FUELCELL ENERGY INC (Form: 8-K, Received: 08/17/2023 17:26:55)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 14, 2023

FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Delaware	1-14204	06-0853042
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

	3 Great Pasture Road Danbury, Connecticut	06810
	(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 825-6000

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share	FCEL	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Global Market)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement

As previously reported by FuelCell Energy, Inc. (the “Company”), on May 19, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), FuelCell Energy Opco Finance 1, LLC (“Borrower”), a wholly owned subsidiary of FuelCell Energy Finance, LLC (“FCEF”), which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Financing Agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Financing Agreement”) with, by and among Investec Bank plc in its capacities as a lender (“Investec Lender”), administrative agent, and collateral agent; Investec, Inc. as coordinating lead arranger and sole bookrunner; Bank of Montreal (Chicago Branch) in its capacity as a lender (“BMO Lender”) and as mandated lead arranger; and each of Liberty Bank, Amalgamated Bank and Connecticut Green Bank as lenders (collectively with Investec Lender and BMO Lender, the “Lenders”) for a term loan facility in an amount not to exceed $80.5 million and a letter of credit facility in an amount not to exceed $6.5 million.

Effective as of August 14, 2023, Borrower, Investec Bank plc in its capacities as a Lender and administrative agent, and Liberty Bank, Bank of Montreal, Amalgamated Bank, and Connecticut Green Bank, as Lenders, entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Financing Agreement dated as of August 11, 2023 (“Amendment No. 1”). Amendment No. 1 amends certain provisions of the Financing Agreement to clarify (i) the manner in which the debt service coverage ratio set forth in the Financing Agreement is to be applied during the period between the Effective Date and June 30, 2024; and (ii) that financial information required to be provided by Borrower to the Lenders relating to debt service coverage ratios be based on the calendar year rather than Borrower’s fiscal year as the debt service coverage ratio covenants are applied and computed on calendar year time periods.

The Financing Agreement contains a covenant that Borrower maintain a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.20:1.00 (based on the preceding twelve-month period and tested semi-annually every six months during the calendar year). Amendment No. 1 clarifies that the first six month testing period will be for the six months ending December 31, 2023 and that the test for that date will be for the period commencing July 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023. Thereafter, the test for each semi-annual period, beginning with the six-month period ending June 30, 2024, will be for the preceding twelve-month period prior to the end of such six-month period. For purposes of applying the foregoing test for each six-month semi-annual period, the test is applied up to the last banking day of each such period rather than the last calendar day.

In addition, under the Financing Agreement, Borrower may make distributions to FCEF and the Company at the end of each calendar year quarter provided that, among other things, Borrower has maintained a greater than 1.20:1.00 debt service coverage ratio for the immediate twelve-month period preceding each quarter. Amendment No. 1 clarifies that, for each of the quarters preceding the quarter ending June 28, 2024 (meaning the calendar year quarters ended September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively), the debt service coverage ratio will be tested for the period commencing July 1, 2023 to the end of the applicable quarter. For purposes of applying the foregoing test for each such calendar year quarter, the test is applied up to the last banking day of each such period rather than the last calendar day.

Finally, because, as described above, the debt service coverage ratio tests in the Financing Agreement are based on six month and quarterly calendar year periods, rather than Borrower’s fiscal years and fiscal quarters (i.e., Borrower’s fiscal year is November 1 through October 31), the information reporting requirements in the Financing Agreement were amended in Amendment No. 1 to clarify that information provided by Borrower to the Lenders regarding the computation of debt service coverage ratios will be based on calendar year periods.

The foregoing description of Amendment No. 1 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Amendment No. 1, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

The Financing Agreement is, and the related relationships among these parties are, described in greater detail in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 25, 2023.

Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

To the extent required by Item 2.03 of Form 8-K, the information in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits:


Exhibit No.		Description

10.1		Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2023, among FuelCell Energy Opco Finance 1, LLC (as Borrower), Investec Bank plc (as Administrative Agent and Lender), Liberty Bank (as Lender), Bank of Montreal (as Lender), Amalgamated Bank (as Lender), and Connecticut Green Bank (as Lender).

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.

Date: August 17, 2023	By:	/s/ Michael S. Bishop
		Michael S. Bishop
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FINANCING AGREEMENT

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FINANCING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 11, 2023, among (a) INVESTEC BANK PLC (“Investec”), as administrative agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and a Lender, (b) LIBERTY BANK, as a Lender, (c) BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Lender, (d) AMALGAMATED BANK, as a Lender, (e) CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK, as a Lender and (f) FUELCELL ENERGY OPCO FINANCE 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meaning given such terms in the Financing Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to the Financing Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2023, among the Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “Lenders”) and LC Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent and Investec Bank plc, as the Collateral Agent (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Financing Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.10 (Amendments) of the Financing Agreement, the consent of the Required Lenders is required for the amendments set forth in this Agreement, and the parties hereto have agreed to amend the Financing Agreement in certain respects as provided herein.

AGREEMENT:

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.Amendments to the Financing Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent specified in Section 2 hereof, the parties hereto hereby agree that as of the Effective Date (as defined below):

(a)Section 5.1(c) (Reporting Requirements). Section 5.1(c) of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

(c)(i) at the time it furnishes each set of financial statements pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of the Borrower signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that, to the Borrower’s Knowledge, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing and no notice is required to be Made Available pursuant to Section 5.1(d) and (ii) within ten (10) Banking Days of (x) each Semi-Annual Date (commencing with the Semi-Annual Date that is the last Banking Day of December 2023) and (y) each Quarterly Date that is not a Semi-Annual Date, to the extent the Borrower seeks to make a Restricted Payment

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement

following such Quarterly Date pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Depositary Agreement (commencing with the Quarterly Date that is the last Banking Day of September 2023), a certificate of the Borrower signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing detailed calculations of the Debt Service Coverage Ratio calculated as of the most recent Semi-Annual Date or Quarterly Date, as applicable (it being understood that the Debt Service Coverage Ratio shall be calculated (A) until the first year anniversary of the Closing Date, for the period commencing on July 1, 2023 and ending on the most recent Semi-Annual Date or Quarterly Date, as applicable; and (B) after the first year anniversary of the Closing Date, for the twelve (12) month period ending on the most recent Semi-Annual Date or Quarterly Date, as applicable);

(b)Section 5.11 (Restricted Payments). Section 5.11(a)(ii) of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

(a)(ii) the Debt Service Coverage Ratio calculated on a quarterly basis (A) for any Distribution Date on or before June 30, 2024 (commencing with the Distribution Date immediately following the Quarterly Date that is the last Banking Day of September 2023), calculated for the period commencing on July 1, 2023 and ending on the most recent Quarterly Date; and (B) for any Distribution Date occurring after June 30, 2024, for the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the most recent Quarterly Date prior to such Distribution Date, is equal to or greater than 1.20:1.00;

(c)Section 5.27 (Financial Covenant). Section 5.27 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

5.27 Financial Covenant. The Borrower shall maintain as of each Semi-Annual Date (commencing with the Semi-Annual Date that is the last Banking Day of December 2023), for the twelve-month period ending on such Semi-Annual Date (or in the case of the Semi-Annual Date that is the last Banking Day of December 2023, for the period commencing on July 1, 2023 and ending on such Semi-Annual Date), a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.20:1.00.

2.Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the date (the “Effective Date”) on which the Administrative Agent has received executed counterparts of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto.

3.Representations and Warranties. In order to induce Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each of the other parties hereto:

(a)after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement

occurred and is continuing or will arise from the transactions contemplated hereby;

(b)the execution and delivery by Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by Borrower of all of its obligations hereunder are within its organizational and legal power and authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of, and, upon execution and delivery thereof, will have been duly and validly executed and delivered by, Borrower;

(c)this Agreement is (i) a legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower, (ii) in full force and effect, and (iii) enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and

(d)after giving effect to this Agreement, each representation and warranty set forth in Article 4 (Representation and Warranties) of the Financing Agreement is true and correct in all material respects (except if such representation is already qualified by reference to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or a similar materiality qualifier, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct without regard to materiality) as if made on the date hereof (or if such representation and warranty relates solely as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date).

4.Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, and signatures to all counterparts hereto, when assembled together, shall constitute signatures to this entire Agreement with the same effect as if all signatures were on the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means, including by e-mail with a pdf copy thereof attached shall be equally as effective as delivery of an executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

5.Integration. This Agreement contains a final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

6.Limitations. The amendments and waivers set forth in this Agreement shall be applicable solely with respect to those matters expressly provided herein and no other amendments, waivers or consents may be construed or implied. Except as expressly provided herein, each Financing Document is and shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and nothing contained in this Agreement shall abrogate, prejudice, diminish or otherwise affect any powers, right, remedies or obligations of any Person arising before the date of this Agreement.

7.Notices. Any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing, shall be sent by facsimile, overnight courier (if for inland delivery) or international courier (if for overseas delivery) and will be deemed to be effective pursuant to the terms of the Financing Agreement.

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement

8.Financing Document. This Agreement shall constitute a Financing Document.

9.Headings. The headings of various sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part hereof and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision hereof.

10.Financing Agreement References. References in the Financing Agreement (including references to the Financing Agreement as amended) to “this Agreement” (and indirect references such as “hereunder”, “hereby”, “herein” and “hereof”) shall be deemed to be references to the Financing Agreement as amended hereby.

11.Miscellaneous. Sections 11.6 (Governing Law), 11.7 (Severability), 11.13 (Waiver of Jury Trial), 11.14 (Consent To Jurisdiction) and 11.16 (Successors and Assigns) of the Financing Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

12.Execution of Documents. The undersigned Lenders, which collectively constitute the Required Lenders under the Financing Agreement, hereby authorize and instruct the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver this Agreement.

[Signature pages follow]

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.


INVESTEC BANK PLC,
as Administrative Agent and a Lender
By:	/s/ Steven Cowland
	Name: Steven Cowland
	Title: Authorised Signatory

By:	/s/ Shelagh Kirkland
	Name: Shelagh Kirkland
	Title: Authorised Signatory