20-F 1 pamform20f_2014.htm FORM 20F 2014 pamform20f_2014.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing  

               

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

                                                                       

FORM 20-F

                                                                       

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

 

Commission File Number: 001- 34429

PAMPA ENERGíA S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pampa Energy Inc.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Argentina

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Ortiz de Ocampo 3302, Building #4

C1425DSR, City of Buenos Aires

Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

Gerardo Paz

Ortiz de Ocampo 3302, Building #4

C1425DSR, City of Buenos Aires

Argentina

Tel.: + 54 11 4809 9500 / Fax: + 54 11 4809 9541

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock

American Depositary Shares, each representing

25 shares of common stock, par value Ps. 1.00 per share

New York Stock Exchange*

New York Stock Exchange

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

       None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

1,314,310,895 shares of common stock, par value Ps. 1.00 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

x Yes

¨ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

¨ Yes

x No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

x Yes

¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP ¨

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board x

Other ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

¨ Item 17

¨Item 18

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

¨ Yes

x No

 

 


 
 

               

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

7

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

7

Item 3.

Key Information

7

 

Selected Financial Data

7

 

Exchange Rates

10

 

Risk Factors

11

Item 4.

Information on the Company

42

 

History and Development of the Company

42

 

Our Business

42

 

The Argentine Electricity Sector

92

Item 4A.

Unresolved Staff Comments

118

Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

118

Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

185

Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

199

Item 8.

Financial Information

201

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

201

 

Legal Proceedings

201

 

Dividends

210

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing

211

 

Trading History

211

 

The Argentine Securities Market

213

Item 10.

Additional Information

216

 

Memorandum and Articles of Association

216

 

Material Contracts

216

 

Exchange Controls

216

 

Taxation

224

 

Dividends and Paying Agents

228

 

Documents on Display

229

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

230

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

235

 

Description of American Depositary Shares

235

 

 

PART II

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

237

Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

237

Item 15.

Controls and Procedures

237

Item 16A.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

238

Item 16B.

Code of Ethics

238

Item 16C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

238

Item 16D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

239

Item 16E.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

239

Item 16F.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

239

Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

240

Item 16 H.

Mine Safety Disclosure

245

 

PART III

Item 17.

Financial Statements

246

Item 18.

Financial Statements

246

Item 19.

Exhibits

246

 

Index to Financial Statements

F1

 

 

 

 

2


 
 

               

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

In this annual report, we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “registrant” and the “Company” to refer to Pampa Energía S.A.

Financial Information  

This annual report contains our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, and the notes thereto (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”).  The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L., an independent registered public accounting firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina, member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited network, whose report is included in this annual report. Specially, with respect to Compañía de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica en Alta Tensión S.A. (“ Transener”) and Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. (“TGS”), given that the stake in such companies constitutes an interest in a joint venture and associate, respectively, they are not consolidated and they are valued according to the equity method of accounting in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are set forth in Item 18 beginning on page F-1 of this annual report. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the “IASB”). This annual report along with the Consolidated Financial Statement included herein have been approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting of the Company held on May 11, 2015.

Significant Acquisitions

We started acquiring our principal generation, transmission, distribution and other core assets in 2006. Before these acquisitions, we did not have any operations or engage in any activities, as our former business activities, which were limited to the ownership and operation of a cold storage warehouse building, were suspended in 2003. Accordingly, prior to the second half of 2006, we had no relevant operating history, comparable financial statements or business track record that might constitute a basis for comparing or evaluating the performance of our operations or business prospects following our significant acquisitions.   

Our significant acquisitions include Electricidad Argentina S.A. (“EASA”) in September 2007, which owns a controlling stake in our distribution subsidiary, Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte S.A. (“Edenor”); Corporación Independiente de Energía S.A. (“CIE”) in August 2007 (now known as Inversora Piedra Buena S.A. or “IPB”), which owns our subsidiary Central Piedra Buena S.A. (“Piedra Buena” or “CPB”) generation facilities; the assets comprising Central Térmica Loma de la Lata S.A. (“Loma de la Lata” or “CTLL”) in May 2007; Pampa Inversiones S.A. (“PISA” or “Pampa Inversiones”) in January 2007; a direct interest in Central Térmica Güemes S.A. (“Güemes” or “CTG”); a direct interest in Inversora Nihuiles S.A. (“Nihuiles”) and Inversora Diamante S.A. (“Diamante”) in October 2006, which in turn own our two hydroelectric generation plants Hidroeléctrica Nihuiles (under the company Hidroeléctrica los Nihuiles S.A. (“HINISA”)) and Hidroeléctrica Diamante (under the company Hidroeléctrica Diamante S.A. (“HIDISA”)), respectively, a direct interest in Petrolera Pampa S.A. (“Petrolera Pampa”) in February 2009; and a co-controlling interest in Compañía Inversora en Transmisión Eléctrica Citelec S.A. (“Citelec”) in September 2006, which owns a controlling stake in Transener.

Recent Developments

Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project

In September 2014, the Argentine Government, through the Secretaría de Energía (the “Secretariat of Energy” or the “SE”), and the leading companies of the Argentine energy sector (including Loma de la Lata, CPB, CTG, HIDISA, HINISA and Emdersa Generación Salta S.A. (now merged into CTG) (“EGSSA”)), executed the Agreement for the increase of Thermal Generation Availability between the Secretariat of Energy and the Generators (“Acuerdo para el Incremento de Disponibilidad de Generación Térmica entre la Secretaría de Energía de la Nación y los Generadores”) (the “2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement”) for the expansion of the total thermal generation capacity in Argentina.  The 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement contemplates the execution of individual agreements between the Secretariat of Energy and each generation company (and its affiliates) to provide for the specific terms and conditions for the execution of new generation projects.

 

 

3


 
 

               

On October 27, 2014, Loma de la Lata, CPB, CTG, HIDISA, HINISA and EGSSA (now merged into CTG) (collectively, “Pampa’s Generators”) executed the Specific Conditions for the Agreement for the Increase of Thermal Generation Availability between the Secretariat of Energy and the Pampa Generators (“Condiciones Particulares del Acuerdo para el Incremento de Disponibilidad de Generación Térmica entre la Secretaría de Energía y Generadoras Pampa”) (the “Specific Conditions” and, together with the 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement, the “2014 Expansion Agreements”).

Under the 2014 Expansion Agreements, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent provided in the Specific Conditions (including the execution of a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007), Pampa’s Generators agreed to expand the generating capacity of Loma de la Lata by 115 MW through the installation of a new aero-derivative gas-fired turbine generator (100 MW) and two gas-powered motor-generators (15 MW) (the “Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project”).

The remuneration scheme for the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project includes a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 and the scheme established for the remuneration of the generation sector provided in SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended.

As of the date of this annual report, Loma de la Lata is negotiating with Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorísta Eléctrico (“CAMMESA”) the WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007.  Therefore, such condition precedent for the execution of the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project provided in the Specific Conditions has not been met yet. For further information please see “Item4. - Our Business – Generation Business – Loma de la Lata – Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project.”

Functional and Presentation Currency

The Company and almost all of its subsidiaries keep their accounting records and prepare their financial statements in Argentine Pesos, which is their functional currency and also the presentation currency incorporated in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiary PISA, however, maintains its accounting records and prepares its financial statements in Uruguayan Pesos but its functional currency is Argentine Pesos. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of this subsidiary translated into Argentine Pesos. Assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates, and revenue and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the year. Certain financial information contained in this annual report has been presented in U.S. Dollars (See “Exchange rate” below).

Rounding

Certain figures included in this annual report (including percentage amounts) have been subject to rounding adjustments.  Accordingly, certain totals may therefore not precisely equal the sum of the numbers presented.

Exchange Rate  

In this annual report, except as otherwise specified, references to “U.S.$” and “Dollars” are to U.S. Dollars, and references to “Ps.”, “AR$” and “Pesos” are to Argentine Pesos.  Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have converted certain amounts included in “Item 3.  Key Information” and elsewhere in this annual report from Pesos into Dollars using, for the information provided as of December 31, 2014, the seller exchange rate reported by the Banco de la Nación Argentina (“Banco Nación”), as of December 31, 2014 of U.S. $1.00 = Ps. 8.551, unless otherwise indicated.  These conversions should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. Dollars at that or at any other exchange rate.  On May 8, 2015, the exchange rate was Ps. 8.928 , to U.S.$ 1.  As a result of fluctuations in the Dollar/Argentine Peso exchange rate, the exchange rate at such date may not be indicative of current or future exchange rates. See “Item 3. Key Information—Exchange Rates” and “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Argentina—Fluctuations in the value of the Argentine Peso could adversely affect the Argentine economy, which could, in turn adversely affect our results of operations.”  The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Pesos.  For more information regarding historical exchange rates, see “Item 3.  Key Information-Exchange Rates.”

 
 

 

4


 
 

               

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains estimates and forward-looking statements, principally in “Item 3.- Risk Factors,” “Item 4.- Our Business” and “Item5.- Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”  Some of the matters discussed concerning our business operations and financial performance include estimates and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Our estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on our current expectations and estimates on future events and trends that affect or may affect our businesses and results of operations.  Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to us.

Our estimates and forward-looking statements may be influenced by the following factors, among others:

·         our ability to arrange financing under reasonable terms;

·         the outcome and timing of the tariff renegotiation process of our regulated businesses and uncertainties relating to future government approvals to increase or otherwise adjust such tariffs;

·         changes in the laws and regulations applicable to energy and electricity and oil and gas sectors in Argentina;

·         government interventions, resulting in changes in the economy, taxes, tariffs or regulatory framework, or in the delay or withholding of governmental approvals;

·         general economic, social and political conditions in Argentina, and other regions where we or our subsidiaries operate, such as the rate of economic growth, fluctuations in exchange rates of the Peso or inflation;

·         restrictions on the ability to exchange Pesos into foreign currencies or to transfer funds abroad;

·         competition in the electricity, public utility services and related industries;

·         the impact of high rates of inflation on our costs;

·         deterioration in regional and national business and economic conditions in Argentina; and

·         other risks factors discussed under “Item 3.  Risk Factors.”

The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements.  Estimates and forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or to renew any estimates and/or forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or other factors.  Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance.  Our future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward-looking statements.  In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the estimates and forward-looking statements discussed in this annual report might not occur and our future results and our performance may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to factors including, but not limited to, those mentioned above.

 

 

5


 
 

               

PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

                        Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

                        Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table presents our selected financial data for each of the years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2014. The selected consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) and statement of cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the selected consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and, with the exception of the financial data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, have been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.  The financial data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this annual report, which were audited by Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L., member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers network, an independent registered public accounting firm.  We have not included selected financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010, as we began presenting our financial statements in accordance with IFRS for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, with an official IFRS “adoption date” of January 1, 2012 and a “transition date” to IFRS of January 1, 2011.  Based on such adoption and transition dates, we were not required to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 and therefore are unable to present selected financial data in accordance with IFRS for this period without unreasonable effort and expense.

You should read the information below in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, as well as the sections “Presentation of Financial Information” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” 

 

 

 

 

6


 
 

               

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

2014

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

2011

 

 

(US$) (1)

 

(Pesos)

 

(Pesos)

 

(Pesos)

(Pesos)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

 

               

Investments in joint ventures

 

26,690,377

 

226,894,893

 

188,644,285

 

192,315,761

222,219,616

Investments in associates

 

15,665,167

 

133,169,584

 

134,774,654

 

132,546,155

130,251,204

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,084,354,779

 

9,218,099,975

 

6,902,661,359

 

6,019,372,559

5,847,071,944

Intangible assets

 

102,621,350

 

872,384,099

 

901,846,313

 

1,798,492,198

1,791,802,004

Biological assets

 

222,854

 

1,894,481

 

1,935,296

 

1,976,109

1,935,511

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

 

113,282,315

 

963,012,962

 

432,729,855

 

303,792,067

553,768,412

Deferred tax asset

 

11,020,105

 

93,681,916

 

63,214,262

 

87,532,301

116,574,172

Trade and other receivables

 

112,321,244

 

954,842,893

 

366,685,679

 

421,117,506

342,191,671

Total non-current assets

 

1,466,178,191

 

12,463,980,803

 

8,992,491,703

 

8,957,144,656

9,005,814,534

Current assets:

 

               

Infrastructure under construction

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

84,465,694

45,504,000

Biological assets

 

23,347

 

198,470

 

564,431

 

497,255

99,003

Inventories

 

15,947,637

 

135,570,860

 

114,615,289

 

107,342,562

60,421,699

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

 

120,994,839

 

1,028,577,127

 

844,259,368

 

236,646,460

172,193,934

Trade and other receivables

 

340,764,046

 

2,896,835,156

 

2,256,967,076

 

1,541,543,369

1,373,557,822

Cash and cash equivalents

 

39,434,667

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

 

156,647,001

245,623,669

Total current assets

 

517,164,536

 

4,396,415,719

 

3,558,075,029

 

2,127,142,341

1,898,715,834

Assets classified as held for sale

 

-

 

-

 

11,987,500

 

235,196,934

1,183,952,808

Total assets

 

1,983,342,727

 

16,860,396,522

 

12,562,554,232

 

11,319,483,931

12,088,483,176

Shareholders´ equity

 

               

Share capital

 

154,606,622

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

1,314,310,895

Additional paid-in capital

 

40,346,415

 

342,984,871

 

263,489,911

 

1,018,352,216

1,536,759,469

Legal reserve

 

1,682,648

 

14,304,190

 

-

 

-

27,396,793

Voluntary rerserve

 

31,970,311

 

271,779,611

 

-

 

-

 

Reserve for directors’ options

 

31,297,502

 

266,060,067

 

259,351,053

 

250,405,701

241,460,349

Retained earnings (Accumulated losses)

 

87,420,228

 

743,159,355

 

286,083,801

 

(771,796,574)

(667,906,366)

Other comprehensive loss

 

(3,786,742)

 

(32,191,096)

 

(24,385,321)

 

(10,753,372)

(12,650,920)

Equity attributable to owners of the company

 

343,536,983

 

2,920,407,893

 

2,098,850,339

 

1,800,518,866

2,439,370,220

Non-controlling interest

 

74,512,542

 

633,431,122

 

775,971,764

 

529,796,278

1,327,964,340

Total equity

 

418,049,525

 

3,553,839,015

 

2,874,822,103

 

2,330,315,144

3,767,334,560

Non-current liabilities:

 

               

Trade and other payables

 

224,612,852

 

1,909,433,852

 

1,295,851,077

 

2,230,282,210

1,568,886,646

Borrowings

 

438,921,036

 

3,731,267,723

 

2,924,530,436

 

2,218,483,028

2,487,650,894

Deferred revenue

 

12,832,504

 

109,089,120

 

33,665,717

 

264,427,265

174,796,000

Salaries and social security payable

 

7,394,225

 

62,858,307

 

25,959,305

 

17,460,281

23,584,607

Defined benefit plans

 

23,125,274

 

196,587,957

 

136,521,808

 

120,902,649

103,634,036

Deferred tax liabilities

 

55,356,368

 

470,584,488

 

416,561,631

 

625,429,965

821,124,172

Taxes payable

 

32,308,537

 

274,654,874

 

150,095,508

 

61,545,202

45,675,917

Provisions

 

14,051,982

 

119,455,898

 

91,464,804

 

86,409,533

69,975,102

Total non-current liabilities

 

808,602,778

 

6,873,932,219

 

5,074,650,286

 

5,624,940,133

5,295,327,374

Current liabilities:

 

               

Trade and other payables

 

533,528,812

 

4,535,528,435

 

3,098,555,391

 

1,687,978,624

1,082,963,093

Borrowings

 

98,730,028

 

839,303,970

 

753,571,799

 

790,916,969

893,801,060

Deferred revenue

 

89,835

 

763,684

 

-

 

-

 

Salaries and social security payable

 

85,316,421

 

725,274,898

 

501,445,076

 

447,870,658

324,900,133

Defined benefit plans

 

3,147,828

 

26,759,690

 

8,552,119

 

21,846,945

14,888,746

Taxes payable

 

27,282,511

 

231,928,622

 

239,718,270

 

248,119,227

196,282,111

Derivatives financial instruments

 

5,632,333

 

47,880,462

 

-

 

-

 

Provisions

 

2,962,655

 

25,185,527

 

11,239,188

 

11,659,708

11,399,017

Total current liabilities

 

756,690,423

 

6,432,625,288

 

4,613,081,843

 

3,208,392,131

2,524,234,160

Liabilities associated to assets classified as held for sale

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

155,836,523

501,587,082

Total liabilities

 

1,565,293,202

 

13,306,557,507

 

9,687,732,129

 

8,989,168,787

8,321,148,616

Total liabilities and equity

 

1,983,342,727

 

16,860,396,522

 

12,562,554,232

 

11,319,483,931

12,088,483,176

 

(1) Solely for the convenience of the reader, Peso amounts as of December 31, 2014 have been translated into U.S.$ at the sell rate for U.S. $ quoted by Banco Nación on December 31, 2014 of Ps. 8.551 to U.S.$1.00.  See “Item 3. - Key Information—Exchange Rates.”

 

 

 

 

 

7


 
 

               

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

2014

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

2011

 

 

(US$) (1)

 

(Pesos)

 

(Pesos)

 

(Pesos)

(Pesos)

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

               

Revenue

 

729,872,428

 

6,204,645,511

 

5,334,993,550

 

6,695,364,819

5,229,666,000

Cost of sales

 

(709,220,057)

 

(6,029,079,708)

 

(5,603,274,246)

 

(6,355,771,263)

(4,726,852,788)

Gross profit

 

20,652,371

 

175,565,803

 

(268,280,696)

 

339,593,556

502,813,212

Selling expenses

 

(83,914,874)

 

(713,360,347)

 

(634,221,473)

 

(414,002,396)

(282,577,570)

Administrative expenses

 

(98,512,965)

 

(837,458,716)

 

(563,852,810)

 

(463,317,509)

(379,815,207)

Other operating income

 

36,698,725

 

311,975,857

 

466,220,030

 

196,418,100

132,580,010

Other operating expenses

 

(52,590,857)

 

(447,074,876)

 

(204,039,316)

 

(203,949,959)

(134,804,547)

Reversal of impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

88,406,704

 

-

     

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(108,283,569)

(557,668,671)

Profit (loss) of join ventures

 

4,024,040

 

34,208,368

 

(4,799,349)

 

(31,020,306)

(14,605,490)

Share of (loss) profit of associates

 

(188,810)

 

(1,605,070)

 

2,228,499

 

2,294,951

19,779,284

Impairment of intangible assets

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

(90,056,095)

Profit of acquisition of subsidiaries

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

505,936,374

Operating loss before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents Notes

 

(173,832,370)

 

(1,389,342,277)

 

(1,206,745,115)

 

(682,267,132)

(298,418,700)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents Notes

 

267,254,082

 

2,271,926,952

 

2,933,051,544

 

-

-

Operating profit (loss)

 

93,421,712

 

882,584,675

 

1,726,306,429

 

(682,267,132)

(298,418,700)

Financial income

 

51,822,347

 

440,541,774

 

336,295,165

 

143,263,842

92,803,259

Financial cost

 

(130,952,700)

 

(1,113,228,906)

 

(813,875,720)

 

(501,942,312)

(417,859,940)

Other financial results

 

49,412,425

 

420,055,021

 

(519,261,217)

 

(203,001,724)

(142,516,846)

Financial results, net

 

(29,717,929)

 

(252,632,111)

 

(996,841,772)

 

(561,680,194)

(467,573,527)

Profit (Loss) before income tax

 

63,703,783

 

629,952,564

 

729,464,657

 

(1,243,947,326)

(765,992,227)

Income tax

 

(11,811,820)

 

(100,412,278)

 

12,178,991

 

133,311,022

36,912,458

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

 

51,891,964

 

529,540,286

 

741,643,648

 

(1,110,636,304)

(729,079,769)

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

-

 

(126,858,328)

 

31,066,521

(90,851,233)

Total Profit (Loss) of the year

 

51,891,964

 

529,540,286

 

614,785,320

 

(1,079,569,783)

(819,931,002)

 

 

               

Total Profit (Loss) of the year attributable to:

 

               

Owners of the company

 

87,420,228

 

743,159,355

 

286,083,801

 

(649,694,254)

(741,395,337)

Non - controlling interest

 

(25,128,699)

 

(213,619,069)

 

328,701,519

 

(429,875,529)

(78,535,665)

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

 

0.0665

 

0.5654

 

0.2829

 

(0.5133)

(0.5297)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

 

0.0598

 

0.5082

 

0.2829

 

(0.5133)

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations

 

-

 

-

 

(0.0652)

 

0.0190

(0.0344)

Diluted (loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations

 

-

 

-

 

(0.0652)

 

0.0186

(0.0344)

Dividends per share (2)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

0.0138

Basic earning (loss) per ADS (3) from continuing operations

 

0.0027

 

0.0226

 

0.0113

 

(0.0205)

(0.0212)

Diluted earning (loss) per ADS (3) from continuing operations

 

0.0024

 

0.0203

 

0.0113

 

(0.0205)

 

Basic (loss) earning per ADS (3) from discontinuing operations

 

-

 

-

 

(0.0026)

 

0.0008

(0.0014)

Diluted (loss) earning per ADS (3) from discontinuing operations

 

-

 

-

 

(0.0026)

 

0.0007

-

Dividends per ADS (3)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

-

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares

 

154,606,622

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

1,314,310,895

 

 

               

CASH FLOW DATA

 

               

Net cash generated by operating activities

 

307,723,756

 

2,615,959,652

 

1,656,196,597

 

1,198,056,614

1,063,758,464

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(295,712,993)

 

(2,513,856,150)

 

(1,456,587,868)

 

(903,135,054)

(1,657,527,373)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(17,373,048)

 

(147,688,277)

 

(76,931,201)

 

(542,226,508)

383,135,512

 

(1) Solely for the convenience of the reader, Peso amounts as of December 31, 2014 have been translated into U.S.$ at the sell rate for U.S.$ quoted by Banco Nación on December 31, 2014 of Ps. 8.551 to U.S.$ $1.00.  See “Item 3. - Key Information—Exchange Rates.”

(2) Each ADS represents 25 common shares.

 

 

 

8


 
 

               

 

EXCHANGE RATES

Exchange Rates

The following table sets forth the high, low, average and period-end exchange rates for the periods indicated, expressed in Pesos per U.S. Dollar and not adjusted for inflation.  There can be no assurance that the Peso will not depreciate or appreciate again in the future.  The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Pesos.

 

 

Exchange rates(1)

 

 

(in Pesos per US Dollars)

 

High

Low

Average(2)

Period end

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

3.988

3.794

3.913

3.976

2011

 

4.304

3.972

4.131

4.304

2012

 

4.918

4.304

4.552

4.918

2013

 

6.521

4.925

5.484

6.521

2014

 

8.557

6.545

8.119

8.551

 

 

 

 

 

 

Month

 

 

 

 

 

November 2014

 

8.526

8.507

8.514

8.524

December 2014

 

8.557

8.532

8.549

8.551

January 2015

 

8.644

8.555

8.604

8.644

February 2015

 

8.726

8.656

8.687

8.726

March 2015

 

8.822

8.733

8.780

8.822

April 2015

 

8.907

8.822

8.867

8.907

  May 2015 (3)

Ps.

8.928  

Ps.

8.912  

Ps.

8.921  

Ps.

8.928  

 

Source: Banco Nación

(1)   Represents the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period.

(2)   Average of the lowest and highest daily rates in the month.

(3)   Represents the average of the lowest and highest daily rates from May 1 through May 8, 2015.

In the future, any cash dividends we pay will be in Pesos, and exchange rate fluctuations affect the U.S. Dollar amounts received by holders of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), on conversion by us or by the depositary of cash dividends on the shares represented by such ADSs.  Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Peso and the U.S. Dollar will affect the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the Peso price of our shares on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and, as a result, can also affect the market price of the ADSs.

 

9


 
 

               

RISK FACTORS

 

Risks Related to Argentina

Overview

We are a stock corporation (sociedad anónima) incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Argentina and substantially all of our revenues are earned in Argentina and substantially all of our operations, facilities, and customers are located in Argentina.  Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations depend to a significant extent on macroeconomic, regulatory, political and financial conditions prevailing in Argentina, including growth, inflation rates, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other local, regional and international events and conditions that may affect Argentina in any manner.  For example, slower economic growth or economic recession could lead to a decreased demand for electricity in the service areas in which our subsidiaries operate or a decline in the purchasing power of our customers, which, in turn, could lead to a decrease in collection rates from our customers or increased energy losses due to illegal use of our services.  Actions of the Argentine Government concerning the economy, including decisions with respect to inflation, interest rates, price controls (including tariffs and other compensation of public services), foreign exchange controls and taxes, have had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on private sector entities, including us.  For example, during the Argentine economic crisis of 2001, the Argentine Government froze electricity distribution margins and caused the pesification of our tariffs, which had a materially adverse effect on our business and financial condition and led us to suspend payments on our financial debt at the time.

We cannot assure you that the current or next Argentine Government will not adopt other policies that could adversely affect the Argentine economy or our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that future economic, regulatory, social and political developments in Argentina will not impair our business, financial condition or results of operations, or cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

A global or regional financial crisis and unfavorable credit and market conditions may negatively affect our liquidity, customers, business, and results of operations

The effects of a global or regional credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, an impact that is likely to be more severe on an emerging market economy, such as Argentina.  The effect of such an economic crisis on our customers and on us cannot be predicted.  Weak economic conditions could lead to reduced demand or lower prices for energy, which could have a negative effect on our revenues.  Economic factors such as unemployment, inflation and the availability of credit could also have a material adverse effect on demand for energy and, therefore, on our financial condition and operating results.  The financial and economic situation in Argentina or other countries in Latin America, such as Brazil, may also have a negative impact on us and third parties with whom we do, or may do, business.  In addition, our ability to access credit or capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would need financing, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions (see “Argentina’s ability to obtain financing from international markets is limited, which may impair its ability to implement reforms and foster economic growth, and consequently, may affect our business, results of operations and prospects for growth”).  For these reasons, any of the foregoing factors or a combination of them could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

The Argentine economy remains vulnerable and any significant decline could adversely affect our financial condition

Sustainable economic growth in Argentina is dependent on a variety of factors, including the international demand for Argentine exports, the stability and competitiveness of the Argentine Peso against foreign currencies, the confidence among consumers and foreign and domestic investors and a stable rate of inflation.

 

 

10


 
 

               

The Argentine economy remains vulnerable, as reflected by the following economic conditions:

·         GDP growth has declined and employment is beginning to show some signals of weakness;

·         inflation remains high and threatens to continue at those levels;

·         investment as a percentage of GDP remains too low to sustain the growth rate of recent years;

·         the availability of long-term credit is scarce, while international financing remains limited;

·         the regulatory environment continues to be uncertain;

·         in the climate created by the above-mentioned conditions, demand for foreign currency has grown, generating a capital flight effect to which the Argentine Government has responded with regulations and currency exchange and transfer restrictions, and it is widely reported that in other countries where the Peso is traded, the Peso/U.S. Dollar exchange rate differs substantially from the official exchange rate in Argentina; and

·         previous GDP performance has depended to some extent on high commodity prices which, despite having a favorable long-term trend, are volatile in the short-term and beyond the control of the Argentine Government.

As in the recent past, Argentina’s economy may be adversely affected if political and social pressures inhibit the implementation by the Argentine Government of policies designed to control inflation, generate growth and enhance consumer and investor confidence, or if policies implemented by the Argentine Government that are designed to achieve these goals are not successful. These events could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, or cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

We cannot assure you that a decline in economic growth, increased economic instability or the expansion of economic policies and measures taken by the Argentine Government to control inflation or address other macroeconomic developments that affect private sector entities such as us, all developments over which we have no control, would not have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations or would not have a negative impact on the market value of our ADSs.

The impact of inflation in Argentina on our costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations

Inflation has, in the past, materially undermined the Argentine economy and the Argentine Government’s ability to create conditions that permit growth. In recent years, Argentina has confronted inflationary pressures, evidenced by significantly higher fuel, energy and food prices, among other factors.  According to data published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (National Statistics and Census Institute or “INDEC”), the rate of inflation reached 10.0% in 2012, 10.6% in 2013 and 21.4% in 2014. The Argentine Government has implemented programs to control inflation and monitor prices for essential goods and services, including freezing the prices of supermarket products, and price support arrangements agreed between the Argentine Government and private sector companies in several industries and markets.

A high inflation environment would undermine Argentina’s foreign competitiveness by diluting the effects of the Argentine Peso devaluation, negatively impact the level of economic activity and employment and undermine confidence in Argentina’s banking system, which could further limit the availability of domestic and international credit to businesses. In turn, a portion of the Argentine debt is adjusted by the Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia (Stabilization Coefficient, or “CER”), a currency index, that is strongly related to inflation. Therefore, any significant increase in inflation would cause an increase in the Argentine external debt and consequently in Argentina’s financial obligations, which could exacerbate the stress on the Argentine economy.  A continuing high inflation environment could undermine our results of operations as a result of a delay in our ability to, or our inability to, adjust our tariffs accordingly; it could adversely affect our ability to finance the working capital needs of our businesses on favorable terms; and it could adversely affect our results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

 

 

11


 
 

               

The credibility of several Argentine economic indices has been called into question, which may lead to a lack of confidence in the Argentine economy and may in turn limit our ability to access the credit and capital markets

In January 2007, INDEC modified its methodology used to calculate the consumer price index (the “CPI”), which is calculated as the monthly average of a weighted basket of consumer goods and services that reflects the pattern of consumption of Argentine households. Since then, the credibility of the CPI, as well as other indexes published by the INDEC has been affected. As a result of the uncertainty relating to the accuracy of INDEC indices, the inflation rate of Argentina and the other rates calculated by INDEC could be higher than as indicated in official reports.

On November 23, 2010, the Argentine Government began consulting with the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) for technical assistance in order to prepare a new national consumer price index with the aim of modernizing the current statistical system.  In its meeting held on February 1, 2013, the Executive Board of the IMF found that Argentina’s progress in implementing remedial measures since September 2012 had not been sufficient.  As a result, the IMF issued a declaration of censure against Argentina in connection with the breach of its related obligations to the IMF under the Articles of Agreement and called on Argentina to adopt remedial measures to address the inaccuracy of inflation and GDP data without further delay.

In order to address the quality of official data, a new price index was put in place on February 13, 2014. The new price index represents the first national indicator to measure changes in prices of final consumption by households. While the previous price index only measured inflation in the urban sprawl of the City of Buenos Aires, the new price index is calculated by measuring prices on goods across the entire urban population of the 24 provinces of Argentina. Pursuant to these calculations, the new consumer price index rose 21.4%in 2014. Even though the new methodology brought inflation statistics closer to those estimated by private sources, there is still a material difference between official inflation data and private estimates.

Any further required correction or restatement of the INDEC indices could result in a decrease in confidence in Argentina’s economy, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on our ability to access international capital markets to finance our operations and growth, and which could, in turn, adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Argentina’s ability to obtain financing from international markets is limited, which may impair its ability to implement reforms and foster economic growth and, consequently, may affect our business, results of operations and prospects for growth

In 2005, Argentina restructured part of its sovereign debt that had been in default since the end of 2001.  The Argentine Government announced that as a result of this restructuring, it had approximately U.S.$129.2 billion in total gross public debt as of December 31, 2005. Holdout creditors that declined to participate in the exchanges commenced numerous lawsuits against Argentina in several countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Since late 2012, rulings favorable to those bondholders have deepened doubts about Argentina’s ability to service its restructured debt under the terms of foreign judgments, and exacerbated invertor’s uncertainties.  In 2013, the Argentine Congress approved a law that enables the government to take the necessary measures to complete the debt restructuring process, on terms that cannot exceed those of the previous debt exchanges.  On August 23, 2013, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the bondholders.  On November 18, 2013, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied Argentina’s petition for a rehearing.  On June 16, 2014, the United States Supreme Court denied Argentina’s certiorari petition and affirmed the Court of Appeals decision.  Consequently, on June 18, 2014, the Court of Appeals lifted the stay of enforcement on the award granted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, requiring Argentina to pay all amounts owed to holdout bondholders on the next payment to holders of restructured debt.

Argentina has not yet honored the award or otherwise reached an agreement with its holdout bondholders.  In addition, as a result of the orders issued by the District Court affecting third parties involved in the payment process, holders of certain restructured debt have not received payments on their bonds, technically rendering the country in default on its interest payments under such restructured indebtedness. We cannot assure that such indebtedness, to the extent of a continued default, shall not be accelerated by its holders.  The ongoing dispute with the holdout bondholders may prevent Argentina from accessing the capital markets and limit the sources of funding and investment capital that are available to Argentina, and, therefore, the Argentine Government’s ability to promote economic growth.

 

 

12


 
 

               

On April 30, 2010, Argentina launched a new debt exchange directed to holders of the securities issued in the 2005 debt exchange and to holders of the securities that were eligible to participate in the 2005 debt exchange (other than Brady bonds) to exchange such debt for new securities and, in certain cases, a cash payment. As a result of the 2005 and 2010 exchange offers, Argentina restructured over 91% of the defaulted debt eligible for the 2005 and 2010 exchange offers. The creditors who did not participate in the 2005 or 2010 exchange offers may continue pursuing legal actions against Argentina for the recovery of debt, which could adversely affect Argentina’s access to the international capital markets.

In May 2014, the Argentine Government reached an agreement with the Secretary of the Paris Club to cancel the outstanding debt in an amount equal to approximately U.S.$. 10 billion (including interest), in several installments during five years and starting in July 2014.

In addition, foreign shareholders of several Argentine companies have filed claims before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (the “ICSID”) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) alleging that certain government measures adopted during the country’s 2001 crisis were inconsistent with the fair and equitable treatment standards set forth in various bilateral investment treaties to which Argentina is a party. Since May 2005, certain plaintiffs have prevailed against Argentina in such proceedings. In October 2013, the Argentine Government entered into settlement agreements with certain claimants worth U.S.$677 million, to be satisfied with the delivery of newly issued sovereign bonds. Argentina’s past default and its failure to completely restructure its remaining sovereign debt and fully negotiate with the holdout creditors may limit Argentina’s ability to reenter the international capital markets.  Litigation initiated by holdout creditors as well as ICSID and UNCITRAL claims have resulted and may continue to result in judgments and awards against the Argentine Government which, if not paid, could prevent Argentina from obtaining credit from multilateral organizations. Judgment creditors have sought and may continue to seek to attach or enjoin assets of Argentina. An example of this is the Libertad Frigate case, in which a commercial court in Accra, Ghana, granted an order (which has been overturned) to detain an Argentine ship which had entered the Accra port on a routine trip.  In addition, various creditors have organized themselves into associations to engage in lobbying and public relations efforts concerning Argentina’s default on its public indebtedness. Over the years, such groups have unsuccessfully urged passage of federal and New York state legislation directed at Argentina’s defaulted debt and aimed at limiting Argentina’s access to the U.S. capital markets. Although neither the United States Congress nor the New York state legislature has adopted such legislation, we can make no assurance that legislation or other political actions designed to limit Argentina’s access to capital markets will not take effect. 

As a result of Argentina’s default and the events that have followed it, the government may not have the financial resources necessary to implement reforms and foster economic growth, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the country’s economy and, consequently, our business and results of operations. 

Furthermore, Argentina’s inability to obtain credit in international markets could have a direct impact on our own ability to access international credit markets to finance our operations and growth, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Fluctuations in the value of the Argentine Peso could adversely affect the Argentine economy, which could, in turn adversely affect our results of operations

The devaluation of the Argentine Peso could have a negative impact on the financial condition of many Argentine businesses, including us.  Such situation could negatively impact the ability of Argentine businesses to honor their foreign currency-denominated debt, lead to very high inflation, significantly reduce real wages, jeopardize the stability of businesses whose success depends on domestic market demand, including public utilities and the financial industry, and adversely affect the Argentine Government’s ability to honor its foreign debt obligations. After several years of moderate variations in the nominal exchange rate, in 2012 the peso lost approximately 14% of its value with respect to the US Dollar.  This was followed in 2013 and 2014 by a devaluation of the peso with respect to the U.S. Dollar that exceeded 30%, including a loss of approximately 24% in January 2014.  If the Argentine Peso devalues further, the negative effects on the Argentine economy could have adverse consequences to our businesses, our results of operations and the market value of our ADSs, including as measured in U.S. Dollars.

 

 

13


 
 

               

On the other hand, a significant appreciation of the Argentine Peso against the U.S. Dollar also presents risks for the Argentine economy, including the possibility of a reduction in exports (as a consequence of the loss of external competitiveness). Any such increase could also have a negative effect on economic growth and employment, reduce the Argentine public sector’s revenues from tax collection in real terms, and have a material adverse effect on our business, our results of operations and the market value of our ADSs as a result of the weakening of the Argentine economy in general. 

Certain measures that may be taken by the Argentine Government may adversely affect the Argentine economy and, as a result, our business and results of operations

During recent years, the Argentine Government has increased its direct intervention in the economy, including through the implementation of expropriation and nationalization measures, price controls and exchange controls.

In November 2008, the Argentine Government enacted Law No. 26,425 which provided for the nationalization of the Argentine private pension funds (Administradoras de Fondos de Jubilaciones y Pensiones, the AFJPs”) (see “The nationalization of Argentina’s private pension funds caused an adverse effect in the Argentine capital markets and increased the Argentine Government’s interest in certain stock exchange listed companies, such that the Argentine Government became a significant shareholder of such companies”). Beginning in April 2012, the Argentine Government provided for the nationalization of YPF and imposed major changes to the system under which oil companies operate, principally through the enactment of Law No. 26,741 and Decree No. 1277/2012.  In February  2014, the Argentine Government and Repsol announced that they had reached agreement on the terms of the compensation payable to Repsol for the expropriation of the YPF shares. Such compensation amounted to U.S.$ 5 billion, payable by delivery of Argentine sovereign bonds with various maturities. Additionally, on December 19, 2012, the Argentine Government issued Decree No. 2552/2012 which, in its article 2, ordered the expropriation of the “Predio Rural de Palermo”. However, on January 4, 2013, the Federal Civil and Commercial Chamber granted an injunction that has temporarily blocked the application of Decree No. 2,552/2012. We cannot assure you that these or other measures that may be adopted by the Argentine Government, such as expropriation, nationalization, forced renegotiation or modification of existing contracts, new taxation policies, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting foreign trade, investment, etc., will not have a material adverse effect on the Argentine economy and, as a consequence, adversely affect our financial condition, our results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

Exchange controls and restrictions on capital inflows and outflows may continue to limit the availability of international credit and could threaten the financial system and lead to renewed political and social tensions, adversely affecting the Argentine economy, and, as a result, our business

In 2001 and 2002, Argentina imposed exchange controls and transfer restrictions, substantially limiting the ability of companies to retain foreign currency or make payments abroad. After 2002, these restrictions, including those requiring the Central Bank’s prior authorization for the transfer of funds abroad to pay principal and interest on debt obligations, were substantially eased through 2007. Since the last quarter of 2011, however, new regulation made foreign exchange transactions subject to the prior approval of the Argentine tax authorities.  Through a combination of foreign exchange and tax regulations, the Argentine authorities have significantly curtailed access to the foreign exchange market by individuals and private-sector entities. 

Since 2011, the Argentine Government has adopted exchange controls such as requiring an authorization of tax authorities to access the foreign exchange market and introduced measures that have imposed limits on access to the foreign exchange market to retail transactions. It is widely reported that the Peso/U.S. Dollar exchange rate in the unofficial market substantially differs from the official Peso/U.S. Dollar exchange rate. See “Item3 – Key Information - Exchange Rates” and “Item 10—Exchange Controls.”  In addition to the foreign exchange restrictions, in June 2005 the Argentine Government adopted various rules and regulations that established new restrictive controls on capital inflows into the country, including a requirement that, for certain funds remitted into Argentina, an amount equal to 30% of the funds must be deposited into an account with a local financial institution as a U.S. Dollar deposit for a one-year period without any accrual of interest, benefit or other use as collateral for any transaction. 

 

 

14


 
 

               

The Argentine Government could impose further exchange controls, transfer restrictions or restrictions on the movement of capital and/or take other measures in response to capital flight or a significant depreciation of the Peso, which could limit our ability to access the international capital markets and impair our ability to make interest or principal payments abroad or payments.  Such measures could lead to renewed political and social tensions and undermine the Argentine Government’s public finances, which could adversely affect Argentina’s economy and prospects for economic growth, which, in turn, could adversely affect our business and results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.  In addition, the Argentine Government or the Central Bank may reinstate certain restrictions on the transfers of funds abroad, impairing our ability to make dividend payments to holders of the ADSs, which may adversely affect the market value of our ADSs.  As of the date of this annual report, however, the transfer of funds abroad to pay dividends is permitted to the extent such dividend payments are made in connection with audited financial statements approved by a shareholders’ meeting of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this annual report, in light of applicable regulations the financial situation of the Company does not permit the payment of dividends.

The nationalization of Argentina’s private pension funds caused an adverse effect in the Argentine capital markets and increased the Argentine Government’s interest in certain stock exchange listed companies, such that the Argentine Government became a significant shareholder of such companies

Prior to 2009, a significant portion of the local demand for securities of Argentine companies came from Argentine private pension funds. In response to the global economic crisis, in December 2008, by means of Argentine Law No. 26,425, the Argentine Congress unified the Argentine pension and retirement system into a system publicly administered by the National Social Security Agency (Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social, or the “ANSES”), eliminating the pension and retirement system previously administered by private managers. In accordance with the new law, private pension managers transferred all of the assets administered by them under the pension and retirement system to the ANSES. With the nationalization of Argentina’s private pension funds, the Argentine Government, through the ANSES, became a significant shareholder in many of the country’s public companies. In April 2011, the Argentine Government lifted certain restrictions pursuant to which ANSES was prevented from exercising more than 5% of its voting rights in any stock exchange listed company (regardless of the equity interest held by ANSES in such companies). ANSES has since exercised its voting rights in excess of such 5% limit in order to appoint directors in different stock exchange listed companies in which it holds an interest exceeding 5%. ANSES’s interests may differ from those of other investors and, consequently, those investors may understand that ANSES’s actions might have an adverse effect on such companies. As of the date of this annual report, ANSES owns shares representing 23.23% of the capital stock of the Company and also owns shares of the capital stock of our subsidiaries Edenor and Transener.

 

The Argentine Government exerted a stronger influence on the operation of stock exchange listed companies. We cannot assure you that these or other similar actions taken by the Argentine Government will not have an adverse effect on the Argentine economy and consequently on our financial condition and results of operations.

The Argentine economy could be adversely affected by economic developments in other markets and by more general “contagion” effects

Argentine financial and securities markets are influenced, to varying degrees, by economic and financial conditions in other markets and Argentina’s economy is vulnerable to external shocks, including those related or similar to the global economic crisis that began in 2008 and economic and financial conditions in Argentina’s major trading partners, in particular, Brazil. For example, the current devaluation of the Brazilian currency and the slowdown of its economy may negatively affect the Argentine economy, and in turn, our business and results of operations. Although economic conditions can vary from country to country, investors’ perception of the events occurring in other countries have substantially affected in the past, and may continue to substantially affect capital flows to other countries and the value of securities in other countries, including Argentina.  The Argentine economy was adversely impacted by the political and economic events that occurred in several emerging economies in the 1990s, including those in Mexico in 1994, the collapse of several Asian economies between 1997 and 1998, the economic crisis in Russia in 1998 and the Brazilian devaluation of its currency in January 1999.

 

 

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In addition, international investors’ reactions to events occurring in one market sometimes demonstrate a “contagion” effect in which an entire region or class of investment is disfavored by international investors, Argentina could be adversely affected by negative economic or financial developments in other countries, which in turn may have material adverse effect on the Argentine economy and, indirectly, on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the market value of our ADSs.

Argentina’s economy is vulnerable to external shocks that could be caused by significant economic difficulties of its major regional trading partners

Argentina’s economy is vulnerable to adverse developments affecting its principal trading partners. A significant decline in the economic growth of any of Argentina’s major trading partners, such as Brazil, China or the United States, could have a material adverse impact on Argentina’s balance of trade and adversely affect Argentina’s economic growth. Declining demand for Argentine exports, or a decline in the international market prices for those products, could have a material adverse effect on Argentina’s economic growth.  The slowdown of Brazil’s economic growth in 2014, which has continued during the first quarter of 2015, has resulted in a contraction in demand for Argentine exports. A prolonged downturn in Brazil’s economy can be expected to adversely impact Argentina’s economic growth.

The actions taken by the Argentine Government to reduce imports may affect our ability to purchase significant capital goods

The Argentine Government has adopted some initiatives designed to limit the import of goods in order to prevent further deterioration of the Argentine balance of trade. The restriction of imports may limit or delay our ability to purchase capital goods that are necessary for our operations, which may, in turn, adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Argentine judicial reforms, as well as challenges thereto, have generated uncertainty with respect to future administrative and judicial proceedings involving the Argentine Government

Law No. 26,854, which regulates injunctions in cases in which the Argentine Government is a party or has intervened, was promulgated on April 30, 2013 as part of a judicial reform bill approved by the Argentine Congress.  Among the principal changes proposed in the judicial reform bill are a time limitation on injunctions imposed in proceedings brought against the Argentine Government and the creation of three new chambers of Casación (which hear appeals) prior to the intervention of the Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina. In addition, Law No. 26,855, which became effective on May 27, 2013, modified the structure and functions of the Argentine Consejo de la Magistratura (judicial council), which is in charge of appointing judges, of presenting charges against them, and of suspending or deposing them. However, several aspects of the legislation have been struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional and the long-term impact of the newly adopted legislation on Argentina’s legal system and future administrative and/or judicial proceedings, including potential future claims by us against the Argentine Government, cannot yet be predicted.

Risks Relating to the Argentine Electricity and Oil and Gas Sectors

The Argentine Government has intervened in the electricity sector in the past, and is likely to continue intervening

To address the Argentine economic crisis in 2001 and 2002, the Argentine Government adopted the Public Emergency Law and other regulations, which made a number of material changes to the regulatory framework applicable to the electricity sector.  These changes severely affected electricity generation, distribution and transmission companies and included the freezing of distribution nominal margins, the revocation of adjustment and inflation indexation mechanisms of tariffs, a limitation on the ability of electricity distribution companies to pass on to the consumer increases in costs due to regulatory charges and the introduction of a new price-setting mechanism in the wholesale electricity market (the “WEM”) which had a significant impact on electricity generators and generated substantial price differences within the market.  The Argentine Government has continued to intervene in this sector, by, for example, granting temporary nominal margin increases, proposing a new social tariff regime for residents of poverty-stricken areas, removing discretionary subsidies, creating specific charges to raise funds that are transferred to government-managed trust funds that finance investments in generation and distribution infrastructure and mandating investments for the construction of new generation plants and the expansion of existing transmission and distribution networks.

 

 

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Furthermore, on November 15, 2011, the Secretariat of Energy issued Note No. 8752, which provided that any approval by the provincial governments of increases to the electricity tariffs applicable to end-users as of November 1, 2011, will trigger a proportionate decrease in the federal subsidy available to that end-user in connection with the purchase of electricity. Since the issuance of Note No. 8752, certain provincial governments have initiated legal proceedings to challenge the jurisdiction of the Secretariat of Energy to issue Note No. 8752, particularly because of the potential chilling effect that this regulation may have on the ability of the provincial governments to increase electricity tariffs.  As of the date of this annual report, at least one unfavorable ruling against the Argentine Government had been rendered. These proceedings had not been resolved as of the date of this annual report.  In addition to the foregoing, several provincial governments have recently enacted new regulations in order to charge electricity end-users amounts corresponding to the cuts in the federal subsidy.

On November 27, 2012, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 2016, which approved the seasonal WEM prices – subsidized and not subsidized − for the period from November 2012 through April 2013. The seasonal price format was modified, concluding in a single purchase price without considering any demand nor time segmentation and taking into account the structure of the demand as of October 2012 as the base. Subsequently, in June 2013, the Secretariat of Energy adopted SE Resolution No. 408/13, which maintains both the single price and the criteria for raising subsidies during the winter season, with a reduction of the single price only for those months and a subsequent reversion of prices in October 2013.

 

The Argentine Government has also announced an analysis of new measures that would change the current regulatory framework of the energy sector. On March 26, 2013, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 95/2013, which introduced a new scheme for the remuneration for the electricity generation sector and several modifications to the organization of the WEM, including the suspension of the administration of new contracts, or the renewal of existing contracts, in the term market of the WEM (see “Item 4.—The Argentine Electricity Sector—SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended—New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM”).  The price scheme established by SE Resolution No. 95/2013 was amended by SE Resolution No. 529/2014, which provided for the modification of the methodology for calculation of the fixed costs remuneration, the implementation of a new remuneration to cover extraordinary maintenance works for thermal generators and the retroactive adjustment of prices as from February 2014.We cannot assure you that these or other measures that may be adopted by the Argentine Government will not have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations or on the market value of our shares and ADSs or that the Argentine Government will not adopt emergency legislation similar to the Public Emergency Law, or other similar resolutions, in the future that may further increase our regulatory obligations, including increased taxes, unfavorable alterations to our tariff structures and other regulatory obligations, compliance with which would increase our costs and have a direct negative impact on our results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Electricity distributors, generators and transmitters were severely affected by the emergency measures adopted during the economic crisis, many of which remain in effect

Distribution and transmission tariffs include a regulated margin that is intended to cover the costs of distribution or transmission, as applicable, and provide an adequate return.  Generators, which mostly depend on the sales made to the spot market (the market set by supply and demand of energy available for immediate delivery), used to have stable prices and were able to reinvest their profits to become more efficient and achieve better margins.  Under Law No. 23,928 and Decree No. 529/91 (together, the “Convertibility Law”), which established a fixed exchange rate of one Peso per U.S. Dollar, distribution and transmission tariffs and electricity spot prices were calculated in U.S. Dollars and distribution and transmission margins were adjusted periodically to reflect variations in U.S. inflation indexes.  In January 2002, pursuant to the Public Emergency Law, which authorized the Argentine Government to renegotiate its public utility contracts, provisions requiring price adjustments based on foreign inflation indexes and all other indexation mechanisms in public utility services agreements between the Argentine Government or any provincial government and the providers of those services (including us) were revoked, and the tariffs for the provision of such services were frozen and converted from their original U.S. Dollar values to Argentine Pesos at a rate of Ps.1.00 per U.S.$1.00.  These measures, coupled with the effect of high inflation and the devaluation of the Peso, led to a decline in revenues in real terms and an increase of costs in real terms, which could no longer be recovered through margin adjustments or market price-setting mechanisms.  This situation, in turn, led many public utility companies to suspend payments on their financial debt (which continued to be denominated in U.S. Dollars despite the pesification of revenues), effectively preventing these companies from obtaining further financing in the domestic or international credit markets and making additional investments.  Although the Argentine Government has granted temporary and partial relief to certain companies in the electricity sector, we cannot assure you that these measures will be sufficient to address the structural problems created for our company by the economic crisis and in its aftermath or that similar measures extending the relief granted will be enacted in the future.

 

 

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Electricity demand may be affected by tariff increases, which could lead electricity companies, such as us, to record lower revenues

During the 2001 and 2002 economic crisis, electricity demand in Argentina decreased due to the decline in the overall level of economic activity and the deterioration in the ability of many consumers to pay their electricity bills. In the years following the 2001 and 2002 economic crisis, electricity demand experienced significant growth (an increase of 4.7% from 2012 to 2014). This increase in electricity demand since 2003 reflects the relative low cost, in real terms, of electricity to consumers due to the freezing of margins, subsidies in the energy purchase price and the elimination of the inflation adjustment provisions in distribution concessions coupled with the devaluation of the Peso, the inflation and the pesification of the tariffs.  The executive branch of the Argentine Government granted temporary increases in transmission and distribution margins, and transmission and distribution companies are currently negotiating further increases and adjustments to their tariff schemes with the Argentine Government.  Although the increases in electricity transmission and distribution margins, which increased the cost of electricity to residential customers, have not had a significant negative effect on demand, we cannot make any assurances that these increases or any future increases in the relative cost of electricity will not have a material adverse effect on electricity demand or a decline in collections from customers.  Further, in November 2011, the Argentine Government announced a cut in subsidies (which has not impacted our value-added for distribution, or “VAD”) for electricity granted to certain customers that are presumed to be in a position to afford the cost without such subsidies. Such cut in subsidies affected only a small portion of our customers (namely, certain industries, such as oil and gas and certain distribution areas with high purchasing power). In this respect, we cannot assure you that these measures or any future measures (including increases on tariffs for residential users) will not lead electricity companies, like us, to record lower revenues and results of operations than currently anticipated, which may, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the market value of our ADSs.

If the demand for energy is increased suddenly, current levels of power generation and the difficulty in increasing the capacity of transmission and distribution companies in a short or medium term, could adversely affect the Company, which in turn could result in customer complaints and substantial fines imposed on such companies

In recent years, the increase in electricity demand was greater than the structural increase in electricity generation, transmission and distribution capacities, which led, sometimes, to power shortages and disruptions.  While current demand for electricity has decreased because of, among other things, a lower level of activity linked to the global economic crisis, a sustained increase in electricity demand could generate future shortages.

Additionally, according to Argentine law, distribution companies are responsible before their customers for any interruption in the supply of electricity.  Consequently, customer can make their claims to the distribution companies.  Also, distribution companies can suffer fines and penalties for interruptions caused by power outages, unless the respective Argentine authorities determine that power outages are caused by force majeure events.  As of the date of this annual report, Argentine authorities have not ruled on the conditions under which outages may constitute a case of force majeure.  In the past, however, Argentine authorities have adopted a restrictive view of the concept of force majeure and have acknowledged its existence in limited circumstances, such as internal defects in the customer’s location or extraordinary weather events (such as severe storms, tornadoes or floods). We cannot assure that we will not experience a lack in the supply of energy that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs and shares to decline.

 

 

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Oil and gas companies have recently been affected by certain measures taken by the Argentine Government and may be further affected by additional changes in their regulatory framework

Since December 2011, the Argentine Government has adopted a number of measures concerning repatriation of funds obtained as a result of exports of oil and gas and charges applicable to the production of liquid gas which have affected the business of oil and gas producers and manufacturers (see “Certain measures that may be taken by the Argentine Government may adversely affect the Argentine economy and, as a result, our business and results of operations”). More recently, beginning in April 2012, the Argentine Government provided for the nationalization of YPF and imposed major changes to the system under which oil companies operate, principally through the enactment of Law No. 26,741, Decree No. 1277/2012 and Law No. 27,007. Further changes in such regulations may increase the adverse effect of such measures on the business, revenues and operations of companies operating in the oil and gas sector, including companies in which we hold, or may hold in the future, equity interests, and may lead in turn to a material adverse effect on the market value of our ADSs.

Argentine oil and gas production concessions and exploration permits are subject to certain conditions and may not be renewed or could be revoked

Law No. 17,319 the “Hydrocarbons Law” (as amended by Law No. 27,007) provides for oil and gas concessions to remain in effect for 25, 30 or 35 years, depending on the concession, as from the date of their award, and further provides for the concession term to be extended for periods of 10 additional years, subject to terms and conditions approved by the grantor at the time of the extension. The authority to extend the terms of current and new permits, concessions and contracts has been vested with the government of the province in which the relevant area is located (and the Argentine Government in respect of offshore areas beyond 12 nautical miles).  In order to be eligible for the extension, any concessionaire and permit holder must have complied with its obligations under the Hydrocarbons Law and the terms of the particular concession or permit, including evidence of payment of taxes and royalties, the supply of the necessary technology, equipment and labor force and compliance with various environmental, investment and development obligations. Under the Hydrocarbons Law, non-compliance with these obligations and standards may also result in the imposition of fines and in the case of material breaches, following the expiration of applicable cure periods, the revocation of the concession or permit.  

The Argentine Government and a number of provincial governments revoked certain of YPF’s (prior to its nationalization) and Petrobras Argentina S.A.’s (“Petrobras”) concessions in 2012.  Petrolera Pampa has formed partnerships in projects with proved gas reserves to be developed by major oil and gas companies, such as Ysur Energía Argentina S.R.L. (“Ysur”) (formerly Apache Energía Argentina S.R.L. or “Apache”), Petrobras and YPF and is currently negotiating agreements that involve potential oil and gas production with Petrolera Pampa as operator. See “Item 4.—Our Business—Other Businesses—Petrolera Pampa—Petrolera Pampa’s Projects”. The termination or revocation of, or failure to obtain the extension of, a concession or permit under these projects could have a material adverse effect on Petrolera Pampa’s business and results of operations.

In April 2012, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 26,741, expropriating 51% of the shares of YPF owned by the Spanish energy company, Repsol YPF. Under the terms of the law, out of the 51% of total shares to be expropriated, 51% of such shares will be held by the Argentine Government and the remaining 49% will be held by oil-producing Argentine Provinces.  Also, the law states that hydrocarbon activities (including, exploitation, industrialization, transportation and commercialization) in the territory of Argentina qualify as a “national public interest”.  The law, entitled “Hydrocarbon Sovereignty of Argentina”, provides that the primary objective is to achieve Argentina’s self-sufficiency in oil and gas supply.  We cannot assure you that these or other measures that may be adopted by the Argentine Government will not have a material adverse effect on the Argentine economy and, as a consequence, adversely affect our financial condition, our results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

Petrolera Pampa’s inclusion in the Encouragement Program may be discontinued or we may not be able to collect the compensation offered thereunder

 

 

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Through Resolution No. 27/2013, the Comisión de Planificación y Coordinación Estratégica del Plan Nacional de Inversiones Hidrocarburíferas (National Investment Plan for Hydrocarbon’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Commission or the “Commission”) included Petrolera Pampa’s project as one of the projects to receive the compensation of U.S.$ 7.5 /MMBTU for volume in excess of an agreed threshold (See “Item 4.– Our Business – Other Business – Gas Market”).

Petrolera Pampa cannot assure the continuity of this program or the timely collection of the correct compensation offered thereunder.

Risks Relating to our Company

We operate a material portion of our business pursuant to public concessions granted by the Argentine Government, the revocation or termination of which would have a material adverse effect on our business

We conduct a significant part of our businesses pursuant to public concessions granted by the Argentine Government.  These concessions contain several requirements regarding the operation of those businesses and compliance with laws and regulations.  Compliance with our obligations under our concessions is typically secured by a pledge of our shares in the concessionaires in favor of the Argentine Government.  Accordingly, upon the occurrence of specified events of default under these concessions, the Argentine Government would be entitled to foreclose on its pledge of the concessionaire and sell our shares in that concessionaire to a third party.  Such sale would have a severe negative impact on our ability to operate a material portion of our business, and as a result, our results of operations would be materially adversely affected.  Finally, our concessions also generally provide for termination in the case of insolvency or bankruptcy of the concessionaire.  If any of our concessions are terminated or if the Argentine Government forecloses its pledge over the shares we own in any of our concessionaire companies, such companies could not continue to operate as a going concern, and in turn our consolidated results of operations would be materially adversely affected and the market value of our shares and ADSs could decline. 

We employ a largely unionized labor force and could be subject to an organized labor action, including work stoppages that could have a material adverse effect on our business

The majority of the employees in the electricity sector are affiliated with labor unions.  As of December 31, 2014, approximately 80% of our employees were union members.  Although our relations with unions are currently stable, we cannot assure you that our operating subsidiaries will not experience work disruptions or stoppages in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and revenues.  In addition, our collective bargaining agreements generally expire after a one-year term.  We have completed salary negotiations for 2014.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements on the same terms as those currently in effect, or that we will not be subject to strikes or work stoppages before or during the negotiation process. If we are unable to negotiate salary agreements or if we are subject to strikes or work stoppages, our results of operations, financial condition and the market value of our ADSs could be materially adversely affected.

In the event of an accident or event not covered by our insurance policies, we could face significant losses that could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations

We carry insurance policies that are consistent with industry standards in each of our different business segments.  See “Item 4.  —Our Business—Insurance.”  Although we believe our insurance coverage is commensurate with standards for the international electricity generation, transmission and distribution industry, no assurance can be given of the existence or sufficiency of risk coverage for any particular risk or loss.  For example, two of the towers used by Transener’s transmission lines located in the Province of Buenos Aires, were damaged in 2008 due to unknown causes, despite us having carried all related actions which were legally required.  These damages resulted in the interruption of electricity transmission service to customers in the greater Buenos Aires region and certain areas in other provinces for several hours, which could have caused losses that may not be covered by our insurance policies.  We cannot make any assurances that this kind of damage will not occur again in the future, which could eventually result in further losses or the imposition of sanctions on Transener by the regulatory authorities.  If an accident or other event occurs that is not covered by our current insurance policies in any of our business segments, we may experience material losses or have to disburse significant amounts from our own funds, which may have a material adverse effect on our net profits and our overall financial condition and on the market value of our shares and ADSs. 

 

 

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We conduct a portion of our operations through joint ventures, and our failure to continue such joint ventures or resolve any material disagreements with our partners could have a material adverse effect on the success of these operations

We conduct a portion of our operations through joint ventures and as a result, the continuation of such joint ventures is vital to our continued success.  In the event that any of our partners were to decide to terminate its relationship with us in any of such joint ventures or sell its interest in such joint ventures, we may not be able to replace our partner or obtain the necessary financing to purchase our partner’s interest.  For example, we own a co-controlling interest in Citelec, the holding company of Transener, our transmission company, where we were previously a party to significant agreements with our former partner, Petrobras Energía S.A. (“Petrobras Energía”), with respect to the management of Transener.  Electroingeniería S.A. (“Electroingeniería”), now Grupo Eling S.A. and Energía Argentina S.A. (“Enarsa”) subsequently acquired Petrobras Energía’s interest in Citelec’s capital stock.  While we were able to enter into similar agreements that we enjoyed with Petrobras Energía, any significant disagreement with our new partners could have a material adverse effect on the success of such joint venture, and thereby our business and results of operations.  In this particular case of Transener, we are not able to acquire our partners’ interests under applicable Argentine regulations.  See “Item 4.  —The Argentine Electricity Sector.”  As a result, the failure to continue some of our joint ventures or to resolve disagreements with our partners could adversely affect our ability to transact the business that is the subject of such joint venture, which would in turn negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

The Company is not the operating partner in all of the joint ventures (joint operations for accounting purposes) in which it participates, and actions undertaken by the operators in such joint ventures could have a material adverse effect on the success of these operations

The Company, through its applicable subsidiary, generally undertakes its activities in exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in a particular area by entering into an agreement with third parties to participate in a joint ventures (joint operations for accounting purposes). Under the terms and conditions of these agreements, one of the parties thereto has the role of operator of the joint venture, and thus assumes responsibility for executing all activities undertaken pursuant to the joint venture agreement. However, the Company does not always assume the role of operator and therefore, in such cases, is exposed to risks relating to the performance of and the measures taken by the operator to carry out the activities. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on the success of these joint ventures, and thus adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

Our performance is largely dependent on recruiting and retaining key personnel

Our current and future performance and the operation of our business are dependent upon the contributions of our senior management and our skilled team of engineers and other employees. We depend on our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain key management and specialized personnel with the necessary skills and experience. There is no guarantee that we will be successfull in retaining and attracting key personnel and the replacement of any key personnel who were to leave could be difficult and time consuming. The loss of the experience and services of key personnel or the inability to recruit suitable replacements and additional staff could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently are not able to effectively hedge our currency risk in full and, as a result, a devaluation of the Peso may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition

Our revenues are collected primarily in Pesos pursuant to tariffs that are not indexed to the U.S. Dollar, while a significant portion of our existing financial indebtedness is denominated in U.S. Dollars, which exposes us to the risk of loss from devaluation of the Peso.  We have sought to hedge this risk in part by converting a portion of our excess cash denominated in Pesos into U.S. Dollars and investing those funds outside Argentina, as permitted at the relevant time by applicable Argentine Central Bank regulations, and by entering into currency forward contracts. However, pursuant to the new Argentine Central Bank regulations, we can no longer convert a portion of our excess cash denominated in Pesos into U.S. Dollars, and we therefore are not able to hedge this risk and thus have substantial exposure to the U.S. Dollar.  We cannot assure you whether the Argentine Government will maintain these exchange regulations, or will instead allow us to access the market to acquire U.S. Dollars in the manner we have done so in the past.  Although we may also seek to enter into further hedging transactions to cover all or a part of our exposure, since the implementation of the regulations described above we have not been able to hedge any of our exposure to the U.S. Dollar on terms we consider viable for our company.  If we continue to be unable to effectively hedge all or a significant portion of our currency risk exposure, a devaluation of the Peso (as happened in January 2014, see “Fluctuations in the value of the Argentine Peso could adversely affect the Argentine economy, which could, in turn adversely affect our results of operations”) may significantly increase our debt service burden, which, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

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The Argentine Antitrust Commission could decide not to approve the implementation of the Restructuring Agreement

On July13, 2012, the parties to the Restructuring Agreement, including the Company, entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Restructuring Agreement pursuant to which they agreed on the terms and conditions upon which the restructuring will be consummated. If the restructuring is achieved through the Restructuring Agreement’s implementation, the Company and/or its subsidiaries (as financial creditor of Compañía de Inversiones de Energía S.A. or “CIESA”) would obtain, direct and indirect ownership over 50% of CIESA’s equity, which in turn would control 51% of TGS. The implementation of the restructuring has already been approved by the Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas (the National Gas Regulating Agency, or the “ENARGAS”), and has not expressly been approved by the Argentine Antitrust Commission (see “Item 4. Our Business – Other Projects - TGS - CIESA Transaction”).  We cannot assure that the Argentine Antitrust Commission will expressly approve the Restructuring Agreement, and although the Company believes that from a legal stand point the Restructuring Agreement has been tacitly approved by the Argentine Antitrust Commission, the board of directors of the Company is evaluating the legal and factual implications and other courses of action without having  made a decision as of the date of this annual report. The outcome of this matter may adversely affect the financial position and results of operations of the Company.

 

We are involved in various legal proceedings which could result in unfavorable decisions and financial penalties for us

We are party to a number of legal proceedings, some of which have been pending for several years. We cannot be certain that these claims will be resolved in our favor, and responding to the demands of litigation may divert management’s time and attention and our financial resources. See “Item 8—Legal Proceedings.”

Downgrades in our credit ratings could have negative effects on our funding costs and business operations

Credit ratings are assigned to the Company and its subsidiaries. The credit ratings are based on information furnished by us or obtained by the credit rating agencies from independent sources and are also influenced by the credit ratings of Argentine Government bonds and general views regarding the Argentine financial system as a whole. The credit ratings are subject to revision, suspension or withdrawal by the credit rating agencies at any time. A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal in our credit ratings could result in, among other things, the following: (i) increased funding costs and other difficulties in raising funds; (ii) the need to provide additional collateral in connection with financial market transactions; and (iii) the termination or cancellation of existing agreements.  As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The designation of veedores (supervisors), by the CNV or otherwise, could adversely affect the economic and financial situation of the Company

The new Capital Markets Law No. 26,831 (the “CML”) provides in Article 20 that the CNV may conduct an inspection on persons subject to its control (such as the Company or any of its subsidiaries subject to CNV’s control).  If after any inspection the CNV considers that a resolution of the board of directors of such person violated the interests of minority shareholders or any holder of securities that are subject to the Argentine public offering regime, it may appoint a veedor (supervisor), who will have veto powers.  Additionally, the CNV may suspend the board of directors for a period of up to 180 days, until the CNV rectifies the situation.  This measure is subject to limited appeals.  If the CNV makes an inspection on the Company (or any of its subsidiaries subject to CNV’s control) and considers that any right of a minority shareholder or holder of any security has been violated, it may proceed to suspend the board of directors for up to 180-day period, in which case the economic and financial situation of the Company (or the subsidiary in question) could be negatively affected.  In addition, a veedor may be appointed through a judicial request.  In this respect, on April 21, 2014, Molinos Rio de la Plata S.A., an Argentine company whose shares are publicly-traded in Argentina, reported the judicial appointment of a veedor at the request of ANSES, one of its shareholders, which is also a shareholder of the Company, for a period of six months.  We cannot assure you that ANSES, or any other party, will not attempt to pursue a similar course of action with respect to the Company (or any of its subsidiaries subject to CNV’s control), which may have a negative effect on the Company.

 

 

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A cyber-attack could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows

Information security risks have generally increased in recent years as a result of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of cyber-attacks. Through part of our grid and other initiatives, we have increasingly connected equipment and systems to the Internet.  Because of the critical nature of our infrastructure and the increased accessibility enabled through connection to the Internet, we may face a heightened risk of cyber-attack. In the event of such an attack, we could have our business operations disrupted, property damaged and customer information stolen; experience substantial loss of revenues, response costs and other financial loss; and be subject to increased regulation, litigation and damage to our reputation. A cyber-attack could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to our Generation Business 

There are electricity transmission constraints in Argentina that may prevent us from recovering the full marginal cost of our electricity, which could materially adversely affect the financial results of our generation business

During certain times of the year, more electricity can be generated than can be transmitted.  While under the new remuneration scheme established by SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, such constraints should not affect the price that is paid to the generator, our dispatch may nonetheless be affected by such transmissions constraints.  We cannot make any assurance that required investments will be made to increase the capacity of the system.  As a result of lower dispatch, our generation business may record lower operating profits than we anticipate, which could adversely affect our consolidated results of operations and financial condition and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Changes in regulations governing the dispatch of generators may affect our generators

Pursuant to Note No. 5129/13, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to optimize the dispatch of WEM’s generators according to the available fuels and their actual costs. Such modifications may result in a lower dispatch of our generators and, in turn, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial conditions.

We may be unable to collect amounts, or to collect them in a timely manner, from CAMMESA and other customers in the electricity sector, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations

Electricity generators, including our subsidiaries, are paid by CAMMESA, which collects revenue from other wholesale electricity market agents.  Since 2012, a significant number of wholesale electricity market agents –mostly distributors, including Edenor - defaulted in the payment of amounts they owed to the wholesale electricity market or failed to pay in a timely manner, which adversely affected the ability of CAMMESA to meet its own payment obligations to generators or to pay them in a timely manner. This situation led to the creation of the Fondo Transitorio de Recomposición de Cobranzas”– SE Notes No. 7588/12, 8147/12 and 8476/12 (the “Transitory Recovery Fund”), by means of which the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to collect the charges and interest accrued from distributors’ defaults and renegotiate the terms of the payment of the defaulted amounts.

Additionally, the stabilization fund created by the Secretariat of Energy to cover the difference between the spot price and the seasonal price of electricity recorded a permanent deficit.  This difference is due to the intervention of the Argentine Government and the measures adopted pursuant to the Public Emergency Law.  We cannot make any assurances that the difference between the spot price and the seasonal price will not increase in the future, that the Argentine Government will use funds from the National Treasury to meet the differences or that CAMMESA will be able to make payments to generators, both in respect of energy and capacity sold in the spot market. 

 

 

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Furthermore, as a consequence of the suspension of the incorporation or renewal of contracts in the term market (see “Item 4. The Argentine Electricity Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended – New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM”), the revenues of electricity generators will depend on the payments received from CAMMESA. Additionally, due to the scheme implemented by SE Resolution No. 95/2013, the margin collected from Large Users derived from contracts in WEM’s term market will be calculated based on the remuneration received from CAMMESA, which will impact the revenues of the generators.

The inability of generators, including certain of our subsidiaries, to collect their credits from CAMMESA or to collect them in a timely manner, may have a material adverse effect on the revenues of our generation subsidiaries and accordingly, on our results of operations and financial condition and the market value of our shares and ADSs.  

Our ability to generate electricity in our thermal generation plants depends on the availability of natural gas, and fluctuations in the supply or price of gas could materially adversely affect our results of operations

The supply or price of gas used in our generation businesses has been and may from time to time continue to be affected by, among other things, the availability of gas in Argentina, our ability to enter into contracts with local gas producers and gas transportation companies, the need to import a larger amount of gas at a higher price than the price applicable to domestic supply as a result of low domestic production, and gas redistribution mandated by the Secretariat of Energy, given the present shortage of supply and declining reserves.  Since 2009, the Secretariat of Energy has applied a procedure – (see “Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - Procedure for the Dispatch of Natural Gas for Power Generation”)by means of which generators assign in favor of CAMMESA the natural gas acquired from the producers. CAMMESA may assign those volumes to other generation plants.

Several of our generation facilities are equipped to run solely on gas and, in the event that gas becomes unavailable, these facilities will not be able to switch to other types of fuel in order to continue generating electricity.  If we are unable to purchase gas at prices that are favorable to us, if the supply of gas is reduced, if the procedure cited above is canceled or if CAMMESA does not provide gas to our facilities, our costs could increase or our ability to profitably operate our generation facilities could be impaired.  Moreover, some of our generation units are included in the “Energía Plus” program under SE Resolution 1281/2006 and/or have executed WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007, and both regulations require the generator to assure the committed capacity with its own fuels through the execution of firm natural gas and transport contracts.  See “Item 4. The Argentine Electricity Sector - Electricity Prices – Energía Plus” and “WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007”.

Notwithstanding, as of the issuance of SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, generators will depend on the fuels that CAMMESA supplies them for their operations, since through such resolution the Secretariat of Energy appointed CAMMESA as the sole supplier of fuels for the generation sector.

Such a disruption or an inability to acquire the necessary fuels for our generation business could, in turn, materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and the market value of our ADSs.  

Our ability to generate electricity using gas plus under the Gas Plus Program at Loma de la Lata and CTG depends on the recognition by CAMMESA of Gas Plus costs

Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG) have executed several natural gas provision agreements with producers whose production is included under the terms of the “Gas Plus” program (SE Resolution No. 24/2008).  Under such program, the producers are able to sell their production at a price higher than the reference price (market value).  By virtue of the agreements executed with the Secretariat of Energy, and the mechanism established in Note No. 7585/10 of the Secretariat of Energy (see Item 4. The Argentine Electricity Sector -Procedure for the Dispatch of Natural Gas for Power Generation), CAMMESA recognizes such costs to Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG).  CAMMESA has to recognize the Gas Plus cost to Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG) in order for Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG) to be able to make the corresponding payments to their natural gas suppliers.  If CAMMESA does not recognize the Gas Plus cost or if such recognition is delayed, the ability of Loma de la Lata and/or EGSSA (now merged into CTG) to pay the natural gas suppliers may be affected.  Consequently, in such a situation, Loma de la Lata and/or EGSSA (now merged into CTG) would have to renegotiate the terms and conditions previously agreed with their natural gas suppliers and, in case an agreement is not reached, any of the parties may terminate the contracts under which they committed to supply natural gas. In this respect, during 2012, due to delay in collecting payments from CAMMESA, some renegotiation needed to be made with natural gas producers in order to fulfill Loma de la Lata’s and EGSSA’s (now merged into CTG) obligations and to keep the agreements in force. As a consequence of this situation, Loma de la Lata and/or EGSSA (now merged into CTG) might need to search for alternative suppliers of natural gas, and if they are unsuccessful in reaching new agreements with natural gas suppliers, their ability to generate electricity using gas plus recognized under the Gas Plus Program could be affected.

 

 

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Additionally by means of the Notes No. 3456/12 and 4377/12, the Secretariat of Energy introduced several modifications to the terms and conditions for the provision of natural gas recognized under the Gas Plus Program for energy generation. See “Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - Natural Gas Supply under the Gas Plus Program”.

However, as of the issuance of SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, generators will depend on the fuels that CAMMESA supplies them for their operations, since through such resolution the Secretariat of Energy appointed CAMMESA as the sole supplier of fuels for the generation sector. Consequently, as of the termination of the current gas supply agreements, Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG) will no longer need to have firm gas supply agreements with suppliers and request the recognition of costos thereunder to CAMMESA as it will depend on CAMMESA’s gas supply (See “Item 3.- Key Information – Risk Factors – Risk Relating to our Generation Business – Our ability to generate electricity in our thermal generation plants depends on the availability of natural gas, and fluctuations in the supply or price of gas could material adversely affect our results of operations”).

We cannot assure you that the changes on the terms and conditions for the provision of natural gas under the Gas Plus Program would not have an adverse effect on the operation of our generation facilities and the revenues derived from such activity.

Penalties may be applied under Loma de la Lata’s and EGSSA’s WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007, which may adversely affect the revenues derived from such contracts

A breach of the availability commitments set forth in Loma de la Lata’s and EGSSA’s (now merged into CTG) WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 (see “Item 4.- The Argentine Electricity Sector - WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007”) allows CAMMESA to apply penalties to the generator that may adversely impact in the revenues derived by the generator from such agreements, which in turn may adversely affect the generator’s results.

A breach of the availability commitment set forth in Piedra Buena’s Loan Agreement with CAMMESA may adversely impact Piedra Buena’s results of operations

On April 8, 2014, Piedra Buena executed a loan agreement with CAMMESA for an amount equal to the peso-equivalent of U.S.$ 82.6 million plus the associated taxes and nationalization costs. This loan is to be repaid in 48 equal installments. As long as Piedra Buena’s availability is higher than 80% (summer) or 83% (winter), Piedra Buena’s payment obligations shall be limited to the revenue established to cover extraordinary maintenance works (SE Resolution No. 529/2014) and 50% of the Debt Payment Cash Flow (as defined in such agreement) (See “Item 5 – Debt – Generation – Piedra Buena”). If Piedra Buena’s availability is below the abovementioned percentages, Piedra Buena shall pay the applicable installment.  A breach of the availability commitments set forth in the loan agreement and the consequent acceleration of the loan may adversely impact in Piedra Buena’s results of operations.

 

 

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A judgment of the Court of the International Chamber of Commerce against Loma de la Lata could adversely affect Loma de la Lata’s operations

Loma de la Lata is involved in an arbitration proceeding before an arbitration tribunal constituted according to the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Construction Agreement and the Supply Agreement (each as defined herein). In addition to the claim for integral damages recovery made by Loma de la Lata, the claim of the Project Counterparties (as defined herein) is, among others, the refund of the sums received for the foreclosure of the guarantees issued by BBVA Banco Frances S.A. See “Item 8. - Legal Proceedings – Legal Proceedings involving Loma de la Lata”. A judgment against Loma de la Lata by the Court of the International Chamber of Commerce could adversely affect the business, the results of operations and the financial position of Loma de la Lata.

Our ability to generate electricity at our hydroelectric generation plants may be negatively affected by poor hydrological conditions, which could, in turn affect our results of operations

Prevailing hydrological conditions could adversely affect the operations of our six hydroelectric generation plants owned by HINISA and HIDISA, in a number of ways, not all of which we can predict.  For example, hydrological conditions that result in a low supply of electricity in Argentina could cause, among other things, the implementation of broad electricity conservation programs, including mandatory reductions in electricity generation or consumption.  Hydrological conditions since 2006, the year in which our units recorded the greatest intake to date, have been poor.  In particular, in 2014, the water intake at Los Nihuiles and Diamante available for electricity generation was 62% and 64% lower, respectively, as compared to 2006.  A prolonged continuation of poor conditions could force the Argentine Government to focus its generation efforts on the use of other sources of electricity generation.  In the event of electricity shortages, the Argentine Government could mandate the implementation of broad electricity conservation programs, including mandatory reductions in electricity generation or consumption; the government could also mandate increased production from thermal plants that use fossil fuels as their generation sources and preserve the available water resources for future electricity generation.  Although such a shift in production could benefit our thermal generation plants, it would negatively affect our hydroelectric plants and any mandated reduction in electricity generation or consumption could reduce revenues in our generation business and lead to a decline in our consolidated results of operations, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

Moreover, in a case where the water level of the dams of our hydroelectric facilities decreases to the minimums established in the applicable concessions contract, the local water authority (The Province of Mendoza Irrigation General Department) would gain the control of the amount of water that may be dispatched in order to assure the continuity of other water uses such as human consumption and irrigation.

Operational difficulties could limit our ability to generate electricity, which could adversely affect our results of operations

We may experience operational difficulties that could require us to temporarily suspend operations or otherwise affect our ability to generate electricity and, as a result, adversely impact our operating results.  These difficulties may affect our generation equipment, electromechanical components or, in general, any of our assets required for the supply of electricity.  We cannot make any assurances that events of such nature will not occur in the future.  While we maintain comprehensive insurance for each of our facilities, we cannot make any assurances that the amounts for which we are insured or the amounts that we may receive under such insurance policies would cover all of our losses.  If operational difficulties impede our generation of electricity, the disruption may lead to reduced revenues from our generation segment, which would have an adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and may negatively affect the market value of our shares or ADSs. Please see “Item 4.- Our Business – Piedra Buena – Operations”.

We may no longer own a controlling interest in HINISA, one of our principal generation assets, if the Province of Mendoza sells its participation in HINISA

Our subsidiary, Nihuiles, currently owns a 52.04% controlling stake in HINISA, a hydroelectric generation company in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, and the Province of Mendoza, through EMESA, currently owns 47.96% of the capital stock of HINISA.  In 2006, the Province of Mendoza publicly announced its intention to sell shares representing 37.75% of the capital stock of HINISA.  See “Item 4.—Our Business—Our Generation Business—Nihuiles and Diamante—Nihuiles.”  Pursuant to HINISA’s concession, if the Province of Mendoza sells these shares, Nihuiles will be required to sell 20% of HINISA’s capital stock and would no longer own a controlling 52.04% interest in HINISA.  In addition, according to HINISA’s by-laws, Nihuiles would not be permitted to purchase any additional shares of HINISA.

 

 

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We currently consolidate the results of operations of Nihuiles.  If Nihuiles loses its controlling interest in HINISA, it may have a significant adverse effect on the value of our investment in Nihuiles and on our consolidated results of operations and the market value of our ADSs.  In addition, neither we nor Nihuiles has any control over the timing of the Province of Mendoza’s proposed sale or the price at which Nihuiles would be required to sell its 20% of HINISA’s shares.  As a result, these shares may be sold at a time and price per share that are adverse to our interests and the return on our investment in Nihuiles.

Piedra Buena could be exposed to third-party claims on real property utilized for its operations that could result in the imposition of significant damages, for which we have not established a provision in our Consolidated Financial Statements for potential losses

At the time of Piedra Buena’s privatization in 1997, the Province of Buenos Aires agreed to expropriate and transfer to Piedra Buena the real property on which the plant was built and to create administrative easements in favor of Piedra Buena over the third-party lands through which a gas pipeline and an electricity transmission line run.  Although the Province of Buenos Aires is in the process of expropriating the property on which the plant is built, as of the date of this annual report, it has not transferred all of the real property with clear and marketable title to Piedra Buena.  In addition, the Province of Buenos Aires has not created the administrative easements for Piedra Buena’s gas pipeline or the electricity transmission line.  In July 2008, Piedra Buena sued the Province of Buenos Aires seeking the creation of the administrative easements in favor of Piedra Buena.  Piedra Buena has received several complaint letters from third parties seeking compensation for the use of this land.  See “Item 8. - Legal Proceedings—Generation—Legal proceedings involving Piedra Buena’s real estate.”  If the Province does not complete the expropriation process or the administrative easement process, Piedra Buena may be exposed to judicial claims by third parties seeking compensation or damages for which we have not established a provision in our Consolidated Financial Statements.  If Piedra Buena were required to pay material damages or compensation for the right to use this real property as a result of adverse outcomes from legal proceedings, we could be required to use cash from operations to cover such costs, which could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Piedra Buena could be subject to fines and penalties for not having a concession for the use of sea water for the refrigeration of its generation units

Piedra Buena uses sea water to refrigerate its generation units.  According to applicable provincial law, such activity requires a concession to be granted by the provincial government. In the documentation that we received with the privatization of Central Piedra Buena, no concession was included.  Piedra Buena consulted the regulatory authorities who informed that, according to their files, no such concession has been granted to Piedra Buena.  The penalties for such infringement may vary from the application of up to a Ps. 50,000 fine to the closing of the plant. While Piedra Buena considers that the likelihood of any such penalties being imposed is low, we cannot assure you that the operation of Piedra Buena would not be affected if such penalties were to be imposed.

The unfulfillment of the requirements of the Energy Plus Program or its modification or cancellation may affect CTG’s profits

If CTG  does not comply with the requirements of the Energy Plus Program (SE Resolution No. 1281/2006) or if such program is modified or canceled, CTG would have to sell their production on the spot market, and also, eventually, under the remuneration scheme applicable under SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, which could affect CTG’s revenues.

Moreover we cannot assure you that, due to measures adopted by the Secretariat of Energy or its failure to promote the Energy Plus market, the demand of such market will not decrease, which could cause CTG to have to sell their production in the spot market under the remuneration scheme applicable under SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, affecting CTG’s revenues.

 

 

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In Note No. 567/07, as amended, the Secretariat of Energy established the “Cargo Medio Incremental de la Demanda Excedente” (“CMIEE”) as a maximum fee for WEM users with a capacity higher than 300 KW(“WEM Large Users”) for their surplus demand in the event that they do not have their demand backed with a contract under the Energy Plus Program. As of the date of this annual report, the CMIEE applicable to Grandes Usuarios Mayores (Major Large Users, or “GUMAs”) and Grandes Usuarios Menores (Minor Large Users, or “GUMEs”) is equal to 450 Ps./MWh and for Grandes Usuarios del Distribuidor (Major Distribution Users or “GUDIs”) 550 $/MWh. The CMIEE implies an indirect maximum limit to the price that generators under the Energy Plus Program may charge. The detrimental effect that such limits could have on our generators would worsen if the Peso continues its devaluation. As a consequence, if the CMIEE is not adjusted or a higher devaluation of the Peso occurs, this could result in a fall in prices charged by our generators under their Energy Plus Program contracts or in a discontinuance of the Energy Plus contracts, forcing such generators to sell the capacity and energy unsold in the spot market at lower prices.

Risks Relating to our Transmission Business

If we are not able to renegotiate our transmission tariffs regime directly or gain access to another mechanism to generate additional income with the Argentine Government in a timely fashion, it could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations

In January 2002, pursuant to the Public Emergency Law, tariffs for the provision of public services, including the transmission of electricity, were converted from their original U.S. Dollar values to Pesos (at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00) and frozen at those levels.  Additionally, contract clauses in Transener’s and Transba S.A. (“Transba”)’s concession agreements requiring adjustments to their tariffs based on foreign inflation indexes and certain other indexation mechanisms were revoked.  The Public Emergency Law also required the renegotiation of public service concession agreements.  In connection with such renegotiation process, Transener and Transba entered into agreements with the Argentine Government in 2005 that provided for an average tariff increase on fixed charges of 31% for Transener and 25% for Transba.  Although these companies’ operating costs have significantly increased since 2005, the Ente Nacional Regulador de la Electricidad (the Argentine National Electricity Regulator, or the “ENRE”) has not totally adjusted tariffs accordingly.  On December 21, 2010, the ENRE and the Secretariat of Energy acknowledged Transener’s and Transba’s (see “Item 4. - Our Business – Our Transmission Business”) right to collect amounts resulting from the variations of costs during the period of June 2005 – to November 2010 in an instrumental agreement (the “Instrumental Agreement”), which payment would be based on CAMMESA’s availability of funds, with such payments to be used for investments by us in the transmission system as instructed by the Secretariat of Energy.  A mechanism for the calculation and payment of cost variations from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 was also established. 

 

In May 2013, Transener and Transba executed with the ENRE and the SE, a Renewal Agreement of the Instrumental Agreement (the “Renewal Agreement”), setting forth: (i) the recognition of Transener and Transba’s rights to collect the amounts resulting from the variations of costs during the period from December 2010 to December 2012, (ii) the payment of outstanding balances from Addenda II (as defined herein), and (iii) a procedure for the updating and payment of cost variations incurred from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, calculated biannually.

 

On October 25, 2013 and February 14, 2014, Transba and Transener, respectively, negotiated a third Addendum (together, the “Addenda III”) to their Financing Agreements (as defined herein) with CAMMESA, to increase their related amounts by the sum of Ps. 324,850,385 and Ps. 785,844,648.

 

As of December 31, 2014, Transener and Transba had recognized only Ps. 1,131.4 million in accordance with the Instrumental Agreements and the Renewal Agreement.

 

On March 17, 2015, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA new amendments to their New Financing Agreements (the “Addenda IV”), setting forth: i) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 563.6 million and Ps. 178.3 million, respectively, corresponding to (a) the outstading amount due pursuant to the Financing Agreement as of January 2015, and (b) receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the June 2014-November 2014 period; and ii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at November 30, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

 

 

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Pursuant to the Renewal Agreement, Transener and Transba are currently in communication with the relevant authorities to implement a scheme that would better allow them to fund their business plan.  This information consists of monthly cash flows, investments execution and implementation of funds requirements.

 

We cannot make any assurances that Transener and/or Transba will receive the full amount recognized on the Instrumental Agreements and Renewal Agreements or that similar adjustments will be made in the future, according to the Unidad de Renegociación y Análisis de Contratos de Servicios Públicos (Renegotiation and Analysis of Public Services Contracts Unit, or the “UNIREN ACT”) and/or the Instrumental Agreements. If operating costs continue to increase and we do not receive any increase in revenues as a result of a tariff adjustment because of the RTI and/or the full compliance of the Instrumental Agreements or Renewal Agreements, our financial position and results of operations may be adversely affected, which could negatively impact the value of our shares or the ADSs.

 

Our transmission capacity may be disrupted, which could result in material penalties being imposed on us

Our electricity transmission business depends on Transener’s and Transba’s ability to transmit electricity over long distances through their transmission networks.  Our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected if a natural disaster, accident or other disruption were to cause a material curtailment of our transmission capacity.  Argentina’s transmission system has evolved from a radial pattern to a fully integrated transmission grid system.  However, there are areas where generation and demand are connected by a single transmission line or, in some cases, two or more transmission lines in parallel.  Accordingly, the outage of any single line could totally disconnect entire sections of the Sistema de Interconexión Nacional (the National Interconnection System, or NIS).  The concession agreements establish a system of penalties, which Transener and Transba may incur if defined parts of their networks are not available to transmit electricity, including in cases of force majeure.  Consistent with industry standards, Transener and Transba do not maintain business interruption insurance and we cannot make assurances that any future disruption in Transener’s or Transba’s transmission capacity would not result in the imposition of material penalties, the payment of which would require us to use funds from operations and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

The ENRE may reject our request to redetermine the revenues derived from expansion of the NIS as a result of the pesification of these revenues, which would result in a significant shortfall that could adversely affect our financial condition

The Public Emergency Law also affected the revenues we receive in connection with Transener’s expansion of the NIS.  In particular, the income from the construction, operation and maintenance of an approximately 1,300 km high-voltage electricity transmission line (500 kilovolts (“kV”)) from the Comahue region to the Abasto substation was converted into Pesos at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00 and then adjusted for inflation.  Transener has asked the ENRE, in its capacity as the main party to the construction, operation and maintenance agreement relating to Transener’s construction of the transmission line (which includes approximately 2,550 high voltage towers and the expansion of the Piedra del Águila, Choele Choel, Bahía Blanca, Olavarría and Abasto substations, which we refer to collectively as the “Fourth Line”), to redetermine such revenue.  On April 25, 2012, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 90/2012, which established a new annual rate of Ps. 113.4 million as from August 2011 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments, including interest. During the year ended December 31, 2012, revenues were recognized in the amount of Ps. 7.3 million, corresponding to the retroactive adjustment for year 2011.

 

                On August 28, 2013, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 244/2013, which established a new annual rate of Ps. 131.2 million as from August 2012 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments, including interest.  On September 13, 2013, Transener presented a Motion for Reconsideration of ENRE Resolution No. 244/2013, which was accepted by the ENRE. As a consequence, on December 4, 2013, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 346/2013 which established a new annual rate of Ps. 132.2 million from August 2012 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments, including interest.

 

 

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                On September 23, 2013, Transener requested the ENRE for a new determination of the Fourth Line’s revenue related to the cost variation from August 2013 according to the above mentioned ENRE Resolution No.244/2013.  On March 12, 2014, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 79/2014, which established a new annual rate of Ps. 156.2 million as from August 2013 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments which were necessary for the retroactive payment, including the corresponding interest.  On April 3, 2014, Transener presented a Motion for Reconsideration of ENRE’s Resolution No. 79/2014, which was partially accepted by the ENRE. As a consequence, on November 12, 2014, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 332/2014 which established a new annual rate of Ps. 158.6 million beginning in August 2013 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments which were necessary for the retroactive payment, including the corresponding interest.

 

                On September 12, 2014, Transener asked the ENRE for a new determination of the Fourth Line’s revenue related to the cost variation from August 2014 to December 19, 2014.

 

                In this respect, Transener requested the ENRE to determine the remuneration corresponding to the Operation and Maintenance of the Fourth Line since December 20, 2014. As of the date of this annual report, the ENRE had not answered such request. If the ENRE fails to increase the revenues we receive under the Fourth Line contract on the terms requested, we could face significant losses on our investment in the construction of, and losses in the operation and maintenance of, such transmission line, which could have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition and results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline. 

 

Increasing competition in our non-regulated transmission activities could lead to lower revenues

We generate a material portion of our transmission revenues from non-regulated transmission activities, including the construction and installation of electrical assets and equipment, non-network line operation and maintenance, supervision of the expansion of the NIS, supervision of independent transmitters’ operation and maintenance and other services.  On a consolidated basis, Transener’s other net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014, were Ps. 304.3 million (Ps. 152.1 million on a proportional interest basis), representing 20.6% of Transener’s consolidated net revenues for such period.  We believe that these non-regulated revenues will continue to be an important part of our transmission business.  Historically, Transener has not experienced significant competition in these areas of service (with the exception of its construction and international activities).  However, we cannot make any assurance that competition will not substantially increase in the future or that such competition will not contribute directly to decreased revenues, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Transener is highly leveraged, which could limit its financing options or even its ability to service its debt and consequently have an adverse effect on our results of operations

As of December 31, 2014, Transener’s total consolidated indebtedness, denominated in U.S. Dollars and Pesos, amounted to the equivalent of approximately U.S. $133.0 million (Ps. 1,141.7 million), including accrued but unpaid interest and the effect of the adjustments applied to its debt under IFRS.  Transener’s leverage may impair its ability to service its indebtedness and obtain additional financing in the future, withstand competitive pressure and adverse economic conditions or take advantage of significant business opportunities that may arise, each of which could adversely affect our results of operations or growth prospects and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Transener has not completed the legal transfer and registration of title of all of the properties transferred to it and Transba pursuant to the transmission concessions, which could result in potentially significant losses if any defect in title is later discovered

Under their concessions, Transener and Transba became the owners of a large number of properties, including land and buildings associated with the substations, transformers, and other installations previously owned by the predecessor owners of Transener and Transba.  Transener is in the process of finalizing certain formalities to legally perfect the transfer of title to these properties to Transener and Transba.  Transener and Transba have completed the legal transfer of, and Transener and Transba have registered title to, approximately 87% and 67%, respectively, of these properties as of December 31, 2014.  Transener is taking steps to establish and/or record legal title to the remaining properties.  Although the concessions contain representations by the predecessor owners of Transener and Transba that they possessed good and valid title to all such properties, if Transener discovers any defects in title during such process, Transener will be liable for any payments required to cure such defects because the predecessor owners no longer exist.  We cannot make assurances that any such defect in title, or the costs associated with curing such defect, will not adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations or could cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

 

 

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Risks Relating to our Distribution Business

Failure or delay to negotiate further improvements to Edenor’s tariff structure, including increases in Edenor’s distribution margin, and/or to have the tariff adjusted to reflect increases in Edenor’s distribution costs in a timely manner, or at all, has affected Edenor’s capacity to perform its commercial obligations and could also have a material adverse effect on Edenor’s capacity to perform its financial obligations. 

Since the execution of the agreement that Edenor entered into with the Argentine Government in February 2006 relating to the adjustment and renegotiation of the terms of the concession (the “Adjustment Agreement”) and as required by them, Edenor has been engaged in the Integral Tariff Revision (Revisión Tarifaria Integral, or “RTI”) with the ENRE.  However, the timeline for completing this process and the favorability to us of the final resolution are both uncertain.

The Adjustment Agreement currently contemplates a cost adjustment mechanism for the transition period during which the RTI is being conducted.  This mechanism, known as the Cost Monitoring Mechanism (the “CMM”), requires the ENRE to review Edenor’s actual distribution costs every six months (in May and November of each year) and adjust Edenor’s distribution margins to reflect variations of 5% or more in Edenor’s distribution cost base.  Edenor may also request that the ENRE apply the CMM at any time that the variation in Edenor’s distribution cost base is at least 10% or more.  Any adjustments, however, are subject to the ENRE’s assessment of variations in Edenor’s costs, and we cannot guarantee that the ENRE will approve adjustments that are sufficient to cover Edenor’s actual incremental costs.  In the past, even when the ENRE has approved adjustments to Edenor’s tariffs, there has been a lag between when Edenor actually experiences increases in the distribution costs and when Edenor receives increased income following the corresponding adjustments to its distribution margins pursuant to the CMM.  In addition, Edenor has estimated that the actual distribution costs have been significantly higher than the ones determined with the CMM adjustments that have been requested.  Despite the adjustment Edenor was granted under the CMM in October 2007 and July 2008, we cannot assure you that Edenor will receive similar adjustments in the future. As of the date of this annual report, Edenor has requested fourteen additional increases under the CMM since May 2008, all of which have been recognized by the ENRE (have been applied retroactively to amounts owed to Edenor up to December 2014, pursuant to SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes No. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014), but have not been transferred to the tariff structure as of the date of this annual report. Under the terms of the Adjustment Agreement, these fourteen increases should have been approved incorporated into our tariff structure in May and November of each year from 2008 onwards. 

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Edenor recorded a significant decrease in net income and operating income (we recorded operating loss in 2012), and Edenor’s working capital and liquidity levels were negatively affected, primarily as a result of the delay in obtaining a tariff increase and in having the tariff adjusted to reflect increases in the distribution costs, coupled with a constant increase in operating costs to maintain adequate service levels, all of which has affected Edenor’s capacity to perform its commercial obligations. In this context and in light of the situation that affects the electricity sector, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 347/2012 in November 2012, which establishes the application of fixed and variable charges that have allowed Edenor to obtain additional revenue as from November 2012. However, changes made by SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes No. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014 and the additional revenue obtained throught SE Resolutino No. 347/2012 were insufficient to make up Edenor’s operating deficit due to the constant increase in operating costs and the estimated salary or third-party costs increases for the year 2014.

In March 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary income increase through funds provided by CAMMESA, applicable retroactively as from February 1, 2015, to cover costs and investments associated with the regular provision of the public service of distribution of energy on account of the future RTI.

 

 

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If Edenor is not able to recover all future cost increases, and/or if there is a significant lag time between when Edenor incurs the incremental costs and when it receives income increase, and/or if Edenor is not successful in achieving a satisfactory renegotiation of the tariff structure, Edenor may be unable to comply with its financial obligations, may suffer liquidity shortfalls and may need to restructure its debt to ease its financial condition, any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated results of operations, and may cause the value of our ADSs and shares may decline. 

Edenor has prepared its annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to a going concern. In Edenor’s opinion the issuance of SE Resolution No. 32/2015 provides a greater degree of certainty concerning the financial conditions and prospects for 2015 compared to the situation existing prior to its issuance and Edenor understands it constitutes a reasonable basis for the commencement of the RTI. Edenor’s independent auditors, issued a report dated May 12, 2015 on its 2014 financial statements, without qualifying its opinion, they draw the attention to the situation explained in Note 1 of Edenor’s financial statements in relation to Edenor’s economic and financial situation.  In March 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary increase in income through additional funding from CAMMESA, applicable retroactively as from February 1, 2015, to pay for costs and investments associated with the regular provision of the public service of distribution of energy on account of the future RTI. Although SE Resolution No. 32/2015, SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes No. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014 of the SE have provided additional income, most of these adjustments have not been incorporated into Edenor’s tariff structure and if inflation levels during the coming years continue the trend of inflation during 2014, the temporary increase provided by SE Resolution No. 32/2015 may prove insufficient to support the real variation in costs.

As discussed in Note 1 to Edenor’s 2014 financial statements, based on the estimated cost increases and financial projections made by Edenor in light of SE Resolution No. 32/2015, Edenor’s Board of Directors understands that financial resources are expected to be available, at least during fiscal year 2015, to cover not only the operating costs and debt interest payments during 2015, but also part of the investment plans, assuming that the payment plan to be agreed upon with CAMMESA for the cancellation of the outstanding debt with the MEM takes into consideration Edenor’s expected capacity to generate surplus cash flows to service outstanding debt with the WEM. Compliance with the investment plans will depend on whether the Argentine Government continues funding our investment plan. Although these temporary measures decreased the degree of uncertainty surrounding its financial capacity for the next 2015 fiscal year, Edenor’s Board of Directors believes that the sustainable recovery of the economic and financial equation of the public service Edenor render, will fundamentally depend on the application of a RTI that takes into consideration the permanent development of operating costs, that allows for the payment of the required investments to meet the increasing demand with the quality levels stipulated in the Concession Agreement, that makes it possible to have access to financing sources and cover the corresponding costs and that allows, at the same time, for the generation of a reasonable return on the investments.

The goal of the RTI is to achieve a comprehensive revision of Edenor’s tariff structure, including further increases in its distribution margins and periodic adjustments based on changes in Edenor’s cost base, to provide Edenor with an adequate return on Edenor’s asset base.  Although we believe the RTI will result in a new tariff structure, we cannot assure you that the RTI will conclude in a timely manner or at all, or that the new tariff structure will effectively cover all of Edenor’s costs or provide Edenor with an adequate return on its asset base.  Moreover, the RTI could result in the adoption of an entirely new regulatory framework for Edenor’s business, with additional terms and restrictions on Edenor’s operations and the imposition of mandatory investments.  We also cannot predict whether a new regulatory framework will be implemented and what terms or restrictions could be imposed on Edenor’s operations.

 

Edenor’s inability to obtain tariff adjustments in line with the actual changes in costs could result in Edenor’s inability to meet its trade obligations and could also have a material adverse effect on Edenor’s ability to meet its financial obligations

            Although SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and  Notes No. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014 provided additional sources of funds, as they recognized the corresponding CMM adjustments retroactively, these have not been sufficient to support the real variation in costs, principally due to salary adjustments and increased operating expenses above the inflation recorded by the INDEC.  During 2014, Edenor’s working capital needs have been mostly sustained through financing provided by CAMMESA, as electricity distribution tariffs were not sufficient to cover our costs.

 

 

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In this respect, on March 13, 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary income increase in an amount equal to the difference between a “theoretical” tariff schedule set forth in such resolution and the actual tariff schedule in force for each category of users.  However, the “theoretical” tariff shcedule did not include any adjustment method to reflect variations in costs. If inflation levels during the coming years continue the trend of inflation during 2014, the increase provided by SE Resolution No. 32/2015 may prove insufficient to support the real variation in cost.

Edenor’s inability to obtain tariff adjustments in line with future changes in costs could result in Edenor’s inability to meet obligations vis-a-vis CAMMESA, Edenor’s major supplier, and could have a material adverse effect on Edenor’s ability to meet its financial obligations as a result of a shortage in liquidity, which may result in the need to restructure Edenor’s debt and may have a material adverse effect on Edenor’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  Furthermore, in case Edenor was unable to obtain such tariff adjustments, we cannot assure that CAMMESA or any other governmental entity will provide Edenor the financing or that any future financing would be available in favorable terms, which may seriously impair our ability to continue providing the service.

 

Edenor’s distribution tariffs may be subject to challenges by Argentine consumer and other groups

Edenor’s tariff has been challenged by Argentine consumer associations, such as the action brought  against Edenor in December 2009, by an Argentine consumer association, (Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores), seeking to annul certain retroactive tariff increases.  In November 2010, the relevant administrative court upheld the claim.  Edenor appealed the court’s order and requested that it be stayed pending a decision on the appeal.  In December 2010, the court stayed its order pending a decision on the appeal.  On June 1, 2011, the Administrative Court of Appeals (Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal – Sala V) overturned the judgment of the lower administrative court.  The Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores filed a Federal Extraordinary Appeal (“Recurso Extraordinario Federal”) against such decision, which was granted on March 11, 2011.  On October 1, 2013, the Supreme Court of Justice decided to dismiss the Federal Extraordinary Appeal that had been filed.  A final judgment in favor of Edenor has been rendered.

We cannot make assurances that other actions or requests for injunctive relief will not be brought by these or other groups seeking to reverse the adjustments Edenor has obtained or to block any further adjustments to our distribution tariffs.  If these legal challenges are successful and prevent us from implementing tariff adjustments granted by the Argentine Government, we could face a decline in collections from distribution customers, and a decline in our results of operations, which may have a material adverse effect in our financial condition and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

Our distribution business has been, and may continue to be, subject to fines and penalties that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations

We operate in a highly regulated environment and our distribution business has been and in the future may continue to be subject to significant fines and penalties by regulatory authorities, including for reasons outside our control, such as service disruptions attributable to problems at generation facilities or in the transmission network that result in a lack of electricity supply.  After 2001, the amount of fines and penalties imposed on our distribution business increased significantly, which we believe is mainly due to the economic and political environment in Argentina following the 2001 and 2002 economic crisis.  Although the Argentine Government has agreed to forgive a significant portion of these accrued fines and penalties pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement and to allow Edenor to repay the remaining balance over time, this forgiveness and repayment plan is subject to a number of conditions, including compliance with quality of service standards, reporting obligations and required capital investments.  As of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Edenor’s consolidated accrued fines and penalties totaled Ps. 1,102.8 million, Ps. 923.8 million and Ps. 662.0 million, respectively (taking into account our adjustment to fines and penalties following the ratification of the Adjustment Agreement).  If our distribution business fails to comply with any of these conditions, the Argentine Government may seek to obtain payment of these fines and penalties.  In addition, we cannot assure you that our distribution business will not incur significant fines in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

 

 

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If we are unable to control energy losses in our distribution business, our results of operations could be adversely affected

Our distribution concession does not permit our distribution business to pass through to our customers the cost of additional energy purchased to cover any energy losses that exceed the loss factor contemplated by the concession, which is, on average, 10%.  As a result, if our distribution business experiences energy losses in excess of those contemplated by the concession, we may record lower operating profits than we anticipate.  Prior to the 2001 and 2002 economic crisis in Argentina, Edenor had been able to reduce the high level of energy losses experienced at the time of the privatization to the levels contemplated (and reimbursed) under the concession.  However, during the last years, Edenor’s level of energy losses, particularly Edenor’s non-technical losses, started to grow again, in part as a result of the increase in poverty levels and, with it, the number of delinquent accounts and fraud.  Although Edenor continues making investments to reduce energy losses, these losses continue to exceed the 10% average loss factor contemplated in the concession, and based on the current economic turmoil, we do not expect these losses to decrease in the near term.  Energy losses in our distribution business amounted to 14.3% in 2014, 13.0% in 2013 and 13.3% in 2012.  We cannot assure you that energy losses will not increase again in future periods, which may lead to lower margins in our distribution segment and could adversely affect our financial condition and consolidated results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

The Argentine Government could foreclose on its pledge over Edenor’s Class A shares under certain circumstances, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition

Pursuant to our distribution concession and the provisions of the Adjustment Agreement, the Argentine Government has the right to foreclose on its pledge over Edenor’s Class A common shares and sell these shares to a third-party buyer if:

·         the fines and penalties incurred in any given year exceed 20% of Edenor’s gross energy sales, net of taxes (which corresponds to Edenor’s energy sales);

·         Edenor repeatedly and materially breaches the terms of our distribution concession and does not remedy these breaches upon the request of the ENRE;

·         EASA, Edenor’s controlling shareholder, creates any lien or encumbrance over Edenor’s Class A common shares (other than the existing pledge in favor of the Argentine Government);

·         Edenor or EASA obstructs the sale of Class A common shares at the end of any management period under our distribution concession;

·         EASA fails to obtain the ENRE’s approval in connection with the disposition of Edenor’s Class A common shares;

·         Edenor’s shareholders amend its articles of incorporation or voting rights in a way that modifies the voting rights of the Class A common shares without the ENRE’s approval; or

·         Edenor, or any existing shareholders or former shareholders of EASA who have brought a claim against the Argentine Government in the ICSID do not desist from such ICSID claims following completion of the RTI and the approval of a new tariff regime. 

In 2014, the fines and penalties imposed on Edenor by the ENRE amounted to an estimated Ps. 252.2 million, which represented 7% of Edenor’s energy sales.

 

 

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If the Argentine Government were to foreclose on its pledge over Edenor’s Class A common shares, pending the sale of those shares, the Argentine Government would also have the right to exercise the voting rights associated with such shares.  In addition, the foreclosure by the Argentine Government of the pledge on Edenor’s Class A common shares may be deemed to constitute a change of control under the terms of Edenor’s Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022.  See “—Edenor may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance a change of control offer as required by Edenor’s Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022.”  If the Argentine Government forecloses its pledge over Edenor’s Class A common shares, our results of operations and financial condition could be significantly affected and the market value of our ADSs could also be affected.

Default by the Argentine Government could lead to termination of our distribution concession, and have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition

If the Argentine Government breaches its obligations in such a way that we cannot comply with our obligation under our distribution concession or in such a way that Edenor’s service is materially affected, we can request the termination of our distribution concession, after giving the Argentine Government 90 days’ prior notice. Upon termination of our distribution concession, all our assets used to provide electricity distribution service would be transferred to a new state-owned company to be created by the Argentine Government, whose shares would be sold in an international public bidding procedure. The amount obtained in such bidding would be paid to Edenor, net of the payment of any debt owed by Edenor to the Argentine Government, plus compensation established as a percentage of the bidding price, ranging from 10% to 30% depending on the management period in which the sale occurs. Any such default could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Edenor may be unable to import certain equipment to meet the growing demand for electricity, which could lead to a breach of Edenor’s concession and could have a material adverse effect on its operations and financial position

                Certain restrictions on imports imposed by Argentine Government could limit or delay Edenor’s ability to purchase capital goods that are necessary for its operations (including carrying out specific projects). Under Edenor’s concession, we are obligated to satisfy all of the demand for electricity originated in Edenor’s concession area, maintaining at all times a service quality standard that has been established for Edenor’s concession. If Edenor is not able to purchase significant capital goods to satisfy all the demand, or suffer unexpected delays in the import process, Edenor could face fines and penalties which may, in turn, adversely affect Edenor’s financial condition and consolidated results of operations.

We could incur material labor liabilities in connection with outsourcing in our distribution business that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations

We outsource a number of activities related to our distribution business to third-party contractors in order to maintain a flexible cost base.  As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 2,271 third-party employees under contract in our distribution business.  Although we have very strict policies regarding compliance with labor and social security obligations by contractors, we are not in a position to ensure that contractors’ employees will not initiate legal actions to seek indemnification from us based upon a number of judicial rulings issued by labor courts in Argentina recognizing joint and several liability between the contractor and the entity to which it is supplying services under certain circumstances.  We cannot make any assurances that such proceedings will not be brought against us or that the outcome of such proceedings would be favorable to us.  If we were to incur material labor liabilities in connection with the outsourcing of our distribution business, such liabilities could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

A substantial number of Edenor’s assets are not subject to attachment or foreclosure and the enforcement of judgments obtained against us by Edenor’s shareholders may be substantially limited

A substantial number of Edenor’s assets are essential to the public service Edenor provides.  Under Argentine law, as interpreted by the Argentine courts, assets which are essential to the provision of a public service are not subject to attachment or foreclosure, whether as a guarantee for an ongoing legal action or to allow for the enforcement of a legal judgment.  Accordingly, the enforcement of judgments obtained against Edenor by Edenor’s shareholders may be substantially limited to the extent Edenor’s shareholders seek to attach those assets to obtain payment on their judgment.

 

 

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If Edenor’s controlling shareholder fails to meet its debt service obligations, its creditors may take measures that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations

In July 2006, EASA completed a comprehensive restructuring of all of its outstanding financial indebtedness, which had been in default since 2002.  In connection with this restructuring, EASA issued approximately U.S. $85.3 million in U.S. Dollar‑denominated notes in exchange for the cancellation of approximately 99.94% of its outstanding financial debt.  Since EASA’s ability to meet its debt service obligations under these notes depends largely on Edenor’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions or payments to EASA, Edenor’s failure to do so could result in EASA becoming subject to actions by its creditors, including the attachment of EASA’s assets and petitions for involuntary bankruptcy proceedings.  If EASA’s creditors were to attach Edenor’s Class A shares held by EASA, the Argentine Government would have the right under our distribution concession to foreclose its pledge over Edenor’s Class A shares held by the Argentine Government, which could trigger a repurchase obligation under the terms of Edenor’s restructured debt and Edenor’s Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022, and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Loss of exclusivity to distribute electricity in our service area may be adversely affected by technological or other changes in the energy distribution industry, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on our business

Although our distribution concession grants us the exclusive right to distribute electric energy within our service area, this exclusivity may be revoked in whole or in part if technological developments would make it possible for the energy distribution industry to evolve from its present condition as a natural monopoly into a competitive business.  In no case does the complete or partial revocation of our exclusive distribution rights entitle us to claim or to obtain reimbursement or indemnity.  Although, to our knowledge, there are no current projects to introduce new technologies in the medium or long term which might reasonably modify the composition of the electricity distribution business, we cannot assure you that future developments will not enable competition in our industry that would adversely affect the exclusivity right granted by our concession.  Any total or partial loss of our exclusive right to distribute electricity within our service area would likely lead to increased competition, and result in lower revenues in our distribution segment, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations and the market value of our shares and ADSs.

A potential nationalization or expropriation of 51% of Edenor’s capital stock, represented by its Class A shares, may limit the capacity of the Class B common shares to participate in the Board of Directors

As of the date of this annual report, the ANSES owns shares representing 26.8% of the capital stock of Edenor and appointed five Class B directors in the last Shareholders’ meeting. The remaining directors were appointed by the Class A shares.

If the Argentine Government were to expropriate 51% of Edenor’s capital stock, represented by Edenor’s Class A shares, the Argentine Government would be the sole holder of the Class A shares and the ANSES would hold the majority of the Class B shares. Certain strategic transactions require the approval of the holders of the Class A shares. Consequently, the Argentine Government and the ANSES would be able to determine substantially all matters requiring approval by a majority of Edenor’s shareholders, including the election of a majority of Edenor’s directors, and would be able to direct Edenor’s operations.

If the Argentine Government nationalizes or expropriates 51% of Edenor’s capital stock, represented by its Class A shares, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected and this could cause the market value of our ADSs and Edenors’s ADSs and Class B common shares to decline.

Edenor may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to repay its commercial debt with CAMMESA, Edenor’s major supplier

 

 

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As of December 31, 2014, Edenor owed approximately Ps.2,257.1 million to CAMMESA (taking into account CMM credits compensations). This debt is due and unpaid and Edenor has not secured any waivers from CAMMESA, if CAMMESA request that Edenor repay such debt, it may be unable to raise the funds to repay it and, consequently, Edenor could be exposed to a cash attachment, which could in turn result in Edenor’s filing for a voluntary reorganization proceeding (concurso preventivo), which could cause the market value of our ADSs and Class B common shares to decline.

Edenor may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance a change of control offer as required by Edenor’s Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022

As of the date of this annual report, approximately U.S.$191.1 million of Edenor’s financial debt is represented by its Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022.  Under the indentures for the Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022, if a change of control occurs, Edenor must offer to buy back any and all such notes that are outstanding at a purchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and additional amounts, if any, through the purchase date.  Edenor may not have sufficient funds available to it to make the required repurchases of the Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022 upon a change of control.  If Edenor fails to repurchase such notes in these circumstances, that may constitute an event of default under the indentures, which may in turn trigger cross-default provisions in other of Edenor’s debt instruments then outstanding.

All of Edenor’s outstanding financial indebtedness contains bankruptcy, reorganization proceedings and expropriation events of default, and Edenor may be required to repay all of its outstanding debt upon the occurrence of any such events

As of the date of this annual report, approximately U.S.$191.1 million of Edenor’s financial debt is represented by its Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022.  Under the indentures for the Senior Notes due 2017 and 2022, certain expropriation and condemnation events with respect to Edenor may constitute an event of default, which if declared could trigger acceleration of our obligations under the notes and require Edenor to immediately repay all such accelerated debt.  In addition, all of Edenor’s outstanding financial indebtedness contains certain events of default related to  bankruptcy and voluntary reorganization proceedings (concurso preventivo).  If Edenor is not able to fulfill certain payment obligations as a result of its current financial situation, and the requirements set forth in the Argentine Bankruptcy Law No. 24,522 are met, any creditor, or even Edenor, could file for its bankruptcy, or Edenor could file for a voluntary reorganization proceeding (concurso preventivo).  In addition, all of Edenor’s outstanding financial indebtedness also contains cross-default provisions and/or cross-acceleration provisions that could cause all of Edenor’s debt to be accelerated if the debt containing expropriation and/or bankruptcy and/or reorganization proceeding events of default goes into default or is accelerated. In such a case, Edenor would expect to actively pursue formal waivers from the corresponding financial creditors to avoid this potential situation, but in case those waivers are not obtained and immediate repayment will be required, Edenor could face short-term liquidity problems, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cause the market value of our ADSs to decline.

Edenor is currently required by law to undertake a mandatory capital stock reduction and may in the future be required to be dissolved and liquidated

Edenor’s losses for 2014 exceeded its reserves more than 50% of its capital stock at the end of that year, and therefore, Edenor is required to mandatorily reduce its capital stock pursuant to Article 206 of the Argentine Corporate Law (“BCL”) unless Edenor receives a capital contribution or expect future revenues or results of operations which would result in Edenor’s liabilities not exceeding 50% of its assets.  In Edenor’s shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2015, it was decided not to proceed with the mandatory stock reduction considering the better results in the first quarter of 2015 and Edenor’s board of directors was instructed to assess whether in succeeding quarters Edenor qualifies for mandatory capital stock reduction and convene, in such case, an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to reconsider this issue. If Edenor losses for any fiscal year exceed its reserves plus 50% or more of its capital stock at the end of any such year, Edenor will fall under the purview of Section 206 of the BCL and will be required to mandatorily reduce its capital stock. Moreover, if Edenor’s shareholders’ equity becomes negative (that is, if Edenor’s total liabilities exceed its total assets) at the end of any fiscal year, Edenor will be required to dissolve and liquidate pursuant to Article 94 of the BCL unless it receives a capital contribution or expect future revenues or results of operations which would result in Edenor’s assets exceeding its liabilities.  A mandatory capital stock reduction of Edenor can adversely affect our results of operations and financial conditions and cause the market value of our ADSs and Edenor’s ADSs and Class B common shares to decline.

 

 

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The New York Stock Exchange and/or the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange may suspend trading and/or delist Edenor’s ADSs and Class B common shares, respectively, upon occurrence of certain events relating to Edenor’s financial situation

The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and/or the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange may suspend and/or cancel the listing of Edenor’s ADSs and Class B common shares, respectively, in certain circumstances, including upon the occurrence of certain events relating to Edenor’s financial situation. For example, the NYSE may decide such suspension or cancellation if its shareholders’ equity becomes negative.

The NYSE may in its sole discretion determine on an individual basis the suitability for continued listing of an issue in the light of all pertinent facts.  Some of the factors mentioned in the NYSE Listed Company Manual, which may subject a company to suspension and delisting procedures, include: “unsatisfactory financial conditions and/or operating results,” “inability to meet current debt obligations or to adequately finance operations,” and “any other event or condition which may exist or occur that makes further dealings or listing of the securities on the NYSE inadvisable or unwarranted in the opinion of NYSE.”

The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange may cancel the listing of Edenor’s Class B common shares if it determines that Edenor’s shareholders’ equity and Edenor’s financial and economic situation do not justify Edenor’s access to the stock market or if the NYSE cancels the listing of Edenor’s ADSs. 

We cannot assure you that the NYSE and/or Buenos Aires Stock Exchange will not commence any suspension or delisting procedures in light of Edenor’s current financial situation, including if Edenor’s shareholders’ equity becomes negative.  A delisting or suspension of trading of Edenor’s ADSs or Class B common shares by the NYSE and/or the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, respectively, could adversely affect Edenor’s results of operations and financial conditions and cause the market value of Edenor’s ADSs and Class B common shares to decline.

Changes in weather conditions or the occurrence of severe weather (whether or not caused by climate change or natural disasters), could adversely affect Edenor’s operations and financial performance

Weather conditions may influence the demand for electricity, Edenor’s ability to provide it and the costs of providing it.  In particular, severe weather may adversely affect Edenor’s results of operations by causing significant demand increases, which Edenor may be unable to meet without a significant increase in operating costs. This could strongly impact the continuity of Edenor services and its quality indicators. For example, the exceptional thunderstorms that occurred in April and December of 2013 and a heat wave that occurred in December of 2013 affected the continuity of our services, both in the low voltage and medium voltage networks.  Furthermore, any such disruptions in the provision of Edenor’ services could expose Edenor to fines and orders to compensate those customers affected by any such power cuts, as has occurred in the past.  Edenor’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could therefore be negatively affected by changes in weather conditions and severe weather.

Risks Relating to our Shares and ADSs

Restrictions on the movement of capital out of Argentina may impair the ability of holders of ADSs to receive dividends and distributions on, and the proceeds of any sale of, the shares underlying the ADSs, which could affect the market value of the ADSs

The Argentine Government may impose restrictions on the conversion of Argentine currency into foreign currencies and on the remittance to foreign investors of proceeds from their investments in Argentina.  Argentine law currently permits the government to impose this kind of restrictions temporarily in circumstances where a serious imbalance develops in Argentina’s balance of payments or where there are reasons to foresee such an imbalance.  Beginning in December 2001, the Argentine Government implemented an unexpected number of monetary and foreign exchange control measures that included restrictions on the free disposition of funds deposited with banks and on the transfer of funds abroad, including dividends, without prior approval by the Central Bank, some of which are still in effect.  Among the restrictions that are still in effect are those relating to the payment prior to maturity of the principal amount of loans, bonds or other securities owed to non-Argentine residents, the requirement for Central Bank approval prior to acquiring foreign currency for certain types of investments and the requirement that 30% of certain types of capital inflows into Argentina be deposited in a non-interest-bearing account in an Argentine bank for a period of one year.  Although the transfer of funds abroad in order to pay dividends no longer requires Central Bank approval to the extent such dividend payments are made in connection with audited financial statements approved by a shareholders’ meeting, restrictions on the movement of capital to and from Argentina such as those that previously existed could, if reinstated, impair or prevent the conversion of dividends, distributions, or the proceeds from any sale of shares, as the case may be, from Pesos into U.S. Dollars and the remittance of such U.S. Dollars abroad.  We cannot assure you that the Argentine Government will not take similar measures in the future.  In such a case, the depositary for the ADSs may hold the Pesos it cannot otherwise convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid.  Nonetheless, the adoption by the Argentine Government of restrictions on the movement of capital out of Argentina may affect the ability of our foreign shareholders and holders of ADSs to obtain the full value of their shares and ADSs and may adversely affect the market value of our shares and ADSs.

 

 

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ADS holders’ ability to receive cash dividends may be limited

Our shareholders’ ability to receive cash dividends may be limited by the ability of the depositary to convert cash dividends paid in Pesos into U.S. Dollars.  Under the terms of our deposit agreement with the depositary for the ADSs, the depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the common shares underlying the ADSs into U.S. Dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. Dollars to the United States.  If this conversion is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so.  If the exchange rate fluctuates significantly during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, shareholders may lose some or all of the value of the dividend distribution.

Under Argentine law, shareholder rights may be fewer or less well-defined than in other jurisdictions

Our corporate affairs are governed by our by-laws and by Argentine corporate law, which differ from the legal principles that would apply if we were incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States, such as the States of Delaware or New York, or in other jurisdictions outside Argentina.  In addition, the rights of holders of the ADSs or the rights of holders of our common shares under Argentine corporate law to protect their interests relative to actions by our board of directors may be fewer and less well defined than under the laws of those other jurisdictions.  Although insider trading and price manipulation are illegal under Argentine law, the Argentine securities markets are not as highly regulated or supervised as the U.S. securities markets or markets in some other jurisdictions.  In addition, rules and policies against self-dealing and regarding the preservation of shareholder interests may be less well-defined and enforced in Argentina that in the United States, putting holders of our common shares and ADSs at a potential disadvantage.

Holders of ADSs may be unable to exercise voting rights with respect to the common shares underlying the ADSs at our shareholders’ meetings

Shares underlying the ADSs are held by the depositary in the name of the holder of the ADS.  As such, we will not treat holders of ADSs as one of our shareholders and, therefore, holders of ADSs will not have shareholder rights.  The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying the ADSs and holders may exercise voting rights with respect to the shares represented by the ADSs only in accordance with the deposit agreement relating to the ADSs.  There are no provisions under Argentine law or under our by-laws that limit the exercise by ADS holders of their voting rights through the depositary with respect to the underlying shares.  However, there are practical limitations on the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with these holders.  For example, holders of our shares will receive notice of shareholders’ meetings through publication of a notice in an official gazette in Argentina, an Argentine newspaper of general circulation and the daily bulletin of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, and will be able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the meeting in person or voting by proxy.  ADS holders, by comparison, do not receive notice directly from us.  Instead, in accordance with the deposit agreement, we provide the notice to the depositary.  If we ask it to do so, the depositary will mail to holders of ADSs the notice of the meeting and a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by holders.  To exercise their voting rights, ADS holders must then instruct the depositary as to voting the shares represented by their ADSs.  Due to these procedural steps involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights may take longer for ADS holders than for holders of shares and shares represented by ADSs may not be voted as the holders of ADSs desire.  Shares represented by ADSs for which the depositary fails to receive timely voting instructions may, if requested by us, be voted at the corresponding meeting either in favor of the proposal of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a proposal, in accordance with the majority.

 

 

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Our shareholders may be subject to liability for certain votes of their securities

Because we are a limited liability corporation, our shareholders are not liable for our obligations.  Shareholders are generally liable only for the payment of the shares they subscribe.  However, shareholders who have a conflict of interest with us and who do not abstain from voting at the respective shareholders’ meeting may be liable for damages to us, but only if the transaction would not have been approved without such shareholders’ votes.  Furthermore, shareholders who willfully or negligently vote in favor of a resolution that is subsequently declared void by a court as contrary to the law or our by-laws may be held jointly and severally liable for damages to us or to other third parties, including other shareholders.

Provisions of our bylaws and of Argentine securities laws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our shares and the ADSs

Our bylaws and Argentine securities laws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of our Company, such as the requirement, upon the acquisition of a certain percentage of our capital stock, to launch a tender offer to acquire a certain percentage of our capital stock, which percentage ranges from 10% to 100% depending on several factors.  These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders and may adversely affect the market value of our shares and ADSs.  In addition, the provisions of our bylaws and of Argentine securities laws with respect to the obligation to launch a mandatory tender offer differ in certain respects; as of the date of filing of this annual report, it is unclear whether the provisions of our bylaws, which might be more beneficial to minority shareholders under certain circumstances than the provisions of Argentine securities laws in effect as of the date hereof, would prevail over the provisions of Argentine securities laws.

 

 

 

 

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Item 4. Information on the Company

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

Pampa Energía S.A. (in English, Pampa Energy Inc., hereinafter referred to as “Pampa Energía”) is incorporated as a sociedad anónima under the laws of Argentina.  Our principal executive offices are located at Ortiz de Ocampo 3302, Building #4, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina (C1425DSR).  Our telephone number is + 54 11 4809 9500.  Our website address is www.pampaenergia.com.  None of the information available on our website or elsewhere will be deemed to be included or incorporated by reference into this annual report.

We were incorporated on February 20, 1945, for a duration of 99 years, until June 30, 2044, under the name Frigorífico La Pampa S.A.  In 2003, we suspended our former business activities, which were limited to the ownership and operation of a cold storage warehouse building.  In 2005, Messrs. Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres acquired a controlling stake in us.  Following this acquisition, we changed our corporate name to Pampa Holding S.A.  As a result of several acquisitions we have made since 2006, we are currently the largest fully integrated electricity company in Argentina and, through our subsidiaries and co-controlled companies, we are engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Argentina.  We changed our corporate name again to Pampa Energía S.A. in September 2008 and have operated under this name since then.

We operate our electricity businesses in a highly regulated environment.  Our hydroelectric generation activities and our transmission and distribution activities are subject to the terms of concessions granted by the Argentine Government.  Our oil and gas business is also operated under a highly regulated environment and our upstream operations are subject to the terms of concession agreements with provincial governments and joint venture agreements (joint operations for accounting purposes) with our partners.  In addition, our electricity prices and our transmission and distributions tariffs are subject to regulation by Federal government, acting through the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE, and respective provincial governments, acting through the respective provincial authorities.

OUR BUSINESS

Overview

We are the largest fully integrated electricity company in Argentina.  Our generation subsidiaries had an aggregate installed generating capacity of 2,217 MW as of December 31, 2014, representing 7.1% of the installed generating capacity in Argentina at such date, and generated a total of 9,008 net GWh of electricity during the year ended December 31, 2014, representing approximately 7.1% of total electricity generated in Argentina during such period.  We own an indirect co-controlling interest in Transener, which operates and maintains the largest high voltage electricity transmission system in Argentina, with more than 18,438 km (including Transba) of high voltage transmission lines that, as of December 31, 2014, represented approximately 90% of the high voltage system in Argentina, according to the information made available by CAMMESA.  We believe that our subsidiary Edenor is the largest electricity distribution company in Argentina, in terms of number of customers and electricity sold (in terms of both GWh and Pesos) in 2014, based on publicly available figures released by electricity distribution companies in Argentina.

Our principal assets, as of the date of this annual report, are divided among our electricity generation, transmission and distribution businesses, as follows:

·         Generation.  Our generation assets include:

-         HINISA and HIDISA, two hydroelectric power generation systems with an aggregate installed capacity of 653 MW located in the Province of Mendoza, which we acquired in October 2006;

Güemes, including (i) a thermal generation plant (Central Térmica Güemes) with an installed capacity of 361 MW located in General Güemes, in the Province of Salta, which we acquired in January 2007; and (ii) a thermal generation plant (Central Térmica Piquirenda) with an installed capacity of 30 MW located in Piquirenda, General San Martin, in the Province of Salta, which we acquired in March 2011;

 

 

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-         Loma de la Lata, a thermal generation plant with an installed capacity of 553 MW (includes 178 MW from closing of the combined cycle, which started commercial operations on November 1, 2011 at 165 MW) located in the Province of Neuquén (close to one of Argentina’s largest gas fields bearing the same name as the plant), which we acquired in May 2007; and

-         Piedra Buena, a thermal generation plant with an installed capacity of 620 MW located in Ingeniero White, Bahia Blanca, in the Province of Buenos Aires, which we acquired in August 2007.

·         Transmission.  We participate in the electricity transmission business through our co-controlling interest in Transener, which owns, operates and maintains the largest high voltage electricity transmission system in Argentina, and, through its subsidiary Transba, which owns and operates a separate high voltage transmission system located within the Province of Buenos Aires.  We acquired our co-controlling interest in Transener in September 2006.

·         Distribution.  We are engaged in the electricity distribution business through our subsidiary Edenor, which holds a concession to distribute electricity on an exclusive basis to the northwestern zone of the greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area and the northern portion of the City of Buenos Aires, comprising an area of 4,637 square kilometers and a population of approximately 2.8 million customers.  We acquired our controlling interest in Edenor in September 2007. 

In addition to our principal electricity assets, we hold other non-electricity assets and investments, including: 49.74% of the capital stock of Petrolera Pampa; a 10% stake in the share capital of CIESA; and the character of “Beneficiario” (interest beneficiary) and “Fidecomisario”(principal beneficiary) under the MSA Trust, owner of 40% of the capital stock of CIESA; and our investments in Bodega Loma la Lata S.A.  Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Overview”. 

Organizational structure

The following chart sets forth our corporate structure as of the date of this annual report.

 

 

 

 

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Our Generation Business

The following chart depicts our electricity generation assets and our respective shares of the Argentine power generation market as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  Our generation operations derive revenues from the sale of electricity in the spot market and under term contracts, including Energía Plus contracts and WEM Supply Agreements.  When one of our units supplying a term contract is not being dispatched, we purchase the energy required to supply that contract from the spot market.  A unit may not be dispatched at a particular moment due to several reasons, including programmed and unscheduled maintenance or non dispatch by CAMMESA.  

 

Hydroelectric

Thermal

Total

Summary of Electricty Generation Assets

HINISA

HIDISA

CTG

CTLLL

CPB

CTP

Installed Capacity (MW)

265

388

361

553

620

30

2,217

Market Share

0.8%

1.2%

1.1%

1.8%

2.0%

0.1%

7.1%

               

Net Generation 2014 (GWh)

516

322

1,528

3,421

3,090

131

9,008

Market Share

0.4%

0.2%

1.2%

2.6%

2.4%

0.1%

7.0%

Sales 2014 (GWh)

 549

351

2,124

3,502

3,144

131

 9,802

               

Net Generation 2013 (GWh)

616

421

1,675

1,947

2,229

130

7,018

Variation Net Generation 2014-2013

-16.2%

-23.4%

-8.8%

75.7%

38.6%

0.6%

28.4%

Sales 2013 (GWh)

833

630

2,268

2,372

2,676

130

8,909

               

Net Generation 2012 (GWh)

689

441

1,533

2,479

3,265

110

8,517

Market Share

0.6%

0.4%

1.2%

2.0%

2.6%

0.1%

6.8%

Sales 2012 (GWh)

965

721

2,016

2,769

3,829

110

10,410

               

Average Price 2014 (Ps. / MWh)

 155.6

166.2

293.0

270.4

129.2

678.2 

225.3 

Average Gross Margin 2014 (Ps. / MWh)

20.6

-24.2 

102.4 

228.8 

39.7 

n.a. 

118.3 

Average Gross Margin 2013 (Ps. / MWh)

33.1

27.9

51.9

103.0

-12.0

n.a.

44.45

Average Gross Margin 2012 (Ps. / MWh)

60.2

49.6

41.3

118.9

1.8

222.2

51.6

 

Sources: Pampa Energía S.A. and CAMMESA

Note: gross margin before amortization and depreciation.

(1) Due to CTG’s merger with EGSSA and EGSSA Holding, the 2013 average price and gross margin takes into account CTP results.

(2)CTLL’s installed capacity includes 178 MW from conversion to combined cycle, which was commissioned on November 1, 2011 at 165 MW.

 

 

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We are involved in several projects within the framework of the Argentine Government’s Energía Plus regulations and other market-based pricing frameworks. 

Our Energía Plus projects include:

·         Güemes’ Open-Cycle: this project is the first of the Energía Plus expansion projects completed.  Construction was completed on the project in July 2008, and commercial operations began in September 2008.  The project consisted of a new natural gas-powered turbo generator.  As a result of the commencement of commercial operations, Güemes’s installed capacity increased by approximately 40%, or an additional 100 MW, reaching a total installed capacity of approximately 361 MW.  The supplier of the new equipment was GE Packaged Power.  The new open-cycle has an efficiency of approximately 1,998 kilocalories per kilowatt hour (Kcal/KWh), or 43%.

·         Loma de la Lata Project: this project consisted of the expansion of Loma de la Lata’s gross electricity generation capacity by 178 MW by means of converting the plant into a combined cycle system generator.  Commercial operations began in November 1, 2011.  The project consisted of installing a new Siemens steam-turbine generator of three heat-recovery steam generators in order to increase capacity of the plant by 178 MW, reaching a total installed capacity of approximately 553 MW.  Because of certain problems with the new turbine, the increase was of 165MW instead of 178MW (see “Item 4. - Our Business – Loma de la Lata” and “Item 8. - Legal Proceedings – Legal proceedings involving Loma de la Lata”).

 

Other Projects

 

·            Central Térmica Piquirenda: According to the Complementary Agreement (as defined hereinafter) executed by the Pampa Generators (as defined hereinafter), the parties must build a new power generation plant with a total capacity of 45 MW (hereinafter the “Project CTP”). The Project CTP is divided in two stages, the first stage consists in building the new plant with a generation capacity of 30 MW, and the second stage consists on increasing the generation capacity by incorporating the remaining 15 MW. The plant will be constructed in the premises of Central Térmica Piquirenda, which is owned by CTG.

The first stage of the Project CTP was concluded according to the original schedule.  The construction of the second stage of the Project CTP has not yet started due to the failure by the Secretariat of Energy to fulfill its obligation to cancel the Sales Settlements with Maturity Dates To Be Determined (“LVFVDs,” per the initials in Spanish -a regime under which generators of electricity receive partial payment for amounts due to them for energy provided to the system, with the rest of such amounts remaining in the form of a credit) up to the required amount of 30% of the investment made for the first stage as established in the Complementary Agreement.

 

According to the Specific Conditions, the second stage of the Project CTP shall not be performed. The engines that amounted to the 15 MW of the secong stage shall be installed in Loma de la Lata (See “Item 4. – Our Business – Our Generation Business – Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project”).

 

·      Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project: In September 2014, the Argentine Government, through the Secretariat of Energy, and the leading companies of the Argentine energy sector (including Loma de la Lata, CPB, CTG, HIDISA, HINISA and EGSSA (now merged into CTG)), executed the 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement for the expansion of the total thermal generation capacity in Argentina.  The 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement contemplates the execution of individual agreements between the Secretariat of Energy and each generation company (and its affiliates) to provide for the specific terms and conditions for the execution of new generation projects. On October 27, 2014, Pampa’s Generators executed the Specific Conditions.

 

 

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Under the 2014 Expansion Agreements, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent  provided in the Specific Conditions, Pampa’s Generators agreed to expand the generating capacity of Loma de la Lata by 115 MW through the installation of a new aero-derivative gas-fired turbine generator (100 MW) and two gas-powered motor-generators (15 MW). For further information please see “Item4. - Our Business – Generation Business – Loma de la Lata – Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project.”

 

Nihuiles and Diamante 

History 

In May 2006, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with EDF International S.A. (“EDFI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Electricité de France (“EDF”), to acquire approximately 64.9% of the voting capital stock of Nihuiles and 56.0% of the voting capital stock of Diamante.  Simultaneously, we entered into an agreement with Stein Ferroaleaciones S.A. (“Stein”) pursuant to which Stein agreed to pay 15% of the purchase price owed to EDFI in consideration for a 9.7% equity interest in Nihuiles and an 8.4% interest in Diamante.  In addition, in June 2006, we made an offer to Banco Galicia to purchase its 12.5% interest in Nihuiles and its 12.5% interest in Diamante.  On that same date, we also made an offer to Nucleamiento Inversor S.A. (“NISA”) to purchase its 22.6% interest in Nihuiles and its 31.5% interest in Diamante.  All of these offers were accepted in June 2006 and all transactions, including the purchase from EDFI and the transaction with Stein, closed in October 2006.  As a result of these transactions, we acquired 90.3% of the capital stock of Nihuiles and 91.6% of the capital stock of Diamante, for a total purchase price of U.S. $55.1 million.  In January 2008, we acquired the shares previously held by HIDISA’s Employee Participation Program, representing 2% of the capital stock of HIDISA.  Following this acquisition, all Class C shares of HIDISA were converted to Class B shares, which are freely transferable to third parties.  As a result, we currently control, directly and indirectly, 61% of the capital stock and voting rights of HIDISA.  On December 18, 2009, the shareholders of HINISA agreed to cancel its Class “E” shares corresponding to HINISA’s Employee Stock Option Plan, representing 2% of its capital stock for Ps.4.4 million.  As a result we now indirectly own 52.04% of the shares and votes of HINISA.

In October 2006, we entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Ultracore Energy S.A. (“Ultracore”), a company controlled by the Stein family, and Stein, which sets forth the rights and obligations of the respective parties with respect to Nihuiles and Diamante.  Among other things, such agreement provides for:

(1)     a right of first refusal in our favor;

(2)     a tag along right in favor of Ultracore, by which Ultracore is entitled to include its shares in any sale by us of our own shares;

(3)     the right of Ultracore to appoint one director and one alternate director in each of HINISA, HIDISA, Nihuiles and Diamante;

(4)     a veto right in favor of Ultracore in respect of certain governance matters; and

(5)     our obligation to cause HINISA’s board of directors to consider the execution of an electric energy supply agreement with Stein.

In October 2006, we entered into an option agreement with Mr. Aldo Héctor Ostropolsky pursuant to which we granted him (for a price of U.S. $30,000) an option to purchase from us shares representing 1.62% of Nihuiles’ voting capital stock and shares representing 1.4% of Diamante’s voting capital stock, which option can be exercised by Mr. Ostropolsky during a period of eight years. 

 

 

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Additionally, through Provincial Law No. 8,423, the Province of Mendoza created the company Empresa Mendocina de Energía Sociedad Anónima con Participación Estatal Mayoritaria (“EMESA”).  Finally, on November 5, 2013 through Provincial Decree No. 2,058 the Province of Mendoza transferred all the equity owned in HIDISA and HINISA to EMESA.

Below are charts depicting the corporate structures of Nihuiles and Diamante as of the date of this annual report: 

 

Nihuiles

Description: Agus

Diamante

 

 

 

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Nihuiles

Nihuiles is a holding company that owns Class A and Class B shares representing 31.63% and 20.41%, respectively, of the voting capital stock of HINISA, a hydroelectric generation company with an installed capacity of 265.2 MW located in the Province of Mendoza.  HINISA operates under a provincial concession for the hydroelectric use of water from the Atuel River, located in the department of San Rafael in the Province of Mendoza (approximately 1,100 km southwest of Buenos Aires) and under a national concession for the generation and commercialization of hydroelectric power.  In addition, HINISA owns 4.5% of the capital stock of Termoeléctrica José de San Martín S.A. and 4.5% of the capital stock of Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano S.A.

The Province of Mendoza, through EMESA, currently owns Class D shares representing 10.21% of the capital stock of HINISA and Class C shares representing 37.75% of the capital stock of HINISA, and publicly announced in 2006 its intention to sell its Class C shares.  Pursuant to HINISA’s public concession contracts, if the Province of Mendoza sells its Class C shares in HINISA, Nihuiles would be required to sell its Class B shares of HINISA (representing 20% of HINISA’s capital stock) through a public offering promptly after the Province’s sale of its Class C shares.  Assuming that the Province of Mendoza sells its 37.75% interest in HINISA, and consequently Nihuiles is required to sell its Class B shares (representing 20% of the capital stock of HINISA), Nihuiles would no longer own a controlling interest in HINISA and would not be permitted to purchase any additional shares (of any class) of HINISA.  Neither Nihuiles nor we have any control over the timing of the Province of Mendoza’s proposed sale or the price at which Nihuiles would be required to sell its Class B shares of HINISA.  As a result, such shares may be sold at a time and price per share that is adverse to our interests.  As of the date of this annual report, the Province of Mendoza has expressed no intention to modify HINISA’s by-laws.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Generation Business—We may no longer own a controlling interest in HINISA, one of our principal generation assets, if the Province of Mendoza sells its participation in HINISA.”  We are currently monitoring circumstances with the Province of Mendoza and analyzing our situation in order to preserve all available options to us in the event of a possible sale of the capital stock of HINISA by the Province.

In addition, pursuant to Decree No. 334/2006 promulgated by the Province of Mendoza, HINISA’s by-laws may be amended to ensure that the Province retains certain governance rights in HINISA after disposing of its Class C shares.  The proposed amendments, which would be subject to the approval of our board of directors, would include the Province of Mendoza’s right to vote in respect of any of the following actions: (1) any action that may directly affect the interest of minority shareholders, such as profit distribution policy, exploitation, management and external advisory costs, etc.; (2) changes to the terms and conditions relating to Nihuiles’ electricity generation as a result of the development of the Grande River and Atuel River projects; (3) certain changes to the operational conditions of Nihuiles; and (4) any agreements within the term market of the WEM. 

Pursuant to the Decree No. 1651/2007 of the Province of Mendoza, the Province has initiated a public bidding process in order to select a financial advisor to advise the Province in the public offering of its Class C shares and, if such offering is successful, to advise the Province in the sale of its Class D shares.  As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of the selection of any such financial advisor.  In addition, Decree No.1838/2008 of the Province of Mendoza states that, notwithstanding the provisions of Decree No. 1651/2007, the time period granted to HINISA to obtain the authorization for a public offering of the Class C shares, remains suspended.  As a result, HINISA is not currently seeking any authorization to complete a public offering.

Diamante

Diamante is a holding company that owns 59% of the voting capital stock of HIDISA, a hydroelectric generation company with an installed capacity of 388 MW located in the Province of Mendoza.  HIDISA operates under a provincial concession for the hydroelectric use of water from the Diamante River, located in the department of San Rafael in the Province of Mendoza, and under a national concession for the generation and commercialization of hydroelectric power.  HIDISA owns 2.4% of the capital stock of Termoeléctrica José de San Martín S.A. and 2.4% of the capital stock of Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano S.A.

 

 

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Summary of HINISA and HIDISA concessions

HINISA’s and HIDISA’s main corporate purpose is the generation, sale and bulk trading of electric power through the exploitation of hydroelectric systems pursuant to the terms and conditions of the following concessions:

·         Provincial concessions granted by the government of the Province of Mendoza with similar terms and conditions (for HINISA and HIDISA) and at each company’s own risk for the hydroelectric exploitation of the Atuel River, in the case of HINISA, and the Diamante River, in the case of HIDISA.  These concessions were granted pursuant to Provincial Law No. 6,088 dated December 21, 1993 and related provisions.

·         National concessions granted by the Argentine Government with similar terms and conditions (for HINISA and HIDISA) and at each company’s own risk for hydroelectric power generation through HINISA’s and HIDISA’s respective hydroelectric systems.  These concessions were granted pursuant to Laws No. 15,336, No. 23,696 and No. 24,065 and related provisions.

Term.  The term of the HINISA and HIDISA concession agreements is 30 years, starting from June 1, 1994 in the case of HINISA and October 19, 1994 in the case of HIDISA.

The following authorities oversee HINISA and HIDISA’s fulfillment of their obligations under their respective concession agreement:

·         The Secretariat of Energy, which is the governing authority under the concession granted by the Argentine Government.  Pursuant to Decree No. 570/96, certain responsibilities and authority of the Secretariat of Energy were transferred to the ENRE;

·         The Ministry of Infrastructure of the Province of Mendoza, which is the governing authority under the concession granted by the provincial authorities;

·         The Province of Mendoza’s Irrigation General Department, which is the governing authority with respect to irrigation matters (in cooperation with Obras Sanitarias de Mendoza S.A.);

·         The Organismo Regulador de Seguridad de Presas, (the Dam Safety Regulating Body, or “ORSEP”), which is the governing authority with respect to dam safety matters; and

·         The Secretariat of the Environment of the Province of Mendoza, which is the governing authority with respect to environmental matters.

Royalty payments.  Each of HINISA and HIDISA is required under the respective concessions to make the following monthly royalty payments:

·         Royalties in favor of (1) the Province of Mendoza, up to 12% in the case of HIDISA and up to 6% in the case of HINISA, and (2) the Province of La Pampa, up to 6% in the case of HINISA, in each case, of the amount resulting from the application of the corresponding bulk sale rate to the electricity sold, pursuant to the provisions of Section 43 of Law No. 15,336, as amended by Law No. 23,164.  Pursuant to applicable regulations, in order to establish the basis for the calculation of such royalties, the monomic price (the price of electricity that includes both the price of energy and the capacity charge) of the electricity produced resulting from the following formula should be used: the sum of the value of power generated at the hour value fixed by the wholesale market plus the amount receivable for the power rendered to the spot market if such power were sold within a certain month, divided by the total power generated during the given month;

·         Royalties in favor of the Argentine Government of (1) up to 2.5% of the amount used as the basis for the royalties calculation in the case of HIDISA, and (2) up to 1.5%, estimated on the same basis in the case of HINISA; and

 

 

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·         Royalties in favor of the Province of Mendoza of up to 2.5% of the amount used as the basis for the royalties calculation for both HINISA and HIDISA.

Contingency fund.  HINISA and HIDISA, along with the other Argentine hydroelectric generation companies, are obligated to make quarterly payments to a foundation that owns and manages a contingency fund created to cover up to 80% of the aggregate amount of potential costs relating to any repair of the hydroelectric systems at any of the hydroelectric generation companies’ plants, including those of HINISA and HIDISA, that are not covered by their respective insurance policies.

As a result of the economic crisis in Argentina in 2001 and 2002, the foundation’s administrative council decided that the contribution to the contingency fund in U.S. Dollars required under the concessions, the bidding terms and conditions and the relevant provisions of HINISA’s and HIDISA’s by-laws should be converted into Pesos at an exchange rate of Ps. 1.00 = U.S. $1.00.  The indexation clauses contained in such concessions were also replaced with the “CER” (a benchmark stabilization coefficient).  Upon the conversion from U.S. Dollars to Pesos, the Peso value of the contingency fund exceeded the required funding.  As a result, HINISA and HIDISA, along with the other hydroelectric generation companies, have suspended payments to the contingency fund.  However, we can make no assurance that HINISA and HIDISA will not be required to resume making payments to the contingency fund in the future.

From the effective date of the concessions until the suspension of payments, HINISA and HIDISA made contributions totaling U.S. $1.3 million and U.S. $1.9 million, respectively.

HINISA and HIDISA are subject to potential penalties and fines under their respective concessions that are calculated on the basis of the aggregate gross amount invoiced for the 12-month period preceding the imposition of any such penalty.  Such penalties and fines range from 0.1% to 1% (in cases of breach of the terms of the agreement or regulations applicable to electric power generation, dam safety, water management, environmental protection, and non-compliance of instructions from ORSEP, CAMMESA, any of the governing authorities or the ENRE); from 0.02% to 0.2% (in cases of delays or lack of payment of contributions to the contingency fund and insurance policies and for taking action without prior authorization of the respective governing authorities), from 0.01% to 0.1% (in cases of failure to submit any requested information or failure to file mandatory reports); from 0.03% to 0.3% (in cases of failure to keep routes and roads open to traffic and free from soil, air or water pollution, and delays in the fulfillment of mandatory works) and from 1% to 10% (in cases of any actions considered by the governing authorities as termination events under the concessions).  In the event that the fines levied over a 12-month period exceed 20% of the gross amount invoiced for power sales, the granting authority would be entitled to terminate the relevant concession agreement.

Performance guaranties.  As security for the performance of their obligations under the respective concessions, HINISA and HIDISA have each deposited Ps. 2.0 million for the benefit of the relevant granting authority under the respective concession.  Absent any set off by the relevant granting authority in the event of a breach or any other event of non-compliance under the terms of the respective concession agreements, the guarantee amounts would be released to HINISA and HIDISA, respectively, upon the expiration or termination of the respective concession agreements.

Termination of concessions.  HIDISA and HINISA’s concession agreements may be terminated for the following reasons:

·         Breach of material contractual and legal obligations.  In such case, HINISA or HIDISA, as applicable, shall remain in charge of their concessions during a transitional period established by the granting authority, not exceeding 12 months, and shall indemnify the Argentine Government and the Province of Mendoza for any damages caused (the granting authorities may also apply the performance guarantee amounts toward the payment of any damages).  Within 90 days following the receipt of the relevant termination notice, a new company must be incorporated, which would be granted a similar concession and a public bidding process would be called for the purpose of selling the shares of such newly formed company.  After deducting all fines, interests and withholdings for prospective claims, the balance would be distributed to HINISA or HIDISA, as applicable, as the only compensation for the transfer of the concessions;

 

 

49


 
 

               

·         Certain bankruptcy events in respect of HINISA or HIDISA (as applicable), including any liquidation or winding-up proceedings.  In such case, the termination of the relevant concession shall be automatic;

·         Force majeure or certain actions by third parties that prevent the compliance by HINISA and HIDISA of their respective obligations under their respective concession agreements; or

·         Expiration of the respective terms of the concession agreements.

In addition, Section 14(d) of Law No. 6088 of the Province of Mendoza provides for the termination of the concessions for reasons of public interest or expropriation for public use.

After the termination of the concession agreements for any cause, any assets transferred to HINISA and HIDISA under the respective concession agreements shall be reassigned to the Province of Mendoza and the Argentine Government, as applicable.

HINISA’s operations

HINISA holds a concession for the generation, sale and bulk trading of electricity from Nihuiles’ hydroelectric system (the “Nihuiles System”).  The Nihuiles System consists of three dams and three hydroelectric power generation plants (Nihuil I, Nihuil II and Nihuil III), as well as a compensator dam, which is used to manage the system’s water flow for irrigation purposes.  The Nihuiles System is located in the Atuel River in the department of San Rafael in the Province of Mendoza.  The City of San Rafael is located approximately 1,100 km southwest of Buenos Aires and 75 km from Nihuil I.  The Nihuiles System covers a total distance of approximately 40 km with a height ranging from 440 m to 480 m.  The Nihuiles System has a total nominal installed capacity of 265.2 MW.  Since 1990, the average annual generation has totaled 859 GWh, with the highest level of generation (1,250 GWh) recorded in 2006 and the lowest level (516 GWh) recorded in 2014.

HINISA’s revenues consist of sales of energy and capacity.  In 2014, 94% of HINISA’s sales were into the spot market.  Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Ps. 85 million, due to energy sales of 549 GWh, 34.1% lower than in 2013, with a hydraulic contribution of 602 Hm3, 15.2% lower than in 2013.

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on HINISA(1):

 

2010

2011

2012(*)

2013(*)

2014(*)

Net Generation (GWh)

778

586

689

616

516

Energy Purchases (GWh)

302

287

276

217

33

Total Energy Sales (GWh)

1,080

873

965

833

549

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

158.7

190.7

186.2

167.3

155.6

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

66.0

63.6

60.2

33.1

20.6

(*) Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization.

 

HIDISA’s operations

HIDISA holds a concession for the generation, sale and bulk trading of electricity from Diamante’s hydroelectric system (the “Diamante System”).  The Diamante System consists of three dams and three hydroelectric power generation plants (Agua del Toro, Los Reyunos and El Tigre).  The Diamante System covers a total distance of approximately 55 km with a height differential between 873 m and 1,338 m.  The Diamante System has a total nominal installed capacity and effective power of 388.4 MW.  Since 1990, the average annual generation has totaled 577 GWh, with the highest level of generation (943 GWh) recorded in 2006 and the lowest level (322 GWh) recorded in 2014. 

 

 

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HIDISA’s revenues consist of sales of energy and capacity.  In 2014, 92% of HIDISA’s sales were into the spot market.  Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Ps. 58 million, for energy sales of 351 GWh, 44.2% lower than in 2013, with a hydraulic contribution of 642 Hm3, 20.5% lower than in 2013.

 

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on HIDISA:

 

2010

2011

2012(*)

2013(*)

2014(*)

Net Generation (GWh)

538

406

441

421

322

Energy Purchases (GWh)

313

300

280

209

29

Total Energy Sales (GWh)

851

706

721

630

351

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

183.2

217.9

215.9

202.7

166.2

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

64.0

44.1

49.6

27.9

(24.2)

(*) Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization.

 

Güemes 

Central Térmica Güemes

History

Our thermal generation plant Central Térmica Güemes, is located in the northwestern region of Argentina, in the City of General Güemes, Province of Salta.  This plant is a major generator within the WEM.  Güemes was privatized in 1992 and awarded to the consortium composed of Iberdrola, Duke, TCW and certain other investors.  The purchase price paid by this consortium was U.S. $86.2 million for 60% of the capital stock of Güemes, in addition to the assumption of U.S. $60 million in indebtedness.

In November 2006 and December 2006, we entered into purchase agreements to acquire indirect control of Güemes for a total purchase price of U.S. $16.6 million.  In January 2007, we consummated the acquisition through the purchase of (1) 100% of the voting capital stock of Dilurey S.A. (“Dilurey”), a corporation organized under the laws of Uruguay, which held at that time 90% of the capital stock of Powerco, a corporation organized in the Province of Salta, which in turn owned 60% of the voting capital stock of Güemes, and (2) an additional 8% of the capital stock of Powerco S.A. (“Powerco”).  On June 9, 2010, Dilurey changed its name to Pampa Inversiones.  In November 2006, we also entered into a one-year option agreement with Mr. Carlos Armando Peralta, the former chief executive officer of Güemes, pursuant to which Mr. Peralta and we had an option to sell or purchase, respectively, shares of Powerco representing 2% of Powerco’s capital stock held by Mr. Peralta.  In August 2007, pursuant to this option agreement, we acquired the remaining 2% of the capital stock of Powerco from Mr. Peralta for U.S. $460,000.  In September 2007, Loma de la Lata, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, subscribed 180,869,600 non-voting preferred shares issued by Güemes, which were subsequently converted into ordinary shares (representing 74.20% of Güemes’ total voting capital stock).  In addition, on October 3, 2008, we acquired all of the shares of the Güemes employee stock ownership program (representing 2.58% of Güemes’ total voting capital stock). 

On September 27, 2013, the boards of directors of CTG, EGSSA Holding S.A. (“EGSSAH”) and EGSSA resolved that it would be beneficial for these companies if they were merged into a single company, where CTG would be the surviving company and EGGSSAH and EGSSA the merged companies. The purpose of this merger is to optimize the resources of each of the companies by simplifying and consolidating their administrative and operational structure. On November 5, 2013, pursuant to the required procedures, the boards of directors of CTG, EGSSAH and EGSSA approved the special financial statements of each Company for merger purposes, the preliminary merger agreement executed among CTG, EGSSAH and EGSSA, and the offering memorandum that describes the terms and conditions of the merger. For accounting, fiscal and legal purposes, the effective corporate reorganization date shall be retroactive to October 1, 2013. On December 20, 2013, a shareholders’ meeting of each company took place, where the merger and all of the documentation relating to it were approved. On February 13, 2014 the final merger agreement was executed.  As a result of this merger, as EGSSAH was a public company, having its shares listed in the Mercado de Valores de Buenos Aires S.A. (the “Buenos Aires Stock Market” or “MERVAL”), CTG as the surviving company requested the relevant authorities for its shares to be listed in the Buenos Aires Stock Market.  As of the date of this annual report, the approvals of the relevant authorities are still pending.  In the case that the respective approvals are not obtained, the Company does not expect significant negative effects, due to the fact that CTG, EGSSA and EGSSAH were consolidated before the merger and continue to be consolidated after it.

 

 

51


 
 

               

The shareholders of Güemes are (i) the Company which currently holds, directly and indirectly, 90.43% of Güemes’ voting capital stock, (ii) the Argentine Government which holds 6.70% of Güemes’ voting capital stock, and (iii) minority public shareholders and the ANSES, which hold the remaining 2.87% of Güemes’ voting capital stock.

Central Térmica Piquirenda

Central Térmica Piquirenda (“CTP”) is located in the northwestern region of Argentina, in a location known as Piquirenda, District of Aguaray, Department of General San Martín, Province of Salta. The construction started in early 2008 and was completed by 2010. It has a 30 MW thermal electricity generation plant comprised of ten GE Jenbacher JGS 620 gas-powered motor-generators, which represent 0.1% of the installed capacity in Argentina.

CTP started commercial operations on May 3, 2011. On July 15, 2011, CTP executed the WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007. The agreed price is U.S.$18,000/MW per month and the amount recognized as maintenance and operation costs is U.S.$10/MWh, adding a variable price for cost of fuel. On July 14, 2011, under SE Note No. 4,997, the SE authorized CTP to fire Gas Plus as generation fuel.  CTP has a firm contract with Petrolera Pampa for up to 172 Dam3 per day, which expires in July 2015.

Below there is a chart depicting the corporate structure of Güemes as of the date of this annual report: 

 

 

 

52


 
 

               

 

Operations

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on Güemes:

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Net Generation (GWh)

1,533

1,846

1,533

1,675

1,528

Energy Purchases (GWh)

640

480

483

593

596

Total Energy Sales (GWh)

2,172

2,325

2,016

2,268

2,124

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

233

224.1

218.6

196.8

293 

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

76.4

64.8

41.3

51.9

102.4 

 

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on CTP:

 

2011

2012

2013

2014

Net Generation (GWh)

66

110

130

131

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

388

411.8

440.3

678.2

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

125.8

222.2

n.a.

n.a. 

 

Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization. * Due to CTG merger with EGSSA and EGSSA Holding, the 2013 average price and gross margin takes into account CTP results.

 

Güemes has a total installed capacity of 361 MW, comprised of 261 MW steam generation units and a 100 MW gas combustion turbine.  Güemes had net production of 1,528 GWh in 2014.  Güemes provides system quality assurance (frequency and voltage) to the northwestern and northern regions of Argentina and, due to its geographical location, it is able to receive gas from Bolivia.  Güemes steam turbines are open cycle generation units with a gross capacity of 261 MW and an average availability level of net production of 1.7 million MWh per year.  Güemes steam turbine combustion equipment is comprised of two Skoda steam turbines, with a gross capacity of 63 MW each, and a third Skoda steam turbine with a gross capacity of 135 MW.  Güemes gas turbine equipment is comprised of a GE MW LMS100 aero-derivative gas-fired turbine generator with a gross capacity of 100 MW.  Güemes mostly sells electricity to the local spot market and to the Energía Plus market (see “Güemes - Expansion Project” below). Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 (which includes CTG and CTP) were Ps. 711 million, for energy sales of 2,124 GWh for CTG, 6.3% lower than in 2013 and for energy sales of 131GWh for CTP, 0.6% higher than in 2013.

 

 

53


 
 

               

 

In 2014, Güemes’ generation depended on (i) electricity demand in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, (ii) the availability of natural gas, and (iii) the transmission restrictions.  A 132 KV transmission line linking Cobos with Salta Norte and North West Region to North East Region (NOA-NEA) and a 500KV high voltage transmission line, enhanced Güemes’ possibility to dispatch its full capacity.

Güemes expansion project

Consistent with our strategy of enhancing the value and profitability of our generation assets by expanding the generating capacity of certain of our power generation plants within the framework of the Energía Plus regulations, in 2008 we completed the first of these projects, which expanded Güemes’ generation capacity through the installation of a new, state-of-the-art gas-fired turbine. 

Construction was completed on the project in July 2008, and commercial operations commenced in September 2008.  Güemes’ installed capacity increased by approximately 40%, or an additional 100 MW, reaching a total installed capacity of approximately 361 MW.  The new open-cycle has an efficiency of approximately 1,998 kilocalories per kilowatt hour (Kcal/KWh), or 43%.  Our investment in this expansion project totaled approximately U.S. $65 million (see “Item 4. - Our Business – Our Generation Business”).

Royalty assignment agreement

In June 2007, Güemes and the Province of Salta entered into a royalty assignment agreement pursuant to which the Province has agreed to assign natural gas to Güemes, which the Province is entitled to collect as in-kind royalties in respect of natural gas produced within the provincial territory.  In consideration for such assignment, Güemes will pay a 5% premium over the applicable average wellhead gas price.  The term of the agreement is five years, starting from the date of the first delivery of natural gas, and is subject to an automatic renewal clause.  The daily amount under the agreement may reach 500,000 m3 per day if the production of gas in the Province of Salta increases from the production level existing at the time of the agreement’s execution.  As of the date of this annual report, Güemes had not requested any deliveries under this agreement because it was able to supply the new 100 MW of generation with gas contracted with several suppliers, such as Pan American Energy LLC, Total Austral S.A. or Pluspetrol S.A. 

Loma de la Lata 

History

In December 2006, Central Puerto S.A. (Central Puerto) agreed to sell and assign to us all of the property (both tangible and intangible), land, assets, equipment and personnel (including contracts relating to management personnel) that comprised Central Puerto’s thermal generation plant located at Loma de la Lata in the Province of Neuquén, for a total purchase price of U.S. $60 million.  The purchase of the Loma de la Lata generation asset from Central Puerto was consummated in May 2007. 

On December 17, 2013, the boards of directors of CTLL and Powerco resolved that it would be beneficial for these companies to merge into a single company, where CTLL would be the surviving company and Powerco the merged company. The purpose of this merger is to optimize the resources of each of the companies by simplifying and consolidating their administrative and operational structure. On March 7, 2014, and in connection with the required procedures, the boards of directors of CTLL and Powerco approved the special financial statements for merger purposes of each Company, the preliminary merger agreement executed among CTLL and Powerco, and the offering memorandum that describes the terms and conditions of the merger. For accounting, fiscal and legal purposes, the effective corporate reorganization date shall be retroactive to January 1, 2014. The shareholders’ meeting of each company will take place on April 28, 2014, where the merger and all of the documentation relating to it will be approved. On March 11, 2014, the administrative approvals of the CNV and the BCBA were requested, which, as of the date of this annual report have not been granted. Also, on June 3, 2014 the final merger agreement was executed.  Finally, as of the date of this annual report, the approvals of other relevant authorities are still pending.  In the case that the respective approvals would not be obtained, the Company does not expect significant negative effects, due to the fact that CTLL and Powerco were consolidated even before the merger and continue to be consolidated after it.

 

 

54


 
 

               

 

Operations

Loma de la Lata owns the thermal generation plant located at Loma de la Lata in the Province of Neuquén, which has an installed capacity of approximately 553 MW.  The Loma de la Lata plant has three gas turbines with a capacity of 125 MW each and a one steam turbine with capacity of 178 MW and is located near one of the largest gas fields in Argentina bearing the same name.  Loma de la Lata had a net production of 3,421 GWh in 2014, 76% higher than in 2013. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Ps. 947 million.

During the period 1997-2014, the average annual generation has totaled 1,439 GWh, with the highest level of generation (3,421 GWh) recorded in 2014 and the lowest level (272 GWh) recorded in 2002. 

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on Loma de la Lata:

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Net Generation (GWh)

448

1,185

2,479

1,947

3,421

Energy Purchases (GWh)

29

14

290

425

81

Total Energy Sales (GWh)

476

1,199

2,769

2,372

3,502

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

192.7

202.9

260.4

237.3

270.4 

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

24

58.6

118.9

103

228.8 

 

(*) Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization.

 

Loma de la Lata expansion project

On November 1, 2011, the Company initiated the commercial operations of the Loma de la Lata Project, which involved the expansion of gross generation capacity in Loma de la Lata by approximately 165 MW by converting the plant into a generating combined cycle unit. The project increased the capacity of Loma de la Lata by approximately 50% without the need for additional gas consumption, resulting in greater efficiency. For the expansion mentioned above, the Company has entered into two Project Agreements.

Project Agreements

In 2007, Loma de la Lata entered into certain agreements in order to procure and build an expansion of its Loma de la Lata Power Plant through the conversion to a combined cycle by adding three heat recovery steam generators and one steam turbine (the “Project” or the “Expansion”). For such purpose, on September 6, 2007 Loma de la Lata entered into (i) a construction turnkey contract (as amended, the “Construction Agreement”) with a joint venture formed by Isolux Corsan Argentina SA and Tecna Estudios y Proyectos de Ingeniería S.A. (collectively, the “Builder” or “Contractor”), and (ii) a contract to supply materials, equipment and spare parts from abroad in connection with the project (as periodically amended, the “Supply Agreement”, and together with the Construction Agreement, the “Project Agreements”) with a Joint Venture formed under Law No.18/1.982 of Spain between Isolux Ingeniería SA and Tecna Proyectos y Operaciones S.A. (the “Supplier” and, together with the Builder, the “Project Counterparties”).

 

 

55


 
 

               

Under the Project Agreements, it was expected that commercial operation of the Project would begin in June 2010, the time that was set for the delivery of the formal provisional acceptance of the Loma de la Lata plant under the Project Agreements. Due to different problems, mostly related to the Contractor’s breach, such as delays in compliance and labor disputes, the parties agreed to postpone the beginning of commercial operations until December 5, 2010.

Despite the new settled date, new delays by the Project Counterparties occurred and, in addition to this on February 8, 2011, an operational error, along with an error in design, took place causing extensive damage to the steam turbine, which caused further delays in the startup (the “February 8 Event”).  Consequently, it became necessary to undertake a comprehensive repair of the steam turbine and other parts, which included the performance of tests and an integral review of the turbine.  The greater part of the damage was caused in the turbine rotor, which was repaired but will have to be replaced in no more than three years from the beginning of the commercial operation, if operated at nominal load, based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.

In this context, on March 30, 2011, the Project Counterparties made an offer to Loma de la Lata (the “Offer”) which provided (i) the necessary mechanisms to be adopted in order to repair the damages, (ii) a discount (granted as compensation for breaches) equivalent to the last payment due under the Project Agreements which would be effective upon Provisional Acceptance, and (iii) the steps to be followed in order to initiate the commercial operation of the Project.

In connection with the February 8 Event, Loma de la Lata filed the corresponding claims before the insurance companies in order to be compensated for the loss of profits and for the additional financial and administrative costs incurred in connection with the delay of commercial operation of the Expansion. The insurance companies recognized compensation in favor of Loma de la Lata in an amount of U.S.$ 30.5 million.

As described above, under the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Project Counterparties granted Loma de la Lata a compensation for breaches in an amount equal to the amount of the last payment to be made under the Project Agreements which would be effective upon the delivery of the formal provisional acceptance of the Expansion pursuant to the terms of the Project Agreements. The total compensation (including the adjustment) was valued at U.S.$ 18 million.  The Offer was accepted by Loma de la Lata.

In August 2011, while repairs of the turbine were still taking place, the Project Counterparties informed Loma de la Lata that Siemens A.G., the turbine manufacturer, had detected some defects on similar steam turbines which generated vibrations in the last stage blades. This generated the need for additional modifications to the turbine which would imply a restriction on the power output until the redesign and reengineering of the extracted blades was performed, which was estimated to take at least two years. In that context, the last stage blades were replaced by a baffle plate, which further delayed the Project’s commercial operation date.

Finally, the commercial operation of the Expansion began on November 1, 2011, with a provisory baffle plate and blade dummies, with a power of 165 MW. The provisional blade wheel should be replaced when the Project Counterparties and the turbine supplier find a solution to the problem. Additionally, it is estimated that the process of replacing the blades will take about a month.

The Project had a total cost of approximately U.S.$ 230.3 million plus VAT, excluding financial capital costs.

In addition, the Project Agreements provide the application of certain compensations for delays or failures attributable to the Contractor for not delivering the Project in due time.

Given the delays in the handover of the Project, the lower power of the steam turbine installed, and certain defaults of the Project Counterparties to the obligations assumed under the Project Agreements, Loma de la Lata, in exercise of its contractual rights, required the Project Counterparties the payment of the additional penalties for the delays established in the Construction Agreement and of damages for the other breaches. Both requirements were rejected, and Loma de la Lata executed the banking guarantees issued by BBVA and Commerzbank to secure the Project Counterparties’ obligations under the Project Agreements.

 

 

 

56


 
 

               

In this context, in 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce’ Secretary, notified Loma de la Lata that an arbitration request had been filed by the Contractor, pursuant to which the Contractor claimed, among other things, the refund of the sums received for the foreclosure of the guarantees.

 

On December 30, 2011, Loma de la Lata rejected the claim filed by the Contractor before the Court of the International Chamber of Commerce and filed a counterclaim against the Project Counterparties for the integral recovery of the damages caused as a consequence of the Project Counterparties’ defaults under the Project Agreements. See “Item 8. - Legal Proceedings involving Loma de la Lata”.

 

On November 14, 2012, another major incident occurred in the plant. A failure of the steam turbine protection systems, due to a defective design, caused severe damage to the steam turbine and associated equipment. Loma de la Lata included a claim for the damages produced by the event in the arbitration process against the Project Counterparties, and notified the insurance companies in order to be compensated for the damage suffered. See - “Insurance Claim” below. The steam turbine went back into commercial operation in June 2013.

 

Insurance Claim

In connection with the accident that occurred in the plant on November 14, 2012, Loma de la Lata made the necessary filings before the insurance companies and followed the usual processes in order to be compensated for the damages suffered due to the new failure. After reporting the incident, Loma de la Lata answered certain inquiries from the insurance companies and received visits from their representatives. Despite the fact that this process is lengthy because of the complexity of the Project, the type of the incident and the magnitude of the damage, the insurance companies accepted the claim and made advance payments to Loma de la Lata.  Loma de la Lata collected from the insurance companies U.S. $ 43.7 million as compensation.  See “Item 8. - Legal Proceedings involving Loma de la Lata”.

Agreements in connection with the Loma de la Lata Expansion Project

On October 4, 2009, Loma de la Lata entered into a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 with CAMMESA to sell CAMMESA a part of the net power capacity resulting from the expansion project and the corresponding generated electricity.  This agreement covers a minimum of 50% of the net capacity generated by the expansion project, with the final percentage to be determined at the time commercial operation begin and will depend on the amount of credits, from Loma de la Lata’s or third parties, arising from SE Resolution No.406/2003, that are allocated to the Project.  The agreement sets a capacity payment of U.S.$ 33,383 per MW-month and an energy payment of U.S.$4 per MWh. The term of the agreement is 10 years from the date in which commercial operation begin.  Loma de la Lata intends to sell the remaining electricity generated by the additional power generation capacity resulting from the Loma de la Lata expansion project under the Energía Plus program. For this reason, Loma de la Lata presents two Energía Plus contracts to CAMMESA with a report of Loma de la Lata’s generation costs, according to the applicable procedures. To become effective, these contracts are sent to the Ministerio de Planificación Federal, Inversión Pública y Servicios (Federal Planning, Public Investment and Service Ministry), where they must be approved. As of the date of this annual report, the Federal Planning, Public Investment and Service Ministry has not approved the contracts.

On December 15, 2010, Loma de la Lata executed an amendment to the above-mentioned contract by means of which Loma de la Lata may sell the total capacity and energy generated by the new generation unit to CAMMESA for a period of three years. The term of the amendment was extended to the total term of the WEM Supply Agreement pursuant to the Specific Conditions (See Item 4.– Our Business – Our Generation Business - Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project).

Natural gas supply

To be able to sell the electricity generated by the Loma de la Lata expansion project under the agreement with CAMMESA, Loma de la Lata needed to have firm gas supply contracts in place at the time it begins commercial operations.

 

 

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Loma de la Lata is located close to the largest gas field in Argentina, which bears the same name.  This gas field is 100% owned by YPF, the largest oil and gas company in Argentina.  The Loma de la Lata gas field delivers approximately 33,000 Dam3 per day.  Loma de la Lata’s maximum gas consumption is estimated at approximately 2,700 Dam3 per day.  Loma de la Lata has also acquired from Central Puerto the gas pipeline that connects the plant to YPF’s gas field and is able to enter into gas supply agreements with gas producers other than YPF and then swap them with YPF in exchange for gas at the site. 

Because Loma de la Lata’s Project helps to reduce the consumption of fuel oil and/or gas oil by the Argentine electric system, Loma de la Lata has been granted by the Secretariat of Energy the right to pass through to customers, in its variable cost of production, the cost of gas that Loma de la Lata purchases through the Gas Plus scheme.  The Gas Plus is a program launched by the Secretariat of Energy in order to stimulate natural gas production in tight sands and other new fields.  As stated in SE Resolution No. 24/2008, producers of natural gas will receive a higher price for natural gas volumes sold under this program, but the profit for each development project has to be approved by the Secretariat of Energy.  The authorized prices of gas under the Gas Plus program as of the date of this annual report (U.S. $5.20 per MM BTU) are higher than the regulated gas prices for thermal generation.  As a result of this agreement, the Company, and Loma de la Lata in particular, will become an important consumer of gas obtained under the Gas Plus program in Argentina. Moreover, by means of the Notes No. 3456/12 and 4377/12, the Secretariat of Energy introduced several modifications to the terms and conditions for the provision of natural gas recognized under the Gas Plus Program for energy generation . See “Item 4. - The Argentine Electricity Sector -Natural Gas Supply under the Gas Plus Program”.

During 2014, Loma de la Lata was a party to the following gas agreements:

·         Firm natural gas wellhead supply agreement with Ysur (formerly Apache) for up to 1,100 Dam3 per day.  This contract included about 100 Dam3 per day produced by Petrolera Pampa and expired on December 31, 2014.

·         Firm gas supply agreement with Pan American Energy LLC Argentine branch for up to 1,700 Dam3 per day expiring in December 2014. This agreement was extended until December 2015 and increased its supply for up to 2530 Dam3 per day.

·         Firm gas supply agreement with Petrolera Pampa for up to 172 Dam3 per day expiring September 2014, having an automatic renewal clause.

As of the issuance of SE Resolution No. 529/2014, as amended, generators will depend on the fuels that CAMMESA supplies them for their operations, since through such resolution the Secretariat of Energy appointed CAMMESA as the sole supplier of fuels for the generation sector (See “Item 3. – Key Information – Risk Factors – Risk Relating to our Generation Business – Our ability to generate electricity in out thermal generation plants depends on the availability of natural gas and fluctuations in the supply or price of gas could materially adversely affect our results of operations”). Consequently, as of the termination of the current gas supply agreements, Loma de la Lata will not need to have firm gas supply agreements to ensure the availability of the WEM Supply Agreement executed under SE Resolution No. 220/2007.

Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project

In September 2014, the Argentine Government, through the Secretariat of Energy, and the leading companies of the Argentine energy sector (including Pampa’s Generator), executed the 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement for the expansion of the total thermal generation capacity in Argentina.

The 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement contemplates the execution of individual agreements between the Secretariat of Energy and each corporation (and its affiliates) to provide for the specific terms and conditions for the execution of new generation projects. On October 27, 2014, the Pampa’s Generators executed the Specific Conditions.

Under the 2014 Thermal Generation Expansion Agreement and the Specific Conditions, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent (including the execution of a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007, Pampa’s Generators agreed to execute the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project to expand the generation capacity of Loma de la Lata by 115MW.

 

 

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The Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project will be financed by CAMMESA up to an amount equivalent to:(i) the credits arising from the 2008-2015 LVFVDs accrued by Pampa’s Generators as of SE Resolution No. 406/2003 which are not committed to other projects; (ii) the credits arising from the LVFVDs to be accrued by Pampa’s Generators until December 2015 (included) as “Additional Remuneration” which are allocated to the trust included in the new scheme established for the remuneration of the generation sector provided in SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended (see “Item 4. The Argentine Electricity Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended – New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM”); and (iii) cash payments. In order to commit the credits specified in (i) and (ii), Pampa’s Generators assigned said credits to CAMMESA.

The amounts arising from the credits specified in (i) and (ii) above shall be transferred to an account administered by CAMMESA. In order to draw such funds CTLL executed a loan agreement with CAMMESA (see “Item 5.- Debt – Generation – Loma de la Lata). As of April 30, 2015, CAMMESA transferred a total amount of Ps. 577,300,000 which were applied to the contracts for the installation of the aero-derivative gas-fired turbine.

The remuneration scheme for the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project includes, a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 and the scheme established for the remuneration of the generation sector provided in SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended. The portion of the generation capacity to be remunerated under the WEM Supply Agreement shall be equal to the percentage resulting from the sum of: (i) the LVFVDs applied for the previous Loma de la Lata’s project and the CTP Project and (ii) the payments made by Loma de la Lata in cash for the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project; over the total amount of the cost of the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project.  Such percentage shall apply over the net generation capacity of the unit.

As of the date of this annual report, Loma de la Lata is negotiating with CAMMESA the WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007.  Therefore, such condition precedent for the execution of the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project provided in the Specific Conditions has not been met yet.

Piedra Buena 

History

In July 2007, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with Albanesi S.A. and certain subsidiaries of Matlin Patterson for the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of IBP, which in turn holds 100% of the capital stock of Piedra Buena, which owns a thermal generation plant located in Ingeniero White, Bahía Blanca, in the Province of Buenos Aires, approximately 600 kilometers from the City of Buenos Aires.  The total purchase price for the acquisition, which closed in August 2007, was U.S. $85 million and also included the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of IPC Operations Limited, a company organized in the United Kingdom whose Argentine subsidiary provides certain management services to Piedra Buena.

Operations

Piedra Buena is an open-cycle thermal generation plant with an installed capacity of 620 MW, consisting of two identical conventional units (Unit 29 and Unit 30) with a capacity of 310 MW each.  Piedra Buena can be powered either by natural gas or by No. 6 fuel oil (though it was originally designed and partially equipped to burn coal as well).  The plant currently stores up to 60,000 m3 of fuel oil in two separate storage tanks and owns, operates and maintains a 22-kilometer natural gas pipeline that is connected to the main pipeline of TGS.  Furthermore, given Piedra Buena’s 39-hectare area, the plant’s fuel storage capacity could be expanded.  Piedra Buena supplies the electricity it generates through its 27-kilometer 500 kV transmission lines, which are connected to the 500 kV transmission system.  In addition, Piedra Buena has its own facilities at the Bahía Blanca port, and although Piedra Buena shares these facilities with other companies, it has a priority access right to use the port’s loading facilities.  Piedra Buena sells electricity to the spot market and the local term market. 

 

 

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Piedra Buena’s revenues consist of sales of energy and capacity. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Ps. 406 million, for energy sales of 3,144 GWh, 17.5% higher than in 2013. During the 1997-2014 period, the average annual generation has totaled 2,167 GWh, with the highest level of generation (3,434 GWh) recorded in 2011 and the lowest level (189 GWh) recorded in 2002. 

The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on Piedra Buena:

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Net Generation (GWh)

2,646

3,434

3,265

2,229

3,090

Energy Purchases (GWh)

755

718

565

447

55

Total Energy Sales (GWh)

3,401

4,152

3,829

2,676

3,144

Average Price (Ps. / MWh)

398.50

424

539.80

144.10

129.2 

Average Gross Margin (Ps. / MWh)

28.30

28.90

1.80

-12.00

39.7 

 

(*) Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization.

 

As of the date of this annual report, Piedra Buena is not buying natural gas nor fuel oil pursuant to SE Resolution No. 95/2013. Consequently, CAMMESA centralizes the acquisition of fuels for WEM’s generators (for more information please see “Item 4.-Our Business – The Argentine Electric Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended – New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM”). It only maintains natural gas transport contracts that were active at the time such resolution was issued, such as, for example, the interruptible gas transportation contract with Camuzzi Gas Pampeana (that expired in May 2014) for a daily-variable capacity, and the interruptible and firm gas transportation contracts with TGS for up to 3,600 Dam3 per day.

In order to perform the major maintenance works in Units 29 and 30 scheduled for the years 2015 and 2016, respectively, CPB executed a loan agreement with CAMMESA (see “Item 5. – Debt – Generation – Piedra Buena”).

Our Transmission Business 

Citelec

History

In September 2006, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with Dolphin Opportunity LLC, a related party of the Company, to acquire 68,400,462 shares of Transelec Argentina S.A. (“Transelec”), representing 89.76% of Transelec’s capital stock, at a purchase price of U.S. $48.5 million.  The remaining 10.24% of Transelec’s capital stock was acquired in January 2008 from Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin and Gustavo Mariani upon the exercise of the put option held by them at a price of Ps. 38.8 million (U.S. $12.3 million).

Transelec owns 50% of Citelec’s capital stock, which in turn owns 52.65% of the capital stock of Transener, the largest high voltage electricity transmission company in Argentina.  Transener’s Class B common shares are listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, and the remaining 47.3% of Transener is held by minority public shareholders and the ANSES.  The remaining 50% of Citelec’s capital stock was more recently acquired equally by Electroingeniería S.A., which in turn transferred its participation to Grupo Eling S.A. and the Argentine state-owned company, Energía Argentina S.A. (“Enarsa”). 

Transener was privatized in July 1993, when Citelec was awarded the Argentine Government’s controlling stake in Transener.  In August 1997, the Province of Buenos Aires privatized Transba, a company organized in March 1996 to own and operate the regional electricity transmission system of the Province of Buenos Aires.  Transener acquired 90% of Transba’s capital stock on August 5, 1997.

 

 

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Transener’s operations

Transener is a leading utility company engaged in the supply of high voltage electricity transmission in Argentina.  Transener operates and maintains the leading electricity transmission system in Argentina at the 500 kv level under a concession agreement under which Transener holds an exclusive 95-year concession to provide high voltage electricity transmission services throughout the Transener network spanning 12,279 km Transener also indirectly owns and operates one of the six regional transmission networks in Argentina, the Transba network.  The Transba concession grants Transba an exclusive 95-year concession to provide electricity transmission services (from the 66 kV to the 220 kV levels) in the Province of Buenos Aires via trunk lines, which are the main transmission lines that connect to all other lower voltage transmission systems owned and maintained by distribution companies in a certain region, throughout the Transba network spanning approximately 6,159 km.

Transener also generates additional revenues from, among other things, the construction, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Line, and services provided to third parties. 

The Company, Grupo Eling S.A. and Enarsa entered into an operating agreement under which each of the Company, Grupo Eling S.A. and Enarsa provides to Transener certain services, expertise, know-how and technical assistance in connection with Transener’s operations.  In addition, the Company, Electroingeniería and Enarsa provide advice and coordination services in the areas of human resources, general administration, information systems, quality control and consulting.  The operating fee payable by Transener under such agreement is equal to 2.75% of its annual revenues and the insurances cost of the operators directly related with the provision of services under operating agreements.  Fees for operating services are included as a component of operating expenses in Transener’s consolidated statements and in 2014 represented approximately Ps. 21.9 million.

The following chart depicts the organizational structure through which Transener operates:

 

Our transmission operations generate both regulated and non-regulated revenues.  Regulated revenues are derived from tariffs for the transmission of electricity over Transener’s high voltage system.  On a consolidated basis, Transener’s net regulated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014, were Ps. 1,154.5 million (Ps. 577.2 million on a proportional interest basis), representing 78.2% of Transener’s consolidated net revenues for such period.

In addition, we derive non-regulated revenues from Transener’s Fourth Line operations and other businesses.  Transener and a group of certain electricity generators from the Grupo de Generadores del Comahue (Comahue Generators Group) entered into an agreement for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Line project.  Pursuant to this agreement, the Comahue Generators Group pays the construction price and operating and maintenance fees to Transener in U.S. Dollars in monthly, equal and consecutive installments during the 15-year period beginning in December 1999, and that ends in December 2014.  Following the adoption of the Public Emergency Law, which requires payments to be denominated in Pesos (subject to CER adjustment on a monthly basis), Transener applied to the ENRE for the re-denomination of the payments under this agreement.    

On April 25, 2012, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 90/2012, which established a new annual fee of Ps. 113.4 million as from August 2011 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments, including interest. During the year ended December 31, 2012, revenues were recognized in the amount of Ps. 7.3 million corresponding to the retroactive adjustment for the year 2011.

 

 

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On August 28, 2013, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 244/2013 which established a new annual rate of Ps. 131.2 million (including interest) as from August 2012 and instructed CAMMESA to make the respective adjustments.

 

                On September 13, 2013, Transener presented a motion for reconsideration of the Resolution No. 244/2013, which was accepted by the ENRE. As a consequence, on December 4, 2013, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 346/2013 which established a new annual rate of Ps. 132.2 million (including interest) as from August 2012 and instructed CAMMESA to make further adjustments.

 

                On September 23, 2013, Transener requested the ENRE for a new determination of the Fourth Line’s revenue related to the cost variation from August 2013 according to the above-mentioned Resolution No. 244/2013.  On March 12, 2014, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 79/2014, through which it established a new annual rate of Ps. 156.2 million effective as from August 2013 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments which were necessary fot he retroactive payment (including the corresponding interest).  On April 3, 2014, Transener presented a Motion for Reconsideration of ENRE Resolution No. 79/2014, which was partially accepted by the ENRE. As a consequence, on November 12, 2014, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 332/2014, through which it established a new annual rate of Ps. 158.6 million from August 2013 and instructed CAMMESA to make the adjustments which were necessary fot he retroactive payment (including the corresponding interest).

 

                On September 12, 2014, Transener asked the ENRE for a new determination of the Fourth Line’s revenue related to the cost variation from August 2014 to December 19, 2014.

 

Additionally, Transener has requested the ENRE to determine the remuneration corresponding to the Operation and Maintenance of the Fourth Line since December 20th, 2014. As of the date of this annual report, the ENRE had not answered such request. 

 

On a consolidated basis, Transener’s net Fourth Line revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014, were Ps. 18.1 million (Ps. 9.1 million on a proportional interest basis), representing 1.2% of Transener’s consolidated net revenues for such period. Other non-regulated revenues for Transener are generated through services provided to third parties with assets not covered by its concession, such as:

·         the participation in NIS expansion projects (other than Fourth Line Revenue) under construction, operation and maintenance contracts approved by the ENRE;

·         supervision of independent transmission companies that perform construction, operation and maintenance operations relating to NIS expansion;

·         priority maintenance and construction work required under SE Resolution No. 1/2003 and its modifications and amendments;

·         the operation and maintenance of NIS expansion projects of the Plan Federal de Transporte;

·         the operation and maintenance of certain assets of the Transener network;

·         operation and maintenance services provided to third parties who are not independent transmission companies;

·         non-network line operation and maintenance;

·         international operations; and

·         other services (which include, among others, technical assistance, engineering services, equipment installation and training).

 

 

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In recent years, Transener’s international operations mainly consisted of the operation and maintenance of high voltage transmissions lines in Brazil, through the provision of contracted services to certain companies that were awarded transmission concessions in Brazil.  Most of these contracts were concluded in 2007.  In 2009, Transener entered into new contracts to deliver services in Brazil.  In 2010, Transener wrote-down its investment in Transener Internacional Ltda., due to the adverse situation that the subsidiary was going through. On March 25, 2012, Transener’s board of directors approved the termination of three remaining operation and maintenance agreements. For this reason, the results related to the operation of such subsidiary are presented as discontinued operations.

On a consolidated basis, Transener’s other net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Ps. 304.3 million (Ps. 152.1 million on a proportional interest basis), representing 20.6% of Transener’s consolidated net revenues for such period.  

Tariffs

The tariffs that Transener and Transba receive under their concession agreements are reviewed periodically by the ENRE in accordance with such concession agreements and with Argentine Law No. 24,065 (the Electricity Law) and are subject to deductions for penalties for non-availability of the network that are calculated pursuant to a formula set forth in the concession agreements and applicable regulations.  Originally, pursuant to the concession agreements, Transener’s and Transba’s tariffs were calculated in U.S. Dollars and converted into Pesos based on the exchange rate applicable at the time of invoicing.  The concession agreements provided for a semiannual adjustment based on a formula related to the U.S. CPI (Consumer Price Index) and U.S. PPI (Producer Price Index).  The concession agreements also provided for electricity transmission revenue to be revised every five years by the ENRE.  However, the Public Emergency Law converted Transener’s and Transba’s revenues into Pesos at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00 and adjustments to the U.S. CPI/PPI provided for under the terms of the concession agreements were disallowed.  Transener completed its first tariff review process in 1998, but as a consequence of the Public Emergency Law, Transener’s second tariff review process (and Transba’s first tariff review process) was replaced by the renegotiation process contemplated by the Public Emergency Law.  In connection with this renegotiation process, Transener and Transba entered into new agreements with the Argentine Government.  These agreements, among other things, provide for rules for a transition period with retroactive effect from June 1, 2005 until the effectiveness of the Revisión Tarifaria Integral (Integral Tariff Review, or the Transener RTI), pursuant to which rules Transener’s tariffs were increased by an average of 31% and Transba’s tariffs were increased by an average of 25%.  These agreements also provide rules for the full tariff review to be conducted by the ENRE. 

Transition period rules

The following is a brief summary of the principal rules for the transition period:

Tariffs.  Transener received an average tariff increase of 31% and Transba received an average tariff increase of 25%, commencing on June 1, 2005. See “Electricity prices and tariff – Tariff”.

Penalty system.  Penalties related to quality of service under the concessions, which otherwise would be payable by Transener, may be applied by Transener to investments in addition to the investments included in the Transener RTI, provided that Transener has met certain applicable service quality standards.  No penalties will be applied to Transener in connection with certain outages that are not attributable to Transener.

Financial projections.  Transener’s current agreement with the Argentine Government is based on economic and financial projections for 2005 that were submitted by Transener, including operating costs, investments, amortizations, taxes, fees and cash balance estimations.  The tariff may be adjusted by the ENRE during the transition period depending on cost-variations over costs reflected in the 2005 financial projections.  Transener must also comply with the investments included in these financial projections in order to use its cash balance to pay dividends and debt.  Transener must report on a quarterly basis to the ENRE with respect to its financial performance. 

 

 

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Cost increases and the Instrumental Agreements

Transener and Transba requested ENRE to readjust their respective tariffs taking into account the impact of the salary increases resulting from the application of Decrees No. 392/2003, 1347/2003, 2005/2004 and 1295/2005 and the increases in operating costs that Transener and Transba have incurred since December 2004.  For this purpose, Transener and Transba requested the recognition of the impact of these increases on salaries and operating costs in their remuneration.  On July 31, 2008, the ENRE adopted Resolutions No. 328/2008 and No. 327/2008, which granted Transener and Transba an adjustment in their tariffs to partially compensate them for these cost increases.  The adjusted tariffs are effective retroactively as from July 1, 2008.  Because the real tariff increases granted by the ENRE (23.4% and 28.0% for Transener and Transba, respectively) do not match the real cost increase incurred as of 2004, Transener and Transba have submitted administrative claims seeking to be compensated for this difference. 

Due to the increase in labor costs resulting from the application of National Executive Branch Decree No. 392/2004 and subsequent regulation, and the major operating costs incurred since 2004, Transener and Transba have certified the costs variations that had effectively occurred on each quarter, filing the respective claims before the ENRE, in order to readjust their regulated remuneration according to the clauses established in definitive agreements (the “Definitive Agreements”) for such purpose.  In that sense, Transener and Transba, unsuccessfully required the ENRE to recognize the cost increases in the tariff that occurred after the Definitive Agreements had been entered into, which led to the initiation of judicial claims by both companies.  The UNIREN ACT has stated that the mechanism for the monitoring of costs and the regime of service quality had been set to last up to the enforcement of Transener and Transba’s RTI, respectively, that the delay in the definition of such process was not attributable to Transener and Transba and it could not lead to undermine their rights.

Finally, on December 21, 2010, the Instrumental Agreement related to the Definitive Agreements was entered into with the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE, setting forth the following:

(i)                   the recognition of Transener and Transba’s rights to collect the amounts resulting from the variations of costs during the period from June 2005 to November 2010,

(ii)                 the mandatory cancellation of the financing received from CAMMESA, through the assignment of credits resulting from the recognition of the above-mentioned variations of costs,

(iii)                a mechanism of cancellation of the pending balances,

(iv)                an additional financing amount to be directed to investments in the transmission system for the amount of Ps. 34.0 million for Transener and Ps. 18.4 million for Transba, to be cancelled through the mechanism described in (ii), and

(v)                 a procedure for the updating and payment of cost variations incurred from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, calculated biannually.

 

In February 2011, CAMMESA made an estimation of the amounts owed to Transener and Transba due to variations of costs during the period from June 2005 to November 2010. As of January 17, 2011 such amounts were as follows:

Differences for Connection and Capacity 
 
  Transba  Transener  Total 
  (in millions of Pesos)
Principal  75.9  189.3  265.2 
Interest  43.2  104.8  148.0 
Total  119.1  294.1  413.2 

 

 

Pursuant to the Instrumental Agreement and subject to its fulfillment, Transener and Transba withdrew their judicial claims for delay against the ENRE requesting the recognition of the increased costs and the public hearing in order to complete the full RTI.

 

 

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On May 12, 2009, Transener and Transba entered into Financing Agreements with CAMMESA for an amount of Ps. 59.7 million and Ps. 30.7 million, respectively (the “Financing Agreements”). On January 5, 2010, extensions of the above-mentioned agreements were subscribed for an amount up to Ps. 107.7 million and Ps. 42.7 million, for Transener and Transba, respectively (together, the “Addenda I”).

 

On May 2, 2011 new extensions of the Financing Agreements (“Addenda II”) were entered into with CAMMESA, which provide the following: i) the amounts received as of January 17, 2011 by Transener and Transba by virtue of the loans granted by the Financing Agreements with CAMMESA would be cancelled, ii) a new loan for Transener and Transba for the amount of Ps. 289.7 million and Ps. 134.1 million respectively, corresponding to the credits recognized by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE resulting from the variations of costs incurred during the period June 2005 – November 2010 would be granted, and iii) all amounts owed to Transener and Transba for major costs as of November 2010 under the Instrumental Agreements would serve as a guarantee for the Addenda II.

 

In May 2013, Transener and Transba executed with the ENRE and the Secretariat of Energy, the Renewal Agreement, which will be effective until December 31, 2015 and which set forth:

 

(i)                   the recognition of receivables by Transener and Transba resulting from cost variations during the December 2010 – December 2012 period, calculated through the Cost variation index of Memorandum of Agreement (IVC);

(ii)                 a mechanism for the payment of outstanding positive balances of Addendum II and those determined in the previous subsection, during the year 2013;

(iii)                a procedure for the automatic update, and payment, of resulting cost variations incurred from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015; and

(iv)               the execution of a new Addendum with CAMMESA including the amount of the generated receivables and the applicable interest until their actual cancellation.

 

On October 25, 2013 and February 14, 2014, Transba and Transener negotiated the Addenda III.

On September 2, 2014, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the financing agreements for the implementation of the 2013 and 2014 Renewal Agreements (the “New Financing Agreements”).  The New Financing Agreements provided: i) that the Financing Agreements, together with their Addendums I, II and III, are concluded; ii) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 622.2 million and Ps. 240.7 million, respectively, corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the January 2013-May 2014 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at May 31, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

Also, on March 17, 2015, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the Addenda IV, setting forth: i) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 563.6 million and Ps. 178.3 million, respectively, corresponding to (a) the outstading amount due pursuant to the Financing Agreement as of January 2015, and (b) receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the June 2014-November 2014 period; and ii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at November 30, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

The results arising from the recognition of the variations of costs on behalf of the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE, have been registered in the financial statements, up to the amounts received as of December 31, 2014, through the financing of CAMMESA. Consequently, net revenues amounting to Ps. 850 million and Ps. 367.2 million, and interest income amounting to Ps. 281.4 million and Ps. 213.8 million, have been registered by Transener and Transba during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The outcome of the Transener RTI, however, is highly uncertain as to both its timing and final result.  We cannot assure you that the renegotiation process will conclude in a timely manner or that the revised tariff structure will cover our costs and compensate us for inflation and currency devaluations in the future and provide us with an adequate return on our transmission assets.

 

 

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Full Tariff Review (Transener RTI)

According to the terms of the Transener’s agreement with the Argentine Government, the Transener RTI will be based on the Electricity Law and tariffs will be determined based on costs, necessary investments, non-automatic tariff adjustment mechanisms, the impact of unregulated activities, and the rate of return and capital base.  The ENRE will schedule a public hearing to analyze Transener’s and Transba’s tariff proposal before applying the new charges for the next tariff period.

If the variation of Transener’s remuneration resulting from the Transener RTI is higher than the tariff increase during the transition period, then the tariff increase would be implemented in three semiannual stages.

In August 2005 Transener and Transba presented their respective tariff proposals for the new tariff regime to be implemented in February 2006 and May 2006, respectively.  However, on January 13, 2006, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 60, postponing the public hearing that was originally scheduled for February 23, 2006.  Subsequently, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 423/2006 extending the application of the tariff scheme and the other transition period rules from February 1, 2006 (in the case of Transener) and from May 2006 (in the case Transba) until, in each case, the conclusion of the Transener RTI process.  On June 6, 2007, in accordance with the terms of the Transener’s agreement with the Argentine Government and Law No. 24.065, the ENRE requested that Transener and Transba submit their respective tariff proposals.  In September 2007, Transener and Transba again presented their respective tariff and regulation proposals to the ENRE for the five-year period from 2008 to 2013. 

On July 30, 2008, the Secretariat of Energy adopted SE Resolutions No. 869/2008 and No. 870/2008, which established that the new tariffs to be adopted pursuant to the Transener RTI will become effective in February 2009.  Pursuant to such resolutions, Transener and Transba submitted their tariff proposals on December 3 and 4, 2008, respectively.  However, as of the date of this annual report, the ENRE has not yet called the public hearing mandated by the Secretariat of Energy in its SE Resolutions No. 869/2008 and 870/2008 whereby new tariff schedules had to be approved in February 2009.  In October 2009, the two companies filed actions with the courts for the protection of their constitutional rights on the grounds of the delay by ENRE to call the Public Hearing and institute the RTI process, and to ask the court to order the ENRE to inform the reasons for the delay and to set a new deadline for establishing the new tariff schedule.  On April 27, 2010, a ruling was issued by a federal court requiring the ENRE to respond to the requests of the two companies, using the information filed on December 3, 2008, within the term of 20 days. The ENRE appealed the ruling. On December 21, 2010, while the appeal was still pending, we entered into the Instrumental Agreements with the ENRE. As a result of the execution of the Instrumental Agreements, we dropped our claim against the ENRE.

Considering that the Instrumental Agreements expired on December 31, 2011, Transener and Transba believe that they would be in a legal position to re-submit their claims against the ENRE in order to obtain a new tariff pursuant to the RTI.  See “Item 3. -Risk Factors – Risks related to our Transmission business - If we are not able to renegotiate our transmission tariffs regime directly or gain access to another mechanism to generate additional income with the Argentine Government in a timely fashion, it could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations”.

The Transener Concession Agreement

Transener entered into a concession agreement with the Secretariat of Energy on July 16, 1993 (the “Transener Concession Agreement”).  The Transener Concession Agreement grants Transener the exclusive right (subject to certain limitations described below) to provide service of high voltage electricity transmission throughout the Transener network until July 17, 2088.  The Argentine Government may grant Transener an extension of the concession for up to ten years at no additional cost, provided that Transener requests such extension at least 18 months prior to the expiration of the concession.  If such extension is granted, the Argentine Government is entitled to terminate the exclusivity of the concession.

Under the terms of the Transener concession agreement, Transener is required to, among other things, transmit high voltage electricity in compliance with certain quality standards, provide access to existing transmission capacity in the Transener network to WEM agents, comply with social security and environmental regulations and operate and maintain the transmission system in compliance with required quality standards.  In addition, the Transener Concession Agreement requires Transener to monitor the expansions of the Transener network, inform CAMMESA of any new connections to the Transener network, provide CAMMESA with information required for the administration of the WEM and process any request for expansion to the Transener network.

 

 

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The 95-year term of the Transener concession is divided into nine management periods.  The first management period, which began in 1993, has a 15-year term, and each subsequent management period lasts ten years.  At least six months prior to the commencement of each ten-year management period, the ENRE is required to call for bids for the purchase of the controlling stake in Transener (represented by Transener’s Class A shares).  The then current owner(s) of the controlling stake in Transener may submit (under seal) their valuation of the controlling stake in Transener and, if their valuation is greater than or equal to the amount of the highest bid submitted by other parties, the owners of such controlling stake will retain ownership of such interest in Transener without making any payment to the Argentine Government.  Consequently, if the owner(s) of the controlling stake in Transener wish to retain control at the end of any management period, they may bid an amount that would ensure their continued control without incurring any additional cost as a result of such bid.  In the event another bid exceeds that of the then current owners of the controlling stake in Transener, the party submitting such bid would receive the controlling stake in consideration for the submitted bid amount, which would be paid to the then current owners of the controlling stake in Transener.  Transener’s rights and obligations under its concession agreements will not be affected by any change in the ownership of the controlling stake.  As of the date of this annual report, the Transener Concession Agreement is in its second management period, which is scheduled to end on July 2018, although Transener has requested that the ENRE extend the first management period for five years after the completion of the FTR in accordance with the Definitive Agreements with Transener.

The transmission service provided by Transener is granted on an exclusive basis because it is considered a natural monopoly.  If technological innovations could make the provision of such service under competitive conditions actually practicable, the Argentine Government reserves the right to terminate the exclusivity of Transener’s concession.  Such right by the Argentine Government may only be exercised at the beginning of each management period provided that notice of such exercise is communicated to the then current owners of the controlling stake in Transener no later than six months prior to the commencement of the following management period.

The Argentine Government may terminate the Transener concession only if Transener enters into bankruptcy, and Transener may terminate the concession agreement if the government breaches the terms of the concession.  In addition, Transener’s concession includes a pledge in favor of the Argentine Government of all of the Transener Class A Shares held by Citelec, which constitute a controlling stake in Transener.  Upon the occurrence of certain events of default specified in the concession agreement (including, among others, if (1) penalties in any 12-month period exceed 5% of our total regulated revenue during such 12-month period; (2) a transmission line or connection equipment is out of service for more than 30 days; (3) the Transener network has on average, more than 2.5 forced outages per 100km over a 12-month period); or (4) a transformer is out of service for more than 60 days), the Argentine Government may enforce the pledge on the Class A Shares and sell the controlling stake in Transener in a public bidding process in which the holders of such controlling stake will not be allowed to participate.  However, the enforcement of the pledge does not cause the termination of Transener’s concession.  The concession could only be revoked if Transener is declared bankrupt (in which case, the Argentine Government would have the right under the concession to foreclose its pledge over the Class A shares).

The Transba Concession Agreement

The Transba concession agreement, which is similar to Transener’s concession agreement, was entered into by Transba and the Secretariat of Energy on July 31, 1997.  Transba’s concession grants to Transba an exclusive right to provide service of electricity transmission throughout the Transba network until August 1, 2092.  The Argentine Government may grant Transba an extension of the concession for up to 10 years with no additional cost, provided that Transba requests such extension at least 18 months prior to the expiration of the concession.  If such extension is granted, the Argentine Government is entitled to terminate the exclusivity of the concession.

Under the concession, Transba is required to, among other things, transmit electricity via trunk lines in compliance with certain quality standards, provide access to existing transmission capacity in the Transba network to WEM agents and maintain the Transba network to ensure continued provision of the services.  In addition, Transba’s concession requires the monitoring of connections to the Transba network, the provision of information to CAMMESA about any new connections to the Transba network, the provision of information to CAMMESA required for the administration of the WEM and process any request for expansion in the transmission capacity of the Transba network.

 

 

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Transba’s concession is also similar in other material respects to Transener’s concession and provides for, among other things, nine management periods of ten years each (or, in the case of the first such management period, 15 years) commencing on the date of Transba’s concession agreement, a bidding procedure with respect to controlling stake in Transba and termination provisions similar to those included in Transener’s concession agreement.  In addition, Transba’s concession agreement also provides for a pledge in favor of the Argentine Government of all of Transba Class A Shares that are held by Transener, which constitute the Transener’s controlling stake in Transba.  Upon the occurrence of certain events of default, specified in Transba’s concession agreement (including, among others, if (1) penalties in any 12-month period exceed 15% of Transba’s total revenues, (2) a transmission line is out of service for more than, or connection equipment is out of service for more than 30 days, or (3) the Transba network has on average more than seven forced outages per 100 km over a 12-month period) or (4) a transformer is out of service for more than 45 days), the Argentine Government may enforce the pledge on the Class A shares of Transba held by Transener and sell such shares in a public bidding process, pursuant to which Transener would lose its controlling stake in Transba.

Property, plant and equipment

As of December 31, 2014, Transener operated and maintained the following assets throughout 22 provinces in Argentina:

   

Transmission Lines

 

500 kV

11,711 km

220 kV

568 km

Connection Equipment

 

500 kV linkage

37

220 kV linkage

6

132 kV linkage

100

Transformation Equipment

 

Capacity

13,850 MVA

Reactive Equipment

 

Capacity

14,919 MVAr

 

 

 

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As of December 31, 2014, Transba operated and maintained the following assets in the province of Buenos Aires:

  

Transmission Lines

 

220 kV

177 km

132 kV

5,584 km

66 kV

398 km

Connection Equipment

 

500 kV linkage

2

220 kV linkage

1

132 kV linkage

57

66 kV

5

33 kV

194

13,2 kV

333

Transformation Equipment

 

Capacity

5,550 MVA

Reactive Equipment

 

Capacity

125,5 MVAr

 

 

Our Distribution Business 

Electricidad Argentina (EASA)

EASA is the holding company of Edenor, our main distribution subsidiary.  In June 2007, we agreed to acquire from EASA’s former indirect shareholders their interests in Dolphin Energía S.A. (“DESA”) and IEASA S.A. (“IEASA”), which collectively held 100% of EASA’s capital stock, in exchange for new shares of our capital stock.  The total number of shares of our capital stock to be received by the indirect EASA shareholders was subsequently adjusted pursuant to the terms of a stock subscription agreement entered into in July 2007.  Following the receipt of a fairness opinion and the favorable review by our audit committee, the terms of such transaction were approved by our shareholders at a meeting held on August 30, 2007.  The transaction closed on September 28, 2007, on which date we issued 480,194,242 shares of our capital stock to the former indirect shareholders of EASA.  On March 28, 2011, DESA and IEASA merged, the surviving company being IEASA.

Prior to its acquisition in September 2005 by, among others, DESA and IEASA, EASA’s capital stock was held by EDFI, and was engaged in certain other business activities (including holding the capital stock of other EDF affiliates).  Since October 2005, EASA’s activities have been limited to the holding of its 51% controlling stake in Edenor and to providing certain financial consulting services to Edenor.  In July 2006, EASA completed a comprehensive restructuring of all of its outstanding financial indebtedness, which had been in default since 2002.  In connection with this restructuring, EASA issued approximately U.S. $85.3 million in new U.S. Dollar‑denominated notes in exchange for the cancellation of approximately 99.94% of its outstanding financial debt.  Since EASA’s activities are limited to the holding of its controlling stake in Edenor, EASA’s ability to meet its debt service obligations under these new notes depends largely on the payment by Edenor of dividends or other distributions or payments to EASA.

In April 2007, Edenor completed the initial public offering of its Class B common shares, in the form of shares and ADSs.  Edenor’s ADSs are listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EDN”, and its Class B shares are listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange under the same symbol.  Following the initial public offering, EASA continues to hold 51% of Edenor’s common stock (in the form of Class A shares), and substantially all of the remaining 48.46% of Edenor’s common stock is held by the public.

 

 

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In accordance with the terms of Edenor’s concession, EASA has pledged its 51% stake in Edenor to the Argentine Government to secure the obligations set forth in the concession.  See “Item 4. Our Business – Our Distribution Business - Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte (Edenor)—Edenor’s Concession—Pledge of Class A Shares.”

Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte (Edenor)

We believe Edenor was the largest electricity distribution company in Argentina in terms of number of customers and electricity sold (both in GWh and in Pesos) in 2014.  Edenor holds a concession to distribute electricity on an exclusive basis to the northwestern zone of the greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area and the northern portion of the City of Buenos Aires, comprising an area of 4,637 square kilometers and a population of approximately seven million people.  As of December 31, 2014, Edenor served 2,801,121 customers.

Merger process

On October 7, 2013, Edenor resolved to initiate the proceedings pursuant to which Edenor will absorb Emdersa Holding S.A. (“EMDERSAH”) in order to optimize its resources, simplifying its corporate, administrative and operating structure.  On December 20, 2013, the merger of EMDERSAH into Edenor was approved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, as well as all documentation and information required by applicable regulation towards that end. As of the date of this annual report, the approval of the merger by the Superintendence of Corporations (Inspección General de Justicia or “IGJ”) is pending. The effective reorganization date for all legal, accounting and tax purposes will be retroactive to October 1, 2013 (For more information please see “Item 4. Our Business – Asset Sales and Acquisitions”).

Edenor’s concession                                                                                                 

Edenor is a public service company incorporated on July 21, 1992 as part of the privatization of the Argentine state‑owned electricity utility, SEGBA.  At the time of privatization, SEGBA was divided into three electricity distribution companies, including Edenor, and four electricity generation companies, and, as part of the privatization process, in August 1992 the Argentine Government granted Edenor a concession to distribute electricity on an exclusive basis within a specified area, which we refer to as Edenor’s service area, for a period of 95 years.

In September 2005, Edenor entered into the Adjustment Agreement.  The ratification of the Adjustment Agreement by the Argentine Government was completed in January 2007 (the “Adjustement Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, the Argentine Government granted Edenor an increase of 28% in its distribution margin, subject to a cap in the increase of Edenor’s average tariff of 15%, to be allocated solely to Edenor’s non-residential customers (including large users that purchase electricity in the wheeling system).  The increase is effective retroactively from November 1, 2005 and will remain in effect until the approval of a new tariff scheme under the Edenor RTI.  See “Tariffs.”

Term.  Edenor’s concession currently expires on August 31, 2087 and can be extended for one additional 10-year period at Edenor’s request and can be extended for one additional 10-year period if Edenor requests the extension at least 15 months before expiration. The Argentine Government may choose, however, to grant Edenor the extension on a non-exclusive basis.  The concession period was initially divided into an initial management period of 15 years expiring August 31, 2007, followed by eight ten-year periods.  However, in July 2007, the initial management period was extended, at Edenor’s request, for an additional five-year period from the entry into force of the new tariff structure to be adopted under the Edenor RTI.  The remaining ten-year periods will run from the expiration of the extension of the initial management period.  In addition, before the end of each management period under the concession, the ENRE will arrange for an international public bidding procedure to be conducted for the sale of 51 % of Edenor’s capital stock and voting rights in similar conditions to those under which EASA acquired its stake.  If EASA is the highest bidder or if EASA’s bid equals the highest bid, it will retain 51% of Edenor’s stock, but no funds need to be paid to the Argentine Government and EASA will have no further obligation with respect to its bid.  There is no restriction as to the amount EASA may bid.  

 

 

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Obligations.  Under the concession, Edenor is obligated to supply electricity upon request by the owner or occupant of any premises in its service area.  Edenor is entitled to charge for the electricity supplied at rates that are established by tariffs set by the ENRE.  Pursuant to its concession, Edenor must also meet specified service quality standards relating to:

·         the time required to connect new users;

·         voltage fluctuations;

·         interruptions or reductions in service; and

·         the supply of electricity for public lighting and to certain municipalities.

Edenor’s concession requires it to make the necessary investments to establish and maintain quality of service standards and to comply with stringent minimum public safety standards as specified in the concession.  Edenor is also required to furnish the ENRE with all information requested by it and must obtain the ENRE’s prior consent for the disposition of assets that are assigned to the provision of electricity distribution services.  The ENRE also requires Edenor to compile and periodically submit various types of reports regarding the quality of its service and other technical and commercial data.

Fines and penalties.  Pursuant to the concession, the ENRE may impose various fines and penalties on Edenor if it fails to comply with its obligations under the concession, including a failure to meet any of the quality and delivery standards set forth in the concession.  The ENRE may also impose fines for any of network installations that it considers may pose a safety or security hazard in public spaces, including streets and sidewalks.  In addition, the ENRE may impose fines for inconsistency in technical information required to be furnished to the ENRE.

Pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, the ENRE granted Edenor a payment plan in respect of a part of Edenor’s accrued fines and penalties and agreed, subject to certain conditions, to forgive the remainder upon the completion of the Edenor RTI.  The amount of accrued fines and penalties subject to forgiveness and to the payment plan are adjusted from time to time to reflect any subsequent increases in Edenor’s distribution margins pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, including CMM adjustments.  For the year ended on December 31, 2008, Edenor recorded adjustments of Ps. 17.2 million, to reflect CMM adjustments.  Edenor did not record any adjustments since 2009.  Pursuant to SE Resolution No. 32/2015, Edenor was granted with an increase in income which does not imply a change of the current electricity tariff to be applied to customers, in this respect, Edenor understands that the adjustment of fines and penalties subject to the payment plan under the terms of the Adjustment Agreement does not apply. As of the date of this annual report, we estimate that the ENRE will forgive approximately Ps. 71.4 million of Edenor’s accrued fines and penalties upon the completion of the Edenor RTI, and that Edenor will be required to pay the balance in accordance with the payment plan provided for in the Adjustment Agreement, although Edenor cannot be certain of the amount, if any, that will ultimately be forgiven.  This payment plan allows Edenor to repay these fines and penalties in fourteen semiannual installments commencing after a 180-day grace period from the date the Edenor RTI comes into effect.  In 2014, the fines and penalties imposed on Edenor by the ENRE amounted to Ps. 252.2 million, which represented 7% of Edenor’s energy sales.  As of December 31, 2014 Edenor’s accrued fines and penalties amounted to Ps. 1,102.8 million, as compared to Ps. 923.8 million as of December 31, 2013.

Pledge of Class A shares.  In accordance with the concession, EASA has pledged its 51% stake in Edenor to the Argentine Government to secure the obligations set forth in the concession.  The Adjustment Agreement extends the pledge to secure the obligations under that agreement as well.  The Argentine Government may foreclose its pledge over the Class A shares and sell them in a public bidding process if any of the following occur:

·         Edenor incurs penalties in excess of 20% of its gross energy sales, net of taxes (which corresponds to our energy sales) in any given year;

 

 

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·         EASA fails to obtain the ENRE’s approval in connection with the disposition of the Class A shares;

·         material and repeated breaches of the concession that are not remedied upon request of the ENRE;

·         EASA creates any lien or encumbrances on the Class A shares (other than the pledge to the Argentine Government);

·         EASA or Edenor obstruct the sale of the Class A shares at the end of any management period under our concession;

·         Edenor’s articles of incorporation or voting rights are amended in a way that modifies the voting rights of the Class A shares without the ENRE’s approval; or

·         Edenor, or any existing or former shareholder of EASA who has brought claims against the Argentine Government in the ICSID does not desist from its ICSID claims against the Argentine Government following completion of the Edenor RTI and the approval of a new tariff regime. 

Revocation of concession.  The Argentine Government has the right to revoke the concession if Edenor enters into bankruptcy and the government decides that it shall not continue rendering services, in which case all of its assets will be transferred to a new state‑owned company that will be sold in an international public bidding process.  At the conclusion of this bidding process, the purchase price will be delivered to the bankruptcy court in favor of Edenor’s creditors, net of any debt owed by Edenor to the Argentine Government, and any residual proceeds will be distributed to Edenor’s shareholders.

Tariffs.  Under the terms of Edenor’s concession, the tariffs charged by Edenor (other than those applied to customers in the wheeling system) are composed of:

·         the cost of electric power purchases, which Edenor passes on to its customers, and a fixed charge (which varies depending on the category and level of consumption of each customer and their energy purchase prices) to cover a portion of Edenor’s energy losses in its distribution activities (determined by reference to a fixed percentage of energy and power capacity for each respective voltage level set forth in our distribution concession);

·         Edenor’s regulated distribution margin, which is known as the value‑added for distribution, plus the fixed  and variable charges contemplated under SE Resolution No. 347/2012; and

·         any taxes imposed by the Province of Buenos Aires or the City of Buenos Aires, which may differ in each jurisdiction.

Certain large users are eligible to purchase their energy needs directly from generators in the WEM and acquire from Edenor only the service of delivering that electricity to them.  Edenor’s tariffs for these large users (known as wheeling charges) do not include, therefore, charges for energy purchases.  Accordingly, wheeling charges consist of the fixed charge for recognized energy losses (determined by reference to a fixed percentage of energy and power capacity for each respective voltage level set forth in Edenor’s concession) and Edenor’s distribution margin.  As a result, although the amounts billed to wheeling system customers are relatively lower than those billed to other large users, namely industrial users, the distribution margin on sales to wheeling system customers is similar to that of other large users because Edenor does not incur the corresponding cost of electric power purchases related to those sales.

According to the current regulatory framework, the ENRE is required to adjust the seasonal price charged to distributors in the wholesale electricity market every six months.  However, between January 2005 and November 2008, the ENRE failed to make these adjustments.  In November 2008, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 628/2008, which established the new tariffs applied by Edenor as of October 1, 2008 and modified seasonal prices charged to distributors, including the consumption levels that make up the pricing ladder.  The new pricing ladder sets prices according to the following levels of consumption: bimonthly consumption up to 1,000 kWh; bimonthly consumption greater than 1,000 kWh and less than or equal to 1,400 kWh; bimonthly consumption greater than 1,400 kWh and less than or equal to 2,800 kWh; and bimonthly consumption greater than 2,800 kWh.  In addition, the ENRE authorized Edenor to pass through some regulatory charges associated with the electric power purchases to its customers, excluding residential customers with consumption levels below 1,000 kWh. In 2014, Edenor collected Ps. 482.9 million through PUREE (as defined below) funds.

 

 

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On November 7, 2011, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 1301/2011 establishing seasonal summer programming, eliminating subsidies for certain economic activities for which the relevant customers, according to such resolution, are in a position to pay the real costs of the service.

This provision has been extended to residential users discriminated by geographic area and type of residence. These revised rate schedules did not affect our VAD.

Edenor’s concession authorizes it to charge VAD for its services to seek to cover its operating expenses, taxes and amortization expenses and to provide Edenor with an adequate return on its asset base.  Edenor’s concession originally contemplated a fixed distribution margin for each tariff parameter with semiannual adjustments based on variations in the U.S. wholesale price and U.S. consumer price indexes.  However, the Public Emergency Law, enacted in January 2002, among other measures, revoked all adjustment clauses in U.S. Dollars or other foreign currencies and indexation clauses.  As a result, the adjustment provisions contained in Edenor’s concession were no longer in force and, from January 2002 through February 2007, Edenor was required to charge the same fixed distribution margin in Pesos established in 2002, without any type of currency or inflation adjustment. 

Pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, which came into effect in February 2007, the Argentine Government granted Edenor an increase of 28% in Edenor’s distribution margin, including a 5% increase to fund specified capital expenditures required by the Adjustment Agreement, subject to a 15% cap on the increase of Edenor’s average tariff.  Although this increase applies to all of Edenor’s tariff categories, the amount of the increase was only allocated to Edenor’s non-residential customers (including wheeling customers), which customers, as a result, experienced an increase in VAD greater than 28%, while Edenor’s residential customers did not experience any increase in VAD.  The increase is effective retroactively from November 1, 2005 and will remain in effect until the approval of a new tariff scheme under the integral tariff revision process described below. 

The Adjustment Agreement also contemplates the CMM, which requires the ENRE to review Edenor’s actual distribution costs every six months (in May and November of each year).  If the variation between Edenor’s actual distribution costs and Edenor’s recognized distribution costs (as adjusted by any subsequent CMM) is 5% or more, the ENRE is required to adjust Edenor’s distribution margin to reflect Edenor’s actual distribution cost base.  Edenor may also request that the CMM be applied at any time that the variation between Edenor’s actual distribution costs and Edenor’s then recognized distribution costs is 10% or more.  On January 30, 2007, in addition to formally approving Edenor’s new tariff schedule reflecting the 28% increase provided by the Adjustment Agreement, the ENRE applied the CMM retroactively in each of May and November 2006, which resulted in an additional 8.032% increase in Edenor’s distribution margins effective May 1, 2006.  This increase, when compounded with the 28% increase granted under the Adjustment Agreement, resulted in an overall 38.3% increase in Edenor’s distribution margins. 

Also on February 13, 2007, the ENRE authorized Edenor to bill our customers (excluding residential customers) the retroactive portion of the 38.3% increase (corresponding to the period from November 2005 to January 2007), which amounted to Ps. 218.6 million and which we have continued to invoice in 55 monthly installments since February 2007.  As of the date of this annual report, Edenor had invoiced the total amount.

In October 2007, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 1037/2007, which granted Edenor an increase of 9.63% in its distribution margins to reflect an increase in its distribution cost base for the period from May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007, compared to the recognized distribution cost base as adjusted by the May 2006 CMM. However, this increase was not incorporated into their tariff structure, and, instead, Edenor was allowed to retain the funds that they are required to collect and transfer to the fund established by the Plan de Uso Racional de la Energía Eléctrica (Rational Use of Electric Energy Plan, or the “PUREE”), a program established by the Argentine Government in 2003 in an attempt to curb increases in energy demand, to cover such CMM increase and future CMM increases.

 

 

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In July 2008, Edenor obtained an increase of approximately 17.9% in their distribution margin, which they incorporated into that tariff structure. This increase represented the 9.63% CMM increase corresponding to the period from May 2006 to April 2007 and the 7.56% CMM increase corresponding to the period from May 2007 to October 2007. These CMM adjustments were included in their tariff structure as of July 1, 2008 and resulted in an average increase of 10% for customers in the small commercial, medium commercial, industrial and wheeling system categories and in an average increase of 21% for residential customers with bimonthly consumption levels over 650 kWh.  In addition, the ENRE authorized Edenor to be reimbursed for the retroactive portion of the 7.56% CMM increase amounting to Ps. 45.5 million for the period between November 2007 and June 2008, from the PUREE funds.  

Furthermore, Edenor requested an additional increase in their distribution margins under the CMM to account for fluctuations in the distribution cost base for the period from November 2007 to April 2008, in comparison to the distribution cost base recognized by the CMM in November 2007.  In 2008, the ENRE adopted Note No 81,399, which authorized a 5.791% increase under the CMM. 

As of the date of this annual report, fourteen additional increases in total under the CMM since May 2008, that have been recognized by ENRE pursuant to SE Resolution No.250/2013 and SE Notes No. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 with retroactive effect from May 2008 until December 2014. However, these increases have not yet been incorporated into Edenor’s tariff structure. Under the terms of the Adjustment Agreement, these fourteen increases should have been incorporated into Edenor’s tariff structure in May and November of each year from 2008 on.

As of December 31, 2014, Edenor submitted to the ENRE the fourteen requests for CMM adjustments described in the table below:

    CMM   
  Application  Adjustment   
Period  Date  Requested  Status 
November 2007 - April 2008  may-08  5,79%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2008 - October 2008  nov-08  5,68%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2008 - April 2009  may-09  5,00%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2009 - October 2009  nov-09  5,03%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2009 - April 2010  may-10  6,83%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2010 - October 2010  nov-10  7,48%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2010 -April 2011  may-11  6,12%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2011 - October 2011  nov-11  7,69%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2011 -April 2012  may-12  8,54%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2012 - October 2012  nov-12  6,98%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2012 - April 2013  may-13  6,88%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2013 -October 2013  nov-13  8,37%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
November 2013 - April 2014  may-14  14,40%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
May 2014 - October 2014  nov-14  11,19%  Granted but not incorporated into tariffs 
Cummulative    176,80%   

 

On May 7, 2013, pursuant to the SE Resolution No. 250/2013, Edenor was authorized to compensate with the CMM recognition, the debt registered under the PUREE for the period from May 2008 through February 28, 2013.

 

In addition, CAMMESA was instructed to issue sale settlements with maturity dates to be determined for the surplus generated after compensation between the credits of the CMM and the PUREE debts, to partially compensate the debt with the WEM. Edenor is also entitled to deposit the remaining sale settlements with maturity dates to be determined in the trust created pursuant to ENRE’s Resolution No. 347/2012. Furthermore, and according to SE Notes No. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014, the effect of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 was extended, authorizing compensation of the debt registered under PUREE against the CMM recognition for the period ending on December, 2014.

 

 

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As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the amounts collected by Edenor through the PUREE (net of the effects of SE Resolution 250/2013 and SE Notes No. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 in the year 2014), amounted to Ps. 17.5 million and Ps. 108.6 million, respectively, and have been disclosed under other current and non-current liabilities. Until such time as the CMM adjustments are effectively transferred to the tariffs, Edenor is entitled to use PUREE excess funds that it would otherwise be required to transfer to CAMMESA, as established in SE Resolution No. 1037/2007, in order to reimburse Edenor for the amounts it is owed for CMM increases not yet reflected in Edenor’s distribution margin. Despite the fact that the effects of these regulations are a significant step towards the recovery of our situation, such regulations do not provide a definitive solution to Edenor’s economic and financial equation.

On November 23, 2012, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 347/2012, authorizing the Company to apply a fixed charge tariff differentiated by category, to be used exclusively to finance infrastructure and corrective maintenance of the facilities, all in accordance with the provisions of clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement. To this end, it creates a Trust in which Edenor shall deposit the funds raised and which will be responsible for paying contractors for and on behalf of Edenor. These increases, and any subsequent increases granted under the CMM, will remain in effect until the approval of a new tariff scheme pursuant to the Edenor RTI, with the ENRE under the Adjustment Agreement.  The Edenor RTI will cover, among other factors, a recalculation of the compensation Edenor receives for its distribution services, including taxes that are not currently passed through to Edenor’s customers (such as taxes on financial transactions), a revised analysis of Edenor’s distribution costs, modifications to Edenor’s quality of service standards and penalty scheme and, finally, a revision of Edenor’s asset base and rate of return.

In March 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary increase in income through funds provided by CAMMESA, applicable retroactively as from February 1, 2015, to pay for costs and investments associated with the regular provision of the public service of distribution of energy on account of the future RTI. Such additional income results from the difference between a “theoretical” tariff schedule set forth in such resolution and the current tariff schedule in force for each category of users, as determined and monthly reported by the ENRE to the Secretariat of Energy and CAMMESA. This “theoretical” tariff schedule did not include any adjustment method to reflect future variations in costs.

 

In addition, SE Resolution No. 32/2015 established that the PUREE funds shall be deemed part of Edenor’s income as from February 1, 2015 on account of the future RTI. Additionally, Edenor was allowed to compensate PUREE debts against credits arising from CMM adjustment up to January 31, 2015, including any interest accrued thereunder.  Edenor was also authorized to offset any surplus sale settlement with maturity dates to be determined issued by CAMMESA in its favor. If any debt is outstanding after compensation is effected, Edenor should cancel its debt pursuant to a payment plan to be agreed upon with CAMMESA.

 

Also, SE Resolution No. 32/2015 established that Edenor shall comply with Clause 22.1 of the Adjustment Agreement and suspend any administrative or judicial claims that may have been initiated against the Argentine Government in relation to compliance with clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement. As of the date of this annual report, Edenor’s Board of directors was analyzing the scope of this provision and evaluating its impact on us.

 

Furthermore, administrative and judicial actions have been brought aimed at obtaining both CMM recognition and that the overall electricity rate review stipulated in the Adjustment Agreement be carried out by the ENRE. See “Item 8. Legal Proceedings – Distribution.”

 

Although SE Resolution No. 32/2015, SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and SE Notes Nos. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014 have provided additional sources of incomes to Edenor, most of these adjustments have not been incorporated into its tariff structure and if inflation levels during the coming years continue the trend of inflation during 2014, the temporary increase provided by SE Resolution No. 32/2015 may prove insufficient to support the real variation in costs. Therefore, the outcome of the renegotiation of Edenor’s tariff structure is highly uncertain.  We cannot assure you that the renegotiation process will conclude in a timely manner or that the revised tariff structure will provide Edenor with an adequate return on its asset base, or that if an adjustment agreement is reached, will not be challenged by Argentine consumer and other groups, something that, if successful, could materially adversely affect Edenor’s ability to implement any tariff adjustments granted by the Argentine Government.

 

 

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Customers.  As of December 31, 2014, Edenor served 2,801,121 customers.  Edenor defines a “customer” as one meter. Edenor classifies its customers pursuant to the following tariff categories:

·         Residential (T1-R1 to R9): residential customers whose peak capacity demand is less than 10kW.  In 2014, this category accounted for approximately 43% of Edenor’s electricity sales.

·         Small commercial (T1-G1 and T1-G3): commercial customers whose peak capacity demand is less than 10kW.  In 2014, this category accounted for approximately 8% of Edenor’s electricity sales.

·         Medium commercial (T2): customers whose peak capacity demand is equal to or greater than 10kW but less than 50kW.  In 2014, this category accounted for approximately 8% of Edenor’s electricity sales.

·         Industrial (T3): industrial customers whose peak capacity demand is equal to or greater than 50kW.  In 2014, this category accounted for approximately 17% of Edenor’s electricity sales.  This category does not include customers who purchase their electricity requirements directly through the wholesale electricity market under the wheeling system.

·         Wheeling System: large users who purchase their electricity requirements directly from generation or broker companies through the wholesale electricity market.  As of December 31, 2014, the total number of such large users was 710, and this category represented approximately 20% of our electricity sales.

·         Others: public lighting (T1-PL) and shantytown customers whose peak capacity demand is less than 10kW.  In 2014, this category accounted for approximately 5% of Edenor’s electricity sales. 

Edenor strives to maintain an accurate categorization of its customers in order to charge the appropriate tariff to each customer.  In particular, Edenor focuses on its residential tariff categorizations to both minimize the number of commercial and industrial customers who are classified as residential customers and to identify residential customers whose peak capacity demand exceeds 10kW and which therefore, do not qualify as residential users.

ShantytownsIn accordance with the terms of its concession and given the nature of public service that the distribution of electricity is granted under Argentine law, Edenor is required to supply electricity to all users whithin the concession area, including low-income areas and shantytowns located within its service area.  In October 2003, Edenor, Edesur and Edelap entered into a framework agreement with the Argentine Government and the Province of Buenos Aires to regulate their supply to low-income areas and shantytowns.  Under this agreement, Edenor has the right to receive compensation for the services provided to to shantytowns from funds collected from residents of each relevant shantytown, the Municipality in which it is located and, if there is a shortfall, by a special fund sponsored by the Argentine Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires.  The Argentine Government contributes an amount equal to 21%, and the Province of Buenos Aires 15.5%, of such compensation, net of taxes, paid by those customers with payment problems and meter irregularities that is transfer to distributors as compensation. 

On June 23, 2008, Edenor signed an amendment to the Framework Agreement with the Argentine Government, the Province of Buenos Aires and other national electric distributors agreeing to extend the Framework Agreement for four years from January 1, 2007 (the “Amended 2003 Framework Agreement”).  The Argentine Government ratified the amendment on September 22, 2008 and the Province of Buenos Aires ratified the amendment on May 15, 2009.

On July 22, 2011, the Company, together with Edesur and Edelap, entered into an Addendum with the Argentine Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires, to extend the Amended 2003 Framework Agreement for a term of four years.  Such extension was approved on September 21, 2012 by Resolution No. 248/2012 issued by the ENRE and ratified by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services through Resolution No. 247/2012.  As of December 31, 2014, the Amended 2003 Framework Agreement had expired, and Edenor is currently negotiating with the Argentine Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires to extend its term.

 

 

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At December 31, 2014 and 2013, receivable balances with the Argentine Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires amounted to Ps. 75.8 million and Ps. 56.9 million, respectively.

 

Energy losses.  Energy losses are equivalent to the difference between energy purchased and energy sold.  Technical losses represent the energy that is lost during transmission and distribution within the network as a consequence of natural heating of the conductors that transmit electricity from the generating plants to the customers.  Non-technical losses are primarily due to illegal use of Edenor’s services.  Energy losses require Edenor to purchase additional electricity to satisfy demand and its concession allows Edenor to recover from its customers the cost of these purchases up to a loss factor specified in the concession for each tariff category.  The average loss factor under Edenor’s concession is 10%. 

The following table illustrates Edenor’s estimation of the approximate breakdown between technical and non-technical energy losses experienced in its service area since 2003:

  Year ended December 31,
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003 
Technical losses  10.8%  10.3%  10.5%  9.8%  9.8%  9.8%  9.8%  9.6%  8.6%  8.3%  8.1%  8.0% 
Non technical losses  3.5%  2.7%  2.8%  2.8%  2.7%  2.1%  1.0%  2.0%  2.5%  2.7%  3.4%  4.7% 
Total losses  14.3%  13.0%  13.3%  12.6%  12.5%  11.9%  10.8%  11.6%  11.1%  11.0%  11.5%  12.7% 

 

Other Businesses 

Petrolera Pampa

On January 21, 2009, we constituted Petrolera Pampa in order to supply our thermal plants.  The Gas Plus Program, which was promoted by the government to attract investments, was a motivation to follow this path.  The first agreements were made through partnerships in projects with proved gas reserves to be developed by major oil and gas companies like Ysur (formerly Apache) and Petrobras. The next step for the company was to negotiate agreements that involve potential oil and gas production with Petrolera Pampa as operator.  Recently, we executed an investment agreement with YPF, by which Petrolera Pampa has committed to invest U.S.$151.5 million in exchange for 50% of the hydrocarbons production from the Rincón del Mangrullo block (the “Block”), located in the province of Neuquén. 

                On November 6, 2013, the shareholders’ meeting of Petrolera Pampa resolved to request the authorization of the CNV for an initial public offering of its shares in the Buenos Aires Stock Market, increasing its capital stock for up to an amount of 59,700,000 shares. On December 12, 2013, through Resolution No. 17,248, the CNV granted Petrolera Pampa the required authorizations for the initial public offering of its shares (the “IPO”). As a consequence, on January 14, 2014, Petrolera Pampa issued 59,700,000 new ordinary shares with a par value of Ps.1 and entitled to 1 vote per share, representing 50% of Petrolera Pampa’s capital stock. Additionally, the shareholders of Petrolera Pampa prior to the IPO (the Company and Pampa Participaciones) assigned to their shareholders as of October 15, 2013, their preemptive and accretion rights over the capital stock increase. Thus, as a result of the capital stock issuance, 17,839,483 shares were subscribed in exercise of such preemptive rights and 41,860,517 were subscribed in exercise of such accretion rights.

As of the date of this annual report, we directly and indirectly control 49.74% of Petrolera Pampa’s capital stock. 

Introduction to the Hydrocarbon Market - Market De-regulation

Until the early 1990s, the Argentine Government ran most hydrocarbon-related activities, including exploration, production and transportation. Despite the fact that the Ley de Hidrocarburos (the “Hydrocarbons Law”), which was passed in 1967, allowed the government to grant exploration permits and concessions to the private sector, this power was rarely exercised. Prior to 1989, private sector companies were engaged in exploitation activities through services agreements with YPF. The oil thus extracted was delivered to YPF, which would then allocate it to refineries. Oil prices were fixed by the Argentine Government at levels that were generally significantly below international prices.

 

 

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In 1989, with the enactment of the Ley de Reforma del Estado y Emergencia Económica (Law for the Reform of the State and Economic Emergency), the hydrocarbon sector was de-regulated.  The new regulatory framework included the following: certain exploitation concessions were to be awarded through a bidding process; partnering agreements could be made with YPF to explore and exploit certain productive areas; starting in 1991, official prices for crude and refined products would be eliminated; and starting in 1994, the price of gas at the wellhead would be de-regulated.  Another development was the creation of a regulatory entity vested with powers to enforce the newly-established framework, the ENARGAS.

The reform of the sector led to the free establishment of prices and a more efficient market, as a result of the participation of private sector players and competition.  Total gas output rose by 83% in the period from 1992 to 2002, and oil output rose by 37% during the same period.  Gas reserves increased by 23% and oil reserves increased by 40% during the same period.

The Ley de Emergencia Pública (Public Emergency Law), which was passed in 2002, introduced changes to the dynamics of the hydrocarbon sector.  Some of the provisions under that law include withholdings on exports of liquid hydrocarbons and their by-products, limits on price increases in the gas market and certain restrictions on exports.

As it relates to jurisdiction matters, it is important to clarify that with the enactment of the Law No. 26,197 the “Hydrocarbons Short Law” (Ley Corta de Hidrocarburos), in 2007, the Argentine provinces received ownership rights over the reserves of crude oil and gas situated within their territories, and the provinces themselves were empowered to grant concessions to private companies.

In July 2012, the Argentine Government issued Decree No. 1277/2012 through which it regulated Law No. 26,741, and repealed those provisions of Decrees No. 1055/89, 1212/89 and 1589/89 which provided: (i) the right to dispose of hydrocarbon production (both placed on the domestic market and for export), (ii) free pricing, and (iii) exemption from any duty, law and/or retention on exports and imports hydrocarbons. In turn, it created the National Register of Hydrocarbon Investments wherein Hydrocarbon sector companies must register and the Committee on Strategic Planning and Coordination of the National Investment Plan for Hydrocarbons, whose main role will be to carry out the National Investment Plan for Hydrocarbon (“Plan Nacional de Inversiones Hidrocarburiferas”), for which companies must timely provide to the Committee the technical, quantitative and/or economic information that is requested, is necessary to evaluate the performance of the sector. Companies must also submit an Annual Investment Plan conforming to the National Investment Plan for Hydrocarbons. The Decree also authorizes the Commission to publish reference prices for each of the components of costs and sales, and reference prices for fuel, which is intended to allow coverage of production costs attributable to the activity while obtaining a reasonable profit margin. The Commission may apply different types of sanctions for noncompliance.

On October 31, 2014, the Argentine Congress enacted Law No. 27,007, which amended the Hydrocarbons Law in certain aspects mainly relating to the exploration and production of unconventional hydrocarbons (which were not regulated in the previous Law), the extension of the concessions and royalties rates, as follows:

·         Regarding exploration permits, the term of permits for conventional exploration is divided into 2 periods of up to 3 years each plus a discretionary extension of up to 5 years.  Thus, the maximum possible duration of exploration permits is reduced from 14 to 11 years.

·         For unconventional exploration, the term of permits is divided into two 4-year terms, plus a discretionary extension of up to 5 years, providing for a maximum term of 13 years. In the case of off shore permits, the term is divided in two periods of up to 3 years (with a discretional extension of 1 year each period) and a discretional extension for up to 5 year, providing for a maximum term of 13 years.

 

 

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·         Regarding exploitation concession, the term of conventional production concessions has been maintained in 25 years. For unconventional exploitations, a 35-year term is provided, including an initial pilot plan of up to 5 years. For offshore production, concessions will be granted for periods of up to 10 years.  Under the previous Hydrocarbons Law regime, the concessions could be extended only once for a 10-year term.  Law No. 27,007 establishes successive extensions to conventional and unconventional concessions for 10-year periods. Even the concessions which are currently in force and those which have already been extended once, can be extended again.

·         In respect of the reservation of areas and the carry method, Law No. 27,007 eliminates the possibility for the Federal Government and the Provinces to reserve areas for the exploitation by public entities or state-owned companies as from the date in which Law No. 27,007 entered into force and effect. However, contracts already executed by said provincial entities or companies for the exploration and development of reserved areas continue to be subject to the regulations in force prior ro Law No. 27,007.

·         Regarding exploration permits and production concessions, Law No. 27,007 updates the values of the applicable rights.  In the case of exploration permits, it establishes the possibility of compensating up to 90% with investments in exploration during the second period of the term and of the extension, when applicable.

·         Regarding royalties, the general 12% rate provided in the Hydrocarbons Law is maintained. As in the previous law, the possibility of reducing the rate in exceptional cases up to 5% is also maintained, as well as the possibility of increasing it 3% upon successive extensions. It also introduces a maximum limit to such rate in all cases of 18%.  It also provides the possibility for the grantor to apply a reduced rate of up to 50% for projects of (i) production in which enhanced or impoved oil recovery techniques are applied, (ii) for extra-heavy oil exploitations and (iii) for offshore explotaitions.

Law No. 27,007 provides that the National Executive Branch shall include in the Promotional Investment Regime established by Decree No. 929/2013 the direct investment projects that contemplate investments for an amount of U.S.$ 250 million in a 3-year period. Currently, the benefits under this regime apply to projects for amounts higher than U.S.$ 1,000 million in a 5-years period.

The benefits under this promotional regime will be enjoyed after the third year and shall apply to 20% of the production of the project, in the case of on shore projects –whether conventional or unconventional- and to 60%, in the case of offshore projects. To qualify as an off shore project, the wells’ depth measured between the surface and the seabed must be of at least 90 meters.

Law No. 27,007 also provides two contributions payable to the Provinces in connection with the projects subject to this promotional regime: (i) 2.5% of the initial investment to develop corporate social responsibility projects, payable by the owner of the project and (ii) a contribution, which amount shall be determined by the Commission created by Decree No. 1277/2012 considering the size and scope of the project, to develop infrastructure projects in the relevant Province and payable by the Federal Government.

Finally, Law No. 27,007 provides that the Federal Government and the provinces will promote the adoption of uniform fiscal legislation to foster hydrocarbon activities.

Gas Market

Various reforms of the gas market aim to regulate the supply of gas to ensure that priority demand (i.e., households and small retailers) is met.  This scheme is known as the Producers’ Agreement. In this respect, demand is divided into the following segments:

·         Households and small retailers (“priority demand”)

·         Compressed natural gas

 

 

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·         Industrial/ power plants

·         Exports

Each segment pays a different price for gas, with the industrial and the export segments being the only segments that admit the free establishment of prices.  The new regulatory structure, which was established by Resolution No. 208/2004, Resolution No. 599/2007 and Resolution No. 1070/2010, among others, set forth that each producer must maintain sales of gas to each sector at the same levels as in 2006, and if they do not on grounds of decreased output, there will be a re-allocation of their gas in such a manner as to ensure that priority demand should always be met.  The prices in local currency of the regulated segments, except for the priority demand segment, underwent slight increases in the past years, in order to gradually move them nearer the unregulated price, which is much higher than the present-day prices in the rest of the sectors.

The rate of growth in investments in recent years was not the same as that experienced in the 1990s. As a result, output could not keep up with demand and, therefore, exports were reduced to a minimum, and in winter time, the industrial sector is sporadically subject to interruptions in supply.  This circumstance, compounded by a decline in the volume of reserves, resulted in a strong decline in the reserves/production ratio, down from 21.6 years in 1992 to less than 10 years in 2010, the last year for which this information is available.

In addition, in 2007, through the state-run energy company ENARSA, the government started to import gas from Bolivia and to request shipments of liquefied natural gas tankers to meet the system’s minimum demand levels, replacing part of the gas used by power plants with alternative fossil fuels such as diesel oil and fuel oil. The above-mentioned gas imports are financed through a trust that is funded through a specific charge in the bills of non-priority users.

In view of this trend, the government decided to introduce new resolutions seeking to incentivize investment and production. The SE Resolution No. 24/2008 (subsequently amended by SE Resolution No. 1031/2008) instituted the Gas Plus Program. The main incentive to gas producers is that gas extracted within the framework of the program can be freely disposed and commercialized. To qualify for the program producers are required to submit a project of investments in new gas blocks, in blocks that have not been in production since 2004 or in blocks that are geologically complex (compact sand or with low permeability). In addition, to be eligible for this program –unless the applicant is a new company– the firm must be in compliance with its output quotas as established in the Producers’ Agreement.

Petrolera Pampa was organized in 2009 with a view to taking advantage of the benefits offered by the Gas Plus Program.

In February 2013, the Commission’s Resolution No. 1/2013 was published, creating the Encouragement Program for Excess Injection of Natural Gas (the Programa de Estímulo a la Inyección Excedente de Gas Natural or “Encouragement Program”) whose objective is to evaluate and approve projects that contribute to national self-sufficiency in hydrocarbons through increases in gas production and injection into the domestic market, and projects that generate higher levels of activity, investment and employment in the sector.

Companies which participate in the Encouragement Program agree to a minimum injection volume (the “Base Volume”) to be sold at a fixed price (the “Base Price”) and can expect to receive U.S.$7.5/MMBTU for any injection volume in excess of the Base Volume (the “Excess Injection”).  The Argentine Government undertakes to pay a monthly compensation for: (i) any difference that between U.S.$7.5 /MMBTU and the price actually received from the sale of the Excess Injection and (ii) any difference between the Base Price and the price actually received from the sale of the Injection Base.

Petrolera Pampa’s project was approved under the Encouragement Program and became effective on March 2013.

Crude Oil Market

Also seeking to encourage investment and production, several resolutions have been issued relating to the crude oil market.  The most important, Resolution 394/2007, which imposes further restrictions on exports of crude by fixing their price, had the effect of leaving producers indifferent when deciding between serving the local or the international market as the state would capture any extraordinary revenue that the producer could earn on exports.

 

 

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The production of crude oil has shown a downward trend in recent years. Therefore, as was the case in the gas market, the government started a search for the tools and regulations that could serve to again find the path to growth.  The Petróleo Plus Program (Resolution No. 1312/2008) was created with that objective.

According to the Petróleo Plus Program, oil producers able to prove an increase in their production of oil and the replenishment of their proven reserves will be entitled to a series of tax credits that they may apply to the payment of export duties on their oil, liquefied petroleum gas and other by-products that are due under Resolution No.394/2007. The Petróleo Plus program came into force on December 1, 2008, with retroactive effect to October 1, 2008.  These tax credit certificates issued by the Secretariat of Energy are transferable.

In February 2012, the Petróleo Plus Program was suspended for companies that produce more than 1,300 m3/day of oil due to the modification of the market conditions under which such program was initially created, by giving compensation to certain companies to improve the final price of exported oil. This compensation was eliminated by the Ministry of Economy’s Resolution No. 1/2013 mentioned below. The Secretariat of Energy through SE Resolution No. 438/2012, granted to companies that export oil and produce less than 1,300 m3/day a compensation of 28 U.S.$ / bbl.

 

On January 3, 2013, the Ministry of Economy issued Resolution No. 1/2013 which raised the cutoff values of Resolution No. 394/2007 from U.S.$ 42/bbl to U.S.$ 70/ bbl, thus increasing income accruing to the oil exporters.

 

On December 29, 2014, the Ministry of Economy issued Resolution No. 1,077/2014 which revoked Resolution No. 394/2007 and established new export tax rates which are linked to the international price of crude oil to be determined from monthly Brent reference value minus eight dollar per barrel (8.0 US $ / Bbl). The new regime set as the cutoff value the amount of U.S.$ 71 / Bbl.  If the international price of oil does not exceed U.S.$ 71 / Bbl, the producer shall pay export duties of 1% of that value.  Above U.S.$ 80 (which yield an international price of U.S.$ 72 / Bbl) variable deductions will be settled.

 

In February, 2015, the Commission’s Resolution No. 14/2015 was published, creating the Programa de Estímulo a la Produccion de Petroleo (the “Oil Encouragement Program”).  Companies which participate in the Oil Encouragement Program, agree to a minimum production (the “Base Production”) and can expect to receive U.S.$ 3/Bbl or U.S.$ 2/Bbl (depending if it is for local market or for export) for any Bbl in excess of the Base Production up to a maximum price per Bbl of 70 U.S.$ /Bbl for Escalante oil and 84 U.S.$/Bbl for Medanito oil.

 

Petrolera Pampa’s Projects

New Investment Agreement with YPF

On November 6, 2013 Petrolera Pampa entered into an investment agreement with YPF, in which Petrolera Pampa has committed to invest U.S.$151.5 million in exchange for 50% of the hydrocarbon production of the Rincón del Mangrullo block, located in the province of Neuquén and corresponding up to the Mulichinco geological formation.

The Agreement is composed by two investment phases. During the first phase, Petrolera Pampa has committed to invest up to U.S.$81.5 million in 3D seismic surveys and the drilling, completion and commissioning of 17 additional wells. Moreover, YPF will build the processing plant and gas pipelines necessary to support the production. Once the first investment phase is finished, Petrolera Pampa has an option to continue to the second phase of up to U.S.$70 million.

When the two phases have concluded, the parties shall carry the necessary investments to develop the Block, in accordance with the respective share participations.

 

 

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As of the date of this annual report, Petrolera Pampa had invested U.S.$ 64.2 million in the drilling of 17 wells (from which 14 are in production and 2 waiting to be terminated) from the first investment phase.  U.S.$53,6 million have been effectively paid.

Investment Agreement with Ysur (formerly Apache)

On December 1, 2010, Petrolera Pampa entered into an investment agreement with Apache (currently Ysur) to jointly engage in the development and exploitation of unconventional gas repositories.

The partnership with Ysur has a daily target production of 700,000 m3 per day for three years of unconventional natural gas from reservoirs with low permeability at the Anticlinal Campamento and Estación Fernández Oro blocks, in the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro, respectively. 

In order to meet the daily target production for the three-year period, Petrolera Pampa initially estimated an investment of U.S. $20 million to be made between 2010 and 2013, which represents 15% of the necessary investments for the development of such gas production, allowing it to obtain a proportional participation in the production.  As of the date of this annual report, we had invested approximately U.S. $17.5 million in 22 productive wells, reaching the daily target production.  The investment agreement expired in December 2013. From such date, Petrolera Pampa receives the proceeds of the already drilled wells until the end of their productive life, and it will support the costs associated with the operation of such wells.

 

All of the production of unconventional natural gas under this agreement has been assigned to supply Loma de la Lata under the Gas Plus Regime. 

Investment Agreement with Petrobras Argentina S.A.(“Petrobras 1”)

On December 7, 2010, Petrolera Pampa entered into an investment agreement (“Petrobras 1”) with Petrobras relating to the “El Mangrullo” block located in the province of Neuquén, under which Petrolera Pampa acquired 43% of the right to freely dispose at the wellhead, commercialize and process the hydrocarbons obtained from wells to be drilled in the field mentioned above.

As consideration for such acquisition, Petrolera Pampa committed to invest up to U.S. $16 million in the drilling of the first four wells.  Taking into consideration that the agreement has a daily target production of 400,000 m3 per day for four years, the preliminary plan estimate called for drilling of up to nine wells (between 2011 and 2015), which represented an estimated investment for Petrolera Pampa of approximately U.S. $ 24 million.  As of the date of this annual report, five wells had been drilled, and the daily target production was achieved in March 2012. Investments in the five wells represented an investment of U.S. $ 20.6 million for Petrolera Pampa. 

All the production obtained under this agreement was assigned to EGSSA (now merged into CTG) under the Gas Plus regime.

Investment Agreement with Petrobras Argentina S.A.(“Petrobras 2”)

On February 7, 2013, Petrolera Pampa entered into a new investment agreement (“Petrobras 2”) with Petrobras relating to the “El Mangrullo” block located in the province of Neuquén, under which Petrolera Pampa again acquired 43% of the right to freely dispose at the wellhead, commercialize and process the hydrocarbons obtained from certain additional wells to be drilled in the field mentioned above.

As consideration for such acquisition, Petrolera Pampa committed to invest up to U.S. $22 million in the drilling of the first four wells.  Taking into consideration that the agreement has a daily target production of 400,000 m3 per day for four years, the preliminary plan estimate called for drilling up to nine wells (between 2013 and 2017), which represents an estimated investment for Petrolera Pampa of approximately U.S. $ 33 million.  As of the date of this annual report, four wells had been drilled, and the daily target production was achieved in July 2013. Investments for the four wells have been completely paid, representing an investment of approximately U.S. $ 22 million for Petrolera Pampa.  For the 2015-2017 period, we expect to continue with the aforementioned investment plan in order to achieve the daily target production.

 

 

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All of the production of unconventional natural gas under this agreement has been assigned to supply Loma de la Lata under the Gas Plus Program.

Association Agreement with Rovella, Gas y Petróleo de Neuquén S.A. (“G&P”)

Petrolera Pampa has received from Rovella Carranza S.A. an assignment offer whereby Petrolera Pampa would be in a position to obtain a 50% of the interest in the Senillosa exploration block, situated in the Province of Neuquén, where oil and gas exploration activities will be undertaken. Petrolera Pampa has agreed to invest up to U.S. $3.3 million to comply with the first working and investment plan for the period granted for block exploration.

During 2011, Petrolera Pampa began the investment plan through the completion of a 3D Seismic survey for an area of 132 km2.

During 2012 six exploratory wells were drilled, one of which resulted in a discovery of gas, four of which had manifestations of hydrocarbons and are under evaluation, and one (S.xp-2001) proved to be sterile and was sent to outcomes such as loss, in the year 2013.

During 2013, two drilling programs wells were performed. In the first program, Petrolera Pampa was successful in drilling the well RLE.e - 2003 and is currently evaluating the feasibility of this well in order to put it into production together with those wells successful drilled during 2012. In the second program, two exploratory wells were drilled in the Quebrada del Sapo Formation, being both of which results in discoveries of hydrocarbons (oil). These two wells should be tested during 2014 and are eventually expected to be set into production.

During 2014, Petrolera Pampa completed all of its investment commitments. G&P as the concessionary of the area, filed with the provincial authority an authorization to divide the area in three different concessions, one for evaluation and the other for exploitation, reversing the remaining part to the province.

In mid 2014, we started the investment to build the processing plant and gas pipelines required to connect the area to the gas transportation system and start producing from there.

The total amount invested by Petrolera Pampa was U. S.$ 12.5 million. In the event of hydrocarbon production in the area, Petrolera Pampa shall be entitled to recover U. S.$ 3 million related to investments made for and on behalf of the other partners.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, according to estimates made by the management of Petrolera Pampa, it recognized an impairment of Ps.12.6 and Ps.3.5 million, respectively.

Agreement for the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the “El Caracol Norte” block

Petrolera Pampa has executed an agreement with G&P in which Petrolera Pampa, together with Rovella Energía S.A., will perform the exploitation, development and production of hydrocarbon services in the El Caracol Norte exploitation block, in the province of Neuquén. In exchange for these services, Petrolera Pampa will be in a position to obtain a 60% interest of the total production of the exploitation block. Petrolera Pampa has agreed to invest up to U.S. $3.7 million to comply with the first working and investment plan estimated for the period granted for the block exploitation.

During 2012, Petrolera Pampa began with the fulfillment of the agreed investments, performing the reinterpretation of existing 3D seismic studies and the completion of two hydraulic fractures in an existing well. As a result of the work performed, the well has proved productive but, according to estimates made by the management of Petrolera Pampa, it recognized an impairment of Ps. 9.2 million.

As of the date of this annual report, the drilling of one well is pending according to the agreement for the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the “El Caracol Norte” block.

Other Projects

 

 

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As of the date of this annual report, Petrolera Pampa is negotiating new agreements for the exploitation and exploration of hydrocarbons in Argentina.

TGS

The Company owns 100% of the shares of PEPCA S.A. (“PEPCA”), which in turn owns 10% in CIESA, which in turn owns 51% of TGS.  Also, the Company holds, through PISA, the character of “Beneficiario” and “Fideicomisario” under the MSA Trust, owner of 40% of the capital stock of CIESA (See “CIESA Transaction” below).  Therefore, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company do not show the numbers of TGS.  TGS is the largest gas transportation company in Argentina, and it operates the most extensive gas pipeline system in Latin America.  In addition, it is leader in the production and sale of natural gas liquids (NGLs) for the domestic and export markets.  It carries out this business from the General Cerri Complex, located in Bahía Blanca, Province of Buenos Aires.  Moreover, TGS provides natural gas integral solutions, and since 1998 it has entered the telecommunications business through its subsidiary company Telcosur S.A.

Since 2011, the Company is entitled to the following rights, among others:

-          Appointment of one director in CIESA and TGS;

-          Appointment of the Vice Chairman in CIESA and TGS;

-          First refusal right in CIESA; and

-          Approval of CIESA’s and TGS’ annual budget.

The following table summarizes TGS’ main technical and financial indicators:

 

 

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* Consolidated Financial Statements, figures in million pesos.

** Amounts show continuous operations only.

 

 

CIESA Transaction

 

On January 27, 2011, we acquired from AEI and through our subsidiary PISA, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Inversiones Argentina I, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands to which AEI had previously assigned all of its right, title and interest to U.S.$ 199.6 million nominal value of the floating rate notes due April 22, 2002, issued by CIESA on April 22, 1997 (the “CIESA Bonds”), other liabilities of CIESA arising from two derivatives transactions (together with the CIESA Bonds, the “CIESA Liabilities”) and the rights over certain lawsuits related to the CIESA Bonds. The CIESA Bonds have been in default since a missed principal repayment due on April 22, 2002. Pampa acquired the capital stock of Inversiones Argentina I for U.S.$ 136 million, while the assets of such company, including the CIESA Bonds and accrued and unpaid interest, had a total value of approximately U.S.$ 322 million. CIESA is the controlling company of TGS. TGS is a leading gas transportation company in Argentina. TGS is also one of the leading natural gas liquid producers and traders, and an important provider of midstream services, including business structuring, turnkey construction and operation and maintenance of facilities used for gas storage, conditioning and transportation. On April 8, 2011, we acquired, directly and indirectly, 100% of the capital stock of Enron Pipeline Company Argentina S.A. (now known as PEPCA), which owns 10% of the capital stock of CIESA, which in turn owns 55.3% of the share capital of TGS, for a total price of U.S.$ 29.0 million.

 

 

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In connection with the acquisition of the CIESA Bonds and the other assets related to CIESA described above, on April 28, 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries Inversiones Argentina I, Pampa Inversiones  and PEPCA entered into an agreement (the “Acta Acuerdo”) with Petrobras Energía , Petrobras Hispano S.A. (“Petrobras Hispano”), and CIESA, pursuant to which the parties thereto agreed to (i) continue negotiating to reach an agreement to re-implement the restructuring of the CIESA Liabilities, (ii) cause CIESA to vote in favor of a dividend payment by TGS in an amount of approximately U.S.$ 239 million (the “TGS Dividend”), which was declared by the shareholders’ meeting of TGS on April 29, 2011 and (iii) set up a trust (the “MSA Trust”) to hold CIESA’s pro rata portion of the TGS Dividend which, to the extent the restructuring of the CIESA Liabilities is completed, will be distributed as follows: (x) an amount equal to 4.3% of the TGS Dividend will be distributed to the Company (or its designee) and (y) the remainder, net of CIESA operating expenses for fiscal year 2011, will be distributed to the shareholders of CIESA following the restructuring of the CIESA Liabilities pro rata to their respective holding in CIESA. To the extent the restructuring of the CIESA Liabilities is not achieved as agreed by the parties to the Acta Acuerdo, the pro rata portion of the TGS Dividend held in trust shall be distributed to CIESA. 

On May 10, 2011, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with Inversiones Argentina I, Pampa Inversiones S.A., PEPCA, Petrobras Energía, Petrobras Hispano Argentina S.A. and CIESA, in which the parties to the MOU agreed: (i) to suspend (“standstill”) until May 10, 2012, the action captioned “Compañía de Inversiones de Energía S.A. v. AEI, AEI v. Compañía de Inversiones de Energía S.A., Petrobras Energía, Petrobras Hispano Argentina S.A., Héctor Daniel Casal, Claudio Fontes Nunes and Rigoberto Mejía Aravena” (the “CIESA Action”), pending before the Supreme Court of the State of New York (Index No. 600245/09E), and to make best efforts to re-implement (x) the financial restructuring set forth in the Restructuring Agreement executed on September 1, 2005 among CIESA, Petrobras Energía, Petrobras Hispano Argentina S.A., PEPCA, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Argentine branch (acting in its capacity as trustee) and the financial creditors of CIESA, as amended from time to time (the “Restructuring Agreement”), regarding the CIESA Bonds and (y) two derivatives transactions originally executed between CIESA and J. Aron & Company on August 3, 2000, and between CIESA and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York on August 4, 2000, respectively. Following the execution of the MOU we have become a party to the Restructuring Agreement. The foregoing is subject to obtaining the necessary governmental approvals to (i) implement the Restructuring Agreement; and (ii) timely withdraw all the claims and actions relating to the CIESA Action.

As the Argentine antitrust approval required to implement the Restructuring Agreement had not been obtained and the parties did not agree to extend either the MOU that expired on May 11, 2012 or the CIESA Action, on July 13, 2012, the parties to the Restructuring Agreement, including the Company, entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Restructuring Agreement pursuant to which (i) in exchange for U.S.$ 46,033,917 principal amount of debt owed to Pampa Inversiones, CIESA irrevocably designated and appointed Pampa Inversiones as sole and exclusive beneficiary of the two hundred fifty five million, five hundred twenty seven thousand, four hundred seventy seven (255,527,477) CIESA shares and, accordingly, Pampa Inversiones became the sole “Beneficiario” and “Fideicomisario” under the MSA Trust; and (ii) CIESA assigned to Pampa Inversiones any rights it might otherwise retain for having been a “Beneficiario” and “Fideicomisario” under the MSA Trust to instruct the MSA trustee and to receive any proceeds of the Bienes Fideicomitidos.

In the Company’s opinion, the abovementioned transaction was tacitly approved by the Argentine Antitrust Commision. The grounds for deeming the transaction approved are that (i) as of December 2011 there was a positive ruling from said commission recommending the Secretary of Interior Commerce to approve the Company’s purchase of 40% of the capital stock and votes in CIESA, and (ii) since such ruling, the commission has not issued any resolution advising on the contrary. Accordingly, the Company believes that the terms and conditions of the Restructuring Agreement have been met and therefore it believes that it would be in a legal and factual position to assume the right to co-control CIESA, and indirectly TGS. As of the date of this annual report, the board of directors of the Company is evaluating the legal and factual implications and other courses of action without having yet made a decision.

Additionally, on July 13, 2012, Petrobras, Petrobras Hispano Argentina S.A., the Company, Pampa Inversiones and Inversiones Argentina I entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the intention to terminate and extinguish to the fullest extent permitted by law the CIESA Action and to mutually release each other from all claims and actions in such CIESA Action. On October 25, 2012, the conditions to which the Settlement Agreement was subject were satisfied, thus terminating and extinguishing the CIESA Action.

 

 

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Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement and as a condition thereto, the above mentioned parties totally cancelled all of CIESA’s debt due and outstanding since the year 2002. As compensation, PISA received from CIESA: (i) ownership of 34,133,200 ordinary Class B shares issued by TGS, representing 4.3% of the capital stock and voting rights in TGS; (ii) a payment of U.S.$ 86,997,232; and (iii) the appointment of PISA as beneficiary and trustee under the Trust Agreement dated August 29, 2005, pursuant to which The Royal Bank of Scotland, Argentine branch, holds in trust 40% of CIESA’s shares (the “Shares held in Trust”). Consequently, once the pending governmental approval has been obtained, the Shares held in Trust will be transferred to Pampa pursuant to the terms of the Restructuring Agreement executed by CIESA and its financial creditors, as amended.  Pursuant to a Call Option Agreement (the “Call Option Agreement”) dated March 11, 2001,entered into by and among the Company, Inversiones Argentina II and GEB Corp. (parent company of Inversiones Argentina II), on such date, the Company purchased an option for U.S.$ 1.0 million, exercisable at any time during a period of 18 months thereafter, to acquire either (i) the rights over the lawsuit initiated by Ponderosa Assets L.P. and Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. (the “Arbitration”) against the Republic of Argentina before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (the “ICSID”) of the World Bank (the “ICSID Claim”) for freezing and pesifing U.S. dollar-based gas transportation tariffs in violation of certain provisions of the bilateral investment treaty between the United States and Argentina (see “Item 3. -Risk Factors – Our Generation Business”) or, (ii) at the Company’s option, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Inversiones Argentina II.  On October 7, 2011 the Company exercised the option and, therefore, in consideration of the amount of U.S.$ 25 million acquired the rights over the ICSID Claim (and therefore not the capital stock of Inversiones Argentina II) to control, suspend and waive the Arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Argentina pursuant to the Call Option Agreement.

On July 31, 2012, the ICSID Arbitration Court ordered, in accordance with the instructions timely given by the Company, the suspension of the arbitration proceeding brought by the Plaintiffs against the Republic of Argentina originally involving an amount in dispute which would currently amount to approximately U.S.$ 167 million.

Such suspension was requested pursuant to the commitment undertaken with the Argentine Antitrust Commission and the ENERGAS by CIESA, PEPCA, Petrobras and the Company on August 29, 2011, in the filings submitted before both entities seeking the approval of CIESA’s Restructuring Agreement. In this respect, as of the date of this annual report, the corresponding governmental approvals have not yet been granted.

In connection with the above mentioned claims, on November 20, 2012, Ponderosa Assets Holding I LLC and Ponderosa Assets Holding II LLC (two new subsidiaries of Pampa Inversiones specially created for this transaction) entered into an assignment agreement with Enron Creditors Recovery Corp., Citicorp North America, Inc., Atlantic Commercial Finance, Inc., Enron Global Power & Pipelines L.L.C., and Citibank N.A., pursuant to which (i) Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. transferred all of its right, title and interest in and to the general partnership interest in Ponderosa Assets LP to Ponderosa Assets Holding I LLC, and (ii) each of Citicorp North America, Inc., Atlantic Commercial Finance, Inc., Enron Global Power & Pipelines L.L.C. and any other relevant affiliate of Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. transferred all of its right, title and interest in and to the limited partnership interests in Ponderosa Assets LP to Ponderosa Assets Holding II LLC; therefore, Ponderosa Assets Holding I LLC and Ponderosa Assets Holding II LLC became the owners of Ponderosa Assets LP, which is the formal plaintiff under the ICSID Claim.

Description of Business Segments

Regulated Segment: Gas Transportation

In 2014, revenues from this business segment amounted to Ps.744.1 million, showing an increase of Ps.83.1 million compared to the Ps.661.0 million recorded in 2013. This rise is based on the low increase in regulated tariffs provided by Resolution No. 2852/2014 and higher revenues from interruptible natural gas transportation, as well as energy exchange and displacement.

 

 

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During the winter of 2014, the TGS gas pipeline system was fairly responsive to meet demand needs, but the regulatory authority continued restricting the supply of natural gas to the industrial market with a view to reorienting and allocating gas to so-called priority users, mainly residential, commercial, and compressed natural gas (“CNG”) users. Imposed restrictions affected both direct carriers who maintain natural gas transportation service agreements with TGS and grid-connected industries within the country’s distribution zones and nearby gas field areas. However, such industrial restrictions were lower as a result of a decrease in residential consumption due to higher ambient temperatures in 2014 compared to the previous year.

As it is publicly known, regulated natural gas transportation tariffs have not been updated, modified and/or readjusted since 1999 as a result of the passing of the Public Emergency Law, which was successively extended to stretch out the effectiveness of the declaration of emergency in Argentina and its effects until December 31, 2015. Effective as from April 2014, ENARGAS Resolution No. 2852/2014 provided for a considerable increase in the tariff scheme applicable to natural gas transportation services, reaching a total 20% increase in the month of August 2014. However, such increase is insufficient to offset the significant cost increases verified during the last few years, despite TGS’s continuous streamlining efforts, which resulted in the Company having for the first time an annual operative loss in this business segment.

Regarding gas pipeline system expansions, Petrolera made progress in the development of natural gas transportation capacity expansion works commenced in 2006, which will allow for transportation of a total incremental volume of 10.7 million cubic meters per day, of which 8.7 MMm3/d are enabled and supported by currently effective firm gas transportation contracts. For the provision of enabled transportation services, TGS monthly receives an Access and Use Charge(“CAU”), which has remained unchanged since its creation in 2005. These expansion works —planned in successive commissioning stages— are developed and funded under the Gas Trust Indenture Program, with cash contributions by third-party investors, gas producers, and carriers winning the incremental transportation capacity bidding process, with a structure contemplating recovery through revenues from specific fiduciary fees, paid by all transportation company carriers and distribution company users who have entered into firm service agreements. During the development of expansion works, TGS undertakes the role of Project Technical Manager for the works to be executed on its gas pipeline system.

Non-Regulated Segment: Production and Marketing of Gas Liquids

Unlike the gas transportation business, the production and marketing of gas liquids is not regulated by ENARGAS.

In 2014, this segment’s revenues accounted for 75% of TGS total revenues, which have increased by Ps.1,178.0 million this year, from Ps.2,065.3 million recorded in 2013 to Ps.3,243.3 million in 2014.

The activities of production and marketing of gas liquids are conducted at Complejo Cerri, located close to Bahía Blanca, and supplied by all of TGS’ main gas pipelines. Ethane, propane, butane and natural gasoline are recovered at such industrial complex. TGS sells these liquids to both domestic and foreign markets. On the domestic market, propane and butane are sold to fractionation companies. On the foreign market, the sale of these products and natural gasoline are made at current international market prices. Regarding ethane, it is sold to Polisur at a price agreed upon between the parties.

Despite the prevailing restrictions on natural gas processing at Complejo Cerri imposed by the National Government, and thanks to effective resource management, in 2014 production was higher than in 2013 by 60,214 tons (6.6%). It should be noted that the key drivers for such increased production include, inter alia, favorable weather conditions, the lower processing level of Complejo Cerri upstream plants —which has helped natural gas arrive much more enriched, thus allowing for higher yield per processed cubic meter— and the proper administration of maintenance plans for Complejo Cerri.

Sales prices marketed by TGS during 2014 were on average lower than those recorded for 2013, as a result of the sharp decrease, as from the fourth quarter of the year 2014, of propane, butane and natural gas reference prices, which suffered 64%, 52% y 46% year-to-year decreases, respectively, thus reaching their minimum levels in the last 6 years. Factors such as an excess supply and the geopolitical situation of the main natural gas and oil producers were the main reason of this decrease, the impact of which may continue adversely affecting revenues from sales in this business segment.

 

 

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Besides, costs of natural gas used as RTP continued their upward trend after the substantial increase in gas costs in 2013 as a result of the price guidelines established by the Government to enforce the Supplier of Last Resort program. For such reason, natural gas purchase prices at the wellhead recorded increases of approximately 30% (in U.S. Dollars) in 2014.

Therefore, the decrease in sales prices and the increase in gas costs have both contributed to the decrease in TGS’ operating margins within this segment. The implementation of several measures allowing for an improvement in the natural gas liquids recovery performance in Complejo Cerri and the execution of new natural gas supply agreements at reasonable prices, as well as the favorable weather conditions and lower restrictions in the reception of natural gas for the RTP have allowed to mitigate such situation.

Sales of Gas Liquids by Destination Market

In Thousands of Tons, 2009-2014

Source: TGS.

Non-Regulated Segment: Other Services

Other Services segment is not regulated by ENARGAS. TGS provides so-called ‘midstream’ services, which mainly consist of treatment, impurity separation and gas compression. It can also include gas extraction and transportation at gas fields, construction services, inspection and maintenance of compression plants and gas pipelines, and steam generation services for the production of electricity. This business segment also includes revenues from telecommunication services provided through the subsidiary Telcosur S.A.

This segment represented 7% of TGS’ total income in 2014. Revenues from the midstream business have evidenced an increase compared to the previous year, resulting mainly from the generation of new services associated with the operation, assignment and control of operations to producers, and, to a lower extent, from the execution of the expansion works initiated in 2006 under the Financial Trust Programs. Furthermore, there has been an increase in revenues from compression treatment, operation and maintenance services due to a price adjustment and the effect of the appreciation of the exchange rate.

               

 

 

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Capital Expenditures  

For a discussion of our capital expenditures, see “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Capital Expenditures.”

Property, Plant and Equipment   

We maintain our headquarters at Ortiz de Ocampo 3302, Building #4, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina (C1425DSR).  For lease of the office space, our payments averaged U.S. $82,218 per month in 2014 (approximately U.S. $25.3 per m2).  For building expenses, our monthly payments in 2014 averaged approximately Ps. 107,103.  We moved to this brand-new single location in the Barrio Parque area of the City of Buenos Aires during the second half of 2009.

The following table sets forth our total property, plant and equipment for the periods indicated:

 

At December 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

(in millions of pesos)

Generation

Ps.

2,070.6

 

Ps.

1,731.3

Distribution

 

6,412.5

 

 

4,952.7

Holding and others

 

735.0

 

 

218.7

 

Ps.

9,218.1

 

Ps.

6,902.7

 

Insurance 

In our generation business, we carry full insurance for each of our generation assets, including business interruption and general liability insurance.  The total generation assets covered under these policies are valued at U.S. $2,231 million.  In our transmission business we are insured for damage to property including damages due to electrical malfunction, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes for losses up to U.S.$1,973.6 million for Transener and U.S.$466.9 million for Transba.  As is standard in the electricity transmission sector, electricity towers and transmission lines are not covered by these policies, nor is the loss of our concession.  However, Transba has insured its towers and transmission lines for up to U.S. $1 million.  In our distribution business, our physical assets are insured for up to U.S. $1,046.7 million; however, we do not carry insurance coverage for losses caused by network or business interruption, including loss of our concession.

 

Asset Sales and Acquisitions

 

Spin-off Process – EMDERSA

 

In order to carry out the sale of certain of Empresa Distribuidora Eléctrica Regional S.A.’s (“EMDERSA”) former subsidiaries, Edenor, the controlling company of EMDERSA, was required to cause EMDERSA to complete a partial spin-off process (the “Spin-off Process”), which resulted in the creation of three new investment companies, (i) EDESAL Holding S.A. (“EDESALH”), holder of 99.99% of the capital stock and votes of Empresa Distribuidora San Luis S.A. (“EDESAL”), (ii) EDESA Holding S.A. (“EDESAH”), holder of 90% of the capital stock and votes of Empresa Distribuidora de Electricidad de Salta S.A. (“EDESA”), and (iii) EGSSAH, holder of 99.99% of EGGSA’s capital stock and votes. EMDERSA was to retain 99.99% of the capital stock and voting rights in EDELAR. On December 16, 2011, at EMDERSA’s Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting, which was resumed on January 13, 2012 after a recess, the Spin-off Process was approved.

The Spin-off Process has also been approved by the CNV and registered with the IGJ, together with the registration of the three new companies. On November 8, 2012, the new companies were authorized by the National Securities Commission to go public, and they obtained admission to listing on the BCBA.

 

EDELAR and EMDERSA Sale

 

 

 

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On September 17, 2013, Edenor’s Board of Directors approved an irrevocable offer to Energía Riojana S.A. (ERSA) and the Government of the Province of La Rioja for the (i) sale of Edenor’s indirect stake in Emdersa, Edelar’s parent company, and (ii) assignment of certain account receivables that Edenor had against Emdersa and Edelar. On October 4, 2013, ERSA and the Government of the Province of La Rioja in its capacity as controlling shareholder of ERSA accepted the offer. The transaction closed on October 30, 2013. The price agreed upon was Ps. 75.2 million payable in 120 monthly and consecutive installments. The first installment is not due until October 30, 2015, 24 months after the closing date.

 

EDESA Sale

 

On April 23, 2012, Edenor’s Board of Directors accepted the offer made by Salta Inversiones Eléctricas S.A. (“SIESA”) to Edenor and its subsidiary EMDERSAH, for the acquisition of shares representing: (i) 78.44% of the capital stock and voting rights of EDESAH, holder of 90% of the capital stock and voting rights of EDESA, which in turn owns 99.99% of the capital stock and voting rights of Empresa de Sistemas Eléctricos Dispersos S.A. (“ESED”), and (ii) the remaining 0.01% of ESED.

 

The transaction was carried out on May 10, 2012 at the offered price payable through the delivery of Argentine sovereign debt bonds (Boden 2012) for a value equivalent to Ps. 100.5 million. Such price was partially cancelled through the payment of Ps. 83.8 million, and the remainder will be cancelled in five annual and consecutive installments in U.S. dollars, with the first of them falling due on May 5, 2013, at an interest rate of LIBOR plus a 2% margin.

 

As a part of this transaction, EDESA also cancelled in full a loan held with Edenor for an amount of Ps. 131.3 million plus accrued interest, and the purchaser released EMDERSA from any and all liability resulting from the surety granted by the latter to EDESA in connection with a syndicated loan held by that company with multiple banking entities.

 

As collateral for the payment of the price of the EDESA Sale, SIESA granted a second ranking share pledge over 23.53% of the shares of EDESA in favor of Edenor.

 

AESEBA and EDEN Sale

 

On February 27, 2013, Edenor’s Board of Directors unanimously approved an offer sent by Servicios Eléctricos Norte BA S.L. (the “Buyer”) for (i) the acquisition of the shares representing 100% of the capital stock and voting rights of AESEBA, an electric utility company, which owns 90% of the outstanding capital stock of Empresa Distribuidora de Energía Norte S.A. (“EDEN”), an electricity distribution company holding the concession area in the north region of the Province of Buenos Aires; and (ii) the assignment of certain credits that EASA (the controlling company of Edenor) had with EDEN. The price offered by the Buyer has been paid through the assignment to Edenor of certain rights under a trust established for purposes of the transaction to receive debt securities of Edenor, in an amount equivalent, as of the date of the acceptance of the offer, to U.S.$85 million face value, which are to be cancelled by Edenor as such bonds are released to it in accordance with the terms and conditions of the trust. As part of the transaction, and in order to guarantee the obtention of funds necessary to acquire the Edenor bonds to be received by such company, U.S.$8.5 million of Argentine sovereign debt bonds multiplied by a certain factor was to be deposited into the trust on or before April 30, 2013.  As collateral for the portion of the price to be paid at that later date, the Buyer granted a pledge over 30% of the shares of AESEBA. On April 5, 2013 the transaction was settled in accordance with the terms described above. At the closing of the transaction, Edenor received the rights as beneficiary under the Trust. With the proceeds of the liquidation of the bonds received the Trust will purchase Edenor Class 9 and Class 7 Corporate Notes due in 2022 and 2017, respectively. As of the date of this annual report, the Trust has purchased the totality of Edenor corporate Notes due in 2017 and 2022 indicated in the respective trust agreement for U.S.$.10 million and U.S.$.68 million of nominal value, respectively. On March 27, 2014, these Corporate Notes were cancelled. Finally, on April 5, 2014 the Trust was terminated and liquidated.

 

 

 

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THE ARGENTINE ELECTRICITY SECTOR

History  

Electricity was first made available in Argentina in 1887 with the first public street lighting in Buenos Aires.  The Argentine Government’s involvement in the electricity sector began in 1946 with the creation of the Dirección General de Centrales Eléctricas del Estado (General Directorate of Electric Power Plants of the State) to construct and operate electricity generation plants.  In 1947, the Argentine Government created Agua y Energía Eléctrica S.A. (Water and Electricity, or “AyEE”) to develop a system of hydroelectric generation, transmission and distribution for Argentina.

In 1961, the Argentine Government granted a concession to Compañía Italo Argentina de Electricidad (Italian‑Argentine Electricity Company, or “CIADE”) for the distribution of electricity in a part of the City of Buenos Aires.  In 1962, the Argentine Government granted a concession formerly held by the Compañía Argentina de Electricidad (Argentine Electricity Company, or “CADE”) to Servicios Eléctricos del Gran Buenos Aires (Electricity Services of Greater Buenos Aires, or “SEGBA”) for the generation and distribution of electricity to parts of Buenos Aires.  In 1967, the Argentine Government granted a concession to Hidroeléctrica Norpatagónica S.A. (Hidronor) to build and operate a series of hydroelectric generation facilities.  In 1978, CIADE transferred all of its assets to the Argentine Government, following which CIADE’s business became government‑owned and operated.

By 1990, virtually all of the electricity supply in Argentina was controlled by the public sector (97% of total generation).  The Argentine Government had assumed responsibility for the regulation of the industry at the national level and controlled all of the national electricity companies, AyEE, SEGBA and Hidronor.  The Argentine Government also represented Argentine interests in generation facilities developed or operated jointly with Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.  In addition, several of the Argentine provinces operated their own electricity companies.  Inefficient management and inadequate capital spending, which prevailed under national and provincial government control, were in large measure responsible for the deterioration of physical equipment, decline in quality of service and proliferation of financial losses that occurred during this period.

In 1991, as part of the economic plan adopted by former President Carlos Menem, the Argentine Government undertook an extensive privatization program of all major state‑owned industries, including within the electricity generation, transmission and distribution sectors.  In 1992, the Argentine Congress adopted Law No. 24,065, the Electricity Regulation Framework (a supplement to Law No. 15,336, Federal Electricity Law, and its Administrative Order No. 1,398/92), which was the keystone for the reform and privatization of the sector.  The goal of the law was to modernize the electricity sector by promoting efficiency, competition, improved service and private investment.  It restructured and reorganized the sector, and provided for the privatization of virtually all business activities that had been carried out by Argentine state-owned enterprises.  The law established the basis for the ENRE and other institutional authorities in the sector, the administration of the wholesale electricity market, or WEM, pricing at the spot, tariff-setting in regulated areas and for evaluating assets to be privatized.  This law also had a profound, albeit indirect, impact at the provincial level, as virtually all of the provinces followed the regulatory and institutional guidelines of this law.  Finally, this law, which continues to provide the framework for regulation of the electricity sector since the privatization of this sector, divided generation, transmission and distribution of electricity into separate businesses, each subject to segment-specific regulation.

Under Law No. 24,065, distribution and transmission activities are considered public services and defined as natural monopolies.  These activities are completely regulated by the government and require a concession.  Although the concessions granted to distributors do not impose specific investment parameters, distributors are obligated to connect new customers and meet any increased demand.  The expansion of existing transmission facilities by the respective concessionaires is not restricted.  In contrast, generation, although regulated by the government, is not deemed a monopoly activity and is subject to free competition by new market entrants. 

Operation of hydroelectric power plants requires a concession from the government and a concession or permission for using the natural resources from the respective provincial government.  New generation projects do not require concessions but must be registered with the Secretariat of Energy.

 

 

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Many of the provincial governments, following the privatization path in the sector, have established their own politically and financially independent regulatory bodies at the provincial level.  Local distribution in the provinces (except the City of Buenos Aires and certain areas of the Province of Buenos Aires that were served by SEGBA and today are served by Edenor and EDESUR) is regulated by each province. Previously, the utilities themselves had played a major role in making sector policies and setting tariffs for the provinces.

At the end of 2001 and beginning of 2002, Argentina experienced an unprecedented crisis that virtually paralyzed the country’s economy through most of 2002 and led to radical changes in government policies.  See “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Factors Affecting our Results of Operations—Argentine economic conditions and inflation.” The crisis and the government’s policies during this period severely affected the electricity sector.  Pursuant to the Public Emergency Law, the Argentine Government, among other measures:

·         converted electricity prices and transmission and distribution tariffs from their original U.S. Dollar values to Pesos at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00;

·         froze all regulated transmission and distribution tariffs, revoked all price adjustment provisions and inflation indexation mechanisms in public utility concessions (including electricity transmission and distribution concessions), and empowered the Executive Branch to conduct a renegotiation of these concessions, including the tariffs for electricity transmission and distribution services; and

·         required that spot prices on the wholesale electricity market be calculated based on the price of natural gas (which is also regulated by the Argentine Government), regardless of the alternative fuels actually used in generation activities, even if gas is unavailable.

These measures created a huge structural deficit in the operation of the wholesale electricity market and, combined with the devaluation of the Peso and high rates of inflation, had a severe effect on the electricity sector in Argentina, as electricity companies experienced a decline in revenues in real terms and a deterioration of their operating performance and financial condition.  Most electricity companies had also incurred large amounts of foreign currency indebtedness under the Convertibility regime.  Following the elimination of the Convertibility regime and the resulting devaluation of the Peso, the debt service burden of these companies increased sharply, leading many of these companies to suspend payments on their foreign currency debt in 2002.  This situation caused many Argentine electricity generators, transmission companies and distributors to defer further investments in their networks.  As a result, Argentine electricity market participants, particularly generators, are currently operating at near full capacity, which could lead to insufficient supply to meet a growing national energy demand.  In addition, the economic crisis and the resulting emergency measures had a material adverse effect on other energy sectors, including oil and gas companies, which has led to a significant reduction in natural gas supplies to generation companies that use this commodity in their generation activities.

To address the electricity crisis, in December 2004 the Argentine Government adopted new rules to readapt or readjust the marketplace, but these rules were not to come into effect until the construction of two new 800 MW combined cycle generators were completed.  These generators commenced operations at full capacity in the first half of 2010.  The costs of construction were primarily financed with net revenues of generators derived from energy sales in the spot market, with special charges to non-residential consumers per MWh of energy billed and with specific charges from CAMMESA applicable to large users that were deposited in the FONINVEMEM. See “Regulatory and Legal Framework—FONINVEMEM.”

The construction of these new generators reflects a recent trend by the Argentine Government to take a more active role in promoting energy investments in Argentina.  An example of this is the creation of Energía Argentina S.A. (ENARSA) (Law 25,943) with the purpose of developing almost every activity in the energy sector, from the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons, the transport and distribution of natural gas, to the generation, transmission and distribution of energy.  In addition to these projects, in April 2006 the Argentine Congress enacted a law that authorized the Executive Branch to create a special fund to finance infrastructure improvements in the Argentine energy sector through the expansion of generation, distribution and transmission infrastructure relating to natural gas, propane and electricity.  The special fund would obtain funds through cargos específicos (specific charges) passed on to customers as an itemization on their energy bills.

 

 

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In September 2006 the Argentine Government, in an effort to respond to the sustained increase in energy demand following Argentina’s economic recovery after the crisis, adopted new measures that seek to ensure that energy available in the market is used primarily to service residential users and industrial and commercial users whose energy demand is at or below 300 kW and do not have access to other viable energy alternatives.  In addition, these measures seek to create incentives for generation plants to meet increasing energy needs by allowing them to sell new energy generation into the Energía Plus (Energy Plus) program.  The maximum price to be charged for each project that seeks to sell energy under the Energy Plus Program should be approved by the Federal Planning, Public Investment and Service Ministry . See “Regulatory and Legal Framework—Energía Plus.” 

Continuing with the trend to encourage the installation of new generation, the Secretariat of Energy by means of its SE Resolution No. 220/2007 and modifications thereto, allowed CAMMESA to execute WEM Supply Agreements with a generator agent of the WEM. The values to be paid by CAMMESA in consideration for the capacity and the energy supplied by the generator must be approved by the Secretariat of Energy. The generator shall guarantee certain availability of the generation units (established as a percentage), and if it fails to do so, penalties apply. 

In 2008, the Secretariat of Energy allowed CAMMESA to execute WEM Supply Agreements with generators the intention of which is to execute plans to repair and/or repower their generating equipment, and for the cost which would exceed 50% of the revenues that they expect to receive on the sales to the spot market. 

Since 2013, the Secretariat of Energy introduced material changes to the structure and operation of the WEM (see “Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended – New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM”).

The Wholesale Electricity Market 

Transactions among different participants in the electricity industry take place through the wholesale electricity market, or WEM, which was organized concurrently with the privatization process as a competitive market in which generators, distributors and certain large users of electricity could buy and sell electricity at prices determined by supply and demand, and were allowed to enter into long-term electricity supply contracts.  The WEM consists of:

·         a term market where quantities, prices and contractual conditions are agreed upon directly between sellers and buyers (after the enactment of SE Resolution No. 95/2013, this was limited to the Energy Plus market);

·         a spot market where prices are established on an hourly basis as a function of economic production cost; and

·         a stabilized pricing system of spot prices, which we refer to as the seasonal price, set on a semi-annual basis and designed to mitigate the volatility of spot prices for purchases of electricity by distributors.

 

 

 

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The following chart shows the relationships among the various actors in the WEM:

 

 

CAMMESA

The creation of the WEM made it necessary to create an entity in charge of the management of the WEM and the dispatch of electricity into the NIS.  The duties were entrusted to CAMMESA, a private company created for this purpose.

CAMMESA is in charge of:

·         the dispatch of electricity into the NIS, maximizing the NIS’s safety and the quality of electricity supplied and minimizing wholesale prices in the spot market;

·         planning energy capacity needs and optimizing energy use in accordance with the rules set forth from time to time by the Secretariat of Energy;

·         monitoring the operation of the term market and administering the technical dispatch of electricity under agreements entered into in that market;

·         acting as agent of the various WEM agents and carrying out the duties entrusted to it in connection with the electricity industry, including billing and collecting payments for transactions between WEM agents (upon enactment of SE Resolution No. 95/2013, this was limited to the contracts then in force and, thereafter, to those contracts executed under Energy Plus Program);

·         purchasing and/or selling electric power from abroad or to other countries by performing the relevant import/export transactions; 

·         purchasing and administrating of fuels for the WEM generators (according to section 8 of SE Resolution No.95/2013 and section 4 of SE Resolution No. 529/2014); and

·         providing consulting and other related services. 

Five groups of entities each hold 20% of the capital stock of CAMMESA.  The five groups are the Argentine Government, the associations that represent the generation companies, transmission companies, distribution companies and large users.

CAMMESA is managed by a board formed by representatives of its shareholders.  The board of CAMMESA is composed of ten regular and ten alternate directors.  Each of the associations that represent generation companies, transmission companies, distribution companies and large users are entitled to appoint two regular and two alternate directors of CAMMESA.  The other directors of CAMMESA are the Under Secretariat of Electric Energy, who is the board chairman in virtue of the delegation of the Minister of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, and an independent member, who acts as vice chairman.  The decisions adopted by the board of directors require the affirmative vote of the board chairman.  CAMMESA’s operating costs are financed through mandatory contributions by the WEM agents.

 

 

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Key Participants

Generators

Generators are companies with electricity generating plants that sell output either partially or wholly through the NIS.  Generators are subjected to the scheduling and dispatch rules set out in the regulations and managed by CAMMESA.  Privately owned generators may also enter into direct contracts with distributors or large users.  However this possibility was suspended by SE Resolution No. 95/2013.  As of December 31, 2014, Argentina had a nominal installed capacity as reported by CAMMESA of approximately 31,405 MW.  As of the same date, there were approximately 58 generating companies connected to the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, most of them operating more than one generation plant.  Broken down by type of generation, the Argentine generators include 35 thermal generation companies, 20 hydroelectric generation companies, 2 bi-national hydroelectric generation companies and 1 national nuclear generation company.

The following table sets forth the primary participants in the Argentine electricity generation sector as of December 31, 2014, including the total capacity of each: 

 

 

 

 

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Source: CAMMESA

 

Transmitters

Transmission companies hold a concession to transmit electric energy from the bulk supply point to electricity distributors.  The transmission activity in Argentina is subdivided into two systems: the High Voltage Transmission System (STEEAT), which operates at 500 kV and transports electricity between regions, and the regional distribution system (STEEDT) which operates at 132/220 kV and connects generators, distributors and large users within the same region.  Transener is the only company in charge of the STEEAT, and six regional companies operate within the STEEDT (Litsa, Transnoa, Transnea, Transpa, Transba and Distrocuyo).  In addition to these companies, there are also independent transmission companies that operate under a technical license provided by the STEEAT or STEEDT companies.

Transmission and distribution services are carried out through concessions.  These concessions are re-distributed periodically based on a re-bidding process.  Transmission companies are responsible for the operation and maintenance of their networks, but not for the expansion of the system.  The transmission concessions operate under the technical, safety and reliability standards established by the ENRE.  Penalties are applied whenever a transmission concessionaire fails to meet these criteria, particularly those regarding outages and grid downtime.  Generators can only build lines to connect to the grid, or directly to customers.  Users pay for new transmission capacity undertaken by them or on their behalf.  A public hearing process for these projects is conducted by the ENRE, which issues a “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.”  Transmission or distribution networks connected to an integrated system must provide open access to third parties under a regulated toll system unless there is a capacity constraint.

Distributors

Distributors are companies holding a concession to distribute electricity to consumers.  Distributors are required to supply any and all demand of electricity in their exclusive areas of concession, at prices (tariffs) and conditions set in regulation.  Penalties for non-supply are included in the concessions agreements.  The three distribution companies divested from SEGBA (Edenor, Edesur and Edelap) represent more than 45% of the electricity market in Argentina.  Only a few distribution companies (i.e., Empresa Provincial de Energía de Córdoba, Empresa de Energía de Santa Fé and Energía de Misiones) remain in the hands of the provincial governments and cooperatives.  Edelap has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Province of Buenos Aires.

The Organismo de Control de Energía Eléctria de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (“OCEBA”) monitors compliance by Buenos Aires Province distributors, including Eden, Edes and Edea as well as the municipal distributors with the provisions of their respective concession agreements.  We and Edesur are the largest distribution companies and, together with Edelap, originally comprised SEGBA, which was divided into three distribution companies at the time of its privatization in 1992.

Concessions were issued for distribution and retail sale, with specific terms for the concessionaire stated in the contract.  The concession periods are divided into “management periods” that allow the concessionaire to give up the concession at certain intervals.

 

 

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Large users

The wholesale electricity market classifies large users of energy into three categories: (1) GUMAs, (2) GUMEs and, (3) GUPAs.

Each of these categories of users has different requirements with respect to purchases of their energy demand.  For example, GUMAs are required to purchase 50% of their demand through supply contracts and the remainder in the spot market, while GUMEs and GUPAs are required to purchase all of their demand through supply contracts.

Regulatory and Legal Framework 

Role of the government

During the 1990s, the Argentine Government restricted its participation in the electricity market to regulatory oversight and policy-making activities.  These activities were assigned to agencies that have a close working relationship with one another and occasionally even overlap in their responsibilities.  The Argentine Government has limited its holding in the commercial sector to the operation of the international hydropower projects and to the nuclear power plants.  Provincial authorities followed the Argentine Government by divesting of commercial interests and creating separate policy-making and regulatory entities for the provincial sector.

However such policies have been left aside upon the economic crisis of 2001. Pursuant to the Public Emergency Law, the Argentine Government has intervened in the utilities sector, including in the activities of electricity transmission and distribution. In fact, the concessions that had been granted years before were subject to a renegotiation process that, in many cases, is still in progress.

In connection with the generation sector, the Argentine Government adopted several measures that affected the commercialization of capacity and energy in the WEM (such as SE Resolution No. 95/2013 and its amendments).

Entities and jurisdiction

The Secretariat of Energy is the principal national regulatory authority for the electricity sector.  The Federal Board of Electric Energy, composed of representatives from each of Argentina’s 24 provinces (including the City of Buenos Aires), advises the Secretariat of Energy on policies related to the coordination and harmonization of these policies.  The Secretariat of Energy is also in charge of overseeing the electricity sector and proposing any changes needed in the market.

The ENRE is an autonomous supervisory body that operates under the Secretariat of Energy.  The ENRE supervises the compliance of regulated transmission and distribution entities with established laws, regulations and operating criteria, including quality of service and environmental standards and guidelines against monopolistic behavior in the market.  The ENRE also undertakes or resolves disputes among the different players of the sector and protects consumer interests.  According to Law No. 24,065, the board of the ENRE is composed of five members, selected through a competitive process, after which the Secretariat of Energy and the Federal Board of Electric Energy nominate them for the approval by the Congress.  At least a portion of the ENRE’s budgetary requirements is funded through fees from sector enterprises, and its professional staff is competitively hired.

In addition, the OCEBA is the regulator for Eden. The OCEBA exercises control and supervision over, and regulatory and judicial activities related to electric power by Buenos Aires Province distributors, including Eden, Edes and Edea as well as the municipal distributors (also known as “cooperatives”).  It was created as a result of the privatization process and the concession of public services and activities of general interest.

Limits and restrictions

To preserve competition in the electricity market, participants in the electricity sector are subject to vertical and horizontal restrictions, depending on the market segment in which they operate.

 

 

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Vertical restrictions

The vertical restrictions apply to companies that intend to participate simultaneously in different sub-sectors of the electricity market.  These vertical restrictions were imposed by Law No. 24,065, and apply differently depending on each sub-sector as follows:

Generators

·         Under Section 31 of Law No. 24,065, neither a generation company, nor any of its controlled companies or its controlling company, can be an owner or a majority shareholder of a transmitter company or the controlling entity of a transmitter company; and

·         Under Section 9 of Decree No. 1,398/1992, since a distribution company cannot own generation units, a holder of generation units cannot own distributions concessions.  However, the shareholders of the electricity generator may own an entity that holds distribution units, either by themselves or through any other entity created with the purpose of owning or controlling distribution units.

Transmitters

·         Under Section 31 of Law No. 24,065, neither a transmission company nor any of its controlled companies or its controlling entity, can be owner or majority shareholder or the controlling company of a generation company;

·         Under Section 31 of Law No. 24,065, neither a transmission company nor any of its controlled companies nor its controlling company, can be owner or majority shareholder or the controlling company of a distribution company; and

·         Under Section 30 of Law No. 24,065, transmission companies cannot buy or sell electric energy.

Distributors

·         Under provision 31 of Law No. 24,065, neither a distribution company, nor any of its controlled companies or its controlling company, can be owner or majority shareholder or the controlling company of a transmission company; and

·         Under Section 9 of Decree No. 1,398/1992, a distribution company cannot own generation units.  However, the shareholders of the electricity distributor may own generation units, either by themselves or through any other entity created with the purpose of owning or controlling generation units.

Definition of control

The term “control” referred to in Section 31 of Law No. 24,065 (which establishes vertical restrictions), is not defined in the Electricity Regulation Framework.  Section 33 of the Argentine Companies Law states that “companies are considered as controlled by others when the holding company, either directly or through another company: (1) holds an interest, under any circumstance, that grants the necessary votes to control the corporate will in board meetings or ordinary shareholders’ meetings; or (2) exercises a dominant influence as a consequence of holding shares, quotas or equity interest or due to special linkage between the companies.”  We cannot assure you, however, that the electricity regulators will apply this standard of control in implementing the restrictions described above.

The regulatory framework outlined above prohibits the concurrent ownership or control of (1) generation and transmission companies, and (2) distribution and transmission companies.  Although we are a fully integrated electricity company engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Argentina, we are in compliance with these legal restrictions, as we do not hold a controlling interest, either directly or indirectly, in Transener.

 

 

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Horizontal restrictions

In addition to the vertical restrictions described above, distribution and transmission companies are subject to horizontal restrictions, as described below.

Transmitters

·         According to Section 32 of Law No. 24,065, two or more transmission companies can merge or be part of a same economic group only if they obtain an express approval from the ENRE.  Such approval is also necessary when a transmission company intends to acquire shares of another electricity transmission company;

·         Pursuant to the concession agreements that govern the services rendered by private companies operating transmission lines above 132Kw and below 140Kw, the service is rendered by the concessionaire on an exclusive basis over certain areas indicated in the concession agreement; and

·         Pursuant to the concession agreements that govern the services rendered by the private company operating the high-tension transmission services equal to or higher than 220Kw, the company must render the service on an exclusive basis and is entitled to render the service throughout the entire country, without territorial limitations.

Distributors

·         Two or more distribution companies can merge or be part of a same economic group only if they obtain an express approval from the ENRE.  Such approval is necessary when a distribution company intends to acquire shares of another electricity transmission or distribution company; and

·         Pursuant to the concession agreements that govern the services rendered by private companies operating distribution networks, the service is rendered by the concessionaire on an exclusive basis over certain areas indicated in the concession agreement.

Electricity Prices 

Spot prices

The emergency regulations enacted after the Argentine crisis in 2001 had a significant impact on energy prices.  Among the measures implemented pursuant to the emergency regulations were the pesification of prices in the wholesale electricity market, known as the spot market, and the requirement that all spot prices be calculated based on the price of natural gas, even in circumstances where alternative fuel such as diesel is purchased to meet demand due to the lack of supply of natural gas.

Prior to the crisis, energy prices in the spot market were set by CAMMESA, which determined the price charged by generators for energy sold in the spot market of the wholesale electricity market on an hourly basis.  The spot price reflected supply and demand in the wholesale electricity market at any given time, which CAMMESA determined using different supply and demand scenarios that dispatched the optimum amount of available supply, taking into account the restrictions of the transmission grid, in such a way as to meet demand requirements while seeking to minimize the production cost and the cost associated with reducing risk of system failure.  The spot price set by CAMMESA compensated generators according to the cost of the next unit to be dispatched as measured at the Ezeiza 500 kV substation, which is the system’s load center and is in close proximity to the City of Buenos Aires.  Dispatch order was determined by plant efficiency and the marginal cost of providing energy.  In determining the spot price, CAMMESA also would consider the different costs incurred by generators outside the province of Buenos Aires.

In addition to energy payments for actual output at the prevailing spot market prices, generators would receive compensation for capacity placed at the disposal of the spot market, including stand-by capacity, additional stand-by capacity (for system capacity shortages) and ancillary services (such as frequency regulation and voltage control).  Capacity payments were originally established and set in U.S. Dollars to allow generators to cover their foreign‑denominated costs that were not covered by the spot price.  However, in 2002, the Argentine Government set capacity payments in reference to the Peso thereby limiting the purpose for which capacity payments were established.

 

 

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In 2003, the Secretariat of Energy adopted a resolution that set the spot price in the WEM based on the cost of natural gas as declared by gas-fired power stations, even if gas was not available to these power stations. This pricing policy, which continues to govern the establishment of prices in the spot market, does not depend on the marginal cost of the last power station dispatched.  Rather, the spot price as recognized is equal to the marginal cost of the last gas-fired power station dispatched, regardless of whether that station has gas availability.  As a result, if the power station dispatched last is fuel-oil-fed, the remaining power stations dispatched are not granted recognition of that fuel-oil-fed power station’s cut-off price.  Rather, the remaining power stations are granted recognition for the cost that would have resulted if natural gas had been available and utilized.

In 2008, as was the case in 2007, despite an initiative, known as the Proyecto de Inyección Adicional Permanente (The Permanent Additional Injection Project, IAP Project), of the Sub Secretaría de Combustibles (Under-Secretariat of Fuels) to increase the volume of gas channeled into electricity generation, the supply of gas was insufficient to meet electricity generation needs. Consequently, in 2008, the use of liquid fuels in the generation of electricity increased.  The Argentine electricity sector consumed more gas oil and fuel oil in 2008 (718,000 tons and 2.3 million tons, respectively) than in any prior year.  The high demand for gas, coupled with record high nominal oil prices in the international market, resulted in an increase in the costs of producing energy in 2008. 

The regulatory framework governing payment for generation capacity continued to be the same that governed in 2002, with generators receiving compensation for available capacity at Ps. 12 per MW until December 2010.  On November 25, 2010, the Secretariat of Energy entered into an agreement with all private generators in order to increase the installed capacity during 2011 (see “Price Scheme – 2008-2011 Agreement” below).  The agreement provides that the government will recognize from Ps. 35 per MW-hrp (hrp stands for hours in which capacity is being paid) to Ps. 42 per MW-hrp depending on the technology of the unit and its capacity, to generators that present projects to increase capacity and can provide capacity with adequate availability, as defined in the agreement.  Furthermore, the remuneration to cover operation and maintenance costs will also increase from Ps. 7.96 per MWh to Ps. 11.96 per MWh for natural gas generation and from Ps. 12.96 per MWh to Ps. 20.96 per MWh for alternative fuel generation (liquid fuels).  In addition, all hydroelectric units with an installed capacity less than 250 MW will receive their energy spot markets sales according to the priority provided in subsection e), section 4 of SE Resolution No. 406/2003.

In 2008, the Secretariat of Energy changed the amount paid to generators in exchange for energy generated through fuel oil and financed by the generators.  The price paid by generators for the purchase of fuel oil was capped at U.S. $60.50/barrel plus an additional 10% of the total purchase cost for financial and administrative charges.  In recognition of this price increase, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to recognize, as of April 24, 2008, the maximum capped price plus the 10% administrative cost, plus the cost of shipping the fuel oil, for the purchase of fuel oil of national origin by electricity generators.  In October 2008, in reaction to significant variations in the price of crude oil and its derivatives in the international fuel market, the Secretariat of Energy again revised the calculation for the price of fuel oil.  Specifically, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to recognize, as of November 1, 2008, a price based on a weekly average of 10 listed prices, less a differential of U.S. $2.50/barrel, plus the 10% for administrative and financial expenses, plus the shipping cost.  In the event that listed prices in the international market increase, the maximum benchmark price to be recognized will be U.S. $60.50/barrel, plus the 10% for administrative costs, plus the cost of shipping. 

In April 2011, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to recognize to generators a price of U.S.$ 62/bbl  for fuel oil produced with crude oil owned by refineries. In the case that fuel oil was produced with crude oil purchased by refineries, the price for that fuel oil should be lesser of the price based on a weekly average of 10 listed prices, less a differential of U.S. $2.50/barrel, and the price of Escalante crude oil for the domestic month plus U.S.$16,50/bbl.  The maximum benchmark price to be recognized will be U.S. $60.50/barrel, plus 10% of U.S.$/bbl for administrative costs, plus the cost of shipping. This price recognition mechanism was in force until December 2011, from which point onward it returned to the mechanism established in 2008.

 

 

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In April 2012, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to centralize purchases of fuel oil of national origin to main suppliers in order to optimize fuel oil supply to thermal generators. The established term for this instruction covered the period from April 2012 through May 2013. The Secretariat of Energy entitled CAMMESA to pay to the main suppliers for purchases of fuel oil of national origin a higher capped price (based on the Escalante crude oil domestic price) than the in force price authorized to be recognized to WEM thermal generators. In response to this instruction, CAMMESA was notified of a reservation of the right to acquire fuel oil directly from suppliers by Piedra Buena, subject to applicable technical and commercial conditions.

On March 26, 2013, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 95/2013, appointing CAMMESA to centralize the acquisition and distribution of the fuels needed for electricity generation and establishing a new remuneration scheme for generators, which was later amended by SE Resolution No. 529/2014 (see Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended- New Price Scheme and other modifications to the WEM” below).

Seasonal prices

The emergency regulations also made significant changes to the seasonal prices charged to distributors in the wholesale electricity market, including the implementation of a cap (which varies depending on the category of customer) on the cost of electricity charged by CAMMESA to distributors at a price significantly below the spot price charged by generators.  These prices did not change from January 2005 until November 2008.  See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Electricity Prices and Tariffs.”

Prior to implementation of the emergency regulations, seasonal prices were regulated by CAMMESA as follows:

·         prices charged by CAMMESA to distributors changed only twice per year (in summer and winter), with interim quarterly revisions in case of significant changes in the spot energy price, despite prices charged by generators in the wholesale electricity market fluctuating constantly;

·         prices were determined by CAMMESA based on the average cost of providing one MWh of additional energy (its marginal cost), as well as the costs associated with the failure of the system and several other factors; and

·         CAMMESA would use seasonal database and optimization models in determining the seasonal prices and would consider both anticipated energy supplies and demand as follows:

¾      in determining supply, CAMMESA would consider energy supplies provided by generators based on their expected availability, committed imports of electricity and the availability declared by generators; and

¾      in determining demand, CAMMESA included the requirements of distributors and large users purchasing in the wholesale electricity market as well as committed exports.

Stabilization fund

The stabilization fund, managed by CAMMESA, was created to absorb the difference between purchases by distributors at seasonal prices and payments to generators for energy sales at the spot price.  When the spot price was lower than the seasonal price, the stabilization fund increased, and when the spot price was higher than the seasonal price, the stabilization fund decreased.  The outstanding balance of this fund at any given time reflected the accumulation of differences between the seasonal price and the hourly energy price in the spot market.  The stabilization fund was required to maintain a minimum amount to cover payments to generators if prices in the spot market during the quarter exceeded the seasonal price.

Billing of all wholesale electricity market transactions is performed monthly through CAMMESA, which acts as the clearing agent for all purchases between participants in the market.  Payments are made approximately 40 days after the end of each month. However, due to the default of the other WEM’s agents –mainly distributors- during 2013 such payment period increased to an average of 90 days.

 

 

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The stabilization fund was adversely affected as a result of the modifications to the spot price and the seasonal price made by the emergency regulations, pursuant to which seasonal prices were set below spot prices resulting in large deficits in the stabilization fund.  As of December 31, 2014, the stabilization fund balance was approximately Ps. 29,554 million.  This deficit has been financed by the Argentine Government through loans to CAMMESA, FONINVEMEM funds, and through another specific agreements between the Secretariat of Energy and the generators, but these actions continue to be insufficient to cover the differences between the spot price and the seasonal price.

Term market

Generators may also enter into agreements in the term market to supply energy and capacity to distributors and large users.  Distributors are able to purchase energy through agreements in the term market instead of purchasing energy in the spot market.  Term agreements typically stipulate a price based on the spot price plus a margin.  Prices in the term market have sometimes been lower than the seasonal price that distributors are required to pay in the spot market.  However, as a result of the emergency regulations, prices in the term market are currently higher than seasonal prices, particularly with respect to residential tariffs, making it unattractive to distributors to purchase energy under term contracts while prices remain at their current levels.

The term market was suspended by SE Resolution No. 95/2013 (see Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended- New Price Scheme and other modifications to the WEM” below).

FONINVEMEM

In 2004, the Argentine Government, seeking to increase thermal generation capacity, created a fund called FONINVEMEM to be administered by CAMMESA and to provide funds for investment in thermal generation.  To provide capital for the FONINVEMEM, the Secretariat of Energy invited all WEM participants holding interest-bearing receivable credits against CAMMESA, also known as LVFVDs (Sales Settlements with Due Date to be Determined), that originated from January 2004 to December 2006 to contribute these credits to the FONINVEMEM.  In exchange, generators were entitled to participate in the construction of two new 800 MW combined cycle generators to be financed with funds from the FONINVEMEM.  Consequently, on December 13, 2005, the generating companies “Sociedad Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano S.A.” and “Sociedad Termoeléctrica José de San Martín S.A.” were created.  Generators that opted to participate in these projects received ten-year take-or-pay supply contracts of electricity and an equity interest in the two new power projects, which were scheduled to commence operations at full capacity in the first half of 2010.  As of the date of this annual report, both combined cycle generators had started operations as closed-cycle generations units.  In addition, the Argentine Government required generators to contribute 65% of their profits (in the case of hydroelectric generators) or variable margins (in the case of thermal generators) to the FONINVEMEM, to be repaid in 120 installments or, at each generator’s option, capitalized in the new power projects.  However, because total investment in these two projects was expected to exceed available financing from the FONINVEMEM, in 2005 the Argentine Government created special charges to non-residential consumers per MWh of energy billed and specific charges applicable to large users, in each case to be deposited in the FONINVEMEM. Our outstanding balance for LVFVDs related to the years 2004 through 2006 under FONINVEMEM, plus accrued interest as of December 31, 2014, net of the realized collections if applicable and at its book value, add up to Ps. 54.8 million approximately.  Since March 2010, CAMMESA has started paying the corresponding installments as stated in the FONINVEMEM conditions.  Therefore, as of that month, we started collecting the first installment payments related to receivables of our hydroelectric units, Piedra Buena and Güemes.

In 2007, the Argentine Government amended the terms of the FONINVEMEM by reducing mandatory contributions from generators to 50% of profits or variable margins.  Repayment of these contributions will also be made in 120 installments at LIBOR plus 1% margin.  However, generators will no longer be permitted to capitalize their contributions.  In addition, on May 31, 2007, the Secretariat of Energy offered generators the opportunity to allocate credits contributed to the FONINVEMEN in 2007 to new electricity investments, so long as these investments were at least four times higher than the amount of the credits.  In addition, the following conditions must be met:

 

 

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·         the investment project had to consist of the construction of a new generation plant or the installation of a new generation unit in an existing plant, or must involve an increase in the height of hydroelectric plants that produces an increase in generation;

·         the reserved energy and capacity may be sold in the term market (including Energía Plus), and no exports are allowed during the first ten years;

·         the project had to be submitted within 45 days from the date of publication of the resolution of the Secretariat of Energy approving this regime; and

·         the construction must have commenced before March 2008.

In accordance with this resolution, we submitted all of our installed capacity expansion projects against our FONINVEMEN credits for 2007.  These projects include HINISA, HIDISA, Piedra Buena, Güemes and Loma de la Lata, for an aggregate amount of approximately U.S. $13 million as of December 2007.  On June 20, 2008 the Secretariat of Energy verified the Company’s proposal and instructed CAMMESA to pay the 2007 LVFVDs, which as of December 31, 2008, had been duly collected. 

In 2012 and 2013 the Secretariat of Energy (pursuant to SE Resolution No. 1261/2012 and Note No. 5568/13) approved the works in order to accomplish an increase in the total capacity of Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano and Termoeléctrica José de San Martín and to undertake the aforementioned, instructed CAMMESA to request the shareholders of Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano and Termoeléctrica José de San Martín to allocate a portion of their LVFVD accrued during 2008-2011 not used in other projects for this purpose.

HIDISA, HINISA, CPB and CTG adhere to such request, which resulted in the partial termination of certain assignments executed with CTLL for the allocation of such LVFVDs to the CTLL Project. For more information please see “Item4. - Our Business – Generation Business – Loma de la Lata – Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project.”

The LVFVD allocated to the expansion of Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano and Termoeléctrica José de San Martín will be repaid pursuant to the scheme governing repayment of original investments in these power plants, converted into Dollars at the rate established by the BCRA (“Tipo de Cambio de Referencia Comunicación A 3500 (Mayorista)”) on the date of the effective payment to the contractors of the works.

As of the date of this annual report the mechanism established in SE Resolution No. 1261/2012 and Note No. 5568/13 had not been implemented.

WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007

Aiming to modify the market conditions allowing for new investments to increase the generation offer, the Secretariat of Energy passed Resolution No. 220/2007, which empowers CAMMESA to enter into “WEM Supply Agreements” with WEM generating agents for the energy produced with new generation equipment. They will be long-term agreements, and the values to be paid by CAMMESA in consideration of the capacity and the energy supplied by the generator must be approved by the Secretariat of Energy. The generator shall guarantee certain availability of the generation units (established as a percentage), and if it fails to do so, penalties apply.

On October 4, 2009, Loma de la Lata entered into a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 with CAMMESA, to sell CAMMESA a part of the net power capacity resulting from the expansion project and the corresponding generated electricity.  This agreement covers a minimum of 50% of the net capacity generated by the expansion project, with the final percentage to be determined at the time commercial operation begins, and depended upon the amount of credits, from Loma de la Lata or third parties, arising from Resolution No.406/2003 of the Secretariat of Energy, that are allocated to the expansion project.  The agreement sets a capacity payment of U.S.$ 33.383 per MW-month and an energy payment of U.S.$ 4 per MWh. The term of the agreement is 10 years from the date on which commercial operation begins. 

 

 

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On December 15, 2010, Loma de la Lata executed an Amendment to the above mentioned contract, by means of which Loma de la Lata may sell the total capacity and energy generated by the new generation unit to CAMMESA. Altought the original term of this Amendment expired in October 2014, through the execution of the Specific Conditions, such term was extended until 2021.

On July 15, 2011, as a result of the commitments included in the Complementary Agreement, EGSSA (now merged into CTG. Please see “Item 4. - Our Business – Our Generation Business – Güemes - History”) entered into a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 with CAMMESA, to sell to CAMMESA Central Térmica Piquirenda’s total capacity. The agreement sets a capacity payment for each of the two stages of the project of U.S.$ 14,760 per MW-month and U.S.$ 14,525 per MW-month, respectively. The term of the agreement is 10 years from the date in which commercial operation of each stage begins.

In both cases—Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG. Please see Item 4.- Our Business – Our Generation Business – Güemes - History”)—the generator guarantees a certain availability of the units involved in the agreement. If the units do not meet such minimum availability, CAMMESA may apply penalties which are discounted from the revenues to be paid for the capacity and energy sold under the agreements.

WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 724/2008

On July 24, 2008, the Secretariat of Energy issued Resolution No. 724/2008 authorizing the execution of WEM committed supply agreements with generation agents, related to the repair and/or repowering of generation units and/or related equipment.  This Resolution applies to those WEM generation agents filing plans to repair and/or repower their generating equipment and for which costs would exceed 50% of the revenues that they expect to receive on the spot market.  Pursuant to the terms of the Resolution, the Secretariat of Energy evaluates the proposals filed by generation agents and determines which ones are eligible to enter a committed supply agreement.  The Secretariat of Energy also determines whether the generation agent is eligible to receive financing for the difference between the costs of repairs and the compensation to be received under the proposed agreement.  Under this Resolution, Piedra Buena and Loma de la Lata have each signed agreements that permit them to recover receivables from CAMMESA up to 50% of the cost of any repairs or repowering of generation units and related equipment.  Under such agreements, in connection with Loma de la Lata’s expansion project, the generation subsidiaries have assigned to this project their consolidated receivables accrued from 2008 and 2010. In addition under such agreements Loma de la Lata has issued several credit assignment agreements with other WEM generators (related companies and third parties) in connection with their LVFVDs accumulated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 by virtue of Subsection c) of SE Resolution No. 406/2003, as well as the LVFVDs accumulated for the Procedure to Dispatch Natural Gas for the Generation of Electricity. Said assignment may be total and/or partial depending on CAMMESA’s cash and cash equivalents.  Such agreements establish the terms and conditions of each assignment, which will be carried out fully or partially as CAMMESA settles the respective receivables, upon which Loma de la Lata will settle the unpaid amounts to the counterparties, according to the conditions established in every agreement.

CAMMESA had partially cancelled the LVFVDs allocated in Loma de la Lata’s WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 724/2008. Upon such breach, Loma de la Lata had filed the appropriate administrative remedy in order to safeguard its rights, and seeking the total cancellation of such LVFVD. As of the date of this annual report, CTLL had filed a claim against the Argentine Government seeking the cancellation of such LVFVD (see “Item 8. Legal Proceedings”).

Price Scheme – 2008-2011 Agreement

On November 25, 2010, the Secretariat of Energy entered into the 2008-2011 Agreement with all private generators in order to increase the installed capacity during 2011—by the cancellation of the LVFVD accrued by the generators between 2008 and 2011—and to establish a new scheme for the remuneration of generators’ sales in the spot market. In addition, according to the 2008-2011 Agreement, all hydroelectric units with an installed capacity of less than 250 MW will receive their energy spot markets sales according to the priority provided in subsection e), section 4 of SE Resolution No. 406/2003.

 

 

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In order to increase the total installed capacity in the WEM, the 2008-2011 Agreement established a financial scheme that comprises the amounts charged to end-users by means of the “Cargo Transitorio para la Conformación del Fondo Acuerdo 2008-2011” and the amounts derived from the repayment of the contributions made according to section 4.d.2 of the “Acuerdo Definitivo para la Gestión y Operación de los Proyectos para la Readaptación del MEM en el marco de la Resolución SE 1.427/04.” The generator should be in charge of the execution of the works for the installation of the new facilities.

The LVFVD accrued by the generators between 2008 and 2011 shall be cancelled by WEM Supply Agreements to be executed with the generators for the new generation facilities. Repayment of the LVFVD will be made in 120 installments at LIBOR plus 5% margin.

The 2008-2011 Agreement provides that the government will recognize from Ps. 35 per MW-hrp (hrp stands for hours in which capacity is being paid) to Ps. 42 per MW-hrp depending on the technology of the unit and its capacity, to generators that can meet the availability objective, as defined in the 2008-2011 Agreement.

Furthermore, the remuneration to cover operation and maintenance costs will also increase from Ps. 7.96 per MWh to Ps. 11.96 per MWh for natural gas generation and from Ps. 12.96 per MWh to Ps. 20.96 per MWh for alternative fuel generation (liquid fuels). 

The above mentioned remunerations should have been recognized and paid upon the execution of the 2008-2011 Agreement. However, by means of Note No. 924/11, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to consider such remunerations as LVFVD until the execution of the complementary agreements to the 2008-2011 Agreement.

According to section 8 of the 2008-2011 Agreement, its implementation required the execution of complementary agreements between the Secretariat of Energy and the generators. On April 1, 2011, the Company and the Pampa Generators―executed the “Acuerdo para el Aumento de la Disponibilidad de Generación Térmica” (“Complementary Agreement”) with the Secretariat of Energy.

In the Complementary Agreement, the Pampa Generators committed themselves to construct the Project CTP. The project will comprise two stages of 30 MW and 15 MW, respectively. The Secretariat of Energy committed itself to instruct CAMMESA to pay the LVFVD accrued by the Pampa Generators between 2008 and 2011—not included in a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 724/2008—up to an amount equal to the 30% of the investments on the Project. The first stage of the Project CTP was concluded as scheduled. Pursuant to the Specific Conditions, the second stage of Project CTP shall not be executed. Instead, the engines that amounted to the 15 MW under the secong stage of Project CTP shall be installed in Loma de la Lata (See “Item 4. – Our Business – Our Generation Business – Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project”).

On October 17, 2011, CAMMESA sent a brief to the Secretariat of Energy in relation to the first stage of the Project, concluding that the maximum value to be recognized in favor of the Pampa Generators according to the Complementary Agreement amounted to U.S.$ 8,083,799.  However, as of the date of this annual report, the LVFVD has not been cancelled.  The Pampa Generators have filed the appropriate administrative remedies. The outstanding balance of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 LVFVD, plus interest accrued, at its book value, added up to approximately Ps. 397.8 million as of December 31, 2014.

On January 24, 2011, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA (by SE Note No. 495/2011) to suspend the recognition of the remunerations included in the 2008-2011 Agreement. Such instruction was confirmed by SE Note No. 1269/12 and by other communications by means of which the Secretariat of Energy answered the Pampa Generators’ claims to such instructions.

Such instructions constitute a breach of the commitments made by the Secretariat of Energy in the 2008-2011 Agreement. While the Pampa Generators have filed the appropriate administrative remedies (see “Item 8. Legal Proceedings”) in order to be entitled to participate in the new remuneration scheme established by SE Resolution No. 95/2013, the Pampa Generators were forced to desist from pursuing such remedies.

 

 

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Energía Plus

In September 2006, the Secretariat of Energy issued Resolution No. 1281/2006 in an effort to respond to the sustained increase in energy demand following Argentina’s economic recovery after the crisis.  This resolution seeks to create incentives for energy generation plants in order to meet increasing energy needs.  The resolution’s principal objective is to ensure that energy available in the market is used primarily to service residential users and industrial and commercial users whose energy demand is at or below 300 kW and who do not have access to other viable energy alternatives.  To achieve this, the resolution provides that:

·         large users in the wholesale electricity market and large customers of distribution companies (in both cases above 300 kilowatts), will be authorized to secure energy supply up to their “base demand” (equal to their demand in 2005) by entering into term contracts; and

·         large users in the wholesale electricity market and large customers of distribution companies (in both cases above 300 kilowatts) must satisfy any consumption in excess of their base demand with energy from the Energía Plus system at prices that should be approved by the Ministerio de Planificación Federal, Inversión Pública y Servicios (Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services).  The Energía Plus system consists of the supply of additional energy generation from new generation and/or generating agents, co-generators or auto-generators that are not agents of the electricity market or who as of the date of the resolution were not part of the WEM. 

The resolution also established the price large users are required to pay for excess demand, if not previously contracted under Energía Plus, which a price closer to the marginal cost of operations.  This marginal cost is equal to the generation cost of the last generation unit transmitted to supply the incremental demand for electricity at any given time.  The Secretariat of Energy established certain temporary price caps to be paid by large users for any excess demand (as of the date of this annual report, Ps. 550 per MWh for GUDIs and Ps. 450 per MWh for GUMEs and GUMAs).  Additionally, generators must grant the supply of energy to the customers even if they cannot generate the energy at their plants.

For information about our projects aimed at taking advantage of the Energía Plus plan.  See “Item 4. —Our Business—Our Generation Business.”

Procedure for the Dispatch of Natural Gas for Power Generation

On October 7, 2009, SE Note No. 6866/09, instructed CAMMESA to convene the WEM’s generators to adhere to the “Procedure for the Dispatch of Natural Gas for Power Generation” (hereinafter the “Procedure”).

 

The Procedure provides that, in the event that the natural gas system is affected by operational restrictions, the natural gas and the transport that each generator has acquired will be assigned to CAMMESA and in turn redistributed by CAMMESA in order to maximize the generation capacity. In consideration for such assignment in favor of CAMMESA, the generator will be entitled to collect the highest value between the positive difference between the Spot Price and the Variable Production Cost (“VPC”) (calculated with natural gas) and 2.50U. S.$./MWh. If the unit was on service, such value would be calculated over the maximum value between the energy delivered and the energy that would have been delivered if the unit VPC was inferior to the WEM’s Marginal Operational Cost. If the unit was out of service, the above mentioned value would be calculated over the energy that would have been delivered if such unit had had natural gas and had assigned such gas to CAMMESA (the unit VPC must be inferior to the WEM’s Marginal Operational Cost).

 

The original duration of the Procedure included the winters of 2009, 2010 and 2011. However, through Note No. 6169/10, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to convene the WEM’s generators to adhere to the application of the Procedure from October 2010 to May 2011 and from September to December of 2011. In virtue of the large number of generators that adhered, through Note No.6503/10, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to apply the Procedure during the above mentioned periods.

 

 

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On November 16, 2010, through Notes No.7584/2010 and 7585/2010, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to convene the WEM’s generators to adhere to the assignment mechanism provided in such Resolution. In both cases the generator that adheres to the cited mechanisms, accepts to assign in favor of CAMMESA the natural gas and transport acquired in order to maximize the generation capacity. While the mechanism established in Note No.7584/10 of the Secretariat of Energy was directed to the generators included under the “Energía Plus” program, the mechanism provided in Note No.7585/10 was directed to generators that had acquired its provision of natural gas under “Gas Plus” program.

 

The assignment of natural gas volumes acquired by the generators that adhere to the above mentioned mechanism shall not affect the support of its contracts in the WEM or those executed under the regime established in SE Resolution No. 220/2007.

 

According to Note No.7585/10 of the Secretariat of Energy, such assignment shall not affect the remuneration earned for the capacity provided, the recognition of the costs associated to said fuel and the overruns associated to them, nor the amounts due in virtue of the application of Subsection c), Section 4 of SE Resolution No. 406/2003, in respect of those that would have been due to the assignor.

 

The mechanisms approved by Notes No. 7584/2010 and 7585/2010 of the Secretariat of Energy were to be applied up to December 31, 2011. However, through Note No. 8692/2011, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to convene the WEM’s generator for their adherence to the application of the mechanism approved by Notes No. 6866/2009, 7584/2010 and 7585/2010 during 2012. Considering the high degree of adherence, the Secretariat of Energy, through Note No. 187/2011, instructed CAMMESA to continue with the application of such mechanism during 2012.

In November 2012, the Secretariat of Energy (by SE Note No. 7469/12) extended the application of the above mentioned schemes until April 31, 2013.  In April 2013, under the modifications implemented by the SE Resolution No. 95/2013, the Secretariat of Energy (by SE Note No. 2053/13) extended the application of the abovementioned schemes indefinitely. This extension will apply to adhering agents not expressing their rejection.

 

Natural Gas Supply under the Gas Plus Program

By means of SE Notes No. 3456/2012 and 4377/2012, the Secretariat of Energy introduced several modifications to the terms and conditions for the provision of natural gas recognized under the Gas Plus Program for energy generation. In this sense it addressed two cases as follows:

(i) With regard to the first case, the Secretariat of Energy established that, provided that the Gas Plus price agreed between the producer and the generator, is not higher than the one recognized by CAMMESA, the volumes must be accepted by CAMMESA.

(ii) With regard to the second case, as the contract price is, in general, equal to the maximum prices approved for the Gas Plus Program, in order to avoid “unintended results that can generate distortions,” the contract price should be equal to the value that CAMMESA recognizes, or the maximum value, whichever is the lesser.

Moreover, the Secretariat of Energy established that “in such cases” CAMMESA will have priority to contract the volume directly with the producer.

Additionally, the Secretariat of Energy stipulated that the highest value that CAMMESA shall recognize is U.S.$ 5.20/MMBTU and this is the value that shall be applied for “any other case that does not fit the characteristics indicated.”

CAMMESA, through Note No. B-73079-1, sent a copy to the generators of the above mentioned note and included its interpretation of Note No. 3456/12’s provisions. CAMMESA understood that the maximum price to recognize shall be U.S.$ 5.20/MMBTU and that for those proposals to work together with the mechanism that was set up by SE Note No. 7585/11 (which has thus far not expressly been approved), the generator must inform the corresponding producer of the provisions of the note in order to make the direct offer to CAMMESA of the volumes previously agreed with the generator. CAMMESA does not distinguish the priority to buy between cases (i) and (ii).

 

 

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Asociación de Generadores de Energía Eléctrica de la República Argentina (“AGEERA”) sent a note to the Secretariat of Energy with some considerations, with the purpose of requesting that the Secretariat of Energy clarify the concepts included by CAMMESA in Note No. B-73079-1.

The Secretariat of Energy, by means of Note No. 4377/12, instructed CAMMESA to consider, in the case indicated in (i) above, those generating units under WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007, including within this category the units of Loma de la Lata and EGSSA (now merged into CTG. Please see “Item 4. – Our Business – Our Generation Business – Güemes – History”), both Pampa subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2012, CAMMESA had not formally changed the scheme for the recognition of Gas Plus costs under WEM Supply Agreements executed by Loma de la Lata. In the event that any change occurs, Pampa and its said subsidiaries shall evaluate the steps to follow in order to safeguard their rights and interests as agreed in the “Convenio Marco para el Cierre del Ciclo combinado de CTLL” and the above mentioned WEM Supply Agreements.

In the case of EGSSA (now merged into CTG, See “Item 4. – Our Business – Our Generation Business – Güemes – History), an amendment to the natural gas supply contract was executed in order to adjust the price to the maximum established by the Secretariat of Energy (U.$.S 5.20 MMBTU).

SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended– New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM

New Price scheme for generation

SE Resolution No. 95/2013 established a new general price scheme for the whole generation sector (generators, autogenerators and cogenerators) excluding: (i) binational hydroelectric plants and nuclear plants; and (ii) the capacity and energy included in specific contracts with a differential price scheme under SE Resolutions No. 1193/2005, 1281/2006, 220/2007, 1836/2007, 200/2009, 712/2009, 762/2009, 108/2011 and 137/2011 (hereinafter, the “Comprised Generators”).

The new price scheme shall be applicable as of the economic transactions recorded during February 2013. However, the effective application to each generator agent requires that such agent desist from any and all administrative or judicial procedures initiated against the Argentine Government, the Secretariat of Energy and/or CAMMESA in relation to the 2008-2011 Agreement and/or the application of SE Resolution No. 406/2003. Moreover, such agent shall renounce any right to initiate or promote any administrative or judicial procedure against the Argentine Government, the Secretariat of Energy and/or CAMMESA in relation to the 2008-2011 Agreement and/or the application of SE Resolution No. 406/2003.

Any Comprised Generator that does not fulfill the requirements to desist from and renounce to, any right with respect to such actions, shall not be entitled to participate in the new price scheme.

The price scheme established by SE Resolution No. 95/2013 was amended by SE Resolution No. 529/2014. SE Resolution 529/2014 provides for the retroactive adjustment of prices to February 2014, the modification ofthe calculation of the Fixed Costs Remuneration and the implementation of a new remuneration to cover extraordinary maintenance works for thermal generators.

The price scheme under SE Resolution 95/2013, as amended by SE Resolution No. 529/2014, includes:

 

 

 

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i)                     Fixed Costs Remuneration: it remunerates for the Potencia Puesta a Disposición (available capacity or “PPAD”) in the hours in which such capacity is remunerated (“hrp”).

a)       thermic (TG, TV, CC) units, according to the parameters defined in the resolution and the following remuneration;

 

Technology and Scale

Ps/MW-Hrp

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity < 50 MW

70

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity > 50 MW

50

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity < 100 MW

83.20

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity > 100 MW

59.40

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity < 150 MW

46.50

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity > 150 MW

38.80

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity < 120 MW

76.50

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity between 120 MW y 300 MW

29.80

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity > 300 MW

21.30

 

The calculation of the remuneration is variable according to the Actual Availability (AA), Target Availability (TA), the Average Historic Availability (AHA) and the season of the year. The formula defines a base percentage to be applied to the Fixed Costs Remuneration according to the following values:

 

Combined Cycle Units

June – July – August

December – January – February

March – April – May

September – October - November

AA > 95%

110%

100%

85% < AA ≤ 95%

105%

100%

75% < AA ≤ 85%

85%

85%

AA ≤ 75%

70%

70%

 

Steam-Gas Turbine Units

June – July – August

December – January - February

March – April – May

September – October - November

AA > 90%

110%

100%

80% < AA ≤ 90%

105%

100%

70% < AA ≤ 80%

85%

85%

AA ≤ 70%

70%

70%

 

 

 

 

Fifty percent (50%) of the difference between the AA and the AHA of each generator shall be added or subtracted to the base percentage, with a minimum of 70% and a maximum of 100% or 110% according to the season of the year.

b)       Hydroelectric (HI), the parameters for the remuneration for which shall be defined by the Secretariat of Energy.

 

 

 

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The parameters to calculate the remuneration for other technologies are still to be defined by the Secretariat of Energy.

ii)                   Variable Costs Remuneration: the SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, established a new remuneration that replaced the Variable Maintenance Costs (“Costos Variables de Mantenimiento”) and Other Non-Fuel Variable Costs (“Otros Costos Variables No Combustibles”). These are calculated taking into the account the energy generated with each kind of fuel and on a monthly basis.

Thermal Power Units

Fueled with (Pesos / MWh):

 

Natural

Gas

Liquid Fuels

Coal

Biofuels

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity < 50 MW

26.80

46.90

-

89.20

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity > 50 MW

26.80

46.90

-

89.20

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity < 100 MW

26.80

46.90

80.40

89.20

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity > 100 MW

26.80

46.90

80.40

89.20

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity < 150 MW

26.80

46.90

-

89.20

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity > 150 MW

26.80

46.90

-

89.20

         

Hydroelectric Power Units

Pesos/MW-hrp

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity < 120 MW

21.30

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity between 120 MW y 300 MW

21.30

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity > 300 MW

21.30

iii)                  Additional Remuneration: applicable to the Comprised Generators. Part of the remuneration shall be directed to “new infrastructure projects in the Energy Sector,” which are still to be defined by the Secretariat of Energy, through a trust.

Technology and Scale

Destined to:

Generator

Pesos / MWh

Trust

Pesos / MWh

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity < 50 MW

10.90

4.70

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity > 50 MW

9.40

6.20

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity < 100 MW

10.90

4.70

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity > 100 MW

9.40

6.20

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity < 150 MW

10.90

4.70

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity > 150 MW

9.40

6.20

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity < 120 MW

76.50

13.50

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity between 120 MW y 300 MW

54.00

36.00

Hydroelectric Unit with a capacity > 300 MW

54.00

36.00

 

 


 

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iv)                 Additional Maintenance Remuneration: applicable since February 2014 and calculated taking into the account the energy generated on a monthly basis. Such credits shall be liquidated as LVFVDs and shall be applied exclusively for the execution of major maintenance works approved by the Secretariat of Energy.

Technology and Scale

Pesos/MWh

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity < 50 MW

24

Gas Turbine Unit with a capacity > 50 MW

24

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity < 100 MW

24

Steam Turbine Unit with a capacity > 100 MW

24

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity < 150 MW

21

Combined Cycle Units with a capacity > 150 MW

21

 

The sum of the concepts detailed above constitutes the total remuneration to be liquidated in favor of the Comprised Generators, deducting therefrom the energy and capacity included in term contracts or in other agreements, valued according to the corresponding Market Price, and any other charge or service to be charge to the generator.

In order to qualify for the foregoing remuneration, each Comprised Generator shall present, for each month, an affidavit with the corresponding backup documents, including the amounts invoiced for its sales in the Term Market (except for the earnings derived from the contracts excluded under section 1 of SE Resolution No. 95/2013), the result of which shall be compared to deductions made by CAMMESA. In case of discrepancies in favor of the generator, CAMMESA shall invoice to the generator the difference.

Payment Priority

SE Resolution No. 95/2013 excludes the application of SE Resolution No. 406/2003 to the new price scheme defined therein. It establishes two priorities. The first one includes the Fixed Costs Remuneration, the Variable Costs Remuneration and the recognition of fuel costs. The second order of priority includes the Additional Remuneration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CAMMESA shall − according to the instructions of the Secretariat of Energy – make such priority order compatible with the one in force at the date of its publication, i.e. the criteria defined in SE Resolution No. 406/2003. Additionally, it was established that the Fixed Costs Remuneration, the Variable Costs Remuneration and the Additional Payment accrued directly by the generator and the recognition of costs of fuels, shall be paid with the priority defined in subsection e) of section 4 of Resolution No. 406/2003 of the Secretariat of Energy.

The remuneration of certain services provided by the generators to the WEM accrue with the priority established in subsection d) of section 4 of SE Resolution No. 406/2003, while the Additional Payment destined to the abovementioned trust accrue with the priority established in subsection c).

 

In Note No. 4858/13 CAMMESA was instructed to implement a priority payment mechanism in order to maintain a similar liquidity in relation to generators’ collections before the entry into force of SE Resolution No. 95/2013. To that extent:

 

 

 

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         i.            CAMMESA shall collect payments from WEM Large Users; and

        ii.            CAMMESA shall use such funds to pay, in the first place, the Fixed Cost Remuneration, then the Variable Cost Remuneration and, finally, the Additional Payment destined directly to generators. The distribution shall be made in proportion to the relative participation of each generator in each category.

Recognition of fuels costs

SE Resolution No. 95/2013 appointed CAMMESA to centralize the acquisition and dispatch of fuels for generation. Generators cannot renew or extend the contracts with their providers. However, until the termination of such agreements, CAMMESA will continue to recognize such costs at the reference price, the associated freight, the costs associated with the transport and distribution of natural gas and the corresponding fees and taxes. For such costs to be recognized, two conditions must be met: (i) the costs to be recognized should represent concepts recognized by CAMMESA as of the publication of the resolution; and (ii) the costs should be derived from agreements executed before the entry into force of the resolution.

SE Resolution No. 529/2014 extended the centralization of the acquisition and dispatch of fuel for generation to the generators, cogenerators and autogenerators included under SE Resolutions Nos. 1193/2005, 220/2007, 1836/2007, 200/2009, 712/2009, 762/2009, 108/2011 and 137/2011.  For revenue calculation purposes, the generator’s availability shall be considered independently from the availability of fuels.

The only generators that may contract fuel supply are those contemplated under SE Resolution No. 1281/2006 or those that didn’t adhere to the SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended.

Trust for the execution of projects in the electricity sector

As described above, part of the Additional Remuneration shall be transferred to a trust for the execution of works in the electricity sector.

Additionally, SE Resolution No. 95/2013 sets forth that the Secretariat of Energy will define the mechanism under which the LVFVDs issued by CAMMESA pursuant to SE Resolution No. 406/2003 should be destined to the such trust when they are  not comprised within either (i)  general or specific agreements entered into with the Secretariat of Energy; (ii) provisions aimed at the execution of investment works; or (iii) existing equipment maintenance tasks.

As of September 2013, CAMMESA began the recognition of such remuneration as LVFVDs. As of the date of this annual report, the Secretariat of Energy had not established the necessary mechanisms in order to create the trust but permitted the application of such LVFVD to a specific project (See. “Item 4 – Our Business – Our Generation Business – Loma de la Lata - Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project”).

Term Market Suspension

The Secretariat of Energy suspended the incorporation, extension or renewal of the contracts in the Term Market, excluding the contracts executed under the resolutions and the special regime cited in article 1 of SE Resolution No. 95/2013. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term Market contracts in force as of the date of the resolution shall remain in force and be administered by CAMMESA until their termination. Upon their termination, the Large Users shall contract for their supply directly from CAMMESA under the conditions to be determined by the Secretariat of Energy.

Royalties

The new price scheme defined in SE Resolution No. 95/2013 shall not be applicable for the calculation and payment of the royalties to be paid under Laws No. 15,336 and 23,164.

 

 

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Application criteria

 

The Secretariat of Energy issued several notes in order to establish the criteria for the application of the changes included in SE Resolution No. 95/2013.

 

In Note No. 2053/13, the Secretariat of Energy defined the criteria for the application of the new price scheme. Such new regime shall be applied by CAMMESA from February 2013 or from the date that is up to three months  prior to the reception by the Secretariat of Energy of the withdrawal of any claim regarding de 2008-2011 Agreement or SE Resolution 406/2003, against the Argentine Government, the Secretariat of Energy and/or CAMMESA.

 

In Notes No. 2053/13, 3229/13 and 3902/13, the Secretariat or Energy regulated the contracts to be executed between WEM Large Users and CAMMESA.

 

On the other hand, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to classify WEM generation units in those categories established in SE Resolution No. 95/2013. CTLL, CTG, CPB, HIDISA and HINISA units were classified as:

 

 

 

In such context, CPB, CTLL, CTG, HIDISA and HINISA withdrew the claims initiated in relation to the breach of the 2008-2011 Agreement and refrained from filing new claims in connection with such breach and/or in relation to SE Resolution No. 406/2003. Thus, such generators were entitled to participate in the remuneration scheme established in SE Resolution No. 95/2013. In the case of CPB, CTLL and CTG, the new scheme applied beginning February 2013, while in the case of HIDSA and HINISA (at their own request) the new scheme was applied beginning November 2013.

 

 

 

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Generators dispatch

In Note No. 5129/13, the Secretariat of Energy instructed CAMMESA to optimize the use of fuels and the dispatch of WEM generators. CAMMESA must order the dispatch according the actual costs according to the available fuels and it actual supply cost. Such changes may vary the dispatch of our generator.

 

 

 

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Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 5.   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

This section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, those set forth in “Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors” and the matters set forth in this annual report generally.

The following discussion is based on, and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in this annual report, as well as “Item 3.  Key Information—Selected Financial Data.”

Overview 

We acquired all of our principal generation, transmission and distribution assets relatively recently, commencing in the second half of 2006 and, in each case, after Messrs. Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani, and Ricardo Torres acquired a majority stake in us in November 2005.  At the time of our acquisition by these individuals, we did not have any operations or engage in any activities, as our former business activities, which were limited to the ownership and operation of a cold storage warehouse building, were suspended in 2003.  Since November 2005, our business activities consist principally in identifying and executing investments in the Argentine electricity sector.  As a result of the acquisitions we have consummated since the second half of 2006, we have become the largest fully integrated electricity company in Argentina. 

Below is a summary of our principal generation, transmission and distribution assets, as of the date of this annual report, including the respective acquisition date and price for each asset:

·         Generation

-         90.3% of the capital stock of Nihuiles and 91.6% of the capital stock of Diamante (each a holding company that owns a majority interest in HINISA and HIDISA, respectively, each a hydroelectric power generation company), acquired for a combined purchase price of approximately U.S. $55.7 million, of which U.S. $50.8 million were paid at closing on October 18, 2006 and U.S. $4.9 million (plus interest) were paid on March 7, 2012.  On January 8 and 9, 2008, we acquired for Ps. 3.4 million the shares previously held by HIDISA’s Employee Participation Program, representing 2% of the capital stock of HIDISA.  Following such acquisition, all Class C shares of HIDISA were converted to Class B shares, which are freely transferable to third parties.  Therefore, we currently control indirectly, 61% of the capital stock and voting rights of HIDISA.  On December 18, 2009, the shareholders of HINISA agreed to cancel its Class “E” shares corresponding to HINISA’s Employee Stock Option Plan, representing 2% of its capital stock, as a result we now indirectly own 52.04% of the shares and votes of HINISA;

-         100% of the capital stock of IPB which, in turn, holds 100% of the capital stock of Piedra Buena, a thermal generation plant located at Ingeniero White, Bahia Blanca in the Province of Buenos Aires, acquired on August 3, 2007, for a total purchase price of U.S. $85.0 million;

-         100% of the capital stock of Powerco (in the process of being merged into CTLL. See “Item 4. Our Business – Our Generation Business – Loma de la Lata - History”), formerly owner of 15.48% of the voting capital stock of Güemes; we acquired an indirect stake in Powerco through the acquisition of 100% of Pampa Inversiones’ capital stock (which was at that time known as Dilurey and held 90% of Powerco’s capital stock) and a direct 8% stake in Powerco on January 4, 2007 for a total purchase price of U.S. $16.7 million and the remaining 2% of Powerco’s capital stock on August 24, 2007 for U.S. $460,000 pursuant to an option agreement between us and Güemes’ former chief executive officer;

 

 

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-         100% of the capital stock of Loma de la Lata, which owns the thermal generation plant located at Loma de la Lata in the Province of Neuquén, which plant was acquired from Central Puerto on May 17, 2007 for a purchase price of U.S. $60 million (Loma de la Lata also holds 180,869,600 ordinary shares of Güemes, representing 74.2% of Güemes’ voting capital stock); and

-         90.43% of the capital stock of CTG, which owns (i) a thermal generation plant (Central Térmica Güemes) with an installed capacity of 361 MW located in General Güemes, in the Province of Salta, which we acquired in January 2007; and (ii) a thermal generation plant (Central Térmica Piquirenda) with an installed capacity of 30 MW located in Piquirenda, General San Martín, in the Province of Salta, which we acquired in March 2011.

·         Transmission: 100% of the capital stock of Transelec, which holds 50% of the capital stock of Citelec, the owner of 52.65% of the capital stock of Transener (the largest electricity transmission company in Argentina).  We acquired from Dolphin Opportunity LLC on September 15, 2006, 89.76% of Transelec’s capital stock for a purchase price of U.S. $48.5 million; the remaining 10.24% of Transelec’s capital stock was collectively held by Messrs. Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin and Gustavo Mariani, who had a right to sell those shares to us after January 1, 2008.  This right was exercised on January 2, 2008 for a total purchase price of Ps. 38.8 million (U.S. $12.3 million).

·            Distribution: 100% of the capital stock of IEASA, which holds 100% of the capital stock of EASA, the owner of 51% of the capital stock of Edenor (the largest electricity distribution company in Argentina), acquired on September 28, 2007 from the former indirect shareholders of EASA in exchange for 480,194,242 shares of our common stock (of which 436,745,975 were issued in the form of Global Depositary Receipts (“GDSs”). 

In addition to our principal businesses, below is a summary of certain non-electricity assets and investments we hold in our holding and others segments, directly or indirectly, including the respective acquisition date and price for each asset:

·         49.74% of the capital stock of Petrolera Pampa.

·         Beneficiary and trustee under the Trust Agreement dated August 29, 2005, pursuant to which The Royal Bank of Scotland, Argentina branch, holds in trust 40% of CIESA shares See “Item 4. – Our Business – Other Business – CIESA Transaction”.

·         On April 8, 2011, we acquired 100% of the shares issued by PEPCA, a company which owns 10% of the share capital of CIESA, for a total purchase price of U.S. $29 million.

·         100% of the capital stock of Bodega Loma la Lata S.A. 

Sources of Revenues

Generation

Our generation operations derive revenues from the sale of electricity in the spot market and under term contracts, including Energía Plus contracts and contracts under SE Resolution No. 220/2007.  See “Item 4.—The Argentine Electricity Sector—Energía Plus.

Distribution

Our distribution operations generate revenues mainly from energy sales to users in our distribution service area.  Energy sales reflect the distribution tariffs Edenor charges its customers (valued on the basis of applicable tariffs and the charges resulting from the application of SE Resolution No. 347/2012).  In addition, our distribution revenues include connection and reconnection charges and leases of poles and other network equipment.

 

 

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Revenue from electricity provided by Edenor to low-income area and shantytowns is recognized to the extent that the framework agreement has been renewed for the period in which the service was rendered.

Oil & Gas

Our oil and gas operations derive revenues from the sale of natural gas, through term contracts under the Gas Plus Regime or to industrial clients at similar prices. Additionally, our oil production is sold to our partners with which we are associated in areas of production.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations are principally affected by economic conditions and inflation in Argentina, changes in prices for our electricity sold and in our regulated transmission and distribution tariffs, fluctuations in demand for electricity in Argentina and our costs of sales and operating expenses.

Argentine Economic Conditions and Inflation

Because substantially all of our operations, facilities and customers are located in Argentina, we are affected by general economic conditions in the country.  In particular, the general performance of the Argentine economy affects demand for electricity, and inflation and fluctuations in currency exchange rates affect our costs and our margins. Inflation primarily affects our business by increasing operating costs, while at the same time reducing our revenues in real terms.

In December 2001, Argentina experienced an unprecedented crisis that virtually paralyzed the country’s economy through most of 2002 and led to radical changes in government policies. The crisis and the Argentine Government’s policies during this period severely affected the electricity sector, as described below. Although over the following years the Argentine economy has recovered significantly from the crisis, and the business and political environment has been largely stabilized, the Argentine Government had begun to address the difficulties experienced by the Argentine electricity sector as a result of the crisis and its aftermath.

The following table sets forth key economic indicators in Argentina during the years indicated:

 

Sources: INDEC; Central Bank; Ministry of Economy and Production.
* Includes hold-outs

Following years of hyperinflation and economic recession, in 1991 the Argentine Government adopted an economic program that sought to liberalize the economy and impose monetary discipline. The economic program, which came to be known as the Convertibility Regime, was centered on the Convertibility Law of 1991 and a number of measures intended to liberalize the economy, including the privatization of a significant number of public sector companies (including certain of our subsidiaries and co-controlled companies). The Convertibility Law established a fixed exchange rate based on what is generally known as a currency board. The goal of this system was to stabilize the inflation rate by requiring that Argentina’s monetary base be fully backed by the Central Bank’s gross international reserves. This restrained the Central Bank’s ability to effect changes in the monetary supply by issuing additional Pesos and fixed the exchange rate of the Peso and the U.S. Dollar at Ps. 1.00 to U.S. $1.00.

 

 

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The Convertibility Regime temporarily achieved price stability, increased the efficiency and productivity of the Argentine economy and attracted significant foreign investment to Argentina. At the same time, Argentina’s monetary policy was tied to the flow of foreign capital into the Argentine economy, which increased the vulnerability of the economy to external shocks and led to increased reliance on the services sector of the economy, with the manufacturing, agricultural and industrial sectors lagging behind due to the relative high cost of Peso-denominated products in international markets as a result of the Peso’s peg to the U.S. Dollar. In addition, related measures restricted the Central Bank’s ability to provide credit, particularly to the public sector.

Following the enactment of the Convertibility Law, inflation declined steadily and the economy experienced growth through most of the period from 1991 through 1997. This growth slowed from 1998 on, however, as a result of the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Russian financial crisis in 1998 and the devaluation of Brazil’s currency in 1999, which led to the widespread withdrawal of investors’ funds from emerging markets, increased interest rates and a decline in exports to Brazil, Argentina’s principal export market at the time.  According to INDEC, in the fourth quarter of 1998, the Argentine economy entered into a recession that caused the gross domestic product to decrease by 3.4% in 1999, 0.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2001. In the second half of 2001, Argentina’s recession worsened significantly, precipitating a political and economic crisis at the end of 2001.

2001 Economic Crisis

Beginning in December 2001, the Argentine Government implemented an unexpected number of monetary and foreign exchange control measures that included restrictions on the free disposition of funds deposited with banks and on the transfer of funds abroad without prior approval by the Central Bank, some of which are still in effect. On December 21, 2001, the Central Bank decided to close the foreign exchange market, which amounted to a de facto devaluation of the Peso. On December 24, 2001, the Argentine Government suspended payment on most of Argentina’s foreign debt.

The economic crisis led to an unprecedented social and political crisis, including the resignation of President Fernando De la Rúa and his entire administration in December 2001. After a series of interim governments, in January 2002 the Argentine congress appointed Senator Eduardo Duhalde, a former vice-president and former governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, to complete De la Rúa’s term through December 2003.

On January 6, 2002, the Argentine congress enacted the Public Emergency Law, which introduced dramatic changes to Argentina’s economic model, empowered the Argentine Government to implement, among other things, additional monetary, financial and foreign exchange measures to overcome the economic crisis in the short term and brought to an end the Convertibility Regime, including the fixed parity of the U.S. Dollar and the Peso. Following the adoption of the Public Emergency Law, the Peso devalued dramatically, reaching its lowest level on June 25, 2002, at which time it had devalued from Ps. 1.00 to Ps. 3.90 per U.S. Dollar according to Banco Nación. The devaluation of the Peso had a substantial negative effect on the Argentine economy and on the financial condition of individuals and businesses. The devaluation caused many Argentine businesses (including us) to default on their foreign currency debt obligations, significantly reduced real wages and crippled businesses that depended on domestic demand, such as public utilities and the financial services industry. The devaluation of the Peso created pressure on the domestic pricing system and triggered very high rates of inflation. According to INDEC, during 2002 the Argentine wholesale price index increased by approximately 118% and the Argentine consumer price index rose approximately 41%.

Following the adoption of the Public Emergency Law, the Argentine Government implemented measures, whether by executive decree, Central Bank regulation or federal legislation, attempting to address the effects of the collapse of the Convertibility Regime, recover access to financial markets, reduce government spending, restore liquidity to the financial system, reduce unemployment and generally stimulate the economy.

 

 

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Pursuant to the Public Emergency Law, the Argentine Government, among other measures:

·       converted public utility tariffs from their original U.S. Dollar values to Pesos at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00;

·       froze all regulated distribution margins relating to the provision of public utility services (including electricity distribution services);

·       revoked all price adjustment provisions and inflation indexation mechanisms in public utility concessions (including our concession); and

·       empowered the Argentine Executive Branch to conduct a renegotiation of public utility contracts (including our concession) and the tariffs set therein (including our tariffs).

These measures, combined with the devaluation of the Peso and high rates of inflation, had a severe effect on public utility companies in Argentina (including us). Because public utility companies were no longer able to increase tariffs at a rate consistent with the increased costs they were incurring, increases in the rate of inflation led to decreases in their revenues in real terms and a deterioration of their operating performance and financial condition.  Most public utility companies had also incurred large amounts of foreign currency indebtedness to finance the capital improvement and expenditure programs. At the time of these privatizations, the capital structures of each privatized company were determined taking into account the Convertibility Regime and included material levels of U.S. Dollar‑denominated debt. Following the elimination of the Convertibility regime and the resulting devaluation of the Peso, the debt service burden of these utility companies significantly increased, which when combined with the margin freeze and conversion of tariffs from U.S. Dollars to Pesos, led many of these utility companies (including us) to suspend payments on their foreign currency debt in 2002.

Economic Recovery and Outlook

Beginning in the second half of 2002, Argentina experienced economic growth driven primarily by exports and import‑substitution, both facilitated by the lasting effect of the devaluation of the Peso in January 2002. While this devaluation had significant adverse consequences, it also fostered a reactivation of domestic production in Argentina as the sharp decline in the Peso’s value against foreign currencies made Argentine products relatively inexpensive in the export markets. At the same time, the cost of imported goods increased significantly due to the lower value of the Peso, forcing Argentine consumers to substitute their purchase of foreign goods with domestic products, substantially boosting domestic demand for domestic products.

In April 2003, Dr. Néstor Kirchner, the former governor of the province of Santa Cruz, was elected as president for a four-year term, and he took office in May 2003. During 2003, Argentina moved towards normalizing its relationship with the IMF, withdrew all the national and provincial governments’ quasi‑money securities from circulation and eliminated all deposit restrictions. The trade balance experienced a sustained surplus, aided by the rise in commodity prices and export volumes.  At the same time, social indicators improved, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 17.3%, and real wages began to recover according to INDEC. In June 2005, the Argentine Government completed a restructuring of Argentina’s public external debt, which had been in default since December 2001.  Argentina reduced its outstanding principal amount of public debt from U.S. $191.3 billion to U.S. $129.2 billion and extended payment terms. In April 2010, the Argentine Government launched a new exchange offer for the outstanding sovereign bonds that did not participate in the 2005 restructuring. On January 3, 2006, Argentina completed an early repayment of all of its outstanding indebtedness with the IMF, for an amount totaling approximately U.S. $10.0 billion owing under credit lines.

From 2003 to 2007, the economy continued recovering from the 2001 economic crisis.  The economy grew by 8.8% in 2003, 9.0% in 2004, 9.2% in 2005, 8.5% in 2006 and 8.7% in 2007, led by domestic demand and exports.  From a demand perspective, private sector spending was accompanied by a combination of liberal monetary and conservative fiscal policies. Growth in spending, however, consistently exceeded the rate of increase in revenue and nominal GDP growth. From a supply perspective, the trade sector benefited from a depressed real exchange rate, which was supported by the intervention of the Central Bank in the foreign exchange market.  Real exports improved, in part due to growth in Brazil, and the current account improved significantly, registering surpluses in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

 

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On December 10, 2007, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, wife of the ex-President Dr. Néstor Kirchner, was inaugurated as President of Argentina for a four-year term.

Argentina’s economy grew by 7% in 2008, 19.5% less than in 2007. According to the INDEC, growth was negative in both the first and the fourth quarter of 2008 (-0.3% for both periods) as compared to the same periods in 2007, without adjusting for seasonality. This negative growth is primarily attributable to the conflict between the Argentine Government and farmers in early 2008 and the global financial crisis, which deepened in the second half of 2008.

The agricultural sector was particularly hard hit in 2008 as a result of the decrease in commodities prices as well as a significant drought.  A decline in the agricultural sector had adverse ramifications for the entire economy due to the significant role that sector plays in the Argentine economy.

At the end of 2008, the Argentine Government enacted a series of measures aimed at counteracting the decline in the level of economic activity, including special tax rates and less stringent foreign exchange restrictions in connection with the repatriation and national investment of capital previously deposited abroad by Argentine nationals, extensions in the payment terms for overdue taxes and social security taxes, reductions in payroll tax rates for companies that increase their headcounts, creation of the Ministerio de Producción (Ministry of Production), announcements regarding the construction of new public works, consumer loans for the acquisition of durable goods and loans to finance exports and working capital for industrial companies, as well as various agricultural and livestock programs, all aimed at minimizing lay-offs during the current global financial crisis. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on the Argentine Government’s ability to fund them without reducing the amount of funding for other budgeted activities as well as the degree of confidence they create in the overall stability of the Argentine economy. 

In 2009, after six years of robust and continuous growth, the Argentine economy, according to official indicators, grew by only 0.1%, and according to private indicators, contracted by 3.5%. The Central Bank, reacting to local uncertainty and a bleak global economic environment, adopted policies aimed at avoiding a financial collapse.  Specifically, the Central Bank sought to stabilize the exchange market. Although interest rates increased periodically during the course of the year, the exchange market remained relatively stable throughout. 

According to official indicators (data published by INDEC), in 2011, real GDP in Argentina grew by approximately 8.4%, furthering the growth trend showed in 2010. The four most important factors behind the economic recovery are the following:

·       the agricultural boom, with a record harvest (especially soybeans);

·       a favorable international context (with Brazil growing at a 2.7% rate in 2011, which had a positive effect on the local industrial sector, and China pushing the demand for commodities in an environment of high prices);

·       a climate of financial stability prevented major shocks in the short term, primarily due to an oversupply of private dollars and a reduced probability of sovereign default in the short term; and

·       an expansionary economic policy program (fiscal, monetary and income).

In 2012, according to the official information created and disseminated by the INDEC, the economy expanded 0.8%.  Although the real GDP continued growing during that year, there was a marked deceleration with respect to the growth rate registered in 2011. 

According to official indicators (data published by INDEC), Argentina’s real GDP grew around 2.9% in 2013, compared to 0.8% in 2012.

 

The increase in the agricultural harvest (the agricultural production during the season 2012/13 was approximately 11% higher than the one registered for the previous season), in a context where international prices of commodities remained high, with greater financial stability in global markets (resulting from a more stable situation in Europe and a strengthened, though slow, growth in the United States). These were the main factors behind the accelerated rate of the economic growth during 2013.

 

 

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According to official indicators (data published by INDEC), in 2014, the economic activity grew by approximately 0.2%, compared to 2.9% in 2013.

 

Private consumption contracted by 0.8% in 2014.  The weakening of the internal demand was the main factor in the contraction of the economy and can be explained in part by an increase in internal prices due to the financing of the fiscal imbalance by Central Bank to Treasury. In 2014, the public accounts contracted 1.2% of GDP compared to a contraction of 0.6% in 2013.  The weaker performance of the private sector was mainly due to an increase in prices, a loss of the Peso’s purchasing power, a nominal slowdown in credit extended to the private sector and a greater propensity in customers for saving in times of uncertainty.

 

In January 2014, the peso lost approximately 19% of its value with respect to the US Dollar. During the following months of 2014, the US Dollar remained relatively stable (See “Item 3.- Key Information – Exchange Rates”).

 

Outlook for 2015

In 2015, real GDP is expected to contract around 1.5%/2.0% and the inflation rate to remain slightly below that of 2014. As for the situation with the official exchange market, the Peso depreciation is likely to speed up (the dollar price at the end of 2015 could reach Ps.10.7).

 

We believe that the priority of the current Argentine Government will be to continue to avoid a sharp drop in Central Bank’s international reserves. Any significant development in economic policy will probably be postponed until a new government takes office in December, 2015.

Electricity prices and tariffs

Our revenues and margins are substantially dependent on the prices we are able to charge for the electricity sold by our generation plants, as well as the composition of our transmission and distribution tariffs (including the tariff setting and adjustment process contemplated by our transmission and distribution concessions).  Our management is currently focused on improving the prices we are able to charge for electricity generated, including by expanding our generation capacity to increase our sales to the unregulated market under the Energía Plus regulatory framework and under supply agreements within the framework of the SE Resolution No. 220/2007, and renegotiating our transmission and distribution tariff structures, which, if successful, would have a significant impact on our results of operations.

Electricity prices

Our generation operations derive revenues from the sale of electricity in the spot market and under term contracts, including Energía Plus contracts and supply agreements. 

During 2013, the authorities responsible for the energy sector have continued with the policy adopted in 2003, which consists of having the spot price in the WEM determined on the basis of the maximum variable production costs recognized to power stations that are either gas-fed or available with natural gas, even if these cannot avail themselves of gas (SE Resolution No. 240/2003). Therefore, this price, as established, does not stem from the application of the marginal cost of the least efficient power plant dispatched. Rather, the assumption used is that gas is freely available and therefore, the spot price determined is equal to the marginal cost of the last gas-fed power station dispatched, even if it does not have gas availability. Therefore, when the least efficient power plant that has been dispatched is, for example, fuel-oil-fed, its cut-off price is not determined as the spot price, but rather, the WEM spot price is recognized as the cost that would have resulted if natural gas had been used instead and the additional cost incurred when using liquid fuels is recognized outside the determined WEM spot price, as a temporary dispatch surcharge.

 

 

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The relevant authorities have resorted to a number of procurement mechanisms for the supply of fuels for electricity generation, including an agreement with the principal electricity generators, which provides that natural gas volumes will be managed by CAMMESA with a view to optimizing the following (see “Item 4. The Argentine Electricity Sector – Procedure for the Dispatch of Natural Gas for Power Generation”):

·         natural gas consumption in the most efficient generation units,

·         contracts for liquefied natural gas and its re-gasification, and

·         natural gas imported from Bolivia, among others.

All of this notwithstanding, the supply of natural gas continues to be insufficient to meet the needs of electricity generation, which explains why electricity generation has had to continue relying on the consumption of liquid fuels.

The consumption of natural gas for electricity generation in 2014 increased 2.7% compared to 2013 (14,295,128 Dam3 in 2014 compared to 13,915,464 Dam3 in 2013). The 21.8% increase in fuel-oil consumption in 2014 compared to 2013 and the lower gasoil consumption (30.7% less than 2013) was due to the recovery of technical availability of steam turbine generation. Also, mineral coal consumption was 18% higher in 2014 compared to 2013 (1,004,376 tn in 2014 compared to 851,278 tn in 2013).  The electricity demand remained steady when compared to 2013. 

In February 2013, the SE Resolution No. 95/2013 established a  remuneration scheme, for “comprised generators”, whereby the remuneration of generation capacity of Ps.12 per MW was replaced with a remuneration of fixed costs from a minimum of Ps. 12 per MW and up to Ps. 52.8 per MW depending on the type of technology of each generation and its availability. Such remuneration was later modified by SE Resolution No. 529/2014 (see “Item 4. - The Argentine Electric Sector - SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended – New price scheme and other modifications to the WEM).

The following chart illustrates the average monthly price of electricity paid to generators during 2014 compared with 2013.

 

Monthly Average Price of

Electricity in the Spot Market (Ps. Per MWh)

 

 

Source: CAMMESA

 

 

 

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The chart below shows the monthly average cost during 2014 (compared with 2013) that electricity consumers should pay for the system not to be deficient.  This cost includes, in addition to the price of energy, the capacity charge, the increased generation cost resulting from using fuel oil or diesel oil, and other minor items.

Monthly Average Monomic Cost (Ps. Per MWh)

Source: CAMMESA. It includes charges for excess demand, imports from Brazil and WEM supply agreements.

 

 

Tariffs

Transmission.  Our transmission tariffs have four components:

(1)           electricity transmission revenue;

(2)           capacity charges;

(3)           connection charges; and

(4)           reactive equipment charges.

The tariffs are paid on a monthly basis by CAMMESA out of the amounts it collects from local electricity distribution companies, generators and large users of electricity.  The tariffs that Transener and Transba receive under their concession agreements are reviewed periodically by the ENRE and are subject to deductions for penalties for non-availability of the network that are calculated pursuant to a formula set forth in the concession agreements and applicable regulations.  Originally, pursuant to the concession agreements, Transener’s and Transba’s tariffs were calculated in U.S. Dollars and converted into Pesos based on the exchange rate applicable at the time of invoicing.  The concession agreements provided for a semiannual adjustment based on a formula related to the U.S. CPI (Consumer Price Index) and U.S. PPI (Producer Price Index).  The concession agreements also provided for electricity transmission revenue to be revised every five years by the ENRE.  However, the Public Emergency Law converted Transener’s and Transba’s revenues into Pesos at a rate of Ps. 1.00 per U.S. $1.00 and adjustments to the U.S. CPI/PPI provided for under the terms of the concession agreements were disallowed.  Transener completed its first tariff review process in 1998, but as a consequence of the Public Emergency Law, Transener’s second tariff review process (and Transba’s first tariff review process) was replaced by the renegotiation process contemplated by the Public Emergency Law.  In connection with this renegotiation process, Transener and Transba entered into new agreements with the Argentine Government.  These agreements, among other things, provide for rules for a transition period with retroactive effect from June 1, 2005 until the effectiveness of the Transener RTI.  Under the transition period rules, Transener’s tariffs were increased by an average of 31% and Transba’s tariffs were increased by an average of 25%. 

 

 

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According to the terms of Transener’s agreement with the Argentine Government, the Transener RTI will be based on the Electricity Law and tariffs will be determined based on costs, necessary investments, non-automatic tariff adjustment mechanisms, the impact of unregulated activities and rate of return and capital base.  The ENRE will schedule a public hearing to analyze Transener’s and Transba’s tariff proposal before applying the new charges for the next tariff period.  If the variation of Transener’s remuneration resulting from the Transener RTI is higher than the tariff increase during the transition period, then the tariff increase would be implemented in three semiannual stages.

On August 5, 2008, the Secretariat of Energy adopted SE Resolutions No. 869/2008 and No. 870/2008, which establish that the new tariffs to be adopted pursuant to the Transener RTI will become effective in February 2009.  However, as of the date of this annual report, the ENRE has not yet called the public hearing mandated by the Secretariat of Energy in SE Resolutions No. 869/2008 and No. 870/2008.

Due to the increase in labor costs resulting from the application of National Executive Branch Decree No. 392/2004 and subsequent regulation, and the major operating costs incurred since 2004, Transener and Transba have certified the cost variations that had effectively occurred on each quarter, filing the respective claims before the ENRE, in order to readjust their regulated remuneration according to the clauses established in the Definitive Agreements for such purpose.  In that way, Transener and Transba, unsuccessfully required the ENRE to recognize the cost increases in the tariff that occurred after the Definitive Agreements had been entered into, that led to the initiation of judicial claims.  The UNIREN ACT has stated that the mechanism for monitoring of costs and regime of service quality had been set to last up to the enforcement of Transener and Transba’s RTI, respectively, and that the delay in the definition of said process is not attributable to the Concessionaires and it could not lead to undermine their rights.

Finally, on December 21, 2010, an Instrumental Agreement (the “Instrumental Agreement”) related to the Definitive Agreements was entered into with the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE, setting forth as follows:

(i)                   the recognition of Transener and Transba’s rights to collect the amounts resulting from the variations of costs during the period from June 2005 to November 2010;

(ii)                 the mandatory cancellation of the financing received from CAMMESA, through the assignment of credits resulting from the recognition of the above mentioned variations of costs;

(iii)                a mechanism of cancellation of the pending balances,

(iv)                an additional financing amount to be directed to investments in the transmission system for the amount of Ps. 34.0 million for Transener and Ps. 18.4 million for Transba, to be cancelled through the mechanism described in (ii); and

(v)                 a procedure for the updating and payment of cost variations incurred from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, calculated biannually.

 

In February 2011, CAMMESA made an estimation of the amounts owed to Transener and Transba due to the variations of costs generated during the period from June 2005 to November 2010. As of January 17, 2011 such amounts were as follows:

 

 

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Pursuant to the Instrumental Agreement and subject to its fulfillment, Transener and Transba withdrew their judicial claims for delay against the ENRE requesting the recognition of the increased costs and the public hearing in order to complete the full RTI.

On May 12, 2009 Transener and Transba entered into Financing Agreements with CAMMESA for an amount of Ps. 59.7 million and Ps. 30.7 million, respectively. On January 5, 2010, the Addenda I were subscribed for an amount of Ps. 107.7 million and Pesos 42.7 million, for Transener and Transba, respectively.

On May 2, 2011 the Addenda II were entered into with CAMMESA, which provide the following: (i) the amounts received as of January 17, 2011 by Transener and Transba by virtue of the loans granted by the Financing Agreements with CAMMESA would be cancelled, (ii) a new loan for Transener and Transba for the amount of Ps. 289.7 million and Ps. 134.1 million respectively, corresponding to the credits recognized by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE resulting from the variations of costs incurred during the period of June 2005 – November 2010 would be granted, and (iii) all amounts owed to Transener and Transba for major costs as of November 2010 under the Instrumental Agreements would serve as a guarantee for the Addenda II.

 

In May 2013, Transener and Transba executed with the ENRE and the Secretariat of Energy, the Renewal Agreement, setting forth the following:

 

(i)                   the recognition of Transener and Transba´s rights to collect the amounts resulting from the variations of costs during the period from December 2010 to December 2012,

(ii)                 the payment of outstanding balances from Addenda II, and

(iii)                a procedure for the updating and payment of cost variations incurred from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, calculated biannually.

 

On October 25, 2013and February 14, 2014, Transba and Transener, respectively, negotiated the Addenda III.

 

On September 2, 2014, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the New Financing Agreements. The New Financing Agreements provided:  i) that the Financing Agreements, together with their Addendums I, II and III, are concluded; ii) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 622.2 million and Ps. 240.7 million, respectively, corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the January 2013-May 2014 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at May 31, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

As of December 31, 2014 Transener and Transba had recognized only Ps. 1,131.4 million in accordance with the Instrumental Agreements and the Renewal Agreement.

 

Also, on March 17, 2015, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the Addenda IV, setting forth: i) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 563.6 million and Ps. 178.3 million, respectively, corresponding to (a) the outstading amount due pursuant to the Financing Agreement as of January 2015, and (b) receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the June 2014-November 2014 period; and ii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at November 30, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

The results arising from the recognition of the variations of costs on behalf of the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE have been registered in the Consolidated Financial Statements, up to the amounts received as of December 31, 2014, through the financing of CAMMESA. Consequently, net revenues amounting to Ps. 850 million and Ps. 367.2 million, and interest income amounting to Ps. 281.4 million and Ps. 213.8 million, have been registered by Transener and Transba during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 

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Pursuant to the Renewal Agreement and the New Financing Agreements, Transener and Transba are currently in communication with the relevant authorities to implement a scheme that would better allow them to fund their business plan.  This information consists in monthly cash flows, investments execution and implementation of funds requirements.  The outcome of the Transener RTI, however, is highly uncertain as to both its timing and final result.  We cannot assure you that the renegotiation process will conclude in a timely manner or that the revised tariff structure will cover our costs and compensate us for inflation and currency devaluations in the future and provide us with an adequate return on our transmission assets.   

Distribution.  Under the terms of Edenor’s concession, the tariffs charged by Edenor (other than those applied to customers in the wheeling system, described below) are composed of:

·         the cost of electric power purchases, which Edenor passes on to its customers, and a fixed charge (which varies depending on the category and level of consumption of each customer and their energy purchase prices) to cover a portion of Edenor’s energy losses in its distribution activities (determined by reference to a fixed percentage of energy and power capacity for each respective voltage level set forth in our concession);

·         Edenor’s regulated distribution margin, which is known as the value‑added for distribution, plus the fixed and variable charges contemplated under SE Resolution 347/2012; and

·         any taxes imposed by the Province of Buenos Aires or the City of Buenos Aires, which may differ in each jurisdiction.

Large users are eligible to purchase their energy needs directly from generators in the WEM and acquire from Edenor only the service of delivering that electricity to them.  Edenor’s tariffs for these large users (known as wheeling charges), therefore, do not include charges for energy purchases.  Accordingly, wheeling charges consist of the fixed charge for recognized energy losses (determined by reference to a fixed percentage of energy and power capacity for each respective voltage level set forth in Edenor’s concession) and Edenor’s distribution margin. 

Edenor’s concession originally contemplated a fixed distribution margin for each tariff parameter with semiannual adjustments based on variations in the U.S. wholesale price and U.S. consumer price indices.  However, the Public Emergency Law, enacted in January 2002, among other measures, revoked all adjustment clauses in U.S. Dollars or other foreign currencies and indexation clauses.  As a result, the adjustment provisions contained in Edenor’s concession were no longer in force and, from January 2002 through February 2007, Edenor was required to charge the same fixed distribution margin in Pesos established in 2002, without any type of currency or inflation adjustment. 

Pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, which came into effect in February 2007, the Argentine Government granted Edenor an increase in Edenor’s distribution margin.  Although this increase applied to all of Edenor’s tariff categories, the amount of the increase was only allocated to Edenor’s non-residential customers (including wheeling customers), while Edenor’s residential customers did not experience any increase in VAD.  The increase is effective retroactively from November 1, 2005 and will remain in effect until the approval of a new tariff scheme under the integral tariff revision process described below.  The Adjustment Agreement also contemplates a cost adjustment mechanism, known as the CMM, which requires the ENRE to review Edenor’s actual distribution costs every six months (in May and November of each year). 

Pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement, Edenor is currently engaged in an integral tariff revision process with the ENRE.  As of the date of this annual report, the Edenor RTI has not yet been completed.

On November 12, 2009, Edenor submitted an integral tariff proposal to the ENRE’s Board of Directors as requested by ENRE Resolution No. 467/2008.  The proposal included, among other factors, a recalculation of the compensation Edenor receives for its distribution services, including taxes that are not currently passed through to their customers (such as taxes on financial transactions), a revised analysis of its distribution costs, modification to its quality of service standards and penalty scheme and, finally, a revision of its asset base and rate of return. 

 

 

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On December 28, 2012, Edenor filed a judicial remedy action (“acción de amparo”) against ENRE seeking to protect our constitutional rights relating to the provision of a secure and continuing public service of distribution of energy.  To file the “acción de amparo” Edenor considered that the ENRE’s omission to implement the necessary measures to guarantee the provision of the public service of distribution of energy, such as the failure to recognize CMM adjustments that Edenor had requested and the delay in implementing a new tariff structure under the RTI, had led to an unstable situation which threatened the regular provision of the public service.  Accordingly, Edenor sought to obtain the necessary additional funds to provide the public service of distribution of energy as contemplated in our concession agreement.  On February 19, 2013, the National Court of First Instance in Federal Administrative Claims Tribunal No. 12 (Juzgado Nacional de Primera Instancia en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal No. 12) served summons on ENRE and at the same time denied the preliminary injunction requested by us.  This resolution was timely appealed by Edenor.  Edenor understands that with the publication of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Note No. 6852/2013 in May 2013, the Secretariat of Energy has put an end to the related administrative proceeding.

 

Additionally, in June 2013, Edenor filed a complaint against the Argentine Government requesting full enforcement of the Adjustment Agreement and compensation for damages suffered as a result of non‑compliance with the commitments established therein.  The damages claimed in the complaint were extended in November 2013 and July 2014.  In February 2014, Edenor filed a request for a preliminary injunction with the relevant court, requesting that the Argentine Government be ordered to provide Edenor with economic assistance during the course of the litigation.  This request was denied in both first and second instance in June 2014 and December 2014, respectively.  The merits of this case have not been resolved yet.

 

In March 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary increase in its incomes through funds provided by CAMMESA, applicable retroactively as from February 1, 2015, to cover costs and investments associated with the regular provision of the public service of distribution of energy on account of the future RTI. Such additional income is equal to the difference between a “theoretical” tariff schedule set forth in such resolution and the actual tariff schedule in force for each category of users, as determined and monthly reported by the ENRE to the Secretariat of Energy and CAMMESA. This “theoretical” tariff schedule did not include any adjustment method to reflect future variations in costs.

 

The outcome of the renegotiation of Edenor’s tariff structure is highly uncertain.  We cannot assure you that the renegotiation process will conclude in a timely manner or that the revised tariff structure will provide Edenor with an adequate return on its asset base, or that if an adjustment agreement is reached that it will not be challenged by Argentine consumer and other groups, something that, if successful, could materially adversely affect Edenor’s ability to implement any tariff adjustments granted by the Argentine Government.  For a more detailed review of our distribution tariff adjustment process and history please see “Item 4.– Our Business – Our Distribution Business”.

PUREE-CMM: On May 7, 2013, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No.250/2013, whereby it:

                           i.            Authorized the values of the adjustments resulting from the CMM for the period May 2007 through December 2014, determined in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement, but without initiating the review process contemplated in the event of variations exceeding 5%.

                          ii.            Assessed Edenor’s debt as of December 31, 2014 deriving from the application of the PUREE for the period May 2007 through December 2014.

                        iii.            Authorized Edenor to offset until December 2014 the debt indicated in paragraph b) against and up to the amount of the receivables established in paragraph a), including interest, if any, on both amounts.

 

 

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                        iv.            Instructed CAMMESA to issue LVFVD for the CMM surplus amounts after the offsetting process indicated in paragraph c) has been carried out.

                         v.            Authorized CAMMESA to receive LVFVD as part payment for the past due debts deriving from the economic transactions of the WEM.

                        vi.            Instructed Edenor to assign the credits from the surplus LVFVD, if there were any, after having complied with that established in the preceding paragraph, to the trust created under the terms of ENRE Resolution No. 347/12 (FOCEDE).

 

The Secretariat of Energy, if deemed timely and suitable, may extend, either totally or partially, the application of the aforementioned resolution and amplifying note pursuant to the information provided by the ENRE and CAMMESA. In this regard, on November 6, 2013, October 9, 2014 and December 18, 2014 it issued Notes No. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 respectively.

Additionally, and in accordance with sections 8 and 9 of SE Resolution No 250/2013 –which recognize Edenor’s right to apply to the payment of its debts with the WEM the amount receivable deriving from the CMM for economic transactions, with charge to the Unified Fund– the Company proceed in lieu of payment of the trade liability it has with CAMMESA for energy purchases by applying the balance of the CMM receivable balance as of December 31, 2013 (not offset as of that date) recognized by the ENRE in the periods covered by SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and the extensions thereof.

Moreover, Note No. 4012/14 not only states that this measure is temporary and exceptional in nature but also establishes that the signing of an integral and instrumental agreement, or equivalent alternative, will be promoted in order to address the regulatory, economic, financial, quality-related and sustainability aspects of the public service, object of the concession, as well as the extension of the transitional period of the concession agreement until December 31, 2016.  As of the date of this annual report, this has not been instrumented.

The impact of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and subsequent Notes on the statement of financial position is summarized below:

 

 

(1)     Includes CMM amounts receivable recognized in prior fiscal years for $ 45.5 million.

 

 

 

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In view of the above, Edenor challenged and rejected debit notes issued by CAMMESA for a cumulative total of Ps. 866.2 million relating to compensatory interest and late payment charges, because in its opinion the delays in the settlement of the amounts receivable are not attributable to Edenor.

 

In this sense, Edenor has not recognized the interest accrued in its favor on the recognition of CMM amounts for a value of Ps.652.2 million because in its opinion the respective offsetting operates with the issuance of the resolution and the successive amplifying notes.

 

Finally, SE Resolution No. 32/2015 established that the PUREE funds shall be deemed part of Edenor’s income as from February 1, 2015 on account of the future RTI. Additionally, Edenor was allowed to compensate PUREE debts against credits arising from CMM adjustment up to January 31, 2015, including any interest accrued thereunder.Edenor was also authorized to offset any surplus sale settlement with maturity dates to be determined issued by CAMMESA in its favor. If any debt is outstanding after compensation is effected, Edenor should cancel its debt pursuant to a payment plan to be agreed upon with CAMMESA. For a more detailed review of our distribution tariff adjustment process and history please see “Item 4.– Our Business – Our Distribution Business”.

 

Electricity demand and supply

Electricity demand depends to a significant extent on economic and political conditions prevailing from time to time in Argentina, as well as seasonal factors.  In general, the demand for electricity varies depending on the performance of the Argentine economy, as businesses and individuals generally consume more energy and are better able to pay their bills during periods of economic stability or growth.  As a result, energy demand is affected by Argentine Governmental actions concerning the economy, including with respect to inflation, interest rates, price controls, foreign exchange controls, taxes and energy tariffs.
Following the economic crisis in 2001, the demand for electricity in Argentina grew consistently each year driven by the economic recovery.  During 2013, the electricity demand grew by 3.2% compared to 2012, from 121,312 GWh to 125.167 GWh and during 2014, the electricity demand grew 1% compared to 2013, from 125,167 GWh to 127,396 GWh..

                The following chart provides a breakdown of the demand for energy in 2014 by type of customer:

 

Electric Power Demand According to Type of Customer

100% = 127,396 GWh

Source: ADEERA.

 

 

 
 

 

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A new 24,034 MW record of capacity load was registered on January 20, 2014, which was 1% above the peak for 2013.

 

Peak Demand Records

 

 

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

 
 
 

Power Capacity (MW)

19,566

20,843

21,564

21,949

23,794

24,034

 

Date

24/07/2009

03/08/2010

01/08/2011

16/02/2012

23/12/2013

20/01/2014

 

Temperature (°C)

5.1

1.6

3.5

34.2

35.4

29.6

 

Time

7:59 PM

7:45 PM

8:18 PM

3:10 PM

2:20 PM

3:05 PM

 

 

Source: CAMMESA.

 

Generation of electricity increased by 0.3% in 2014, from 128,826 GWh in 2013 to 129,266 GWh in 2014.  For the year 2013, generation of electricity increased by 3.4%, from 124,565 GWh in 2012 to 128,826 GWh in 2013.
Thermal generation continued to be the main resource to supply demand in 2014, as it contributed 83,194 GWh (64%), followed by hydroelectric generation net of pumping, which contributed 40,185 GWh (31%) and nuclear generation, which contributed 5,258 GWh (4%), and photovoltaic and wind generation, which contributed 629 GWh (0.5%). There were also imports, for 1,390 GWh (306% higher than in 2013), exports for 0.1 GWh (95% lower than in 2013) and losses for 4,258 GWh (6% higher than in 2013).  During 2013, thermal generation was also the main resource to supply demand as it contributed 83,194 GWh (64%), followed by hydroelectric generation net of pumping, which contributed 39,796 GWh (31%) and nuclear generation, which contributed 5,732 GWh (4%), and photovoltaic and wind generation, which contributed 461 GWh. There were also imports, for 342 GWh (19% lower than in 2012), exports for 2.2 GWh (99.4% lower than in 2012) and losses for 3,999 GWh (17% higher than in 2012).
Hydroelectric and thermal generation in 2014 did not experience material variations when compared to 2013.  In this sense, thermal generation continued to be the main source for the supply of electricity, fueled both by natural gas and by liquid fuels (diesel oil and fuel oil), and mineral coal mainly during the winter months. 
                The following chart shows the development of electricity generation by type of generation (thermal, hydro, nuclear and renewable) since 2006:
 

 

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Source: CAMMESA.

Note: Including WEM and PSWEM. Hydroelectric power generation is considered net of pumping.

During 2014, generation facilities slightly increased their installed capacity from 31,399MW in 2013 to 30,405MW in 2014.

The chart below shows the composition of installed capacity in Argentina (31.4 GW) as of December 31, 2014:

 

Argentina’s Installed Capacity

100%=31.4GW

 

 

Seasonality

 

Seasonality also has a significant impact on the demand for electricity, with electricity consumption peaks in summer and winter.  The impact of seasonal changes in demand is registered primarily among the residential and small commercial customers of Edenor.  The seasonal changes in demand are attributable to the impact of various climatological factors, including weather and the amount of daylight time, on the usage of lights, heating systems and air conditioners.

The impact of seasonality on industrial demand for electricity is less pronounced than on the residential and commercial sectors for several reasons.  First, different types of industrial activity by their nature have different seasonal peaks, such that the effect on them of climate factors is more varied.  Second, industrial activity levels tend to be more significantly affected by the economy, and with different intensity levels depending on the industrial sector.

 

 

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Cost of sales

Our most significant costs of sales in our generation business are gas purchases, maintenance and penalties by our thermal generation facilities, royalty payments by our hydroelectric generation facilities and energy purchases and personnel costs by our hydroelectric and thermal generation facilities. We also record depreciation and amortization charges related to electricity generation as part of our costs of sales. The cost of energy purchases varies according to the regulated seasonal price of energy.

Our cost of sales in our distribution activities are mainly comprised of purchases of energy for distribution, personnel costs, penalties, depreciation charges and fees for third-party services. 

Operating expenses

Our most significant operating expenses are our administrative and selling expenses in our distribution activities, which include related salaries, social security charges, fees for third-party services and penalties. In our generation and holding and other business, our selling and administrative expenses relate mainly to salaries, social security charges, fees for third-party services, and taxes.

Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments

In the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements, we have relied on variables and assumptions derived from historical experience and various other factors that we deemed reasonable and relevant.  Although we review these estimates and assumptions in the ordinary course of business, the presentation of our financial condition and results of operation often requires our management to make judgments regarding the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities and, consequently, our results of operation. 

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In order to provide an understanding about how management forms its judgments about future events, including the variables and assumptions underlying the estimates, and the sensitivity of those judgments to different variables and conditions, we have included comments related to each critical accounting policy described as follows:

Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, taking into account the estimated amount of any discount, thus determining the net amounts.

Ordinary revenue has been recognized when each and every condition described below has been met:

i. the entity transferred to buyer significant risks and rewards;

ii. the amount of revenue was reliably measured;

iii. it is probable that the entity receives the economic benefits associated with the transaction; and

iv. costs incurred or to be incurred in relation to the transaction have been reliably measured.

The revenue recognition criteria of the main activities of the Company include:

 

 

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                i. From the power generation activity: they are recognized from the energy and power effectively consumed by customers or delivered to spot market.

 

During 2014, the 2014 Expansion Agreement was executed. Consequently condition (iii) above was met, and, therefore, our generation subsidiaries have recognized as income the fair value of the remuneration corresponding to the section c) of SE Resolution No. 406/2003 and the portion of the Additional Remuneration to be allotted to the Trust accrued during fiscal year 2013 and that corresponding to 2014.

 

ii. From the electricity distribution activity: revenue is recognized on an accrual basis upon delivery to customers, which includes the estimated amount of unbilled distribution of electricity at the end of each year. We consider our accounting policy for the recognition of estimated revenue critical because it depends on the amount of electricity effectively delivered to customers which is valued on the basis of applicable tariffs. Unbilled revenue is classified as current trade receivables.

 

Revenue from the electricity provided by Edenor to low-income areas and shantytowns is recognized to the extent that the Framework Agreement has been renewed for the period in which the service was rendered.

Revenue from operations is recognized on an accrual basis and derives mainly from electricity distribution. Such revenue includes both the electricity supplied, whether billed or unbilled at the end of each year, which has been valued on the basis of applicable tariffs, and the charges resulting from the application of Resolution No. 347/2012.

Edenor also recognizes revenue from other concepts included in distribution services, such as new connections, reconnections, rights of use on poles, transportation of electricity to other distribution companies, etc.

 

iii. From exploration and exploitation of oil and gas activity: Revenues from sales of crude oil, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas are recognized upon the transfer of title in accordance with the terms of the applicable contracts, which is when the customer has taken ownership and assumed the risks and benefits, prices have been determined and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Higher costs recognition – SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and SE Note No. 6852/13

 

The recognition of higher costs not transferred to the tariff falls within the scope of IAS 20 “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance” inasmuch as it implies a compensation for the expenses incurred by Edenor in the past.

 

Its recognition is made at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that they will be collected and the conditions attached thereto have been complied with, to the extent that they have been approved by the ENRE and recognized by the SE by means of a Note or a Resolution.

 

Such concept has been disclosed in the “Higher Costs Recognition - SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and subsequent Notes” line item of the Statement of Comprehensive  Income (Loss) as of December 31, 2014, recognizing the related tax effects. There have been no unfulfilled conditions or any other related contingencies.

 

Recognition of compensation for injection of surplus gas – Resolution No. 1/2013 of the Hydrocarbon Investment Plan’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Committee

 

The recognition of income for the injection of surplus gas is covered by IAS 20 since it involves a compensation as a result of the production increase committed by Petrolera Pampa.

 

Its recognition is made at its fair value when there is reasonable assurance that it will be collected and that the conditions required have been complied.

 

 

 

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This item has been disclosed under Compensation for Surplus Gas Injection - Resolution No. 1/2013, under Operating Income, in the Comprehensive Income (loss) Statement.

Impairment of assets

Long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment at the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (“CGUs”). 

Most of the main subsidiaries or joint ventures of the Company are a CGU, as they have only one power generation plant (generation segment), a power transmission network (transmission segment) or one concession area for the distribution of electricity (distribution segment). Consequently, each subsidiary and joint venture in these segments represents the lowest level of composition of assets generating independent cash flows.

                                   i.           Assets subject to depreciation / amortization are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances show that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

                                  ii.          Goodwill: In accordance with the applicable accounting policies, goodwill is tested for impairment annually. The amounts recoverable from CGUs are determined based on the calculations of its value in use.

                                 iii.         Intangible assets: Intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are not amortized. Intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment by comparing their recoverable amount with their book value: (i) annually; and (ii) at any time, if there is any indication that they may have been impaired.

In order to evaluate if there is evidence that a CGU could be affected, both external and internal sources of information are analyzed.  Specific facts and circumstances are considered, which generally include the discount rate used in the estimates of the future cash flows of each CGU and the business condition as regards economic and market factors, such as the cost of raw materials, oil and gas, the regulatory framework for the energy industry (mainly the RTI / CMM and recognition of expected prices), the projected capital investments and the evolution of the energy demand.

An impairment loss is recognized when the book value of the asset exceeds its recoverable value. The recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use and the fair value less costs of disposal. Any impairment loss will be allocated (to reduce the book value of the CGU's assets) in the following order:

(a) first, to reduce the book value of goodwill assigned to the CGU, and

(b) then, to the other assets in the cash generating unit (or group of units), prorated for the carrying amount of each asset in the unit (or group of units), taking into account not to reduce the carrying amount of the asset below the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal, its value in use or zero value.

(c) any impairment loss which may not be allocated to the specific asset will be proportionately distributed among the remaining assets making up the CGU.

The value in use of each CGU is estimated on the basis of the discounted value of the future net cash flows that these units will generate. The Company’s management uses approved budgets up to five-year for its cash flow projections extrapolated into a term consistent with the assets’ remaining useful life, taking into consideration a scrap value and the appropriate discount rates. In order to calculate the fair value less the costs to sale, the Company’s management uses the estimated value of the future cash flows that a market participant could generate from the appropriate CGU, and deducts the necessary costs to carry out the sale of the corresponding CGU.

The Company’s management is required to make judgments at the moment of the future cash flow estimation. The actual cash flows and the values may differ significantly from the expected future cash flows and the related values obtained through discount techniques.

 

 

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Non-financial assets other than goodwill which have suffered impairment in the past are reviewed for a possible reversal of the impairment as at the closing date of the fiscal year.

Reversal of Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment in CPB

As at September 30, 2012, CPB recorded an impairment loss amounting to Ps. 108.3 million for its property, plant and equipment; which net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to Ps. 70.4 million; as a result of the assessment of their recoverable value. 

Impairment loss charges have been distributed on a pro rata basis in order to reduce the book value of the assets comprising the cash generating unit taking into consideration the book value of each of the unit’s assets. After recognizing the impairment loss, the asset’s depreciation charges have been adjusted during the following fiscal years to systematically distribute its reviewed book value less any possible residual value through its residual useful life.

Previously impaired non-financial assets are reviewed for a possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

With the implementation of SE Resolution No. 95/2013 and its amendment through SE Resolution No. 529/2014 —which established a new remuneration scheme for the industry as from February 2013 and the later update of remunerative values effective as from February 2014, respectively— and the granting of financing by CAMMESA under advantageous conditions to CPB, which will allow to afford the cost of the capital investments necessary to recover the company’s plant operating capacity, CPB´s projections regarding the recoverability of its Property, Plant and Equipment and its deferred tax assets have been updated.

In view of this situation, CPB’s management has revalued its discounted cash flows considering a revenue increase exceeding by 10% cost increases as from the year 2017 (on account of the recognition of cost mismatches in respect to past income) and that tariff increases will be granted to offset future cost increases.

The remaining assumptions are detailed below:

i.       Actual discount rate: 9.9%.

ii.     Growth rate: 0%.

iii.    Plant’s availability factor: 86% on average, considering the execution of major maintenance works in the generating units.

iv.   The collection of the maximum remuneration provided for fixed costs based on the provisions of item iii.

v.     The fulfilment of the capital investments necessary to recover the plant’s operating capacity under normal availability conditions will take place during the next two years. CAMMESA will finance such investments. The financing, will be paid under the conditions detailed in Note 21.1.3 to the Financial Statements.

 

In light of the above conclusions, CPB CGU’s value in use determined based on the present value of future net cash flows was Ps.274.4 million higher than its book value. Therefore, CPB has wholly recovered the above-mentioned impairment losses which, net of accumulated depreciation, amounted to Ps. 88.4 million (recognized under “Reversal of Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income) and, net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to Ps. 57.5 million. The affected Property, Plant and Equipment items are lands, buildings, machines and generation equipment.

Test of impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets associated with the subsidiary Edenor

As at December 31, 2011, the Company has recorded impairment losses associated with Edenor’s consolidated assets resulting from the assessment of their recoverable value. Depreciation losses totaled up Ps. 647.7 million which, net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to Ps. 421 million.

 

 

138


 
 

               

Cash flows are prepared on the basis of estimates concerning the future performance of certain variables that are sensitive to the determination of the recoverable amount, among which the following can be noted: (i) nature, opportunity and  method of electricity rate increases and/or cost adjustment recognition; (ii) demand for electricity projections; (iii) evolution of the costs to be incurred, and; (iv) macroeconomic variables, such as growth rates, inflation rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

The future increase in electricity tariffs used by Edenor to assess the recoverability of its long-lived assets at December 31, 2014 is based on the rights to which Edenor is entitled, as stipulated in the concession agreement and the agreements described in Note 2 to the Financial Statements. Furthermore, the actions taken to maintain and guarantee the provision of the public service, the presentations made before regulatory authorities, the status quo of the discussions that are being held with government representatives, the announcements made by government officials concerning possible changes in the sector’s revenues to restore the economic and financial equation, and certain measures recently adopted, have also been considered. Edenor’s Management estimates that it is reasonable to expect that new increases in revenues will be obtained as from 2016.

In spite of the current economic and financial situation described in Note 42 to the Financial Statements, Edenor has made its projections under the assumption that the electricity tariffs will be improved according to the circumstances. However, Edenor may not ensure that the future performance of the variables used to make its projections will be in line with what it has estimated. Therefore, significant differences may arise in relation to the estimates used and assessments made at the date of preparation of the Financial Statements.

In order to contemplate the estimation risk contained in the projections of the aforementioned variables, Edenor has considered three different probability-weighted scenarios. Although in all of them an acceptable agreement with the Government resulting in gradual tariff increases, Edenor has considered different timing and magnitude of an increase in the VAD.

The scenarios that have been considered are the following:

i.                     Pessimistic scenario: in this scenario, Edenor contemplates the effects of SE Resolution No. 32/2015 assuming a modest electricity tariff increase as from 2016, as a result of a gradual implementation of an RTI. CAMMESA’s financial assistance is maintained. In 2017, Edenor starts paying the accumulated debt with CAMMESA for energy purchases and the real cost variations (not covered by the CMM) are being recognized. This recognition, allows Edenor to offset the accumulated interest debts with CAMMESA. Probability of occurrence assigned 20%.

ii.                    Intermediate scenario: in this case, Edenor contemplates the effects of SE Resolution No. 32/2015 assuming a reasonable electricity tariff increase as from 2016, as a result of a gradual implementation of an RTI.  CAMMESA’s financial assistance, with respect to the loan and assignment agreement for the Extraordinary Investment Plan, is maintained. In 2017, Edenor starts paying the accumulated debt with CAMMESA for energy purchases and the real cost variations (not covered by the CMM) are being recognized. This recognition, allows Edenor to offset the accumulated interest debts with CAMMESA. Probability of occurrence assigned 65%.

                                 iv.         Scenario called Optimistic scenario: in this case, Edenor contemplates the effects of SE Resolution No. 32/2015 assuming a higher electricity tariff increase as from 2016, as a result of a gradual implementation of an RTI. CAMMESA’s financial assistance, with respect to the loan and assignment agreement for the Extraordinary Investment Plan, is maintained. In 2017, Edenor starts paying the accumulated debt with CAMMESA for energy purchases and the real cost variations (not covered by the CMM) are being recognized. This recognition, allow Edenor to offset the accumulated interest debts with CAMMESA Probability of occurrence assigned 15%.

 

Edenor has assigned to these three scenarios the previously described percentages of probability of occurrence based mainly on the experience with past delays in the tariff renegotiation process, the present economic and financial situation, the status quo of the conversations that are being held with the Argentine Government and the need to maintain the public service, object of the concession, in operation.

 

 

139


 
 

               

An after tax discount rate (WACC) in pesos stated in nominal terms of 24.5% has been used in all the scenarios.

Sensitivity analysis:

The main factors that could result in impairment charges in future periods are: i) a distortion in the nature, opportunity and method of the electricity tariff increases and recognition of cost adjustments, and ii) the development of the costs to be incurred. These factors have been taken into account in the aforementioned weight of scenarios. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in these assumptions, Edenor estimates that any sensitivity analysis that considers changes in any of them considered individually could lead to distorting conclusions

Based on the conclusions previously mentioned, the valuation of property, plant and equipment, taken as a whole, does not exceed its recoverable value, which is measured as the value in use as of December 31, 2014.

Furthermore, the management understands that although these estimates may show an increase in the CGU’s value, actual measurements obtained so far are insufficient to consider a sustainable recovery which may lead to the reversal of the impairment loss recognized by the Company during fiscal year 2011.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The Group is exposed to losses for uncollectible receivables. The Company’s management estimates the final collectability of the accounts receivable.

The allowance for the impairment of accounts receivable is assessed based on the historical level of both the balances written off as an expense and the default balances. Additionally, Edenor Management records an allowance applying an uncollectibility rate for customer category, tariff, customers included in the Framework Agreement, not included in the Framework Agreement, to the default balances of the reporting period.  

In order to estimate collections related to the energy generation segment we mainly consider the ability of CAMMESA to meet its payment obligations to generators, and the resolutions issued by SE, which allow the Company to collect its credits with CAMMESA through different mechanisms. Additionally, management analyzes the allowance for uncollectible receivables of the remaining accounts receivables of the segment based on an individual analysis of recoverability of receivables of the WEM debtors.

Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if future economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in the assessment for each year.

We believe that the accounting policy relating to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a “critical accounting policy” because it requires management to make estimates and assumptions with respect to our receivables collection due to uncollectible accounts, which is susceptible to change from period to period, and as such the impact on our financial position and results of operations could be material.

Provisions for legal claims

The Company is subject to several lawsuits, complaints and other legal proceedings, including customers’ claims, where a third party seeks the payment of damages, reimbursement for losses or compensation. The Company’s potential liability as regards these claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings cannot be estimated for sure. The Company’s management, with the assistance of its legal counselors (lawyers) regularly reviews the status of each important proceeding and assesses its potential financial exposure.

If the loss derived from a lawsuit or legal proceeding is deemed probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company establishes allowance provision.

The provision for contingent losses reflect a reasonable estimation that losses will be incurred, based on information available to the management at the Consolidated Financial Statements date, and taking into account our litigation and resolution/settlement strategies. These estimates are prepared mainly with the help of legal counsel. However, if the Company’s management estimates are incorrect, current provisions might be inadequate and derive in a charge to profits that could have an adverse effect on the balance sheet, comprehensive income (loss) statement, statements of changes in equity and cash flows.

 

 

140


 
 

               

With respect to the loss contingencies described in our Consolidated Financial Statements, we do not expect to incur any losses exceeding the amounts accrued as of December 31, 2014, that would be material relative to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity as of such date. However, if reserves prove to be inadequate and we incur a charge to earnings, such charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and net worth. For more information regarding the balances for provision for contingencies see Note 38 to our audited Financial Statements. 

Current and deferred Income tax / Minimum notional income tax

A great level of judgment is required to determine the income tax provision since the Company Management has to regularly assess the positions stated in the tax returns as regards those situations where the applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and, if necessary, establish provisions according to the estimated amount that the Company will have to pay to the tax authorities. When the final tax result of these items differs from the amounts initially acknowledged, those differences will have an effect on the income tax and on the deferred tax provisions in the fiscal year when such determination is made.

A significant degree of judgment is required to determine the income tax provision. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company recognizes liabilities for eventual tax claims based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due in the future.

Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and reduced in accordance with the probability that the sufficient taxable base will be available to allow for the total or partial recovery of these assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, Management considers that it is likely that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income in the periods in which these temporary differences become deductible. To make this assessment, Management takes into consideration the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projections of future taxable income and tax planning strategies. With respect to Edenor, considering taxable losses of previous years and the sensitivity of some variables used in 2015 fiscal results projections (such as, devaluation and salary increases), management concluded that there is no strong and conclusive evidence to recognize tax losses carry forwards

Defined benefit plans

The liability recognized by the Company is the best estimate of the present value of the cash flows representing the benefit plan obligation at the closing date of the year. Cash flows are discounted using actuarial assumptions about demographic and financial variables that affect the determination of the amount of such benefits. Such estimate is based on actuarial calculations made by independent professionals in accordance with the projected unit credit method.

ENRE penalties and discounts

Edenor consider its accounting policy for the recognition of ENRE Penalties and Discounts critical because it depends on the penalizables events which are valued on the basis of management’s best estimate, at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation. The balances corresponding to ENRE Penalties and Discounts are adjusted in accordance with the regulatory framework applicable thereto.

Oil and Gas Reserves

 

Reserves are oil and gas volumes (expressed in oil-equivalent m3) originated from or associated with any economic income in the areas where Petrolera Pampa operates and over which it holds exploration and exploitation rights.

 

 

141


 
 

               

 

Crude oil and gas reserves estimates are an essential part of Petrolera Pampa’s decision-making process. Crude oil and gas reserves volumes are taken into consideration in the calculation of depreciation -by using the production unit ratio- and to evaluate exploration and exploitation asset investments’ recoverable amounts.

 

Reserves estimates have been prepared by Petrolera Pampa’s technical staff, and are based on the technological and economic conditions prevailing as of December 31, 2014, taking into consideration their economic evaluation and the expiration of the relevant concession to determine their recoverability period.

 

The estimates are adjusted every time changes in the evaluated aspects so justify, or at least once a year. These reserves estimates have been certified by independent hydrocarbon counseling firms for the last time as of August 31, 2014.

 

There are numerous factors giving rise to uncertainty regarding the estimate of proven reserves and of future production profiles, prices and development costs, several of which are beyond the producer’s control. The reserves calculation procedure is a subjective process for estimating the crude oil and natural gas recoverable from the subsoil which involves a high degree of uncertainty. The reserves estimate is prepared based on the quality of the geological and engineering information available at the date in which the report is issued, as well as on its interpretation.

 

Going concern status

 

The co-controlled company Citelec have prepared their Financial Statements in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to a going concern, assuming that the companies will continue to operate normally. Therefore, they do not include the effects of the adjustments or reclassifications, if any, that might be necessary to make as a consequence of the situation described as follows, as well as its impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Transmission

Even though it is still difficult to forecast the evolution of the topics stated in Note 2 to the Financial Statements and their possible impact on Citelec’s business and cash flows, the execution of the Renewal Agreement constitutes a remarkable milestone towards the consolidation of Citelec’s economic and financial equation. Citelec has prepared its consolidated financial statements using the accounting principles applicable to an on-going business. Consequently, these statements do not include the effects of any applicable adjustment or reclassification in case these situations are not resolved favorably to the continuity of Citelec’s operations and, thus, this company would be forced to realize its assets and cancel its liabilities, including contingent ones, under conditions that are not in its ordinary course of business.

 

The interest in the joint venture represents about 1% of the Group’s assets and approximately 6% of the Group’s income. Additionally, the Company’s management considers that the uncertainty regarding Citelec’s joint venture does not affect its capacity to continue operating on an ordinary basis, mainly due to the following reasons: (i) there is no financial dependence on Citelec, as this joint venture has not paid it any dividends since its acquisition date in 2006; (ii) even though there is an enforceable and binding technical assistance agreement with Transener, the Company does not depend on this flow of funds to normally develop its activities; and (iii) the Company is not contractually obliged to provide financial assistance to Citelec.

 

Results of Operations 

The table below provides a summary of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

 

142


 
 

               

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

(in millons of pesos)

 

 

 

 

   

Revenue

6,204.6

 

5,335.0

 

6,695.4

Cost of sales

(6,029.1)

 

(5,603.3)

 

(6,355.8)

Gross profit (loss)

175.6

 

(268.3)

 

339.6

Selling expenses

(713.4)

 

(634.2)

 

(414.0)

Administrative expenses

(837.5)

 

(563.9)

 

(463.3)

Other operating income

312.0

 

466.2

 

196.4

Other operating expenses

(447.1)

 

(204.0)

 

(203.9)

Reversal of impairment of property, plant and equipment

88.4

 

-

   

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

-

 

-

 

(108.3)

Profit (loss) of join ventures

34.2

 

(4.8)

 

(31.0)

Share of (loss) profit of associates

(1.6)

 

2.2

 

2.3

Operating loss before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes

(1,389.3)

 

(1,206.7)

 

(682.3)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes

2,271.9

 

2,933.1

 

-

Operating profit (loss)

882.6

 

1,726.3

 

(682.3)

Financial income

440.5

 

336.3

 

143.3

Financial cost

(1,113.2)

 

(813.9)

 

(501.9)

Other finance results

420.1

 

(519.3)

 

(203.0)

Financial results, net

(252.6)

 

(996.8)

 

(561.7)

Profit (Loss) before income tax

630.0

 

729.5

 

(1,244.0)

Income tax

(100.4)

 

12.2

 

133.3

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

529.5

 

741.6

 

(1,110.7)

Discontinued operations

-

 

(126.9)

 

31.1

Total Profit (Loss) of the year

529.5

 

614.8

 

(1,079.6)

 

         

Total Profit (Loss) of the year attributable to:

         

Owners of the company

743.2

 

286.1

 

(649.7)

Non - controlling interest

(213.7)

 

328.7

 

(429.9)

 

         

 

         

Revenue

         

Generation

2,275.4

 

1,731.3

 

3,623.2

Transmission

738.4

 

436.9

 

264.4

Distribution

3,598.4

 

3,440.7

 

2,977.2

Holding and others

419.7

 

210.1

 

188.4

Eliminations

(88.9)

 

(47.1)

 

(93.4)

Subtotal Sales

6,943.0

 

5,771.9

 

6,959.8

Sales from interest in joint ventures

(738.4)

 

(436.9)

 

(264.4)

Total Sales

6,204.6

 

5,335.0

 

6,695.4

 

         

Gross profit (loss)

         

Generation

1,098.8

 

304.5

 

432.4

Transmission

198.7

 

43.2

 

(17.0)

Distribution

(1,118.1)

 

(681.8)

 

(120.5)

Holding and others

216.5

 

121.0

 

120.7

Eliminations

(21.6)

 

(12.0)

 

(93.0)

Subtotal Gross (loss) profit

374.3

 

(225.1)

 

322.6

Gross loss (profit) from interest in joint ventures

(198.7)

 

(43.2)

 

17.0

Total Gross profit

175.6

 

(268.3)

 

339.6

 

         

 

         

Operating profit (loss)

         

Generation

1,009.1

 

402.8

 

214.9

Transmission

99.3

 

(21.9)

 

(77.1)

Distribution

(281.5)

 

1,288.4

 

(853.7)

Holding and others

121.1

 

41.9

 

3.8

Eliminations

(0.3)

 

(2.0)

 

(16.2)

Subtotal operating profit (loss)

947.7

 

1,709.2

 

(728.3)

Operating profit (loss) from interest in joint ventures

(65.1)

 

17.1

 

46.0

Total operating profit (loss)

882.6

 

1,726.3

 

(682.3)

 

 

 

143


 
 

               

Total profit (loss) of the year

         

Generation

633.0

 

(207.8)

 

(57.5)

Transmission

34.1

 

(4.9)

 

(31.2)

Distribution

(1,101.4)

 

508.1

 

(1,116.4)

Holding and others

963.8

 

319.4

 

125.5

Total profit (loss) of the year

529.5

 

614.8

 

(1,079.6)

 

         

Total profit (loss) attributable to owners of the company

         

Generation

529.3

 

(191.9)

 

(74.8)

Transmission (1)

34.1

 

(4.9)

 

(31.2)

Distribution

(742.1)

 

163.5

 

(669.3)

Holding and others

921.9

 

319.4

 

125.6

Total profit (loss) attributable to owners of the company

743.2

 

286.1

 

(649.7)

 

         

Total profit (loss) attributable to non - controlling interest

         

Generation

103.6

 

(15.9)

 

17.2

Distribution

(359.2)

 

344.6

 

(447.1)

Holding and others

41.9

 

-

 

-

Total profit (loss) attributable to non - controlling interest

(213.7)

 

328.7

 

(429.9)

 

(1) For the purposes of presenting segment information the indirect interest of our segment Transmission has been consolidated proportionally.

 

The Company is engaged in the electricity sector, with a participation in the electricity generation, transmission and distribution segments through different legal entities. Accordingly, the following business segments have been identified by means of its subsidiaries and based on the nature, customers and risks involved:

Generation, conformed by direct and indirect equity interest in Piedra Buena, Güemes, Loma la Lata, HINISA, HIDISA, Pampa Comercializadora S.A and investments in shares in other companies related to the electricity generation sector.

Transmission, conformed by indirect equity interest through Citelec in Transener and its subsidiaries. For the purposes of presenting segment information the indirect equity interest has been consolidated proportionally.

Distribution, conformed by indirect equity interest in EASA and Edenor.

Holding and others, conformed by financial investment operations, holding activities, oil and gas exploitation, and other businesses.

The Company manages its segments to the net income level of reporting.

The segment called “Electricity transmission”, which corresponds to the Company’s indirect interest in Citelec and its subsidiaries, has been included as a reportable segment since it is considered as such in the reports received by the executive director of the Company. Since the stake in such companies constitutes an interest in a joint venture, it is not consolidated and it is valued according to the equity method of accounting in the Consolidated Financial Statement. 

 

 

 

144


 
 

               

Year ended December 31, 2014 compared to year ended December 31, 2013

Generation Segment

Generation net sales increased by 31.4% to Ps. 2,275.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from Ps.1,731.3 million for the same period in 2013. The rise of Ps.544.1 million in electricity generation net sales was mainly due to the combined effect of the growth in average electricity selling prices calculated for the segment (Ps.225.3 per MWh for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.193.0 per MWh for the same period in 2013, which represents a sales increase of Ps.287.8 million), and also due to the amount of electricity sold for the segment (9,802.0 GWh for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 8,908.8 GWh for the same period in 2013, which represents a sales increase of Ps.201.2 million).

                Average electricity generation selling prices mainly show the impact of the pricing scheme provided in SE Resolution No. 529/2014, which was issued in May 2014 and changed the remuneration sheme provided under SE Resolution No. 95/2013 with retroactive effect to February 2013 and the changes in the exchange rate, which impacted our Energía Plus and SE Resolution No. 220/2007 agreements. Moreover, the increase in electricity sales (in GWh) was mainly due to greater generation in CTLL’s steam turbine and a higher dispatch at CPB. Both effects were partly offset by a lower dispatch at CTG, as well as to a lower dispatch in our hydraulic units, on account of lower water input levels in the area.The following table shows net electricity sales (in GWh) for power generation plants:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

 

2014

2013

In GWh

Net Generation

Purchases

Total Sales

Net Generation

Purchases

Total Sales

Hydroelectric

 

 

 

 

 

 

HINISA

516.1

33.0

549.1

616.1

216.8

832.9

HIDISA

322.4

28.9

351.3

420.8

209.2

629.9

Thermal

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTG

1,528.2

596.2

2,124.4

1,674.8

592.8

2,267.6

CTLLL

3,420.9

80.8

3,501.7

1,947.1

425.1

2,372.2

CTP*

131.1

0.0

131.1

130.3

0.0

130.3

CPB

3,089.6

54.8

3,144.4

2,229.2

446.7

2,675.9

Total

9,008.3

793.6

9,802.0

7,018.4

1,890.5

8,908.8

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

 

Generation cost of sales decreased by 17.5% to Ps.1,176.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from Ps.1,426.8 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to the decline in energy purchases of 80.8% in our hydroelectric power units and of 47.3% in our thermal power units, due to the fact that as from the implementation of SE Resolution No. 95/2013 the WEM agreement administration has been managed by CAMMESA. The reduction in cost of sales was also due to a drop of 84.0% in penalties and 20.3% in maintenance costs of our thermal power units as CTLL’s steam turbine was fixed. These effects were partly offset by greater labor costs of 32.8% in our hydraulic power units and of 41.1% in our thermal power units, as well as a 42.9% increase in our hydroelectric facilities maintenance costs. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

 

 

 

145


 
 

               

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Hydroelectric facilities:

 

 

 

 

Energy purchases

25.1

15.5%

131.2

54.0%

Labor costs

55.3

34.1%

41.7

17.1%

Royalties

18.1

11.2%

21.5

8.9%

Repairs and Maintenance

10.3

6.3%

7.2

3.0%

Amortization for intangible assets

19.4

12.0%

19.4

8.0%

Fees for third-party services

2.3

1.4%

1.7

0.7%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

1.7

1.1%

1.7

0.7%

Others

29.8

18.4%

18.6

7.6%

Total hydroelectric

162.2

100.0%

243.0

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Thermal facilities:

 

 

 

 

Energy purchases

218.5

21.5%

414.9

35.0%

Gas consumption

213.8

21.1%

182.5

15.4%

Labor costs

215.6

21.3%

152.8

12.9%

Repairs and Maintenance

74.3

7.3%

93.3

7.9%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

107.1

10.6%

80.0

6.8%

Penalties

11.4

1.1%

71.0

6.0%

Liquid fuel consumption

0.0

0.0%

29.3

2.5%

Fees for third-party services

20.8

2.1%

21.0

1.8%

Others

152.9

15.1%

138.9

11.7%

Total thermal

1,014.5

100.0%

1,183.8

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

1,176.7

100.0%

1,426.8

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, our generation segment gross profit increased by 260.8% to Ps.1,098.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to Ps.304.5 million for the same period in 2013.

Selling expenses from our generation segment decreased to Ps.17.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.78.5 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to a Ps.44.7 million decrease in the amount paid for tax sales (ingresos brutos) and a 91.5% decrease in doubtful accounts. Selling expenses relating to to our hydroelectric power units amounted to Ps.8.4 million and Ps.22.0 million, and those corresponding to our thermal power units reached Ps.9.5 million and Ps.56.5 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment selling costs for the specified periods:

 

 

146


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Taxes, rates and contributions

9.1

50.6%

53.8

68.5%

Doubtful accounts

1.5

8.3%

17.6

22.5%

Others

7.4

41.1%

7.1

9.0%

Total

17.9

100.0%

78.5

100.0%

Of which:

 

 

 

 

Hydroelectric

8.4

46.6%

22.0

28.1%

Thermal

9.5

53.4%

56.5

71.9%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Generation administrative expenses increased to Ps.200.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.139.0 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to higher labor costs in our generation subsidiaries. Administrative expenses corresponding to our hydroelectric units amounted to Ps.21.5 million and Ps.20.2 million, while our thermal power units amounted to Ps.178.5 million and Ps.118.8 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment administrative expenses segment for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

105.7

52.8%

76.0

54.6%

Fees for third-party services

50.4

25.2%

28.1

20.2%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

5.7

2.8%

6.4

4.6%

Taxes, rates and contributions

5.2

2.6%

5.7

4.1%

Rental, insurance and transport

12.1

6.1%

5.1

3.7%

Others

20.9

10.5%

17.8

12.8%

Total

200.0

100.0%

139.0

100.0%

Of which:

 

 

 

 

Hydroelectric

21.5

10.8%

20.2

14.5%

Thermal

178.5

89.2%

118.8

85.5%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Other generation net operating income and expenses resulted in a total profit of Ps.39.9 million and Ps.315.9 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, mainly due to the recovery of insurance registered by CTLL and the registration of the discount granted as compensation for breaches (reversal of the provision) of the Isolux agreement for CTLL expansion works in 2013. The following table shows the main components of other net operating our generation segment income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

 

147


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Insurance recovery

5.6

14.1%

246.0

77.9%

Recovery of receivables

49.5

124.0%

0.5

0.2%

Recovery of sales tax

37.9

95.1%

-

0.0%

Recognition of March Agreement

-

0.0%

85.2

27.0%

Debit and credit tax

(30.9)

-77.4%

(25.4)

-8.0%

Provision for fiscal credits

(4.0)

-10.0%

(7.7)

-2.4%

Provision for contigencies

(20.1)

-50.4%

-

0.0%

Others

1.8

4.5%

17.3

5.5%

Total

39.9

100.0%

315.9

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Generation operating income increased by 150.5% to Ps.1,009.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, against Ps.402.8 million for the same period in 2013.

Generation net financial results accounted for a loss of Ps.152.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a loss of Ps.590.0 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to net foreign exchange losses of Ps.392.4 million and net financial interest losses of Ps.146.7 million. Such effects were partly offset by net commercial interest revenues of Ps.163.8 million, adjustments to current value of CAMMESA’s consolidated credits for Ps.216.4 million and changes in the fair value of financial instruments for Ps.90.6 million. In the same period of 2013, our generation segment incurred in loss mainly due to net foreign exchange losses (Ps.313.1 million), adjustment to current value of CAMMESA’s consolidated credits (Ps.159.2 million), and net financial interest losses of Ps.161.2 million. Such effects were partly offset by net commercial interest revenues of Ps.37.1 and changes in fair value of financial instruments for Ps.34.9 million. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment financial and holding income for the specified periods:

 

 

148


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

76.1

31.6%

15.5

24.3%

Commercial interest

164.9

68.4%

48.4

75.7%

Others

0.0

0.0%

0.0

0.1%

Subtotal

240.9

100.0%

63.9

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(222.8)

71.7%

(176.7)

81.6%

Tax interest

(31.7)

10.2%

(22.2)

10.3%

Commercial interest

(1.1)

0.4%

(11.3)

5.2%

Others

(55.2)

17.7%

(6.2)

2.9%

Subtotal

(310.8)

100.0%

(216.5)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

(392.4)

477.0%

(313.1)

71.6%

Results from current value measurement

216.4

-263.1%

(159.2)

36.4%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

90.6

-110.1%

34.9

-8.0%

Other financial results

3.2

-3.8%

-

0.0%

Subtotal

(82.3)

100.0%

(437.5)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

(152.1)

100.0%

(590.0)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Our generation segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.224.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a charge of Ps.20.7 million for the same period in 2013.

Finally, our generation segment recorded a net profit of Ps.633.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, of which Ps.529.3 million are attributable to the Company’s owners, compared to a loss of Ps.191.9 million for the same period in 2013 attributable to the Company’s owners.

Transmission Segment

Transmission net sales increased by 69.0% to Ps.738.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.436.9 million for the same period in 2013. Net regulated sales increased by 72.1% to Ps.577.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, from Ps.335.4 million recorded for the same period in 2013, mainly as a result of greater recognition of cost variations (Ps.425.0 million in 2014 compared to Ps.183.6 million in 2013), pursuant to the Instrumental Agreement and the Renewal Agreement. Net revenues from royalties increased by 19.3% to Ps.9.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from Ps.7.6 million for the same period in 2013. Other net sales increased by 62.0% to Ps.152.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from Ps.93.9 million for the same period of 2013, mainly as a result of increased unregulated revenues from Transener (supervision and construction works) and Transba.

Transmission cost of sales increased by 37.1% to Ps.539.7 million for the period ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.393.7 million for the same period in 2013, mainly as a result of prevailing increases in labor costs in 2014. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

149


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

298.8

55.4%

215.8

54.8%

Fees for third-party services

13.7

2.5%

10.4

2.6%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

42.8

7.9%

40.9

10.4%

Repairs and Maintenance

25.7

4.8%

20.4

5.2%

Materials for works

52.6

9.7%

12.1

3.1%

Others

106.2

19.7%

94.1

23.9%

Total

539.7

100.0%

393.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, transmission gross profit amounted to Ps.198.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, from a Ps.43.2 million profit for the same period in 2013, mainly as a result of greater sales recognition arising from the Instrumental Agreement and the Renewal Agreement.

 

We do not record selling expenses related to our transmission activities.

 

Transmission administrative expenses increased by 35.7% to Ps.91.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.67.7 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to a labor cost increase associated with higher salaries. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment administrative expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

67.1

73.1%

44.3

65.4%

Fees for third-party services

6.0

6.5%

4.3

6.4%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

4.3

4.7%

4.2

6.2%

Insurance and rentals

3.4

3.7%

5.1

7.5%

Others

11.0

12.0%

9.8

14.5%

Total

91.8

100.0%

67.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

 

Other transmission net income and expenses recorded a loss of Ps.7.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a Ps.2.6 million profit for the same period in 2013. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment net income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Insurance recovery

2.7

-35.6%

9.3

357.7%

Debit and credit tax

(11.1)

146.1%

(7.0)

-269.2%

Others

0.8

-10.4%

0.3

11.5%

Total

(7.6)

100.0%

2.6

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

 

Transmission operating income accounted for a profit of Ps.99,3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, against a loss of Ps.21.9 million for the same period in 2013, mainly as a result of increases in regulated sales, which were partly offset by increases in the above-described costs and expenses.

 

 

150


 
 

               

 

Transmission net financial income accounted for a profit of Ps.24.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a Ps.16.2 million profit for the same period in 2013, mainly as a result of interest income from the Fourth Line and the IVC under the Memorandum of Understanding (Ps.226.1 million), partly offset by foreign exchange losses (Ps.138.4 million), and financial interest on liabilities (Ps.58.9 million). In the same period of 2013, our transmission segment recorded profits from interest income from the Fourth Line and the IVC of Ps.173, partly offset by foreign exchange losses (Ps.122 million) and financial interest on liabilities (Ps.41.5 million). The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment financial and holding income for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

226.1

100.0%

173.0

100.0%

Subtotal

226.1

100.0%

173.0

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(58.9)

99.2%

(41.5)

99.0%

Others

(0.5)

0.8%

(0.4)

1.0%

Subtotal

(59.4)

100.0%

(41.9)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

(138.4)

97.4%

(122.0)

106.2%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

-

0.0%

7.5

-6.5%

Others

(3.6)

2.6%

(0.4)

0.3%

Subtotal

(142.0)

100.0%

(114.9)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

24.7

100.0%

16.1

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Our transmission segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.51.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a profit of Ps.0.8 million for the same period in 2013.

 

Finally, our transmission segment recorded a net profit of Ps.34.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a net loss of Ps.4.9 million for the same period in 2013, both attributable to the Company’s owners.

Distribution Segment

Net sales from our distribution activities increased by 4.6% to Ps.3,598.4 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.3,440.7 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to charges collected from Edenor’s customers to be allocated to the FOCEDE fund, implemented under Resolution No. 347/2012. Edenor’s electricity sales volume between the years under study decreased in 382 GWh, compared to sales volume being 21,292 GWh in 2014 to 21,674 GWh in 2013.

 

The cost of sales increased by 14.4% to Ps.4,716.5 million in the fiscal year ended December 2014, compared to Ps.4,122.5 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to higher labor costs. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

 

151


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Energy purchases

1,878.1

39.8%

2,050.3

49.7%

Labor costs

1,373.2

29.1%

790.7

19.2%

Fees for third-party services

714.3

15.1%

665.1

16.1%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

211.8

4.5%

201.7

4.9%

Penalties

233.9

5.0%

234.8

5.7%

Materials for works

205.9

4.4%

121.9

3.0%

Others

99.4

2.1%

58.0

1.4%

Total

4,716.5

100.0%

4,122.5

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, the gross loss from our distribution activities increased to Ps.1,118.1 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a loss of Ps.681.8 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to the cost of sales increase that was not offset by a revenue increase.

 

Selling expenses increased by 20.0% to Ps.658.9 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.549.1 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to increases in third-party compensation and fees between both periods, and labor cost increases resulting from granted wage increases, partly offset by lower penalties and doubtful accounts. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment selling expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

249.0

37.8%

179.4

32.7%

Fees for third-party services

262.8

39.9%

198.5

36.1%

Penalties

18.4

2.8%

52.7

9.6%

Taxes, rates and contributions

42.2

6.4%

34.3

6.3%

Doubtful accounts

21.5

3.3%

38.0

6.9%

Communication Expenses

39.1

5.9%

32.6

5.9%

Others

25.9

3.9%

13.7

2.5%

Total

658.9

100.0%

549.1

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Administrative expenses from our distribution segment increased by 53.4% to Ps.510.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.322.6 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to labor cost increases resulting from wage increases, and increases in third-party compensation and fees between both periods. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment administrative expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

 

152


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

245.5

48.1%

152.7

45.9%

Fees for third-party services

157.8

30.9%

107.1

32.2%

Insurance and rentals

35.2

6.9%

21.9

6.6%

Security surveillance expenses

15.1

3.0%

10.4

3.1%

Others

56.6

11.1%

40.6

12.2%

Total

510.3

100.0%

332.6

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Other operating income and expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, amounted to a net loss of Ps.266.1 million, compared to a loss of Ps.81.2 million for the same period in 2013. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment other operating income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Income from services to third-parties

33.3

-12.5%

21.7

-26.7%

Debit and credit tax

(65.1)

24.5%

(55.8)

68.8%

Provision for contigencies

(75.4)

28.3%

(36.0)

44.4%

Voluntary retirements

(25.0)

9.4%

(15.9)

19.6%

Net expenses for technical functions

(16.2)

6.1%

(15.5)

19.2%

Other expenses - FOCEDE

(97.7)

36.7%

-

0.0%

Others

(19.9)

7.5%

20.4

-25.2%

Total

(266.1)

100.0%

(81.2)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Operating income from our distribution activities decreased by Ps.1,569.9 million to a loss of Ps.281.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a profit of Ps.1,288.4 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to the fact that the implementation of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and the subsequent Notes were not enough to offset higher operating costs. Under this resolution there was a recognition of higher costs for Ps.2,271.9 million in the fiscal year 2014, compared to Ps.2,993.1 million for the same period in 2013. Excluding such effect, operating income from our distribution segment would account for a loss of Ps.2,553.3 million for the fiscal year 2014.

 

Net financial results related to our distribution activities represented a loss of Ps.981.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, a 39.4% higher loss compared to a Ps.704.2 million loss for the same period of 2013, primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar on the outstanding debt incurred in said currency (Ps.647.8 million), losses for interest expenses generated by liabilities (Ps.193.6 million), and losses from commercial interest due to the incurred debt with CAMMESA (Ps.459.7 million), which were partially offset by income from financial interests due to the implementation of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and subsequent notes (Ps.157.8 million), changes in fair value of financial instruments(Ps.68.1 million) commercial interests for Ps.43.3 million and a gain from bond repurchase (Ps.44.4 million). In 2013, our distribution segment recorded a loss from interest expenses generated by liabilities of Ps.214.7 million, Ps.325.8 for losses in commercial interest and Ps.532.5 million for foreign exchange differences, partially offset by income from commercial interests for Ps.45.4 million, a gain from financial interests for Ps.238.0 million and a gain from repurchases of financial debt of Ps.88.9 million. The following table illustrates the main components of financial and holding results from our distribution segment for the periods shown:

 

 

 

153


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

195.7

81.9%

238.0

82.9%

Commercial interest

43.3

18.1%

45.4

15.8%

Others

-

0.0%

3.7

1.3%

Subtotal

239.0

100.0%

287.1

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(193.6)

28.0%

(214.7)

37.9%

Commercial interest

(459.7)

66.4%

(325.8)

57.6%

Tax interest

(5.9)

0.9%

(13.8)

2.4%

Others

(33.3)

4.8%

(11.5)

2.0%

Subtotal

(692.5)

100.0%

(565.8)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

(647.8)

122.7%

(532.5)

125.1%

Result from repurchase of financial debt

44.4

-8.4%

88.9

-20.9%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

68.1

-12.9%

15.0

-3.5%

Others

7.3

-1.4%

3.1

-0.7%

Subtotal

(528.1)

100.0%

(425.5)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

(981.6)

100.0%

(704.2)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

In turn, our distribution operations recorded an income tax credit of Ps.161.8 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to Ps.52.7 million credits in the same period of 2013.

Finally, our distribution activities registered a net loss of Ps.1,101.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, of which Ps.742.1 million are attributable to the Company’s owners, compared to a gain of Ps.163.5 million for the same period in 2013 attributable to the Company’s owners.

Holding and Others Segment

Net sales related to our holding and others segment were Ps.419.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, 99.8% higher compared to Ps.210.1 million in the same period of 2013. These sales mostly corresponded to sales of gas and oil from our subsidiary Petrolera Pampa and to fees collected from companies of other segments.

Cost of sales related to our holding and others segment increased by 128.2% to Ps.203.2 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to Ps.89.0 million for the same period of 2013.The following table illustrates the main components of cost of sales from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

 

 

154


 
 

               

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

7.3

3.6%

4.3

4.8%

Fees for third-party services

17.4

8.6%

9.2

10.3%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

80.7

39.7%

35.7

40.1%

Gas production

32.6

16.0%

11.6

13.0%

Royalties

49.4

24.3%

24.0

27.0%

Others

15.7

7.7%

4.3

4.8%

Total

203.2

100.0%

89.0

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, gross profit related to our holding and others segment was Ps.216.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to Ps.121.0 million for the same period of 2013.

Selling expenses related to our holding and others segment increased to Ps.36.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to Ps.6.6 million for the same period of 2013. The following table illustrates the main components of selling expenses from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Taxes, rates and contributions

13.2

36.2%

5.3

80.2%

Compensation agreements

19.3

52.9%

0.0

0.0%

Others

4.0

11.0%

1.3

19.8%

Total

36.5

100.0%

6.6

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Administrative expenses decreased 45.1% to Ps.148.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to Ps.102.3 million for the same period of 2013, principally due to higher labor costs and compensation agreements with some of Petrolera Pampa’s executives. The following table illustrates the main components of administrative expenses from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Labor costs

36.8

24.8%

25.6

25.0%

Fees for third-party services

33.8

22.8%

22.0

21.5%

Taxes, rates and contributions

13.6

9.2%

21.8

21.3%

Directors' and syndics' fees

14.6

9.9%

15.7

15.4%

Directors' options reserve

6.7

4.5%

8.9

8.7%

Compensation agreements

25.6

17.2%

0.0

0.0%

Others

17.2

11.6%

8.2

8.0%

Total

148.4

100.0%

102.3

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

 

 

155


 
 

               

Other operating income from our holding and other activities registered a profit of Ps.91.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, 231.4% higher compared to a gain of Ps.27.5 million for the same period in 2013, mainly due to Ps.104.5 million from the implementation of Natural Gas Excess Injection Encouragement Program of Petrolera Pampa, which was partly offset by losses in property, plant and equipment (Ps.21.8 million) and compensation agreements (Ps.16.7 million). The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment net income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Res. No, 1/13 Natural Gas Excess Injection Income

127.1

139.6%

22.6

82.2%

Recovery of expenses

8.2

9.0%

10.0

36.4%

Compensation agreements

(16.7)

-18.3%

-

0.0%

Decreaeses in property, plant and equipment

(21.8)

-23.9%

(3.7)

-13.5%

Other credits provision

-

0.0%

(2.0)

-7.3%

Others

(5.9)

-6.4%

0.6

2.1%

Total

91.1

100.0%

27.5

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

The operating gain related to our holding and others segment amounted to Ps.121.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to an operating gain of Ps.41.9 million for the same period of 2013, primarily explained by an increase in net sales from Petrolera Pampa in 2014 and Resolution No. 1/2013 Natural Gas Excess Injection Income.

Net financial results related to our holding and others activities represented a profit of Ps.880.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 compared to a profit of Ps.297.4 million for the same period of 2013, primarily due to gains generated from changes on the fair value of financial assets  for Ps.700.8 million and foreign exchange differences for Ps.327.4 million, partially offset by losses from net financial interests for Ps.131.4 million and fiscal interests for Ps.13.4 million. During the same period of 2013, our holding and others segment recorded profits mainly generated by changes on the fair value of financial assets for Ps.245.9 million and foreign exchange differences for Ps.101.5 million, partly offset by losses from net financial interests for Ps.35.5 million and fiscal interests for Ps.4.9 million. The following table illustrates the main components of financial and holding results from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

 

156


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2014

2013

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

25.8

99.2%

6.5

98.5%

Others

0.2

0.8%

0.1

1.5%

Subtotal

26.0

100.0%

6.6

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

-157.2

89.5%

-42.0

79.4%

Tax interest

(13.4)

7.6%

(4.9)

9.2%

Others

(5.1)

2.9%

(6.0)

11.4%

Subtotal

-175.6

100.0%

-52.9

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

327.4

31.8%

101.5

29.5%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

700.8

68.0%

245.9

71.5%

Others

2.2

0.2%

(3.7)

-1.1%

Subtotal

1,030.5

100.0%

343.7

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

880.8

100.0%

297.4

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Also, our holding and others segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.38.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a charge of Ps.19.9 million for the same period of 2013.

Finally, our holding and others segment registered a net profit of Ps.963.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, of which Ps.921,9 are attributable to the Company’s owners, compared to a net profit of Ps.319.4 million recorded in the same period of 2013, attributable to the Company’s owners.

Year ended December 31, 2013 compared to year ended December 31, 2012

Generation Segment

Generation net sales decreased by 52.2% to Ps.1,731.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from Ps.3,623.2 million for the same period in 2012. The decline of Ps.1,891.9 million in electricity generation net sales was mainly due to the combined effect of the drop in average electricity selling prices calculated for the segment (Ps.193.0 per MWh for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.346.7 per MWh for the same period in 2012, which represents a sales decrease of Ps.1,600.4 million), and also due to the amount of electricity sold for the segment (8,908.8 GWh for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to 10,409.6 GWh for the same period in 2012, which represents a decrease of Ps.289.6 million.)

Average electricity generation selling prices mainly show the impact of the rebate of the fuel cost component, because, as from the implementation of SE Resolution No. 95/2013 the allocation of such resource has been managed by CAMMESA, except for differential compensation agreements such as Energía Plus and SE Resolution No. 220/2007, among others. Moreover, the decline in physical electricity sales was mainly due to technical failures occurred in November 2012 in the CTLL’s steam turbine, which caused the sudden decommission of the unit in the first six months of 2013. In turn, at CPB there were restrictions on fuel consumptions and service unavailability, as well as to a lower dispatch level in our hydraulic units, on account of lower water input levels in the area.

The following table shows net electricity sales (in GWh) from our generation plants:

 

 

157


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

 

2013

2012

In GWh

Net Generation

Purchases

Total Sales

Net Generation

Purchases

Total Sales

Hydroelectric

 

 

 

 

 

 

HINISA

616.1

216.8

832.9

688.9

276.3

965.2

HIDISA

420.8

209.2

629.9

441.2

279.8

721.1

Thermal

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTG

1,674.8

592.8

2,267.6

1,533.2

482.6

2,015.7

CTLLL

1,947.1

425.1

2,372.2

2,478.6

290.1

2,768.7

CTP*

130.3

0.0

130.3

109.6

0.0

109.6

CPB

2,229.2

446.7

2,675.9

3,264.6

564.7

3,829.3

Total

7,018.4

1,890.5

8,908.8

8,516.1

1,893.5

10,409.6

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Generation cost of sales decreased by 55.3% to Ps.1,426.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, from Ps.3,190.8 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to a decline in gas consumption (68.5%) and liquid fuels (98.2%) in our thermal power units, because as from the implementation of SE Resolution No. 95/2013 the allocation of such resources have been managed by CAMMESA, except for differential compensation agreements such as Energía Plus and SE Resolution No. 220/2007, and also to fewer electricity purchases in our hydroelectric power units (17.8%.) These effects were partly offset by greater maintenance costs due to the decommissioning of CTLL’s steam turbine, in addition to an increase in the costs of energy purchases of 27.3% in our thermal generation segment, and also to increased labor costs of 23.7% in our hydraulic power units, and of 31% in our thermal power units. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

158


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Hydroelectric facilities:

 

 

 

 

Energy purchases

131.2

54.0%

159.6

60.6%

Labor costs

41.7

17.1%

33.7

12.8%

Royalties

21.5

8.9%

22.7

8.6%

Repairs and Maintenance

7.2

3.0%

7.3

2.8%

Amortization for intangible assets

19.4

8.0%

19.5

7.4%

Fees for third-party services

1.7

0.7%

1.7

0.7%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

1.7

0.7%

1.6

0.6%

Others

18.6

7.6%

17.0

6.5%

Total hydroelectric

243.0

100.0%

263.3

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Thermal facilities:

 

 

 

 

Energy purchases

414.9

35.0%

326.0

11.1%

Gas consumption

182.5

15.4%

578.9

19.8%

Labor costs

152.8

12.9%

116.6

4.0%

Repairs and Maintenance

93.3

7.9%

18.6

0.6%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

80.0

6.8%

95.9

3.3%

Penalties

71.0

6.0%

22.1

0.8%

Liquid fuel consumption

29.3

2.5%

1,611.7

55.1%

Fees for third-party services

21.0

1.8%

10.2

0.3%

Others

138.9

11.7%

147.5

5.0%

Total thermal

1,183.8

100.0%

2,927.6

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

1,426.8

100.0%

3,190.8

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Generation gross profit decreased by 42% to Ps. 304.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.432.4 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to the fact that the decline in the above-described costs of sales did not offset the drop in electricity sales, which were mainly caused by the decommissioning of CTLL’s steam turbine in the first six months of 2013. Gross margin relating to our electricity generation activities increased by 5.7% to 17.6% on the sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from 11.9% on the sales for the same period in 2012, as a result of diminishing gross profit in 2013 fiscal year compared to the same period in 2012.

Selling expenses from our generation segment increased to Ps.78.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.57.2 million for the same period in 2012. Selling expenses pertaining to our hydroelectric power units amounted to Ps.22.0 million and Ps.7.5 million, and those corresponding to our thermal power units reached Ps.56.5 million and Ps.49.8 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment selling costs for the specified periods:

 

 

159


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Taxes, rates and contributions

53.8

68.5%

48.7

85.2%

Doubtful accounts

17.6

22.5%

2.2

3.8%

Others

7.1

9.0%

6.3

11.0%

Total

78.5

100.0%

57.2

100.0%

Of which:

 

 

 

 

Hydroelectric

22.0

28.1%

7.5

13.1%

Thermal

56.5

71.9%

49.8

86.9%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Generation administrative expenses decreased to Ps.139.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.150.8 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to a reduction in fees paid by our generation subsidiaries to Pampa Energía, which was partly offset by an increase in labor costs. Administrative expenses corresponding to our hydroelectric units amounted to Ps.20.2 million and Ps.18.6 million, while our thermal power units amounted to Ps.118.8 million and Ps.132.1 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment administrative expenses segment for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

76.0

54.6%

33.5

22.2%

Fees for third-party services

28.1

20.2%

87.9

58.3%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

6.4

4.6%

5.3

3.5%

Taxes, rates and contributions

5.7

4.1%

7.5

5.0%

Rental, insurance and transport

5.1

3.7%

0.8

0.5%

Others

17.8

12.8%

15.8

10.5%

Total

139.0

100.0%

150.8

100.0%

Of which:

 

 

 

 

Hydroelectric

20.2

14.5%

18.6

12.4%

Thermal

118.8

85.5%

132.1

87.6%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Other generation net operating income and expenses resulted in a total profit of Ps.315.9 million and Ps.98.7 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, mainly due to the recovery of insurance claims by CTLL as compensation for damages arising from the accidents occurred in February 2011 and November 2012, collected in 2012 and 2013, respectively; as well as US$18 million corresponding to the compensation for breaches (reversal of the provision) of the Isolux contract for CTLL expansion works. The following table shows the main components of other net operating income and expenses in our generation segment for the specified periods:

 

 

160


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Insurance recovery

246.0

77.9%

135.0

136.7%

Recovery of receivables

0.5

0.2%

1.5

1.5%

Recognition of March Agreement

85.2

27.0%

-

0.0%

Debit and credit tax

(25.4)

-8.0%

(21.5)

-21.7%

Provision for fiscal credits

(7.7)

-2.4%

(9.5)

-9.6%

Others

17.3

5.5%

(6.8)

-6.9%

Total

315.9

100.0%

98.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Moreover, in the third quarter of 2012, as a result of the CPB recoverable value assessment, an impairment loss of Ps.108.3 million was recorded to the property, plant and equipment associated with consolidated assets.

Generation operating results increased by 47.3% to Ps.402.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.214.9 million for the same period in 2012. Our generation operating margin increased by 17.4% to 23.3% on revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, against 0.6% on revenues for the same period in 2012.

Generation net financial results accounted for a loss of Ps.590 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a loss of Ps.273.5 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to net foreign exchange losses (Ps.313.1 million), adjustment to current value of CAMMESA’s consolidated credits (Ps.159.2 million), and net financial interest losses of Ps.161.2 million. Such effects were partly offset by net commercial interest revenues of Ps.37.1 million. In the same period of 2012, our generation segment originated net foreign exchange losses of Ps.108.9 million, net financial interest of Ps.170 million, losses for adjustment to current value of Ps.67.5 million, partly offset by a net commercial interest profit of Ps.65.5 million. The following table shows the main components of our generation segment financial and holding income for the specified periods:

 

 

161


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

15.5

24.3%

8.2

11.0%

Commercial interest

48.4

75.7%

66.2

88.9%

Others

0.0

0.1%

0.1

0.1%

Subtotal

63.9

100.0%

74.4

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

-176.7

81.6%

-178.2

89.2%

Tax interest

(22.2)

10.3%

(10.5)

5.3%

Commercial interest

(11.3)

5.2%

(0.7)

0.4%

Others

(6.2)

2.9%

(10.4)

5.2%

Subtotal

(216.5)

100.0%

(199.8)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

-313.1

71.6%

-108.9

73.6%

Proceeds from current value measurement

(159.2)

36.4%

(67.5)

45.6%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

34.9

-8.0%

35.6

-24.0%

Other financial results

-

0.0%

(7.2)

4.9%

Subtotal

(437.5)

100.0%

(148.1)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

(590.0)

100.0%

(273.5)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Our generation segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.20.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a profit of Ps.1.1 million for the same period in 2012.

Finally, our generation segment recorded a net loss of Ps.207.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, of which Ps.191.9 million are attributable to the Company’s owners, compared to a loss of Ps.74.8 million for the same period in 2012 attributable to the Company’s owners.

Transmission Segment

Transmission net sales increased by 65.2% to Ps.436.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.264.4 million for the same period in 2012. Net regulated sales increased by 87.4% to Ps.335.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, from Ps.178.9 million recorded for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of greater recognition of cost variations (PS.183.6 million in 2013 compared to Ps.26.4 million in 2012), pursuant to the Instrumental Agreement and the Renewal Agreement entered into among Transener, Transba, the Secretariat of Energy, and the energy regulator ENRE. Net revenues from royalties increased by 6.0% to Ps.7.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from Ps.7.2 million for the same period in 2012. Other net sales increased by 19.8% to Ps.93.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from Ps.78.3 million for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of increased unregulated revenues from Transener (supervision and construction works) and Transba.

Transmission cost of sales increased by 39.9% to Ps.393.7 million for the period ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.281.4 million for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of prevailing increases in labor costs in 2013. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

162


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

215.8

54.8%

154.4

54.9%

Fees for third-party services

10.4

2.6%

6.5

2.3%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

40.9

10.4%

37.8

13.4%

Repairs and Maintenance

20.4

5.2%

18.8

6.7%

Materials for works

12.1

3.1%

12.1

4.3%

Others

94.1

23.9%

51.8

18.4%

Total

393.7

100.0%

281.4

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Transmission gross profit increased to Ps.68.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, against a loss of Ps.17.0 million for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of greater sales recognition arising from the Instrumental Agreement and the Renewal Agreement.

We do not record selling expenses related to our transmission activities.

Transmission administrative expenses increased by 4.6%  to Ps.67.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, against Ps.64.7 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to a labor cost increase associated with higher salaries. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment administrative expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

44.3

65.4%

35.4

54.8%

Fees for third-party services

4.3

6.4%

3.9

6.0%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

4.2

6.2%

3.8

5.9%

Insurance and rentals

5.1

7.5%

13.8

21.4%

Others

9.8

14.5%

7.7

11.9%

Total

67.7

100.0%

64.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Other transmission net income and expenses recorded a profit of Ps.2.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.4.5 million for the same period in 2012. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment net income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Insurance recovery

9.3

357.7%

4.6

100.3%

Others

-6.7

-257.7%

0.0

-0.3%

Total

2.6

100.0%

4.5

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Transmission operating results accounted for a loss of Ps.21.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, against a loss of Ps.77.1 million for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of increases in regulated sales, which were offset by increases in the above-described costs and expenses.

Transmission net financial income accounted for a profit of Ps.16.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, against a loss of Ps.4.4 million for the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of interest income from the Fourth Line and the IVC under the Memorandum of Understanding (Ps.173.0 million), partly offset by foreign exchange liability losses (Ps.122.0 million), and financial interest on liabilities (Ps.41 million). In the same period of 2012, our transmission segment recorded foreign exchange losses (PS.37.3 million) and financial interest on liabilities (Ps.45.6 million), generally offset by profits from interest income from the Fourth Line and the IVC of Ps.80.2 million. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment financial and holding income for the specified periods:

 

 

163


 
 

               

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

173.0

100.0%

80.2

100.0%

Subtotal

173.0

100.0%

80.2

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(41.5)

99.0%

(45.6)

91.0%

Others

(0.4)

1.0%

(4.5)

9.0%

Subtotal

(41.9)

100.0%

(50.1)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

(122.0)

106.2%

(37.3)

108.1%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

7.5

-6.5%

3.2

-9.3%

Others

(0.4)

0.3%

(0.4)

1.2%

Subtotal

(114.9)

100.0%

(34.5)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

16.1

100.0%

(4.4)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Our transmission segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.0.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a profit of Ps.27.1 million for the same period in 2012.

Finally, our transmission segment recorded a net loss of Ps.4.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a net loss of Ps.31.2 million for the same period in 2012 attributable to the Company’s owners.

Distribution Segment

Net sales from our distribution activities increased by 15.6% to Ps.3,440.7 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.2,977.2 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to charges collected from Edenor’s customers to be allocated to the FOCEDE fund, implemented under Resolution No. 347/2012. Edenor increased electricity sales volume between 2012 and 2013 by 913 GWh, sales volume being 21,674 GWh in 2013, compared to 20,760 GWh in 2012.

The cost of sales increased by 33.0% to Ps.4,122.5 million in the fiscal year ended December 2013, compared to Ps.3,097.7 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to labor cost increases, energy purchases, sanctions and penalties, and third-party service costs. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment cost of sales for the specified periods:

 

 

164


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Energy purchases

2,050.3

49.7%

1,740.2

56.2%

Labor costs

790.7

19.2%

454.1

14.7%

Fees for third-party services

665.1

16.1%

444.9

14.4%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

201.7

4.9%

185.5

6.0%

Penalties

234.8

5.7%

106.6

3.4%

Materials for works

121.9

3.0%

82.3

2.7%

Others

58.0

1.4%

84.1

2.7%

Total

4,122.5

100.0%

3,097.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, the gross loss from our distribution activities increased to Ps.681.8 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a loss of Ps.120.5 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to the cost of sales increase that was not offset by a revenue increase.

Selling expenses increased by 55.2% to Ps.549.1 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a loss of Ps.353.8 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to increases in third-party compensation and fees between both periods, and labor cost increases resulting from granted wage increases. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment selling expenses for the specified periods:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

179.4

32.7%

114.6

32.4%

Fees for third-party services

198.5

36.1%

152.9

43.2%

Penalties

52.7

9.6%

10.4

2.9%

Doubtful accounts

34.3

6.3%

17.1

4.8%

Taxes, rates and contributions

38.0

6.9%

25.5

7.2%

Communication Expenses

32.6

5.9%

20.5

5.8%

Others

13.7

2.5%

12.8

3.6%

Total

549.1

100.0%

353.8

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Administrative expenses from our distribution segment increased by 27.8% to Ps.332.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to Ps.260.3 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to labor cost increases resulting from wage increases, and increases in third-party compensation and fees between both periods. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment administrative expenses for the specified periods:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

152.7

45.9%

127.7

49.1%

Fees for third-party services

107.1

32.2%

63.0

24.2%

Insurance and rentals

21.9

6.6%

17.2

6.6%

Security surveillance expenses

10.4

3.1%

4.3

1.6%

Others

40.6

12.2%

48.1

18.5%

Total

332.6

100.0%

260.3

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

 

 

165


 
 

               

Other operating income and expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, amounted to a net loss of Ps.81.2 million, compared to a loss of Ps.119.0 million for the same period in 2012. The following table shows the main components of our distribution segment other operating income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Income from services to third-parties

21.7

-26.7%

15.9

-13.3%

Debit and credit tax

(55.8)

68.8%

(48.1)

40.4%

Provision for contigencies

(36.0)

44.4%

(24.7)

20.8%

Voluntary retirements

(15.9)

19.6%

(10.1)

8.5%

Net expenses for technical functions

(15.5)

19.2%

(10.6)

8.9%

Others

20.4

-25.2%

(41.3)

34.7%

Total

(81.2)

100.0%

(119.0)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Operating results from our distribution activities increased by Ps.2,142.1 million to a profit of Ps.1,288 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a loss of Ps.853.7 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to the implementation of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and SE Note No. 6,852/13, under which there was a recognition of higher costs for Ps.2,993.1 million. Excluding such effect, operating results from our distribution segment would account for a loss of Ps.1,641.1 million for the fiscal year 2013.

Net financial results related to our distribution activities represented a loss of Ps.704.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, a higher 69.9% loss compared to a loss of Ps.414.6 million for the same period of 2012, primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar on the outstanding debt incurred in said currency (Ps.532.5 million), losses for interest expenses generated by liabilities (Ps.214.7 million), and losses from financial interest (Ps.325.8 million), which were partially offset by income from financial interests due to the implementation of SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Note No. 6852/13 (Ps.238.0 million) and a gain from bond repurchase (Ps.88.9 million). In 2012, our distribution segment recorded a loss from interest expenses generated by financial liabilities of Ps.196.8 million, Ps.64.5 for losses in commercial interest and Ps.253.3 million for foreign exchange differences, partially offset by income from commercial interests for Ps.25.7 million and gain from financial interests for Ps.50.2 million. The following table illustrates the main components of financial and holding results from our distribution segment for the periods shown:

 

 

166


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Financial Results, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

238.0

82.9%

50.2

66.1%

Commercial interest

45.4

15.8%

25.7

33.9%

Others

3.7

1.3%

-

0.0%

Subtotal

287.1

100.0%

75.9

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(214.7)

37.9%

(64.5)

23.6%

Commercial interest

(325.8)

57.6%

(196.8)

72.1%

Tax interest

(13.8)

2.4%

(11.0)

4.0%

Others

(11.5)

2.0%

(0.8)

0.3%

Subtotal

(565.8)

100.0%

(273.1)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

(532.5)

125.1%

(253.3)

116.5%

Result from repurchase of financial debt

88.9

-20.9%

-

0.0%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

15.0

-3.5%

39.5

-18.2%

Others

3.1

-0.7%

(3.5)

1.6%

Subtotal

(425.5)

100.0%

(217.4)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

(704.2)

100.0%

(414.6)

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

In turn, our distribution operations recorded an income tax credit of Ps.52.7 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared with a charge of Ps.137.0 million in the same period of 2012.

Finally, our distribution activities registered a net gain of Ps.508.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, of which Ps.163.5 million are attributable to the Company’s owners, compared to a loss of Ps.669.3 million for the same period in 2012 attributable to the Company’s owners.

Holding and Others Segment

Net sales related to our holding and others segment were Ps.210.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, 11.5% higher compared to Ps.188.4 million in the same period of 2012. These sales mostly corresponded to sales of gas and oil from our subsidiary Petrolera Pampa and to fees collected from companies of other segments.

Cost of sales related to our holding and others segment increased by 31.6% to Ps.89.0 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to Ps.67.7 million for the same period of 2012.The following table illustrates the main components of cost of sales from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

 

167


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Cost of Sales, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

4.3

4.8%

4.8

7.1%

Fees for third-party services

9.2

10.3%

8.5

12.5%

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

35.7

40.1%

33.3

49.2%

Gas production

11.6

13.0%

5.8

8.6%

Royalties

24.0

27.0%

13.6

20.1%

Others

4.3

4.8%

1.7

2.5%

Total

89.0

100.0%

67.7

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Therefore, gross profit related to our holding and others segment was Ps.121.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to Ps.120.7 million for the same period of 2012, mainly due to the activity of our subsidiary Petrolera Pampa.

Selling expenses related to our holding and others segment increased to Ps.6.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to Ps.2.9 million for the same period of 2012. The following table illustrates the main components of selling expenses from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Selling Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Taxes, rates and contributions

5.3

80.2%

2.8

95.5%

Others

1.3

19.8%

0.1

4.5%

Total

6.6

100.0%

2.9

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Administrative expenses decreased 10.3% to Ps.102.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to Ps.129.1 million for the same period of 2012, principally due to the relocation of Pampa Energía’s employees and expenses related to the services granted to our generation subsidiaries, partly offset by our activities in Petrolera Pampa. The following table illustrates the main components of administrative expenses from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Administrative Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Labor costs

25.6

25.0%

54.5

42.2%

Fees for third-party services

22.0

21.5%

17.5

13.6%

Taxes, rates and contributions

21.8

21.3%

13.8

10.7%

Directors' and syndics' fees

15.7

15.4%

13.3

10.3%

Directors' options reserve

8.9

8.7%

8.9

6.9%

Others

8.2

8.0%

21.0

16.3%

Total

102.3

100.0%

129.1

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Other operating income from our holding and other activities registered a profit of Ps.27.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, 115% higher compared to a gain of Ps.12.8 million for the same period in 2012, mainly due to Ps.22.6 million from the implementation of Natural Gas Excess Injection Encouragement Program of Petrolera Pampa. The following table shows the main components of our transmission segment net income and expenses for the specified periods:

 

 

 

168


 
 

               

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Other Op. Income & Expenses, in AR$mm except %

2013

2012

Res. No, 1/13 Natural Gas Excess Injection Income

22.6

82.2%

-

0.0%

Recovery of expenses

10.0

36.4%

1.9

14.5%

Recovery of provision of tax credit

-

0.0%

20.6

161.3%

Decreaeses in property, plant and equipment

(3.7)

-13.5%

-

0.0%

Other credits provision

(2.0)

-7.3%

(5.2)

-40.8%

Others

0.6

2.1%

(4.5)

-35.0%

Total

27.5

100.0%

12.8

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

The operating gain related to our holding and others segment amounted to Ps.41.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to an operating gain of Ps.3.8 million for the same period of 2012, primarily explained by an increase in period’s net sales from Petrolera Pampa and a reduction of administrative costs due to reallocation of personnel to generation segment.

Net financial results related to our holding and others activities represented a profit of Ps.297.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to a profit of Ps.126.4 million for the same period of 2012, primarily due to gains generated from changes on the fair value of financial assets (Ps.245.9 million) and foreign exchange difference (Ps.101.5 million), partially offset by losses from net financial interests (Ps.35.5 million) and fiscal interests (Ps. 4.9 million). During the same period of 2012, our holding and others segment recorded profits mainly generated by changes on the fair value of financial assets (Ps.146.9 million) and foreign exchange differences (Ps.17.6 million), partly offset by losses from net financial interests (Ps.26.0 million) and fiscal interests (Ps. 8.7 million). The following table illustrates the main components of financial and holding results from our holding and others segment for the periods shown:

 

Fiscal Years Ended December 31,

Resultados Financieros, en AR$mm excepto %

2013

2012

Financial income

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

6.5

98.5%

3.4

70.0%

Others

0.1

1.5%

1.4

30.0%

Subtotal

6.6

100.0%

4.8

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

 

 

Financial interest

(42.0)

79.4%

(29.4)

71.9%

Tax interest

(4.9)

9.2%

(8.7)

21.4%

Others

(6.0)

11.4%

(2.8)

6.7%

Subtotal

(52.9)

100.0%

(40.8)

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial results

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences, net

101.5

29.5%

17.6

10.8%

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

245.9

71.5%

146.9

90.4%

Others

(3.7)

-1.1%

(2.0)

-1.3%

Subtotal

343.7

100.0%

162.5

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

297.4

100.0%

126.4

100.0%

Note: All figures have been subject to rounding, so figures shown as totals may not sum.

 

Also, our holding and others segment recorded an income tax charge of Ps.19.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a charge of Ps.4.7 million for the same period of 2012.

 

 

169


 
 

               

Finally, our holding and others segment registered a net profit of Ps.319.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared to a net profit of Ps.125.5 million recorded in the same period of 2012, attributable to the Company’s owners.

 

 

 

 

170


 
 

               

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and uses of funds

We acquired our principal generation, transmission and distribution assets relatively recently, beginning in the second half of 2006.  Our principal source of liquidity for these acquisitions was capital contributions from our shareholders, particularly our September 2006 and February 2007 equity offerings.  We have also used a combination of funds from operations and short-term borrowings to make our last acquisitions.  In September 2006, we consummated a capital increase of 300 million shares of our common stock, including shares issued in the form of GDSs, which was subscribed by Argentine and international investors and generated aggregate cash proceeds to us of approximately Ps. 345 million.  In February 2007 we consummated an additional capital increase of 600 million shares of our common stock, including shares issued in the form of GDSs in an underwritten offering to Argentine and international investors, which generated aggregate cash proceeds to us of approximately Ps. 1.3 billion.  In addition, we acquired our indirect controlling interest in EASA in September 2007 through an exchange of newly-issued shares of our company for the shares of DESA and IEASA held by EASA’s former indirect shareholders.  In connection with this acquisition, in September 2007 we issued 480,194,242 additional shares of our common stock to the former indirect shareholders of EASA, including shares issued in the form of GDSs.  In 2011, we acquired: a controlling interest in EMDERSA and AESEBA, the CIESA Bonds and other liabilities of CIESA, and PEPCA through a combination of funds from operations, and short-term borrowings, a significant part of which has already been cancelled. In 2012, we spun off EMDERSA and sold its subsidiaries other than EDELAR and EGSSA, as well as started the exchange process from CIESA notes to CIESA shares.  In March 2013, we sold our controlling interest in AESEBA and in October 2013, we sold our controlling interest in EDELAR.

Our business activities are now focused on the development and value-enhancement of our energy assets, while continuing to identify, evaluate and invest in other opportunities in the Argentine energy industry that offer significant growth potential and/or synergies with our electricity businesses such as our investments in the oil and gas sector.  Historically, our operating subsidiaries have relied on their respective cash flows from operations and on short-term and long-term borrowings to finance their operations, including capital expenditures.  As of April 30, 2015, due to tariff freeze and increased operating costs, our subsidiaries began to received financing from the Argentine Government (mainly from CAMMESA) in order to fulfill the operating deficit or to make capital expenditures. We expect that our principal sources of liquidity for any future acquisitions by us will include capital contributions from our shareholders, cash flow from the operations of our subsidiaries and short-term and long-term borrowings. Under current conditions, we expect our operating subsidiaries will continue to rely on cash flow from operations and short-term and long-term borrowings and government financing to finance their capital requirements in the near term. We currently expect to generate sufficient working capital through cash flow generated from operations, short- and long-term borrowings and other additional financing activities (in the case of Edenor, for at least during 2015).

 

In the Distribution segment, our cash flows from operations have been significantly affected in recent periods due to our failure to obtain adjustments to our tariffs to cover increases in our distribution costs, resulting in a working capital deficit as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. In order to preserve and guarantee the provision of the public service and improve the existing cash deficit, beginning in October 2012 Edenor decided to only partially cancel, the obligations with CAMMESA with surplus cash balances. As of December 31, 2014, the commercial debt with CAMMESA amounts to approximately Ps. 2,257.1 million (net of the offset against CMM credit surpluses of SE Resolution No.250/2013 and Notes Nos. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 of the SE).

In March 2015, the Secretariat of Energy issued SE Resolution No. 32/2015 granting Edenor a temporary increase in income through additional funding from CAMMESA, applicable retroactively as from February 1, 2015, to cover costs and investments associated with the regular provision of the public service of distribution of energy on account of the future RTI. Although SE Resolution No. 32/2015, SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and SE Notes Nos. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014 and No. 1136/2014 have provided additional sources of income, most of these adjustments have not been incorporated into Edenor’s tariff structure and if inflation levels during the coming years continue the trend of inflation during 2014, the temporary increase provided by SE Resolution No. 32/2015 may prove insufficient to support the real variation in costs.

 

 

171


 
 

               

Pursuant to SE Resolution No. 32/2015, Edenor expects to resume full payment of its payment obligations with CAMMESA arising after February 1, 2015 and define with CAMMESA a payment plan for the cancellation of the outstanding debt with the WEM as of February 1, 2015, provided that such payment plan takes into consideration Edenor’s expected capacity to generate surplus cash flows to service its outstanding debt with the WEM. Edenor has argued that the cash deficit that prevents it from canceling the total amount of the debt is a case of force majeure inasmuch as Edenor does not have the possibility of approving its electricity tariff, but, at the same time, has to maintain the priority given to the operation of the public service.

As of the date of this annual report, Edenor has received Ps.708.2 million as temporary increase in income, pursuant to SE Resolution No. 32/2015.

 Since entering into the Adjustment Agreement in February 2006, Edenor has been engaged in an RTI with the ENRE, relating to the adjustment and renegotiation of the terms of the concession.

As a result of the foregoing, access to acceptable financing to overcome our deficit in operations and accomplish our investment plans that are necessary to maintain the quality of the service, the object of the concession, is limited.  In this context, Edenor has requested and obtained from the Argentine Government a series of remedial or temporary measures, such as the issuance of ENRE Resolution No. 347/2012 and SE Resolution No. 250/2013.  In 2014, Edenor obtained from the Argentine Government additional funding to cope with certain mandatory salary increases and our investment plan.

Edenor’s principal uses of cash are expected to be the repayment of current debt with the WEM, operating costs, the servicing of our financial debt and our investment plan. Edenor is subject to limitations on its ability to incur new debt under the terms of our debt instruments so the company cannot assure that it will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

However, the outcome of the tariff structure revision is uncertain as to both timing and final form. If in the future: (i) revised electricity rate schedules are not issued by the ENRE; (ii) Edenor is not granted any other recognition or other mechanism to compensate for cost increases, in addition to the revenue obtained from SE Resolution No. 347/2012 charges, the PUREE, CMM recognitions and the offsetting mechanism established by SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes No. 6852/2013, No. 4012/2014, No. 486/2014, No. 1136/2014 of the SE and SE Resolution No. 32/2015, and/or; (iii) Edenor is not provided by the Argentine government with any other mechanism to finance cost increases, it is likely that the company will have insufficient liquidity and will therefore be obliged to continue implementing or deepening measures similar to those applied until now in order to preserve cash and enhance its liquidity.

In the generation segment, Pampa agreed to use sales settlements with CAMMESA to expand in 115 MW our Loma de la Lata’s capacity.

Each of our segments operates as a separate entity and all funding and treasury policies are controlled at the segment level.  While we do not have a centralized funding and treasury policy among segments, we maintain our cash and cash equivalents in Pesos, and in U.S. Dollars depending on medium term requirements and availability, at all levels of operations.  We and our subsidiaries conduct financing at both variable and fixed rates.

We record a portion of our trade receivables in our generation segment as non-current assets, as we do not expect to collect payment on these receivables within the following year in accordance with the terms of such receivables.  In our generation segment, our non-current trade receivables relate to (i) amounts owed us by FONINVEMEN, which are payable in 120 monthly installments, and (ii) credits arising from the 2008-2015 LVFVDs accrued as of SE Resolution No. 406/2003 which are not committed to other projects and as “Additional Remuneration” which are allocated to the trust included in the new scheme established for the remuneration of the generation sector provided in SE Resolution No. 95/2013, as amended, that are expected to finance the Loma de la Lata 2014 Expansion Project.

Our total non-current trade receivables amounted to Ps. 640.5 million as of December 31, 2014.  “See “Regulatory and Legal Framework—FONINVEMEM - WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 220/2007 - WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 724/2008 - Price Scheme – 2008-2011 Agreement.”

 

 

172


 
 

               

The table below reflects our cash position at the dates indicated and the net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities during the years indicated:

 

 

(in millions of pesos)

Cash at the beginning of the year

 

341.7

 

167.8

 

373.4

Net cash generated by operating activities

 

2,616.0

 

1,656.2

 

1,212.0

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,513.9)

 

(1,456.6)

 

(903.1)

Net cash aused in financing activities

 

(147.7)

 

(76.9)

 

(556.2)

Foreing currency exchange difference generated by cash and cash equivalent

 

39.1

 

51.2

 

41.7

Cash and cash equivalent at the end of the year

 

335.2

 

341.7

 

167.8

 

 Net cash generated by operating activities

Net cash generated by operating activities amounted to Ps. 2,616 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, attributable principally to negative adjustments of Ps. 859.4 million for changes in the fair value of financial instruments, Ps. 2,271.9 million for Higher Costs Recognition associated with SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes Nos. 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 in our distribution segment, Ps. 223.3 million for results for discontinued value measurement and Ps. 47.1 million resulting from purchase of corporate bonds, which were partially offset by the positive adjustments to net income for non-cash charges in this period, including losses related to a Ps. 467.2 million for depreciation and amortization of assets, Ps. 712.8 million for foreign currency exchange difference and Ps. 596.7 million for interest accruals

Changes in operating assets and liabilities amounted to Ps. 3,449.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. These changes in operating assets and liabilities were primarily due to a Ps. 3,455.5 million increase in proceeds from accounts payable and loans with CAMMESA and Ps. 482.9 million increase from funds obtained for PUREE at our distribution segment, which were partially offset by Ps. 753.8 million increase in trade and other receivables.

Net cash generated by operating activities amounted to Ps. 1,656.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, attributable principally to negative adjustments of Ps. 295.9 million for changes in the fair value of financial instruments, Ps. 2,933.1 million for Higher Costs Recognition associated with SE Resolution No. 250/2013 and Notes Nos 6852/2013, 4012/2014, 486/2014 and 1136/2014 in our distribution segment, and Ps. 88.9 million resulting from purchase of corporate bonds, which were partially offset by the positive adjustments to net income for non-cash charges in this period, including losses related to a Ps. 374.8 million for depreciation and amortization of assets, Ps. 744.2 million for foreign currency exchange difference, Ps. 447.6 million for interest accruals, Ps. 199.1 for discontinued operations at our distribution segment, and Ps. 155.9 million for results for discounted value measurement.

Changes in operating assets and liabilities amounted to Ps. 2,416.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. These changes in operating assets and liabilities were primarily due to a Ps. 183.4 million increase in trade and other payables, Ps. 2,231.5 million increase in proceeds from account payable and loans with CAMMESA, and Ps. 491.9 million increase from funds obtained for PUREE at our distribution segment, which were partially offset by Ps. 508.7 million increase in trade and other receivables.

Net cash generated by operating activities amounted to Ps. 1,212.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, attributable principally to positive adjustments, including losses related to a Ps. 108.3 million impairment of property, plant and equipment, Ps. 374 million for depreciation and amortization of assets, Ps. 344.6 million for foreign currency exchange difference, Ps. 380.5 million for interest accruals, Ps. 298.9 for discontinued operations at our distribution segment and Ps. 72 million for results for discounted value measurement, which were partially offset by the negative adjustments of  and Ps. 191.9 million for changes in the fair value of financial instruments and Ps. 21.5 million result from repurchase of corporate bonds.

 

 

173


 
 

               

Changes in operating assets and liabilities amounted to Ps. 922 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. These changes in operating assets and liabilities were primarily due to a Ps. 260 million increase in trade and other payables, Ps. 295.7 million increase in proceeds from accounts payable and loans with CAMMESA, and Ps. 410.7 million increase from funds obtained for PUREE at our distribution segment, which were partially offset by Ps. 149.3 million increase in trade and other receivables.

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps. 2,513.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, principally due to Ps. 2,331.1 million in capital expenditures, Ps. 1055.5 million paid for the purchases of financial assets at fair value and Ps. 276.6 million in constitution of deposits in guarantee. These uses of cash and cash equivalent were partially offset by net cash and cash equivalent generated by our investing activities, including Ps. 1,258.2 million of proceeds from the sale of financial assets at fair value.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps. 1,456.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, principally due to Ps. 1,050.3 million in capital expenditures, Ps. 353.5 million paid for the purchases of financial assets at fair value, Ps. 282.2 million in subscription and rescue of investments funds, net, and Ps. 124.2 million in connection with discontinued operations at our distribution segment. These uses of cash and cash equivalent were partially offset by net cash and cash equivalent generated by our investing activities, including Ps. 279.1 million of proceeds from the sale of financial assets at fair value.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to Ps. 903.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, principally due to Ps. 640.4 million in capital expenditures, Ps. 689.6 million paid for the purchases of financial assets at fair value, Ps. 123.2 million in subscription and rescue of investments funds, and Ps. 236.1 million used in connection with discontinued operations at our distribution segment. These uses of cash and cash equivalent were partially offset by net cash generated by our investing activities, including Ps. 782.7 million of proceeds from the sale of financial assets.

Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in our financing activities amounted to Ps. 147.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, principally due to payments of Ps. 2,821.4 made in connection with bank and financial borrowings (including principal and interest) by all of our segments. These uses of cash and cash equivalent were partially offset by Ps. 2,519.4 million of net cash and cash equivalent generated by borrowings at our different segments.

Net cash used in our financing activities amounted to Ps. 76.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, principally due to payments of Ps. 713.4 made in connection with bank and financial borrowings (including principal, interest and repurchase costs for the repurchase of debt) by all of our segments. These uses of cash and cash equivalent were partially offset by Ps. 656.5 million of net cash and cash equivalent generated by borrowings at our different segments and Ps. 25.4 million generated in connection with discontinued operations at our distribution segment.

Net cash used in our financing activities amounted to Ps. 556.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, principally due to payments of Ps. 901.5 million made in connection with bank and financial borrowings (including principal, interest and repurchase costs for the repurchase of debt) by all of our segments. These sources of cash were partially offset by Ps. 222.5 million of net cash generated by borrowings at our different segments and Ps. 136.8 million of proceeds from discontinued operations at our distribution segment.

 

 

174


 
 

               

Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

At December 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

(in millions of pesos)

Generation

Ps.

387.0

 

Ps.

50.8

Distribution

 

1,701.8

 

 

1,092.3

Holding and others

 

620.4

 

 

140.4

 

Ps.

2,709.2

 

Ps.

1,283.5

 

In 2014, our capital expenditures in our generation segment mainly related to work in progress and advances to suppliers (Ps. 330.1 million), materials and spare parts (Ps. 30.1 million) and generation equipment and machinery (Ps. 9.0 million). In our distribution segment, we invested Ps. 1,701.8 million to expand and improve our grid in order to keep pace with the growth in our customer base.  In addition, we made investments in order to meet our quality standards levels and to maintain the level of past due receivables. Our capital expenditures in our holding and other segment increased in line with our capital expenditures required by our oil and gas business (Ps. 618.8 million).

In 2013, our capital expenditures in our generation segment mainly related to materials and spare parts (Ps. 13.5 million), generation equipment and machinery (Ps. 18.1 million) and work in progress and advances to suppliers (Ps. 17.8 million). In our distribution segment, we invested Ps. 1,092.3 million to expand and improve our grid in order to keep pace with the growth in our customer base.  In addition, we made investments in order to meet our quality standards levels and to maintain the level of past due receivables. Our capital expenditures in our holding and other segment increased in line with our capital expenditures required by our oil and gas business (Ps. 139.3 million).

Except as described below, in our generation segment we currently expect our capital expenditures to increase in 2015, principally due to Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project and the major maintenance works in one CPB’s units (unit 29). In our distribution segment, in 2014, in accordance with its capital expenditure program, Edenor invested Ps. 1,701.7 million, a substantial portion of which was used to increase the capacity of Edenor’s grid in line with the growth of its customer base. In addition, Edenor made investments in order to meet its quality standards levels.. We currently expect that our capital expenditures in our holding and others segment may increase in line with our capital expenditures required by our oil and gas business.  We expect to cover such capital expenditures in our generation segment mainly with CAMMESA’s financing and also with our cash on hand, cash flow from operations and, to the extent necessary, short- and long-term borrowings.  See “Item 4.  —Our Business—Our Generation Business.”

Debt 

The economic crisis in Argentina, and the measures adopted by the Argentine Government to address it, had a material adverse effect on the generation, transmission and distribution companies and operations that are now part of our group.  See “Item 4. - The Argentine Electricity Sector—History.”  As a result of these developments, several of these companies were forced to suspend principal and interest payments on their debt and have gone through one or more financial debt restructurings, including Güemes, Transener and Edenor.  Given the ongoing changes in the Argentine electricity regulatory framework, including the current uncertainties regarding transmission and distribution tariffs, we cannot assure you that one or more of our subsidiaries or operations will not have to undergo another debt restructuring in the future, or whether any such debt restructuring will be successful.

Our total consolidated financial debt as of December 31, 2014 was Ps. 4,570.6 million, of which 81.6% was long-term debt.  Approximately 50.9% of our consolidated debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 was denominated in foreign currencies, mainly in U.S. Dollars.  The amount of our total consolidates financial debt does not include Transener given that our stake in Transener constitutes an interest in a joint venture, and it is not consolidated and it is valued according to the equity method of accounting in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

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The below is a description of the main characteristics of the indebtedness of our group companies.

Under the terms of their respective outstanding debt, our group companies are subject to a number of restrictive covenants, including limitations on incurrence of new indebtedness, capital expenditures and dividend payments, among others. As of December 31, 2014, all of these companies were in compliance with the covenants under their respective outstanding indebtedness.

Generation

Piedra Buena

On March 21, 2011, Piedra Buena entered into a loan agreement with CAMMESA to finance a construction project that will increase the power output of steam turbine units of Piedra Buena, for a total amount of Ps. 56.8 million, in accordance to SE Resolution No. 146/2002 and Notes No.6157/10 and 7375/10. The collected amounts will be returned in 48 monthly, equal and consecutive installments, which will include interest resulting from the application of a rate equivalent to the average yield obtained by CAMMESA from its WEM’s financial placements, the first installment maturing on the month immediately following the works’ conclusion, estimated for the month of June 2011. Installments will be paid by WEM pursuant to the provisions of such notes, and distribution among demanding agents will be made based on the applicable criteria to be timely informed by the SE.

As from the works’ conclusion of each unit, Piedra Buena guaranteed a minimum 80% availability for each unit during a three-year period, which, as of the date of this annual report, has concluded. In order to guarantee the due performance of the obligations undertaken by Piedra Buena under this contract, Piedra Buena assigned and transferred to CAMMESA 100% of its current and future receivables, both accrued and to be accrued, excluding those receivables already assigned to CTLL as of December 31, 2010.

As of May 2011, Piedra Buena finished the works undertaken and, as from July 2011, units were made subject to the minimum availability control set forth by the loan agreement executed with CAMMESA. In case of breach of its availability obligation by Piedra Buena, the agreement provides for the application of a penalty, the maximum amount of which is set at 25% of the value of the received financing’s principal installment. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, Piedra Buena has started to bear penalties for failing to reach the minimum 80% availability undertaken under the loan agreement. The penalties received by Piedra Buena during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to Ps. 0.4 and Ps. 4.7 million, respectively.

On January 27, 2012, Piedra Buena executed an addendum to the loan agreement entered into with CAMMESA which modified the financing amount, which current amounts to Ps. 69.6 million. As of December 31, 2014, the total amount due under this agreement is Ps. 7.3 millions.

On January 8, 2013, Piedra Buena signed a loan agreement with CAMMESA stipulating the terms for the financing of certain repair work delayed in units BBLATV29 and BBVLATV30 for an amount of Ps. 19.9 million plus VAT pursuant to SE Resolution No. 146/2002 so as to cover 70% of those maintenance costs.

On February 25, 2013, through Note No. B-78922-1, CAMMESA informed Piedra Buena of the modification to that financing pursuant to the provisions approved by SE Resolution No. 356/2013 increasing the financing to Ps. 32.7 million plus VAT in order to cover 100% of maintenance costs.

On April 24, 2014, Piedra Buena off set the loan against the LVFVDs for the amount of Ps. 39,545,740 plus interest.

Finally, in August 2013, through Piedra Buena LegR Note No. 64/13, CPB submitted to CAMMESA the “2014-2015 Maintenance Plan” for the conduct of major maintenance works in units BBLATV29 and BBLATV30, requesting its approval based on a remuneration scheme that would allow for their financing as the remuneration set by SE Resolution No. 95/2013 was insufficient to bear the costs of major maintenance works.

 

 

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The 2014-2015 Maintenance Plan was amended and adjusted after the meetings held with representatives of CAMMESA and the Technical Group (CPB LegR Notes No. 65/13, 67/13 and 72/13). The total estimated amount of the works to be executed is U.S.$ 82 million plus VAT and associated import duties.

On April 8, 2014, Piedra Buena executed a new loan agreement with CAMMESA for an amount equal to the peso-equivalent of U.S.$82 million plus the associated taxes. This loan is to be paid in 48 equal installments with a grace period of, the first to occur between, 12 months as from the first disbursement of the loan or 24 months as from the execution of the loan. As long as Piedra Buena’s availability is higher than 80% (summer) or 83% (winter), Piedra Buena’s payment obligations shall be limited to the revenue established to cover extraordinary maintenance works (SE Resolution No. 529/2014) and 50% of the Debt Payment Cash Flow (as defined in such agreement). If Piedra Buena’s availability is below the abovementioned percentages, Piedra Buena shall pay the applicable installment on the applicable payment date. 

In order to guarantee the due performance of the obligations taken by Piedra Buena under this agreement, Piedra Buena assigned and transferred to CAMMESA 100% of its current and future receivables, except for the ones already assigned to other projects or agreements, both accrued and to be accrued, excluding those receivables already assigned.

As of the date of this annual report, Piedra Buena received from CAMMESA Ps. 166.2 million of which Ps. 106.4 million were paid with Additional Maintenance Remuneration.

Güemes

On July 25, 2007, CTG finished the restructuring process for its outstanding Series “A” and “B” 2% Corporate Bonds maturing in 2013 (the “2013 Bonds”), having obtained an 88.7% acceptance rate on the total debt subject to restructuring. Said restructuring consisted of exchanging the previous debt securities for a combination of cash payments and the issuance of new simple Corporate Bonds for a nominal value of U.S.$ 22 million at a 10.5% rate, which are payable on March 11 and September 11 of each year and mature in September 2017 (the “2017 Bonds”). In June and July 2009, CTG repurchased under successive transactions at market prices its 2017 Bonds for a total of U.S.$ 18.2 million (nominal value). During June and July 2009 and January, Mach and May 2011, CTG repurchased under successive transactions and at market prices its 2017 Bonds for a nominal value of, approximately, U.S.$ 18 million and U.S.$ 0.8 million respectively. During March 2013, CTG cancelled all of its 2013 Bonds.  As of December 31, 2014, CTG held all the repurchased 2017 Bonds in its portfolio and the outstanding 2017 Bonds total a nominal value of U.S.$ 3.1million.

On July 21, 2008, the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Güemes approved the creation of a Global Program of Securities Representing Short-Term Debt (the “VCP”) up to a maximum amount outstanding at any time that may not exceed Ps. 200 million or the equivalent amount in other currencies, under which Güemes may issue VCPs in various classes and/or series, each one of them with an amortization term of up to 365 days or a shorter or longer term that in the future applicable regulations may contemplate (the “Güemes VCP Program”). Such meeting delegated to Güemes’ board of directors the power to provide for certain conditions of the Güemes VCP Program  and the opportunity of issuance and other terms and conditions of each class and/or series of VCPs to be issued under the Güemes VCP Program.  On January 17, 2012, Güemes’ Board of Directors approved the terms and conditions of the Güemes VCP Program as detailed in its Prospectus draft.  As of the date of this annual report, Güemes has not issued any notes under the Güemes VCP Program.

In addition, on October 11, 2011, Güemes’ Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, approved the creation of a program for the issuance of nonconvertible, simple corporate bonds for a nominal value of up to U.S.$ 50 million or its equivalent in other currencies (the “Güemes Corporate Bonds Program”).  The shareholders of Güemes also vested Güemes’ board of directors with the power to establish the terms of any debt under the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program and the time of the issuance of such debt.  In this sense, on January 17, 2012 the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program. Also, on February 6, 2012 the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 1 and 2 notes to be issued under the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program, and on March 6, 2012, Güemes issued Class 1 notes for an amount of Ps 47 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 2.9% and the Class 2 notes for an amount of Ps. 51.7 at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 3.4%.  Additionally, on December 21, 2012 the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 3 and 4 notes to be issued under the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program, and on March 6, 2013, Güemes issued Class 3 notes for an amount of Ps. 36.7 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 4% and the Class 4 notes for an amount of U.S.$ 9.5 million at a fixed rate of 3%. The terms and conditions of Notes of Class 3 and 4 permitted settlement of the same with Notes of class1 and/or 2. As a result of this issuance, Ps. 14,000,000 were settled in Class 2, and those Notes are held in CTG’s portfolio.  

 

 

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On January 3, 2014 the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 5 Notes to be issued under the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program, and on March 6, 2014, Güemes issued class 5 notes for an amount of Ps. 60.127.495 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus of 5%. The terms and conditions of Class 5 Notes permitted settlement of the same with Notes of Class 3 and/or 4. As a result of this issuance, Ps. 19,092,025 were settled in Class 4 and Ps. 1,835,470 were settled in Class 3, and those Notes are held in CTG’s portfolio.  Also, on January 27, 2014, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 6 notes to be issued under the Güemes Corporate Bonds Program, and on March 6, 2015, Güemes issued Class 6 notes for an amount of Ps 91.0 million at an interest rate equal to (i) for the first nine months 28% and (ii) from month tenth to eigthennth private Badlar rate plus 5%,.  As of the date of this annual report, the Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 Notes have been totally cancelled. The final maturity date of the Class 5 and Class 6 Notes is September 6 2016, respectively. In all cases interest under the Notes is payable on a quarterly basis.

On February 27, 2013, Banco Hipotecario S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., the branch of Citibank N.A., established in Argentina and Standard Bank Argentina S.A (currently, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China S.A.) granted Güemes a two-tranche financing for an aggregate amount of Ps. 78.7 million, one tranche for Ps. 61.3 million which accrues interest at a floating rate equal to the adjusted Badlar rate plus a nominal spread of 3.75% per annum, and another tranche for Ps. 17.4 million, which accrues interest at a fixed nominal rate equivalent to 22.25% per annum. Interest is payable quarterly as from the granting date and the principal amount is amortized in one installment at the maturity date. On December 20, 2013, the parties of the abovementioned loan entered into an amendment, pursuant to which (i) the nominal spread of the first tranche was increased to 5% and the fixed nominal rate of the second tranche was also increased to 29%; and (ii) the amortization of the principal amount was modified with a new scheme of payment occurring in ten quarterly installments starting in June 2014, the first four of Ps.6 million each, the next three of Ps.8 million each, the next two of Ps.10 million each and the last one of Ps.10.7 million to be paid on September 20, 2016. On June 23, 2014, Güemes partially prepaid the loan for an amount of Ps. 18,000,000 of which, Ps. 14,022,352 million prepaid the first tranche and Ps. 3,977,648 prepaid the second tranche. Also, Güemes prepaid the interest accrued as of the date of the prepayment for an amount of Ps. 7,125,422 and the portion of the first installment for up to an amount of Ps. 4,570,821. On March 20, 2015, the loan was prepaid in full.

Loma de la Lata

On September 8, 2008, CTLL issued simple corporate bonds for a face value of U.S.$ 178 million at 11.25%, maturing in 2015 and with a subscription price of 93.34% implying a yield through maturity of 12.95%.

The capital will be amortized in five consecutive semiannual payments, the first of which will be sixty months as from the issuance and settlement date. The first four amortization payments will be for an amount equivalent to 12.5% of the issued capital, while the fifth and last amortization payment and full settlement will be made upon maturity for an amount equivalent to 50% of the issued capital.

On July 13, 2012, the Board of Directors resolved to apply the amounts received from the insurance companies (La Meridional Cía. Argentina de Seguros S.A., Allianz Argentina Cía. de Seguros S.A. and Liberty Seguros Argentina S.A.) amounting to U.S.$ 30.5 million in compensation for an accident (Please see. “Item 4. - Our Business – Loma de la Lata – Project Agreement), to the reduction of CTLL’s debt by making a Repurchase Offer for its simple outstanding corporate bonds maturing in 2015 at a 11.25% rate for a face value of up to U.S.$ 25 million in cash at a price of Ps. 470 for each U.S.$ 100 of their face value, aiming to reacquire a more conservative financing structure in line with what the previsions before the accident. Accrued and unpaid interest will be added to the principal amount until the settlement date (although excluding that date). As of July 20, 2012, the Repurchase Offer expiration date, CTLL received acceptances to the Repurchase Offer by holders for a number of corporate bonds with a face value of U.S.$ 24.3 million.

 

 

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Also, regarding the corporate bonds maturing in 2015 at a 11.25% rate, at the Extraordinary Meeting of Corporate Bondholders held on March 1, 2013, the modification to the issuance conditions for corporate bonds maturing in 2015 was agreed. The main modifications are described below:

-It was resolved to capitalize interest maturing in March and September 2013.

-Corporate bonds will be amortized in four semi-annual and consecutive payments, the first one being payable 66 months as from the issuance date. The first three amortization payments will be for an amount equivalent to 11.18% of the issued capital. The fourth and last payment will be made on the maturity date for an amount equivalent to 66.46% of the issued capital.

On March 10, 2014, Loma de la Lata made the first payment of principal for Ps. 186.5 million.

On September 4, 2014, an Extraordinary Meeting of Corporate Bondholders, resolved the amendment to the terms andconditions of the bonds maturing in 2015. The main amendments are described below:

-The bonds will be amortized in five installments as follows: the first one on March 7, 2015 for a 12.5% of the oustanding amount of the bonds, the second, third and fourth installments on December 7, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively for a 12.5% of the outstanding amount of the bonds and the fifth installment on December 7, 2018 for a 50% of the outstanding amount of the bonds.

- The interest payment dates were modified to occur close to the capital payment date.

- The amount guaranteed by the trust assignment was modified to cover the amount due in the next payment of installmetns of principal.

- Any optional redemption will be applied in chronological order to its maturity. If Loma de la Lata decides to redeem the bonds before December 7, 2015 it will have to pay an additional 25% over the interest rate applicable to the outstanding amount to be redeemed.  Since December 7, 2015 such 25% will be reduced to 10%. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, if Loma de la Lata decides to redeem, at any time, bonds for up to an amount of U.S.$ 24 million, the additional payments described above will not apply.

Finally, on several redemptions, the first of them on September 26, 2014 and the last on December 2, 2014, Loma de la Lata cancelled all the bonds maturing in 2018 at a 11.25% rate.

On December 28, 2009, the shareholders of Loma de la Lata approved the creation of a medium-term note program not to exceed the amount of U.S. $ 50 million.  The terms of any debt under this program will be determined by Loma de la Lata’s board of directors at the time that such debt is issued.  In addition, the shareholders approved, under a shareholders meeting held on November 17, 2011, the increase of the amount of the program from U.S.$ 50 million to U.S.$ 350 million. The program was approved by the CNV on March 21, 2012.  On September 8 and 18, 2014, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 notes to be issued under the Loma de la Lata medium-term note program, and on October 30, 2014, Loma de la Lata declared Class 1 deserte, issued Class 2 notes for an amount of Ps 96.4 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 4% maturing on April 30, 2016, the Class 3 notes for an amount of Ps. 50.8 at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 5% to be paid in three installments, maturing on April 30, 2017 and Class 4 notes for an amount of U.S.$ 29.9 at a fix rate of 6.25% maturing on October 31, 2016.

On April 5, 2013, the branch of Citibank N.A. established in Argentina, granted financing to Loma de la Lata for a total amount of Ps. 49 million, which accrues interest at: (i) for the periods between the date of disbursement and July 1, 2013, 19.00%; (ii) for the periods between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, 20.50%; and (iii) for the periods between July 1, 2014 and the date of final maturity, 22.25%. Interest is payable on a monthly basis as from the disbursement date and principal is repayable in four quarterly installments with the first due on January 1, 2014.

On September 27, 2013, Citibank NA’s Argentine branch disbursed the second tranche of this loan, in the amount of Ps. 24 million, which accrues interest: (i) at a 20.5% rate for the period comprised between the disbursement date and July 1, 2014; (ii) at a 22.25% rate for the period comprised between July 1, 2014 and the final maturity date. Interest will be payable on a monthly basis as from the disbursement date, and principal will be payable in four equal quarterly installments, the first one maturing on January 1, 2014.  As of the date of this annual report, the loan was totally cancelled.

 

 

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On November 11, 2014, Banco de Crédito y Securitización S.A., Banco Hipotecario S.A., Industrial and Commercial Bank of China S.A. and Citibank N.A. granted a financing to Loma de la Lata for up to an amount of Ps. 450 million to be paid in eight quarterly, equal and consecutive installments of 11% of the outstanding principal amount of the loan and a ninth installment of 12%.  Interests will accrue at an interest rate equal to the fixed private Badlar rate plus 5.75% and will be paid quarterly.  Pampa Energía granted a guarantee to secure the obligations of Loma de la Lata under the loan and Loma de la Lata issued several promissory notes.

On December 1, 2014, Loma de la Lata entered into a Loan and Receivables Assignment Agreement with CAMMESA for the financing of the 2014 Expansion Project with an investment estimated at Ps. 930 million.

The main characteristics of this financing are described below:

i)           Amount: up to the amount of the receivables accrued and to be accrued until December 31, 2015;

ii)          Interest rate: a rate equivalent to the monthly yield obtained by CAMMESA from its WEM’s financial placements;

iii)        Repayment: in a single payment on the maturity of the economic transaction corresponding to the 36th month as from the month following the commercial commissioning of the last generating unit making up the Project or, at Loma de la Lata’s option, through a cash payment or the offset with receivables;

iv)        Payment guarantee: assignment 100% of its receivables to the Stabilization Fund, up to the total amount of the financing, as collateral.

Finally, on March 5, 2015, CAMMESA granted Loma de la Lata a loan up to the amount of U.S.$1,799,879 plus VAT and Ps. 7,217,000 plus VAT, to conduct major maintenance works at Loma de la Lata’s plant. The financing will (i) be disbursed in different installments according to a work plan, (ii) paid in 36 equal and consecutive installments (with the possibility to extend the maturity up to 12 months) the first of them maturing one month after the end of the works and the availability of the unit LDLTAG02, (iii) bear interest at a variable rate, and (iv) be secured with the assignment and transferr to CAMMESA of 100% of its current and future receivables derived from the Remuneración Adicional Directa a Generadores and from the Remuneración de los Mantenimientos no Recurrentes, (except for the ones already assigned to other projects or agreements), both accrued and to be accrued, excluding those receivables already assigned. After the end of the works, Loma de la Lata ir required to have an availability of 90%. If Loma de la Lata fails to accomplish the required availability, it shall pay the whole applicable installment on the stipulated maturity date. As of the date of this annual report, Loma de la Lata received from CAMMESA Ps. 49 million.

Transmission

Transener

On November 5, 2009, Transener’s shareholders’ meeting resolved to create a global program for the issuance of registered, nonconvertible, simple corporate bonds denominated in Argentine pesos or in any other currency, with unsecured, special, floating and/or any other guarantee, either subordinated or not, for a maximum outstanding amount at any time that may not exceed Ps. 200 million or an equivalent amount in other currencies. The program was authorized by the CNV.As of the date of this annual report, Transener has not issued any notes under this program. 

Additionally, due to the delay in the implementation of the cost adjustments as set forth in the Definitive Agreements, on May 12, 2009, pursuant to Resolution No. 146/2002 of the Secretariat of Energy, Transener and Transba entered into a financing agreement with CAMMESA (as lender) for an amount of up to Ps. 59.7 million and Ps. 30.7 million, respectively (the “Initial CAMMESA Agreement”). On December 30, 2009, both companies and CAMMESA executed an amendment to the Initial CAMMESA Agreement (the “Mutual Fund Amendment”, and together with the Initial Agreement, the “CAMMESA Financing”), pursuant to which the available financing amount to be provided by CAMMESA was increased to up to Ps.107.7 million and Ps.42.7 million for Transener and Transba, respectively. Transener and Transba will apply the receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations (pursuant to the Instrumental Agreement) to the cancellation, up to such amounts, of the financing granted by CAMMESA.  On May 2, 2011, Transener and Transba executed amendments to the financing agreements with CAMMESA, which provided for:  i) the cancellation of the amounts received as of January 17, 2011 by both companies pursuant to the financing granted by the agreements executed on May 12, 2009; ii) the granting to Transener and Transba of new loans for the amounts of Ps. 289.7 million and Ps. 134.1 million, respectively, corresponding to the favorable balances resulting from receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations from June 2005 to November 2010; and iii) all amounts owed to Transener under the Instrumental Agreements would serve as a guarantee for the new CAMMESA Financing.  The funds arising from the new loans were used for operation and maintenance purposes and additionally applied to the investment plan for the year 2011.  Disbursements are made through partial advances based on the availability of cash and cash equivalents by CAMMESA and as instructed by the Secretariat of Energy. As of December 31, 2011, collected disbursements under this financing amounted to Ps. 235.4 million, Ps. 224.6 million of which correspond to principal and Ps. 10.8 million to accrued interest. All disbursements have been assigned as collateral for the payment of the balance of receivables acknowledged on account of higher costs pursuant to the Complementary Agreement. After December 31, 2011, disbursements amounting to Ps. 9.0 million were collected.

 

 

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On October 25, 2013 and February 14, 2014, Transba and Transener, respectively negotiated the Addenda III.

On September 2, 2014, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the New Financing Agreements. The New Financing Agreements provided i) that the Financing Agreements, together with their Addendums I, II and III, are concluded; ii) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 622.2 million and Ps. 240.7 million, respectively, corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the January 2013-May 2014 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at May 31, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

Also, on March 17, 2015, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the Addenda IV, setting forth: i) the granting to Transener and Transba of  new loans in the amount of Ps. 563.6 million and Ps. 178.3 million, respectively, corresponding to (a) the outstading amount due pursuant to the Financing Agreement as of January 2015, and (b) receivables acknowledged by the Secretariat of Energy and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the June 2014-November 2014 period; and ii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at November 30, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement.

Distribution

Edenor

On January 20, 2006, Edenor launched a voluntary exchange offer and consent solicitation to the holders of Edenor’s outstanding financial debt. All of these holders elected to participate in the restructuring and, as a result, on April 24, 2006, Edenor exchanged all of its then-outstanding financial debt for the following three series of newly issued notes, which Edenor refer to as the restructuring notes:

·         U.S. $123,773,586 Fixed Rate Par Notes due December 14, 2016, with approximately 50% of the principal due and payable at maturity and the remainder due in semiannual installments commencing June 14, 2011, and bearing interest starting at 3% and stepping up to 10% over time;

·         U.S. $12,656,086 Floating Rate Par Notes due December 14, 2019, with the same payment terms as the Fixed Rate Par Notes and bearing interest at LIBOR plus a spread, which starts at 1% in 2008 and steps up to 2% over time; and

·         U.S. $239,999,985 Discount Notes due December 14, 2014, with 60% of the principal due and payable at maturity and the remainder due in semiannual installments commencing on June 14, 2008, and bearing interest at a fixed rate that starts at 3% and steps up to 12% over time.

 

 

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As of the date of this annual report, all of the restructuring notes have been repaid and cancelled.

In October 2007, Edenor completed an offering of U.S. $220 million aggregate principal amount of its 10.5% Senior Notes due 2017, which Edenor refers to as the Senior Notes due 2017. Edenor used a substantial portion of the proceeds from that offering to redeem in full its Discount Notes due 2014 in several transactions throughout the period from October through December 2007.

During 2008, Edenor repurchased U.S. $17.5 million of its Senior Notes due 2017, of which U.S. $6 million Senior Notes due 2017 were cancelled.

In May 2009, Edenor issued Ps. 75.7 million principal amount of Par Notes due 2013 under its Medium Term Note Program. The Par Notes due 2013 are denominated and payable in Pesos and accrue interest on a quarterly basis at a rate equal to the private BADLAR, as published by the Central Bank, for each such quarter plus 6.75%.  Principal on the notes is payable in 13 quarterly installments, starting on May 7, 2010. As of December 31, 2013, these Notes had been fully paid.

During 2009, Edenor repurchased U.S. $53.8 million Senior Notes due 2017, U.S. $24.5 million of which was transferred to Edenor as a consequence of the dissolution of the discretionary trust described below.

On October 25, 2010, Edenor issued Senior Notes due 2022 with a face value of U.S. $ 230.3 million, of which U.S. $ 140 million were subscribed under a cash offer and U.S. $ 90.3 million were exchanged, as a result of an exchange offer, for Senior Notes due 2017, paying in cash U.S. $ 9.5 million plus accrued unpaid interest on those Senior Notes due 2017. Edenor lunched an offer to purchase under which Edenor purchased Senior Notes due 2017 with a face value of U.S. $33.6 million for U.S. $35.8 million, including payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Senior Notes due 2017.

The Senior Notes due 2022 have a 12-year maturity and were issued at par, with interest accruing from the date of issuance at a fixed rate of 9.75% and payable semi-annually on October 25 and April 25 of each year, with the first interest payment on April 25, 2011. 

On October 18, 2010, Edenor cancelled Senior Notes due 2017 with a nominal value of U.S. $65.3 million.

In addition, on October 25, 2010, November 4, 2010, and December 9, 2010, Edenor cancelled Senior Notes due 2017 for a face value of U.S. $122.6 million, U.S. $1.3 million, and U.S. $0.04 million, respectively, representing approximately 83.3% of the Senior Notes due 2017 then outstanding.

As of the date of this annual report, the outstanding amount of Senior Notes due 2017 is U.S. $14.8 million. Edenor through AESEBA Sale Trust, repurchased and cancelled U.S. $ 10 million and with respect to our Senior Notes due 2022 the outstanding amount is U.S.$ 176.4 million. Edenor repurchased and cancelled U.S. $ 123.6 million, out of which, Aeseba Sale Trust (see Item 4. “Information on the Company”) repurchased U.S. $ 68 million.

Line of Credit – Edenor–Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires Loans

In March and June 2011, Edenor entered into loans for a total aggregate amount of Ps. 22 million, from Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, with principal payments at maturity (March 2012, May 2012 and June 2014). Edenor made monthly interest payments on accrued interest at a fixed annual rate of 14.0%.

As of December 31, 2014, this line of credit was cancelled.

 

Other Business

Petrolera Pampa

On July 27, 2011, Petrolera Pampa’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders approved the creation of a global short-term debt securities program for a maximum amount of Ps. 200 million or its equivalent in other currencies, pursuant to which Petrolera Pampa may issue short-term corporate bonds (simple, non-convertible into shares), promissory notes or VCPs with common, special and/or floating security and/or any other guarantee (including, although not limited to, third-party guarantees), whether subordinated or not. During the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, Petrolera Pampa issued series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 VCPs, for a total amount of Ps.46,654,990, Ps. 32,564,000, Ps. 34,396,246, U.S.$ 6,520,523, Ps. 77,821,661, U.S.$ 4,342,138, Ps. 65,400,000, Ps. 122,950,000, Ps. 76,450,000, Ps. 89,940,000 and Ps. 137,000,000, respectively, at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 3.5%, 2.75%, 4.25%, 2.99%, 4%, 3.95% and 3.95% for series 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9, respectively, and fixed rates at 4.25%, 0.01%,  28% and 28.5% for series 4, 6, 11 and 12, respectively.  Principal is due 365 calendar days after the issuance date, and interest is payable on a quarterly basis, except for the Class 11 and 12 that matured after 360 days of the issuance date. 

 

 

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On November 5, 2012, Citibank executed a loan agreement with Petrolera Pampa pursuant to the system set forth by Communications “A” 5319, 5325 and 5338 issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina for the amount of Ps. 10 million and accruing interest at a 15.01% nominal annual fixed rate. Interest will be payable on a monthly basis as from the granting date and principal will be repayable in three installments amounting to Ps. 3.3 million each, the first two of them maturing on November 5, 2013 and 2014 respectively, and the last one, amounting to Ps. 3.4 million, maturing on November 5, 2015. These funds have been allocated to investments in physical assets.

On March 19, 2013 and May, 10, 2013, Petrolera Pampa’s Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders, approved the creation of a program for the issuance of nonconvertible, simple corporate bonds for a nominal value of up to U.S.$ 100 million or its equivalent in other currencies (the “Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program”).  The shareholders of Petrolera Pampa also vested Petrolera board of directors with the power to establish the terms of any debt under the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program and the time of the issuance of such debt.  In this sense, on March 21, 2013, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program. Also, on May 6, 2013, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 1 Notes to be issued under the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program, and on June 26, 2013, Petrolera issued Class 1 Notes for an amount of Ps 254,8 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 3% and a maturity of 36 month as from its issuance.  Also, on December 18, 2013 and March 31, 2014, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 2 and 3 to be issued under the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program, and on June 6, 2014, Petrolera issued Class 2 Notes for an amount of Ps 525.4 million at an interest rate equal to the private Badlar rate plus 0% and a maturity of 36 month as from its issuance. The Class 3 Notes were not issued.  On January 28, 2015, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 4 and 5 Notes to be issued under the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program, and on February 26, 2015, Petrolera issued Class 4 and 5 Notes for an amount of Ps 51,027,777 million at an interest rate equal to (i) for the first nine months 27.48% and (ii) from month tenth to eigthennth private Badlar rate plus 5%, and a maturity of 18 month as from its issuance and for an amount of U.S. $18,549,000 million at an interest rate equal to 5% and a maturity of 21 month as from its issuance. Finally, on March 18, 2015, the board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the Class 6 to be issued under the Petrolera Pampa Corporate Bonds Program, and on April 30, 2015, Petrolera issued Class 6 for an amount of Ps 49,870,000 million at an interest rate equal to (i) for the first nine months 27.25% and (ii) from month tenth to eigthennth private Badlar rate plus 4.5%, and a maturity of 18 month as from its issuance.

Holding and Others

The Company

On October 6, 2011, TGS granted a loan for the amount of U.S.$ 26 million (Ps. 109.4 million) to the Company for an initial one-year period (automatically renewable for one year upon expiration) that accrues interest at a 6.8% annual rate plus VAT. On October 6, 2012, such loan was renewed for an amount of U.S.$ 26 million plus the interest accrued during the first one-year term under the originally agreed conditions, which do not differ from current market conditions for this type of transaction. Also, on April 26, 2013, the maturity of the loan was extended until October 6, 2014 with an automatic renewal of one year and included the possibility of payment at maturity or in advance through the full and unconditional assignment to TGS of all the Company’s rights and obligations under the ICSID Claim in case, on or before the maturity date: (a) TGS has received a 20% increase on its tariff chart and that increase remains effective pursuant to the Transitory Agreement approved by Order No. 1918/2009 of the National Executive Branch, or (b) the following has been granted to TGS and remains effective: (x) the tariff adjustment set forth in an agreement initialized by TGS and approved by its Board of Directors on October 5, 2011, or (y) any other compensatory system implemented through any tariff review system or mechanism hereinafter replacing those currently in force under Economic Emergency Law No. 25,561 of the Republic of Argentina and having an equivalent economic effect on TGS. On January 12, 2015, the parties agreed to suspend the arbitration proceeding for six months as from that date.

 

 

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Contractual Obligations

In the tables below, we set forth certain contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 and the period in which the contractual obligations come due.  Peso amounts have been translated from Dollar amounts at the seller rate for Dollars quoted by Banco Nación on December 31, 2014 of Ps. 8.551 to U. S$. 1.00.   

 

(1)        Includes amortization of principal and accrued and future interest payments.  See “Item 5. - Debt” for a broader description of our financial debt.

(2)     Includes executed contractual obligations relating to our generation business.  Edenor’s concessions do not require them to make any specified amount of capital expenditures, but Edenor’s concession requires Edenor to meet certain quality and other service standards. 

(3)     Based on estimated payments included in our annual budget; royalty payments beyond 2016 are calculated based on average hydraulicity.

(4)     Represents our minimum required lease payments.

(5)     Based on the estimated average price of Ps. 1546.09 per Dam3.

(6)     Based on the estimated average price of Ps. 11.53 per Dam3.

(7)     Includes adjustments made to reflect the ratification of the Adjustment Agreement.  We were required to make an adjustment to a portion of our accrued fines and penalties totaling (i) Ps. 47.0 million to reflect the increase to our VAD pursuant to the Adjustment Agreement and the May 2006 CMM and (ii) Ps. 17.2 million and Ps. 18.1 million to reflect the CMM adjustment for the years ending December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Adjustment Agreement, the Argentine Government agreed, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, to forgive, upon the completion of the RTI, approximately Ps. 71.4 million of our accrued fines and penalties and allow us to pay the balance of these fines and penalties in semi-annual installments over a 7-year period commencing 180 days after the RTI comes into effect.  Because the Adjustment Agreement was not ratified until January 2007, we have recalculated the amounts of accrued fines and penalties subject to the payment plan under the terms of the Adjustment Agreement as well as the amounts subject to forgiveness.       

 

 

(1)     Prices are generally determined by formulas based on future market prices. Estimated prices used to calculate the monetary equivalent of these sales obligations for purposes of the table are based on current market prices as of December 31, 2014 and may not reflect actual future prices of these commodities. Accordingly, the Peso amounts provided in this table with respect to these obligations are provided for illustrative purpose only.

 

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements of the type that we are required to disclose under Item 5.E. of Form 20-F.  

 

 

 

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Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees  

General

We are managed by our board of directors, which is composed of ten directors and equal or less number of alternate directors subject to the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting decision.  Five of our ten directors are independent according to the criteria and requirements for independent directors under applicable Argentine law.  Three of our alternate directors are independent.  The directors are elected on a staggered basis each year (three directors at a time in each of the first two years of a three-year cycle, and four in the third year).  Our directors are elected for a three-fiscal-year term and can be reelected except for our independent directors, who cannot be reelected for successive terms.

Pursuant to section 12 of our by-laws, any shareholder or group of shareholders who holds more than 3% of our capital stock (each, a “Proposing Shareholder”) may require our board of directors to give notice to our other shareholders of the candidate or candidates to be nominated by such shareholder or group of shareholders at our shareholders’ meeting for election of our board of directors.  To such end, the relevant slate executed by the Proposing Shareholder or its representatives, as applicable, will be sent to the chairman of our board of directors, no less than five business days prior to the date of the relevant shareholders’ meeting, to be published in the Bulletin of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange at least two days prior to the date of our shareholders’ meeting.  To facilitate the formation of the slates and the record of the candidates’ names, as of the date of the first notice calling for the relevant meeting, a special book will be made available to our shareholders at our registered office in which the names of the candidates proposed by any proposing shareholder shall be recorded.  Similarly, our board of directors will propose to the shareholders’ meeting the candidates for election by slate or, if election by slate is objected to, individually.  The names of the candidates proposed by the board will be made known to all our shareholders together with the slates proposed by the Proposing Shareholder.  In addition, no proposal for the election of directors may be made, either before or during the shareholders’ meeting, unless written evidence of acceptance of office by the proposed candidates is submitted to us.  Such slate or person, as the case may be, who obtains the vote of a majority of the shares present at the meeting will be declared elected.  If no slate obtains such majority, a new vote will be taken in which the two slates or persons that obtained the largest number of votes will take part, and the slate or person who obtains the largest number of votes will be declared elected.  The preceding rules will not prevent a shareholder who is present at the shareholders’ meeting from proposing candidates not included in the proposals from our board of directors.

Duties and Liabilities of Directors

Pursuant to section 59 of the Ley de Sociedades Comerciales No. 19,550 (Argentine Business Companies Law, or “BCL”), directors have the obligation to perform their duties with the loyalty and the diligence of a prudent business person.  Directors are jointly and severally liable to the company, the shareholders and third parties for the improper performance of their duties, for violating the law, the company’s by-laws or regulations, if any, and for any damage caused by fraud, abuse of authority or negligence, as provided for in Section 274 of the BCL.  The following are considered integral to a director’s duty of loyalty: (1) the prohibition on using corporate assets and confidential information for private purposes; (2) the prohibition on taking advantage, or to allow another to take advantage, by action or omission, of the business opportunities of the company; (3) the obligation to exercise board powers only for the purposes for which the law, the company’s by-laws or the shareholders’ or the board of directors’ resolution have intended; and (4) the obligation to take strict care so that acts of the board are not contrary, directly or indirectly, to the company’s interests.  A director must inform the board of directors and the supervisory committee of any conflicting interest he or she may have in a proposed transaction and must abstain from voting thereon.

A director shall not be responsible for the decisions taken in a board of directors’ meeting as long as he or she states his or her opposition in writing and informs the supervisory committee before any claim arises.  A director’s decision approved by the company’s shareholders releases that director of any responsibility for his decision, unless shareholders representing 5% or more of the company’s capital stock object to that approval, or the decision was taken in violation of applicable law or the company’s by-laws.  The company is entitled to file judicial actions against a director if a majority of the company’s shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting request that action.

 

 

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Under the BCL, the board of directors is in charge of the administration of the company and, therefore, makes any and all decisions in connection therewith, as well as those decisions expressly provided for in the BCL, the company’s by-laws and other applicable regulations.  Furthermore, the board is generally responsible for the execution of the resolutions passed by shareholders’ meetings and for the performance of any particular task expressly delegated by the shareholders.  In general, our board of directors may be more involved in operating decision-making than might be customary in other jurisdictions.  Under the BCL, the duties and responsibilities of an alternate director, when acting in the place of a director on a temporary or permanent basis, are the same as those discussed above for directors.  They have no other duties or responsibilities as alternate directors.

Board of Directors

The following table sets forth information about the members and alternate members of our board of directors, three of whom have terms that expired in December 2015, while four have terms that will expire in December 2016 and the remaining three have terms that will expire in December 2017.  In accordance with Argentine law, each member maintains his or her position on the board until a new shareholders’ meeting elects new directors. 

Full Name

Age

Position

Appointment Date

Termination Date

Gustavo Mariani

44

Chairman

30/04/2014

31/12/2016

Ricardo Alejandro Torres

57

Vice Chairman

30/04/2014

31/12/2016

Marcos Marcelo Mindlin

51

Director

30/04/2015

31/12/2017

Damián Miguel Mindlin

49

Director

30/04/2015

31/12/2017

Diego Martín Salaverri

50

Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Eduardo Setti (1)

44

Director

12/08/2013

31/12/2015

Emmanuel Antonio Alvarez Agis(1)

33

Director

30/04/2015

31/12/2017

Lucía Belén Gutierrez (1)

31

Director

30/04/2014

31/12/2016

Marcelo P. Blanco (1)

52

Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Isaac Héctor Mochón(1)

71

Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Pablo Alejandro Diaz

57

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Alejandro Mindlin

39

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Gabriel Cohen

50

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Carlos Perez Bello (1)

60

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Brian Henderson

69

Alternate Director

30/04/2015

31/12/2017

Mariano Batistella

32

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Gerardo Carlos Paz

46

Alternate Director

17/06/2014

31/12/2016

Juan Miguel Cuattromo (1)

32

Alternate Director

17/06/2014

31/12/2016

Carlos Tovagliari (1)

54

Alternate Director

26/04/2013

31/12/2015

Gabriela Andrea Galarza(1)

30

Alternate Director

30/04/2015

31/12/2017

 

(1)     Independent Directors under Argentine law and under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Marcos Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Miguel Mindlin and Alejandro Mindlin are brothers.  There are no other family relationships between the other members of our board of directors.

 

 

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Senior Management

The table below sets forth certain information concerning our senior management:

Name

Position

Age

Marcos Marcelo Mindlin

Executive Director

51

Gustavo Mariani

Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Generation Manager and Chief of New Business

44

Ricardo Alejandro Torres

Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Distribution

57

Damián Miguel Mindlin

Chief Investment Portfolio Manager

49

Horacio Turri

Oil & Gas Manager

54

Gabriel Cohen

Corporate Financing Manager

50

Orlando Escudero

Operations and Maintenance Co-Manager

57

Ruben Turienzo

Commercial Manager

50

Mario Ricardo Cebreiro

Human Recourses Manager and Operations and Maintenance Co-Manager

62

 

The business address of each of our current directors and executive officers is Ortiz de Ocampo 3302, Building #4, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina (C1425DSR).

Set forth below are brief biographical descriptions of the members of our board of directors and our senior management. 

Gustavo Mariani was born on September 9, 1970. Mr. Mariani holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Belgrano and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Universidad del CEMA (Center of Macroeconomic Studies) and also is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) since 1998.  He has been a member of our board of directors since November 2005 and elected as Chairman in 2013.  Mr. Mariani joined Grupo Dolphin in 1993 as an analyst and also served as an investment portfolio manager.  He currently serves as Director of Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., CPB, CTG, Loma de La Lata, GMA Warrants S.A., Transener, Compañía de Inversiones S.A., Citelec, Comunicaciones y Consumo S.A., Consultores Fund Management S.A., Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Créditos Holding S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A, Dolphin Fund Management S.A., Dolphin Inversora S.A., IEASA, EASA, Transba, Edenor, Energía Distribuida S.A., PEPCA, Grupo Dolphin S.A. Grupo Dolphin Holding S.A., HIDISA, HINISA, Nihuiles, Diamante, IEASA, IPB, Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Pampa Comercializadora S.A., Pampa F&F LLC, Pampa Participaciones II, Pampa Participaciones, Transelec, Petrolera Pampa, CIESA, Sitios Argentinos S.A. and TGS and as alternate liquidator of CAM Gerenciadora S.A. (en liquidación).  Also, Mr. Mariani is the executive secretary of the management board of “Fundación Pampa Energía Comprometidos con la Educación.”

Ricardo Alejandro Torres was born on March 26, 1958.  Mr. Torres holds a degree in Accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Instituto de Altos Estudios Empresariales-Escuela de Negocios de la Universidad Austral.  He has been a member of our board of directors since November 2005 and was elected as Vice Chairman in 2013.  Mr. Torres is, since March 2012, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Edenor.  Mr. Torres has also held a post as a profesor of Tax and Finance at the school of Economics of the Universidad de Buenos Aires.  He currently serves as director of Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., CPB, CTG, Loma de la Lata, Energía Distribuida S.A., EASA, PEPCA, HIDISA, HINISA, IEASA, Diamante, Nihuiles, IPB, Pampa Comercializadora S.A., PISA, Pampa Participaciones, Pampa Participaciones II, Petrolera Pampa, Ponderosa Assets Holding I LLC. Ponderosa Assets Holding II LLC, RT Warrants S.A., Transelec, Pop Argentina S.R.L. (Partner), Todos Capital S.R.L. (Partner); Citelec (alternate director), Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., Orígenes Seguro de Retiro S.A., Transba (alternate director).  Also, Mr. Torres is the vocal of the management board of “Fundación Pampa Energía Comprometidos con la Educación.

Marcos Marcelo Mindlin was born on January 19, 1964.  He has been a member of our board of directors since 2006.  He is a member of the Council of the Americas.  Mr. Mindlin received a Master of Science in Business Administration from the Universidad del CEMA (Center of Macroeconomic Studies).  He also holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. In 2008, Mr. Mindlin founded and since that time has directed a charity foundation called “Fundación Pampa Energía Comprometidos con la Educación” whose purpose is to improve childhood development and education.  Mr. Mindlin is also a member and was Chairman of the Board of the Executive Committee of Tzedaka, a leading Jewish-Argentine foundation.  From 1989 to 2004, Mr. Mindlin served as the founder, Senior Portfolio Manager and a shareholder of Grupo Dolphin.  From 1991 to 2003, Mr. Mindlin was also a shareholder, Vice-Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Inversiones y Representaciones S.A. (IRSA), a leading Argentine real estate company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  In November 2003, Mr. Mindlin resigned from IRSA to focus his work on Grupo Dolphin.  Mr. Mindlin has extensive expertise in Latin America through his role as Chairman of the board of directors of Grupo Dolphin and several of its affiliates.  From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Mindlin also served as Vice President of Alto Palermo S.A. (a leading owner and operator of shopping centers in Buenos Aires), Vice President at Cresud S.A.I.C. (one of the largest listed agricultural companies in Argentina) and as Director and member of the Executive Committee of Banco Hipotecario, the leading mortgage bank in Argentina.  Mr. Mindlin also serves as director of Edenor, Grupo Dolphin S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A., Electricidad Argentina S.A., IEASA S.A., HINISA, HIDISA, Transelec Argentina S.A., Loma de la Lata, Güemes, Inversora Diamante S.A., Inversora Nihuiles S.A., Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Créditos Holding S.A., Dolphin Inversora S.A., Piedra Buena, IPB, Petrolera Pampa, Pampa Participaciones II S.A., Energía Distribuida S.A., Pampa Participaciones S.A., Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., PEPCA, Grupo Dolphing Holding S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A. Consultores Fund Management, Sitios Argentinos S.A., Pampa Comercializadora S.A. and Mindlin Warrants S.A.  

 

 

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Damián Miguel Mindlin was born on January 3, 1966.  He has been a member of our board of directors since November 2005.  Mr. Mindlin joined Grupo Dolphin in 1991 as a shareholder and a director.  Since November 2003, Mr. Mindlin has served as Investment Portfolio Manager of Grupo Dolphin.  Also, Mr. Mindlin is the vice president of management board of “Fundación Pampa Energía Comprometidos con la Educación”.  Additionally, he currently serves as director of Edenor (alternate director), Grupo Dolphin S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A., Electricidad Argentina S.A., IEASA S.A., EASA, HINISA, HIDISA, Transelec Argentina S.A., Pampa Participaciones S.A.,  Güemes, Inversora Diamante S.A., Inversora Nihuiles S.A., Piedra Buena, IPB, Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Créditos Holding.S.A., Dolphin Inversora S.A., Petrolera Pampa, Pampa Participaciones II S.A., Energía Distribuida S.A., Pampa Inversiones, Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., PEPCA (alternate director), Citelec (alternate director), Grupo Dolphin Holding S.A., ARPHC S.A., Estancia María S.A., Pampa Comercializadora S.A., Consultores Fund Management, Dolphin Fund Management, Pampa F&F and DMM Warrants S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A. and Sitios Argentinos S.A. and as Liquidator of CAM Gerenciadora S.A. (en liquidación). 

Diego Martín Salaverri was born on August 7, 1964. He has been a member of our board of directors since June 2006.  He is a founding partner of the Argentine law firm of Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán.  He earned a degree in law in 1988 from the Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires.  He is member of the board of directors of Edenor (alternate director), Estancia María S.A., Socotherm Amercias S.A. and ARPHC S.A. He is also a member of the supervisory committee of Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Créditos Holding S.A., Grupo Dolphin Holding S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., CIESA, and TGS. Until 2007, he was a member of the board of directors of EASA.  Mr. Salaverri resigned from his position as director of EASA at the November 14, 2007 meeting of the board of directors of EASA.  Mr. Salaverri is also an alternate member of the statutory audit committee of GSF S.A. and Partners I S.A.

 

Lucía Belén Gutierrez was born on on December 14, 1983. Mrs. Gutiérrez holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Mrs. Gutiérrez has been a member of Pampa Energía’s Board of Directors and of the audit committee since April, 2014. She is also an alternate director of Aluar Aluminio Argentino SAIC and director of Solvay Indupa SAIC. Mrs. Gutiérrez is a member of the Agency of Companies with National Participation (Dirección Nacional de Empresas con Participación Estatal).

 

Eduardo Pablo Setti was born on February 16, 1971.  Mr. Setti is also a director of Gas Natural Ban S.A., Transener and Edenor. Mr. Setti holds a degree in Economics from the UADE.

 

Emmanuel Antonio Alvarez Agis was born on May 9, 1981. Mr. Alvarez Agis has been a member of our board of directors since 2012. He is also director of Edenor, Transener and Banco Macro S.A. Mr. Alvarez Agis is the Secretary of Political Economics and Development Planning (Secretario de Política Económica y Planificación del Desarrollo). He holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

 

 

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Marcelo P. Blanco was born in 1962.  Mr. Blanco has been a director of Pampa since 2013.  He also served as chief country officer of Deutsche Bank S.A. Previously, he worked at Deutsche Bank Securities as managing director, head of Latin America capital markets and sales and also at Copernico Capital Partners, UBS Warburg Dillon Read, The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. and The First Boston Corporation.  He is also director of Buenos Aires Petróleo S.A. and B y D Platería S.A.  Mr. Blanco holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of California.

Isaac Héctor Mochón was born on August 9, 1943. Mr. Mochón has been a director of the Company since 2013. Mr. Mochón also serves as director of Design Suites S.A. and Misted.  Mr. Mochón holds a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Pablo Díaz was born on June 26, 1957.  Mr. Díaz has been an alternate director of our company since June 2006.  Previously, he was an advisor to the federal Subsecretaría de Energía Eléctrica (the Sub-Secretariat for Electrical Energy).  He currently serves as director of Piedra Buena (alternate), Güemes (alternate), Loma de la Lata (alternate), Citelec, Transener, Edenor, Transba (alternate), HIDISA (alternate), HINISA (alternate), IEASA (alternate), Diamante (alternate), Nihuiles (alternate), IPB (alternate), Pampa Comercializadora S.A.(alternate), Pampa Participaciones S.A. (alternate), Pampa Participaciones II S.A. (alternate), Transelec.

Alejandro Mindlin was born on August 30, 1975.  Mr. Mindlin has been an alternate director of Pampa since June 2006.  Also, Mr. Mindlin is a member of the management board of “Fundación Pampa Energía Comprometidos con la Educación”.   Mr. Mindlin has a B.A. in Middle Eastern History and Languages from Tel Aviv University, as well as a film director’s degree.

Gabriel Cohen was born on September 11, 1964.  Mr. Cohen has been an alternate director of Pampa since June 2006, and he is presently vicepresident of Transener and president of CITELEC S.A. and TRANSBA S.A.  Mr. Cohen holds a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.  In addition, he worked for 15 years at Citibank, N.A., serving at the bank’s offices in Buenos Aires and Paris, holding different positions in financial control, treasury, investment banking, corporate banking and debt restructuring processes.  He currently serves as alternate director of Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., Güemes, EASA, Energía Distribuida S.A., HIDISA, HINISA, IEASA, Diamante, Nihuiles, IPB, Pampa Comercializadora S.A., Pampa Participaciones S.A., Pampa Participaciones II S.A., Transelec.

Carlos Perez Bello was born on September 19, 1954.  He has been an alternate director of Pampa since April 2013.  Mr. Perez Bello also serves as director of Mantero, Arcucci&Asociados and of Pereira, Teliz, Bonin & Asociados and is the president of the Comisión de Cambio y Competitividad del CPCECABA, of the red de Apoyo del Club Argentino de Negocios de Familia and of the red de Apoyo del Centro de Entrepreneurship of the IAE.  Mr. Perez Bello holds a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad de Belgrano.  Also Mr. Perez Bello has a post graduate degree in Commercialization and Agro Business and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Brian Henderson was born on September 23, 1945. Mr. Henderson is a technical advisor of Grupo Dolphin S.A.  Previously, Mr. Henderson served as director of the Latin America Region of National Grid, Silica Networks and Manquehue Net Telecomunicaciones (Chile) and vicepresident of commercial operations of Energy Charter Oak for America, Africa and Europe. Before Charter Oak Energy, Mr Henderson served as vicepresident and CEO of Deutsche Babcock Riley, Canada Inc. Mr. Henderson is the 2nd Vicepresident of Transba.  He is also director of Güemes, Citelec, HINISA(alternate director), HIDISA(alternate director), Inversora Diamante S.A. (alternate director), Inversora Nihuiles S.A. (alternate director), Pampa Participaciones II S.A. (alternate director), Transelec Argentina S.A. (alternate director), Transener(alternate director), Energía Distribuída S.A. (alternate director), , Transba, Bodega Loma la Lata S.A. (alternate director). He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Hebum University.

Mariano Batistella was born on July 31, 1982. He has been an alternate director of the Company since 2013. He currently works as Investor Relations Officer, Planning Manager and Special Projects Manager of the Company. Mr. Batistella worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Batistella holds a degree in business administration from the Universidad de San Andres and has a postgraduate degree in finance from the same institution.  He currently serves as alternate director for Edenor S.A., CIESA and TGS.

 

 

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Gerardo Carlos Paz was born on October 24, 1968. Mr Paz holds a law degree from the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and a Masters in Business Law form the Escuela Superior de Economía y Adminsitración de Empresas.  He currently serves as alternate auditor for CAMMESA, director of Termoeléctrica San Martín S.A. and Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano S.A., and alternate director of EASA, HIDISA, HINISA, Pampa Comercializadora S.A., and Guemes.

Juan Miguel Cuattromo was born on January 13, 1983. Mr Cuattromo holds a degree in Economics from the University of Buenos Aires, where he also completed a Master’s degree in Economics. He completed postgraduate studies at the Institute for Capacity Development of the International Monetary Fund and the Escola de Administração Fazendária at the Ministry of Finance of Brazil. Currently he serves as Undersecretary of Macroeconomic Programming at the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, Director in Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. and Edenor.

Carlos Tovagliari was born on December 27, 1959.  Mr. Tovagliari has been an alternate director of the Company and Güemes since 2013.  He also serves as vicepresident and CEO of Pop Argentina S.R.L.  Previously, he worked at Inversiones y Representaciones S.A. and at Petersen Thiele y Cruz S.A. Mr. Tovagliari holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Horacio Turri was born on March 19, 1961.  Mr. Turri is an industrial engineer and received his degree at Instituto Tecnológico Buenos Aires.  From March 2000 to June 2008, Mr. Turri served as Chief Executive Officer of Central Puerto S.A.  Since August 1997, to March 2000, he was Chief Executive Officer of Hidroeléctrica Piedra del Águila.  From 1994 to 1997 he was Chief Executive Officer of Gener Argentina S.A.  Prior to 1994, he was Development Assistant Manager at Central Puerto S.A. He worked as an analyst of investment projects in the oil, gas and electricity sectors at SACEIF Luis Dreyfus from 1990 to 1992. He also worked at Arthur Andersen & Co. and Schlumberger Wireline in 1987-1990 and 1985-1987, respectively. 

Orlando Escudero was born on January 2, 1958. Mr. Escudero has worked in the Company since 2007. He also worked at Central Puerto S.A. and Hidroeléctrica Piedra del Aguila S.A. from 1992 to 2007 and at Segba S.A. from 1983 to 1992.  Mr. Escudero holds a degree in mechanical and naval engineering from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and a master’s degree in business administration, also from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Ruben Turienzo was born on July 23, 1964. Mr. Turiezo has worked in the Company since 2007. He also worked at Hidroeléctrica Piedra del Aguila S.A. and Central Puerto S.A. He was also a director of CAMMESA for seven years and president of AGEERA. Mr. Turienzo holds a degree in electrical engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Sur and holds a master’s degree in business from the Universidad del CEMA.

Mario Ricardo Cebreiro was born on April 12, 1953.  Mr. Cebreiro has a degree in electrical engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Sur.  From June 2008 to August 2011, he served as Chief of Central Piedra Buena.  From August 2004 to April 2008, he was Chief Operating Officer of Distrocuyo.  From September 2000 to 2004 he was Chief of Research and Development at Electricité de France.  Prior to 2000, he was Chief Operating Officer of Transba, Chief Operating Officer of ESEBA Generación and Chief of Central Termoeléctrica Necochea.

Gabriela Andrea Galarza was born on March 1985. Mrs. Galarza holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Since 2013, Mrs. Galarza is a member of the Agency of Companies with National Participation (Dirección Nacional de Empresas con Participación Estatal).  Also, since 2014, she serves as director of Edesa Holding S.A. and TGS.

Independence of the Members of Our Board of Directors

Pursuant to CNV regulations, a director shall not be considered independent in certain situations, including where a director:

(1)                 owns a 15% equity interest in the relevant company, or a lesser interest if such director has the right to appoint one or more directors of the company (hereinafter, a significant participation) or has a significant participation in a corporation having a significant participation in the company or a significant influence on the company;

 

 

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(2)                 is a member of the board or depends on shareholders, or is otherwise related to shareholders, having a significant participation in the company or of other corporations in which these shareholders have directly or indirectly a significant participation or significant influence;

(3)                 is or has been in the previous three years an employee of the company;

(4)                 has a professional relationship or is a member of a corporation that maintains professional relationships with, or receives remuneration (other than the one received in consideration of his performance as a director) from the company or its shareholders having a direct or indirect significant participation or significant influence on the same, or with corporations in which the shareholders also have a direct or indirect significant participation or a significance influence;

(5)                 directly or indirectly sells or provides goods or services to the company or to the shareholders of the same who have a direct or indirect significant participation or significant influence, for higher amounts than his remuneration as a member of the administrative body; or

(6)                 is the spouse or parent (up to the second level of affinity or up to the fourth level of consanguinity) of persons who, if they were members of the administrative body, would not be independent, according to the above listed rules.

The following directors, including alternate directors, do not qualify as independent members of our board of directors in accordance with the CNV criteria: Marcos Marcelo Mindlin, Ricardo Alejandro Torres, Damián Miguel Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani, Diego Martín Salaverri, Pablo Diaz, Alejandro Mindlin, Gabriel Cohen, Mariano Batistella, Brian Henderson and Gerardo Carlos Paz. On the other hand, the following directors, including alternate directors, qualify as independent members of our board of directors according to the above mentioned criteria: Emmanuel Antonio Alvarez Agis, Lucía Belén Gutierrez, Marcelo P. Blanco, Isaac Héctor Mochón, Carlos Perez Bello, Eduardo Setti, Juan Cuattromo, Carlos Tovagliari and Gabriela Andrea Galarza.

The Argentine independence standards under CNV rules differ in many ways from the NYSE, NASDAQ or the U.S. federal securities law standards.

Audit Committee

According to the provisions of Section 109 of the CML, the Company established an audit committee. During the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 26, 2013, our shareholders approved an amendment to the audit committee’s charter, which regulates the audit committee’s structure and functions. The main purpose of said amendment was to update the charter as per the most recent provisions of the CML.

Composition

Our audit committee is comprised of three members of the board.  All the members of our audit committee must be independent according to the audit charter and must have professional experience in finance, accounting, law and/or management. 

Budget

Our audit committee will have an annual budget approved by the ordinary annual shareholders’ meeting based on available funds from, without limitation, our revenues, investments and cost savings.

Duties and authority

Our audit committee is responsible for the performance of the duties that fall within its scope of authority pursuant to the provisions of the CML.  These duties include, among other things, the following:

·         supervising the operation of the internal control systems and the administrive-accounting system of the Company as well as the reliability of the administrative-accounting system and of all the financial information for any other material facts submitted to the consideration of the authorities in compliance with the applicable reporting requirements in force;

 

 

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·         issuing an opinion on the external auditors nominated by the board of directors to be retained by the Company and verifying if they are independent pursuant to the CML;

·         reviewing the plans submitted by the external auditors, supervising and assessing their performance and issuing an opinion thereon upon the presentation and publication of the Company’s annual financial statements;

·         supervising compliance with the risk management information policies in place in the Company;

·         approving transactions with related parties in the events set forth in the applicable law and issue an opion in such respect and inform the same pursuant to the provisions of the applicable law to the extent there is or may be and alleged conflict of interest in the Company;

·         providing the market with complete information regarding transactions in connection of which there is a conflicts of interest with the members of our corporate bodies or controlling shareholders;

·         approving the submission by the board of directors of any proposed compensation to the Company’s executives to the consideration of the shareholders’ meeting;

·         verifying compliance with applicable standards of conduct;

·         nominating two independent candidates for each renewal election for the board of directors to include one of them in the slate to be submitted to the shareholders’ meeting for the appointment of directors members of the audit committee;

·         issuing an opinion on the absence of any default by the executives under the Opportunities Assignment Agreement approved by the shareholders’ meeting held on June 16, 2006 and executed on September 27, 2006, at least ten days in advance of the date on which each series of warrants vests and within twenty days of receiving notice from one of the executives of an event of acceleration, if applicable;

·         approving any proposal related to the remuneration and compensation of our directors, before any such proposal is submitted to shareholders for consideration.  In reviewing such proposals the audit committee may consult with internationally recognized experts in the matter to make sure that our directors and executive officers earn compensation similar to the compensation received by other persons holding similar positions; and

·         advising our board of directors with respect to the nomination of independent director candidates to be members of the audit committee.

Compensation policy

Our audit committee charter provides that any proposed compensation to the Company’s executives, must be similar to any remuneration paid to persons in comparable positions, in Argentina and/or abroad, engaged in the management of private equity and investments activities. In addition, according to applicable regulation, such compensation must be based on the contribution made by each executive, as well as the Company’s financial condition and result of operations.  Any proposal for remuneration that is not duly considered and approved by our audit committee cannot be submitted for the consideration of the shareholders’ meeting.

Nomination policy

The members of our audit committee are responsible for nominating two independent director candidates (based on the criteria and requirements for independent directors under applicable Argentine law) each time a renewal of directors must take place. In accordance with applicable regulations, all members of our audit committee are independent.

 

 

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The following table sets forth certain relevant information of the members of our audit committee:

 

Name

 

Age

Marcelo P. Blanco

52

Lucía Belen Gutiérrez

31

Isaac Héctor Mochón

71

 

For biographical information on the members of the audit committee see their respective biographies under “Board of Directors”.

Supervisory Committee

Our current by-laws set forth a supervisory committee composed of three regulars and three alternate members. The members of the supervisory committee shall hold office for a term of three fiscal years.  Pursuant to the BCL, only lawyers and accountants admitted to practice in Argentina may serve as members of a supervisory committee of an Argentine sociedad anónima, or limited liability corporation.

The primary responsibilities of the supervisory committee are to monitor the management’s compliance with the BCL, the by-laws, its regulations, if any, and the shareholders’ resolutions, and to perform these duties include, inter alia, the following:

(1)     attending meetings of the board of directors, executive committee, audit committee and shareholders;

(2)     calling extraordinary shareholders’ meetings when deemed necessary and ordinary and special shareholders’ meetings when not called by the board of directors;

(3)     investigating written complaints of shareholders; and

(4)     monitoring the operation of the Ethics line through which executives and employees of the Company may make, among others, complaints regarding accounting, internal control and audit matters. 

In performing these functions, the supervisory committee does not control our operations or assess the merits of the decisions made by the directors.  The duties and responsibilities of an alternate statutory auditor, when acting in the place of a statutory auditor on a temporary or permanent basis, are the same as those discussed above for statutory auditors.  They have no other duties or responsibilities as alternate statutory auditors.

The following table sets forth certain relevant information of the members of our supervisory committee.

Name

Position

Age

Walter Antonio Pardi

Statutory Auditor

54

Germán Wetzler Malbrán

Statutory Auditor

45

José Daniel Abelovich

Statutory Auditor

58

Marcelo Héctor Fuxman

Alternate Statutory Auditor

59

Victoria Hitce

Alternate Statutory Auditor

38

Silvia Alejandra Rodriguez

Alternate Statutory Auditor

42

 

Set forth below are brief biographical descriptions of the members of our supervisory committee:

                Walter Antonio Pardi was born on April 14, 1961. He has been a member of our supervisory committee since May 2009. Since 1993, Mr. Pardi has served in the internal audit body of the Argentine Government (Sindicatura General de la Nación). He also serves in the supervisory committee for several Argentine companies, including Telam S.E., Nación Leasing S.A. and Operadora Ferroviaria S.E. Mr. Pardi holds a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

 

 

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Marcelo Héctor Fuxman was born on November 30, 1955.  He has been a member of our supervisory committee since June 2006.  Mr. Fuxman holds a degree in Accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.  Mr. Fuxman is a partner of Abelovich, Polano & Asociados/NEXIA INTERNATIONAL, an auditing firm, and managing partner of Real Estate Investments S.R.L.  He currently serves as Director of Abelovich, Polano & Asoc. S.R.L., Abus las Americas I S.A., Abus Securities S.A., Advanced Capital Securities S.A., Agra Argentina S.A., Agro Managers S.A., Agro Investment S.A., Agrotech S.A., Alto Palermo S.A., Arcos del Gourmet S.A., Austral Gold Argentina BACSAA S.A., Banco de Crédito y Securitización S.A., Banco Hipotecario S.A., Baicom Networks S.A., BH Valores S.A. de Sociedad de Bolsa, BHN Seguros Generales S.A., BHN Sociedad de Inversión S.A., BHN Vida S.A., Bitania 26 S.A., Boulevard Norte S.A., Cactus Argentina S.A., Güemes, Loma de la Lata, Transener, Citelec, Conil S.A., Convexity Sociedad Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversión S.A., Cresud SACIF y A, Cyrsa S.A., Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Créditos Holding S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A., E-Commerce Latina S.A., EASA, Emprendimiento Recoleta S.A., Emprendimientos del Puerto S.A., Transba, Edenor, Exportaciones Agroindustriales Argentinas S.A., Fibesa S.A., Futuros y Opciones.com S.A., FYO Trading S.A., Grupo Dolphin Holding S.A., HIDISA, Hoteles Argentinos S.A., Inversora Bolívar S.A., IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones S.A., Jordelis S.A., La Clara de Banderaló S.A., La Pionera de Anta S.A., Llao – Llao Resorts S.A., Nuevas Fronteras S.A., Nabsa Corporation, Nuevo Puerto Santa Fe S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., Oberli S.A., Palermo Invest S.A., Panamerican Mall S.A., Petrolera Pampa, Préstamos y Servicios S.A., Proyectos Edilicios S.A., Puerto Retiro S.A., Quality Invest S.A., Palermo Invest S.A., Real Estate Investments S.R.L., Shopping Neuquén S.A., Solares de Santa María S.A., Tarshop S.A., Torres del Puerto S.A., Torres de Puerto Madero S.A., TGS and Unicity S.A.  

Germán Wetzler Malbrán was born on April 25, 1970. He has been a member of our supervisory committee since April 2010, as well as member the supervisory committee of many of our subsidiaries. Mr. Wetzler Malbrán holds a law degree from the Universidad Católica Argentina.  Mr. Wetzler Malbrán is a founder partner of Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán law firm. He is a member of the statutory audit committee of Loma de la Lata, IPB, IEASA S.A., Pampa Participaciones S.A., Pampa Participaciones II S.A., Petrolera Pampa, Bodega Loma la Lata S.A., Transelec Argentina S.A., Diamante, Nihuiles, PEPCA, Los Yaros Agropecuaria S.A and Agropecuaria La Volanta S.A.  He currently serves as alternate director of ARPHC S.A. and Estancia María S.A. Additionally, Mr. Wetzler Malbrán serves as an alternate member of statutory auditor of Grupo Dolphin Holding S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A. and Dolphin Finance S.A., among others.

Silvia Alejandra Rodríguez was born on December 15, 1972.  She has been a member of our supervisory committee since April 2011.  Ms. Rodriguez holds a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.  Since October 2009, Ms. Rodriguez has served in the internal audit body of the Argentine Government (Sindicatura General de Empresas Públicas-Sindicatura General de la Nación). She also serves as a member of the statutory audit committee of Parque Eólico Arauco S.A.P.E.M., Agua y Saneamiento S.A. and Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A., as alternate member of the statutory audit committee of Arsat S.A., Telecom S.A., Ferrosur Roca S.A., Ferroexpreso S.A. and CEAT S.A.. 

José Daniel Abelovich was born on July 20, 1956.  He has been a member of our supervisory committee since 2007.  Mr. Abelovich holds a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.  Mr. Abelovich is a partner of Abelovich, Polano & Asociados/NEXIA INTERNATIONAL, an auditing firm. Mr. Abelovich also serves as member of the of the following supervisory committees, among aothers, of Alto Palermo S.A., Arcos del Gourmet S.A., Banco de Crédito y Securitización S.A., Banco Hipotecario S.A., BH Valores S.A. de Sociedad de Bolsa, BHN Seguros Generales S.A., BHN Sociedad de Inversión S.A., BHN Vida S.A., Transener, Citelec, Convexity Sociedad Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversión S.A., Cresud SACIF y A, EASA, Emprendimiento Recoleta S.A., Transba, Edenor, Hoteles Argentinos S.A., Inversora Bolívar S.A., IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones S.A., Llao – Llao Resorts S.A., Nuevas Fronteras S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A., Orígenes Seguros de Vida S.A., Palermo Invest S.A., Panamerican Mall S.A., Petrolera Pampa, Shopping Neuquén S.A., Solares de Santa María S.A., Tarshop S.A. and Unicity S.A.

Victoria Hitce was born on April 9, 1977.  She has been an alternate member of our supervisory committee since April 2015. Ms. Hitce received her law degree from the Universidad Católica Argentina. She is a founding partner of the Argentine law firm Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán. Mrs. Hitce serves as a member of the supervisory committee of Bodega Loma La Lata S.A., IEASA S.A., Diamante, Nihuiles, IPB, Pampa Participaciones II S.A., Pampa Participaciones S.A., PEPCA S.A., Transelec Argentina S.A and as an alternate member of the supervisory committee of Dolphin Créditos Holding S.A., Dolphin Créditos S.A., Dolphin Finance S.A. and Electricidad Argentina S.A.  

 

 

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Corporate Governance 

The Company enacted a comprehensive code of trading as well as a business code of conduct.

·         Policy of Trading. This Policy was approved by the board of directors on June 14, 2007 and its latest amendment was approved through by the board of directors’ meeting held on January 27, 2015. It has been implemented in order to avoid ‘insider trading’ practices by the Company’s employees (i.e, to prevent the use of non-public material information to gain advantage for oneself or for others, either directly or indirectly). The Policy applies to the Company’s staff and its subsidiaries, including directors, supervisory committee members, and senior management lines, and it extends to their families or persons who live with them, as well as to certain suppliers.

·         Business Code of Conduct approved by the board of directors’ meeting held on December 10, 2007. This Code not only states the ethical principles that constitute the foundation of the relationship between the Company, its employees and suppliers, but also offers the means and instruments that guarantee the transparency of issues and problems affecting the management of the Company. As part of the various corporate governance policies adopted, the Company’s approved implementing the Ethics Hotline as an exclusive channel to report, under strict confidentiality, any suspected misconduct or breach of the Code.

Additionally, the Company adopted the following policies and practices:

·         Self-Assessment Questionnaire for the Board of Directors.  In 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors passed the implementation of a self-assessment questionnaire to annually examine and assess its own performance and management. The Company’s Corporate Law Division is in charge of examining and filing each questionnaire with the individual answers given by the Board members and, based on the results, it shall submit to the Company’s board of directors all the proposed measures deemed useful to improve the performance of the board of directors’ duties..

·         Internal Policy on Transactions with Related Parties. According to the provisions the CML, the Company approved the Internal Policy of Transactions with Related Parties.  Pursuant to such policy and as stated in the applicable regulations, all high-value transactions  (i.e. all exceeding 1% of the equity of the Company) made by the Company with individuals and/or legal entities which are considered as ‘related parties’ pursuant to the provisions set forth in applicable regulations, must be subject to a specific prior authorization and control procedure that is carried out under the coordination of the Company’s Corporate Law Division and which involves both the Companys’s board of directors and its Audit Committee, as the case may be.

The Company adopted as well the following polices:

·         Pre-approval of Principal Accountant Services. This Policy standardizes an internal process that allows the Audit Committee to comply with its obligation to grant prior approval for hiring an external auditor for the provision of any kind of authorized service to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

·         Fraud Prevention Procedures. In accordance with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Act and in addition to the Business Code of Conduct, the Company adopted the Fraudulent Practices Prevention Program, which sets out the responsibilities, duties and methodology necessary to prevent and detect any misconduct and/or fraudulent behavior within the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries.

 

 

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·         Policy on Material Information’s Disclousure. This Policy was approved with the aim of standardizing the basic principles concerning the way in which Company’s material information disclosure processes operate, in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the securities markets on which the Company’s securities are listed or those in which it is registered to such end. To ensure the duly execution and compliance with the internal dispositions and applicable regulations as regards this matter, the Company established an Information Disclosure Committee. 

·         Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Policy, passed by the board of directors’ meeting held on July 5, 2011. This Policy was approved in accordance with the provisions set forth in Law No. 25,246 on Concealment and Laundering of Assets Derived from Criminal Activity, its regulations and related provisions, and Financial Information Unit (“UIF”) Resolutions No33/2011 and 229/2011. Its main purpose is to establish the procedures for institutionally combating asset laundering and terrorist financing.

Compensation of Directors and Officers

The BCL provides that the compensation payable to all directors (including those directors who are also members of senior management) in a fiscal year may not exceed 5% of net income for such fiscal year, if the company is not paying dividends in respect of such net income.  The BCL increases the annual limitation on director compensation to up to 25% of net income if all the net income for such year is distributed as dividend.  The percentage decreases proportionally based on the relation between the net income and the dividends distributed.  The BCL also provides that the shareholders’ meeting may approve the remuneration of the directors in excess of the limits set by the BCL in case the company has no net income or the net income is low, if the relevant directors performed during such fiscal year special commitments or technical-administrative functions.  The audit committee approves proposals presented by our board of directors with respect to the compensation of our directors who are also executive officers.  See “Audit Committee—Compensation Policy.”  The compensation of all directors and members of the supervisory committee requires shareholders’ approval at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Shareholders’ meeting held on April 30, 2015 approved fees to our directors and executive officers who are also members of our Board of Directors for approximately Ps. 11,545,909  million. We do not currently have any pension plan in place for our directors and executive officers. 

Share Ownership

As of April 30, 2015, Marcos Marcelo Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani, Ricardo Alejandro Torres and Diego Martín Salaverri each owns shares representing, in the aggregate, less than one percent of our capital stock.  No other member of our board of directors or our senior management beneficially owns any shares of our capital stock.  See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”

Opportunities Assignment Agreement and Warrants

On September 27, 2006, we executed the Opportunities Assignment Agreement with Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres.  As amended, the Opportunities Assignment Agreement provides that, until September 28, 2014, these four individuals were obliged to offer to us on a priority basis any investment opportunity relating to assets and opportunities in the energy sector (including electricity, oil and gas and alternative energies) in all the stages of its production and commercialization in or outside Argentina that each of these four individuals or all of them as a group may identify, provided that such investment is within our financial possibilities.

As consideration for the agreement by Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres to offer to us the investment opportunities mentioned above, our shareholders approved the issuance of certain warrants to these four individuals on June 16, 2006.  Such warrants were issued to these individuals on September 27, 2006 in connection with the September 2006 capital increase.  As amended, the warrants agreements provide that the warrants shall confer to Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres (or any company controlled by any of them that holds such warrants), on their respective exercise date, the right to subscribe for shares of our common stock representing as of the date of this annual report 20% of our outstanding capital.  The warrants are issued in three series divided into three equal parts (Series I, II and III). 

 

 

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Series I, Series II and Series III warrants have vested by fifths on each of September 28, 2010, September 28, 2011, September 28, 2012, September 28, 2013, and September 28, 2014.  The exercise period for the warrants is 15 years, commencing on their issuance date on September 27, 2006. The exercise price of the warrants is U.S. $ 0.27.

Both the exercise price and the number of shares that may be subscribed for by exercising the warrants are subject to certain adjustments that are aimed at preserving the value of the warrants throughout their term.  Events that would trigger the adjustment of the exercise price and/or the number of underlying shares that the warrants give the right to purchase include, among others, stock dividends or capitalization of reserves, corporate reorganizations such as mergers (excluding a merger in which the company is the surviving company), reclassifications of securities, splits, subdivisions or combinations of shares, distributions of dividends, which in the aggregate and in the respective fiscal year exceed in relation to each share 5% of the market price corresponding to such fiscal year and any event of acceleration under the terms of the warrants.  Following our acquisition of Edenor in September 2007, the warrants and the Opportunities Assignment Agreement were amended to provide, among other things, that the warrants will no longer be adjusted in connection with future capital increases, following the September 2007 capital increase, but excluding stock dividends or capitalization of reserves.

Additionally, in August 2006, the CNV authorized, on a general basis and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, which conditions were fulfilled in October 2006, the making of a public offer of these warrants.

The table below sets forth the number of shares that are subject to the warrants held indirectly by each of Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres as of the date of this annual report:

 
 

 

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Warrant Holder

Total number of shares subject to warrants

 

Marcos Marcelo Mindlin

 

242,283,337

 

Damián Miguel Mindlin

 

52,462,928

 

Gustavo Mariani

 

52,462,928

 

Ricardo Alejandro Torres

 

34,339,371

Total

381,548,564

Employees

Excluding those employed by us on a temporary basis, at December 31, 2014, we, together with our co-controlled companies, had 6,286 full time employees.  The following table sets forth the number of our full-time employees by segment for the periods indicated:         

 

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

Union

Non-Union

Total

Union

Non-Union

Total

 

Union

Non-Union

Total

Generation

400

215

615

381

223

604

 

346

307

653

Transmission (1)

958

335

1,293

935

323

1,258

 

883

291

1,174

Distribution

3,746

570

4,316

3,043

520

3,563

 

2,414

502

2,916

Holding and Others

-

62

62

-

48

48

 

-

31

31

Total

5,104

1,182

6,286

4,359

1,114

5,473

 

3,643

1,131

4,774

______________________

(1)     Includes the total number of employees of each company in which we have a co-controlling interest.  See “Presentation of Information—Financial Information—Proportionate consolidation of certain subsidiaries”.

 

Approximately 80% of our work force is affiliated with a union and/or is a party to a collective bargaining agreement.  We have completed salary negotiations for 2014.  We maintain a positive relationship with each of the employee unions at our subsidiary companies.  The distribution sector started, in March, the salary negotiations for 2015.  Negotiations have not been completed yet, as of the date of this annual report.

We offer a variety of benefits beyond those required by the Argentine Labor Contract Law, but make no payments to retirees or terminated employees.  In accordance with the agreements we have entered with the unions at some of our subsidiaries, we are required to pay certain seniority premiums to retiring employees as a one time payment upon retirement.

 

 

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Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions  

Major Shareholders

Prior to May 31, 2006, we had 6 million outstanding common shares, with a par value of Ps. 1.00 per share.  On May 31, 2006, September 28, 2006 and February 1, 2007, we consummated capital increases of 140 million, 300 million and 600 million additional shares, respectively.  Also, on September 28, 2007, we issued an additional 480,194,242 shares to the former indirect shareholders of EASA (including shares in the form of GDSs) in connection with our acquisition of Edenor.  Due to the recent international economic crises and the fluctuation in the price of our shares, on September 8, 2008, and again on April 16, 2009, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program, through which we have acquired 211,883,347 shares, or 13.9%, of our then outstanding capital stock, through transactions in the local market.  In the meeting held on April 23, 2010, our shareholders decided to reduce our capital stock in the amount equal to the shares acquired under our share repurchase program.  On March 8, 2010, the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange authorized the share capital reduction approved by our shareholders.  On September 13, 2010, the CNV proceeded with the reduction of capital.  As a result, as of the date of this annual report, our share capital authorized for public trading is Ps. 1,314,310,895, represented by 1,314,310,895 common shares of par value Ps. 1 and with right to one vote per share.  The ADS Depositary has informed us that, as of April 30, 2015, there were approximately 28 million outstanding ADSs

As of such date, there was one registered holder of our ADSs in the United States. Since certain of our ADSs are held by brokers or other nominees, the number of direct record holders in the United States may not be fully indicative of the number of direct beneficial owners in the United States of our ADSs, or of where the direct beneficial owners of such ADSs are resident.  We have no information concerning holders with registered addresses in the United States that hold our shares which are not represented by ADSs.

In addition, as of the date of this annual report, Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres collectively hold, indirectly, an aggregate of 381,548,564 warrants.  See “—Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Opportunities Assignment Agreement and Warrants.”

The table below sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of April 30, 2015: 

Name of Shareholder

Number of shares

Percentage of capital

Percentage of voting power

Pampa Holdings LLC (1)(2)

236.4

17.98%

17.98%

ANSES (3)

305.3

23.23%

23.23%

Marcelo Mindlin (4)

3.3

0.25%

0.25%

Gustavo Mariani (4)

0.5

0.04%

0.04%

Ricardo Torres (4)

1.5

0.12%

0.12%

 

(1)     Pampa Holdings LLC is a company indirectly controlled by Messrs. Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin and Gustavo Mariani, subject to the limitations set forth in note (2) below.

(2)     Pampa Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, currently has two members: Pampa F&F LLC and Labmex International S.ar.L.  Pampa F&F LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that serves as an investment vehicle for a group of institutional investors, none of which exercises control over Pampa F&F LLC.  The managing member of Pampa F&F LLC is Dolphin Fund Management S.A., a Uruguayan corporation controlled by Messrs. Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin and Gustavo Mariani.  Labmex International S.ar.L., a Luxembourg limited liability company, is controlled by Tavistock Group, an international private investment group unrelated to Messrs. Mindlin, Mindlin and Mariani.  Pampa F&F LLC is the managing member of Pampa Holdings LLC.  Labmex International S.ar.L. does not have any veto or other governance rights in Pampa Holdings LLC, except in the case of a conflict of interest arising as a result of Pampa F&F making any decisions or taking any actions on behalf of Pampa Holdings LLC, in its capacity as managing member, in which case such powers are exercised by Labmex International S.ar.L, pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement.

(3)     On November 20, 2008, the Argentine Congress passed a law unifying the Argentine pension and retirement system into a system publicly administered by the Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social (National Social Security Agency, or ANSES) and eliminating the retirement savings system previously administered by private pension funds under the supervision of a governmental agency. In accordance with the new law, private pension funds transferred all of the assets administered by them under the retirement savings system to the ANSES.  These transferred assets included 295,765,953 common shares of the Company, representing 20.50% of our capital stock. The ANSES is subject to the same investment rules, prohibitions and restrictions that were applicable to the Argentine private pension funds under the retirement savings system, except as described in the following sentence.  On April 12, 2011, the Executive Power issued Emergency Decree No. 441, which annulled the restrictions under Section 76(f) of Law No. 24,241on the exercise of more than 5% of the voting power in any local or foreign company, such as the Company, in any meeting of shareholders, irrespective of the actual interest held in the relevant company's capital stock.  The annulment of the restrictions under Section 76(f) of Law No. 24,241 came into effect on April 14, 2011.  As of such date, ANSES may exercise its voting power in any local or foreign company, such as the Company, based on the actual interest held in the relevant company’s capital stock.

 

 

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 (4)    Figures for Messrs. Marcelo Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres do not include the warrants they hold.  Assuming the full exercise of the vested warrants held by these individuals, Marcelo Mindlin would then hold 70,640,507 shares, or 5.37% of our capital stock, Gustavo Mariani would hold 10,954,018, or 0.83%, and Ricardo Torres would hold 7,652,874, or 0.58%.  In addition, assuming the vesting and the full exercise of both the vested and unvested warrants held by these individuals, Marcelo Mindlin would then hold 264,467,176 shares, or 20.12% of our capital stock, Gustavo Mariani would hold 52,924,360, or 4.03%, and Ricardo Torres would hold 35,124,371, or 2.67%.  See “Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Opportunities Assignment Agreement and Warrants.” 

 

Related Party Transactions

Argentine corporate law permits directors of a corporation to enter into transactions with that corporation provided that any such transactions are consistent with prevailing market practice.  The CML provides that corporations whose shares are subject to public offering must submit to their respective audit committees the approval of any transaction with a related party involving an amount that exceeds 1% of the corporation’s net worth. 

Except as set forth below and as otherwise permitted under applicable law, we are currently not party to any transactions with, and have not made any significant loans to, any of our directors, key management personnel or other related persons, and have not provided any guarantees for the benefit of such persons, nor are there any such transactions contemplated with any such persons.

Legal Services

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we engaged the services of the Argentine law firm Errecondo, Salaverri, Dellatorre, González & Burgio and also of the Argentine law firm Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we engaged the services of the Argentine law firm Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán.  One of our directors, Diego Martín Salaverri, one member of the supervisory committee, German Wetzler Malbran, and one alternate member of our supervisory committee, Santiago Dellatorre, are partners of Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler Malbrán.

 

 

 

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Item 8.   Financial Information

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

See “Item 18.  Financial Statements” beginning on page F-1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, we are a party to lawsuits of various types.  Our management evaluates the merit of each claim and assesses the likely outcome, recording an accrual in our financial statements for the related contingent liability when an unfavorable decision is probable and the amount may be reasonably estimated.  At December 31, 2014, we had established accruals in the aggregate amount of Ps. 142 million to cover potential losses from such claims and legal proceedings.  The abovementioned amount, does not include Transener given that our stake in Transener constitutes an interest in a joint venture, and it is not consolidated and it is valued according to the equity method of accounting in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Except as disclosed below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings or claims that may have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Generation

Legal proceedings involving Piedra Buena’s real estate

Pursuant to the contracts relating to Piedra Buena’s privatization in 1997, the Province of Buenos Aires transferred all the assets comprising the Piedra Buena facilities to Piedra Buena.  Although the real property on which the plant was built was not registered in the name of the Province of Buenos Aires, the Province assumed the obligation to transfer the real property with clear and marketable title to Piedra Buena.  As of the date of this annual report, the Province of Buenos Aires has not transferred the real property with clear and marketable title to Piedra Buena but did initiate the expropriation process required to begin the transfer process.  Nonetheless, Piedra Buena initiated legal action against the Province of Buenos Aires in order to avoid an expiration of the statute of limitations for an action claiming the transfer of real property.

In addition, the Province of Buenos Aires transferred the rights to a 22-kilometer gas pipeline, which runs from Transportadora del Gas del Sur’s General Cerri Plant to Piedra Buena’s Plant in Ingeniero White, Province of Buenos Aires, and the rights over a 27-kilometer electricity transmission line, which runs from Piedra Buena’s Plant in Ingeniero White, Province of Buenos Aires to Estación Transformadora Bahía Blanca.  Both the pipeline and the transmission line were built on third party land.  Therefore, the Province of Buenos Aires agreed to create administrative easements on the third party land in order to transfer good title for the use of the pipeline and transmission line.  The Province of Buenos Aires has not yet created the administrative easements, and in July 2008, Piedra Buena sued the Province of Buenos Aires seeking the creation of the administrative easements in favor of Piedra Buena.  Piedra Buena has received several complaint letters from owners of the land through which the pipeline and the electricity transmission line of Piedra Buena run seeking compensation for the use of their land.  As of the date of this annual report, these complaints have been limited to such letters and no judicial or administrative action has been filed.  As a result, no reserve has been established in Piedra Buena’s financial statements in connection with these real property issues. 

Legal proceedings involving Loma de la Lata

 

As a consequence of the delays in the hand-over of the Loma de la Lata Project, the lower power of the steam turbine installed, and certain defaults of the Project Counterparties in their obligations assumed under the Project Agreements, Loma de la Lata, in exercise of its contractual rights, required of the Project Counterparties the payment of the penalties for the delays established in the Construction Agreement and of damages for the other breaches. Both requirements were rejected, and Loma de la Lata executed the bank guarantees issued under the Project Agreements.

 

Subsequently, the Contractor requested Loma de la Lata to issue the formal certificate of provisional acceptance of the Loma de la Lata Project, which was rejected as the Contractor did not comply with the terms and conditions required to that end. Loma de la Lata proposed to sign an alternative certificate of provisional acceptance reflecting the real situation of the plant as of November 2011. The parties did not reach an agreement.

 

 

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As a result of the execution of the bank guarantees of the Project Counterparties, Loma de la Lata collected from BBVA Banco Francés S.A. and from Commerzbank AG approximately U.S.$20 million.

 

In this context, in 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce Secretary, notified Loma de la Lata that an arbitration request had been filed by the Contractor, pursuant to which the Contractor claimed:

 

a.       The delivery of the formal provisional acceptance of the Loma de la Lata Project under the Construction Agreement.

b.       The refund of the sums received for the foreclosure of the guarantees issued by BBVA Banco Francés S.A.

c.        The payment of damages as a consequence of items a. and b. above.

 

On December 30, 2011, Loma de la Lata rejected before the Court of the International Chamber of Commerce the claim of the Contractor and filed a counterclaim with respect to the Project Counterparties for the integral recovery of the damages caused as a consequence of both parties defaults under the Project Agreements.

 

As a consequence of the execution of guarantees, the Contractor filed a claim before an Argentine court requesting a lien over certain assets of Loma de la Lata as a preemptive measure in relation to the arbitration described above, through which the Contractor was claiming the reimbursement of the amounts paid by BBVA Banco Francés S.A. under such guarantees. On December 27, 2011, Güemes was notified of the attachment of the shares owned by Loma de la Lata which represent a 77% of the capital stock and votes of Güemes, for the amount of U.S.$ 8,179,840.42. Such lien also included the attachment of any sums that Loma de la Lata received from CAMMESA (the “Attachments”).

 

On January 11, 2012, the court that ordered the Attachments, accepted the requirement from Loma de la Lata to replace the Attachments for a bail insurance.  As of the date of this annual report, such replacement is in place.

 

On May 21, 2012, the Court of Appeals in Commercial Matters of Buenos Aires, confirmed the lien requested by the Contractor, which should remain in place until final resolution of the arbitration dispute.

 

In addition to the above mentioned developments, Loma de la Lata had also executed a guarantee issued by Commerzbank Madrid branch for the amount of U.S.$ 13,207,650, to guarantee the obligations of the Supplier under the Supply Agreement. This execution was carried on after the Supplier rejected Loma de la Lata’s request to pay the damages (valuated approximately in U.S.$ 27 million) caused, among other issues, by the failure of the Supplier to deliver a turbine that generates approximately 176MW.

 

In order to prevent the payment of the guarantee described above, the Contractor required a preemptive measure to a commercial court in Madrid, Spain, which was granted on December 29, 2011, and notified to Loma de la Lata on January 23, 2012. Such measure ordered Loma de la Lata to abstain from executing the guarantee for an amount that exceeds U.S.$ 1.200.000. Such amount is the amount of the performance penalties that the Supplier alleged to be the only amount owed to Loma de la Lata under the Supply Agreement.

 

Additionally, the measure ordered the bank to abstain from paying Loma de la Lata any amount in excess of U.S.$ 1,200,000 until the arbitration process is concluded.

 

On January 26, 2012, Loma de la Lata was notified that the Supplier had extended the scope of the claim filed in the arbitration process, in order to include a claim for damages regarding the execution of the guarantee issued by the Commerzbank.

 

                Loma de la Lata opposed to the preemptive measure granted in Madrid and on March 20, 2012 such preemptive measure was revoked by the Spanish court which had granted it, in light of the arguments presented by Loma de la Lata. The Contractor submitted an appeal of such measure, and on February 3, 2014 the Court of Appeals of Madrid (Audiencia Provincial de Madrid) confirmed the first instance judgment rejecting the Contractors’ arguments.

 

 

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On October 2012, Loma de la Lata was notified of an extension of the lien adopted by the Buenos Aires courts, in this instance with respect to the sum of U.S.$ 11,986,458 which corresponds to the amounts transferred to Loma de la Lata by Commerzbank, minus the sum of U.S.$ 1,221,192 that the Project Counterparties consider to be owed to Loma de la Lata. The latter appealed such decision and on December 5, 2014, the Court of Appeals confirmed the lien imposed by the first instance court. Nonetheless, Loma de la Lata obtained an order of the judge to replace the Attachments for bail insurance.

 

On November 14, 2012, there was a new blackout in the plant as a result of an outage in the transmission lines that connect the plant to the WEM. Such event caused an outage of the gas units and the steam unit of the plant. The outage of the steam unit occurred in such conditions that it produced major damages to the turbine and the generator. Loma de la Lata gave the corresponding notices to the insurance companies, the Contractor and to CAMMESA.

 

                The Contractor alleged that the guarantee period had expired and the final reception of the plant had operated, thus it rejected any responsibility for the event and its consequences.

 

                The claims made by Loma de la Lata to the insurance companies included the damages for business interruption and material damages and repairs, and it totaled U.$.S 43.7 million, which the insurance companies recognized and paid to Loma de la Lata during the last quarter of 2013. The steam turbine was out of service for 7 months and recommenced operations on June 13, 2013.

 

                The claims to the Contractor regarding the November 14, 2012 event were included in the arbitration referred above.

 

                As of the date of this annual report, the arbitration among Loma de la Lata and the Project Counterparties is ongoing. On March 27, 2013, the parties filed their respective briefs of their claims (the Contractor for the amount of U.S.$ 97,546,030.40 and Loma de la Lata for the amount of U.S.$ 228,245,293.), presenting the corresponding evidence. On July 26, 2013 the parties submitted their respective responses, and on October 15, 2013, they submitted their last responses before the hearings. Such hearings took place in March 2014 and in May 2014 the parties submitted their final allegations.

 

The Secretary of the International Arbitration Court of the International Chamber of Commerce has determined May 29, 2015 as the final date for the issuance of the arbitral award. As the arbitration tribunal has requested several extensions for the issuance of its final and conclusive award, we cannot assure the Staff that the arbitration tribunal will issue the final award by May 29, 2015.

 

Loma de la Lata and its external advisors consider that Loma de la Lata has solid arguments in order to believe that the claims made by the Project Counterparties in the arbitration process will be rejected, the preemptive measure which is still in place (Argentina) will be revoked, and that Loma de la Lata’s claim against the Project Counterparties will be admitted in the arbitration process.

 

Breach of the 2008-2011 Agreement

 

On March 22, 2012, PESA’s affiliates, Güemes, Loma de la Lata, Piedra Buena, EGSSA (now merged into CTG. Please see “Item 4. Our Business – Our Generations Business – Güemes – History”) and HIDISA, filed a Reclamo Administrativo Previo requesting the cancelation of the LVFVDs accrued on 2011 for a total amount of U.S. $ 8,083,799 based on the provisions of the Complementary Agreement (see Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Previous Scheme for Recognizing Costs and Remuneration”).  

 

Moreover, and in virtue of the amounts due to Güemes, Loma de la Lata and Piedra Buena and based on the provisions of the 2008-2011 Agreement, and the instructions given by the Secretariat of Energy to CAMMESA by means of the Notes No. 495/12 and 1269/12, such companies filed a Reclamo Administrativo Previo requesting the fulfillment of the 2008-2011 Agreement and the amounts accordingly owed in concept of damages and interest accrued derived from such breach.  

 

 

 

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Hidoeléctrica Nihuiles has filed a Reclamo Administrativo Previo in order to seek compensation due to the Secretariat of Energy’s breach of the 2008-2011 Agreement related to the liquidation of its commercial transactions in the WEM.

 

As a consequence of the enactment of SE Resolution No. 95/2013 and, in order to be able to participate in the new remuneration scheme, Güemes, Loma de la Lata, Piedra Buena, HINISA and HIDISA withdrew the claims filed in connection to the breach of the 2008-2011 Agreement and renounced to file new claims on such matter and/or in relation to SE Resolution No.406/2003.

 

Such withdrawal did not include the claims filed seeking the cancellation of the LVFVD allocated in Central Térmica Piquirenda Project. On this matter, on June 28, 2013, Loma de la Lata, Piedra Buena, Güemes and HIDISA filed a claim against the Argentine Government.

 

As indicated above, the unpaid LVFVD allocated to the Project CTP were allocated to Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project. The Specific Conditions established that the parties thereto shall suspend the abovementioned claim for a 6 months period (with automatic renewals). Under argentine procedural law, such suspension requires the filing of a joint request by the parties to the claim. However, the plaintiffs filed a petition to the court requiring the suspension of the claims. The court granted the suspension.

 

Breach of Loma de la Lata’s WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 724/2008

 

On April 14, 2008, Loma de la Lata entered into a WEM Supply Agreement under SE Resolution No. 724/2008 with CAMMESA (see “Item 4. – The Argentine Electricity Sector - WEM Supply Agreements under SE Resolution No. 724/2008”).

CAMMESA had partially cancelled the LVFVDs allocated under such agreement. Upon such breach by CAMMESA, Loma de la Lata filed, on May 22, 2012, – a Reclamo Administrativo Previo in order to safeguard its rights and seeking the total cancellation of such LVFVDs plus damages. On June 28, 2013, Loma de la Lata filed a claim against the Argentine Government seeking the cancellation of such LVFVD plus damages.

As indicated above, the unpaid LVFVD allocated in CTP Project were allocated to Loma de la Lata’s 2014 Expansion Project. The Specific Conditions established that the parties thereto shall suspend the abovementioned claim for a 6 months period (with an automatic renewals). Under argentine procedural law, such suspension requires the filing of a joint request by the parties to the claim. However, Loma de la Lata filed a petition to the court requiring the suspension of the claims. The court did not grant the suspension and required the Secretariat of Energy’s consent. As of the date of this annual report, such consent had not been granted.

Claim for compensation to insurance companies

In connection with the accident that occured on November 14, 2012,, Loma de la Lata has made the necessary filings with the insurance companies to receive the compensations for the damages sustained as a result of the new failure and to minimize losses in connection with the WEM Supply Agreement. The amount charged by Loma de la Lata corresponding to business interruption and property damage amounted to U.S.$ 43.7 million.

Due to the specificities of the accident, Loma de la Lata notified the Secretariat of Energy and CAMMESA of the existence of a Force Majeure event pursuant to the provisions of WEM Supply Agreement, and, therefore, no unavailability penalties should apply as a result of such event.

Even though Loma de la Lata has submitted evidence of the existence of a Force Majeure event to the Secretariat of Energy and CAMMESA, CAMMESA rejected such request and imposed unavailability penalties resulting from such Force Majeure event in the economic transaction documents from November, 2012 to June, 2013. Loma de la Lata requested CAMMESA to revert the imposition of such fines and has made new filings with the Secretariat of Energy so that it should grant a decision on this issue.  As of the date of this annual report, we have not received an answer from the Secetariat of Energy.

 

 

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As a result of the application by CAMMESA of the unavailability penalties during the whole stated period and although the insurance companies have the right to claim the reversion of the penalties through the legal subrogation of Loma de la Lata’s rights set forth by Section 80 of Insurance Law No. 17,418, Loma de la Lata and the insurance companies have agreed the following regarding the penalties imposed on Loma de la Lata:

(i)            Loma de la Lata should continue the proceeding for the recovery of the penalties before the competent authorities;

(ii)           should the Secretariat of Energy grant Loma de la Lata’s request and order CAMMESA to return the amounts debited as penalties, Loma de la Lata undertakes to reimburse those amounts to the insurance companies pro rata to the penalties compensated by the insurance companies;

(iii)          in case the Force Majeure claim is rejected by the Secretariat of Energy, Loma de la Lata and the insurance companies should mutually agree on the course of action to follow to properly safeguard their corresponding rights; and

(iv)          Loma de la Lata undertakes to make available to the insurance companies all commercial and/or any other kind of documents issued by CAMMESA regarding its receivables so that they can exercise the controls they may deem appropriate regarding the collection of penalties through any means.

Transmission

Transener legal proceedings

Transener is party to several civil, tax, commercial, easement and labor proceedings in the ordinary course of business.  As of December 31, 2014, Transener had established reserves in the aggregate amount of approximately Ps. 68.8 million to cover potential losses related to such claims.

Distribution

Proceedings Challenging the Renegotiation of Edenor’s Concession

In December 2009, an Argentine consumer association, Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores, brought an action against Edenor and the Argentine Government before a federal administrative court seeking to (i) abrogate Clause 4.6 of Annex I of the Adjustment Agreement, which provides that the tariff increase has retroactive effects; (ii) annul ENRE Resolution No. 51/2007, which authorizes the retroactive increase of tariffs in Edenor’s favor; and (iii) obtain an order that requires that Edenor reimburse its customers the full amounts paid by them based on the retroactive tariff increase and that such reimbursement be made by crediting our customers’ accounts.

On November 11, 2010, the judge upheld the claim and ordered that (i) Clause 4.1 of Annex I of Decree No. 1957/06 and Articles 2, 3 and 4 of ENRE Resolution No. 51/2007, which had authorized the retroactive rate increase for the period between 11/1/2005 and 1/31/2007, be annulled; (ii) the fees collected retroactively during such period be repaid to Edenor’s customers; (iii) the ENRE be instructed to control our distribution of refunds and to report the results to the court; and (iv) each party bear its own court-related costs. On November 25, 2010, Edenor appealed the court’s order and requested that the court’s order be stayed pending a decision on the appeal.  On December 2, 2010, the court stayed its order pending a decision on the appeal. On June 1, 2011, the Administrative Court of Appeals (Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal – Sala V) overturned the judgment of the lower administrative court in Edenor’s favor. The plaintiff filed a Federal Extraordinary Appeal, which admissibility was granted as of November 3, 2011.  On October 1, 2013, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.  As a result, the decision of the Administrative Court of Appeals in our favor became final.

We cannot assure you that other actions or requests for injunctive relief will not be brought by these or other groups seeking to reverse the adjustments Edenor have obtained or to block any further adjustments to our tariffs. 

Preliminary Injunction of the Public Ombudsman

 

 

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On October 31, 2008, the SE approved the seasonal reference prices of power and energy in the Wholesale Electricity Market. Consequently, the ENRE applied the new rate schedule as of October 1, 2008.  The new rate schedule passed the purchase price of electricity as well as the other costs related to the Wholesale Electricity Market, including transmission, onto the final customer.

In response to the new tariff schedule, the Defensor del Pueblo de la Nación (National Public Ombudsman, the “Ombudsman”) filed a claim opposing the resolutions that approved the October 1, 2008 tariff schedule and naming Edenor as a third-party defendant.  On January 27, 2009, the ENRE notified Edenor of a preliminary injunction, as a result of the Ombudsman’s claim, pursuant to which Edenor was ordered to refrain from cutting the energy supply to customers challenging the October 2008 tariff increase until a decision is reached with respect to the claim. We have appealed this injunction along with the Argentine government through various legal actions. On August 20, 2013, the Court of First Instance in Federal Administrative Claims (Juzgado en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal) dismissed the judicial remedy action initiated. 

This decision was appealed by the plaintiff and upheld in its entirety by the Administrative Court of Appeals (Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal – Sala IV) on May 20, 2014. The Ombudsman filed a Federal Extraordinary Appeal with the Supreme Court. At the request of Edenor, on September 29, 2014, the relevant court of first instance formally declared the loss of validity of the injunction timely delivered, thus being the authorized to issue the respective dunning notices to Edenor and act in each case as provided in the rules of supply its concession agreement.

However, by Note No. 114,039/2014 dated October 11, 2014, the ENRE instructed Edenor to refrain from cutting supply to users with unpaid balances until the number of affected users and the amounts owed are reported by Edenor and such report’s accuracy is evaluated and confirmed by the ENRE.

Once this was accomplished, the relevant court revoked of the injunction issued in 2009. The Ombudsman against that decision filed a Federal Extraordinary Appeal, which decision is still pending.

On August 14, 2009, the SE issued Resolution No. 652/2009, which ordered the suspension of the then applicable reference market prices of energy, and established new reference prices for the periods from June to July 2009 and from August to September 2009, reinstating partial government subsidies to the electricity generation sector. Furthermore, the resolution also established the unsubsidized reference market prices of energy for the months of June and July 2009 and August to October 2009.

 

On October 26, 2009, Edenor received notice of a complaint filed by a consumer association, the Consumer’s Cooperative for Community Action, against the Argentine Government, the ENRE, Edesur, Edelap and Edenor. In accordance with the terms of the complaint, two additional associations for the defense of consumer rights, Association for the Legal Defense of Consumers (Asociación de Defensa de los Derechos de los Usuarios y Consumidores) and Consumers Union Legal Defense (Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores en Defensa de sus Derechos), have joined the complaint.

The remedies sought in the complaint are as follow:

·         that all the most recent tariff resolutions be declared null and unconstitutional (ENRE Resolution No. 324/2008 – 365/2008 – 628/2008, 645/2008 and SE No. 1169/2008 – 797/2008 – 1170/2008 and its annexes) and, as a consequence, that the amounts billed by virtue of these resolutions be refunded;

·         that all the defendants be required to carry out the RTI;

·         that the resolutions issued by the SE that extend the transition period of the Adjustment Agreement be declared null and unconstitutional;

·         that the defendants be ordered to carry out the sale process, through an international public bidding, of their respective class “A” shares, due to the fact that the management period of the respective concessions has ended;

 

 

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·         that the resolutions as well as any act performed by a governmental authority that modify contractual renegotiations be declared null and unconstitutional;

·         that the resolutions that extend the management periods contemplated in the defendant’s respective concessions be declared null and unconstitutional; and

·         that, alternatively, should the main claim be rejected, the defendants be ordered to bill all customers on a bi-monthly basis.

Additionally, the plaintiffs requested that the court issue a preliminary injunction suspending the rate hikes established in the resolutions questioned by the plaintiffs and that, alternatively, the application of the resolutions be partially suspended. Finally, the plaintiffs also requested that the application authority be ordered not to approve new increases other than within the framework of the RTI process.

Edenor answered the complaint denying all its terms and requesting the summoning of CAMMESA as a third-party. The relevant court upheld the third-party summon and CAMMESA answered such third-party summon] The Argentine Government answered the complaint filed against it by arguing lack of personal jurisdiction (“falta de legitimación pasiva”).  A decision on this case is pending.

We can give no assurance that these actions or other potential future actions or requests for injunctive relief will not reverse the adjustments Edenor has obtained or block any further adjustments to our tariffs.

Breach of Contract Claims

In March 2010, Consumidores Financieros, Asociación Civil Para Su Defensa, a consumers’ association, instituted an action against Edenor and Edesur in the National Court of First Instance in Federal Administrative Claims Tribunal No. 2, Secretariat 3 (Juzgado Nacional de Primera Instancia en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal No 2, Secretería 3) seeking repayment to customers for alleged excess charges over the course of the past 10 years. The action is based on three claims.  First, the plaintiffs claim a refund for the percentage payment of VAT over a taxable base they allege was inappropriately increased to include an amount that exceeded Edenor’s and Edesur’s own payments to the wholesale electricity market. Second, the plaintiffs claim a refund for charges relating to interest on payments by customers that the plaintiffs claim Edenor and Edesur failed to adjust to reflect the actual number of days the payment was outstanding. Finally, the plaintiffs claim a refund for late payment charges from 2008 onwards calculated at the rate of the tasa pasiva (the interest rate that Banco de la Nación Argentina pays on deposits) in alleged contravention of the Law of Consumer Defense (Ley de Defensa del Consumidor) in April 2008. Edenor has given express directions to its legal advisors to contest the suit and all related claims and, on April 22, 2010, Edenor answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss for lack of standing on the part of the plaintiffs, requesting, at such opportunity, that a summons be served upon the Argentine Government, the Federal Tax Administration Agency (“AFIP”)and the ENRE as third-party defendants. Although plaintiffs’ opposition to the requested summons has not been resolved, the proceedings were brought to trial, in response to which Edenor filed a motion for reversal with a supplementary appeal.

The court ordered the summoning as third parties of the Argentine Government, ENRE and AFIP, which was already effected. A decision on this case is pending.

On October 21, 2011, Edenor was notified of a lawsuit filed by the Association for the Defense of Rights of Users and Consumers (Asociación de Defensa de Derechos de Usuarios y Consumidores, or “ADDUC”) requesting that the interviewing Court (i) order the reduction or moderation of penalty interest rates or late payment interests that Edenor charges to customers, because such rates allegedly violate Art. 31 of Law 24,240, and (ii) declare the non-implementation of the agreements or conventions which have stipulated the interest rates that we apply to its customers, and of the administrative regulations on the basis of which we justify the interest charging and (iii) orders the restitution of wrongfully perceived interests of customers provided since August 15, 2008 until the day that Edenor complies with the order of interest reduction. The plaintiff also requested the reinstatement of VAT (21%) and other taxes charged on the portion of charges unlawfully perceived. On November 11, 2011, Edenor answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss for both lack of standing and the fact that the claims at issue were being litigated in another lawsuit (lis pendens). The summoning as third-party of ENRE was also requested. On April 8, 2014, the court decided to grant the motion to dismiss on account of the existence of other action pending (lis pendens) and ordered that the proceedings be referred to such other court, to be consolidated with such other case “Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil c/EDESUR y Otro s/ incumplimiento contractual”.

 

 

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We can give no assurance that these actions or other potential future actions or requests for injunctive relief will not reverse the adjustments Edenor has obtained or block any further adjustments to our tariffs.

Study, Review and Inspection of Works in Public Spaces Fees (TERI)

 

As of the date of this annual report, Edenor had received assessments and demand for payment notices from the Government of the City of Buenos Aires for a total amount of Ps.28.8 million for this concept.

 

In Edenor’s opinion these fees are not applicable in accordance with federal regulations, the case law and the procedural status of judicial decisions. Therefore, Edenor’s Management as well as its external legal advisors believe that there is a good reason to support its position and have this tax claim rejected by a court of law. Therefore, the probability of an outflow of resources on account of this contingency has been regarded as low.

Legal actions brought by Edenor

On February 9, 2011, Edenor challenged Resolution No. 32/2011 of the ENRE which, in the context of the power cuts that occurred between December 20 and December 31, 2010, established the following:

- That Edenor be fined in the amount of Ps. 750,000 due to its failure to comply with the obligations arising from the Concession Agreement and Section 27 of Law No. 24,065.

- That Edenor be fined in the amount of Ps. 375,000 due to its failure to comply with the obligations arising from Section 25 of the Concession Agreement and Resolution No. 905/1999 of the ENRE.

- That Edenor’s customers be paid the following amounts as compensation for the power cuts suffered: Ps. 180 to each small-demand residential customer who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 12 continuous hours, Ps. 350 of each of those who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 24 continuous hours, and Ps. 450 to of each of those who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 48 continuous hours. The resolution stated that such compensation did not include damages to customer facilities and/or appliances, which were to be dealt with in accordance with a specific procedure.

Edenor has filed a direct appeal with the Appellate Court in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters No. 1, requesting that such resolution be declared null and void. Additionally, we filed a petition requesting interim relief aimed at suspending the application of the fine imposed until a decision on the direct appeal is issued.

On July 8, 2011, we requested that process be served on the ENRE. On October 28, 2011, the court denied the request for interim relief. As a consequence, Edenor filed a Federal Extraordinary Appeal with the Supreme Court which was dismissed. Edenor then filed another appeal with the Supreme Court (“Recurso de Queja por apelación denegada”) requesting review of the rejected federal extraordinary appeal, which as of the date of this annual report had not been resolved.

On April 24, 2013, Edenor was notified of the decision of the Appellate Court in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters No. 1 to deny direct appeal filed by Edenor. On May 3, 2013 and May 13, 2013, Edenor filed an Ordinary Appeal and a Federal Extraordinary Appeal, respectively, with the Supreme Court. On November 7, 2014, Edenor’s Ordinary Appeal was rejected and Edenor’s Federal Extraordinary Appeal, partially granted. Edenor timely submitted an extraordinary appeal on account of the partially denied appeal (“Recurso de Queja por Recurso Extraordinario Denegado”). As of the date of this annual report, the appeals to the Supreme Court on the merits and on the denial of interim relief have not been resolved yet.

As of December 31, 2014, the provision recorded in relation to the aforementioned compensations amounted to Ps. 34.9 million, including principal amount and accrued interest.

 

 

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On December 7, 2012, Edenor challenged Resolution No. 336/2012 of the ENRE pursuant to which:

-Edenor is to determine the customers affected by the power cuts that occurred as a consequence of failures between October 29 and November 14, 2012;

-Edenor is to determine the discounts to be recognized to each of the customers identified in accordance with the preceding caption;

-Edenor is to credit such discounts on account of the final discounts that will result from the evaluation of the Technical Service Quality relating to the six-month control period;

-Edenor is to compensate each small-demand residential customer (T1R) who has been affected by the power cuts occurred during the aforementioned period. The amount of the compensation will depend on the length of the power cut, provided, however, that such power cut lasted more than 12 continuous hours.

This resolution has been challenged by Edenor by means of a direct appeal (“Recurso Directo”), which is pending before the Court of Appeals in Contentious and Administratvie Federal Matters (Chamber No.4).  The appeal, which was filed on February 4, 2014, has not been served upon the ENRE yet.On December 28, 2012, Edenor filed an acción de amparo (judicial remedy action) against ENRE seeking to protect Edenor’s constitutional rights relating to the provision of a secure and continuing public service of distribution of energy. To file the amparo Edenor has considered unconstitutional the ENRE’s failure to implement the necessary measures to guarantee the provision of the public service of distribution of energy, such as the failure to recognize the CMM adjustments that Edenor has requested and the delay in implementing the new tariff structure under the RTI, which have led to an unstable situation that threatens the regular provision of the public service. As a consequence, Edenor is seeking to obtain the necessary funds to provide the public service of distribution of energy as contemplated in its concession agreement.

On February 19, 2013, the National Court of First Instance in Federal Administrative Claims Tribunal No. 12 (Juzgado Nacional de Primera Instancia en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal No 12) served summons to ENRE and denied the preliminary injunction requested by Edenor. Edenor decided to discontinue this action.

As a consequence of Resolution No. 250/2013, issued by the SE partially modifying the situation described in the previous paragraph, Edenor attempted to resolve throughout the initiated judicial remedy of December 2012 and the requirements of art. 12 (abandonment of actions in process). On May 29, 2013, Edenor discontinued the action.

On June 28, 2013, Edenor initiated a legal action against the Ministry of Planning, Public Investment and Services pursuant to the acknowledgment process and benefit of litigation without expenses, both entertained by theNational Court of First Instance in Federal Administrative Claims Tribunal No. 11 (Juzgado Nacional de Primera Instancia en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal No 12). Breach by the Argentine Government of the agreed terms under the Adjustment Agreement was claimed and compensation of damages sought.

On November 22, 2013, Edenor modified its complaint in order to include additional claims and damages.

On February 3, 2014, Edenor filed an injunction request (medida cautelar) requesting to maintain a secure and continuing public service, seeking economic assistance in the transition period.  In this presentation, even running shuttle was available to the Ministry of Planning. On May 27, 2014, the court rejected the injuction request, this decision was confirmed by the Court of Appeals (Chamber No.5) and notified to Edenor on December 19, 2014.

SE Resolution No. 32/2015 established that Edenor shall comply with Clause 22.1 of the Adjustment Agreement and suspend any administrative or judicial claims that may have been initiated against the Argentine Government in relation to compliance with clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement. As of the date of this annual report, Edenor’s board of directors was analyzing the scope of this provision and evaluating its impact on us.

 

 

 

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Legal Proceedings involving the Company and its subsidiaries

Tax on minimum presumed income

Tax refund claim

The Company and CTLL have filed different petitions for refund against AFIP – DGI for the application of the minimum notional income tax corresponding to the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and, CPB, corresponding to the fiscal years 2002.  This claim seeks the refund of Ps. 19 million, including the recovery of payments recorded and the reversal of the payment made on account of the offsetting of several fiscal credits.

As AFIP didn’t answer the claim, the Company and certain subsidiaries brought the tax refund claim before a National First Instance Administrative Litigation Court.

Declaratory relief

The Company and its subsidiaries filed a petition for declaratory relief pursuant to Section 322 of the Federal Code of Civil and Commercial Procedure against AFIP in order to obtain assurance as to the application of the minimum notional income tax for the fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 3013, based on the decision by the Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina passed on June 15, 2010 ( “Hermitage” case).

In this precedent, the Court had declared this tax unconstitutional since it may be considered unreasonable under certain circumstances and since it breaches the tax capacity principle.

Furthermore, the Company and certain subsidiaries have requested the granting of interim injunctive relief so that AFIP may refrain from demanding payment or instituting tax execution proceedings on the tax for the fiscal years mentioned. The Court overseeing the proceedings decided to reject the precautionary measures, a decision that was appealed by the Company and certain subsidiaries.

At the date of this annual report, the presiding judge has not ruled on the precautionary measures for the fiscal period 2013 or on the merits.

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held a provision for the minimum notional income tax for the fiscal years mentioned and for the proportional tax estimated for this year for a total amount of Ps. 207.2 million and Ps. 122.4 million, respectively, including compensatory interest.

DIVIDENDS

In accordance with the provisions of the Argentine Personal Asset Tax Law, we are required to pay the personal asset tax, payable by all of our shareholders who are subject to the tax to the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (Argentine Tax Authority, or AFIP) as of December 31 of each year.  Although the law permits companies to recover the amounts paid, recovery can be burdensome.  In practice, companies usually bear the cost of this tax, which adversely affects their results and does not generate any income tax deduction.  After review and analysis of the alternatives for public companies in Argentina to recover such tax payments, we established a policy in December 2007 to pay a dividend in advance of the tax payment in an offsetting amount.

We did not declare any dividends for the fiscal years ended on either December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2014.

We have paid no other dividends over the past three years.  Although we do not have a formal dividend policy, we could decide to pay dividends in the future in accordance with applicable law and based on various factors then existing.  See “Item 10.  Additional Information—Share Capital—Dividends.”

 

 

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Item 9.           The Offer and Listing

TRADING HISTORY

Our capital stock is comprised of common shares, with a par value of Ps. 1.00 each.  For a summary of the number of outstanding shares of each series, see “Item 10.  Additional Information—Share Capital.”  Each share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at shareholders’ meetings.  All outstanding shares are fully paid in and our common shares have been listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange since 1947.  Since October 9, 2009, our ADSs have been listed on the NYSE.  The ADSs have been issued by the Bank of New York as depositary.  Each ADS represents 25 common shares.

Shares

Our common shares are currently traded on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange under the symbol “PAMP”, and our ADSs are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “PAM”.

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the reported high and low sales prices as well as the average daily trading volume of our shares traded on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, and of our ADSs traded on the NYSE:

 

Buenos Aires Stock Exchange

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

Pesos per Share

 

Trading Volume

 

U.S. dollars per ADS

 

Trading Volume

 

High

 

Low

 

Pesos

 

High

 

Low

 

U.S. dollars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010(1)

2.88

 

1.55

 

3,585,038

 

17.99

 

9.80

 

1,020,614

2011(1)

3.14

 

1.88

 

2,949,359

 

19.18

 

10.03

 

1,016,139

2012(1)

2.18

 

0.80

 

1,184,651

 

11.69

 

3.00

 

454,008

2013(1)

2.58

 

0.90

 

3,354,608

 

6.93

 

2.85

 

590,719

2014(1)

Ps. 6.50

 

Ps. 1.70

 

Ps. 7,235,418

 

U.S.$ 11.96

 

U.S.$ 3.96

 

U.S.$ 1,961,616

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sales prices as well as the average daily trading volume of our shares traded on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, and of our ADSs traded on the NYSE:     

 

Buenos Aires Stock Exchange

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

 

Pesos per Share

 

Trading Volume

 

U.S. dollars per ADS

 

Trading Volume

High

 

Low

 

Pesos

 

High

 

Low

 

U.S. dollars

2013(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

1.37

 

0.96

 

2,044,824

 

4.40

 

3.45

 

177,270

Second Quarter

1.53

 

0.90

 

1,104,831

 

4.05

 

2.85

 

71,693

Third Quarter

1.95

 

0.90

 

2,116,787

 

5.30

 

3.13

 

394,123

Fourth Quarter

2.58

 

1.75

 

7,157,069

 

6.93

 

4.81

 

1,702,058

2014(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

2.30

 

1.70

 

3,032,642

 

6.09

 

3.96

 

643,939

Second Quarter

4.32

 

2.27

 

10,091,361

 

10.06

 

5.62

 

2,563,238

Third Quarter

6.50

 

3.59

 

9,428,891

 

11.58

 

8.44

 

3,102,438

Fourth Quarter

6.45

 

4.05

 

6,257,549

 

11.96

 

8.44

 

1,484,482

2015(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

Ps. 9.50

 

Ps. 4.32

 

Ps. 11,489,616

 

U.S.$ 19.78

 

U.S.$ 9.10

 

U.S.$ 3,817,652

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth, for the months indicated, the reported high and low sales prices as well as the average daily trading volume of our shares traded on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, and of our ADSs traded on the NYSE:

 

 

Buenos Aires Stock Exchange

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily

Pesos per Share

 

Trading Volume

 

U.S. dollars per ADS(2)

 

Trading Volume

 

High

 

Low

 

Pesos

 

High

 

Low

 

U.S. dollars

2014(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October

6.45

 

4.60

 

9,476,075

 

11.14

 

8.44

 

1,879,967

November

6.38

 

5.15

 

3,682,515

 

11.96

 

10.67

 

1,620,973

December

5.55

 

4.05

 

4,898,829

 

11.49

 

8.80

 

953,142

2015(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January

5.75

 

4.32

 

3,447,607

 

11.50

 

9.10

 

660,637

February

6.27

 

5.31

 

8,510,929

 

13.25

 

10.88

 

2,426,850

March

9.50

 

6.20

 

22,614,545

 

19.78

 

12.92

 

7,888,813

April

8.80

 

7.50

 

11,524,630

 

18.76

 

15.93

 

3,431,388

(1)                              Values provided by Bloomberg.

(2)                              Values available for our ADSs from October 9, 2010, the first trading date on the NYSE.

 

Share Repurchase Program 

 

Due to the recent international economic crisis and the fluctuation in the price of our shares, on September 8, 2008, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program, through which we have acquired shares through transactions in the local market.  In addition, we have launched three local tender offers for the acquisition of our ordinary shares in recent months.  After each of our tender offers were completed, we resumed open market repurchases.  In first local tender offer, launched on October 21, 2008, we acquired 70,000,000 shares of our common stock.  In the second local tender offer, launched on November 7, 2008, we acquired 15,384,730 shares of our common stock. In the third local tender offer, launched on January 30, 2009, we acquired 46,689,578 shares of our common stock.  With this third tender offer our total holdings of our common stock reached 10% of our total capital stock, the maximum amount that listed companies are permitted to acquire under applicable Argentine regulations.  However, due to the current instability in stock prices, the CNV waived this 10% limit until June 2009.  On April 16, 2009, our board renewed the share repurchase authorization, and we continued repurchasing shares in the open market until June 30, 2009.  As of May 31, 2010, we held 211,883,347 shares, or 13.9%, of our capital stock. 

In the meeting held on April 23, 2010, our shareholders decided to reduce our capital stock in the amount equal to the shares acquired under our share repurchase program.  On March 8, 2010, the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange authorized the share capital reduction approved by our shareholders.  On September 13, 2010, the Argentine Securities Commission proceeded with the reduction of capital, which means that our share capital authorized for public trading as of the date of this annual report is Ps. 1,314,310,895, represented by 1,314,310,895 common shares of par value Ps. 1 and with right to one vote per share.

Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)

From December 21, 2006, to October 9, 2009 our GDRs were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and traded on the Euro MTF Market, the exchange-regulated market operated by the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.  Each GDR represented 25 common shares.  There was practically no trading activity on the Euro MTF Market of our shares.  The last trade occurred on March 5, 2007.  On August 5, 2009, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective the registration of our common shares and our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  On August 14, 2009, we converted all of our outstanding GDRs into ADSs.  We delisted our ADSs from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange on October 9, 2009, upon the listing of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

 

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American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”)

Since October 9, 2009, our ADSs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and trade under the ticker PAM.  Each ADS represents 25 common shares (or a right to receive 25 common shares).  Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the ADS Depositary, the Bank of New York Mellon.  The ADS Depositary’s office at which the ADRs are administered is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 4E, New York, NY 10286.  See “Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Description of American Depositary Shares.”  The Designated Market Maker on the trading floor of the NYSE for our ADSs is Barclays Capital.

The ADS Depositary has informed us that, as of March 31, 2015, there were approximately 28 million outstanding ADSs

THE ARGENTINE SECURITIES MARKET

Trading on the Mercado de Valores de Buenos Aires

Trading in the Argentine securities market

Pursuant to the provisions of the CML, securities market in Argentina is comprised of several markets that require authorization from the CNV to operate (the “Authorized Markets”), including the MERVAL, the Mercado Abierto Electrónico S.A., the Mercado Argentino de Valores S.A., the Mercado de Valores de Córdoba S.A., the Mercado a Término de Rosario S.A., among others.  The CML allows the authorized Markets to delegate certain of its duties and rights as a market to other qualified entities, as previously authorized by the CNV.  Securities listed on these exchanges include corporate equity and bonds and government securities.

Prior to the issuance of the CML, the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange was the principal and longest-established exchange in Argentina and is currently the fourth largest exchange in Latin America in terms of market capitalization.  The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange began operating in 1854 and accounted for approximately 95% of all equity trading in Argentina.  In addition, through separate agreements with the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, all of the securities listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange could be listed and subsequently traded on the Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, La Plata and Santa Fe exchanges, by virtue of which many transactions originating on these exchanges related to Buenos Aires Stock Exchange-listed companies and were subsequently settled in Buenos Aires.  With the enactment of the CML, securities listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange are now listed in the MERVAL.

Although companies may list all of their capital on the MERVAL or any other Authorized ;arket, controlling shareholders in Argentina typically retain the majority of a company’s capital stock, resulting in a relatively small percentage of active trading of the companies’ stock by the public on any such Authorized Market.

Argentina’s equity markets have historically been comprised of individual investors, though in the past years, there has been an increase in the level of investment by institutional investors in these markets.  The participation of the Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social (ANSES) as equity holder in Argentine publicly traded companies after the elimination of the Argentine pension funds resulted in a decrease in the trading of equity in the MERVAL; however, Argentine fondos comunes de inversión (mutual funds), insurance companies and other institutional investor continue sustaining trading in the MERVAL.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the total value traded of shares on the MERVAL was Ps. 39,820 million. 

The MERVAL is the largest authorized market in Argentina.  Pursuant to Resolution No. 17,501, the CNV authorized the MERVAL to operates as an Authorized Market, and allowed MERVAL to delegate certain of its rights and duties as a market in the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, including without limitation, the right to authorize the listing of idduers and securities in the MERVAL, and the right to publish the daily market gazette

Trading on the MERVAL is conducted either through the traditional auction system from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on trading days, or through the Sistema Integrado de Negociación Asistida por Computación (Computer-Assisted Integrated Negotiation System, or SINAC).  SINAC is a computer trading system that permits trading in both debt and equity securities and is accessed by brokers directly from workstations located in their offices.  Currently, all transactions relating to listed negotiable obligations and listed government securities can be effectuated through SINAC.  In order to control price volatility, MERVAL imposes a 15-minute suspension on trading when the price of a security registers a variation in price between 10% and 15% and between 15% and 20%.  Any additional 5% variation in the price of a security will result in additional 10-minute successive suspension periods.

 

 

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Recently, the shareholders of MERVAL and the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange entered into a framework agreement to create Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A. for purposes of operating a stock market in accordance with the requirements of the newly enacted CML. The new company will be formed by a spin-off of certain assets of MERVAL relating to its stock market business and shall be further capitalized by the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. Authorization for the public offering of its shares has been requested from the CNV. Further, MERVAL and the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange entered into a memorandum of understanding with (i) Mercado de Valores de Córdoba S.A., to integrate the stock market of Córdoba into a federal stock market managed by Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A., and (ii) several brokers of the city of Santa Fe, Province of Santa Fe, for them to act within such federal market.

As of the date of this annual report, the required authorizations from the CNV in respect of the abovementioned spin-off of MERVAL and the public offering of the shares of Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A. are still pending.  Therefore, MERVAL is still operating as an Authorized Market, and the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is in charge of the rights and duties that MERVAL delegated to it, as authorized by the CNV.

Regulation of the Argentine securities market

The Argentine securities market is regulated and overseen by the CNV, pursuant to Law No. 26,831,  as well as stockbroker transactions, market operations, the public offering of securities, corporate governance matters relating to public companies and the trading of futures and options.  Argentine insurance companies are regulated by a government agency, the Superintendencia de Seguros de la Nación, whereas financial institutions are regulated primarily by the Central Bank.

In Argentina, debt and equity securities traded on an exchange or the over-the-counter market must, unless otherwise instructed by their shareholders, be deposited with Caja de Valores S.A. (“Caja de Valores”), a corporation owned by the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, MERVAL and certain provincial exchanges.  Caja de Valores is the central securities depositary of Argentina and provides central depositary facilities, as well as acting as a clearinghouse for securities trading and as a transfer and paying agent for securities transactions.  Additionally, Caja de Valores handles the settlement of securities transactions carried out by the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and operates the computerized exchange information system mentioned above.

Despite a change in the legal framework of Argentine securities trading in the early 1990s, which permitted the issuance and trading of new financial products in the Argentine capital markets, including commercial paper, new types of corporate bonds and futures and options, and significant corporate governance regulations introduced in 2001 as further described below, there is still a relatively low level of regulation of the market for Argentine securities and investors’ activities in such markets and enforcement of them has been extremely limited.  Because of the limited exposure and regulation in these markets, there may be less publicly available information about Argentine companies than is regularly published by or about companies in the United States and certain other countries.  However, the CNV has taken significant steps to strengthen disclosure and regulatory standards for the Argentine securities market, including the issuance of regulations prohibiting insider trading and requiring insiders to report on their ownership of securities, with associated penalties for noncompliance.

In order to improve Argentine securities market regulation, the Argentine Government issued Decree No. 677/2001 on June 1, 2001, which provided certain guidelines and provisions relating to capital markets transparency and best practices.  Decree No. 677/2001 applies to individuals and entities that participate in the public offering of securities, as well as to stock exchanges.  Among its key provisions, the decree broadens the definition of a “security,” governs the treatment of negotiable securities, regulates mandatory and voluntary tender offers, authorizes market stabilization transactions under certain circumstances, governs insider trading, market manipulation and securities fraud, regulates going-private transactions and acquisitions of voting shares, including controlling stakes in public companies and set forth a number of corporate governance standards including regulations regarding treatment of related party transactions and establishment of independent audit committees in publicly traded companies.  Further improvements to Argentine securities market regulations were introduced in December 2011 when the Argentine Congress enacted changes to the Argentine Criminal Code to include insider trading as a criminal offense. Also, on November 29, 2012, the Argentine Government enacted the CML which revokes law No. 17,811 and Decree No. 677/2001. However, CML incorporated most of the provisions established in those regulations.  In this respect, the following key provisions of Decree No. 677/2001 have been incorporated into the CML, among others:  the definition of the term “security”; corporate governance requirements, including the obligation for publicly-listed companies to have an audit committee composed of three or more members of the board of directors (the majority of which must be independent under CNV regulations); the regulation of market stabilization transactions under certain circumstances; regulation governing insider trading, market manipulation and securities fraud; and the regulation of going-private transaction and acquisitions of voting shares, including controlling stakes in public companies. In addition, the CML included relevant changes for the modernization and future design of the Argentine capital markets, such as granting regulatory powers and resources to the CNV, providing for a mandatory tender offer system and other provisions such as certain requirements for brokers/dealers and other market participants.  These provisions were regulated by the CNV through Resolution No. 622/2013.

 

 

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Before offering securities to the public in Argentina, an issuer must meet certain requirements established by the CNV with regard to the issuer’s assets, operating history and management, among others, and only securities for which an application for a public offering has been approved by the CNV may be listed on a stock exchange.  Despite these requirements imposed by the CNV, CNV approval does not imply any kind of certification as to the quality of the securities or the solvency of the issuer, although issuers of listed securities are required to file unaudited quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements and various other periodic reports with the CNV and the stock exchange on which their securities are listed, as well as to report to the CNV and the relevant stock exchange any event related to the issuer and its shareholders that may affect materially the value or trading volume of the securities traded.

 

 

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Item 10.         Additional Information

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Please see our registration statement under the Securities Act filed on Form 20-F on August 3, 2009.

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

The Opportunities Assignment Agreement that we entered into with Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani and Ricardo Torres is described in “Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Opportunities Assignment Agreement and Warrants.”

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

In January 2002, the Argentine Government issued the Public Emergency Law and declared a state of public emergency in respect of its social, economic, administrative, financial and foreign exchange matters, authorizing the Argentine Executive Branch to establish a system to determine the foreign exchange rate between the Peso and foreign currencies and to issue foreign exchange-related rules and regulations.  Within this context, on February 8, 2002, through Decree No. 260/2002, the Argentine Executive Branch established (i) a single and free-floating foreign exchange market (hereinafter, the “MULC” per its initials in Spanish) through which all foreign exchange transactions in foreign currency must be conducted, and (ii) that foreign exchange transactions in foreign currency must be conducted at the foreign exchange rate to be freely agreed upon among contracting parties, subject to the requirements and regulations imposed by the Argentine Central Bank (please see below for a summary of the main regulations).

On June 9, 2005, through Decree No. 616/2005, the Argentine Executive Branch mandated that (i) all inflows of funds into the local foreign exchange market arising from foreign debts incurred by residents, both individuals and legal entities in the Argentine private sector, except for those concerning foreign trade financing and primary issuances of debt securities admitted to public offering and listed in self-regulated markets, and (ii) all inflows of funds by non-residents channeled through the MULC and intended to be held in local currency, for acquiring all types of financial assets or liabilities in the financial or non-financial private sector (except for foreign direct investments and primary issuances of debt securities and shares admitted to public offering and listed in self-regulated markets), as well as investments in securities issued by the public sector and acquired in secondary markets, must meet the following requirements: (a) such inflows of funds may only be transferred outside the local foreign exchange market at the expiration of a term of 365 calendar days as from the date of settlement of such funds into Pesos; (b) the proceeds of such inflows of funds must be credited to an account in the local banking system; (c) a non-transferable and non-interest-bearing deposit for 30% of the amount of the transaction must be kept in Argentina for a period of 365 calendar days, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable regulations (the “Deposit”); and (d) the Deposit is to be denominated in U.S. Dollars and held in Argentine financial institutions, and it may not be used to guarantee or serve as collateral for any type of credit transactions. The requirements of Decree No. 616/2005 were subsequently eased, as detailed below.

Within this context and pursuant to Communication “A” 4359 (as subsequently amended), the Argentine Central Bank issued regulations relating to the Deposit, which must be made as soon as foreign currency is transferred into Argentina through the MULC in the following cases:

(a)           financial indebtedness incurred by the financial sector and by the private, non-financial sector, except for primary issuances of publicly traded and listed debt securities;

(b)           primary issuances of shares by resident companies whose shares are neither registered for public offering nor listed in any self-regulated market, to the extent they do not qualify as “foreign direct investment”;

(c)           portfolio investments by non-residents to be applied to holdings of local currency and financial assets and liabilities in the financial sector and in the private, non-financial sector, to the extent they do not relate to the primary issuance of publicly traded and listed debt securities or publicly traded and listed shares issued by resident companies; and

 

 

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(d)           portfolio investments by non-residents to be applied to the acquisition of rights in secondary markets concerning securities issued by the public sector. 

On the basis of Resolution No. 365/2005 of the Ministry of Economy and Production, starting on June 29, 2005, inflows of funds resulting from the following transactions are also subject to the Deposit, pursuant to Communication “A” 4377:

(a)           Portfolio investments by non-residents to be applied to the primary subscription of securities issued by the Central Bank.

(b)           Proceeds from the sale of offshore assets by private sector residents, in an amount that exceeds U.S.$ 2,000,000 per calendar month, in the aggregate, of the institutions authorized to conduct foreign exchange transactions.

In addition, pursuant to Resolution No. 637/2005 of the Ministry of Economy and Production, starting on November 17, 2005, all inflows of funds into the local foreign exchange market intended for the subscription of primary issuances of notes, bonds or participation certificates issued by the trustee of a trust, whether or not admitted to public offering and regardless of their being listed in self-regulated markets, are required to comply with the Deposit insofar as the inflow of funds for the acquisition of any of the trust assets would be subject to the Deposit (pursuant to Communication “B” 8599).

For foreign currency inflows denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars, the foreign exchange rates to be considered upon determining the amount of the Deposit are those applicable to repurchase transactions at the close of the foreign exchange market as quoted by Banco Nación on the business day immediately preceding the date when the Deposit is made.  The following transactions are the main exceptions to the Deposit:

(1)           foreign currency settlements by residents resulting from foreign currency-denominated loans granted by local financial institutions;

(2)           inflows of foreign currency into the foreign exchange market due to direct investment contributions in Argentina (i.e., investments in real estate or ownership interests of at least 10% in the capital stock or voting rights of local companies) and sales of ownership interests in local companies to direct investors, to the extent certain documentation set forth by Communication “A” 4762 (as amended) is presented;

(3)           all types of inflows of funds into Argentina by Multilateral and Bilateral Credit Agencies and Official Credit Agencies (each as listed in the Exhibit to Communication “A” 4662, as amended by Communication “A” 4832) either directly or through their related agencies, insofar as such funds pertain to transactions conducted in full compliance with their purposes (pursuant to Communication “A” 4377);

(4)           financial indebtedness with non-resident creditors of the financial sector and of the private, non-financial sector, to the extent the proceeds from the foreign exchange settlement are simultaneously applied, net of taxes and expenses, to: (i) the acquisition of foreign currency to repay external debt service and/or (ii) the formation of long-term offshore assets (pursuant to Communication “A” 4377);

(5)           financial indebtedness with non-resident creditors of the private, non-financial sector, to the extent the indebtedness has been incurred and repaid in an average term of not less than two years, including principal and interest payments, and the loan proceeds are applied to investments in non-financial assets (pursuant to Communication “A” 4377);

(6)           inflows into the foreign exchange market arising from repatriations of offshore assets of resident legal entities, when the proceeds from the sale of such assets are destined for the acquisition of non-financial assets as listed under Communications “C” 42303, 42884, 44670 and 46394;

 

 

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(7)           inflows of funds into the foreign exchange market arising from repatriations of resident individuals’ and legal entities’ external offshore assets, when the proceeds from the sale of such assets are destined for new capital contributions into resident companies and such companies apply them to the acquisition of non-financial assets as listed in Communications “C” 42303, 42884, 44670 and 46394;

The following is a description of the main aspects of Argentine Central Bank regulations concerning inflows and outflows of funds in Argentina.

Inflows of Capital

Foreign indebtedness incurred by the private non-financial sector the financial sector, the financial sector and local government in connection with bonds, financial loans (including repurchases of securities), offshore financial credit lines and any other transaction with a disbursement of funds abroad by a foreign indebtedness with a non-resident, is to be settled through the MULC (pursuant to Communication “A” 5265).

Debt issuances by the private (financial and non-financial) sector denominated in foreign currency, with principal and interest payments not solely payable in Pesos in Argentina are to be subscribed in foreign currency and the proceeds must be settled through the MULC (pursuant to Communication “A” 5265).

Transfer and settlement of such funds through the foreign exchange market must be conducted within a term of up to 30 calendar days from the date of the disbursement abroad and are subject to the rules and regulations in force on the date the foreign currency is settled through the MULC (pursuant to Communication “A” 5265).

Any new financial indebtedness channeled through the MULC and any debt renewal with foreign creditors incurred by Argentine residents from the financial sector and from the private, non-financial sector must be agreed and maintained for terms of at least 365 calendar days as from the date of settlement of the funds or renewal of the debt, as applicable, and they may not be prepaid before the expiration of said term, irrespective of the manner of cancellation of the obligation to the foreign creditor and of whether such cancellation is effected with or without access to the MULC (pursuant to Communication “A” 5265). 

Exempted from the provisions described in the preceding paragraph are the primary issuances of publicly traded and listed securities.

In addition, Communications “A” 5437 and “A” 5468 of the Central Bank established the foreign exchange rules applicable to inflows of funds under the Asset Disclosure Regime (Régimen de exteriorización de activos) set forth by Law No 26,860, as amended and supplemented.

Outflows of Capital

Payment of Services

Remittances abroad for the payment of services rendered by non-residents are allowed (pursuant to Communication “A” 5264). Access to the MULC for such payments requires the filing of documentation by residents evidencing the authenticity of the transaction, the type of service rendered and the amount to be transferred abroad. Additionally, certain items including, among others, royalties, patents and trademarks, technical or professional assistance and commercial commissions, may require previous authorization from the Argentine Central Bank in the following specific circumstances: (a) when the beneficiary is a person (natural or legal entity) (i) related to the local debtor either directly or indirectly or (ii) located in a tax haven jurisdiction (or when the payment abroad is performed in a tax haven jurisdiction), and (b) the contracts involved generate payments or new debt (in the same calendar year, at the foreign exchange local market concept code level and with respect to the debtor) in an amount of over U.S.$ 100,000 (pursuant to Communication “A” 5295).

Payment of Profits (Interest, Earnings and Dividends)

Access to the MULC is granted for the payment of interest by the private, non-financial sector and in the financial sector (pursuant to Communication “A” 5264, as amended), in accordance with the following terms: (1) if applicable regulations allow the repayment of the debt corresponding to such interest payment and if all general regulatory requirements related to principal repayment are met; (2) the settlement of the currency is made within ten calendar days of the maturity date of each interest payment; (3) the payment is accrued at any time during the then-current interest period; and (4) as from the date of disbursement of the funds abroad and until settlement thereof through the MULC, access to the MULC is granted exclusively for the difference between the interest due and the profits from the funds deposited abroad.

 

 

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Access to the MULC for payments of interest on debt are allowed for interest accrued as from the date of settlement of the foreign currency in the MULC, or the effective date of disbursement of the funds if they were credited in corresponding accounts of entities authorized to settle such funds through the MULC, within 48 business hours from the date of disbursement (pursuant to Communication “A” 5264).

In order to proceed with remittances abroad for payment of interest on debt of all types, the entities involved must first verify that the debtor has complied with the reporting requirements imposed under Communication “A” 3602 dated May 7, 2002, and meets all other requirements set forth in Communication “A” 5264.

In addition, access to the MULC is permitted for remittances abroad to pay earnings and dividends insofar as they arise from closed and audited balance sheets (pursuant to Communication “A” 5264). 

Financial Debt

Payment of principal under foreign financial indebtedness incurred by Argentine residents in the financial sector and in the private, non-financial sector (except in the case of payment of primary issuances of publicly traded and listed debt securities) may only proceed after the expiration of a 365 -calendar-day term as from the date of settlement of the loan proceeds or any other applicable minimum term that is imposed.

 

Access to the MULC for the prepayment of principal under foreign indebtedness incurred by Argentine residents of the private, non-financial sector is allowed, at any time within 10 business days prior to maturity, to the extent the applicable minimum stay-period has been complied with.

 

In addition, access to the MULC before such 10 –business- day term is allowed if the payment is entirely financed with funds intended for capital contributions, or the payment is entirely financed with new foreign loans granted by international financial institutions and agencies, official foreign credit agencies and foreign banks, and to the extent that: (i) such payment was expressly established as a condition to grant the new credits and (ii) such payment does not imply an increase in the current value of the foreign indebtedness of the debtor.

 

Finally, regarding access to the MULC for the payment of interest accrued on unpaid debts, or debts canceled simultaneously with the payment of interest, the purchase of foreign currency in the MULC may be completed in a period of not more than five business days prior to the due date of each installment of interest computed in arrears, excluding the possibility of calculating the amount on accrued interest.

 

Other Regulations

Sales of Foreign Currency to Non-residents

Communication “A” 4662, as subsequently amended, published amended, as well as issued new, regulations applicable to access to the MULC by non-residents (as per the definitions contained in the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual, fifth edition, chapter IV).

In this respect, no prior Argentine Central Bank approval is required for any of the following transactions conducted by non-residents, insofar as all the requirements imposed in each case have been met:

 

 

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1.             Purchases of foreign currencies for remittances abroad, provided that the documentation prescribed by the previously mentioned regulations has been furnished, and in the examples stated below, when the transactions relate to, or pertain to collections in Argentina, of:

1.1.         financial indebtedness originating in external loans of non-residents;

1.2.         recovery of claims in local bankruptcy proceedings and collection of debts under reorganization proceedings, to the extent that the non-resident client has been recognized as a creditor by a final non-appealable decision of the court of such proceedings;

1.3.         repatriations of direct investments in companies in the private, non-financial sector, which are not the controlling companies of local financial entities, provided that the investor has maintained such direct investment for at least 365 calendar days, for the following purposes:

1.3.1.      sale of the direct investment;

1.3.2.      final liquidation of the direct investment;

1.3.3.      capital reduction decided by the local company; and

1.3.4.      reimbursement of irrevocable contributions by the local company;

Pursuant to Communication “A” 5237, direct investments disbursed as from October 28, 2011, need to be previously transferred into Argentina through the MULC to gain access to the MULC for repatriation.  This requirement is extended to direct investments related to purchases of local assets by non-residents from other non-residents directly or indirectly controlled by residents, if such local asset was acquired by the non-resident seller after October 27, 2011.  In the case of transfers of direct investments among non-residents, the inflow requirement is met if the non-resident seller transferred the funds into Argentina when the original investment was made, or if such transfer was not mandatory at that time (i.e., the investment was disbursed prior to October 27, 2011).

In addition, the non-resident beneficiary of such transactions shall not be an individual or legal person with residence, constituted or domiciled in jurisdicitons, territories or states which are considered as non-cooperative for fiscal purposes as per article first of Decree No 589/13.

1.4.         collections of interest payments or sales proceeds of other portfolio investments (and their profits), provided that, in the aggregate, they do not exceed the equivalent of U.S.$ 500,000 per calendar month per individual or legal entity, in all of the entities authorized for dealing in foreign exchange, and provided further that the funds were transferred into Argentina through the MULC at least 365 days prior to the repatriation date. These portfolio investment repatriations include, but are not limited to, portfolio investments in shares and ownership interests in local companies, investments in mutual funds and local trusts, purchases of portfolios of loans granted to residents by local banks, purchases of invoices and promissory notes for local business transactions, investments in local bonds issued in Pesos and in foreign currency payable locally, as well as purchases of other internal receivables;

1.5.         indemnifications awarded by local courts in favor of non-residents; and

1.6.         payments of Argentine imports.

2.             Purchases of foreign currency by international organizations and institutions acting as official export credit agencies, as listed in Communication “A” 4662 (as amended and supplemented). 

 

 

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Any transactions not covered by Communication “A” 4662, as amended, are subject to prior Argentine Central Bank approval.

Formation of Offshore Assets by Residents

Communication “A” 5526, as amended, has amended and set forth new regulations, effective as from October 10, 2011, concerning access to the MULC for the formation of offshore assets, with and without specific allocation, by resident individuals and legal entities not authorized to deal in foreign exchange by certain trusts and other estates domiciled in Argentina, as well as by local governments.

Such regulations allow access to the MULC by Argentine residents for the formation of offshore assets when the regulatory requirements are met for each particular situation and the rest of the operations are subject to the previous authorization from the Argentine Central Bank.

Access to the MULC is allowed for the purchase of offshore assets with a specific application to local assets for the following transactions (pursuant to Communication “A” 5526, as amended):

1.             purchases of foreign currency by resident individuals and legal entities, certain trusts and other estates domiciled in Argentina, for its simultaneous application to the primary subscription in foreign currency of Argentine Government-issued securities;

2.             purchases of foreign currency bills by local governments for deposit in local accounts held in financial institutions in accordance with the conditions imposed on disbursements of loans granted by International Agencies;

3.             purchases of foreign currency bills by state-owned companies and companies under the control of the government, and trusts set up with Argentine public sector funds, acquired for deposit in local accounts used as collateral, in order to guarantee letters of credit or other bank guarantees to secure imports of goods into Argentina, and insofar as the funds used for the purchase have been contributed by the Argentine Treasury and the remaining conditions set forth in the applicable regulations, have been met;

4.             purchases of foreign currency bills for deposit in local accounts by companies in the non-financial private sector, which carry overdue unpaid debts to foreign creditors and that, as of the date of access to the MULC, have submitted a debt refinancing proposal to their foreign creditors (the acquired amounts must not exceed the amount of the debt principal and interest payments overdue according to the original repayment schedule or 75% of any cash payments included in the refinancing proposal, and the remaining conditions the applicable regulations, must have been met as well);

5.             purchases of foreign currency bills by mutual funds to pay, in Argentina, for the redemption of shares held by clients outside the scope of paragraph 1.b. of Communication “A” 4377, to the extent that foreign currency for the same amount has been received to that end; and

6.             purchases of foreign currency bills by stock exchange agents in Argentina who comply with the conditions set forth in paragraph 2.7. of the annex of Communication “A” 5526, as amended, and that are applied -within the next 24 business hours following the settlement of the currency- to the payment of securities issued by non-residents and listed in Argentina and abroad purchased from clients outside the scope of paragraph 1.b. of Communication “A” 4377.

Up to July 5, 2012, the purchase of foreign currency by Argentine residents and legal persons incorporated under Argentine laws for up to a maximum amount of U.S.$ 2,000,000 per calendar month for the following purposes was permitted (provided that certain additional requirements were met):

(i)         real estate investments abroad;

(ii)        loans granted to non-residents;

 

 

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(iii)       direct investments abroad by residents;

(iv)       portfolio investments abroad of natural persons;

(v)        other foreign investments of residents;

(vi)       portfolio investments abroad of legal persons;

(vii)      purchase of currency for its holding within Argentina; and

(viii)     purchase of travelers’ checks and donations.

However, Communication “A” 5318 of the Central Bank dated July 5, 2012, suspended the effectiveness of the above mentioned provision for an undetermined period of time. This means that nowadays, local residents are not allowed to (a) purchase foreign currency to apply it to the transactions set forth from (i) to (viii) above; and (b) wire funds abroad under such concepts, except for the concepts set forth below.

Access to the MULC is allowed regarding proceeds of new foreign issues of bonds and other debt securities that are publicly offered and trade at regulated markets of local governments and/or private non-financial sector if simultaneously with such access to the MULC, the funds are used to purchase foreign currency to be deposited in local financial entities, for 90% of the settled funds and for a term of at least 180 calendar days, if certain requirements are met.

Communication “A” 5643, established the possibility of applying this exception to the inflows of foreign financing and direct investments; provided however that they shall be subject to the rules set forth by Decree N° 616/05.

                Access to the MULC by individuals for the purchase of foreign currency without specific purpose is allowed provided that such purchase is in accordance with the income declared by the individuals with the Federal Tax Administration Agency (“AFIP”) and the quantitative parameters set forth by such agency for the purchase of foreign currency in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Transactions Programme (Programa de Consulta de Operaciones Cambiarias) published at AFIP’s web page from time to time.

                Resident companies that are authorized to render international transport services are allowed to purchase foreign currency to cover expenses that must be paid in cash abroad (such as fuel) in relation to the countries that are signatories of the International Terrestrial Transport Agreement (Acuerdo de Transporte Internacional Terrestre).

As of the date hereof, it is not clear when (or even if) the effectiveness of such provisions shall be restored by the Central Bank. In this regard, please note that the above mentioned provisions were not abrogated but suspended for an undetermined period of time.

Capital Markets

Securities-related transactions carried out through stock exchanges and self-regulated securities markets must be paid for by one of the following methods: (a) in Pesos, (b) in foreign currency through electronic fund transfers from and to sight accounts in local financial institutions, or (c) through wire transfers against foreign accounts.  Under no circumstance shall the settlement of these capital markets transactions be made in foreign currency bills or through deposits in escrow accounts or in third-party accounts (pursuant to Communication “A” 4308). Additionally, Communication “A” 4864, in force as of November 3, 2008, further rules that the purchase and subsequent sale of securities in stock exchange and self-regulated markets require previous authorization from the Argentine Central Bank, unless the relevant securities have been kept in the seller’s portfolio for a minimum period of 72 business hours following the settlement of their purchase.

Report of Issuances of Securities and other Foreign Indebtedness of the Private Financial and Non-financial Sector

 

 

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Pursuant to Communication “A” 3602 dated May 7, 2002, as amended, all individuals and legal entities in the private financial and non-financial sector must report their outstanding foreign indebtedness (whether Peso- or foreign currency-denominated) at the end of each quarter.  The debts incurred and repaid within the same calendar quarter need not be reported.

Direct Investments Report

Communication “A” 4237 dated November 10, 2004 established reporting requirements in connection with direct investments made by local residents abroad and by non-residents in Argentina.  Direct investments are defined as those that reflect the long-standing interest of a resident in one economy (direct investor) in another economy’s resident entity, such as an ownership interest representing at least 10% of a company’s capital stock or voting rights.  The reporting requirements prescribed by this Communication “A” 4237 must be met on a bi-annual basis.

 

Money Laundering

On April 13, 2000, the Argentine Congress passed Law No. 25,246, as amended by Laws No. 26,087, 26,119,  26,268 and 26,683 (the Money Laundering Law), which establishes an administrative criminal system and supersedes various sections of the Argentine Penal Code relating to money laundering.  This law defines money laundering as crime, stating that a crime is committed whenever a person converts, transfers, manages, sells, encumbers, or otherwise uses money, or any other assets, connected with a crime in which that person has not participated, with the possible result that the original or substituted assets may appear to be of a legitimate origin, provided the applicable amount of money or value of the relevant assets exceeds Ps. 300,000, whether such amount results from one or more transactions.

In addition, the Money Laundering Law created the Financial Information Unit, which is charged with the handling and the transmission of information in order to prevent the laundering of assets originating from:

·         Crimes related to illegal trafficking and commercialization of narcotics (Law No. 23,737);

·         Crimes related to arms trafficking (Law No. 22,415);

·         Crimes related to the activities of an illegal association as defined in Article 210 bis of the Penal Code;

·         Illegal acts committed by illegal associations (Article 210 of the Penal Code) organized to commit crimes for with political or racial objectives;

·         Crimes of fraud against the Public Administration (Article 174, Section 5 of the Penal Code);

·         Crime against the Public Administration under Chapters VI, VII, IX and IX bis of Title XI of Book Two of the Penal Code;

·         Crimes of underage prostitution and child pornography under Articles 125, 125 bis, 127 bis and 128 of the Penal Code; and

·         Crimes related to terrorism financing (Article 213 quarter of the Penal Code).

Argentina’s Money Laundering Law, like other international money laundering laws, does not designate sole responsibility to the Argentine Government for the monitoring of these criminal activities, but rather also delegates certain obligations to various private sector entities (including the Company) such as banks, stockbrokers, stock market entities and insurance companies.  These obligations essentially consist of information gathering functions, such as:

·         obtaining from clients documents that indisputably prove the identity, legal status, domicile and other information, to accomplish any type of activity intended;

·         reporting any suspicious activity or operation; and

 

 

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·         keeping any monitoring activities in connection with a proceeding pursuant to the Money Laundering Law confidential from both clients and third parties.

In addition, Central Bank regulations require that Argentine banks undertake certain minimum procedures to prevent money laundering.  CNV regulations also require that the issuers and traders of publicly traded securities in Argentina and those persons participating in financial trusts and common investment funds subject to the CNV’s control comply with certain obligations and requirements relating to money laundering prevention and to the suppression of the financing of terrorism.

Financial entities must inform the Unidad de Información Financiera (“UIF”) about any suspicious or unusual transaction, or transactions lacking economical or legal justification, or being unnecessarily complex.  The Central Bank publishes a list of “non-cooperating” jurisdictions.  The UIF has regulated the duty to report through Resolutions 229/2011.  In addition, it has established guidelines and internal procedures for unusual or suspicious transactions which must be implemented by financial institutions and other entities. 

CNV regulations provide that entities involved in the public offering of securities (other than issuers), including, among others, underwriters of any primary issuance of securities, must comply with the standards set by the UIF.  In particular, they must comply with the obligation regarding customer identification and required information, record-keeping, precautions to be taken to report suspicious operations, policies and procedures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. With respect to issuers (such as the Company), CNV regulations provide that any entity performing significant capital contributions or loans must be identified, whether or not a shareholder at the time of the contributions, and must meet the requirements for general participants in the public offering of securities, provided in the CNV regulations and the UIF regulations, especially with regards to the identification of such persons and to the origin and legality of the funds and loans provided.

On June 1, 2011 the Argentine Congress adopted law 26,683. Pursuant to such law, money laundering is now an autonomous crime and self-money laundering is also punished.  The law also extended the reporting obligations to certain private sector parties not obliged before, and also extended from 30 to 150 days the lapse of time within which certain private entities are required to report suspicious activities or operations, in order to permit those entities to analyze transactions and operations in more detail before reporting them to the relevant authorities.

TAXATION

The following summary contains a description of the principal Argentine and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase common shares or ADSs.  The summary is based upon the tax laws of Argentina and regulations thereunder and on the tax laws of the United States and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date hereof, which are subject to change.  Investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs.

Although there is at present no income tax treaty between Argentina and the United States, the tax authorities of the two countries have had discussions that may culminate in such a treaty.  No assurance can be given, however, as to whether or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. holders of common shares or ADSs.

Argentine Tax Considerations

Dividends tax

Dividends paid on our common shares or ADSs to individuals or undivided estates domiciled in Argentina and non-resident persons (whether individuals or legal entities) are subject to income withholding tax at a 10% rate as a single and final payment (except for dividends paid out in the form of shares or quotas).  Additionally, such dividends paid in excess of our taxable accumulated income at the previous fiscal period are subject to a withholding at the rate of 35% in respect of the excess portion of the dividends paid. If applicable, the 10% withholding will apply on the amount resulting from subtracting the 35 % withholding from the dividends or earnings distribution amount. Both the 10% and the 35% withholdings are subject to the limits set forth by double taxation treaties in force. See “Tax Treaties” below.

 

 

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Capital gains tax

Resident individuals

The Income Tax Reform introduced by Law No. 26,893 (the “Income Tax Reform”) provided for the taxation of resident individuals’ income resulting from the purchase and sale, exchange or other disposition of shares not listed on stock exchanges or securities markets as authorized by the CNV, irrespective of the frequency or regularity of such operations. This income is subject in all cases to the 15% tax rate.

Notwithstanding the above, based on certain tax precedents, there may be support to argue that gains obtained by resident individuals from the disposal of ADSs should be considered as foreign source income. Recently, the Argentine Tax Authority understood that foreign source income obtained by resident individuals is taxed at a 9% to 35% rate.  As this is a controversial issue, a case by case analysis is required.

Foreign beneficiaries

Pursuant to the Income Tax Reform, all income resulting from the purchase and sale, exchange or other disposition of shares and other securities earned by foreign beneficiaries will be subject to the Income Tax, whether they are listed on stock exchanges or securities markets and/or have an authorization for public offering or whether they do not meet such requirements. These provisions will apply to foreign individual and legal entities at a 15% rate on the net capital gain or at a 13.5% rate on the gross price.

Notwithstanding the above, based on certain tax precedents, there may be support to argue that gains obtained by foreign beneficiaries from the disposal of ADSs should be regarded as foreign source income and, therefore, not subject to Argentine income tax. As this is a controversial issue, a case by case analysis is required.

Local entities

Capital gains obtained by Argentine entities in general, entities organized or incorporated under Argentine law, certain traders and intermediaries, local branches of non Argentine entities, sole proprietorships and individuals carrying on certain commercial activities in Argentina derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares or ADSs are subject to income tax at the rate of 35%.  Losses arising from the sale of our common shares or ADSs can be applied to offset such income.

Personal assets tax

Argentine entities, such as us, have to pay the personal assets tax corresponding to Argentine and foreign individuals and foreign entities for the holding of our shares at December 31 of each year.  The applicable tax rate is 0.5% and is levied on the equity value, or the book value, of the shares arising from the last balance sheet.  Pursuant to the Personal Assets Tax Law, the Argentine company is entitled to seek reimbursement of such paid tax from the applicable Argentine individuals and/or foreign shareholders or by withholding dividend payments.

Tax on Minimum Notional Income (Impuesto a la Ganancia Mínima Presunta or “IGMP”)

Companies domiciled in Argentina, partnerships, foundations, sole proprietorships, trusts, certain mutual funds organized in Argentina, and permanent business establishments owned by foreign persons, among other taxpayers, shall apply a 1% rate to the total value of assets held by such persons, above an aggregate nominal amount of Ps. 200,000. Nevertheless, common shares and ADSs issued by entities subject to such tax are exempt from the IGMP.

Gross Income Tax

 

 

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The gross income tax is a local tax; therefore, the rules of the relevant provincial jurisdiction should be considered, which may levy this tax on the customary purchase and sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares and ADSs, and/or the collection of dividends at an average rate of 6%, unless an exemption is applicable. In the particular case of the City of Buenos Aires, any transaction involving common shares and/or the collection of dividends and revaluations is exempt from this tax.

Value added tax

The sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares or ADSs and the distribution of dividends are exempted from the value added tax.

Transfer taxes

The sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares or ADSs is not subject to transfer taxes.

Stamp taxes

Stamp taxes may apply in the City of Buenos Aires and in certain Argentine provinces in case transfer of our common shares or ADSs is performed or executed in such jurisdictions by means of written agreements.

Other taxes

There are no Argentine inheritance or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of our common shares or ADSs.  In addition, neither the minimum notional income tax nor any local gross turnover tax is applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of our common shares or ADSs.

Tax treaties

Argentina has signed tax treaties for the avoidance of double taxation with Australia, Belgium, Spain, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.  There is currently no tax treaty or convention in effect between Argentina and the United States.  It is not clear when, if ever, a treaty will be ratified or entered into effect.  As a result, the Argentine tax consequences described in this section will apply, without modification, to a holder of our common shares or ADSs that is a U.S. resident.  Foreign shareholders located in certain jurisdictions with a tax treaty in force with Argentina may be exempted from the payment of the personal asset tax.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

This summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences for a U.S. holder (as defined below) of acquiring, owning, and disposing of ADSs.  This summary applies to a holder only if such holder holds the ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes.  This summary does not apply to investors that are members of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:

·         a dealer in securities or currencies;

·         a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

·         a bank;

·         a life insurance company;

·         a tax-exempt organization;

·         a person that holds ADSs that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate or currency risks;

 

 

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·         a person that holds ADSs as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes;

·         a person who is liable for the alternative minimum tax;

·         a person whose functional currency for U.S. tax purposes is not the U.S. Dollar; or

·         a person that owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of any class of our stock.

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect.  These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.  Investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the consequences of purchasing, owning, and disposing of ADSs in their particular circumstances, including the possible application of state, local, non-U.S. or other tax laws.  For purposes of this summary, an investor is a “U.S. holder” if such investor is a beneficial owner of an ADS and is:

·         a citizen or resident of the United States;

·         a U.S. domestic corporation; or

·         otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to income from the ADS.

If a partnership holds our ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership.  An investor who is a partner of a partnership holding our ADSs should consult its own tax advisor.

In general, if an investor is the beneficial owner of ADSs, such investor will be treated as the beneficial owner of the common stock represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no gain or loss will be recognized if such investor exchanges an ADS for the common stock represented by that ADS.

Dividends

The gross amount of distributions that investors receive (prior to deduction of Argentine taxes) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as foreign source dividend income, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.  Dividends paid in Argentine Pesos will be included in an investor’s income in a U.S. Dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of the depositary’s receipt of the dividend, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. Dollars.  A U.S. holder will have a tax basis in such Pesos for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the U.S. Dollar value on the date of such receipt.  Any subsequent gain or loss in respect of such Pesos arising from exchange rate fluctuations will be ordinary income or loss and will be treated as income from U.S. sources for foreign tax credit purposes.  If such a dividend is converted into U.S. Dollars on the date of receipt, investors generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.  Subject to certain exceptions for short-term (60 days or less) and hedged positions, the U.S. Dollar amount of dividends received by an individual U.S. holder in respect of ADSs generally will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 20% if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (1) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (2) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (PFIC).  The ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed.  Based on our Consolidated Financial Statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2014 taxable year.  In addition, based on our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2015 taxable year.

 

 

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Based on existing guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends received with respect to the common shares will be treated as qualified dividends, because the common shares are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange.  In addition, the U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of ADSs and intermediaries through whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends.  Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether we will be able to comply with them.  U.S. holders of ADSs should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of their own particular circumstances.

Distributions of additional shares in respect of ADSs that are made as part of a pro-rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Sale or other disposition

Upon a sale or other disposition of ADSs, an investor will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Dollar value of the amount realized and such investor’s tax basis, determined in U.S. Dollars, in the ADSs.  Generally, such gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs will be treated as U.S. source capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the ADSs were held for more than one year.  The ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited.  Long-term capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder, generally is subject to taxation at a reduced rate.

Foreign tax credit considerations

Investors should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to make effective use of foreign tax credits.  If no such rules apply, investors may claim a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability for Argentine taxes withheld from cash dividends on the ADSs, so long as they have owned the ADSs (and not entered into specified kinds of hedging transactions) for at least a 16-day period that includes the ex-dividend date.  It is unclear whether the Argentine personal assets tax (as described in “—Argentine Tax Considerations”) is treated as an income tax for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  If the Argentine personal assets tax is not treated as an income tax for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder would be unable to claim a foreign tax credit for any Argentine personal assets tax withheld.  A U.S. holder may be able to deduct such tax in computing its U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to applicable limitations.  The calculation of foreign tax credits and, in the case of a U.S. holder that elects to deduct foreign taxes, the availability of deductions, involve the application of complex rules that depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances.  Investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability or deductibility of such taxes.

U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred.  Investors may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim or refund with the Internal Revenue Service and filing any required information.

 

DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

The holders of ADSs are entitled to receive dividends to the same extent as the owners of our common shares.  We have not paid any dividends in the last three fiscal years.  See “Item 8.—Dividends.”  However, we could decide to pay dividends in the future in accordance with applicable law and based on various factors then existing, including:

·         our financial condition, operating results and current and anticipated cash needs;

·         general economic and business conditions;

 

 

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·         our strategic plans and business prospects;

·         legal, contractual and regulatory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; and

·         other factors that our board of directors may consider to be relevant.

Under the BCL, the declaration and payment of annual dividends, to the extent that the company presents retained earnings in accordance with IFRS and CNV regulations, are determined by shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting.  In addition, under the BCL, 5% of the net income for the fiscal year calculated in accordance with IFRS and CNV regulations must be appropriated by resolution adopted at shareholders’ meetings to a legal reserve until such reserve equals 20% of the capital stock.  This legal reserve is not available for distribution.

Amount Available for Distribution

Dividends may be lawfully declared and paid only out of our earnings stated in our annual financial statements approved by the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting.  Under the BCL, listed companies (such as ourselves) may distribute provisional dividends or dividends in advance resulting from interim audited financial statements.

Under the BCL and our by-laws, our annual net income (as adjusted to reflect changes in prior years’ results) is allocated in the following order: (1) to comply with our legal reserve requirement of 5% of our net income until such reserve equals 20% of the capital stock; (2) for voluntary or contingent reserves, as may be resolved from time to time by our shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting; (3) the remainder of the net income for the year may be distributed as dividends on common shares, and/or (4) as otherwise decided by our shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting.

The board of directors submits our financial statements for the preceding fiscal year, together with reports thereon by the supervisory committee and the independent accountants, at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting for approval.  Within four months of the end of each fiscal year, an ordinary shareholders’ meeting must be held to approve our annual financial statements and determine the appropriation of our net income for such year.

Under applicable CNV regulations, cash dividends must be paid to shareholders within 30 days of the shareholders’ meeting approving such dividends.  In the case of stock dividends, shares are required to be delivered within three months of our receipt of notice of the authorization by the CNV for the public offering of the shares relating to such dividends.  The statute of limitations in respect of the right of any shareholder to receive dividends declared by the shareholders’ meeting is three years from the date on which it has been made available to the shareholder.

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

The materials included in this annual report in Form F-20, and exhibits therein, may be inspected and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.  20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Any SEC filings we make are also available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

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Item 11.         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Qualitative Disclosure

Market risk generally represents the risk that losses may occur in the value of financial instruments as a result of movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or commodity prices.  We are exposed to changes in financial market conditions in the normal course of our business due to our use of certain financial instruments as well as transactions incurred in various foreign currencies.

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate and exchange rates risks, primarily related to changes in exchanges rates and interest rates.  We manage our exposure to these risks through the use of various financial instruments.

Interest rate risk

Borrowings at variable rates exposes the Company to the interest rate risk on its cash flows due to the possible volatility they may experience, as it has happened throughout 2013 and 2014. Borrowings at fixed rates exposes the Company to the interest rate risk on the fair value of its liabilities, since they may be considerably higher than variable rates. As at December, 31, 2014, approximately 95 % of the loans denominated in Argentine pesos were granted at a variable interest rate, based on the Private Badlar and Badlar rate plus an applicable margin corrected. The remaining liabilities were agreed at fixed interest rates, mainly denominated in U.S. dollars (95.2% of the total fixed rate debt). The whole debt issued at a variable rate is denominated in Argentine pesos.

The Company seeks to mitigate its interest-rate risk exposure through the analysis and evaluation of (i) the different liquidity sources available in the financial and capital markets, both domestic and (if available) international; (ii) interest rates alternatives (fixed or variable), currencies and terms available for companies in a similar sector, industry and risk than the Company; (iii) availability, access and cost of interest-rates hedge agreements. On doing this, the Company evaluates the impact on profit or losses resulting from each strategy over the obligations representing the main interest-bearing positions.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Private Badlar rate, the reference rate used by the Company for an important part of its financial liabilities, has undergone a gradual and significant increase. For example, the Badlar rate increased from approximately 14% in early 2013 to approximately 22% in late 2013, and this trend has continued year 2014 up to maximum of 27% in April, ending the year at around 20%. The Badlar rate fluctuation risk is partly set off by investing the funds in short-term instruments with a yield based or referenced on the Badlar rate. In case the fluctuations in variable interest rates become more significant, the Company may mitigate such risk, for example, through interest rate hedge agreements. In the case of fixed rates and in view of the market’s current conditions, the Company considers that the risk of a significant decrease in interest rates is low and, therefore, does not foresee a substantial risk in its indebtedness at fixed rates.

Any significant increase in the variable interest rates at which the Company holds a significant portion of its existing financial debt may result in a significant increase in its financial burden which, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on its operating results and assets and financial position.

The following chart shows the opening of the Company’s loans classified by interest rate and the currency in which they are denominated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exchange Rate Risks

The Company, through its subsidiaries in the Generation segment, collects a meaningful part of its income in Argentine pesos pursuant to tariffs which are indexed to U.S. Dollars, as is the case of income resulting from the supply agreement entered into between CTLL and the SE or EGSSA (merged with CTG) and the SE, pursuant to SE Resolution No. 220/2007 and CTG’s Energy Plus agreements. The other part of its operating flows expressed in Argentine pesos are not indexed to the U.S. dollar, and comprise income from hydroelectric and thermal generators that do not have Energy Plus or supply agreements with the SE pursuant to SE Resolution No. 220/2007. On the other hand, most of the financial debt of the subsidiaries of the generation segment is denominated in pesos and only a portion (as of December 31, 2014 a 30%) is denominated in US dollars but is payable in indexed peso against the U.S. dollar, which exposes them to the risk of loss on devaluation of the Argentine peso.

Furthermore, on December 3, 2014, CTLL entered into an agreement for the supply of a 100 MW high-efficiency gas turbine, equipment, spare parts and services for an estimated total amount of US$ 75 million pursuant to the commitments undertaken under the 2014 Agreement, which will be financed by CAMMESA for up to an amount, denominated in pesos, equivalent to that of the Company’s Receivables and its power generation subsidiaries issued or to be issued until December 31, 2015, which exposes the Company to a risk of loss resulting from the devaluation of the Argentine peso. In order to partially cover for the foreign-currency exchange rate risk affecting payments in foreign currency to the Project’s foreign contractors, CTLL has conducted forward transactions to purchase U.S. Dollars with pesos in the amount of US$ 32.1 million at a contracted average exchange rate of $ 9.19 to a U.S. dollar and maturing between January and June, 2015.

In turn, for the performance of the Plant’s 2015-2016 Technological Upgrade Works, CPB has undertaken several commitments with foreign providers, most of them denominated in foreign currency (mainly Euros and U.S. Dollars), which will be financed through the Loan and Receivables Assignment Agreement executed with CAMMESA during the month of April, 2014. As at the issuance hereof, the amounts committed under the executed agreements reach US$ 59 million.

Although the Company seeks to partially hedge this risk by converting a portion of its surplus cash into Argentine pesos indexed to the U.S. dollar exchange rate and, should it deem it necessary, by entering into foreign-currency hedge agreements, it may still be exposed to the Argentine peso fluctuations against the U.S. dollar.

Additionally, the Company collects its income from CAMMESA, which during the past year has incurred significant delays in its payment terms. Even though a significant part of the Company’s transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars, they are billed in Argentine pesos and converted at the exchange rate effective during the month in which they are perfected. For the income from the Supply Contracts under SE Resolution No. 220/2007, this amount in pesos is collected from CAMMESA, on average, 100 days afterward, but the difference in the exchange rate is recognized by CAMMESA only until the expiration date, approximately 45 days. In case there is a strong devaluation between the billing and the collection date, as was the case during the first weeks of January 2014, the U.S. dollars collectable by the Company may be severely reduced, thus limiting the effectiveness of its exchange rate hedge.

In the distribution segment, Edenor´s exposure to currency risk relates to the collection of its revenue in pesos, in conformity with regulated electricity rates that are not indexed to the US dollar, whereas a significant portion of its existing financial liabilities is denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, Edenor is exposed to the risk of a loss resulting from a devaluation of the peso. Edenor may hedge its currency risk trying to enter into currency futures. Nevertheless, at the date of issuance of these financial statements, it has not been able to hedge its exposure to the U.S. dollar under such terms as it may consider viable .

If Edenor continues to be unable to effectively hedge all or a significant part of its exposure to currency risk, any devaluation of the peso could significantly increase its debt service burden, which, in turn, could have a substantial adverse effect on its financial and cash position (including its ability to repay its Corporate Notes) and the results of its operations.

In the Holding and Others segment, the Company has entered into U.S. dollar-denominated investment commitments through its subsidiary Petrolera Pampa. As there isn’t a strong currency mismatch between the generation of own funds and the undertaken investments, the risk of foreign-currency exchange rate fluctuations is reasonably hedged. However, the Company has entered into several foreign-currency hedge agreements in order to minimize the impact a devaluation of the Argentine peso would have.

 

 

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The following table shows the Company’s exposure to the exchange rate risk for financial assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different from the Company’s functional currency.

 

Price risk

The Company’s investments in quoted and unquoted equity securities are subject to the exchange rate risk in the market prices resulting from the uncertainties as to the future value of those securities.

The Company is exposed to the price risk on its stock holdings representing 1.3% of the capital stock and possible votes in TGS, as well as on the trust holding of 40% of CIESA’s shares as a result of the operation mentioned in ”Item 4 – Our Business - TGS - CIESA Transaction”. However, the Company considers that the price fluctuation risk in the securities market is low, since once the pending regulatory approval is obtained, the Shares held in Trust will be transferred to the Company, which will entail exercising an indirect joint control of TGS. Additionally, the Company has investments in Government securities which is exposed to the risk of a significant change in market prices.

The following table shows the Company’s exposure to the price risk for the previously mentioned financial assets:

Financial assets

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Shares

 

61,629,484

 

84,129,331

 

64,796,821

Government securities

 

237,068,910

 

169,975,247

 

80,851,443

Trust

 

962,942,332

 

431,466,036

 

241,829,350

Total

 

1,261,640,726

 

685,570,614

 

387,477,614

 

Sensitivity Analysis Disclosures

The Company estimates that, provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% revaluation/(devaluation) of each foreign currency as compared to the Argentine Peso would generate the following increase/(decrease) in the fiscal year’s income:

 

 

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Based on the conducted simulations, and provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% increase/ (decrease) in variable interest rates would generate the following (decrease)/increase in the fiscal year's income:

 

The Company estimates that provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% revaluation/(devaluation) of each quotation would generate the following increase/(decrease) in the fiscal year’s income:

 

 

Increase (decrease) of the result for the year

Financial assets

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Shares

 

6,162,940

 

8,412,933

 

6,479,690

Government securities

 

23,706,891

 

16,997,525

 

8,085,144

Trust

 

95,879,913

 

45,588,284

 

27,829,535

Variation of the result of the year

 

125,749,744

 

70,998,741

 

42,394,369

 

Quantitative Disclosure

The chart below provides quantitative information about our financial debt as of December 31, 2014, that is sensitive to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

 

 

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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk and Interest Rate Risk

 

 

 

 

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Item 12.         Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

Payment of Taxes

You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your American Depositary Shares to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

 

Fees and Expenses for Holders of ADRs

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares
or ADS holders must pay:

For:

·        U.S. $ 5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)

·        Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property; and

·        Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

·        U.S. $ 0.02 (or less) per ADS

·        Any cash distribution to ADS holders

·        A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable by you if the Company distributes shares and you deposit the shares with the depositary for issuance of ADSs

·        Distribution of securities to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders

·        U.S. $ 0.02 (or less) per ADS per calendar year

·        Depositary services

·        Registration or transfer fees

·        Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

·        Expenses of the depositary

·        Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement); and

·        Converting foreign currency to U.S. Dollars

·        Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes

·        As necessary

 

·        Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

·        As necessary

 

 

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Depositary Payments to the Company

The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse us for expenses they incur that are related to establishment and maintenance expenses of the ADS program. The depositary has agreed to reimburse us for its continuing annual stock exchange listing fees. The depositary has also agreed to pay the standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs, which consist of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing annual and interim financial reports, printing and distributing dividend checks, electronic filing of U.S. Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, facsimile, and telephone calls. It has also agreed to reimburse us annually for certain investor relationship programs or special investor relations promotional activities. In certain instances, the depositary has agreed to provide additional payments to the Company based on any applicable performance indicators relating to the ADR facility.  There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available us is not necessarily tied to the amount of fees the depositary collects from investors.

The depositary collects fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them.  The depositary collects fees related to making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees.  The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them.  The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

From April 28, 2014 to the date of this annual report, the Company received from the depositary U.S. $ 202,551.79. for continuing annual stock exchange listing fees, standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs (consisting of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing annual and interim financial reports, printing and distributing dividend checks, electronic filing of U.S. Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, facsimile, and telephone calls), any applicable performance indicators relating to the ADR facility, underwriting fees and legal fees.

 

 

 

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PART II

Item 13.         Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable.

Item 14.         Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 15.         Controls and Procedures

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We have evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2014.

 

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.  Based upon our evaluation, we, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that as of December 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992).  Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that the company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.  

 

 

238


 
 

               

 

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

(c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

Reference is made to the report of the Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L. on page F-3 of this annual report.

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 16A.      Audit Committee Financial Expert  

Marcelo P. Blanco, an independent member of our board of directors, under Argentine law and Rule 10A-3, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and pursuant to section 407 of Sarbanes Oxley Act.

Item 16B.      Code of Ethics

We adopted a Business Code of Conduct in 2007, which applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers, as well as other corporate governance policies (see “Item 6 – Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Corporate Governance”).  Our Business Code of Conduct is posted, in both English and Spanish, on our website at http://www.pampaenergia.com.ar.

Item 16C.      Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Fees Paid to the Principal Accountant

 

Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L. acted as our independent registered public accounting for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  The following table discloses the services rendered to Pampa Energía S.A. and its consolidated companies by Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L and the fees billed for those services:

 

 

 

239


 
 

               

 

(1)            Audit Fees comprised of audit of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, the review of the interim financial statements, review of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F, work to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley – Section 404 and other services rendered by the external auditor in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements.

(2)            Audit-related Fees comprised of those outside the normal scope of the services included in an audit but are nevertheless reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements of the Company or its subsidiaries and may be effectively and efficiently rendered by the external auditor because of his knowledge of the financial information of the Company and they preserve the independence of the external auditor.

(3)            Tax Fees comprised of services rendered by the external auditor for tax compliance.

                (4)           Services included under this heading include permissible advisory services consisting in the analysis of transactions.

 

 

For a description of the permissible services included under these headings, please see the description of the categories of services of the “Audit Committee’s Pre-approval Policy” described below.

All of our audit fees, and audit-related fees, contained in the above table were billed by Price Waterhouse & Co. S.R.L.

Audit Committee’s Pre-approval Policy

 

The Audit Committee has developed a Pre-approval Policy regarding the engagement of services by the external auditor, establishing the obligation to obtain prior approval from the audit committee for any service to be rendered by the external auditor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The policy ensures that the external auditor preserves its independence and is applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries. Services pre-approved by the audit committee of Edenor do not require pre-approval by the audit committee of Pampa Energía, but are reported to the latter. 

The Audit Committee has delegated to one of its members the authority to grant pre-approvals to auditors.  The decision of that member to pre-approve a service is presented to the full audit committee at each of its scheduled meetings.   

Pre-approval is required for all services rendered by the external auditor.

Item 16D.      Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

Item 16E.      Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

There were no shares purchased during 2014 by us or on our behalf, or by or on behalf of any affiliated purchaser.

 

Item 16F.      Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

 

 

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Item 16G.     Corporate Governance

Among the corporate governance principles that are applicable at Pampa Energía S.A. are several provisions of Argentine law, including, but without limitation: (i) the BCL; (ii) the CML; and (iii) the regulations of the CNV approved on September 5, 2013 (the “Regulations”).

In addition, we follow certain corporate governance guidelines and practices that prevail in the international markets and in international regulations applicable to us (sometimes mandatory), including United States law. On August 27, 2009, we registered with the SEC as a “foreign private issuer” and began to trade its American Depositary Shares on the NYSE.

Thus, we are subject to the provisions of Section 303A.11 of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual (“LCM”) and Item 16.G of Form 20-F of the SEC, which require foreign issuers to disclose the differences existing between their corporate governance practices and the corporate governance requirements for U.S. domestic companies under their applicable listing standards. The following table provides the comparison required under the aforementioned Section 303A.11 of the NYSE LCM and Item 16.G of the SEC’s Form 20-F:

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.01

 

 

 

Independent directors must constitute the majority of a listed company’s board of directors.

 

Under Argentine law, the board of directors of a listed company need not be composed of a majority of independent directors. Nonetheless, the CML and the CNV’s Regulations require listed companies to have a sufficient number of independent directors to form the audit committee, which must be composed of a majority of independent members.

 

Although not required by Argentine law, and in accordance with our audit committee’s regulations, all the members of our audit committee must qualify as independent.

 

 

Section 303A.02

 

This rule establishes the standards that determine whether a director qualifies as independent.

 

It provides that directors cannot qualify as independent unless the board of directors finds them to have no material relationship with the listed company. A number of per se exclusions from independence apply, generally triggered by having a connection, individually or through an immediate family member, to the listed company or to a company that has a material relationship with the listed company as a shareholder, employee, officer, or director of the listed company.

 

 

The CNV’s Regulations, specifically Article 11 of Section III, Chapter III, Title II I, indicate the criteria for establishing independence of a director. They provide that any director who does any of the following is not independent:

 

(i)                   Is a member of the board of directors of or employee of any of the shareholders with material holdings4 in the company or of other companies whose shareholders have direct or indirect material holdings;

(ii)                 works at the company in an employment relationship or worked in an employment relationship at any time in the past 3 years;

(iii)                performs professional services or belongs to a company or professional association that provides such services to the company or its shareholders with material holdings;

(iv)               directly or indirectly has a material holding in the company;

(v)                 directly or indirectly sells or supplies goods or services to the company and/or its direct or indirect shareholders with material holdings;

(vi)               is spouse, relative to the fourth degree of consanguinity, or relative to the second degree of affinity of any individuals who would qualify as non-independent if they were members of the management body.

 

In addition, Article 4 of Section III, Chapter I, Title XII of the CNV’s Regulations provides that at each election of directors, the non-independence or independence of any candidates proposed at the shareholders’ meeting must be disclosed. Moreover, after the shareholders’ meeting in which directors are appointed, the personal data of the appointed directors and their qualification as independent or non-independent (in the latter case in the form of an affidavit executed by each director) must be disclosed to the CNV and the exchanges where the company has its securities listed.

 


4 Under Argentine law, a “material holding” is defined as any shareholding equivalent to at least 15% of a company’s capital stock.

 

 

241


 
 

               

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.03

 

This rule requires regularly scheduled meetings of non-executive directors to increase the involvement and efficiency of such director.

 

 

Argentine law does not require that non-executive directors hold separate meetings. Non-executive directors attend the general board meetings, which must be held at least every three months pursuant to Section 267 of the BCL. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, our by-law in article 20 thereof, set forth that the board meetings must be held at least once a month.

 

 

Section 303A.04

 

 

Listed companies must organize an Appointment and Corporate Governance Committee composed entirely of independent directors.

 

 

 

The organization of an Appointment and Corporate Governance Committee is not mandatory. In most cases, the functions of such committee are functions that the Audit Committee is already required to perform. Nonetheless, the CNV’s Regulations suggest (among its non-binding recommendations) that an Appointment and Corporate Governance Committee be organized.

 

We have determined not to organize an Appointment and Corporate Governance Committee because its functions are already covered by the Audit Committee. Additionally and with respect to corporate governance matters, the Legal and Compliance Corporate Department of Pampa Energía S.A. oversees this area.

 

 

 

Section 303A.05

 

Listed companies must organize a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors.

 

 

The organization of a Compensation Committee is not mandatory under Argentine law. In most cases, the functions of such a committee are included in the functions that the audit committee is required to perform. However, the CNV’s Regulations suggest (among its non-binding recommendations) that a Compensation Committee be organized.

 

At Pampa Energía S.A., the audit committee approves the compensation of executive officers who also are directors of the Company before submitting a compensation plan for consideration at a shareholders’ meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

242


 
 

               

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.06

 

 

 

Listed companies must organize an audit committee that meets the requirements set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

 

Pursuant to Section 303A.00, Pampa Energía S.A., as a foreign private issuer, is subject to Rule 303A.06, and we are in full compliance.

 

 

Section

303A.07

 

 

The audit committee must have at least 3 members, all of whom must qualify as independent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, the audit committee must have written regulations establishing: (i) the purpose of the committee; (ii) the annual assessment of the committee’s performance; and (iii) the committee’s obligations and responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, the rule establishes that listed companies must have internal audit functions within their organization in order to assist both the audit committee and the company’s management in matters related to risk and internal control processes.

 

 

Article 109 of the CML and Article 16, Section 5, Chapter III, Title II of the CNV Regulations provide that the audit committee must have at least 3 board members, the majority of whom must qualify as independent. All the members of our audit committee qualify as independent.

 

Argentine law does not require the audit committee to issue its own regulations. The scope of the committee’s powers and obligations is detailed in Article 110 of the CML and Article 17 and following sections of Section 5, Chapter III, Title II, of the CNV’s Regulations. Such obligations and responsibilities are similar to those attributed to this body under the U.S. law.

 

Our audit committee has its own written regulations, adopted by the shareholders’ meeting.

 

 

Argentine law does not require the audit committee to conduct an annual self-assessment. However, the CNV’s Regulations recommend that all directors (i.e., not only the independent directors who are members of the audit committee) complete a self-assessment.

 

We have adopted this recommendation and have developed a self-assessment form to be completed by all our directors at the close of each fiscal year.

 

Argentine laws contain no rules regarding internal audit functions. However, in 2010 Pampa hired, as a new staff member, a professional to perform the duties of an internal auditor who is supervised by, and reports to, Pampa’s Audit Committee. Additionally, Pampa’s internal auditor relies on the aid of Abelovich, Polano y Asociados, the professional services firm that performs the field work in terms of internal controls. Pampa’s Audit Committee regularly reviews, during its meetings, the internal audit reports submitted to it.

 

 

Section 303A.08

 

 

The shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on equity-compensation plans and their material revisions, although there are exceptions to this requirement, such as when these compensation plans serve as labor incentive tools.

 

 

Directors’ compensation is fixed at the ordinary shareholders’ meeting (Section 234, Subsection 2, of the BCL). That compensation is for national currency cash. We do not provide equity compensation to officers or directors.

 

Our shareholders approved the issuance of warrants to our executive directors as consideration for the execution of an Opportunities Assignment Agreement between the company and the directors. Moreover, any amendment or new issuance of warrants must be approved by the shareholders’ meeting. Beyond those warrants, it is not a practice of the Company to provide any equity compensation to their officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

243


 
 

               

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.09

 

 

Listed companies must adopt and disclose their corporate governance guidelines.

 

 

 

 

Listed companies must meet the annual disclosure requirements of the CNV’s Regulations. Listed companies must issue a report stating whether and how they followed the recommendations provided by the CNV’s Regulations or explaining the reasons for their failure to adopt such recommendations, either fully or in part, and/or whether they plan to adopt them in the future. This information must appear in their annual report, attached to the financial statements for the relevant fiscal year as a separate exhibit. Once filed with the CNV and the exchanges where the company is listed, the CNV’s Regulations report qualifies as public information.

 

We comply with the CNV’s Regulations annual disclosure requirements and fully disclose all corporate governance policies and practices. This information may be viewed on the company’s website, www.pampaenergia.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

244


 
 

               

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.10

 

 

Listed companies must adopt and disclose to the market a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct which is applicable to their directors, managers and employees. In addition, any waiver of the provisions contained in this Code in favor of any of the parties that are subject to it must be immediately disclosed.

 

 

Under Argentine law there is no requirement that listed companies adopt a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

 

Nonetheless, in 2008, our board of directors approved a Code of Business Conduct applicable to all the employees, interns and trainees of Pampa Energía S.A. and of its controlled and related companies and subsidiaries. This Code is applicable to all directors and statutory auditors of Pampa Energía S.A. and its controlled and related companies and subsidiaries, as well as to their suppliers and consultants. Additionally, in 2010, Pampa’s Management Committee approved the implementation of the Ethics Hotline as a channel to be solely used for reporting, in the strictest confidentiality, any presumed irregularity concerning the Business Conduct Code and/or violations thereof.

 

 

 

 

 

245


 
 

               

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES COMPARATIVE TABLE

 

NYSE REQUIREMENTS for DOMESTIC COMPANIES

REQUIREMENTS AND OUR PRACTICES

NYSE LCM

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

 

Section 303A.12

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a listed company must certify on a yearly basis that he or she has no knowledge of any violation or default of the corporate governance standards.

 

Additionally, the CEO must report any default or violation of the corporate governance standards contained in the NYSE LCM by any of the company’s executives to the NYSE immediately.

 

Finally, listed companies must file an annual statement and updated reports with the NYSE disclosing any changes in the composition of their board of directors or any of the committees described in Section 302A of the NYSE LCM.

 

 

Pursuant to Section 303A.00, Pampa Energía S.A., as a foreign private issuer, is subject to Section 303A.12, with the exception of the annual CEO certification. Pampa Energía S.A. is in full compliance with the applicable provisions.

 

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

246


 
 

               

PART III

Item 17.         Financial Statements

Not applicable.

Item 18.         Financial Statements

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1.

Item 19.         Exhibits  

Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report:

1.1

Amended and Restated By-laws (estatutos sociales) of the Registrant (English translation)(previously filed as Exhibit 1.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

2.1

Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the Bank of New York, as depositary, and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder (previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.1

Opportunities Assignment Agreement among Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani, Ricardo Torres and the Registrant, dated as of September 28, 2006 and its subsequent amendments dated September 28, 2007 and April 16, 2009 (English translation) (previously filed as Exhibit 2.2 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.2

Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, among Marcelo Mindlin and the Registrant, dated as of September 28, 2007 (English translation) (previously filed as Exhibit 2.3 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.3

Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, among Damián Mindlin and the Registrant, dated as of September 28, 2007 (English translation) (previously filed as Exhibit 2.4 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.4

Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, among Gustavo Mariani and the Registrant, dated as of September 28, 2007 (English translation) (previously filed as Exhibit 2.5 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.5

Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, among Ricardo Torres and the Registrant, dated as of September 28, 2007 (English translation)(previously filed as Exhibit 2.6 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

4.6

Stock Subscription Agreement among Marcelo Mindlin, Damián Mindlin, Gustavo Mariani, Latin American Energy LLC, New Equity Ventures LLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London branch and the Registrant, dated as of July 31, 2007 (previously filed as Exhibit 2.7 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34429) on August 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.)

 

 

8.1

List of significant subsidiaries of Pampa Energía S.A.

 

 

12.1

Certification of Ricardo Alejandro Torres, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

12.2

Certification of Gustavo Mariani, Co-Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

13.1

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

247


 
 

               

 

SIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

Pampa Energía S.A.

 

By: /s/ Ricardo Alejandro Torres

 

Name: Ricardo Alejandro Torres
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

 

By: /s/ Gustavo Mariani

Name: Gustavo Mariani
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: May 12, 2015

 

 


 

 

248


 
 

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pampa Energía S.A.

Consolidated Financial Statements As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-3

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

F-8

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

F-10

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

F-12

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

F-15

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-1

 


 
 

 

 

 

 


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013, AND

FOR THE YEARS THEN ENDED

 

F-2

 


 
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Pampa Energía Sociedad Anónima (Pampa S.A.)

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pampa Energía Sociedad Anónima (Pampa S.A.) (hereinafter, “Pampa S.A.” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item15 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-3

 


 
 

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, May 12, 2015

 

 

 

/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.

 

 

Andrés Suarez (Partner)

 

 

F-4

 


 
 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following are not technical definitions, but they are helpful for the reader’s understanding of some terms used in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Terms  Definitions 
AFIP  Federal Administration of Public Revenue 
AESEBA  AESEBA S.A. 
BLL  Bodega Loma La Lata S.A. 
CAMMESA  Compañía Administradora del Mercado Eléctrico Mayorista S.A. 
CC  Combined Cycle 
CGU  Cash-Generating Units 
CIESA  Compañía de Inversiones de Energía S.A. 
Citelec  Compañía Inversora en Transmisión Eléctrica Citelec S.A. 
CMM  Cost Monitoring Mechanism 
CPB  Central Piedra Buena S.A. 
CTG  Central Térmica Güemes S.A. 
CTLL  Central Térmica Loma La Lata S.A. 
CTP  Central Térmica Piquirenda 
CSJN  Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation 
CYCSA  Comunicación y Consumos S.A. 
DESA  Desarrollos Energéticos S.A. 
DRF  Debt Repayment Flow 
EASA  Electricidad Argentina S.A. 
EDEN  Empresa Distribuidora de Energía Norte S.A. 
Edenor  Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte S.A. 
EGSSA  Emdersa Generación Salta S.A. 
ENDISA  Energía Distribuida S.A. 
ENRE  National Regulatory Authority of Electricity 
ES  Secretary of Energy 
FOCEDE  Fund works of consolidation and expansion of electrical distribution 

 

F-5

 


 
 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS: (Continuation)

Terms  Definitions 
FOTAE  Works Administration Trust Transport for Electricity Supply 
FONINVEMEM  Fund for Investments required to increase the electric power supply in the WEM 
Foundation  Pampa Energía Foundation committed to education 
GE  General Electric 
HA  Historical Availability 
HIDISA  Hidroeléctrica Diamante S.A. 
HINISA  Hidroeléctrica Los Nihuiles S.A. 
HRP  Hours Power Compensation 
IEASA  IEASA S.A. 
IFRIC  International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 
ICBC  Industrial and Commercial Bank of China 
IGMP  Minimum Notional Income Tax 
INDISA  Inversora Diamante S.A. 
INNISA  Inversora Nihuiles S.A. 
IPB  Inversora Piedra Buena S.A. 
LVFVD  Sales Liquidations with Maturity Date to be Defined 
MAT  WEM’s Forward Market 
MAN Engines  MAN B & W Diesel model 18V32/40PGI 
MPFIPYS  Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services 
NYSE  The New York Stock Exchange 
IAS  International Accounting Standards 
IFRS  International Financial Reporting Standards 
Orígenes Retiro  Orígenes Seguros de Retiro S.A. 
RA  Recorded Availability 
PACOSA  Pampa Comercializadora S.A. 
PEPASA  Petrolera Pampa S.A. 
PEPCA  PEPCA S.A 

 

 

F-6

 


 
 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS: (Continuation)

Terms  Definitions 
PISA  Pampa Inversiones S.A. 
Powerco  Powerco S.A. 
PP  Pampa Participaciones S.A. 
PP II  Pampa Participaciones II S.A. 
PUREE  Rational Use of Electricity Programme 
Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler  Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio y Wetzler Malbran Abogados Sociedad Civil 
ST  Secretary of Labor 
SEC  Securities and Exchange Commission 
TA  Target Availability 
The Company / Group  Pampa Energía S.A. and its subsidiaries 
TG  Gas Turbine 
TGS  Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 
TJSM  Termoeléctrica San Martín S.A. 
TMB  Termoeléctrica Manuel Belgrano S.A. 
TV  Vapor Turbine 
Transba  Empresa de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica por Distribución Troncal de la Provincia de Buenos Aires Transba S.A. 
Transelec  Transelec Argentina S.A. 
Transener  Compañía de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica en Alta Tensión Transener S.A. 
UMA  Undertaken Minimum Availability 
UTE Senillosa  Petrolera Pampa S.A. – Rovella Carranza – Gas y Petróleo de Neuquén, Unión Transitoria de Empresas Senillosa 
VCP  Short-term securities 
WEM  Wholesale Electricity Market 

 

F-7

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013

(In Argentine Pesos (“$”) – unless otherwise stated)

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

ASSETS

 

 

     

NON CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

     

Investments in joint ventures

8

 

226,894,893

 

188,644,285

Investments in associates

9

 

133,169,584

 

134,774,654

Property, plant and equipment

10

 

9,218,099,975

 

6,902,661,359

Intangible assets

11

 

872,384,099

 

901,846,313

Biological assets

12

 

1,894,481

 

1,935,296

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

13

 

963,012,962

 

432,729,855

Deferred tax assets

14

 

93,681,916

 

63,214,262

Trade and other receivables

15

 

954,842,893

 

366,685,679

Total non current assets

 

 

12,463,980,803

 

8,992,491,703

 

 

 

   

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

   

 

Biological assets

12

 

198,470

 

564,431

Inventories

16

 

135,570,860

 

114,615,289

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

13

 

1,028,577,127

 

844,259,368

Trade and other receivables

15

 

2,896,835,156

 

2,256,967,076

Cash and cash equivalents

17

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

Total current assets

 

 

4,396,415,719

 

3,558,075,029

Assets classified as held for sale

 

 

-

 

11,987,500

Total assets

 

 

16,860,396,522

 

12,562,554,232

 

   

F-8

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continuation)

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

SHAREHOLDERS´ EQUITY

 

 

     

Share capital

19

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

342,984,871

 

263,489,911

Legal reserve

 

 

14,304,190

 

-

Voluntary reserve

 

 

271,779,611

 

-

Reserve for directors’ options

 

 

266,060,067

 

259,351,053

Retained earnings

 

 

743,159,355

 

286,083,801

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

(32,191,096)

 

(24,385,321)

Equity attributable to owners of the company

 

 

2,920,407,893

 

2,098,850,339

Non-controlling interest

 

 

633,431,122

 

775,971,764

Total equity

 

 

3,553,839,015

 

2,874,822,103

 

 

 

     

LIABILITIES

 

 

     

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

     

Trade and other payables

20

 

1,909,433,852

 

1,295,851,077

Borrowings

21

 

3,731,267,723

 

2,924,530,436

Deferred revenues

22

 

109,089,120

 

33,665,717

Salaries and social security payable

23

 

62,858,307

 

25,959,305

Defined benefit plans

24

 

196,587,957

 

136,521,808

Deferred tax liabilities

14

 

470,584,488

 

416,561,631

Taxes payable

25

 

274,654,874

 

150,095,508

Provisions

26

 

119,455,898

 

91,464,804

Total non current liabilities

 

 

6,873,932,219

 

5,074,650,286

 

 

       

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

       

Trade and other payables

20

 

4,535,528,435

 

3,098,555,391

Borrowings

21

 

839,303,970

 

753,571,799

Deferred revenues

22

 

763,684

 

-

Salaries and social security payable

23

 

725,274,898

 

501,445,076

Defined benefit plans

24

 

26,759,690

 

8,552,119

Taxes payable

25

 

231,928,622

 

239,718,270

Derivative financial instruments

4.13

 

47,880,462

 

-

Provisions

26

 

25,185,527

 

11,239,188

Total current liabilities

 

 

6,432,625,288

 

4,613,081,843

Total liabilities

 

 

13,306,557,507

 

9,687,732,129

Total liabilities and equity

 

 

16,860,396,522

 

12,562,554,232

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

(In Argentine Pesos (“$”) – unless otherwise stated)

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

27

 

6,204,645,511

 

5,334,993,550

 

6,695,364,819

Cost of sales

28

 

(6,029,079,708)

 

(5,603,274,246)

 

(6,355,771,263)

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

175,565,803

 

(268,280,696)

 

339,593,556

 

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

Selling expenses

29

 

(713,360,347)

 

(634,221,473)

 

(414,002,396)

Administrative expenses

30

 

(837,458,716)

 

(563,852,810)

 

(463,317,509)

Other operating income

31

 

311,975,857

 

466,220,030

 

196,418,100

Other operating expenses

31

 

(447,074,876)

 

(204,039,316)

 

(203,949,959)

Reversal of impairment of property, plant and equipment

5

 

88,406,704

 

-

 

-

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

5

 

-

 

-

 

(108,283,569)

Share of profit (loss) of joint ventures

8

 

34,208,368

 

(4,799,349)

 

(31,020,306)

Share of (loss) profit of associates

9

 

(1,605,070)

 

2,228,499

 

2,294,951

Operating loss before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes

 

 

(1,389,342,277)

 

(1,206,745,115)

 

(682,267,132)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes

2

 

2,271,926,952

 

2,933,051,544

 

-

Operating income (loss)

 

 

882,584,675

 

1,726,306,429

 

(682,267,132)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Financial income

32

 

440,541,774

 

336,295,165

 

143,263,842

Financial cost

32

 

(1,113,228,906)

 

(813,875,720)

 

(501,942,312)

Other financial results

32

 

420,055,021

 

(519,261,217)

 

(203,001,724)

Financial results, net

 

 

(252,632,111)

 

(996,841,772)

 

(561,680,194)

Profit before income tax

   

629,952,564

 

729,464,657

 

(1,243,947,326)

 

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

Income tax and minimun national income tax

33

 

(100,412,278)

 

12,178,991

 

133,311,022

Profit for the year from continuing operations

 

 

529,540,286

 

741,643,648

 

(1,110,636,304)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

18

 

-

 

(126,858,328)

 

31,066,521

Total profit (loss) of the year

 

 

529,540,286

 

614,785,320

 

(1,079,569,783)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

     

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

 

 

     

 

 

Remeasurements related to defined benefit plans

24

 

(23,297,267)

 

(27,034,200)

 

8,014,669

Income tax

14

 

10,763,517

 

6,852,496

 

(2,805,134)

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

-

 

(2,103,123)

Items that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

 

 

     

 

 

Loss of joint ventures

8

 

(2,129,126)

 

(70,562)

 

(67,114)

Other comprehensive (loss) income of the year

 

 

(14,662,876)

 

(20,252,266)

 

3,039,298

Comprehensive income (loss) of the year

 

 

514,877,410

 

594,533,054

 

(1,076,530,485)

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

F-10

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Continuation)

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Total profit (loss) of the year attributable to:

 

 

     

 

 

Owners of the company

 

 

743,159,355

 

286,083,801

 

(649,694,254)

Non - controlling interest

 

 

(213,619,069)

 

328,701,519

 

(429,875,529)

 

 

 

529,540,286

 

614,785,320

 

(1,079,569,783)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Total profit (loss) of the year attributable to owners of the company:

 

 

     

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

743,159,355

 

371,782,245

 

(674,653,661)

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

(85,698,444)

 

24,959,407

 

 

 

743,159,355

 

286,083,801

 

(649,694,254)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) of the year attributable to:

 

 

     

 

 

Owners of the company

 

 

735,353,580

 

272,451,852

 

(647,796,706)

Non - controlling interest

 

 

(220,476,170)

 

322,081,202

 

(428,733,779)

 

 

 

514,877,410

 

594,533,054

 

(1,076,530,485)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Earing (Loss) per share attributable to the equity holders of the company during the year

 

 

     

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

34

 

0.5654

 

0.2829

 

(0.5133)

Diluted earings (loss) per share from continuing operations

34

 

0.5082

 

0.2829

 

(0.5133)

Basic (Loss) Earnings per share from discontinued operations

34

 

-

 

(0.0652)

 

0.0190

Diluted (Loss) Earnings per share from discontinued operations

34

 

-

 

(0.0652)

 

0.0186

 

 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 (In Argentine Pesos (“$”) – unless otherwise stated)

 

 

 

Attributable to owners

 

 

 

 

 

Equity holders of the company

 

Retained earnings

     

Non-controlling interest

 

Total equity

Share capital

 

Additional paid-in capital and other reserves

 

Legal reserve

 

Voluntary reserve

 

Reserve for directors’ options

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

Retained earnings (Accumulated losses)

 

Subtotal

   

Balance as of December 31, 2011

1,314,310,895

 

1,536,759,469

 

27,396,793

 

-

 

241,460,349

 

(12,650,920)

 

(667,906,366)

 

2,439,370,220

 

1,327,964,340

 

3,767,334,560

 

                                   

 

Reserve for directors’ options

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,945,352

 

-

 

-

 

8,945,352

 

-

 

8,945,352

Release of legal reserve - Shareholders’ meeting 04.27.2012

-

 

-

 

(27,396,793)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

27,396,793

 

-

 

-

 

-

Additional paid-in capital absorption - Shareholders’ meeting 04.27.2012

-

 

(518,407,253)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

518,407,253

 

-

 

-

 

-

Dividends attributables to non-controlling interest

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(30,642,762)

 

(30,642,762)

Acquisitions of companies

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

         

19,399,492

 

19,399,492

Sale of subsidiaries

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(365,499,360)

 

(365,499,360)

Increase in non-controlling interest from discontinued operations

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

23,773,504

 

23,773,504

Others variation in non-controlling interest

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(16,465,157)

 

(16,465,157)

 

                                     

Loss of the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(649,694,254)

 

(649,694,254)

 

(429,875,529)

 

(1,079,569,783)

Other comprehensive loss of the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,897,548

 

-

 

1,897,548

 

1,141,750

 

3,039,298

Total comprehensive loss of the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,897,548

 

(649,694,254)

 

(647,796,706)

 

(428,733,779)

 

(1,076,530,485)

Balance as of December 31, 2012

1,314,310,895

 

1,018,352,216

 

-

 

-

 

250,405,701

 

(10,753,372)

 

(771,796,574)

 

1,800,518,866

 

529,796,278

 

2,330,315,144

 

 

 

F-12

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continuation)

 

 

 

Attributable to owners

 

 

 

 

 

Equity holders of the company

 

Retained earnings

     

Non-controlling interest

 

Total equity

 

Share capital

 

Additional paid-in capital and other reserves

 

Legal reserve

 

Voluntary reserve

 

Reserve for directors’ options

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

Retained earnings (Accumulated losses)

 

Subtotal

   

Balance as of December 31, 2012

1,314,310,895

 

1,018,352,216

 

-

 

-

 

250,405,701

 

(10,753,372)

 

(771,796,574)

 

1,800,518,866

 

529,796,278

 

2,330,315,144

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Reserve for directors’ options

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,945,352

 

-

 

-

 

8,945,352

 

-

 

8,945,352

Accumulated losses absorptions - Shareholders’ meeting 04.26.2013

-

 

(771,796,574)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

771,796,574

 

-

 

-

 

-

Dividends attributables to non-controlling interest

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(15,467,679)

 

(15,467,679)

Sale of subsidiaries

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(72,127,674)

 

(72,127,674)

Sale of interest in subsidiaries

-

 

7,698,689

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7,698,689

 

20,941,588

 

28,640,277

Merging of subsidiaries

-

 

9,235,580

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

9,235,580

 

(9,251,951)

 

(16,371)

                                       

Profit for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

286,083,801

 

286,083,801

 

328,701,519

 

614,785,320

Other comprehensive loss for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(13,631,949)

 

-

 

(13,631,949)

 

(6,620,317)

 

(20,252,266)

Comprehensive (loss) profit for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(13,631,949)

 

286,083,801

 

272,451,852

 

322,081,202

 

594,533,054

                                       

Balance as of December 31, 2013

1,314,310,895

 

263,489,911

 

-

 

-

 

259,351,053

 

(24,385,321)

 

286,083,801

 

2,098,850,339

 

775,971,764

 

2,874,822,103

 

 

 

 

F-13

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continuation)

 

 

Attributable to owners

 

 

 

 

 

Equity holders of the company

 

Retained earnings

     

Non-controlling interest

 

Total equity

Share capital

 

Additional paid-in capital and other reserves

 

Legal reserve

 

Voluntary reserve

 

Reserve for directors’ options

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

Retained earnings (Accumulated losses)

 

Subtotal

   

Balance as of December 31, 2013

1,314,310,895

 

263,489,911

 

-

 

-

 

259,351,053

 

(24,385,321)

 

286,083,801

 

2,098,850,339

 

775,971,764

 

2,874,822,103

                             

 

       

Reserve for directors’ options

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

6,709,014

 

-

 

-

 

6,709,014

 

-

 

6,709,014

Sale of interest in subsidiaries

-

 

66,900,103

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

66,900,103

 

7,814,930

 

74,715,033

Change of interest in subsidiaries

-

 

12,594,857

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

12,594,857

 

86,752,644

 

99,347,501

Dividends attributables to non-controlling interest

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(16,632,046)

 

(16,632,046)

Constitution of legal reserve - Shareholders’ meeting 04.26.2013

-

 

-

 

14,304,190

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(14,304,190)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Constitution of voluntary reserve - Shareholders’ meeting 04.26.2013

-

 

-

 

-

 

271,779,611

 

-

 

-

 

(271,779,611)

 

-

 

-

 

-

                                       

Profit for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

743,159,355

 

743,159,355

 

(213,619,069)

 

529,540,286

Other comprehensive loss for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(7,805,775)

 

-

 

(7,805,775)

 

(6,857,101)

 

(14,662,876)

Comprehensive (loss) profit for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(7,805,775)

 

743,159,355

 

735,353,580

 

(220,476,170)

 

514,877,410

                                       

Balance as of December 31, 2014

1,314,310,895

 

342,984,871

 

14,304,190

 

271,779,611

 

266,060,067

 

(32,191,096)

 

743,159,355

 

2,920,407,893

 

633,431,122

 

3,553,839,015

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

F-14

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 (In Argentine Pesos (“$”) – unless otherwise stated)

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

     

 

 

Total profit (loss) for the year

 

 

529,540,286

 

614,785,320

 

(1,079,569,783)

Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss) to cash flows generated by operating activities:

 

 

     

 

 

Income tax and minimum notional income tax

33

 

100,412,278

 

(12,178,991)

 

(133,311,022)

Accrued interest

 

 

596,724,545

 

447,574,296

 

380,491,017

Depreciations and amortizations

28, 29 and 30

 

467,160,148

 

374,791,231

 

374,037,848

Reserve for directors’ options

30

 

6,709,014

 

8,945,352

 

8,945,352

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

5

 

-

 

-

 

108,283,569

Recovery of impairment of property, plant and equipment

5

 

(88,406,704)

 

-

 

-

(Recovery) Constitution of accruals, net

   

(23,697,702)

 

48,343,247

 

48,357,541

Constitution of provisions, net

   

95,822,786

 

36,571,446

 

27,114,436

Share of profit (loss) of joint ventures and associates

8 and 9

 

(32,603,298)

 

2,570,850

 

28,725,355

Accrual of defined benefit plans

28, 29 and 30

 

73,163,395

 

33,754,716

 

28,745,431

Net foreing currency exchange difference

32

 

712,822,106

 

744,150,070

 

344,622,323

Results for discounted value measurement

32

 

(223,304,132)

 

155,869,735

 

72,030,127

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

32

 

(859,434,692)

 

(295,854,837)

 

(191,938,160)

Result from repurchase of corporate bonds

32

 

(47,122,571)

 

(88,879,485)

 

(21,451,233)

Results from property, plant and equipment sale and decreases

31

 

18,639,620

 

13,404,236

 

1,967,799

Consumption of materials

 

 

11,869,855

 

6,783,353

 

9,654,075

Recovery of other operative expenses

31

 

-

 

(13,002,003)

 

-

Revenue recognition from CAMMESA finance

 

 

(18,852,659)

 

(17,402,480)

 

(17,525,025)

Higher Costs Recognition - ES Resolution No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes

2

 

(2,271,926,952)

 

(2,933,051,544)

 

-

Dividends income earned

31

 

(6,226,319)

 

(6,876,038)

 

(1,581,532)

Recognition of March Agreement

31

 

-

 

(85,177,042)

 

-

Recovery of sales tax

38

 

(41,110,709)

 

-

 

-

Other finance results

 

 

(4,301,834)

 

3,811,823

 

-

Other operating costs for contract termination

31

 

11,366,548

 

-

 

-

Compensation agreements

29, 30 and 31

 

61,546,421

 

-

 

-

Other expenses FOCEDE

31

 

97,701,000

 

-

 

-

Other

 

 

(236,118)

 

1,871,525

 

3,544,158

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

199,135,735

 

298,863,627

 

 

 

     

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

     

 

 

Increase in trade receivables and other receivables

 

 

(753,779,506)

 

(508,715,144)

 

(149,276,949)

Increase in inventories

 

 

(21,085,864)

 

(50,402,379)

 

(21,429,651)

Decreace (Increase) in biological assets

 

 

365,961

 

(916,879)

 

(602,651)

(Decrease)Increase in trade and other payables

 

 

(29,446,104)

 

183,440,125

 

259,977,173

Increase (Decrease) in deferred income

 

 

76,187,087

 

(700,044)

 

16,906,265

Increase in salaries and social security payable

 

 

260,712,693

 

112,375,704

 

110,532,346

Decrease in defined benefit plans

 

 

(18,186,942)

 

(13,164,865)

 

(5,640,355)

Increase (Decrease) in taxes payable

 

 

51,441,807

 

(31,963)

 

39,890,061

Decrease in provisions

 

 

(54,049,454)

 

(25,358,712)

 

(12,110,743)

Income tax paid

 

 

(880,339)

 

(3,692,829)

 

(22,588,626)

Funds obtained from PUREE (SE Resolution No. 1037/07)

 

 

482,928,401

 

491,946,068

 

410,672,269

Subtotal before variations of debts with CAMMESA

 

 

(839,537,948)

 

(575,280,403)

 

916,335,042

Increase in account payable and loans with CAMMESA

 

 

3,455,497,600

 

2,231,477,000

 

295,714,000

Net cash generated by operating activities

 

 

2,615,959,652

 

1,656,196,597

 

1,212,049,042

 

 

 

F-15

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continuation)

 

 

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

     

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment acquisition

 

 

(2,331,067,374)

 

(1,050,265,080)

 

(640,407,502)

Acquisition of investment in subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

Purchases of financial assets at fair value

 

 

(1,055,481,705)

 

(353,525,353)

 

(689,647,868)

Purcahses of derivative financial instruments

 

 

(42,125,000)

 

-

 

(1,864,000)

Proceeds from property, plant and equipment sale

 

 

2,281,299

 

399,407

 

1,714

Proceeds from financial assets at fair value sale

 

 

1,258,242,711

 

279,128,770

 

782,726,438

Proceeds from financial assets' amortization

 

 

3,239,076

 

54,793,585

 

-

Proceeds from financial assets' interest

 

 

18,169

 

1,878,384

 

5,311,804

Proceeds from dividends

 

 

2,777,280

 

13,028,406

 

-

Proceeds from loans

 

 

3,369,441

 

4,617,341

 

1,573,036

Recovery (Subscription) of investment funds, net

 

 

(77,330,026)

 

(282,191,942)

 

(123,234,870)

Constitution of guarantee deposits

 

 

(276,616,965)

 

-

 

-

Capital contribution in joint ventures

 

 

(250,000)

 

(205,386)

 

(198,565)

Loans to third parties

 

 

(1,187,416)

 

-

 

(1,270,055)

Recovery of advances to suppliers of property, plant and equipment

 

 

274,360

 

-

 

-

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

(124,246,000)

 

(236,125,186)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(2,513,856,150)

 

(1,456,587,868)

 

(903,135,054)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

     

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

2,519,386,589

 

656,489,875

 

222,495,166

Payment of borrowings

 

 

(2,253,561,870)

 

(513,035,781)

 

(477,197,750)

Payment of borrowings' interests

 

 

(567,793,296)

 

(200,559,674)

 

(335,763,169)

Proceeds from sale of interest in subsidiaries

 

 

74,714,844

 

28,640,301

 

-

Proceeds from change in ownership in a subsidiaries without loosing control

 

 

98,997,500

 

-

 

-

Payment of dividends

 

 

(19,432,044)

 

(7,871,681)

 

(13,992,428)

Payment for repurchase of corporate bonds

 

 

-

 

(65,982,241)

 

(88,546,372)

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

25,388,000

 

136,785,617

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(147,688,277)

 

(76,931,201)

 

(556,218,936)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalent

 

 

(45,584,775)

 

122,677,528

 

(247,304,948)

 

 

 

     

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

17

 

341,668,865

 

156,647,001

 

345,118,745

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year included in assets classified as held for sale

 

 

-

 

11,154,000

 

28,305,000

Foreing currency exchange difference generated by cash and cash equivalents

 

 

39,150,016

 

51,190,336

 

41,682,204

(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(45,584,775)

 

122,677,528

 

(247,304,948)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

17

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

 

167,801,001

 

 

 

     

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year in the statement of financial position

 

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

 

156,647,001

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year included in assets classified as held for sale

 

 

-

 

-

 

11,154,000

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

 

167,801,001

 

 

 

F-16

 


 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continuation)

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Significant Non-cash transactions:

 

     

 

 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment through an increase in trade payables

 

(208,339,247)

 

(158,325,018)

 

(18,586,988)

Borrowing costs capitalized in property, plant and equipment

 

(123,861,184)

 

(24,532,005)

 

6,405,000

Decrease in PUREE related liability (Res. ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes)

 

574,009,553

 

1,661,103,990

 

 -

Decrease in financial assets at fair value from repurchase of Corporate bonds

 

(91,637,990)

 

(165,085,442)

 

 -

Decrease from offsetting of liability with CAMMESA for electricity purchases against receivables (Res. ES No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes)

 

(2,218,423,960)

 

(1,152,267,285)

 

 -

Decrease in borrowings through offsetting trade receivables

 

(131,875,580)

 

-

 

 -

Reclassification assets classified as held for sale to property, plant and equipment

 

(11,987,500)

 

-

 

 -

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment through an increase in liability with FOCEDE

 

(32,939,174)

 

(48,960,000)

 

 -

Increase in financial assets at fair value from subsidiary sale

 

-

 

334,339,766

 

 -

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

F-17

 


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

(in Argentine Pesos (“$”) – unless otherwise stated)

 

NOTE 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an integrated electricity company which, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, is engaged in of the electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Argentina.

 

In the generation business, the Company has an installed capacity of approximately 2,217 MW, which accounts for approximately 7.1% of the installed capacity in Argentina.

 

In the transmission business, the Company joint-controls Citelec, which is the controlling company of Transener, that performs the operation and maintenance of the high-tension transmission network in Argentina which covers 12,279 km of lines of its own, as well as 6,159 km of high-tension lines belonging to Transba in the province of Buenos Aires. Both companies together carry 90% of the electricity in Argentina.

 

In the distribution business, the Company, through Edenor, distributes electricity among over 2.8 million customers throughout the northern region of Buenos Aires City, the north and northwest of Greater Buenos Aires.

 

In other sectors, the Company conducts financial investment operations, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and it keeps investments in other companies that have complementary activities.

 

NOTE 2: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

 

2.1 Generation  

 

The future development of the power generation activity could force the Government to modify adopted measures or to introduce additional regulations. The impacts generated by the whole set of measures adopted as at the date hereof by the National Government on the Company and its subsidiaries’ financial, economic and cash position as at December 31, 2014 have been calculated based on the assessments and estimates made by the Company management as at the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements and should be interpreted considering these circumstances.

 

On March 22, 2013, the ES issued the Resolution No. 95/13 introducing a new remuneration scheme for the electric generation activity and several modifications to the WEM organization, including the suspension from entering into new agreements and renewing agreements in force in the MAT and the centralization of business management and dispatch of fuels for CAMMESA generation.

 

On November 19, 2014, the Company and its power generation subsidiaries received a request for information from the Hydrocarbon Investment Plan’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Committee so that it should provide the information necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electricity market. In this sense, the Company and its power generation subsidiaries have timely and properly submitted all documentation required by the authorities.

 

F-18

 


 
 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

a.     Resolution No. 95/13 – New Remuneration Scheme and other Modifications to the WEM (“the Resolution”)

 

The Resolution —published in the Official Bulletin on March 26, 2013— established a new general-scope system replacing the remuneration scheme that was applicable to all the generation sector (generators, self-generators and co-generators), with the following exceptions: (i) bi-national hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants; y (ii) the electric power and/or energy marketed undercontracts regulated by the ES having a differential remuneration as fixing  ES Resolutions No. 1193/05, 1281/06, 220/07, 1836/07, 200/09, 712/09, 762/09, 108/11 and 137/11, as well as any other kind of electric power supply contract under a differential remuneration system established by the ES (the “Covered Generators”).

 

Therefore, power and/or energy marketed by the Company and its generation subsidiaries under the WEM Supply Agreement pursuant to ES Resolutions No. 1281/06 and No. 220/07 will be exempted from the new remuneration scheme.

The new remuneration scheme started to be applied to economic transactions for the month of February, 2013. However, its actual application to each specific generating agent required that it should waive all and any administrative and/or judicial claims it may have brought against the National Government, the ES and/ or CAMMESA regarding the 2008-2011 Agreement for the Management and Operation of Projects, Thermal Generation Availability Increase and Adjustment of the Generation Remuneration (the “2008-2011 Agreement”) and/or in connection with ES Resolution No. 406/03. Furthermore, each generating agent should agree to waive its right to file judicial and/or administrative claims against the National Government, the ES and/or CAMMESA regarding agreement and resolution before mentioned.

 

The new remuneration scheme comprises three items:

 

i.         Fixed Costs Remuneration: it considers and remunerates the provision in the HRP. This remuneration is subject to the compliance with a DO —which is equivalent to the average availability per technology during the last three calendar years— and the Historical Average Availability of each unit. The remuneration to be received by the generating agent will depend on the technology and on the degree of compliance with the DO:

                                                                                     

The parameters defined by the Resolution by type of technology are as follows:

 

Technology and scale

$/MW-HRP

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

40.00

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

52.80

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

44.00

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

37.40

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

20.40

 

 

 

 

 

F-19

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

Generators will be entitled to the following Fixed Costs Remuneration percentages:

 

 

 

 

Availability of the unit regarding:

 

Price of the Fixed Costs Remuneration collectable

 

 

DO

 

 

Historical Average Availability (average for the last 3 years)

100%

or

and

> 80%

and

>105%

75%

 

and

<80%

50%

 

and

between 100% and 105%

35%

 

and

<100%

 

 

The Resolution points out that in case a generator is not eligible for the Fixed Costs Remuneration for breaching the DO parameters, this remuneration may not be lower than 12 $/MW-HRP.

 

ii.        Variable Costs Remuneration: new values are established replacing the remuneration of Maintenance Variable Costs and Other Non-Fuel Variable Costs. They are calculated on a monthly basis based on the power generated by each type of fuel:

 

 

Clasification

Running with:

Natural Gas

Liquid Fuels

 

Coal

$/MWh

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

19.00

33.25

-

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

19.00

33.25

57.00

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

19.00

33.25

57.00

 

HI Units

$/MW-HRP

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

17.00

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

17.00

 

 

 

 

 

F-20

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

iii.     Additional Remuneration: A portion is paid directly to the generator and the other part of this remuneration will be allocated to “new infrastructural projects in the electric sectors” to be defined by the ES through a trust.

 

 

Allocation

Generator $/MWh

Trust $/MWh

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

7.50

5.00

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

8.75

3.75

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

7.50

5.00

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

63.00

27.00

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

54.00

36.00

To the detailed remuneration that makes up the whole remuneration collectable in the WEM by Covered Generators, should be discounted the electric energy and/or power committed to the MAT or pursuant to other similar agreements, valued at the applicable market price, with the exception of the previously mentioned specific contracts, and after deducting any other charge and/or service to be borne by the mentioned agents.

 

Payment Priority

 

The Resolution provides for two new payment priorities, excluding to such effect the application of ES Resolution No. 406/03: (i) the Fixed Costs Remuneration, the recognition of fuel costs and the Variable Costs Remuneration will be cancelled in the first place; and (ii) the Additional Remuneration will be cancelled in the second place.

However, it is established that CAMMESA —based on what is provided for by the ES— should accommodate this order to the applicable criteria, that is, to ES Resolution No. 406/03 itself.

 

As regards the priority in the settlement of the above-mentioned remuneration, it set forth that the Fixed Costs Remuneration, the Variable Costs Remuneration and the Additional Remuneration settled directly to the generator, as well as the recognition of fuel costs, will have the same priority as that set forth in Section 4.e of ES Resolution No. 406/03.

 

Likewise, the remuneration of frequency regulation services and short-term reserve will be brought in line with the priority set forth by Section 4.d of ES Resolution No. 406/03, and the additional remuneration allocated to the trust, with that contemplated in subsection c) of such resolution.

 

 

F-21

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

Through ES Note No. 4858/13, CAMMESA was instructed to implement a payment priority mechanism in favor of generators adhering to the Resolution in order to keep a liquidity level similar to that prior to the passing of such Resolution. To such effect, CAMMESA will:

 

         i.       Record the amounts collected directly from Large Users;

          ii.     Allocate such amounts to cover the generators’ remuneration —firstly fixed costs, afterwards variable costs and lastly the direct additional remuneration—. This distribution will be made pro rata based on the relative participation of each Generator in each of the items.

Recognition of fuel costs

The Resolution provides that the commercial management and dispatch of fuels for generation purposes will be centralized in CAMMESA. Generators may not renew or extend their contracts with suppliers, with the exception of those marketing power under supply agreements having a differential remuneration system, in which case they may continue entering into fuel contracts to provide firm support to their supply commitments. Notwithstanding that, until the termination of the contracts currently in force between generators and their suppliers, costs associated with the reference price, recognized freights, costs associated with the transportation and distribution of natural gas, as well as their related taxes and rates, will be recognized. For the recognition of those costs, two conditions should be met: (i) the kind of costs should be, at the Resolution’s effective date, being recognized by CAMMESA; and (ii) those costs should result from contractual relationships taken on before the Resolution’s effective date.

 

Later on, and regarding the supply of fuel for generation purposes, ES Note No. 8152/13 instructed CAMMESA to call oil companies registered under the “Natural Gas Surplus Injection Promotion Program” and/or the “Program for the Promotion of Natural Gas Injection for Companies with Reduced Injection” for the Northeast and Neuquén Basins.

 

Furthermore, ES Note No. 5129/13 instructed CAMMESA to optimize the generation and fuel dispatch taking into consideration actual acquisition costs according to the conditions described by CAMMESA in the analysis previously sent to the ES. This modification will result in a change in the current dispatch conditions and the mixture of fuels used for generation purposes.

 

Trust for the execution of works in the electric sector

 

As it has been previously explained, part of the Additional Remuneration will be allocated to a trust for the execution of works in the electricity sector. The Resolution provides that the ES will establish the mechanisms of that trust integration.

 

Additionally, the Resolution sets forth that the ES will define the mechanism under which the LVFVDs issued by CAMMESA pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 and not comprised within the general and/or specific agreements entered into with the ES and/or provisions aimed to the execution of investment works and/or existing equipment maintenance tasks should be destined to the payment of such trust.

 

 

 

 

F-22

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

As from September 2013, CAMMESA started to settle the Additional Remuneration’s amounts to be destined to the trust as LVFVDs.

 

Suspension of contracts in the MAT

 

The Resolution transient the incorporation of new contracts into the MAT (excluding those derived from resolutions fixing a differential remuneration system), as well as their extension or renewal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, contracts in force as at the Resolution’s effective date will continue being managed by CAMMESA until their termination. After their termination, Large Users will have to acquire their supplies directly from CAMMESA pursuant to the conditions established to such effect by the ES.

 

Resolution’s Implementation Criteria

The ES instructed CAMMESA to classify the Covered Agents’ generating units according to the scales set forth in the Resolution, and this classification will be subject to review by the ES itself. This classification was made by CAMMESA through note B-80255-1, according to the following detail:

 

Company

Generating unit

Technology

Power

CTG

GUEMTV11

TV

<100 MW

CTG

GUEMTV12

TV

<100 MW

CTG

GUEMTV13

TV

>100 MW 

CPB

BBLATV29

TV

>100 MW

CPB

BBLATV30

TV

>100 MW

CTLL

LDLATG01

TG

>50 MW

CTLL

LDLATG02

TG

>50 MW

CTLL

LDLATG03

TG

>50 MW

HIDISA

AGUA DEL TORO

HI

HI – Media  120<P≤300

HIDISA

EL TIGRE

HI

HI – Chica    0<P≤120

HIDISA

LOS REYUNOS

HI

HI – Media  120<P≤300

HINISA

NIHUIL I

HI

HI – Media  120<P≤300

HINISA

NIHUIL II

HI

HI – Media  120<P≤300

HINISA

NIHUIL III

HI

HI – Media  120<P≤300

 

On May 31 the power generating subsidiaries waived their right to file administrative and/or judicial claims against the National Government, the ES and/or CAMMESA with reference to the 2008-2011 Agreement and/or ES Resolution No. 406/03, as well as to bring new claims regarding the stated items and periods.

 

 

F-23

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

On June 11, 2013, the SE informed CAMMESA through ES Notes No. 3145, 3146, 3147of the acceptance of the terms under which the subsidiaries of thermal generation, made the above mentioned waivers, as from which the new remuneration scheme will become applicable to these companies. Therefore, as at the date of these consolidated financial statements, these subsidiaries have recognized the new remuneration scheme set forth by the Resolution effective as from the February 2013 transaction.

Afterwards, on November 22, 2013, subsidiaries HIDISA and HINISA submitted these waivers and requested the application of the previously-mentioned remuneration scheme effective as from the commercial transaction corresponding to the month of November, 2013. Based on the subsidiaries’ request, CAMMESA started applying the new remuneration system as from that month.

 

b.     ES Res. No. 529/14 – Update of the remuneration scheme implemented by ES Res. No. 95/13

 

ES Res. No. 529/14 dated May 23, 2014, which replaced exhibits I, II and III of ES Res. No. 95/13, provided for a retroactive updating —as from the economic transactions for the month of February, 2014— of the remuneration values contemplated in mentioned exhibits and modified fixed costs’ remuneration settlement mechanism as follows, and that affect subsidiaries’ generation units:

 

i.                     Fixed Costs Remuneration:

 

Technology and scale

$/MW-HRP

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

50.00

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

 83.20

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

59.40

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

76.50

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

29.80

 

The method for calculating the fixed costs remuneration to the generating agents comprised within the above-described scheme and having conventional thermal generation equipment (TG, TV and CC) will be variable based on the RA, the TA, the HA, and the time of the year.


 

 

 

 

 

F-24

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

A base percentage is defined, which is applied to the Fixed Costs Remuneration in accordance with the following values:

 

 

TV

June-August and

December-February periods

March-May and

September-November periods

RA > 90%

110%

100%

80% < RA ≤ 90%

105%

100%

70% < RA ≤ 80%

85%

85%

RA ≤ 70%

70%

70%

TG

   

RA > 90%

110%

100%

80% < RA ≤ 90%

105%

100%

70% < RA ≤ 80%

85%

85%

RA ≤ 70%

70%

70%

 

 

50% of the percentage difference between the generator's RA and HA will be added to or subtracted from the base rate; that is, for each percentage point variation in the generator’s RA as compared with its HA, half a percentage point will be applied to the Fixed Costs remuneration. The maximum and minimum values are those set forth for each period (maximum 110% and minimum 70%, as applicable).

 

For availability control purposes, the criteria set forth in ES Note No. 2053/13 will remain in force. HA values for each thermal group will be determined based on its availability recorded during the 2010-2013 period. At the end of each year, the result will be added to the base until reaching 5 rolling years.

 

ii.                     Variable Costs Remuneration:

 

 

Clasification

Operating with:

Natural Gas

Liquid Fuels

$/MWh

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

26.80

49.60

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

26.80

49.60

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

26.80

49.60

 

 

Hydroelectric Units

$/MW-HRP

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

21.30

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

21.30

 

 

 

 

 

F-25

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

iii.                  Additional Remuneration:

 

 

Allocation

Generator $/MWh

Trust $/MWh

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

9.40

6.20

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

10.90

4.70

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

9.40

6.20

HI units with power (P) < 120 Mw

76.50

13.50

HI units with power (P) between 120 Mw and 300 Mw

54.00

36.00

 

iv.                  Maintenance Remuneration:

 

Besides the previously stated remuneration items, ES Res. No. 529/14 incorporates a new concept of “Remuneration for Non-Recurring Maintenance Works” (“Maintenance Remuneration”) applicable as from the economic transaction corresponding to February 2014 and calculated monthly based on the Total Generated Energy. Such remuneration will be implemented through LVFVDs and will be destined exclusively to the financing of major maintenance works, subject to the ES approval.

 

 

Technology and scale

Maintenance Remuneration ($/MWh)

TG units with power (P) > 50 Mw

24

TV units with power (P) < 100 Mw

24

TV units with power (P) > 100 Mw

24

 

On December 17, 2014, after its endorsement by CAMMESA’s technical group, the ES approved the financing request filed by subsidiary CTLL for maintenance works to be executed on the LDLATG02 unit in its generation plant for an estimated amount of US$ 11.8 million and $ 7.2 millon, in both cases plus VAT and repayable within a 36-month term with resources derived from the Maintenance Remuneration. As from December 21, 2014, the LDLATG02 unit became operative after a major maintenance work. On March 5, 2015, CTLL siged a loan agreement with CAMMESA to finance major maintenance on such unit.

 

On December 2, 2014, after its endorsement by CAMMESA’s technical group, the ES approved the financing request filed by subsidiary CTG for the execution of maintenance works on its generating plant’s GUEMTV11 unit for an estimated amount of US$ 10.3 million plus VAT, repayable within a 36-month term with resources resulting from the Maintenance Remuneration.

 

Pursuant to the loan agreement entered into between subsidiary CPB and CAMMESA during the month of April, 2014, this subsidiary’s Maintenance Remuneration is exclusively allocated to the cancellation of the financing granted to fund the 2015-2016 Technological Upgrade Works.

 

 

F-26

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

Fuel supply

 

Moreover, and in furtherance of the objective sought by ES Res. No. 95/13 of optimizing and minimizing costs in the supply of fuel to the WEM plants, it set forth the extension of the provisions of Section 8 of ES Res. No. 95/13 to generating, co-generating and self-generating agents the energy and power of which have been committed under ES Res. No. 1193/05 (FONINVEMEM), ES Res. No. 220/07 (WEM Supply Agreements) and ES Res. No. 1836/07, as well as to any other kind of energy supply agreement subject to a differential remuneration system, except for agreements under the Energy Plus Service passed by ES Res. No. 1281/06. Thus, among other effects, as these generators’ supply agreements terminate, the supply of such fuel will become centralized in CAMMESA, and the generator will not be entitled to renew such agreements.

 

It should be pointed out that for transaction purposes and to provide for the coverage of the agreements now subject to the provisions of Section 8 of ES Res. No. 95/13, the availability of the generating unit will be considered independently of fuel.

 

c.        Energy Plus - ES Resolution No. 1281/06

The ES approved Resolution No. 1281/06, in which it is established that the existing energy commercialized in the Spot market will have the following priorities: (i) Demands below 300 KW; (ii) Demands over 300 KW with contracts; and (iii) Demands over 300 KW without contracts.

It also establishes certain restrictions to the commercialization of electricity, and implements the Energy Plus service, which consist in the offering of additional generation availability by the generating agents. These measures imply the following:

 

-               Hydroelectric and thermal generators without fuel contracts are not allowed to execute any new contract.

-               Large Users with a demand over 300 KW will be only allowed to contract their energy demand in the forward market for the electrical consumption made during the year 2005 (“Base Demand”) with the thermoelectric plants existing in the WEM.

-               The new energy consumed by Large Users with a demand over 300 KW over the Base Demand must be contracted with new generation at a price freely negotiated between the parties (“Energy Plus”).

-               The New Agents joining the system must contract their whole demand under the Energy Plus service.

-                For the new generation plants to be included within the Energy Plus service, they must have fuel supply and transportation contracts.

Under such standard, CTG extended its generation capacity on 98.8 MWISO with the implementation of the generation unit LMS 100. CTG was the first WEM generator that provided the service of Energy Plus, for which executed several service agreements with Energy Plus that cover for the entire Net Effective Power of the extension with various agents from the MAT.

Together with the approval by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services of the profit margin presented by CTG through MPFIPyS Note No. 2495/08, the Energy Secretariat, by virtue of Notes No. 625/08, 2429/08 and 2495/08, authorized the CTG contracts for a total power of 96.5 MW.

 

 

F-27

 


 
  

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

If an Energy Plus client cannot meet the demand for energy assigned to it, the generator may purchase that energy in the Spot Market at the CMO.

CTG has current Power Availability Agreements in force with other generators, including TermoAndes S.A., Petrobras Arg. S.A. (for its Genelba and Ecoenergia plants), Generación Mediterránea S.A., Solalban Energía S.A., Generación Independencia S.A. and Centrales Térmicas Mendoza S.A., whereby it can purchase energy from those generators to support its contracts in case of unavailability of its LMS 100 unit. Thus, CTG substantially limits the contracts’ support risk in case of unavailability of the LMS 100 unit.

These contracts include an automatic call clause applicable by CAMMESA under certain market conditions, which takes into consideration the total or partial unavailability of the equipment to support 100% of the energy demanded by customers, the Operating Marginal Cost hourly price and the contract price. The purchase prices for the power subject-matter of the stated contracts range from US$ 64.60/MWh to US$ 65.50/MWh.

Furthermore, CTG has entered into power availability agreements with the above mentioned generating agents whereby CTG acts as the selling party, supporting generators in case of unavailability of their equipment. These agreements are ranked with a lower priority than Energy Plus contracts and relate to surplus energy (energy committed to the Energy Plus contracts which has not been demanded by customers).        

 

The ES, through Note No. 567/07 and its amendments, has implemented the Surplus Demand Incremental Average Charge as the maximum price payable by Large Users (with a power consumption above 300 KW) for their Surplus Demand in case they do not have an Energy Plus Service Agreement in force. These values imply a cap in pesos on the sales price authorized Generators may offer to provide the Energy Plus service. Currently these values are $ 320/MWh for Major and Minor Large Users and $ 445/MWh for Large Distribution Users. This situation will be aggravated to the extent the peso is devalued against the U.S. dollar, the currency in which Energy Plus service agreements are denominated. Consequently, a failure to update these values or a devaluation of the peso may result in a decrease in energy plus prices, which may render these agreements unfeasible and force generators to sell their Power and Energy in the Spot market, with the resulting decrease in their income.

d.     Supply contracts WEM- Resolution ES No. 220/07

Aiming to modify the market conditions allowing for new investments to increase the generation offer, the ES passed Resolution No. 220/07, which empowers CAMMESA to enter into “WEM Supply Commitment Agreements” with WEM generating agents for the energy produced with new generation equipment. They will be long-term agreements, and the price payable by CAMMESA should compensate the investment made by the agent at a rate of return accepted by the ES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-28

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

On November 1, 2011, CAMMESA granted to CTLLL the provisional commercial commissioning of the TV unit, and the combined cycle started to operate on a commercial basis. Electricity generated by this turbine may be sold pursuant to the Energy Plus Plan and through the WEM Supply Agreements executed by CAMMESA pursuant to ES Resolution No. 220/07. Pursuant to the Addendum to the December 2010 Supply Agreement, during the first 3 years of the Supply Agreement all the power produced by the steam turbine may be marketed thereunder.

 

On October 27, 2014, the Addendum to CTLL’s Supply Agreement was extended until the termination, in the year 2021, of the WEM Supply Agreement pursuant to ES Resolution No. 220/07 entered into with CAMMESA.

Pursuant to the agreement mentioned in subsection k), Central Térmica Piquirenda, owned by EGSSA (which makes up CTG´s assets after its merger with EGSSA and EGSSAH) was commissioned for commercial operation on May 3, 2011. On July 15, 2011, such company executed the WEM Supply Agreement pursuant to ES Resolution No. 220/07. As from such date, the power produced by the plant is marketed in whole pursuant to the provisions of such agreement.

e.     Receivables from WEM generators

 

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company, throught its subsidiaries generation, holds receivables with CAMMESA which, at nominal value, together with accrued interest, amount to a total $ 797.4 and $ 560.8 million, with an estimated recoverable value of $ 745.6 and $ 124.2 million, respectively. The following detailed integration:

 

a.       LVFVDs pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 2004-2006. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, they have been assigned to FONINVEMEM in the amount of $ 66 million and $ 69 million including interest, and their estimated recoverable value amounts to $ 54.8 million and $ 56.1 million, respectively.

 

b.       LVFVDs pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 2008-2011. As at December 31, 2014, they have been allocated to the “2014 Agreement” in the amount of $ 408.5 million including interest, and their estimated recoverable value amounts to $ 397.8 million. As at December 31, 2013 they have been assigned to certain “WEM Supply Commitment Agreements – ES Resolution No. 724/08” and to the “2008-2011 Agreement” in the amount of $ 328.9 million including interest, and their estimated recoverable value amounts to $ 68.1 million.

 

c.        LVFVDs pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 2012-2013 and ES Resolution No. 95/13. As at December 31, 2014, these have been allocated to the “2014 Agreement” in the amount of $ 228.6 million including interest, and their estimated recoverable value amounts to $ 198.8 million. As at December 31, 2013, LVFVDs pursuant to ES Resolution No. N° 406/03 accrued during fiscal years 2012 in the amount of $ 39.8 remained totally impaired, whereas the LVFVDs ES Resolution No. N° 406/03 accrued during fiscal years 2013 and on account of contributions undertaken to the Trust pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13 in the amount of $ 54.1 million had not been recognized as income since the ES had not yet implemented this Trust and, therefore, there was no reasonable certainty that the Company would recover this generated receivable.

 

d.       LVFVDs for Maintenance Remuneration in the amount of $ 94.3 million which, as from the approval of maintenance works and their corresponding financing by CAMMESA, are valued at their face value plus interest.

 

 

 

 

F-29

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

As a result of the execution of the 2014 Agreement, the Supplementary Agreement and the approval of major maintenance works to be performed, the power generation subsidiaries have reestimated the recoverable value of their affected receivables. As a result of this valuation, earnings in the amount of $ 336.4 million have been disclosed under Financial Results, $ 48.8 million under Other Operating Income and Expenses and $ 171.5 million under Revenue from sales in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

WEM Supply Commitment Agreements – Resolution No. 724/08

ES Resolution No. 724/08 empowers CAMMESA to execute “WEM Supply Commitment Agreements” with WEM generating agents. Pursuant to these agreements, generating agents may receive from CAMMESA the LVFVDs’ amount as from the beginning of 2008 and during the life of the agreement, as long as such funds are allocated to the repair and/or repowering of generating groups and/or associated equipment, provided its cost surpasses 50% of the la remuneration for the items encompassed by Section 4, subsection c) of ES Resolution No. 406/03, under certain conditions, including, but not limited to, its approval by CAMMESA.

The procedure consists in the ES evaluating the proposals filed, instructing CAMMESA as to those authorized to enter into a contract, even indicating, if convenient, the granting of loans to the Generation Agent in the event they are required to finance the disbursement to be made to meet the cost of repairs exceeding the compensation to be received for the agreement.

Under this resolution, on December 9, 2008 CTLL entered into a Master Agreement with the ES for the conversion of its power generating plant to a Combined Cycle plant, pursuant to which undertook to conduct the expansion project. Aditionally, this agreement allow other WEM’s generators to recover their consolidated receivables from subsection c), ES Resolution No. 406/03, as long as such funds are allocated to the previously mentioned expansion project.

Furthermore, on April 14, 2009, CTLL entered into a Supply Agreement with CAMMESA under the ES Resolution No. 724/08 and according to the agreement with the ES in the Master Agreement.

 

 

 

 

F-30

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

Under such agreements, CTLL has collected from the OED all of their receivables accrued in 2008 and has issued several credit assignment agreements with other WEM generators (among them the Company’s subsdiaries CTG, CPB, HIDISA e HINISA) in connection with their LVFVDs accumulated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 by virtue of Subsection c) of Resolution No. 406/03, this assignment may be total and/or partial depending on CAMMESA’s cash and cash equivalents. Such agreements establish the terms and conditions of each assignment, which will be carried out fully or partially as CAMMESA settles the respective receivables, upon which CTLL will settle the unpaid amounts to the counterparties, according to the conditions established in every agreement. Within this context, during the month of May 2009, CTLL entered into agreements with subsidiary companies HINISA and HIDISA, and with CTG and CPB in June, 2010 (the “Assignment Conventions 2010”).

 

As a result of the cancellation of receivables by CAMMESA, the assignments contemplated in the before mentioned agreement have been perfected for a total amount of $ 51.2 million, all of them during the years 2010 and 2011.

 

On May 18, 2012, CTLL filed an administrative claim before the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services to demand the enforcement of the commitments undertaken under the Electric Power Supply Agreement entered into with CAMMESA on April 14, 2009 and the Master Agreement. The claim made by CTLL covers the LVFVDs with the payment priority provided for in Section 4.c) of ES Resolution No. 406/03 issued by CAMMESA to CTLL expressing their decision to allocate their LVFVDs to the execution of CTLL’s CC closing project.

 

On October 19, 2012, CTLL filed a motion for summary motion which expired on December 27, 2012.

 

Consequently, after all administrative remedies were concluded and aiming to safeguard its rights, on June 28, 2013, CTLL filed the appropriate presentation in the following procedural stage.

 

After analyzing different alternatives for the cancellation of the assigned LVFVDs through a mechanism different from their application to CTLL’s CC closing project, on October 23, 2013, CPB offered CTLL to terminate the 2010 Receivables Assignment Agreement, and CTLL accepted the offer.

 

Finally, during the month of April, 2014, CPB applied the whole LVFVDs corresponding to the January 2008-December 2010 period, including all accrued interest, to the cancellation of the loan entered into with CAMMESA and described in Note 21 – CAMMESA Financing II.

 

Despite procedures initiated by CTLL aiming to suspend the legal proceedings seeking collection of the pending LVFVDs in compliance with the commitments undertaken in the 2014 Agreement, the ES has not yet granted its consent.

 

Under argentine procedural law, such suspension requires the filing of a joint request by the parties to the claim. However, CTLL filed a petition to the court requiring the suspension of the claims. The court did not grant the suspension and required the ES’s consent. As of the date of this annual report, such consent could not be obtained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-31

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

Agreement 2008 – 2011

On November 25, 2010, the power generation subsidiaries together with other Generating Agents entered into the Agreement for the following purposes: (i) to continue with the WEM’s adaptation process; (ii) to permit the entry of new generation to meet the increase in the power and energy demand; (iii) to define a mechanism for the cancellation of the LVFVDs corresponding to receivables for the period comprised between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011, and; (iv) to acknowledge the global remuneration corresponding to the adhering WEM Generating Agents.

 

The main conditions of the 2008-2011 Agreement included an increase in the remuneration for available power and in the maximum values recognized for the remuneration for operation and maintenance, subject to the meeting of certain agreed availability levels.

In order to fulfill their obligations arising from the Agreement 2008-2011, the Company and its subsidiary generating segment companies have submitted to the ES consideration a project for the installation and expansion of a new power generation plant, together with a proposal for the inclusion of an addendum to the agreement in order to contemplate modifications allowing for the earning of a fair and reasonable income from the additional capital invested in the project.

In this context and in order to instrument the Agreement 2008-2011, on April 1, 2011, the Company and its subsidiary generating segment companies entered into a new agreement with the ES pursuant to which they undertook to conduct the electric power generation project specified in the previous paragraph (the “Instrumentation Agreement”). The project, which involves Central Térmica Piquirenda owned by EGSSA (which makes up CTG’s assets after its merger with EGSSA and EGSSAH), will be developed in two stages, upon the completion of which the total installed power will be increased to 45 MW.

 

The Instrumentation Agreement provides for the payment of the LVFVDs accrued and to be accrued in favor of the signatory generators in the 2008 – 2011 period, which are not included in ES Resolution No. 724/08, up to a total amount which may not surpass 30% of the project’s amount.

On October 17, 2011, CAMMESA submitted to the consideration of the ES the report drawn up by the Technical Group regarding the execution of the First Stage of the Project, concluding that the maximum value to be recognized for that stage pursuant to the Instrumentation Agreement amounts to US$ 8.1 million.

On March 22, 2012, the Company and its power generation subsidiaries entered into an “Instrumentation Agreement” and they filed an administrative claim before the MPFIPyS to demand the enforcement of the commitments undertaken under that agreement by the participating generators and the National Government, represented by the SE, to complete its implementation.

 

This claim sought to obtain the cancellation of the LVFVDs issued by CAMMESA pursuant to Section 4.c of ES Resolution 406/03 for the subscribing generators’ receivables corresponding to the January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 period and not covered by ES Resolution No. 724/08, which represent 30% of the total investment made for the execution of the first stage of the project.

 

 

 

 

F-32

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

On October 19, 2012, the Company and its power generation subsidiaries filed a request for summary motion which expired on December 27, 2012

 

Consequently, after all administrative remedies were concluded and aiming to safeguard its rights, on June 28, 2013, the Company filed the appropriate presentation in the following procedural stage.

 

Despite procedures initiated by the Company and its power generation subsidiaries aiming to suspend the legal proceedings seeking collection of the pending LVFVDs in compliance with of the commitments undertaken in the 2014 Agreement. Under argentine procedural law, such suspension requires the filing of a joint request by the parties to the claim. However, Loma de la Lata filed a petition to the court requiring the suspension of the claims. The court did not grant the suspension and required the Secretariat of Energy’s consent. As of the date of this annual report, the claim was granted by ES.

 

Modification of Definitive Agreement for the rehabilitation of WEM (yhe “final Agreement”)- FONINVEMEM

 

ES Resolution No. 712/04 created the FONINVEMEM with the purpose of increasing available electricity generation through investments in thermal generation.

 

The ES invited all agents holding LVFVDs and being creditors in the WEM to express their decision to convert (or not) 65% of their receivables accumulated from January 2004 through December 2006 into an interest in two combined cycle projects.

 

The LVFVDs contributed to FONINVEMEM will be converted into US$ and bear an annual yield at the LIBOR rate + 1%. LVFVDs will be payable in 120 equal and consecutive monthly installments as from the commercial commissioning of the stated combined cycles.

 

During the months of January and February of the year 2010, TMB and TJSM plants’ CCs were respectively cleared for operation; therefore, the company ant its subsidiaries generation started collecting the first of these 120 installments in the months of March and April 2010 respectively.

 

Although on May 31, 2010 CAMMESA informed through a note of the amount of the LVFVDs denominated in pesos and in equivalent U.S. dollars pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Agreement, these amounts are deemed provisional. Therefore, and considering that as at the issuance hereof no confirmation of this conversion into U.S. dollars has been received, the Company and its subsidiaries generation have decided to keep receivables at their original value.

 

Pursuant to ES Resolution No. 1261/12, a 25 MW and 19.01 MW power increase was approved respectively for the TMB and TJSM plants, for a value of US$ 11.9 million and US$ 10.1 million plus VAT each, ad referendum of the MPFIPYS. Consequently, this resolution authorized –ad referendum of the MPFIPYS- the amendment of the Final Agreement approved by ES Resolution No. 1193/05, which provided for the organization of the companies TMB and TJSM, the modification of the equity interests in those companies (funding for the works would be provided by generators and not by the National Government), and supply agreements with CAMMESA and maintenance agreements with Siemens.

 

 

 

F-33

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

In view of the foregoing, and since the MPFIPYS expressed its consent pursuant to MPFIPYS Resolution No. 2489/12, the ES, through Note No. 5568/13, instructed CAMMESA to call for agents making up TMB and TJSM to turn the commitments taken on pursuant to ES Resolution No. 1261/12 into irrevocable commitments pursuant to the terms of the Addendum to the Final Agreement included in that note.

 

The participation in the call requires the execution of the addendum; conversely, in the absence of a formal statement, it will be deemed that the parties have decided not to participate in the call.

The Addendum to the Final Agreement stipulates that Generating Agents should contribute their LVFVDs generated during the 2008-2011 period up to the amounts necessary to cover the amounts corresponding to the above-mentioned power expansion.

TMB and TJSM’s power-generating shareholders adhering to the call will receive an equity interest in those companies pro rata their respective LVFVDs’ participation in the whole capital allocated to the construction of the plants (including the investment necessary for power expansion) so that they should be included in the same proportions that the LVFVDs corresponding to the 2004-2006 period; in case a generator does not have any 2008-2011 LVFVD or does not express its decision to contribute its 2008-2011 LVFVDs to the payment of the power expansion works, the amount which is not included will be deemed covered by the remaining agents pro rata and according to the rights conferred by their respective Bylaws until reaching the amounts stated in ES Resolution No. 1261/12.

Additionally, as from the Addendums to the WEM Supply Agreements' effective dates, the receivables documented as LVFVDs for the 2008-2011 period and committed to the payment of additional power will be returned to them, converted into U.S. dollars by applying BCRA’s “Reference Exchange Rate – Communication A 3500 (Wholesale)”, upon actual payment of the Additional Power through the application of the same mechanism for receivables comprised within debt repayments associated with Section 4.a of the Final Agreement. The number of installments is that remaining, as from the Addendums to the Supply Agreements’ effective date, to finish paying the installments for debt repayments set forth in Section 4.a of the Final Agreement.

CTG, HIDISA, HINISA and CPB adhered to the call, and CAMMESA informed of such decision to the ES through Note B-84261-1. This note states that not all TMB and TJSM’s power-generating shareholders have adhered to the call, and, consequently, these companies would be entitled to a proportional increase over the non-adhering generators’ portion. However, as at the issuance hereof, no progress has been made in the implementation of the operations contemplated in ES Resolution No. 1261/12.

 

Since the LVFVDs accrued in favor of the subsidiaries during the year 2011 were committed pursuant to the 2008-2011 Agreement, on September 30, 2013, subsidiaries CTG, HIDISA and HINISA offered CTLL to partially terminate the assignments of LVFVDs perfected pursuant to the applicable Receivables Assignment Agreements entered into between them and CTLL during the months of May, 2009 and June, 2010 for up to the amounts committed pursuant to ES Resolution No. 1261/12 and ES Note No. 5568/13, which as at the termination date amounted to $ 8.1 million plus VAT, and the amounts resulting from the right to a proportional increase pursuant to the provisions of the power generation companies’ Bylaws, and CTLL accepted the proposal.

 

 

 

 

F-34

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

New Generation Project. 2014 Thermal Generation Availability Increase Agreement.

 

On September 5, 2014, the Company, together with its generation subsidiaries (the “Generators”) executed  a new thermal generation availability increase agreement with the National Government through the application of LVFVDs and the generators’ own resources (the “2014 Agreement”).

 

Conditional upon the meeting of certain precedent conditions precedent, the 2014 Agreement provided for an enhanced generation capacity in CTLL’s Plant by incorporating two 15 MW engine generators and one 100 MW high-efficiency gas turbine, with an estimated investment of $ 930 million (jointly, the “Project”).

 

The Project will be financed by CAMMESA up to an amount equivalent to: i) the LVFVDs issued pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 and not committed under other agreements; ii) the receivables from the Additional Remuneration to the Trust issued or to be issued until December 31, 2015 pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13 and amending ES Resolution No. 529/14 (jointly, the “Receivables”); and well as with the contribution of CTLL’s own funds.

 

In order to guarantee that funds equivalent to the Receivables will be allocated to the Project’s execution, such funds will be transferred to a fund to be created by CAMMESA at the ES’ direction.

 

The ES will instruct CAMMESA to include the remuneration acknowledgeable for this new generation within the WEM’s economic transactions. In this sense, the remuneration for power equivalent to the percentage representing the amount of the Receivables to be allocated to the Project by Generators over the total funds destined to the Project will be remunerated pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13 and amendments. In turn, the remuneration for power equivalent to the percentage representing CTLL’s own contributions additional to the Receivables over the whole funds allotted to the Project will be remunerated through a WEM Supply Commitment Agreement pursuant to ES Resolution No. 220/07.

 

On October 27, 2014, Generators and the ES entered into a Supplementary Agreement setting forth the specific conditions applicable to the Project’s execution. The most important aspects of the agreement are indicated below:

 

·         The subscription of a Financing and Assignment of Secured Receivables Agreement with CAMMESA that would allow the financing of the Project’s works (the “Financing”). The financing will be cancelled, at CTLL’s option, through a cash payment or through the offsetting with receivables.

·         The inclusion of the LVFVDs commited by Generators to CTLL’s CC Closing Project and to CTP’s project outstanding as at the date hereof (hereinafter, the “Outstanding LVFVDs”) as CTLL’s own capital in order to determine the power to be remunerated under the WEM Supply Agreement pursuant to ES Resolution No. 220/07.

·         The execution of an Addendum to CTP’s WEM Supply Agreement aiming to exclude the second stage of the project, which involved that plant in the framework the 2008-2011 Agreement.

·         The suspension of all brought legal actions seeking the collection of the Outstanding LVFVDs for a term of six months, which will be automatically renewable. Once they have been wholly cancelled, these legal actions will be waived.

 

 

 

F-35

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

Based on the commitments undertaken pursuant to the 2014 Agreement and since the Financing will be secured with subsidiary companies’ receivables and preventing to aventual cancellation, at the option of CTLL through a payment in cash or by offseting with the Receivables, on November 26, 2014, CTLL entered into several Addendums to the 2010 Receivables Assignment Agreements and new Receivables Assignment Agreements with CPB, CTG, HINISA and HIDISA. In all cases, the assignment of receivables will be conditional upon the actual cancellation of the Financing between CTLL and CAMMESA, after which CTLL will cancel all balances with counterparties under the terms and conditions of each specific agreement. The assignment agreements’ main characteristics are summarized below:

 

(i)         2012-2015 CTG and CPB Receivables. It stipulates the assignment of the LVFVDs issued and to be issued by CTG and CPB pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 for the period comprised between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2015 (the “ES Resolution No. 406/03 Receivables”), as well as the LVFVDs issued and to be issued as Additional Remuneration to be allocated to the Trust pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13, N. 529/14 and their amendments accrued as from their incorporation into the system set forth by ES Resolution No. 95/13 and until December 31, 2015 plus interest (the “ES Resolution No. 95/13 Trust Receivables”).

(ii)        2012-2015 HINISA and HIDISA Receivables. It provides for the assignment of Receivables pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 and the Trust pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13. As from the Project’s commercial commissioning and for a term of 15 years, CTLL will pay HINISA and HIDISA as a single, total and final price, the peso-denominated result of the flow of funds derived from the Project’s operation, the power of which, equivalent to the percentage of the Receivables committed by HINISA and HIDISA in the total invested funds, will be remunerated pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13.

(iii)      2008-2011 CTG and CPB Receivables. It provides for the amendment of CTG 2010 Receivables Assignment Agreement and sign a new agreement with CPB in order to include under such scheme the assignment of Receivables pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03 accrued during 2011 and their application to the Project (substituting CTLL’s CC closing Project), with an extension of the Agreement’s life until December 31, 2019. The other terms and conditions of the Agreement will remain in full force.

(iv)      2008-2011 HINISA and HIDISA Receivables. It stipulates the modification of the 2010 Receivables Assignment Agreement in order to allow for its application to the Project (substituting CTLL’s CC closing Project) within a term of 12 months, as from which assigned and unapplied LVFVDs will be made available to HINISA and HIDISA again. The other terms and conditions of the Agreement will remain in full force.

 

On December 1, 2014, CTLL entered into the Financing and Assignment of Secured Receivables Agreement with CAMMESA in order to obtain the financing for the Project pursuant to the 2014 Agreement and the Supplementary Agreement.

 

On December 3, 2014, CTLL entered into an Equipment Supply Agreement and an agreement for the building of a new electric generation plant on a turnkey basis to install a 100 MW high-efficiency gas turbine.

 

As at the issuance date of this financial statements, CTLL has received financial advances in the amount of $ 577,3 million pursuant to the Financing and Assignment of Secured Receivable Agreement.

 

 

 

F-36

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

2.2 Transmission

 

In order to regularize the remuneration adjustment effective a from December 1, 2010, on May 13, 2013 and on May 20, 2013, Transener and Transba, respectively, entered into a Renewal Agreement of the Instrumental Agreement (“Renewal Agreement”) with the ES and the ENRE, which will be effective until December 31, 2015 and which set forth as follows:

 

i)      the recognition of receivables by Transener and Transba resulting from cost variations during the December 2010 – December 2012 period, calculated through the Cost variation index of Memorandum of Agreement (IVC),

ii)     a mechanism for the payment of outstanding positive balances of Addendum II and those determined in the previous subsection, during the year 2013;

iii)   a procedure for the automatic update, and payment, of resulting cost variations following the sequence of the semesters already elapsed from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015.

iv)   the execution of a new Addendum with CAMMESA including the amount of the generated receivables and the applicable interest until their actual cancellation.

 

Under the Renewal Agreement it was established a Cash Flow and an Investment Plan which Transener and Transba will execute during 2013 and 2014, taking into consideration the reception of the disbursements pursuant to the Addenda to be signed. In all cases, the Cash Flow and the Investment Plan will be aligned with Transener and Transba’s earning in each period.

The Investment Plan set forth in the Renewal Agreement estimates investments under the stated conditions for the years 2013 and 2014 amounting to approximately $ 286 million and $ 207 million, respectively, for Transener; and to $ 113 million and $ 100 million for Transba, respectively.

Lastly, the Renewal Agreement stablished that in case they are not renewed, as from January 1, 2016 CAMMESA will consider the values set forth by ENRE Resolutions No. 327/08 and 328/08 as remuneration for the services rendered by Transener and Transba, with the application of Section 4.2 of the Agreements, determined by the ENRE in the Instrumental Agreements and the Renewal Agreements.

In order to execute the Third CAMMESA Loan Extension, Transener and Transba have dismissed their filed legal actions regarding performance of the commitments undertaken in the Agreements and the Instrumental Agreements as at the date hereof. In case of breach of the commitments undertaken in the Agreements, the Instrumental Agreements and the Renewal Agreements, Transener and Transba will be entitled to resume and/or restart any actions deemed appropriate in furtherance thereof.

On October 25, 2013, Transba entered into an extension of the financing agreement (Addendum III) with CAMMESA, which stipulated as follows: i) the granting to Transba of a new loan in the amount of $ 324.8 million corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the ES and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the December, 2010- December, 2012 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables on account of higher costs as at December 31, 2012 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement and the Agreement in order to pay off the amounts collectable for the application of the new agreed extensions.

 

 

F-37

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

Furthermore, on February 14, 2014 Transener entered into Addendum III with CAMMESA, which stipulated as follows: i) the granting to Transener of a new loan in the amount of $ 785.8 million corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the ES and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the December, 2010-December, 2012 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of receivables on account of higher costs as at December 31, 2012 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement in order to pay off the amounts collectable for the application of the new agreed extensions.

Furthermore, on September 2, 2014, Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the Mutuum (Loan) Contracts for the implementation of the 2013 and 2014 Renewal Agreements (the “New Mutuum Contracts”), which stipulated as follows: i) that the Mutuum Contracts, together with their Addendums I, II and III timely executed with CAMMESA, would be deemed duly performed; ii) the granting to Transener and Transba of a new loan in the amount of $ 622.2 million and $ 240.7 million corresponding to receivables acknowledged by the ES and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the January 2013-May 2014 period; and iii) the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at May 31, 2014 pursuant to the Renewal Agreement in order to pay off the amounts collectable for the application of the executed New Mutuum Contracts.

As of December 31, 2014, the results generated by the recognition of costs by the ES and the ENRE up to the amounts collected through Mutual Contracts have been accounted for in Transener and Transba’s financial statements. Consequently, Transener has recorded revenues from sales amounting to $ 601.5 million and $ 250.7 million, as well as accrued interest for $ 200.9 million and $ 149.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Likewise, Transba has disclosed revenues from sales amounting to $ 248.5 million and $ 116.5 million, and interest income amounting to $ 80.5 million and $ 64.5 million for the same periods, respectively. Liabilities for all disbursements received have been cancelled through the cession of receivables recognized for higher costs, pursuant to the Agreement and the Renewal Agreement.

On March 17, 2015 Transener and Transba executed with CAMMESA the Addenda the Mutuum (Loan) Contracts (New Addenda), by which it was agreed to grant a new loan in the amount of $ 563.6 million and $ 178.3 million to Transener and Transba, respectively, corresponding to: i) the outstanding of the Mutuum (Loan) Contracts as of January 30, 2015; and ii) receivables acknowledged by the ES and the ENRE on account of cost variations for the June 2014-November 2014 period. In addition, the assignment as collateral of the receivables recognized on account of higher costs as at November 30, 2014 pursuant to the Instrumental Renewal Agreement in order to cancel the amounts to be received by application of New Addenda signed.

 

 

F-38

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

2.3 Distribution

Edenor is subject to the regulatory framework provided under Law No. 24,065 and the regulations issued by the ENRE.

The ENRE is empowered to approve and control tariffs, and control the quality levels of the technical product and service, the commercial service and the compliance with public safety regulations, as established in the Concession Agreement. If the Distribution Edenor fails to comply with the obligations assumed, the ENRE will be entitled to apply the penalties stipulated in the Concession Agreement.

The Distribution Edenor’s obligations are, among others, to make the necessary investments and carry out the necessary maintenance works in order to ensure that the quality levels established for the provision of the service in the concession area will be complied with and that electricity supply and availability will be sufficient to meet the demand in due time, securing the sources of supply.

If Edenor repeatedly fails to comply with the obligations assumed in the Concession Agreement, the grantor of the concession will be entitled to foreclose on the collateral granted by the majority shareholders by means of the pledge of the Class A shares and sell them in a Public Bid. This, however, will not affect the continuity of the Holder of the concession. This situation may also occur if after the publication of the electricity rate schedule resulting from the RTI, Edenor, Edenor shareholders representing at least two thirds of the share capital, and/or the former Edenor shareholders do not submit their waivers to the rights to claim or abandon the actions filed as a consequence of Law 25,561, which in part depends on the decisions of third parties. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, there have been no events of non-compliance by Edenor that could be regarded as included within the scope of this situation.

Furthermore, the Concession Agreement may be rescinded in the event of the Distribution Edenor undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, if the Grantor of the Concession fails to discharge his obligations in such a manner that the Distribution Edenor is prevented from providing the Service or the Service is severely affected on a permanent basis, the Distribution Edenor may request, after demanding the regularization of such situation in a term of 90 days, that the agreement be rescinded.

 

2.3.1 Adjustment Agreement entered into between Edenor and the Federal Government

On September 21, 2005, Edenor signed an Adjustment Agreement within the framework of the process of renegotiation of the Concession Agreement set forth in Law No. 25,561 and supplementary regulations, which was ratified on February 13, 2006.

The Adjustment Agreement establishes the following:

       i.          the implementation of a RTT effective as from November 1, 2005, including a 23% average increase in the distribution margin, which may not result in an increase in the average rate of more than 15%, and an additional 5% average increase in the distribution added value, allocated to certain specified capital expenditures;

     ii.          the requirement that during the term of mentioned temporary tariff structure, dividend payment be subject to the approval of the regulatory authority;

    iii.          the establishment of a “social tariff” for the needy and the levels of quality of the service to be rendered;

   iv.          the suspension of the claims and legal actions filed by Edenor and its shareholders in national or foreign courts due to the effects caused by the Economic Emergency Law;

 

 

F-39

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

     v.          the carrying out of a RTI which will result in a new tariff structure that will go into effect on a gradual basis and remain in effect for the following 5 years. In accordance with the provisions of Law No. 24,065, the ENRE will be in charge of such review;

   vi.          the implementation of a minimum investment plan in the electric network for an amount of $ 178.8 million to be fulfilled by Edenor S.A. during 2006, plus an additional investment of $ 25.5 million should it be required;

  vii.          the adjustment of the penalties imposed by the ENRE that are payable to customers as discounts, which were notified by such regulatory agency prior to January 6, 2002 as well as of those that have been notified, or whose cause or origin has arisen in the period between January 6, 2002 and the date on which the Adjustment Agreement goes into effect through the date on which they are effectively paid, using, for such purpose, the average increase recorded in the Edenor’s distribution costs as a result of the increases and adjustments granted at each date;

viii.          the waiver of the penalties imposed by the ENRE that are payable to the National State, which have been notified, or their cause or origin has arisen in the period between January 6, 2002 and the date on which the Adjustment Agreement goes into effect;

The payment term of the penalties imposed by the ENRE, which are described in paragraph vii above, is 180 days after the approval of the RTI in fourteen semiannual installments, which represent approximately two-thirds of the penalties imposed by the ENRE before January 6, 2002 as well as of those that have been notified, or whose cause or origin has arisen in the period between January 6, 2002 and the date on which the Adjustment Agreement goes into effect, subject to compliance with certain requirements.

The mentioned agreement was ratified by the Federal Executive Power through Decree No. 1,957/06, signed by the President of Argentina on December 28, 2006 and published in the Official Gazette on January 8, 2007.  The aforementioned agreement stipulates the terms and conditions that, upon compliance with the other procedures required by the regulations, will be the fundamental basis of the Comprehensive Renegotiation of the Concession Agreement of the public service of electric power distribution and sale within the federal jurisdiction, between the Federal Executive Power and the holder of the concession.

Additionally, on February 5, 2007 the Official Gazette published ENRE Resolution No. 51/07 which approves the electricity rate schedule resulting from the RTT, applicable to consumption recorded as from February 1, 2007. This document provides for the following:

 

         i.            A 23% average increase in distribution costs, service connection costs and service reconnection costs in effect, except for the residential tariffs;

        ii.            An additional 5% average increase in distribution costs, to be applied to the execution of the works and infrastructure plan detailed in the Adjustment Agreement;

      iii.            Implementation of the CMM contemplated in the Adjustment Agreement, which for the six-month period commenced November 1, 2005 and ended April 30, 2006, shows a percentage of 8.032%. This percentage will be applied to non-residential consumption recorded from May 1, 2006 through January 31, 2007;

      iv.            Invoicing in 55 equal and consecutive monthly installments of the differences arising from the application of the new electricity rate schedule for non-residential consumption recorded from November 1, 2005 through January 31, 2007 (paragraphs i) and ii) above) and from May 1, 2006 through January 31, 2007 (paragraph iii) above);

       v.            Invoicing of the differences corresponding to deviations between foreseen physical transactions and those effectively carried out and of other concepts related to the WEM, such as the Specific fee payable for the Expansion of the Network, Transportation and Others;

F-40

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

      vi.            Presentation, within a period of 45 calendar days from the issuance of this resolution, of an adjusted annual investment plan, in physical and monetary values, in compliance with the requirements of the Adjustment Agreement.

Resolution No. 434/2007 established, among other things, that the obligations and commitments set forth in section 22 of the Adjustment Agreement be extended until the date on which the electricity rate schedule resulting from the RTI goes into effect, allowing Edenor and its shareholders to resume the legal actions suspended as a consequence of the Adjustment Agreement if the new electricity rate schedule does not go into effect.

2.3.2 RTI

On July 30, 2008, the ES issued Resolution No. 865/08 which modifies Resolution No. 434/07 and establishes that the electricity rate schedule resulting from the RTI will go into effect in February 2009. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, no resolution has been issued concerning the application of the electricity rate schedule resulting from such process.

The ENRE began the Tariff Structure Review Process with the issuance of Resolution No. 467/08. On November 12, 2009, Edenor made its revenue request presentation for the new period, which included the grounds and criteria based on which the request was made. As from that moment, Edenor has made successive and reiterated presentations aimed at ending the aforementioned process as well as obtaining the new electricity rate schedule. Among them, a Preliminary Administrative Action (“Reclamo Administrativo Previo”) was filed before the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services in March 2012 and a petition for the immediate resolution thereof was made in October 2012. In Edenor’s opinion, this claim has come to an end due to the issuance of ES Resolution 250/13 dated May 2013.

Additionally, in June 2013, Edenor filed a complaint against the Federal Government claiming full compliance with the Adjustment Agreement and compensation for damages due to the non-compliance of the commitments established therein. The complaint was amended so as to extend it in November 2013. In February 2014 a petition for the granting of a precautionary measure was filed with the Federal Court requesting that the Federal Government be compelled to provide the Company with economic assistance during the course of litigation. The petition was rejected in both first and second instance in June and December 2014, respectively. Due to the provisions of section 14 of SE Resolution 32/15, at the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor Management is analyzing the steps to be followed with regard to the suspension of any administrative claim and/or judicial action brought against the Federal Government, the ES and/or the ENRE concerning compliance with clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement and the provisions of clauses 1 and 13 of ES Resolution 32/15.

2.3.3 PUREE - CMM

On May 7, 2013, the ES issued ES Resolution 250/13, whereby it:

         i.            Authorized the values of the adjustments resulting from the CMM for the period May 2007 through December 2014, determined in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement, but without initiating the review process contemplated in the event of variations exceeding 5%.

        ii.            Assessed Edenor’s debt as of December 31, 2014 deriving from the application of the PUREE for the period May 2007 through December 2014.

 

 

F-41

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

      iii.            Authorized Edenor to offset until December 2014 the debt indicated in paragraph b) against and up to the amount of the receivables established in paragraph a), including interest, if any, on both amounts.

      iv.            Instructed CAMMESA to issue Sale Settlements with Maturity Dates to be Determined (Liquidaciones de Venta con Fecha de Vencimiento a Definir - LVFVD) for the CMM surplus amounts after the offsetting process indicated in paragraph c) has been carried out.

       v.            Authorized CAMMESA to receive LVFVD as part payment for the past due debts deriving from the economic transactions of the WEM.

      vi.            Instructed Edenor to assign the credits from the surplus LVFVD, if there were any, after having complied with that established in the preceding paragraph, to the trust created under the terms of ENRE Resolution No. 347/12 (FOCEDE).

 

The ES, if deemed timely and suitable, may extend, either totally or partially, the application of the aforementioned resolution and amplifying note pursuant to the information provided by the ENRE and CAMMESA. In this regard, on November 6, 2013, October 9, 2014 and December 18, 2014 it issued SE Notes No. 6852/13, 4012/14, 486/14 and 1136/14 respectively

Additionally, and in accordance with sections 8 and 9 of SE Resolution No 250/2013 –which recognize Edenor’s right to apply to the payment of its debts with the WEM the amount receivable deriving from the CMM for economic transactions, with charge to the Unified Fund– the Company proceed in lieu of payment of the trade liability it has with CAMMESA for energy purchases by applying the balance of the CMM receivable balance as of December 31, 2013 (not offset as of that date) recognized by the ENRE in the periods covered by ES Resolution No. 250 and the extensions thereof.

Moreover, ES Note No. 4012/14 not only states that this measure is temporary and exceptional in nature but also establishes that the signing of an integral and instrumental agreement, or equivalent alternative, will be promoted in order to address the regulatory, economic, financial, quality-related and sustainability aspects of the public service, object of the concession, as well as the extension of the transitional period of the concession agreement until December 31, 2016.  As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, this has not been instrumented.

The impact of ES Resolution No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes on the Statement of financial position is summarized below in thousands:

 

 

 

 

F-42

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

Res SE 250/13 (1)

 

Nota SE 6852/13

 

Subtotal

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost Monitoring Mechanism

2,254,953

 

723,629

 

2,978,582

 

 

Net interest CMM - PUREE

172,939

 

24,571

 

197,510

 

 

Other payables - PUREE

(1,387,037)

 

(274,068)

 

(1,661,105)

 

 

Trade payables - CAMMESA

(678,134)

 

(474,132)

 

(1,152,266)

 

 

LVFVD to be issued

362,721

 

-

 

362,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

Nota SE 4012/14

 

Nota SE 486/14

 

Nota SE 1136/14

 

Subtotal

Other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost Monitoring Mechanism

735,534

 

833,660

 

702,733

 

2,271,927

Net interest CMM - PUREE

108,218

 

36,231

 

13,337

 

157,786

Other payables - PUREE

(168,426)

 

(187,665)

 

(217,919)

 

(574,010)

Trade payables - CAMMESA

(1,038,047)

 

(682,226)

 

(498,151)

 

(2,218,424)

LVFVD to be issued

(362,721)

 

-

 

-

 

(362,721)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Res. SE 32/15

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost Monitoring Mechanism

186,596

 

5,437,105

 

 

 

 

Net interest CMM - PUREE

(309)

 

354,987

 

 

 

 

Other payables - PUREE

10,619

 

(2,224,496)

 

 

 

 

Trade payables - CAMMESA

(196,906)

 

(3,567,596)

 

 

 

 

LVFVD to be issued

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

(1)     Includes CMM amounts receivable recognized in prior fiscal years for $ 45.5 million.

In view of the above, Edenor challenged and rejected debit notes issued by CAMMESA for a cumulative total of $ 866.2 million relating to compensatory and punitory interest considering that the delays in the settlement of the amounts receivable are not attributable to Edenor.

In the same way, Edenor has not recognized the interest accrued in its favor on the recognition of CMM amounts for a value of $ 652.2 million because in its opinion the respective offsetting operates with the issuance of the resolution and the successive amplifying notes.

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, and as a consequence of both that which has been indicated in the preceding caption v) and section 10 of ES Resolution 32/15, Edenor is currently negotiating with CAMMESA the payment plan, the amounts, terms and conditions, and interest rate to be applied to outstanding balances.

2.3.4 Electricity rate schedules

The ES issued Resolution 1169/08 which approved the new seasonal reference prices of power and energy in the WEM. Consequently, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 628/08 which approved the values of the electricity rate schedule to be applied as from October 1, 2008. The aforementioned electricity rate schedule included the transfer of the increase in the seasonal energy price to tariffs, with the aim of reducing Federal Government grants to the electricity sector, without increasing Edenor’s distribution added value.

 

 

F-43

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

On June 15, 2012, the National Energy Secretariat established the Seasonal Prices to be paid by the customers served by the agents who provide the public service of electricity distribution of the WEM in order for them to be consistent with the situation existing in winter and compatible with payment capacity of the different social classes comprising the residential customer category of the referred to agents’ electricity rate schedules. For such purpose, the ES issued Resolution No. 255/12 which suspended the application of sections 6, 7, and 8 of ES Resolution No. 1169/08 from June 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012. Furthermore, it established the energy reference prices in the Market, applicable to the June 1-July 31, 2012 and the August 1-September 30, 2012 periods, for the different customer categories. Additionally, it established the application of ES Resolution 1301/11, and other complementary regulations and instructions, to all the customers falling within the scope thereof (section 8 of ES Resolution 255/12).

Furthermore, on November 30, 2012, Edenor was notified of ES Resolution 2016 that approved the WEM Summer Scheduling for the November 1, 2012-April 30, 2013 period, calculated in accordance with the “Scheduling of Operation, Load Dispatch and Price Calculation Procedures”. Additionally, it establishes the application as from November 1, 2012 of the Subsidized Seasonal Reference Prices defined in Appendix I for each Distribution Agent identified therein. It is also established that the Un-Subsidized Seasonal Reference Price in the WEM is kept at an annual average value of $320 Mwh, and that the values to be transferred to final tariffs are in no case to exceed the Un-Subsidized Reference Prices established for each Distribution Agent.

The purpose of the PUREE, created by ES Resolution 415/04, is to work on the demand for electricity, promoting energy savings so as to generate surpluses that may be used by those users, like industries, whose energy needs increase as a consequence of the growth in the level of the economic activity.

As in previous years, ES Resolution 1037/07, ratified by ES Note No. 1383/08, continued to produce effects. The aforementioned resolution modified the earmarking of the funds resulting from the application of the PUREE, being it possible to deduct therefrom a) the amounts paid by Edenor as Quarterly Adjustment Coefficient (CAT) implemented by Section 1 of Law No. 25,957, to calculate the total value of the National Fund of Electricity (FNEE); and b) the amounts corresponding to the electricity rates adjustments due to the application of the CMM established in the Adjustment Agreement, until the transfer to the tariff of either of the aforementioned concepts, as applicable, is recognized.

2.3.5 SE Resolution 32/15

On March 11, 2015, the ES issued SE Resolution 32/15, whereby it:

a)       Grants a temporary increase in income to Edenor effective as from February 1, 2015, and on account of the Tariff Structure Review, in order for Edenor to cover the expenses and afford the investments associated with the normal provision of the public service, object of the concession.

The additional income will arise from the difference between the “Theoretical electricity rate schedule” included in the resolution and the electricity rate schedule currently applied to each customer category, according to the ENRE’s calculations, which are to be informed to the ES and CAMMESA on a monthly basis. The above-mentioned funds will be contributed by the Federal Government and transferred to Edenor by CAMMESA.

b)       Establishes that, as from February 1, 2015, the PUREE-related funds to which ES Resolution 745/05 refers will be regarded as part of the Company’s income on account of the RTI and earmarked to cover the higher costs of the provision of the public service, object of the concession.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

c)       Authorizes the Company to offset, until January 31, 2015, the PUREE-related debts against and up to the amount of the CMM established receivables, including interest, if any, on both concepts.

d)       Instructs CAMMESA to issue LVFVD in favor of Edenor for the surplus amounts in favor of Edenor, resulting from the offsetting process indicated in the preceding paragraph, and for the amounts owed by Edenor under the Loans for consumption (Mutuums) granted for higher salary costs.

e)       Instructs CAMMESA to implement a payment plan to be defined with Edenor, with the prior approval of the ES, for the settlement of the remaining balances in favor of the MEM.

f)        Establishes that Edenor will neither distribute dividends nor use the income deriving from this resolution to pay loans with financial entities, restructure financial debts, acquire other companies, grant loans, or carry out other transactions that are not strictly related to the payment of its obligations with the WEM, the payment of salaries of Edenor’s own or hired personnel or the making of payments to suppliers of goods and/or services related to the provision of the public service of electricity distribution.

g)       Establishes that Edenor shall observe the provisions of clause 22.1 of the Adjustment Agreement and suspend any administrative claim and/or judicial action it may have brought against the Federal Government, the ES and/or the ENRE in relation to the compliance with clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement and the provisions of clauses 1 and 13 of this resolution.

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor Management is analyzing the steps to be followed as indicated in section 14 of ES Resolution 32/15 in relation to that which has been detailed in the preceding caption g).

At the date of presentation of these financial statements, Edenor has received $ 708.2 million temporary increase in income and 160 million PUREE, according to what has been indicated in the previous section, a) and b) respectively of this notice.

2.3.6 ENRE Resolution No. 347/12

On November 23, 2012, the ENRE issued Resolution No. 347 pursuant to which distribution companies were authorized, as from the issuance thereof, to include in the bills a fixed amount for small-demand (T1) customers and a variable amount for medium and large-demand (T2 and T3) customers, to be calculated on a percentage of power charges. Such amounts, which are clearly indicated in the bills sent to customers, constitute a special account, which is managed by a Trust, to be exclusively used for the execution of distribution infrastructure works and corrective maintenance of each distribution company’s facilities. This Trust will be administered by an Implementation Committee comprised of 5 members: 1 from the Economy and Public Finance Ministry, 2 from the Ministry of Planning, 1 from CAMMESA and 1 from the ENRE.

As established in such Resolution, on November 29, 2012, Edenor, in its capacity as Trustor, and Nación Fideicomisos S.A., as Trustee, entered into a private Financial and Management Trust Agreement, whereby the Company, as settlor of the trust, agreed to assign and transfer to the Trustee the fixed amounts set forth by Resolution No. 347 that are effectively collected, which will constitute the trust assets. Such agreement was ratified and approved by Edenor Board of Directors on December 11, 2012.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

On December 18, 2012, the Company and Nación Fideicomisos S.A., signed the respective Operating Manual, whose purpose is to implement, standardize, and enable the collection and management of the trust assets. On that date, Edenor Board of Directors approved the Operating Manual and appointed its attorneys-in-fact to represent the Company before Nación Fideicomisos S.A. in issues related to the Trust and its Operating Manual.

On July 4, 2013, Edenor and Nación Fideicomisos S.A. signed an Addendum to the private Financial and Management Trust Agreement entered into by the parties on November 29, 2012.

In the aforementioned Addendum it is agreed that Nación Fideicomisos S.A., in its capacity as trustee, will issue, in accordance with the public offering system authorized by the CNV, “Debt Securities” (VRD) to be offered to the market for a nominal value of up to $ 312.5 million. The proceeds will be used to pay Edenor’s investment plan.

On July 4, 2013, VRDs for $ 250 million were issued through a private placement. A subsequent public offering of these debt securities, with the possibility of being paid-in in kind is estimated. The VRD will accrue interest at the Private BADLAR rate plus a spread of 4% and will be amortized in 5 years with increasing installments.

In this regard, mentioned agreement stipulates that payment obligations under the VRD will be solely and exclusively the obligations of Nación Fideicomisos S.A. (to the extent that the trust assets are sufficient) and will not imply in any way whatsoever any guarantee or recourse against Edenor, which in no case will be liable for the non-payment, whether total or partial, of any amount owed under the VRD or any other concept contemplated by the Trust Agreement duly signed. Moreover, and in view of the fact that up to now the only income pf resources of the trust derives from Edenor’s contributions and, also, that the VRD have accrued interest that will have to be paid with the trust assets, Edenor has decided to record a provision for an amount equivalent to the trust’s net financial charges, which has been recorded as other payables and charged to other operating expense.

Additionally, on January 3, 2014, by Resolution No. 3/2014 of the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, it was established that the investments to be made with the funds of the FOCEDE will be decided by the Management Control and Coordination Undersecretariat, which will provide the necessary instructions for the carrying out of the works and investments under the FOCEDE to the Implementation Committee of the trust created by ENRE Resolution No. 347/12 as well as to electricity distribution companies Edenor and Edesur S.A.

By Resolution No. 266/14 dated January 24, 2014, a technical commission to participate and give advice to the Management Control and Coordination Undersecretariat on technical and economic matters as well as on other issues relating to the investments to be made with the FOCEDE funds was created. This commission will be comprised of one representative of the ENRE, one representative of the ES, one representative of the Public Works Secretariat, both under the authority of the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services. The Economy and Public Finance Ministry and the National Comptroller’s Office (SIGEN) will also be invited to participate.

2.3.7 Loans (mutuums) and assignments of secured receivables

As described in Note 42, due to the delay in obtaining the RTI, which would allow to restore the economic and financial equation of the concession, Edenor lacks the necessary conditions to come to the financial market to  adress the deficit of both its operations and the investment plans necessary to maintain the quality of the service, object of the concession. In order to deal with this situation, Edenor has obtained from the Federal Government a series of measures such as the issuance of ENRE Resolution No. 347/12 and ES Resolution No. 250, and the granting of loans (mutuums) to provide support with its cash needs for specific purposes.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

The obligations deriving from this assistance are classified as Other payables and the relating costs as financial expenses, due to both the fact that they result from the lack of adjustment of the Electricity Rate Schedule, which depends exclusively on the Federal Government’s resolution, and the fact that such assistance has been granted under these special circumstances. Therefore, such obligations do not constitute financing decisions made by Edenor in the ordinary course of business. 

The loans (mutuums) granted up to now are detailed below:

1) Extraordinary Investment Plan - Temporary insufficiency of the revenue deriving from the FOCEDE

Due to the fact that the funds of the FOCEDE are insufficient to cover the estimated disbursements of the Investment Plan, Edenor has requested of the respective authorities that it be provided with funding assistance, which has been called Extraordinary Investment Plan.

Consequently, on September 26, 2014, the ES, by Resolution No. 65/14, instructed CAMMESA to enter into a Loan (Mutuum) and assignment of secured receivables agreement with Edenor for a total of $ 500 million to cover the Extraordinary Investment Plan as a consequence of the temporary insufficiency of the revenue deriving from Resolution No. 347/12, mentioned in caption 2.3.5 of this note. The aforementioned agreement was entered into on September 30, 2014. On December 18, 2014, mentioned agreement was extended, as instructed by the ES to CAMMESA, for an additional amount of $ 159.4 million. Subsequent to year-end, on January 13 and March 13, 2015, were signed two new extensions for an additional amount of $ 1.04 billion and $ 304.7 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the debt related to this concept amounts to $ 208.8 million (comprised of $ 200 million principal and $ 8.8 million in accrued interest) which is disclosed in the Other non-current payables account.

Furthermore, as guarantee for the performance of the obligations assumed and the repayment of the funds granted, Edenor agreed to assign and transfer in favor of CAMMESA, as from the end of the grace period that the ES would estipulate along with the methodology and terms for the reimbursement of the funds, the amounts receivable which Edenor may have with the WEM up to the actual amount of the funds granted. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company does not have any amount receivable with the WEM.

At the date of presentation of these financial statements, the Company has received an additional amount of $ 447.8 million for this concept.

2) Higher salary costs

On June 24, 2014, by Note 4012/14, the ES instructed CAMMESA to enter into a Loan (Mutuum) and assignment of secured receivables agreement with Edenor in order to be able to pay the higher salary costs. The aforementioned agreement was entered into on July 10, 2014.

The agreement will be guaranteed by Edenor with the assignment of the future surplus LVFVD to be issued, as a result of the application of ES Resolution No. 250/13. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor does not have any surplus LVFVD.

As of December 31, 2014, the debt related to this concept amounts to $ 298 million (comprised of $ 280.6 million principal and $ 17.4 million in accrued interest), which has been disclosed in the Other non-current payables account and it is considered as an advance of future recognitions of higher costs.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

Additionally, ES Resolution No. 32/15 instructs CAMMESA to issue LVFVD in favor of Edenor to offset the amounts owed for this concept (Note 2.3.5), which will be recognized as other income during fiscal year 2015.

2.3.8 Framework agreement

On January 10, 1994, the Company, together with Edesur, the Federal Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires entered into a Framework Agreement, whose purpose was to establish the guidelines under which the Company is to supply electricity to low-income areas and shantytowns.

On July 22, 2011, Edenor, the Federal Government, and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires entered into an Addendum for the renewal for a term of four years (from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2014) of the New Framework Agreement that had been signed on October 6, 2003. Such extension was approved on September 21, 2012 by Resolution 248/12 issued by the ENRE and ratified by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services through Resolution 247.

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the aforementioned agreements have expired. Nevertheless, the Company believes they will be renewed and has therefore begun the corresponding negotiations.

With regard to the amount receivable Edenor has with the Province of Buenos Aires, on October 18, 2012 Edenor entered into an Agreement for the Settlement of Non-financial Obligations and Subscription of Buenos Aires Province Government Bonds, pursuant to which the Company agreed to receive an amount of $ 0.3 million in cash and subscribe Series B Bonds for a residual nominal value of $ 6.14 million, as settlement of the debt that as of December 31, 2010 such Province had with Edenor for the electric power supplied to low-income areas.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, receivable balances with the Federal Government and the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires amount to $ 75.8 million and $ 56.9 million, respectively.

2.3.9 Penalties

2.3.9.1 General

The ENRE is empowered to control the quality levels of the technical product and service, the commercial service and the compliance with public safety regulations, as established in the Concession Agreement. If the Distribution Edenor fails to comply with the obligations assumed, the ENRE will be entitled to apply the penalties stipulated in the Concession Agreement.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Edenor has accrued the penalties for resolutions not yet issued by the ENRE relating to the control years elapsed as of those dates. Additionally, Edenor has applied the adjustment set forth in the temporary tariff structure as well as the adjustments established by the electricity rate schedules applied during fiscal year 2008, Resolutions No. 324/08 and 628/08.

The ENRE Penalties and Discounts included in the Adjustment Agreement are adjusted as stipulated in such agreement, whereas the penalties imposed subsequent to the Adjustment Agreement are adjusted as established in each of the resolutions pursuant to which such penalties are imposed. Taking into account that the temporary increase in income established by ES Resolution No. 32/15 (Note 2.3.5) does not imply a change of the current electricity rate schedule to be applied to customers, Edenor, based on its lawyers opinion, estimates that the adjustment of Penalties and Discounts included in the Adjustment Agreement for this concept does not apply.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

Furthermore, as of December 31, 2014, Edenor Management has considered that the ENRE has mostly complied with the obligation to suspend lawsuits aimed at collecting the penalties included in the Adjustment Agreement, without prejudice to maintaining an open discussion with the entity concerning the effective date of the Adjustment Agreement and, consequently, concerning the penalties included in the renegotiation and those subject to the criteria of the Transition Period.

As from March 2008, it was decided that the penalties imposed by the ENRE not be paid. These penalties are included in the abovementioned tariff renegotiation.

2.3.9.2 Specific situations

Based on the provisions of ENRE Resolution No. 1/14, the definitive amount of the compensation payable to customers by way of discounts, as a consequence of the power cuts occurred during the period began on December 16, 2013 and ended on the date on which the service was fully restored, totaled $ 85.7 million.  As of December 31, 2014, an amount of $ 59.1 million of such total has been reimbursed to Customers, based on consumption recorded.

Additionally, in May 2014, Edenor and the Regulatory Authority entered into a payment plan agreement pursuant to which it was agreed that the penalties under litigation for a total of $ 8.7 million, plus interest for $4 million, would be paid in twelve monthly installments maturing as from June 1, 2014. As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor has already paid eight installments.

 

Furthermore, in November 2014, Edenor also entered into another payment plan agreement with the Regulatory Authority, pursuant to which it was agreed that the penalties under litigation for a total of $ 9.7 million, plus interest for $ 2 million, would be paid in twelve monthly installments maturing as from February 2015.

 

Owing to the fees set in favor of ENRE professionals who acted in execution proceedings, Edenor has entered into a payment plan agreement with seven attorneys-in-fact for a total of $ 4.3 million payable in twelve monthly installments, maturing as from February 2015.

2.3.10 Stabilization factor

 

By Note 2883 dated May 8, 2012 (reference Resolutions MEyFP 693/11 and MPFIPyS 1900/11), the ES has implemented a mechanism whose objective is to keep the amounts billed to residential customers throughout the year stable, thereby minimizing the effects of the seasonal consumption of electricity.

 

This methodology applies to all residential customers, regardless of whether or not they receive Government grants on electricity rates, who may opt to adhere to this stabilization system.

 

Average consumption is determined based on the consumption recorded in the last six two-month periods. The stabilization factor arises from the difference between the aforementioned average consumption and the consumption recorded in the current two-month period. This value will be added to or subtracted from the two-month period charges, and the result obtained will be the amount to be paid before the corresponding taxes. The adjustments that are to be made in accordance with the differences between average consumption and recorded consumption will be reflected in the bill for the last two-month period of each calendar year.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

The differences that arise as a consequence of comparing the annual average consumption to the consumption of the current two-month period will be recorded at the end of each period in the trade receivables balance sheet account, crediting or debiting the account, as the case may be, if the annual average consumption is higher or lower than the consumption of the current two-month period.

 

2.4 Amendment of the Argentine Hydrocarbons Law

On October 29, 2014, the National Congress enacted Law No. 27,007 amending Hydrocarbons Law No. 17,319. This Law incorporates new drilling techniques available in the oil industry, as well as changes mainly related to terms and extensions of exploration permits and exploitation concessions, canons and royalty rates, new legal concepts for the exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons in the Continental Shelf and the Territorial Sea, and a promotion regime pursuant to Executive Order No. 929/13, among other key factors for the industry.

The main changes introduced by Law No. 27,007 are detailed below:

a)    Unconventional Hydrocarbons Exploitation

Conferred a legal status to the legal concept of “Hydrocarbons Unconventional Exploitation Concession”. The term “hydrocarbons unconventional exploitation” is defined as the extraction of liquid and/or gaseous hydrocarbons by unconventional stimulation techniques applied in reservoirs situated in geological formations of schist rock or slate (shale gas or shale oil), tight sands, tight gas, tight oil, coal bed methane and/or deposits characterized, in general, by the presence of low permeability rocks.

Holders of exploration permits and/or hydrocarbon exploitation concessions will be entitled to request a hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation concession to the enforcement authority pursuant to the following terms:

-        The exploitation concessionaire may, within its area, request the subdivision of the existing area into new hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation areas and the granting of a hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation concession. Such request will be based on the development of a pilot plan seeking the commercial exploitation of the discovered reservoir pursuant to acceptable technical and economic criteria.

-        Holders of a hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation concession also being holders of a preexisting and adjacent exploitation concession may request the unification of both areas as a single hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation concession provided they furnish convincing evidence of the geological continuity of both areas. Such request should be based on the development of a pilot plan.

b)    Terms of the exploitation concessions and permits

Terms for exploration permits will be established in each call for bids issued by the enforcement authority according to the exploration’s purpose (conventional or unconventional) and based on the following:

i)      Conventional Exploration: the basic term is divided into two three-year periods plus an optional extension of up to five years. In this way, the maximum extension for exploration permits is reduced from 14 to 11 years;

ii) Unconventional Exploration: the basic term is divided into two four-year periods plus an optional extension of up to five years, that is, reaching a maximum of 13 years; and

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

iii) Exploration in the Continental Shelf and the Territorial Sea: the basic term is divided into two three-year periods plus an optional extension of one year each.

Upon the expiration of the basic term, the exploration permit holder will decide whether to continue exploring the area or to revert it totally to the Government. The whole originally-granted area may be kept provided the obligations arising from the permit have been properly met. Upon the expiration of the basic term, the holder of the exploration permit will revert the whole area unless it exercises its right to use the extension period, in which case the reversion will be limited to 50% of the remaining area.

Exploitation concessions will have the following terms, which will be computed as from the granting resolution’s date:

i) Conventional Exploitation Concession: 25 years;

ii) Unconventional Exploitation Concession: 35 years; and

iii) Continental Shelf and Territorial Sea Exploitation Concession: 30 years.

Furthermore, the holder of an exploitation concession may, with a minimum one-year notice before the expiration of the concession, request the granting of indefinite extensions, for a 10-year term each, provided it has properly met its obligations as exploitation concessionaire, is actually producing hydrocarbons in the areas in question and files an investment plan consistent with the development of the concession.

The ban on simultaneously holding more than five exploration permits and/or exploitation concessions (whether directly or indirectly) has been lifted.

c)     Concession Extension

Law No. 27,007 grants the Provinces having already started the concession extension process a 90-day term to finish it based on the conditions established for each of them. All subsequent extensions will be governed by the Argentine Hydrocarbons Law.

d)    Awarding of areas

Law No. 27.007 calls for the drafting of a model invitation to bid to be jointly made by the ES and the provincial authorities, to which all calls for bids made by law enforcement authorities should adhere, and introduces a specific criterion for the award of permits and concessions on incorporating the specific parameter of “greater investment or exploration activity” as defining in the case of tie bids according, as applicable, to the National or Provincial Executive Branch’s duly supported criterion.

e)     Canons and Royalties

The amended Argentine Hydrocarbons Law has updated the exploration and exploitation canons established by Executive Order No. 1454/2007. These canons may, in turn, be generally updated by the Executive Branch based on variations in the domestic market’s crude oil price.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

The updated values for each canon and royalty are detailed below:

i)      Exploration Canon:

The holder of the exploration permit will pay the canon in advance on an annual basis for each square kilometer or its fraction based on the following scale:

-        First period: $ 250 per km2 or fraction;

-        Second period: $ 1,000 per km2 or fraction; and

-        Extension: during the first year of the extension; $ 17,500/km2 or fraction, with a 25% annual cumulative increase.

In this case, offsetting mechanisms will remain effective: the amount that the exploration permit holder should pay for the second period of the basic term and for the extension period may be readjusted by offsetting it with exploration investments actually made within the area, until reaching a minimum canon equivalent to 10% of the applicable canon per km2 during the period, which will be payable in all cases.

ii)     Exploitation Canon:

The holder of the exploitation permit will pay a canon which will consist of an annual advance payment of $ 4,500 per km2 or its fraction based on the following scale:

iii)   Royalties

Royalties are defined as the only revenue the jurisdictions holding title to the hydrocarbons will collect, in their capacity as grantors, from the production of hydrocarbons.

The 12% percentage the exploitation concessionaire should pay as royalties to the grantor on the proceeds derived from liquid hydrocarbons produced at wellhead will remain effective. The production of natural gas will bear a like percentage of the value of extracted and actually used volumes, and will be payable on a monthly basis.

Cash payment of royalties will be made based on the value of crude oil at wellhead less freight costs up to the base location for the definition of its commercial value. Payment in kind of royalties will only proceed when the concessionaire is assured a reasonable permanent reception.

The possibility to reduce royalties up to 5% taking into consideration productivity, conditions and wells location also remains effective.

In case of extension, additional royalties for up to 3% regarding the applicable royalties at the time of the first extension, up to a total maximum of 18%, will be paid for the following extensions.

For the conduction of hydrocarbon conventional exploitation complementary activities as from the expiration of the granted concession and within the hydrocarbons unconventional exploitation concession, the enforcement authority may fix additional royalties of to 3% above the current royalties, up to a maximum 18%, as applicable.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

The National or Provincial Executive Branch, as applicable, acting in its capacity as granting authority, may reduce up to 25% the amount corresponding to royalties applicable to the production of hydrocarbons during a term of 10 years after the conclusion of the pilot project in favor of companies requesting a hydrocarbon unconventional exploitation concession within a term of 36 months as from Law No. 27,007’s effective date.

Finally, with the National Hydrocarbon Investment Plan’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Committee’s prior approval, royalties may be reduced up to 50% for tertiary oil recovery, extra-heavy oil and offshore products in view of their productivity, location and other unfavorable economic and technical characteristics.

f)      Extension Bond

Law No. 27,007 empowers the enforcement authority to provide for the payment of an exploitation concession extension bond, the maximum amount of which will result from multiplying proven reserves at the expiration of the concession by 2% of the average price applicable to the specific hydrocarbon during a term of 2 years before the granting of the extension.

g)    Exploitation Bond:

The enforcement authority may provide for the payment of an unconventional exploitation concession extension bond, the maximum amount of which will result from multiplying proven reserves associated with the exploitation of conventional hydrocarbons at the expiration of the granted concession by 2% of the average basin price applicable to the specific hydrocarbons during a term of 2 years before the granting of the concession.

h)    Transportation Concessions

Transportation concessions (which had so far been granted for 35 years) will be granted for the same term than that granted for the exploitation concession where it originates, with the possibility of receiving subsequent extensions for up to 10 years each. Thus, transportation concessions originating in a conventional exploitation concession will have a basic 25-year term, whereas those originating in an unconventional exploitation concession will have a basic 35-year term, each plus any extension terms which may be granted. After the expiration of these terms, title to the facilities will be transferred to the National or Provincial Government, as applicable, by operation of law and without any charges or encumbrances whatsoever.

i)      Uniform Legislation

Law No. 27,007 provides for two types of non-binding commitments between the National Government and the Provinces regarding tax and environmental issues:

i)                    Environmental Legislation: It provides that the National Government and the Provinces will seek to establish a uniform environmental legislation primarily aiming to apply the best environmental management practices to hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation and/or transportation with the purpose of furthering the development of the activity while properly protecting the environment.

ii)                   Tax System: It provides that the National Government and the Provinces will seek to adopt a uniform fiscal treatment encouraging the development of hydrocarbon activities in their corresponding territories in adherence with the following guidelines:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

-          The gross receipts tax rate applicable to the extraction of hydrocarbons will not exceed 3%;

-          The freezing of the current stamp tax rate and the commitment not to charge with this tax any financial contracts entered into in order to structure investment projects and to guarantee and/or warrant investments; and

-          The commitment by the provinces and its municipalities not to impose new taxes —or increase the existing ones— on permit and concession holders, with the exception of service compensation rates, improvement contributions and general tax increases.

i)      Restrictions on the reservation of areas to National or Provincial Government-Controlled Companies

The amendment of the Argentine Hydrocarbons Law restricts the National Government and the Provinces from reserving new areas in the future in favor or public or mixed companies or entities, irrespective of their legal form. Thus, contracts entered into by provincial companies for the exploration and development of reserved areas before this amendment are safeguarded.

Regarding areas that have not been reserved in favor of public companies and that have not yet been awarded under partnership agreements with third parties, associative schemes may be used, in which case the participation of such companies during the development stage will be proportional to their investments. In this way, the “carry” system during the areas’ development or exploitation stage has been done away with. Such system has not been prohibited for the exploration stage.

j)      Conventional and Unconventional Hydrocarbon Investment Promotion Regime

On July 11, 2013, the National Executive Branch passed Executive Order No. 929/2013, which established the Investment Promotion Regime for the Exploitation of Hydrocarbons –both conventional and unconventional (the “Promotion Regime”) with the purpose of encouraging investments destined to the exploitation of hydrocarbons and the legal concept of hydrocarbons unconventional exploitation concession.

Law No. 27.007 extends the benefits of the Promotion Regime to hydrocarbon projects involving a minimum US$ 250,000,000 direct investment, assessed at the time the hydrocarbon exploitation investment project is presented, to be invested during its first 3 years. Before the amendment, the Promotion Regime benefits reached investment projects denominated in foreign currency for a minimum US$ 1,000,000,000 amount during a term of 5 years.

Holders of exploration permits and/or hydrocarbons exploitation concessions, and/or third parties associated with such holders and registered with the National Registry of Hydrocarbon Investments submitting this kind of projects will enjoy the following rights as from the third year of their respective projects’ execution: (i) the right to freely market abroad 20% and 60% of the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon production in the case of conventional and unconventional exploitation projects and in offshore projects, respectively, with a 0% export duty, if applicable, and (ii) the free availability of 100% of the foreign currency resulting from the exportation of these hydrocarbons, provided the applicable projects have involved a minimum US$ 250,000,000 entry of foreign currency into the Argentine financial market.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

During periods in which the national production of hydrocarbons is insufficient to meet domestic supply needs pursuant to Section 6 of the Argentine Hydrocarbons Law, the subjects covered by the Promotion Regime will have, as from the third year as from the execution of their respective investment projects, the right to obtain a price not lower than the reference export price (without computing the incidence of any applicable export duties) from the exportable liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon percentage produced under such projects.

Pursuant to these investment projects, Law No. 27,007 provides for two contributions payable to the producing provinces where the investment project is conducted: (i) the first one, payable by the project holder, for an amount equivalent to 2.5% of investment amount undertaken to be committed to corporate social responsibility projects, and (ii) the second contribution, payable by the National Government, which will be determined by the Committee based on the size and scope of the investment project and which will be destined to infrastructure projects.

As at the issuance hereof, the Company has not submitted any investment projects under the Promotion Regime.

 

2.5 Gas Market

 

Gas Plus Program – ES Resolution No. 24/08

This program’s main appeal for gas producers is the free availability and commercialization of the extracted gas. In order to qualify, the producer should submit an investment project in new gas areas, in areas which have not been in production since 2004, or in areas with complex geological characteristics of compact sands or low permeability. With the exception of new entities, companies should be up-to-date with the payment of the production installments fixed pursuant to the Producers’ Agreement to join this program.

 

Natural Gas Surplus Injection Promotion Program (the “Program”)

On February 14, 2013 ES Resolution No. N° 1/13 was published in the Official Bulletin. This Resolution creates the Program, which aims to evaluate and approve projects furthering the national self-supply of hydrocarbons through a gas production increase and its infusion into the domestic market, as well as to generate higher levels of activity, investment and employment in this sector.

Before June 30, 2013, any person registered with the National Registry of Hydrocarbon Investments created by Executive Order No. 1277/12 may submit its project before the National Hydrocarbon Investment Plan’s Strategic Planning and Coordination Committee. The National Government undertakes to pay a monthly compensation resulting from: (i) the difference between the Surplus Injection price (US$ 7.5/MMBTU) and the price actually collected from the sale of the Surplus Injection, plus; (ii) the difference between the Base Price and the price received from the Adjusted Base Injection. These projects will be in force for a maximum term of 5 years, with the possibility for renewal.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

On April 26, 2013, Committee’s Resolution No. 3/13 was published in the Official Bulletin, which regulates the Program and sets forth that any companies interested in participating in the Program should submit monthly affidavits to the Committee containing specifically-detailed documentation on injection, price, contracts, etc., so that they may, after meeting the methodology and terms specified therein, obtain the applicable compensation. Furthermore, the Resolution expressly prohibits natural gas purchase and sale operations between producers and provides special considerations regarding new high-risk projects, investments control, the evolution of reserves and the Program’s auditing mechanism.

On July 11, 2013, pursuant to Provision No. 15/13 of the Committee, the Company was registered with the National Registry of Hydrocarbon Investments.

PEPASA has submitted several projects to the Committee’s consideration. On August 7, 2013, pursuant to Resolution No. 27/13, the Committee approved a project for an increase in the total natural gas injection submitted by the Company, with retroactive effects to March 1, 2013.

As at December 31, 2014, income recognized under this item amounts to $ 149.7 million. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, PEPASA has collected 100% of the Program’s compensations for the Program for the March 2013-November 2014 period for a total amount of $ 130.5 million.

 

2.6 Oil Market

As with the gas market, the oil market has also been affected by several resolutions.

 Resolution No. 394/2007 of the Ministry of Economy has provided for an increase in export retentions on liquid hydrocarbons, with a reference value of US$ 60.9 per barrel and a cut-off value of US$ 42 per oil barrel. The exporting producer’s income was thus limited to US$ 42 per crude oil barrel, despite the fact that its WTI value is higher than US$ 60.9 per barrel. 

On January 3, 2013, the Ministry of Economy issued Resolution No. 1/2013 increasing cut-off and reference values established by Resolution No. 394/07 from US$ 42 to US$ 70 and from US$ 60.9 to US$ 80 respectively, thus increasing oil-exporting companies’ revenue.

These regulations have entailed a decrease in the crude oil price in Argentina as compared with its international price.

Recently, on December 29, 2014, pursuant to Resolution No. 1077/2014, the Ministry of Economy abrogated Resolution No. 394/07 and its amending provisions in order to establish new export rates based on the crude oil’s international price, which is determined based on the reference Brent’s value on the month corresponding to the export less eight U.S. dollars per barrel (US$ 8/Bbl). Under this new system, the cut-off value is set at US$ 71/Bbl. That is, where the international price does not exceed US$ 71, the producer will pay export duties for 1% of that value. When the price is above US$ 80 (that is, an international price of $72/Bbl), variable deductions will be settled.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 2: (Continuation)

 

Crude Oil Production Promotion Program

 

On February 14, 2015, Resolution No. N° 14/15 issued by the Committee was published in the Official Bulletin. This Resolution provided for the creation of the Crude Oil Production Promotion Program (the “Crude Oil Program”), which will be effective for a term of one year (extendable to another year).

 

Registration with this new Crude Oil Program is limited to subjects registered with the Oil Companies Registry, and requests may be submitted until April 30, 2015. The Crude Oil Program will be financed by the National Treasury.

 

The methodology for calculating this new Program’s stimulus is similar to that used by the Natural Gas Surplus Injection Promotion Program (created by Committee’s Resolution No. 1/13), as it grants a stimulus of US$ 2 or US$ 3 per crude oil barrel (depending on whether it will be destined to internal consumption or exportation) produced over its Base Production until reaching a maximum price depending on the type of crude oil (US$ 70 USD/BBL for Escalante and US$ 84/BBL for Medanito).

 

NOTE 3: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS issued by the IASB and IFRIC. All the IFRSs in force as at the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been applied. Additionally, the Company has applied the first phase of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” at the transition date.

The presentation in the consolidated statement of financial position makes a distinction between current and non-current assets and liabilities. Current assets and liabilities are assets expected to be realized or liabilities expected to be extinguished within a period of twelve months from the closing date of the period subject of the report, as well as those held for sale respectively. Additionally, the Group informs the cash flow from its operating activities using the indirect method. The fiscal year starts on January 1 and finishes on December 31 of each year. The economic and financial results are disclosed based on the fiscal year.

These consolidated financial statements are stated in Argentine pesos. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the measurement of certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss.

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements under IFRS requires estimates and assessments be performed affecting the amounts of assets and liabilities recorded and the contingent assets and liabilities disclosed as at the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, as well as the disclosure of income and expenses during such period. The areas involving a greater level of judgment and complexity or the areas in which assumptions and estimates are significant for the consolidated financial statements are described in Note 5.

These consolidated financial statements have been approved for issue by the Board of Directors dated May 11, 2015.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 3: (Continuation)

Comparative information

Balances as of December 31, 2013, included in these consolidated financial statements for comparative purposes, arise from the financial statements at that date. Certain reclassifications have been made to those financial statements to keep the consistency in the presentation with the amounts of the current year.

 

NOTE 4: ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The main accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements are explained below. Unless otherwise stated, these accounting policies have been consistently applied in all the years presented.

 

4.1 Changes in accounting policies

 

4.1.1      New mandatory provisions, modifications and interpretations for fiscal years beginning January 1, 2014

The following provision applies to the Company as from this fiscal year, and has not had a significant impact on its financial position and operating results.

-  IAS 36 (reviewed in 2013) - “Impairment of Assets” was issued May 2013, and modifies the disclosure requirements applicable to the recoverable value of impaired assets, if such value is based on their fair value less costs of disposal.

- IFRIC 21 - "Levies" was issued in May, 2013, and provides guidance on when to recognize a liability for a levy imposed by the Government; it applies both to levies accounted for in accordance with IAS 37 - "Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets", and those where the timing and amount of the levy is certain.

 

4.1.2      New provisions, modifications and interpretations which are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the Company

- IFRS 15, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers", was issued in May 2014 and applies to any annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2017. This standard specifies how and when revenues should be recognized, and identifies the additional information the Company should disclose in its financial statements.

The standard provides a single, principles based five-step model which will be applied to all contracts with customers. The Company is currently analyzing its effects; however, it estimates that its application will not have a significant impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

- IFRS 9 – “Financial Instruments”: This modification, which was issued in July 2014, covers all the phases of the IASB project to replace IAS 39 - “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. These phases are the classification and measurement of instruments, impairment and hedging. This version adds a new impairment model based on expected losses and some minor modifications to the classification and measurement of financial assets. This new provision supersedes all previous versions of IFRS 9 and is effective for periods starting as from January 1, 2018. As at the transition date, the Company has adopted the first phase of IFRS 9.

 

4.2      Consolidation

a.     Subsidiaries


These financial statements include those of the Company and the entities controlled by it. Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Company exercises control, which is generally accompanied by a percentage above 50% of the available voting rights. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed or entitled to variable returns in view of its involvement in the entity and has the capacity to affect these returns through its power over it. When determining whether the Company controls an entity, the existence and effect of potential voting rights which are currently exercisable or convertible are considered. The Company also evaluates the existence of control when it does not hold more than 50% of the voting rights but can direct financial and operating policies through a “de facto control”. The “de facto control” may arise under circumstances in which the number of the Group's voting rights compared with the number and dispersion of the stakes held by other shareholders grants the Group the power to direct financial and operating policies, etc. For PEPASA, decisions on financial and operating policies are taken by the Board Directors of PEPASA, which is formed in its mayority by the same directors of the Company. Subsidiaries are consolidated as from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and are de-consolidated as from the date such control ceases.

 

Main consolidation adjustments are the next:

 

i.         elimination of balances between the Group companies, so that the financial statements disclose balances held with third parties and uncontrolled related parties.

ii.       elimination of inter-company transactions between the Group companies, so that the financial statements disclose results with third parties and uncontrolled related parties.

iii.      elimination of interest in equity and profit/loss and in the results of each year of the group companies

iv.     recognition of assets and liabilities identified in process of business combination.

 

Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed, where necessary, to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

b.     Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted through the application of the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration for the acquisitions is measured at its fair value by calculating the sum, as at the acquisition date, of the fair value of the transferred assets, the incurred or taken on liabilities and the warrants issued by the Company and delivered in consideration of the control of the acquired business.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their fair values at the acquisition date.

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the acquisition cost, plus the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity and the fair value of the equity interest in the acquired entity held by the company (if any) over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, at the date of acquisition.

If as a result of the assessment, the net amount of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the acquisition cost, plus the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity and the fair value of the equity interest in the acquired entity held by the company (if any), this excess is accounted for immediately in profit and loss as a gain for the purchase of the business.

The Group has up to 12 months to finalize the accounting for a business combination. Where the accounting for a business combination is not complete by the end of the year in which the business combination occurred, the Group reports provisional amounts.

c.     Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries without change of control

Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions – that is, as transactions with the owners in their capacity as owners. The difference between the fair value of any consideration paid/collected and the corresponding part of shares acquired/disposed on the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

d.     Disposal of subsidiaries

When the Group ceases to have control, any retained interest in the entity is re-measured to its fair value at the date when control is lost, with the change in the carrying amount  recognized in a profit or loss. The fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

e.            Joint Arrangements


The Company applies IFRS 11 to all its joint arrangements. Under IFRS 11, joint arrangements are classified as either joint ventures or joint operations depending on each investor’s contractual rights and obligations. A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control on the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. A joint operation is a contractual arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement.

f.          Interest in joint ventures

The Company accounts for its joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the interest is recognized at cost at the beginning and is subsequently adjusted by recognizing the portion that corresponds to the Company in the result obtained by the joint arrangements, after the acquisition date.

The Company recognizes in profit and loss its portion in the joint ventures results and in other comprehensive income its portion in other comprehensive results of the joint arrangements.

 

Accounting policies of the joint venture have been changed when necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

g.     Participations in joint operations

The Company uses the proportionate share method on its assets and liabilities to disclose its interests in the different consortiums and joint venture for the prospecting, exploitation and production of hydrocarbons. This method requires disclosing its interests and obligations in each type of asset and liability respectively, under the terms of the agreement, as well as in the income, costs and expenses in each of the items of the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting policies applicable to joint operations have been modified and adapted, if applicable, to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company.

h.     Interest in associates

All associates are entities over which the Company does not exercise control but has significant influence, which is generally accompanied by a direct and indirect interest between 20% to 50% of voting rights, unless it can be clearly evidenced that this influence is non-existent. On the contrary, it is presumed that the investor does not exercise a significant influence if it directly or indirectly holds less than 20% of the voting rights in the associate, unless it can be clearly evidenced that this influence does exist.

The subsidiary PEPCA holds a 10% interest in CIESA. However, it exercises a significant influence on the operating and financial decisions affecting that company since it has the power to appoint a Titular Director.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the investment is initially recognized at cost, and the carrying amount is increased or decreased to recognize the investor’s share of profit or loss of the Investee after the date of acquisition. The Group’s share of post-acquisition profit or loss is recognized in the income statement, and its share of post- acquisition movements in Other comprehensive income is recognized in Other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying amount of the investment.

 

Accounting policies of the associates have been changed or adapted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

i.         Predecessor accounting

 

For business combinations under common control, the predecessor accounting method is used, whereby the acquirer recognizes assets and liabilities at the predecessor’s book value. No new goodwill is recognized for these transactions.

 

4.3      Segment information

Operating segments are reported consistently with internal reports reviewed by the Executive Director.

The Executive Director, is the highest decision-making authority, is the person responsible for allocating resources and setting the performance of the entity’s operating segments, and has been identified as the person/ body executing the Company’s strategic decisions.

 

4.4      Property, plant and equipment

All Property, Plant and Equipment for use in production or for administrative purposes are stated at historical cost less depreciation an less any accumulated impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

In accordance with the provisions of IAS 23 “Borrowing costs”, borrowing costs in relation to any given asset could be capitalized when such asset is in the process of production, construction, assembly or completion, and such processes, due to their nature, take long periods of time; those processes are not interrupted; the period of production, construction, assembly or completion does not exceed the technically required period;  the necessary activities to put the asset in condition to be used or sold are not substantially complete; and the asset is not in condition so as to be used in the production of other assets or startup, depending on the purpose pursued with its production, construction, assembly or completion.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably and the investment will improve the condition of the asset beyond its original state. The carrying amount of those parts that are replaced is derecognized. It is a condition of an item of property, plant and equipment to continue to operate, to conduct periodic inspections for faults regardless of whether parts of the elements are replaced or not (major maintenance).  All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they have been incurred.

Land is not depreciated. Machinery and generation equipment are depreciated under the unit of production method. Wells are depreciated based on production volumes in relation to proven and developed reserves. Mining property is depreciated based on production volumes in relation to proven and developed reserves.

Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method.

The main depreciation methods are described below:

 

Buildings: 50 years

Substations: 35 years

High voltage lines: 40 - 45 years

Medium voltage lines: 35 - 45 years

Low voltage lines: 30 - 40 years

Transformer centrals: 25 - 35 years

Meters: 25 years

Vehicles: 5 years

Furniture, fittings and communication equipment: 5- 20 years

Computer equipment and software: 3 years

Tools: 10 years

Gas Plant and Pipeline: 20 years

Works in progress are valued according to their degree of progress. Works in progress are recorded at cost, less any loss due to impairment, if applicable. The cost includes expenses attributable to construction, including costs of capitalized loans when they are part of the cost incurred for the purpose of acquisition, construction or production of an item of property, plant and equipment that necessarily takes a considerable period of time to be available for use. Borrowing costs capitalization cease once the asset is substantially complete or has been suspended, in the case that its development is at this stage. Depreciation of these assets starts when they are in working condition.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at least at each financial year-end.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if its carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

4.5      Intangible assets

a.     Goodwill

Goodwill is the result of the acquisition of subsidiaries. Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the equity interest in the acquired entity held by the company in the net identifiable assets acquired at the date of acquisition.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated from the acquisition date to each of the acquirer’s cash-generating units or group of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Each unit or group of units that goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within the entity at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

b.     Concession arrangements

Concession arrangements corresponding to Edenor and hydroelectric generation plants Diamante and Nihuiles are not covered by the guidelines of IFRIC 12 “Service Concession Arrangements”.

 

These concession agreements meet the criteria set forth by the IFRSs and are amortized following the straight-line method based on each asset’s useful life, which corresponds to the life of each concession agreement.

The concession of Edenor, has a usesful life of 83 years, while the Hidroelectric Diamond and Nihuiles has a usesful life of 30 years.

c.     Identified intangible assets in acquired investments

Corresponds to intangible assets identified at the moment of the acquisition of companies from the distribution segment. Identified assets meet the criteria established in IFRS and are amortized by the straight-line method according to the useful life of each asset, considering the estimated way in which the benefits produced by the asset will be consumed.

d.     Rights over arbitration proceedings

It corresponds to rights acquired by the Company to control, suspend and waive judicial claims.

As proceedings’ conclusion dates cannot be accurately foreseen, it has been determined that they have an indefinite useful life.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

4.6      Biological assets

Biological assets comprise grape plantations and seed plots. These biological assets are measured on initial recognition and at the end of each reporting period, at its cost, which does not differ from its fair value less costs to sell.

 

4.7      Assets for oil and gas exploration

Expenses related to oil and natural gas exploration and evaluation are accounted for by the successful effort method. Costs are accumulated at the level of each oil field. Geological and geophysical costs are recorded as expenses as they are incurred. Costs directly associated to the exploration of wells and costs of exploration and acquisition of rights on real property are capitalized until the reserve determination is assessed. If the conclusion reached is that the discovery has no commercial viability, then those expenses are charged to results.

Capitalization is recognized in property, plant and equipment or in intangible assets according to the nature of the expense.

4.7.1 Development tangible and intangible assets

Disbursements for the building, installation and completion of infrastructures such as platforms, pipes and the drilling of wells with demonstrated commercial viability are capitalized as Property, Plant and Equipment and as intangible assets according to their nature. Regarding the investments in wells under the commitments undertaken in Phase I of the Investment Agreement entered into with YPF for the “Rincón del Mangrullo” area, PEPASA has recognized 50% as Mining Property and the remaining 50% as wells. Additionally, part of the investments in wells under the commitment undertaken with Petrobras for “El Mangrullo” area has been disclosed as Mining Property. When commercially viable reserves are found, exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment and transferred to development tangible or intangible assets. During the exploration and evaluation phase, no depreciation expenses are recognized for Property, Plant and Equipment or intangible assets.

4.7.2 Assets for oil and gas production

Assets for oil and gas production are tangible assets for exploration and evaluation and development expenses associated to production of proven reserves.

4.7.3 Cost of decommissioning of wells

Estimated future costs of wells plugging and abandonment in the hydrocarbon areas, discounted at a rate estimated at the time of their initial measuring, are capitalized together with the assets originating them, and are depreciated using the unit-of-production method. Additionally, a liability is acknowledged for this item at the estimated value of discounted payables.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

4.7.4 Depreciation

Assets related to oil and gas production are amortized following the production unit method. Production unit rates are based on developed reserves with proven viability, such as reserves of oil, gas and other mineral reserves that are expected to be recovered through existing facilities using the current operating methods. Oil and gas volumes are considered as produced once they are measured with the oil meters at the custody transfer points or at the sale transactions points at the output valve of the storage tank.

The depreciation is adjusted by changes in the estimates of proved developed reserves when such changes arise. PEPASA performs reserves estimates reviews, which are certified by independent engineers at least once a year.

4.7.5 Impairment – Assets for exploration and evaluation  

Assets for exploration and evaluation are subject to impairment tests whenever facts and circumstances suggest that an impairment in value may have occurred. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount in which the book value of the exploration and evaluation asset exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use and the fair value less costs to sale of the exploration and evaluation assets. With the purpose of assessing the impairment, the exploration and evaluation assets subject to impairment tests are grouped together with the cash-generating units of the existing producing fields that are located in the same geographical region.

4.7.6 Impairment – Proven property for oil and gas production and intangible assets

Properties for oil and gas production and intangible assets whose commercial and technical viability has been proven are evaluated for impairment losses at the moment when facts or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount could not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount in which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use and the fair value less the cost to sale of the assets. With the purpose of assessing the impairment, the assets are grouped at the lowest level at which separate cash flows can be identified (in CGUs).

4.8 Impairment of non financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life - for example, goodwill or intangible assets not ready to use – are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment.

Assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the asset´s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the higher amount of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGUs).

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Non-financial assets other than goodwill that have been impaired are reviewed at each reporting date for possible reversal of the impairment.

 

4.9 Foreign currency translation

 

4.9.1 Functional and presentation currency

Information included in the financial statements entities are measured in the functional and presentation currency of the Company, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The functional currency is Argentine peso, which is the Group’s presentation currency.

 

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in nominal currency stablished in IFRS criteria applicable for non-hyperinflationary economies.

 

4.9.2 Transaction and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gain and loss resulting from the settlement of any transaction and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement, unless they have been capitalized.

The exchange rates used are as follows: buying rate for monetary assets, selling rate for monetary liabilities, average rate at the end of the year for balances with related parties, and date-specific exchange rate for foreign currency transactions.

4.9.3 Subsidiaries

All subsidiaries functional currency is the peso, so there are no effects of foreign currency translation.

 

4.10 Financial assets

 

4.10.1 Classification

The Company classifies its financial assets under the following categories: those to be measured subsequently at fair value and those to be measured at amortized cost. This classification depends on whether the financial asset is a debt instrument or an equity investment. For the asset to be measured at amortized cost, two conditions described below must be verified. The remaining financial assets are measured at fair value. IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” requires that all the investments in equity instruments are measured at fair value.

a.     Financial assets at amortized cost

Financial assets are measured at amortized cost only if the following criteria have been met:

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

 i.           the objective of the Group’s business model is to hold the asset to collect the contractual cash flows;

ii.          the contractual terms, on specified dates, have cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the outstanding principal.

b.     Financial assets at fair value

If any of the above mentioned criteria has not been met, the financial asset is measured at fair value through profit or loss.

All equity investments are measured at fair value. For equity investments that are not held for trading, the Group can irrevocably choose at the moment of the initial recognition to present changes in fair value through other comprehensive income. The decision of the Group was recongnizing changes in fair value through profit or loss.

 

4.10.2 Recognition and measurement

Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on the trade-date, which is the date on which the Group commits to the purchase or sale of the asset. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset.

 

A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at fair value and is not part of a hedging relationship is recognized in profit or loss. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at amortized cost and is not part of a hedging relationship is recognized in profit or loss when the financial asset is derecognized or impaired and through the amortization process using the effective interest rate method.

The Group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. When the Group elects to present the changes in fair value in other comprehensive income, such changes cannot be reclassified to profit or loss. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognized in profit or loss as long as they represent a return on investment.

The Company reclassifies financial assets if and only if its business model to manage financial assets is changed.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

4.10.3 Impairment of financial assets

Assets carried at amortized cost

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets measured at amortized cost are impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial assets are impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset, and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

Evidence of impairment may include indications that the debtors or a group of debtors are experiencing significant financial difficulty, default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization.

The amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced and the amount of the loss is recognized in the income statement. If the financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for the calculation of the impairment loss is the currently effective interest rate under the contract. As a practical expedient, the Group may measure impairment on the basis of an instrument’s fair value using an observable market price.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of the previously recognized impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

4.10.4 Offsetting of financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, and the net amount reported in the consolidated statements of financial position, when there  is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

 

4.11 Trade and other receivables

 

4.11.1 Trade receivables

Trade receivables are amounts owed by customers for the sale of generated and distributed power, the sale of gas and liquid fuels and the provision of counseling services in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Generation and Holding

Trade receivables and other receivables are recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method.

Receivables from CAMMESA allocated to FONINVEMEM and Agreement 2014, documented as LVFVDs, have been valued at their amortized cost, the maximum value of which is their recoverable amount at the period’s closing date. The amortized cost has been determined based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted based on a rate reflecting the time value of money and the risks inherent to the transaction.

In the generation segment the Company accounts a provision for doubtful accounts when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all the amounts that are owed to it according to the original terms of those receivables, based on an individual analysis of the recoverability of loan portfolio.

Distribution

 

The receivables arising from services billed to customers but not collected as well as those arising from services rendered but unbilled at the closing date of each financial year are recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. 

 

The receivables from electricity supplied to low-income areas and shantytowns are recognized, also in line with revenue, when the Framework Agreement has been renewed for the period in which the service was provided.

 

The amounts thus determined are net of an allowance for the impairment of receivables. Any debt arising from the bills for electricity consumption that remain unpaid 13 working days after their due dates for small-demand (tariff 1) customers and 7 working days after due date for medium and large-demand (tariff 2 and 3) customers is considered a default balance. The uncollectibility rate is determined for each customer category based on the historical comparison of the balances that were written off as an expense against the default balances of each customer group.

 

Additionally, and faced with temporary and/or exceptional situations, Edenor Management may redefine the amount of the allowance, specifying and supporting the criteria used in all the cases.

4.11.2 Other receivables

Other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, and when significant, adjusted by the time value of the currency. The Company records impairment allowances when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all the amounts owed to it in accordance with the original terms of the receivables.

 

The CMM amounts receivables, as well as the related income, are recognized to the extent that they have been approved by the ENRE and recognized by the ES by means of a Note or Resolution.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Where applicable, allowances for doubtful tax credits have been recognized based on estimates on their uncollectibility within their statutory limitation period, taking into consideration the Company’s current business plans.

4.12 Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Given that the Company's inventories are not goods held for sale, their valuation is considered as based on the purchase price, import duties (if applicable) and other taxes (not subsequently recoverable by tax authorities), transportation, storage and other costs directly attributable to the acquisition of those assets.

Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method.

The Company has classified materials and spare parts into current and non-current, depending on their ultimate purpose, the latter being those that can be used for maintenance or improvement on existing assets. The non-current part of materials and spare parts is shown under the heading “Property, plant and equipment”.

The carrying value of inventories, taken as a whole, does not exceed the recoverable amount at the end of each year.

 

4.13 Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognized at their fair value on the derivative contract’s effective date. After their initial recognition, they are re-measured at their fair value.

However, the Company partially hedges its exchange rate risk through the execution of forward contracts denominated in U.S. dollars.

The method used to recognize the resulting profit or loss depends on whether the derivative has been designated as a hedging instrument, and, if so, on the nature of the item being hedged. The Company has not designated any derivative as a hedging instrument; therefore, changes in their value are disclosed in “Changes in the fair value of financial instruments”, under “Other financial results”.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments traded in active markets is disclosed based on their quoted market prices. The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in active markets is determined using different valuation techniques. The Company uses its critical judgment to select the most appropriate methods and to determine assumptions which are based mainly on the market conditions prevailing at the closing date of each year.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

In order to cover for foreign-currency exchange rate fluctuations during the year, the Company has entered into forward contracts to purchase U.S. dollars with pesos for a nominal value of US$ 149.9 million at an average exchange rate of $ 9.02 per U.S. dollar, having maturities between March, 2014 and April, 2015. As of the closing date of this fiscal year, the U.S. dollar purchasing position amounts to US$ 69.4 million at an average exchange rate of $ 9.84 with maturities between March and April, 2015. The fair value of contracts at December 31, 2014 amounted to a liability position of $ 47.9 million, which is shown under financial derivatives. These contracts are guaranteed with financial assets measured at fair value and with cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $ 110 million, disclosed in other receivables.

Regarding the issuance of the letters of credit required by the Project’s offshore contractors mentioned in Note 2, on December 19, 2014, CTLL conducted forward transactions for the purchase of U.S. dollars with pesos with ICBC Bank in order to cover for the foreign-currency exchange rate risk affecting payments in foreign currency to contractors in the amounts and on the dates provided for in the above mentioned letters of credit. The main conducted operations are described below:

 

USD

PRICE

DATE

12,234,000

8.7875

01/19/2015

6,116,000

8.8150

01/22/2015

6,000,000

8.9550

02/10/2015

2,685,065

9.2500

03/19/2015

1,611,039

9.4950

04/20/2015

3,444,165

9.8625

06/01/2015

 

In turn, by using the funds received from CAMMESA pursuant to the Project’s Financing Agreement CTLL has made several term deposits for the amounts and maturing on the payment dates provided for in the letters of credit, which, at the closing of this financial statements, amount to $ 276.6 million and are disclosed under “Other current receivables” as security deposits.

As of December 31, 2014, the economic impact of these operations resulted in a net loss of $ 48.4 million, which is disclosed under “other financial results” of the consolidated Statement of comprehensive income.

4.14 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, demand deposits with banking institutions and other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities not exceeding three months and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. If any, current account overdrafts are not disclosed under Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows since they are not part of the Company’s cash management.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

4.15 Assets classified as held for sale and associated liabilities

The subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that have been made available for sale are classified as Assets available for sale and associated liabilities when the carrying amount will be mainly recovered through a sale transaction, and this transaction is regarded as highly probable. These assets are valued at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs of disposal. The amounts recognized in profit or loss corresponding to discontinued operations have been included in a single line item of the Company’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) called "Discontinued operations".

4.16 Shareholder´s equity

Equity’s movements have been accounted for in accordance with the pertinent decisions of shareholders' meetings and legal or regulatory standards.

a.     Share capital

Share capital represents the capital issued, composed of the contributions that were committed and/or made by the shareholders and represented by shares that comprise outstanding shares at nominal value. Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

b.     Additional paid in capital

It includes:

(i)         The portion of the collected price exceeding the face value of the shares issued by the Company, net of absorbed accumulated losses.

(ii)       The difference between the fair value of the consideration paid/collected and the accounting value of the equity interest in the subsidiary acquired/sold/diluted which does not represent a loss of control or significant influence.

(iii)      The difference between the proportional equity value registered before the merger of subsidiary CTG with subsidiaries EGSSA and EGSSAH and the value resulting from applying to the subsidiary’s merged equity interest, the new ownership share resulting from the exchange relationship.

c.     Legal reserve

In accordance with the Argentine Commercial Companies Law No. 19550, 5% of the profit arising from the statement of comprehensive income for the year, prior years' adjustments, the amounts transferred from other comprehensive income and prior years' accumulated losses, must be appropriated to a legal reserve until such reserve equals 20% of the Company’s outstanding capital. When for any reason, the amount of this reserve will be shorter, dividends may not be distributed, until such amount is made.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

d.     Voluntary reserve

This reserve results from an allocation made by the Shareholders’ Meeting, whereby a specific amount is set aside to cover for the funding needs of projects and situations associated with Company policies.

e.     Directors´option reserves

It refers to the reserve related to the share-based payments explained in 4.17

f.      Retained earnings (Acumulated losses)

Retained earnings comprise accumulated profits or losses without a specific appropriation; positive earnings can be distributable by the decision of the Shareholders' meeting, as long as they are not subject to legal restrictions. These earnings comprise prior years' earnings that were not distributed, the amounts transferred from other comprehensive income and prior years' adjustments, according to accounting standards.

In case of existence of negative retained earnings to be absorbed at the end of the year for consideration of the Shareholders' Meeting, the following order for appropriation of balances must be followed:

 

i)         Reserved earnings

-  Voluntary reserve

-  Statutory reserve

-  Legal reserve

ii)       Capital contributions

iii)      Additional paid in capital

iv)     Other equity instruments (if feasible from the legal and corporate point of view)

v)       Capital adjustment

vi)     Share capital

g.     Other comprehensive income (loss)

Includes actuarial gains and losses from the calculation of liabilities for defined benefit plans and their tax effects on subsidiaries.

h.     Dividends distribution

Dividend distribution to Company shareholders is recognized as a liability in the consolidated financial statements in the year in which the dividends are approved by the Shareholders' Meeting.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

4.17 Share-based payments

Agreement assignment opportunities

 

The Company operates a compensation plan which provides for share-based payments to be settled through equity instruments, whereby the Company receives the services of certain key employees (Directors with administrative duties) in consideration of the Company’s equity instruments (warrants).

 

Pursuant to the Opportunities Assignment Agreement entered into with the Company, the Directors undertook to offer the Company, on a priority basis, any investment opportunity above US$ 5 million they detect within the Company’s investment guidelines. In consideration of this commitment, the Company granted these executives warrants for up to 20% of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the Warrants Issuance Agreements (as amended) that the Company entered into with each of these executives.

 

The fair value of the services rendered in consideration of these warrants is recorded as an expense, and has been determined using the Black-Scholes model, which takes into consideration assumptions such as annual volatility, dividend yield and a risk-free interest rate denominated in U.S. dollars. Pursuant to the conditions prevailing at the time the agreements were entered into, no value has been attributed to the stipulated contractual adjustment clauses.

 

The total expense amount is determined by reference to the fair value of the granted warrants, against a reserve included in the Statement of Changes in Equity and accrued following the straight-line method in the term during which the Company receives this service. In view of the difficulties to determine the value attributable to the contract since there are no comparable parameters in the market (first option provided for in IFRS 2 – “Share-based payments”), the Company has used the valuation of the options issued to determine the compensation amount to be recognized during the life of the contract.

 

According to the terms agreed in the amendment to the Agreement, one-fifth of each Warrant was accrued annually as from September 28, 2010 and until September 28, 2014, and will remain in effect for fifteen years as from the date of issuance. 

Compensation agreement Value Company

PEPASA has granted to certain officers a compensation for services (payable in cash) based on the share value appreciation.

This compensation is recorded pursuant to the guidelines set forth in IFRS 2 - “Share-based Payments”. The fair value of the services received is measured through the appreciation of the share as from its initial public offering and includes both its intrinsic value (the share quotation value as at the closing date) and its value over time (the right to participate in future quotation increases until the date this right would be actually exercised). The Black-Scholes financial valuation model was used to make this estimate, and the enforceability of the remuneration was taken into consideration.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

The fair value of the amount payable for the compensation plan is accrued and acknowledged as an expense, with the resulting increase in liabilities, during the period in which employees have an unconditional right to payment. Liabilities are revalued on each balance date and at the settlement date. Any change in the fair value of liabilities is disclosed in profit or loss.

4.18 Trade payables and other payables

4.18.1 Trade payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers.

Trade payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

4.18.2 Customer guarantees

Customer deposits are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

In accordance with the Concession Agreement, Edenor is allowed to receive customer guarantees in the following cases:

 

i.       When the power supply is requested and the user is unable to provide evidence of his legal ownership of the premises; 

ii.     When service has been suspended more than once in one-year period;

iii.    When the power supply is reconnected and the Company is able to verify the illegal use of the service (fraud).

iv.   When the customer is undergoing liquidated bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings.

Edenor has decided not to request customer guarantees from residential tariff customers.

Customer deposits may be either paid in cash or through the customer’s bill and accrue monthly interest at a specific rate of Banco de la Nación Argentina called “reference” rate.

When the conditions for which the Company is allowed to receive customer deposits no longer exist, the principal amount plus any interest accrued thereon are credited to the customer’s account after deducting, if appropriate, any amounts receivable which Edenor may have with the customer.

4.18.3 Customer refundable contributions

Edenor receives assets or facilities (or the cash necessary to acquire or built them) from certain customers for services to be provided, based on individual agreements and the provisions of ENRE Resolution No. 215/12. These contributions are initially recognized as trade payables at fair value against in Property, plant and equipment, and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

4.18.4 Other payables

The other payables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the method of effective interest rate.

 

The recorded liabilities represent, mainly, the obligations relating to the PUREE, loans (mutuums) with CAMMESA, debt with FOCEDE, and the penalties imposed by the ENRE, which Edenor Management estimates will be paid in the future, and are the best estimate, as of the date of these financial statements, of the settlement value of the present obligation.

The balances of ENRE Penalties and Discounts are adjusted in accordance with the regulatory framework applicable thereto, whereas the balances of the loans (mutuums) are adjusted by a rate equivalent to the monthly average yield obtained by CAMMESA from its short-term investments.

4.19 Borrowings

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized as finance cost over the period of the borrowings, using the effective interest method.

4.20 Borrowing costs

General and specific borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until the time the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

All other borrowing costs are recognized in profit and loss in the period in which they have been incurred. 

4.21 Deferred revenues

Contributions not subject to repayment

Edenor receives goods or facilities (or the cash necessary to acquire or construct them) from certain customers for services to be rendered based on individual agreements. Edenor recognizes assets received as Property, plant and equipment against deferred income, which are accrued based on the nature of the identifiable services according to the following scheme:

 

i)         client’s connection to the network: they are accrued until the termination of that connection;

ii)       provision of a continuous electric power service: throughout the specific good’s useful life or the term corresponding to the delivery of the services, whichever is shorter.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

4.22 Employee benefits

Defined benefit plans

The Company operate various defined benefit plans. Typically defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors, such as age, years of service and compensation.

The liability recognized in the balance sheet in respect to defined benefit plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using future actuarial assumptions about demographic and financial variables that affect the determination of the amount of such benefits.

The Group's accounting policy for benefit plans is recognizing actuarial gains and losses from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions, in Other comprehensive income (loss) in the period in which they arise. Past service costs are recognized immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (loss).

4.23 Provisions and contingencies

Provisions were recognized in the cases in which, considering a present obligation in charge of the group, legal or constructive, arising from a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate could be made of its amount.

The amount recorded as provisions is the best estimate of the resource outflow necessary to settle the present obligation, at the end of the reporting year, considering the pertinent risks and uncertainties. When a provision is measured using the estimated cash outflow for settling the present obligation, the amount recorded represents the present value of that cash flow. This present value is obtained applying a discount rate before taxes to reflect the market conditions, the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation.

These provisions have been set up to cover potential contingent situations that could give rise to future obligations of payment. In estimating the amounts and probability of occurrence, the opinion of each Company’s legal advisors has been taken into account.

 

4.24 Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, taking into account the estimate amount of any discount, thus determining the net amounts.

 

Ordinary revenue has been recognized when each and every of the following condition has been met:

 

i)         the entity has transferred to the buyer all significant risks and rewards;

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

ii)       the amount of revenue was reliably measured;

iii)      it is probable that the entity will receive the economic benefits associated with the transaction;

iv)     costs incurred or to be incurred in relation to the transaction have been reliably measured.

 

4.24.1 Sales

 

The revenue recognition criteria of the main activities of the Company include:

 

i.        From the power generation activity: they are recognized as accrued comprising energy made available and generated energy.

During this fiscal year, upon the meeting of condition (iii) above, generating subsidiaries have recognized as income the fair value of the remuneration corresponding to the section c) Res. ES N ° 406/03 and the portion of the Additional Remuneration to be allotted to the Trust accrued during fiscal year 2013 and the one corresponding to this year. This change results from the execution of the 2014 Agreement on October 27, 2014, whereby CTLL have undertaken to conduct a new generation Project which will be partially funded by CAMMESA.

 

ii.     From the electricity distribution activity: Revenue from the electricity provided by Edenor to low-income areas and shantytowns is recognized to the extent that the Framework Agreement has been renewed for the period in which the service was rendered.

Revenue from operations is recognized on an accrual basis and derives mainly from electricity distribution. Such revenue includes both the electricity supplied, whether billed or unbilled at the end of each year, which has been valued on the basis of applicable tariffs, and the charges resulting from the application of ES Resolution No. 347/12

Edenor also recognizes revenue from other concepts included in distribution services, such as new connections, reconnections, rights of use on poles, transportation of electricity to other distribution companies, etc.

 

iii.       From exploration and exploitation of oil and gas activity: Revenues from sales of crude oil, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas are recognized on the transfer of title in accordance with the terms of the related contracts, which is when the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and benefits, prices have been determined and collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

4.24.2 Other Income

 

i.           Recognition of higher cost.

 

The recognition of higher costs by Res. ES N° 250/13 and subsequent notes not transferred to the tariff falls within the scope of IAS 20 inasmuch as it implies a compensation for the expenses incurred by Edenor in the past.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Their recognition is made at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that they will be collected and the conditions attached thereto have been complied with, to the extent that they have been approved by the ENRE and recognized by the ES by means of a Note or Resolution.

Such concept has been disclosed in the “Higher Costs Recognition - ES Resolution No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes” line item of the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as of December 31, 2014, recognizing the related tax effects. There are no unfulfilled conditions or any other related contingencies.

 

ii.          The activity from exploration and exploitation of oil and gas: Recognition of compensation for injection of surplus gas – Resolution No. 1/13

 

The recognition of income for the injection of surplus gas is covered by IAS 20 “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance” since it involves a compensation as a result of the production increase committed by PEPASA.

 

Its recognition is made at its fair value when there is reasonable assurance that it will be collected and that the conditions required have been complied.

 

This item has been disclosed under Compensation for Surplus Gas Injection - Resolution No. 1/13, under Operating Income, in the Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement.

 

4.24.3 Interest and dividend income

 

Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment has been established. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method. They are recorded on a temporary basis, with reference to the outstanding principal and the applicable effective rate.

 

This income is recognized as long as it is probable that the entity receives the economic benefits associated with the transaction and the amount of the transaction has been reliably measured.

 

4.25 Income tax and tax on asset

 

4.25.1 Current and deferred income tax

The tax expenses for the period include current and deferred tax. Tax is recognized in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions, where appropriate, on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they come from the initial recognition of goodwill; or if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available and can be used against temporary differences.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences from investments in subsidiaries and associates, except for deferred income tax liability where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities have not been discounted.

 

4.25.2 Minimum notional income tax

The Company calculates the minimum notional income tax by applying the current 1% rate on computable assets at the end of the year. This tax complements income tax. The Company’s tax obligation for each year will be the higher of the two taxes. If in a fiscal year, however, minimum notional income tax obligation exceeds income tax liability, the surplus will be computable as a payment in advance of income tax through the next ten years.

As of the closing date hereof, the Company’s Management analyzed this receivable’s recoverability, and allowances are created in as long as it is estimated that the amounts paid for this tax will not be recoverable within the statutory limitation period taking into consideration the Company’s current business plans. The Company’s Management will evaluate the evolution of this recoverability in future fiscal years.

 

4.26 Balances with related parties

Receivables and liabilities with related parties are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

 

4.27 Assignments of use

The assignments of use in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards deriving from ownership are kept by the lessor are classified as operating. At present, Edenor only has lease agreements that are classified as operating.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 4: (Continuation)

 

As assignee: The payments with respect to operating assignments of use are recognized as operating expenses in the statement of comprehensive income (loss) on a straight-line basis throughout the term of the assignment.

 

As assignor: The assignments of use in which the Company does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset are classified as operating assignments of use.

 

The collections with respect to operating assignments of use are recognized as income in the statement of comprehensive income (loss) on a straight-line basis throughout the term of the assignment.

 

NOTE 5: CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The preparation of financial statements requires the Company’s Management to make future estimates and assessments, to apply critical judgment and to establish assumptions affecting the application of accounting policies and the amounts of disclosed assets and liabilities, and income and expenses.

The applied estimates and accounting judgments are evaluated on a continuous basis and are based on past experiences and other reasonable factors under the existing circumstances. Actual future results might differ from the estimates and evaluations made at the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements. The estimates which have a significant risk of producing adjustments on the amounts of the assets and liabilities during the following year are detailed below:

5.1 Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment at the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGU). 

Most of the main subsidiaries or joint ventures of the Company are a CGU, as they have only one power generation plant (generation segment), a power transmission network (transmission segment) or one concession area for the distribution of electricity (distribution segment). Consequently, each subsidiary and joint venture in these segments represents the lowest level of composition of assets generating independent cash flows.

i)      Assets subject to depreciation / amortization are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances show that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

ii)     Goodwill: In accordance with the applicable accounting policies, goodwill is tested for impairment annually. The amounts recoverable from CGUs are determined based on the calculations of its value in use.

iii)   Intangible assets: Intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are not amortized. Intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment by comparing their recoverable amount with their book value: (i) annually; and (ii) at any time, if there is any indication that they may have been impaired.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

In order to evaluate if there is evidence that a CGU could be affected, both external and internal sources of information are analyzed.  Specific facts and circumstances are considered, which generally include the discount rate used in the estimates of the future cash flows of each CGU and the business condition as regards economic and market factors, such as the cost of raw materials, oil and gas, the regulatory framework for the energy industry (mainly the RTI / CMM and recognition of expected prices), the projected capital investments and the evolution of the energy demand.

An impairment loss is recognized when the book value of the asset exceeds its recoverable value. The recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use and the fair value less costs of disposal. Any impairment loss will be distributed (to reduce the book value of the CGU's assets) in the following order:

(a) first, to reduce the book value of goodwill assigned to the CGU, and

(b) then, to the other assets in the cash generating unit (or group of units), prorated for the carrying amount of each asset in the unit (or group of units), taking into account not to reduce the carrying amount of the asset below the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal, its value in use or zero value.

(c) any impairment loss which may not be allocated to the specific asset will be proportionately distributed among the remaining assets making up the CGU.

The value in use of each CGU is estimated on the basis of the present value of  future net cash flows that these units will generate. The Company Management uses approved budgets up to one year for its cash flow projections extrapolated into a term consistent with the assets’ remaining useful life, taking into consideration the appropriate discount rates. In order to calculate the fair value less the costs to sale, the Company Management uses the estimated value of the future cash flows that a market participant could generate from the appropriate CGU, and deducts the necessary costs to carry out the sale of the corresponding CGU.

The Company Management is required to make judgments at the moment of the future cash flow estimation. The actual cash flows and the values may differ significantly from the expected future cash flows and the related values obtained through discount techniques.

Non-financial assets other than goodwill which have suffered impairment in the past are reviewed for a possible reversal of the impairment as at the closing date of the fiscal year.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

(a)  Reversal of Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment in CPB

As from January 2012, CAMMESA, at the direction of the ES, remuneration adjustments stablished by the “2008 – 2011 Agreement” in November, 2010 were cancelled. Furthermore, in the case of CPB, another change in the regulatory framework prevented the Company from continuing operating in the fuel oil purchase business, an activity which allowed it to obtain a margin on the fuel it acquired for generation purposes. Both measures have had a negative effect on the company’s generation of funds, which were insufficient to meet growing operating costs. The deterioration of CPB’s economic and financial situation, evidenced by operating losses, negative cash flows and a working capital deficit, resulted in a decrease in the plant’s reliability since it lacked the sufficient resources to continue bringing about the improvements necessary to keep the operating levels met during fiscal year 2011.

Therefore, as at September 30, 2012, CPB recorded an impairment loss amounting to $ 108.3 million for its Property, Plant and Equipment —which, net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to $ 70.4 million— as a result of the assessment of their recoverable value. 

Impairment loss charges have been distributed on a pro rata basis in order to reduce the book value of the assets composing the CGU, taking into consideration the book value of each of the unit’s assets. After recognizing the impairment loss, the asset’s depreciation charges have been adjusted during the following fiscal years to systematically distribute its reviewed book value less any possible residual value through its remaining useful life.

Previously impaired non-financial assets are reviewed for a possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

With the implementation of ES Resolution No. 95/13 and its amendemt ES Resolution No. N° 529/14 —which defined a new remuneration scheme for the industry as from February 2013 and the later update of remunerative values effective as from February 2014, respectively— and the granting of financing by CAMMESA under advantageous conditions to CPB, which will allow to afford the cost of the capital investments necessary to recover the company’s plant operating capacity (Note 21.1.3), CPB´s projections regarding the recoverability of its Property, Plant and Equipment and its deferred tax assets have been updated.

In view of this situation, CPB’s management has reevaluated its discounted cash flows considering a revenue increase exceeding by 10% cost increases as from the year 2017 (on account of the recognition of cost mismatches in respect to past income) and that tariff increases will be granted to offset future cost increases.

The remaining assumptions are detailed below:

i.       Actual discount rate: 9.9%.

ii.     Growth rate: 0%.

iii.    Plant’s availability factor: 86% on average, considering the execution of major maintenance works in the generating units.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

 

iv.   The collection of the maximum remuneration provided for fixed costs based on the provisions of item iii.

v.     The fulfilment of the capital investments necessary to recover the plant’s operating capacity under normal availability conditions will take place during the next two years and will receive CAMMESA’s permanent financing, which will be repaid under the conditions detailed in Note 21.1.3.

In the light of the above conclusions, CPB CGU’s value in use determined based on the present value of future net cash flows was $ 274.4 million higher than its book value. Therefore, CPB has wholly recovered the above-mentioned impairment losses which, net of accumulated depreciation, amounted to $ 88.4 million (recognized under “Reversal of Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income) and, net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to $ 57.5 million. The affected Property, Plant and Equipment items are lands, buildings, machines and generation equipment.

(b)  Test of impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets associated with the subsidiary Edenor

As at December 31, 2011, the Company has recorded impairment losses associated with Edenor’s consolidated assets  resulting from the assessment of their recoverable value. Depreciation losses totaled up $ 647.7 million which, net of the effect of the income tax, amounted to $ 421 million.

Cash flows are prepared on the basis of estimates concerning the future performance of certain variables that are sensitive to the determination of the recoverable amount, among which the following can be noted: (i) nature, opportunity and modality of electricity rate increases and/or cost adjustment recognition; (ii) demand for electricity projections; (iii) evolution of the costs to be incurred, and; (iv) macroeconomic variables, such as growth rates, inflation rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

The future increase in electricity rates used by Edenor to assess the recoverability of its long-lived assets as of December 31, 2014 is based on the rights to which Edenor is entitled, as stipulated in the Concession Agreement and the agreements described in Note 2 to these financial statements. Furthermore, the actions taken to maintain and guarantee the provision of the public service, the presentations made before regulatory authorities, the status quo of the discussions that are being held with government representatives, the announcements made by government officials concerning possible changes in the sector’s revenues to restore the economic and financial equation, and certain adopted measures, such as concepts described in Notes 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and 2.3.7 to these financial statements. Edenor Management estimates that it is reasonable to expect that new increases in revenues will be obtained as from 2016.

In spite of the current economic and financial situation described in Note 42 to these financial statements, Edenor has made its projections under the assumption that the electricity rates will be improved according to the circumstances. However, Edenor may not ensure that the future performance of the variables used to make its projections will be in line with what it has estimated. Therefore, significant differences may arise in relation to the estimates used and assessments made at the date of preparation of these financial statements.

 

F-85

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

In order to contemplate the estimation risk contained in the projections of the aforementioned variables, Edenor has considered three different probability-weighted scenarios. Although in all of them it is estimated that Edenor will succeed in reaching an acceptable agreement with the Government resulting in a gradual tariff increase, Edenor has considered different timing and magnitude of an increase in the Distribution Added Value. The scenarios considered are as follow:

a) Scenario called Pessimistic scenario: in this scenario, Edenor contemplates the effects of ES Resolution No. 32/15 and assumes modest electricity rate increases as from 2016 as a result of the gradual implementation of an RTI. CAMMESA’s financial assistance, as regards the reception of the loan for consumption (mutuum) for the Extraordinary Investment Plan, is maintained. In 2017, the accumulated debt for energy purchases begin to be paid and past higher real costs (not covered by the CMM) would be recognized, which would allow for the offsetting of the accumulated debts with CAMMESA for interest accrued. Probability of occurrence assigned 20%.

b) Scenario called Intermediate scenario: in this case, Edenor contemplates the effects of ES Resolution No. 32/15 and assumes reasonable electricity rate increases as from 2016, as a result of the gradual implementation of an RTI. CAMMESA’s financial assistance, as regards the reception of the loan for consumption (mutuum) for the Extraordinary Investment Plan, is maintained. In 2017, the accumulated debt for energy purchases begin to be paid and past higher real costs (not covered by the CMM) would be recognized, which would allow for the offsetting of the accumulated debts with CAMMESA for interest accrued. Probability of occurrence assigned 65%.

c) Scenario called Optimistic scenario: in this case, Edenor contemplates the effects of ES Resolution No. 32/15 and assumes increases higher than those of the intermediate scenario as from 2016, as a result of the gradual implementation of an RTI. CAMMESA’s financial assistance, as regards the reception of the loan for consumption (mutuum) for the Extraordinary Investment Plan, is maintained. In 2017, the accumulated debt for energy purchases begin to be paid and past higher real costs (not covered by the CMM) would be recognized, which would allow for the offsetting of the accumulated debts with CAMMESA for interest accrued. Probability of occurrence assigned 15%.Edenor has assigned to these three scenarios the previously described percentages of probability of occurrence based mainly on the experience with past delays in the tariff renegotiation process, the present economic and financial situation, the status quo of the conversations that are being held with the Federal Government and the need to maintain the public service, object of the concession, in operation.

An after tax discount rate (WACC) in pesos stated in nominal terms of 24.5% has been used in all the scenarios.

 

F-86

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

Sensitivity analysis:

The main factors that could result in impairment charges in future periods are: i) a distortion in the nature, opportunity and modality of the electricity rate increases and recognition of cost adjustments, and ii) the development of the costs to be incurred. These factors have been taken into account in the aforementioned weight of scenarios. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in these assumptions, Edenor estimates that any sensitivity analysis that considers changes in any of them considered individually could lead to distorting conclusions.

Based on the conclusions previously mentioned, the valuation of property, plant and equipment, taken as a whole, does not exceed its recoverable value, which is measured as the value in use as of December 31, 2014.

Furthermore, the management understands that although these estimates may show an increase in the CGU’s value, actual measures obtained so far are insufficient to consider a sustainable recovery which may lead to the reversal of the impairment loss recognized by the Company during fiscal year 2011.

5.2 Current and deferred Income tax / Minimum notional income tax

A great level of judgment is required to determine the income tax provision since the Company Management has to regularly assess the positions stated in the tax returns as regards those situations where the applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and, if necessary, establish provisions according to the estimated amount that the Company will have to pay to the tax authorities. When the final tax result of these items differs from the amounts initially acknowledged, those differences will have an effect on the income tax and on the deferred tax provisions in the fiscal year when such determination is made.

A significant degree of judgment is required to determine the income tax provision. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company recognizes liabilities for eventual tax claims based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due in the future.

 

Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and reduced in accordance with the probability that the sufficient taxable base will be available to allow for the total or partial recovery of these assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, Management considers that it is likely that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income in the periods in which these temporary differences become deductible. To make this assessment, Management takes into consideration the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projections of future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

 

In relation to Edenor, considering taxable losses of previous years and the sensitivity of some variables used in 2015 fiscal results projections (such as, devaluation and salary increases), management concluded that there is no strong and conclusive evidence to recognize tax losses carry forwards

5.3 Provisions

The Company is subject to several lawsuits, complaints and other legal proceedings, including customers’ claims, where a third party seeks the payment of damages, reimbursement for losses or compensation. The Company’s potential liability as regards these claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings cannot be estimated for sure. The Company Management, with the assistance of its legal counselors (lawyers) regularly reviews the status of each important proceeding and assesses its potential financial exposure.

 

F-87

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

If the loss derived from a lawsuit or legal proceeding is deemed probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company establishes allowance provision.

The provision for contingent losses reflect a reasonable estimation that losses will be incurred, based on information available to the Management at the consolidated financial statements date, and taking into account our litigation and resolution/settlement strategies. These estimates are prepared mainly with the help of legal counsel. However, if the Company Management estimates are incorrect, current provisions might be inadequate and derive in a charge to profits that could have an adverse effect on the balance sheet, comprehensive income (loss) statement, statements of changes in equity and cash flows.

5.4 Provision for decomissioning of wells

The obligations relating to the decommissioning of wells after completion of the operations involve managementof PEPASA to make estimates about the costs of abandonment in the long-term and the time remaining until the abandonment. Notably, technology, costs and policy, security and environmental considerations are, continually changing, which may result in differences between the actual future costs and estimates.

Estimated future costs of wells plugging and abandonment in the hydrocarbon areas, discounted at a rate estimated at the time of their initial measuring, are capitalized together with the assets originating them, and are depreciated using the unit-of-production method. Additionally, a liability is acknowledged for this item at the estimated value of discounted payables.

5.5 Allowance for doubtful accounts

The Group is exposed to losses for uncollectible receivables. The Company Management estimates the final collectability of the accounts receivable.

The allowance for the impairment of accounts receivable is assessed based on the historical level of both the balances written off as an expense and the default balances. Additionally, Edenor Management records an allowance applying an uncollectibility rate for each customer category, tariff, customers included in the Framework Agreement, not included in the Framework Agreement and, to the default balances of the reporting period.

In order to estimate collections related to the energy generation segment we mainly consider the ability of CAMMESA to meet its payment obligations to generators, and the resolutions issued by ES, which allow the Company to collect its credits with CAMMESA through different mechanisms.

Additionally, Management analyzes the allowance for uncollectible receivables of the remaining accounts receivables of the segment based on an individual analysis of recoverability of receivables of the WEM debtors.

Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if future economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in the assessment for each year.

 

F-88

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

5.6 Defined benefit plans

The liability recognized by the Company is the best estimate of the present value of the cash flows representing the benefit plan obligation at the closing date of the year. Cash flows are discounted using actuarial assumptions about demographic and financial variables that affect the determination of the amount of such benefits. Such estimate is based on actuarial calculations made by independent professionals in accordance with the projected unit credit method.

5.7 Penalties and Discounts ENRE

Edenor consider its accounting policy for the recognition of ENRE Penalties and Discounts critical because it depends on the penalizables events which are valued on the basis of Management best estimate, at the date of these financial statements, of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation. The balances corresponding to ENRE Penalties and Discounts are adjusted in accordance with the regulatory framework applicable thereto.

5.8 Going concern status

The co-controlled company Citelec have prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to a going concern, assuming that the companies will continue to operate normally. Therefore, they do not include the effects of the adjustments or reclassifications, if any, that might be necessary to make as a consequence of the situation described in Note 42, as well as its impact on the financial statements of the Group. The management considers that this uncertainty regarding the company under common control Citelec does not affect its capacity to continue operating on an ordinary basis, as described in Note 42.

The subsidiary Edenor has prepared its financial statements in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to a going concern, assuming that Edenor will continue to operate normally throughout fiscal year 2015, because in Edenor’s opinion ES Resolution No. 32/15 provides greater certainty concerning the financial conditions existing prior to the issuance thereof and constitutes a reasonable basis for the commencement of the RTI.

5.9 Revenue recognition

In the distribution business, revenue is recognized on an accrual basis upon delivery to customers, which includes the estimated amount of unbilled distribution of electricity at the end of each year. We consider our accounting policy for the recognition of estimated revenue critical because it depends on the amount of electricity effectively delivered to customers which is valued on the basis of applicable tariffs. Unbilled revenue is classified as current trade receivables.

 

F-89

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 5: (Continuation)

5.10 Oil and Gas Reserves

Reserves are oil and gas volumes (expressed in oil-equivalent m3) originated from or associated with any economic income in the areas where PEPASA operates and over which it holds exploration and exploitation rights.

Crude oil and gas reserves estimates are an essential part of PEPASA’s decision-making process. Crude oil and gas reserves volumes are taken into consideration in the calculation of depreciation -by using the production unit ratio- and to evaluate exploration and exploitation asset investments’ recoverable amounts.

Reserves estimates have been prepared by PEPASA technical staff, and are based on the technological and economic conditions prevailing as of December 31, 2014 taking into consideration their economic evaluation and the expiration of the concession to determine their recoverability period.

These estimates are adjusted every time changes in the evaluated aspects so justify, or at least once a year. These reserves estimates have been certified by independent hydrocarbon counseling firms for the last time as of August 31, 2014.

There are numerous factors giving rise to uncertainty regarding the estimate of proven reserves and of future production profiles, prices and development costs, several of which are beyond the producer’s control. The reserves calculation procedure is a subjective process for estimating the crude oil and natural gas recoverable from the subsoil which involves a high degree of uncertainty. This reserves estimate is prepared based on the quality of the geological and engineering information available as at that date, as well as its interpretation.

 

NOTE 6: FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

6.1 Financial Risk Factors

The Company’s activities are subject to several financial risks: market risk (including the exchange rate risk, the interest rate risk and the price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

Financial risk management is encompassed within the Company’s global policies focused on the uncertainty of certain financial markets, and aims to minimize potential adverse effects on its financial return. Financial risks are those derived from financial instruments the Company is exposed to during or at the closing of each fiscal year. The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge certain risks when it deems it necessary according to its risk management internal policies.

Financial risk Management is controlled by the Financial Department, which identifies, evaluates and covers financial risks. Risk Management systems and policies are reviewed on a regular basis to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company activities.

This section includes a description of the main risks and uncertainties which may adversely affect the Company’s strategy, performance, operational results and financial position.

 

F-90

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

6.1.1 Market risks

Exchange rate risk

The Company, through its subsidiaries in the Generation segment, collects a meaningful part of its income in Argentine pesos pursuant to tariffs which are indexed to U.S. dollars, as is the case of income resulting from the Supply Agreement entered into between CTLL and the ES or EGSSA and the ES (merged with CTG), pursuant to Resolution No.  220/07, or CTG’s Energy Plus agreements. The other part of its operating flows expressed in Argentine pesos are not indexed to the U.S. dollar, and comprise income from hydroelectric and thermal generators that do not have Energy Plus or Supply Agreements with the ES pursuant to Resolution No. 220/07. On the other hand, most of the financial debt of the subsidiaries of the Generation segment is denominated in pesos and only a portion is denominated in US dollars but is payable in indexed peso against the U.S. dollar (a 30% as of December 31, 2014), which exposes them to the risk of loss on a devaluation of the peso.

Furthermore, on December 3, 2014, CTLL entered into an agreement for the supply of a 100 MW high-efficiency gas turbine, equipment, spare parts and services for an estimated total amount of US$ 75 million pursuant to the commitments undertaken under the 2014 Agreement, which will be financed by CAMMESA for up to an amount, denominated in pesos, equivalent to that of the Company and its power generation subsidiaries receivables issued or to be issued until December 31, 2015, which exposes the Company to a risk of loss resulting from the devaluation of the Argentine peso. In order to partially cover for the foreign-currency exchange rate risk affecting payments in foreign currency to the Project’s foreign contractors, CTLL has conducted forward transactions to purchase U.S. Dollars with pesos in the amount of US$ 32.1 million at a contracted average exchange rate of $ 9.19 per U.S. dollar and maturing between January and June, 2015.

 In turn, for the performance of the Plant’s 2015-2016 Technological Upgrade Works, CPB has undertaken several commitments with foreign providers, most of them denominated in foreign currency (mainly Euros and U.S. Dollars), which will be financed through the Loan and Receivables Assignment Agreement subscribed with CAMMESA during the month of April, 2014. As at the issuance hereof, the amounts committed under the executed agreements reach US$ 61.5 million.

Although the Company seeks to partially hedge this risk by converting a portion of its surplus cash into Argentine pesos indexed to the U.S. dollar exchange rate and, should it deem it necessary, by entering into foreign-currency hedge agreements, it may still be exposed to the Argentine peso fluctuations against the U.S. dollar.

 

F-91

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

Additionally, the Company collects its income from CAMMESA, which during the past year has incurred in significant delays in its payment terms. Even though a significant part of the Company’s transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars, they are billed in Argentine pesos and converted at the exchange rate effective during the month in which they are perfected. For the income from the Supply Contracts under Res. SE N ° 220/07, this amount in pesos is collected from CAMMESA, on average, 100 days afterward, but the difference in the exchange rate is recognized by CAMMESA only until the expiration date, about 45 days. In case there is a strong devaluation between the billing and the collection date, as was the case during the first weeks of January 2014, the U.S. dollars collectable by the Company may be severely reduced, thus limiting the effectiveness of its exchange rate hedge.

In the distribution segment, Edenor´s exposure to currency risk relates to the collection of its revenue in pesos, in conformity with regulated electricity rates that are not indexed in relation to the US dollar, whereas a significant portion of its existing financial liabilities is denominated in US dollars. Therefore, Edenor is exposed to the risk of a loss resulting from a devaluation of the peso. Edenor may hedge its currency risk trying to enter into currency fowards. Nevertheless, at the date of issuance of these financial statements, it has not been able to hedge its exposure to the US dollar under terms it may consider viable.

If Edenor continued to be unable to effectively hedge all or a significant part of its exposure to currency risk, any devaluation of the peso could significantly increase its debt service burden, which, in turn, could have a substantial adverse effect on its financial and cash position (including its ability to repay its Corporate Notes) and the results of its operations. The exchange rates used as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are $ 8.551 and $ 6.521 per US dollar, respectively.

In the Holding and Others segment, the Company has entered into U.S. dollar-denominated investment commitments through its subsidiary PEPASA. As there isn’t a strong currency mismatch between the generation of own funds and the undertaken investments, the risk of foreign-currency exchange rate fluctuations is reasonably hedged. However, the Company has entered into several foreign-currency hedge agreements in order to minimize the impact a devaluation of the Argentine peso would have.

The following table shows the Company’s exposure to the exchange rate risk for financial assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different from the Company’s functional currency.

 

F-92

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

 

 

Type

 

Amount of foreign currency

 

Exchange rate (1)

 

Total
12.31.2014

 

Total
12.31.2013

       

ASSETS

                 
                   

NON CURRENT ASSETS

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other receivables

             

 

 

Third parties

U$S

 

417,818

 

8.451

 

3,530,984

 

2,666,524

Total non current assets

           

3,530,984

 

2,666,524

                 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

               

 

               

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

U$S

 

13,992,780

 

8.451

 

118,252,993

 

312,031,682

Trade and other receivables

             

 

 

Related parties

U$S

 

1,186,917

 

8.501

 

10,089,975

 

-

Third parties

U$S

 

2,181,947

 

8.451

 

18,439,637

 

30,237,124

 

EUR

 

50,796

 

10.265

 

521,398

 

461,648

 

£

 

7,358

 

13.181

 

96,987

 

-

 

U$

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

856

Cash and cash equivalents

U$S

 

15,833,540

 

8.451

 

133,809,244

 

116,186,826

 

EUR

 

14,378

 

10.265

 

147,584

 

171,244

 

U$

 

41,835

 

0.347

 

14,508

 

99,484

Total current assets

           

281,372,326

 

459,188,864

Total assets

           

284,903,310

 

461,855,388

               

 

 

                 

 

LIABILITIES

                 
                 

 

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

             

 

 

               

 

 

Trade and other payables

             

 

 

Third parties

U$S

 

-

 

8.551

 

-

 

(130,337,773)

Borrowings

             

 

 

Third parties

U$S

 

(230,624,486)

 

8.551

 

(1,972,069,983)

 

(2,391,796,158)

Related parties

U$S

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(194,721,661)

Total non current liabilities

           

(1,972,069,983)

 

(2,716,855,592)

 

 

F-93

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

 

 

Type

 

Amount of

 foreign

currency

 

Exchange

rate (1)

 

Total
12.31.2014

 

Total
12.31.2013

       

CURRENT LIABILITIES

               

 

                 

 

Trade and other payables

               

 

Third parties

U$S

 

(47,436,496)

 

8.551

 

(405,629,479)

 

(188,961,031)

 

EUR

 

(2,215,676)

 

10.407

 

(23,059,419)

 

(3,540,978)

 

£

 

(88,064)

 

13.192

 

(1,161,726)

 

(871,851)

 

CHF

 

(30,321)

 

8.520

 

(262,367)

 

(223,076)

 

NOK

 

(68,200)

 

1.156

 

(78,830)

 

(73,588)

 

U$

 

(34,436)

 

0.347

 

(11,942)

 

(19,349)

Borrowings

                 

Third parties

U$S

 

(31,725,412)

 

8.501

 

(269,697,740)

 

-

Related parties

U$S

 

(9,734,223)

 

8.551

 

(83,237,348)

 

(368,466,024)

Salaries and social security payable

   

-

     

-

 

-

Third parties

U$

 

(602,783)

 

0.347

 

(209,039)

 

(238,171)

                 

 

Total current liabilities

           

(783,347,890)

 

(562,394,068)

Total liabilities

           

(2,755,417,873)

 

(3,279,249,660)

                 

 

                   
                   

(1) The exchange rates used correspond to December 31, 2014 released by the National Bank for U.S. dollars (U$S), euro (EUR), sterling pounds (£) swiss francs (CHF), norwegian kroner (NOK) and uruguayan pesos (U$). For balances with related parties, the exchange rate used is the average.

 

The Company estimates that provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% revaluation/(devaluation) of each foreign currency as compared to the Argentine peso would generate the following increase/(decrease) in the fiscal year’s income:

 

 

 

Argentine pesos

Currency

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

U.S dollar

 

244,651,172

 

281,316,049

Euros

 

2,239,044

 

290,809

Sterling Pound

 

106,474

 

87,185

Norwegian kroner

 

7,883

 

7,359

Swiss francs

 

26,237

 

22,308

Uruguayan peso

 

20,647

 

15,718

Total

 

247,051,456

 

281,739,427

 

Price risk

The Company’s investments in quoted and unquoted equity securities are subject to the risk of change in the market prices resulting from the uncertainties as to the future value of those securities.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

The Company is exposed to the price risk on its stock holdings representing 1.3% of the capital stock and possible votes in TGS, as well as on the trust holding of 40% of CIESA’s shares. However, the Company considers that the price fluctuation risk in the securities market is low, since once the pending regulatory approval is obtained, the Shares held in Trust will be transferred to the Company, which will allow to exercise an indirect joint control of TGS. On the other hand, the Company is not exposed to commodities price risks. Additionally, the Company has investments in Government securities which are exposed to the risk of a significant change in market prices.

The following table shows the Company’s exposure to the price risk for the previously mentioned financial assets:

 

Financial assets

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Shares

 

61,629,484

 

84,129,331

Government securities

 

237,068,910

 

169,975,247

Trust

 

962,942,332

 

431,466,036

Total

 

1,261,640,726

 

685,570,614

 

The Company estimates that provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% revaluation/(devaluation) of each quotation would generate the following increase/(decrease) in the fiscal year’s income:

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) of the result for

the year

Financial assets

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Shares

 

6,162,940

 

8,412,933

Government securities

 

23,706,891

 

16,997,525

Trust

 

95,879,913

 

45,588,284

Variation of the result of the year

 

125,749,744

 

70,998,741


Interest rate risk

Borrowings at variable rates exposes the Company to the interest rate risk on its cash flows due to the possible volatility they may experience, as it has happened throughout 2013 and 2014. Borrowings at fixed rates exposes the Company to the interest rate risk on the fair value of its liabilities, since they may be considerably higher than variable rates. As at December, 31, 2014, approximately 94.8 % of the loans were granted at a variable interest rate, based on the Private Badlar and Badlar rate plus an applicable margin corrected. The remaining liabilities were agreed at fixed interest rates, denominated in U.S. dollars (95.2% of the total fixed rate debt). Borrowings at variable rates are denominated in pesos.

The Company seeks to mitigate its interest-rate risk exposure through the analysis and evaluation of (i) the different liquidity sources available in the financial and capital market, both domestic and (if available) international; (ii) interest rates alternatives (fixed or variable), currencies and terms available for companies in a similar sector, industry and risk than the Company; (iii) availability, access and cost of interest-rates hedge agreements. On doing this, the Company evaluates the impact on profit or losses resulting from each strategy over the obligations representing the main interest-bearing positions.

 

 

F-95

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Private Badlar rate and corrected Badlar, the reference rate used by the Company for an important part of its financial liabilities, has undergone a gradual and significant increase. For example, the Badlar rate increased from approximately 14% in early 2013 to approximately 22% in late 2013, and this trend has continued year 2014 up to maximum of 27% in April, ending the year at around 20%. The Badlar rate fluctuation risk is partly set off by investing the funds in short-term instruments with a yield based or referenced on the Badlar rate.

In case the fluctuations in variable interest rates become more significant, the Company may mitigate such risk, for example, through interest rate hedge agreements. In the case of fixed rates and in view of the market’s current conditions, the Company considers that the risk of a significant decrease in interest rates is low and, therefore, does not foresee a substantial risk in its indebtedness at fixed rates.

Any significant increase in the variable interest rates at which the Company holds a significant portion of its existing financial debt may result in a significant increase in its financial burden which, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on its operating results and assets and financial position.

The following chart shows the break down of the Company’s loans classified by interest rate and the currency in which they are denominated:

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Fixed interest rate:

 

 

 

 

Argentine pesos

 

116,727,980

 

123,647,833

U.S dollar

 

2,325,005,071

 

2,954,983,843

Subtotal loans granted at a fixed interest rate

 

2,441,733,051

 

3,078,631,676

Floating interest rates:

 

 

 

 

Argentine pesos

 

2,128,838,642

 

599,470,559

Subtotal loans granted at a floating interest rate

 

2,128,838,642

 

599,470,559

Total

 

4,570,571,693

 

3,678,102,235

 

Based on the conducted simulations, and provided all other variables remain constant, a 10% increase/decrease  in variable interest rates would generate the following (decrease)/increase in the fiscal year's income:

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Floating interest rates:

 

 

 

 

Argentine pesos

 

50,398,813

 

12,764,404

Variation of the result for the year

 

50,398,813

 

12,764,404

 

 

F-96

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

6.1.2 Credit risk

Credit risk results from cash and cash equivalents, deposits in banks and financial institutions, and derivative financial instruments, as well as the customers and CAMMESA’ credit exposure, which includes outstanding balances of accounts receivable and the committed transactions. Regarding banks and financial institutions, only high credit quality institutions are accepted. If there are no independent risk ratings, the risk control area evaluates the customer’s creditworthiness, past experiences and other factors.

Individual credit limits are set according to the limits defined by the Board of Directors based on internal or external ratings.

Electric power generators collect through CAMMESA payments corresponding to the new remuneration scheme implemented through ES Resolution No. 95/13 at the beginning of 2013 and updated by Res. SE No. 529/14, in early 2014. On the other hand, there is an increasing deficit between payments collected by CAMMESA and receivables from the generating companies in respect to this entity. This is due to the fact that the price collected by CAMMESA regarding the electric power marketed in the Spot Market is regulated by the National Government, and is lower than the generation marginal cost that CAMMESA has to reimburse to generators. The National Government has been filling this gap through contributions by the Treasury. As these Treasury contributions do not cover the whole amounts receivable by generators, CAMMESA’s debt with them has gradually increased. It cannot be guaranteed that CAMMESA will continue making payments to generators, both regarding the energy and the power sold.

Besides, the default in the payment of WEM’s electricity power purchases by electric power distribution service providers has considerably increased in the last years. This has increased the WEM’s deficit and affected (both regarding payment terms and payable volume) -and may possibly affect even more- CAMMESA’s payment capacity to WEM’s creditors (basically generation and transportation companies) and their income.

The impossibility by CAMMESA to pay the generators’ receivables may have a substantially adverse effect on their cash income and, consequently, on the result of their operations and financial situation which, in turn, may adversely affect the Company’s repayment capacity.

Furthermore, with the implementation of the new regulatory framework, the ES has suspended the renewal and execution of new agreements in the WEM’s MAT (with the exception of Energy Plus contracts), also providing that the demand unmet by generators would be supplied directly by CAMMESA. Generators will provide their power and energy to the Spot Market at the prices set by the ES Resolution No. 529/14.

It should be pointed out that the Company (together with other Companies from the Generation Sector) has entered into an agreement with the ES undertaking to develop a new generation investment project, with partial financing from CAMMESA which can be repaid, at the Company’s option, by applying the following receivables: i) LVFVDs pursuant to ES Resolution No. 406/03, Section 4.c, not committed under other agreements; ii) receivables from the Additional Remuneration to the Trust issued or to be issued until December 31, 2015.

 

F-97

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

In the case of CTLL, regarding the collection of defaulted accounts receivable, the Company has managed to limit their amount, although in certain cases its efforts have been fruitless and, therefore, results have been adversely affected. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, default accounts receivables totaled approximately $ 15.2 million and $ 10.1 million, and financial statements have disclosed provisions for $ 3.6 million and $ 2.9 million, respectively.

 

In the case of Edenor, as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, default trade receivables amounted to approximately $ 229.3 million and $ 177.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, financial statements included provisions for $ 84.6 million and $ 73.2 million, respectively. Failure to collect receivables in the future may have an adverse effect on Edenor's financial situation and operating results which, in turn, may negatively impact its capacity to repay borrowings, including the cancellation of its Corporate Bonds.

The Company’s maximum exposure to the credit risk results from the accounting value of each financial asset in the financial statements after deducting all applicable allowances and provisions.

6.1.3 Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company does not have enough funds to meet all its obligations, whether of an economic, industrial or commercial mature. The cash flow projection is made by the Financial Department.

The Company Management supervises updated projections on liquidity requirements to guarantee there is enough cash to meet operating needs while keeping at all times a sufficient margin for unused credit facilities. In this way, the aim is that the Company does not breach indebtedness levels or the Covenants, if applicable, of any credit facility. Such projections take into consideration the Company’s debt financing plans, the meeting of the covenants and, if applicable, the external regulatory or legal requirements such as, for example, restrictions on the use of foreign currency.

Excess cash kept by operating entities and balances above working capital Management requirements corresponding to the segments of generation, and holding and others, are managed by the Company’s Treasury Department, which invests excess cash in term deposits, mutual funds and marketable securities, selecting instruments having proper currencies and maturities, and an adequate credit quality and liquidity so as to provide a sufficient margin as determined in the previously mentioned projections.

The Company keeps its sources of financing diversified between banks and the capital market, and it is exposed to the refinancing risk at maturity.

During 2014, the Company has managed to mitigate its liquidity risk from the Generation segment through:

i)           An improvement in CTLL’s financing cost and structure, mainly based on the early redemption of its 2018 Corporate Bonds, the issuance of new Corporate Bonds, the execution of a syndicated loan and the obtaining of financing from CAMMESA;

 

F-98

 


 
   

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

ii)         The satisfactory refinancing of an important part of CTG’s financial debt by considerably extending debt maturities through the exchange of its Cass 3 and Class 4 Corporate Bonds (maturing on March 2014 and 2015, respectively) for Class 5 Corporate Bonds (maturing on September, 2016).

iii)      The execution of a Loan and Receivables Assignment Agreement between CPB and CAMMESA aiming to finance the 2015-2016 Technological Upgrade Work for a peso-denominated amount to be determined based on the disbursements made by CAMMESA and their respective exchange rates, for a maximum amount of US$ 82.6 million plus VAT and nationalization costs.

On the other hand, it should be pointed out that refinancing capabilities and terms are always dependent on the prevailing conditions at the time of renewal; therefore, there is limited leeway for reducing such risk.

In the distribution segment, the effects generated by ES Resolution No. 32/15 provide Edenor, during fiscal year 2015, with a greater degree of certainty concerning the financial conditions existing prior to the issuance thereof, the sustainability of those conditions in future fiscal years will depend on the realization of the RTI.

The following table includes an analysis of the Company financial liabilities, grouped according to their maturity dates and considering the period remaining until their contractual maturity date from the date of the consolidated financial statements. Derivative financial liabilities are included in the analysis if their contractual maturities are essential for the understanding of the cash flow calendar. The amounts shown in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

Trade and other payables

 

Borrowings

 

Total

Less than three months

 

4,129,650,839

 

317,105,956

 

4,446,756,795

Three months to one year

 

317,765,237

 

1,209,975,119

 

1,527,740,356

One to two years

 

162,974,205

 

1,203,307,509

 

1,366,281,714

Two to five years

 

207,515,000

 

2,543,661,242

 

2,751,176,242

More than five years

 

-

 

3,174,703,163

 

3,174,703,163

Without established term

 

-

 

-

 

-

Total

 

4,817,905,281

 

8,448,752,988

 

13,266,658,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

Trade and other payables

 

Borrowings

 

Total

Less than three months

 

2,817,384,780

 

440,488,364

 

3,257,873,144

Three months to one year

 

161,513,001

 

646,266,097

 

807,779,098

One to two years

 

241,131,773

 

1,213,657,096

 

1,454,788,869

Two to five years

 

110,002,000

 

1,678,357,968

 

1,788,359,968

More than five years

 

-

 

2,343,519,132

 

2,343,519,132

Without established term

 

662,026

 

-

 

662,026

Total

 

3,330,693,580

 

6,322,288,658

 

9,652,982,238

 

 

F-99

 


 
 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)


6.2.
Concentration risk factors

 

6.2.1 Related to customers

Distribution segment’s receivables derive primarily from the sale of electric power.

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of sales for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The collectability of trade receivables balances related to the Framework Agreement, which amount to $ 75.8 million and $ 56.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as disclosed in Note 2 – Framework Agreement - is subject to compliance with the terms of such agreement.

6.2.2 Related to employees who are union members

On May 28 and October 16, 2014, the Secretariat of Labor issued ST Resolutions No. 836/14 and No. 1928/14 whereby the following is established:

   i.            A salary increase for Edenor employees who are represented by the Sindicato de Luz y Fuerza de Capital Federal (Electric Light and Power Labor Union of the City of Buenos Aires -LyF-) and the Asociación del Personal Superior de Empresas de Energía (Association of Supervisory Personnel of Energy Companies -APSEE-) of 15% from May 1, 2014 and of a cumulative 10% from July 1, 2014.

  ii.            An increase, from May 1, 2014, of the percentage relating to employee seniority, which will amount to 2.12% of the basic salary, per year of seniority.

iii.            A 10% to 18% increase, from May 1, 2014, of the percentage relating to the non-calendar week modality of work. 

The aforementioned Resolution applies also to the contractors whose employees are included in the collective bargaining agreements of the above-mentioned union/association.

 

6.3 Capital risk Management

On managing capital, the Company aims to safeguard its capacity to continue operating as an on-going business with the purpose of generating return for its shareholders and benefits to other stakeholders, and keeping an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

 

 

F-100

 


 
 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

To keep or adjust its capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of the dividends paid to its shareholders, reimburse capital to its shareholders, issue new shares, conduct stock repurchase programs or sell assets to reduce its debt.

In line with industry practices, the Company monitors its capital based on the leverage ratio. This ratio is calculated by dividing the net debt by the total capital. The net debt equals the total borrowings (including current and non-current borrowing) less cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets at fair value through profit and loss. The total capital corresponds to the equity attributable to owners of the company as shown in the consolidated statements of financial position, plus the net debt.

 

Financial leverage ratios as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Total borrowings

 

4,570,571,693

 

3,678,102,235

Less: cash and cash equivalents, and financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

(1,363,811,233)

 

(1,185,928,233)

Net debt

 

3,206,760,460

 

2,492,174,002

Total capital attributable to owners

 

6,127,168,353

 

4,591,024,341

Leverage ratio

 

52.34%

 

54.28%

 

6.4 Fair value estimation

The Company classifies the fair value measurements of financial instruments using a fair value hierarchy, which reflects the relevance of the variables used to perform those measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

-          Level 1: quoted prices (not adjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

-          Level 2: data different from the quoted prices included in Level 1 observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

-          Level 3: Asset or liability data not based on information that can be observed in the market (i.e., unobservable data).

 

The following table shows the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

F-101

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Assets

 

             

Financial assets at fair value through profit and losss

 

             

Corporate securities

 

505,553

 

-

 

-

 

505,553

Government securities

 

235,522,555

 

1,546,355

 

-

 

237,068,910

Shares

 

61,629,484

 

-

 

70,630

 

61,700,114

Trust

 

-

 

962,942,332

 

-

 

962,942,332

Investment funds

 

729,373,180

 

-

 

-

 

729,373,180

Cash and cash equivalents

 

             

Investment funds

 

135,536,579

 

-

 

-

 

135,536,579

Other receivables

 

             

Investment funds as collateral

 

53,238,417

 

-

 

-

 

53,238,417

Total assets

 

1,215,805,768

 

964,488,687

 

70,630

 

2,180,365,085

 

 

             

Liabilities

 

         

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

-

 

47,880,462

 

-

 

47,880,462

Total liabilities

 

-

 

47,880,462

 

-

 

47,880,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Assets

 

             

Financial assets at fair value through profit and losss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

 

331,969

 

-

 

-

 

331,969

Government securities

 

167,488,795

 

3,679,641

 

-

 

171,168,436

Government bonds trust AESEBA

 

99,523,343

 

-

 

-

 

99,523,343

Shares

 

84,129,331

 

-

 

70,630

 

84,199,961

Trust

 

-

 

431,466,036

 

-

 

431,466,036

Investment funds

 

490,299,478

 

-

 

-

 

490,299,478

Cash and cash equivalents

 

         

 

 

Investment funds

 

219,887,350

 

-

 

-

 

219,887,350

Other receivables

 

         

 

 

Investment funds as collateral

 

119,661

 

-

 

-

 

119,661

Total assets

 

1,061,779,927

 

435,145,677

 

70,630

 

1,496,996,234

 

F-102

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 6: (Continuation)

The value of the financial instruments negotiated in active markets is based on the market quoted prices on the date of these consolidated financial statements. A market is considered active when the quoted prices are regularly available through a stock exchange, broker, sector-specific institution or regulatory body, and those prices reflect regular and current market transactions between parties that act in conditions of mutual independence. The market quotation price used for the financial assets held by the Company is the current offer price. These instruments are included in level 1.

The fair value of financial instruments that are not negotiated in active markets is determined using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximize the use of market observable information, when available, and rely as little as possible on specific estimates of the Company. If all significant variables to establish the fair value of a financial instrument can be observed, the instrument is included in level 2.

If one or more variables used to determine the fair value cannot be observed in the market, the financial instrument is included in level 3.

The techniques used for the measurement of assets at fair value with changes in income, classified as Level 2, are detailed below:

- Government securities: based on the present value of contractual cash flows, applying a discount rate derived from other similar debt securities’ observable market prices.

- Trusts: They were determined based on the measurement of the underlying assets and liabilities’ fair value, corresponding to 40% of CIESA’s shares. To determine this value, a measurement of the fair value of CIESA’s assets and liabilities was performed. CIESA’s main asset is its stake in TGS, which has been measured at the value of this company’s American Depositary Receipt. CIESA’s main liability is its financial debt, which has been measured at its book value, and does not significantly differ from its fair value.


- Derivative Financial Instruments: calculated from variations between market prices at the closing date of the year or their sale date, and the amount at the time of the contract.

 

F-103

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 7: INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

(a) Subsidiaries information

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the capital stock of the subsidiaries consists of common shares, each granting the right to one vote. The country of the registered office is also the principal place where the subsidiary develops its activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

Country

 

Main activity

 

% Participation

 

% Participation

BLL

 

Argentina

 

Winemaking

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

CTG

 

Argentina

 

Generation

 

90.42%

 

90.42%

CTLL

 

Argentina

 

Generation

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

IEASA

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

INDISA

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

91.60%

 

91.60%

INNISA

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

90.27%

 

90.27%

IPB

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

PACOSA

 

Argentina

 

Distributor

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

PEPASA (1)

 

Argentina

 

Oil

 

49.74%

 

100.00%

PEPCA

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

Powerco (2)

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

-

 

100.00%

PISA

 

Uruguay

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

PP

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

PP II

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

Transelec

 

Argentina

 

Investment

 

100.00%

 

100.00%

 

(1) On November 6, 2013, the Board of Directors resolved to assign its preemptive rights on PEPASA’s capital stock increase to all the Company’s shareholders registered within Caja de Valores S.A. On January 8, 2014, PEPASA shareholders subscribed 17.8 million of new shares in the exercise of their preemptive rights and 41.9 million of new shares in the exercise of their accretion rights. The Company holdings were thus reduced to 49.99%. During the months of September and October, the Company sold 255,135 and 57,154 respectively of PEPASA shares, thus reducing its interest in this Company to 49.74%. However, the necessary conditions to keep PEPASA’s control are met.

 

(2) On March 7, 2014, CTLL’s Board of Directors resolved to approve the drafting and execution of the Prior Merger Commitment, whereby Powerco's merger into CTLL was agreed. Finally, on April 28, 2014, the Meeting of Shareholders approved the merger into CTLL of all Powerco’s assets and liabilities and on June 3, 2014, the Definitive Merger Agreement was signed.

 

 

F-104

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 7: (Continuation)

(b) Summarised financial information for each subsidiary that has significant non-controlling interest

 

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are not significant for the Company, except for Edenor, a company which is indirectly controlled through IEASA, with a 51.54% equity interest.

Edenor

The subsidiary is registered in Argentina, which is also the principal place where it develops its activities.

 

i.      Summary statement of financial position

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Non Current

 

 

 

 

Total non current assets

 

6,989,315,674

 

5,389,128,871

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

1,598,442,363

 

1,309,948,730

Other non current liabilities

 

2,313,254,275

 

1,488,783,236

Total non current liabities

 

3,911,696,638

 

2,798,731,966

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

179,079,613

 

243,472,620

Other current assets

 

1,461,672,975

 

1,625,492,309

Total current assets

 

1,640,752,588

 

1,868,964,929

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

33,960,526

 

40,582,909

Other current liabilities

 

4,299,413,388

 

3,242,476,956

Total current liabilities

 

4,333,373,914

 

3,283,059,865

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

384,997,710

 

1,176,301,969

 

ii.    Summary statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Revenue

 

3,598,376,178

 

3,440,690,501

 

2,976,181,697

Depreciation

 

237,639,289

 

212,148,353

 

197,870,760

Interest income

 

238,973,376

 

287,067,095

 

75,504,839

Interest expense

 

(576,503,676)

 

(494,541,438)

 

(225,464,875)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) Profit for the year from continuing operations before taxes

 

(934,072,460)

 

823,750,628

 

(1,147,021,144)

Income tax

 

154,356,112

 

44,116,566

 

116,717,308

(Loss) Profit for the year from continuing operations

 

(779,716,348)

 

867,867,194

 

(1,030,303,836)

 

 

 

 

 

   

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

(95,108,875)

 

(1,013,416,009)

Other comprehensive (loss) profit

 

(11,584,911)

 

(13,618,222)

 

3,055,972

Total comprehensive (loss) profit of the year

 

(791,301,259)

 

759,140,097

 

(1,010,360,037)

 

F-105

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 8: INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

At the beginning of the year

 

 

188,644,285

 

192,315,761

 

222,219,616

Capital increase

36.g

 

-

 

1,198,435

 

1,183,565

Other increases

 

 

6,171,366

 

-

 

-

Share of profit (loss)

 

 

34,208,368

 

(4,799,349)

 

(31,020,306)

Participation in other comprehensive income

 

 

(2,129,126)

 

(70,562)

 

(67,114)

At the end of the year

 

 

226,894,893

 

188,644,285

 

192,315,761

 

The Company has a co-controlling interest in Citelec, Transener’s controlling company.

                                                                                        

The percentage share is 50%. The stock capital is composed of common shares, each granting the right to one vote. It is registered in Argentina, which is also the principal place where it develops its activities.

 

For the valuation, its Financial Statements as of December 31, 2014 have been used, which disclose the following items: Capital Stock in the amount of $ 553.3 million, profit for the year in the amount of $ 76.2 million and Shareholders’ Equity in the amount of $ 326.1 million.

 

The following chart includes a reconciliation of the equity method value and the book value of the Company’s interest in it:

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Equity method

 

 

163,314,574

 

127,335,695

 

127869686

Adjustments (1)

 

 

63,580,319

 

61,308,590

 

64,446,075

Total investments in joint ventures

 

 

226,894,893

 

188,644,285

 

192,315,761

(1)  Includes adjustments for repurchase of corporate bonds and depreciation of property, plant and equipment.

 

i.      Summary statement of financial position

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Non current

 

 

 

 

Total non current assets

 

1,605,270,566

 

1,351,760,120

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

955,667,363

 

812,471,249

Other non current liabilities

 

219,436,744

 

173,806,303

Total non current liabities

 

1,175,104,107

 

986,277,552

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

330,114,038

 

73,754,117

Other current assets

 

519,478,559

 

459,923,481

Total current assets

 

849,592,597

 

533,677,598

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing

 

147,212,304

 

112,608,063

Other current liabilities

 

477,540,661

 

276,714,867

Total current liabities

 

624,752,965

 

389,322,930

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

328,865,404

 

256,019,453

Total Equity (Owners)

 

326,140,687

 

253,817,783

 

F-106

 


 
 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 8: (Continuation)

 

ii.     Summary statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Revenue

 

1,476,888,470

 

873,761,354

 

528,868,659

Depreciation

 

86,374,111

 

83,889,462

 

76,592,686

Interest income

 

452,249,248

 

345,957,761

 

160,460,445

Interest expense

 

(117,842,289)

 

(83,121,779)

 

(91,245,664)

 

 

 

 

 

   

Profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations before income tax

 

256,076,336

 

(5,054,064)

 

(156,264,044)

Income tax

 

(102,843,457)

 

1,665,245

 

54,420,883

Loss for the year from continuing operations

 

153,232,879

 

(3,388,819)

 

(101,843,161)

 

 

 

 

 

   

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

 

-

 

-

 

(4,544,606)

Other comprehensive loss

 

(8,439,021)

 

(267,039)

 

(290,569)

Total comprehensive loss of the year

 

144,793,858

 

(3,655,858)

 

(106,678,336)

 

NOTE 9: INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

At the beginning of the year

 

134,774,654

 

132,546,155

 

130,251,204

Share of (loss) profit

 

(1,605,070)

 

2,228,499

 

2,294,951

At the end of the year

 

133,169,584

 

134,774,654

 

132,546,155

 

The Company holds an interest in only one associated company. Through PEPCA, the Company has a 10% interest in CIESA, a company holding 51% of TGS’s capital stock. TGS is the most important gas transportation company in the country, and it operates the biggest pipeline system in Latin America. In turn, it is the leading company in the production and marketing of natural gas liquids both for the domestic and the export market. It also provides comprehensive solutions in the natural gas area and, since 1998, TGS has also landed in the telecommunications area through its subsidiary Telcosur S.A.

 

The capital stock of the associated company is composed of common shares, each granting the right to one vote. The associated company is registered in Argentina, which is also the principal place where it develops its activities.

 

For the valuation of its interest in the associate, the financial statements as of December 31, 2014 have been used, which disclose the following items: Capital Stock in the amount of $ 638.9 million , losses for the year in the amount of $ 16.1 million and Shareholders’ Equity in the amount of $ 983.5 million.

 

The following chart includes a reconciliation of the equity method value and the book value of the Company’s interest in them:

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Equity method

 

98,350,088

 

99,955,158

 

116,362,890

Adjustments (1)

 

34,819,496

 

34,819,496

 

16,183,265

Total investments in associates

 

133,169,584

 

134,774,654

 

132,546,155

(1) Includes the increased value of investments in associated companies.           

 

F-107

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 9: (Continuation)

 

i.      Summary statement of financial position

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Non current

 

 

 

 

Total non current assets

 

4,315,905,067

 

4,348,676,000

 

 

     

Borrowings

 

2,168,053,320

 

2,021,063,884

Other non current liabilities

 

424,589,373

 

341,841,200

Total non current liabities

 

2,592,642,693

 

2,362,905,084

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1,026,978,373

 

993,616,000

Other current assets

 

1,115,478,627

 

869,866,000

Total current assets

 

2,142,457,000

 

1,863,482,000

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

553,159,000

 

647,809,000

Other current liabilities

 

1,178,538,650

 

959,249,392

Total current liabities

 

1,731,697,650

 

1,607,058,392

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

1,150,520,693

 

1,242,642,800

Total Equity (owners of the company)

 

983,501,031

 

999,551,724

 

ii.    Summary statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Revenue

 

4,303,971,000

 

2,864,986,000

 

2,574,968,000

Depreciation

 

(255,662,000)

 

(242,917,000)

 

(233,670,000)

Interest income

 

262,297,000

 

163,293,000

 

35,763,000

Interest expense

 

(321,738,000)

 

(230,864,000)

 

(205,673,000)

 

 

         

Profit for the year from continuing operations before income taxe

 

101,465,000

 

138,484,000

 

1,123,227,000

Income tax

 

(92,660,373)

 

(93,248,000)

 

(452,478,000)

(Loss) Profit for the year from continuing operations

 

(16,050,703)

 

22,284,986

 

613,578,145

 

F-108

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 10: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     

Original Values

 

 

Type of good

 

At the beginning

 

Increases

 

Decreases

 

Reversal of impairment

 

Discontinued operations

 

Transfers

 

At the end

       
       

Land

 

15,077,235

 

-

 

(10,294)

 

9,501,305

 

-

 

-

 

24,568,246

Buildings

 

310,958,995

 

-

 

(2,386,174)

 

29,995,108

 

-

 

31,080,897

 

369,648,826

Generation equipment and machinery

 

2,180,490,926

 

9,003,226

 

(3,318,103)

 

108,099,213

 

-

 

16,717,613

 

2,310,992,875

Work and compulsory work performed

 

7,533,912

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7,533,912

High, medium and low voltage lines

 

2,169,736,111

 

-

 

(2,560,435)

 

-

 

-

 

310,166,833

 

2,477,342,509

Substations

 

991,708,824

 

-

 

(4,434,394)

 

-

 

-

 

81,682,328

 

1,068,956,758

Transforming chamber and platforms

 

533,023,918

 

-

 

(523,843)

 

-

 

-

 

76,021,320

 

608,521,395

Meters

 

603,539,430

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

107,871,354

 

711,410,784

Wells

 

157,775,670

 

304,237,055

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

462,012,725

Casks

 

89,571

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

89,571

Mineral property

 

89,271,854

 

244,875,259

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

334,147,113

Gas plant

 

1,386,447

 

2,770,496

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4,156,943

Vehicles

 

54,045,172

 

2,760,641

 

(133,395)

 

-

 

-

 

74,992,928

 

131,665,346

Furniture and fixtures and software equipment

 

144,931,936

 

3,417,607

 

(686,804)

 

-

 

-

 

13,861,724

 

161,524,463

Communication equipments

 

57,364,775

 

378,712

 

(4,680)

 

-

 

-

 

193,588

 

57,932,395

Materials and spare parts

 

130,924,625

 

115,669,213

 

(11,869,855)

 

-

 

-

 

1,959,484

 

236,683,467

Tools

 

17,358,250

 

882,202

 

(38,181)

 

-

 

-

 

11,955,306

 

30,157,577

Work in progress

 

1,113,048,266

 

1,815,631,682

 

(21,783,112)

 

-

 

-

 

(702,967,227)

 

2,203,929,609

Advances to suppliers

 

38,250,710

 

209,551,964

 

(5,497,845)

 

-

 

-

 

(23,536,148)

 

218,768,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Total at 31.12.2014

 

8,616,516,627

 

2,709,178,057

 

(53,247,115)

 

147,595,626

 

-

 

-

 

11,420,043,195

Total at 31.12.2013

 

7,447,591,731

 

1,283,524,470

 

(37,922,866)

 

-

 

(76,676,708)

 

-

 

8,616,516,627

 

Borrowing costs capitalized in the book value of property, plant and equipment during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $ 123.9 and $ 24.5 million respectively.

Labor costs capitalized in the book value of property, plant and equipment during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $ 156 and $ 124.2 million respectively

 

F-109

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 10: (Continuation)

 

     

Depreciation

 

Net book values

Type of good

 

At the beginning

 

Decreases

 

Reversal of impairment

 

Discontinued operations

 

For the period

 

At the end

 

At the end

 

At 31.12.2013

       
       

Land

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

24,568,246

 

15,077,235

Buildings

 

(56,040,715)

 

940,168

 

(11,143,260)

 

-

 

(13,742,696)

 

(79,986,503)

 

289,662,323

 

254,918,280

Generation equipment and machinery

 

(345,777,704)

 

759,971

 

(48,045,662)

 

-

 

(104,430,737)

 

(497,494,132)

 

1,813,498,743

 

1,834,713,222

Work and compulsory work performed

 

(3,195,615)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(415,150)

 

(3,610,765)

 

3,923,147

 

4,338,297

High, medium and low voltage lines

 

(567,883,689)

 

1,938,070

 

-

 

-

 

(93,537,000)

 

(659,482,619)

 

1,817,859,890

 

1,601,852,422

Substations

 

(213,781,588)

 

4,371,729

 

-

 

-

 

(39,920,814)

 

(249,330,673)

 

819,626,085

 

777,927,236

Transforming chamber and platforms

 

(127,811,951)

 

250,940

 

-

 

-

 

(22,170,965)

 

(149,731,976)

 

458,789,419

 

405,211,967

Meters

 

(189,641,038)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(38,559,672)

 

(228,200,710)

 

483,210,074

 

413,898,392

Wells

 

(65,542,981)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(58,175,593)

 

(123,718,574)

 

338,294,151

 

92,232,689

Casks

 

(19,214)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(17,912)

 

(37,126)

 

52,445

 

70,357

Mineral property

 

(18,282,785)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(22,296,824)

 

(40,579,609)

 

293,567,504

 

70,989,069

Gas plant

 

(495,504)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(97,865)

 

(593,369)

 

3,563,574

 

890,943

Vehicles

 

(21,487,130)

 

131,852

 

-

 

-

 

(17,413,225)

 

(38,768,503)

 

92,896,843

 

32,557,621

Furniture and fixtures and software equipment

 

(65,091,861)

 

325,759

 

-

 

-

 

(21,089,932)

 

(85,856,034)

 

75,668,429

 

79,840,496

Communication equipments

 

(28,605,285)

 

2,028

 

-

 

-

 

(3,384,481)

 

(31,987,738)

 

25,944,657

 

28,759,490

Materials and spare parts

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

236,683,467

 

130,924,625

Tools

 

(8,956,741)

 

37,572

 

-

 

-

 

(2,267,009)

 

(11,186,178)

 

18,971,399

 

8,401,509

Work in progress

 

(1,241,467)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(137,244)

 

(1,378,711)

 

2,202,550,898

 

1,111,806,799

Advances to suppliers

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

218,768,681

 

38,250,710

 

 

                         

 

 

Total at 31.12.2014

 

(1,713,855,268)

 

8,758,089

 

(59,188,922)

 

-

 

(437,657,119)

 

(2,201,943,220)

 

9,218,099,975

 

 

Total at 31.12.2013

 

(1,428,219,172)

 

12,693,784

 

-

 

42,419,895

 

(334,230,282)

 

(1,707,335,775)

 

 

 

6,902,661,359

 

F-110

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 11: INTANGIBLE ASSETS

   

Original Values

Type of good

At the beginning

 

Discontinued operations

 

At the end

   
   

Concession agreements

 

950,767,632

 

-

 

950,767,632

Goodwill

 

5,627,370

 

-

 

5,627,370

Rights over arbitration proceedings

 

108,754,000

 

-

 

108,754,000

Intangibles identifiable in acquisitions of distribution's segment companies

 

8,834,040

 

-

 

8,834,040

Total at 12.31.2014

 

1,073,983,042

 

-

 

1,073,983,042

Total at 12.31.2013

 

2,253,911,901

 

(1,179,928,859)

 

1,073,983,042

 

 

 

Amortizations

Type of good

At the beginning

 

Discontinued operations

 

For the period

 

At the end

     
 

 

 

Concession agreements

 

(167,719,709)

 

-

 

(27,253,703)

 

(194,973,412)

Goodwill

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Rights over arbitration proceedings

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Intangibles identifiable in acquisitions of distribution's segment companies

 

(4,417,020)

 

-

 

(2,208,511)

 

(6,625,531)

Total at 12.31.2014

 

(172,136,729)

 

-

 

(29,462,214)

 

(201,598,943)

Total at 12.31.2013

 

(455,419,703)

 

313,784,117

 

(40,520,134)

 

(182,155,720)

 

   

Net book values

Type of good

 

At the end

 

At 31.12.2013

   
   

Concession agreements

 

755,794,220

 

783,047,923

Goodwill

 

5,627,370

 

5,627,370

Rights over arbitration proceedings

 

108,754,000

 

108,754,000

Intangibles identifiable in acquisitions of distribution's segment companies

 

2,208,509

 

4,417,020

Total at 12.31.2014

 

872,384,099

   

Total at 12.31.2013

     

901,846,313

 

F-111

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 12: BIOLOGICAL ASSETS

 

Non current

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

           

Grape-producing plantations

   

1,894,481

 

1,935,296

     

1,894,481

 

1,935,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

         
           

Grape growing crop

   

198,470

 

564,431

     

198,470

 

564,431

 

NOTE 13: Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

 

Non current

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

70,630

 

70,630

Trusts

 

 

962,942,332

 

431,466,036

Government securities

 

 

-

 

1,193,189

Total non current

 

 

963,012,962

 

432,729,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

Government securities

 

 

237,068,910

 

169,975,247

Government bonds trust

 

 

-

 

99,523,343

Corporate securities

 

 

505,553

 

331,969

Shares

 

 

61,629,484

 

84,129,331

Investment funds

 

 

729,373,180

 

490,299,478

Total current

 

 

1,028,577,127

 

844,259,368

 

F-112

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 14: DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

The composition of the deferred tax assets and liabilities is as follows:

 

 

12.31.2013

 

Profit (loss)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

12.31.2014

Tax los-carryforwards

136,235,830

 

(20,860,205)

 

-

 

115,375,625

Trade and other receivables

43,379,702

 

(8,882,289)

 

-

 

34,497,413

Derivative financial instruments

-

 

2,063,417

 

-

 

2,063,417

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

1,314,135

 

1,149,642

 

-

 

2,463,777

Trade and other payables

224,077,730

 

123,246,764

 

-

 

347,324,494

Salaries and social security payable

4,320,300

 

16,615,159

 

-

 

20,935,459

Defined benefit plans

50,775,875

 

16,632,284

 

10,763,517

 

78,171,676

Provisions

35,350,925

 

14,801,728

 

-

 

50,152,653

Taxes payable

37,289,313

 

(5,858,524)

 

-

 

31,430,789

Other

253,084

 

2,986,818

 

-

 

3,239,902

Deferred tax asset

532,996,894

 

141,894,794

 

10,763,517

 

685,655,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

(577,908,963)

 

(45,588,925)

 

-

 

(623,497,888)

Intangible assets

(243,991,000)

 

7,314,499

 

-

 

(236,676,501)

Trade and other receivables

(33,379,506)

 

(143,480,461)

 

-

 

(176,859,967)

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

(2,465,940)

 

2,450,819

 

-

 

(15,121)

Borrowings

(24,179,723)

 

5,228,392

 

-

 

(18,951,331)

Other

(4,419,131)

 

(2,137,838)

 

-

 

(6,556,969)

Deferred tax liabilities

(886,344,263)

 

(176,213,514)

 

-

 

(1,062,557,777)

 

F-113

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

 

NOTE 14: (Continuation)

 

 

31.12.2012

 

Profit (loss)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

12.31.2013

Tax los-carryforwards

198,228,292

 

(61,992,462)

 

-

 

136,235,830

Intangible assets

41,986,482

 

(41,986,482)

 

-

 

-

Trade and other receivables

49,445,145

 

(6,065,443)

 

-

 

43,379,702

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

845,458

 

468,677

 

-

 

1,314,135

Trade and other payables

183,467,035

 

40,610,695

 

-

 

224,077,730

Salaries and social security payable

12,470,234

 

(8,149,934)

 

-

 

4,320,300

Defined benefit plans

49,962,358

 

(6,038,979)

 

6,852,496

 

50,775,875

Infrastructure under construction

27,924,232

 

(27,924,232)

 

-

 

-

Provisions

31,110,763

 

4,240,162

 

-

 

35,350,925

Taxes payable

4,437,223

 

32,852,090

 

-

 

37,289,313

Other

59,195

 

193,889

 

-

 

253,084

Deferred tax asset

599,936,417

 

(73,792,019)

 

6,852,496

 

532,996,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

(687,963,603)

 

110,054,640

 

-

 

(577,908,963)

Intangible assets

(244,363,304)

 

372,304

 

-

 

(243,991,000)

Trade and other receivables

(87,054,787)

 

53,675,281

 

-

 

(33,379,506)

Borrowings

(27,980,602)

 

3,800,879

 

-

 

(24,179,723)

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

-

 

(2,465,940)

 

-

 

(2,465,940)

Assets classified as held for sale

(89,421,740)

 

89,421,740

 

-

 

-

Other

(1,050,045)

 

(3,369,086)

 

-

 

(4,419,131)

Deferred tax liabilities

(1,137,834,081)

 

251,489,818

 

-

 

(886,344,263)

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset in the following cases: a) when there is a legally enforceable right to offset tax assets and liabilities; and b) when deferred income tax charges are associated with the same fiscal authority. The following amounts, determined after their adequate offset, are disclosed in the statement of financial position:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Deferred tax asset

93,681,916

 

63,214,262

Deferred tax liabilities

(470,584,488)

 

(416,561,631)

Net deferred tax liabilities

(376,902,572)

 

(353,347,369)

 

 

F-114

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 14: (Continuation)

 

The analysis for deferred tax assets and liabilities is as follows:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Deferred tax asset

     

To be recovered in more than 12 months

679,533,469

 

519,390,638

To be recovered in less than 12 months

7,303,616

 

13,606,256

Deferred tax asset

686,837,085

 

532,996,894

       

Deferred tax liabilities

     

Payable in more than 12 months

(1,048,920,689)

 

(869,693,364)

Payable in less than 12 months

(14,818,968)

 

(16,650,899)

Deferred tax liabilities

(1,063,739,657)

 

(886,344,263)

       

Net deferred tax liabilities

(376,902,572)

 

(353,347,369)

 

NOTE 15: Trade and Other receivables

 

Non Current

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

     

Res. No. 406/03 Inc c) CAMMESA consolidated receivables

2

 

553,279,918

 

387,240,276

Present value discount

2

 

(34,635,539)

 

(261,165,570)

Additional Compensation Trust Resolution No. 95/13

2

 

138,977,852

 

-

Discounted present value Resolution No. 95/13

2

 

(17,156,517)

 

-

Trade receivables, net

 

 

640,465,714

 

126,074,706

   

 

     

Tax credits:

 

 

     

- Value added tax

 

 

14,610,909

 

6,084,746

- Sales tax

 

 

16,183,868

 

15,387,487

- Income tax and minimum notional income tax

 

 

295,302,026

 

216,167,849

- Tax on banking transactions

 

 

16,093,219

 

8,291,150

- Allowance for tax credits

 

 

(107,111,954)

 

(76,740,000)

Financial credit

 

 

71,191,721

 

60,994,014

Other

 

 

8,107,390

 

10,425,727

Other receivables, net

 

 

314,377,179

 

240,610,973

 

 

 

     

Total Non Current

 

 

954,842,893

 

366,685,679

 

 

 

     

Current

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

     

Receivables from energy distribution

 

 

945,666,193

 

851,839,227

Receivables from MAT

 

 

48,626,021

 

89,504,046

CAMMESA

 

 

1,004,349,392

 

695,822,404

Res. No. 406/03 Inc. c) consolidated receivables

2

 

10,905,524

 

10,690,018

Receivables from oil and liquid sales

 

 

38,783,748

 

16,535,974

Debtors in litigation

 

 

21,965,685

 

22,866,130

Remuneration nonrecurring maintenance

2

 

94,253,852

 

-

Receivables from administrative services

 

 

15,174

 

5,595,372

Related parties

36.j

 

9,627,015

 

4,122,835

Other

 

 

2,814,648

 

4,723,877

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(91,117,582)

 

(77,200,000)

Trade receivables, net

 

 

2,085,889,670

 

1,624,499,883

 

F-115

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 15: (Continuation)

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Tax credits:

 

 

 

 

 

- Value added tax

 

 

208,466,098

 

120,715,415

- Sales tax

 

 

5,405,113

 

1,911,051

- Income tax and minimum notional income tax

 

 

369,418

 

3,500,902

- Withholding of social security contributions

 

 

3,138,459

 

546,967

- Other tax credits

 

 

159,957

 

175,358

- Allowance for tax credits

 

 

(443,955)

 

(759,083)

Advances to suppliers

 

 

14,183,290

 

30,931,348

Advances to employees

 

 

2,547,431

 

5,294,118

Related parties

36.j

 

8,213,140

 

645,830

Prepaid expenses

 

 

34,785,413

 

32,079,352

Receivables from electric activities

 

 

48,581,474

 

52,238,292

Financial credit

 

 

6,657,699

 

3,055,146

Guarantee deposits

4.13

 

389,927,105

 

3,777,060

Judicial deposits

 

 

11,900,401

 

1,785,559

Credits Compensation Excess Gas Injection Resolution No. 1/13

 

 

80,677,392

 

15,672,750

Receivable from MMC (1)

   

-

 

362,720,538

Receivables from the sale of financial instruments

   

28,701,997

 

20,448,750

Other

 

 

7,441,697

 

14,307,730

Allowance for other receivables

 

 

(39,766,643)

 

(36,579,890)

Other receivables, net

 

 

810,945,486

 

632,467,193

 

 

 

     

Total Current

 

 

2,896,835,156

 

2,256,967,076

(1) As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the balance was used to offset the PUREE-related liability and make the transfer in lieu of payment with the trade payable with CAMMESA

 

Book value of current trade and other financial receivables is similar to their fair value due to their short-term maturity.

Trade receivables and other long-term financial other receivables are measured at amortized cost, which does not differ materially from its fair value.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, trade receivables that were past due amounted to $ 534.5 million and $ 471.7 million, respectively, which were due and net for an allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 91.1 million, and $ 77.2 million respectively. The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:

 

     

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Less than three months

   

188,809,908

 

222,504,586

Three to six months

   

46,444,144

 

36,137,016

Six to twelve months

   

46,075,446

 

53,767,318

More than twelve months

   

253,144,269

 

159,285,894

Total trade receivables

   

534,473,767

 

471,694,814

 

F-116

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 15: (Continuation)

 

The movements in the allowance for the impairment of receivables is as follow:

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

At the beginning

 

 

77,200,000

 

66,610,421

Allowance for impairment

 

 

21,895,011

 

34,653,454

Decreases

 

 

(7,323,802)

 

(1,442,191)

Reversal of unused amounts

 

 

(653,627)

 

(80,822)

Decreases for discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

(22,540,862)

At the end of the year

 

 

91,117,582

 

77,200,000

 

The movements in the allowance for the impairment of other receivables is as follow:

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

At the beginning

 

 

114,078,973

 

89,537,503

Allowance for impairment

 

 

41,229,175

 

41,298,298

Decreases

 

 

(6,146,779)

 

(2,835,957)

Reversal of unused amounts

 

 

(1,838,817)

 

(13,920,871)

At the end of the year

 

 

147,322,552

 

114,078,973

 

NOTE 16: INVENTORIES

 

Current

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

           

Materials and spare parts

   

118,269,392

 

80,767,126

Advances to suppliers

 

17,193,358

 

33,482,037

Other

   

108,110

 

366,126

     

135,570,860

 

114,615,289

 

NOTE 17: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

2,813,079

 

2,140,473

Banks

 

 

190,036,431

 

115,831,191

Securities deposit

   

1,995,932

 

61,115

Time deposits

 

 

4,852,085

 

3,748,736

Investment funds

 

 

135,536,579

 

219,887,350

 

 

 

335,234,106

 

341,668,865

 

 

F-117

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 18: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Sale of AESEBA/EDEN’s assets

In February 2013 Edenor received offers from two investment groups for the acquisition of the total number of shares of AESEBA, the parent company of EDEN. On February 27, 2013, Edenor Board of Directors unanimously approved the acceptance of the Offer Letter sent by Servicios Eléctricos Norte BA S.L. (the “Buyer”) for the acquisition of the shares representing 100% of AESEBA’s capital stock and voting rights. The price offered by the buyer is payable through the delivery of Edenor debt securities for an amount equivalent, considering their quoted price at the date of the acceptance, to approximately U$S 85 million of nominal value. Such price was fixed in Bonar 2013 sovereign debt bonds or similar bonds (“the Debt Securities”) for a value equivalent to $ 334.3 million at the closing of the transaction, considering the market value of such government bonds at that time.

In this regard, a Trust was set up in March 2013 by the Settlor (the Buyer), the Trustee (Equity Trust Company from Uruguay) and Edenor.

At the closing date of the transaction, which took place on April 5, 2013, the buyer deposited in the Trust cash and Debt Securities for the equivalent of $ 262 million, considering the market value of those government bonds at the closing date, and, prior to December 31, 2013, the buyer will be required to deposit in the Trust Debt Securities for the equivalent of 8.5 million of nominal value divided by the average price of purchase thereof.  At the closing of the transaction, Edenor received the rights as beneficiary under the Trust. With the proceeds of the liquidation of the bonds received the Trust will purchase Edenor Class 9 and Class 7 Corporate Bons due in 2022 and 2017, respectively.

In this manner, as of December 31, 2013, Edenor divested the AESEBA segment, which resulted in a loss of $ 96.5 million, included within the loss from discontinued operations, after tax-related effects and without considering the results of the repurchase of Corporate Bonds, which were recognized by Edenor when such transaction took place. At December 31, 2013, and due to the repurchases of Edenor’s own debt made by the Trust, Edenor recorded a gain of $ 71.7 million included in the “Other financial expense” line item of the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The Trust has purchased the totality of Edenor Corporate Notes due in 2017 and 2022 indicated in the respective trust agreement for U$S 10 million and USD 68 million of nominal value, respectively. On March 27, 2014, these Corporate Notes were written off.

Due to the repurchases of Edenor’s own debt made by the Trust, as of December 31, 2014, Edenor recorded a gain of $ 44.4 million, which has been included in the “Other financial expense” line item of the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Additionally, on April 5, 2014, the Trust was terminated and liquidated.

 

F-118

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 18: (Continuation)

Sale of EMDERSA/EDELAR

On September 17, 2013, Edenor Board of Directors approved the sending to Energía Riojana S.A. (ERSA) and the Government of the Province of La Rioja of an irrevocable offer for (i) the sale of the indirect stake held by Edenor in EMDERSA, the parent company of EDELAR, and (ii) the assignment for valuable consideration of certain receivables which Edenor has with EMDERSA and EDELAR. On October 4, 2013, Edenor received the acceptance of the Offer by ERSA and the Government of the Province of La Rioja in its capacity as controlling shareholder of the buyer. The transaction was closed and effectively carried out on October 30, 2013. The price agreed upon in the aforementioned agreement amounts to $ 75.2 million and is payable in 120 monthly and consecutive installments, with a grace period of 24 months, to commence from the closing date of the transaction, for the payment of the first installment.

Furthermore, on August 5, 2013 Edenor was notified of ENRE Resolution No. 216/2013, whereby the Regulatory agency declared that the procedure required by Section 32 of Law No. 24,065 with respect to the purchase of EMDERSA, AESEBA and their respective subsidiaries made by Edenor in March 2011 had been complied with, formally authorizing the acquisition thereof.

The transaction was closed on October 30, 2013 together with the holding of the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting that appointed new authorities and approved the actions taken by the outgoing Directors and Supervisory Committee members.

 

 

 

F-119

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 18: (Continuation)

 

The financial statements related to discontinued operations included in this financial statement are disclosed below:

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

-

 

408,647,206

 

1,293,006,000

Cost of sales

 

-

 

(275,630,741)

 

(1,010,390,698)

Gross profit

 

-

 

133,016,465

 

282,615,302

 

 

     

 

 

Selling expenses

 

-

 

(56,439,207)

 

(135,072,000)

Administrative expenses

 

-

 

(36,856,088)

 

(94,140,000)

Other operating income

 

-

 

1,864,823

 

53,328,000

Other operating expenses

 

-

 

(36,379,564)

 

(16,685,256)

Profit of joint ventures

 

-

 

-

 

-

Operating profit

 

-

 

5,206,429

 

90,046,046

 

 

     

 

 

Financial income

 

-

 

14,802,397

 

10,522,000

Financial cost

 

-

 

(28,576,161)

 

(66,500,000)

Other finance results

 

-

 

(7,472,520)

 

(3,620,000)

Financial results, net

 

-

 

(21,246,284)

 

(59,598,000)

(Loss) Income before income tax

 

-

 

(16,039,855)

 

30,448,046

 

 

     

 

 

Income tax

 

-

 

171,707,861

 

11,064,475

Income after income tax

 

-

 

155,668,006

 

41,512,521

 

 

     

 

 

Impairment of assets classified as held for sale

 

-

 

(7,144,579)

 

(10,446,000)

Loss on sale of assets classified as held for sale

 

-

 

(185,960,015)

 

-

Income tax

 

-

 

(89,421,740)

 

-

Total (loss) income of the year

 

-

 

(126,858,328)

 

31,066,521

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total (loss) income of the period attributable to:

 

     

 

 

Owners of the company

 

-

 

(85,698,444)

 

24,959,407

Non - controlling interest

 

-

 

(41,159,884)

 

6,107,114

 

 

-

 

(126,858,328)

 

31,066,521

 

NOTE 19: SHARE CAPITAL

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had 1,314,310,895 of book-entry shares with a par value of $ 1 each and entitled to 1 vote per share.

 

Publicly traded shares

 

The Company’s shares are listed for trading on Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, forming part of the Merval Index.

 

Also, on August 5, 2009, the SEC authorized the Company for the registration of ADSs representing 25 common shares each. On October 9, 2009, the Company started to market its ADSs on the NYSE.

 

 

F-120

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 19: (Continuation)

 

The listing of the ADSs with the NYSE is part of the Company’s strategic plan to increase its liquidity and the volume of its shares.

 

 

NOTE 20: TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

Non Current

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

     

Suppliers

 

 

364,852

 

792,827

Customer contributions

 

 

118,297,671

 

113,778,441

Funding contributions for substations

 

 

51,700,000

 

51,700,000

Customer guarantees

 

 

60,742,930

 

54,524,300

Accounts payable

 

 

231,105,453

 

220,795,568

 

 

 

     

PUREE (1)

 

 

-

 

108,602,722

Fines and bonuses

 

 

1,032,193,134

 

836,115,014

CAMMESA mutuum

2.3.6

 

506,753,360

 

-

Guarantees executed

   

-

 

130,337,773

Compensation agreements

46

 

33,741,205

 

-

Liability with FOTAE

47.a

 

105,640,700

 

-

Other liabilities

 

 

1,678,328,399

 

1,075,055,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non Current

 

 

1,909,433,852

 

1,295,851,077

(1)As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, net of $ 2,235.1 million and $ 1,661.1 million, respectively, offset in accordance with the provisions of ES Res. No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes.

 

Current

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

     

Suppliers

 

 

1,408,516,910

 

952,612,056

CAMMESA (1)

 

 

2,562,949,421

 

1,781,544,021

Customer contributions

 

 

148,075,761

 

176,799,558

Funding contributions substations

 

 

18,431,955

 

12,351,787

Fees and royalties

 

 

5,648,300

 

6,127,968

Customer advances

 

 

1,199,336

 

1,591,329

Customer guarantees

 

 

1,540,082

 

1,233,637

Related parties

36.j

 

384,534

 

1,091,129

Accounts payable

 

 

4,146,746,299

 

2,933,351,485

 

 

 

 

   

PUREE

 

 

17,521,570

 

-

ENRE Fines and bonuses

 

 

70,588,565

 

87,658,055

Dividends payable

 

 

-

 

7,596,000

Advances for work to be executed

 

 

10,650,017

 

-

Guarantees executed

 

 

170,912,175

 

-

Liability with FOCEDE (2)

   

85,386,048

 

4,236,917

Liability with FOTAE

47.a

 

-

 

48,959,579

Compensation agreements

46

 

27,805,216

 

8,903,811

Other

 

 

5,918,545

 

7,849,544

Other liabilities

 

 

388,782,136

 

165,203,906

 

 

 

     

Total Current

 

 

4,535,528,435

 

3,098,555,391

 

F-121

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 20: (Continuation)

 

(1) As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, net of $ 3,370.7 million and $ 1,152.3 million, respectively, offset in accordance with the provisions of ES Res. No. 250/13 and subsequent Notes.

 

(2) Correspond to:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

Fixed charge Resolution 347/12 charged to customers and not transferred

 

 

6,105

 

4,237

Funds received in excess of the amount transferred to the FOCEDE for fixed charge Resolution 347/12

 

 

74,713

 

-

Receivable from funds pending collection for Extraordinary Investment Plan

 

 

(93,133)

 

-

Provision for FOCEDE expenses

 

 

97,701

 

-

Total liability with FOCEDE

 

 

85,386

 

4,237

 

The fair values of non-current customer contributions as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 amount to $ 109.9 million and $ 98.7 million, respectively.

The book value of other financial liabilities included in trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

 

NOTE 21: BORROWINGS

 

Non Current

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

           

Financial borrowings

 

 

794,104,954

 

99,971,154

Corporate bonds

 

 

2,743,759,769

 

2,429,837,625

Related parties

36.j

 

193,403,000

 

394,721,657

   

 

3,731,267,723

 

2,924,530,436

   

 

     

Current

 

 

     
   

 

     

Bank overdrafts

 

 

52,941,170

 

41,890,272

VCP

 

 

207,923,095

 

142,811,893

Financial borrowings

 

 

209,355,993

 

160,235,733

Corporate bonds

 

 

99,385,972

 

377,125,713

Related parties

36.j

 

269,697,740

 

31,508,188

   

 

839,303,970

 

753,571,799

 

The maturities of the Company’s borrowings (excluding finance lease liabilities) and its exposure to interest rates are as follow:

 

 

F-122

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 20: (Continuation)

 

Fixed rate

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

         

Less than one year

 

478,252,984

 

479,297,267

One to two years

 

78,577,535

 

1,206,404,342

Two to three years

 

31,571,200

 

60,848,648

Three to four years

 

150,424,123

 

22,132,689

Four to five years (1)

 

-

 

96,231,179

Up to five years

 

1,702,907,209

 

1,213,717,551

   

2,441,733,051

 

3,078,631,676

         

Floating rates

       
         

Less than one year

 

361,050,986

 

274,274,532

One to two years

 

630,406,474

 

301,258,009

Two to three years

 

774,284,689

 

23,938,018

Four to five years

 

363,096,493

 

-

   

2,128,838,642

 

599,470,559

 

The fair value of borrowings amounts to:

 

Non Current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

         

Financial borrowings

 

794,104,954

 

99,971,154

Corporate bonds

 

2,895,798,263

 

2,239,270,866

Related parties

 

195,888,317

 

394,721,657

   

3,885,791,534

 

2,733,963,677

   

 

 

 

Current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

         

Bank overdrafts

 

52,941,170

 

41,890,272

Short-term notes

 

207,923,095

 

142,811,893

Financial borrowings

 

209,355,993

 

160,235,733

Corporate bonds

 

127,730,615

 

305,992,449

Related parties

 

269,697,740

 

37,526,233

   

867,648,613

 

688,456,580

   

4,753,440,147

 

3,422,420,257

 

The carrying amounts of current borrowings approximates their fair value due to their short-term maturity.

 

Financial borrowings approximate their fair value as they are subjected to a variable rate. Corporate Bonds' fair value has been calculated based on the market price estimated at each closing date.

 

The other fair values are based on the present value of contractual cash flows using a discount rate derived from observable market prices of other similar debt instruments plus the corresponding credit risk. Fair values determinated in thar way are within hierarchical level 2.

 

 

 

 

 

F-123

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company and its subsidiaries acquired its own corporate bonds or corporate bonds of various subsidiaries at their respective market value for a total face value of US$ 15.2 million and US$ 71.3 million. Due to these debt-repurchase transactions, the Company and its subsidiaries recorded a gain of $ 47.1 million and $ 88.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, disclosed under the line “Result from repurchase of corporate bonds” within Other financial results.

Below are described the main characteristics of the indebtedness of the Group:

 

21.1 Generation

 

21.1.1 CTG

 

Corporate bonds

On July 25, 2007, CTG finished the restructuring process for its outstanding Series “A” and “B” Corporate Bonds at 2% with maturity in 2013; having obtained an 88.7% acceptance rate on the total debt under restructuring (“2013 Bonds”).

The mentioned restructuring consisted on the swap of the previous debt securities for a combination of cash payments and the issuance of new simple Corporate Bonds for a nominal value of US$ 22 million at a 10.5% rate, which will be payable on March 11 and September 11 of each year and maturing in September 2017 (“2017 Bonds”).

In June and July 2009, and in January, March and May 2011, CTG purchased under successive transactions at market prices, its 2017 Bonds for a total of US$ 18.2 million and US$ 0.8 million of nominal value, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 CTG maintains all the 2017 Bonds repurchased.      

The remaining 2017 Bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2014 total a nominal value of US$ 3.1 million.

During the month of March, 2013, CTG cancelled all of its 2013 Bonds.

The main limitations taken on by CTG regarding 2017 Bonds are as follows: (i) limitation on indebtedness, and (ii) limitation on levies. As of December 31, 2014, CTG was in full compliance of all its commitments undertaken under the 2017 Bonds.

Corporate Bonds Programme

 

Under the Simple Corporate Bonds Program (not convertible into shares) for up to US$ 50 million (or the equivalent amount in other currencies) dated February 13, 2013, on March 6, 2012 CTG issued Class 3 and 4 corporate bonds for a nominal value of $ 36.7 million and U$S 9.5 million (converted to an initial exchange rate of $ 5.0448 / U$S) at the Private Badlar rate plus 400 basic points and at the fixed rate of 3%, finally maturing on March 6, 2014 and March 6, 2015, respectively. Interest were payable on a quarterly basis. Funds resulting from the issuance of these corporate bonds were allocated entirely to debt refinancing.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

On March 6, 2014, CTG issued Class 5 Corporate Bonds for a face value of $ 60.1 million accruing interest at the Private Badlar rate plus a 500 basic points spread. Principal will be amortized in two equal consecutive installments due on June 6, 2016 and September 6, 2016, and interest will be payable on a quarterly basis.

Class 5 Corporate Bonds have been subscribed in kind through the delivery of Class 3 and Class 4 Corporate Bonds for $ 1.8 million and $ 19.1 million, respectively (an amount equivalent to US$ 2.5 million). The outstanding balance of Class 3 Corporate Bonds was wholly cancelled on March 6. After the issuance of Class 5 Corporate Bonds, outstanding Class 4 Corporate Bonds, net of CTG’s portfolio holdings, amount to US$ 7 million.

After cancelling the principal and interest of Class 3 Corporate Bonds and discounting Class 4 Corporate Bonds presented for the swap, the net inflow amounted approximately $ 1.4 million that were allocated to the prepayment of bank loans.

 

Lastly, on March 6, 2015 CTG cancelled Class 4 Corporate Bonds with proceeds from the issuance of Corporate Bonds Class 6 (Note 52).

 

Bank borrowings

On February 28, 2013, CTG renewed, under a syndicated borrowing, the open credit facilities for a total amount of $ 78.7 million with Banco Hipotecario S.A., ICBC, Santander Rio S.A. and Citibank N.A, which was amended by the first amendment to the syndicated loan agreement dated December 20, 2013 (the "Amendment").

This borrowing was payable in two tranches, one in the amount of $ 61.3 million at the Private BADCOR rate plus 500 basis points, and another in the amount of $ 17.4 million accruing interest at a 29% annual nominal fixed rate. The borrowing will be paid off in ten quarterly consecutive installments, the first one becoming due six months from the amendment date. The first seven amortization payments will be for an amount equivalent to 60.96% of the principal; the eighth and ninth payments for an amount equivalent to 25.4% of the principal, and the last one will be made thirty-six months as from the amendment date

 

On the other hand, if a corporate bond is issued before April 15, 2014, net funds from the placement for up to $ 24 million will be allocated to the early cancellation of the syndicated borrowings based on its maturity in chronological order. With the net proceeds from the placement of corporate bonds Class 5 on March 2014, CTG proceeded to prepay $ 1.4 million of syndicated loan capital.

Subsequently, on July 23, 2014, CTG has:

(i)    paid accrued interest in the amount of Ps 7.1 million and the outstanding from the first amortization installment for Ps 4.6 million in accordance with the defined payment schedules; and

(ii)   partially prepaid the borrowings for an amount equivalent to $ 18 million —out of which $ 14 million were applied to the cancellation of principal installments of the variable tranche and $ 4 million to the cancellation of principal installments of the fix tranche in chronological order based on their maturity dates.

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

After this prepayment, the remaining principal balance of the syndicated borrowing amounts to $ 54.7 million, and the next maturity of principal will operate in June 2015.

 

21.1.2 CTLL

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Bond Holders meeting of 2015 Corporate Bonds

At the Extraordinary Meeting of Corporate Bondholders held on March 1, 2013, the modification to the issuance conditions for corporate bonds maturing in 2015 was agreed. The main modifications are described below:

 

-          2013 Interest: It was resolved to capitalize interest maturing in March and September 2013.

-          Amortization: Corporate bonds will be amortized in four semi-annual and consecutive payments, the first one being payable sixty-six months as from the issuance date. The first three amortization payments will be for an amount equivalent to 11.18% of the issued capital. The fourth and last payment will be made on the maturity date for an amount equivalent to 66.46% of the issued capital.

-          Early Redemption: If you make an early redemption CTLL until the sixth year as from the issuance date, an additional amount equivalent to 50% of the interest rate multiplied by the amount of the capital pending payment and subject to redemption will be paid. If such redemption is made from the sixth year, this additional amount will be reduced to 25% of the interest rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, should CTLL decide to redeem its corporate bonds for an amount of up to US$ 22.4 million at the reference exchange rate in force two business days before the redemption at any time up to the corporate bonds' maturity date, no additional amount will be paid.

 

The above changes have been accounted for as a modification of debt.

At the CTLL’s Extraordinary Meeting of Corporate Bondholders maturing in 2015, which was held on September 4, 2014, the modification to the issuance terms and conditions for the following corporate bonds was unanimously agreed:

-     Amortization: the Corporate Bonds balance of US$ 188 million (US$ 163.9 million net of portfolio holdings) will be amortized in five installments pursuant to the following scheme: (a) a first installment maturing on March 8, 2015 for an amount equivalent to 12.5% of the principal; (b) a second, third and fourth installment maturing on December 7, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, for amounts equivalent to 12.5% of each installment’s outstanding principal; and (c) a fifth and last installment maturing on December 7, 2018 for an amount equivalent to 50% of the principal (the “2018 Corporate Bonds”).

-     Interest payment dates: they were modified so that they would mostly match with the principal payment dates indicated above pursuant to the following scheme: (i) September 8, 2014; (ii) March 8, 2015; (iii) December 7, 2015; (iv) for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, interest will be paid on June 7 and December 7.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

-     Guarantees Package: it was modified so that the fiduciary assignment of the rights to collect payments and/or claim compensations from the sale of electricity (energy and/or power) comprised within the additional capacity generated by the Project, be limited to the amount corresponding to the next amortization installment pursuant to the provisions of the first subsection.

-     Early redemption at the issuer’s option: any redemption of Corporate Bonds by the Issuer will be applied to principal installments based on their maturity chronological order. Additionally, should CTLL opt for an early redemption until December 7, 2015, it will have to pay an additional amount equivalent to 25% of the interest rate multiplied by the amount of the outstanding principal being redeemed. As from that date, this additional amount will be reduced to 10%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, should CTLL decide to redeem its corporate bonds for an amount of up to US$ 22.4 million at the reference exchange rate in force two business days before the redemption, at any time before the corporate bonds' maturity date, no additional amount will be paid.

-     Limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness: two new cases of Allowed Indebtedness have been added: the “Regulatory Indebtedness” (any indebtedness in favor of CAMMESA or any Governmental entity regulating the electricity market in Argentina), and letters of credit, banker’s acceptances, letters of guarantee or other similar instruments granted upon CTLL’s request to any financial entity in support of any business commitment it undertakes.

As of December 31, 2014, CTLL was in full compliance with all undertaken commitments.

Early Redemption of 2018 Corporate Bonds

CTLL has redeemed all of its 2018 Corporate Bonds through several partial redemptions —the first one on September 26, 2014 and the last one on December 2, 2014.

 

For the whole redemptions, CTLL has paid: (i) $ 1,397.9 million, equivalent to US$ 164.8 million, as principal; (ii) $ 22.2 million, equivalent to US$ 2.6 million, as interest, and (iii) $ 35.3 million, equivalent to US$ 4.2 million, as additional payment, all conversions being made at the reference exchange rates applicable to each partial redemption.

 

CTLL has financed these redemptions with the issuance of Class 2, 3 and 4 Corporate Bonds in the domestic market for approximately $ 401 million, the execution of a syndicated borrowing in the amount of $ 450 million, the taking of borrowing from affiliates for approximately $ 284 million, the sale of 2018 Corporate Bonds held in CTLL’s portfolio in the amount of $ 198 million, and the balance with short-term financial borrowings and current bank overdrafts, as well as with cash and cash equivalents and financial assets at fair value.

 

Issuance of Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 Corporate Bonds

Under the Simple Corporate Bonds Program (that is, corporate bonds non-convertible into shares) for up to US$ 350 million (or its equivalent value in other currencies), on October 30, 2014 CTLL issued the following Corporate Bonds:

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

-        CTLL resolved to cancel the tender of Class 1 Corporate Bonds.

 

-        Class 2: for a face value of $ 96.4 million accruing interest at the Private Badlar rate plus a 400 basic points spread. The principal will be fully repaid at maturity on April 30, 2016, and interest will be repaid on a quarterly basis.

 

-        Class 3: for a face value of $ 50.8 million accruing interest at the Private Badlar rate plus a 500 basic points spread. The principal will be amortized in three installments maturing on April 30, 2017 (33.34%), July 30, 2017 (33.33%) and October 30, 2017 (33.33%), and interest will be repaid on a quarterly basis.

 

-        Class 4: for a face value of US$ 29.9 million at a $ 8.4917 exchange rate and a 6.25% annual nominal fixed rate. Principal will be amortized in whole on October 30, 2020. Interest accruing on the principal outstanding as at October 31, 2016 will be compounded quarterly. Interest accruing on the principal outstanding between November 1, 2016 and the maturity date will be paid on a quarterly basis.

The proceeds from the placement of new corporate bonds were used entirely to early 2018 rescue corporate bonds.

Syndicated Borrowing

On November 4, 2014, in line with CTLL’s financial strategy of improving its financing cost and structure, CTLL’s Board of Directors approved a new indebtedness consisting of a syndicated borrowing in the amount of up to $ 450 million (the “Syndicated Loan”) with the Banco de Crédito y Securitización S.A., Banco Hipotecario S.A., ICBC and Citibnak S.A. (the “Banks”) seeking to refinance existing financial liabilities. The borrowing’s main terms and conditions are described below:

-        Amortization: eight installments representing 11% of the indebtedness each, and a last installment for the remaining 12%, all of them payable on a quarterly and consecutive basis, the fist one maturing twelve months as from the borrowing’s disbursement date.

-        Compensatory Interest: at the adjusted Private Badlar rate plus a 575 basis points spread, payable on a quarterly basis.

-        Guarantees:

i)         CTLL will issue sight bills to each of the Banks to guarantee the outstanding principal and interest in accordance in the proportion of their share in the borrowing;

ii)       The Company will act as joint and several obligor and main debtor of each and all payment obligations taken on by CTLL with the Banks, and will provide guarantee for all bills;.

-        Subordination: the agreement contemplates the subordination of certain debts CTLL holds with PISA to the indebtedness to be taken with the Banks.

 

The net proceeds from the syndicated loan were used in its entirety for corporate bonds bail early 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

Cammesa Financing

 

On December 1, 2014, CTLL entered into a Loan and Receivables Assignment Agreement with CAMMESA allowing for the financing of the installation of enhanced generation capacity at its Plant by incorporating 115 MW of power with the installation of two engine generators and one high-efficiency gas turbine (generating 15 MW and 100 MW respectively) with an investment estimated at $ 930 million.

 

The main characteristics of the Financing are described below according to the conditions mentioned in Note 2:

 

i)           Amount: up to the amount of the Receivables accrued and to be accrued until December 31, 2015;

ii)         Interest rate: a rate equivalent to the average monthly yield obtained by CAMMESA from its WEM’s financial placements.

iii)        Repayment: in a single payment on the maturity of the economic transaction corresponding to the 36th month as from the month following the commercial commissioning of the last generating unit making up the Project, at CTLL’s option, through a cash payment or through an offset with receivables.

iv)       Payment guarantee: CTLL assigns 100% of its Receivables to the Stabilization Fund, up to the total amount of the financing, as collateral.

 

Bank borrowings

 

On April 5, 2013, Citibank NA’s Argentine branch granted financing to CTLL for an amount of $ 49 million. On September 27, 2013, Citibank NA’s Argentine branch disbursed the second tranche of this borrowing, in the amount of $ 24 million. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal amount of those borrowings amounted to $ 12.3 million. At the date of these financial statements funding has been paid in full.

 

21.1.3 CPB

 

Cammesa Financing

On March 21, 2011, the Company entered into a borrowing agreement with CAMMESA to finance a construction project that will increase the power output of steam turbine units of CPB, for a total amount of $ 56.8 million, in accordance to ES Resolution No. 146/02 and Notes 6157/10 and 7375/10. The collected amounts will be returned in 48 monthly, equal and consecutive installments, which will include interest resulting from the application of a rate equivalent to the average yield obtained by CAMMESA from its WEM’s financial placements, the first installment maturing on the month immediately following the works’ conclusion, estimated for the month of June, 2011. Installments will be paid by WEM pursuant to the provisions of ES Notes No. 6157/10 and 7375/10, wich distribution among demanding agents will be made based on the applicable criteria determined by the ES.

 

 

 

 

F-129

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

As from the works’ conclusion of each unit, CPB guarantee a minimum 80% availability for each unit during a three-year period. In case of breach of its availability obligation by CPB, the agreement provides for the application of a penalty, the maximum amount of which is set at 25% of the value of the received financing’s principal installment. As of May 2011, CPB finished the undertaken works and, as from July, units were made subject to the minimum availability control set forth by the loan agreement executed with CAMMESA

 

The penalties received by the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amount to $ 0.4 and $ 4.7 million, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding balance of cancellation amounted to $ 7.3 million.

 

Cammesa Financing II

 

On January 8, 2013, CPB signed a borrowing agreement with CAMMESA stipulating the terms for the financing of certain repair work delayed in units BBLATV29 and BBVLATV30 for an amount of $ 19.9 million plus the added-value tax pursuant to ES Resolution No. 146/02 so as to cover 70% of those maintenance costs.  Then, increased financing to $ 32.7 million plus the added-value tax in order to expand to cover 100% of maintenance costs.

 

The requested amount will be paid back in 18 monthly, equal and consecutive installments of $ 1.8 million each, which will bear a rate equivalent to the average yield derived by CAMMESA from its financial placements, the first installment being due the month after the last partial advance is made or 12 months after the first advance, whichever occurs earlier.

 

On April 9, 2014, CAMMESA notified CPB of the authorization granted by the ES to apply the LVFVDs corresponding to January 2008-June 2011 period, including accrued interest, to the cancellation of the loan.

 

On April 24, 2014, the compensation of the mentioned financing was performed in the amount of $ 39.5 million of principal and $ 11.3 million of accrued interest (VAT included) with the issuance of the commercial documents by CAMMESA.

 

As a result of this compensation, CPB recognized income before taxes in the amount $ 35.3 million resulting from the revaluation of the affected LVFVDs, which were disclosed under "Other Financial Results" of the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Financing of Major Maintenance Works

During the month of April, 2014, the Borrowing and Receivables Assignment Agreement was entered into between CPB and CAMMESA to finance the 2015-2016 Technological Upgrade Work for an estimated total amount of US$ 82.6 million plus VAT and nationalization costs. The final amount of the financing will be determined based on the actual disbursements made by CAMMESA.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

The financing will have a twelve-month grace period as from the month following the last partial advance by CAMMESA, or 24 months after the execution of the loan, whichever occurs earlier, and this term may be extended for up to six months in case a delay in the execution of maintenance works is verified.

The financing will be repaid in 48 monthly, equal and consecutive installments, with the application of the mean yield obtained by CAMMESA from its financial placements with the WEM, the first one maturing 30 days after the expiration of the grace period.

 

The Maintenance Remuneration provided for by ES Res. No. 529/14 will be destined to the early cancellation of the granted financing. Should the Maintenance Remuneration be insufficient to cancel the amount of each installment and provided CPB meets the UMA, the balance payment obligation will be limited to 50% of the DRF. In case is not met, CPB will have to pay the whole applicable installment on the stipulated maturity date.

 

The UMA will range from 80% to 83% depending on the month, and will be calculated as an average of the last three rolling months, including the month concerned as the last month of the quarter. To such effect, only the net power of units having performed the major mainteance will be assessed, excluding maintenance works authorized and programmed by CAMMESA.

 

The DRF will be calculated based on the operating results plus Property, Plant and Equipment depreciations, net of:

 

(i)       The Additional Remuneration committed to the Trust pursuant to Res. No. 95/13;

(ii)     The Remuneration pursuant to the Winter Plan Loan Agreement (ES Note No. 6157/10);

(iii)    Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment;

(iv)   Taxes not included in operating results;

(v)     Variation in uncollected Delta receivables with CAMMESA;

(vi)   The Maintenance Remuneration.

In accordance with what has been previously stated, if at each installment’s maturity date the funds asigned to its cancellation are insufficient to fully cancel it, the uncancelled balance will be distributed pro rata among the remaining installments, provided the UMA has been met. If this situation occurs in the last installment, it will be successively deferred until its full cancellation.

In order to guarantee the granted financing, CPB has assigned to CAMMESA 100% of its current and future receivables, whether accrued or to be accrued, in connection with the operations conducted and to be conducted with the WEM, excluding those which had already been assigned to third parties or included in contracts entered into pursuant to the 2008-2011 Agreement, as well as those included in the assignment as collateral provided for in the borrowing agreement under ES Note No. 6157/10 and in the assignment as collateral set forth in the borrowing agreement entered into by the parties on January 8, 2013, until the financing limit.

 

As at the issuance of its financial statements, CPB has received partial advances from CAMMESA amounting to $ 166.2 million, out of which $ 106.4 million have been early cancelled with receivables generated by the Maintenance Remuneration. As at these financial statements' closing date, CPB has not generated a positive FRD for the early cancellation of the financing.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

21.2 Distribution

 

21.2.1 Edenor

 

Corporate notes programs

 

The Company is included in a Corporate Notes program, the relevant information of which is detailed below:

 

Debt issued in United States dollars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millons of U$S

 

Millons of Ps

Corporate Notes

 

Class

 

Rate

 

Year of Maturity

 

Debt structure at 01.01.2014

 

Debt Purchase 2014 (2)

 

Debt structure at 12.31.2014

 

At 12.31.2014

Fixed Rate Par Note

 

7

 

10.50

 

2017

 

14.8

 

-

 

14.8

 

126.2

Fixed Rate Par Note (1)

 

9

 

9.75

 

2022

 

186.1

 

(13.9)

 

172.2

 

1,472.2

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200.9

 

(13.9)

 

186.9

 

1,598.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millons of U$S

 

Millons of Ps

 

 

Corporate Notes

 

Class

 

Rate

 

Year of Maturity

 

Debt structure at 01.01.2013

 

Debt Purchase 2013 (2)

 

Debt structure at 12.31.2013

 

At 12.31.2013

Fixed Rate Par Note

 

7

 

10.50

 

2017

 

24.8

 

(10.0)

 

14.8

 

96.3

Fixed Rate Par Note (1)

 

9

 

9.75

 

2022

 

247.4

 

(61.3)

 

186.1

 

1,213.7

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

272.2

 

(71.3)

 

200.9

 

1,310.0

 

(1) Net of issuance expenses.

 

(2) Includes collection, through the trust, of proceeds from subsidiary sales and collection of financial receivables with related companies.

The main covenants are the following:

i) Negative Covenants

The terms and conditions of the Corporate Notes include a number of negative covenants that limit Edenor’s actions with regard to, among others, the following:

- encumbrance or authorization to encumber its property or assets;

- incurrence of indebtedness, in certain specified cases;

- sale of  Edenor’s assets related to its main business;

- carrying out of transactions with shareholders or related companies;

- making certain payments (including, among others, dividends, purchases of Edenor’s common shares or payments on subordinated debt).

ii) Suspension of Covenants:

Certain negative covenants stipulated in the terms and conditions of the Corporate Notes will be suspended or adjusted if:

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

- Edenor’s long-term debt rating is raised to Investment Grade, or

- Edenor’s Level of Indebtedness is equal to or lower than 2.5.

 

If Edenor subsequently losses its Investment Grade rating or its Level of Indebtedness is higher than 2.5, as applicable, the suspended negative covenants will be once again in effect.

 

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the previously mentioned ratios have been complied with.

 

21.3 Holding and others

 

21.3.1 PEPASA

 

VCPs Global Programme

 

On July 27, 2011, at PEPASA’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, the creation of a VCP global program was approved for a maximum amount of $ 200 million or its equivalent in other currencies, pursuant to which PEPASA may issue short-term Corporate Bonds (simple, non-convertible into shares), promissory notes or short-term securities with common, special and/ or floating security and/ or any other guarantee (including, although not limited to, third-party guarantees), whether subordinated or not.

 

On April 24, 2014, PEPASA modified VCP Program increasing it up to the amount of U$S 40 million or its equivalent in other currencies.

 

As of December 31, 2014, PEPASA had issued the following series of VCP:

 

 

Serie

Issuance date

Nominal Amount

Interest Rate

Payment:

Capital

Interest

1

October 6, 2011

46,654,990

Badlar + 3.5%

360 days

Quaterly

2

May 11, 2012

32,564,000

Badlar + 2.75%

360 days

Quaterly

3

October 3, 2012

34,396,246

Badlar + 4.25%

360 days

Quaterly

4

USD 6,520,523

4.25%

360 days

Quaterly

5

March 27, 2013

77,821,661

Badlar + 2.99%

365 days

Quaterly

6

USD 4,342,138

0.01%

365 days

Quaterly

7

October 3, 2013

65,400,000

Badlar + 4.25%

365 days

Quaterly

8

April 28, 2014

122,950,000

Badlar + 3.95%

365 days

Quaterly

9

October 3, 2014

76,450,000

Badlar + 3.95%

365 days

Quaterly

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

As of December 31, 2014, outstanding Series 8 and 9 VCPs amounted to $ 207.9 million, including principal and interest.

 

Resources gathered through the issuance of these VCPs have been destined to investments in fixed assets, the payment of working capital and/ or the refinancing of liabilities.

 

Corporate Bonds Programme

 

On March 19 and May 10, 2013, PEPASA’s Shareholders’ Meeting approved the terms and conditions of the Simple Corporate Bonds Program (non-convertible into shares) for up to US$ 100 million (or its equivalent in other currencies).

 

On April 24, 2014, PEPASA modificated the Simple Corporate Bonds Program (non-convertible into shares) increasing the amount up to US$ 125 million (or its equivalent in other currencies).

 

On June 28, 2013, PEPASA issued Class 1 Corporate Bonds for a face value of $ 254.8 million, accruing interest at the Private Badlar rate plus a 3% spread, payable quarterly and finally maturing on June 28, 2016.

 

On June 6, 2014, PEPASA issued Class 2 Corporate Bonds for a face value of $ 525.4 million, accruing interest at the Badlar rate, repayable on a quarterly basis and which will mature on June 6, 2017.

 

Both issuances have been aimed at making productive investments computable under Section 35.k of the Insurance Activity General Rules and Regulations. The obtained funds will be destined to investments in physical assets and/or the payment of working capital.

 

Bank Borrowings

 

On November 5, 2012, Citibank executed a borrowing agreement with PEPASA pursuant to the system set forth by “A” Communications 5319, 5325 and 5338 issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina for the amount of $ 10 million and accruing interest at a 15.01% nominal annual fixed rate. Principal will be repaid in three annual installments, the first two in the amount of $ 3.3 million and the remaining one in the amount of $ 3.4 million, whereas interest will be payable on a monthly basis as from the granting date 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the last installment, in the amount of $ 3.4 million and maturing on November 5, 2015, is pending of payment.

 

These funds have been allocated to investments in physical assets.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 21: (Continuation)

 

21.3.2 PESA

 

TGS Financing

 

On October 6, 2011, TGS granted the Company a borrowing/financing amounting to US$ 26 million to make the payment necessary to acquire the rights to control, suspend and waive “Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. y/o Ponderosa Assets L.P. y/o sucesores a título singular contra la República Argentina” arbitration proceedings (the “Arbitration Proceeding”) pursuant to the Call Option Agreement entered into between the Company, Inversiones Argentina II and GEB Corp. (the “ICSID Contract”)

 

After several postponements, on April 26, 2013, the parties agreed on the following amendments to the financing agreement:

 

i)                The maturity date will be October 6, 2014, automaticaly extendable for a single additional period of one year,

ii)              The financing will be paid at maturity or in advance through the full and unconditional assignment to TGS of all PESA’s rights and obligations under the ICSID Agreement in case, on or before the maturity date: (a) TGS has received a 20% increase on its tariff chart and that increase remains effective pursuant to the Transitory Agreement approved by Order No. 1918/09 of the National Executive Branch, or (b) the following has been granted to TGS and remains effective: (x) the tariff adjustment set forth in the Agreement initialized by TGS and approved by its Board of Directors on October 5, 2011, or (y) any other compensatory system implemented through any tariff review system or mechanism hereinafter replacing those currently in force under Economic Emergency Law No. 25,561 of the Republic of Argentina and having an equivalent economic effect on TGS.

iii)             Principal will bear compensatory interest at a 6.8 % annual nominal rate plus VAT

 

On January 12, 2015, the parties agreed to extend the suspension of mentioned exhibition proceeding for six months as from that date.

 

 

NOTE 22: DEFERRED REVENUE

 

Non current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

Customer contributions not subject to repayment

 

109,089,120

 

33,665,717

 

 

109,089,120

 

33,665,717

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer contributions not subject to repayment

 

763,684

 

-

 

 

763,684

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

F-135

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 23: SALARIES AND SOCIAL SECURITY PAYABLE

 

Non current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

Seniority bonuses

 

59,742,127

 

24,795,208

Anticipated retirements

 

3,116,180

 

1,164,097

 

 

62,858,307

 

25,959,305

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and social security contributions

 

195,696,094

 

159,761,177

Provision for vacations

 

295,534,685

 

202,921,384

Provision for gratifications

 

39,765,102

 

26,903,441

Provision for annual bonus for efficiency

 

192,092,861

 

109,930,394

Retirement anticipated

 

2,186,156

 

1,928,680

 

 

725,274,898

 

501,445,076

 

NOTE 24: DEFINED BENEFITS PLANS

The following are the benefits that the Company granted to certain employees under the existing collective union agreements:

a)       seniority bonus to be granted to personnel with certain number of years of service;

b)       a bonus for all workers having accumulated years of services with contributions to obtain the regular retirement payment.

The amounts and conditions vary depending on the collective bargaining agreement.

The movement in the defined benefit obligation over the year is as follows:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Liabilities at the beginning

145,073,927

 

142,749,594

 

118,522,782

Cost for current services

15,674,883

 

5,147,032

 

4,765,462

Cost for interest

55,955,929

 

27,877,079

 

23,842,838

Discontinued operations

-

 

(45,299,718)

 

9,136,405

Actuarial losses (gains)

24,829,850

 

27,764,805

 

(7,877,538)

Benefit payments

(18,186,942)

 

(13,164,865)

 

(5,640,355)

Liabilities at the end

223,347,647

 

145,073,927

 

142,749,594

 

The detail of the obligation for defined benefit plans by segment is as follows:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

31.12.2012

Generation

62,425,518

 

42,382,871

 

30345694

Distribution

160,922,129

 

102,691,056

 

112,403,900

Total

223,347,647

 

145,073,927

 

142,749,594

 

 

 

 

 

F-136

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 24: (Continuation)

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company carried no assets related to defined benefits plans.

 

The details of the charge acknowledged in the Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement is the following:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

31.12.2012

Current services cost

15,674,883

 

5,147,032

 

4,765,462

Cost for interest

55,955,929

 

27,877,079

 

23,842,838

Actuarial income

1,532,583

 

730,605

 

137,131

Actuarial (loss) income through other comprehensive (loss) income

23,297,267

 

27,034,200

 

(8,014,669)

Total cost

96,460,662

 

60,788,916

 

20,730,762

 

The obligations for defined benefit plans expected are:

 

 

12.31.2014

Less than one year

26,759,944

One to two years

22,137,031

Two to three years

25,275,444

Three to four years

29,652,454

Four to five years

112,868,779

Up to five years

35,058,210

 

The actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

31.12.2012

Discount rate

6%

 

6%

 

6%

Salaries increase

2%

 

2%

 

2%

Inflation

32%

 

25%

 

29%

 

 

 

 

 

F-137

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 24: (Continuation)

 

The following information shows the effect of a variation in the discount rate and salaries increase on the obligation amount:

 

 

12.31.2014

Discount rate: 5%

 

Obligation

238,956,026

Variation

15,608,379

 

6.99%

 

 

Discount rate: 7%

 

Obligation

208,851,007

Variation

(14,496,640)

 

(6.49%)

 

 

Salaries increase: 1%

 

Obligation

209,900,715

Variation

(13,446,932)

 

(6.02%)

 

 

Salaries increase: 3%

 

Obligation

238,623,823

Variation

15,276,176

 

6.84%

 

Estimates based on actuarial techniques imply the use of statistical tools, such as the so-called demographic tables used in the actuarial valuation of the Company active personnel.

In order to determine the mortality of the Company active personnel, the “1971 Group Annuity Mortality” table has been used. In general, a mortality table shows for each age group the probability that a person in any such age group will die before reaching a predetermined age. Male and female mortality tables are elaborated separately inasmuch as men and women’s mortality rates are substantially different.

In order to estimate total and permanent disability due to any cause, 80% of the “1985 Pension Disability Study” table has been used.

In order to estimate the probability that the Company active personnel will leave the Company or stay therein, the “ESA 77” table has been used.

Liabilities related to the above-mentioned benefit plans have been determined contemplating all the rights accrued by the beneficiaries of the plans up to the closing date of the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-138

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 25: TAX LIABILITIES

 

Non current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

Value added tax

 

70,710,117

 

9,047,635

Income tax provision, net of witholdings and advances

 

63,685,209

 

25,002,078

Minimum notional income tax provision, net of witholdings and advances

 

118,700,596

 

52,336,195

Sales tax

 

1,766,628

 

41,128,513

Payment plans

 

17,769,495

 

20,007,572

Other

 

2,022,829

 

2,573,515

 

 

274,654,874

 

150,095,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision, net of witholdings and advances

 

15,192,552

 

5,230,060

Tax on assets provision, net of witholdings and advances

 

16,393,289

 

28,637,726

Value added tax

 

24,805,453

 

22,544,799

Municipal, provincial and national contributions

 

67,999,068

 

53,620,401

Payment plans

 

2,802,592

 

41,354,824

Municipal taxes

 

40,327,928

 

36,318,250

Tax withholdings to be deposited

 

43,827,166

 

33,370,004

Stamp tax payable

 

9,590,568

 

9,590,568

Other

 

10,990,006

 

9,051,638

 

 

231,928,622

 

239,718,270

 

 

 

 

F-139

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 26: PROVISIONS

 

   

Non current

   

For contingencies

 

For decomissioning of wells

 

Total

Total allowances as of December 31, 2012

 

86,661,616

 

881,711

 

87,543,327

Increases

 

14,637,856

 

879,435

 

15,517,291

Decreases

 

(8,299,769)

 

-

 

(8,299,769)

Discontinued operations

 

(3,296,045)

 

-

 

(3,296,045)

Total allowances as of December 31, 2013

89,703,658

 

1,761,146

 

91,464,804

Increases

 

38,129,133

 

862,056

 

38,991,189

Reclassifications

 

(4,510,478)

 

-

 

(4,510,478)

Reversal of unused amounts

 

(603,634)

 

-

 

(603,634)

Decreases

 

(5,885,983)

 

-

 

(5,885,983)

Total allowances as of December 31, 2014

 

116,832,696

 

2,623,202

 

119,455,898

         

 

 
             
   

Current

       
   

For contingencies

       

Total allowances as of December 31, 2012

 

10,525,914

       

Increases

 

21,933,590

       

Decreases

 

(17,058,944)

       

Discontinued operations

 

(4,161,372)

       

Total allowances as of December 31, 2013

11,239,188

       

Increases

 

57,579,333

       

Reclassifications

 

4,510,478

       

Decreases

 

(48,143,472)

       

Total allowances as of December 31, 2014

 

25,185,527

       

 

 

 

 

F-140

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 27: REVENUE

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

 

         

Sales of energy to the SPOT Market

1,013,970,810

 

597,361,773

 

2,518,210,710

Energy sales Resolution No. 220/07

777,074,476

 

375,122,985

 

338,032,672

Sales of energy to MAT

88,016,383

 

468,072,318

 

487,405,754

Energy plus sales

376,721,231

 

267,833,254

 

245,239,914

Other sales

19,672,329

 

20,942,816

 

18,149,301

Generation subtotal

2,275,455,229

 

1,729,333,146

 

3,607,038,351

 

 

       

Energy sales

3,536,146,761

 

3,393,759,304

 

2,937,660,449

Right of use of posts

57,462,917

 

41,537,592

 

34,762,156

Connection and reconnection charges

4,766,500

 

5,393,605

 

4,759,038

Distribution subtotal

3,598,376,178

 

3,440,690,501

 

2,977,181,643

 

 

       

Gas sales

267,607,266

 

116,396,140

 

85,533,872

Oil and liquid sales

21,913,632

 

18,676,492

 

4,636,191

Administrative services sales

29,000,109

 

20,985,911

 

15,584,365

Other sales

753,001

 

1,214,398

 

749,601

Holding and others subtotal

319,274,008

 

157,272,941

 

106,504,029

 

         

Intersegment sales

11,540,096

 

7,696,962

 

4,640,796

 

         

Total sales

6,204,645,511

 

5,334,993,550

 

6,695,364,819

 

 

 

F-141

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 28: COST OF SALE

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Inventories at the beginning of the year

114,615,289

 

107,342,562

 

64,433,908

           

Plus: Charges for the period

         

Purchases of inventories and of energy from the distribution segment

1,900,340,148

 

2,056,829,052

 

1,826,131,104

Salaries and social charges

1,628,222,919

 

975,865,640

 

609,191,480

Other social benefits

23,290,505

 

13,566,377

 

-

Accrual of defined benefit plans

58,973,854

 

25,808,193

 

21,900,460

Fees and compensations for services

754,831,570

 

696,973,646

 

465,258,896

Property, plant and equipment depreciations

401,421,064

 

309,105,669

 

316,423,602

Intangible assets amortization

29,462,214

 

39,481,210

 

30,149,040

Depreciation of biological assets

40,815

 

40,815

 

64,798

Gas consumption

151,533,463

 

147,490,706

 

578,895,048

Purchase of energy

243,636,169

 

546,124,382

 

485,618,526

Fuel consumption

-

 

29,316,309

 

1,614,088,251

Transport of energy

28,166,193

 

24,815,156

 

21,057,643

Material consumption

251,200,852

 

162,592,701

 

109,120,728

Penalties

245,211,708

 

305,777,489

 

128,670,468

Compression cost

2,478,249

 

-

 

-

Gathering

1,511,128

 

-

 

-

Maintenance

84,712,678

 

100,545,265

 

58,762,711

Royalties and fees

67,558,760

 

45,569,871

 

36,330,926

Gas production

32,588,483

 

11,568,867

 

5,761,657

Rental and insurance

57,523,491

 

51,611,895

 

41,612,628

Surveillance and security

35,142,150

 

22,520,858

 

15,417,431

Taxes, rates and contributions

14,547,451

 

16,459,783

 

10,906,618

Communications

13,770,143

 

8,189,542

 

8,183,641

Other

23,871,272

 

20,293,547

 

15,134,261

Subtotal

4,149,695,131

 

3,553,717,921

 

4,572,548,813

 

 

       

Less: Inventories at the end of the period

(135,570,860)

 

(114,615,289)

 

(107,342,562)

Total cost of sales

6,029,079,708

 

5,603,274,246

 

6,355,771,263

 

 

 

F-142

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 29: SELLING EXPENSES

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Salaries and social charges

   

255,959,037

 

185,161,944

 

118,148,914

Other social benefits

   

182,540

 

153,771

 

-

Accrual of defined benefit plans

   

6,869,206

 

3,727,606

 

3,367,723

Fees and compensations for services

   

264,899,163

 

200,276,881

 

155,126,979

Compensation agreements

46

 

19,291,337

 

-

 

-

Property, plant and equipment depreciations

   

18,562,317

 

9,301,600

 

7,373,888

Taxes, rates and contributions

   

64,474,833

 

93,399,242

 

77,068,889

Communications

   

39,088,308

 

32,628,934

 

20,493,231

Penalties

   

18,360,000

 

52,700,000

 

10,386,359

Doubtful accounts

   

24,717,807

 

55,653,050

 

19,318,707

Surveillance and security

   

201,120

 

552,808

 

679,871

Other

   

754,679

 

665,637

 

2,037,835

Total selling expenses

 

 

713,360,347

 

634,221,473

 

414,002,396

 

 

NOTE 30: ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Salaries and social charges

 

 

376,464,741

 

245,648,385

 

215,793,451

Other social benefits

 

 

11,575,551

 

8,545,262

 

-

Accrual of defined benefit plans

 

 

7,320,335

 

4,218,917

 

3,477,248

Fees and compensations for services

   

220,815,364

 

147,204,318

 

91,592,100

Compensation agreements

46

 

25,576,205

 

-

 

-

Directors and Sindycs fees

   

21,605,223

 

18,819,985

 

19,509,857

Reserve for directors’ options

 

 

6,709,014

 

8,945,352

 

8,945,352

Property, plant and equipment depreciations

 

 

17,673,738

 

15,823,013

 

12,571,208

Intangible assets amortization

 

 

-

 

1,038,924

 

7,455,312

Material and spare parts consumption

 

 

13,122,325

 

7,737,331

 

6,510,436

Maintenance

 

 

2,803,699

 

1,723,604

 

12,847,492

Transport and per diem

 

 

6,238,351

 

3,486,066

 

4,779,027

Rental and insurance

   

52,489,107

 

33,777,439

 

25,025,859

Surveillance and security

   

16,681,972

 

11,746,010

 

5,270,083

Taxes, rates and contributions

   

26,483,704

 

32,974,034

 

24,795,547

Communications

   

7,585,001

 

5,416,538

 

4,322,304

Advertising and promotion

   

10,369,097

 

7,664,017

 

7,573,817

Other

   

13,945,289

 

9,083,615

 

12,848,416

Total administrative expenses

   

837,458,716

 

563,852,810

 

463,317,509

 

 

 

F-143

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 31: OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

 

Other operating income

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Insurance recovery

   

6,358,656

 

245,975,559

 

135,003,525

Recovery of expenses

   

13,765,053

 

10,922,850

 

-

Recovery of receivables

   

51,317,039

 

4,835,714

 

1,496,081

Recovery of allowances for tax credits

   

1,375,717

 

13,751,536

 

21,750,177

Recovery of other operating costs

   

-

 

13,002,003

 

-

Recovery of sales tax

38

 

37,943,970

 

-

 

-

Recognition of Agreement March

38

 

-

 

85,177,042

 

-

Surplus Gas Injection Compensation Res. No. 1/13

   

127,147,619

 

22,572,407

 

-

Commissions on municipal tax collection

   

12,040,378

 

8,638,401

 

6,650,425

Dividends earned

   

6,226,319

 

6,876,038

 

1,581,532

Billing work to third parties

   

33,304,599

 

21,699,983

 

15,865,316

Client severance

   

5,070,000

 

-

 

-

Profit of property, plant and equipment sale

   

5,596,699

 

403,000

 

1,714

Advance payments received for subsidiaries sales agreement

   

-

 

8,868,000

 

-

Other

 

 

11,829,808

 

23,497,497

 

14,069,330

Total other operating income

 

 

311,975,857

 

466,220,030

 

196,418,100

 

 

 

         

Other operating loss

 

 

         

Provision for contingencies

 

 

(96,426,420)

 

(36,571,446)

 

(24,744,323)

Voluntary retirements - bonus

 

 

(24,985,431)

 

(15,875,775)

 

(10,125,734)

Decreaeses in property, plant and equipment

   

(24,236,319)

 

(13,807,236)

 

(1,969,513)

Indemnities

   

(8,202,312)

 

(4,924,296)

 

(4,819,215)

Decreaeses in intangible assets

   

-

 

-

 

1,127,304

Allowances for financial instrument receivables

   

-

 

(1,188,984)

 

-

Allowances for other receivables

   

-

 

-

 

(42,480,405)

Allowances for doubtful tax credits

   

(4,277,247)

 

(10,088,463)

 

(9,804,687)

Net expense for technical functions

 

 

(16,235,590)

 

(15,540,678)

 

(10,596,738)

Tax on bank transactions

 

 

(109,751,805)

 

(84,186,431)

 

(72,330,238)

Other expenses FOCEDE

 

 

(97,701,000)

 

-

 

-

Cost of services provide to third parties

   

(25,265,225)

 

(9,035,156)

 

(13,687,931)

Compensation agreements

46

 

(16,678,879)

 

-

 

-

Other operating costs for contract termination

   

(11,366,548)

 

-

 

-

Donations and contributions

 

 

(4,674,148)

 

(3,078,609)

 

(4,688,710)

Other

 

 

(7,273,952)

 

(9,742,242)

 

(9,829,769)

Total other operating loss

 

 

(447,074,876)

 

(204,039,316)

 

(203,949,959)

 

 

 

F-144

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 32: FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Finance income

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Comercial interest

 

222,687,554

 

93,797,636

 

92,228,661

Financial interest

 

217,854,220

 

242,497,529

 

49,934,508

Other interest

 

-

 

-

 

1,100,673

Total finance income

 

440,541,774

 

336,295,165

 

143,263,842

 

 

         

Finance cost

 

         

Comercial interest

 

(460,787,579)

 

(337,086,792)

 

(65,212,541)

Fiscal interest

 

(51,036,110)

 

(40,861,761)

 

(30,209,250)

Financial interest

 

(508,127,128)

 

(415,828,810)

 

(392,568,218)

Other interest

 

(17,622,416)

 

(266,289)

 

(480,226)

Taxes and bank commissions

 

(30,042,093)

 

(15,846,973)

 

(10,420,132)

Penalties for early repayment of loans

 

(40,391,657)

 

-

 

-

Other finance costs

 

(5,221,923)

 

(3,985,095)

 

(3,051,945)

Total finance cost

 

(1,113,228,906)

 

(813,875,720)

 

(501,942,312)

 

 

         

Other finance results

 

         

Foreing currency exchange difference

 

(712,822,106)

 

(744,150,070)

 

(344,622,323)

Result from repurchase of corporate bonds

 

47,122,571

 

88,879,485

 

21,451,233

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments

 

859,434,692

 

295,854,837

 

191,938,160

Discounted value measurement

 

223,304,132

 

(155,869,735)

 

(72,030,127)

Other finance results

 

3,015,732

 

(3,975,734)

 

261,333

Total other finance results

 

420,055,021

 

(519,261,217)

 

(203,001,724)

 

 

         

Other finance results, net

 

(252,632,111)

 

(996,841,772)

 

(561,680,194)

 

 

         

 

NOTE 33: INCOME TAX

The breakdown of income tax charge is:

 

 

Note

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Current tax

 

 

40,319,531

 

29,485,263

 

30,387,591

Deferred tax asset

14

 

34,668,716

 

(177,697,799)

 

(169,457,470)

Tax returns amendment adjustment

 

 

-

 

12,415,095

 

-

Difference in the estimate of previous fiscal year income tax and the income return

 

 

(1,731,266)

 

2,846,486

 

10,516,381

Minimun national tax

 

 

27,155,297

 

15,238,198

 

12,180,476

Discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

105,533,766

 

(16,938,000)

Total tax charge to earning (loss)

 

 

100,412,278

 

(12,178,991)

 

(133,311,022)

 

 

F-145

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 33: (Continuation)

Bellow is a reconciliation between income tax expense and the amount resulting from application of the tax rate on the income before taxes:

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

(Profit) Loss before taxes

 

629,952,564

 

729,464,657

 

(1,243,947,326)

Current tax rate

 

35%

 

35%

 

35%

Result at the tax rate

 

220,483,397

 

255,312,630

 

(435,381,564)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share profit of Joint Ventures and associates

 

(11,411,154)

 

899,798

 

10,053,874

Reserve for directors’ options

 

2,348,155

 

3,130,873

 

3,130,873

Non-taxable results

 

(419,313,741)

 

(246,305,179)

 

(76,450,092)

Non-taxable cost

 

4,706,151

 

23,993,259

 

10,639,281

Non-deductible provision

 

3,071,264

 

-

 

-

Other

 

(205,979)

 

1,995,728

 

5,627,819

Subtotal

 

(200,321,907)

 

39,027,109

 

(482,379,809)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expiration of tax loss-carryforwards

 

145,346

 

23,260,952

 

1,600,376

Minimun notional income tax credit

 

27,155,297

 

15,238,198

 

12,180,476

Difference in the estimate of previous fiscal year income tax and the income tax statement

 

(12,252,732)

 

1,952,401

 

17,955,669

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

105,533,766

 

(16,938,000)

Tax loss-carryforwards not previously recognized

 

(51,584,956)

 

(385,844,096)

 

-

Deferred tax assets not recognized

 

337,271,230

 

188,652,679

 

334,270,266

Total income tax expense

 

100,412,278

 

(12,178,991)

 

(133,311,022)

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consolidated accumulated tax losses amount to $ 2,023.8 million and $ 1,387.5 million, respectively, which may be offset, pursuant to the applicable tax laws, with tax profits corresponding to future fiscal years based on the following breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount to 35%

Fiscal year generation

 

Fiscal year prescription

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2014

 

4,230,639

 

56,971,649

2010

 

2015

 

85,431,384

 

105,760,796

2011

 

2016

 

77,855,098

 

90,695,082

2012

 

2017

 

95,618,909

 

91,282,940

2013

 

2018

 

121,969,411

 

140,921,315

2014

 

2019

 

323,231,334

 

-

 

 

 

 

708,336,775

 

485,631,782

Unrecognized deferred assets

 

 

 

(592,961,150)

 

(349,395,952)

Tax loss-carryforwards

 

 

 

115,375,625

 

136,235,830

 

 

 

 

F-146

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 33: (Continuation)

 

Due to the uncertainty on whether future tax income may or may not absorb all deferred tax assets, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company and some subsidiaries have not recorded deferred assets resulting from tax-loss carry-forwards accrued for a total amount of $ 593 million and $ 349.4 million, respectively.

 

NOTE 34: EARNING (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

a)    Basic

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing the result attributable to the Company’s equity interest holders by the weighted average of outstanding common shares during the year.

 

b)    Diluted

Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average of outstanding common shares to reflect the conversion of all potential dilutive common shares. The Company has a type of potential dilutive common shares, which consist on share purchase options.

Potential common shares will be deemed dilutive only when their conversion into common shares may reduce the earnings per share or increase losses per share of the continuing business. Potential common shares will be deemed anti-dilutive when their conversion into common shares may result in an increase in the earnings per share or a decrease in the losses per share of the continuing operations.

The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share does not entail a conversion, the exercise or another issuance of shares which may have an anti-dilutive effect on the losses per share, or where the option exercise price is higher than the average price of ordinary shares during the period, no dilutive effect is recorded, being the diluted earning (loss) per share equal to the basic. Therefore, the basic and diluted results per share are the same for continuing operations during 2013, and for discontinued operations during 2013.

 

 

 

 

F-147

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 34: (Continuation)

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the company during the year from continuing operations

743,159,355

 

371,782,245

 

(674,653,661)

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

0.5654

 

0.2829

 

(0.5133)

 

     

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the company during the year for discontinued operations

743,159,355

 

 

 

Charge for reserve for directors’ options

6,709,014

 

 

 

Adjusted earning attributable to the equity holders of the company from continuing operations

749,868,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares

1,314,310,895

 

 

 

Adjustments for stock options

161,151,512

 

 

 

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares for diluted profit per share

1,475,462,407

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share from continued operations

0.5082

 

 

 

 

   

 

 
     

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

(Loss) Earings attributable to the equity holders of the Company for discontinued operations

 

 

(85,698,444)

 

24,959,407

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares

 

 

1,314,310,895

 

1,314,310,895

Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations

 

 

(0.0652)

 

0.0190

       

 

 

         

12.31.2012

Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the company during the year from discontinuing operations

       

24,959,407

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares

       

1,314,310,895

Adjustments for stock options

       

30,161,772

Weighted average amount of outstanding shares for diluted profit per share

       

1,344,472,667

Diluted earings per share from discontinued operations

       

0.0186

 

 

NOTE 35: SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is engaged on the electricity sector, with a participation in the electricity generation, transmission and distribution segments through different legal entities. Accordingly, the following business segments have been identified by means of its subsidiaries and based on the nature, customers and risks involved:

Generation, conformed by direct and indirect equity interest in  CPB,  CTG, CTLL, HINISA, HIDISA, Powerco, PACOSA and investments in shares in other companies related to the electricity generation sector.

Transmission, conformed by indirect equity interest through Citelec in Transener and its subsidiaries. For the purposes of presenting segment information the indirect equity interest has been consolidated proportionally.

Distribution, conformed by indirect equity interest in EASA and Edenor. As of December 31, 2013 the Company has deconsolidated AESEBA, classifying their results as discontinued operations.

Holding and others, conformed by financial investment operations, holding activities, oil and gas exploitation, and other businesses.

The Company manages its segments to the net income level of reporting.

 

F-148

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Consolidated statement of operation information at December 31, 2014

 

Generation

 

Transmission

 

Distribution(1)

 

Holding and others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenue

 

2,275,455,229

 

736,960,163

 

3,598,376,178

 

319,274,008

 

-

 

6,930,065,578

Intersegment sales

 

-

 

1,484,071

 

-

 

100,401,631

 

(88,861,535)

 

13,024,167

Cost of sales

 

(1,176,661,033)

 

(539,700,648)

 

(4,716,523,920)

 

(203,169,543)

 

67,274,788

 

(6,568,780,356)

Gross profit (loss)

 

1,098,794,196

 

198,743,586

 

(1,118,147,742)

 

216,506,096

 

(21,586,747)

 

374,309,389

                     

 

 

Selling expenses

 

(17,933,799)

 

-

 

(658,946,487)

 

(36,480,061)

 

-

 

(713,360,347)

Administrative expenses

 

(200,037,863)

 

(91,840,829)

 

(510,281,735)

 

(148,377,136)

 

21,310,965

 

(929,226,598)

Other operating income

 

113,410,323

 

3,866,382

 

53,172,550

 

145,392,986

 

-

 

315,842,241

Other operating expenses

 

(73,504,735)

 

(11,449,555)

 

(319,224,611)

 

(54,329,151)

 

-

 

(458,508,052)

Recovery of impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

88,406,704

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

88,406,704

Share profit of joint ventures

 

-

 

-

 

4,928

 

-

 

-

 

4,928

Share loss of associates

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,605,070)

 

-

 

(1,605,070)

Operating profit (loss) before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

1,009,134,826

 

99,319,584

 

(2,553,423,097)

 

121,107,664

 

(275,782)

 

(1,324,136,805)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

-

 

-

 

2,271,926,952

 

-

 

-

 

2,271,926,952

Operating profit (loss)

 

1,009,134,826

 

99,319,584

 

(281,496,145)

 

121,107,664

 

(275,782)

 

947,790,147

                     

 

 

Finance income

 

240,948,678

 

226,124,624

 

238,973,376

 

26,028,673

 

(65,408,953)

 

666,666,398

Finance cost

 

(310,774,890)

 

(59,393,142)

 

(692,484,612)

 

(175,644,352)

 

65,684,735

 

(1,172,612,261)

Other finance results

 

(82,259,803)

 

(142,011,652)

 

(528,135,412)

 

1,030,450,236

 

-

 

278,043,369

Financial results, net

 

(152,086,015)

 

24,719,830

 

(981,646,648)

 

880,834,557

 

275,782

 

(227,902,494)

Profit (Loss) before income tax

 

857,048,811

 

124,039,414

 

(1,263,142,793)

 

1,001,942,221

 

-

 

719,887,653

                     

 

 

Income tax

 

(224,090,358)

 

(51,421,728)

 

161,758,063

 

(38,079,985)

 

-

 

(151,834,008)

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

 

632,958,453

 

72,617,686

 

(1,101,384,730)

 

963,862,236

 

-

 

568,053,645

                     

 

 

Adjustment non-controlling interest in joint ventures

 

-

 

(38,513,359)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(38,513,359)

Total profit (loss) of the year

 

632,958,453

 

34,104,327

 

(1,101,384,730)

 

963,862,236

 

-

 

529,540,286

                     

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (2)

 

134,205,042

 

43,187,056

 

251,012,741

 

81,942,365

 

-

 

510,347,204

 

 

 

F-149

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Consolidated statement of operation information at December 31, 2014

 

Generación

 

Transmisión

 

Distribución(1)

 

Holding y otros

 

Eliminaciones

 

Consolidado

Total profit (loss) attributable to:

 

                     

Owners of the Company

 

529,325,839

 

34,104,327

 

(742,146,551)

 

921,875,740

 

-

 

743,159,355

Non - controlling interest

 

103,632,614

 

-

 

(359,238,179)

 

41,986,496

 

-

 

(213,619,069)

                         
                         

Consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31,2014

                       

Assets

 

5,146,025,095

 

1,244,965,218

 

8,066,880,278

 

4,377,104,999

 

(910,030,330)

 

17,924,945,260

Liabilities

 

3,540,787,854

 

900,141,394

 

8,616,187,612

 

2,059,587,013

 

(910,030,330)

 

14,206,673,543

                     

 

 

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2014

                       

Increases in property, plant and equipment

 

387,045,008

 

196,277,070

 

1,701,773,299

 

620,359,750

 

-

 

2,905,455,127

                         

(1) Includes financial results generated by financial debt issued by EASA for Ps. 217.7 million and other consolidation adjustments.

(2) Includes amortizations and depreciation of fixed assets, intangible assets and biological assets (recognized in cost of sales, administrative expenses and selling expenses).

 

 

 

 

 

F-150

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Consolidated statement of operation information at December 31, 2013

 

Generation

 

Transmission

 

Distribution(1)

 

Holding and others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenue

 

1,729,333,146

 

435,300,074

 

3,440,690,501

 

157,272,941

 

-

 

5,762,596,662

Intersegment sales

 

2,002,563

 

1,580,605

 

-

 

52,778,991

 

(47,084,592)

 

9,277,567

Cost of sales

 

(1,426,829,452)

 

(393,694,193)

 

(4,122,453,202)

 

(89,044,203)

 

35,052,611

 

(5,996,968,439)

Gross profit (loss)

 

304,506,257

 

43,186,486

 

(681,762,701)

 

121,007,729

 

(12,031,981)

 

(225,094,210)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Selling expenses

 

(78,522,087)

 

-

 

(549,142,696)

 

(6,556,690)

 

-

 

(634,221,473)

Administrative expenses

 

(139,046,394)

 

(67,703,269)

 

(332,572,593)

 

(102,203,495)

 

10,029,418

 

(631,496,333)

Other operating income

 

363,356,067

 

9,677,530

 

62,289,569

 

40,572,590

 

-

 

475,895,756

Other operating expenses

 

(47,465,615)

 

(7,057,780)

 

(143,441,679)

 

(13,117,437)

 

-

 

(211,082,511)

Share profit of joint ventures

 

-

 

-

 

4,682

 

-

 

-

 

4,682

Share profit of associates

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,228,499

 

-

 

2,228,499

Operating profit (loss) before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

402,828,228

 

(21,897,033)

 

(1,644,625,418)

 

41,931,196

 

(2,002,563)

 

(1,223,765,590)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

-

 

-

 

2,933,051,544

 

-

 

-

 

2,933,051,544

Operating profit (loss)

 

402,828,228

 

(21,897,033)

 

1,288,426,126

 

41,931,196

 

(2,002,563)

 

1,709,285,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

63,949,836

 

172,978,880

 

287,067,095

 

6,599,242

 

(21,321,008)

 

509,274,045

Finance cost

 

(216,444,762)

 

(41,928,248)

 

(565,770,281)

 

(52,942,577)

 

21,293,461

 

(855,792,407)

Other finance results

 

(437,463,117)

 

(114,902,206)

 

(425,491,481)

 

343,693,381

 

-

 

(634,163,423)

Financial results, net

 

(589,958,043)

 

16,148,426

 

(704,194,667)

 

297,350,046

 

(27,547)

 

(980,681,785)

(Loss) Profit before income tax

 

(187,129,815)

 

(5,748,607)

 

584,231,459

 

339,281,242

 

(2,030,110)

 

728,604,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax

 

(20,682,593)

 

832,623

 

52,724,268

 

(19,862,684)

 

-

 

13,011,614

(Loss) Profit for the year from continuing operations

 

(207,812,408)

 

(4,915,984)

 

636,955,727

 

319,418,558

 

(2,030,110)

 

741,615,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

-

 

(128,888,438)

 

-

 

2,030,110

 

(126,858,328)

Adjustment non-controlling interest in joint ventures

 

-

 

27,865

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

27,865

Total (loss) profit of the year

 

(207,812,408)

 

(4,888,119)

 

508,067,289

 

319,418,558

 

-

 

614,785,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (2)

 

107,730,568

 

41,944,731

 

230,060,227

 

37,000,436

 

-

 

416,735,962

 

 

 

F-151

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Consolidated statement of operation information at December 31, 2013

 

Generation

 

Transmission

 

Distribution(1)

 

Holding and others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Total (loss) profit attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

(191,916,592)

 

(4,888,119)

 

163,469,954

 

319,418,558

 

-

 

286,083,801

Non - controlling interest

 

(15,895,816)

 

-

 

344,597,335

 

-

 

-

 

328,701,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31,2013

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Assets

 

3,714,900,214

 

963,993,871

 

6,971,553,493

 

2,183,787,385

 

(455,870,761)

 

13,378,364,202

Liabilities

 

2,713,844,869

 

687,818,246

 

6,434,706,032

 

995,033,986

 

(455,870,761)

 

10,375,532,372

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2013

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Increases of property, plant and equipment

 

50,790,025

 

108,370,673

 

1,092,342,662

 

140,391,783

 

-

 

1,391,895,143

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

(1) Includes financial results generated by financial debt issued by EASA for Ps. 130.3 million and other consolidation adjustments.

(2) Includes amortizations and depreciation of fixed assets and intangible assets (recognized in cost of sales, administrative expenses and selling expenses).

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-152

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Consolidated statement of income at December 31, 2012

 

Generation

 

Transmission

 

Distribution (1)

 

Holding and others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenue

 

3,607,038,351

 

255,513,915

 

2,977,181,643

 

106,504,029

 

-

 

6,946,237,938

Intersegment sales

 

16,183,407

 

8,920,416

 

-

 

81,899,561

 

(93,442,172)

 

13,561,212

Cost of sales

 

(3,190,806,836)

 

(281,431,213)

 

(3,097,720,286)

 

(67,675,153)

 

431,012

 

(6,637,202,476)

Gross profit (loss)

 

432,414,922

 

(16,996,882)

 

(120,538,643)

 

120,728,437

 

(93,011,160)

 

322,596,674

                         

Selling expenses

 

(57,222,941)

 

-

 

(353,831,009)

 

(2,948,446)

 

-

 

(414,002,396)

Administrative expenses

 

(150,779,756)

 

(64,698,487)

 

(260,252,047)

 

(129,077,891)

 

76,827,750

 

(527,980,431)

Other operating income

 

138,244,262

 

4,560,522

 

33,733,717

 

24,440,117

 

-

 

200,978,618

Other operating expenses

 

(39,506,534)

 

(13,188)

 

(152,773,658)

 

(11,656,579)

 

-

 

(203,949,959)

Share of profit of joint ventures

 

-

 

-

 

2,891

 

-

 

-

 

2,891

Share of profit of associates

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,294,951

 

-

 

2,294,951

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

(108,283,569)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(108,283,569)

Operating profit (loss)

 

214,866,384

 

(77,148,035)

 

(853,658,749)

 

3,780,589

 

(16,183,410)

 

(728,343,221)

                         

Finance income

 

74,425,078

 

80,230,223

 

75,893,581

 

4,811,860

 

(11,866,677)

 

223,494,065

Finance cost

 

(199,846,517)

 

(50,109,549)

 

(273,102,282)

 

(40,849,725)

 

11,866,677

 

(552,041,396)

Other finance results

 

(148,055,962)

 

(34,515,393)

 

(217,384,515)

 

162,438,189

 

-

 

(237,517,681)

Financial results, net

 

(273,477,401)

 

(4,394,719)

 

(414,593,216)

 

126,400,324

 

-

 

(566,065,012)

(Loss) Profit before income tax

 

(58,611,017)

 

(81,542,754)

 

(1,268,251,965)

 

130,180,913

 

(16,183,410)

 

(1,294,408,233)

                         

Income tax

 

1,093,264

 

27,075,403

 

137,003,075

 

(4,650,278)

 

-

 

160,521,464

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

 

(57,517,753)

 

(54,467,351)

 

(1,131,248,890)

 

125,530,635

 

(16,183,410)

 

(1,133,886,769)

 

                       

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

(2,272,302)

 

14,883,111

 

-

 

16,183,410

 

28,794,219

Adjustment non-controlling interest in joint ventures

 

-

 

25,522,767

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

25,522,767

Total profit (loss) of the year

 

(57,517,753)

 

(31,216,886)

 

(1,116,365,779)

 

125,530,635

 

-

 

(1,079,569,783)

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (2)

 

123,178,952

 

38,296,343

 

213,382,705

 

46,421,543

 

-

 

421,279,543

 

 

 

F-153

 


 
 

 

 


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

Consolidated statement of income at December 31, 2012

 

Generation

 

Transmission

 

Distribution (1)

 

Holding and others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Total profit (loss) attributable to:

                       

Owners of the Company

 

(74,750,872)

 

(31,216,886)

 

(669,257,131)

 

125,530,635

 

-

 

(649,694,254)

Non - controlling interest

 

17,233,119

 

-

 

(447,108,648)

 

-

 

-

 

(429,875,529)

                         

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2012

                       

Assets

 

3,355,134,824

 

851,266,469

 

6,758,035,608

 

1,387,430,604

 

(332,909,916)

 

12,018,957,589

Liabilities

 

2,115,695,457

 

571,389,759

 

6,636,365,029

 

570,001,566

 

(332,909,916)

 

9,560,541,895

                         

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2012

                       

Increases of property, plant and equipment

 

71,581,329

 

38,142,635

 

544,310,251

 

47,101,374

 

-

 

701,135,589

                         

(1) Includes financial results generated by financial debt issued by EASA for Ps. 110.7 million and other consolidation adjustments.

(2) Includes amortizations and depreciation of fixed assets and intangible assets (recognized in cost of sales, administrative expenses and selling expenses) and charge for reserve for Director´s options (recognized in administrative expenses).

 

 

F-154

 


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Accounting criteria used by the subsidiaries for measuring results, assets and liabilities of the segments are consistent with those used in the consolidated financial statements. Transactions between different segments are conducted under market conditions. Assets and liabilities are assigned based on the segment’s activity.

 

The segment called “Electricity transmission”, which corresponds to the Company’s indirect interest in Citelec and its subsidiaries, has been included as a reportable segment since it is considered as such in the reports received by the Executive Director. Since the stake in such companies constitutes an interest in a joint venture, it is not consolidated and it is valued according to the equity method of accounting in the consolidated statement of Income and Financial position. 

 

In this sense, the reconciliation between the segment information and the consolidated statement of Income is presented below:

 

Consolidated statement of income at December 31, 2014

 

Segment information

 

Results from interest in joint ventures

 

Consolidated comprehensive total income

Revenue

 

6,930,065,578

 

(736,960,163)

 

6,193,105,415

Intersegment sales

 

13,024,167

 

(1,484,071)

 

11,540,096

Cost of sales

 

(6,568,780,356)

 

539,700,648

 

(6,029,079,708)

Gross profit (loss)

 

374,309,389

 

(198,743,586)

 

175,565,803

             

Selling expenses

 

(713,360,347)

 

-

 

(713,360,347)

Administrative expenses

 

(929,226,598)

 

91,767,882

 

(837,458,716)

Other operating income

 

315,842,241

 

(3,866,384)

 

311,975,857

Other operating expenses

 

(458,508,052)

 

11,433,176

 

(447,074,876)

Recovery of impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

88,406,704

 

-

 

88,406,704

Share profit of joint ventures

 

4,928

 

34,203,440

 

34,208,368

Share loss of associates

 

(1,605,070)

 

-

 

(1,605,070)

Operating profit (loss) before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

(1,324,136,805)

 

(65,205,472)

 

(1,389,342,277)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

2,271,926,952

 

-

 

2,271,926,952

Operating profit (loss)

 

947,790,147

 

(65,205,472)

 

882,584,675

             

Finance income

 

666,666,398

 

(226,124,624)

 

440,541,774

Finance cost

 

(1,172,612,261)

 

59,383,355

 

(1,113,228,906)

Other finance results

 

278,043,369

 

142,011,652

 

420,055,021

Finance results, net

 

(227,902,494)

 

(24,729,617)

 

(252,632,111)

Loss before income tax

 

719,887,653

 

(89,935,089)

 

629,952,564

             

Income tax

 

(151,834,008)

 

51,421,730

 

(100,412,278)

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

 

568,053,645

 

(38,513,359)

 

529,540,286

             

Adjustment non-controlling interest in Joint Ventures

 

(38,513,359)

 

38,513,359

 

-

Profit for the year

 

529,540,286

 

-

 

529,540,286

             

Depreciation and amortization

 

510,347,204

 

(43,187,056)

 

467,160,148

 

F-155


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2014

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Consolidated Statements of financial position

Assets

 

17,924,945,260

 

(1,064,548,738)

 

16,860,396,522

Liabilities

 

14,206,673,543

 

(900,116,036)

 

13,306,557,507

             

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2014

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Note 10

Property, plant and equipment increases

 

2,905,455,127

 

(196,277,070)

 

2,709,178,057

 

Consolidated statement of income at December 31, 2013

 

Segment information

 

Results from interest in joint ventures

 

Consolidated comprehensive total income

Revenue

 

5,762,596,662

 

(435,300,074)

 

5,327,296,588

Intersegment sales

 

9,277,567

 

(1,580,605)

 

7,696,962

Cost of sales

 

(5,996,968,439)

 

393,694,193

 

(5,603,274,246)

Gross loss

 

(225,094,210)

 

(43,186,486)

 

(268,280,696)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling expenses

 

(634,221,473)

 

-

 

(634,221,473)

Administrative expenses

 

(631,496,333)

 

67,643,523

 

(563,852,810)

Other operating income

 

475,895,756

 

(9,675,726)

 

466,220,030

Other operating expenses

 

(211,082,511)

 

7,043,195

 

(204,039,316)

Share profit (loss) of joint ventures

 

4,682

 

(4,804,031)

 

(4,799,349)

Share profit of associates

 

2,228,499

 

-

 

2,228,499

Operating profit (loss) before Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

(1,223,765,590)

 

17,020,475

 

(1,206,745,115)

Higher Costs Recognition - Resolution ES No. 250/13 and subsequents notes

 

2,933,051,544

 

-

 

2,933,051,544

Operating profit

 

1,709,285,954

 

17,020,475

 

1,726,306,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

509,274,045

 

(172,978,880)

 

336,295,165

Finance cost

 

(855,792,407)

 

41,916,687

 

(813,875,720)

Other finance results

 

(634,163,423)

 

114,902,206

 

(519,261,217)

Finance results, net

 

(980,681,785)

 

(16,159,987)

 

(996,841,772)

Profit before income tax

 

728,604,169

 

860,488

 

729,464,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax

 

13,011,614

 

(832,623)

 

12,178,991

Profit for the year from continuing operations

 

741,615,783

 

27,865

 

741,643,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

(126,858,328)

 

-

 

(126,858,328)

Adjustment non-controlling interest in Joint Ventures

 

27,865

 

(27,865)

 

-

Profit for the year

 

614,785,320

 

-

 

614,785,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

416,735,962

 

(41,944,731)

 

374,791,231

 

 

F-156


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2013

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Consolidated Statements of financial position

Assets

 

13,378,364,202

 

(815,809,970)

 

12,562,554,232

Liabilities

 

10,375,532,372

 

(687,800,243)

 

9,687,732,129

 

 

         

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2013

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Note 10

Property, plant and equipment increases

 

1,391,895,143

 

(108,370,673)

 

1,283,524,470

 

Consolidated statement of income at December 31, 2012

 

Segment information

 

Results from interest in joint ventures

 

Total income

Revenue

 

6,946,237,938

 

(255,513,915)

 

6,690,724,023

Intersegment sales

 

13,561,212

 

(8,920,416)

 

4,640,796

Cost of sales

 

(6,637,202,476)

 

281,431,213

 

(6,355,771,263)

Gross loss

 

322,596,674

 

16,996,882

 

339,593,556

             

Selling expenses

 

(414,002,396)

 

-

 

(414,002,396)

Administrative expenses

 

(527,980,431)

 

64,662,922

 

(463,317,509)

Other operating income

 

200,978,618

 

(4,560,518)

 

196,418,100

Other operating expenses

 

(203,949,959)

 

-

 

(203,949,959)

Share of profit of joint ventures

 

2,891

 

(31,023,197)

 

(31,020,306)

Share of profit of associates

 

2,294,951

 

-

 

2,294,951

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

(108,283,569)

 

-

 

(108,283,569)

Operating (loss) profit

 

(728,343,221)

 

46,076,089

 

(682,267,132)

             

Finance income

 

223,494,065

 

(80,230,223)

 

143,263,842

Finance cost

 

(552,041,396)

 

50,099,084

 

(501,942,312)

Other finance results

 

(237,517,681)

 

34,515,957

 

(203,001,724)

Finance results, net

 

(566,065,012)

 

4,384,818

 

(561,680,194)

(Loss) Profit before income tax

 

(1,294,408,233)

 

50,460,907

 

(1,243,947,326)

             

Income tax

 

160,521,464

 

(27,210,442)

 

133,311,022

Profit before income tax

 

(1,133,886,769)

 

23,250,465

 

(1,110,636,304)

             

Discontinued operations

 

28,794,219

 

2,272,302

 

31,066,521

Adjustment non-controlling interest in Joint Ventures

 

25,522,767

 

(25,522,767)

 

-

(Loss) for the year

 

(1,079,569,783)

 

-

 

(1,079,569,783)

             

Depreciation and amortization

 

421,279,543

 

(38,296,343)

 

382,983,200

 

 

F-157


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 35: (Continuation)

 

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2012

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Statements of financial position

Assets

 

12,018,957,589

 

(699,473,658)

 

11,319,483,931

Liabilities

 

9,560,541,895

 

(571,373,108)

 

8,989,168,787

             

Additional consolidated information as of December 31, 2012

 

Segment information

 

Assets and liabilities from interest in joint ventures

 

Note 10

Property, plant and equipment increases

 

701,135,589

 

(38,142,635)

 

662,992,954

 

 

NOTE 36: RELATED PARTIES´ TRANSACTIONS

 

a)    Sales of goods and services  

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Joint ventures

     

 

   

Transener

 

11,540,096

 

7,696,962

 

4,640,796

             

Other related parties

           

TGS

 

30,259,816

 

-

 

-

CYCSA

 

1,195,488

 

1,095,864

 

-

Grupo Dolphin

 

41,382

 

-

 

-

   

43,036,782

 

8,792,826

 

4,640,796

 

Correspond to gas sale, advisory services in technical assistance for the operation, maintenance and management of the transport system of high-voltage electricity.

 

b)    Purchases of goods and services

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Joint ventures

 

 

 

 

   

Transener

 

(1,484,071)

 

(1,580,605)

 

(8,920,416)

 

 

 

 

 

   

Other related parties

     

 

   

SACME

 

(19,605,316)

 

(14,744,698)

 

-

 

 

(21,089,387)

 

(16,325,303)

 

(8,920,416)

 

Correspond to maintenance, and operation and monitoring system for transmitting electricity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-158


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 36: (Continuation)

 

c)     Fees for services

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Other related parties

 

 

 

 

   

Salaverri, Dellatorre, Burgio & Wetzler

 

(1,262,984)

 

(1,596,860)

 

(927,028)

 

 

(1,262,984)

 

(1,596,860)

 

(927,028)

 

Correspond to fees for legal advice.

 

d)    Other operating income

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Other related parties

     

 

   

CYCSA

 

5,018,436

 

3,857,297

 

2,790,447

PYSSA

 

2,100

 

-

 

-

   

5,020,536

 

3,857,297

 

2,790,447

 

Correspond to royalties for the use of the distribution network.

 

e)     Other operating expenses

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Other related parties

     

 

   

Foundation

 

(3,370,000)

 

(2,600,000)

 

(4,300,000)

   

(3,370,000)

 

(2,600,000)

 

(4,300,000)

 

Correspond to donations.

 

f)      Financial cost

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Other related parties

     

 

   

PYSSA

 

(89,819)

 

(94,822)

 

-

TGS

 

(14,309,650)

 

(9,654,462)

 

(8,504,406)

   

(14,399,469)

 

(9,749,284)

 

(8,504,406)

 

Correspond mainly to interest on loans received.

g)    Capital Suscription

 

   

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Joint ventures

     

 

   

Citelec

 

-

 

(1,198,435)

 

(1,183,565)

   

-

 

(1,198,435)

 

(1,183,565)

 

 

 

 

 

F-159


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

 

NOTE 36: (Continuation)

 

h)    Reserve for directors’ options

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

Other related parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

6,709,014

 

8,945,352

 

8,945,352

 

 

6,709,014

 

8,945,352

 

8,945,352

 

 

i)      Key management personnel remuneration

 

The total remuneration to key management personnel accrued during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounts to $ 87.8 million ($ 30.6 millions in remunerations, $ 6.7 in the accrual of reserves of share based payments and $ 50.5 in the accrual of the Company-Value Compensation), $ 35 million (Ps 26.1 millions in remunerations and $ 8.9 in the accrual of reserves of share based payments), and $21.5 million (Ps.12.6 millions incremerations and Ps 8.9 in the accrual of reserves of share based payments).

 

j)      Balances with related parties:

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

Trade receivables

 

Other receivables

 

Accounts payable

 

Borrowings

 

Current

 

Current

 

Current

 

Current

 

Non Current

Joint ventures

 

             

 

 

Citelec

 

-

 

250,000

 

-

 

-

 

-

Transener

 

3,539,690

 

-

 

163,093

 

-

 

-

Other related parties

 

                 

CYCSA

 

241,090

 

170,051

 

-

 

-

 

-

Directors

 

-

 

4,344,050

 

-

 

-

 

-

Orígenes Retiro

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

193,403,000

TGS

 

5,846,235

 

3,449,039

 

221,441

 

269,697,740

 

-

 

 

9,627,015

 

8,213,140

 

384,534

 

269,697,740

 

193,403,000

 

 

                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

Trade receivables

 

Other receivables

 

Accounts payable

 

Borrowings

 

Current

 

Current

 

Current

 

Current

 

Non Current

Joint ventures

 

           

 

 

 

Transener

 

3,881,745

 

-

 

102,355

 

-

 

-

Other related parties

 

                 

CYCSA

 

241,090

 

645,830

 

-

 

-

 

-

Orígenes Retiro

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

31,508,188

 

200,000,000

TGS

 

-

 

-

 

988,774

 

-

 

194,721,657

 

 

4,122,835

 

645,830

 

1,091,129

 

31,508,188

 

394,721,657

 

 

 

F-160


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 37: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The following chart presents financial instruments by category:

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

Financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit and losss

 

Subtotal financial assets/liabilities

 

Non financial assets/liabilities

 

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables and other receivables

3,294,835,322

 

53,238,417

 

3,348,073,739

 

503,604,310

 

3,851,678,049

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

 

                 

Government securities

 

-

 

237,068,910

 

237,068,910

 

-

 

237,068,910

Corporate securities

 

-

 

505,553

 

505,553

 

-

 

505,553

Trusts

 

-

 

962,942,332

 

962,942,332

 

-

 

962,942,332

Shares

 

-

 

61,700,114

 

61,700,114

 

-

 

61,700,114

Investment funds

 

-

 

729,373,180

 

729,373,180

 

-

 

729,373,180

Cash and cash equivalents

 

199,697,527

 

135,536,579

 

335,234,106

 

-

 

335,234,106

Total

 

3,494,532,849

 

2,180,365,085

 

5,674,897,934

 

503,604,310

 

6,178,502,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other liabilities

 

4,804,516,223

 

-

 

4,804,516,223

 

1,640,446,064

 

6,444,962,287

Borrowings

 

4,570,571,693

 

-

 

4,570,571,693

 

-

 

4,570,571,693

Derivative financial instruments

 

-

 

47,880,462

 

47,880,462

 

-

 

47,880,462

Total

 

9,375,087,916

 

47,880,462

 

9,422,968,378

 

1,640,446,064

 

11,063,414,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

Financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit and losss

 

Subtotal financial assets/liabilities

 

Non financial assets/liabilities

 

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables and other receivables

2,258,964,020

 

119,661

 

2,259,083,681

 

364,569,074

 

2,623,652,755

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

   

Government securities

 

-

 

171,168,436

 

171,168,436

 

-

 

171,168,436

Corporate securities

 

-

 

331,969

 

331,969

 

-

 

331,969

Trusts

 

-

 

431,466,036

 

431,466,036

 

-

 

431,466,036

Shares

 

-

 

84,199,961

 

84,199,961

 

-

 

84,199,961

Investment funds

 

-

 

490,299,478

 

490,299,478

 

-

 

490,299,478

Government bonds trust AESEBA

 

-

 

99,523,343

 

99,523,343

 

-

 

99,523,343

Cash and cash equivalents

 

121,781,515

 

219,887,350

 

341,668,865

 

-

 

341,668,865

Total

 

2,380,745,535

 

1,496,996,234

 

3,877,741,769

 

364,569,074

 

4,242,310,843

 

 

                 

Liabilities

 

                 

Trade and other liabilities

 

3,304,654,202

 

-

 

3,304,654,202

 

1,089,752,266

 

4,394,406,468

Borrowings

 

3,678,102,235

 

-

 

3,678,102,235

 

-

 

3,678,102,235

Total

 

6,982,756,437

 

-

 

6,982,756,437

 

1,089,752,266

 

8,072,508,703

 

 

 

F-161


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 37: (Continuation)

The categories of financial instruments have been determined according to IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”.

The income, expenses, gains and losses derived from each of the financial instrument categories are indicated below:

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

Financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit and losss

 

Subtotal financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Non Financial assets/ liabilities at amortized cost

 

Total

Interest income

 

421,578,000

 

18,963,774

 

440,541,774

 

-

 

440,541,774

Interest expense

 

(969,307,212)

 

-

 

(969,307,212)

 

(68,266,021)

 

(1,037,573,233)

Foreign exchange, net

 

(955,452,688)

 

242,630,582

 

(712,822,106)

 

-

 

(712,822,106)

Results from financial instruments at fair value

 

-

 

859,434,692

 

859,434,692

 

-

 

859,434,692

Other financial results

 

195,910,702

 

-

 

195,910,702

 

1,876,060

 

197,786,762

Total

 

(1,307,271,198)

 

1,121,029,048

 

(186,242,150)

 

(66,389,961)

 

(252,632,111)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

Financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets/liabilities at fair value with changes in profit and losss

 

Subtotal financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Non Financial assets/ liabilities at amortized cost

 

Total

Interest income

 

297,026,738

 

39,268,427

 

336,295,165

 

-

 

336,295,165

Interest expense

 

(753,181,891)

 

-

 

(753,181,891)

 

(40,861,761)

 

(794,043,652)

Foreign exchange, net

 

(856,896,878)

 

116,878,477

 

(740,018,401)

 

(4,131,669)

 

(744,150,070)

Results from financial instruments at fair value

 

2,277,047

 

293,577,790

 

295,854,837

 

-

 

295,854,837

Other financial results

 

(88,986,917)

 

58,220

 

(88,928,697)

 

(1,869,355)

 

(90,798,052)

Total

 

(1,399,761,901)

 

449,782,914

 

(949,978,987)

 

(46,862,785)

 

(996,841,772)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

Financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Financial assets/liabilities at fair value with changes in profit and losss

 

Subtotal financial assets/liabilities at amortized cost

 

Non Financial assets/ liabilities at amortized cost

 

Total

Interest income

 

111,057,340

 

32,206,502

 

143,263,842

 

-

 

143,263,842

Interest expense

 

(458,260,985)

 

-

 

(458,260,985)

 

(30,209,250)

 

(488,470,235)

Foreign exchange, net

 

(396,144,380)

 

47,931,507

 

(348,212,873)

 

3,590,550

 

(344,622,323)

Results from financial instruments at fair value

 

-

 

191,938,160

 

191,938,160

 

-

 

191,938,160

Other financial results

 

(64,293,565)

 

-

 

(64,293,565)

 

503,927

 

(63,789,638)

Total

 

(807,641,590)

 

272,076,169

 

(535,565,421)

 

(26,114,773)

 

(561,680,194)

 

 

F-162


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

NOTE 38: CONTINGENCIES

 

38.1 CTG

Legal proceeding with DESA

DESA filed a complaint against CTG seeking to enforce performance of a contract entered into between the parties and to collect differences in the settlement of fees paid to the plaintiff pursuant to this contract.

After a long judicial proceeding with wholly contradictory Court judgments, on April 15, 2014 and in view of the course of the litigation during the period, CTG’s management decided to put an end to the dispute with DESA by executing a settlement agreement whereby it paid the amount of $ 15 million plus VAT to DESA and the amount of $ 3.8 million plus VAT to the intervening Law Office.


Account blocking

On July 24, 2014, the Municipality of General Güemes brought a tax execution proceeding against CTG alleging the lack of payment of the “Activities Rate” for the June 2011-April 2014 period and was granted the blocking of CTG’s banking accounts in the amount of $ 10.8 million for principal and $ 5.4 million for legal accessory expenses.

The Activities Rate, or Health, Security, Hygiene and Environment Rate, is an assessment levied on the commercial, industrial and service activity of the Municipal Tax Code which CTG has historically disregarded since the activities it conducts are not subject to the application of municipal taxes as the company is under the scope of the ENRE and the Municipality of General Güemes does not render any service which should be remunerated through an rate.

Therefore, the Municipality of General Güemes and CTG have reached several agreements whereby CTG committed to make a monthly contribution and the Municipality of General Güemes waived its right to bring claims seeking the payment of municipal rates. The last agreement reached between the parties under such conditions, dated May 5, 2011, provided for a $ 100,000 monthly contribution.

On August 25, 2014, CTG filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction of the province and defective title due to the non-existence of the debt. It further filed a plea requesting the substitution of the interim injunction relief.

On October 27, 2014, the parties, without this implying an admission of facts or rights, reached the following agreement:

(i)       a monthly fee of $ 185,000 for the October-December 2014 period as assistance for activities promoting the development of the community and services requested by CTG to the Municipality of General Güemes;

(ii)     a monthly amount of $ 200,000 as from January 2015 and until December 31, 2015;

(iii)    as from January 1, 2016, the amount of the monthly assistance will reach $ 260,000;

In this way, the parties resolved to terminate the tax execution proceeding. To such effect, and without this implying the admissibility of the Activities Assessment claimed by the Municipality of General Güemes, the Company undertook the following commitment:

 

 

 

F-163


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

(i)       to pay the amount of $ 1.1 million in consideration of the lifting of the injunctive orders once the tax execution proceeding has been waived;

(ii)     to pay the amount of $ 1.1 million in 14 monthly, equal and consecutive installments of $ 78,571.43 each as from November 10, 2014;

(iii)    to deliver a vehicle owned by CTG free from all and any liens;

(iv)   to pay the Municipality of General Güemes’ attorneys fees in the amount of $ 440,000 through the issuance of an immediate payment check for $ 220,000 and the remaining amount in 10 monthly installments in the amount of $ 22,000;

On October 31. 2014, the intervening Court ordered the lifting of CTG bank accounts’ blocking. In this sense, during the month of November 2014, Banco de Valores and Banco Galicia  lifted the blocking of the mutual funds and the banking accounts, respectively

Termination of the reorganization proceeding

On September 24, 2014, CTG was served notice of a judicial order passed on June 30, 2014 and its explanatory order passed in September declaring the termination of the reorganization proceeding pursuant to Section 59 of Bankruptcy Act No. 24,522 and its amending provisions. Within this context, the judge ordered the lifting of the general restraint overgoods, the termination of the statutory auditors’ duties and the fixing of their professional fees in the amount of $ 1.6 million plus VAT. Statutory auditors have expressed their consent to this order, which is thus deemed final and conclusive. CTG has appealed the high statutory auditors’ fees, and terms for the submission of briefs in connection with this appeal have been suspended.

 

38.2 CTLL

 

Legal action for breach of the joint venture formed by Isolux Corsan Argentina SA and Tecna Estudios y Proyectos de Ingeniería S.A.  and Engineering Projects (collectively "the Contractor")

 

As a result of the serious delays in the delivery of the expansion work, the lower power produced by the installed steam turbine (165 MW as compared with the originally expected 176 MW) and other breaches by the Contractor, CTLL is currently under an arbitration proceeding brought before an Arbitration Court constituted pursuant to the arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce.

 

The arbitration complaint was brought by the Contractor in 2011, which claims as follows:

 

(i)         The granting of the provisional reception certificate under the Construction Agreement;

(ii)       The return of the amounts collected by CTLL through the execution of the guarantees issued by BBVA and Commerzbank AG for a total amount of US$ 20 million;

(iii)      The payment of the last contractual milestone, which had received a discount (compensation for breaches) by the Contractor, valued in US$ 18 million;

(iv)     The payment of the damages which would result from CTLL’s actions regarding items (i) and (ii) above.

 

 

 

 

F-164


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

CTLL filed a counterclaim against the Contractor seeking a compensation for the serious injuries sustained as a result of the above mentioned breaches. 

 

In the course of litigation, the Contractor successfully requested two injunctive orders before Argentine Commercial Courts to guarantee the result of the arbitration; to such effect, two attachments were placed on CTLL (one in December 2011 and the other in October 2012) for a total amount of US$ 22.6 million, which were wholly substituted by two guarantee insurance.

 

On March 27, 2013, the parties filed the statements of legal grounds for their respective claims in the arbitration conducted under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce. The Contractor assessed its claims in the amount of US$ 97.5 million, including US$ 71.5 million for reputational damages. Likewise, CTLL assessed its claims in the total amount of US$ 148.3 million, and later restated this amount to US$ 228.2 million on account of the damages sustained as a result of the accident which took place in the Plant on November 14, 2012, which is described below.

 

On July 26, 2013, the parties filed their answers to the complaint and the counterclaim and on October 15, 2013, the corresponding answers to such pleadings. In March 2014 the hearing of witnesses and experts took place in the city of Montevideo. On May 30, 2014, the parties filed their closing brief. The Arbitration Court has requested several extensions for the issuance of its final and conclusive award, having set a deadline for issuing the award on May 29, 2015.

 

New accident in the generating plant

 

On November 14, 2012, the transportation facilities connecting CTLL with the WEM became out of service, which resulted in the outage of the plant’s gas turbine units and steam turbine unit. The outage of the steam turbine unit was caused by abnormal operating conditions and caused serious damage on the turbine and the generator. As a result of this event, all applicable claims were filed and notices were sent to the insurance companies, the contractors in charge of the project and CAMMESA.

 

The TV Unit has been repaired and is commercially operative since last June 13, 2013.

 

CTLL requested the Arbitration Court to allow for the introduction of new compensation claims resulting from the damage inflicted on the turbine and the generator. The Arbitration Court passed a procedural order upholding CTLL’s request.

 

Claim for compensation to insurance companies

 

As regards this last accident, CTLL has made the necessary filings with the insurance companies to receive the compensations for the damages sustained as a result of the new failure and to minimize losses in connection with the WEM Supply Agreement. The amount collected by CTLL corresponding to business interruption and property damage amounted to US$ 43.7 million.

 

 

 

 

 

F-165


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

Due to the specificities of the accident, CTLL notified the ES and CAMMESA of the existence of a Force Majeure event pursuant to the provisions of Agreement No. 220, and, therefore, unavailability penalties should not apply as a result of such event.

 

Even though CTLL has submitted evidence of the existence of a Force Majeure event to the ES and CAMMESA, CAMMESA rejected such request and included unavailability penalties resulting from such Force Majeure event in the economic transaction documents from November, 2012 to June, 2013. In response to that, CTLL has requested CAMMESA its rectification and has made new filings with the ES so that it should grant a decision on this issue, which has not occurred as at the date hereof.

 

As a result of the application by CAMMESA of the unavailability penalties during the whole stated period and although the legal subrogation of rights set forth by Section 80 of Insurance Law No. 17,418 has fully operated, CTLL and the insurance companies have agreed the following regarding the penalties imposed on CTLL:

 

(i)              that CTLL should continue the procedure for the recovery of the penalties before the competent authorities;

(ii)            that should the ES sustain CTLL’s request and order CAMMESA to return the amounts debited as penalties, CTLL undertakes to reimburse those amounts to the insurance companies pro rata to the penalties compensated by the insurance companies;

(iii)           that in case the Force Majeure claim is rejected by the ES, CTLL and the insurance companies should mutually agree on the course of action to follow to properly safeguard their corresponding rights;

(iv)          that CTLL undertakes to make available to the insurance companies all commercial and/or any other kind of documents issued by CAMMESA regarding its receivables so that they can exercise the controls they may deem appropriate regarding the collection of penalties through any means.

 

Compensation for breaches

 

On March 30, 2011, CTLL accepted a proposal by the Contractor (the “March Agreement”) whereby the Contractor granted CTLL compensation for breaches, which would be offset with pending payments corresponding to the last payment milestone under the agreements.

 

Pursuant to the arbitration proceeding brought in 2011 and since the Contractor has requested the nullity of the compensation for breaches granted to the Company alleging that CTLL has breached its obligation to deduct that recognition from the amounts claimed to the Contractor on executing the guarantees, the Company has created a provision for the amount of the recognition in case an adverse ruling is rendered.

 

 

 

 

F-166


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

On March 27, 2013, the parties filed their statement of legal grounds for their respective claims and on July 26, 2013, their answers to the complaint and the counterclaim; Based on the elements of judgment resulting from the above-mentioned statement of legal grounds, expert legal counselors have concluded that the Contractor’s arbitration claim seeking the nullity of the recognition granted by the “March Agreement” is highly unlikely to succeed. In this sense, on December 31, 2013, CTLL reversed the provision for $ 85.2 million created upon the beging of the arbitration proceeding and charged to “Other operating income” in the Statement of Income.            

 

Sales Tax

 

CTLL submitted a note to the Province of Neuquén’s Revenue Department in order to inform it that CTLL considers that the electric power generation activity conducted in that province should be covered by Section 12 of Law No. 15,336, which provides that electricity generation, transformation and transmission works and works and facilities within the national jurisdiction and the energy generated or transported by them should not be levied with taxes or contributions, nor be subject to domestic provisions restricting or hindering energy’s free production and circulation. Pursuant to this article, income derived from the generation of electric power is exempt from the provincial sales tax.

 

CTLL’s position was finally upheld by a final and conclusive decision by the State Attorney’s Office of the Province of Neuquén on April 9, 2014, where the State Attorney, in answer to Docket No. 5823-007042/14, “S/Central Térmica Loma de la Lata S/ISIB s/Generación de Energía Eléctrica y solicitud de certificado de exención”, held as follows: “[…] that pursuant to the provisions enacted by the National Government in this area as a proper means to attain the sought federal objectives, the Company should not pay the Provincial sales tax.”

 

In line with the decision of the State Attorney’s Office of the Province of Neuquén, in the month of May the Revenue Department of that province issued a Non-Tax Withholding and/or Collection Certificate to CTLL effective until December 31, 2015.

 

As at December 31, 2014, and based on the decisions adopted by such entities, CTLL has decided to reverse the provision recorded as of December 31, 2013 in the amount of $ 41.1 million, with an offsetting entry under “Other operating income” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for $ 37.9 million as sales tax and under “Other financial results” in the amount of $ 3.2 million as compensatory interest.

 

 

 

 

F-167


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

38. 3 HIDISA and HINISA

 

Income tax

 

HINISA and HIDISA have assessed the income tax for fiscal year 2013, which resulted in a $ 9.3 million and $ 0.9 million tax, respectively, taking into consideration the application of the inflation adjustment mechanisms set forth in Title VI of the Income Tax Act, the update of Property, plant en equipment amortizations (Sections 83, 84 and 89), a cost restatement on account of the disposal of shares and mutual funds quotas (Sections 58, 61 and 89), and the update of intangible assets amortizations (Sections 81.c, 84 and 89, and Section 128 of its regulatory decree), using to such effect the domestic wholesale price index (IPIM) published by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses based on the similarity with the parameters put forward in re “Candy S.A.” heard by the National Supreme Court of Justice, which on July 3, 2009 ruled for the application of the inflation adjustment mechanism. If the inflation adjustment mechanisms weren’t applied, the tax assessed for fiscal year 2013 for HINISA and HIDISA would have amounted to $ 14.1 million and $ 12.3 million, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and until this issue would be finally and conclusively solved, HINISA and HIDISA will hold a provision for the additional income tax liability that would have been determined for the fiscal year 2012 and 2013 in case the inflation adjustment has not been deducted. This provision amounts to $ 36.6 and $ 27 million, respectively, including compensatory interest.

 

38. 4 CPB

Payment plans


As regards the Argentine Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP)’s income tax inspection for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the  moment of the deduction of certain income by CPB has been challenged. On July 31, 2013, CPB resolved to allow the tax claim and adhered to the Payment Plan regulated by General Resolution No. 3451/13 to regularize periods not barred by the statue of limitations for a total amount of $ 15.2 million, which will be paid up in 120 monthly installments.

 

38. 5 PESA and subsidiaries

Mminimum national income tax

 

Tax refund claim

 

The Company and CTLL have filed different petitions for refund against AFIP – DGI for the application of the minimum notional income tax corresponding to the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and CPB corresponding to the fiscal years 2002.  This claim seeks the refund of $ 29.2 million, including the recovery of payments recorded and the reversal of the payment made on account of the offsetting of several fiscal credits.

 

As AFIP didn’t answer the claim, the Company and certain subsidiaries brought the tax refund claim before a National First Instance Administrative Litigation Court.

 

 

 

F-168


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

Declaratory relief

 

The Company and its subsidiaries filed a petition for declaratory relief pursuant to Section 322 of the Federal Code of Civil and Commercial Procedure against AFIP in order to obtain assurance as to the application of the minimum notional income tax for the fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 3013, based on the decision by the CSJN in “Hermitage” dated on September 15, 2010.

 

In this established precedent, the Court had declared this tax unconstitutional since it may be considered unreasonable under certain circumstances and since it breaches the tax capacity principle.

 

Furthermore, the Company and certain subsidiaries have requested the granting of interim injunctive relief so that AFIP may refrain from demanding payment or instituting tax execution proceedings on the tax and for the fiscal year mentioned. The Court seized of in the proceedings decided to reject the precautionary measures, a decision that was appealed by the Company and certain subsidiaries.

 

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the presiding judge has not ruled on the precautionary measures for the fiscal period 2013 or on the merits.

 

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held a provision for the minimum notional income tax for the fiscal years mentioned and for the proportional tax estimated for this year for a total amount of $ 207.2 million and $ 122.4 million, respectively, including compensatory interest.

38.6  Edenor

Edenor has contingent liabilities and is a party to lawsuits that arise from the ordinary course of business. Based on the opinion of its legal advisors, Management estimates that the outcome of the current contingencies and lawsuits will not exceed the amounts of the recorded provisions nor will be significant with respect to Edenor’s financial position or the results of its operations.

 

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that there exist contingent obligations and labor, civil and commercial complaints filed against Edenor relating to legal actions for individual non-significant amounts for which a provision, which as of December 31, 2014 amounts to $ 136.2 million, has been recorded.

F-169


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

The most significant legal actions in which Edenor is a party involved are detailed below:

 

38.6.1 Legal action brought by the National Ombudsman

 

i)         Purpose: presentation against the resolutions by which the new electricity rate schedule went into effect as from October 1, 2008 and the application of the PUREE.

ii)       Procedural stage of the proceedings: on December 7, 2009, the Company filed an appeal (“Queja por Recurso denegado”) to the Federal Supreme Court concerning the precautionary measure granted to the plaintiff, which is currently being analyzed by the Supreme Court. The file was joined to “CARBONEL SILVIA CRISTINA vs FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – MINISTRY OF PLANNING – ENERGY SECRETARIAT RESOLUTION 1196/08 1170/08, ACTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF A RIGHT GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION (AMPARO) LAW 16,986”, and treated as an Action for the protection of rights. On August 20, 2013, the Court in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters No. 10 – Clerk’s Office No. 20 rejected the aforementioned action. This decision, which was appealed by the plaintiff, was affirmed in all its terms by Division IV of the Court of Appeals in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters on May 20, 2014. The National Ombudsman filed an extraordinary appeal (“Recurso Extraordinario Federal”) that was declared inadmissible by the Appellate Court. Therefore, the National Ombudsman filed an appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. In view of the above, and at Edenor’s request, on September 29, 2014, the Court of Original Jurisdiction formally declared that the once granted precautionary measure was no longer in force, thus allowing Edenor to issue the corresponding demand for payment notices and proceed in each case in accordance with the Electric Power Supply Regulations of the Concession Agreement. However, by Note No. 114039 dated October 11, 2014, the Regulatory Agency instructed Edenor to abstain from cutting the power supply for unpaid balances until information is provided on the number of affected users and the magnitude of the amount owed by them so that the Regulatory Agency can evaluate such information and issue a precise instruction. Having this instruction been complied with, the court hearing the case decided that the precautionary measure granted in 2009 was no longer enforceable –decision which was ratified by the appellate court. Against this decision, the National Ombudsman filed an extraordinary appeal (“Recurso Extraordinario Federal”), whose resolution is still pending. Despite this, the precautionary measure is not in effect.

iii)      Amount: undetermined

iv)     Conclusion: no provision has been recorded for these claims in these financial statements as E believes, based on both what has been previously mentioned and the opinion of its legal advisors, that there exist solid arguments for them to be considered unfounded. It is estimated that this legal action will be definitively concluded 2015.

 

38.6.2 Legal action brought by “Consumidores Libres Coop. Ltda. de provisión de servicios de acción comunitaria”

 

i)      Purpose:

-          That all the last resolutions concerning electricity rates issued by the ENRE and the ES be declared null and unconstitutional, and, in consequence whereof, that the amounts billed by virtue of these resolutions be refunded.

-          That all the defendants be under the obligation to carry out the RTI.

-          That the resolutions issued by the ES that extend the transition period of the Adjustment Agreement be declared null and unconstitutional.

-          That the defendants be ordered to carry out the sale process, through an international public bidding, of the class "A" shares, due to the fact that the Management Period of the Concession Agreement is considered over.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

-          That the resolutions as well as any act performed by a governmental authority that modify contractual renegotiations be declared null and unconstitutional.

-          That the resolutions that extend the management periods contemplated in the Concession Agreement be declared null and unconstitutional.

-          Subsidiarily, should the main claim be rejected, that the defendants be ordered to bill all customers on a bimonthly basis.

ii)       Amount: undetermined

iii)      Procedural stage of the proceedings: Edenor answered the complaint rejecting all its terms and requesting that a summons be served upon CAMMESA as a third-party defendant. The Court hearing the case sustained the request and CAMMESA answered the service of notice in due time and manner. The Federal Government has answered the complaint filed against it within the term granted for such purpose, filing a motion to dismiss for lack of standing to be sued (“falta de legitimación pasiva”). At present no resolution has been issued modifying the procedural stage of the proceedings; however, the proceedings have been made available to the Prosecutor.

iv)     Conclusion: no provision has been recorded for these claims in these financial statements as Edenor believes, based on both that witch has been previously mentioned and the opinion of its legal advisors, that there exist solid arguments for them to be considered unfounded. It is estimated that this legal action will not be terminated in 2015

 

38.6.3 Legal action brought by “Consumidores Financieros Asociación civil para su defensa”

 

i)            Purpose:

-          Reimbursement of the VAT percentage paid on the illegally “widened” taxable basis due to the incorporation of a concept (National Fund of Electricity - FNEE) on which no VAT had been paid by the defendants when CAMMESA (the company in charge of the regulation and operation of the wholesale electricity market) invoiced them the electricity purchased for distribution purposes.

-          Reimbursement of part of the administrative surcharge on “second due date”, in those cases in which payment was made within the time period authorized for such second deadline (14 days) but without distinguishing the effective day of payment.

-          Application of the “borrowing rate” in case of customer delay in complying with payment obligation, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 26,361.

ii)          Amount: undetermined

iii)         Procedural stage of the proceedings: On April 22, 2010, Edenor answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss for lack of standing (“excepción de falta de legitimación”), requesting, at such opportunity, that a summons be served upon the Federal Government, the AFIP and the ENRE as third-party defendants. These pleadings were made available to the plaintiff. Although the plaintiff’s opposition to the requested summons had not yet been resolved, the proceedings were brought to trial, in response to which Edenor filed a motion for reversal with a supplementary appeal. The Court hearing the case granted the motion filed by Edenor and ordered that the Federal Government, the AFIP and the ENRE be summoned as third-party defendants, which is currently taking place.

iv)        Conclusion: no provision has been recorded for these claims in these financial statements as Edenor believes, based on both what has been previously mentioned and the opinion of its legal advisors, that there exist solid arguments for them to be considered unfounded. It is estimated that the proceedings will not be terminated in 2015.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

38.6.4 Legal action brought by “Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores”

i)            Purpose:

-          that clause 4.6 and related clauses of Appendix I of the Adjustment Agreement be revoked, inasmuch as they establish that the rate increase will be retroactive;

-          that Resolution No. 51/07 of the ENRE be nullified inasmuch as it authorizes the retroactive increase of rates in favor of Edenor.

-          that the Company be ordered to reimburse customers all the amounts paid as retroactive rate increase for the period of November 1, 2005 through January 31, 2007.

-          that the reimbursement be implemented through a credit in favor of customers.

ii)          Amount: undetermined

iii)         Procedural stage of the proceedings: By resolution issued on June 1, 2011, Division V of the Court of Appeals in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters, supporting Edenor‘s arguments, ordered that the lower court decision be nullified as to the merits of the case.  Against such decision, the Unión de Usuarios y Consumidores filed an extraordinary appeal (“Recurso Extraordinario Federal”) which was allowed on November 3, 2011. The proceedings have been taken to the Federal Supreme Court, which on October 1, 2013 rejected the appeal due to the lack of compliance with a Court resolution.

iv)        Conclusion: No provision is to be recorded in connection with this claim inasmuch as a final and conclusive judgment has been rendered in favor of Edenor.

38.6.5 Legal action brought by Edenor  (“EDENOR S.A. VS ENRE RESOLUTION No.32/11”)

i)            Purpose: The judicial annulment of ENRE Resolution that established the following:

-          That Edenor be fined in the amount of $ 750,000 due to its failure to comply with the obligations arising from Section 25, sub-sections a, f and g, of the Concession Agreement and Section 27 of Law No. 24,065.

-          That Edenor be fined in the amount of $ 375,000 due to its failure to comply with the obligations arising from Section 25 of the Concession Agreement and ENRE Resolution No. 905/1999.

-          That Edenor customers be paid as compensation for the power cuts suffered the following amounts: $ 180 to each small-demand residential customer (T1R) who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 12 continuous hours, $ 350 to those who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 24 continuous hours, and $ 450 to those who suffered power cuts that lasted more than 48 continuous hours. The resolution stated that such compensation did not include damages to customer facilities and/or appliances, which were to be dealt with in accordance with a specific procedure.

ii)          Amount: $ 22.4 million.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

iii)         Procedural stage of the proceedings: On July 8, 2011, Edenor requested that notice of the substance of the case be served upon the ENRE, which has effectively taken place. The proceedings are “awaiting resolution” since the date on which the ENRE answered the notice served. Furthermore, on October 28, 2011, Edenor filed an appeal (“recurso de queja por apelación denegada”) to the Supreme Court concerning the provisional relief sought and not granted. On April 24, 2013, Edenor was notified of Division I’s decision dated March 21, 2013, pursuant to which the appeal filed by Edenor was declared formally inadmissible. On May 3, 2013, the Company filed an ordinary appeal (“Recurso Ordinario de Apelación”) to the Supreme Court. Additionally, on May 13, 2013, an extraordinary appeal (“Recurso Extraordinario Federal”) was also filed to the same Court. On November 7, 2014, it was notified to Edenor that Division I had rejected the ordinary appeal but partially granted the extraordinary appeal, considering for the granting thereof the federal nature of the regulations being challenged and rejecting it in relation to the arbitrariness raised by Edenor. Therefore, and within the procedural term granted for such purpose, Edenor filed an appeal requesting that the extraordinary appeal dismissed be sustained (“Recurso de Queja por Rec. Extraordinario Denegado”). As of the date of this report, no decision has yet been issued on this regard.

iv)        Conclusion: As of the closing date of the year ended December 31, 2014, the provision recorded by the Company for principal and interest accrued amounts to $ 34.9 million. It is estimated that this legal action may be terminated in 2015.

38.6.6 Legal action brought by Edenor (“EDENOR S.A. VS ENRE RESOLUTION No. 336/12”)

i)            Purpose: By this action, Edenor challenges ENRE’s resolution pursuant to which Edenor is ordered to:

-          determine the customers affected by the power cuts occurred as a consequence of failures between October 29 and November 14, 2012;

-          determine the discounts to be recognized to each of the customers identified in accordance with the preceding caption;

-          credit such discounts on account of the final discounts that will result from the evaluation of the Technical Service Quality relating to the six-month control period;

-          pay a compensation to each small-demand residential customer (T1R) who has been affected by the power cuts occurred during the aforementioned period, the amount of which will depend on the electricity outage duration, provided, however, that such power cut lasted more than 12 continuous hours.

ii)          Amount: not specified in the complaint.

iii)         Procedural stage of the proceedings: This resolution has been contested by Edenor through a direct appeal (“Recurso Directo”), which is pending in Division IV of the Court of Appeals in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters. Notice of the legal bases of the aforementioned appeal, which was filed on February 4, 2014, has not yet been served upon the ENRE. Due to the fact that the already requested administrative proceedings have not yet been sent, service upon the ENRE of the notice of the action has not yet been ordered.

iv)        Conclusion: It is estimated that this action will not be terminated in 2015.

 

 

 

F-173


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

 

38.6.7 Legal action brought by “ASOCIACIÓN DE DEFENSA DE DERECHOS DE USUARIOS Y CONSUMIDORES – ADDUC”

 

i)            Purpose: that the Company be ordered to reduce or mitigate the default or late payment interest rates charged to customers who pay their bills after the first due date, inasmuch as they violate section 31 of Law No. 24,240, ordering both the non application of pacts or accords that stipulate the interest rates that are being applied to the users of electricity –their unconstitutional nature– as well as the reimbursement of interest amounts illegally collected from users of the service from August 15, 2008 through the date on which the defendant complies with the order to reduce interest. It is also requested that the value added tax (VAT) and any other taxes charged on the portion of the surcharge illegally collected be reimbursed.

ii)          Amount: undetermined

iii)         Procedural stage of the proceedings: On November 11, 2011, Edenor answered the complaint and filed a motion to dismiss for both lack of standing to sue (“excepción de falta de legitimación activa”) and the fact that the claims at issue were being litigated in another lawsuit (“excepción de litispendencia”), currently in process, requesting as well that a summons be served upon the ENRE as a third-party defendant. Notice of these pleadings was served upon the plaintiff. Prior to rendering a decision on the motion to dismiss, the Court ordered that the Court in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters No. 2 – Clerk’s Office No. 3 provide it with the proceedings “Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil vs EDESUR and Other defendants, for breach of contract”. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Court has received the requested file. On April 8, 2014, the Court in Civil and Commercial Federal Matters No. 9 – Clerk’s Office No. 17 admitted the motion to dismiss due to the fact that the claims at issue were being litigated in another lawsuit (“excepción de litispendencia”), and ordered that the proceedings be sent to Federal Court No. 2 – Clerk’s Office No. 3 to be dealt with thereat, thus joining them to the case entitled “Consumidores financieros vs Edesur and other defendants, for breach of contract”. Apart from the fact that the proceedings have been received in the court that currently hears the case, which continues in process, no significant events have occurred.

iv)        Conclusion: It is estimated that this action will not be terminated in 2015.

 

 

F-174


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 38: (Continuation)

38.6.8 Legal action brought by Edenor (“EDENOR S.A. VS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – MINISTRY OF FEDERAL PLANNING / PROCEEDING FOR THE DETERMINATION OF A CLAIM AND MOTION TO LITIGATE IN FORMA PAUPERIS”)

On June 28, 2013, Edenor instituted these proceedings for the recognizance of a claim and the related leave to proceed in forma pauperis, both pending in the Federal Court of Original Jurisdiction in Contentious and Administrative Federal Matters No. 11 – Clerk’s Office No. 22.

i)               Purpose of the main proceedings: To sue for breach of contract due to the Federal Government’s failure to perform in accordance with the terms of the “Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Renegotiation of the Concession Agreement” (“Acta Acuerdo de Renegociación del Contrato de Concesion” – Adjustment Agreement) entered into with Edenor in 2006, and for damages caused as a result of such breach.

ii)             Procedural stage of the proceedings: On November 22, 2013, the Company amended the complaint so as to extend it and claim more damages as a consequence of the Federal Government’s omission to perform the obligations under the aforementioned “Adjustment Agreement”. On February 3, 2015, the court hearing the case ordered that notice of the complaint be served to be answered within the time limit prescribed by law, which at the date of issuance of these financial statements has already taken place.

iii)            Provisional Remedy:  In the same action, in February 2014, Edenor applied for the immediate granting of a provisional remedy in order to maintain an efficient and safe service, requesting that until judgment is passed on the merits of the case, the Federal Government be compelled to provide Edenor with economic assistance, whether by means of a temporary rate adjustment or through government grants. After notice was served upon and answered by the Federal Government – Ministry of Federal Planning, on May 27, 2014, the court hearing the case rejected the provisional remedy sought by Edenor, decision which was confirmed by Division V of the Appellate Court and notified to Edenor on December 19, 2014.

iv)           Resolution 32 of the ES: On March 13, 2015, the Official Gazette published ES Resolution No. 32, which approved a temporary increase in Edenor’s income in order for the latter to cover the expenses and afford the investments associated with the functioning of the electricity distribution service it provides and established that Edenor would be required to observe the provisions of Clause 22.1 of the Adjustment Agreement with regard to the administrative claims and/or judicial actions it might have brought against the Federal Government, the ES and/or the ENRE concerning compliance with clause 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement, i.e. the non implementation of the Cost Monitoring Mechanism (CMM). To date, Edenor is analyzing the scope of that requirement and assessing whether it is in agreement with the law.

v)              Conclusion: It is estimated that this action will not be terminated in 2015.

 

38.6.9 Change of the interest rate applicable to historical lawsuit amounts

 

By Minutes 2601 of the Federal Court of Appeals in Labor Matters, dated May 21, 2014, it was established that the lending rate of Banco Nación Argentina used for the granting of loans, which at present stands at 18.6% p.a., would be replaced by the nominal rate for personal loans of Banco Nación Argentina, currently at 36% p.a. This change applies to all amounts of lawsuits pending judgment within the jurisdiction of the City of Buenos Aires.

 

The effect of this change in the applicable rate generated a loss of $ 31.6 million, which was recorded as of December 31, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-175


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 39: EDENOR’S ASSIGMENTS OF USE

 

a. As assignee

 

The features that these assignments of use have in common are that payments (installments) are established as fixed amounts; there are neither purchase option clauses nor renewal term clauses (except for the assignment of use contract of the Energy Handling and Transformer Center that has an automatic renewal clause for the term thereof); and there are prohibitions such as: transferring or sub-leasing the building, changing its use and/or making any kind of modifications thereto. All operating assignment of use contracts have cancelable terms and assignment periods of 2 to 13 years.

 

Among them the following can be mentioned: commercial offices, two warehouses, the headquarters building (comprised of administration, commercial and technical offices), the Energy Handling and Transformation Center (two buildings and a plot of land located within the perimeter of Central Nuevo Puerto and Puerto Nuevo) and Las Heras substation.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, future minimum payments with respect to operating leases are as follow:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

2012

-

 

-

2013

-

 

-

2014

-

 

21,046,000

2015

26,123,000

 

10,998,000

2016

19,864,000

 

4,943,000

2017

15,740,000

 

4,752,000

2018

5,698,282

 

147,000

2019

4,310,446

 

147,000

2020

146,938

 

-

Total future minimum payments

71,882,667

 

42,033,000

 

 

Total expenses for operating assignments of use for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amount to $ 31 million and $ 19.8 respectively.

 

b. As assignor

 

Edenor has entered into operating assignment of use contracts with certain cable television companies granting them the right to use the poles of Edenor’s network. Most of these contracts include automatic renewal clauses.

 

 

 

F-176


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 39: (Continuation)

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, future minimum collections with respect to operating assignments of use are as follow:

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

2014

-

 

51,620,297

2015

72,921,528

 

48,022,824

2016

5,481,316

 

27,846

2017

200,222

 

-

2018

157,344

 

-

Total future minimum collections

78,760,411

 

99,670,967

 

Total income from operating assignments of use for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amount to $ 57.5 million and $ 41.5 respectively.

 

NOTE 40: profit distributions

 

Dividends

In accordance with Law No. 25,063, passed in December 1998, dividends distributed in cash or in kind, in excess of accumulated tax profits at the end of the year immediately before the date of payment or distribution, will be subject to a 35% income tax withholding in a single and final payment. To such effect, income to be considered in each fiscal year will be that resulting from adding to the specific income determined pursuant to the general provisions of the Income Tax Act the dividends or earnings from other companies not computed within the determination of such income during the same fiscal period(s).

NOTE 41: SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
 

On September 27, 2006, the Company entered into an Opportunities Assignment Agreement whereby certain officers undertook to offer the Company, on a priority basis, all investment opportunities above US$ 5 million they detect within the Company’s investment guidelines. In consideration of this commitment, the Company has granted these officers Warrants for up to 20% of its capital stock (the “Warrants Issuance Agreements”).

On April 16, 2009, the parties agreed on the following modifications to the Opportunities Assignment Agreement and the Warrants Issuance Agreements:

i) the term of the agreement was extended for five years, until September 27, 2014;

ii) one-fifth of the Warrants will accrue annually, as from September 28, 2010 and until September 28, 2014, and Warrants will remain in effect for fifteen years as from the date of issuance.

iii) their exercise price was set at US$ 0.27 per warrant.

 

On September 28, 2014, the Opportunities Allocation Agreement terminated, having been complied of all stipulated obligations. Furthermore, as from the stated date all Company shares’ purchase options granted to the Officers may be actually exercised.


 

F-177


 
 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 41: (Continuation)

 

The fair value of these Warrants has been measured according to the Black-Scholes valuation model. The main variables considered in such model are the following: (i) a 27% volatility, based on the historical volatility of the Company; (ii) 3% dividends; and (iii) a 4.63% risk-free U.S. dollars interest rate.

The movements in the number of Warrants and their respective average exercise prices are detailed below:

 

 

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

 

 

Stock Options

 

Average price of the year in USD

 

Stock Options

 

Average price of the year in USD

 

Stock Options

 

Average price of the year in USD

At the beginning

381,548,564

 

0.27

 

381,548,564

 

0.27

 

381,548,564

 

0.27

Granted

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Excercised

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

At the end

 

381,548,564

 

0.27

 

381,548,564

 

0.27

 

381,548,564

 

0.27

 

Warrans have the following expiry dates and exercise prices:

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

Expiration

 

Price of the year (U$S)

 

12.31.2014

 

12.31.2013

 

12.31.2012

04.26.2024

 

0.27

 

111,500,000

 

111,500,000

 

111,500,000

04.26.2024

 

0.27

 

150,000,000

 

150,000,000

 

150,000,000

04.26.2024

 

0.27

 

120,048,564

 

120,048,564

 

120,048,564

 

Regarding these Warrants, the Company has recognized a total $ 266.1 million in profit and loss, with an offsetting entry in an equity reserve during the life of the Opportunities Assignment Agreement.

 

NOTE 42: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SITUATION OF GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SEGMENTS

 

42.1 Generation

 

CPB

 

During the two last fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, CPB has recorded net and operating losses, which have significantly affected its working capital and liquidity levels. This situation is mainly due to the continuous imbalance between income and operating costs CPB has been experiencing since late 2011, which has resulted in a shortage of resources —especially those destined to the plant’s maintenance— that has affected the availability of generating units.

 

As of December 31, 2013, CPB had a $ 42.2 million deficit in equity; therefore, it met one of the grounds for dissolution (corporate stock loss) set forth by Section 94.5 of Companies Act No. 19,550.

 

On March 5, 2014, CPB’s Board of Directors resolved to call an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 30, 2014 to evaluate different alternatives and courses of action in view of the verification of the ground for dissolution aiming to moderate or minimize the negative impact of CPB’s situation and to be able to continue operating as an on-going business.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 42: (Continuation)

 

During April, CPB has managed to successfully renegotiate the cancellation modality for the financing granted by CAMMESA under ES Res. No. 146/02 for the amount of $ 50.8 million, which allowed it to alleviate its tight financial situation.

 

On May 23, 2014 ES Res. No. 529/14, which updated the provisions governing the WEM’s generating, co-generating and self-generating agents, was published in the Official Bulletin. This new remuneration scheme has had a positive impact on CPB's financial position, allowing it to overcome the capital stock loss the Company was undergoing.

 

On May 30, 2014, CPB’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders was held. At the Meeting, ES Res. No. 529/14’s estimated impact on the period’s results was analyzed, and an improvement in CPB’s financial situation and the resulting equity restructuring was confirmed.

 

Regarding the need to urgently gather financing so that CPB may afford the capital investments necessary to fully recover the plant’s operating capacity and thus guarantee future constant cash flows, during the month of April a new financing agreement was entered into with CAMMESA for the amount of US$ 82.6 million, plus VAT and nationalization costs, to execute the Company’s 2015-2016 update works of technology.

 

As of December 31, 2014, CPB’s working capital was negative in the amount of $ 100.4 million. It should be pointed out that CPB has disclosed the following under Borrowings: (i) CAMMESA’s financing under ES Note No. ° 6157/10 in the amount of $ 7.3 million payable by the WEM; and (ii) Financing of CAMMESA’s for maintenance works in the amount of $ 48.5 million, which payment is made through the Maintenance Remuneration compensation set forth by ES Resolution No. 529/14.

 

Even though the cancellation of the borrowing is subject to the ability to generate surplus funds, the borrowing financial burden may exceed operating results, and consequently affect the equity of CPB.

HIDISA and HINISA

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, HIDISA and HINISA have recorded negative gross and operating results. This situation is mainly attributable to the negative impact ES Resolution No. 95/13 has had on both companies’ remuneration as from the month of November 2013.

 

As HINISA has been expressing in several presentations to CAMMESA and the ES, it is imperative that the initial classification of the plants (Nihuil I, Nihuil II and Nihuil III) made by CAMMESA would be modified by categorizing each of them as small-scale plants (with an installed power lower than 120 MW) in view of the technical and operating conditions they have as compared with other higher-scale hydroelectric power plants.

 

This new remuneration scheme implemented pursuant to ES Resolution No. 95/13, even taking into consideration the adjustment set forth by ES Resolution No. 529/14, would not allow HIDISA and HINISA to generate sufficient income during the following months to cover their operating costs or afford the minimum maintenance costs necessary to guarantee normal operating conditions.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 42: (Continuation)

 

42.2 Transmission                

 

Even though it is still difficult to forecast the evolution of issues described in Note 2 and their possible impact on Transener’s business and cash flows, the execution of the Renewal Agreement constitutes a remarkable milestone towards the consolidation of Transener’s economic and financial equation.Transener has prepared its consolidated financial statements using the accounting principles applicable to an on-going business. Consequently, these statements do not include the effects of any applicable adjustment or reclassification in case these situations are not resolved favorably to the continuity of Transelec’s operations and, thus, this company would be forced to realize its assets and cancel its liabilities, including contingent ones, under conditions that are not in its ordinary course of business.

 

The interest in the joint venture represents about 1% of the Group’s assets and approximately 6% of the Group’s income. Additionally, the Company’s management considers that the uncertainty regarding Citelec’s joint venture does not affect its capacity to continue operating on an ordinary basis, mainly due to the following reasons: (i) There is no financial dependence on Citelec, as this joint venture has not paid it any dividends since its acquisition date in 2006; (ii) Even though there is an enforceable and binding technical assistance agreement with Transener, the Company does not depend on this flow of funds to normally develop its activities; (iii) The Company is not contractually obliged to provide financial assistance to Citelec.

 

42.3 Distribution

 

In fiscal years 2014, 2012 and 2011, Edenor recorded negative operating and net results, and both its liquidity level and working capital, even in fiscal year 2013, were severely affected. This situation is due mainly to both the continuous increase of its operating costs that are necessary to maintain the level of the service, and the delay in obtaining rate increases and/or recognition of its real higher costs (“CMM”), as stipulated in Section 4 of the Adjustment Agreement, including the review procedure in the event of deviations exceeding 5%.

 

In spite of the above-mentioned situation, it is worth mentioning that, in general terms, the quality of the electricity distribution service has been maintained and the constant year-on-year increase in the demand for electricity that has accompanied the economic growth and the standard of living of the last years has also been satisfied. Due to both the continuous increase recorded in the costs associated with the provision of the service and the need for additional investments to meet the increased demand, Edenor has adopted a series of measures aimed at mitigating the negative effects of this situation on its financial structure, minimizing the impact thereof on the sources of employment, the execution of the investment plan or the carrying out of the essential operation and maintenance works that are necessary to maintain the provision of the public service in a satisfactory manner in terms of quality and safety.

 

Edenor has made a series of presentations before control agencies, regulatory authorities and courts in order to jointly instrument the necessary mechanisms to contribute to an efficient and safe provision of the distribution service, the maintenance of the level of investments and the compliance with the increased demand.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 42: (Continuation)

 

Although the partial recognition of higher costs (as stipulated in Section 4.2 of the Adjustment Agreement) for the period May 2007 through December 2014, implemented by ES Resolution No. 250/13 and ES Notes No. 6852/13, 4012/14, 486/14 and 1136/14 represented a significant step towards the recovery of Edenor’s economic and financial situation, the effects thereof did not allow for the absorption of neither operating nor investment costs or for the payment of financial services.  The constant increase in the operating costs that are necessary to maintain the level of the service, and the delay in obtaining genuine rate increases will continue to deteriorate Edenor’s operating results, demonstrating that this recognition has been insufficient to restore the balance that the economic and financial equation of the public service, object of the concession, requires.

 

 As a consequence of that which has been previously described, Edenor has permanently maintained during the last four fiscal years a working capital deficit, inasmuch as it has neither the necessary nor the adequate conditions to come to the financial market to make up the deficit of both its operations and the investment plans necessary to maintain the quality of the service, object of the concession. Furthermore, the negative results recorded by Edenor as of December 31, 2014 consume 100% of the reserves and more than 50% of its share capital; therefore Edenor is subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 206 of the Argentine Business Organizations Law which provides for the mandatory capital stock reduction

 

In view of the above, Edenor has obtained from the Federal Government the granting of loans for consumption (mutuums) in order to be able to afford specific aspects, such as: a) the salary increases granted to Company employees represented by the Sindicato de Luz y Fuerza (Electric Light and Power Labor Union) as from May 1, 2014 and other benefits, applicable also to those contractors whose employees are included in the collective bargaining agreements of the aforementioned union; and b) the investment plan due to the temporary insufficiency of the funds obtained from the fixed charges established by Resolution No. 347/12 (Note 2).

 

Additionally, on March 13, 2015, the Official Gazette published ES Resolution No. 32/15, issued by the ES, which, addressing the need for the adjustment of the economic and financial situation of distribution companies and considering it necessary that urgent and temporary measures should be adopted in order to maintain the normal provision of the public service, object of the concession, provides, among other issues, for the following:

 

            That a temporary increase in income be granted to Edenor as from February 1, 2015 on account of the RTI, in order for Edenor to cover the expenses and afford the investments associated with the normal provision of the service, which will not be transferred to customers but rather paid for by the Federal Government.

 

            That the PUREE-related funds collected by the Distribution Company, as from the previously mentioned date, be regarded as the Distribution Company’s income on account of the RTI and earmarked to cover the higher costs of the provision of the service.

 

            That Sale Settlements with Maturity Dates to be Determined (Liquidaciones de Venta con Fecha de Vencimiento a Definir - LVFVD) be issued in favor of Edenor for the CMM surplus amount net of the offsetting pending at January 31, 2015,  and for the amounts generated to afford the salary increases deriving from the application of Resolution 836 of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security pursuant to which Edenor received Loans for consumption (Mutuums); allowing Edenor to offset LVFVD against both the outstanding balances of Loans for consumption (Mutuums) and other debts with the MEM up to the amounts thereof.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 42: (Continuation)

 

            That a payment plan to be defined with Edenor for the settlement of the remaining debts with the MEM be implemented by CAMMESA.

 

            That the actions prior to the carrying out of the RTI be performed by the ENRE.

 

            That the income granted be exclusively earmarked for the settlement of debts with the MEM, the payment of salaries and the making of payments to suppliers of goods and services related to the provision of the electricity distribution service.

 

            That the provisions of the Adjustment Agreement (clauses 22.1 and 22.2) concerning the suspension of the administrative or judicial claims that may exist in relation to the compliance with clause 4.2 of the above-mentioned Agreement be observed by distribution companies.

 

Based on the cost increase estimates and financial projections made by Edenor, considering the previously detailed measures of ES Resolution No. 32/15, the Board of Directors believes that financial resources will be available, at least during fiscal year 2015, to cover not only the operating costs and debt interest payments, but also part of the investment plans, assuming the payment plan to be defined with CAMMESA for the settlement of the remaining debt with the MEM will conform to the generation of surplus cash flows. Compliance with the investment plans will depend on whether the assistance received until now under the respective Loan for consumption (Mutuum) continues.

 

Although these temporary measures help decrease the degree of uncertainty concerning Edenor’s financial ability for the next 2015 fiscal year, the Board of Directors believes that the sustainable recovery of the economic and financial equation of the public service, object of the concession, will fundamentally depend on the application of a Tariff Structure Review that takes into consideration the permanent development of operating costs, that allows for the payment of the required investments to meet the increasing demand with the quality levels stipulated in the Concession Agreement, that makes it possible to have access to financing sources and cover the corresponding costs and that allows, at the same time, for the generation of a reasonable return on the investment.

 

Edenor Board of Directors will continue to take steps before the regulatory authority aimed not only at monitoring the compliance with and effectiveness of the temporary measures adopted until now but also at obtaining compliance with the provisions of both the Adjustment Agreement and SE Resolution 32/15 concerning the carrying out of the RTI.

 

To date, the outcome of the RTI continues to be uncertain as to both its timing and final form.

 

Furthermore, although the conditions of uncertainty existing in previous fiscal years have been mitigated as compared to short-term projections by the temporary measures adopted by the Federal Government, it cannot be assured that such measures will continue to be effective after this first year of application inasmuch as the effectiveness thereof will depend on the increase of costs in subsequent periods and the availability of resources of the Federal Government to absorb them and, at the same time, continue with the assistance provided through the Loans for consumption (Mutuums), until the RTI is resolved in a satisfactory manner.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 42: (Continuation)

 

Edenor financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to a going concern because in Edenor’s opinion the issuance of ES Resolution No. 32/15 provides a greater degree of certainty concerning the financial conditions existing prior to the issuance thereof and constitutes a reasonable basis for the commencement of the Tariff Structure Review.

 

NOTE 43: TRANSACTIONS WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

Sale of a non-controlling interest in EDENOR

 

During the year 2013, PISA has sold in various market transactions 776,789 Edenor ADRs (equivalent to 15,535,720 shares).

 

During the year 2014, PISA has sold, through different market transactions, all its Edenor’s ADRs share (973.190 ADRs equivalent to 19.5 million of shares), which represented about 2% of the Company’s equity interest. For these operations, the Company has recorded Ps 61.7 million as additional paid-in capital.

 

NOTE 44: HYDROCARBON DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLOITATION PROJECTS

 

As of December 31, 2014, PEPASA is part of the following investment projects:

Investment agreement with YSUR by Anticlinal Campamento and Estación Fernández Oro

On December 1, 2010, PEPASA executed an investment agreement with YSUR for the joint development and exploitation of unconventional gas reservoirs in the Anticlinal Campamento and Estación Fernández Oro areas, located in the Provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro respectively.

This venture with YSUR has a 700,000 m3/day production target for unconventional natural gas during a term of three years between January 2011 and December 2013. The participation of the Company is 15% of that production.

To maintain the target volume production, it was estimated that the total drilling plan shall be thirty wells, which involved a total investment for PEPASA U$S 20 million.

As of December 31, 2014, the deadline for investment under this agreement has concluded, so PEPASA will receive the proceeds of the 22 drilled wells till the end of the useful life of them and will contribute to the costs associated with the exploitation. The cumulative investment amounts to US$ 17.5 million.

PEPASA will continue commercializing the production extracted from these wells, which is currently marketed by Apache under the Gas Plus Program.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 44: (Continuation)

 

Investment Agreements with Petrobras for “El Mangrullo” Area

 

Petrobras I

On December 7, 2010, PEPASA executed an investment agreement with Petrobras for the joint development and exploitation of unconventional gas reservoirs in El Mangrullo Area.

This partnership with Petrobras has an unconventional natural gas 400,000 m3/day production target during a term of four years as from August 2011. PEPASA has a 43% interest in this production.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, a new well had entered into production under the agreement. In this way amounted to five wells drilled under this agreement, which allowed to achieve to the target volume production since March 2012. Accumulated investments reached US$ 20.6 million.

The produced hydrocarbons are separately commercialized by each of the partners. PEPASA has entered into a Gas Supply Agreement with EGSSA which is under the Gas Plus Program, and all its production is commercialized for a price of US$ 5.20/MMBTU.

 

PEPASA estimates it will not be necessary to drill any new wells to maintain the target production.

 

Petrobras II

On February 7, 2013, PEPASA entered into a new investment agreement with Petrobras for El Mangrullo Area pursuant to conditions similar to that of the previous agreement.

This new partnership with Petrobras seeks to reach an unconventional natural gas production of 400,000 m3/day during a term of four years. PEPASA has an interest in 43% of the production.

In order to maintain a target production it has been estimated that the total drilling plan will consist of nine wells, which would entail a total investment of approximately US$ 33 million for PEPASA.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, a new well had entered into production. In this way amounted to four wells drilled under this agreement, which allowed to achieve the target volume production since July 2013. Accumulated investments reached US$ 22 million.

The produced hydrocarbons are commercialized by each of the partners. PEPASA has entered a Gas Supply Agreement with CTLL under the Gas Plus Program, and all its production is commercialized for a price of US$ 5.20/MMBTU.

With the purpose of keeping the Agreement’s target production, the drilling of two new wells is foreseen for the first semester of 2015, with an estimated US$ 6.4 million investment by PEPASA.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 44: (Continuation)

Investment Agreement Senillosa Area

On September 14, 2010, PEPASA accepted an offering to assign from Rovella Carranza SA for the provision of the service jointly for the exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons in the exploration area "Senillosa". The agreement will allow PEPASA get 50% share of hydrocarbon production. PEPASA committed investments amounting to U$S 3.3 million.

As of December 31, 2014, PEPASA performed investments accumulated for U$S 12.5 million, including:

 

(i)         Analysis of the area through the study of 3D seismic and geochemistry.

(ii)       Nine drilling exploratory wells, of which two were discoverers of gas, four had manifestations of hydrocarbons and three were found to be sterile.

If produce hydrocarbons, PEPASA will be entitled to recover U$S 3 million corresponding to investments made for and on behalf of the other partners.

 

Having fulfilled all investment commitments, G&P, as a licensee of the area, and PEPASA, are negotiating with the provincial authorities, split extension area at:

 

(i)         Lot explotation for the two gas discovery wells;

(ii)        Lot under evaluation until July 14, 2016 for the four wells with manifestation of hydrocarbons.

(iii)      Reversing the remaining area to the Provincial State including three sterile wells.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, according to estimates made by the Management of PEPASA, that company recognized an impairment of $ 12.6 and $ 3.5 million, respectively, in Other operating expenses of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

Furthermore, PEPASA has started work on the construction and assembly of a gas conditioning plant and a pipeline to its link with the transport system with the aim of putting into production of productive wells, expected in the short term. The commercialization of production will be made by industrial customers.

 

Investment Agreement El Caracol North Area

On May 19, 2011, PEPASA entered into another agreement with GyP and Rovella Energía S.A. for the joint performance of the hydrocarbon exploitation, development and production service of the “El Caracol Norte” exploitation area. This agreement will allow PEPASA to obtain a 60% interest in the area’s hydrocarbon production. Investments committed by PEPASA amount to US$ 3.7 million.

 

As for December 31, 2014, PEPASA analyzed 3D seismic and two hydraulic fractures were made in the PA x – 3 well. As a result of these works, the well showed hydrocarbon manifestations, but, according to estimates made by the Management of PEPASA, such Company recognized an impairment of $ 9.2 million in other operating expenses of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 44: (Continuation)

 

Investment Agreement with YPF for the “Rincón del Mangrullo” Area

On November 6, 2013, PEPASA entered into an investment agreement with YPF S.A. in the amount of US$ 151.5 million in consideration of a 50% interest in the production of hydrocarbons in the Rincón del Mangrullo area which consists of the total undivided rights and obligations associated with the production of hydrocarbons in the Area, with the exception of certain existing wells that had been previously drilled by YPF and certain new YPF’s wells which will be drilled and funded exclusively by this company.

The Investment Agreement consists of two investment phases:

a) First Phase

PEPASA undertook to invest:

·         US$ 80 million in the drilling, completion and entry into production of 17 wells to be made in the Area’s Western zone, with the exception of 2 wells which will be drilled in the Area’s South West,

·         U$S 1,5 millon for the perfomance of aproximately 40 km2 of 3D seismic.

Furthermore, YPF undertook to invest:

·         in the drilling, conclusion and entry into production of 17 additional wells exclusive of YPF; and

·         in the construction of a gas treatment and conditioning plant, as well as in a gas pipeline with an approximate length of 55 km, which will allow connecting the Area to the gas trunkline system.

As of December 31, 2014, 17 wells had been drilled during the first phase of the investment agreed between PEPASA and YPF, out of which 14 are already in production. Furthermore, YPF completed the treatment plant and gas conditioning and connection to the trunk pipeline, pending the completion of 3D seismic.

Investments made by PEPASA amount to U$S 64.2 million, out of which U$S 53.6 million have been canceled at that time.

The production covered by the agreement reached approximately 450,000 m3/day by the end of the year, and was commercialized pursuant to new gas supply agreements entered into with different clients at a price of US$ 4.5 USD/MMBTU.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 44: (Continuation)

b) Secon Phase

After the conclusion of the first phase, PEPASA may opt to continue investing up to US$ 70 million in the drilling of 15 wells in any zone within the Area.

In case PEPASA decides not to continue with the second phase, YPF may not make any claims against it, and the parties will keep their own rights and obligations stipulated in the Investment Agreement, including PEPASA’s right over the hydrocarbons produced by the wells drilled by it during the first phase. The agreement provides that if PEPASA decides not to incur costs and investments in new wells, it will automatically lose all its rights on the facilities built during the first phase, which will be incorporated into the concession, without PEPASA being entitled to any claims to YPF. At the date of these financial statements, PEPASA has not made any expenditure relating to facilities. The second investment phase also has a 12-month execution term.

After the conclusion of both investment phases, all subsequent investments will be made according their respective percentages of interests. 

Expenses

PEPASA pays a fee for hydrocarbon production and evacuation expenses. Additionally, unless the Investment Agreement provides otherwise, all royalties, canons and surface rentals will be borne proportionately to their respective interests in the joint operation.

Area 3

PEPASA may drill two wells during each investment phase and two more once compulsory investments have been completed. Until it has recovered its whole investment, the Company will be entitled to 75% of the hydrocarbons of these wells. Afterwards, the production will be divided according to each partner’s interest.

 

NOTE 45: PEPASA’S CAPITAL STOCK INCREASE

 

On November 6, 2013, PEPASA called for an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, so as to discuss a capital stock increase of up to 59.7 million of new common shares in book-entry form with a face value of $ 1 each and each granting the right to one vote, to be publicly offered for subscription in Argentina in order to consolidate its financial condition to facilitate access to the financial markets and perform the investments foreseen by PEPASA pursuant to the business plan for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has resolved to assign its preemptive rights for PEPASA’s capital stock increase to all the Company’s shareholders registered with Caja de Valores S.A. as at October 15, 2013.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 45: (Continuation)

 

On November 6, PEPASA’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders approved the above-mentioned capital stock increase and the public offering within the country of the shares to be issued pursuant thereto, as well as the request for authorization of the corresponding public offering before the CNV and BCBA.

 

On January 8, 2014, the Company shareholders subscribed 17.8 million new shares in the exercise of their preemptive rights and 41.9 million new shares in the exercise of their accretion rights. Therefore, as all the new shares have been placed, PEPASA has not offered new shares to the investing public. Ownership of the Company was reduced to 50%.

 

On January 13, 2014, the new shares were actually paid in for a total amount of $ 100 million.

During the months of September and October, the Company sold 312,289 PEPASA shares, thus reducing its interest in this Company to 49.74%. However, the necessary conditions to keep PEPASA’s control are met.

 

NOTE 46: COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS

 

Annual Variable Compensation (the “EBDA Compensation”):

 

During the month of May, 2014, some Officers waived their right to collect the EBDA Compensation for fiscal year 2013 in the amount of $ 6.2 million. Consequently, PEPASA recorded this amount as income under “Other operating income” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

As of December 31, 2014, PEPASA disclosed $ 11 million results for the EBDA Compensation cost against other liabilities

 

Company Value Sharing (the “Company-Value Compensation”)

 

On November 6, 2013, PEPASA’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders resolved to approve a variable and contingent compensation to certain officers equivalent to 7% of the capital stock after the Company’s capital stock increase, valued based on the difference between the share’s market value at the time of exercising the right and a given value of US$ 0.1735 per share determined at the exact moment of the capital stock increase.

 

On January 13, 2014, the capital stock increase was carried out and the rights granted to Officers to receive the Company-Value Compensation became effective.

 

The variable remuneration may be required by officers as follows:

 

1)       25% as from June 2015

2)       7.14% as from December 2015

3)       32.15% as from June 2016

4)       35.71% as from June 2017

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 46: (Continuation)

 

The given right may be monetized at any time from the date of effective enforcement until November 15, 2020 (by 5%) and 11 January 2021 (for the remaining 2%) over 7% of the share capital calculated according to what was detailed in the first paragraph of the note.

 

The fair value of the Option has been measured according to the Black-Scholes valuation model. The main variables considered in such model are the following:

 

1)       54.3% volatility based on the volatility of the shares of other comparable companies;

2)       2.6% risk-free U.S. dollars interest rate;

As of September 30, 2014, PEPASA has recognized this compensation’s in profit or loss (with a credit under “Other Liabilities”) on amount of $ 50.5 million, considering a share market value of $ 15.25.

 

NOTA 47: WORKS OF DISTRIBUTION

 

a.     FOTAE

 

Due to the constant increase recorded in the demand for electricity as a result of the economic recovery, the ES, through Resolution No. 1875 dated December 5, 2005, established that the interconnection works through an underground power cable at two hundred and twenty kilovolts (220 kV) between Costanera and Puerto Nuevo Transformer Stations with Malaver Transformer Station were necessary. These works require not only the execution of expansion works but also new layout-designs of the high-voltage subsystems of Edenor and Edesur’s networks.  In addition, it established that a fraction of the electricity rate increase granted to distribution companies by ENRE Resolution No. 51/07 (as mentioned in Note, would be used to finance up to 30% of the total execution cost of these works, with the remaining 70% of the total cost of the works being absorbed by the WEM’s demand. Fund inflows and outflows relating to the aforementioned expansion works are managed by the Works Trust Fund ES Resolution No. 1/03, which will act as the link among CAMMESA, the Contracting Distribution Companies and the companies that would have been awarded the contracts for the provision of engineering services, supplies and main pieces of equipment as well as those for the execution of the works and provision of minor supplies.

 

The amount transferred to CAMMESA by Edenor as from the commencement date of the project, through contributions in cash, supplies and services totaled $ 45.8 million. 

 

In accordance with the agreements entered into on August 16, 2007 by and between Edenor and the ES and on December 18, 2008 by and between Edenor and Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior, in its capacity as Trustee of the Trust for the Management of FOTAE, Edenor is responsible for the development of all the stages of the project, regardless of the oversight tasks to be performed by the Works Commission ES Resolution No. 1/03. The agreement stipulates that Edenor will be in charge of the operation and the planned and reactive maintenance of the facilities comprising the expansion works, being entitled to receive as remuneration for the tasks and obligations undertaken 2% of the cost of major equipment and 3% of all the costs necessary for the carrying out of civil engineering and electromechanical assembly works relating to the MALAVER-COLEGIALES and MALAVER-COSTANERA electrical transmission lines, the expansion of Malaver Substation and the remaining expansion works of Puerto Nuevo Substation.

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 47: (Continuation)

 

The works were developed in different stages, and Edenor complied with its responsibility with regard to the development of each of them, as well as with the operation and the planned and reactive maintenance of the facilities comprising the expansion works. The final conclusion of the works occurred in fiscal year 2014.

 

Furthermore, subsequent to year-end, CAMMESA not only informed Edenor of the amounts disbursed by the BICE and CAMMESA for the execution of the aforementioned works, but also requested that Edenor carry out the pertinent actions to comply with the provisions of Resolution No. 1875/05. Consequently, at the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor has begun to carry out actions aimed at coordinating and reaching agreement, with the different parties involved, on the steps to be followed to have this process finalized. This will make possible to subsequently define Edenor’s real situation in relation to the obligations that have been imposed to it by mentioned resolution.

 

As of December 31, 2014, Edenor recognized as facilities in service in the Property, plant and equipment account its participation in the works for an estimated value of $ 141.8 million, including financial charges, $ 105.6 million of which have not yet been contributed, a debt which is disclosed in the Other payables account of non-current liabilities.

 

b.     Construction works - San Miguel and San Martín Transformer Centers

 

Edenor carried out construction works of a 7.3 km-long electrical transmission line consisting of four 13.2 kV lines in trefoil formation to link Rotonda Substation with San Miguel Transformer Center, owned by ENARSA, necessary for the provision of electric power generation services; and a 6.2 km-long electrical transmission line consisting of a 13.2 kV line in trefoil formation to link Rotonda Substation with San Martín Transformer Center, owned by ENARSA.

 

The works were carried out by Edenor with the contributions made by ENARSA. Negotiations are currently being held concerning the modality and conditions under which the ownership of the works will be assigned to Edenor with the signing of the respective agreements. As of December 31, 2014, Edenor continues to recognize liabilities for this concept in the Deferred revenue account. The recordings made until now and described in this note will be adjusted based on the previously mentioned definitions.

 

c.  Electric works arrangement - Agreement for the supply of electric power to Mitre and Sarmiento railway lines

 

In September 2013, Edenor and the Interior and Transport Ministry entered into a supply and financial contribution arrangement pursuant to which the Federal Government will finance the necessary electric works aimed at adequately meeting the greater power requirements of the Mitre and Sarmiento railway lines.

 

The total cost of the works amounts to $ 114.3 million. The Federal Government will bear the costs of the so called “exclusive facilities”, which amount to $ 59.9 million, whereas the costs of the remaining works will be financed by the Federal Government and reimbursed by Edenor.

 

The financed amount of $ 54.4 million will be reimbursed by Edenor in seventy-two monthly and consecutive installments, as from the first month immediately following the date on which the Works are authorized and brought into service.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 47: (Continuation)

During the fiscal year being reported, Edenor received disbursements for $ 79.2 million, relating to installments 1 through 4, in addition to the advance payment collected in fiscal year 2013 for $ 20 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $ 52 million as Non-current deferred revenue and $ 47.2 million as Non-current trade payables – Customer contributions.

 

NOTE 48: WORKING CAPITAL DEFICIT

As of December 31, 2014 the working capital of the company was negative, amounting to $2,042.2 million. This deficit has been generated in the Distribution segment, mainly through its indirect subsidiary Edenor, as a result of its current economic and financial situation, which is detailed in Note 42. This deficit has been partially offset with the remaining segments, which have a positive working capital.

 

NOTE 49: NEW CONTRACT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF LMS TG-100

 

During the month of August 2014, CTG entered into a new maintenance agreement with GE for its LMS 100 unit.

As distinguished from the previous contract, which was based on pre-stablished maintenance and exchange of  components (for example, at 25,000 and 50,000 hours of operation for certain components), this new agreement consists of periodical inspections and pieces repairs or exchanges, which will be programmed and executed based on their condition in order to guarantee the proper functioning and availability of the unit and to decrease the risk associated with long outages. The new agreement will be effective until the unit reaches 100,000 accumulated hours of operation.

Furthermore, the maintenance contracts entered into with GE have been early terminated, thus extinguishing any pending performance between the parties. Therefore, CTG has recorded a loss in the amount of $ 11.4 million resulting from the write-off of the receivables associated with these contracts, which are disclosed under “Other operating expenses” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.


NOTE 50
: DOCUMENTATION KEEPING

 

On August 14, 2014, the National Securities Commission issued General Resolution No. 629, which introduces modifications to the provisions applicable to the keeping and conservation of corporate and accounting books and commercial documentation. To such effect, the Company and its subsidiaries Edenor, CTG, CTLL, EASA and PEPASA have sent non-sensitive work papers and information corresponding to the periods not covered by the statute of limitations for their keeping in the Iron Mountain Argentina S.A.’s data warehouses located at the following addresses:

 

-          Azara 1245 –C.A.B.A.

-          Don Pedro de Mendoza 2163 –C.A.B.A.

-          Amancio Alcorta 2482 C.A.B.A.

-          San Miguel de Tucumán 601, Carlos Spegazzini, Municipality of Ezeiza, Province of Buenos Aires.

 

On February 5, 2014, Iron Mountain S.A.’s warehouse located at Azara 1245 suffered a publicly known accident.

 

However, according to an internal study conducted by the Company and timely reported to the National Securities Commission on February 12, 2014, approximately 15% of the documentation which the Company, CTG, CTLL, EASA and PEPASA have deposited with Iron Mountain S.A. may be located at the warehouse where the incident took place.

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 50: (Continuation)

 

On February 18, 2014, Edenor informed the National Securities Commission that the accident may have affected between 20% and 30% of all the documentation sent to Iron Mountain S.A. for its custody.

 

As at the issuance of these financial statements, the Company has been informed that according to Iron Mountain’s records, the boxes are probably located in the areas where the incident took place, although they aren’t able to provide more detailed information until they are granted access to the facilities.

 

A list of the documentation delivered for keeping, as well as the documentation provided for in Section 5.a.3) Article I, Chapter V, Title II of the PROVISIONS (2013 regulatory provisions and amending rules), is available at the Company headquarters.

 

NOTE 51: UPDATE WORK OF TECHNOLOGY 2015-2016 CPB

 

During the September-December 2015 and March-June 2016 periods, CPB expects to conduct major maintenance works of generating units TV29 and TV30, respectively.

 

The work plan includes the following tasks:

 

(i)        Review of the whole main and ancillary equipment.

(ii)      Repair, adjustment and replacement of spare parts.

(iii)     Evaluation of possible component replacements (purchase of spare parts).

 

The correct execution of this task will allow for greater availability and the proper safeguarding of generating units.

 

 

Below is a detailed description of the main hirings made:

 

Project

Scope

Status

Contractor

Boiler

Overhaul, upgrade and refurbishment. Spare parts and services

Launched (Kick off meeting)

ALSTOM

Control System

Overhaul, upgrade and refurbishment of power, protections and boiler control systems (BMS, exciter, protection relays, turbine control systems, others)

Launched (Kick off meeting)

ABB

Turbine & Generator

Turbine and generators overhaul, upgrade and refurbishment. Spare parts.

Purchased

SERVICE SKLAD

 

Ancillary

Water pumps, valves, batteries, motors and switches fans. Parts, Installation and Maintenance Services.

Purchased /
Awarded

 

DIVERS

 

At these financial statements’ issuance date, the amounts committed under the executed agreements amount to US$ 53 million.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 52: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

VCP and ONs of PEPASA issuance

 

On February 26, 2015, PEPASA issued the following financings:

 

-        VCP Serie 11: for a nominal value of $ 89.9 million at the fixed rate of 28% and finally maturing on 12 months  from the date of issue. Interest will be payable quarterly.

 

-        Corporate bonds Class 4: for a nominal value of $ 51 million, at the fixed rate of  27.48% during the first 9 months and at the Private Badlar rate plus 5% during the nine months remaining. finally maturing on August 26, 2016 and interest will be payable quarterly.

 

-        Corporate bonds Class 5: for a nominal value of de U$S 18.6 million converted to an initial exchange rate of $ 8.7008, at the fixed rate of 5% and finally maturing on November 26, 2016. Interest will be payable quarterly.

 

On April 30, 2015, PEPASA issued the following financing:

 

 -       Series 12 VCPs: for a face value of Ps. 137 million, accruing interest at a 28.5% annual nominal fixed rate and maturing 360 calendar days from their issuance date. Interest will be payable on a quarterly basis.

 -       Class 6 Corporate Bonds: for a face value of $ 49.9 million, at a 27.25% % annual nominal fixed rate during the first 9 months and at the Badlar rate plus a 4.5% spread during the remaining 9 months. Bonds will mature on October 30, 2016, and interest will be payable on a quarterly basis.

 Furthermore, PEPASA has cancelled Series 8 VCPs for a face value of Ps. 122.9 million, Ps. 7.5 million and Ps. 7.9 million of which have been exchanged with the subscription of Series 12 VCPs and Class 6 Corporate Bonds respectively.

SE Resolution 32/15

On March 13, 2015, the Official Gazette published SE Resolution 32/15. The provisions of such Resolution and the impact thereof have been described in Note 2.

Study, Review and Inspection of Works in Public Spaces Fees (TERI)

 

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, Edenor has received assessments and demand for payment notices from the Government of the City of Buenos Aires for a total amount of $ 35.8 million for this concept.

 

In Edenor’s opinion these fees are not applicable in accordance with federal regulations, the case law and the procedural status of judicial decisions. Therefore, the Management of Edenor as well as its external legal advisors believe that there exist good reasons to support Edenor’s position and have this tax claim rejected by a court of law. Therefore, the probability of an outflow of resources on account of such contingency has been regarded as low.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continuation)

 

NOTE 52: (Continuation)

 

Exceptional recognition not regarded as a salary item of Edenor

 

On January 13, 2015, the Labor and Social Se curity Ministry issued Resolution No. 47/15 pursuant to which Edenor is instructed to pay, on a one-time and extraordinary basis, to its employees who are represented by the Sindicato de Luz y Fuerza an amount not regarded as a salary item (i.e. included in the salary but not subject to social security charges nor considered for the payment of the mid and year-end bonus) of $ 8,000 that Edenor paid in two payments of $ 4,000 made on January 20 and February 20, 2015, respectively.

 

Moreover, it was the Management’s decision to extend this measure to all Edenor employees.

 

Issuance of Corporate Bonds of CTG

 

Under the Simple Corporate Bonds Program (that is, corporate bonds non-convertible into shares) for up to US$ 50 million (or its equivalent in other currencies) on March 6, 2015 CTG issued Class 6 Corporate Bonds for a face value of Ps. 91 million with an 18-month maturity date and accruing interest at a 28% annual nominal fixed rate during the first nine months and at the Private Badlar rate plus a 500 basis points spread during the remaining nine months. Interest will be payable on a quarterly basis.

 

The funds collected from this issuance have been destined to pay off the principal and interest of Class 4 Corporate Bonds and the partial early cancellation of the financial loan mentioned below.

 

On March 20, 2015, CTG executed the total early cancellation of the syndicated loan for an amount equivalent to Ps. 58.8 million with part of the net funds resulting from the issuance of Class 6 Corporate Bonds and own funds.

 

 

 

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