Azure Power Solar Energy Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Azure Power Global Limited has announced that it will issue a green bond offering of $350 million (~₹25 billion). The bond will mature in 2024 with an expected US Dollar coupon of 5.65%. According to the press statement, the green bond has been certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative and is the second solar green bond to be offered by the company. Azure Power is expected to use the proceeds to refinance the existing debt. The bond will be offered to eligible yield investors who have a specific mandate or portfolio for buying green bonds. “The bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States…,” the company said. Elaborating on this, the company spokesperson told Mercom, “The bond has been sold in the U.S. but only to qualified investors under the SEC rules. There are many aspects to what a qualified investor is but if I were to provide a simple explanation, a professional investor such as a money manager for a $100 million (~₹ 7.2 billion) or larger fund would be considered qualified.” Regarding the geographical distribution, he said, “47% of the bond was bought by investors in Asia, 33% in the U.S, and 21% in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). In addition, there was $1.65 billion (~₹118 billion) of demand for the $350 million (~₹25.1 billion) offering.” Previously, Mercom reported that India now has its own green bond trading platform. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)’s international arm, India International Exchange (India INX), recently announced its exclusive green listing and trading platform called Global Securities Market (GSM). GSM Green will serve as a platform for fundraising and trading green, social, and sustainable bonds exclusively. In August 2019, it was reported that Azure Power, generated revenue of ₹3.389 billion (~$49.2 million) for Q1 of FY 2019-20 that ended June 30, 2019. This was a 40% increase over the quarter ended June 30, 2018. The rise in revenue was driven by the commissioning of new projects. Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.
Indian independent power producer Azure Power will issue green bonds worth $350m to facilitate refinancing of existing debt. Announced through its subsidiary Azure Power Solar Energy Private, the Climate Bonds Initiative-certified issuance will be offered to eligible yield investors with a green bond portfolio. The programme is the second set of solar green bonds put up by the company and will mature in 2019-20 with a predicted US dollar coupon of 5.65%. The bonds will be distributed largely to Asian investors, who will receive 47%, while a third will go to those in the US and 21% to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.