Hong Kong, February 20, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has confirmed Panda Green Energy Group Limited's
(Panda Green) Caa1 corporate family rating (CFR) following its issuance
of new shares to Beijing Energy Holding Co., Ltd.
(BEH, A3 negative) on 18 February 2020.
The ratings outlook is stable.
This concludes the rating review initiated on 21 November 2019.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The confirmation of Panda Green's ratings reflects the reduced refinancing
pressure following the new share issuance to Beijing Energy in February
2020 and the refinancing of its $350 million bond which was due
on 25 January 2020," says Ada Li, a Moody's Vice President
and Senior Credit Officer.
On 18 February, Panda Green announced its issuance of new shares
to BEH for HKD1.79 billion (approximately $230 million)
for a 32% stake in Panda Green. Upon completion of the transaction,
BEH will become Panda Green's single largest shareholder.
As part of the transaction, BEH plans to provide a RMB8 billion-RMB10
billion credit enhancement guarantee to Panda Green to reduce the latter's
financing costs.
"Panda Green's Caa1 CFR reflects the continued weakness in
its financial metrics and uncertainty over its deleveraging plan following
the Beijing Energy investment," adds Li.
BEH and Panda Green have not yet commented on their business strategy
and deleveraging plan post transaction, and no changes to Panda
Green's board have been announced.
Moody's expects Panda Green's financial metrics will remain weak as a
result of its legacy expansion, leading to elevated business risks
and weak debt coverage metrics. If it is unable to reduce its financing
costs, its funds from operations (FFO) to debt is likely to remain
around 3% and FFO interest coverage ((FFO+interest)/interest)
is likely to register at around 1.5x in 2020.
The stable outlook reflects Moody's expectation that Panda Green
will at least maintain its current credit profile and financial metrics
following the BEH investment, and that regulatory changes in China's
solar power sector will remain largely manageable.
Moody's could upgrade Panda Green's rating if (1) its standalone
credit strength improves significantly; or (2) its linkage with BEH
strengthens, with an increased likelihood of support provided by
BEH to Panda Green.
Financial metrics for a ratings upgrade include FFO to debt above 4%
and FFO interest cover above 2x on a sustained basis.
Moody's could downgrade Panda Green's rating if (1) there are changes
in China's regulatory environment that adversely affect the company's
profitability; (2) Panda Green's liquidity position does not stabilize
as expected; or (3) Panda Green fails to deleverage or pursues further
debt-funded expansions that weaken its financial and business profile.
Financial metrics for a downgrade include FFO to debt below 2%
and FFO interest cover below 1.2x over a prolonged period.
In terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors,
Panda Green faces elevated governance risk, considering its evolving
ownership profile and changing management. Uncertainty remains
around potential further changes to Panda Green's management and strategy
after the BEH investment.
The principal methodology used in this rating was Unregulated Utilities
and Unregulated Power Companies published in May 2017. Please see
the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy
of this methodology.
Panda Green Energy Group Limited engages in the development, investment,
operation and management of solar power plants and other renewable energy
projects. At 31 December 2019, the company reported 2.0
gigawatts of gross installed capacity through its subsidiaries and associates.
Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company's major shareholders,
as of 18 February 2020, were: (1) Beijing Energy Holding Co.,
Ltd. (BEH, A3 negative, 32%); (2) China
Merchants New Energy Group (CMNE) and parties acting in concert with CMNE
(15.47%); (3) Qingdao City Construction Investment
(Group) Co. Limited (13.59%); and (4) China
Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Huarong,
A3 stable, 13.59%).
BEH is the largest power producer and district heating supplier for the
Beijing municipality. The company mainly engages in power generation
across China and district heating in the Beijing municipality, with
a total installed capacity of 24.1 gigawatts (GW) at the end of
September 2019.
BEH is wholly owned by the Beijing State-owned Capital Operation
and Management Center (BSCOMC, A1 stable), which in turn is
100% owned by the Beijing municipal government and supervised by
the Beijing State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission
(SASAC).
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
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The first name below is the lead rating analyst for this Credit Rating
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Ada Li
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Project & Infrastructure Finance
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
24/F One Pacific Place
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Terry Fanous
MD-Public Proj & Infstr Fin
Project & Infrastructure Finance
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
24/F One Pacific Place
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077