Hong Kong, November 28, 2019 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has downgraded GCL New Energy Holdings
Limited's ("GCL New Energy") corporate family rating to B3 from
B2, and its senior unsecured debt rating to Caa1 from B3.
The ratings outlook is changed to negative from rating under review.
This rating action concludes the ratings review initiated on 16 August
2019.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The downgrade reflects the heightened refinancing risk that GCL New Energy
faces in the absence of committed refinancing plans, with significant
debt maturing over the next 14 months," says Ivy Poon, a Moody's
Vice President and Senior Analyst.
Moody's estimates that GCL New Energy has close to RMB8.1 billion
of debt maturing between November 2019 and September 2020, plus
USD$500 million of notes maturing in January 2021. The company
does not have sufficient internal financial resources to address these
large refinancing needs.
GCL New Energy has been engaged with prolonged discussions with China
Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. (A2 stable, "China Huaneng
"), originally to potentially acquire 51% of GCL New Energy,
and now to potentially acquire certain of GCL New Energy's assets
through a framework agreement. The prolonged delay in reaching
a legal binding agreement with China Huaneng raises further uncertainty
about the high refinancing risk facing GCL New Energy.
The company expects to obtain temporary liquidity support from China Huaneng
in the form of a bridge loan, but even then Moody's believes
that implementing this interim measure will not fully address GCL New
Energy's refinancing needs.
The rating downgrade also reflects Moody's view that the potential
sale of a substantial portion of assets to Huaneng, as is currently
being contemplated, raises uncertainty about the ongoing business
model and capital structure of GCL New Energy. Other credit considerations
include limited visibility on the financial profile of GCL New Energy's
parent, namely GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited ("GCL-Poly
"), which is likely to have a weak credit quality.
On 18 November, GCL New Energy announced that it entered into a
cooperation framework agreement to sell assets to China Huaneng.
At the same time, the co-operation agreement between GCL-Poly
and China Huaneng, whereby China Huaneng was to acquire the former's
stake in GCL New Energy, was terminated.
In terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors,
Moody's has considered the company's focus on renewable energy,
as well as its business strategy, financial policy, regulatory
risk and corporate governance structure.
The negative ratings outlook reflects Moody's expectation that GCL New
Energy will continue to face heightened refinancing risk for its sizable
maturing debt over the next 11 months.
Upward ratings pressure is unlikely, given the negative outlook.
However, the outlook on the ratings could return to stable if the
company successfully refinances its maturing debt and/or introduces other
countermeasures to ease liquidity pressure. Moody's will
also consider the progress made in the potential transaction with China
Huaneng and its impact on GCL New Energy.
Downward ratings pressure could emerge if (1) GCL New Energy is unable
to secure committed funding to refinance or repay its maturing debt in
a timely manner; (2) its transaction with China Huaneng is completed
in a way that significantly weakens GCL New Energy's credit profile;
and/or (3) there are material adverse changes in the regulatory environment
for China's solar power industry.
The principal methodology used in these ratings 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.
GCL New Energy Holdings Limited is a privately-owned solar power
generation company in China. The company's installed capacity totaled
7.2GW at 30 June 2019.
GCL New Energy was 62.28% owned by GCL-Poly Energy
Holdings Limited at the end of June 2019. GCL New Energy is the
sole downstream platform of its parent company.
Founded in 1996, GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited is an integrated
solar photovoltaic company.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures
in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the
same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant
to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing
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rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may
be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each
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to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
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The first name below is the lead rating analyst for this Credit Rating
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this Credit Rating.
Ivy Poon
Vice President - Senior Analyst
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