Rating Rationale
July 22, 2020 | Mumbai
SPRNG Photovoltaic Private Limited
Rating upgraded to 'CRISIL A+/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.241.5 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL A/Stable')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facility of SPRNG Photovoltaic Private Limited (SPPL) to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' from 'CRISIL A/Stable'.
 
The upgrade factors in the sustained strong operating performance, with plant load factor (PLF) exceeding P75 of 24.0% for around 3 years since commissioning. It also factors in adequate liquidity at asset level of quarters including debt service reserve (DSRA) and working capital.
 
The rating also reflects SPPL's strong revenue visibility, low counterparty risk, and strong debt-servicing metrics. These strengths are partially offset due to inherent risks related to variability in solar irradiation pattern.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Minimal sales and counterparty risks: SPPL supplies its entire output to National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC Ltd; rated 'CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), at a fixed tariff of Rs 4.35 per unit, and thus, remains shielded from any sales risk. The PPA also has favourable credit terms, and offers attractive rebates on prepayment, thereby increasing probability of faster realisations. Furthermore, in case of any delay, NTPC will bear the late payment surcharge, subject to it receiving such late payment under the power supply agreement with distribution companies.
 
* Strong debt-servicing metrics: SPPL has an outstanding debt of Rs 224.55 crore (principal amount)  as of June 30, 2020, which is expected to yield an average debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) of around 1.4 times over debt tenor, at P90 PLF projections of 23.4%. Material increase in leverage i.e. debt principal, leading to reduction in expected DSCR over debt tenor, would be a rating sensitivity factor.
 
The company maintains debt service reserve account (DSRA) in the form of fixed deposit and working capital lines of over six months of debt servicing, to withstand any delay in payment from NTPC or variation in PLF.
 
* Satisfactory track record of operations: SPPL has a satisfactory operational track record of around 33 months, and healthy annual PLF (of around 24.2% for fiscal 2020 & 24.1% for last 12 months ending May 2020), higher than the P90 PLF estimation of around 23.4% and P75 estimation of 24.0%.
 
Weaknesses
* Dependence on favourable climatic conditions for power generation: The solar power generation business depends on radiation levels at a given location. Changes in average temperature around the plant's location may affect power generation, and subsequently, lead to degradation in solar panels. This may reduce the operating PLF, thus impairing the overall debt service cushions expected.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity will be driven by expected cash accrual of over Rs 40 crore each in fiscals 2021 and 2022, as against maturing debt of around Rs 9 crore each in fiscal 2021 and 2022, and interest servicing obligations of around Rs 22 crores each in FY 2021 and FY 2022. SPPL also has a DSRA of three months of debt servicing, in form of fixed deposit and unutilized working capital limit of around Rs 8.5 crores to cover any short-term cash flow mismatches.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes SPPL will continue to benefit from its low counterparty risks and sustenance of strong operational performance.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Sustained operational track record above P50 PLF along with receivable cycle in line with expectations
* Higher-than-anticipated accruals leading to faster reduction in leverage (from current expected DSCR levels of around 1.4 times at P90 projections)

Downward Factors
* Material weakening in DSCR (from current expected DSCR levels) on account of any deviation in the current leverage profile
* Deterioration in plant generation performance below P90 PLF of 23.4%, or a stretch in receivables.

About the Company

SPPL is a special-purpose vehicle, operating a 50 megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar photovoltaic project in Jodhpur. The company has entered into five PPAs, each of 10 MW capacity, with NTPC for a period of 25 years at an average tariff of Rs 4.35 per unit. The project became entirely operational in September 2017.
 
SPPL was acquired by Sprng Energy from Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Co Pvt Ltd'one of the flagship companies of the Shapoorji Pallonji group - in fiscal 2019.

Key Financial Indicators*
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Crore 45 19
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore -2 -2
PAT Margin % -5.41 -11.12
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 4.8 4.5
Interest coverage Times 1.8 1.5
*Project achieved commercial operations in fiscal 2018

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of the instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Cr) Complexity Level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Long Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-2037 241.5 NA CRISIL A+/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  241.50  CRISIL A+/Stable  12-02-20  CRISIL A/Stable  08-04-19  CRISIL A-/Stable  28-06-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable  31-03-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Long Term Loan 241.5 CRISIL A+/Stable Long Term Loan 241.5 CRISIL A/Stable
Total 241.5 -- Total 241.5 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales
Criteria for rating solar power projects
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Manish Kumar Gupta
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 124 672 2000
manish.gupta@crisil.com


Ankit Hakhu
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 124 672 2000
ankit.hakhu@crisil.com


Shagun Sidana
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2119
Shagun.Sidana@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL