PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT (To Prospectus Dated May 15, 1992) $60,000,000 SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS, 7 5/8% SERIES DUE 1999 The Offered Bonds will mature on April 1, 1999. Interest on the Offered Bonds is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 1994. Except as described in the next sentence, the Offered Bonds will not be redeemable at the option of the Company. The Offered Bonds are redeemable at any time upon at least 30 days' notice at the special redemption price with certain deposited cash or the proceeds of released property. In all such redemptions, accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption is also payable. See "Description of the Offered Bonds--Redemption and Purchase of Offered Bonds" herein. The Offered Bonds, together with all other First Mortgage Bonds now or hereafter issued under the Company's Mortgage, are secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of the Company's properties, which consist of the Company's interest in the Grand Gulf Nuclear Electric Generating Station, and by the assignment of the Company's rights to payments under certain support agreements between the Company and affiliates. Other indebtedness of the Company is secured by assignments of these support agreements, and the Company has retained the right to assign these agreements to future holders of its indebtedness. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE AC- CURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRE- SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT COMPANY(1)(2) Per Offered Bond......................... 99.850% .625% 99.225% Total.................................... $59,910,000 $375,000 $59,535,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Plus accrued interest from April 1, 1994. (2) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $125,000. The Offered Bonds are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriter, to prior sale and to the Underwriter's right to reject any order in whole or in part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected that delivery of the Offered Bonds will be made through the book-entry facilities of DTC, on or about April 28, 1994. - --------------------------------- SALOMON BROTHERS INC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The date of this Prospectus Supplement is April 21, 1994 1994 IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY AT LEVELS ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. SELECTED INFORMATION The following material, which is presented herein solely to furnish limited introductory information regarding System Energy Resources, Inc. (the "Company"), is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein and, therefore, should be read together therewith. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to be received from the issuance and sale of the $60,000,000 principal amount of the Company's First Mortgage Bonds, 7 5/8% Series due 1999, offered hereby (the "Offered Bonds"), together with other funds provided by the Company, will be used to meet $30,000,000 of mandatory sinking fund payments and $30,000,000 of optional sinking fund payments due as of May 1, 1994 on the Company's First Mortgage Bonds, 11% Series due 2000. THE COMPANY The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Corporation ("Entergy"). Its principal asset consists of a 90% ownership/leasehold interest in a 1,250 megawatt nuclear-powered electric generating unit near Port Gibson, Mississippi. The Company sells the power and energy therefrom exclusively to four affiliated companies which are also subsidiaries of Entergy under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-approved wholesale power agreement. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------- 1993 1992 1991 --------- --------- --------- INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Operating Revenues.............................. 650,768 723,410 686,664 Operating Income................................ 272,202 323,176 318,812 Net Income...................................... 93,927 130,141 104,622 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(a)........... 1.87 2.04 1.74 AT DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------- 1993 1992 1991 --------- --------- --------- BALANCE SHEET DATA: Total Assets.................................... 3,891,066 3,672,441 3,642,203 Long-Term Debt (excluding current maturities)... 1,511,914 1,755,308 1,682,265 Common Shareholder's Equity..................... 1,017,931 1,157,097 1,164,656 - -------- (a) "Earnings", as defined by SEC Regulation S-K, represent the aggregate of (1) net income, (2) taxes based on income, (3) investment tax credit adjustments--net and (4) fixed charges. "Fixed Charges" include interest (whether expensed or capitalized), related amortization and interest applicable to rentals charged to operating expenses. S-2 AVAILABLE INFORMATION With reference to the information under the heading "Available Information" in the accompanying Prospectus, the address of the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission in New York, New York, where reports and other information with respect to the Company can be inspected and copied, has been changed to Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE Reference is made to "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" in the accompanying Prospectus. At the date of this Prospectus Supplement, the Incorporated Documents consist of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 1994. DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED BONDS The following description of the particular terms of the $60,000,000 principal amount of the Company's First Mortgage Bonds, 7 5/8% Series due 1999, offered hereby ("Offered Bonds"), supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the New Bonds set forth in the accompanying Prospectus under the heading "Description of the New Bonds," to which description reference is made. As used hereinafter, the terms "New Bonds," "Trustees," "Corporate Trustee" and "Mortgage" shall have the same meanings as the same terms used under the heading "Description of the New Bonds" in the accompanying Prospectus. ISSUANCE, INTEREST, MATURITY AND PAYMENT. The Offered Bonds will be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of April 1, 1994, will mature April 1, 1999, and will bear interest at the rate shown in their title, payable April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 1994 for the period beginning April 1, 1994. Interest will be paid to the persons in whose names the Offered Bonds are registered at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15, as the case may be, preceding each semiannual interest payment date (with certain exceptions, as provided for in the Mortgage). Principal and interest are payable in New York City. The Company has covenanted to pay interest on any overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest on the First Mortgage Bonds of all series at the rate of interest per annum shown in their title. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF OFFERED BONDS. Except as described in the next sentence, the Offered Bonds will not be redeemable at the option of the Company. The Offered Bonds will be redeemable, in whole or in part, on 30 days' notice at any time at a special redemption price equal to their principal amount with the proceeds of insurance or released property or upon certain dispositions of property, including condemnation or abandonment of substantially all of the Grand Gulf Station or certain dispositions of property which would materially impair the continuing electrical generation operations of the Company's share of the Grand Gulf Station, in each case together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Cash deposited under any provision of the Mortgage (with certain exceptions) may be applied to the redemption or purchase (including the purchase from the Company) of First Mortgage Bonds of any series. BOOK-ENTRY OFFERED BONDS. The information under the heading "Description of the New Bonds--Form and Exchange" in the accompanying Prospectus will not be applicable to the Offered Bonds. Except under the circumstances described below, the Offered Bonds will be issued in the form of one fully registered bond that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC"), or such other depository as may be subsequently designated, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the owner of the Offered Bonds, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole registered holder of the Offered Bonds for all purposes under the S-3 Mortgage. Payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Offered Bonds will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of the Offered Bonds. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the Offered Bonds will not be entitled to have any of the individual Offered Bonds registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such Offered Bonds and will not be considered the holders thereof under the Mortgage. If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed, the Company will issue individual registered Offered Bonds in exchange for the Offered Bonds held by DTC. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have the Offered Bonds held by DTC and, in such event, will issue individual registered Offered Bonds in exchange for the Offered Bonds held by DTC. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the Offered Bonds will be entitled to physical delivery of individual Offered Bonds equal in principal amount to its beneficial interest and to have such Offered Bonds registered in its name. Individual Offered Bonds so issued will be issued as registered Offered Bonds in denominations of $1,000 or any multiple thereof. Upon the issuance of the Offered Bonds, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of beneficial interests to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with DTC ("Participants"). The accounts to be credited will initially be designated by the Underwriter or the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Offered Bonds will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Offered Bonds will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants' interests) or by Participants or persons that hold through Participants (with respect to persons other than Participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Offered Bonds. Upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of the Offered Bonds, DTC's current practice is to credit immediately Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Offered Bonds as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Offered Bonds will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such Participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Participants and by Participants to other beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory and regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Each purchaser of Offered Bonds must rely on (1) the procedures of DTC, and, if such purchaser is not a Participant, the procedures of the Participant through which such purchaser holds its beneficial interest, to receive payments and notices, and (2) the records of DTC and, if such purchaser is not a Participant, the records of the Participant through which such purchaser holds its beneficial interest, to evidence its beneficial ownership of Offered Bonds. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities of its Participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC's Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriter), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or S-4 indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources (including DTC) that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company and the Underwriter take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Neither the Company, the Trustees, the Underwriter nor any agent for payment on or registration of transfer or exchange of such Offered Bonds will have any responsibility or liability for any of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in any of the Offered Bonds or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests. ADDITIONAL SECURITY FOR OFFERED BONDS. The Offered Bonds will have as additional security the sole and exclusive benefit of the Twenty-ninth Assignment of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement and the Twenty- ninth Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment, respectively. (See "Description of the New Bonds--Security" in the Prospectus.) UNDERWRITING Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an Underwriting Agreement between the Company and Salomon Brothers Inc (the "Underwriter"), the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase, the Offered Bonds. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter is subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the Offered Bonds if any are purchased. The Underwriter has advised the Company that it proposes initially to offer the Offered Bonds to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of .375% of the principal amount of the Offered Bonds. The Underwriter may allow and such dealers may reallow a discount not in excess of .250% of the principal amount of the Offered Bonds to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Offered Bonds on a national securities exchange. The Underwriter may make a market in the Offered Bonds, but is not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice. No assurances can be given as to the liquidity of, or that there will be a secondary market for, the Offered Bonds. S-5 PROSPECTUS SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS System Energy Resources, Inc. (the "Company") may offer from time to time not to exceed $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its First Mortgage Bonds (the "New Bonds") in one or more series at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. This Prospectus will be supplemented by a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") which will set forth, as applicable, the aggregate principal amount, rate and time of payment of interest, maturity, purchase price, initial public offering price, if any, any redemption provisions and other specific terms of the series of the New Bonds in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered. ---------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ---------------- The Company may sell the New Bonds through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any applicable commissions or discounts and the net proceeds to the Company from any such sale. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements for underwriters, dealers, agents and purchasers. ---------------- The date of this Prospectus is May 15, 1992. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY OR ANY OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. ---------------- AVAILABLE INFORMATION System Energy Resources, Inc. ("Company" or "System Energy") is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such reports include information, as of particular dates, concerning the Company's directors and officers, their remuneration, the principal holders of the Company's securities and any material interest of such persons in transactions with the Company. Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549; and at the Regional Offices of the SEC at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10007. Copies of this material can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Branch of the SEC at its principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Shareholders of the Company are furnished copies of an Annual Report to Shareholders containing financial statements as of the end of the most recent fiscal year audited and reported upon (with an opinion expressed) by independent auditors. ---------------- INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and shall be deemed to be a part hereof: 1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991 (including portions of the Company's 1991 Annual Report to Shareholders stated therein to be incorporated therein by reference) ("1991 10-K"). 2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992. In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above, being herein referred to as "Incorporated Documents," provided, however, that the documents enumerated above or subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of the Company's next Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC shall not be Incorporated Documents or be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or be a part hereof from and after any such filing of an Annual Report on Form 10-K). Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated Document or in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. 2 THE COMPANY HEREBY UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS, OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN. REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO STEVE C. MCNEAL, CORPORATE FINANCE, ENTERGY SERVICES, INC. P.O. BOX 61000, NEW ORLEANS, LA. 70161, TELEPHONE NUMBER: 504- 569-4363. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES OF THE NEW BONDS, THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT RELATING THERETO, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THAT PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ---------------- INTRODUCTION The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Corporation ("Entergy"). Its principal asset consists of a 90% ownership/leasehold interest in a 1,250 megawatt ("MW") nuclear-powered electric generating unit near Port Gibson, Mississippi ("Grand Gulf 1"). The Company sells the power and energy therefrom exclusively to four affiliated companies which are also subsidiaries of Entergy. These sales are made under the Unit Power Sales Agreement between the Company and its affiliates, which has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). At December 31, 1991, the Company had net utility plant of $3.1 billion, long-term debt of $1.8 billion (of which approximately $0.9 billion consisted of First Mortgage Bonds) and common shareholder's equity of $1.2 billion. For the year ended December 31, 1991, the Company had operating revenues of $686.7 million and net income of $104.6 million. THE COMPANY The Company was formed in 1974 to construct and finance certain base-load generating units for the operating subsidiaries of Entergy. At that time, the Company contracted with Mississippi Power & Light Company ("MP&L") for MP&L to act as the Company's agent for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Grand Gulf Station, a proposed two-unit nuclear-powered electric generating station having a capacity of 2500 MW. On July 28, 1986, the Company's name was changed from "Middle South Energy, Inc." to "System Energy Resources, Inc.," and effective December 20, 1986, System Energy assumed the primary responsibilities, previously assigned to MP&L, for the management, operation and maintenance of the Grand Gulf Station. At that time, the agency relationship between System Energy and MP&L was terminated, and the MP&L nuclear organization was transferred, virtually intact to System Energy. In 1990, an affiliate, Entergy Operations, Inc. ("Entergy Operations"), took over responsibility for operating Grand Gulf 1. System Energy's principal executive offices are located at Echelon One, 1340 Echelon Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. System Energy's telephone number is 601-984-9000. System Energy is a subsidiary of Entergy, a utility holding company which owns all the common stock of Arkansas Power & Light Company ("AP&L"), Louisiana Power & Light Company ("LP&L"), MP&L and New Orleans Public Service Inc. ("NOPSI") (collectively referred to as "System operating companies"). Other subsidiaries of Entergy are Entergy Services, Inc., a service company, Entergy Operations, a nuclear service company, Entergy Power, Inc., a wholesale power company and Electec, Inc., a non-utility company. The System operating companies own System Fuels, Inc., which is responsible for the procurement, transportation and storage of fuel supplies for the System generating plants. Entergy Operations operates, in addition to Grand Gulf 1, the other nuclear generating plants of the System. 3 System Energy is engaged in the financing of its 90% interest in Grand Gulf 1, approximately 78.5% of which is owned outright and 11.5% of which is leased on a long-term basis. None of System Energy's First Mortgage Bonds, including the New Bonds, have or will have a lien on or other interest in its leased interest in Grand Gulf 1. Grand Gulf 1 was placed in commercial operation on July 1, 1985. System Energy's investment (excluding nuclear fuel) in its 90% share of Grand Gulf 1 is presently approximately $3.5 billion. Construction of the proposed second unit of the Grand Gulf Station was suspended in 1985 and this unit was canceled and written off in 1989. The operating revenues of System Energy are derived from the allocation of the capacity and energy associated with System Energy's 90% share of Grand Gulf 1 to the System operating companies pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The Unit Power Sales Agreement, as modified and approved by the FERC, provides for the allocation in various percentages of System Energy's capacity and energy from Grand Gulf 1 (and the costs related thereto) to the System operating companies on a full cost of service basis. The other 10% of Grand Gulf 1 is owned by South Mississippi Electric Power Association, a wholesale cooperative in Mississippi. The information relating to the Company contained in this Prospectus does not purport to be comprehensive and should be read together with the information contained in the Incorporated Documents. For further information concerning the System operating companies and Entergy, reference is made to the information relating to such companies which accompanies the Incorporated Documents. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to be received from the issuance and sale of the New Bonds will be used for one or more of the following purposes: (i) the acquisition and retirement or payment at maturity of outstanding First Mortgage Bonds; (ii) the payment of construction costs and nuclear fuel costs; and (iii) the repayment of short - and other long - term borrowings and for other working capital needs. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, such proceeds may also be used for such other purposes as are indicated therein. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW BONDS General. The New Bonds will be issued under System Energy's Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of June 15, 1977, to United States Trust Company of New York and Gerard F. Ganey (successor to Malcolm J. Hood), as Trustees, as supplemented by fourteen supplemental indentures thereto, all of which (collectively referred to as the "Mortgage") are exhibits to the Registration Statement. The statements herein concerning the New Bonds and the Mortgage are merely an outline and do not purport to be complete. They make use of terms defined in the Mortgage and are qualified in their entirety by express reference to the Mortgage and the cited sections and articles as supplemented. Terms of Specific Series of the New Bonds. A Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of, or applicable to, a series of the New Bonds to be issued: (1) the designation of such series of the New Bonds; (2) the aggregate principal amount of such series; (3) the date on which such series will mature; (4) the rate at which such series will bear interest and the date from which such interest accrues; (5) the dates on which interest will be payable; (6) the prices, including the "general redemption prices" and the "special redemption prices" referred to below, and the other terms and conditions upon which the particular series may be redeemed by System Energy prior to maturity; and (7) the designation of the particular Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment and Assignment of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement applicable to a given series of New Bonds. Form and Exchange. The New Bonds will be delivered in fully registered form in denominations of $1,000 and, at the option of System Energy, in any multiple or multiples thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of New Bonds. 4 Cash deposited under any provisions of the Mortgage (with certain exceptions) may be applied to the redemption or purchase (including the purchase from System Energy) of First Mortgage Bonds of any series. (Mortgage, Article X) Security. The New Bonds, together with all other First Mortgage Bonds now or hereafter issued under the Mortgage are secured by the Mortgage, which constitutes, in the opinion of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association (counsel for System Energy): (i) a valid, first lien on all real property, which does not include property held by the Company under leases, and interests in real property and the improvements thereon specifically described in the granting clauses of the Mortgage (and not excepted from the Lien of the Mortgage by the provisions thereof) and (ii) a first perfected security interest in all personal property, interests in personal property and fixtures specifically described in the granting clauses of the Mortgage (and not excepted from the Lien of the Mortgage by the provisions thereof), in each case subject to no liens, charges or encumbrances, other than (a) Excepted Encumbrances, (b) minor defects and encumbrances customarily found in properties of like size and character which do not materially impair the use of the property affected thereby in the conduct of the business of System Energy, and (c) liens, defects and encumbrances, if any, existing or placed thereon at the time of acquisition thereof by System Energy and except as limited by bankruptcy law. There are excepted from the Lien certain property, including all cash and securities, all products, equipment, apparatus, materials or supplies held for sale or other disposition or consumable during use including Nuclear Fuel; rolling stock, automobiles, vehicles and aircraft and any Space Satellites; timber, minerals, mineral rights and royalties; and receivables, contracts, leases and operating agreements. The Mortgage contains provisions for subjecting after-acquired property (subject to pre-existing liens) to the Lien thereof, subject to limitations in the case of consolidation, merger or sale of substantially all of System Energy's assets. (Mortgage, Secs. 16.02 and 16.03.) The Mortgage requires that most proceeds of property insurance be held by the Corporate Trustee pending release to System Energy or to stated uses in respect of First Mortgage Bonds. See Note 8 of System Energy's Notes to Financial Statements, "Commitments and Contingencies--Nuclear Insurance" in System Energy's Annual Report contained in the 1991 10-K and subsequent Incorporated Documents for information with respect to a Nuclear Regulatory Commission rule which could significantly restrict the availability of insurance proceeds to the Corporate Trustee and the holders of First Mortgage Bonds. The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Series Bonds have as additional security the sole and exclusive benefit of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Assignments of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement, respectively, and the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Supplementary Capital Funds Agreements and Assignments, respectively, and all proceeds therefrom (Ninth Supplemental, Sec. 8.01; Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Supplementals, Sec. 7.01.) Each series of the New Bonds will have as additional security the sole and exclusive benefit of its own Assignment of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement among System Energy, the System operating companies and the Trustees and its own Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment among System Energy, Entergy and the Trustees, and all proceeds therefrom. The Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Assignments of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement and Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Supplementary Capital Funds Agreements and Assignments include provisions requiring the approval of 100% of the assignees for certain amendments and waivers, and 66 2/3% for other amendments and waivers of specified provisions of the Availability Agreement, the Capital Funds Agreement or the particular Assignment of Availability Agreement Consent and Agreement or Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment which runs to the benefit of such assignee. Under the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Assignments of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement and each Assignment relating to the New Bonds, provisions of the Availability Agreement and such Assignments may be amended or waived at any time upon the receipt of consents from the holders of more than 50% of the 5 aggregate outstanding principal amount of the affected series of Bonds and any other necessary consents. Similarly, the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Supplementary Capital Funds Agreements and Assignments and each Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment relating to the New Bonds will provide that the provisions of the Capital Funds Agreement and such Supplements may be amended or waived at any time upon the receipt of consents from the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the affected series of Bonds and any other necessary consents. Under each Assignment of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement, System Energy has assigned to the bondholders secured thereby its rights, on a pari passu basis, to certain payments which the System operating companies have agreed to make to System Energy in respect of the Grand Gulf Station. Under each Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment, System Energy has assigned to the bondholders secured thereby its rights, on a pari passu basis, to certain payments which Entergy has agreed to make to System Energy. System Energy has reserved the right to assign its rights to these payments from the System operating companies and Entergy to other lenders on a pari passu basis. At present these rights are also assigned to a group of banks providing letters of credit in respect of a lease of approximately an 11.5% undivided ownership interest in Grand Gulf 1. See Note 8, "Commitments and Contingencies-- Reimbursement Agreement" and Note 9 "Leases--Sale and Leaseback Transactions" in System Energy's Annual Report contained in the 1991 10-K and subsequent Incorporated Documents for further information. For a further description of the terms of the Availability and Capital Funds Agreements and related agreements, reference is made to "Capital Requirements and Future Financing--Certain System Financial and Support Agreements" in the 1991 10-K and subsequent Incorporated Documents. Further, System Energy has reserved the right to terminate the Availability Agreement, the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Assignments of Availability Agreement, Consent and Agreement and each Assignment relating to the New Bonds, the Capital Funds Agreement and the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Supplementary Capital Funds Agreements and Assignments and each Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment relating to the New Bonds upon delivery to the Corporate Trustee of an Officers' Certificate stating that: (i) System Energy's First Mortgage Bonds have been rated A3, A-, or A- or better, respectively, by Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Duff & Phelps, or their successors, for at least the preceding 6 consecutive months; (ii) System Energy has obtained written confirmation from each such rating agency, or their successors, that the ratings of System Energy's First Mortgage Bonds rated by such rating agency had not then dropped below A3, A- or A-; and (iii) said Agreements are similarly terminated as to all other outstanding series of Bonds and all other indebtedness of System Energy. (Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Supplementals, Sec. 9.07.) System Energy has reserved the additional right to terminate the Availability Agreement, each Assignment relating to the New Bonds, the Capital Funds Agreement and each Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment relating to the New Bond upon delivery to the Corporate Trustee of an Officers' Certificate stating that (i) with respect to each series of bonds established prior to June 1, 1992, either (a) no bonds of such series remain Outstanding or (b) the requisite number of bonds of such series have consented to the termination of the Availability Agreement, the Assignments thereof, the Capital Funds Agreement and the Supplements thereto, and (ii) said Agreements are similarly terminated as to all other Outstanding series of bonds and all other indebtedness of System Energy. (Fifteenth Supplemental, Sec. 11.04.) Under each Supplemental Indenture relating to the New Bonds, System Energy will covenant that it will not grant any security interest in its rights under the System Agreement, the Availability Agreement, the related Assignment of Availability Agreement, the Capital Funds Agreement or the related Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment, except for security interests contemplated by such Assignment of Availability Agreement and Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment, respectively. In addition, with certain restrictions, System Energy has covenanted that it will not grant a security interest in its rights under any agreement for the sale of capacity and or energy from Grand Gulf 1 unless it simultaneously, or prior thereto, grants to the holders of all First Mortgage Bonds a pro rata, pari passu interest in such collateral. 6 Each Supplemental Indenture relating to the New Bonds will also permit System Energy to deposit with a trustee cash or United States Government obligations, either of which would provide security for the New Bonds in lieu of the Lien of the Mortgage. In such event, System Energy would remain liable to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the New Bonds, but would no longer be subject to the general covenants of such Supplemental Indenture. If all Outstanding Bonds are similarly defeased, System Energy would no longer be subject to the covenants of the Mortgage. Issuance of Additional First Mortgage Bonds. Subject to the general restrictions on indebtedness referred to below under "Restrictions on Indebtedness", First Mortgage Bonds of any series may be issued from time to time on the bases of (1) 60% of the lesser of the cost or fair value of property additions after adjustments to offset retirements; (2) retirement of First Mortgage Bonds; and (3) deposit of cash. Deposited cash may be withdrawn upon the bases stated in (1) and (2). Property additions generally include electric property acquired but may not include items excepted from the Lien as summarized above under "Security". Various earnings tests are applicable in certain cases for the issuance of additional First Mortgage Bonds. (See "Restrictions on Indebtedness".) System Energy presently expects to issue all of the New Bonds against the retirement of First Mortgage Bonds. At March 31, 1992, System Energy had $478.0 million of available property additions, against which $286.8 million of First Mortgage Bonds could have been issued. The issuance tests in the Mortgage are not expected to limit the ability of System Energy to issue the New Bonds. Restrictions on Indebtedness. The Mortgage provides that no First Mortgage Bonds shall be delivered (with certain exceptions relating to issuance upon the basis of the retirement of First Mortgage Bonds) unless the Revised Adjusted Net Earnings for 12 consecutive months out of the preceding 15 months equal at least 2 times the annual interest requirements on all First Mortgage Bonds at the time Outstanding, including the additional issue and all indebtedness of prior or equal rank. No expenses for interest or for the amortization of debt discount and expense, amortization of property (other than depreciation or other similar provisions for property retirement), or for other amortization, or for any other extraordinary charge to income of whatever kind or nature, or for refunds of revenues previously collected by System Energy subject to possible refund, or for any sinking fund or other device for the retirement of any indebtedness are required to be deducted from System Energy's revenues or its other income and no extraordinary items of any kind shall be included in calculating Revised Adjusted Net Earnings. (Ninth and Tenth Supplementals, Art. III.) Release and Substitution of Property. Property may be released upon the bases of (i) deposit of cash or, to a limited extent, purchase money mortgages, (ii) property additions, after adjustments in certain cases to offset retirements and after making adjustments for Qualified Lien Bonds outstanding against property additions, and (iii) waiver of the right to issue First Mortgage Bonds, without applying any earnings test. Cash may be withdrawn upon the bases stated in (ii) and (iii) above subject to certain restrictions. (Mortgage, Art. XI.) The Mortgage contains special provisions with respect to Qualified Lien Bonds pledged, and disposition of moneys received on pledged prior lien bonds. (Mortgage, Art. VIII and IX.) Defaults. Defaults are defined as being default in payment of principal or any premium; default for 60 days in payment of interest; certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; various defaults by Entergy or System Energy or any System operating company in connection with the Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment related to the New Bonds, the Availability Agreement, the Assignment of Availability Agreement related to the New Bonds or the System Agreement, all generally subject to 30-day grace periods and with the right of the holders of at least 15% in principal amount of the New Bonds then Outstanding to give notice of Default in certain such cases; the cessation of the Supplementary Capital Funds Agreement and Assignment related to the New Bonds, the Availability Agreement, and the Assignment of Availability Agreement related to the New Bonds to be in full force and effect under certain circumstances, and unless a substitute agreement is provided under certain conditions; certain sales, mortgages or pledges of common stock of System Energy or the System operating companies, but not including certain permitted mergers and dispositions of gas properties; and default for 90 days after notice of other covenants. (Mortgage, Sec. 13.01.) 7 The Trustees may withhold notice of default (except in payment of principal, interest or an installment of any fund for retirement of First Mortgage Bonds) if they think it is in the interest of the holders of First Mortgage Bonds. (Mortgage, Sec. 13.02.) The Corporate Trustee or holders of 25% of all First Mortgage Bonds may declare the principal and interest due on Default. However, a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding First Mortgage Bonds may annul such declaration if the Default has been cured. (Mortgage, Sec. 13.03.) Holders of a majority of First Mortgage Bonds may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustees, but the Trustees are not required to follow such direction if not sufficiently indemnified for expenditures. (Mortgage, Sec. 13.07.) Restriction on Dividends and Stock Redemptions. System Energy may not declare dividends, other than stock dividends, or make other distributions on or acquisitions of, its stock (except where concurrently certain contributions or stock proceeds are received) unless certain defaults do not exist and the sum of certain indebtedness does not exceed 65% of adjusted capitalization. Certain other restrictions on the payment of common stock dividends by System Energy are discussed under Note 8 of System Energy's Notes to Financial Statements "Commitment and Contingencies--Reimbursement Agreement" in the 1991 10-K and subsequent Incorporated Documents. Modification of the Mortgage. The rights of the holders of First Mortgage Bonds generally may be modified with the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the First Mortgage Bonds, and, if less than all series of First Mortgage Bonds are affected, the consent also of the holders of 66 2/3% of the First Mortgage Bonds of each series affected. (Mortgage, Art. XIX) System Energy has reserved the right (without any consent or other action by holders of any series of bonds created after 1991, including the New Bonds) to substitute for the foregoing provisions the following: Bondholders' rights may be modified with the consent of the holders of a majority of the bonds, but if less than all series of the bonds are so affected, only the consent of a majority of the affected bonds is required. In general, no modification of the terms of payment of principal or interest and no modification affecting the lien or reducing the percentage required for modification is effective against any bondholder without his consent. However, various supplemental indentures provide that certain provisions may be amended or waived by the holders of a majority of bonds of the related particular series or group of series. (Ninth Supplemental, Section 10.4, Eleventh through Fourteenth Supplementals, Section 9.04, and Fifteenth Supplemental, Section 4.01.) RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES System Energy has calculated ratios of earnings to fixed charges pursuant to Item 503(d) of SEC Regulation S-K as follows: TWELVE MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- MARCH 31, 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------- Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges(a)..... 2.17 1.98 --(b) 2.10 1.74 1.75 - -------- (a) "Earnings", as defined by SEC Regulation S-K, represent the aggregate of (1) net income, (2) taxes based on income, (3) investment tax credit adjustments--net and (4) fixed charges. "Fixed Charges" include interest (whether expensed or capitalized), related amortization and interest applicable to rentals charged to operating expenses. (b) Earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 1989 were inadequate to cover fixed charges due to System Energy's cancellation and write-off of its investment in Grand Gulf 2 in September 1989. The amount of the coverage deficiency for fixed charges was $745.2 million. 8 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION System Energy may sell the New Bonds in one or more sales in any of three ways: (i) through one or more underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (iii) through one or more agents. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of the New Bonds will set forth the terms of the offering, as applicable, of the New Bonds, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such New Bonds and the proceeds to System Energy from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. If underwriters are used in the sale, the New Bonds will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of the sale. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of New Bonds will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover page of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in such Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the New Bonds will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such New Bonds if any are purchased; provided that the agreement between System Energy and the underwriter or underwriters providing for the sale of the New Bonds may provide that under certain circumstances involving a default of underwriters less than all of the New Bonds may be purchased. System Energy may sell one or more series of the New Bonds through underwriters after acceptance of a proposal or proposals for the purchase thereof from such underwriters. If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, System Energy will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase New Bonds from System Energy at the public offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date or dates in the future. Such contracts will be subject to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts. Subject to certain conditions, System Energy may agree to indemnify any underwriters, dealers, agents or purchasers, and their controlling persons against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. 9 EXPERTS AND LEGALITY The financial statements of System Energy incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, except to the extent described below, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, independent public accountants, as stated in their report (which report includes an explanatory paragraph as to an uncertainty resulting from a regulatory proceeding), which are included in the latest Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K incorporated by reference herein, and such financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting. With respect to the unaudited interim financial information included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992 which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their report included in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and do not express an opinion on that unaudited interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because that report is not a "report" or "part" of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 thereof. The statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions made under "Description of the New Bonds" have been reviewed by Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association, Jackson, Mississippi, and, except as to "Security" under "Description of the New Bonds", by Reid & Priest, New York, New York, and are set forth herein in reliance upon the opinions of said firms, respectively, and upon their authority as experts. The statements made or incorporated by reference herein as to matters of law and legal conclusions, based on the opinion or belief of System Energy or otherwise, pertaining to titles to properties, franchises and other operating rights of System Energy, regulations to which System Energy is subject and any legal proceedings to which System Energy is a party, are made on the authority of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association, and such statements are included or incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon their authority as experts. All statements made or incorporated by reference herein as to matters of law and legal conclusions, based on the opinion or belief of any System operating company or otherwise, pertaining to the titles to properties, franchises and other operating rights of the System operating companies, and their subsidiaries, the regulations to which they are subject and any legal proceedings to which they are parties, are made on the authority of Friday, Eldredge & Clark, Little Rock, Arkansas, as to AP&L and Associated; Monroe & Lemann (A Professional Corporation), New Orleans, Louisiana, as to LP&L and NOPSI (not including litigation challenging the Council of the City of New Orleans' February 4, 1988 prudence resolution as to NOPSI's involvement with Grand Gulf 1 and the 1991 NOPSI settlement referred to in the 1991 10-K); Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association, Jackson, Mississippi, as to MP&L; and Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere and Denegre, New Orleans, Louisiana, as to litigation challenging the Council's February 4, 1988 prudence resolution as to NOPSI's involvement with Grand Gulf 1 and the 1991 NOPSI Settlement referred to in the 1991 10-K; and such statements are incorporated by reference herein upon their authority as experts. The statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions with respect to legal proceedings with respect to NOPSI referred to under Item 1--"Business-- Regulation and Litigation--Other Regulation and Litigation" in the 1991 10-K have been prepared under the supervision of, and reviewed by, Thomas O. Lind, Esq., Vice President--Regulatory Counsel, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of NOPSI, and such statements are incorporated by reference herein upon his authority as an expert. The legality of the New Bonds is being passed upon for System Energy by Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association, Jackson, Mississippi, and Reid & Priest, New York, New York, and for any 10 underwriters, dealers or agents by Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York. However, all legal matters pertaining to the organization of System Energy, titles to property, franchises and the lien of the Mortgage have been passed upon only by Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association. In rendering such opinions, such firms will, as appropriate, rely upon: as to matters of Mississippi law, the opinion of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Professional Association, Jackson, Mississippi; as to matters of Arkansas law, the opinion of Friday, Eldredge & Clark, Little Rock, Arkansas; and as to matters of New York law, the opinion of Reid & Priest, New York, New York. 11