|
|
| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) (SEBI) | Quantum (Rs. Cr) (Other FSR) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating | Regulated By |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 0.00 | 64.64 | ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Reaffirmed | - | RBI |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 0.00 | 0.38 | Not Applicable | Withdrawn | - | RBI |
| Total Outstanding | 0.00 | 64.64 | - | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn | 0.00 | 0.38 | - | - | - |
| Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available. |
|
Rating Rationale |
|
Acuité has reaffirmed its long-term rating of ‘ACUITE BBB-’ (read as ACUITE triple B minus) on Rs 64.64 Cr. bank facilities of Sai Maithili Power Company Private Limited (SMPCPL). The outlook is 'Stable'.
Further, Acuité has withdrawn its long-term rating of the Rs.0.38 Cr. proposed bank facilities of Sai Maithili Power Company Private Limited (SMPCPL). The rating has been withdrawn on account of the request received from the issuer. The same is withdrawn without assigning any rating as facilities were proposed. The rating withdrawal is in accordance with the Acuité's policy on withdrawal of rating as applicable to the respective facility / instrument. . Rationale for reaffirmation: The rating reaffirmation takes into account the established market presence of the Refex group in the Renewable energy sector, the extensive experience of the management and the business support received being part of the Refex Group, presence of a long term (25 years) power purchase agreement (PPA) with a strong counter party, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for its 10 megawatt -MW power plant based in Rajasthan and the structured payment mechanism. The rating is, however, constrained by high customer concentration risk in the revenue profile, and susceptibility of power generation to climatic conditions. |
| About the Company |
|
Established in August 2002, Sai Maithili Power Company Private Limited (SMPCPL) operates a 10 MW solar power plant utilizing photovoltaic technology, located in Gurha, Kolayat Tehsil, Bikaner District, Rajasthan. SMPCPL is promoted by V S Lignite Power Private Limited, the majority shareholder, and is currently part of the Refex Group. The Board of Directors includes Mr. G Satyanarayana and Mr. Navaluru Venkata Sreenivas.
|
| Unsupported Rating |
| Not applicable |
| Analytical Approach |
| Acuité has considered the standalone business and financial risk profiles of SMPCPL to arrive at this rating. |
| Key Rating Drivers |
| Strengths |
| Experienced management and assured off-take through long term power purchase agreement (PPA)
The Refex Group is involved in the business of renewable energy utility-grade EPC projects, O&M of solar power plants, solar IPP businesses, ash disposal management, and trading of coal. The Refex Group has commissioned approximately 1 GW of projects under varying conditions in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The group has a strong pipeline of over 250 MW in various stages of execution. SMPCPL entered into a 25-year long PPA at a fixed tariff of Rs. 8.28 per unit (kWh) of power supplied, with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). This substantially mitigates the demand and price risk associated with the project. The company entered into the agreement in January 2012, and the plant commenced operations in February 2013. Furthermore, the PPA is secured by an irrevocable revolving letter of credit (LC) opened by NVVN in favor of SMPCPL for payment assurance. SMPCPL raises invoices to NVVN on or before the fifth of the succeeding month, and payments are to be received within 30 days of the bill submission date. The Refex Group is expected to manage the O&M activity of the solar plant and will ensure an efficient cost structure to aid the financial risk profile of the company. Acuité believes that the presence of strong management, assured off-take, long-term PPA, and moderate counterparty receivable risk is expected to support the business risk profile over the medium term. Strong counter-party profile SMPCPL has entered into a 25-year long PPA at a fixed tariff of Rs. 8.28 per unit with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) was formed by NTPC Ltd in 2002 as its wholly-owned subsidiary to tap the potential of power trading in the country. NVVN holds the highest Category ‘I’ power trading license as per the latest CERC regulation. NVVN is also the nodal agency for the sale of 1,000 MW (733 MW operational) of solar bundled power under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) Phase I. SMPCPL has a strong payment track record from its counterparty- NVVN, thereby leading to low counterparty risk. NVVN has been making all the payments within a week's time from the submission of the invoice and availing a prompt payment discount of 2 percent. Presence of structured payment mechanism
The bank facilities availed by SMPCPL are backed by a Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA) in the form of a fixed deposit worth Rs. 2.89 Cr as on March 2026(Prov). In addition, the bank facilities are supported by an escrow account through which all receipts from NVVN shall be routed. The order regarding the manner in which funds shall be utilized has been clearly laid down by the lender. Furthermore, there is a cash sweep clause that allows the lender to utilize the surplus amount in the escrow account towards the prepayment of the debt undertaken by the company. Acuité derives comfort from the structure envisaged to ensure timely repayment of the bank facilities over the medium term. |
| Weaknesses |
| Susceptibility of operating performance to climatic risks
The performance of the solar plant is highly dependent on favorable climatic conditions, including solar radiation levels, which have a direct impact on the plant load factor (PLF). These risks include variations in solar irradiance, extreme weather conditions, and natural disasters. The entire capacity is already commissioned, and the project has an operational track record of more than 12 years. Revenue for the FY2026(Prov) stood at Rs. 12.20 Cr. The average PLF stood at 17.01 percent in FY2026, and the average PLF for FY2025 was 17.86 percent. High customer concentration risk
SMPCPL has entered into a PPA agreement for the sale of power generated from the 10 MW solar plant located in Rajasthan with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN), along with 100 percent assured offtake. However, it can be observed that the contribution from a single customer (i.e., NVVN) is 100 percent in a given financial year, thereby leading to significant customer concentration risk. This risk, however, is mitigated to an extent due to the strong credit profile of the counterparty. |
| Assessment of Adequacy of Credit Enhancement under various scenarios including stress scenarios (applicable for ratings factoring specified support considerations with or without the “CE” suffix) |
|
SMPCPL maintains a Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA) for three months’ worth repayment obligation along with the ESCROW mechanism.
Stress case Scenario Acuite believes that, given the presence of DSRA mechanism SMPCPL will be able to service its debt on time, even in a stress scenario. |
Rating Sensitivities
| Potential triggers (individual or collective) for an upward rating action: |
|
| Potential triggers (individual or collective) for a downward rating action: |
|
| Liquidity Position: |
| Adequate |
|
SMPCPL’s liquidity is Adequate marked by adequate generation of net cash accruals its maturing debt obligations. The company generated cash accruals of Rs.6.64 Cr. in FY2026(Prov.) as against its maturing debt obligations of Rs.4.65 Cr. The company maintains unencumbered cash and bank balances of Rs.3.22 Cr as on March 31, 2026(Prov). The liquidity position of the company is adequate also on account of presence of secured payment mechanism with Trust and retention account to monitor the cash flows generated from the projects, presence of waterfall mechanism, presence of 3-month Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA) in the form of a fixed deposit for interest and principal repayment obligation coupled with moderate DSCR of 1.17 times expected until FY2031. Acuité believes that the liquidity of the company is likely to adequate over the medium term on account of stable plant operating metric, support from management and timely repayment of debt obligation resulting in reduction in interest obligation. However, timely collection of payment from NVVN and company’s ability to sustain the plant operating performance at favorable level will be key monitorable over the medium term for the assessment of liquidity position of the company. |
| Outlook: Stable |
| |
| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| None |
| Particulars | Unit | FY 26 (Provisional) | FY 25 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 12.20 | 11.51 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | 2.99 | 0.83 |
| PAT Margin | (%) | 24.49 | 7.21 |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 5.01 | 8.42 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 2.64 | 1.89 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not applicable. |
| Any other information |
| None |
| Applicable Criteria |
|
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Infrastructure Sector: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-51.htm • Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm |
| Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available. |
|
Contacts |
List of instruments and names of regulators of the instruments |
| © Acuité Ratings & Research Limited. All Rights Reserved. | www.acuite.in |
