OREANDA-NEWS.The Board of JSW Energy Limited, at its meeting held today at Mumbai, approved the results for the First Quarter ended June 30, 2014 ("1QFY15" or the "Quarter").

Consolidated Operational Performance:

During the quarter, the Company achieved a net generation of 5,006 million units. While the Barmer plant registered a marked improvement in generation, the Ratnagiri plant continued to witness low demand of power alongwith frequent back-down of units.

PLF achieved during 1QFY15 at the respective locations was as under -

Vijayanagar achieved average PLF of 98% as against 102% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Ratnagiri operated at an average PLF of 68% as against an average PLF of 83% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Barmer achieved an average deemed PLF of 92% as against an average deemed PLF of 73% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The merchant sales during the quarter were of 2,694 million units; the sales under Long Term PPA were of 2,911 million units.

Fuel Cost:

The fuel cost for the quarter was 1,175 crore, higher by 11% on YoY basis primarily due to adverse movement of the rupee dollar exchange rates over the comparable period which was partially offset by a decline in the international prices of coal.

Consolidated Financial Performance:

During the current quarter, the Total Income from operations was 2,558 crore as against 2,472 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.EBITDA for the quarter was marginally lower at 948 crore as against 968 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, primarily due to increased cost. The Company earned a Profit after tax (PAT) of 325 crore for the current quarter as against 214 crore, recording a growth of 52% on YoY basis.

The Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Debt as at June 30, 2014 were 6,896 crore and 9,974 crore, respectively, resulting in the debt equity ratio of 1.45 times.

Projects Update:

240 MW - at Kutehr, Himachal Pradesh (HP) -

The land acquisition process for the project is in progress. All the requisite environmental clearances for the project have been received. The cost incurred on the project up to June 30, 2014 is 232 crore.

Barmer Lignite Mining Co. Ltd (BLMCL) -

The Ministry of Environment and Forest approval is awaited for enhancement of mining capacity at Kapurdi to 7 MTPA pursuant to completion of all due processes. The Ministry of coal has approved Mine Lease Transfer of Jalipa mines and the possession of land for Jalipa mines is in progress. The project cost is estimated at 1,800 crores (comprising both Kapurdi & Jalipa mines) and cost incurred till June 30, 2014 is 1,554 crore.

Outlook:

The power sector continues to reel under low off-take, falling tariff, increasing costs and fuel uncertainty. However, the new government appears to be focused upon addressing concerns around adequate fuel availability, power purchase agreements and thrust on T&D development which should augur well for the industry in the longer term.

Meanwhile, Indian economic recovery seems to be gathering pace. The new government's efforts to revive the investment cycle, faster implementation of reforms, addressing of supply-side bottlenecks coupled with global demand recovery should result in an improvement in manufacturing activities over the medium term. May 2014 Industrial Production grew by 4.7% YoY, a 19 month high growth, with pickup in mining and manufacturing activities. We believe power demand should be better in 2HFY15.

In a well-supplied market the international thermal coal prices remain range bound as slower than expected global recovery and lackluster Chinese demand have a bearing on commodity prices as well as freight rates. Imported coal cost is not expected to change materially as recent increase in coal import duty has been offset to some extent by marginal appreciation in the Indian Rupee. Pursuant to pick-up in economic activity, the pressures on margins from merchant sale are expected to ease for power developers.