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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
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[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR
[ ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended ____________
OR
[X] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from January 1, 2001 to March 31, 2001
Commission file number 1-14191
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
WETHERBY ROAD, SCARCROFT, LEEDS, LS14 3HS, UNITED KINGDOM
011-44-113-289-2123
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
SECURITIES REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
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8.08% Trust Securities of Yorkshire Capital Trust I, New York Stock Exchange
guaranteed by Yorkshire Power Group Limited
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SECURITIES REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
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SECURITIES FOR WHICH THERE IS A REPORTING OBLIGATION
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE ACT:
None
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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report.
440,000,002 Ordinary Shares Par Value pound 1 Per Share
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
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Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow.
Item 17 Item 18 X
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Explanatory Note i
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements i
Glossary of Selected Terms ii
PART I
Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 1
Item 8.A.7 Financial Information - Legal Proceedings 9
PART II
Item 13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 10
Item 14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 10
Item 18 Financial Statements 11
SIGNATURES 20
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
On April 3, 2001, Innogy Holdings plc acquired 94.75% of the issued share
capital of Yorkshire Power Group Limited ("YPG") from its prior owners American
Electric Power Company Inc. and Xcel Energy Inc. Xcel Energy Inc. has retained a
5.25% ownership interest. Following this acquisition YPG has become a "foreign
private issuer" within the meaning of Rule 3b-4(c) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and has changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31
effective January 1, 2001. This transitiion report on Form 20-F for the
transition period January 1, 2001 to March 31, 2001 is being filed pursuant to
Rule 13a-10(g)(4) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Form 20-F under the captions "Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects", "Financial Information - Legal Proceedings" and elsewhere
may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe
harbour provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You
can identify forward-looking statements by, among other things, the use of
forward-looking language, such as anticipate, believe, estimate, intend, plan,
project, expect and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Yorkshire Group or
any of its subsidiaries or industry results to differ materially from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important
factors include, among others: general economic and business conditions in the
UK, the Authorised Area and elsewhere; currency fluctuations; governmental,
statutory, regulatory or administrative initiatives affecting Yorkshire Group,
Yorkshire or the UK electric and gas utilities industries; general industry
trends; competition; the cost and availability of electricity, gas and other
alternative energy sources; changes in commodity prices, interest rates and
hedging costs; changes in business strategy, development plans or vendor
relationships; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of
qualified personnel; increased rates of taxes or other changes in tax law;
changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, governmental regulation,
including, without limitation, environmental regulations; the potential
introduction of the Euro; and other factors referenced in this Form 20-F. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 20-F.
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GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS
When used in this report, the following terms will have the meanings indicated.
AUTHORISED AREA Yorkshire's service area as
determined by its PES License
CFDS contracts for differences
COMPETITION ACT the UK Competition Act 1998
COMPETITION COMMISSION the body created by
the Competition Act to take over
the then existing functions of
the UK Monopolies and Mergers
Commission
ELECTRICITY ACT the UK Electricity Act 1989
ESPS Electricity Supply Pension Scheme
EU the European Union
GEMA the UK Gas and Electricity
Markets Authority
INNOGY Innogy Holdings plc
INTERNATIONAL POWER International Power plc (formerly
known as National Power PLC)
KWH kilowatt hour
NETA the new electricity trading
arrangements
NGC the National Grid Company plc,
which is wholly-owned by the
National Grid Group plc
OFGEM Office of Gas and Electricity
Markets
PES public electricity supplier
PES LICENSE license granted to
Yorkshire by the Secretary of
State for Trade and Industry to
distribute and supply
electricity to any premises in
its Authorised Area for the
period specified by the license
POOL the wholesale trading market for
electricity in England and Wales
ended by the introduction of NETA
REGULATORY ACCOUNTING PERIOD the 12 month regulatory
accounting period ended March 31
SFAS US Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards
UK the United Kingdom
US the United States of America
UTILITIES ACT the UK Utilities Act 2000
YORKSHIRE Yorkshire Electricity Group plc
and its subsidiaries
YORKSHIRE GROUP Yorkshire Power Group Limited and
its subsidiaries
YORKSHIRE HOLDINGS Yorkshire Holdings plc, a
subsidiary of Yorkshire Power
Group Limited
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PART I
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 18 of this document.
The consolidated financial statements discussed herein are presented in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. The latest available audited full annual report is Form 10-K of
Yorkshire Group for the year ended December 31, 2000.
BACKGROUND
Yorkshire Group is indirectly owned by Innogy (94.75%) and Xcel Energy Inc.
(5.25%). Yorkshire Power Group Limited was incorporated as a limited company
under the laws of England and Wales in July 1996. Effective April 1, 1997,
Yorkshire Power Group Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary Yorkshire
Holdings, gained effective control of Yorkshire. Yorkshire Power Group Limited's
primary asset is the stock of Yorkshire Holdings. Yorkshire Holdings, which
beneficially owns all the outstanding stock of Yorkshire, has no significant
operations outside of its investment in Yorkshire.
SIGNIFICANT FACTORS AND KNOWN TRENDS
Factors Affecting Revenues
Two principal factors determine the amount of revenues produced by the
distribution business: the unit price of electricity distributed (which is
controlled by the Distribution Price Control Formula, described below) and the
number of electricity units distributed (which depends upon customer demand as
influenced in part by economic activity and weather conditions).
Two principal factors determine the amount of revenues produced by the
electricity supply business: the price of the electricity supplied (which, in
the case of certain domestic customers within the Yorkshire Authorised Area, is
controlled by the supply price control in force) and the number of electricity
units supplied. The price (except as described in the preceding sentence) and
the number of units supplied, which is largely determined by the number of
customers supplied, are subject to competition. The revenues produced by the
gas supply business are similarly determined by the price and the volume of gas
supplied, which in turn are determined by the number and characteristics of
customers acquired and lost.
Demand for electricity in the UK is seasonal, with demand being higher in the
winter months and lower in the summer months. Yorkshire bills its smaller
electricity supply customers on a staggered quarterly basis while it is
generally required to pay related expenses (principally the cost of purchase
electricity) on 28-day terms. However, approximately 57% of the smaller (less
than 100kW) electricity supply customers settle their accounts using regular
payment plans based on prepayment or spreading of the cost of their annual bill
evenly throughout the year.
Competition and Industry Challenges
The current distribution price control commenced on April 1, 2000. Revenue from
the distribution business is controlled by a formula (the "Distribution Price
Control Formula") principally based on P x (1+(RPI-Xd)), where P is the previous
year's maximum average price per unit of electricity distributed, RPI is a
measure of inflation and equals the percentage change in the UK Retail Price
Index between the six-month period from July to December of the two previous
years and Xd is currently 3%. Therefore the maximum average price in any year is
based in part on the maximum average price in the preceding year and a price
reduction in any given year has an ongoing effect on the maximum average price
for all subsequent years. The current Distribution Price Control Formula is to
remain effective for the five-year period beginning April 1, 2000. It included a
15% reduction in allowed revenue for Yorkshire compared to the previous price
control and a further 8% transfer of costs to Yorkshire's electricity supply
business. The overall reduction in distribution revenue as a result of the
current price control for Yorkshire was 23%.
The current supply price control for certain domestic customers commenced on
April 1, 2000. This control, which is to remain in place for two years from its
commencement, resulted in a real price reduction in Yorkshire's standard
domestic tariff of 3.6%. This incorporated a 7.3% distribution price reduction
as a result of the distribution price control review. The current supply price
control also provides for a nominal price freeze for the Regulatory Accounting
Period ending March 31, 2002.
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Electricity priced within the allowed level will need to be secured and purchase
price risk managed accordingly. If future purchase costs are significantly below
the maximum envisaged by Ofgem within the current price control, Ofgem may take
steps to ensure that tariffs are reduced. See "Market Risks - Commodity Price
Risks" below for a discussion of the effects of NETA.
Yorkshire believes that competitive pressures in the market may require it to
charge supply prices which are lower than the maximum prices established by
Ofgem. If Yorkshire charges such lower prices, the result will be a further
reduction in supply revenues beyond that mandated by Ofgem. Yorkshire's supply
business is under competitive pressure to lower supply prices for classes of
customers other than those subject to the supply price control.
The Utilities Act will have a significant impact on both gas and electricity
licenses. The supply and distribution of electricity will become separate
licensable activities with a bar on the same legal entity holding both an
electricity supply and electricity distribution license. In addition, the PES
and second tier supply licenses will be brought together into a single supply
license. Standard license conditions, which are presently a feature of gas
licenses, will be introduced into electricity licenses. To comply, Yorkshire
intends to put in place a new group structure. This new structure may require
changes to Yorkshire's existing financing arrangements.
The UK government has advised that the effective date for such legal separation
is expected to be later this year. The transfer of any property, rights and
liabilities to the new licensees will be effected via a transfer scheme as
provided for under Schedule 7 of the Utilities Act.
The new electricity supply and distribution licenses will become effective
concurrent with the effective date of the transfer scheme. The new licenses will
be implemented via a licensing scheme under Schedule 7 of the Utilities Act.
The Utilities Act will remove conditions relating to PES tariff supply. PESs
will then have to contract with each customer on an individual basis. To
facilitate the transfer of customers from tariff supply to contract supply each
PES is required to produce a further transfer scheme under Schedule 7 of the
Utilities Act which provides for a deemed contract to be in place between the
customer and the former PES. The terms of this deemed contract have to be
approved by Ofgem. The effective date of this change will be concurrent with
legal separation and the introduction of new licences.
The Utilities Act also makes provision for the implementation of a renewables
obligation on electricity suppliers requiring them to purchase a fixed
percentage of electricity from renewable sources. The final consultation on this
is expected by August 2001.
Separation of Distribution and Electricity Supply
Since April 1, 2000, Yorkshire's electricity supply and distribution businesses
have, in accordance with the PES License modifications which became effective on
that date, been treated as separate businesses. There are a number of exceptions
to this, such as the continued sharing of some services, which were included in
the direction issued by Ofgem on the basis of the business separation compliance
plan submitted by Yorkshire. The compliance plan includes all the actions
Yorkshire will need to undertake in order to implement business separation,
including the appointment of a compliance officer (as required by the new
condition 12A of the PES License), a review of governance and management issues
and the separate branding of the electricity supply and distribution businesses.
Internal service level agreements for remaining common services, including
information technology systems, have been established in line with the plan from
January 1, 2001. Yorkshire commenced the required review of branding in November
2000 and will rebrand the distribution business by the end of March 2002.
The costs of business separation were addressed by Ofgem in its review of the
distribution and supply price controls. These controls became effective on April
1, 2000, and included an allowance for separation costs of (pound)7.5 million
for each REC's distribution business over the following five years ending March
31, 2005, and an allowance of (pound)200,000 per year for Yorkshire's
electricity supply business for the following two years. Commercial pressures in
the competitive electricity supply market may limit the ability to actually
recover the allowed supply amount. Yorkshire intends to manage the costs of
business separation within the Ofgem allowance.
The costs of legal separation have not been included in the Ofgem allowances,
but are not expected to be significant.
Environmental Factors
Yorkshire's businesses are subject to numerous regulatory requirements with
respect to the protection of the environment. The principal laws which have
environmental implications for Yorkshire are the Electricity Act, the
Environmental Protection Act 1990, the New Road and Street Works Act 1991, the
Water Resources Act 1991 and the Environment Act 1995. Yorkshire believes that
it has taken, and intends to continue taking, measures to comply with the
applicable law and government regulations for the protection of the environment.
There are no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against
Yorkshire with respect to any environmental matter.
Market Risks
Yorkshire has certain market risks inherent in its business activities. Market
risk represents the risk of loss that may impact Yorkshire due to adverse
changes in market prices and rates.
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Commodity Price Risk
The previous system of wholesale purchasing through the Pool was replaced by
NETA on March 27, 2001. NETA requires participants to submit half hourly
forecasts of electricity supply and demand and endeavour to balance contract
positions and metered volumes. There are incentives, in the form of imbalance
payments, for generators and suppliers to balance their supply/demand position.
Yorkshire has redefined current business operations in order to effectively
manage its position in the new market by seeking to predict its customers'
demand for electricity on a short-term basis as accurately as possible and
effectively managing the risks of imbalances. It is anticipated that NETA will
make the market for the sale of electricity by generators more competitive and
increase competitive pressures in the electricity supply industry. Yorkshire's
strategies implemented to deal with NETA have ensured that Yorkshire has avoided
significant costs associated with imbalance payments and this is expected to
continue in the future. The introduction of NETA led to the renegotiation of an
onerous energy contract that resulted in the creation of a (pound)36 million
provision to reflect future cash payments by Yorkshire to the counterparty in
order to cancel the previous contract.
Yorkshire Group's exposure to wholesale price variability has declined
following measures implemented on April 3, 2001 by Innogy, the new parent
company of Yorkshire. Innogy substantially closed Yorkshire Group's forward
positions on this date and new fixed price contracts were established with
Innogy which cover Yorkshire Group's existing contracts. As Innogy is
effectively increasing its trading activity to cover demand from Yorkshire
customers this has led to the transfer of wholesale price risk from Yorkshire
Group to Innogy. This activity has not affected Yorkshire Group's existing
contracts outstanding at March 31, 2001. The remaining risks associated with
energy trading relate to balancing payments, which could arise following the
introduction of NETA, gas imbalance costs and short term gas contracts
purchased for hedging purposes.
Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk of financial loss that would result from the
failure of counter parties to comply with the terms of their contractual
obligations with Yorkshire Group.
The concentration of credit risk in respect of trade accounts receivable is
limited, due to Yorkshire's large customer base.
Yorkshire Group is exposed to losses in the event of non-performance by counter
parties to its financial market transactions. To manage this credit risk,
Yorkshire Group selects counter parties based on their credit ratings and
applies limits to its exposure to each counter party.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Yorkshire Group is partly capitalised by US Dollar-denominated debt. Changes in
the US Dollar/Pound Sterling exchange rate will affect the Pound Sterling value
of cash flows under the US Dollar-denominated debt and the Pound Sterling fair
value of the US Dollar-denominated debt. Yorkshire Group uses cross-currency
swaps to manage the cash flow and translation risks arising from its exposures
to foreign currency exchange rate movements associated with US
Dollar-denominated debt.
Yorkshire Group has three outstanding issues of foreign currency debt, $350
million 6.154% Senior Notes due 2003, $300 million 6.496% Senior Notes due 2008
and $265 million 8.08% Trust Securities due 2038. Cross currency swaps are used
to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from these borrowings.
The aggregate nominal value of the cross currency swaps at March 31, 2001 was
$906 million. All US Dollar cash flows under other US dollar denominated debt
issued by Yorkshire Group are matched by cash flows under cross-currency swaps.
Interest Rate Risk
Yorkshire Group is partly funded by short and long-term Pound
Sterling-denominated debt bearing variable and fixed interest rates and
long-term US Dollar-denominated debt bearing fixed interest rates. Changes in
Pound Sterling and US Dollar interest rates will affect the cash flows under
debt bearing variable interest rates and the fair value of debt bearing fixed
interest rates.
Yorkshire Group uses interest rate caps to manage its cash flow exposures to
Pound Sterling-denominated debt that bears interest at variable rates. Other
financial instruments may be used in the future.
At March 31, 2001, fixed interest rates were payable on 79% of debt and interest
rate caps covered a further 3% of debt; the average debt maturity was 13 years.
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The following table presents by calendar year of maturity date, as of March 31,
2001, the total principal cash repayments and related weighted average interest
rates of Yorkshire Group's debt.
AT MARCH 31, 2001
MATURITY DATE
THERE
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 AFTER TOTAL
(ALL AMOUNTS MILLIONS)
DEBT
Fixed interest rate
Pound sterling denominated debt
Amount (pound)4 (pound)4 -- -- (pound)150 (pound)400 (pound)558
Average interest rate 7.5% 7.5% -- -- 8.6% 8.3% 8.3%
Variable interest rate
Pound sterling denominated debt
Amount (pound)134 -- -- -- (pound)155 -- (pound)289
Average interest rate 5.9% -- -- -- 6.5% -- 6.2%
Fixed interest rate
US dollar denominated debt
Amount -- -- $350 -- -- $565 $915
Average interest rate -- -- 6.2% -- -- 7.2% 6.8%
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European Monetary Union
On January 1, 1999, 11 European Union countries formed an economic and monetary
union and introduced a single currency, the Euro. Although the UK did not join
at this time, the UK Government has indicated that it may join in the future.
Management is currently assessing the effort required to prepare Yorkshire Group
for the potential introduction of the Euro in the UK.
CHANGES IN REGULATION
On April 12, 2001, the UK government published its proposals for the definition
of the relevant turnover when applying financial penalties to gas and
electricity licensees. Under the Utilities Act, GEMA will be able to impose
financial penalties of up to 10% of turnover on licensees who breach license
requirements. Of the options considered, the key proposal is that the relevant
turnover should be the total turnover of the company in the United Kingdom which
is the holder of the relevant license. Turnover is to be defined in a Statutory
Instrument, subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses of Parliament. The
consultation document includes a draft Statutory Instrument. Views were invited
on the proposals and on the draft Statutory Instrument by July 5, 2001 and a
response to proposals made is expected in due course.
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OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
Net income/(loss) for the three-month period decreased by (pound)42 million
(150%) from a (pound)28 million profit to a loss of ((pound)14) million, as
compared to the same period last year. There is a decline of (pound)8 million
due to the prior period containing the cumulative effect of a change in
depreciation method. The remaining change in net income is due primarily to the
creation of a (pound)36 million provision in respect of an onerous contract, a
(pound)9 million write off of capitalised costs of an e-business project, and a
decrease in gross margin for the gas supply business
Income statement line items that changed significantly were:
INCREASE/(DECREASE)
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(IN MILLIONS)
(POUND) %
Operating revenues.............................................................. 15 4
Gross margin.................................................................... (42) (33)
Selling, general and administrative............................................. 1 3
Depreciation and amortization................................................... 10 53
Maintenance expenses............................................................ (3) (21)
Provision for income taxes...................................................... (14) (140)
SFAS 133 transition adjustment, net of tax...................................... 1 N/A
Cumulative effect on prior years of changing to a different depreciation method. (8) (100)
Net (Loss) / Income............................................................. (42) (150)
Comprehensive(Loss) / Income ................................................... (78) (279)
Electricity supply operating revenues in the competitive market have decreased
by (pound)47 million when compared to the same period last year. A growth in the
volume of electricity supplied to larger non-residential electricity supply
customers has been partially offset by a decrease in volumes supplied to the
residential electricity supply market. However, despite overall volume growth,
the impact of the supply price control review has been to reduce operating
revenues for the electricity supply business when compared to the three-month
period ended March 31, 2000. Gas supply operating revenues in the competitive
market increased by (pound)62 million as the number of residential gas supply
customers rose in the period. An increase in non-residential gas supply
customers has also contributed to the increase in revenues.
Gross margin has been reduced because of increased gas purchase costs when
compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2000. This decrease in gross
margin was partially offset by an increase in gross margin for the electricity
supply business, despite competitive pressures. This is primarily due to lower
electricity purchase costs and favorable CFD settlements. In addition other
costs have decreased, notably those associated with the use of the distribution
network, as a result of the distribution price control review, effective April
1, 2000.
Following the introduction of NETA, certain energy contracts have been
renegotiated, as the contract terms could not continue to apply in their
existing form under NETA. This has resulted in the creation of a (pound)36
million provision in the three-month period to reflect future cash payments by
Yorkshire to the counterparty in order to cancel the previous contract. The
provision reflects the obligation under the contractual terms for Yorkshire to
compensate the counterparty by making payments of (pound)1.7 million per month
over 23 months.
It is anticipated that NETA, which began on March 27, 2001, will make the market
for the sale of electricity by generators more competitive and that the strong
competitive pressures in the electricity supply industry will continue to affect
the future results of Yorkshire.
External revenues attributable to the distribution business have increased
slightly due to the competitive market creating growth in revenues for the use
of the distribution network from external customers. However, this growth has
been offset in part by the impact of the distribution price control review,
which has adversely affected distribution revenues when compared to the
three-month period ended March 31, 2000.
The reduction in maintenance costs is the result of a reduction in controllable
costs by Yorkshire in response to the distribution price control review,
effective April 1, 2000. Depreciation expense increased largely because a
decision was taken to cancel the launch of a proposed e-business project to
avoid duplication of activities with Innogy and achieve synergy savings. Amounts
capitalised to date on this project have been written off during the period,
resulting in a (pound)9 million increase in depreciation expense. Selling,
general and administrative costs are in line with last year.
Provision for income taxes has moved in line with the profit for the period.
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Yorkshire Group has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS)
No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as
amended by SFAS No. 138 for US GAAP reporting as of January 1, 2001. SFAS 133
and 138 establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts
(collectively referred to as derivatives).
In accordance with SFAS No. 133, entities are required to carry all derivative
instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for movements in
fair value of derivatives depends on whether it has been designated and
qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding
it. If certain conditions are met, Yorkshire Group can elect to designate a
derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures. If the hedged exposure is a fair
value exposure, movements in fair value are recognised in earnings with the
offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. If
the hedged exposure is a cashflow exposure, the effective portion of the
movement in fair value of the derivative instrument is initially reported as a
component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into
earnings at the time the forecasted transaction impacts earnings. Amounts
excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective
portion of the movements in fair value of the derivative instrument are reported
in earnings in the current period. If a derivative instrument is not designated
as a hedge, movements in the fair value of the instrument are recognised in
earnings.
The types of derivative Yorkshire Group has identified and recorded on the
balance sheet are energy contracts associated with ongoing operating activities
and cross currency swaps related to long term financing which contain an
interest rate component.
The impact to earnings resulted in a gain of approximately (pound)1 million that
was recorded in earnings on January 1, 2001, as a cumulative adjustment for a
change in accounting principle, net of taxes of (pound)1 million. On January 1,
2001, there were (pound)61 million of deferred losses included in other
comprehensive income (net of tax of (pound)26 million).
Of the (pound)36 million (net of tax of (pound)16 million) in other
comprehensive income at March 31, 2001, (pound)6 million (net of tax of (pound)2
million) is expected to be reclassified into earnings through cost of sales in
the year ending March 31, 2002.
During the three months ended March 31, 2001, (pound)12 million (net of tax of
(pound)5 million) was reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings
through cost of sales. (pound)27 million (net of tax of (pound)12 million) was
removed from other comprehensive income during the period as a result of the
introduction of NETA of which (pound)36 million (before taxes) has been charged
to the income statement during the period.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Yorkshire Power Group Limited's primary asset is the entire share capital of
Yorkshire Holdings, which in turn owns the entire share capital of Yorkshire as
its primary asset. Yorkshire Power Group Limited is therefore dependent upon
dividends from Yorkshire for its cash flow.
Financing
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2001, Yorkshire established two
letters of credit with a total value of (pound)24 million. This facility was put
in place to ensure Yorkshire had sufficient funds to honor its commitments under
the NETA balancing and settling arrangements. Following a review of its
potential liability from existing commitments Yorkshire has agreed to let one of
the agreements lapse on June 28, 2001 leaving a facility of (pound)12 million.
The remaining agreement ends on September 28, 2001 when the need for such
facilities will be reviewed.
Available Sources of Credit
At March 31, 2001, in addition to cash flow from Yorkshire's operations
available for distribution indirectly to Yorkshire Group, Yorkshire Group had
(pound)145 million available under its syndicated (pound)270 million credit
facilitiy that expires in 2003, as its primary source of liquidity.
Yorkshire Group will also be required to fund its ongoing capital expenditures,
fund its debt service and cover its seasonal working capital needs. Yorkshire
Group expects to fund these ongoing cash requirements through a combination of
available cash flow from Yorkshire's operations and amounts available under its
syndicated credit facility.
Use and Source of Funds
Cash outflow from operating activities during the three-month period ended
March 31, 2001 was (pound)5 million which includes interest payments of
(pound)42 million. Drawings from the syndicated credit facility were increased
by (pound)40 million which was the principal source of funds. During this
period, Yorkshire Group utilized (pound)20 million for capital expenditures.
Capital Expenditures
Yorkshire Group's capital expenditures are primarily related to the distribution
business and include expenditures for load-related, non-load-related and
non-operational capital assets. Load-related capital expenditures are largely
required by new business growth. Customer contributions are normally received
where capital expenditures are made to extend or upgrade service to customers
(except to the extent
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that such capital expenditures are made to enhance Yorkshire's distribution
network generally). Non-load-related capital expenditures include asset
replacement, which is expected to continue until at least the next decade. Other
non-load-related expenditures include system upgrade work that provides for load
growth and has the additional benefit of improving network security and
reliability. Non-operational capital expenditures are for assets such as
fixtures and equipment. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2001, and
March 31, 2000, capital expenditures, net of customer contributions, were
(pound)20 million and (pound)23 million, respectively.
Management believes that cash flow from operations, together with its existing
sources of credit will provide sufficient working capital to meet Yorkshire
Group's present requirements.
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ITEM 8.A.7. FINANCIAL INFORMATION - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Pension Ombudsman (a UK arbitrator appointed by statute) issued a "final
determination" in favor of complaints made by members of the ESPS relating to
NGC's use of the ESPS surplus to offset its additional costs of early payment of
pensions as a result of reorganization or redundancy, together with additional
contributions required after a valuation. Under that determination the Pension
Ombudsman directed NGC to pay into ESPS the amount of that use of the surplus
plus interest. The Pension Ombudsman's final determination was challenged in the
courts by NGC and International Power, who was also subject to a similar
complaint. The High Court subsequently ruled that such use of surplus was
permissible.
On February 10, 1999, the Court of Appeal ruled that the particular arrangements
made by NGC and International Power to dispose of the surplus, partly by
canceling liabilities relating to pension costs resulting from early retirement,
were invalid as they did not comply fully with the rules and procedures for
dealing with surplus at that time. However, the Court of Appeal did uphold the
High Court's ruling that NGC and International Power could benefit from pension
scheme surplus provided that the scheme rules allow and that the interests of
the members are taken into account.
Following a further hearing on May 25 and May 26, 1999 the Court of Appeal
ordered NGC and International Power to pay all sums properly payable by them to
their group trustees. However, enforcement of the order was stayed pending the
outcome of any appeals to the House of Lords, leave for which was granted.
NGC and International Power initiated appeals in the House of Lords. NGC and
International Power also executed amendments, which purport to cancel their
accrued contribution obligations arising from the Court of Appeal's judgment.
Yorkshire made similar use of actuarial surplus and estimated the maximum amount
receivable by the ESPS in respect of the use of surplus by Yorkshire to be
approximately (pound)38 million plus interest of (pound)15 million.
Yorkshire, with EPSL (the ESPS's central co-ordinating and policy body) and
other member companies, has now considered with its legal advisers, the option
of executing similar retrospective deeds of amendment to those executed by the
two litigants: NGC and International Power. Accordingly, a retrospective deed of
amendment was executed on January 22, 2001. Yorkshire's pension trustees have
been kept fully informed of Yorkshire's intentions and actions.
The appeals initiated by NGC and International Power in the House of Lords were
heard in February 2001. The House of Lords ruled on April 4, 2001 in favor of
NGC and International Power. In essence, the judges decided that the employers
had acted properly and in accordance with their powers and duties when dealing
with the 1992 and 1995 ESPS surpluses.
9
14
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
None.
10
15
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2001 MARCH 31, 2000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) $ (pound)
(See Note 1)
Operating revenues .................................................. 438 621 423
Cost of sales ....................................................... 351 498 294
----- ----- -----
Gross margin ........................................................ 87 123 129
Operating expenses:
Maintenance ....................................................... 11 15 14
Depreciation and amortization ..................................... 29 41 19
Selling, general and administrative ............................... 38 54 37
----- ----- -----
Income from operations .............................................. 9 13 59
Interest expense, net ............................................... (28) (40) (29)
----- ----- -----
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes ........ (19) (27) 30
(Credit)/provision for income taxes ................................. (4) (6) 10
----- ----- -----
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principal .......................... (15) (21) 20
SFAS 133 transition adjustment, net of tax of(pound)1 ($1) .......... 1 1 --
Cumulative effect on prior years (to December 31, 1999) of
changing to a different depreciation method ....................... -- -- 8
----- ----- -----
Net (Loss)/income ................................................... (14) (20) 28
===== ===== =====
Other comprehensive income, net of tax of(pound)16 ($23):
Fair value of derivative instruments : designated cashflow
hedges ............................................................ (36) (51) --
----- ----- -----
Comprehensive (Loss) / Income ....................................... (50) (71) 28
===== ===== =====
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
11
16
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31,
MARCH 31, 2001 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) $ (pound)
(See Note 1)
Assets
Fixed Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of(pound)200 ($284) and (pound)177 .............. 1,076 1,527 1,079
Construction work in progress .................................. 13 18 14
----- ----- -----
Total fixed assets .................................... 1,089 1,545 1,093
----- ----- -----
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ...................................... 11 15 11
Investments .................................................... 17 24 14
Accounts receivable, less provision for uncollectibles of
(pound)19 ($27) and(pound)19 ................................. 81 115 59
Unbilled revenue ............................................... 157 223 161
Electricity and gas trading contracts .......................... 51 72 76
Prepaids and other ............................................. 49 70 59
----- ----- -----
Total current assets .................................. 366 519 380
----- ----- -----
Other Assets:
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of(pound)98 ($139) and
(pound)92 .................................................... 867 1,230 873
Investments, long-term ......................................... 35 50 34
Prepaid pension asset .......................................... 136 193 133
Electricity and gas trading contracts .......................... 26 37 22
Other non-current assets ....................................... 102 145 71
----- ----- -----
Total other assets .................................... 1,166 1,655 1,133
----- ----- -----
Total assets ..................................................... 2,621 3,719 2,606
===== ===== =====
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
12
17
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31,
MARCH 31, 2001 2000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) $ (pound)
(See Note 1)
Shareholders' Equity And Liabilities
Shareholders' Equity:
Share capital,(pound)1 par value common shares, 440,000,100
authorised and 440,000,002 issued and outstanding ........ 440 624 440
Retained profit ............................................ 52 74 66
Other comprehensive (loss) / income ........................ (36) (51) --
----- ----- -----
Total shareholders' equity ........................ 456 647 506
----- ----- -----
Long-term debt ............................................... 1,183 1,679 1,161
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable trust securities of
subsidiary holding solely junior subordinated deferrable
interest debentures .................................... 187 265 178
Other non-current liabilities:
Deferred income taxes ...................................... 200 284 220
Provision for uneconomic electricity and gas contracts ..... 24 34 21
Electricity and gas trading contracts ...................... 35 50 23
Other ...................................................... 51 72 15
----- ----- -----
Total Other Non-Current Liabilities ............... 310 440 279
----- ----- -----
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt .......................... 4 6 4
Short-term debt ............................................ 134 190 106
Accounts payable ........................................... 72 102 78
Accrued liabilities and deferred income .................... 97 138 115
Electricity and gas trading contracts ...................... 60 85 76
Provision for uneconomic electricity and gas contracts ..... 20 28 5
Income taxes payable ....................................... 47 67 47
Other current liabilities .................................. 51 72 51
----- ----- -----
Total current liabilities ......................... 485 688 482
----- ----- -----
Total liabilities ............................................ 2,165 3,072 2,100
----- ----- -----
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities ................... 2,621 3,719 2,606
===== ===== =====
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
13
18
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
MARCH 31, 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) $ (pound)
(See Note 1)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net (loss) / income ........................................ (14) (20) 28
Movement in other comprehensive income ..................... (36) (51) --
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation of fixed asset investment included in cost of
sales .................................................... -- -- 3
Depreciation and amortization ............................ 29 41 19
Cumulative effect of a change in depreciation method ..... -- -- (12)
Deferred income tax ...................................... (20) (28) 11
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables and unbilled revenue ......................... (18) (25) (33)
Income taxes payable ..................................... -- -- (2)
Prepaids and other current assets ........................ 10 14 (6)
Prepaid pension asset .................................... (3) (4) (4)
Other current liabilities ................................ -- -- 16
Accounts payable ......................................... (6) (9) (15)
Accrued liabilities and deferred income .................. (18) (26) (18)
Electricity and gas trading contracts .................... 17 24 (2)
Provision for uneconomic electricity and gas contracts ... 18 26 (2)
Other non-current liabilities ............................ 36 51 1
Other .................................................... -- -- 1
----- ----- -----
Net cash used in Operating Activities ................ (5) (7) (15)
----- ----- -----
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures ..................................... (20) (29) (23)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ...... -- -- 1
Other .................................................... (3) (4) --
----- ----- -----
Net Cash used in Investing Activities ................ (23) (33) (22)
----- ----- -----
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from insurance of long-term debt ................ -- -- 165
Repayment of long-term debt .............................. -- -- (4)
Net change in short-term debt ............................ 28 40 (124)
----- ----- -----
Net cash provided by Financing Activities ............ 28 40 37
----- ----- -----
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ........... -- -- --
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ........... 11 16 9
===== ===== =====
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ................. 11 16 9
===== ===== =====
14
19
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARES)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001:
Other
Compre-
Retained hensive
Shares Amount profit Income Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) (pound) (pound) (pound)
Balance, January 1, 2001 440,000,002 440 66 -- 506
Comprehensive income
Net Loss -- -- (14) -- (14)
Other comprehensive income
Fair value of derivative instrument designated as cashflow hedges:
Cumulative translation adjustment, net
of tax of(pound)26 -- -- -- (61) (61)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net -- -- -- 12 12
of tax of(pound)5
Additional cashflow hedges during
period, net of tax of(pound)- -- -- -- (1) (1)
Terminated hedging contracts, net of
tax of (pound)12 -- -- -- 27 27
Movements in fair value, net of tax of
(pound)6 -- -- -- (13) (13)
----------- ----- ----- ----- -----
Balance, March 31, 2001 440,000,002 440 52 (36) 456
----------- ----- ----- ----- -----
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
15
20
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2001
(UNAUDITED)
1. GENERAL
In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments
(consisting of only normal recurring accruals) which are necessary for a fair
presentation of the results of operations for interim periods.
The consolidated financial statements of Yorkshire Group and its subsidiaries
are presented in pounds sterling and in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year
presentation.
The latest available audited full annual report is Form 10-K of Yorkshire Group
for the year ended December 31, 2000.
The consolidated balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows and
certain information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are
presented in pounds sterling ((pound)) and in US dollars ($) solely for the
convenience of the reader, at the exchange rate of (pound)1 = $1.4190, the US
Federal Reserve Noon Buying Rate on March 30, 2001. This presentation has not
been translated in accordance with SFAS No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation."
No representation is made that the pounds sterling amounts have been, could have
been, or could be converted into US dollars at that or any other rate of
exchange.
2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
Yorkshire Group has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS)
No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as
amended by SFAS No. 138 for US GAAP reporting as of January 1, 2001. SFAS 133
and 138 establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts
(collectively referred to as derivatives).
In accordance with SFAS No. 133, entities are required to carry all derivative
instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for movements in
fair value of derivatives depends on whether it has been designated and
qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding
it. If certain conditions are met, Yorkshire Group can elect to designate a
derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures. If the hedged exposure is a fair
value exposure, movements in fair value are recognised in earnings with the
offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. If
the hedged exposure is a cashflow exposure, the effective portion of the
movement in fair value of the derivative instrument is initially reported as a
component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into
earnings at the time the forecasted transaction impacts earnings. Amounts
excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective
portion of the movements in fair value of the derivative instrument are reported
in earnings in the current period. If a derivative instrument is not designated
as a hedge, movements in the fair value of the instrument are recognised in
earnings.
The types of derivative Yorkshire Group has identified and recorded on the
balance sheet are energy contracts associated with ongoing operating activities
and cross currency swaps related to long term financing which contain an
interest rate component.
The impact to earnings resulted in a gain of approximately (pound)1 million that
was recorded in earnings on January 1, 2001, as a cumulative adjustment for a
change in accounting principle, net of taxes of (pound)1 million. On January 1,
2001, there were (pound)61 million of deferred losses included in other
comprehensive income (net of tax of (pound)26 million).
Of the (pound)36 million (net of tax of (pound)16 million) in other
comprehensive income at March 31, 2001, (pound)6 million (net of tax of (pound)2
million) is expected to be reclassified into earnings through cost of sales in
the year ending March 31, 2002.
During the three months ended March 31, 2001, (pound)12 million (net of tax of
(pound)5 million) was reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings
through cost of sales. (pound)27 million (net of tax of (pound)12 million) was
removed from other comprehensive income during the period as a result of the
introduction of NETA of which (pound)36 million (before taxes) has been charged
to the income statement during the period.
3. CONTINGENCIES
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Pension Ombudsman (a UK arbitrator appointed by statute) issued a "final
determination" in favor of complaints made by members of the ESPS relating to
NGC's use of the ESPS surplus to offset its additional costs of early payment of
pensions as a result of reorganization or redundancy, together with additional
contributions required after a valuation. Under that determination the Pension
Ombudsman directed NGC to pay into ESPS the amount of that use of the surplus
plus interest. The Pension Ombudsman's final determination was challenged in
16
21
the courts by NGC and International Power, who was also subject to a similar
complaint. The High Court subsequently ruled that such use of surplus was
permissible.
On February 10, 1999, the Court of Appeal ruled that the particular arrangements
made by NGC and International Power to dispose of the surplus, partly by
canceling liabilities relating to pension costs resulting from early retirement,
were invalid as they did not comply fully with the rules and procedures for
dealing with surplus at that time. However, the Court of Appeal did uphold the
High Court's ruling that NGC and International Power could benefit from pension
scheme surplus provided that the scheme rules allow and that the interests of
the members are taken into account.
Following a further hearing on May 25 and May 26, 1999 the Court of Appeal
ordered NGC and International Power to pay all sums properly payable by them to
their group trustees. However, enforcement of the order was stayed pending the
outcome of any appeals to the House of Lords, leave for which was granted.
NGC and International Power initiated appeals in the House of Lords. NGC and
International Power also executed amendments, which purport to cancel their
accrued contribution obligations arising from the Court of Appeal's judgment.
Yorkshire made similar use of actuarial surplus and estimated the maximum amount
receivable by the ESPS in respect of the use of surplus by Yorkshire to be
approximately (pound)38 million plus interest of (pound)15 million.
Yorkshire, with EPSL (the ESPS's central co-ordinating and policy body) and
other member companies, has now considered with its legal advisers, the option
of executing similar retrospective deeds of amendment to those executed by the
two litigants: NGC and International Power. Accordingly, a retrospective deed of
amendment was executed on January 22, 2001. Yorkshire's pension trustees have
been kept fully informed of Yorkshire's intentions and actions.
The appeals initiated by NGC and International Power in the House of Lords were
heard in February 2001. The House of Lords ruled on April 4, 2001 in favor of
NGC and International Power. In essence, the judges decided that the employers
had acted properly and in accordance with their powers and duties when dealing
with the 1992 and 1995 ESPS surpluses.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements. As a result of the transition to a more competitive utility
environment, estimates are required for revenues and the costs to produce
revenues, including bad debt expense.
4. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Yorkshire Group is primarily engaged in two businesses: electricity
distribution, which involves the transmission of electricity across its network
to end users, and supply, which involves bulk purchase of electricity and gas
for delivery to its customers. These businesses form the basis for the
identification of reportable segments as shown below. Included in "Other" are
insignificant operating subsidiaries as well as various corporate activities,
and non-allocated corporate assets.
Management evaluates segment performance based on segment income from
operations, which is shown below.
Intersegment sales primarily represent sales from the distribution business to
the supply business for use of the distribution network.
A summary of information about Yorkshire Group's operations by segment follows
(in millions):
17
22
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
(UNAUDITED)
ELIMINATIONS
AND
NON-ALLOCATED
DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY OTHER ITEMS CONSOLIDATED
(pound) (pound) (pound) (pound) (pound)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues from external
customers.............. 28 410 -- -- 438
Intersegment sales....... 42 5 -- (47) --
Income (loss) from
operations............. 38 (18) (6) (5) 9
Total assets........ 1,145 507 2,905 (1,936) 2,621
===== === ===== ====== =====
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
ELIMINATIONS
AND
NON-ALLOCATED
DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY OTHER ITEMS CONSOLIDATED
(pound) (pound) (pound) (pound) (pound)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues from external
customers.............. 27 396 -- -- 423
Intersegment sales....... 60 7 -- (67) --
Income (loss) from
operations............. 42 25 (2) (6) 59
Total assets........ 1,094 453 2,832 (1,886) 2,493
===== === ===== ====== =====
Non-allocated items within total assets consist principally of goodwill of
(pound)867 million at March 31, 2001 and (pound)896 million at March 31, 2000.
Non-allocated items within income from operations consist principally of
amortization of goodwill of (pound)6 million in the three-month period ended
March 31 for both 2001 and 2000.
5. ACQUISITION BY INNOGY
On April 3, 2001, Innogy Finance Ltd acquired 94.75% of the issued share capital
of Yorkshire Power Group Limited ("YPG") from its prior owners American Electric
Power Company Inc. and Xcel Energy Inc. Xcel Energy Inc. has retained a 5.25%
ownership interest. Consideration for the acquisition was approximately
(pound)508.6 million. Innogy Finance Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Innogy.
Innogy is an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom.
Following this acquisition YPG has become a "foreign private issuer" within the
meaning of Rule 3b-4(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and has
changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31 effective January 1,
2001. This transitiion report on Form 20-F for the transition period January 1,
2001 to March 31, 2001 is being filed pursuant to Rule 13a-10(g)(4) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
6. FIXED ASSETS
A decision was taken to cancel the launch of a proposed e business project to
avoid duplication of activities with Innogy and achieve synergy savings. Amounts
capitalised to date on this project have been written off during the period,
resulting in a (pound)9 million increase in depreciation expense.
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
18
23
Yorkshire Group's exposure to wholesale price variability has declined
following measures implemented on April 3, 2001 by Innogy, the new parent
company of Yorkshire. Innogy substantially closed Yorkshire Group's forward
positions on this date and new fixed price contracts were established with
Innogy which cover Yorkshire Group's existing contracts. As Innogy is
effectively increasing its trading activity to cover demand from Yorkshire
customers this has led to the transfer of wholesale price risk from Yorkshire
Group to Innogy. This activity has not affected Yorkshire Group's existing
contracts outstanding at March 31, 2001. The remaining risks associated with
energy trading relate to balancing payments, which could arise following the
introduction of NETA, gas imbalance costs and short term gas contracts
purchased for hedging purposes.
19
24
SIGNATURES
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorised the undersigned to sign
this transition period report on its behalf.
YORKSHIRE POWER GROUP LIMITED
By: /s/ Michael Bowden
--------------------------------
Name: Michael Bowden
--------------------------
Title: Company Secretary
-------------------------
Date: July 16, 2001
20