TIDMGRP

RNS Number : 8210Y

Greencoat Renewables PLC

14 September 2020

Greencoat Renewables PLC

Interim Results to 30 June 2020

Dublin, London | 14 September 2020: Greencoat Renewables PLC ("Greencoat Renewables" or the "Company"), the renewable infrastructure company invested in euro-dominated assets, is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six month period ended 30 June 2020.

Highlights

   --    Portfolio generation was on budget at 688GWh, with asset availability also on budget. 

-- Power price capture was in line with expectations, with the highly contracted nature of the Group's revenues unaffected by price movements seen elsewhere in the sector.

-- Net cash generation (Group and wind farm SPVs) was EUR40 million (gross of SPV level debt repayment), resulting in a gross dividend cover for the period of 2.1x.

-- Successful entry into continental Europe with acquisition of 51.9MW French portfolio of wind farms at Pasilly, Sommette and Saint Martin. In addition, the Group continued its consolidation of the Irish wind market with acquisition of Letteragh wind farm. GAV grew to EUR1,139 million at 30 June 2020.

-- Post-period acquisition of a 50 per cent investment in Carrickallen wind farm increasing the portfolio to 20 wind farms and net generating capacity to 538MW at 11 September 2020.

   --    The Company declared total dividends of 3.03 cent per share with respect to the period. 
   --    EUR494.5 million as Aggregate Group Debt at 30 June 2020, equivalent to 43 per cent. of GAV. 

Commenting on today's results, Ronan Murphy, Non-Executive Chairman of Greencoat Renewables, said:

"I am pleased to announce another strong six months of performance for Greencoat Renewables. Given the circumstances, I and the Board also feel fortunate that our company has been able to continue operating relatively unaffected, where many others have not.

In the first six months of the year, we have continued to grow the portfolio with ongoing consolidation in Ireland and our first acquisitions on the continent - a source of significant opportunity for the company. We have also delivered strong operational performance and robust dividend cover in keeping with the company's strategy. The outlook for the business remains positive with a strong pipeline for further growth both in Ireland and Northern Europe.

Lastly, I am proud of the work done to support our staff, contractors, and local communities through the challenges of the past few months, whilst continuing to supply the grid and wider society with clean electricity."

Key Metrics

As at 30 June 2020:

 
 Market Capitalisation                   EUR763.0 million 
 Share price                             121.0 cent 
 Dividends with respect to the period    EUR19.1 million 
 Dividends with respect to the period    3.03 cent 
  per share 
 GAV                                     EUR1,138.7 million 
 NAV                                     EUR644.3 million 
 NAV per share                           102.2 cent 
 

Details of the conference call for analysts and investors:

A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 10.00 am BST today, 14 September 2020. To register for the call please contact FTI Consulting by email at greencoat@fticonsulting.com .

Presentation materials will be posted on the Company's website, www.greencoat-renewables.com from 7.00 am.

---S ---

For further details contact:

 
Greencoat Capital LLP (Investment Manager) 
Bertrand Gautier 
 Paul O'Donnell 
 Tom Rayner                                              +44 20 7832 9400 
 
 
 
  FTI Consulting (Investor Relations & Media) 
Jonathan Neilan                                          +353 1 765 0886 
Melanie Farrell                                          greencoat@fticonsulting.com 
 
  Davy (Broker, NOMAD and Euronext Growth Adviser) 
  Fergal Meegan 
  Barry Murphy 
  Ronan Veale                                            +353 1 679 6363 
 
  RBC Capital Markets (Joint Broker) 
  Matthew Coakes 
  Jonathan Hardy 
  Elizabeth Evans                                          +44 20 7653 4000 
 

About Greencoat Renewables PLC

Greencoat Renewables PLC is an investor in euro-denominated renewable energy infrastructure assets. Initially focused solely on the acquisition and management of operating wind farms in Ireland, the Company is now also investing in wind and solar assets in certain other Northern European countries with stable and robust renewable energy frameworks. It is managed by Greencoat Capital LLP, an experienced investment manager in the listed renewable energy infrastructure sector.

At a Glance

Summary

Greencoat Renewables PLC is a sector-focused listed renewable infrastructure company, investing in renewable electricity generation assets. The Company's aim is to provide investors with an annual dividend that increases progressively whilst growing the capital value of its investment portfolio in the long term through reinvestment of excess cash flow and the prudent use of portfolio leverage.

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to present the Interim Report of Greencoat Renewables PLC for the six months ended 30 June 2020 .

In a very challenging period for the economy and society as a whole, we are fortunate to invest and operate in a sector that is largely insulated from the many challenges seen elsewhere. As a management team we have been striving to ensure the safety of staff, within our business but also those of our service providers, to support the local communities in which we operate, and to continue providing renewably-generated electricity to the grid.

It is now three years since the Company listed, and the Group has become one of the largest owners of onshore wind assets in Ireland while also successfully positioning itself to take advantage of the increasing market of secondary opportunities in Ireland and northern Europe. We have achieved this goal, while continuing to deliver target returns to investors, and annually displacing c.260,000 of tonnes of carbon emissions.

Performance

Portfolio generation and availability were both on budget for the first half of the year resulting in 688GWh of generation. Net cash generation from the Group and wind farm SPVs was EUR40.0 million(1) resulting in strong dividend cover for the period of 2.1x(1) .

Wind speeds were high in the first half of the year for the Irish portfolio, however there was a higher than expected level of uncompensated grid curtailment mostly due to lower electricity demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dividend

In line with our policy of increasing the Company's annual dividend between 0 and CPI, the target dividend for 2020 was set at 6.06 cent per share. The Company paid a quarterly dividend of 1.515 cent per share with respect to Q1 2020 and paid a dividend of the same amount with respect to Q2 2020, giving a total of 3.03 cent per share for the period. The Company also declared a quarterly dividend of 1.515 cent per share with respect to Q2 2020, which was paid on 28 August 2020.

NAV per share decreased slightly in the period from 101.6 cent per share (ex-dividend) on 31 December 2019 to 100.7 cent per share (ex-dividend) on 30 June 2020, primarily due to lower short-term inflation and higher short-term curtailment assumptions.

Acquisitions

The past 3 years have seen a period of sustained growth and net generating capacity stood at 528MW at 30 June 2020, with added geographical diversification through the Group's first investment into northern Europe, acquiring 3 French wind farms in June.

(1) Net cash generation and dividend cover are shown gross of SPV level debt repayments. Net cash generation was EUR34.8 million and dividend cover was 1.8x net of SPV level debt repayment.

During the period, the Group acquired the 14.1MW Letteragh wind farm in County Clare, Ireland, which receives revenue contracted under the REFIT 2 scheme.

The Group also made a 50 per cent investment in the 20.5MW Carrickallen wind farm in County Cavan in July 2020, which further demonstrates the Group's continued and growing presence in the Irish secondary market.

Gearing

At the start of the period, Group and SPV borrowings amounted to EUR366.9 million (36 per cent of GAV). Following the acquisitions made in the period, Group and SPV borrowings amounted to EUR494.5 million equating to 43 per cent of GAV as at 30 June 2020, with average gearing at 40 per cent during the period.

Following completion of the 50 per cent investment in Carrickallen, Group gearing was 44 per cent of GAV.

The Company's policy is to keep overall borrowings at a prudent level (limited to 60 per cent of GAV) in order to reduce risk, while ensuring that the Group is always at least fully invested, thus ensuring efficient use of shareholders' capital.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

As detailed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019, the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are unchanged:

   --      dependence on the Investment Manager; 
   --      regulatory and Brexit risk; 
   --      financing risk; and 
   --      risk of investment returns becoming unattractive. 

Also, as detailed in the Company's Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2019, the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the investee companies are as follows:

   --      changes in government policy on renewable energy; 
   --      a decline in the market price of electricity after the period of contracted subsidy; 
   --      risk of low wind resource; 
   --      lower than expected lifespan of the wind turbines; 
   --      risk of market structure change; and 
   --      health and safety and the environment. 

During the period, an additional principal risk was identified in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Electricity demand has reduced, and curtailment has noticeably increased in Ireland as a consequence. Wind farm availability has not been significantly affected nor has turbine operations and maintenance, which continues with appropriate social distancing and diligent use of personal protective equipment where major component changes have been necessary and social distancing has not been possible. Further detail regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the Group is included within the going concern section of Note 1 to the financial statements.

The principal risks outlined above remain the most likely to affect the Group and its investee companies in the second half of the year.

Outlook

Due to the contracted nature of the portfolio's revenue under the respective Irish and French subsidy schemes, there is no material exposure to the current low market power prices and dividend cover is expected to remain robust for the rest of the year, despite the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board continues to view Ireland as a very attractive market for further investment, and believes the Company is very well placed to continue its aggregation strategy and deliver value for its shareholders.

Following the recent first successful auction, we expect the Group to target investments in RESS assets, both in wind and solar PV. Given the emergence of a growing pool of solar assets in Ireland, the Group intends to seek approval at The Company's next General Meeting to include Irish solar as part of the Company's investment policy.

The Group also recently completed its first successful investment outside of Ireland. With an attractive emerging pipeline in the Nordic region, the Company also amended its investment policy to add Denmark, Norway and Sweden to the list of jurisdictions the Group can invest in, approved by way of shareholder resolution at the Company's AGM in April.

The Board continues to be supportive of value-accretive growth through further investments, and believes such growth will be in the shareholders' interest, as it:

   --      provides additional economies of scale at Group level; 
   --      supports diversification of both geographic and technological exposure; 
   --      increases market power with service providers and asset sellers; and 
   --      increases liquidity in our shares. 

The Board remains confident in the Company's outlook for the future, and in the disciplined approach of the Investment Manager to future investment opportunities and the continued effective management of the Group's growing portfolio.

ESG

Sustainability is central to all activities the Group undertakes and we recognise that investing responsibly is critical to our performance and growth over the longer term. Given the nature of our business, our most significant impact is the displacement of carbon emissions and we are extremely proud to generate sufficient carbon-free electricity to power 357,000 homes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken all possible steps to support and protect employees, contractors and all affected stakeholders. We are fortunate that the nature of our work has allowed wind farm operations to continue uninterrupted, albeit with some alterations to our maintenance programme and optimisation initiatives to abide by government safety guidance.

From the outset of the pandemic, I am pleased that we were able to accelerate the release of funds from our Community Support Programme and have managed to prioritise initiatives that are actively aiding local communities surrounding our wind farms that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.

The Board and Governance

Following the advice of the government on social distancing, travel and measures to prohibit public gathering in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19, the Company decided to change the location of its AGM and hold it with the minimum necessary quorum of two shareholders present. A recording of the AGM was made and is available for shareholders on the Company's website (www.greencoat-renewables.com).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Board is very pleased with the continued progress that the Company has made in the first half of 2020 and is reassured by its future growth prospects.

Rónán Murphy

Chairman

13 September 2020

Investment Manager's Report

Information about Investment Manager

The Investment Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company's investment portfolio in accordance with the Company's investment objective and policy, subject to the overall supervision of the Board.

The Investment Manager is an experienced manager of renewable infrastructure assets and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

Investment Portfolio

The Group's investment portfolio as at 30 June 2020 consisted of SPVs which hold the following underlying operating wind farms:

 
 Wind Farm        Country        Turbines    Operator         PPA               Total   Ownership     Net 
                                                                                   MW       Stake      MW 
                  Republic 
 Ballybane         of Ireland    Enercon     EnergyPro        Energia            48.3        100%    48.3 
                  Republic 
 Beam Hill         of Ireland    Vestas      EnergyPro        Erova              14.0        100%    14.0 
                  Republic 
 Cloosh Valley     of Ireland    Siemens     SSE              SSE               108.0         75%    81.0 
                  Republic 
 Garranereagh      of Ireland    Enercon     Statkraft        Bord Gáis      9.2        100%     9.2 
                  Republic                                    Supplier 
 Glanaruddery      of Ireland    Vestas      EnergyPro         Lite              36.3        100%    36.3 
                  Republic 
 Gortahile         of Ireland    Nordex      Statkraft        Energia            20.0        100%    20.0 
                  Republic 
 Killala           of Ireland    Siemens     EnergyPro        Electroroute       17.0        100%    17.0 
                  Republic 
 Killhills         of Ireland    Enercon     SSE              Brookfield         36.8        100%    36.8 
                  Republic 
 Knockacummer      of Ireland    Nordex      SSE              Brookfield        100.0        100%   100.0 
                  Republic                                    Naturgy 
 Knocknalour       of Ireland    Enercon     Statkraft         / Energia          9.2        100%     9.2 
                  Republic 
 Letteragh         of Ireland    Enercon     Statkraft        SSE                14.1        100%    14.1 
                  Republic 
 Lisdowney         of Ireland    Enercon     EnergyPro        Naturgy             9.2        100%     9.2 
                  Republic 
 Monaincha         of Ireland    Nordex      Statkraft        Bord Gáis     36.0        100%    36.0 
 Pasilly          France         Gamesa      Greensolver      EDF                20.0        100%    20.0 
                  Republic 
 Raheenleagh       of Ireland    Siemens     ESB              ESB                35.2         50%    17.6 
                  Republic                                    Supplier 
 Sliabh Bawn       of Ireland    Siemens     Wind Prospect     Lite              64.0         25%    16.0 
 Sommette         France         Nordex      Greensolver      EDF                21.6        100%    21.6 
 Saint Martin     France         Senvion     Greensolver      EDF                10.3        100%    10.3 
 Tullynamoyle     Republic 
  II               of Ireland    Enercon     Statkraft        Bord Gáis     11.5        100%    11.5 
---------------  -------------  ----------  ---------------  ----------------  ------  ----------  ------ 
 Total                                                                                              528.1 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ------ 
 

Portfolio Performance

Portfolio generation for the six months ended 30 June 2020 was on budget at 688GWh. Wind resource was above budget and availability was in line with expectations, however significant levels of curtailment across the portfolio were experienced during the period, which had an adverse impact on generation. Had curtailment been in line with budget, portfolio generation would have exceeded budget by c.10 per cent.

The Irish portfolio experienced high levels of curtailment during the period through a combination of high wind speeds, and a decrease in electricity demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled maintenance and upgrade works to the transmission network were also postponed due to the transformer failure at Moneypoint. These rescheduled works are commencing at present and are expected to cause further grid disruptions until 2022, when curtailment is expected to revert back to our long-term forecast.

The Investment Manager has been actively involved in the industry consultation on the EU Clean Energy Package with a view to achieving compensation for curtailed volumes for renewable generators in Ireland.

Notable issues and asset management activities during the period were:

-- low availability at Lisdowney due to lightning striking a turbine in March, which required a turbine blade to be replaced. The turbine returned to full operation in May and it is expected that the repair cost and lost revenue will be claimed through insurance;

-- an asset management services tender process was initiated during the period and framework management services agreements were agreed for 8 SPVs achieving cost savings through increased economies of scale;

-- specific response funds were made available to local communities surrounding some wind farms following the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, at Glanaruddery, these funds were used to purchase a van to make food deliveries to locals, who were self-isolating and unable to leave their homes.

Changes to work procedures and certain work restrictions were applied across the portfolio, following government guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some maintenance works were delayed as a result, however, portfolio performance was not materially impacted.

An Bord Pleanála has recently determined that the underground grid connection in respect of Raheenleagh wind farm and Knockacummer wind farm constitutes development which is not exempted development. Such determinations have been made in respect of a number of wind farms over the last few years. As was common in the industry at the time the wind farm was constructed, planning permission was not obtained for the grid connection, albeit declarations were obtained from either the local County Council or An Bord Pleanála to confirm that planning permission was not required. The recent determinations of An Bord Pleanála is therefore at odds with those pre-existing declarations. There are a number of routes open to regularise the planning status of the grid connection and the Company is considering currently how best to do so.

Health and safety

Health and safety is of paramount importance to both the Company and the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager also has its own health and safety forum where best practices are discussed and key learnings from incidents from across the industry are shared.

There were no major incidents in the period ended 30 June 2020. Independent health and safety audits are planned for the second half of the year covering sites not previously audited.

Acquisitions

In February 2020, the Group acquired the 14.1MW Letteragh wind farm in County Clare, Ireland, for EUR34 million (excluding acquired cash, including acquisition costs).

In June 2020, the Group completed its acquisition of a portfolio of 3 operating wind farms in France for an enterprise value of EUR95 million. The portfolio consisted of the 20.0MW Pasilly wind farm in the Burgundy region, the 21.6MW Sommette wind farm in the Picardy region and the 10.3MW Saint Martin wind farm in the Saint-Martin-l'Ars region. The Group retained EUR66.9 million of project level debt as part of the acquisition.

These assets benefit from 100 per cent of their revenue being contracted under the French FIT scheme until 2033 and are the Group's first investment outside of Ireland.

In July 2020, the Group made a 50 per cent investment in the 20.5MW Carrickallen wind farm for EUR21 million. The wind farm is located in County Cavan, Ireland and benefits from revenues contracted under the REFIT 2 scheme.

Financial Performance

Dividend cover for the six months ended 30 June 2020 was 1.8x net and 2.1x gross of project level debt repayment.

Cash balances (Group and wind farm SPVs) increased by EUR6.9 million to EUR41.5 million.

 
 Group and wind farm SPV cash flows                   For the six months ended 
                                                                  30 June 2020 
                                                        Net (1)      Gross (1) 
                                                        EUR 000        EUR 000 
 
 Net cash generation (1)                                 34,760         40,026 
 Dividends paid                                        (19,060)       (19,060) 
 
 Project Capex & PSO Cashflow (2)                      (11,137)       (11,137) 
 Project level debt repayment                                 -        (5,266) 
 
 Acquisitions (3)                                      (58,626)       (58,626) 
 Acquisition costs                                        (835)          (835) 
 
 Equity issuance                                              -              - 
 Equity issuance costs                                    (142)          (142) 
 
 Net drawdown under debt facilities                      66,000         66,000 
 Upfront finance costs                                  (4,033)        (4,033) 
 
 Movement in cash (Group and wind farm SPVs)              6,927          6,927 
 Opening cash balance (Group and wind farm SPVs)         34,547         34,547 
 Ending cash balance (Group and wind farm SPVs)          41,474         41,474 
 
 Net cash generation (1)                                 34,760         40,026 
 Dividends                                               19,060         19,060 
 Dividend cover                                            1.8x           2.1x 
 

(1) The dividend cover tables above are shown as two scenarios: the first reflects cash generation net of the Group's share of project level debt repayment at Cloosh Valley, Raheenleagh and Sliabh Bawn (EUR5,266k), and the second shows the net cash generation gross of these SPV level debt repayments.

(2) Cashflows reflect residual capital expenditure from acquired SPVs (covered by the vendor of the SPVs) plus REFIT working capital movements with the PSO relating to wind farm SPVs.

(3) Acquisition consideration is net of the acquired SPV cash of EUR7,852k.

 
                                      For the six months ended 
 Net Cash Generation - Breakdown                  30 June 2020 
                                             Net         Gross 
                                         EUR'000       EUR'000 
 
 Revenue                                  66,279        66,279 
 Operating expenses                     (17,892)      (17,892) 
 Tax / VAT                                   481           481 
---------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Wind farm operating cashflow             48,868        48,868 
 Project level debt interest             (2,891)       (2,891) 
 Project level debt repayment            (5,266)             - 
---------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Wind farm cashflow                       40,711        45,977 
 
 Management fee                          (3,029)       (3,029) 
 Operating expenses                        (901)         (901) 
 Ongoing finance costs                   (1,819)       (1,819) 
 VAT                                       (202)         (202) 
---------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Group cashflow                          (5,951)       (5,951) 
 
 Net cash generation                      34,760        40,026 
---------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                                                       For the six months ended 
 Net Cash Generation - Reconciliation to Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities                  30 June 2020 
                                                                                              Net         Gross 
                                                                                          EUR'000       EUR'000 
 
 Net cash flows from operating activities (1)                                              10,108        10,108 
 Movement in cash balances of wind farm SPVs (2)                                          (3,367)       (3,367) 
 SPV capex and PSO cashflow (3)                                                            11,108        11,108 
 Repayment of debt at SPV level (2)                                                             -         5,266 
 Repayment of shareholder loan investment (1)                                              18,704        18,704 
 Finance costs (1)                                                                        (5,854)       (5,854) 
 Upfront finance costs (cash) (4)                                                           4,061         4,061 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Net cash generation                                                                       34,760        40,026 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
   (1)      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
   (2)      Note 8 to the Financial Statements 

(3) EUR11,137k cashflows reflect residual capital expenditure from acquired SPVs and REFIT working capital movements with the PSO relating to wind farm SPVs less EUR29k SPV working capital

(4) EUR238k facility arrangement fees plus EUR1,164k professional fees (note 12 to the Financial Statements) plus EUR2,659k capitalised loan costs being the difference between the EUR272,000k drawn revolving credit facility at 30 June 2020, and EUR269,341k of Group loans and borrowings (note 12 to the Financial Statements).

The decrease in portfolio valuation of EUR10.9 million is predominately due to portfolio depreciation and adjustments to short term inflation.

A dividend of EUR9.5 million (1.5075 cent per share) was paid in February 2020 with respect to the quarter ended 31 December 2019. A dividend of EUR9.6m (1.515 cent per share) was paid in May 2020 with respect to the quarter ended 31 March 2020.

A further dividend of EUR9.5m (1.515 cent per share) was paid on the 28 August 2020 with respect to the quarter ended 30 June 2020.

The share price at 30 June 2020 was 121.0 cent, representing an 18.4 per cent. premium to NAV.

 
                                          cent per share 
 
 NAV at 31 December 2019                           103.1 
 Less February 2020 dividend                       (1.5) 
 NAV at 31 December 2019 (ex dividend)             101.6 
 
 NAV at 30 June 2020                               102.2 
 Less August 2020 dividend                         (1.5) 
 NAV at 30 June 2020 (ex dividend)                 100.7 
 
 Movement in NAV (ex dividend)                     (0.9) 
 

Reconciliation of Statutory Net Assets to Reported NAV

 
                                                   As at               As at 
                                            30 June 2020    31 December 2019 
                                                 EUR'000             EUR'000 
 
 DCF valuation                                 1,080,249             982,411 
 Other relevant assets (wind farm SPVs)           17,941                 111 
 Cash (wind farm SPVs)                            33,011              28,527 
----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------------ 
 Fair value of investments (1)                 1,131,201           1,011,049 
 Cash (Group)                                      8,463               6,020 
 Other relevant liabilities                        (952)               (127) 
----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------------ 
 GAV                                           1,138,712           1,016,942 
 Aggregate Group Debt (2)                      (494,451)           (366,942) 
----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------------ 
 NAV                                             644,261             650,000 
 
 Reconciling items                                     -                   - 
----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------------ 
 Statutory net assets                            644,261             650,000 
 
 Shares in issue                             630,619,469         630,619,469 
 NAV per share (cent)                              102.2               103.1 
----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------------ 
 

(1) The fair value of investments are shown gross of EUR222,451k debt and swap fair values held at wind farm SPV level that are not included in the equivalent figure in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

(2) Aggregate Group debt reflects EUR272,000k of amounts drawn under the Group's revolving credit facility, gross of EUR2,659k capitalised finance costs. It also includes EUR222,451k of debt and swap fair values held at wind farm SPV level that are not included in the equivalent figure in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Gearing

As at 30 June 2020, the Group had EUR494.5 million of debt outstanding, equating to 43 per cent of GAV. This debt outstanding comprised EUR272.0 million of amounts drawn under the Group's revolving credit facility as well the EUR222.5 million of the Group's proportionate share of asset level, long-term project finance debt (including the fair value of associated interest rate swaps).

In July 2020, the Group drew a further EUR21 million from its revolving credit facility to acquire a 50 per cent interest in Carrickallen, leaving Group gearing at 44 per cent of GAV.

Outlook

The outlook for the Group remains very positive, with strong performance from the existing portfolio and a healthy pipeline of further attractive investment opportunities, both in Ireland and in northern Europe.

In the wider electricity market, short and medium term power prices have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as 98% of the portfolio's revenues are contracted until 2028 at the earliest, these power price fluctuations have a negligible short-term impact on the portfolio's cash flows. This combined with the Company's business model has led to resilient cashflows and robust dividend cover during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Irish Wind Market

The Irish wind market remains a very attractive jurisdiction for growth with over 4.2GW of operating capacity installed.

The successful completion of the first RESS auction in August 2020 further evidenced the Irish government's commitment to generate 70 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with subsequent auctions expected to take place annually. This year's auction process saw 400MW of wind and 800MW of solar PV awarded fixed price support contracts guaranteeing the price of wholesale electricity until 2038. Achieving Ireland's 2030 commitment would increase capacity of onshore wind to 8GW, as well as 3.5GW of offshore wind and 1.5GW of solar PV and therefore a further c.EUR15 billion of investment opportunities.

The Group will target investments in new RESS assets, both in wind and solar, and we believe the Group is very well placed to find value and continue its growth strategy.

In addition to increasing its generation capacity, Ireland is still expected to experience growth in the demand for electricity in the medium and long term, particularly from the development of a substantial number of datacentres, which are seeking to source their power requirements exclusively from renewables. It is currently estimated that there will be 1.2 GW of datacentre capacity in Ireland by 2025. We are continuing to observe a growing number of renewable generation assets enter into direct corporate PPAs with large datacentre users and we believe this opportunity will continue to grow.

Potential Market Entry into Continental Europe

The Group is continuing to explore investment opportunities in the very large asset pools of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordics. We have an active pipeline in these countries and the Group is benefitting from the strong relationships with asset owners and advisors in northern Europe.

We are considering assets with a range of revenue contracts, including government support regimes and corporate PPAs. These assets may provide the opportunity to capture additional value for Group, particularly in the Nordic markets where unsubsidised renewables development has seen significant growth. It is expected that the portfolio will continue to have a significant proportion of fixed-price revenue underpinning its cash flows.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

For the six months ended 30 June 2020

 
                                                                   For the six months ended   For the six months ended 
                                                            Note               30 June 2020               30 June 2019 
                                                                                    EUR'000                    EUR'000 
 
 Return on investments                                       3                       21,756                     20,147 
 Other income                                                                            39                         37 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Total income and gains                                                              21,795                     20,184 
 
 Operating expenses                                          4                      (4,382)                    (3,188) 
 Investment acquisition costs                                                         (835)                      (234) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Operating profit                                                                    16,578                     16,762 
 
 Finance expense                                             12                     (3,257)                    (3,052) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Profit for the period before tax                                                    13,321                     13,710 
 
 Taxation                                                    5                            -                          - 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Profit for the period after tax                                                     13,321                     13,710 
 
 Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the Company                                                       13,321                     13,710 
 
 Earnings per share 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Basic and diluted earnings from continuing operations 
  during the period (cent)                                   6                         2.11                       3.00 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)

As at 30 June 2020

 
                                                     Note   30 June 2020   31 December 2019 
                                                                 EUR'000            EUR'000 
 
 Non current assets 
 
 Investments at fair value through profit or loss     8          908,750            850,107 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
                                                                 908,750            850,107 
 Current assets 
 Receivables                                          10             286              3,343 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                         8,463              6,020 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
                                                                   8,749              9,363 
 Current liabilities 
 Payables                                             11         (3,897)            (3,470) 
 Loans and borrowings                                 12               -          (206,000) 
 
 Net current assets/(liabilities)                                  4,852          (200,107) 
 
 Non current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings                                 12       (269,341)                  - 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
 Net assets                                                      644,261            650,000 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital                              14           6,306              6,306 
 Share premium account                                14         385,669            385,669 
 Other distributable reserves                                    180,876            199,936 
 Retained earnings                                                71,410             58,089 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
 Total shareholders' funds                                       644,261            650,000 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
 
 Net assets per share (cent)                          15           102.2              103.1 
--------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ----------------- 
 

Authorised for issue by the Board on 13 September 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

   Rónán Murphy                                                Kevin McNamara 
   Chairman                                                       Director 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

For the six months ended 30 June 2020

 
 
  For the six                                                               Other 
  months                                                            Distributable          Retained 
  ended 30 June               Share capital      Share premium           Reserves          earnings      Total 
  2020               Note           EUR'000            EUR'000            EUR'000           EUR'000    EUR'000 
 Opening net 
  assets 
  attributable to 
  shareholders (1 
  January 2020)                       6,306            385,669            199,936            58,089    650,000 
 Issue of share                           -                  -                  -                 -          - 
 capital 
 Share issue costs                        -                  -                  -                 -          - 
 Interim dividends 
  paid in the 
  period              7                   -                  -           (19,060)                 -   (19,060) 
 Profit and total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                                  -                  -                  -            13,321     13,321 
------------------  -----  ----------------  -----------------  -----------------  ----------------  --------- 
 Closing net 
  assets 
  attributable to 
  shareholders                        6,306            385,669            180,876            71,410    644,261 
------------------  -----  ----------------  -----------------  -----------------  ----------------  --------- 
 
 

After taking account of cumulative unrealised gains in fair value of investments of EUR75,300,316, the total reserves distributable by way of a dividend as at 30 June 2020 were EUR176,985,497.

For the six months ended 30 June 2019

 
 
  For the six                                                               Other 
  months                                                            Distributable          Retained 
  ended 30 June                Share capital     Share premium           Reserves          earnings      Total 
  2019               Note             EUR000            EUR000            EUR'000           EUR'000    EUR'000 
 Opening net assets 
  attributable to 
  shareholders (1 January 
  2019)                                3,800           120,009            229,153            40,992    393,954 
 Issue of share capital                1,400           146,300                  -                 -    147,700 
 Share issue costs                         -           (2,431)                  -                 -    (2,431) 
 Interim dividends paid in 
  the period                               -                 -           (13,539)                 -   (13,539) 
 Profit and total 
  comprehensive income for 
  the period                               -                 -                  -            13,710     13,710 
 
 Closing net assets 
  attributable to 
  shareholders                         5,200           263,878            215,614            54,702    539,394 
--------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  -----------------  ----------------  --------- 
 
 

After taking account of cumulative unrealised gains in fair value of investments of EUR68,765,871, the total reserves distributable by way of a dividend as at 30 June 2019 EUR201,550,071.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

For the six months ended 30 June 2020

 
                                                                   For the six months ended   For the six months ended 
                                                            Note               30 June 2020               30 June 2019 
                                                                                    EUR'000                    EUR'000 
 
 Net cash flows from operating activities                    16                      10,108                      4,459 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition of investments                                                        (66,478)                   (34,452) 
 Investment acquisition costs                                                         (835)                    (4,457) 
 Repayment of shareholder loan investments                   8                       18,704                     14,733 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Net cash flows from investing activities                                          (48,609)                   (24,176) 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Issue of share capital                                                                   -                    147,700 
 Payment of issue costs                                                               (142)                    (2,443) 
 Dividends paid                                              7                     (19,060)                   (13,539) 
 Amounts drawn down on loan facilities                       12                     306,000                          - 
 Amounts repaid on loan facilities                           12                   (240,000)                  (111,031) 
 Finance costs                                                                      (5,854)                    (2,948) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Net cash flows from financing activities                                            40,944                     17,739 
 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
  during the period                                                                   2,443                    (1,978) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                             6,020                      3,036 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                                   8,463                      1,058 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

   Notes to the Unaudited Condensed   Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the six months ended 30 June 2020

1. Significant accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The condensed consolidated nancial statements included in this Interim Report have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting".

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS to the extent that they have been adopted by the EU and with those parts of the Companies Act 2014 (including amendments by the Companies (Accounting) Act 2017) applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified for the measurement of certain financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss.

These condensed consolidated nancial statements are presented in Euro ("EUR") which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Group operates and are rounded to the nearest thousand, unless otherwise stated.

These condensed nancial statements do not include all information and disclosures required in the annual nancial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's consolidated annual nancial statements as of 31 December 2019. The audited annual accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 have been delivered to the Companies Registration Office. The audit report thereon was unmodi ed.

Review

The Interim Report has not been audited or formally reviewed by the Company's Auditor in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) (Ireland) or International Standards on Review Engagements (ISREs).

Going concern

As at 30 June 2020, the Group had net assets of EUR644.3 million (31 December 2019: EUR650.0 million) and cash balances of EUR8.5 million (31 December 2019: EUR6.0 million) which are sufficient to meet current obligations as they fall due.

In the period prior to 30 June 2020 and up to the date of this report, the outbreak of COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the global economy. As this situation is both unprecedented and evolving, it raises some uncertainties and additional risks for the Group.

The Directors and Investment Manager are actively monitoring this and its potential effect on the Group and its SPVs. In particular, they have considered the following specific key potential impacts:

   --    Unavailability of key personnel at the Investment Manager or Administrator; 
   --    Increased volatility in the fair value of investments; 
   --    Disruptions to maintenance or repair at the investee company level. 

In considering the above key potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Group and SPV operations, the Directors have assessed these with reference to the mitigation measures in place. At the Group level, the key personnel at the Investment Manager and Administrator have successfully implemented business continuity plans to ensure business disruption is minimised, including remote working, and all staff are continuing to assume their day-today responsibilities.

SPV revenues are derived from the sale of electricity and is received through power purchase agreements in place with reputable providers of electricity to the market and also through government subsidies. Therefore the Directors and the Investment Manager do not expect a significant impact on revenue and cash flows of the SPVs. The SPVs also have various risk mitigation plans in place to ensure, as far as possible, electricity generation from the sites are maintained. The SPVs have contractual operating and maintenance agreements in place with large and reputable providers. Wind farm availability has not been significantly affected: wind farms may be accessed and operated remotely in some instances; otherwise social distancing has been possible in large part and personal protective equipment has been used where not possible, for instance where major component changes have been necessary. The Investment Manager is confident that there are appropriate continuity plans in place at each provider to ensure that the underlying wind farms are maintained appropriately and that any faults would continue to be addressed in a timely manner.

Based on the assessment outlined above, including the various risk mitigation measures in place, the Directors do not consider that the effects of COVID-19 have created a material uncertainty over the assessment of the Group as a going concern.

On the basis of this review, and after making due enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least 12 months from the date of approval of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors, as a whole.

The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess the Group's performance and to allocate resources is the total return on the Group's net assets, as calculated under IFRS, and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

For management purposes, the Group is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in wind farm assets.

All of the Group's income is generated within Ireland and France. All of the Group's non-current assets are located in Ireland and France.

Seasonal and cyclical variations

The Group's results do not vary signi cantly during reporting periods as a result of seasonal activity.

2. Investment management fees

Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager is entitled to a management fee from the Company, which is calculated quarterly in arrears and remains at 1 per cent of NAV per annum on that part of NAV up to and including EUR1 billion, as disclosed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Investment management fees paid or accrued in the period were as follows:

 
                                 For the six     For the six 
                                months ended    months ended 
                                30 June 2020    30 June 2019 
                                     EUR'000         EUR'000 
 Investment management fees            3,247           2,415 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                       3,247           2,415 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

As at 30 June 2020, EUR1,627,104 was payable in relation to investment management fees (31 December 2019: EUR1,409,550).

3. Return on investments

 
                                                                For the six     For the six 
                                                               months ended    months ended 
                                                               30 June 2020    30 June 2019 
                                                                    EUR'000         EUR'000 
 Dividends received (note 17)                                         8,551               - 
 Unrealised movement in fair value of investments (note 8)            7,226          14,301 
 Interest on shareholder loan investment                              5,979           5,846 
                                                                     21,756          20,147 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

4. Operating expenses

 
                                                         For the six     For the six 
                                                        months ended    months ended 
                                                        30 June 2020    30 June 2019 
                                                             EUR'000         EUR'000 
 Investment management fees (note 2)                           3,247           2,415 
 Other expenses                                                  561             476 
 Group and SPV administration fees                               401             157 
 Non-executive Directors' remuneration                           129             100 
 Fees to the Company's Auditor: 
    for audit of the statutory financial statements               41              37 
   for other services                                              3               3 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                               4,382           3,188 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

The fees to the Company's Auditor include EUR3,000 (2019: EUR3,000) payable in relation to a limited review of these interim financial statements, and estimated accruals apportioned across the year for the audit of the statutory financial statements.

5. Taxation

Taxable income during the period was offset by management expenses and the tax charge for the period ended 30 June 2020 is EURnil (30 June 2019: EURnil). The Group has tax losses carried forward available to offset against current and future profits as at 30 June 2020 of EUR399,458 (30 June 2019: EUR505,879).

6. Earnings per share

 
                                                                                 For the six     For the six 
                                                                                months ended    months ended 
                                                                                30 June 2020    30 June 2019 
 Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company - EUR'000                       13,321          13,710 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue                             630,619,469     457,348,066 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Basic and diluted earnings from continuing operations in the period (cent)             2.11            3.00 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

7. Dividends declared with respect to the period

 
 Interim dividends paid during the period ended 30 June 2020    Dividend per       Total 
                                                                  Share cent    Dividend 
 With respect to the quarter ended 31 December 2019                   1.5075       9,506 
 With respect to the quarter ended 31 March 2020                      1.5150       9,554 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                                                      3.0225      19,060 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 
 Interim dividends declared after 30 June 2020 and not accrued in the period    Dividend per       Total 
                                                                                  Share cent    Dividend 
 With respect to the quarter ended 30 June 2020                                       1.5150       9,554 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                                                                      1.5150       9,554 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

As disclosed in note 18, the Board approved a dividend of 1.515 cent per share on 30 July 2020 in relation to the quarter ended 30 June 2020, bringing total dividends declared with respect to the period to 3.03 cent per share. The record date for the dividend was 7 August 2020 and the payment date was 28 August 2020.

8. Investments at fair value through profit or loss

 
 For the period ended 30 June 2020                               Loans   Equity interest      Total 
                                                               EUR'000           EUR'000    EUR'000 
 
 Opening balance                                               435,336           414,771    850,107 
 Additions (note 17)                                            57,182             9,440     66,622 
 Shareholder loan interest capitalised (note 17)                 1,339                 -      1,339 
 Repayment of shareholder loan investments (note 17)          (18,704)                 -   (18,704) 
 Unrealised movement in fair value of investments (note 3)       2,160             7,226      9,386 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------  --------- 
                                                               477,313           431,437    908,750 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------  --------- 
 
 
 For the period ended 30 June 2019                               Loans   Equity interest      Total 
                                                               EUR'000           EUR'000    EUR'000 
 
 Opening balance                                               419,016           338,383    757,399 
 Additions                                                       2,895            31,557     34,452 
 Repayment of shareholder loan investments                    (14,733)                 -   (14,733) 
 Unrealised movement in fair value of investments (note 3)         379            14,301     14,680 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------  --------- 
                                                               407,557           384,241    791,798 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------------  --------- 
 

The unrealised movement in fair value of investments of the Group during the period was made up as follows:

 
                                                For the six     For the six 
                                               months ended    months ended 
                                               30 June 2020    30 June 2019 
                                                    EUR'000         EUR'000 
 Decrease in valuation of investments              (10,842)         (7,364) 
 Movement in swap fair values at SPV                    129               - 
  level 
 Repayment of debt at SPV level                       5,266               - 
 Loan interest capitalised (note 17)                (1,339)               - 
 Repayment of shareholder loan investments 
  (note 17)                                          18,704          14,733 
 Movement in cash balances of SPVs                  (3,367)           7,077 
 Acquisition costs                                      835             234 
-------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                      9,386          14,680 
-------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Fair value measurements

As disclosed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019, IFRS 13 "Fair Value Measurement" requires disclosure of fair value measurement by level. The level of fair value hierarchy within the financial assets or financial liabilities ranges from level 1 to level 3 and is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of the Group's investments is ultimately determined by the underlying fair values of the SPV investments. Due to their nature, they are always expected to be classified as level 3, as the investments are not traded and contain unobservable inputs. There have been no transfers between levels during the six months ended 30 June 2020. All other financial instruments are classified as level 2.

Sensitivity analysis

The fair value of the Group's investments is EUR908,749,884 (31 December 2019: EUR850,106,884). The following analysis is provided to illustrate the sensitivity of the fair value of investments to a change in an individual input, while all other variables remain constant. The Board considers these changes in inputs to be within reasonable expected ranges. This is not intended to imply the likelihood of change or that possible changes in value would be restricted to this range.

 
                                                                     Change in fair value of 
 Input             Base case                     Change in input                 investments   Change in NAV per share 
                                                                                     EUR'000                      cent 
 
 Discount rate     6 - 7 per cent                + 0.25 per cent                    (21,055)                     (3.3) 
                                                 - 0.25 per cent                      21,772                       3.5 
 
 Energy yield      P50                               10 year P90                    (59,633)                     (9.5) 
                                                     10 year P10                      59,273                       9.4 
 
                   Forecast by leading 
 Power price        consultant                     - 10 per cent                    (44,587)                     (7.1) 
                                                   + 10 per cent                      44,464                       7.1 
 
 Inflation rate    2.0 per cent                   - 0.5 per cent                    (32,198)                     (5.1) 
                                                  + 0.5 per cent                      34,539                       5.5 
 
 Asset Life        30 years                            - 5 years                    (81,458)                    (12.9) 
                                                       + 5 years                      66,087                      10.5 
  --------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 

The sensitivities above are assumed to be independent of each other. Combined sensitivities are not presented.

   9.    Unconsolidated subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 

The following table shows subsidiaries of the Group acquired during the period. As the Company is regarded as an investment entity under IFRS, these subsidiaries have not been consolidated in the preparation of the financial statements:

 
 
                                                                                 Registered   Ownership Interest as at 
 Investment                           Place of Business                              Office               30 June 2020 
 
 Seahound Wind Developments                                         Riverside One, Sir John 
  Limited                                       Ireland           Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2                       100% 
 
 Société d'Exploitation                              20, Avenue de la Paix, 67000 
  du Parc Eolien du Tonnerois                    France                  Strasbourg, France                       100% 
 
                                                               20, Avenue de la Paix, 67000 
 Parc Eolien Des Tournevents SAS                 France                  Strasbourg, France                       100% 
 
                                                               20, Avenue de la Paix, 67000 
 Parc Eolien Des Courtibeux SAS                  France                  Strasbourg, France                       100% 
----------------------------------  -------------------  ----------------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

There are no changes to unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Group and there is no changes to associates and joint venture of the group as disclosed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

There have been no changes to security deposits or guarantees as disclosed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

   10.    Receivables 
 
                                       30 June 2020   31 December 2019 
                                            EUR'000            EUR'000 
 Sundry receivables                             184                180 
 Prepayments                                     62                 77 
 Accrued income                                  29              2,959 
 VAT receivable                                  11                127 
------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
                                                286              3,343 
------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
 
  11. Payables 
                                       30 June 2020   31 December 2019 
                                            EUR'000            EUR'000 
 Investment management fees payable           1,627              1,410 
 Acquisition costs payable                    1,115              1,007 
 Other payables                                 952                722 
 Loan interest payable                          157                124 
 Commitment fee payable                          39                 36 
 Other finance costs payable                      7                  - 
 Share issue costs payable                        -                171 
------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
                                              3,897              3,470 
------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
 
 

12. Loans and borrowings

 
                             30 June 2020   31 December 2019 
                                  EUR'000            EUR'000 
 Opening balance                  206,000            362,031 
 Revolving Credit Facility 
   Drawdowns                      306,000             80,900 
   Repayments                   (240,000)          (236,931) 
 Finance costs capitalised 
   Finance costs capitalised      (2,898)                  - 
   Amortisation                       239                  - 
 Closing balance                  269,341            206,000 
-----------------------------  ----------  ----------------- 
 
 Reconciled as: 
 
 Current liabilities                    -            206,000 
-----------------------------  ----------  ----------------- 
 
 Non current liabilities          269,341                  - 
-----------------------------  ----------  ----------------- 
 
 
                              For the six months ended     For the six 
                                          30 June 2020    months ended 
                                                          30 June 2019 
                                               EUR'000         EUR'000 
 Loan interest                                   1,562           2,749 
 Professional fees                               1,164              17 
 Commitment fees                                   293             242 
 Facility arrangement fees                         238              44 
---------------------------  -------------------------  -------------- 
 Finance expense                                 3,257           3,052 
---------------------------  -------------------------  -------------- 
 

The loan balance as at 30 June 2020 is measured at amortised cost whereas the 31 December 2019 has not been adjusted to reflect amortised cost, as the amount was not materially different to the outstanding balance.

On the 1 April 2020, the Group entered into a new EUR280 million revolving credit facility with CIBC, RBC and Santander, refinancing the previously drawn facility. The new facility has a refreshed 3 year tenor and a margin of 1.30 per cent per annum and commitment fee of 0.46 per cent per annum.

On 17 June 2020, the Group amended its revolving credit facility to increase the facility size to EUR305 million with no change to margin or commitment fee.

As at 30 June 2020, the principal balance of the facility was EUR272,000,000 (31 December 2019: EUR206,000,000), accrued interest was EUR156,684 (31 December 2019: EUR123,600) and the outstanding commitment fee was EUR38,806 (31 December 2019: EUR36,540).

13. Contingencies & Commitments

At the time of acquisition, wind farms which had less than 12 months' operational data may have a wind energy true-up applied, whereby the purchase price for these wind farms may be adjusted so that it is based on a 2 year operational record, once operational data has become available.

The following wind energy true-ups remain outstanding and the maximum adjustments are as follows: Letteragh EUR2,500,000, Killala: EUR2,000,000, and Knocknalour EUR489,000.

During 2019, the Group acquired Killala wind farm for an initial consideration of EUR37.2 million for the 5 operating turbines on the site. An additional turbine is currently under construction and the Group has agreed to pay further consideration to the existing developer contingent on the final turbine becoming operational, which is expected to be in the final quarter of 2020.

14. Share capital - ordinary shares

At 30 June 2020, the Company had authorised share capital of 2,000,000,000 ordinary shares of EUR0.01 each.

 
 Date              Issued and fully paid    Number of shares issued   Share capital   Share premium     Total 
                                                                            EUR'000         EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
 1 January 2020     Opening balance                     630,619,469           6,306         385,669   391,975 
 
 30 June 2020                                           630,619,469           6,306         385,669   391,975 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
 

Shareholders are entitled to all dividends paid by the Company and, on a winding up, provided the Company has satisfied all of its liabilities, the Shareholders are entitled to all of the residual assets of the Company.

15. Net assets per share

 
                                     30 June 2020   31 December 2019 
 Net assets - EUR'000                     644,261            650,000 
 Number of ordinary shares issued     630,619,469        630,619,469 
----------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
 Total net assets - cent                    102.2              103.1 
----------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
 

16. Reconciliation of operating profit for the period to net cash from operating activities

 
                                                                   For the six months ended   For the six months ended 
                                                                               30 June 2020               30 June 2019 
                                                                                    EUR'000                    EUR'000 
 Operating profit for the period                                                     16,578                     16,762 
 Adjustments for: 
 Unrealised movement in fair value of investments (notes 3 & 8)                     (7,226)                   (14,301) 
 Investment acquisition costs                                                           835                        234 
 Loan interest capitalised                                                          (1,339)                          - 
 Decrease in receivables                                                                812                      1,297 
 Increase in payables                                                                   448                        467 
----------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 Net cash flows from operating activities                                            10,108                      4,459 
----------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------- 
 

17. Related party transactions

During the period, the Company advanced interest-free loans to Holdco of EURnil (30 June 2019: EUR145,397,635), and Holdco made repayments of EUR18,150,000 (30 June 2019: EUR14,200,000). During the period, the Company also received shareholder loan repayments from Knockacummer of EUR1,994,445 (30 June 2019: EURnil) and Killhills of EUR573,187 (30 June 2019: EURnil).

The below table shows the Group's dividend and management fee income:

 
                    For the six months ending 30 June 2020     For the six months ending 30 June 2019 
                        Management                                 Management 
                        Fee income         Dividend Income         Fee income         Dividend Income 
                            EUR000                  EUR000             EUR000                  EUR000 
 Cloosh Valley                   -                   5,028                  -                       - 
 Ballybane                      13                   2,750                 12                       - 
 Beam Hill                       -                     773                  -                       - 
 Knockacummer                   13                       -                 12                       - 
 Killhills                      13                       -                 13                       - 
                                39                   8,551                 37                       - 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
 

The table below shows the Group's shareholder loans with the wind farm investments

 
                     Loans       Loans   Loan interest   Loan Repayments     Loans      Accrued     Total 
                      at 1    advanced     capitalised                       at 30     interest 
                   January      in the          in the                        June        at 30 
                      2020      period          period                        2020    June 2020 
                       (1)                         (2) 
                   EUR'000     EUR'000         EUR'000           EUR'000   EUR'000      EUR'000   EUR'000 
 Knockacummer      120,329           -               -           (3,163)   117,166        1,337   118,503 
 Monaincha          69,668           -             373           (2,004)    68,037          113    68,150 
 Glanaruddery       51,310           -             213           (1,390)    50,133           84    50,217 
 Ballybane          41,773           -             218           (1,883)    40,108           67    40,175 
 Letteragh               -      29,979               -           (1,130)    28,849          160    29,009 
 Killhills          24,946           -             175             (574)    24,547           73    24,620 
 Killala            27,006           -               -           (3,309)    23,697          133    23,830 
 Gortahile          19,632           -             102           (2,045)    17,689           29    17,718 
 Kostroma           16,473           -             104                 -    16,577           28    16,605 
 Tullynamoyle 
  II                16,239           -              80           (1,158)    15,161           26    15,187 
 Sommette                -      13,590               -                 -    13,590           45    13,635 
 Garranereagh       13,659           -              74             (662)    13,071           21    13,092 
 Lisdowney          11,282           -               -             (659)    10,623           54    10,677 
 Sliabh Bawn         9,224       1,050               -                 -    10,274            5    10,279 
 Pasilly                 -       9,020               -                 -     9,020           30     9,050 
 Cloosh Valley       7,015           -               -                 -     7,015            -     7,015 
 Knocknalour         6,522           -               -             (727)     5,795           33     5,828 
 Saint Martin            -       3,543               -                 -     3,543           12     3,555 
 Raheenleagh           168           -               -                 -       168            -       168 
                   435,246      57,182           1,339          (18,704)   475,063        2,250   477,313 
---------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  --------  -----------  -------- 
 
   (1)   Excludes accrued interest at 31 December 2019 of EUR90,210. 

(2) During the period, shareholder loans across some SPVs were restructured resulting in the capitalisation of EUR1,339k of accrued shareholder loan interest.

   18.    Subsequent events 

On 8 July 2020, the Group announced the 50 per cent acquisition of the 20.5MW Carrickallen wind farm in County Cavan, Ireland.

On 30 July 2020, the Company announced a dividend of EUR9.6 million, equivalent to 1.515 cent per share. The record date for the dividend was 7 August 2020 and the payment date was 28 August 2020.

   19.     Board approval 

The Group's Interim Report and Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 13 September 2020.

Company Information

 
 
   Directors (all non-executive)               Registered Company Number 
 Rónán Murphy                        598470 
 Emer Gilvarry 
 Kevin McNamara 
 Marco Graziano (appointed 30 January 2020)    Registered Office 
                                               Riverside One 
 Investment Manager                            Sir John Rogerson's Quay 
 Greencoat Capital LLP                         Dublin 2 
 4(th) Floor The Peak 
 5 Wilton Road 
 London SW1V 1AN                               Registered Auditor 
                                               BDO 
                                               Beaux Lane House 
 Company Secretary                             Mercer Street Lower 
 Ocorian Administration (UK) Limited           Dublin 2 
 27/28 Eastcastle Street 
  London W1W 8DH                               Legal Advisers 
                                               McCann Fitzgerald 
 Administrator                                 Riverside One 
 Northern Trust International Fund             Sir John Rogerson's Quay 
 Administration Services (Ireland) Limited     Dublin 2 
 Georges Court 
 54-62 Townsend Street 
 Dublin 2                                      Euronext Growth Advisor, NOMAD and Broker 
                                               J&E Davy 
 Depositary                                    Davy House 
 Northern Trust International Fiduciary        49 Dawson Street 
 Services (Ireland) Limited                    Dublin 2 
 Georges Court 
 54-62 Townsend Street 
 Dublin 2                                      Account Banks 
                                               Allied Irish Banks plc. 
                                               40/41 Westmoreland Street 
 Registrar                                     Dublin 2 
 Computershare Investor Services 
 (Ireland) Limited                             Northern Trust International Fiduciary 
 3100 Lake Drive                               Services (Ireland) Limited 
 Citywest Business Campus                      Georges Court 
 Dublin 24                                     56-62 Townsend Street 
                                               Dublin 2 
 
 
 

Defined Terms

Admission Document means the Admission Document of the Company published on 31 December 2019

Aggregate Group Debt means the Group's proportionate share of outstanding third party debt.

AGM means Annual General Meeting of the Company

Ballybane means Ballybane Windfarms Limited

BDO means the Company's Auditor as at the reporting date

Beam Hill means Beam Wind Limited

Brexit mean the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union

Board means the Directors of the Company

Carrickallen means Carrickallen Wind Farm

Cloosh Valley means Cloosh Valley Wind Farm Holdings DAC and Cloosh Valley Wind Farm DAC

Company means Greencoat Renewables PLC

CPI means Consumer Price Index

DCF means Discounted Cash Flow

ESG means the Environmental, Social and Governance

EU means the European Union

Euronext means the Euronext Dublin, formerly the Irish Stock Exchange

FIT means Feed-In Tariff

GAV means Gross Asset Value as defined in the Admission Document

Garranereagh means Sigatoka Limited

Glanaruddery means Glanaruddery Windfarms Limited and Glanaruddery Energy Supply Limited

Gortahile means Gortahile Windfarm Limited

Group means Greencoat Renewables PLC, Holdco, Holdco 2 and Holdco 3

Holdco means GR Wind Farms 1 Limited

Holdco 2 means Greencoat Renewables 1 Holdings Limited

Holdco 3 means Greencoat Renewables 2 Holdings Limited

IAS means International Accounting Standards

IFRS means International Financial Reporting Standards

Investment Management Agreement means the agreement between the Company and the Investment Manager

Investment Manager means Greencoat Capital LLP

Killala means Killala Community Wind Farm DAC

Killhills means Killhills Windfarm Limited

Knockacummer means Knockacummer Wind Farm Limited

Knocknalour means Knocknalour Wind Farm Holdings Limited and Knocknalour Wind Farm Limited

Kostroma Holdings means Kostroma Holdings Limited

Letteragh means Seahound Wind Developments Limited

Lisdowney means Lisdowney Wind Farm Limited

Monaincha means Monaincha Wind Farm Limited

NAV means Net Asset Value as defined in the Admission Document

NAV per Share means the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share

NOMAD means a company that has been approved as a nominated advisor for the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), by Euronext Dublin and London Stock Exchange

Pasilly means Société d'Exploitation du Parc Eolien du Tonnerois

PPA means Power Purchase Agreement entered into by the Group's wind farms

PSO means Public Support Obligation

Solar PV means solar photovoltaic

Raheenleagh means Raheenleagh Power DAC

RBC means Royal Bank of Canada

REFIT means Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff

RESS means Renewable Energy Support Scheme

Review Section means the front end review section of this report (including but not limited to the Chairman's Statement and the Investment Manager's Report)

Santander means Abbey National Treasury Services Plc (trading as Santander Global Corporate Banking)

Sliabh Bawn means Sliabh Bawn Holding DAC, Sliabh Bawn Supply DAC and Sliabh Bawn Power DAC

Sommette means Parc Eolien Des Tournevents SAS

Solar PV means a solar photovoltaic system, which is a power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics.

SPVs means the Special Purpose Vehicles, which hold the Group's investment portfolio of underlying operating wind farms

Saint Martin means Parc Eolien Des Courtibeux SAS

TSR means Total Shareholder Return

Tullynamoyle II means Tullynamoyle Wind Farm II Limited

UK means United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Forward Looking Statements and other Important Information

This document may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "plans", "projects", "will", "explore" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions.

These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They may appear in a number of places throughout this document and may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Company, the Directors and/or the Investment Manager concerning, amongst other things, the investment objectives and investment policy, financing strategies, investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, and distribution policy of the Company and the markets in which it invests.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, distribution policy and the development of its financing strategies may differ materially from the impression created by, or described in or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this document.

In addition, even if actual investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, distribution policy and the development of its financing strategies, are consistent with any forward looking statements contained in this document, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. A number of factors could cause results and developments of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements including, without limitation, general economic and business conditions, global renewable energy market conditions, industry trends, competition, changes in law or regulation, changes in taxation regimes, the availability and cost of capital, currency fluctuations, changes in its business strategy, political and economic uncertainty. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only at the date of this document.

As a result, you are cautioned not to place any reliance on any such forward-looking statements and neither the Company nor any other person accepts responsibility for the accuracy of such statements.

Subject to their legal and regulatory obligations, the Company, the Directors and the Investment Manager expressly disclaim any obligations to update or revise any forward- looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

In addition, this document may include target figures for future financial periods. Any such figures are targets only and are not forecasts. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast or a profit estimate.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.

END

IR UOOBRRWUKAAR

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 14, 2020 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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