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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2012-02 South Fork Hydro PPF LoanTO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Board of Directors Alaska Energy Authority Sara Fisher-Goad 0 ~· !\. r0 Executive Director (fJf VI- March 30, 2012 Resolution No . 2012-02 South Fork Hydro, LLC, Power Project Fund Loan Resolution 2012-02 will approve the Power Project Fund loan for the South Fork Hydroelectric project located on Eagle River. Additional information about the project is available in the attached Power Project Fund Credit Authorization memorandum that was submitted to the members of the Authority Power Project Fund Loan Committee. Background and Purpose South Fork Hydro , LLC is a limited liability company whose members consist of Phyllis Janke, owner of South Fork Construction Company , her son Daniel Janke, and Earle Ausman, president of Polarconsult. South Fork Hydro submitted an application for a Power Project Fund (PPF) loan to finance the construction of a run of the river (ROR) hydroelectric project on the South Fork of Eagle River located on Upper Highland Road in Eagle River. The project is located on land which is part of the Janke family homestead . There is no other proposed or possible location for the project because it is designed to produce power from a section of Eagle River that runs through the homestead. There are no competing entities which could provide the same or similar service because South Fork Hydro operates on an easement across the Janke Homestead . South Fork Hydro intends to operate as an independent power producer and all power generated by the project will be sold to Matanuska Electric Association (MEA). South Fork has already made improvements to the site and plans to construct the project in 2012. The Loan Reguest South Fork Hydro , LLC is requesting a loan from the Power Project Fund in the amount of $2,070 ,692 with respect to a total project cost of $4,942,982 (applicant's costs as listed in the subm itted Project Cost Summary , adjusted to 2011 $). South Fork Hydro requests a 30-year loan term at the prevailing interest rate which is 5 .19%. Each member of the LLC will personally .s" • , r g y .1 u t ~1 u r • t 1 u r :0 813 West Northern Lights Boulevard Anchorage, Alaska 99503 T 907.771.3000 Toll Fre e (Al aska Only} 888.300.8534 F 907 .77 1.3044 AEA Board Memorandum March 30 , 2012 guarantee the loan . AEA will seek further security via a first lien position on the LLC's power plant, equipment, fixtures , revenues , contract rights, and accounts receivable . Application History The applicant has made three applications . The first in 2009 contained AEA grants as part of the financing structure for the project. Subsequently, the applicant decided against using grant funds and resubmitted an application in 2010 seeking a loan in the amount of $1,850,000 . In early 2011 , AEA responded that it would be in a position to approve the 2010 application if the applicant had a power sales agreement (PSA) in place. The applicant initially took the position that it did not need a PSA to sell its power, and the application remained dormant. Then , in August of 2011 , the appl icant signed a PSA with MEA. The application was then re-examined by an AEA contractor, Northern Economics autumn of which concluded that the project could meet its obligations based on a 30 year term at the then current interest rate of 5.28%. However, the contractor noted that there was a lending risk posed by the uncertainty of how the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) would calculate property taxes on the project. This issue was resolved when the MOA sent AEA a letter in December of 2011stating how the project would be taxed . In December of 2011, it was determined that the applicant's request for a loan in the amount of $1 ,850,000 would not cover the costs of the project, even with in kind and equity contributions from the applicant. Northern Economics was asked to review this situation and concurred with AEA that the there was a funding shortfall. The applicant was informed of the potential funding shortfall , and agreed to increase the loan amount requested. In January of 2012 , the applicant submitted a revised loan request in the amount of $2 ,070 ,692. Northern Economics was again engaged to analyze this new request wh ich was accompanied by monthly cash flow projects prepared by the applicant. Northern Economics noted that it updated its analysis using a larger loan request and concluded that the project has a strong likel ihood of generating a positive new present value (NPV) to the owners. Project Information The current loan application is for a 1,000 kilowatt facility that will produce approximately 4.97 million kilowatt hours, or about 5 megawatt hours , of energy each year. As noted in the application, the reaction-type turbines require a water flow near their maximum efficiency point. The source of repayment for the requested PPF loan is the revenues derived from the sale of electric power generated by the project. Financial Feasibility As part of the loan analysis, Northern Economics examined the applicant's abi lity to repay the loan . Northern Economics determined that the project has a positive net present value and the ability to repay the AEA Power Project Fund Loan based on the applicant's Power Sales Agreement with Matanuska Electric Associat ion (MEA) signed in August of 2011. This agreement grants the applicant $0 .07 per kWh for 30 years assuming power production begins in the next 3 years . AEA Board Memorandum March 30 , 2012 The contract provides that South Fork commits to sell all (1 00%) of the Project's output to MEA, and MEA commits to purchase as much of the project output as its electric distribution system is capable of taking at any point in time . According to the agreement, the rate paid by MEA shall not be less than $0.07 per kWh and the contract will be renewed to a 30-year term. As noted by Northern Economics , the major financial risk posed by the project is caused by the possibility of low water flows . Insufficient flows could cause the project at times to fail to produce sufficient power to generate the revenue needed to service the loan. In order to deal with such power production fluctuations , AEA staff is recommending that the loan be pa id in sem i-annual payments . Economic Viability To determine economic feasibility , Northern Economics constructed three scenarios based on the data submitted by the applicant i n 2012 . All three assume that the current rate negotiated with MEA ($0 .07) will extend through the duration of the project. According to Northern Economics' calculations , a positive return on equ ity is expected . All modeled scenarios yield a positive net present value . A posit ive net present value on earnings means that the project is covering its costs and is, in fact , providing a positive return on equity to the owners . Technica l Feasibility According to the appl icant's documentation , the technology employed for th is type of proj ect is well known and has been employed in a number of projects with in Alaska . Findings As required by 3 AAC 106.110, the Alaska Energy Authority hereby makes the following determ inat ions: 1. Both the project and the applicat ion meet the program 's elig ibility criteria . 2. The project meets the needs of the area and the area will benefit from the project. 3. All necessary permits or certificates have been applied for or awarded . 4. The power project fund has sufficient funds to meet all e xisting loan requests . 5. The applicant has sufficient revenue from all sources to repay the loan . 6. Sufficient funds are available in the Power Project Fund to make the loan . 7. The project is technically and econom ically viable and financial ly feasible . 8 . There are no alternatives to the project at a different site , by a different method , or by another applicant that could be expected to prov ide comparable volumes of power at lower cost which meets the needs of the area , that could be built within comparable timeframe , that is economically viable and financially feasible . 9. That the project benefits the area by providing power from a renewable source at a rate agreed to by MEA. Conclusion AEA Board Memorandum March 30 , 2012 The South Fork Hydro Project has been analyzed on several occasions , and each t ime has been viewed pos it ively. Initially, the lack of a PSA with a uti li ty created a reve nue ri sk, but thi s was alleviated when the applicant and MEA entered into a PSA. There is st ill some risk posed by property taxes , and river flow scenarios , but Northern Econom ics opines that there is sufficient revenue that should flow from the project to service the PPF loan . Recommendation and Cond itions Approval is recommended with the following cond itions : 1. Personal guarantees from each member of South Fork Hydro LLC . 2. A perfected secur ity interest in South Fork Hydro LLC 's equ ipment , f ixtures , accounts , inventory , intangibles and accounts receivable Attachment ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY RESOLUTION NO. 2012-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY REGARDING A LOAN BY THE AUTHORITY TO SOUTH FORK HYDRO, LLC WHEREAS, South Fork Hyrdro, LLC has applied to the Alaska Energy Authority ("Authority") for a loan in the amount of $2,070,692 with a term of 30 years under the Authority's power project fund program (AS 42.45.01 0) at the interest rate established under AS 42.45.01 O(f)(2)(A) (the "Loan"); WHEREAS, the nature , purpose and terms of the Loan are described in the attached memorandum from Authority staff (the "Memorandum") which includes as an attachment the Power Project Fund Credit Authorization memorandum that was submitted to the members of the Authority Power Project Fund Loan Committee ; WHEREAS, the Power Project Fund Loan Committee and Authority staff recommends that the Authority make the Loan , subject to certain conditions, as described in the Memorandum ; WHEREAS, 3 AAC 106.11 0( d) requires that a loan from the power project fund be approved by the Authority's board if the subject loan will exceed $2,000 ,000; WHEREAS, 3 AAC 106.110(d) requires that the approval or disapproval of a power project fund loan be in the form of a written determination that contains the findings required by 3 AAC 106.11 0; WHEREAS, the Power Project Fund Loan Committee and Authority staff have recommended findings required by 3 AAC 106.11 O(d) in the Memorandum with attachments ; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Authority that the Authority make the Loan, subject to condit ions recommended by staff as described in the Memorandum . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The written findings recommended by staff, required by 3 AAC 106.110(d), and contained in the Memorandum with attachments, are adopted and incorporated by reference as part of this Resolution. Section 2. The Authority's Loan from the power project fund to South Fork Hydro LLC for the South Fork hydroelectric project, as described in the Memorandum with attachments , is approved, subject to the conditions recommended by staff as set forth in the Memorandum . Section 3. This Resolution is the final decision of the Authority regarding the requested loan from the power project fund for the South Fork hydroelectric project. Section 4 . The Executive Director of the Authority of the Authority is authorized to take such actions as may be necessary or convenient to consummate the Loan including , without limitation , issuing a commitment with respect to the Loan . The Executive Director is authorized to approve non-material changes in the terms and conditions of the Loan as the Executive Director, in her discretion , determines appropriate. DATED at Anchorage , Alaska on this 30th day of March, 2012 . 0/y;J{4L Chair ' = •.. ,.: .,.-:-,; ,- • 'I.. .1' ..... ·"',-~-~ -.. : : . ~-..... _ - (SEAL) ·, ATTEST .· ·· Secretary AEA Reso lution No. 2012-02 Page 2 of2