60003 The World Bank Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis Final Report February 2011 Prepared for the World Bank by Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. Project & Client Information: Project: Trung Son Hydropower Project Report: Trung Son Hydropower Project ­ Financial Analysis ­ Final Report Client World Bank Contract No. 7156909 Job No. 50.85 Submission Date: February 26, 2011 File Name: Trung Son Fin Analysis - 30.docx Consultant Information: Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. Canada: Suite 369, 2242 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5N 5X6 Canada Thailand: 20th Floor, Lao Peng Nguan Tower 1 333 Soi Chaoey Puand, Viphavadee ­ Rangsit Rd., Chatuchak Bangkok 10900, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2618-8800 Fax: +66 (0) 2618-8801 E-mail: sierra@sierrawest.ca www.sierrawest.ca Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis- February 2011 Note This report has been prepared for the the World Bank by Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. The findings and recommendations presented in this report are those of the consultant and have been provided to the World Bank for its review and consideration. As such, the findings and recommendations presented in this report do not necessarily represent those of the World Bank. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. i Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS UNITS, CURRENCY UNITS & ABBREVIATIONS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 2. SCOPE & KEY ASSUMPTIONS FOR PROJECT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS .............. 2 2.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Key Assumptions .............................................................................................................. 2 Basic Assumptions .................................................................................................................. 2 Weighted Average Cost of Capital .......................................................................................... 2 Project Costs ............................................................................................................................ 5 Project Revenues ..................................................................................................................... 7 3. PROJECT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS .................................................................................. 8 3.1 Results .............................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Sensitivity Analysis .......................................................................................................... 8 Impact of Changes in Project Capital Costs ............................................................................ 9 Impact of Construction Delays .............................................................................................. 10 4. PROJECT COMPANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS .................................................. 11 4.1 Scope & Key Assumptions ............................................................................................. 11 Scope of Analysis .................................................................................................................. 11 Key Assumptions ................................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Projected Financial Performance .................................................................................... 13 Profitability ............................................................................................................................ 13 Cash Flows & Liquidity ........................................................................................................ 14 Debt & Debt Service.............................................................................................................. 16 ANNEX A ­ PROJECT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS .................................................. 17 ANNEX B ­ PROJECT COMPANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS ........................... 20 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. ii Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Units bp basis point km kilometer kWh kilowatt-hour GWh gigawatt-hour MW megawatt m3 cubic meters Currency Units and Exchange Rate VND Vietnam Dong $ United States Dollar ¢ United States Cents $1 = VND 18,932 Abbreviations CAPM Capital Asset Pricing Model ßa Asset Beta ße Equity Beta ERAV Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam DSCR Debt Service Coverage Ratio EVN Vietnam Electricity FIRR Financial Internal Rate of Return FNPV Financial Net Present Value GOV Government of Vietnam IDC Interest During Construction IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate NYSE New York Stock Exchange PECC4 Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 4 PPA Power Purchase Agreement Re Return on Equity Rf Risk Free Return Rm Expected Market Return RNFA Return on Net Fixed Assets ROE Return on Equity TSHPP Trung Son Hydropower Project TSHPCo Trung Son Hydropower Company VAT Value Added Tax WACC Weighted Average Cost of Capital Fiscal Year The Vietnamese fiscal year is the calendar year ending December 31 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. iii Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 1. Introduction 1. The objective of this report is to undertake and present a financial analysis of the proposed Trung Son Hydropower Project (the project) that meets the appraisal requirements of the World Bank. The Government of Vietnam (GOV) has requested that the Bank consider the provision of a loan to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the funding of a portion of the cost of the project. The loan is proposed to be provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and onlent to Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the project owner. 2. The project will have an installed capacity of 260 megawatts (MW) and be constructed on the Ma River, in Quan Hoa District, Thanh Hoa province in northwestern Vietnam. The project site is approximately 200 kilometers (km) west of Thanh Hoa City and 175 km southwest of Hanoi. In addition to the generation of electricity, the project reservoir storage capacity of 112 ­ 150 million cubic meters (m3) will provide flood protection to downstream areas during the wet season. 3. This report provides our financial analysis of the project. This includes the calculation of the financial internal rate of return (FIRR) and financial net present value (FNPV), and sensitivity analyses of these results. 4. In addition to this introductory section, our report is presented in three sections as follows: Section 2 ­ Scope and Key Assumptions. A description of the scope of the financial analysis as well as the key assumptions underlying the analysis. Section 3 ­ Project Financial Analysis. A presentation of the results of the financial analysis of the Project. This section also provides an analysis of the sensitivity of FIRR and FNPV to changes in key project variables. Section 4 ­ Project Company Financial Projections. A presentation of financial projections for the Trung Son Hydropower Company (TSHPCo), the company that has been established to construct, own and operate the project. 5. In addition to the main text of this report, Annex A provides a presentation of the detailed projections employed in undertaking the project financial analysis. Annex B provides projected financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement) for the project company. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 1 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 2. Scope & Key Assumptions for Project Financial Analysis 2.1 Scope 6. The analysis presented in this report assesses the financial viability of the proposed Trung Son Hydropower Project (TSHPP). The project is considered to be financially viable if the project owner can derive revenues from its operations sufficient to recover all project costs and earn a commercially acceptable return on equity. Financial viability is measured on the basis of the financial internal rate of return (FIRR). FIRR is the discount rate that equalizes the net present value of revenues to the net present value of costs over the entire economic useful life of the project. The FIRR is then compared to the project cost of funds, as estimated by the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The project is considered financially viable if the FIRR is equal to or greater than the WACC. 7. Project financial viability can also be assessed on the basis of the financial net present value (FNPV). The FNPV is the net financial benefit (revenues less costs) discounted at the WACC over its economic useful life. The project is considered financially viable if the FNPV is equal to or greater than zero. The FNPV will yield the same result as the FIRR in terms of assessing the project as being either financially viable or not viable. If the FIRR equals the WACC, the FNPV will be zero. However, the FNPV is generally preferable to FIRR because the magnitude of a project's benefit is inherent in the FNPV. 8. The scope of the financial analysis is limited to the TSHPP and is undertaken from the perspective of the project owner, which is EVN. Therefore, only those revenues and costs that are directly attributable to the project, and are earned or incurred by the project owner, are considered in the analysis. 2.2 Key Assumptions Basic Assumptions 9. Project Life. The financial analysis is undertaken over the project's economic useful life, which includes the project construction period (2011- 2017), two years of partial operations (2016 - 2017), and 39 years of full operations (2018 ­ 2056). The financial analysis is undertaken on the basis of calendar years, which is also the Vietnamese financial year. 10. Price Basis. The financial benefits and costs employed in the analysis are expressed in Vietnamese dong (VND) in constant January 2011 prices on an after-tax basis. 11. Income Tax. The financial analysis is presented on an after-tax basis, meaning that estimated corporate income tax payments are included as a cost to the project. As a result, the FIRR and FNPV are expressed on an after-tax basis. For this reason, the WACC is also expressed on an after-tax basis, meaning the tax shield generated from project debt is incorporated into the WACC calculation. The corporate income tax rate in Vietnam is 25%. The financial analysis assumes that this rate remains at 25% over the entire life of the project. 12. Value Added Tax (VAT). Project costs and revenues are net of VAT. Since EVN receives a refund on its VAT payments, which is offset against its collections of VAT, and this refund is made every quarter, VAT can be excluded. Weighted Average Cost of Capital 13. The WACC is the discount rate used to convert cash flows to a present value basis. The WACC is calculated as the costs of the equity and debt used to finance the project, each weighted by their respective share of the overall project capital structure. In this analysis, two different WACCs are calculated and used as the basis for assessing project financial viability. The Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 2 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 difference between the WACCs is the assumed cost of equity (Re) incorporated into the calculation. This is as follows: Scenario A - Estimated Market Re. The WACC is calculated employing an estimated market determined cost of equity. This is estimated using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Based on this approach, the cost of equity is estimated at 21.0% in real terms. Using this cost of equity, the WACC is estimated to be just under 6.5%, expressed in real terms and on an after-tax basis. This calculation is shown in Part A of Table 1. Scenario B - Fixed Re. Under the Government's draft regulation ("Pricing Methodologies for Determining the Generation Price Bands and Ancillary Services Prices") for the setting of prices of energy produced by new generation facilities, the cost of equity is proposed to be fixed by regulation at 10% in real terms. Using this fixed cost of equity, the WACC is calculated as 4.7%, in real terms on an after-tax basis, as shown in Part B of Table 1. 14. The estimated cost of equity calculated under Scenario A should be viewed as only an approximation of the actual market rate. However, if the estimate does accurately reflect the actual market rate, the 10% rate proposed to be fixed under the price regulation (Scenario B) would yield a below market return to equity holders. This might then limit the supply of equity funds available for the construction of in new generation facilities in Vietnam, particularly from private sources. In the past, however, the GOV as EVN's owner has indicated its willingness to accept lower rates of return on its equity investment in EVN and on individual projects, perhaps in recognition of the non-financial but economic benefits of the project. Table 1: Calculation of Weighted Average Cost of Capital1/ Source of Funds % of Cost of Funds Inflation WACC1/ Project Nominal Tax After Real Rate Cost Prices Rate Tax Prices Scenario A: Estimated Market Re Equity 15.9% 25.59% 0.00% 25.59% 20.98% 3.82% 3.33% Onlent IBRD Loan 84.1% 5.57% 25.00% 4.18% 3.72% 0.44% 3.13% Total 100.0% 6.46% Scenario B: Fixed Re Equity 15.9% 14.20% 0.00% 14.20% 10.00% 3.82% 1.59% Onlent IBRD Loan 84.1% 5.57% 25.00% 4.18% 3.72% 0.44% 3.13% Total 100.00% 4.72% 1/ WACC expressed on an after-tax basis in real prices. 15. A review of 55 electric utilities1 in the United States found that the allowed cost of equity averaged 10.66% in 2007, which was equivalent to a real rate of 7.6%. Therefore, the 10% rate proposed to be fixed for Vietnam is 240 basis points (bp) higher than this US average. However, it does not appear that such a premium would be sufficient to compensate investors for the perceived investment risk differential between the electric utility industries in the two countries. For example, the current yield premium on the 10 year Vietnam government US dollar 1 A Comparative Analysis of Return on Equity for Electric Utilities, June 2008. Prepared by Concentric Energy Advisors for The Coalition of Large Distributors and Hydro One Networks Inc. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 3 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 denominated bond relative to the 10 year US Treasury Note is just under 300 bp. Since both of these bonds are denominated in US dollars, this yield premium does not capture currency risk. For this reason, the premium required for a Vietnam dong denominated investment, such as the proposed project, should exceed 300bp. Therefore, the 10% rate proposed to be fixed by regulation, which provides only a 240 bp premium over comparable investments in the United States, does not appear to fully reflect a market determined rate. 16. A description of the inputs and assumptions employed in calculating the WACC under the alternative costs of equity scenarios is given below. 17. Capital Structure. The project capital structure consists of a mix of debt and equity. The project debt is assumed to consist entirely of the proceeds of the proposed IBRD loan. The proposed IBRD loan is assumed to finance 91% of the total project cost, net of interest during construction (IDC). After inclusion of IDC, the loan would fund the equivalent of just over 84% of the project cost. The remaining 16% of project cost is assumed to be financed through an equity contribution from the project owner, EVN. 18. Cost of Debt. The calculation of the estimated cost of debt is given in Table 2. For the purposes of the calculation of the WACC, the loan provided by IBRD is assumed to be a US dollar denominated fixed spread loan with a term of more than 14 years. The current interest rate on such a loan is 6 month LIBOR + 115 bp. This floating rate is then converted to an equivalent fixed rate basis using the 20 year floating to fixed swap rate, which is presently 4.17%. Given the loan is presently proposed to be provided to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, rather than directly to EVN, the standard 25 bp guarantee fee applied by Vietnam's Ministry of Finance (MOF) must also be included. This brings the total fixed rate equivalent cost of debt to 5.57%, expressed on a pre-tax basis and in nominal prices. As shown in Table 1, this rate is then adjusted for the corporate income tax rate (25%) and the projected average annual international inflation rate (0.44%) so that the cost of debt can be expressed on a an after-tax and real price basis. On this basis, the cost of debt is 3.72%. Table 2: Calculation of Estimated Cost of Debt (pre-tax, nominal prices) IBRD Loan ­ spread over LIBOR 1.15% MOF Spread over IBRD 0.25% Swap to Fixed Rate 4.17% Total Fixed Cost of Debt 5.57% 19. Estimated Market Cost of Equity. The market determined cost of equity is estimated at 25.7%, expressed in nominal prices (Table 3). Adjusted to real prices on the basis of the projected domestic inflation rate, the estimated cost of equity is 21.0% as shown in Part A of Table 1. Therefore, the estimated market rate is significantly greater than the 10% cost of equity proposed to be fixed under the current draft regulation, as shown in Part B of Table 1. 20. The market determined cost of equity incorporated has been estimated on the basis of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), which provides a methodology for estimating the required equity return as a function of the relative risk of the investment. Mathematically, CAPM is expressed as follows: Re = Rf + ße(Rm ­ Rf) Where: Re = cost of equity Rf = risk free rate Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 4 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Rm = expected return on overall equity market ße = equity beta 21. The cost of equity is the rate of return on a risk free investment (Rf), such as government bonds, plus a risk premium appropriate for the project (ße(Rm ­ Rf)). Therefore, the cost of equity for a higher risk project is greater than that having a lower level of risk. Accurately estimating the equity risk premium in any developing country is difficult given that equity markets often lack liquidity and do not have a long track record of operations. Therefore, estimates have been prepared on the basis of data taken from the United States and other countries and then adjusted for application to Vietnam. Table 3: Calculation of Estimated Cost of Equity (pre-tax, nominal prices) Inputs: Risk Free Rate (Rf) = 11.81% Market Return over Risk Free Rate (Rm ­ Rf) = 6.25% Equity Beta (ße) = 2.21 Calculation of Cost of Equity (Re): Re = Rf + ße(Rm ­ Rf) Re = 11.81% + 2.21(6.25%) = 25.59% 22. Risk Free Rate (Rf). The risk free rate is taken as the current yield on the 10 year GOV local currency bond, which is 11.81%. 23. Market Return over Risk Free Rate (Rm ­ Rf). The expected market return (Rm) in excess of the risk free rate (Rf) is derived from the historical return on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) relative the US risk free rate, as estimated by the US 10 year Treasury Note. This provides a market return over the risk free rate of about 5%. This is then multiplied by 1.25 to approximate the relatively higher risk environment of equity markets in Vietnam. Therefore, the market return over the risk free rate (Rm ­ Rf) in Vietnam is assumed to be 6.25%. 24. Equity Beta (ße). Equity beta is a measure of a stock's volatility in relation to the overall market. By definition, the market has a beta of 1.0, and individual stocks are ranked according to their volatility relative to the market. Therefore, an equity beta of more than 1.0 indicates a greater level of volatility than the overall market. Given the same capital structure, electric utilities tend to have lower equity betas than the overall market. 25. The equity beta is estimated on the basis of actual equity betas for 81 electric utilities; 64 in the United States, 11 non-US utilities whose shares are traded on US exchanges, and three publicly listed independent power producers (IPPs) in Thailand. To remove the impact of corporate leverage, the equity beta for each firm is converted to an asset beta. The average asset beta for the 78 US traded utilities is 0.33, while the average asset beta for the three Thai IPPs is 0.36. On this basis, the asset beta for the Trung Son Hydropower Project is assumed to be 0.35. When adjusted for leverage, based on the proposed project capital structure, the equity beta (ße) is 2.21. Project Costs 26. Project costs consist of: (i) capital costs; (ii) equipment refurbishment costs (iii) operating and maintenance costs; (iv) natural resource tax; and, (v) corporate income taxes. Each of these is described briefly below. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 5 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 27. Capital Costs. The estimated project capital cost is VND 6,606 billion ($349 million) as given in Table 4. For the purposes of the financial analysis, the project cost is the baseline cost plus physical contingencies. Price contingencies and IDC are excluded. The cost estimates given in Table 4 were prepared as part of the project feasibility study prepared by PECC4, originally issued in September 2008 and updated to January 2011. The project costs have been prepared by PECC4 in Vietnamese Dong. Imported project inputs have been converted to Vietnamese Dong on the basis of a VND/$ exchange rate of 18,932, which is the State Bank of Vietnam's (SBV) inter-bank average exchange rate as of December 31, 2010. This SBV rate is prescribed by the Ministry of Finance for the conversion of US dollar amounts into equivalent dong for accounting and financial reporting purposes. This most recent cost update was undertaken before the 9.3% devaluation of the dong, which became effective on February 14, 2011. 28. The project costs given in Table 4 are net of Value Added Tax (VAT), which is estimated at VND 408 billion ($21 million) on baseline costs and physical contingencies. As noted earlier, since EVN is refunded its VAT payments on a quarterly basis, it can be excluded. Table 4: Estimated Project Capital Costs1/ Project Component VND $ million billion equivalent2/ 1. Dam & Ancillary Construction 1.1 Dam & Appurtenant Structures 3,789.8 200.2 1.2 Access Roads & Bridges 477.3 25.2 1.3 Power Supply 46.1 2.4 Total 4,313.2 227.8 2. Transmission Line 352.3 32.5 3. Social & Environmental Impact Management 3.1 Resettlement 614.6 32.5 3.2 Health Support 11.4 0.6 3.3 Environmental Management 45.5 2.4 Total 671.5 35.5 4. Project Management 663.2 35.0 5. Other Costs 5.1 Technical Assistance to EVN 56.8 3.0 5.2 Unallocated Amount 233.4 12.3 Total 290.2 15.3 Baseline Cost 6,290.5 332.3 6. Physical Contingencies 315.3 16.7 1/ Total Cost 6,605.9 348.9 1/ Project costs prepared by PECC4 and issued 26 September 2008 and updated to January 2011. 2/ VND costs converted to equivalent US dollars at exchange rate of VND 18,932. 3/ Total cost excluding price contingencies and interest during construction. 29. Equipment Refurbishments. A provision for refurbishment of major equipment items is made and included in the project cash flows. This provision is set at VND 735 billion ($38 million), expressed on a year-end 2010 price basis, in each of Years 19 and 20 of operations. 30. Operating and Maintenance Cost. For the purposes of the financial analysis, this includes operating and maintenance costs as well as a provision for routine equipment overhauls and replacements. Only cash expenditures on operations and maintenance costs are relevant to the Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 6 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 financial analysis. Therefore, non-cash items, such as depreciation expense, are excluded. On this basis, operating and maintenance costs are assumed to be equivalent to 1.5% of the project capital cost. 31. Natural Resource Tax. The analysis includes payments of the natural resource tax which is applied to hydropower facilities in Vietnam. The tax is applied at 2% of the average retail electricity tariff multiplied by retail energy sales from the hydropower facility. Retail energy sales are calculated as generation less estimated system losses. The average retail electricity tariff is presently VND 1,056/kWh and, for the purposes of this analysis, is assumed to increase at a real rate of 0.5% per year over the forecast period. System losses are presently estimated at just over 10% and are assumed to gradually decline to just over 8% over the forecast period. 32. Corporate Income Tax. The corporate income tax rate is presently 25% and is assumed to remain unchanged over the project life. Since corporate income tax is applied on the basis of accounting profit, projected income statements for the project have been developed to estimate taxable income in each year. These income statements, together with projected cash flow statements, are given in Annex B. Taxable income is calculated as revenue minus operating and maintenance costs, depreciation, and interest expense on the project loan, net of any eligible loss carryforwards. Project Revenues 33. For the purposes of the financial analysis, project revenues are assumed to be derived entirely from the sale of electricity. While the project may also earn revenue from ancillary services, this is likely to be insignificant in comparison to energy sales and is, therefore, not considered here. 34. Pricing. Energy produced by the project will be priced in accordance with the evolving market design for the development of a competitive generation market in Vietnam. A power purchase agreement (PPA) covering a 10 year period would be signed with the Single Buyer for the purchase of the energy output of the project. Under the existing draft regulations, an energy only price will be set for output from new hydro facilities within a range set by the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) for standard PPAs. 35. For the purposes of the financial analysis, the price is set at the minimum level required to make the project financially viable. This means setting the price at a level necessary to achieve an FIRR for the project that just equals the WACC. Setting the price at this level will also mean that the FNPV will be zero, which is threshold of financial viability. Since this analysis employs two alternative estimates of WACC estimates, two alternative prices are calculated. 36. Energy Output. The contracted energy output is based on that estimated under average hydrological conditions. Based on a reservoir simulation undertaken as part of the feasibility analysis of the project, this is estimated to be 1,019 GWh per year. 37. Under the current draft pricing regulation, the generator bears hydrological risk. Therefore, should actual energy output fall short of that contracted, the project will need to cover the resulting shortfall by purchasing energy on the spot market. Alternatively, should energy output be greater than that contracted, the project can sell this surplus energy at the prevailing market price. For the purposes of the base case financial analysis, it is assumed that there are no shortfalls or surpluses in energy output. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 7 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 3. Project Financial Analysis 3.1 Results 38. The energy price required to achieve the minimum threshold of financial viability is calculated under two alternative WACCs. These WACCs differ only in terms of the assumed cost of equity (Re). As shown in Table 5, Scenario A assumes that the cost of equity is set at the estimated market rate of 21.0% in real terms. Under Scenario B, the cost of equity is fixed by regulation at 10%, also expressed in real terms. This then leads to two different WACCs; 6.5% under Scenario A and 4.7% under Scenario B. Table 5: Financial Analysis - Summary Results Indicator Scenario A Scenario B Estimated Market Re Fixed Re Re (%) 21.0% 10.0% FIRR (%) 6.5% 4.7% FNPV (VND billion) 0 0 Energy Price (VND/kWh) 753 607 39. FIRR & FNPV. Since the analysis has been undertaken to determine the minimum threshold of financial viability, the energy price is calculated so that FIRR just equals WACC. Therefore, under Scenario A, the FIRR is 6.5%, while under Scenario B, the FIRR is 4.7% (Table 5). Similarly, the FNPV under both scenarios is zero, meaning the project is financially viable, but only just so. 40. Price. Given that the cost of equity is set at the estimated market rate, as under Scenario A, the minimum energy price required to achieve financial viability is estimated at VND 753/kWh, expressed in real terms. Based on the VND/$ exchange rate in December 2010, this is equivalent to 3.9¢/kWh. Alternatively, if the cost of equity can be fixed by regulation at 10%, as under Scenario B, the minimum required price is estimated at VND 607/kWh, equivalent to 3.1¢/kWh. 41. Even at the higher price of VND 753/kWh, as under Scenario A, the project appears to be competitive with other existing and planned generation facilities in Vietnam. Prices for existing facilities selling to EVN presently range from about VND 550/kWh to VND 750/kWh. The estimated price for a hydro project completed in 2009, which has output similar to Trung Son, was initially set at about VND 650/kWh. 42. The Scenario B tariff is about 10% above the lower end of price range noted above for existing facilities selling energy to EVN and about 7% lower than the VND 650/kWh price noted above for a recently completed hydro project. However, Scenario A is assessed as providing the more realistic indication of the tariff required to ensure the commercial viability of the project. 43. The detailed projections underlying these results are presented in Annex A of this report. 3.2 Sensitivity Analysis 44. An analysis is undertaken to test the sensitivity of FIRR and FNPV to changes in selected key variables above and below their estimated values. The variables tested are: (i) changes in project capital costs; and, (ii) changes in energy output resulting from changes in hydrological conditions. The analysis is undertaken on the basis of Scenario A described earlier, meaning that Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 8 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 the WACC is set at 6.5% on the basis of an estimated market determined cost of equity. The results of the sensitivity analyses are summarized below. Impact of Changes in Project Capital Costs 45. The impact of changes in project costs on FIRR and FNPV is assessed using Monte Carlo analysis, the results of which are summarized in Tables 6 and 7. The analysis assumes a triangular distribution of possible project costs, in which the maximum is set at 30% above the base case estimate of VND 6,606 billion (Table 4), while the minimum is set at 15% below this base case estimate. Table 6: Changes in Project Costs ­ Probability Distribution Percentile th th th th 10 20 30 40 50th 60th 70th 80th 90th FIRR 5.2% 5.5% 5.7% 6.0% 6.1% 6.3% 6.5% 6.7% 7.0% FNPV1/ (975) (730) (546) (369) (223) (85) 36 167 336 1/ Expressed in VND billion in constant January 2011 prices. 46. Table 6 shows an estimated probability distribution for FIRR and FNPV given changes in project costs. This gives the estimated FIRR and FNPV for each percentile in the distribution of results generated by the Monte Carlo simulation. For example, the 20th percentile values for FIRR and FNPV are 5.5% and ­VND 730 billion respectively. These represent the values for FIRR and FNPV that are equal to or higher than 20% of the results observed during the simulation. Put another way, there is an 80% probability that the FIRR and FNPV will be greater than 5.5% and ­VND 730 billion. 47. The probability distribution indicates the likely range of FIRR and FNPV resulting from changes in project costs above and below the base case estimate of VND 6,606 billion. An increase in project costs above this amount will result in a reduction in the FIRR and FNPV below their base case estimates of 6.5% and zero, as given in Table 5. Alternatively, should project costs be lower than estimated, FIRR and FNPV will be higher. Based on the probability distribution shown in Table 6, it can be concluded that there is an 80% probability that any changes in project costs will yield an FIRR of between 5.2% and 7.0%. Similarly, there is an 80% probability that FNPV will be between a low of ­VND 975 billion and a high of VND 336 billion. 48. Table 7 takes this same probability distribution and uses it as the basis for estimating the probabilities of achieving specific targeted FIRRs. For example, the simulation estimates that, despite possible changes in project costs, there is a 100% probability of achieving an FIRR of 4.0% or higher. At the other end of the distribution, it is estimated that there is a 0% probability of achieving an FIRR of 8.0% or higher. These absolute probabilities are due to the triangular distribution assumed for project cost over-runs and under-runs. Table 7: Changes in Project Costs ­ Probability Distribution Target FIRR 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 6.5% 7.0% 8.0% Probability 100.0% 95.3% 57.4% 30.7% 9.5% 0.0% 49. The estimated probability that the FIRR is at least that estimated under the base case (Scenario A) FIRR, 6.5%, is 31%. The reason why the probability of achieving at least this base case FIRR is less than 50% is because of the assumption of a triangular distribution of possible project costs. Under this distribution, the probability of a cost over-run is assumed to be significantly greater than that for a cost under-run. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 9 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Impact of Construction Delays 50. The impact of delays in construction completion on financial returns was assessed on the basis of the same scenarios employed in the economic analysis. Under the base case, which assumes no delay, the energy price required to achieve the minimum threshold of financial viability is calculated as VND 753/kWh. If the project is delayed by one year after 5 years of construction, the required energy price increases by 5%, to VND 790/kWh (Table 8). However, if this one year delay occurs after the second year, the impact is less significant; the required energy price is VND 770/kWh, an increase of just over 2%. Table 8: Impact of Construction Delays on Energy Price Delay Scenario Increase in Energy Price Project Cost1/ (VND/kWh) Base Case ­ No Delay Not applicable 753 1 Year Delay After 5 Years of Construction 0% 790 1 Year Delay After 5 Years of Construction 5% 829 1 Year Delay After 2 Years of Construction 0% 770 1 Year Delay After 2 Years of Construction 5% 813 2 Year Delay After 5 Years of Construction 10% 912 1/ Increase in project capital cost relative to Base Case. 51. If the delays also increase the project cost, which is likely, the impact is somewhat greater. If a one year delay after 5 years of construction results in a 5% increase in project cost, the energy price would need to be set at a minimum of VND 829/kWh, which is 10% higher than the base case. If the one year delay occurs after the second year, and the cost increase is also 5%, the required energy price is VND 813/kWh, or 8% higher than the base case. 52. Longer delays that cause larger cost over-runs will have a greater impact on the required energy price. For example, a two year delay after 5 years of construction that causes project costs to increase by 10% would require the energy price to be set at a minimum of VND 912/kWh, a 21% increase over the base case (Table 8). Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 10 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 4. Project Company Financial Projections 4.1 Scope & Key Assumptions Scope of Analysis 53. Financial projections have been prepared for the Trung Son Hydropower Company (TSHPCo), the company to be established to construct, own and operate the Trung Son Project. These projections provide the basis upon which an assessment of the financial viability and sustainability of the company can be undertaken. The projections cover the first 20 years of the operation of the company (2011 ­ 2030) and consist of financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement) for TSHPCo. A summary of these financial projections are given in Tables 10 and 11. Detailed financial projections for the company are provided in Annex B. 54. The projections incorporate all operating revenue and expenses, capital investments, loan repayments and borrowings estimated to be incurred by TSHPCo over the forecast period. Since the scope of the company is limited to the construction and operation of the TSHPP, all revenues and expenditures earned and incurred by the company relate entirely to this project. 55. The TSHPCo projections have been prepared on the basis of Scenario A as described in Sections 2 and 3 of this report. Under this scenario, the energy price over the life of the project is set to recover the estimated market determined cost of equity. As noted in Section 3.1, the required energy price is VND 753/kWh. Key Assumptions 56. The key assumptions underlying the TSHPCo financial projections are as follows: Price Basis. Unlike the project financial analysis, which is undertaken on a real price basis, the company financial projections are prepared on the basis of nominal prices. This means that projected revenues and costs in each year over the forecast period incorporate projected inflation. Operating revenues and expenses are adjusted by the projected domestic inflation rate. Project capital costs are adjusted by both the domestic and foreign inflation rates on the basis of the estimated split between local currency and foreign currency costs. Inflation. Projected domestic and foreign inflation rates over the forecast period are given in Table 9. The domestic inflation rate for the 2011 ­ 2013 period is derived from the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook, as published in October 2010. Beyond 2013, the domestic inflation rate is assumed to very gradually decline from 5% to 3%. The foreign inflation is the MUV index as of August 2010. Table 9: Projected Inflation Rates Inflation Rate 2011 2012 2013 - 2022 - 2031 - 2021 2030 2056 Domestic 8.0% 6.1% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% Foreign 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% Operating Revenues. Consist entirely of TSHPP energy sales as projected under Scenario A. As was shown in Section 3.1 of this report, the estimated energy price required under Scenario A is VND 753/kWh, expressed in real prices. This price is converted to nominal prices on the basis of the projected domestic inflation rate. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 11 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Capital Costs. Capital expenditures are limited to that for the initial construction of TSHPP, as well as subsequent replacements of equipment over the life of the facility. Initial construction costs are taken from Table 4, but adjusted to incorporate price contingencies and interest during construction. As was noted in Section 2.2 of this report, the provision for equipment replacements is set at VND 735 billion ($38 million), expressed on a year-end 2010 price basis, in each of Years 19 and 20 of operations. Operating & Maintenance Expenses. Operating and maintenance expenses are limited to those for the operation and maintenance of the project. As was noted in Section 2.2, operating and maintenance costs are assumed to be equivalent to 1.5% of the project capital cost. Operating and maintenance costs are converted to nominal prices on the basis of the projected domestic inflation rate. Natural Resource Tax. As noted in Section 2.2, the natural resources tax is at 2% of the average retail electricity tariff multiplied by retail energy sales from the hydropower facility. Depreciation. Depreciation is calculated separately for civil works and equipment. Based on Vietnamese accounting and tax regulations, depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis over 30 years for civil works and 10 years for equipment. Corporate Income Tax. The corporate income tax rate is presently 25% and is assumed to remain unchanged over the project life. Interest on Debt. Debt consists entirely of the on lent proceeds of the IBRD loan. As was discussed in Section 2.2 of this report, the IBRD loan is assumed to be a US dollar denominated fixed spread loan with a term of more than 14 years. The current interest rate on such a loan is 6 month LIBOR + 115 bp. After the addition of the standard 25 bp guarantee fee applied by MOF, the cost of the loan to TSHPCo is LIBOR + 140 bp. In 2010, the average LIBOR rate was only 0.52%, its lowest level in history. However, as economic conditions improve, LIBOR will increase to more normal levels. For the purposes of the financial projections, LIBOR is assumed to gradually increase until it reaches the historical average rate over the past decade, which is 3.40%. It is assumed that LIBOR reaches 3.40% by 2020 and then remains constant at this level over the remainder of the forecast period. Debt Repayment. The IBRD loan is repaid over a 20 year period (2018 ­ 2037) after a seven year grace period (2011 ­ 2017). Foreign Exchange Losses. The IBRD loan is denominated in US dollars and is assumed to be unhedged. Given the projected deprecation of the dong over the forecast period, the TSHPCo would incur a foreign exchange loss in each year over the term of the loan. Consistent with Vietnamese accounting standards, the loss is deferred over the project construction period and then amortized over the first five years of operations. Shareholder Dividends. In addition to those cash outflows to cover operations and maintenance expenses and debt service, the company would also pay out dividends to its shareholders. Since it is presently assumed that the scope of the company is limited to the TSHPP, there is no need to retain profits for investment in other projects or businesses. Instead, the need to retain profits is limited to the maintenance of a cash reserve in order to ensure that the company can meet it financial obligations despite any adverse changes in revenues or costs. On this basis, the projections assume that Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 12 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 TSHPCo would begin dividend payments in 2020. Any surplus cash above the reserve requirement would be paid out in dividends. The reserve requirement is to maintain a cash balance equal to six months' worth of total cash expenditures on operations and maintenance, taxes, and debt service. Accounts Receivable. Receivables consist entirely of payments due for the sale of electricity. It is assumed that receivables are equivalent to 30 days' worth of annual billings. Inventory. Inventory is assumed to be equivalent to 30 days' worth of annual cash expenditures on operations and maintenance. Accounts Payable. Payables are assumed to be equivalent to 20 days' worth of annual cash expenditures on operations and maintenance. 4.2 Projected Financial Performance Profitability 57. The projections indicate TSHPCo should be profitable in all years over the life of the project with the possible exception of 2018 and 2019, in which net losses of VND 27 billion ($1.4 million) and VND 4 billion ($0.2 million) are projected (Table 10, Part A). These losses are due to interest expense and the anticipated foreign exchange loss on the company's debt. With loan repayments just beginning, interest expense are high in 2018, about VND 322 billion ($13 million) (Table 11, Part C). Furthermore, under Vietnamese regulations, foreign exchange losses incurred during project construction are deferred and recognized over the first five years after construction completion, which would be the period from 2018 to 2022. Given a modest but continual depreciation of the VND, the loss that would be recognized in 2018 is estimated at VND 380 billion ($15 million). However, because this foreign exchange loss is largely unrealized, meaning it related to debt not yet due, it would not have a significant impact on cash flows in 2018. Furthermore, the projected overall net loss is modest in relation to operating revenue, which is projected at VND 1,198 billion ($48 million) in 2018 (Table 10, Part A). 58. Over the remainder of the forecast period, profits are projected to be stable and gradually increase in line with increases in the energy tariff. The return on net fixed assets (RNFA) is projected to increase from -0.1% in 2019 to 18.2% by 2030 (Table 11, Part A). The improvement in the return on equity (ROE) is projected to be even more significant, increasing from -0.4% in 2019 to 68% in 2030 (Table 11, Part A). These large increases reflect the single project scope of the company's operations. With only one project, the net book value of the company's fixed assets gradually decline over time, which increases the RNFA. As noted above, with only one project, additional investment requirements are very limited, meaning that a large share of profits can be paid out to shareholders rather than being retained for reinvestment. With profits being paid out, the company's equity balance remains relatively stable, which means that ROE improves significantly as net profit increases. Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 13 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table 10: Trung Son Hydropower Company ­ Projected Financial Statements (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 A. Income Statements Operating Revenue 0 0 0 0 0 24 934 1,198 1,257 1,320 1,386 1,449 1,507 1,567 1,629 1,695 1,762 1,833 1,906 1,982 Operating Expense 0 0 0 0 0 7 415 523 533 543 553 563 572 582 592 602 560 558 570 583 Operating Profit 0 0 0 0 0 17 520 675 725 778 833 886 934 985 1,038 1,092 1,203 1,274 1,336 1,400 Financial Expense 0 0 0 0 0 0 200 702 729 746 729 663 496 474 450 424 397 369 339 308 Income Tax 0 0 0 0 0 4 80 0 0 0 26 56 109 128 147 167 201 226 249 273 Net Profit after Tax 0 0 0 0 0 12 239 (27) (4) 31 78 167 328 383 441 501 604 679 748 819 B. Balance Sheets Current Assets 2 2 2 2 2 18 533 811 1,092 653 679 714 731 749 767 792 813 833 854 875 Non-Current Assets 726 1,884 3,136 4,533 6,128 8,352 8,490 8,154 7,817 7,481 7,145 6,809 6,473 6,136 5,800 5,464 5,182 4,911 4,641 4,371 Total Assets 728 1,886 3,138 4,535 6,130 8,370 9,023 8,965 8,910 8,134 7,824 7,523 7,204 6,885 6,567 6,256 5,995 5,745 5,495 5,246 Current Liabilities 0 0 0 0 0 0 413 427 440 453 467 478 489 500 512 524 536 549 562 575 Non-Current Liabilities 348 1,261 2,431 3,833 5,403 7,577 7,729 7,538 7,330 7,102 6,855 6,545 6,218 5,871 5,506 5,120 4,714 4,287 3,837 3,364 Equity 381 625 707 702 727 793 881 999 1,140 579 502 500 497 514 550 612 744 909 1,096 1,307 Total Liabilities & Equity 728 1,886 3,138 4,535 6,130 8,370 9,023 8,965 8,910 8,134 7,824 7,523 7,204 6,885 6,567 6,256 5,995 5,745 5,495 5,246 C. Cash Flow Statements Net Cash Flows from: Operations 0 0 0 0 0 14 631 988 1,056 1,109 1,138 1,161 1,156 1,188 1,221 1,256 1,278 1,312 1,350 1,390 Investing Activities (726) (1,158) (1,252) (1,397) (1,595) (2,227) (407) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Financing Activities 728 1,158 1,252 1,397 1,595 2,227 207 (735) (780) (1,554) (1,118) (1,131) (1,144) (1,176) (1,209) (1,236) (1,264) (1,299) (1,337) (1,376) Net Cash Flow 2 0 0 0 0 14 430 253 276 (445) 19 30 12 12 12 19 15 13 14 14 Ending Cash Balance 1/ 2 2 2 2 2 16 446 700 976 531 550 580 591 603 616 635 650 663 677 691 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 14 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table 11: Trung Son Hydropower Company ­ Key Financial Indicators (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 A. Key Performance Indicators Return on Equity (%) 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.6% 28.6% -2.9% -0.4% 3.7% 14.4% 33.3% 65.9% 75.8% 82.9% 86.3% 89.1% 82.2% 74.6% 68.2% Return on Net Fixed Assets (%) - - - - - 0.3% 2.8% -0.3% -0.1% 0.4% 1.1% 2.4% 4.9% 6.1% 7.4% 8.9% 11.4% 13.5% 15.7% 18.2% Current Ratio - - - - - 107.5 1.3 1.9 2.5 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Debt : Equity Ratio 48:52 67:33 77:23 85:15 88:12 91:9 90:10 89:11 87:13 93:7 94:6 93:7 93:7 93:7 92:8 90:10 88:12 84:16 80:20 75:25 Debt Service Coverage Ratio 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 2.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 B. Capital Expenditures Capital Expenditures & IDC 726 1,158 1,252 1,397 1,595 2,227 407 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Debt New Borrowing 341 890 1,117 1,311 1,436 1,985 330 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Principal Repayments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 413 425 438 450 462 473 484 495 506 518 530 542 554 Interest Paid 2 19 57 110 174 253 277 322 355 378 368 355 341 325 309 292 274 254 234 213 Debt at Year End 348 1,261 2,431 3,833 5,403 7,577 8,135 7,957 7,761 7,546 7,312 7,013 6,696 6,360 6,006 5,632 5,238 4,822 4,385 3,925 D. Dividends Dividends Paid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 738 300 314 331 367 405 438 472 514 561 609 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 15 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Cash Flows & Liquidity 59. The company is projected to earn a positive net cash flow in all years over the project operating life (Table 10, Part C). As noted above, surplus cash would be paid out as dividends, subject to the requirement to maintain an adequate cash reserve. Therefore, after payment of the dividend, the cash balance would remain relatively stable in order to cover this reserve requirement. The shorter-term liquidity position of the company should be satisfactory in all years. The current ratio, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, is expected to range between 1.3 and 2.5 over the 2017 ­ 2030 period, which is considered adequate (Table 10, Part A). Debt & Debt Service 60. The largest cash expenditure in each year over the 2018 ­ 2030 period is for the repayment of debt and the interest expense on this debt. In 2018, total debt service is estimated at VND 735 billion ($29 million) (Table 11, Part C). Given the assumption of a constant principal repayment loan, debt service, expressed in US dollar terms, would then gradually decline in each year thereafter. However, when converted to dong, because of the projected depreciation of the dong against the dollar, debt service would increase by about 10% between 2018 and 2021 and then gradually decline thereafter. The ability of the company to service this debt is measured by the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) (Table 11, Part A). The DSCR is projected to be satisfactory in all years, although in some of initial years of loan repayment, such as 2018, the DSCR may be near the bottom end of the range typically considered satisfactory. Tailoring repayments during this initial period so that debt service is reduced would ensure that debt service capacity is maintained within this satisfactory range. 61. Since all debt is denominated in US dollars, actual debt service in VND equivalent will vary depending on the exchange rate in each year over the forecast period. The ability to mitigate this exchange rate exposure by converting future foreign currency loan obligations into VND is presently limited. However, as the Vietnamese financial market continues to develop, it is likely that suitable hedging mechanisms, such as swaps and forwards, will become available over the repayment period of the loan. Mechanisms for hedging US dollar exposure will probably develop earlier and more rapidly than for other foreign currencies. Furthermore, since the VND is managed primarily in relation to the US dollar, the volatility of the VND/$ exchange rate is normally less than that for other foreign currencies. Therefore, foreign exchange exposure is lower. 62. TSHPCo's total debt peaks at VND 8,135 ($330 million) in 2017, just before principal repayments begin in 2018 (Table 11, Part C). By 2030, debt would be less than half this original amount, VND 3,925 billion ($115 million). As a result, the degree of leverage in the company capital structure will be progressively reduced. The debt to equity ratio is projected to decline from 90:10 in 2017 to 75:25 by the end of 2030 (Table 11, Part A). Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 16 ANNEX A PROJECT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Scenario A ­ WACC is set at Table A1: Financial Analysis - Scenario A 6.5% (VND billion, constant 2011 prices) Financial Internal Rate of Return (%): 6.46% Net Financial Present Value (VND billions): 0.00 Weighted Average Cost of Capital (%): 6.46% Average Price (VND/kWh): 753 Average Price (US cents/kWh): 3.86 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 A. Cash Inflows Sales Receipts 0 0 0 0 0 17 628 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 B. Cash Outflows Capital Costs (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,493) (240) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Operating & Maintenance Costs 0 0 0 0 0 (2) (81) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) Natural Resources Tax 0 0 0 0 0 (0) (17) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) Income Tax 0 0 0 0 0 (3) (54) 0 0 (0) (14) (29) (56) (63) (69) (76) (88) (95) (100) (106) (113) (117) (122) Total (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,498) (392) (120) (120) (120) (134) (150) (176) (183) (190) (196) (208) (215) (221) (227) (234) (238) (243) C. Net Cash Flow After Tax (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,481) 236 647 647 647 633 618 591 584 577 571 559 552 546 540 533 529 524 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045 2046 2047 2048 2049 2050 2051 2052 2053 2054 2055 2056 A. Cash Inflows Sales Receipts 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 767 B. Cash Outflows Capital Costs 0 (735) (735) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Operating & Maintenance Costs (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) Natural Resources Tax (22) (22) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (25) (25) (25) (25) Income Tax (126) (126) (124) (125) (128) (129) (130) (131) (132) (133) (133) (134) (145) (158) (161) (161) (161) (161) (161) (161) (161) (161) (161) Total (247) (983) (980) (246) (250) (251) (252) (253) (254) (255) (256) (257) (268) (281) (284) (284) (284) (284) (284) (284) (285) (285) (285) C. Net Cash Flow After Tax 520 (216) (213) 521 517 516 515 514 513 512 511 510 499 486 483 483 483 483 483 483 483 482 482 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 18 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Scenario B ­ WACC is set at Table A2: Financial Analysis - Scenario B 4.7% (VND billion, constant 2011 prices) Financial Internal Rate of Return (%): 4.72% Net Financial Present Value (VND billions): 0.00 Weighted Average Cost of Capital (%): 4.72% Average Price (VND/kWh): 607 Average Price (US cents/kWh): 3.11 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 A. Cash Inflows Sales Receipts 0 0 0 0 0 14 507 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 B. Cash Outflows Capital Costs (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,493) (240) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Operating & Maintenance Costs 0 0 0 0 0 (2) (81) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) Natural Resources Tax 0 0 0 0 0 (0) (17) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (21) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) (22) Income Tax 0 0 0 0 0 (2) (23) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) (51) (58) (63) (69) (76) (80) (84) Total (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,497) (361) (120) (120) (120) (120) (120) (120) (120) (120) (122) (171) (178) (184) (189) (197) (201) (206) C. Net Cash Flow After Tax (673) (1,010) (1,018) (1,053) (1,118) (1,484) 145 499 499 499 498 498 498 498 498 497 447 440 434 429 422 417 413 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045 2046 2047 2048 2049 2050 2051 2052 2053 2054 2055 2056 A. Cash Inflows Sales Receipts 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 618 B. Cash Outflows Capital Costs 0 (735) (735) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Operating & Maintenance Costs (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) (99) Natural Resources Tax (22) (22) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (23) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (24) (25) (25) (25) (25) Income Tax (89) (89) (87) (87) (91) (92) (93) (94) (95) (96) (96) (97) (108) (121) (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) Total (210) (946) (943) (209) (213) (214) (215) (216) (217) (218) (219) (220) (230) (244) (247) (247) (247) (247) (247) (247) (247) (247) (248) C. Net Cash Flow After Tax 409 (327) (325) 409 406 404 403 402 402 401 400 399 388 375 372 372 371 371 371 371 371 371 371 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 19 ANNEX B PROJECT COMPANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table B1: Key Financial Indicators - Scenario A (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Profitability Operating Margin (%) - - - - - 70% 56% 56% 58% 59% 60% 61% 62% 63% 64% 64% 68% 70% 70% 71% Return on Equity (%) 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.6% 28.6% -2.9% -0.4% 3.7% 14.4% 33.3% 65.9% 75.8% 82.9% 86.3% 89.1% 82.2% 74.6% 68.2% Return on Net Fixed Assets (%) - - - - - 0.3% 2.8% -0.3% -0.1% 0.4% 1.1% 2.4% 4.9% 6.1% 7.4% 8.9% 11.4% 13.5% 15.7% 18.2% Liquidity & Capital Structure Current Ratio - - - - - 107.5 1.3 1.9 2.5 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Cash Balance (VND billions) 2 2 2 2 2 16 446 700 976 531 550 580 591 603 616 635 650 663 677 691 Debt:Equity Ratio 48:52 67:33 77:23 85:15 88:12 91:9 90:10 89:11 87:13 93:7 94:6 93:7 93:7 93:7 92:8 90:10 88:12 84:16 80:20 75:25 Debt Service Debt Service Coverage Ratio 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.06 2.56 1.38 1.36 1.37 1.40 1.43 1.43 1.47 1.53 1.58 1.62 1.68 1.75 1.82 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 21 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table B2: Projected Income Statements - Scenario A (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Operating Revenue Sales Revenue 0 0 0 0 0 24 934 1,198 1,257 1,320 1,386 1,449 1,507 1,567 1,629 1,695 1,762 1,833 1,906 1,982 Operating Expenses Operations & Maintenance 0 0 0 0 0 3 121 155 162 171 179 187 195 202 210 219 228 237 246 256 Natural Resources Tax 0 0 0 0 0 1 25 32 34 36 38 40 41 43 45 47 49 52 54 56 Depreciation 0 0 0 0 0 4 269 336 336 336 336 336 336 336 336 336 283 270 270 270 Total 0 0 0 0 0 7 415 523 533 543 553 563 572 582 592 602 560 558 570 583 Interest Expense 0 0 0 0 0 0 200 322 355 378 368 355 341 325 309 292 274 254 234 213 Foreign Exchange Loss (Gain) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 380 374 368 362 308 156 148 141 132 124 114 105 94 Net Profit before Tax 0 0 0 0 0 17 319 (27) (4) 31 104 222 438 511 588 668 806 906 997 1,092 Income Tax 0 0 0 0 0 4 80 0 0 0 26 56 109 128 147 167 201 226 249 273 Net Profit after Tax 0 0 0 0 0 12 239 (27) (4) 31 78 167 328 383 441 501 604 679 748 819 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 22 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table B3: Projected Cash Flow Statements - Scenario A (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Operating Cash Flows Sales Receipts 0 0 0 0 0 22 859 1,176 1,253 1,315 1,381 1,443 1,502 1,562 1,624 1,689 1,757 1,827 1,900 1,976 Operating Expenditures 0 0 0 0 0 (3) (124) (156) (163) (171) (179) (187) (195) (203) (211) (219) (228) (237) (247) (256) Natural Resources Tax Paid 0 0 0 0 0 (1) (25) (32) (34) (36) (38) (40) (41) (43) (45) (47) (49) (52) (54) (56) Income Tax Paid 0 0 0 0 0 (4) (80) 0 0 (0) (26) (56) (109) (128) (147) (167) (201) (226) (249) (273) Net Cash from Operations 0 0 0 0 0 14 631 988 1,056 1,109 1,138 1,161 1,156 1,188 1,221 1,256 1,278 1,312 1,350 1,390 Investing Cash Flows Capital Costs (724) (1,139) (1,195) (1,287) (1,421) (1,974) (331) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Interest During Construction (2) (19) (57) (110) (174) (253) (77) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Net Cash from Investments (726) (1,158) (1,252) (1,397) (1,595) (2,227) (407) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Financing Cash Flows Equity Injections 387 268 135 86 159 241 77 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Loan Drawdowns 341 890 1,117 1,311 1,436 1,985 330 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Principal Repayments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (413) (425) (438) (450) (462) (473) (484) (495) (506) (518) (530) (542) (554) Operating Interest Paid 0 0 0 0 0 0 (200) (322) (355) (378) (368) (355) (341) (325) (309) (292) (274) (254) (234) (213) Dividends Paid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (738) (300) (314) (331) (367) (405) (438) (472) (514) (561) (609) Net Cash from Financing 728 1,158 1,252 1,397 1,595 2,227 207 (735) (780) (1,554) (1,118) (1,131) (1,144) (1,176) (1,209) (1,236) (1,264) (1,299) (1,337) (1,376) Net Cash Flows Change in Cash 2 0 0 0 0 14 430 253 276 (445) 19 30 12 12 12 19 15 13 14 14 Ending Cash Balance 2 2 2 2 2 16 446 700 976 531 550 580 591 603 616 635 650 663 677 691 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 23 Trung Son Hydropower Project Financial Analysis ­ February 2011 Table B4: Projected Balance Sheets - Scenario A (VND billion, nominal prices) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Assets Current Assets Cash 2 2 2 2 2 16 446 700 976 531 550 580 591 603 616 635 650 663 677 691 Accounts Receivable 0 0 0 0 0 2 77 98 103 109 114 119 124 129 134 139 145 151 157 163 Inventory 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 19 19 20 21 Total 2 2 2 2 2 18 533 811 1,092 653 679 714 731 749 767 792 813 833 854 875 Non-Currrent Assets Construction in Progress 726 1,884 3,136 4,533 6,128 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Net Fixed Assets 0 0 0 0 0 8,352 8,490 8,154 7,817 7,481 7,145 6,809 6,473 6,136 5,800 5,464 5,182 4,911 4,641 4,371 Total 726 1,884 3,136 4,533 6,128 8,352 8,490 8,154 7,817 7,481 7,145 6,809 6,473 6,136 5,800 5,464 5,182 4,911 4,641 4,371 Total Assets 728 1,886 3,138 4,535 6,130 8,370 9,023 8,965 8,910 8,134 7,824 7,523 7,204 6,885 6,567 6,256 5,995 5,745 5,495 5,246 Liabilities & Equity Current Liabilities Current Portion LT Debt 0 0 0 0 0 0 407 419 431 444 457 468 478 489 501 512 524 536 548 561 Accounts Payable 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 413 427 440 453 467 478 489 500 512 524 536 549 562 575 Non-Current Liabilities Long Term Debt 348 1,261 2,431 3,833 5,403 7,577 7,729 7,538 7,330 7,102 6,855 6,545 6,218 5,871 5,506 5,120 4,714 4,287 3,837 3,364 Equity Shareholder Capital 387 655 791 877 1,036 1,277 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 1,355 Retained Earnings 0 0 0 0 0 12 252 225 221 (486) (708) (855) (858) (841) (805) (743) (610) (446) (258) (48) Exchange Loss Reserve (7) (30) (84) (174) (309) (497) (726) (581) (436) (290) (145) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 381 625 707 702 727 793 881 999 1,140 579 502 500 497 514 550 612 744 909 1,096 1,307 Total Liabilities & Equity 728 1,886 3,138 4,535 6,130 8,370 9,023 8,965 8,910 8,134 7,824 7,523 7,204 6,885 6,567 6,256 5,995 5,745 5,495 5,246 Sierra West Consulting Group Inc. 24