As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2016
Registration No. 333-208584
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 5
to
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
Azure Power Global Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Constitution)
Mauritius | 4931 | Not Applicable | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa
Chief Executive Officer
8 Local Shopping Complex
Pushp Vihar, Madangir, New Delhi 110062, India
Telephone: (91-11) 49409800
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrants principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue, 13 th Floor, New York, NY 10011
Telephone: (212) 894-8940
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Thomas J. Ivey, Esq. Andrea Nicolas, Esq. Rajeev Duggal, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 525 University Avenue #1400 Palo Alto, CA 94301 |
Kirk A. Davenport II, Esq. Wesley C. Holmes, Esq. Latham & Watkins LLP 885 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class of
securities to be registered |
Proposed maximum
offering price(1)(2) |
Amount of
registration fee(3) |
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Equity shares, par value US$0.01 per equity share |
US$ 100,000,000 | US$ 10,070 | ||
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(1) | Includes (a) all equity shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option, and (b) all equity shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this Registration Statement and the date the equity shares are first bona fide offered to the public. The equity shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States. |
(2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(3) | Previously paid. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling shareholder may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated June 30, 2016
PROSPECTUS
Equity Shares
Azure Power Global Limited
This is the initial public offering of the equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited. We are offering equity shares and the selling shareholder identified in this prospectus is offering equity shares. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling shareholder. No public market currently exists for our equity shares.
We have applied to list our equity shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AZRE.
We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between US$ and US$ per equity share.
We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our equity shares involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 18 of this prospectus.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Price to the public |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Proceeds to us (before expenses) |
US$ | US$ | ||||||
Proceeds to the selling shareholder (before expenses) |
US$ | US$ |
(1) | We refer you to Underwriting beginning on page 169 of this prospectus for additional information regarding total underwriter compensation. |
We have granted the underwriters the option to purchase additional equity shares on the same terms and conditions set forth above if the underwriters sell more than equity shares in this offering.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the equity shares on or about , 2016.
Barclays
Prospectus dated , 2016
Azure Power®
Indias first private grid
connected MW Solar Plant
Largest owner & Operator of NSM projects
Pan-India portfolio of solar assets in 15 states
Indias First
distributed MW scale rooftop solar project
Commited & Under Construction
Operating
Solar Resource
(KWh/m2/Day)
3.0-3.5
3.5-4.0
4.0-4.5
4.5-5.0
5.0-5.5
5.5-6.0
6.0-6.5
0
.3
.6
.9
1.2
1.5
Land Area
Million km2
Azure Power®
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We hire from local communities
Lease land that has few alternative uses
Provide a stream of discretionary cash flow without
displacing alternative businesses
POWERING UTILITIES
Developed Indias
first utility scale solar project in 2009
23 operational utility scale projects
Integrated project development, EPC, financing, O&M services
555KW,
INDUSTRIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR PLANT, CHEAPER THAN GRID POWER
100 MW, LARGEST OPERATING PROJECT UNDER NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION
POWERING COMMERCIAL
First distributed solar rooftop operational in India
500+ rooftops covered across the country
Solar tariffs in most states are already at grid
parity
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F-1 |
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any related free-writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We and the selling shareholder have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any person to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or any related free-writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, nor is it seeking an offer to buy, these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the securities offered hereby.
No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the equity shares or possession or distribution of this prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of the prospectus applicable to that jurisdiction.
STATISTICAL AND OTHER INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we have not independently verified such data.
We have rights to trademarks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate name, logos, product names and website names. Other trademarks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for your convenience, some of the trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ® and TM symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks and trade names.
CONVENTIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS PROSPECTUS
Except where the context requires otherwise and for purposes of this prospectus only:
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Azure Power Global, we, us, the Company or our refer to Azure Power Global Limited, together with its subsidiaries (including Azure Power India Private Limited, or AZI, its predecessor and current subsidiary). |
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Our holding company refers to Azure Power Global Limited on a standalone basis. |
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GAAP refers to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States. |
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US$ or U.S. dollars refers to the legal currency of the United States. |
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Rs., rupees or Indian rupees refers to the legal currency of India. |
In this prospectus, references to U.S. or the United States are to the United States of America, its territories and its possessions. References to India are to the Republic of India, and references to Mauritius are to the Republic of Mauritius.
Unless otherwise indicated, the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus have been presented in Indian rupees and prepared in accordance with GAAP. References to a particular fiscal year are to our fiscal year ended March 31 of that year, which is typical in our industry and in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our fiscal quarters end on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31. References generally to a fiscal year refer to the Indian fiscal year ended March 31 of the respective period.
This prospectus contains translations of certain Indian rupee amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, the translation of Indian rupees into U.S. dollars has been made at Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. We make no representation that the Indian rupee or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been converted into U.S. dollars or Indian rupees, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
As used in this prospectus, all references to watts (e.g., megawatts, gigawatts, kilowatt hour, terawatt hour, MW, GW, kWh, etc.) refer to measurements of power generated.
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This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our equity shares. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision.
Overview
Our mission is to be the lowest-cost power producer in the world. We sell solar power in India on long-term fixed price contracts to our customers, at prices which in many cases are at or below prevailing alternatives for these customers. We are also developing micro-grid applications for the highly fragmented and underserved electricity market in India. Since inception, we have achieved a 74% reduction in total solar project cost, which includes a significant decrease in balance of systems costs due in part to our value engineering, design and procurement efforts.
We developed Indias first utility scale solar project in 2009. As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW which represents a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 112% from May 2012. As of such date we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW committed, bringing our total portfolio capacity to 965MW. Megawatts committed represents the aggregate megawatt rated capacity of solar power plants pursuant to customer power purchase agreements, or PPAs, signed or allotted but not yet commissioned and operational as of the reporting date. We are targeting having 520MW operating by December 31, 2016. Our longer term goals are to achieve 1GW committed or operating by December 31, 2017 and 5GW by December 31, 2020. Our ability to achieve these goals will depend on, among other things, our ability to acquire the required land for the new capacity (on lease or direct purchase), raising adequate project financing and working capital, the growth of the Indian power market in line with current government targets, our ability to maintain our market share of Indias installed capacity as competition increases, the need to further strengthen our operations team to execute the increased capacity, and the need to further strengthen our systems and processes to manage the ensuing growth opportunities, as well as the other risks and challenges discussed under the caption Risk Factors.
Utility scale solar projects are typically awarded through government auctions. We believe we have secured more megawatts of capacity in these auctions in the last seven years than any other company in India. We believe the strong demand for our solar power is a result of the following:
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Low levelized cost of energy . Our in-house engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, expertise, purely solar focus, advanced in-house operations and maintenance, or O&M, capability and efficient financial strategy allow us to offer low-cost solar power solutions. |
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Strong value proposition for our customers . We manage the entire development and operation process, providing customers with long term fixed price PPAs in addition to high levels of availability and service. This helps us win repeat business. |
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Our integrated profile supports growth . Our integrated profile affords us greater control over project development, construction and operation, which provides us with greater insight and certainty on our construction costs and timeline. |
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Strong community partnerships . Our ability to build long term community relationships allows us to improve our time of completion, further reducing project development risk. |
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We take a leading role in policy initiatives . We provided input to the government to help it design an auction process supporting multiple winners at differentiated price points and implementing a transparent bidding process open to all participants. For example, we suggested that the government include compulsorily convertible debentures in the calculation of a bidders net worth for the purposes of tender qualification, which was ultimately adopted by the government. |
We generate revenue from a mix of leading government utilities and commercial entities. Because we have our own EPC and O&M capabilities, we retain the profit margins associated with those services that other project developers may need to pay to third-party providers.
Market Opportunity
Indias economic growth is intrinsically linked to the increasing consumption of energy and natural resources. Energy demand has outpaced capacity additions in recent years, which has resulted in persistent peak power deficits in the country. Solar is an attractive option to help address this energy gap driven by regional fundamentals and regulatory support by the Indian government. The Indian government increased its 2022 target for solar capacity from 20GW to 100GW.
The following trends have made solar a large, rapidly growing market opportunity:
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Peak power deficits and rising power prices . India continues to be plagued by a persistent demand/supply mismatch with a five-year average energy deficit of approximately 5% through March 2016 according to the Ministry of Power, which has resulted in upward pressure in power prices. |
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Strong regulatory support . In order to reduce dependence on energy imports and curtail the current trade deficit and the resulting impact on the rupee, the Indian government has taken a number of steps to incentivize the use of renewable sources of energy. These include establishing state-level renewable power purchase obligations and providing capital subsidies (known as viability gap funding) to solar project developers to make solar tariffs competitive in the country. To provide further impetus to solar growth, the Indian government launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, or the NSM, in 2010. |
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Solar positioned to win among alternatives . India ranks among the highest irradiation-receiving countries in the world with more than 300 days of sunshine per year in much of the country. Solar power generation is viable across most of India, unlike wind and hydro resources which are concentrated in specific regions. In addition, as solar plants can be built near the point of consumption, power produced generally does not incur expensive transmission charges or require infrastructure or transmission investments. Further, unlike nuclear and hydropower, solar power has fewer legal liabilities and environmental constraints. |
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Solar approaching parity . State utilities have seen power costs rise as domestic coal shortages have caused thermal generators to increasingly rely on more expensive imported fuels. An analysis of current tariffs in India indicates that solar power is now competitive with wind, new thermal capacity fueled by imported coal and grid power tariffs for commercial users. Further, diesel power, the most common replacement power source for commercial and off-grid users in the country, is far more expensive than solar power. Additionally, solar panel prices are expected to fall further, which in turn is expected to drive further reductions in solar tariffs. |
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Transparent solar auction process . Indian solar auctions are conducted in a transparent manner that ensures bids meet minimum technical and financial criteria. Bidders must meet requirements on project development and execution history in India or the regional market, including bidder experience in the development of similar utility scale power projects. Auctions are not winner-take-all; instead, they are constructed to ensure multiple high-quality developers are allotted portions of the total capacity block. |
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These factors have increased the solar installation to approximately 6.8GW as of March 31, 2016, of which 5.5GW is operating under various state policies and the NSM. Approximately 7.8GW of tenders have been announced under various state policies. In addition, auctions allocating 4.3GW of projects are expected to be announced or completed under the NSM by the end of fiscal year 2017.
Our Approach
We sell energy to government utilities and independent industrial and commercial customers at predictable fixed prices. Since our energy generation does not rely on fossil fuels, our electricity prices are insulated from the volatility of commodity pricing. We also guarantee the electricity production of our solar power plants to our customers.
The typical project plan timeline for our projects is approximately one year. The major stages of project sourcing, development and operation are bidding, land acquisition, financing, material delivery and installation, and monitoring and maintenance. Once a bid is won, a letter of intent is issued and all of our departments initiate their activities. After that, the PPA is signed, which reflects the commercial operation date before which a plant should be commissioned. Generally once the letter of intent is received, we obtain the relevant land permits depending on whether the land is government-owned or private. We generally finance our projects with 75:25 debt-to-equity ratio. Once land is obtained, our EPC team works very closely to construct and deliver the plant in the most efficient manner. Once commissioned, our O&M team monitors performance of all the projects near real time.
We utilize our integrated project development, EPC, financing and O&M services without involving multiple third-party services. This approach has allowed us to generate efficiencies of scale that further drive down system costs. A low cost structure allows us to bid for auctions strategically, which supports our high auction win rate and helps preserve our market leading position, which further reduces costs.
As the first developer and operator of utility scale solar assets in India, we believe that we are a well-established brand that has grown alongside the burgeoning Indian solar market since 2009. We have proven to be a reliable developer that successfully and expediently executes on our development pipeline and wins repeat business. Our reputation and track record give us an advantage in the auction evaluation process, improving our win rate. As a result, we believe we have become one of the largest purely solar operators in the space, which affords us greater negotiating power with original equipment manufacturers and project finance lenders. This in turn improves our cost and capital structure, which benefits our bid win rate.
We lower the levelized cost of energy through our three-pronged approach as follows:
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Value engineering . Our in-house EPC allows us to enhance our system design expertise with each successive project, be flexible with our choice of technology and source from top-tier suppliers that optimizes both the system cost and power yield of the total solar block. |
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Operational performance monitoring . We operate a National Operating Control Center, or NOCC, that allows us to monitor project performance in real-time and allows us to respond rapidly to potential generation anomalies. Feedback from our operating projects also serves to further enhance our project designs, resulting in enhancements for current and new plants. |
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Financial strategy . We are able to offset project equity requirements through economic benefits generated by our EPC and O&M businesses. Coupled with our asset financing strategy we are able to optimize the overall cost of capital leading to enhanced economics for our customers and shareholders. |
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we differentiate ourselves from the competition in a number of key ways.
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Market leadership . We have a first mover advantage from the construction of Indias first private utility scale solar photovoltaic power plant in 2009 as well as the implementation of the first megawatt scale rooftop smart city initiative in 2013. Additionally, our strong track record in policy and project development across utility scale, commercial rooftop and micro-grids projects has helped us gain a leading market share in India with an 11.3% share in federal tenders we participated in between March 2014 and May 2016 and a market leading auction win rate of 76% for bids we participated in from 2010 to May 31, 2016. |
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Scale and brand-name recognition . We have proven to be a reliable developer with successful and expedient execution of our development pipeline, which has helped us win repeat business. Our reputation and track record provide us an advantage in the auction evaluation process, thereby improving our win rate. As a result, we believe we have become one of the largest solar developers and operators in India. |
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In-house EPC and O&M expertise enable cost efficiencies . Our in-house EPC capabilities enhance our ability to be flexible with our choice of technology, which allows us to choose high quality equipment while optimizing the combination of total solar project cost and yield. Our in-house O&M capabilities maximize project yield and performance through proprietary system monitoring and adjustments. We have demonstrated a 74% decrease in total solar project cost since inception in part through continual innovation in our EPC and O&M capabilities. |
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Superior technical and execution capabilities . We have developed proprietary systems that significantly reduce the time it takes to design, finance, commission, operate and maintain projects. Our lean and efficient execution expertise facilitates completion of our plants ahead of contracted completion dates, enables us to easily scale our operations without significant increases to headcount, and allows us to construct several projects in parallel without compromising on efficiency. |
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Long term, stable cash generation . We typically enter into 25-year, fixed price PPAs with government agencies and independent commercial businesses. As a result of generally reliable solar irradiation in India, our energy production under these PPAs has historically had little volatility, which, coupled with our low operating expenses, makes for predictable cash flows from these agreements. |
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Long term community support . We hire from local communities and generally lease land that has few alternative uses, providing local communities with a stream of discretionary cash flow without displacing alternative businesses. As a result we are able to build long term community relationships, which allows us to improve our time of completion, further reducing project development risk. |
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Strong management . Our senior leadership team and board of directors include widely recognized experts in solar energy, energy finance and public policy, with track records of building successful businesses. |
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Our Business Strategy
Key elements of our business strategy include the following.
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Continue to drive project cost reductions. We will continue to reduce costs by leveraging our in-house EPC and O&M capabilities and by improving our negotiating power with technology providers and project lenders. We expect to further innovate our financing solutions to reduce the cost of energy for our customers and achieve grid parity with local alternatives in the utility market in the next few years. |
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Rapidly grow our project portfolio to achieve scale benefits. We intend to rapidly grow our project portfolio, which will enable us to achieve further economies of scale. We plan to significantly expand our presence in commercial and micro-grid applications. In order to continue this growth, we plan to reinvest our operating cash flow into new project development and construction. |
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Maintain position as a top Indian solar company. We are the longest tenured solar power producer in India and we believe we have the largest portfolio of operating projects under the NSM and one of the largest portfolios of operating projects in India. We have developed critical operational expertise and regional knowledge that improves project performance and expedites project execution, all of which should help us preserve our market leading position. |
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Leverage track record and management relationships to shape policy. We have petitioned governments at the local, state and central levels for substantial changes to solar policy that are essential to the advancement of the solar industry. We plan to leverage our track record, together with our managements long-running relationships with policy-makers, to influence policy at all governmental levels. |
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Expand into new locations. We participate in both national and state level renewable energy auctions. We intend to continue to expand our presence into other states in India and other emerging markets with underserved electricity markets. |
Risk Factors
Our business and the successful execution of our strategies are subject to certain risks and uncertainties related to our business and our industry, regulation of our business and our corporate structure, doing business in India and ownership of our equity shares, our trading market and this offering. The risks and uncertainties related to our business and our industry include, but are not limited to:
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we have never been profitable, and believe we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future; |
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the reduction, modification or elimination of central and state government subsidies and economic incentives in India may reduce the economic benefits of our existing solar projects and our opportunities to develop or acquire suitable new solar projects; |
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our long term growth depends in part on the Indian governments ability to meet its announced targeted capacity; |
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our operations are subject to extensive governmental, health and safety and environmental regulations, which require us to obtain and comply with the terms of various approvals, licenses and permits. Any failure to obtain, renew or comply with the terms of such approvals, licenses and permits in a timely manner or at all may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; |
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our limited operating history, especially with large-scale solar projects, may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future prospects, results of operations and cash flows; |
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our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, which could make our future performance difficult to predict and could cause our operating results for a particular period to fall below expectations, resulting in a severe decline in the price of our equity shares; |
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our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; |
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our growth prospects and future profitability depend to a significant extent on global liquidity and the availability of additional funding options with acceptable terms; |
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if we fail to comply with financial and other covenants under our loan agreements, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects may be materially and adversely affected; and |
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if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results and investor confidence in our company and the value of our equity shares may be adversely affected. |
See Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements for a more detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that we may face.
Corporate Structure
Azure Power Global Limited is a company incorporated in Mauritius and is the holding company of AZI. All of our operations at present and following the completion of this offering will be conducted through AZI and its subsidiaries. For details of the current shareholders of Azure Power Global Limited, see Principal and Selling Shareholders.
On July 25, 2015, Azure Power Global Limited purchased from the non-founder investors in AZI (i.e., International Finance Corporation, Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC, FC VI India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd., DEG Deutsche Investitions Und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and Société de Promotion et de Participation Pour la Coopération Économique) the equity shares and convertible securities held by them in AZI and issued an equivalent number of equity shares and convertible securities of Azure Power Global Limited to such non-founder investors on equivalent terms. Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering and the listing of the equity shares pursuant to the offering, the convertible securities of Azure Power Global Limited issued to the non-founder investors will be converted into equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited in an amount that depends, among other factors, on the initial public offering price in the offering. Assuming the effectiveness of a -for- stock split of our equity shares and an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, a total of equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited will be issued to the non-founder investors upon the conversion of such convertible securities and there will be a total of equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited issued and outstanding as of the consummation of this offering. A US$1.00 decrease or increase in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ would increase or decrease the total number of equity shares to be issued to the non-founder investors, and the total number of equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited issued and outstanding as of the consummation of this offering by shares or shares, respectively. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCorporate Structure for a more detailed discussion.
Assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, IW Green LLC (in which Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa is the sole member), Azure Power Inc. and Mr. Satnam Sanghera,
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collectively referred to as the APGL Founders, and the non-founder investors will own % of the equity shares in Azure Power Global Limited and % will be owned by the public investors. The percentage of Azure Power Global Limited that is owned by such shareholders will vary if the initial public offering price changes. For example, a US$1.00 decrease in the assumed initial public offering price would increase the aggregate percentage of Azure Power Global Limited that is owned by the APGL Founders and the non-founder investors to % and would decrease the percentage of Azure Power Global Limited that is owned by the public investors to %, while a US$1.00 increase in the assumed initial public offering price would decrease the aggregate percentage of Azure Power Global Limited that is owned by the APGL Founders and the non-founder investors to % and would increase the percentage of Azure Power Global Limited that is owned by the public investors to %.
Azure Power Global Limited intends to utilize substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering (other than approximately US$5 million to be retained by Azure Power Global Limited to fund its future operating expenses, including rent, professional fees and other corporate overhead expenses) to purchase million equity shares to be issued by AZI at a price of US$ per equity share, assuming that the initial public offering is priced at US$ per equity share of Azure Power Global Limited, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Following the completion of this offering and the purchase of additional equity shares of AZI by Azure Power Global Limited, Azure Power Global Limited will own % of the equity shares of AZI. The percentage ownership of Azure Power Global Limited will vary if the offering size or the initial public offering price changes. For example, a US$1.00 decrease in the assumed equity share price would decrease Azure Power Global Limiteds ownership of AZI by %. Alternatively, a decrease of US$10 million in the net offering proceeds would decrease Azure Power Global Limiteds ownership of AZI by %. The remaining % of the equity shares of AZI will be held by Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa, Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa, Azure Power Inc. and Mr. Satnam Sanghera, collectively referred to as the AZI Founders. Furthermore, the amount for which the AZI Founders sell their shares in AZI (including any sale to Azure Power Global Limited) above the face value of such shares is to be distributed among the founders and non-founders pro rata based on their as converted shareholding in Azure Power Global Limited. Azure Power Global Limited has an option to purchase such equity shares from the AZI Founders. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCorporate Structure for a more detailed discussion of the option and the lock-in agreement. For details of the intended use of proceeds by AZI upon investment by Azure Power Global Limited into AZI, see Use of Proceeds.
The AZI employee stock option plan has been terminated and all options granted pursuant to such plan have been cancelled. Employees who were granted options under the AZI employee stock option plan have been granted options to purchase equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. Immediately upon the completion of this offering, the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan will be terminated and replaced by the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. Options issued pursuant to the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan will be cancelled and replaced with options to be issued pursuant to the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. Upon the closing of the offering, and without assuming any stock-split, there will be 25,930 equity shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of Rs. 3,307 (US$50.00) per share under our employee stock option plan. The number of equity shares outstanding discussed above excludes the 25,930 equity shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2015 Employer Stock Option Plan.
7
The diagram below illustrates our corporate structure upon the completion of this offering assuming an offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and subsequent subscription of shares of AZI from the proceeds of this offering as described above.
(1) | The sole member of IW Green LLC is Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa. |
(2) | Refers to Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa. |
(3) | Azure Power Global Limited has an option to purchase the equity shares from the Founders. See Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCorporate Structure. |
Corporate Information
We are a public company limited by shares incorporated in Mauritius on January 30, 2015. Our registered office is located at c/o AAA Global Services Ltd., 1st Floor, The Exchange 18 Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius. Our principal executive offices are located at 8 Local Shopping Complex, Pushp Vihar, Madangir, New Delhi 110062, India, and our telephone number at this location is (91-11) 49409800. Our principal website address is www.azurepower.com. The information contained on our website does not form part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10011.
Dividends
As we are a holding company, we will have to rely on dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries (in particular, our subsidiary in India, AZI) for our cash requirements, including funds to pay dividends and other cash
8
distributions to our shareholders, service any debt we may incur and pay our operating expenses. As of the date of this prospectus, AZI has not paid any cash dividends on its equity shares and does not intend to pay dividends to its equity shareholders, including Azure Power Global Limited, in the foreseeable future. See Dividends and Dividend Policy for more information.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts in Mauritius would enforce judgments obtained in the United States against us or our directors or executive officers, as well as the experts named herein, based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or allow actions in Mauritius against us or our directors or executive officers based only upon the securities laws of the United States. Further, foreign judgments may not be given effect by a Mauritius court where it would be contrary to any principle affecting public policy in Mauritius or to the extent that they constitute the payment of an amount which is in the nature of a penalty and not in the nature of liquidated damages.
In addition to and irrespective of jurisdictional issues, neither Mauritian nor Indian courts will enforce a provision of the U.S. federal securities laws that is either penal in nature or contrary to public policy. Specified remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including specified remedies under U.S. federal securities laws, would not be available under Mauritian or Indian law or enforceable in a Mauritian or Indian court, if they are considered to be contrary to Mauritian or Indian public policy. An award of punitive damages under a United States court judgment based upon United States federal securities laws is likely to be construed by Mauritian and Indian courts to be penal in nature and therefore unenforceable in both Mauritius and India. Further, no claim may be brought in Mauritius or India against us or our directors and officers, as well as the experts named herein, in the first instance for a violation of U.S. federal securities laws because these laws have no extraterritorial application under Mauritian or Indian law and do not have force of law in Mauritius or India.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.0 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company need not comply with any new or revised financial accounting standard until such date that a non-reporting company is required to comply with such new or revised accounting standard. We have in this prospectus utilized, and we plan in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, to continue to utilize, the modified disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies. Furthermore, we are not required to present selected financial information or any managements discussion herein for any period prior to the earliest audited period presented in connection with this prospectus.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.0 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the previous 3-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. When we are no longer deemed to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above. If we choose to take advantage of any of these reduced reporting burdens, the information that we provide shareholders may be different than you might get from other public companies.
9
Even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as a company that files as a domestic issuer whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we generally required to comply with the SECs Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material non-public information. We intend to take advantage of these exemptions as a foreign private issuer.
10
Equity shares offered by us |
equity shares ( equity shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional equity shares). |
Equity shares offered by the selling shareholder |
equity shares. |
Option to purchase additional equity shares |
We have granted the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional equity shares from us at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. |
Equity shares to be outstanding before this offering |
equity shares. |
Equity shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering |
equity shares ( equity shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional equity shares). |
Use of Proceeds |
We anticipate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ million, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares in full. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. |
We intend to use US$ million to fund the purchase by Azure Power Global Limited of equity shares to be issued by AZI, which will occur contemporaneously with the completion of this offering. Net proceeds to be received by AZI as a result of such purchase are intended to be used for project development, working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. We intend to retain US$5.0 million to fund future operating expenses of Azure Power Global Limited. To the extent the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares, the net proceeds from the sale of the additional equity shares will be used to purchase additional equity shares of AZI. See Use of Proceeds. |
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of equity shares by the selling shareholder. |
Directed Share Program |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved % of the equity shares offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons. If these persons purchase equity shares, this will reduce the number of shares available for sale to the public. |
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Risk Factors |
See Risk Factors and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the equity shares. |
Dividend Policy |
We currently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the development and growth of our business and operations as well as expand our business and do not currently anticipate paying dividends on our equity shares in the near future. See Dividends and Dividend Policy. |
Listing |
We have applied to list our equity shares on the New York Stock Exchange. |
Proposed Trading Symbol |
AZRE. |
Certain Assumptions
The number of our equity shares to be outstanding after this offering, the combined voting power that identified shareholders will hold after this offering and the economic interest in our business that identified shareholders will hold after this offering are based on the following assumptions:
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the conversion of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into equity shares; |
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the effectiveness of a -for- stock split; and |
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our and the selling shareholders sale of equity shares in this offering. |
The number of our equity shares to be outstanding after this offering, the combined voting power that identified shareholders will hold after this offering and the economic interest in our business that identified shareholders will hold after this offering excludes the following:
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equity shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our equity shares; and |
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25,930 equity shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of Rs. (US$ ) per share under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. |
Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares.
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
Azure Power Global Limited is a company incorporated in Mauritius and is the holding company of AZI. All of its operations are conducted currently through AZI and its subsidiaries. The proceeds of this offering will be used towards a share subscription of AZI by Azure Power Global Limited and will occur contemporaneously with the completion of the offering.
The financial information in this section has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The summary unaudited pro forma balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 gives effect to the conversion of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into equity shares. The pro forma as adjusted balance sheet data reflects the abovementioned transaction, the issuance and sale of equity shares in this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom as set forth in Use of Proceeds, based on an assumed offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
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The following table should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Among other things, the consolidated financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the information in the following table. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period. The table should also be read together with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(1) | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data: |
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Operating revenue: |
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Sale of power |
1,124,138 | 2,626,148 | 39,640 | |||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) |
79,816 | 190,648 | 2,878 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
425,952 | 672,841 | 10,156 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
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Total operating cost and expenses |
828,198 | 1,551,270 | 23,416 | |||||||||
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Operating income |
295,940 | 1,074,878 | 16,224 | |||||||||
Other expense: |
||||||||||||
Interest expense, net(2) |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange(3) |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
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Total other expenses |
1,131,418 | 2,401,973 | 36,256 | |||||||||
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|
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Loss before income taxes |
(835,478 | ) | (1,327,095 | ) | (20,032 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(253,112 | ) | (327,745 | ) | (4,947 | ) | ||||||
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Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
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|
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Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(4) |
(5,595 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
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|
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Net loss attributable to APGL |
(1,082,995 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | (24,909 | ) | ||||||
Accretion on Mezzanine CCPS(5) |
(755,207 | ) | (1,347,923 | ) | (20,346 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to redeemable non-controlling interest(6) |
| (29,825 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||||
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Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | (45,705 | ) | ||||||
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Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders |
||||||||||||
Basic and diluted(7) |
(16,729 | ) | (27,557 | ) | (416 | ) | ||||||
Shares used in computing basic and diluted per share amounts |
||||||||||||
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share(8) |
||||||||||||
Pro forma shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share(8) |
||||||||||||
Equity share |
109,880 | 109,880 | | |||||||||
Supplemental information (unaudited): |
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Adjusted EBITDA(9) |
618,370 | 1,762,659 | 26,606 | |||||||||
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(1) | Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 into U.S. dollars. The rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. |
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(2) | Interest expense, net consists of: |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures |
248,831 | 408,172 | 6,161 | |||||||||
Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares |
96,500 | 263,654 | 3,980 | |||||||||
Term loans |
598,845 | 1,547,382 | 23,357 | |||||||||
Bank charges and other |
55,454 | 106,568 | 1,609 | |||||||||
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999,630 | 2,325,776 | 35,107 | ||||||||||
Interest income: |
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Term deposits |
151,860 | 221,532 | 3,344 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of short term investments |
13,949 | 45,375 | 685 | |||||||||
Notes held-to-maturity |
| 33 | 1 | |||||||||
Interest income from related parties |
2,031 | | | |||||||||
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Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
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|
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(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
(3) | Loss on foreign currency exchange consists of: |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
Unrealized loss on foreign currency loans |
240,656 | 338,297 | 5,106 | |||||||||
Realized gain on foreign currency loans |
(42,280 | ) | (80,542 | ) | (1,216 | ) | ||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments |
7,342 | 11,069 | 167 | |||||||||
Realized loss on derivative instruments |
93,910 | 74,313 | 1,122 | |||||||||
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299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | ||||||||||
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(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
The unrealized and realized foreign exchange loss represents the foreign currency fluctuations on our non-Indian rupee denominated borrowings.
(4) | Represents a non-controlling interest of 20% in a subsidiary and 0.01% of ownership in AZI not held by us or the AZI Founders. |
(5) | Our Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares, or collectively the Mezzanine CCPS, are being accreted to their redemption value through July 31, 2016, the earliest redemption date, to earn the mandatory redemption amount on such date. |
(6) | Represents accretion to the redeemable non-controlling interest in a subsidiary which is accreted to its accretion value. |
(7) | Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding for the year. The potentially dilutive compulsorily convertible preferred shares, compulsorily convertible debentures and share options were excluded from the calculation of dilutive loss per share in those periods where inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Net loss per share will give effect to the effectiveness of a -for- stock split in our equity shares. |
(8) |
Pro forma net loss per share attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 is calculated as if the compulsorily convertible preferred shares and the |
15
compulsorily convertible debentures had been converted into equity shares at the beginning of the respective period presented or when compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures were issued, if later. Compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures upon the completion of this offering convert into (i) equity shares as of March 31, 2015 and (ii) equity shares as of March 31, 2016 based upon the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. |
(9) | Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. |
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss (income) plus (a) income tax expense, (b) interest expense, net, (c) depreciation and amortization, and (d) loss (income) on foreign currency exchange. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:
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securities analysts and other interested parties use such calculations as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities; and |
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it is used by our management for internal reporting and planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget and capital expenditures. |
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:
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it does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments or foreign exchange gain/loss; |
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it does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital; |
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it does not reflect significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our outstanding debt; |
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it does not reflect payments made or future requirements for income taxes; and |
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although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced or paid in the future and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements or payments. |
Investors are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons we consider it appropriate for supplemental analysis.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
253,112 | 327,745 | 4,947 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA |
618,370 | 1,762,659 | 26,606 | |||||||||
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(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
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As of March 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||||||||||
2016 |
2016
(Pro forma)(5) |
2016
(Pro forma as adjusted)(5) |
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Rs. | US$(1) | Rs. | US$(1) | Rs. | US$(1) | |||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3,090,386 | 46,647 | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
24,381,429 | 368,022 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
31,329,013 | 472,891 | ||||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E & Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares(2) |
3,600,700 | 54,350 | ||||||||||||||
Project level and other debt(3) |
20,926,124 | 315,866 | ||||||||||||||
Mezzanine CCPS shares(4) |
9,733,272 | 146,918 | ||||||||||||||
Total APGL shareholders deficit |
(7,437,447 | ) | (112,264 | ) |
(1) | Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. |
(2) | The Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares are classified as a current liability in the consolidated balance sheet because the preference shareholders have a right to convert their shares into variable number of equity shares to give them their required returns. |
(3) | This balance represents the short term and long term portion of project level secured term loans and other secured bank loans. |
(4) | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares include the Mezzanine CCPS and are classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheet. |
(5) | The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted columns in the balance sheet data reflects the transactions described in the last paragraph of page 13. |
The pro forma as adjusted information set forth in the table above is for illustrative purposes only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering as determined at pricing.
A US$1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of US$ would increase or decrease each of pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, total assets, and total deficit by Rs. thousands (US$ ), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, remains the same, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
17
You should carefully consider the risks described below and all other information contained in this prospectus before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our equity shares could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
We have never been profitable, and believe we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
We have incurred losses since our inception, including a net loss of US$24.9 million for fiscal year 2016. We believe that we will continue to incur net losses as we expect to make continued significant investment in our solar projects. As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW. As of May 31, 2016, we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW of projects committed, bringing our total portfolio capacity to 965MW. A significant number of power projects are presently committed and under construction, and we can only monetize them, if at all, after each project is completed, which is subject to several factors, including receiving regulatory approvals, obtaining project funding, entering into transmission arrangements with the central or state transmission utilities, and acquiring land for projects. In addition, even after a project is operational, the monetization process may be quite long term with contracts running up to 25 years. Moreover, we may not succeed in addressing certain risks, including our ability to successfully develop or supervise the commissioning, operations and maintenance of our projects or maintain adequate control of our costs and expenses. Also, we may find that our growth plans are more costly than we anticipate and that they do not ultimately result in commensurate increases in revenue, which would further increase our losses. Additionally, we have not, and likely will not in the foreseeable future, generate sufficient cash flow required for our growth plans. We expect we will continue to experience losses, some of which could be significant. Results of operations will depend upon numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the availability of preferential feed-in tariffs for solar power and other subsidies, global liquidity and competition.
The reduction, modification or elimination of central and state government subsidies and economic incentives in India may reduce the economic benefits of our existing solar projects and our opportunities to develop or acquire suitable new solar projects.
The development and profitability of renewable energy projects in the locations in which we operate are dependent on policy and regulatory frameworks that support such developments. The cost of generating electricity from solar energy in India currently exceeds, and very likely will continue to exceed for the foreseeable future, the cost of generating electricity from conventional energy sources such as domestic coal. These subsidies and incentives have been primarily in the form of preferential tariffs, project cost subsidies, tax incentives, tax holidays, and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and manufacturers of solar energy products. For instance, the National Tariff Policy 2006 requires State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, or SERCs, to set Renewable Purchase Obligations, or RPOs, on their distribution companies of solar energy, and provides that procurement of electricity by such distribution companies must be done at preferential tariffs, which is determined by the relevant SERC from time to time. Further, the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, or the MNRE, has introduced the generation based incentive scheme to support small grid solar projects, pursuant to which the MNRE will pay incentives to the state utilities when they directly purchase solar power from project developers. Further, Indias Income Tax Act, 1961 as amended, provides for certain tax benefits, including 100% tax deductions of the profits derived from generation of power for 10 consecutive years. In addition, certain state policies also provide subsidies and economic incentives. For instance,
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the state policy in Punjab provides certain tax exemptions, including in relation to supply of capital goods used for setting up projects.
The availability and size of such subsidies and incentives depend, to a large extent, on political and policy developments relating to environmental concerns in India and are typically available only for a specified time duration. Generally, the amount of government subsidy for solar projects has been decreasing as the cost of producing energy has approached grid parity. Changes in central and state policies could lead to a significant reduction in or a discontinuation of the support for renewable energies. Reductions in government subsidies and economic incentives that apply to future solar projects could diminish the availability of our opportunities to continue to develop or acquire suitable newly developed solar projects. Such reductions may also apply retroactively to existing solar projects, which could significantly reduce the economic benefits we receive from our existing solar projects. Moreover, some of the solar program subsidies and incentives expire or decline over time, are limited in total funding, require renewal from regulatory authorities or require us to meet certain investment or performance criteria. In addition, although various SERCs have specified RPOs for their distribution companies, the implementation of RPO schemes has not been uniform across Indian states. Although states are beginning to enforce RPOs under the guidance from the central government, RPOs have historically been breached without consequences.
Additionally, we may not continue to qualify for such subsidies and incentives. We could also choose to implement other solar power projects, such as rooftop projects, that are outside the scope of such subsidies and incentives.
Further, increased emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the possibility of trading carbon dioxide emission quotas has led to extra duties being levied on sources of energy, primarily fossil fuels, which cause carbon dioxide pollution. The imposition of these duties has indirectly supported the expansion of power generated from renewable energy and, in turn, solar projects in general. If such direct and indirect government support for renewable energy were terminated or reduced, it would make producing electricity from solar projects less competitive and reduce demand for new solar projects.
A significant reduction in the scope or discontinuation of government incentive programs in our markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
Our long term growth depends in part on the Indian governments ability to meet its announced targeted capacity.
The Indian government increased its 2022 target for solar capacity from 20GW to 100GW. However, new capacity additions have historically been lower than the governments announced targeted capacity. For example, actual capacity additions represented only 70% of the targeted capacity of 78.7GW in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. This shortfall in capacity additions was due to issues in timely commissioning of conventional power plants, which included delays in land acquisition, obtaining regulatory permits and difficulties in securing reliable and cost efficient fuel supplies. Under the prior Five Year Plans before the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, solar capacity targets were not included. As such, there is a short track record of meeting solar capacity targets. As for reaching target capacity for other renewable energy sources, in certain Five Year Plans those targets were met while others have fallen short. Any failure to meet the governments targeted solar capacity may result in a slowdown in our growth opportunities and adversely affect our ability to achieve our long term business objectives, targets and goals.
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Our operations are subject to extensive governmental, health and safety and environmental regulations, which require us to obtain and comply with the terms of various approvals, licenses and permits. Any failure to obtain, renew or comply with the terms of such approvals, licenses and permits in a timely manner or at all may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The power generation business in India is subject to a broad range of environmental, safety and other laws and regulations. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and maintain a number of approvals, licenses, registrations and permits for developing and operating power projects. Additionally, we may need to apply for more approvals in the future, including renewal of approvals that may expire from time to time. For example, we require various approvals during construction of our solar projects and prior to the commissioning certificate is issued, including capacity allocation and capacity transfer approvals, approvals from the local pollution control boards, evacuation and grid connectivity approvals and approval from the chief electrical inspector for installation and energization of electrical installations at the solar project sites. In addition, we are required to comply with state-specific requirements. Certain approvals may not be obtained in a timely manner. Certain approvals may also be granted on a provisional basis or for a limited duration and require renewal. If the conditions specified therein are not satisfied at a later date, we may not be able to evacuate power from these projects.
In addition, we could be affected by the adoption or implementation of new safety, health and environmental laws and regulations, new interpretations of existing laws, increased governmental enforcement of environmental laws or other similar developments in the future. For instance, we currently fall under an exemption granted to solar photovoltaic projects that exempts us from complying with the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. While we are required to obtain consents to establish and operate in certain Indian states under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, certain state policies in relation to solar projects exempt us from obtaining such consents or have reduced or simplified procedural requirements for obtaining such consents. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to any such consent requirements in the future, and that we will be able to obtain and maintain such consents or clearances in a timely manner, or at all, or that we will not become subject to any regulatory action on account of not having obtained or renewed such clearances in any past periods. Furthermore, our government approvals and licenses are subject to numerous conditions, some of which are onerous and require us to make substantial expenditure. We may incur substantial costs, including clean up or remediation costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and third-party property damage or personal injury claims, as a result of any violations of or liabilities under environmental or health and safety laws or noncompliance with permits and approvals, which, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. For instance, we are currently involved, along with the Government of Rajasthan, in a public interest litigation in relation to our 5MW project in Rajasthan. Members of the local community have alleged that the operation of this project has resulted in a water shortage for the local community and that the plant has been established on pasture land. The matter is currently pending adjudication before the High Court of Rajasthan.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to apply for or renew any approvals, licenses, registrations or permits in a timely manner, or at all, and that the relevant authorities will issue any of such approvals, licenses, registrations or permits in the time frames anticipated by us. Further, we cannot assure you that the approvals, licenses, registrations and permits issued to us would not be subject to suspension or revocation for non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with any terms or conditions thereof, or pursuant to any regulatory action. Any failure to apply for, renew and obtain the required approvals, licenses, registrations or permits, or any suspension or revocation of any of the approvals, licenses, registrations and permits that have been or may be issued to us, or any onerous conditions made applicable to us in terms of such approvals, licenses, registrations or permits may impede the successful commissioning and operations of our power projects, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.
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Our limited operating history, especially with large-scale solar projects, may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future prospects, results of operations and cash flows.
We began our business in 2008 and have a limited operating history. We established our first utility scale solar plant in India in 2009. As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW. As of such date, we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW of projects committed, bringing our total portfolio capacity to 965MW. Accordingly, our relatively limited operating history may not be an adequate basis for evaluating our business prospects and financial performance, and makes it difficult to predict the future results of our operations. Period-to-period comparisons of our operating results and our results of operations for any period should not be relied upon as an indication of our performance for any future period. In particular, our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and future success depend, to a significant extent, on our ability to continue to identify suitable sites, acquire land for solar projects, obtain required regulatory approvals, arrange financing from various sources, construct solar projects in a cost-effective and timely manner, expand our project pipeline and manage and operate solar projects that we develop. If we cannot do so, we may not be able to expand our business at a profit or at all, maintain our competitive position, satisfy our contractual obligations, or sustain growth and profitability.
Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, which could make our future performance difficult to predict and could cause our operating results for a particular period to fall below expectations, resulting in a severe decline in the price of our equity shares.
Our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly in the future. We have experienced seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in the past, especially in the winter months. However, given that we are an early-stage company operating in a rapidly growing industry, those fluctuations may be masked by our recent growth rates and thus may not be readily apparent from our historical operating results. As such, our past quarterly operating results may not be good indicators of future performance.
In addition to the other risks described in this Risk Factors section, the following factors could cause our operating results to fluctuate:
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the expiration or initiation of any central or state subsidies or incentives; |
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our ability to complete installations in a timely manner due to market conditions or due to inconsistently available financing; |
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our ability to continue to expand our operations, and the amount and timing of expenditures related to such expansions; |
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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital-raising activities or commitments; |
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changes in auction rules; |
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changes in feed-in tariff rates for solar power, viability gap funding, or VGF, our pricing policies or terms or those of our competitors; |
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actual or anticipated developments in our competitors businesses or the competitive landscape; and |
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an occurrence of low global horizontal irradiation that affects our generation of solar power. |
For these or other reasons, the results of any prior quarterly or annual periods should not be relied upon as indications of our future performance. In addition, our actual revenue, key operating and financial metrics and other operating results in future quarters may fall short of the expectations of investors and financial analysts, which could have a severe adverse effect on the trading price of our equity shares.
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Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
As of March 31, 2016, we had US$35.7 million in current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt, and US$370.2 million in outstanding long-term borrowings, including the current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt. Long term borrowings as of March 31, 2016, after giving effect to the conversion of our convertible securities in connection with this offering, will be US$ million. Generally these borrowings relate to the financing for our projects and are secured by the project assets.
Our debt could have significant consequences on our operations, including:
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reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes as a result of our debt service obligations; |
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limiting our ability to obtain additional financing; |
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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate and the general economy; |
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potentially increasing the cost of any additional financing; and |
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limiting the ability of our project operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us for working capital or return on our investment. |
In addition, our borrowings under certain project-specific financing arrangement have floating rates of interest. Therefore, an increase or decrease in interest rates will increase or decrease our interest expense associated with such borrowing. A significant increase in interest expense could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows impacting our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt.
Any of these factors and other consequences that may result from our substantial indebtedness could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows impacting our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt. Our ability to meet our payment obligations under our outstanding debt depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control.
Our growth prospects and future profitability depend to a significant extent on global liquidity and the availability of additional funding options with acceptable terms.
We require a significant amount of cash to fund the installation and construction of our projects and other aspects of our operations, and expect to incur additional borrowings in the future, as our business and operations grow. We may also require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue in order to remain competitive.
Historically, we have used loans, equity contributions, and government subsidies to fund our project development. We expect to expand our business with proceeds from this initial public offering and third-party financing options, including any bank loans, equity partners, financial leases and securitization. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in locating additional suitable sources of financing in the time periods required or at all, or on terms or at costs that we find attractive or acceptable, which may render it impossible for us to fully execute our growth plan. In addition, rising interest rates could adversely impact our ability to secure financing on favorable terms.
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Installing and constructing solar projects requires significant upfront capital expenditure and there may be a significant delay before we can recoup our investments through the long-term recurring revenue of our solar projects. Our ability to obtain external financing is subject to a number of uncertainties, including:
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our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; |
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the general condition of global equity and debt capital markets; |
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our credit ratings and past credit history; |
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decline of the Indian rupee compared to U.S. dollar; |
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regulatory and government support in the form of tax incentives, preferential tariffs, project cost subsidies and other incentives; |
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the continued confidence of banks and other financial institutions in our company and the solar power industry; |
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economic, political and other conditions in the jurisdictions where we operate; and |
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our ability to comply with any financial covenants under the debt financing. |
Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to our shareholders and any debt financing may contain restrictive covenants that limit our flexibility going forward. Furthermore, our credit ratings may be downgraded, which would adversely affect our ability to refinance debt and increase our cost of borrowing. Failure to manage discretionary spending and raise additional capital or debt financing as required may adversely impact our ability to achieve our intended business objectives.
If we fail to comply with financial and other covenants under our loan agreements, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
We expect to continue to finance a significant portion of our project development and construction costs with project financing. The agreements with respect to our existing project-level indebtedness contain financial and other covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios or impose certain restrictions on disposition of our assets or the conduct of our business. We have not been in compliance with all financial and other covenants and we may not be able to comply with some of those financial and other covenants from time to time. For example, as of September 30, 2014 we were not in compliance with three financial covenants, the cash flow to debt service ratio, the current asset to current liability ratio and the indebtedness to tangible net worth ratio, for our Punjab 1 project and one financial covenant, the indebtedness to tangible net worth ratio, for our Gujarat 1 project. We have obtained waivers from the lender to cure the non-compliances. In addition, we typically pledge our solar project assets or account or trade receivables, and in certain cases, shares of the special purpose vehicles, to raise debt financing, and we are restricted from creating additional security over our assets. Such account or trade receivables will include all income generated from the sale of electricity in the solar projects.
Our financing agreements also include certain restrictive covenants whereby we may be required to obtain approval from our lenders to, among other things, incur additional debt, undertake guarantee obligations, enter into any scheme of merger, amalgamation, compromise, demerger or reconstruction, change our capital structure and controlling interest, dispose of or sell assets, transfer shares held by major shareholders to third parties, invest by way of share capital, lend and advance funds, declare dividends in the event of any default in repayment of debts or failure to maintain financial ratios, place deposits and change our management structure. Most of our lenders also impose significant restrictions in relation to our solar projects, under the terms of the relevant project loans taken by our respective subsidiaries. For example, we are required to obtain lenders consent to make any changes to, or terminate, project documents, waive any material claims or defaults under the project documents, make any changes to financing plans relating to our projects, and replace suppliers or other material project participants. There can be no assurance that such consent will be granted in a timely manner, or
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at all. In the event that such lender consents are granted, they may impose certain additional conditions on us, which may limit our operational flexibility or subject us to increased scrutiny by the relevant lenders. The time required to secure consents may hinder us from taking advantage of a dynamic market environment. These agreements also grant certain lenders the right to appoint nominee directors on the board of directors of AZI or its subsidiaries and require us to maintain certain ratings or other levels of credit worthiness. If we breach any financial or other covenants contained in any of our financing arrangements, we may be required to immediately repay our borrowings either in whole or in part, together with any related costs.
Our failure to comply with financial or restrictive covenants or periodic reporting requirements or to obtain our lenders consent to take restricted actions in a timely manner or at all may result in the declaration of an event of default by one or more of our lenders, which may accelerate repayment of the relevant loans or trigger cross defaults under other financing agreements. We cannot assure you that, in the event of any such acceleration, we will have sufficient resources to repay these borrowings. Failure to meet our obligations under the debt financing agreements could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, business and results of operations. Furthermore, a breach of those financial and other covenants or a failure to meet certain financial ratios under these financing agreements will also restrict our ability to pay dividends.
Any default or failure by us to repay our loans in a timely manner or at all could impact the ability of two of our directors who have personally guaranteed a portion of our loans to further guarantee our indebtedness and cause an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have personally guaranteed the repayment of a number of AZIs loans. In connection with the working capital facility provided by the Central Bank of India, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have each guaranteed Rs. 543.3 million and Rs. 69.7 million, respectively, in favor of the lender.
In addition, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have provided personal guarantees in favor of the Central Bank of India for the repayment of loans of three of our project subsidiaries in the amounts of Rs. 315 million, Rs. 639 million and Rs. 1,306 million in addition to the payment of any interest and other monies payable to the lender. Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have each also personally guaranteed a loan from Reliance Capital Limited in the amount of Rs. 1 billion and a loan from IFCI Limited in the amount of Rs. 1 billion.
Any default or failure by us to repay these loans in a timely manner, or at all, could trigger repayment obligations on the part of Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa, which could impact their ability to guarantee our indebtedness and could cause them to forfeit the stock pledged in relation to such loans, thereby having an adverse effect on our business, results of operation and cash flows.
The delay between making significant upfront investments in our solar projects and receiving revenue could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, business, results of operations and cash flows.
There are generally many months or even years between our initial bid in renewable energy auctions to build solar projects and the date on which we begin to recognize revenue from the sale of electricity generated by such solar projects. Our initial investments include, without limitation, legal, accounting and other third-party fees, costs associated with project analysis and feasibility study, payments for land rights, payments for interconnection and grid connectivity arrangements, government permits, engineering and procurement of solar panels, balance of system costs or other payments, which may be non-refundable. As such, projects may not be fully monetized for 25 years given the average length of our PPAs, but we bear the costs of our initial investment upfront. Furthermore, we have historically relied on our own equity contribution and bank loans to pay for costs and expenses incurred during project development. Solar projects typically generate revenue only after becoming commercially operational and starting to sell electricity to the power grid through offtakers. There may be long delays from the initial bid to projects becoming shovel-ready, due to the timing of auctions, permitting and grid
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connectivity process. Between our initial investment in the development of permits for solar projects and their connection to the transmission grid, there may be adverse developments, such as unfavorable environmental or geological conditions, labor strikes, panel shortages or monsoon weather. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain all of the permits as anticipated, permits that were obtained may expire or become ineffective and we may not be able to obtain project level debt financing as anticipated. In addition, the timing gap between our upfront investments and actual generation of revenue, or any added delay in between due to unforeseen events, could put strains on our liquidity and resources, and materially and adversely affect our profitability, results of operations and cash flows.
Solar project development is challenging and our growth strategy may ultimately not be successful, which can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The development and construction of solar projects involve numerous risks and uncertainties and require extensive research, planning and due diligence. We may be required to incur significant capital expenditures for land and interconnection rights, regulatory approvals, preliminary engineering, permits, and legal and other expenses before we can determine whether a solar project is economically, technologically or otherwise feasible.
We intend to expand our business significantly with a number of new projects in both new and existing jurisdictions in the future. As we grow, we expect to encounter additional challenges to our internal processes, external construction management, capital commitment process, project funding infrastructure and financing capabilities. Our existing operations, personnel, systems and internal control may not be adequate to support our growth and expansion and may require us to make additional unanticipated investments in our infrastructure. To manage the future growth of our operations, we will be required to improve our administrative, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls, and maintain, expand, train and manage our growing employee base. We will need to hire and train project development personnel to expand and manage our project development efforts. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities, execute our business strategies successfully or respond to competitive pressures. As a result, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Success in executing our growth strategy is contingent upon, among others:
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accurately prioritizing geographic markets for entry, including estimates on addressable market demand; |
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managing local operational, capital investment or components sourcing in compliance with regulatory requirements; |
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negotiating favorable payment terms with suppliers; |
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collecting economic incentives as expected; and |
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signing PPAs or other arrangements that are commercially acceptable, including adequate financing. |
We may not be able to find suitable sites for the development of solar projects.
Solar projects require solar and geological conditions that are not available in all areas. Further, large, utility scale solar projects must be interconnected to the power grid in order to deliver electricity, which requires us to find suitable sites with capacity on the power grid available. We may encounter difficulties registering certain leasehold interest in such sites. Even when we have identified a desirable site for a solar project, our ability to obtain site control with respect to the site is subject to our ability to finance the transaction and growing competition from other solar power producers that may have better access to local government support or financial or other resources. If we are unable to find or obtain site control for suitable sites on commercially acceptable terms, our ability to develop new solar projects on a timely basis or at all might be harmed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, our
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land leases for projects are typically for 30 to 35 years, but our PPAs are generally for a term of 25 years. If we are not able to sell the power produced by our systems after the initial PPA has expired, our liquidity and financial condition may be harmed.
We face uncertainties in our ability to acquire the rights to develop and generate power from new solar projects due to highly competitive PPA auctions and possible changes in the auction process.
We acquire the rights to develop and generate power from new solar projects through a competitive bidding process, in which we compete for project awards based on, among other things, pricing, technical and engineering expertise, financial conditions, including specified minimum net worth criteria, availability of land, financing capabilities and track record. The bidding and selection process is also affected by a number of factors, including factors which may be beyond our control, such as market conditions or government incentive programs. If we misjudge our competitiveness when submitting our bids or if we fail to lower our costs to submit competitive bids, we may not acquire the rights on new solar projects. Furthermore, we have expected prices for system components to decline as part of our bidding process, and if that does not occur, our project economics may be harmed and we may need greater subsidies to remain economically viable.
In addition, rules of the auction process may change. Each state in India has its own regulatory framework and several states have their own renewable energy policy. The rules governing the various regional power markets may change from time to time, in some cases, in a way that is contrary to our interests and adverse to our financial returns. For example, most national auctions currently use the reverse auction structure, in which several winners take part in the same project. There can be no assurance that the central and state governments will continue to allow us to utilize such bidding structures and any shift away from the current structures, such as to a Dutch auction, could increase the competition and adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.
We face significant competition from traditional and renewable energy companies.
We face significant competition in the markets in which we operate. Our primary competitors are local and international developers and operators of solar projects and other renewable energy sources and including SunEdison, Inc., First Solar, Inc. and ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited. We also compete with utilities generating power from conventional fossil fuels. Recent deregulation of the Indian power sector and increased private sector investment have intensified the competition we face. The Electricity Act, 2003, or the Electricity Act, removed certain licensing requirements for power generation companies, provided for open access to transmission and distribution networks and also facilitated additional capacity generation through captive power projects. These reforms provide opportunities for increased private sector participation in power generation. Specifically, the open access reform enables private power generators to sell power directly to distribution companies and, ultimately, to the end consumers, enhancing the financial viability of private investment in power generation. Competitive bidding for power procurement further increases competition among power generators and recently there have been bids as low as Rs. 4.34 per kilowatt hour. Furthermore, data released by the Central Electricity Authority in June 2016 estimates that India will have surplus power in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, which could lead to greater pricing pressures for energy producers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete effectively, and our failure to do so could result in an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
Furthermore, our competitors may have greater operational, financial, technical, management or other resources than we do and may be able to achieve better economies of scale and lower cost of capital, allowing them to bid in the same auction at more competitive rates. Our competitors may also have a more effective or established localized business presence or a greater willingness or ability to operate with little or no operating margins for sustained periods of time. Our market position depends on our financing, development and operation capabilities, reputation and track record. Any increase in competition during the bidding process or reduction in our competitive capabilities could have a significant adverse impact on our market share and on the margins we generate from our solar projects.
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Our competitors may also enter into strategic alliances or form affiliates with other competitors to our detriment. As our competitors grow in scale, they may establish in-house engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, and operations and maintenance, or O&M, capabilities, which may offset a current advantage we may have over them. Moreover, suppliers or contractors may merge with our competitors which may limit our choices of suppliers or contractors and hence the flexibility of our overall project execution capabilities. For example, some of our competitors may have their own internal solar panel manufacturing capabilities. As the solar energy industry grows and evolves, we will also face new competitors who are not currently in the market. There can be no assurance that our current or potential competitors will not win bids for solar projects or offer services comparable or superior to those that we offer at the same or lower prices or adapt to market demand more quickly than we do. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins and loss of market share.
In addition, we face competition from developers of other renewable energy facilities, including wind, biomass, nuclear and hydropower. If these non-solar renewable sources become more financially viable, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Competition from such producers may increase if the technology used to generate electricity from these other renewable energy sources becomes more sophisticated, or if the Indian government elects to further strengthen its support of such renewable energy sources relative to solar energy. As we also compete with utilities generating power from conventional fossil fuels, a reduction in the price of coal or diesel would make the development of solar energy less economically attractive and we would be at a competitive disadvantage.
Any constraints in the availability of the electricity grid, including our inability to obtain access to transmission lines in a timely and cost-efficient manner, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.
Distributing power to a purchaser is our responsibility. We generally rely on transmission lines and other transmission and distribution facilities that are owned and operated by the respective state governments or public entities. Where we do not have access to available transmission and distribution networks, we may engage contractors to build transmission lines and other related infrastructure. In such a case, we will be exposed to additional costs and risks associated with developing transmission lines and other related infrastructure, such as the ability to obtain right of way from land owners for the construction of our transmission lines, which may delay and increase the costs of our projects. We may not be able to secure access to the available transmission and distribution networks at reasonable prices, in a timely manner or at all.
Further, some of our projects may have limited access to transmission and distribution networks. Indias physical infrastructure, including its electricity grid, is less developed than that of many developed countries. As a result of grid constraints, such as grid congestion and restrictions on transmission capacity of the grid, the transmission and dispatch of the full output of our projects may be curtailed, particularly because we are required to distribute power to customers across long distances from our project sites. We may have to stop producing electricity during the period when electricity cannot be transmitted. Such events could reduce the net power generation of our projects. If construction of renewable energy projects outpaces transmission capacity of electricity grids, we may be dependent on the construction and upgrade of grid infrastructure by the government or public entities. We cannot assure you that the relevant government or public entities will do so in a timely manner, or at all. The curtailment of our power projects output levels will reduce our electricity output and limit operational efficiencies, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
There are a limited number of purchasers of utility scale quantities of electricity, which exposes us and our utility scale projects to risk.
In fiscal year 2015 and 2016, we derived 97.2% and 88.2%, respectively, of our revenue from our top five customers, respectively. Since the transmission and distribution of electricity are either monopolized or highly
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concentrated in most jurisdictions, there are a limited number of possible purchasers for utility scale quantities of electricity in a given geographic location, including transmission grid operators and central and state run utilities. For instance, for projects established pursuant to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, or NSM, solar project developers are required to enter into PPAs with specified implementation agencies. As a result, there is a concentrated pool of potential buyers for electricity generated by our plants and projects, which may restrict our ability to negotiate favorable terms under new PPAs and could impact our ability to find new customers for the electricity generated by our generation facilities should this become necessary.
Furthermore, if the financial condition of these utilities and/or power purchasers deteriorate or the NSM or other solar policy to which they are currently subject and that compel them to source renewable energy supplies change, demand for electricity produced by our plants could be negatively impacted.
Counterparties to our PPAs may not fulfill their obligations, which could result in a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We generate electricity income primarily pursuant to PPAs entered into with central and state government-run utilities. Some of the customers may become subject to insolvency or liquidation proceedings during the term of the relevant contracts, and the credit support received from such customers may not be sufficient to cover our losses in the event of a failure to perform. There may also be delays associated with collection of receivables from government owned or controlled entities on account of the financial condition of these entities that deteriorated significantly in the past. Where we are selling power to non-governmental entities, we take into account the credit ratings assigned by rating agencies and our ability in the past to collect when assessing the counterparties creditworthiness. Governmental entities to which we sell power do not have credit ratings, so there are no credit ratings to consider. For illustrative purposes, Moodys Investor Services Inc. and Standard and Poors Financial Services LLC have rated the Government of India Baa3 and BBB-, respectively. As a result, many of the state governments in India, if rated, would likely rate lower than the Government of India. Although the central and state governments in India have taken steps to improve the liquidity, financial condition and viability of state electricity distribution utility companies, there can be no assurance that the utility companies that are currently our customers will have the resources to pay on time or at all.
In addition, our PPA customers may, for any reason, become unable or unwilling to fulfill their related contractual obligations, refuse to accept delivery of power delivered thereunder or otherwise terminate such agreements prior to the expiration thereof. If such events occur, our assets, liabilities, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. For instance, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited had filed a petition with the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission, seeking recalculation on the basis of actual cash flow required for development of solar projects and consequent revision of the tariff payable by it, in relation to certain solar power projects including our 10MW Gujarat 1 project. While the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity dismissed the claims made by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited, an appeal is pending with the Supreme Court of India.
Furthermore, to the extent any of our customers are, or are controlled by, governmental entities, bringing actions against them to enforce their contractual obligations is often difficult. Also, our facilities may be subject to legislative or other political action that may impair their contractual performance.
Our PPAs may expose us to certain risks that may affect our future results of operations and cash flows.
Our profitability is largely a function of our ability to manage our costs during the terms of our PPAs and operate our power projects at optimal levels. If we are unable to manage our costs effectively or operate our power projects at optimal levels, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. In the event we default in fulfilling our obligations under the PPAs, such as supplying the minimum amount of power specified in some of the PPAs or failing to obtain regulatory approvals, licenses and clearances with respect to our solar projects, we may be liable for penalties and in certain specified events, customers may also terminate
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such PPAs. Further, any failure to supply power from the scheduled commercial operation date may result in encashment of bank guarantees provided by us under the terms of certain PPAs. For instance, in connection with an extension of the date of commissioning of our 50MW project in Karnataka, the customer has reduced its payable tariff under the PPA, pursuant to which we have initiated proceedings before the Karnataka Regulatory Commission appealing such reduction of the tariff. Further, we have also faced a delay in the commissioning of our 10MW project in Punjab and have filed a petition before the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking an extension of the commercial operation date at the same tariff rate as per the PPA. However, we cannot provide assurances that such proceedings will ultimately be decided in our favor. The termination of any of our projects by our customers would adversely affect our reputation, business, results of operations and cash flows.
Under a long-term PPA, we typically sell power generated from a power plant to state distribution companies at pre-determined tariffs. Our PPAs are generally not subject to downward revisions unless we elect to utilize accelerated rate of depreciation or if there is a delay in commissioning our projects, although we have entered into contracts that provide for downward adjustments in the past and may do so in the future. Accordingly, if there is an industry-wide increase in tariffs or if we are seeking an extension of the term of the PPA, we will not be able to renegotiate the terms of the PPA to take advantage of the increased tariffs. In addition, in the event of increased operational costs, we will not have the ability to reflect a corresponding increase in our tariffs. Further, any delay in commissioning projects or supplying electricity during the term of the PPA may result in reduction in tariffs, based on the terms of the PPA. Therefore, the prices at which we supply power may have little or no relationship with the costs incurred in generating power, which may lead to fluctuations in our margins. The above factors all limit our business flexibility, expose us to an increased risk of unforeseen business and industry changes and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
The term of some of our PPAs are also less than the life of the power projects they are tied to. We will need to enter into other offtake agreements, or seek renewals or extensions of the existing PPAs, for the balance of the life of those power projects. Moreover, there are often other restrictions on our ability to, among other things, sell power to third parties and undertake expansion initiatives with other consumers. Failure to enter into or renew offtake arrangements in a timely manner and on terms that are acceptable to us could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows. There could also be negative accounting consequences if we are unable to extend or replace expiring PPAs, including writing down the carrying value of assets at such power project sites.
Additionally, under the PPAs, our remedies in case of delays in payment by our customers may also be limited. For example, certain PPAs only permit us to terminate the PPA on account of non-payment of dues upon 90 days of our inability to recover such dues. Such risks limit our business flexibility, expose us to an increased risk of unforeseen business and industry changes and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, most of the government agencies we enter into PPAs with under the NSM or the relevant state policies require us to agree to their standard form contracts, and we cannot negotiate for commercial terms or other terms of funding that are more favorable to us.
Land title in India can be uncertain and we may not be able to identify or correct defects or irregularities in title to the land which we own, lease or intend to acquire in connection with the development or acquisition of our power projects. Additionally, certain land on which our power projects are located may be subject to onerous conditions which may adversely affect its use.
There is no central title registry for real property in India and the documentation of land records in India has not been fully computerized. Property records in India are generally maintained at the state and district level and in local languages, and are updated manually through physical records. Therefore, property records may not be available online for inspection or updated in a timely manner, may be illegible, untraceable, incomplete or inaccurate in certain respects, or may have been kept in poor condition, which may impede title investigations or
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our ability to rely on such property records. In addition, there may be a discrepancy between the duration of the principal lease under different orders issued by state governments in respect of a particular parcel of revenue land. Furthermore, title to land in India is often fragmented, and in many cases, land may have multiple owners. Title may also suffer from irregularities, such as non-execution or non-registration of conveyance deeds and inadequate stamping, and may be subjected to encumbrances that we are unaware of. Any defects in, or irregularities of, title may result in a loss of development or operating rights over the land, which may prejudice the success of our power projects and require us to write off substantial expenditures in respect of our power projects. For instance, a portion of land leased from the Government of Rajasthan for our projects in Nagaur, Rajasthan, is presently disputed as third parties have sought establishment of mining rights through the Mining Department of the State of Rajasthan. We have filed a petition with the High Court of Rajasthan to disallow such renewal. Presently, the High Court of Rajasthan has issued an injunction over the alleged claims on this land for mining.
Further, improperly executed, unregistered or insufficiently stamped conveyance instruments in a propertys chain of title, unregistered encumbrances in favor of third parties, rights of adverse possessors, ownership claims of family members of prior owners or third parties, or other defects that a purchaser may not be aware of can affect title to a property. As a result, potential disputes or claims over title to the land on which our power projects are or will be constructed, may arise. However, an adverse decision from a court or the absence of an agreement with such third-parties may result in additional costs and delays in the construction and operating phases of any solar projects situated on such land. Also, such disputes, whether resolved in our favor or not, may divert managements attention, harm our reputation or otherwise disrupt our business.
In addition, some properties used for our solar projects are subject to other third-party rights such as right of passage and right to place cables and other equipment on the properties, which may result in certain interferences with our use of the properties. Our rights to the properties used for our solar projects may be challenged by property owners and other third parties for various other reasons as well. For example, we do not always have the exclusive right to use a given site. Any such challenge, if successful, could impair the development or operations of our solar projects on such properties.
Additionally, the power projects that we may develop or acquire in the future may be located on land that may be subject to onerous conditions under the lease agreements through which we acquire rights to use such land and rights of way. Furthermore, the government may exercise its rights of eminent domain, or compulsory acquisition in respect of land on which our projects are or will be located. Any of this may adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows in the future.
A certain portion of the land on which our solar projects are or will be located, are not owned by us. In the event we are unable to purchase the land, or enter into or renew lease agreements, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Some of our solar projects are located, or will be located, on revenue land that is owned by the state governments or on land acquired or to be acquired from private parties. The timeline for transfer of title in the land is dependent on the type of land on which the power projects are, or will be, located, and the policies of the relevant state government in which such land is located. In the case of land acquired from private parties, which is agricultural land, the transfer of such land from agriculturalists to non-agriculturalists such as us and the use of such land for non-agricultural purposes may require an order from the relevant state land or revenue authority allowing such transfer or use. For revenue land, we obtain a lease from the relevant government authority.
We cannot assure you that the outstanding approvals would be received, or that lease or sub-lease deeds would be executed in a timely manner, such that the operation of our solar projects will continue unaffected. In certain cases, any delay in the construction or commissioning of a solar project may result in termination of the lease. Further, the terms of lease and sub-lease agreements may also not be co-terminus with the lifetime of the power projects, taken together with the period of time required for construction and commissioning of the project. Accordingly, we will have to obtain extensions of the terms of such leases and sub-leases for the
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remainder of the terms of the corresponding PPAs. In the event that the relevant state authorities do not wish to renew the lease or sub-lease agreements, we may be forced to remove our equipment at the end of the lease and our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.
If sufficient demand for solar projects does not develop or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
The solar power market is at a relatively early stage of development in many of the markets that we have entered or intend to enter. This is especially true in the rooftop and micro-grid solar markets. The solar energy industry continues to experience improved efficiency and higher electricity output. However, trends in the solar energy industry are based only on limited data and may not be reliable. Many factors may affect the demand for solar projects in India, including:
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fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the viability of conventional and non-solar renewable energy sources; |
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the cost and reliability of solar projects compared to conventional and other renewable energy sources; |
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the availability of grid capacity to dispatch power generated from solar projects; |
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public perceptions of the direct and indirect benefits of adopting renewable energy technology; and |
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regulations and policies governing the electric utility industry that may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar energy. |
If market demand for solar projects fails to develop sufficiently, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to establish and/or maintain our compliance with the local content requirements in certain states, our financial results could be adversely affected.
In some cases, we are required by the central government in national auctions to procure solar panels solely from Indian manufacturers. Certain states or others may, in the future, require us to procure a defined portion of our solar system components from their designated geographical locales. Such requirements are commonly referred to as local content requirements. In order to satisfy these local content requirements, we may need to undertake localization initiatives in such geographical locale. Some of our competitors with more significant capital resources may implement or expedite their own localization efforts in these geographical locale, and those efforts may result in competitive advantages for them. We may be faced with shortages or quality issues if projects we bid on impose local content requirements. Our costs may also be higher as a result of these requirements. Our failure to successfully implement appropriate localization initiatives, or otherwise acquire and maintain the capability to satisfy applicable local content requirements, could result in our losing business to our competitors and/or our breaching the terms of agreements, potentially resulting in damages, including monetary penalties. Depending on the value to us of lost business or the amounts of any contractual penalties, these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
We may incur unexpected expenses if the suppliers of components in our solar projects default in their warranty obligations.
The solar panels, inverters, modules and other system components utilized in our solar projects are generally covered by manufacturers warranties, which are typically for five to 25 years. In the event any such components fail to operate as required, we may be able to make a claim against the applicable warranty to cover all or a portion of the expense or losses associated with the faulty component. However, the warranties may not be sufficient to cover all of our expense and losses. In addition, these suppliers could cease operations and no longer honor the warranties, which would leave us to cover the expense and losses associated with the faulty
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component. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected if we cannot recover the expense and losses associated with the faulty component from these warranty providers.
Our construction activities may be subject to cost overruns or delays.
Construction of our solar projects may be adversely affected by circumstances outside of our control, including inclement weather, adverse geological and environmental conditions, a failure to receive regulatory approvals on schedule or third-party delays in providing supplies and other materials. Changes in project plans or designs, or defective or late execution may increase our costs from our initial estimates and cause delays. Increases in the prices of our materials may increase procurement costs. Labor shortages, work stoppages or labor disputes could significantly delay a project, increase our costs or cause us to breach our performance guarantees under our PPAs, particularly because strikes are not considered a force majeure event under many of our PPAs. Moreover, local political changes and delays, for instance, caused by state and local elections, as well as demonstrations or protests by local communities and special interest groups could result in, or contribute to, project time and cost overruns for us.
In addition, we sometimes utilize and rely on third-party sub-contractors to construct and install portions of our solar projects. If our sub-contractors do not satisfy their obligations or do not perform work that meets our quality standards or if there is a shortage of third-party sub-contractors or if there are labor strikes that interfere with the ability of our employees or contractors to complete their work on time or within budget, we could experience significant delays or cost overruns.
We may not be able to recover any of these losses in connection with construction cost overruns or delays. Certain PPAs require that we connect to the transmission grid by a certain date. If the solar project is significantly delayed, such PPAs may be terminated. In addition, if we are unable to meet our performance guarantees, most of our PPAs require us to pay liquidated damages to the offtaker in proportion to the amount of power not supplied, and also grant the offtaker a right to draw on bank guarantees posted by us, including up to 100% of certain bank guarantees. Also, certain PPAs provide that we are liable for government fines and penalties if we fail to deliver electricity required by the offtakers to meet their RPO requirements. Furthermore, in the case of projects with VGF, which is paid out typically over two to five years, if the project fails to generate power for a long period of time, the government agency can suspend the VGF and demand repayment of previously paid sums.
Any of the contingencies discussed above could lead us to fail to generate our expected return from our solar projects and result in unanticipated and significant revenue and earnings losses.
Operation of power generation facilities involves significant risks and hazards that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We may not have adequate insurance to cover these risks and hazards.
Power generation involves hazardous activities, including delivering electricity to transmission and distribution systems. In addition to natural risks such as earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane and wind, other hazards, such as fire, structural collapse and machinery failure are inherent risks in our operations. These and other hazards can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment and contamination of, or damage to, the environment and suspension of operations. The occurrence of any one of these events may result in our being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, including for environmental cleanup costs, personal injury and property damage and fines and/or penalties. We maintain an amount of insurance protection that we consider adequate but we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject. Furthermore, our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, caps, exclusions and other limitations. A loss for which we are not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Further, due to rising insurance
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costs and changes in the insurance markets, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Maintenance and expansion of power generation facilities involve significant risks that could result in reduced power generation and financial output.
Our facilities may require periodic upgrading and improvement. Any unexpected operational or mechanical failure, including failure associated with breakdowns and forced outages, and any decreased operational or management performance, could reduce our facilities generating capacity below expected levels and reduce our revenues as a result of generating and selling less power. Degradation of the performance of our solar facilities above levels provided for in the related PPAs may also reduce our revenues. Unanticipated capital expenditures associated with maintaining, upgrading or repairing our facilities may also reduce profitability, especially because our costs are fixed in the PPAs and we may not pass through any unexpected costs in relation to the projects to our customers. Furthermore, we are not able to mitigate such project risks by shifting some or all of the risk to a third-party EPC or O&M contractor since we provide these services in-house.
Changes in technology may require us to make additional capital expenditures to upgrade our facilities. The development and implementation of such technology entails technical and business risks and significant costs of employee implementation.
The loss of one or more members of our senior management or key employees may adversely affect our ability to implement our strategy.
Our future success depends on the continued services and performances of the members of our management in our business for project implementations, management and running of our daily operations and the planning and execution of our business strategy. We depend on our experienced management team, and the loss of one or more key executives could have a negative impact on our business. In particular, we are dependent on the services of Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa, and the loss of either, including the loss of Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa as a result of an adverse outcome of the pending litigation against him described in Management could adversely impact our business. We also depend on our ability to retain and motivate key employees and attract qualified new employees. Neither our executive officers nor our key employees are bound by employment agreements for any specific term, and we may be unable to replace key members of our management team and key employees in the event we lose their services. There is intense competition for experienced management personnel with technical and industry expertise in the renewable energy business and if we lose the services of any of these individuals and are unable to find suitable replacements in a timely manner, our ability to realize our strategic objectives could be impaired. Integrating new employees into our management team could prove disruptive to our operations, require substantial resources and management attention and ultimately prove unsuccessful. An inability to attract and retain sufficient managerial personnel who have critical industry experience and relationships could limit or delay our strategic efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The generation of electricity from solar sources depends heavily on suitable meteorological conditions. If solar conditions are unfavorable, our electricity generation, and therefore revenue from our solar projects, may be substantially below our expectations.
The electricity produced and revenues generated by our solar projects are highly dependent on suitable solar conditions and associated weather conditions, which are beyond our control. Furthermore, components of our systems, such as solar panels and inverters, could be damaged by severe weather, such as hailstorms, tornadoes or lightning strikes. We generally will be obligated to bear the expense of repairing the damaged solar energy systems that we own, and replacement and spare parts for key components may be difficult or costly to acquire or
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may be unavailable. Unfavorable weather and atmospheric conditions could impair the effectiveness of our assets or reduce their output beneath their rated capacity or require shutdown of key equipment, impeding operation of our solar assets and our ability to achieve certain performance guarantees pursuant to our PPAs, forecasted revenues and cash flows. Sustained unfavorable weather could also unexpectedly delay the installation of solar energy systems, which could result in a delay in us acquiring new projects or increase the cost of such projects. We guarantee the performance of our solar power plants and could suffer monetary consequences if our plants do not produce to our contracted levels.
We base our investment decisions with respect to each solar project on the findings of related solar studies conducted on-site prior to construction. However, actual climatic conditions at a project site may not conform to the findings of these studies and therefore, our facilities may not meet anticipated production levels or the rated capacity of our generation assets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect our revenue, cost of sales and gross margins and could result in exchange losses.
As the functional currency of our Indian subsidiaries is the Indian rupee, our operating expenses are denominated primarily in Indian rupees. However, some of our capital expenditures, and particularly those for equipment imported from international suppliers, such as solar panels, are denominated in foreign currencies. To the extent that we are unable to match revenue received in our functional currency with costs paid in foreign currencies, exchange rate fluctuations in any such currency could have an adverse effect on our profitability. Substantially all of our cash flows are generated in Indian rupees and, therefore, significant changes in the value of the Indian rupee relative to the other foreign currencies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to meet interest and principal payments on debts. In addition to currency translation risks, we incur currency transaction risks whenever we or one of our projects enter into a purchase or sales transaction using a currency other than the Indian rupee. We expect our future capital expenditures in connection with our proposed expansion plans to include significant expenditures in foreign currencies for imported equipment and machinery.
A significant fluctuation in the Indian rupee and U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rates could therefore have a significant impact on our other results of operations. The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and these currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar, has fluctuated in the past and any appreciation or depreciation of the Indian rupee against these currencies can impact our profitability and results of operations. Our results of operations have been impacted by such fluctuations in the past and may be impacted by such fluctuations in the future. For example, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the U.S. dollar over the past year, which may impact our results of operations in future periods. Such depreciation impacts the value of your investment. Furthermore, we have borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars and, as such, an annual decline in the rupee against the U.S. dollar effectively adds to the functional interest rate of our borrowings. Any amounts we spend in order to hedge the risks to our business due to fluctuations in currencies may not adequately hedge against any losses we incur due to such fluctuations.
The accounting treatment for many aspects of our solar projects is complex and any changes to the accounting interpretations or accounting rules governing our solar projects could have a material adverse effect on our GAAP reported results of operations and financial condition.
The accounting treatment for many aspects of our solar projects is complex, and our future results could be adversely affected by changes in the accounting treatment applicable to our solar projects. In particular, any changes to the accounting rules regarding the following matters may require us to change the manner in which we operate and finance our solar projects:
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foreign loans accounting; |
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derivative contracts; |
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asset retirement obligations; |
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share based compensation; |
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revenue recognition and related timing; |
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accounting for convertible debt and equity instruments; |
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income taxes; |
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foreign holding company tax treatment; |
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regulated operations; and |
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government grants. |
Our international corporate structure and operations require us to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations of the United States government and various non-U.S. jurisdictions. The implementation of compliance procedures and related controls may be time consuming and expensive, and if we are not in compliance with applicable legal requirements, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and other remedial measures.
Following this offering, we will be subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA, which prohibits, in relevant part, U.S. nationals, companies that have securities registered in the U.S. and any officer, director, employee, or agent of such issuer or any shareholder thereof acting on behalf of such issuer from bribing foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment and imposes obligations to keep accurate books and records and maintain appropriate internal controls. We have been and will continue to be subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-facilitation payment legislation in other jurisdictions, which in certain circumstances go beyond the scope of the FCPA rules and regulations, including in India.
The current and future jurisdictions in which we operate our business may have experienced governmental corruption to some degree, and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery and anti-facilitation payment laws may conflict with local customs and practices, which is likely to negatively impact our results of operations. We are currently in the process of developing and implementing formal controls and procedures to ensure that we are in compliance with the FCPA and similar U.S. laws and regulations as well as similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-facilitation payment laws and regulations in non-U.S. jurisdictions. Compliance with these new controls and procedures could make it more difficult for us to obtain timely permits or otherwise complete our projects on schedule in jurisdictions where strict compliance with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices.
Any historic or future violations of these laws, regulations and procedures by our employees, independent contractors, subcontractors and agents could be costly and time-consuming to investigate and expose us to administrative, civil or criminal penalties or fines (including under U.S. and Indian laws and regulations as well as foreign laws). If we were to be investigated for, charged with, or convicted of, violating these laws and regulations, our reputation could be harmed and it could cause some of our investors to sell their interests in our company to be consistent with their internal investment policies or to avoid reputational damage, and some investors might forego the purchase of our equity shares, all of which may negatively impact the trading prices of our equity shares. In addition, any administrative, civil or criminal penalties or fines could have a material adverse effect on our business results of operations and cash flows.
We may become involved in costly and time-consuming litigation and other regulatory proceedings, which require significant attention from our management.
We are not involved in any material litigation, administrative or arbitral proceedings. However, we may, in the ordinary course of our business, become involved in such proceedings. For example, we are, and may become
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subject to additional demands from Indian governmental or tax authorities, including, but not limited to, on account of differing interpretations of central and state tax statutes in India, which are extensive and subject to change from time to time. Changes in regulations or tax policies, or adoption of differing interpretations of existing provisions, and enforcement thereof by governmental, taxation or judicial authorities in India may become the subject of legal proceedings involving us from time to time.
Additionally, claims may be brought against or by us from time to time regarding, for example, defective or incomplete work, defective products, personal injuries or deaths, damage to or destruction of property, breach of warranty, late completion of work, delayed payments, intellectual property rights or regulatory compliance, and may subject us to litigation, arbitration and other legal proceedings, which may be expensive, lengthy, disruptive to normal business operations and require significant attention from our management.
If we were found to be liable on any of the claims against us, we would incur a charge against earnings to the extent a reserve had not been established for coverage. If amounts ultimately realized from the claims by us were materially lower than the balances included in our financial statements, we would incur a charge against earnings to the extent profit had already been accrued. Charges and write-downs associated with such legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. Moreover, legal proceedings, particularly those resulting in judgments or findings against us, may harm our reputation and competitiveness in the market.
Employee shortages and rising employee costs may harm our business and increase our operation costs.
As of May 31, 2016, we employed 347 persons to perform a variety of functions in our daily operations. The low cost workforce in India provides us with a cost advantage. However, we have observed an overall tightening of the employee market and an emerging trend of shortage of skilled labor. Failure to obtain stable and dedicated employee support may cause disruption to our business that harms our operations. Furthermore, employee costs have increased in India in recent years and may continue to increase in the near future. To remain competitive, we may need to increase the salaries of our employees to attract and retain them. Our employee payroll and related costs amounted to US$2.5 million, and US$4.0 million in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, respectively. Any increase in employee costs may harm our operating results, cash flows and financial condition.
The results of the United Kingdoms referendum on withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and our business.
In June 2016, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum. The referendum was advisory, and the terms of any withdrawal are subject to a negotiation period that could last at least two years after the government of the United Kingdom formally initiates a withdrawal process. Nevertheless, the referendum has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, including with respect to the laws and regulations that will apply as the United Kingdom determines which European Union laws to replace or replicate in the event of a withdrawal. The referendum has also given rise to calls for the governments of other European Union member states to consider withdrawal. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global market liquidity and restrict the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict our access to capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and reduce the price of our equity shares.
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Risks Related to Operations in India
Substantially all of our business and operations are located in India and we are subject to regulatory, economic, social and political uncertainties in India.
Substantially all of our business and employees are located in India, and we intend to continue to develop and expand our business in India. Consequently, our financial performance and the market price of our equity shares will be affected by changes in exchange rates and controls, interest rates, changes in government policies, including taxation policies, social and civil unrest and other political, social and economic developments in or affecting India.
An election or a new administration could result in uncertainty in the solar market, which could harm our operations. For example, we saw a slowdown in the solar market in fiscal year 2014 as a result of it leading up to an election year with uncertainty about the level of government support for solar initiatives going forward.
The Indian government has exercised and continues to exercise significant influence over many aspects of the Indian economy. Since 1991, successive Indian governments have generally pursued policies of economic liberalization and financial sector reforms, including by significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the role of the Indian central and state governments in the Indian economy as producers, consumers and regulators has remained significant and we cannot assure you that such liberalization policies will continue. The rate of economic liberalization could change, and specific laws and policies affecting solar power producers, foreign investments, currency exchange rates and other matters affecting investments in India could change as well, including exposure to possible expropriation, nationalization or other governmental actions.
Further, protests against privatizations and government corruption scandals, which have occurred in the past, could slow the pace of liberalization and deregulation. A significant change in Indias policy of economic liberalization and deregulation or any social or political uncertainties could significantly harm business and economic conditions in India generally and our business and prospects.
The extent and reliability of Indian infrastructure could significantly harm our results of operations, cash flows and financial conditions.
Indias physical infrastructure is less developed than that of many developed nations. Any congestion or disruption with respect to communication systems or any public facility, including transportation infrastructure, could disrupt our normal business activity. Any deterioration of Indias physical infrastructure would harm the national economy, disrupt the transportation of people, goods and supplies, and add costs to doing business in India. These disruptions could interrupt our business operations and significantly harm our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. For the risk of congestion or disruption with respect to Indias electricity grid and transmission lines, see Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry Any constraints in the availability of the electricity grid, including our inability to obtain access to transmission lines in a timely and cost-efficient manner, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.
A slowdown in economic growth in India could cause our business to suffer.
Since inception, all of our revenue has been derived directly from sales by AZI and its various other subsidiaries in India. In addition, the CIA World Factbook estimates that consumer inflation in India was approximately 10% in 2013 and approximately 8% in 2014. The performance and growth of our business are necessarily dependent on economic conditions prevalent in India, which may be significantly harmed by political instability or regional conflicts, a general rise in interest rates, inflation and economic slowdown elsewhere in the world or otherwise. The Indian economy also remains largely driven by the performance of the agriculture sector which depends on the quality of monsoon, which is difficult to predict. Although the Indian economy has continued to grow in the past few years, any future slowdown in the Indian economy or a further increase in inflation could have a material adverse effect on the demand for power and, as a result, on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Indias trade relationships with other countries and its trade deficit may significantly harm Indian economic conditions. If trade deficits increase or are no longer manageable because of an unexpected rise in global crude oil prices or otherwise, the Indian economy, and therefore our business, our financial performance and the price of our equity shares could be significantly harmed.
India also faces major challenges in sustaining its growth, which include the need for substantial infrastructure development and improving access to healthcare and education. If Indias economic growth cannot be sustained or otherwise slows down significantly, our business and prospects could be significantly harmed.
Stringent labor laws may harm our ability to have flexible human resource policies and labor union problems could negatively affect our processing capacity, construction schedules, cash flows and overall profitability.
India has stringent labor legislation that protects the interests of workers, including legislation that sets forth detailed procedures for dispute resolution and employee removal, imposes financial obligations on employers upon employee layoffs and regulates contract labor. These laws may restrict our ability to have human resource policies that would allow us to react swiftly to the needs of our business, discharge employees or downsize. We may also experience labor unrest in the future, which may delay our construction schedules or disrupt our operations. If such delays or disruptions occur or continue for a prolonged period of time, our processing capacity and overall profitability could be negatively affected. We also depend on third party contract labor. It is possible under Indian law that we may be held responsible for wage payments to these laborers if their contractors default on payment. We may be held liable for any non-payment by contractors and any such order or direction from a court or any other regulatory authority may harm our business, results of our operations and cash flows.
Foreign investment laws in India includes certain restrictions, which may affect our future acquisitions or investments in India.
India regulates ownership of Indian companies by non-residents, although some restrictions on foreign investment have been relaxed in recent years. Under current Indian regulations, transfers of shares between non-residents and residents are permitted (subject to certain exceptions) if they comply with, among other things, the guidelines specified by the Reserve Bank of India in relation to pricing and valuation of such shares and certain reporting requirements for such transactions specified by the Reserve Bank of India. If the transfer of shares is not in compliance with such pricing guidelines or reporting requirements, or falls under any of the exceptions specified by the Reserve Bank of India, the prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India will be required before any such transfer may be consummated. We may not be able to obtain any required approval from the Reserve Bank of India or any other Indian regulatory authority on any particular terms or at all.
For example, under its consolidated foreign direct investment policy, the Indian government has set out additional requirements for foreign investments in India, including requirements with respect to downstream investments by Indian companies owned or controlled by non-resident entities and the transfer of ownership or control, from resident Indian persons or entities to non-residents, of Indian companies in sectors with limits on foreign investment. As substantially all of AZIs equity shares will continue to be directly held by Azure Power Global Limited, it would be considered an entity owned and controlled by non-residents under applicable Indian laws. Accordingly, any downstream investment by Azure Power Global Limited into another Indian company will have to be in compliance with conditions applicable to such Indian entity, in accordance with the consolidated foreign direct investment policy. There are guidelines in relation to pricing and valuation of shares and restrictions on sources of funding for such investments. While these guidelines currently do not materially limit our planned investments in our Indian subsidiaries, to the extent they become more restrictive, they may restrict our ability to make further equity investments in India, including through Azure Power Global Limited.
Further, Indias Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder prohibit us from borrowing from our Indian subsidiaries. We are permitted to lend to our
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Indian subsidiaries subject to compliance with Indias policy on external commercial borrowings as notified by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time, which specifies certain conditions, including in relation to eligible lenders and borrowers, permitted end use and limits on the all-in-cost.
Changing laws, rules and regulations and legal uncertainties, including adverse application of corporate and tax laws, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
The regulatory and policy environment in which we operate is evolving and subject to change. Such changes, including the instances mentioned below, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects, to the extent that we are unable to suitably respond to and comply with any such changes in applicable law and policy.
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The notified provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, together with the rules thereunder, or the Companies Act, contain significant changes to Indian company law, including in relation to the issue of capital by companies, related party transactions, corporate governance, audit matters, shareholder class actions and restrictions on the number of layers of subsidiaries. The Companies Act has also introduced certain additional requirements, including the introduction of a provision allowing the initiation of class action suits in India against companies by shareholders or depositors, a restriction on investment by an Indian company through more than two layers of subsidiary investment companies (subject to certain permitted exceptions), and prohibitions on advances to directors. Moreover, effective April 1, 2014, companies exceeding certain net worth, revenue or profit thresholds are required to spend at least 2% of average net profits from the immediately preceding three fiscal years on corporate social responsibility projects, failing which an explanation is required to be provided in such companies annual reports. Further, the Companies Act imposes greater monetary and other liability on Indian companies, their directors and officers for any non-compliance of its requirements. We may incur increased costs and other burdens to interpret and ensure our compliance with these new requirements, which may also require significant management time and other resources. Any failure to comply may also adversely affect our business and results of operations. |
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The Companies Act also requires auditors to report on the adequacy and operating effectiveness of the internal financial controls over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016. The implementation of an internal financial control framework and related controls may be time consuming and expensive, and if a deficiency in our controls is identified, we may report material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting which may reduce the reliability of our financial reporting, harm investor confidence in our company and affect the value of our equity shares. |
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The Indian government has proposed a comprehensive national goods and services tax that will combine taxes and levies by the central and state governments into a unified rate structure. In this regard, a bill has been introduced and is pending approval of the Indian Parliament. While the central and state governments have announced that all committed incentives will be protected following the implementation of the goods and services tax, given the limited availability of information in the public domain concerning the goods and services tax, we are unable to provide any assurance as to this or any other aspect of the tax regime following implementation of the goods and services tax. These amendments may affect the overall tax efficiency of companies operating in India and may result in significant additional taxes becoming payable. |
We have not determined the impact of these recent and proposed legislations on our business. Uncertainty in the applicability, interpretation or implementation of any amendment to, or change in, governing law, regulation or policy in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including by reason of an absence, or a limited body, of administrative or judicial precedent may be time consuming as well as costly for us to resolve and may impact the viability of our current business or restrict our ability to grow our business in the future.
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Natural calamities could have a negative impact on the Indian economy and adversely affect our business and project operations.
India has experienced natural calamities such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and drought in the past few years. In December 2004, Southeast Asia, including both the eastern and western coasts of India, experienced a massive tsunami, and in October 2005, the State of Jammu and Kashmir experienced an earthquake, both of which events caused significant loss of life and property damage. In June 2013, the state of Uttarakhand in northern India experienced widespread floods and landslides. Similarly, in December 2015, some regions in South India were severely impacted by floods. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determines their impact on the Indian economy. If climatic conditions or natural disasters occur in areas where our solar projects and project teams are located, project development, connectivity to the power grid and the provision of O&M services may be adversely affected. In particular, materials may not be delivered as scheduled and labor may not be available. Substantially all of our operations and employees are located in India and there can be no assurance that we will not be adversely affected by natural disasters in the future.
In recent years, certain regions of the world, including India, have experienced outbreaks of swine flu caused by the H1N1 virus. Any future outbreak of swine flu or other health epidemics, such as the outbreak of the Ebola virus, may restrict the level of business activity in affected areas which could adversely affect our business.
Terrorist acts and other acts of violence involving India or other neighboring countries could significantly harm our operations directly, or may result in a more general loss of customer confidence and reduced investment in these countries that causes significant harm to our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war involving India or other neighboring countries may significantly harm the Indian markets and the worldwide financial markets. The occurrence of any of these events may result in a loss of business confidence, which could potentially lead to economic recession and generally cause significant harm to our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In addition, any deterioration in international relations may result in investor concern regarding regional stability, which could decrease the price of our equity shares.
South Asia has also experienced instances of civil unrest and hostilities among neighboring countries from time to time. There have also been incidents in and near India such as terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Delhi and on the Indian Parliament, troop mobilizations along the India and Pakistan border and an aggravated geopolitical situation in the region. Such military activity or terrorist attacks in the future could significantly harm the Indian economy by disrupting communications and making travel more difficult. Resulting political tensions could create a greater perception that investments in Indian companies involve a high degree of risk. Furthermore, if India were to become engaged in armed hostilities, particularly hostilities that were protracted or involved the threat or use of nuclear weapons, we might not be able to continue our operations. Our insurance policies for a certain part of our business do not cover terrorist attacks or business interruptions from terrorist attacks or for other reasons.
Risks Related to Investments in Mauritian Companies
As our shareholder, you may have greater difficulties in protecting your interests than as a shareholder of a United States corporation.
We are incorporated under the laws of Mauritius. The laws generally applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders may provide shareholders of United States corporations with rights and protection for which there may be no corresponding or similar provisions under the Companies Act 2001 of Mauritius, as amended, or the Mauritius Companies Act. As such, if you invest in our equity shares, you may or may not be accorded the same level of shareholder rights and protection that a shareholder of a United States
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corporation may be accorded under the laws generally applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Taken together with the provisions of our constitution, which we expect to adopt with effect upon completion of this offering, or Constitution, some of these differences may result in your having greater difficulties in protecting your interests as our shareholder than you would have as a shareholder of a United States corporation. This affects, among other things, the circumstances under which transactions involving an interested director are voidable, whether an interested director can be held accountable for any benefit realized in a transaction with us, what rights you may have as a shareholder to enforce specified provisions of the Mauritius Companies Act or our Constitution, and the circumstances under which we may indemnify our directors and officers.
We may become subject to unanticipated tax liabilities that may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are a Mauritius Category 1 Global Business Company, or GBC1, and are tax resident in Mauritius. The Income Tax Act 1995 of Mauritius imposes a tax in Mauritius on the chargeable income of our company at the rate of 15%. However, under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996 of Mauritius, subject to the Income Tax Act 1995 and the regulations under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, credit is allowed for foreign tax on the foreign source income of a resident of Mauritius against Mauritius tax computed by reference to the same income, and where credit is allowed against Mauritius tax chargeable in respect of any income, the amount of Mauritius tax so chargeable shall be reduced by the amount of the credit. Under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, foreign source income means income which is not derived from Mauritius and includes in the case of a corporation holding a GBC1 license, under the Financial Services Act 2007 of Mauritius, income derived in the course of a global business. Subject to the provisions of the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, no credit is allowed in respect of foreign tax unless written evidence is presented to the Mauritius Revenue Authority showing the amount of foreign tax which has been charged and for this purpose, written evidence includes a receipt of the relevant authorities of the foreign country for the foreign tax or any other evidence that the foreign tax has been deducted or paid to the relevant authorities of that country. However, pursuant to regulation 8 of the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, if written evidence is not presented to the Mauritius Revenue Authority showing the amount of foreign tax charged on our companys foreign source income, the amount of foreign tax shall nevertheless be conclusively presumed to be equal to 80% of the Mauritius tax chargeable with respect to that income and in such circumstance, the effective tax rate in Mauritius on our companys chargeable income would be 3%.
Following amendments to the Financial Services Act 2007 of Mauritius pursuant to the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 in December 2010, Mauritius companies holding a GBC1 issued by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius are permitted to conduct business both in and outside Mauritius (instead of outside Mauritius only). The operations of a GBC1 company in Mauritius will be subject to tax on chargeable income at the rate of 15% in Mauritius.
We hold tax residence certificates issued by the Mauritius Revenue Authority. We believe that a significant portion of the income derived from our operations will not be subject to tax in countries in which we conduct activities or in which our customers are located, other than Mauritius and India. However, this belief is based on the anticipated nature and conduct of our business, which may change. It is also based on our understanding of our position under the tax laws of the countries in which we have assets or conduct activities. This position is subject to review and possible challenge by taxing authorities and to possible changes in law that may have retroactive effect. Our results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected if we become subject to a significant amount of unanticipated tax liabilities.
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Anti-takeover provisions in our constitutional documents and under Mauritius law could make an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to our shareholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management and limit the market price of our equity shares.
Provisions in our Constitution may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control or changes in our management. Our Constitution includes the following provisions which may be regarded as defensive measures:
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a staggered board of directors; |
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the ability to issue additional equity shares (including blank check preferred stock); |
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granting directors the absolute discretion to decline to register a transfer of any shares; |
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requiring that amendments to our Constitution be approved by a special resolution of the shareholders of our company; and |
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limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers. |
These provisions may restrict or prevent any attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for shareholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management team. The provisions could also deprive our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions.
Risks Related to Our Equity Shares and This Offering
We have had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in the past. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results and investor confidence in our company and the market price of the equity shares may be adversely affected.
We will be required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in the second annual report we file with the SEC. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. However, our auditors will not be required to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until we are no longer an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, if we take advantage of the exemptions available to us through the JOBS Act. We are in the very early stages of the costly and challenging process of compiling the documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404.
In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness related to our financial statement close process and the lack of sufficient financial accounting and reporting expertise commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a companys annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Although we have remediated the material weakness described above as of March 31, 2016, there can be no assurance that such controls will effectively prevent material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in future periods. We may experience control deficiencies or material weakness in the future, which could adversely impact the accuracy and timeliness of our future reporting and reports and filings we make with the SEC. If, in the future, we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an
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ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on the accuracy, timeliness and reliability of our financial reporting, which could in turn, have a negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations as well as the price of our publicly traded securities.
You may have difficulty enforcing judgments against us, our directors and management.
We are incorporated under the laws of Mauritius. Further, we conduct substantially all of our operations in India through our key operating subsidiary in India. The majority of our directors and officers, and some of the experts named in this prospectus, reside outside the United States, and a majority of our assets and some or all of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the United States upon us or those persons, or to recover against us or them on judgments of United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. An award of punitive damages under a United States court judgment based upon United States federal securities laws is likely to be construed by Mauritian and Indian courts to be penal in nature and therefore unenforceable in both Mauritius and India. Further, no claim may be brought in Mauritius or India against us or our directors and officers in the first instance for violation of United States federal securities laws because these laws have no extraterritorial application under Mauritian or Indian law and do not have force of law in Mauritius or India. However, a Mauritian or Indian court may impose civil liability, including the possibility of monetary damages, on us or our directors and officers if the facts alleged in a complaint constitute or give rise to a cause of action under Mauritian or Indian law. Moreover, it is unlikely that a court in Mauritius or India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action were brought in Mauritius or India or that a Mauritian or Indian court would enforce foreign judgments if it viewed the amount of damages as excessive or inconsistent with Mauritius or Indian practice or public policy.
The courts of Mauritius or India would not automatically enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against us or our directors and officers, or some of the experts named herein, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws, or entertain actions brought in Mauritius or India against us or such persons predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws. Further, there is no treaty in effect between the United States and Mauritius providing for the enforcement of judgments of United States courts in civil and commercial matters and the United States has not been declared by the Indian government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of enforcement of foreign judgments, and there are grounds upon which Mauritian or Indian courts may decline to enforce the judgments of United States courts. Some remedies available under the laws of United States jurisdictions, including remedies available under the United States federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Mauritian or Indian courts if contrary to public policy in Mauritius or India. Because judgments of United States courts are not automatically enforceable in Mauritius or India, it may be difficult for you to recover against us or our directors and officers or some experts named in this prospectus based upon such judgments. In India, prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India is required in order to repatriate any amount recovered pursuant to such judgments. See Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.
We do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our equity shares.
We have not paid dividends on any of our equity shares to date and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our equity shares are likely to be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. Consequently, in the foreseeable future, you will likely only experience a gain from your investment in our equity shares if the price of our equity shares increases.
In addition, our ability and decisions whether to pay dividends in the future will depend on our earnings, financial condition and capital requirements. Dividends to U.S. holders may be negatively affected by foreign currency fluctuations. We may not generate sufficient income to cover our operating expenses and pay dividends
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to our shareholders, or at all. Our ability to pay dividends also could be restricted under financing arrangements that we may enter into in the future and we may be required to obtain the approval of lenders in the event we are in default of our repayment obligations. We may be unable to pay dividends in the near or medium term, and our future dividend policy will depend on our capital requirements, financing arrangements, results of operations and financial condition. Dividends distributed by us will attract dividend distribution tax at rates applicable from time to time. See Dividends and Dividend Policy for further information.
Our holding company will have to rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our operating subsidiaries and limitations on their ability to pay dividends to us could adversely impact your ability to receive dividends on our equity shares.
Since we cannot borrow from our Indian subsidiaries, dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our operating subsidiaries will be our principal source for cash in order for us to fund our operations including corporate expenses. While we will retain $5.0 million from the proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, this may not be sufficient to fund our operations. Accordingly, we may need to issue additional equity or borrow funds, either of which may be unavailable on attractive terms, if at all.
If our operating subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to our holding company. As our key operating subsidiary is established in India, it is also subject to certain limitations with respect to dividend payments. As of the date of this prospectus, AZI has not paid any cash dividends on its equity shares and does not intend to pay dividends to its equity shareholders, including Azure Power Global Limited, in the foreseeable future. Moreover, upon completion of this offering, we will not own 100% of AZI and therefore any dividend payment made by AZI to us will also involve a payment to the other shareholders of AZI, including the Founders.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will, follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain requirements applicable to U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our equity shares.
As a foreign private issuer who has applied for listing of our equity shares on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements. A foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the SEC, each NYSE requirement with which it does not comply followed by a description of its applicable home country practice. As a company incorporated in Mauritius and which expects to be listed on the NYSE, we may follow our home country practice with respect to the composition of our board of directors and nominations committee and executive sessions. Unlike the requirements of the NYSE, the corporate governance practice and requirements in Mauritius do not require us as a GBC1 to have the majority of our board of directors be independent; do not require us as a GBC1 to establish a nominations committee; and do not require us to hold regular executive sessions where only independent directors shall be present. Such Mauritian home country practices may afford less protection to holders of our equity shares than would be available to the shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
If we cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer, we would be required to comply fully with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, and we would incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we would not incur as a foreign private issuer.
We expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer upon the closing of this offering. As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from a number of rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including the furnishing and content of proxy statements, compliance with the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act applicable to executive officers, directors and principal shareholders. We will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as
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promptly as U.S. domestic issuers, and we will not be required to disclose in our periodic reports all of the information that U.S. domestic issuers are required to disclose. While we currently expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer immediately following the closing of this offering, we may cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer in the future. If we do not qualify as a foreign private issuer, we will be required to comply fully with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, and we will incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we would not incur as a foreign private issuer.
For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements that apply to other public companies.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, enacted on April 5, 2012. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of certain exemptions from reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These include: (1) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) not being required to comply with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditors report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (3) not being required to comply with any new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise, and (4) not being required to provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years from the end of our current fiscal year, although, if the market value of our equity shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of any September 30 before the end of that five-year period, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following April 1. We cannot predict if investors will find our equity shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our equity shares less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our equity shares and our share price may be more volatile. Further, as a result of these scaled regulatory requirements, our disclosure may be more limited than that of other public companies and you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of such companies.
You may be subject to Indian taxes on income arising through the sale of our equity shares.
Pursuant to recent amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended, income arising directly or indirectly through the sale of a capital asset, including any share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India, will be liable to tax in India, if such share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from assets (whether tangible or intangible) located in India and whether or not the seller of such share or interest has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India. The share or interest of the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India is deemed to derive its value substantially from the assets located in India if the value of such Indian assets exceeds Rs. 100 million and represents at least 50% of the value of all the assets owned by the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India. Substantially all of our assets are located in India.
However, if the transferor of share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India (along with its associated enterprises), neither holds the right of management or control in the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India nor holds voting power or share capital or interest exceeding 5% of the total voting power or total share capital or interest in the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India, at any time during the twelve months preceding the date of transfer, such small shareholders are exempt from the indirect transfer provisions mentioned above. The amendments also do not deal with the interplay between the amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended, and the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements that India has entered into with countries such as the United States in case of an indirect transfer. Accordingly, the implications of the recent amendments are presently unclear. If it is determined that these amendments apply to a holder of our equity shares, such holder could be liable to pay taxes in India on such income.
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An active trading market for our equity shares may not develop and the trading price of our equity shares may fluctuate significantly.
Before this initial public offering, there was no public market for our equity shares. If an active public market for our equity shares does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our equity shares may be adversely affected. We cannot guarantee that a liquid public market for our equity shares will develop or be sustained after this offering.
The initial public offering price of our equity shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market following this offering. You may not be able to resell your equity shares at a price that is attractive to you. In addition, the market price of our equity shares could fluctuate significantly after this offering. In recent years, the stock market has experienced significant volatility. These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our equity shares to fluctuate significantly, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their equity shares and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our equity shares. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our shareholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from other business concerns.
Because the public offering price is substantially higher than our book value per equity share, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.
The initial public offering price per equity share is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per equity share prior to this offering. Accordingly, if you purchase our equity shares in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately in the net tangible book value per equity share from the price you pay for our equity shares, representing the difference between (1) the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share (the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth in the front cover of this prospectus) and (2) the pro forma net tangible book value per equity share of US$ on March 31, 2016 after giving effect to this offering. For more information, see Dilution.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our equity shares could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our equity shares in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our equity shares and could materially impair our future ability to raise capital through offerings of our equity shares.
We will have equity shares outstanding immediately after this offering or equity shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares in full. Further, although certain of our share option holders are subject to restrictions on selling shares acquired upon the exercise of options, the majority of the options granted under our equity option plan will continue to be exercisable following the completion of this offering. All of the equity shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, unless held by our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Subject to the 180-day lock-up restrictions described below and other applicable restrictions and limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, all of our shares outstanding prior to this offering will be eligible for sale in the public market. If these shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our equity shares could decline.
In connection with this offering, we have agreed, subject to some exceptions, not to sell any equity shares for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the written consent of the underwriters. However, the underwriters may release these equity shares from these lock-up restrictions at any time. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of equity shares held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these equity shares for future sale will have on the market price of our equity shares.
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If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about us, our business or our market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our equity shares adversely, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our equity shares is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If any of the analysts who cover us or may cover us in the future change their recommendation regarding our stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, our stock price would likely decline. If any analyst who covers us or may cover us in the future were to cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Future issuances of any equity securities may cause a dilution in your shareholding, decrease the trading price of our equity shares, and restrictions agreed to as part of debt financing arrangements may place restrictions on our operations.
Any issuance of equity securities after this offering could dilute the interests of our shareholders and could substantially decrease the trading price of our equity shares. We may issue equity or equity-linked securities in the future for a number of reasons, including to finance our operations and business strategy (including in connection with acquisitions and other transactions), to adjust our ratio of debt to equity, to satisfy our obligations upon the exercise of then-outstanding options or other equity-linked securities, if any, or for other reasons. Issuance of such additional securities may significantly dilute the equity interests of investors in this offering who will not have pre-emptive rights with respect to such an issuance, subordinate the rights of holders of equity shares if preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded to our equity shares, or harm prevailing market prices for our equity shares.
Management will have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds to be received by us from this offering.
Our allocation of the net proceeds to be received by AZI after the share subscription is based on current plans and business conditions. The amounts and timing of any expenditure will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations and our success in future auctions. Accordingly, our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our results of operations or increase our share price. The net proceeds from this offering, pending investment in operating assets or solar projects, may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value, which will cause the price of our equity shares to decline.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to certain U.S. investors of our equity shares.
A non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. We do not expect to be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year or future taxable years. However, our PFIC status is a factual determination made after the close of each taxable year that will depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets, and thus, there can be no assurance that we will not be treated as a PFIC in our current taxable year or future taxable years. See Taxation U.S. Federal Income Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company.
47
This prospectus contains forward looking statements about our current expectations and views of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus, including statements about our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and future megawatt goals of management, are forward looking statements. These statements relate to events that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under Risk Factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. In some cases, these forward looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, potential, continue, is/are likely to or other similar expressions.
These forward looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward looking statements because of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set forth in Risk Factors and the following:
|
the pace of government sponsored auctions; |
|
changes in auction rules; |
|
the governments willingness to enforce Renewable Purchase Obligations, or RPOs; |
|
permitting, development and construction of our project pipeline according to schedule; |
|
solar radiation in the regions in which we operate; |
|
developments in, or changes to, laws, regulations, governmental policies, incentives and taxation affecting our operations; |
|
adverse changes or developments in the industry in which we operate; |
|
our ability to maintain and enhance our market position; |
|
our ability to successfully implement any of our business strategies; |
|
our ability to enter into power purchasing agreements, or PPAs, on acceptable terms, the occurrence of any event that may expose us to certain risks under our PPAs and the willingness and ability of counterparties to our PPAs to fulfill their obligations; |
|
our ability to borrow additional funds and access capital markets, as well as our substantial indebtedness and the possibility that we may incur additional indebtedness going forward; |
|
our ability to establish and operate new solar projects; |
|
our ability to compete against traditional and renewable energy companies; |
|
the loss of one or more members of our senior management or key employees; |
|
political and economic conditions in India; |
|
material changes in the costs of solar panels and other equipment required for our operations; |
|
fluctuations in inflation, interest rates and exchange rates; and |
|
other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the caption Risk Factors. |
The forward looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
48
or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect.
This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates, including those relating to the solar industry and our competition from market research, analyst reports and other publicly available sources. These publications include forward looking statements being made by the authors of such reports. These forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements.
49
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ million. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial offering price of US$ per equity share, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts, commissions and aggregate offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional equity shares and no other change to the number of equity shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by US$ million. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of equity shares by the selling shareholder.
We intend to use US$ million to fund the purchase by Azure Power Global Limited of equity shares to be issued by AZI, which will occur contemporaneously with the completion of this offering. Approximately US$5.0 million will be retained by Azure Power Global Limited to fund its future operating expenses. To the extent the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares, the net proceeds from the sale of the additional equity shares will be used to purchase additional equity shares of AZI. See Prospectus Summary Corporate Structure. Net proceeds of US$ to be received by AZI pursuant to such purchase are intended to be used for project development, working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.
The foregoing use of our net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. The amounts and timing of any expenditure will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations and our success at solar auctions. Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds we will receive from this offering. Depending on future events and other changes in the business climate, we may determine at a later time to use the net proceeds for different purposes.
Pending the use of the net proceeds, AZI intends to hold the proceeds from the purchase of its equity shares by Azure Power Global Limited in short-term, interest-bearing debt instruments or demand deposits.
50
The consolidated financial statements and other financial data included in this prospectus of Azure Power Global Limited are presented in Indian rupees. Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional currency is Indian rupees. The functional currencies of AZIs subsidiaries are their respective local country currencies. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies of AZIs subsidiaries into Indian rupees is performed for balance sheet accounts using the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet date except for shareholders equity and preferred shares, which are translated at the historical rates in effect at the dates of the underlying transactions. Revenue, expense and cash flow items are translated using average exchange rates for the respective period.
U.S. dollar balances have been translated from Indian rupee amounts solely for the convenience of the readers. The following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, the low, average, high and period-end noon buying rates in The City of New York for cable transfers, in Indian rupees per U.S. dollar, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements or elsewhere in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you. We make no representation that any Indian rupee or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Indian rupees, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Indian Rupees per
U.S. Dollar Noon Buying Rate |
||||||||||||||||
Period |
Period End | Average(1) | Low | High | ||||||||||||
2010 |
44.80 | 45.58 | 43.90 | 47.49 | ||||||||||||
2011 |
53.01 | 46.86 | 44.00 | 53.71 | ||||||||||||
2012 |
54.86 | 53.41 | 48.65 | 57.13 | ||||||||||||
2013 |
61.92 | 58.91 | 52.99 | 68.80 | ||||||||||||
2014 |
63.04 | 61.21 | 58.30 | 63.67 | ||||||||||||
2015: |
||||||||||||||||
September |
65.50 | 66.17 | 65.50 | 66.70 | ||||||||||||
October |
65.40 | 65.03 | 64.70 | 65.57 | ||||||||||||
November |
66.43 | 66.10 | 65.46 | 66.86 | ||||||||||||
December |
66.19 | 66.50 | 66.00 | 67.10 | ||||||||||||
2016: |
||||||||||||||||
January |
67.87 | 67.33 | 66.49 | 68.68 | ||||||||||||
February |
68.21 | 68.24 | 67.57 | 68.84 | ||||||||||||
March |
66.25 | 66.89 | 66.25 | 67.75 | ||||||||||||
April |
66.39 | 66.42 | 66.05 | 66.70 | ||||||||||||
May |
66.96 | 66.88 | 66.36 | 67.59 | ||||||||||||
June (through June 6, 2016) |
66.99 | 67.22 | 66.99 | 67.44 |
(1) | Averages for a period other than one month are calculated by using the average of the noon buying rate at the end of each month during the period. Monthly averages are calculated by using the average of the daily noon buying rates during the relevant month. |
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release.
51
Since our incorporation, no dividends have been declared or paid on our equity shares. We currently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the development and growth of our business and operations as well as expand our business and do not currently anticipate paying dividends on our equity shares in the near future.
Under Mauritius law, we may only pay dividends out of retained earnings, after having made good any accumulated losses at the beginning of the relevant accounting period and no distribution (which includes dividends) may be made unless our board of directors is satisfied that upon the distribution being made, our company is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of business and the value of our companys assets is greater than the sum of the value of its liabilities and our companys stated capital (which refers to the total of all amounts received by our company or due and payable to our company in respect of the nominal paid-up value of our issued shares and share premiums paid to our company in relation to such shares). Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and our constitution, which we expect to adopt with effect upon completion of this offering, the declaration and payment of any dividend has to be authorized by our board of directors and is subject to the approval of our shareholders. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, cash flows, capital requirements, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors which our directors may deem relevant. We expect that cash dividends, if any, will be paid to U.S. holders in U.S. dollars. Other distributions, if any, will be made to our shareholders by any means which our directors deem fair, legal and practicable. Any dividend or distribution out of retained earnings unclaimed for a period of six years from the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution shall be forfeited and shall revert to us and the payment by our board of directors of any unclaimed dividend, distribution, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of the share into a separate account shall not constitute us a trustee in respect thereof.
As we are a holding company, we will have to rely on dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries (in particular, our key operating subsidiary in India, AZI) for our cash requirements, including funds to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, service any debt we may incur and pay our operating expenses. Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders will depend on, among other things, the availability of dividends from AZI.
As of the date of this prospectus, AZI has not paid any cash dividends on its equity shares and does not intend to pay dividends to its equity shareholders, including Azure Power Global Limited, in the foreseeable future. Even if we decide it should, since we will not own all of AZI following the consummation of this offering and the use of the proceeds therefrom, we will not receive all of the dividends paid by AZI. Rather, we will receive a dividend in proportion to our ownership interest in AZI, which will be approximately % following consummation of this offering, assuming an offer price of the midpoint of the estimated price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus. The Founders will receive the balance of any dividend paid by AZI.
Dividends other than in cash are not permitted under Indian law. The declaration and payment of any dividends in the future will be recommended by the board of directors of AZI and approved by the shareholders of AZI at their discretion and would depend on a number of factors, including its financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and surplus, profits, contractual obligations, applicable Indian legal restrictions, the provisions of its articles of association, restrictive covenants under the terms of its credit facilities and other financing arrangements at the time a dividend is considered, and other factors considered relevant by the board of directors. AZI would be required to pay dividend distribution tax in India at 17.304% on the total amount distributed as a dividend as grossed up by the amount of such dividend distribution tax.
52
In accordance with the Companies Act, and the rules framed thereunder, an Indian company is permitted to declare or pay dividends in any year only in cash and out of profits for that year after providing for depreciation, in the manner prescribed. In the event of inadequacy or absence of profits in a particular year, dividends may be paid out of the accumulated profits of the company (after providing for depreciation) which remain undistributed and transferred to the companys free reserves, subject to the following conditions:
|
the rate of dividend declared does not exceed the average of the rates at which declared by the company in the preceding three years (except where no dividends have been declared in each of the preceding three years); |
|
the total amount drawn up from the accumulated profits does not exceed 1/10 th of the sum of the companys paid-up share capital and free reserves, as indicated in its latest audited financial statements; |
|
the amount drawn up from the accumulated profits is first utilized to set-off the losses incurred in the fiscal year in which the dividend is proposed to be declared; and |
|
the balance of reserves after such withdrawal does not fall below 15% of the companys paid-up share capital, as indicated in its latest audited financial statements. |
53
The following table sets forth our capitalization on a consolidated basis as of March 31, 2016 on:
|
an actual basis, which excludes equity shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average price of Rs. (US$ ) per share under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan and reflects the effectiveness of a -for- stock split of our equity shares; |
|
a pro forma basis to reflect the conversion of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into an aggregate of equity shares based on an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus; and |
|
a pro forma as adjusted basis to further reflect the following transactions that will occur substantially contemporaneously with the completion of this offering: |
|
our sale of equity shares by us in this offering and our receipt of the estimated net proceeds from such issuance and sale in this offering, each based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, as if such transactions had occurred on March 31, 2016; and |
|
the share subscription by Azure Power Global Limited of additional shares of AZI with substantially all of the net proceeds to Azure Power Global Limited of US$ million of this offering (other than approximately US$5.0 million to be retained by Azure Power Global Limited to fund its future operating expenses). |
54
You should read this table in conjunction with the information under Use of Proceeds, Selected Consolidated Financial Data, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of March 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual | Actual | Pro Forma(1) | Pro Forma(1) |
Pro
Forma Adjusted(1) |
Pro
Forma Adjusted(1) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Rs. | U.S.$ | Rs. | U.S.$ | Rs. | U.S.$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3,090,386 | 46,647 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total debt |
24,526,824 | 370,214 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Compulsory convertible preferred shares, Rs. 10 (US$ 0.16) par value (805,462 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted) |
9,733,272 | 146,918 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity shares Rs. 10 (US$ 0.16) par value (109,880 shares issued and outstanding, actual; shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted) |
68 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional paid in capital |
(2,958,166 | ) | (44,652 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(4,508,156 | ) | (68,048 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
28,807 | 435 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(330 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total shareholders (deficit) equity |
(7,437,777 | ) | (112,269 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capitalization |
26,822,319 | 404,863 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Each US$1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per share, the mid-point of the price range on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, respectively, the amount of cash, additional paid-in capital and total capitalization by approximately US$ , assuming the number of shares we offer, as stated on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
55
As of March 31, 2016, our pro forma net tangible book value was Rs. (or US$ ) per equity share. Pro forma net tangible book value per equity share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less the amount of our total liabilities, divided by the number of equity shares outstanding, after giving retroactive effect to the corporate formation transactions described under Prospectus Summary Corporate Structure, that will take place immediately prior to the closing of this offering and assuming a total of equity shares will be issued to the non-founder investors upon the conversion of convertible securities, based on an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value per equity share from the assumed public offering price per equity share.
Without taking into account any other changes in pro forma net tangible book value after March 31, 2016, other than giving effect to our sale of equity shares in the offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of the offering payable by us, the pro forma net tangible book value per equity share would increase to US$ per equity share, or US$ per equity share if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of US$ per equity share to our existing shareholders (or US$ per equity share if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full), and an immediate dilution of US$ per equity share to purchasers of shares in the offering (or US$ per equity share if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full).
The following table illustrates this dilution on a per equity share basis:
Assumed initial public offering price per equity share |
$ | |||
Pro forma net tangible book value per equity share as of March 31, 2016 before this offering |
$ | |||
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per equity share attributable to the price paid by new investors |
$ | |||
Pro forma net tangible book value per equity share after this offering |
$ | |||
|
|
|||
Dilution per equity share to new investors in the offering |
$ | |||
|
|
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$ per equity share would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by US$ per equity share and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per equity share to new investors in this offering by US$ per equity share, assuming no change to the number of equity shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2016, the differences between our existing shareholders as of such date and the new investors with respect to the number of equity shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per equity share paid at an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
56
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share would increase (decrease) total consideration paid by new investors, total consideration paid by all shareholders and the average price per equity share paid by all shareholders by US$ million, US$ million and US$ , respectively, assuming no change in the number of equity shares sold by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and without deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of any outstanding share options. As of the date of this prospectus, there are equity shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of Rs. (US$ ) per share under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan, and there are equity shares available for future issuance upon the exercise of future grants under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. To the extent that any of these options is exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.
57
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated and pro forma financial data below should be read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data in this section are not intended to replace the consolidated and pro forma financial statements and are qualified in their entirety by the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Azure Power Global Limited is a company incorporated in Mauritius and is the holding company of AZI. All of our operations are conducted currently through AZI and its subsidiaries. The proceeds of this offering will be used towards a share subscription of AZI by Azure Power Global Limited, which will occur contemporaneously with the completion of the offering.
The financial information in this section has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The summary unaudited pro forma balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 gives effect to the conversion of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into equity shares. The pro forma as adjusted balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 reflect the abovementioned transaction, the issuance and sale of equity shares in this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, based on an assumed offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
58
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(1) | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||
Operating revenue: |
||||||||||||
Sale of power |
1,124,138 | 2,626,148 | 39,640 | |||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) |
79,816 | 190,648 | 2,878 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
425,952 | 672,841 | 10,156 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating cost and expenses |
828,198 | 1,551,270 | 23,416 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
295,940 | 1,074,878 | 16,224 | |||||||||
Other expense: |
||||||||||||
Interest expense, net(2) |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange(3) |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total other expenses |
1,131,418 | 2,401,973 | 36,256 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(835,478 | ) | (1,327,095 | ) | (20,032 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(253,112 | ) | (327,745 | ) | (4,947 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(4) |
(5,595 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL |
(1,082,995 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | (24,909 | ) | ||||||
Accretion on Mezzanine CCPS(5) |
(755,207 | ) | (1,347,923 | ) | (20,346 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to redeemable non-controlling interest(6) |
| (29,825 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | (45,705 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss per share attributable to equity shareholders |
||||||||||||
Basic and diluted(7) |
(16,729 | ) | (27,557 | ) | (416 | ) | ||||||
Shares used in computing basic and diluted per share amounts |
||||||||||||
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share(8) |
||||||||||||
Pro forma shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share(8) |
||||||||||||
Equity share |
109,880 | 109,880 | | |||||||||
Supplemental information (unaudited): |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(9) |
618,370 | 1,762,659 | 26,606 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 into U.S. dollars. The rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. |
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(2) | Interest expense, net consists of: |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures |
248,831 | 408,172 | 6,161 | |||||||||
Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares |
96,500 | 263,654 | 3,980 | |||||||||
Term loans |
598,845 | 1,547,382 | 23,357 | |||||||||
Bank charges and other |
55,454 | 106,568 | 1,609 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
999,630 | 2,325,776 | 35,107 | ||||||||||
Interest income: |
||||||||||||
Term deposits |
151,860 | 221,532 | 3,344 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of short term investments |
13,949 | 45,375 | 685 | |||||||||
Notes held-to-maturity |
| 33 | 1 | |||||||||
Interest income from related parties |
2,031 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
(3) | Loss on foreign currency exchange consists of: |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
Unrealized loss on foreign currency loans |
240,656 | 338,297 | 5,106 | |||||||||
Realized gain on foreign currency loans |
(42,280 | ) | (80,542 | ) | (1,216 | ) | ||||||
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments |
7,342 | 11,069 | 167 | |||||||||
Realized loss on derivative instruments |
93,910 | 74,313 | 1,122 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
The unrealized and realized foreign exchange loss represents the foreign currency fluctuations on our non-Indian rupee denominated borrowings.
(4) | Represents a non-controlling interest of 20% in a subsidiary and 0.01% of ownership in AZI not held by us or the AZI Founders. |
(5) | Our Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares, or collectively the Mezzanine CCPS, are being accreted to their redemption value through July 31, 2016, the earliest redemption date, to earn the mandatory redemption amount on such date. |
(6) | Represents accretion to the redeemable non-controlling interest in a subsidiary which is accreted to its accretion value. |
(7) | Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding for the period. The potentially dilutive compulsorily convertible preferred shares, compulsorily convertible debentures and share options were excluded from the calculation of dilutive loss per share in those periods where inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Net loss per share will give effect to the effectiveness of a -for- stock split in our equity shares. |
(8) | Pro forma net loss per share attributable to Azure Power Global Limited equity shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 is calculated as if the compulsorily convertible preferred shares and the compulsorily convertible debentures had been converted into equity shares at the beginning of the respective period presented or when compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible |
debentures were issued, if later. Compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible |
60
debentures upon the completion of this offering convert into (i) equity shares as of March 31, 2016 and (ii) equity shares as of March 31, 2016 based upon the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. |
(9) | Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. |
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$(a) | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
253,112 | 327,745 | 4,947 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
618,370 | 1,762,659 | 26,606 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Refer to note (1) above. |
As of March 31, | As of March 31, | |||||||||||||||
2016 |
2016
(Pro forma)(5) |
2016
(Pro forma as adjusted)(5) |
||||||||||||||
Rs. | US$(1) | Rs. | US$(1) | Rs. | US$(1) | |||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3,090,386 | 46,647 | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
24,381,429 | 368,022 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
31,329,013 | 472,891 | ||||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E & Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares(2) |
3,600,700 | 54,350 | ||||||||||||||
Project level and other debt(3) |
20,926,124 | 315,866 | ||||||||||||||
Mezzanine CCPS shares(4) |
9,733,272 | 146,918 | ||||||||||||||
Total APGL shareholders deficit |
(7,437,447 | ) | (112,264 | ) |
(1) | Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 into U.S. dollars. The rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. |
(2) | The Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares are classified as a current liability in the consolidated balance sheet because the preference shareholders have a right to convert their shares into a variable number of equity shares to give them their required returns. |
(3) | This balance represents the short term and long-term portion of project level secured term loans and other secured bank loans. |
(4) | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares include the Mezzanine CCPS and are classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheet. |
(5) | The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted columns in the balance sheet data reflects the transactions described in the last paragraph of page 13. |
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The pro forma as adjusted information set forth in the table above is for illustrative purposes only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering as determined at pricing.
A US$1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of US$ would increase or decrease each of pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, total assets, and total deficit by Rs. thousands (US$ ), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, remains the same, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions that we expect to pay.
62
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the related notes to those statements and selected consolidated financial data included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. All forward looking statements in this document are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward looking statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. References to a particular fiscal year are to our fiscal year ended March 31 of that year.
Overview
Our mission is to be the lowest-cost power producer in the world. We sell solar power in India on long term fixed price contracts to our customers, at prices which in many cases are at or below prevailing alternatives for our customers. We are also developing micro-grid applications for the highly fragmented and underserved electricity market in India.
We generate revenue from a mix of leading government utilities such as NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, a subsidiary of the NTPC Limited, and the Solar Energy Corporation of India as well as commercial entities such as Torrent Power Limited, DLF Limited and Oberoi Hotels. We typically enter into 25-year power purchase agreements, or PPAs, with these customers who pay a fixed rate for electricity generated by our solar power plants. Our financial strategy is to build our solar assets with efficient cost of capital. Because we have our own engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, as well as operations and maintenance, or O&M, capabilities, we retain the profit margins associated with those services that other project developers normally pay to third party providers. Through value engineering, operational performance monitoring and efficient financial strategy, we are able to deliver cost-effective energy to our customers.
We recognize revenue from solar energy sold to our customers on a per kilowatt hour basis based on the energy actually supplied by our solar power plant. The procurement of solar power by the utilities in the market is primarily driven by the renewable energy purchase obligation imposed on them by the Indian government. Most Indian state and central government electricity regulators establish the rate that utilities pay to buy power in their respective jurisdictions, which we call the benchmark tariff. As a result, the price a customer pays to buy solar energy from us varies depending on the jurisdiction in which the customer is located. The price at which we sell solar energy also depends on our bidding strategy, as most auctions award bids starting from the lowest bidder until the total capacity is awarded. For our commercial PPAs, we sell solar energy at mutually negotiated rates that are lower than the commercial electricity rates charged by the utilities in the markets we serve, which is consistent with our strategy to price our energy slightly lower than the commercial rates. As a result, the price that a commercial customer pays to buy solar energy from us depends on the state in which such customer is located and the prevailing local commercial tariff.
We recognize revenue on a monthly basis from the solar energy kilowatt hours sold to our customers post the installation of the system and approval of the energy grid interconnect connections. The energy output performance of our plants is dependent in part on the amount of sunlight. As a result, our revenue in the past has been impacted by shorter daylight hours in winters. Typically, our revenue from operational solar power plants is lowest in the third quarter and highest in the first quarter of any given fiscal year which ends on March 31.
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A significant portion of the cost of our solar power plants consists of solar photovoltaic panels, inverters and other plant equipment. Other less significant costs of our solar power plants include land or leasehold land costs, capitalizable financing costs and installation costs. Our cost of operations primarily consists of expenses pertaining to operations and maintenance of our solar power plants. These expenses include payroll and related costs for plant maintenance staff, plant maintenance, insurance and, if applicable, lease costs.
Under GAAP, we depreciate the capital cost of solar power plants over the estimated useful life of 25 years.
We typically fund our projects through a mix of project finance and sponsor equity. We generally raise long term debt financing of approximately 75% of project costs. The remaining 25% of project costs required is met through a mix of cash flow generated from our business and equity proceeds. Our project financing agreements typically restrict the ability of our project subsidiaries to distribute funds to us unless specific financial thresholds are met on specified dates. Some of our project finance borrowings are denominated in U.S. dollars and therefore foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations can adversely impact our profitability. Some of our borrowings have variable interest rates and changes in such rates may lead to an adverse effect on our overall cost of capital.
From time to time we have raised funds through issuance of compulsorily convertible debentures and Series A through H compulsorily convertible preferred shares. We classify our outstanding compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. Series A to D and Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares are classified as temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to the closing of this offering, the compulsorily convertible debentures and compulsorily convertible preferred shares will convert into equity shares. As a result of these conversions, we will record a material non-cash adjustment to equity shares and additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheet.
Convenience Translation
Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Further, AZIs functional and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 into U.S. dollars. The exchange rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. dollar currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements.
64
Power Purchase Agreements
The material terms of the PPAs we have entered into and bids we have won as of May 31, 2016 are summarized in the following table.
Operational | ||||||||||||||
Project Names |
Commercial
Operation Date(1) |
Capacity (MW) |
Tariff
(Rs/kWh) |
Offtaker |
Duration
of PPA in Years |
|||||||||
Punjab 1 |
Q4 2009 | 2 | 17.91 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.1 |
Q3 2014 | 15 | 7.67 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.2 |
Q4 2014 | 15 | 7.97 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.3 |
Q4 2014 | 4 | 8.28 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 3.1 |
Q1 2016 | 24 | 7.19 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 3.2 |
Q1 2016 | 4 | 7.33 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Gujarat 1.1 |
Q2 2011 | 5 | 15.00(2) | Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Gujarat 1.2 |
Q4 2011 | 5 | 15.00(2) | Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 1 |
Q4 2011 | 5 | 11.94 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 2.1 |
Q1 2013 | 20 | 8.21 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 2.2 |
Q1 2013 | 15 | 8.21 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.1 |
Q2 2015 | 20 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.2 |
Q2 2015 | 40 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.3 |
Q2 2015 | 40 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 4 |
Q4 2015 | 5 | 5.45(3) | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 1 |
Q1 2015 | 10 | 7.47 |
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 1 |
Q1 2015 | 10 | 8.99 |
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited |
12 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.1 |
Q2 2015 | 10 | 6.44 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.2 |
Q2 2015 | 10 | 6.45 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.3 |
Q3 2015 | 10 | 6.46 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Delhi 1.1 |
Q4 2015 | 1 | 5.43 | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 2 |
Q1 2016 | 10 | 6.66 | Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 1(4) |
Q1 2016 | 50 | 5.89(2) | Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited | 25 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
330 |
65
Under Construction | ||||||||||||||
Project Names |
Commercial
Operation Date(1) |
Capacity (MW) |
Tariff
(Rs/kWh) |
Offtaker |
Duration
of PPA in Years |
|||||||||
Bihar 1 |
Q3 2016 | 10 | 8.39 | North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Maharashtra 1.1 |
Q3 2016 | 2 | 5.50(3) | Ordinance Factory Bhandara | 25 | |||||||||
Maharashtra 1.2 |
Q4 2016 | 5 | 5.31 | Ordinance Factory Ambajhari | 25 | |||||||||
Delhi 1.2 |
Q2 2016 | 2 | 5.45 | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 3.1 |
Q4 2016 | 50 | 6.89 | Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 3.2 |
Q1 2017 | 40 | 6.93 | Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 3.3 |
Q1 2017 | 40 | 6.96 | Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.1 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.62 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.2 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.63 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.3 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.64 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 2 |
Q2 2017 | 100 | 5.12 | NTPC VidyutVyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
399 | |||||||||||||
Committed | ||||||||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 2 |
Q2 2017 | 50 | 4.78 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Telangana 1(5) |
100 | 4.67 | NTPC Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 3(5) |
50 | 4.43(3) | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
200 | |||||||||||||
Commercial Rooftop |
||||||||||||||
Commissioned | ||||||||||||||
Gujarat Rooftops |
2013 | 2.5 | Torrent Power Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
DLF (total) |
2013-2015 | 1.46 | (6) | DLF Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Uttar Pradesh Rooftop 1 |
Q1 2015 | 0.555 | Indosolar Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 1 |
Q2 2015 | 0.056 | Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 2 |
Q2 2015 | 0.178 | Taj Sats Air Catering Limited | 20 | ||||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 1 |
Q3 2015 | 1 | JCBL Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 2(7) |
Q2 2016 | 7.631 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
13.338 | |||||||||||||
Under Construction | ||||||||||||||
Oberoi (total) |
Q2 2016 | 0.839 | (8) | Oberoi Resorts/EIH Limited | 15 | |||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 2 |
Q2 2016 | 2.36 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 3 |
Q2 2016 | 1.00 | Indraprastha Power Generation Co. Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
4.199 |
66
Committed | ||||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 4 |
Q3 2017 | 14 | Delhi Metro Rail Corporation | 25 | ||||||||
Odisha Rooftop 1 |
Q2 2017 | 4 | Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha | 25 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Capacity |
18 | |||||||||||
Total Capacity (all projects) |
965 |
Notes:
(1) | Refers to the applicable quarter of the calendar year. There can be no assurance that our projects under construction and our committed projects will be completed on time or at all. See Risk Factors Our construction activities may be subject to cost overruns or delays. |
(2) | Current tariff, subject to escalation, as disclosed under BusinessPortfolio of Solar Energy ProjectsOperational Projects. |
(3) | Projects are supported by viability gap funding, or VGF, in addition to the tariff. Each projects respective VGF amount is mentioned in its description under the Business section of the document. |
(4) | Hanwha Q CELLS Korea holds a non-controlling interest against its investment of Rs. 316.9 million. |
(5) | Projects won in May 2016; PPAs yet to be signed and capacity allocation letters are outstanding. The projects will commence operations 13 months after signing of PPA. |
(6) | PPAs for 2.246MW signed, 1.46MW of the project has commenced operations. |
(7) | Commenced operations after March 31, 2016. |
(8) | 0.357MW of the project has commenced operations. |
Our PPAs typically require certain conditions precedent, including, among others, that we have obtained all necessary consents and permits, financing arrangements have been made and an agreement has been entered into to provide for the transmission of power. Furthermore, the PPAs contain customary termination provisions and negative and affirmative covenants, including the provision of performance bank guarantees and minimum guarantees of power to be sold and restrictions on changing the controlling shareholder of the project subsidiaries.
Corporate Structure
Prior to the formation of Azure Power Global Limited and the reorganization described below, our operations were entirely conducted through AZI and its subsidiaries. AZI is a company organized under the laws of India. Azure Power Global Limited was formed to enable the consummation of the transactions described below and this offering. Prior to the reorganization, 100% ownership interest in us was held by the founders.
In relation to the shareholders agreement entered into on July 22, 2015 among us, the non-founder investors in AZI and the founders, referred to as the APGL Shareholders Agreement, we purchased from the non-founder investors in AZI the equity shares and convertible securities in the form of compulsorily convertible debentures and compulsorily convertible preferred shares held by them in AZI for an equivalent number of equity shares, compulsorily convertible debentures and compulsorily convertible preferred shares in Azure Power Global Limited on similar terms as those formerly held in AZI, except the term of the compulsorily convertible debentures and the compulsorily convertible preferred shares was increased from 10 years to 20 years. We refer to this transaction as the reorganization. We are required to buy back our Mezzanine compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures at a predetermined price on July 31, 2016, in the event we have not consummated an initial public offering by that date. The predetermined buyback price for each series ranges between 140% and 200% of the cash paid for the applicable series, plus accrued and unpaid dividend. As such, the cost of the buyback for these Mezzanine CCPS is predetermined and does not vary with the change in tenure from 10 years to 20 years.
Furthermore, the change in present value of the cash flows due to the increase in tenure of our compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares is less than 10% of the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of such instruments. Accordingly, we do not consider the
67
increase in tenure as a substantial modification of the terms of such securities. The reorganization did not result in any cash outflow from us and would be described in the United States as an exchange offer.
Prior to the reorganization, the non-founder investors had an 83% ownership interest, on an as converted basis (excluding the compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares which convert into a variable and currently indeterminable number of equity shares), in AZI with the remaining 17% held by the AZI founders. Subsequent to the reorganization, we held an 83% interest in AZI, on an as converted basis, with the remaining 17% held by the AZI founders. Immediately after the reorganization, the non-founder investors held an 83% ownership interest in us, on an as converted basis, with the remaining 17% held by the founders. As of the date hereof, we hold approximately 93% of AZI on an as converted basis and after the consummation of this offering, we will hold % of AZI, assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
On July 22, 2015, we, AZI and the founders entered into another shareholders agreement, referred to as the AZI Shareholders Agreement, which provides that it is the intention of all parties to the AZI Shareholders Agreement to eventually make AZI a wholly owned subsidiary of ours. As such, pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement, we have an option requiring the founders to sell their shareholding in AZI to us at the minimum applicable price as per Indian law, which shall be a price not less than the fair value determined as per any internationally accepted pricing methodology for valuation of shares on an arms length basis. This option does not expire. As the non-founder investors together are the majority shareholders of us, the exercise of the option is within their control. If the option is exercised as described above, AZI will become our wholly owned subsidiary and the founders and non-founder investors would continue to hold approximately 17% and 83% ownership interest, respectively, on an as converted basis of us (excluding any other issuances since July 23, 2015).
Pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement, the AZI founders have also agreed that they:
|
will exercise their shareholder voting rights solely on our instruction and direction; |
|
will not transfer their equity shares, without our prior approval; |
|
will not encumber, pledge or create a charge over their equity shares without our prior approval; and |
|
waive all rights available under Indian law in connection with being a minority shareholder. |
While the equity shares held by the AZI founders are legally entitled to dividends, the declaration of any dividend or distribution by AZI, also requires our consent.
Furthermore, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and the non-founder investors entered into a Sponsor Lock-in Agreement, as amended, referred to as the Lock-in Agreement, whereby Mr. Wadhwa agreed to not dispose of the number of our shares he holds representing the ownership of us, which is equal to the founderss ownership of AZI, until the occurrence of a termination event, as defined, including if our initial public offering is not completed by July 31, 2016. Immediately after the reorganization, Mr. Wadhwa held 16% ownership interest in Azure Power Global Limited and the founders collectively held 16% ownership interest in AZI. Azure Power Global Limited has entered into a share subscription agreement to purchase the remaining 1% ownership interest held by the AZI founders in AZI. In addition, pursuant to the Lock-in Agreement, the amount for which the founders sell their shares in AZI (including any sale to us) above the face value of such shares (Rs. 10, or US$0.15, per equity share) plus taxes and expenses incurred by the founders on the transfer of such shares is to be distributed among the founders and non-founders pro rata based on their as converted shareholding in us, provided a termination event has not occurred.
Post the exercise of the option described above, AZI will become our wholly owned subsidiary and the ownership structure which was present at AZI pre-reorganization will be present at Azure Power Global Limited.
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As a result, the reorganization qualifies as a transfer of a business among entities under common ownership, which is accounted for at the carrying value with retrospective adjustment of prior period financial statements similar to the manner of a pooling-of-interest. Accordingly, to fairly reflect the economic substance of the
agreements and the reorganization, we have prepared the consolidated financial statements as though we had been combined with AZI since the earliest period presented, with the assets and liabilities of the entities recorded at their historical carrying values. Similarly, no value has been attributed to the non-controlling interest still held by the founders in AZI. As of March 31, 2016, the founders held 104,130 equity shares of AZI, representing 6.6% of AZIs equity shares on an as-converted basis. Pursuant to the terms of the AZI Shareholders Agreement and the Lock-in Agreement, the founders have surrendered or transferred to us their legal and economic rights associated with these equity shares and with being a minority shareholder. In addition, pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement, it is the stated intention of all parties to the AZI Shareholders Agreement to eventually make AZI a wholly owned subsidiary of ours. As described above, pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement, we have an option requiring the founders to sell their shareholding in AZI to us at a minimum applicable price as per Indian Law.
Dividends
As we are a holding company, we will have to rely on dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries (in particular, our key operating subsidiary in India, AZI) for our cash requirements, including funds to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, service any debt we may incur and pay our operating expenses. As of the date of this prospectus, AZI has not paid any cash dividends on its equity shares and does not intend to pay dividends to its equity shareholders, including Azure Power Global Limited, in the foreseeable future. See Dividends and Dividend Policy for more information.
Key Metrics
We regularly review a number of specific metrics, including the following key operating and financial metrics, to evaluate our business performance, identify trends affecting our business and make strategic decisions.
Key metrics |
Unit of Measurement | FY 2015 | FY 2016 | |||||||
Electricity generation(1) |
kWh in millions | 128.4 | 364.8 | |||||||
Plant load factor |
% | 18.7 | 18.1 | |||||||
Revenue(2) |
Rs. in millions | 1,124.1 | 2,626.1 | |||||||
Cost per MW operating |
Rs. in millions | 60.5 | 59.6 | |||||||
MW operating |
MW | 110.2 | 336.0 | |||||||
MW committed |
MW | 374.2 | 479.0 | |||||||
MW operating and committed |
MW | 484.4 | 815.0 |
(1) | Electricity generation represents the actual amount of power generated by our solar power plants over the reporting period and is the product of plant load factor during the reporting period and the average megawatts operating. |
(2) | Revenue consists of revenue from the sale of power. |
Factors that most significantly directly or indirectly affect our overall growth and results of operations, or that cause our historical financial information not to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition, include the Indian governments targets for solar capacity addition and the more gradual decline in solar module prices. The Indian government recently increased its target for solar capacity from 20GW by 2022 to 100GW by 2022. While this trend may lead to us winning more megawatts per year than in prior years, it will also require us to raise additional funding sources if we are to grow in line with these trends.
As for the cost of our system components, we witnessed a steep decline of solar module prices of approximately 76% from 2010 to 2015. Although the pace of this decline has been slowing recently, we expect this general trend of slowly declining solar module prices to continue through fiscal year 2017.
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Operating Metrics
Megawatts Operating and Megawatts Committed
We measure the rated capacity of our plants in megawatts. Rated capacity is the expected maximum output that a solar power plant can produce without exceeding its design limits. We believe that tracking the growth in aggregate megawatt rated capacity is a measure of the growth rate of our business.
Megawatts Operating represents the aggregate cumulative megawatt rated capacity of solar power plants that are commissioned and operational as of the reporting date.
Megawatts Committed represents the aggregate megawatt rated capacity of solar power plants pursuant to customer PPAs signed or allotted but not commissioned and operational as of the reporting date.
The following table represents the megawatts operating and megawatts committed as of the end of the respective periods presented:
As of March 31, | ||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||
Megawatts Operating |
110.2 | 336.0 | ||||||
Megawatts Committed |
374.2 | 479.0 | ||||||
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Megawatts Operating and Committed |
484.4 | 815.0 | ||||||
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We are targeting having 520MW operating by December 31, 2016. Our longer term goals are to achieve 1GW committed or operating by December 31, 2017 and 5GW by December 31, 2020. Our ability to achieve these goals will depend on, among other things, our ability to acquire the required land for the new capacity (on lease or direct purchase), raising adequate project financing and working capital, the growth of the Indian power market in line with current government targets, our ability to maintain our market share of Indias installed capacity as competition increases, the need to further strengthen our operations team to execute the increased capacity, and the need to further strengthen our systems and processes to manage the ensuing growth opportunities, as well as the other risks and challenges discussed under the caption Risk Factors.
Plant Load Factor
The plant load factor is the ratio of the actual output of all our solar power plants over the reporting period to their potential output if it were possible for them to operate indefinitely at full rated capacity. The plant load factor is not the same as the availability factor. Our solar power plants have high availability, that is, when the sun is shining our plants are almost always able to produce electricity. The variability in our plant load factor is a result of seasonality, cloud covers, the daily rotation of the earth, equipment efficiency losses, breakdown of our transmission system and grid availability.
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We track plant load factor as a measure of the performance of our power plants. It indicates effective utilization of resources and also validates our value engineering and operation research. Higher plant load factor at a plant indicates increased electricity generation. Monitoring plant load factor on real time allows us to respond rapidly to potential generation anomalies. Generally, under the terms of our PPAs, we guarantee a plant load factor of 12%. Plant load factor was 18.1% for fiscal year 2016 compared with 18.7% for fiscal year 2015, primarily due to the commencement of operations of certain projects in the northern part of India, for which plant load factors tend to be seasonal, with relatively low plant load factors during the winter months.
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, |
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2015 | 2016 | |||||||
Plant Load Factor (in %) |
18.7 | 18.1 |
Electricity Generation
Electricity generation represents the actual amount of power generated by our solar power plants over the reporting period and is the product of reporting period plant load factor and the average megawatts operating. This is a measure of the periodic performance of our solar power plants.
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, |
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2015 | 2016 | |||||||
Electricity Generation (kilowatt hours in millions) |
128 | 365 |
Financial Metrics
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss (income) plus (a) income tax expense, (b) interest expense, net, (c) depreciation and amortization and (d) loss (income) on foreign currency exchange. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:
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securities analysts and other interested parties use such calculations as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities; and |
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it is used by our management for internal reporting and planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget and capital expenditures. |
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:
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it does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments or foreign exchange gain/loss; |
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it does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital; |
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it does not reflect significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our outstanding debt; it does not reflect payments made or future requirements for income taxes; and |
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although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced or paid in the future and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements or payments. |
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Investors are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons we consider it appropriate for supplemental analysis.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$ | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) |
253,112 | 327,745 | 4,947 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA |
618,370 | 1,762,659 | 26,606 | |||||||||
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Project Cost per Megawatt Operating
Project cost per megawatt operating consists of solar photovoltaic panels, inverters, balance of plant equipment, land or leasehold land, capitalizable financing, and installation costs incurred for operating one megawatt of new solar power plant capacity during the reporting period. It is an indicator of our strong engineering, procurement and construction capabilities, market cost of material and our ability to procure such material at competitive prices. A reduction in project cost per megawatt helps reduce the cost of power and thereby improves our ability to win new projects. The project cost per megawatt operating for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 60.5 million and Rs. 59.6 million (US$0.9 million) respectively. The decrease in cost was minimal primarily on account of domestic content projects (Rajasthan 3.1, 3.2 and 4), which have higher building costs, becoming commissioned during the year. Further, the VGF attributable to Rajasthan 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4 projects (Rs. 1,924 million in total) is amortized as power sale revenue over the project life of 25 years. In addition, we have purchased more freehold land for projects during fiscal year 2016 and have installed increased DC capacity in order to increase our yield as compared to projects in fiscal year 2015. While we expect project costs to decline during fiscal year 2017, we expect that the decline in project costs will be significantly less than in prior years.
Nominal Contracted Payments
Our PPAs create long-term recurring customer payments. Nominal contracted payments equal the sum of the estimated payments that the customer is likely to make, subject to discounts or rebates, over the remaining term of the PPAs. When calculating nominal contracted payments, we include those PPAs for projects that are operating or committed. To calculate the nominal contracted payments, we multiply the contract price per kilowatt hour as per the respective PPA by the estimated annual energy output for the remaining life of the PPA period. In estimating the nominal contracted payments, we multiply the PPA contract price per kilowatt hour by the estimated annual energy output for all solar projects committed and operating as of the reporting date. The estimated annual energy output of our solar projects is calculated using power generation simulation software and validated by independent engineering firms. The main assumption used in the calculation is the project location, which enables the software to derive the estimated annual energy output from certain metrological data, including the temperature, wind speed and solar radiation based on the project location. Our power generation simulation software calculates the estimated annual energy output by using the following formula:-
E = A * r * H * PR
E = Energy (kWh)
A = Total solar panel Area (m²)
r = Solar panel efficiency (%)
H = Annual global radiation at collector plane
PR = Performance ratio, coefficient for losses (range between 0.5 and 0.95)
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Performance ratio is a quantity which represents the ratio of the effectively produced (used) energy to the energy which would be produced by a perfect system continuously operating at standard test condition under the same radiation, taking into account losses such as array losses (shadings, incident angle modifier, photovoltaic conversion, module quality, mismatch and wiring) and system losses (inverter efficiency, transformer efficiency and transmission losses).
The calculation of the estimated annual energy output also takes into account the total rated capacity of all the solar panels to be installed for the remaining life of the PPA, net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on technology installed. The decrease in rated capacity includes various losses caused by soiling, temperature changes, inverter and transformer inefficiency, incidence angle, wire, shading and mismatch losses. The technology used for each project is assessed based on geographical conditions of the project, cost economics and the availability of such technology for construction. We assume an annual decrease in rated capacity ranging from 0.5% to 0.7% depending on the technology used, which is based on the specifications given by the manufacturer of the solar panels.
To calculate nominal contracted payments for committed projects, we assume a 50% probability of achieving the generation numbers projected by the power generation software, which is net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on the technology installed. For operating projects, instead of the formula described above, we use the actual full year energy generated net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on the technology installed. We have used this method of calculation since the inception of all projects, including scheduled price changes where applicable.
If we were to receive government grants under any PPA, such grants would be included as nominal contracted payments in the period when received. We account for VGF as income-type government grant. The proceeds received from VGF grants upon fulfillment of certain conditions are initially recorded as deferred revenue. This deferred VGF revenue is recognized as sale of power in proportion to (x) the actual sale of solar energy kilowatts during the period to (y) the total estimated sale of solar energy kilowatts during the tenure of the applicable PPA (as described in Note 2(r) to our consolidated financial statements) pursuant to our revenue recognition policy.
Nominal contracted payments is a forward-looking number, and we use judgment in developing the assumptions used to calculate it. Those assumptions may not prove to be accurate over time. Underperformance of the solar power plants, payment defaults by our customers or other factors described under the heading Risk Factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from our calculation of nominal contracted payments.
The following table sets forth, with respect to our PPAs, the aggregate nominal contracted payments and total estimated energy output as of the reporting dates. These nominal contracted payments have not been discounted to arrive at the present value.
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$ | ||||||||||
Nominal contracted payments (in thousands) |
124,714,183 | 207,576,237 | 3,133,226 | |||||||||
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Total estimated energy output (kilowatt hours in millions) |
20,272 | 34,671 |
Nominal contracted payments increased from March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 as a result of entering into additional PPAs. Over time, we have seen a trend towards a decline in the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission benchmark tariff for solar power procurement. For fiscal year 2011, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission benchmark tariff for solar power procurement was Rs. 17.91 per kilowatt hour. It was
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reduced to Rs. 10.39 per kilowatt hour for fiscal year 2013, which was further reduced to Rs. 7.72 per kilowatt hour for fiscal year 2015 and Rs. 5.68 per kilowatt hour for fiscal year 2016. The overall trend of solar power tariffs is that the tariffs are declining in line with the solar module prices.
Portfolio Run-Rate
Portfolio run-rate equals our annualized payments from customers extrapolated based on the operating and committed capacity as of the reporting date. In estimating the portfolio run-rate, we multiply the PPA contract price per kilowatt hour by the estimated annual energy output for all operating and committed solar projects as of the reporting date. The estimated annual energy output of our solar projects is calculated using power generation simulation software and validated by independent engineering firms. The main assumption used in the calculation is the project location, which enables the software to derive the estimated annual energy output from certain metrological data, including the temperature, wind speed and solar radiation based on the project location. Our power generation simulation software calculates the estimated annual energy output by using the formula described above.
The calculation of the estimated annual energy output also takes into account the total rated capacity of all the solar panels to be installed for the remaining life of the PPA, net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on technology installed. The decrease in rated capacity includes various losses caused by soiling, temperature changes, inverter and transformer inefficiency, incidence angle, wire, shading and mismatch losses.
To calculate portfolio run-rate for committed projects, we assume a 50% probability of achieving the generation numbers projected by the power generation software, which is net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on the technology installed. For operating projects, instead of the formula described above, we use the actual full year energy generated net of the annual estimated decrease in rated capacity based on the technology installed. We have used this method of calculation since the inception of all projects, including scheduled price changes where applicable.
Portfolio run-rate is a forward-looking number, and we use judgment in developing the assumptions used to calculate it. Those assumptions may not prove to be accurate over time. Underperformance of the solar power plants or other factors described under the heading Risk Factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from our calculation of portfolio run-rate.
The following table sets forth, with respect to our PPAs, the aggregate portfolio run-rate and estimated annual energy output as of the reporting dates. The portfolio run-rate has not been discounted to arrive at the present value.
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$ | ||||||||||
Portfolio Revenue run-rate (in thousands) |
5,414,348 | 9,289,641 | 140,221 | |||||||||
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Estimated annual energy output (kilowatt hours in millions) |
789 | 1,514 |
Portfolio run-rate increased from March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 as a result of the increase in operational and committed capacity during the period.
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Components of Results of Operations
Operating Revenue
Operating revenue consists of solar energy sold to customers under long term PPAs, which generally have a term of 25 years. We have one customer for each solar power plant. Our customers are power distribution companies and to a lesser extent commercial enterprises.
We recognize revenue on a monthly basis based on the solar energy kilowatts actually supplied to our customers multiplied by the rate per kilowatt hour agreed to in the respective PPA. The solar energy kilowatts hours supplied during a month are validated by the customer prior to our billing and recognition of revenue.
Where PPAs include scheduled price changes, revenue is recognized by applying the average rate to the energy output estimated over the term of the PPA. We estimate the total kilowatt hour units expected to be generated annually during the tenure of PPA using budgeted plant load factors, rated capacity of the project and annual estimated decrease in rated capability of solar panels. The contractual rates are applied to this annual estimate to determine the total estimated revenue over the term of the PPA. We then use the total estimated revenue and the total estimated kilowatt hours to compute the average rate used to record revenue on the actual energy output supplied. We compare the actual energy supplied to the estimate of the energy expected to be generated over the remaining term of the PPA on a periodic basis, but at least annually. Based on this evaluation, we reassess the energy output estimated over the remaining term of the PPA and adjust the revenue recognized and deferred to date. Through March 31, 2016, the adjustments have not been significant. The difference between the actual billing and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue.
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, the electricity is delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from sale of power is recorded net of discounts which to date have not been significant.
Cost of Operations (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)
Our cost of operations primarily consists of expenses pertaining to operations and maintenance of our solar power plants. These expenses include payroll and related costs for maintenance staff, plant maintenance, insurance, and, if applicable, lease costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses include payroll and related costs for corporate, finance and other support staff, including bonus and share based compensation expense, professional fees and other corporate expenses. We anticipate that we will incur additional general and administrative costs, including headcount and expansion related costs, to support the growth in our business as well as additional costs of being a public reporting company.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of our solar power plants and other assets. Leasehold improvements related to solar power plants are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the underlying period of the PPA for that particular solar power plant. Leasehold improvements related to office facilities are amortized over the shorter of the lease period or the estimated useful life. Freehold land is not depreciated. Construction in progress is not depreciated until such projects are commissioned.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net consists of interest incurred on term loans for projects under our fixed and variable rate financing arrangements and compulsorily convertible debentures. It also includes the deemed interest expense
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which is payable in the form of a guaranteed return on the compulsorily convertible debentures and the Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares, which is classified as a liability. Interest expense also includes bank fees and other borrowing costs, which are typically amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest rate method. Interest expense is presented net of capitalized financing costs and interest income earned from bank deposits. Interest incurred in connection with a project that has been commissioned is expensed while interest incurred prior to commissioning is capitalized.
Loss on Foreign Currency Exchange
We are exposed to movements in currency exchange rates, particularly to changes in exchange rates between U.S. dollars and Indian rupees. While our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, the functional currency of AZI is Indian rupees and a portion of AZIs borrowings from financial institutions are denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign exchange loss includes the unrealized and realized loss from foreign currency fluctuations on our non-functional currency denominated borrowings.
We also enter into foreign currency option contracts to mitigate and manage the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on our borrowings denominated in currencies other than our functional currency. These hedges do not qualify as cash flow hedges under Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair value of these option contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and are included in loss on foreign currency exchange.
Income Tax Expense
Our income tax expense consists of current and deferred income tax as per applicable jurisdictions in Mauritius, India and the United States. Income tax for our current and prior periods is measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to taxation authorities based on our taxable income or loss for that period.
Deferred income taxes and changes in related valuation allowance, if any, reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As a company with less than US$1.0 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth companys internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We may adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standard is required. However, we are choosing to opt in to such extended transition period election under Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. As a result of such election, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of other public companies.
We and our independent registered public accounting firm have in the past identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the Commission Guidance Regarding Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Release Nos. 33-8810; 34-55929; FR 77, 6/27/2007, a material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our companys annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified was a deficiency in our financial statement closing
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process resulting from the lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of GAAP and SEC reporting requirements to properly address complex GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures to fulfill GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements.
Although we have remediated the material weakness described above as of March 31, 2016, there can be no assurance that such controls will effectively prevent material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in future periods. We may experience control deficiencies or material weakness in the future, which could adversely impact the accuracy and timeliness of our future reporting and reports and filings we make with the SEC. If, in the future, we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on the accuracy, timeliness and reliability of our financial reporting. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryWe have had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in the past. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results and investor confidence in our company and the market price of the equity shares may be adversely affected.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have identified certain accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to the presentation of our consolidated financial information over a period of time. These accounting policies may require our management to take decisions on subjective and/or complex matters relating to reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs, expenses and related disclosures. These would further lead us to estimate the effect of matters that may inherently be uncertain.
The judgment on such estimates and underlying assumptions is based on our experience, historical trends, understanding of the business, industry and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These form the basis of our judgment on matters that may not be apparent from other available sources of information. In many instances changes in the accounting estimates are likely to occur from period-to-period. Actual results may differ from the estimates. The future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be affected to the extent that the actual results differ materially from our estimates.
Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our various critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense consists of (i) current income tax expense arising from income from operations (ii) deferred income tax expense/(benefit) arising from temporary differences and (iii) income tax expense/(benefits) as a result of certain intercompany transactions.
We use the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
The tax rates on reversal of temporary differences might be different from the tax rates used for creation of the respective deferred tax assets/liabilities.
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As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, we had gross deferred tax assets of Rs. 77.8 million and Rs. 574.2 million (US$8.6 million), respectively, and gross deferred tax liabilities of Rs. 169.5 million and Rs. 1,009.7 million (US$15.2 million), respectively.
We apply a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of ASC Topic 740. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount, which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We re-evaluate these uncertain tax positions on an annual basis. This evaluation is based on factors including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law and effectively settled issues under tax-audit. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the relevant period. As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, we did not have any material uncertain tax positions.
We establish valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
A portion of our Indian operations qualifies for tax holiday related to their operating income attributable to undertakings, as defined, in operating solar power plants under section 80-IA of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. This holiday is available for a period of ten consecutive years out of fifteen years beginning from the year in which the undertaking first generates power (referred to as the Tax Holiday period). We assess the election of the Tax Holiday period on an annual basis for each of our undertakings. We believe these undertakings will generate higher taxable profits due to lower interest cost as debt balances are paid down in the later years of operations and therefore we plan to defer the Tax Holiday election to later years in order to maximize the benefits. As of March 31, 2016, we have not started claiming any tax holiday benefits for two of our subsidiaries. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent probable of realization outside the anticipated Tax Holiday period. For example, if we choose years six through 15 as the tax holiday period, we recognize deferred tax assets only to the extent that they will be realized either in years one through five or from year 16 onwards. As a result, all temporary differences do not result in creation of a deferred tax asset or liability.
AZI and a subsidiary provide EPC services to other group subsidiaries and as a result incur income taxes on profits from the services provided. The services provided to the group subsidiaries are in the nature of capitalizable costs and are therefore capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment in the standalone financial statements of such subsidiaries. However, these capitalized costs are eliminated for the purposes of the consolidated financial statements. The costs capitalized in the standalone financial statements are however eligible for income tax deductions in the tax records of the respective group subsidiaries. We recognize a portion of income taxes incurred by AZI and the subsidiary providing such services as prepaid income taxes to the extent we will be able to realize the benefit derived from tax deductions availed by the other subsidiaries. We assess that the probability of realizing the benefit on an annual basis and its recognition is limited to the extent probable of realization outside of the anticipated Tax Holiday period. Our estimate is that such benefit is limited to approximately 30% to 55% of the tax expense incurred by AZI and the subsidiary. Prepaid income taxes are expensed in the statement of operations in the period the benefit is actually realized by the other group subsidiaries. As a result, while all the profits on inter-company transactions are eliminated during consolidation, it does not result in complete reversal of tax expense on such inter-company transactions. Accordingly, while we have never been profitable, we report income tax expenses that fluctuate over the period.
Share Based Compensation
In connection with this offering, the stock options granted to the employees have been cancelled at the AZI level and reissued at the Azure Power Global Limited level. For cancellation of the AZI plan, no additional considerations were paid or received from employees. There were no change in the Azure Power Global Limited
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plan of the employees in the plan, the number of options granted to the employees or the exercise price. The options under the Azure Power Global Limited plan were considered as immediate vesting, except for four of the employees.
We account for share options granted to our employees in accordance with ASC Topic 718 Stock Compensation . Under the fair value recognition provision of such guidance, compensation for share options granted is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the options, and is recognized as expense over the vesting period of the option.
Share based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures in our consolidated statement of operations under general and administrative expenses and is recorded for only those share options that we expect to vest. These share options have been granted to the employees who are in the corporate or finance department and to other support staffs. We estimate the forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures of share options and adjust the rate to reflect changes in facts and circumstances. We revise our estimated forfeiture rate if actual forfeitures differ from our initial estimates.
Determining the fair value of share options requires significant judgment. We estimated the fair value of our share options using the Black-Scholes valuation model for awards with service vesting conditions and the Lattice valuation model for awards vesting based on achievement of market conditions. These models require inputs such as the fair value of our equity shares, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected term and expected volatility and we have applied these inputs in determining the fair value of the share options as follows:
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Fair value of our equity shares as our equity shares are not publicly traded, we have valued our business on the date of each option grant. |
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Risk free interest rate the risk free interest rate is based on the yield on a treasury bond issued by the Indian government on the grant date with the tenor matching the remaining term of the share options. |
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Expected dividend yield we have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our equity shares and do not presently plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we used an expected dividend yield of zero. |
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Expected term the expected term was estimated based on the average between the vesting period and the plan term. Our share option plan expires on September 30, 2018. |
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Expected volatility as we do not have a trading history for our equity shares, the expected volatility for our equity shares was estimated by taking the average historical price volatility for companies with similar lines of business based on the price fluctuations of their shares over a period equivalent to the expected term of the share options granted. Companies with similar lines of business consist of several public companies similar in size, which are engaged in similar business sectors in India and worldwide. We have considered a three year average to be a reasonable estimate of volatility for the purpose of valuation. The volatility is unlevered and then re-levered to adjust for our capital structure. We intend to continue to consistently apply this process using the same or similar public companies until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our own equity share price becomes available, or unless circumstances change such that the identified companies are no longer similar to us, in which case, more suitable companies whose share prices are publicly available would be utilized in the calculation. |
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The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the periods presented:
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, |
||||||||
2015 | 2016 | |||||||
Dividend yield |
0.0% | 0.0% | ||||||
Expected term (in years) |
2.09-3.84 | 5.0-6.8 | ||||||
Expected volatility |
31.2%-42.3% | 37.2%-41.6% | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
7.69%-8.34% | 7.60%-8.08% |
Share based compensation included in general and administrative expenses totaled Rs. 7.4 million and Rs. 51.7 million (US$0.8 million) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, we had Rs. 5.0 million (US$0.1 million) of unrecognized compensation expense which will be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of one year.
Results of Operations
Azure Power Global Limiteds functional currency is the U.S. dollar and reporting currency is the Indian rupee. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated the financial information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The rate used for this translation is Rs. 66.25 to US$1.00, which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non-U.S. dollar currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of March 31, 2016, which is the date of our last reported financial statements. No representation is made that the Indian rupee amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollars at that rate.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
Rs. |
2016
Rs. |
2016
US$ |
||||||||||
Operating revenues: |
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Sale of power |
1,124,138 | 2,626,148 | 39,640 | |||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of operations |
79,816 | 190,648 | 2,878 | |||||||||
General and Administrative Expense |
425,952 | 672,841 | 10,156 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortisation |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
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|||||||
Total operating cost |
828,198 | 1,551,270 | 23,416 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
295,940 | 1,074,878 | 16,224 | |||||||||
Other expense: |
||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
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Total other expenses |
1,131,418 | 2,401,973 | 36,256 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income tax |
(835,478 | ) | (1,327,095 | ) | (20,032 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(253,112 | ) | (327,745 | ) | (4,947 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
|
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|||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
(5,595 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL |
(1,082,995 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | (24,909 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to Mezzanine CCPS |
(755,207 | ) | (1,347,923 | ) | (20,346 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to redeemable non-controlling interest |
| (29,825 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | (45,705 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Year Ended March 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2015
Operating Revenue
Operating revenues during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 1,502.0 million, or 134%, to Rs. 2,626.1 million (US$39.6 million) compared to the same period in 2015. The principal reasons for the increase in revenue during the year ended March 31, 2016 was the operation of the Uttar Pradesh 1, Punjab 2 and Karnataka 1 solar power projects, which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015 and contributed incremental operating revenue of Rs. 103.4 million, Rs. 223.1 million and Rs. 87.6 million, respectively, the operation of the Rajasthan 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 solar power projects and Chhattisgarh 1 project, which commenced operations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, and contributed incremental operating revenue of Rs. 158.8 million, Rs. 325.9 million and Rs. 337.1 million and 200.1 million, respectively. In addition, Rajasthan 4 project commenced operations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 and contributed incremental operating revenue of Rs. 14.9 million and the Punjab 3 project commenced operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 and contributed incremental operating revenue of Rs. 59.7 million.
Cost of Operations (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)
Cost of operations during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 110.8 million, or 139%, to Rs. 190.6 million (US$2.9 million) compared to the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily due to increase in plant maintenance cost related to newly operational projects by Rs. 92.4 million and an increase in leasehold rent of Rs. 18.4 million primarily resulting from increased leased land in connection with our projects during the year ended March 31, 2016.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 246.9 million, or 58%, to Rs. 672.8 million (US$10.2 million) compared to the same period in 2015. This was primarily due to increased professional expenses of Rs. 86.8 million, which related to professional fees paid for raising capital and expenses in connection with this offering that have not been deferred, travel and business development expenses for new solar power projects of Rs. 22.3 million, payroll cost of Rs. 91.7 million, which primarily resulted from new hiring and modification of the stock option plan, increased overheads of Rs. 13.4 million which primarily resulted from office rent and related infrastructure costs as the scale of our business has expanded and an incremental provision for doubtful debt of Rs. 32.7 million created in the current period.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 365.4 million, or 113%, to Rs. 687.8 million (US$10.4 million) compared to the same period in 2015. The principal reason for the increase in depreciation was the capitalization of the Punjab 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 projects, which commenced operation in phases from September 2014 through October 2014 and accounted for additional depreciation of Rs. 38.6 million, Uttar Pradesh 1 and Karnataka 1 projects, which commenced operation in January 2015 and accounted for additional depreciation of Rs. 37.0 million, Rajasthan 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 solar power projects, which commenced operation in phases from April 2015 through May 2015 and resulted in additional depreciation of Rs. 224.6 million, Chhattisgarh 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 solar power projects, which commenced operation in phases from May 2015 through August 2015 and resulted in additional depreciation of Rs. 47.1 million, Rajasthan 4 solar power project, which commenced operation in November 2015 and resulted in additional depreciation of Rs. 4.6 million and Punjab 3 solar power project, which commenced operation in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 and resulted in additional depreciation of Rs. 11.5 million.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 1,227.0 million, or 148%, to Rs. 2,058.8 million (US$31.1 million) compared to the same period in 2015.
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Interest expense during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 1,326.1 million, or 133%, to Rs. 2,325.8 million (US$35.1 million). Interest expense increased primarily as a result of interest expenses of Rs 938.2 million on borrowings for the Punjab 2, Uttar Pradesh 1 and Karnataka 1 solar power projects operating during the year ended March 31, 2016 and Rajasthan 3 and Chhattisgarh 1 solar power project operating in phases starting from April 2015 and Rs. 326.5 million due to the change in the fair value of our compulsorily convertible instruments and our Series E and G compulsorily convertible preferred shares being classified as liability.
Interest income during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 99.1 million or 59%, to Rs. 266.9 million (US$4.0 million) compared to the same period in 2015 primarily as a result of an increase in income on term deposits placed during the period of Rs. 69.7 million and increase in gain on sale of short term investments by Rs. 31.4 million.
Loss on Foreign Currency Exchange
Foreign exchange loss during the year ended March 31, 2016 increased by Rs. 43.5 million to Rs. 343.1 million (US$5.2 million) compared to the same period in 2015.
The closing exchange rate of Indian rupees depreciated against the U.S. dollar from Rs. 62.6 to US$1.00 as of March 31, 2015 to Rs. 66.3 to US$1.00 as of March 31, 2016. This depreciation of the Indian rupee resulted in an increase in unrealized foreign exchange losses of Rs. 97.6 million on our foreign currency denominated debt and an increase in unrealized foreign exchange loss of Rs. 3.7 million on our derivative instruments. These foreign exchange losses were partially offset by an increase in realized gains of Rs. 38.3 million on our foreign currency denominated debt and an increase in realized gains of Rs. 19.6 million on our foreign currency option contracts.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased during the year ended March 31, 2016 by Rs. 74.6 million to Rs. 327.7 million (US$4.9 million), compared to the same period in 2015.
Our effective income tax rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 25.8% as compared to 30.3% for the same period in 2015. The decrease in the effective income tax rate in the year ended March 31, 2016 was a result of lower taxable profits generated by AZI in the current period which provides certain engineering, procurement and construction services to its Indian subsidiaries. We pay taxes on taxable profits at the individual entity level, in accordance with the tax rates in the relevant jurisdictions. While at the consolidated level, we have never been profitable, AZI and certain Indian and non-Indian subsidiaries at the individual entity level have generated taxable profits. These taxable profits result from services provided by these entities to other subsidiaries and are taxed at the applicable tax rates in the jurisdiction of the entity providing the services. These inter-company transactions and profits are eliminated during consolidation, while the related income tax expense is not eliminated. Furthermore, a portion of our Indian operations qualifies for a tax holiday related to their operating income attributable to undertakings, as defined, in operating solar power plants under section 80-IA of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. This holiday is available for a period of ten consecutive years out of 15 years beginning from the year in which the undertaking first generates power (referred to as the tax holiday period). We anticipate that we will claim the aforesaid deduction in the last ten years out of 15 years beginning with the year in which we generate power and when we have taxable income. Accordingly, our current operations are taxable at the normally applicable tax rates. Due to the tax holiday period, a substantial portion of the temporary differences between the book and tax basis of our assets and liabilities do not have any tax consequences as they are expected to reverse within the tax holiday period.
The change in our income tax expense was largely attributable to an increase in our deferred tax expense. During the year ended March 31, 2016, we recorded a domestic deferred tax expense of Rs. 299.1 million, whereas for the year ended March 31, 2015, we recorded a domestic deferred tax expense of Rs. 61.1 million. The primary reason for the change in the level of domestic deferred tax asset was due to higher temporary differences reversing in the tax holiday period.
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Our tax expenses are further described in Note 11 Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Azure Power Global Limited does not generate cash from operations in order to fund its expenses. Restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay us cash dividends as a result of certain regulatory and contractual restrictions may make it impracticable to use such dividends as a means of funding the expenses of Azure Power Global Limited. For a further discussion on our ability to issue and receive dividends, see Dividend Policy.
Our principal liquidity requirements are to finance current operations, service our debt and support our growth in India. We will continue to use capital in the future to finance the construction of solar power plants. Historically, our operations largely relied on project-level long term borrowings, proceeds from issuance of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures, and internally generated cash flows to meet capital expenditure requirements. As a normal part of our business and depending on market conditions, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated electricity sales, increased expenses or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations, additional covenants and operating restrictions. Future financings could result in the dilution of our existing shareholding. In addition, any of the items discussed in detail under Risk Factors elsewhere in this prospectus may also significantly impact our liquidity.
Liquidity Position
We believe that, following the completion of this offering, we will have sufficient liquidity available which will include cash and cash equivalents, borrowings arrangements, and cash flows from operations to meet our anticipated required capital expenditures, debt service obligations, working capital requirements, and contingencies for at least the next twelve months.
As of March 31, 2016, our liquid assets totaled Rs. 3,090.4 million (US$46.6 million), which was comprised of cash. As of March 31, 2016, we carried cash and short term investments of Rs. 2,873.6 million (US$43.4 million) held by our foreign subsidiaries, which are not readily available to Azure Power Global Limited.
We also have commitments from financial institutions that we can draw upon in the future upon the achievement of specific funding criteria. As of March 31, 2016, we have such commitments amounting to Rs. 4,219.2 million (US$63.7 million) under project-level financing arrangements.
We have a term loan from Central Bank of India for the DLF rooftop projects for aggregate principal amounts of Rs. 314.5 million (US$4.7 million), of which Rs. 85.6 million (US$1.3 million) was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 12.5 % and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 14.5 years. Cash distribution from the projects can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from PTC India Financial Services Limited for the Punjab 3 project for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 1,370.0 million (US$20.7 million), of which Rs. 137.0 million (US$2.1 million) was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 12.25 % and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 15 years. Cash distribution from the project can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from IDBI Bank for the Bihar project for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 514.5 million (US$7.8 million), which was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 12.50%
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and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 15 years. Cash distribution from the project can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. for the Rajasthan 4 project for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 256.6 million (US$3.9 million), of which Rs. 6.6 million (US$0.1 million) was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 11.40% and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 13.5 years. Cash distribution from the project can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from State Bank of India for the Andhra Pradesh 1 project for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 2,600.0 million (US$39.3 million), of which Rs. 53.8 million (US$0.8 million) was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 11.85% and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 17.75 years. Cash distribution from the project can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from International Finance Corporation for the Karnataka 3 project for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 1,993.0 million (US$30.1 million), which was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 11.50% and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 15 years. Cash distribution from the project can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a term loan from Overseas Private Investment Corporation for rooftop projects for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 1326.7 million (US$20.0 million), which was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 4.74 % and is secured by movable and immovable assets of the project. The term of this loan is 15 years. Cash distribution from the projects can be made after meeting the project expenses and debt service requirements.
We have a revolving facility from Reliance Capital for an aggregate principal amount of Rs. 1,000.0 million (US$15.1 million), of which Rs. 102.0 million (US$1.5 million) was undrawn as of March 31, 2016. This loan bears interest at 13.25% and is secured by movable and immovable assets of our projects. The term of this loan is one year.
Generally, under the terms of the loan agreements entered into by the Companys project subsidiaries, the project subsidiaries are restricted from paying dividends to AZI if they default in payment of their principal, interest and other amounts due to the lenders under their respective loan agreements. Certain of AZIs project subsidiaries also may not pay dividends to AZI out of restricted cash.
We are subject to business and operational risks that could adversely affect our cash flows. A material decrease in our cash flows would likely produce a corresponding adverse effect on our borrowing capacity.
Sources of Liquidity
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements will depend on our future operating performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. Our financing arrangements as of March 31, 2016 consisted of compulsorily convertible preferred shares, compulsorily convertible debentures, project financing arrangements and other borrowings.
Compulsorily Convertible Preferred Shares
Through March 31, 2016 we have raised funds totaling Rs. 6,690.0 million (US$101.0 million), net of related costs, through the issuance of Series A to Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares. Series A to Series D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares have been classified in temporary
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equity in our consolidated balance sheet because these preference shareholders have a right to convert their shares into a fixed number of equity shares. Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares have been classified as a liability because Series E and Series G preference shareholders have a right to convert their shares into a variable number of equity shares to give them their required returns.
All series of the compulsorily convertible preferred shares are convertible into equity shares either on the respective maturity date or on the occurrence of specific events based on the terms of respective agreements. In addition, the Series A to D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preference shareholders have a right to convert into equity shares at any point from the date of the respective issuance. Upon the completion of this offering, the Series A to D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preference shareholders will be issued a fixed number of equity shares and the Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preference shareholders will be issued such number of equity shares so as to provide them a required return. The compulsorily convertible preference shareholders have the right to require us to buy back these compulsorily convertible preferred shares on the non-occurrence of certain contingent events.
Pursuant to our shareholders agreement, if we do not undertake a Qualified IPO, as defined by the agreement, on or before July 31, 2016, at any time after that date, the Series A, B, C, D, F and H compulsory convertible preference shareholders have an option at their discretion to require us to buy back the shares held by them. Series A to Series D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares are collectively referred to as Mezzanine CCPS. The buyback right of these shareholders will be extinguished prior to the initial public offering upon the conversion of these compulsorily convertible preferred shares into equity shares.
The Mezzanine CCPS were accreted to their buyback value through February 26, 2016, so that the carrying amount will equal the mandatory redemption at each date. Subsequently on March 30, 2016, we entered into an agreement to extend the buyback date to July 31, 2016, without increasing the buyback value for the Mezzanine CCPS. Considering the Series A, B, C, D and F compulsorily convertible preferred shares have been accreted to their buyback value, no adjustment has been considered in their carrying value. For Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares, redemption value increases by 8% per annum and accretion has been undertaken until March 31, 2016.
Unless converted, the term of the Series A compulsorily convertible preferred shares shall be a maximum of 19 years from the date of issue, whereas the terms of the Series B, Series C, Series D , Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares shall be a maximum of 20 years from the date of issue. Each of the Series A, Series B, Series D, Series F and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares shall be convertible into equity shares at the option of the preference shareholders at a conversion ratio of 1:1. The Series C compulsorily convertible preferred shares shall be convertible into equity shares at the option of the preference shareholders at a conversion ratio of 1:0.3423.
At March 31, 2016, we have classified our Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares as a current liability of Rs. 1,468.2 million (US$22.2 million), as these instruments have an earliest redemption date of July 31, 2016 and there are no restrictions in Mauritius on buying back as of March 31, 2016.
Compulsorily Convertible Debentures
Through March 31, 2016 we have raised funds totaling Rs. 1,182.0 million (US$17.9 million), through the issuance of compulsorily convertible debentures at coupon rates ranging from 0% to 10% and maturing on various dates from December 2031 to June 2034. Upon the completion of this offering, the debenture-holders will be issued such number of equity shares so as to provide them a required return. The compulsorily convertible debenture-holders have the right to require us to buy back after converting the compulsorily convertible debentures to equity shares on non-occurrence of certain contingent events.
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The compulsorily convertible debenture-holders have the right to require us to buy back on:
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expiry of the qualified initial public offering due date (i.e., July 31, 2016); or |
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breach of the funding covenants of the compulsorily convertible debenture-holders. |
The buyback right of the CCD holders will extinguish upon the consummation of this offering.
At March 31, 2016, we have classified our compulsory convertible debentures as a current liability of Rs. 2,132.5 million (US$32.2 million), as these instruments have an earliest redemption date of July 31, 2016, and there are no restrictions in Mauritius on buying back as of March 31, 2016.
Project-level Financing Arrangements
Our borrowings include project-specific financing arrangements collateralized by the underlying solar power plants. At March 31, 2016, these borrowings had annual interest rates ranging from 4.07% to 6.43% for foreign currency loans and from 11.40% to 12.50% for Indian rupee term loans and 13.25% for short term loans. The table below summarizes certain terms of our project-level financing arrangements as of March 31, 2016:
Outstanding Principal
Amount |
Type of
Interest |
Currency |
Maturity
Date(1) |
|||||||||||||
Name of Project |
Rs. | US$ | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Punjab 1 |
231,115 | 3,489 | Fixed | US$ | 2024 | |||||||||||
Punjab 2 |
1,813,025 | 27,366 | Floating | Rs. | 2030 | |||||||||||
Gujarat 1 |
1,285,608 | 19,405 | Fixed | US$ | 2025 | |||||||||||
Gujarat rooftop |
121,604 | 1,836 | Floating | Rs. | 2028 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 1 |
856,153 | 12,923 | Fixed | US$ | 2028 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 2 |
3,622,517 | 54,680 | Fixed | US$ | 2031 | |||||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 1 |
536,250 | 8,094 | Floating | Rs. | 2026 | |||||||||||
DLF rooftop |
202,870 | 3,062 | Floating | Rs. | 2028 | |||||||||||
Karnataka 1 |
568,328 | 8,579 | Floating | Rs. | 2030 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 3.1 |
994,000 | 15,004 | Floating | Rs. | 2028 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 3.2 |
1,798,637 | 27,149 | Floating | Rs. | 2030 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 3.3 |
2,029,000 | 30,626 | Floating | Rs. | 2028 | |||||||||||
Punjab 3.1 and 3.2 |
1,233,000 | 18,611 | Floating | Rs. | 2030 | |||||||||||
Rajasthan 4 |
250,000 | 3,774 | Floating | Rs. | 2028 | |||||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.1,1.2 & 1.3 |
1,564,817 | 23,620 | Floating | Rs. | 2029 | |||||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 1 |
2,546,200 | 38,433 | Floating | Rs. | 2033 | |||||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 2 |
375,000 | 5,660 | Floating | Rs. | 2016 | |||||||||||
AZI |
898,000 | 13,555 | Floating | Rs. | 2016 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
20,926,124 | 315,866 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | This represents the last repayment period. These loans are repayable on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. For repayment by period of the above-mentioned loans, refer to contractual obligation and commercial commitments. |
Our outstanding project-level borrowings have been secured by certain movable and immovable properties, including property, plant and equipment, and in some cases supported by personal guarantees issued by Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa (our director and chief executive officer) and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa (our director and chief operating officer), as well as a pledge of the shares of the project-level SPVs.
We have project-level commitments from financial institutions that we can draw upon in the future upon the achievement of specific funding criteria. As of March 31, 2016, we have such commitments amounting Rs. 4,219.2 million (US$63.7 million) under project-level financing arrangements. These are expected to be utilized within the next 12 to 18 months.
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Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have also personally guaranteed short term loans.
The financing agreements governing our project-level borrowings contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit our project subsidiaries ability to make distributions to us unless certain specific conditions are met, including the satisfaction of certain financial ratios.
Uses of Liquidity
Our principal requirements for liquidity and capital resources can be categorized into investment for developing solar power plants and debt service obligations. Generally, once operational, our solar power generation assets do not require significant capital expenditures to maintain their operating performance. For principal and interest payments on our debt outstanding as of March 31, 2016, refer to Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Capital Expenditures
As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW. As of such date, we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW of projects committed.
Our capital expenditure requirements consist of:
(i) | Expansion capital expenditures for new projects; and |
(ii) | Working capital spent for building a pipeline for coming year(s). |
Expansion capital expenditures also include interest expense associated with borrowings used to fund expansion during construction phase of the projects. We intend to build/ acquire new projects post the completion of this offering.
Our capital expenditure amounted to Rs. 9,097.0 million (US$137.3 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 primarily for the Rajasthan 3 and 4, Punjab 3, Andhra Pradesh 1, Karnataka 2 and Chhattisgarh 1 solar power projects.
Cash Flow Discussion
We use traditional measures of cash flow, including net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used in investing activities and net cash provided by financing activities, as well as cash available for distribution to evaluate our periodic cash flow results.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks, term deposits and all other highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to cash. It does not include restricted cash which consists of cash balances restricted as to withdrawal or usage and relate to cash used to collateralize bank letters of credit supporting the purchase of equipment for solar power plants, bank guarantees issued in relation to the construction of the solar power plants within the timelines stipulated in PPAs and for certain debt service reserves required under our loan agreements.
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Year Ended March 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2015
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the comparative periods:
For the Year
Ended
March 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | Change | ||||||||||||||
Rs. | Rs. | US$ | Rs. | |||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Cash flow data |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided (used in) by operating activities |
(176,680 | ) | 733,868 | 11,076 | 910,548 | |||||||||||
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
(9,050,994 | ) | (9,159,046 | ) | (138,249 | ) | (108,052 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
9,672,089 | 9,465,659 | 142,878 | (206,430 | ) |
Operating Activities
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, we generated Rs. 733.9 million (US$11.1 million) of cash in operating activities. This cash inflow primarily resulted from a net loss during the year ended March 31, 2016 of Rs. 1,654.8 million reduced by non-cash items including deferred income taxes of Rs. 299.1 million, change in fair value of compulsorily convertible debentures, Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares of Rs. 671.8 million, depreciation and amortization of Rs. 687.8 million and realized and unrealized foreign exchange loss, net of Rs. 343.1 million resulting from depreciation of the rupee, in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities including a Rs. 126.8 million increase in accounts payable, a Rs. 952.6 million increase in deferred revenue and a Rs. 70.2 million increase in interest payable offset by a Rs. 353.2 million increase in accounts receivable, a Rs. 325.4 million increase in other assets primarily in connection with advances paid to suppliers and contractors and a Rs. 119.2 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily resulting from options premiums paid in connection with our hedging activities, prepaid income taxes and debt financing cost and interest receivable on term deposits.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we utilized Rs. 176.7 million (US$2.7 million) of cash in operating activities. This cash outflow primarily resulted from a net loss during the year ended March 31, 2015 of Rs. 1,088.6 million reduced by non-cash items including change in fair value of compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares of Rs. 286.3 million, depreciation and amortization of Rs. 322.4 million and realized and unrealized foreign exchange loss, net of Rs. 299.6 million resulting from depreciation of the rupee, in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities including a Rs. 334.5 million increase in other liabilities primarily in connection with obligations to suppliers and contractors, a Rs. 241.1 million increase in other assets primarily in connection with advances paid to suppliers and contractors, and a Rs. 118.3 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily resulting from options premiums paid in connection with our hedging activities, prepaid income taxes and debt financing cost and interest receivable on term deposits.
Investing Activities
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, we utilized Rs. 9,159.0 million (US$138.2 million) in our investing activities. This cash outflow was primarily due to Rs. 9,097.0 million incurred to purchase property, plant and equipment primarily related to the construction of our Rajasthan 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 solar power projects, Chhattisgarh 1.1 and 1.2 solar power projects, Punjab 3.1 and 3.2 solar power projects, Karnataka 1 solar power projects and Andhra Pradesh 1 solar power projects offset by a net sale of Rs. 45.4 million of available-for-sale non-current investments. In addition, we raised cash amounting to Rs. 316.9 million from the sale of redeemable non-controlling interests.
During the year ended March 31, 2015, we utilized Rs. 9,051.0 million (US$142.3 million) in investing activities. This cash outflow was primarily due to Rs. 8,426.0 million incurred to purchase property, plant and equipment primarily related to the construction of our Punjab 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, Uttar Pradesh 1 and Karnataka 1
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solar power projects and the purchase of term deposits for Rs. 624.5 million, offset in part by a net sale of Rs. 13.9 million of available-for-sale non-current investments.
Financing Activities
During the year ended March 31, 2016, we generated Rs. 9,465.7 million (US$142.9 million) from financing activities. This cash inflow was primarily due to new loan proceeds of Rs. 8,727.9 million in the form of term loans from banks for our Rajasthan 3, Chhattisgarh 1, Punjab 3, Andhra Pradesh 1 and Rajasthan 4 solar power plants and Rs 4,237.4 million proceeds from Series G and Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares. These inflows were offset in part by Rs. 3,490.8 million in repayment of loans.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we generated Rs. 9,672.1 million (US$147.7 million) of cash from our financing activities. This cash inflow was primarily due to new loans with proceeds of Rs. 8,399.0 million in the form of term loans from banks for our Punjab 2, Uttar Pradesh 1 and Karnataka 1 solar power projects, proceeds of Rs. 1,549.0 million through the issue of 138,333 shares of Series F compulsorily convertible preferred shares and Rs. 180.0 million from the issuance of compulsorily convertible debentures. These inflows were offset in part by Rs. 452.9 million in repayment of loans during the year and Rs. 3.0 million of expenses incurred in connection with this offering.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
We have contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that represent prospective cash requirements. The following table summarizes our outstanding contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2016.
Payment due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under 1
year |
1-3
Years |
3-5
Years |
Over 5
years |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
(Rs. in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual cash obligations(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (principal)(2) |
876,996 | 2,472,065 | 2,772,804 | 13,531,259 | 19,653,124 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (interest)(3) |
2,091,002 | 3,518,322 | 3,032,630 | 6,783,964 | 15,425,918 | |||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations |
38,586 | 77,072 | 69,495 | 1,420,133 | 1,605,286 | |||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations(4) |
884,709 | | | | 884,709 | |||||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations |
| | | 94,301 | 94,301 | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations (Rs.) |
3,891,293 | 6,067,459 | 5,874,929 | 21,829,657 | 37,663,338 | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations (US$) |
58,736 | 91,584 | 88,678 | 329,504 | 568,503 |
(1) | Excludes compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E and G compulsorily convertible preferred shares as they are convertible into equity shares and not repayable. |
(2) | The long-term debt includes project secured term loans, other secured bank loans. The long-term debt (principal) obligations for foreign currency denominated project borrowings have been converted to Indian rupees using the closing exchange rate as of March 31, 2016 as per Reserve Bank of India. |
(3) | Interest on long-term debt is calculated based on the outstanding balance of the debt at the prevailing interest rate for the corresponding periods. |
(4) | Consists of asset purchase commitment for construction of solar power plants. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The terms of our PPAs provide for the annual delivery of a minimum amount of electricity at fixed prices. Under the terms of the PPAs, we have issued irrevocable performance bank guarantees totaling Rs 1,189.2 million (US$17.9 million) as of March 31, 2016. We have also given guarantees as a part of the bidding process for setting up of solar power plants amounting to Rs. 1,192.0 million (US$17.9 million) as of March 31, 2016. We are not party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity is required to follow five steps which comprises of: (a) identifying the contract(s) with a customer; (b) identifying the performance obligations in the contract; (c) determining the transaction price; (d) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (e) recognizing revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, under either retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect adoption. Early application is not permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12 Stock Compensation Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The ASU clarifies the proper method of accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Entities can apply the amendment either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to the consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern which requires an entitys management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entitys ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The ASU defines and clarifies that substantial doubt exists when conditions and events indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The ASU requires management to perform the assessment every interim and annual period. The ASU applies to all entities and is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted but has not been chosen by us. We are currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard.
In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 InterestImputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)-Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost which requires the discount or premium and debt issuance costs to be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of debt liability. Further amortization of such costs shall be reported as interest expense. The amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently assessing the impact of the presentation change per the ASU and no estimate of the impact is currently available.
In August 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements (ASU No. 2015-15). This ASU indicates that the guidance in ASU No. 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU No. 2015-03, the SEC staff has indicated that they would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the costs ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement, regardless of
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whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line of credit arrangement. We do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-15 to have any effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In November 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This guidance requires entities to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. As permitted, we elected to early adopt this guidance on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2016.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, replacing the existing lease accounting guidance and requiring lessees to recognize all leases with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet using a right-of-use asset approach. At lease commencement, a lessee would recognize a lease asset and corresponding lease obligation. A lessee would classify its leases as either finance leases or operating leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. A lessor would classify its leases as operating or direct financing leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. Both the lessee and lessor models require additional disclosure of key information. The standard requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with retrospective application to previously issued financial statements. Early application is permitted. We are currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments, to clarify when a contingent put or call option to accelerate the repayment of debt is an embedded derivative. The amendments in this update clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. The amendments apply to all entities that are issuers of or investors in debt instruments (or hybrid financial instruments that are determined to have a debt host) with embedded call (put) options. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the ASU is modified retrospective. We are currently assessing the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
Seasonality
The energy output performance of our plants is dependent in part on the amount of sunlight. As a result, our revenue in the past has been impacted by shorter daylight hours in winters. Typically, our revenue is the lowest in the third quarter and highest in the first quarter of any given fiscal year, which for us ends on March 31.
Inflation
In general, our existing PPAs do not contain inflation-based price increase provisions. Our operations are primarily conducted in India, where in the past high inflation has been experienced. To the extent that our business experiences high rates of inflation, thereby increasing our operating costs, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to offset the effects of inflation, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to several market risks in our normal business activities. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with our business or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. The types of market risks we are exposed to are interest rate risk and foreign currency risk.
Interest Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2016 our long-term debt was at both fixed and variable interest rates. Exposure to interest rate fluctuations will depend on the amount of debt that bears interest at variable rates, the time at which the interest rate is adjusted and the quantum of fluctuation in the interest rate.
Our results of operations are subject to interest rate fluctuations on our variable rate borrowings. The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for non-derivative financial instruments at the balance sheet date. For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability outstanding at the balance sheet date was outstanding for the whole period.
A hypothetical increase or decrease in our variable interest rates by 1% would not have had a significant effect on our loss for the year ended March 31, 2016.
We intend to use hedging strategies to mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we may not hedge all of our interest rate risk and, to the extent we enter into interest rate hedges, our hedges may not necessarily have the same duration as the associated indebtedness. Our exposure to interest rate fluctuations will depend on the amount of indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates, the time at which the interest rate is adjusted, the amount of the adjustment, our ability to prepay or refinance variable rate indebtedness when fixed rate debt matures and needs to be refinanced and hedging strategies we may use to reduce the impact of any increases in rates.
Foreign Currency Risk
The functional currency of AZI is Indian rupees. We have long term debts denominated in U.S. dollars and Indian rupees. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between U.S. dollars and Indian rupees may result in higher fair value adjustments on our outstanding foreign currency loans, thereby adversely impacting our earnings.
We also have two international subsidiaries and major purchases of material are transacted in U.S. dollars. Consequently, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk on purchases from overseas suppliers. The exchange rate between Indian rupees and U.S. dollars has fluctuated significantly in recent years and may continue to fluctuate in the future. Depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar can adversely affect our results of operations.
We have partially hedged against debts denominated in U.S. dollars in order to minimize an adverse impact of a large currency movement. These hedges are for a period of up to three years. We have taken foreign currency loans for our Punjab 1, Gujarat 1, Rajasthan 1 and Rajasthan 2 projects.
As of March 31, 2016 we have outstanding option contracts with notional value of US$15.0 million for hedging the foreign currency risk on borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars. The remaining term of these contracts as of March 31, 2016 ranges from 3 months to 12 months. These option contracts have a fair value on each reporting date. The changes in the fair value of these option contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and are included in foreign exchange loss.
We continue to monitor our risks and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposures on an ongoing basis.
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Overview of the Indian Power Sector
Growing Indian Economy to Drive Demand for Power
The Reserve Bank of India estimates the Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, of India to be US$1.7 trillion in fiscal year 2016, which places the country as one of the top ten largest economies by GDP in the world. In addition, Indias economy is among the fastest growing economies, with real GDP growth averaging 7.6% over the decade ended fiscal year 2016 according to the Reserve Bank of India.
Indian economic planning was governed by the Planning Commission of India, which published its Five-Year Plans to monitor and encourage growth since 1951. As economic growth is dependent in part on infrastructure development, economic policy formation in India is focused on infrastructure investment. The current, or Twelfth Five-Year Plan calls for a total investment of US$0.9 trillion in infrastructure spending that represents a 130% increase relative to the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. The planning commission of India has been replaced by the National Institution for Transforming India, or NITI Aayog, by the new government.
Historically, there has been a correlation between real GDP growth and energy demand, and we believe that the Indian economy will continue to experience a rise in energy demand. Indias overall GDP and energy demand have increased significantly over the past several years primarily due to population growth, rapid industrialization and rising standards of living. According to World Energy Outlook 2015, India requires 134GW of new capacity by 2020. Energy supply, however, has been unable to keep pace with this growing demand, which has resulted in a persistent demand/supply mismatch and an average energy deficit of 7.6% in the last decade.
Strong GDP Growth Driving Energy Demand |
Sources: Indian Ministry of Power 2013 2014 Annual Report; Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy by Reserve Bank of India; Load Generation Balance Report, 2015 16 by Central Electricity Authority
* | Data for these years has been revised to reflect the Indian Ministry Of Statistics And Program Implementations recent amendment to its GDP calculation methodology. |
Conventional Energy Growth to Face Challenges
Indias new capacity additions have historically been lower than the targeted capacity in its Five-Year Plans. For example, in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, actual capacity additions represented only 70% of the targeted capacity of 78.7GW. This shortfall in capacity additions was due to issues in timely commissioning of conventional power plants, which included delays in land acquisition, obtaining regulatory permits and
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difficulties in securing reliable and cost efficient fuel supplies. Under the prior Five Year Plans before the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, solar capacity targets were not included. As such, there is a short track record of meeting solar capacity targets. As for reaching target capacity for other renewable energy sources, in certain Five Year Plans those targets were met while others have fallen short.
The Indian power sector has been traditionally dependent on thermal power with 70% of the installed power capacity generated from conventional sources of energy (coal, oil and natural gas) as of fiscal year 2016. Projections under the Twelfth Five-Year Plan indicate a high dependence on imported energy sources and a shift in focus to domestic renewable energy sources. Per the Twelfth Five-Year Plan projections, total domestic energy production will reach 669.5 million tons of oil equivalent, or mtoe, by fiscal year 2017 and 844.2 mtoe by fiscal year 2022. This will meet around 71% and 69% of expected energy consumption, respectively, with the balance met from imports of crude oil, gas and coal, which is projected to be about 267.8 mtoe by fiscal year 2017 and further increase to 375.6 mtoe by fiscal year 2022. Import dependence on coal, the dominant fuel source in India, is also projected to increase from 18.8% in fiscal year 2012 to 22.4% by 2017. This strong dependence on imports and issues in procuring imports at economically viable levels has led to slowed growth in generation from coal, lignite and gas-fired power plants and a decline in the overall plant load factors to 62% during fiscal year 2016 from 65% during fiscal year 2015 and 66% during fiscal year 2014. To improve the financial health of Indias largest power procurers, the government issued Rs. 1,000 billion of bonds from 2015 to 2016 in 10 states. Moreover, the government hopes to improve the financial and operational efficiency improvements of such power procurers through initiatives such as interest rate reduction, debt takeover by states and reduced transmission losses.
Nuclear energy in the country has been traditionally developed by the federal government. Until recently, efforts to fast track development after the IndiaUnited States Civil Nuclear Agreement through import of nuclear reactors have not been successful primarily due to no fault liability requirements levied on operators. During President Obamas trip to India in January 2015, the Indian government indicated that it would work with state-backed insurers to create an insurance pool for accident victims while indemnifying suppliers against liability. However, clarity around the mechanism is yet to be crystallized. Indias indigenous nuclear program has also seen limited progress. Moreover, there is public opposition in the country to nuclear power expansion based on safety and environmental grounds. These factors coupled with construction periods of up to ten years are likely to result in limited expansion of nuclear power in the country.
India also has rich potential for hydro capacity. However, a large portion of such capacity has already been harnessed in most areas where electricity transportation infrastructure is not a constraint and where geological challenges are limited. Untapped areas represent significant challenges in engineering and electricity transportation infrastructure for large hydro plants.
Overview of the Indian Renewables Sector
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are expected to continue to become significant contributors to Indias overall capacity growth. In the past five years, renewable capacity growth has outpaced other sources of generation.
Source: MNRE, Central Electricity Authority, March 2016 Installed Capacity Report.
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The significant expansion in renewable installed capacity has been driven by a number of country-specific factors including a persistent energy deficit, limited access to fossil fuels, renewable generation pricing approaching grid parity and a progressive regulatory framework. We believe renewable energy not only supports the national agenda of a sustainable and inclusive growth, but is an integral solution to meeting Indias energy needs and achieving energy security in the future.
Further, according to the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, or MNRE, approximately 55% of the 167.8 million rural households in India have access to electricity, with the others largely dependent on traditional fuel like firewood, crop residue and dung cake. Some of these households are located in areas that represent economic and technical challenges to building distribution lines. Hence, decentralized distributable renewable energy based initiatives, such as micro-grids, are likely to be contributors to capacity additions going forward.
Solar and Wind to be Key Renewable Fuels With Solar Growing Relatively Faster |
Source: MNRE, Central Electricity Authority March 2016 Installed Capacity Report.
Renewable capacity installations in India as of March 2016 represent only 14% of all installed capacity in the country, a small percentage of the actual potential in India. According to estimates by the Indian Ministry of Power, 132GW of incremental renewable capacity addition is expected by fiscal year 2022, representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, from 2016 to 2022 of approximately 26%. Solar power capacity is expected to reach 100GW by 2022, which represents 75% of total renewable capacity additions implying an approximately 57% CAGR, making solar one of the fastest growing sources of energy in India. MNRE estimates 749GW of domestic solar potential, which is approximately 84% of 897GW of renewable potential. As a result, technologies for both conversion of solar radiation into heat and electricity, namely, solar thermal and solar photovoltaics, can effectively be harnessed providing huge scalability for solar in India. India has in the past opportunistically exploited wind and hydro potential in the country in most areas where evacuation was not a constraint. Wind power in the country is more mature but has faced issues such as limited availability of good sites and difficulties with securing reliable evacuation. Biomass is facing supply level constraints, as long term availability of firm feedstock at pre-determined pricing is unavailable. The central government has announced plans to invest a total of approximately US$300 billion in power infrastructure from 2012 to 2017.
Overview of the Indian Solar Power Generation Sector
Considering the current developments and targeted achievements, we believe that solar installed capacity will grow faster than other renewable energy sources. This robust growth is expected to be driven by a relatively small installed base of solar capacity, favorable geographic conditions and a supportive policy framework.
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Solar capacity development was catalyzed in 2010 by the announcement of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, or NSM, and consistent efforts by the government since then. The NSM is being accomplished by the Indian government in several phases. In Phase I, the India solar sector achieved 1,684MW of solar capacity addition between 2010 and 2013, significantly higher than the targeted capacity addition of 1,100MW. Indian solar installations reached 6.8GW at the end of fiscal year 2016 with capacity spanning more than 20 states and union territories in the country given favorable irradiation in much of the country. The growth in the past few years has been due to a confluence of changing market dynamics, falling equipment costs, increased reliability as well as a strong regulatory and policy support to provide impetus to the growth of solar capacity installations.
The Indian government recently increased its target for solar capacity to 100GW by 2022. The central government, in collaboration with the state governments, is planning to facilitate the development of 25 solar power parks of 500MW to 1,000MW each to boost the solar capacity in high solar irradiation states. The state governments will identify land for the proposed solar parks, provide permits and related infrastructure such as grid interconnect systems while a government sponsored entity will commit to buy power produced from these parks.
To foster the development of 100GW of solar power in the country, India is engaging with international investors. Multilateral agencies such as Asian Development Bank, KfW and International Finance Corporation are already active in the country and have made investments in Indian solar companies. India received approximately US$39 billion in foreign direct investment in 2015, a 37% increase from 2014.
Renewable Power Generation Costs Have Begun to Approach Grid Parity
The increasing dependence on imported fossil fuels, which dominate Indias power generation, and associated volatility in prices have resulted in increases in conventional generation costs. State utilities, which are the largest offtakers of power in the country, have seen power purchase costs rise primarily due to the high cost of generation from use of imported coal and project delays and associated cost escalations due to delays in securing land and permits in a timely manner. While India generates less than 5% of its electricity using oil according to the World Bank, Indian industrial and commercial consumers, who cross-subsidize agricultural and retail consumers and typically run diesel-powered generators when grid power is unavailable, have also experienced significant increases in power costs.
While the cost of conventional power generation has trended upwards, the cost of solar energy in the country has trended down as independent solar power producers reduced generation costs primarily driven by a mix of persistent decline in global solar panel prices per watt and adoption of innovative business practices. The effect of Indian rupees depreciating was offset by prices of solar panel prices per watt falling faster and an increase in panel and operational efficiencies. More importantly, solar panel prices per watt are expected to fall further, which in turn is expected to further drive solar tariffs lower.
The Indian government has also included renewable energy projects in the priority sector lending norms for commercial banks operating in India, and the Indian government has approved the issuance of tax-free infrastructure bonds for funding renewable energy projects during fiscal year 2016.
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An analysis of current tariffs in India indicates that solar power is now competitive with wind, new thermal capacity fueled by imported coal and grid power tariffs for commercial users.
Solar Power Tariffs are Competitive vis-à-vis the Other Sources |
(1) | Azure Powers solar bid in Uttar Pradesh, not including any subsidies. |
(2) | Benchmark tariff for solar for the year fiscal year 2017 as provided by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. |
(3) | Tariff at which thermal power companies contracted to sell power to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation for 15 years. |
(4) | Wind power tariff announced by Rajasthan State for fiscal year 2016 plus Rs. 0.5/kWh of generation based incentive assumed to be the representative tariff. |
(5) | Diesel and gas prices based on the average of the range as per Lazard Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis, November 2015. |
Further, an analysis of tariffs for commercial users in India indicates that solar tariffs in some states are already at grid parity for commercial users.
Solar Power Tariffs Are Competitive Vis-À-Vis The Commercial Tariffs Across India |
Source: | Retail supply tariffs for non domestic units for FY 2015-16 (FY 2014-15 for Rajasthan) |
Note: | Commercial tariff for 50 kW and above or more than 500 units/month, wherever applicable |
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As it approaches grid parity, we believe solar power is likely to be seen more as a viable energy source, not just as an alternative to other renewable sources, and also rival significant proportions of conventional grid power.
Indias Tremendous Solar Potential
India ranks among the highest irradiation receiving countries in the world due to its location between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. On average, India receives 250 to more than 300 days of sunshine per year in much of the country with most areas receiving 4 to 7 kilowatt hour per square meter per day. This allows for solar capacity to be built across the country, unlike wind capacity that tends to be concentrated along the coast. India is expected to be the fourth largest country by solar capacity additions in 2016.
Indias Average Solar Irradiation Amongst the Highest in the World |
Source: | Bridge to India Report, June 2014. |
Solar Policy Framework
India implemented renewable purchase obligations, or RPOs, in 2010 towards its goal of meeting an ambitious target of supplying 15% of the energy demand in the national grid by renewable sources by 2020. Since then RPOs have been a key driving force of renewable capacity in the country. The obligated entities are public power distribution companies, the captive power consumers and industrial consumers who are supplied dedicated power through high voltage distribution systems. Such obligated entities can fulfill their requirement by buying power from a renewable source or they can buy renewable energy certificates in the market. RPOs are of two types in India solar RPOs, which can be met only through solar power, and non-solar RPOs, which can be met through wind, biomass and other types of recognized renewable sources.
The NSM includes RPOs as being a key driver for promoting solar power. Further, the National Tariff Policy was amended in 2011 to prescribe that solar RPO be increased from a minimum of 0.25% in 2012 to 3% in 2022. In May 2015, the Supreme Court of India upheld a regulation that made it compulsory for captive power plants and open access consumers to purchase electricity to fulfill their RPOs. This landmark judgment is expected to boost the demand for renewable energy by captive players and also improve the marketability of renewable energy certificates in India. Auctions held by the central government under the NSM focus on lowering solar power costs by either bundling solar power with coal power or by subsidizing project costs. Some other incentives offered to solar developers by the central government include:
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income tax holidays: 10-year tax holidays for projects during which only a minimum alternate tax of approximately 21.34% is charged instead of the normal corporate tax rate of 34.61%; |
|
accelerated depreciation provision that allows for developers to depreciate up to 100% of the project cost in the first year of installation; |
|
environmental compliance exemptions; and |
|
entry, custom and excise duty exemptions. |
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State governments have independent solar policies that foster development of solar capacity by typically offering relatively higher offtake tariffs than conventional power. There is significant divergence in the tariffs and incentives provided to developers by states as these are largely driven by location of projects, land prices, scale of existing projects and competitive intensity in the respective states. After focusing largely on utility scale solar projects, state policies have recently released state-specific net-metering policies that are expected to encourage development of rooftop projects.
Pan-India Progress
Renewable Auction Process
The auction process for solar projects is typically through published guidelines by the relevant central and state governments. For instance, bids under the NSM are evaluated in a two-stage process that ensures bids meet the financial and technical criteria, with remaining qualified bidders judged based on the tariff requested. Bids are opened and evaluated in the presence of all auction participants.
Financial Criteria
In the first round of bidding, each bidder must submit their historical audited financial statements and calculate net worth as defined by the auction guidelines. Each auction will require a minimum net worth per megawatt of bid capacity and bidders must meet or exceed this hurdle. For example, auctions under Phase I Batch II of the NSM required approximately Rs. 20 million per megawatt bid. Further, participants are required to post earnest money in the form of bank guarantees at the time of bidding and performance bank guarantees at the time of signing the offtake agreement. For example, auctions under Phase I Batch II of the NSM required Rs. 1 million per megawatt as earnest money deposit and Rs. 2 million per megawatt at the time of signing the offtake agreement. Auction participants that successfully meet the required financial criteria progress to the second round of the auction process.
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The auction decision process is a reverse bidding process, in which participating developers bid for solar projects by quoting their required tariffs per kilowatt hour, or in other cases, their required viability gap funding, or VGF, amount provided by the Solar Energy Corporation of India, which refers to the subsidy on capital expenditure per megawatt. After the financial bids are opened, the quoted tariffs or VGF amounts from all the qualified bidders are sorted in ascending order, and projects are allocated to the bidders starting from the lowest bidder, until the total auctioned capacity is reached. Bids are accepted at their quoted tariff or VGF levels rather than all winning bidders receiving the lowest tariff or VGF. Auction participants that successfully meet the required criteria progress to the second round of the technical process.
Technical Criteria
Bids are generally evaluated based on the selected module technology as well as each bidders development and execution history. Some of the factors that may be considered include:
|
preliminary project analysis and feasibility study on site location and inter-connection details; |
|
only commercially established and operating technologies will be considered; |
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bidder ability to execute on development plans (and corresponding capital expenditures) that successfully achieved commissioning; and |
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additional criteria sometimes include local content requirements, such as requirements to use Indian photovoltaic module manufacturers, and the bidders total operational megawatts. |
NSM Targets and Achievements
The NSM had previously set a target of putting into operation 20GW of grid-connected solar power by 2022 through long-term policy, large-scale operation goals, aggressive research and development and development of a comprehensive domestic solar ecosystem. The government increased this goal from 20GW to 100GW in December 2014 which was approved by the Cabinet in June 2015. The 100GW target capacity will be comprised of 40GW rooftop and 60GW of large and medium scale grid connected solar power projects, as described in the tables below.
Targets under NSM | ||||||||||
Category I |
Proposed
Capacity (MW) |
Category II |
Proposed
Capacity (MW) |
|||||||
Rooftop Solar |
40,000 | Scheme for Decentralized Generation of Solar Energy Projects by Unemployed Youths & Farmers | 10,000 | |||||||
PSUs | 10,000 | |||||||||
Large Private Sector/IPPs | 5,000 | |||||||||
SECI | 5,000 | |||||||||
Under State Policies | 20,000 | |||||||||
Ongoing programmes incl. past achievements | 10,000 | |||||||||
Total |
40,000 | 60,000 |
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Source: India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Results of NSM Auctions | ||||||||||||
Phase I Batch I | Phase I Batch II | Phase II Batch I | Phase II Batch II | Phase II Batch III | Phase II Batch IV | |||||||
Date |
August 2010 | August 2011 | December 2013 |
Expected to be
allocated over multiple tranches |
Expected to be
allocated over multiple tranches |
Expected to be
allocated over multiple tranches |
||||||
Offtaker |
NTPC Vidyut
Vyapar Nigam Limited |
NTPC Vidyut
Vyapar Nigam Limited |
Solar Energy
Corporation of India Limited |
NTPC Vidyut
Vyapar Nigam Limited |
Solar Energy
Corporation of India Limited |
Solar Energy
Corporation of India Limited |
||||||
Capacity Allotted (MW) |
150(1) | 350(1) | 750 | 15,000 | 2,000 | 5,000 | ||||||
Capacity Commissioned (MW) |
140 | 310 | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||||||
Allocation Mechanism |
Reverse Tariff
Bidding |
Reverse Tariff
Bidding |
VGF |
Reverse Tariff
Bidding |
VGF | VGF | ||||||
Reference Tariff ( Rs. / kWh ) |
17.9kWh | 15.4kWh | 5.45kWh |
CERC
Benchmark Tariff or State Tariff (whichever is lower) |
4.43kWh | Fixed by MNRE | ||||||
Tariff Bid / VGF Requested (applicable for Ph ase II Batch I only) |
Rs. 12.16kWh | Rs. 8.77kWh | Rs. 15mn/MW | NA | NA | NA | ||||||
Number of Winning Bidders |
30 | 26 | 47 | NA | NA | NA |
Note: | (1) Allotted capacity for which PPAs have been signed. |
VGF was set up by the Indian government to incentivize the development of a large number of solar power projects in India, whereby the ongoing monthly fixed tariff to be paid by the distribution companies purchasing the power would be minimized. Under the VGF scheme in Phase II Batch I, the tariff paid to solar power project
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developers was fixed at Rs. 5.45 per kilowatt hour during the 25-year PPA period. In return for the fixed tariff, the developer was provided VGF based on its bid for the VGF amount, with the upper limit being the lower of 30% of the project cost or Rs. 25 million per megawatt. The developer is entitled to 50% of the VGF upon the commissioning of the project and the balance is paid in five equal installments at the end of each year after the initial commissioning date.
1,250MW of the targeted solar power was auctioned in the first three rounds of auctions. These auctions were highly successful and resulted in a gradual decline in tariffs. Through successive batches, the government has set the standards and has encouraged development of solar power generation in the country. In addition, the central government has recently released draft guidelines for the next few batches of Phase II bidding with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, or NVVN, and Solar Energy Corporation of India, both of which are expected to be the offtakers. These guidelines envision auctioning 3GW of capacity under Phase II Batch II across the country by NVVN through March 2017. Through January 2016, the government has released tenders for tranche I of Batch II Phase II for an aggregate of 2,750MW through NVVN. Solar Energy Corporation of India, which is developing grid connected solar power capacity through VGF in the country, is expected to add further a total solar PV capacity of 2,000MW under the Phase II Batch III of the NSM and 5,000MW under the Phase II Batch IV. At the end of April 2016, Solar Energy Corporation of India announced bids of 400MW in Andhra Pradesh, 100MW in Chhattisgarh, and 750MW in Madhya Pradesh. Solar Energy Corporation of India has a tendering capacity of 6,757MW and Rooftop Solar has a tendering capacity of 1GW.
Apart from the auctions promoted by the central government, the state governments are also independently inviting bids for solar power tenders. In 2015 through 2016, tenders have been released for more than 7.3GW of solar capacity by state governments. As of March 21, 2016, Bridge to India reported that the solar project pipeline in India is now 23GW.
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Overview
Our mission is to be the lowest-cost power producer in the world. We sell solar power in India on long term fixed price contracts to our customers, at prices which in many cases are at or below prevailing alternatives for these customers. We are also developing micro-grid applications for the highly fragmented and underserved electricity market in India. Since inception, we have achieved a 74% reduction in total solar project cost, which includes a significant decrease in balance of systems costs due in part to our value engineering, design and procurement efforts.
Indian solar capacity installed reached 6.8GW at the end of March 2016 with a target to achieve 100GW of installed solar capacity by 2022. Solar power is a cleaner, faster-to-build and cost-effective alternative energy solution to coal and diesel based power, the economic and climate costs of which continue to increase every year.
We developed Indias first utility scale solar project in 2009. As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW which represents a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 112% from May 2012. As of such date we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW committed, bringing our total portfolio capacity to 965MW. Megawatts committed represents the aggregate megawatt rated capacity of solar power plants pursuant to customer power purchase agreements, or PPAs, signed or allotted but not yet commissioned and operational as of the reporting date. We are targeting having 520MW operating by December 31, 2016. Our longer term goals are to achieve 1GW committed or operating by December 31, 2017 and 5GW by December 31, 2020. Our ability to achieve these goals will depend on, among other things, our ability to acquire the required land for the new capacity (on lease or direct purchase), raising adequate project financing and working capital, the growth of the Indian power market in line with current government targets, our ability to maintain our market share of Indias installed capacity as competition increases, the need to further strengthen our operations team to execute the increased capacity, and the need to further strengthen our systems and processes to manage the ensuing growth opportunities, as well as the other risks and challenges discussed under the caption Risk Factors.
Utility scale solar projects are typically awarded through government auctions. We believe we have secured more megawatts of capacity in these auctions in the last seven years than any other company in India. We believe the strong demand for our solar power is a result of the following:
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Low levelized cost of energy . We have lowered our levelized cost of energy, which is a measure of comparing the cost of energy generated by different power generation technologies, through value engineering, operational performance monitoring and efficient financial strategy. This allows us to deliver cost-effective energy for our customers. From 2009 to May 31, 2016, the price at which we sell power to utilities fell by 74%. On a rooftop, we believe we are consistently below the cost of our customers alternative sources of power. Our in-house engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, expertise lowers system costs through proprietary designs and a global equipment procurement process. Our purely solar focus coupled with our pan-India presence allows us to optimize our system designs for the Indian market. Our advanced in-house operations and maintenance, or O&M, capability allows us to increase power yields and monitor project performance near real-time. Coupled with our efficient financial strategy, we believe that we are able to offer low-cost solar power solutions at high efficiency yields. As we continue to grow, we expect to achieve further efficiencies of scale, allowing us to compete with conventional power sources on a levelized cost of energy basis. |
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Strong value proposition for our customers . We manage the entire development and operation process, providing customers with long term fixed price PPAs, as a result of solar not being subject to variable commodity prices. Our in-house focus on high engineering standards and asset quality ensures high levels of availability and service to our customers. We believe our pan-India presence and existing relationships with leading solar power purchasers help us win repeat business on long-term contracts. |
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Our integrated profile supports growth . As opposed to relying on third-party providers, our integrated profile affords us greater control over project development, construction and operation, which provides us with greater insight and certainty on our construction costs and timeline. Coupled with our low cost profile, our greater insight supports competitive new project bids at prevailing market prices, not at our direct costs. This facilitates a steady organic growth pipeline that allows us to earn enhanced project returns. |
|
Strong community partnerships . We hire from local communities and generally lease land with few alternative uses, providing local communities with a stream of discretionary cash flow without displacing alternative businesses. As a result we are able to build long-term community relationships, which allows us to improve our time of completion, further reducing project development risk. |
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We take a leading role in policy initiatives . Our strong policy advocacy practice supports a sustainable and open market, contributing to success for all stakeholders including manufacturers, investors and customers. For example, we filed suggestions with government offtakers to set new auction guidelines and tariff orders. In addition, under the NSM, we have advocated the use of novel financing instruments, including bankable PPAs and compulsorily convertible debentures. Furthermore, we provided input to the government to help it design an auction process supporting multiple winners at differentiated price points and implementing a transparent bidding process open to participants regardless of their jurisdiction of incorporation, ownership of land or choice of technology. For example, we suggested that the government include compulsorily convertible debentures in the calculation of a bidders net worth for the purposes of tender qualification, which was ultimately adopted by the government. |
We operate in a large, rapidly growing market that suffered from a five-year average peak power deficit of approximately 6% from March 2011 through March 2016, according to the Ministry of Power. Coal-fired generation, Indias main power source, is increasingly reliant on expensive imports as the countrys demand outstrips domestic coal supply, leading to upward pressure on power prices. In contrast, Indian solar power offtake costs are near grid parity due to Indias leading solar irradiation and declining production costs. In 2010, the Indian government created the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, or the NSM, to promote solar development and targeted 10GW of solar capacity by 2017. The current Prime Minister Modi-led government is also committed to spurring growth in the solar market and increased the government-sponsored solar procurement target to 100GW by 2022. Our goal is to grow in line with the broader Indian solar market by continuing to leverage our strengths.
We generate revenue from a mix of leading government utilities such as NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, and the Solar Energy Corporation of India as well as commercial entities such as Torrent Power Limited and DLF Limited. All our PPA customers pay a rate based on energy produced by our solar power plants. Some customers pay upfront capital to keep long term power cost lower than the market price of power. Because we have our own EPC and O&M capabilities, we retain the profit margins associated with those services that other project developers may need to pay to third-party providers. Through value engineering, operational performance monitoring and efficient financial strategy, we are able to deliver cost-effective energy for our customers. We intend to expand our footprint into states within India and internationally into developing electricity markets.
We are able to capture additional returns vis-à-vis EPC contractors and operators due to our local Indian development expertise and global access to capital. Additionally our integrated approach allows us to capture the full benefits of the project value chain, as opposed to transferring part of the value to a sponsor or project developer. Unlike in many jurisdictions, the bulk of the development capital in India is spent after the project has been awarded at auction and offtake arrangements and economic terms are known. To date, we have raised or have committed to raise over US$905 million in various forms of equity and debt financings with established financial institutions such as the International Finance Corporation, the private investment arm of the World Bank Group, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, DEG Deutsche Investitionsund Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, or DEG, Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Économique, or PROPARCO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Reliance Capital Limited, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited, the State Bank of India and the Central Bank of India. Approximately US$47.6 million of the amount raised remains available for deployment.
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The cumulative effect of the cost savings and production improvements achieved is to accelerate grid parity between our projects and new build alternatives. While renewable subsidies exist, our low cost profile has allowed us to bid in auctions with greater certainty and enjoy higher project returns. When renewable subsidies end, we expect that our low cost profile will support our continued growth.
Market Opportunity
Indias economic growth is intrinsically linked to the increasing consumption of energy and natural resources. Energy demand has outpaced capacity additions in recent years, which has resulted in persistent peak power deficits in the country. Solar is an attractive option to help address this energy gap driven by regional fundamentals and regulatory support by the Indian government.
The following trends have made solar a large, rapidly growing market opportunity:
|
Peak power deficits and rising power prices . Despite adding 128GW of power in the past five years through March 2016, India continues to be plagued by a persistent demand/supply mismatch with a five-year average energy deficit of approximately 5% and a five-year average peak deficit of approximately 6% through March 2016 according to the Ministry of Power. As the country has outstripped its domestic supply of conventional fuels, India has also suffered from upward pressure in power prices. |
|
Strong regulatory support . In order to reduce dependence on energy imports and curtail the current trade deficit and resulting impact on the rupee, the Indian government has taken a number of steps to incentivize the use of renewable sources of energy. These include establishing state-level renewable power purchase obligations and providing viability gap funding, or VGF, to solar project developers to make solar tariffs competitive in the country. To provide further impetus to solar growth, the Indian government launched the NSM in 2010. |
|
Solar positioned to win among alternatives . Solar generation is viable across most of India, unlike wind and hydro resources which are concentrated in specific regions. In addition, as solar plants can be built near the point of consumption, power produced generally does not incur expensive transmission charges or require infrastructure or transmission investments. Further, unlike nuclear and hydropower, solar power has fewer legal liabilities and environmental constraints. |
|
Leading global solar resource . India ranks among the highest irradiation-receiving countries in the world with more than 300 days of sunshine per year in much of the country and the resource is widely available throughout the country. |
|
Solar approaching parity . State utilities have seen power costs rise as domestic coal shortages have caused thermal generators to increasingly rely on more expensive imported fuels. An analysis of current tariffs in India indicates that solar power is now competitive with wind, new thermal capacity fueled by imported coal and grid power tariffs for commercial users. Further, diesel power, the most common replacement power source for commercial and off-grid users in the country, is far more expensive than solar power. Additionally, solar panel prices are expected to fall further, which in turn is expected to drive further reductions in solar tariffs. |
|
Transparent solar auction process . Indian solar auctions are conducted in a transparent manner that ensures bids meet minimum technical and financial criteria. Bidders must meet requirements on project development and execution history in India or the regional market, including bidder experience in the development of similar utility scale power projects. Auctions are not winner-take-all; instead, they are constructed to ensure multiple high-quality developers are allotted portions of the total capacity block. |
These factors have increased the solar installation to approximately 6.8GW as of March 31, 2016, of which 5.5GW is operating under various state policies and the NSM. Approximately 7.8GW of tenders have been announced under various state policies. In addition, auctions allocating 4.3GW of projects are expected to be announced or completed under the NSM by the end of fiscal year 2017. The Indian government plans to accelerate the operation of renewable energy targeting 100GW of solar energy by 2022.
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Our Approach
We lower the levelized cost of energy through value engineering, operational performance monitoring and efficient financial strategy to deliver cost-effective energy for our customers. We sell energy to government utilities and independent industrial and commercial customers at predictable fixed prices. Since our energy generation does not rely on fossil fuels, our electricity prices are insulated from the volatility of commodity pricing. We also guarantee the electricity production of our solar power plants to our customers.
We offer integrated project development, EPC, financing, O&M services without involving multiple third-party services. This approach has allowed us to generate efficiencies of scale that further drive down system costs. A low cost structure allows us to bid for auctions strategically, which supports our high auction win rate and helps preserve our market leading position, which further reduces costs. As of May 2016, in the NSM auctions in which we have chosen to participate, we have won 457MW of the projects allocated.
Moreover, we believe that our brand recognition and procurement scale improves negotiating power with suppliers and lenders. As the first developer and operator of utility scale solar assets in India, we believe that we are a well-established brand that has grown alongside the burgeoning Indian solar market since 2009. We have proven to be a reliable developer that successfully and expediently executes on our development pipeline and wins repeat business. Our reputation and track record give us an advantage in the auction evaluation process, improving our win rate. As a result, we believe we have become one of the largest purely solar operators in the space, which affords us greater negotiating power with original equipment manufacturers and project finance lenders. This in turn improves our cost and capital structure, which benefits our bid win rate.
The key elements of our three-pronged approach are as follows:
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Value engineering . Our in-house EPC allows us to enhance our system design expertise with each successive project, be flexible with our choice of technology and source from top-tier suppliers that optimizes both the system cost and power yield of the total solar block. We are able to further negotiate pricing as we have built a well-recognized brand, strong supplier relationships and significant economies of scale. As a result of our value engineering, we have seen a significant reduction in balance of system costs. |
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Operational performance monitoring . As the operator of the first utility scale solar plant in India, we have been able to develop and improve on our operational expertise with each successive project to enhance output per watt. We have a patent pending for a tracking system that allows us to manually track the suns seasonality by adjusting module angles multiple times per year specific to the location, thus increasing the power yield at lower costs. Further, we operate a National Operating Control Center, or NOCC, that allows us to monitor project performance in real-time and allows us to respond rapidly to potential generation anomalies. Feedback from our operating projects also serves to further enhance our project designs, resulting in enhancements for current and new plants and further reductions to our levelized cost of energy. |
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Financial strategy . Our integrated business model also increases capital efficiency. We are able to offset project equity requirements through economic benefits generated by our EPC and O&M businesses. Coupled with our asset financing strategy we are able to optimize the overall cost of capital leading to enhanced economics for our customers and shareholders. To enable rapid operation of our projects, we use short term credit facilities that are refinanced with long term project finance facilities. Our strong track record and relationships with local banks offer us significant advantages over international bidders when it comes to posting capital for bids. On account of our strong track record and local banking relationships, we are able to post bid bond guarantees with a capital outlay from 10% to 20%, as opposed to 100% cash funded. |
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we differentiate ourselves from the competition in a number of key ways.
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Market leadership . We have several market-leading advantages in the solar power industry in India. We have a first mover advantage from the construction of Indias first private utility scale solar photovoltaic power plant in 2009 as well as the implementation of the first megawatt scale rooftop smart city initiative in 2013. Additionally, our strong track record in policy and project development across utility scale, commercial rooftop and micro-grids projects enables us to have a market leading auction win rate of 76% for bids we participated in from 2010 to May 31, 2016, and has helped us gain a leading market share in India with an 11.3% share in federal tenders we participated in between March 2014 and May 2016. |
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Scale and brand-name recognition . As the first developer and operator of utility scale solar assets in India, we believe that we are a well-established brand that has grown alongside the rapidly growing Indian solar market since 2009. We have proven to be a reliable developer with successful and expedient execution of our development pipeline, which has helped us win repeat business. Our reputation and track record provide us an advantage in the auction evaluation process, thereby improving our win rate. As a result, we believe we have become one of the largest solar developers and operators in India, which affords us greater negotiating power with our suppliers and project finance lenders. This in turn improves our overall cost and capital structure, which again benefits our win rate in the auction process. |
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In-house EPC and O&M expertise enable cost efficiencies . Our in-house EPC capabilities enhance our ability to be flexible with our choice of technology, which allows us to choose high quality equipment while optimizing the combination of total solar project cost and yield. Our in-house O&M capabilities maximize project yield and performance through proprietary system monitoring and adjustments. We have demonstrated a 74% decrease in total solar project costs since inception in part through continual innovation in our EPC and O&M capabilities. Coupled with improved efficiency of solar panels, we are able to offer cost-efficient solutions to all our customers, which allows us to bid more efficiently in renewable energy auctions and thereby improve our project returns. |
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Superior technical and execution capabilities . We continually seek to innovate our systems and processes in order to lower our levelized cost of energy. For example, we have developed proprietary systems that significantly reduce the time it takes to design, finance and commission projects. We have also improved our operational processes. For instance, we operate a NOCC system to provide high level of service to all our customers at minimal operating costs. We have developed a streamlined approach to construction that relies on small and efficient teams. Our lean and efficient execution expertise facilitates completion of our plants ahead of contracted completion dates, enables us to easily scale our operations without significant increases to headcount, and allows us to construct several projects in parallel without compromising on efficiency. |
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Long term, stable cash generation . We typically enter into 25-year, fixed price PPAs with government agencies and independent commercial businesses. As a result of generally reliable solar irradiation in India, our energy production under these PPAs has historically had little volatility, which, coupled with our low operating expenses, makes for predictable cash flows from these agreements. |
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Long term community support . We partner with local communities when we embark on a new project. We hire from local communities and generally lease land that has few alternative uses, providing local communities with a stream of discretionary cash flow without displacing alternative businesses. As a result we are able to build long term community relationships, which allows us to improve our time of completion, further reducing project development risk. Economic development also drives local power demand. |
|
Strong management . Our strong management team has proven execution capabilities globally. Our senior leadership team consists of our founders, Inderpreet S. Wadhwa and Harkanwal S. Wadhwa, who are widely recognized experts in the Indian solar energy sector with track records of building successful businesses. Our board of directors also includes Robert Kelly and Barney Rush, who are well-respected global authorities in energy finance and public policy. |
Our Business Strategy
Key elements of our business strategy include the following.
|
Continue to drive project cost reductions. Our mission is to be the lowest cost power producer in the world. Since inception, we have achieved a 74% reduction in total solar project cost, which includes a significant decrease in balance of systems costs due to our value engineering, design and procurement efforts. We will continue to reduce costs by leveraging our in-house EPC and O&M capabilities and by improving our negotiating power with technology providers and project lenders. We expect to further innovate our financing solutions to reduce the cost of energy for our customers and achieve grid parity with local alternatives in the utility market in the next few years. |
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Rapidly grow our project portfolio to achieve scale benefits. Since we built Indias first utility scale solar project in 2009, we have built and have committed to build 965MW of solar energy across 15 states and union territories in India as of May 31, 2016. We intend to rapidly grow our project portfolio, which will enable us to achieve further economies of scale. We have submitted bids for projects totaling approximately 300MW. We are targeting having 520MW operating by December 31, 2016. Our longer term goals are to achieve 1GW committed or operating by December 31, 2017 and 5GW by December 31, 2020. Our ability to achieve these goals will depend on, among other things, our ability to acquire the required land for the new capacity (on lease or direct purchase), raising adequate project financing and working capital, the growth of the Indian power market in line with current government targets, our ability to maintain our market share of Indias installed capacity as competition increases, the need to further strengthen our operations team to execute the increased capacity, and the need to further strengthen our systems and processes to manage the ensuing growth opportunities, as well as the other risks and challenges discussed under the caption Risk Factors. We plan to continue to expand our presence in new states in India and expand our business with existing customers to meet their clean energy needs through community-supported growth. We also plan to significantly expand our presence in commercial and micro-grid applications. In order to continue this growth, we plan to reinvest our operating cash flow into new project development and construction. |
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Maintain position as a top Indian solar company. We are the longest tenured solar power producer in India and we believe we have the largest portfolio of operating projects under the NSM and one of the largest portfolios of operating projects in India. By entering the market first and growing in line with the broader Indian solar opportunity, we have been able to develop a track record that is unmatched by competitors. As a result, we have developed critical operational expertise and regional knowledge that improves project performance and expedites project execution. Additionally, our purely solar model and pan-India presence should help us preserve our market leading position. |
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Leverage track record and management relationships to shape policy. We have petitioned governments at the local, state and central levels for substantial changes to solar policy that are essential to the advancement of the solar industry. For example, we filed suggestions with the Central Electricity |
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Regulatory Commission to set new guidelines and tariff orders for the sale and purchase of solar energy. In addition, under the NSM, we have advocated the use of financing instruments and transactions considered novel in the Indian solar sector, including bankable PPAs and compulsorily convertible debentures. This strategy is unique in the industry and will be critical both to our continued growth and to the development of the solar energy industry within India. We plan to leverage our track record, together with our managements long-running relationships with policy-makers, to influence policy at all governmental levels. |
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Expand into new locations. As of May 31, 2016, we had a presence in 15 of 36 states and union territories in India. Given the strength of the solar resource throughout India and our distribution model, we intend to operate in every state that has structural power needs. We participate in both national and state level renewable energy auctions. We intend to continue to expand our presence into other states in India and other emerging markets with underserved electricity markets. |
Research and Development
Our intellectual property is an essential element of our business, and our success depends, at least in part, on our ability to protect our core technology and intellectual property. To accomplish this, we rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, trademark and other intellectual property laws, confidentiality agreements and license agreements to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. As of May 31, 2016, we had three pending patent applications. These applications include our real time and pre-paid solar power module, which enables automated services such as solar energy generation and provisioning, maintenance and billing and our manual solar tracking system, which allows us to control remotely our solar panels to follow the movement of the sun.
Customers
The following chart shows the commercial operation date, capacity, tariff, offtaker and duration of PPAs for our projects as of May 31, 2016.
Operational | ||||||||||||||
Project Names |
Commercial
Operation Date(1) |
Capacity (MW) |
Tariff
(Rs/kWh) |
Offtaker |
Duration
of PPA in Years |
|||||||||
Punjab 1 |
Q4 2009 | 2 | 17.91 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.1 |
Q3 2014 | 15 | 7.67 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.2 |
Q4 2014 | 15 | 7.97 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 2.3 |
Q4 2014 | 4 | 8.28 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 3.1 |
Q1 2016 | 24 | 7.19 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 3.2 |
Q1 2016 | 4 | 7.33 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Gujarat 1.1 |
Q2 2011 | 5 | 15.00(2) | Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Gujarat 1.2 |
Q4 2011 | 5 | 15.00(2) | Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 1 |
Q4 2011 | 5 | 11.94 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 2.1 |
Q1 2013 | 20 | 8.21 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 2.2 |
Q1 2013 | 15 | 8.21 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.1 |
Q2 2015 | 20 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.2 |
Q2 2015 | 40 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 3.3 |
Q2 2015 | 40 | 5.45(3) |
Solar Energy Corporation of India |
25 | |||||||||
Rajasthan 4 |
Q4 2015 | 5 | 5.45(3) | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 |
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Project Names |
Commercial
Operation Date(1) |
Capacity (MW) |
Tariff
(Rs/kWh) |
Offtaker |
Duration
of PPA in Years |
|||||||||
Karnataka 1 |
Q1 2015 | 10 | 7.47 |
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 1 |
Q1 2015 | 10 | 8.99 |
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited |
12 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.1 |
Q2 2015 | 10 | 6.44 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.2 |
Q2 2015 | 10 | 6.45 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1.3 |
Q3 2015 | 10 | 6.46 |
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited |
25 | |||||||||
Delhi 1.1 |
Q4 2015 | 1 | 5.43 | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 2 |
Q1 2016 | 10 | 6.66 | Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 1(4) |
Q1 2016 | 50 | 5.89(2) | Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited | 25 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
330 | |||||||||||||
Under Construction | ||||||||||||||
Karnataka 3.1 |
Q4 2016 | 50 | 6.89 | Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 3.2 |
Q1 2017 | 40 | 6.93 | Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Karnataka 3.3 |
Q1 2017 | 40 | 6.96 | Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Bihar 1 |
Q3 2016 | 10 | 8.39 | North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Maharashtra 1.1 |
Q3 2016 | 2 | 5.50(3) | Ordinance Factory Bhandara | 25 | |||||||||
Maharashtra 1.2 |
Q4 2016 | 5 | 5.31 | Ordinance Factory Ambajhari | 25 | |||||||||
Delhi 1.2 |
Q2 2016 | 2 | 5.45 | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.1 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.62 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.2 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.63 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Punjab 4.3 |
Q1 2017 |
50 | 5.64 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 2 |
Q2 2017 | 100 | 5.12 | NTPC VidyutVyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
399 | |||||||||||||
Committed | ||||||||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 2 |
Q1 2017 | 50 | 4.78 | NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Telangana 1(5) |
100 | 4.67 | NTPC Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 3(5) |
50 | 4.43(3) | Solar Energy Corporation of India | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
200 |
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Project Names |
Commercial
Operation Date(1) |
Capacity (MW) |
Tariff
(Rs/kWh) |
Offtaker |
Duration
of PPA in Years |
|||||||||
Commercial Rooftop |
||||||||||||||
Commissioned | ||||||||||||||
Gujarat Rooftops |
2013 | 2.5 | Torrent Power Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
DLF (total) |
2013-2015 | 1.46 | (6) | DLF Limited | 25 | |||||||||
Uttar Pradesh Rooftop 1 |
Q1 2015 | 0.555 | Indosolar Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 1 |
Q2 2015 | 0.056 | Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 2 |
Q2 2015 | 0.178 | Taj Sats Air Catering Limited | 20 | ||||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 1 |
Q3 2015 | 1 | JCBL Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 2(7) |
Q2 2016 | 7.631 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
13.38 | |||||||||||||
Under Construction | ||||||||||||||
Oberoi (total) |
Q2 2016 | 0.839 | (8) | Oberoi Resorts/EIH Limited | 15 | |||||||||
Punjab Rooftop 2 |
Q2 2016 | 2.36 | Punjab State Power Corporation Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 3 |
Q2 2016 | 1.00 | Indraprastha Power Generation Co. Limited | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
4.199 | |||||||||||||
Committed | ||||||||||||||
Delhi Rooftop 4 |
Q3 2017 | 14 | Delhi Metro Rail Corporation | 25 | ||||||||||
Odisha Rooftop 1 |
Q2 2017 | 4 | Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha | 25 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Capacity |
18 | |||||||||||||
Total Capacity (all projects) |
965 |
Notes:
(1) | Refers to the applicable quarter of the calendar year. There can be no assurance that our projects under construction and our committed projects will be completed on time or at all. See Risk Factors Our construction activities may be subject to cost overruns or delays. |
(2) | Current tariff, subject to escalation, as disclosed under BusinessPortfolio of Solar Energy ProjectsOperational Projects. |
(3) | Projects are supported by VGF in addition to the tariff. Each projects respective VGF amount is mentioned in its description under this section of the document. |
(4) | Hanwha Q CELLS Korea holds a non-controlling interest against its investment of Rs. 316.9 million. |
(5) | Projects won in May 2016; PPAs yet to be signed and capacity allocation letters are outstanding. The projects will commence operations 13 months after signing of PPA. |
(6) | PPAs for 2.246MW signed, 1.46MW of the project has commenced operations. |
(7) | Commenced operations after March 31, 2016. |
(8) | 0.357MW of the project has commenced operations. |
We have signed long term PPAs with central and state-run utilities, government-backed corporations and commercial users. As of May 31, 2016, our offtakers included:
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Government
|
NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited a government company that is a 100% owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, the leader in power generation in India. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited was designated under the NSM to be the agency responsible for procuring solar power by entering into PPAs with project developers |
|
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited a state-run utility |
|
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited a state-run utility |
|
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited a state-run utility |
|
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited a state-run utility |
|
Solar Energy Corporation of India a not-for-profit company established under the administrative control of the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, or the MNRE, and an agency responsible for facilitating implementation of the NSM |
|
NTPC Limited Indias largest power utility, designated under the NSM Phase 2 to be the agency responsible for procuring solar power by entering into PPAs with project developers |
|
Ordinance Factory the oldest and largest industrial setup, which functions under the Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence |
|
Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited a state-run utility |
|
Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited a state-run utility |
|
Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited a state-run utility |
|
Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited a state-run utility |
|
North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited state-run utilities |
|
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited a state-run utility |
|
Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited a state-run utility |
Commercial
|
Torrent Power Limited a large Indian power generator and distributor |
|
DLF Limited one of the largest residential, commercial and retail property developers in India |
|
Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited one of Indias oldest clubs |
|
Taj Sats Air Catering Limited a joint venture of Indian Hotels Company, which is an affiliate of the Tata Group, a global enterprise headquartered in India, and SATS Limited |
|
Indosolar Limited leading Indian manufacturer of solar photovoltaic cells |
|
The Oberoi Group a global premium chains of hotels, headquartered in Delhi |
|
JCBL Limited a conglomerate with diversified solutions in automobile, pharmaceutical, design, information technology, hand tools, automobile parts and international business |
|
Trident a premium hotel chain in India |
|
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation a state public sector transportation company that operates the Delhi Metro |
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Illustrative Projects
Punjab 1 Project
The Punjab 1 project was a 2MW plant in Awan Village, Amritsar district, that became operational in 2009. This was Indias first private megawatt capacity solar power project. We entered into a 25-year PPA with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited with a tariff of Rs. 17.91 per kilowatt hour. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited was mandated under the NSM to procure solar power to help distribution companies meet their solar renewable purchase obligations competitively. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited bundles solar power with coal power to reduce the cost to the distribution companies. Consistent with our inclusive growth model, this project was built on community leased land.
Rajasthan Projects
The first Rajasthan project for 5MW was signed with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited at a tariff of Rs. 11.94 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The project was financed with a loan of US$15.78 million for a tenure of approximately 16.5 years.
The second Rajasthan portfolio, comprised of two projects for a total of 35MW, was signed at a tariff of Rs. 8.21 per kilowatt hour for 25 years.
The abovementioned Rajasthan projects were built on a barren government desert in the western state of Rajasthan, land that has few alternative uses. These are a part of three projects totaling 40MW with over 400,000 solar panels. The lease rentals from the project create a revenue source for the government while meeting its clean energy mandate.
The third Rajasthan portfolio is comprised of three projects with a total capacity of 100MW. Each project PPA was won under NSM auctions with a VGF component. We were able to secure a total VGF of Rs. 1,860 million for these projects, which was the highest allotment of total available VGF. The PPA offtaker is the Solar Energy Corporation of India at a tariff of Rs. 5.45 per kilowatt hour. The projects were constructed for a total gross project cost of Rs. 7,301 million. Spread across over 717 acres of land in Jodhpur, these projects commenced operations in May 2015, making Azure the largest owner and operator of NSM projects totalling 142MW.
Modules for a total of 60MW have been completely manufactured in India, which is a significant milestone in supporting the Indian governments Make in India initiative in the solar power sector.
Chhattisgarh Projects
Chhattisgarh 1 is a 30MW project representing a portfolio of three projects of 10MW each under the Chhattisgarh Solar Policy, 2012-2017. Each of the three PPAs for the project were signed with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 6.45 per kilowatt hour. The projects commenced operations between May 2015 and August 2015. The development and construction of the project was financed with a loan of Rs. 1,601 million for a tenure of 14 years. Debt comprised 75% of the project cost.
Gandhinagar Smart City Rooftop Project
We operate Indias largest and first distributed rooftop solar city program in the western capital city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. A 25-year PPA for 2.5MW was entered into with the citys private distribution company, Torrent Power Limited. We signed up 161 residential and 31 government buildings on long term leases, putting up 2.5MW total capacity of solar in the city.
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We provide solar powered electricity directly to the consumers and the building owners receive a revenue share from the energy generated on their roofs. This business model allows seamless collaboration between various stakeholders: policy makers, regulators, individual rooftop owners and utilities, who are able to meet their renewable purchase obligations by procuring solar power. World Bank recognized the project as one of the Top 10 public-private partnerships of 2013 in the Asia Pacific region. We believe that with strong policy support and decreasing solar power tariff, this model can help increase the reach of solar power to consumers and convert cities into power generation hubs. In the long term, this helps remove the need for capital subsidies and reduces long term electricity cost.
This project was financed with a loan of Rs. 143.74 million for a tenure of 15 years. Debt comprised 69% of the project cost.
Micro-Grids in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
We are working on building microgrid projects in several unelectrified clusters in several states. We plan to take part in state and federal tendered bids. These bids are typically for 100 to 200kW central generating stations with storage and basic household lighting packages for providing electricity 10 to 12 hours per day at a fixed monthly rate per household.
Competition
We believe our primary competitors are other solar developers such as SunEdison, Inc., First Solar, Inc. and ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited. Competition to acquire new projects occurs at the development stage as we bid for long term PPAs in central and state solar power auctions. We compete with other solar developers based on a number of factors, including the sourcing of solar projects, reputation and track record, relationship with government authorities, access to capital and control over quality, access to project land, efficiency and reliability in project development. Based on these factors, we believe that we compete favorably with our competitors in the regions we service.
We also compete with utilities generating power from conventional fossil fuels. Utilities generating conventional energy face rising costs as the constraints on domestic fuel supply continue and these energy sources do not benefit from various governmental incentives available to renewable energy producers. As we reduce our levelized cost and achieve parity with conventional energy suppliers, we expect to compete favorably with these suppliers on the basis of cost and reliability.
However, we cannot guarantee that some of our competitors do not or will not have advantages over us in terms of larger size, internal access to solar panels and greater operational, financial, technical, management, lower cost of capital or other resources. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Business and Industry We face significant competition from traditional and renewable energy companies.
Employees
As of May 31, 2016, we had 347 full time employees. We consider our relations with our employees to be amicable. The following table sets forth the number of our employees for each of the major functions as of May 31, 2016:
Number of
Employees |
||||
Project Development |
33 | |||
EPC |
130 | |||
O&M |
65 | |||
Management and Administrative |
119 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
347 | |||
|
|
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Facilities
Our principal executive offices are located at 8, 17, 18, 19 and 20 Local Shopping Complex, Pushp Vihar, Madangir, New Delhi 110062, India, which occupies approximately 20,410 square feet of space. Our power projects are located primarily on land leased from the state governments and third parties and freehold land purchased by us from private individuals and entities.
The following table sets forth the details of our tangible fixed assets associated with our utility scale power projects as of May 31, 2016.
Projects |
Productive
Capacity (MW) |
Size
(Acres) |
Ownership(1) | Location | ||||||||||||
Punjab 1 |
2 | 12 | Leasehold | Punjab | ||||||||||||
Gujarat 1 |
10 | 59.7 | Freehold | Gujarat | ||||||||||||
Rajasthan 1 |
5 | 43 | Leasehold | Rajasthan | ||||||||||||
Rajasthan 2 |
35 | 302 | Leasehold | Rajasthan | ||||||||||||
Punjab 2 |
34 | 181 | Leasehold | Punjab | ||||||||||||
Uttar Pradesh 1 |
10 | 56 | Freehold | Uttar Pradesh | ||||||||||||
Karnataka 1 |
10 | 45 | Freehold | Karnataka | ||||||||||||
Rajasthan 3 |
100 | 717 | Leasehold | Rajasthan | ||||||||||||
Chhattisgarh 1 |
30 | 150.05 | Freehold | Chhattisgarh | ||||||||||||
Karnataka 2 |
10 | 50.05 | Freehold | Karnataka | ||||||||||||
Punjab 3 |
28 | 147.3 | Leasehold | Punjab | ||||||||||||
Rajasthan 4 |
5 | 25 | Leasehold | Rajasthan | ||||||||||||
Karnataka 3 |
130 | 668.2 | Freehold | Karnataka | ||||||||||||
Andhra Pradesh 1 |
50 | 211.34 | Freehold | Andhra Pradesh | ||||||||||||
Bihar 1 |
10 | 56.3 | Freehold | Bihar | ||||||||||||
Delhi 1 |
3 | 17 | Right to Use | Delhi | ||||||||||||
Maharashtra 1.1 |
2 | 10 | Right to Use | Maharashtra | ||||||||||||
Maharashtra 1.2 |
5 | 25.11 | Right to Use | Maharashtra | ||||||||||||
Punjab 4 |
150 | 503 | Leasehold | Punjab |
(1) | Our leasehold land is typically leased for 30 to 35 years, but our PPAs are generally for a term of 25 years. |
We believe that our facilities are in good condition and generally suitable and adequate for our needs in the foreseeable future. However, we will continue to seek additional space as needed to satisfy our growth.
Project Development
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We participate in central- and state-level renewable energy auctions to build our utility scale portfolio. Our track record and size ensure we are able to participate in all auctions. Our in-house EPC and O&M capabilities and our pan-India presence provide us with greater visibility into competitive metrics, which allows us to bid strategically to maintain a high win rate while preserving good project economics.
The major stages of project sourcing, development and operation:
|
Bidding. We have a well-organized process to effectively track all the policies and bid updates in the market. Once a tender is tracked, relevant information sourced from the request for proposal document is discussed with the finance and technical teams and approved by the relevant committees before a strategic decision is made to participate in the bid. We also have an in-house project development information database which help us predict and bid the most effective tariff in the market. Once the bid is won, a letter of intent is issued and all the departments initiate their activities. Afterwards, the PPA is signed, which reflects the commercial operation date before which a plant should be commissioned. |
|
Land acquisition. Generally once the letter of intent is received, we obtain the relevant land permits depending on whether the land is government-owned or private. When the land is privately owned, we identify the appropriate parcels of land and due diligence is conducted by a local legal counsel. We also undertake certain compliance measures, including technical diligence, soil testing, local advertisement, stakeholder consultation and land registration after which acquisition is complete. When the land is government-owned, we identify the suitable parcels of land from the responsible agency and obtain approval from the relevant authority. |
|
Financing. The projects are generally financed with 75:25 debt-to-equity ratio. To enable rapid operation of our projects, we use short term credit facilities that are refinanced with long term project finance facilities. We invest equity from internal accruals and new financings to help growth and lower financing costs. |
|
Material Delivery and Installation. Our procurement and construction teams work very closely to construct and deliver the plant in the most efficient manner. A detailed project plan is made and the progress tracker on the delivery and construction is reviewed very closely. Accordingly, we have consistently commissioned our projects before the commercial operation date. |
|
Monitoring and Maintenance. Our operations team monitors performance of all the projects near real time from the NOCC, which allow us to respond rapidly to potential generation anomalies. They also perform scheduled preventive maintenance tasks on daily, weekly, monthly, and annual intervals to ensure our plants run smoothly and at high efficiency. |
Suppliers and Service Providers
We purchase major components such as solar panels and inverters directly from multiple manufacturers. There are several suppliers in the market and we select our suppliers based on expected cost, reliability, warranty coverage, ease of installation and other ancillary costs. As of the date of this prospectus, our primary solar panel suppliers were First Solar FE Holdings PTE Ltd. and Waaree Energies Pvt. Ltd., Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd, and Canadian Solar Inc., and our primary inverter suppliers were SMA Solar Technology AG, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd., and Bonfiglioli Renewable Power Conversion India Pvt Ltd. We also source copper cables from General Cable Corporation and solar mounting structures from Unirac, Inc. We also engage the engineering services of Lahmeyer Group, Black & Veatch and Fichtner Consulting Engineers. We typically enter into master contractual arrangements with our major suppliers that define the general terms and conditions of our purchases, including warranties, product specifications, indemnities, delivery and other customary terms. We normally purchase solar panels and the balance of system components on an as-needed basis from our suppliers at then-prevailing prices pursuant to purchase orders issued under our master contractual arrangements. We generally do not have any supplier arrangements that contain long-term pricing or volume commitments, although at times in the past we have made limited purchase commitments to ensure sufficient supply of components. The prices of
116
components for our solar power plants have declined over time as the manufacturers have lowered their cost of production, although the pace of this decline has been slowing recently. We have placed approximately $400 million in supplier purchases to date.
In addition, in April 2010, we entered into an agreement with SunEdison Energy India Private Limited, or SunEdison, whereby upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, SunEdison would provide monitoring technologies and hardware at cost to 25MW of our utility scale projects in India. The Company has entered into a strategic agreement in which Hanwha Q Cells Korea Corporation has invested INR 316.9 million in Andhra Pradesh 1 project. We have entered into a master supply agreement with First Solar FE Holdings Pte. Limited for 190 MW offering preferential payments terms and supply credit for up to two years from supply date. Furthermore, we source lender technical due diligence and supplier third party certification from Lahmeyer International (India) Private Limited.
Portfolio of Solar Energy Projects
We have strategically focused on developing a pan-India portfolio of solar assets contracted under 12 to 25 year PPAs. As of May 31, 2016, we operated 23 utility scale projects and several commercial rooftop projects with a combined rated capacity of 343MW. As of such date, we were also constructing 14 projects with a combined rated capacity of 403MW and had an additional 218MW of projects committed, bringing our total portfolio capacity to 965MW. Under our PPAs, we set up our solar energy plants either at our customer premises or in close proximity to the grid interconnection point. Generally the distance from our power plant to the grid interconnection point ranges from five to 20 kilometers.
Operational Projects
State of Punjab
Punjab 1 is a 2MW project, which was commissioned in 2009 and was migrated under Phase I Batch II of the NSM. The offtaker for the project is NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, with a tariff of Rs. 17.91 per kilowatt hour for a period of 25 years, effective as of the execution of the PPA in October 2010. This was also the first utility scale solar project built in India, making us the longest operating solar company in India.
Punjab 2 represents a portfolio of three projects. Punjab 2.1 is a 15MW project that commenced commercial operations in September 2014. The PPA was signed in December 2013 with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited at a tariff rate of Rs. 7.67 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The PPAs for Punjab 2.2 for 15MW and Punjab 2.3 for 4MW were signed in December 2013 with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited at tariff rates of Rs.7.97 (15MW) and Rs. 8.28 (4MW) per kilowatt hour, respectively, for 25 years. Both of the projects commenced operations in October 2014.
Punjab 3 represents a portfolio of two projects, Punjab 3.1 and Punjab 3.2, with capacities of 24MW and 4MW, respectively. PPAs for both projects were signed with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in March 2015 with a tariff of Rs. 7.19 per kilowatt hour for Punjab 3.1 and Rs. 7.33 per kilowatt hour for Punjab 3.2. The term of each PPA is 25 years and the projects commenced operations in January 2016.
State of Gujarat
Gujarat 1 is a 10MW project under the Gujarat Solar Policy 2009. We entered into a PPA with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited in April 2010 for a period of 25 years at a tariff rate of Rs. 15 per kilowatt hour for the first 12 years and Rs. 5 per kilowatt hour for the remainder of the term of the contract. The project was constructed in two phases.
Gujarat 1.1 was constructed over a period of nine months and is a 5MW project that commenced commercial operations in June 2011. Gujarat 1.2 was constructed over a period of 13 months and is a 5MW
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project that commenced operations in November 2011. At the time of commissioning, this was the largest solar power plant in the country and is spread across Khadoda and Sinhol villages in the Sabarkatha District.
State of Rajasthan
Under the NSM, we have entered into multiple 25-year PPAs with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited.
Rajasthan 1 is a 5MW project that was constructed over a period of nine months. The project was commissioned in December 2011. The PPA was signed in January 2011 with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited with a tariff of Rs. 11.94 per kilowatt hour for a period of 25 years.
Rajasthan 2 represents a portfolio of two projects that was constructed over 11 months. The two PPAs for Rajasthan 2.1 and Rajasthan 2.2 were signed in January 2012 with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, each with a tariff of Rs. 8.21 per kilowatt hour for a period of 25 years. Rajasthan 2.1 is a 20MW project that commenced commercial operations in the first quarter of 2013. Rajasthan 2.2 is a 15MW project that commenced operations in the first quarter of 2013.
Rajasthan 3 represents a portfolio of three projects with a total of 100MW under Phase II Batch I of the NSM. It is comprised of Rajasthan 3.1 of 20MW, Rajasthan 3.2 of 40MW and Rajasthan 3.3 of 40MW. PPAs for each of the three projects were signed with the Solar Energy Corporation of India in March 2014 for a period of 25 years at a tariff of Rs. 5.45 per kilowatt hour with VGF. This was one of the largest portfolios won under the policy with a total VGF amount of Rs. 1,860 million, which is the highest allotment of the total available VGF. Spread across over 717 acres of land in Jodhpur, these projects commenced operations in May 2015, making Azure the largest owner and operator of NSM projects totalling 142MW.
Rajasthan 4 is a 5MW project, for which the PPA was signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India in February 2015. The PPA was signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 5.45 per kilowatt hour and VGF of Rs. 64.5 million for the total capacity of 5MW. The project commenced operations in November 2015.
Modules for a total of 60MW have been completely manufactured in India, which is a significant milestone in supporting the Indian governments Make in India initiative in the solar power sector.
State of Karnataka
Karnataka 1 is a 10MW project, for which the PPA was signed with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited in January 2014 with a tariff of Rs. 7.47 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The project commenced operations in January 2015.
Karnataka 2 is a 10MW project under the Karnataka Solar Policy, 2014-2021. The PPA was signed with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. in September 2014 at a tariff of Rs. 6.66 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. This project commenced operations in March 2016.
State of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh 1 is a 10MW project, for which the PPA was signed in December 2013 with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited with a tariff rate of Rs. 8.99 per kilowatt hour for 12 years. The project commenced operations in January 2015. This is the first grid-connected utility-scale solar power plant in the state under the Uttar Pradesh Solar Policy 2013.
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State of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh 1 is a 30MW project representing a portfolio of three projects of 10MW each under the Chhattisgarh Solar Policy, 2012-2017. Each of the three PPAs for the project were signed with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited for a tenure of 25 years at tariff rates of Rs. 6.44, Rs. 6.45 and Rs. 6.46 per kilowatt hour, respectively, for a period 25 years. The projects commenced operations between May 2015 and August 2015. Upon commissioning of the first 10MW project, this was the largest grid connected private solar power plant in the state.
State of Delhi
Delhi 1 is a 3MW project for which the PPA was signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India with a tariff of Rs. 5.43 per kilowatt hour and VGF of Rs. 13.7 million for a period 25 years. This is a two phase project. The first phase for 1MW (Delhi 1.1) commenced operation in October 2015 and the second phase for 2MW (Delhi 1.2) is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2016.
State of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh 1 is a 50MW project. The PPA was signed with Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited in December 2014 with a tariff of Rs. 5.89 per kilowatt hour for one year, increasing by 3% each year from the second year to the tenth year and thereafter with the same tariff as that in year ten for the remainder of the 25-year term. This project commenced operations in March 2016 and was the largest capacity solar plant at a single site upon commissioning in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Under Construction Projects
State of Karnataka
Karnataka 3 is a 130MW project, under the Karnataka Solar Policy, 2014-2021. This project represented a 26% win of the auction for a total of 500MW. The project is divided in three sub-projects.
Karnataka 3.1 is a 50MW project. The PPA for the project was signed in March 2016 with Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited at a tariff rate of Rs. 6.89 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. This project is expected to commence operations by the fourth quarter of 2016.
Karnataka 3.2 is a 40MW project. The PPA for this project was signed with Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited in January 2015 at a tariff rate of Rs. 6.93 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. This project is expected to commence operations by the first quarter of 2017.
Karnataka 3.3 is a 40MW project. The PPA for this project was signed by Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited in January 2015 at a tariff rate of Rs. 6.96 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. This project is expected to commence operations by the first quarter of 2017.
State of Bihar
Bihar 1 is a 10MW project, for which the PPA was signed with North Bihar State Power Distribution Company Limited, or NBPDCL, and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, or SBPDCL, in January 2015 at a tariff of Rs. 8.39 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. Per the terms of the PPA, the PPA and relevant project documents are to be assigned to either NBPDCL or SBPDCL at a later date depending on the final location of the project. The project is expected to commence operations by the third quarter of 2016.
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State of Maharashtra
Maharashtra 1 is a 7MW project under JNNSM. The project is divided in two sub-projects.
Maharashtra 1.1 is a 2MW project. The PPA for this project was signed in May 2016 with Ordinance Factory Bhandara for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 5.50 per kilowatt hour and VGF of Rs. 1.73 million. The project is expected to commence operations in the third quarter of 2016.
Maharashtra 1.2 is a 5MW project. The PPA for this project was signed in May 2016 with Ordinance Factory Ambajhari for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 5.31 per kilowatt hour. The project is expected to commence operations in the fourth quarter 2016.
State of Punjab
Punjab 4 is a 150MW project, representing a portfolio of three projects of 50MW each, for which PPA was signed with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited at a weighted average tariff of Rs 5.63 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The project is expected to commence operations in February 2017.
State of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh 2 is a 100MW project for which the PPA was signed with NTPC Limited with a tariff of Rs 5.12 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The project is expected to commence operations by the second quarter of 2017.
Committed Projects
State of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh 3 is a 50MW project under Phase-2 Batch 3 of JNNSM for which a PPA will be signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 4.43 per kilowatt hour and VGF of Rs. 373.75 million. The project is expected to commence operations within 13 months after signing the PPA.
State of Telangana
Telangana 1 is a 100MW project under the Phase-2 State Specific Bundling Scheme for which a PPA will be signed with NTPC Limited for a tenure of 25 years with a tariff of Rs. 4.67 per kilowatt hour. The project is expected to commission within 13 months after signing the PPA.
State of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh 2 is a 50MW project for which the PPA has been signed with NTPC Limited in April 2016 with a tariff of Rs 4.78 per kilowatt hour for 25 years. The project is expected to commence operations by the second quarter of 2017.
Portfolio of Rooftop Projects
As of May 31, 2016 we had a total of 36MW of distributed rooftop solar capacity across ten states at various stages of operation. We manage over 200 rooftop sites with a further over 300 sites under development. The business model is similar to the ground-mount projects, where we enter into PPAs with various power distributor agencies or private, government or commercial users directly for 12 to 25 years at an agreed tariff for the period. The tariff rate ranges from Rs. 5.55 to Rs. 11.21 per kilowatt hour.
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Operational
Gujarat Rooftop Project
The Gujarat Rooftop 1 project is a 2.5MW rooftop project that commenced operations in April 2013. We were the first and largest distributed solar rooftop project operational in the country. The PPA was signed with Torrent Power Limited, a leading brand in the Indian power sector for a period of 25 years. The project was recognized by the World Bank as one of the Top 10 public-private partnerships of 2013 in the Asia Pacific region.
DLF Rooftop Project
The DLF project is a 2.246MW rooftop project distributed on the rooftops across six states and one union territory: Tamil Nadu (0.467MW), Telengana (0.519MW), West Bengal (two sites of 0.035MW and 0.121MW, respectively, of which 0.149MW is operational), Uttar Pradesh (0.368MW, of which 0.040MW is operational), Delhi (0.040MW), Chandigarh (0.45MW, yet to be commissioned) and Haryana (0.246MW). DLF Utilities Limited is a residential, commercial and retail property developer. A total of 14 PPAs were signed with DLF Utilities Limited in the first quarter of 2015 for 25 years.
Uttar Pradesh Rooftop Project
The Uttar Pradesh rooftop project is a 0.555MW project in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The PPA was signed with Indosolar Limited, an Indian manufacturer of solar photovoltaic cells, in July 2014 for a period of 25 years. The project commenced operations in March 2015.
Delhi Rooftop Project
The Delhi rooftop 1 project is a 0.056MW project in Delhi. The PPA was signed in December 2014 with Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited, one of Indias oldest clubs, for a period of 25 years. The project commenced operations in the second quarter of 2015.
The Delhi rooftop 2 project is a 0.178MW project in Delhi. The PPA was signed with Taj Sats Air Catering Limited in April 2014 for a period of 20 years. Taj Sats Air Catering Limited is a joint venture of Indian Hotels Company, which is an affiliate of the Tata Group, a global enterprise headquartered in India, and SATS Limited, an entity formerly known as Singapore Airport Terminal Services. The project commenced operations in the second quarter of 2015.
Punjab Rooftop Project
The Punjab rooftop 1 project is a 1MW project in the industrial city of Ludhiana. The PPA for this project was signed in May 2015 with JCBL Ltd. for a period of 25 years. The project commenced operations in the third quarter of 2015.
Under Construction
Punjab Rooftop Project
The Punjab rooftop 2 project is a 10MW project. The PPA was signed with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited. in March 2015 for a period of 25 years. The project is expected to commence operations by the second quarter of 2016.
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Oberoi Rooftop Project
The Oberoi rooftop project is a portfolio of five rooftop projects with a total of 1.030MW, spread across three states: Haryana (527.26KW, of which 45.36KW is operational), Uttar Pradesh (52.93KW, which is operational) and Rajasthan (259.7KW which is operational). The PPA for each project was signed in May 2015 for a period of 15 years with the affiliated entities of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, a part of the Oberoi Group. The Oberoi Group also manages hotels under the brand Trident. The remainder of the project capacity is expected to commence operations by the third quarter of 2016.
Delhi Rooftop Project
The Delhi rooftop 3 project is a portfolio of several rooftop projects with a total capacity of 1MW in Delhi. The tender was called by Indraprastha Power Generation Co. Ltd. (IPGCL) and the letter of intent for the project indicates a project period of 25 years.
Committed
Delhi Rooftop Project
The Delhi rooftop 4 project is a portfolio of several rooftop projects with a total capacity of 14MW in Delhi. The tender was called by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited and the letter of intent for the project indicates a project period of 25 years.
Odisha Rooftop 1
The Odisha Rooftop 1 project is a portfolio of several rooftop projects with a total capacity of 4MW in Odisha. The tender was called by Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha with a project period of 25 years.
Legal Proceedings
We are currently involved in and may from time to time, become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows if determined adversely to us. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
Government Regulations
The Electricity Act, 2003
The Electricity Act, 2003, or Electricity Act, regulates and governs the generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity in India. Under the Electricity Act, the transmission, distribution and trade of electricity are regulated activities that require licenses from the relevant electricity regulatory commission (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission), State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, or SERCs, or the joint commission (constituted by an agreement entered into by two or more state governments or the central government in relation to one or more state governments, as the case may be).
In terms of the Electricity Act, any generating company may establish, operate and maintain generating stations without obtaining a license if it complies with prescribed technical standards relating to grid connectivity. The generating company is required to establish, operate and maintain generating stations, tie-lines, sub-stations and dedicated transmission lines.
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Further, the generating company may supply electricity to any licensee or even directly to consumers, subject to availing open access to the transmission and distribution systems and payment of transmission charges, including wheeling charges and open access charges, as may be determined by the relevant electricity regulatory commission. In terms of the Electricity Act, open access means the non-discriminatory provision for the use of transmission lines or distribution system or associated facilities with such lines or system, by any licensee or consumer or a person engaged in generation in accordance with the regulations specified by the relevant electricity regulatory commission.
The relevant electricity regulatory commission is empowered to, among other things, determine or adopt the tariff for supply of electricity from the generating company to a distribution licensee (such as the distribution utility companies), for transmission of electricity, wheeling of electricity and retail sale of electricity. However, the relevant electricity regulatory commission may, in case of shortage of supply of electricity, fix the minimum and maximum tariffs for sale or purchase of electricity under agreements between a generating company and a licensee or between licensees, for a period not exceeding one year, to ensure reasonable prices of electricity. While determining the tariff, commissions are required to be guided by, among others, the promotion of co-generation and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy.
Under the Electricity Act, certain offences including the theft of electricity, electric lines and materials, interference with meters or works of a licensee, the negligent waste of electricity and non-compliance of orders or directions attract monetary penalties ranging from Rs. 0.01 million to Rs. 0.1 million and imprisonment for periods ranging from three months to three years. Additionally, non-compliance with orders of the Regional Load Dispatch Centre and State Load Dispatch Centre may result in penalties of up to Rs. 15 million.
Further, the Electricity Rules, 2005, or the Electricity Rules, also prescribe a regulatory framework for developing captive generating plants. Pursuant to the Electricity Rules, a power plant shall qualify as a captive power plant only if not less than 26% of the ownership is held by captive users and not less than 51% of the aggregate electricity generated in such plant, determined on an annual basis, is consumed for captive use. Further, in case of association of persons, the captive users are required to hold not less than 26% of the ownership of the plant in aggregate and consume not less than 51% of the electricity generated, determined on an annual basis, in proportion to their share ownership in the power plant within a variation not exceeding 10%.
In case of a generating station owned by a company formed as a special purpose vehicle, the electricity required to be consumed by captive users is to be determined with reference to such unit or units identified for captive use and not with reference to the generating station as a whole and equity shares to be held by the captive users must not be less than 26% of the proportionate equity interest of the company related to the generating unit or units identified as the captive generating plant.
The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in the lower house of the Indian Parliament to amend certain provisions of the Electricity Act. Among others, the amendment empowers the Indian government to establish and review a national renewable energy policy, tariff policy and electricity policy. Further, the Indian government may, in consultation with the state governments, notify policies and adopt measures for promotion of renewable energy generation including through tax rebates, generation linked incentive, creation of national renewable energy fund, development of renewable industry and for effective implementation and enforcement of such measures.
The generating company is also required to ensure compliance with certain other regulations, including the Central Electricity Authority (Safety Requirements for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2011.
The National Electricity Policy, 2005
The Indian government approved the National Electricity Policy on February 12, 2005, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act. The National Electricity Policy, 2005 has material effects on our business
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since it provides the policy framework to the central and state Electricity Regulatory Commission in developing the power sector, supplying electricity and protecting interests of consumers and other stakeholders, while keeping in view the availability of energy resources, technology available to exploit such resources, economics of generation using different resources and energy security issues. The National Electricity Policy emphasizes the need to promote generation of electricity based on non-conventional sources of energy.
The National Electricity Policy provides that the SERCs should specify appropriate tariffs in order to promote renewable energy, until renewable energy power producers relying on non-conventional technologies can compete with conventional sources of energy. The SERCs are required to ensure progressive increase in the share of generation of electricity from renewable energy sources and provide suitable measures for connectivity with grid and sale of electricity to any person. Further, the SERCs are required to specify, for the purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources, a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licensee. Furthermore, the National Electricity Policy provides that such purchase of electricity by distribution companies should be through a competitive bidding process. The National Electricity Policy permits the SERCs to determine appropriate differential prices for the purchase of electricity from renewable energy power producers, in order to promote renewable sources of energy.
The National Tariff Policy, 2006
The Indian government approved the National Tariff Policy on January 6, 2006, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act. The National Tariff Policy, 2006 indirectly impacts our business because it provides the policy framework to the Electricity Regulation Commissions as described below. The National Tariff Policy requires all the SERCs to specify minimum percentages for electricity to be purchased from renewable energy sources. While deciding such percentage, the SERCs must take into account the availability of such resources in the region and its impact on retail tariffs. The National Tariff Policy further provides that procurement of electricity by distribution companies from renewable energy power producers must be done at preferential tariffs determined by the SERCs. Such procurement of electricity by distribution companies for future requirements is to be done, as far as possible, through a competitive bidding process in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act among suppliers offering energy from same type of non-conventional sources.
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2012
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has announced the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2012, or Tariff Regulations, which prescribes the criteria that may be taken into consideration by the SERCs while determining the tariff for the sale of electricity generated from renewable energy sources which include, among others, return on equity, interest on loan capital and depreciation. Accordingly, such tariff cannot be determined independently by renewable energy power producers such as our company. Pursuant to the National Tariff Policy, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is required to determine the rate of return on equity which may be adopted by the SERCs to determine the generic tariff, keeping in view the overall risk and prevalent cost of capital, which factors are also to be taken into consideration by SERCs while determining the tariff rate. The Tariff Regulations prescribe that the normative return on equity shall be 20% per annum for the first 10 years and 24% per annum from the 11th year onwards.
The Tariff Regulations also provide the mechanism for sharing of carbon credits from approved clean development mechanism projects between renewable energy power producers and the concerned beneficiaries. Under the Tariff Regulations, the project developer is entitled to retain 100% of the gross proceeds on account of clean development mechanism project benefit in the first year after the date of commercial operation of the generating station. Subsequently, in the second year, the share of the beneficiaries is increased to 10% and then progressively increased by 10% every year until it reaches 50% after which the clean development mechanism project proceeds are to be shared equally between the generating company and the beneficiaries.
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Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
The NSM was approved by the Indian government on November 19, 2009 and launched on January 11, 2010. The NSM has set a target of 20,000MW of solar power in India by 2022 and seeks to implement and achieve the target in three phases (Phase I from 2012 to 2013, Phase II from 2013 to 2017 and Phase III from 2017 to 2022). NSM aims at creating conditions for rapid scale up of capacity and technological innovation to drive down costs towards grid parity.
Under the Guidelines for Selection of New Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects Batch II, or the NSM Guidelines, issued in August 2011, which are applicable to solar power projects commissioned in Batch II of Phase I of the NSM, solar power projects are selected through a reverse bidding mechanism. In this process, solar power projects offering the maximum discount in Rs/kWh on the applicable tariff as approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission are selected first. The project developer is then required to provide certain performance and other bank guarantees to the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, which are valid for a period of 16 months from the date of signing the PPA, for the solar photovoltaic projects. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited subsequently enters into a PPA with project developers in respect of solar photovoltaic projects connected to the grid above 33kW and commissioned before March 2013. After execution of the PPA, the controlling shareholding by the promoter (i.e., more than 50% of the voting rights) in the company developing the project is required to be maintained for a period of one year after commencement of supply of power. Thereafter, any change can be undertaken upon informing the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited.
Pursuant to the payment security scheme sanctioned by the MNRE for grid connected solar power projects under Phase I of the NSM, the power purchaser is required to open a letter of credit in favor of the project developer to ensure timely payments to the project developer, and in case of any default in payment by the relevant power purchaser, such letter of credit may be encashed and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited shall also have the right to divert and sell the bundled power in the spot or short term market. The NSM Guidelines also prescribe certain technical requirements for photovoltaic modules that are to be used in grid solar power plants.
While no specific penalty provisions are specified under the NSM Guidelines, PPAs between project developers and offtakers may carry contractual penalties for breach of terms of the agreement.
On October 25, 2013, the MNRE issued guidelines for implementation of a plan for setting up 750MW grid-connected solar power projects under Batch I of Phase II, pursuant to which the MNRE authorized the Solar Energy Corporation of India to implement Phase II of the NSM. The selection process was completed in March 2014. In October 2014, the MNRE issued draft guidelines for selection of 3,000MW grid solar power projects under Tranche I, Batch II of Phase II. These guidelines prescribe financial and other qualification criteria, procedure for selection and other conditions relating to solar power projects. The MNRE has not yet issued final guidelines in this regard.
Renewable Purchase Obligations
The Electricity Act promotes the development of renewable sources of energy by requiring the SERCs to ensure grid connectivity and the sale of electricity generated from renewable sources. In addition, it requires the SERCs to specify, for the purchase of electricity from renewable sources, a percentage of the total consumption of electricity within the area of a distribution licensee, which are known as RPOs. Pursuant to this mandate, most of the SERCs have specified solar and non-solar RPOs in their respective states. In terms of the RPO regulations, RPOs are required to be met by obligated entities (that is, distribution licensees, captive power plants and open access consumers) by purchasing renewable energy, either by entering into PPAs with renewable energy power producers or by purchasing renewable energy certificates. The RPO regulations require the obligated entities to purchase power from renewable energy power producers such as our company. In the event of default by an obligated entity in any fiscal year, the SERCs may direct the obligated entity to deposit an amount determined by the relevant SERC, into a fund to be utilized for, among others, the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
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Additionally, pursuant to the Electricity Act, a defaulting obligated entity may also be liable to pay penalty as determined by the SERCs.
In May 2015, the Supreme Court of India upheld a regulation that made it compulsory for captive power plants and open access consumers to purchase electricity to fulfill their RPOs. This landmark judgment is expected to boost the demand for renewable energy by captive players and also improve the marketability of renewable energy certificates in India.
Safety and Environmental Laws
We are governed by certain safety and environmental legislations, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008.
Under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, failure to comply with the orders and restrictions passed by the State Pollution Control Boards may result in imprisonment of a minimum term of one and a half years. Additionally, certain acts including the destruction of property of the State Pollution Control Boards, failure to intimate the emission of pollutants or failure to furnish information to the State Pollution Control Boards may attract monetary penalties of up to Rs. 0.01 million and imprisonment of up to three months.
The failure to comply with the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 may attract monetary penalties of Rs. 0.1 million and imprisonment of up to five years.
Labor Laws
We are required to comply with certain labor and industrial laws, which includes the Factories Act, 1948, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Workmen Compensation Act, 1923, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 and the Payment of Wages Act, 1936.
Each of these legislations carry a penalty provision for non-compliance, which prescribe monetary penalties ranging from Rs. 0.001 million to Rs. 0.005 million and imprisonment for periods ranging from one month to three years.
State Regulations
Various states in India have from time to time, announced administrative policies and regulations in relation to solar power projects and related matters. These state-specific policies and regulations have material effects on our business because PPAs between project developers and state offtakers are entered into in accordance with the relevant state policies and regulations. Accordingly, these PPAs are standard form contracts and the project developers have no flexibility in negotiating the terms of the PPAs. The majority of our solar power plant generation occurs in Rajasthan, Punjab and Karnataka.
For instance, for our projects in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Karnataka, our projects are subject to certain state policies as discussed below.
Rajasthan
The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited is the agency responsible for promoting and developing renewable energy in the state of Rajasthan. The government of Rajasthan has formulated the
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Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2014, or Rajasthan Policy, which has come into effect on October 8, 2014 and will remain in force until superseded or modified by another policy. The Rajasthan Policy aims to create an enabling environment for installation of 25,000MW of solar power. Generation of electricity from solar power plants under the Rajasthan Policy will be treated as an eligible industry under the scheme administered by the Industries Department, Government of Rajasthan and incentives available to industrial units under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme will be available to solar power projects. In accordance with the Rajasthan Policy, a solar power project with a capacity of 500MW or more, established by a single developer at a single location with single or multiple metering requirements but having a common pooling sub-station will be considered as a mega solar power project. Mega solar power projects are entitled to an expedited project approval process.
Punjab
The Punjab Energy Development Agency is the agency responsible for promotion and development of renewable energy development projects and energy conservation schemes in the state of Punjab. The government of Punjab has formulated the New and Renewable Sources of Energy Policy- 2012, or Punjab Policy, on December 26, 2012. The Punjab Policy aims to harness 1000MW of solar power generation capacity by 2022. All solar power projects developed under the Punjab Policy are treated as an industry in terms of industrial policy of Punjab and all the industrial incentives available to new industrial units will be applicable to solar power plants subject to the approval of Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab. Additionally, solar power projects are exempt from obtaining any consent in accordance with the pollution control laws from the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited reserves the right of first refusal on the power generated from renewable energy certificate based solar power projects and in case of refusal, the developer is permitted to sell the power under open access.
Karnataka
The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited is the agency responsible for promoting and developing renewable energy in the state of Karnataka. The government of Karnataka has formulated the Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-2021, or Karnataka Policy, which will remain in effect until 2021 or until modified by another policy. The Karnataka Policy aims to harness a minimum of 2,000MW by 2021 in multiple phases. Generation of solar power under the Karnataka Policy is attractive to project developers because the policy provides incentives such as tax concessions under the Karnataka Industrial Policy and central excise duty and customs duty exemptions. Solar projects are further exempt from obtaining consent from the Karnataka Pollution Control Board as required under the pollution control laws.
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Directors and Senior Management
The following discussion sets forth information regarding our directors and senior management as of the date of this prospectus. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint officers as it deems appropriate. Provided below is a brief description of our directors and officers business experience during the past five years.
Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal was nominated as a director by Helion Venture Partners, Mr. William B. Elmore was nominated as a director by Foundation Capital and Mr. Barney S. Rush was nominated as a director by IFC GIF Investment Company.
None of our officers and directors are related, except Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa and Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa. Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa is the father of Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa.
Mr. Eric Ng Yim On and Mr. Muhammad Khalid Peyrye are executives of AAA Global Services Ltd., which provides incorporation, corporate secretarial and governance services to us.
Name |
Age |
Position |
||||
Directors: |
||||||
Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa |
43 | Director and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa |
71 | Director and Chief Operating Officer | ||||
Robert Kelly |
58 | Director | ||||
William B. Elmore |
62 | Director | ||||
Sanjeev Aggarwal |
55 | Director | ||||
Barney S. Rush |
63 |
Director |
||||
Arno Harris |
46 | Director | ||||
Eric Ng Yim On |
48 | Director | ||||
Muhammad Khalid Peyrye |
37 | Director | ||||
Senior Management: |
||||||
Surendra Kumar Gupta |
62 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Preet Sandhu |
47 | Senior Vice President Construction | ||||
Sandeep Chopra |
43 | Strategy and Supply Chain Management Head | ||||
Mohor Sen |
66 | Senior Vice President Human Resources | ||||
Glen Minyard |
60 | Senior Vice President Research & Development |
Directors
Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa , one of our founders, has been our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors since February 2015 and has been the chief executive officer and director of AZI since November 2008. He has over 20 years of experience in technology and infrastructure businesses. Prior to founding AZI, Mr. Wadhwa previously served as a vice president of Loyalty Lab and a senior director of Oracle Corporation. Mr. Wadhwa received his Bachelors degree in Electronics Engineering in 1994 from Guru Nanak Dev University (Punjab). He also graduated from Haas School of Business at University of California Berkeley in 2002.
We believe Mr. Wadhwa is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience in infrastructure projects and prior board service as a director of AZI.
Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa has been a member of our board of directors since August 2015 and has been a director and chief operating officer of AZI since November 2008. He focuses on government relationships and the internal operations of the company. Prior to joining AZI, Mr. Wadhwa served as chief managing director of National Insurance Limited, Indias largest public insurance organization. He has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry in India. He served and/or serves on the boards of General Insurance Corporation of India, India International Insurance Private Limited and Loss Prevention Association of India Limited and has
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extensive experience with the regulatory framework in India. Mr. Wadhwa received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Punjab University in 1963.
In 2011, the Central Bureau of Investigation of India filed criminal charges in the Court of Sessions for Greater Bombay, India against 11 defendants, including Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa, in connection with his previous services as chief managing director of National Insurance Limited. The charges allege that Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa was part of a criminal conspiracy to cause undue favor and wrongful pecuniary gain to Reliance Industries Limited (a company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange which is also named as a defendant) in connection with a series of insurance policies written by National Insurance Limited for a subsidiary of Reliance in 2002 and 2003. The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that claims paid out on such policies resulted in losses for National Insurance Limited and as a result unjustly enriched Reliance. While the policies were signed by other individuals, the complaint alleges that they were entered into with the tacit approval of Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa. Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa denies the accusations and, in October 2013, filed a motion for the charges against him to be dismissed. That motion is now pending before the court. The relevant transactions predated Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwas tenure as an AZI director and executive officer, and the criminal charges are not directed at, and do not concern, the company or any other member of the board of directors or officer of AZI.
We believe Mr. Wadhwa is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his excellent operations and management skills.
Robert Kelly has been a member of our board of directors since September 2015 and has been a director of AZI since December 2014. From October 2011 to August 2014, he served as the chief financial officer of SolarCity Corporation in San Mateo, California. From August 2009 to October 2011, he served as chief financial officer of Calera Corporation, a clean technology company. Prior to that, he served as an independent consultant providing financial advice to retail energy providers and power developers and also served in various senior leadership roles at Westinghouse Credit Corporation, Lloyds Bank and The Bank of Nova Scotia. Mr. Kelly served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of Calpine Corporation, an independent power producer, from March 2002 to November 2005, as president of Calpine Finance Company from March 2001 to November 2005, and held various financial management roles with Calpine from 1991 to 2001. Mr. Kelly is also a member of the board of directors of Solar Mosaic Inc., a U.S. residential solar lending platform, Solix Algrediants, Inc. a specialty algae products company for the nutrition and personal care markets and SunShare, a community solar developer. He holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland and an MBA from Dalhousie University, Canada.
We believe Mr. Kelly is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive business experience, relationships with financial institutions and solar companies and prior board service.
William B. Elmore has been a member of our board of directors since August 2015 and has been a director of AZI since November 2013. Mr. Elmore co-founded Foundation Capital in 1995. He is a former director and past president of the Western Association for Venture Capitalists, and a past director of the National Venture Capital Association. Mr. Elmore has served on the Advisory Council at Stanford Graduate School of Business and is a board member of the Eastside College Preparatory School and Purdue Research Foundation. Mr. Elmore holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
We believe Mr. Elmore is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive business experience in the financial services industry and prior board service as a director of AZI.
Sanjeev Aggarwal has been a member of our board of directors since September 2015 and has been a director of AZI since November 2008. Mr. Aggarwal is a co-founder of Helion Venture Partners and has served on the boards of Amba Research, MakeMyTrip Limited and UnitedLex Corporation. He is currently on the
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boards of IndiaHomes, Eye-Q Vision Private Limited, Clues Networks Inc. and Big Basket. Prior to Helion Venture Partners, Mr. Aggarwal was the founder and chief executive officer of Daksh. Earlier, he worked for 15 years with leading technology companies serving the domestic Indian market. Mr. Aggarwal led the strategic initiatives at Motorola India and has worked with Digital Equipment Corporation in delivering technology solutions. He has also served as the chief executive officer of 3COM India.
We believe Mr. Aggarwal is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive business experience in the financial industry, relationships with investment firms and prior board service as a director of AZI.
Barney S. Rush has been a member of our board of directors since January 2016. He has served on the board of ISO New England, the electric grid and wholesale market operator for six U.S. states, since October 2013. Since November 2015, he has also been the Senior Representative of Fieldstone Africa, an investment bank raising capital for power projects in Africa. From July 2010 to December 2013, he served as an Operating Partner at Denham Capital Management, L.P., and from July 2003 to November 2009, he served as the CEO of H2Gen Innovations, Inc., a venture capital backed start-up which developed and manufactured skid-mounted hydrogen generators. In addition, Mr. Rush was Group CEO of Mirant Europe and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bewag, the electric utility serving Berlin, Germany, from August 1999 to May 2002. Mr. Rush holds a Bachelors degree in Social Studies from Harvard College and a Masters degree in Public Affairs from Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University.
We believe Mr. Rush is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive business experience in clean-tech and alternative energy industries.
Arno Harris has been a member of our board of directors since May 2016. He currently serves as chairman emeritus of the Solar Energy Industry Association and as a board member of Advanced Energy Economy Institute. He founded Recurrent Energy, LLC, in 2006 and held the position of CEO until March 30, 2015, growing it into one of North Americas largest solar project developers before selling the company to Canadian Solar Inc. Prior to his work at Recurrent Energy, LLC, he was CEO of Prevalent Power, Inc. and El Solutions, Inc. (now Suntech Energy Solutions) in addition to founding RedEnvelope, WineShopper.com, and Novo Media Group. Mr. Harris holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
We believe Mr. Harris is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience with clean-tech and his widespread background in marketing, sales, and consulting.
Eric Ng Yim On was appointed to our board of directors in January 2015 and is one of our resident directors in Mauritius. Mr. Ng has been the chief executive officer of AAA Global Services Ltd. since 2006. Prior to founding AAA Global Services Ltd., Mr. Ng worked for several years with a leading public company listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and served on the board of the holding company as well as its subsidiary companies. Mr. Ng completed his secondary education at the Royal College Curepipe in Mauritius and holds various professional qualifications and memberships, including being a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, a member of the International Fiscal Association (Mauritius Branch) and a member of the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants.
We believe Mr. Ng is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience with public companies and because he is a resident of Mauritius, and two of the members of our board of directors are required to be residents of Mauritius under the terms of our constitution, which we expect to adopt with effect upon completion of this offering, or the Constitution.
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Muhammad Khalid Peyrye was appointed to our board of directors in January 2015 and is one of our resident directors in Mauritius. Mr. Peyrye is an executive of AAA Global Services Ltd., having joined the organization in 2007. Prior to joining AAA Global Services Ltd., Mr. Peyrye worked for several years with a leading financial services company and accountancy firm. Mr. Peyrye received his Bachelors degree in Law and Management from the University of Mauritius. He has been involved extensively on company formations, company administration, cross-border investment activities and corporate organizational transactions such as mergers and acquisitions and winding-up of companies. In addition to serving as director on the board of several companies in Mauritius, Mr. Peyrye has, in his career, been involved as money laundering reporting officer and compliance officer of various companies involved in the financial services sector.
We believe Mr. Peyrye is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience with companies having public accountability and because he is a resident of Mauritius, and two of the members of our board of directors are required to be residents of Mauritius under the terms of our Constitution.
Senior Management
Surendra Kumar Gupta has been the chief financial officer of AZI since May 2011. Mr. Gupta has over 37 years of international and domestic experience covering strategic business planning, managing business operations and corporate finance. Prior to joining AZI, Mr. Gupta served as the group chief financial officer for Al-Suwaidi Holding Company Limited, a company involved in providing engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services to Saudi Arabias predominant oil and gas industry, from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Gupta received his Bachelors degree in Commerce in 1972 from Delhi University. He is a chartered accountant and has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India since January 1977.
Preet Sandhu has been the senior vice president of construction of AZI since February 2010. Mr. Sandhu has over 19 years of experience in civil construction and project development in regulated sectors in India with expertise in transportation, energy and land development. Mr. Sandhu manages engineering and construction for AZIs projects.
Sandeep Chopra has been the head of strategy and supply chain management of AZI since May 2013. Mr. Chopra has 15 years of global experience ranging from process re-engineering, project management and finance. From 2005 to 2013, Mr. Chopra worked with HSBC performing different roles in change management for the finance function, ranging from managing large-scale change projects and service delivery teams and setting up a finance offshoring center in India. Prior to HSBC, Mr. Chopra worked at Arthur Andersen, S.R. Batliboi and PricewaterhouseCoopers in their assurance practices. Mr. Chopra completed his general management program from Harvard Business School in 2012. He is a chartered accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India.
Mohor Sen has been the senior vice president of human resources of AZI since February 2014. Mr. Sen has over 40 years of experience working and consulting for corporations in areas including project management, human resources, organizational development and strategic communications. Prior to joining AZI, Mr. Sen provided consulting services to AZI from January 2013 to January 2014. Prior to that, from 2008 to 2013, he provided consulting services to other companies in India, including Reinforced Earth Company and Geopetro International Holding Inc. Mr. Sen received his Bachelors degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and a Masters of Science from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Glen Minyard has been the senior vice president of Research & Development for Aster Power Inc., a subsidiary of AZI, since September 2010. From 2001 to 2014, Mr. Minyard was also the president of Minyard Solar Electric Inc. From 1992 to 2001, Mr. Minyard was the engineering and production manager at National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Mr. Minyard has 35 years of experience in the solar industry and has participated in the design and construction of over 5,000 solar power plants globally. In addition, he has worked on the design, supply, project management and installation of residential and large-scale commercial photovoltaic,
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wind, and hybrid electrical power systems. Mr. Minyard received his associate degree in Electronic Technology from College of the Redwoods, California, in 1985 and is a Certified CA Electrical Contractor.
Board of Directors
Our holding company is managed and controlled by our board of directors from Mauritius. Our board of directors consists of eight directors. Our board of directors does not have a majority of independent directors. As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices under Section 303A.00 of the Manual. Our home country practice differs from Section 303A.01 of the Manual, because our company is not required under Mauritian law to have a majority of independent directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification.
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
In accordance with our Constitution, one-third of our directors (or, if their number is not a multiple of three, the number nearest to but not less than one-third) shall be up for re-election by rotation at each annual meeting of our company. A director shall be eligible for re-election every three years. The directors up for re-election in each year shall be those who have been in office longest since their last re-election or appointment and as between persons who became or were last re-elected directors on the same day, those up for re-election shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot. Any director may be removed by either an ordinary resolution of our shareholders or by the majority vote of the board of directors in the following circumstances: for cause, which refers to willful misconduct, fraud, conviction of a felony, gross negligence or breach of a written policy of the company; or if the director becomes mentally unsound or bankrupt or becomes disqualified from being a director under Mauritius law.
Under Mauritius law, the office of a director of our company is required to become vacant at the conclusion of the annual meeting of our company commencing next after the director attains the age of 70 years. However, a person of or over the age of 70 years may, by ordinary resolution of which no shorter notice is given than that required to be given for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, be appointed or re-appointed or authorized to continue to hold office as a director until the next annual meeting at which such directors class is up for re-election.
A vacancy on the board of directors must be filled by a majority vote of our board of directors.
Executive officers are selected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Duties of Directors
Under Mauritius law, our directors have a duty to our company to exercise their powers honestly in good faith in the best interests of our company. Our directors also have a duty to our company to exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Where a director of a public company also holds office as an executive, the director is required under Mauritius law to exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill which a reasonably prudent and competent executive in that position would exercise. In fulfilling their duty of care to our company, our directors must ensure compliance with the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution, as amended from time to time. A shareholder has the right to seek damages against our directors if a duty owed by our directors to him as a shareholder is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
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convening shareholders annual meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings; |
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authorizing dividends and distributions; |
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appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers; |
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exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company, provided that shareholders approval shall be required if any transaction is a major transaction for our company under section 130 of the Mauritius Companies Act, which includes, among others, acquisitions and dispositions worth more than 75% of the value of our companys assets; and |
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approving the issuance and transfer of shares of our company, including the recording of such shares in our share register. |
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act, our board of directors may delegate to a committee of directors, a director or employee of the company, or any other person, any one or more of its powers.
Committees
Prior to consummation of the offering we have established two committees under our board of directors: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Each committees members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee
The initial members of our audit committee consist of Mr. Robert Kelly, Mr. Arno Harris and Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal. Each of these individuals satisfies the independence requirements set forth in the New York Stock Exchanges Listed Company Manual, or the Manual. They also satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. Our board of directors also has determined that Mr. Kelly qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules. Our audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
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selecting our independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors; |
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reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and managements response; |
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regularly reviewing the independence of our independent auditors; |
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reviewing and approving all related party transactions on an ongoing basis; |
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discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and our independent auditors; |
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reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures; |
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monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance; |
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meeting separately and periodically with management and our internal and independent auditors; |
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reporting regularly to our full board of directors; and |
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such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time. |
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Barney Rush and Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal. Each of these individuals satisfies the independence requirements set forth in the Manual. Our compensation committee assists our board of directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. Members of the compensation committee are not prohibited from direct involvement in determining their own compensation.
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Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
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reviewing and approving the compensation package for our executive officers; |
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reviewing the compensation of our executive officers and directors and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation; |
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reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer, other executive officers and directors evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer, other executive officers and directors in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level of our chief executive officer, other executive officers and directors based on such evaluation; and |
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reviewing periodically and making recommendations to the board regarding any long term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans. |
Nominations Committee
We currently do not have in place a nominations committee, and the actions ordinarily taken by such committee are resolved by a majority of the independent directors on our board. As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices under Section 303A.00 of the Manual. Our home country practice differs from Section 303A.04(a) and Section 303A.09 of the Manual regarding implementation of a nominations committee charter or board resolution and adoption and disclosure of corporate governance guidelines, respectively, because our company, as a holder of a GBC1 issued by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, is not required under Mauritian law to establish a nominations committee or adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides that our directors, officers and employees are expected to avoid any action, position or interest that conflicts with the interests of our company or gives the appearance of a conflict. Directors, officers and employees have an obligation under our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to advance our companys interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Director and Officer Compensation
Director Compensation
During fiscal year 2016, we paid cash compensation to Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal S. Wadhwa as described under Officer Compensation below. We also granted Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa and Mr. Robert Kelly options to purchase equity shares under AZIs employees stock option plan, which options have been cancelled and replaced by options issued pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. Stock compensation paid to our directors is disclosed separately in the table under Outstanding Options.
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Officer Compensation
The following table sets forth all of the cash compensation paid by us or our subsidiaries in fiscal year 2016 to each of our executive officers for such persons service as an officer (including contingent or deferred compensation accrued during fiscal year 2016). These cash compensation amounts for fiscal year 2016 do not include stock compensation. Stock compensation to our executive officers is disclosed separately in the table under Outstanding Options.
Name |
Salary | Bonus(1) |
Other
Compensation(2) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa (Rs.) |
12,578,400 | | 754,806 | 13,333,206 | ||||||||||||
Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa (Rs.) |
10,978,355 | | 449,740 | 11,428,095 | ||||||||||||
Preet Sandhu (Rs.) |
6,771,600 | | 289,188 | 7,060,788 | ||||||||||||
Surendra Kumar Gupta (Rs.) |
6,578,400 | 1,650,000 | 315,946 | 8,544,346 | ||||||||||||
Sandeep Chopra (Rs.) |
7,525,602 | 1,944,610 | 460,444 | 9,930,656 | ||||||||||||
Mohor Sen (Rs.) |
5,498,400 | | 218,545 | 5,716,945 | ||||||||||||
Glen Minyard (US$) |
$ | 190,704 | $ | 20,000 | $ | 11,985 | $ | 222,689 |
(1) | The amounts in this column represent total performance-based bonuses earned for services rendered during fiscal year 2016. The amount of performance based bonuses are determined based on the performance of the company, the department the individual works for and the individual, and such bonuses are only paid if the individual is in employment at the time of disbursement. |
(2) | This includes any reimbursement, employer contribution to the provident fund, leave encashment provision and gratuity provision. See Employee Benefit Plans for a description of each plan. |
Employee Benefit Plans
We maintain employee benefit plans in the form of certain statutory and incentive plans covering substantially all of our employees. For fiscal year 2016, the aggregate amount set aside or accrued by us to provide for pension or retirement benefits for executive officers was Rs. 3,282,660.
Provident Fund
In accordance with Indian law, all of our employees in India are entitled to receive benefits under the Employees Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, as amended, a retirement benefit scheme under which an equal amount of 12% of the base salary of an employee is contributed both by employer and employee in a fund with government/trust with company.
Gratuity
In accordance with Indian law, we pay gratuity to our eligible employees in India. Under our gratuity plan, an employee is entitled to receive a gratuity payment on his superannuation or on his retirement or on the termination of his or her employment if the employee has rendered continuous service to our company for not less than five years, or if the termination of employment is due to death or disability due to accident or disease. The amount of gratuity payable to an eligible employee is equal to 15 days salary based on the last drawn salary for every completed year of employment (or any portion of a year exceeding six months), and currently the aggregate amount of gratuity shall not exceed Rs. 1,000,000.
Leave Encashment Policy
Under AZIs leave encashment policy, an employee is entitled to receive a payment in exchange for any accrued leave of absence exceeding 45 days that is outstanding as of April 1 of each fiscal year. Such payment shall be made to the employee by April 30 of that year. In the event of resignation, termination of employment or
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retirement, an employee is entitled to a payment for the accrued leave of absence up to a maximum of 45 days if the employee has spent at least 240 working days at AZI. The amount of payment to be made for each day of such accrued leave of absence shall be calculated by dividing the last drawn monthly base salary by 30 days.
Employment Agreements
Most of our executive officers have entered into an employment agreement with AZI. Following the completion of this offering, we expect that such officers will continue under their employment agreements with AZI. Aside from the employee benefit plans, our employment agreements do not provide for any special termination benefits, nor do we have any other arrangements with our directors for special termination benefits.
Each executive officer has acknowledged that ownership of any intellectual property created by him for the company shall vest in the company. Additionally, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa, Mr. Preet Sandhu and Mr. Glen Minyard have also agreed to transfer and assign to the company all rights, title and interest in and to all the trademarks, trade names, brand names, patents, designs, domain names and other intellectual property rights created by them for the company.
In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicit restrictions set forth in his employment agreement. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed, while employed by us and for a period of one year after termination of his employment, not to:
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directly or indirectly, enter into the employment of, tender consulting or other services to, acquire any interest in, or otherwise participate in any business that competes, directly or indirectly, with any of the companies or entities in the same lines of business that the company is engaged in at the time the employment is terminated; nor |
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solicit, encourage, or induce or attempt to solicit, encourage, or induce any employee or customer, or prospective employees and customers with whom the company has had discussions or negotiations within the last six months of the termination of his employment not to establish a relationship with the company. |
The non-competition provision in Mr. Glen Minyards employment agreement is effective for six months after the termination of his employment, instead of for one year. In addition, the employment agreements for Mr. Sandeep Chopra and Mr. Surendra Kumar Gupta specify that they are not to be associated with any competitor of the company whatsoever for a period of at least 12 months after termination of their employment and that they will not solicit or entice any of the companys customers or any other employee working in the company during or at any time after the termination of their employment.
Other relevant information of each of the employment agreement is provided below.
Employment Agreement with Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa
AZI has entered into an employment agreement that provides for the appointment and employment of Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa as the Managing Director of AZI. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Wadhwa is entitled to a remuneration of Rs. 12,600,000 effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Wadhwa was granted options to purchase 431 equity shares of AZI at Rs. 10 per share pursuant to AZIs employees stock option plan. These options have been cancelled and Mr. Wadhwa has been granted options to purchase 431 shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. The employment agreement with Mr. Wadhwa does not have a fixed term of employment. The company may terminate Mr. Wadhwas employment without cause, but must provide two months prior notice or two months salary in lieu of the notice.
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Employment Agreement with Surendra Kumar Gupta
AZI has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Surendra Kumar Gupta, our chief financial officer. Effective April 1, 2015, he was entitled to a remuneration of Rs. 8,250,000, which includes Rs. 1,650,000 as a performance incentive. This performance incentive is linked to the performance of the company, his department, and himself. The performance incentive is only to be paid if the individual is in full-time employment with the company at the time of disbursement. Mr. Gupta was also granted 2,262 equity shares of AZI pursuant to AZIs employee stock option plan. These options have been cancelled and Mr. Gupta has been granted options to purchase 2,262 shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. In addition, Mr. Gupta is entitled to a company car.
We may terminate Mr. Guptas employment without cause, but must provide six months prior notice or six months salary in lieu of the notice.
Employment Agreement with Preet Sandhu
AZI has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Preet Sandhu, our senior vice president of construction. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Sandhu was entitled to a remuneration of Rs. 6,793,200 per annum effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Sandhu has been granted 3,190 equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. We may terminate Mr. Sandhus employment without cause, but must provide six months prior notice or six months salary in lieu of the notice.
Employment Agreement with Sandeep Chopra
AZI has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Sandeep Chopra, our head of strategy and supply chain management. Effective April 1, 2015, Mr. Chopra was entitled to a remuneration of Rs. 9,491,812, which includes Rs. 1,944,610 as a performance incentive. In addition, Mr. Chopra was granted 1,379 equity shares of AZI pursuant to AZIs employee stock option plan. These options have been cancelled and Mr. Chopra has been granted options to purchase 1,379 shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan.
We may terminate Mr. Chopras employment without cause, but must provide six months prior notice or six months salary in lieu of the notice.
Employment Agreement with Mohor Sen
AZI has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mohor Sen, our senior vice president of human resources. Effective April 1, 2015, Mr. Sen was entitled to a remuneration of Rs. 5,520,000 per annum.
We may terminate Mr. Sens employment without cause, but must provide six months prior notice or six months salary in lieu of the notice.
Employment Agreement with Glen Minyard
Aster Power Inc. has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Glen Minyard, our senior vice president of Research & Development. Effective April 1, 2015, Mr. Minyard was entitled to a remuneration of US$190,704 per year. Also, under the agreement, the company has agreed to provide Mr. Minyard with the following benefits: (a) appropriate stipend for travels; (b) a travel health insurance policy with a reasonable coverage; (c) a cell phone with an international coverage; (d) leaves during the year; (e) a variable bonus of US$20,000 per annum based on his satisfactory performance during the year as evaluated and agreed by the chief executive officer; and (f) a business class travel for flights longer than five hours in one direction. In addition, Mr. Minyard was granted options to purchase 1,544 equity shares of AZI. These options have been cancelled and
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Mr. Minyard has been granted options to purchase 1,544 shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan.
We may terminate Mr. Minyards employment without cause, but must provide six months prior notice or six months salary in lieu of the notice.
Equity-Based Compensation
Our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to our officers, employees and directors.
The objective of the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan, is (i) to provide means to enable us to attract and retain high quality human resources in our employment; (ii) to make the compensations and rewards competitive in the market; and (iii) to achieve sustained growth and create shareholder value by aligning the interests of the employees with our long term interests.
Azure Power Global Limited intends to adopt the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which will go into effect as of the consummation of this transaction. The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan will replace the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan, which Azure Power Global Limited adopted on July 20, 2015. Options granted pursuant to the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan will be cancelled and replaced with options granted pursuant to the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan replaced the AZI employee stock option plan and options granted to purchase equity shares of AZI pursuant to the AZI employee stock option plan have been cancelled and replaced with options to purchase equity shares of Azure Power Global Limited pursuant to the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
As of March 31, 2016, Azure Power Global Limited had outstanding options exercisable into a total of 25,930 equity shares. Options granted pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan are entitled to equitable adjustment to account for certain corporate transactions, including stock splits and the conversion of convertible securities into equity shares. After giving effect to our for stock split and the conversion of our outstanding compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into equity shares, Azure Power Global Limiteds outstanding options as of March 31, 2016 would have been exercisable into a total of equity shares.
The following paragraphs further describe the principal terms of the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan.
Administration
The 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of our board. Among other things, the compensation committee determines the terms and conditions of each option to be granted, including, but not limited to, the number of options, exercise price, vesting period, exercise period and any lock-in period.
Number of Shares Authorized for Grant
Under the terms of the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan, which may be amended from time to time, the sum of all grants made under the employee stock option plan shall not exceed 10% of our total issued and subscribed equity capital.
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Eligibility
Our compensation committee may grant options to all eligible employees on the basis of the following criteria: position, role and performance of the employee, tenure in organization and such other factors as the compensation committee may decide from time to time.
Vesting Schedule
The grants made to any individual shall be vested in the following manner:
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25% on the expiry of 12 months from the date of grant; |
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25% on the expiry of 24 months from the date of grant; |
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25% on the expiry of 36 months from the date of grant; and |
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25% on the expiry of 48 months from the date of grant. |
Option Exercise
There shall be no lock-in period after the options have vested and the options must be exercised by the employees before the end of the tenure of the plan.
Amendment or Termination
Our board of directors may in its absolute discretion amend, alter or terminate the employee stock option plan from time to time, provided that no amendment, alteration or termination in any grant would impair or prejudice the rights of the employee without the consent of the employee, and provided further that the board of directors may not, without the approval of the shareholders, amend the 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan (1) to increase the aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to the provisions of the employee stock option plan on exercise, surrender of options or upon grants; (2) to change the option exercise price; or (3) to extend the maximum period during which the grants may be made under the plan.
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Outstanding Options for Directors and Senior Management
During fiscal year 2015, Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa, Mr. Surendra Kumar Gupta and Mr. Robert Kelly were granted options to acquire 1,100 equity shares, 360 equity shares and 2,860 equity shares under AZIs employee stock option plan, respectively. During fiscal year 2016, Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa, Mr. Surendra Kumar Gupta, Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa, Mr. Preet Sandhu, Mr. Glen Minyard and Mr. Sandeep Chopra were granted options to acquire 431 equity shares, 102 equity shares, 115 equity shares, 92 equity shares, 44 equity shares and 79 equity shares under AZIs employee stock option plan, respectively. These options have been cancelled and replaced by options issued pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. As set forth in the following table, outstanding options as of March 31, 2016 under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan were:
Name |
Equity Shares
Underlying Outstanding Options |
Exercise Price
(US$ Per share) |
Date of
Expiration |
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Directors: |
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Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa |
6531 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa |
2500 | 75.72 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
115 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
Robert Kelly |
2860 | 175.31 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
Senior Management: |
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Surendra Kumar Gupta |
600 | 43.38 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
1200 | 75.72 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
360 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
102 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
Preet Sandhu |
648 | 28.19 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
2450 | 43.38 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
92 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
Sandeep Chopra |
1300 | 75.72 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
79 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
Glen Minyard |
1163 | 43.38 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
337 | 43.38 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
44 | 0.16 | July 20, 2025 | ||||||||||
Others |
5549 | 43.69 | July 20, 2025 | |||||||||
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25,930 | ||||||||||||
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Indemnification Agreements
We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors to indemnify them against certain liabilities and expenses arising from their being a director.
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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the pro forma beneficial ownership of our equity shares as of the date of this prospectus by:
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each of our directors and senior management; |
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each person known by us to own more than 5% of our equity shares; and |
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the selling shareholder. |
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. The number of equity shares beneficially owned before the offering set forth below assumes the conversion of outstanding compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures into an aggregate of equity shares (assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and the effectiveness of a -for- stock split of our equity shares, both of which will take place immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Except as indicated in the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons named in the following table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all equity shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.
The percentage ownership of each listed person before this offering is based upon equity shares outstanding prior to this offering, including an aggregate of equity shares to be issued upon the conversion of compulsorily convertible preferred shares and compulsorily convertible debentures immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, based on an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The percentage ownership of each listed person after the offering is based upon equity shares outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering, including the equity shares identified in the immediately preceding sentence plus the equity shares to be sold by us and by the Selling Shareholder in this offering.
In computing the number of equity shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed outstanding equity shares subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
The underwriters have an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional equity shares from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
None of our shareholders will have different voting rights from other shareholders after the completion of this offering. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
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Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each of the shareholders below is c/o Azure Power India Private Limited, 8 Local Shopping Complex, Pushp Vihar, Madangir, New Delhi 110062, India.
* | Less than 1% of the outstanding equity shares. |
(1) | The sole member of IW Green LLC is Mr. Inderpreet S. Wadhwa. IW Green LLC was known as IW Green Inc. prior to its conversion to IW Green LLC in October 2015. |
(2) | International Finance Corporation is an international organization established by Articles of Agreement among its member countries. Its principal address is 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20433, United States. |
(3) | Helion Investment Management, LLC holds the voting power in Helion Venture Partners II, LLC. SA Holdings Global Ltd and Gupta Goyal Trust are the beneficial owners of Helion Investment Management, LLC. Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal is the beneficial owner of SA Holdings Global Ltd and Mr. Ashish Gupta and Ms. Nita Goyal are the beneficial owners of Gupta Goyal Trust. Each of the beneficial owners disclaims beneficial ownership in the shares held by the aforementioned entities except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein. The principal address of Helion Venture Partners II, LLC is Les Cascades Building, Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, Mauritius. |
(4) |
Helion Investment Management, LLC holds the voting power in Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC. SA Holdings Global Ltd and Gupta Goyal Trust are the beneficial owners of Helion Investment Management, LLC. Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal is the beneficial owner of SA Holdings Global Ltd and |
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Mr. Ashish Gupta and Ms. Nita Goyal are the beneficial owners of Gupta Goyal Trust. Each of the beneficial owners disclaims beneficial ownership in the shares held by the aforementioned entities except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein. The principal address of Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC is Les Cascades Building, Edith Cavill Street, Port Louis, Mauritius. |
(5) | FC VI India Holding (Mauritius) Ltd. is the beneficial owner of all equity interests of FC India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd. and exercises sole voting and investment power over the shares owned by FC India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd. Foundation Capital VI, L.P. and Foundation Capital VI Principals Fund, LLC are the beneficial owners of FC VI India Holding (Mauritius) Ltd. The general partner of Foundation Capital VI, L.P. and Foundation Capital VI Principals Fund, LLC is Foundation Capital Management Co. VI, LLC. The managing members of Foundation Capital Management Co. VI, LLC are Mr. William B. Elmore, Mr. Paul Koontz, Mr. Michael Schuh, Mr. Paul Holland, Mr. Richard Redelfs, Mr. Steve Vassallo, Mr. Charles Moldow and Mr. Warren Weiss. Each of the managing members of Foundation Capital Management Co. VI, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership in the shares held by the aforementioned entities except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein. The address of Foundation Capital Management Co. VI, LLC is 250 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. |
(6) | IFC Global Infrastructure (GP) LLC and IFC Global Infrastructure (Alternate GP) LLP are beneficial owners of all equity interests of IFC GIF Investment Company I. The principal address of IFC GIF Investment Company I is c/o Cim Fund Services Ltd., 33 Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, Mauritius. |
(7) | Includes the equity shares held by IW Green LLC. Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa is the beneficial owner of all equity interests of IW Green LLC. |
(8) | Mr. Minyards business address is 20700 Timber Ct., Willits, CA 95490, United States. |
(9) | Shares held by FC VI India Ventures (Mauritius) Ltd. do not include any equity shares directly held by Mr. Elmore. Mr. Elmore, a general partner of Foundation Capital, may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own such shares through the interest held by funds managed by Foundation Capital. Mr. Elmores business address is c/o Foundation Capital, 250 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States. |
(10) | Does not include any equity shares of Mr. Aggarwal, a managing director of Helion Venture Partners, who may be deemed to beneficially own through interests held by funds managed by Helion Venture Partners. Mr. Aggarwals business address is Helion Advisors Private Limited, Tower B, 10th Floor, Vatika Towers, Sector 54, Gurgaon, 122 002, India. |
(11) | Mr. Rushs business address is 6917 Maple Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815. |
(12) | Mr. Harris business address is 135 Main Street, Suite 1320, San Francisco, California 94105. |
(13) | Mr. Ngs business address is c/o AAA Global Services Ltd., 1st Floor, The Exchange 18 Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius. |
(14) | Mr. Peyryes business address is c/o AAA Global Services Ltd., 1st Floor, The Exchange 18 Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius. |
(15) | DEG-Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, or DEG, is owned by KfW. KfW is the beneficial owner of all the equity interests of DEG. The Federal Republic of Germany owns 80% of KfWs shares, and the German Federal States own the other 20%. DEGs principal address is Kämmergasse 22, 50676 Kôln, Germany. |
In addition, after the consummation of this offering and subscription of shares described under Prospectus Summary Corporate Structure, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa, Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa, Azure Power Inc. and Mr. Satnam Sanghera will own %, % and % of the equity shares of AZI, assuming an offer price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
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Our Related Party Transaction Policies
We believe that the terms of our related party transactions are comparable to the terms we could obtain from independent third parties. Subsequent to this offering, we expect that our related party transactions will continue to be conducted on the same basis. However, upon the completion of this offering, our related party transactions will be subject to the review and approval of the audit committee of our board of directors. Our audit committee will consider whether the transaction is to be conducted on an arms-length basis and whether the services can be procured from an independent third party. The charter of our audit committee as adopted by our board of directors provides that we may not enter into any related-party transaction unless and until it has been approved by the audit committee.
Lease Agreement
On November 28, 2011, AZI entered into a lease agreement, which became effective from December 1, 2011, for our registered office building and a lease arrangement for a guest house, which became effective February 1, 2016 with family members of Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa. Each transaction was conducted in the normal course of operations, transacted at the market rate and was approved by a majority of the board of directors independently. AZI renewed the lease agreement for our office building on October 15, 2013 for a term of five years ending on April 30, 2018, cancellable after 12 months. During fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016, we paid Rs. 14.3 million, Rs. 14.5 million and Rs. 14.9 million in rent, respectively, for our office building. Pursuant to the lease agreement, we have paid Rs. 8.6 million to the lessors as interest free retention money, which is to be returned to us upon the termination of the lease, provided that we hand over satisfactory possession of the leased premises to the lessors. During fiscal year 2016, we paid Rs. 0.5 million as rent on our guest house.
Private Placements
In September 2012, AZI issued 79,909 Series D compulsorily convertible preferred shares at a price of Rs. 5,631 per share to FC VI India Ventures (Mauritius) Ltd. and Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, each of which held a % interest in the voting power of AZI. The price per share was determined after the foregoing investors offered better pricing terms than the price per share offered in arms length negotiations by independent investors. The transaction was approved by the board of directors. In connection with the issuance of Series D compulsorily convertible preferred shares, AZI and our founders, Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Wadhwa, entered into an Investment Agreement with the foregoing investors.
In June 2014, AZI issued 79,245 Series F compulsorily convertible preferred shares at a price of Rs. 11,224.75 per share to FC VI India Ventures (Mauritius) Ltd. and Helion Venture Partners II, LLC. The price per share was determined after the foregoing investors offered better pricing terms than the price per share offered in arms length negotiations by independent investors. The transaction was approved by the board of directors. In connection with the issuance of Series F compulsorily convertible preferred shares, AZI and Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa entered into an Investment Agreement with the foregoing investors. In December 2014, AZI issued an additional 38,581 Series F compulsorily convertible preferred shares at a price of Rs. 11,224.75 per share to FC VI India Ventures (Mauritius) Ltd. and Helion Venture Partners II, LLC.
In June 2014, AZI issued 36,000 compulsorily convertible debentures to International Finance Corporation, which held a % interest in the voting power of AZI, at a price of Rs. 5,000 per share. The price per share was determined after the foregoing investor offered better pricing terms than the price per share offered in arms length negotiations by independent investors. The transaction was approved by the board of directors. In February 2015, AZI issued 20,307 additional Series F compulsorily convertible preferred shares at a price of Rs. 11,224.75 per share to International Finance Corporation.
In June 2015, we entered into a subscription agreement with International Finance Corporation and its affiliated entity for the sale of 133,285 shares of Series H compulsorily convertible preferred shares for
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US$60 million, which we amended in July 2015. In July 2015, we entered into a subscription agreement with Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Économique, or PROPARCO, for the sale of 18,882 shares of Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares for US$8.5 million.
Shareholders Agreements
On July 22, 2015, we, AZI and our founders, Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Wadhwa, entered into an amended shareholders agreement, or the AZI Shareholder Agreement, (which supersedes earlier shareholder agreements). Pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement, we have the right to nominate four directors to AZIs board, our founders together have the right to nominate two directors who shall be shareholders or consultants of AZI or Azure Power Global Limited, and shareholders holding more than 50% of the share capital of AZI on a fully diluted basis shall have the right to nominate one director who shall be an independent director. The AZI Shareholders Agreement provides that it is the intention of all parties to the agreement to eventually make AZI our wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the AZI Shareholders Agreement we have a right to require AZI to purchase all AZI equity securities held by our founders, we have a call option pursuant to which we have the right to require our founders to sell all or part of their AZI equity securities to us or our nominee purchaser and our founders have a put option (not an obligation) pursuant to which they have the right to require us or our nominee purchaser to purchase all or part of their AZI equity securities, in each case at the minimum price permissible under applicable law for such purchases of AZI equity securities. In addition, the AZI Shareholders Agreement prohibits transfers of AZI equity securities by our founders without our consent.
In addition, on July 22, 2015, we entered into a separate shareholders agreement, or the APGL Shareholders Agreement, among us, IFC, Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC, FC VI India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd., DEG, PROPARCO, IFC GIF Investment Company I, or GIF, and IW Green Inc. (which has since been converted to IW Green LLC) and our founders, Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Wadhwa. The APGL Shareholders Agreement provides for certain preferential rights, including director nomination rights, rights of first offer, drag-along rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights, call options, information rights and consent rights on certain corporate matters. The APGL Shareholders Agreement will terminate upon the completion of this offering except for the following provisions: (A) a provision requiring, as long as IFC and GIF collectively own an aggregate of 5% of our equity share capital, shareholder approval by special resolution for (i) amendments to AZI and its subsidiaries articles of association or memorandum of association, except as such amendments may be required for certain financing matters, (ii) material sales or disposals of our assets or our incurrence of material liabilities, (iii) changes to our business or the business of our subsidiaries and (iv) amendments to our share option plan; (B) a provision requiring, as long as IFC and/or GIF hold any of our equity shares, shareholder approval by ordinary resolution to be obtained for equity issuances of more than 10% of our share capital; and (C) provisions requiring our continued compliance with certain standard policies of IFC and PROPARCO on, among other things, environmental, social and anti-corruption issues, as long as IFC or PROPARCO, respectively, hold any of our equity securities. On March 30, 2016, we and the other parties to the APGL Shareholders Agreement agreed to, among other things, extend the deadline for an initial public offering to occur by July 31, 2016. For more information on the voting requirements of ordinary and special resolutions. See Description of Share CapitalVoting Rights.
Registration Rights Agreement
We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement with IFC, IFC GIF Investment Company I, PROPARCO, FC VI India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd., Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC and DEG, pursuant to which we will grant certain registration rights to certain holders of our equity shares, as described in greater detail in Description of Share Capital Registration Rights.
Loans to Senior Management
During fiscal year 2014, we made an unsecured, non-interest bearing loan to our Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa, amounting to Rs. 41.4 million ($668,605, based on the exchange rate as of the relevant balance sheet date). This loan was repaid in March 2015.
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Personal Guarantees
Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have personally guaranteed the repayment of a number of AZIs loans. Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have each also personally guaranteed a loan from Reliance Capital Limited in the amount of Rs. 1 billion. As of May 31, 2016, we have yet to receive Rs. 325 million of disbursements under this loan. In addition, in connection with a working capital facility provided by the Central Bank of India, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have each guaranteed Rs. 543.3 million and Rs. 69.7 million, respectively, in favor of the lender.
In addition, Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa have provided personal guarantees in favour of the Central Bank of India for the repayment of loans of three of our project subsidiaries in the amounts of Rs. 315 million, Rs. 639 million and Rs. 1,306 million, in addition to the payment of any interest and other monies payable to the lender.
Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa did not receive any separate remuneration from the company for providing the guarantees.
Indemnification Agreements
We will indemnify our directors and officers as permitted by our constitution, which we expect to adopt with effect upon completion of this offering, and pursuant to indemnification agreements entered into with such directors and officers, as described in Management Indemnification Agreements.
Employment Agreements
See Management Employment Agreements.
Equity-Based Compensation Plans
See Management Equity-Based Compensation Plans.
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Equity Shares
General
All of the equity shares are fully paid. The preparation, issue and delivery of certificates shall be governed by the Mauritius Companies Act.
Our constitution that will be in effect upon the completion of this offering, or the Constitution, authorizes the issuance of equity shares at $0.01 par value per share. As of the date of this prospectus, equity shares were issued. Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, we will have a total of equity shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to the corporate formation transactions described under Prospectus Summary Corporate Structure, assuming a total of equity shares will be issued to the non-founder investors upon the conversion of convertible securities, based on an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Upon the completion of this offering, we will have equity shares outstanding, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment for additional shares.
Dividends
To the extent permitted by the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution, dividends may only be paid out of retained earnings (after having made good any accumulated losses of ours at the beginning of any relevant accounting period), to the shareholders according to their rights and interests, and no distribution (which term includes dividend) may be made unless our board of directors is satisfied that, upon the distribution being made (1) we are able to pay our debts as they become due in the normal course of business and (2) the value of our assets is greater than the sum of (a) the value of our liabilities and (b) our stated capital. Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution, the declaration and payment of any dividend has to be authorized by the board of directors.
Any distribution or part thereof payable in cash, or any other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by wire transfer to the account designated by the Shareholder or by cheque, postal, or money order sent through the post or by courier addressed to the holder at his address in our register of shareholders or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in our register of shareholders in respect of the shares at his registered address as appearing in the said register or addressed to such person at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque, postal, money order or wire transfer shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first in our register of shareholders in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque, postal, money order or wire transfer by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to us. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, distributions or other monies payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders.
Any dividend or distribution out of retained earnings unclaimed for a period of six years from the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution shall be forfeited and shall revert to us and the payment by our board of directors of any unclaimed dividend, distribution, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of the share into a separate account shall not constitute us a trustee in respect thereof.
Voting Rights
Subject to any rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any class of shares and our Constitution, each holder of the equity shares who is present in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders
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shall have one vote for every equity share which he holds or represents. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by person or by proxy. A poll may be demanded by: (1) the chairman of such meeting, (2) not less than five shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting, (3) a shareholder or shareholders representing not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting, or (4) by a shareholder or shareholders holding shares in us that confer a right to vote at the meeting and on which the aggregate amount paid up is not less than 10% of the total amount paid up on all shares that confer that right.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of votes of those shareholders entitled to vote and voting on the matter which is the subject matter of the resolution, while a special resolution is a resolution approved by a majority of 75% of the votes of those shareholders entitled to vote and voting on the question. A special resolution will be required for matters such as amending our Constitution.
Certain Voting Requirements
Our Constitution provides that:
(a) | The following actions by our company will require a special resolution of shareholders, so long as International Finance Corporation and IFC GIF Investment Company I, together, hold at least 5% of the share capital of our company: |
(i) | amendment to the articles of association or memorandum of association of AZI and its subsidiaries, except in connection with certain Board-approved financing activities, in certain circumstances; |
(ii) | disposal or sale of more than 50% of the companys assets, or incurring obligations or liabilities worth more than 50% of our companys assets; |
(iii) | a change in the business of the company or its subsidiaries from the generation and production of solar energy; and |
(iv) | any material amendment to the ESOP plan. |
(b) | Any issuance of more than 10% of the share capital of the company, in a single transaction, must be approved by an ordinary resolution of shareholders, so long as International Finance Corporation or IFC GIF Investment Company I hold any ordinary shares of our company. |
Transfer of Equity Shares
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and to such restrictions contained in our Constitution as may be applicable, any shareholder may transfer all or any of his equity shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange (as defined in our Constitution) or in any other form which our board of directors may approve. No such instrument shall be required on the redemption of an equity share or on the purchase by us of an equity share.
Subject to the provisions of the Mauritius Companies Act, we must, on the written request of the transferor or transferee of a registered equity share in us, enter in our register of shareholders the name of the transferee of the equity share save that the registration of transfers may be suspended and the share register closed at such times and for such periods as we may from time to time by resolution of directors determine provided always that such registration shall not be suspended and the share register closed for more than thirty days in any period of twelve months.
If our board of directors declines to register a transfer it shall, within twenty eight (28) days after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to the transferee notice of such refusal.
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Liquidation
Subject the laws of Mauritius and our Constitution, upon the winding up of us, the whole or any part of our assets shall be divided amongst the shareholders on a pro rata basis.
Redemption of Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Mauritius Companies Act and other applicable law, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, on the happening of a specified event or on a given date and/or at our option and/or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors.
Variation of Rights of Shares
All or any of the special rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being issued may from time to time (whether or not we are being wound up) be altered or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of such shares voting in person or by proxy. The necessary quorum shall be one or more persons together holding or representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the relevant class, that every holder of shares of the relevant class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such share held by him and that any holder of shares of the relevant class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.
The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be altered by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
Meetings of Shareholders
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act, an annual shareholders meeting shall be convened by our board of directors not more than once in each year and not later than six months after our balance sheet date and not later than 15 months after the previous annual meeting. Special meetings of shareholders may be convened by our board of directors or on the written request of shareholders holding shares carrying together not less than 5% of the voting rights entitled to be exercised on the issue.
Subject to our Constitution, meeting of shareholders shall be called by not less than fourteen (14) nor more than sixty (60) business days notice in writing.
For a special meeting called on the written request of the shareholders, the shareholders must provide notice to our secretary which must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than ninety days nor more than one hundred twenty days prior to such special meeting.
A quorum for a meeting of shareholders shall be present where the shareholders or their proxies are present or have cast postal votes, who are between them able to exercise not less than 33.3% of the votes to be cast on the business to be transacted by the meeting.
A shareholder may exercise the right to vote either by being present in person or by proxy. A proxy for a shareholder may attend and be heard at a meeting of shareholders as if the proxy were the shareholder. A proxy shall be appointed by notice in writing signed by the shareholder, and the notice shall state whether the appointment is for a particular meeting or a specified term.
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Inspection of Books and Records
Under the Mauritius Companies Act, we are required to keep available our certificate of incorporation, Constitution, share register, the full names and residential addresses of our directors, our registered office and address for service, copies of the instruments creating or evidencing charges which are required to be registered under section 127 of the Mauritius Companies Act, minutes of all meetings and resolutions of shareholders, copies of written communications to all shareholders or to all holders of a class of shares during the preceding seven years (including financial statements, and group financial statements), certificates given by directors under the Mauritius Companies Act and our interests register (if any) for inspection by any shareholder of ours or by a person authorized in writing by a shareholder for the purpose, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on each working day during the inspection period at the place at which our records are kept in Mauritius. A shareholder who wishes to inspect such records must serve written notice on us of his intention to inspect the records.
The term inspection period is defined in the Mauritius Companies Act to mean the period commencing on the third working day after the day on which notice of intention to inspect is served on us by the person.
Changes in Capital
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act, we may, from time to time, by ordinary resolution:
(a) | divide our shares into several classes and attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions; |
(b) | consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger par value than our existing shares; and |
(c) | engage in a forward stock split. |
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution and any confirmation or consent required by law or under our Constitution, we may from time to time by special resolution authorize the reduction of our stated capital (including any amount in any share premium account) or change the currency denomination of our share capital as we think fit.
Purchase by Our Company of our Own Shares
We may, pursuant to a special resolution, purchase or acquire and hold our own shares as treasury shares upon such terms as our board of directors may, in our discretion, determine, provided always that such purchase or acquisition is effected in accordance with the provisions of the Mauritius Companies Act, which generally requires solvency of the company after giving effect to such purchase or acquisition.
Interested Directors
Subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution, a director shall, forthwith after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction or a proposed transaction with us, cause to be entered in our interests register and disclose to our board of directors the nature and monetary value of that interest, or where the monetary value of the directors interest cannot be quantified, the nature and extent of that interest. A general notice entered in the interests register or disclosed to our board of directors to the effect that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of another named company or other person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction which may, after the date of the entry or disclosure, be entered into with that company or person, is a sufficient disclosure of interest in relation to that transaction.
To the extent that our company is a reporting issuer, as defined in section 86 of the Mauritius Securities Act 2005, the relevant disclosure requirements under the Mauritius Securities Act 2005 may also be applicable. We have applied to the Mauritius Financial Services Commission for an exemption from the disclosure requirements applying to reporting issuers under the Mauritius Securities Act 2005.
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Notification of Shareholdings by Directors and Substantial Shareholders
Our Constitution provides that (a) each of our directors shall, upon his appointment to our board of directors, give an undertaking to our company that, for so long as he remains a director of our company, he shall forthwith notify our company secretary of the particulars of our equity shares beneficially owned by him at the time of his appointment and of any change in such particulars (including the circumstances of any such change), and (b) each member of our company shall, upon becoming a substantial shareholder of our company, give an undertaking to our company that, for so long as he remains as a substantial shareholder of our company, he shall notify our company secretary of the particulars of our equity shares in which he has an interest at the time of his becoming a substantial shareholder or of any change in such particulars (including the circumstances of any such change) within 48 hours of such time or change (as the case may be), provided that he shall only be required to give notice of a change in the percentage level of his interests in the shares where there is a change of 1% or more in the percentage level of his shareholding interest in the relevant class of shares in our company. For this purpose, a substantial shareholder means a person who holds by himself or his nominee a share or an interest in a share in the capital of our company which entitles him to exercise not less than 5% of the aggregate voting power exercisable at a meeting of our shareholders.
Category 1 Global Business Company
We are licensed by the Financial Services Commission as a Mauritius Category 1 Global Business Company, or GBC1.
Before the coming into force of the Mauritius Finance Act 2010, Mauritius companies holding a GBC1 were only allowed to conduct business outside Mauritius. However, with the implementation of the Mauritius Finance Act 2010, Mauritius companies holding a GBC1 may (i) carry on business in Mauritius, (ii) deal with persons resident in Mauritius, and (iii) hold shares or other interests in a corporation which is resident in Mauritius.
A Mauritius company holding a GBC1 may conduct any business activity to the extent that it is not unlawful or contrary to public interest and to the extent that it does not cause or is likely to cause serious prejudice to the good repute of Mauritius as a center for financial services.
A Mauritius company holding a GBC1 should be administered at all times by a Management Company and should be controlled and managed in Mauritius.
The following indicative list of criteria has to be complied with:
(a) | The company must have at least 2 directors, resident in Mauritius, of sufficient caliber to exercise independence of mind and judgment. |
(b) | The company will maintain at all times its principal bank account in Mauritius. |
(c) | The company will keep and maintain at all times its accounting records at its registered office in Mauritius. |
(d) | The company will prepare its statutory financial statements and cause the same to be audited in Mauritius. |
(e) | The company will provide for meetings of directors to include at least 2 directors from Mauritius. |
(f) | whether a corporation meets at least one of the following criteria: |
(i) | the corporation has or shall have office premises in Mauritius; |
(ii) | the corporation employs or shall employ on a full time basis at administrative/technical level, at least one person who shall be resident in Mauritius; |
(iii) | the corporations constitution contains a clause whereby all disputes arising out of the constitution shall be resolved by way of arbitration in Mauritius; |
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(iv) | the corporation holds or is expected to hold within the next 12 months, assets (excluding cash held in bank account or shares/interests in another corporation holding a Global Business License) which are worth at least US$100,000 in Mauritius; |
(v) | the corporations shares are listed on a securities exchange licensed by the Commission; or |
(vi) | it has or is expected to have a yearly expenditure in Mauritius which can be reasonably expected from any similar corporation which is controlled and managed from Mauritius. |
A Mauritius company holding a GBC1 is tax resident in Mauritius and can therefore benefit from the network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements which Mauritius has in place with a number of countries.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Mauritius Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Mauritius Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Pursuant to the Mauritius Companies Act, subject to certain exceptions prescribed in the Mauritius Companies Act, a Mauritius company shall not enter into the following transactions unless the transaction is approved by special resolution or contingent on approval by special resolution of the shareholders of the company:
(a) | the acquisition of, or an agreement to acquire, whether contingent or not, assets the value of which is more than 75% of the value of the companys assets before the acquisition; |
(b) | the disposition of, or an agreement to dispose of, whether contingent or not, assets of the company the value of which is more than 75% of the value of the companys assets before the disposition; or |
(c) | a transaction that has or is likely to have the effect of the company acquiring rights or interests or incurring obligations or liabilities the value of which is more than 75% of the value of the companys assets before the transaction (provided that this will not apply by reason only of the company giving, or entering into an agreement to give, a charge secured over assets of the company, the value of which is more than 75% of the value of the companys assets for the purpose of securing the repayment of money or the performance of an obligation). |
Under the Mauritius Companies Act, a special resolution is a resolution that is approved by a majority of 75% of the votes of those shareholders entitled to vote and voting on the question.
Where a transaction involves the acquisition or disposition or the acquiring of rights, interests or incurring obligations of, in any case, more than half the value of the Mauritius companys assets, subject to certain exceptions prescribed in the Mauritius Companies Act, the transaction has to be approved by ordinary resolution or contingent on approval by ordinary resolution, and a Mauritius company shall not enter into the following transactions unless the transaction is approved by ordinary resolution or contingent on approval by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the company:
(a) | the acquisition of, or an agreement to acquire, whether contingent or not, assets the value of which is more than 50% of the value of the companys assets before the acquisition; |
(b) | the disposition of, or an agreement to dispose of, whether contingent or not, assets of the company the value of which is more than 50% of the value of the companys assets before the disposition; or |
(c) |
a transaction that has or is likely to have the effect of the company acquiring rights or interests or incurring obligations or liabilities the value of which is more than 50% of the value of the companys assets before the transaction (provided that this will not apply by reason only of the company giving, or |
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entering into an agreement to give, a charge secured over assets of the company, the value of which is more than 50% of the value of the companys assets for the purpose of securing the repayment of money or the performance of an obligation). |
Under the Mauritius Companies Act, an ordinary resolution is a resolution that is approved by a simple majority of the votes of those shareholders entitled to vote and voting on the matter which is the subject of the resolution.
Under Delaware law, a corporation may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets upon approval by the board and resolutions adopted by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
A merger of two or more constituent companies under Mauritius law requires an amalgamation proposal to be approved by the directors of each constituent company and by special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company.
A merger between a Mauritius parent company and its Mauritius subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require approval by a resolution of shareholders. For this purpose a subsidiary has the meaning assigned to it by the Mauritius Companies Act.
Save in certain circumstances, a dissentient shareholder of a Mauritius constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair and reasonable price for his shares upon dissenting to a merger or consolidation. The exercise of appraisal rights will normally preclude the exercise of any other rights save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies where the Supreme Court of Mauritius, on the application of the company or, with leave of the court, any shareholder or creditor of the company, may order that an arrangement or amalgamation or compromise shall be binding on the company and on such other persons or classes of persons as the court may specify and any such order may be made on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit.
Under the Delaware General Corporations Law, a merger of two Delaware corporations requires approval by the board and, except in certain circumstances, shareholders of each corporation. A merger between a Delaware parent company and its Delaware subsidiary or subsidiaries does not generally require shareholder approval.
Shareholders Suits
In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff, but under the Mauritius Companies Act, the Mauritius courts may grant leave to a shareholder (including a minority shareholder) to bring a derivative action.
In Delaware, in any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such stockholders stock thereafter devolved upon such stockholder by operation of law. The complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to obtain the action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort. Such action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Chancery Court. Moreover, if we were a Delaware corporation, a shareholder whose shares were canceled in connection with our dissolution, would not be able to bring a derivative action against us after the equity shares have been cancelled.
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Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Under the Mauritius Companies Act, a company may indemnify a director or employee of the company or a related company for any costs incurred by him or the company in respect of any proceedings (a) that relates to liability for any act or omission in his capacity as a director or employee and (b) in which judgment is given in his favor, in which he is acquitted, which is discontinued, in which he is granted relief under section 350 of the Mauritius Companies Act or where proceedings are threatened and such threatened action is abandoned or not pursued. The Mauritius Companies Act further provides that a company may indemnify a director or employee of the company or a related company in respect of (a) liability to any person, other than the company or a related company, for any act or omission in his capacity as a director or employee or (b) costs incurred by that director or employee in defending or settling any claim or proceedings relating to any such liability, save in respect of any criminal liability or liability in respect of a breach (in the case of a director) of the duty to exercise his powers honestly in good faith in the best interests of the company. Our post-offering Constitution will provide for indemnification, to the extent permitted by Mauritius law, of our directors and officers for costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by them in the execution and discharge of their duties in their respective offices or in relation thereto, except in respect of their own fraud or dishonesty.
Under Delaware law, a corporation has the flexibility to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe the persons conduct was unlawful.
Directors Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Mauritius law, a director of a Mauritius company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes duties to the company that include a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him to do so) and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. Under the Mauritius Companies Act, our directors have a duty to our company to exercise their powers honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of our company. Our directors also have a duty to our company to exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Where a director of a public company also holds office as an executive, the director is required under Mauritius law to exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill which a reasonably prudent and competent executive in that position would exercise. In fulfilling their duty of care to our company, our directors must ensure compliance with the Mauritius Companies Act and our Constitution, as amended from time to time.
Neither Mauritian law nor our Constitution requires the majority of our directors to be independent.
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Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Mauritius law provides that, save for the annual meeting of a company, shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held or by resolution in writing signed by not less than 75% or such other percentage as the constitution of the company may require for passing a special resolution, whichever is the greater, of the shareholders who would be entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of shareholders who together hold not less than 75% (or, if a higher percentage is required by the constitution, that higher percentage) of the votes entitled to be cast on that resolution.
Shareholder Meetings
Shareholders of a Delaware corporation generally do not have the right to call meetings of shareholders unless that right is granted in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. However, if a corporation fails to hold its annual general meeting within a period of 30 days after the date designated for the annual meeting, or if no date has been designated for a period of 13 months after its last annual general meeting, the Delaware Court of Chancery may order a meeting to be held upon the application of a shareholder.
Mauritius law and our Constitution allow our shareholders to requisition a shareholders meeting. We are obliged by law to call a shareholders annual meeting once every year.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporations certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholders voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Mauritius law, our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our Constitution, directors may be removed by ordinary resolution of our shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains business combination provision applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an interested shareholder for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. Subject to specified exceptions, an interested shareholder is a person or a group that owns 15% or more of the corporations outstanding voting stock (including any rights to acquire stock pursuant to an option, warrant, agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion or exchange rights, and stock with respect to which the person has voting rights only), or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% of more of the corporations outstanding voting stock at any time within the previous three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to
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the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the targets board of directors.
There is no such statutory provision under Mauritius law restricting transactions between a company and its significant shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporations outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.
Under Mauritius law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of Mauritius or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts, by a special resolution of its members with leave of the court. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Under the Insolvency Act 2009 of Mauritius, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by special resolution of our shareholders.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Mauritius law and our Constitution, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporations governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Mauritius law, our Constitution may only be amended by special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our Constitution on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares.
Such limitations are not required under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Issuance of Preferred Shares
Our Constitution allows for our company to issue preferred shares. Our Constitution provides that, except for issuances of more than 10% of the share capital of the Company in a single transaction, which must be approved by an ordinary resolution of shareholders for so long as International Finance Corporation or IFC GIF Investment Company I hold any ordinary shares of the Company, the directors of our company may offer, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of shares of our company to such persons, at such times and for such
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consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors of our company may in its absolute discretion determine (save that no shares shall be issued below the par value of the share) and that any share in our company may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as our company may determine or, if there has not been any such determination or so far as the same does not make specific provision, as the board of directors of our company may determine.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may issue preferred shares without shareholder approval.
Compulsory Acquisition
The Financial Services Commission in Mauritius has recently issued the Securities (Takeover) Rules 2010, or the Rules, under the Financial Services Act 2007 of Mauritius and the Mauritius Securities Act which may apply to takeover offers where the offeree is a reporting issuer in Mauritius and to a corporation holding a global business license which is listed on a relevant securities exchange. The Rules include provisions, inter alia , for the making of a mandatory offer and compulsory acquisition of shares. The Rules came into operation on May 1, 2011.
Anti-takeover provisions
Mauritius law does not prevent Mauritius companies from adopting a wide range of defensive measures, such as staggered boards, issue of preferred shares, adoption of poison pill shareholder rights plans and provisions that restrict the rights of shareholders to call meetings. Our Constitution includes the following provisions which may be regarded as defensive measures: (i) a staggered board of directors, (ii) the ability to issue preferred shares, (iii) granting directors the absolute discretion to decline to register a transfer of any shares (other than a fully paid share), and (iv) requiring that amendments to our Constitution be approved by a special resolution of the shareholders of our company.
Delaware law also does not prevent Delaware corporations from adopting defensive measures such as staggered boards, issue of preferred shares, adoption of poison pill shareholder rights plans and requirements for advance notification of shareholder nominations and proposals. In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless certain conditions are met. Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporations outstanding voting stock.
Registration Rights
We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement by and among Azure Power Global Limited, IFC, IFC GIF Investment Company I, PROPARCO, FC VI India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd., Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC and DEG (collectively referred to as the Holders), pursuant to which we will grant certain registration rights to certain holders of our Registrable Securities, as described below.
Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement and lock-up agreements described in this prospectus, at any time or from time to time, one or more of the Holders may request that the Company effect a registration under the Securities Act of all or any part of the Registrable Securities (as will be defined in the registration rights agreement) owned by the Holders (each such registration is referred to as a Demand
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Registration), provided that the Registrable Securities to be so registered (i) have an aggregate value of at least US$25 million, based on the closing trading price of the equity shares on the date demand to file such Demand Registration Statement is made, and (ii) include all Registrable Securities of the Holder or Holders requesting the Demand Registration which remain outstanding at such time.
At any time after the Company becomes eligible to file a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act, the registration statement to be filed by the Company pursuant to any Demand Registration may be required by the Holder requesting such Demand Registration to be in the form of a shelf registration statement (or any similar or successor form for which the Company then qualifies).
Each Holder is entitled to not more than four Demand Registrations pursuant to the registration rights agreement. All Holders are entitled to no more than one Demand Registration pursuant to the registration rights agreement per six-month period.
Whenever the Company proposes to file a registration statement including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Company (but excluding registration statements relating to the paragraphs above and relating to employee benefit plans or with respect to corporate reorganizations) at any time and from time to time, the Company will, at least 20 days prior to such filing, give written notice to all Holders of its intention to do so and, upon the written request of any Holder(s) given within 10 days after the Company provides such notice, the Company will use its reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities that the Company has been requested by such Holder(s) to register or to be registered under the Securities Act to the extent necessary to permit their sale or other disposition in accordance with the intended methods of distribution specified in the request of such Holder(s), provided that the Company shall have the right to postpone or withdraw any such registration effected without obligation to any Holder.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Following the consummation of this offering, we will have a total of equity shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to the corporate formation transactions described under Prospectus Summary Corporate Structure, assuming a total of equity shares will be issued to the non-founder investors upon the conversion of convertible securities, based on an initial public offering price of US$ per equity share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. All of the equity shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our affiliates without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our equity shares in the public market could have a material adverse effect on the prevailing market prices of our equity shares.
While application has been made for the equity shares to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for our equity shares will develop.
Lock-Up Agreements
All of our directors, executive officers and substantially all of our shareholders have signed lock-up agreements prior to this offering under which they have agreed not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for equity shares without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc. for a period of 180 days, subject to certain exceptions and possible extension under certain circumstances, after the date of this prospectus. These agreements are described below under Underwriting.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus a person who has beneficially owned our restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months is entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject to certain restrictions. Persons who are our affiliates may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted securities that does not exceed the greater of the following:
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1% of the number of our equity shares then outstanding, which will equal approximately shares immediately after this offering, or approximately shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional equity shares in full; and |
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The average weekly trading volume of our equity shares on the during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC. |
Sales under Rule 144 by persons who are deemed our affiliates are subject to manner-of-sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than six months but not more than one year may sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject to the availability of current public information about us. Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than one year may freely sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act.
In addition, in each case, these shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.
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Rule 701
Beginning 90 days after the date of the prospectus, persons other than our affiliates who purchased equity shares under a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to sell such shares in the United States in reliance on Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may sell these shares in reliance on Rule 144 subject only to its manner-of-sale requirements.
Share Options
Shortly after the completion of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement on Form F-8 under the Securities Act to register all equity shares issuable under our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan. See Management Equity-Based Compensation Plans for a description of such plan.
This Form F-8 registration statement is expected to become effective immediately upon filing, and equity shares covered by that registration statement will then be eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to:
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The Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates; |
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The expiration of the lock-up period; and |
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Vesting restrictions imposed by us. |
Upon consummation of the offering, there will be options outstanding to purchase fully paid equity shares pursuant to our 2015 Employee Stock Option Plan.
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The following discussion summarizes the material Mauritius, Indian and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our equity shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. To the extent that the discussion states specific legal conclusions under Mauritius tax law, it represents the opinion of Appleby, our special Mauritius counsel; and, to the extent it states specific legal conclusions under Indian tax law, it represents the opinion of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., our special Indian counsel. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our equity shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local, non-U.S., non-Indian and non- Mauritian tax laws.
Mauritius Taxation
We are a company holding a Mauritius Category 1 Global Business Company, or GBC1, issued by the Financial Services Commission and is a tax resident in Mauritius. The Income Tax Act 1995 of Mauritius imposes a tax in Mauritius on our chargeable income at the rate of 15%. However, under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996 of Mauritius, subject to the Income Tax Act 1995 and the regulations under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, credit is allowed for foreign tax on the foreign source income of a resident of Mauritius against Mauritius tax computed by reference to the same income, and where credit is allowed against Mauritius tax chargeable in respect of any income, the amount of Mauritius tax so chargeable shall be reduced by the amount of the credit.
Under the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, foreign source income means income which is not derived from Mauritius and includes in the case of a corporation holding a GBC1 under the Financial Services Act 2007 of Mauritius, income derived in the course of a global business. Subject to the provisions of the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, no credit is allowed in respect of foreign tax unless written evidence is presented to the Mauritius Revenue Authority showing the amount of foreign tax which has been charged and for this purpose, written evidence includes a receipt of the relevant authorities of the foreign country for the foreign tax or any other evidence that the foreign tax has been deducted or paid to the relevant authorities of that country. However, pursuant to regulation 8 of the Income Tax (Foreign Tax Credit) Regulations 1996, if written evidence is not presented to the Mauritius Revenue Authority showing the amount of foreign tax charged on our companys foreign source income, the amount of foreign tax shall nevertheless be conclusively presumed to be equal to 80% of the Mauritius tax chargeable with respect to that income and in such circumstance, the effective tax rate in Mauritius on our chargeable income would be 3%.
Following amendments to the Financial Services Act 2007 of Mauritius pursuant to the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 in December 2010, Mauritius companies holding a GBC1 issued by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius are permitted to conduct business both in and outside Mauritius (instead of outside Mauritius only). The operations of a GBC1 company in Mauritius will be subject to tax on chargeable income at the rate of 15% in Mauritius.
We hold tax residence certificates issued by the Mauritius Revenue Authority. These certificates are required for the avoidance of double taxation under the Agreements for the Avoidance of Double Taxation signed between Mauritius and other jurisdictions, including India.
Mauritius has no capital gains tax and has no withholding tax on the payment of dividends.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers in order to fully understand the tax consequences of an investment in the equity shares.
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U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our equity shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders that hold the equity share as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This summary is based on U.S. tax laws in effect as of the date of this prospectus, on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed as of the date of this prospectus, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. Moreover, this summary does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, or any state, local, and non-U.S. tax considerations, relating to the ownership and disposition of our equity shares. The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:
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banks and other financial institutions; |
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insurance companies; |
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pension plans; |
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cooperatives; |
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regulated investment companies; |
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real estate investment trusts; |
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broker-dealers; |
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traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting; |
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certain former U.S. citizens or long term residents; |
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tax-exempt entities (including private foundations); |
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
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persons holding equity share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction; |
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persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock; |
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persons who acquired equity share pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation; or |
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entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons holding equity share through such entities. |
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR EQUITY SHARES.
For purposes of this summary, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our equity shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more United States persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
The tax treatment of a partner in any entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds our equity share will depend on the status of such partner and the activities of such partnership. If you are a partner in such partnership, you should consult your tax advisors.
Dividends and Other Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, the gross amount (in U.S. dollars) of any distribution we make to you on our equity shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includible in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt, but only to the extent that such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Amounts not treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce your tax basis in your equity share, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and your tax basis in your equity share will be treated as capital gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the equity share. However, we do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that any distribution we make to you will be reported as a dividend even if such distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above. Any dividends we pay will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations for dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
Under current law, certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) our equity shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States including the NYSE, (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to you for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid and the preceding taxable year and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends we pay on our equity shares, as well as the effect of any change in applicable law after the date of this prospectus.
Dividends will generally be treated as income from foreign sources for United States foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder may be eligible, subject to complex limitations, to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign withholding taxes imposed on dividends received on our equity share. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances.
Dispositions
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, you will generally recognize taxable capital gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an equity share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the equity share and your adjusted tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the equity share. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, that has held the equity share for more than one year, you may be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our equity shares, including the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company
A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either:
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at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income; or |
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at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. |
For this purpose, we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
Although we are engaged in an active business and we do not generate substantial passive income relative to the revenue from our active business, the PFIC rules are complex. The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market price of our equity shares may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of assets for the purpose of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our equity shares. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. Although, based on our current income and assets, we presently do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in future taxable years, there can be no assurance in this regard.
If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our equity shares and such U.S. Holder did not make a mark-to-market election as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to:
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any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of our equity shares; and |
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any excess distribution made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of our equity shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holders holding period for the equity shares). |
Under these rules,
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the U.S. Holders gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period for the equity share; |
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the amount allocated to the U.S. Holders taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holders holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income; |
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the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and |
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additional tax equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you for any taxable year, if any of our subsidiaries are also PFICs or if we make direct or indirect equity investments in other entities that are PFICs, you will be deemed to own shares in such lower-tier PFICs that are directly or indirectly owned by us in that proportion that the value of the equity share you own bears to the value of all of our equity shares, and you may be subject to the rules described in the preceding two paragraphs for the shares of such lower-tier PFICs that you would be deemed to own. You should consult your tax advisors regarding how the PFIC rules apply to any of our subsidiaries or direct or indirect equity investments.
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If a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns stock in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock for United States federal income tax purposes, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our equity shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above with respect to its equity shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its equity shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted tax basis in its equity shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of its equity shares over the fair market value of its equity shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in its equity shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the equity shares will be treated as ordinary income.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that are regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, including the NYSE, or on a foreign exchange or market that the Internal Revenue Service determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although we expect our equity shares to be listed on the NYSE, we cannot guarantee that once our equity shares are listed, they will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. In addition, the mark-to-market election may not be available with respect to any lower-tier PFICs unless shares of such lower-tier PFICs are themselves marketable stock. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our equity share under their particular circumstances.
Alternatively, a U.S. person that owns stock of a PFIC generally may make a qualified electing fund election regarding such corporation to elect out of the PFIC rules described above regarding excess distributions and recognized gains. We currently do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.
A U.S. Holder that owns, or is deemed to own, equity shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder may have to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 with such U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return.
You should consult your tax advisors regarding how the PFIC rules apply to your investment in our equity shares and the elections and reporting requirements discussed above.
Information Reporting with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
A U.S. Holder that owns specified foreign financial assets, including securities issued by a non-U.S. corporation, with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 at the end of the year (or a higher dollar amount prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service) may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets with such U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return, subject to certain exceptions. These rules also impose penalties if a U.S. Holder is required to submit such information to the Internal Revenue Service and fails to do so. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this legislation to their ownership of the equity shares.
Transfer Reporting Requirements
A U.S. Holder (including a U.S. tax-exempt entity) that transfers cash in exchange for equity of a newly created non-U.S. corporation may be required to file a Form 926 or a similar form with the Internal Revenue Service if (i) such person owned, directly or by attribution, immediately after the transfer at least 10% by vote or value of the corporation or (ii) if the transferred cash, when aggregated with all transfers made by such person (or
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any related person) within the preceding 12 month period, exceeds US$100,000. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this requirement to their acquisition of equity shares.
Indian Taxation
The discussion contained herein is based on the applicable tax laws of India as in effect on the date hereof and is subject to possible changes in Indian law that may come into effect after such date. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers as to the consequences of purchasing the equity shares, including, without limitation, the consequences of the receipt of dividend and the sale, transfer or disposition of the equity shares.
Dividend payments to Azure Power Global Limited by our subsidiary, AZI, are subject to dividend distribution tax in India payable by AZI at a rate of 17.304% on the total amount distributed as a dividend as grossed up by the amount of such dividend distribution tax. Any dividend income in respect of our equity shares will not be subject to any withholding or deduction in respect of Indian income tax laws so long as our holding company is deemed to be tax resident in Mauritius.
Pursuant to amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended, income arising directly or indirectly through the transfer of a capital asset, including any share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside India, will be liable to tax in India, if such share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from assets (whether tangible or intangible) located in India and whether or not the seller of such share or interest has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India. The share or interest of the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India, shall be deemed to derive its value substantially from the assets located in India, if the value of such Indian assets exceeds Rs. 100 million, and represents at least 50% of the value of all the assets owned by the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India. Substantially all of our assets are located in India. However, if the transferor of share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India (along with its associated enterprises), neither holds the right of management or control in the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India nor holds voting power or share capital or interest exceeding 5% of the total voting power or total share capital or interest in the company or entity registered or incorporated outside of India, at any time during the twelve months preceding the date of transfer, such small shareholders are exempt from the indirect transfer provisions mentioned above.
The amendments also do not deal with the interplay between the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended, and the double taxation avoidance agreements that India has entered into with countries such as the United States, in case of an indirect transfer. Accordingly, the implications of these amendments are presently unclear. If it is determined that these amendments apply to a holder of our equity shares, such holder could be liable to pay tax in India on such income.
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in Mauritius and our primary operating subsidiary, AZI, is incorporated in India. The majority of our directors and executive officers are not residents of the United States and substantially all of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or us. In addition, you may be unable to enforce judgments obtained in courts of the United States against such persons outside the jurisdiction of their residence, including judgments predicated solely upon U.S. securities laws.
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts in Mauritius would enforce judgments obtained in the United States against us or our directors or executive officers, as well as the experts named herein, based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or allow actions in Mauritius against us or our directors or executive officers based only upon the securities laws of the United States. Further, foreign judgments may not be given effect to by a Mauritius court where it would be contrary to any principle affecting public policy in Mauritius or to the extent that they constitute the payment of an amount which is in the nature of a penalty and not in the nature of liquidated damages.
In addition to and irrespective of jurisdictional issues, neither Mauritian nor Indian courts will enforce a provision of the U.S. federal securities laws that is either penal in nature or contrary to public policy. An action brought pursuant to a public or penal law, the purpose of which is the enforcement of a sanction, power or right at the instance of the state in its sovereign capacity, is unlikely to be entertained by Mauritian or Indian courts. Specified remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including specified remedies under U.S. federal securities laws, would not be available under Mauritian or Indian law or enforceable in a Mauritian or Indian court, if they are considered to be contrary to Mauritian or Indian public policy. An award of punitive damages under a United States court judgment based upon United States federal securities laws is likely to be construed by Mauritian and Indian courts to be penal in nature and therefore unenforceable in both Mauritius and India. Further, no claim may be brought in Mauritius or India against us or our directors and officers, as well as the experts named herein, in the first instance for a violation of U.S. federal securities laws because these laws have no extraterritorial application under Mauritian or Indian law and do not have force of law in Mauritius or India.
Section 44A of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, as amended, or the Civil Procedure Code, provides that where a foreign judgment has been rendered by a superior court in any country or territory outside of India which the Indian government has by notification declared to be a reciprocating territory, such foreign judgment may be enforced in India by proceedings in execution as if the judgment had been rendered by an appropriate court in India. However, the enforceability of such judgments is subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code. This section, which is the statutory basis for the recognition of foreign judgments, states that a foreign judgment is conclusive as to any matter directly adjudicated upon except:
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where the judgment has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction; |
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where the judgment has not been given on the merits of the case; |
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where the judgment appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable; |
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where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; |
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where the judgment has been obtained by fraud; or |
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where the judgment sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India. |
Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is applicable only to decrees or judgments under which a sum of money is payable not being in the nature of amounts payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a similar nature or in respect of fines or other penalties and does not include arbitration awards. It is unlikely that a court in
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India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action were brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with public policy or practice in India.
If a judgment of a foreign court is not enforceable under Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code as described above, it may be enforced in India only by a suit filed upon the judgment, subject to Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, and not by proceedings in execution. The United States has not been declared by the Indian government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code. Accordingly, a judgment of a court in the United States may be enforced only by filing a fresh suit on the basis of the judgment and not by proceedings in execution.
The suit must be brought in India within three years from the date of the judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. It is difficult to predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to untimely delay.
A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, as amended, to repatriate any amount recovered pursuant to such enforcement. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian rupees on the date of judgment and not on the date of payment.
A final and conclusive judgment in the superior courts of a foreign jurisdiction, or foreign courts, other than the courts of the United Kingdom, under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges) may be recognized by, and be enforceable in, the courts of Mauritius if (1) the judgment is still valid, final and is capable of execution in the jurisdiction in which it was delivered; (2) the judgment is not contrary to any principle affecting public policy in Mauritius; (3) the foreign courts had jurisdiction to hear the claim; and (4) our company had been regularly summoned to attend the proceedings before the foreign courts. Any judgment expressed in a foreign currency by a foreign court, may, when made executory in Mauritius, be expressed in that foreign currency. A valid and final judgment rendered by a court in the United States may not be enforced in Mauritius except by way of exequatur under the Mauritius Code on Civil Procedure. The exequatur may be sought in Mauritius so long as the valid and final judgment is capable of execution in the United States.
A final and conclusive judgment or order in the superior courts of the United Kingdom under which a sum of money is made payable (and including an award in proceedings on an arbitration if the award has, under the law in force in the place where it was made, become enforceable in the same manner as a judgment by a court in that place) would, on registration in accordance with the provisions of The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act 1923 be enforceable in the Supreme Court of Mauritius. Any judgment expressed in pounds sterling or other currency by a superior court of the United Kingdom, may, when made executory in Mauritius, be expressed in pounds sterling or any other currency at the rate of exchange prevailing at the date of judgment of the original court.
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Barclays Capital Inc. is acting as the sole book-running manager of this offering. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, Barclays Capital Inc. has agreed to purchase from us and the selling shareholder all the equity shares.
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters obligation to purchase equity shares depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement including:
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the obligation to purchase all of the equity shares offered hereby (other than those equity shares covered by their option to purchase additional shares as described below), if any of the shares are purchased; |
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the representations and warranties made by us and the selling shareholder to the underwriter are true; |
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there is no material change in our business or the financial markets; and |
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we and the selling shareholder deliver customary closing documents to the underwriter. |
Commissions and Expenses
The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions we and the selling shareholder will pay to the underwriter. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares. The underwriting fee is the difference between the initial price to the public and the amount the underwriter pays to us and the selling shareholder for the shares.
US | Selling Shareholder | |||||||||||||||
No Exercise | Full Exercise | No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||||||||||
Per Share |
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||||||||
Total |
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ |
The representative has advised us that the underwriter proposes to offer the equity shares directly to the public at the public offering price on the cover of this prospectus and to selected dealers at such offering price less a selling concession not in excess of US$ per share.
The expenses of the offering that are payable by us are estimated to be approximately US$ (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions). We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain of its expenses, in an amount of up to US$ , as set forth in the underwriting agreement.
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted the underwriter an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of shares from us at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. To the extent that this option is exercised, the underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase additional shares.
Lock-Up Agreements
We, all of our directors, executive officers and substantially all of our shareholders, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus subject to certain limited exceptions, we and they will not directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc., (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any equity shares (including, without limitation, equity shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by us or them in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and equity shares that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities
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convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for equity shares (other than the stock and shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans, or other employee compensation plans existing on the date of this prospectus), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any equity shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity shares, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of equity shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of equity shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any equity shares or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into equity shares or any of our other securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.
Barclays Capital Inc., in its sole discretion, may release the equity shares and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time. When determining whether or not to release equity shares and other securities from lock-up agreements, Barclays Capital Inc. will consider, among other factors, the holders reasons for requesting the release, the number of equity shares and other securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time. At least three business days before the effectiveness of any release or waiver of any of the restrictions described above with respect to an officer or director of the company, Barclays Capital Inc. will notify us of the impending release or waiver and we have agreed to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, except where the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer of equity shares that is not for consideration and where the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms as the lock-up agreements described above to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of transfer.
Offering Price Determination
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our equity shares. The initial public offering price was negotiated among the representative and us. In determining the initial public offering price of our equity shares, the representative considered:
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the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete; |
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our financial information; |
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the ability of our management and our business potential and earning prospects; |
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the prevailing securities markets at the time of this offering; and |
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the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded shares of generally comparable companies. |
Indemnification
We and the selling shareholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriter may be required to make for these liabilities.
Stabilization and Short Positions
The underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the equity shares, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:
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Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. |
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A short position involves a sale by the underwriter of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter is obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the syndicate short position. This short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares involved in the sales made by the underwriter in excess of the number of shares it is obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of shares that it may purchase by exercising its option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in its option to purchase additional shares. The underwriter may close out any short position by either exercising its option to purchase additional shares and/or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which it may purchase shares through its option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. |
These stabilizing transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our equity shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the equity shares. As a result, the price of the equity shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Neither we, the selling shareholder nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the equity shares.
Listing on the New York Stock Exchange
We have applied to list our equity shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AZRE.
Discretionary Sales
The underwriter has informed us that it does not expect to sell more than 5% of the equity shares in the aggregate to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority.
Stamp Taxes
If you purchase equity shares offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.
Other Relationships
The underwriter and certain of its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriter and certain of its affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for the issuer and its affiliates, for which they received or may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and certain of its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer or its affiliates. If the underwriter or its affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriter or
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its affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, the underwriter and its affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the equity shares offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the equity shares offered hereby. The underwriter and certain of its affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Directed Share Program
At our request, the underwriter has reserved % of the equity shares to be issued by us and offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons. If purchased by these persons, these equity shares will be subject to a 180-day lock-up restriction. The number of equity shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent these individuals purchase such reserved equity shares. Any reserved equity shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other equity shares offered by this prospectus.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) an offer to the public of any equity shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated herein may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any equity shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
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to legal entities which are qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Directive; |
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by the underwriters to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters for any such offer; or |
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in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, |
provided that no such offer of equity shares shall result in a requirement for us, the selling shareholder or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any equity shares under, the offers contemplated here in this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each underwriter, the selling shareholder and us that:
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it is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Directive; and |
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in the case of any equity shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the equity shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, as that term is defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in the circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters has been given to the offer or resale or (ii) where equity shares have been acquired by it on behalf of |
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persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of such equity shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons. |
For the purposes of this representation and the provision above, the expression an offer of equity shares to the public in relation to any equity shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any equity shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the equity shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State, the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
United Kingdom
This prospectus has only been communicated or caused to have been communicated and will only be communicated or caused to be communicated as an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000, or the FSMA), as received in connection with the issue or sale of the equity shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us. All applicable provisions of the FSMA will be complied with in respect to anything done in relation to the equity shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act, and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the equity shares may only be made to persons, or the Exempt Investors, who are sophisticated investors (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), professional investors (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the equity shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The equity shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring equity shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other
173
person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The equity shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the equity shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the equity shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Hong Kong
The equity shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the equity shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the equity shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
India
This prospectus has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with any registrar of companies in India. This prospectus has not been and will not be reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority in India, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India, any registrar of companies in India or any stock exchange in India. This prospectus and this offering of equity shares are not and should not be construed as an invitation, offer or sale of any securities to the public in India. Other than in compliance with the private placement exemptions under applicable laws and regulations in India, including the Companies Act, 2013, as amended, our equity shares have not been, and will not be, offered or sold to the public or any member of the public in India. This prospectus is strictly personal to the recipient and neither this prospectus nor the offering of our equity shares is calculated to result, directly or indirectly, in our equity shares becoming available for subscription or purchase by persons other than those receiving the invitation or offer. Each investor is deemed to have acknowledged, represented and agreed that it is eligible to invest in our company and our equity shares under applicable laws, rules and regulations in India, without the requirement to obtain any prior approval, and that it is not prohibited or prevented under any law, rule or regulation in India from acquiring, owning or selling our equity shares.
Japan
The equity shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, Japanese Person shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our equity shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our
174
shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (2) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where our equity shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.
Switzerland
The equity shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the equity shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company, the equity shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of equity shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA and the offer of equity shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of equity shares.
Canada
This document constitutes an exempt offering document as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the securities described herein (the Securities). No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this document or on the merits of the Securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence.
Canadian investors are advised that this document has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, this document is exempt from the requirement to provide investors with certain conflicts of interest
175
disclosure pertaining to connected issuer and/or related issuer relationships as would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.
Resale Restrictions
The offer and sale of the Securities in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement to prepare and file a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of Securities acquired by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the Securities outside of Canada.
Representations of Purchasers
Each Canadian investor who purchases the Securities will be deemed to have represented to the issuer and to each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor (i) is purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) is an accredited investor as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106) or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) is a permitted client as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations .
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this document does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the Securities and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the Securities or with respect to the eligibility of the Securities for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.
Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission
Securities legislation in certain of the Canadian jurisdictions provides certain purchasers of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum, including where the distribution involves an eligible foreign security as such term is defined in Ontario Securities Commission Rule 45-501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and in Multilateral Instrument 45-107 Listing Representation and Statutory Rights of Action Disclosure Exemptions , as applicable, with a remedy for damages or rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where the offering memorandum, or other offering document that constitutes an offering memorandum, and any amendment thereto, contains a misrepresentation as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed under, and are subject to limitations and defences under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, these remedies are in addition to and without derogation from any other right or remedy available at law to the investor.
Language of Documents
Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the Securities described herein (including for
176
greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes quil a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation dachat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement .
177
EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the offering (all amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee):
SEC registration fee |
US$ | 11,620 | ||
FINRA filing fee |
US$ | 15,500 | ||
Listing fee |
* | |||
Printing expenses |
* | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
Miscellaneous |
* | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
* | |||
|
|
* | To be provided by amendment. |
178
Certain legal matters as to United States federal and New York law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Palo Alto, California. The validity of the equity shares offered in this offering and certain legal matters as to Mauritius law will be passed upon for us by Appleby, Port Louis, Mauritius. Certain legal matters as to Indian law will be passed upon for us by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, New Delhi, India. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely upon Appleby with respect to matters governed by Mauritius law and upon Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co with respect to matters governed by Indian law. Certain legal matter will be passed on for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Azure Power Global Limited at March 31, 2015 and 2016 appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young Associates LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the equity shares to be sold in this offering. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. You should refer to the registration statement for further information. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the content of any contract or other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or document.
Upon declaration by the SEC of the effectiveness of the registration statement, we will become subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to a foreign private issuer. Under the Exchange Act, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. You may also obtain additional information over the Internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | ||||
Consolidated Financial Statements |
||||
F-2 | ||||
F-3 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 |
F-4 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 |
F-5 | |||
F-6 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 |
F-7 | |||
F-8 |
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Azure Power Global Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Azure Power Global Limited as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, preferred shares and shareholders deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Azure Power Global Limited at March 31, 2015 and 2016, and the consolidated result of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young Associates LLP
Gurgaon, India
June 15, 2016 except for Note 2(a), as to which the date is _____, 2016
The foregoing report is in the form that will be signed upon completion of the -for- stock split of the Companys equity shares immediately prior to the initial public offering.
/s/ Ernst & Young Associates LLP
Gurgaon, India
June 15, 2016
F-2
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and par value data)
As of March 31,
2015 (Rs.) |
As of March 31, |
Proforma as of
March 31, (unaudited)(1) |
||||||||||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||||||||
(Note 2(d)) | (Note 2(d)) | |||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,044,290 | 3,090,386 | 46,647 | 3,090,386 | 46,647 | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
702,407 | 821,891 | 12,406 | 821,891 | 12,406 | |||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
237,956 | 556,755 | 8,404 | 556,755 | 8,404 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred IPO cost |
88,400 | 208,731 | 3,151 | | | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
240,730 | 359,943 | 5,434 | 359,943 | 5,434 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets |
3,313,783 | 5,037,706 | 76,042 | 4,828,975 | 72,891 | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
600,794 | 871,637 | 13,157 | 871,637 | 13,157 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
15,145,674 | 24,381,429 | 368,022 | 24,381,429 | 368,022 | |||||||||||||||
Software, net |
15,720 | 14,657 | 221 | 14,657 | 221 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
26,913 | 34,661 | 523 | 34,661 | 523 | |||||||||||||||
Investments in held-to-maturity securities |
| 6,785 | 102 | 6,785 | 102 | |||||||||||||||
Other assets* |
820,824 | 982,138 | 14,824 | 982,138 | 14,824 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
19,923,708 | 31,329,013 | 472,891 | 31,120,282 | 469,740 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Liabilities, preferred shares and shareholders deficit |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term debt |
| 1,273,000 | 19,215 | 1,273,000 | 19,215 | |||||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
971,467 | 1,899,488 | 28,672 | 1,899,488 | 28,672 | |||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
2,254,344 | 4,477,696 | 67,587 | 876,996 | 13,238 | |||||||||||||||
Income taxes payable |
115,945 | 45,215 | 682 | 45,215 | 682 | |||||||||||||||
Interest payable |
55,879 | 126,122 | 1,904 | 126,122 | 1,904 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 80,201 | 1,211 | 80,201 | 1,211 | |||||||||||||||
Other liabilities |
274,268 | 214,487 | 3,238 | 214,487 | 3,238 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
3,671,903 | 8,116,209 | 122,509 | 4,515,509 | 68,160 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
15,478,509 | 18,776,128 | 283,412 | 18,776,128 | 283,413 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
317,702 | 1,190,142 | 17,964 | 1,190,142 | 17,964 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
118,659 | 470,048 | 7,095 | 470,047 | 7,095 | |||||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations |
70,942 | 94,301 | 1,423 | 94,301 | 1,423 | |||||||||||||||
Other liabilities |
18,630 | 39,936 | 603 | 39,936 | 603 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
19,676,345 | 28,686,764 | 433,007 | 25,086,063 | 378,659 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Preferred shares, Rs. 10 par value, 672,177 and 805,462 shares designated as compulsorily convertible preferred shares as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively (liquidation preference, excluding dividend distributions tax, is Rs. 9,231,297 as of March 31, 2016) |
4,689,942 | 9,733,272 | 146,918 | | | |||||||||||||||
Redeemable Non-Controlling interest |
| 346,754 | 5,235 | 346,754 | 5,233 | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders deficit |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity shares, US$0.01 par value; 109,880 shares issued and outstanding |
68 | 68 | 1 | 68 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
(1,642,112 | ) | (2,958,166 | ) | (44,652 | ) | 10,167,075 | 153,465 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(2,828,302 | ) | (4,508,156 | ) | (68,048 | ) | (4,508,156 | ) | (68,048 | ) | ||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
23,192 | 28,807 | 435 | 28,807 | 435 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total APGL shareholders deficit |
(4,447,154 | ) | (7,437,447 | ) | (112,264 | ) | 5,687,794 | 85,853 | ||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
4,575 | (330 | ) | (5 | ) | (330 | ) | (5 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total shareholders deficit |
(4,442,579 | ) | (7,437,777 | ) | (112,269 | ) | 5,687,464 | 85,848 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities, preferred share and shareholders deficit |
19,923,708 | 31,329,013 | 472,891 | 31,120,282 | 469,740 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | In connection with the Companys proposed Initial Public Offering, the compulsorily convertible debentures (Note 10) and the compulsorily convertible preferred shares (Notes 10 and 14) will be converted to equity shares. The pro forma balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 reflects the conversion of these securities into the Companys equity shares and application of deferred IPO costs of Rs. 208,731 (US$3,151) as of March 31, 2016 against additional paid-in capital. |
* | Includes security deposit of Rs. 6,300 and Rs. 8,567 (US$129) to related parties as of 31 March, 2015 and March 31, 2016, respectively, also see Note 18. |
See accompanying notes.
F-3
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
(Note 2d) | ||||||||||||
Operating revenues: |
||||||||||||
Sale of power |
1,124,138 | 2,626,148 | 39,640 | |||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) |
79,816 | 190,648 | 2,878 | |||||||||
General and administrative |
425,952 | 672,841 | 10,156 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating cost and expenses |
828,198 | 1,551,270 | 23,416 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
295,940 | 1,074,878 | 16,224 | |||||||||
Other expense: |
||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
Loss on foreign currency exchange, net |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total other expenses |
1,131,418 | 2,401,973 | 36,256 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income tax |
(835,478 | ) | (1,327,095 | ) | (20,032 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(253,112 | ) | (327,745 | ) | (4,947 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
(5,595 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL |
(1,082,995 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | (24,909 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to Mezzanine CCPS |
(755,207 | ) | (1,347,923 | ) | (20,346 | ) | ||||||
Accretion to redeemable non-controlling interest |
| (29,825 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | (45,705 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss per share attributable to APGL equity stockholders |
||||||||||||
Basic and diluted |
(16,729 | ) | (27,557 | ) | (416 | ) | ||||||
Shares used in computing basic and diluted per share amounts |
||||||||||||
Equity shares |
109,880 | 109,880 | ||||||||||
Pro forma (unaudited)(1) |
||||||||||||
Pro forma net loss |
| | ||||||||||
Pro forma net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
| | ||||||||||
Pro forma net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
| | ||||||||||
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share |
| | ||||||||||
Pro forma shares used in computing basic and diluted per share amounts |
| |
(1) | Pro forma disclosures for the year ended March 31, 2016 reflect the conversion of all outstanding compulsorily convertible debentures (Note 10) and compulsorily convertible preferred shares (Notes 10 and 14) into equity shares before the Initial Public Offering. |
The pro forma disclosures will be completed once the equity shares upon conversion can be determined. For pro forma purposes, these conversions are assumed to have occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year.
See accompanying notes.
F-4
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands)
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
(Note 2(d)) | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | (45,705 | ) | ||||||
Add: Non-controlling interest |
(5,595 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss net of tax |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation |
(3,180 | ) | (5,615 | ) | (85 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(1,846,977 | ) | (3,038,203 | ) | (45,860 | ) | ||||||
Less: Total comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,846,977 | ) | (3,038,203 | ) | (45,860 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
F-5
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Preferred Shares and Shareholders Deficit
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands)
Preferred
shares |
Equity
shares |
Additional
paid in capital |
Accumulated
other comprehensive income |
Accumulated
deficit |
Total APGL
shareholders deficit |
Non-
controlling interests |
Total
shareholders deficit |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2014 |
2,385,725 | 68 | (894,401 | ) | 20,012 | (1,745,307 | ) | (2,619,628 | ) | 10,170 | (2,609,458 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issue of shares to founders |
| | 68 | | | 68 | | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of series F CCPS |
1,549,010 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | | (1,082,995 | ) | (1,082,995 | ) | (5,595 | ) | (1,088,590 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion on Mezzanine CCPS |
755,207 | | (755,207 | ) | | | (755,207 | ) | | (755,207 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| | | 3,180 | | 3,180 | | 3,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation |
| | 7,428 | | | 7,428 | | 7,428 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2015 |
4,689,942 | 68 | (1,642,112 | ) | 23,192 | (2,828,302 | ) | (4,447,154 | ) | 4,575 | (4,442,579 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
shares |
Equity
shares |
Additional
paid in capital |
Accumulated
other comprehensive income |
Accumulated
deficit |
Total APGL
shareholders deficit |
Non-
controlling interests |
Total
shareholders deficit |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2015 |
4,689,942 | 68 | (1,642,112 | ) | 23,192 | (2,828,302 | ) | (4,447,154 | ) | 4,575 | (4,442,579 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Series H CCPS |
3,695,407 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | | (1,650,189 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | (4,651 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion on Mezzanine CCPS |
1,347,923 | | (1,347,923 | ) | | | (1,347,923 | ) | | (1,347,923 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| | | 5,615 | | 5,615 | | 5,615 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to share capital and reserves of predecessor on transfer of net assets (see Note 1) |
| | (20,205) | | | (20,205 | ) | | (20,205 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interest |
| | | | (29,825 | ) | (29,825 | ) | | (29,825 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Share based compensation |
| | 51,732 | | | 51,732 | | 51,732 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares |
| | 342 | | 160 | 502 | (254 | ) | 248 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2016 |
9,733,272 | 68 | (2,958,166) | 28,807 | (4,508,156 | ) | (7,437,447 | ) | (330 | ) | (7,437,777 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2016 (US$) |
146,918 | 1 | (44,652) | 435 | (68,048 | ) | (112,264 | ) | (5 | ) | (112,269 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
F-6
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands)
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
US$ |
||||||||||
Cash flow from operating activities |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,088,590 | ) | (1,654,840 | ) | (24,979 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
61,179 | 299,078 | 4,514 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
322,430 | 687,781 | 10,382 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of CCDs and Series E and G CCPS |
286,300 | 671,826 | 10,141 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of property plant and equipment |
5,416 | 6,183 | 93 | |||||||||
Share based compensation |
7,428 | 51,732 | 781 | |||||||||
Amortization of debt financing costs |
22,090 | 52,762 | 796 | |||||||||
Realized gain on short term investments |
(13,949 | ) | (45,375 | ) | (685 | ) | ||||||
Deferred rent |
12,170 | 19,914 | 301 | |||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
947 | 34,478 | 520 | |||||||||
Realized and unrealized foreign exchange loss, net |
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(72,677 | ) | (353,277 | ) | (5,332 | ) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(118,332 | ) | (119,213 | ) | (1,799 | ) | ||||||
Other assets |
(241,077 | ) | (325,400 | ) | (4,912 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
(102,863 | ) | 126,754 | 1,913 | ||||||||
Interest payable |
23,407 | 70,243 | 1,060 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue |
85,299 | 952,641 | 14,379 | |||||||||
Other liabilities |
334,514 | (84,556 | ) | (1,276 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
(176,680 | ) | 733,868 | 11,076 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash flow used in investing activities |
||||||||||||
Purchase of property plant and equipment |
(8,426,008 | ) | (9,096,996 | ) | (137,313 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of software |
(14,408 | ) | (7,020 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of available for sale investments |
(913,991 | ) | (5,025,639 | ) | (75,859 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of held to maturity investments |
| (6,859 | ) | (103 | ) | |||||||
Sale of available for sale investments |
927,940 | 5,071,014 | 76,544 | |||||||||
Investment in subsidiary |
(20,148 | ) | (304 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of non-controlling interest in subsidiary |
| 316,929 | 4,784 | |||||||||
Purchase of term deposits-restricted cash |
(624,527 | ) | (390,327 | ) | (5,892 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
(9,050,994 | ) | (9,159,046 | ) | (138,249 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash from financing activities |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of Series H CCPS |
1,549,010 | 3,695,407 | 55,780 | |||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares |
68 | 248 | 4 | |||||||||
Repayments of term and other loan |
(452,920 | ) | (3,490,810 | ) | (52,691 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from term and other loan |
8,398,976 | 8,727,875 | 131,741 | |||||||||
IPO cost incurred |
(3,045 | ) | (9,007 | ) | (136 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of Series G CCPS |
| 541,946 | 8,180 | |||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of CCDs |
180,000 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flow from financing activities |
9,672,089 | 9,465,659 | 142,878 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
788 | 5,615 | 85 | |||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
445,223 | 1,046,096 | 15,790 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
1,599,067 | 2,044,290 | 30,857 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
2,044,290 | 3,090,386 | 46,647 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||||||
Cash paid during the year for interest |
844,586 | 1,613,495 | 24,355 | |||||||||
Cash paid during the year for income taxes |
230,383 | 100,857 | 1,522 |
See accompanying notes.
F-7
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
1. Organization
Azure Power Global Limited (APGL or Azure) organized under the laws of Mauritius was incorporated on January 30, 2015. APGLs subsidiaries are organized under the laws of India (except for two U.S. subsidiaries) and are engaged in the development, construction, ownership, operation, maintenance and management of solar power plants and generation of solar energy based on long-term contracts (power purchase agreements or PPA) with Indian government energy distribution companies as well as other non-governmental energy distribution companies and commercial customers. APGL and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the Company.
Formation and initial public offering (IPO)
Prior to the formation of APGL and the reorganization described below, the Companys operations were entirely conducted through Azure Power India Private Limited (AZI) and its subsidiaries. AZI is a company organized under the laws of India. APGL was formed to enable the consummation of the transactions described below and this IPO.
In relation to a shareholders agreement on July 22, 2015 between APGL, the non-founder investors in AZI and the founders (the APGL SHA), APGL purchased from the non-founder investors in AZI the equity shares and convertible securities in the form of Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Preferred Shares (CCPS) held by them in AZI for an equivalent number of equity shares, CCDs and CCPS in APGL on substantially similar terms as those formerly held in AZI (the Reorganization).
Prior to the Reorganization, the non-founder investors had an 83% ownership interest, on an as converted basis (excluding the CCDS and CCPS which convert into a variable and currently indeterminable number of equity shares), in AZI with the remaining 17% held by the AZI founders. Subsequent to the Reorganization, APGL held an 83% interest in AZI, on an as converted basis, with the remaining 17% held by the AZI founders. As of the date hereof, APGL holds approximately 93% of AZI on an as converted basis.
On July 22, 2015, APGL, AZI and the founders entered into another shareholders agreement (the AZI SHA), which provides that it is the intention of all parties to the AZI SHA to eventually make AZI a wholly owned subsidiary of APGL. As such, pursuant to the AZI SHA, APGL has an option requiring the founders to sell their shareholding in AZI to APGL at the minimum applicable price as per Indian law which shall be a price not less than the fair value determined as per an internationally accepted pricing methodology for valuation of shares on an arms length basis. This option does not expire and no consideration was given for the option. In addition, the AZI SHA prohibits a transfer of AZI equity shares held by the founders without the consent of APGL.
Furthermore, Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa and the non-founder investors entered into a Sponsor Lock-in Agreement (Lock-in Agreement) whereby Mr. Wadhwa agreed to not dispose of the number of shares of APGL he holds representing his ownership of APGL, which is equal to the founders shareholding in AZI, until the occurrence of a termination event, as defined, including if the IPO of APGL is not completed by July 31, 2016. In addition, pursuant to the Lock-in Agreement, the amount for which the founders sell their shares in AZI (including any sale to APGL) above the face value of such shares (Rs. 10, or US$0.15, per equity share) plus taxes and expenses incurred by the founders on the transfer of such shares is to be distributed among the founders and non-founders pro rata based on their as converted shareholding in APGL, provided a termination event has not occurred.
F-8
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The APGL SHA, AZI SHA and their combined effect, including the call option and the Lock-In Agreement, replicated the founders and the non-founder investors interests in AZI in APGL on a substantially cash neutral basis and without any gain/loss by one party at the expense of another party. To reflect the economic substance of the APGL SHA, the AZI SHA and the Reorganization, the Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements as though it had been combined with AZI since the earliest period presented, using the pooling of interests method of accounting with the assets and liabilities of the entities recorded at their historical carrying values.
As of March 31, 2016, the AZI founders owned 104,130 equity shares of AZI, representing 6.6% of AZIs equity shares on an as converted basis. The Company owns 93.4% of AZIs equity shares on an as converted basis. Pursuant to the terms of the AZI SHA and the Lock-in Agreement, the AZI founders have surrendered, or transferred to APGL, their legal and economic rights associated with these equity shares and with being a minority shareholder. In addition, pursuant to the AZI SHA, it is the stated intention of all parties to the AZI SHA to eventually make AZI a wholly owned subsidiary of APGL. As described above and also pursuant to the AZI SHA, the AZI founders and APGL have entered into an option whereby APGL may, at any time and without time limit, cause the AZI founders to transfer their AZI equity shares to APGL for consideration equal to the minimum applicable price as per Indian law, with any proceeds above the face value of such shares (Rs. 10 or US$0.15 per share) to be distributed among the AZI founders and non-founder investors (the CCPS holders) pro rata based on their as converted shareholding in APGL.
Given that the AZI SHA, the option and the Lock-in Agreement were purposely designed so that the equity shares held by the AZI founders will never have governing or economic substance, no value, income or loss has been attributed to such non-controlling interest.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
(a) | Basis of presentation |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and are presented in Indian rupees (Rs.), unless otherwise stated. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of APGL and companies which are directly or indirectly controlled by APGL. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
All share and per share amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the -for- stock split of the Companys equity shares that was effective on , 2016.
(b) | Use of estimates |
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs, expenses and comprehensive loss that are reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on managements best knowledge of current events, historical experience, actions the Company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be prudent and reasonable under the circumstances. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to impairment of and useful lives of property, plant and equipment, determination of asset retirement obligations, valuation of derivative instruments, valuation of share based compensation, valuation of
F-9
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
compulsorily convertible debentures and preferred shares, income taxes, energy kilowatts expected to be generated over the entire term of certain PPAs and other contingencies and commitments. Although these estimates are based upon managements best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.
(c) | Foreign currency translation and transactions |
The functional currency of APGL is the United States Dollar (US$) and reporting currency is Indian rupees (Rs.). The Companys subsidiaries with operations in India and the United States use their respective currencies as their functional currencies. The financial statements of APGL and its subsidiaries, other than subsidiaries with functional currency of Rs., are translated into Rs. using the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and average exchange rate for the year for income and expense items. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as a component of shareholders equity.
In the financial statements of the Companys subsidiaries, transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are measured and recorded in the functional currency using the exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. All gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the determination of net income or loss during the year in which they occur.
Revenue, expense and cash flow items are translated using the average exchange rates for the respective year. The resulting gains and losses from such translation are excluded from the determination of earnings and are recognized instead in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of shareholders deficit.
Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses, arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of an entity, such as those resulting from the Companys US dollar (US$) denominated borrowings, are included in Loss on foreign currency exchange, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
(d) | Convenience translation |
Translation of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders deficit and cash flows from Rs. into US$, as of and for the year ended March 31, 2016 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = Rs. 66.25, the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in non U.S. currencies, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on March 31, 2016. No representation is made that the Rs. amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 31, 2016, or at any other rate.
(e) | Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks, term deposits and all other highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to cash. The Company has classified term deposits totaling Rs. 95,416 and Rs. 291,951 (US$4,407) at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, as cash and cash equivalents, because the Company has the ability to redeem these deposits at any time subject to an immaterial interest rate forfeiture. All term deposits are readily convertible into known amount of cash with no more than one days notice.
F-10
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
(f) | Restricted cash |
Restricted cash consists of cash balances restricted as to withdrawal or usage and relates to cash used to collateralize bank letters of credit supporting the purchase of equipment for solar power plants, bank guarantees issued in relation to the construction of the solar power plants within the timelines stipulated in PPAs and for certain debt service reserves required under the Companys loan agreements. Restricted cash is classified into current and non-current portions based on the term of the deposit and the expiration date of the underlying restriction.
(g) | Investments |
The Company determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The investment securities held by the Company during the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are classified as available-for-sale (short-term investments), consisting of liquid mutual funds units and held-to-maturity investments (long-term investments), consisting of Notes of Bank of Mauritius.
The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. These investments are considered as available for sale and held to maturity. Investments classified as available for sale are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the consolidated statement of shareholders deficit. As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, the Company did not have any short-term investments. Realized gains and proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities during the year ended March 31, 2015 were Rs. 13,949 and Rs. 927,940 and during the year ended March 31, 2016 were Rs. 45,375 (US$685) and Rs. 5,071,014 (US$76,544), respectively.
Securities that the Company has positive intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and stated at amortized cost. As of March 31, 2016, amortized cost of held to maturity investments was Rs. 6,785 (US$102). The maturity date of the investment is February 3, 2020.
Realized gains and losses, and decline in value judged to be other than temporary on these investments are included in the consolidated statements of operations. The cost of securities sold or disposed is determined on First in First out (FIFO) method.
(h) | Accounts receivable |
The Companys accounts receivables are generated by selling energy to customers and are reported net of any allowance for uncollectible accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on various factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, significant one-time events, the financial health of customers and historical experience. The allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 44,478 (US$671). Accounts receivable serve as collateral for borrowings under the working capital facility, described in Note 10.
(i) | Deferred IPO cost |
The Company incurred legal and printing costs relating to its planned IPO of Rs. 88,400 and Rs. 208,731 (US$3,151) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The Company accounts for such costs under ASC 340-10-599-1 (SAB Topic 5A) Expenses of the Offering as incremental costs directly attributable to an offering of equity shares and has capitalized such costs in its consolidated balance sheet. These costs will be applied against the proceeds from the IPO, when received.
F-11
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
(j) | Property, plant and equipment |
Property, plant and equipment represents the costs of completed and operational solar power plants, as well as the cost of furniture and fixtures, vehicles, office and computer equipment, leasehold improvements, freehold land and construction in progress. Construction in progress represents the accumulated cost of solar power plants that have not been placed into service at the date of the balance sheet. Construction in progress includes the cost of solar modules for which the Company has taken legal title, civil engineering, electrical and other related costs incurred during the construction of a solar power plant. Construction in progress is reclassified to property, plant and equipment when the project begins its commercial operations.
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the assets estimated useful lives as follows:
Plant and machinery (solar power plants) |
25 years | |||
Furniture and fixtures |
5 years | |||
Vehicles |
5 years | |||
Office equipment |
5 years | |||
Computers |
3 years |
Leasehold improvements to office facilities are depreciated over the shorter of the lease period or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Lease hold improvements on the solar power plant sites are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the remaining period of the PPAs undertaken with the respective customer. Freehold land is not depreciated. Construction in progress is not depreciated until it is ready to be put to use.
Improvements to property, plant and equipment deemed to extend the useful economic life of an asset are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve efficiency or extend the estimated economic life of an asset are expensed as incurred.
Capitalized interest
Interest incurred on funds borrowed to finance construction of solar power plants is capitalized until the plant is ready for its intended use.
The amount of interest capitalized during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 155,012 and Rs. 219,166 (US$3,308), respectively.
(k) | Accounting for impairment of long-lived assets |
The Company periodically evaluates whether events have occurred that would require revision of the remaining useful life of property, plant and equipment and improvements, or render their carrying value not recoverable. If such circumstances arise, the Company uses an estimate of the undiscounted value of expected future operating cash flows to determine whether the long-lived assets are impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, the resulting impairment charge to be recorded is calculated based on the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the fair value of such assets, with the fair value determined based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows, appraisals or other valuation techniques. There were no impairment charges related to long-lived assets recognized during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016.
F-12
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
(l) | Leases and land use rights |
Certain of the Companys leases relate to leasehold land on which the solar power plants are constructed and for office facilities. Leases are reviewed for capital or operating classification at their inception under the guidance of ASC Topic 840 Leases . The expense for leases classified as operating leases is recorded as rent expense on a straight-line basis, over the lease term, beginning with the date the Company has access to the property.
Land use rights represent lease prepayments to the lessor. Land use rights are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided to write-off the cost of these prepayments on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease or the PPA, whichever is shorter.
The Company did not have any capital leases during any of the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(m) | Asset retirement obligations (ARO) |
Upon the expiration of a PPA or, if later, the expiration of the lease agreement for solar power plants located on leasehold land, the Company is required to remove the solar power plant and restore the land. The Company records the fair value of the liability for the legal obligation to retire the asset in the period in which the obligation is incurred, which is generally when the asset is constructed. When a new liability is recognized, the Company capitalizes it by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset, which resulting ARO asset is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the solar power plant. The liability is accreted and expensed to its present expected future value each period based on a credit adjusted risk free interest rate. Upon settlement of the obligation, the Company eliminates the liability and, based on the actual cost to retire, may incur a gain or loss.
The Companys asset retirement obligations were Rs. 70,942 and Rs. 94,301 (US$1,423) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The accretion expense incurred during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 were Rs. 2,592 and Rs. 6,109 (US$92), respectively. There was no settlement of prior liabilities or revisions to the Companys estimated cash flows as of March 31, 2016.
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Beginning balance |
33,350 | 70,942 | 1,071 | |||||||||
Addition during the period |
35,000 | 17,250 | 260 | |||||||||
Liabilities settled during the period |
| | | |||||||||
Accretion during the period |
2,592 | 6,109 | 92 | |||||||||
Ending balance |
70,942 | 94,301 | 1,423 |
(n) | Software |
The Company capitalizes certain internal software development cost under the provision of ASC Topic 350-40 Internal-use Software . As of March 31, 2016, the amount capitalized as software includes the cost of software licenses, as well as related implementation costs, which primarily relate to third party consulting fees. Such license and implementation costs are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives of three years using the straight-line method. On an ongoing basis, the Company assesses the recoverability of its capitalized software intangible assets. Capitalized software costs determined to be unrecoverable are expensed in the period in which the determination is made. As of March 31, 2016, all capitalized software was considered fully recoverable.
F-13
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
(o) | Debt financing costs |
Financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining construction and term financing loans are deferred and amortized over the term of the respective loan using the effective interest rate method. Amortization of debt financing costs is capitalized during construction and recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations, following commencement of commercial operations of the respective solar power plants.
Amortization of debt financing costs for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 22,090 and Rs. 52,762 (US$796), respectively.
(p) | Income taxes |
Income taxes are recorded under the asset and liability method, as prescribed under ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes , whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax base. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
The Company establishes valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company applies a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of ASC Topic 740 . The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement through March 31, 2016, the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits nor has it recognized any interest or penalties.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes . This guidance requires entities to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. As permitted, the Company elected to early adopt this guidance on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2016 resulting in the reclassification of deferred tax assets totaling Rs. 122,967 from current assets to long-term assets and deferred tax liabilities totaling Rs. 1,428 from current liabilities to long-term liabilities. Deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2015 have been retroactively restated to reclassify Rs. 22,453 of deferred tax assets from current assets to long-term assets and reclassify Rs. 998 from current liabilities to long-term liabilities.
(q) | Employee benefits |
Defined contribution plan
Eligible employees of the Company in India receive benefits from the Provident Fund, administered by the Government of India, which is a defined contribution plan. Both the employees and the Company make monthly contributions to the Provident Fund equal to a specified percentage of the eligible employees salary.
F-14
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The Company has no further funding obligation under the Provident Fund, beyond the contributions elected or required to be made thereunder. Contributions to the Provident Fund by the Company are charged to expense in the period in which services are rendered by the covered employees and amounted to Rs. 5,693 and Rs. 10,350 (US$156) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Defined benefit plan
Employees in India are entitled to benefits under the Gratuity Act, a defined benefit post-employment plan covering eligible employees of the Company. This plan provides for a lump-sum payment to eligible employees at retirement, death, and incapacitation or on termination of employment, of an amount based on the respective employees salary and tenure of employment. As of March 31, 2016, this plan is unfunded.
Current service costs for defined benefit plans are accrued in the period to which they relate. In accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation Retirement Benefit , the liability in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated annually by the Company using the projected unit credit method and amounted to Rs. 5,612 and Rs. 7,350 (US$111) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Prior service cost, if any, resulting from an amendment to a plan is recognized and amortized over the remaining period of service of the covered employees. Interest costs for the period ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 were not significant.
Compensated absences
The Company recognizes its liabilities for compensated absences in accordance with ASC Topic 710, Compensation-General . The Company accrues the liability for its employee rights to compensated absence in the year in which it is earned.
(r) | Revenue recognition |
Revenue from sale of power is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, solar energy kilowatts are supplied and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is based on the solar energy kilowatts actually supplied to customers multiplied by the rate per kilo-watt hour agreed to in the respective PPAs. The solar energy kilowatts supplied by the Company are validated by the customer prior to billing and recognition of revenue.
Where PPAs include scheduled price changes, revenue is recognized at lower of amount billed or by applying the average rate to the energy output estimated over the term of the PPA. The determination of the lesser amount is undertaken annually based on the cumulative amount that would have been recognized had each method been consistently applied from the beginning of the contract term. The Company estimates the total kilowatt hour units expected to be generated over the entire term of the PPA. The contractual rates are applied to this annual estimate to determine the total estimated revenue over the term of the PPA. The Company then uses the total estimated revenue and the total estimated kilo-watt hours to compute the average rate used to record revenue on the actual energy output supplied. The Company compares the actual energy supplied to the estimate of the energy expected to be generated over the remaining term of the PPA on a periodic basis, but at least annually. Based on this evaluation, the Company reassesses the energy output estimated over the remaining term of the PPA and adjusts the revenue recognized and deferred to date. Through March 31, 2016, the adjustments have not been significant. The difference between actual billing and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue.
F-15
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
For the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, the amount of revenue recognized under the PPAs with scheduled price changes is Rs. 175,492 and Rs. 168,552 (US$2,544), respectively.
Revenue from sale of power is recorded net of discounts. Through March 31, 2016, discounts have not been significant.
The Company records the proceeds received from Viability Gap Funding (VGF) on fulfilment of the underlying conditions as deferred revenue. Such deferred VGF revenue is recognized as sale of power in proportion to the actual sale of solar energy kilowatts during the period to the total estimated sale of solar energy kilowatts during the tenure of the applicable power purchase agreement pursuant to the revenue recognition policy.
(s) | Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
The Companys cost of operations consists of expenses pertaining to operations and maintenance of its solar power plants. These expenses include payroll and related costs for maintenance staff, plant maintenance, insurance, and if applicable, lease costs.
Depreciation expense is not included in cost of operations but is included within Depreciation and amortization expense, shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations.
(t) | General and administrative expenses |
General and administrative expenses include payroll and related costs for corporate, finance and other support staff, including bonus and share based compensation expense, professional fees and other corporate expenses.
(u) | Share based compensation |
The Company follows guidance under ASC Topic 718, Compensation Stock Compensation , which requires compensation costs related to share-based transactions, including employee share options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair value. The Company recognizes compensation expense for equity share options net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Share-based compensation is included in general and administrative expenses and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 based on awards ultimately expected to vest.
The Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to determine the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant for employee share options with a fixed exercise price and fixed service-based vesting.
The Company has elected to use the Lattice valuation model to determine the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant for employee share options with a market condition.
Refer note 19 for details on the Share based compensation.
(v) | Contingencies |
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, tax assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred with respect to these items are expensed as incurred.
F-16
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
(w) | Fair value of financial instruments |
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , defines fair value as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or derived from such prices. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments complexity.
(x) | Derivative instruments |
Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as accounting hedges are reported directly in earnings along with the corresponding transaction gains and losses on the items being hedged. The Company enters into foreign exchange currency contracts to mitigate and manage the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates. These foreign exchange derivative contracts were entered into to hedge the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates for recognized balance sheet items such as the Companys U.S. dollar denominated borrowings and are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Realized gains (losses) and changes in the fair value of these foreign exchange derivative contracts are recorded in foreign exchange gains (losses), net in the consolidated statements of operations. These derivatives are not held for speculative or trading purposes. The Company did not have any derivatives designated as accounting hedges during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016.
(y) | Segment information |
Operating segments are defined as components of a company about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Companys chief executive officer is the chief operating decision maker. Based on the financial information presented to and reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate the resources and in assessing the performance of the Company, the Company has determined that it has a single operating and reporting segment: Sale of power. The Companys principal operations, revenue and decision-making functions are located in India.
(z) | Non-controlling interest |
The non-controlling interest recorded in the financial statements relates to (i) a 20% ownership in a subsidiary (10MW Gujarat Power Plant) not held by the Company and (ii) a 0.01% ownership in AZI not held by the Company or the AZI founders.
As of March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a non-controlling interest amounting to Rs. 4,575 including Rs. 5,595 of net loss for the year then ended. As of March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a non-controlling deficit amounting to Rs. 330 (US$ 5), including loss of Rs. 4,651 (US$ 70) for the year ended March 31, 2016.
(aa) Redeemable non-controlling interest
The redeemable non-controlling interest recorded in the financial statements relates to a 29% ownership in a subsidiary (50MW Andhra Pradesh Power Plant) not held by the Company. The investor representing the redeemable non-controlling interest has a put option to sell its equity interest to the Company for cash at the
F-17
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
lower of fair value or a return of 11.5% after March 5, 2019. This non-controlling interest is considered to be redeemable equity under ASC 480-10-S99-3A and accordingly it is classified as mezzanine equity in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. The Company has adjusted the carrying amount of the redeemable non-controlling interest to its expected redemption value of Rs. 346,754 (US$5,234) at March 31, 2016 based on the guaranteed return which is less than fair value.
(bb) | Recent accounting pronouncements |
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition , and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity is required to follow five steps which comprises of (a) identifying the contract(s) with a customer; (b) identifying the performance obligations in the contract; (c) determining the transaction price; (d) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (e) recognizing revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, using either one of two methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients as defined within ASU No. 2014-09; or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU No. 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures as defined per ASU No. 2014-09. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to its consolidated financial statements and the implementation approach to be used.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12 Stock Compensation Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The ASU clarifies the proper method of accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Entities can apply the amendment either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Company is currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern which requires an entitys management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entitys ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The ASU defines and clarifies that substantial doubt exists when conditions and events indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The ASU requires management to perform the assessment every interim and annual period. The ASU applies to all entities and is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted, but has not been chosen by the Company. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard.
F-18
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 InterestImputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost which requires the discount or premium and debt issuance costs to be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of debt liability. Further amortization of such costs shall be reported as interest expense. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the presentation change per the ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements (ASU No. 2015-15). This ASU indicates that the guidance in ASU No. 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU No. 2015-03, the SEC staff has indicated that they would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the costs ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line of credit arrangement. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-15 to have any effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases , replacing the existing lease accounting guidance and requires lessees to recognize all leases with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet using a right-of-use asset approach. At lease commencement, a lessee would recognize a lease asset and corresponding lease obligation. A lessee would classify its leases as either finance leases or operating leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. A lessor would classify its leases as operating or direct financing leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. Both the lessee and lessor models require additional disclosure of key information. The standard requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with retrospective application to previously issued financial statements. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments , to clarify when a contingent put or call option to accelerate the repayment of debt is an embedded derivative. The amendments in this update clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. The amendments apply to all entities that are issuers of or investors in debt instruments (or hybrid financial instruments that are determined to have a debt host) with embedded call (put) options. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the ASU is modified retrospective. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
F-19
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
3. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Bank demand deposits |
1,948,823 | 2,798,336 | 42,239 | |||||||||
Term deposits |
95,416 | 291,951 | 4,407 | |||||||||
Cash on hand |
51 | 99 | 1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
2,044,290 | 3,090,386 | 46,647 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. Restricted cash
Restricted cash consists of the following:
March 31,
2015
(Rs.) |
March 31, | |||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||
Bank demand deposits |
542,484 | 821,891 | 12,406 | |||||||||
Term deposits |
760,717 | 871,637 | 13,157 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
1,303,201 | 1,693,528 | 25,563 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash current |
702,407 | 821,891 | 12,406 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Restricted cash non-current |
600,794 | 871,637 | 13,157 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in the restricted cash balance from March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 is primarily the result of increases in debt service reserve requirements resulting from the increase in the level of the Companys borrowings during the period arising from an increase in the level of solar power plant construction at March 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year.
5. Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
247,956 | 601,233 | 9,075 | |||||||||
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts |
(10,000 | ) | (44,478 | ) | (671 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
237,956 | 556,755 | 8,404 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-20
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Activity for the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is as follows:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the year |
9,053 | 10,000 | 151 | |||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts |
947 | 34,478 | 520 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at the end of the year |
10,000 | 44,478 | 671 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | |||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||
Prepaid income taxes |
69,207 | 91,669 | 1,384 | |||||||||
Derivative instruments (Note 21) |
75,750 | 108,606 | 1,639 | |||||||||
Debt financing costs |
35,973 | 51,935 | 784 | |||||||||
Interest receivable on term deposits |
10,537 | 27,732 | 419 | |||||||||
Other prepaid expenses |
49,263 | 80,001 | 1,208 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
240,730 | 359,943 | 5,434 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:
Estimated
Useful Life (in years) |
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||||||
Plant and machinery (solar power plants) |
25 | 8,793,975 | 21,330,457 | 321,969 | ||||||||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
5 | 4,791 | 5,142 | 78 | ||||||||||||
Vehicles |
5 | 10,274 | 12,633 | 191 | ||||||||||||
Office equipment |
5 | 5,083 | 10,645 | 161 | ||||||||||||
Computers |
3 | 12,595 | 19,812 | 299 | ||||||||||||
Leasehold improvements solar power plant |
25 | 639,765 | 1,436,256 | 21,679 | ||||||||||||
Leasehold improvements office |
1-3 | 11,738 | 13,694 | 207 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
9,478,221 | 22,828,639 | 344,584 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
770,821 | 1,450,519 | 21,895 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
8,707,400 | 21,378,120 | 322,689 | ||||||||||||||
Freehold land |
199,173 | 527,645 | 7,964 | |||||||||||||
Construction in progress |
6,239,101 | 2,475,664 | 37,369 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
15,145,674 | 24,381,429 | 368,022 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-21
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was Rs. 318,411 and Rs. 679,698 (US$10,260) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Company has received government grants for the construction of rooftop projects amounting to Rs. 11,700 and Rs. 16,900 (US$255) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The proceeds from these grants have been recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the related rooftop projects.
8. Software, net consists of the following:
Estimated
Useful Life (in years) |
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||||||
Software licenses and related implementation costs |
3 Years | 20,668 | 27,688 | 418 | ||||||||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
4,948 | 13,031 | 197 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
15,720 | 14,657 | 221 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate amortization expense for software was Rs. 4,019 and Rs. 8,083 (US$122) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for the years ending March 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019 is Rs. 9,107, Rs. 4,650, Rs. 900 respectively.
9. Other assets
Other assets consist of the following:
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | |||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||
Prepaid income taxes |
232,347 | 288,771 | 4,359 | |||||||||
Custom duty receivable |
30,742 | | | |||||||||
Derivative instruments (Note 21) |
158,338 | 83,426 | 1,259 | |||||||||
Debt financing costs |
242,622 | 386,237 | 5,830 | |||||||||
Interest receivable on term deposits |
53,989 | 85,154 | 1,285 | |||||||||
Security deposit to related party (Note 18) |
6,300 | 8,567 | 129 | |||||||||
Land use rights |
79,500 | 91,218 | 1,377 | |||||||||
Other |
16,986 | 38,765 | 585 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
820,824 | 982,138 | 14,824 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-22
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
10. Long term debt
Long term debt consists of the following:
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | |||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures 5.0% DEG |
1,080,100 | 1,272,400 | 19,206 | |||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures 10.0% IFC |
391,500 | 478,900 | 7,229 | |||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures 0% IFC II |
116,100 | 140,100 | 2,115 | |||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures 5% IFC III |
210,900 | 241,100 | 3,639 | |||||||||
Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares (140,000 shares) |
662,600 | 837,300 | 12,638 | |||||||||
Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares (18,882 shares) |
| 630,900 | 9,523 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
2,461,200 | 3,600,700 | 54,350 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Secured term loans: |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency loans |
6,046,900 | 5,995,393 | 90,495 | |||||||||
Indian rupee loans |
9,224,518 | 13,657,731 | 206,154 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
15,271,418 | 19,653,124 | 296,649 | ||||||||||
Other secured bank loans: |
||||||||||||
Vehicle loans |
235 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
17,732,853 | 23,253,824 | 350,999 | ||||||||||
Less current portion |
2,254,344 | 4,477,696 | 67,587 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Long-term debt |
15,478,509 | 18,776,128 | 283,412 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs)
The face value of the DEG, IFC, IFC II and IFC III CCDs is Rs. 680,390 (US$10,388), Rs. 246,620 (US$3,765), Rs. 75,000 (US$1,145) and Rs. 180,000 (US$2,748), respectively. The CCDs each contain the following key terms and conditions.
Voting
The holders of the CCDs are not entitled to voting rights other than for certain specific matters based on their proportionate voting right as defined and specified in the shareholder and CCD agreement.
Term
Unless converted, the DEG, IFC, IFC II and IFC III CCDs mature 20 yearsas amended on July 25, 2015 from an earlier term of 10 yearsfrom the date of the respective issuance on November 10, 2031, December 14, 2030, January 3, 2033 and September 5, 2034, respectively.
Interest
The DEG CCDs bear interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum through the date of their conversion into equity shares of the Company. The first interest payment is eighteen months from the issuance date followed by quarterly payments until the earlier of the date of conversion or maturity.
F-23
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The IFC CCDs bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum through the date of their conversion into equity shares of the Company. The first interest payment is eighteen months from the issuance date followed by quarterly payments until the earlier of the date of conversion or maturity.
The IFC II CCDs do not carry an annual interest rate. However, if any dividends are paid to equity shareholders or the holders of the Compulsorily Convertible Preferred Shares (CCPS), the IFC II holders are entitled to interest/dividends equal to the return provided to the equity shareholders or the CCPs shareholders, whichever is higher.
The IFC III CCDs bear interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum through the date of their conversion into equity shares of the Company. The first interest payment is eighteen months from the issuance date followed by quarterly payments until the earlier of the date of conversion or maturity.
The CCDs convert at a price such that the holder earns an internal rate of return ranging from 18.4% per annum to 20.0% per annum upon the filing of a prospectus as defined, in the event of a liquidation event or upon the voluntary sale of shares by all shareholders. Otherwise the guaranteed internal rate of return to the CCD holders ranges from 16.0% per annum to 18.0% per annum at maturity.
Buyback obligation
At any time after the expiry of the Qualified Initial Public Offering (QIPO) date of July 31, 2016, upon a breach of the funding requirements of the CCD holders or upon the occurrence of a liquidation event, as defined, the holders of the CCDs have an option, at their discretion, to require the Company to buyback the equity shares held by them after the conversion of their CCDs into equity shares so as to give them their required returns ranging from 16.0% per annum to 18.0% per annum. The buyback right of the CCD holders will extinguish upon the consummation of the QIPO.
Until March 31, 2015, these debentures were held by AZI. Indian rules and regulations place limitations on the amount of the CCDs the Company can buy back within 12 months of the balance sheet. Among other things, the Company is restricted from buying back an amount of shares in excess of 25% of its statutory paid up share capital and free reserves in a year. Accordingly amounts totaling to Rs. 986,048 of the CCDs were eligible for redemption by February 25, 2016 were classified as a current liability. As of March 31, 2016, these debentures are being held by APGL, which has been incorporated in Mauritius and the QIPO date was modified to July 31, 2016. There are no buyback restrictions applicable to APGL. Accordingly, the entire value of the CCDs amounting to Rs. 2,132,500 (US$32,189) have been classified as a current liability assuming redemption at or before the modified QIPO date.
Conversion
The CCDs compulsorily convert to equity shares (a) upon listing of the equity shares, in connection with a QIPO or (c) at the maturity date of the respective CCDs. The CCDs are convertible into equity shares so as to give the holders their guaranteed returns ranging from 18.4% per annum to 20.0% per annum.
Accounting
In accordance with ASC Topic 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity , the CCDs are recorded at their respective fair values at period end. The fair value has been determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis under the income approach. Changes in their fair value are recorded as interest expense in the statements of operations. The carrying amount of the CCDs includes the unrealized changes in the fair value of Rs. 616,590
F-24
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
and Rs. 950,490 (US$14,347) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Issuance costs on the CCDs are expensed as incurred.
Interest expense, including changes to fair value, on the CCDs for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 248,831 and Rs. 408,172 (US$6,161), respectively.
Series E and Series G Compulsorily Convertible Preferred Shares (Series E and G CCPS)
On April 18, 2013, AZI issued shares of Series E CCPS for net proceeds of Rs. 491,400 (US$7,935). On July 25, 2015, the Series E CCPS in AZI were exchanged for similar instruments in APGL having identical terms and conditions. On August 5, 2015, APGL issued shares of Series G CCPS for net proceeds of Rs. 541,946 (US$8,188).
Series E and G CCPS contain the following key terms and conditions, as amended.
Voting
The holders of the Series E and G CCPS are not entitled to voting rights other than for certain specific matters based on their proportionate voting right as defined and specified in the shareholder and the Series E and G CCPS agreements.
Term
Unless converted, the Series E and G CCPS are redeemable twenty yearsas amended on July 25, 2015 from an earlier term of 10 yearsfrom the date of their respective allotment on April 18, 2033 and August 5, 2035, respectively.
Dividend
Each of the Series E and G CCPS holders are entitled to a 5.0% per share non-cumulative dividend, declared and paid in accordance with the Indian Companies Act of 2013. Should the equity or the Series A, B, C, D, F or H CCPS holder in any financial year receive a dividend payout higher than 5% per annum of the amount invested by such investors, the Series E and G CCPS holders are entitled to receive an additional dividend equal to the difference between the percentage return earned by the equity or the Series A, B, C, D, F or H CCPS holders and the rate of dividends received by the Series E and G CCPS holders. The Company has not declared or paid any dividends through March 31, 2016.
Buyback obligation
At any time after the expiry of the QIPO date of July 31, 2016, or if the funding covenants of the Series E and G CCPS are breached, the Series E and G CCPS holders have an option, at their discretion, to require the Company to buyback the equity shares held by them after conversion of the Series E and G CCPS into equity shares so as to give them a required return of 15.0% and 16% per annum, respectively. The buyback right of the Series E and G CCPS holders will extinguish upon the consummation of the QIPO.
Conversion
The Series E and G CCPS compulsorily convert to equity shares (a) upon listing of the equity shares, in connection with a QIPO or (c) at their maturity date. The Series E and G CCPS are convertible into equity shares so as to give the holders their required return which is 15% per annum and 16% per annum, respectively, if converted at maturity or 18.4% per annum upon the filing of a prospectus or of a QIPO.
F-25
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Liquidation
On the occurrence of a liquidation event, as defined in the term of the Series E and G CCPS agreements, the Series E and G CCPS holders have the right to receive an amount equal to their original investment plus a guaranteed internal rate of return of 18.4% per annum. At March 31, 2016, the Series E and G CCPS liquidation preference was Rs. 1,468,200 (US$25,162).
Accounting
In accordance with ASC Topic 480, the Series E and G CCPS are classified as a liability and recorded at fair value at each period end. The fair value has been determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis under the income approach. Changes in their fair value are recorded as interest expense in the statements of operations. The carrying amount of series E and G CCPS includes the unrealized changes in their fair value of Rs. 171,247 and Rs. 434,901 (US$6,565) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Issuance costs on the CCPS are expensed as incurred. As of March 31, 2016, the Series E and G CCPS have been classified as current liabilities.
Project level secured term loans
Foreign currency loans
From June 2009 through September 2009 the Company borrowed Rs. 309,631 (US$6,230) for the financing of a 2 MW solar power project, which carries a fixed interest rate. The loan is repayable in 48 equal quarterly installments which commenced on December 15, 2010. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 308,840 (US$4,662) as of March 31, 2016.
From February 2011 through June 2011, the Company borrowed Rs. 1,233,084 (US$26,835) for the financing of a 10 MW solar power project, which carries a fixed interest rate. The loan is repayable in 54 equal quarterly installments which commenced on September 15, 2012. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 1,136,111 (US$17,149) as of March 31, 2016.
From October 2011 through March 2012, the Company borrowed Rs. 782,793 (US$15,777) for the financing of a 5 MW solar power project, which carries a fixed interest rate. The loan is repayable in 66 quarterly installments commencing July 15, 2012. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 649,485 (US$9,804) as of March 31, 2016.
From October 2012 through September 2013, the Company borrowed Rs. 3,503,984 (US$63,709) for the financing of a 35 MW solar power project, which carries a fixed interest rate. The loan is repayable in 36 semi-annual installments which commenced on August 20, 2013. The borrowing is collateralized by underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 3,037,606 (US$45,851) as of March 31, 2016.
The fixed interest foreign currency loans carry an interest rate ranging from 4.07% to 6.43% per annum.
During the year ended March 31, 2015, the Company entered into an unsecured credit facility commitment for financing future rooftop solar power projects. The total amount of the facility is Rs. 1,326,658 (US$20,000). The interest rate for the facility is fixed at the lenders base rate plus 2.25% per annum at the time of first disbursement. The tenure of the facility is 10 years from the date of the first disbursement. During the period ended March 31, 2016, no amounts have been borrowed under this facility and the Company has incurred deferred financing cost of Rs. 13,302 (US$201) in relation to this facility.
F-26
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The carrying value of the foreign currency loans includes unrealized foreign exchange losses of Rs. 1,161,739 and Rs. 1,580,504 (US$23,857) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Company in required to maintain principal and interest, both as defined in the respective agreements, as a reserve with banks specified by the respective lenders. Such amounts, totaling Rs. 397,884 and Rs. 418,572 (US$6,318) at March 31, 2015 and 2016, are classified as restricted cash non-current on the consolidated balance sheets.
The foreign currency loans are subject to certain financial and non-financial covenants. Financial covenants include cash flow to debt service, indebtedness to net worth ratio, debt equity ratio and maintenance of debt service balances. As of March 31, 2016, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.
Indian rupee loans
In December 2013, the Company borrowed Rs. 143,740 (US$2,195) for the financing of a 2.5 MW solar power project, which carries an interest rate of 12.16% per annum to be periodically revised by the lender. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 12.15% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.15% per annum. The loan is repayable in 29 semi-annual installments which commenced on January 15, 2014. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 148,575 (US$2,243) as of March 31, 2016.
From March 2014 through March 2016, the Company borrowed Rs. 228,848 (US$3,454) for financing of a 1.5 MW solar rooftop power project, which carries an interest rate at a base rate, as defined, plus 2.25% per annum. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 11.95% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.11% per annum. The loan is repayable in 54 quarterly installments commencing on March 28, 2015. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar rooftop power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 193,874 (US$2,926) as of March 31, 2016.
From March 2014 through September 2014, the Company borrowed Rs. 1,880,000 (US$28,702) for financing of a 34 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest at a base rate, as defined, plus 2.25% per annum. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 12.40% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.53% per annum. The loan is repayable in 58 equal quarterly installments commencing July 1, 2015. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 1,847,202 (US$27,882) as of March 31, 2016.
In September 2014, the Company borrowed Rs. 550,000 (US$8,397) for financing of a 10 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest at a base rate, as defined, plus 2.25% per annum. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 12.50% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.63% per annum. The loan is repayable in 44 quarterly installments commencing January 27, 2016. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 562,062 (US$8,484) as of March 31, 2016.
From November 2014 through January 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 585,000 (US$8,931) for financing of a 10 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest to be periodically revised by the lender. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 12.50% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.63% per annum. The loan is repayable in 58 quarterly installments commencing January 17, 2016. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 601,922 (US$9,086) as of March 31, 2016.
F-27
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
From May 2015 through June 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 1,601,000 (US$24,188) for financing of a 30 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest at a base rate plus 1.5% per annum. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 11.75% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 11.87% per annum. The loan is repayable in 57 quarterly instalments commencing March 31, 2016. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 1,733,359 (US$26,164) as of March 31, 2016.
From December 2014 through September 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 2,050,000 (US$30,971) for financing of a 40 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest which will reset after every 2 years from the date of commissioning. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 from a consortium of lenders was in the range of 11.76% per annum to 12.25% per annum floating with additional 1% per annum interest during the construction period. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.22% per annum. The loan is repayable in 57 quarterly instalments commencing October 15, 2015. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 2,141,871 (US$32,330) as of March 31, 2016
From December 2014 through September 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 2,363,100 (US$35,702) for financing of a 40 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest which will reset after every 2 years from the date of commissioning. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 from a consortium of lenders was 12.25% per annum floating with additional 1% per annum interest during construction period. The weighted average interest rate for the year March 31, 2016 was 12.57% per annum. The loan is repayable in 48 quarterly instalments commencing May 31, 2016. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 2,476,421 (US$37,380) as of March 31, 2016
From December 2014 through September 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 1,173,500 (US$17,729) for financing of a 20 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest which will reset after every 2 years from the date of commissioning. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 from a consortium of lenders was 12.25% per annum floating with additional 1% per annum interest during the construction period. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.57% per annum. The loan is repayable in 48 quarterly instalments commencing May 31, 2016. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 1,238,318 (US$18,692) as of March 31, 2016.
In September 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 1,233,000 (US$18,824) for financing of a 28 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest at a base rate, as defined, minus 2.75% per annum. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 12.25% per annum and the weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 12.25% per annum. The loan is repayable in 56 quarterly installments commencing January 31, 2017. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 1,478,478 (US$22,317) as of March 31, 2016.
In January 2016, the Company borrowed Rs. 250,000 (US$3,774) for financing of a 5 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest which will be subject to revision on expiry of every 2 years as per the interest guidelines of IREDA. The rate of interest is 11.4%, with additional interest during the construction period of 0.5% per annum and the weighted average rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 11.4% per annum. The loan is repayable in 48 monthly installments commencing March 31, 2017. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 312,171 (US$4,712) as of March 31, 2016.
F-28
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
From January until March 2016, the Company borrowed Rs. 2,546,200 (US$38,434) for financing of a 50 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest at a base rate, as defined, minus 2.55% per annum. The floating interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 11.85% per annum and the weighted average rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 11.85% per annum. The loan is repayable in 65 quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2017. The borrowing is collateralized by the underlying solar power project assets with a net carrying value of Rs. 3,064,999 (US$4,264) as of March 31, 2016.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company has unused commitments for long-term financing arrangements amounting to Rs. 4,117,183 (US$62,146) for solar power projects.
The Indian rupee loans are subject to certain financial and non-financial covenants. Financial covenants include cash flow to debt service ratio, indebtedness to net worth ratio, debt equity ratio, debt service coverage ratio, receivable to sales ratio and maintenance of debt service balances. As of March 31, 2016, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.
For certain of the Indian rupee loans, two of the directors of the Company have provided personal guarantees in favor of the lenders and have also pledged part of their shareholding with these lenders.
As of March 31, 2016, the aggregate maturities of long term debt (excluding CCDs, Series E and G CCPS) are as follows:
Annual maturities | ||||
March 31, |
||||
2017 |
876,996 | |||
2018 |
1,178,301 | |||
2019 |
1,293,764 | |||
2020 |
1,354,592 | |||
2021 |
1,418,212 | |||
Thereafter |
13,531,259 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
19,653,124 | |||
|
|
Short term
Facility 1
In July 2015, the Company entered into a credit facility in the amount of Rs. 250,000 (US$3,777). Borrowings under this facility are repayable within 12 months of disbursement. The Company has pledged shareholding of a project subsidiary as collateral.
In July 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 250,000 (US$3,777) for financing a 5 MW solar power project, which carries a floating rate of interest as defined, plus 4.5% per annum and is collateralized by the assets created from the respective disbursement. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 13.75% per annum. The loan was repayable within 12 months from the date of disbursement for the project. The loan has been repaid during the year.
F-29
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Facility 2
In October 2015, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of Rs. 1,000,000 (US$15,108). Borrowings under this facility are repayable within 18 months of disbursement. Two directors of AZI have given personal guarantees in relation to borrowings under this facility. The Company has also pledged shareholdings of two project subsidiaries in relation thereto.
In November 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 900,000 (US$13,726) for financing a 50 MW solar power project. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 14.00% per annum. The loan was repayable within 18 months from the date of disbursement for the project and is further collateralized by the assets created from the respective disbursement. The loan has been repaid during the year.
Facility 3
In September 2015, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of Rs. 1,000,000 (US$15,108) expiring in November, 2016. Borrowings under this facility are repayable within 12 months of disbursement. Two directors of AZI have given personal guarantees in relation to borrowings under this facility. The Company has also pledged shareholding of two project subsidiaries in relation thereto.
In November 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 480,000 (US$7,334) for financing a 10 MW solar power project. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 13.25% per annum. The loan is repayable within 12 months from the date of disbursement for the project and is further collateralized by the assets created from the respective disbursement.
In December 2015, the Company borrowed Rs. 418,000 (US$6,320) for financing a 10 MW solar power project. The weighted average interest rate for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 13.50% per annum. The loan is repayable within 12 months from the date of first disbursement for the project and is further collateralized by the assets created from the respective disbursement.
Facility 4
In February 2016, the Company borrowed Rs. 375,000 (US$5,660) for financing a 10 MW solar power project. The interest rate as of March 31, 2016 was 13.25% per annum. The loan is repayable within 12 months from the date of disbursement for the project and collateralized by the assets created from the respective disbursement.
From time to time, the Company in required to maintain principal and interest, both as defined in the respective agreements, as a form of collateral with banks specified by the respective lenders. Such amounts, totaling Rs. 325,625 (US$4,915) as of March 31, 2016, are classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets. Generally, under the terms of the loan agreements entered into by the Companys project subsidiaries, the project subsidiaries are restricted from paying dividends to APGL if they default in payment of their principal, interest and other amounts due to the lenders under their respective loan agreements. Certain of APGLs project subsidiaries also may not pay dividends to APGL out of restricted cash.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company has unused commitments for revolving credit facilities amounting to Rs. 102,000 (US$1,540) for solar power projects.
F-30
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
11. Income Taxes
The individual entities within the Company file individual tax returns as per the regulations existing in their respective jurisdictions.
The fiscal year under the Indian Income Tax Act ends on March 31. A portion of the Companys Indian operations qualify for deduction from taxable income because its profits are attributable to undertakings engaged in development of solar power projects under section 80-IA of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. This holiday is available for a period of ten consecutive years out of fifteen years beginning from the year in which the Company generates power (Tax Holiday Period). The Company anticipates that it will claim the aforesaid deduction in the last ten years out of fifteen years beginning with the year in which the Company generates power and when it has taxable income. Accordingly, its current operations are taxable at the normally applicable tax rates.
Due to the Tax Holiday Period, a substantial portion of the temporary differences between the book and tax basis of the Companys assets and liabilities do not have any tax consequences as they are expected to reverse within the Tax Holiday Period.
AZI and a subsidiary provide services to other group subsidiaries and incur income taxes on profits from these services. These services are capitalizable by the subsidiaries and are hence capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment in the standalone financial statements of such subsidiaries and deducted in their respective income tax return in the form of depreciation expense. However, these capitalized costs are eliminated in the Companys consolidated financial statements. AZI treats the income tax it incurs on the provision of such services to its subsidiaries as prepaid income taxes to the extent the amounts are expected to be deductible by the subsidiaries in their tax returns outside of the Tax Holiday Period.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
Current | Deferred | Total | ||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2015 |
191,933 | 61,179 | 253,112 | |||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2016 |
28,667 | 299,078 | 327,745 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
US$ |
433 | 4,514 | 4,947 |
Income/(loss) before income taxes is as follows:
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Domestic operations |
(247 | ) | (56,881 | ) | (859 | ) | ||||||
Foreign operations |
(835,231 | ) | (1,270,214 | ) | (19,173 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Income/(Loss) |
(835,478 | ) | (1,327,095 | ) | (20,032 | ) |
F-31
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The significant components of the net deferred income tax assets and liabilities exclusive of amounts that would not have any tax consequences because they will reverse within the Tax Holiday Period, are as follows:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
408 | 415 | 6 | |||||||||
Other deductible temporary difference |
66,159 | 202,505 | 3,057 | |||||||||
Net operating loss |
11,221 | 379,920 | 5,734 | |||||||||
Total gross deferred tax assets |
77,788 | 582,840 | 8,797 | |||||||||
Valuation allowance |
(37 | ) | (8,569 | ) | (129 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total gross deferred tax assets |
77,751 | 574,271 | 8,668 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(159,678 | ) | (988,897 | ) | (14,927 | ) | ||||||
Gain on sale of non-controlling interest |
(8,612 | ) | (19,333 | ) | (292 | ) | ||||||
Other taxable temporary differences |
(1,207 | ) | (1,428 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total gross deferred liabilities |
(169,497 | ) | (1,009,658 | ) | (15,240 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset |
(91,746 | ) | (435,387 | ) | (6,572 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes have been shown on the consolidated balance sheet as follows:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Non-current assets |
26,913 | 34,661 | 523 | |||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
(118,659 | ) | (470,048 | ) | (7,095 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset |
(91,746 | ) | (435,387 | ) | (6,572 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, 2016, the Company performed an analysis of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance for APGL and its Indian and US subsidiaries. Based on the analysis, the Company has concluded that a valuation allowance offsetting the deferred tax assets is required as of March 31, 2016 on the basis that it is more likely than not that APGL will not be able to utilize the entirety of its net operating losses as it has no business operations of its own. Furthermore, the Company has concluded that a valuation allowance that offsets the deferred tax is not required at its Indian subsidiaries.
Change in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2015 and 2016 is as follows:
March
31,
2015 (Rs.) |
March 31, | |||||||||||
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
|||||||||||
Opening valuation allowance |
61,129 | 37 | 1 | |||||||||
Movement during the period |
(61,092 | ) | 8,532 | 128 | ||||||||
Closing valuation allowance |
37 | 8,569 | 129 |
F-32
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The effective income tax rate differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to loss before income taxes as follows:
Year ended 2015 | Year ended 2016 | |||||||||||||||
Tax | % | Tax | % | |||||||||||||
Statutory income tax benefit |
(283,979 | ) | (33.99 | )% | (459,308 | ) | (34.61 | %) | ||||||||
Temporary differences reversing in the Tax Holiday Period |
223,409 | 26.74 | % | 428,034 | 32.25 | % | ||||||||||
Taxes on intercompany transaction reversing in the Tax Holiday Period |
321,323 | 38.46 | % | 256,143 | 19.30 | % | ||||||||||
Valuation allowance on net operating losses |
(61,092 | ) | (7.31 | )% | 8,532 | 0.64 | % | |||||||||
Other difference |
53,451 | 6.40 | % | 94,344 | 7.11 | % | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
253,112 | 30.30 | % | 327,745 | 24.70 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company had adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 as they relate to uncertain income tax positions. Tax exposures can involve complex issues and may require extended periods to resolve. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions requiring to be reserved for. The Company reassesses its tax positions in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, refinement of an estimate, or changes in tax codes. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters differs from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.
As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, deferred income taxes have not been provided for the Companys share of undistributed net earnings of foreign operations due to managements intent to reinvest such amounts indefinitely. Those earnings, which were generated by AZI in providing services to the operating subsidiaries as described above, totaled Rs. 664,789 and Rs. 1,217,312 (US$18,375) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The resulting unrecognized deferred tax liability as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, is Rs. 225,962 and Rs. 421,312 (US$6,359).
12. Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net consists of the following:
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US) |
||||||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||||||
CCDs |
248,831 | 408,172 | 6,161 | |||||||||
Series E and G CCPS |
96,500 | 263,654 | 3,980 | |||||||||
Term loans |
598,845 | 1,547,382 | 23,357 | |||||||||
Bank charges and other |
55,454 | 106,568 | 1,609 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
999,630 | 2,325,776 | 35,107 | ||||||||||
Interest income: |
||||||||||||
Term and fixed deposits |
151,860 | 221,532 | 3,344 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of short term investments |
13,949 | 45,375 | 685 | |||||||||
Investments held-to-maturity |
| 33 | 1 | |||||||||
Interest Income related party |
2,031 | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
167,840 | 266,940 | 4,030 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
831,790 | 2,058,836 | 31,077 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-33
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
13. Loss on foreign currency exchange
Loss on foreign currency exchange consists of the following:
Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
2016
(US$) |
||||||||||
Unrealized loss on foreign currency loans |
240,656 | 338,297 | 5,106 | |||||||||
Realized loss/ (gain) on foreign currency loans |
(42,280 | ) | (80,542 | ) | (1,216 | ) | ||||||
Unrealized loss/ (gain) on derivative instruments |
7,342 | 11,069 | 167 | |||||||||
Realized loss on derivative instruments |
93,910 | 74,313 | 1,122 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
299,628 | 343,137 | 5,179 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. Equity and preferred shares
Equity shares
Equity shares have a par value of US$0.01 per share at APGL. There is no limit on the number of equity shares authorized. As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, there were 109,880 and 109,880 equity shares issued and outstanding.
Compulsorily convertible preferred Share
There is no limit on the number of preferred shares. As of March 31, 2016, the compulsorily convertible preferred shares (CCPS), treated as mezzanine equity, consist of the following:
No of
Shares |
Total
consideration
(Rs.) |
Price per
share
(USD)* |
||||||||||
Series A |
38,770 | 92,492 | 49 | |||||||||
Series B |
181,046 | 503,994 | 61 | |||||||||
Series C |
229,880 | 381,600 | 34 | |||||||||
Series D |
84,348 | 474,964 | 102 | |||||||||
Series F |
138,133 | 1,550,508 | 184 | |||||||||
Series H |
133,285 | 3,840,339 | 450 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
805,462 | 6,843,897 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Not in thousands |
In November 2008, AZI had issued 38,770 Series A CCPS for consideration of Rs. 91,617, (net of Rs. 875 share issue expenses). In February 2010, AZI had issued 181,046 Series B CCPS for consideration of Rs. 500,731 (net of Rs. 3,263 share issue expenses). In September 2011, AZI had issued 229,880 Series C CCPS for consideration of Rs. 377,562 (net of Rs. 4,038 share issue expenses). In September 2012, AZI had issued 84,348 Series D CCPS for consideration of Rs. 474,964 (net of Rs. NIL share issue expenses). From June 2014 to January 2015 AZI had issued 138,133 series F CCPS for a total consideration of Rs. 1,549,010 (net of Rs. 1,498 share issue expenses). Unless converted, the term of the Series A CCPS is a maximum of 19 years from the date of issue, whereas the terms of the Series B, Series C, Series D and Series F CCPS is a maximum of 20 years, as amended, from the date of issue. On July 25, 2015, the Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, and Series F CCPS in AZI were exchanged for similar instruments in APGL having identical terms and conditions, except the term was increased from 10 to 20 years.
F-34
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
On July 25, 2015, APGL issued 133,285 Series H CCPS for consideration of Rs. 3,695,407 (net of Rs. 144,932 share issuance expenses). Unless converted, the term of the Series H CCPS is a maximum of 20 years from the date of issue.
The rights, preferences and privileges of the Companys Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Series F and Series H CCPS (collectively, the Mezzanine CCPS) are as follows:
Voting
The Mezzanine CCPS rank pari passu with regards to voting rights. Holders of Mezzanine CCPS are entitled to vote on all matters and are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of equity shares into which the Mezzanine CCPS shares are then convertible on the basis of the applicable conversion factor.
Dividend
Each of the Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, and Series F holders of the Mezzanine CCPS are entitled to a 8.0% per annum per share non-cumulative dividend and Series H CCPS is entitles to a 8% per annum per share cumulative dividend and thereafter they all participate pro rata on an as converted basis with the equity shareholders on any distributions made to the equity shareholders. The Company has not declared or paid any dividends through March 31, 2016. The dividend has been accreted as liquidation preference.
Conversion
Each of the Series A, Series B, Series D, Series F and Series H CCPS are convertible into equity shares of the Company at the option of the CCPS holders at any time at a conversion ratio of 1:1. The Series C CCPS is convertible into equity shares of the Company at the option of the CCPS holder at any time at a conversion ratio of 1:0.3423. Any Mezzanine CCPS which have not been converted into equity shares of the Company are compulsorily converted into equity shares of the Company, at the aforementioned ratios, upon listing of shares on execution of a QIPO or at their maturity date.
Buyback
Should a buyback obligation not occur by July 31, 2016 or the funding covenants of the CCPS holders are breached, the Mezzanine CCPS holders may request the Company to buyback the CCPS at the following rates:
|
Series A CCPS 140% of the cash paid for the Series A CCPS, plus accrued and unpaid dividends |
|
Series B, Series C, and Series D CCPS 200% of the cash paid, plus accrued and unpaid dividends |
|
Series F CCPS 150% of the cash paid, for the Series F CCPS, plus accrued and unpaid dividends |
|
Series H CCPS-108% of the cash paid, for the Series H CCPS, plus accrued and unpaid dividends |
Although, pursuant to the reorganization, Series A, B, C, D, and F CCPS are now issued by APGL (they were previously issued by AZI), their buyback obligation continues to be computed in Indian rupees. The buyback right of the CCPS holders will extinguish upon the consummation of the QIPO.
Liquidation
On occurrence of a liquidation event, as defined in the terms of the Mezzanine CCPS agreements, the Series A holders are eligible to receive an amount equal to 140% of the cash paid for the Series A CCPS, plus
F-35
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
accrued and unpaid dividends, and the Series B, Series C, and Series D holders have the right to receive an amount equal to 200% of the cash paid, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and the Series F holders have the right to receive an amount equal to 150% of the cash paid, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and the Series H holders have the right to receive an amount equal to 108% of the cash paid, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Upon such a liquidation event, the holders of the CCDs and Series E and G CCPS are entitled to receive amounts in preference to the Series B, Series C, Series D, Series F and Series H CCPS, who in turn receive amounts in preference to the holders of the Series A CCPS. Series A CCPS holders receive amounts in preference to the Companys equity shareholders.
Liquidation preferences for each series of Mezzanine CCPS as of July 31, 2016 are as follows:
Liquidation
Preference |
(Rs.) | (US$) | ||||||||||
Series A |
140 | % | 129,488 | 1,955 | ||||||||
Series B |
200 | % | 1,007,988 | 15,215 | ||||||||
Series C |
200 | % | 763,202 | 11,520 | ||||||||
Series D |
200 | % | 949,927 | 14,339 | ||||||||
Series F |
150 | % | 2,325,763 | 35,106 | ||||||||
Series H |
108 | % | 4,054,929 | 61,207 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
9,231,297 | 139,342 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Accounting
The Company has evaluated its accounting for the Mezzanine CCPS pursuant to ASC Topic 480 and ASC Topic 815 Derivative and Hedging. The Mezzanine CCPS do not satisfy the criteria for liability classification described in ASC Topic 480. In addition, the embedded features of the Mezzanine CCPS do not satisfy the criteria for separate accounting of the derivative from the host instrument pursuant to ASC Topic 815. However, because the Mezzanine CCPS contain certain redemption features that are not solely within the Companys control, the Mezzanine CCPS are classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Mezzanine CCPS were being accreted to their buyback value through February 25, 2016, the earliest buyback date, so that the carrying amount equaled the mandatory redemption value at such date. Subsequently on March 30, 2016, the Company has entered into an arrangement with the Mezzanine CCPS holders to extend the buyback date to July 31, 2016, without increasing the buyback value. Since the Mezzanine CCPS had already been accreted to their buyback value, no adjustment to their carrying value was necessary.
The Company incurred issuance costs amounting to Rs. 154,607 (US$2,334) which have been netted against the proceeds received from the issuance of the Mezzanine CCPS. The issuance costs are being accreted over the respective redemption periods on a straight line basis. The amount accreted totaled Rs. 1,899 and Rs. 147,532 (US$2,227) during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The Company has fully accreted the issuance cost as of March 31, 2016.
15. Earnings per share
The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260 Earnings per Share and FASB ASC Topic 260-10-45 Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment
F-36
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Transactions Are Participating Securities. Basic and diluted earnings losses per equity share give effect to the change in the number of equity shares of the Company. The calculation of basic earnings per equity share is determined by dividing net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding during the respective periods. The potentially dilutive shares, consisting of employee share options, compulsorily convertible debentures, and compulsorily convertible preferred shares have been included in the computation of diluted net earnings per share and the weighted average shares outstanding, except where the result would be anti-dilutive.
The Mezzanine CCPS shareholders are entitled to participate, along with the equity shareholders, in the earnings of the Company. Under ASC Topic 260 Earnings per Share , such participative rights would require the two class method of reporting EPS. As the preferred shares do not participate in losses, the Company has excluded these shares, as including them would be anti-dilutive.
Loss per share is presented below:
Year ended March 31 | ||||||||
2015
(Rs.) |
2016
(Rs.) |
|||||||
Net loss attributable to APGL equity shareholders |
(1,082,995 | ) | (1,650,189 | ) | ||||
Add: Accretion on Mezzanine CCPS |
(755,207 | ) | (1,347,923 | ) | ||||
Add: Accretion on Redeemable non-controlling interest |
| (29,825 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total (A) |
(1,838,202 | ) | (3,027,937 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Shares outstanding for allocation of undistributed income: |
||||||||
Equity shares |
109,880 | 109,880 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||
Equity shares (B) |
109,880 | 109,880 | ||||||
Net loss per share basic and diluted |
||||||||
Equity shares (C=A/B) |
(16,729 | ) | (27,557 | ) |
The number of share options outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per equity share because their effect was anti-dilutive is 28,821 and 25,930 for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The CCDs, Series E CCPS and Series G CCPS have not been considered for the computation of diluted earnings per share because these are also anti-dilutive.
16. Leases
The Company leases office facilities and land use rights under operating lease agreements. Minimum lease payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. Rent expense for operating leases for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 was Rs. 44,169 and Rs. 70,039 (US$1,057), respectively.
F-37
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of March 31, 2016 are:
Year ended March 31, |
Amount (Rs.) | US$ | ||||||
Fiscal 2017 |
38,586 | 582 | ||||||
Fiscal 2018 |
38,937 | 588 | ||||||
Fiscal 2019 |
38,135 | 576 | ||||||
Fiscal 2020 |
34,322 | 518 | ||||||
Fiscal 2021 |
35,173 | 531 | ||||||
Thereafter |
1,420,433 | 21,440 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
1,605,586 | 24,235 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
17. Commitments, guarantees and contingencies
Capital commitments
During the normal course of business, the Company purchases assets for the construction of solar power plants and estimates it will incur Rs. 884,709 (US$13,354) during the twelve months ended March 31, 2017 in relation to such purchase commitments.
Guarantees
The Company issues irrevocable performance bank guarantees in relation to its obligation to construct solar power plants as required by the PPA. Such outstanding guarantees amounted to Rs. 1,083,300 and Rs. 1,189,200 (US$17,950) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The guarantees expire on the commissioning of the constructed solar power plant.
The Company has obtained guarantees from financial institutions as a part of the bidding process for establishing solar projects amounting to Rs. 259,000 and Rs. 1,192,000 (US$17,992) as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The Company has given term deposits as collateral for those guarantees which are classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet.
The terms of the PPAs provide for the annual delivery of a minimum amount of electricity at fixed prices.
18. Related Party Disclosures
For the year ended the year ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, the Company incurred rent expense on office facilities and guest house facilities totaling Rs. 14,490 and Rs. 14,970 (US$226), respectively, where the lessors are relatives of the Companys chief executive officer and another director of AZI. As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, the Company had security deposits with these lessors totaling Rs. 6,300 and Rs. 8,567 (US$129) classified as a non-current asset on the consolidated balance sheets because the rental agreements are long-term.
19. Share based compensation
On July 28, 2015, the Companys Board of Directors approved the 2015 Stock Option Plan (the 2015 Plan) allowing for a grant of up to 35,543 options.
Under the 2015 Plan, the Compensation Committee on behalf of Board of Directors (the Directors) may from time to time make grants to one or more employees, determined by it to be eligible for participation in the 2015 Plan.
F-38
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The Compensation Committee determines which employees are eligible to receive the equity awards, the number of equity awards to be granted, the exercise price, the vesting period and the exercise period. The vesting period will be decided by the Compensation Committee as and when any grant takes place. All options granted under this plan shall vest over a period of 4 years from the date of grant with 25% vesting at the end of year one, 25% vesting at the end of year two, 25% vesting at the end of year three and 25% vesting at the end of year four unless otherwise specified.
Options are deemed to have been issued under this plan only to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to a grant. To the extent that a grant lapses or the rights of its grantee terminate, any equity shares subject to such grant are again available for new grants.
The option grant is at such price as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and is specified in the option grant. The grant is in writing and specifies the number of options granted the price payable for exercising the options, the date/s on which some or all of the options shall be eligible for vesting, fulfillment of the performance and other conditions, if any, subject to which vesting shall take place and other terms and conditions thereto. The option grant is not be transferable and can be exercised only by the employees of the Company.
Options granted under the plan are exercisable into equity shares of the Company, have a contractual life equal to the shorter of ten years or through July 20, 2025 and vest equitably over four years, unless specified otherwise in the applicable award agreement. The Company recognizes compensation cost, reduced by the estimated forfeiture rate, over the vesting period of the option. A summary of share option activity during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 is set out below:
Number of shares |
Weighted average
exercise price in Rs. * |
|||||||
Balance As of March 31, 2014 |
24,501 | 2,678 | ||||||
Granted |
4,320 | 7,435 | ||||||
Exercised |
| | ||||||
Forfeitures |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Outstanding As of March 31, 2015 |
28,821 | 3,391 | ||||||
Granted |
863 | 10 | ||||||
Exercised |
(90 | ) | 2,778 | |||||
Forfeitures |
(3,664 | ) | 2,865 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Options outstanding as of March 31, 2016 |
25,930 | 3,307 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2016 |
17,210 | 3,137 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Available for grant as of March 31, 2016 |
9,613 |
* | Not in thousands |
The Black-Scholes option pricing model includes assumptions regarding dividend yields, expected volatility, expected option term, and risk-free interest rates. The Company estimates expected volatility based on the historical volatility of comparable publicly traded companies for a period that is equal to the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the treasury bonds issued by the Indian Government in effect at
F-39
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
the time of grant for a period commensurate with the estimated expected life. The expected term of options granted is derived using the simplified method as allowed under the provisions of ASC Topic 718 due to insufficient historical exercise history data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.
The fair value of each share option granted to employees is estimated on the date of grant using the Black- Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Year ended March 31, | ||||
2015 | 2016 | |||
Dividend yield |
0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Expected term (in years) |
2.09-3.84 | 5.0-6.8 | ||
Expected volatility |
31.2%-42.3% | 37.2%-41.6% | ||
Risk free interest rate |
7.69%-8.34% | 7.60%-8.08% |
On July 28, 2015, the Company issued 25,930 options as replacement for 25,930 outstanding options by AZI under its option plan. In addition to the replacement of the options, the Company modified certain other terms of the options originally granted by AZI.
In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation Stock Compensation, cancellation of options at AZI and reissue of options at APGL as well as the modification of certain other terms were considered as a plan modification. In respect of the option modifications, the Company computed the incremental fair value of the options. The incremental fair value of Rs. 45,719 (US$691) was determined as a difference between the fair value of the modified option and that of the original option, both estimated at the time of modification. The incremental fair value as per the vesting schedule as on the date of modification that are recorded amounted to Rs. 41,334 (US$624).
July 25, 2015 | ||||
Particulars |
Pre-modification |
Post-
modification |
||
Options granted |
29,684 | 25,930 | ||
Equity value (Rs.) |
7,642 | 8,943 | ||
Dividend yield |
0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Expected term (in years). |
0.2-2.8 | 5.0-6.8 | ||
Expected volatility |
37.2%-41.6% | 37.2%-41.6% | ||
Risk free interest rate |
7.60%-8.08% | 7.60%-8.08% |
Outstanding options as of March 31, 2016 include 5,000 options with a market vesting condition. The fair value of these options was determined using the Lattice valuation model with the following assumptions:
Volatility |
48.1 | % | ||
Risk- free interest rate |
8.18 | % |
The result of the Lattice valuation model concludes that the probability of achieving the market conditions to be 5.72% and the fair value of the options has been fully recorded as expense.
As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, the aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding options was Rs. 26,531 and Rs. 133,285 (US$2,012), respectively.
F-40
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The share based compensation expense related to share options is recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Companys consolidated statements of operations and totaled Rs. 7,428 and Rs. 51,732 (US$781) for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Unrecognized compensation cost for unvested options as of March 31, 2016 is Rs. 5,002 (US$75), which is expected to be expensed over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.
The intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended March 31, 2016 was Nil.
The intrinsic value per option at the date of grant during the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 is as follows:
Date of grant |
No. of options
granted |
Deemed fair value
of equity shares |
Intrinsic value per
option at the time of grant |
Valuation used | ||||||||||||
July 28, 2014 |
1,460 | 5,266 | 5,256 | Retrospective | ||||||||||||
January 24, 2015 |
2,860 | 4,142 | (1 | ) | Retrospective | |||||||||||
July 1, 2015 |
863 | 7,633 | 7,623 | Retrospective |
(1) | Fair value of the shares exceeds the exercise price. |
20. Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly, hypothetical transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy of fair value measurement based upon the whether the inputs to that measurement are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect the Companys market assumptions. ASC Topic 820 prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 includes other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Observable inputs, other than Level 1 quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for similar or identical instruments in markets that are not active; and valuations using models in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
In accordance with ASC Topic 820, assets and liabilities are to be measured based on the following valuation techniques:
Market approach Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Income approach converting the future amounts based on the market expectations to its present value using the discounting methodology.
F-41
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Cost approach Replacement cost method.
The valuation techniques used by the Company to measure and report the fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis are as follows;
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
The Company enters into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge fluctuations in foreign exchange rates for recognized balance sheet items such as foreign exchange term loans. The Company mitigates the credit risk of these foreign exchange derivative contracts by transacting with highly rated counterparties in India which are major banks. The Company used the super derivatives option pricing model based on the principles of the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the foreign exchange derivative contracts. The inputs considered in this model include the theoretical value of a call option, the underlying spot exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, the contracted price of the respective option contract, the term of the option contract, the implied volatility of the underlying foreign exchange rates and the risk free interest rate as of the balance sheet date. The techniques and models incorporate various inputs including the credit worthiness of counterparties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates, interest rate yield curves, forward rate yield curves of the underlying. The Company classifies the fair value of these foreign exchange derivative contracts in Level 2 because the inputs used in the valuation model are observable in active markets over the term of the respective contracts.
Compulsorily convertible debentures, Series E and G compulsorily convertible preferred shares
The Company classifies the fair value of the CCDs, Series E and Series G CCPS in level 3 because the fair values have been derived using valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. The Company has used a discounted cash flow analysis under the income approach, to determine the fair value of the CCDs, Series E and Series G CCPs. This valuation model includes various inputs including issue price, liquidation amount, committed internal rate of return, discount rate and coupon rate.
Fair Value measurement at reporting date using | ||||||||||||||||
As of March 31,
2015 (Rs.) |
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) (Rs.) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) (Rs.) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Rs.) |
|||||||||||||
Description |
||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative contracts |
75,750 | | 75,750 | | ||||||||||||
Noncurrent assets |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative contracts |
158,338 | | 158,338 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total assets |
234,088 | | 234,088 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Current liability |
| |||||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures |
987,681 | 987,681 | ||||||||||||||
Noncurrent liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures and Series E compulsorily convertible preferred shares |
1,473,519 | 1,473,519 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities |
2,461,200 | | | 2,461,200 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-42
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Fair Value measurement at reporting date using | ||||||||||||||||
As of March 31,
2016 (Rs.) |
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) (Rs.) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) (Rs.) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Rs.) |
|||||||||||||
Description |
||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative contracts |
108,606 | | 108,606 | | ||||||||||||
Noncurrent assets |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative contracts |
83,426 | | 83,426 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
192,032 | | 192,032 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Current liability |
||||||||||||||||
Compulsorily convertible debentures |
2,132,500 | | | 2,132,500 | ||||||||||||
Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares |
1,468,200 | | | 1,468,200 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities |
3,600,700 | | | 3,600,700 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There have been no transfers between categories during any of the periods presented.
Changes in compulsorily convertible debentures are as follows:
Rs. | US$ | |||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2014 |
1,428,800 | 21,567 | ||||||
Issuance of CCDs - IFC III |
180,000 | 2,717 | ||||||
Increase in fair value |
189,800 | 2,865 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance as of March 31, 2015 |
1,798,600 | 27,149 | ||||||
Increase in fair value |
333,900 | 5,040 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance as of March 31, 2016 |
2,132,500 | 32,189 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Changes in Series E and Series G compulsorily convertible preferred shares are as follows:
Rs. | US$ | |||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2014 |
566,100 | 8,545 | ||||||
Increase in fair value |
96,500 | 1,457 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance as of March 31, 2015 |
662,600 | 10,002 | ||||||
Issuance of Series G CCPS |
541,946 | 8,180 | ||||||
Increase in fair value |
263,654 | 3,980 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance as of March 31, 2016 |
1,468,200 | 22,162 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payables, and other current financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair value largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
F-43
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The carrying value and fair value of the Companys fixed rate project financing term loans is as follows:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2015 | ||||||||||||
Carrying
Value Rs |
Fair
Value Rs |
US$ | ||||||||||
Fixed rate project financing loans: |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency loans |
6,046,900 | 6,754,000 | 102,040 |
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | ||||||||||||
Carrying
Value Rs |
Fair
Value Rs |
US$ | ||||||||||
Fixed rate project financing loans: |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency loans |
5,995,393 | 6,241,606 | 94,213 |
The Company uses the yield method to estimate the fair value of fixed rate loans using interest rate change as an input. The carrying amount of the Companys variable rate project financing terms loans approximate their fair values due to their variable interest rates.
The carrying value and fair value of the Companys investment in Bank of Mauritius notes, classified as held-to-maturity is as follows:
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||
2016 | ||||||||||||
Carrying
Value Rs |
Fair
Value Rs |
US$ | ||||||||||
Non-current investments: |
||||||||||||
Fixed rate Bank of Mauritius notes |
6,785 | 7,382 | 111 |
The Company uses the yield method to estimate the fair value of fixed rate Bank of Mauritius notes by using interest rate as an input.
21. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
The following table presents outstanding notional amount and balance sheet location information related to foreign exchange derivative contracts as of March 31, 2015 and 2016:
March 31, 2015 | March 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional
Amount |
Prepaid Expenses
and Other Current Asset |
Other
Assets |
Notional
Amount |
Prepaid Expenses
and Other Current Asset |
Other
Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency option contracts (Rs.) |
| 75,750 | 158,338 | | 108,606 | 83,426 | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency option contracts (US$) |
21,514 | | | 14,976 | | |
F-44
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Rs. and US$ amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
The foreign exchange derivative contracts mature generally over a period of 3 to 12 months.
Gains (losses) on foreign exchange derivative contracts for the year ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 aggregated Rs. 101,252 and Rs. 85,382 (US$1,289), respectively.
22. Concentrations of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivables and derivative instruments. The Company mitigates the risk of credit losses from financing instruments, other than trade receivables, by selecting counterparties that are well known Indian or international banks.
The following customers account for more than 10% of the Companys accounts receivable and sale of power as of and for the year ended March 31, 2015 and 2016:
March 31, 2015 | March 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
Customer Name |
% of
Accounts
Receivable |
% of Sale of
Power |
% of
Accounts
Receivable |
% of Sale of
Power |
||||||||||||
NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited |
46.87 | % | 60.80 | % | 11.44 | % | 25.16 | % | ||||||||
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited |
13.82 | % | 14.78 | % | 15.88 | % | 16.96 | % | ||||||||
Solar Energy Corporation of India a |
| | 48.54 | % | 29.03 | % | ||||||||||
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited |
19.87 | % | 15.42 | % | 4.18 | % | 9.59 | % | ||||||||
Chhattisgarh State Corporation |
| | 12.76 | % | 7.50 | % |
23. Subsequent events
The Company has incurred additional borrowings under a project-level secured term loan amounting to Rs. 463,050 (US$ 6,989) and working capital credit facilities amounting to Rs. 514,750 (US$ 7,770) as of June 9, 2016. The working capital facilities are secured by receivables and other current assets and are repayable in 12 to 18 months. The Company has further committed additional borrowings under project-level secured term loans amounting to Rs. 13,098,800 (US$197,718).
The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after March 31, 2016. Based on this evaluation, the Company is not aware of any event or transactions that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-45
Affordable Solar Power for Generations
Our mission
is to be the lowest cost power producer in the world
Excellence Honesty socially Responsible Entrepreneurship
Azure Power®
Equity Shares
Azure Power Global Limited
Prospectus
, 2016
Barclays
Until , 2016 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade in our equity shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Under the Mauritius Companies Act, a company may indemnify a director or employee of the company or a related company for any costs incurred by him or the company in respect of any proceedings (a) that relates to liability for any act or omission in his capacity as a director or employee and (b) in which judgment is given in his favor, in which he is acquitted, which is discontinued, in which he is granted relief under section 350 of the Mauritius Companies Act or where proceedings are threatened and such threatened action is abandoned or not pursued. The Mauritius Companies Act further provides that a company may indemnify a director or employee of the company or a related company in respect of (a) liability to any person, other than the company or a related company, for any act or omission in his capacity as a director or employee or (b) costs incurred by that director or employee in defending or settling any claim or proceedings relating to any such liability, save in respect of any criminal liability or liability in respect of a breach (in the case of a director) of the duty to exercise his powers honestly in good faith in the best interests of the company.
SEC Position. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement for this offering, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify our directors and officers and persons controlling us, within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to us by any such underwriter.
Item 7. | Recent sales of unregistered securities |
During the past three years, we and AZI have issued and sold the securities listed below without registering the securities under the Securities Act. None of these transactions involved any underwriting discounts or commissions or any public offering. All our Series A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H preferred shares were offered or sold through private placements either (i) outside the United States to foreign persons, or (ii) inside the United States to accredited investors or to a limited number of persons in transactions not involving any public offering. All our options to purchase equity shares and the equity shares issued upon the exercise of such options were issued to directors or employees and were in respect of equity shares not exceeding 15.0% of our issued equity share capital. Accordingly, we believe that each of the following issuances were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S, Section 4(a)(2) or Rule 701 of the Securities Act.
Date of Issuance |
Number of
Securities Originally Issued |
Title of Securities |
Aggregate
|
Purchaser |
||||||
November 11, 2011 |
10 | Equity shares |
0.01 |
One investor | ||||||
May 13, 2013 |
10 | Equity shares | 0.03 | One investor | ||||||
March 28, 2014 |
1,000 | Equity shares | 0.01 | One director | ||||||
September 30, 2011 |
229,880 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 381.6 | Two investors | ||||||
September 11, 2012 |
79,909 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 449.9 | Two investors |
II-1
Date of Issuance |
Number of
Securities Originally Issued |
Title of Securities |
Aggregate
|
Purchaser |
||||||
December 12, 2012 |
4,439 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 25.0 | One investor | ||||||
May 13, 2013 |
140,000 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 491.4 | One investor | ||||||
July 17, 2014 |
79,245 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 889.5 | Two investors | ||||||
December 24, 2014 |
38,581 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 433.1 | Two investors | ||||||
February 6, 2015 |
20,307 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 227.9 | One investor | ||||||
July 30, 2015* |
133,285 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 3,815.4 | Two investors | ||||||
August 1, 2015 |
948,876 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 3,520.3 | Azure Power Global Limited | ||||||
August 5, 2015* |
16,882 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares | 540.5 | One investor | ||||||
August 10, 2015 |
146,644 | Compulsorily convertible preferred shares |
544.0 |
Azure Power Global Limited | ||||||
November 11, 2011 |
680,390 | Compulsorily convertible debentures | 680.4 | One investor | ||||||
January 4, 2013 |
37,500 | Compulsorily convertible debentures | 75.0 | One investor | ||||||
June 25, 2014 |
36,000 | Compulsorily convertible debentures | 180.0 | One investor | ||||||
From September 2011 to December 2015 | 25,930 | Options to acquire equity shares | Exercise price ranging from $0.16 to $175.31 per shares | Certain directors and employees of Azure Power Global Limited and AZI |
* | Sold by Azure Power Global Limited |
Item 8. | Exhibits and financial statement schedules |
(a) | Exhibits |
See exhibit index of this registration statement.
(b) | Financial statement schedules |
All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be presented in them is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.
II-2
Item 9. | Undertakings |
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
1. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
2. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in New Delhi, India on this 30th day of June, 2016.
Azure Power Global Limited | ||
By: |
/s/ Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa |
|
Name: | Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa | |
Title: | Principal Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities held on June 30, 2016:
*By: |
/s/ Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa |
|
Attorney-in-fact |
II-4
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the Securities Act, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Azure Power Global Limited, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in California, United States of America on June 30, 2016.
By: |
/s/ Robert Kelly |
|
Name: |
Robert Kelly |
|
Title: |
Director |
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
1.1 |
Form of Underwriting Agreement |
|
3.1 | Constitution of Azure Power Global Limited | |
3.2 |
Form of Amended and Restated Constitution of Azure Power Global Limited |
|
5.1 | Opinion of Appleby | |
8.1 | India tax opinion by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co | |
8.2 | Mauritius tax opinion by Appleby (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
10.1 | Employee Stock Option Plan 2015 | |
10.2 | 2016 Equity Incentive Plan | |
10.3 | Shareholders Agreement dated July 22, 2015, by and among the shareholders named therein and the Registrant | |
10.4 | Shareholders Agreement, dated July 22, 2015, by and among the Registrant, AZI, Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa | |
10.5 | Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement dated March 30, 2016 by and among the shareholders named therein and the Registrant | |
10.6 | Sponsor Lock-in Agreement dated July 22, 2015 by and among the shareholders named therein and IW Green Inc. and Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa | |
10.7 | Amendment to the Sponsor Lock-in Agreement by and among the shareholders named therein and IW Green Inc. and Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa | |
10.8 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and among the shareholders named therein and the Registrant | |
10.9# | Employment Agreement, dated November 7, 2008, by and between AZI and Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa | |
10.10# | Employment Agreement, dated May 16, 2011, by and between AZI and Surendra Kumar Gupta | |
10.11# | Employment Agreement, dated May 1, 2013, by and between AZI and Sandeep Chopra | |
10.12# | Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2009, by and between AZI and Preet Sandhu | |
10.13# | Employment Agreement, dated August 31, 2011, by and between AZI and Glen Minyard | |
10.14# | Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2014, by and between AZI and Mohor Sen | |
10.15 | Indenture of Lease, dated October 15, 2013, by and between AZI and Sunbir Singh Wadhwa and Kulwinder Wadhwa | |
10.16 | Form of Indemnification Agreement, between the Registrant and each of the Officers and Directors of Azure Power Global | |
10.17 | Subscription Agreement, dated June 24, 2015, by and among AZI, Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa, Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa and IFC GIF Investment Company I | |
10.18 | Subscription Agreement, dated June 24, 2015, by and among AZI, Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa, Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa, IW Green Inc. (which has since been converted to IW Green LLC) and International Finance Corporation | |
10.19 | CCPS Subscription Agreement, dated July 22, 2015, among the Registrant, Sponsors and Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Économique S.A. | |
10.20 | Letter Agreement, dated July 27, 2015, by and among the Registrant, International Finance Corporation, AZI, IW Green Inc. (which has since been converted to IW Green LLC), Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa |
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
21.1 | List of Significant Subsidiaries of Azure Power Global Limited | |
23.1 | Consent of Ernst & Young Associates LLP | |
23.2 | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP | |
23.3 | Consent of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (included in Exhibit 8.1) | |
23.4 | Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included in signature page to this Registration Statement) | |
99.1 |
Registrants Application for Waiver of Requirements of Form 20-F, Item 8.A.4 |
# | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
| Previously filed |
Exhibit 1.1
[ ]
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
Equity Shares
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ], 2016
B ARCLAYS C APITAL I NC .,
As Representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I attached hereto,
c/o Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Azure Power Global Limited, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Mauritius (the Company ), and DEGDeutsche InvestitionsUnd Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (the Selling Stockholder ) propose to sell [ ] equity shares (the Firm Stock ) of the Companys Equity Shares, par value $0.01 per equity share (the Equity Shares ). Of the [ ] Equity Shares of the Firm Stock, [ ] are being sold by the Company and [ ] are being sold by the Selling Stockholder. In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the underwriters (the Underwriters ) named in Schedule I attached to this agreement (this Agreement ) an option to purchase up to [ ] additional Equity Shares on the terms set forth in Section 2 (the Option Stock ). The Firm Stock and the Option Stock, if purchased, are hereinafter collectively called the Stock . This Agreement is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Stock from the Company and the Selling Stockholder by the Underwriters.
1. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company . The Company represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-208584) relating to the Stock has (i) been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ) thereunder; (ii) been filed with the Commission under the Securities Act; and (iii) become effective under the Securities Act. Copies of such registration statement and any amendment thereto have been delivered by the Company to you as the representative (the Representative ) of the Underwriters. As used in this Agreement:
(i) Applicable Time means [ ]:[ ] p.m. (New York City time) [ ], 2016;
(ii) Effective Date means the date and time as of which such registration statement was declared effective by the Commission;
(iii) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus means each issuer free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act);
(iv) Preliminary Prospectus means any preliminary prospectus relating to the Stock included in such registration statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act;
(v) Pricing Disclosure Package means, as of the Applicable Time, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, together with the information included in Schedule III hereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus filed or used by the Company on or before the Applicable Time, other than a road show that is an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus but is not required to be filed under Rule 433 under the Securities Act;
(vi) Prospectus means the final prospectus relating to the Stock, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; and
(vii) Registration Statement means such registration statement, as amended as of the Effective Date, including any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, all exhibits to such registration statement and including the information deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Securities Act to be part of such registration statement as of the Effective Date.
(viii) Testing-the-Waters Communication means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.
(ix) Written Testing-the-Waters Communication means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
Any reference to the most recent Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement or filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act prior to or on the date hereof. The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no proceeding or examination for such purpose has been instituted or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened by the Commission.
(b) From the time of initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an Emerging Growth Company ).
2
(c) The Company (i) has not engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representative with entities that are reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representative to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representative has been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed or approved for distribution any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Schedule VI hereto.
(d) The Company was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement and at the earliest time thereafter that the Company made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Stock, is not on the date hereof and will not be on the applicable Delivery Date, an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
(e) The Registration Statement conformed and will conform in all material respects on the Effective Date and on the applicable Delivery Date, and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects when filed, to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The most recent Preliminary Prospectus conformed, and the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects when filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and on the applicable Delivery Date to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(f) The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).
(g) The Prospectus will not, as of its date or as of the applicable Delivery Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).
(h) The Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).
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(i) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed in Schedule IV hereto, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed in Schedule IV hereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).
(j) Each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication prepared and approved by the Company, if any, did not, as of the Applicable Time, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package or from such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication listed on Schedule VI hereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e) and the Company has filed publicly on EDGAR at least 21 calendar days prior to any road show (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act), any confidentially submitted registration statement and registration statement amendments relating to the offer and sale of the Stock. Each Written Testing-the-Waters Communications did not, as of the Applicable Time, and at all times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Stock will not, include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.
(k) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder on the date of first use, and the Company has complied with all prospectus delivery and any filing requirements applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Securities Act and rules and regulations thereunder. The Company has not made any offer relating to the Stock that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representative, except as set forth on Schedule IV hereto. The Company has retained in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company has taken all actions necessary so that any road show (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) in connection with the offering of the Stock will not be required to be filed pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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(l) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly organized, is validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is applicable) as a corporation or other business entity under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation or other business entity in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its businesses requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders equity, properties, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a Material Adverse Effect ). The Company and each of its subsidiaries have all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed on Schedule VI hereto. None of the subsidiaries of the Company (other than Azure Power India Private Limited, Azure Power (Haryana) Private Limited, Azure Power (Rajasthan) Private Limited, Azure Solar Private Limited and Azure Urja Private Limited (collectively, the Significant Subsidiaries )) is a significant subsidiary (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
(m) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in each of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and were issued in compliance with U.S. federal and state and foreign securities laws and not in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right. All of the Companys options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Companys capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and were issued in compliance with U.S. federal and state securities laws. Except as disclosed in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, all of the issued shares of capital stock or other ownership interest of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except for such liens, encumbrances, equities or claims as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) The Stock to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly authorized and, upon payment and delivery in accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, will be issued in compliance with U.S. federal and state securities laws and the laws of Mauritius and will be free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights.
(o) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(p) The issue and sale of the Stock, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Stock as described under Use of Proceeds in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation
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of any of the terms or provisions of, impose any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, constitution, memorandum and articles of association (or similar organizational documents) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii), conflicts or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets is required for the issue and sale of the Stock, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Stock as described under Use of Proceeds in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, filings, registrations or qualifications as may be required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), and applicable state or foreign securities laws and/or the bylaws and rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (the FINRA ) in connection with the purchase and sale of the Stock by the Underwriters.
(r) The historical financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules) included in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby at the dates and for the periods indicated and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.
(s) Ernst & Young Associates LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, whose report appears in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and who have delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(f) hereof, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(t) The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Companys financial statements in conformity with
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accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to maintain accountability for its assets, (iii) access to the Companys assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for the Companys assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(u) (i) The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information is accumulated and communicated to management of the Company and its subsidiaries, including their respective principal executive officers and principal financial officers, as appropriate and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.
(v) Since the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries reviewed or audited by Ernst & Young Associates LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young LLP, (i) the Company has not been advised of or become aware of (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to record, process, summarize and report financial data, or any material weaknesses in internal controls, and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of the Company and each of its subsidiaries; and (ii) there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly adversely affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
(w) [Reserved].
(x) The Company will take all necessary actions to ensure that, upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company and any of the Companys directors and officers in their capacities as such will comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.
(y) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, and, except as disclosed in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, (ii) issued or granted any securities, except as set forth or contemplated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations that were incurred in the ordinary course of business or otherwise set forth or contemplated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, (iv) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth or contemplated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, or (v) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock, and since such date, there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than the issuance of equity shares, if any, pursuant to employee incentive plans described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
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or any adverse change, or any development involving a prospective adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders equity, properties, management, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case except as would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(z) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them, that are material to the business of the Company, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except such liens, encumbrances and defects as are described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries. All assets held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries, that are material to the business of the Company, are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such assets by the Company and its subsidiaries.
(aa) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have such permits, licenses, patents, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities ( Permits ) as are necessary under applicable law to own their properties and conduct their businesses in the manner described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, except for any of the foregoing that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, any of the Permits, except as would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any Permits, which, individually or in the aggregate, if revoked or modified, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) The Company and each of its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, know-how, software, systems and technology (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and have no reason to believe that the conduct of their respective businesses will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others.
(cc) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject that would, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or would, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and to the Companys knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or others.
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(dd) There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement or the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that are not described and filed as required. The statements made in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of the contracts and other documents described and filed, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such contracts and documents in all material respects. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has knowledge that any other party to any such contract or other document has any intention not to render full performance in all material respects as contemplated by the terms thereof.
(ee) The statements made under the caption BusinessGovernment Regulations, insofar as it purports to constitute summaries of the terms of statutes, rules or regulations, legal or governmental proceedings or contracts and other documents, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such statutes, rules and regulations, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents in all material respects.
(ff) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance from insurers of recognized financial responsibility in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. All policies of insurance of the Company and its subsidiaries are in full force and effect; the Company and each of its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies in all material respects; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance; there are no material claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(gg) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company, on the other hand, that is required to be described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus which is not so described.
(hh) No labor disturbance by or dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its certificate of incorporation, constitution, memorandum and articles of association (or similar organizational documents), (ii) is in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or other obligation contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
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agreement, license or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, or (iii) is in violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over it or its property or assets or has failed to obtain any license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent any such conflict, breach, violation or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(jj) The Company and each of its subsidiaries (i) are, and at all times prior hereto were, in compliance with all laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, orders, judgments, decrees, permits or other legal requirements of any governmental authority, including without limitation any international, foreign, national, state, provincial, regional, or local authority, relating to pollution, the protection of human health or safety, the environment, or natural resources, or to use, handling, storage, manufacturing, transportation, treatment, discharge, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ( Environmental Laws ) applicable to such entity, which compliance includes, without limitation, obtaining, maintaining and complying with all permits and authorizations and approvals required by Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, and (ii) have not received notice or otherwise have knowledge of any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Laws, or of any actual or potential liability for or other obligation concerning the presence, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except in the case of clause (i) or (ii) where such non-compliance, violation, liability, or other obligation would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, (x) there are no proceedings that are pending, or known to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under Environmental Laws in which a governmental authority is also a party, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed and (y) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, including any pending or proposed Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(kk) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all taxes due, and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor does the Company have any knowledge of any tax deficiencies that have been, or would reasonably be expected to be asserted against the Company, that would, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ll) [Reserved]
(mm) The statistical and market-related data included in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable in all material respects.
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(nn) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, and as of the applicable Delivery Date and, after giving effect to the offer and sale of the Stock and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under Use of Proceeds in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of them will be, (i) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act ), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, or (ii) a business development company (as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act).
(oo) The statements set forth in each of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions Description of Equity Shares, Taxation and Underwriting, insofar as they purport to summarize the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate summaries in all material respects.
(pp) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(qq) Other than with Barclays Capital Inc., neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or the Underwriters for a brokerage commission, finders fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Stock.
(rr) The Company has not sold or issued any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Stock contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Securities Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.
(ss) The Company and its affiliates have not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the equity shares of the Stock.
(tt) The Stock has been approved for listing, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution on, The New York Stock Exchange.
(uu) The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of any Delivery Date and completion of the distribution of the Stock, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Stock other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Representative has consented in accordance with Section 1(l) or 5(a)(vi) and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus set forth on Schedule IV hereto and in connection with the Directed Share Program described in Section 4, the enrollment materials prepared by Barclays Capital Inc. on behalf of the Company.
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(vv) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary is in violation of or has received notice of any violation with respect to any U.S. federal or state or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, nor any applicable U.S. federal or state or foreign wage and hour laws, the violation of any of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ww) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries: (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect payment to any foreign or domestic government official from corporate funds in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the FCPA ); (iii) violated or is in violation of any applicable provision of the FCPA, U.K. Bribery Act 2010, as amended, or any other applicable anti-bribery statute or regulation; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any domestic government official, foreign official or employee, which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Companys affiliates have conducted their respective businesses in compliance with the FCPA, and except as would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, all other applicable anti-bribery statutes and regulations, and currently maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with the FCPA and other applicable anti-bribery statutes and regulations therewith.
(xx) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws ) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(yy) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is (i) currently subject to or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department ( OFAC ), the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council ( UNSC ), the European Union ( EU ), Her Majestys Treasury ( HMT ), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions ); or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person, or in any country or territory,
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that currently is the subject or target of Sanctions or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction whether as an underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. The Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in for the past five years, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any individual or entity, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or target of Sanctions.
(zz) Each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which such Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or governmental agency or body, other than such as have been obtained, is required under the securities laws and regulations of any foreign jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered or sold outside the United States.
(aaa) The Company has not offered, or caused Barclays Capital Inc. to offer, Stock to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customers or suppliers level or type of business with the Company or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company, its business or its products.
(bbb) To ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in a legal or administrative proceeding in Mauritius of this Agreement, it is not necessary that this Agreement be filed or recorded with any court or other government authority or regulatory body in Mauritius or that any registration tax, stamp duty or similar tax be paid in Mauritius on or in respect of any of this Agreement or any other document to be furnished hereunder, other than court costs, including (without limitation) filing fees and deposits to guarantee judgment required by a court of law in Mauritius.
(ccc) Under the laws of Mauritius, each registered holder of Equity Shares shall be entitled to seek enforcement of its rights in a direct suit, action or proceeding against the Company. It is not necessary in order to enable any owner of Equity Shares to enforce any of its rights that such owner of Equity Shares be licensed, qualified or entitled to do business in Mauritius.
(ddd) No stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no withholding taxes are or will be payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters, or otherwise imposed on any payments made to the Underwriters, to the government of India, Mauritius or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or for the respective accounts of the Underwriters as set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(eee) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, no approvals are currently required in Mauritius in order for the Company to pay dividends or other distributions declared by the Company to the holders of the Stock. Except as described in the most recent
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Preliminary Prospectus] under current laws and regulations of Mauritius and any political subdivision thereof, any amounts payable with respect to the Stock upon liquidation of the Company or upon redemption thereof and dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the Stock may be paid by the Company in [ ] that may be converted into foreign currency and freely transferred out of Mauritius, and, except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, no such payments made to holders thereof or therein who are non-residents of Mauritius will be subject to income, withholding or other taxes under laws and regulations of Mauritius or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and will otherwise be free and clear of any other tax, duty, withholding or deduction in Mauritius or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and without the necessity of obtaining any governmental authorization in Mauritius or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.
Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the offering of the Stock shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.
2. The Selling Stockholder represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) Neither the Selling Stockholder nor any person acting on behalf of the Selling Stockholder (other than, if applicable, the Company and the Underwriters) has used or referred to any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) relating to the Stock.
(b) The Selling Stockholder has, and immediately prior to any Delivery Date on which the Selling Stockholder is selling shares of Stock, the Selling Stockholder will have, a valid security entitlement within the meaning of Section 8-501 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code (the UCC ) in respect of the shares of Stock to be sold by the Selling Stockholder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities, community property rights, restrictions on transfer or claims, except for any liens, encumbrances, equities or claims arising under the Custody Agreement and the Shareholders Agreement.
(c) Upon payment for the Stock to be sold by such Selling Stockholder, delivery of such Stock, as directed by the Underwriters, to Cede & Co. ( Cede ) or such other nominee as may be designated by The Depository Trust Company ( DTC ), registration of such Stock in the name of Cede or such other nominee and the crediting of such Stock on the books of DTC to securities accounts of the Underwriters (i) DTC shall be a protected purchaser of such Stock within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the UCC, (ii) under Section 8-501 of the UCC, the Underwriters will acquire a valid security entitlement in respect of such Stock, and (iii) an action based on an adverse claim to such securities entitlement, whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien or other theory may not be asserted against the Underwriters with respect to such security entitlement. For purposes of this representation, such Selling Stockholder may assume that when such payment, delivery and crediting occur, (x) such Stock will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Companys share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (y) DTC will be registered as a clearing corporation within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, and (z) appropriate entries to the accounts of the several Underwriters on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the UCC.
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(d) The Selling Stockholder has placed in custody under a custody agreement (the Custody Agreement ) with [ ], as custodian (the Custodian ), for delivery under this Agreement, certificates in negotiable form (with signature guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program) representing the shares of Stock to be sold by the Selling Stockholder hereunder.
(e) The Selling Stockholder has duly and irrevocably executed and delivered a power of attorney (the Power of Attorney ) appointing the Custodian and Messrs. [] as attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full authority (exercisable by any one or more of them) to execute and deliver this Agreement and to take such other action as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions hereof on behalf of the Selling Stockholder.
(f) The Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority, corporate or otherwise, to enter into this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney.
(g) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder.
(h) The Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Selling Stockholder enforceable against the Selling Stockholder in accordance with their terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(i) The issue and sale of the Stock by the Selling Stockholder, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney by the Selling Stockholder and the consummation by the Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Selling Stockholder is a party or by which the Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Selling Stockholder is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws (or similar organizational documents) of the Selling Stockholder, or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Selling Stockholder or the property or assets of the Selling Stockholder.
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(j) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Selling Stockholder or the property or assets of the Selling Stockholder is required for the issue and sale of the Stock by the Selling Stockholder, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Custody Agreement or the Power of Attorney by the Selling Stockholder and the consummation by the Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except (x) as have been obtained or made prior to the date of this Agreement and are in full force and effect, (y) for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and (z) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, filings, registrations or qualifications as may be required under the Exchange Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws or under the rules and regulations of FINRA in connection with the purchase and sale of the Stock by the Underwriters.
(k) To the knowledge of the Selling Stockholder, the Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that the representations or warranties set forth in this Section 2(k) are limited to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement made in reliance upon information related to the Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company in writing by the Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.
(l) To the knowledge of the Selling Stockholder, the Prospectus will not, as of its date or as of the applicable Delivery Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations or warranties set forth in this Section 2(l) are limited to statements or omissions in the Prospectus made in reliance upon information related to the Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company in writing by the Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.
(m) To the knowledge of the Selling Stockholder, the Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations or warranties set forth in this Section 2(m) are limited to statements or omissions in the Pricing Disclosure Package made in reliance upon information related to the Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company in writing by the Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.
(n) To the knowledge of the Selling Stockholder, the Pricing Disclosure Package, when taken together with each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed in Schedule V hereto, did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations or warranties set forth in this Section 2(n) are limited to statements or omissions in the Pricing Disclosure Package (or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed in Schedule V hereto) made in reliance upon information related to the Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company in writing by the Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.
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(o) The Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell the Stock by any information concerning the Company that is not set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(p) The Selling Stockholder has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the shares of the Stock.
Any certificate signed by any officer of any Selling Stockholder and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the offering of the Stock shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Selling Stockholder, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.
3. Purchase of the Stock by the Underwriters. On the basis of the representations, warranties and covenants contained in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell [ ] equity shares of the Firm Stock and the Selling Stockholder agrees to sell [ ] shares of the Firm Stock, severally and not jointly to the several Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of equity shares of the Firm Stock set forth opposite that Underwriters name in Schedule I hereto. Each Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase from the Company, and from the Selling Stockholder, that number of shares of the Firm Stock that represents the same proportion of the number of shares of the Firm Stock to be sold by the Company and by the Selling Stockholder as the number of shares of the Firm Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I represents to the total number of shares of the Firm Stock to be purchased by all of the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement. The respective purchase obligations of the Underwriters with respect to the Firm Stock shall be rounded among the Underwriters to avoid fractional shares, as the Representative may determine.
In addition, the Company grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to [ ] additional equity shares of Option Stock. Such option is exercisable in the event that the Underwriters sell more Equity Shares than the number of Equity Shares of Firm Stock in the offering and as set forth in Section 4 hereof. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of equity shares of Option Stock (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representative may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of shares of Option Stock to be sold on such Delivery Date as the number of equity shares of Firm Stock set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of shares of Firm Stock.
The purchase price payable by the Underwriters for both the Firm Stock and any Option Stock is $[ ] per equity share.
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The Company and the Selling Stockholder are not obligated to deliver any of the Firm Stock or Option Stock to be delivered on the applicable Delivery Date, except upon payment for all such Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date as provided herein.
4. Offering of Stock by the Underwriters . Upon authorization by the Representative of the release of the Firm Stock, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Stock for sale upon the terms and conditions to be set forth in the Prospectus.
It is understood that approximately [] shares of the Firm Stock (the Directed Shares ) will initially be reserved by the several Underwriters for offer and sale upon the terms and conditions to be set forth in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries [and persons having business relationships with the Company and its subsidiaries] who have heretofore delivered to Barclays Capital Inc. offers to purchase shares of Firm Stock in form satisfactory to Barclays Capital Inc. (such program, the Directed Share Program ) and that any allocation of such Firm Stock among such persons will be made in accordance with timely directions received by Barclays Capital Inc. from the Company; provided that under no circumstances will Barclays Capital Inc. or any Underwriter be liable to the Company or to any such person for any action taken or omitted in good faith in connection with such Directed Share Program. It is further understood that any Directed Shares not affirmatively reconfirmed for purchase by any participant in the Directed Share Program by []:00 A.M., New York City time, on the first business day following the date hereof or otherwise are not purchased by such persons will be offered by the Underwriters to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
The Company agrees to pay all fees and disbursements incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and any stamp duties or other taxes incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program.]
5. Delivery of and Payment for the Stock. Delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third full business day following the date of this Agreement or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement between the Representative and the Company. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the Initial Delivery Date . Delivery of the Firm Stock shall be made to the Representative for the account of each Underwriter against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representative and of the respective aggregate purchase prices of the Firm Stock being sold by the Company and the Selling Stockholder to or upon the order of the Company and the Selling Stockholder of the purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Company and the Selling Stockholder. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder. The Company shall deliver the Firm Stock through the facilities of DTC unless the Representative shall otherwise instruct.
The option granted in Section 2 will expire 30 days after the date of this Agreement and may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part by written notice being given to the Company by the Representative within such 30 day period; provided that if such date falls on a day that is not a business day, the option granted in Section 2 will expire on the
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next succeeding business day. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of equity shares of Option Stock as to which the option is being exercised, the names in which the equity shares of Option Stock are to be registered, the denominations in which the equity shares of Option Stock are to be issued and the date and time, as determined by the Representative, when the equity shares of Option Stock are to be delivered; provided, however , that this date and time shall not be earlier than the Initial Delivery Date nor earlier than the second business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised. Each date and time the equity shares of Option Stock are delivered is sometimes referred to as an Option Stock Delivery Date , and the Initial Delivery Date and any Option Stock Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to as a Delivery Date .
Delivery of the Option Stock by the Company and payment for the Option Stock by the several Underwriters through the Representative shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in the preceding paragraph or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement between the Representative and the Company. On each Option Stock Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Option Stock to the Representative for the account of each Underwriter against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representative and of the respective aggregate purchase prices of the Option Stock being sold by the Company to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Company. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder. The Company shall deliver the Option Stock through the facilities of DTC unless the Representative shall otherwise instruct.
6. Further Agreements of the Company and the Underwriters . (a) The Company agrees:
(i) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than the Commissions close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the last Delivery Date except as provided herein; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representative with copies thereof; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding or examination for any such purpose or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain its withdrawal.
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(ii) To furnish promptly upon request to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith.
(iii) To deliver promptly to the Representative such number of the following documents as the Representative shall reasonably request: (A) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and each amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits other than this Agreement and the computation of per share earnings), (B) each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented Prospectus, and (C) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time after the date hereof in connection with the offering or sale of the Stock or any other securities relating thereto and if at such time any events shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act, to notify the Representative and, upon its request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.
(iv) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representative, be required by the Securities Act or requested by the Commission.
(v) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish a copy thereof to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters and not to file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object.
(vi) Not to make any offer relating to the Stock that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representative.
(vii) To comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act with respect to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. If at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify the Representative and, upon their request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance.
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(viii) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date (it being understood that the Company shall have until at least 410 days or, if the fourth quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes the Effective Date is the last fiscal quarter of the Companys fiscal year, 545 days after the end of the Companys current fiscal quarter), to make generally available to the Companys security holders and to deliver to the Representative an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).
(ix) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representative may reasonably request to qualify the Stock for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of Canada and such other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Stock; provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction, or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be subject.
(x) For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 180th day after the date of the Prospectus (the Lock-Up Period ), not to, directly or indirectly, (A) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any Equity Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Shares (other than (i) the Stock, (ii) Equity Shares or other securities issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof or referred to in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus (Existing Plans) or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights in net or cashless transactions and not issued under one of those plans and (iii) Equity Shares or other securities issued in connection with acquisitions or strategic partnerships in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Companys outstanding Equity Shares as of the Initial Delivery Date; provided that, in each case, the recipient of such Equity Shares or other securities executes and delivers a lock-up agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any Equity Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Shares (other than the grant of options or rights pursuant Existing Plans), (B) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such Equity Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above is to be settled by delivery of Equity Shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (C) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Equity Shares or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Equity Shares or any other securities of the Company (other than any registration statement on Form S-8 or any
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successor form thereto), or (D) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case without the prior written consent of the Representative, on behalf of the Underwriters, and to cause each officer, director and stockholder of the Company set forth on Schedule II hereto to furnish to the Representative, prior to the Initial Delivery Date, a letter or letters, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the Lock-Up Agreements ).
(xi) If the Representative, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a Lock-Up Agreement for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by issuing a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and containing such other information as the Representative may require with respect to the circumstances of the release or waiver and/or the identity of the officer(s) and/or director(s) with respect to which the release or waiver applies, through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.
(xii) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Stock being sold by the Company substantially in accordance with the description as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption Use of Proceeds.
(xiii) To file with the Commission such information on Form 20-F as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.
(xiv) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Company shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing pay the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.
(xv) In connection with the Directed Share Program, to ensure that the Directed Shares will be restricted from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation to the same extent as sales and dispositions of Common Stock by the Company are restricted pursuant to Section 6(a)(x), and Barclays Capital Inc. will notify the Company as to which Directed Share Participants will need to be so restricted. At the request of Barclays Capital Inc., the Company will direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such securities for such period of time as is consistent with Section 6(a)(x).
(xvi) To comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.
(xvii) The Company will promptly notify the Representative if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (A) the time when a prospectus relating to the offering or sale of the Stock or any other securities relating thereto is not required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule) and (B) completion of the Lock-Up Period.
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(xviii) If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representative and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission. The Company will promptly notify the Representative of (A) any distribution by the Company of Written Testing-the-Waters Communications and (B) any request by the Commission for information concerning the Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.
(xix) The Company and its affiliates will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that reasonably would be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the Stock.
(xx) To make any post-closing filing, notice or undertaking requested or required by any governmental agencies (including, without limitation, (i) with respect to the exercises of options held by directors and employees of the Company and any other persons who are residents in India to purchase Stock of the Company to be sold in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, requesting each such director and employee to complete any reporting and other procedures required under applicable Indian Overseas Direct Investment Regulations and (ii) the filing of a copy of the Prospectus with the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(xxi) The Company will do and perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by it prior to each Delivery Date, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Underwriters obligations hereunder to purchase the Stock.
(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees that such Underwriter shall not include any issuer information (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) in any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) used or referred to by such Underwriter without the prior consent of the Company (any such issuer information with respect to whose use the Company has given its consent, Permitted Issuer Information ); provided that (i) no such consent shall be required with respect to any such issuer information contained in any document filed by the Company with the Commission prior to the use of such free writing prospectus, and (ii) issuer information, as used in this Section 6(b), shall not be deemed to include information prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter on the basis of or derived from issuer information.
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7. The Selling Stockholder agrees:
(a) Neither the Selling Stockholder nor any person acting on behalf of the Selling Stockholder (other than, if applicable, the Company and the Underwriters) shall use or refer to any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), relating to the Stock.
(b) To deliver to the Representative prior to the Initial Delivery Date a properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-8 (if the Selling Stockholder is a non-United States person) or Form W-9 (if the Selling Stockholder is a United States person).
(c) The Selling Stockholder will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that reasonably would be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the Stock.
8. Expenses. The Company agrees, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay all expenses, costs, fees and taxes incident to and in connection with (a) the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Stock and any stamp duties or other taxes payable in that connection, and the preparation and printing of certificates for the Stock; (b) the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, and any amendment or supplement thereto; (c) the distribution of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, and any amendment or supplement thereto, all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the production and distribution of this Agreement, any supplemental agreement among Underwriters, and any other related documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Stock; (e) any required review by FINRA of the terms of sale of the Stock (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters, which, together with the fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters pursuant to clause (g) of this Section 6, shall not exceed $35,000); (f) the listing of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange and/or any other exchange; (g) the qualification of the Stock under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 5(a)(ix) and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters, which, together with the fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 6, shall not exceed $35,000); (h) the preparation, printing and distribution of one or more versions of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus for distribution in Canada, including in the form of a Canadian wrapper (including related fees and expenses of Canadian counsel to the Underwriters, which shall not exceed $15,000), (i) the offer and sale of shares of the Stock by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters related thereto, the costs and expenses of preparation, printing and distribution of the Directed Share Program material and all stamp duties or other taxes incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program; (j) the investor presentations on any road show or any Testing-the-Waters Communication,
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undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Stock, including, without limitation, expenses associated with any electronic road show, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; and (k) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholder, including the fees and disbursements of the Custodian and of counsel to the Selling Stockholders (such feed and disbursements of counsel for the Selling Stockholder shall not exceed $70,000); provided that, except as provided in this Section 6 and in Section 11 below, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel, [and the travel and lodging expenses of their representatives including 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show] and the Selling Stockholder shall pay any transfer taxes payable in connection with its sales of stock to the Underwriters.
9. Conditions of Underwriters Obligations . The respective obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on each Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholder contained herein, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Stockholder of their respective obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 6(a)(i). The Company shall have complied with all filing requirements applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus used or referred to after the date hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding or examination for such purpose shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; and any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with. If the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement.
(b) No Underwriter shall have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to such Delivery Date that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Pricing Disclosure Package, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Custody Agreement, the Power of Attorney, the Stock, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company and the Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
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(d) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, U.S. counsel for the Company shall have furnished to the Representative its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-1, Appleby, outside Mauritius counsel for the Company shall have furnished to the Representative its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-2 and Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co., Indian counsel for the Company shall have furnished to the Representative its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-3.
(e) The Representative shall have received from Latham & Watkins LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such Delivery Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Stock, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package and other related matters as the Representative may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(f) The Representative shall have received from counsel for the Selling Stockholder, such opinion or opinions, dated such Delivery Date, as the Representative may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from Ernst & Young Associates LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young LLP, a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants comfort letters to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings.
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(h) With respect to the letter of Ernst & Young Associates LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young LLP, referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Representative concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the initial letter ), the Company shall have furnished to the Representative a letter (the bring-down letter ) of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letter, and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.
(i) The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer as to such matters as the Representative may reasonably request, including, without limitation, a statement:
(i) That the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company in Section 1 are true and correct on and as of such Delivery Date, and the Company has complied with all its agreements contained herein and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Delivery Date;
(ii) That no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued; and no proceedings or examination for that purpose have been instituted or, to the knowledge of such officers, threatened;
(iii) That they have examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package, and, in their opinion, (A) (1) the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, (2) the Prospectus, as of its date and on the applicable Delivery Date, and (3) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and did not and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (except in the case of the Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and (B) since the Effective Date, no event has occurred that should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that has not been so set forth; and
(iv) To the effect of Section 7(i) ( provided that no representation with respect to the judgment of the Representative need be made).
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(j) The Selling Stockholder (or the Custodian or one or more attorneys-in-fact on behalf of the Selling Stockholder) shall have furnished to the Representative on such Delivery Date a certificate, dated such Delivery Date, signed by, or on behalf of, the Selling Stockholder stating that the representations, warranties and agreements of the Selling Stockholder contained herein are true and correct on and as of such Delivery Date and that the Selling Stockholder has complied with all its agreements contained herein and has satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Delivery Date.
(k) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, or (ii) since such date, and except as set out or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package, there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, stockholders equity, properties, management, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is, individually or in the aggregate, in the judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(l) [Reserved]
(m) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) (A) trading in securities generally on any securities exchange that has registered with the Commission under Section 6 of the Exchange Act (including the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Capital Market), or (B) trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited or the settlement of such trading generally shall have been materially disrupted or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by U.S. federal or state authorities, Indian authorities and Mauritius authorities, (iii) the United States, India or Mauritius shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States, India or Mauritius or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, India or Mauritius, or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States, India or Mauritius shall be such) or any other calamity or crisis either within or outside the United States, as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
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(n) The New York Stock Exchange shall have approved the Stock for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution.
(o) The Lock-Up Agreements between the Representative and the officers, directors and stockholders of the Company set forth on Schedule III, delivered to the Representative on or before the date of this Agreement, shall be in full force and effect on such Delivery Date.
(p) On or prior to each Delivery Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.
All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
10. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which that Underwriter, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (A) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (B) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (C) any Permitted Issuer Information used or referred to in any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) used or referred to by any Underwriter, (D) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Stock, including any road show (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) not constituting an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication ( Marketing Materials ), or (E) any Blue Sky application or other document prepared or executed by the Company (or based upon any written information furnished by the Company for use therein) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Stock under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a Blue Sky Application ) or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Marketing Materials or
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any Blue Sky Application, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any such amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Marketing Materials or any Blue Sky Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information consists solely of the information specified in Section 10(f). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to any Underwriter or to any affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter.
(b) The Selling Stockholder shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which that Underwriter, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Marketing Materials, any Blue Sky Application or any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (any such free writing prospectus that was prepared by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder or used or referred to by the Selling Stockholder in connection with the offering of the Stock in violation of Section 7(a) being referred to as a Selling Stockholder Free Writing Prospectus ), or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Marketing Materials, any Blue Sky Application or any Selling Stockholder Free Writing Prospectus, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees and each such controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees or controlling persons in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , in the case of (i) and (ii), only to the extent that such untrue statement or
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alleged untrue statement or ommission or alleged omission, was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Selling Stockholder and furnished by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder specifically for use therein. The liability of the Selling Stockholder under the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall be limited to an amount equal to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the shares of the Stock purchased under the Agreement received by the Selling Stockholder, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, less the underwriting discounts and commissions of the Stock sold by the Selling Stockholder under this Agreement. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability that the Selling Stockholder may otherwise have to any Underwriter or any affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter.
(c) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Stockholder, their respective directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or such Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the Company, such Selling Stockholder or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials or Blue Sky Application, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials or Blue Sky Application, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is limited to the information set forth in Section 10(f). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability that any Underwriter may otherwise have to the Company, such Selling Stockholder or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person.
(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 10 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 10, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided , however , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 10 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) by such failure and, provided , further , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 10. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying
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party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 10 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however , that the indemnified party shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the indemnified party and those other indemnified parties and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought under this Section 10 if (i) the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have so mutually agreed; (ii) the indemnifying party has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; (iii) the indemnified party and its directors, officers, employees and controlling persons shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to them that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified parties or their respective directors, officers, employees or controlling persons, on the one hand, and the indemnifying party, on the other hand, and representation of both sets of parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, and in any such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall (x) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to, or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party, or (y) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 10(a) or (b) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request or disputed in good faith the indemnified partys entitlement to such reimbursement prior to the date of such settlement.
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(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) or 10(g) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, from the offering of the Stock, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Stock purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the shares of the Stock purchased under this Agreement, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the other hand. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Selling Stockholder or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 10(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 10(e) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 10(e), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10(e), in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Stock exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 10(e) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
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(f) The Underwriters severally confirm and the Company and the Selling Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that the statements regarding delivery of equity shares by the Underwriters set forth on the cover page of, and the concession and reallowance figures and the paragraph relating to stabilization by the Underwriters appearing under the caption Underwriting in, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials.
(g) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Barclays Capital Inc. (including its affiliates, directors, officers and employees) and each person, if any, who controls Barclays Capital Inc. within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act ( Barclays Entities ), from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect thereof to which any of the Barclays Entities may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action (i) arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the approval of the Company for distribution to Directed Share Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) arises out of, or is based upon, the failure of the Directed Share Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares that the Directed Share Participant agreed to purchase, or (iii) is otherwise related to the Directed Share Program; provided that the Company shall not be liable under this clause (iii) for any loss, claim, damage, liability or action that is determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Barclays Entities. The Company shall reimburse the Barclays Entities promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred.
11. Defaulting Underwriters .
(a) If, on any Delivery Date, any Underwriter defaults in its obligations to purchase the Stock that it has agreed to purchase under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Stock by the non-defaulting Underwriters or other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Stock, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Stock on such terms. In the event that within the respective prescribed periods, the non-defaulting Underwriters notify the Company that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Stock, or the Company notifies the non-defaulting Underwriters
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that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Stock, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone such Delivery Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any such other document or arrangement that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term Underwriter includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule I hereto that, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Stock that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Stock of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the total number of equity shares of the Stock that remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the total number of equity shares of all the Stock, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the total number of equity shares of Stock that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder plus such Underwriters pro rata share (based on the total number of equity shares of Stock that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Stock of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; provided that the non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the total number of shares of Stock that it agreed to purchase on such Delivery Date pursuant to the terms of Section 3.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Stock of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the total number of shares of Stock that remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the total number of shares of all the Stock, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Sections 8 and 13 and except that the provisions of Section 10 shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.
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12. Termination. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Representative by notice given to and received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder prior to delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 9(m), 9(n) and 9(o) shall have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Stock for any reason permitted under this Agreement.
13. Reimbursement of Underwriters Expenses. If (a) the Company or the Selling Stockholder shall fail to tender the Stock for delivery to the Underwriters for any reason, or (b) the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Stock for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company and the Selling Stockholder will reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Stock, and upon demand the Company and the Selling Stockholder shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representative, subject to the delivery to the Company of reasonable documentation thereof. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, neither the Company nor the Selling Stockholder shall be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of those expenses.
14. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company and the Selling Stockholder hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company or the Selling Stockholder may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company or the Selling Stockholder by such Underwriters investment banking divisions. The Company and the Selling Stockholder acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
15. No Fiduciary Duty . The Company and the Selling Stockholder acknowledge and agree that in connection with this offering, sale of the Stock or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Underwriters: (a) no fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company, Selling Stockholder and any other person, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, exists; (b) the Underwriters are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to either the Company or the Selling Stockholder, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of the public offering price of the Stock, and such relationship between the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (c) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Company or the Selling Stockholder shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Company and the Selling Stockholder. The Company and the Selling Stockholder hereby waive any claims that the Company or the Selling Stockholder may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with this offering.
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16. Notices, etc. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:
(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission to Barclays Capital Inc., 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate Registration (Fax: (646) 834-8133), with a copy, in the case of any notice pursuant to Section 10(d), to the Director of Litigation, Office of the General Counsel, Barclays Capital Inc., 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019;
(b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: [ ] (Fax: [ ]); and
(c) if to the Selling Stockholder, shall be delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission to [ ].
Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof. The Company and the Selling Stockholder shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Underwriters by the Representative, and the Company and the Underwriters shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Selling Stockholder by the Custodian.
17. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the Selling Stockholder, and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that (a) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Company and the Selling Stockholder contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, officers and employees of the Underwriters and each person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, and (b) the indemnity agreement of the Underwriters contained in Section 10(c) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who have signed the Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 17 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 15, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.
18. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Stock and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.
37
19. Definition of the Terms Business Day, Affiliate and Subsidiary . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) business day means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close, and (b) affiliate and subsidiary have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
20. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of laws principles (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law).
21. Submission to Jurisdiction, Etc . The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any lawsuit, action or other proceeding in such courts, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such lawsuit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011, as its authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York upon which process may be served in any such suit or proceeding, and agrees that service of process upon such agent, and written notice of said service to the Company by the person serving the same to the address provided in Section 8 shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all actions as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this Agreement.
22. Waiver of Immunity . With respect to any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled, and with respect to any such suit or proceeding, each party waives any such immunity in any court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such suit or proceeding, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended.
23. Judgment Currency . The obligation of the Company in respect of any sum due to any Underwriter under this Agreement shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars or any other applicable currency (the Judgment Currency ), not be discharged until the first business day, following receipt by such Underwriter of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, on which (and only to the extent that) such Underwriter may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase U.S. dollars or any other applicable currency with the Judgment Currency; if the U.S. dollars or other applicable
38
currency so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter against such loss. If the U.S. dollars or other applicable currency so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, such Underwriter agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the U.S. dollars or other applicable currency so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder.
24. Waiver of Jury Trial . The Company and the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
26. Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
39
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between the Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.
Very truly yours, | ||
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
DEGDEUTSCHE INVESTITIONSUND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH | ||
By: |
|
|
Attorney-in-fact | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
40
Accepted: | ||
B ARCLAYS C APITAL I NC . | ||
For itself and as Representative of the several Underwriters namedin Schedule I hereto | ||
B ARCLAYS C APITAL I NC . | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
41
SCHEDULE I
Underwriters |
Number of Equity
Shares of Firm Stock |
|
Barclays Capital Inc. |
||
[ ] |
||
|
||
Total |
||
|
1
SCHEDULE II
PERSONS DELIVERING LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
Directors
Officers
Stockholders
2
SCHEDULE III
ORALLY CONVEYED PRICING INFORMATION
1. The initial public offering price per ordinary share shall be $[ ].
2. The Company is selling [ ] equity shares and the Selling Stockholder is selling [ ] equity shares. The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional [ ] equity shares.
3
SCHEDULE IV
ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES ROAD SHOW MATERIALS
Roadshow presentation, dated [ ], 2016 and first used [ ], 2016.
4
SCHEDULE V
ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS
[None.]
5
SCHEDULE VI
WRITTEN TESTING-THE-WATERS COMMUNICATIONS
[None.]
6
Exhibit A
LOCK-UP LETTER AGREEMENT
B ARCLAYS C APITAL I NC .,
As Representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I attached hereto,
c/o Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that you and certain other firms (the Underwriters ) propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the Underwriting Agreement ) providing for the purchase by the Underwriters of shares (the Stock ) of Equity Shares, par value $0.01 per equity share (the Equity Shares ), of Azure Power Global Limited, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Mauritius (the Company ), and that the Underwriters propose to reoffer the Stock to the public (the Offering ).
In consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the Underwriters, and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc., on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) Equity Shares (including, without limitation, Equity Shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Equity Shares that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Shares, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of Equity Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Equity Shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Equity Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Shares or any other securities of the Company, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 180th day after the date of the Prospectus relating to the Offering (such 180-day period, the Lock-Up Period ). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion or exchange of any securities for or into Equity Shares in connection with the Offering shall not be subject to the restrictions set forth in this agreement.
1
The foregoing paragraph shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to Equity Shares or other securities acquired in the open market after the completion of the offering, (b) transfers by will or upon intestate succession, (c) transfers as bona fide gifts, sales or other dispositions of shares of any class of the Companys capital stock, in each case that are made exclusively between and among the undersigned or members of the undersigneds family or any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the family of the undersigned, (d) sales or other dispositions to affiliates of the undersigned, including its partners (if a partnership), members (if a limited liability company), shareholders, stockholders, or any investment fund or other entity controlled by or under common control or management with the undersigned; provided that it shall be a condition to any transfer pursuant to clauses (c) and (d) that (i) the transferee/donee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement (including, without limitation, the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence) to the same extent as if the transferee/donee were a party hereto, (ii) each party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) shall not be required by law (including without limitation the disclosure requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act )) to make, and shall agree to not voluntarily make, any filing or public announcement of the transfer or disposition prior to the expiration of the 180-day period referred to above, and (iii) the undersigned notifies Barclays Capital Inc. at least two business days prior to the proposed transfer or disposition, (e) transfers made pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, if any, (f) if the undersigned is an individual, dispositions solely in connection with the cashless exercise of options (the term cashless exercise being intended to include the sale of a portion of the option shares or previously owned shares to the Company or in open market transactions to cover payment of the exercise price) for the purpose of exercising such options solely in the case of termination of employment or board service following death, disability or other than for cause (including sales in respect of tax liabilities arising from such exercise and sale) if such options would otherwise expire, provided that the restrictions of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement shall apply to any Equity Shares issued in connection with such exercise, (g) the exercise of warrants or the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the Companys stock option/incentive plans or otherwise outstanding on the date hereof; provided , that the restrictions shall apply to Equity Shares issued upon such exercise or conversion, (h) the establishment of any contract, instruction or plan that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 (a Rule 10b5-1 Plan ) under the Exchange Act; provided , however , that no sales of Equity Shares or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Equity Shares, shall be made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period; provided further , that if any announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such Rule 10b5-1 Plan shall be required or made voluntarily by the undersigned, the Company or any other person prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, such announcement shall include a statement that sales under the Rule 10b5-1 Plan will not occur until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, (i)
2
transfers to the Company in connection with the repurchase of the undersigneds Equity Shares issued pursuant to the companys stock option/incentive plans or pursuant to agreements pursuant to which such Equity Shares were issued, (j) the transfer of the undersigneds Equity Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Shares that occurs by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement; provided , that the recipient of such transfer or distribution shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Letter Agreement, (k) the transfer to the Company of the undersigneds securities convertible into Equity Shares in connection with the conversion of such securities; provided that the Equity Shares received upon such conversion shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Letter Agreement, (l) sales, transfers or other dispositions pursuant to a bona fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of Equity Shares involving a change of control of the Company; provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other transaction is not completed, the undersigneds Equity Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and (m) any demands or requests for, exercise any right with respect to, or take any action in preparation of, the registration by the Company under the Act of the undersigneds Equity Shares, provided that no transfer of the undersigneds Equity Shares registered pursuant to the exercise of any such right and no registration statement shall be filed under the Act with respect to any of the undersigneds Equity Shares during the Lock-Up Period.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the undersigned agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed Stock, as referred to in FINRA Rule 5131(d)(2)(A) that the undersigned may purchase in the Offering pursuant to an allocation of Stock that is directed in writing by the Company, (ii) Barclays Capital Inc. agrees that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of Equity Shares, Barclays Capital Inc. will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver and (iii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by issuing a press release through a major news service (as referred to in FINRA Rule 5131(d)(2)(B)) at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by Barclays Capital Inc. hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if both (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration, and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter that are applicable to the transferor, to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its transfer agent are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
3
It is understood that, if the Company notifies the Underwriters that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Stock, the undersigned will be released from its obligations under this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters will proceed with the Offering in reliance on this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
Whether or not the Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters.
This Lock-Up Letter Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earliest to occur, if any, of (1) the date that the Company advises, in writing, the Underwriters, prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that it has determined not to proceed with the Offering, (2) the termination of the Underwriting Agreement before the sale of any Stock to the Underwriters or (3) [ ], 2016 in the event that the Underwriting Agreement has not been executed by that date.
[Signature page follows]
4
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in connection with the enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
Very truly yours, | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
5
EXHIBIT B
Form of Press Release
Azure Power Global Limited
[ ], 2016
Azure Power Global Limited, (the Company ) announced today that Barclays Capital Inc., the book-running manager in the Companys recent public sale of [ ] equity shares is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to [ ] shares of the Companys equity shares held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on [ ], 2016, and the shares may be sold or otherwise disposed of on or after such date.
This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1
EXHIBIT C-1
FORM OF OPINION OF U.S. COMPANYS COUNSEL
[Circulated under separate cover]
1
EXHIBIT C-2
FORM OF OPINION OF INDIA COMPANYS COUNSEL
[Circulated under separate cover]
1
EXHIBIT C-3
FORM OF OPINION OF MAURITIUS COMPANYS COUNSEL
[Circulated under separate cover]
Annex C-3-1
Exhibit 10.2
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan . The purposes of this Plan are:
| to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, |
| to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and |
| to promote the success of the Companys business. |
The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
2. Definitions . As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
(a) Administrator means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) Applicable Laws means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction (including without limitation India, Mauritius and the United States of America) where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(c) Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, or Restricted Stock Units.
(d) Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(e) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) Cause means (i) a Participants wilful, non-trivial misconduct or neglect of duty, (ii) a Participants commission of an act of fraud or (iii) a Participants conviction of, or plea of no contest to a felony, as judged by the laws of the federal government of the United States of America and/or the country in which the Company is doing business.
(g) Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Change in Ownership of the Company . A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (Person), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held
by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, except that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a private financing of the Company that is approved by the Board will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(ii) Change in Effective Control of the Company . If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this clause (ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(iii) Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Companys Assets . A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Companys assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For purposes of this Section 2(f), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Companys incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Companys securities immediately before such transaction.
(h) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.
(i) Committee means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board, or by the compensation committee of the Board, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
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(j) Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.
(k) Company means Azure Power Global Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Mauritius.
(l) Consultant means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render bona fide services to such entity, provided the services (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not directly promote or maintain a market for the Companys securities.
(m) Director means a member of the Board.
(n) Disability means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3), provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.
(o) Employee means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a directors fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company.
(p) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(q) Exchange Program means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced or increased. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.
(r) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
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(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(s) Incentive Stock Option means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(t) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(u) Option means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(v) Parent means a parent corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).
(w) Participant means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(x) Period of Restriction means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(y) Plan means this 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
(z) Restricted Stock means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
(aa) Restricted Stock Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(bb) Service Provider means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(cc) Share means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.
(dd) Stock Appreciation Right means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(ee) Subsidiary means a subsidiary corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f).
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3. Stock Subject to the Plan .
(a) Stock Subject to the Plan . Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Awards and sold under the Plan is 35,543 Shares. The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b) Lapsed Awards . If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, or, with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to the failure to vest, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, only Shares actually issued pursuant to a Stock Appreciation Right will cease to be available under the Plan; all remaining Shares under Stock Appreciation Rights will remain available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company due to the failure to vest, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Code Section 422 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 3(b).
(c) Share Reserve . The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
4. Administration of the Plan .
(a) Procedure .
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies . Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Other Administration . Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which Committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
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(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine;
(vi) to institute and determine the terms and conditions of an Exchange Program;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;
(ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option (subject to Section 6(d));
(x) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner prescribed in Section 14;
(xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xii) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that otherwise would be due to such Participant under an Award; and
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrators Decision . The Administrators decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.
5. Eligibility . Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
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6. Stock Options .
(a) Grant of Options . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Option Agreement . Each Award of an Option will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Option, the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions, if any, applicable to the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(c) Limitations . Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Notwithstanding such designation, however, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(c), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, the Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted, and calculation will be performed in accordance with Code Section 422 and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) Term of Option . The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
(e) Option Exercise Price and Consideration .
(i) Exercise Price . The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e)(i), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Code Section 424(a).
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates . At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
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(iii) Form of Consideration . The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (4) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided further that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (5) consideration received by the Company under cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) by net exercise, (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator will consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.
(f) Exercise of Option .
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder . Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the right to exercise an Option shall be suspended automatically during any investigation by the Board or its designee, and/or any negotiations by the Board or its designee and the Participant, regarding any actual or alleged act or omission by the Participant that could constitute a ground for terminating the Participant for Cause.
An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable tax withholding). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
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(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participants termination as the result of the Participants death or Disability or Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within thirty (30) days of termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iii) Disability of Participant . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participants Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within six (6) months of termination, or such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of Participant . If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within six (6) months following the Participants death, or within such longer period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death, by the Participants designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participants death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participants estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participants will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(v) Termination for Cause . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Company terminating the Participant for Cause or if on the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider the Company could have terminated Participant for Cause, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights .
(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares . The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to any Award of Stock Appreciation Rights.
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(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms . The per Share exercise price for the Shares that will determine the amount of the payment to be received upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in Section 7(f) will be determined by the Administrator and will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Otherwise, the Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan.
(d) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement . Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights . A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) relating to the maximum term and Section 6(f) relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount . Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
8. Restricted Stock .
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, if any, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
(c) Transferability . Except as provided in this Section 8 or as the Administrator determines, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
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(d) Other Restrictions . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal of Restrictions . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting Rights . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.
9. Restricted Stock Units .
(a) Grant . Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.
(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms . The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units . Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.
(d) Form and Timing of Payment . Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.
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(e) Cancellation . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.
10. Compliance With Code Section 409A . Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.
11. Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations . Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Participant will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months following the first (1 st ) day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
12. Limited Transferability of Awards .
(a) Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, or (iii) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act).
(b) Further, until the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or after the Administrator determines that it is, will, or may no longer be relying upon the exemption from registration under the Exchange Act as set forth in Rule 12h-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, an Option, or prior to exercise, the Shares subject to the Option, may not be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred or disposed of, in any manner, including by entering into any short position, any put equivalent position or any call equivalent position (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) and Rule 16a-1(b) of the Exchange Act, respectively), other than to (i) persons who are family members (as defined in Rule 701(c)(3) of the Securities Act) through gifts or domestic relations orders, or (ii) to an executor or guardian of the Participant upon the death or disability of the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit transfers to the Company or in connection with a Change in Control or other acquisition transactions involving the Company to the extent permitted by Rule 12h-1(f).
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13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control .
(a) Adjustments . In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of shares of stock that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of shares of stock covered by each outstanding Award; provided, however, that the Administrator will make such adjustments to an Award required by Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code to the extent the Company is relying upon the exemption afforded thereby with respect to the Award.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Merger or Change in Control . In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines (subject to the provisions of the following paragraph) without a Participants consent, including, without limitation, that (i) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participants Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control; (iii) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change in Control, and, to the extent the Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or Change in Control; (iv) (A) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participants rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participants rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this subsection 13(c), the Administrator will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.
In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award (or portion thereof), the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all
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performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this subsection 13(c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participants consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporations post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, if a payment under an Award Agreement is subject to Code Section 409A and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement does not comply with the definition of change of control for purposes of a distribution under Code Section 409A, then any payment of an amount that is otherwise accelerated under this Section will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Code Section 409A without triggering any penalties applicable under Code Section 409A.
14. Tax Withholding .
(a) Withholding Requirements . Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participants FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
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(b) Withholding Arrangements . The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the statutory amount required to be withheld, provided the delivery of such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.
15. No Effect on Employment or Service . Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participants relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participants right or the Companys right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
16. Date of Grant . The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
17. Term of Plan . Subject to Section 21 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board or on such date as the Board determines. Unless sooner terminated under Section 18, it will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the later of (a) the effective date of the Plan, or (b) the earlier of the most recent Board or stockholder approval of an increase in the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.
18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan .
(a) Amendment and Termination . The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval . The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination . No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrators ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
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19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares .
(a) Legal Compliance . Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations . As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
20. Inability to Obtain Authority . The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
21. Stockholder Approval . The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company prior to the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
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Exhibit 10.8
EXECUTION VERSION
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of , 2016 (this Agreement ), by and between Azure Power Global Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Mauritius (the Company ), and International Finance Corporation, an international organization established by the Articles of Agreement among its member countries ( IFC ), IFC GIF Investment Company I, a company established under the laws of Mauritius ( GIF ), Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Économique a company organized and existing under the laws of French Republic ( Proparco ), FC VI India Venture (Mauritius) Ltd., a company established under the laws of Mauritius ( FC VI ), Helion Venture Partners II, LLC, a company established under the laws of Mauritius ( Helion Partners ), and Helion Venture Partners India II, LLC, a company established under the laws of Mauritius ( Helion India and together with Helion Partners, ( Helion ) and DEG-Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, a company organized and existing under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany ( DEG ). IFC, GIF, Proparco, FC VI, Helion and DEG are each referred to as an Investor and collectively as the Investors .
WHEREAS, the Investors own compulsorily convertible debentures (the Company CCDs ) of the Company, compulsorily convertible preference shares (the Company CCPSs ) of the Company and/or ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per share (the Equity Shares ) of the Company. The Company CCDs and the Company CCPSs are convertible into Equity Shares.
WHEREAS, IFC and GIF own Series H CCPSs (the Series H CCPSs ) of the Company, convertible into Equity Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed as follows:
1. Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms below shall have the following meanings (such meanings being equally applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined):
Agreement shall mean this Registration Rights Agreement, including all amendments, modifications and supplements and any exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing.
Business Day shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or permitted by law to be closed in the City of New York in the State of New York.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
FINRA shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or any successor entity thereof.
Holder shall mean each Investor, and any transferee of an Investor to whom Registrable Securities are permitted to be transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and to whom the registration rights with respect to such Registrable Securities have been transferred, and, in each case, who continues to be entitled to the rights of a Holder hereunder.
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act.
Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, firm, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Policy Breach shall mean (i) in the case of IFC and GIF, a failure by the Company to comply with any provision set out in the policy agreement, dated as of July 22, 2015, by and between the Company, IFC and GIF or any term set out in Schedule K of the Shareholders Agreement; (ii) in the case of DEG, the engagement by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any of the excluded activities set out in Schedule O of the Shareholders Agreement; and (iii) in the case of Proparco, a failure by the Company to comply with any term set out in Schedule P of the Shareholders Agreement.
Registrable Securities shall mean (a) the Equity Shares, including Equity Shares issuable upon conversion of the Company CCDs or Company CCPSs, held by a Holder and (b) any securities issuable or issued or distributed in respect of any of the Equity Shares identified in clause (a) by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement and (ii) the Registrable Securities of a Holder shall not be deemed to be Registrable Securities at any time when the entire amount of Registrable Securities held by such Holder, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company and such Holder, each in their reasonable judgment, may be, distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision then in effect) under the Securities Act in a single sale or after such Registrable Securities have been sold in a sale made pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
Registration Statement shall mean a Demand Registration Statement, a Piggy-Back Registration Statement and/or a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.
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Selling Holder shall mean a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms hereof.
Shareholders Agreement shall mean the shareholders agreement, dated as of July 22, 2015, by and between the Company, the Investors, IW Green Inc., Mr. Inderpreet Singh Wadhwa and Mr. Harkanwal Singh Wadhwa as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(b) The following terms have the meanings set forth it he Section set forth opposite such term:
Term |
Section |
|
Blackout Period | 6 | |
Company | Recitals | |
Company CCDs Company CCPSs DEG Demand for Registration |
Recitals Recitals Recitals 2(d) |
|
Demand Registration | 2(a) | |
Demand Registration Statement | 2(a) | |
Equity Shares FC VI GIF Helion IFC Indemnified Party |
Recitals Recitals Recitals Recitals Recitals 8(d) |
|
Indemnifying Party | 8(d) | |
Maximum Number of Securities | 2(a) | |
Participating Demand Holders | 2(a) | |
Participating Piggy-Back Holders | 3(b) | |
Piggy-Back Registration | 3(a) | |
Piggy-Back Registration Statement Proparco Series H CCPSs |
3(a) Recitals Recitals |
|
Shelf Registration | 2(c) | |
Shelf Registration Statement | 2(c) |
2. Demand Registration .
(a) After receipt of a written request from an Investor (or any other Holder) requesting that the Company effect a registration (a Demand Registration ) under the Securities Act covering all or part of the Registrable Securities held by such Investor (or such other Holder) which specifies the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, the Company shall promptly notify all Holders in writing of the receipt of such request and each such Holder, in lieu of exercising its rights under Section 3 hereof may elect (by written notice sent to the Company within ten (10) Business Days from the date of such Holders receipt of the aforementioned notice from the Company) to have all or part of such Holders Registrable Securities included in
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such registration thereof pursuant to this Section 2, and such Holder shall specify in such notice the number of Registrable Securities that such Holder elects to include in such registration. Thereupon the Company shall, as expeditiously as is reasonably possible, but in any event no later than (i) forty-five (45) days (excluding any days which occur during a permitted Blackout Period under Section 4 below) after receipt of a written request for a Demand Registration or (ii) if, as of such forty-fifth (45 th ) day the Company does not have audited financial statements required to be included in a registration statement, thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company from its independent public accountants of such audited financial statements but in no event later than ninety (90) days after receipt of a written request for a Demand Registration Statement, file with the SEC and use its reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective, a registration statement (a Demand Registration Statement ) relating to all shares of Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by such Holders ( Participating Demand Holders ) for sale, to the extent required to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended method or methods thereof, as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities so registered, provided , however , that the aggregate value of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered (i) be at least US$25 million, based on the closing trading price of the Equity Shares on the date the demand to file such Demand Registration Statement is made or (ii) include all Registrable Securities of the Investor (or other Holder) requesting the Demand Registration which remain outstanding at such time.
(b) If the Investor (or other Holder) requesting the Demand Registration or the Participating Demand Holders holding a majority of the shares being so registered in a Demand Registration relating to a public offering so request that the offering be underwritten with a managing underwriter selected in the manner set forth in Section 12 below and such managing underwriter of such Demand Registration advises the Company in writing that, in its opinion, the number of securities to be included in such offering is greater than the total number of securities which can be sold therein without having a material adverse effect on the distribution of such securities or otherwise having a material adverse effect on the marketability thereof (the Maximum Number of Securities ), then the Company shall include in such Demand Registration the Registrable Securities that the Participating Demand Holders have requested to be registered thereunder only to the extent the number of such Registrable Securities does not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities. If such amount exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, the number of Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration shall be allocated among all the Participating Demand Holders on a pro rata basis (based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Participating Demand Holder); provided that (x) the Holders of Registrable Securities constituting Equity Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H CCPSs shall have the right upon not more than one occasion to have their Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration prior to any other Participating Demand Holders and (y) if any of IFC, DEG, GIF or Proparco have notified the Company of a Policy Breach, and such Policy Breach is not rectified within 120 days after such notice, such Holders shall have the right to include their Registrable Securities in such Demand Registration prior to any other Participating Demand Holders. If the amount of such Registrable Securities does not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities, the Company may include in such Registration any Equity Shares of the Company and other Equity Shares held by other security holders of the Company, as the Company may in its discretion determine or be obligated to allow, in an amount which together with the Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities.
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(c) At any time when the Company meets the requirements for the use of Form F-3 (or successor form) or Form S-3 (or successor form) under the Securities Act for registration of a secondary offering of equity securities (a shelf registration statement ), any Demand Registration Statement may be required by the Investor (or other Holder) requesting the demand therefor, to be in an appropriate form under the Securities Act (a Shelf Registration Statement ) relating to any or all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the methods and distribution set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the Shelf Registration ). In the event an Investor (or other Holder) so requests a Shelf Registration, the Company shall (x) notify all Holders in writing of the receipt of such request and each such Holder may elect (by written notice sent to the Company within fifteen (15) Business Days from the date of such Holders receipt of the aforementioned notice from the Company) to have all or part of such Holders Registrable Securities included in such registration thereof pursuant to this Section 2(c), and such Holder shall specify in such notice the number of Registrable Securities that such Holder elects to include in such registration and (y) use its reasonable efforts to (a) file the Shelf Registration Statement with the SEC and have the Shelf Registration Statement declared effective, (b) subject to Section 4, prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith (including filing such additional registration statements as necessary and using reasonable efforts to have such registration statements be declared effective so that a Shelf Registration Statement remains continuously effective as set forth below) as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, and the rules thereunder with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement and to keep a shelf registration statement continuously effective with respect to such Registrable Securities, until the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold by the Holders, or (ii) the date on which either all such Registrable Securities are distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision then in effect), and (c) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders as set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement. Any offering under a Shelf Registration Statement shall be underwritten at the request of Holders of Registrable Securities under such Registration Statement that hold an aggregate value of the Registrable Securities at least equal to US$10 million, based on the closing trading price of the Equity Shares on a date no earlier than three (3) days prior to such request; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, an underwritten offering within six months following the last date on which an underwritten offering was effected pursuant to this Section 2(c) or Section 2(b). Any request for an underwritten offering hereunder shall be made to the Company in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement and the managing underwriter for such offering shall be selected in the manner set forth in Section 12 below. If the managing underwriter of an offering described in this Section 2(c) advises the Company and the Selling Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering that the size of the intended offering is such that the success of the offering or price per share of the securities sold would be adversely affected by inclusion of all the Registrable Securities requested to be included, then the amount of securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be reduced pro rata (according to the Registrable Securities requested for inclusion) to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing underwriter.
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(d) Each Holder shall be entitled to request up to four (4) registrations of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2 (each, a Demand for Registration ); provided that no more than one (1) Demand for Registration may be made by the Holders per six-month period; and provided further , that a registration requested pursuant to this Section 2 shall not be deemed to have been effected for purposes of this Section 2(d) unless (i) it has been declared effective by the SEC, (ii) it has remained effective for the period set forth in Section 5(a), (iii) Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration have not withdrawn sufficient shares from such registration such that the remaining holders requesting registration would not have been able to request registration under the provisions of Section 2 and (iv) the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration is not subject to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC (other than any such stop order, injunction, or other requirement of the SEC prompted by act or omission of Holders of Registrable Securities); and provided further that, in the event a Holder revokes a Demand for Registration (which revocation may only be made prior to the Company requesting acceleration of effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement), then such Demand for Registration shall count as having been effected unless such Holder pays all Registration Expenses in connection with such revoked Demand for Registration within thirty (30) days of written request therefor by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder may revoke a Demand for Registration without being required to reimburse the Company for any Registration Expenses and without such demand counting toward the number of Demand for Registrations permitted under this Section 2, if such revocation occurs during a Blackout Period or if there has been a material adverse change in the business of the Company.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be required to prepare and file any Demand Registration Statement within 90 days following an underwritten offering pursuant to a Demand Registration Statement.
(f) Each Holder agrees that, in connection with any offering pursuant to this Agreement, it will not prepare or use or refer to, any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) without the prior written authorization of the Company (which authorization shall not be unreasonably withheld), and will not distribute any written materials in connection with the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration statement hereunder other than the prospectus included in a Registration Statement and any such free writing prospectus so authorized.
3. Piggy-Back Registration.
(a) If the Company, proposes to file on its behalf and/or on behalf of any holder of its securities (other than a holder of Registrable Securities) a registration statement under the Securities Act on any form (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form for securities to be offered in a transaction of the type referred to in Rule 145 under the Securities Act or to employees of the Company pursuant to any employee benefit plan, respectively) for the registration of Equity Shares or preferred stock that is convertible to Equity Shares (a Piggy-Back Registration ), it will give written notice to all Holders at least twenty (20) days before the initial filing with the SEC of such piggy-back registration statement (a Piggy-Back Registration Statement ), which notice shall set forth the intended method of disposition of the securities proposed to be registered by the Company or such other holder. The notice shall offer to include in such filing the aggregate number of shares of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request.
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(b) Each Holder desiring to have Registrable Securities registered under this Section 3 ( Participating Piggy-Back Holders ) shall advise the Company in writing within ten (10) days after the date of receipt of such offer from the Company, setting forth the amount of such Registrable Securities for which registration is requested. The Company shall thereupon include in such filing the number or amount of Registrable Securities for which registration is so requested, subject to paragraph (c) below, and shall use its reasonable efforts to effect registration of such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act.
(c) If the Piggy-Back Registration relates to an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter of such proposed public offering advises in writing that, in its opinion, the amount of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Piggy-Back Registration in addition to the securities being registered by the Company or such other holder would be greater than the, Maximum Number of Securities (having the same meaning as defined in Section 2 but replacing the term Demand Registration with Piggy-Back Registration ), then:
(i) in the event Company initiated the Piggy-Back Registration, the Company shall include in such Piggy-Back Registration first , the securities the Company proposes to register and second , the securities of all other selling security holders, including the Participating Piggy-Back Holders, to be included in such Piggy-Back Registration in an amount which together with the securities the Company proposes to register, shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities, such amount to be allocated among such selling security holders on a pro rata basis (based on the number of securities of the Company held by each such selling security holder);
(ii) in the event any holder of securities of the Company initiated the Piggy-Back Registration, the Company shall include in such Piggy-Back Registration first , the securities such initiating security holder proposes to register, and the securities of any other selling security holders (including Participating Piggy-Back Holders), in an amount which together with the securities the initiating security holder proposes to register, shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities, such amount to be allocated among such selling security holders on a pro rata basis (based on the number of securities of the Company held by each such selling security holder) and second , any securities the Company proposes to register, in an amount which together with the securities the initiating security holder and the other selling security holders propose to register, shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Securities;
(d) The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement, which is inconsistent with the rights of priority provided in paragraph (c) above.
4. Blackout Periods. The Company shall have the right to delay the filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof during no more than two (2) periods aggregating to not more than 60 days in any twelve-month period (a Blackout Period ) in the event that (i) the Company would, in accordance with the advice of its
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counsel, be required to disclose in the prospectus information not otherwise then required by law to be publicly disclosed and (ii) in the judgment of the Companys Board of Directors, there is a reasonable likelihood that such disclosure, or any other action to be taken in connection with the prospectus, would materially and adversely affect or interfere with any financing, acquisition, merger, disposition of assets (not in the ordinary course of business), corporate reorganization or other similar transaction in which the Company is engaged or in respect of which the Company proposes to engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to, or has proposed or taken a substantial step to commence, or there is an event or state of facts relating to the Company which is material to the Company the disclosure of which would, in the reasonable judgment of the Company be adverse to its interests; provided , however , that the Company shall delay during such Blackout Period the filing or effectiveness of any Registration Statement required pursuant to the registration rights of the holders of any securities of the Company. The Company shall promptly give the Holders written notice of such determination; however the Company shall have no obligation to include in any such notice any reference to or description of the facts based upon which the Company is delivering such notice.
5. Registration Procedures. If the Company is required by the provisions of Section 2 or 3 to use its reasonable efforts to effect the registration of any of its securities under the Securities Act, the Company will, as expeditiously as is reasonably possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such securities and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement promptly to become and remain effective for a period of time required for the disposition of such Securities by the holders thereof but not to exceed 60 days (except with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement which shall remain effective as set forth in Section 2(c)); provided , however , that before filing such registration statement or any amendments thereto (for purposes of this subsection, amendments shall not be deemed to include any filing that the Company is required to make pursuant to the Exchange Act), the Company shall furnish the Selling Holders and the representatives referred to in Section 5(n) copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel. The Company shall not be deemed to have used its reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective during the applicable period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in the Holders of such Registrable Securities not being able to sell such Registrable Securities during that period, unless such action is required under applicable law;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement (or additional Registration Statements as provided in Section 2(c)) and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement until the earlier of such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in a public offering or the expiration of 60 days (except with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement, for which such period is set forth in Section 2(c));
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(c) furnish to each Selling Holder such number of conformed copies of the applicable Registration Statement and each such amendment and supplement thereto (including in each case all exhibits), and of a summary prospectus or other prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such number of copies of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and such other documents, as such Selling Holders may reasonably request;
(d) use its reasonable efforts to register or qualify the securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States and Puerto Rico as any Selling Holder or underwriter of such securities shall reasonably request (in light of the intended plan of distribution of such securities), to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect or until all Registrable Securities have been sold (whichever is earlier), and to take any other action which may be reasonably necessary to enable such Selling Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by such Selling Holder ( provided , however , that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business, subject itself to taxation in or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this paragraph (d) be obligated to do so; and provided , further , that the Company shall not be required to qualify such Registrable Securities in any jurisdiction in which the securities regulatory authority requires that any Selling Holder submit any shares of its Registrable Securities to the terms, provisions and restrictions of any escrow, lockup or similar agreement(s) for consent to sell Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction unless such Holder agrees to do so), and do such other reasonable acts and things as may be required of it to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdiction of the securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(e) in connection with an underwritten offering, obtain for each underwriter:
(i) an opinion of independent legal counsel for the Company, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters, and
(ii) a comfort letter signed by the independent registered public accountants who have certified the Companys financial statements included in such registration statement (and, if necessary, any other independent registered public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any business acquired by the Company from which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the registration statement);
(f) use its reasonable efforts to furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2 or 3, if such Registrable Securities are not being sold through underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to such shares of Registrable Securities becomes effective, (1) an opinion, dated such date, of the independent legal counsel for the Company for the purpose of such registration, addressed as to such matters as the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration may reasonably request; and (2) letters dated such date and the date the offering is priced from
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the independent registered public accountants who have certified the Companys financial statements included in such registration statement (and, if necessary, any other independent registered public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any business acquired by the Company from which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the registration statement), addressed to the Holders making such request and, if such accountants refuse to deliver such letters to such Holders, then to the Company (i) stating that they are independent certified public accountants within the meaning of the 1933 Act and that, in the opinion of such accountants, the financial statements and other financial data of the Company included in the Registration Statement or the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and (ii) covering such other financial matters (including information as to the period ending not more than five (5) business days prior to the date of such letters) with respect to the registration in respect of which such letter is being given as such Holders may reasonably request;
(g) enter into customary agreements (including if the method of distribution is by means of an underwriting, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(h) otherwise use its reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make earnings statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act generally available to the Holders no later than 45 days after the end of any twelve-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, or (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Companys first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said twelve-month periods;
(i) use its reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are listed or traded;
(j) give written notice to the Holders:
(i) when such Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed with the SEC and when such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;
(ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information;
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(iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;
(iv) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Equity Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and
(v) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in such Registration Statement or the prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading (which notice shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made);
(k) use its reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement at the earliest possible time;
(l) furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits (including those, if any, incorporated by reference);
(m) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5(j)(v) above, promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the Holders, the prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with Section 5(j)(v) above to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such prospectus and use their reasonable efforts to return to the Company all copies of such prospectus (at the Companys expense) other than permanent file copies then in such Holders possession, and the period of effectiveness of such Registration Statement provided for above shall be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of such notice to the date Holders shall have received such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to this Section 5(m);
(n) subject to the execution of customary confidentiality agreements satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, pursuant to the reasonable request of the Selling Holders or applicable underwriters, make reasonably available for inspection by the any Selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Selling Holders or any representative of the Selling Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and cause the Companys officers, directors and employees to supply all
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relevant information reasonably requested by such representative or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the registration; provided that any such inspection shall be done in a manner so as not to disrupt the operation of the Companys business.
(o) in connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to which Registrable Securities are offered by Holders in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof, make appropriate officers of the Company available to the Selling Holders (and, in connection with any underwritten offering, the underwriters) for diligence and for meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities and prepare and present to potential investors customary road show material in each case in accordance with the recommendations of the underwriters and in all respects in a manner consistent with other new issuances of securities in an offering of a similar size to such offering of the Registrable Securities, in connection with any proposed sale of the Registrable Securities; and
(p) use reasonable efforts to procure the cooperation of the Companys transfer agent in settling any offering or sale of Registrable Securities, including with respect to the transfer of physical stock certificates into book-entry form in accordance with any procedures reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters.
It shall be a condition precedent to the obligation of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Securities which are to be registered at the request of any Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding the Securities held by such Holder and the intended method of disposition thereof as the Company shall reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with the action taken by the Company.
6. Expenses. All expenses incurred in connection with each registration pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement, excluding underwriters discounts and commissions, but including without limitation all registration, filing and qualification fees, word processing, duplicating, printers and accounting fees (including the expenses of any special audits or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance), all fees and expenses of counsel to the Company, all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities, the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any such registration, messenger and delivery expenses, all fees and expenses of complying with state securities or blue sky laws, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, fees and expenses of the Company and the underwriters relating to road show investor presentations, including the cost of any aircraft chartered for such purpose, and the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Selling Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Holders holding a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities being registered), shall be paid by the Company, except that the Holders shall bear and pay (i) the underwriting commissions and discounts, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes and stamp duties, in each case applicable to securities offered for their account in connection with any registrations, filings and qualifications made pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) except as specifically set forth in this Section 6, all fees and expenses of advisors to the Holders and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Holders.
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7. Rule 144 Information. With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, at all times after ninety (90) days after any registration statement covering securities of the Company shall have become effective, the Company agrees to:
(i) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(ii) use its reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and
(iii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of such Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration; provided that the Company shall not be required to furnish to any Holder any document that is publicly available at the time of such request.
8. Indemnification and Contribution. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, such Holders directors and officers, each person who participates in the offering of such Registrable Securities, including underwriters (as defined in the Securities Act), and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or participating person within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based on any untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement on the effective date thereof (including any prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act or any amendments or supplements thereto) or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each such Holder, such Holders directors and officers, such participating person or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them (but not in excess of expenses incurred in respect of one counsel for all of them unless there is an actual conflict of interest between any indemnified parties, which indemnified parties may be represented by separate counsel) in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , that the Company shall not be liable to any Holder, such Holders directors and officers, participating person or controlling person in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in connection with such registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance upon
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and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by any such Holder, such Holders directors and officers, participating person or controlling person. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any such Holder, such Holders directors and officers, participating person or controlling person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
(b) Each Selling Holder requesting or joining in a registration severally and not jointly shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and each agent and any underwriter for the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, agent or underwriter may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement on the effective date thereof (including any prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act or any amendments or supplements thereto) or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus, or amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to such Selling Holder furnished by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration, in which case such Selling Holder shall reimburse any documented legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, agent or underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , that the liability of a Selling Holder hereunder shall be limited to the aggregate net proceeds received by such Selling Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.
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The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(d) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (the Indemnified Party ) agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party (the Indemnifying Party ) after the receipt by the Indemnified Party of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which the Indemnified Party intends to claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement; provided , that the failure so to notify the Indemnified Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to the Indemnifying Party hereunder unless such failure is materially prejudicial to the Indemnifying Party. If notice of commencement of any such action is given to the Indemnifying Party as above provided, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may wish, to assume the defense of such action at its own expense, with counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense of such action within thirty (30) days notice of a request to do so, or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) have been advised by such counsel that either (A) representation of such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct or (B) there are one or more legal defenses available to it which are substantially different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement entered into without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(e) The agreements contained in this Section 8 shall survive the transfer of the Registered Securities by any Holder and sale of all the Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration statement and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or such director, officer or participating or controlling Person.
9. Certain Additional Limitations on Registration Rights. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to register the Registrable Securities of any Holder (i) if such Holder or any underwriter of such Registrable Securities shall fail to furnish to the Company necessary information in respect of the distribution of such Registrable Securities, or (ii) if such registration involves an underwritten offering, such Registrable Securities are not included in such underwritten offering on the same terms and conditions as shall be applicable to the other Securities being sold through underwriters in the registration or such Holder fails to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwritten offering. In addition, each Selling Holder selling Equity Shares in an underwritten offering under a
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Registration Statement agrees to enter into a customary lock-up agreement with the managing underwriter for such offering agreeing not to effect any public sale or distribution of any Registrable Securities or of any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such Registrable Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act during the 90-day period beginning on the date of such underwritten offering (except as part of such registration), and the Company agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause its directors and executive officers to enter into a lock-up agreement of the same term, in each case if and to the extent requested by the managing underwriter for such offering.
10. Limitations on Registration of Other Securities; Representation. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of a majority in interest of the Holders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are as or more favorable taken as a whole than the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder unless the Company shall also give such rights to the Holders hereunder.
11. No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, which is inconsistent in any material respects with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.
12. Selection of Managing Underwriters. In the event the Investor requesting a Demand Registration has, or the Participating Demand Holders have, requested an underwritten offering, or the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement have requested an underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters shall be selected by the Investor, the Participating Demand Holders holding a majority of the shares being so registered, or the Selling Holders requesting an underwritten offering under the Shelf Registration (as the case may be) and shall be approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided, (i) that all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders of Registrable Securities, (ii) that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement shall be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Holders of Registrable Securities, and (iii) that no Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder, the Registrable Securities of such Holder and such Holders intended method of distribution and any other representations required by law or reasonably required by the underwriter. Subject to the foregoing, all Holders proposing to distribute Registrable Securities through such underwritten offering shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters. If any Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw all its Registrable Securities by written notice to the Company, the managing underwriter and the other Holders participating in such registration. The securities so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from registration.
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13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of the Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties hereto shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity.
(b) Amendments and Waivers; Assignment . (i) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and a majority in interest of the Holders or, in the case of a waiver, by the party or parties against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided , however , that waiver by the Holders shall require the consent of a majority in interest of the Holders.
(ii) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder (other than a failure or delay beyond a period of time specified herein) shall operate as a waiver thereof and no single or partial exercise thereof shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
(c) Notice Generally . All notices, request, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by notice given in accordance with this Section 13(c):
(i) If to any Investor, at such address set forth on the signature page hereto or at such other address as may be substituted by notice given as herein provided.
(ii) If to any other Holder, at its last known address appearing on the books of the Company maintained for such purpose.
(iii) If to the Company, at
8 Local Shopping Complex
Pushp Vihar, Madangir
New Delhi, 110062
India
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: +91 11 4940 9800
or at such other address as may be substituted by notice given as herein provided.
(d) Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto as hereinafter provided. The registration rights of any Holder with respect to any Registrable Securities may be transferred to any Person who is the transferee of such Registrable Securities. The Company shall have received, as a condition to the effectiveness of such transfer, notice of such transfer and a written agreement of the transferee to be bound by the
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provisions of this Agreement. All of the obligations of the Company hereunder shall survive any such transfer. Except as provided in Section 8 , no Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement.
(e) Headings . The headings and subheadings in this Agreement are included for convenience and identification only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
(f) Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(i) Any claim, action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be heard and determined in any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York, County of Manhattan, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding) and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such claim, action, suit or proceeding that is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(ii) Subject to applicable law, process in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing and subject to applicable law, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 11.02 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or at equity. WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH CLAIM, ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND RELEASES TO THE OTHER ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY, AND AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING.
(g) Agent for Service of Process . (c) As long as any of the Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company will at all times have an authorized agent in the City of New York, upon whom process may be served in any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Service of process upon such agent and written notice of such service mailed or delivered to the Company shall to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such legal action or proceeding. The Company hereby appoints CT Corporation System as its agent for such purpose, and covenants and agrees that service of process in any suit, action or proceeding may be made upon it at the office of such agent at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, with prior written notice to the Holders, terminate the appointment of CT Corporation System and appoint another agent for the above purposes so that the Company shall at all times have an agent for the above purposes in the City of New York.
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(h) Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
(i) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
(j) Cumulative Remedies . The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the use of any one right or remedy by any party shall not preclude or waive its right to use any or all other remedies. Said rights and remedies are given in addition to any other rights the parties may have by law, statute, ordinance or otherwise.
(k) Construction . Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees it has had the opportunity to draft, review and edit the language of this Agreement and that no presumption for or against any party arising out of drafting all or any part of this Agreement will be applied in any dispute relating to, in connection with or involving this Agreement. Accordingly, the parties hereto hereby waive the benefit of any rule of law or any legal decision that would require, in cases of uncertainty, that the language of a contract should be interpreted most strongly against the party who drafted such language.
[Signature appears on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
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INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. | ||
Washington, D.C. 20433 | ||
United States of America | ||
Facsimile: +1 (202) 974-4307 | ||
Attention: Mr. Sujoy Bose, Director, Infrastructure and Natural Resources | ||
Copy (in the case of communications relating to payments) sent to the attention of: The Director, Department of Financial Operations Facsimile: +1 (202) 522-3064. | ||
Copy to: | ||
IFCs South Asia Department at 3rd and 4th Floor, Maruti Suzuki Building, Plot No. 1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi110070, India, Facsimile Number (91-11) 4111-1001 | ||
IFC GIF INVESTMENT COMPANY I | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
c/o Cim Fund Services Ltd, 33 Edith Cavell Street | ||
Port Louis, Mauritius | ||
Facsimile: + 2302129833 | ||
Attention: Ashraf Ramtoola | ||
Copy to: | ||
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | ||
Washington DC 20433 | ||
Attention: Viktor Kats |
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SOCIÉTÉ DE PROMOTION ET DE PARTICIPATION POUR LA COOPÉRATION ÉCONOMIQUE |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
151 Rue Saint Honoré 75001 Paris | ||
France | ||
Facsimile: +33 1 53 4438 38 | ||
Attention: Head of Private Equity Division | ||
With a copy (in the case of communications relating to payments) sent to the attention of the Director, Department of Financial Operations, at: | ||
Facsimile: +33 1 53 44 42 94 |
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FC VI INDIA VENTURE (MAURITIUS) LTD | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
International Financial Services Limited IFS Court, Bank Street, TwentyEight CyberCity, Ebène 72201, Republic of Mauritius | ||
Fax No: +230 467 4000 | ||
For attention of: Pratima Woodhoo Ajageer; pwoodhoo@ifsmauritius.com |
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HELION VENTURE PARTNERS II, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
International Management (Mauritius) Ltd | ||
Les Cascades Building | ||
Edith Cavell Street Port Louis, Mauritius | ||
Facsimile: (230) 212 9833 | ||
For attention of: Mr. Sanjeev Agarwal | ||
HELION VENTURE PARTNERS INDIA II, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
International Management (Mauritius) Ltd | ||
Les Cascades Building | ||
Edith Cavell Street Port Louis, Mauritius | ||
Facsimile: (230) 212 9833 | ||
For attention of: Mr. Sanjeev Agarwal |
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DEG-DEUTSCHE INVESTITIONS UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT mbH |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address for Notice: | ||
Kammergasse 22, 50676 Cologne, Germany | ||
Facsimile: +49221 4986 1106 | ||
Attention: Portfolio Management Asia | ||
With a copy of the notice to be sent to: | ||
DEG Representative Office | ||
21, Jor Bagh, First Floor | ||
New Delhi 110003, India | ||
Facsimile: +91 11 24653108 |
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption Experts and to the use of our reports dated June 15, 2016 (except Note 2(a) as to which the date is ), in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus of Azure Power Global Limited for the registration of equity shares.
Ernst & Young Associates LLP
Gurgaon, India
June 30, 2016
The foregoing consent is in the form that will be signed upon the completion of the stock split of equity shares described in Note 2(a) to the financial statements.
/s/ Ernst & Young Associates LLP
Gurgaon, India
June 30, 2016