US$414 Million Green Bond Issuance at Lowest Ever Yield for Renewable Energy Company in India

Rhea-AI Summary

Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE: AZRE) announced the issuance of a dollar green bond amounting to US$414 million, maturing in 2026 with a coupon of 3.575%. This coupon is the lowest in the high-yield segment for any business in India, marking a significant milestone for Azure Power. The bond's order book exceeded USD 2 billion, reflecting strong global investor confidence. Proceeds will primarily refinance a previous US$500 million green bond, expected to reduce debt costs by over 200 basis points for its solar projects portfolio.

Positive

• Issuance of US$414 million green bond at a historically low coupon of 3.575% strengthens financing position.
• Order book exceeded USD 2 billion, indicating strong demand and investor confidence.
• Proceeds to refinance existing debt, expected to lower debt costs by over 200 basis points.

Negative

• None.

EBENE, Mauritius, Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE: AZRE), leading independent renewable power producer in India, announced issuance of a dollar green bond of US$414,000,000, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Azure Power Energy Ltd (the "Bond"). The Bond, maturing in 2026, will be issued at a coupon of 3.575%, i.e., lowest ever coupon in the high-yield segment for any business out of India and lower by 27.5 bps from the lowest offering from any Indian renewable energy company till date.

The order book saw bids in excess of USD 2 billion, with more than 60% of the issuance placed with US and European investors, thereby demonstrating, global recognition of credit and operational strength of the Group. The transaction also underscores Group's continued ability to raise debt capital at a lower cost compared to its peers, leading to significant improvement in the overall return profile of the Group.

The Bond has been certified by Climate Bonds Initiative as a Green Bond and is the third solar Green Bond offered by Azure Power Group after issuances in 2017 and 2019. The Company will primarily use the proceeds to refinance it's existing 5.50% US$500,000,000 Green Bond issued in 2017 and due in 2022, and  is expected to reduce debt cost by over 200 basis points in hedged INR terms for its 611 MW operational solar projects portfolio offered under the bond.

The Bond has a tenor of 5 years with amortisation and waterfall structures built in and is a leverage-positive transaction for the Group, demonstrating Group's strong focus on creditor interests along with value accretive approach in business conduct.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, Mr. Ranjit Gupta, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Azure Power said, "This is truly a remarkable transaction for the Indian Renewable Energy sector in the global markets, being the lowest ever coupon in the high-yield segment for business out of India, and a landmark for Azure Power Group in its journey of over 13 years in this space. With this 3^rd Green Bond from the Group, primarily to refinance our 1^st Green Bond issued in 2017, we have completed one full cycle of our successful engagement with global debt capital market investors. We are grateful for our global and domestic investors' continuous support and faith posed in us as the world class, credit and corporate governance focused renewable power group in India."

Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse and MUFG were the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners for the transaction along with Jefferies, Roth Capital Partners, Société Générale and ICICI Bank as the Joint Bookrunners.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall neither constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Azure Power

Azure Power (NYSE: AZRE) is a leading independent renewable power producer in India. Azure Power developed India's first private utility scale solar project in 2009 and has been at the forefront in the sector as a developer, constructor and operator of utility scale renewable projects since its inception in 2008. With its in-house engineering, procurement and construction expertise and advanced in-house operations and maintenance capability, Azure Power manages the entire development and operation process, providing low-cost renewable power solutions to customers throughout India. 

For more information:

Investor Contact
Vikas Bansal
ir@azurepower.com

Media Contact
Samitla Subba
pr@azurepower.com 
+91-11- 4940 9854

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SOURCE Azure Power

FAQ

What was the amount of the green bond issued by Azure Power (AZRE)?

Azure Power issued a green bond amounting to US$414 million.

What is the coupon rate for Azure Power's newly issued green bond?

The coupon rate for the new green bond is 3.575%.

How much demand was there for Azure Power's green bond issuance?

The order book for the green bond exceeded USD 2 billion.

What will Azure Power (AZRE) use the proceeds from the green bond for?

The proceeds will primarily refinance a previous US$500 million green bond.

When does the new green bond issued by Azure Power mature?

The green bond matures in 2026.