Interim Results
Highlights
· Revenue of £105.3 million driven by a strong operational performance in our LFG business and an increase in the average selling price (ASP) across the Group, partially offsetting lower wind speeds;
· EBITDA before operating exceptional items¹ of £59.1 million, a fall of £4.8 million, principally driven by below average UK wind speeds;
· Strong balance sheet position with leverage at 3.8 times and cash balances of £77.2 million (as at 31 March 2014: 3.7 times and £81.1 million);
· Delivery of our growth plans with new funding facilities of £52 million in place for the construction of A'Chruach wind farm (43MW) and binding agreements signed to supply turbines, balance of plant services and a 15 year power purchase agreement;
· Work on site has commenced and A'Chruach is expected to be in operation by 31 March 2016;
· Procurement processes have commenced in support of the development and construction of Galawhistle wind farm (up to 55 MW);
· Interim dividend of 6.1p / share (equivalent to £18.3 million).
Outlook
· Whilst wind speeds trended below average for the six months to 30 September 2014 compared to the comparative period, we are starting to see more usual weather patterns occur in the United Kingdom;
· Our contracted position for Winter 14 protects our LFG business from power prices falling from current levels. We have continued to contract power prices forward into next financial year in line with our contracting strategy;
· We continue to believe that the medium term fundamentals for Infinis remain strong. The most recent instances of plant shutdowns in the UK only serve to highlight the risks of tightening reserve margins and the impact that may have in supporting power prices going forward;
· We expect to declare a dividend in respect of our full year results in accordance with our stated dividend policy of £55 million per annum increasing at least in line with inflation.