UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended
June 30, 2010
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ______ to _______
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Commission
File Number
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Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter;
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization
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IRS Employer
Identification No.
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001-14881
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MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY
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94-2213782
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(An Iowa Corporation)
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666 Grand Avenue, Suite 500
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Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2580
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515-242-4300
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N/A
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
x
No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
o
No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer
o
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Accelerated filer
o
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Non-accelerated filer
x
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Smaller reporting company
o
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o
No
x
All of the shares of common equity of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company are privately held by a limited group of investors. As of July 31, 2010, 74,609,001 shares of common stock were outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
PART I
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
Des Moines, Iowa
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of
June 30, 2010
, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the
three-month and six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
, and of cash flows and changes in equity for the
six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2009
, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, changes in equity, and comprehensive income for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2009
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
August 6, 2010
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
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As of
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June 30,
2010
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December 31,
2009
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ASSETS
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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471
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$
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429
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Trade receivables, net
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1,050
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1,308
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Inventories
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556
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591
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Derivative contracts
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140
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136
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Investments and restricted cash and investments
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74
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83
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Other current assets
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457
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546
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Total current assets
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2,748
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3,093
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Property, plant and equipment, net
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31,002
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30,936
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Goodwill
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5,003
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5,078
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Investments and restricted cash and investments
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2,308
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2,702
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Regulatory assets
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2,264
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2,093
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Derivative contracts
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26
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52
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Other assets
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901
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730
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Total assets
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$
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44,252
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$
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44,684
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (continued)
(Amounts in millions)
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As of
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June 30,
2010
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December 31,
2009
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
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Current liabilities:
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Accounts payable
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$
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727
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$
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918
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Accrued interest
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338
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344
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Accrued property, income and other taxes
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285
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277
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Derivative contracts
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138
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123
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Short-term debt
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294
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179
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Current portion of long-term debt
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807
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379
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Other current liabilities
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711
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683
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Total current liabilities
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3,300
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2,903
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Regulatory liabilities
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1,597
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1,603
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Derivative contracts
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497
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458
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MEHC senior debt
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5,371
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5,371
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MEHC subordinated debt
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293
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402
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Subsidiary debt
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12,965
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13,600
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Deferred income taxes
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5,686
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5,604
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Other long-term liabilities
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1,652
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1,900
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Total liabilities
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31,361
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31,841
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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Equity:
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MEHC shareholders' equity:
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Common stock - 115 shares authorized, no par value,
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75 shares issued and outstanding
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—
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—
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Additional paid-in capital
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5,444
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5,453
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Retained earnings
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7,236
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6,788
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Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net
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(13
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)
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335
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Total MEHC shareholders' equity
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12,667
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12,576
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Noncontrolling interests
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224
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267
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Total equity
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12,891
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12,843
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Total liabilities and equity
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$
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44,252
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$
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44,684
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
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Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
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Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
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2010
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2009
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2010
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2009
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Operating revenue:
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Energy
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$
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2,289
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$
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2,223
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$
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5,027
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$
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5,019
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Real estate
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341
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279
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540
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452
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Total operating revenue
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2,630
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2,502
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5,567
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5,471
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Operating costs and expenses:
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Energy:
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Cost of sales
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818
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779
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1,980
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1,943
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Operating expense
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607
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607
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1,222
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1,310
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Depreciation and amortization
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312
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307
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623
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603
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Real estate
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313
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262
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523
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454
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Total operating costs and expenses
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2,050
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1,955
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4,348
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4,310
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Operating income
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580
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547
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1,219
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1,161
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Other income (expense):
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Interest expense
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(306
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)
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(323
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)
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(614
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)
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(641
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)
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Capitalized interest
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14
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9
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28
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18
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Interest and dividend income
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14
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13
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20
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28
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Other, net
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19
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|
122
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|
56
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|
78
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Total other income (expense)
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(259
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)
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|
(179
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)
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(510
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)
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(517
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)
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Income before income tax expense and
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|
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|
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equity income
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321
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|
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368
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|
|
709
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|
|
644
|
|
Income tax expense
|
71
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|
|
111
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|
|
127
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|
|
172
|
|
Equity income
|
(8
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)
|
|
(19
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)
|
|
(5
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)
|
|
(28
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)
|
Net income
|
258
|
|
|
276
|
|
|
587
|
|
|
500
|
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
5
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|
|
5
|
|
|
92
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|
|
12
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Net income attributable to MEHC
|
$
|
253
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|
|
$
|
271
|
|
|
$
|
495
|
|
|
$
|
488
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
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Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
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2010
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2009
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
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Net income
|
$
|
587
|
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
|
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|
Depreciation and amortization
|
630
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|
|
611
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|
Stock-based compensation
|
—
|
|
|
123
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|
Changes in regulatory assets and liabilities
|
22
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|
|
8
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|
Provision for deferred income taxes
|
150
|
|
|
295
|
|
Other, net
|
(14
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)
|
|
(16
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)
|
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
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|
Trade receivables and other assets
|
273
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|
|
338
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|
Derivative collateral, net
|
(44
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)
|
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79
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|
Trading securities
|
—
|
|
|
499
|
|
Contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net
|
(119
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)
|
|
(55
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)
|
Accounts payable and other liabilities
|
(80
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)
|
|
(600
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)
|
Net cash flows from operating activities
|
1,405
|
|
|
1,782
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
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Capital expenditures
|
(1,278
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)
|
|
(1,693
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)
|
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
|
(54
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)
|
|
(213
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)
|
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
|
55
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|
|
203
|
|
Proceeds from Constellation Energy 14% note
|
—
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|
|
1,000
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|
Proceeds from sale of assets
|
80
|
|
|
—
|
|
Other, net
|
(34
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
Net cash flows from investing activities
|
(1,231
|
)
|
|
(714
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
Repayments of MEHC subordinated debt
|
(67
|
)
|
|
(567
|
)
|
Proceeds from subsidiary debt
|
—
|
|
|
992
|
|
Repayments of subsidiary debt
|
(119
|
)
|
|
(230
|
)
|
Net proceeds from (repayments of) MEHC revolving credit facility
|
116
|
|
|
(216
|
)
|
Net proceeds from (repayments of) subsidiary short-term debt
|
11
|
|
|
(315
|
)
|
Net purchases of common stock
|
(56
|
)
|
|
(123
|
)
|
Other, net
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
(129
|
)
|
|
(477
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
(3
|
)
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
|
42
|
|
|
595
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
429
|
|
|
280
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
471
|
|
|
$
|
875
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEHC Shareholders' Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Retained
|
|
(Loss) Income,
|
|
Noncontrolling
|
|
Total
|
|
Shares
|
|
Stock
|
|
Capital
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Net
|
|
Interests
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, January 1, 2009
|
75
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,455
|
|
|
$
|
5,631
|
|
|
$
|
(879
|
)
|
|
$
|
270
|
|
|
$
|
10,477
|
|
Net income
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
500
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
257
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
123
|
|
Exercise of common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stock options
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
25
|
|
Common stock purchases
|
(1
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(148
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(148
|
)
|
Contributions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
17
|
|
Distributions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
(43
|
)
|
Other equity transactions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
11
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2009
|
75
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,455
|
|
|
$
|
6,119
|
|
|
$
|
(622
|
)
|
|
$
|
267
|
|
|
$
|
11,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, January 1, 2010
|
75
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,453
|
|
|
$
|
6,788
|
|
|
$
|
335
|
|
|
$
|
267
|
|
|
$
|
12,843
|
|
Deconsolidation of BCC
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
(84
|
)
|
Net income
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
495
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
587
|
|
Other comprehensive loss
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(348
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(348
|
)
|
Common stock purchases
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
Distributions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
Other equity transactions
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
(38
|
)
|
Balance, June 30, 2010
|
75
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,444
|
|
|
$
|
7,236
|
|
|
$
|
(13
|
)
|
|
$
|
224
|
|
|
$
|
12,891
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
258
|
|
|
$
|
276
|
|
|
$
|
587
|
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tax of $5, $(18), $18 and $(14)
|
13
|
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
46
|
|
|
(37
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
(37
|
)
|
|
352
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
304
|
|
Fair value adjustment on cash flow hedges, net of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tax of $14, $18, $2 and $(8)
|
22
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tax of $(225), $2, $(124) and $2
|
(338
|
)
|
|
3
|
|
|
(188
|
)
|
|
3
|
|
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
|
(340
|
)
|
|
335
|
|
|
(348
|
)
|
|
257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive (loss) income
|
(82
|
)
|
|
611
|
|
|
239
|
|
|
757
|
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
interests
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
12
|
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to MEHC
|
$
|
(87
|
)
|
|
$
|
606
|
|
|
$
|
147
|
|
|
$
|
745
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ("MEHC") is a holding company that owns subsidiaries principally engaged in energy businesses (collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company"). MEHC is a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire Hathaway"). The balance of MEHC's common stock is owned by Mr. Walter Scott, Jr. (along with family members and related entities), a member of MEHC's Board of Directors, and Mr. Gregory E. Abel, a member of MEHC's Board of Directors and MEHC's President and Chief Executive Officer. As of
June 30, 2010
, Berkshire Hathaway, Mr. Scott (along with family members and related entities) and Mr. Abel owned 89.8%, 9.4% and 0.8%, respectively, of MEHC's voting common stock.
The Company is organized and managed as eight distinct platforms: PacifiCorp, MidAmerican Funding, LLC ("MidAmerican Funding") (which primarily consists of MidAmerican Energy Company ("MidAmerican Energy")), Northern Natural Gas Company ("Northern Natural Gas"), Kern River Gas Transmission Company ("Kern River"), CE Electric UK Funding Company ("CE Electric UK") (which primarily consists of Northern Electric Distribution Limited ("Northern Electric") and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc ("Yorkshire Electricity")), CalEnergy Generation-Foreign (which owns a majority interest in the Casecnan project in the Philippines), CalEnergy Generation-Domestic (which owns interests in independent power projects in the United States), and HomeServices of America, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, "HomeServices"). Through these platforms, MEHC owns and operates an electric utility company in the Western United States, an electric and natural gas utility company in the Midwestern United States, two interstate natural gas pipeline companies in the United States, two electricity distribution companies in Great Britain, a diversified portfolio of independent power projects and the second largest residential real estate brokerage firm in the United States.
The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Management believes the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements as of
June 30, 2010
and for the
three- and six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
. The results of operations for the
three- and six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The preparation of the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
describes the most significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. There have been no significant changes in the Company's assumptions regarding significant accounting estimates and policies during the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2010
.
(2)
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06 ("ASU No. 2010-06"), which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." ASU No. 2010-06 requires disclosure of (a) the amount of significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for those transfers and (b) gross presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 fair value measurement rollforward. This guidance clarifies that existing fair value measurement disclosures should be presented for each class of assets and liabilities. The existing disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements have also been clarified to ensure such disclosures are presented for the Levels 2 and 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2010, with the exception of the disclosure requirement to present purchases, sales, issuances and settlements gross in the Level 3 fair value measurement rollforward, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (which was codified into ASC Topic 810, "Consolidation," with the issuance of ASU No. 2009-17) that requires a primarily qualitative analysis to determine if an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This analysis is based on whether the enterprise has (a) the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. In addition, enterprises are required to more frequently reassess whether an entity is a variable interest entity and whether the enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity. Finally, the guidance for consolidation or deconsolidation of a variable interest entity is amended and disclosure requirements about an enterprise's involvement with a variable interest entity are enhanced. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2010 on a prospective basis. As a result, PacifiCorp's coal mining joint venture, Bridger Coal Company ("BCC"), was deconsolidated and is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact BCC's economic performance are shared with the joint venture partner. The deconsolidation of BCC resulted in a decrease in assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest equity as of January 1, 2010 of $192 million, $108 million and $84 million, respectively.
(3)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, net consists of the following (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
Depreciable
Life
|
|
June 30,
2010
|
|
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system
|
5-85 years
|
|
$
|
35,866
|
|
|
$
|
35,616
|
|
Interstate pipeline assets
|
3-67 years
|
|
5,801
|
|
|
5,809
|
|
|
|
|
41,667
|
|
|
41,425
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(13,332
|
)
|
|
(13,336
|
)
|
Regulated assets, net
|
|
|
28,335
|
|
|
28,089
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonregulated assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent power plants
|
10-30 years
|
|
678
|
|
|
677
|
|
Other assets
|
3-30 years
|
|
477
|
|
|
480
|
|
|
|
|
1,155
|
|
|
1,157
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(489
|
)
|
|
(462
|
)
|
Nonregulated assets, net
|
|
|
666
|
|
|
695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating assets
|
|
|
29,001
|
|
|
28,784
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
2,001
|
|
|
2,152
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
$
|
31,002
|
|
|
$
|
30,936
|
|
Substantially all of the construction in progress as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
relates to the construction of regulated assets.
The following are updates to regulatory matters based upon material changes that occurred subsequent to
December 31, 2009
.
Rate Matters
Kern River Rate Case
In January 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") ordered Kern River to file compliance rates based on an allowed return on equity of 11.55%. Kern River made the initial compliance filing in March 2009, and a revised filing in September 2009. A request for rehearing of the FERC's January 2009 order, as well as comments and protests on Kern River's March 2009 and September 2009 compliance filings, were timely filed. In December 2009, the FERC issued an order establishing rates for the period of Kern River's current long-term contracts ("Period One rates"), and affirmed its prior opinion with regard to Kern River's allowed return, while requiring that rates be levelized for shippers that elect to continue to take service following the expiration of their current contracts ("Period Two rates"). The FERC set all other issues related to Period Two rates for settlement processes, and a hearing should settlement processes fail. Kern River made a compliance filing conforming its Period One rates to the FERC's order in January 2010 and then filed illustrative Period Two rates in February 2010 as required by the FERC's order. Also in January 2010, Kern River filed a request for rehearing of the FERC's December 2009 order and also filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit a request for review of the rulings in the FERC's December 2009 order. Kern River sought the FERC's authority to issue provisional refunds to its shippers subject to its right of recoupment, if necessary, based on the final rulings in the matter, and such authority was granted by the FERC in March 2010. In March 2010, the settlement discussions ordered by the FERC regarding Period Two rates reached an impasse and were terminated. Discovery commenced under a contested case procedural schedule and Kern River filed testimony in June 2010. Also in June 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed Kern River's request for review without prejudice to its ability to re-file when all the proceedings at the FERC, including those related to Period Two rates, are concluded. Formal hearings for Period Two rates are scheduled to commence in December 2010.
Oregon Senate Bill 408
Oregon Senate Bill 408 ("SB 408") requires PacifiCorp and other large regulated, investor-owned utilities that provide electric or natural gas service to Oregon customers to file an annual report each October with the Oregon Public Utility Commission ("OPUC") comparing income taxes collected and income taxes paid, as defined by the statute and its administrative rules. If after its review, the OPUC determines the amount of income taxes collected differs from the amount of income taxes paid by more than $100,000, the OPUC must require the public utility to establish an automatic adjustment clause to account for the difference.
The OPUC's April 2008 order approving the recovery of $35 million, plus interest, related to PacifiCorp's 2006 tax report is being challenged by the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, which has petitioned the Oregon Court of Appeals for judicial review of, among other things, the application of certain administrative rules considered in the April 2008 order. In July 2010, the Oregon Court of Appeals held oral arguments on the matter. A decision is not expected until 2011, which could impact PacifiCorp's 2006 through 2008 tax reports filed under SB 408. PacifiCorp believes the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. The $35 million, plus interest, was previously recorded in earnings.
In October 2009, PacifiCorp filed its 2008 tax report under SB 408. PacifiCorp's filing for the 2008 tax year indicated that PacifiCorp paid $38 million more in income taxes than was collected in rates from its retail customers. In January 2010, PacifiCorp entered into a stipulation with OPUC staff and the Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon, agreeing to a lower recovery totaling $2 million, including interest. In April 2010, the OPUC issued an order adopting the stipulation in its entirety.
The carrying value of the Company's cash, certain cash equivalents, receivables, payables, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company has various financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the Consolidated Financial Statements using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. A financial asset or liability classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:
•
Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
•
Level 2 — Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
•
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.
The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Other
(1)
|
|
Total
|
As of June 30, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity derivatives
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
378
|
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
|
$
|
(241
|
)
|
|
$
|
166
|
|
Investments in available-for-sale securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market mutual funds
(2)
|
|
394
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
394
|
|
Debt securities
|
|
85
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
165
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
1,873
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,873
|
|
Investments in trading securities - Equity
|
|
9
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,364
|
|
|
$
|
417
|
|
|
$
|
67
|
|
|
$
|
(241
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,607
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity derivatives
|
|
$
|
(7
|
)
|
|
$
|
(552
|
)
|
|
$
|
(416
|
)
|
|
$
|
340
|
|
|
$
|
(635
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity derivatives
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
318
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
$
|
(169
|
)
|
|
$
|
188
|
|
Investments in available-for-sale securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market mutual funds
(2)
|
|
376
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
376
|
|
Debt securities
|
|
70
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
195
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
2,230
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,238
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,679
|
|
|
$
|
405
|
|
|
$
|
82
|
|
|
$
|
(169
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,997
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity derivatives
|
|
$
|
(5
|
)
|
|
$
|
(395
|
)
|
|
$
|
(395
|
)
|
|
$
|
218
|
|
|
$
|
(577
|
)
|
Interest rate derivative
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
(5
|
)
|
|
$
|
(399
|
)
|
|
$
|
(395
|
)
|
|
$
|
218
|
|
|
$
|
(581
|
)
|
(1)
Primarily represents netting under master netting arrangements and a net cash collateral receivable of $
99
million and $
49
million as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, respectively.
(2)
Amounts are included in cash and cash equivalents; current investments and restricted cash and investments; and noncurrent investments and restricted cash and investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of these money market mutual funds approximates cost.
When available, the fair value of derivative contracts is determined using unadjusted quoted prices for identical contracts on the applicable exchange in which the Company transacts. When quoted prices for identical contracts are not available, the Company uses forward price curves derived from market price quotations, when available, or internally developed and commercial models, with internal and external fundamental data inputs. Market price quotations are obtained from independent energy brokers, exchanges, direct communication with market participants and actual transactions executed by the Company. Market price quotations for certain major electricity and natural gas trading hubs are generally readily obtainable for the applicable term of the Company's outstanding derivative contracts; therefore, the Company's forward price curves for those locations and periods reflect observable market quotes. Market price quotations for other electricity and natural gas trading hubs are not as readily obtainable. Given that limited market data exists for these contracts, as well as for those contracts that are not actively traded, the Company uses forward price curves derived from internal models based on perceived pricing relationships to major trading hubs that are based on significant unobservable inputs. Refer to Note 6 for further discussion regarding the Company's risk management and hedging activities.
The Company's investments in money market mutual funds and debt and equity securities are accounted for as either available-for-sale or trading securities and are stated at fair value. When available, a readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security in an active market is used to record the fair value. In the absence of a quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security, the fair value is determined using pricing models or net asset values based on observable market inputs and quoted market prices of securities with similar characteristics. The fair value of the Company's investments in auction rate securities, where there is no current liquid market, is determined using pricing models based on available observable market data and the Company's judgment about the assumptions, including liquidity and nonperformance risks, which market participants would use when pricing the asset.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant Level 3 inputs (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2010
|
|
Three-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2009
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Debt
Securities
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Debt
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
$
|
(382
|
)
|
|
$
|
43
|
|
|
$
|
(402
|
)
|
|
$
|
38
|
|
Changes included in earnings
(1)
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
Changes in fair value recognized in other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
comprehensive income
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
Changes in fair value recognized in net regulatory assets
|
(21
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
—
|
|
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
|
17
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net transfers (to) from Level 2
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Ending balance
|
$
|
(390
|
)
|
|
$
|
41
|
|
|
$
|
(360
|
)
|
|
$
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2010
|
|
Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2009
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Debt
Securities
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Debt
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
$
|
(359
|
)
|
|
$
|
46
|
|
|
$
|
(369
|
)
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
Changes included in earnings
(1)
|
5
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
—
|
|
Changes in fair value recognized in other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
comprehensive income
|
—
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
Changes in fair value recognized in net regulatory assets
|
(49
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
—
|
|
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
|
13
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Net transfers (to) from Level 2
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Ending balance
|
$
|
(390
|
)
|
|
$
|
41
|
|
|
$
|
(360
|
)
|
|
$
|
38
|
|
(1)
Changes included in earnings are reported as operating revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For commodity derivatives held as of
June 30, 2010
and
2009
, net unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the
three-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
totaled
$(4)
million and
$1
million, respectively, and for the
six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
totaled
$5
million and
$15
million, respectively.
The Company's long-term debt is carried at cost on the Consolidated Financial Statements. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt has been estimated based upon quoted market prices, where available, or at the present value of future cash flows discounted at rates consistent with comparable maturities with similar credit risks. The carrying value of the Company's variable-rate long-term debt approximates fair value because of the frequent repricing of these instruments at market rates. The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2010
|
|
As of December 31, 2009
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
$
|
19,436
|
|
|
$
|
21,796
|
|
|
$
|
19,752
|
|
|
$
|
21,042
|
|
(6)
Risk Management and Hedging Activities
The Company is exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is principally exposed to electricity and natural gas commodity price risk through MEHC's ownership of PacifiCorp and MidAmerican Energy (the "Utilities") as they have an obligation to serve retail customer load in their regulated service territories. MidAmerican Energy also provides nonregulated retail natural gas and electricity services in competitive markets. The Utilities' load and generation assets represent substantial underlying commodity positions. Exposures to commodity prices consist mainly of variations in the price of fuel required to generate electricity, wholesale electricity that is purchased and sold and natural gas supply for regulated and nonregulated retail customers. Electricity and natural gas prices are subject to wide price swings as supply and demand for these commodities are impacted by, among many other unpredictable items, changing weather, market liquidity, generating facility availability, customer usage, storage, and transmission and transportation constraints. Interest rate risk exists on variable-rate debt, commercial paper and future debt issuances. Additionally, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk from its business operations and investments in Great Britain. The Company does not engage in a material amount of proprietary trading activities.
Each of the Company's business platforms has established a risk management process that is designed to identify, assess, monitor, report, manage and mitigate each of the various types of risk involved in its business. To mitigate a portion of its commodity risk, the Company uses commodity derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, options, swaps and other agreements, to effectively secure future supply or sell future production generally at fixed prices. The Company manages its interest rate risk by limiting its exposure to variable interest rates and by monitoring market changes in interest rates. The Company may from time to time enter into interest rate derivative contracts, such as interest rate swaps or locks, to mitigate the Company's exposure to interest rate risk. The Company does not hedge all of its commodity price and interest rate risks, thereby exposing the unhedged portion to changes in market prices.
There have been no significant changes in the Company's accounting policies related to derivatives. Refer to Note 5 for additional information on derivative contracts.
The following table, which excludes contracts that qualify for the normal purchases or normal sales exception afforded by GAAP, summarizes the fair value of the Company's derivative contracts, on a gross basis, and reconciles those amounts to the amounts presented on a net basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative Assets
|
|
Derivative Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Total
|
As of June 30, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not Designated as Hedging Contracts
(1)(2)
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity assets
|
$
|
243
|
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
$
|
49
|
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
|
$
|
381
|
|
Commodity liabilities
|
(61
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(232
|
)
|
|
(564
|
)
|
|
(865
|
)
|
Total
|
182
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
(183
|
)
|
|
(509
|
)
|
|
(484
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Designated as Hedging Contracts
(1)
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity assets
|
9
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
26
|
|
Commodity liabilities
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(64
|
)
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
(110
|
)
|
Total
|
7
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(52
|
)
|
|
(39
|
)
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivatives
|
189
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
(235
|
)
|
|
(548
|
)
|
|
(568
|
)
|
Cash collateral (payable) receivable
|
(49
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
99
|
|
Total derivatives - net basis
|
$
|
140
|
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
|
$
|
(138
|
)
|
|
$
|
(497
|
)
|
|
$
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not Designated as Hedging Contracts
(1)(2)
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity assets
|
$
|
219
|
|
|
$
|
70
|
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
|
$
|
31
|
|
|
$
|
342
|
|
Commodity liabilities
|
(30
|
)
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
(171
|
)
|
|
(476
|
)
|
|
(694
|
)
|
Interest rate liability
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Total
|
189
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
(149
|
)
|
|
(449
|
)
|
|
(356
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Designated as Hedging Contracts
(1)
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity assets
|
5
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
15
|
|
Commodity liabilities
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
(101
|
)
|
Total
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(46
|
)
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
(86
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivatives
|
190
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
(490
|
)
|
|
(442
|
)
|
Cash collateral (payable) receivable
|
(54
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
72
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
49
|
|
Total derivatives - net basis
|
$
|
136
|
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
|
$
|
(123
|
)
|
|
$
|
(458
|
)
|
|
$
|
(393
|
)
|
(1)
Derivative contracts within these categories subject to master netting arrangements are presented on a net basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)
The Company's commodity derivatives not designated as hedging contracts are generally included in regulated rates and as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, a net regulatory asset of $479 million and $353 million, respectively, was recorded related to the net derivative liability of
$484
million and
$352
million, respectively.
Not Designated as Hedging Contracts
For the Company's commodity derivatives not designated as hedging contracts, the settled amount is generally included in regulated rates. Accordingly, the net unrealized gains and losses associated with interim price movements on contracts that are accounted for as derivatives and probable of inclusion in regulated rates are recorded as net regulatory assets. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the Company's net regulatory assets and summarizes the pre-tax gains and losses on commodity derivative contracts recognized in net regulatory assets, as well as amounts reclassified to earnings (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
|
|
Six-Month Periods
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
$
|
401
|
|
|
$
|
315
|
|
|
$
|
353
|
|
|
$
|
446
|
|
Changes in fair value recognized in net regulatory assets
|
56
|
|
|
(96
|
)
|
|
71
|
|
|
(197
|
)
|
Gains reclassified to earnings - operating revenue
|
27
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
169
|
|
(Losses) gains reclassified to earnings - cost of sales
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
6
|
|
|
(171
|
)
|
Ending balance
|
$
|
479
|
|
|
$
|
247
|
|
|
$
|
479
|
|
|
$
|
247
|
|
For the Company's derivatives not designated as hedging contracts and for which changes in fair value are not recorded as a net regulatory asset or liability, unrealized gains and losses are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as operating revenue for sales contracts, cost of sales and operating expense for purchase contracts and electricity and natural gas swap contracts and interest expense for the interest rate derivative. The following table summarizes the pre-tax gains (losses) included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations associated with the Company's derivative contracts not designated as hedging contracts and not recorded as a net regulatory asset or liability (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
|
|
Six-Month Periods
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Commodity derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue
|
$
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
12
|
|
|
$
|
24
|
|
Cost of sales
|
(9
|
)
|
|
3
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
Operating expense
|
(2
|
)
|
|
2
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
Interest rate derivative - interest expense
|
4
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
$
|
(5
|
)
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
14
|
|
Designated as Hedging Contracts
The Company uses derivative contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges to hedge electricity and natural gas commodity prices for delivery to nonregulated customers, spring operational sales, natural gas storage and other transactions. The Company's derivative contracts designated as fair value hedges were not significant.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the Company's accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax) and summarizes pre-tax gains and losses on derivative contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), as well as amounts reclassified to earnings (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Interest Rate
Derivative
|
|
Total
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
$
|
148
|
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
154
|
|
Gains recognized in OCI
|
(32
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
Gains (losses) reclassified to earnings - revenue
|
4
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Losses reclassified to earnings - cost of sales
|
(15
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
Ending balance
|
$
|
76
|
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
108
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-Month Periods Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Commodity
Derivatives
|
|
Interest Rate
Derivative
|
|
Total
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
$
|
81
|
|
|
$
|
83
|
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
89
|
|
Losses (gains) recognized in OCI
|
18
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
73
|
|
Gains (losses) reclassified to earnings - revenue
|
5
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Losses reclassified to earnings - cost of sales
|
(28
|
)
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(53
|
)
|
Ending balance
|
$
|
76
|
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
108
|
|
(1)
Certain derivative contracts, principally interest rate locks, have settled and the fair value at the date of settlement remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in earnings when the forecasted transactions impact earnings.
Realized gains and losses on all hedges and hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in income as operating revenue, cost of sales, operating expense or interest expense depending upon the nature of the item being hedged. For the
three- and six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
, hedge ineffectiveness was insignificant. As of
June 30, 2010
, the Company had cash flow hedges with expiration dates extending through December 2022 and $29 million of pre-tax net unrealized losses are forecasted to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) into earnings over the next twelve months as contracts settle.
Derivative Contract Volumes
The following table summarizes the net notional amounts of outstanding derivative contracts with fixed price terms that comprise the mark-to-market values as of
June 30
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unit of Measure
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Commodity contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electricity sales
|
Megawatt hours
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(17
|
)
|
Natural gas purchases
|
Decatherms
|
|
235
|
|
|
272
|
|
Fuel purchases
|
Gallons
|
|
13
|
|
|
8
|
|
Interest rate derivative — variable to fixed swap
|
Australian dollars
|
|
—
|
|
|
59
|
|
Credit Risk
The Utilities extend unsecured credit to other utilities, energy marketers, financial institutions and other market participants in conjunction with wholesale energy supply and marketing activities. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that might occur as a result of nonperformance by counterparties on their contractual obligations to make or take delivery of electricity, natural gas or other commodities and to make financial settlements of these obligations. Credit risk may be concentrated to the extent that one or more groups of counterparties have similar economic, industry or other characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in market or other conditions. In addition, credit risk includes not only the risk that a counterparty may default due to circumstances relating directly to it, but also the risk that a counterparty may default due to circumstances involving other market participants that have a direct or indirect relationship with the counterparty.
The Utilities analyze the financial condition of each significant wholesale counterparty before entering into any transactions, establish limits on the amount of unsecured credit to be extended to each counterparty and evaluate the appropriateness of unsecured credit limits on an ongoing basis. To mitigate exposure to the financial risks of wholesale counterparties, the Utilities enter into netting and collateral arrangements that may include margining and cross-product netting agreements and obtain third-party guarantees, letters of credit and cash deposits. Counterparties may be assessed interest fees for delayed payments. If required, the Utilities exercise rights under these arrangements, including calling on the counterparty's credit support arrangement.
MidAmerican Energy also has potential indirect credit exposure to other market participants in the regional transmission organization ("RTO") markets where it actively participates, including the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc., the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. In the event of a default by a RTO market participant on its market-related obligations, losses are allocated among all other market participants in proportion to each participant's share of overall market activity during the period of time the loss was incurred. Transactional activities of MidAmerican Energy and other participants in organized RTO markets are governed by credit policies specified in each respective RTO's governing tariff or related business practices. Credit policies of RTO's, which have been developed through extensive stakeholder participation, generally seek to minimize potential loss in the event of a market participant default without unnecessarily inhibiting access to the marketplace. MidAmerican Energy's share of historical losses from defaults by other RTO market participants has not been material.
Collateral and Contingent Features
In accordance with industry practice, certain derivative contracts contain provisions that require MEHC's subsidiaries, principally the Utilities, to maintain specific credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies on their unsecured debt. These derivative contracts may either specifically provide bilateral rights to demand cash or other security if credit exposures on a net basis exceed specified rating-dependent threshold levels ("credit-risk-related contingent features") or provide the right for counterparties to demand "adequate assurance" in the event of a material adverse change in the subsidiary's creditworthiness. These rights can vary by contract and by counterparty. As of
June 30, 2010
, these subsidiary's credit ratings from the three recognized credit rating agencies were investment grade.
The aggregate fair value of the Company's derivative contracts in liability positions with specific credit-risk-related contingent features totaled $617 million and $473 million as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, respectively, for which the Company had posted collateral of $145 million and $99 million, respectively. If all credit-risk-related contingent features for derivative contracts in liability positions had been triggered as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, the Company would have been required to post $251 million and $237 million, respectively, of additional collateral. The Company's collateral requirements could fluctuate considerably due to market price volatility, changes in credit ratings, changes in legislation or regulation, or other factors.
(7)
Investments and Restricted Cash and Investments
Investments and restricted cash and investments consists of the following (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30,
2010
|
|
December 31,
2009
|
Investments:
|
|
|
|
BYD common stock
|
$
|
1,685
|
|
|
$
|
1,986
|
|
Rabbi trusts
|
265
|
|
|
268
|
|
Other
|
85
|
|
|
97
|
|
Total investments
|
2,035
|
|
|
2,351
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash and investments:
|
|
|
|
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds
|
261
|
|
|
264
|
|
Mine reclamation trust funds
|
—
|
|
|
79
|
|
Other
|
86
|
|
|
91
|
|
Total restricted cash and investments
|
347
|
|
|
434
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments and restricted cash and investments
|
2,382
|
|
|
2,785
|
|
Less current portion
|
(74
|
)
|
|
(83
|
)
|
Noncurrent portion
|
$
|
2,308
|
|
|
$
|
2,702
|
|
MEHC's investment in BYD Company Limited ("BYD") common stock is accounted for as an available-for-sale security with changes in fair value recognized in AOCI. As of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, the fair value of MEHC's investment in BYD common stock was $1.685 billion and $1.986 billion, respectively, which resulted in a pre-tax unrealized gain of $1.453 billion and $1.754 billion as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, respectively.
During 2009, the Company sold 19.9 million shares of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. ("Constellation Energy") common stock for $536 million, or an average price of $26.93 per share. For the
three- and six-month periods ended
June 30, 2009
, the Company recognized pre-tax gains on Constellation Energy common stock totaling $93 million and $37 million, respectively, which are included in other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company's restricted cash and investments are related to (a) the Company's debt service reserve requirements for certain projects, (b) funds held in trust for nuclear decommissioning and coal mine reclamation and (c) unpaid dividends declared obligations. The debt service funds are restricted by their respective project debt agreements to be used only for the related project. Effective January 1, 2010, the Company deconsolidated BCC. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion.
In July 2010, MEHC called and repaid at par value $92 million of 6.25% CalEnergy Capital Trust II subordinated debt due in February 2012.
In July 2010, Yorkshire Electricity closed on a £151 million finance contract with the European Investment Bank and issued £151 million of 4.13% notes due July 20, 2022. The net proceeds are being used to fund capital expenditures. Also in July 2010, Northern Electric closed on a £119 million finance contract with the European Investment Bank. Amounts available under the finance contract may be drawn upon through 2011.
In March 2010, CE Electric UK replaced its expiring £100 million unsecured credit facility with a £150 million unsecured credit facility expiring in March 2013. The £150 million credit facility has substantially the same covenant terms as the expiring £100 million credit facility.
(9)
Related Party Transactions
As of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
, Berkshire Hathaway and its affiliates held 11% mandatory redeemable preferred securities due from certain wholly-owned subsidiary trusts of MEHC of
$286
million and
$353
million, respectively. Interest expense on these securities totaled
$8
million and
$16
million for the
three-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
, respectively, and
$18
million and
$34
million for the
six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
, respectively. Accrued interest totaled
$8
million as of
June 30, 2010
and
December 31, 2009
.
For the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2010
, the Company received net cash payments for income taxes from Berkshire Hathaway totaling
$65
million. For the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2009
, the Company made cash payments for income taxes to Berkshire Hathaway totaling
$315
million.
Domestic Operations
Net periodic benefit cost for the domestic pension and other postretirement benefit plans included the following components (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Pension:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
|
$
|
14
|
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
Interest cost
|
26
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
56
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
(30
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
(57
|
)
|
|
(56
|
)
|
Net amortization
|
4
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
7
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Postretirement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
Interest cost
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
21
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
Net amortization
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
6
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
$
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
|
$
|
12
|
|
Employer contributions to the domestic pension and other postretirement benefit plans are expected to be
$143
million and
$33
million, respectively, during 2010. As of
June 30, 2010
,
$118
million and
$15
million of contributions had been made to the domestic pension and other postretirement benefit plans, respectively.
In March 2010, the President signed into law healthcare reform legislation that included provisions to eliminate the tax deductibility of other postretirement costs to the extent of retiree drug subsidies received from the federal government beginning after December 31, 2012. Accordingly, the Company increased deferred income tax liabilities and, consistent with the expectation that such additional income tax expense amounts are probable of inclusion in regulated rates, recorded a $53 million increase to net regulatory assets.
United Kingdom Operations
Net periodic benefit cost for the UK pension plan included the following components (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
Interest cost
|
22
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
40
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
Net amortization
|
7
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
7
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
$
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
16
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
Employer contributions to the UK pension plan are expected to be £
45
million during 2010. As of
June 30, 2010
, £
22
million, or $
34
million, of contributions had been made to the UK pension plan.
A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal statutory income tax rate
|
35
|
%
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
35
|
%
|
Federal and state income tax credits
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
1
|
|
CE Casecnan noncontrolling interest verdict
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Tax effect of foreign income
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Effects of ratemaking
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Other, net
|
1
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4
|
|
Effective income tax rate
|
22
|
%
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
27
|
%
|
(12)
Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
The Company is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. The Company does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. The Company is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are described below.
PacifiCorp
In February 2007, the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council filed a complaint against PacifiCorp in the federal district court in Cheyenne, Wyoming, alleging violations of the Wyoming state opacity standards at PacifiCorp's Jim Bridger generating facility in Wyoming. Under Wyoming state requirements, which are part of the Jim Bridger generating facility's Title V permit and are enforceable by private citizens under the federal Clean Air Act, a potential source of pollutants such as a coal-fired generating facility must meet minimum standards for opacity, which is a measurement of light that is obscured in the flue of a generating facility. The complaint alleged thousands of violations of asserted six-minute compliance periods and sought an injunction ordering the Jim Bridger generating facility's compliance with opacity limits, civil penalties of $32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs' costs of litigation. In February 2010, PacifiCorp, the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council reached an agreement in principle to settle all outstanding claims in the action. The settlement was memorialized in a consent decree and filed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") for review and also with the court for review and approval. In June 2010, the court approved the consent decree filed by the parties. The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
In February 2002, pursuant to the share ownership adjustment mechanism in the CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. ("CE Casecnan") shareholder agreement, MEHC's indirect wholly owned subsidiary, CE Casecnan Ltd., advised the minority shareholder of CE Casecnan, LaPrairie Group Contractors (International) Ltd. ("LPG") that MEHC's indirect ownership interest in CE Casecnan had increased to 100% effective from commencement of commercial operations. In 2002, LPG filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco (the "Superior Court"), against CE Casecnan Ltd. and MEHC. LPG's complaint, as amended, seeks compensatory and punitive damages arising out of CE Casecnan Ltd.'s and MEHC's alleged improper calculation of the proforma financial projections and alleged improper settlement of the Philippine National Irrigation Administration arbitration. In January 2006, the Superior Court entered a judgment in favor of LPG against CE Casecnan Ltd regarding the calculation of the proforma financial projections. Pursuant to the judgment, 15% of the distributions of CE Casecnan were deposited into escrow plus interest at 9% per annum. The judgment was appealed, and as a result of the appellate decision, LPG retained ownership of 10% of the shares of CE Casecnan, with the remaining 5% share to be transferred to CE Casecnan Ltd. subject to certain buy-up rights under the shareholder agreement. The issues relating to the exercise of the buy-up right were decided by the Superior Court and in June 2009, LPG exercised its buy-up rights with respect to the remaining 5% ownership interest. In October 2009, the Superior Court issued a judgment declaring that after the buy up LPG was a 15% shareholder. The judgment was appealed in January 2010 and is expected to conclude in 2011. In July 2010, the Superior Court issued a decision denying the remainder of LPG's claims.
In July 2005, MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. commenced an action against San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc. ("San Lorenzo") in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska (the "District Court"), seeking a declaratory judgment as to San Lorenzo's right to repurchase up to 15% of the shares in CE Casecnan. In January 2006, San Lorenzo filed a counterclaim against MEHC and CE Casecnan Ltd. seeking declaratory relief that it has effectively exercised its option to purchase up to 15% of the shares of CE Casecnan, that it is the rightful owner of such shares and that it is due all dividends previously paid on such shares. In March 2010, after a two-week jury trial, the District Court declined to submit the claims and defenses in the case to the jury. Instead, the District Court issued a directed verdict in April 2010, which management believes is based in part on the January 2006 findings of the Superior Court in the California litigation involving LPG discussed above. The order finds that San Lorenzo was entitled to be a 15% shareholder of CE Casecnan effective March 30, 2002 and is owed $32 million as of March 31, 2010. The Superior Court subsequently issued an order in the California litigation which management believes contradicts the April 2010 order issued by the District Court. MEHC filed motions to vacate or modify the order of the District Court or to grant a new trial based on errors in the proceeding and in light of the Superior Court order in the California litigation based on the same facts. In July 2010, the District Court denied the motion to vacate or modify the order. In the event a new trial is not granted, the Company will vigorously pursue all of its rights to appeal the order and pursue a new trial.
As a result of the court's ruling, the Company established a $48 million noncontrolling interest attributable to San Lorenzo in CE Casecnan. The noncontrolling interest established consisted of (1) 15% of CE Casecnan's equity as of March 30, 2002 totaling $17 million; (2) an $83 million charge to net income attributable to noncontrolling interests representing 15% of CE Casecnan's earnings since March 30, 2002; and (3) a $52 million reduction to San Lorenzo's noncontrolling interest for 15% of CE Casecnan's dividends paid since March 30, 2002, which is recorded in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The court's ruling resulted in a $59 million after-tax charge to net income attributable to MEHC in March 2010. Depending on the ultimate outcome of the litigation, adjustments to this estimate may be necessary.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, climate change, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact the Company's current and future operations. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Accrued Environmental Costs
The Company is fully or partly responsible for environmental remediation at various contaminated sites, including sites that are or were part of the Company's operations and sites owned by third parties. The Company accrues environmental remediation expenses when the expenses are believed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. The quantification of environmental exposures is based on many factors, including changing laws and regulations, advancements in environmental technologies, the quality of available site-specific information, site investigation results, expected remediation or settlement timelines, the Company's proportionate responsibility, contractual indemnities and coverage provided by insurance policies. The liability recorded as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $18 million and $21 million, respectively, and is included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Environmental remediation liabilities that separately result from the normal operation of long-lived assets and that are legal obligations associated with the retirement of those assets are separately accounted for as asset retirement obligations.
Hydroelectric Relicensing
PacifiCorp's hydroelectric portfolio consists of 47 generating facilities with an aggregate facility net owned capacity of 1,158 megawatts ("MW"). The FERC regulates 98% of the net capacity of this portfolio through 16 individual licenses, which typically have terms of 30 to 50 years. PacifiCorp expects to incur ongoing operating and maintenance expense and capital expenditures associated with the terms of its renewed hydroelectric licenses and settlement agreements, including natural resource enhancements. PacifiCorp's Klamath hydroelectric system is currently operating under annual licenses. Substantially all of PacifiCorp's remaining hydroelectric generating facilities are operating under licenses that expire between 2030 and 2058.
In February 2004, PacifiCorp filed with the FERC a final application for a new license to operate the 170-MW Klamath hydroelectric system in anticipation of the March 2006 expiration of the existing license. PacifiCorp is currently operating under an annual license issued by the FERC and expects to continue operating under annual licenses until the relicensing process is complete or the system's four mainstem dams are removed. As part of the relicensing process, the FERC is required to perform an environmental review and in November 2007, the FERC issued its final environmental impact statement. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service issued final biological opinions in December 2007 analyzing the Klamath hydroelectric system's impact on endangered species under a new FERC license consistent with the FERC staff's recommended license alternative and terms and conditions issued by the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce. These terms and conditions include construction of upstream and downstream fish passage facilities at the Klamath hydroelectric system's four mainstem dams. Prior to the FERC issuing a final license, PacifiCorp is required to obtain water quality certifications from Oregon and California. PacifiCorp currently has water quality applications pending in Oregon and California; however, Oregon issued a letter in March 2010, holding the certification process in abeyance during the United States Secretary of the Interior's public interest determination.
In November 2008, PacifiCorp signed a non-binding agreement in principle ("AIP") that laid out a framework for the disposition of PacifiCorp's Klamath hydroelectric system relicensing process, including a path toward potential dam transfer and removal by an entity other than PacifiCorp no earlier than 2020. Subsequent to release of the AIP, negotiations between the parties continued with an expanded group of stakeholders. A final draft of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement ("KHSA") was released in January 2010 for public review. The parties to the KHSA, which include PacifiCorp, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Commerce, the State of California, the State of Oregon and various other governmental and non-governmental settlement parties, signed the KHSA in February 2010. Federal legislation to endorse and enact provisions of the KHSA is planned to be introduced in the United States Congress in 2010.
Under the terms of the KHSA, the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce will conduct scientific and engineering studies and consult with state, local and tribal governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to determine by March 31, 2012 whether removal of the Klamath hydroelectric system's four mainstem dams will advance restoration of the salmonid fisheries of the Klamath Basin and is in the public interest. This determination will be made by the United States Secretary of the Interior. If it is determined that dam removal should proceed, dam removal is expected to commence no earlier than 2020.
Under the KHSA, PacifiCorp and its customers are protected from uncapped dam removal costs and liabilities. For dam removal to occur, federal legislation consistent with the KHSA must be enacted to provide, among other things, protection for PacifiCorp from all liabilities associated with dam removal activities. In addition, the KHSA limits PacifiCorp's contribution to dam removal costs to no more than $200 million, of which up to $184 million would be collected from PacifiCorp's Oregon customers with the remainder to be collected from PacifiCorp's California customers. An additional $250 million for dam removal costs is expected to be raised through a California bond measure. If dam removal costs exceed $200 million and if the State of California is unable to raise the funds necessary for dam removal costs, sufficient funds would need to be obtained elsewhere in order for the KHSA and dam removal to proceed.
Actual removal of a facility would occur only after all permits for removal are obtained and the facility and associated land are transferred to a dam removal entity. Prior to potential removal of a facility, the facility will generally continue to operate as it does currently. However, PacifiCorp is responsible for implementing interim measures to provide additional resource protections, water quality improvements, habitat enhancement for aquatic species and increased funding for hatchery operations in the Klamath River Basin.
In July 2009, Oregon's governor signed a bill authorizing PacifiCorp to collect surcharges from its Oregon customers for Oregon's share of the customer contribution for the cost of removing the Klamath hydroelectric system's four mainstem dams. In March 2010, PacifiCorp filed with the OPUC to begin collecting the surcharge from Oregon customers, as of that date, subject to refund based on the OPUC's determination that the surcharges result in rates that are fair, just and reasonable. Also, in March 2010, PacifiCorp filed with the California Public Utilities Commission to collect a surcharge from PacifiCorp's California customers beginning January 1, 2011. The proceeds from the surcharges will be deposited in trust accounts to be established by each of the respective utility commissions.
As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, PacifiCorp had $71 million and $67 million, respectively, in costs related to the relicensing of the Klamath hydroelectric system included in construction in progress and reflected in property, plant and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Recovery of relicensing costs is anticipated through traditional rate proceedings. The all-party settlement proposed in the Oregon rate case recommended recovery of relicensing costs effective January 1, 2011.
(13)
MEHC Shareholders' Equity
In March 2010, MEHC purchased 250,000 shares of common stock for $225 per share, or $56 million, from Mr. Scott (along with family members and related entities). In March 2009, 703,329 common stock options were exercised having an exercise price of $35.05 per share, or $25 million. Also in March 2009, MEHC purchased the shares issued from the options exercised for $148 million. As a result, the Company recognized $125 million of stock-based compensation expense, including the Company's share of payroll taxes, for the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2009
, which is included in operating expense on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(14)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to MEHC, net consists of the following components (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30,
2010
|
|
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
|
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax of $(183) and $(201)
|
$
|
(469
|
)
|
|
$
|
(515
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
(400
|
)
|
|
(191
|
)
|
Fair value adjustment on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $2 and $-
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax of $569 and $693
|
853
|
|
|
1,041
|
|
Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to MEHC, net
|
$
|
(13
|
)
|
|
$
|
335
|
|
MEHC's reportable segments were determined based on how the Company's strategic units are managed. The Company's foreign reportable segments include CE Electric UK, whose business is principally in Great Britain, and CalEnergy Generation-Foreign, whose business is in the Philippines. Intersegment eliminations and adjustments, including the allocation of goodwill, have been made. Information related to the Company's reportable segments is shown below (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
1,052
|
|
|
$
|
1,016
|
|
|
$
|
2,158
|
|
|
$
|
2,132
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
827
|
|
|
763
|
|
|
1,962
|
|
|
1,899
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
98
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
361
|
|
Kern River
|
88
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
193
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
206
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
398
|
|
|
390
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
22
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
56
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
15
|
|
HomeServices
|
341
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
452
|
|
Corporate/other
(1)
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
(27
|
)
|
Total operating revenue
|
$
|
2,630
|
|
|
$
|
2,502
|
|
|
$
|
5,567
|
|
|
$
|
5,471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
142
|
|
|
$
|
141
|
|
|
$
|
282
|
|
|
$
|
275
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
86
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
166
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
16
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
31
|
|
Kern River
|
27
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
48
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
37
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
77
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
11
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
HomeServices
|
3
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
8
|
|
Corporate/other
(1)
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
Total depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
315
|
|
|
$
|
311
|
|
|
$
|
630
|
|
|
$
|
611
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
273
|
|
|
$
|
237
|
|
|
$
|
531
|
|
|
$
|
497
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
91
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
216
|
|
|
240
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
18
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
201
|
|
Kern River
|
48
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
120
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
122
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
197
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
14
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
40
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
HomeServices
|
28
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Corporate/other
(1)
|
(18
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
(140
|
)
|
Total operating income
|
580
|
|
|
547
|
|
|
1,219
|
|
|
1,161
|
|
Interest expense
|
(306
|
)
|
|
(323
|
)
|
|
(614
|
)
|
|
(641
|
)
|
Capitalized interest
|
14
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
18
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
14
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
28
|
|
Other, net
|
19
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
78
|
|
Total income before income tax expense and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
equity expense (income)
|
$
|
321
|
|
|
$
|
368
|
|
|
$
|
709
|
|
|
$
|
644
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
Six-Month Periods
Ended June 30,
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Interest expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
101
|
|
|
$
|
109
|
|
|
$
|
202
|
|
|
$
|
208
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
48
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
100
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
15
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
30
|
|
Kern River
|
13
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
28
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
35
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
70
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
Corporate/other
(1)
|
89
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
195
|
|
Total interest expense
|
$
|
306
|
|
|
$
|
323
|
|
|
$
|
614
|
|
|
$
|
641
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30,
2010
|
|
December 31,
2009
|
Total assets:
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
20,411
|
|
|
$
|
20,244
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
10,680
|
|
|
10,732
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
2,637
|
|
|
2,657
|
|
Kern River
|
1,900
|
|
|
1,875
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
5,201
|
|
|
5,622
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
388
|
|
|
463
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
560
|
|
|
569
|
|
HomeServices
|
684
|
|
|
657
|
|
Corporate/other
(1)
|
1,791
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
44,252
|
|
|
$
|
44,684
|
|
(1)
The remaining differences between the segment amounts and the consolidated amounts described as "Corporate/other" relate principally to intersegment eliminations for operating revenue and, for the other items presented, to (a) corporate functions, including administrative costs, interest expense, corporate cash and investments and related interest income and (b) intersegment eliminations.
The following table shows the change in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2010
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
|
MidAmerican
Funding
|
|
Northern
Natural Gas
|
|
Kern
River
|
|
CE
Electric
UK
|
|
CalEnergy
Generation-
Domestic
|
|
Home-
Services
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2009
|
$
|
1,126
|
|
|
$
|
2,102
|
|
|
$
|
223
|
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
$
|
1,130
|
|
|
$
|
71
|
|
|
$
|
392
|
|
|
$
|
5,078
|
|
Foreign currency translation
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
Other
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Balance, June 30, 2010
|
$
|
1,126
|
|
|
$
|
2,102
|
|
|
$
|
210
|
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
$
|
1,067
|
|
|
$
|
71
|
|
|
$
|
393
|
|
|
$
|
5,003
|
|
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ("MEHC") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") during the periods included herein. Explanations include management's best estimate of the impact of weather, customer growth and other factors. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's historical unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. The Company's actual results in the future could differ significantly from the historical results.
The Company is organized and managed as eight distinct platforms: PacifiCorp, MidAmerican Funding, LLC ("MidAmerican Funding") (which primarily consists of MidAmerican Energy Company ("MidAmerican Energy")), Northern Natural Gas Company ("Northern Natural Gas"), Kern River Gas Transmission Company ("Kern River"), CE Electric UK Funding Company ("CE Electric UK") (which primarily consists of Northern Electric Distribution Limited ("Northern Electric") and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc ("Yorkshire Electricity")), CalEnergy Generation-Foreign (which owns a majority interest in the Casecnan project in the Philippines), CalEnergy Generation-Domestic (which owns interests in independent power projects in the United States), and HomeServices of America, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, "HomeServices"). Through these platforms, MEHC owns and operates an electric utility company in the Western United States, an electric and natural gas utility company in the Midwestern United States, two interstate natural gas pipeline companies in the United States, two electricity distribution companies in Great Britain, a diversified portfolio of independent power projects and the second largest residential real estate brokerage firm in the United States.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements can typically be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as "may," "could," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "intend," "potential," "plan," "forecast" and similar terms. These statements are based upon the Company's current intentions, assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors. Many of these factors are outside the Company's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others:
•
general economic, political and business conditions in the jurisdictions in which the Company's facilities operate;
•
changes in federal, state and local governmental, legislative or regulatory requirements affecting the Company or the electric or gas utility, pipeline or power generation industries;
•
changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws, regulations, decisions and policies that could, among other items, increase operating and capital costs, reduce plant output, accelerate plant retirements or delay plant construction;
•
the outcome of general rate cases and other proceedings conducted by regulatory commissions or other governmental and legal bodies;
•
changes in economic, industry or weather conditions, as well as demographic trends, that could affect customer growth and usage or supply of electricity and gas or the Company's ability to obtain long-term contracts with customers and suppliers;
•
a high degree of variance between actual and forecasted load and prices that could impact the hedging strategy and costs to balance electricity and load supply;
•
changes in prices, availability and demand for both purchases and sales of wholesale electricity, coal, natural gas, other fuel sources and fuel transportation that could have a significant impact on generation capacity and energy costs;
•
the financial condition and creditworthiness of the Company's significant customers and suppliers;
•
changes in business strategy or development plans;
•
availability, terms and deployment of capital, including reductions in demand for investment-grade commercial paper, debt securities and other sources of debt financing and volatility in the London Interbank Offered Rate, the base interest rate for MEHC's and its subsidiaries' credit facilities;
•
changes in MEHC's and its subsidiaries' credit ratings;
•
performance of the Company's generating facilities, including unscheduled outages or repairs;
•
risks relating to nuclear generation;
•
the impact of derivative contracts used to mitigate or manage volume, price and interest rate risk, including increased collateral requirements, and changes in commodity prices, interest rates and other conditions that affect the fair value of derivative contracts;
•
increases in employee healthcare costs;
•
the impact of investment performance and changes in interest rates, legislation, healthcare cost trends, mortality and morbidity on pension and other postretirement benefits expense and funding requirements;
•
changes in the residential real estate brokerage and mortgage industries that could affect brokerage transaction levels;
•
unanticipated construction delays, changes in costs, receipt of required permits and authorizations, ability to fund capital projects and other factors that could affect future generating facilities and infrastructure additions;
•
the impact of new accounting guidance or changes in current accounting estimates and assumptions on consolidated financial results;
•
the Company's ability to successfully integrate future acquired operations into its business;
•
other risks or unforeseen events, including litigation, wars, the effects of terrorism, embargoes and other catastrophic events; and
•
other business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in MEHC's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or in other publicly disseminated written documents.
Further details of the potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Company are described in MEHC's filings with the SEC, including Part II, Item 1A and other discussions contained in this Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exclusive.
Results of Operations for the
Second Quarter
and
First Six Months
of
2010
and
2009
Overview
Net income attributable to MEHC for the second quarter of 2010 was $253 million, a decrease of $18 million, or 7%, and for the first six months of 2010 was $495 million, an increase of $7 million, or 1%, compared to 2009. The results for the first six months of 2010 included an after-tax charge of $59 million related to the CE Casecnan noncontrolling interest verdict. The results for the second quarter and first six months of 2009 included an after-tax gain on the Constellation Energy Group, Inc. ("Constellation Energy") common stock investment of $55 million and $22 million, respectively, and the first six months of 2009 included an after-tax stock-based compensation charge of $75 million as a result of the purchase of shares of common stock that were issued upon the exercise of stock options. Excluding the impact of these items, net income attributable to MEHC increased $37 million, or 17%, for the second quarter and $13 million, or 2%, for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher net income at PacifiCorp, CE Electric UK and HomeServices, partially offset by lower net income at Northern Natural Gas, Kern River, CalEnergy Generation-Foreign and CalEnergy Generation-Domestic. Additionally, net income increased at MidAmerican Funding for the second quarter and decreased slightly for the first six months of 2010 as compared to 2009.
PacifiCorp's net income increased due to higher prices approved by regulators, higher sales of renewable energy credits, higher allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") and a lower effective income tax rate, partially offset by lower wholesale and other revenue and benefits in 2009 from Oregon Senate Bill 408. CE Electric UK's net income increased for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher distribution revenues. For the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009, higher distribution revenues were partially offset by over-recovery provisions recognized in the first quarter of 2010. HomeServices' net income increased due to higher closed units in 2010 in part due to the first-time home buyer tax credit, which was partially offset for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 by lower equity earnings related to lower refinance activity in its mortgage business. Net income at MidAmerican Funding increased for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher regulated electric earnings and income tax benefits.
Net income at Northern Natural Gas and Kern River was lower as a result of lower revenue from less favorable market conditions. CalEnergy Generation-Foreign's net income decreased due to lower rainfall and related lower variable energy delivery fees earned in 2010 at the Casecnan project. CalEnergy Generation-Domestic's net income decreased due to the expiration of a favorable power purchase contract in 2009. Net income at MidAmerican Funding decreased slightly for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to lower regulated electric wholesale earnings and storm restoration costs, partially offset by higher regulated electric retail earnings.
Segment Results
The reportable segment financial information includes all necessary adjustments and eliminations needed to conform to the Company's significant accounting policies. The differences between the segment amounts and the consolidated amounts, described as "Corporate/other," relate principally to corporate functions, including administrative costs and intersegment eliminations.
Operating revenue and operating income for the Company's reportable segments are summarized as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
First Six Months
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
Operating revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
1,052
|
|
|
$
|
1,016
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
$
|
2,158
|
|
|
$
|
2,132
|
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
827
|
|
|
763
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
1,962
|
|
|
1,899
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
3
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
98
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
307
|
|
|
361
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
Kern River
|
88
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
174
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
CE Electric UK
|
206
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
398
|
|
|
390
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
2
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
22
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(33
|
)
|
|
44
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(21
|
)
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
7
|
|
HomeServices
|
341
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
452
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
19
|
|
Corporate/other
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(33
|
)
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
Total operating revenue
|
$
|
2,630
|
|
|
$
|
2,502
|
|
|
$
|
128
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
5,567
|
|
|
$
|
5,471
|
|
|
$
|
96
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
273
|
|
|
$
|
237
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
$
|
531
|
|
|
$
|
497
|
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
91
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
216
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
18
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(57
|
)
|
|
144
|
|
|
201
|
|
|
(57
|
)
|
|
(28
|
)
|
Kern River
|
48
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
97
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
CE Electric UK
|
122
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
197
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
8
|
|
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
|
14
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
28
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)
|
CalEnergy Generation-Domestic
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
HomeServices
|
28
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
19
|
|
|
*
|
Corporate/other
|
(18
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
(140
|
)
|
|
106
|
|
|
76
|
|
Total operating income
|
$
|
580
|
|
|
$
|
547
|
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
1,219
|
|
|
$
|
1,161
|
|
|
$
|
58
|
|
|
5
|
|
*
Not meaningful
PacifiCorp
Operating revenue increased $36 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher retail revenue of $42 million and an increase in the sale of renewable energy credits totaling $24 million, partially offset by a decrease in wholesale and other revenue of $30 million. The increase in retail revenue was due to an increase in prices approved by regulators, a 3% increase in volumes and higher demand-side management revenue, partially offset by lower revenue related to Oregon Senate Bill 408 of $10 million. Retail volumes increased as a result of higher customer usage primarily due to industrial customers in PacifiCorp's eastern service territory. The decrease in wholesale and other revenue was due to a 21% decrease in average wholesale prices and the impact of deconsolidating PacifiCorp's coal mining joint venture, Bridger Coal Company ("BCC"), as a result of adopting authoritative guidance requiring equity method accounting treatment of the operations effective January 1, 2010, partially offset by a 13% increase in wholesale volumes.
Operating income increased $36 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to the higher operating revenue and lower energy costs of $5 million, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Energy costs were lower due to a decrease in the average cost and volume of purchased electricity and the effects of regulatory cost recovery adjustment mechanisms for net power costs of $10 million, partially offset by higher fuel costs primarily associated with higher volumes of coal consumed. Operating expenses increased due to higher demand-side management costs, partially offset by the impact of deconsolidating BCC.
Operating revenue increased $26 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher retail revenue of $76 million and an increase in the sale of renewable energy credits totaling $46 million, partially offset by a decrease in wholesale and other revenue of $94 million. The increase in retail revenue was due to an increase in prices approved by regulators and higher demand-side management revenue, partially offset by lower revenue related to Oregon Senate Bill 408 of $10 million. The decrease in wholesale and other revenue was due to a 15% decrease in average wholesale prices, the impact of deconsolidating BCC and a 2% decrease in wholesale volumes.
Operating income increased $34 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to the higher operating revenue and lower energy costs of $32 million, partially offset by higher operating expenses totaling $17 million and higher depreciation and amortization of $7 million. Energy costs decreased due to a decrease in the volume and average cost of purchased electricity and the effects of regulatory cost recovery adjustment mechanisms for net power costs of $20 million, partially offset by higher fuel costs, higher transmission costs of $10 million and unfavorable changes in the fair value of energy purchase contracts accounted for as derivatives of $9 million. Operating expenses increased due to higher demand-side management costs, partially offset by the impact of deconsolidating BCC.
MidAmerican Funding
MidAmerican Funding's operating revenue and operating income are summarized as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
First Six Months
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
Operating revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated electric
|
$
|
427
|
|
|
$
|
391
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
$
|
856
|
|
|
$
|
835
|
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
Regulated natural gas
|
128
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
515
|
|
|
506
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
2
|
|
Nonregulated and other
|
272
|
|
|
254
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
591
|
|
|
558
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
6
|
|
Total operating revenue
|
$
|
827
|
|
|
$
|
763
|
|
|
$
|
64
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1,962
|
|
|
$
|
1,899
|
|
|
$
|
63
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated electric
|
$
|
74
|
|
|
$
|
63
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
136
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)%
|
Regulated natural gas
|
3
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(25
|
)
|
|
46
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Nonregulated and other
|
14
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
34
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
3
|
|
Total operating income
|
$
|
91
|
|
|
$
|
84
|
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
216
|
|
|
$
|
240
|
|
|
$
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Regulated electric operating revenue increased $36 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009. Retail revenue increased $26 million on higher volumes of 8% primarily due to higher customer usage, including the impacts of favorable weather, and customer growth. Wholesale and other revenue increased $10 million due to a 22% increase in generation resulting from higher availability primarily due to joining the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operation, Inc. ("MISO") in the third quarter of 2009.
Regulated electric operating income increased $11 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009. The higher operating revenue was partially offset by higher energy costs of $20 million and higher depreciation and amortization. Energy costs increased due to greater coal-fired generation as a result of higher volumes.
Regulated natural gas operating revenue increased $10 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to an increase in the average per-unit cost of gas sold, which was passed on to customers and resulted in higher cost of sales, partially offset by a 11% decrease in sales volumes. Regulated natural gas operating income decreased $1 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009.
Nonregulated and other operating revenue increased $18 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to a 17% increase in electric retail volumes, partially offset by a 6% decrease in electric retail rates and lower gas revenue resulting from a 9% decrease in volumes. Nonregulated and other operating income decreased $3 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower gas and electric margins.
Regulated electric operating revenue increased $21 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009. Retail revenue increased $34 million on higher volumes of 6% primarily due to higher customer usage, including the impacts of favorable weather, and customer growth. Wholesale and other revenue decreased $13 million due to lower average wholesale sales prices, partially offset by a 12% increase in generation resulting from higher availability primarily due to joining the MISO in the third quarter of 2009.
Regulated electric operating income decreased $24 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009. Higher energy costs of $36 million, higher depreciation and amortization and higher operating expenses were partially offset by the higher operating revenue. Energy costs increased due to greater coal-fired generation as a result of higher volumes. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher maintenance costs as a result of storm damage totaling $11 million, partially offset by lower general maintenance and health care costs.
Regulated natural gas operating revenue increased $9 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to an increase in the average per-unit cost of gas sold, which was passed on to customers and resulted in higher cost of sales, partially offset by a 7% decrease in sales volumes. Regulated natural gas operating income decreased $1 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009.
Nonregulated and other operating revenue increased $33 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to a 16% increase in electric retail volumes, partially offset by a 5% decrease in electric retail rates and lower gas revenue resulting from a 5% decrease in volumes. Nonregulated and other operating income increased $1 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009.
Northern Natural Gas
Operating revenue decreased $22 million for the second quarter and $54 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to lower transportation revenue of $18 million and $45 million, respectively, and lower storage revenue of $6 million and $9 million, respectively. Transportation revenue decreased due to lower transportation volumes, principally in the field area, caused by less favorable economic conditions and lower natural gas price spreads. Operating income decreased $24 million for the second quarter and $57 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to the lower operating revenue.
Kern River
Operating revenue decreased $8 million for the second quarter and $19 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower natural gas price spreads and volumes totaling $3 million and $10 million, respectively, and lower rates as a result of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") order received in December 2009. Operating income decreased $11 million for the second quarter and $23 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to the lower operating revenue.
CE Electric UK
Operating revenue increased $9 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009. The increase was due to higher distribution revenue totaling $28 million, partially offset by lower contracting revenue of $8 million, the stronger United States dollar totaling $8 million and lower gas production of $4 million. Distribution revenue increased due to higher rates implemented April 1, 2010 related to the Distribution Price Control Review and higher volumes. Operating income increased $27 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to the higher distribution revenue, partially offset by the stronger United States dollar totaling $4 million.
Operating revenue increased $8 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009. The increase was due to higher distribution revenue totaling $12 million and the weaker United States dollar totaling $10 million, partially offset by lower gas production of $7 million and lower contracting revenue of $5 million. Distribution revenue increased due to higher rates implemented April 1, 2010 related to the Distribution Price Control Review and higher volumes, partially offset by over-recovery provisions totaling $25 million. Operating income increased $15 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to the higher distribution revenue and the weaker United States dollar totaling $4 million.
CalEnergy Generation-Foreign
Operating revenue decreased $11 million for the second quarter and $12 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower rainfall and related lower variable energy delivery fees earned in 2010 at the Casecnan project. Operating income decreased $10 million for the second quarter and $12 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to the lower operating revenue.
HomeServices
Operating revenue increased $62 million for the second quarter and $88 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to a 21% and 18%, respectively, increase in closed brokerage units in part due to the first-time home buyer tax credit, as well as a slight increase in average home sale prices. Operating income increased $11 million for the second quarter and $19 million for the first six months of for 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to a higher operating margin on higher revenue. The first-time home buyer tax credit is no longer available to home buyers and will likely result in lower closed units for the remainder of 2010.
Corporate/other
Operating income increased $106 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to $125 million of stock-based compensation expense in 2009 as a result of the purchase of common stock issued by MEHC upon the exercise of the last remaining stock options that had been granted to certain members of management at the time of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s ("Berkshire Hathaway") acquisition of MEHC in 2000, partially offset by higher deferred compensation expense in 2010.
Consolidated Other Income and Expense Items
Interest Expense
Interest expense is summarized as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
First Six Months
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidiary debt
|
$
|
210
|
|
|
$
|
222
|
|
|
$
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
$
|
420
|
|
|
$
|
432
|
|
|
$
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)%
|
MEHC senior debt and other
|
82
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
MEHC subordinated debt -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berkshire Hathaway
|
8
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
18
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
(47
|
)
|
MEHC subordinated debt - other
|
6
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total interest expense
|
$
|
306
|
|
|
$
|
323
|
|
|
$
|
(17
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
$
|
614
|
|
|
$
|
641
|
|
|
$
|
(27
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Interest expense decreased $17 million for the second quarter and $27 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to scheduled maturities, principal repayments and lower interest rates on variable rate debt, partially offset by the $250 million debt issuance in July 2009 at MEHC.
Capitalized Interest
Capitalized interest increased $5 million for the second quarter and $10 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to higher construction activity at PacifiCorp.
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased $1 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to a dividend received in 2010 from the BYD Company Limited common stock investment totaling $11 million, largely offset by interest associated with Oregon Senate Bill 408 refunds received in 2009 at PacifiCorp. Interest and dividend income decreased $8 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to income earned in 2009 related to the Constellation Energy investments.
Other, Net
Other, net decreased $103 million for the second quarter and $22 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to a $93 million and $37 million, respectively, pre-tax gain on the Constellation Energy common stock investment in 2009. Additionally, the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 included higher allowance for equity funds used during construction totaling $19 million.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased $40 million for the second quarter and $45 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009. The effective tax rates were 22% and 30% for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 18% and 27% for the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 was mainly due to rate making benefits recorded in 2010 and additional production tax credits. The rate making benefits were realized as MidAmerican Energy changed the method by which it determines current income tax deductions for repairs on certain of its regulated utility assets, which results in current deductibility for costs that are capitalized for book purposes. Iowa, MidAmerican Energy's largest jurisdiction for rate regulated operations, requires immediate income recognition of such temporary differences. Additionally, the decrease in the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 was due to income tax benefits from the CE Casecnan noncontrolling interest verdict and lower taxes on foreign income.
Equity Income
Equity income decreased $11 million for the second quarter and $23 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower equity earnings at CE Generation, LLC, primarily due to the expiration of a favorable power purchase contract in the second quarter of 2009 at the Saranac project, and at HomeServices related to lower refinance activity in its mortgage business.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased $80 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009 due to an $83 million charge related to the CE Casecnan noncontrolling interest verdict.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Each of MEHC's direct and indirect subsidiaries is organized as a legal entity separate and apart from MEHC and its other subsidiaries. Pursuant to separate financing agreements, the assets of each subsidiary may be pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise provide the security for its own subsidiary debt. It should not be assumed that any asset of any subsidiary of MEHC's will be available to satisfy the obligations of MEHC or any of its other subsidiaries' obligations. However, unrestricted cash or other assets which are available for distribution may, subject to applicable law, regulatory commitments and the terms of financing and ring-fencing arrangements for such parties, be advanced, loaned, paid as dividends or otherwise distributed or contributed to MEHC or affiliates thereof.
As of
June 30, 2010
, the Company's total net liquidity available was $6.121 billion. The components of total net liquidity available are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEHC
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
|
MidAmerican
Funding
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
110
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
$
|
198
|
|
|
$
|
471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available revolving credit facilities
|
$
|
585
|
|
|
$
|
1,395
|
|
|
$
|
654
|
|
|
$
|
349
|
|
|
$
|
2,983
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowings and issuances of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
commercial paper
|
(166
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(126
|
)
|
|
(294
|
)
|
Tax-exempt bond support, letters of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and other
|
(40
|
)
|
|
(304
|
)
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(539
|
)
|
Net revolving credit facilities available
|
$
|
379
|
|
|
$
|
1,091
|
|
|
$
|
457
|
|
|
$
|
223
|
|
|
$
|
2,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net liquidity available before Berkshire
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Commitment
|
$
|
380
|
|
|
$
|
1,201
|
|
|
$
|
619
|
|
|
$
|
421
|
|
|
$
|
2,621
|
|
Berkshire Equity Commitment
(2)
|
3,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,500
|
|
Total net liquidity available
|
$
|
3,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,121
|
|
Unsecured revolving credit facilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturity date
(3)
|
2013
|
|
2012-2013
|
|
2011, 2013
|
|
2010, 2013
|
|
|
Largest single bank commitment as a %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of total
(4)
|
17
|
%
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
23
|
%
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
The above table does not include unused revolving credit facilities and letters of credit for investments that are accounted for under the equity method.
(2)
In March 2006, MEHC and Berkshire Hathaway entered into the Berkshire Equity Commitment pursuant to which Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to purchase up to $3.5 billion of MEHC's common equity upon any requests authorized from time to time by MEHC's Board of Directors. The proceeds of any such equity contribution shall only be used for the purpose of (a) paying when due MEHC's debt obligations and (b) funding the general corporate purposes and capital requirements of MEHC's regulated subsidiaries. In March 2010, MEHC and Berkshire Hathaway amended the Berkshire Equity Commitment extending the term from February 28, 2011 to February 28, 2014 and reducing the Maximum Equity Amount, as defined in the agreement, from $3.5 billion to $2.0 billion effective March 1, 2011.
(3)
For further discussion regarding the Company's credit facilities, refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(4)
An inability of financial institutions to honor their commitments could adversely affect the Company's short-term liquidity and ability to meet long-term commitments.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows from operating activities for the
six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
were
$1.405
billion and
$1.782
billion, respectively. The decrease was mainly due to $176 million of net cash flows in 2009 related to the Constellation Energy transaction, which is comprised of $536 million of proceeds received from the sale of Constellation Energy common stock and $360 million of income taxes paid on gains recognized on the termination of the Constellation Energy merger agreement in December 2008 and the sale of common stock in 2009, changes in collateral posted for derivative contracts and higher contributions to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows from investing activities for the
six-month periods ended
June 30, 2010
and
2009
were
$(1.231)
billion and
$(714)
million, respectively. In January 2009, the Company received $1 billion, plus accrued interest, in full satisfaction of the 14% Senior Notes from Constellation Energy. Capital expenditures decreased $415 million primarily due to lower capital expenditures at PacifiCorp and MidAmerican Energy (the "Utilities"), partially offset by higher capital expenditures at Kern River related to the 2010 and Apex Expansion projects. Additionally, the Company received proceeds from the sale of certain Australian hydrocarbon exploration and development assets during the second quarter of 2010 totaling $78 million.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures by reportable segment for the
six-month periods ended
June 30
are summarized as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Capital expenditures
(1)
:
|
|
|
|
PacifiCorp
|
$
|
876
|
|
|
$
|
1,148
|
|
MidAmerican Funding
|
127
|
|
|
235
|
|
Northern Natural Gas
|
45
|
|
|
82
|
|
Kern River
|
64
|
|
|
24
|
|
CE Electric UK
|
164
|
|
|
199
|
|
Other
|
2
|
|
|
5
|
|
Total capital expenditures
|
$
|
1,278
|
|
|
$
|
1,693
|
|
(1)
Excludes amounts for non-cash equity AFUDC.
The Company's capital expenditures relate primarily to the Utilities, which consisted mainly of the following for the
six-month periods ended
June 30
:
2010
:
•
Transmission system investment totaling $242 million, including construction costs for the first major segment of the Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program, a 135-mile, double circuit, 345-kilovolt transmission line being built between the Populus substation in southern Idaho and the Terminal substation near Salt Lake City, Utah, which is expected to be completed during 2010.
•
Emissions control equipment totaling $182 million.
•
The development and construction of wind-powered generating facilities totaling $106 million.
•
Distribution, generation, mining and other infrastructure needed to serve existing and expected growing demand totaling $473 million.
2009
:
•
The development and construction of wind-powered generating facilities totaling $326 million.
•
Transmission system investment totaling $284 million, including construction costs for the Populus-to-Terminal segment of the Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program at PacifiCorp.
•
Emissions control equipment totaling $159 million.
•
Distribution, generation, mining and other infrastructure needed to serve existing and expected growing demand totaling $614 million.
Additionally, capital expenditures for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 include costs related to Kern River's two expansion projects totaling $46 million. Kern River's 2010 Expansion project was placed in service in April 2010. The r
emaining amounts are for ongoing investments in distribution and other infrastructure needed at the other platforms to serve existing and expected demand.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows from financing activities for the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2010
were
$(129)
million. Uses of cash totaled
$256
million and consisted mainly of $119 million for repayments of subsidiary debt, $67 million for repayments of MEHC subordinated debt and $56 million for net purchases of common stock. Sources of cash totaled
$127
million and consisted of net proceeds from the MEHC revolving credit facility totaling $116 million and $11 million of net proceeds from subsidiary short-term debt.
Net cash flows from financing activities for the
six-month period ended
June 30, 2009
were
$(477)
million. Uses of cash totaled
$1.469
billion and consisted mainly of $567 million for repayments of MEHC subordinated debt, $315 million for net repayments of subsidiary short-term debt, $230 million for repayments of subsidiary debt, $216 million for net repayments of the MEHC revolving credit facility and $123 million for net purchases of common stock. Sources of cash totaled
$992
million and consisted of proceeds from the issuance of subsidiary debt.
Future Uses of Cash
The Company has available a variety of sources of liquidity and capital resources, both internal and external, including net cash flows from operating activities, public and private debt offerings, the issuance of commercial paper, the use of unsecured revolving credit facilities, the issuance of equity and other sources. These sources are expected to provide funds required for current operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, debt retirements and other capital requirements. The availability and terms under which each subsidiary has access to external financing depends on a variety of factors, including its credit rating, investors' judgment of risk and conditions in the overall capital market, including the condition of the utility industry in general. Additionally, the Berkshire Equity Commitment can be used for the purpose of (a) paying when due MEHC's debt obligations and (b) funding the general corporate purposes and capital requirements of MEHC's regulated subsidiaries. Berkshire Hathaway will have up to 180 days to fund any such request in increments of at least $250 million pursuant to one or more drawings authorized by MEHC's Board of Directors. The funding of any such drawing will be made by means of a cash equity contribution to MEHC in exchange for additional shares of MEHC's common stock. In March 2010, MEHC and Berkshire Hathaway amended the Berkshire Equity Commitment extending the term from February 28, 2011 to February 28, 2014 and reducing the Maximum Equity Amount, as defined in the agreement, from $3.5 billion to $2.0 billion effective March 1, 2011.
Capital Expenditures
The Company has significant future capital requirements. Capital expenditure needs are reviewed regularly by management and may change significantly as a result of these reviews, which may consider, among other factors, changes in rules and regulations, including environmental and nuclear; changes in income tax laws; general business conditions; load projections; system reliability standards; the cost and efficiency of construction labor, equipment and materials; and the cost and availability of capital. Expenditures for compliance-related items such as pollution-control technologies, replacement generation, nuclear decommissioning, hydroelectric relicensing, hydroelectric decommissioning and associated operating costs are generally incorporated into MEHC's energy subsidiaries' regulated retail rates.
Forecasted capital expenditures, which exclude non-cash equity AFUDC, are approximately $2.7 billion for 2010, and include the following:
•
$461 million for transmission system investments at PacifiCorp, including $218 million for the Energy Gateway Transmission Expansion Program, which includes costs for completion of the first major segment of the program, the Populus to Terminal transmission line.
•
$363 million for environmental projects at the Utilities to install and upgrade emissions control equipment at certain coal-fired generating facilities to meet anticipated air quality and visibility targets through reductions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide ("NO
x
") and particulate matter emissions.
•
$158 million for construction and development of wind-powered generating facilities at PacifiCorp.
•
$138 million at Kern River for two expansion projects.
•
Remaining amounts are for ongoing investments in distribution, generation, mining and other infrastructure needed to serve existing and expected demand.
MidAmerican Energy continues to evaluate additional cost-effective wind-powered generation. In December 2009, the Iowa Utilities Board ("IUB") issued an Order approving, subject to conditions, a settlement agreement between MidAmerican Energy and the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate in conjunction with MidAmerican Energy's ratemaking principles application to construct up to 1,001 megawatts ("MW") (nominal ratings) of additional wind-powered generation in Iowa through 2012, the last 251 MW of which is subject to IUB confirmation. MidAmerican Energy has further committed that not greater than 500 MW will be placed in service during 2012. Wind-powered generation projects under this agreement are authorized to earn a 12.2% return on equity in any future Iowa rate proceeding. The Order has been appealed to the district court in Polk County, Iowa, by one of the intervenors in the proceeding.
Additionally, MidAmerican Energy has begun preliminary investigation into possible development of a nuclear generation facility. In support of such investigatory activities, Iowa law authorizes recovery of approximately $15 million over three years from MidAmerican Energy's Iowa customers for the cost of this effort, subject to the review of the IUB. MidAmerican Energy has not entered into any material commitments with regard to nuclear facility development.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes outside the normal course of business in contractual obligations from the information provided in Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
. Additionally, refer to the "Capital Expenditures" discussion included in "Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Regulatory Matters
MEHC's regulated subsidiaries are subject to comprehensive regulation. In addition to the discussion contained herein regarding updates to regulatory matters based upon material changes that occurred subsequent to those disclosed in Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
, refer to Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional regulatory matter updates.
PacifiCorp
Utah
In March 2009, PacifiCorp filed for an energy cost adjustment mechanism ("ECAM") with the Utah Public Service Commission ("UPSC"). The filing recommends that the UPSC adopt the ECAM to recover the difference between base net power costs set in the next Utah general rate case and actual net power costs. The UPSC has separated the application into two phases to first address whether the mechanism is in the public interest, and then if it is found to be in the public interest, to determine the type of mechanism that should be implemented. Hearings on the public interest phase were completed in January 2010. In February 2010, the UPSC issued an order to proceed to the second phase to address design considerations in the development of an ECAM. Additionally, in February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the UPSC seeking approval to defer the difference between the net power costs allowed by the UPSC's final order in PacifiCorp's 2009 general rate case and the actual net power costs incurred. Also in February 2010, the Utah Association of Energy Users filed a motion with the UPSC seeking approval to defer incremental renewable energy credit revenue in excess of the renewable energy credit value utilized in Utah rates established by the 2009 general rate case. In July 2010, the UPSC issued an order approving a stipulation to establish deferrals for both net power costs and renewable energy credit revenues in excess of the level currently included in rates. Whether all or any of the deferred costs and revenues will be passed through to customers will be determined in the final order in the case.
In February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the UPSC requesting an increase of $34 million associated with two major construction projects that were completed and in service by June 2010. The application requests recovery in conjunction with a future rate change. In March 2010, PacifiCorp updated its application to reflect the cost of capital decisions from the February 2010 general rate case order, reducing the amount requested for recovery to $33 million. In May 2010, a multi-party stipulation was filed with the UPSC agreeing to recovery of $31 million. In June 2010, the stipulation was approved by the UPSC.
In August 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the UPSC requesting an increase of $39 million associated with two major construction projects expected to be complete and in service by December 2010. The application requests a 5% increase in rates effective January 2011 encompassing both the $39 million requested increase and the $31 million increase approved by the UPSC in June 2010. The application also requests to begin collecting effective January 2011 a one-time $16 million surcharge for the portion of the $31 million increase related to the period from July 2010 to December 2010.
Oregon
In February 2010, PacifiCorp made the initial filing for the annual transition adjustment mechanism ("TAM") with the Oregon Public Utility Commission ("OPUC") for an annual increase of $69 million to recover the anticipated net power costs forecasted for calendar year 2011. In July 2010, an all-party stipulation was filed with the OPUC agreeing to an increase of $58 million, or an average price increase of 6%. The rates, which are subject to updates for anticipated net power costs through November 2010, will be effective January 1, 2011.
In March 2010, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the OPUC requesting an increase of $131 million, or an average price increase of 13%. In July 2010, a multi-party stipulation was filed with the OPUC agreeing to an annual increase of $85 million, or an average price increase of 8%. If approved by the OPUC, the rates will be effective January 1, 2011.
Wyoming
In October 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the Wyoming Public Service Commission ("WPSC") requesting a rate increase of $71 million with an effective date of August 1, 2010. Power costs were included in the general rate case, reflecting increased coal costs and the expiration of low cost long-term power purchase contracts. The application was based on a test period ending December 31, 2010. In March 2010, a multi-party stipulation was filed with the WPSC agreeing to an overall rate increase of $36 million, or an average price increase of 7%, to be implemented in two phases. In May 2010, the WPSC approved the settlement agreement. The first phase of the rate increase, consisting of a $26 million increase, became effective July 1, 2010 and the second phase, consisting of the remaining $10 million increase, will be effective February 1, 2011.
In January 2010, PacifiCorp filed its annual power cost adjustment mechanism ("PCAM") application with the WPSC requesting recovery of $8 million in deferred net power costs. In March 2010, a multi-party stipulation was filed with the WPSC agreeing to reduce the requested recovery to $4 million. In May 2010, the WPSC approved the settlement agreement allowing for the change in the PCAM surcharge rate effective April 1, 2010.
In April 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the WPSC requesting approval of a new ECAM to replace the existing PCAM. The PCAM will sunset with the final deferral of power costs in November 2010 and collection through March 2012.
Washington
In May 2010, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ("WUTC") requesting an annual increase of $57 million, or an average price increase of 21%. If approved by the WUTC, the rates will be effective in April 2011.
Idaho
In February 2010, PacifiCorp filed an ECAM application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("IPUC") requesting recovery of $2 million in deferred net power costs. In March 2010, the IPUC issued an order approving PacifiCorp's ECAM application effective April 1, 2010.
In May 2010, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the IPUC requesting an annual increase of $28 million, or an average price increase of 14%. If approved by the IPUC, the rates will be effective by January 1, 2011.
In June 2010, the IPUC approved an increase to PacifiCorp's energy efficiency rider to fund DSM programs of $1 million, or an average price increase of 1%, with an effective date of July 1, 2010. As a result of the 1% increase, the energy efficiency rider in Idaho is now 5%.
California
In November 2009, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") requesting an annual increase of $8 million, or an average price increase of 10%. In June 2010, PacifiCorp filed with the CPUC an all-party joint motion for commission approval and adoption of the settlement agreement. The agreement reflects an annual increase of $4 million, or an average price increase of 5%. If approved by the CPUC, the rates will be effective January 1, 2011.
In August 2010, PacifiCorp filed an application with the CPUC to increase rates pursuant to the energy cost adjustment clause. In the application, PacifiCorp requested a rate increase of $9 million, or an average price increase of 11%. If approved by the CPUC, the rates will be effective January 1, 2011.
Northern Natural Gas
In November 2009, the FERC issued an order initiating a rate proceeding under Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act for the purpose of investigating whether Northern Natural Gas' rates are just and reasonable. In February 2010, Northern Natural Gas filed a cost and revenue study pursuant to the FERC's order that demonstrated no adjustment to Northern Natural Gas' rates was warranted. In May 2010, a group of seven customers, representing approximately 39% of 2009 annual transportation and storage revenue, filed a motion to terminate the proceeding provided Northern Natural Gas would not file to make new rates effective prior to November 1, 2011. In May 2010, the FERC granted the motion to terminate the proceeding. Certain intervenors have requested that the FERC reconsider its granting of the motion. Although the final action is pending, the Company does not expect the proceeding to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial results.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, climate change, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact the Company's current and future operations. In addition to imposing continuing compliance obligations, these laws and regulations provide authority to levy substantial penalties for noncompliance including fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions. These laws and regulations are administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and various other state, local and international agencies. All such laws and regulations are subject to a range of interpretation, which may ultimately be resolved by the courts. Environmental laws and regulations continue to evolve, and the Company is unable to predict the impact of the changing laws and regulations on its operations and consolidated financial results. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Refer to "Future Uses of Cash" for discussion of the Company's forecasted environmental-related capital expenditures and Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding certain environmental laws and regulation affecting the Company. The discussion below contains material developments since those disclosed in Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
In June 2010, the EPA finalized a new national ambient air quality standard for sulfur dioxide ("SO
2
"). Under the new rule, the existing 24-hour and annual standards for SO
2
, which were 140 parts per billion measured over 24 hours and 30 parts per billion measured over an entire year, were replaced with a new one-hour standard of 75 parts per billion. The new rule will utilize a 3-year average to determine attainment. The rule will utilize source modeling, in addition to the installation of ambient monitors where SO
2
emissions impact populated areas, with new monitors required to be in-service no later than January 2013. Attainment designations are due by June 2012, with State Implementation Plans due by 2014 and final attainment demonstrations by August 2017.
Under the new standard, the number of counties designated as nonattainment areas is likely to increase. Businesses operating in newly designated nonattainment counties could face increased regulation and costs to monitor or reduce emissions. For instance, existing major emissions sources may have to install reasonably available control technologies to achieve certain reductions in emissions and undertake additional monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting. The construction or modification of facilities that are sources of emissions could become more difficult in nonattainment areas. Until additional monitoring and modeling is conducted, the impacts on the Company cannot be determined.
Clean Air Transport Rule
In July 2010, the EPA proposed the Clean Air Transport Rule ("Transport Rule"), a replacement of the Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR"), which requires electric generating units in 31 states and the District of Columbia to reduce emissions of SO
2
and NO
x
on a state-by-state basis in accordance with each state's modeled contribution to nonattainment of the fine particulate standards in downwind states. The emission reductions required under the Transport Rule are intended only to resolve transported emissions and not to resolve air quality issues in the states where the generation is located. The Transport Rule's emission reduction requirements are proposed to take place in two phases, with the first phase beginning in 2012 and the second phase beginning in 2014. By 2014, the rule and other state and EPA actions would reduce power plant SO
2
emissions by 71% and NO
x
emissions by 52% from 2005 levels in covered states. The EPA will administer separate trading programs for SO
2
and NO
x
under the Transport Rule and has identified three potential options for implementation. The EPA's preferred approach allows limited trading of SO
2
allowances and region-wide trading of annual NO
x
allowances. The second approach would allow trading of emission allowances only between facilities within a state. The final approach would not allow any trading of allowances. Under this approach each emitting facility would be required to meet plant-specific emission rates. Facilities are required to comply with the CAIR until the Transport Rule is in effect. Until the final Transport Rule is adopted, the impacts on MidAmerican Energy and CalEnergy Generation-Domestic's natural gas generating facilities in Texas, Illinois and New York cannot be determined. The EPA anticipates finalizing the Transport Rule in 2011. PacifiCorp's generating facilities are not subject to the CAIR or the Transport Rule. It is possible that the existing CAIR or the proposed Transport Rule may be replaced with more stringent requirements to reduce SO
2
and NO
x
emissions and that these requirements could be extended to the western United States through regulation or legislation such as a multi-pollutant emission reduction bill.
Coal Combustion Byproduct Disposal
In December 2008, an ash impoundment dike at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston
power plant collapsed after heavy rain, releasing a significant amount of fly ash and bottom ash, coal combustion byproducts, and water to the surrounding area. In light of this incident, federal and state officials have called for greater regulation of coal combustion storage and disposal. In May 2010, the EPA released a proposed rule to regulate the management and disposal of coal combustion byproducts, presenting two alternatives to regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"). Under the first option, coal combustion byproducts would be regulated as special waste under RCRA Subtitle C and the EPA would establish requirements for coal combustion byproducts from the point of generation to disposition, including the closure of disposal units. Alternatively, the EPA is considering regulation under RCRA Subtitle D under which it would establish minimum nationwide standards for the disposal of coal combustion byproducts. Under both options, surface impoundments utilized for coal combustion byproducts would have to be cleaned and closed unless they could meet more stringent regulatory requirements; in addition, more stringent requirements would be implemented for new ash landfills and expansions of existing ash landfills. PacifiCorp operates 16 surface impoundments and 6 landfills that contain coal combustion byproducts. MidAmerican Energy operates 8 surface impoundments and 4 landfills that contain coal combustion byproducts. These ash impoundments and landfills may be impacted by the newly proposed regulation, particularly if the materials are regulated as hazardous or special waste under RCRA Subtitle C, and could pose significant additional costs associated with ash management and disposal activities at the Company's coal-fired generating facilities. Public comments on the proposed rule are due in September 2010. The impact of the proposed regulations on coal combustion byproducts cannot be determined at this time.
Collateral and Contingent Features
Debt and preferred securities of MEHC and certain of its subsidiaries are rated by the credit rating agencies. Assigned credit ratings are based on each rating agency's assessment of the rated company's ability to, in general, meet the obligations of its issued debt or preferred securities. The credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and there is no assurance that a particular credit rating will continue for any given period of time.
MEHC and its subsidiaries have no credit rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity dates of outstanding debt, and a change in ratings is not an event of default under the applicable debt instruments. The Company's unsecured revolving credit facilities do not require the maintenance of a minimum credit rating level in order to draw upon their availability but, under certain instances, must maintain sufficient covenant tests if ratings drop below a certain level. However, commitment fees and interest rates under the credit facilities are tied to credit ratings and increase or decrease when the ratings change. A ratings downgrade could also increase the future cost of commercial paper, short- and long-term debt issuances or new credit facilities.
In accordance with industry practice, certain agreements, including derivative contracts, contain provisions that require certain of MEHC's subsidiaries, principally the Utilities, to maintain specific credit ratings on their unsecured debt from one or more of the three recognized credit ratings agencies. These agreements, including derivative contracts, may either specifically provide bilateral rights to demand cash or other security if credit exposures on a net basis exceed specified rating-dependent threshold levels ("credit-risk-related contingent features") or provide the right for counterparties to demand “adequate assurance” in the event of a material adverse change in the subsidiary's creditworthiness. These rights can vary by contract and by counterparty. As of
June 30, 2010
, these subsidiary's credit ratings from the three recognized credit rating agencies were investment grade. If all credit-risk-related contingent features or adequate assurance provisions for these agreements, including derivative contracts, had been triggered as of
June 30, 2010
, the Company would have been required to post $541 million of additional collateral. The Company's collateral requirements could fluctuate considerably due to market price volatility, changes in credit ratings, changes in legislation or regulation, or other factors. Refer to Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the Company's collateral requirements specific to the Company's derivative contracts.
In July 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Reform Act"). The Reform Act reshapes financial regulation in the United States by creating new regulators, regulating new markets and firms, and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Reform Act, including collateral requirements on derivative contracts, will be the subject of regulatory interpretation and implementation rules requiring rulemaking proceedings that may take several years to complete.
The Company is a party to derivative contracts, including over-the-counter derivative contracts. Refer to Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the Company's collateral requirements specific to the Company's derivative contracts. The Reform Act provides for extensive new regulation of over-the-counter derivative contracts and certain market participants, including imposition of mandatory clearing, exchange trading, capital and margin requirements for "swap dealers" and "major swap participants." Although the Company generally does not enter into over-the-counter derivative contracts for purposes unrelated to hedging of commercial risk and does not believe it will be considered a swap dealer or major swap participant, the outcome of the rulemaking proceedings cannot be predicted and, therefore, the impact of the Reform Act on the Company's consolidated financial results cannot be determined at this time.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting the Company, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Certain accounting measurements require management to make estimates and judgments concerning transactions that will be settled several years in the future. Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements based on such estimates involve numerous assumptions subject to varying and potentially significant degrees of judgment and uncertainty. Accordingly, the amounts currently reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements will likely change in the future as additional information becomes available. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for the effects of certain types of regulation, derivatives, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, pension and other postretirement benefits, income taxes and revenue recognition - unbilled revenue. For additional discussion of the Company's critical accounting estimates, see Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
. There have been no significant changes in the Company's assumptions regarding critical accounting estimates since
December 31, 2009
.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk affecting the Company, see Item 7A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
. The Company's exposure to market risk and its management of such risk has not changed materially since
December 31, 2009
. Refer to Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for disclosure of the Company's derivative positions as of
June 30, 2010
.
At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
June 30, 2010
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
For a description of certain legal proceedings affecting the Company, refer to Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
. Refer to Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for material developments since those disclosed in Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
There has been no material change to the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009
.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY
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(Registrant)
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Date: August 6, 2010
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/s/ Patrick J. Goodman
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Patrick J. Goodman
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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(principal financial and accounting officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
|
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Exhibit No.
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Description
|
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4.1
|
£119,000,000 Finance Contract, dated July 2, 2010, by and between Northern Electric Distribution Limited and the European Investment Bank.
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4.2
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Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement, dated July 2, 2010, by and between CE Electric UK Funding Company and the European Investment Bank.
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4.3
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£151,000,000 Finance Contract, dated July 2, 2010, by and between Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc and the European Investment Bank.
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4.4
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Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement, dated July 2, 2010, by and between CE Electric UK Funding Company and the European Investment Bank.
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15
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Awareness Letter of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
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31.1
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Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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31.2
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Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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32.1
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Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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32.2
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Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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FI N° 25.660UK
Serapis N° 20090544
CE Electric UK El. Distribution - A
Finance Contract
between the
European Investment Bank
and
Northern Electric Distribution Limited
Newcastle upon Tyne, 1 July 2010
and Luxembourg, 2 July 2010
CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1 Credit and disbursement
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14
|
|
1.01 Amount of Credit
|
14
|
|
1.02 Disbursement procedure
|
14
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1.03 Currency of disbursement
|
15
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1.04 Conditions of disbursement
|
15
|
|
1.05 Deferment of disbursement
|
16
|
|
1.06 Cancellation and suspension
|
17
|
|
1.07 Cancellation after expiry of the Credit
|
18
|
|
1.08 Up-front fee
|
18
|
|
1.09 Sums due under Article 1
|
19
|
|
ARTICLE 2 The Loan
|
19
|
|
2.01 Amount of Loan
|
19
|
|
2.02 Currency of repayment, interest and other charges
|
19
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|
2.03 Confirmation by the Bank
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19
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ARTICLE 3 Interest
|
19
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3.01 Rate of interest
|
19
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3.02 Interest on overdue sums
|
20
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|
ARTICLE 4 Repayment
|
20
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|
4.01 Normal repayment
|
20
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4.02 Voluntary prepayment
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21
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4.03 Compulsory prepayment
|
21
|
|
4.04 Application of partial prepayments
|
23
|
|
ARTICLE 5 Payments
|
23
|
|
5.01 Day count convention
|
23
|
|
5.02 Time and place of payment
|
23
|
|
5.03 Set-off
|
24
|
|
ARTICLE 6 Borrower undertakings and representations
|
24
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6.01 Use of Loan and availability of other funds
|
24
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6.02 Completion of Project
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24
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6.03 Increased cost of Project
|
24
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|
6.04 Procurement procedure
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24
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|
6.05 Continuing Project undertakings
|
24
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6.06 Environmental Impact Assessments, EU Habitats and Birds Directives
|
25
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|
6.07 Disposal of assets
|
25
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6.08 Compliance with laws
|
26
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6.09 Change in business
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26
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6.10 Merger
|
26
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6.11 Arms' length dealings
|
26
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6.12 Cross Default
|
26
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6.13 Restrictions on incurring Financial Indebtedness
|
26
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6.14 Financial covenants
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27
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|
6.15 General Representations and Warranties
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29
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|
|
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ARTICLE 7 Security
|
30
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|
7.01 Security
|
31
|
|
7.02 Negative pledge
|
31
|
|
7.03 Pari passu ranking
|
32
|
|
7.04 Most favoured lender
|
32
|
|
ARTICLE 8 Information and visits
|
32
|
|
8.01 Information concerning the Project
|
33
|
|
8.02 Information concerning the Borrower
|
34
|
|
8.03 Visits by the Bank
|
34
|
|
ARTICLE 9 Charges and expenses
|
34
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|
9.01 Taxes, duties and fees
|
34
|
|
9.02 Other charges
|
35
|
|
9.03 Currency indemnity
|
35
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ARTICLE 10 Events of default
|
35
|
|
10.01 Right to demand repayment
|
38
|
|
10.02 Other rights at law
|
38
|
|
10.03 Indemnity
|
38
|
|
10.04 Non-Waiver
|
38
|
|
10.05 Application of sums received
|
38
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ARTICLE 11 Law and jurisdiction
|
38
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|
11.01 Governing Law
|
38
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11.02 Jurisdiction
|
38
|
|
11.03 Evidence of sums due
|
38
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ARTICLE 12 Final clauses
|
39
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12.01 Notices to either party
|
39
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12.02 Form of notice
|
39
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12.03 Changes to parties
|
39
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12.04 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
|
39
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12.05 European Monetary Union, GBP obligations and IFRS
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40
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12.06 Recitals, Schedules and Annexes
|
40
|
|
12.07 Counterparts
|
41
|
|
Schedule A
|
42
|
|
Technical Description and Reporting
|
42
|
|
Schedule B
|
47
|
|
Definitions of EURIBOR and LIBOR
|
47
|
|
Schedule C
|
49
|
|
Forms for the Borrower
|
49
|
|
Schedule D
|
53
|
|
Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
|
53
|
|
THIS CONTRACT IS MADE BETWEEN:
|
|
The European Investment Bank having its seat at 100 blvd Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg, L-2950 Luxembourg, represented by Mr Laurent de Mautort, Director and Mr Pierre Albouze, Head of Division
|
(the "
Bank
")
|
of the first part, and
|
|
Northern Electric Distribution Limited (company number 02906593), a limited company incorporated in England and having its registered office at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF, represented by Mr John France, Director
|
(the "
Borrower
")
|
of the second part.
WHEREAS:
(1)
The Borrower has stated that it is undertaking a project during the period January 2010 to December 2012 consisting of certain schemes aimed at renovating and reinforcing the distribution electricity network of the Borrower, as more particularly described in the technical description (the "
Technical Description
") set out in Schedule A (collectively, the "
Project
").
(2)
The total cost of the Project is estimated by the Bank to be GBP 241,000,000 (two hundred and forty-one million pounds sterling) and the Borrower has stated that it intends to finance the Project as follows:
|
|
|
Source
|
Amount (M GBP)
|
Own funds
|
122
|
|
Credit from the Bank
|
119
|
|
TOTAL
|
241
|
|
(3)
In order to fulfil the financing plan set out in Recital (2), the Borrower has requested from the Bank a credit of GBP 119,000,000 (one hundred and nineteen million pounds sterling).
(4)
The Bank, considering that the financing of the Project falls within the scope of its functions, and having regard to the statements and facts cited in these Recitals, has decided to give effect to the Borrower's request by providing to it a credit in an amount of GBP 119,000,000 (one hundred and nineteen million pounds sterling) under this Finance Contract (the "
Contract
"); provided that the amount of the Bank loan shall not, in any case, exceed 50% (fifty per cent) of the total cost of the Project set out in Recital (2).
(5)
The Board of Directors of the Borrower has authorised the borrowing of the sum of GBP 119,000,000 (one hundred and nineteen million pounds sterling) represented by this credit on the terms and conditions set out in this Contract by a resolution in the terms set out in Annex I and it has been duly certified in the form set out in Annex II that such borrowing is within the corporate powers of the Borrower and does not exceed any borrowing or similar limit binding upon the Borrower.
(6)
The financial obligations of the Borrower under this Contract are from the date of this Contract to be guaranteed by CE Electric UK Funding Company (the "
Guarantor
") under a guarantee and indemnity (the "
Guarantee
") by execution of a guarantee and indemnity agreement dated on or about the date hereof in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank (the "
Guarantee Agreement
"). The Guarantee Agreement may be replaced by alternative security from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Contract.
(7)
The Statute of the Bank provides that the Bank shall ensure that its funds are used as rationally as possible in the interests of the European Union; and, accordingly, the terms and conditions of the Bank's loan operations must be consistent with relevant EU policies.
(8)
The Bank has entered on or about the date of this Contract into a finance contract (the "
Yorkshire Finance Contract
") with Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc, a Subsidiary of the Guarantor.
"
Acceptable Security
" means security for the Loan in the form of:
(a) the Guarantee from the Guarantor;
(b) a guarantee on terms and from a bank acceptable to the Bank;
(c) cash collateral; or
(d) other security acceptable to the Bank.
"
Acceptable Security Event
" means any of the following events, circumstances or occurrences:
(a)
an Acceptable Security Provider fails to pay any amount payable under the relevant Acceptable Security Document on or before its due date unless the non-payment is due to a technical or administrative error or disruption to a payment system and is cured within 3 (three) Business Days;
(b)
any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Acceptable Security Provider in an Acceptable Security Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect;
(c)
any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Acceptable Security Provider in connection with the negotiation of an Acceptable Security Document or any other information or document given to the Bank by or on behalf of an Acceptable Security Provider is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect;
(d)
following any default in relation thereto, an Acceptable Security Provider is required or is capable of being required or will, following expiry of any applicable contractual grace period, be required or be capable of being required to prepay, discharge, close out or terminate ahead of maturity any other Financial Indebtedness or any commitment for any other Financial Indebtedness is cancelled or suspended, provided that no Acceptable Security Event shall occur under this paragraph (d) if the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness is less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(e)
an Acceptable Security Provider is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123(1) or 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof (whether or not a court of justice has so determined), or admits its inability to pay its debts as they fall due, or suspends its debts, or makes or, without the prior written agreement of the Bank, seeks to make a composition with its creditors or by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness or a moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(f)
any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for:
(i)
the winding up of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(ii)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(iii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(iv)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of an Acceptable Security Provider or of any of its assets; or
(v)
the enforcement of any Security over assets of an Acceptable Security Provider,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction, provided that no Acceptable Security Event shall occur under this paragraph (f) in respect of any frivolous or vexatious winding-up petition brought by a third party (other than the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries) which is discharged within 14 (fourteen) days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised;
(g)
an Acceptable Security Provider takes steps towards a substantial reduction in its capital, is declared insolvent or ceases or resolves to cease to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) the whole or any substantial part of its business or activities;
(h)
an encumbrancer takes possession of, or a receiver, liquidator, administrator, compulsory manager, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed, whether by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any competent administrative authority or by any person, of or over, any part of the business or assets of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and, in the case of any of the foregoing, the same is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Acceptable Security Provider petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(i)
any step is taken by any person with a view to the seizure, attachment, sequestration, distress, compulsory acquisition, expropriation, execution or nationalisation of all or any of the shares, or all or any material part of the assets of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(j)
by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority, the management of an Acceptable Security Provider is wholly or substantially displaced or the authority of an Acceptable Security Provider in the conduct of its business is wholly or substantially curtailed;
(k)
an Acceptable Security Provider defaults in the performance of any obligation in respect of any other loan or financial instrument granted by the Bank or to the Bank;
(l)
any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon the property of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(m)
any material Authorisation issued to an Acceptable Security Provider is subject to notice of revocation by the competent Governmental Authority or an Acceptable Security Provider agrees to any revocation or surrender of such material Authorisation;
(n)
it is or becomes unlawful for an Acceptable Security Provider to perform any of its obligations under an Acceptable Security Document or an Acceptable Security Document is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by an Acceptable Security Provider to be ineffective in accordance with its terms or an Acceptable Security Provider evidences an intention to repudiate an Acceptable Security Document;
(o)
an Acceptable Security Provider fails to comply with any obligation under an Acceptable Security Document (not being an obligation otherwise referred to in any other paragraph of this definition of Acceptable Security Event) unless the non-compliance or circumstance giving rise to the non-compliance is capable of remedy and is remedied within 15 (fifteen) days of the earlier of (i) the Bank giving notice to the Acceptable Security Provider or (ii) the Acceptable Security Provider or the Borrower becoming aware of the non-compliance; or
(p)
CalEnergy Investments C.V. fails to comply with any provision of the Subordination Letter.
"
Acceptable Security Document
" means the Guarantee Agreement or any other document evidencing Acceptable Security.
"
Acceptable Security Provider
" means the Guarantor or any other provider of Acceptable Security.
"
Acceptance Deadline
" for a notice means:
(a) 16h00 Luxembourg time on the day of delivery, if the notice is delivered by 14h00 Luxembourg time on a Business Day; or
(b) 11h00 Luxembourg time on the next following day which is a Business Day, if the notice is delivered after 14h00 Luxembourg time on any such day or is delivered on a day which is not a Business Day.
"
Authorisation
" means any authorisation, consent, registration, filing, agreement, notarisation, certificate, licence, approval, permit, resolution, authority or exemption and any corporate, creditors' and shareholders' approval or consent.
"
Authority
" means the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, operating through OFGEM, and any successors thereto.
"
Bonds
" means the GBP 150,000,000 5.125% per cent. Guaranteed Bonds due 2035 issued by Northern Electric Finance plc.
"
Borrower
Material Adverse Change
" means, in relation to the Borrower or any other member of the Group, any event or change of condition, as compared with the condition as at the date of this Contract, affecting the Borrower or its Group as a whole, which: (1) materially impairs the ability of the Borrower to perform its financial obligations under this Contract or to comply with any of the financial ratios set out in Article 6.13 or 6.14 of this Contract; or (2) materially impairs the business or financial condition of the Borrower or its Group as a whole.
"
Business Day
" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which the Bank and commercial banks are open for general business in Luxembourg.
"
Calculation Date
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Cash Equivalents
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Change-of-Control Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(3).
"
Change-of-Law Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(4).
"
Competition Act
" means the Competition Act 1998.
"
Compliance Certificate
" means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule C.3.
"
Compulsory Prepayment Event
" means any circumstance, event or occurrence which constitutes or which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or the making of any determination, or any combination thereof, would constitute a prepayment event under Article 4.03A.
"
Consent Letter
" means the letter dated 6 August 2004 from the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to the Borrower.
"
Consolidated EBIT
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Contract
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (4).
"
Credit
" has the meaning given to it in Article 1.01.
"
Credit Facility
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
"
Cross Default Obligation
" means a term of any agreement or arrangement under which the Borrower's liability to pay or repay any debt or other sum arises or is increased or accelerated or is capable of arising or of increasing or of being accelerated, because of a default (however it may be described or defined) by any person other than the Borrower, unless:
(a)
that liability can arise only as the result of a default by a Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(b)
the Borrower holds a majority of the voting shares in that Subsidiary and has the right to appoint or remove a majority of its board of directors; and
(c)
that Subsidiary carries on business only for a purpose within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of "Permitted Purpose" set out in Standard Condition 1 of the Licence.
"
Default
" means any Event of Default or any event, circumstance or occurrence which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or the making of any determination, or any combination thereof, would become an Event of Default.
"
Disbursement Notice
"
means a notice from the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with Article 1.02C.
"
Disbursement Request
"
means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule C.1.
"
Electricity Act
" means the Electricity Act 1989, as amended by the Utilities Act 2000, the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Energy Act 2004 or otherwise from time to time.
"
Energy Act
" means the United Kingdom Energy Act 2004.
"
Energy Administration Order
" means an order made pursuant to Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Energy Act.
"
Enterprise Act
" means the United Kingdom Enterprise Act 2002.
"
Environment
" means the following, in so far as they affect human well-being: (a) fauna and flora; (b) soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; and (c) cultural heritage and the built environment.
"
Environmental Claim
" means any claim or proceeding by any person in respect of any Environmental Law.
"
Environmental Impact Assessment
" has the meaning given to it in the relevant Environmental Law.
"
Environmental Law
" means EU law and national laws and regulations applicable in the United Kingdom, as well as applicable international treaties, of which a principal objective is the preservation, protection or improvement of the Environment.
"
EUR
" or "
euro
" means the lawful currency for the time being of the Participating Member States.
"
EURIBOR
" has the meaning given to it in Schedule B.
"
Event of Default
" means any one of the circumstances, events or occurrences specified in Article 10.01.
"
Final Availability Date
" means the date which is 18 (eighteen) months after the date of this Contract.
"
Final Proposals
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Financial Indebtedness
" means, at any time, any obligation of such person, whether incurred as principal or surety and whether present, future, actual or contingent, for the payment or repayment of money in respect of:
(b)
any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;
(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;
(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, be treated as a finance or capital lease;
(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis) and any bill discounting or factoring facilities;
(f)
the acquisition cost of any asset to the extent payable before or after the time of acquisition or possession by the party liable where the advance or deferred payment is arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of that asset;
(g)
leases (whether in respect of land, machinery, equipment or otherwise) entered into primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of that asset;
(h)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising money;
(i)
any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value shall be taken into account);
(j)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;
(k)
any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares which are by their terms capable of redemption before the 31 December 2032; and
(l)
(without double counting) the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (k) above.
"
First Currency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
Fixed Rate
" means an annual interest rate determined by the Bank in accordance with the applicable principles from time to time laid down by the governing bodies of the Bank for loans made at a fixed rate of interest, denominated in the currency of the Tranche and bearing equivalent terms for the repayment of capital and the payment of interest.
"
Fixed Rate Notified Tranche
" means a Notified Tranche which is a Fixed Rate Tranche.
"
Fixed Rate Tranche
" means a Tranche disbursed on a Fixed Rate basis.
"
Floating Rate
" means a fixed-spread floating interest rate, that is to say an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR plus or minus the Spread, determined by the Bank for each successive Floating Rate Reference Period.
"
Floating Rate Notified Tranche
" means a Notified Tranche which is a Floating Rate Tranche.
"
Floating Rate Reference Period
" means each period from one Payment Date to the next relevant Payment Date and the first Floating Rate Reference Period shall commence on the date of disbursement of the Tranche.
"
Floating Rate Tranche
" means a Tranche disbursed on a Floating Rate basis.
"
GBP
" means pounds sterling, the lawful currency for the time being of the United Kingdom.
"
GIC
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Governmental Authority
" means the government of any country, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state, regional or local, and any agency, authority, branch, department, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government or any subdivision thereof (including any supra-national bodies and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Authority), and all officials, agents and representatives of each of the foregoing.
"
Group
" means the Borrower and the Borrower's Subsidiaries (if any) from time to time.
"
Guarantee
"
has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantee Agreement
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantor
"
has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantor Group
" means the Guarantor and the Guarantor's Subsidiaries from time to time.
"
IFRS
" means the international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002.
"
Incorporated Provision
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
"
Indemnifiable Prepayment Event
" means a prepayment event under Article 4.03A other than paragraphs 4.03A(1) and 4.03A(2).
"
Interest Cover
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion
" means the determination of new financial conditions relative to the interest rate, specifically the same interest rate basis ("revision") or a different interest rate basis ("conversion") which can be offered for the remaining term of a Tranche or until a next Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Date
" means the date, being a Payment Date, specified by the Bank pursuant to Article 1.02C in the Disbursement Notice or pursuant to Article 3 and Schedule D.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal
" means a proposal made by the Bank under Schedule D, for an amount which, at the proposed Interest Revision/Conversion Date, is not less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling).
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Request
" means a written notice from the Borrower, delivered at least 75 (seventy-five) days before an Interest Revision/Conversion Date, requesting the Bank to submit to it an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal. The Interest Revision/Conversion Request shall also specify:
(a) Payment Dates chosen in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.01;
(b) the preferred repayment schedule chosen in accordance with Article 4.01; and
(c) any further Interest Revision/Conversion Date chosen in accordance with Article 3.01.
"
LIBOR
" has the meaning given to it in Schedule B.
"
Licence
" means the distribution licence granted to the Borrower under Section 6(1)(c) of the Electricity Act with respect to the distribution of electricity in the distribution service area as such area is defined in such licence, as such licence may be amended or replaced from time to time.
"
Loan
" means the aggregate amount of Tranches disbursed from time to time by the Bank under this Contract.
"
Margin
" has the meaning given to it in Article 3.01.
"
Market Disruption Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 1.06B.
"
Material Adverse Change
" means (a) in relation to the Borrower, a Borrower Material Adverse Change; and (b) in relation to the Guarantor or any other member of the Guarantor Group, any event or change of condition, as compared with the condition as at the date of this Contract, affecting the Guarantor or the Guarantor Group, which: (1) materially impairs the ability of the Guarantor to perform its financial obligations under the Guarantee Agreement or to comply with any of the financial ratios set out in Article 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 of the Guarantee Agreement; or (2) materially impairs the business or financial condition of the Guarantor or of the Guarantor Group as a whole.
"
Maturity Date
" means the last or sole repayment date of a Tranche specified pursuant to Article 4.01A(b)(iii) or Article 4.01B.
"
Moody's
" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successor.
"
More Favourable Provision
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
“Non-Technical Summary”
has the meaning given to it in the relevant Environmental Law.
"
Notified Tranche
"
means a Tranche in respect of which the Bank has issued a Disbursement Notice.
"
OFGEM
" means the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.
"
Original Financial Statements
" means the audited financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.
"
Participating Member States
" means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
"
Payment Date
" means the annual, semi-annual or quarterly dates specified in the Disbursement Notice until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date, save that, in case any such date is not a Relevant Business Day, it means:
(a) for a Fixed Rate Tranche, the following Relevant Business Day, without adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01 except for those cases where repayment is made in a single instalment according to Article 4.01B, when the preceding Relevant Business Day shall apply instead to the single instalment and last interest payment and only in this case with adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01; and
(b) for a Floating Rate Tranche, the next day, if any, of that calendar month that is a Relevant Business Day or, failing that, the nearest preceding day that is a Relevant Business Day, in all cases with corresponding adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01.
"
Permitted Financial Indebtedness
" means:
(a) Financial Indebtedness of Northern Electric Finance plc under the Bonds in an amount of GBP 150,000,000 (one hundred and fifty million pounds sterling) and of the Borrower pursuant to a guarantee in an amount of GBP 150,000,000 (one hundred and fifty million pounds sterling) dated 5 May 2005 between, among others, the Borrower and Northern Electric Finance plc;
(b) Financial Indebtedness of Northern Electric Finance plc and the Borrower outstanding on 31 December 2009 and not otherwise referred to in the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
(c) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to the Revolving Facility Agreement;
(d) Financial Indebtedness owed by one member of the Group to another member of the Group;
(e) Financial Indebtedness owed to the Bank;
(f) Financial Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Loan on terms satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank; and
(g) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies.
"
Prepayment Amount
" means the amount of a Tranche to be prepaid by the Borrower in accordance with Article 4.02A.
"
Prepayment Date
" means the date, which shall be a Payment Date, on which the Borrower proposes to effect prepayment of a Prepayment Amount.
"
Prepayment Notice
" means a written notice from the Borrower specifying, amongst other things, the Prepayment Amount and the Prepayment Date in accordance with Article 4.02A.
"
Project
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (1).
"Project Completion Report"
means the information that the Borrower is obliged to deliver to the Bank in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule A.2.
"
Quasi-Security
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.02(c).
"
Rating Agency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
RAV
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Redeployment Rate
" means the Fixed Rate in effect on the day of the indemnity calculation for fixed-rate loans denominated in the same currency and which shall have the same terms for the payment of interest and the same repayment profile to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date as the Prepayment Amount. For those cases where the period is shorter than the minimum intervals described under Article 3.01 the most closely corresponding money market rate equivalent will be used, that is LIBOR minus 0.125% (12.5 basis points) for periods of up to 12 (twelve) months. For periods falling between 13 and 36/48 months respectively, the bid point on the swap rates as published by Intercapital in Reuters for the related currency and observed by the Bank at the time of calculation will apply.
"
Regulated Asset Value
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Relevant Business Day
" means:
(a) for EUR, a day which is a TARGET Day; and
(b) for any other currency, a day on which banks are open for general business in the principal domestic financial centre of the relevant currency.
"
Relevant Interbank Rate
"
means:
(a) EURIBOR for an amount denominated in EUR;
(b) LIBOR for an amount denominated in GBP or USD; and
(c) the market rate and its definition chosen by the Bank and separately communicated to the Borrower, for an amount denominated in any other currency.
"
Relevant Period
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Revolving Facility Agreement
" means the GBP 150,000,000 Multicurrency Revolving Facility Agreement dated 26 March 2010 entered into between the Guarantor, the Borrower, Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc, Abbey National Treasury Services plc, Lloyds TSB Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
"
Scheduled Disbursement Date
" means the date on which a Tranche is scheduled to be disbursed in accordance with Article 1.02C.
"
Second Currency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
Security
" and "
Security Interest
" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, assignment, hypothecation or security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring security.
"
Spread
" means the fixed spread to LIBOR (being either plus or minus) determined by the Bank including the Margin and notified to the Borrower in the relevant Disbursement Notice or Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal.
"
S&P
" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Group or its successor.
"
Subordinated Loan Agreement
" means the loan agreement entered into between CalEnergy Investments C.V. and CE Electric UK Limited dated 31 January 2000 in an amount of GBP 300,000,000 (three hundred million pounds sterling).
“
Subordination Letter
” means a letter between the Bank and CalEnergy Investments C.V. dated on or about the date of this Contract.
"
Subsidiary
":
(a) for the purposes of the definition of Cross Default Obligation, has the meaning given to such term in the Licence of the Borrower; and
(b) for all other purposes, means a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006 and in interpreting that provision for the purposes of this Contract, an undertaking is to be treated as a subsidiary undertaking even if its shares are registered in the name of (i) a nominee, or (ii) any party holding Security over those shares, or that secured party's nominee.
"
Sum
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
TARGET Day
"
means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in EUR.
"
TARGET2
" means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
"
Tax
" means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
"
Technical Description
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (1).
"
Term Loan
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(2).
"
Tranche
" means each disbursement made or to be made under this Contract.
"
USD
" means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.
"
Yorkshire Finance Contract
"
has the meaning given to it in Recital (8).
(a) references to Articles, Recitals, Schedules and Annexes are, save if explicitly stipulated otherwise, references respectively to articles of, and recitals, schedules and annexes to, this Contract;
(b) unless the context otherwise requires, words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(c) a reference (i) to an amendment or to an agreement being amended includes a supplement, variation, assignment, novation, restatement or re-enactment, and (ii) to an agreement shall be construed as a reference to such agreement as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;
(d) the headings and the Table of Contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Contract;
(e) any reference to "law" means any law (including, any common or customary law) and any treaty, constitution, statute, legislation, decree, normative act, rule, regulation, judgement, order, writ, injunction, determination, award or other legislative or administrative measure or judicial or arbitral decision in any jurisdiction which has the force of law;
(f) any reference to a provision of law, is a reference to that provision as from time to time amended or re-enacted;
(g) a reference to a "person" includes any person, natural or juridical entity, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) or two or more of the foregoing and references to a "person" include its successors in title, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;
(h) "including" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation" where not so followed;
(i) a Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived in writing by the Bank; and
(j) a reference to "indebtedness" includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent.
NOW THEREFORE
it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Credit and disbursement
By this Contract the Bank establishes in favour of the Borrower, and the Borrower accepts, the credit in an amount of GBP 119,000,000 (one hundred and nineteen million pounds sterling) for the financing of the Project (the "
Credit
").
The Bank shall disburse the Credit in up to 12 (twelve) Tranches. The amount of each Tranche, if not being the undrawn balance of the Credit, shall be in a minimum amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling).
(a)
From time to time up to 15 (fifteen) days before the Final Availability Date, the Borrower may present to the Bank a Disbursement Request for the disbursement of a Tranche. The Disbursement Request shall specify:
(i)
the amount and currency (being GBP) of the Tranche;
(ii)
the preferred disbursement date for the Tranche, which shall be a Relevant Business Day falling at least 15 (fifteen) days after the date of the Disbursement Request and on or before the Final Availability Date, it being understood that the Bank may disburse the Tranche up to 4 (four) calendar months from the date of the Disbursement Request;
(iii)
whether the Tranche is a Fixed Rate Tranche or a Floating Rate Tranche, each pursuant to the relevant provisions of Article 3.01;
(iv)
the preferred interest payment periodicity for the Tranche, chosen in accordance with Article 3.01;
(v)
the preferred terms for repayment of principal for the Tranche, chosen in accordance with Article 4.01;
(vi)
the preferred first and last dates for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vii)
the Borrower's choice of Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, for the Tranche; and
(viii)
the IBAN code (or appropriate format in line with local banking practice) and SWIFT BIC of the bank account to which disbursement of the Tranche should be made in accordance with Article 1.02D.
(b)
The Borrower may also at its discretion specify in the Disbursement Request the following respective elements, if any, as provided by the Bank on an indicative basis and without commitment, to be applicable to the Tranche, that is to say:
(i)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche, the fixed interest rate; and
(ii)
in the case of a Floating Rate Tranche, the Spread,
applicable until the Maturity Date or until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any.
(c)
Each Disbursement Request shall be accompanied by evidence of the authority of the person or persons authorised to sign it and the specimen signature of such person or persons.
(d)
Subject to Article 1.02C(b), each Disbursement Request is irrevocable.
(a)
Not less than 10 (ten) days before the proposed Scheduled Disbursement Date of a Tranche the Bank shall, if the Disbursement Request conforms to this Article 1.02, deliver to the Borrower a Disbursement Notice which shall specify:
(i)
the currency and amount of the Tranche;
(ii)
the Scheduled Disbursement Date;
(iii)
the interest rate basis for the Tranche;
(iv)
the first interest Payment Date and the periodicity for the payment of interest for the Tranche;
(v)
the terms for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vi)
the first and last dates for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vii)
the applicable Payment Dates for the Tranche;
(viii)
the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, for the Tranche; and
(ix)
for a Fixed Rate Tranche the fixed interest rate and for a Floating Rate Tranche the Spread.
(b)
If one or more of the elements specified in the Disbursement Notice does not reflect the corresponding element, if any, in the Disbursement Request, the Borrower may following receipt of the Disbursement Notice revoke the Disbursement Request by written notice to the Bank to be received no later than 12h00 Luxembourg time on the next Business Day and thereupon the Disbursement Request and the Disbursement Notice shall be of no effect. If the Borrower has not revoked in writing the Disbursement Request within such period, the Borrower will be deemed to have accepted all elements specified in the Disbursement Notice.
(c)
If the Borrower has presented to the Bank a Disbursement Request in which the Borrower has not specified the elements referred to in Article 1.02B(b), the Borrower will be deemed to have agreed in advance to the corresponding element as subsequently specified in the Disbursement Notice.
Disbursement shall be made to the account of the Borrower as the Borrower shall notify in writing to the Bank not later than 15 (fifteen) days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date (with IBAN code or with the appropriate format in line with local banking practice).
Only one account may be specified for each Tranche.
The Bank shall disburse each Tranche in GBP.
1.04
Conditions of disbursement
The disbursement of the first Tranche under Article 1.02 is conditional upon receipt by the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to it, on or before the date falling 5 (five) Business Days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date, of the following documents or evidence:
(a)
a certified copy of the Borrower's constitutional documents and of the Licence;
(b)
evidence satisfactory to the Bank that the execution of this Contract by the Borrower has been duly authorised and that the person or persons signing the Contract on behalf of the Borrower is/are duly authorised to do so together with the specimen signature of each such person or persons;
(c)
evidence that the Borrower has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with entering into and delivering this Contract;
(d)
if required by the Bank, evidence that the Borrower has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with the Project;
(e)
the duly executed Guarantee Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank;
(f)
evidence satisfactory to the Bank that the execution of the Guarantee Agreement by the Guarantor has been duly authorised and that the person or persons signing the Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Guarantor is/are duly authorised to do so together with the specimen signature of each such person or persons;
(g)
evidence that the Guarantor has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with entering into and delivering the Guarantee Agreement;
(h)
evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower have been paid, including those payable pursuant to Article 9 of this Contract (other than any fees to be invoiced by Norton Rose LLP in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement and with the conditions precedent to be satisfied under this Article 1.04);
(i)
a due capacity, execution and enforceability opinion in relation to this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement of Norton Rose LLP, legal advisers to the Bank in England;
(j)
a certified copy of the Revolving Facility Agreement;
(k)
a certified copy of the Consent Letter; and
(l) a certified copy of the Subordinated Loan Agreement.
The disbursement of each Tranche under Article 1.02, including the first, is conditional upon:
(a)
receipt by the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to it, on or before the date falling 5 (five) Business Days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date for the proposed Tranche, of the following documents or evidence:
(i)
a certificate from the Borrower in the form of Schedule C.2, such certificate to be
signed by two directors of the Borrower (or, failing that, by one director of the Borrower and the finance director or the treasurer or the investor reporting manager or the financial controller or the company secretary of the Borrower) and to be dated no earlier than the date falling 15 (fifteen) days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date; and
(ii)
a copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Bank has notified the Borrower is necessary or desirable in connection with (1) the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Contract or the Guarantee or the validity and enforceability of the same or (2) the Project; and
(b)
that on the Scheduled Disbursement Date for the proposed Tranche:
(i)
the representations and warranties which are repeated pursuant to Article 6.15 are correct in all respects; and
(ii)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived or would result from the proposed Tranche.
On or before the date which is the later of (a) the date falling 10 Business Days after receipt of an invoice from Norton Rose LLP; and (b) 30 days from the date of this Contract, the Borrower shall provide to the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower to Norton Rose LLP in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement and with the conditions precedent to be satisfied under Article 1.04A, have been paid.
1.05
Deferment of disbursement
Upon the written request of the Borrower, the Bank shall defer the disbursement of any Notified Tranche in whole or in part to a date specified by the Borrower being a date falling not later than 6 (six) months from its Scheduled Disbursement Date. In such case, the Borrower shall pay the deferment indemnity as determined pursuant to Article 1.05B below.
Any request for deferment shall have effect in respect of a Tranche only if it is made at least 5 (five) Business Days before its Scheduled Disbursement Date.
If any of the conditions referred to in Article 1.04 is not fulfilled as at the specified date and at the Scheduled Disbursement Date, and the Bank is of the opinion that it will not be satisfied, disbursement will be deferred to a date agreed between the Bank and the Borrower falling not earlier than 5 (five) Business Days following the fulfilment of all conditions of disbursement.
If the disbursement of any Notified Tranche is deferred, whether at the request of the Borrower or by reason of non-fulfilment of the conditions of disbursement, the Borrower shall, upon demand by the Bank, pay an indemnity on the amount of disbursement deferred. Such indemnity shall accrue from the Scheduled Disbursement Date to the actual disbursement date or, as the case may be, until the date of cancellation of the Notified Tranche in accordance with this Contract at a rate equal to
R1
minus
R2
, where:
"
R1
" means the rate of interest less the Margin that would have applied from time to time pursuant to Article 3.01, if the Tranche had been disbursed on the Scheduled Disbursement Date; and
"
R2
" means LIBOR less 0.125% (12.5 basis points); provided that for the purpose of determining LIBOR in relation to this Article 1.05, the relevant periods provided for in Schedule B shall be successive periods of 1 (one) month commencing on the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Furthermore, the indemnity:
(a)
if the deferment exceeds one (1) month in duration, shall accrue at the end of every month;
(b)
shall be calculated using the day count convention applicable to
R1
;
(c)
where
R2
exceeds
R1
, shall be set at zero; and
(d)
shall be payable in accordance with Article 1.09.
1.05C
Cancellation of disbursement deferred by 6 (six) months
The Bank may, by notice in writing to the Borrower, cancel a disbursement which has been deferred under Article 1.05A by more than 6 (six) months in aggregate. The cancelled amount shall remain available for disbursement under Article 1.02.
1.06
Cancellation and suspension
1.06A
Borrower's right to cancel
The Borrower may at any time by notice in writing to the Bank cancel, in whole or in part and with immediate effect, the undisbursed portion of the Credit. However, the notice shall have no effect in respect of a Notified Tranche which has a Scheduled Disbursement Date falling within 5 (five) Business Days of the date of the notice.
1.06B
Bank's right to suspend and cancel
(a)
The Bank may, by notice in writing to the Borrower, suspend and/or cancel the undisbursed portion of the Credit in whole or in part at any time and with immediate effect:
(i)
if a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii)
if, in the opinion of the Bank, a Material Adverse Change has occurred and is continuing;
(iii)
if a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing; or
(iv)
if the Credit (as such term is defined in the Yorkshire Finance Contract) or any part thereof is suspended and/or cancelled or if a Default or a Compulsory Prepayment Event (as such terms are defined in the Yorkshire Finance Contract) occurs under the Yorkshire Finance Contract.
(b)
Furthermore, to the extent that the Bank may cancel the Credit under Article 4.03A, the Bank may also suspend it. Any suspension shall continue until the Bank ends the suspension or cancels the suspended amount.
(c)
For the purposes of this Article, "
Market Disruption Event
" means:
(i)
the Bank determines that there are exceptional circumstances adversely affecting the Bank's access to its sources of funding;
(ii)
in the opinion of the Bank, the cost to the Bank of obtaining funds from its sources of funding would be in excess of the applicable LIBOR for the relevant period of a Tranche;
(iii)
the Bank determines that by reason of circumstances affecting its sources of funding generally adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR for the relevant period of a Tranche;
(iv)
in the opinion of the Bank, funds are not reasonably likely to be available to it in the ordinary course of business to fund a Tranche in GBP or for the relevant period, if applicable and appropriate to the specific lending operation; or
(v)
it is not possible for the Bank to obtain funding in sufficient amounts for it to fund a disbursement, if applicable and appropriate to the specific lending operation, or there is a material upheaval in the international debt, money or capital markets.
1.06C
Indemnity for suspension and cancellation of a Tranche
1.06C(1) SUSPENSION
If the Bank suspends a Notified Tranche, whether upon an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event or an event mentioned in Article 10.01, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 1.05B.
1.06C(2) CANCELLATION
If, pursuant to Article 1.06A, the Borrower cancels:
(a)
a Fixed Rate Notified Tranche, it shall indemnify the Bank under Article 4.02B(1);
(b)
a Floating Rate Notified Tranche or any part of the Credit other than a Notified Tranche, no indemnity is payable.
If the Bank cancels a Fixed Rate Notified Tranche upon an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event or pursuant to Article 1.05C, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 4.02B(1). If the Bank cancels a Notified Tranche upon an event mentioned in Article 10.01, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 10.03. Save in these cases, no indemnity is payable upon cancellation of a Tranche by the Bank.
An indemnity shall be calculated on the basis that the cancelled amount is deemed to have been disbursed and repaid on the Scheduled Disbursement Date or, to the extent that the disbursement of the Tranche is currently deferred or suspended, on the date of the cancellation notice.
1.07
Cancellation after expiry of the Credit
Any time on or after the Final Availability Date, the Bank may by notice to the Borrower and without liability arising on the part of either party, cancel any part of the Credit which has not yet been disbursed.
The Borrower shall pay to the Bank an up-front fee in an amount of GBP 119,000 (one hundred and nineteen thousand pounds sterling) for the establishment of the Credit under this Contract. Such up-front fee shall be payable as follows:
(a) upon separate request of the Borrower to be made together with the Disbursement Request, it shall be deducted by the Bank from the amount to be disbursed under the first Tranche;
(b) by the Borrower to the Bank on the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the first Tranche;
(c) if the Borrower communicates to the Bank that it wishes to cancel the Credit without a Disbursement Request having been submitted by the Borrower, within 30 (thirty) days of such notice of cancellation; or
(d) if the Borrower fails to make a valid Disbursement Request before or by the Final Availability Date, within 30 (thirty) days of the Final Availability Date.
The amount due to the Bank under paragraphs (b) to (d) above shall be payable in GBP and shall be paid to the account indicated by the Bank to the Borrower.
The amount due to the Bank and deducted from the first Tranche upon the request of the Borrower under paragraph (a) above shall be considered as having been duly paid by the Borrower to the Bank on the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the first Tranche. For the purposes of Article 2.01, such amount shall also be considered as having been disbursed by the Bank.
Sums due under Articles 1.05 and 1.06 shall be payable in GBP. They shall be payable within 7 (seven) days of the Borrower's receipt of the Bank's demand or within any longer period specified in the Bank's demand.
ARTICLE 2
The Loan
The Loan shall comprise the aggregate amount of Tranches disbursed by the Bank under the Credit, as confirmed by the Bank pursuant to Article 2.03.
2.02
Currency of repayment, interest and other charges
Interest, repayments and other charges payable in respect of each Tranche shall be made by the Borrower in the currency of the Tranche.
Any other payment shall be made in the currency specified by the Bank having regard to the currency of the expenditure to be reimbursed by means of that payment.
Within 10 (ten) days after disbursement of each Tranche, the Bank shall deliver to the Borrower the amortisation table referred to in Article 4.01, if appropriate, showing the disbursement date, currency, the amount disbursed, the repayment terms and the interest rate of and for that Tranche, which shall not contradict the relevant Disbursement Notice.
ARTICLE 3
Interest
For the purposes of this Contract "
Margin
" means sixteen basis points (0.16%) per annum.
Fixed Rates and Spreads are available for periods of not less than 4 (four) years or, where repayment is made in a single instalment according to Article 4.01B, not less than 5 (five) years.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the outstanding balance of each Fixed Rate Tranche at the Fixed Rate together with the Margin quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on the relevant Payment Dates, as specified in the Disbursement Notice, commencing on the first such Payment Date following the date on which the disbursement of the Tranche was made. If the period from the date on which disbursement was made to the first Payment Date is 15 days or less then the payment of interest accrued during such period shall be postponed to the following Payment Date.
Interest shall be calculated on the basis of Article 5.01(a) at an annual rate that is the sum of the Margin and the Fixed Rate.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the outstanding balance of each Floating Rate Tranche at the Floating Rate quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on the relevant Payment Dates, as specified in the Disbursement Notice commencing on the first such Payment Date following the date of disbursement of the Tranche. If the period from the date on which disbursement was made to the first Payment Date is 15 days or less then the payment of interest accrued during such period shall be postponed to the following Payment Date.
The Bank shall notify the Floating Rate to the Borrower within 10 (ten) days following the commencement of each Floating Rate Reference Period.
If pursuant to Articles 1.05 and 1.06 disbursement of any Floating Rate Tranche takes place after the Scheduled Disbursement Date the interest rate applicable to the first Floating Rate Reference Period shall be determined as though disbursement had taken place on the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Interest shall be calculated in respect of each Floating Rate Reference Period on the basis of Article 5.01(b).
3.01C
Revision or Conversion of Tranches
Where the Borrower exercises an option to revise or convert the interest rate basis of a Tranche, it shall, from the effective Interest Revision/Conversion Date (in accordance with the procedure set out in Schedule D) pay interest at a rate determined in accordance with the provisions of Schedule D.
Without prejudice to Article 10 and by way of exception to Article 3.01, interest shall accrue on any overdue sum payable under the terms of this Contract from the due date to the date of payment at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 2% (200 basis points) and shall be payable in accordance with the demand of the Bank. For the purpose of determining LIBOR in relation to this Article 3.02, the relevant periods within the meaning of Schedule B shall be successive periods of one month commencing on the due date.
However, interest on a Fixed Rate Tranche shall be charged at the annual rate that is the sum of the rate defined in Article 3.01A plus 0.25% (25 basis points) if that annual rate exceeds, for any given relevant period, the rate specified in the preceding paragraph.
If the overdue sum is in a currency other than the currency of the Loan, the following rate per annum shall apply, namely the Relevant Interbank Rate that is generally retained by the Bank for transactions in that currency plus 2% (200 basis points), calculated in accordance with the market practice for such rate.
ARTICLE 4
Repayment
(a)
The Borrower shall repay each Tranche by instalments on the Payment Dates specified in the relevant Disbursement Notice in accordance with the terms of the amortisation table delivered pursuant to Article 2.03.
(b)
Each amortisation table shall be drawn up on the basis that:
(i)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche without an Interest Revision/Conversion Date, repayment shall be made on a constant annuity basis or by equal annual, semi-annual or quarterly instalments of principal;
(ii)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche with an Interest Revision/Conversion Date or a Floating Rate Tranche, repayment shall be made by equal annual, semi-annual or quarterly instalments of principal; and
(iii)
the first repayment date of each Tranche shall be a Payment Date falling not later than the first Payment Date immediately following the 4th (fourth) anniversary of the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the Tranche and the last repayment date shall be a Payment Date falling not earlier than 4 (four) years and not later than 20 (twenty) years from the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Alternatively, the Borrower may repay the Tranche in a single instalment on a Payment Date specified in the Disbursement Notice, being a date falling not less than 5 (five) years or more than 12 (twelve) years from the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Subject to Articles 4.02B, 4.02C and 4.04, the Borrower may prepay all or part of any Tranche, together with accrued interest and indemnities if any, upon giving a Prepayment Notice with at least 1 (one) month's prior notice specifying the Prepayment Amount and the Prepayment Date.
Subject to Article 4.02C the Prepayment Notice shall be binding and irrevocable.
4.02B(1) FIXED RATE TRANCHE
(a)
Subject to paragraph (b) below, if the Borrower prepays a Fixed Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank on the Prepayment Date an indemnity equal to the present value (as of the Prepayment Date) of the excess, if any, of:
(i)
the interest calculated net of the Margin that would accrue thereafter on the Prepayment Amount over the period from the Prepayment Date to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date, if it were not prepaid; over
(ii)
the interest that would so accrue over that period, if it were calculated at the Redeployment Rate, less 0.15% (fifteen basis points).
The said present value shall be calculated at a discount rate equal to the Redeployment Rate, applied as of each relevant Payment Date.
(b)
The Borrower may prepay a Fixed Rate Tranche without indemnity on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date in the event of the non-fulfilment of an Interest Revision/Conversion pursuant to Schedule D.
4.02B(2) FLOATING RATE TRANCHE
The Borrower may prepay a Floating Rate Tranche without indemnity on any relevant Payment Date. If the Borrower has accepted an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal to convert a Floating Rate Tranche to a Fixed Rate Tranche pursuant to Schedule D Article 4.02B(1) applies.
The Bank shall notify the Borrower, not later than 15 (fifteen) days prior to the Prepayment Date, of the Prepayment Amount, of the accrued interest due thereon and of the indemnity payable under Article 4.02B or, as the case may be, that no indemnity is due.
Not later than the Acceptance Deadline, the Borrower shall notify the Bank either:
(a)
that it confirms the Prepayment Notice on the terms specified by the Bank; or
(b)
that it withdraws the Prepayment Notice.
If the Borrower gives the confirmation under paragraph (a) above, it shall effect the prepayment. If the Borrower withdraws the Prepayment Notice or fails to confirm it in due time, it may not effect the prepayment. Save as aforesaid, the Prepayment Notice shall be binding and irrevocable.
The Borrower shall accompany the prepayment by the payment of accrued interest and indemnity, if any, due on the Prepayment Amount.
4.03A(1) PROJECT COST REDUCTION
If the total cost of the Project should be reduced from the figure stated in Recital (2) to a level at which the aggregate of (i) the amount of the Credit remaining available for disbursement and (ii) the Loan exceeds 50% (fifty per cent) of such cost, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and/or demand prepayment of the Loan in an amount not exceeding the amount required to ensure that the aggregate of (i) the Credit remaining available for disbursement and (ii) the Loan does not exceed 50% (fifty per cent) of the total cost of the Project as so reduced.
4.03A(2) PARI PASSU TO ANOTHER TERM LOAN
If the Borrower (or any other member of the Group) voluntarily prepays a part or the whole of any other loan originally granted to it for a term of more than 3 (three) years (a "
Term Loan
") otherwise than out of the proceeds of a loan having a term at least equal to the unexpired term of the Term Loan prepaid, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, in such proportion as the prepaid amount of the Term Loan bears to the aggregate outstanding amount of all Term Loans.
The Bank shall address its notice to the Borrower within 30 (thirty) days of receipt of the relevant notice under Article 8.02(c)(iii).
For the purposes of this Article:
(a)
"
loan
" includes any loan, bond or other form of financial indebtedness or any obligation for the payment or repayment of money; and
(b)
"
Term Loan
" excludes a loan from the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group to the Borrower or to any member of the Group.
4.03A(3) CHANGE OF CONTROL
The Borrower shall promptly inform the Bank if a Change-of-Control Event has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur. In such case, or if the Bank has reasonable cause to believe that a Change-of-Control Event has occurred or is about to occur, the Bank may request that the Borrower consult with it. Such consultation shall take place within 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's request. After the earlier of (a) the expiry of 30 (thirty) days from the date of such request for consultation; or (b) the occurrence of the anticipated Change-of-Control Event, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract. The Borrower shall effect payment of the amount demanded on the date specified by the Bank, such date being a date falling not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the demand.
For the purposes of this Article, a "
Change-of-Control Event
" occurs if:
(a) any of the Guarantor or MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ceases to be the beneficial owner directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries of the entire issued share capital of the Borrower; or
(b) MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ceases to be the beneficial owner directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries of the entire issued share capital of the Guarantor.
4.03A(4) CHANGE OF LAW
The Borrower shall promptly inform the Bank if a Change-of-Law Event has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur in respect to the Borrower. In such case, or if the Bank has reasonable cause to believe that a Change-of-Law Event has occurred or is about to occur, the Bank may request that the Borrower consult with it. Such consultation shall take place within 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's request. After the earlier of (a) the lapse of 30 (thirty) days from the date of such request for consultation or (b) the occurrence of the anticipated Change-of-Law Event, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract. The Borrower shall effect payment of the amount demanded on the date specified by the Bank, such date being a date falling not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the demand.
For the purposes of this Article "
Change-of-Law Event
" means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of or any change in or amendment to any law, rule or regulation (or in the application or official interpretation of any law, rule or regulation) that occurs after the date of this Contract which results or is reasonably likely to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change.
4.03A(5) ACCEPTABLE SECURITY EVENT
(a)
If an Acceptable Security Event occurs, the Borrower shall provide alternative Acceptable Security in replacement of the existing Acceptable Security.
(b)
If within a period of 30 (thirty) days alternative Acceptable Security has not been executed in a manner, form and substance acceptable to the Bank, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, forthwith cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract.
(c)
Notwithstanding the aforegoing, the Bank shall not have any right under this Article 4.03A(5) to the extent that such right would constitute a "Cross-Default Obligation" as defined in the Licence.
Any sum demanded by the Bank pursuant to Article 4.03A, together with any interest or other amounts accrued and outstanding and any indemnity due under Article 4.03C, shall be paid on the date indicated by the Bank which date shall fall not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's notice of demand and shall be applied in accordance with Article 10.05.
In the case of an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event, the indemnity, if any, shall be determined in accordance with Article 4.02B(1) for a Fixed Rate Tranche.
If, moreover, pursuant to any provision of Article 4.03A the Borrower prepays a Tranche on a date other than a relevant Payment Date, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank in such amount as the Bank shall certify is required to compensate it for receipt of funds otherwise than on a relevant Payment Date.
4.04
Application of partial prepayments
If the Borrower partially prepays a Tranche, the Prepayment Amount shall be applied pro rata to each outstanding instalment.
A prepaid amount may not be reborrowed. This Article 4 shall not prejudice Article 10.
ARTICLE 5
Payments
Any amount due by way of interest, indemnity or fee from the Borrower under this Contract, and calculated in respect of a fraction of a year, shall be determined on the following respective conventions:
(a)
for a Fixed Rate Tranche, a year of 360 (three hundred and sixty) days and a month of 30 (thirty) days; and
(b)
for a Floating Rate Tranche, a year of 365 (three hundred and sixty five) days (invariable) and the number of days elapsed.
5.02
Time and place of payment
Unless otherwise specified, all sums other than sums of interest, indemnity and principal are payable within 7 (seven) days of the Borrower's receipt of the Bank's demand.
Each sum payable by the Borrower under this Contract shall be paid to the respective account notified by the Bank to the Borrower. The Bank shall indicate the account not less than 15 (fifteen) days before the due date for the first payment by the Borrower and shall notify any change of account not less than 15 (fifteen) days before the date of the first payment to which the change applies. This period of notice does not apply in the case of payment under Article 10.
A sum due from the Borrower shall be deemed paid when the Bank receives it.
The Bank may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under this Contract (to the extent beneficially owned by the Bank) against any obligation (whether or not matured) owed by the Bank to the Borrower regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Bank may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off. If either obligation is unliquidated or unascertained, the Bank may set off in an amount estimated by it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation.
ARTICLE 6
Borrower undertakings and representations
The undertakings in this Article 6 remain in force from the date of this Contract for so long as any amount is outstanding under this Contract or the Credit is in force.
A.
Project undertakings
6.01
Use of Loan and availability of other funds
The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan exclusively for the execution of the Project.
The Borrower shall ensure that it has available to it the other funds listed in Recital (2) and that such funds are expended, to the extent required, on the financing of the Project.
The Borrower shall carry out the Project in accordance with the Technical Description as may be modified from time to time with the approval of the Bank, and complete it by the final date specified therein.
6.03
Increased cost of Project
If the total cost of the Project exceeds the estimated figure set out in Recital (2), the Borrower shall obtain the finance to fund the excess cost without recourse to the Bank, so as to enable the Project to be completed in accordance with the Technical Description. The plans for funding the excess cost shall be communicated to the Bank without delay.
The Borrower shall purchase equipment, secure services and order works for the Project (a) in so far as they apply to it or to the Project, in accordance with EU law in general and in particular with the relevant EU Directives and (b) in so far as EU Directives do not apply, by procurement procedures which, to the satisfaction of the Bank, respect the criteria of economy and efficiency.
6.05
Continuing Project undertakings
The Borrower shall:
(a)
Maintenance
: maintain, repair, overhaul and renew all property forming part of the Project as required to keep it in good working order;
(b)
Project assets
:
unless the Bank shall have given its prior consent in writing, retain title to and possession of all or substantially all the assets comprising the Project or, as appropriate, replace and renew such assets and maintain the Project in substantially continuous operation in accordance with its original purpose; provided that the Bank may withhold its consent only where the proposed action would prejudice the Bank's interests as lender to the Borrower or would render the Project ineligible for financing by the Bank under its Statute or under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
(c)
Insurance
: insure all works and property (including all works and property forming part of the Project) with reputable underwriters or insurance companies against those risks and to the extent as is consistent with sound business practice;
(d)
Rights and Permits
: maintain in force all rights of way or use and all permits necessary for the execution and operation of the Project; and
(e)
Environment
: implement and operate the Project in conformity with Environmental Law.
6.06
Environmental Impact Assessments, EU Habitats and Birds Directives
The Borrower shall not allocate any part of the Loan to any component of the Project that would require an Environmental Impact Assessment according to applicable EU or national law until the Environmental Impact Assessment with the integrated biodiversity assessment has been finalised and approved by the competent authority. The Borrower shall place an electronic copy of all Non-Technical Summaries and of the corresponding Authorisations on the website http://www.ce-electricuk.com/page/EIA.cfm (which shall not be password protected) when the Environmental Impact Assessment is made available to the public and when environmental authorisation is achieved, and shall maintain such copies on the relevant website until the Project Completion Report contemplated in Schedule A.2 is delivered to the Bank. The Bank will, without having any obligation towards the Borrower to do so, make available the Non-Technical Summaries via a web-link on the Bank's website.
The Borrower shall store and keep updated any documents as may be relevant for the Project supporting the compliance with the provisions of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives (Form A/B or equivalent declaration by the competent authority) and shall promptly upon request deliver such documents to the Bank.
B.
General undertakings
(a)
The Borrower shall not, and shall procure that no other member of the Group will, without the prior written consent of the Bank, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, dispose of all or any part of its business, undertaking or assets.
(b)
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to the disposal of assets, other than assets forming part of the Project and all shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project:
(i)
for fair market value and at arm's length, provided that, during the life of the Loan, the aggregate book value of the assets disposed of by each and every member of the Group shall not exceed 5% (five per cent) of the Group's consolidated fixed assets as reflected in the latest consolidated management accounts of the Group prior to the signature of this Contract;
(ii)
of assets in exchange for other assets comparable or superior as to type, value and quality; or
(iii)
made in good faith and in the ordinary course of business by way of dividend out of distributable profits and as permitted by applicable law.
(c)
Paragraph (a) does not apply to the disposal of assets forming part of the Project provided that each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) such disposal does not exceed 1% (one per cent) of the aggregate of the value of the assets forming part of the Project, (ii) the proposed disposal would not prejudice the Bank's interests as lender to the Borrower nor would such disposal render the Project ineligible for financing by the Bank under its Statute or under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and (iii) the proposed disposal would not jeopardise the completion of the Project in accordance with the Technical Description. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no disposal of any assets forming part of the Project other than as set out in this Article 6.07(c) or with the prior written consent of the Bank provided pursuant to Article 6.07(a) and no disposal of any shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project shall be permitted.
For the purposes of this Article, "
dispose
" and "
disposal
" includes any act effecting sale, transfer, lease or other disposal.
(a)
The Borrower shall observe, perform and comply in all material respects with all laws to which it or the Project is subject (including with the Electricity Act, the Competition Act and/or the Enterprise Act) and with all rules, regulations, orders and other requirements of the competent Secretary of State and Director-General applicable to the Borrower.
(b)
The Borrower shall, and shall procure that each other member of the Group will, comply in all material respects with the conditions and restrictions (if any) imposed on it in, or in connection with, every material Authorisation of any Governmental Authority, including, in the case of the Borrower, the Licence.
(c)
The Borrower shall do, or cause to be done, all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary to be done by it under any applicable law, the Balancing and Settlement Code, the Connection and Use of System Code, the Grid Code and the Distribution Code (each as defined in the Borrower's Licence) for the continued due compliance in all material respects by the Borrower with such Licence.
(d)
The Borrower shall not agree to any material amendments to (including any amended or additional standard or special conditions) the Licence without the prior written consent of the Bank, save where such amendments are required by law.
(e)
The Borrower shall not transfer the Licence to any person, whether or not it is a member of the Group.
(f)
The Borrower shall promptly:
(i)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and
(ii)
supply certified copies to the Bank of,
any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to enter into this Contract and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation of this Contract.
The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Borrower or of the Group as a whole from that carried on at the date of this Contract.
The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no other member of the Group will, enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction provided that nothing in this Article 6.10 shall prohibit any Subsidiary of the Borrower from entering into any intra-Group amalgamation, de-merger, merger or corporate reconstruction on a solvent basis and which does not involve (a) an amalgamation, de-merger or corporate reconstruction of the Borrower; or (b) any transfer of assets, rights or obligations to or from the Borrower.
The Borrower shall ensure that all relationships between it and any other company shall be undertaken and conducted on an arms length basis save for any dealings that are not at arms' length but which are expressly permitted pursuant to the Consent Letter.
The Borrower shall not, after the date of this Contract, enter into any arrangement containing a Cross Default Obligation.
6.13
Restrictions on incurring Financial Indebtedness
The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no member of the Group will, incur any Financial Indebtedness, except for Permitted Financial Indebtedness, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
all payments then due under this Contract have been made;
(b)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(c)
the Borrower's ratio of Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV does not exceed 0.70:1; and
(d)
the Borrower's Interest Cover is 2.6:1 or more.
The Borrower shall ensure that, at all times:
(a)
its Interest Cover for each Relevant Period shall not be less than 2.5:1; and
(b)
its ratio of Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV for each Relevant Period shall not exceed 0.725:1.
The value of the terms referred to in Article 6.14A shall be calculated and interpreted in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in each case, shall be expressed in GBP and:
(a) in respect of each Relevant Period ending on 30 June in any year, shall be calculated on a consolidated basis using the consolidated management accounts of the Group most recently delivered to the Bank; and
(b) in respect of each Relevant Period ending on 31 December in any year, shall be calculated (i) once on a consolidated basis using the consolidated management accounts of the Group most recently delivered to the Bank and (ii) once using the audited annual financial statements of the Borrower most recently delivered to the Bank (on an unconsolidated basis for so long as such audited annual financial statements are prepared on an unconsolidated basis and on a consolidated basis should such audited annual financial statements be prepared on a consolidated basis).
For the purposes of this Contract:
"
Calculation Date
"
means each of 30 June and 31 December in any year save that the first Calculation Date shall be 30 June 2010.
"
Cash Equivalents
"
means investments in GBP, EUR or USD demand or time deposits, certificates of deposit and short term debt obligations (including commercial paper), synthetic GBP, EUR or USD deposits, shares in money market liquidity funds or a guaranteed investment contract,
provided that
in all cases such investments have a maturity of not longer than 9 (nine) months from the date of their acquisition and meet the following credit criteria: (i) they are money market funds with a minimum credit rating of AAA or equivalent from any of the two Rating Agencies (or, in the case of shares in money market liquidity funds, from any single Rating Agency) and (ii) in the case of all other counterparties and other specific instruments, they have a minimum short term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or of P-1 from Moody's.
"
Consolidated EBIT
"
means, for each Relevant Period, the profit shown in the relevant accounts or statements for the relevant period on the line entitled "operating profit":
(i)
before taking into account
any items treated as exceptional items;
(ii)
after deducting
the amount of any profit of any member of the Group which is attributable to minority interests;
(iii)
after
adding
dividends received from associates and joint ventures to the extent not included in operating profit;
(iv)
before taking into account
any realised or unrealised exchange gains and losses including those arising on translation of currency debt;
(v)
before taking into account
any gain or loss arising from an upward or downward revaluation of any asset;
in each case, to the extent added, deducted or taken into account, as the case may be, for the purposes of determining the profit before tax of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) and without double counting.
"
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
"
means, for any Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of interest paid on Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt (net of interest received and after taking account of payments made and amounts received under any derivatives related to such Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt) included in the relevant cash flow statement of the Borrower or the Group, as applicable, in respect of that Relevant Period.
"
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
"
means, at any time, the aggregate amount (without double counting) of all obligations of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) for or in respect of Financial Indebtedness (other than between members of the Group) which rank at least
pari passu
with the Loan but:
(i) deducting the aggregate amount of all obligations of any member of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) in respect of Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the repayment or redemption of such Financial Indebtedness is provided for by the purchase by a member of the Group (or, as the case may be, by the Borrower) of a GIC;
(ii) deducting the aggregate amount of freely available cash and Cash Equivalents held by any member of the Group (or, as the case may be, by the Borrower) at such time; and
(iii) deducting the interest component of Financial Indebtedness in existence on the date of this Contract which interest has accrued but not as at the time when the Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt is being calculated fallen due for payment or been paid, provided that no material change is made to the basis upon which such interest accrues after the date of this Contract and that such interest component shall not exceed on an aggregate basis GBP 20,000,000 (twenty million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies,
and so that no amount shall be excluded more than once.
"
Final Proposals
"
means the final proposals document published by OFGEM in respect of the Borrower for each electricity distribution price control review, provided that, if such final proposals document is not accepted by the Borrower, such final proposals document shall be considered "
Final Proposals
" until such time as the regulatory asset value of the Borrower is finally determined by a competent authority.
"
GIC
"
means each of (i) the investment agreement dated on or about 26 April 2005 between Ambac Capital Funding, Inc., Ambac Assurance UK Limited and the Borrower and (ii) any other guaranteed investment contract or similar investment agreement with a maturity of 60 months or less from the date of purchase and which is provided by a counterparty which has, or whose obligations under such guaranteed investment contract or other agreement are guaranteed by an entity that has, a credit rating of at least A+ from S&P and A1 from Moody's.
"
Interest Cover
"
means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the ratio of Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period to Consolidated Net Finance Charges for that Relevant Period.
"
Rating Agency
"
means each of S&P and Moody's.
"
Regulated Asset Value
" or "
RAV
" means the regulatory asset value of the Borrower, as set out in the most recent Final Proposals, adjusted for inflation, as of the 31 March nearest to (i) the relevant Calculation Date, in the case of a calculation of the ratios set out under Article 6.14A or, as the case may be, (ii) the date on which the relevant member of the Group proposes to incur any further Financial Indebtedness other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness (in the case of the covenant under Article 6.13),
provided that
there shall be included in any determination of RAV the value of any assets which were included in RAV as at 31 March 2010 but which (i) subsequently are excluded from RAV by OFGEM, (ii) have become subject to a separate price control arrangement, and (iii) are still owned by the Borrower as of the date of determination of RAV, and
provided further that
if at any time OFGEM alters its methodology of determining RAV in a manner which results in a change in RAV, the Bank may require the Borrower to enter into negotiations with a view to agreeing appropriate adjustments to this definition (and to other terms defined or described herein solely for the purposes of this definition), whereupon the Borrower and the Bank shall promptly in good faith negotiate such appropriate adjustments so that the original intent of the undertakings set forth in Articles 6.13 and 6.14 hereof is preserved and in the absence of agreement between the Bank and the Borrower within 60 (sixty) days from the date when the Bank has requested the entering into of such negotiations, such adjustments shall be determined by an independent accountant experienced in the regulated electricity distribution market selected by the Bank.
"
Relevant Period
" means each period of 12 (twelve) months ending on such Calculation Date.
6.15
General Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that:
(a)
it and each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(b)
it has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Contract and all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same by it;
(c)
no Authorisations are required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Contract, or the validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence thereof, except for such Authorisations as have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence (including no objection having been raised by OFGEM in relation to this Contract), and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations (it being understood that the representations and warranties in this Article 6.15(c) do not refer to Authorisations required for the carrying out of the Project, in respect of which the representations and warranties in Article 6.15(d) shall apply);
(d)
no material Authorisations are required for the carrying on of the business of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group as it is carried on or is contemplated to be carried on, or for the carrying out of the Project, except for such Authorisations that are not required at the time this represensation is made or repeated or as have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence, and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(e)
this Contract constitutes its legally valid, binding and enforceable obligations;
(f)
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under and compliance with the provisions of this Contract and the transactions contemplated in this Contract do not and will not:
(i)
contravene or conflict with any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any judgement, decree or permit to which it is subject or the Licence;
(ii)
contravene or conflict with any material agreement or other instrument binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries;
(iii)
contravene or conflict with any provision of its or of its Subsidiaries' constitutional documents; or
(iv)
result in the imposition of increased financial charges or requirements as to security under any other contract or instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;
(g)
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Contract, that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere;
(h)
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to this Contract or the transactions contemplated in this Contract;
(i)
the choice of English law as the governing law of this Contract will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation and any judgement obtained in England in relation to this Contract will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(j)
it is not required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under this Contract to the Bank;
(k)
the most recent consolidated management accounts of the Group and audited accounts of the Borrower have been prepared on a basis consistent with previous years in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in the case of its audited accounts, have been approved by the Borrower's auditors as representing a true and fair view of the results of its operations for that year, they accurately disclose or reserve against all the liabilities (actual or contingent) of the Borrower at the time when such financial statements were produced and no material adverse change in the Borrower's business or the financial conditon of the Group has occurred since the date of such accounts;
(l)
there has been no Borrower Material Adverse Change since the date of this Contract;
(m)
no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived or might reasonably be expected to result from the disbursement of the Loan;
(n)
no other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes a default under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which might reasonably be expected to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change;
(o)
no litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or investigation is current or to its knowledge is threatened or pending before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against it or any of its subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(p)
at the date of this Contract, no Security Interest exists over its assets or over those of the Group except for the Security Interests referred to in Article 7.02(c)(i) to (iv);
(q)
no Environmental Claim in respect of the Project has been commenced or (to the best of its knowledge and belief) is threatened against any member of the Group;
(r)
the Borrower is not party to any arrangement containing a Cross Default Obligation;
(s)
there has been no application made by the Authority or the applicable Secretary of State for an Energy Administration Order under the Energy Act or an order under section 25 of the Electricity Act in respect of the Borrower and no Energy Administration Order under the Energy Act or provisional or final order under section 25 of the Electricity Act has been made in respect of the Borrower;
(t)
any written factual information provided by any member of the Group to the Bank was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated; and
(u)
its payment obligations under this Contract rank not less than pari passu in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
The representations and warranties set out above shall survive the execution of this Contract and are, except for the representation and warranty in paragraph (p) above, deemed repeated on each Scheduled Disbursement Date, on the date on which any Disbursement Request is submitted and on each Payment Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then prevailing.
The Borrower acknowledges that it has made the representations and warranties contained in this Article 6.15 with the intention of inducing the Bank to enter into this Contract and that the Bank has entered into this Contract on the basis of, and in full reliance on, each of such representations and warranties.
ARTICLE 7
Security
The undertakings in this Article 7 remain in force from the date of this Contract for so long as any amount is outstanding under this Contract or the Credit is in force.
(a)
The obligations of the Bank under this Contract are conditional upon the prior execution and delivery to the Bank of Acceptable Security in form and substance satisfactory to it. As at the date of execution of this Contract, the Acceptable Security provided is the Guarantee, whereby the Guarantor unconditionally guarantees the due performance of the Borrower's financial obligations under this Contract in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee Agreement. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and consents to the terms of the Guarantee Agreement.
(b)
The Borrower may at any time with the prior written consent of the Bank replace the Acceptable Security in place at such time with alternative Acceptable Security acceptable to the Bank.
(c)
The Borrower shall replace the Acceptable Security at any time it is required to do so in accordance with Article 4.03A(5).
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall not and shall ensure that no other member of the Group will, without the prior written consent of the Bank, create or permit to subsist any Security Interest or Quasi-Security on, or with respect to, any of its present or future business, undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital).
(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall not, and shall procure that no other member of the Group shall:
(i)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by a member of the Group;
(ii)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;
(iii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or
(iv)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
(c)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply to:
(i)
any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;
(ii)
any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading;
(iii)
any Security over or affecting (or transaction ("
Quasi-Security
") described in paragraph (b) above affecting) any asset acquired by the Borrower or any member of the Group after the date of this Contract if:
a.
the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by the Borrower or any member of the Group;
b.
the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset by the Borrower or any member of the Group; and
c.
the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within 3 (three) months of the date of acquisition of such asset;
(iv)
any Security entered into pursuant to this Contract; or
(v)
any Security or Quasi-Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when aggregated with the principal amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under paragraphs (i) to (iv) above) does not exceed GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in another currency or currencies,
provided in each case that no such Security or Quasi-Security is created or permitted to subsist over any assets forming part of the Project or over any shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project.
The Borrower shall ensure that its payment obligations under this Contract rank, and will rank, not less than
pari passu
in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
(a)
If at any time while any part of the Credit or the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower or any other member of the Group has concluded or shall conclude with any other creditor a "
Credit Facility
" (meaning a loan, credit agreement, facility or private placement purchase or any other financing agreement) that includes any (i) affirmative or negative covenant, including but not limited to a loss-of-rating clause or any financial covenant regarding the Borrower or any other member of the Group, (ii) defaults or events of defaults or (iii) mandatory prepayment or "put" provision or provisions for collateral security (each such provision or clause hereinafter referred to as a "
More Favourable Provision
") that either:
(i)
is not otherwise included in this Contract,
(ii)
is more restrictive upon the relevant member of the Group than those contained in this Contract, or
(iii)
is more beneficial to the financial creditors than relevant similar provisions contained in this Contract,
the Borrower shall immediately and in any event within 10 (ten) Business Days of entering into or permitting the amendment of the Credit Facility inform the Bank in writing of the More Favourable Provision and provide the Bank with its wording including, if relevant, an English translation thereof. Thereupon such More Favourable Provision shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this Contract as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis, effective as of the date when such More Favourable Provision became effective under such other Credit Facility (each such More Favourable Provision as incorporated herein being referred to as an "
Incorporated Provision
") and, subject to Article 7.04(c), no Incorporated Provision may thereafter be waived, amended or modified under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Bank. Thereafter, upon the request of the Bank, the Borrower shall execute an agreement to amend this Contract, evidencing the incorporation of such Incorporated Provision.
(b)
Without limiting the generality of Article 7.04(a) and subject to Article 7.04(c), all More Favourable Provisions set out in the Revolving Facility Agreement shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Contract as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis and effective as of the date hereof, and shall constitute Incorporated Provisions.
(i)
the corresponding provision in the relevant Credit Facility in respect of an Incorporated Provision has been amended or is no longer in effect and no Default, Compulsory Prepayment Event or Material Adverse Change has occurred; and
(ii)
the Borrower provides evidence satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank that the conditions set out in Article 7.04(c)(i) have been satisfied,
the Borrower may request that the relevant Incorporated Provision be amended, mutatis mutandis, as set out in the relevant Credit Facility or, as the case may be, that the Incorporated Provision no longer apply, and the Bank shall consent to such request provided however, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing in this Article 7.04 shall in any way affect any of the provisions of this Contract as of the date hereof, which shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be affected by any amendment to any Incorporated Provision or any Incorporated Provision no longer applying pursuant to this Article 7.04(c).
ARTICLE 8
Information and visits
8.01
Information concerning the Project
The Borrower shall:
(i)
the information in content and in form, and at the times, specified in Schedule A.2 or otherwise as agreed from time to time by the parties to this Contract; and
(ii)
any such information or further document concerning the financing, procurement, implementation, operation and environmental impact of or for the Project as the Bank may reasonably require within a reasonable time;
provided always that if such information or document is not delivered to the Bank on time, and the Borrower does not rectify the omission within a reasonable time set by the Bank in writing, the Bank may remedy the deficiency, to the extent feasible, by employing its own staff or a consultant or any other third party, at the Borrower's expense and the Borrower shall provide such persons with all assistance necessary for the purpose;
(b)
submit for the approval of the Bank without delay any material change to the Project, including, inter alia, in respect of the price, design, plans, timetable or to the expenditure programme or financing plan for the Project, in relation to the disclosures made to the Bank prior to the signing of this Contract;
(c)
promptly inform the Bank of:
(i)
any material action or protest initiated or any material objection raised by any third party or any genuine material complaint received by the Borrower or any material litigation that is commenced or threatened against it with regard to environmental or other matters affecting the Project; and
(ii)
any fact or event known to the Borrower, which may substantially prejudice or affect the conditions of execution or operation of the Project; and
(d)
promptly provide to the Bank, if so requested:
(i)
a certificate of its insurers showing fulfilment of the requirements of Article 6.05(c); and
(ii)
annually, a list of policies in force covering the insured property forming part of the Project, together with confirmation of payment of the current premiums.
8.02
Information concerning the Borrower
The Borrower shall:
(i)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 150 days after the end of each of its and the Guarantor's financial years, its and the Guarantor's audited financial statements for that financial year (consolidated in the case of the Guarantor and, in the case of the Borrower, consolidated or unconsolidated);
(ii)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 90 days after each Calculation Date, its and the Guarantor's consolidated management accounts showing their respective financial performance for the financial year-to-date on such Calculation Date;
(iii)
together with each set of financial statements and management accounts delivered pursuant to Article 8.02(a)(i) or 8.02(a)(ii), a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Article 6.14 as at the date when those financial statements were drawn up, such Compliance Certificate to be signed by two directors of the Borrower (or, failing that, by one director of the Borrower and the finance director or the treasurer or the investor reporting manager or the financial controller or the company secretary of the Borrower);
(iv)
promptly upon request by the Bank, a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or, if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it); and
(v)
from time to time, such further information on the general financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower, of any member of the Group and of the Guarantor as the Bank may reasonably require;
(b)
ensure that its accounting records fully reflect the operations relating to the financing, execution and operation of the Project; and
(c)
inform the Bank promptly of:
(i)
any material alteration to its constitutional documents or shareholding structure after the date of this Contract;
(ii)
any fact which obliges it to prepay any Financial Indebtedness or any EU funding;
(iii)
any event or decision that constitutes or may result in any Compulsory Prepayment Event or of its belief or, as the case may be, reasonable grounds for belief that such an event has occurred or is likely to occur;
(iv)
any intention on its part to grant any Security over any of its assets in favour of a third party;
(v)
any intention on its part to relinquish ownership of any material component of the Project;
(vi)
any fact or event that is reasonably likely to prevent the substantial fulfilment of any obligation of the Borrower under this Contract;
(vii)
any Default or Material Adverse Change having occurred or being threatened or anticipated and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it;
(viii)
any proposed material changes to the Licence and, as soon as reasonably available, provide to the Bank a certified copy of any amendments or modifications to the Licence or replacement thereof; or
(ix)
any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigation which is current, threatened or pending which might if adversely determined result in a Material Adverse Change.
The Borrower shall allow persons designated by the Bank at reasonable times to visit the sites, installations and works comprising the Project and to conduct such checks as they may wish, and shall provide them, or ensure that they are provided, with all necessary assistance for this purpose; provided, however that (other than after the occurrence of a Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event which is continuing) the Bank shall provide reasonable notice of any such visits and any such persons shall comply with the Borrower's or its contractor's safety and security requirements.
ARTICLE 9
Charges and expenses
The Borrower shall pay all taxes, duties, fees and other impositions of whatsoever nature, including stamp duty and registration fees, arising out of the execution or implementation of this Contract or any related document and in the creation, perfection, registration or enforcement of any security for the Loan to the extent applicable.
The Borrower shall pay all principal, interest, indemnity and other amounts due under this Contract gross without deduction of any national or local impositions whatsoever; provided that, if the Borrower is obliged to make any such deduction, it will gross up the payment to the Bank so that after deduction, the net amount received by the Bank is equivalent to the sum due.
If the Borrower is obliged to deduct any amount under this Article and the Bank subsequently recovers any sum or obtains any credit against any tax payable by it in respect of any such payment, the Bank shall promptly upon receiving such sum or obtaining such credit pay a corresponding amount to the Borrower; provided that the Bank is not obliged to seek any such recovery or credit.
The Borrower shall bear all charges and expenses, including professional, banking or exchange charges incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, implementation, enforcement, administration, monitoring and termination of this Contract or any related document (including the Guarantee Agreement), any amendment, supplement or waiver in respect of this Contract or any related document (including the Guarantee Agreement), and in the amendment, creation, management and realisation of any security for the Loan, including the fees to be invoiced by Norton Rose LLP, legal advisers to the Bank in England.
(a)
If any sum due from the Borrower under this Contract (a "
Sum
"), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the "
First Currency
") in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the "
Second Currency
") for the purpose of:
(i)
making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower; or
(ii)
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,
the Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within 3 (three) Business Days of demand, indemnify the Bank against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to the Bank at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(b)
The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under this Contract in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.
ARTICLE 10
Events of default
10.01
Right to demand repayment
The Borrower shall repay all or part of the Loan forthwith, together with accrued interest and other outstanding amounts, upon written demand being made by the Bank in accordance with the following provisions.
The Bank may make such demand immediately:
(a)
if the Borrower fails on the due date to repay any part of the Loan, to pay interest thereon or to make any other payment to the Bank as provided in this Contract unless the non-payment is due to a technical or administrative error or disruption to a payment system and is cured within 3 (three) Business Days;
(b)
if the Borrower is in breach of any of the covenants set out in Article 6.14A;
(c)
if any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in this Contract is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect;
(d)
if any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in connection with the negotiation of this Contract or any other information or document given to the Bank by or on behalf of the Borrower is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect;
(e)
if, following any default in relation thereto, the Borrower or any other member of the Group is required or is capable of being required or will, following expiry of any applicable contractual grace period, be required or be capable of being required to prepay, discharge, close out or terminate ahead of maturity any other Financial Indebtedness or any commitment for any other Financial Indebtedness is cancelled or suspended, provided that no Event of Default shall occur under this paragraph (e) if the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness is less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123(1) or 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof (whether or not a court of justice has so determined), or admits its inability to pay its debts as they fall due, or suspends its debts, or makes or, without the prior written agreement of the Bank, seeks to make a composition with its creditors or by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness or a moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtendess of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(g)
if any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for:
(i)
the winding up of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(ii)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(iii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(iv)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group or of any of the assets of any such company; or
(v)
the enforcement of any Security over assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction, provided that no Event of Default shall occur under this paragraph (g) in respect of any frivolous or vexatious winding-up petition brought by a third party (other than the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries) which is discharged within 14 (fourteen) days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised;
(h)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group takes steps towards a substantial reduction in its capital, is declared insolvent or ceases or resolves to cease to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) the whole or any substantial part of its business or activities;
(i)
if an encumbrancer takes possession of, or a receiver, liquidator, administrator, compulsory manager, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed, whether by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any competent administrative authority or by any person, of or over, any part of the business or assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group (other than any property forming part of the Project) having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and, in the case of any of the foregoing, the same is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Borrower or any other member of the Group petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(j)
if an encumbrancer takes possession of any property forming part of the Project and such proceeding is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Borrower or any other member of the Group petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(k)
if any step is taken by any person with a view to the seizure, attachment, sequestration, distress, compulsory acquisition, expropriation, execution or nationalisation of all or any of the shares, or all or any material part of the assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(l)
if, by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority, the management of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group is wholly or substantially displaced or the authority of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group in the conduct of its business is wholly or substantially curtailed;
(m)
if a final order is made under section 25 of the Electricity Act or a provisional order is made and confirmed under that section against the Borrower or the Borrower is issued with an order by the Authority as a result of the Authority's belief that the Borrower is in breach (or is likely to be in breach) of a condition in its Licence or its obligations under the Electricity Act;
(n)
if an application is made by OFGEM or the applicable Secretary of State for an Energy Administration Order to be made in respect of the Borrower; or if an Energy Administration Order is made in respect of the Borrower;
(o)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group defaults in the performance of any obligation in respect of any other loan or financial instrument granted by the Bank or to the Bank;
(p)
if any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon any property of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group not forming part of the Project having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(q)
if any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon any property forming part of the Project and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(r)
if a Borrower Material Adverse Change occurs;
(s)
if the Licence or any other material Authorisation issued to the Borrower or to any other member of the Group is subject to notice of revocation by the competent Governmental Authority or the Borrower agrees to any revocation or surrender of the Licence or of such other material Authorisation; or
(t)
if it is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under this Contract or this Contract is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by the Borrower to be ineffective in accordance with its terms or the Borrower evidences an intention to repudiate this Contract.
10.01B
Demand after notice to remedy
The Bank may also make such demand:
(a)
if the Borrower fails to comply with any obligation under this Contract not being an obligation mentioned in Article 10.01A;
(b)
if any fact stated in the Recitals materially alters and is not materially restored and if the alteration either prejudices the interests of the Bank as lender to the Borrower or adversely affects the implementation or operation of the Project;
(c)
if the terms of the Licence or any other material Authorisation issued to the Borrower are amended in such a way as to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower's ability to operate the Project or any significant element of its core businesses of distributing electricity or to perform its obligations under this Contract, save in either case with the prior written consent of the Bank;
(d)
if the Borrower is declared by the competent Governmental Authority to have failed to comply in any material respect with: (i) the terms and conditions of the Licence; (ii) the rules, regulations, orders and other requirements for the time being of the Secretary of State and the Authority or any other competent Governmental Authority applicable to the relevant company with which it is obliged to comply; (iii) the duties and functions of a public electricity distributor in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act; (iv) any agreement with the Authority under s. 25(5)(b) of the Electricity Act or (v) any final or provisional order (as defined in s. 25 of the Electricity Act) confirmed by the Authority so as to secure or facilitate compliance with the duties and requirements imposed on the relevant company under s. 9 or ss. 16 to 22 of the Electricity Act;
(e)
if the Balancing and Settlement Code made by the Borrower with The National Grid Company plc and others or the Borrower's membership of such arrangement shall be terminated or cease for any reason to be in full force and effect and if, in either case, no substitute arrangement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Bank has come into force upon its termination or cessation;
(f)
if any rights, benefits or obligations of the Borrower as a public electricity distributor arising under the Electricity Act or under any similar law or regulation (including the Licence) are modified or lost (whether or not with the consent of the Borrower and whether pursuant to the Electricity Act or otherwise) and such modification or loss would reasonably be expected to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change or to have a material adverse effect of the Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under this Contract or to operate the Project or any significant element of its business of distributing electricity; or
(g)
if any legislation (whether primary or subordinate) is enacted removing, reducing or qualifying in any material way the duties and powers of the Secretary of State (or any successor) and/or the Authority (or any successor) (including, without limitation, any such legislation removing, reducing or qualifying such duties under or pursuant to Section 15 of the Electricity Act), unless such removal, reduction or qualification of any such duties or powers would not result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change,
unless the non-compliance or circumstance giving rise to the non-compliance is capable of remedy and is remedied within 15 (fifteen) days of the earlier of (i) the Bank giving notice to the Borrower or (ii) the Borrower becoming aware of the non-compliance or circumstance.
Article 10.01 shall not restrict any other right of the Bank at law to require prepayment of the Loan.
In case of demand under Article 10.01 in respect of any Fixed Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the amount demanded together with a sum calculated in accordance with Article 4.02B(1) on any amount that has become due and payable. Such sum shall accrue from the due date for payment specified in the Bank's notice of demand and be calculated on the basis that prepayment is effected on the date so specified.
In case of demand under Article 10.01 in respect of a Floating Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the sum demanded together with a sum equal to the present value of 0.15% (fifteen basis points) per annum calculated and accruing on the amount due to be prepaid in the same manner as interest would have been calculated and would have accrued, if that amount had remained outstanding according to the original amortisation schedule of the Tranche, until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date.
The value shall be calculated at a discount rate equal to the Redeployment Rate applied as of each relevant Payment Date.
Amounts due by the Borrower pursuant to this Article 10.03 shall be payable on the date of prepayment specified in the Bank's demand.
No failure or delay or single or partial exercise by the Bank in exercising any of its rights or remedies under this Contract shall be construed as a waiver of such right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Contract are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
10.05
Application of sums received
Sums received by the Bank following a demand under Article 10.01 shall be applied first in payment of expenses, interest and indemnities and secondly in reduction of the outstanding instalments in inverse order of maturity. The Bank may apply sums received between Tranches at its discretion.
ARTICLE 11
Law and jurisdiction
This Contract and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law.
The parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of England. The Bank appoints The Securities Management Trust Limited whose present address is 8 Lothbury, London EC2R 7HH to be its agent for the purpose of accepting service of legal process.
In any legal action arising out of this Contract the certificate of the Bank as to any amount or rate due to the Bank under this Contract shall in the absence of manifest error be prima facie evidence of such amount or rate.
ARTICLE 12
Final clauses
Notices and other communications given under this Contract addressed to either party to this Contract shall be made to the address or facsimile number as set out below, or to such other address or facsimile number as a party previously notifies to the other in writing:
|
|
For the Bank
|
Attention: Ops A
100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
Facsimile no.: +352 4379 66488
|
For the Borrower
|
Attention: Treasury (Finance Director)
Northern Electric Distribution Limited
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear NE1 6AF
Facsimile no.: + 44 0191 223 5142
|
Any notice or other communication given under this Contract must be in writing.
Notices and other communications for which fixed periods are laid down in this Contract or which themselves fix periods binding on the addressee may be made by hand delivery, registered letter or facsimile. The date of delivery, registration or, as the case may be, the stated date of receipt of transmission shall be conclusive for the determination of a period.
Other notices and communications may be made by hand delivery, registered letter or facsimile.
Without affecting the validity of any notice delivered by facsimile according to the paragraphs above, a copy of each notice delivered by facsimile shall also be sent by letter to the relevant party on the next following Business Day at the latest.
Notices issued by the Borrower pursuant to any provision of this Contract shall, where required by the Bank, be delivered to the Bank together with satisfactory evidence of the authority of the person or persons authorised to sign such notice on behalf of the Borrower and the authenticated specimen signature of such person or persons.
The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Bank.
The Bank may, with the prior consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) assign all or part of its rights and benefits or transfer all or part of its rights, benefits and obligations under this Contract.
12.04
Co
ntracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
A person who is not a party to this Contract has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Contract. Notwithstanding any term of this Contract, the consent of any person who is not a party to this Contract is not required to rescind or vary this Contract at any time.
12.05
European Monetary Union, GBP obligations and IFRS
12.05A
Recognition of Currency Unit
If more than one currency or currency unit is at the same time recognised by the Bank of England as a denomination of the lawful currency of the United Kingdom, then:
(a) any reference in this Contract to, and any obligations arising under this Contract in, the currency of the United Kingdom shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of the United Kingdom designated by the Bank; and
(b) any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange or conversion rate recognised by the Bank of England for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other.
If a change in any currency of the United Kingdom occurs, this Contract will be amended to the extent determined by the Bank (acting reasonably and in consultation with the Borrower) to be appropriate to reflect the change in currency and to put the Bank and the Borrower in the same position, so far as possible, that they would have been in had no change in that currency occurred. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Bank reserves the right to require the Borrower to agree such amendments to this Contract as may be necessary to reflect changes occurring in the Bank's funding arrangements in respect of the Loan as a result of such change of currency.
If a material change in IFRS occurs which is detrimental to either party, the parties shall consult and will discuss in good faith any change that may be required to this Contract.
12.06
Recitals, Schedules and Annexes
The Recitals and following Schedules form part of this Contract:
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Schedule A
|
Technical Description and Reporting
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Schedule B
|
Definition of EURIBOR and LIBOR
|
Schedule C
|
Forms for the Borrower
|
Schedule D
|
Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
|
The following Annexes are attached hereto:
|
|
Annex I
|
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower and authorisation of signatory
|
Annex II
|
Certificate of Borrowing Powers
|
Annex III
|
Side Letter
|
This Contract may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Contract.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be executed in 4 (four) originals in the English language
|
|
Signed for and on behalf of
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
L. de Mautort
P. Albouze
|
Signed for and on behalf of
NORTHERN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
John France
|
At Luxembourg,
this 2nd day of July 2010
|
At Newcastle upon Tyne
this 1st day of July 2010
|
Schedule A
Technical Description and Reporting
A.1 Technical Description (Article 6.02)
Purpose, Location
The project is a 3-year investment programme (2010-2012) aimed at renovating and reinforcing the distribution electricity network of the Borrower in north-eastern England. The main purpose of the project is to cater for a moderate load growth and to maintain the network to a high standard of safety and reliability.
Description
The project consists of the study, design, implementation, commissioning and operation of a large number of independent and geographically dispersed electricity distribution schemes.
The project's asset data and costs (in constant 2009 GBP m) associated with the different categories of HV (20, 11, 6.6 kV) and LV equipment are provided in Table A1; this table shall be updated by the Borrower on an annual basis to reflect the changes in actual investment figures for the past year (units, lengths and costs) and revised forecasts for the following periods, when relevant.
Completion dates, descriptions, and costs (in constant 2009 GBP k) of the individual 132 kV and EHV (66, 33 kV) project's schemes are provided in Tables A2-A3; these tables shall be updated by the Borrower on an annual basis to reflect the changes in actual expenditures for the past year and revised forecasts, completion dates and descriptions, when relevant.
Calendar
The calendar is January 2010 - December 2012.
A.2 Information Duties under Article 8.01(a)
1.
Dispatch of information: designation of the person responsible
The information below has to be sent to the Bank under the responsibility of:
|
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Company
|
CE Electric
|
Contact person
|
Tom Fielden or Owen Sutherland
|
Title
|
Finance Director, Investor Reporting Manager
|
Address
|
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 6AF
|
Phone
|
+ 44 0191 2235160
|
Fax
|
+ 44 0191 2235142
|
Email
|
tom.fielden@ce-electricuk.com
owen.sutherland@ce-electricuk.com
|
The above-mentioned contact person is the responsible contact for the time being. The Borrower shall inform the Bank immediately in case of any change.
2.
Information on specific subjects
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
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Document / information
|
Deadline
|
Web-link to the public website for project's NTS.
|
Before signature of the finance contract.
|
3.
Information on the project's implementation
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information on project progress during implementation at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
|
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Document / information
|
Deadline
|
Frequency of reporting
|
Project Progress Report
Update of Tables A1-A3 in Schedule A.1 explaining the reasons for major deviations from forecasts;
List of the project's schemes requiring an EIA;
Any significant issue that has occurred and any significant risk that may affect the project's operation;
Any material legal action concerning the project that may be ongoing.
|
30 April 2011,
30 April 2012
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Annual
|
4.
Information on the end of works and first year of operation
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information on project completion and initial operation at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
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Document / information
|
Date of delivery
to the Bank
|
Project Completion Report
Update of Tables A1-A3 in Schedule A.1 explaining the reasons for major deviations from forecasts;
List of the project's schemes requiring an EIA over the three-year investment period;
Any significant issue that has occurred and any significant risk that may affect the project's operation;
Any material legal action concerning the project that may be ongoing.
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30 June 2013
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Language of reports
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English
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Schedule B
Definitions of EURIBOR and LIBOR
A.
EURIBOR
"
EURIBOR
'' means:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in EUR for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in EUR for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in EUR, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as published at 11h00 Brussels time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") which falls 2 (two) Relevant Business Days prior to the first day of the relevant period, on Reuters page EURIBOR 01 or its successor page or, failing which, by any other means of publication chosen for this purpose by the Bank.
If such rate is not so published, the Bank shall request the principal euro-zone offices of four major banks in the euro-zone, selected by the Bank, to quote the rate at which EUR deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them as at approximately 11h00, Brussels time, on the Reset Date to prime banks in the euro-zone interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) quotations are provided, the rate for that Reset Date will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the rate for that Reset Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted by major banks in the euro-zone, selected by the Bank, at approximately 11h00 Brussels time on the day which falls 2 (two) Relevant Business Days after the Reset Date, for loans in EUR in a comparable amount to leading European Banks for a period equal to the Representative Period.
B.
LIBOR USD
"
LIBOR
'' means, in respect of USD:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in USD for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in USD for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in USD, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as set by the British Bankers Association and released by financial news providers at 11h00 London time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") which falls 2 (two) London Business Days prior to the first day of the relevant period.
If such rate is not so released by any financial news provider acceptable to the Bank, the Bank shall request the principal London offices of 4 (four) major banks in the London interbank market selected by the Bank to quote the rate at which USD deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the Bank shall request the principal New York City offices of 4 (four) major banks in the New York City interbank market, selected by the Bank, to quote the rate at which USD deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 New York City time on the day falling 2 (two) New York Business Days after the Reset Date, to prime banks in the European market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
C.
LIBOR GBP
"
LIBOR
'' means, in respect of
GBP
:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in GBP for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in GBP for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in GBP, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as set by the British Bankers Association and released by financial news providers at 11h00 London time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") on which the relevant period starts or, if that day is not a Business Day in London, on the next following day which is such a Business Day.
If such rate is not so released by any financial news provider acceptable to the Bank, the Bank shall request the principal London offices of 4 (four) major banks in the London interbank market, selected by the Bank (the "
Reference Banks
"), to quote the rate at which GBP deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date by major banks in London (selected by the Bank) for loans in GBP in a comparable amount to leading European banks for a period equal to the Representative Period.
D.
General
For the purposes of the foregoing definitions:
(a) "
London Business Day
" means a day on which banks are open for normal business in London and "
New York Business Day
"
means a day on which banks are open for normal business in New York.
(b) All percentages resulting from any calculations referred to in this Schedule will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with halves being rounded up.
(c) The Bank shall inform the Borrower without delay of the quotations received by the Bank.
(d) If any of the foregoing provisions becomes inconsistent with provisions adopted under the aegis of EURIBOR FBE and EURIBOR ACI in respect of EURIBOR or of the British Bankers Association in respect of LIBOR, the Bank may by notice to the Borrower amend the provision to bring it into line with such other provisions.
Schedule C
1
Forms for the Borrower
C.1 Form of Disbursement Request (Article 1.02B)
Disbursement Request
United Kingdom - CE Electric UK El. Distribution - A
Please proceed with the following disbursement:
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Loan Name (*):
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CE Electric UK El. Distribution - A
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Signature Date (*):
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Contract FI number:
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Currency & amount requested
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Proposed disbursement date:
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Currency
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Amount
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I N T E R E S T
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Int. rate basis (Art. 3.01)
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Reserved for the EIB
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GBP
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Rate (% or Spread)
2
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Total
Credit
Amount:
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Frequency (Art. 3.01)
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Annual
Semi-annual
Quarterly
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Disbursed to date:
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Payment Dates (Art. 5)
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Balance
for
disbursement:
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Interest Revision/Conversion date (if any)
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Current disbursement:
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C A P I T A L
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Repayment frequency
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Annual
Semi-annual
Quarterly
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Balance
after
disbursement:
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Repayment methodology
(Art. 4.01)
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Constant annuities
Single instalment
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Disbursement deadline:
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First repayment date
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Max. number of disbursements:
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Maturity Date:
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Minimum Tranche size:
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Total allocations to date:
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Conditions precedent:
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Yes / No
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Borrower's account to be credited:
_________________________
1
To be provided on paper bearing the Borrower's letterhead.
2
NOTE: If the Borrower does not specify an interest rate or Spread here, the Borrower will be deemed to have agreed to the interest rate or Spread subsequently provided by the Bank in the Disbursement Notice, in accordance with Article 1.02C(c).
Acc. N: …………………………………………………………………………………………….
(please provide the appropriate format for the relevant currency)
Bank name, address: …………………………………………………………………………
Please transmit information relevant to:
Borrower's authorised name(s) and signature(s):
C.2 Form of Certificate from Borrower (Article 1.04B)
To: European Investment Bank
From: Northern Electric Distribution Limited
Date:
Subject: Finance Contract between European Investment Bank and Northern Electric Distribution Limited dated [ ] 2010 (the "
Finance Contract
")
FI number Serapis number 20090544
______________________________________________________________________
Dear Sirs,
Terms defined in the Finance Contract have the same meaning when used in this letter.
For the purposes of Article 1.04 of the Finance Contract we hereby certify to you as follows:
(a) we are in compliance with the financial covenants pursuant to Article 6.14 of the Finance Contract and attached is evidence of such compliance;
(b) no security of the type prohibited under Article 7.02 (a) or (b) of the Finance Contract has been created or is in existence;
(c) there has been no material change to any aspect of the Project or in respect of which we are obliged to report under Article 8.01 of the Finance Contract, save as previously communicated by us;
(d) no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(e) no litigation, arbitration administrative proceedings or investigation is current or to our knowledge is threatened or pending before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against us or any of our subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f) the representations and warranties to be made in the Contract or repeated by us under Article 6.15 of the Finance Contract are true in all respects; and
(g) no Material Adverse Change has occurred, as compared with the condition at the date of the Finance Contract.
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of Northern Electric Distribution Limited
Date:
C.3 Form of Compliance Certificate
To: European Investment Bank
From: Northern Electric Distribution Limited
Date:
Subject: Finance Contract between European Investment Bank and Northern Electric Distribution Limited dated [ ] 2010 (the "
Finance Contract
")
FI number Serapis number 20090544
______________________________________________________________________
Dear Sirs,
We refer to the Finance Contract. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Finance Contract have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
We confirm that:
(a) the provisions of Article 6.14 [have/have not] been complied with for the Relevant Period ending on [
insert most recent Calculation Date
];
(b) the computations necessary to demonstrate the [compliance/non compliance] referred to in paragraph (a) above are as follows:
*
Interest Cover
(i) Consolidated EBIT
[ ]
(ii) Consolidated Net Finance Charges
[ ]
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV
(i) Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
[ ]
(ii) RAV
[ ]
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]
*
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…............
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…............
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Director
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[Director/ Finance Director/ Treasurer/ Investor Reporting Manager/ Financial Controller/ Company Secretary]
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of
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of
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Northern Electric Distribution Limited
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Northern Electric Distribution Limited
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* In the case of a Compliance Certificate to be delivered together with any financial statements under Article 8.02(a)(i), both the consolidated and the unconsolidated calculations shall be included.
* If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.
Schedule D
Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
If an Interest Revision/Conversion Date has been included in the Disbursement Notice for a Tranche, the following provisions shall apply.
A.
Mechanics of Interest Revision/Conversion
Upon receiving an Interest Revision/Conversion Request the Bank shall, during the period commencing 60 (sixty) days and ending 30 (thirty) days before the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, deliver to the Borrower an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal stating:
(a)
the interest rate and/or Spread that would apply to the Tranche, or the part thereof indicated in the Interest Revision/Conversion Request pursuant to Article 3.01; and
(b)
that such rate shall apply until the Maturity Date or until a new Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, and that interest is payable quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on designated Payment Dates.
The Borrower may accept in writing an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal by the deadline specified therein.
Any amendment to the Contract requested by the Bank in this connection shall be effected by an agreement to be concluded not later than 15 (fifteen) days prior to the relevant Interest Revision/Conversion Date.
B.
Effects of Interest Revision/Conversion
If the Borrower duly accepts in writing a Fixed Rate or a Spread in respect of an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal, the Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date and thereafter on the designated Payment Dates.
Prior to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, the relevant provisions of the Contract and Disbursement Notice shall apply to the entire Tranche. From and including the Interest Revision/Conversion Date onwards, the provisions contained in the Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal relating to the new interest rate or Spread shall apply to the Tranche (or part thereof) until the new Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or until the Maturity Date.
C.
Non-fulfillment of Interest Revision/Conversion
If the Borrower does not submit an Interest Revision/Conversion Request or does not accept in writing the Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal for the Tranche or if the parties fail to effect an amendment requested by the Bank pursuant to Paragraph A above, the Borrower shall repay the Tranche (or part thereof) on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, without indemnity. The Borrower will repay on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date any part of a Tranche which is unaffected by the Interest Revision/Conversion.
Serapis N° 20090544
CE Electric UK El. Distribution - A
Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement
between
European Investment Bank
and
CE Electric UK Funding Company
This Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement (this "
Guarantee
") is made as a
deed on
2 July 2010
by:
European Investment Bank having its Head Office at 100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, represented by Mr Laurent de Mautort, Director and Mr Pierre Albouze, Head of Division
hereinafter called:
"the Bank"
of the first part, and
CE Electric UK Funding Company (Co. No.
03476201
), a private unlimited company incorporated in England and having its registered office at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF, represented by John France, Director
hereinafter called:
"the Guarantor"
of the second part.
WHEREAS:
(A)
By an agreement (hereinafter called the "
Finance Contract
") dated on or about the date hereof and made between the Bank and Northern Electric Distribution Limited (the "
Borrower
"), the Bank has agreed to establish in favour of the Borrower a credit in an amount of GBP 119,000,000 (one hundred and nineteen million pounds sterling);
(B)
The obligations of the Bank under the Finance Contract are conditional upon the prior execution and delivery of security for the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Contract. The execution and delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee is being made in satisfaction of such condition;
(C)
Execution of this Guarantee by the Guarantor has been duly authorised by a resolution of its Board of Directors (Annex I) and it has been duly certified in the form set out in Annex II that the issue of this Guarantee is within the corporate powers of the Guarantor and will materially benefit the Guarantor; and
(D)
In this Guarantee:
(a)
references to Articles, Recitals, Schedules and Annexes are, save if explicitly stipulated otherwise, references respectively to articles of, and recitals, schedules and annexes to, this Guarantee;
(b)
unless the context otherwise requires, words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(c)
a reference (i) to an amendment or to an agreement being amended includes a supplement, variation, assignment, novation, restatement or re-enactment, and (ii) to an agreement shall be construed as a reference to such agreement as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;
(d)
the headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Guarantee;
(e)
any reference to "law" means any law (including, any common or customary law) and any treaty, constitution, statute, legislation, decree, normative act, rule, regulation, judgement, order, writ, injunction, determination, award or other legislative or administrative measure or judicial or arbitral decision in any jurisdiction which has the force of law;
(f)
any reference to a provision of law, is a reference to that provision as from time to time amended or re-enacted;
(g)
a reference to a "person" includes any person, natural or juridical entity, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) or two or more of the foregoing and references to a "person" include its successors in title, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;
(h)
a Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived in writing by the Bank; and
(i)
"including" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation" where not so followed.
NOW THEREFORE it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Finance Contract
1.01
The Guarantor acknowledges notice of the provisions of the Finance Contract, an original of which has been delivered to it, and confirms its acceptance of the provisions thereof. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used herein and defined in the Finance Contract shall have the same meaning where used herein and in addition:
"
Excluded Subsidiary
" means any Subsidiary of the Guarantor (other than (a) the Borrower; (b) Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc; or (c) any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc) which satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a)
it is either a single purpose company whose principal assets and business are constituted by the ownership, acquisition, development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, servicing, management and/or operation of an asset or it is a member of the Gas Sub-Group;
(b)
none of its indebtedness is subject to any recourse whatsoever to any member of the Guarantor Group (other than (i) such Subsidiary or another Excluded Subsidiary; or (ii) in respect of the shares (including any ancillary rights, such as dividends) held by any member of the Guarantor Group in such Excluded Subsidiary); and
(c)
until otherwise notified by the Guarantor to the Bank in writing, it has been designated as such by the Guarantor by written notice delivered to the Bank with a copy of (i) the then current corporate structure chart of the Gas Sub-Group in which the relevant Subsidiary is identified and (ii) the most recently available audited financial statements of the relevant Subsidiary (which shall include details of net debt of such Subsidiary) and a confirmation from the Guarantor that there has been no material adverse change since the date of such financial statements.
"
Gas Sub-Group
" means CE UK Gas Holdings Limited and any of its Subsidiaries.
"
Gas Sub-Group Equity Subscription
"
means, in relation to each member of the Gas Sub-Group, the aggregate amount paid up after the date of this Guarantee by all Non-Gas Entities by way of subscription for share capital in such member of the Gas Sub-Group.
"
Guaranteed Sum
" has the meaning given to it in Article 2.01.
"
Liabilities
" and "
Liability
" have the meaning given to them in Article 2.01.
"
Non-Gas Entity
" means any member of the Guarantor Group that is not a member of the Gas Sub-Group.
"
Project Finance Borrowings
" means any future indebtedness incurred to finance or refinance the ownership, acquisition, development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, servicing, management and/or operation of an asset or assets by a member of the Guarantor Group which is an Excluded Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 2
Guarantee
2.01
In consideration of the credit established by the Bank under the Finance Contract, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to the Bank the due and punctual payment and performance of all present and future obligations and liabilities of the Borrower (whether solely or jointly with one or more persons and whether as principal or as surety or in some other capacity) to the Bank under the Finance Contract (collectively, the "
Liabilities
", and each, a "
Liability
") and the payment of all Guaranteed Sums in accordance with the Finance Contract. The Guarantor undertakes that, if the Borrower should fail to pay any Guaranteed Sum to the Bank in accordance with the Finance Contract, whether upon the normal due date, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Guarantor shall unconditionally pay the sum in question to the Bank on demand as if the Guarantor were the principal obligor, in the currency specified in the Finance Contract and to the account specified in the demand.
For the purposes of this Guarantee, a "
Guaranteed Sum
" means any and all principal, interest, commission, liquidated damages, charge, indemnity, expense or other sum which may from time to time become due by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Finance Contract and any other sum due from time to time by the Borrower in connection with any advance or credit extended or to be extended pursuant to the Finance Contract (in each case, whether actual or contingent, whether owed jointly or severally and whether owed as principal or surety or in any other capacity and references to the Guaranteed Sum includes references to any part of it).
The Guarantor further agrees and undertakes to pay interest to the Bank at the rate and on the terms specified in Article 3.02 (
Interest on overdue sums
) of the Finance Contract for payment of overdue sums on all sums demanded under this Guarantee (before and after any judgement) from the date of the Bank's demand until the date of receipt of such sum by the Bank, provided that there shall be no double counting with the Finance Contract.
2.02
The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are those of a primary obligor and not merely those of a surety. Neither the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee nor the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Bank in this Guarantee or by law shall be impaired, discharged or otherwise affected by reason of:
(a)
any illegality, invalidity, ineffectiveness or unenforceability in or of the terms of the Finance Contract or of any other security for the Liabilities;
(b)
any disability, incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality or change in status or constitution of the Borrower, the Bank or any other person;
(c)
any winding-up, dissolution, administration, re-organisation, liquidation, insolvency or other similar procedure in respect of the Borrower or any other person or any change in the status, function, control or ownership of the Borrower or of any other person or the claiming, proving for, accepting or transferring any payment in respect of the Guaranteed Sum in any winding-up, dissolution, administration, re-organisation, liquidation, insolvency or composition of the Borrower or any other person or abstaining from so claiming, proving for, accepting or transferring;
(d)
any time or other indulgence agreed or granted by the Bank or any arrangement entered into or composition accepted by the Bank, varying the rights of the Bank under the Finance Contract or any security arrangement;
(e)
any release of the Borrower or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;
(f)
any forbearance or delay on the part of the Bank in asserting any of its rights against the Borrower under the Finance Contract;
(g)
any other guarantee or Security Interest which the Bank now has or may hereafter acquire with respect to the Borrower's or any other person's obligations under the Finance Contract or any related agreement;
(h)
any amendment to, or any variation, waiver, assignment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement, replacement or release of (in each case, however fundamental and whether or not more onerous), the Finance Contract or any other document or security (including, without limitation, any change in the purpose, time, manner or place of payment, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under the Finance Contract or other document or security), the Guaranteed Sums or the Liabilities or any of them or any Security Interest (or of any person thereunder) held by the Bank in respect thereof;
(i)
the taking, acceptance, variation, compromise, exchange or renewal of any Security Interest or any total or partial failure to take or perfect any security proposed to be taken in respect of any Guaranteed Sums or Liabilities or any total or partial failure to realise the value of, or any surrender, release, discharge, exchange or substitution of, any Security Interest held by the Bank in respect of any Guaranteed Sum or Liabilities or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument; or
(j)
any other act, event, omission or circumstance, which, but for this Article 2.02, might otherwise discharge, impair or otherwise affect any of the obligations of the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee or any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Bank by this Guarantee or by law,
it being the intent of the Guarantor that its liability to the Bank under this Guarantee shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be discharged except by payment in full of the Guaranteed Sums and the satisfaction of the Liabilities.
The payment or performance of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment or performance of the Liabilities or the Guaranteed Sums is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Bank upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or of the Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made.
2.03
It is the intent of this Guarantee that the Bank be fully indemnified for the complete payment and performance of the Liabilities and the Guaranteed Sums.
As an independent, continuing and primary obligation additional to and separate from those set out in Articles 2.01 and 2.02, and without prejudice to the validity or enforceability of those obligations, the Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes (as a primary obligor and not merely as surety) that, if any Guaranteed Sum should not be recoverable from the Guarantor under Article 2.01 for whatsoever reason (including as a result of the Finance Contract or any of the Guaranteed Sums being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower for any reason whatsoever), and whether or not the reason may have been known to the Bank or any other person at any material time, the Guarantor shall, upon first written demand by the Bank, and as if the Guarantor were a sole and independent obligor, fully indemnify, compensate and hold harmless the Bank by way of a full indemnity for all costs, losses, damages, expenses, claims or liabilities resulting from: (a) the failure of the Borrower to duly and punctually make payment of any Guaranteed Sum in the amount and currency provided for by or pursuant to the Finance Contract, whether upon the normal due date, upon acceleration or otherwise; (b) any Liability being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower for any reason whatsoever, whether or not known to the Bank, the amount of such loss being the amount which the Bank would have been entitled to recover from the Borrower but for such Liability being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower; or (c) any act or omission of the Bank in connection with the enforcement of its rights or remedies against the Borrower or the Guarantor.
2.04
This Guarantee is a continuing security and the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall constitute and be continuing obligations notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter or thing whatsoever, and shall endure until all Guaranteed Sums have been fully paid or discharged and shall not be released or discharged by any intermediate payment or settlement of the Guaranteed Sums or of any of them or by any intermediate satisfaction of all or any of the obligations of the Borrower in relation to any of the Liabilities. This Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect until final payment in full of all amounts owing by the Borrower in respect of the Liabilities and total satisfaction of all the Borrower's actual and contingent obligations in relation to the Liabilities. No payment or discharge which may be avoided under any enactment relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up, merger or amalgamation of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any other person, no payment or discharge made or given which is subsequently avoided and no release, return, cancellation or discharge of this Guarantee given or made or any other agreement reached between the Bank and the Guarantor on the faith of any payment or discharge aforesaid shall constitute discharge of the Guarantor under this Guarantee or prejudice or affect the Bank's right to recover from the Guarantor to the full extent of this Guarantee, and any such discharge, release, return, cancellation or agreement shall be deemed always to have been void. This is a guarantee of payment not a deficiency guarantee. The originals of this Guarantee which are in the possession of the Bank shall remain the property of the Bank after any release, cancellation or discharge of this Guarantee.
2.05
Any money received, recovered or realised in connection with this Guarantee (including the proceeds of any conversion of currency) may be placed by the Bank in its discretion to the credit of a suspense account, with a view to preserving the right of the Bank to prove for the whole of the claims against the Borrower or may be applied by the Bank in or towards satisfaction of such of the Guaranteed Sums as the Bank in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine; provided, however, that if any such money, being freely disposable by the Bank, is not applied towards satisfaction of the Guaranteed Sums for which payment of the money was made hereunder, the Guarantor's responsibility in respect of the Guaranteed Sums shall be discharged to the extent of such payment.
2.06
The Guarantor agrees that until all the Guaranteed Sums have been irrevocably fully paid or discharged and so long as the Borrower is under any actual or contingent obligations in respect of the Liabilities, the Guarantor shall:
(a)
not exercise any rights which it may at any time have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under this Guarantee or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Guarantee to:
(i)
be indemnified by the Borrower or to receive any collateral from the Borrower; and/or
(ii)
claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums; and/or
(iii)
take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Bank in respect of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums or of any other security taken by the Bank pursuant to, or in connection with, any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums; and/or
(iv)
bring any legal or other proceedings for an order requiring the Borrower to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity pursuant to this Guarantee; and/or
(v)
exercise any right of set-off against the Borrower; and/or
(vi)
claim or prove as a creditor of the Borrower in competition with the Bank;
(b)
not seek to enforce any obligation owed to it by the Borrower which arises by virtue of the discharge by the Guarantor of its obligations hereunder;
(c)
pay to the Bank all dividends or distributions, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation, winding up or otherwise received by it from or for the account of the Borrower in respect of any obligation referred to in paragraph (b) above; the Bank shall apply such sums to reduce the outstanding Guaranteed Sums in such sequence as it may decide;
(d)
have no right of subrogation to the rights of the Bank under the Finance Contract or any related security arrangement;
(e)
comply with the terms of and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect all authorisations, approvals, licences and consents required in or by the laws and regulations of England and Wales to enable the Guarantor lawfully to enter into and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability and admissibility in evidence in England of this Guarantee;
(f)
not take any action which would cause any of the representations made in Article 7 below to be untrue at any time during the continuation of this Guarantee; and
(g)
notify the Bank of the occurrence of any event which results in or may reasonably be expected to result in any of the representations made in Article 7 below being untrue when made or when deemed to be repeated.
2.07
If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to any of the rights set out in Article 2.06(a)(i) to (vi), the Guarantor shall hold on trust for the Bank that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Bank by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor under or in connection with the Finance Contract and/or this Guarantee to be repaid in full and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Bank as the Bank may direct.
2.08
The Guarantor acknowledges: (i) that it has entered into this Guarantee on the basis of its own assessment of the Borrower and any security provided, and (ii) that it has not been induced to enter into this Guarantee by any representation made by the Bank. The Bank is not obliged to report to the Guarantor on the financial position of the Borrower or of any other guarantor or on any security provided. The Bank shall have no liability for granting or disbursing the Loan, for cancelling or suspending, or not cancelling or suspending the Credit or for demanding or not demanding prepayment under the Finance Contract.
2.09
The obligations of the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee shall be in addition to, independent of and in no way prejudiced by any other security or any other guarantee that the Bank holds or may at any time hold in relation to any of the Liabilities or the Guaranteed Sums.
2.10
The Bank may set off any matured obligation due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee against any obligation (whether or not matured) owed by the Bank to the Guarantor regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Bank may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off. If either obligation is unliquidated or unascertained, the Bank may set off in an amount estimated by it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation.
ARTICLE 3
Enforcement of Guarantee
3.01
A certificate of the Bank as to any default by the Borrower in the payment of any Guaranteed Sum shall be conclusive against the Guarantor save in the event of a proven error.
3.02
The Guarantor undertakes to pay all sums due hereunder in full, free of set-off or counterclaim. This Guarantee may be enforced by the Bank upon provision of a statement of the reason for the demand.
3.03
The Bank shall not be obliged before exercising any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon it in respect of the Guarantor by this Guarantee or by law to:
(a)
take any action or obtain judgement in any court against the Borrower;
(b)
make demand of the Borrower;
(c)
make or file any claim or proof in a winding-up or dissolution of the Borrower;
(d)
enforce or seek to enforce any security taken in respect of any of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Guaranteed Sums or Liabilities; or
(e)
have recourse to any other guarantee,
and the Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring the Bank (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce or exhaust any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Guarantor under this Guarantee. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of the Finance Contract to the contrary.
3.04
Where the Bank makes any demand hereunder, the Guarantor may pay to the Bank all outstanding Guaranteed Sums, including sums arising under Article 3.02 (
Interest on overdue sums
) of the Finance Contract, in settlement of its obligations hereunder. If the Guarantor makes such payment, the Bank shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Guarantor, assign to the Guarantor the Bank's rights under the Finance Contract and under any security therefor.
ARTICLE 4
Information
4.01
The Guarantor shall deliver to the Bank:
(a)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 150 days after the end of each of its financial years, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year;
(b)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 90 days after each Calculation Date, its consolidated management accounts showing its financial performance for the financial year-to-date on such Calculation Date; and
(c)
from time to time such further information as the Bank may reasonably require as to such Guarantor's financial situation.
The Guarantor shall inform the Bank without delay of any material change in its constitutional documents.
ARTICLE 5
Amendment to the Finance Contract
5.01
Subject to Article 5.02, the Bank may agree to any amendment to the Finance Contract which does not increase the amounts payable by the Borrower thereunder. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor of each such amendment.
5.02
The Bank may grant the Borrower, in respect of the due date of payment of any Guaranteed Sum, an extension of time of up to three months. Any such extension of time shall be notified to the Guarantor.
5.03
The Bank may not amend or vary the terms of the Finance Contract save as provided in Articles 5.01 and 5.02 or with the prior written consent of the Guarantor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
ARTICLE 6
Guarantor undertakings
6.01
The Guarantor:
(a)
shall not, without the Bank's prior written consent, (i) declare, make or pay, or pay interest on any unpaid amount of, any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (whether in cash or kind) on or in respect of its shares or share capital (or any class of its share capital) or (ii) repay or distribute any share premium account or redeem, repurchase, retire or repay any of its share capital; and
(b)
shall procure that CE Electric UK Limited shall not, without the Bank's prior written consent,
pay or repay any amounts (whether principal, interest or otherwise) under the Subordinated Loan Agreement,
in each case, unless each of the following conditions is met:
(i)
all payments then due under the Finance Contract have been made;
(ii)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived; and
(iii)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV does not exceed 0.75:1.
6.02
The Guarantor shall not, and shall ensure that no Subsidiary of the Guarantor will, incur any Financial Indebtedness, except for Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
all payments then due under the Finance Contract and this Guarantee have been made;
(b)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(c)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV does not exceed 0.75:1; and
(d)
the Guarantor Interest Cover is 2.1:1 or more.
6.03
The Guarantor shall ensure that, at all times:
(a)
the Guarantor Interest Cover for each Relevant Period shall not be less than 2.0:1; and
(b)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV for each Relevant Period shall not exceed 0.80:1.
6.04
The Guarantor shall procure that the Subordinated Loan Agreement is not amended, varied or replaced.
6.05
The value of the terms referred to in Article 6 shall be calculated and interpreted in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in each case, shall be expressed in GBP and shall be calculated using the financial statements of the Guarantor most recently delivered to the Bank.
6.06
The Guarantor
shall procure that no Non-Gas Entity shall provide any form of financial support (other than subscribing to new share capital) to a member of the Gas Sub-Group which is an Excluded Subsidiary, whether by way of guarantee, letter of credit, “keep well” agreement, shareholder loan, inter-company loan or otherwise
6.07
For the purposes of this Article 6:
"
Aggregate RAV
"
means, at any time, the aggregate of the NEDL RAV and of YEDL RAV at such time.
"
Consolidated EBIT
"
means, for each Relevant Period, the profit shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor Group for the relevant period on the line entitled "operating profit":
(i)
before taking into account
any items treated as exceptional items;
(ii)
after deducting
the amount of any profit of any member of the Guarantor Group which is attributable to minority interests;
(iii)
after
adding
dividends received from associates and joint ventures to the extent not included in operating profit;
(iv)
before taking into account
any realised or unrealised exchange gains and losses including those arising on translation of currency debt;
(v)
before taking into account
any gain or loss arising from an upward or downward revaluation of any asset;
in each case, to the extent added, deducted or taken into account, as the case may be, for the purposes of determining Guarantor Group profit before tax (and without double counting).
"
Guarantor
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
"
means, for any Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of interest paid on Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt (net of interest received and after taking account of payments made and amounts received under any derivatives related to such Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt) included in the consolidated cash flow statement for the Guarantor Group in respect of that Relevant Period.
"
Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
"
means, at any time, the aggregate amount (without double counting) of all obligations of the Guarantor Group for or in respect of Financial Indebtedness (other than between members of the Guarantor Group) which rank at least
pari passu
with the Loan and with the Guarantor's obligations hereunder but:
(i)
deducting an amount equal to A minus B, where:
A
means the aggregate amount of all obligations of any Excluded Subsidiary in respect of Project Finance Borrowings; and
B
means, in the case of Project Finance Borrowings of each member of the Gas Sub-Group, the Gas Sub Group Equity Subscription made in relation to such member of the Gas Sub-Group (or zero if, in relation to such member, the resulting figure would be negative),
provided that the maximum amount deducted pursuant to this paragraph (i) shall not exceed an amount equal to C plus D, where:
C
means the greater of: (a) GBP100,000,000 (one hundred million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies; and (b) the amount equal to 5% of Aggregate RAV; and
D
means any Project Finance Borrowings incurred in excess of the amount determined as “C” which have been approved by the Bank in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld);
(ii)
deducting the aggregate amount of all obligations of any member of the Guarantor Group in respect of Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the repayment or redemption of such Financial Indebtedness is provided for by the purchase by a member of the Guarantor Group of a GIC;
(iii)
deducting the aggregate amount of freely available cash and Cash Equivalents held by any member of the Guarantor Group at such time;
(iv)
deducting the interest component of Financial Indebtedness in existence on the date of this Guarantee which interest has accrued but not as at the time when the Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt is being calculated fallen due for payment or been paid, provided that no material change is made to the basis upon which such interest accrues after the date of this Guarantee and to the extent that such interest component does not exceed on an aggregate basis GBP 50,000,000 (fifty million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies; and
(v)
deducting any residual non-cash fair value purchase accounting adjustments made on the acquisition of the Yorkshire Power Group Limited in 2001, to the extent that any such residual non-cash fair value purchase accounting adjustments does not exceed the amount of GBP 44,500,000 (forty four million five hundred thousand pounds sterling), calculated on an aggregate basis, or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies,
and so that no amount shall be excluded more than once.
"
Guarantor
Interest Cover
"
means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the ratio of Guarantor Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period to Guarantor Consolidated Net Finance Charges for that Relevant Period.
"
Guarantor Original Financial Statements
"
means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.
"
Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness
"
means:
(a)
Financial Indebtedness owed by the Guarantor to the Bank;
(b)
Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Guarantor Group outstanding on 31 December 2009 and not otherwise referred to in this definition of "Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
(c)
Financial Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Loan and to the Guarantor's obligations hereunder on terms satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank;
(d)
Financial Indebtedness owed by one member of the Guarantor Group to another member of the Guarantor Group;
(e)
Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f)
Financial Indebtedness of Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(g)
Financial Indebtedness owed by the Borrower to the Bank; and
(h)
Financial Indebtedness owed by Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc to the Bank.
"
NEDL RAV
"
means the Borrower's RAV, as defined in the Finance Contract.
"
YEDL
"
means Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc.
"
YEDL RAV
"
means YEDL's RAV, as defined in the Yorkshire Finance Contract.
ARTICLE 7
Representations and Warranties
7.01
The Guarantor represents and warrants to the Bank that:
(a)
it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of England and it has the power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(b)
each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has the power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(c)
it has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same by it;
(d)
the entering into of this Guarantee is materially beneficial to it;
(e)
this Guarantee constitutes its legally valid, binding and enforceable obligations;
(f)
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under and compliance with the provisions of this Guarantee do not and will not:
(i)
contravene or conflict with any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any judgement, decree or permit to which it is subject;
(ii)
contravene or conflict with any material agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its Subsidiaries;
(iii)
contravene or conflict with any provision of its constitutional documents; or
(iv)
result in the imposition of increased financial charges or requirements as to security under any other contract or instrument to which it is a party;
(g)
the choice of English law as the governing law of this Guarantee will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation and any judgement obtained in England in relation to this Guarantee will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(h)
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated in this Guarantee and it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee that this Guarantee or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction;
(i)
it will not be required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment it may make under this Guarantee;
(j)
it is not unable to pay its debts as they fall due, including within the meaning of the Insolvency Act 1986, and the entering into of this Guarantee and the performance of its obligations hereunder do not and will not cause it to be or to be deemed to be unable to pay its debts as they fall due;
(k)
as of the date of this Guarantee, it has not taken any corporate action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been started or threatened against it for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation or any analogous procedure or step or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee, compulsory manager or similar officer of it or of any or all of its assets or revenues;
(l)
its most recent consolidated audited accounts have been prepared on a basis consistent with previous years and in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and have been approved by its auditors as representing a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position and results of its operations and those of its Subsidiaries for that financial year and accurately disclose or reserve against all its and its Subsidiaries' liabilities (actual or contingent) at the time when such financial statements were produced and no material adverse change in the business or the consolidated financial condition of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries has occurred since the date of such accounts;
(m)
there has been no Material Adverse Change since the date of this Guarantee;
(n)
no event or circumstance which constitutes an event of default under Article 10.01 of the Finance Contract or an Acceptable Security Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(o)
no event or circumstance (other than those referred to in Article 7.01(n) above) is outstanding which constitutes a default under any agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;
(p)
no litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or investigation is current or pending or to the best of its knowledge is threatened before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against it or any of its Subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(q)
it has obtained all necessary Authorisations in connection with this Guarantee, all such Authorisations are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(r)
as at the date on which this representation is made or repeated, it has obtained all material Authorisations in connection with the conduct of its business, trade and ordinary activities, all such Authorisations are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(s)
it has complied:
(i)
with all Environmental Laws; and
(ii)
in all material respects with all laws (other than Environmental Laws),
to which it is subject;
(t)
it is the sole legal and beneficial owner and has good title to the assets the ownership of which is reflected in its financial statements referred to under Article 7.01(l) and no Security Interest exists over its assets or over those of its Subsidiaries save as follows:
(i)
any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;
(ii)
any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading;
(iii)
any Security over or affecting (or any Quasi-Security affecting) any asset acquired by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group after the date of this Guarantee if:
a.
the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group;
b.
the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group; and
c.
the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within 3 (three) months of the date of acquisition of such asset;
(iv)
any Security entered into pursuant to this Contract; and
(v)
any Security securing Project Finance Borrowings;
(u)
as of the date of this Guarantee, for the purposes of the Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings, its centre of main interest is situated in England and Wales;
(v)
its payment obligations under this Guarantee rank not less than pari passu in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally;
(w)
any written factual information provided to the Bank by it or on its behalf was, as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated, true and accurate in all material respects; and
(x)
it has not taken or accepted any Security Interest from the Borrower or, in relation to the Guaranteed Sums, from any third parties.
7.02
The representations and warranties set out in Article 7.01 above shall survive the execution of this Guarantee and (with the exception of the representations in Articles 7.01(k) and (u)) are deemed repeated on each Scheduled Disbursement Date, on the date on which any Disbursement Request is submitted and each Payment Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then prevailing.
7.03
The Guarantor acknowledges that it has made the representations and warranties contained in this Article 7 with the intention of inducing the Bank to enter into the Finance Contract and accepting this Guarantee as security for the Finance Contract and that the Bank has entered into the Finance Contract and has accepted this Guarantee as security for the Finance Contract on the basis of, and in full reliance on, each of such representations and warranties.
ARTICLE 8
Taxes, Charges and Expenses
8.01
The Guarantor shall bear its own costs of execution and implementation of this Guarantee and, without prejudice to the terms of Article 2, the Guarantor shall hold harmless and indemnify the Bank against all:
(a)
taxes and fiscal charges, legal costs and other expenses incurred by the Bank in the negotiation, execution, amendment, implementation or enforcement of this Guarantee; and
(b)
losses, charges and expenses to which the Bank may be subject or which it may properly incur under or in connection with the recovery from any person of sums expressed to be due under or pursuant to the Finance Contract,
in each case together with interest from the date such losses, charges, costs and/or expenses were incurred to the date of payment at such rates as the Bank may reasonably determine.
Furthermore the Guarantor shall make payments hereunder without withholding or deduction on account of tax or fiscal charges, provided that, if the Guarantor is obliged by law to make any such withholding or deduction, the Guarantor shall gross up the payment to the Bank so that the net sum received by the Bank is equal to the sum demanded.
ARTICLE 9
Law and Jurisdiction
9.01
Law
This Guarantee, its formation and its validity and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with English law.
9.02
Jurisdiction
The parties hereto submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and all disputes concerning this Guarantee (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Guarantee or the consequences of its nullity or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee) shall be submitted to such courts.
9.03
Service of Process
The Bank appoints The Securities Management Trust Limited of 8 Lothbury, London EC2 7HH to be its agent for service of process on its behalf of any writ, notice, order, judgement or other legal process in connection with this Guarantee.
ARTICLE 10
Final Clauses
10.01
Currency Conversion
The Bank may convert any money received or realised by it under or pursuant to this Guarantee which is not in the currency in which such sums are due and payable from that currency into the currency in which such sum is due at the rate published by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany for the relevant conversion, available on or shortly before conversion at any time and from time to time as the Bank shall decide, or, if such rate is not available, at the then prevailing commercial rate of exchange, as determined by the Bank.
10.02
Invalidity
If at any time any term of this Guarantee is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, or this Guarantee is or becomes ineffective in any respect, under the laws of any jurisdiction, such illegality, invalidity, unenforceability or ineffectiveness shall not affect:
(a)
the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other term of this Guarantee or the effectiveness in any other respect of this Guarantee in that jurisdiction; or
(b)
the legality, validity or enforceability in other jurisdictions of that or any other term of this Guarantee or the effectiveness of this Guarantee under the laws of such other jurisdictions.
10.03
Remedies and Waivers
No failure by the Bank to exercise, or any delay by the Bank in exercising, any right or remedy under this Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right or remedy.
10.04
Rights Cumulative
The rights and remedies provided by this Guarantee in favour of the Bank are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
10.05
Notices
Notices and other communications given hereunder to the Guarantor or to the Bank shall be sent by fax (which shall be deemed to have been received when transmission has been completed), registered letter or letter with recorded delivery (which, in the case of each letter, shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth business day following the date of posting), in each case addressed to the relevant party at its address set out below or at such other address as the relevant party shall have previously notified to the other parties in writing as its new address for such purpose, provided that any notice to be served on the Bank shall be effective only when actually received by the Bank, marked for the attention of the department or officer specified by the Bank for such purpose:
FOR the Bank:
100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
Attn: Ops A
Fax: + 352 4379 66488
FOR the Guarantor:
Attention: Treasury (Finance Director)
CE Electric UK Funding Company
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Tyne and Wear, NE1 6AF
Facsimile no.: +44 0191 223 5132
10.06
Assignments and Successors
The Bank may at any time assign all or any of its rights and benefits under this Guarantee (i) in connection with any assignment or transfer of the Bank's rights, benefits of obligations under the Finance Contract, without the consent of the Guarantor and (ii) in all other cases, with the prior written consent of the Guarantor, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. This Guarantee shall remain in effect despite any amalgamation or merger (however effected) relating to the Bank. References to the Bank shall be deemed to include any assignee or successor in title of the Bank and any person who, under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or domicile, has assumed the rights and obligations of the Bank under this Guarantee or to which under such laws the same have been transferred.
10.07
Third Party Rights
A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Guarantee.
10.08
Counterparts
This Guarantee may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart is an original, but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a counterpart of this Guarantee by e-mail attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.
10.9
Changes in IFRS
If a material change in IFRS occurs which is detrimental to either party, the parties shall consult and will discuss in good faith any change that may be required to this Guarantee.
10.10
Recitals and Annexes
The Recitals form part of this Guarantee.
The following Annexes are attached hereto:
Annex I
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor and authority of Signatory of the Guarantor
Annex II
Certificate of guarantee powers of the Guarantor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Guarantee has been signed on behalf of the Bank and executed as a deed by the Guarantor and is intended to be and is hereby delivered as a deed on the date first specified above. The parties hereto have caused this Guarantee to be executed in 3 (three) originals in the English language.
SIGNED by
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
By:
/s/ Laurent de Mautort
Name: Laurent de Mautort
Title: Director
By:
/s/ Pierre Albouze
Name: Pierre Albouze
Title: Head of Division
EXECUTED as a DEED by
CE ELECTRIC UK FUNDING COMPANY
By:
/s/ John France
Name: John France
Title:
Director
In the presence of:
By:
/s/ John Elliot
Name: John Elliot
Address:
18 Frosterley Drive
Great Lumley
Co Durham
DH3455
Serapis N° 20090544
FI N° 25662 UK
CE Electric UK El. Distribution - B
Finance Contract
between the
European Investment Bank
and
Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
Newcastle upon Tyne, 1 July 2010
Luxembourg, 2 July 2010
CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1 Credit and disbursement
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14
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1.01 Amount of Credit
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14
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1.02 Disbursement procedure
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14
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1.03 Currency of disbursement
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15
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1.04 Conditions of disbursement
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15
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1.05 Deferment of disbursement
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17
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1.06 Cancellation and suspension
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17
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1.07 Cancellation after expiry of the Credit
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19
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1.08 Up-front fee
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19
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1.09 Sums due under Article 1
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19
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ARTICLE 2 The Loan
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19
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2.01 Amount of Loan
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19
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2.02 Currency of repayment, interest and other charges
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19
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2.03 Confirmation by the Bank
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19
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ARTICLE 3 Interest
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20
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3.01 Rate of interest
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20
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3.02 Interest on overdue sums
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20
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ARTICLE 4 Repayment
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21
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4.01 Normal repayment
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21
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4.02 Voluntary prepayment
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21
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4.03 Compulsory prepayment
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22
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4.04 Application of partial prepayments
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24
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ARTICLE 5 Payments
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24
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5.01 Day count convention
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24
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5.02 Time and place of payment
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24
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5.03 Set-off
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24
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ARTICLE 6 Borrower undertakings and representations
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24
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6.01 Use of Loan and availability of other funds
|
25
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6.02 Completion of Project
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25
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6.03 Increased cost of Project
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25
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6.04 Procurement procedure
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25
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6.05 Continuing Project undertakings
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25
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6.06 Environmental Impact Assessments, EU Habitats and Birds Directives
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25
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6.07 Disposal of assets
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26
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6.08 Compliance with laws
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26
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6.09 Change in business
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27
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6.10 Merger
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27
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6.11 Arms' length dealings
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27
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6.12 Cross Default
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27
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6.13 Restrictions on incurring Financial Indebtedness
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27
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6.14 Financial covenants
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27
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6.15 General Representations and Warranties
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29
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ARTICLE 7 Security
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31
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7.01 Security
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31
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7.02 Negative pledge
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31
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7.03 Pari passu ranking
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32
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7.04 Most favoured lender
|
32
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ARTICLE 8 Information and visits
|
33
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8.01 Information concerning the Project
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33
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8.02 Information concerning the Borrower
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34
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8.03 Visits by the Bank
|
35
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ARTICLE 9 Charges and expenses
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35
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9.01 Taxes, duties and fees
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35
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9.02 Other charges
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35
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9.03 Currency indemnity
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35
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ARTICLE 10 Events of default
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36
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10.01 Right to demand repayment
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36
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10.02 Other rights at law
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39
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10.03 Indemnity
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39
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10.04 Non-Waiver
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39
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10.05 Application of sums received
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39
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ARTICLE 11 Law and jurisdiction
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39
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11.01 Governing Law
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39
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11.02 Jurisdiction
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39
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11.03 Evidence of sums due
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39
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ARTICLE 12 Final clauses
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40
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12.01 Notices to either party
|
40
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12.02 Form of notice
|
40
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12.03 Changes to parties
|
40
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12.04 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
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40
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12.05 European Monetary Union, GBP obligations and IFRS
|
41
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12.06 Recitals, Schedules and Annexes
|
41
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12.07 Counterparts
|
42
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Schedule A
|
43
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Technical Description and Reporting
|
43
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Schedule B
|
48
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Definitions of EURIBOR and LIBOR
|
48
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Schedule C
|
50
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Forms for the Borrower
|
50
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Schedule D
|
54
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Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
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54
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THIS CONTRACT IS MADE BETWEEN:
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The European Investment Bank having its seat at 100 blvd Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg, L-2950 Luxembourg, represented by Mr L. de Mautort, Director and Mr Pierre Albouze, Head of Division
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(the "
Bank
")
|
of the first part, and
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Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc (company number 04112320), a limited company incorporated in England and having its registered office at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF, represented by John France, Director
|
(the "
Borrower
")
|
of the second part.
WHEREAS:
(1)
The Borrower has stated that it is undertaking a project during the period January 2010 to December 2012 consisting of certain schemes aimed at renovating and reinforcing the distribution electricity network of the Borrower, as more particularly described in the technical description (the "
Technical Description
") set out in Schedule A (collectively, the "
Project
").
(2)
The total cost of the Project is estimated by the Bank to be GBP 301,000,000 (three hundred and one million pounds sterling) and the Borrower has stated that it intends to finance the Project as follows:
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Source
|
Amount (M GBP)
|
Own funds
|
150
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Credit from the Bank
|
151
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TOTAL
|
301
|
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(3)
In order to fulfil the financing plan set out in Recital (2), the Borrower has requested from the Bank a credit of GBP 151,000,000 (one hundred and fifty one million pounds sterling).
(4)
The Bank, considering that the financing of the Project falls within the scope of its functions, and having regard to the statements and facts cited in these Recitals, has decided to give effect to the Borrower's request by providing to it a credit in an amount of GBP 151,000,000 (one hundred and fifty one million pounds sterling) under this Finance Contract (the "
Contract
"); provided that the amount of the Bank loan shall not, in any case, exceed 50% (fifty per cent) of the total cost of the Project set out in Recital (2).
(5)
The Board of Directors of the Borrower has authorised the borrowing of the sum of GBP 151,000,000 (one hundred and fifty one million pounds sterling) represented by this credit on the terms and conditions set out in this Contract by a resolution in the terms set out in Annex I and it has been duly certified in the form set out in Annex II that such borrowing is within the corporate powers of the Borrower and does not exceed any borrowing or similar limit binding upon the Borrower.
(6)
The financial obligations of the Borrower under this Contract are from the date of this Contract to be guaranteed by CE Electric UK Funding Company (the "
Guarantor
") under a guarantee and indemnity (the "
Guarantee
") by execution of a guarantee and indemnity agreement dated on or about the date hereof in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank (the "
Guarantee Agreement
"). The Guarantee Agreement may be replaced by alternative security from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Contract.
(7)
The Statute of the Bank provides that the Bank shall ensure that its funds are used as rationally as possible in the interests of the European Union; and, accordingly, the terms and conditions of the Bank's loan operations must be consistent with relevant EU policies.
(8)
The Bank has entered on or about the date of this Contract into a finance contract (the "
Northern Electric Finance Contract
") with Northern Electric Distribution Limited, a Subsidiary of the Guarantor.
"
Acceptable Security
" means security for the Loan in the form of:
(a) the Guarantee from the Guarantor;
(b) a guarantee on terms and from a bank acceptable to the Bank;
(c) cash collateral; or
(d) other security acceptable to the Bank.
"
Acceptable Security Event
" means any of the following events, circumstances or occurrences:
(a)
an Acceptable Security Provider fails to pay any amount payable under the relevant Acceptable Security Document on or before its due date unless the non-payment is due to a technical or administrative error or disruption to a payment system and is cured within 3 (three) Business Days;
(b)
any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Acceptable Security Provider in an Acceptable Security Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect;
(c)
any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Acceptable Security Provider in connection with the negotiation of an Acceptable Security Document or any other information or document given to the Bank by or on behalf of an Acceptable Security Provider is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect;
(d)
following any default in relation thereto, an Acceptable Security Provider is required or is capable of being required or will, following expiry of any applicable contractual grace period, be required or be capable of being required to prepay, discharge, close out or terminate ahead of maturity any other Financial Indebtedness or any commitment for any other Financial Indebtedness is cancelled or suspended, provided that no Acceptable Security Event shall occur under this paragraph (d) if the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness is less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(e)
an Acceptable Security Provider is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123(1) or 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof (whether or not a court of justice has so determined), or admits its inability to pay its debts as they fall due, or suspends its debts, or makes or, without the prior written agreement of the Bank, seeks to make a composition with its creditors or by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness or a moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(f)
any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for:
(i)
the winding up of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(ii)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(iii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of an Acceptable Security Provider;
(iv)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of an Acceptable Security Provider or of any of its assets; or
(v)
the enforcement of any Security over assets of an Acceptable Security Provider,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction, provided that no Acceptable Security Event shall occur under this paragraph (f) in respect of any frivolous or vexatious winding-up petition brought by a third party (other than the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries) which is discharged within 14 (fourteen) days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised;
(g)
an Acceptable Security Provider takes steps towards a substantial reduction in its capital, is declared insolvent or ceases or resolves to cease to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) the whole or any substantial part of its business or activities;
(h)
an encumbrancer takes possession of, or a receiver, liquidator, administrator, compulsory manager, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed, whether by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any competent administrative authority or by any person, of or over, any part of the business or assets of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and, in the case of any of the foregoing, the same is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Acceptable Security Provider petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(i)
any step is taken by any person with a view to the seizure, attachment, sequestration, distress, compulsory acquisition, expropriation, execution or nationalisation of all or any of the shares, or all or any material part of the assets of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(j)
by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority, the management of an Acceptable Security Provider is wholly or substantially displaced or the authority of an Acceptable Security Provider in the conduct of its business is wholly or substantially curtailed;
(k)
an Acceptable Security Provider defaults in the performance of any obligation in respect of any other loan or financial instrument granted by the Bank or to the Bank;
(l)
any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon the property of an Acceptable Security Provider having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(m)
any material Authorisation issued to an Acceptable Security Provider is subject to notice of revocation by the competent Governmental Authority or an Acceptable Security Provider agrees to any revocation or surrender of such material Authorisation;
(n)
it is or becomes unlawful for an Acceptable Security Provider to perform any of its obligations under an Acceptable Security Document or an Acceptable Security Document is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by an Acceptable Security Provider to be ineffective in accordance with its terms or an Acceptable Security Provider evidences an intention to repudiate an Acceptable Security Document;
(o)
an Acceptable Security Provider fails to comply with any obligation under an Acceptable Security Document (not being an obligation otherwise referred to in any other paragraph of this definition of Acceptable Security Event) unless the non-compliance or circumstance giving rise to the non-compliance is capable of remedy and is remedied within 15 (fifteen) days of the earlier of (i) the Bank giving notice to the Acceptable Security Provider or (ii) the Acceptable Security Provider or the Borrower becoming aware of the non-compliance; or
(p)
CalEnergy Investments C.V. fails to comply with any provision of the Subordination Letter.
"
Acceptable Security Document
" means the Guarantee Agreement or any other document evidencing Acceptable Security.
"
Acceptable Security Provider
" means the Guarantor or any other provider of Acceptable Security.
"
Acceptance Deadline
" for a notice means:
(a) 16h00 Luxembourg time on the day of delivery, if the notice is delivered by 14h00 Luxembourg time on a Business Day; or
(b) 11h00 Luxembourg time on the next following day which is a Business Day, if the notice is delivered after 14h00 Luxembourg time on any such day or is delivered on a day which is not a Business Day.
"
Authorisation
" means any authorisation, consent, registration, filing, agreement, notarisation, certificate, licence, approval, permit, resolution, authority or exemption and any corporate, creditors' and shareholders' approval or consent.
"
Authority
" means the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, operating through OFGEM, and any successors thereto.
"
Bonds
" means the GBP 200,000,000 5.125% per cent. Guaranteed Bonds due 2035 issued by the Borrower.
"
Borrower
Material Adverse Change
" means, in relation to the Borrower or any other member of the Group, any event or change of condition, as compared with the condition as at the date of this Contract, affecting the Borrower or its Group as a whole, which: (1) materially impairs the ability of the Borrower to perform its financial obligations under this Contract or to comply with any of the financial ratios set out in Article 6.13 or 6.14 of this Contract; or (2) materially impairs the business or financial condition of the Borrower or its Group as a whole.
"
Business Day
" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which the Bank and commercial banks are open for general business in Luxembourg.
"
Calculation Date
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Cash Equivalents
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Change-of-Control Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(3).
"
Change-of-Law Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(4).
"
Competition Act
" means the Competition Act 1998.
"
Compliance Certificate
" means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule C.3.
"
Compulsory Prepayment Event
" means any circumstance, event or occurrence which constitutes or which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or the making of any determination, or any combination thereof, would constitute a prepayment event under Article 4.03A.
"
Consent Letter
" means the letter dated 6 August 2004 from the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to the Borrower.
"
Consolidated EBIT
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Contract
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (4).
"
Credit
" has the meaning given to it in Article 1.01.
"
Credit Facility
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
"
Cross Default Obligation
" means a term of any agreement or arrangement under which the Borrower's liability to pay or repay any debt or other sum arises or is increased or accelerated or is capable of arising or of increasing or of being accelerated, because of a default (however it may be described or defined) by any person other than the Borrower, unless:
(a)
that liability can arise only as the result of a default by a Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(b)
the Borrower holds a majority of the voting shares in that Subsidiary and has the right to appoint or remove a majority of its board of directors; and
(c)
that Subsidiary carries on business only for a purpose within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of "Permitted Purpose" set out in Standard Condition 1 of the Licence.
"
Default
" means any Event of Default or any event, circumstance or occurrence which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or the making of any determination, or any combination thereof, would become an Event of Default.
"
Disbursement Notice
"
means a notice from the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with Article 1.02C.
"
Disbursement Request
"
means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule C.1.
"
Electricity Act
" means the Electricity Act 1989, as amended by the Utilities Act 2000, the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Energy Act 2004 or otherwise from time to time.
"
Energy Act
" means the United Kingdom Energy Act 2004.
"
Energy Administration Order
" means an order made pursuant to Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Energy Act.
"
Enterprise Act
" means the United Kingdom Enterprise Act 2002.
"
Environment
" means the following, in so far as they affect human well-being: (a) fauna and flora; (b) soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; and (c) cultural heritage and the built environment.
"
Environmental Claim
" means any claim or proceeding by any person in respect of any Environmental Law.
"
Environmental Impact Assessment
" has the meaning given to it in the relevant Environmental Law.
"
Environmental Law
" means EU law and national laws and regulations applicable in the United Kingdom, as well as applicable international treaties, of which a principal objective is the preservation, protection or improvement of the Environment.
"
EUR
" or "
euro
" means the lawful currency for the time being of the Participating Member States.
"
EURIBOR
" has the meaning given to it in Schedule B.
"
Event of Default
" means any one of the circumstances, events or occurrences specified in Article 10.01.
"
Final Availability Date
" means the date which is 18 (eighteen) months after the date of this Contract.
"
Final Proposals
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Financial Indebtedness
" means, at any time, any obligation of such person, whether incurred as principal or surety and whether present, future, actual or contingent, for the payment or repayment of money in respect of:
(b)
any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;
(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;
(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, be treated as a finance or capital lease;
(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis) and any bill discounting or factoring facilities;
(f)
the acquisition cost of any asset to the extent payable before or after the time of acquisition or possession by the party liable where the advance or deferred payment is arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of that asset;
(g)
leases (whether in respect of land, machinery, equipment or otherwise) entered into primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of that asset;
(h)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising money;
(i)
any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value shall be taken into account);
(j)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;
(k)
any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares which are by their terms capable of redemption before the 31 December 2032; and
(l)
(without double counting) the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (k) above.
"
First Currency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
Fixed Rate
" means an annual interest rate determined by the Bank in accordance with the applicable principles from time to time laid down by the governing bodies of the Bank for loans made at a fixed rate of interest, denominated in the currency of the Tranche and bearing equivalent terms for the repayment of capital and the payment of interest.
"
Fixed Rate Notified Tranche
" means a Notified Tranche which is a Fixed Rate Tranche.
"
Fixed Rate Tranche
" means a Tranche disbursed on a Fixed Rate basis.
"
Floating Rate
" means a fixed-spread floating interest rate, that is to say an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR plus or minus the Spread, determined by the Bank for each successive Floating Rate Reference Period.
"
Floating Rate Notified Tranche
" means a Notified Tranche which is a Floating Rate Tranche.
"
Floating Rate Reference Period
" means each period from one Payment Date to the next relevant Payment Date and the first Floating Rate Reference Period shall commence on the date of disbursement of the Tranche.
"
Floating Rate Tranche
" means a Tranche disbursed on a Floating Rate basis.
"
GBP
" means pounds sterling, the lawful currency for the time being of the United Kingdom.
"
GIC
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Governmental Authority
" means the government of any country, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state, regional or local, and any agency, authority, branch, department, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government or any subdivision thereof (including any supra-national bodies and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Authority), and all officials, agents and representatives of each of the foregoing.
"
Group
" means the Borrower and the Borrower's Subsidiaries (if any) from time to time.
"
Guarantee
"
has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantee Agreement
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantor
"
has the meaning given to it in Recital (6).
"
Guarantor Group
" means the Guarantor and the Guarantor's Subsidiaries from time to time.
"
IFRS
" means the international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002.
"
Incorporated Provision
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
"
Indemnifiable Prepayment Event
" means a prepayment event under Article 4.03A other than paragraphs 4.03A(1) and 4.03A(2).
"
Interest Cover
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion
" means the determination of new financial conditions relative to the interest rate, specifically the same interest rate basis ("revision") or a different interest rate basis ("conversion") which can be offered for the remaining term of a Tranche or until a next Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Date
" means the date, being a Payment Date, specified by the Bank pursuant to Article 1.02C in the Disbursement Notice or pursuant to Article 3 and Schedule D.
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal
" means a proposal made by the Bank under Schedule D, for an amount which, at the proposed Interest Revision/Conversion Date, is not less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling).
"
Interest Revision/Conversion Request
" means a written notice from the Borrower, delivered at least 75 (seventy-five) days before an Interest Revision/Conversion Date, requesting the Bank to submit to it an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal. The Interest Revision/Conversion Request shall also specify:
(a) Payment Dates chosen in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.01;
(b) the preferred repayment schedule chosen in accordance with Article 4.01; and
(c) any further Interest Revision/Conversion Date chosen in accordance with Article 3.01.
"
LIBOR
" has the meaning given to it in Schedule B.
"
Licence
" means the distribution licence granted to the Borrower under Section 6(1)(c) of the Electricity Act with respect to the distribution of electricity in the distribution service area as such area is defined in such licence, as such licence may be amended or replaced from time to time.
"
Loan
" means the aggregate amount of Tranches disbursed from time to time by the Bank under this Contract.
"
Margin
" has the meaning given to it in Article 3.01.
"
Market Disruption Event
" has the meaning given to it in Article 1.06B.
"
Material Adverse Change
" means (a) in relation to the Borrower, a Borrower Material Adverse Change; and (b) in relation to the Guarantor or any other member of the Guarantor Group, any event or change of condition, as compared with the condition as at the date of this Contract, affecting the Guarantor or the Guarantor Group, which: (1) materially impairs the ability of the Guarantor to perform its financial obligations under the Guarantee Agreement or to comply with any of the financial ratios set out in Article 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 of the Guarantee Agreement; or (2) materially impairs the business or financial condition of the Guarantor or of the Guarantor Group as a whole.
"
Maturity Date
" means the last or sole repayment date of a Tranche specified pursuant to Article 4.01A(b)(iii) or Article 4.01B.
"
Moody's
" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successor.
"
More Favourable Provision
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.04(a).
“Non-Technical Summary”
has the meaning given to it in the relevant Environmental Law.
"
Northern Electric Finance Contract
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (8).
"
Notified Tranche
"
means a Tranche in respect of which the Bank has issued a Disbursement Notice.
"
OFGEM
" means the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.
"
Original Financial Statements
" means the audited financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.
"
Participating Member States
" means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
"
Payment Date
" means the annual, semi-annual or quarterly dates specified in the Disbursement Notice until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date, save that, in case any such date is not a Relevant Business Day, it means:
(a) for a Fixed Rate Tranche, the following Relevant Business Day, without adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01 except for those cases where repayment is made in a single instalment according to Article 4.01B, when the preceding Relevant Business Day shall apply instead to the single instalment and last interest payment and only in this case with adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01; and
(b) for a Floating Rate Tranche, the next day, if any, of that calendar month that is a Relevant Business Day or, failing that, the nearest preceding day that is a Relevant Business Day, in all cases with corresponding adjustment to the interest due under Article 3.01.
"
Permitted Financial Indebtedness
" means:
(a) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Bonds in an amount of GBP 200,000,000 (two hundred million pounds sterling);
(b) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower outstanding on 31 December 2009 and not otherwise referred to in the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
(c) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to the Revolving Facility Agreement;
(d) Financial Indebtedness owed by one member of the Group to another member of the Group;
(e) Financial Indebtedness owed to the Bank;
(f) Financial Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Loan on terms satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank; and
(g) Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies.
"
Prepayment Amount
" means the amount of a Tranche to be prepaid by the Borrower in accordance with Article 4.02A.
"
Prepayment Date
" means the date, which shall be a Payment Date, on which the Borrower proposes to effect prepayment of a Prepayment Amount.
"
Prepayment Notice
" means a written notice from the Borrower specifying, amongst other things, the Prepayment Amount and the Prepayment Date in accordance with Article 4.02A.
"
Project
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (1).
"Project Completion Report"
means the information that the Borrower is obliged to deliver to the Bank in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule A.2.
"
Quasi-Security
" has the meaning given to it in Article 7.02(c).
"
Rating Agency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
RAV
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Redeployment Rate
" means the Fixed Rate in effect on the day of the indemnity calculation for fixed-rate loans denominated in the same currency and which shall have the same terms for the payment of interest and the same repayment profile to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date as the Prepayment Amount. For those cases where the period is shorter than the minimum intervals described under Article 3.01 the most closely corresponding money market rate equivalent will be used, that is LIBOR minus 0.125% (12.5 basis points) for periods of up to 12 (twelve) months. For periods falling between 13 and 36/48 months respectively, the bid point on the swap rates as published by Intercapital in Reuters for the related currency and observed by the Bank at the time of calculation will apply.
"
Regulated Asset Value
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Relevant Business Day
" means:
(a) for EUR, a day which is a TARGET Day; and
(b) for any other currency, a day on which banks are open for general business in the principal domestic financial centre of the relevant currency.
"
Relevant Interbank Rate
"
means:
(a) EURIBOR for an amount denominated in EUR;
(b) LIBOR for an amount denominated in GBP or USD; and
(c) the market rate and its definition chosen by the Bank and separately communicated to the Borrower, for an amount denominated in any other currency.
"
Relevant Period
" has the meaning given to it in Article 6.14C.
"
Revolving Facility Agreement
" means the GBP 150,000,000 Multicurrency Revolving Facility Agreement dated 26 March 2010 entered into between the Guarantor, the Borrower, Northern Electric Distribution Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services plc, Lloyds TSB Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
"
Scheduled Disbursement Date
" means the date on which a Tranche is scheduled to be disbursed in accordance with Article 1.02C.
"
Second Currency
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
Security
" and "
Security Interest
" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, assignment, hypothecation or security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring security.
"
Spread
" means the fixed spread to LIBOR (being either plus or minus) determined by the Bank including the Margin and notified to the Borrower in the relevant Disbursement Notice or Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal.
"
S&P
" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Group or its successor.
"
Subordinated Loan Agreement
" means the loan agreement entered into between CalEnergy Investments C.V. and CE Electric UK Limited dated 31 January 2000 in an amount of GBP 300,000,000 (three hundred million pounds sterling).
“
Subordination Letter
” means a letter between the Bank and CalEnergy Investments C.V. dated on or about the date of this Contract.
"
Subsidiary
":
(a) for the purposes of the definition of Cross Default Obligation, has the meaning given to such term in the Licence of the Borrower; and
(b) for all other purposes, means a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006 and in interpreting that provision for the purposes of this Contract, an undertaking is to be treated as a subsidiary undertaking even if its shares are registered in the name of (i) a nominee, or (ii) any party holding Security over those shares, or that secured party's nominee.
"
Sum
" has the meaning given to it in Article 9.03(a).
"
TARGET Day
"
means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in EUR.
"
TARGET2
" means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
"
Tax
" means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
"
Technical Description
" has the meaning given to it in Recital (1).
"
Term Loan
" has the meaning given to it in Article 4.03A(2).
"
Tranche
" means each disbursement made or to be made under this Contract.
"
USD
" means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.
(a) references to Articles, Recitals, Schedules and Annexes are, save if explicitly stipulated otherwise, references respectively to articles of, and recitals, schedules and annexes to, this Contract;
(b) unless the context otherwise requires, words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(c) a reference (i) to an amendment or to an agreement being amended includes a supplement, variation, assignment, novation, restatement or re-enactment, and (ii) to an agreement shall be construed as a reference to such agreement as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;
(d) the headings and the Table of Contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Contract;
(e) any reference to "law" means any law (including, any common or customary law) and any treaty, constitution, statute, legislation, decree, normative act, rule, regulation, judgement, order, writ, injunction, determination, award or other legislative or administrative measure or judicial or arbitral decision in any jurisdiction which has the force of law;
(f) any reference to a provision of law, is a reference to that provision as from time to time amended or re-enacted;
(g) a reference to a "person" includes any person, natural or juridical entity, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) or two or more of the foregoing and references to a "person" include its successors in title, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;
(h) "including" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation" where not so followed;
(i) a Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived in writing by the Bank; and
(j) a reference to "indebtedness" includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent.
NOW THEREFORE
it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Credit and disbursement
By this Contract the Bank establishes in favour of the Borrower, and the Borrower accepts, the credit in an amount of GBP 151,000,000 (one hundred and fifty one million pounds sterling) for the financing of the Project (the "
Credit
").
The Bank shall disburse the Credit in up to 12 (twelve) Tranches. The amount of each Tranche, if not being the undrawn balance of the Credit, shall be in a minimum amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling).
(a)
From time to time up to 15 (fifteen) days before the Final Availability Date, the Borrower may present to the Bank a Disbursement Request for the disbursement of a Tranche. The Disbursement Request shall specify:
(i)
the amount and currency (being GBP) of the Tranche;
(ii)
the preferred disbursement date for the Tranche, which shall be a Relevant Business Day falling at least 15 (fifteen) days after the date of the Disbursement Request and on or before the Final Availability Date, it being understood that the Bank may disburse the Tranche up to 4 (four) calendar months from the date of the Disbursement Request;
(iii)
whether the Tranche is a Fixed Rate Tranche or a Floating Rate Tranche, each pursuant to the relevant provisions of Article 3.01;
(iv)
the preferred interest payment periodicity for the Tranche, chosen in accordance with Article 3.01;
(v)
the preferred terms for repayment of principal for the Tranche, chosen in accordance with Article 4.01;
(vi)
the preferred first and last dates for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vii)
the Borrower's choice of Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, for the Tranche; and
(viii)
the IBAN code (or appropriate format in line with local banking practice) and SWIFT BIC of the bank account to which disbursement of the Tranche should be made in accordance with Article 1.02D.
(b)
The Borrower may also at its discretion specify in the Disbursement Request the following respective elements, if any, as provided by the Bank on an indicative basis and without commitment, to be applicable to the Tranche, that is to say:
(i)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche, the fixed interest rate; and
(ii)
in the case of a Floating Rate Tranche, the Spread,
applicable until the Maturity Date or until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any.
(c)
Each Disbursement Request shall be accompanied by evidence of the authority of the person or persons authorised to sign it and the specimen signature of such person or persons.
(d)
Subject to Article 1.02C(b), each Disbursement Request is irrevocable.
(a)
Not less than 10 (ten) days before the proposed Scheduled Disbursement Date of a Tranche the Bank shall, if the Disbursement Request conforms to this Article 1.02, deliver to the Borrower a Disbursement Notice which shall specify:
(i)
the currency and amount of the Tranche;
(ii)
the Scheduled Disbursement Date;
(iii)
the interest rate basis for the Tranche;
(iv)
the first interest Payment Date and the periodicity for the payment of interest for the Tranche;
(v)
the terms for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vi)
the first and last dates for repayment of principal for the Tranche;
(vii)
the applicable Payment Dates for the Tranche;
(viii)
the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, for the Tranche; and
(ix)
for a Fixed Rate Tranche the fixed interest rate and for a Floating Rate Tranche the Spread.
(b)
If one or more of the elements specified in the Disbursement Notice does not reflect the corresponding element, if any, in the Disbursement Request, the Borrower may following receipt of the Disbursement Notice revoke the Disbursement Request by written notice to the Bank to be received no later than 12h00 Luxembourg time on the next Business Day and thereupon the Disbursement Request and the Disbursement Notice shall be of no effect. If the Borrower has not revoked in writing the Disbursement Request within such period, the Borrower will be deemed to have accepted all elements specified in the Disbursement Notice.
(c)
If the Borrower has presented to the Bank a Disbursement Request in which the Borrower has not specified the elements referred to in Article 1.02B(b), the Borrower will be deemed to have agreed in advance to the corresponding element as subsequently specified in the Disbursement Notice.
Disbursement shall be made to the account of the Borrower as the Borrower shall notify in writing to the Bank not later than 15 (fifteen) days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date (with IBAN code or with the appropriate format in line with local banking practice).
Only one account may be specified for each Tranche.
The Bank shall disburse each Tranche in GBP.
1.04
Conditions of disbursement
The disbursement of the first Tranche under Article 1.02 is conditional upon receipt by the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to it, on or before the date falling 5 (five) Business Days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date, of the following documents or evidence:
(a)
a certified copy of the Borrower's constitutional documents and of the Licence;
(b)
evidence satisfactory to the Bank that the execution of this Contract by the Borrower has been duly authorised and that the person or persons signing the Contract on behalf of the Borrower is/are duly authorised to do so together with the specimen signature of each such person or persons;
(c)
evidence that the Borrower has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with entering into and delivering this Contract;
(d)
if required by the Bank, evidence that the Borrower has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with the Project;
(e)
the duly executed Guarantee Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank;
(f)
evidence satisfactory to the Bank that the execution of the Guarantee Agreement by the Guarantor has been duly authorised and that the person or persons signing the Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Guarantor is/are duly authorised to do so together with the specimen signature of each such person or persons;
(g)
evidence that the Guarantor has obtained all necessary Authorisations required in connection with entering into and delivering the Guarantee Agreement;
(h)
evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower have been paid, including those payable pursuant to Article 9 of this Contract (other than any fees to be invoiced by Norton Rose LLP in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement and with the conditions precedent to be satisfied under this Article 1.04);
(i)
a due capacity, execution and enforceability opinion in relation to this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement of Norton Rose LLP, legal advisers to the Bank in England;
(j)
a certified copy of the Revolving Facility Agreement;
(k)
a certified copy of the Consent Letter; and
(l) a certified copy of the Subordinated Loan Agreement.
The disbursement of each Tranche under Article 1.02, including the first, is conditional upon:
(a)
receipt by the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to it, on or before the date falling 5 (five) Business Days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date for the proposed Tranche, of the following documents or evidence:
(i)
a certificate from the Borrower in the form of Schedule C.2, such certificate to be
signed by two directors of the Borrower (or, failing that, by one director of the Borrower and the finance director or the treasurer or the investor reporting manager or the financial controller or the company secretary of the Borrower) and to be dated no earlier than the date falling 15 (fifteen) days before the Scheduled Disbursement Date; and
(ii)
a copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Bank has notified the Borrower is necessary or desirable in connection with (1) the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Contract or the Guarantee or the validity and enforceability of the same or (2) the Project; and
(b)
that on the Scheduled Disbursement Date for the proposed Tranche:
(i)
the representations and warranties which are repeated pursuant to Article 6.15 are correct in all respects; and
(ii)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived or would result from the proposed Tranche.
On or before the date which is the later of (a) the date falling 10 Business Days after receipt of an invoice from Norton Rose LLP; and (b) 30 days from the date of this Contract, the Borrower shall provide to the Bank in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower to Norton Rose LLP in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Guarantee Agreement and with the conditions precedent to be satisfied under Article 1.04A, have been paid.
1.05
Deferment of disbursement
Upon the written request of the Borrower, the Bank shall defer the disbursement of any Notified Tranche in whole or in part to a date specified by the Borrower being a date falling not later than 6 (six) months from its Scheduled Disbursement Date. In such case, the Borrower shall pay the deferment indemnity as determined pursuant to Article 1.05B below.
Any request for deferment shall have effect in respect of a Tranche only if it is made at least 5 (five) Business Days before its Scheduled Disbursement Date.
If any of the conditions referred to in Article 1.04 is not fulfilled as at the specified date and at the Scheduled Disbursement Date, and the Bank is of the opinion that it will not be satisfied, disbursement will be deferred to a date agreed between the Bank and the Borrower falling not earlier than 5 (five) Business Days following the fulfilment of all conditions of disbursement.
If the disbursement of any Notified Tranche is deferred, whether at the request of the Borrower or by reason of non-fulfilment of the conditions of disbursement, the Borrower shall, upon demand by the Bank, pay an indemnity on the amount of disbursement deferred. Such indemnity shall accrue from the Scheduled Disbursement Date to the actual disbursement date or, as the case may be, until the date of cancellation of the Notified Tranche in accordance with this Contract at a rate equal to
R1
minus
R2
, where:
"
R1
" means the rate of interest less the Margin that would have applied from time to time pursuant to Article 3.01, if the Tranche had been disbursed on the Scheduled Disbursement Date; and
"
R2
" means LIBOR less 0.125% (12.5 basis points); provided that for the purpose of determining LIBOR in relation to this Article 1.05, the relevant periods provided for in Schedule B shall be successive periods of 1 (one) month commencing on the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Furthermore, the indemnity:
(a)
if the deferment exceeds one (1) month in duration, shall accrue at the end of every month;
(b)
shall be calculated using the day count convention applicable to
R1
;
(c)
where
R2
exceeds
R1
, shall be set at zero; and
(d)
shall be payable in accordance with Article 1.09.
1.05C
Cancellation of disbursement deferred by 6 (six) months
The Bank may, by notice in writing to the Borrower, cancel a disbursement which has been deferred under Article 1.05A by more than 6 (six) months in aggregate. The cancelled amount shall remain available for disbursement under Article 1.02.
1.06
Cancellation and suspension
1.06A
Borrower's right to cancel
The Borrower may at any time by notice in writing to the Bank cancel, in whole or in part and with immediate effect, the undisbursed portion of the Credit. However, the notice shall have no effect in respect of a Notified Tranche which has a Scheduled Disbursement Date falling within 5 (five) Business Days of the date of the notice.
1.06B
Bank's right to suspend and cancel
(a)
The Bank may, by notice in writing to the Borrower, suspend and/or cancel the undisbursed portion of the Credit in whole or in part at any time and with immediate effect:
(i)
if a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii)
if, in the opinion of the Bank, a Material Adverse Change has occurred and is continuing;
(iii)
if a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing; or
(iv)
if the Credit (as such term is defined in the Northern Electric Finance Contract) or any part thereof is suspended and/or cancelled or if a Default or a Compulsory Prepayment Event (as such terms are defined in the Northern Electric Finance Contract) occurs under the Northern Electric Finance Contract.
(b)
Furthermore, to the extent that the Bank may cancel the Credit under Article 4.03A, the Bank may also suspend it. Any suspension shall continue until the Bank ends the suspension or cancels the suspended amount.
(c)
For the purposes of this Article, "
Market Disruption Event
" means:
(i)
the Bank determines that there are exceptional circumstances adversely affecting the Bank's access to its sources of funding;
(ii)
in the opinion of the Bank, the cost to the Bank of obtaining funds from its sources of funding would be in excess of the applicable LIBOR for the relevant period of a Tranche;
(iii)
the Bank determines that by reason of circumstances affecting its sources of funding generally adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR for the relevant period of a Tranche;
(iv)
in the opinion of the Bank, funds are not reasonably likely to be available to it in the ordinary course of business to fund a Tranche in GBP or for the relevant period, if applicable and appropriate to the specific lending operation; or
(v)
it is not possible for the Bank to obtain funding in sufficient amounts for it to fund a disbursement, if applicable and appropriate to the specific lending operation, or there is a material upheaval in the international debt, money or capital markets.
1.06C
Indemnity for suspension and cancellation of a Tranche
1.06C(1) SUSPENSION
If the Bank suspends a Notified Tranche, whether upon an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event or an event mentioned in Article 10.01, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 1.05B.
1.06C(2) CANCELLATION
If, pursuant to Article 1.06A, the Borrower cancels:
(a)
a Fixed Rate Notified Tranche, it shall indemnify the Bank under Article 4.02B(1);
(b)
a Floating Rate Notified Tranche or any part of the Credit other than a Notified Tranche, no indemnity is payable.
If the Bank cancels a Fixed Rate Notified Tranche upon an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event or pursuant to Article 1.05C, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 4.02B(1). If the Bank cancels a Notified Tranche upon an event mentioned in Article 10.01, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank under Article 10.03. Save in these cases, no indemnity is payable upon cancellation of a Tranche by the Bank.
An indemnity shall be calculated on the basis that the cancelled amount is deemed to have been disbursed and repaid on the Scheduled Disbursement Date or, to the extent that the disbursement of the Tranche is currently deferred or suspended, on the date of the cancellation notice.
1.07
Cancellation after expiry of the Credit
Any time on or after the Final Availability Date, the Bank may by notice to the Borrower and without liability arising on the part of either party, cancel any part of the Credit which has not yet been disbursed.
The Borrower shall pay to the Bank an up-front fee in an amount of GBP 151,000 (one hundred and fifty one thousand pounds sterling) for the establishment of the Credit under this Contract. Such up-front fee shall be payable as follows:
(a) upon separate request of the Borrower to be made together with the Disbursement Request, it shall be deducted by the Bank from the amount to be disbursed under the first Tranche;
(b) by the Borrower to the Bank on the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the first Tranche;
(c) if the Borrower communicates to the Bank that it wishes to cancel the Credit without a Disbursement Request having been submitted by the Borrower, within 30 (thirty) days of such notice of cancellation; or
(d) if the Borrower fails to make a valid Disbursement Request before or by the Final Availability Date, within 30 (thirty) days of the Final Availability Date.
The amount due to the Bank under paragraphs (b) to (d) above shall be payable in GBP and shall be paid to the account indicated by the Bank to the Borrower.
The amount due to the Bank and deducted from the first Tranche upon the request of the Borrower under paragraph (a) above shall be considered as having been duly paid by the Borrower to the Bank on the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the first Tranche. For the purposes of Article 2.01, such amount shall also be considered as having been disbursed by the Bank.
Sums due under Articles 1.05 and 1.06 shall be payable in GBP. They shall be payable within 7 (seven) days of the Borrower's receipt of the Bank's demand or within any longer period specified in the Bank's demand.
ARTICLE 2
The Loan
The Loan shall comprise the aggregate amount of Tranches disbursed by the Bank under the Credit, as confirmed by the Bank pursuant to Article 2.03.
2.02
Currency of repayment, interest and other charges
Interest, repayments and other charges payable in respect of each Tranche shall be made by the Borrower in the currency of the Tranche.
Any other payment shall be made in the currency specified by the Bank having regard to the currency of the expenditure to be reimbursed by means of that payment.
Within 10 (ten) days after disbursement of each Tranche, the Bank shall deliver to the Borrower the amortisation table referred to in Article 4.01, if appropriate, showing the disbursement date, currency, the amount disbursed, the repayment terms and the interest rate of and for that Tranche, which shall not contradict the relevant Disbursement Notice.
ARTICLE 3
Interest
For the purposes of this Contract "
Margin
" means sixteen basis points (0.16%) per annum.
Fixed Rates and Spreads are available for periods of not less than 4 (four) years or, where repayment is made in a single instalment according to Article 4.01B, not less than 5 (five) years.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the outstanding balance of each Fixed Rate Tranche at the Fixed Rate together with the Margin quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on the relevant Payment Dates, as specified in the Disbursement Notice, commencing on the first such Payment Date following the date on which the disbursement of the Tranche was made. If the period from the date on which disbursement was made to the first Payment Date is 15 days or less then the payment of interest accrued during such period shall be postponed to the following Payment Date.
Interest shall be calculated on the basis of Article 5.01(a) at an annual rate that is the sum of the Margin and the Fixed Rate.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the outstanding balance of each Floating Rate Tranche at the Floating Rate quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on the relevant Payment Dates, as specified in the Disbursement Notice commencing on the first such Payment Date following the date of disbursement of the Tranche. If the period from the date on which disbursement was made to the first Payment Date is 15 days or less then the payment of interest accrued during such period shall be postponed to the following Payment Date.
The Bank shall notify the Floating Rate to the Borrower within 10 (ten) days following the commencement of each Floating Rate Reference Period.
If pursuant to Articles 1.05 and 1.06 disbursement of any Floating Rate Tranche takes place after the Scheduled Disbursement Date the interest rate applicable to the first Floating Rate Reference Period shall be determined as though disbursement had taken place on the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Interest shall be calculated in respect of each Floating Rate Reference Period on the basis of Article 5.01(b).
3.01C
Revision or Conversion of Tranches
Where the Borrower exercises an option to revise or convert the interest rate basis of a Tranche, it shall, from the effective Interest Revision/Conversion Date (in accordance with the procedure set out in Schedule D) pay interest at a rate determined in accordance with the provisions of Schedule D.
Without prejudice to Article 10 and by way of exception to Article 3.01, interest shall accrue on any overdue sum payable under the terms of this Contract from the due date to the date of payment at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 2% (200 basis points) and shall be payable in accordance with the demand of the Bank. For the purpose of determining LIBOR in relation to this Article 3.02, the relevant periods within the meaning of Schedule B shall be successive periods of one month commencing on the due date.
However, interest on a Fixed Rate Tranche shall be charged at the annual rate that is the sum of the rate defined in Article 3.01A plus 0.25% (25 basis points) if that annual rate exceeds, for any given relevant period, the rate specified in the preceding paragraph.
If the overdue sum is in a currency other than the currency of the Loan, the following rate per annum shall apply, namely the Relevant Interbank Rate that is generally retained by the Bank for transactions in that currency plus 2% (200 basis points), calculated in accordance with the market practice for such rate.
ARTICLE 4
Repayment
(a)
The Borrower shall repay each Tranche by instalments on the Payment Dates specified in the relevant Disbursement Notice in accordance with the terms of the amortisation table delivered pursuant to Article 2.03.
(b)
Each amortisation table shall be drawn up on the basis that:
(i)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche without an Interest Revision/Conversion Date, repayment shall be made on a constant annuity basis or by equal annual, semi-annual or quarterly instalments of principal;
(ii)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Tranche with an Interest Revision/Conversion Date or a Floating Rate Tranche, repayment shall be made by equal annual, semi-annual or quarterly instalments of principal; and
(iii)
the first repayment date of each Tranche shall be a Payment Date falling not later than the first Payment Date immediately following the 4th (fourth) anniversary of the Scheduled Disbursement Date of the Tranche and the last repayment date shall be a Payment Date falling not earlier than 4 (four) years and not later than 20 (twenty) years from the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Alternatively, the Borrower may repay the Tranche in a single instalment on a Payment Date specified in the Disbursement Notice, being a date falling not less than 5 (five) years or more than 12 (twelve) years from the Scheduled Disbursement Date.
Subject to Articles 4.02B, 4.02C and 4.04, the Borrower may prepay all or part of any Tranche, together with accrued interest and indemnities if any, upon giving a Prepayment Notice with at least 1 (one) month's prior notice specifying the Prepayment Amount and the Prepayment Date.
Subject to Article 4.02C the Prepayment Notice shall be binding and irrevocable.
4.02B(1) FIXED RATE TRANCHE
(a)
Subject to paragraph (b) below, if the Borrower prepays a Fixed Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank on the Prepayment Date an indemnity equal to the present value (as of the Prepayment Date) of the excess, if any, of:
(i)
the interest calculated net of the Margin that would accrue thereafter on the Prepayment Amount over the period from the Prepayment Date to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date, if it were not prepaid; over
(ii)
the interest that would so accrue over that period, if it were calculated at the Redeployment Rate, less 0.15% (fifteen basis points).
The said present value shall be calculated at a discount rate equal to the Redeployment Rate, applied as of each relevant Payment Date.
(b)
The Borrower may prepay a Fixed Rate Tranche without indemnity on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date in the event of the non-fulfilment of an Interest Revision/Conversion pursuant to Schedule D.
4.02B(2) FLOATING RATE TRANCHE
The Borrower may prepay a Floating Rate Tranche without indemnity on any relevant Payment Date. If the Borrower has accepted an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal to convert a Floating Rate Tranche to a Fixed Rate Tranche pursuant to Schedule D Article 4.02B(1) applies.
The Bank shall notify the Borrower, not later than 15 (fifteen) days prior to the Prepayment Date, of the Prepayment Amount, of the accrued interest due thereon and of the indemnity payable under Article 4.02B or, as the case may be, that no indemnity is due.
Not later than the Acceptance Deadline, the Borrower shall notify the Bank either:
(a)
that it confirms the Prepayment Notice on the terms specified by the Bank; or
(b)
that it withdraws the Prepayment Notice.
If the Borrower gives the confirmation under paragraph (a) above, it shall effect the prepayment. If the Borrower withdraws the Prepayment Notice or fails to confirm it in due time, it may not effect the prepayment. Save as aforesaid, the Prepayment Notice shall be binding and irrevocable.
The Borrower shall accompany the prepayment by the payment of accrued interest and indemnity, if any, due on the Prepayment Amount.
4.03A(1) PROJECT COST REDUCTION
If the total cost of the Project should be reduced from the figure stated in Recital (2) to a level at which the aggregate of (i) the amount of the Credit remaining available for disbursement and (ii) the Loan exceeds 50% (fifty per cent) of such cost, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and/or demand prepayment of the Loan in an amount not exceeding the amount required to ensure that the aggregate of (i) the Credit remaining available for disbursement and (ii) the Loan does not exceed 50% (fifty per cent) of the total cost of the Project as so reduced.
4.03A(2) PARI PASSU TO ANOTHER TERM LOAN
If the Borrower (or any other member of the Group) voluntarily prepays a part or the whole of any other loan originally granted to it for a term of more than 3 (three) years (a "
Term Loan
") otherwise than out of the proceeds of a loan having a term at least equal to the unexpired term of the Term Loan prepaid, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, in such proportion as the prepaid amount of the Term Loan bears to the aggregate outstanding amount of all Term Loans.
The Bank shall address its notice to the Borrower within 30 (thirty) days of receipt of the relevant notice under Article 8.02(c)(iii).
For the purposes of this Article:
(a)
"
loan
" includes any loan, bond or other form of financial indebtedness or any obligation for the payment or repayment of money; and
(b)
"
Term Loan
" excludes a loan from the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group to the Borrower or to any member of the Group.
4.03A(3) CHANGE OF CONTROL
The Borrower shall promptly inform the Bank if a Change-of-Control Event has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur. In such case, or if the Bank has reasonable cause to believe that a Change-of-Control Event has occurred or is about to occur, the Bank may request that the Borrower consult with it. Such consultation shall take place within 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's request. After the earlier of (a) the expiry of 30 (thirty) days from the date of such request for consultation; or (b) the occurrence of the anticipated Change-of-Control Event, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract. The Borrower shall effect payment of the amount demanded on the date specified by the Bank, such date being a date falling not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the demand.
For the purposes of this Article, a "
Change-of-Control Event
" occurs if:
(a) any of the Guarantor or MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ceases to be the beneficial owner directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries of the entire issued share capital of the Borrower; or
(b) MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company ceases to be the beneficial owner directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries of the entire issued share capital of the Guarantor.
4.03A(4) CHANGE OF LAW
The Borrower shall promptly inform the Bank if a Change-of-Law Event has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur in respect to the Borrower. In such case, or if the Bank has reasonable cause to believe that a Change-of-Law Event has occurred or is about to occur, the Bank may request that the Borrower consult with it. Such consultation shall take place within 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's request. After the earlier of (a) the lapse of 30 (thirty) days from the date of such request for consultation or (b) the occurrence of the anticipated Change-of-Law Event, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract. The Borrower shall effect payment of the amount demanded on the date specified by the Bank, such date being a date falling not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the demand.
For the purposes of this Article "
Change-of-Law Event
" means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of or any change in or amendment to any law, rule or regulation (or in the application or official interpretation of any law, rule or regulation) that occurs after the date of this Contract which results or is reasonably likely to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change.
4.03A(5) ACCEPTABLE SECURITY EVENT
(a)
If an Acceptable Security Event occurs, the Borrower shall provide alternative Acceptable Security in replacement of the existing Acceptable Security.
(b)
If within a period of 30 (thirty) days alternative Acceptable Security has not been executed in a manner, form and substance acceptable to the Bank, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, forthwith cancel the Credit and demand prepayment of the Loan together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued and outstanding under this Contract.
(c)
Notwithstanding the aforegoing, the Bank shall not have any right under this Article 4.03A(5) to the extent that such right would constitute a "Cross-Default Obligation" as defined in the Licence.
Any sum demanded by the Bank pursuant to Article 4.03A, together with any interest or other amounts accrued and outstanding and any indemnity due under Article 4.03C, shall be paid on the date indicated by the Bank which date shall fall not less than 30 (thirty) days from the date of the Bank's notice of demand and shall be applied in accordance with Article 10.05.
In the case of an Indemnifiable Prepayment Event, the indemnity, if any, shall be determined in accordance with Article 4.02B(1) for a Fixed Rate Tranche.
If, moreover, pursuant to any provision of Article 4.03A the Borrower prepays a Tranche on a date other than a relevant Payment Date, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank in such amount as the Bank shall certify is required to compensate it for receipt of funds otherwise than on a relevant Payment Date.
4.04
Application of partial prepayments
If the Borrower partially prepays a Tranche, the Prepayment Amount shall be applied pro rata to each outstanding instalment.
A prepaid amount may not be reborrowed. This Article 4 shall not prejudice Article 10.
ARTICLE 5
Payments
Any amount due by way of interest, indemnity or fee from the Borrower under this Contract, and calculated in respect of a fraction of a year, shall be determined on the following respective conventions:
(a)
for a Fixed Rate Tranche, a year of 360 (three hundred and sixty) days and a month of 30 (thirty) days; and
(b)
for a Floating Rate Tranche, a year of 365 (three hundred and sixty five) days (invariable) and the number of days elapsed.
5.02
Time and place of payment
Unless otherwise specified, all sums other than sums of interest, indemnity and principal are payable within 7 (seven) days of the Borrower's receipt of the Bank's demand.
Each sum payable by the Borrower under this Contract shall be paid to the respective account notified by the Bank to the Borrower. The Bank shall indicate the account not less than 15 (fifteen) days before the due date for the first payment by the Borrower and shall notify any change of account not less than 15 (fifteen) days before the date of the first payment to which the change applies. This period of notice does not apply in the case of payment under Article 10.
A sum due from the Borrower shall be deemed paid when the Bank receives it.
The Bank may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under this Contract (to the extent beneficially owned by the Bank) against any obligation (whether or not matured) owed by the Bank to the Borrower regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Bank may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off. If either obligation is unliquidated or unascertained, the Bank may set off in an amount estimated by it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation.
ARTICLE 6
Borrower undertakings and representations
The undertakings in this Article 6 remain in force from the date of this Contract for so long as any amount is outstanding under this Contract or the Credit is in force.
A.
Project undertakings
6.01
Use of Loan and availability of other funds
The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan exclusively for the execution of the Project.
The Borrower shall ensure that it has available to it the other funds listed in Recital (2) and that such funds are expended, to the extent required, on the financing of the Project.
The Borrower shall carry out the Project in accordance with the Technical Description as may be modified from time to time with the approval of the Bank, and complete it by the final date specified therein.
6.03
Increased cost of Project
If the total cost of the Project exceeds the estimated figure set out in Recital (2), the Borrower shall obtain the finance to fund the excess cost without recourse to the Bank, so as to enable the Project to be completed in accordance with the Technical Description. The plans for funding the excess cost shall be communicated to the Bank without delay.
The Borrower shall purchase equipment, secure services and order works for the Project (a) in so far as they apply to it or to the Project, in accordance with EU law in general and in particular with the relevant EU Directives and (b) in so far as EU Directives do not apply, by procurement procedures which, to the satisfaction of the Bank, respect the criteria of economy and efficiency.
6.05
Continuing Project undertakings
The Borrower shall:
(a)
Maintenance
: maintain, repair, overhaul and renew all property forming part of the Project as required to keep it in good working order;
(b)
Project assets
:
unless the Bank shall have given its prior consent in writing, retain title to and possession of all or substantially all the assets comprising the Project or, as appropriate, replace and renew such assets and maintain the Project in substantially continuous operation in accordance with its original purpose; provided that the Bank may withhold its consent only where the proposed action would prejudice the Bank's interests as lender to the Borrower or would render the Project ineligible for financing by the Bank under its Statute or under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
(c)
Insurance
: insure all works and property (including all works and property forming part of the Project) with reputable underwriters or insurance companies against those risks and to the extent as is consistent with sound business practice;
(d)
Rights and Permits
: maintain in force all rights of way or use and all permits necessary for the execution and operation of the Project; and
(e)
Environment
: implement and operate the Project in conformity with Environmental Law.
6.06
Environmental Impact Assessments, EU Habitats and Birds Directives
The Borrower shall not allocate any part of the Loan to any component of the Project that would require an Environmental Impact Assessment according to applicable EU or national law until the Environmental Impact Assessment with the integrated biodiversity assessment has been finalised and approved by the competent authority. The Borrower shall place an electronic copy of all Non-Technical Summaries and of the corresponding Authorisations on the website http://www.ce-electricuk.com/page/EIA.cfm (which shall not be password protected) when the Environmental Impact Assessment is made available to the public and when environmental authorisation is achieved, and shall maintain such copies on the relevant website until the Project Completion Report contemplated in Schedule A.2 is delivered to the Bank. The Bank will, without having any obligation towards the Borrower to do so, make available the Non-Technical Summaries via a web-link on the Bank's website.
The Borrower shall store and keep updated any documents as may be relevant for the Project supporting the compliance with the provisions of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives (Form A/B or equivalent declaration by the competent authority) and shall promptly upon request deliver such documents to the Bank.
B.
General undertakings
(a)
The Borrower shall not, and shall procure that no other member of the Group will, without the prior written consent of the Bank, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, dispose of all or any part of its business, undertaking or assets.
(b)
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to the disposal of assets, other than assets forming part of the Project and all shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project:
(i)
for fair market value and at arm's length, provided that, during the life of the Loan, the aggregate book value of the assets disposed of by each and every member of the Group shall not exceed 5% (five per cent) of the Group's consolidated fixed assets as reflected in the latest consolidated management accounts of the Group prior to the signature of this Contract;
(ii)
of assets in exchange for other assets comparable or superior as to type, value and quality; or
(iii)
made in good faith and in the ordinary course of business by way of dividend out of distributable profits and as permitted by applicable law.
(c)
Paragraph (a) does not apply to the disposal of assets forming part of the Project provided that each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) such disposal does not exceed 1% (one per cent) of the aggregate of the value of the assets forming part of the Project, (ii) the proposed disposal would not prejudice the Bank's interests as lender to the Borrower nor would such disposal render the Project ineligible for financing by the Bank under its Statute or under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and (iii) the proposed disposal would not jeopardise the completion of the Project in accordance with the Technical Description. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no disposal of any assets forming part of the Project other than as set out in this Article 6.07(c) or with the prior written consent of the Bank provided pursuant to Article 6.07(a) and no disposal of any shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project shall be permitted.
For the purposes of this Article, "
dispose
" and "
disposal
" includes any act effecting sale, transfer, lease or other disposal.
(a)
The Borrower shall observe, perform and comply in all material respects with all laws to which it or the Project is subject (including with the Electricity Act, the Competition Act and/or the Enterprise Act) and with all rules, regulations, orders and other requirements of the competent Secretary of State and Director-General applicable to the Borrower.
(b)
The Borrower shall, and shall procure that each other member of the Group will, comply in all material respects with the conditions and restrictions (if any) imposed on it in, or in connection with, every material Authorisation of any Governmental Authority, including, in the case of the Borrower, the Licence.
(c)
The Borrower shall do, or cause to be done, all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary to be done by it under any applicable law, the Balancing and Settlement Code, the Connection and Use of System Code, the Grid Code and the Distribution Code (each as defined in the Borrower's Licence) for the continued due compliance in all material respects by the Borrower with such Licence.
(d)
The Borrower shall not agree to any material amendments to (including any amended or additional standard or special conditions) the Licence without the prior written consent of the Bank, save where such amendments are required by law.
(e)
The Borrower shall not transfer the Licence to any person, whether or not it is a member of the Group.
(f)
The Borrower shall promptly:
(i)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and
(ii)
supply certified copies to the Bank of,
any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to enter into this Contract and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation of this Contract.
The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Borrower or of the Group as a whole from that carried on at the date of this Contract.
The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no other member of the Group will, enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction provided that nothing in this Article 6.10 shall prohibit any Subsidiary of the Borrower from entering into any intra-Group amalgamation, de-merger, merger or corporate reconstruction on a solvent basis and which does not involve (a) an amalgamation, de-merger or corporate reconstruction of the Borrower; or (b) any transfer of assets, rights or obligations to or from the Borrower.
The Borrower shall ensure that all relationships between it and any other company shall be undertaken and conducted on an arms length basis save for any dealings that are not at arms' length but which are expressly permitted pursuant to the Consent Letter.
The Borrower shall not, after the date of this Contract, enter into any arrangement containing a Cross Default Obligation.
6.13
Restrictions on incurring Financial Indebtedness
The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no member of the Group will, incur any Financial Indebtedness, except for Permitted Financial Indebtedness, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
all payments then due under this Contract have been made;
(b)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(c)
the Borrower's ratio of Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV does not exceed 0.70:1; and
(d)
the Borrower's Interest Cover is 2.6:1 or more.
The Borrower shall ensure that, at all times:
(a)
its Interest Cover for each Relevant Period shall not be less than 2.5:1; and
(b)
its ratio of Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV for each Relevant Period shall not exceed 0.725:1.
The value of the terms referred to in Article 6.14A shall be calculated and interpreted in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in each case, shall be expressed in GBP and:
(a) in respect of each Relevant Period ending on 30 June in any year, shall be calculated on a consolidated basis using the consolidated management accounts of the Group most recently delivered to the Bank; and
(b) in respect of each Relevant Period ending on 31 December in any year, shall be calculated (i) once on a consolidated basis using the consolidated management accounts of the Group most recently delivered to the Bank and (ii) once using the audited annual financial statements of the Borrower most recently delivered to the Bank (on an unconsolidated basis for so long as such audited annual financial statements are prepared on an unconsolidated basis and on a consolidated basis should such audited annual financial statements be prepared on a consolidated basis).
For the purposes of this Contract:
"
Calculation Date
"
means each of 30 June and 31 December in any year save that the first Calculation Date shall be 30 June 2010.
"
Cash Equivalents
"
means investments in GBP, EUR or USD demand or time deposits, certificates of deposit and short term debt obligations (including commercial paper), synthetic GBP, EUR or USD deposits, shares in money market liquidity funds or a guaranteed investment contract,
provided that
in all cases such investments have a maturity of not longer than 9 (nine) months from the date of their acquisition and meet the following credit criteria: (i) they are money market funds with a minimum credit rating of AAA or equivalent from any of the two Rating Agencies (or, in the case of shares in money market liquidity funds, from any single Rating Agency) and (ii) in the case of all other counterparties and other specific instruments, they have a minimum short term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or of P-1 from Moody's.
"
Consolidated EBIT
"
means, for each Relevant Period, the profit shown in the relevant accounts or statements for the relevant period on the line entitled "operating profit":
(i)
before taking into account
any items treated as exceptional items;
(ii)
after deducting
the amount of any profit of any member of the Group which is attributable to minority interests;
(iii)
after
adding
dividends received from associates and joint ventures to the extent not included in operating profit;
(iv)
before taking into account
any realised or unrealised exchange gains and losses including those arising on translation of currency debt;
(v)
before taking into account
any gain or loss arising from an upward or downward revaluation of any asset;
in each case, to the extent added, deducted or taken into account, as the case may be, for the purposes of determining the profit before tax of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) and without double counting.
"
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
"
means, for any Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of interest paid on Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt (net of interest received and after taking account of payments made and amounts received under any derivatives related to such Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt) included in the relevant cash flow statement of the Borrower or the Group, as applicable, in respect of that Relevant Period.
"
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
"
means, at any time, the aggregate amount (without double counting) of all obligations of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) for or in respect of Financial Indebtedness (other than between members of the Group) which rank at least
pari passu
with the Loan but:
(i) deducting the aggregate amount of all obligations of any member of the Group (or, as the case may be, of the Borrower) in respect of Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the repayment or redemption of such Financial Indebtedness is provided for by the purchase by a member of the Group (or, as the case may be, by the Borrower) of a GIC;
(ii) deducting the aggregate amount of freely available cash and Cash Equivalents held by any member of the Group (or, as the case may be, by the Borrower) at such time; and
(iii) deducting the interest component of Financial Indebtedness in existence on the date of this Contract which interest has accrued but not as at the time when the Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt is being calculated fallen due for payment or been paid, provided that no material change is made to the basis upon which such interest accrues after the date of this Contract and that such interest component shall not exceed on an aggregate basis GBP 30,000,000 (thirty million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
and so that no amount shall be excluded more than once.
"
Final Proposals
"
means the final proposals document published by OFGEM in respect of the Borrower for each electricity distribution price control review, provided that, if such final proposals document is not accepted by the Borrower, such final proposals document shall be considered "
Final Proposals
" until such time as the regulatory asset value of the Borrower is finally determined by a competent authority.
"
GIC
"
means each of (i) the investment agreement dated on or about 26 April 2005 between Ambac Capital Funding, Inc., Ambac Assurance UK Limited and the Borrower and (ii) any other guaranteed investment contract or similar investment agreement with a maturity of 60 months or less from the date of purchase and which is provided by a counterparty which has, or whose obligations under such guaranteed investment contract or other agreement are guaranteed by an entity that has, a credit rating of at least A+ from S&P and A1 from Moody's.
"
Interest Cover
"
means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the ratio of Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period to Consolidated Net Finance Charges for that Relevant Period.
"
Rating Agency
"
means each of S&P and Moody's.
"
Regulated Asset Value
" or "
RAV
" means the regulatory asset value of the Borrower, as set out in the most recent Final Proposals, adjusted for inflation, as of the 31 March nearest to (i) the relevant Calculation Date, in the case of a calculation of the ratios set out under Article 6.14A or, as the case may be, (ii) the date on which the relevant member of the Group proposes to incur any further Financial Indebtedness other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness (in the case of the covenant under Article 6.13),
provided that
there shall be included in any determination of RAV the value of any assets which were included in RAV as at 31 March 2010 but which (i) subsequently are excluded from RAV by OFGEM, (ii) have become subject to a separate price control arrangement, and (iii) are still owned by the Borrower as of the date of determination of RAV, and
provided further that
if at any time OFGEM alters its methodology of determining RAV in a manner which results in a change in RAV, the Bank may require the Borrower to enter into negotiations with a view to agreeing appropriate adjustments to this definition (and to other terms defined or described herein solely for the purposes of this definition), whereupon the Borrower and the Bank shall promptly in good faith negotiate such appropriate adjustments so that the original intent of the undertakings set forth in Articles 6.13 and 6.14 hereof is preserved and in the absence of agreement between the Bank and the Borrower within 60 (sixty) days from the date when the Bank has requested the entering into of such negotiations, such adjustments shall be determined by an independent accountant experienced in the regulated electricity distribution market selected by the Bank.
"
Relevant Period
" means each period of 12 (twelve) months ending on such Calculation Date.
6.15
General Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that:
(a)
it and each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(b)
it has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Contract and all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same by it;
(c)
no Authorisations are required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Contract, or the validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence thereof, except for such Authorisations as have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence (including no objection having been raised by OFGEM in relation to this Contract), and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations (it being understood that the representations and warranties in this Article 6.15(c) do not refer to Authorisations required for the carrying out of the Project, in respect of which the representations and warranties in Article 6.15(d) shall apply);
(d)
no material Authorisations are required for the carrying on of the business of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group as it is carried on or is contemplated to be carried on, or for the carrying out of the Project, except for such Authorisations that are not required at the time this represensation is made or repeated or as have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence, and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(e)
this Contract constitutes its legally valid, binding and enforceable obligations;
(f)
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under and compliance with the provisions of this Contract and the transactions contemplated in this Contract do not and will not:
(i)
contravene or conflict with any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any judgement, decree or permit to which it is subject or the Licence;
(ii)
contravene or conflict with any material agreement or other instrument binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries;
(iii)
contravene or conflict with any provision of its or of its Subsidiaries' constitutional documents; or
(iv)
result in the imposition of increased financial charges or requirements as to security under any other contract or instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;
(g)
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Contract, that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere;
(h)
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to this Contract or the transactions contemplated in this Contract;
(i)
the choice of English law as the governing law of this Contract will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation and any judgement obtained in England in relation to this Contract will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(j)
it is not required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under this Contract to the Bank;
(k)
the most recent consolidated management accounts of the Group and audited accounts of the Borrower have been prepared on a basis consistent with previous years in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in the case of its audited accounts, have been approved by the Borrower's auditors as representing a true and fair view of the results of its operations for that year, they accurately disclose or reserve against all the liabilities (actual or contingent) of the Borrower at the time when such financial statements were produced and no material adverse change in the Borrower's business or the financial conditon of the Group has occurred since the date of such accounts;
(l)
there has been no Borrower Material Adverse Change since the date of this Contract;
(m)
no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived or might reasonably be expected to result from the disbursement of the Loan;
(n)
no other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes a default under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which might reasonably be expected to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change;
(o)
no litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or investigation is current or to its knowledge is threatened or pending before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against it or any of its subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(p)
at the date of this Contract, no Security Interest exists over its assets or over those of the Group except for the Security Interests referred to in Article 7.02(c)(i) to (iv);
(q)
no Environmental Claim in respect of the Project has been commenced or (to the best of its knowledge and belief) is threatened against any member of the Group;
(r)
the Borrower is not party to any arrangement containing a Cross Default Obligation;
(s)
there has been no application made by the Authority or the applicable Secretary of State for an Energy Administration Order under the Energy Act or an order under section 25 of the Electricity Act in respect of the Borrower and no Energy Administration Order under the Energy Act or provisional or final order under section 25 of the Electricity Act has been made in respect of the Borrower;
(t)
any written factual information provided by any member of the Group to the Bank was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated; and
(u)
its payment obligations under this Contract rank not less than pari passu in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
The representations and warranties set out above shall survive the execution of this Contract and are, except for the representation and warranty in paragraph (p) above, deemed repeated on each Scheduled Disbursement Date, on the date on which any Disbursement Request is submitted and on each Payment Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then prevailing.
The Borrower acknowledges that it has made the representations and warranties contained in this Article 6.15 with the intention of inducing the Bank to enter into this Contract and that the Bank has entered into this Contract on the basis of, and in full reliance on, each of such representations and warranties.
ARTICLE 7
Security
The undertakings in this Article 7 remain in force from the date of this Contract for so long as any amount is outstanding under this Contract or the Credit is in force.
(a)
The obligations of the Bank under this Contract are conditional upon the prior execution and delivery to the Bank of Acceptable Security in form and substance satisfactory to it. As at the date of execution of this Contract, the Acceptable Security provided is the Guarantee, whereby the Guarantor unconditionally guarantees the due performance of the Borrower's financial obligations under this Contract in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee Agreement. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and consents to the terms of the Guarantee Agreement.
(b)
The Borrower may at any time with the prior written consent of the Bank replace the Acceptable Security in place at such time with alternative Acceptable Security acceptable to the Bank.
(c)
The Borrower shall replace the Acceptable Security at any time it is required to do so in accordance with Article 4.03A(5).
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall not and shall ensure that no other member of the Group will, without the prior written consent of the Bank, create or permit to subsist any Security Interest or Quasi-Security on, or with respect to, any of its present or future business, undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital).
(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall not, and shall procure that no other member of the Group shall:
(i)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by a member of the Group;
(ii)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;
(iii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or
(iv)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
(c)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply to:
(i)
any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;
(ii)
any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading;
(iii)
any Security over or affecting (or transaction ("
Quasi-Security
") described in paragraph (b) above affecting) any asset acquired by the Borrower or any member of the Group after the date of this Contract if:
a.
the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by the Borrower or any member of the Group;
b.
the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset by the Borrower or any member of the Group; and
c.
the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within 3 (three) months of the date of acquisition of such asset;
(iv)
any Security entered into pursuant to this Contract; or
(v)
any Security or Quasi-Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when aggregated with the principal amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under paragraphs (i) to (iv) above) does not exceed GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in another currency or currencies,
provided in each case that no such Security or Quasi-Security is created or permitted to subsist over any assets forming part of the Project or over any shares in Subsidiaries holding assets forming part of the Project.
The Borrower shall ensure that its payment obligations under this Contract rank, and will rank, not less than
pari passu
in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
(a)
If at any time while any part of the Credit or the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower or any other member of the Group has concluded or shall conclude with any other creditor a "
Credit Facility
" (meaning a loan, credit agreement, facility or private placement purchase or any other financing agreement) that includes any (i) affirmative or negative covenant, including but not limited to a loss-of-rating clause or any financial covenant regarding the Borrower or any other member of the Group, (ii) defaults or events of defaults or (iii) mandatory prepayment or "put" provision or provisions for collateral security (each such provision or clause hereinafter referred to as a "
More Favourable Provision
") that either:
(i)
is not otherwise included in this Contract,
(ii)
is more restrictive upon the relevant member of the Group than those contained in this Contract, or
(iii)
is more beneficial to the financial creditors than relevant similar provisions contained in this Contract,
the Borrower shall immediately and in any event within 10 (ten) Business Days of entering into or permitting the amendment of the Credit Facility inform the Bank in writing of the More Favourable Provision and provide the Bank with its wording including, if relevant, an English translation thereof. Thereupon such More Favourable Provision shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this Contract as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis, effective as of the date when such More Favourable Provision became effective under such other Credit Facility (each such More Favourable Provision as incorporated herein being referred to as an "
Incorporated Provision
") and, subject to Article 7.04(c), no Incorporated Provision may thereafter be waived, amended or modified under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Bank. Thereafter, upon the request of the Bank, the Borrower shall execute an agreement to amend this Contract, evidencing the incorporation of such Incorporated Provision.
(b)
Without limiting the generality of Article 7.04(a) and subject to Article 7.04(c), all More Favourable Provisions set out in the Revolving Facility Agreement shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Contract as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis and effective as of the date hereof, and shall constitute Incorporated Provisions.
(i)
the corresponding provision in the relevant Credit Facility in respect of an Incorporated Provision has been amended or is no longer in effect and no Default, Compulsory Prepayment Event or Material Adverse Change has occurred; and
(ii)
the Borrower provides evidence satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank that the conditions set out in Article 7.04(c)(i) have been satisfied,
the Borrower may request that the relevant Incorporated Provision be amended, mutatis mutandis, as set out in the relevant Credit Facility or, as the case may be, that the Incorporated Provision no longer apply, and the Bank shall consent to such request provided however, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing in this Article 7.04 shall in any way affect any of the provisions of this Contract as of the date hereof, which shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be affected by any amendment to any Incorporated Provision or any Incorporated Provision no longer applying pursuant to this Article 7.04(c).
ARTICLE 8
Information and visits
8.01
Information concerning the Project
The Borrower shall:
(i)
the information in content and in form, and at the times, specified in Schedule A.2 or otherwise as agreed from time to time by the parties to this Contract; and
(ii)
any such information or further document concerning the financing, procurement, implementation, operation and environmental impact of or for the Project as the Bank may reasonably require within a reasonable time;
provided always that if such information or document is not delivered to the Bank on time, and the Borrower does not rectify the omission within a reasonable time set by the Bank in writing, the Bank may remedy the deficiency, to the extent feasible, by employing its own staff or a consultant or any other third party, at the Borrower's expense and the Borrower shall provide such persons with all assistance necessary for the purpose;
(b)
submit for the approval of the Bank without delay any material change to the Project, including, inter alia, in respect of the price, design, plans, timetable or to the expenditure programme or financing plan for the Project, in relation to the disclosures made to the Bank prior to the signing of this Contract;
(c)
promptly inform the Bank of:
(i)
any material action or protest initiated or any material objection raised by any third party or any genuine material complaint received by the Borrower or any material litigation that is commenced or threatened against it with regard to environmental or other matters affecting the Project; and
(ii)
any fact or event known to the Borrower, which may substantially prejudice or affect the conditions of execution or operation of the Project; and
(d)
promptly provide to the Bank, if so requested:
(i)
a certificate of its insurers showing fulfilment of the requirements of Article 6.05(c); and
(ii)
annually, a list of policies in force covering the insured property forming part of the Project, together with confirmation of payment of the current premiums.
8.02
Information concerning the Borrower
The Borrower shall:
(i)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 150 days after the end of each of its and the Guarantor's financial years, its and the Guarantor's audited financial statements for that financial year (consolidated in the case of the Guarantor and, in the case of the Borrower, consolidated or unconsolidated);
(ii)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 90 days after each Calculation Date, its and the Guarantor's consolidated management accounts showing their respective financial performance for the financial year-to-date on such Calculation Date;
(iii)
together with each set of financial statements and management accounts delivered pursuant to Article 8.02(a)(i) or 8.02(a)(ii), a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Article 6.14 as at the date when those financial statements were drawn up, such Compliance Certificate to be signed by two directors of the Borrower (or, failing that, by one director of the Borrower and the finance director or the treasurer or the investor reporting manager or the financial controller or the company secretary of the Borrower);
(iv)
promptly upon request by the Bank, a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or, if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it); and
(v)
from time to time, such further information on the general financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower, of any member of the Group and of the Guarantor as the Bank may reasonably require;
(b)
ensure that its accounting records fully reflect the operations relating to the financing, execution and operation of the Project; and
(c)
inform the Bank promptly of:
(i)
any material alteration to its constitutional documents or shareholding structure after the date of this Contract;
(ii)
any fact which obliges it to prepay any Financial Indebtedness or any EU funding;
(iii)
any event or decision that constitutes or may result in any Compulsory Prepayment Event or of its belief or, as the case may be, reasonable grounds for belief that such an event has occurred or is likely to occur;
(iv)
any intention on its part to grant any Security over any of its assets in favour of a third party;
(v)
any intention on its part to relinquish ownership of any material component of the Project;
(vi)
any fact or event that is reasonably likely to prevent the substantial fulfilment of any obligation of the Borrower under this Contract;
(vii)
any Default or Material Adverse Change having occurred or being threatened or anticipated and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it;
(viii)
any proposed material changes to the Licence and, as soon as reasonably available, provide to the Bank a certified copy of any amendments or modifications to the Licence or replacement thereof; or
(ix)
any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigation which is current, threatened or pending which might if adversely determined result in a Material Adverse Change.
The Borrower shall allow persons designated by the Bank at reasonable times to visit the sites, installations and works comprising the Project and to conduct such checks as they may wish, and shall provide them, or ensure that they are provided, with all necessary assistance for this purpose; provided, however that (other than after the occurrence of a Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event which is continuing) the Bank shall provide reasonable notice of any such visits and any such persons shall comply with the Borrower's or its contractor's safety and security requirements.
ARTICLE 9
Charges and expenses
The Borrower shall pay all taxes, duties, fees and other impositions of whatsoever nature, including stamp duty and registration fees, arising out of the execution or implementation of this Contract or any related document and in the creation, perfection, registration or enforcement of any security for the Loan to the extent applicable.
The Borrower shall pay all principal, interest, indemnity and other amounts due under this Contract gross without deduction of any national or local impositions whatsoever; provided that, if the Borrower is obliged to make any such deduction, it will gross up the payment to the Bank so that after deduction, the net amount received by the Bank is equivalent to the sum due.
If the Borrower is obliged to deduct any amount under this Article and the Bank subsequently recovers any sum or obtains any credit against any tax payable by it in respect of any such payment, the Bank shall promptly upon receiving such sum or obtaining such credit pay a corresponding amount to the Borrower; provided that the Bank is not obliged to seek any such recovery or credit.
The Borrower shall bear all charges and expenses, including professional, banking or exchange charges incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, implementation, enforcement, administration, monitoring and termination of this Contract or any related document (including the Guarantee Agreement), any amendment, supplement or waiver in respect of this Contract or any related document (including the Guarantee Agreement), and in the amendment, creation, management and realisation of any security for the Loan, including the fees to be invoiced by Norton Rose LLP, legal advisers to the Bank in England.
(a)
If any sum due from the Borrower under this Contract (a "
Sum
"), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the "
First Currency
") in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the "
Second Currency
") for the purpose of:
(i)
making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower; or
(ii)
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,
the Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within 3 (three) Business Days of demand, indemnify the Bank against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to the Bank at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(b)
The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under this Contract in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.
ARTICLE 10
Events of default
10.01
Right to demand repayment
The Borrower shall repay all or part of the Loan forthwith, together with accrued interest and other outstanding amounts, upon written demand being made by the Bank in accordance with the following provisions.
The Bank may make such demand immediately:
(a)
if the Borrower fails on the due date to repay any part of the Loan, to pay interest thereon or to make any other payment to the Bank as provided in this Contract unless the non-payment is due to a technical or administrative error or disruption to a payment system and is cured within 3 (three) Business Days;
(b)
if the Borrower is in breach of any of the covenants set out in Article 6.14A;
(c)
if any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in this Contract is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect;
(d)
if any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in connection with the negotiation of this Contract or any other information or document given to the Bank by or on behalf of the Borrower is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect;
(e)
if, following any default in relation thereto, the Borrower or any other member of the Group is required or is capable of being required or will, following expiry of any applicable contractual grace period, be required or be capable of being required to prepay, discharge, close out or terminate ahead of maturity any other Financial Indebtedness or any commitment for any other Financial Indebtedness is cancelled or suspended, provided that no Event of Default shall occur under this paragraph (e) if the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness is less than GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123(1) or 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof (whether or not a court of justice has so determined), or admits its inability to pay its debts as they fall due, or suspends its debts, or makes or, without the prior written agreement of the Bank, seeks to make a composition with its creditors or by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness or a moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtendess of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(g)
if any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for:
(i)
the winding up of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(ii)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(iii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group;
(iv)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group or of any of the assets of any such company; or
(v)
the enforcement of any Security over assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction, provided that no Event of Default shall occur under this paragraph (g) in respect of any frivolous or vexatious winding-up petition brought by a third party (other than the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries) which is discharged within 14 (fourteen) days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised;
(h)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group takes steps towards a substantial reduction in its capital, is declared insolvent or ceases or resolves to cease to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) the whole or any substantial part of its business or activities;
(i)
if an encumbrancer takes possession of, or a receiver, liquidator, administrator, compulsory manager, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed, whether by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any competent administrative authority or by any person, of or over, any part of the business or assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group (other than any property forming part of the Project) having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and, in the case of any of the foregoing, the same is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Borrower or any other member of the Group petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(j)
if an encumbrancer takes possession of any property forming part of the Project and such proceeding is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days or if the Borrower or any other member of the Group petitions for the appointment of such an officer;
(k)
if any step is taken by any person with a view to the seizure, attachment, sequestration, distress, compulsory acquisition, expropriation, execution or nationalisation of all or any of the shares, or all or any material part of the assets of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(l)
if, by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority, the management of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group is wholly or substantially displaced or the authority of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group in the conduct of its business is wholly or substantially curtailed;
(m)
if a final order is made under section 25 of the Electricity Act or a provisional order is made and confirmed under that section against the Borrower or the Borrower is issued with an order by the Authority as a result of the Authority's belief that the Borrower is in breach (or is likely to be in breach) of a condition in its Licence or its obligations under the Electricity Act;
(n)
if an application is made by OFGEM or the applicable Secretary of State for an Energy Administration Order to be made in respect of the Borrower; or if an Energy Administration Order is made in respect of the Borrower;
(o)
if the Borrower or any other member of the Group defaults in the performance of any obligation in respect of any other loan or financial instrument granted by the Bank or to the Bank;
(p)
if any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon any property of the Borrower or of any other member of the Group not forming part of the Project having an aggregate value in excess of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(q)
if any distress, attachment, execution, sequestration or other process is levied or enforced upon any property forming part of the Project and is not discharged within 14 (fourteen) days;
(r)
if a Borrower Material Adverse Change occurs;
(s)
if the Licence or any other material Authorisation issued to the Borrower or to any other member of the Group is subject to notice of revocation by the competent Governmental Authority or the Borrower agrees to any revocation or surrender of the Licence or of such other material Authorisation; or
(t)
if it is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under this Contract or this Contract is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by the Borrower to be ineffective in accordance with its terms or the Borrower evidences an intention to repudiate this Contract.
10.01B
Demand after notice to remedy
The Bank may also make such demand:
(a)
if the Borrower fails to comply with any obligation under this Contract not being an obligation mentioned in Article 10.01A;
(b)
if any fact stated in the Recitals materially alters and is not materially restored and if the alteration either prejudices the interests of the Bank as lender to the Borrower or adversely affects the implementation or operation of the Project;
(c)
if the terms of the Licence or any other material Authorisation issued to the Borrower are amended in such a way as to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower's ability to operate the Project or any significant element of its core businesses of distributing electricity or to perform its obligations under this Contract, save in either case with the prior written consent of the Bank;
(d)
if the Borrower is declared by the competent Governmental Authority to have failed to comply in any material respect with: (i) the terms and conditions of the Licence; (ii) the rules, regulations, orders and other requirements for the time being of the Secretary of State and the Authority or any other competent Governmental Authority applicable to the relevant company with which it is obliged to comply; (iii) the duties and functions of a public electricity distributor in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act; (iv) any agreement with the Authority under s. 25(5)(b) of the Electricity Act or (v) any final or provisional order (as defined in s. 25 of the Electricity Act) confirmed by the Authority so as to secure or facilitate compliance with the duties and requirements imposed on the relevant company under s. 9 or ss. 16 to 22 of the Electricity Act;
(e)
if the Balancing and Settlement Code made by the Borrower with The National Grid Company plc and others or the Borrower's membership of such arrangement shall be terminated or cease for any reason to be in full force and effect and if, in either case, no substitute arrangement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Bank has come into force upon its termination or cessation;
(f)
if any rights, benefits or obligations of the Borrower as a public electricity distributor arising under the Electricity Act or under any similar law or regulation (including the Licence) are modified or lost (whether or not with the consent of the Borrower and whether pursuant to the Electricity Act or otherwise) and such modification or loss would reasonably be expected to result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change or to have a material adverse effect of the Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under this Contract or to operate the Project or any significant element of its business of distributing electricity; or
(g)
if any legislation (whether primary or subordinate) is enacted removing, reducing or qualifying in any material way the duties and powers of the Secretary of State (or any successor) and/or the Authority (or any successor) (including, without limitation, any such legislation removing, reducing or qualifying such duties under or pursuant to Section 15 of the Electricity Act), unless such removal, reduction or qualification of any such duties or powers would not result in a Borrower Material Adverse Change,
unless the non-compliance or circumstance giving rise to the non-compliance is capable of remedy and is remedied within 15 (fifteen) days of the earlier of (i) the Bank giving notice to the Borrower or (ii) the Borrower becoming aware of the non-compliance or circumstance.
Article 10.01 shall not restrict any other right of the Bank at law to require prepayment of the Loan.
In case of demand under Article 10.01 in respect of any Fixed Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the amount demanded together with a sum calculated in accordance with Article 4.02B(1) on any amount that has become due and payable. Such sum shall accrue from the due date for payment specified in the Bank's notice of demand and be calculated on the basis that prepayment is effected on the date so specified.
In case of demand under Article 10.01 in respect of a Floating Rate Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the sum demanded together with a sum equal to the present value of 0.15% (fifteen basis points) per annum calculated and accruing on the amount due to be prepaid in the same manner as interest would have been calculated and would have accrued, if that amount had remained outstanding according to the original amortisation schedule of the Tranche, until the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or the Maturity Date.
The value shall be calculated at a discount rate equal to the Redeployment Rate applied as of each relevant Payment Date.
Amounts due by the Borrower pursuant to this Article 10.03 shall be payable on the date of prepayment specified in the Bank's demand.
No failure or delay or single or partial exercise by the Bank in exercising any of its rights or remedies under this Contract shall be construed as a waiver of such right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Contract are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
10.05
Application of sums received
Sums received by the Bank following a demand under Article 10.01 shall be applied first in payment of expenses, interest and indemnities and secondly in reduction of the outstanding instalments in inverse order of maturity. The Bank may apply sums received between Tranches at its discretion.
ARTICLE 11
Law and jurisdiction
This Contract and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law.
The parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of England. The Bank appoints The Securities Management Trust Limited whose present address is 8 Lothbury, London EC2R 7HH to be its agent for the purpose of accepting service of legal process.
In any legal action arising out of this Contract the certificate of the Bank as to any amount or rate due to the Bank under this Contract shall in the absence of manifest error be prima facie evidence of such amount or rate.
ARTICLE 12
Final clauses
Notices and other communications given under this Contract addressed to either party to this Contract shall be made to the address or facsimile number as set out below, or to such other address or facsimile number as a party previously notifies to the other in writing:
|
|
For the Bank
|
Attention: Ops A
100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
Facsimile no.: +352 4379 66488
|
For the Borrower
|
Attention: Treasury (Finance Director)
Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear NE1 6AF
Facsimile no.: + 44 0191 223 5142
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Any notice or other communication given under this Contract must be in writing.
Notices and other communications for which fixed periods are laid down in this Contract or which themselves fix periods binding on the addressee may be made by hand delivery, registered letter or facsimile. The date of delivery, registration or, as the case may be, the stated date of receipt of transmission shall be conclusive for the determination of a period.
Other notices and communications may be made by hand delivery, registered letter or facsimile.
Without affecting the validity of any notice delivered by facsimile according to the paragraphs above, a copy of each notice delivered by facsimile shall also be sent by letter to the relevant party on the next following Business Day at the latest.
Notices issued by the Borrower pursuant to any provision of this Contract shall, where required by the Bank, be delivered to the Bank together with satisfactory evidence of the authority of the person or persons authorised to sign such notice on behalf of the Borrower and the authenticated specimen signature of such person or persons.
The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Bank.
The Bank may, with the prior consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) assign all or part of its rights and benefits or transfer all or part of its rights, benefits and obligations under this Contract.
12.04
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
A person who is not a party to this Contract has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Contract. Notwithstanding any term of this Contract, the consent of any person who is not a party to this Contract is not required to rescind or vary this Contract at any time.
12.05
European Monetary Union, GBP obligations and IFRS
12.05A
Recognition of Currency Unit
If more than one currency or currency unit is at the same time recognised by the Bank of England as a denomination of the lawful currency of the United Kingdom, then:
(a) any reference in this Contract to, and any obligations arising under this Contract in, the currency of the United Kingdom shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of the United Kingdom designated by the Bank; and
(b) any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange or conversion rate recognised by the Bank of England for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other.
If a change in any currency of the United Kingdom occurs, this Contract will be amended to the extent determined by the Bank (acting reasonably and in consultation with the Borrower) to be appropriate to reflect the change in currency and to put the Bank and the Borrower in the same position, so far as possible, that they would have been in had no change in that currency occurred. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Bank reserves the right to require the Borrower to agree such amendments to this Contract as may be necessary to reflect changes occurring in the Bank's funding arrangements in respect of the Loan as a result of such change of currency.
If a material change in IFRS occurs which is detrimental to either party, the parties shall consult and will discuss in good faith any change that may be required to this Contract.
12.06
Recitals, Schedules and Annexes
The Recitals and following Schedules form part of this Contract:
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Schedule A
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Technical Description and Reporting
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Schedule B
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Definition of EURIBOR and LIBOR
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Schedule C
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Forms for the Borrower
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Schedule D
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Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
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The following Annexes are attached hereto:
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Annex I
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Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower and authorisation of signatory
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Annex II
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Certificate of Borrowing Powers
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Annex III
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Side Letter
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This Contract may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Contract.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be executed in 4 (four) originals in the English language
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Signed for and on behalf of
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
L. de Mautort
P. Albouze
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Signed for and on behalf of
YORKSHIRE ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION PLC
John France
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At Luxembourg,
this 2nd day of July 2010
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At Newcastle upon Tyne,
this 1st day of July 2010
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Schedule A
Technical Description and Reporting
A.1 Technical Description (Article 6.02)
Purpose, Location
The project is a 3-year investment programme (2010-2012) aimed at renovating and reinforcing the distribution electricity network of the Borrower in north-eastern England. The main purpose of the project is to cater for a moderate load growth and to maintain the network to a high standard of safety and reliability.
Description
The project consists of the study, design, implementation, commissioning and operation of a large number of independent and geographically dispersed electricity distribution schemes.
The project's asset data and costs (in constant 2009 GBP m) associated with the different categories of HV (20, 11, 6.6 kV) and LV equipment are provided in Table A1; this table shall be updated by the Borrower on an annual basis to reflect the changes in actual investment figures for the past year (units, lengths and costs) and revised forecasts for the following periods, when relevant.
Completion dates, descriptions, and costs (in constant 2009 GBP k) of the individual 132 kV and EHV (66, 33 kV) project's schemes are provided in Tables A2-A3; these tables shall be updated by the Borrower on an annual basis to reflect the changes in actual expenditures for the past year and revised forecasts, completion dates and descriptions, when relevant.
Calendar
The calendar is January 2010 - December 2012.
A.2 Information Duties under Article 8.01(a)
1.
Dispatch of information: designation of the person responsible
The information below has to be sent to the Bank under the responsibility of:
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Company
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CE Electric
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Contact person
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Tom Fielden or Owen Sutherland
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Title
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Finance Director, Investor Reporting Manager
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Address
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Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 6AF
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Phone
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+ 44 0191 2235160
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Fax
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+ 44 0191 2235142
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Email
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tom.fielden@ce-electricuk.com
owen.sutherland@ce-electricuk.com
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The above-mentioned contact person is the responsible contact for the time being. The Borrower shall inform the Bank immediately in case of any change.
2.
Information on specific subjects
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
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Document / information
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Deadline
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Web-link to the public website for project's NTS.
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Before signature of the finance contract.
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3.
Information on the project's implementation
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information on project progress during implementation at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
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Document / information
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Deadline
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Frequency of reporting
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Project Progress Report
Update of Tables A1-A3 in Schedule A.1 explaining the reasons for major deviations from forecasts;
List of the project's schemes requiring an EIA;
Any significant issue that has occurred and any significant risk that may affect the project's operation;
Any material legal action concerning the project that may be ongoing.
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30 April 2011,
30 April 2012
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Annual
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4.
Information on the end of works and first year of operation
The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the following information on project completion and initial operation at the latest by the deadline indicated below.
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Document / information
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Date of delivery
to the Bank
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Project Completion Report
Update of Tables A1-A3 in Schedule A.1 explaining the reasons for major deviations from forecasts;
List of the project's schemes requiring an EIA over the three-year investment period;
Any significant issue that has occurred and any significant risk that may affect the project's operation;
Any material legal action concerning the project that may be ongoing.
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30 June 2013
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Language of reports
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English
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Schedule B
Definitions of EURIBOR and LIBOR
A.
EURIBOR
"
EURIBOR
'' means:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in EUR for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in EUR for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in EUR, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as published at 11h00 Brussels time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") which falls 2 (two) Relevant Business Days prior to the first day of the relevant period, on Reuters page EURIBOR 01 or its successor page or, failing which, by any other means of publication chosen for this purpose by the Bank.
If such rate is not so published, the Bank shall request the principal euro-zone offices of four major banks in the euro-zone, selected by the Bank, to quote the rate at which EUR deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them as at approximately 11h00, Brussels time, on the Reset Date to prime banks in the euro-zone interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) quotations are provided, the rate for that Reset Date will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the rate for that Reset Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted by major banks in the euro-zone, selected by the Bank, at approximately 11h00 Brussels time on the day which falls 2 (two) Relevant Business Days after the Reset Date, for loans in EUR in a comparable amount to leading European Banks for a period equal to the Representative Period.
B.
LIBOR USD
"
LIBOR
'' means, in respect of USD:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in USD for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in USD for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in USD, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as set by the British Bankers Association and released by financial news providers at 11h00 London time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") which falls 2 (two) London Business Days prior to the first day of the relevant period.
If such rate is not so released by any financial news provider acceptable to the Bank, the Bank shall request the principal London offices of 4 (four) major banks in the London interbank market selected by the Bank to quote the rate at which USD deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the Bank shall request the principal New York City offices of 4 (four) major banks in the New York City interbank market, selected by the Bank, to quote the rate at which USD deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 New York City time on the day falling 2 (two) New York Business Days after the Reset Date, to prime banks in the European market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
C.
LIBOR GBP
"
LIBOR
'' means, in respect of
GBP
:
(a) in respect of a relevant period of less than one month, the rate of interest for deposits in GBP for a term of one month;
(b) in respect of a relevant period of one or more whole months, the rate of interest for deposits in GBP for a term for the corresponding number of whole months; and
(c) in respect of a relevant period of more than one month (but not whole months), the rate resulting from a linear interpolation by reference to two rates for deposits in GBP, one of which is applicable for a period of whole months next shorter and the other for a period of whole months next longer than the length of the relevant period,
(the period for which the rate is taken or from which the rates are interpolated being the "
Representative Period
"),
as set by the British Bankers Association and released by financial news providers at 11h00 London time or at a later time acceptable to the Bank on the day (the "
Reset Date
") on which the relevant period starts or, if that day is not a Business Day in London, on the next following day which is such a Business Day.
If such rate is not so released by any financial news provider acceptable to the Bank, the Bank shall request the principal London offices of 4 (four) major banks in the London interbank market, selected by the Bank (the "
Reference Banks
"), to quote the rate at which GBP deposits in a comparable amount are offered by each of them at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market for a period equal to the Representative Period. If at least 2 (two) such quotations are provided, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations provided.
If fewer than 2 (two) quotations are provided as requested, the rate will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11h00 London time on the Reset Date by major banks in London (selected by the Bank) for loans in GBP in a comparable amount to leading European banks for a period equal to the Representative Period.
D.
General
For the purposes of the foregoing definitions:
(a) "
London Business Day
" means a day on which banks are open for normal business in London and "
New York Business Day
"
means a day on which banks are open for normal business in New York.
(b) All percentages resulting from any calculations referred to in this Schedule will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with halves being rounded up.
(c) The Bank shall inform the Borrower without delay of the quotations received by the Bank.
(d) If any of the foregoing provisions becomes inconsistent with provisions adopted under the aegis of EURIBOR FBE and EURIBOR ACI in respect of EURIBOR or of the British Bankers Association in respect of LIBOR, the Bank may by notice to the Borrower amend the provision to bring it into line with such other provisions.
Schedule C
1
Forms for the Borrower
C.1 Form of Disbursement Request (Article 1.02B)
Disbursement Request
United Kingdom - CE Electric UK El. Distribution - B
Please proceed with the following disbursement:
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Loan Name (*):
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CE Electric UK El. Distribution - B
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Signature Date (*):
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Contract FI number:
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Currency & amount requested
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Proposed disbursement date:
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Currency
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Amount
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I N T E R E S T
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Int. rate basis (Art. 3.01)
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Reserved for the EIB
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GBP
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Rate (% or Spread)
(2)
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Total
Credit
Amount:
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Frequency (Art. 3.01)
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Annual
Semi-annual
Quarterly
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Disbursed to date:
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Payment Dates (Art. 5)
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Balance
for
disbursement:
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Interest Revision/Conversion date (if any)
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Current disbursement:
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C A P I T A L
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Repayment frequency
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Annual
Semi-annual
Quarterly
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Balance
after
disbursement:
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Repayment methodology
(Art. 4.01)
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Equal instalments
Constant annuities
Single instalment
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Disbursement deadline:
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First repayment date
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Max. number of disbursements:
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Maturity Date:
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Minimum Tranche size:
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Total allocations to date:
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Conditions precedent:
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Yes / No
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___________________________
1
To be provided on paper bearing the Borrower's letterhead.
2
NOTE: If the Borrower does not specify an interest rate or Spread here, the Borrower will be deemed to have agreed to the interest rate or Spread subsequently provided by the Bank in the Disbursement Notice, in accordance with Article 1.02C(c).
Borrower's account to be credited:
Acc. N: …………………………………………………………………………………………….
(please provide the appropriate format for the relevant currency)
Bank name, address: …………………………………………………………………………
Please transmit information relevant to:
Borrower's authorised name(s) and signature(s):
C.2 Form of Certificate from Borrower (Article 1.04B)
To: European Investment Bank
From: Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
Date:
Subject: Finance Contract between European Investment Bank and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc dated [ ] 2010 (the "
Finance Contract
")
FI number Serapis number 20090544
______________________________________________________________________
Dear Sirs,
Terms defined in the Finance Contract have the same meaning when used in this letter.
For the purposes of Article 1.04 of the Finance Contract we hereby certify to you as follows:
(a) we are in compliance with the financial covenants pursuant to Article 6.14 of the Finance Contract and attached is evidence of such compliance;
(b) no security of the type prohibited under Article 7.02 (a) or (b) of the Finance Contract has been created or is in existence;
(c) there has been no material change to any aspect of the Project or in respect of which we are obliged to report under Article 8.01 of the Finance Contract, save as previously communicated by us;
(d) no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(e) no litigation, arbitration administrative proceedings or investigation is current or to our knowledge is threatened or pending before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against us or any of our subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f) the representations and warranties to be made in the Contract or repeated by us under Article 6.15 of the Finance Contract are true in all respects; and
(g) no Material Adverse Change has occurred, as compared with the condition at the date of the Finance Contract.
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
Date:
C.3 Form of Compliance Certificate
To: European Investment Bank
From: Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
Date:
Subject: Finance Contract between European Investment Bank and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc dated [ ] 2010 (the "
Finance Contract
")
FI number Serapis number 20090544
______________________________________________________________________
Dear Sirs,
We refer to the Finance Contract. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Finance Contract have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
We confirm that:
(a) the provisions of Article 6.14 [have/have not] been complied with for the Relevant Period ending on [
insert most recent Calculation Date
];
(b) the computations necessary to demonstrate the [compliance/non compliance] referred to in paragraph (a) above are as follows:
*
Interest Cover
(i) Consolidated EBIT
[ ]
(ii) Consolidated Net Finance Charges
[ ]
Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to RAV
(i) Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
[ ]
(ii) RAV
[ ]
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]
*
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…............
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…............
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Director
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[Director/ Finance Director/ Treasurer/ Investor Reporting Manager/ Financial Controller/ Company Secretary]
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of
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of
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Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
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Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc
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* In the case of a Compliance Certificate to be delivered together with any financial statements under Article 8.02(a)(i), both the consolidated and the unconsolidated calculations shall be included.
* If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.
Schedule D
Interest Rate Revision and Conversion
If an Interest Revision/Conversion Date has been included in the Disbursement Notice for a Tranche, the following provisions shall apply.
A.
Mechanics of Interest Revision/Conversion
Upon receiving an Interest Revision/Conversion Request the Bank shall, during the period commencing 60 (sixty) days and ending 30 (thirty) days before the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, deliver to the Borrower an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal stating:
(a)
the interest rate and/or Spread that would apply to the Tranche, or the part thereof indicated in the Interest Revision/Conversion Request pursuant to Article 3.01; and
(b)
that such rate shall apply until the Maturity Date or until a new Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, and that interest is payable quarterly, semi-annually or annually in arrears on designated Payment Dates.
The Borrower may accept in writing an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal by the deadline specified therein.
Any amendment to the Contract requested by the Bank in this connection shall be effected by an agreement to be concluded not later than 15 (fifteen) days prior to the relevant Interest Revision/Conversion Date.
B.
Effects of Interest Revision/Conversion
If the Borrower duly accepts in writing a Fixed Rate or a Spread in respect of an Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal, the Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date and thereafter on the designated Payment Dates.
Prior to the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, the relevant provisions of the Contract and Disbursement Notice shall apply to the entire Tranche. From and including the Interest Revision/Conversion Date onwards, the provisions contained in the Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal relating to the new interest rate or Spread shall apply to the Tranche (or part thereof) until the new Interest Revision/Conversion Date, if any, or until the Maturity Date.
C.
Non-fulfillment of Interest Revision/Conversion
If the Borrower does not submit an Interest Revision/Conversion Request or does not accept in writing the Interest Revision/Conversion Proposal for the Tranche or if the parties fail to effect an amendment requested by the Bank pursuant to Paragraph A above, the Borrower shall repay the Tranche (or part thereof) on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date, without indemnity. The Borrower will repay on the Interest Revision/Conversion Date any part of a Tranche which is unaffected by the Interest Revision/Conversion.
Serapis N° 20090544
CE Electric UK El. Distribution - B
Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement
between
European Investment Bank
and
CE Electric UK Funding Company
This Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement (this "
Guarantee
") is made as a
deed on
2 July 2010
by:
European Investment Bank having its Head Office at 100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, represented by Mr L. de Mautort, Director and Mr Pierre Albouze, Head of Division
hereinafter called:
"the Bank"
of the first part, and
CE Electric UK Funding Company (Co. No.
03476201
), a private unlimited company incorporated in England and having its registered office at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF, represented by Mr John France, Director
hereinafter called:
"the Guarantor"
of the second part.
WHEREAS:
(A)
By an agreement (hereinafter called the "
Finance Contract
") dated on or about the date hereof and made between the Bank and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution plc (the "
Borrower
"), the Bank has agreed to establish in favour of the Borrower a credit in an amount of GBP 151,000,000 (one hundred and fifty one million pounds sterling);
(B)
The obligations of the Bank under the Finance Contract are conditional upon the prior execution and delivery of security for the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Contract. The execution and delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee is being made in satisfaction of such condition;
(C)
Execution of this Guarantee by the Guarantor has been duly authorised by a resolution of its Board of Directors (Annex I) and it has been duly certified in the form set out in Annex II that the issue of this Guarantee is within the corporate powers of the Guarantor and will materially benefit the Guarantor; and
(D)
In this Guarantee:
(a)
references to Articles, Recitals, Schedules and Annexes are, save if explicitly stipulated otherwise, references respectively to articles of, and recitals, schedules and annexes to, this Guarantee;
(b)
unless the context otherwise requires, words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(c)
a reference (i) to an amendment or to an agreement being amended includes a supplement, variation, assignment, novation, restatement or re-enactment, and (ii) to an agreement shall be construed as a reference to such agreement as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;
(d)
the headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Guarantee;
(e)
any reference to "law" means any law (including, any common or customary law) and any treaty, constitution, statute, legislation, decree, normative act, rule, regulation, judgement, order, writ, injunction, determination, award or other legislative or administrative measure or judicial or arbitral decision in any jurisdiction which has the force of law;
(f)
any reference to a provision of law, is a reference to that provision as from time to time amended or re-enacted;
(g)
a reference to a "person" includes any person, natural or juridical entity, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) or two or more of the foregoing and references to a "person" include its successors in title, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;
(h)
a Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived in writing by the Bank; and
(i)
"including" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation" where not so followed.
NOW THEREFORE it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Finance Contract
1.01
The Guarantor acknowledges notice of the provisions of the Finance Contract, an original of which has been delivered to it, and confirms its acceptance of the provisions thereof. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used herein and defined in the Finance Contract shall have the same meaning where used herein and in addition:
"
Excluded Subsidiary
" means any Subsidiary of the Guarantor (other than (a) the Borrower; (b) Northern Electric Distribution Limited; or (c) any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Northern Electric Distribution Limited) which satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a)
it is either a single purpose company whose principal assets and business are constituted by the ownership, acquisition, development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, servicing, management and/or operation of an asset or it is a member of the Gas Sub-Group;
(b)
none of its indebtedness is subject to any recourse whatsoever to any member of the Guarantor Group (other than (i) such Subsidiary or another Excluded Subsidiary; or (ii) in respect of the shares (including any ancillary rights, such as dividends) held by any member of the Guarantor Group in such Excluded Subsidiary); and
(c)
until otherwise notified by the Guarantor to the Bank in writing, it has been designated as such by the Guarantor by written notice delivered to the Bank with a copy of (i) the then current corporate structure chart of the Gas Sub-Group in which the relevant Subsidiary is identified and (ii) the most recently available audited financial statements of the relevant Subsidiary (which shall include details of net debt of such Subsidiary) and a confirmation from the Guarantor that there has been no material adverse change since the date of such financial statements.
"
Gas Sub-Group
" means CE UK Gas Holdings Limited and any of its Subsidiaries.
"
Gas Sub-Group Equity Subscription
"
means, in relation to each member of the Gas Sub-Group, the aggregate amount paid up after the date of this Guarantee by all Non-Gas Entities by way of subscription for share capital in such member of the Gas Sub-Group.
"
Guaranteed Sum
" has the meaning given to it in Article 2.01.
"
Liabilities
" and "
Liability
" have the meaning given to them in Article 2.01.
"
Non-Gas Entity
" means any member of the Guarantor Group that is not a member of the Gas Sub-Group.
"
Project Finance Borrowings
" means any future indebtedness incurred to finance or refinance the ownership, acquisition, development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, servicing, management and/or operation of an asset or assets by a member of the Guarantor Group which is an Excluded Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 2
Guarantee
2.01
In consideration of the credit established by the Bank under the Finance Contract, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to the Bank the due and punctual payment and performance of all present and future obligations and liabilities of the Borrower (whether solely or jointly with one or more persons and whether as principal or as surety or in some other capacity) to the Bank under the Finance Contract (collectively, the "
Liabilities
", and each, a "
Liability
") and the payment of all Guaranteed Sums in accordance with the Finance Contract. The Guarantor undertakes that, if the Borrower should fail to pay any Guaranteed Sum to the Bank in accordance with the Finance Contract, whether upon the normal due date, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Guarantor shall unconditionally pay the sum in question to the Bank on demand as if the Guarantor were the principal obligor, in the currency specified in the Finance Contract and to the account specified in the demand.
For the purposes of this Guarantee, a "
Guaranteed Sum
" means any and all principal, interest, commission, liquidated damages, charge, indemnity, expense or other sum which may from time to time become due by the Borrower to the Bank under or pursuant to the Finance Contract and any other sum due from time to time by the Borrower in connection with any advance or credit extended or to be extended pursuant to the Finance Contract (in each case, whether actual or contingent, whether owed jointly or severally and whether owed as principal or surety or in any other capacity and references to the Guaranteed Sum includes references to any part of it).
The Guarantor further agrees and undertakes to pay interest to the Bank at the rate and on the terms specified in Article 3.02 (
Interest on overdue sums
) of the Finance Contract for payment of overdue sums on all sums demanded under this Guarantee (before and after any judgement) from the date of the Bank's demand until the date of receipt of such sum by the Bank, provided that there shall be no double counting with the Finance Contract.
2.02
The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are those of a primary obligor and not merely those of a surety. Neither the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee nor the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Bank in this Guarantee or by law shall be impaired, discharged or otherwise affected by reason of:
(a)
any illegality, invalidity, ineffectiveness or unenforceability in or of the terms of the Finance Contract or of any other security for the Liabilities;
(b)
any disability, incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality or change in status or constitution of the Borrower, the Bank or any other person;
(c)
any winding-up, dissolution, administration, re-organisation, liquidation, insolvency or other similar procedure in respect of the Borrower or any other person or any change in the status, function, control or ownership of the Borrower or of any other person or the claiming, proving for, accepting or transferring any payment in respect of the Guaranteed Sum in any winding-up, dissolution, administration, re-organisation, liquidation, insolvency or composition of the Borrower or any other person or abstaining from so claiming, proving for, accepting or transferring;
(d)
any time or other indulgence agreed or granted by the Bank or any arrangement entered into or composition accepted by the Bank, varying the rights of the Bank under the Finance Contract or any security arrangement;
(e)
any release of the Borrower or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;
(f)
any forbearance or delay on the part of the Bank in asserting any of its rights against the Borrower under the Finance Contract;
(g)
any other guarantee or Security Interest which the Bank now has or may hereafter acquire with respect to the Borrower's or any other person's obligations under the Finance Contract or any related agreement;
(h)
any amendment to, or any variation, waiver, assignment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement, replacement or release of (in each case, however fundamental and whether or not more onerous), the Finance Contract or any other document or security (including, without limitation, any change in the purpose, time, manner or place of payment, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under the Finance Contract or other document or security), the Guaranteed Sums or the Liabilities or any of them or any Security Interest (or of any person thereunder) held by the Bank in respect thereof;
(i)
the taking, acceptance, variation, compromise, exchange or renewal of any Security Interest or any total or partial failure to take or perfect any security proposed to be taken in respect of any Guaranteed Sums or Liabilities or any total or partial failure to realise the value of, or any surrender, release, discharge, exchange or substitution of, any Security Interest held by the Bank in respect of any Guaranteed Sum or Liabilities or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument; or
(j)
any other act, event, omission or circumstance, which, but for this Article 2.02, might otherwise discharge, impair or otherwise affect any of the obligations of the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee or any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Bank by this Guarantee or by law,
it being the intent of the Guarantor that its liability to the Bank under this Guarantee shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be discharged except by payment in full of the Guaranteed Sums and the satisfaction of the Liabilities.
The payment or performance of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment or performance of the Liabilities or the Guaranteed Sums is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Bank upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or of the Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made.
2.03
It is the intent of this Guarantee that the Bank be fully indemnified for the complete payment and performance of the Liabilities and the Guaranteed Sums.
As an independent, continuing and primary obligation additional to and separate from those set out in Articles 2.01 and 2.02, and without prejudice to the validity or enforceability of those obligations, the Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes (as a primary obligor and not merely as surety) that, if any Guaranteed Sum should not be recoverable from the Guarantor under Article 2.01 for whatsoever reason (including as a result of the Finance Contract or any of the Guaranteed Sums being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower for any reason whatsoever), and whether or not the reason may have been known to the Bank or any other person at any material time, the Guarantor shall, upon first written demand by the Bank, and as if the Guarantor were a sole and independent obligor, fully indemnify, compensate and hold harmless the Bank by way of a full indemnity for all costs, losses, damages, expenses, claims or liabilities resulting from: (a) the failure of the Borrower to duly and punctually make payment of any Guaranteed Sum in the amount and currency provided for by or pursuant to the Finance Contract, whether upon the normal due date, upon acceleration or otherwise; (b) any Liability being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower for any reason whatsoever, whether or not known to the Bank, the amount of such loss being the amount which the Bank would have been entitled to recover from the Borrower but for such Liability being or becoming void, voidable, unenforceable or ineffective as against the Borrower; or (c) any act or omission of the Bank in connection with the enforcement of its rights or remedies against the Borrower or the Guarantor.
2.04
This Guarantee is a continuing security and the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall constitute and be continuing obligations notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter or thing whatsoever, and shall endure until all Guaranteed Sums have been fully paid or discharged and shall not be released or discharged by any intermediate payment or settlement of the Guaranteed Sums or of any of them or by any intermediate satisfaction of all or any of the obligations of the Borrower in relation to any of the Liabilities. This Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect until final payment in full of all amounts owing by the Borrower in respect of the Liabilities and total satisfaction of all the Borrower's actual and contingent obligations in relation to the Liabilities. No payment or discharge which may be avoided under any enactment relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up, merger or amalgamation of the Borrower, the Guarantor or any other person, no payment or discharge made or given which is subsequently avoided and no release, return, cancellation or discharge of this Guarantee given or made or any other agreement reached between the Bank and the Guarantor on the faith of any payment or discharge aforesaid shall constitute discharge of the Guarantor under this Guarantee or prejudice or affect the Bank's right to recover from the Guarantor to the full extent of this Guarantee, and any such discharge, release, return, cancellation or agreement shall be deemed always to have been void. This is a guarantee of payment not a deficiency guarantee. The originals of this Guarantee which are in the possession of the Bank shall remain the property of the Bank after any release, cancellation or discharge of this Guarantee.
2.05
Any money received, recovered or realised in connection with this Guarantee (including the proceeds of any conversion of currency) may be placed by the Bank in its discretion to the credit of a suspense account, with a view to preserving the right of the Bank to prove for the whole of the claims against the Borrower or may be applied by the Bank in or towards satisfaction of such of the Guaranteed Sums as the Bank in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine; provided, however, that if any such money, being freely disposable by the Bank, is not applied towards satisfaction of the Guaranteed Sums for which payment of the money was made hereunder, the Guarantor's responsibility in respect of the Guaranteed Sums shall be discharged to the extent of such payment.
2.06
The Guarantor agrees that until all the Guaranteed Sums have been irrevocably fully paid or discharged and so long as the Borrower is under any actual or contingent obligations in respect of the Liabilities, the Guarantor shall:
(a)
not exercise any rights which it may at any time have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under this Guarantee or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Guarantee to:
(i)
be indemnified by the Borrower or to receive any collateral from the Borrower; and/or
(ii)
claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums; and/or
(iii)
take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Bank in respect of any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums or of any other security taken by the Bank pursuant to, or in connection with, any of the Liabilities or Guaranteed Sums; and/or
(iv)
bring any legal or other proceedings for an order requiring the Borrower to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity pursuant to this Guarantee; and/or
(v)
exercise any right of set-off against the Borrower; and/or
(vi)
claim or prove as a creditor of the Borrower in competition with the Bank;
(b)
not seek to enforce any obligation owed to it by the Borrower which arises by virtue of the discharge by the Guarantor of its obligations hereunder;
(c)
pay to the Bank all dividends or distributions, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation, winding up or otherwise received by it from or for the account of the Borrower in respect of any obligation referred to in paragraph (b) above; the Bank shall apply such sums to reduce the outstanding Guaranteed Sums in such sequence as it may decide;
(d)
have no right of subrogation to the rights of the Bank under the Finance Contract or any related security arrangement;
(e)
comply with the terms of and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect all authorisations, approvals, licences and consents required in or by the laws and regulations of England and Wales to enable the Guarantor lawfully to enter into and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability and admissibility in evidence in England of this Guarantee;
(f)
not take any action which would cause any of the representations made in Article 7 below to be untrue at any time during the continuation of this Guarantee; and
(g)
notify the Bank of the occurrence of any event which results in or may reasonably be expected to result in any of the representations made in Article 7 below being untrue when made or when deemed to be repeated.
2.07
If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to any of the rights set out in Article 2.06(a)(i) to (vi), the Guarantor shall hold on trust for the Bank that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Bank by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor under or in connection with the Finance Contract and/or this Guarantee to be repaid in full and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Bank as the Bank may direct.
2.08
The Guarantor acknowledges: (i) that it has entered into this Guarantee on the basis of its own assessment of the Borrower and any security provided, and (ii) that it has not been induced to enter into this Guarantee by any representation made by the Bank. The Bank is not obliged to report to the Guarantor on the financial position of the Borrower or of any other guarantor or on any security provided. The Bank shall have no liability for granting or disbursing the Loan, for cancelling or suspending, or not cancelling or suspending the Credit or for demanding or not demanding prepayment under the Finance Contract.
2.09
The obligations of the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee shall be in addition to, independent of and in no way prejudiced by any other security or any other guarantee that the Bank holds or may at any time hold in relation to any of the Liabilities or the Guaranteed Sums.
2.10
The Bank may set off any matured obligation due from the Guarantor under this Guarantee against any obligation (whether or not matured) owed by the Bank to the Guarantor regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Bank may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off. If either obligation is unliquidated or unascertained, the Bank may set off in an amount estimated by
it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation.
ARTICLE 3
Enforcement of Guarantee
3.01
A certificate of the Bank as to any default by the Borrower in the payment of any Guaranteed Sum shall be conclusive against the Guarantor save in the event of a proven error.
3.02
The Guarantor undertakes to pay all sums due hereunder in full, free of set-off or counterclaim. This Guarantee may be enforced by the Bank upon provision of a statement of the reason for the demand.
3.03
The Bank shall not be obliged before exercising any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon it in respect of the Guarantor by this Guarantee or by law to:
(a)
take any action or obtain judgement in any court against the Borrower;
(b)
make demand of the Borrower;
(c)
make or file any claim or proof in a winding-up or dissolution of the Borrower;
(d)
enforce or seek to enforce any security taken in respect of any of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Guaranteed Sums or Liabilities; or
(e)
have recourse to any other guarantee,
and the Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring the Bank (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce or exhaust any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Guarantor under this Guarantee. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of the Finance Contract to the contrary.
3.04
Where the Bank makes any demand hereunder, the Guarantor may pay to the Bank all outstanding Guaranteed Sums, including sums arising under Article 3.02 (
Interest on overdue sums
) of the Finance Contract, in settlement of its obligations hereunder. If the Guarantor makes such payment, the Bank shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Guarantor, assign to the Guarantor the Bank's rights under the Finance Contract and under any security therefor.
ARTICLE 4
Information
4.01
The Guarantor shall deliver to the Bank:
(a)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 150 days after the end of each of its financial years, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year;
(b)
as soon as they become available but in any event within 90 days after each Calculation Date, its consolidated management accounts showing its financial performance for the financial year-to-date on such Calculation Date; and
(c)
from time to time such further information as the Bank may reasonably require as to such Guarantor's financial situation.
The Guarantor shall inform the Bank without delay of any material change in its constitutional documents.
ARTICLE 5
Amendment to the Finance Contract
5.01
Subject to Article 5.02, the Bank may agree to any amendment to the Finance Contract which does not increase the amounts payable by the Borrower thereunder. The Bank shall notify the Guarantor of each such amendment.
5.02
The Bank may grant the Borrower, in respect of the due date of payment of any Guaranteed Sum, an extension of time of up to three months. Any such extension of time shall be notified to the Guarantor.
5.03
The Bank may not amend or vary the terms of the Finance Contract save as provided in Articles 5.01 and 5.02 or with the prior written consent of the Guarantor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
ARTICLE 6
Guarantor undertakings
6.01
The Guarantor:
(a)
shall not, without the Bank's prior written consent, (i) declare, make or pay, or pay interest on any unpaid amount of, any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (whether in cash or kind) on or in respect of its shares or share capital (or any class of its share capital) or (ii) repay or distribute any share premium account or redeem, repurchase, retire or repay any of its share capital; and
(b)
shall procure that CE Electric UK Limited shall not, without the Bank's prior written consent,
pay or repay any amounts (whether principal, interest or otherwise) under the Subordinated Loan Agreement,
in each case, unless each of the following conditions is met:
(i)
all payments then due under the Finance Contract have been made;
(ii)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived; and
(iii)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV does not exceed 0.75:1.
6.02
The Guarantor shall not, and shall ensure that no Subsidiary of the Guarantor will, incur any Financial Indebtedness, except for Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
all payments then due under the Finance Contract and this Guarantee have been made;
(b)
no Default or Compulsory Prepayment Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(c)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV does not exceed 0.75:1; and
(d)
the Guarantor Interest Cover is 2.1:1 or more.
6.03
The Guarantor shall ensure that, at all times:
(a)
the Guarantor Interest Cover for each Relevant Period shall not be less than 2.0:1; and
(b)
the Guarantor's ratio of Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt to Aggregate RAV for each Relevant Period shall not exceed 0.80:1.
6.04
The Guarantor shall procure that the Subordinated Loan Agreement is not amended, varied or replaced.
6.05
The value of the terms referred to in Article 6 shall be calculated and interpreted in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and, in each case, shall be expressed in GBP and shall be calculated using the financial statements of the Guarantor most recently delivered to the Bank.
6.06
The Guarantor
shall procure that no Non-Gas Entity shall provide any form of financial support (other than subscribing to new share capital) to a member of the Gas Sub-Group which is an Excluded Subsidiary, whether by way of guarantee, letter of credit, “keep well” agreement, shareholder loan, inter-company loan or otherwise
6.07
For the purposes of this Article 6:
"
Aggregate RAV
"
means, at any time, the aggregate of the NEDL RAV and of YEDL RAV at such time.
"
Consolidated EBIT
"
means, for each Relevant Period, the profit shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor Group for the relevant period on the line entitled "operating profit":
(i)
before taking into account
any items treated as exceptional items;
(ii)
after deducting
the amount of any profit of any member of the Guarantor Group which is attributable to minority interests;
(iii)
after
adding
dividends received from associates and joint ventures to the extent not included in operating profit;
(iv)
before taking into account
any realised or unrealised exchange gains and losses including those arising on translation of currency debt;
(v)
before taking into account
any gain or loss arising from an upward or downward revaluation of any asset;
in each case, to the extent added, deducted or taken into account, as the case may be, for the purposes of determining Guarantor Group profit before tax (and without double counting).
"
Guarantor
Consolidated Net Finance Charges
"
means, for any Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of interest paid on Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt (net of interest received and after taking account of payments made and amounts received under any derivatives related to such Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt) included in the consolidated cash flow statement for the Guarantor Group in respect of that Relevant Period.
"
Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt
"
means, at any time, the aggregate amount (without double counting) of all obligations of the Guarantor Group for or in respect of Financial Indebtedness (other than between members of the Guarantor Group) which rank at least
pari passu
with the Loan and with the Guarantor's obligations hereunder but:
(i)
deducting an amount equal to A minus B, where:
A
means the aggregate amount of all obligations of any Excluded Subsidiary in respect of Project Finance Borrowings; and
B
means, in the case of Project Finance Borrowings of each member of the Gas Sub-Group, the Gas Sub Group Equity Subscription made in relation to such member of the Gas Sub-Group (or zero if, in relation to such member, the resulting figure would be negative),
provided that the maximum amount deducted pursuant to this paragraph (i) shall not exceed an amount equal to C plus D, where:
C
means the greater of: (a) GBP100,000,000 (one hundred million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies; and (b) the amount equal to 5% of Aggregate RAV; and
D
means any Project Finance Borrowings incurred in excess of the amount determined as “C” which have been approved by the Bank in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld);
(ii)
deducting the aggregate amount of all obligations of any member of the Guarantor Group in respect of Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the repayment or redemption of such Financial Indebtedness is provided for by the purchase by a member of the Guarantor Group of a GIC;
(iii)
deducting the aggregate amount of freely available cash and Cash Equivalents held by any member of the Guarantor Group at such time;
(iv)
deducting the interest component of Financial Indebtedness in existence on the date of this Guarantee which interest has accrued but not as at the time when the Guarantor Consolidated Senior Total Net Debt is being calculated fallen due for payment or been paid, provided that no material change is made to the basis upon which such interest accrues after the date of this Guarantee and to the extent that such interest component does not exceed on an aggregate basis GBP 50,000,000 (fifty million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies; and
(v)
deducting any residual non-cash fair value purchase accounting adjustments made on the acquisition of the Yorkshire Power Group Limited in 2001, to the extent that any such residual non-cash fair value purchase accounting adjustments does not exceed the amount of GBP 44,500,000 (forty four million five hundred thousand pounds sterling), calculated on an aggregate basis, or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies,
and so that no amount shall be excluded more than once.
"
Guarantor
Interest Cover
"
means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the ratio of Guarantor Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period to Guarantor Consolidated Net Finance Charges for that Relevant Period.
"
Guarantor Original Financial Statements
"
means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.
"
Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness
"
means:
(a)
Financial Indebtedness owed by the Guarantor to the Bank;
(b)
Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Guarantor Group outstanding on 31 December 2009 and not otherwise referred to in this definition of "Guarantor Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
(c)
Financial Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Loan and to the Guarantor's obligations hereunder on terms satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank;
(d)
Financial Indebtedness owed by one member of the Guarantor Group to another member of the Guarantor Group;
(e)
Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(f)
Financial Indebtedness of NEDL from time to time which does not exceed an aggregate amount of GBP 10,000,000 (ten million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(g)
Financial Indebtedness owed by the Borrower to the Bank; and
(h)
Financial Indebtedness owed by NEDL to the Bank.
"
NEDL
" means Northern Electric Distribution Limited.
"
NEDL RAV
"
means NEDL's RAV, as defined in the Northern Electric Finance Contract.
"
YEDL RAV
"
means the Borrower's RAV, as defined in the Finance Contract.
ARTICLE 7
Representations and Warranties
7.01
The Guarantor represents and warrants to the Bank that:
(a)
it is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of England and it has the power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(b)
each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has the power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets;
(c)
it has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the same by it;
(d)
the entering into of this Guarantee is materially beneficial to it;
(e)
this Guarantee constitutes its legally valid, binding and enforceable obligations;
(f)
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under and compliance with the provisions of this Guarantee do not and will not:
(i)
contravene or conflict with any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any judgement, decree or permit to which it is subject;
(ii)
contravene or conflict with any material agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its Subsidiaries;
(iii)
contravene or conflict with any provision of its constitutional documents; or
(iv)
result in the imposition of increased financial charges or requirements as to security under any other contract or instrument to which it is a party;
(g)
the choice of English law as the governing law of this Guarantee will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation and any judgement obtained in England in relation to this Guarantee will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(h)
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated in this Guarantee and it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee that this Guarantee or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction;
(i)
it will not be required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment it may make under this Guarantee;
(j)
it is not unable to pay its debts as they fall due, including within the meaning of the Insolvency Act 1986, and the entering into of this Guarantee and the performance of its obligations hereunder do not and will not cause it to be or to be deemed to be unable to pay its debts as they fall due;
(k)
as of the date of this Guarantee, it has not taken any corporate action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been started or threatened against it for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation or any analogous procedure or step or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee, compulsory manager or similar officer of it or of any or all of its assets or revenues;
(l)
its most recent consolidated audited accounts have been prepared on a basis consistent with previous years and in accordance with IFRS (consistently applied) and have been approved by its auditors as representing a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position and results of its operations and those of its Subsidiaries for that financial year and accurately disclose or reserve against all its and its Subsidiaries' liabilities (actual or contingent) at the time when such financial statements were produced and no material adverse change in the business or the consolidated financial condition of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries has occurred since the date of such accounts;
(m)
there has been no Material Adverse Change since the date of this Guarantee;
(n)
no event or circumstance which constitutes an event of default under Article 10.01 of the Finance Contract or an Acceptable Security Event has occurred and is continuing unremedied or unwaived;
(o)
no event or circumstance (other than those referred to in Article 7.01(n) above) is outstanding which constitutes a default under any agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;
(p)
no litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or investigation is current or pending or to the best of its knowledge is threatened before any court, arbitral body or agency which has resulted or if adversely determined is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change, nor is there subsisting against it or any of its Subsidiaries any unsatisfied judgement or award with a value in aggregate in excess of GBP 2,000,000 (two million pounds sterling) or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies;
(q)
it has obtained all necessary Authorisations in connection with this Guarantee, all such Authorisations are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(r)
as at the date on which this representation is made or repeated, it has obtained all material Authorisations in connection with the conduct of its business, trade and ordinary activities, all such Authorisations are in full force and effect and admissible in evidence and there has been no default in the observance of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any such Authorisations;
(s)
it has complied:
(i)
with all Environmental Laws; and
(ii)
in all material respects with all laws (other than Environmental Laws),
to which it is subject;
(t)
it is the sole legal and beneficial owner and has good title to the assets the ownership of which is reflected in its financial statements referred to under Article 7.01(l) and no Security Interest exists over its assets or over those of its Subsidiaries save as follows:
(i)
any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;
(ii)
any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading;
(iii)
any Security over or affecting (or any Quasi-Security affecting) any asset acquired by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group after the date of this Guarantee if:
a.
the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group;
b.
the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset by the Guarantor or any member of the Guarantor Group; and
c.
the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within 3 (three) months of the date of acquisition of such asset;
(iv)
any Security entered into pursuant to this Contract; and
(v)
any Security securing Project Finance Borrowings;
(u)
as of the date of this Guarantee, for the purposes of the Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings, its centre of main interest is situated in England and Wales;
(v)
its payment obligations under this Guarantee rank not less than pari passu in right of payment with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations under any of its debt instruments except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally;
(w)
any written factual information provided to the Bank by it or on its behalf was, as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated, true and accurate in all material respects; and
(x)
it has not taken or accepted any Security Interest from the Borrower or, in relation to the Guaranteed Sums, from any third parties.
7.02
The representations and warranties set out in Article 7.01 above shall survive the execution of this Guarantee and (with the exception of the representations in Articles 7.01(k) and (u)) are deemed repeated on each Scheduled Disbursement Date, on the date on which any Disbursement Request is submitted and each Payment Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then prevailing.
7.03
The Guarantor acknowledges that it has made the representations and warranties contained in this Article 7 with the intention of inducing the Bank to enter into the Finance Contract and accepting this Guarantee as security for the Finance Contract and that the Bank has entered into the Finance Contract and has accepted this Guarantee as security for the Finance Contract on the basis of, and in full reliance on, each of such representations and warranties.
ARTICLE 8
Taxes, Charges and Expenses
8.01
The Guarantor shall bear its own costs of execution and implementation of this Guarantee and, without prejudice to the terms of Article 2, the Guarantor shall hold harmless and indemnify the Bank against all:
(a)
taxes and fiscal charges, legal costs and other expenses incurred by the Bank in the negotiation, execution, amendment, implementation or enforcement of this Guarantee; and
(b)
losses, charges and expenses to which the Bank may be subject or which it may properly incur under or in connection with the recovery from any person of sums expressed to be due under or pursuant to the Finance Contract,
in each case together with interest from the date such losses, charges, costs and/or expenses were incurred to the date of payment at such rates as the Bank may reasonably determine.
Furthermore the Guarantor shall make payments hereunder without withholding or deduction on account of tax or fiscal charges, provided that, if the Guarantor is obliged by law to make any such withholding or deduction, the Guarantor shall gross up the payment to the Bank so that the net sum received by the Bank is equal to the sum demanded.
ARTICLE 9
Law and Jurisdiction
9.01
Law
This Guarantee, its formation and its validity and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with English law.
9.02
Jurisdiction
The parties hereto submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and all disputes concerning this Guarantee (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Guarantee or the consequences of its nullity or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee) shall be submitted to such courts.
9.03
Service of Process
The Bank appoints The Securities Management Trust Limited of 8 Lothbury, London EC2 7HH to be its agent for service of process on its behalf of any writ, notice, order, judgement or other legal process in connection with this Guarantee.
ARTICLE 10
Final Clauses
10.01
Currency Conversion
The Bank may convert any money received or realised by it under or pursuant to this Guarantee which is not in the currency in which such sums are due and payable from that currency into the currency in which such sum is due at the rate published by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany for the relevant conversion, available on or shortly before conversion at any time and from time to time as the Bank shall decide, or, if such rate is not available, at the then prevailing commercial rate of exchange, as determined by the Bank.
10.02
Invalidity
If at any time any term of this Guarantee is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, or this Guarantee is or becomes ineffective in any respect, under the laws of any jurisdiction, such illegality, invalidity, unenforceability or ineffectiveness shall not affect:
(a)
the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other term of this Guarantee or the effectiveness in any other respect of this Guarantee in that jurisdiction; or
(b)
the legality, validity or enforceability in other jurisdictions of that or any other term of this Guarantee or the effectiveness of this Guarantee under the laws of such other jurisdictions.
10.03
Remedies and Waivers
No failure by the Bank to exercise, or any delay by the Bank in exercising, any right or remedy under this Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right or remedy.
10.04
Rights Cumulative
The rights and remedies provided by this Guarantee in favour of the Bank are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
10.05
Notices
Notices and other communications given hereunder to the Guarantor or to the Bank shall be sent by fax (which shall be deemed to have been received when transmission has been completed), registered letter or letter with recorded delivery (which, in the case of each letter, shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth business day following the date of posting), in each case addressed to the relevant party at its address set out below or at such other address as the relevant party shall have previously notified to the other parties in writing as its new address for such purpose, provided that any notice to be served on the Bank shall be effective only when actually received by the Bank, marked for the attention of the department or officer specified by the Bank for such purpose:
FOR the Bank:
100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
Attn: Ops A
Fax: + 352 4379 66488
FOR the Guarantor:
Attention: Treasury (Finance Director)
CE Electric UK Funding Company
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Tyne and Wear, NE1 6AF
Facsimile no.: +44 0191 223 5132
10.06
Assignments and Successors
The Bank may at any time assign all or any of its rights and benefits under this Guarantee (i) in connection with any assignment or transfer of the Bank's rights, benefits of obligations under the Finance Contract, without the consent of the Guarantor and (ii) in all other cases, with the prior written consent of the Guarantor, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. This Guarantee shall remain in effect despite any amalgamation or merger (however effected) relating to the Bank. References to the Bank shall be deemed to include any assignee or successor in title of the Bank and any person who, under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or domicile, has assumed the rights and obligations of the Bank under this Guarantee or to which under such laws the same have been transferred.
10.07
Third Party Rights
A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Guarantee.
10.08
Counterparts
This Guarantee may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart is an original, but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a counterpart of this Guarantee by e-mail attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.
10.9
Changes in IFRS
If a material change in IFRS occurs which is detrimental to either party, the parties shall consult and will discuss in good faith any change that may be required to this Guarantee.
10.10
Recitals and Annexes
The Recitals form part of this Guarantee.
The following Annexes are attached hereto:
Annex I
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor and authority of Signatory of the Guarantor
Annex II
Certificate of guarantee powers of the Guarantor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Guarantee has been signed on behalf of the Bank and executed as a deed by the Guarantor and is intended to be and is hereby delivered as a deed on the date first specified above. The parties hereto have caused this Guarantee to be executed in 3 (three) originals in the English language.
SIGNED by
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
By:
/s/ L. de Mautort
Name: L. de Mautort
Title: Director
By:
/s/ P. Albouze
Name: P. Albouze
Title: Head of Division
EXECUTED as a DEED by
CE ELECTRIC UK FUNDING COMPANY
By:
/s/ John France
Name: John France
Title:
Director
In the presence of:
By:
John Elliot
Name:
John Elliot
Address: 18 Frosterley Drive
Great Lumley
Co Durham
DH3 455
EXHIBIT 15
AWARENESS LETTER OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
Des Moines, Iowa
We have reviewed, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the unaudited consolidated interim financial information of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and subsidiaries for the periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, as indicated in our report dated August 6, 2010; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.
We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, is incorporated by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-147957 on Form S-8.
We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
August 6, 2010
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gregory E. Abel, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Date:
August 6, 2010
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/s/ Gregory E. Abel
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Gregory E. Abel
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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(principal executive officer)
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EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Patrick J. Goodman, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Date:
August 6, 2010
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/s/ Patrick J. Goodman
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Patrick J. Goodman
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Senior Vice President and Chief
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Financial Officer
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(principal financial officer)
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EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gregory E. Abel, President and Chief Executive Officer of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:
(1)
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
(2)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
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Date:
August 6, 2010
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/s/ Gregory E. Abel
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Gregory E. Abel
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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(principal executive officer)
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EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Patrick J. Goodman, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:
(1)
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
(2)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
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Date:
August 6, 2010
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/s/ Patrick J. Goodman
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Patrick J. Goodman
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Senior Vice President and Chief
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Financial Officer
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(principal financial officer)
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