Bahrain's Al Ezzel Power Company closes $243 finance deal
ABU DHABI, October 6, 2018
Al Ezzel Power Company, a key electricity supplier in Bahrain, today (October 6) celebrated the closing of a $243-million new financing facility.
This is a landmark achievement in the Bahrain infrastructure financing market, as the entire financing was extended by local and regional banks, said a statement from the company.
The new financing was provided by Arab Banking Corporation, National Bank of Kuwait, Mashreq Bank, National Bank of Bahrain and Ahli United Bank. All of these banks are present in Bahrain and have in-depth knowledge of the market.
The new financing replaces the original one provided in 2004 by a consortium of nine international banks and only two regional banks.
Al Ezzel power project was awarded in July 2004 by the Bahrain Ministry of Finance and National Economy, following an international competitive tendering process that attracted five bids and resulted in a record low tariff.
The 950MW Project was contracted on a Build, Own, Operate basis, utilising gas-fired Combined Cycle Gas Turbine technology supplied and constructed by Siemens.
The company started commercial operations in June 2007 and the inauguration was held under the auspices of Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Al Ezzel instantly proved itself as a key reliable electricity supplier to Bahrain and today accounts for about one quarter of Bahrain electricity needs.
The project was initially developed by Engie and Gulf Investment Corporation. The Social Insurance Organization of Bahrain joined soon thereafter. These three parties remain today as the shareholders of the company.
The celebration was held with participation of representatives from the shareholders, financing banks and Bahrain and company officials.
On the deal, Chairman Shafic Ali, said: “The success of this refinancing is a testimony to the confidence of the local and regional banks in the long-term credit worthiness of infrastructure projects in Bahrain. The new financing prepaid the balance of the loans provided in 2004 and extends the final maturity date to 2026."
Cedric Girod, the regional Head of Acquisitions, Investments and Financial Advisory at Engie, said: “We are pleased by the response and strong support on this transaction of the Bahraini and regional banks which demonstrates the strength of this asset."
"We received a significantly higher liquidity appetite than expected allowing us to implement an optimum refinancing structure within a short timeframe,” stated Girod.
“Al Ezzel has performed at a high level of operational availability and efficiency and produced consistently solid financial results,” he added.
Saber Ayadi, the group head of specialized finance at Bank ABC, commenting on behalf of the lending group, said: “We are very proud of the successful completion of this transaction and delighted with the collaboration with Al Ezzel’s executive team as well as its shareholders."
"The lending group is pleased with its continuous contribution and strong added value to finance the power sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
