Foresight Solar Fund Limited : Annual Results to 31 December 2016 and Dividend Announcement

Annual Results to 31 December 2016 and Dividend Announcement

Highlights

  • The underlying portfolio, which is fully operational and accredited, now totals 16 assets with an installed capacity of 348MW. The portfolio generated 319 Gigawatt Hours ("GWh") of clean energy during 2016, sufficient to power approximately 97,000 UK homes. The total revenues earned across the portfolio amounted to £34.2 million.

  • The Company is on track to pay the target dividend of 6.17 pence per share for the year to 31 December 2016. Interim dividends of 1.54 pence per share were paid in June, September and December 2016 and a further interim dividend of 1.55 pence per share was approved by the Directors on 15 February 2017 and will be paid on 5 May 2017.

  • The Company aims to deliver a full year dividend for the year ending 31 December 2017 of 6.32 pence per share (6.00 inflated by RPI for 2014 - 2016). Since IPO, all target dividends have been achieved.

  • Driven by an improving outlook for the portfolio`s revenues and asset acquisitions, Net Asset Value ("NAV") increased to £350.8 million over the year, taking the NAV per Ordinary Share to 102.9 pence, an increase of 3.9 pence since 31 December 2015. A substantial average size of over 21MW per solar installation means the portfolio benefits from efficiencies of scale particularly in terms of lower asset management costs and operating and maintenance charges.

  • Successful share placings took place in September and October 2016 raising total gross proceeds of £60.8 million from new and existing investors, bringing the total equity capital raised to £345.7 million.

  • Minority equity positions totalling 10MW were acquired in three existing portfolio assets - Southam, Paddock Wood and Atherstone. This is the first acquisition from a near-term pipeline of operational, fully accredited and income generating solar facilities with a total capacity of 132MW over which the Company is in advanced negotiations, and demonstrates the ability to quickly deploy investor funds into cash-generating assets.

  • A new £160 million long-term debt facility was put in place by the Company`s subsidiary in March 2016 at attractive terms, refinancing a £150 million short-term acquisition facility. A new, short-term revolving acquisition facility of £40 million was also agreed, providing the necessary flexibility to take advantage of future pipeline opportunities.

  • An improving outlook for power prices has led to a supportive market for further acquisitions. As the UK`s secondary market for solar assets matures, further opportunities have been identified and the Company will continue to selectively pursue these to expand the portfolio and support cash generation. Active negotiations are underway with 150MW of capacity, of which 50MW are expected to be acquired imminently.