Rating Rationale
October 10, 2018 | Mumbai
Sandhya Hydro Power Projects Balargha Private Limited
'CRISIL BBB-/Positive' assigned to bank debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.100 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Positive (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL BBB-/Positive' rating to the long-term bank facility of Sandhya Hydro Power Projects Balargha Private Limited (SHPPBPL).

The rating reflects high revenue visibility because of 12-year fixed-price power purchase agreements (PPAs) with a diverse set of captive counterparties, comfortable potential for generation indicated by long-term historical water flow data, and healthy debt service metrics over the tenor of the debt. These strengths are partially offset by the project's limited operating track record and high susceptibility of water flow to hydrological risks and upstream projects.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Healthy revenue visibility and receivables cycle: The company's 12-year PPAs to sell its entire output to New Delhi-based hotels and hospitals provide high predictability and stability to revenue. Furthermore, competitive project tariff in comparison to commercial grid tariff lends good economic viability for buyers. This is reflected in low receivables cycle of less than 15 days in the limited operational period of 5 months (April-August 2018). Any change in tariff viability will remain a rating sensitivity.

* Healthy potential for generation: Despite being run-of-the-river, the project has limited dependence on monsoon as it is located on the perennial river Parbati in Himachal Pradesh. Data over 30 years indicates adequate water flow, supporting the project's healthy generation potential even during the lowest water flow observed over this period.

* Healthy debt protection metrics: Cash flow has supported strong debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) with plant load factor (PLF) at 90% confidence interval.

Weakness:
* Limited track record of operations: Though the asset was commissioned in January 2018, sales under the open access arrangement commenced in April 2018. The asset has demonstrated healthy operational metrics in these 5 months, with average PLF of above 95% (better than P-90). However given the project complexities, limited operational track record constrains the credit risk profile.

* Susceptibility of water flow to hydrology risk and upstream projects: Water level in River Parbati peaks during monsoon months of June to September. The more the even inflow into the river, the longer the peak power generation period and vice versa. Hence, power generation will depend on availability of adequate water flow. CRISIL understands that NHPC Ltd. is developing Parbati-II, an 800-megawatt (MW) hydropower project about 5 km upstream of SHPPBPL. Once this project is operational, the water flow available to SHPPBPL may reduce, diminishing its PLF. While CRISIL has factored in this reduction in its base assessment, any material deviation will remain a key rating sensitivity.
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL expects improvement in the project's credit risk profile as it builds a sustainable operational track record backed by healthy technical capability.

Upside scenario:
* Track record of at least a year of healthy generation, and receivables cycle of less than a month

Downside scenario
* Significant decline in PLF or delay in payment by counterparty, weakening DSCR and liquidity.

About the Company

SHPPBPL was incorporated as a special purpose vehicle to implement a run-of-the-river 9.9-MW hydropower project in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The project is situated on the perennial Parbati river, a tributary of Beas. The project was commissioned in January 2018, and commenced sales to group captive customers in April 2018. It has 12-year PPAs with hospitals and hotels based in New Delhi, under the group captive structure. SHPPBPL is a subsidiary of Skyzen Infrabuild Pvt Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Continuum Energy Pte Ltd (Singapore).

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr 1.08 NA
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr -2.66 NA
PAT Margin % -247.0 NA
Adjusted debt*/ Adjusted networth Times 6.69 NA
Interest coverage Times -0.17 NA
*Adjusted debt includes a considerable amount of unsecured loans from promoters

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA
SHPPBPL has not cooperated with Brickwork Ratings India Private Limited which has classified it as issuer not cooperative vide release dated May 24, 2018. The reason provided by Brickwork Ratings is non-furnishing of information for monitoring of ratings.

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 Proposed Long-Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 100 CRISIL BBB-/Positive
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  100.00  CRISIL BBB-/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
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 100 CRISIL BBB-/Positive -- 0 --
Total 100 -- Total 0 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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