Press Release

VIS Credit Rating Company Reaffirms Entity Ratings of Yunus Energy Limited

Karachi, March 01, 2021: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has reaffirmed entity ratings of ‘A+/A-1’ (Single A /A-One) to Yunus Energy Limited (YEL). Long Term Rating of ‘A+’ reflects good credit quality, adequate protection factors. Risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. Short Term Rating of ‘A-1’ indicates high certainty of timely payment, excellent liquidity factors supported by good fundamental protection factors and risk factors are minor. Outlook on the assigned ratings is ‘Stable’. Previous rating action was announced on March 18, 2020.

YEL operates a 50 Megawatt (MW) wind power farm, located at Jhimpir-Hyderabad Corridor. The plant comprises 20 wind turbine generators, each with a nameplate capacity of 2.5 MW. YEL commenced commercial operations in September’2016.

Assigned ratings incorporate satisfactory operating track record since commercial operations, low business risk and adequate financial risk profile. The company is part of Yunus Brother Group (YBG), a reputable conglomerate with strong financial profile and presence in diversified sectors including power generation, building materials, real estate, textile, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and automotive sectors. Further, contractual commitment of the sponsor to fund any shortfall in the debt payment account provides comfort to the assigned ratings.

Business risk profile draws support from long-term Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract in place with experienced O&M operator and track record of compliance with normative parameters stipulated in Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) since commencement of operations. Presence of long term EPA with guaranteed capacity payments mitigates off-take risk while adequate insurance coverage is also in place.

Assessment of financial risk profile incorporates sound debt coverage metrics and healthy cash flows in relation to outstanding obligations indicating satisfactory debt servicing ability; however, erratic payment cycle exhibited by power purchaser may translate into some liquidity pressures. However, given GoP’s efforts to devise a mechanism for repayment of the outstanding receivables within an agreed time through the implementation of an MOU, liquidity profile is expected to improve going forward. Gearing and leverage ratios have improved on a timeline basis. Ratings remain dependent on maintaining satisfactory operating track record and achieving projected improvement in leverage indicators over the rating horizon.

For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Ms. Asfia Aziz or the undersigned (Ext. 306) at 021-35311861-70 or email at info@vis.com.pk.



Faryal Ahmad Faheem
Deputy CEO

Applicable Rating Criteria: Industrial Corporates (April 2019)
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/backupsqlvis/docs/Corporate-Methodology-201904.pdf

Information herein was obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable; however, VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.VIS , the analysts involved in the rating process and members of its rating committee do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating(s)/ranking(s) mentioned in this report.VIS is paid a fee for most rating assignments. This rating/ranking is an opinion and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Copyright 2021 VIS Credit Rating Company Limited . All rights reserved. Contents may be used by news media with credit to VIS .