | | | 14.9 | | | | 1.9 | % | | | 8.4 | | | | 2.3 | % |
Construction costs | | | — | | | | — | | | | 38.6 | | | | 10.6 | % | | | — | | | | — | | | | 38.6 | | | | 10.6 | % |
Total | | | 224.9 | | | | 28.4 | % | | | 132.7 | | | | 36.5 | % | | | 224.9 | | | | 28.4 | % | | | 132.7 | | | | 36.5 | % |
Notes:Note:—
(1)(11) | Includes approximately $3.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 of allocated costs and expenses for general and administrative services provided by Abengoa prior to our IPO. |
Other operating expenses increased by 69.5% to $224.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $132.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase in our operating expenses, other than those related to construction costs, was primarily due to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2 in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. In addition, ACT recorded higher other operating expenses due to higher operation and maintenance costs in the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of scheduled maintenance. The increase is also due to the commencement of operations of Mojave in the last quarter of 2014. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in construction costs from $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2015, due to the completion of construction of ATS, Quadra 1, Quadra 2 and Palmatir.
We have changed our presentation of “Other operating expenses” to better reflect the nature of our business and costs. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the new classification presented in the table above.
Operating profit/(loss)
As a result of the above factors, operating profit increased by 98.7% to $344.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $173.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Financial income and financial expense
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial income and financial expense | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Financial income | | | 3.5 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 4.9 | |
Financial expense | | | (333.9 | ) | | | (210.3 | ) | | | (333.9 | ) | | | (210.3 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | 3.9 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 3.9 | | | | 2.1 | |
Other financial income/(expense), net | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | |
Financial expense, net | | | (526.7 | ) | | | (197.4 | ) | | | (526.7 | ) | | | (197.4 | ) |
Net financial expense increased by $329.3 million to $526.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $197.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in other financial income (expense), net, and also due to the increase in the financial expense, both analyzed below. Financial income decreased by 28.5% to $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, mainly due to lower interest income from short-term financial investments at the holding level.
Financial expense
The following table sets forth our financial expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial expense | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Expenses due to interest: | | | | | | |
Loans with credit entities | | | (197.9 | ) | | | (117.7 | ) |
Other debts | | | (81.9 | ) | | | (61.9 | ) |
Interest rates losses derivatives: cash flow hedges | | | (54.1 | ) | | | (30.7 | ) |
Total | | | (333.9 | ) | | | (210.3 | ) |
Financial expense increased by 58.8% to $333.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $210.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was largely attributable to interest from loans with credit entities, which increased due to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2, PS 10/20 and Cadonal in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu in the third quarter of 2015. Interest from loans with credit entities also increased due to the interest accrued on our Credit Facility. Interest from other debts primarily consist of interest on the 2019 Notes issued in November 2014, notes issued by ATS, ATN and Solaben 1/6, as well as interest on debt with related parties in 2014, which was capitalized in its majority before our IPO. Interest on interest-rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges of $54.1 million in 2015 was due to transfers from equity to financial expense in accordance with our cash flow hedge accounting policy, and the increase was mainly due to the acquisition of solar assets in Spain.
Other financial income/(expense), net
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
Other financial income/(expenses) | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Dividend ACBH (Brazil) | | | 18.4 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 18.4 | | | | 9.2 | |
Other financial income | | | 1.5 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 1.5 | | | | 0.6 | |
Impairment preferred equity investment in ACBH | | | (210.4 | ) | | | — | | | | (210.4 | ) | | | — | |
Other financial losses | | | (9.7 | ) | | | (3.9 | ) | | | (9.7 | ) | | | (3.9 | ) |
Total | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | | | | (200.2 | ) | | | 5.9 | |
Other financial expense, net amounted to $200.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with a $5.9 million financial income, net for the year ended December 31, 2014. The expense recorded in 2015 was largely attributable to the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH. On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed us that several indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, have initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”judiciaria”), as a “Pedido de processamento conjunto”, which means the substantial consolidation of the three main subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH. Given that this process will likely negatively affect the value of our preferred equity investment and considering the high degree of uncertainty on its final outcome, we have recorded an impairment of this preferred equity investment of $210.4 million. On the other hand, dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH increase for a total amount of $18.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $9.2 million received in the year ended December 31, 2014, as we began to receive this income upon thisthe consummation of our IPO. Other financial losses mainly include guarantees and letters of credit, wire transfers, other bank fees and other minor financial expenses.
Share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method
Share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method increased from a loss of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to a $7.8 million profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 mainly due to the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2 in February 2015. The results of Honaine have been accounted for under the equity method since the date of its acquisition in February 2015. The results of Helioenergy 1/2 have been recorded under the equity method since the acquisition of the initial 29.6% stake in February 2015 until we gained control of Helioenergy 1/2 on May 25, 2015 and have been fully consolidated since that date.
Profit/(loss) before income tax
As a result of the above factors, we reported a loss before income tax amounting to $174.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with a loss before income taxes of $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Without considering the impact of the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH of $210.4 million, profit before income tax would have amounted to $36.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with a loss before income taxes of $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Income tax
Income tax expense amounted to $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with an income tax expense of $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our effective tax rate differs from the average nominal tax rate mainly due to permanent differences resulting primarily from inflationary effects in ACT and incentives related mainly to the tax exemption of ACBH dividends.
Loss/(profit)) attributable to non-controlling interest
Profit attributable to non-controlling interest increased by 360.9% to $10.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, from $2.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was due to the acquisition of Solacor 1/2 in the fourth quarter of 2014, in which we acquired a 74% stake in 2015, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, in which we have a 34.2% stake with control and Kaxu in the third quarter of 2015, in which we have a 51% stake.
Profit/(loss) attributable to the parent company
As a result of the above factors, loss attributable to the parent company increased to $209.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with a loss attributable to the parent company of $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Without considering the impact of the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH of $210.4 million, we would have reported a profit attributable to the parent company in 2015 of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with a loss attributable to the parent company of $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the parent company
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the parent company amounted to $249.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with total comprehensive loss of $128.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was mainly due to a loss for the year of $198.2 million, which was highly impacted by the impairment of the preferred equity investment in ACBH of $210.4 million. In addition, other comprehensive loss amounted to $47.5 million mainly due to translation differences arising from the depreciation of the euro versus the U.S.$ dollar during 2015. Without considering the impact of the impairment of our preferred equity investment in ACBH, total comprehensive loss attributable to the parent company would have amounted to $89.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the parent company amounted to $128.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with total comprehensive income of $69.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 was mainly due to the change in fair value of our cash flow hedges recognized directly in equity in accordance with hedge accounting. The loss results mainly from a decrease in the fair value of long-term interest rate swaps due to a decrease in future interest rates during the year 2014.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Revenues
Revenues increased by 72.0% to $362.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $210.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is largely attributable to the commencement of operations of Solana in the last quarter of 2013 and to the entry into operation of ATS in the first quarter of 2014. The increase was also due to the entry into operation of ACT in the second quarter of 2013, Quadra 1 and 2 in the first and second quarters of 2014 and Palmatir in the second quarter of 2014. The acquisition of Solacor 1/2 on November 18, 2014, and PS10/20 on December 4, 2014, also contributed to the increase in revenues in the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2013. Finally, the increase in revenues was also due to the entry into operation of Mojave in December 2014. These resulted in a net electricity production of 3,375 GWh and 1,018 miles of transmission lines in operation for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with 2,129 GWh produced and 368 miles of transmission lines in operation during the year ended December 31, 2013. The impact of exchange rates was immaterial in the year ended December 31, 2014, as it caused less than a 0.1% change in revenues.
Other operating income
The following table sets forth our other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Other operating income | | $ in millions | |
Grants | | | 35.2 | | | | 10.1 | |
Income from various services | | | 6.1 | | | | 4.8 | |
Income from subcontracted construction services for our assets and concessions | | | 38.6 | | | | 364.7 | |
Total | | | 79.9 | | | | 379.6 | |
Other operating income decreased by 79.0% to $79.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $379.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. As certain assets owned by us were under construction and subcontracted to related parties during 2013 and 2014, we were required to account for income from construction services as “other operating income” in accordance with IFRIC 12. The corresponding costs of construction were recorded within “Other operating expenses.” This income and its corresponding cost decreased by 89.4% to $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $364.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. These amounts reflect the construction progress of the assets and concessions during the years of 2014 and 2013. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of construction of ATS, ACT, Mojave, Quadra 1, Quadra 2, Palmatir and Solana. We do not expect to have significant other operating income from construction activities in future periods. In addition, the increase in grants is related to the financial support provided by the U.S. Treasury to Solana. An ITC cash grant was received in March 2014 and is being recorded in “Other operating income” progressively over the useful life of the asset.
Raw materials and consumables used
Raw materials and consumables used increased by $3.2 million to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the commencement of operations of Solana in the last quarter of 2013.
Employee benefits expenses
Employee benefit expenses decreased by 29.2% to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. These expenses were primarily attributable to ATN whose employees were transferred to an entity excluded from the perimeter of Atlantica Yield in April 2014. As of the date of this annual report, we had seven employees, all in one of our solar power assets in Spain.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges increased by 167.6% to $125.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $46.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Depreciation and amortization are recorded from the commencement of operations of the contracted assets. The net change was largely attributable to the increase in depreciation and amortization resulting from the commencement of operations of Solana and ATS and, to a lesser extent, to the commencement of operations of Mojave and Palmatir.
Other operating expenses
The following table sets forth our other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | �� |
Other operating expenses | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Leases and fees | | | 1.8 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | 1.8 | | | | 0.9 | % |
Repairs and maintenance | | | 10.3 | | | | 2.8 | % | | | 12.8 | | | | 6.1 | % |
Independent professional services(1) | | | 38.1 | | | | 10.5 | % | | | 25.1 | | | | 11.9 | % |
Transportation | | | 0.1 | | | | — | % | | | 0.4 | | | | 0.2 | % |
Supplies | | | 7.6 | | | | 2.1 | % | | | 3.3 | | | | 1.6 | % |
Other external services | | | 10.2 | | | | 2.8 | % | | | 5.5 | | | | 2.6 | % |
Levies and duties | | | 14.2 | | | | 3.9 | % | | | 6.6 | | | | 3.1 | % |
Other expenses | | | 11.9 | | | | 3.3 | % | | | 3.2 | | | | 1.5 | % |
Construction costs | | | 38.6 | | | | 10.6 | % | | | 364.7 | | | | 172.9 | % |
Total | | | 132.7 | | | | 36.5 | % | | | 423.4 | | | | 200.8 | % |
Notes:—
(1) | Includes approximately $3.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 and $3.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 of allocated costs and expenses for general and administrative services provided by Abengoa prior to our IPO. |
Other operating expenses decreased by 68.7% to $132.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $423.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This was primarily due to the decrease in construction costs by 89.4% to $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $364.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to the completion of construction of ATS, ACT, Mojave, Quadra 1, Quadra 2, Palmatir and Solana. On the other hand, the commencement of operation of these assets increased expenses in supplies, other external services, levies and duties, as well as other expenses.
Operating profit/(loss)
As a result of the above factors, operating profit increased by 55.3% to $173.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $111.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Financial income and financial expense
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial income and financial expense | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Financial income | | | 4.9 | | | | 1.2 | |
Financial expense | | | (210.3 | ) | | | (123.8 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | 2.1 | | | | (0.9 | ) |
Other financial income/(expense), net | | | 5.9 | | | | (1.7 | ) |
Financial expense, net | | | (197.4 | ) | | | (125.2 | ) |
Net financial expense increased by 57.7% to $197.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $125.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in financial expense analyzed below. The increase in financial income was mainly due to the commencement of operations of a number of projects and net exchange differences have remained low, as all our assets have a large majority of their expenses denominated in the same currency as their revenues. Other financial income/(expenses), net, is also analyzed below.
Financial expense
The following table sets forth our financial expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Financial expense | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Expenses due to interest: | | | | | | |
Loans from credit entities | | | 117.7 | | | | 78.6 | |
Other debts | | | 61.9 | | | | 17.2 | |
Interest rates losses derivatives: cash flow hedges | | | 30.7 | | | | 28.0 | |
Total | | | 210.3 | | | | 123.8 | |
Financial expense increased by 69.8% to $210.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $123.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was largely attributable to interest expenses from Solana and, to a lower extent, from ATS, which entered into operation during the last quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014, respectively. Interest is capitalized for our intangible concessional assets during the construction period and begins to be expensed upon commercial operation. Interest on other debts correspond to interest on ATS and ATN bonds and interest on debt with related parties, which was capitalized in its majority before our IPO. Interest expense also increased due to the interest corresponding to the 2019 Notes and to the Credit Facility. Interest on interest-rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges of $30.7 million in 2014 was due to transfers from equity to financial expense in accordance with our cash flow hedge accounting policy, and was mainly related to ACT and Solaben 2/3.
Net exchange differences
Net exchange differences increased to an income of $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with a loss of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Positive exchange differences were primarily due to the depreciation of a euro denominated debt with Cofides in ATS. This debt was repaid in October and, as a result, we do not expect significant exchange rate differences in the future.
Other financial income/(expense), net
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Other financial income/(expenses) | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | |
Dividend ACBH (Brazil) | | | 9.2 | | | | — | |
Other financial income | | | 0.6 | | | | 0.6 | |
Other financial losses | | | (3.9 | ) | | | (2.2 | ) |
Outsourcing of payables | | | — | | | | (0.1 | ) |
Total | | | 5.9 | | | | (1.7 | ) |
Other financial income, net increased to $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with a $1.7 million financial expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was mainly due to the dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH since our IPO in a total amount of $9.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. Other financial expenses mainly include guarantees and letters of credit, wire transfers and other bank fees and other minor financial expenses.
Profit/(loss) before income tax
As a result of the above factors, we reported a loss amounting to $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with a loss before income taxes of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Income tax
Income tax expense amounted to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with an income tax benefit of $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our effective tax rate differs from the average nominal tax rate mainly due to permanent differences and treatment of tax credits in some jurisdictions.
Loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest
Profit attributable to non-controlling interest increased by 43.8% to $2.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $1.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2013. Profit attributable to non-controlling interest corresponds to the results from Solaben 2/3 and Solacor 1/2, and the increase was due to a higher profit of Solaben for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2013.
Profit/(loss) attributable to the parent company
As a result of the above factors, loss attributable to the parent company increased to $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with a loss attributable to the parent company of $3.4 million for the year ended December , 2013.
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the parent company
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the parent company amounted to $128.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with total comprehensive income of $69.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 was mainly due to the change in fair value of our cash flow hedges recognized directly in equity in accordance with hedge accounting. The loss results mainly from a decrease in the fair value of long-term interest rate swaps due to a decrease in future interest rates during the year 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the change in the fair value of cash flow hedges was a net income, mainly as a result of an increase in the fair value of long-term interest rate swaps, due to an increase in future interest rates during the year 2013.
Segment Reporting
As of December 31, 2015,2016, we organized our business into the following three geographies where the contracted assets and concessions are located:
In addition, we have identified the following business sectors based on the type of activity:
| · | Renewable Energy, which includes our activities related to the production electricity from solar power and wind plants; |
| · | Conventional Power, which includes our activities related to the production of electricity and steam from natural gas; |
| · | Electric Transmission, which includes our activities related to the operation of electric transmission lines; and |
| · | Water, which includes our activities related to desalination plants. |
As a result, we report our results through the year ended December 31, 20152016 in accordance with both criteria.
Comparison of the YearYears Ended December 31, 20152016 and 20142015
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, by geographic region:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Revenue by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 328.1 | | | | 41.5 | % | | | 195.5 | | | | 53.9 | % |
South America | | | 112.5 | | | | 14.2 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.0 | % |
EMEA | | | 350.3 | | | | 44.3 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.1 | % |
Total revenue | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Revenue by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | |
Revenue by geography | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 279.6 | | | | 85.2 | % | | | 175.4 | | | | 89.7 | % | | | 337.0 | | | | 34.7 | % | | | 328.1 | | | | 41.5 | % |
South America | | | 110.9 | | | | 98.6 | % | | | 77.2 | | | | 92.3 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 12.2 | % | | | 112.5 | | | | 14.2 | % |
EMEA | | | 233.7 | | | | 66.7 | % | | | 55.4 | | | | 66.3 | % | | | 516.0 | | | | 53.1 | % | | | 350.3 | | | | 44.3 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % | |
Total revenue | | | | 971.8 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 284.7 | | | | 84.5 | % | | | 279.6 | | | | 85.2 | % |
South America | | | 124.6 | | | | 104.9 | % | | | 110.9 | | | | 98.6 | % |
EMEA | | | 354.0 | | | | 68.6 | % | | | 233.7 | | | | 66.7 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | | 763.3 | | | | 78.5 | % | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % |
Notes:Note:—
(1) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third quarter of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 includes compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of ACBH dividends. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB, and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by geography | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | | |
North America (GWh) | | | 3,687 | | | | 3,083 | |
South America (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,018 | |
South America (GWh) | | | 313 | | | | 109 | |
EMEA (GWh) | | | 1,001 | | | | 185 | |
EMEA (capacity in Mft3 per day) | | | 10.5 | | | | 10.5 | |
Volume by geography
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by geography | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
| | | |
North America (GWh) | | | 3,684 | | | | 3,687 | |
South America (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,099 | |
South America (GWh) | | | 296 | | | | 313 | |
EMEA (GWh) | | | 1,523 | | | | 1,001 | |
EMEA (capacity in M ft3 per day) | | | 10.5 | | | | 10.5 | |
North America.America
Revenues increased by 67.8%2.7% to $337.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $328.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $195.52015. The increase was primarily due to higher production at Mojave, one of our assets in the US which is in its second year of operations and performing better than its initial year. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $284.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the commencement of operations of Mojave in December 2014 and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in production of Solana in its second year of operations. Revenues also increased in ACT mainly due to higher revenues in the portion of the tariff related to the operation and maintenance services, as we had higher operation and maintenance costs in2016, compared with $279.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin remained stable.
South America
Revenues increased by 59.4%5.6% to $279.6$118.8 million for the year ended December 31, 20152016, compared with $175.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 mainly due to commencement of operations of Mojave and higher production at Solana. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased as of December 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014, mainly as a result of higher costs of operation and maintenance in Solana in 2015 and to higher general expenses, which are allocated by segment.
South America. Revenue increased by 34.6% to $112.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $83.62015. The increase was mainly attributable to the revenues generated by ATN2 which was acquired in the second quarter of 2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $124.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mostly attributable to the acquisition of Cadonal in the first quarter of 2015 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 and, to a lesser extent, the increase in the production at Palmatir. Thus, Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to2016, compared with $110.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which represents an increase2015. According to the agreement reached with Abengoa in the third quarter of $33.72016, they have acknowledged that Atlantica Yield is the legal owner of the dividends retained to Abengoa in the amount of $28.0 million. As a result, we have recorded $28.0 million as comparedin our financial statements in accordance with the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin hasaccounting treatment given previously to the ACBH dividend.
EMEA
Revenues increased mainly as a result of dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH, which were $18.4by 47.3% to $516.0 million for the year ended December 31, 20152016, compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, corresponding to the period after our IPO.
EMEA. Revenue increased by 319.0% towith $350.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $83.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. On a constant currency basis, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been $418.7 million, representing an increase of 400.9% compared to previous year.2015. The increase is mainly attributable towas mostly driven by the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2 and PS 10/20 in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu andas well as Solaben 1/6 and Kaxu in the third quarter of 2015. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $354.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $233.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $55.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin remained stable foras margins of the year ended December 31,projects acquired in 2015 as comparedare similar to margins of the year ended December 31, 2014.projects we owned last year.
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, by business sector:
Revenue by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Revenue by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 724.3 | | | | 74.5 | % | | | 543.0 | | | | 68.7 | % |
Conventional power | | | 128.1 | | | | 13.2 | % | | | 138.7 | | | | 17.5 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 95.1 | | | | 9.8 | % | | | 86.4 | | | | 10.9 | % |
Water | | | 24.3 | | | | 2.5 | % | | | 22.8 | | | | 2.9 | % |
Total revenue | | | 971.8 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector | | $ in Millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 538.4 | | | | 74.3 | % | | | 414.0 | | | | 76.2 | % |
Conventional power | | | 106.5 | | | | 83.2 | % | | | 107.7 | | | | 77.6 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 104.8 | | | | 110.2 | % | | | 89.0 | | | | 103.1 | % |
Water | | | 13.6 | | | | 56.0 | % | | | 13.5 | | | | 59.6 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(2) | | | 763.3 | | | | 78.5 | % | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % |
Note:—
(2) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third quarter of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 includes compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of ACBH dividends. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB, and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Volume by business sector
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by business sector | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Renewable energy (GWh) | | | 3,087 | | | | 2,536 | |
Conventional power (GWh) | | | 2,416 | | | | 2,465 | |
Electric transmission lines (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,099 | |
Renewable energy
Revenue increased by 33.4% to $724.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $543.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was mainly attributable to the acquisitions of Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 as well as Solaben 1/6 and Kaxu in the third quarter of 2015. Additionally, Mojave, one of our solar asset in the U.S. entered into its second year of operations and increased its production in the year ended December 31, 2016. As a consequence, our net electricity production reached 3,087 GWh for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with 2,536 GWh produced during the year ended December 31, 2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $538.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which represented an increase of $124.4 million with respect to the year ended December 31, 2015, mainly due to the effect of the projects acquired during the second and third quarters of 2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has decreased principally as a result of the higher allocation of the general and administrative expenses to the segment. Additionally, the Further Adjusted EBITDA decreased due to the reduction of the other operating income of Mojave driven by a lower amount of implicit grant which represents a non-monetary benefit of the below market interest rates of the project loan with the FFB. Mojave paid off its short-term tranche of the loan in October 2015.
Conventional power
Revenue decreased by 7.6% to $128.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $138.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 due to the lower revenues in the portion of the tariff related to the operation and maintenance services, driven by lower operation and maintenance costs in the year ended December 31, 2016. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 83.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, from 77.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Electric transmission lines
Revenue increased by 10.1% to $95.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $86.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was mostly attributable to the acquisition of ATN2 during the second quarter of 2015. All assets have been operating with very high levels of availability during 2016. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 103.1% in the year ended December 31, 2015 to 110.2% in the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to the ACBH dividend recorded in the third quarter of 2016. In the agreement reached with Abengoa in the third quarter of 2016, Abengoa acknowledged that Atlantica Yield is the legal owner of the dividends retained from Abengoa amounting to $28.0 million. As a result, we have recorded $28.0 million in our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the accounting treatment given previously to the ACBH dividend. The comparable period of the last year includes $18.4 million representing three quarters worth of dividend under the ACBH preferred equity investment.
Water
Revenue amounted to $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $22.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 due to the acquisition of Skikda in February 2015. The asset contributed eleven months to our revenue in the prior year compared to the full twelve months of revenue in 2016. Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $13.6 million for the year ended 2016, compared to $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease of the Adjusted EBITDA margin from 59.6% in the year ended December 31, 2015 to 56.0% in the year ended December 31, 2016, was mainly driven by the higher allocation of general and administrative expenses to the segment in 2016.
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, by business sector:geographic region:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Revenue by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 543.0 | | | | 68.7 | % | | | 170.7 | | | | 47.1 | % |
Conventional power | | | 138.7 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 32.7 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 86.4 | | | | 10.9 | % | | | 73.2 | | | | 20.2 | % |
Water | | | 22.8 | | | | 2.9 | % | | | — | | | | — | |
Total revenue | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Revenue by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 414.0 | | | | 76.2 | % | | | 137.8 | | | | 80.7 | % |
Conventional power | | | 107.7 | | | | 77.6 | % | | | 101.9 | | | | 85.8 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 89.0 | | | | 103.1 | % | | | 68.3 | | | | 93.3 | % |
Water | | | 13.5 | | | | 59.6 | % | | | — | | | | — | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Revenue by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 328.1 | | | | 41.5 | % | | | 195.5 | | | | 53.9 | % |
South America | | | 112.5 | | | | 14.2 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.0 | % |
EMEA | | | 350.3 | | | | 44.3 | % | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.1 | % |
Total revenue | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 279.6 | | | | 85.2 | % | | | 175.4 | | | | 89.7 | % |
South America | | | 110.9 | | | | 98.6 | % | | | 77.2 | | | | 92.3 | % |
EMEA | | | 233.7 | | | | 66.7 | % | | | 55.4 | | | | 66.3 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(3) | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % |
Notes:Note:—
(1)(3) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third quarter of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by business sector | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Renewable energy (GWh) | | | 2,536 | | | | 902 | |
Conventional power (GWh) | | | 2,465 | | | | 2,474 | |
Electric transmission lines (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,018 | |
Volume by geography
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by geography | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | | |
North America (GWh) | | | 3,687 | | | | 3,083 | |
South America (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,018 | |
South America (GWh) | | | 313 | | | | 109 | |
EMEA (GWh) | | | 1,001 | | | | 185 | |
EMEA (capacity in Mft3 per day) | | | 10.5 | | | | 10.5 | |
North America
Revenues increased by 67.8% to $328.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $195.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the commencement of operations of Mojave in December 2014 and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in production of Solana in its second year of operations. Revenues also increased in ACT mainly due to higher revenues in the portion of the tariff related to the operation and maintenance services, as we had higher operation and maintenance costs in the year ended December 31, 2015. Further Adjusted EBITDA increased by 59.4% to $279.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with $175.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 mainly due to commencement of operations of Mojave and higher production at Solana. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased as of December 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014, mainly as a result of higher costs of operation and maintenance in Solana in 2015 and to higher general expenses, which are allocated by segment.
South America
Revenue increased by 34.6% to $112.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $83.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mostly attributable to the acquisition of Cadonal in the first quarter of 2015 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 and, to a lesser extent, the increase in the production at Palmatir. Thus, Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $110.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which represents an increase of $33.7 million as compared with the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased mainly as a result of dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH, which were $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, corresponding to the period after our IPO.
EMEA
Revenue increased by 319.0% to $350.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $83.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. On a constant currency basis, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been $418.7 million, representing an increase of 400.9% compared to previous year. The increase is mainly attributable to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2 and PS 10/20 in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $233.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $55.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin remained stable for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 by business sector:
Revenue by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Revenue by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 543.0 | | | | 68.7 | % | | | 170.7 | | | | 47.1 | % |
Conventional power | | | 138.7 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 118.8 | | | | 32.7 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 86.4 | | | | 10.9 | % | | | 73.2 | | | | 20.2 | % |
Water | | | 22.8 | | | | 2.9 | % | | | — | | | | — | |
Total revenue | | | 790.9 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 414.0 | | | | 76.2 | % | | | 137.8 | | | | 80.7 | % |
Conventional power | | | 107.7 | | | | 77.6 | % | | | 101.9 | | | | 85.8 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 89.0 | | | | 103.1 | % | | | 68.3 | | | | 93.3 | % |
Water | | | 13.5 | | | | 59.6 | % | | | — | | | | — | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(4) | | | 624.2 | | | | 78.9 | % | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % |
Note:—
(4) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third quarter of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 includes compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of ACBH dividends. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Volume by business sector
| | Volume produced/availability | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by business sector | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Renewable energy (GWh) | | | 2,536 | | | | 902 | |
Conventional power (GWh) | | | 2,465 | | | | 2,474 | |
Electric transmission lines (miles in operation) | | | 1,099 | | | | 1,018 | |
Renewable energy.energy
Revenue increased by 218.2% to $543.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $170.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. On a constant currency basis, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been $606.0 million, representing an increase of 255.1% compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mainly attributable to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2, PS 10/20 and Cadonal in the fourth quarter of 2014, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4 and Helioenergy 1/2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. The commencement of operations of Mojave in the last quarter of 2014 also contributed to the increase in revenues in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2014. As a consequence, the capacity in terms of installed MW available throughout the year increased by 600 MW, driving total capacity to 1,441 MW as of December 31, 2015. This resulted in a net electricity production of 2,536 GWh for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with 902 GWh produced during the year ended December 31, 2014. As a result, further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $414.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which represented an increase of $276.1 million with respect to the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has decreased mainly due to higher costs of operation and maintenance in Solana in 2015 and to higher general expenses, which are allocated by segment.
Conventional power
Conventional power.Revenue increased by 16.8% to $138.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $118.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mainly due to higher revenues in the portion of the tariff related to the operation and maintenance services, attributable to higher operation and maintenance costs for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 mainly due to higher operation and maintenance costs.
Electric transmission lines.lines
Revenue increased by 17.9% to $86.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $73.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mostly attributable to the commencement of operations of ATS and Quadra 2 in the first quarter of 2014, and Quadra 1 during the second quarter of 2014, and the acquisition of ATN2 during the second quarter of 2015. All assets operated at high levels of availability during the year ended December 31, 2015. Thus, Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $89 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $20.7 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased as a result of dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH; we received $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $9.2 million received for the year ended December 31.31, 2014, corresponding to the period after our IPO.
Water. Water
Revenue amounted to $22.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $13.5 million for the year ended 2015 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is due to the acquisition of Skikda in February 2015.
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, by geographic region:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Revenue by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 195.5 | | | | 53.9 | % | | | 114.0 | | | | 54.1 | % |
South America | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.0 | % | | | 25.4 | | | | 12.0 | % |
EMEA | | | 83.6 | | | | 23.1 | % | | | 71.5 | | | | 33.9 | % |
Total revenue | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 210.9 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by geography | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
North America | | | 175.4 | | | | 89.7 | % | | | 96.7 | | | | 84.8 | % |
South America | | | 77.2 | | | | 92.3 | % | | | 19.0 | | | | 74.8 | % |
EMEA | | | 55.4 | | | | 66.3 | % | | | 42.8 | | | | 59.9 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % | | | 158.5 | | | | 75.2 | % |
Notes:—
(1) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
| | Volume sold | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by geography | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | $ in millions | |
North America (GWh) | | | 3,083 | | | | 1,938 | |
South America (miles in operation) | | | 1,018 | | | | 368 | |
South America (GWh) | | | 109 | | | | — | |
EMEA (GWh) | | | 185 | | | | 191 | |
North America. Revenues increased by 71.5% to $195.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $114.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the commencement of operations of Solana in the last quarter of 2013 and, to a lesser extent, of ACT in the second quarter of 2013 and Mojave during the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $175.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased as a result of the projects that have entered into operation.
South America. Revenue increased by 229.1% to $83.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was mostly attributable to the commencement of operations of ATS in the first quarter of 2014 and, to a lower extent, of Palmatir in the second quarter at 2014. Thus, Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $77.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which represents an increase of $58.2 million as compared with the year ended December 31, 2013. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased as a result of dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH and of higher margins in the projects that have entered into operation.
EMEA. Revenue increased by 16.9% to $83.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $71.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is mainly attributable to the acquisition of Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 during the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $55.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $42.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Revenue and Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector
The following table sets forth our revenue, Further Adjusted EBITDA and volumes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 by business sector:
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Revenue by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 170.7 | | | | 47.1 | % | | | 82.7 | | | | 39.2 | % |
Conventional power | | | 118.8 | | | | 32.7 | % | | | 102.8 | | | | 48.7 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 73.2 | | | | 20.2 | % | | | 25.4 | | | | 12.1 | % |
Total revenue | | | 362.7 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 210.9 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Further Adjusted EBITDA by business sector | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | | | $ in millions | | | % of revenue | |
Renewable energy | | | 137.8 | | | | 80.7 | % | | | 55.8 | | | | 67.5 | % |
Conventional power | | | 101.9 | | | | 85.8 | % | | | 83.3 | | | | 81.0 | % |
Electric transmission lines | | | 68.3 | | | | 93.3 | % | | | 19.4 | | | | 76.4 | % |
Further Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | | 308.0 | | | | 84.9 | % | | | 158.5 | | | | 75.2 | % |
Notes:—
(1) | Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interest from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes preferred dividends by ACBH for the first time during the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS as issued by the IASB and you should not consider Further Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to operating income or profits or as a measure of our operating performance, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities or as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs or any other measures of performance under generally accepted accounting principles. We believe that Further Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of our ability to incur and service our indebtedness and can assist securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate us. Further Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are used by different companies for different purposes and are often calculated in ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. Further Adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
| | Volume sold | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
Volume by business sector | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Renewable energy (GWh) | | | 902 | | | | 280 | |
Conventional power (GWh) | | | 2,474 | | | | 1,849 | |
Electric transmission lines (miles in operation) | | | 1,018 | | | | 368 | |
Renewable energy. Revenue increased by 106.4% to $170.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $82.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was mainly attributable to the projects that entered into operation during 2014 and in the last quarter of 2013, comprised of Mojave, Palmatir and Solana. Additionally, the acquisition of Solacor 1/2 on November 18, 2014, and PS10/20 on December 4, 2014, also contributed to the increase in production and revenues in the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2013. As a consequence, the capacity in terms of installed MW available throughout the year increased by 511 MW, driving total capacity to 891 MW as of December 31, 2014. This resulted in a net electricity production of 902 GWh for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with 280 GWh produced during the year ended December 31, 2013. Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $137.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which represented an increase of $82.0 million with respect to the year ended December 31, 2013, mainly due to the effect of the new projects entering into operation and acquisitions. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased as well as a result of the projects that have entered into operation, with a higher margin than the projects in operation in the year ended December 31, 2013.
Conventional power. Revenue increased by 15.5% to $118.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $102.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was due to the commencement of operations of ACT during the second quarter of 2013. This resulted in net electricity production of 2,474 GWh for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 1,849 GWh for the year ended December 31, 2013. As a consequence, Further Adjusted EBITDA increased to $101.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $83.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Electric transmission lines. Revenue increased by 188.2% to $73.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was mostly attributable to the commencement of operations of ATS in the first quarter of 2014. Thus, Further Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $68.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $48.8 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2013. Further Adjusted EBITDA margin has increased as a result of higher margins in the projects that have entered into operation and dividends received from our preferred equity investment in ACBH.
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
The liquidity and capital resources discussion which follows contains certain estimates as of the date of this annual report of our sources and uses of liquidity (including estimated future capital resources and capital expenditures) and future financial and operating results. These estimates, while presented with numerical specificity, necessarily reflect numerous estimates and assumptions made by us with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to our businesses, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These estimates reflect subjective judgment in many respects and thus are susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business, economic, regulatory, financial and other developments. As such, these estimates constitute forward-looking information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual sources and uses of liquidity (including estimated future capital resources and capital expenditures) and financial and operating results to differ materially from the estimates made here, including, but not limited to, our performance, industry performance, general business and economic conditions, customer requirements, competition, adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules, and the various risks set forth in this annual report. See “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
In addition, these estimates reflect assumptions of our management as of the time that they were prepared as to certain business decisions that were and are subject to change. These estimates also may be affected by our ability to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable periods. The estimates cannot, therefore, be considered a guarantee of future sources and uses of liquidity (including estimated future capital resources and capital expenditures) and future financial and operating results, and the information should not be relied on as such. None of us, or our board of directors, advisors, officers, directors or representatives intends to, and each of them disclaims any obligation to, update, revise, or correct these estimates, except as otherwise required by law, including if the estimates are or become inaccurate (even in the short-term).
The inclusion in this annual report of these estimates should not be deemed an admission or representation by us or our board of directors that such information is viewed by us or our board of directors as material information of ours. Such information should be evaluated, if at all, in conjunction with the historical financial statements and other information regarding Abengoa Yieldabout us contained in this annual report. None of us, or our board of directors, advisors, officers, directors or representatives has made or makes any representation to any prospective investor or other person regarding our ultimate performance compared to the information contained in these estimates or that forecasted results will be achieved. In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the information provided above, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these estimates. Our liquidity plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside of our control. Macroeconomic conditions could limit our ability to successfully execute our business plans and, therefore, adversely affect our liquidity plans. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors.”
Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our debt, pay cash dividends to investors and acquire new companies and operations. Historically, our predecessor operations were largely financed by internally generated cash flows as well as corporate and/or project-level borrowings to satisfy capital expenditure requirements. As a normal part of our business, depending on market conditions, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness. In February 2017, we issued Note Issuance Facility in the amount of €275 million (approximately $294 million), which we intend to use towards the repayment of the Tranche B of the Credit Facility maturing in December 2017. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we issued the 2019 Notes and entered into tranche A of the Credit Facility, which we amended and restated on June 26, 2015. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions. In addition, any of the items discussed in detail under “Item 3.D—Risk Factors” in this annual report and other factors may also significantly impact our liquidity.
Our principal liquidity and capital requirements consist of the following:
| · | debt service requirements on our existing and future debt; |
| · | cash dividends to investors; and |
| · | acquisitions of new companies, operations and operationsfinancial investments (see “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Growth Strategy”). |
Liquidity position
As of December 31, 2015,2016, our cash and cash equivalents at the project company level were $469.2$472.6 million as compared with $198.7$469.2 million as of December 31, 2014.2015. In addition, our cash and cash equivalents at the AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc level were $122.2 million as of December 31, 2016, compared with $45.5 million as of December 31, 2015 compared with $155.4 million as of December 31, 2014.2015.
Sources of liquidity
We expect our ongoing sources of liquidity to include cash on hand, cash generated from our operations, project debt arrangements, corporate debt and the issuance of additional equity securities, as appropriate, given market conditions. Our financing agreements consist mainly of the project-level financings for our various assets, the 2019 Notes, and the Credit Facility, the Note Issuance Facility.
On November 17, 2014.2014, we issued the 2019 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $255 million. The 2019 Notes accrue annual interest of 7.000% payable semi-annually beginning on May 15, 2015 until their maturity date of November 15, 2019. As required by the Indenture governing the 2019 Notes, we have obtained a public credit rating for the 2019 Notes from each of S&P and Moody’s. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—2019 Notes”
On December 3, 2014, we entered into the Credit Facility in the total amount of up to $125 million. On December 22, 2014, we drew down $125 million under the Credit Facility, which we refer to as Tranche A. Loans under Tranche A of the Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.75% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.75% Loans under Tranche A of the Credit Facility mature on December 22, 2018. Loans prepaid by us under Tranche A of the Credit Facility may be re-borrowed until their maturity date of November 15, 2019. See Item 5.B—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements—Credit Facility.
On June 26, 2015, we amended and restated our Credit Facility which we entered into initially on December 3, 2014, as the borrower for a new tranche B, in addition to the existing $125 million facility that remains as tranche A, to be used as a revolver credit facility for acquisitions and general corporate purposes. Tranche B has a total size of $290 million. Tranche B is revolving and matureswas initially set to mature in December 2017, however we expect to prepay Tranche B of the Credit Facility with the proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility we entered into in February 2017. Loans under Tranche B of the Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.50% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.50% Loans under tranche B of the Credit Facility mature thirty months after the closing date of Tranche B of the Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 20152016, Tranche A and Tranche B of the Credit Facility arewere fully drawn.
Furthermore, on May 14, 2015, we closed a private placement of our shares that resulted in the issuance of 20,217,260 new shares with total net proceeds of $664 million.
The proceeds of the Credit Facility and the proceeds of the capital increase were used to finance the acquisitions discussed above. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview.”
Additionally, on February 10, 2017, we signed a Note Issuance Facility, a senior secured note facility with a group of funds managed by Westbourne Capital as purchasers of the notes issued thereunder for a total amount of €275 million (approximately $294 million), with three series of notes. Series 1 notes worth €92 million mature in 2022; series 2 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2023; and series 3 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2024. Interest on all three series accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of 3 month EURIBOR plus 4.90%. The proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility will be used for the repayment and subsequent cancellation of the Tranche B under our Credit Facility. We intend to fully hedge the Note Issuance Facility with a swap to fix the interest rate as soon as possible after funding of the notes.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements, including capital expenditures, as well as acquisitions, will depend on our future operating performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control.
All our project entities have long-term project financing arrangements in place. In particular, as we explain in “—Business—“Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our operations”Operations”, Solana, MojaveKaxu has a loan with 18-year term and Kaxu have loansCadonal has a loan with 29, 25 and 18 year terms, respectively.a 20-year term. However, following the filing of the pre-insolvencyinsolvency proceeding under article 5bis of the Spanish Insolvency Law,Abengoa, given that these project financing agreements have cross-default provisions with Abengoa and given that, as of December 31, 2015,2016, the project entities did not have what International Accounting Standards define as an unconditional contracted right to defer the settlement of the debt for at least 12 months after that date, the debt of thesethe projects has been classified as Current Liabilities in accordance with the provisions of IFRS International Accounting Standards 1, “Presentation of Financial Statements”. We do not expect the credit entities to use the cross-default provisions to request an acceleration of the debt.debt however we cannot guarantee it.
We believe that our existing liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our requirements and commitments for the next 12 months, to finance growth and to distribute dividends to our investors. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our financing agreements will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Please see “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness—Potential future defaults by our subsidiaries, Abengoa or other persons could adversely affect us.”
Debt service
Principal payments on debt as of December 31, 20152016, are due in the following periods according to their contracted maturities:
Repayment schedule by geography | | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | |
| | $ in millions | |
North America | | $ | 1,274.5 | | | $ | 28.6 | | | $ | 71.7 | | | $ | 96.9 | | | $ | 1,077.3 | |
South America | | | 888.3 | | | | 25.6 | | | | 40.9 | | | | 50.4 | | | | 771.4 | |
EMEA | | | 3,307.9 | | | | 141.6 | | | | 288.1 | | | | 330.6 | | | | 2,547.7 | |
Total project debt | | $ | 5,470.7 | | | $ | 195.7 | | | $ | 400.7 | | | $ | 477.9 | | | $ | 4,396.4 | |
Corporate debt | | $ | 664.6 | | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 409.7 | | | $ | 251.7 | | | $ | 0.0 | |
Total | | $ | 6,135.3 | | | $ | 198.9 | | | $ | 810.4 | | | $ | 729.6 | | | $ | 4,396.4 | |
Repayment schedule by geography
Repayment schedule by business sector | | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | |
| | $ in millions | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 4,108.2 | | | $ | 143.9 | | | $ | 318.6 | | | $ | 376.7 | | | $ | 3,268.9 | |
Conventional power | | | 617.1 | | | | 28.4 | | | | 43.0 | | | | 53.4 | | | | 492.3 | |
Electric transmission | | | 697.9 | | | | 18.4 | | | | 28.9 | | | | 36.8 | | | | 613.8 | |
Water | | | 47.5 | | | | 5.0 | | | | 10.2 | | | | 11.0 | | | | 21.4 | |
Total project debt | | $ | 5,470.7 | | | $ | 195.7 | | | $ | 400.7 | | | $ | 477.9 | | | $ | 4,396.4 | |
Corporate debt | | $ | 664.6 | | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 409.7 | | | $ | 251.7 | | | $ | 0.0 | |
Total | | $ | 6,135.3 | | | $ | 198.9 | | | $ | 810.4 | | | $ | 729.6 | | | $ | 4,396.4 | |
Repayment schedule by geography | | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | |
| | $ in millions | |
North America | | $ | 1,870.9 | | | $ | 58.3 | | | $ | 130.4 | | | $ | 159.2 | | | $ | 1,523.0 | |
South America | | | 895.3 | | | | 31.7 | | | | 48.5 | | | | 59.7 | | | | 755.3 | |
EMEA | | | 2,564.3 | | | | 121.2 | | | | 259.2 | | | | 289.2 | | | | 1,894.8 | |
Total project debt | | $ | 5,330.5 | | | $ | 211.2 | | | $ | 438.1 | | | $ | 508.1 | | | $ | 4,173.1 | |
Corporate debt | | $ | 668.2 | | | $ | 291.9 | | | $ | 376.3 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Total | | $ | 5,998.7 | | | $ | 503.0 | | | $ | 814.4 | | | $ | 508.1 | | | $ | 4,173.1 | |
Repayment schedule by business sector | | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | |
| | $ in millions | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 3,979.1 | | | $ | 157.0 | | | $ | 352.9 | | | $ | 391.9 | | | $ | 3,077.4 | |
Conventional power | | | 598.3 | | | | 27.7 | | | | 40.0 | | | | 61.5 | | | | 469.0 | |
Electric transmission | | | 711.5 | | | | 21.4 | | | | 34.9 | | | | 43.6 | | | | 611.6 | |
Water | | | 41.6 | | | | 5.0 | | | | 10.3 | | | | 11.1 | | | | 15.1 | |
Total project debt | | $ | 5,330.5 | | | $ | 211.2 | | | $ | 438.1 | | | $ | 508.1 | | | $ | 4,173.1 | |
Corporate debt | | $ | 668.2 | | | $ | 291.9 | | | $ | 376.3 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Total | | $ | 5,998.7 | | | $ | 503.0 | | | $ | 814.4 | | | $ | 508.1 | | | $ | 4,173.1 | |
The debt maturities relate to project debt that will be repaid with cash flows generated from the projects in respect of which that financing was incurred.
The amounts of the schedules above do not include impact of the reclassification of the long term of the debt of Kaxu and Cadonal to short term.
Cash dividends to investors
We intend to distribute to holders of our shares in the forma significant portion of a quarterly distribution all of theour cash available for distribution that is generated each quarter, less interestall cash expense including corporate debt service and corporate general and administrative expenses and less reserves for the prudent conduct of our business. business (including for, among other things, dividend shortfall as a result of fluctuations in our cash flows). We intend to distribute a quarterly dividend to shareholders. Our board of directors may, by resolution, amend the cash dividend policy at any time. The determination of the amount of the cash dividends to be paid to holders of our shares will be made by our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, long-term prospects and any other matters that our board of directors deem relevant.
The cash available for distribution is likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter, and in some cases significantly, from quarter to quartermainly as a result of the seasonality of our assets and the terms of our financing arrangements and maintenance and outage schedules andamong other factors. Accordingly, during quarters in which our projects generate cash available for distribution in excess of the amount necessary for us to pay our stated quarterly dividend, we may reserve a portion of the excess to fund cash distributions in future quarters. In addition,quarters in which we do not generate sufficient cash available for distribution to fund our stated quarterly cash dividend, if our board of directors so determines, we may changeuse retained cash flow from other quarters, as well as other sources of cash to pay dividend to our shareholders.
On November 14, 2014, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend policy at any point in time or modifycorresponding to the third quarter of 2014 amounting to $0.26 per share, which was paid on December 15, 2014, to shareholders of record as of November 28, 2014. On February 23, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend for specific quarters following prevailing conditions.corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2014 amounting to $0.26 per share, which was paid on March 16, 2015, to shareholders of record as of March 16, 2015.
On May 8, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the first quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.34 per share, which was paid on June 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2015. On July 29, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the second quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.40 per share, which was paid September 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2015. On November 5, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the third quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.43 per share. The dividendshare, which was paid on December 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of November 30, 2015, and from that amount we retained $9 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa in accordance with the provisions of the parent support agreement.agreement and agreement reach with Abengoa in relation to the ACBH preferred equity investment.
In February 2016, taking into consideration the uncertainties resulting from the situation of our sponsor, the board of directors decided to postpone the decision whether to declare a dividend in respect of the fourth quarter of 2015 until the second quarter of 2016. In May 2016, considering the uncertainties that remained in our sponsor's situation, our board of directors decided not to declare a dividend in respect of the fourth quarter of 2015 and to postpone the decision on whether to declare a dividend in respect of the first quarter 2016 until we had obtained greater clarity on cross default and change of ownership issues. In August 2016, based on the secured waivers and forbearances secured to-date, our board of directors decided to declare a dividend of $0.145 per share for the first quarter of 2016 and a dividend of $0.145 per share for the second quarter of 2016, which were paid on September 15, 2016, to shareholders of record August 31, 2016. From that amount, we retained $12.2 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa. On November 11, 2016, our board of directors, based on waivers or forbearances obtained to that date, decided to declare a dividend of $0.163 per share, which was paid on December 15, 2016, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2016. From that amount, we retained $6.7 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa. See “Business“Item 4.B—Business Overview—Electric Transmission—Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding.”
On July 29, 2015,February 24, 2017, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend correspondingof $0.25 per share which is expected to be paid on or about March 15, 2017 to the second quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.40 per share. The dividend was paid September 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2015.February 28, 2017.
On May 8, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the first quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.34 per share. The dividend was paid on June 15, 2015, to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2015.
Acquisitions
On November 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a 74% stake in Solacor 1/2; on December 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of PS10/20; and on December 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Cadonal. The total purchase price paid for these assets amounted to $312 million. These assets were financed with the proceeds of the 2019 Notes and with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility.
On February 3, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda. On February 23, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2. The total purchase price paid for these assets amounted to $94 million and was financed with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility.
On May 13, 2015 and May 14, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Helios ½ and Solnova 1/3/4. On May 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2. On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in Kaxu. The total purchase price paid for these assets amounted to $682 million and was financed with the proceeds of a capital increase completed in May 2015.
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of ATN2 from Abengoa and Sigma, a third-party financial investor in ATN2. On September 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6. In addition, on January 7, 2016, we completed the acquisition from JGC of a 13% in Solacor 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain where we already owned a 74% stake. The total purchase price for these assets amounted to $378 million and was mainly financed with Tranche B of our Credit Facility.
Cash flow
The following table sets forth cash flow data for the years ended December, 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013:2014:
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Gross cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year | | $ | (198.2 | ) | | $ | (29.3 | ) | | $ | (1.8 | ) | | $ | 1.6 | | | $ | (198.2 | ) | | $ | (29.3 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile after-tax profit to net cash generated by operating activities | | | 734.9 | | | | 290.6 | | | | 92.4 | | | | 664.8 | | | | 734.9 | | | | 290.6 | |
Profit for the year adjusted by non-monetary items | | $ | 536.7 | | | $ | 261.3 | | | $ | 90.6 | | | $ | 666.4 | | | $ | 536.7 | | | $ | 261.3 | |
Net interest/taxes paid | | | (310.2 | ) | | | (149.7 | ) | | | (62.4 | ) | | | (334.0 | ) | | | (310.2 | ) | | | (149.7 | ) |
Variations in working capital | | | 73.1 | | | | (68.0 | ) | | | 9.2 | | | | 2.0 | | | | 73.1 | | | | (68.0 | ) |
Total net cash flow provided by operating activities | | $ | 299.6 | | | $ | 43.6 | | | $ | 37.4 | | | $ | 334.4 | | | $ | 299.6 | | | $ | 43.6 | |
Net cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | (95.9 | ) | | | (122.8 | ) | | | (694.6 | ) | |
Acquisitions | | | (834.0 | ) | | | (222.4 | ) | | | — | | |
Investments in entities under equity method | | | | 5.0 | | | | 4.4 | | | | (44.5 | ) |
Investments in contracted commercial assets | | | | (6.0 | ) | | | (106.0 | ) | | | (57.0 | ) |
Other non-current assets/liabilities | | | | (3.6 | ) | | | 5.7 | | | | (21.3 | ) |
Aquisitions of subsidiaries | | | | (21.7 | ) | | | (834.0 | ) | | | (222.4 | ) |
Total net cash flows used in investing activities | | $ | (929.9 | ) | | $ | (345.2 | ) | | $ | (694.6 | ) | | $ | (26.3 | ) | | $ | (929.9 | ) | | $ | (345.2 | ) |
Net cash flows provided by financing activities | | $ | 810.9 | | | $ | 304.4 | | | $ | 914.9 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 180.6 | | | | 2.9 | | | | 257.7 | | |
Net cash flows provided by/(used in) financing activities | | | $ | (226.1 | ) | | $ | 810.9 | | | $ | 304.4 | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | | 82.0 | | | | 180.6 | | | | 2.9 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdraft at beginning of the year | | | 354.2 | | | | 357.7 | | | | 97.5 | | | | 514.7 | | | | 354.2 | | | | 357.7 | |
Translation differences cash or cash equivalents | | | (20.1 | ) | | | (6.4 | ) | | | 2.5 | | | | (1.9 | ) | | | (20.1 | ) | | | (6.4 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | | $ | 514.7 | | | $ | 354.2 | | | $ | 357.7 | | | $ | 594.8 | | | $ | 514.7 | | | $ | 354.2 | |
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities was $334.4 million compared with $299.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a 11.6% increase year over year. During the year ended December 31, 2016, profit adjusted by financial expense and non-monetary items was $666.4 million compared to $536.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. Adjustments to reconcile after-tax profit to net cash generated by operating activities correspond mainly to depreciation, amortization and impairment expense and finance expenses partially offset by other non-monetary items, consisting mainly of income related to grants provided by the U.S. Treasury to Solana and Mojave. The increased profit adjusted by financial expense and non-monetary items was primarily due to the acquisition of Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 as well as Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015. All these assets are now generating a higher Further Adjusted EBITDA. Variations in working capital had a positive impact of $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016. The variations in working capital in the year ended December 31, 2015 amounted to a positive $73.1 million mainly due to a reduction in short-term financial investments. Net interest and taxes paid increased to $334.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, from $310.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, mainly due to the net interest and taxes paid by the acquired assets mentioned above.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $299.6 million compared with $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, profit adjusted by financial expense and non-monetary items was $536.7 million compared to $261.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2014. Adjustments to reconcile after-tax profit to net cash generated by operating activities correspond mainly to the impairment of our preferred equity investment in Brazil of $210.4 million, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, as well as finance expense, partially offset by other non-monetary items, consisting mainly of income related to the grants provided by the U.S. Treasury to Solana and Mojave. The increase profit adjusted by financial expense and non-monetary items was primarily due to the acquisitions of Solacor 1/2, PS10/20 and Cadonal in the fourth quarter of 2014, Skikda in the first quarter of 2015, Helios 1/2, Solnova 1/3/4, Helioenergy 1/2 and ATN2 in the second quarter of 2015 and Kaxu and Solaben 1/6 in the third quarter of 2015, as well as to the commencement of operations of Mojave in the last quarter of 2014. All these assets are now generating a higher Further Adjusted EBITDA. Variations in working capital had a positive impact of $73.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, as all the assets in the portfolio are currently in operation, and amounted to a negative $68.0 million impact in the year ended December 31, 2014, which was related to the end of the construction phase of several projects during that period. Net interest and taxes paid increased from $149.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 to $310.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, mainly due to the recent acquisitions mentioned above.
Net cash used in investing activities
For the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, net cash provided by operating activities was $43.6 million, compared with $37.4 for the year ended December 31, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2014, profit adjusted by non-monetary items was $261.3 million, compared with $90.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the commencement of operations of Solana and ACT during 2013 and the entry into operation of ATS in the first quarter of 2014. This increase was partially offset by a negative variation in working capital which amounted to $(68.0) million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The negative variation in working capital in 2014 is related to the end of the construction phase of several projects. In addition, higher interest amounts were paid in the year ended December 31, 2014, amounting to $149.7 million compared with $62.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2013, which is due to interests paid by the projects which have entered into operation.
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $26.3 million and corresponded mainly to the payments totaling $21.8 million for the pending payment of Solaben 1/6 and the acquisition of Seville PV.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash used in investing activities increasedamounted to $929.9 million compared with $345.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, mainlyprincipally due to the 2015 acquisitions under the ROFO Agreement, net of the existing cash in the project companies acquired, for a net amount of $834.0 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, net cash used in investing activities decreasedamounted to $345.2 million, compared with $694.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 due toand was driven mainly by the completion of construction of Solana and ATS in the last quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, respectively. This was partially offset by a net cash outflow caused byrespectively, as well as the acquisition of the First Dropdown Assets under the ROFO Agreement forin the amount of $222.4 million.
Net cash provided byby/(used in) financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2016, amounted to $226.1 million and corresponds mainly to the $182.6 million of principal debt repayment made by the assets, $35.5 million of dividends paid to shareholders and non-controlling interest and $19.7 million payment for acquisition of the 13% stake in Solacor 1/2 from the minority partner in the project (JGC), partially offset by $14.9 million of the proceeds of the refinancing in ATN2.
Net cash provided by financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2015 amounted to $810.9 million and corresponds mainly to the net proceeds of the capital increase that we closed in May 2015 pursuant to a private placement that resulted in the issuance of 20,217,260 new shares, with total net proceeds of $664.1 million. In addition, we made a drawing under Tranche B of our Credit Facility for a total amount of $286.0 million, net of expenses, which we used to finance the acquisition of the Fourth Dropdown Assets from Abengoa pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. Furthermore, proceeds from project debt amounted to $173.4 million, related to the financing of scheduled pending payments from the construction phase of projects. These effects were partially offset by dividend payments to shareholders and non-controlling interest for a total amount of $137.2 million and the repayment of project debt of $175.4 million.
ForNet cash provided by financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2014 net cash flow provided by financing activities was $304.4 million, compared with $914.9 million provided by the financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013. The net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014 was2013 and represented a net amount of different movements.several financing events that occurred during 2014. Firstly, we recorded proceeds from loans and borrowings of $1,350.7 million, mainly related to (i) the collection of an ITC Cash Grant awarded to Solana by the U.S. Treasury, which was partially used on April 2, 2014 to fully repay the short-term tranche of Solana’s loan with the Federal Financing BankFFB of $451.3 million, (ii) the bond issue by ATS of $424 million, which was used to repay existing debt associated with the project, (iii) the 2019 Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $255 million (which were used, together with a portion of the proceeds of Tranche A of our Credit Facility, to finance the acquisition of the First Dropdown Assets from Abengoa pursuant to the ROFO Agreement) and (iv) Tranche A of our Credit Facility in the total amount of $125 million (a portion of which was used to finance the acquisition of Cadonal and the remaining portion was used to finance the acquisition of the Second Dropdown Assets from Abengoa pursuant to the ROFO Agreement and for general corporate purposes). We repaid loans and borrowings for anthe amount of $1,665.4 million, mostly comprised of the repayments of Solana and ATS referred to above. Additionally, on June 18, 2014 we received $685.3 million in our IPO, of which $655.3 million was used to pay Abengoa in exchange for a transfer of assets, which occurred immediately prior to our IPO.
Financing Arrangements
2019 Notes
On November 17, 2014, we issued the 2019 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $255 million. Interest accrues on the 2019 Notes from November 17, 2014 until November 15, 2019, the maturity date, at a rate of 7.000% per annum. The 2019 Notes were offered and issued in transactions exempt from registration to certain qualified institutional buyers in the United States, under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and to institutional investors outside the United States, under Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The proceeds from the offering of the 2019 Notes were used, together with a portion of the proceeds of the Credit Facility, to finance the acquisition of the First Dropdown Assets from Abengoa pursuant to the ROFO Agreement. See “Item 4.B—Business Overview—First Dropdown Assets.” The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million (which consideration was determined in part by converting the portion of the purchase price of Solacor 1/2 and PS10/20 denominated in euros into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on the date on which the payment was made).
As of the date of this annual report, $255 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes remain outstanding. The 2019 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our subsidiaries Abengoa Solar Holdings USAASHUSA Inc., Abengoa Solar US HoldingsASUSHI Inc., Abengoa SolarABY South Africa (Pty) Ltd, AbengoaLTD, ABY Concessions Peru, S.A., AbengoaABY Concessions Infrastructures S.L.U. and ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V. If we fail to make payments on the 2019 Notes as required under the indenture governing such notes, the guarantors are obligated to make such payments.
The indenture governing the 2019 Notes provides, among other things, that the 2019 Notes and the guarantees are our and the guarantors’, respectively, general unsecured obligations and rank equally (subject to any applicable statutory exemptions) in right of payment with all of our and the guarantors’, respectively, existing and future debt that is not subordinated in right of payment and be effectively subordinated to all of our and the guarantors’, respectively, existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing such debt and to any preferential obligations under applicable law. Interest is payable on the 2019 Notes on May 15 and November 15 of each year beginning on May 15, 2015 until their maturity date of November 15, 2019.
The indenture governing the 2019 Notes contains covenants that limit certain of our and the guarantors’ activities, including those relating to: incurring additional indebtedness; paying dividends on, redeeming or repurchasing our capital stock; prepaying subordinated indebtedness; making certain investments; imposing certain restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or other payments; creating certain liens; transferring or selling assets; merging or consolidating with other entities; entering into transactions with affiliates; and engaging in unrelated businesses. Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. In addition, certain of the covenants listed above will terminate before the 2019 Notes mature if at least two of the specified rating agencies assign the 2019 Notes an investment grade rating in the future and no events of default under the indenture governing the 2019 Notes exist and are continuing. Any covenants that cease to apply to us as a result of achieving investment grade ratings will not be restored, even if the credit ratings assigned to the 2019 Notes later fall below investment grade.
The indenture governing the 2019 Notes also contains customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods). Generally, if an event of default occurs and is not cured within the time periods specified, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2019 Notes then outstanding may declare all of the 2019 Notes to be due and payable immediately.
Credit Facility
On December 3, 2014, we, entered into a credit facility of up to $125 million with HSBC Bank plc, as administrative agent, HSBC Corporate Trust Company (UK) Limited, as collateral agent and Banco Santander, S.A., Bank of America, N.A., Citigroup Global Markets Limited, HSBC Bank plc and RBC Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.bookrunners, or the Credit Facility. We refer to the $125 million tranche of the Credit Facility as Tranche A.
On June 26, 2015, we amended and restated our Credit Facility to include an additional revolving credit facility of up to $290 million with Bank of America, N.A., as global coordinator and documentation agent and Barclays Bank plc and UBS AG, London Branch as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners. We refer to the $290 million tranche of the Credit Facility as Tranche B.
Loans under Tranche A of the Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.75% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.75%. Loans under Tranche A of the Credit Facility mature on December 22, 2018. Loans prepaid by us under Tranche A of the Credit Facility may be reborrowed.
Loans under Tranche B of the Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to: (A) for Eurodollar rate loans, LIBOR plus 2.50% and (B) for base rate loans, the highest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight U.S. Federal funds transactions with members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System arranged by U.S. Federal funds brokers on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (ii) the U.S. prime rate and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%, in any case, plus 1.50% Loans under Tranche B of the Credit Facility mature thirty months after the closing date of Tranche B of the Credit Facility. Loans prepaid by us under Tranche B of the Credit Facility may be reborrowed.
Our payment obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our subsidiaries Abengoa Solar Holdings USAASHUSA Inc., Abengoa Solar US HoldingsASUSHI Inc., Abengoa SolarABY South Africa (Pty) Ltd, AbengoaABY Concessions Peru S.A., AbengoaABY Concessions Infrastructures, S.L.U. and ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V. The Credit Facility is also secured by substantially alla high percentage of our assets and the assets of the guarantors, subject to customary exceptions.
The Credit Facility contains covenants that limit certain of our and the guarantors’ activities, including those relating to: mergers; consolidations; the ability to incur additional indebtedness; sales, transfers and other dispositions of property and assets; providing new guarantees; investments; granting additional security interests, transactions with affiliates and our ability to pay cash dividends is also subject to certain standard restrictions.
Additionally, we are required to comply with (i) a maintenance leverage ratio of our indebtedness at the holding level to our cash available for distribution of 5.50:1.00 before debt service prior to January 1, 2016,2017, 5.25:1.00 on and after January 1, 20162017 and prior to January 1, 20172018 and 5.00:1.00 on and after January 1, 20172018 and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of cash available for distribution to debt service payments of 2.00:1.00.
The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, the ability of the lenders to declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding loans, and interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and payable. In addition, the Credit Facility includes a material subsidiary default provision related to a default by our project subsidiaries in their financing arrangements, such that a payment default by one or more of our non-recourse subsidiaries representing more than 20% of the cash available for distribution distributed in the previous four fiscal quarters could trigger a default under our Credit Facility.
We expect to prepay the Tranche B of the Credit Facility with the proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility once the proceeds are received.
Note Issuance Facility
On February 10, 2017, we entered into a senior secured note facility with U.S. Bank as agent and a group of funds managed by Westbourne Capital as purchasers of the notes issued thereunder for a total amount of € 275 million (approximately $294 million), or the Note Issuance Facility, with three series of notes. Series 1 notes worth €92 million mature in 2022; series 2 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2023; and series 3 notes worth €91.5 million mature in 2024. Interest on all three series accrues at a rate per annum equal to the sum of three-month EURIBOR plus 4.90%. We intend to fully hedge the Note Issuance Facility with a swap to fix the interest rate as soon as possible after receiving the proceeds of the notes.
The obligations under the Note Issuance Facility rank pari passu with our outstanding obligations under Tranche A of the Credit Facility as well as the 2019 Notes. Our payment obligations under the Note Issuance Facility are guaranteed, collectively, by ASHUSA Inc., ASUSHI Inc., ABY South Africa (Pty) LTD, ABY Concessions Peru, S.A., ABY Concessions Infrastructures S.L.U. and ACT Holding, S.A. de C.V. The Note Issuance Facility is also secured by a high percentage of our assets and the assets of the guarantors, subject to customary exceptions.
The Note Issuance Facility contains covenants that limit certain of our and the guarantors’ activities, including those relating to: mergers; consolidations; certain limitations on the ability to incur additional indebtedness; sales, transfers and other dispositions of property and assets; providing new guarantees; investments; granting additional security interests, transactions with affiliates and our ability to pay cash dividends is also subject to certain standard restrictions. Additionally, we are required to comply with (i) a maintenance leverage ratio of our indebtedness (including that of our subsidiaries) to our cash available for distribution of 5.00:1.00 on and after January 1, 2017, and of 4.75:1.00 on and after January 1, 2020, and (ii) a debt service coverage ratio of 2.00:1.00 of cash available for distribution to debt service payments.
The Note Issuance Facility also contains customary events of default, the ability of the lenders to declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding loans, and interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and payable. In addition, our Note Issuance Facility includes a material subsidiary default provision such that a payment default by one or more of our non-recourse subsidiaries representing more than 20% of the cash available for distribution distributed in the previous four fiscal quarters could trigger a default, provided that these subsidiaries have an indebtedness higher than $100 million in the case of non-recourse subsidiaries or more than $75 million in the case of subsidiaries other than non-recourse subsidiaries. Furthermore, in case we do not obtain a waiver from ACT’s creditors in relation to the minimum ownership by Abengoa three months after the funding of the facility, the interest rate would increase by 1% until we obtain that waiver.
We expect to use the proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility to repay and cancel the Tranche B under our Credit Facility.
Project level financing
We have outstanding project-specific debt that is backed by certain of our assets. These financing arrangements generally include a pledge of shares of the entities holding our assets and customary covenants, including restrictive covenants that limit the ability of the project-level entities to make cash distributions to their parent companies and ultimately to us including if certain financial ratios are not met. For more information about the debt of project-level entities, see “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.”
As we discuss in “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks related to our relationship with Abengoa,” the financing arrangements of some of our project subsidiaries contain cross-default provisions related to Abengoa, such that debt defaults by Abengoa could trigger defaults under such project financing arrangements. In addition, some of our project financing arrangements contain a change of control provision that would be triggered if Abengoa ceases to own at least 35% of Atlantica Yield’s shares.
During the years 2015 and 2016, waivers and forbearances have been obtained for most of our project financing agreements from all the parties of these project financing arrangements containing such covenants. As of the date of this report, waivers or forbearances are still required for ACT and Kaxu. In the case of Solana and Mojave, the forbearance agreement signed with the U.S. Department of Energy, or the DOE, with respect to these assets covers cross-default provisions relating exclusively to Abengoa (without relieving the projects from meeting their obligations). It also covers reductions of Abengoa’s ownership resulting from (i) a court-ordered or lender-initiated foreclosure pursuant to the existing pledge over Abengoa’s shares of the Company that occurs prior to March 31, 2017, (ii) a sale or other disposition at any time pursuant to a bankruptcy proceeding by Abengoa, (iii) changes in the existing Abengoa pledge structure in connection with Abengoa’s restructuring process, aimed at pledging the shares under a new holding company structure, and (iv) capital increases by us. In the event of other reductions of Abengoa’s ownership below the minimum ownership threshold resulting from sales of shares by Abengoa, DOE remedies will not include debt acceleration, but DOE remedies available would include limitations on distributions to us from our subsidiaries. In addition, the minimum ownership threshold for Abengoa in us has been reduced from 35% to 30%.
As of the date of this annual report, we continue to work on obtaining waivers or forbearances for Kaxu and ACT.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statementsAnnual Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with IFRS requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
An understanding of the accounting policies for these items is important to understand the consolidated financial statements.Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The following discussion provides more information regarding the estimates and assumptions used for these items in accordance with IFRS and should be considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements.Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
The most critical accounting policies, which reflect significant management estimates and judgment to determine amounts in our consolidated financial statements,Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, are as follows:
| · | Contracted concessional agreements and PPAs; |
| · | Impairment of intangible assets;assets and property, plants and equipment; |
| · | Derivative financial instruments and fair value estimates; and |
| · | Income taxes and recoverable amount of deferred tax assets. |
Some of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management to select the appropriate assumptions to determine these estimates. These assumptions and estimates are based on our historical experience, forecasts and other circumstances and expectations as of the close of the financial period. The assessment is considered in relation to the global economic situation of the industries and regions where we operate, taking into account future development of our businesses. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty; therefore, actual results could materially differ from the estimates and assumptions used. In such cases, the carrying values of assets and liabilities are adjusted.
As of the date of preparation of our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, no relevant changes in the estimates made are anticipated and, therefore, no significant changes in the value of the assets and liabilities recognized at December 31, 2015,2016, are expected.
Although these estimates and assumptions are being made using all available facts and circumstances, it is possible that future events may require management to amend such estimates and assumptions in future periods. Changes in accounting estimates are recognized prospectively, in accordance with IAS 8, in the consolidated income statement of the year in which the change occurs. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in note 2 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, presented elsewhere in this annual report.
Contracted concessional agreements
Contracted concessional assets include fixed assets financed through non-recourse loans, related to service concession arrangements recorded in accordance with IFRIC 12, except for Palmucho, which is recorded in accordance with IAS 17, PS10/20 and PS10/20,Seville PV, which are recorded as tangible assets in accordance with IAS 16. The infrastructures accounted for as concessions are related to the activities concerning electric transmission lines, solar electricity generation plants, cogeneration plants, wind farms and water desalination plants. The infrastructure used in a concession can be classified as an intangible asset or a financial asset, depending on the nature of the payment entitlements established in the agreement.
The application of IFRIC 12 requires extensive judgment in relation with, among other factors, (i) the identification of certain infrastructures and contractual agreements in the scope of IFRIC 12, (ii) the understanding of the nature of the payments in order to determine the classification of the infrastructure as a financial asset or as an intangible asset and (iii) the timing and recognition of the revenue from construction and concessionary activity.
Under the terms of contractual arrangements within the scope of this interpretation, the operator shall recognize and measure revenue in accordance with IAS 11 and 18 for the services it performs. If the operator performs more than one service (i.e., construction or upgrade services and operation services) under a single contract or arrangement, consideration received or receivable shall be allocated by reference to the relative fair values of the services delivered, when the amounts are separately identifiable.
Consequently, even thoughas certain assets owned by us were under construction wasand subcontracted to Abengoa,related parties in accordance with the provisions of IFRIC 12,2014, we recognizerecognized and measuremeasured revenue and costs for providing construction services during the period of construction of the infrastructure in accordance with IAS 11 “Construction Contracts.” ConstructionIn accordance with IFRIC 12, construction revenue iswas recorded within “Other operating income” and “Construction cost,” which is fully contracted with related parties, iswas recorded within “Other operating expense.” This applies in the same way to the two models.There were no plants under construction during 2015 and 2016.
Intangible assets
We recognize an intangible asset to the extent that we receive a right to charge final customers for the use of the infrastructure. This intangible asset is subject to the provisions of IAS 38 and is amortized linearly, taking into account the estimated period of commercial operation of infrastructure, which generally coincides with the concession period.
We recognize and measure revenue, costs and margin for providing construction services during the period of construction of the infrastructure in accordance with IAS 11 “Construction contracts” and revenue for other services in accordance with IAS 18 “Revenue.” The interest costs derived from financing the project incurred during construction are capitalized during the period of time required to complete and prepare the asset for its predetermined use.
Once the infrastructure is in operation, the treatment of income and expenses is as follows:
| · | Revenues from the updated annual revenue for the contracted concession, as well as operations and maintenance services are recognized in each period according to IAS 18 “Ordinary income.“Revenue.” |
| · | Operating and maintenance costs and general overheads and administrative costs are recorded in accordance with the nature of the cost incurred (amount due) in each period. |
| · | Financing costs are expensed as incurred. |
Financial assets
We recognize a financial asset when demand risk is assumed by the grantor, to the extent that the contracted concession holder has an unconditional right to receive payments for the asset. This asset is recognized at the fair value of the construction services provided, considering upgrade services in accordance with IAS 11, if any.
The financial asset is subsequently recorded at amortized cost calculated according to the effective interest method. Revenue from operations and maintenance services is recognized in each period according to IAS 18 “Ordinary income.” The remuneration of managing and operating the asset resulting from the valuation at amortized cost is also recorded in revenue.
Financing costs are expensed as incurred.
Property, plant and equipment
Assets recorded as property, plant and equipment (PS10/20)20 and Seville PV) are measured at historical cost, including all expenses directly attributable to the acquisition, less depreciation and impairment losses, with the exception of land, which is presented net of any impairment losses. Once the infrastructure is in operation, the treatment of income and expenses is equal to intangible assets.
Impairment of intangible assets and property, planplant and equipment
We review our contracted revenue assets to identify any indicators of impairment annually.
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, defined as the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be generated by the asset. In the event that the asset does not generate cash flows independently of other assets, we calculate the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit, or CGU to which the asset belongs.
When the carrying amount of the CGU to which these assets belong is lower than its recoverable amount assets are impaired.
Assumptions used to calculate value in use include a discount rate and projections considering real data based on the contract terms and projected changes in both selling prices and costs. The discount rate is estimated by management, to reflect both changes in the value of money over time and the risks associated with the specific CGU.
For contracted or concession revenue assets with a defined useful life and with a specific financial structure, cash flow projections until the end of the project are considered and no terminal value is assumed. Contracted revenue assets have a contractual structure that permits to estimate quite accurately the costs of the project (both in the construction and in the operations periods) and revenue during the life of the project.
Projections take into account real data based on the contract terms and fundamental assumptions based in specific reports prepared by experts, assumptions on demand and assumptions on production. Additionally, assumptions on macroeconomic conditions are also taken into account, such as inflation rates, future interest rates and sensitivity analysis are performed over all major assumptions, which can have a significant impact on the value of the asset.
Cash flow projections of CGUs are calculated in the functional currency of those CGUs and are discounted using rates that take into consideration the risk corresponding to each specific country and currency.
Taking into account that in most CGUs its specific financial structure is linked to the financial structure of the projects that are part of those CGUs, the discount rate used to calculate the present value of cash flow projections is based on the weighted average cost of capital, or WACC, for the type of asset, adjusted, if necessary, in accordance with the business of the specific activity and with the risk associated with the country where the project is performed. In any case, sensitivity analyses are performed, especially in relation with the discount rate used and fair value changes in the main business variables, in order to ensure that possible changes in the estimates of these items do not impact the possible recovery of recognized assets. See note 2 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on WACCs.
In the event that the recoverable amount of an asset is lower than its carrying amount, an impairment charge for the difference would be recorded in the consolidated income statement under the item “depreciation, amortization and impairment charges.”
Considering the low level of wind resources recorded since COD in Palmatir and Cadonal and the uncertainty around such level in the future, we performed impairment tests which resulted in recognition of an impairment loss of $20.3 million affecting the year ended December 31, 2016. The recoverable amount considered (or value in use) amounted to $215.7 million for the wind segment. We used specific discount rate in each year based on the changes in the debt/equity leverage ratio over the useful life of the two projects of the segment. The discount rates ranged between 6.7% and 7.0% for both projects.
In demostrate the sensitivity to assumptions, a 5% decrease in production over the remaining PPA lives of the wind projects would generate an additional impairment of approximately $12 million, or an increase of 50 basis points in the discount rate would result in an additional impairment of approximately $7 million in the wind segment.
Additionally, due to the lower than expected production of Solana, we performed an impairment test which resulted in the recoverable amount (value in use) exceeding the carrying amount of the asset by 3%. To determine the value in use, we used a specific discount rate for each year based on the changes in the debt/equity leverage ratio over the useful life of the project. The discount rates ranged between 4.1% and 5.1%. An adverse change in the key assumptions used for evaluation could lead to future impairment loss recognition. To demonstrate the sensitivity to assumptions, a 5% decrease in production over the remaining useful life of Solana could result in an impairment loss of $40 million and a 50-basis points increase in the discount rate could result in an impairment loss of $30 million.
Assessment of control
Control over an investee is achieved when we have power over the investee, we are exposed, or have rights, to variable returns from our involvement with the investee and have the ability to use its power to affect its returns.
We reassess whether or not we control an investee when facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above. In order to evaluate the existence of control, we need to distinguish two independent stages in these projects in terms of the decision-making process: the construction phase and the operation phase. In some of these projects, such as Solana and Mojave, we have concluded that all the relevant decisions during the construction phase were subject to the approval of a third party. As a result, we did not have control over these assets during this period and we record these companies as associates under the equity method. Once the project’s construction phase is finished, we gain control over these companies, which are then fully consolidated.
We use the acquisition method to account for business combinations of companies controlled by a third party. According to this method, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. Any contingent consideration is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequent changes in its fair value are recognized in accordance with IAS 39 either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. We recognize any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquirer’s net assets on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis.
All assets and liabilities between entities within the group, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between entities of the group are eliminated in full.
Derivative financial instruments and fair value estimates
Derivatives are recorded at fair value. We apply hedge accounting to all hedging derivatives that qualify to be accounted for as hedges under IFRS.
When hedge accounting is applied, hedging strategy and risk management objectives are documented at inception, as well as the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items. Effectiveness of the hedging relationship needs to be assessed on an ongoing basis. Effectiveness tests are performed prospectively and retrospectively at inception and at each reporting date, following the dollar offset method.
We apply cash flow hedge accounting. Under this method, the effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded temporarily in equity and are subsequently reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. Any ineffective portion of the hedged transaction is recorded in the consolidated income statement as it occurs.
When interest rate options are designated as hedging instruments, the intrinsic value and time value of the financial hedge instrument are separated. Changes in intrinsic value which are highly effective are recorded in equity and subsequently reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. Changes in time value are recorded as financial income or expenses, together with any ineffectiveness.
When the hedging instrument matures or is sold, or when it no longer meets the requirements to apply hedge accounting, accumulated gains and losses recorded in equity remain as such until the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in the income statement. However, if it becomes unlikely that the forecast transaction will actually take place, the accumulated gains and losses in equity are recognized immediately in the income statement.
The inputs used to calculate fair value of our derivatives are based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices), through the application of valuation models (Level 2). The valuation techniques used to calculate fair value of our derivatives include discounting estimated future cash flows, using assumptions based on market conditions at the date of valuation or using market prices of similar comparable instruments, amongst others. The valuation of derivatives requires the use of considerable professional judgment. These determinations were based on available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
The fair value of the preferred equity investment in ACBH (Level 3) was calculated using the valuation method based on the probability of the effectiveness of the restructuring agreement. Hence, if the restructuring agreement is not executed and effective, the value of the instruments would remain the same as the one calculated as of December 31, 2015. If the restructuring agreement is made effective, the value of the instrument is calculated by discounting the originally expected cash-flowscash flows from the preferred equity instrument atRestructuring Debt (approximately $95 million) using a discount rate of 35%,25% based on the yieldyields of bonds issued in BrazilSpain by comparable companies withinvolved in a rating indicating distress. Valuation was obtained from internal models. Thissimilar restructuring process. The applied probability weighted valuation could vary where other models and assumptions made on the principle variables had been used, however the fair valuemethod resulted in an additional impairment of the asset as well as the results generated by this financial instrument are considered reasonable.$22.1 million.
Income taxes and recoverable amount of deferred tax assets
The current income tax provision is calculated on the basis of relevant tax laws in force at the date of the statement of financial position in the countries in which the subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income.
Determining income tax payable requires judgment in assessing the timing and the amount of deductible and taxable items, as well as the interpretation and application of tax laws in different jurisdictions. Due to this fact, contingencies or additional tax expenses could arise as a result of tax inspections or different interpretations of certain tax laws by the corresponding tax authorities.
We recognize deferred tax assets for all deductible temporary differences and all unused tax losses and tax credits to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilized.
We consider it probable that we will have sufficient taxable profit available in the future to enable a deferred tax asset to be recovered when:
| · | There are sufficient taxable temporary differences relating to the same tax authority, and the same taxable entity is expected to reverse either in the same period as the expected reversal of the deductible temporary difference or in periods into which a tax loss arising from the deferred tax asset can be carried back or forward. |
| · | It is probable that the taxable entity will have sufficient taxable profit, relating to the same tax authority and the same taxable entity, in the same period as the reversal of the deductible temporary difference (or in the periods into which a tax loss arising from the deferred tax asset can be carried back or forward). |
| · | Tax planning opportunities are available to the entity that will create taxable profit in appropriate periods. |
Our management assesses the recoverability of deferred tax assets on the basis of estimates of future taxable profit. These estimates are derived from the projections of each of our assets. Based on our current estimates, we expect to generate sufficient future taxable income to achieve the realization of our current tax credits and tax loss carryforwards, supported by our historical trend of business performance.
In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, our management also considers the foreseen reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. To the extent management relies on deferred tax liabilities for the readability of our deferred tax assets, such deferred tax liabilities are expected to reverse in the same period and jurisdiction and are of the same character as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. We consider that the recovery of our current deferred tax assets is probable without counting on potential tax planning strategies that we could use in the future.
Not applicable.
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the year ended December 31, 20152016 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.
E. | Off BalanceOff-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
As of December 31, 2015,2016, our only off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of bank bond and surety insurance in an aggregate amount of $27.6$27.1 million attributed to transactions of a technical nature. For further discussion, see note 19 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
F. | Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations |
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015.2016.
| | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | | | Total | | | Up to one year | | | Between one and three years | | | Between three and five years | | | Subsequent years | |
| | $ in millions | | | $ in millions | |
Corporate debt | | $ | 664.6 | | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 409.7 | | | $ | 251.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 668.2 | | | $ | 291.9 | | | $ | 376.3 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Loans with credit institutions (project debt)* | | | 4,634.5 | | | | 170.2 | | | | 356.3 | | | | 430.2 | | | | 3,677.8 | | | | 4,498.9 | | | | 183.9 | | | | 388.7 | | | | 459.4 | | | | 3,466.9 | |
Notes and bonds (project debt) | | | 836.2 | | | | 25.5 | | | | 44.3 | | | | 47.7 | | | | 718.6 | | | | 831.5 | | | | 27.2 | | | | 49.4 | | | | 48.7 | | | | 706.2 | |
Purchase commitments | | | 4,158.5 | | | | 170.0 | | | | 320.3 | | | | 344.3 | | | | 3,323.9 | | | | 2,894.1 | | | | 136.0 | | | | 263.4 | | | | 246.9 | | | | 2,247.8 | |
Accrued interest estimate during the useful life of loans | | | 3,761.3 | | | | 338.5 | | | | 667.4 | | | | 594.3 | | | | 2,161.1 | | | | 3,356.8 | | | | 332.4 | | | | 617.9 | | | | 543.9 | | | | 1,862.6 | |
(*)
Note:—
* According to contracted maturitiesmaturities.
All our project entities have long-term project financing arrangements in place. In particular, as we explain in “—Business—“Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our operations”Operations”, Solana, MojaveKaxu has a loan with an 18-year term and Kaxu have loansCadonal has a loan with 29, 25 and 18 year terms, respectively.a 20-year term. However, following the filing of the pre-insolvencyinsolvency proceeding under article 5bis of the Spanish Insolvency Law,by Abengoa, given that these project financing agreements have cross-default provisionsprovision with Abengoa and given that, as of December 31, 2015,2016, the project entities did not have a contractual unconditional right to defer the settlement of the debt for at least 12 months after that date, the debt of these projects has been classified as Current Liabilities in accordance with the provisions of IFRS International Accounting Standards 1, “Presentation of Financial Statements”. We do not expect the credit entities to use these cross-default provisions to request an acceleration of the debt.
As described in the table above, we have other contractual obligations to make future payments in connection with bank debt and notes and bonds. In addition, during the normal course of business, we enter into agreements where we commit to future purchases of goods and services from third parties.
Corporate debt refers to the 2019 Notes and the Credit Facility, which are described in detail in note 14 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
For more detailed information on project debt (loans with credit institutions) refer to note 15 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes and bonds refer to the carrying value of issuances made during 2014, which are described in detail in note 15 to our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Purchase obligations include agreements for the purchase of goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the combined group and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions and the appropriate timing of the transactions.
Accrued interest estimate during the useful life of loans represents the estimation for the total amount of interest to be paid or accumulated over the useful life of the loans, notes and bonds.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital spending program is limited considering all our projects are in operation.
This annual report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
Board of Directors of Atlantica Yield
The board of directors of Atlantica Yield comprises the following eight members:
Name | | Position | | Year of birth |
| | | | |
Daniel Villalba | | Director and Chairman of the Board, independent | | 1947 |
Santiago Seage | | ManagingChief Executive Officer and Director | | 1969 |
William B. RichardsonJoaquin Fernandez de Pierola | | Director | | 19471971 |
MariaMaría J. Esteruelas | | Director | | 1972 |
Eduardo Kausel | | Director, independent | | 1943 |
Jack Robinson | | Director, independent | | 1942 |
Enrique Alarcon | | Director, independent | | 1942 |
Juan del Hoyo | | Director, independent | | 1944 |
The business address of the members of the board of directors of Atlantica Yield is Great West House, GW1, 17 floor, Great West Road, Brentford, United Kingdom, TW8 9DF.
There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
There are no potential conflicts of interest between the private interests or other duties of the members of the board of directors listed above and their duties to Atlantica Yield.Yield, except in the case of Maria J. Esteruelas as she serves as executive vice president of Latin America at Abengoa, and Joaquin Fernandez de Pierola as he serves as CEO at Abengoa
The following is the biographical information of members of our board of directors.
Daniel Villalba, Director and Chairman of the Board
Daniel Villalba has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Mr. Villalba was previously a Professor of Business Economics at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. He also previously served as the CEO of Inverban, a broker and investment bank, and independent board member of Vueling, an airline currently part of International Airlines Group, Abengoa and the Madrid Stock Exchange, as well as a board member of several private companies. He also has written more than 50 academic papers and books. Mr. Villalba holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from Stanford University, a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts and a PhD in Economics from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Mr. Villalba was elected chairman of the board on November 27, 2015.
Santiago Seage, ManagingChief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Seage has served as a director since our formation in 2014 and was Chairman from June until November 2015. Mr. Seage served as our chief executive officer from our formation until he was appointed chief executive officer of Abengoa in May 2015, in which capacity he served until November 27, 2015, when he was appointed as our Managing Director. We expect to propose Mr. Seage’s electionSeage was elected to Chief Executive Officer at our annual general meeting.on May 11, 2016. Prior to the foregoing, he served as Abengoa Solar’s CEO beginning in 2006. Previously, Mr. Seage was Abengoa’s Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development. Before joining Abengoa, he was a partner with McKinsey & Company. Mr. Seage holds a degree in Business Management from ICADE University in Madrid.
William B. Richardson,Joaquin Fernandez de Pierola, Director
Mr. RichardsonFernandez de Pierola has served as a director since our formationNovember 2016. Mr. Fernandez de Pierola currently serves as CEO of Abengoa. He holds a Bachelor of Science in 2014.Economics and Business from the University of Zaragoza. He later specialized in Market Research at the University of West England in Bristol and completed the General Management Program at IESE Business School in Barcelona. After serving for several years in the public sector, Mr. Richardson was the 30 GovernorFernandez de Pierola has held different positions in commercial and concessions fields at gHT and Befesa Agua. Afterwards, he became Business Development VP for Middle East and Asia in Abengoa’s Engineering and Construction business unit before serving as Chairman and CEO of the State of New Mexico, from 2003 to 2011. He was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Energy Secretary and has also served as a U.S. Congressman, chairman of the 2004 Democratic National Convention and chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association. He is chairman of APCO Worldwide’s executive advisory service, Global Political Strategies and Special Envoy of the Organization of American States, Chairman of the International Council for Science and the Environment, as well as an advisor to Abengoa and member of Abengoa’s international advisory board.Mexico.
Maria J. Esteruelas, Director
Ms. Esteruelas has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Ms. Esteruelas serves as the Executive Vice President of Latin America at Abengoa. Previously she was the Vice President of Concessions at one of Abengoa’s subsidiaries. Ms. Esteruelas has an Industrial Engineering degree from the Instituto Catolico de Artes e Industrias University and has a Master’s degree in Operations from the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid.Madrid, Spain.
Eduardo Kausel, Director
Dr. Kausel has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Dr. Kausel is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT. Dr. Kausel is a senior member of various professional organizations and has extensive experience as consulting engineer. He is the author of more than 100 technical papers and has a Doctorate and a MastersMaster of Science from MIT, a post-graduate degree from Darmstadt University in Germany and a civil engineering degree from the University of Chile.
Jack Robinson, Director
Mr. Robinson has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Mr. Robinson is Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager at Trillium Asset Management. He also serves on the advisory board of several institutions including ACORE (American Council on Renewable Energy), EFW (Energy, Food & Water) and Bambeco (Sustainable Housewares). He holds a Bachelor's degree from Brown University.
Enrique Alarcon, Director
Dr. Alarcon has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Dr. Alarcon has been a Professor of Engineering at several universities, as well as Chairman of the Spanish Royal Academy of Engineering and member of the Science and Engineering Sector of the “European Academy.” Dr. Alarcon holds a PhD in Engineering and a civil engineering degree from the Madrid Technical University and has written a dozen books and more than 100 articles and received many prizes in recognition of his work in the field of engineering.
Juan del Hoyo, Director
Dr. del Hoyo has served as a director since our formation in 2014. Dr. del Hoyo is a Professor of Economics at Madrid University. He has published several books and many articles on economy and finance. He holds a PhD in Economics, a Masters in Econometrics from the University of Southampton and is a telecommunications Engineer.
Senior Management of Atlantica Yield
We have a senior management team with extensive experience in developing, financing, managing and operating contracted assets. During the year 2014, we did not employ any member of this senior management team, as their services were provided through an Executive Services Agreement signed with Abengoa. During 2015, the members of our executive management team, including Mr. Seage, Mr. Silvan, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Merino, Mr. Esteban and Ms. Hernandez, were transferred to Atlantica Yield and some of our subsidiaries. The Executive Services Agreement with Abengoa was terminated in March 2015.
TheOur senior management of Atlantica Yield is made up of the following members:
Name | | Position | | Year of birth |
Santiago Seage | | ManagingChief Executive Officer and Director | | 1969 |
Francisco Martinez-Davis | | Chief Financial Officer | | 1963 |
Manuel Silvan | | Vice President Taxes, Risk Management and Compliance | | 1973 |
Emiliano Garcia | | Vice President North America | | 1968 |
Antonio Merino | | Vice President South America | | 1967 |
David Esteban | | Vice President EMEA | | 1979 |
Irene M. Hernandez | | General Counsel | | 1980 |
Stevens C. Moore | | Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development | | 1973 |
The business address of the members of the senior management of Atlantica Yield is Great West House, GW1, 17 floor, Great West Road, Brentford, United Kingdom, TW8 9DF.
There are no potential conflicts of interest between the private interests or other duties of the members of the senior management of Atlantica Yield listed above and their duties to Atlantica Yield. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Below are the biographies of those members of the senior management of Atlantica Yield who do not also serve on our board of directors.
Francisco Martinez-Davis, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Martinez-Davis was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer sinceon January 11, 2016. Mr. Martinez-Davis has more than 24 years of experience in senior finance positions both in the United States and Spain. He has served as Chief Financial Officer of several large industrial companies. Most recently, he was Chief Financial Officer for the company responsible for the management and operation of metropolitan rail service of the city of Madrid where he was also member of the Executive Committee. He has also worked as CFO for a retailer and as Deputy General Manager in Finance and Treasury for Telefonica Moviles. Prior to that, he worked for different investment banks in New York City and London for more than 10 years, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and BNP Paribas. Mr. Martinez-Davis holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Business Administration from Villanova University in Philadelphia and an MBA from The Wharton School.School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Manuel Silvan, Vice President Taxes, Risk Management and Compliance
Mr. Silvan has served as Vice President Taxes, Risk Management and Compliance since our formation. Prior to that, he served as Abengoa’s Vice President of Taxation beginning in 2007. Before joining Abengoa in 1998, he worked for the legal and tax advisory firm of Garrigues. Mr. Silvan holds a degree in Economics and Business Science from Huelva University, a Master’s degree in Tax Consultancy from Cajasol Business Institute and an MBA from San Telmo International Institute.
Emiliano Garcia, Vice President North America
Mr. Garcia serves as Vice President of our North American business. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, he is responsible for managing two of our key assets, Solana and Mojave. Mr. Garcia was previously the General Manager of Abengoa Solar in the United States and of the Solana Power Plant. Before that, he held a number of managerial positions in various Abengoa companies over two decades. Mr. Garcia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Madrid Technical University.
Antonio Merino, Vice President South America
Mr. Merino serves as Vice President of our South American business. Previously, he was the Vice President of Abengoa’s Brazilian business, as well as the head of Abengoa’s commercial activities and partnerships in South America. Mr. Merino holds an MBA from San Telmo International Institute.
David Esteban, Vice President EMEA
Mr. Esteban has served as Vice President of our operations in EMEA since July 2014. He had previously served at Abengoa’s Corporate Concession department for two years. Before joining Abengoa, David worked for the management consulting firm Arthur D. Little for seven years in the industries of Telecoms & Energy and then moved to a private equity firm specialized in renewable investments in Europe for three years.
Irene M. Hernandez, General Counsel
Ms. Hernandez has served as our General Counsel since June 2014. Prior to that, she served as head of our legal department since the date of our formation. Before that, Ms. Hernandez served as Deputy Secretary General at Abengoa Solar since 2012. Before joining Abengoa, she worked for several law firms. Ms. Hernandez holds a law degree from Complutense Madrid University and a Master’s degree in law from the Madrid Bar Association (Colegio(Colegio de Abogados de Madrid (ICAM)).
Stevens C. Moore, Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development
Mr. Moore has more than 21 years of experience in finance positions in Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. He has worked in various positions in structured and leveraged finance at Citibank and Banco Santander, and vice president of M&A at GBS Finanzas. Most recently, he was director of corporate development and investor relations at Codere, the Madrid stock exchange listed international gaming company. He holds a B.A. degree in history from Tulane University of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Lead Independent Director
Our corporate governance guidelines provide that one of our independent directors shall serve as a lead independent director at any time when an independent director is not serving as the chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Villalba served as our lead independent director until he was named chairman of our board of directors on November 27, 2015.2015, a position he holds until today.
Compensation of Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Our independent directors will receive compensation as “non-employee directors” as set by our board of directors.
Each independent director currently receives a total annual compensation of $100,000. As chairman of the board of directors and chairman of our audit committee, Mr. Villalba receives an additional $35,000 per year. Directors representing Abengoa do not receive any compensation from us.
In 2016 we adopted our long term incentive plan for management, or Long Term Incentive Plan, for the period from 2016 to 2019. Twelve executives, including our CEO, are eligible under the Long Term Incentive Plan. The number of participants could increase if approved by the board and the Long Term Incentive Plan provides that each eligible executive would be entitled to the payment of a long term incentive cash bonus in March 2019 if we have achieved our Total Annual Shareholder’s Return, or TSR, objectives over the 2016-19 period, a metric intended to align management and shareholder interests. The maximum bonus will be 50% (or, in the CEO’s case, 70%) of the total remuneration received by the executive over the period from 2016-18. Specifically, 50% of the bonus will be based on our TSR and 50% on the relative performance in terms of TSR versus a group of similarly structured companies selected by the Compensation Committee. In case of a change of control, the long term incentives would become due and would be calculated using the offer price or the last price based on TSR up to and including the change of control.
The total compensation received by our independent directors, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from us during 2015 and 20142016 is set forth in the table below.
Directors Remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2015 | | |
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | | Salary and Fees | | | All Taxable Benefits | | | Annual Bonuses | | | LTIP | | | Pension | | | Total | | |
| | | Directors Remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2016 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Santiago Seage | | | 167.9 | | | | 0.1 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 168.0 | | | | 558.8 | | | | 0.1 | | | | 940.5 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,499.4 | |
Javier Garoz* | | | 1,429.5 | | | | 0.1 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,429.6 | | |
Daniel Villalba | | | 135.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 135.0 | | | | 135.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 135.0 | |
Jackson Robinson | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | |
Enrique Alarcon | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | |
Eduardo Kausel | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | |
Juan del Hoyo | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100.0 | |
Total | | | 2,132.4 | | | | 0.2 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,132.6 | | | | 1,093.8 | | | | 0.1 | | | | 940.5 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,034.4 | |
Directors Remuneration for the year ended December 31, 2014 | |
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | | Salary and Fees | | | All Taxable Benefits | | | Annual Bonuses | | | LTIP | | | Pension | | | Total | |
Santiago Seage** | | | 174.0 | | | | 0.1 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 174.1 | |
Daniel Villalba | | | 67.5 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 67.5 | |
Jackson Robinson | | | 50.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 50.0 | |
Enrique Alarcon | | | 50.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 50.0 | |
Eduardo Kausel | | | 50.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 50.0 | |
Juan del Hoyo | | | 50.0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 50.0 | |
Total | | | 441.5 | | | | 0.1 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 441.6 | |
* | Includes a €1,319.6 thousand termination payment received after leaving the Company as per his employment contract |
** | The chief executive officer was employed in 2014 by Abengoa and therefore received no remuneration directly from the Company. The table above reflects an estimate of the fixed remuneration he received from Abengoa for services provided to the Company, based on the time dedicated to the Company. |
Each member of our board of directors will be indemnified for his actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted by law.
For purpose of the following disclosure, Mr. Seage, Mr. RichardsonFernandez de Pierola and Ms. Esteruelas are considered affiliated to Abengoa.
Our board of directors consists of eight directors, five of whom are independent. Under our articles of association, our board may consist of 7 to 13 members.Additionally, our articles of association established a term of office of up to 3 years. Our current directors have been serving since 2014, except for Joaquin Fernandez de Pierola who was appointed in 2016. At our next annual shareholders’ meeting in 2017, the shareholders will elect the directors for the next term of office.
Directors affiliated to Abengoa do not vote on matters that represent or could represent a conflict of interests, including the evaluation of assets offered to us under the ROFO Agreement. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Related Party Transactions; Conflicts of Interest.”
Our board of directors is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the conduct of our business; reviewing and, where appropriate, approving, our long-term strategic, financial and organizational goals and plans; and reviewing the performance of our chief executive officer and other members of senior management.
Under English law, the board of directors of an English corporationcompany is responsible for the management, administration and representation of all matters concerning the relevant business, subject to the provisions of the relevant constitution, statutes and resolutions adopted at general shareholder’s meetings by a majority vote of the shareholders.company’s corporate constitution. Under English law and our constitution, the board of directors may delegate its powers to an executive committee or other delegated committee or to one or more persons, unless the shareholders, through a meeting, have specifically delegated certain powers to the board of directors and have not approved the board of director’s delegation to others.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring and informing the board of directors on the work of external and internal auditors, control systems, key processes and procedures, security and risks. The committee comprises the following five members, each of whom is an independent director:
Name | | Position |
Daniel Villalba | | Chairman |
Eduardo Kausel | | Member |
Jack Robinson | | Member |
Enrique Alarcon | | Member |
Juan del Hoyo | | Member |
The committee will meet as many times as required and a minimum of two times per year.
Our Audit Committee is directly responsible for overseeing the work of the external auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attest services, including the resolution of disagreements between the external auditor and management. The external auditor will report directly to our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and approving our hiring policies regarding former employees of the external auditor. In addition, the Audit Committee preapproves all non-audit services undertaken by the external auditor.
Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the adequacy and security of procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees or contractors regarding any possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. Our Audit Committee is accountable to our board of directors and will provide a report to our board of directors after each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting outlining the results of the Audit Committee’s activities and proceedings.
Nominating and RemunerationCorporate Governance Committee
Our AppointmentsNominating and RemunerationCorporate Governance Committee comprises of the following threefour members:
Name | | Position |
Santiago SeageMaria J. Esteruelas | | ChairmanChairwoman |
Daniel Villalba | | Member |
Enrique Alarcon | | Member |
Santiago Seage | | Member |
The duties and functions of our AppointmentsNominating and RemunerationCorporate Governance Committee include, among others, regularly review the duty to inform our boardstructure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge, experience and diversity) of directors of appointments, re-elections, terminations and remuneration of ourthe board of directors and its members, as well as upon general remuneration and incentives policy for ourmake recommendations to the board of directors with regard to any changes, and senior management.keep under review corporate governance rules and developments (including ethics-related matters) that might affect the Company, with the aim of ensuring that our corporate governance policies and practices continue to be in line with best practice. Our AppointmentsNominating and RemunerationCorporate Governance Committee meets as often as necessary in order to perform its functions and meets at least once every six months.twice a year at appropriate intervals in the financial reporting and audit cycle and otherwise as required. The committee informs and makes proposals to the board of directors.
On February 25, 2016,Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee comprises the following four members:
Name | | Position |
Jack Robinson | | Chairman |
Daniel Villalba | | Member |
Eduardo Kausel | | Member |
Juan del Hoyo | | Member |
The duties and functions of our Compensation Committee include, among others, analyze, discuss and make recommendations to the board of directors decidedregarding the setting of the remuneration policy for all directors as well as senior management, including pension rights and any compensation. The Committee meets at least twice a year at appropriate intervals in the financial reporting and audit cycle and otherwise as required. The committee informs and makes proposals to create an Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee and a Remunerations Committee that will substitute the existing Appointments and Remuneration Committee. Membersboard of each committee will be selected shortly.directors.
Benefits upon Termination of Employment
Neither we nor our subsidiaries maintain any director’s service contracts providing for benefits upon termination of service.
As of December 31, 2015,2016, we had 88166 employees compared to seven88 employees as of December 31, 2014.2015. During 2015,2016, we finishedcompleted the processtransfer of transferringpersonnel for direct employment by our own back office to achieve full autonomy from Abengoa. The number of employees is now aligned with the size of our organization and employing directly our executive management team. As a resultbusiness activities. We do not expect significant changes in 2017.
167
The following table shows the number of employees as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, on a consolidated basis:
Geography | | Year ended December 31, | |
| | | | | | | | | |
EMEA | | | 47 | | | | 34 | | | | 7 | |
North America | | | 26 | | | | 7 | | | | 0 | |
South America | | | 6 | | | | 6 | | | | 0 | |
Corporate | | | 87 | | | | 41 | | | | 0 | |
Total | | | 166 | | | | 88 | | | | 7 | |
Geography | | Employees | |
EMEA | | | 34 | |
North America | | | 7 | |
South America | | | 6 | |
Corporate | | | 41 | |
Total | | | 88 | |
None of our directors or members of our senior management is the owner of more than one percent of our ordinary shares, and no director or member of our senior management has voting rights with respect to our ordinary shares that are different from any other holder of our ordinary shares.
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this annual report by:
| · | each of our directors and executive officers; |
| · | our directors and executive officers as a group; and |
| · | each person known to us to beneficially own 5% and more of our ordinary shares. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes the power to direct the voting or the disposition of the securities or to receive the economic benefit of the ownership of the securities. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days of this annual report, including through the exercise of any option or other right and the vesting of restricted shares. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person. The calculations of percentage ownership in the table below is based on 100,217,600100,217,260 ordinary shares outstanding as of March 1, 2016.
Name | | Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | | | Percentage | |
Directors and Officers | | | | | | |
Daniel Villalba | | | 60,000 | | | | * | |
Santiago Seage | | | 20,000 | | | | * | |
Jackson Robinson | | | 5,281 | | | | * | |
All Directors and executive officers as group | | | 85,281 | | | | * | |
| | | | | | | | |
5% Beneficial Owners | | | | | | | | |
Abengoa Concessions Investments Limited(1) | | | 41,955,940 | | | | 41.86 | % |
Jennison Associates LLC(2) | | | 9,240,090 | | | | 9.22 | % |
Prudential Financial, Inc.(3) | | | 9,242,650 | | | | 9.22 | % |
Appaloosa L.P.(4) | | | 6,303,713 | | | | 6.29 | % |
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.(5) | | | 5,518,235 | | | | 5.51 | % |
Notes:
the date of this annual report.
Name | | Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | | | Percentage | |
Directors and Officers | | | | | | |
Daniel Villalba | | | 60,000 | | | | * | |
Santiago Seage | | | 20,000 | | | | * | |
Jackson Robinson | | | 5,412 | | | | * | |
All Directors and executive officers as group | | | 85,412 | | | | * | |
| | | | | | | | |
5% Beneficial Owners | | | | | | | | |
Abengoa Concessions Investments Limited(1) | | | 41,557,663 | | | | 41.47 | % |
Jennison Associates LLC(2) | | | 7,597,607 | | | | 7.58 | % |
Prudential Financial, Inc.(3) | | | 7,734,537 | | | | 7.72 | % |
Appaloosa L.P. (4) | | | 5,820,326 | | | | 5.81 | % |
Notes:—
(1) | This information is based solely on the Schedule 13D filed on December 24, 2015September 26, 2016 by Abengoa, S.A., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Spain. The direct beneficial owner of the shares is Abengoa Concessions Investments Limited. The registered address of Abengoa, S.A. is Campus Palmas Altas, C/ Energia Solar, 41014, Seville, Spain. |
(2) | This information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 4, 20162, 2017 by Jennison Associates LLC, (“Jennison”),or Jennison, a Delaware limited liability company. Prudential Financial, Inc. indirectly owns 100% of equity interests of Jennison. As a result, Prudential Financial, Inc. may be deemed to have the power to exercise or to direct the exercise of such voting and/or dispositive power that Jennison may have with respect to the ordinary shares held in portfolios for which it furnishes investment advice. Jennison does not file jointly with Prudential, as such, ordinary shares reported on Jennison’s Schedule 13G may be included in the shares reported on the Schedule 13G filed by Prudential Financial, Inc. The address of Jennison is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017. |
(3) | This information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on January 28, 2016 30, 2017by Prudential Financial, Inc., (“Prudential”),or Prudential, a New Jersey corporation. The shares beneficially owned by Prudential represent (i) 9,240,0907,597,607 shares beneficially owned by Jennison Associates LLC and (ii) 2,530136,930 shares beneficially owned by Quantitative Management Associates LLC. Prudential is a parent holding company and the indirect parent of Jennison Associates LLC and Quantitative Management Associates LLC. The address of Prudential is 751 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777. |
(4) | This information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2016 14, 2017by Appaloosa L.P. (“ALP”), or ALP, a Delaware limited partnership, Appaloosa Investment Limited Partnership I, (“AILP”),or AILP, a Delaware limited partnership, Palomino Master Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company, (“or Palomino Master”),Master, Appaloosa Management L.P. (“AMLP”), or AMLP, a Delaware limited partnership, Appaloosa Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, (“API”)or API, and David A. Tepper, (“or Mr. Tepper”).Tepper. ALP serves as investment adviser to AILP and Palomino Master and may be deemed to beneficially own 6,303,7135,820,326 ordinary shares. AILP may be deemed to beneficially own 2,692,5792,513,197 shares (inclusive of the shares beneficially owned by ALP). Palomino Master may be deemed to beneficially own 3,611,1343,307,129 shares (inclusive of the shares beneficially owned by ALP). AMLP is the general partner of AILP and may be deemed to beneficially own 2,692,5792,513,197 shares. API is the general partner of, and Mr. Tepper owns a majority of the limited partnership interest in, AMLP. API may be deemed to beneficially own 2,692,579 shares. Mr. Tepper is the sole stockholder and president of API and the controlling stockholder and president of Appaloosa Capital, Inc. (“ACI”), or ACI, and may be deemed to beneficially own 6,303,7135,820,326 shares. ACI is the general partner of, and Mr. Tepper owns a majority of the limited partnership interests in, ALP. The business address of ALP is 51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. The business address of each of AILP and Palomino Master is c/o Appaloosa LP, 51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. The business address of AMLP is Appaloosa Management L.P., 404 Washington Avenue, Suite 810, Miami, Florida 33139. The business address of each of API and Mr. Tepper is c/o Appaloosa Management L.P., 404 Washington Avenue, Suite 810, Miami, Florida 33139. |
(5) | This information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2016 by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“WDR”). The securities reported on the Schedule 13G filed by WDR are beneficially owned by one or more open-end investment companies or other managed accounts which are advised or sub-advised by (i) Ivy Investment Management Company (“IICO”), a Delaware corporation and an investment advisory subsidiary of WDR, which may be deemed to beneficially own 3,624,897 shares or (ii) Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company (“WRIMCO”), a Kansas corporation and an investment advisory subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. (“WRI”), which may be deemed to beneficially own 1,893,359 shares. WRI is a Delaware corporation and is a broker-dealer and underwriting subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation and a parent holding company (“WRFSI”). WRI and WRFSI may be deemed to beneficially own 1,893,359 shares. In turn, WRFSI is a subsidiary of WDR, a publicly traded company. WDR may be deemed to own all 5,518,256 shares. The investment advisory contracts grant IICO and WRIMCO all investment and/or voting power over securities owned by such advisory clients. The investment sub-advisory contracts grant IICO and WRIMCO investment power over securities owned by such sub-advisory clients and, in most cases, voting power. Any investment restriction of a sub-advisory contract does not restrict investment discretion or power in a material manner. Therefore, IICO and/or WRIMCO may be deemed the beneficial owner of the securities covered by this statement under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The address of each of WDR, IICO, WRIMCO, WRI and WRFSI is 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66202. |
We have one class of ordinary shares, and each holder of our ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share.
As of March 1, 2016, 100,217,600the date of this annual report, 100,217,260 of our ordinary shares were outstanding. Because some of our ordinary shares are held by brokers and other nominees, the number of shares held by and the number of beneficial holders with addresses in the United States is not fully ascertainable. As of the date of this annual report, to the best of our knowledge, one of our shareholders of record was located in the United States and held in the aggregate 100,217,599100,217,259 ordinary shares representing approximately 99.99% of our outstanding shares. However, the United States shareholders of record include Cede & Co., which, as nominee for The Depositary Trust Company, is the record holder of all such ordinary shares. Accordingly, we believe that the shares held by Cede & Co. include ordinary shares beneficially owned by both United States and non-United States beneficial owners. As a result, these numbers may not accurately represent the number of beneficial owners in the United States.
Arrangements for Change in Control of the Company
Based on the Schedule 13D filed by Abengoa on December 24, 2015,September 26, 2016 Abengoa Concessions Investments Limited, an indirect subsidiary of Abengoa, S.A., has pledged 39,530,84341,530,843 ordinary shares, representing approximately 39.5%41.44% of our outstanding shares, to financial institutions as collateral for borrowings under financing arrangements. If Abengoa defaults on these financing arrangements, such lenders may foreclose on, and dispose of, the pledged shares and the resulting change in beneficial ownership of such shares would result in a change in control of the Company.
B. | Related Party Transactions |
Each of our assets typically has two contracts in place with Abengoa entities, i.e. an operation and maintenance agreement and a services agreement that covers local administrative support. We also have engineering, procurement and construction agreements with subsidiaries of Abengoa.
Additionally, we have entered into a number of agreements with our largest shareholder, Abengoa, that we believe will allow us to: (i) secure cost-effective administrative and financial support and (ii) access through the ROFO Agreement a pipeline of potential acquisitions that we believe will help us to grow in the future. In addition to the deed described under “Item 10.B—Memorandum and Articles of Association—Brazil Dividend Policy”Association” and the shareholders agreementShareholders’ Agreement and related parent support agreement described under “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations—Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding,” we have fivethe following significant agreements with Abengoa:
| · | Trademark License Agreement; |
| · | Financial Support Agreement; |
| · | Support Services Agreement; and |
| · | Currency Swap Agreement. |
Each of these agreements has been reviewed with external advisors and we believe that they comply with transfer pricing regulations. Each agreement is described below.
Project-Level Management and Administration Agreements
When our projects reach COD, we typically have in place two contracts for each project:project an operations and maintenance contract, in most cases with an Abengoa subsidiary. Additionally, in certain cases we maintain local support services agreements with Abengoa entities.
| · | an operations and maintenance contract, in most cases with an Abengoa subsidiary; and |
| · | a services contract that typically covers areas like accounting, administration, payments management, local legal and tax support, local institutional relations, communications and other services. This contract is entered into with local Abengoa subsidiaries that have the required staff in the countries or states in which our assets are located. |
Operation and Maintenance Contracts
Each of our project-level companies have entered into an operation and maintenance agreement with an Abengoa subsidiary, with the exception of ACT, Palmucho and Seville PV, where the contract is with third-party providers.
| · | Term. Contract terms range from 20 to 30 years, typically mirroring the duration of financing contracts. The only exceptions are ATN, ATS and ATN2 which are subject to shorter terms but have renewal clauses. |
| · | Services. Contracts typically cover all day-to-day operation and maintenance services, including procurement of equipment, scheduling and performance of maintenance, operation of the facility, training and supervision of personnel, as well as compliance with laws and regulations, safety and security programs, environmental services and technical reporting. |
| · | Termination. Typically, either party may terminate the agreement upon default by the counterparty. The relevant project-level company that owns the asset can typically terminate due to payment default, winding-up of the operator, failure of the operator to perform material obligations, termination of the PPA and, in some cases, for failure to reach certain performance ratios, the imposition of fines or penalties in excess of certain threshold amounts or force majeure. The operator can typically terminate in the event of payment default, winding-up of the project-level company, failure of the project-level company to perform material obligations and, in some cases, force majeure. Some projects allow termination by us at certain points in time. |
| · | Compensation. Operation and maintenance contracts in Solana and Mojave provide for a fixed fee of approximately $500,000 per plant per year, which is indexed to U.S. CPI and a variable fee paid in periods in which net operating profit exceeds the target. In addition, the operator is entitled to reimbursement of certain costs. In other projects, including ATN, ATS and each of our solar power assets in Spain, the operation and maintenance contract provides for an all-in fee by which the operator must bear substantially all costs for the operation and maintenance of the plant. |
Local Services AgreementAgreements
Each of our project-level companies havehad initially entered into a services agreement with a local Abengoa subsidiary, which agreement typically providesprovided for accounting, administration, payments management, local legal and tax support, local institutional, communications services and general support services.
| · | Term. The agreements relating to ATN and ATS expire after a year but include tacit renewal clauses, while Solana, Mojave, Solaben 2/3, Solacor 1/2, PS10/20 and Helioenergy 1/2 are contracts with 20- to 30-year terms. |
| · | Termination. The agreements can typically be terminated due to breach of obligations, insolvency, suspension of payments or winding-up of the counterparty, or mutual consent. |
| · | Compensation. The compensation paid is typically approximately 1% of revenues, with the exception of Solaben 2/3, Solacor 1/2, which provide for a fee of 2.5% of revenues, and PS10/20 and Helioenergy 1/2, which provide for a fee of 2% of revenues. |
Most of these agreements have been terminated during the year 2016 and as of the date of this report they remain in place only in South Africa for Kaxu, Peru for ATN, ATS and ATN2 and Algeria for Skikda and Honaine. In general, these agreements include renewal clauses that allow termination from one year to another or upon a one-year notice or less. The overall compensation amounts to approximately $1.6 million per year.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement
Each of our project-level companies, including the Abengoa ROFO Assets we expect to acquire, have entered into an EPC contract with a local Abengoa subsidiary. These contracts typically provide for the construction of the asset and are in place until the asset reaches COD. EPC contracts may contain warranties such as those against defects in design, materials and workmanship after completion of the asset and may also provide a performance guarantee.
Right of First Offer
Pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, which we and Abengoa entered into on June 13, 2014, as amended and restated on December 9, 2014, Abengoa and its affiliates granted us and our affiliates a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of their contracted renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission or water assets that are in operation and any other renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission and water asset that is expected to generate contracted revenue and that Abengoa has transferred to an investment vehicle that are located in our primary geographies: (i) North America (the United States, Canada and Mexico); (ii) the following countries in South America: Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia; and (iii) the European Union. In addition, with respect to selected countries in Africa, the Middle East Asia and Australia,Asia, which we refer to as our secondary geographies, we agreed to four assets that are also considered Abengoa ROFO Assets.
Whenever we acquire an asset from Abengoa in the secondary geographies, or, if after 60 days of negotiations we and Abengoa are unable to reach an agreement on an asset offered for sale to us, we will update the list to include a replacement asset. If we and Abengoa are unable to agree on the replacement asset, Abengoa will propose three additional assets in the secondary geographies and we will select one to replace the asset removed from the list. Thereafter, the selected asset will also be considered an Abengoa ROFO Asset. This right of first offer will not apply to a merger with or into, or sale of substantially alla high percentage of Abengoa’s assets to, an unaffiliated third party, or to an internal restructuring.
If Abengoa transfers interests in any Abengoa ROFO Asset to any affiliate or to an investment vehicle, then Abengoa must obtain an accession agreement from such transferee subjecting the transferred Abengoa ROFO Asset to our right of first offer. For purposes of this requirement, “investment vehicle” means any person (A) (i) formed by Abengoa to act as an investment vehicle or (ii) that is an affiliate of Abengoa that Abengoa intends to use as an investment vehicle or becomes an investment vehicle due to an investment by a third party and (B) with the purpose of providing equity to projects related to any renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission line and water contracted revenue assets that are to be, are being or were previously developed, sponsored, initiated or launched by Abengoa or any of its affiliates, irrespective of the amount of equity invested in such person by Abengoa or any such affiliate. Abengoa Project Warehouse 1 qualifies as an “investment vehicle” and has agreed to be subject to the ROFO Agreement.
In addition, we have a “negotiation call” right under which we can require Abengoa to negotiate in good faith for the sale to us of any Abengoa ROFO Asset that has been in operation for 18 months.
The ROFO Agreement has an initial term of five years from the consummation of our IPO. We will be able to unilaterally extend the term of the ROFO Agreement as many times as desired for an additional three-year period; provided that we have executed at least one acquisition in the previous two years after having been offered at least four projects.
Prior to engaging in any negotiation regarding any disposition, sale or other transfer of any Abengoa ROFO Asset, Abengoa will deliver a written notice to us thereof, including all information that is relevant for us to make a determination regarding the Abengoa ROFO Asset including the price at which Abengoa proposes to sell it to us. Once that information is received and if we do not notify Abengoa within 10 days that the information is insufficient, a 60-day negotiation period will start. If an agreement is not reached, Abengoa may, during the following 30 months, only sell, transfer, dispose or recontract such Abengoa ROFO Asset to a third party (or to agree in writing to undertake such transaction with a third party) on terms and conditions generally no less favorable to Abengoa than those offered by Abengoa to us. If an asset that was already the subject of negotiations is presented again, we will have a 15-day period to negotiate. After such 30-month period, the asset will cease to be an Abengoa ROFO Asset.
We will pay to Abengoa a fee of 1% of the equity purchase price of any Abengoa ROFO Asset that we acquire as consideration for Abengoa granting us the right of first offer.
Under the ROFO Agreement, Abengoa is not obligated to sell any Abengoa ROFO Asset and, therefore, we do not know when, if ever, these assets will be offered to us. In addition, in some of the assets offered to us under the ROFO Agreement, Abengoa may have equity partners with rights regulating divestitures by Abengoa of its stake such as drag-along and tag-along clauses, and rights of first refusal, among others. We will consider and take into account all these clauses when deciding whether to present an offer.
Even though we do not have a ROFO over them as described in this section, Abengoa may offer to sell to us contracted assets in business sectors or geographic regions not covered by the ROFO Agreement.Agreement, even though we do not have a ROFO over them as described in this section. We will evaluate these opportunities on a case-by-case basis.
Any offer by Abengoa to sell an Abengoa ROFO Asset under the ROFO Agreement will be subject to an inherent conflict of interest because some of the same professionals within Abengoa’s organization who are involved in acquisitions that are suitable for us have responsibilities to Abengoa within Abengoa’s broader asset management business. Notwithstanding the significance of the services to be rendered by Abengoa or its designated affiliates on our behalf or of the assets which we may elect to acquire from Abengoa in accordance with the terms of the ROFO Agreement or otherwise, Abengoa will not owe fiduciary duties to us or our shareholders.
Any material transaction between Abengoa and us (including the proposed acquisition of any Abengoa ROFO Asset) will be subject to our related party transaction policy, which will require prior approval of such transaction by a majority of the independent members of our board of directors. See “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions—Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Related Party Transactions; Conflicts of Interest,” “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Relationship with Abengoa—We may not be able to consummate future acquisitions from Abengoa” and “Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Our organizational and ownership structure may create significant conflicts of interest that may be resolved in a manner that is not in our best interests or the best interests of our minority shareholders and that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.Factors.”
Abengoa may enter into agreements with other companies with the objective of jointly financing the construction of new projects consisting of concessional assets which are included in Abengoa’s current or future portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of the ROFO Agreement, we expect that any investing vehicle created by Abengoa and a potential partner with this purpose will sign the ROFO Agreement in the same terms of Abengoa.
Trademark License Agreement
We and Abengoa entered into a Trademark License Agreement on June 13, 2014, pursuant to which Abengoa granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Abengoa” and the Abengoa logo, among other trademarks owned by Abengoa. Other than under this limited license, we do not have a legal right to the “Abengoa” name or the Abengoa logo. Abengoa also granted an exclusive license to use the “Abengoa Yield” name and logo.
On September 10, 2014, Abengoa transferred to us the domain names www.abengoayield.com, www.abengoayield.co.uk and www.abengoayield.es against payment of costs incurred by Abengoa in registering such domain names. Abengoa committed to cooperate to deliver to us any similar domain names at our request and it shall defend us against any infringements. We will assign the domain names to Abengoa within two years of any termination of the Trademark License Agreement.
Abengoa is entitled to terminate the Trademark License Agreement upon 90 days’ prior written notice of termination if any of the following occurs:
| · | we default in the performance of any material term, condition or agreement contained in the Trademark License Agreement and the default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after written notice of termination of the breach is given to us; |
| · | we assign, sublicense, pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber the intellectual property rights granted to us pursuant to the Trademark License Agreement without Abengoa’s prior written consent and do not provide satisfactory remedy within 90 days; or |
| · | in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency or similar events. |
If Abengoa ceases to own directly or indirectly at least 20% of our outstanding shares, Abengoa will be entitled to terminate the Trademark License Agreement two years thereafter upon written notice.
In the event of any dispute under the Trademark License Agreement, a dispute notice will be required to be delivered, after which our CEO and the CEO of Abengoa will have an obligation to discuss and attempt to resolve the dispute for 15 days prior to submitting the matter to a court.
On December 30, 2015, we filed a U.S. trademark application for the mark “Atlantica Yield”. On January 7, 2016, we changed our corporate brand to Atlantica Yield. We will change our legal name once approved by the shareholders at our next annual general meeting.
Financial Support Agreement
We and Abengoa entered into a Financial Support Agreement on June 13, 2014, for a period of five years, pursuant to which:
| (1) | Abengoa provided us with a revolving credit line from its central treasury for a period of five years up to a maximum amount of $50 million. If we have any funding needs in excess of this amount, Abengoa will make a good faith effort to accommodate any requests from us for additional funding taking into positive consideration the achievement of our business objectives. As of the date of this annual report, such revolving credit line has not been entered into and the total amount of the credit line remains undrawn. |
| (2) | If we have a positive liquidity position at the holding company level while the revolving credit line is outstanding, we will deposit such cash in Abengoa’s central treasury, up to a maximum amount of $20 million. |
| (3) | Abengoa will maintain any guarantees (whether parent company guarantees, bank guarantees, technical guarantees or otherwise) or letters of credit currently outstanding in our or any of our affiliates’ favor for a period of up to five years from the date of our IPO. We have undertaken to periodically review the relevance and possible substitution of such guarantees with a view to operating independently from Abengoa. |
If Abengoa ceases to own, directly or indirectly, at least 20% of our outstanding shares, Abengoa shall be entitled to terminate the Financial Support Agreement not earlier than three years from the date thereof, upon 180 days’ prior written notice. See “Risk“Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Relationship with Abengoa—Abengoa’s financial condition will affect its ability to meet its obligations under the Currency Swap Agreement and to maintain existing guarantees and letters of credit under the Financial Support Agreement”Abengoa” for a discussion of risks associated with the Financial Support Agreement.
Support Services Agreement
We and Abengoa entered into a Support Services Agreement on June 13, 2014, pursuant to which Abengoa agreed to provide or arrange for other service providers to provide management and administration services to us. This agreement does not include executive or senior management services. We are currently renegotiating thisThis contract withwas terminated in 2016 by mutual agreement between Abengoa as we have hired most of the employees that were performing services to Atlantica Yield.and Atlantica.
Services Rendered
Under the Support Services Agreement, Abengoa or certain of its affiliates provide or arrange for the provision by an appropriate service provider of the following services:
| · | causing or supervising the carrying out of all day-to-day, secretarial, accounting, banking, treasury, |
| · | administrative, liaison, representative, regulatory and reporting functions and obligations; |
| · | establishing and maintaining or supervising the establishment and maintenance of books and records; |
| · | monitoring and/or oversight of our accountants, legal counsel and other accounting, financial or legal advisors and technical, commercial, marketing and other independent experts, and managing litigation in which we or one of our subsidiaries is sued or commencing litigation after consulting with, and subject to the approval of, the board of directors or its equivalent of us or our relevant subsidiary; |
| · | attending to all matters necessary for any reorganization, bankruptcy proceedings, dissolution or winding up of us or one of our subsidiaries, subject to approval by the relevant board of directors or its equivalent; |
| · | supervising the timely calculation and payment of taxes, and the filing of all tax returns; |
| · | causing or supervising the preparation of our annual financial statements and quarterly interim financial statements to be: (i) prepared in accordance with IFRS and audited at least to such extent and with such frequency as may be required by law, regulation or in order to comply with any debt covenants; and (ii) submitted to the relevant board of directors or its equivalent for its prior approval; |
| · | preparing filings for submission to, or required by, relevant regulators; |
| · | making recommendations in relation to and effecting the entry into insurance policies covering our assets, together with other insurances against other risks, including directors’ and officers’ insurance, as the relevant service provider and the relevant board of directors or its equivalent may from time to time agree; |
| · | providing us with authorizations and licenses necessary to use Abengoa’s corporate systems for management of risks (NOC) and for compliance processes (POC); |
| · | providing IT services, human resources support and office and space and support to our employees; |
| · | advising us regarding the maintenance of compliance with applicable laws and other obligations; and |
| · | providing all such other services as may from time to time be agreed with us that are reasonably related to our day-to-day operations. |
These activities are subject to the supervision of our executive management.
Support Services Fee
Pursuant to the Support Services Agreement, we pay a support services fee of approximately $625,000 per quarter. The support services fee is adjusted for inflation annually since January 1, 2015 at an inflation factor based on year-over-year CPI. The support services fee shall also be increased if the total services agreements fees paid by the assets in a given year are lower than 1% of our revenue. The increase would be equivalent to the difference between a 1% of our revenues and the total fees paid under the service agreements by our assets. We do not expect this adjustment to occur based on the current level of fees, unless a significant project stopped paying its fees under its relevant project-level services agreement. Additionally, it will also be increased in connection with our completion of future acquisitions (including any Abengoa ROFO Assets) by an amount estimated to be equal to 0.12% of the enterprise value of the acquired assets as of the acquisition closing date.
We may amend the scope of the services to be provided by Abengoa under the Support Services Agreement, including reducing the number of our subsidiaries that receive services or otherwise, by providing 180 days’ prior written notice to Abengoa; provided that the services to be provided by Abengoa under the Support Services Agreement cannot be increased without Abengoa’s prior written consent. Furthermore, we and Abengoa must consent to any related change in the support services fee resulting from a change in the scope of services.
Term and Termination
The Support Services Agreement does not have a fixed term. However, we are able to terminate the Support Services Agreement upon 180 days’ prior written notice of termination from us to Abengoa; provided that any decision by us to terminate the Support Services Agreement must be approved by a majority of our independent directors. We may not terminate the Support Services Agreement solely due to the poor performance of us or any of our subsidiaries or investments.
Abengoa is able to terminate the Support Services Agreement upon 180 days’ prior written notice of termination to us if we default in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or agreement contained in the Support Services Agreement in a manner that results in material harm to Abengoa and the default continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after written notice of the breach is given to us. Abengoa is also able to terminate the Support Services Agreement upon the occurrence of certain events relating to our bankruptcy or insolvency. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Relationship with Abengoa—If Abengoa terminates the Support Services Agreement, or defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement, we may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms, or at all” for a discussion of risks associated with the Support Services Agreement.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Under the Support Services Agreement, Abengoa does not assume any responsibility other than to provide or arrange for the provision of the services called for thereunder in good faith and is not responsible for any action that we take in following or declining to follow the advice or recommendations of Abengoa. The maximum amount of the aggregate liability of Abengoa or any of its affiliates, or of any director, officer, employee, member, shareholder, agent or other representative of Abengoa or any of its affiliates, will be equal to the support services fee previously paid by us in the two most recent calendar years pursuant to the Support Services Agreement. We have also agreed to indemnify each of Abengoa and its affiliates, directors, officers, agents, members, partners, shareholders and employees to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses (including legal fees) incurred by an indemnified person or threatened in connection with our respective businesses, investments and activities or in respect of or arising from the Support Services Agreement or the services provided by Abengoa, except to the extent that the claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses are determined by a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court or by a settlement agreement to have resulted from the indemnified person’s bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct, gross negligence, or in the case of a criminal matter, action that the indemnified person knew to have been unlawful. In addition, under the Support Services Agreement, the indemnified persons will not be liable to us except to the extent that there is a determination by a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court that the conduct involved bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct, gross negligence or in the case of a criminal matter, action that the indemnified person knew to have been unlawful.
Currency Swap Agreement
On May 12, 2015, we entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with Abengoa which provides for a fixed exchange rate for the cash available for distribution from Spanish assets. The distributions from the Spanish assets are paid in euros and the Currency Swap Agreement provides for a fixed exchange rate at which euros will be converted into U.S. dollars. Any amounts to be paid to us by Abengoa each year as a result of the Currency Swap Agreement is capped atare based on an amount based onin relation to the dividends received by Abengoa as a shareholder of us. The Currency Swap Agreement has a five-year term. See “Risk“Item 3.D—Risk Factors—Risks RelatedWe may be subject to Our Relationship with Abengoa—Abengoa’s financial condition will affect its abilityincreased finance expenses if we do not effectively manage our exposure to meet its obligations under the Currency Swap Agreementinterest rate and to maintain existing guaranteesforeign currency exchange rate risks” and letters of credit under the Financial Support Agreement”“Item 5.A—Operating Results—Exchange Rates” for a discussion of risks associated with the Currency Swap Agreement.
Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Related Party Transactions; Conflicts of Interest
Our policy for the review, approval and ratification of related party transactions requires that all transactions with related parties shall beare subject to approval or ratification in accordance with the procedures set forth in the policy. With respect of any transaction with Abengoa or its affiliates (other than our subsidiaries), including transactions pursuant to the ROFO Agreement, our independent directors are required to review all of the relevant facts and circumstances and either approve or disapprove of the entry into the transaction. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction with Abengoa, the independent directors are to take into account, among other factors they may deem appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the Abengoa’s interest in the transaction.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a code of conduct applicable all directors, officers and employees of Atlantica Yield and our subsidiaries. The Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.atlanticayield.com.
C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
A. | Consolidated Statements and otherOther Financial Information. |
We have included the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements as part of this annual report. See “Item 18—Financial Statements.”
Dividend Policy
Our Cash Dividend Policy
We expect to pay a quarterly dividend on or about the 75th day following the expiration of each fiscal quarter to our shareholders of record on or about the 60th day following the last day of such fiscal quarter. However, our board of directors may change our dividend policy at any point in time or modify the dividend for specific quarters following prevailing conditions. We declared our first quarterly dividend in November 2014 and paid it on December 15, 2014.
On May 8, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the first quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.34 per share. The dividend was paid on June 15, 2015 to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2015. On July 29, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the second quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.40 per share. The dividend was paid September 15, 2015 to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2015. On November 5, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend corresponding to the third quarter of 2015 amounting to $0.43 per share. The dividend was paid on December 16 2015, to shareholders of record as of November 30, 2015, and from that amount we retained $9 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa in accordance with the provisions of the parent support agreement. See “Business“Item 4.B—Business Overview—Electric Transmission—Exchangeable Preferred Equity Investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding.” Furthermore,
In February 2016, taking into consideration the uncertainties resulting from the situation of our sponsor, the board of directors has decided to postpone the decision on thewhether to declare a dividend corresponding toin respect of the fourth quarter of 2015 until the second quarter of 2016. In May 2016, considering the uncertainties that remained in our sponsor's situation, our board of directors decided not to declare a dividend in respect of the fourth quarter of 2015 and to postpone the decision on whether to declare a dividend in respect of the first quarter 2016 until we had obtained greater clarity on cross default and change of ownership issues.
In August 2016, although we had made progress, we still had not secured waivers or forbearances for several significant projects. However, our board of directors decided on August 3, 2016, to declare a dividend of $0.145 per share for the first quarter of 2016 and a dividend of $0.145 per share for the second quarter of 2016. The dividend was paid on September 15, 2016, to shareholders of record August 31, 2016. From that amount, we retained $12.2 million of the dividend attributable to Abengoa.
As we disclose in “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Overview”, in the third quarter of 2016, Abengoa acknowledged that it failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreements related to the preferred equity investment in ACBH and recognized Atlantica Yield as the legal owner of $28.0 million of dividends previously retained from Abengoa, which consists of $9.0 million retained in 2015 and $12.2 million retained in the third quarter of 2016 and further $6.7 million subsequently retained in the fourth quarter of 2016.
On November 11, 2016, our board of directors, based on waivers or forbearances obtained to that date, decided to declare a dividend of $0.163 per share, which was paid on December 15, 2016, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2016.
We intend to distribute a very highsignificant portion of our cash available for distribution as dividend, after considering the cash available for distribution that we expect our projects will be able to generate, less reserves for the prudent conduct of our business (including for, among other things, dividend shortfalls as a result of fluctuations in our cash flows). We intend to distribute a quarterly dividend to shareholders. Our board of directors may, by resolution, amend the cash dividend policy at any time. We intend to grow our business via improvements in our existing projects the ramp-up of projects that started operations in 2015 and at the end of 2014 and through the acquisition of operational projects when market conditions are favorable, which, we believe, will facilitate the growth of our cash available for distribution and enable us to increase our dividend per share over time. However, the determination of the amount of cash dividends to be paid to holders of our shares will be made by our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, long-term prospects and any other matters that our board of directors deem relevant.
Our cash available for distribution is likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter, in some cases significantly, as a result of the seasonality of our assets, the terms of our financing arrangements, maintenance and outage schedules, among other factors. Accordingly, during quarters in which our projects generate cash available for distribution in excess of the amount necessary for us to pay our stated quarterly dividend, we may reserve a portion of the excess to fund cash distributions in future quarters. In quarters in which we do not generate sufficient cash available for distribution to fund our stated quarterly cash dividend, if our board of directors so determines, we may use retained cash flow from other quarters, as well as other sources of cash, such as net cash provided by financing activities, receipts from cash grant proceeds or borrowings under our Credit Facility or future credit facilities, to pay dividends to our shareholders. Our estimation of cash available for distribution does not include non-recurring cash generation events.
Risks Regarding Our Cash Dividend Policy
We do not have a significant operating history as an independent company upon which to rely in evaluating whether we will have sufficient cash available for distribution and other sources of liquidity to allow us to pay dividends on our shares at our initial quarterly dividend level on an annualized basis or at all. There is no guarantee that we will pay quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders. We do not have a legal obligation to pay our initial quarterly dividend or any other dividend. While we currently intend to grow our business and increase our dividend per share over time, our cash dividend policy is subject to all the risks inherent in our business and may be changed at any time as a result of certain restrictions and uncertainties, including the following:
| · | The amount of our quarterly cash available for distribution could be impacted by restrictions on cash distributions contained in our project-level financing arrangements, which require that our project-level subsidiaries comply with certain financial tests and covenants in order to make such cash distributions. Generally, these restrictions limit the frequency of permitted cash distributions to semi-annual or annual payments, and prohibit distributions unless specified debt service coverage ratios, historical and/or projected, are met. See the sub-sections entitled “—Project Level Financing” under the individual project descriptions in “Item 4.B—Business Overview—Our Operations.” When forecasting cash available for distribution and dividend payments we have aimed to take these restrictions into consideration, but we cannot guarantee future dividends. |
| · | In addition, the amount of our quarterly cash available for distribution could be impacted by ongoing negotiations with lenders of our project financing agreements aimed at obtaining waivers and forbearances for cross-defaults and minimum ownership provisions related to Abengoa. The financing arrangements of some of our project subsidiaries contain cross-default provisions related to Abengoa, such that debt defaults by Abengoa, subject to certain threshold amounts and/or a restructuring process, could trigger defaults under such project financing arrangements. These cross-default provisions expire progressively over time, remaining in place until the termination of the obligations of Abengoa under such project financing arrangements. After having obtained waivers and forbearances for most of our project financing agreements, we still have cross-default provisions in Kaxu and we are currently in discussions with its project finance lenders to secure a waiver or forbearance. In addition, the financing agreements of some of the projects contain change of ownership provisions. During 2016, we obtained waivers and forbearances for most of our projects, however we still need waivers for ACT and Kaxu. While we continue negotiations with lenders, there could be delays in distributions from our project level entities to the holding company level. |
| · | Additionally, indebtedness we recentlyhave incurred indebtedness under the 2019 Notes, and entered into the Credit Facility and the Note Issuance Facility in which we have entered contain, among other covenants, certain financial incurrence and maintenance covenants, as applicable. See “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements.” In addition, we may incur debt in the future to acquire new projects, the terms of which will likely require commencement of commercial operations prior to our ability to receive cash distributions from such acquired projects. These agreements likely will contain financial tests and covenants that our subsidiaries must satisfy prior to making distributions. Should we or any of our project-level subsidiaries be unable to satisfy these covenants or if any of us are otherwise in default under such facilities, we may be unable to receive sufficient cash distributions to pay our stated quarterly cash dividends notwithstanding our stated cash dividend policy. See the “Project Level Financing” descriptions contained in “Item 4.B—Business—Business Overview—Our Operations” for a description of such restrictions. |
| · | We and our board of directors have the authority to establish cash reserves for the prudent conduct of our business and for future cash dividends to our shareholders, and the establishment of or increase in those reserves could result in a reduction in cash dividends from levels we currently anticipate pursuant to our stated cash dividend policy. These reserves may account for the fact that our project-level cash flows may vary from year to year based on, among other things, changes in prices under offtake agreements, operational costs and other project contracts, compliance with the terms of project debt including debt repayment schedules, the transition to market or recontracted pricing following the expiration of offtake agreements, working capital requirements and the operating performance of the assets. Our board of directors may increase reserves to account for the seasonality that has historically existed in our assets’ cash flows and the variances in the pattern and frequency of distributions to us from our assets during the year. Furthermore, our board of directors may increase reserves in light of the uncertainty associated with Abengoa’s financial condition to account for potential costs that we may incur or limitations that may be imposed upon us as a result of cross-defaults under our project financing arrangements associated with Abengoa. |
| · | We may lack sufficient cash to pay dividends to our shareholders due to cash flow shortfalls attributable to a number of operational, commercial or other factors, including low availability, unexpected operating interruptions, legal liabilities, costs associated with governmental regulation, changes in governmental subsidies, changes in regulation, as well as increases in our operating and/or general and administrative expenses, including existing contracts with Abengoa and its subsidiaries, principal and interest payments on our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding debt, income tax expenses, failure of Abengoa to comply with its obligations under the agreements in place including obligations of Abengoa as EPC contractor on assets that are still within their respective guarantee periods, working capital requirements or anticipated cash needs at our project-level subsidiaries. See “Item 3.D—Risk Factors” for more information on the risks to which our business is subject. |
| · | We may pay cash to our shareholders via capital reduction in lieu of dividends in some years. |
| · | Our project companies’ cash distributions to us (in the form of dividends or other forms of cash distributions such as shareholder loan repayments) and, as a result, our ability to pay or grow our dividends, are dependent upon the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute cash to us. The ability of our project-level subsidiaries to make cash distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness, applicable corporation laws and other laws and regulations. |
| · | Our board of directors may, by resolution, amend the cash dividend policy at any time. Our board of directors may elect to change the amount of dividends, suspend any dividend or decide to pay no dividends even if there is ample cash available for distribution. |
Our Ability to Grow our Business and Dividend
We intend to grow our business primarily through the improvement of existing assets and the acquisition of contracted power generation assets, electric transmission lines and other infrastructure assets, which, we believe will facilitate the growth of our cash available for distribution and enable us to increase our dividend per share over time. Our approved policy is to distribute a very highsignificant portion of our cash available for distribution as a dividend. However, the final determination of the amount of cash dividends to be paid to our shareholders will be made by our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, long-term prospects and any other matters that our board of directors deems relevant.
We expect that we will rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and issuances of debt and equity securities, to fund any future growth capital expenditures. To the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash dividend policy could significantly impair our ability to grow because we do not currently intend to reserve a substantial amount of cash generated from operations to fund growth opportunities. If external financing is not available to us on acceptable terms, our board of directors may decide to finance acquisitions with cash from operations, which would reduce or even eliminate our cash available for distribution and, in turn, impair our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. To the extent we issue additional shares to fund growth capital expenditures, the payment of dividends on those additional shares may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per share dividend level. Additionally, the incurrence of additional commercial bank borrowings or other debt to finance our growth would result in increased interest expense, which in turn may impact our cash available for distribution and, in turn, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
There have been no significant changes since the date of the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING.LISTING |
A. | Offering and Listing Details. |
Our ordinary shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ABY.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low intraday sales price per ordinary share as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market since the date of our IPO.
| | Price per Share | |
| | High | | | Low | |
| | (Amounts in U.S. dollars) | |
Most recent six months: | | | | | | |
February 2016 (through February 26, 2016) | | 17.37 | | | 13.11 | |
January 2016 | | | 18.62 | | | | 16.62 | |
December 2015 | | | 19.29 | | | | 14.15 | |
November 2015 | | | 21.06 | | | | 14.48 | |
October 2015 | | | 21.10 | | | | 16.55 | |
September 2015 | | | 22.54 | | | | 16.40 | |
Year ended December 31, 2015: | | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 21.10 | | | | 14.15 | |
Third quarter | | | 32.30 | | | | 16.40 | |
Second quarter | | | 38.80 | | | | 31.32 | |
First quarter | | | 35.00 | | | | 26.57 | |
Year ended December 31, 2014: | | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 35.76 | | | | 21.00 | |
Third quarter | | | 40.98 | | | | 33.87 | |
Second quarter (from June 12, 2014)(1) | | | 40.61 | | | | 35.00 | |
| | Price per Share | |
| | High | | | Low | |
| | (Amounts in U.S. dollars) | |
Most recent six months | | | | | | |
February 2017 (through February 22, 2017) | | 22.18 | | | 20.83 | |
January 2017 | | | 22.10 | | | | 19.24 | |
December 2016 | | | 19.80 | | | | 17.16 | |
November 2016 | | | 19.31 | | | | 16.55 | |
October 2016 | | | 19.17 | | | | 17.59 | |
September 2016 | | | 19.79 | | | | 18.01 | |
Year ended December 31, 2016 | | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 19.80 | | | | 16.55 | |
Third quarter | | | 21.32 | | | | 18.01 | |
Second quarter | | | 19.17 | | | | 15.78 | |
First quarter | | | 19.19 | | | | 13.11 | |
Year ended December 31, 2015 | | | | | | | | |
Fourth quarter | | | 21.10 | | | | 14.15 | |
Third quarter | | | 32.30 | | | | 16.40 | |
Second quarter | | | 38.80 | | | | 31.32 | |
First quarter | | | 35.00 | | | | 26.57 | |
Most Recent Full Financial Years | | | | | | | | |
2016 | | | 21.32 | | | | 13.11 | |
2015 | | | 38.80 | | | | 14.15 | |
2014(1) | | | 40.98 | | | | 21.00 | |
Note:Notes:—
(1) | Our ordinary shares were admitted to trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market following the consummation of our IPO on June 12, 2014. There was no public market for our ordinary shares before our IPO. |
Not applicable.
Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ABY.”
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.INFORMATION |
Not applicable.
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association |
The information called for by this item has been reported previously in our Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-205433), filed with the SEC on July 2, 2015, as amended, under the heading “Description of Share Capital” and is incorporated by reference into this annual report.
See “Item 4.B—Business Overview,” “Item 5.B—Liquidity—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Arrangements” and “Item 7.B—Related Party Transactions.”
See “Item 5.A—Operating Results—Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations—Regulation.”
The following is a discussion of the material UK and U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of shares in Abengoa Yield to the persons addressed therein. Insofar as it expresses legal conclusions with respect to matters of UK tax law and U.S. federal income tax law, it is the opinion of Linklaters LLP.
Material UKU.K. Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary of material UKU.K. tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposal of Abengoa Yieldour shares. The comments set out below are based on current United KingdomU.K. tax law as applied in England and Wales and HM Revenue & Customs, or HMRC, practice (which may not be binding on HM Revenue & Customs)HMRC) as at the date of this summary, both of which are subject to change, possibly with retrospective effect. They are intended as a general guide and apply to you only if you are a “U.S. Holder” (as defined in the section below entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) and if:
| · | you hold AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares as an investment for tax purposes, as capital assets and you are the absolute beneficial owner thereof for UKU.K. tax purposes; |
| · | you are an individual, you are not resident in the United Kingdom for UKU.K. tax purposes and do not hold AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares for the purposes of a trade, profession, or vocation that you carry on in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency, or if you are a corporation, you are not resident in the UKU.K. for UKU.K. tax purposes and do not hold the securities for the purpose of a trade carried on in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment in the United Kingdom; and |
| · | you are not domiciled in the UKUnited Kingdom for UKU.K. inheritance tax purposes. |
This summary does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the shares. Certain categories of shareholders, including those falling outside the category described above, those carrying on certain financial activities, those subject to specific tax regimes or benefitting from certain reliefs or exemptions, those connected with us and those for whom the shares are employment-related securities may be subject to special rules and this summary does not apply to such shareholders and any general statements made in this disclosure do not take them into account.
This summary is for general information only and is not intended to be, nor should it be considered to be, legal or tax advice to any particular investor. It does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to specific investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors subject to special treatment under UKU.K. tax law.
UKPotential investors should satisfy themselves prior to investing as to the overall tax consequences, including, specifically, the consequences under U.K. tax law and HMRC practice of the acquisition, ownership and disposal of the shares in their own particular circumstances by consulting their own tax advisors.
U.K. Taxation of Dividends
We will not be required to withhold amounts on account of United KingdomU.K. tax at source when paying a dividend in respect of our shares to a U.S. Holder.
U.S. Holders who hold their shares as an investment and not in connection with any trade carried on by them will not be subject to United Kingdom tax in respect of any dividends.
UKU.K. Taxation of Capital Gains
An individual holder who is a U.S. Holder will not be liable to UKU.K. capital gains tax on capital gains realized on the disposal of his or her AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares unless such holder carries on (whether solely or in partnership) a trade, profession or vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency in the United Kingdom to which the shares are attributable.
A corporate holder of shares that is a U.S. Holder will not be liable for UKU.K. corporation tax on chargeable gains realized on the disposal of its AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares unless it carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment to which the shares are attributable.
An individual holder of shares who is temporarily a non-UKnon-U.K. resident for UKU.K. tax purposes will, in certain circumstances, become liable to UKU.K. tax on capital gains in respect of gains realized while he or she was not resident in the UKUnited Kingdom.
UKU.K. Inheritance Tax
AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares which are registered on the main AbengoaAtlantica Yield share register are assets situated in the United Kingdom for the purposes of UKU.K. inheritance tax. A gift of such assets by, or the death of, an individual holder of such assets may (subject to certain exemptions and reliefs) give rise to a liability to UKU.K. inheritance tax, even if the holder is neither domiciled in the UKUnited Kingdom nor deemed to be domiciled there (under certain rules relating to long residence or previous domicile). Generally, UKU.K. inheritance tax is not chargeable on gifts to individuals if the transfer is made more than seven complete years prior to death of the donor. For inheritance tax purposes, a transfer of assets at less than full market value may be treated as a gift and particular rules apply to gifts where the donor reserves or retains some benefit. Special rules also apply to close companies and to trustees of settlements who hold shares in AbengoaAtlantica Yield bringing them within the charge to inheritance tax.
However, AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares that are held by an individual whose domicile is determined to be the United States for the purposes of the United States-United Kingdom Double Taxation Convention relating to estate and gift taxes, (the “U.S.-UKor the U.S.-U.K. Estate Tax Treaty”)Treaty, and who is not for such purposes a national of the UKUnited Kingdom will not, provided any U.S. federal estate or gift tax chargeable has been paid, be subject to UKU.K. inheritance tax on the individual’s death or on a lifetime transfer of the Abengoa Yield shares except in certain cases where the Abengoa Yield shares (i) are comprised in a settlement (unless, at the time of the settlement was made, the settlor was domiciled in the United States and was not a national of the UK)United Kingdom), (ii) are part of the business property of a UKU.K. permanent establishment or an enterprise, or (iii) pertain to a UKU.K. fixed base of an individual used for the performance of independent personal services. In such cases, the U.S.-UKU.S.-U.K. Estate Tax Treaty generally provides a credit against U.S. federal tax liability for the amount of any tax paid in the UKUnited Kingdom in a case where the Abengoa Yield shares are subject both to UKU.K. inheritance tax and to U.S. federal estate or gift tax.
Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
The stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax, or SDRT, treatment of the issue and transfer of, and the agreement to transfer, AbengoaAtlantica Yield shares outside a depositary receipt system or a clearance service are discussed in the paragraphs under ‘General’ below. The stamp duty and SDRT treatment of such transactions in relation to such systems are discussed in the paragraphs under “Depositary Receipt Systems and Clearance Services” below.
General
GeneralNo stamp duty, or SDRT, will arise on the issue of shares in registered form by Atlantica Yield.
An agreement to transfer Abengoa Yieldour shares will normally give rise to a charge to SDRT at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration payable for the transfer. SDRT is, in general, payable by the purchaser.
Transfers of Abengoa Yieldour shares will generally be subject to stamp duty at the rate of 0.5% of the consideration given for the transfer (rounded up to the next £5). The purchaser normally pays the stamp duty.
If a duly stamped transfer completing an agreement to transfer is produced within six years of the date on which the agreement is made (or, if the agreement is conditional, the date on which the agreement becomes unconditional) any SDRT already paid is generally repayable, normally with interest, and any SDRT charge yet to be paid is cancelled.
Depositary Receipt Systems and Clearance Services
Following the ECJCourt of Justice of the European Union’s decision in C-569/07 HSBC Holdings Plc, Vidacos Nominees Limited v The Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs and the First-tier Tax Tribunal decision in HSBC Holdings Plc and The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation vv. The Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, HMHer Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, or HMRC, has confirmed that 1.5% SDRT is no longer payable when new shares are issued to a clearance service or depositary receipt system.
Where Abengoa Yieldour shares are transferred (i) to, or to a nominee or an agent for, a person whose business is or includes the provision of clearance services or (ii) to, or to a nominee or an agent for, a person whose business is or includes issuing depositary receipts, stamp duty or SDRT will generally be payable at the higher rate of 1.5% of the amount or value of the consideration given or, in certain circumstances, the value of the shares.
Except in relation to clearance services that have made an election under Section 97A(1) of the Finance Act of 1986 (to which the special rules outlined below apply), no stamp duty or SDRT is payable in respect of transfers or agreements to transfer within clearance services or depositary receipt systems. Accordingly, no stamp duty or SDRT should, in practice, be required to be paid in respect of transfers or agreements to transfer our shares within the facilities of DTC.
There is an exception from the 1.5% charge on the transfer to, or to a nominee or agent for, a clearance service where the clearance service has made and maintained an election under section 97A(1) of the Finance Act 1986, which has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs.HMRC. In these circumstances, SDRT at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration payable for the transfer will arise on any transfer of our shares into such an account and on subsequent agreements to transfer such shares within such account. It is our understanding that DTC has not made an election under section 97A(1) of the Finance Act of 1986.
Any liability for stamp duty or SDRT in respect of any other transfer into a clearance service or depositary receipt system, or in respect of a transfer within any clearance service or depositary receipt system, which does arise will strictly be accountable by the clearance service or depositary receipt system operator or their nominee, as the case may be, but will, in practice, be payable by the participants in the clearance service or depositary receipt system.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares by U.S. Holders (as defined below). This summary is based upon U.S. federal income tax laws (including the IRC, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, rulings, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements) all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to changes in wording or administrative or judicial interpretation occurring after the date hereof, possibly with retroactive effect.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of shares:
| (a) | that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has validly elected to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| (b) | that holds the shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and |
| (c) | that owns, directly, indirectly or by attribution, less than 5% both of the votingvote and value of the stock of AbengoaAtlantica Yield. |
This summary does not cover all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to, or the actual tax effect that any of the matters described herein will have on, the acquisition, ownership or disposition of shares by particular investors, and does not address state, local, foreign or other tax laws. This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to U.S. Holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States living abroad, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, certain financial institutions, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or the net investment income tax, dealers and certain traders in securities or currencies, persons holding shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction, partners in entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons holding shares through an individual retirement account or other tax-deferred account, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or persons that carry on a trade, business or vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch, agency or permanent establishment to which the shares are attributable. Such U.S. holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below.
If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such an entity generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds shares and its partners are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partnership and its partners of acquiring, owning and disposing of the shares.
This discussion assumes that AbengoaAtlantica Yield is not, haswas not been during the priorfor its 2016 taxable year, and will not become a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as discussed below under “—Passive foreign investment company rules.”
Potential investors in shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the specific U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Taxation of distributions on the shares
Distributions received by a U.S. Holder on shares generally will constitute dividends to the extent paid out of Abengoa Yield’sAtlantica Yield current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). AbengoaAtlantica Yield intends to annually calculate its earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. If distributions exceed AbengoaAtlantica Yield’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will constitute a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its shares and will result in a reduction of such tax basis. To the extent such excess exceeds a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares, such excess will generally be taxed as capital gain.
Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders of shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation at rates lower than those applicable to other ordinary income if the dividends are “qualified dividend income.” Distributions received by a U.S. Holder on shares will be qualified dividend income if: (i) shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as NASDAQ Global Select Market, where our shares are listed) and (ii) AbengoaAtlantica Yield was not, for the year prior to the year in which the dividends are paid, and is not, for the year in which the dividends are paid, a PFIC. As discussed below under “—Passive foreign investment company rules,” although there can be no assurance that AbengoaAtlantica Yield will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year, AbengoaAtlantica Yield does not believe that it was a PFIC for its 20152016 taxable year and does not expect to be a PFIC for its current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at these favorable rates. Corporate U.S. Holders will not be entitled to claim the dividends-received deduction with respect to dividends paid by AbengoaAtlantica Yield. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of the dividend.
Taxation upon sale or other disposition of shares
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of shares, which will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has owned shares for more than one year. The amount of the U.S. Holder’s gain or loss will be equal to the difference between such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or otherwise disposed of and the amount realized on the sale or other disposition. Net long-term capital gain recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will be taxed at a lower rate than the rate applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Passive foreign investment company rules
If AbengoaAtlantica Yield were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences may apply to the U.S. Holder. AbengoaAtlantica Yield does not believe that it was a PFIC for its 20152016 taxable year and does not expect to be a PFIC for its current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, PFIC status depends on the composition of a company’s income and assets and the fair market value of its assets (including, among others, less than 25% owned equity investments) from time to time, as well as on the application of complex statutory and regulatory rules that are subject to potentially varying or changing interpretations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that AbengoaAtlantica Yield will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.
A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to applicable “look-through rules,” either: (i) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income” or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets which produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. For purposes of the PFIC rules, “passive income” includes, among other things, certain foreign currency gains, certain rents and the excess of gains over losses from certain commodities transactions. Gains from commodities transactions, however, are generally excluded from the definition of passive income if such gains are active business gains from the sale of commodities and the foreign corporation’s commodities meet specified criteria. The law is unclear as to what constitutes “active business gains” and there are also other uncertainties regarding the criteria that commodities must meet. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that AbengoaAtlantica Yield is not, was not for its 20152016 taxable year, or will not become a PFIC or that changes in the management or ownership structure of AbengoaAtlantica Yield or its assets, including as a result of any acquisitions pursuant to the ROFO Agreement and the Call Option Agreement, will not impact the determination of AbengoaAtlantica Yield’s PFIC status.
If AbengoaAtlantica Yield were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held shares, gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of the shares would generally be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before AbengoaAtlantica Yield became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest rate in effect in that year for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge would be imposed on the resulting U.S. federal income tax liability. The same treatment would generally apply to any distribution in respect of shares to the extent the distribution exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on shares received by the U.S. Holder during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter. Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as mark-to-market treatment) of the shares.
In addition, if AbengoaAtlantica Yield were a PFIC for a taxable year in which it pays a dividend or in the prior taxable year, the favorable dividend rate discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules.
Information reporting and backup withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S. financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or, in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals may be required to report information relating to their ownership of an interest in certain foreign financial assets, including stock and securities of a non-U.S. person (such as Abengoa Yield), subject to exceptions (including an exception for stock and securities held through a U.S. financial institution). Other U.S. Holders may be subject to similar rules in the future. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding theirabout these rules and any other reporting obligations with respectthat may apply to the shares.ownership or disposal of shares, including requirements related to the holding of certain “specified foreign financial assets.”
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
We have filed this annual report on Form 20-F with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements made in this annual report as to the contents of any document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such document filed as an exhibit to this annual report, reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file reports and other information with the SEC. Reports and other information which we filed with the SEC, including this annual report on Form 20-F, may be inspected and copied at the public reference room of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20549.
You can also obtain copies of this annual report on Form 20-F by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Additionally, copies of this material may be obtained from the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The Commission’sSEC’s telephone number is 1-800-SEC-0330.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.RISK |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Our activities are undertaken through our segments and are exposed to market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Risk is managed by our Risk Management and Finance Department in accordance with mandatory internal management rules. The internal management rules provide written policies for the management of overall risk, as well as for specific areas, such as exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, use of hedging instruments and derivatives and the investment of excess cash.
Market risk
We are exposed to market risk, such as movement in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. All of these market risks arise in the normal course of business and we do not carry out speculative operations. For the purpose of managing these risks, we use a series of swaps and options on interest rates. None of the derivative contracts signed has an unlimited loseloss exposure.
Foreign exchange rate risk
The main cash flows from our subsidiaries are cash collections arising from long-term contracts with clients and debt payments arising from project finance repayment. Given that financing of the projects is always denominated in the same currency in which the contract with the client is signed, a natural hedge exists for our main operations.
On May 12, 2015, we entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with Abengoa which provides for a fixed exchange rate for the cash available for distribution from Spanish assets. The distributions from the Spanish assets are paid in euros and the Currency Swap Agreement provides for a fixed exchange rate at which euros will be converted into U.S. dollars. Any amounts to be paid to us by Abengoa as a result of the Currency Swap Agreement are based on an amount in relation to the dividends received by Abengoa as a shareholder of us. The Currency Swap Agreement has a five-year term.
In the event that the exchange rate of the euro rises by 10% against the U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2015,2016, with the rest of the variables remaining constant, the cash received from these assets would not be affected.
Additionally, in January 2017, we signed two currency options with a leading international financial institution which guarantee minimum euro-U.S. dollar exchange rates for distributions expected from Spanish solar assets in 2017, net of the general and administrative expenses and corporate interest expense paid in euros. The corporate debt represented by the Note Issuance Facility of €275 million incurs its annual interest expense at the sum of EURIBOR plus 4.9%. We intend to fully hedge the Note Issuance Facility with a swap to fix the interest rate as soon as possible after funding of the notes.
In addition, since the beginning of 2017, we have euro-denominated debt. We may therefore modify our Currency Swap Agreement with Abengoa. Interest payments in euros and our euro denominated general and administrative expenses create a natural hedge for a portion of the distributions from Spanish assets. Taking into consideration the financial situation of Abengoa, we have signed two currency options with banks in order to hedge the remaining portion of the cash flows expected from Spanish assets in 2017.
180
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risks arise mainly from our financial liabilities at variable interest rate (less than 10% of our total project debt financing). We use interest rate swaps and interest rate options (caps) to mitigate interest rate risk.
As a result, the notional amounts hedged as of December 31, 2015,2016, contracted strikes contracted and maturities, depending on the characteristics of the debt on which the interest rate risk is being hedged, are very diverse, including the following:
| · | project debt in U.S. dollars: between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2043 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 2.52% and 6.88%. |
| · | project debt in euros: between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2030 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 3.20% and 4.87%. |
In connection with our interest rate derivative positions, the most significant impact on our consolidated financial statementsAnnual Consolidated Financial Statements are derived from the changes in EURIBOR or LIBOR, which represents the reference interest rate for the majority of our debt.
In relation to our interest rate swaps positions, an increase in EURIBOR or LIBOR above the contracted fixed interest rate would create an increase in our financial expense which would be positively mitigated by our hedges, reducing our financial expense to our contracted fixed interest rate. However, an increase in EURIBOR or LIBOR that does not exceed the contracted fixed interest rate would not be offset by our derivative position and would result in a net financial loss recognized in our consolidated income statement. Conversely, a decrease in EURIBOR or LIBOR below the contracted fixed interest rate would result in lower interest expense on our variable rate debt, which would be offset by a negative impact from the mark-to-market of our hedges, increasing our financial expense up to our contracted fixed interest rate, thus likely resulting in a neutral effect.
In relation to our interest rate options positions, an increase in EURIBOR or LIBOR above the strike price would result in higher interest expenses, which would be positively mitigated by our hedges, reducing our financial expense to our capped interest rate, whereas a decrease of EURIBOR or LIBOR below the strike price would result in lower interest expenses.
In addition to the above, our results of operations can be affected by changes in interest rates with respect to the unhedged portion of our indebtedness that bears interest at floating rates.
In the event that EURIBOR and LIBOR had risen by 25 basis points as of December 31, 2014,2016, with the rest of the variables remaining constant, the effect in the consolidated income statement would have been a loss of $2,563,000 (a loss of $1,795,000 (ain 2015 and a loss of $271,000 in 2014 and a loss of $195,000 in 2013)2014) and an increase in hedging reserves of $41.7$37.3 million ($24.241.7 million in 20142015 and $16.3$24.2 million in 2013)2014). The increase in hedging reserves would be mainly due to an increase in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as hedges.
Credit risk
We consider that we have limited credit risk with clients as revenues are derived from PPAs and other revenue contracted agreements with electric utilities and state-owned entities.
The following table shows the maturity detail of trade receivables as of December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013:
| | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Maturity | | | | | | | | | |
Up to 3 months | | $ | 126.8 | | | $ | 78.5 | | | $ | 26.6 | |
Between 3 and 6 months | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total | | $ | 126.8 | | | $ | 78.5 | | | $ | 26.6 | |
2014:
| | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Maturity | | | | | | | | | |
Up to 3 months | | | 151.2 | | | | 126.8 | | | | 78.5 | |
Between 3 and 6 months | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liquidity risk
The objective of our financing and liquidity policy is to ensure that we maintain sufficient funds to meet our financial obligations as they fall due.
Project finance borrowing permits us to finance projects through project debt and thereby insulate the rest of our assets from such credit exposure. We incur project finance debt on a project-by-project basis.
The repayment profile of each project is established on the basis of the projected cash flow generation of the business. This ensures that sufficient financing is available to meet deadlines and maturities, which mitigates the liquidity risk significantly.
ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES. |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
D. | American Depositary Shares |
Not applicable.
ITEM 13.12. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES. |
None of these events occurred in any of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
| (1) | a material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking or purchase fund installment, orDESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
A. | (2) | any other material default not cured within 30 days, relating to indebtedness of you or any of your significant subsidiaries, and if the amount of the indebtedness exceeds 5% of your total assets on a consolidated basis, identify the indebtedness and state the nature of the default. If the default falls under paragraph A.1 above, state the amount of the default and the total arrearage on the date you file this report. |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
D. | American Depositary Shares |
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
None.
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.PROCEDURES |
(a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 (e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2015.2016. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any control system, including disclosure controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information relating to the Company,us, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to the management, including principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
ThePursuant to Section 404 of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company'sour internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2016, based on the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, ("COSO")or COSO, in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2015,2016, its internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20152016, has been audited by Deloitte S.L., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which follows below.
Attestation reportReport of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The report of Deloitte, S.L., our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on our internal control over financial reporting is included herein at page F-2 of our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Changes in internal controlsInternal Controls over financial reportingFinancial Reporting
There was no changeAtlantica Yield achieved full autonomy from Abengoa in our2016. The Company transitioned from an internal control overenvironment established by Abengoa to an independent designed system that continues to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting that occurred duringreporting. The transition did not have a material impact on the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, ourCompany’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.EXPERT |
See “Item 6.C—Board Practices—Audit Committee.” Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Daniel Villalba qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under applicable SEC rules.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS.ETHICS |
Our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors has adopted a code of conduct for our employees, officers and directors to govern their relations with current and potential customers, fellow employees, competitors, government and self-regulatory agencies, the media, and anyone else with whom the Company has contact. Our code of conduct is publicly available on our website at www.atlanticayield.com.
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.SERVICES |
The following table provides information on the aggregate fees billed by our principal accountants, Deloitte, S.L. and Deloitte LLP, or by other firms to AbengoaAtlantica Yield, classified by type of service rendered in 2015:
| | Deloitte | | | Other Auditors | | | Total | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Audit Fees | | | 1,279 | | | | 23 | | | | 1,302 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 619 | | | | — | | | | 619 | |
Tax Fees | | | — | | | | 1,269 | | | | 1,269 | |
All Other Fees | | | 78 | | | | 314 | | | | 392 | |
Total | | | 1,976 | | | | 1,606 | | | | 3,582 | |
2016:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Audit Fees | | | 1,556 | | | | 23 | | | | 1,579 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 118 | | | | - | | | | 118 | |
Tax Fees | | | - | | | | 962 | | | | 962 | |
All Other Fees | | | 19 | | | | 142 | | | | 161 | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table provides information on the aggregate fees billed by our principal accountants, Deloitte, S.L., or by other firms to AbengoaAtlantica Yield, classified by type of service rendered in 2014,2015, since our inception:
| | Deloitte | | | Other Auditors | | | Total | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ($ in thousands) | | | ($ in thousands) | |
Audit Fees | | | 1,228 | | | | — | | | | 1,228 | | | | 1,839 | | | | 23 | | | | 1,862 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 53 | | | | — | | | | 53 | | | | 619 | | | | - | | | | 619 | |
Tax Fees | | | 63 | | | | 400 | | | | 463 | | | | - | | | | 1,269 | | | | 1,269 | |
All Other Fees | | | 176 | | | | 191 | | | | 367 | | | | 78 | | | | 314 | | | | 392 | |
Total | | | 1,520 | | | | 591 | | | | 2,111 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Audit Fees are the aggregate fees billed for professional services in connection with the audit of our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, quarterly reviews of our interim financial statements and statutory audits of our subsidiaries’ financial statements under the rules of England and Wales and the countries in which our subsidiaries are organized. Also included are services that can only be provided by our auditor, such as audits of non-recurring transactions, consents, comfort letters, attestation services and any audit services required for SEC or other regulatory filings.
Audit-Related Fees are fees charged for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, and are not restricted to those that can only be provided by the auditor signing the auditauditor's report. This category comprises fees billed advisory services associated with our financial reporting process and assistance with training of personnel in financial related subjects.
The Audit Committee approved all of the services provided by Deloitte, S.L. and by other member firms of Deloitte.
Tax Fees are fees billed for tax compliance, tax review and tax advice on actual or contemplated transactions.
All Other Fees comprises fees billed in relation to financial advisory services, internal control advisory, issuance of comfort letters in connection with capital markets transactions and other services which cannot be comprised under other categories.
Audit Committee’s Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Auditor
Subject to the approval of the independent auditor by our shareholders, the Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint, retain or replace the independent auditor. The Audit Committee is also directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. These policies generally provide that we will not engage our independent auditors to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy, which covers audit and non-audit services provided to us or to any of our subsidiaries, is as follows:
| · | The Audit Committee shall review and approve in advance the annual plan and scope of work of the independent external auditor, including staffing of the audit, and shall (i) review with the independent external auditor any audit-related concerns and management’s response and (ii) confirm that any examination is performed in accordance with the relevant accounting standards; |
| · | The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all audit services and all permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for us by the independent auditors, to the extent required by law. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more Committee members the authority to grant pre-approvals for audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by the independent auditor, provided that decisions of such members to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting; |
| · | The list of audit services and all permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for us by the independent auditors pre-approved by the Audit Committee, considering that these services clearly allowed from the point of independence is the following: |
| · | Audit services, including audit of financial statements, limited reviews, comfort letters, other verification works requested by regulator or supervisors; |
| · | Audit-related services, including due diligence services, verification of corporate social responsibility report, accounting or internal control advisory and preparation courses on these topics; |
| · | Other specific services, such as evaluation of the design, implementation and operation of a financial information system or control over financial reporting; and |
Only for information purpose,purposes, all audit and non-audit services will be reported to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis;basis.
Any other service shall be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. However, when for reasons of urgency, it is necessary to start the provision of services prior to the next meeting of the Audit Committee, the Chairman of the Audit Committee is authorized to provide such approval, which shall be shall be communicated to the Audit Committee subsequently.
In accordance with the above pre-approval policy, all audit and permitted non-audit services performed for us by our principal accountants, or any of its affiliates, were approved by the Audit Committee of our board of directors, who concluded that the provision of such services by the independent accountants was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions: an auditor may not function in the role of management; an auditor may not audit his or her own work; and an auditor may not serve in an advocacy role for his or her client.
The Audit Committee approved 100% of the services provided by Deloitte, S.L., including audit services, audit-related services, and all Other Fees for the year 2015.S.L..
ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.COMMITTEES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.PURCHASERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F. | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.ACCOUNTANT |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.GOVERNANCE |
Under the U.S. federal securities laws and the NASDAQ rules we are a “foreign private issuer.” The foreign private issuer exemption will permit us to follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain of NASDAQ’s requirements. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of NASDAQ’s requirements must submit to NASDAQ a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. Specifically, as a foreign private issuer, we are not required to have: (i) a majority of independent directors, (ii) a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, (iii) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors or (iv) an annual performance evaluation of the nominating/corporate governance and compensation committees. Therefore, as a foreign private issuer, we will not be required to have a majority of independent directors, our Appointments and Remuneration Committee will not need to consist entirely of independent directors and such committees will not be required to be subject to annual performance evaluations; accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the applicable NASDAQ rules. Additionally, the foreign private issuer exemption exempts us from the requirement of having regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
These exemptions do not modify the independence requirements for the audit committee, and we currently comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the NASDAQ rules.
ITEM 16H. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.STATEMENTS |
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.STATEMENTS |
Our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements are included at the end of this annual report.
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS.EXHIBITS |
The following exhibits are filed as part of this annual report:
Exhibit No. | | Description |
1.1 | | Articles of Association of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-36-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2015May 26, 2016 – SEC File No. 333-205433)001-36487). |
| | |
4.1 | | Amended and Restated Right of First Offer Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc) and Abengoa, S.A., dated December 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on December 11, 2014 – SEC File No. 333-200848). |
| | |
4.2 | | Executive ServicesFinancial Support Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc) and Abengoa, Concessions, S.L.S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.210.4 to AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
| | |
4.3 | | Support Services Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc and Abengoa Concessions, S.L. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Abengoa Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
| | |
4.4 | | Financial Support Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc and Abengoa, S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Abengoa Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
| | |
4.5 | | Trademark License Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc and Abengoa, S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Abengoa Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
| | |
| | Amended Deed between Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc) and Abengoa Concessions Investments Limited.Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Atlantica Yield plc’s annual report on Form 20-F submitted to the SEC on March 1, 2016 – SEC File No. 001-36487). |
| | |
4.4 | | Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement by and among Abengoa Construcao Brasil Ltd., Sociedad Inversora Lineas de Brasil S.L., Abengoa Concessions, S.L. and Abengoa Concessao Brasil Holding, S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Atlantica Yield plc’s annual report on Form 20-F submitted to the SEC on March 1, 2016 – SEC File No. 001-36487). |
| | |
4.84.5 | | Operation and Maintenance Agreement between Abengoa Solar Espana, S.A. and Solaben Electricidad Dos, S.A., dated December 10, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
| | |
4.94.6 | | Operation and Maintenance Agreement between Abengoa Solar Espana, S.A. and Solaben Electricidad Tres, S.A., dated December 10, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc’s draft registration statement on Form F-1 submitted to the SEC on February 28, 2014 – SEC File No. 377-00503). |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
4.104.7 | | Indenture dated November 17, 2014, by and among Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc), as issuer, Abengoa Concessions Peru, S.A., Abengoa Solar US Holdings Inc. and Abengoa Solar Holdings USA Inc., as guarantors, The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent and Luxembourg transfer agent, relating to the issuance and sale by Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc) of $255,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Atlantica Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on December 11, 2014 – SEC File No. 333-200848). |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
4.8 | | Form of Global Notes relating to the issuance and sale by Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc) of $255,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Atlantica Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on December 11, 2014 – SEC File No. 333-200848). |
| | |
4.11 | | Form of Global Notes relating to the issuance and sale by Abengoa Yield plc of $255,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Abengoa Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on December 11, 2014 – SEC File No. 333-200848). |
| | |
4.12 | | Call Option Agreement by and between Abengoa Yield plc and Abengoa, S.A., dated December 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Abengoa Yield plc’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on December 11, 2014 – SEC File No. 333-200848). |
| | |
4.134.9 | | The Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty agreement, dated June 26, 2015, among Abengoa Yield plc (now Atlantica Yield plc), the guarantors from time to time party thereto, HSBC Bank plc, HSBC Corporate Trust Company (UK) Limited, Bank of America, N.A., Banco Santander, S.A., Citigroup Global Markets Limited, RBC Capital Markets, Barclays Bank plc and UBS AG, London Branch. |
| | Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Atlantica Yield plc’s annual report on Form 20-F submitted to the SEC on March 1, 2015 – Sec File No. 001-36487). |
| | Subsidiaries of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc. |
| | |
| | Certification of Santiago Seage, Managing DirectorChief Executive Officer of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
| | Certification of Francisco Martinez-Davis, Chief Financial Officer of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
| | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
| | Consent of Deloitte, S.L. |
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Date: March 1, 2016February 28, 2017
| ABENGOAATLANTICA YIELD PLC |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Santiago Seage |
| Name: | Santiago Seage |
| Title:Title | Managing DirectorChief Executive Officer |
| | |
| ABENGOAATLANTICA YIELD PLC |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Francisco Martinez-Davis |
| Name: | Francisco Martinez-Davis |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
ABENGOAATLANTICA YIELD PLC
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Annual Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 20152016 and 20142015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 and 20132014
| F-2 |
2015 | F-4 |
2014 | F-6 |
2014 | F-8F-7 |
2014 | F-9F-8 |
2014 | F-11F-10 |
| F-13F-11 |
2015 | F-56F-64 |
2016 | F-58F-68 |
2015 | F-59F-69 |
2016 | F-69F-81 |
| F-70F-83 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, and the related consolidated income statements, the consolidated financial statements of comprehensive income (loss), the consolidated statements of changes in equity and the consolidated cash flow statements for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015.2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015,2016, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS-IASB”).
We draw your attention to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements where the Directors describe some uncertainties regarding the current situation of its main shareholder, Abengoa, S.A., and their potential effects, if any, over the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2015 of the Company. Management’s plans to address those uncertainties are also described in Note 1.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2016February 28, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte, S.L.
Seville,
Madrid, Spain
March 1, 2016
February 28, 2017
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc:
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2015,2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 20152016 of the Company and our report dated March 1, 2016,February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph referring to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements where the Directors describe some uncertainties regarding the current situation of its main shareholder, Abengoa, S.A., and their potential effects, if any, over the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2015 of the Company and the Management’s plans to address those uncertainties.statements.
/s/ Deloitte, S.L.
Seville,
Madrid, Spain
March 1, 2016February 28, 2017
Consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31,
20152016 and
20142015
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | | | | | As of December 31, | |
| | Note (1) | | | As of December 31, 2015 | | | As of December 31, 2014 | | | Note (1) | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 6 | | | | 9,300,897 | | | | 6,725,178 | | | 6 | | | | 8,924,272 | | | | 9,300,897 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | 7 | | | | 56,181 | | | | 5,711 | | | 7 | | | | 55,009 | | | | 56,181 | |
Other receivables accounts | | | 8 | | | | 89,050 | | | | 368,964 | | | 8 | | | | 65,951 | | | | 89,050 | |
Derivative assets | | | 8&9 | | | | 4,741 | | | | 4,597 | | | 8&9 | | | | 3,822 | | | | 4,741 | |
Financial investments | | | 8 | | | | 93,791 | | | | 373,561 | | | 8 | | | | 69,773 | | | | 93,791 | |
Deferred tax assets | | | 18 | | | | 191,314 | | | | 124,210 | | | 18 | | | | 202,891 | | | | 191,314 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-current assets | | | | | | | 9,642,183 | | | | 7,228,660 | | | | | | | 9,251,945 | | | | 9,642,183 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Inventories | | | | | | | 14,913 | | | | 22,068 | | | | | | | 15,384 | | | | 14,913 | |
Trade receivables | | | 11 | | | | 126,844 | | | | 78,521 | | | 11 | | | | 151,199 | | | | 126,844 | |
Credits and other receivables | | | 11 | | | | 70,464 | | | | 51,175 | | | 11 | | | | 56,422 | | | | 70,464 | |
Clients and other receivables | | | 8&11 | | | | 197,308 | | | | 129,696 | | | 8&11 | | | | 207,621 | | | | 197,308 | |
Financial investments | | | 8 | | | | 221,358 | | | | 229,417 | | | 8 | | | | 228,038 | | | | 221,358 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 8&12 | | | | 514,712 | | | | 354,154 | | | 8&12 | | | | 594,811 | | | | 514,712 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | | | | | 948,291 | | | | 735,335 | | | | | | | 1,045,854 | | | | 948,291 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | | | | 7,963,995 | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | | | | 10,590,474 | |
(1) | Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
Consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 20152016 and 20142015
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | | | | | As of December 31, | |
| | Note (1) | | | As of December 31, 2015 | | | As of December 31, 2014 | | | Note (1) | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Equity and liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity attributable to the Company | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital | | | 13 | | | | 10,022 | | | | 8,000 | | | 13 | | | | 10,022 | | | | 10,022 | |
Parent company reserves | | | 13 | | | | 2,313,855 | | | | 1,790,135 | | | 13 | | | | 2,268,457 | | | | 2,313,855 | |
Other reserves | | | | | | | 24,831 | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | | | | 52,797 | | | | 24,831 | |
Accumulated currency translation differences | | | | | | | (109,582 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | | | | (133,150 | ) | | | (109,582 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 13 | | | | (356,524 | ) | | | (2,031 | ) | | 13 | | | | (365,410 | ) | | | (356,524 | ) |
Non-controlling interest | | | 13 | | | | 140,899 | | | | 88,029 | | | 13 | | | | 126,395 | | | | 140,899 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity | | | | | | | 2,023,501 | | | | 1,839,631 | | | | | | | 1,959,111 | | | | 2,023,501 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term corporate debt | | | 14 | | | | 661,341 | | | | 376,160 | | | 14 | | | | 376,340 | | | | 661,341 | |
Borrowings | | | | | | | 2,763,814 | | | | 2,970,984 | | | | | | | 3,824,871 | | | | 2,763,814 | |
Notes and bonds | | | | | | | 810,650 | | | | 520,893 | | | | | | | 804,313 | | | | 810,650 | |
Long-term project debt | | | 15 | | | | 3,574,464 | | | | 3,491,877 | | | 15 | | | | 4,629,184 | | | | 3,574,464 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 16 | | | | 1,646,748 | | | | 1,367,601 | | | 16 | | | | 1,612,045 | | | | 1,646,748 | |
Related parties | | | 10 | | | | 126,860 | | | | 77,961 | | | 10 | | | | 101,750 | | | | 126,860 | |
Derivative liabilities | | | 9 | | | | 385,095 | | | | 168,931 | | | 9 | | | | 349,266 | | | | 385,095 | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | 18 | | | | 79,654 | | | | 60,818 | | | 18 | | | | 95,037 | | | | 79,654 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-current liabilities | | | | | | | 6,474,162 | | | | 5,543,348 | | | | | | | 7,163,622 | | | | 6,474,162 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term corporate debt | | | 14 | | | | 3,153 | | | | 2,255 | | | 14 | | | | 291,861 | | | | 3,153 | |
Borrowings | | | | | | | 1,870,691 | | | | 323,250 | | | | | | | 674,058 | | | | 1,870,691 | |
Notes and bonds | | | | | | | 25,514 | | | | 7,939 | | | | | | | 27,225 | | | | 25,514 | |
Short-term project debt | | | 15 | | | | 1,896,205 | | | | 331,189 | | | 15 | | | | 701,283 | | | | 1,896,205 | |
Trade payables and other current liabilities | | | 17 | | | | 178,217 | | | | 231,132 | | | 17 | | | | 160,505 | | | | 178,217 | |
Income and other tax payables | | | | | | | 15,236 | | | | 16,440 | | | | | | | 21,417 | | | | 15,236 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | | | | | 2,092,811 | | | | 581,016 | | | | | | | 1,175,066 | | | | 2,092,811 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity and liabilities | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | | | | 7,963,995 | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | | | | 10,590,474 | |
(1) | Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
Consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015
2014 and
20132014
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | |
| | Note (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | Note (1) | | | For the year ended December 31, | |
| | | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Revenue | | | 4 | | | | 790,881 | | | | 362,693 | | | | 210,907 | | | 4 | | | | 971,797 | | | | 790,881 | | | | 362,693 | |
Other operating income | | | 20 | | | | 68,857 | | | | 79,913 | | | | 379,644 | | | 20 | | | | 65,538 | | | | 68,857 | | | | 79,913 | |
Raw materials and consumables used | | | | | | | (23,243 | ) | | | (9,462 | ) | | | (6,172 | ) | | | | | | (26,919 | ) | | | (23,243 | ) | | | (9,462 | ) |
Employee benefit expenses | | | | | | | (5,848 | ) | | | (1,664 | ) | | | (2,446 | ) | | | | | | (14,736 | ) | | | (5,848 | ) | | | (1,664 | ) |
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | | | 6 | | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) | | | (46,943 | ) | | 6 | | | | (332,925 | ) | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) |
Other operating expenses | | | 20 | | | | (224,828 | ) | | | (132,657 | ) | | | (423,404 | ) | | 20 | | | | (260,318 | ) | | | (224,828 | ) | | | (132,657 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit | | | | | | | 344,518 | | | | 173,343 | | | | 111,586 | | | | | | | 402,437 | | | | 344,518 | | | | 173,343 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial income | | | 21 | | | | 3,464 | | | | 4,911 | | | | 1,153 | | | 21 | | | | 3,298 | | | | 3,464 | | | | 4,911 | |
Financial expense | | | 21 | | | | (333,921 | ) | | | (210,252 | ) | | | (123,784 | ) | | 21 | | | | (408,007 | ) | | | (333,921 | ) | | | (210,252 | ) |
Net exchange differences | | | | | | | 3,852 | | | | 2,054 | | | | (895 | ) | | | | | | (9,546 | ) | | | 3,852 | | | | 2,054 | |
Other financial income/(expense), net | | | 21 | | | | (200,153 | ) | | | 5,861 | | | | (1,693 | ) | | 21 | | | | 8,505 | | | | (200,153 | ) | | | 5,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial expense, net | | | | | | | (526,758 | ) | | | (197,426 | ) | | | (125,219 | ) | | | | | | (405,750 | ) | | | (526,758 | ) | | | (197,426 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method | | | | | | | 7,844 | | | | (769 | ) | | | 13 | | | 7 | | | | 6,646 | | | | 7,844 | | | | (769 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) before income tax | | | | | | | (174,396 | ) | | | (24,852 | ) | | | (13,620 | ) | | | | | | 3,333 | | | | (174,396 | ) | | | (24,852 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax | | | 18 | | | | (23,790 | ) | | | (4,413 | ) | | | 11,762 | | | 18 | | | | (1,666 | ) | | | (23,790 | ) | | | (4,413 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year | | | | | | | (198,186 | ) | | | (29,265 | ) | | | (1,858 | ) | | | | | | 1,667 | | | | (198,186 | ) | | | (29,265 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | | | | (10,819 | ) | | | (2,347 | ) | | | (1,559 | ) | | | | | | (6,522 | ) | | | (10,819 | ) | | | (2,347 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the Company | | | | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | (31,612 | ) | | | (3,417 | ) | | | | | | (4,855 | ) | | | (209,005 | ) | | | (31,612 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Predecessor Loss prior to Initial Public Offering on June 13, 2014 | | | | | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) | | | | | |
Net profit/(loss) attributable to Abengoa Yield Plc. Subsequent to Initial Public Offering | | | 22 | | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) | | | | | |
Less: Predecessor Loss prior to Initial Public Offering on June 13,2014 | | | | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) |
Net profit/(loss) attributable to Atlantica Yield, Plc. subsequent to Initial Public Offering | | | 22 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (thousands) | | | 22 | | | | 92,795 | | | | 80,000 | | | | | | | 22 | | | | 100,217 | | | | 92,795 | | | | 80,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basis earnings per share (U.S. dollar per share)(*) | | | 22 | | | | (2.25 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share (U.S. dollar per share) (*) | | | 22 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (2.25 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) |
(*) | Earnings per share has been calculated for the period subsequent to the initial public offering, considering Net profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc. generated after the initial public offering divided by the number of shares outstanding. |
(1) | Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
The consolidated income statements include the following income / (expense) items arising from transactions with related parties:
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | |
| | | | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Sales | | | 44,260 | | | | 25,673 | | | | 11,925 | |
Construction costs | | | - | | | | (38,565 | ) | | | (364,715 | ) |
Services rendered | | | 523 | | | | 2,343 | | | | 2,804 | |
Services received | | | (106,737 | ) | | | (41,961 | ) | | | (27,072 | ) |
Financial income | | | 1,466 | | | | 4,415 | | | | 468 | |
Financial expenses | | | (1,968 | ) | | | (9,544 | ) | | | (11,209 | ) |
Consolidated financial statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015
2014 and
20132014
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | | For the twelve months ended December 31, | |
| Note (1) | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Profit/(loss) for the year | | | | (198,186 | ) | | | (29,265 | ) | | | (1,858 | ) |
Items that may be subject to transfer to income statement | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges and available for sale financial assets | | | | 56 | | | | (117,423 | ) | | | 75,907 | |
Currency translation differences | | | | (91,405 | ) | | | (51,226 | ) | | | 8,941 | |
Tax effect | | | | 1,950 | | | | 33,473 | | | | (22,494 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income/(expenses) recognized directly in equity | | | | (89,399 | ) | | | (135,176 | ) | | | 62,354 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | | | 55,841 | | | | 29,859 | | | | 27,513 | |
Tax effect | | | | (13,960 | ) | | | (8,958 | ) | | | (8,254 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfers to income statement | | | | 41,881 | | | | 20,901 | | | | 19,259 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income/(loss) | | | | (47,518 | ) | | | (114,275 | ) | | | 81,613 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year | | | | (245,704 | ) | | | (143,540 | ) | | | 79,755 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interest | | | | (3,550 | ) | | | 14,813 | | | | (9,947 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company | | | | (249,254 | ) | | | (128,727 | ) | | | 69,808 | |
(1) | Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
| | For the twelve months ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Profit/(loss) for the year | | | 1,667 | | | | (198,186 | ) | | | (29,265 | ) |
Items that may be subject to transfer to income statement | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | (37,480 | ) | | | 56 | | | | (117,423 | ) |
Currency translation differences | | | (22,150 | ) | | | (91,405 | ) | | | (51,226 | ) |
Tax effect | | | 12,555 | | | | 1,950 | | | | 33,473 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income/(expenses) recognized directly in equity | | | (47,075 | ) | | | (89,399 | ) | | | (135,176 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | | 72,774 | | | | 55,841 | | | | 29,859 | |
Tax effect | | | (18,194 | ) | | | (13,960 | ) | | | (8,958 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfers to income statement | | | 54,580 | | | | 41,881 | | | | 20,901 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income/(loss) | | | 7,505 | | | | (47,518 | ) | | | (114,275 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year | | | 9,172 | | | | (245,704 | ) | | | (143,540 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interest | | | (9,629 | ) | | | (3,550 | ) | | | 14,813 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company | | | (457 | ) | | | (249,254 | ) | | | (128,727 | ) |
Consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015
2014 and
20132014
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | Share Capital | | | Parent company reserves | | | Other reserves | | | Retained earnings (c) | | | Accumulated currency translation differences | | | Total equity attributable to the Company | | | Non- controlling interest | | | Total equity | |
Balance as of January 1, 2014 | | | - | | | | - | | | | (36,600 | ) | | | 1,245,510 | | | | 9,009 | | | | 1,217,919 | | | | 69,279 | | | | 1,287,198 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the six-month period after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) | | | 410 | | | | (27,823 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | (59,277 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (59,277 | ) | | | (4,253 | ) | | | (63,530 | ) |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (4,347 | ) | | | (15,007 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,325 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,325 | | | | 1,276 | | | | 18,601 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (41,952 | ) | | | - | | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (52,612 | ) | | | (7,324 | ) | | | (59,936 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (41,952 | ) | | | (28,233 | ) | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (80,845 | ) | | | (6,914 | ) | | | (87,759 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Initial Public Offering and Asset Transfer | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,813,831 | | | | 78,552 | | | | (1,195,862 | ) | | | 1,651 | | | | 706,172 | | | | - | | | | 706,172 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2014 (a) | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,813,831 | | | | - | | | | 21,415 | | | | - | | | | 1,843,246 | | | | 62,365 | | | | 1,905,611 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the six-month period after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) | | | 1,937 | | | | (1,442 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,236 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,236 | ) | | | (3,685 | ) | | | (23,921 | ) |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (7,256 | ) | | | (36,219 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,697 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,697 | | | | 1,105 | | | | 5,802 | |
Other comprehensive income (b) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | - | | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (44,502 | ) | | | (9,836 | ) | | | (54,338 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (3,379 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (47,881 | ) | | | (7,899 | ) | | | (55,780 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset acquisition under the Rofo (d) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,067 | ) | | | - | | | | (20,067 | ) | | | 33,563 | | | | 13,496 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend distribution | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2014 (a) | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,790,135 | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (2,031 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | 1,751,602 | | | | 88,029 | | | | 1,839,631 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of January 1, 2015 | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,790,135 | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (2,031 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | 1,751,602 | | | | 88,029 | | | | 1,839,631 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | - | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | 10,819 | | | | (198,186 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | 51,215 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 51,215 | | | | 4,682 | | | | 55,897 | |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (10,786 | ) | | | (91,405 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | (10,845 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (10,845 | ) | | | (1,165 | ) | | | (12,010 | ) |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 40,370 | | | | - | | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (40,249 | ) | | | (7,269 | ) | | | (47,518 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 40,370 | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (249,254 | ) | | | 3,550 | | | | (245,704 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset acquisition under the Rofo (d) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (145,488 | ) | | | - | | | | (145,488 | ) | | | 57,627 | | | | (87,861 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend distribution | | | - | | | | (137,995 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (137,995 | ) | | | (8,307 | ) | | | (146,302 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Increase | | | 2,022 | | | | 661,715 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 663,737 | | | | - | | | | 663,737 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | 10,022 | | | | 2,313,855 | | | | 24,831 | | | | (356,524 | ) | | | (109,582 | ) | | | 1,882,602 | | | | 140,899 | | | | 2,023,501 | |
| | Share Capital | | | Parent company reserves | | | Other reserves | | | Retained earnings (c) | | | Accumulated currency translation differences | | | Total equity attributable to the Company | | | Non- controlling interest | | | Total equity | |
Balance as of January 1, 2013 | | | - | | | | - | | | | (103,547 | ) | | | 1,182,008 | | | | 2,731 | | | | 1,081,192 | | | | 58,617 | | | | 1,139,809 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,417 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,417 | ) | | | 1,559 | | | | (1,858 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | 95,242 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 95,242 | | | | 8,178 | | | | 103,420 | |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,278 | | | | 6,278 | | | | 2,663 | | | | 8,941 | |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,295 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,295 | ) | | | (2,453 | ) | | | (30,748 | ) |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 66,947 | | | | - | | | | 6,278 | | | | 73,225 | | | | 8,388 | | | | 81,613 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 66,947 | | | | (3,417 | ) | | | 6,278 | | | | 69,808 | | | | 9,947 | | | | 79,755 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity Contributions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 66,919 | | | | - | | | | 66,919 | | | | 715 | | | | 67,634 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2013 (a) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (36,600 | ) | | | 1,245,510 | | | | 9,009 | | | | 1,217,919 | | | | 69,279 | | | | 1,287,198 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of January 1, 2014 | | | - | | | | - | | | | (36,600 | ) | | | 1,245,510 | | | | 9,009 | | | | 1,217,919 | | | | 69,279 | | | | 1,287,198 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the six-month period after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) | | | - | | | | (28,233 | ) | | | 410 | | | | (27,823 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | (59,277 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (59,277 | ) | | | (4,253 | ) | | | (63,530 | ) |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (4,347 | ) | | | (15,007 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,325 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,325 | | | | 1,276 | | | | 18,601 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (41,952 | ) | | | - | | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (52,612 | ) | | | (7,324 | ) | | | (59,936 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (41,952 | ) | | | (28,233 | ) | | | (10,660 | ) | | | (80,845 | ) | | | (6,914 | ) | | | (87,759 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Initial Public Offering and Asset Transfer | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,813,831 | | | | 78,552 | | | | (1,195,862 | ) | | | 1,651 | | | | 706,172 | | | | - | | | | 706,172 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2014 (b) | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,813,831 | | | | - | | | | 21,415 | | | | - | | | | 1,843,246 | | | | 62,365 | | | | 1,905,611 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the six-month period after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,379 | ) | | | 1937 | | | | (1,442 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges and available for sale financial assets | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,236 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,236 | ) | | | (3,685 | ) | | | (23,921 | ) |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (7,256 | ) | | | (36,219 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,697 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,697 | | | | 1,105 | | | | 5,802 | |
Other comprehensive income (d) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | - | | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (44,502 | ) | | | (9,836 | ) | | | (54,338 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (3,379 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | (47,881 | ) | | | (7,899 | ) | | | (55,780 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset acquisition under the Rofo (e) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (20,067 | ) | | | - | | | | (20,067 | ) | | | 33,563 | | | | 13,496 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend distribution | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) | | | - | | | | (23,696 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2014 (b) | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,790,135 | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (2,031 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | 1,751,602 | | | | 88,029 | | | | 1,839,631 | |
Balance as of January 1, 2015 | | | 8,000 | | | | 1,790,135 | | | | (15,539 | ) | | | (2,031 | ) | | | (28,963 | ) | | | 1,751,602 | | | | 88,029 | | | | 1,839,631 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | - | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | 10,819 | | | | (198,186 | ) |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges and available for sale financial assets | | | | | | | - | | | | 51,215 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 51,215 | | | | 4,682 | | | | 55,897 | |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (10,786 | ) | | | (91,405 | ) |
Tax effect | | | | | | | - | | | | (10,845 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (10,845 | ) | | | (1,165 | ) | | | (12,010 | ) |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 40,370 | | | | - | | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (40,249 | ) | | | (7,269 | ) | | | (47,518 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 40,370 | | | | (209,005 | ) | | | (80,619 | ) | | | (249,254 | ) | | | 3,550 | | | | (245,704 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset acquisition under the Rofo (e) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (145,488 | ) | | | - | | | | (145,488 | ) | | | 57,627 | | | | (87,861 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend distribution | | | - | | | | (137,995 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (137,995 | ) | | | (8,307 | ) | | | (146,302 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Increase | | | 2,022 | | | | 661,715 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 663,737 | | | | - | | | | 663,737 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | 10,022 | | | | 2,313,855 | | | | 24,831 | | | | (356,524 | ) | | | (109,582 | ) | | | 1,882,602 | | | | 140,899 | | | | 2,023,501 | |
Balance as of January 1, 2016 | | | 10,022 | | | | 2,313,855 | | | | 24,831 | | | | (356,524 | ) | | | (109,582 | ) | | | 1,882,602 | | | | 140,899 | | | | 2,023,501 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(loss) for the year after taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (4,855 | ) | | | - | | | | (4,855 | ) | | | 6,522 | | | | 1,667 | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | | - | | | | 32,944 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 32,944 | | | | 2,350 | | | | 35,294 | |
Currency translation differences | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (23,568 | ) | | | (23,568 | ) | | | 1,418 | | | | (22,150 | ) |
Tax effect | | | - | | | | - | | | | (4,978 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (4,978 | ) | | | (661 | ) | | | (5,639 | ) |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 27,966 | | | | - | | | | (23,568 | ) | | | 4,398 | | | | 3,107 | | | | 7,505 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 27,966 | | | | (4,855 | ) | | | (23,568 | ) | | | (457 | ) | | | 9,629 | | | | 9,172 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition of non-controlling interest in Solacor 1&2 (d) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (4,031 | ) | | | - | | | | (4,031 | ) | | | (15,894 | ) | | | (19,925 | ) |
Asset acquisition (Seville PV) | | | - | | | | | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | | | | | 713 | | | | 713 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend Distribution | | | - | | | | (45,398 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (45,398 | ) | | | (8,952 | ) | | | (54,350 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | | | 10,022 | | | | 2,268,457 | | | | 52,797 | | | | (365,410 | ) | | | (133,150 | ) | | | 1,832,716 | | | | 126,395 | | | | 1,959,111 | |
(a) | The combined statement of changes in equity for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 represents the changes in the combined equity of the assets that were transferred to Abengoa Yield plc in the Asset Transfer. |
(b) | The consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014 and for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 represents the changes in the consolidated equity of AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc and its subsidiaries since January 1, 2014. |
(b) | These amounts account for the impact in other comprehensive income of the consolidated statements for the six-month period ended December 31, 2014. |
(c) | Loss for the six-month period after taxes amounting to ($3,379) thousands, includes the result of the Company after the Initial Public Offering up to the end of December 31, 2014. Loss attributable to the parent company for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 amounting to ($31,612) thousand is included within Retained Earnings. |
(d) | These amounts account for the impact in other comprehensive income of the consolidated statements for the six-month period ended December 31, 2014. |
(e)(d) | See Note 5 for further details. |
(1) |
Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
Consolidated cash flow statements for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015
2014 and
20132014
Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars
| | | | | For the year ended | | | | | | For the year ended | |
| | Note (1) | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | Note (1) | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
I. Profit/(loss) for the year | | | | | $ | (198,186 | ) | | $ | (29,265 | ) | | $ | (1,858 | ) | | | | | $ | 1,667 | | | $ | (198,186 | ) | | $ | (29,265 | ) |
Non-monetary adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges | | | 6 | | | | 261,301 | | | | 125,480 | | | | 46,943 | | | 6 | | | | 332,925 | | | | 261,301 | | | | 125,480 | |
Financial (income)/expenses | | | | | | | 553,300 | | | | 206,294 | | | | 95,117 | | | | | | | 397,966 | | | | 553,300 | | | | 206,294 | |
Fair value (gains)/losses on derivative financial instruments | | | | | | | (4,292 | ) | | | 2,386 | | | | 8,272 | | | | | | | (1,761 | ) | | | (4,292 | ) | | | 2,386 | |
Shares of (profits)/losses from associates | | | | | | | (7,844 | ) | | | 769 | | | | (13 | ) | | | | | | (6,646 | ) | | | (7,844 | ) | | | 769 | |
Income tax | | | 18 | | | | 23,790 | | | | 4,413 | | | | (11,762 | ) | | 18 | | | | 1,666 | | | | 23,790 | | | | 4,413 | |
Changes in consolidation and other non-monetary items | | | | | | | (91,410 | ) | | | (48,793 | ) | | | (46,168 | ) | | | | | | (59,375 | ) | | | (91,410 | ) | | | (48,793 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
II. Profit for the year adjusted by non monetary items | | | | | | $ | 536,659 | | | $ | 261,284 | | | $ | 90,531 | | | | | | $ | 666,442 | | | $ | 536,659 | | | $ | 261,284 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Variations in working capital | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Inventories | | | | | | | (1,198 | ) | | | 379 | | | | (5,244 | ) | | | | | | (729 | ) | | | (1,198 | ) | | | 379 | |
Clients and other receivables | | | | | | | 14,845 | | | | (5,981 | ) | | | 10,622 | | | | | | | (15,001 | ) | | | 14,845 | | | | (5,981 | ) |
Trade payables and other current liabilities | | | | | | | 9,994 | | | | (117,199 | ) | | | (45,110 | ) | | | | | | 11,422 | | | | 9,994 | | | | (117,199 | ) |
Financial investments and other current assets/liabilities | | | | | | | 49,420 | | | | 54,810 | | | | 48,945 | | | | | | | 6,341 | | | | 49,420 | | | | 54,810 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
III. Variations in working capital | | | | | | $ | 73,061 | | | $ | (67,991 | ) | | $ | 9,213 | | | | | | $ | 2,033 | | | $ | 73,061 | | | $ | (67,991 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax received/(paid) | | | | | | | 522 | | | | (428 | ) | | | (73 | ) | | | | | | (1,953 | ) | | | 522 | | | | (428 | ) |
Interest received | | | | | | | 1,600 | | | | 256 | | | | 640 | | | | | | | 3,342 | | | | 1,600 | | | | 256 | |
Interest paid | | | | | | | (312,357 | ) | | | (149,513 | ) | | | (62,923 | ) | | | | | | (335,446 | ) | | | (312,357 | ) | | | (149,513 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A. Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | | | | | | $ | 299,485 | | | $ | 43,608 | | | $ | 37,388 | | | | | | $ | 334,418 | | | $ | 299,485 | | | $ | 43,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in entities under the equity method | | | | | | | 4,417 | | | | (44,524 | ) | | | (240,639 | ) | | | | | | 4,984 | | | | 4,417 | | | | (44,524 | ) |
Investments in contracted concessional assets | | | | | | | (106,007 | ) | | | (56,960 | ) | | | (401,678 | ) | | | | | | (5,952 | ) | | | (106,007 | ) | | | (56,960 | ) |
Other non-current assets/liabilities | | | | | | | 5,714 | | | | (21,339 | ) | | | (52,250 | ) | | | | | | (3,637 | ) | | | 5,714 | | | | (21,339 | ) |
Acquisitions of subsidiaries | | | | | | | (833,974 | ) | | | (222,345 | ) | | | — | | | | | | | (21,754 | ) | | | (833,974 | ) | | | (222,345 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
B. Net cash used in investing activities | | | | | | $ | (929,850 | ) | | $ | (345,168 | ) | | $ | (694,567 | ) | | | | | $ | (26,359 | ) | | $ | (929,850 | ) | | $ | (345,168 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from Project & Corporate debt | | | | | | | 459,366 | | | | 1,350,689 | | | | 1,139,671 | | | | | | | 11,113 | | | | 459,366 | | | | 1,350,689 | |
Repayment of Project & Corporate debt | | | | | | | (175,389 | ) | | | (1,665,433 | ) | | | (667,784 | ) | | | | | | (182,636 | ) | | | (175,389 | ) | | | (1,665,433 | ) |
Dividends paid to company´s shareholders | | | | | | | (137,166 | ) | | | (23,696 | ) | | | — | | |
Dividends paid to Company´s shareholders | | | | | | | (35,509 | ) | | | (137,166 | ) | | | (23,696 | ) |
Proceeds from related parties and other | | | | | | | — | | | | (39,035 | ) | | | 442,986 | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (39,035 | ) |
Proceeds from IPO | | | | | | | — | | | | 681,916 | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 681,916 | |
Proceeds from capital increase | | | | | | | 664,120 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | 664,120 | | | | — | |
Purchase of shares to non-controlling interests | | | | | | | (19,071 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
C. Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | | | | | | $ | 810,931 | | | $ | 304,441 | | | $ | 914,873 | | | | | | $ | (226,103 | ) | | $ | 810,931 | | | $ | 304,441 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | $ | 180,566 | | | $ | 2,881 | | | $ | 257,694 | | | | | | $ | 81,956 | | | $ | 180,566 | | | $ | 2,881 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at beginning of the year | | | 12 | | | | 354,154 | | | | 357,664 | | | | 97,499 | | | 12 | | | | 514,712 | | | | 354,154 | | | | 357,664 | |
Translation differences cash or cash equivalent | | | | | | | (20,008 | ) | | | (6,391 | ) | | | 2,471 | | | | | | | (1,857 | ) | | | (20,008 | ) | | | (6,391 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | | | 12 | | | $ | 514,712 | | | $ | 354,154 | | | $ | 357,664 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | | | 12 | | | $ | 594,811 | | | $ | 514,712 | | | $ | 354,154 | |
(1) | Notes 1 to 23 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements |
Contents
Note 1.- Nature of the business | F-13F-12 |
| |
Note 2.- Significant accounting policies | F-16F-17 |
| |
Note 3.- Financial risk management | F-25F-29 |
| |
Note 4.- Financial information by segment | F-26F-31 |
| |
Note 5.- Changes in the scope of the consolidated financial statements | F-32F-38 |
| |
Note 6.- Contracted concessional assets | F-34F-39 |
| |
Note 7.- Investments carried under the equity method | F-36F-41 |
| |
Note 8.- Financial Instruments by category | F-37F-43 |
| |
Note 9.- Derivative financial instruments | F-38F-45 |
| |
Note 10.- Related parties | F-39F-47 |
| |
Note 11.- Clients and other receivable | F-41F-49 |
| |
Note 12.- Cash and cash equivalents | F-42F-50 |
| |
Note 13.- Equity | F-43F-51 |
| |
Note 14.- Corporate debt | F-44F-52 |
| |
Note 15.- Project debt | F-45F-53 |
| |
Note 16.- Grants and other liabilities | F-47F-55 |
| |
Note 17.-Trade payables and other current liabilities | F-48F-56 |
| |
Note 18.- Income tax | F-48F-57 |
| |
Note 19.- Third-party guarantees and commitments | F-51F-59 |
| |
Note 20.- Other operating income and expenses | F-52F-60 |
| |
Note 21.- Financial income and expenses | F-53F-61 |
| |
Note 22.- Earnings per share | F-54F-62 |
| |
Note 23.- Other information | F-54F-63 |
| |
Appendices(1) | F-56F-64 |
(1) | The Appendices are an integral part of the notes to the consolidated financial statements. |
Note 1.- Nature of the business
AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc (‘(“Atlantica Yield’Yield” or the Company)“Company”) was incorporated in England and Wales as a private limited company on December 17, 2013 by Abengoa, S.A. (‘Abengoa’) under the name Abengoa Yield Limited. On March 19, 2014, Abengoa Yield plcthe Company was re-registered as a public limited company, under the name Abengoa Yield plc. On May 13, 2016, the change of the Company´s registered name to Atlantica Yield plc was filed with the Registrar of Companies in the United Kingdom.
AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc is a total return company that owns, manages and acquires renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission lines and water assets focused on North America (the United States and Mexico), South America (Peru, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay), and EMEA (Spain, Algeria and South Africa).
The Company’s largest shareholder is Abengoa S.A. (“Abengoa”), which, based on the most recent public information, currently owns a 41.8641.47 % stake in Atlantica Yield. Effective December 31, 2015, Abengoa no longer controls the Company and therefore does not consolidate the Company in its consolidated financial statements anymore.
On June 18, 2014, Atlantica Yield closed its initial public offering issuing 24,850,000 ordinary shares. The shares were offered at a price of $29 per share, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $720,650 thousand. The underwriters further purchased 3,727,500 additional shares from the selling shareholder, a subsidiary wholly owned by Abengoa, at the public offering price less fees and commissions to cover over-allotments (“greenshoe”) driving the total proceeds of the offering to $828,748 thousand.
Prior to the consummation of this offering, Abengoa contributed, through a series of transactions, which we refer to collectively as the “Asset Transfer,” ten concessional assets described below, certain holding companies and a preferred equity investment in Abengoa Concessoes Brasil Holding (“ACBH”), which is a subsidiary of Abengoa engaged in the development, construction, investment and management of contracted concessions in Brazil, comprised mostly of transmission lines. As consideration for the Asset Transfer, Abengoa received a 64.28% interest in Atlantica Yield and $655.3 million in cash, corresponding to the net proceeds of the initial public offering less $30 million retained by Atlantica Yield for liquidity purposes.
Atlantica Yield’s shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ABY” on June 13, 2014.
Since its initial public offering,During 2015, the Company has acquired the following assets from Abengoa:
· | On November 18, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Solacor 1/2 through a 30-year usufruct rights contract over the related shares (which included the option to purchase such shares for one euro during a four-year term.This option was executed on December 17, 2015); on December 4, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of PS10/20; and on December 29, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Cadonal. Solacor 1/2 is a 100 MW solar complex located in Spain, PS 10/20 is a 31 MW solar complex located in Spain and Cadonal is a 50 MW wind farm located in Uruguay. |
· | On February 3, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda, two desalination plants in Algeria with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 million cubic feet per day. On February 23, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a solar power asset in Spain with a capacity of 100 MW. |
· | On May 13, 2015 and May 14, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2 a 100 MW solar complex and Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex, respectively, both in Spain. On May 25, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2. |
· | On June 25, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81 miles transmission line in Peru from Abengoa and Sigma, a third-party financial investor in the project. |
· | On July 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. |
· | On September 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. |
On January 7, 2016, the Company closed the acquisition of a 13% stake in Solacor 1/2 from the JGC Corporation (“JGC”), which reduced the JGC´s ownership in Solacor 1/2 to 13%.
On August 3, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Fotovoltaica Solar Sevilla, S.A. (“Seville PV”) from Abengoa, a 1 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Spain.
· | The following table provides an overview of the concessional assets the Company owned as of December 31, 2015The following table provides an overview of the concessional assets the Company owned as of December 31, 2016 (excluding the exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH): |
Assets | Type | Ownership | Location | Currency(7) | Capacity (Gross) | Counterparty Credit Ratings(8) | COD | Contract Years Left |
| | | | | | | | |
Solana | Renewable (Solar) | 100% Class B(1) | Arizona (USA) | USD | 280 MW | A-/A2/A | 4Q 2013 | 28 |
| | | | | | | | |
Mojave | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | California (USA) | USD | 280 MW | BBB/Baa1/BBB+ | 4Q 2014 | 24 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solaben 2 & 3 | Renewable (Solar) | 70%(2) | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 2Q 2012 & 4Q 2012 | 22&21 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solacor 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 74%(3) | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 2Q 2012 & 4Q 2012 | 21 |
| | | | | | | | |
PS10/PS20 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 31 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 1Q 2007 & 2Q 2009 | 16&18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Helioenergy 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2011& 4Q 2011 | 22 |
| | | | | | | | |
Helios 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 2Q 2012& 3Q 2012 | 21&22 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solnova 1, 3 & 4 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 3x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 2Q 2010 & 2Q 2010& 3Q 2010 | 19&19&20 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solaben 1 & 6 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2013 | 23 |
| | | | | | | | |
Kaxu | Renewable (Solar) | 51%(4) | South Africa | Rand | 100 MW | BBB-/Baa2/BBB(9) | 1Q 2015 | 19 |
| | | | | | | | |
Palmatir | Renewable (Wind) | 100% | Uruguay | USD | 50 MW | BBB-/Baa2/BBB-(10) | 2Q 2014 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Cadonal | Renewable (Wind) | 100% | Uruguay | USD | 50 MW | BBB-/Baa2/BBB-(10) | 4Q 2014 | 19 |
| | | | | | | | |
ACT | Conventional Power | 100% | Mexico | USD | 300 MW | BBB+/Baa1/ BBB+ | 2Q 2013 | 17 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATN | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 362 miles | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | 1Q 2011 | 25 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATS | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 569 miles | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | 1Q 2014 | 28 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATN 2 | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 81 miles | Not rated | 2Q 2015 | 17 |
| | | | | | | | |
Quadra 1 | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 43 miles | Not rated | 2Q 2014 | 19 |
| | | | | | | | |
Quadra 2 | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 38 miles | Not rated | 1Q 2014 | 19 |
| | | | | | | | |
Palmucho | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 6 miles | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 4Q 2007 | 22 |
| | | | | | | | |
Skikda | Water | 34.2%(5) | Argelia | USD | 3.5 M ft3/day | Not rated | 1Q 2009 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Honaine | Water | 25.5%(6) | Argelia | USD | 7 M ft3/ day | Not rated | 3Q 2012 | 22 |
Assets | Type | Ownership | Location | Currency(8) | Capacity (Gross) | Counterparty Credit Ratings(9) | COD* | Contract Years Left (12) |
| | | | | | | | |
Solana | Renewable (Solar) | 100% Class B(1) | Arizona (USA) | USD | 280 MW | A-/A3/BBB+ | 4Q 2013 | 27 |
| | | | | | | | |
Mojave | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | California (USA) | USD | 280 MW | BBB+/Baa1/A- | 4Q 2014 | 23 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solaben 2 & 3 | Renewable (Solar) | 70%(2) | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2012 & 2Q 2012 | 21&20 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solacor 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 87%(3) | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 1Q 2012 & 1Q 2012 | 20 |
| | | | | | | | |
PS10/PS20 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 31 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 1Q 2007 & 2Q 2009 | 15&17 |
| | | | | | | | |
Helioenergy 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2011& 4Q 2011 | 20 |
| | | | | | | | |
Helios 1 & 2 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2012& 3Q 2012 | 21 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solnova 1, 3 & 4 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 3x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 2Q 2010 & 2Q 2010& 3Q 2010 | 18&18&19 |
| | | | | | | | |
Solaben 1 & 6 | Renewable (Solar) | 100% | Spain | Euro | 2x50 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2013 | 22 |
| | | | | | | | |
Kaxu | Renewable (Solar) | 51%(4) | South Africa | Rand | 100 MW | BBB-/Baa2/BBB-(10) | 1Q 2015 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Palmatir | Renewable (Wind) | 100% | Uruguay | USD | 50 MW | BBB/Baa2/BBB-(11) | 2Q 2014 | 17 |
| | | | | | | | |
Cadonal | Renewable (Wind) | 100% | Uruguay | USD | 50 MW | BBB/Baa2/BBB-(11) | 4Q 2014 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
ACT | Conventional Power | 100% | Mexico | USD | 300 MW | BBB+/Baa3/ BBB+ | 2Q 2013 | 16 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATN | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 362 miles | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | 1Q 2011 | 24 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATS | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 569 miles | BBB+/A3/BBB+ | 1Q 2014 | 27 |
| | | | | | | | |
ATN 2 | Transmission line | 100% | Peru | USD | 81 miles | Not rated | 2Q 2015 | 16 |
| | | | | | | | |
Quadra 1 | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 49 miles | Not rated | 2Q 2014 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Quadra 2 | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 32 miles | Not rated | 1Q 2014 | 18 |
| | | | | | | | |
Palmucho | Transmission line | 100% | Chile | USD | 6 miles | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 4Q 2007 | 21 |
| | | | | | | | |
Skikda | Water | 34.2%(5) | Algeria | USD | 3.5 M ft3/day | Not rated | 1Q 2009 | 17 |
| | | | | | | | |
Honaine | Water | 25.5%(6) | Algeria | USD | 7 M ft3/ day | Not rated | 3Q 2012 | 21 |
| | | | | | | | |
Seville PV | Renewable (Solar) | 80%(7) | Spain | Euro | 1 MW | BBB+/Baa2/BBB+ | 3Q 2006 | 19 |
(1) | On September 30, 2013, Liberty Interactive Corporation invested $300 million$300,000 thousand in Class A membership interests in exchange for a share of the dividends and taxable loss generated by Solana. As a result of the agreement, Liberty Interactive Corporation will receive between 54.06% and 61.20% of both dividends and taxable loss generated during a period of approximately five years; such percentage will decrease to 24.05% thereafter.22.60% thereafter once certain conditions are met. |
(2) | Itochu Corporation, a Japanese trading company, holds 30% of the shares in each of Solaben 2 and Solaben 3. The Company held a 30-year right of usufruct over the remaining shares of Solaben 2 and Solaben 3 and a call option to purchase such shares for one euro during a four-year term. This option was executed on December 17, 2015. |
(3) | JGC, Corporation, a Japanese engineering company, held 26% of the shares in each of Solacor 1 and Solacor 2 as of December 31, 2015. The Company held a 30-year right of usufruct over the remaining shares of Solacor 1 and Solacor 2 and a call option to purchase such shares for one euro during a four-year term. This option was executed on December 17, 2015. The Company also agreed to purchaseholds 13% of the shares in each of Solacor 1 and Solacor 2 from JGC Corporation and closed this transaction in January 2016.2. |
(4) | Kaxu is owned by Abengoa Yield, Plcthe Company (51%), Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (29%) and Kaxu Community Trust (20%). |
(5) | Algerian Energy Company, SPA owns 49% of Skikda and Sadyt (Sociedad Anónima Depuración y Tratamientos) owns the remaining 16.83%. |
(6) | Algerian Energy Company, SPA owns 49% of Honaine and Sadyt (Sociedad Anónima Depuración y Tratamientos) owns the remaining 25.5%. |
(7) | Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía (“Idae”), a Spanish state owned company, holds 20% of the shares in Seville PV. |
(8) | Certain contracts denominated in U.S. dollars are payable in local currency. |
(8)(9) | Reflects the counterparty’s credit ratings issued by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, or S&P, Moody’s Investors Service Inc., or Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings Ltd, or Fitch. |
(9)(10) | Refers to the credit rating of the Republic of South Africa. The offtaker is Eskom, which is a state-owned utility company in South Africa. |
(10)(11) | Refers to the credit rating of Uruguay, as UTE (Administración Nacional de Usinas y Transmisoras Eléctricas) is unrated. |
(12) | As of December 31, 2016. |
* Commercial Operation Date (“COD”).
In addition to the assets listed above, the Company owns an exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH, a subsidiary holding company of Abengoa that is engaged in the development, construction, investment and management of contracted concessions in Brazil, consisting mostly of electric transmission lines.
All the project companies included in these consolidated financial statements have signed with the grantor of the concession contracts of construction, operation and maintenance and they subcontract the construction of the contracted assets to Abengoa. Given that these projects (except for Palmucho, PS10 and PS20) are included within the scope of International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 12 (“IFRIC 12”), and given that some of them were included in the consolidated financial statements during their construction phase, the Company recorded income and cost attributable to the construction in the consolidated income statement in 2014 and 2013. Construction revenue is recorded within “Other operating income” according to the percentage of completion method as established by International Accounting Standards 11 (“IAS 11”). Construction cost, which is fully contracted with related parties, is recorded within “Other operating expense”lines (see note 8).
Our sponsor Abengoa has reported that onOn November 27, 2015 Abengoa, reported that, it filed a communication pursuant to article 5 bis of the Spanish Insolvency Law 22/2003 with the Mercantile Court of Seville nº 2. The filing by Abengoa was intended to initiate a process to try to reach an agreement with its main financial creditors, aimed to ensure the right framework to carry out such negotiations and provide Abengoa with financial stability in the short and medium term.
The Mercantile Court published a decree to admit the filing of the communication on December 15, 2015 and set a deadline of March 28, 2016 for Abengoa to reach an agreement with its main financial creditors.
On such date, Abengoa reported that on January 25, 2016, its boardfiled with the Mercantile Court of directors approvedSeville nº 2 an application for the judicial approval (“homologación judicial”) of a viability plan that definedstandstill agreement which obtained the structuresupport of 75.04 per cent of the future business activity. In accordance with this plan, Abengoa will negotiatefinancial creditors to which it was addressed. On April 6, 2016, the Judge of the Mercantile Court of Seville nº 2 issued a debt restructuring with its creditors as well as necessary resourcesresolution declaring the judicial approval (“homologación judicial”) of the standstill agreement and extending the effect of the stay of the obligations referred to be able to continue its activity and to operate in a competitive and sustainable manner in the future.standstill agreement until October 28, 2016, to creditors of financial liabilities who had not signed the agreement or have otherwise expressed their disagreement.
On September 24, 2016, Abengoa announced that it had signed a restructuring agreement with a group of investors and creditors, which included a commitment from investors and banks to contribute new money to the company. On the same date, Abengoa opened the accession period for the rest of its financial creditors. On October 28, 2016, Abengoa announced the filing of the request for judicial approval (“homologación judicial”) of its restructuring agreement to the Judge of the Mercantile Court of Seville. According to the announcement, Abengoa had previously obtained approval from creditors representing 86% of its financial debt, above the 75% limit required by the law. On November 8, 2016, the Judge of the Mercantile Court of Seville declared judicial approval of Abengoa´s restructuring agreement, extending the terms of the agreement to those creditors who had not approved the restructuring agreement. On February 3, 2017, Abengoa announced it obtained approval from creditors representing 94% of its financial debt after the supplemental accession period. The implementation of Abengoa’s restructuring is subject to a series of conditions precedent. On February 14, 2017 Abengoa announced that it launched a waiver request in order to approve certain amendments to the restructuring agreement and opened a voting period ending on February 28, 2017 (see note 8).
The financing arrangements of some of the project subsidiaries of the Company (Solana, Mojave, Kaxu and Cadonal) contain cross-default provisions related to Abengoa, such that debt defaults by Abengoa, subject to certain threshold amounts and/or a restructuring process, could trigger defaults under such project financing arrangements. These cross-default provisions expire progressively over time, remaining in place until the termination of the obligations of Abengoa under such project financing arrangements. The Company has signed a forbearance agreement in Solana and Mojave in December 2016 according to which, such defaults will no longer trigger acceleration remedies or limitations on distributions remedies in both financing arrangements. In the case of Cadonal, the waiver obtained is subject to certain conditions. The only project for which waivers or forbearances have not been obtained yet is Kaxu. The company is currently in discussions with theits project finance lenders.
Although the Company does not expect the acceleration of debt to be declared by the credit entities, the project entitiesKaxu and Cadonal did not have contractually as of December 31, 20152016 what International Accounting Standards define as an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the debt for at least twelve months after that date, as the cross-default provisions make that right not totally unconditional, and therefore the debt of Kaxu and Cadonal has been presented as current in these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standards 1 (“IAS 1”), “Presentation of Financial Statements”.
As a result of this reclassification, current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position are higher than current assets. In any case, due to the legal nature of our project financing in place and pursuant to the laws of each jurisdiction, the lenders of these agreements would, in any case, have recourse only against the specific project company (pledge over the shares of the special purpose vehicle, pledge over certain credit rights, mortgage over certain assets in certain jurisdictions, etc.) but do not have any recourse against Abengoa Yield plc or any other assets of the Company, since there is no further guarantee provided to the credit entities.
AllDecember 31, 2015, all the project financing arrangements except for ATN, ATS, Skikda and Honaine containcontained a covenantchange of ownership clause that would be triggered if Abengoa mustwould cease to own at least 35% of Atlantica Yield´s shares. Based on the Abengoa Yield plc shares.most recent public information, Abengoa currently owns 41.86%41.47% of the ordinary shares of the Company. In connection with various financing agreements, Abengoa has disclosed that 39,530,843as of its Abengoatoday, 41,530,843 of Atlantica Yield plc shares, representing approximately 39.5%41.44% of the outstanding shares of the Company, have been pledged as collateral. If Abengoa defaults on any of these or future financing arrangements or sell or transfer enough ABY shares before obtaining the waivers, such lenders may foreclose on the pledged shares and, as a result, Abengoa could eventually own less than 35% of Abengoa Yield plcAtlantica Yield´s outstanding shares. As a result, the Company would be in breach of covenants under the applicable project financing arrangements. WaiversAdditionally, if Abengoa sells, transfers or signs new financing arrangements considered a transfer of ABY shares, the Company could be as well in breach of covenants under the applicable project financing arrangements.
During 2016 waivers and forbearances have been requested toobtained for most of our project financing agreements from all the parties of these project financing arrangements containing the minimum ownership covenants previously explained (Palmatir, Quadra 1 and Quadra 2, Cadonal, Helioenergy 1&2, Solana, Mojave, Solnova 1, 3&4, Solacor 1&2 and Solaben 2&3). As of this date, waivers or forbearances are still required for ACT and Kaxu and the Company is working on obtaining them. In the case of Solana and Mojave, the forbearance agreement signed with the U.S. Department of Energy, or the DOE, with respect to these covenants. Solaben 1&6 obtainedassets, covers reductions of Abengoa’s ownership resulting from (i) a court-ordered or lender-initiated foreclosure pursuant to the necessary waivers in February 2016. Similar waivers relatedexisting pledge over Abengoa’s shares of the Company that occurs prior to March 31, 2017, (ii) a sale or other disposition at any time pursuant to a bankruptcy proceeding by Abengoa, (iii) changes in the existing Abengoa pledge structure in connection with Abengoa’s restructuring process, aimed at pledging the shares under a new holding company structure, and (iv) capital increases by us. In the event of other reductions of Abengoa’s ownership below the minimum percentageownership threshold resulting from sales of shares by Abengoa, DOE remedies will not include debt acceleration, but DOE remedies available would include limitations on distributions to the Company from its subsidiaries. In addition, the minimum ownership ofthreshold for Abengoa in the Company havehas been obtained inreduced from 35% to 30%.
In addition, the past and therefore the Management ofCredit Facility entered into by the Company expects a similar outcome in this instance for the reston December 3, 2014 with Banco Santander, S.A., Bank of the projects. In any case, due to the legal nature of our project financing in placeAmerica, N.A., Citigroup Global Markets Limited, HSBC Bank plc and pursuant to the laws of each jurisdiction, the lenders of these agreements would have recourse only against the specific project company but do not have any recourse against Abengoa Yield plc or any other assets of the Company, since there is no further guarantee provided to the credit entities.
Both aspects previously explained could have an impact under the terms of the Credit Facility. The Credit FacilityRBC Capital Markets, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (the “Credit Facility”) does not include cross-default provisions related to Abengoa. Nevertheless, the Company is required to comply with (i) a maintenance leverage ratio of the indebtedness at AbengoaAtlantica Yield plc level to the cash available for distribution and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of cash available for distribution to debt service payments. A potential payment default in several of the project companies or potential restrictions to distributions from several of the project companies may triggeradversely affect compliance with these covenants. The Credit Facility also includes a cross-default provision related to a default by the project subsidiaries of the Company in their financing arrangements, such that a payment default in one or more of the non-recourse subsidiaries of the Company representing more than 20% of the cash available for distribution distributed in the previous four fiscal quarters could trigger a default under the Credit Facility. InA payment default in several of our project companies or restrictions in distributions from several of our project companies may trigger these covenants. Considering all the progress in obtaining waivers and forbearances obtained, the Company considers that scenario as remote. Additionally, in such remote scenario, where sufficient waivers were not obtained in due time, the Company would undertake initiatives including, but not limited to, asset disposals or changes in the dividend policy.
Currently,Additionally, on February 10, 2017, the Company signed a Note Issuance Facility, a senior secured note facility with a group of funds managed by Westbourne Capital as purchasers of the notes issued thereunder for a total amount of €275 million (approximately $294 million). The proceeds of the Note Issuance Facility will be used for the repayment of Tranche B under our Credit Facility, which will be canceled, as well as for general corporate expenses incurred as part of this transaction. See note 14 for details.
The Company has significantly reduced the level of services received from Abengoa, terminating the Support Services Agreement, although it continues to rely on Abengoa for certain support services as well as for operation and maintenance services at most of our facilities.its facilities and for minimum local support services in certain geographies. The Company is very advanced in the process of internalizing main support services, has launched a plan to separateseparated its IT systems from Abengoa during 2016 and is preparinghas prepared plans to replace existing operation and maintenance suppliers if required.
On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed the Company that several indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, have initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”) as a “Pedido de processamento conjunto”, which means the substantial consolidation of the three main subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH (see Note 8).
These consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 25, 2016. The Board of Directors decided to postpone the decision on the dividend corresponding to the fourth quarter of 2015 until the second quarter of 2016.24, 2017.
Note 2.- Significant accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the IFRSInternational Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the IASB.International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
For all periods prior toThe Company entered into an agreement with Abengoa on June 13, 2014 (the “ROFO Agreement”), as amended and restated on December 9, 2014, that provides the initial public offering, the combined financial statements represent the combinationCompany with a right of thefirst offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of Abengoa’s contracted renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission or water assets that Atlantica Yield acquiredin operation and were prepared using Abengoa’s historical basislocated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and the European Union, as well as four assets in selected countries in Africa, the Middle East and liabilities. For the purposes of the combined financial statements, the term “Atlantica Yield” represents the accounting predecessor, or the combination of the acquired businesses. The combined financial statements for periods prior to the initial public offering therefore include all revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities attributed to the Predecessor. In addition, prior to the initial public offering, other operating expenses include an allocation of certain general and administrative services provided by Abengoa. The Company believes that by including the allocated costs, the combined condensed income statement includes a reasonable estimate of actual costs incurred to operate the business. However, such expenses may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that would have been incurred by the Predecessor if it had operated as an independent, publicly-traded company during the periods prior to the Offering or of the costs expected to be incurred in the future. In the opinion of management, the inter-company eliminations and adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the combined financial statements, in accordance with the IFRS as issued IASB have been made.Asia.
For all periods subsequent to the initial public offering, the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The Company elected to account for the Asset Transfer and the assets acquisitions under the ROFO Agreement using the predecessorPredecessor values as long as Abengoa had control over the Company, given that these were transactions between entities under common control. Any difference between the consideration given and the aggregate book value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities as of the date of the transaction has been reflected as an adjustment to equity. In addition,
Abengoa has no control over the Company electedsince December 31, 2015. Therefore, any acquisition to incorporateAbengoa is accounted for in the resultsconsolidated accounts of the entities transferred prior to the initial public offering as if the entities had always been consolidated and the transferred entities after the initial public offering from the acquisition date.Atlantica Yield since December 31, 2015, in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combination.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. Amounts included in these consolidated financial statements are all expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Application of new accounting standards
a) | DuringStandards, interpretations and amendments effective from January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, applied by the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company has not applied in the preparation of thethese consolidated financial statements new standards, amendments or interpretations.statements: |
F-16
| · | Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 cycles. |
Table | · | IAS 1 (Amendment) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ under the disclosure initiative. |
| · | IAS 27 (Amendment) ’Separate financial statements’ regarding the reinstatement of the equity method as an accounting option in separate financial statements. |
| · | IAS 16 (Amendment) ’Property, Plant and Equipment’ and IAS 38 ’Intangible Assets’, regarding acceptable methods of amortization and depreciation. |
| · | IFRS 11 (Amendment) ‘Joint Arrangements’ regarding acquisition of an interest in a joint operation. |
| · | IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ and 41 ‘Agriculture’ (Amendment) regarding bearer plants. |
The applications of Contentsthese amendments have not had any material impact on these consolidated financial statements.
b) | Standards, interpretations and amendments published by the IASB that will be effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016:2017: |
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 cycles. These improvements are mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, earlier applications is permitted.
| · | IFRS 9 ’Financial Instruments’. This Standard will be effective from January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier applications is permitted. |
IAS 1 (Amendment) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, earlier applications is permitted.
IFRS 14 ’Regulatory Deferral Accounts’. This Standard will be effective from January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, earlier applications is permitted.
IFRS 9 ’Financial Instruments’. This Standard will be effective from January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier applications is permitted.
IFRS 15 ’Revenues from contracts with Customers’. IFRS 15 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted.
IFRS 16 ’Leases’. This Standard is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted.
IAS 16 (Amendment) ’Property, Plant and Equipment’ and IAS 38 ’Intangible Assets’, regarding acceptable methods of amortization and depreciation. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted.
IFRS 10 (Amendment) ‘Consolidated financial statements, IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of interests in Other Entities’ and IAS 28 ‘Investments in associates and joint ventures’ regarding the exemption from consolidation for investment entities. These amendments are mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted.
| · | IFRS 15 ’Revenues from contracts with Customers’. IFRS 15 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
IFRS 11 (Amendment) ‘Joint Arrangements’ regarding acquisitionF-18
| · | IFRS 16 ’Leases’. This Standard is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted, but conditioned to the application of IFRS 15. |
| · | IAS 12 (Amendment) ‘Recognition for Deferred Tax for Unrealised Losses’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ and 41 ‘Agriculture’ (Amendment) regarding bearer plants. These amendments are mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 under IFRS-IASB,earlier application is permitted.
| · | IAS 7 (Amendment) ‘Disclosure Initiative’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
| · | IFRS 15 (Clarifications) ’Revenues from contracts with Customers’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
| · | IFRS 2 (Amendment) ‘Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted |
| · | IFRS 4 (Amendment). Applying IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ with IFRS 4 ‘Insurance Contracts’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted |
| · | IFRIC Interpretation 22 ’Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration’, mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
| · | IAS 40 (Amendment) ’Transfers of Investmenty Property’. This amendment is mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 under IFRS-IASB, earlier application is permitted. |
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating thedoes not anticipate any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements derived from the application of the new standards and amendments that will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2015.2016, although it is currently still in process of evaluating such application.
2.2. Principles to include and record companies in the consolidated financial statements
Companies included in these consolidated financial statements are accounted for as subsidiaries as long as Atlantica Yield has had control over them and are accounted for as investments under the equity method as long as Atlantica Yield has had significant influence over them, in the periods presented.
Control is achieved when the Company:
Has power over the investee;
| · | Has power over the investee; |
| · | Is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and |
Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.
| · | Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns. |
The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee when facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above. In order to evaluate the existence of control, the Company needs to distinguish two independent stages in these projects in terms of decision making process: the construction phase and the operation phase. In some of these projects such as Solana and Mojave solar plants in the United States, the Company has concluded that all the relevant decisions during the construction phase were subject to the approval of the Administration. As a result, the Company did not have control over these assets during this period and records these companies as investments under the equity method (see note 2.2 b) below). Once the Project´s construction phase is finished, the Company gains control over these companies which are then fully consolidated
The Company uses the acquisition method to account for business combinations of companies controlled by a third party. According to this method, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. Any contingent consideration is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequent changes in its fair value are recognized in accordance with IAS 39 either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. The Company recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquirer’s net assets on an acquisition by acquisition basis.
Acquisitions of businesses to Abengoa were so faruntil December 31, 2015, not considered business combinations, as Atlantica Yield was a subsidiary controlled by Abengoa. The assets acquired constituted an acquisition under common control by Abengoa and accordingly, were recorded using Abengoa’s historical basis in the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor. Abengoa has no control over the Company since December 31, 2015. Therefore, any purchase to Abengoa is accounted for in the consolidated accounts of Atlantica Yield since December 31, 2015, in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combination.
All assets and liabilities between entities of the group, equity, income, expenses, and cash flows relating to transactions between entities of the group are eliminated in full.
| b) | Investments accounted for under the equity method |
An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.
The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, an investment in an associate is initially recognized in the statement of financial position at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognize the Company share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate.
Controlled entities and associates included in these financial statements as of December 31, 20152016 and 20142015 are set out in appendices.
2.3. Contracted concessional assets and price purchase agreements
Contracted concessional assets and price purchase agreements (PPAs) include fixed assets financed through project debt, related to service concession arrangements recorded in accordance with International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 12 (“IFRIC 12,12”), except for Palmucho, which is recorded in accordance with IAS 17 and PS10/PS10, PS20 and Seville PV, which are recorded as tangible assets in accordance with IAS 16. The infrastructures accounted for by the Company as concessions are related to the activities concerning electric transmission lines, solar electricity generation plants, cogeneration plants, wind farms and wind farms.water plants. The useful life of these assets is approximately the same as the length of the concession arrangement. The infrastructure used in a concession can be classified as an intangible asset or a financial asset, depending on the nature of the payment entitlements established in the agreement.
The application of IFRIC 12 requires extensive judgment in relation with, among other factors, (i) the identification of certain infrastructures and contractual agreements in the scope of IFRIC 12, (ii) the understanding of the nature of the payments in order to determine the classification of the infrastructure as a financial asset or as an intangible asset and (iii) the timing and recognition of the revenue from construction and concessionary activity.
Under the terms of contractual arrangements within the scope of this interpretation, the operator shall recognize and measure revenue in accordance with IAS 11 and 18 for the services it performs. If the operator performs more than one service (i.e. construction or upgrade services and operation services) under a single contract or arrangement, consideration received or receivable shall be allocated by reference to the relative fair values of the services delivered, when the amounts are separately identifiable.
Consequently, even though construction is subcontracted to Abengoa, in accordance with the provisions of IFRIC 12, the Company recognizes and measures revenue and costs for providing construction services during the period of construction of the infrastructure in accordance with IAS 11 “Construction Contracts”. Construction revenue is recorded within “Other operating income” and Construction cost, which is fully contracted with related parties, is recorded within “Other operating expenses”. This applies in the same way to the two models.
The Company recognizes an intangible asset to the extent that it receives a right to charge final customers for the use of the infrastructure. This intangible asset is subject to the provisions of IAS 38 and is amortized linearly, taking into account the estimated period of commercial operation of the infrastructure which coincides with the concession period.
Once the infrastructure is in operation, the treatment of income and expenses is as follows:
Revenues from the updated annual revenue for the contracted concession, as well as operations and maintenance services are recognized in each period according to IAS 18 “Revenue”.
| · | Revenues from the updated annual revenue for the contracted concession, as well as operations and maintenance services are recognized in each period according to IAS 18 “Revenue”. |
Operating and maintenance costs and general overheads and administrative costs are recorded in accordance with the nature of the cost incurred (amount due) in each period.
| · | Operating and maintenance costs and general overheads and administrative costs are recorded in accordance with the nature of the cost incurred (amount due) in each period. |
Financing costs are expensed as incurred.
| · | Financing costs are expensed as incurred. |
The Company recognizes a financial asset when demand risk is assumed by the grantor, to the extent that the concession holder has an unconditional right to receive payments for the asset. This asset is recognized at the fair value of the construction services provided, considering upgrade services in accordance with IAS 11, if any.
The financial asset is subsequently recorded at amortized cost calculated according to the effective interest method. Revenue from operations and maintenance services is recognized in each period according to IAS 18 “Revenue”. The remuneration of managing and operating the asset resulting from the valuation at amortized cost is also recorded in revenue.
Financing costs are expensed as incurred.
| c) | Property, plant and equipment |
Property, plant and equipment includes property, plant and equipment of companies or project companies. Property, plant and equipment is measured at historical cost, including all expenses directly attributable to the acquisition, less depreciation and impairment losses, with the exception of land, which is presented net of any impairment losses.
Once the infrastructure is in operation, the treatment of income and expenses is the same as the one described above for intangible asset.
2.4. Borrowing costs
Interest costs incurred in the construction of any qualifying asset are capitalized over the period required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use. A qualifying asset is an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its internal use or sale, which is considered to be more than one year. Remaining borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
2.5 Asset impairment
Atlantica Yield reviews its contracted concessional assets to identify any indicators of impairment at least annually.
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, defined as the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be generated by the asset. In the event that the asset does not generate cash flows independently of other assets, the Company calculates the recoverable amount of the Cash Generating Unit (‘CGU’) to which the asset belongs.
When the carrying amount of the CGU to which these assets belong is lowerhigher than its recoverable amount, the assets are impaired.
Assumptions used to calculate value in use include a discount rate, growth rate and projections considering real data based in the contracts terms and projected changes in both selling prices and costs. The discount rate is estimated by Management, to reflect both changes in the value of money over time and the risks associated with the specific CGU.
For contracted concessional assets, with a defined useful life and with a specific financial structure, cash flow projections until the end of the project are considered and no terminal value is assumed.
Contracted concessional assets have a contractual structure that permits the Company to estimate quite accurately the costs of the project (both in the construction and in the operations periods) and revenue during the life of the project.
Projections take into account real data based on the contract terms and fundamental assumptions based on specific reports prepared by experts, assumptions on demand and assumptions on production. Additionally, assumptions on macro-economic conditions are taken into account, such as inflation rates, future interest rates, etc. and sensitivity analyses are performed over all major assumptions which can have a significant impact in the value of the asset.
Cash flow projections of CGUs are calculated in the functional currency of those CGUs and are discounted using rates that take into consideration the risk corresponding to each specific country and currency.
Taking into account that in most CGUs the specific financial structure is linked to the financial structure of the projects that are part of those CGUs, the discount rate used to calculate the present value of cash-flow projections is based on the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the type of asset, adjusted, if necessary, in accordance with the business of the specific activity and with the risk associated with the country where the project is performed.
In any case, sensitivity analyses are performed, especially in relation with the discount rate used and fair value changes in the main business variables, in order to ensure that possible changes in the estimates of these items do not impact the possible recovery of recognized assets.
Accordingly, the following table provides a summary of the discount rates used (WACC) and growth rates to calculate the recoverable amount for CGUs with the operating segment to which it pertains:
Operating segment | | Discount rate | | | Growth Raterate | |
EuropeEMEA | | | 5%4% - 6 | % | | | 0 | % |
North America | | | 3%4% - 56 | % | | | 0 | % |
South America | | | 5% - 67 | % | | | 0 | % |
In the event that the recoverable amount of an asset is lower than its carrying amount, an impairment charge for the difference would be recorded in the income statement under the item “Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges”.
Pursuant to IAS 36, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of these assets exceeds the present value of future cash flows discounted at the initial effective interest rate.
2.6 Loans and accounts receivable
Loans and accounts receivable are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments, not listed on an active market.
In accordance with IFRIC 12, certain assets under concessions qualify as financial assets and are recorded as is described in Note 2.3.
Pursuant to IAS 36, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of these assets exceeds the present value of future cash flows discounted at the initial effective interest rate.
Loans and accounts receivable are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortized cost in accordance with the effective interest rate method. Interest calculated using the effective interest rate method is recognized under other financial income within financial income.
2.7. Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
Derivatives are recorded at fair value. The Company applies hedge accounting to all hedging derivatives that qualify to be accounted for as hedges under IFRS-IASB.
When hedge accounting is applied, hedging strategy and risk management objectives are documented at inception, as well as the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items. Effectiveness of the hedging relationship needs to be assessed on an ongoing basis. Effectiveness tests are performed prospectively and retrospectively at inception and at each reporting date, following the dollar offset method.method or the regression method, depending on the type of derivatives and the type of tests performed.
Atlantica Yield applies cash flow hedging. Under this method, the effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded temporarily in equity and are subsequently reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. Any ineffective portion of the hedged transaction is recorded in the consolidated income statement as it occurs.
When interest rate options are designated as hedging instruments, the intrinsic value and time value of the financial hedge instrument are separated. Changes in intrinsic value which are highly effective are recorded in equity and subsequently reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. Changes in time value are recorded as financial income or expense, together with any ineffectiveness.
When the hedging instrument matures or is sold, or when it no longer meets the requirements to apply hedge accounting, accumulated gains and losses recorded in equity remain as such until the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in the income statement. However, if it becomes unlikely that the forecast transaction will actually take place, the accumulated gains and losses in equity are recognized immediately in the income statement.
2.8. Fair value estimates
Financial instruments measured at fair value are presented in accordance with the following level classification based on the nature of the inputs used for the calculation of fair value:
Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
| · | Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
Level 2: Fair value is measured based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
| · | Level 2: Fair value is measured based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices). |
Level 3: Fair value is measured based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
| · | Level 3: Fair value is measured based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. |
In the event that prices cannot be observed, the management shall make its best estimate of the price that the market would otherwise establish based on proprietary internal models which, in the majority of cases, use data based on observable market parameters as significant inputs (Level 2) but occasionally use market data that is not observed as significant inputs (Level 3). Different techniques can be used to make this estimate, including extrapolation of observable market data. The best indication of the initial fair value of a financial instrument is the price of the transaction, except when the value of the instrument can be obtained from other transactions carried out in the market with the same or similar instruments, or valued using a valuation technique in which the variables used only include observable market data, mainly interest rates. Differences between the transaction price and the fair value based on valuation techniques that use data that is not observed in the market, are not initially recognized in the income statement.
All derivatives are classified as level 2. Atlantica Yield derivatives correspond mainly to the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges.
Description of the valuation method
Interest rate swap valuations are made by valuing the swap part of the contract and valuing the credit risk. The methodology used by the market and applied by Atlantica Yield to value interest rate swaps is to discount the expected future cash flows according to the parameters of the contract. Variable interest rates, which are needed to estimate future cash flows, are calculated using the curve for the corresponding currency and extracting the implicit rates for each of the reference dates in the contract. These estimated flows are discounted with the swap zero curve for the reference period of the contract.
The effect of the credit risk on the valuation of the interest rate swaps depends on the future settlement. If the settlement is favorable for the Company, the counterparty credit spread will be incorporated to quantify the probability of default at maturity. If the expected settlement is negative for the Company, its own credit risk will be applied to the final settlement.
Classic models for valuing interest rate swaps use deterministic valuation of the future of variable rates, based on future outlooks. When quantifying credit risk, this model is limited by considering only the risk for the current paying party, ignoring the fact that the derivative could change sign at maturity. A payer and receiver swaption model is proposed for these cases. This enables the associated risk in each swap position to be reflected. Thus, the model shows each agent’s exposure, on each payment date, as the value of entering into the ‘tail’ of the swap, i.e. the live part of the swap.
Variables (Inputs)
Interest rate derivative valuation models use the corresponding interest rate curves for the relevant currency and underlying reference in order to estimate the future cash flows and to discount them. Market prices for deposits, futures contracts and interest rate swaps are used to construct these curves. Interest rate options (caps and floors) also use the volatility of the reference interest rate curve.
To estimate the credit risk of the counterparty, the credit default swap (CDS) spreads curve is obtained in the market for important individual issuers. For less liquid issuers, the spreads curve is estimated using comparable CDSs or based on the country curve. To estimate proprietary credit risk, prices of debt issues in the market and CDSs for the sector and geographic location are used.
The fair value of the financial instruments that results from the aforementioned internal models takes into account, among other factors, the terms and conditions of the contracts and observable market data, such as interest rates, credit risk and volatility. The valuation models do not include significant levels of subjectivity, since these methodologies can be adjusted and calibrated, as appropriate, using the internal calculation of fair value and subsequently compared to the corresponding actively traded price. However, valuation adjustments may be necessary when the listed market prices are not available for comparison purposes.
Level 3 includes the preferred equity investment in ACBH.
Fair valueACBH (see Note 8). In the fourth quarter of this instrument was calculated by taking as the main reference the value2016 we reached an agreement with an investment fund to sell approximately 50% of the investment,New Money Tradable Notes that we are assigned and this contract is structured through a Put and Call option (“the Put/Call agreement”), which is obtained by considering expected cash-flows from the preferred equity instrument discounted at a rate appropriate for the sector in which the Company is operating. Valuation was obtained from internal models. This valuation could vary where other models and assumptions made on the principle variables had been used, however the fair value of the assetalso classified as well as the results generated by this financial instrument are considered reasonable.level 3 (see Note 9).
Detailed information on fair values is included in Note 8.
2.9. Clients and other receivables
Clients and other receivables are amounts due from customers for sales in the normal course of business. They are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, less allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables due in less than one year are carried at their face value at both initial recognition and subsequent measurement, provided that the effect of not discounting flows is not significant.
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to recover all amounts due as per the original terms of the receivables.
2.10. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, cash in bank and other highly-liquid current investments with an original maturity of three months or less which are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments.
2.11. Grants
Grants are recognized at fair value when it is considered that there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and that the necessary qualifying conditions, as agreed with the entity assigning the grant, will be adequately complied with.
Grants are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position and are recognized in “Other operating income” in the consolidated income statement based on the period necessary to match them with the costs they intend to compensate.
In addition, as described in Note 2.12 below, grants correspond also to loans with interest rates below market rates, for the initial difference between the fair value of the loan and the proceeds received.
2.12. Loans and borrowings
Loans and borrowings are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost and any difference between the proceeds initially received (net of transaction costs incurred in obtaining such proceeds) and the repayment value is recognized in the consolidated income statement over the duration of the borrowing using the effective interest rate method.
Loans with interest rates below market rates are initially recognized at fair value in liabilities and the difference between proceeds received from the loan and its fair value is initially recorded within “Grants and Other liabilities” in the consolidated statement of financial position, and subsequently recorded in “Other operating income” in the consolidated income statement when the costs financed with the loan are expensed.
2.13. Bonds and notes
The Company initially recognizes ordinary notes at fair value, net of issuance costs incurred. Subsequently, notes are measured at amortized cost until settlement upon maturity. Any other difference between the proceeds obtained (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the consolidated income statement over the term of the debt using the effective interest rate method.
2.14. Income taxes
Current income tax expense is calculated on the basis of the tax laws in force as of the date of the consolidated statement of financial position in the countries in which the subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income.
Deferred income tax is calculated in accordance with the liability method, based upon the temporary differences arising between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and regulations which are expected to apply at the time when the deferred tax is realized.
Deferred tax assets are recognized only when it is probable that sufficient future taxable profit will be available to use deferred tax assets.
2.15. Trade payables and other liabilities
Trade payables are obligations arising from purchases of goods and services in the ordinary course of business and are recognized initially at fair value and are subsequently measured at their amortized cost using the effective interest method. Other liabilities are obligations not arising in the normal course of business and which are not treated as financing transactions. Advances received from customers are recognized as “Trade payables and other current liabilities”.
2.16. Foreign currency transactions
The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is Atlantica Yield functional and reporting currency. Financial statements of each subsidiary within the Company are measured in the currency of the principal economic environment in which the subsidiary operates, which is the subsidiary’s functional currency.
Transactions denominated in a currency different from the subsidiary’s functional currency are translated into the subsidiary’s functional currency applying the exchange rates in force at the time of the transactions. Foreign currency gains and losses that result from the settlement of these transactions and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency at the year-end rates are recognized in the consolidated income statement, unless they are deferred in equity, as occurs with cash flow hedges and net investment in foreign operations hedges.
Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with a functional currency different from the Company’s reporting currency are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in force at the closing date of the financial statements. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using the average annual exchange rate, which does not differ significantly from using the exchange rates of the dates of each transaction. The difference between equity translated at the historical exchange rate and the net financial position that results from translating the assets and liabilities at the closing rate is recorded in equity under the heading “Accumulated currency translation differences”.
Results of companies carried under the equity method are translated at the average annual exchange rate.
2.17. Equity
The Company has recyclable balances in its equity, corresponding mainly to hedge reserves and translation differences arising from currency conversion in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. These balances have been presented separately in Equity.
Non-controlling interest represents interest from other partners in entities included in these consolidated financial statements which are not fully owned by Atlantica Yield as of the dates presented.
Parent company reserves together with the Share capital represent the Parent’s net investment in the entities included in these consolidated financial statements.
2.18. Provisions and contingencies
Provisions are recognized when:
there is a present obligation, either legal or constructive, as a result of past events;
| · | there is a present obligation, either legal or constructive, as a result of past events; |
it is more likely than not that there will be a future outflow of resources to settle the obligation; and
| · | it is more likely than not that there will be a future outflow of resources to settle the obligation; and |
the amount has been reliably estimated.
| · | the amount has been reliably estimated. |
Provisions are initially measured at the present value of the expected outflows required to settle the obligation and subsequently valued at amortized cost following the effective interest method. The balance of Provisions disclosed in the Notes reflects management’s best estimate of the potential exposure as of the date of preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Contingent liabilities are possible obligations, existing obligations with low probability of a future outflow of economic resources and existing obligations where the future outflow cannot be reliably estimated. Contingences are not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position unless they have been acquired in a business combination.
Some companies included in the group have dismantling provisions, which are intended to cover future expenditures related to the dismantlement of the plants and it will be likely to be settled with an outflow of resources in the long term (over 5 years).
Such provisions are accrued when the obligation for dismantling, removing and restoring the site on which the plant is located, is incurred, which is usually during the construction period. The provision is measured in accordance with IAS 37, “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets” and is recorded as a liability under the heading “Grants and other liabilities” of the Financial Statements, and as part of the cost of the plant under the heading “Contracted concessional assets.”
2.19. Use of estimates
Some of the accounting policies applied require the application of significant judgment by management to select the appropriate assumptions to determine these estimates. These assumptions and estimates are based on the historical experience, advice from experienced consultants, forecasts and other circumstances and expectations as of the close of the financial period. The assessment is considered in relation to the global economic situation of the industries and regions where the Company operates, taking into account future development of the businesses of the Company. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty; therefore, actual results could materially differ from the estimates and assumptions used. In such cases, the carrying values of assets and liabilities are adjusted.
The most critical accounting policies, which reflect significant management estimates and judgment to determine amounts in these consolidated financial statements, are as follows:
Contracted concessional agreements.
| · | Contracted concessional agreements and PPAs. |
Impairment of intangible assets.
| · | Impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. |
Derivative financial instruments and fair value estimates.
| · | Derivative financial instruments and fair value estimates. |
Income taxes and recoverable amount of deferred tax assets.
| · | Income taxes and recoverable amount of deferred tax assets. |
As of the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, no relevant changes in the estimates made are anticipated and, therefore, no significant changes in the value of the assets and liabilities recognized at December 31, 2015,2016, are expected.
Although these estimates and assumptions are being made using all available facts and circumstances, it is possible that future events may require management to amend such estimates and assumptions in future periods. Changes in accounting estimates are recognized prospectively, in accordance with IAS 8, in the consolidated income statement of the year in which the change occurs.
Note 3.- Financial risk management
Atlantica Yield’s activities are exposed to various financial risks: market risk (including currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. Risk is managed by the Company’s Risk ManagementFinance and Finance Department,Compliance Departments, which are responsible for identifying and evaluating financial risks quantifying them by project, region and company, in accordance with mandatory internal management rules. Written internal policies exist for global risk management, as well as for specific areas of risk. In addition, there are official written management regulations regarding key controls and control procedures for each company and the implementation of these controls is monitored through internal audit procedures.
The Company is exposed to market risk, such as movement in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. All of these market risks arise in the normal course of business and the Company does not carry out speculative operations. For the purpose of managing these risks, the Company uses a series of swaps and options on interest rates. None of the derivative contracts signed has an unlimited loss exposure.
Interest rate risk arises when the Company’s activities are exposed to changes in interest rates, which arises from financial liabilities at variable interest rates. The main interest rate exposure for the Company relates to the variable interest rate with reference to the Libor and Euribor. To minimize the interest rate risk, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and interest rate options (caps), which, in exchange for a fee, offer protection against an increase in interest rates. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
As a result, the notional amounts hedged, strikes contracted and maturities, depending on the characteristics of the debt on which the interest rate risk is being hedged, are very diverse, including the following:
| 1) | Project debt in U.S. dollars: between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2043 average guaranteed interest rates of between 2.52% and 6.88%. |
| 2) | Project debt in Euros: between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2030 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 3.20% and 4.87%. |
In connection with the interest rate derivative positions of the Company, the most significant impacts on these consolidated financial statements are derived from the changes in EURIBOR or LIBOR, which represent the reference interest rate for the majority of the debt of the Company. In the event that Euribor and Libor had risen by 25 basis points as of December 31, 2015,2016, with the rest of the variables remaining constant, the effect in the consolidated income statement would have been a loss of $ 1,795$2,563 thousand (a loss of $ 271$1,795 thousand in 2015 and a loss of $271 thousand in 2014) and an increase in hedging reserves of $41,702$37,290 thousand ($24,17741,702 thousand in 2015 and $24,177 thousand in 2014). The increase in hedging reserves would be mainly due to an increase in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as hedges.
A breakdown of the interest rates derivatives as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, is provided in Note 9.
The main cash flows in the entities included in these consolidated financial statements are cash collections arising from long-term contracts with clients and debt payments arising from project finance repayment. Given that financing of the projects is always closed in the same currency in which the contract with client is signed, a natural hedge exists for the main operations of the Company.
In relation to the Spanish solar plants, on May 12, 2015, the Company entered into a currency swap agreement with Abengoa which provides for a fixed exchange rate for the cash available for distribution from the Company’s Spanish assets. The distributions from the Spanish assets are paid in euros and the currency swap agreement provides for a fixed exchange rate at which euros will be converted into U.S. dollars. Therefore, in the event that the exchange rate of the Euro had risen by 10% against the US Dollar as of December 31, 2015,2016, with the rest of the variables remaining constant, there would not be any effect in the cash distributions received from these assets (neither as of December 31, 2015).
Additionally, to mitigate any potential risk that might arise from the current situation of Abengoa, the Company signed a currency option with a leading financial institution which guarantees a minimum Euro-U.S. dollar exchange rate for net distributions expected from Spanish solar assets.
The companyCompany considers that it has a limited credit risk with clients as revenues derive from power purchase agreements with electric utilities and state-owned entities. The Company has investment grade offtakers in all the assets except for Quadra 1&2, ATN2, Skikda and Honaine, which represent a very low percentage of the cash available for distribution on a run-rate basis.
Atlantica Yield’s liquidity and financing policy is intended to ensure that the Company maintains sufficient funds to meet our financial obligations as they fall due.
Project finance borrowing permits the Company to finance the project through project debt and thereby insulate the rest of its assets from such credit exposure. The Company incurs in project-finance debt on a project-by-project basis.
The repayment profile of each project is established on the basis of the projected cash flow generation of the business. This ensures that sufficient financing is available to meet deadlines and maturities, which mitigates the liquidity risk significantly.
Note 4.- Financial information by segment
Atlantica Yield’s segment structure reflects how management currently makes financial decisions and allocates resources. Its operating and reportable segments are based on the following geographies where the contracted concessional assets are located:
Based on the type of business, as of December 31, 20152016 the Company had the following business sectors:
Renewable energy: Renewable energy assets include two Solar plants in the United States, Solana and Mojave, each with a gross capacity of 280 MW and located in Arizona and California, respectively. The Company owns seveneight solar platforms in Spain: Solacor 1 and 2 with a gross capacity of 100 MW, PS10 and PS20 with a gross capacity of 31 MW, Solaben 2 and 3 with a gross capacity of 100 MW, Helioenergy 1 and 2 with a gross capacity of 100 MW, Helios 1 and 2 with a gross capacity of 100 MW, Solnova 1, 3 and 4 with a gross capacity of 150 MW, and Solaben 1 and 6 with a gross capacity of 100 MW and Seville PV with a gross capacity of 1 MW. The Company also owns a Solar plant in South Africa, Kaxu with a gross capacity of 100 MW. Additionally, the Company owns two wind farms in Uruguay, Palmatir and Cadonal, with a gross capacity of 50 MW each.
Conventional power: Conventional power asset consists of ACT, a 300 MW cogeneration plant in Mexico, which is party to a 20-year take-or-pay contract with Pemex for the sale of electric power and steam.
Electric transmission lines: Electric transmission assets include (i) three lines in Peru, ATN, ATS and ATN2, spanning a total of 1,012 miles; and (ii) three lines in Chile, Quadra 1, Quadra 2 and Palmucho, spanning a total of 87 miles. In addition, the Company owns a preferred equity investment in ACBH, a subsidiary holding company of Abengoa that is engaged in the development, construction, investment and management of contracted concessions in Brazil, consisting mostly of electric transmission lines.
Water: Water assets include a minority interest in two desalination plants in Algeria, Honaine and Skikda with an aggregate capacity of 10.5 M ft3 per day.
Atlantica Yield’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) assesses the performance and assignment of resources according to the identified operating segments. The CODM considers the revenues as a measure of the business activity and the Further Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the performance of each segment. Further Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit/(loss) for the period attributable to the parent company, after adding back loss/(profit) attributable to non-controlling interestinterests from continued operations, income tax, share of profit/(loss) of associates carried under the equity method, finance expense net, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges of entities included in these consolidated financial statements, and dividends received from the preferred equity investment in ACBH. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2014, includes preferred dividends received from ACBH for the first time during the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Further Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 includes compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of ACBH dividends.
In order to assess performance of the business, the CODM receives reports of each reportable segment using revenues and Further Adjusted EBITDA. Net interest expense evolution is assessed on a consolidated basis. Financial expense and amortization are not taken into consideration by the CODM for the allocation of resources.
In the year ended December 31, 2016, Atlantica Yield had two customers with revenues representing more than 10% of the total revenues, i.e., one in the renewable energy and one in the conventional power business sectors. In the year ended December 31, 2015, Atlantica Yield had three customers with revenues representing more than 10% of the total revenues, i.e., two in the renewable energy and one in the conventional power business sectors.
| a) | The following tables show Revenues and Further Adjusted EBITDA by operating segments and business sectors for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013:2014: |
| | Revenue | | | Further Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Geography | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
North America | | $ | 337,061 | | | $ | 328,139 | | | $ | 195,508 | | | $ | 284,691 | | | $ | 279,559 | | | $ | 175,398 | |
South America | | | 118,764 | | | | 112,480 | | | | 83,592 | | | | 124,599 | | | | 110,905 | | | | 77,188 | |
EMEA | | | 515,972 | | | | 350,262 | | | | 83,593 | | | | 354,020 | | | | 233,754 | | | | 55,437 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 971,797 | | | $ | 790,881 | | | $ | 362,693 | | | $ | 763,310 | | | $ | 624,218 | | | $ | 308,023 | |
| | Revenue | | | Further Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Business sectors | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 724,325 | | | $ | 543,012 | | | $ | 170,673 | | | $ | 538,427 | | | $ | 413,933 | | | $ | 137,820 | |
Conventional power | | | 128,046 | | | | 138,717 | | | | 118,765 | | | | 106,492 | | | | 107,671 | | | | 101,896 | |
Electric transmission lines | | | 95,137 | | | | 86,393 | | | | 73,255 | | | | 104,795 | | | | 89,047 | | | | 68,307 | |
Water | | | 24,288 | | | | 22,759 | | | | — | | | | 13,596 | | | | 13,567 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 971,797 | | | $ | 790,881 | | | $ | 362,693 | | | $ | 763,310 | | | $ | 624,218 | | | $ | 308,023 | |
| | Revenue | | | Further Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Geography | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
North America | | $ | 328,139 | | | $ | 195,508 | | | $ | 113,998 | | | $ | 279,559 | | | $ | 175,398 | | | $ | 96,712 | |
South America | | | 112,480 | | | | 83,592 | | | | 25,392 | | | | 110,905 | | | | 77,188 | | | | 18,979 | |
EMEA | | | 350,262 | | | | 83,593 | | | | 71,517 | | | | 233,754 | | | | 55,437 | | | | 42,838 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 790,881 | | | $ | 362,693 | | | $ | 210,907 | | | $ | 624,218 | | | $ | 308,023 | | | $ | 158,529 | |
| | Revenue | | | Further Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Business sectors | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Renewable energy | | $ | 543,012 | | | $ | 170,673 | | | $ | 82,714 | | | $ | 413,933 | | | $ | 137,820 | | | $ | 55,797 | |
Conventional power | | | 138,717 | | | | 118,765 | | | | 102,801 | | | | 107,671 | | | | 101,896 | | | | 83,277 | |
Electric transmission lines | | | 86,393 | | | | 73,255 | | | | 25,392 | | | | 89,047 | | | | 68,307 | | | | 19,455 | |
Water | | | 22,759 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,567 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 790,881 | | | $ | 362,693 | | | $ | 210,907 | | | $ | 624,218 | | | $ | 308,023 | | | $ | 158,529 | |
The reconciliation of segment Further Adjusted EBITDA with the profit/(loss) attributable to the parent company is as follows:
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Loss attributable to the Company | | | $ | (4,855 | ) | | $ | (209,005 | ) | | $ | (31,612 | ) |
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | 6,522 | | | | 10,819 | | | | 2,347 | |
Income tax | | | | 1,666 | | | | 23,790 | | | | 4,413 | |
Share of profits/(losses) of associates | | | | (6,646 | ) | | | (7,844 | ) | | | 769 | |
Dividend from exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH | | | | 27,948 | | | | 18,400 | | | | 9,200 | |
Financial expense, net | | | | 405,750 | | | | 526,758 | | | | 197,426 | |
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | | | | 332,925 | | | | 261,301 | | | | 125,480 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total segment Further Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 624,219 | | | $ | 308,023 | | | $ | 158,529 | | | $ | 763,310 | | | $ | 624,219 | | | $ | 308,023 | |
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) | | | (46,943 | ) | |
Financial expense, net | | | (526,758 | ) | | | (197,426 | ) | | | (125,219 | ) | |
Dividend from exchangeable preferred equity investment in ACBH | | | (18,400 | ) | | | (9,200 | ) | | | — | | |
Share in profits/(losses) associates under the equity method | | | 7,844 | | | | (769 | ) | | | 13 | | |
Income tax | | | (23,790 | ) | | | (4,413 | ) | | | 11,762 | | |
(Profit)/Loss attributable to non-controlling interests | | | (10,819 | ) | | | (2,347 | ) | | | (1,559 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit/(Loss) attributable to the parent company | | $ | (209,005 | ) | | $ | (31,612 | ) | | $ | (3,417 | ) | |
| b) | The assets and liabilities by operating segments (and business sector) at the end of 20152016 and 20142015 are as follows: |
Assets and liabilities by geography as of December 31, 2016:
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | |
Assets allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 3,920,106 | | | | 1,144,712 | | | | 3,859,454 | | | | 8,924,272 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | - | | | | - | | | | 55,009 | | | | 55,009 | |
Current financial investments | | | 136,665 | | | | 62,215 | | | | 29,158 | | | | 228,038 | |
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) | | | 185,970 | | | | 40,015 | | | | 246,671 | | | | 472,656 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 4,242,741 | | | | 1,246,942 | | | | 4,190,291 | | | | 9,679,975 | |
Unallocated assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 272,664 | |
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 345,160 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 617,824 | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | |
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 1,870,861 | | | | 895,316 | | | | 2,564,290 | | | | 5,330,467 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,575,303 | | | | 1,512 | | | | 35,230 | | | | 1,612,045 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 3,446,164 | | | | 896,828 | | | | 2,599,520 | | | | 6,942,512 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 668,201 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 546,053 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 181,922 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,396,176 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,338,688 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,959,111 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,355,287 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | |
Assets and liabilities by geography as of December 31, 2015:
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Assets allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 4,054,093 | | | | 1,206,693 | | | | 4,040,111 | | | | 9,300,897 | | | | 4,054,093 | | | | 1,206,693 | | | | 4,040,111 | | | | 9,300,897 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | - | | | | - | | | | 56,181 | | | | 56,181 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 56,181 | | | | 56,181 | |
Current financial investments | | | 129,349 | | | | 61,973 | | | | 30,036 | | | | 221,358 | | | | 129,349 | | | | 61,973 | | | | 30,036 | | | | 221,358 | |
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) | | | 136,950 | | | | 41,525 | | | | 290,548 | | | | 469,023 | | | | 136,950 | | | | 41,525 | | | | 290,548 | | | | 469,023 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 4,320,392 | | | | 1,310,191 | | | | 4,416,876 | | | | 10,047,459 | | | | 4,320,392 | | | | 1,310,191 | | | | 4,416,876 | | | | 10,047,459 | |
Unallocated assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 285,105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 285,105 | |
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 257,910 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 257,910 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 543,015 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 543,015 | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 1,891,597 | | | | 888,304 | | | | 2,690,769 | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,611,724 | | | | 799 | | | | 34,225 | | | | 1,646,748 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 3,503,321 | | | | 889,103 | | | | 2,724,994 | | | | 7,117,418 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 664,494 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 591,608 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 193,453 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,449,555 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,566,973 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,023,501 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,473,056 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 1,891,597 | | | | 888,304 | | | | 2,690,769 | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,611,724 | | | | 799 | | | | 34,225 | | | | 1,646,748 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 3,503,321 | | | | 889,103 | | | | 2,724,994 | | | | 7,117,418 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 664,494 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 591,608 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 193,453 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,449,555 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,566,973 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,023,501 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,473,056 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
Assets and liabilities by geographybusiness sectors as of December 31, 2014:2016:
| | North America | | | South America | | | Europe | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | |
Assets allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 4,185,638 | | | | 1,159,652 | | | | 1,379,888 | | | | 6,725,178 | | | | 7,255,308 | | | | 646,927 | | | | 929,005 | | | | 93,032 | | | | 8,924,272 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,711 | | | | 5,711 | | | | 12,953 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 42,056 | | | | 55,009 | |
Current financial investments | | | 175,339 | | | | 54,012 | | | | 66 | | | | 229,417 | | | | 13,661 | | | | 136,644 | | | | 62,215 | | | | 15,518 | | | | 228,038 | |
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) | | | 49,030 | | | | 37,623 | | | | 112,133 | | | | 198,786 | | | | 420,215 | | | | 30,295 | | | | 11,357 | | | | 10,789 | | | | 472,656 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 4,410,007 | | | | 1,251,287 | | | | 1,497,798 | | | | 7,159,092 | | | | 7,702,137 | | | | 813,866 | | | | 1,002,577 | | | | 161,395 | | | | 9,679,975 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unallocated assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 497,771 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 272,664 | |
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 307,132 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 345,160 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 804,903 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 617,824 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,963,995 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | |
| | North America | | | South America | | | EMEA | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term non-recourse project financing | | | 2,121,916 | | | | 804,460 | | | | 896,690 | | | | 3,823,066 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,354,588 | | | | 798 | | | | 12,215 | | | | 1,367,601 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 3,476,504 | | | | 805,258 | | | | 908,905 | | | | 5,190,667 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 378,415 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 307,710 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 247,572 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 933,697 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6,124,364 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,839,631 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,773,328 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,963,995 | |
| | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 3,979,096 | | | | 598,256 | | | | 711,517 | | | | 41,598 | | | | 5,330,467 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,611,067 | | | | 239 | | | | 739 | | | | - | | | | 1,612,045 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 5,590,163 | | | | 598,495 | | | | 712,256 | | | | 41,598 | | | | 6,942,512 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 668,201 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 546,053 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 181,922 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,396,176 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,338,688 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,959,111 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,355,287 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,297,799 | |
Assets and liabilities by business sectors as of December 31, 2015:
| | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Assets allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 7,597,771 | | | | 649,479 | | | | 957,235 | | | | 96,412 | | | | 9,300,897 | | | | 7,597,771 | | | | 649,479 | | | | 957,235 | | | | 96,412 | | | | 9,300,897 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | 14,064 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 42,117 | | | | 56,181 | | | | 14,064 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 42,117 | | | | 56,181 | |
Current financial investments | | | 14,892 | | | | 128,999 | | | | 61,807 | | | | 15,660 | | | | 221,358 | | | | 14,892 | | | | 128,999 | | | | 61,807 | | | | 15,660 | | | | 221,358 | |
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) | | | 437,455 | | | | 784 | | | | 17,755 | | | | 13,029 | | | | 469,023 | | | | 437,455 | | | | 784 | | | | 17,755 | | | | 13,029 | | | | 469,023 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 8,064,182 | | | | 779,262 | | | | 1,036,797 | | | | 167,218 | | | | 10,047,459 | | | | 8,064,182 | | | | 779,262 | | | | 1,036,797 | | | | 167,218 | | | | 10,047,459 | |
Unallocated assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 285,105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 285,105 | |
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 257,910 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 257,910 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 543,015 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 543,015 | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
| | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 4,108,166 | | | | 617,082 | | | | 697,922 | | | | 47,500 | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,646,637 | | | | 111 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,646,748 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 5,754,803 | | | | 617,193 | | | | 697,922 | | | | 47,500 | | | | 7,117,418 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 664,494 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 591,608 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 193,453 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,449,555 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,566,973 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,023,501 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,473,056 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
Assets and liabilities by business sectors as of December 31, 2014: | | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Water | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term project debt | | | 4,108,166 | | | | 617,082 | | | | 697,922 | | | | 47,500 | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,646,637 | | | | 111 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,646,748 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 5,754,803 | | | | 617,193 | | | | 697,922 | | | | 47,500 | | | | 7,117,418 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 664,494 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 591,608 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 193,453 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,449,555 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,566,973 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,023,501 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,473,056 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,590,474 | |
| | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | |
Assets allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracted concessional assets | | | 5,178,459 | | | | 646,842 | | | | 899,877 | | | | 6,725,178 | |
Investments carried under the equity method | | | 5,711 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,711 | |
Current financial investments | | | 64,449 | | | | 110,959 | | | | 54,009 | | | | 229,417 | |
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) | | | 156,867 | | | | 17,612 | | | | 24,307 | | | | 198,786 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 5,405,486 | | | | 775,413 | | | | 978,193 | | | | 7,159,092 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unallocated assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 497,771 | |
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 307,132 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 804,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,963,995 | |
| | Renewable energy | | | Conventional power | | | Electric transmission lines | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | |
Liabilities allocated | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term non-recourse project financing | | | 2,579,221 | | | | 625,135 | | | | 618,710 | | | | 3,823,066 | |
Grants and other liabilities | | | 1,367,601 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,367,601 | |
Subtotal allocated | | | 3,946,822 | | | | 625,135 | | | | 618,710 | | | | 5,190,667 | |
Unallocated liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term and short-term corporate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 378,415 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 307,710 | |
Other current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 247,572 | |
Subtotal unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 933,697 | |
Total liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6,124,364 | |
Equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,839,631 | |
Total liabilities and equity unallocated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,773,328 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,963,995 | |
| c) | The amount of depreciation, amortization and amortization expenseimpairment charges recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 and 20132014 are as follows: |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | | | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Depreciation and amortization by geography | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment by geography | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
North America | | | (129,091 | ) | | | (70,777 | ) | | | (16,182 | ) | | | (129,478 | ) | | | (129,091 | ) | | | (70,777 | ) |
South America | | | (41,274 | ) | | | (31,990 | ) | | | (10,853 | ) | | | (62,387 | ) | | | (41,274 | ) | | | (31,990 | ) |
EMEA | | | (90,936 | ) | | | (22,713 | ) | | | (19,908 | ) | | | (141,060 | ) | | | (90,936 | ) | | | (22,713 | ) |
Total | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) | | | (46,943 | ) | | | (332,925 | ) | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment by business sectors | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Renewable energy | | | (304,235 | ) | | | (232,699 | ) | | | (98,107 | ) |
Electric transmission lines | | | (28,690 | ) | | | (28,602 | ) | | | (27,373 | ) |
Total | | | (332,925 | ) | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) |
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
Depreciation and amortization by business sectors | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Renewable energy | | | (232,699 | ) | | | (98,107 | ) | | | (36,090 | ) |
Electric transmission lines | | | (28,602 | ) | | | (27,373 | ) | | | (10,853 | ) |
Total | | | (261,301 | ) | | | (125,480 | ) | | | (46,943 | ) |
Note 5.- Changes in the scope of the consolidated financial statements
For the year ended December 31, 2016
On January 7, 2016, the Company closed the acquisition of a 13% stake in Solacor 1/2 from JGC, which reduced JGC´s ownership in Solacor 1/2 to 13%. The total purchase price for these assets amounted to $19,923 thousand.
The difference between the amount of Non-Controlling interest representing the 13% interest held by JGC accounted for in the consolidated accounts at the purchase date, and the purchase price has been recorded in equity in these consolidated financial statements, pursuant to IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements.
On August 3, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Seville PV. Total purchase price paid for this asset amounted to $3,214 thousand. The purchase has been accounted for in the consolidated accounts of Atlantica Yield, in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations.
For the year ended December 31, 2015
On February 3, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of a 25.5% stake in Honaine and a 34.2% stake in Skikda and on February 23, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of a 29.6% stake in Helioenergy 1/2. Total purchase price paid for these assets amounted to $94 million.$94,009 thousand.
OnIn addition, on May 13, 2015 and May 14, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Helios 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex, and Solnova 1/3/4, a 150 MW solar complex, respectively, both in Spain. On May 25, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 70.4% stake in Helioenergy 1/2, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. On July 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Kaxu, a 100 MW solar plant in South Africa. Total purchase price paid for these assets amounted to $682 million.$682,300 thousand.
On June 25, 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of ATN2, an 81-mile transmission line in Peru. On September 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Solaben 1/6, a 100 MW solar complex in Spain. The total purchase price paidagreed for these assets amounted to $359 million.$359,104 thousand.
The Company has significant influence over Honaine therefore it is accounted for using the equity method as per IAS 28 Investments in Associates in these consolidated financial statements.
Under IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements the Company hashad control over the rest of the assets acquired during the year 2015 and therefore they are fully consolidated in these consolidated financial statements. Given that Atlantica Yield was a subsidiary controlled by Abengoa when these acquisitions were closed, theseat the time of acquisition, the assets acquired constituted an acquisition under common control by Abengoa and accordingly, they were recorded using Abengoa’s historical basis in the assets and liabilities of the predecessor. The difference between the cash paid and historical value of the net assets was recorded in equity. Results of operations of the assets acquired have been recorded in Atlantica Yield’s consolidated income statement since the date of the acquisition.
Impact of changes in the scope in the consolidated financial statements
The amount of assets and liabilities integrated at the effective acquisition date for the aggregated change in scope is shown in the following table:
| | Asset Acquisition under ROFO Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2015 | |
Concessional assets (Note 6) | | | 3,140,457 | |
Investments carried under the equity method (Note 7) | | | 51,527 | |
Deferred tax asset (Note 18) | | | 107,227 | |
Other non-current assets | | | 10,137 | |
Current assets | | | 428,935 | |
Project debt long term (Note 15) | | | (2,087,362 | ) |
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 18) | | | (9,589 | ) |
Project debt short term (Note 15) | | | (102,012 | ) |
Other current and non-current liabilities | | | (491,768 | ) |
Asset acquisition under Rofo - purchase price | | | (1,135,413 | ) |
Non-controlling interests | | | (57,627 | ) |
| | | | |
Net result of the asset acquisition | | | (145,488 | ) |
Had the Asset acquisition under ROFO Agreement performed during 2015 been consolidated from January 1, 2015, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income would have included additional revenue of $162 million$162,918 thousand and additional loss after tax of $25.8 million.$25,879 thousand.
For the year ended December 31, 2014.
Mojave Solar LLC
On December 1, 2014, Mojave Solar, LLC, the Company that holds the assets in Mojave, which was recorded under the equity method during its construction period, entered into operation and started to be fully consolidated once control over this company was gained.
The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee when facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to the elements that determine control (power over the investee, exposure to variable returns of the investee and ability to use its power to affect its returns). The Company concluded that during the construction phase of Mojave plant all the relevant decisions were subject to the control and approval of the Administration. As a result, the Company did not have control over these assets during this period. IFRS 10 (B80) establishes that control requires a continuous assessment and that the Company shall reassess if it controls on investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to the elements of control. Once the Project´s construction phase was finished, the decision making process changed such that the Company makes decisions about the relevant activities of the investee, the investee was controlled and it started to be fully consolidated.
As during the construction period the assets were included in the investee’s accounts under the scope of IFRIC 12, the book value of the combined assets and liabilities is the same as its fair value.
First asset acquisition under the ROFO agreement
On September 22, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Abengoa, subject to financing and negotiations of definitive documentation and certain other conditions, to acquire the First Dropdown Assets. On November 18, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Solacor 1/2 through a 30-year usufruct rights contract over the related shares (which includes the option to purchase such shares for one euro during a four-year term); on December 4, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of PS10/20; and on December 29, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Cadonal. The total aggregate consideration for the First Dropdown Assets was $312 million. Solacor 1/2 are Solar assets located in Spain with a capacity of 100 MW, PS 10/20 are Solar assets located in Spain with a capacity of 31 MW and Cadonal is a 50 MW wind farm located in Uruguay.
Given that Atlantica Yield was a subsidiary controlled by Abengoa when these acquisitions were closed, the assets acquired constituted an acquisition under common control by Abengoa and accordingly, were recorded using Abengoa’s historical basis in the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor. The difference between the cash proceeds and historical value of the net assets was recorded in equity. Results of operations of the assets acquired have been recorded in Atlantica Yield’s consolidated income statement since the date of the acquisition.
Impact of changes in the scope in the consolidated financial statements
The amount of assets and liabilities integrated at the effective acquisition date for the aggregated change in scope is shown in the following table:
| | Total | | | First asset acquisition under ROFO Agreement | | | Mojave | |
Concession assets (Note 6) | | | 2,583,946 | | | | 1,010,030 | | | | 1,573,916 | |
Amortization (Note 6) | | | (108,191 | ) | | | (108,191 | ) | | | — | |
Deferred tax asset (Note 18) | | | 20,230 | | | | 20,230 | | | | — | |
Other non-current assets | | | 21,837 | | | | 1,555 | | | | 20,282 | |
Current assets | | | 144,734 | | | | 138,692 | | | | 6,042 | |
Project debt long term (Note 15) | | | (1,401,107 | ) | | | (592,115 | ) | | | (808,992 | ) |
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 18) | | | (2,526 | ) | | | (2,526 | ) | | | — | |
Project debt short term (Note 15) | | | (39,445 | ) | | | (28,284 | ) | | | (11,161 | ) |
Other current and non-current liabilities | | | (468,349 | ) | | | (113,630 | ) | | | (354,719 | ) |
Book value of previously held interest for Mojave (Note 7) | | | (425,368 | ) | | | — | | | | (425,368 | ) |
First asset acquisition under Rofo - purchase price | | | (312,265 | ) | | | (312,265 | ) | | | — | |
Non-controlling interests | | | (33,563 | ) | | | (33,563 | ) | | | — | |
Net result of the asset acquisition | | | (20,067 | ) | | | (20,067 | ) | | | — | |
Had the first asset acquisition under ROFO Agreement performed during 2014 been consolidated from January 1, 2014, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income would have included additional revenue of $97 million and additional profit of $13 million. Mojave Solar LLC impact would have been nil.
Note 6.- Contracted concessional assets
Contracted concessional assets include fixed assets financed through project debt, related to service concession arrangements recorded in accordance with IFRIC 12, except for Palmucho, which is recorded in accordance with IAS 17, and PS10, PS20 and Seville PV which are recorded as property plant and equipment in accordance with IAS 16. As of December 31, 2016, contracted concessional financial assets amount to $928,720 thousand ($933,949 thousand as of December 31, 2015).
For further details on the application of IFRIC 12 to projects, see Appendix III.
| a) | The following table shows the movements of contracted concessional assets included in the heading “Contracted Concessional assets” for 2015:2016: |
Cost | | | | |
| | | |
Total as of January 1, 2016 | | | 10,126,023 | |
Additions | | | 6,346 | |
Translation differences | | | (68,199 | ) |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements | | | 5,876 | |
Reclassification and other movements | | | (2,450 | ) |
| | | | |
Total as of December 31, 2016 | | | 10,067,596 | |
Accumulated amortization | | | |
| | | |
Total as of January 1, 2016 | | | (825,126 | ) |
Additions | | | (332,925 | ) |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements | | | (2,381 | ) |
Translation differences | | | 17,108 | |
Total accum. amort. as of December 31, 2016 | | | (1,143,324 | ) |
Net balance at December 31, 2016 | | | 8,924,272 | |
During 2016 contracted concessional assets decreased primarily due to the amortization charge for the year.
Considering the low level of wind resources recorded since COD in Palmatir and Cadonal projects and the uncertainty around such level in the future, the Company identified a triggering event of impairment during the year 2016 in compliance with IAS 36, Impairment of Assets. As a result, impairment tests have been performed resulting in the recording of an impairment loss of $17,229 thousand and $3,101 thousand for the Cadonal and Palmatir projects, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
The impairment has been recorded within the line “Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges” of the consolidated income statement, decreasing the amount of “Contracted concessional assets” pertaining to the Renewable energy sector and South America geography. The recoverable amount considered is the value in use and amounts to $91,795 thousand and $123,912 thousand for Cadonal and Palmatir, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. A specific discount rate has been used in each year considering changes in the debt/equity leverage ratio over the useful life of this project, resulting in the use of a range of discount rates between 6.7% and 7.0% for both projects.
An adverse change in the key assumptions which are individually used for the valuation could lead to future impairment recognition; especially, a 5% decrease in generation over the entire remaining useful life (PPA) of the project would generate an additional impairment of approximately $5 million for Cadonal and $7 million for Palmatir. An increase of 50 basis points in the discount rate would lead to an additional impairment of approximately $3 million for Cadonal and $4 million for Palmatir.
In addition, the Company identified a triggering event of impairment for Solana as a result of the generation of the plant having been lower than expected during its first years of operation. This project pertains to the Renewable energy sector and North America geography. The Company therefore performed an impairment test as of December 31, 2016, which resulted in the recoverable amount (value in use) exceeding the carrying amount of the asset by 3%. To determine the value in use of the asset, a specific discount rate has been used in each year considering changes in the debt/equity leverage ratio over the useful life of this project, resulting in the use of a range of discount rates between 4.1% and 5.1%.
An adverse change in the key assumptions which are individually used for the valuation could lead to future impairment recognition; especially, a 5% decrease in generation over the entire remaining useful life (PPA) of the project would generate an impairment of approximately $40 million. An increase of 50 basis points in the discount rate would lead to an impairment of approximately $30 million.
The decrease included in “Reclassification and other movements” is mainly due to the reclassification from the long to the short term of the current portion of the contracted concessional financial assets.
| b) | The following table shows the movements of contracted concessional assets included in the heading “Contracted Concessional assets” for 2015: |
Cost | | | |
| | | |
Total as of January 1, 2015 | | | 7,025,576 | |
Additions | | | 13,426 | |
Translation differences | | | (326,557 | ) |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements (Note 5) | | | 3,430,362 | ) |
Reclassification and other movements | | | (16,784 | ) |
| | | | |
Total as of December 31, 2015 | | | 10,126,023 | |
Accumulated amortization | | | |
| | | |
Total as of January 1, 2015 | | | (300,398 | ) |
Additions | | | (261,301 | ) |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements (Note 5) | | | (289,905 | ) |
Translation differences | | | 26,478 | |
Total accum. Amort. Asamort. as of December 31, 2015 | | | (825,126 | ) |
Net balance at December 31, 2015 | | | 9,300,897 | |
During 2015 contracted concessional assets increased mainly due to the asset acquisition under Rofo agreement ($3,140 million).
No losses from impairment of ‘Contracted concessional assets’ were recorded during 2015.
The decrease included in “Reclassification and other movements” is mainly due to the reclassification from the long to the short term of the current portion of the contracted concessional financial assets.
Contracted concessional assets include fixed assets financed through project debt, related to service concession arrangements recorded in accordance with IFRIC 12, except for Palmucho, which is recorded in accordance with IAS 17, and PS10&20, which are recorded as property plant and equipment in accordance with IAS 16. As of December 31, 2015, contracted concessional financial assets amount to $933,949 thousand ($750,546 thousand as of December 31, 2014).
b) The following table shows the movements of contracted concessional assets included in the heading ‘Contracted concessional assets’ for 2014:
Cost | | | |
| | | |
Total as of January 1, 2014 | | | 4,492,286 | |
Additions | | | 50,799 | |
Translation differences | | | (86,095 | ) |
| | | | |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements (Note 5) | | | 2,583,946 | |
| | | | |
Reclassification and other movements | | | (15,360 | ) |
| | | | |
Total as of December 31, 2014 | | | 7,025,576 | |
| | | | |
Accumulated amortization | | | | |
| | | | |
Total as of January 1, 2014 | | | (74,166 | ) |
Additions | | | (125,480 | ) |
| | | | |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements (Note 5) | | | (108,191 | ) |
| | | | |
Translation differences | | | 7,439 | |
| | | | |
Total accum. Amort. As of December 31, 2014 | | | (300,398 | ) |
Net balance at December 31, 2014 | | | 6,725,178 | |
During 2014 contracted concessional assets increased mainly due to the first asset acquisition under Rofo ($1,010 million) and the full consolidation of Mojave Solar LLC ($1,574 million), once control over the company was gained with the entry into operation of the plant (see Note 5).
In addition, contracted concessional assets increased due to the construction of contracted concessions which have entered into operation in 2014, mainly electric transmission lines in Peru, Palmatir and Quadra 2. No losses from impairment of ‘Contracted concessional assets in projects’ were recorded during 2014.
The decrease included in “Reclassification and other movements” is mainly due to the reclassification from the long to the short term, of the current portion of the contracted concessional financial assets.
For further details of projects to the application of IFRIC 12, please see Appendix III.
Note 7.- Investments carried under the equity method
The table below shows the breakdown and the movement of the investments held in associates for 20152016 and 2014:2015:
Investments in associates | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Initial balance | | | 5,711 | | | | 387,324 | | | | 56,181 | | | | 5,711 | |
Capital contributions | | | - | | | | 44,524 | | |
Change in the scope of the consolidated financial statements (Note 5) | | | 51,528 | | | | (425,368 | ) | | | - | | | | 51,528 | |
Share of (loss)/profit | | | 7,844 | | | | (769 | ) | | | 6,646 | | | | 7,844 | |
Dividend distribution | | | (4,845 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,954 | ) | | | (4,845 | ) |
Equity distribution | | | | (3,099 | ) | | | - | |
Currency translation differences | | | (4,057 | ) | | | - | | | | (765 | ) | | | (4,057 | ) |
Final balance | | | 56,181 | | | | 5,711 | | | | 55,009 | | | | 56,181 | |
There are no significant movement of the investments held in associates during the year 2016.
The increase in 2015 is mainly due to the entrance of Geida Tlemcem, S.L., which owns 51% of Honaine desalination plant. Investment carried under the equity method also increased for the investment held by Kaxu Solar One (Pty) Ltd. in Pectonex, R.F. and the investment held by Solaben 1&6 in Evacuación Valdecaballeros, S.L.
The decrease in 2014 is due to the entity Mojave Solar, LLC, which was fully consolidated since the plant entered into operation in December 2014.F-41
The tables below show a breakdown of stand-alone amounts of assets, revenues and profit and loss as well as other information of interest for the years 20152016 and 20142015 for the associated companies:
Company | | % Shares | | | Non- current assets | | | Current assets | | | Non- current liabilities | | | Current liabilities | | | Revenue | | | Operating profit/ (loss) | | | Net profit/ (loss) | | | Investment under the equity method | | | % Shares | | | Non- current assets | | | Current assets | | | Non- current liabilities | | | Current liabilities | | | Revenue | | | Operating profit/ (loss) | | | Net profit/ (loss) | | | Investment under the equity method | |
Evacuación Valdecaballeros, S.L. | | | 57.12 | | | | 20.765 | | | | 2.102 | | | | 295 | | | | 322 | | | | 604 | | | | (689 | ) | | | (534 | ) | | | 10.475 | | | | 57.16 | | | | 19,283 | | | | 931 | | | | 306 | | | | 532 | | | | 537 | | | | (545 | ) | | | (565 | ) | | | 9,528 | |
Myah Bahr Honaine, S.P.A.(*) | | | 25.50 | | | | 201.997 | | | | 73.965 | | | | 116.610 | | | | 11.945 | | | | 52.767 | | | | 39.336 | | | | 15.607 | | | | 42.117 | | | | 25.50 | | | | 202,150 | | | | 67,120 | | | | 104,704 | | | | 14,158 | | | | 52,770 | | | | 34,247 | | | | 14,066 | | | | 42,056 | |
Pectonex, R.F. Proprietary Limited | | | 50.00 | | | | 3.776 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (189 | ) | | | (189 | ) | | | 3.589 | | | | 50.00 | | | | 3,730 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | (187 | ) | | | (187 | ) | | | 3,425 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2015 | | | | | | | 226.538 | | | | 76.067 | | | | 116.905 | | | | 12.267 | | | | 53.371 | | | | 38.458 | | | | 14.884 | | | | 56.181 | | |
Evacuación Villanueva del Rey, S.L | | | | 40.02 | | | | 3,251 | | | | 17 | | | | 2,118 | | | | 142 | | | | - | | | | 31 | | | | - | | | | - | |
As of December 31, 2016 | | | | | | | | 228,684 | | | | 68,068 | | | | 107,128 | | | | 14,833 | | | | 53,307 | | | | 33,546 | | | | 13,314 | | | | 55,009 | |
| | % Shares | | | Non- current assets | | | Current assets | | | Non- current liabilities | | | Current liabilities | | | Revenue | | | Operating profit/ (loss) | | | Net profit/ (loss) | | | Investment under the equity method | |
Evacuacion Valdecaballeros, S.L. | | | 28.56 | | | $ | 24,513 | | | $ | 2,137 | | | $ | 310 | | | $ | 1,108 | | | $ | 536 | | | $ | (868 | ) | | $ | (651 | ) | | $ | 5,711 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2014 | | | | | | $ | 24,513 | | | $ | 2,137 | | | $ | 310 | | | $ | 1,108 | | | $ | 536 | | | $ | (868 | ) | | $ | (651 | ) | | $ | 5,711 | |
Company | | % Shares | | | Non- current assets | | | Current assets | | | Non- current liabilities | | | Current liabilities | | | Revenue | | | Operating profit/ (loss) | | | Net profit/ (loss) | | | Investment under the equity method | |
Evacuación Valdecaballeros, S.L. | | | 57.16 | | | | 20,552 | | | | 2,402 | | | | 296 | | | | 580 | | | | 458 | | | | (631 | ) | | | (651 | ) | | | 10,475 | |
Myah Bahr Honaine, S.P.A.(*) | | | 25.50 | | | | 201,997 | | | | 73,965 | | | | 116,610 | | | | 11,945 | | | | 52,767 | | | | 39,336 | | | | 15,607 | | | | 42,117 | |
Pectonex, R.F. Proprietary Limited | | | 50.00 | | | | 3,485 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (54 | ) | | | (54 | ) | | | 3,589 | |
Evacuación Villanueva del Rey, S.L | | | 36.64 | | | | 3,526 | | | | 100 | | | | 2,467 | | | | 96 | | | | - | | | | 25 | | | | - | | | | - | |
As of December 31, 2015 | | | | | | | 229,560 | | | | 76,467 | | | | 119,373 | | | | 12,621 | | | | 53,225 | | | | 38,676 | | | | 14,902 | | | | 56,181 | |
The Company has no control over Evacuación Valdecaballeros, S.L. as all relevant decisions of this company require the approval of a minimum of shareholders accounting for more than 75% of the shares.
None of the associated companies referred to above is a listed company.
(*) Myah Bahr Honaine, S.P.A., the project entity, is 51% owned by Geida Tlemcen, S.L. which is accounted for using the equity method in these consolidated financial statements. Share of profit of Myah Bahr Honaine S.P.A. included in these consolidated financial statements amounts to $7,647 thousand in 2016 and $7,821 thousand in 2015.
Note 8.- Financial instruments by category
Financial instruments are primarily deposits, derivatives, trade and other receivables and loans. Financial instruments by category (current and non-current), reconciled with the statement of financial position as of December 31, 20152016 and 20142015 are as follows:
| | Notes | | | Loans and receivables / payables | | | Available for sale financial assets | | | Hedging derivatives | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Derivative assets | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,741 | | | | 4,741 | |
Preferred equity in ACBH | | | | | | | - | | | | 52,564 | | | | - | | | | 52,564 | |
Other financial accounts receivables | | | | | | | 257,844 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 257,844 | |
Clients and other receivables | | | 11 | | | | 197,308 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 197,308 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 12 | | | | 514,712 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 514,712 | |
Total financial assets | | | | | | | 969,864 | | | | 52,564 | | | | 4,741 | | | | 1,027,169 | |
Corporate debt | | | 14 | | | | 664,494 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 664,494 | |
Project debt | | | 15 | | | | 5,470,670 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Related parties | | | 10 | | | | 126,860 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 126,860 | |
Trade and other current liabilities | | | 17 | | | | 178,217 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 178,217 | |
Derivative liabilities | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 385,095 | | | | 385,095 | |
Total financial liabilities | | | | | | | 6,440,241 | | | | - | | | | 385,095 | | | | 6,825,335 | |
| | Notes | | | Loans and receivables / payables | | | Available for sale financial assets | | | Hedging derivatives | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | |
Category | | | Notes | | | Loans and receivables / payables | | | Available for sale financial assets | | | Hedging derivatives | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | |
Derivative assets | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,597 | | | | 4,597 | | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,822 | | | | 3,822 | |
Preferred equity in ACBH | | | | | | | - | | | | 263,000 | | | | - | | | | 263,000 | | | | | | | | - | | | | 30,488 | | | | - | | | | 30,488 | |
Financial accounts receivables | | | | | | | 335,381 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 335,381 | | |
Other financial accounts receivables | | | | | | | | 263,501 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 263,501 | |
Clients and other receivables | | | 11 | | | | 129,696 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 129,696 | | | | 11 | | | | 207,621 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 207,621 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 12 | | | | 354,154 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 354,154 | | | | 12 | | | | 594,811 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 594,811 | |
Total financial assets | | | | | | | 819,231 | | | | 263,000 | | | | 4,597 | | | | 1,086,828 | | | | | | | | 1,065,933 | | | | 30,488 | | | | 3,822 | | | | 1,100,243 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate debt | | | 14 | | | | 378,415 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 378,415 | | | | 14 | | | | 668,201 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 668,201 | |
Project debt | | | 15 | | | | 3,823,066 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,823,066 | | | | 15 | | | | 5,330,467 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 5,330,467 | |
Related parties | | | 10 | | | | 77,961 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 77,961 | | | | 10 | | | | 101,750 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 101,750 | |
Trade and other current liabilities | | | 17 | | | | 231,132 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 231,132 | | | | 17 | | | | 160,505 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 160,505 | |
Derivative liabilities | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 168,931 | | | | 168,931 | | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 349,266 | | | | 349,266 | |
Total financial liabilities | | | | | | | 4,510,574 | | | | - | | | | 168,931 | | | | 4,679,505 | | | | | | | | 6,260,923 | | | | - | | | | 349,266 | | | | 6,610,189 | |
| | Notes | | | Loans and receivables/ payables | | | Available for sale financial assets | | | Hedging derivatives | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
Derivative assets | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,741 | | | | 4,741 | |
Preferred equity in ACBH | | | | | | | - | | | | 52,564 | | | | - | | | | 52,564 | |
Other financial accounts receivables | | | | | | | 257,844 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 257,844 | |
Clients and other receivables | | | 11 | | | | 197,308 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 197,308 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 12 | | | | 514,712 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 514,712 | |
Total financial assets | | | | | | | 969,864 | | | | 52,564 | | | | 4,741 | | | | 1,027,169 | |
Corporate debt | | | 14 | | | | 664,494 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 664,494 | |
Project debt | | | 15 | | | | 5,470,670 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 5,470,670 | |
Related parties | | | 10 | | | | 126,860 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 126,860 | |
Trade and other current liabilities | | | 17 | | | | 178,217 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 178,217 | |
Derivative liabilities | | | 9 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 385,095 | | | | 385,095 | |
Total financial liabilities | | | | | | | 6,440,241 | | | | - | | | | 385,095 | | | | 6,825,335 | |
As of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, all the financial instruments measured at fair value have been classified as Level 2, except for the preferred equity investment in ACBH and the Put and Call Option agreement (see Note 9), classified as Level 3.
The preferred equity investment in ACBH is an available for sale financial asset that gives the following rights:
During the five-year period commencing on July 1, 2014, Atlantica Yield has the right to receive, in four quarterly installments, a preferred dividend of $18,400 thousand per year. Until December 31, 2015, the Company received the dividend corresponding to 1.5 years and the portion corresponding to 3.5 years is pending to be received;
Following the initial five-year period, Atlantica Yield has the option to (i) remain as preferred equity holder receiving the first $18,400 thousand in dividends per year that ACBH is able to distribute or (ii) exchange the preferred equity for ordinary shares of specific project companies owned by ACBH.
· | During the five-year period commencing on July 1, 2014, Atlantica Yield has the right to receive, in four quarterly installments, a preferred dividend of $18,400 thousand per year. As of December 31, 2015, the Company received the dividend corresponding to 1.5 years and the portion corresponding to 3.5 years is pending to be received, as installment for the four quarters at 2016 hasn´t been paid to the Company yet; |
Given that Atlantica Yield has a right to receive a quarterly dividend from July 2014 and for the following five years; the Company initially recorded an account receivable corresponding to the present value of the dividend receivable in the first five years, with a credit to deferred income, in “Grants and other liabilities”. Income was recorded progressively from July 2014, as dividend was collected.
The valuation method used to calculate the initial fair value of the preferred equity investment in ACBH was discounting the $18.4 million annual dividend, using a discount rate of 7%.· | Following the initial five-year period, Atlantica Yield has the option to (i) remain as preferred equity holder receiving the first $18,400 thousand in dividends per year that ACBH is able to distribute or (ii) exchange the preferred equity for ordinary shares of specific project companies owned by ACBH. |
On January 29, 2016, Abengoa informed the Company that several indirect subsidiaries of Abengoa in Brazil, including ACBH, have initiated an insolvency procedure under Brazilian law (“reorganizaçao judiciaria”). The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this event together with external advisors. Given that this process will likely negatively affect the value of the preferred equity investment and considering the high degree of uncertainty on its final outcome, the Company has recorded an impairment of this preferred equity investment for a total amount of $210 million. This amount has been recorded in “Other financial income/(expense), net” in the consolidated income statement for the year ended$210,435 thousand as of December 31, 2015. The valuation method used to calculate the value on the preferred equity investment in ACBH as of December 31, 2015 has been discounting the originally expected cash-flows from the instrument using a discount rate of 35%, based on the yields of bonds issued in Brazil by comparable companies with a rating indicating distress.
In addition, in the third quarter of 2016, the Company de-recognisedsigned an agreement with Abengoa on ACBH preferred equity investment among other things, with the account receivablefollowing main consequences:
| · | Abengoa acknowledged it failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreements related to the preferred equity investment in ACBH and, as a result, Atlantica Yield is the legal owner of the dividends amounting to $28.0 million, that the Company retained from Abengoa; |
| · | Abengoa recognizes a non-contingent credit for an amount of €300 million (approximately $316 million), corresponding to the guarantee provided by Abengoa, S.A. regarding the preferred equity investment in ACBH, subject to restructuring and subject to adjustments for dividends retained after the agreement. On October 25, 2016, Atlantica Yield signed Abengoa’s restructuring agreement and accepted, subject to implementation of the restructuring, to receive 30% of the amount (approximately $95 million) in the form of tradable bonds to be issued by Abengoa. Upon completion of the restructuring, this debt (“Restructured Debt”) would have a junior status within Abengoa debt structure post restructuring. The remaining 70% ($221 million) would be received in the form of equity in Abengoa. As of the date of this report, there is a high degree of uncertainty on the value of this debt and equity; |
| · | In order to convert this junior debt into senior debt, Atlantica Yield has agreed, subject to implementation of the restructuring, to participate in Abengoa’s issuance of asset-backed notes (the “New Money 1 Tradable Notes”) with up to €48 million (approximately $51 million), subject to scale-back following allocation process contemplated in Abengoa’s restructuring. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company reached an agreement with an investment fund to sell them approximately 50% of the New Money Tradable Notes that the Company is assigned, and as a result expects the final investment to be less than €24 million (approximately $25 million). The New Money 1 Tradable Notes are backed by a ring-fenced structure including Atlantica Yield’s shares and a cogeneration plant in Mexico (A3T). The New Money 1 Tradable Notes offer the highest level of seniority in Abengoa’s debt structure post restructuring. Upon the purchase by the Company of the New Money 1 Tradable Notes, the Restructured Debt would be converted into senior debt; |
| · | Upon receipt of the Restructured Debt and Abengoa equity, the Company would waive its rights under the ACBH agreements, including its right to retain the dividends payable to Abengoa. |
Further to this agreement, the dividend receivableCompany updated the valuation of the instrument as of December 31, 2016 using a probability weighted method. This valuation method considers the probability of the restructuring agreement of Abengoa being made effective. The fair value of the instrument as of December 31, 2016 is the result of estimating the value of the instrument in case the restructuring agreement is made effective and in case it is not. In case the restructuring agreement is not accepted, the value of the instrument would remain the same as the one calculated as of December 31, 2015. In case the restructuring agreements is made effective, value of the instrument has been obtained by discounting the expected cash-flows from the Restructured Debt (approximately $95 million), using a discount rate of 25% based on the yields of bonds issued in Spain by comparable companies involved in a similar restructuring process. Result of this updated valuation is an additional impairment of this preferred equity investment recorded as of December 31, 2016 for an amount of $22,076 thousand.
An adverse change in the remaining 3.5 years, amountingkey assumptions which are individually used for the valuation could lead to $64.4 million, with a corresponding debitfuture impairment recognition; especially, an increase of 50 basis points in the discount rates used in the fair value exercise described above would lead to the deferred income recorded in “Grants and other liabilities”.an additional impairment of approximately $1 million.
Other financial accounts receivables include the short-term portion of contracted concessional assets (see Note 6).
Note 9.- Derivative financial instruments
The breakdowns of the fair value amount of the derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 20152016 and 20142015 are as follows:
| | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | |
| | Assets | | | Liabilities | | | Assets | | | Liabilities | |
Interest rate derivatives - cash flow hedge | | | 4,741 | | | | 385,095 | | | | 4,597 | | | | 168,931 | |
| | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
| | Assets | | | Liabilities | | | Assets | | | Liabilities | |
Interest rate derivatives - cash flow hedge | | | 3,822 | | | | 349,266 | | | | 4,741 | | | | 385,095 | |
The derivatives are primarily interest rate cash-flow hedges.hedges. All are classified as non-current assets or non-current liabilities, as they hedge long-term financing agreements. All derivatives are classified as Level 2 (see Note 2).
On May 12, 2015, the Company entered into a currency swap agreement with Abengoa which provides for a fixed exchange rate for the cash available for distribution from the Company’s Spanish assets. The distributions from the Spanish assets are paid in euros and the currency swap agreement provides for a fixed exchange rate at which euros will be converted into U.S. dollars. The currency swap agreement has a five-year term, and is valued by comparing the contracted exchange rate and the future exchange rate in the valuation scenario at the maturities dates. The instrument is valued by calculating the cash flow that would be obtained or paid by theoretically closing out the position and then discounting that amount.
As stated in Note 3 to these consolidated financial statements, the general policy is to hedge variable interest rates of financing agreements purchasing call options (caps) in exchange of a premium to fix the maximum interest rate cost and contracting floating to fixed interest rate swaps.
As a result, the notional amounts hedged, strikes contracted and maturities, depending on the characteristics of the debt on which the interest rate risk is being hedged, can be diverse:
Project debt in Euros: the Company hedge between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2030 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 3.20 % and 4.87%.
· | Project debt in Euros: the Company hedges between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, maturities until 2030 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 3.20 % and 4.87%. |
Project debt in U.S. dollars: the Company hedge· | Project debt in U.S. dollars: the Company hedges between 75% and 100% of the notional amount, including maturities until 2043 and average guaranteed interest rates of between 2.52% and 6.88%. |
F-46
The table below shows a breakdown of the maturities of notional amounts of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014.2015.
Notionals | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
| | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | |
Up to 1 year | | | 22,320 | | | | 72,184 | | | | 18,505 | | | | 28,122 | | | | 24,261 | | | | 75,837 | | | | 22,320 | | | | 72,184 | |
Between 1 and 2 years | | | 25,018 | | | | 77,193 | | | | 19,833 | | | | 39,923 | | | | 25,934 | | | | 199,832 | | | | 25,018 | | | | 77,193 | |
Between 2 and 3 years | | | 26,741 | | | | 201,186 | | | | 21,333 | | | | 41,135 | | | | 27,880 | | | | 83,897 | | | | 26,741 | | | | 201,186 | |
Subsequent years | | | 441,766 | | | | 1,611,035 | | | | 245,797 | | | | 751,350 | | | | 400,239 | | | | 1,500,789 | | | | 441,766 | | | | 1,611,035 | |
Total | | $ | 515,845 | | | $ | 1,961,598 | | | $ | 305,468 | | | $ | 860,530 | | | $ | 478,314 | | | $ | 1,860,355 | | | $ | 515,845 | | | $ | 1,961,598 | |
The table below shows a breakdown of the maturity of the fair values of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014.2015. The net position of the fair value of caps and swaps for each year end reconciles with the net position of derivative assets and derivative liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position:
Fair value | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2016 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | |
| | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | | | Cap | | | Swap | |
Up to 1 year | | | 185 | | | | (15,741 | ) | | | 170 | | | | (5,388 | ) | | | 250 | | | | (12,383 | ) | | | 185 | | | | (15,741 | ) |
Between 1 and 2 years | | | 201 | | | | (16,508 | ) | | | 185 | | | | (7,110 | ) | | | 262 | | | | (14,927 | ) | | | 201 | | | | (16,508 | ) |
Between 2 and 3 years | | | 218 | | | | (16,580 | ) | | | 202 | | | | (7,320 | ) | | | 275 | | | | (13,957 | ) | | | 218 | | | | (16,580 | ) |
Subsequent years | | | 4,137 | | | | (336,266 | ) | | | 4,040 | | | | (149,113 | ) | | | 3,035 | | | | (307,999 | ) | | | 4,137 | | | | (336,266 | ) |
Total | | $ | 4,741 | | | | (385,095 | ) | | $ | 4,597 | | | | (168,931 | ) | | $ | 3,822 | | | | (349,266 | ) | | $ | 4,741 | | | | (385,095 | ) |
Derivative liabilities included in these consolidated financial statements increase is primarilyDuring 2016, fair value of derivatives increased mainly due to an increases in the asset acquisition underfair value of interest rate cash-flow hedges resulting from the ROFO Agreement (see Note 5).increase in future interest rates.
The net amount of the fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges transferred to the consolidated income statement is a loss of $72,774 thousand (loss of $55,841 thousand (lossin 2015 and a loss of $27,473 thousand in 2014 and a loss of $28,027 thousand in 2013)2014). Additionally, the net amount of the time value component of the cash flow derivatives fair value recognized in the consolidated income statement for the year 20152016 and the consolidated income statement for the years 20142015 and 20132014 has been a gain of $1,694 thousand, a gain of $4,234 thousand and a loss of $2,386 thousand and a gain of $513 thousand respectively.
The after-tax result accumulated in equity in connection with derivatives designated as cash flow hedges at the years ended December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, amount to a $24,831$52,797 thousand gain and a $15,539$24,831 thousand lossgain respectively.
Note 10.- Related parties
During the normal course of business, the Company has historically conducted operations with related parties consisting mainly of Abengoa´s subsidiaries and non-controlling interests, mainly through loan contracts and advisory services. The transactions were completed at market rates.
Details of balances with related parties as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
| | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
Credit receivables (current) | | | 12,031 | | | | 12,653 | |
Total current receivables with related parties | | | 12,031 | | | | 12,653 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Credit receivables (non-current) | | | 30,505 | | | | 52,774 | |
Total non-current receivables with related parties | | | 30,505 | | | | 52,774 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Trade payables (current) | | | 61,338 | | | | 73,813 | |
Total current payables with related parties | | | 61,338 | | | | 73,813 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Credit payables (non-current) | | | 101,750 | | | | 126,860 | |
Total non-current payables with related parties | | | 101,750 | | | | 126,860 | |
Receivables with related parties primarily correspond to the preferred equity investment in ACBH. The instrument was impaired and its fair value amounts to $30,488 thousand as of December 31, 2016 ($52,565 thousand as of December 31, 2015), classified as non-current (see Note 8).
Trade payables (current) primarily relate to payables for Operation and Maintenance services. Credit payables (non-current) primarily relate to payables of projects companies with partners accounted for as non-controlling interests in these consolidated financial statements.
The transactions carried out by entities included in these consolidated financial statements with Abengoa and with subsidiaries of Abengoa not included in the consolidated group during the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been as follows:
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
| | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
Sales | | | - | | | | 44,260 | | | | 25,673 | |
Construction costs | | | - | | | | - | | | | (38,565 | ) |
Services rendered | | | 1,220 | | | | 523 | | | | 2,343 | |
Services received | | | (115,779 | ) | | | (106,737 | ) | | | (41,961 | ) |
Financial income | | | 60 | | | | 1,466 | | | | 4,415 | |
Financial expenses | | | (2,460 | ) | | | (1,968 | ) | | | (9,544 | ) |
Services received primarily include operation and maintenance services received by some plants. Until December 2015, sales related to sale of energy by Spanish Solar plants were sometimes made through an Abengoa company acting as an agent for the plant. This service is not provided anymore by Abengoa since then.
During the period prior to the initial public offering, certain consolidated entities entered into one-year contractual arrangements with Abengoa from which the Company received certain administrative services. Such services included general services related to supporting functions such as financing, human resources management, and administration. The fee incurred by the operating companies was based on anticipated annual sales. During 2015 and 2016 the Company has internalized main support services cancelling the majority of these fees with Abengoa.
In addition, other operating expenses included in 2014 an allocation of certain general and administrative services provided by Abengoa. Allocated costs included general and administrative costs deemed allocable to the Company. Measurement of allocated costs was based principally on time devoted to the Company by employees of Abengoa. The Company believed that including the allocated costs, the combined statements of operations included a reasonable estimate of actual costs incurred to operate the business.
At the date of the initial offering, the Company entered into a series of agreements to receive management, general and administrative services from Abengoa (the Support Services Agreement and Executive Service Agreement), and corresponding fees have beenwere properly accounted for as other operating expenses from this date onwards.expenses. The Executive Service Agreement was canceled in February 2015. During the year 2015 and 2016, some employees of Abengoa delivering services under the Support Services Agreement have been transferred to entities within the consolidation perimeter of Atlantica Yield.Yield and the Support Services Agreement has been cancelled. In addition, some external employees were hired. This resulted in the Company increasing its own employee benefit expenses as shown on the face of the consolidated income statement for the years 2015 and 2016.
Main part ofThe figures detailed in the project entities includedtable above do not include the following financial income recorded in these consolidated financial statements receive operation and maintenance services from related parties. Furthermore, some of these entities received engineering, procurement, construction services from related parties for those concessions which were still under construction during the year 2014.
Details of balances with related parties as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
| | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | |
| | | | | | |
Credit receivables (current) | | | 12,653 | | | | 29,876 | |
Total current receivables with related parties | | | 12,653 | | | | 29,876 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Credit receivables (non-current) | | | 52,774 | | | | 327,400 | |
Total non-current receivables with related parties | | | 52,774 | | | | 327,400 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Trade payables (current) | | | 73,813 | | | | 104,556 | |
Total current payables with related parties | | | 73,813 | | | | 104,556 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Trade payables (non- current) | | | - | | | | 21,685 | |
Credit payables (non-current) | | | 126,860 | | | | 56,276 | |
Total non-current payables with related parties | | | 126,860 | | | | 77,961 | |
Receivables with related parties primarily corresponded to the preferred equity investment in ACBH and its corresponding dividend as of December 31, 2014, for $327, 400 thousand as non-current and $18,400 thousand as current. The instrument was impaired and its fair value amounts to $52,565 thousand as of December 31, 2015, classified as non-current (see Note 8).
Credit payables (non-current) primarily relate to payables of projects companies with partners accounted for as non-controlling interests in these consolidated financial statements.
The transactions carried out by entities included in these consolidated financial statements with Abengoa and with subsidiaries of Abengoa not included in the consolidated group during the twelve-month periodsperiod ended December 31, 2015, 20142016 and 2013 have been as follows:
| | For the twelve-month period ended December 31, | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Sales | | | 44,260 | | | | 25,673 | | | | 11,925 | |
Construction costs | | | - | | | | (38,565 | ) | | | (364,715 | ) |
Services rendered | | | 523 | | | | 2,343 | | | | 2,804 | |
Services received | | | (106,737 | ) | | | (41,961 | ) | | | (27,072 | ) |
Financial income | | | 1,466 | | | | 4,415 | | | | 468 | |
Financial expenses | | | (1,968 | ) | | | (9,544 | ) | | | (11,209 | ) |
Services received include operation and maintenance services received by some plants,resulting from the fee incurred by some plants under the services agreement signed with Abengoa and general and administrative services as explained above. Sales relate to salein the third quarter of energy by Spanish Solar plants, which were sometimes made through an Abengoa´s company acting as an agent2016 (see Note 8): compensation received from Abengoa in lieu of dividends from ACBH for $28.0 million, income for the plant. This service provided bycancellation of the subordinated debt Solnova Electricidad S.A. owed to Abener for $7.6 million and income of $1.7 million for discounts received from Abengoa was canceled in December 2015. Financial expenses duringfor the twelve-month periods ended December 2014prepayment of payables.
In addition, Abengoa maintains a number of obligations under EPC, O&M and 2013 primarily relate to interest expenses on debt with related partiesother contracts, as well as indemnities covering certain potential risks. Additionally, Abengoa represented that were capitalized prioras of the date of the accession to the IPO.restructuring agreement Atlantica Yield would not be a guarantor of any obligation of Abengoa with respect to third parties and agreed to indemnify the Company for any penalty claimed by third parties resulting from any breach in such representations.
Construction costs include construction work subcontracted to Abengoa for the construction of the assets, which is recorded in these consolidated financial statements due to the fact that contracted concessional assets are included in the consolidated financial statements during the construction phase, according to IFRIC 12.
In addition,Finally, the Company entered into a Financial Support Agreementfinancial support agreement on June 13, 2014 under which Abengoa agreed to facilitate a new $50,000 thousand revolving credit line and maintain any guarantees and letters of credit that have been provided by it on behalf of or for the benefit of Atlantica Yield and its affiliates for a period of five years. As of December 31, 2015,2016, the total amount of the credit line has remained undrawn since the IPO.
Note 11.- Clients and other receivable
Clients and other receivable as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, consist of the following:
| | | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Trade receivables | | | 126,844 | | | | 78,521 | | | | 151,199 | | | | 126,844 | |
Tax receivables | | | 42,322 | | | | 36,080 | | | | 29,705 | | | | 42,322 | |
Prepayments | | | | 10,261 | | | | 9,168 | |
Other accounts receivable | | | 28,142 | | | | 15,095 | | | | 16,456 | | | | 18,974 | |
Total | | | 197,308 | | | | 129,696 | | | | 207,621 | | | | 197,308 | |
As of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, the fair value of clients and other accounts receivable does not differ significantly from its carrying value. The increase in clients and other receivables is primarily due to the asset acquisition under Rofo Agreement. (See Note 5).
Trade receivables according to foreign currency as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, are as follows:
| | | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
Euro | | | 74,535 | | | | 45,435 | | | | 98,798 | | | | 74,535 | |
Rand | | | 6,208 | | | | - | | | | 12,807 | | | | 6,208 | |
Other | | | 6,646 | | | | 7,714 | | | | 7,151 | | | | 6,646 | |
Total | | | 87,389 | | | | 53,149 | | | | 118,756 | | | | 87,389 | |
The following table shows the maturity of Trade receivables as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014:2015:
| | | Balance as of December 31, | |
| | Balance as of December 31, 2015 | | | Balance as of December 31, 2014 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Up to 3 months | | | 126,844 | | | | 78,521 | | | | 151,199 | | | | 126,844 | |
Total | | | 126,844 | | | | 78,521 | | | | 151,199 | | | | 126,844 | |
The following table shows the detail of Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014:2015: