Ann: HALFYR: TPW: Trustpower Half Year Market Announcement

• Release Date: 30/10/15 15:05
• Summary: HALFYR: TPW: Trustpower Half Year Market Announcement
• Price Sensitive: No
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					TPW
30/10/2015 15:05
HALFYR
PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1505 HRS Trustpower Limited

HALFYR: TPW: Trustpower Half Year Market Announcement

Market Announcement
30 October 2015

Trustpower's consolidated profit after tax was $59.7 million for the period,
representing a decrease of 33% compared with $89.8 million for the same
period last year.  Last year a one-off gain of $25 million was included in
profit relating to the acquisition of the Green State Power hydro and wind
assets in New South Wales.

Underlying earnings1 after tax excluding fair value movements on financial
instruments, the impact of the Inland Revenue court case and one-off gains
and impairment charges were $68.3 million compared with $67.4 million in the
prior period, an increase of 1%.  Fair value losses on financial instruments
were $3.0 million for the period (prior period was a loss of $4.4 million)
primarily due to decreases in long term interest rates continuing to have a
negative impact on the Group's portfolio of interest rate hedges.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, fair value
movements of financial instruments and asset impairments (EBITDAF)2 were
$184.2 million, compared with $173.3 million achieved in the prior period
representing an increase of 6%.

Total electricity volume sold by the Company in New Zealand through mass
market retailing and time of use sales was 2,147 GWh, compared with 2,051 GWh
in the prior period, an increase of 5%.

Total energy accounts increased to 280,000 including 28,000 gas accounts.
Good progress was made in acquiring new customers in North Island metro
markets and Trustpower's multiproduct retail strategy continues to achieve
good momentum. Trustpower now has 66,000 customers with two or more
services, up 20,000 (43%) over prior period. Telecommunications growth
continued to be strong with connections increasing by 16,000 (46%) to 51,000
compared with prior period.  While the retail energy market remained highly
competitive throughout the period, Trustpower continued to experience lower
levels of customer churn than the market overall.   Over the last three half
year periods Trustpower has maintained its rate of growth in electricity and
gas connections while telecommunication connection growth has accelerated as
broadband take up increases.  This confirms that Trustpower's bundled service
offering is being well received by customers and is delivering the benefits
expected.

The Group's New Zealand generation production of 1,307 GWh was 7% higher than
the prior period and in line with the expected long term average.  The
increase over prior period was driven primarily by increased North Island
Hydro (up 25%) and North Island Wind (up 8%).

The Snowtown Wind Farm in South Australia produced 596 GWh during the period,
2 percent higher than the 584 GWh produced in the prior period.  Stage 2 of
the wind farm was not fully commissioned in the prior period.  This result
was however below long term expectation...

Trustpower is in an ongoing dispute with the Inland Revenue about the
deductibility of feasibility expenditure. The Court of Appeal recently
overturned the High Court decision which was in Trustpower's favour.
Trustpower maintains its position is correct and will appeal this decision in
the Supreme Court in March 2016. As a result Trustpower has provided for the
full costs of losing this appeal in the financial statements. This has
resulted in a reduction in net surplus after tax of $6.1 million. This
reduction has been excluded from the calculation of underlying earnings noted
above.

Group operating cash flow was $126.3 million for the reporting period versus
$126.9 million in the prior period.
Net debt (including subordinated bonds) to Net debt plus equity remains at
40% the same as at 31 March 2015.

Trustpower continues to maintain conservative levels of committed credit
facilities.  As at 30 September 2015 Group net debt was $1,184 million.  The
Group has close to NZD equivalent 1.5 billion of committed debt facilities.

Trustpower has $100 million of subordinated bonds maturing in December 2015.
Trustpower is currently reviewing its portfolio of funding in relation to its
existing operations and future options and has decided at this stage to
retain flexibility and repay these bonds using existing undrawn bank
facilities.
Trustpower is actively progressing wind development options in Australia with
the aim of developing further wind projects to help meet the Australian
Mandatory Large Renewable Energy Target over the course of the next five
years. Trustpower is actively pursuing development approval applications for
close to 900 MW for 3 wind projects located in Victoria, New South Wales and
South Australia. The hearing for the development approval of the up to 330 MW
Dundonnell project in Victoria has been completed.  A non-appealable decision
is expected to be given by the end of 2015.   Trustpower has also recently
secured a wind farm site in Western Australia which has been granted
development approval for up to 105 MW. This site may have potential for a 20
MW grid connected solar project subject to obtaining further development
approval.  Trustpower continues to pursue development options. Trustpower
believes that, following the confirmation of the revised Renewable Energy
Target by the Australian Government, there is now a more stable policy
environment for renewable energy investment in Australia.

The Directors are pleased to announce an interim dividend of 21 cents per
share, partially imputed to 16 cents per share, payable 11 December 2015
(record date of 27 November 2015).

BJ Harker
CHAIRMAN
End CA:00272617 For:TPW    Type:HALFYR     Time:2015-10-30 15:05:08