Rating Rationale
November 21, 2018 | Mumbai
NRSS XXIX Transmission Limited
'CRISIL AAA/Stable' assigned to NCD 
 
Rating Action
Rs.3000 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable' rating to the non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of NRSS XXIX Transmission Limited (NRSS).

The NCDs will be used for refinancing debt, repayment of promoter loan, payment to capital expenditure creditors and for general corporate purpose.

The rating reflects NRSS's stable cash flow under its transmission service agreement (TSA), subject to maintenance of line availability above the normative level of 98%. While Phase II of NRSS, representing 78% of revenue, was commissioned only in September 2018, Phase I has a track record of operating well above the normative level for over 2 years now. Furthermore, being an inter-state transmission system (ISTS) asset, NRSS falls under the point of connection (PoC) pool mechanism where timely collection of dues by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') supports the credit risk profile.

Financial risk profile is supported by healthy debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). Liquidity is ample, backed by a debt service reserve account (DSRA) for ensuing six months of debt obligations (3 months to be created upfront and 3 months with project cash flow). Also, the cash would remain trapped in the asset for the first year from the date of allotment, leading to healthy build-up of liquidity. The cash would be trapped for another year from the coupon reset date if the coupon increases over 9.57%. DSCR falling below 1.15 times would also trigger a cash trap until the DSCR is restored to 1.15 times.

The asset is expected to be acquired by India Grid Trust (IndiGrid; 'CRISIL AAA/CCR AAA/Stable') in the near term, which will lead to a further improvement in the credit risk profile.

These strengths are partially offset by exposure to operations and maintenance (O&M) risk and refinance risk.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Stable revenue due to availability-based tariff with assured cash flow under TSA: Revenue derives stability from the assured cash flow under the TSA for 35 years, subject to achievement of 98% annual line availability. If annual availability is below the normative level, revenue will reduce proportionately. On the other hand, the asset is awarded an incentive if annual availability is above the normative level. Turnover is delinked from demand, supply, and volatility in the price of electricity. Moreover, reasons for which a line may become unavailable are easily rectifiable, which minimises outage time. Line availability on an average has been well above 99.0% since commissioning (June 2016 for Phase I and September 2018 for Phase II), which is in sync with the sectoral average, and is expected at a similar level going forward.

* Timely collection of receivables under the PoC pool mechanism: Under the PoC mechanism, PGCIL, as the central transmission utility (CTU), collects monthly transmission charges on behalf of all ISTS licensees from all the designated ISTS customers. All ISTS licensees are then paid their share of transmission charges by the CTU, as and when money is collected in the pool. This method diversifies counterparty risk, as the risk of default or delay by a designated customer is shared by all ISTS licensees in proportion to their share in the centrally collected pool. NRSS's contribution to the centrally collected pool is 1.4%.

* Healthy financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is supported by adequate DSCR of well above 1.2 times for the proposed debt. Liquidity is supported by a DSRA equivalent to principal and interest obligations for two quarters in cash.

Weaknesses:
* O&M risk: Revenue is subject to maintenance of the stipulated line availability. Hence, it is important that the line be maintained in a good condition, thereby reducing instances of tripping and minimising outage time, as improper line maintenance may lead to revenue loss and weaken debt repayment capability. However, the risk is partially offset by the fact that O&M expenses form a small portion of the revenue and the activity is highly routine and not technically challenging.

* Refinancing risk: The company plans to raise maximum debt of Rs 3000 crore, with an amortizing repayment schedule over 10 years and a large (70%) bullet payment at maturity. This exposes the company to refinancing risk. Moreover, the debt has a clause wherein the coupon can be reset annually (on the coupon reset date which is at the end of 1 year from the deemed date of allotment and every year thereafter) with the mutual consent of the issuer and investor. If no consensus is reached, the issuer shall redeem the NCDs on the ensuing coupon reset date, with a notice of 30 days. While this amplifies the refinancing risk, it is partially offset by the proposed structure which stipulates that NRSS arrange for refinancing at least 30 days prior to the coupon reset date if no consensus is reached. Moreover, a 35-year concession period extending much beyond the repayment tenor should enable NRSS to comfortably refinance the bullet repayment. 
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes NRSS will continue to generate steady cash flow under the PoC mechanism backed by the project maintaining stipulated line availability.

Downside scenario
* Lower than normative line availability adversely affecting cash flow
* Delays in collection under the PoC mechanism.

About the Company

NRSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sterlite Grid 2, which is held by Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Ltd. Its transmission project involves the establishment of a 400-kilovolt (kV) D/C 135-circuit kilometre (ckm) line from Jalandhar to Samba, a 400-kilovolt (kV) D/C 279-ckm line from Samba to Amargarh, a 400-kV LILO 6-ckm line from Uri to Wagoora, and a 400-kV 7*105 megavolt amp (MVA) pooling substation at Amargarh. The Jalandhar to Samba line was commissioned in June 2016, while the other lines were commissioned on September 1, 2018.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore 111 86
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 56 35
PAT Margin % 50.3 40.9
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 8.6 3.7
Interest coverage Times 4.1 3.6

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.Crore)
Rating assigned with outlook
NA Non-Convertible Debentures* NA NA NA 3000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
*Yet to be issued
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  0.00
21-11-18 
CRISIL AAA/Stable    --    --    --    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for Rating power transmission projects
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default

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