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Note 11 - Long-term Debt, Credit Agreements and Commercial Paper
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements  
Long-term Debt [Text Block]

NOTE 11 — LONG-TERM DEBT, CREDIT AGREEMENTS AND COMMERCIAL PAPER

 

Long-term debt consists of notes payable under the following agreements:

 

   

December 31,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Limited and non-recourse agreements:

               

Loans:

               

Non-recourse:

               

Other loans

  $ 8,997     $ 6,241  

Limited recourse:

               

Loan agreement with OPIC (the Olkaria III power plant)

    192,646       210,641  

Loan agreement with OPIC (the Platanares power plant)

    104,459       112,652  

Loan agreement with Banco Industrial S.A. and Westrust Bank (International) Limited

    26,250       29,750  

Loan agreement with a global industrial company (the Plumstriker battery energy storage projects)

    21,615        

Other loans

    8,367        

Senior Secured Notes:

               

Non-recourse:

               

OrCal Senior Secured Notes

          18,652  

DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes

    78,247       83,319  

Limited recourse:

               

OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes

    203,040       217,810  

Other loans

    88,840       96,482  

Total limited and non-recourse agreements

    732,461       775,547  

Less current portion

    (58,932

)

    (63,180

)

Non current portion

  $ 673,529     $ 712,367  

Full recourse agreements:

               

Senior Unsecured Bonds

    204,332       204,332  

Senior Unsecured Loan (Migdal)

    150,000       100,000  

Loan agreements with DEG (the Olkaria III and power plants 4 and 1 upgrade)

    79,632       47,500  

Revolving credit lines with banks

    40,550       159,000  

Total full recourse agreements

    474,514       510,832  

Less current portion

    (117,122

)

    (164,000

)

Non current portion

  $ 357,392     $ 346,832  

 

Loan Agreement with Banco Industrial S.A. and Westrust Bank (International) Limited

 

On July 31, 2015, Ortitlan, Limitada, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, obtained a 12-year secured term loan in the principal amount of $42.0 million for the 20 MW Amatitlan power plant in Guatemala. Under the credit agreement with Banco Industrial S.A. and Westrust Bank (International) Limited, the Company can expand the Amatitlan power plant with financing to be provided either via equity, additional debt from Banco Industrial S.A. or from other lenders, subject to certain limitations on expansion financing in the credit agreement.

 

The loan is payable in 48 quarterly payments commencing September 30, 2015. The loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to of the sum of LIBOR (which cannot be lower than 1.25%) plus a margin of (i) 4.35% as long as the Company’s guaranty of the loan (as described below) is outstanding or (ii) 4.75% otherwise. Interest is payable quarterly, on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 of each year, on the stated maturity date of the loan and on any prepayment or payment of the loan. The loan must be prepaid on the occurrence of certain events, such as casualty, condemnation, asset sales and expansion financing not provided by the lenders under the credit agreement, among others. The loan may be voluntarily prepaid if certain conditions are satisfied, including payment of a premium (ranging from 100-50 basis points) if prepayment occurs prior to the eighth anniversary of the loan.

 

There are various restrictive covenants under the Amatitlan credit agreement. These include, among other things, (i) a financial covenant to maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1.15 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter and (ii) limitations on Restricted Payments (as defined in the credit agreement) that among other things would limit dividends that could be paid to us unless the historical and projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio is not less than 1.25 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarterly periods (calculated as a single accounting period). As of December 31, 2019, the covenants have been met. The credit agreement includes various events of default that would permit acceleration of the loan (subject in some cases to grace and cure periods). These include, among other things, a Change of Control (as defined in the credit agreement) and failure to maintain certain required balances in debt service and maintenance reserve accounts. The credit agreement includes certain equity cure rights for failure to maintain the Debt Service Coverage Ratio and the minimum amounts required in the debt service and maintenance reserve accounts.

 

The loan is collateralized by substantially all the assets of the borrower and a pledge of all of the membership interests of the borrower.

 

The Company has guaranteed payment of all obligations under the credit agreement and related financing documents. The guaranty is limited in the sense that the Company is only required to pay the guaranteed obligations if a “trigger event” occurs. A trigger event is the occurrence and continuation of a default by INDE in its payment obligations under the PPA for the Amatitlàn power plant or a refusal by INDE to receive capacity and energy sold under that PPA. The Company’s obligations under the guaranty may be terminated prior to payment in full of the guaranteed obligations under certain circumstances described in the guaranty. If the guaranty is terminated early, the interest rate payable on the loan would increase as described above.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $26.3 million of this loan was outstanding.

 

Finance Agreement with OPIC (the Olkaria III Complex)

 

On August 23, 2012, OrPower 4, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Finance Agreement with OPIC, an agency of the U.S. government, to provide limited-recourse senior secured debt financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $310.0 million (the “OPIC Loan”) for the refinancing and financing of the Olkaria III geothermal power complex in Kenya. The Finance Agreement was amended on November 9, 2012.

 

The OPIC Loan is comprised of up to three tranches:

 

 

Tranche I in an aggregate principal amount of $85.0 million, which was drawn in November 2012, was used to prepay approximately $20.5 million (plus associated prepayment penalty and breakage costs of $1.5 million) of the DEG Loan, as described below. The remainder of Tranche I proceeds was used for reimbursement of prior capital costs and other corporate purposes.

 

 

Tranche II in an aggregate principal amount of $180.0 million was used to fund the construction and well field drilling for the expansion of the Olkaria III geothermal power complex (“Plant 2”). In November 2012, an amount of $135.0 million was disbursed under this Tranche II, and in February 2013, the remaining $45.0 million was distributed under this Tranche II.

 

 

Tranche III in an aggregate principal amount of $45.0 million was used to fund the construction of Plant 3 of the Olkaria III complex. In November 2013, an amount of $45.0 million was disbursed under this Tranche.

 

In July 2013, the Company completed the conversion of the interest rate applicable to both Tranche I and Tranche II from a floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate. The average fixed interest rate for Tranche I, which has an outstanding balance as of December 31, 2019 of $51.9 million and matures on December 15, 2030, and Tranche II, which has an outstanding balance as of December 31, 2019 of $111.2 million and matures on June 15, 2030, is 6.29%. In November 2013, the Company fixed the interest rate for Tranche III. The fixed interest rate for Tranche III, which has an outstanding balance as of December 31, 2019 of $29.6 million and matures on December 15, 2030, is 6.12%.

 

OrPower 4 has a right to make voluntary prepayments of all or a portion of the OPIC Loan subject to prior notice, minimum prepayment amounts, and a prepayment premium of 2.0% in the first two years after the Plant 2 commercial operation date, declining to 1% in the third year after the Plant 2 commercial operation date, and without premium thereafter, plus a redemption premium. In addition, the OPIC Loan is subject to customary mandatory prepayment in the event of certain reductions in generation capacity of the power plants, unless such reductions will not cause the projected ratio of cash flow to debt service to fall below 1.7.

 

The OPIC Loan is collateralized by substantially all of OrPower 4’s assets and by a pledge of all of the equity interests in OrPower 4.

 

The finance agreement includes customary events of default, including failure to pay any principal, interest or other amounts when due, failure to comply with covenants, breach of representations and warranties, non-payment or acceleration of other debt of OrPower 4, bankruptcy of OrPower 4 or certain of its affiliates, judgments rendered against OrPower 4, expropriation, change of control, and revocation or early termination of security documents or certain project-related agreements, subject to various exceptions and notice, cure and grace periods.

 

There are various restrictive covenants under the OPIC Loan, which include a required historical and projected 12-month DSCR of not less than 1.4 (measured as of March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year). If OrPower 4 fails to comply with these financial ratios it will be prohibited from making distributions to its shareholders. In addition, if the DSCR falls below 1.1, subject to certain cure rights, such failure will constitute an event of default by OrPower 4. This covenant in respect of Tranche I became effective on December 15, 2014. As of December 31, 2019, the covenants have been met.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $192.6 million of the OPIC Loan was outstanding.

 

Debt service reserve

 

As required under the terms of the OPIC Loan, OrPower 4 maintains an account which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit in an amount sufficient to pay scheduled debt service amounts, including principal and interest, due under the terms of the OPIC Loan in the following six months. This restricted cash account is classified as current in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the balance of the account was $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, part of the required debt service reserve was backed by a letter of credit in the amount of $15.6 million (see Note 22).

 

Well drilling reserve

 

As required under the terms of the OPIC Loan, OrPower 4 may be required to maintain an account which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit to reserve funds for future well drilling, based on determination upon the completion of the expansion work.

 

Finance Agreement with OPIC (the Platanares power plant)

 

On April 30, 2018, Geotérmica Platanares, S.A. de C.V. (“Platanares”), a Honduran sociedad anónima de capital variable and an indirect subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, Inc., entered into a Finance Agreement (the “Finance Agreement”) with OPIC, pursuant to which OPIC will provide to Platanares senior secured non-recourse debt financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $124.7 million (the “Platanares Loan”), the proceeds of which will be used principally for the refinancing and financing of the Platanares 35 MW geothermal power plant located in western Honduras (the “Project”). The finance agreement was amended and closed in October of 2018.

 

Tranche I in an aggregate principal amount of $114.7 million was drawn in October 2018, carries a fixed interest rate of 7.02% per annum and matures in September of 2032. The closing of tranche II of up to $10 million is expected in 2020 subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions precedent.

 

Under the Finance Agreement, Platanares may, upon prior written notice to OPIC, make voluntary prepayments of the OPIC Loan, in whole or in part, in a minimum partial prepayment amount of $5 million together with payment to OPIC of all accrued but unpaid interest on the principal amount of the OPIC Loan to be prepaid, plus a prepayment premium. The prepayment premium is equal to (i) 2% of the principal amount of the OPIC Loan to be prepaid for any voluntary prepayment in the first or second year following expiration of the Commitment Period (as defined in the Finance Agreement) and (ii) 1% of the principal amount of the Platanares Loan to be prepaid for any voluntary prepayment in the third year following expiration of the Commitment Period. There is no prepayment premium for any voluntary prepayment in the fourth year following expiration of the Commitment Period or thereafter.

 

The OPIC Loan is also subject to customary mandatory prepayment upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, (i) receipt by Platanares of compensation or damages following a dispute that results in a material adverse change to the primary power purchase agreement for the Project, (ii) receipt by Platanares of a termination or indemnity payment from a third party (other than OPIC) or expropriation proceeds from a governmental authority upon the termination of any project documents or the condemnation, nationalization, seizure or expropriation of all or a substantial portion of the Project or property of Platanares by a governmental authority, respectively, and (iii) receipt by Platanares of sale proceeds in excess of a certain threshold from the disposition of all or any part of the property of Platanares, subject to certain exceptions.

 

The OPIC Loan will be secured by a first priority lien on all of the assets and ordinary shares of Platanares. The Finance Agreement contains various restrictive covenants applicable to Platanares, among others (i) to maintain a projected and historic debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.1 to 1; (ii) to maintain on deposit in a debt service reserve account and well reserve account funds or assets with a value in excess of a minimum threshold and (iii) covenants that restrict Platanares from making certain payments or other distributions to its equity holders unless the projected and historic debt service coverage ratio is not less than 1.2 to 1. As of December 31, 2019, the covenants have been met.

 

The Finance Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, among others, failure to pay principal, interest or other amounts when due, non-payment or acceleration of other indebtedness of Platanares, the occurrence of a change of control of Platanares without the prior approval of OPIC, expropriation, judgments rendered against Platanares in excess of a certain threshold, failure to comply with covenants, a voluntary abandonment of the Project and the occurrence of certain bankruptcy events, subject to various exceptions and applicable notice, cure and grace periods.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $104.5 million of the Platanares OPIC Loan was outstanding.

 

Debt service reserve

 

As required under the terms of the Platanares Loan, Platanares maintains an account which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit in an amount sufficient to pay scheduled debt service amounts, including principal and interest, due under the terms of the Platanares Loan in the following six months (or nine months in case of overdue payments by the offtaker up to a certain agreed threshold). This restricted cash account is classified as current in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2019, the balance of the account was $3.6 million and it is backed by a letter of credit in the amount of $8.1 million (see Note 22).

 

Well drilling reserve

 

As required under the terms of the Finance Agreement, Platanares is required to maintain an account which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit to reserve funds for well costs, based on certain determinations.  As of December 31, 2019, the balance of the account was $0.0 million and was backed by a letter of credit in the amount of $2.0 million (see Note 22).

 

OrCal Senior Secured Notes

 

In December 2005, OrCal, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, issued $165.0 million, 6.21% Senior Secured Notes (“OrCal Senior Secured Notes”) and received net cash proceeds of approximately $161.1 million, after deduction of issuance costs of approximately $3.9 million. The OrCal Senior Secured Notes have been rated BBB- by Fitch Ratings. The OrCal Senior Secured Notes had a final maturity date of December 30, 2020. Principal and interest on the OrCal Senior Secured Notes were payable in semi-annual payments. The OrCal Senior Secured Notes were collateralized by substantially all of the assets of OrCal, and those of its subsidiaries and were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of the wholly owned subsidiaries of OrCal. In October 2019, the Company fully prepaid the outstanding amount of $15.0 million of the OrCal Senior Secured Notes plus an additional make-whole premium of $0.4 million.

 

OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes

 

In September 2011, OFC 2, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and OFC 2’s wholly owned project subsidiaries (collectively, the “OFC 2 Issuers”) entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with OFC 2 Noteholder Trust, as purchaser, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), as administrative agent, and the DOE, as guarantor, in connection with the offer and sale of up to $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes (“OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes”) due December 31, 2034.

 

Subject to the fulfillment of customary and other specified conditions precedent, the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes may be issued in up to six distinct series associated with the phased construction (Phase I and Phase II) of the Jersey Valley, McGinness Hills and Tuscarora geothermal power plants, which are owned by the OFC 2 Issuers. The OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes will mature and the principal amount of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes will be payable in equal quarterly installments and in any event not later than December 31, 2034. Each series of notes will bear interest at a rate calculated based on a spread over the Treasury yield curve that will be set at least ten business days prior to the issuance of such series of notes. Interest will be payable quarterly in arrears. The DOE will guarantee payment of 80% of principal and interest on the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes pursuant to Section 1705 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended. The conditions precedent to the issuance of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes includes certain specified conditions required by the DOE in connection with its guarantee of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes.

 

On October 31, 2011, the OFC 2 Issuers completed the sale of $151.7 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.687% Series A Notes due 2032 (the “Series A Notes”). The net proceeds from the sale of the Series A Notes, after deducting transaction fees and expenses, were approximately $141.1 million, and were used to finance a portion of the construction costs of Phase I of the McGinness Hills and Tuscarora power plants and to fund certain reserves. Principal and interest on the Series A Notes are payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year.

 

On June 20, 2014, Phase 1 of Tuscarora Facility achieved Project Completion under the Note Purchase Agreement. In accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and following recalibration of the financing assumptions, the loan amount was adjusted through a principal prepayment of $4.3 million.

 

On August 29, 2014, OFC 2 sold $140.0 million of OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes (the “Series  C Notes”) to finance the construction of the second phase of the McGinness Hills project. The Series C Notes are the last tranche under the Note Purchase Agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company and are guaranteed by the DOE’s Loan Programs Office in accordance with and subject to the DOE's Loan Guarantee Program under Section 1705 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Series C Notes,  which mature in December 2032, carry a 4.61% coupon with principal to be repaid on a quarterly basis.

 

 The OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of OFC 2 and those of its wholly owned subsidiaries and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of the wholly owned subsidiaries of OFC 2. There are various restrictive covenants under the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, which include limitations on additional indebtedness of OFC 2 and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Failure to comply with these and other covenants will, subject to customary cure rights, constitute an event of default by OFC 2.  In addition, there are restrictions on the ability of OFC 2 to make distributions to its shareholders.

 

Among other things, the distribution restrictions include a historical debt service coverage ratio requirement of at least 1.2 (on a blended basis for all OFC 2 power plants), measured, at the time of any proposed distribution, over each of the two six-months periods comprised of distinct consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding the proposed distribution, and a projected future DSCR requirement of at least 1.5 (on a blended basis for all OFC 2 power plants), measured, at the time of any proposed distribution, over each of the two six-months periods comprised of distinct consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following such proposed distribution. As of December 31, 2019, the covenants have been met.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $203.0 million of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes were outstanding.

 

The Company provided a guaranty in connection with the issuance of the Series A Notes and Series C Notes. The guaranty may be drawn in the event of, among other things, the failure of any facility financed by the relevant series of OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes to reach completion and meet certain operational performance levels (the “non-performance trigger”) which gives rise to a prepayment obligation on the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes. The guarantee may also be drawn if there is a payment default on the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes or upon the occurrence of certain fundamental defaults that result in the acceleration of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, in each case, prior to the date that the relevant facility(ies) financed by such OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes reaches completion and meets the applicable operational performance levels. The Company’s liability under the guaranty with respect to the non-performance trigger is limited to an amount equal to the prepayment amount on the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes necessary to bring the OFC 2 Issuers into compliance with certain coverage ratios. The Company’s liability under the guarantee with respect to the other trigger event described above is not so limited.

 

Debt service reserve; other restricted funds

 

Under the terms of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, OFC 2 is required to maintain a debt service reserve and certain other reserves, as follows:

 

 

(i)

A debt service reserve account which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit (see below) in an amount sufficient to pay scheduled debt service amounts, including principal and interest, due under the terms of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes in the following six months. This restricted cash account is classified as current in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2019, part of the required debt service reserve was backed by a letter of credit in the amount of $19.5 million (see Note 22).

 

 

(ii)

A performance level reserve account, intended to provide additional security for the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit. This reserve builds up over time and reduces gradually each time the project achieves certain milestones. Upon issuance of the Series A Notes, this reserve was funded in the amount of $28.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, the balance of such account was zero million, and no letter of credit was required to be issued.

 

 

(iii)

Under the terms of the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, OFC 2 is also required to maintain a well field drilling and maintenance reserve that builds up over time and is dedicated to costs and expenses associated with drilling and maintenance of the project's well field, which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit.

 

 

(iv)

A performance level reserve account for McGinness Hills Phase II, intended to provide additional security for the OFC 2 Senior Secured Notes, which may be funded by cash or backed by letters of credit. As of December 31, 2019, there was no requirement for an additional security to be issued as the project was completed.

 

Don A. Campbell Senior Secured Notes — Non-Recourse

 

On November 29, 2016, ORNI 47 LLC (“ORNI 47”), the Company’s subsidiary,  entered into a note purchase agreement (the “ORNI 47 Note Purchase Agreement”) with MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. and Munich American Reassurance Company (the “Purchasers”) pursuant to which ORNI 47 issued and sold to the Purchasers $92.5 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.03% Senior Secured Notes due September 27, 2033 (the “DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes”) in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ORNI 47 is the owner of the first phase of the Don A. Campbell geothermal power plant (“DAC 1”), and part of the ORPD LLC (“ORPD”) portfolio.

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes, after deducting certain transaction expenses and the funding of a debt service reserve account, were approximately $87.1 million and ORNI 47 used the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to refinance the development and construction costs of the DAC 1 geothermal power plant, which were originally financed using equity.

 

ORNI 47 began paying a scheduled amount of principal of the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes on December 27, 2016 and now makes principal payments quarterly, on the 27th day of each March, June, September and December, until the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes mature.

 

The DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes constitute senior secured obligations of ORNI 47 and are secured by all of the assets of ORNI 47. Under the ORNI 47 Note Purchase Agreement, ORNI 47 may prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes in an amount equal to at least $2 million or such lesser amount as may remain outstanding under the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid plus the applicable make-whole amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the ORNI 47 Note Purchase Agreement), ORNI 47 must make an offer to each holder of DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes to repurchase all of the holder’s notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such notes to, but not including, the date of repurchase. Each holder of DAC 1 Senior Secured  Notes may accept such offer in whole or in part. In certain events, including certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, ORNI 47 must make mandatory prepayments of the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid. The ORNI 47 Note Purchase Agreement requires ORNI 47 to comply with certain covenants, including, among others, restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness or liens, amendment or modification of material project documents, the ability of ORNI 47 to merge or consolidate with another entity. The ORNI 47 Note Purchase Agreement also contains customary events of default. In addition, there are restrictions on the ability of ORNI 47 to make distributions to its shareholders, which include a required historical and projected DSCR of  not less than 1.20 for the four fiscal quarterly periods. As of December 31, 2019, the covenants have been met.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $78.2 million is outstanding under the DAC 1 Senior Secured Notes.

 

Loans assumed with the acquisition of USG

 

On April 24, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of USG. As part of the acquisition the Company assumed the following non-recourse loans:

 

Prudential Capital Group – Idaho non-recourse

 

In May 2016, USG’s wholly owned subsidiary (Idaho USG Holdings LLC) entered into a loan agreement with the Prudential Capital Group to finance its development activities. The original principal totaled $20.0 million and included the option to issue additional debt up to $50.0 million within the following two years. The $20.0 million loan amount bears interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.8% per annum. The principal and interest payments are due semi-annually and the principal is partially repaid during the first seven-year term and the remaining balance of $16.0 million is due in full at the end of this seven-year term. The loan is secured by the Company’s ownership interests in the Neal Hot Springs project and the Raft River project projects. As of December 31, 2019, $18.3 million of the Prudential Capital loan is outstanding.

 

U.S. Department of Energy – non-recourse

 

On August 31, 2011, USG’s wholly owned subsidiary, USG Oregon LLC (“USG Oregon”), completed the first funding drawdown associated with the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) $96.8 million loan guarantee (“Loan Guarantee”) to construct its power plant at Neal Hot Springs project in Eastern Oregon. All loan advances covered by the Loan Guarantee have been made under the Future Advance Promissory Note dated February 23, 2011. In connection with the Loan Guarantee, the DOE has been granted a security interest in all of the equity interests of USG Oregon, as well as in the assets of USG Oregon, including a mortgage on real property interests relating to the Neal Hot Springs site. No additional advances are allowed under the terms of the loan. A total of 13 draws were taken and each individual draw or tranche is considered to be a separate loan. The loan principal is scheduled to be paid over 21.5 years from the first scheduled payment date with semi-annual installments including interest calculated at an aggregate fixed interest rate of 2.6%. The principal payment amounts are calculated on a straight-line basis according to the life of the loans and the original loan principal amounts. As of December 31, 2019, $44.9 million of the DOE loan is outstanding.

 

Prudential Capital Group – Nevada non-recourse

 

On September 26, 2013, USG’s wholly owned subsidiary (USG Nevada LLC) entered into a note purchase agreement with the Prudential Capital Group to finance the Phase I of San Emidio geothermal project located in northwest Nevada. The term of the note is approximately 24 years and bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.75% per annum. Interest payments are due quarterly. Principal payments are due quarterly based upon minimum debt service coverage ratios established according to projected operating results made at the loan origination date and available cash balances. The loan agreement is secured by USG Nevada LLC’s right, title and interest in and to its real and personal property, including the San Emidio project and the equity interests in USG Nevada LLC. As of December 31, 2019, $27.1 million of the loan is outstanding.

 

Senior Unsecured Bonds

 

In September 2016, the Company concluded an auction tender and accepted subscriptions for two series of senior unsecured bonds comprised of approximately $67.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured bonds (the “Series 2 Bonds”) and approximately $137.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured bonds (the “Series 3 Bonds” and together with the Series 2 Bonds, the “Senior Unsecured Bonds”). The proceeds from the Series 2 Bonds and Series 3 Bonds were used on September 29, 2016 to prepay the Company’s $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of previously issued bonds that were payable on August 1, 2017.

 

The Series 2 Bonds will mature in September 2020 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.7% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Series 3 Bonds will mature in September 2022 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.45% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Series 2 Bonds and Series 3 Bonds will be repaid at maturity in a single bullet payment, unless earlier prepaid by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of the trust instrument that governs such Senior Unsecured Bonds.

 

Senior Unsecured Loan

 

On March 22, 2018 the Company entered into a definitive loan agreement (the "Migdal Loan Agreement") with Migdal Insurance Company Ltd., Migdal Makefet Pension and Provident Funds Ltd. and Yozma Pension Fund of Self-Employed Ltd., all entities within the Migdal Group, a leading Israeli insurance company and institutional investor in Israel. The Migdal Loan Agreement provides for a loan by the lenders to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million (the "Migdal Loan"). The Migdal Loan will be repaid in 15 semi-annual payments of $4.2 million each, commencing on September 15, 2021, with a final payment of $37.0 million on March 15, 2029. The Migdal Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.8% per annum, payable semi-annually, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described below.

 

The Loan is subject to early redemption by the Company prior to maturity from time to time (but not more frequently than once per quarter) and at any time in whole or in part, at a redemption price set forth in the Migdal Loan Agreement. If the rating of the Company is downgraded to "ilA-"(or equivalent), of any of Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch (whenever in Israel or outside of Israel) (each a “Credit Rating Agency”), the interest rate applicable to the Migdal Loan will increase by 0.50%. If the rating of the Company is further downgraded to a lower level by any Credit Rating Agency, the interest rate applicable to the Migdal Loan will be increased by 0.25% for each additional downgrade. In no event will the cumulative increase in the interest rate applicable to the Loan exceed 1% regardless of the cumulative rating downgrade. A subsequent upgrade or reinstatement of a rating by any Credit Rating Agency will reduce the interest rate applicable to the Migdal Loan by 0.25% for each upgrade (but in no event will the interest rate applicable the Migdal Loan fall below the base interest rate of 4.8%). Additionally, if the ratio between short-term and long-term debt to financial institutions and bondholders, deducting cash and cash equivalents to EBITDA is equal to or higher than 4.5, the interest rate on all amounts then outstanding under the Migdal Loan shall be increased by 0.5% per annum over the interest rate then-applicable to the Migdal Loan.

 

The Migdal Loan constitutes senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with any existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company, and effectively junior to any existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the security therefore.

 

The Migdal Loan Agreement includes various affirmative and negative covenants, including a covenant that the Company maintain (i) a debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio below 6, (ii) a minimum equity amount (as shown on its consolidated financial statements, excluding noncontrolling interests) of not less than $650 million, and (iii) an equity attributable to Company's stockholders to total assets ratio of not less than 25%. In addition, the Migdal Loan Agreement restricts the Company from making dividend payments if its equity falls below $800 million and otherwise restricts dividend payments in any one year to not more than 50% of the net income of the Company of such year as shown on the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements as long as any of the Company's bonds issued in Israel prior to March 27, 2018 remain outstanding. The Migdal Loan Agreement includes other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default.

 

On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a first addendum (“First Addendum”) to the Migdal Loan Agreement with the Migdal Group dated March 22, 2018. The First Addendum provides for an additional loan by the lenders to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million (the “Additional Migdal Loan”). The Additional Migdal Loan will be repaid in 15 semi-annual payments of $2.1 million each, commencing on September 15, 2021, with a final payment of $18.5 million on March 15, 2029. The Additional Migdal Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.6% per annum, payable semi-annually, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described below. The Additional Migdal Loan was entered into under substantially the same terms and conditions of the Migdal Loan Agreement as disclosed above.

 

Loan Agreements with DEG (the Olkaria III Complex)

 

On October 20, 2016, OrPower 4 entered into a new $50.0 million subordinated loan agreement with DEG (the “DEG 2 Loan Agreement”) and on December 21, 2016, OrPower 4 completed a drawdown of the full loan amount of $50 million, with a fixed interest rate of 6.28% for the duration of the loan (the “DEG 2 Loan”). The DEG 2 Loan is being repaid in 20 equal semi-annual principal installments which commenced on December 21, 2018, with a final maturity date of  June 21, 2028. Proceeds of the DEG 2 Loan were used by OrPower 4 to refinance Plant 4 of the Olkaria III Complex, which was originally financed using equity. The DEG 2 Loan is subordinated to the senior loan provided by OPIC for Plants 1-3 of the Olkaria III Complex. The DEG 2 Loan is guaranteed by the Company.

 

Under the DEG 2 Loan Agreement, OrPower 4 may prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of the DEG 2 Loan in an amount equal to at least $5 million or such lesser amount as may remain outstanding under the DEG 2 Loan at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid plus the applicable make-whole amount and certain prepayment premium amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. In certain events, OrPower 4 must make mandatory prepayments of the DEG 2 Loan at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid plus the applicable make-whole amount and certain prepayment premium amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The DEG 2 Loan Agreement requires OrPower 4 to comply with certain covenants, including, among others, restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness or liens. The DEG 2 Loan Agreement also contains customary events of default.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $42.5 million is outstanding under the DEG 2 Loan.

 

DEG 3 Loan

 

On January 4, 2019, OrPower 4 entered into an additional $41.5 million subordinated loan agreement with Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH ("DEG") (the “DEG 3 Loan Agreement”) and on February 28, 2019, OrPower 4 completed a drawdown of the full loan amount, with a fixed interest rate of 6.04% for the duration of the loan (the “DEG 3 Loan”). The DEG 3 Loan is being repaid in 19 equal semi-annual principal installments, which commenced on June 21, 2019, with a final maturity date of  June 21, 2028. Proceeds of the DEG 3 Loan were used by OrPower 4 to refinance upgrades to Plant 1 of the Olkaria III Complex, which were originally financed using equity. The DEG 3 Loan is subordinated to the senior loan provided by Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) for Plants 1-3 of the Olkaria III Complex. The DEG 3 Loan is guaranteed by the Company.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $37.1 million is outstanding under the DEG 3 Loan.

 

Plumstriker Loan

 

On May 4, 2019, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company (“Plumstriker”) and its two subsidiaries entered into a $23.5 million loan agreement with a United States (“U.S.”) financing division of a leading global industrial company for the financing of two 20 MW battery energy storage projects located in New Jersey.

 

On May 30, 2019, Plumstriker completed the drawdown of the full loan amount, bearing interest of three months U.S. Libor plus a 3.5% margin. The loan is being repaid in 29 equal quarterly principal installments of 1.25% of the loan, and additional 14 unequal semi-annual principal payments, which commenced on June 30, 2019. The final maturity date of the loan is May 30, 2026. Proceeds of the loan were used to refinance investments in the Plumsted and Stryker projects. The debt repayment of the loan is not guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $21.6 million is outstanding under the Plumstriker Loan.

 

Société Géneralé Loan

 

On April 9, 2019, an indirect subsidiary of the Company (“Guadeloupe”), entered into a $8.9 million loan agreement with Société Général. On April 29, 2019, Guadeloupe completed the drawdown of the full loan amount of the loan, bearing a fixed interest rate of 1.52%. The loan is being repaid in 28 quarterly principal installments, which commenced on July 29, 2019. The final maturity date of the loan is April 29, 2026. The loan has a limited guarantee by one of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $8.4 million was outstanding under the Société Géneralé Loan.

 

Bpifrance Loan

 

On April 4, 2019, Guadeloupe, entered into a $8.9 million loan agreement with Banque Publique d’Investissement (“Bpifrance”). On April 29, 2019, Guadeloupe completed the drawdown of the full loan amount, bearing a fixed interest rate of 1.93%. The loan will be repaid in 20 equal quarterly principal installments, commencing June 30, 2021. The final maturity date of the loan is March 31, 2026. The loan is not guaranteed by the Company or any of its other subsidiaries.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $9.0 million is outstanding under the Bpifrance Loan.

 

Revolving credit lines with commercial banks

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company has credit agreements with eight commercial banks for an aggregate amount of $505.0 million (including $60.0 million from Union Bank, N.A. (“Union Bank”) and $35.0 million from HSBC), as described below. Under the terms of these credit agreements, the Company, or its Israeli subsidiary, Ormat Systems Ltd. (“Ormat Systems), can request: (i) extensions of credit in the form of loans and/or the issuance of one or more letters of credit in the amount of up to $260.0 million; and (ii) the issuance of one or more letters of credit in the amount of up to $245.0 million. The credit agreements mature between end of March 2020 and July 2022. Loans and draws under the credit agreements or under any letters of credit will bear interest at the respective bank’s cost of funds plus a margin.

 

As of December 31, 2019, $40.6 million in loans were outstanding and letters of credit with an aggregate stated amount of $213.7 million were issued and outstanding under such credit agreements.

 

Credit Agreements

 

Credit agreement with Union Bank

 

In February 2012, Ormat Nevada Inc. (“Ormat Nevada”),  the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with Union Bank. Under the credit agreement, the credit termination date is June 30, 2020. On December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount available under the credit agreement was $60.0 million. The facility is limited to the issuance, extension, modification or amendment of letters of credit. Union Bank is currently the sole lender and issuing bank under the credit agreement, but is also designated as an administrative agent on behalf of banks that may, from time to time in the future, join the credit agreement as lenders. In connection with this transaction, the Company entered into a guarantee in favor of the administrative agent for the benefit of the banks, pursuant to which the Company agreed to guarantee Ormat Nevada’s obligations under the credit agreement. Ormat Nevada’s obligations under the credit agreement are otherwise unsecured.

 

There are various restrictive covenants under the credit agreement, which include a requirement to comply with the following financial ratios, which are measured quarterly: (i) a 12-month debt to EBITDA ratio not to exceed 4.5; (ii) 12-month DSCR of not less than 1.35; and (iii) distribution leverage ratio not to exceed 2.0. As of December 31, 2019: (i) the actual 12-month debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.1; (ii) the 12-month DSCR was 2.87; and (iii) the distribution leverage ratio was 1.0. In addition, there are restrictions on dividend distributions in the event of a payment default or noncompliance with such ratios, and subject to specified carve-outs and exceptions, a negative pledge on the assets of Ormat Nevada in favor of Union Bank.

 

As of December 31, 2019, letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $59.5 million remain issued and outstanding under this credit agreement with Union Bank.

 

Credit agreement with HSBC

 

In May 2013, Ormat Nevada, entered into a credit agreement with HSBC Bank USA, N.A for one year with annual renewals. The current expiration date of the facility under this credit agreement is October 31, 2020. On December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount available under the credit agreement was $35.0 million. Other than $10 million of this credit facility which may be drawn for the Company's working capital needs, this credit line is limited to the issuance, extension, modification or amendment of letters of credit. HSBC is currently the sole lender and issuing bank under the credit agreement, but is also designated as an administrative agent on behalf of banks that may, from time to time in the future, join the credit agreement as parties thereto. In connection with this transaction, the Company entered into a guarantee in favor of the administrative agent for the benefit of the banks, pursuant to which the Company agreed to guarantee Ormat Nevada’s obligations under the credit agreement. Ormat Nevada’s obligations under the credit agreement are otherwise unsecured.

 

There are various restrictive covenants under the credit agreement, including a requirement to comply with the following financial ratios, which are measured quarterly: (i) a 12-month debt to EBITDA ratio not to exceed 4.5; (ii) 12-month DSCR of not less than 1.35; and (iii) distribution leverage ratio not to exceed 2.0. As of December 31, 2019: (i) the actual 12-month debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.1; (ii) the 12-month DSCR was 2.87; and (iii) the distribution leverage ratio was 1.0. In addition, there are restrictions on dividend distributions in the event of a payment default or noncompliance with such ratios, and subject to specified carve-outs and exceptions, a negative pledge on the assets of Ormat Nevada in favor of HSBC.

 

As of December 31, 2019, letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $25.5 million remain issued and outstanding under this credit agreement.

 

CHUBB Surety Bond

 

In May 2017, the Company entered into a surety bond agreement (the “Surety Agreement”) with Chubb Limited (“Chubb”) pursuant to which the Company may request that Chubb issue up to an aggregate $200.0 million of surety bonds with respect to the contractual obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries in exchange for bank letters of credit or as otherwise may be required.  There is no expiration date for the Surety Agreement, but it may be terminated by the Company at any time upon twenty days’ prior written notice to Chubb. Delivery of such termination notice will not affect any surety bonds issued and outstanding prior to the date on which such notice is delivered. As of December 31, 2019, Chubb issued a surety bond in the amount of $144.8 million under the Surety Agreement.

 

Short-term commercial paper

 

On June 27, 2019, the Company entered into a framework agreement for participation in the issuance of  commercial paper (the "Agreement") with Discount Capital Underwriting Ltd. under which the Company allowed the participants to submit proposals for purchasing and to purchase the Company's commercial paper ("Commercial Paper") in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement. On July 3, 2019, the Company completed the issuance of the Commercial Paper in the aggregate amount of $50.0 million. The Commercial Paper was issued for a period of 90 days and extends automatically for additional 90 day periods for up to five years, unless the Company notifies the participants otherwise or a notice of termination is provided by the participants in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement. The Commercial Paper bears an annual interest of three months LIBOR +0.75% which is paid at the end of each 90 day period. The Commercial Paper is presented under Current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

As of December 31, 2019, an aggregate amount of $50.0 million was issued and outstanding under this Agreement.

 

Restrictive covenants

 

The Company’s obligations under the credit agreements, the loan agreements, and the trust instrument governing the bonds, described above, are unsecured, but are subject to a negative pledge in favor of the banks and the other lenders and certain other restrictive covenants. These include, among other things, a prohibition on: (i) creating any floating charge or any permanent pledge, charge or lien over the Company's assets without obtaining the prior written approval of the lender; (ii) guaranteeing the liabilities of any third party without obtaining the prior written approval of the lender; and (iii) selling, assigning, transferring, conveying or disposing of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or a change of control in the Company's ownership structure. Some of the credit agreements, the term loan agreements, as well as the trust instrument contain cross-default provisions with respect to other material indebtedness owed by us to any third party. In some cases, the Company has agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, which are measured quarterly, such as: (i) equity of at least $600.0 million and in no event less than 25% of total assets; (ii) 12-month debt, net of cash, cash equivalents marketable securities and short-term bank deposits to Adjusted EBITDA ratio not to exceed 6; and (iii) dividend distribution not to exceed 35% of net income for that year. As of December 31, 2019: (i) total equity was $1,515.4 million and the actual equity to total assets ratio was 46.6%, and (ii) the 12-month debt, net of cash, cash equivalents marketable securities and short-term bank deposits to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.99. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company distributed interim dividends in an aggregate amount of $22.4 million.

 

Future minimum payments

 

Future minimum payments under long-term debt as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

   

(Dollars in

thousands)

 
         

Year ending December 31:

       

2020

  $ 135,504  

2021

    76,259  

2022

    220,677  

2023

    98,982  

2024

    78,600  

Thereafter

    557,890  

Total

  $ 1,167,912