Rating Rationale
July 02, 2019 | Mumbai
Talwandi Sabo Power Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.5050 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.4450 Crore) 
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
 
Rs.1000 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
Rs.500 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
Rs.250 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
Rs.300 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
Rs.1000 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable (Reaffirmed) 
Rs.2500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+(SO) (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
The above facilities are guaranteed by Vedanta Ltd
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable/CRISIL A1+(SO)' ratings on the debt programmes and bank facilities of Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL).

CRISIL's ratings continue to be based on strength of unconditional and irrevocable corporate guarantee by its parent Vedanta Limited (Vedanta, rated CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+) and steady cash-flows supported by long-term power purchase agreement and availability-based tariff. These strengths are partially offset by moderate returns amidst high debt.

Analytical Approach

The rating on bank facilities/debt instruments guaranteed by Vedanta are based on CRISIL's criteria for rating structured obligations. The (SO) suffix in the ratings reflects the payment structure that is designed to ensure full and time-bound payment to lenders.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Unconditional and irrevocable corporate guarantee: Vedanta has provided an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee to TSPL's bank facilities, non-convertible debentures, and commercial paper. The guarantee covers the entire principal and interest obligation on the facilities.
 
* Long-term power purchase agreement and availability-based tariff supports cash flows: As part of the 25-year Power Purchase agreement with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, the company receives a fixed capacity charge while fuel costs are completely passed through subject to maintenance of a minimum 80% plant availability. Revenues being linked to plant availability partially mitigates offtake risk and provides cash flow visibility. For FY 2019, the average plant availability was 88%.
 
Weaknesses:
* Moderate standalone financial risk profile: TSPL had a high Net debt of Rs. 8,402 crore as on March 2019. For FY 2019, the company reported EBITDA of about Rs. 1,310 crore, thus the company's leverage remained high with Net debt/EBITDA of 6.4x (Net debt/EBITDA of 7.7x in FY2018), while returns were also moderate reflected in RoCE of 7.64%. The average realisation improved from Rs 3.52/unit in FY2018 to Rs 4.09/unit in FY2019, partially offset by the higher cost of generation in FY2019 (up by 6% as compared to FY2018).

* Stretched receivable position: The counterparty, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has average counterparty risk, which leads to a stretched receivable position. Total trade receivables stood at Rs 2,648 crore at the end of fiscal 2019 (translating to 184 receivable days) compared to Rs 2,326 crore at end of fiscal 2018 (197 receivable days). This included disputed receivables of Rs 2,200 crore relating to differences in assessment of calorific value of coal, tax benefits at the time of initial plant set up, import coal differential cost and basis for computation of plant availability. While the receivable position has improved in fiscal 2019, the moderate counterparty risk profile of the Punjab discom continues to weigh on the company's working capital cycle.
Liquidity

Given its improving operating margins owing to healthy plant availability, TSPL is expected to generate cash accruals of about Rs. 500-550 crore in fiscal 2020, against debt repayment of about Rs. 770 crore due in the fiscal. Shortfalls in funding will be refinanced or covered by Vedanta Ltd, which has adequate liquidity.

Outlook: Stable

The outlook is based on CRISIL's rating outlook on Vedanta's debt instruments and bank facilities. Any change in the ratings or rating outlook on Vedanta will lead to a corresponding change in the ratings or rating outlook on TSPL.

About the Company

TSPL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vedanta, has built a coal-based power plant with capacity of 1980 megawatt (MW) in Talwandi Sabo, Punjab. The three units of 660 MW each were commissioned in July 2014, November 2015 and August 2016, respectively.
 
About the guarantor
Vedanta Limited is a diversified metals, mining, power, and oil-and-gas company. It is held 50.1% by Vedanta Resources Ltd (Erstwhile Vedanta Ltd PLC), which is based out of London, UK. Vedanta Limited's operations include copper, iron ore, aluminium assets at Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha and power divisions (2400-MW and 1215-MW captive power plants for the aluminium business). The company also holds aluminium operations through its subsidiary, Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO). Also, a part of the power business (1980 MW) is conducted through wholly owned subsidiary, Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd. The oil and gas business has now been merged with Vedanta, and the group operates the zinc business through Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) and Zinc international in South Africa & Namibia. Vedanta has, through its wholly owned subsidiary ' Cairn India Holdings Limited (CIHL), acquired slightly over 51% equity stake in glass substrate manufacturer AvanStrate Inc. (ASI) in December 2017.

Key Financial Indicators^
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs. Cr. 5,285 4,202
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. (55) (94)
PAT Margins % (1.03) (2.2)
Debt/Net worth Times 3.39 3.31
Interest coverage Times 1.53 1.54
^Reported

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs.Cr)
Rating Assigned 
with Outlook
INE694L07107 Debentures 04-Aug-2017 7.85% 04-Aug-2020 500 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
INE694L07099 Debentures 02- Mar-2017 7.75% 20- Sep- 2019 250 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
INE694L07081 Debentures 01-Dec-2016 8.20% 29-Nov-2019 300 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
INE694L07115 Debentures 23-Apr-2018 8.55% 23-Apr-2021 1000 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
INE694L07123 Debentures 30-Jul-18 9.23% 30-Jul-21 1000 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Commercial paper programme NA NA 7-365 days 2500 CRISIL A1+(SO)
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 100 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Term Loan 05-Sep-2014 NA 30-Sep-2021 500 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Rupee term Loan 1 16-Dec-2015 NA 31-Mar-2030 2000 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Rupee term Loan 2 12-Jul-2016 NA 12-Jul-2022 1250 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 3 29-Sep-2017 NA 31-Mar-2030 300 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 4 29 Sep-2017 NA 31-Mar-2030 300 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
NA Rupee Term Loan 5 12-Mar-2019 NA 30-June-2030 600 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  2500.00  CRISIL A1+(SO)  22-02-19  CRISIL A1+(SO)  25-07-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  28-11-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  29-11-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)  CRISIL A1+(SO) 
            30-05-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  25-10-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  21-10-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)   
            09-04-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  03-08-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  13-09-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)   
            23-03-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  28-04-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  21-06-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)   
            12-03-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  22-03-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  27-01-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)   
                28-02-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)       
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  3050.00
02-07-19 
CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  22-02-19  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  25-07-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-11-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  29-11-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable 
            30-05-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  25-10-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-10-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            09-04-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  03-08-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  13-09-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            23-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive| Provisional CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-04-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-06-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
            12-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  22-03-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive  27-01-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
                28-02-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive       
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  4950.00  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  22-02-19  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  25-07-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-11-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  29-11-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable 
            30-05-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  25-10-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-10-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            09-04-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  03-08-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  13-09-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            23-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-04-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-06-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
            12-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  22-03-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive  27-01-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
                28-02-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  100.00  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  22-02-19  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  25-07-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-11-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  29-11-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable 
            30-05-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  25-10-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-10-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            09-04-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  03-08-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  13-09-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Stable   
            23-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  28-04-17  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable  21-06-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
            12-03-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive  22-03-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive  27-01-16  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Negative   
                28-02-17  CRISIL AA-(SO)/Positive       
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
Letter of Credit 100 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable Letter of Credit 100 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
Rupee Term Loan 4450 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable Rupee Term Loan 3850 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
Term Loan 500 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable Term Loan 500 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
Total 5050 -- Total 4450 --
All the above facilities are guaranteed by Vedanta Ltd
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating instruments backed by guarantees
Rating Criteria for Power Generation Utilities
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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