Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
On February 11, 2013, Solar Power Company secured a syndicated loan from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), and Kasikornbank (KBank) for the construction of the Khon Kaen 4 Solar Power Plant. ICBC contributed about one third (USD 5.32 million) of a USD 15.98 million syndicated loan while remaining contributions were made by Bank of Ayudhya (USD 5.32 million) and Kasikornbank (USD 5.34 million). The loan has a 10-year tenor. It is unclear whether the loan was extended to Solar Power Company (for on-lending to its project companies) or to Solar Power (Khon Kaen 4) Co., Ltd. [KK4 or บริษัท โซล่า เพาเวอร์ (ขอนแก่น 4) จำกัด], a special-purpose vehicle created to manage the Khon Kaen 4 project. KK4 is wholly owned by Solar Power Co., Ltd., which is itself a subsidiary of SPCG Public Company Limited (formerly Steel Intertech Public Company Limited). The remaining borrowing terms of the loan are unknown. The Khon Kaen 4 Solar Power Plant is a solar photovoltaic facility located in Wanghinlard Sub District, Chumpare District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. According to IJGlobal, the facility has a capacity of 7.4 MW. The plant commenced operation on January 17th, 2013, and was part of SPCG’s portfolio of solar farms launched under a long-term electricity distribution agreement with Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The facility is equipped with Kyocera solar panels and SMA inverters.
Staff comments
1. It is unclear if ICBC extended a loan to SPCG Public Company Ltd. (for on-lending to its project companies) or to Solar Power (Khon Kaen 4) Co., Ltd. 2. Khon Kaen 4 is the 14th project in a portfolio of 34 solar farms developed across Thailand by SPCG Public Company Limited between 2010–2014. See record ID #110219 (Khon Kaen 3) and #73189 (Khon Kaen 5 and 8). 3. Legal advisers to the transaction included Clifford Chance (for the sponsor) and Hunton & Williams (for the lenders).