DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS | 13. (a) The fair value of derivative instruments is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price). Management has estimated the value of financial swaps, physical forwards and option contracts for electricity, natural gas, carbon offsets and RECs, using a discounted cash flow method, which employs market forward curves that are either directly sourced from third parties or developed internally based on third-party market data. These curves can be volatile, thus leading to volatility in the mark to market with no immediate impact to cash flows. Gas options have been valued using the applicable market forward curves and the implied volatility from other market traded options. Green power options have been valued using historical volatility. Management periodically uses non-exchange-traded swap agreements based on CDDs and HDDs measured in its utility service territories to reduce the impact of weather volatility on Just Energy’s electricity and natural gas volumes, commonly referred to as “weather derivatives”. The fair value of these swaps on a given measurement station indicated in the derivative contract is determined by calculating the difference between the agreed strike and expected variable observed at the same station. The following table illustrates unrealized gains (losses) related to Just Energy’s derivative instruments classified as fair value through the Consolidated Statement of Operations and recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as fair value of derivative instrument assets and fair value of derivative instruments liabilities, with their offsetting values recorded in unrealized gain (loss) in fair value of derivative instruments and other on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the year ended March 31, 2022 2021 2020 Physical forward contracts and options (i) $ 476,050 $ 4,161 $ (96,495) Financial swap contracts and options (ii) 206,923 54,639 (46,410) Foreign exchange forward contracts (818) (6,202) 6,712 Share swap – – (7,102) Other derivative options 238 (1,675) (1,258) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other $ 682,393 $ 50,923 $ (144,553) The following table summarizes certain aspects of the fair value of derivative instrument assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2022: Derivative Derivative Derivative Derivative instrument instrument instrument instrument assets assets liabilities liabilities (current) (non-current) (current) (non-current) Physical forward contracts and options (i) $ 373,268 $ 81,392 $ 10,195 $ 5,865 Financial swap contracts and options (ii) 161,838 51,161 2,134 6,856 Foreign exchange forward contracts – – 841 195 Other derivative options 3,594 461 – – As at March 31, 2022 $ 538,700 $ 133,014 $ 13,170 $ 12,916 The following tables summarize certain aspects of the fair value of derivative instrument assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2021: Derivative Derivative Derivative Derivative instrument instrument instrument instrument assets assets liabilities liabilities (current) (non-current) (current) (non-current) Physical forward contracts and options (i) $ 9,951 $ 5,338 $ 8,078 $ 44,629 Financial swap contracts and options (ii) 5,520 2,095 2,821 4,014 Foreign exchange forward contracts – – 216 – Other derivative options 2,911 996 – – As at March 31, 2021 $ 18,382 $ 8,429 $ 11,115 $ 48,643 Individual derivative asset and liability transactions are offset and the net amount reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet if, and only if, there is currently an enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously. Individual derivative transactions are typically offset at the legal entity and counterparty level. The impact of netting derivative assets and liabilities is presented in the table below. Gross basis amount Netting impact Net basis amount Derivative instrument assets $ 910,174 $ (238,460) $ 671,714 Derivative instrument liabilities (265,011) 238,925 (26,086) As of March 31, 2022 $ 645,163 $ 465 $ 645,628 Gross basis amount Netting impact Net basis amount Derivative instrument assets $ 453,666 $ (426,855) $ 26,811 Derivative instrument liabilities (483,737) 423,979 (59,758) As of March 31, 2021 $ (30,071) $ (2,876) $ (32,947) Below is a summary of the derivative instruments classified through the Consolidated Statement of Operations as at March 31, 2022, to which Just Energy has committed: (i) Physical forward contracts and options consist of: ● Electricity contracts with a total remaining volume of 28,489,662 MWh, a weighted average price of $39.56 /MWh and expiry dates up to December 31, 2029. ● Natural gas contracts with a total remaining volume of 116,351,622 MMBtu, a weighted average price of $4.97 /MMBtu and expiry dates up to December 31, 2026. ● RECs with a total remaining volume of 3,774,881 MWh, a weighted average price of $17.97 /REC and expiry dates up to December 31, 2029. ● Green Gas Certificates with a total remaining volume of 657,000 tonnes, a weighted average price of $6.96 /tonne and expiry dates up to July 28, 2022. ● Electricity generation capacity contracts with a total remaining volume of 1,485 MWCap, a weighted average price of $3,931.82 /MWCap and expiry dates up to May 31, 2026. ● Ancillary contracts with a total remaining volume of 1,229,720 MWh, a weighted average price of $19.86 /MWh and expiry dates up to December 31, 2025. (ii) Financial swap contracts and options consist of: ● Electricity contracts with a total remaining volume of 18,485,007 MWh, a weighted average price of $54.57 /MWh and expiry dates up to December 31, 2025. ● Natural gas contracts with a total remaining volume of 116,835,000 MMBtu, a weighted average price of $3.59 /MMBtu and expiry dates up to March 31, 2027. ● Ancillary contracts with a total remaining volume of 1,926,706 MWh, a weighted average price of $19.89 /MWh and expiry dates up to December 31, 2025. (iii) Weather derivatives consist of: ● HDD natural gas swaps with price strikes to be set on futures index and temperature strikes from 1,652 to 4,985 HDD and an expiry date of March 31, 2023. ● HDD natural gas swaps with price strikes to be set on futures index and temperature strikes from 3,408 to 4,910 HDD and an expiry date of March 31, 2024. These derivative instruments create a credit risk for Just Energy since they have been transacted with a limited number of counterparties. Should any counterparty be unable to fulfill its obligations under the contracts, Just Energy may not be able to realize the derivative instrument asset balance recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. FV hierarchy of derivatives Level 1 The fair value measurements are classified as Level 1 in the FV hierarchy if the fair value is determined using quoted unadjusted market prices. Currently there are no derivatives carried in this level. Level 2 Fair value measurements that require observable inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, are classified as Level 2 in the FV hierarchy. This could include the use of statistical techniques to derive the FV curve from observable market prices. However, in order to be classified under Level 2, significant inputs must be directly or indirectly observable in the market. Just Energy values its NYMEX financial gas fixed-for-floating swaps under Level 2. Level 3 Fair value measurements that require unobservable market data or use statistical techniques to derive forward curves from observable market data and unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3 in the FV hierarchy. For the electricity supply contracts, Just Energy uses quoted market prices as per available market forward data and applies a price-shaping profile to calculate the monthly prices from annual strips and hourly prices from block strips for the purposes of mark-to-market calculations. The profile is based on historical settlements with counterparties or with the system operator and is considered an unobservable input for the purposes of establishing the level in the FV hierarchy. For the natural gas supply contracts, Just Energy uses three different market observable curves: (i) commodity (predominately NYMEX), (ii) basis and (iii) foreign exchange. NYMEX curves extend for over five years (thereby covering the length of Just Energy’s contracts); however, most basis curves extend only 12 to 15 months into the future. In order to calculate basis curves for the remaining years, Just Energy uses extrapolation, which leads natural gas supply contracts to be classified under Level 3. The unobservable inputs could range from $5/MWh or $0.50/Dth for power and natural gas respectively. Please also refer below to commodity price sensitivity for Level 3 derivative instruments. Fair value measurement input sensitivity The main cause of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments is changes in the forward curve prices used for the fair value calculations. Just Energy provides a sensitivity analysis of these forward curves under the “Market risk” section of this note. The following table illustrates the classification of derivative instrument assets (liabilities) in the FV hierarchy as at March 31, 2022: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Physical forward contracts $ – $ – $ 438,600 $ 438,600 Financial swap contracts – 124,188 79,821 204,009 Foreign exchange forward contracts – – (1,036) (1,036) Other derivative options – – 4,055 4,055 Total net derivative instrument assets $ – $ 124,188 $ 521,440 $ 645,628 The following table illustrates the classification of derivative instrument assets (liabilities) in the FV hierarchy as at March 31, 2021: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Physical forward contracts and options $ – $ – $ (37,418) $ (37,418) Financial swap contracts and options – 542 238 780 Foreign exchange forward contracts – – (216) (216) Other derivative options – – 3,907 3,907 Total net derivative instrument liabilities $ – $ 542 $ (33,489) $ (32,947) Commodity price sensitivity — Level 3 derivative instruments If the energy prices associated with only Level 3 derivative instruments including natural gas, electricity, and RECs had risen by 10%, assuming that all of the other variables had remained constant, income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2022 would have increased by $327.7 million. On the contrary, if the energy prices associated with only Level 3 derivative instruments including natural gas, electricity, and RECs had fallen by 10%, assuming that all of the other variables had remained constant, income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2022 would have decreased by $257.5 million, primarily as a result of the change in fair value of derivative instruments. The following table illustrates the changes in net fair value of derivative instrument assets (liabilities) classified as Level 3 in the FV hierarchy for the following periods: As at March 31, 2022 2021 Balance, beginning of year $ (33,489) $ (60,538) Total gains (losses) 349,541 (7,080) Purchases 283,394 (3,211) Sales (71,514) (1,329) Settlements (6,492) 38,669 Balance, end of year $ 521,440 $ (33,489) (b) As at March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade and other receivables, and trade and other payables approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The risks associated with Just Energy’s derivative instruments are as follows: (i) Market risk is the potential loss that may be incurred as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. Components of market risk to which Just Energy is exposed are discussed below. Foreign currency risk Foreign currency risk is created by fluctuations in the fair value or cash flows of derivative instruments due to changes in foreign exchange rates and exposure as a result of investments in Canadian operations. The performance of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar could positively or negatively affect Just Energy’s Consolidated Statement of Operations, as some portion of Just Energy’s income or loss is generated in Canadian dollars and is subject to currency fluctuations upon translation to U.S. dollars. Just Energy has a policy to economically hedge between 50% and 100% of forecasted cross-border cash flows that are expected to occur within the next 12 months and between 0% and 50% of certain forecasted cross-border cash flows that are expected to occur within the following 13 to 24 months. The level of economic hedging is dependent on the source of the cash flows and the time remaining until the cash repatriation occurs. Just Energy may, from time to time, experience losses resulting from fluctuations in the values of its foreign currency transactions, which could adversely affect its operating results. Translation risk is not hedged. Interest rate risk Just Energy is only exposed to interest rate fluctuations associated with its floating rate Credit Facility. A 1% increase (decrease) in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease (increase) of approximately $1.3 million in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 2022. Commodity price risk Just Energy is exposed to market risks associated with commodity prices and market volatility where estimated customer requirements do not match actual customer requirements. Management actively monitors these positions on a daily basis in accordance with its risk management policy. This policy sets out a variety of limits, most importantly thresholds for open positions in the gas and electricity portfolios, which also feed a value at risk limit. Should any of the limits be exceeded, they are closed expeditiously or express approval to continue to hold is obtained. Just Energy’s exposure to market risk is affected by a number of factors, including accuracy of estimation of customer commodity requirements, commodity prices, volatility and liquidity of markets. Just Energy enters into derivative instruments in order to manage exposures to changes in commodity prices. The derivative instruments that are used are designed to fix the price of supply for estimated customer commodity demand and thereby fix margins. Derivative instruments are generally transacted over the counter. The inability or failure of Just Energy to manage and monitor the above market risks could have a material adverse effect on the operations and cash flows of Just Energy. Just Energy mitigates the exposure to variances in customer requirements that are driven by changes in expected weather conditions through active management of the underlying portfolio, which involves, but is not limited to, the purchase of options including weather derivatives. Just Energy’s ability to mitigate weather effects is limited by the degree to which weather conditions deviate from normal. Commodity price sensitivity — all derivative instruments If all the energy prices associated with derivative instruments including natural gas, electricity and RECs had risen by 10%, assuming that all of the other variables had remained constant, income from continuing operations before income taxes for the year ended March 31, 2022 would have increased by $295.2 million. On the contrary, a fall of 10% in the energy prices associated with derivative instruments including natural gas, electricity and RECs, assuming that all of the other variables had remained constant, income from continuing operations before income taxes for the year ended March 31, 2022 would have decreased by $340.2 million, primarily as a result of the change in fair value of Just Energy’s derivative instruments. (ii) Just Energy purchases the majority of the gas and electricity delivered to its customers through long-term contracts entered into with various suppliers. Just Energy has an exposure to supplier risk as the ability to continue to deliver gas and electricity to its customers is reliant upon the ongoing operations of these suppliers and their ability to fulfill their contractual obligations. (iii) Counterparty credit risk represents the loss that Just Energy would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. This risk would manifest itself in Just Energy replacing contracted supply at prevailing market rates, thus impacting the related customer margin. Counterparty limits are established within the risk management policy. Any exceptions to these limits require approval from the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors of Just Energy. The risk department and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors monitor current and potential credit exposure to individual counterparties and also monitor overall aggregate counterparty exposure. However, the failure of a counterparty to meet its contractual obligations could have a material adverse effect on the operations and cash flows of Just Energy. As at March 31, 2022 and 2021, Just Energy has applied an adjustment factor to determine the fair value of its derivative instruments in the amount of $2.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, to accommodate for its counterparties’ risk of default. As at March 31, 2022 and 2021, the estimated net counterparty credit risk exposure amounted to $580.5 million and As at March 31, 2022, the Company recorded $20.3 million of cash collateral posted on its Consolidated Balance Sheet in other current assets. |