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Moody's welcomes Eskom equity injection

Johannesburg - Government's announcement of the package of solutions to support electricity utility Eskom was positive, rating agency Moody's said on Thursday.

"We view the announcement as positive as it clarifies the size of the proposed equity injection, although no information was provided regarding potential tariff increases," said vice president and senior analyst Paul Marty in a statement.

"As part of the medium-term budget policy statement, the government announced that it will inject at least R20bn of equity into Eskom to be funded through the sale of non-strategic state assets, although no timetable was disclosed."

In addition, the government indicated that, if necessary, it could consider providing additional support to Eskom by converting its existing R60bn subordinated loan to equity.

"At the same time, the government confirmed that Eskom’s additional borrowings, expected to be about R50bn over the medium term, will need to be accommodated within the existing guarantee facility," he said.

This was because no new guarantees would be issued.

READ:
Nene: Eskom won't need to convert R60bn loan
No new govt guarantees for Eskom
Nene hints at privatisation

"We view this announcement as credit positive as the proposed equity injection would provide much-needed liquidity and ease the short-term funding pressure on Eskom," Marty said.

Eskom’s current Baa3 rating relied on the support Moody's expected would be provided by government in a distress scenario.

"Eskom’s funds from operations to debt ratio would be 4.4% pro forma vs 3.6% actual at year-end 2013, assuming an aggregate equity injection of R50bn."

This underlined the need for tariff increases to ensure the sustainability of Eskom’s financial profile, for which no additional clarity had been provided.

"The negative outlook on the rating therefore continues to reflect Eskom’s weak standalone credit quality (as expressed by a baseline credit assessment or BCA of b1)," he said.

It reflected the risk that the measures to be taken would fail to address Eskom's problems, and the negative outlook for the South African government's rating.

READ: Risks for downgrades remain, warns economist

* Missed Nhlanhla Nene's maiden mini budget? Visit Fin24's Mini Budget Special for all the news, views and analysis.

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