Bhutan National Workshop on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Thimphu, 19-20 August 2014
PPP Structure and Financing
Source
Mr Mathieu Verougstraete
UNESCAP Transport Division
Financing Structure (1)
Corporate Finance
The project sponsor borrows directly against its proven credit
profile to invest in the project
Compensate
shortfall
Other
Business
Revenue
Repay Loan
Loan
Build
Infrastructure
Project
Revenue
If project revenue cannot
repay loan
If the project fails, the whole company is at risk
Financing Structure (2)
Project Finance
The project sponsor establishes a project company to borrow money
for investing in the project
Other
Business
Revenue
Financial risk isolated
Repay Loan
Loan
SPV
(Project
Company)
Build
Infrastructure
Revenue from
Project
Bank can rely only on Project Revenue
More risky and complex but
additional scrutiny and
flexibility for risk allocation
Project Finance is the most common structure
for PPP projects
Basic PPP Structure
The key stakeholders
Financing Source
Government
Implementing Agency
Shareholder
Agreement
Equity Providers
Debt Providers
(e.g. Banks)
Concession / PPP contract
Special Purpose Vehicle
(Project Company)
Loan
Agreement
Services
Provided
End users
Revenues
Government
(availability
payments)
EPC
Contractor
O&M
Contractor
Source of financing: Equity
Equity Providers
Project
Developers
capital invested by sponsor(s)
Construction
companies
First in, Last out
Private Equity
Funds
Any project losses are first born by equity investors
Lenders only suffer if all equity investment is lost
More equity = safer investment for Lenders
Higher risk, Higher return
Source of financing: Debt
Commercial
Banks
Debt Providers
Sources
Interest rate depends on risk profile
International
Finance
Institutions
Export Credit
Agencies
Project-finance debt interest rate > Government Borrowing
Guarantees? Public loans?
Debt maturity < project life
Leverage
Tradeoff between risk, cost and bankability
Weighted Average Cost
of Capital (WACC)*
Financing Needs
80%
Debt
Debt
75%
Financing Needs
Return
requested = 15%
20%
Equity
Equity
25%
(25% x 15%) + (75% x 5%) = 7.5%
(20% x 15%) + (80% x 5%) = 7 %
Interest rate = 5%
*simplified WACC as tax deductibility of
debt is not incorporated
Leverage = 3:1
Leverage = 4:1
increases
Average Cost of Capital decreases
Limiting Leverage Allowed ?
Financial Structure More Risky
Refinancing
Risk and Opportunity
Short-Term Debt
Financing
Year 6
Debt Maturity
Year 1
Financial Close
Refinancing need
Long Term Concession
Year 30
End of concession
High Risk
Project Risk Profile
Low Risk
Lower Risk = Cheaper Financing
Refinancing after construction
Treatment of refinancing benefits?
Construction
Phase
Operational
Phase
Conclusion
Key messages
Project finance is complex and involves significant transaction
costs (getting the right advice is fundamental)
High leverage can reduce the project cost but creates additional risk
(be aware of risks)
Public financial support is usually required to attract lenders
(government support is key for PPP success)
In some PPP structures, the private partner is not responsible
for capital investment (alternative models exist)
Th@nk you
www.unescap.org/ttdw/index.asp
Info.: escap-ttd@un.org