Jeffs justin
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This document provides an overview of Triventus Consulting, a European wind power consulting firm. It discusses trends in the financing of wind power projects, particularly the increasing difficulty of obtaining financing in Europe. Specific challenges for developing wind projects in Nordic countries like Norway and Sweden are also examined, such as cold climates reducing production and increasing costs. The document emphasizes that only top-quality projects with strong cash flows, credible management, and a long-term commitment will be able to secure necessary financing.
Jeffs justin
- 2. Intro to Triventus Consulting 1.0 European wind power – an investor perspective 2.0 The Nordic wind markets 3.0 Sources of financing 4.0 Project financing 5.0 The impact of cold climates 6.0 How to secure (and repay) financing 7.0 Conclusions
- 3. CEO: Peter Tjernström Business launched: 2003 Number of employees: 40 Turnover 2012: MSEK 50 Headquarters: Falkenberg Regional offices: Östersund/Storuman Falun Stockholm Gothenburg Helsinki
- 4. Financing constrained relative to demand Many European markets are off limits New institutional infrastructure fund raising and ‘dry powder’ reducing, but allocation to ‘renewables’ up Cost of institutional capital high Commercial banks less active FIT favoured over merchant markets, but need to be backed by strong government Professionalism of wind industry needs to be improved and track record of returns needed
- 5. Increasing maturity Renewable Energy Potential - Norway & Sweden 2020 (MW) New entrants attracted by low risk markets and saturation in home markets Lower investment costs for projects Improved planning and permitting process Development spreading North supported by anti-/de-icing technology But: Business cases hard to justify Questions over the effects of a common Swedish-Norwegian certificate system and Swedish area pricing Lower prices for project exits Grid connectivity still a problem Source: PÖYRY.
- 6. • A new feed-in-tariff was implemented in April 2011. Annual Wind Power Production in Finland Forecast 2 500 MW is included in the system. • Guaranteed price, 83,5 €/ MWh for 12 years (plus bonus of 20 €/ MWh prior to 2015). Not index linked. • If electricity price is less than 30 €/MWh, fixed premium (53,5€ / MWh) is paid. • Current pipeline > 6000MW But • Well publicised problems with planning • Wind conditions? • Long term outlook post 2500MW Finnish Wind Power Association 26th April 2012 • Early stage market with few opportunities for investors
- 7. Ready to build Type of financing Development Construction Operation Equity • Own funds • Private equity • Public equity markets • JV Partners • Supply chain • Corporates • Venture Capital • Public sector financing • Infrastructure funds • Strategics • Pension funds Equity 25%+ 12% from operation plus 12% Returns cost of financing during Sought: build Source: Mainstream Renewable Power, Hg Capital, Triventus Consulting
- 8. External collateral/ pledges available No external collateral/ pledges available • Lending through owner’s balance sheet • Project bonds • Easy to arrange; price depends on owner • ProjectCo taps into financial market directly • Repayment not necessarily linked to project cash flows • Credit rating, high transaction costs, large projects only • Flexible financial structure in ProjectCo • Increasingly relevant in the current financial market? Bank Owner Project Owner Project Fin. Mkt Debt Financing Equity Debt • Guarantee by owner’s balance sheet • Project finance • Project cash flows more important for repayment • No external guarantees; recourse only to project assets • High leverage on ProjectCo level • All project assets pledged • Strong emphasis on project cash flow and debt service Equity • Cost of financing depends on project risks Guarantee Bank Owner Project Owner Project Bank Equity Debt Debt Source: Aalto Capital
- 9. • Risk assessment key, namely credit, wind, technology, Revenue Side Constraint price, financial and legal/political • Project development costs may be higher in project Gross financed projects to create bankability Revenues • Wind measurement, agreements, etc more carefully done Operating Costs • Bankable feasibility study DSCR / Cash available for dividends • Costs and revenues as strongly fixed as possible • Risk transferred to counterparties in the agreements (EPC, PPA, O&M…) Cash used for senior debt service • As a trade-off, higher costs and lower revenues; thus lower profitability • Other requirements by the bank to enhance the bankability Buffer Years • Escrow / reserve accounts Tenor Senior Operating • Restrictions on dividends Debt Lifetime • Covenants Source: Green Giraffe Energy Bankers, Aalto Capital
- 10. Development Construction Operation • Accessibility • Transportation • Availability • Weather window • Accessibility • Accessibility • Degradation • Wind measurement • Weather window • Ice throw • Wind/Energy analysis • Work environment • Work environment • Technical design • Contracts A variety of risks including higher investment costs, more expensive O&M, lower production and shorter lifespan for plant…
- 11. Key parameters Key financials • 10 WTGs * 2.3MW • Annual production 60,000 MWh • Investment cost EUR 35m • Annual operational costs EUR 1.2m • Capital structure • Debt 70% (interest rate 5%) • Equity 30% • Start of operations on Jan 1st , 2014 Source: Aalto Capital
- 12. Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) sensitivity to investment cost Source: Aalto Capital
- 13. Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) sensitivity to annual production Source: Aalto Capital
- 14. Financing wind projects is tough, cold climate Occurrence of probability scenarios (Actual v Expected) conditions make it harder Must be able to demonstrate that cashflows are sufficient to repay debt The wind energy resource drives returns Long term availability and performance of Source: Moody’s Research technology are essential Estimated normal production versus actial production (various wind parks in Norway) Operational management – el/certs trading, O&M Credible, credit worthy management Engage banks and investors early Source: Nordea Research, NVE
- 15. Financing conditions in Europe are tough Financing follows quality cashflows - higher returns do not compensate for higher risk Significant wind capacity exists in the Nordic region but conditions can be more difficult Only the best wind sites and professionally developed/managed projects will obtain financing Expertise, good planning and a long term commitment are required to succeed (now more than ever)