DBRS Morningstar Confirms Ratings on Comber Wind Financial Corporation at BBB, Stable Trends

DBRS Limited (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed Comber Wind Financial Corporation’s (the Issuer) Issuer Rating and the rating on the $450 million Series 1 Senior Secured Bonds (the Bonds), due November 15, 2030, at BBB with Stable trends. The Issuer is the financing vehicle of 2016 Comber Wind Limited Partnership (ProjectCo), a special-purpose entity that owns the 82.8-megawatt Comber East project and the adjacent 82.8-megawatt Comber West wind project (together, the Project) in Essex County, Ontario. As at December 31, 2020, $301.2 million of the Bonds were outstanding.

The Project commenced commercial operations in November 2011, generating an average of approximately 471.3 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually to YE2020, which is 7.5% above the annual P90 production forecast of 438.4 GWh and 8.5% above the rating case forecast of 434.3 GWh. The P50 planned generation is 500.7 GWh, as per the resource consultant’s (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) wind assessment. The P50 has not been achieved because of less favourable wind conditions compared with plan, although generation was close to the P50 in 2013 and 2014. Revenue for the Project mirrors the generation.

ProjectCo’s debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) has been above the rating case projected average and minimum DSCRs of 1.40 times (x) and 1.38x, respectively: 1.54x for 2020, 1.55x for 2019, 1.54x for 2018, 1.63x for 2017, 1.55x for 2016, and 1.53x for 2015. The rating case forecast assumes modest curtailment, with net production at 434 GWh until 2026 when the curtailment cap is reached; however, the curtailment cap is likely to be reached earlier, in 2025, based on actual curtailment. A modest cost for negative hourly Ontario energy prices (HOEP) is also assumed in the rating case. If wholesale electricity prices are negative, ProjectCo is not protected, which would reduce the effective price received.

ProjectCo benefits from fully contracted power prices at attractive rates under two feed-in tariff contracts (for Comber East and Comber West) with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO; rated A (high) with a Stable trend by DBRS Morningstar). The contracts expire 12 months after the maturity of the Bonds. For 20 years until November 2031, the IESO pays to ProjectCo the difference between a fixed but partially indexed price, which was $144.5 per megawatt hour for 2020, and the market price received in Ontario.

DBRS Morningstar may take a positive rating action if the Project consistently performs at or above the P50 level going forward with commensurate DSCRs. Similarly, a negative rating action could be taken if the Project consistently underperforms below the P90 level. The rating is constrained by (1) the inherent uncertainty with wind forecasts, (2) operating and maintenance cost management, and (3) exposure to negative HOEP prices. These risks are partially mitigated by the Project’s actual performance, ability to maintain cost discipline, and minimal exposure to negative HOEP prices.

A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework can be found in the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/373262.

Notes:
All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

The principal methodology is Rating Wind Power Projects (September 1, 2020; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/366231), which can be found on dbrsmorningstar.com under Methodologies & Criteria. Other applicable methodologies include the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings (February 3, 2021; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/373262).

For more information regarding rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/357883.

The related regulatory disclosures pursuant to the National Instrument 25-101 Designated Rating Organizations are hereby incorporated by reference and can be found by clicking on the link under Related Documents or by contacting us at [email protected].

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the rating process for this rating action. DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

Generally, the conditions that lead to the assignment of a Negative or Positive trend are resolved within a 12-month period. DBRS Morningstar trends and ratings are under regular surveillance.

DBRS Morningstar will publish a full report shortly that will provide additional analytical detail on this rating action. If you are interested in receiving this report, contact us at [email protected].

For more information on this credit or on this industry, visit www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at [email protected].

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