Final Results

RNS Number : 1496G
Octopus Renewables Infra Trust PLC
28 March 2022
 

LEI: 213800B81BFJKWM2JV13

 

28 March 2022

OCTOPUS RENEWABLES INFRASTRUCTURE TRUST PLC

 

Final Results to 31 December 2021

Strong Progress Continues

 

 

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc ("ORIT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its audited results for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 ("FY2021").

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

(audited)

As at 31 December 2020

(audited)

NAV per Ordinary Share (p)

 

102.26

98.26

Ordinary Share price (p)

 

110.8

113.8

Ordinary Share price premium to NAV1

 

8.4%

15.8%

Dividends declared per Ordinary Share (p)2

 

5.00

3.18

Net asset value (£ million)

 

578

344

Gross asset value (£ million)1,3

 

738

441

Ongoing charges ratio1

1.15%

1.15%

 

· Delivered strong NAV growth of 9.3% (2020: 2.5%) and fully covered dividends4.

· Two successful oversubscribed fundraises completed in FY2021 raising £244m in total, both of which had strong support from a broad range of existing and new investors.

· Strong total shareholder return and NAV total return in the period from IPO in December 2019 of 17.7% (2020: 15.9%) and 12.1% (2020: 2.4%) respectively 1,5.

· Total shareholder return and NAV total return in FY2021 of 1.6% (2020: 7.8%) and 9.3% (2.5%) respectively1,5.

· Increased target dividend to 5.24p for FY 20222, representing an increase of 4.8% over FY 2021 and is in line with the increase to CPIH6.

· During the year, a valuation increase of £3.4 million resulted from the de-risking of the construction assets.

Operational Highlights

· The Company made six acquisitions, totalling 179MW of capacity, including wind, solar and construction and operational assets, together with two developer investments, across 3 new countries in the year.

· The renewables infrastructure asset class continued to demonstrate its resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

· 50% of forecast operational revenue in 2022 and 2023 is fixed (31 December 2021: 91%), the reduction driven by sharp increases in global commodity prices and recent acquisitions.

· At the SPV level, the Company's operational portfolio generated 348 GWh (2020: 278 GWh) of electricity, which led to revenue of £38.5 million (2020: £30.8 million) in FY2021.

· As at 31 December 2021, the portfolio comprised 317 assets across seven countries and two technologies, as well as two developer investments. Total capacity, excluding conditional acquisitions, of 494 MW7 (2020: 315 MW).

· Once fully invested, the portfolio has the potential to power the equivalent of 337,000 homes with clean energy, an estimated 364,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided.

· ORIT has to date invested in 181MW of new renewable generation capacity at the construction-ready or in-construction stage, all of which is now either operational or progressing in line with the investment case construction timeline.

 

Phil Austin, Chairman of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc, commented:

 

"I am delighted with ORIT's strong performance in 2021, during which the Company continued to grow, delivered on NAV return, met our 2021 dividend target and increased our dividend target for 2022 in line with inflation (CPIH). During 2021 our Investment Manager added new renewable energy assets to the portfolio, increasing its diversification. Our Investment Manager's performance continues to be excellent, delivering and developing pipeline opportunities for the Company and actively managing our portfolio across all stages of development.

 

The Board is grateful for the support shown to the Company by shareholders, and is excited about the opportunities ahead to deliver positive impact by bringing additional generation capacity into operation whilst offering attractive returns for our investors."

 

Results presentation today

 

There will be a presentation for sell side analysts at 9.30 am today. Please contact Buchanan for details on octopus@buchanan.uk.com .

 

For further information please contact:

 

Octopus Renewables Limited (Investment Manager)

Matt Setchell, Chris Gaydon, David Bird

 

 

Via Buchanan

Peel Hunt (Broker)

Liz Yong, Luke Simpson, Huw Jeremy (Investment Banking)

Alex Howe, Chris Bunstead, Ed Welsby, Richard Harris (Sales)

 

020 7418 8900

 

Buchanan (Financial PR)

Charles Ryland, Hannah Ratcliff, George Beale

 

 

 

020 7466 5000

Sanne Fund Services (UK) Limited ( Company Secretary )

 

020 3327 9720

 

Notes:

 

1.  These are alternative performance measures. Definitions of these and other performance measures used by the Company, together with how these measures have been calculated, are set out in the Annual Report.

2.  The dividend target stated is a target only and not a profit forecast. There can be no assurance that it will be met or that the Company will make any distributions at all and it should not be taken as an indication of the Company's expected future results. Accordingly, potential investors should not place any reliance on this target in deciding whether or not to invest in the Company and should decide for themselves whether or not the target dividend is reasonable or achievable. Investors should note that references to "dividends" and "distributions" are intended to cover both dividend income and income which is designated as an interest distribution for UK tax purposes and therefore subject to the interest streaming regime applicable to investment trusts.

3.  A measure of total asset value including debt held in unconsolidated subsidiaries, but excluding any outstanding equity or debt commitments.

4.  Fully covered by cash generated in the portfolio of assets, after deducting holding company costs and debt service.

5.  Total Shareholder return since IPO stated in sterling, including dividends reinvested, from 9 December 2019 to 31 December 2021.

6.  In line with the increase to CPIH in the twelve months to 31 December 2021.

7.  Excludes conditional acquisitions.

 

About Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust

 

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc is a closed end investment company incorporated in England and Wales focused on providing investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets in Europe and Australia.

 

Further details can be found at www.octopusrenewablesinfrastructure.com

 

About Octopus Renewables

 

Octopus Renewables is a specialist clean energy investor. Launched in 2010 its mission is to accelerate the transition to a future powered by renewable energy. It has a diverse portfolio of assets with a capacity of over 2.9GW, making it the largest commercial solar investor in Europe and a leading investor in onshore wind.

 

Octopus Renewables is also leading the next wave of renewables being built across Europe and Australia without government subsidies. There is a significant opportunity to unblock much needed investment by building bespoke portfolios of renewable assets at scale, across technologies and countries, to create better outcomes for our investors.

 

Further details can be found at www.octopusrenewables.com .

About the Company

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc ("ORIT" or the "Company") is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in England and Wales.

The Company's investment objective is to provide investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets in the UK, Europe and Australia.

ORIT classifies itself as an impact fund with a core impact objective of accelerating the transition to net zero through its investments. ORIT's ordinary shares were admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the premium listing segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange on 10 December 2019.

ORIT is managed by one of the largest renewable energy investors in Europe, Octopus Renewables Limited (the "Investment Manager").

Highlights

As at 31 December 2021

+1.6%

+9.3%

5.0p

Total shareholder return in the year 1

NAV total return in the year 123

Dividend per ordinary share for
FY 2021 

2020: (+7.8%)

2020: (+2.5%)

2020: (3.18p)

 

+17.7%

+12.1%

102.3p

Total shareholder return since IPO 1

NAV total return since IPO 123

NAV per ordinary share 2

2020: (+15.9%)

2020: (+2.4%)

increased by 4.1% since 2020: (98.26p)

 

£578m

£738m

£878m

Net Asset Value ("NAV") 2

Gross Asset Value ("GAV") 1 5

Total value of all investments 1 4

2020: (£344m)

increased by 1.4% since 2020: (£441m)

2020: (£370m)

 

1,168GWh

364k

337k

Potential Renewable Electricity 6

Estimated tonnes of carbon avoided 6

Equivalent homes powered by clean energy 6

2020: (502GWh)

2020: (79k)

2020: (114k)

Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs")

The financial information and performance data highlighted in footnote 1 are APMs of the Company. Definitions of these APMs together with how these measures have been calculated can be found in the Annual Report.

These are alternative performance measures

The Net Asset Value (NAV) as at 31 December 2021 is calculated on the basis of 564,927,536 ordinary shares in issue

3    Total returns in sterling, including dividend reinvested

4    Total asset value including total debt and equity commitments

5    A measure of total asset value including debt held in unconsolidated subsidiaries, but excluding any outstanding equity or debt commitments

6    All metrics are calculated based on an estimated annual production of the whole portfolio once fully constructed and exclude conditional acquisitions

Key Milestones during 2021

1

Jan 2021

Successful refinancing of French solar portfolio debt

2

Apr 2021

Successful financing of Cerisou Wind Farm

3

Jun 2021

Conditional acquisition of Cumberhead Wind Farm

4

Jul 2021

48MW Swedish wind farm operational

5

Jul 2021

First capital raise following IPO of £150m

6

Jul 2021

Conditional acquisition of Irish solar PV sites

7

Aug 2021

Investment in floating offshore wind developer

8

Oct 2021

Acquisition of two Polish in-construction wind projects

9

Oct 2021

Option to acquire two Finnish onshore wind projects

10

Dec 2021

Second capital raise following IPO of £73.9m

11

Dec 2021

Acquisition of two onshore wind farms in Finland

12

Dec 2021

Investment in UK onshore wind joint ventures

Portfolio at a Glance

 

 

 

Capacity

Average asset

 

 

 

 

 

life remaining

 

 

Technology

Country

Sites

(MW)

(years)

Status

Key information

Solar PV

UK

8

123

25.1

Operational

ROC Subsidised

Wind

Sweden

1

48

29.5

Operational

Operational as of
30 June

Wind

France

1

24

30.0

Construction,
8 Turbines

Expected to be operational in H2 2022

Solar PV

France

14

120

31.8

Operational

FiT Subsidised

Solar PV

Spain

4

175

35.0

Conditional acquisition

Expected to be operational in early 2024

Wind

UK

1

50

30.0

Construction,
12 Turbines

Expected to be operational in Q4 2022

Solar PV

Ireland

5

250

40.0

Conditional acquisition

Expected to be operational in 2022/23

Developer

Ireland

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Developer (floating offshore wind)

Wind

Poland

2

59

29.5

Operational/
Construction,
20 Turbines

One site operational Feb 2022 Second site expected in Q2 2022

Wind

Finland

2

71

30.0

Construction,
17 Turbines

Final stages of commissioning

Developer

UK

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Developer (onshore wind)

 

Portfolio status

Total number of assets 731

Total capacity7494 MW

7   Excludes conditional acquisitions

Chairman's Statement

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present this annual report for Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the "Annual Report").

2021 was a year which brought increasing focus on the need to accelerate decarbonisation as world leaders gathered for the COP26 assembly in Glasgow. It was also a period where energy prices became a critical social and political issue, with extreme rises in gas prices requiring emergency action from governments to protect consumers. Long term solutions to both these issues hinge on developing and building new renewable generation capacity at pace, alongside other technologies such as storage. This is exactly what the Company is doing, and the Board is excited about the opportunities ahead to deliver positive impact whilst offering attractive returns for investors.

The Company has grown rapidly during the year, raising an additional £224m of equity in two oversubscribed fundraisings. The Board is grateful for the support shown by existing investors and delighted to welcome a number of new shareholders.

Investment Activity

The funds raised have been invested into a diverse range of assets which reflect the full breadth of the Company's mandate, increasing the capacity of assets under construction or in operation to 494MW, with a further 425MW subject to conditional acquisitions.

In June we agreed to acquire Cumberhead Wind Farm in Scotland at the construction-ready stage. Completion of the acquisition took place in September and construction works have commenced with the plant expected to become operational late in 2022. In November, Kimberley-Clark Corporation agreed to enter into a ten-year fixed price PPA with the Cumberhead wind farm.

In July the Company agreed to acquire five solar farms in Ireland with a total capacity of up to 250MW. The acquisition will complete once the first four projects become operational, which is expected to be over the course of H1 2023.

In August we made our first investment at the development stage, following the updates made to our investment policy during the year. The acquisition of a 12% stake in Simply Blue Group provides the Company with the opportunity to participate in the growth of the floating offshore wind sector, which is expected to become a critical driver of the growth in renewable generation capacity globally as shallow-water sites are exhausted and the costs of floating foundations decline. The investment also gives the Company preferential rights to fund the construction of assets developed by Simply Blue Group.

In October the Company acquired two in-construction wind farms in Poland, the first of which became operational in February 2022, with the second due to commence operations later this year.

In December we acquired two wind farms in Finland, both of which are generating electricity and in the final stages of testing under their construction contracts.

The last investment of the year was the Company's second development investment, a joint venture with leading UK onshore wind developer Wind2 to fund the development of up to 570MW of new projects in Scotland and Wales.

Results

During the year NAV per share increased from 98.3p to 102.3p. In combination with the dividends paid during the year this gave rise to a NAV total return of 9.3%. Total shareholder return for the year was 1.6%.

The Company's operating income for the year was £40.4m, giving rise to a profit for the period of £34.8m. This was underpinned by EBITDA from the portfolio of operational assets totalling £29.9m, arising from gross revenues of £38.5m.

Dividend

The Board was pleased to declare total dividends of 5p per ordinary share in respect of the year, with the fourth and final interim dividend paid in March 2022. This was in line with the target set at IPO, and the total dividends paid in respect of the year of £23.8m were fully covered by cash generated in the portfolio of assets, after deducting holding company costs and debt service.

In line with the Company's progressive dividend policy, the Board has announced an increase in the target dividend to 5.24p for 2022, an increase of 4.8%8. This increase is in line with the increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPIH) inflation for the 12 months to 31 December 2021.

Portfolio performance

During the period the Company's assets generated 348GWh of electricity, an increase of over 23% compared with the prior year. This reflects the growth of the Company's operational portfolio following the construction of the Ljungbyholm wind farm, which was completed on time and on budget in June delivering construction gains of £2 million. The Cerisou, Cumberhead and Kuslin wind farms are all expected to complete construction during 2022, as well as the Saunamaa and Suolakangas wind farms which were in the final stages of commissioning at the year end. We finalised the commissioning for the Krezcin wind farm which became operational during February 2022.

The dividend and return targets stated are targets only and not profit forecasts. There can be no assurance that these targets will be met, or that the Company will make any distributions at all, and they should not be taken as an indication of the Company's expected future results. The Company's actual returns will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the Company's net income and level of ongoing charges. Accordingly, potential investors should not place any reliance on these targets and should decide for themselves whether or not the target dividend and target net total shareholder return are rea-sonable or achievable. Investors should note that references to "dividends" and "distributions" are intended to cover both dividend income and income which is designated as an interest distribution for UK tax purposes and therefore subject to the interest streaming regime applicable to investment trusts

Outlook

Looking to 2022, there are fresh challenges for investors, with inflation rising and interest rates being increased in response. Whilst the portfolio benefits from significant inflation protection via index-linked revenues, the Board is mindful of the need to monitor discount rates to ensure risk premia remain appropriate.

The deplorable invasion of Ukraine by Russia also brings a great deal of uncertainty. Whilst the Company's projects have not been directly affected, at this time it is unclear how the conflict could spread. What is clear is that the desire to avoid purchases of Russian oil and gas has led governments across Europe and beyond to seek ways to accelerate the deployment of new renewable capacity.

With the need for new renewable generation therefore as urgent as ever, and the strong pipeline of investment opportunities identified by the Investment Manager, the Company is very well positioned to continue growing, providing genuine positive impact by bringing additional generation capacity into operation, whilst delivering attractive returns to investors.

Philip Austin MBE
Chairman,
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc

Strategic Report

Business Model, Objectives and KPIs

Business Model

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc was incorporated on 11 October 2019 as a public company limited by shares. The Company intends to carry on business as an investment trust within the meaning of section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and was listed on the premium segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange on 10 December 2019. The Company holds and manages its investments through a parent holding company, ORIT Holdings II Limited and two holding company subsidiaries, ORIT Holdings Limited and ORIT UK Acquisitions Limited (together the "intermediate holding companies"), which in turn hold investments via a number of Special Purpose Vehicles ("SPVs"). The jurisdictions in which the SPVs are incorporated is typically determined by the location of the assets, and further portfolio-level holding companies may be used to facilitate debt financings.

As at 31 December 2021, the Company owns a portfolio of 31 Renewable Energy Assets (including two developer investments) totalling 290MW of operational capacity and 204MW under construction. Long term structural debt is in place for the French solar portfolio and, as at 31 December 2021, this comprised outstanding principal amounts of €124 million facility provided by Allied Irish Bank, Société Générale and La Banque Postale. Cerisou Wind Farm has a €43.2 million fully amortising facility, provided by Société Générale, for the funding of the construction and commissioning of the project. The Polish wind farms have facilities in place with EBRD and Bayern LB, which will be used to fund all remaining construction payments. Short term debt financing is available through a £150 million Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") provided by Sabadell, Santander, Intesa Sanpaolo, National Australia Bank and National Westminster Bank, which may be drawn by ORIT Holdings II Limited.

The Company has a 31 December financial year end and announces half-year results in September and full-year results in March. The Company pays dividends quarterly, targeting payments in early March, May, August and November each year.

The Company has an independent board of non-executive directors and has appointed Octopus AIF Management Limited ("OAIFM") as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager ("AIFM") to provide portfolio and risk management services to the Company. The AIFM has delegated the provision of portfolio management services to the Investment Manager, Octopus Renewables Limited ("ORL") who have day to day portfolio management responsibilities. Further information on the Investment Manager is provided in the Investment Manager's Report.

As an investment trust, the Company does not have any employees and is reliant on third party service providers for its operational requirements. Likewise, the SPVs (other than Simply Blue Group) do not have any employees and services are also provided through third party providers. Each service provider has an established track record and has in place suitable policies and procedures to ensure they maintain high standards of business conduct and corporate governance.

Figure 1: Company operating model

 

Shareholders

 

 

Independent Board of Directors

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc,

Company Service Providers

 

Day to day management subcontracted

Listed on the LSE Main Market

• Broker: Peel Hunt

  Fund Administrator and Company Secretary: Sanne Fund Services

  Depository: BNP Paribas

  Registrar: Computershare

  Auditor: PWC

  PR Advisor: Buchanan

  Tax Advisor: BDO

  Legal: Gowlings

 

AIFM

Octopus AIF Management

 

 
 

Investment Manager

Octopus Renewables Limited

 
 

Debt Providers

Revolving

Credit Facility

ORIT Holdings ll Ltd

 

 

 

ORIT Holdings Ltd

ORIT UK
Acquisitions Ltd

 

 

Debt Providers

Asset level

Debt Facilities

Non-UK SPVs

UK SPVs

Asset Service Providers

· External Asset Managers

· Operations & Maintenance ("O&M") contractors

· Engineering, Procurement and Construction ("EPC") contractors

· Specialist consultants

 

 

Portfolio investments held in SPVs*

 

 

*  Some investments in SPVs may be held indirectly through portfolio-level holding companies

Objectives and KPIs

The Company's objective is to provide investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets in the UK, Europe and Australia.

Financial Objectives

Objective

KPI

Performance commentary

Monitoring activities

Sustainable level of income returns

· Provide investors with an annualised dividend yield of 5% for FY21

· Generated from strong operational cashflows

5.0p

dividend declared for the year, in line with target

£29.9m

EBITDA from operational assets

The dividend of 5.0p was fully covered by operational cashflows at the SPV level less costs at the plc and intermediate holding company level.

The Company's dividend target is rising to 5.24 pence per Ordinary Share for FY22 (in line with CPIH) and is expected to be progressive thereafter.9 10

The operational assets' technical performance was below expectations over the year but they have significantly exceeded financial expectations for the year.

The construction of Ljungbyholm Wind Farm was completed on time and within budget, despite potential logistical risks as a result of COVID-19.

The Board monitors dividend cover and ratios at each quarterly Board meeting against the targets and makes determinations on the dividends to be paid.

The Investment Manager actively manages operational performance of assets on an ongoing basis with actions taken to resolve and mitigate operational issues. Financial performance of assets is reviewed monthly by the Investment Manager. Any material issues are highlighted to the Board without delay.

Operational and financial performance is reviewed quarterly by the Board.

Investors should note that references to "dividends" and "distributions" are intended to cover both dividend income and income which is designated as an interest distribution for UK tax purposes and therefore subject to the interest streaming regime applicable to investment trusts

10  The dividend and return targets stated are targets only and not profit forecasts. There can be no assurance that these targets will be met, or that the Company will make any distributions at all, and they should not be taken as an indication of the Company's expected future results. The Company's actual returns will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the Company's net income and level of ongoing charges. Accordingly, potential investors should not place any reliance on these targets and should decide for themselves whether or not the target dividend and target net total shareholder return are reasonable or achievable

Objective

KPI

Performance commentary

Monitoring activities

Capital preservation with an element of growth

· Provide investors with a net total shareholder return of 7% to 8% per annum over the medium to long-term

· Generated through a diversified portfolio including construction and development assets

· Cost control and prudent financial management

 

102.3p

NAV per share

17.7% / 1.6%

Total shareholder return since IPO / in the year

12.1% / 9.3%

NAV total return since IPO / in the year

6 11 acquisitions delivering 179MW11 of capacity including wind, solar, construction and operational assets, together with two developer investments, across 3 new countries in the year

1.15%

Ongoing charges ratio

0.48%

Transaction costs as percentage of committed acquisition spend

There was strong NAV growth of the portfolio, with value released from de-risked construction assets and with prompt deployment of capital raise proceeds. The acquisitions concluded in the year include a number of construction assets and developer investments, expected to deliver growth as they reach key milestones and are de‑risked.

The ongoing charges ratio for the year came in slightly higher than expectations in the latest KID of 1.02%.

Transaction costs incurred on acquisitions in the year were in line with expectations in the latest KID of 0.5%.

 

The Board monitors both the NAV and share price performance and compares with other similar investment trusts.

A review of performance is undertaken at each quarterly Board meeting and the reasons for relative under and over performance against various comparators is discussed.

The Investment Manager evaluates and selects investment opportunities to deliver against the investment strategy and policy. Company level budgets are approved annually by the Board and actual spend is reviewed quarterly. Transaction budgets are approved by the Board and potential abort exposure is carefully monitored.

11  Excludes conditional acquisition

Impact Objectives

Our core impact objective is to accelerate the transition to net zero through our investments, building and operating a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets to help facilitate the transition to a more sustainable future. Our investments are long term and therefore require a long-term view to be taken both in the initial investment decisions and in the subsequent asset management, adopting lasting and sustainable business practices.

Objective

KPI

Performance:

Build and operate a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets, mitigating the risk of losses through robust governance structures, rigorous due diligence, risk analysis and asset optimisation activities to deliver investment return resilience

 

£878m committed into renewables

1,168GWh of potential annual renewable energy generation, 603GWh of which will be additional generation from constructing assets12

31 assets

Financial return metrics are shown in the Financial Objectives table

Planet:

Consider environmental factors to mitigate risks associated with the construction and operation of assets, enhancing environmental potential where possible

 

364k equivalent tCO2 avoided13

5.23t CO2e per MW estimated carbon intensity (direct and indirect)

6t CO2e emissions offset (all direct emissions)

100% investments qualify as sustainable in line with EU Taxonomy14

92% generating sites on renewable import tariffs

People:

Evaluate social considerations to mitigate risks and promote a 'Just Transition' to clean energy

 

0 RIDDORs 15

447 students benefiting from social initiatives

Further information on our Impact Strategy and performance against our Impact Objectives can be found in the Impact Report section of this strategic report and the Company's Impact Strategy published on our website here www.octopusrenewablesinfrastructure.com/investors/

12  Metric calculated based on an estimated annual production of the construction portfolio once fully constructed

13  Metrics based on an estimated annual production of the whole portfolio once fully constructed. Carbon avoided is calculated using the International Financial Institution's approach for harmonised GHG accounting

14  100% of investments are significantly contributing to climate change mitigation. Further analysis is required to better understand whether the investments meet the "Do No Significant Harm" technical screening criteria that is still under review and applies from 1 Jan 2022

15  RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 and these are reportable incidents to the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Investment Strategy and Policy

Investment Strategy

The Company will seek to achieve its objectives in four ways:

· Diversification: The Company's Investment Policy includes a broad mandate to invest across different renewable technologies and in different geographies, reducing concentration of risk in particular power markets or weather conditions as well as allowing the Company to access investments from a large set of opportunities originated by the Investment Manager.

· Inclusion of construction and development: Investing into Renewable Energy Assets at the construction-ready stage allows the opportunity for greater capital growth through the successful management of construction risks and delivery of the asset into operations, as well as increasing the ability to influence social and environmental benefits. Investments into development stage Renewable Energy Assets are limited to 5% of GAV and allows the Company access to a wider range of Renewable Energy Asset investment opportunities.

· Active construction and asset management: The Company, via the Investment Manager, takes an active role in ensuring site safety; managing construction risks; seeking to enhance the value of the portfolio through maximising generation; optimising the price received for generation; dynamic risk management; and controlling costs as well as longer term value enhancements such as equipment upgrades or life extension.

· Embedding impact into investments: As an impact fund the Company ensures that social and environmental benefits are considered and maximised alongside financial returns, both at the time of initial investment and throughout the ongoing management of the portfolio.

Investment Policy

The Company will seek to achieve its investment objective through investment in Renewable Energy Assets in Europe and Australia, comprising (i) predominantly assets which generate electricity from renewable energy sources, with a particular focus on onshore wind farms and photovoltaic solar ("solar PV") parks, and (ii) non-generation renewable energy related assets and businesses (together "Renewable Energy Assets").

The Company may invest in operational, in construction, construction-ready or development Renewable Energy Assets. In construction or construction-ready Renewable Energy Assets are assets that have in place the required grid access rights, land consents, planning and regulatory consents. Development Renewable Energy Assets comprise project that do not yet have in place the required grid access rights, land consents, planning and regulatory consents, as well as investments into development pipelines and developers ("Development Renewable Energy Assets").

The Company intends to invest both in a geographically and technologically diversified spread of Renewable Energy Assets and, over the long term, it is expected that investments: (i) located in the UK will represent less than 50 per cent. of the total value of all investments, (ii) in any single country other than the UK will represent no more than 40 per cent. of the total value of all investments, (iii) in onshore wind farms will not exceed 60 per cent. of the total value of all investments, and (iv) in solar PV parks will not exceed 60 per cent. of the total value of all investments. For the purposes of this paragraph, investments shall (i) be valued on an unlevered basis, (ii) include amounts committed but not yet incurred and (iii) include cash and cash equivalents to the extent not already included in the value of investments or amounts committed but not yet incurred.

The Company may acquire a mix of controlling and non-controlling interests in Renewable Energy Assets and may use a range of investment instruments in the pursuit of its investment objective, including but not limited to equity and debt investments. A controlling interest is one where the Company's equity interest in the Renewable Energy Asset is in excess of 50 per cent.

In circumstances where the Company does not hold a controlling interest in the relevant investment, the Company will secure its shareholder rights through contractual and other arrangements, to, inter alia, ensure that the Renewable Energy Asset is operated and managed in a manner that is consistent with the Company's investment policy.

Investments may be made into Development Renewable Energy Assets, which may be developers, portfolios and/or pipelines of Development Renewable Energy Assets, where the relevant investment: (i) includes limited exposure to Renewable Energy Assets outside Europe and Australia, which at the time of investment comprises both a minority of the assets in the relevant developer, portfolio or pipeline by number and value and is less than 1 per cent. of GAV, and/or (ii) may include indirect exposure to ancillary assets and/or businesses unrelated to renewable energy whose value is de minimis as at the time of investment. The Company may retain an interest in any such assets and/or businesses following achievement of construction-ready status.

Investment Restrictions

The Company aims to achieve diversification principally through investing in a range of portfolio assets across a number of distinct geographies and a mix of wind, solar and other technologies.

The Company will observe the following investment restrictions when making investments:

· the Company may invest up to 32.5 per cent. of GAV in one single asset, up to 27.5 per cent. of GAV in a second single asset, and the Company's investment in any other single asset shall not exceed 20 per cent. of GAV, in each case calculated immediately following each investment;

· the Company's portfolio will comprise no fewer than ten Renewable Energy Assets;

· no more than 20 per cent. of GAV, calculated immediately following each investment, will be invested in Renewable Energy Assets which are not onshore wind farms and solar PV parks;

· no more than 25 per cent. of GAV, calculated immediately following each investment, will be invested in assets in relation to which the Company does not have a controlling interest;

· no more than 5 per cent. of GAV, calculated immediately following each investment, will be invested in Development Renewable Energy Assets;

· the Company will not invest in other UK listed closed-ended investment companies;

· neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will conduct any trading activity which is significant in the context of the Group as a whole; and

· no investments will be made in fossil fuel assets.  

Compliance with the above restrictions will be measured at the time of investment and non-compliance resulting from changes in the price or value of assets following investment will not be considered as a breach of the investment restrictions.

In addition to the above investment restrictions, following the Company becoming fully invested and substantially fully geared (meaning for this purpose borrowings by way of long-term structural debt of 35 per cent. of GAV) at the time of an investment or entry into an agreement with an Offtaker, the aggregate value of the Company's investments in Renewable Energy Assets under contract to any single Offtaker will not exceed 40 per cent. of GAV.

The Company will hold its investments through one or more special purpose vehicles owned in whole or in part by the Company either directly or indirectly which will be used as the project company for the acquisition and holding of a Renewable Energy Asset (an "SPV") and the investment restrictions will be applied on a look-through basis.

For the purposes of the investment policy, "Gross Asset Value" means the aggregate of (i) the fair value of the Company's underlying investments (whether or not subsidiaries), valued on an unlevered basis, (ii) the Company's proportionate share of the cash balances and cash equivalents of assets and non-subsidiary companies in which the Company holds an interest and (iii) other relevant assets and liabilities of the Company (including cash) valued at fair value (other than third party borrowings) to the extent not included in (i) or (ii) above.

Borrowing Policy

The Company may make use of long-term limited recourse debt to facilitate the acquisition or construction of Renewable Energy Assets to provide leverage for those specific investments. The Company may also take on long-term structural debt provided that at the time of drawing down (or acquiring) any new long-term structural debt (including limited recourse debt), total long-term structural debt will not exceed 40 per cent. of GAV immediately following drawing down (or acquiring) such debt. For the avoidance of doubt, in calculating gearing, no account will be taken of any investment in Renewable Energy Assets that are made by the Company by way of a debt investment.

In addition, the Company may make use of short-term debt, such as a revolving credit facility, to assist with the acquisition or construction of suitable opportunities as and when they become available. Such short-term debt will be subject to a separate gearing limit so as not to exceed 25 per cent. of GAV immediately following drawing down (or acquiring) any such short-term debt.

The Company may employ gearing at the level of an SPV, any intermediate subsidiary of the Company or the Company itself, and the limits on total long-term structural debt and short-term debt shall apply on a consolidated basis across the Company, the SPVs and any such intermediate holding entities (but will not count any intra-Group debt).

In circumstances where these aforementioned limits are exceeded as a result of gearing of one or more Renewable Energy Assets in which the Company has a non-controlling interest, the borrowing restrictions will not be deemed to be breached. However, in such circumstances, the matter will be brought to the attention of the Board who will determine the appropriate course of action.

Currency and Hedging Policy

The Company has the ability to enter into hedging transactions at ORIT Holdings Limited for the purpose of efficient portfolio management. In particular, the Company may engage in currency, inflation, interest rates, electricity prices and commodity prices (including, but not limited to, steel and gas) hedging. Any such hedging transactions will not be undertaken for speculative purposes.

Cash Management

The Company may hold cash on deposit and may invest in cash equivalent investments, which may include short-term investments in money market type funds ("Cash and Cash Equivalents").

There is no restriction on the amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents that the Company may hold and there may be times when it is appropriate for the Company to have a significant Cash and Cash Equivalents position. For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions set out above in relation to investing in UK listed closed-ended investment companies do not apply to money market type funds.

Changes to and Compliance with the Investment Policy

Any material change to the Company's investment policy set out above will require the approval of Shareholders by way of an ordinary resolution at a general meeting and the approval of the FCA.

In the event of a breach of the investment guidelines and the investment restrictions set out above, the AIFM shall inform the Board upon becoming aware of the same and if the Board considers the breach to be material, notification will be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

Impact Report

As at 31 December 2021

£878m
Total value of all investments - all committed into renewables

1,168GWh
Potential Renewable
Electricity

337k
Equivalent Homes Powered by clean energy 16

364k
Estimated tonnes of carbon avoided 17

1.8m
Equivalent new trees required to avoid the same carbon 18

200k
Equivalent cars off the road to avoid the same carbon 19

All metrics are calculated based on an estimated annual production of the whole portfolio once fully constructed.

16  Homes Powered is based on latest regional average household consumption in the region of production

17  Carbon avoided is calculated using the International Financial Institution's approach for harmonised GHG accounting

18  Trees equivalent is based on UK Woodland and Peatland carbon statistics

19  Equivalent cars is calculated using a factor for displaced cars derived from the UK government GHG Conversion Factors for Company reporting

Accelerating to Net Zero with impact investing

The year 2021 was another burdened with uncertainty and devastating impacts as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, one thing from this year is for certain; the pandemic has shown us exactly how crushing a global threat can be. The threat of climate change is no exception and despite the pandemic's recent hardships, climate change remains one of the most complicated and significant challenges that our society faces today.

The long and heated negotiations we witnessed at the COP26 conference in November 2021 evidenced the scale of this challenge. These talks, attended by leaders across the globe and over 39,000 other participants, spanned nearly two weeks. Whilst some countries came forward with ambitious 2030 emission-reduction plans, continual action and implementation by all must continue throughout the decade to ensure alignment to the net zero target. Failure to deliver on these expectations will see the world surpass the 1.5-degree threshold, and as Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated at the COP26 conference, "two degrees is a death sentence".

It has long been recognised that a radical transformation of the energy sector is key in mitigating the threat of climate change. Our current fossil fuel-based power economy is guilty of being one of the largest emitters to date20. This year we have seen momentum build behind renewable generation like never before. COP26 has made clear that both a rapid transition away from fossil fuel generation to a system driven by renewables is needed and that there is widespread support for delivering this.

To achieve a decarbonised system, a significant increase in the pace of investment into new renewable generation and related infrastructure is required. Clean, green electricity is the key to decarbonising not just the existing power system, but also transport, heating and other sectors such as agriculture and heavy industry21. Collectively, developments in these sectors lead to a substantial increase in power demand which the system, as it stands, cannot supply. Therefore, whilst we have observed a considerable amount of additional capital entering the sector, there remains a funding gap for new generation that needs to be closed if we are going to achieve our targets.

Foreseeing how this sector might progress, ORIT updated its Investment Policy to allow investment into developers and development stage assets. This new emphasis on earlier stage assets means that an investment into ORIT provides greater additionality than an investment into funds focused primarily on existing operational assets. ORIT is enabling the next wave of new renewable energy generation, as well as creating proprietary pipeline into which we can invest at the construction ready stage. Investment into ORIT currently funds 252MW of new renewable generation capacity at the construction-ready or in-construction stage. With the Spanish and Irish conditional acquisitions, that figure would rise to over 600MW. This is before even considering the significant impact that ORIT investments such as Simply Blue could have on the world.

20  https://ukcop26.org/energy/

21  https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050

As laid out in ORIT's impact strategy and ORIT's new "Impact Film", ORIT also has a strong desire to incorporate social and educational benefits alongside its investments. As well as a range of on-site biodiversity initiatives, ORIT has created numerous impact partnerships that have delivered benefits beyond its asset boundaries.

With the momentum created by ORIT's numerous impact initiatives coupled with the company's foresight in amending the investment policy to enable investments in earlier-stage assets, we are confident that ORIT is playing a crucial role in accelerating the world to a net zero future.

Philip Austin MBE
Chairman

"It is time we tackle our vulnerabilities and rapidly become more independent in our energy choices. Let's dash into renewable energy at lightning speed. Renewables are a cheap, clean, and potentially endless source of energy and instead of funding the fossil fuel industry elsewhere, they create jobs here. Putin's war in Ukraine demonstrates the urgency of accelerating our clean energy transition."

Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal

Impact Strategy

ORIT is an impact fund with a core impact objective to accelerate the transition to net zero through its investments, building and operating a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets.

ORIT enables individuals and institutions to invest directly into a portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets which generates a yield through renewable energy generation. The renewable energy generated supports the transition to net zero by replacing unsustainable energy sources with clean power. This intended outcome is the Company's core impact objective.

The ability to invest in Renewable Energy Assets is a powerful tool, which not only enables people to invest in line with their values, but also drives change; facilitating the transition to a more sustainable future. More information on this "Theory of Change" can be found in the Company's Impact Strategy.

The Impact Strategy also considers all of ORIT's activities through three lenses - Performance, Planet and People - to ensure that our activities integrate ESG risks and bring to life additional impact opportunities. The Impact Strategy defines ESG and Impact as:

ESG - a vital risk management approach to identify and mitigate a range of potential issues to protect, and hopefully enhance, the long-term value of our investments

Impact - what an investment does to the environment or society

The Company makes long-term investments that require a long-term view to be taken both in initial investment decisions and in subsequent asset management; adopting lasting and sustainable business practices. Beyond the core objective of accelerating the transition to net zero, ORIT seeks to generate additional impact through Performance, Planet and People impact initiatives.

More details and background information related to the Company's Impact Strategy including information on our four impact themes of Stakeholder engagement, Equality and Wellbeing, Innovation and Sustainable momentum can be found in the separately published Impact Strategy.

Performance

Impact Objective: Build and operate a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets, mitigating the risk of losses through robust governance structures, rigorous due diligence, risk analysis and asset optimisation activities to deliver investment return resilience and the maximum amount of green electrons.

£878m

1,168GWh

31

Total value of all investments - all committed into renewables

of potential annual renewable energy generation, 603GWh of which has and will be additional generation from construction assets 22

Assets

Delivering the investment objective

The Board views the Impact Strategy as integral to the delivery of the core investment objective, and not as a cost to the Company. ESG processes and policies are a prudent risk management tool that improve the financial performance of the Company while reducing risks. The ultimate aim is to maximise the amount of green electrons produced by the portfolio.

Integration into the investment cycle

Every investment ORIT makes is assessed against our Performance, Planet and People framework through an ESG scoring matrix. This ensures that our investments adhere to ORIT's ESG Policy and minimum scoring threshold for investment approval, which all transactions met in the year.

Through this matrix, ESG risks are considered at every stage of investing in Renewable Energy Assets by the Investment Manager. It is used as a tool to drive ESG engagement and ensure that ESG risks are promptly identified, appropriately investigated, and carefully mitigated where necessary.

22   Metric calculated based on an estimated annual production of the construction portfolio once fully constructed

Materiality of risks included in the ESG matrix is determined using guidance from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework that identifies financially material ESG risks by asset class. The key risks for Renewable Energy Assets are: political & regulatory; conflicts; environmental damage (biodiversity, carbon, pollution); health & safety; unfair advantage; and community relations. At the post-completion stage, the Investment Manager carries out an onboarding process to ensure that its Asset Management team continue to oversee any residual ESG risks.

Anti-bribery and corruption

It is the Company's policy to conduct all of its business in an honest and ethical manner. The Company takes a zero‑tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and is committed to acting professionally, fairly, and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships wherever it operates.

Service Providers (including Directors of the Company):

1.   Must not promise, offer, give, request, agree to receive or accept a financial or other advantage in return for favourable treatment, to influence a business outcome or to gain any business advantage on behalf of themselves or of the Company.

2.   Must follow all the anti-bribery and corruption laws to which the Company and Company Directors/Service Providers are subject.

3.   Are liable to disciplinary action, dismissal, legal proceedings and possibly imprisonment if they are involved in bribery and corruption. Appropriate action will be taken against those who fail to comply.

The Company has obtained a copy of the Investment Manager's, Company Secretary's, Administrator's and Broker's anti‑bribery policies and procedures and is satisfied that these are adequate for the purposes of the Company. The Investment Manager seeks to ensure asset level service providers have appropriate policies in place and conduct due diligence as appropriate as part of completing the ESG matrix, for example anti-bribery, equal opportunities, modern slavery, and whistle blowing.

Further information in relation to Conflicts of Interest can be found within the Corporate Governance Statement of the Annual report.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

ORIT is a supporter of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. More information can be found in the Risks and Risk Management section of the Annual Report.

 

Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures

Nature and the ecosystem services it provides are essential inputs to businesses across the economy. Indeed, it has been found that more than half of global GDP depends on nature. Whilst this has fuelled society's ambition to protect the planet's natural habitats, business activity and financial services that support it continue to degrade nature. Financial institutions are currently unable to fully identify, measure and manage nature-related risk. However, 2021 has seen the launch of the Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). The TNFD will develop a framework for corporates and financial institutions to assess, manage and report on their dependencies and impacts on nature over the next two years. The TNFD will be designed to bring a similar robustness to the appraisal of nature-related risks as the TCFD has done for climate and should help redirect global financial flows towards nature-positive outcomes.

ORIT will continue to follow the progress of the TNFD launch and look to implement TNFD guidelines as soon as they become available.

"The business and financial world's race towards net zero emissions will only succeed if they simultaneously race equally fast towards nature-positive, with the importance of biodiversity front and centre."

Emily McKenzie, Technical Director of TNFD

Performance initiatives

Delivering investment performance is fundamental to the Impact Strategy, supporting the transition to net zero and to being an impact fund. Asset optimisation initiatives, alongside robust ESG risk management, aim to improve financial resilience and overall performance of the Company.

Projects

Our Investment Manager works with key partners to mitigate production risks and maximise performance of ORIT's operational assets. Production losses are investigated through a root cause analysis, delivering appropriate actions that improve technical performance. This active management approach has mitigated potential performance risks for ORIT over this period.

Project

Outcome

Tax refunds secured on business rates: Facilitated a Contribution Economique Territoriale (CET) tax review dating back to 2016, resulting in a claim made to the tax authorities for a refund of overpaid taxes at Saint Antonin and Brignoles totalling €210k.

Confirmation from the tax authorities is pending; the refund of €210k is expected to be received during the course of 2022.

Stakeholder Engagement

Successful engagement with local contractors: road replacement works at Mingay Farm.

1.6km of road was replaced at Mingay Farm to ensure lease compliance and safe access to site. Replacement was completed by a specialist contractor, located within 100km of the site, with works partially funded by another track user and asset vendor, under a specific SPA indemnity. The replacement was also completed in collaboration with Highways Agency as a section of the replacement is a public byway.

Stakeholder Engagement

Enedis Refunds Secured: Handover with control, identification of additional costs in past accounts, determination, and claim management with the DNO.

All unjustified penalties applied by the DNO from 2018 refunded (> €30k).

Equality & Wellbeing

Asset Manager and Contractor engagement: ESG workshops with RES to ensure continued compliance to ESG & Impact Strategy.

In November 2021, RES and Octopus held an ESG workshop to discuss in detail specific requirements and potential activities RES could implement and manage from an operational point of view. Outputs from the workshop included an improved reporting framework between RES and Octopus, an overview of current land management practices for each asset and options for additional impact initiatives that RES could carry out on request.

Stakeholder Engagement

Transformer health monitoring: Ongoing project to prematurely identify signs of transformer distress through enhanced oil sample analysis.

Results used to inform overhaul, premature servicing, and spare parts strategy to preserve asset integrity.

Innovation

Inverter Spares platform: Investment Manager introduced on demand spare parts platform covering inverters installed at five of the eight UK solar sites. Program ensures components are delivered to site 10x quicker than market standard.

Since introduction in July 2021 these five sites have benefited from £56k of savings as the parts platform enabled swift component replacement, expediting return to service following component failure.

Innovation

Panel replacements at Brignoles & Chalmoux completed ahead of schedule: Delivery made possible through good project management, anticipating unexpected events, and tracking both the teams on site and their initiatives.

Panel replacements completed on time and ready to produce at maximum performance for the next years.

Stakeholder Engagement

Chalmoux contractor replaced to ensure improved performance: Monitored the performance of the O&M Provider, alerted, and reacted quickly to restore the situation.

Immediate positive change confirmed during the last inspection on site by the external asset manager inspection on site.

Stakeholder Engagement

Case Study:

Penhale Low Voltage Overhaul

During the period, the team executed an impressive low voltage overhaul project at Penhale Solar farm. This project demonstrates how the team contributed to three of the four key impact themes by returning a previously constrained site to 100% capacity using funds successfully retrieved from warranty claims and compensation.

Equality & Wellbeing - Export constrained to mitigate fire risk:

Under the owner's engineer recommendation, a capacity constraint was implemented at Penhale Solar farm in May 2020 to mitigate potential fire risk. These risks were a result of several low voltage components being exposed to abnormal temperatures during periods of high irradiance.

Sustainable Momentum - Low voltage re-design and overhaul executed. Restrictions lifted and site returned to 100% capacity:

A comprehensive overhaul of the low voltage aspects of the site, including replacement of control boards, circuit breakers, cables and cable connections was completed in September. The overhaul required aspects of complex design, ensuring compliant and safe generation for the remainder of the site's operations.

Stakeholder Management - Compensation secured for works cost and business interruption:

Successful warranty claim secured compensation for £215k of costs associated with the rebuild and £165k of lost production incurred due to the constraints

Impact tracker

Who

How much

What

Impact Theme

Penhale Solar Farm

£380k
compensation secured for
works cost and business interruption

Risk mitigation

Low Voltage component redesign and improvement

Lifted restrictions

Equality and Wellbeing

Sustainable Momentum

Stakeholder Engagement

UN SDG specific contributions

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

9.2 and 9.4 - Promote sustainable industrialization and upgrade/ retrofit infrastructure to make them sustainable:

Investment into operational and construction assets have helped support jobs. Site upgrades and works have significantly reduced production losses, actively supporting the production of more green power and helping ORIT's assets perform more efficiently.

17 Partnership for the Goals

17.17 Encourage and promote effective partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships:

Shared knowledge with key counterparties to ensure continued compliance to the ESG policy and drive improvements to ESG land management practices.

www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

Planet

Impact Objective: Consider environmental factors to mitigate risks associated with the construction and operation of assets, enhancing environmental potential where possible.

364k
Equivalent tCO2 avoided
23

6t
CO2e emissions offset (all direct emissions)

5.23t
CO2e per MW estimated carbon intensity (direct and indirect) 24

100%
Investments qualify as sustainable in line with EU Taxonomy 25

92%
Generating sites on renewable import tariffs

Maximise our positive environmental impact

ORIT recognises the critical role that renewable energy plays in meeting net zero emissions targets, with an inherently positive impact on the environment.

Investing in Renewable Energy Assets enables investors to generate returns from this transition to a cleaner future and directly support climate change ambitions.

On admission to the London Stock Exchange ("LSE"), ORIT was awarded the LSE's Green Economy Mark, recognising the Company as a significant contributor to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. The Green Economy Mark identifies London-listed companies and funds that generate between 50% and 100% of total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy.

23  Metrics based on an estimated annual production of the whole portfolio once fully constructed. Carbon avoided is calculated using the International Financial Institution's approach for harmonised GHG accounting

24  The carbon intensity metric is lower than last year's due to three main reasons; (i) significantly lower scope 2 and 3 emissions, (ii) assets acquired throughout the year only reported on carbon emissions since date of asset's acquisition and (iii) capacity of all assets was included in the denominator total, regardless of date of asset's acquisition

25  100% of investments are significantly contributing to climate change mitigation. Further analysis is required to better understand whether the investments meet the "Do No Significant Harm" technical screening criteria

Whilst the Company's positive contribution has been recognised, ORIT commits to being transparent; measuring and reporting both positive and negative impacts on the planet. By reflecting on our potential negative impacts rather than ignoring them, the Company can create meaningful targets for improvement and maximise the positive impact of our investments. As part of this approach, ORIT will review and adopt relevant industry standards alongside initiatives to reduce its own carbon footprint.

Carbon measurement and reporting

Electricity generated by wind and solar resources prevents harmful emissions from other sources such as coal powered electricity. However, there are still emissions incurred in the manufacturing and transportation of the solar panels and wind turbines through the supply chain. Initial estimates of the carbon payback periods for the ORIT sites range from 1 - 3 years.

In 2021 the Investment Manager on behalf of the Company engaged with CS2 Chartered Surveyors to help calculate and validate the Greenhouse Gas ("GHG") emissions footprint for ORIT.

The Company has quantified and reported organisational GHG emissions26 in alignment with the World Resources Institute's Greenhouse Gas Protocol 'Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard' and 'Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard'. This approach consolidates the organisational boundary according to the operational control approach. As the Company itself has an annual energy usage of less than 40,000 kWh, it is deemed to be a 'low energy user' and therefore its energy and carbon information is not separately disclosed. The GHG sources that constituted the Company's operational boundary for the reporting year are:

Scope 1: No relevant emissions sources

Scope 2: Purchased electricity - market-based

Scope 3: Purchased Goods and Services, Capital Goods, Upstream Transportation and Distribution, Waste and Fuel‑and-Energy-Related Activities (FERA)

26   Emissions from the Finnish wind portfolio were excluded from this year's carbon reporting exercise due to its date of acquisition

Given the nature of the company, ORIT's Scope 1 and 2 emissions are minimal, accounting only for 0.23% of the total emissions footprint:

Scope

Emissions (t CO2e)

% of Total

1 - Direct Emissions (Fuel burned)

0

0

2 - Indirect Emissions (Purchased electricity - market-based) 27

5.02

0.23

The Scope 3 Categories that were identified and calculated account for 99.77% of the total emissions footprint:

Scope 3 Category

Emissions (t CO2e)

% of Total

Purchased Goods and Services - supply chain emissions (also including
Capital Goods and Upstream Transportation & Distribution emissions)

1,426

64.34

Waste - emissions from the waste arising from ORIT's operations

747

33.69

Fuel-and-energy related activities (FERA) - emissions from the
extraction and transmission losses of purchased electricity

38.6

1.74

ORIT's overall carbon intensity was calculated to be 5.23t CO2e per MW28.

 

The following table separates ORIT's carbon emissions into UK and non-UK based emissions in line with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting framework (SECR).

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

UK Emissions (tCO₂e)

Non-UK Emissions (tCO₂e)

UK Emissions (tCO₂e)

Non-UK Emissions (tCO₂e)

Scope 1

-

-

 

-

-

Scope 2

 

 

 

 

 

  market based

-

5.02

 

-

18.52

  location based

192.19

62.4

 

219.99

68.06

  energy consumption (mWh)

905.16

1,150.47

 

943.59

1,287.87

Scope 3

710.91

1,500.7

 

1,209.22

1,561.29

 

Whilst the Investment Manager engages with ORIT's suppliers to improve data reliability and consistency, there were still significant estimations made (25%). Last year, emissions were estimated using proxies from other sites where data was not available. Whilst this year's data did not use proxies, it was the case that asset managers often had to make reasonable estimations for multiple Scope 3 categories. For example, waste and transport had high levels of estimations. The Investment Manager will continue to develop and refine the methodology to capture these emissions working with external asset managers and O&M contractors and reduce the reliance on estimations. Furthermore, 45% of emissions were calculated using spend data. Spend data was used to calculate the associated emissions of several services purchased during the period. These services include marketing, legal, insurance and other professional services. ORIT recognises the calculation inaccuracy of carbon conversions based on spend data, thus the Investment Manager will continue to explore alternative methodologies for capturing carbon associated with these services. Improved data accuracy is likely to impact the share of categories in Scope 3. However, it is expected the split of proportions between Scope 1, 2 and 3 will remain largely similar.

Given Scope 3 represents the most significant source of emissions, it is important that ORIT has an understanding of which supply chain activities contribute most to its emissions so that the Investment Manager can collaborate with the suppliers to reduce them as much as possible.

27  Market-based electricity emissions were calculated and included in Scope 2. This is in line with best-practice guidance. Location-based only purchased electricity emissions were calculated to be 255t CO2e. Total energy consumption for Scope 2 was calculated to be 2,056 MWh.

Carbon reduction

As the ORIT portfolio grows, it is the Company's aim to reduce its emissions through stakeholder engagement and proactive management of its assets, especially for sites under construction.

The carbon intensity metric reported for this year (5.23t CO2/MW) is much lower than the metric reported in 2020 (9.6t CO2/MW). This significant reduction is attributed to three main reasons; (i) significantly lower scope 2 and 3 emissions this year compared to last year, (ii) assets acquired throughout the year only reported on carbon emissions since the date of the asset's acquisition by ORIT and (iii) the capacity of all assets was included in the denominator total, regardless of the date of the asset's acquisition. This year, the Company had significantly lower Scope 2 emissions in comparison to last year as a result of a full year of reduced emissions, where assets were transitioned onto renewable energy import tariffs. The Company also had a reduction in relative Scope 3 emissions as a result of using estimated data instead of spend data for fuel-use, waste and transport.

Carbon offsetting

ORIT has offset the key emissions incurred through its direct business activities. The Company's chosen route for offsetting is through the purchase of verified carbon units.

To date, we have purchased 6 carbon units. This is equivalent to offsetting ORIT's Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of 5.02 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regime

Our ambition is to adopt regulatory requirements as soon as we are able - even if not yet obligated - in order to support transparency in sustainable investing. In June 2021 we published our first Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regime (SFDR) pre-contractual disclosures in line with the most recent draft regulatory technical standards template. This included the integration of SDFR and EU Taxonomy. A final report was issued in October 2021 and we will be updating our disclosures to reflect amendments. The first annual reporting period will be from 1 January 2022.

We have classified ORIT as an Article 9 Product.

The core sustainable investment objective of the Company is to accelerate the transition to net zero through its investments, building and operating a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets to help facilitate the transition to a more sustainable future. This directly contributes to climate change mitigation.

EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system for sustainable activities designed to help investors identify "green" environmentally friendly activities. This is aimed to demonstrate investments that are sustainable, ones that make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation or adaptation, while avoiding significant harm to other environmental objectives and complying with minimum safeguarding standards.

An initial analysis of ORIT's investments against the EU taxonomy classification suggests that 100% of assets contribute to climate change mitigation. The Investment Manager is undergoing work to confirm that ORIT's investments are also in line with the "Do No Significant Harm" technical screening criteria.

Planet initiatives

Maximising the Company's positive contribution to the environment is core to the Impact Strategy. Planet initiatives contribute to solutions to combat climate change. Projects undertaken in the period are outlined in the table below.

Project

Outcome

Engaged third party service providers, beekeepers and ecologists to implement a bee and biodiversity programme on ORIT's solar farms.

Innovative and sustainable biodiversity strategy in partnership with The Good Bee Company and Wychwood Bio diversity, including the installation of beehives and wildflower meadows has been completed.

Innovation

Seven of ORIT's solar sites in France participate in the sustainable development of their local region through the "HappySolaire" (HappySolar) initiative and/or sheep pastoralism.

 

The multifunctional use of solar farms to support bee colonies and sheep pastoralism provides co-benefits. The local farmers and beekeepers benefit from the use of a calm and secure space for their agricultural activities. The solar farm benefits from the arrangement through biodiversity enhancement and grass maintenance services.

Innovation

Sustainable Momentum

Asset management engagement to ensure continued improvements to ESG Land management practices.

Octopus engaged with Quintas to develop a new Glysophate policy for the UK solar sites. This policy ensures restricted use of Glysophate and only permits use under exceptional circumstances, helping to limit the herbicides adverse effects on biodiversity at these sites.

Innovation

Stakeholder Engagement

Formed a new partnership with SUGi, an organisation that "brings people closer to nature" by planting richly biodiverse pocket forests in urban areas.

ORIT has funded the planting of 2 pocket forests with SUGi. With help of local school children and some Octopus Renewables volunteers, a total of 2,000 native trees were planted in Dagenham, London and Rion Des Landes, France. See the following Case Study for more information.

Sustainable momentum

Innovation

Stakeholder Engagement

Case Study:

Renewing the relationship between Planet and People with SUGi

The Investment Manager has engaged with SUGi to plant pocket forests in urban areas in London, UK and in Rion Des Landes, France.

SUGi helps deliver ecological restoration projects around the world. SUGi "Forest Makers" follow a Japanese technique called the Miyawaki Method to create ultra-dense, biodiverse forests of native species.

SUGi also shares a strong community focus with ORIT and looks to involve organisations, schools and communities in their projects. By bringing nature closer to people, SUGi is helping to educate communities across the globe about the importance of biodiversity and its restoration. Biodiversity loss is a global environmental threat of a magnitude which matches that of climate change. Biodiversity loss compromises the natural infrastructure on which our modern world depends and can accelerate climate change, as well as our vulnerability to it, by undermining nature's ability to regulate greenhouse gases and protect communities from extreme weather events. By bringing children to the core of these projects, this partnership helps to empower the next generation to take a more active stance on biodiversity loss and climate change mitigation.

During the year, ORIT has funded the Castle Green Forest II project and the Rion Des Landes College Project.

Castle Green Forest II, London

Castle Green Forest II - Dagenham, London

An urban forest to mitigate pollution and bring biodiversity.

The forest will act directly on its local environment. This area is heavily polluted and considered an urban biodiversity desert. The denseness of the Miyawaki method allows maximum potential CO2 drawdown and pollution mitigation. The trees chosen are ones that have evolved to live and even thrive in urban environments.

Rion Des Landes College - Rion Des Landes, France

Cultivating greenery and tranquillity for children in a treeless environment.

This college in Rion des Landes has many outdoor spaces but a real lack of trees. The entrance courtyard is exposed to full sun, and during the summer months the students have very few places to shelter during their break time nor do they have access to any significant greenery.

Using the Miyawaki method, we have planted 29 native species with the children, their teachers and families. The aim was to share environmental values and the skills of creating a forest. The college students have also been trained to maintain and monitor the forest, so it will contribute not only to their wellbeing but also to their studies.

Rion Des landes College, France

Impact tracking

Who?

1 Planet

Dagenham,

London

Rion Des Landes, France

How much?

2 forests

200 children

2,000 native trees

600 square meters

What?

Education

53 native species planted using the Miyawaki method

Pollution mitigation

Biodiversity enhancement

Impact Theme

Sustainable momentum

Innovation

Stakeholder Engagement

"This collaboration opens a visible, community-centered window into ORIT's ongoing commitment to accelerate sustainable practices, projects and possibilities. As the hub for The Rewilding Generation, SUGi couldn't be more pleased to support these pioneers of the Green Revolution."

Elise Van Middelem, Founder and Chief Impact Officer of SUGi

UN SDG specific contributions

7 Affordable and clean energy

SDG 7.2 & 7a Increase renewable energy in the mix and stimulate investments into the renewable sector:

Provided renewable energy to the grid and provided renewable investment opportunities. Construction underway to add renewable energy capacity.

12 Responsible Consumption & Production

SDG 2.4 & 12.4 Promote proportion of areas under sustainable agricultural practices and promote sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources:

Partnerships with local beekeepers and local shepherds to take advantage of the empty spaces of solar farms for their agricultural use.

13 Climate Action

SDG 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards and natural disasters:

Technical due diligence carried out on all new investments. Biodiversity and habitat management plans proposed for most sites as planning requirement. Physical climate change risks considered and mitigated (e.g., flood risk mitigation strategy) and transition risks forecasted (e.g., low power price scenarios).

15 Life on Land

SDG 15.1 & 15.5 Conserve ecosystems and threatened species and take action to reduce the loss of biodiversity and degradation of habitats:

Threatened and non-threatened species monitored through ecological surveys and biodiversity plans. Additional biodiversity initiatives implemented beyond planning requirement. New glysophate policy implemented to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity. Biodiverse pocket forests planted in partnership with SUGi to restore native biodiversity in urban areas.

www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

People

Impact Objective: Evaluate social considerations to mitigate risks and promote a 'Just Transition' to clean energy.

 

447

Students benefiting from social initiatives

5,450

Direct beneficiaries from the projects funded through the BizGive platform.

0

RIDDORs

Managing our impact on society

Investing in renewable energy has natural positive impacts on people (particularly for health reasons) and also for the wider society by benefiting the economy. As the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa remarked at the opening ceremony of COP26, "The transition toa more sustainable future is about much more than environment, it is about peace, stability and the institutions we have built to promote the wellbeing of all."

It is also vital the Company mitigates any possible negative impacts and risks to people as the Company invests, constructs and operates our portfolio of renewable assets. ORIT has clear policies and governance structures to achieve this. Some social factors that ORIT and our Investment Manager consider to be the most important during due diligence and ongoing monitoring of assets include:

· Health and safety

· Social licence

· Local employment

· Diversity and inclusion

Human Rights in the Supply Chain

Although ORIT has no employees, we are committed to respecting human rights in its broader relationships. ORIT engages closely with its Tier 1 suppliers to ensure that they have the required policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk of modern slavery. This includes requiring suppliers to have a modern slavery statement or requiring them sign onto Octopus Renewable's Supplier Code of Conduct if they do not already have a code of conduct that is equally robust.

The Supplier Code of Conduct expects suppliers to be working to ensure modern slavery does not occur in their own supply chains. This helps to create visibility of ORIT's supply chain beyond the first tier. If we discover that one of our suppliers was accepting modern slavery in its business or supply chain, the Investment Manger would engage with the supplier to encourage the removal of such practices and, if necessary, terminate the business relationship with that supplier.

There is evidence to suggest that a large proportion of the current global polysilicon supply chain is at high-risk of forced labour violations. Polysilicon is a raw material used in the majority of solar panels. Given the lack of transparency over the global solar panel supply chain, it is currently difficult for the sector to confidently rule out the use of forced labour in the polysilicon used to make solar panels. New regulations and industry-wide protocols around traceability are currently being developed to combat this issue. In the meantime, increasing visibility of the supply chain, for example through extensive supplier due diligence and Supplier Code of Conducts, will help to add pressure. The Investment Manager will continue to monitor this evolving situation and is working closely with industry bodies such as the SEUK in their "Supply Chain Working Group" to accelerate solutions.

Health and Safety Approach

ORIT recognises its health and safety responsibilities, and keeping people safe remains its highest priority. ORIT has put arrangements in place with its Investment Manager to ensure that health and safety risks are managed effectively.

Our Investment Manager employs specialist HSE consultants to ensure that health and safety procedures into our model of investing and managing assets. This integration is achieved through:

· Technical compliance standards

· Diligence and benchmarking of contractors

· Audits and ongoing oversight

· Continuous improvement

Our Investment Manager actively tracks and monitors various accident and incident classifications from events where there is a statutory requirement to report to the UK Health & Safety Executive (RIDDORs) or other local government bodies. This includes incidents classified as accidents, near misses, dangerous occurrences, and general safety observations.

In the period of this report, no personal injuries, RIDDORs, or accidents occurred across any of the Company's sites. There were 25 incidents: 11 near misses, 12 incidents causing minor equipment damage only and 2 environmental incidents. All incidents have been satisfactorily closed out and where appropriate lessons learned. Each incident generated an incident report which was audited and closed by the appropriate director.

Promoting a "Just Transition"

Just Transition refers to the movement that encourages wider and fairer distribution of benefits as a result of the switch to clean energy. ORIT's partners and subcontractors commit to standards promoting equal opportunities, ensuring workplace best practice standards are upheld, and encouraging diversity and inclusion for all. The Investment Manager engages key counterparties to understand what schemes they already have in place, and also encourages the use of local labour on construction sites (roughly within 30km radii). By engaging counterparties and local stakeholders early on, ORIT is ensuring that social licence is generated for our investments.

ORIT has committed to demonstrating a tangible benefit to the local communities of each of its portfolios. This may be through sharing profits via community benefit schemes, creating educational opportunities for local schools via workshops and site visits, or providing funding for local charities that are fulfilling a need in the local area. As the portfolio continues to grow, ORIT's impact partnerships will help ORIT reach and create lasting impact for a broader range of beneficiaries. Applicability of community initiatives will be determined on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis.

Diversity and Inclusion

Equality and wellbeing are fundamental to ORIT's impact ambitions. This is reflected in our Company policies and in the way that the Company operates externally, through understanding the approach that our third party providers take to diversity and inclusion, and suggesting ways to improve this wherever possible.

The Company's Board is made up of a complementary mixture of social backgrounds with a gender composition of an equal 50/50 split between men and women, in line with the view that gender diversity at the Board level delivers better company performance. More information can be found in the Corporate Governance Statement in the Annual Report.

The Investment Manager shares ORIT's values and places diversity and inclusion at the heart of them, which is demonstrated through the initiatives implemented. The Investment Manager provides directors to the underlying subsidiary companies and ensures diversity is considered when appointing them.

Further detail can be found in the Impact Strategy.

People initiatives

Alongside keeping people safe, ORIT considers our potential impact on people. People initiatives contribute to solutions to engage communities and promote a "Just Transition" to clean energy.

Projects

ORIT exhibits a variety of social considerations across its assets, utilising the experience and approach developed by our Investment Manager to maximise benefits.

Project

Outcome

ORIT has partnered with the Good Bee Company to develop and deliver a "Bee Friendly School" programme to two local schools near the Ermine Street Solar Farm.

Two schools received a "bee and biodiversity" workshop by the Good Bee Company where a total of 200 children were able to see bees in an observation hive, extract freshly made honey and learn more about the importance of pollination for the planet's biodiversity. The two pollinator gardens installed in the schools' playgrounds earlier in the period will help the children maintain these environmental values for the duration of their time at school.

Equality and Wellbeing,

Stakeholder Engagement

Innovation

ORIT partnered with Earth Energy Education (previously Solar Power Education) to deliver two school visits to Penhale Solar farm.

 

On October 20th a total of 47 school children from both St Wenn School and Wadebridge School visited the Penhale Site. Quintas and RES were present and have both expressed an interest of continuing to support ORIT's partnership with Earth Energy Education with more school visits.

Equality and Wellbeing,

Stakeholder Engagement

ORIT has partnered with BizGive, a platform that connects organisations to external impact partners, such as charities and communities. The platform will facilitate further collaboration, engagement and impact, aligned to the UN's SDG framework and ORIT's impact objectives.

ORIT has committed a total of £20k to charities and community interest groups that have sent applications for funding on ORIT's BizGive Programme. See the following Case Study for more information.

Innovation

Equality and Wellbeing

Case Study:

The launch of ORIT's Impact Program on the BizGive Platform

ORIT has successfully launched its first round of funding in partnership with BizGive. BizGive platforms help connect organisations like ORIT to external impact partners, facilitating funding, engagement and impact in line with its impact goals.

The bespoke impact fund of £20k has attracted applications for funding from a wide range of charities and community interest groups across the whole of the UK. This partnership provides a tool for ORIT to engage with a wider group of beneficiaries than previously possible, accessing opportunities beyond ORIT's own assets. Whilst the platform acts as a gateway to many new possible initiatives, ORIT's impact programme is tailored to specifically attract projects in line with ORIT's impact goals and in this round's instance, focused on projects that promote the "Just Transition".

From the £20k committed during the period, a total of £16.1k has been distributed to four new initiatives. The initiatives supported each have unique objectives and beneficiary groups.

Women's Environmental Network's "Climate Sisters" Project:

Amplifying women's voices in grassroots workshops that aim to explore women's ideas, thoughts, concerns and solutions around the green recovery and for these to be shared with policy makers.

"Blythe Turbine Vawt" Project:

Installation of a hybrid wind and solar turbine into a local school for both clean energy and educational purposes.

The Upper Eden Renewable Energy Programme:

Facilitate five community-led viable renewable energy schemes being proposed in the region of Upper Eden, Cumbria.

Girls Into Coding's "Empowering Girls Through Tech for Good" Project:

Develop, produce and deliver a unique and hands-on robotics and IoT workshop for girls, focusing on renewable energy and climate change.

"ORIT is enabling us to demonstrate how technology can efficiently and measurably support a human-led approach to climate and community cohesion.

Through our partnership and shared vision, ORIT is collaborating with us to transform how the renewable energy industry engages with and supports the communities that host its assets."

BizGive

UN SDG specific contributions

4 Quality Education

4.1 and 4.7 Provide free, quality education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes that can also promote sustainable development:

Partnership with the Good Bee Company and Earth Energy Education to provide free education programmes and site visits to local schools. Funding of multiple charities through BizGive to promote STEM learning and a deeper understanding of renewable energy.

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

8.5 Provide full and productive employment and decent work for all:

Extensive Health and Safety measures ensures employees are not exposed to risk.

www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

Investment Manager's Report

Octopus Renewables, part of the Octopus Energy Group, is a specialist clean energy investment manager with a mission to accelerate the transition to a future powered by renewable energy.

Since 2010, Octopus Renewables has, on behalf of its clients, invested in a diverse portfolio of assets with a capacity of over 2.9GW and is now the largest commercial solar investor in Europe and a leading UK investor in onshore wind, with assets under management valued at c.£4.0 billion. Of those investments c.£2.0 billion has been invested in solar and wind assets at construction stage. Octopus Renewables has 80 employees in the UK across a range of specialisms including transactions, development, energy markets, portfolio management, asset management, ESG, finance and operations.

£4.0bn Octopus Renewables AUM as at 31 December 2021

The Investment Manager has established a robust investment and due diligence process to ensure that each of the investments acquired by ORIT complies with the Company's investment policy and Performance, Planet and People objectives. This includes an assessment against the Company's ESG Policy to ensure consideration is given to the wider stakeholder impacts and risks inherent in the Company's investments and decision making.

Whilst ORIT benefits from the breadth of the Investment Manager's whole team of 80 professionals and a range of external professional advisors, within the Investment Manager, Matt Setchell, Chris Gaydon and David Bird are the named Fund Managers for ORIT.

Matt Setchell
Co-head of Octopus Renewables

"2021 has been another successful year for ORIT. We are grateful for the continued support of existing investors through the two oversubscribed fundraisings during the period, and pleased to welcome a number of new shareholders."

Matt is co-head of Octopus Renewables, a team that he started ten years ago and has built to 80 people with over £4.0 billion of energy assets under management.

During this time, Matt led Octopus' investment into Lightsource Renewable Energy (now Lightsource BP) and oversaw the growth of that business from start up to exit. He also led the team's expansion strategy from an initial focus on UK solar PV into onshore wind and other Renewable Energy Assets across the UK, Europe and Australia.

Matt is chairman of the Octopus Renewables Investment Committee and a member of the Investment Manager's Executive Committee.

Prior to joining the Octopus Group, Matt was an investment manager at Shore Capital and a manager at PwC. He has an MBA from Cambridge University and an Economics degree from Bristol University.

Chris Gaydon
Investment Director

"Following the six investments made in 2021, ORIT's portfolio reflects the diversification which was our ambition at IPO. I am particularly excited by our two first development stage investments, which we expect to deliver many hundreds of megawatts of new green generation capacity in the coming years."

Chris joined Octopus Renewables as an investment director in 2015, is a long-standing member of the Octopus Renewables Investment Committee and a director of several of Octopus Renewables' wind and solar special purpose vehicles.

Chris originated and led one of the largest wind farm portfolio acquisitions in the UK valued at c.£320 million and led the transaction team that delivered over £1 billion of debt and equity transactions. Chris now focuses on the origination of acquisition opportunities and fundraising, as well as strategic investments in related sectors.

Prior to joining Octopus, Chris was a business development director at Falck Renewables where he had a range of roles, including in M&A and leading greenfield development in France and Poland. Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree and a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) degree from the University of Sydney.

David Bird
Investment Director

"As the need to accelerate the roll-out of new generation capacity becomes ever more apparent, I am delighted that we have successfully delivered the Ljungbyholm Wind Farm into operations during the year and that construction on wind assets in Poland, France and Scotland is proceeding well."

David is an investment director who joined the Octopus Renewables team in 2014 and works full-time on fund management for ORIT. As well as working in the transaction team leading acquisitions and project finance debt raising in the UK, France and Ireland, David has previously led the team responsible for the management of Octopus Renewables' bioenergy investments and has represented Octopus Renewables on a number of industry panels convened by Ofgem, the GB energy regulator.

Prior to joining Octopus, David was a director at Walbrook Capital, a boutique investment manager with a particular focus on renewables. He is a chartered accountant having qualified at EY, and holds a Masters in Mathematics from Oxford University.

Investments

6

£245m

£878m

Investments made during the year

Total allocated capital to
investments (includes
future construction commitments)

Total value of all investments

Company Announcements

During the year, the Company announced six new investments into 430MW of renewable energy capacity across 4 countries. There were also amendments to the Investment Policy to incorporate an investment into developers and development pipelines.

At the General Meeting on 4 February 2021, Shareholders approved material changes to the Company's investment policy. The proposed changes broadly fell into three categories: (i) to allow limited investment, of up to 5% of GAV, in Renewable Energy Assets that are under development, together with renewable energy developers and development pipelines, (ii) to reflect the progress of the Company since launch and (iii) to make further minor changes to clarify certain sections of the current investment policy. Full details of the changes can be found in the circular published on 11 January 2021.

In June 2021 an intermediate holding company, ORIT UK Acquisitions Limited, agreed to acquire 100% of the rights to construct the Cumberhead Wind Farm, a 50MW onshore wind farm located in Scotland. The acquisition was completed on 24 September 2021, when the project had achieved ready-to-build status. The total cost of the acquisition and construction costs is expected to be up to approximately £75 million. Construction commenced in October 2021 with the wind farm expected to be fully operational in Q4 2022.

ORIT UK Acquisitions Limited also entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in November 2021 between Cumberhead Wind Farm and Kimberly Clark Limited, the UK parent company of leading household brands including Andrex, Kleenex and Huggies. Once operational, the Cumberhead Project is expected to provide nearly 80% of the electricity needed to manufacture Kimberley Clark's products in the UK. The new Cumberhead Wind Farm will generate approximately 160,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually for Kimberly-Clark to manufacture many personal care products for the UK market.

Also in June, the Company launched an equity issue, raising gross proceeds of £150 million, which closed post period end in July. The oversubscribed equity issue was supported by the Investment Manager identifying a number of Renewable Energy Assets with an aggregate pipeline value of £1.3 billion, of which approximately £256 million were under exclusivity to the Company at the date of launch.

Of these pipeline assets under exclusivity, 71MW were held in Octopus Managed Funds. In addition, the Investment Manager had also identified further renewable energy investments with an aggregate value of approximately £3 billion which would potentially be suitable for acquisition by the Company. With the Investment Manager's experience and the preparatory work undertaken at the time of the raise, suitable assets were identified, assessed and acquired such that the net proceeds of the issue were committed within 4 months of admission, which took place on 7 July 2021. Demand exceeded both the target issue size of £100 million and the maximum issue size of £150 million.

Following the capital raise an intermediate holding company, ORIT Holdings Limited, announced that it had agreed to acquire a portfolio of five solar PV sites in Ireland with an expected installed capacity of up to 250MW. Completion of the acquisition is conditional upon four of the sites becoming fully operational, which is expected to occur in H1 2023. All sites will benefit from a Contract for Difference providing fixed-price revenues until 2037. The fifth site will be acquired on or after Completion as a construction ready project. Total consideration for the acquisition is expected to be between approximately €138 million and €145 million (approximately £119 million to £125 million) partially funded by a fully amortising debt facility of up to €88 million (approximately £76 million).

In August 2021 ORIT Holdings Limited invested €7.5 million (£6.4 million) into Simply Blue Holdings Limited, the parent company of the Simply Blue Group ("SBG"). SBG is a developer of sustainable marine projects focused on floating offshore wind. This was aided by a non-material change to the Company's Investment Policy to expand the universe of investment opportunities available to the Company to include development.

Following the Interim Results announcement, ORIT Holdings Limited acquired two in-construction onshore wind farms in Poland from the PNE Group, an experienced German developer of wind projects across Europe. The "Krzecin" and "Kuslin" wind farms, with a combined capacity of 58.8MW once completed, will benefit from a high percentage of fixed price revenues under the Polish CfD scheme, until 2038. Construction of the Krzecin Wind Farm in the north-west of Poland and the Kuslin Wind farm in western Poland commenced in Q4 2020, with Krzecin becoming operational in February 2022 and Kuslin due to come online in Q2 2022. Total investment amount including debt funding for both projects is expected to be PLN 568 million (c.£105 million). The projects are financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and BayernLB.

In October, the Company announced that ORIT Holdings Limited had entered into a call option agreement for the acquisition of two onshore wind farms in Finland. In connection with the option agreement the Company paid a deposit of £45 million, which was interest bearing and would be refundable should the acquisition not complete. ORIT Holdings Limited subsequently exercised the call option in December 2021 and completed the acquisition of the two onshore wind farms for a total consideration of €140 million (including the option deposit). The Saunamaa and Suolakangas wind farms have a combined installed capacity of 71.4MW and are generating electricity in the final stages of testing. The acquisition agreement passes the residual construction cost and timing risks associated with commissioning to the vendor.

Following the completion of construction of the 48MW Ljungbyholm Wind Farm in June 2021, ORIT Holdings Limited entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (the "PPA") in November over the electricity to be generated at Ljungbyholm. The counterparty to the PPA is Owens Corning, a multi-billion dollar market capitalisation global manufacturer that is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The PPA provides Ljungbyholm with a 10-year floor price for 100% of its production each year and will provide the offtaker with green electricity for its operations in Sweden as part of its ambitions to switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

In December, the Company launched an equity issue and successfully raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately £73.9 million (net proceeds of approximately £72.4 million). Approximately £69.0 million was raised pursuant to the placing and a further £4.9 million was raised pursuant to the REX Retail Offer. Accordingly, the Company issued the maximum issue size of 70 million New Ordinary Shares at the issue price of 105.5 pence per New Ordinary Share. The fundraising was oversubscribed with demand exceeding the maximum of 70 million Ordinary Shares available for issue and therefore a scaling-back exercise for the placing and REX Retail Offer was carried out.

Following the capital raise, the Company announced that it had invested £2.5 million via its intermediate holding company ORIT Holdings Limited, and had agreed to provide up to a further £7.5 million in development funding for nine newly formed joint venture onshore wind farm development companies with Wind 2 Limited ("Wind 2"); a specialist UK onshore wind developer. The joint ventures will initially target the development over the next 5-10 years of up to nine onshore wind farms in Scotland and Wales with a potential combined capacity of approximately 570MW. The Company's investment, which is a co-investment alongside another fund managed by Octopus Renewables Limited, gives preferential rights to fund the construction of the projects reaching ready to build stage.

Portfolio Breakdown (as at 31 December 2021)

The Company's portfolio of assets and are not segmented by technology, phase or jurisdiction for the Company's reporting purposes.

Site name

Technology

Country

Capacity (MW)

Phase

Start of operations

Remaining asset life

Penhale

Solar

UK

4

Operational

18/03/2013

31

Ottringham

Solar

UK

6

Operational

07/08/2014

33

Wiggin Hill

Solar

UK

11

Operational

10/03/2015

18

Chisbon

Solar

UK

12

Operational

05/03/2015

19

Westerfield

Solar

UK

13

Operational

25/03/2015

23

Wilburton 2

Solar

UK

19

Operational

29/03/2014

18

Abbots Ripton

Solar

UK

25

Operational

28/03/2014

32

Ermine Street

Solar

UK

32

Operational

29/07/2014

23

Ljungbyholm

Wind

Sweden

48

Operational

30/06/2021

30

Arsac 2

Solar

France

12

Operational

05/03/2015

20

Arsac 5

Solar

France

12

Operational

30/01/2015

20

Brignoles

Solar

France

5

Operational

26/06/2013

32

Chalmoux

Solar

France

10

Operational

01/08/2013

32

Charleval

Solar

France

6

Operational

26/03/2013

31

Cuges-les-Pins

Solar

France

7

Operational

17/04/2013

31

Fontienne

Solar

France

10

Operational

02/07/2015

34

IOVI 1

Solar

France

6

Operational

17/07/2014

33

IOVI 3

Solar

France

6

Operational

17/07/2014

33

Istres

Solar

France

8

Operational

18/06/2013

32

LaVerdiere

Solar

France

6

Operational

27/06/2013

32

Ollieres 1

Solar

France

12

Operational

19/03/2015

33

Ollieres 2

Solar

France

11

Operational

19/03/2015

33

Saint-Antonin-du-Var

Solar

France

8

Operational

28/11/2013

32

Cerisou

Wind

France

24

Construction

 

30

Spain 1

Solar

Spain

44

Conditional acquisition

 

35

Spain 2

Solar

Spain

44

Conditional acquisition

 

35

Spain 3

Solar

Spain

44

Conditional acquisition

 

35

Spain 4

Solar

Spain

44

Conditional acquisition

 

35

Cumberhead

Wind

UK

50

Construction

 

30

Ireland 1

Solar

Ireland

50

Conditional acquisition

 

40

Ireland 2

Solar

Ireland

50

Conditional acquisition

 

40

Ireland 3

Solar

Ireland

50

Conditional acquisition

 

40

Ireland 4

Solar

Ireland

50

Conditional acquisition

 

40

Ireland 5

Solar

Ireland

50

Conditional acquisition

 

40

Krzecin

Wind

Poland

19

Construction

08/02/2022

30

Kuslin

Wind

Poland

40

Construction

 

30

Saunamaa

Wind

Finland

34

Construction

 

30

Suolakangas

Wind

Finland

38

Construction

 

30

Portfolio composition broken down by total invested basis in accordance with the Company's investment policy (including the amounts committed to the conditional acquisitions of the Spanish and Irish solar PV assets).

Country

UK: 26%

France: 20%

Sweden: 10%

Finland: 13%

Poland: 13%

Ireland: 13%

Spain: 4%

Developer: 1%

Technology

Wind: 51%

Solar: 48%

Developer: 1%

Asset phase

Operational: 54%

Construction: 45%

Developer: 1%

Portfolio composition broken down by MW of installed capacity on a current invested basis (and therefore exclude the Spanish and Irish solar PV assets).

Country

UK: 35%

France: 29%

Sweden: 10%

Finland: 14%

Poland: 12%

Technology

Wind: 51%

Solar: 49%

Asset phase

Operational: 59%

Construction: 41%

Portfolio Performance

Technical and Financial Performance

In the financial year ending 31 December 2021, the Company's operational portfolio generated 348GWh (2020: 278GWh) of electricity which, although 3.4% below expectations, led to revenues of £38.5 million (2020: £30.8 million). This offset was caused by unexpected high power prices and compensation claimed from performance guarantee variances over the year resulting in an 8% increase to budget. Operational expenditure incurred over the year was lower than expectations, primarily as a result of rates refunds received across the UK and French portfolio, leading to total EBITDA generated across ORIT's operational portfolio of £29.9 million (2020: £22.6 million).

348GWh   £38.5m   £8.5m   £29.9m
Output -3% vs budget  Revenue +8% vs budget  Opex -7% vs budget  EBITDA +14% vs budget

UK Solar

Output for the UK operational solar portfolio was 110GWh for the year. The majority of the portfolio performed in line with expectations, however there was a 2.9% output shortfall versus budget despite irradiance being 1.0% above budget. The majority of the production variance was due to downtime, predominantly in Q1 2021, related to an overheating issue with a brand of inverters used at a number of sites. At the time of acquisition and as part of the investment plan, the Investment Manager planned modifications to improve the resilience of certain brands of inverters. Despite the operational challenges brought about by COVID-19, the Investment Manager has maintained the schedule of these works with these persistent efforts resulting in a significant reduction in the number of new and open faults. The effects of the now completed improvement works can be seen in the production losses in Q3 and Q4 due to these inverters, which have reduced by 60% versus the same period in the prior year. The portfolio outperformed budget by 10.0% in Q4 2021.

The UK operational solar portfolio generated revenues of £14.2 million (2020: £13.5 million) which, after including the impacts of compensation received, was in line with budget for the year (2020: 1.4% below budget). Operational expenditure for the year totalled £3.1 million (2020: 3.3 million), 1% favourable to budget (2020: 4.8% adverse to budget), primarily the result of rates refunds received in the year following a rates review carried out by an external consultant as engaged by the Investment Manager. EBITDA for the UK portfolio for the year ending 31 December 2021 was £11.1 million (2020: £10.1m), 1% up on budget for the year (2020: 5% below budget).

French Solar

During the year, the French operational solar portfolio produced 165GWh, which was 1.7% below budget. The most significant output reduction was at Chalmoux and Saint-Antonin-du-Var where production was 6.9% and 5.8% below budget, respectively. Both sites experienced temporary grid disconnections which have now been rectified leaving the portfolio outperforming budget by 11.5% in Q4 2021.

The French portfolio is fully subsidised, earning fixed-price revenues through the Feed-in-Tariff ("FiT") scheme. In the year ending 31 December 2021, the portfolio generated revenues of €18.7 million, (2020: €19.1 million) a 2% decrease to budget driven primarily by the lower production levels explained above (2020: 1% decrease to budget). Operational expenditure totalled €4.9 million (2020: €5.3 million), 11% favourable to budget (2020: 7% adverse to budget) largely as a result of property tax refunds following an ongoing historic property tax audit. The portfolio generated EBITDA of €13.8 million in the year (2020: €13.7 million), a 1% increase to budget (2020: 3% decrease to budget).

Ljungbyholm Wind Farm (Sweden)

During the year, Ljungbyholm Wind Farm became operational following a reliable, high-quality and cost-effective construction programme, which began in the first half of 2020. The Investment Manager used its strong relationships to help secure additional commissioning teams from turbine supplier Nordex, ensuring COVID-19 related isolations did not impact the construction timetable. Nordex's successful erection plan commenced in January 2021 and by early-April 2021, all twelve turbines had been installed and exported power to the local electricity network. During Q2 2021, the turbines passed reliability test runs and final inspections were completed, with the asset entering operations on 30 June 2021.

Since then, the Ljungbyholm wind farm produced 65GWh of electricity during the six months prior to the financial year end, which was 12.5% below budget. This was during a period of particularly low wind resource across the region with wind speeds 10.1% below expectation. The remaining production variance was due to downtime on a number of turbines whilst technical issues were resolved on-site. Any revenue losses caused by internal outages such as technical repairs are expected to be compensated by the vendor following the reporting period.

Ljungbyholm Wind Farm generated revenues of €6.3 million (2020: €nil) in the year ending December 2021, 108% above the budget set at the beginning of the year. Despite reduced production level, revenues were realised by high power prices, averaging at 81.10 £/MWh over the period of generation. Operational expenditure totalled €1.2 million (2020: 0.04 million), 78% above budget, largely due to increased variable costs associated with the increased revenue.

Cerisou Wind Farm (France)

On-site works for the construction of Cerisou Wind Farm in France commenced in August 2021. The site will consist of eight 3MW turbines, which have been ordered from Siemens Gamesa for delivery during Q1 2022. Civil works are ongoing with the construction of roads, foundations and grid connections progressing well ahead of turbine deliveries. The project is on schedule to achieve commercial operations during Q3 2022.

Cumberhead Wind Farm (UK)

Following the achievement of ready-to-build status during Q3 2021, the Company acquired Cumberhead Wind Farm. As at the date of this report, design works and site clearance are progressing well, with all key construction-related contracts agreed and contractors mobilised to start Balance of Plant works.

Krzecin and Kuslin Wind Farms (Poland)

Construction of the Krzecin Wind Farm in the north-west of Poland and the Kuslin Wind farm in western Poland commenced in Q4 2020, with Krzecin becoming operational in February 2022 and Kuslin due to come online in Q2 2022.

For Krzecin Wind Farm, construction has progressed well since acquisition in Q3 2021 with all turbines achieving energisation over the course of December 2021 and January 2022. Due to a technical issue with the remote monitoring and control system, the Commissioning and Substantial Completion was slightly delayed by a few weeks, but was achieved in February 2022.

Kuslin Wind Farm, which is at an earlier stage in the construction cycle, is also progressing well with civil and electrical works completed on schedule in 2021. Turbine deliveries commenced at the end of 2021 and continued into 2022, enabling full installation to commence in January in line with construction timelines.

Saunamaa and Suolakangas Wind Farms (Finland)

The Saunamaa and Suolakangas wind farms, which were acquired in December 2021, have a combined installed capacity of 71.4MW, and are in the final stages of commissioning.

The projects suffered significant delays related to a Vestas global blade defect that required a high number of replacements. Blade exchanges and testing were completed for Saunamaa and Suolakangas in Q3 2021 and Q4 2021, respectively. For both sites, some residual technical matters related to the turbine replacements and Balance of Plant contracts remain to be closed in Q1 2022. After which, the plants will be fully commercially operational. The acquisition agreement in place, passes the residual construction cost and timing risks associated with commissioning to the vendor.

Since the locked box date, the Saunamaa and Suolakangas wind farms produced 103GWh for the benefit of ORIT. Since acquisition on 23 December 2021 the wind farms have produced over 4GWh of electricity. The Finnish portfolio generated revenues of €7.3 million and EBITDA of €6.2 million for the period from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2021 (from the locked-box date of the transaction) for the benefit of ORIT and in line with investment case.

Revenues

Figure 2 illustrates the forecast revenue breakdown by type from 2022 through to 2050. Over the next 15 years, the portfolio benefits from substantial levels of fixed-price revenues extending into the 2040s predominantly arising from government-backed subsidies in the UK, France and Poland, in addition to corporate PPAs.

The Company's proportion of near-term variable power pricing has increased, driven by the sharp increases seen in global commodity prices. Whilst the acquisition of the two Finnish wind farms has further increased the Company's proportion of variable revenues, the sites benefit from a PPA which permits the Investment Manager to flexibly hedge wholesale power price exposure. The Kuslin and Krzecin Polish wind farms will see increased wholesale electricity price expectations in the near-term, while delivering revenue certainty over a 15-year period once the Polish subsidy commences in 2023.

As at 30 December 2021, 50% of ORIT's forecast revenues over the period to 31 December 2023 are fixed. Fixed-price revenues arise from either subsidies, such as ROCs or fixed power prices under PPAs with offtake counterparties.

During the year the Investment Manager has continued to proactively manage the portfolio's wholesale power price exposure, most notably securing long term corporate PPAs for two of its wind farms. Cumberhead Wind Farm has entered into a corporate PPA with Kimberly Clark, a multinational consumer products producer, while the Ljungbyholm wind farm has entered into a corporate PPA with Owens Corning, a global building and construction materials leader. In addition to this, fixed pricing has been extended for six of the eight UK solar sites.

Fixed vs. Unfixed revenues for period to 31 Dec 23

Fixed: 50%
Variable: 50%

Octopus Reorganisation

On 2 July 2021 the Investment Manager completed a reorganisation by way of the acquisition of Octopus Renewables by Octopus Energy Group. Octopus Renewables Limited is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Octopus Energy Group Limited. Octopus Energy Group was launched in 2016 with a vision of using technology to make the green energy revolution affordable whilst transforming customer experiences, and has achieved rapid international growth, both through direct energy retail and its Kraken software licensing. Its domestic energy arm serves over 3 million customers with cheaper and greener power. As part of this, Octopus Electric Vehicles is helping to make clean transport cheaper and easier, and Octopus Energy Services is bringing smart products to thousands of homes.

Octopus Renewables and Octopus Energy joined forces to combine the technology and consumer-led approach of Octopus Energy Group with the energy, renewable assets and fund management expertise of Octopus Renewables. The vision is to positively change the entire energy life cycle; making every green electron count and delivering the best possible outcomes for our customers, investors, the environment, and wider society.

In September 2021, Octopus Energy Group was valued at close to $5 billion after closing an investment with Generation Investment Management (GIM). GIM join international energy companies Tokyo Gas and Origin Energy as investors in Octopus Energy Group. With operations in the US, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Spain and Italy, Octopus Energy Group's mission to drive the affordable green revolution is going global.

Octopus AIF Management Limited remains the alternative investment fund manager of the Company and portfolio management has now been delegated to Octopus Renewables Limited, as the Company's new investment manager, replacing Octopus Investments Limited. There has been no change to Octopus Renewables' leadership or people, and specifically, the Company's investment management team remains the same and service levels are uninterrupted by the transaction.

Market Outlook

Decarbonisation and the investment opportunity

The COP26 summit in Glasgow reinforced the need for rapid action to address climate change, and the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable power generation as a key part of that. Accelerated action in this decade is recognised as being critical to limiting temperature increases, with a call to rapidly scale up the deployment of clean power generation.

Banks and asset managers with funds under management totalling $130 trillion have joined the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, pledging to meet the Paris climate agreement goals and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile the UK Government is introducing rules which would require asset managers and listed corporates to publish net-zero transition plans from 2023.

This reinforced urgency and ambition has been reflected in a series of policy announcements over the year, including:

· UK 6th Carbon Budget: The UK set a legally binding target to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. For the first time the carbon budget was expanded to include emissions from the aviation and shipping sectors.

· EU Fit for 55: In July, the European Commission adopted the 'Fit for 55' package, targeting a 55% reduction in carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 2030. Key measures include a strengthening of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and an amendment to the Renewable Energy Directive to increase the mandated contribution of renewables to energy usage from 32% to 40%. The increase to 40% corresponds to building 30GW per annum of new wind capacity between now and 2030, compared with current levels of 15GW per annum.

· French Renewable Auctions: In July the European Commission gave state aid approval for France's support scheme, designed to bring forward 34GW of new renewable generation capacity between 2021 and 2026 via 20-year contracts.

· In August, the UK Government launched its Hydrogen Strategy, targeting 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030. As well as opportunities for investment into hydrogen production itself, successful delivery of the Hydrogen Strategy will require significant incremental investment into core renewable electricity generation technologies of wind and solar.

· UK CFD Allocation Round 4: In September the UK Government announced details of the fourth allocation round under the Contracts for Difference scheme, including support for up to 5GW of onshore wind and solar to be delivered between 2023 and 2025, as well as uncapped capacity of offshore wind and a dedicated budget allowance for floating offshore wind. In February 2022 it was confirmed that auctions would be held annually rather than every two years.

· UK Net Zero Strategy: In October the UK Government published its Net Zero Strategy, including cross-sectoral policies to deliver the 2050 net zero and 2035 carbon reduction targets.

· Irish RESS 2 auction: In October the Irish government released details of its second CFD auctions, with an accelerated timetable compared with previous announcements, and an ambition to deliver an additional 3,500GWh of renewable generation by the end of 2024.

· German government coalition treaty: Following the general election, a coalition government was formed with the treaty including significant increases in ambition for decarbonisation. The treaty acknowledged the importance of the 1.5-degree global warming target and brings forward the desired date for closure of coal-fired power plants by 8 years to 2030, alongside an increase in the renewable generation percentage target to 80% of power supply by the same date.

To deliver on this ambition requires a significant increase in the pace of investment. The International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2021 suggests that global investment in new clean energy and infrastructure needs to increase from $1 trillion per annum to $4 trillion per annum by 2030 to remain on track for net zero by 2050.

Electrification is key to wider de-carbonisation, as green hydrogen from electrolysis, the electrification of homes, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles is expected to massively increase demand for renewable energy generation. The IEA WEO 2021 shows electricity's share of global energy consumption rising from 20% to 50% by 2050. This will lead to a significant increase in power demand, with the UK's Committee on Climate Change forecasting demand in the GB system rising from current levels of around 300TWh per annum to between 600 and 900TWh per annum by 2050.

Alongside this significant increase in demand levels, the transition to grids dominated by renewable generation will require an increase in the flexibility of demand. Using smart technology will allow consumers to adjust the time at which they use energy to align with periods of maximum renewable output. The ability, for example, for electric vehicles parked at homes overnight to automatically charge in periods of lowest price and/or carbon intensity is already being demonstrated. Significant components of new demand from heat pumps and hydrogen electrolysis should also be able to behave flexibly. This increased flexibility should reduce the impact of 'price cannibalisation' on renewable generators, e.g., by shifting demand in solar-dominated grids to the middle of the day.

Investment landscape

During the year, competition for assets in the Company's target geographies has remained strong. New capital has been flowing into the sector from a range of investors, including strategic players such as oil majors seeking to decarbonise their business models, as well as increased allocations to strategies with strong ESG credentials.

Asset valuations have seen upward pressure even after adjusting for higher power prices and inflation, with 35-year asset life assumption for wind assets increasingly prevalent in advisor-led sales processes, alongside repowering or retrofit of ancillary technologies such as storage or hydrogen electrolysers. These pricing dynamics have been seen across the asset lifecycle, with very high pricing observed for seabed lease options in both the English, Welsh, and more recent Scottish auction processes. Despite increasing interest rate expectations and rising bond yields, we have not seen any sign of upward pressure on discount rates, although borrowing costs for new debt have increased slightly due to the higher base rates.

Notwithstanding the increasing competition and price pressure, the Investment Manager's strong networks have allowed the Company to acquire assets at attractive valuations relative to the market. The updates to the Investment Policy during the year, in particular to introduce a small allocation to developers and assets at the development stage, is designed to give the Company access to a proprietary pipeline of assets into which it can invest at the construction-ready stage.

Power prices

2021 witnessed a dramatic increase in power pricing across all European markets. Initial rises were driven by post-COVID demand recovery, increased carbon pricing and increased commodity prices. From September prices spiked sharply, due primarily to a corresponding increase in gas prices. Wholesale gas (National Balancing Point (NBP) and carbon prices are shown below, for reference.

The increase in gas prices has been driven by a number of factors. Strong post-covid Asian LNG demand has raised Asian hub prices, diverting LNG cargoes towards Asia and raising European hub prices as a result. To add to this, droughts in China and Brazil have resulted in reduced hydroelectric generation, increasing gas-for-power demand. Meanwhile, an extended winter period over 2020/21 had resulted in low European gas storage levels. This trend of low gas storage volumes has continued over the year, with unplanned outages and maintenance negatively impacting European gas production, and reduced deliveries from Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. This led to storage levels dropping below 50% of capacity at the earliest point in winter ever recorded in January.

Since that time the relatively mild weather and increased LNG deliveries have reduced concerns on gas shortages. However forward markets imply continued tightness throughout 2022 and into the first quarter of 2023.

In certain markets, including the UK, the impact of high gas prices has been amplified by scarcity in other forms of generation, with relatively low wind generation throughout 2021, alongside reduced capacity of nuclear plant and interconnectors.

This gas-driven increase in power prices, whilst positive for the revenues received by generators without hedges in place, will cause significant financial distress for many end-consumers, and will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.

Wider impacts of power price movements

It has been particularly pleasing to see widespread commentary, including from the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng - who acknowledged that the enduring solution to the current gas crisis is to accelerate the transition away from gas dependence through building more renewables, more quickly.

There is increasing evidence that accelerating the pace of investment into renewable generation will lead to better economic outcomes overall. A paper published in September by Oxford University's Institute for New Economic Thinking highlighted potential savings on energy costs in the trillions of dollars by going 'big and fast' on renewable deployment, when compared with a slower transition or one with increased focus on nuclear generation.

In some other countries, official reactions have been less helpful for renewables. For example, Spanish authorities have introduced a temporary measure targeted at supposed windfall profits of low-cost generators, such that they pay back a portion of revenues received when the power price is high because gas prices are high.

The dominant influence of gas on power prices, even when existing renewable generation has been producing, has raised awareness of the need to reform power markets, with increasing discussion of more locational pricing. High pricing, combined with the increased focus on decarbonisation, is also relevant to the market for corporate PPAs. With PPA pricing trending upwards we have seen evidence of developers eschewing government backed CFDs in favour of corporate offtakes in markets such as the UK, Ireland and Poland.

Conflict in Ukraine

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has shocked the world, and is causing terrible human suffering. The Investment Manager has reviewed all counterparties and asset service providers to assess exposure to the new sanctions introduced in response to the Russian invasion, and there is no such exposure.

ORIT does not have any investments in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus, nor does it have inventory or warehousing in those countries, nor supply chain, logistics or suppliers dependent on those countries. All of ORIT's physical assets are located in EU or NATO countries, therefore it is not anticipated that the conflict will have a direct impact on the Company's investments.

The war has impacted on gas and other fuel commodity prices including power prices, which have become increasingly volatile. At the time of writing, we have not seen any sign of M&A activity for renewable assets slowing, or of any shift in demand or discount rates for assets in countries where ORIT has investments.

Various announcements by the EU, the IEA and the UK government have supported renewable generation as a way to prevent European dependence on Russian gas, and more detailed measures to accelerate the rate at which new projects can be permitted are expected.

Financing

More favourable debt terms tend to be available for assets with government-backed fixed revenues in stable jurisdictions. Borrowing in euros, secured against assets whose revenue is euro denominated, also provides a natural hedge against foreign exchange movements. Therefore, the Investment Manager has prioritised securing long-term structural debt against the French assets.

In January 2021, the Investment Manager completed the refinancing of the French solar portfolio which now benefits from an extended term by over five years to 2038. The total facility size is €125.7 million and is provided by Allied Irish Bank, Société Générale and La Banque Postale. The debt was utilised to repay the pre-existing facilities, settle the interest rate swaps and fund a distribution to the Company. The margin on the new debt facility is 1.25% for the life of the loan, and the base interest rate has been fixed at minus 0.12% for 85% of the principal amount leading to an aggregate interest rate of 1.13%. As at 31 December 2021, €124.0 million is outstanding on the loan.

In May the Investment Manager completed the financing of Cerisou Wind Farm. This €43.2 million fully amortising facility, provided by Société Générale, will fund the construction and commissioning of the project. This debt facility has allowed the Company to invest the amounts previously committed to the project into other investment opportunities. Construction at Cerisou Wind Farm began on schedule in August 2021, with the project expected to be fully operational in H2 2022. The facility is amortising over 23 years from the commercial operations date of the project, with a flat 1.30% interest margin above EURIBOR over the duration of the loan.

Following the capital raise in July, the Company entered into a flexible debt facility of up to €88 million with Allied Irish Bank and La Banque Postale in connection with the conditional Irish solar acquisition. The 20-year facility will be drawn at commissioning to fund the transaction, with an interest margin above EURIBOR of 1.30% until year 5, 1.40% until year 10 and 1.65% thereafter.

At acquisition in October, the Polish wind farms already had project financing in place provided 50:50 by EBRD and Bayern LB. Each site cross collaterises the bank debt obligations of the other and the financing which will be used to fund all remaining construction payments. Under the facility, distributions are not permitted until the second bank repayment has been made, which will be completed on 30 June 2023.

Portfolio Valuation

Regular valuations are undertaken for the Company's portfolio of assets. The process follows International Private Equity Valuation Guidelines using a discounted cashflow ("DCF") methodology. DCF is deemed the most appropriate methodology where a detailed projection of likely future cash flows is possible. Due to the asset class and available market data over the forecast horizon, a DCF valuation is typically the basis upon which renewable assets are traded in the market. Key macroeconomic and fiscal assumptions for the valuations are set out in Note 9 to the financial statements.

The fair value of the Company's portfolio of assets as at 31 December 2021 was £483.5 million, reflecting acquisitions and capital injections during the year of £210.0 million alongside changes to economic, wholesale energy and asset specific assumptions and the return on the portfolio net of distributions. The total portfolio value as at 31 December 2021 is £577.7 million, or 102.3 pence per ordinary share, which incorporates both the Company's and its intermediate holding companies' other assets of £94.2 million.

 

Year ended

31 December 2021

(£m)

Investment value at 31 December 2020

255.6

Acquisitions in the year

210.0

Distributions paid out of the portfolio of assets

(26.7)

Changes in economic assumptions

(4.4)

Changes in wholesale energy price forecasts

31.5

Construction risk premium

3.4

Balance of portfolio return

14.1

Fair value of the portfolio of assets

483.5

Plc and intermediate holding company net assets

94.2

Audited net asset value

577.7

Investments in the year

During the year, the Company completed the acquisition of the Cumberhead Wind Farm. As at 31 December 2021, a total of £17.7 million has been paid towards the acquisition of the asset and ongoing construction costs. The total cost of the acquisition and construction costs is expected to rise up to approximately £75 million.

In August, the Company invested €7.5 million (£6.4 million) into a developer of sustainable marine projects focused on floating offshore wind, Simply Blue Holdings Limited, which is the parent company of the Simply Blue Group.

The Company also acquired two in-construction onshore wind farms in Poland, Krzecin and Kuslin Wind Farm, for a consideration of £47.7 million. The total investment amount including debt funding for both projects is expected to be PLN 568 million (c.£105 million). The projects are financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and BayernLB.

The Company exercised the call option in December 2021 and completed the acquisition of two onshore wind farms, Saunamaa and Suolakangas Wind Farm, for a consideration of £112.5 million.

In December, the Company invested £2.5 million and agreed to provide up to a further £7.5 million in development funding for nine newly formed joint venture onshore wind farm development companies with Wind 2 Limited ("Wind 2"), a specialist UK onshore wind developer.

Elsewhere in the portfolio, minor capital injections and ongoing construction payments were made in relation to the Ljungbyholm and Cerisou wind farms totalling £23.3 million.

Distributions paid out of the portfolio of assets

This relates to the amount of cash paid out of the portfolio of assets and received by the Company or its intermediate holding companies in the year ending 31 December 2021.

Economic assumptions

The main economic assumptions used in the portfolio valuation are inflation rates, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and tax rates.

The 31 December 2021 valuation reflects a net increase of £6.7 million due to changes in inflation assumptions based on recent independent economic forecasts and relevant government announcements. During the year, the UK long-term RPI inflation rates have been moved to 3.00% until April 2030 and 2.25% thereafter reflecting alignment with CPIH, resulting in a decrease of value of £0.5 million. This was offset by the net impact of short-term increases to RPI and CPI, resulting in a value increase of £7.0 million. Updates to the inflation rates for other jurisdictions resulted in a total valuation increase of £0.2 million during the year.

During the year, sterling appreciated against the euro by 7%, leading to a negative valuation impact of £10.5 million. Euro‑denominated investments comprised 46% of the portfolio at the year end. The Investment Manager regularly reviews the level of euro exposure and utilises hedges, with the objective of minimising variability in shorter term cash flows. After the impact of currency hedges held at the ORIT Holdings Limited level are taken into account, the loss on foreign exchange reduces to £6.2 million. Any value of existing hedging instruments or net gain/loss from historic trades is recognised as intermediate holding company net assets.

Per the enactment of the Finance Act 2021, the rate of UK corporation tax is set to increase from 19% to 25% with effect from April 2023. The calculation of the audited NAV as at 31 December 2021 is based on an assumption that this increased rate remains in place for three years, before trending down by 1% per year until reduced to the current level of 19% long-term, resulting in a negative value impact of £0.6 million. A flat UK corporation tax rate of 25% from April 2023 for the lifetime of the portfolio would reduce NAV by approximately £4.6 million or 0.8 pence per ordinary share.

Power prices

Unless fixed under PPAs or otherwise hedged, the power prices used in the valuations are based on market forward prices in the near-term, followed by an equal blend of up to three independent and widely used market consultants' technology-specific capture price forecasts for each asset.

2021 has been an extraordinary year in electricity markets. As a result of a number of key drivers (detailed in the Portfolio Performance section), electricity forwards markets across Europe have seen a continued rise across 2021, with the steepest increases occurring across Q4. This has fed into our internal wholesale electricity price expectations, which also take into account the large proportion of the portfolio that is hedged in the near-term.

In the longer term, while increased carbon price forecasts (reflecting increased European government decarbonisation ambition) have applied upwards pressure to the advisors' power price forecasts, increased subsidy-driven (e.g., GB offshore wind) and unsubsidised renewables buildout have applied downwards pressure to price forecasts in the longer term.

Overall, this has led to a net £31.5 million increase in the value of the portfolio as at 31 December 2021. The portfolio's forecasted power only generation weighted prices ("Power only GWP") and the generation weighted prices including subsidies and additional benefits ("Total GWP") for the period from 2022 to 2050 are shown in Figure 6. The curves are blended across the markets in which the portfolio's generation assets are located, weighted by the portfolio generation mix and converted into £/MWh using the FX spot rate as at 31 December 2021. On average, the graph shows Power only GWP of £57.52/MWh in the period 2022-2025 and £37.62/ MWh in the period 2026-2050.

Construction Risk Premium

During the year, a valuation increase of £3.4 million resulted from the de-risking of the construction assets. Of this, £2.4 million was related to Ljungbyholm Wind Farm, recognising the significant construction progress and ultimate operations being achieved on 30 June 2021. A further £1.1 million uplift was recognised due to the completion of civil works at the Kuslin wind farm in Poland.

As the remaining portfolio under construction becomes substantially de-risked through the completion of construction milestones, it is estimated that a further £8.3 million of value will be crystallised in future valuation cycles.

Balance of portfolio return

This refers to the balance of valuation movements in the year excluding the factors noted above and represents an uplift of £14.1 million.

Of this, £17.9 million reflects the net present value of future cashflows being brought forward from the valuation date used for the acquisitions to 31 December 2021. £3.5 million of valuation increase resulted from a c.0.4% reduction in UK solar discount rates to reflect valuations observed in transactions announced in the market and/or in which the Investment Manager participated and has reliable pricing information. The extension of asset lives to 40 years for solar assets where the relevant criteria have been met resulted in a further increase of £2.2 million. These valuation uplifts were partially offset by the reduction of FiT pricing for the French solar portfolio of £2.3 million, as well as the net impact of minor assumption updates of £7.2 million at the project company level.

Portfolio valuation sensitivities

The sensitivities are based on the existing portfolio of assets as at 31 December 2021 as well as cash flows of conditional acquisitions, and as such may not be representative of the sensitivities once the Company is fully invested and geared. For each of the sensitivities shown, it is assumed that potential changes occur independently with no effect on any other assumption. As such the sensitivities also do not capture any potential benefit of a portfolio effect through non-correlation of technologies or energy markets.

Discount rate

A range of discount rates are applied in calculating the fair value of the investments, considering the location, technology and lifecycle stage of each asset as well as leverage and the split of fixed and variable revenues. The weighted average discount rate as at 31 December 2021 is 6.8% (31 December 2020: 6.9%).

Volumes

Each asset's valuation assumes a "P50" level of electricity output based on yield assessments prepared by technical advisors. The P50 output is the estimated annual amount of electricity generation that has a 50% probability of being exceeded - both in any single year and over the long term - and a 50% probability of being underachieved. The P50 provides an expected level of generation over the long-term.

The P90 (90% probability of exceedance over a 10-year period) and P10 (10% probability of exceedance over a 10-year period) sensitivities reflect the future variability of wind speed and solar irradiation and the associated impact on output, along with the uncertainty associated with the long-term data sources used to calculate the P50 forecast. The sensitivities shown assume that the output of each asset in the portfolio is in line with the P10 or P90 output forecast respectively for each year of the asset life.

Power price curve

As described above, the power price forecasts for each asset are based on a number of inputs. The sensitivity assumes a 10% increase or decrease in power prices relative to the base case for each year of the asset life.

Inflation

The sensitivity assumes a 0.5% increase or decrease in inflation relative to the base case for each year of the asset life.

Foreign exchange

The Company seeks to manage its exposure to foreign exchange movements to ensure that (i) the sterling value of known future construction commitments is fixed; (ii) sufficient near-term distributions from non-sterling investments are hedged to maintain healthy dividend cover; (iii) the volatility of the Company's NAV with respect to foreign exchange movements is limited; and (iv) all settlements and potential mark-to-market payments on instruments used to hedge foreign exchange exposure are adequately covered by the Company's cash balances and undrawn credit facilities.

Of the portfolio as at 31 December 2021, 46% of the NAV is denominated in non-sterling currencies. After the impact of currency derivatives held at the ORIT Holdings Limited level are taken into account, over 100% of the forecast cash distributions for the next 5 years are hedged against movements in FX rates.

UK Corporation Tax

The calculation of the audited NAV as at 31 December 2021 is based on an assumption that this increased rate remains in place for three years, before trending down by 1% per year until reduced to the current level of 19% long-term. A flat UK corporation tax rate of 25% from April 2023 for the lifetime of the portfolio would reduce NAV by approximately £4.6 million or 0.8 pence per ordinary share.

Financial Review

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021 are set out in the Annual Report. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the applicable legal requirements of the Companies Act 2006. In order to continue providing useful and relevant information to its investors, the financial statements also refer to the "intermediate holding companies", which comprise the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, ORIT Holdings II Limited and its indirectly held wholly owned subsidiaries ORIT UK Acquisitions Limited and ORIT Holdings Limited.

Basis of accounting

The Company applies IFRS 10 and Investment Entities: Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28, which state that investment entities should measure all of their subsidiaries that are themselves investment entities at fair value. The Company accounts for its interest in its wholly owned direct subsidiary, ORIT Holdings II Limited as an investment at fair value through profit or loss.

The primary impact of this application, in comparison to consolidating subsidiaries, is that the cash balances, the working capital balances and borrowings in the intermediate holding companies are presented as part of the Company's fair value of investments.

Results as at/for the year ended 31 December

 

2021

£m

2020

£m

Net asset value

577.7

343.9

Fair value of Company's investments

485.4

258.7

Net assets per share

102.26p

98.26p

Investment income from portfolio

31.8

15.5

Gains/(losses) on fair value of investments

8.6

(3.2)

Profit for the year/period

34.8

8.3

Net assets

Net assets have increased from £343.9 million at 31 December 2020 to £577.7 million at 31 December 2021, principally driven by two successful capital raises totalling £224 million, changes in wholesale energy price forecasts, and the de‑risking of construction assets.

The net assets comprise the fair value of the Company's investments of £485.4 million (2020: £258.7 million) and the Company's cash balance of £93.9 million (2020: £87.2 million), offset by £1.6 million (2020: £2.0 million) of Company net liabilities.

Included in the fair value of the Company's investments are assets of £1.9 million (2020: £3.1 million) held in the intermediate holding companies. These comprise cash of £1.3 million (2020: £3.1 million), the mark-to-market value of the FX hedges taken out to minimise the volatility of cashflows associated with non-UK portfolios of £2.3 million (2020: £0.6 million) and the amortised transaction costs associated with the revolving credit facility at ORIT Holdings II Limited of £1.4 million (2020: £2.4 million). This is offset by liabilities of £3.1 million (2020: £10 million), predominantly relating to accrued transaction costs not yet paid.

As at 31 December 2021, ORIT Holdings II Limited had not drawn on its revolving credit facility. The company has however secured Letters of Credit against the RCF and its direct subsidiaries have conditional acquisitions which will require utilisation should the acquisitions complete.

Results as at/for the year/period ended 31 December

 

2021

£m

2020

£m

Fair value of portfolio of assets

483.5

255.6

Cash held in intermediate holding companies

1.3

1.1

Fair value of other net assets in intermediate holding companies

0.6

2.0

Fair value of Company's investments

485.4

258.7

Company's cash

93.9

87.2

Company's other liabilities

(1.6)

(2.0)

Net asset value as at 31 December

577.7

343.9

Number of shares

564.9

350.0

Net asset value per share (pence)

102.26

98.26

Income

In accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts ("SORP") issued in October 2019 by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC"), the statement of comprehensive income differentiates between the 'revenue' account and the 'capital' account, and the sum of both items equals the Company's profit for the year. Items classified as capital in nature either relate directly to the Company's investment portfolio or are costs deemed attributable to the long-term capital growth of the Company (such as a portion of the Investment Manager's fee).

In the financial year ending 31 December 2021, the Company's operating income was £40.4 million (period from incorporation to 31 December 2020 ("FY20"): £12.3 million), including interest income of £12.7 million (FY20: £7.7 million), dividends received of £19.2 million (FY20: £7.8 million) and net gains on the movement of fair value of investments of £8.6 million (FY20: losses of £3.2 million). The operating expenses included in the statement of comprehensive income for the year were £5.6 million (FY20: £4.0 million). These comprise £4.1 million Investment Manager fees (FY20: £3.4 million) and £1.5 million operating expenses (FY20: £0.5 million). Costs in the previous period were offset by £0.5 million of deposit interest income. The details on how the Investment Manager's fees are charged are set out in Note 13 to the financial statements.

Ongoing charges

The ongoing charges ratio ("OCR") is a measure of the regular and recurring annual costs of running the Company, expressed as a percentage of average net assets. It has been calculated and disclosed in accordance with the AIC methodology, as annualised ongoing charges (i.e., excluding acquisition costs and other non-recurring items) divided by the average published undiluted Net Asset Value in the year. For the year ended 31 December 2021, the ratio was 1.15% (FY20: 1.15%).

Dividends

During the year, interim dividends totalling £20.5 million were paid (1.06p per share paid in respect of the quarter to 31 December 2020 in March 2021 and 1.25p per share paid in respect of the first three quarters of 2021 in June 2021, August 2021 and November 2021 respectively).

Post year end, a further interim dividend of 1.25p per share was paid on 4 March 2022 in respect of the quarter ending 31 December 2021 to shareholders recorded on the register on 17 February 2022. Following the recent fund raise, the total number of ordinary shares in issue on that record date was 564,927,536 and the total dividend paid to shareholders amounted to £7.1 million. As such, dividends totalling £23.8 million have been paid in respect of the 12-month period under review. These dividends are fully covered from the operational cash flows of the underlying portfolios.

Dividend cover - operational cash flows (portfolio level)  

Year/period ended 31 December

 

2021

£m

2020

£m

Operational cash flows

 

 

UK Solar

11.1

10.9

French Solar

11.9

12.1

Swedish Wind

4.4

Finnish Wind29

5.3

 

32.7

23.0

Interest payable on external debt

 

 

French Solar

(1.1)

(2.6)

Operational cash flow pre debt amortisation

31.6

20.4

Company and Intermediate holding company level expenses30

(5.3)

(5.0)

Net cash flow from operating activities pre debt amortisation

26.3

15.4

Dividends paid in respect of year/period

23.8

11.1

Portfolio level operational cash flow dividend cover pre debt amortisation

1.1x

1.39x

External debt amortisation

 

 

French Solar

(2.1)

(7.3)

Net cash flow from operating activities

24.2

8.1

Dividends paid in respect of year/period

23.8

11.1

Portfolio level operational cash flow dividend cover

1.02x

0.73x

         

29.  Includes all operational cash generated from 1 July 2021 (the locked-box date)

30.  Includes crystalised FX gains recognised in the Company and intermediate holding companies

Dividend cover - P&L (Company level)

 

2021

£m

2020

£m

Profit for the year/period

34.8

8.3

Adjustments for:

 

 

Unrealised (gains)/losses on fair value of investments

(8.6)

3.2

Realised profit for the year/period

26.2

11.5

Dividends paid in respect of year/period

23.8

11.1

Company level P&L dividend cover

1.1x

1.04x

Dividend cover - operational cash flows (Company level)

 

2021

£m

2020

£m

Profit for the year/period

34.8

8.3

Adjustments for:

 

 

Unrealised (gains)/losses on fair value of investments

(8.6)

3.2

Investment income

(31.8)

(15.5)

Changes in working capital

(0.3)

1.5

 

(5.9)

(2.5)

Distributions received from investments

26.2

13.3

Net cash flow from operating activities

20.3

10.8

Dividends paid in respect of year/period

23.8

11.1

Company level operational cash flow dividend cover

0.85x

0.97x

Risk and Risk Management

Risk Appetite

The Board is ultimately responsible for defining the level and types of risk that the Company considers appropriate. In the context of the Company's strategy, risk appetite is aligned to the Investment Policy and this provides the framework for how capital will be deployed to meet the Company's investment objective. The limits set out in the Investment Policy represent the amount of risk that the Company is willing to take and the constraints determined by the Board that the Investment Manager must adhere to on behalf of the Company. This covers the principal risks the Company faces including, amongst other things, the level of exposure to power prices, financing risks and investment risks. Beyond this, risk limits and tolerances are monitored and set by the AIFM as part of the AIFM's risk management services. These are documented in the AIFM's Risk Management Policy for the Company covering credit, liquidity, counterparty, operational and market risks. Adherence to these risk limits is reported regularly to the Board through the quarterly AIFM risk management report.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Company has carried out a robust assessment of its principal and emerging risks and the procedures in place to identify any emerging risks are described below.

Procedures to identify principal or emerging risks:

It is not possible to eliminate all risks faced by the Company, in fact well managed risks are key to generating long-term shareholder returns. The purpose of the risk management framework and policies adopted by the Company is to identify risks and enable the Board to respond to risks with mitigating actions to reduce the potential impacts should the risk materialise.

The Board regularly reviews the Company's risk matrix, with a focus on ensuring appropriate controls are in place to mitigate each risk. The experience and knowledge of the Board is important, as is advice received from the Company's service providers.

The following is a description of the procedures for identifying principal risks that each service provider highlights to the Board on a regular basis.

1.  Alternative Investment Fund Manager: The Company has appointed Octopus AIF Management Limited to be the Alternative Investment Fund Manager of the Company (the "AIFM") for the purposes of Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Alternative Investment Fund Managers. Accordingly, the AIFM is responsible for the portfolio management of the Company and for exercising the risk management function in respect of the Company. As part of this the AIFM has put in place a Risk Management Policy which includes stress testing procedures and risk limits. As part of this risk management function, the AIFM maintains a register of identified risks including emerging risks likely to impact the Company. This is updated quarterly following discussions with the Investment Manager and highlighted to the Board.

2.  Investment Manager: Portfolio Management has been delegated by the AIFM to the Investment Manager. There is a comprehensive due diligence process in place to ensure that potential investments are screened against the Company's objectives, and that financial and economic analysis is conducted alongside a full risk analysis. Any potential transaction must be granted approval in principle ("AIP") by the Octopus Renewables Investment Committee ("ORIC") and the due diligence budget signed off by the Board. Once due diligence and negotiations of final terms are substantially complete, the final proposal including the risk analysis will be presented to ORIC for a decision on whether the Company should proceed with investment, subject to a final approval from the Board. The Investment Manager also provides a report to the Board at least quarterly on asset level risks, industry trends, insight to future challenges in the renewable sector including the regulatory, political and economic changes likely to impact the renewables sector.

3.  Broker: The Broker provides regular updates to the Board on Company performance and advice specific to the Company's sector, competitors and the investment company market whilst working with the Board and Investment Manager to communicate with shareholders.

4.  Company secretary and auditors: Briefs the Board on forthcoming legislation/regulatory change that might impact on the Company. The auditors also have specific briefings at least annually.

Procedure for oversight

The Audit and Risk Committee undertakes a review at least twice a year of the Company's risk matrix and a formal review of the risk procedures and controls in place at the AIFM and other key service providers to ensure that emerging (as well as known) risks are adequately identified and - so far as practicable - mitigated.

Principal risks

The Board considers the following to be the principal risks and financial risks faced by the Company along with the potential impact of these risks and the steps taken to mitigate them.

Economic, political and climate risks - income and value of the Company's investments may be affected by future changes in the economic and political environment, alongside risks associated with climate change.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Inflation and interest rates

The revenue and expenditure of the Company's investments are frequently partially index-linked and therefore any discrepancy with the Company's inflation expectations could impact positively or negatively on the Company's cashflows.

Changes in interest rates may affect the valuation of the investment portfolio by impacting the valuation discount rate and could also impact returns on cash deposits.

Inflation and interest rate assumptions are reviewed and monitored regularly by the AIFM and the Investment Manager in the valuation process.

It is expected that a natural hedge may occur where higher interest rates are also accompanied by higher inflation rates due to subsidies being inflation linked.

The Company can utilise interest rate swaps or fixed rate financing to mitigate interest rate risks.

Foreign currency

The Company's functional currency is Sterling, but some of the Group's investments are based in countries whose local currency is not Sterling.

Therefore, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of the investments due to adverse changes in currencies.

The principal mitigation is through the Company's hedging policy which seeks to minimise the volatility of cash flows in non-GBP currencies.

The Investment Manager monitors foreign exchange exposures using short and long-term cash flow forecasts.

The Company's portfolio concentrations and currency holdings are monitored regularly by the Board, the AIFM and the Investment Manager.

All FX hedges are held within the intermediate holding companies.

Government policy changes

The Company's investments in Renewable Energy Assets are remunerated by both government support schemes and private PPAs - the terms of these may be impacted by government changes of policy or even terminated in certain circumstances. This would adversely impact the value of the Company's investments.

The Company aims to hold a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets and so it is unlikely that all assets will be impacted equally by a change in legislation.

There is also strong public demand for support of the renewables market to hit "net zero" carbon emission targets.

UK/European Trade Deal

A trade deal was signed between the UK and the EU ahead of the deadline. Whilst this provides some level of certainty, financial services were not an area where a detailed "deal" was achieved. As a result, there may be a prolonged period of market uncertainty as the exact details continue to be understood and negotiated between the parties, which could result in adverse conditions for the Company, in particular volatility in macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and interest rates, foreign exchange and changes in regulations.

There is also ongoing risk of supply chain disruption whilst new arrangements are embedded.

The mitigation measures for the principal macroeconomic risks are those described above in relation to:

• Inflation and interest rates

• Foreign currency

Government policy changes

The Investment Manager works with suppliers to mitigate supply chain risks including ensuring a level of spares is maintained from diversified manufacturers.

Risks associated with climate change

Climate related risks relate to transition risks and physical risks.

The prominent transition risk relates to oversupply of renewables over time, which may cause downward pressure on long-term power price forecasts setting lower capture prices, including the risks associated with periods of negative power prices and power price volatility. This could ultimately lead to a shortfall in anticipated revenues to the Company.

The prominent physical risks relate to long‑term changes to weather patterns, which could cause a material adverse change to an asset's energy yield from that expected at the time of investment.

Physical risks associated with acute and chronic temperature change could lead to flooding, storms, and high winds. This could damage equipment and force operational downtime resulting in reduced revenue capability and profitability of the portfolio of assets.

The Investment Manager is actively engaging with third party advisors on how climate related risks are being modelled in long-term power price forecasts. There are likely to be opportunities associated with the transition to a low carbon future including growth in the market, government interventions and technology advancements that could counterbalance the transition risks of climate change on the Company.

The Board and the Investment Manager periodically assess the Company's portfolio of assets for potential transition risks within the jurisdictions that it currently operates. The Investment Manager works with third party asset managers to ensure an appropriate level of equipment spares to minimise downtime associated with damaged equipment.

There is growing demand for consistent, comparable, reliable, and clear climate related financial disclosure from many participants in financial markets. The Board, AIFM and Investment Manager have included TCFD as part of the Company's Impact Strategy.

Company: operational risks - risk that target returns and Company objectives are not met over the longer term.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Deployment

A deterioration of the investment pipeline may impact the ability to commit and deploy capital into suitable opportunities in the expected time frame. Competition in the infrastructure market remains strong which could limit the ability of the Company to acquire assets in line with target returns, or incur abort costs where transactions are unsuccessful.

Both deployment risks could ultimately impact shareholder returns.

The Company has an experienced Investment Manager with good presence and strong relationships in the renewables market. The investment mandate is diversified giving a broad landscape of opportunities. The Board and Investment Manager oversee the investment pipeline and abort exposure and frequently monitor its progress in relation to Company targets.

Reliance on third party service providers

The Board has contractually delegated to third party service providers day to day management of the Company. A deterioration in the performance of any of the key service providers including the Investment Manager, AIFM and Administrator could have an impact on the Company's performance and there is a risk that the Company may not be able to find appropriate replacements should the engagement with the service providers be terminated.

Each contract was entered into after full and proper consideration of the quality and cost of services offered, including the financial control systems in operation in so far as they relate to the affairs of the Company. All of the above services are subject to ongoing oversight by the Board and AIFM and the performance of the key service providers is reviewed on a regular basis. The Board, through the Management Engagement Committee monitors key personnel risks as part of its oversight of the Investment Manager and the Company's key service providers report periodically to the Board on their control procedures.

Valuations

Valuation of the portfolio of assets is based on financial projections and estimations of future results. Actual results may vary significantly from the projections, which may reduce the profitability of the Company leading to reduced returns to Shareholders.

The Investment Manager has significant experience in the valuation of renewable assets and conducts a quarterly valuations process. The AIFM has a valuations committee separate to the Investment Manager to provide valuations consistency on macro assumptions and to provide oversight and challenge to the valuations. The Board and AIFM review the valuations provided quarterly and they are audited annually.

ESG policy

Material ESG risks may arise such as health and safety, unfair advantage, bribery, corruption and environmental damage. If the Company fails to adhere to its public commitments as stated in its ESG Policy and Impact Strategy, this could result in shareholder dissatisfaction and adversely affect the reputation of the Company.

ESG is embedded in the investment cycle with a formal ESG matrix including a minimum target ESG score required for approval of any new investments. Ongoing operational and construction ESG risk management is reviewed periodically by the Investment Manager, who work closely with service providers on ESG and impact standards reporting.

Conflicts of interest

The appointment of the AIFM is on a non‑exclusive basis and each of the AIFM and Investment Manager manages other accounts, vehicles and funds pursuing similar investment strategies to that of the Company. This has the potential to give rise to conflicts of interest.

The AIFM and Investment Manager have clear conflicts of interest and allocation policies in place. Transactions where there may be potential conflicts of interest are overseen by the Investment Manager's conflicts committee, an independent fairness opinion on valuation is commissioned, and as with all transactions, the Board has final approval rights. The Board, AIFM and Investment Manager are responsible for establishing and regularly reviewing procedures to identify, manage, monitor and disclose conflicts of interests relating to the activities of the Company. These procedures are more fully described in the Company's prospectus dated 10 June 2021.

Cyber security

Attempts may be made to access the IT systems and data used by the Investment Manager, Administrator and other service providers through a cyber attack or malicious breaches of confidentiality that could impact the Company reputation or result in financial loss.

Cyber security policies and procedures implemented by key service providers are reported to the Board and AIFM periodically to ensure conformity. The Investment Manager has a robust 3 lines of defence risk model in place in place to implement, check and audit technology controls. Thorough third party due diligence is carried out on all suppliers engaged to service the Company. All providers have processes in place to identify cyber security risks and apply and monitor appropriate risk plans.

Portfolio of assets: operational and financial risks - risk that the portfolio underperforms and, as a result, the target returns and Company objectives are not met over the longer term.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Power prices

The income and value of the Company's investments may be adversely impacted by changes in the prevailing market prices of electricity and prices achievable for off‑taker contracts. There is a risk that the actual prices received vary significantly from the model assumptions, leading to a shortfall in anticipated revenues to the Company.

The Investment Manager has a specific Energy Markets Team that monitors energy price forecasts and puts in place mitigating strategies. This could be through the use of short term PPA contracts to fix the electricity prices where possible, or to hedge the exposure of fluctuating electricity prices through derivative instruments. Model assumptions are based on quarterly reports from a number of independent established market consultants to inform on the electricity prices over the longer term.

Construction

Construction project risks associated with the risk of inaccurate assessment of a construction opportunity, delays or disruptions which are outside the Company's control, changes in market conditions, and the inability of contractors to perform their contractual commitments could impact Company performance.

The Investment Manager monitors construction carefully and reports frequently to the Board and AIFM. The Investment Manager undertakes extensive due diligence on construction opportunities and has in place clear approval processes for any material construction cost overruns and contingency spend.

Development

Development project risks associated with delays, increases in costs or ultimate failure to deliver the expected assets to construction- ready status

The Company's maximum exposure to development is limited to 5% of GAV.

The Investment Manager monitors progress of development projects carefully and ensures all costs are managed appropriately. A clear approval processes is in place for any material project cost overruns and contingency spend. Cost and progress analysis of development projects is reported frequently to the Board and AIFM. The Investment Manager also monitors exposure to any one developer to ensure this is kept within reasonable limits.

Asset-specific risks

Circumstances may arise that adversely affect the performance of the relevant Renewable Energy Asset. These include health and safety, grid connection, material damage or degradation, equipment failures and environmental risks.

The Company's experienced Investment Manager oversees and manages asset and site level issues. Third party O&M contractors are engaged to carry out regular preventative maintenance and a level of spares is maintained from diversified manufacturers. The Investment Manager uses established relationships with relevant DNO's and works closely with them to maintain grid connection. A SH&E consultant is employed by the Investment Manager to oversee and advise on the HSE system for renewable assets. The Company has in place insurance to cover certain losses and damage.

Compliance and regulatory risks - failure to comply with relevant regulatory changes, tax rules and obligations may result in reputational damage to the Company or have a negative financial impact.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Non-compliance with FCA, Listing Rules, AIFMD, MAR and investment trust eligibility conditions

Failure to comply with any relevant regulatory rules including Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act, the rules of the FCA, including the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules, Companies Act 2006, MAR, AIFMD, Accounting Standards, GDPR and any other relevant regulations could result in financial penalties, loss of investment trust status, legal proceedings against the Company and/or its Directors or reputational damage.

The Board monitors compliance and regulatory information provided by the Company Secretary, the AIFM and Investment Manager on a quarterly basis and the assessment of regulatory risks forms part of the Board's risk management framework. All parties are appropriately qualified professionals and ensure that they keep informed with any developments or updates to the legislation.

COVID-19 - Events arising as a result of COVID-19 may impact the target returns of the Company and the ability of the Company to meet its objectives over the longer term.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic could impact the Company as follows:

· Disruption of supply chains could adversely impact the Company's construction projects and ability to source spares for operational assets.

· Restrictions on travel may limit the ability to conduct due diligence site visits for transaction targets thus impacting the Company's deployment targets.

The Investment Manager continues to work with third party service providers to put in place mitigation plans to minimise the impacts of COVID‑19 to the Company.

The Board are of the opinion that these are the principal risks, but mindful of their obligations under the changes made to the AIC Code of Corporate Governance issued in February 2019, the Board has also reviewed emerging risks which may impact the forthcoming six-month period.

Emerging risks - Recent events in Ukraine and the impact of new sanctions placed on Russia and affiliated countries may impact the target returns of the Company.

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Geopolitical risks

The Company engages third party contractors to oversee the day to day operations of the assets. If any of these contractors are impacted by the events in Russia and Ukraine, or by the current sanctions imposed on Russia, this may impact the performance of the assets, and ultimately the target returns of the Company.

· Assets located in nearby jurisdictions may be impacted by the conflict.

· The conflict may lead to increased volatility of power prices and hence valuations. Heightened power prices may lead to an increased risk of political intervention to regulate prices or impose windfall taxes.

· The conflict may lead to an increased risk of cyber attacks.

The Investment Manager undertakes extensive due diligence on all counterparties prior to conducting business with them and will fully comply with all sanctions. As part of this review, all counterparty due diligence has been reviewed and confirmed that the Group's current counterparties are not materially impacted by recent events or by the new sanctions.

The Investment Manager will remain agile to the changing geopolitical environment and will continue to evolve and reassess appropriate mitigation strategies.

Mitigations for power prices are described above, as are mitigations for cyber security. In light of this increased risk, the Investment Manager is currently undertaking a review of it's own cyber security procedures, as well as that of the Company's counterparties.

Further financial risks are detailed in Note 16 of the financial statements.

This emerging risk was identified following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has no impact on the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2021.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ('TCFD')

The TCFD, established in December 2015 by the Financial Stability Board, was tasked with reviewing how the financial sector could take account of climate related issues. In 2017, the TCFD published its recommendations for consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures across four core areas with eleven recommendations for use by companies in providing information to investors, lenders, insurers, and other stakeholders. The TCFD recommended that all organisations provide climate related disclosures in their annual report and accounts, providing a framework to help companies assess the risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

Following this, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") issued a rule, effective for periods beginning on or after January 2021, for UK premium listed companies to start to report against TCFD, with other companies to follow over time. Whilst the implementation of this rule does not require ORIT to begin making disclosures yet as it is an Investment Trust and therefore excluded, ORIT supports the aims and objectives of TCFD and has decided to voluntarily report in line with TCFD as representing best practice. The Company is acutely aware of the risks of climate change and through its investment mandate, believes it is well placed to contribute to solutions and harness the opportunities that arise from transitioning to net zero. However, no company is isolated from the risks and the disclosures below outline the risks ORIT faces relating to climate change.

Statement of Compliance

The Company is pleased to confirm that it has included in its TCFD Report climate-related financial disclosures consistent with the four recommendations and the eleven recommended disclosures set out in the June 2017 report entitled Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

In October 2021, the TCFD released additional guidance implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (2021 TCFD Annex), which supersedes the 2017 Annex of the same name (2017 TCFD Annex) and includes additional guidance for Asset Owners and Asset Managers. We have considered the 2021 TCFD Annex and applied the relevant recommendations to our TCFD Disclosures. The Company will seek to enhance the quantitative modeling of climate risk scenarios to be incorporated into future TCFD Disclosures.

Governance

Further details of oversight and management of climate related risks and opportunities, which is integrated within the Governance framework of the Company can be found in the Annual Report.

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

Statement of Directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards.

Under company law, Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

· state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

· make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors' Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors' confirmations

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in Corporate Governance section confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

· the Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the company; and

· the Directors' Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

For and on behalf of the Board

Philip Austin MBE

Chair

25 March 2022

Financial Statements

Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

Notes

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation
on 11 October 2019 to
31 December 2020

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Investment income

4

31,829

-

31,829

15,480

-

15,480

Movement in fair value of investments

9

-

8,561

8,561

-

(3,171)

(3,171)

Total net income

 

31,829

8,561

40,390

15,480

(3,171)

12,309

Investment management fees

5

(3,108)

(1,036)

(4,144)

(2,585)

(862)

(3,447)

Other expenses

5

(851)

(584)

(1,435)

(720)

(321)

(1,041)

Deposit interest income

 

5

-

5

486

-

486

Net foreign exchange (losses)/gains

 

-

(27)

(27)

-

40

40

Profit/(loss) before taxation

 

27,875

6,914

34,789

12,661

(4,314)

8,347

Taxation

6

312

(312)

-

(218)

218

-

Profit/(loss) and total comprehensive income/ (loss) for the year/period

 

28,187

6,602

34,789

12,443

(4,096)

8,347

Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share (pence) - basic and diluted

8

6.65p

1.55p

8.20p

4.10p

(1.35p)

2.75p

The 'Total' column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company and the 'Revenue' and 'Capital' columns represent supplementary information prepared under guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All expenses are presented as revenue items except 25% of the investment management fee, which is charged as a capital item within the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Costs incurred on aborted transactions are charged as capital items within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The Total column of the above Statement of comprehensive income is the profit and loss account of the Company fully attributable to the Shareholders of the Company.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Financial Position

 

Notes

As at
31 December
2021

£'000

As at
31 December
2020

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

9

485,417

258,680

Current assets

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

10

450

127

Cash and Cash Equivalents

3(g)

93,946

87,185

 

 

94,396

87,312

Current liabilities: amounts falling due within one year

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

11

(2,124)

(2,065)

 

 

(2,124)

(2,065)

Net current assets

 

92,272

85,247

Net assets

 

577,689

343,927

Capital and reserves

 

 

 

Share capital

12

5,649

3,500

Share premium account

12

217,283

-

Special reserve

13

339,500

339,500

Capital reserve

 

2,506

(4,096)

Revenue reserve

 

12,751

5,023

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

 

577,689

343,927

Net assets per ordinary share (pence)

14

102.26p

98.26p

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 March 2022 and were signed on its behalf by

Philip Austin MBE
Chairman

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 12257608

Statement of Changes in Equity

Year ended 31 December 2021

 

Notes

Share

capital

£'000

Share

premium

account

£'000

Special

reserve

£'000

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Capital

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Opening equity as at 1 January 2021

 

3,500

-

339,500

5,023

(4,096)

343,927

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year

 

-

-

-

28,187

6,602

34,789

Shares issued in year

12

2,149

221,763

-

-

-

223,912

Share issue costs

 

-

(4,480)

-

-

-

(4,480)

Dividends paid

7

-

-

-

(20,459)

-

(20,459)

Closing equity as at 31 December 2021

 

5,649

217,283

339,500

12,751

2,506

577,689

For the period from incorporation on 11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

Notes

Share

capital

£'000

Share

premium

account

£'000

Special

reserve

£'000

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Capital

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Opening equity as at 11 October 2019

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Profit/(loss) and total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

 

-

-

-

12,443

(4,096)

8,347

Shares issued in period

12

3,500

346,500

-

-

-

350,000

Share issue costs

 

-

(7,000)

-

-

-

(7,000)

Transfer to the special reserve

 

-

(339,500)

339,500

-

-

-

Dividends paid

7

-

-

-

(7,420)

-

(7,420)

Closing equity as at 31 December 2020

 

3,500

-

339,500

5,023

(4,096)

343,927

The Company's distributable reserve consists of the special reserve, capital reserve attributable to realised gains and revenue reserve.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The issued capital and reserves are fully attributable to the Shareholders of the Company.

Statement of Cash Flows

 

Notes

Year ended

31 December

2021

£'000

For the

period from

incorporation

on 11 October

2019 to

31 December

2020

£'000

Operating activities cash flows

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

 

34,789

8,347

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Movement in fair value of investments

9

(8,561)

3,171

Investment income from investments

4

(31,829)

(15,480)

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital

 

(5,601)

(3,962)

Changes in working capital:

 

 

 

Increase in trade and other receivables

 

(323)

(127)

Increase in trade payables

 

59

2,065

Distributions from investments

9

26,169

13,341

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

20,304

11,317

Investing activities cash flows

 

 

 

Costs associated with acquiring the portfolio of assets

9

(212,516)

(259,712)

Net cash flow used in investing activities

 

(212,516)

(259,712)

Financing activities cash flows

 

 

 

Dividends paid to Ordinary Shareholders

7

(20,459)

(7,420)

Proceeds from issue of share capital during the year/period

 

223,912

350,000

Costs in relation to issue of shares

 

(4,480)

(7,000)

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

198,973

335,580

Net increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

6,761

87,185

Cash and Cash Equivalents at start of year/period

 

87,185

-

Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of year/period

 

93,946

87,185

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2021

1. General information

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc ("ORIT" or the "Company") is a Public Company Limited by Ordinary Shares incorporated and domiciled in United Kingdom on 11 October 2019 with registered number 12257608. The Company is a closed-ended investment company with an indefinite life. The Company commenced its operations on 10 December 2019 when the Company's Ordinary Shares were admitted to trading on the premium segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The Directors intend, at all times, to conduct the affairs of the Company as to enable it to qualify as an investment trust for the purposes of section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, as amended.

The registered office and principal place of business of the Company is 6th Floor, 125 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5AS.

The Company's investment objective is to provide investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets in the UK, Europe and Australia.

The audited financial statements of the Company (the "financial statements") are for the year ended 31 December 2021 and comprise only the results of the Company, as all of its subsidiaries are measured at fair value following the amendment to IFRS 10 as disclosed in Note 2. The comparatives shown in these financial statements refer to the period from incorporation on 11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020.

The Company has appointed Octopus AIF Management Limited to be the alternative investment fund manager of the Company (the "AIFM") for the purposes of Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Alternative Investment Fund Managers. Accordingly, the AIFM is responsible for the portfolio management of the Company and for exercising the risk management function in respect of the Company. The AIFM has delegated portfolio management services to Octopus Renewables Limited, the Company's investment manager (the "Investment Manager").

Sanne Fund Services (UK) Limited (the "Administrator") provides administrative and company secretarial services to the Company under the terms of the Administration Agreement between the Company and the Administrator. During the year, Sanne Group plc acquired the PraxisIFM Funds Business and subsequently the name of the Company's Administrator and Company Secretary changed from PraxisIFM Fund Services (UK) Limited to Sanne Fund Services (UK) Limited.

2. Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the applicable legal requirements of the Companies Act 2006. On 31 December 2020, IFRSs as adopted by the European Union at that date were brought into UK law and became UK-adopted international accounting standards, with future changes being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Company transitioned to UK-adopted international accounting standards in its financial statements on 1 January 2021. There was no impact or change in accounting policies from the transition.

The financial statements have also been prepared as far as is relevant and applicable to the Company in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts ("SORP") issued in April 2021 by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC").

The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation of investments measured at fair value through profit or loss. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. These policies are consistently applied.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the Company's functional currency and are rounded to the nearest thousand, unless otherwise stated. They have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies, significant judgements, key assumptions and estimates as set out below.

Going concern

The Directors, in their consideration of going concern, have reviewed comprehensive cash flow forecasts prepared by the Company's Investment Manager which are based on prudent market data and believe, based on those forecasts, the assessment of the Company's subsidiary's banking facilities and the assessment of the principal risks described in this report, including those related to Covid-19, that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements of the Company on the going concern basis.

In arriving at their conclusion that the Company has adequate financial resources, the Directors were mindful that the Company had unrestricted cash of £94 million as at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: £87 million) and its intermediate holding company had an undrawn revolving credit facility ("RCF") (available for investment in new or existing projects and working capital) of £150 million (31 December 2020: £150 million). The Company's net assets at 31 December 2021 were £578 million (31 December 2020: £344 million) and total expenses for the year ended 31 December 2021 were £5.6 million (period ended 31 December 2020: £4.5 million), which represented approximately 1.3% (31 December 2020: 1.2%) of average net assets during the year. At the date of approval of this document, based on the aggregate of investments and cash held, the Company has substantial operating expenses cover.

The Company receives revenue in the form of dividends and interest from its portfolio of assets. These revenues are derived from the sale of electricity through power purchase agreements in place with large and reputable providers of electricity to the market. A prolonged and deep market decline could lead to falling values to the underlying business or interruptions to cashflow, however the Directors do not foresee any immediate material risk to the Company's investment portfolio and income from underlying assets. The Directors are also satisfied and are comfortable that the Company would continue to remain viable under downside scenarios, including decreasing government regulated tariffs and a decline in long term power price forecasts.

In instances where underlying investments have external debt finance, the covenants associated with these facilities have been tested and are not expected to be breached, even in downside scenarios.

The major cash outflows of the Company are the payment of dividends and commitments payable for construction projects and contingent acquisitions. The Directors are confident that the Company has sufficient cash balances, headroom in the RCF held by an intermediate holding company, and access to equity markets in order to fund the commitments detailed in note 19 to the financial statements, should they become payable. economic environment and can continue operations for a period of at least 12 months from the date of these financial statements.

Having performed the assessment of going concern, the Directors considered it appropriate to prepare the financial statements of the Company on a going concern basis. The Company has sufficient financial resources and liquidity and is well placed to manage business risks in the current economic environment and can continue operations for a period of at least 12 months from the date of these financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed regularly on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Significant estimates, judgements and assumptions for the year are set out as follows:

Key estimation and uncertainty: Fair value estimation for investments at fair value

The Company's investments at fair value are not traded in active markets. Fair value is calculated by discounting at an appropriate discount rate future cash flows expected to be received by the Company's intermediate holdings, from investments in both equity (dividends) and shareholder loans (interest and repayments). The discounted cashflow models use observable data, to the extent practicable. However, the key inputs require management to make estimates. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect the reported fair value of investments.

The discount rates used in the valuation exercise represent the Investment Manager's and the Board's assessment of the rate of return in the market for assets with similar characteristics and risk profile. The discount rates are reviewed quarterly and updated, where appropriate, to reflect changes in the market and in the project risk characteristics.

Unless fixed under PPAs or otherwise hedged, the power prices used in the valuations are based on market forward prices in the near term, followed by an equal blend of up to three independent and widely used market consultants' technology-specific capture price forecasts for each asset. Power prices are updated quarterly in line with the release of updated forecasts. There is an inherent uncertainty in future wholesale electricity price projection.

Electricity output is based on specifically commissioned yield assessments prepared by technical advisors. Each asset's valuation assumes a "P50" level of electricity output, which is the estimated annual amount of electricity generation that has a 50% probability of being exceeded - both in any single year and over the long term - and a 50% probability of being underachieved. The P50 provides an expected level of generation over the long term.

Short to medium term inflation assumptions used in the valuations are based on third party forecasts. In the longer term, an assumption is made that inflation will increase at a long-term rate.

The estimates and assumptions that are used in the calculation of the fair value of investments is disclosed in Note 9. Further considerations on currency risks, interest rate risks, power price risks, credit risks, and liquidity risks are detailed in Note 16.

Key judgement: Equity and debt investment in ORIT Holdings II Limited

The Company classifies its investments based on its business model for managing those financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The portfolio of assets is managed, and performance is evaluated on a fair value basis.

The Company is primarily focused on fair value information and uses that information to assess the assets' performance and to make decisions. The Company has not taken the option to irrevocably designate any equity securities as fair value through other comprehensive income. The contractual cash flows of the

Company's debt securities are solely principal and interest, however, these securities are not held for the purpose of collecting contractual cash flows. The collection of contractual cash flows is only incidental to achieving the Company's business model's objective. Consequently, all investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The evaluation of the performance of the Company's investments is done for the entire portfolio on a fair value basis, as is the reporting to the key management personnel and to the investors. In this case, all equity, derivatives and debt investments form part of the same portfolio for which the performance is evaluated on a fair value basis together and reported to the key management personnel in its entirety.

Key judgement: Basis of non-consolidation

The Company has adopted the amendments to IFRS 10 which states that investment entities should measure all of their subsidiaries that are themselves investment entities at fair value (in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement).

Under the definition of an investment entity, the Company should satisfy all three of the following tests:

i.  the Company obtains funds from one or more investors for the purpose of providing those investors with investment management services;

ii.  the Company commits to its investors that its business purpose is to invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation, investment income, or both; and

iii.  Company measures and evaluates the performance of substantially all of its investments on a fair value basis.

In assessing whether the Company meet the definition of an investment entity set out in IFRS 10 the Directors note that:

i.  the Company has multiple investors and obtains funds from a diverse group of shareholders who would otherwise not have access individually to investing in renewable energy infrastructure investments due to high barriers to entry and capital requirements;

ii.  the Company intends to hold its investments for the remainder of their useful lives for the purpose of capital appreciation and investment income. The portfolio of assets are expected to generate renewable energy output for 30 to 40 years from their relevant commercial operation date and the Directors believe the Company is able to generate returns to the investors during that period; and

iii.  the Company measures and evaluates the performance of all of its investments on a fair value basis which is the most relevant for investors in the Company. Management use fair value information as a primary measurement to evaluate the performance of all of the investments and in decision making.

The Directors are of the opinion that the Company meets all the typical characteristics of an investment entity and therefore meets the definition set out in IFRS 10. The Directors are satisfied that investment entity accounting treatment appropriately reflects the Company's activities as an investment trust.

The Directors have also satisfied themselves that the Company's wholly owned direct subsidiary, ORIT Holdings II Limited, meets the characteristics of an investment entity. ORIT Holdings II Limited has one investor, ORIT plc, however, in substance ORIT Holdings II Limited is investing the funds of the investors of ORIT plc on its behalf and is effectively performing investment management services on behalf of many unrelated beneficiary investors.

Being investment entities, ORIT and its wholly owned direct subsidiary, ORIT Holdings II Limited are measured at fair value as opposed to being consolidated on a line-by-line basis, meaning their cash, debt and working capital balances are included in the fair value of investments rather than the Group's current assets.

The Directors believe the treatment outlined above provides the most relevant information to investors.

New standards, interpretations and amendments

The Interest Rate Benchmark Reform (Phase II) - Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 were effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021, and provide a number of reliefs, all which apply to all hedging relationships that are directly affected by interest rate benchmark reform. These amendments have had no impact on the financial statements of the Company.

A number of new standards, amendments to standards are effective for the annual periods beginning after 1 January 2022. None of these are expected to have a significant effect on the measurement of the amounts recognised in the financial statements of the Company. The Company intends to adopt the standards and interpretations in the reporting period when they become effective and the Board does not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods will materially impact the Company's financial results in the period of initial application although there may be revised presentations to the financial statements and additional disclosures.

New standards and amendments issued but not yet effective

The relevant new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Company's financial statements are disclosed below. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to paragraphs 69 to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirements for classifying liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.

Reference to the Conceptual Framework - Amendments to IFRS 3

In May 2020, the IASB issued Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations - Reference to the Conceptual Framework. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022.

Definition of Accounting Estimates - Amendments to IAS 8

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 8, in which it introduces a definition of 'accounting estimates'. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.

Disclosure of Accounting Policies - Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements. The amendments to IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.

3. Significant accounting policies

a) Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Company's Statement of Financial Position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the instrument expire or the asset is transferred, and the transfer qualifies for derecognition in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

Financial assets

As an investment entity, the Company is required to measure its investments its wholly owned direct subsidiaries at FVTPL. The Company's policy is to fair value both the equity and debt investment in its subsidiary together. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company measures its investments on a combined basis at fair value in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.

Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that are non-derivative financial assets and that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as financial assets at amortised cost. These assets are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less allowance for expected credit losses. The Company has assessed IFRS 9's expected credit loss model and does not consider any material impact on these financial statements.

They are included in current assets, except where maturities are greater than 12 months after the year end date in which case they are classified as non-current assets.

Regular purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date - the date on which the Company commits to purchase or sell the investment. Financial assets at FVTPL are initially recognised at fair value. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred within the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Subsequent to initial recognition, all financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value.

Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the 'financial assets at FVTPL' category are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within investment income in the period in which they arise.

Income from financial assets at FVTPL is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within investment income when the Company's right to receive payments is established.

Financial liabilities and equity

Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.

The Company's financial liabilities include trade and other payables and other short-term monetary liabilities which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective interest rate method.

The Company derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Company's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Direct issue costs are charged against the value of ordinary share premium.

b) Taxation

Investment trusts which have approval under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are not liable for taxation on capital gains. The Company has successfully applied and has been granted approval as an Investment Trust by HMRC.

Irrecoverable withholding tax is recognised on any overseas income on an accrual basis using the applicable rate of taxation for the country of origin.

The underlying intermediate holding companies and project companies in which the Company invests provide for and pay taxation at the appropriate rates in the countries in which they operate. This is taken into account when assessing the value of the subsidiaries.

c) Segmental reporting

The Board is of the opinion that the Company is engaged in a single segment of business, being investment in renewable energy infrastructure assets to generate investment returns whilst preserving capital. The financial information used by the Board to manage the Company presents the business as a single segment.

d) Investment income

Investment income comprises interest income and dividend income received from the Company's subsidiaries. Interest income is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when the Company's entitlement to receive payment is established.

e) Expenses

All expenses are accounted for on an accrual basis. In respect of the analysis between revenue and capital items presented within the Statement of Comprehensive Income, all expenses are presented as revenue items except as follows:

Investment Management fees

As per the Company's investment objective, it is expected that income returns will make up the majority of ORIT's long‑term return. Therefore, based on the estimated split of future returns (which cannot be guaranteed), 25% of the investment management fee is charged as a capital item within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Abort costs

Costs incurred on aborted transactions are charged as capital items within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

f) Foreign currency

Functional currency and presentation currency

The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling which is the Company's functional and presentation currency. The Board of Directors considers Sterling the currency that most faithfully represents the economic effect of the underlying transactions, events and conditions. Sterling is the currency in which the Company measures its performance and reports its results, as well as the currency in which it receives subscriptions from its investors.

Transactions and balances

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Sterling at actual exchange rates as at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the year end are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at the year end. Any gain or loss arising from a change in exchange rates subsequent to the date of the transaction is included as an exchange gain or loss to capital or revenue in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as appropriate. Foreign exchange movements on investments are included in the Capital account of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

g) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents includes deposits held with banks and other short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or less. It is a highly liquid investment and readily convertible to a known amount of cash, and carries an insignificant risk of changes in value.

h) Dividends payable

Final dividends payable to equity Shareholders are recognised in the financial statements when they have been approved by Shareholders and become a liability of the Company. Interim dividends payable are recognised in the period in which they are paid.

4. Investment income

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Dividend income from investments

19,169

-

19,169

7,800

-

7,800

Interest income from investments

12,660

-

12,660

7,680

-

7,680

Total investment income

31,829

-

31,829

15,480

-

15,480

5. Operating expenses

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Investment management fees

3,108

1,036

4,144

2,585

862

3,447

Directors' fees

141

-

141

161

-

161

Company's auditor fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

- in respect of audit services

86

-

86

33

-

33

- in respect of audit-related assurance services

-

-

-

21

-

21

Other operating expenses

624

584

1,208

505

321

826

Total operating expenses

3,959

1,620

5,579

3,305

1,183

4,488

Further details on the AIFM's agreement have been provided in Note 17.

In addition to the fees disclosed above, £88,000 (2020: £75,000) is payable to the Company's auditors in respect of audit services provided to unconsolidated subsidiaries and therefore is not included within the Company's expenses above.

The Company has no employees. Full detail on Directors' fees is provided in Note 17. The Directors' fees exclude employer's national insurance contributions which is are included as appropriate in other operating expenses. There were no other emoluments.

6. Taxation

(a) Analysis of charge/(credit) in the year/period

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Corporation tax

312

(312)

-

218

(218)

-

Tax charge/(credit) for the year/period

312

(312)

-

218

(218)

-

(b) Factors affecting total tax charge/(credit) for the year/period:

The effective UK corporation tax rate applicable to the Company for the year is 19% (for the period from incorporation on 11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020: 19%). The tax charge/(credit) differs from the charge/ (credit) resulting from applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax for an investment trust company. The differences are explained below:

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Profit/(loss) before taxation

27,875

6,914

34,789

12,661

(4,314)

8,347

Corporation tax at 19%

5,296

1,314

6,610

2,406

(820)

1,586

Effects of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

-

(1,626)

(1,626)

5

602

607

Income not taxable

(3,642)

-

(3,642)

(1,482)

-

(1,482)

Dividends designated as interest distributions

(1,342)

-

(1,342)

(682)

-

(682)

Group relief not paid for

-

-

-

(29)

-

(29)

Total tax charge/(credit) for the year/period

312

(312)

-

218

(218)

-

The Directors are of the opinion that the Company has complied with the requirements for maintaining investment trust status for the purposes of section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. This allows certain capital profits of the Company to be exempt from UK tax. Additionally, the Company may designate dividends wholly or partly as interest distributions for UK tax purposes. Interest distributions are treated as tax deductions against taxable income of the Company so that investors do not suffer double taxation on their returns.

The financial statements do not directly include the tax charges for any of the Company's intermediate holding companies or subsidiaries as these are held at fair value. Each of these companies are subject to taxes in the countries in which they operate.

The Company has an unrecognised deferred tax asset of £882 (2020: £nil) based on the excess unutilised operating expenses of £3,528 (2020: £nil) at the prospective UK corporation tax rate of 25%. The March 2021 Budget announced an increase to the main rate of corporation tax to 25% from 1st April 2023. A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in respect of these operating expenses and will be recoverable only to the extent that the Company has sufficient future taxable revenue.

7. Dividends

The dividends reflected in the financial statements for the year are as follows:

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2021

 

Pence per

Ordinary

Share

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Pence per

Ordinary

Share

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Q4 2020 Dividend - paid 5 March 2021

1.06

3,710

3,710

-

-

-

Q1 2021 Dividend - paid 7 June 2021

1.25

4,375

4,375

-

-

-

Q2 2021 Dividend - paid 27 August 2021 (2020: 21 August 2020)

1.25

6,187

6,187

1.06

3,710

3,710

Q3 2021 Dividend - paid 26 November 2021 (2020: 27 November 2020)

1.25

6,187

6,187

1.06

3,710

3,710

Total

4.81

20,459

20,459

2.12

7,420

7,420

The dividend relating to the year/period, which is the basis on which the requirements of Section 1159 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are considered is detailed below:

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2021

 

Pence per

Ordinary

Share

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Pence per

Ordinary

Share

Revenue

reserve

£'000

Total

£'000

Q1 2021 Dividend - paid 7 June 2021

1.25

4,375

4,375

-

-

-

Q2 2021 Dividend - paid 27 August 2021 (2020: 21 August 2020)

1.25

6,187

6,187

1.06

3,710

3,710

Q3 2021 Dividend - paid 26 November 2021 (2020: 27 November 2020)

1.25

6,187

6,187

1.06

3,710

3,710

Q4 2021 Dividend - paid 4 March 2022 (2021: 5 March 2021)

1.25

7,062

7,062

1.06

3,710

3,710

Total

5.00

23,811

23,811

3.18

11,130

11,130

On 7 February 2022 the Company declared an interim dividend of 1.25p per Ordinary Share in respect of the three months to 31 December 2021, a total of £7.1 million. The ex-dividend date was 17 February 2022, the record date was 18 February 2022, and the dividend was paid on 4 March 2022.

8. Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary Share

Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary Share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the year/period as follows:

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

 

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

Profit/(loss) attributable to the equity holders of the Company (£'000)

28,187

6,602

34,789

12,443

(4,096)

8,347

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue ('000)

424,089

424,089

424,089

303,125

303,125

303,125

Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share (pence) - basic and diluted

6.65p

1.55p

8.20p

4.10p

(1.35p)

2.75p

There is no difference between the weighted average Ordinary or diluted number of Shares.

9. Investments at fair value through profit or loss

As set out in Note 2, the Company accounts for its interest in its wholly owned direct subsidiary as an investment at fair value through profit or loss.

a) Summary of valuation

 

Year ended

31 December

2021

£'000

For the period from

incorporation on

11 October 2019 to

31 December 2020

£'000

Opening balance

258,680

-

Portfolio of assets acquired

207,487

254,891

Additional investment in intermediate holding companies

5,029

4,821

Distributions received from investments

(26,169)

(13,341)

Investment income

31,829

15,480

Movement in fair value of investments

8,561

(3,171)

Total investments at the end of the year/period

485,417

258,680

The portfolio of assets acquired in the year are detailed within the Investment Manager's Report.

The additional investment in the intermediate holding companies include acquisition costs associated with the purchase of the portfolio of assets totalling £2.2 million (2020: £2.3 million), which have been expensed to the profit and loss account in these companies; commitment fees of £1.1 million (2020: £nil) associated with the RCF in ORIT Holdings II Limited, which has been expensed under finance costs in its profit and loss account; transaction costs associated with the RCF of £0.1 million (2020: £2.5 million) which are capitalised in ORIT Holdings II Limited and amortised over the term of the loan; and an additional investment of £1.6 million (2020: £nil) following the completion of asset life extensions on the UK Solar portfolio.

Of the total distributions received from investments, £7.9 million (2020: £6.0 million) relates to income originated from the Company's UK investments and £18.3 million (2020: £1.8 million) relates to income originated from its European investments.

b) Reconciliation of movement in fair value of the Company's investments

The table below shows the movement in the fair value of the Company's investments. These assets are held through intermediate holding companies.

 

Year ended

31 December

2021

£'000

For the period from

incorporation on

11 October 2019 to

31 December 2020

£'000

Opening balance

258,680

Portfolio of assets acquired

209,965

254,891

Distributions received

(26,668)

(13,614)

Movement in fair value

41,554

14,324

Fair value of portfolio of assets at the end of the year/period

483,531

255,601

Cash held in intermediate holding companies

1,293

1,112

Fair value of other net assets in intermediate holding companies

593

1,967

Fair value of Company's investments at the end of the year/period

485,417

258,680

c) Investment gains/(losses) in the year/period

 

Year ended

31 December

2021

£'000

For the period from

incorporation on

11 October 2019 to

31 December 2020

£'000

Movement in fair value of investments

8,561

(3,171)

Gains/(losses) on investments

8,561

(3,171)

Fair value of portfolio of assets

The Investment Manager has carried out fair market valuations of the investments as at 31 December 2021.

The Directors have satisfied themselves as to the methodology used, the discount rates applied and the valuation. All investments are in Renewable Energy Assets and are valued using a discounted cash flow methodology. The Company's holding of an investment represents its interest in both the equity and debt instruments of the investment. The equity and debt instruments are valued as a whole using a blended discount rate and the value attributed to the equity instruments represents the fair value of future dividends and equity redemptions in addition to any value enhancements arising from the timing of loan principal and interest receipts from the debt instruments, while the value attributed to the debt instruments represents the principal outstanding and interest due on the loan at the valuation date. The weighted average costs of capital applied to the portfolio of assets ranges from 3.6% to 8.61%.

The following assumptions were used in the discounted cash flow valuations:

 

As at 31 December 2021

As at 31 December 2020

UK - long-term inflation rate

3.00% to April 2030; 2.25% thereafter

2.75%

UK - corporation tax rate

19.00% to April 2023; 25.00%
 for next three years; and then
reducing by 1.00% annually
until 19.00%

19.00%

Sweden - long-term inflation rate

2.00%

2.00%

Sweden - corporation tax rate

20.60%

20.00%

France - long-term inflation rate

2.00%

2.00%

France - corporation tax rate

25.00%

25.00%

Poland - long-term inflation rate

2.50%

N/a

Poland - corporation tax rate

19.00%

N/a

Finland - long-term inflation rate

2.00%

N/a

Finland - corporation tax rate

20.00%

N/a

Euro/sterling exchange rate

1.1907

1.1118

Zloty/sterling exchange rate

5.4702

N/a

Energy yield assumptions

P50 case

P50 case

As at 31 December 2021, the fair value of the Saunamaa and Suolakangas wind farms in Finland is equal to cost given the close proximity of this acquisition to the year end.

The fair value of the investments in development assets held through joint venture arrangements by ORIT JV Holdings Limited and ORIT JV Holdings 2 Limited is also deemed to be equal to cost due to the nature of these investments.

Other key assumptions include:

Power Price Forecasts

The power price forecasts used in the valuations are based on market forward prices in the near-term, followed by an equal blend of up to three independent and widely used market expert consultants' relevant technology-specific capture price forecasts for each asset.

Asset Lives

The length of the period of operations assumed in the valuation is determined on an asset-by-asset basis taking into account the lease agreements, permits or planning permissions in place as well as any extension rights, renewal regimes or wider policy considerations, together with the technical characteristics of the asset.

Fair value of intermediate holding companies

The other net assets in the intermediate holding companies substantially comprise working capital balances, therefore the Directors consider the fair value to be equal to the book values.

The sensitivity to unobservable inputs is based on management's expectation of reasonable possible shifts in these inputs. The valuation sensitivity of each assumption is shown in Note 15.

Please see details of the valuation process outlined in the Annual Report.

10. Trade and other receivables

 

As at 31 December 2021
£'000

As at 31 December 2020
£'000

Accrued interest receivable

1

1

Other receivables

449

126

Total

450

127

11. Trade and other payables

 

As at 31 December 2021
£'000

As at 31 December 2020
£'000

Accrued expenses

2,124

2,065

Total

2,124

2,065

12. Share capital

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

For the period from incorporation on
11 October 2019 to 31 December 2020

Allotted, issued and fully paid:

Number of
shares

Share
capital

(£)

Share
Premium
(£)

Number of
shares

Share
capital

(£)

Share
Premium

(£)

Opening balance

350,000,000

3,500,000

-

-

-

-

Allotted upon incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares of 1p each ('Ordinary Shares')

-

-

-

1

-

-

Management Shares paid up to one quarter of their nominal value ('Management Shares')

-

-

-

50,000

12,500

-

Allotted/redeemed following admission to LSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares issued

-

-

-

349,999,999

3,500,000

346,499,999

Management Shares redeemed

-

-

-

(50,000)

(12,500)

-

Share issue raised pursuant to the Placing, Open Offer, Offer for Subscription and Intermediaries Offer

144,927,536

1,449,275

148,550,725

-

-

-

Share issue raised pursuant to the Placing and the REX Retail Offer

70,000,000

700,000

73,212,584

-

-

-

Share issue costs

-

-

(4,480,000)

-

-

(7,000,000)

Transfer to special reserve

-

-

-

-

-

(339,499,999)

Closing balance

564,927,536

5,649,275

217,283,309

350,000,000

3,500,000

-

On 9 July 2021 the Company issued 144,927,536 shares at an issue price 103.5 pence, raising gross proceeds of approximately £150 million pursuant to the Placing, Open Offer, Offer for Subscription and Intermediaries Offer.

On 7 December 2021 the Company issued 70,000,000 shares at an issue price 105.5 pence, raising gross proceeds of approximately £73.9 million pursuant to the Placing and REX Retail Offer.

13. Special reserve

As indicated in the Company's prospectus dated 19 November 2019, following admission of the Company's Ordinary Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange, the Directors applied to the Court and obtained a judgement on 18 February 2020 to cancel the amount standing to the credit of the share premium account of the Company.

As stated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ("ICAEW") and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland ("ICAS") in the technical release TECH 02/17BL, The Companies (Reduction of Share Capital) Order 2008 SI 2008/1915 ("the Order") specifies the cases in which a reserve arising from a reduction in a company's capital (i.e., share capital, share premium account, capital redemption reserve or redenomination reserve) is to be treated as a realised profit as a matter of law. The Order also disapplies the general prohibition in section 654 on the distribution of a reserve arising from a reduction of capital. The Order provides that if a limited company having a share capital reduces its capital and the reduction is confirmed by order of court, the reserve arising from the reduction is treated as a realised profit unless the court orders otherwise.

The amount of the share premium account cancelled and credited to the Company's Special reserve is £339,500,000, which can be utilised to fund distributions by way of dividends to the Company's shareholders.

14. Net asset per Ordinary Share (pence)

 

As at 31 December 2021

As at 31 December 2020

Total shareholders' equity (£'000)

577,689

343,927

Number of Ordinary Shares in issue ('000)

564,928

350,000

Net asset value per Ordinary Share (pence)

102.26p

98.26p

15. Financial instruments by category

The table below sets out the classifications of the carrying amounts of the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities into categories of financial instruments. There are no non recurring fair value measurements.

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

Financial
assets at amortised
cost
£'000

Financial
assets at
fair value
through
profit or loss
£'000

Financial
liabilities at amortised
cost
£'000

Total
£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Equity Investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

64,214

-

64,214

Loan investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

421,203

-

421,203

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

450

-

-

450

Cash and Cash Equivalents

93,946

-

-

93,946

Total assets

94,396

485,417

-

579,813

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

-

-

(2,124)

(2,124)

Total liabilities

-

-

(2,124)

(2,124)

Net assets

94,396

485,417

(2,124)

577,689

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

Financial

assets at

amortised

cost

£'000

Financial

assets at

fair value

through

profit or loss

£'000

Financial

liabilities at

amortised

cost

£'000

Total

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Equity Investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

55,653

-

55,653

Loan investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

203,027

-

203,027

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

127

-

-

127

Cash and Cash Equivalents

87,185

-

-

87,185

Total assets

87,312

258,680

-

345,992

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

-

-

(2,065)

(2,065)

Total liabilities

-

-

(2,065)

(2,065)

Net assets

87,312

258,680

(2,065)

343,927

In the table above, the fair value of the financial instruments that are measured at amortised cost do not materially differ from their carrying values.

The presentation of the tables above have been amended to better reflect the requirements of IFRS 7.

IFRS 13 requires the Company to classify its investments in a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. IFRS 13 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritises the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of fair value hierarchy under IFRS 13 are as follows:

Level 1: fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 : fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices)

Level 3:   fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs to the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs)

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

Level 1

£'000

Level 2

£'000

Level 3

£'000

Total

£'000

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

-

485,417

485,417

Total financial assets

-

-

485,417

485,417

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

Level 1

£'000

Level 2

£'000

Level 3

£'000

Total

£'000

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value

 

 

 

 

through profit or loss

-

-

258,680

258,680

Total financial assets

-

-

258,680

258,680

There were no Level 1 or Level 2 assets or liabilities during the year. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2, Level 1 and 3 or Level 2 and 3 during the year.

Included within investments at fair value through profit or loss is an amount of £1.7 million (2020: £1.8 million) relating to a derivative option (associated with a conditional acquisition) recognised in an intermediate holding company.

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurement of financial assets and liabilities

An analysis of the movement between opening to closing balances of the investments at fair value through profit or loss (all classified as Level 3) is given in Note 9.

The fair value of the investments at fair value through profit or loss includes the use of Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 9 for details on the valuation methodology.

Valuation Sensitivities

Discount rate

The discount rate is considered the most significant unobservable input through which an increase or decrease would have a material impact on the fair value of the investments at fair value through profit or loss.

An increase of 0.5% in the discount rate would cause a decrease in total portfolio value of 6.9p per Ordinary Share and a decrease of 0.5% in the discount rate would cause an increase in total portfolio value of 7.4p per Ordinary Share.

Inflation rate

The sensitivity of the investments to movement in inflation rates is as follows:

A decrease of 0.5% in inflation rates would cause a decrease in total portfolio value of 6.2p per Ordinary Share and an increase of 0.5% in inflation rates would cause an increase in total portfolio value of 6.8p per Ordinary Share.

Power price

Wind and solar assets are subject to movements in power prices. The sensitivities of the investments to movement in power prices are as follows:

A decrease of 10% in power price would cause a decrease in the total portfolio value of 10.1p per Ordinary Share and an increase of 10% in power price would cause an increase in the total portfolio value of 10.1p per Ordinary Share.

Generation

Wind and solar assets are subject to power generation risks. The sensitivities of the investments to movement in level of power output are as follows:

The fair value of the investments is based on a "P50" level of power output being the expected level of generation over the long-term. An assumed "P90" level of power output (i.e. a level of generation that is below the "P50", with a 90% probability of being exceeded) would cause a decrease in the total portfolio value of 16.8p per Ordinary Share and an assumed "P10" level of power output (i.e. a level of generation that is above the "P50", with a 10% probability of being achieved) would cause an increase in the total portfolio value of 15.9p per Ordinary Share.

Foreign exchange

The sensitivity of the investments to movement in FX rates is as follows:

A decrease of 10% in FX rates would cause a decrease in total portfolio value of 2.1p per Ordinary Share and an increase of 10% in inflation rates would cause an increase in total portfolio value of 2.1p per Ordinary Share.

Of the portfolio as at 31 December 2021, 46% of the NAV is denominated in non-sterling currencies.

UK Corporation tax

Per the enactment of the Finance Act 2021, the rate of UK corporation tax is set to increase from 19% to 25% with effect from April 2023. The calculation of the audited NAV as at 31 December 2021 is based on an assumption that this increased rate remains in place for three years, before trending down by 1% per year until reduced to the current level of 19% long-term, resulting in a negative value impact of £0.6 million. A flat UK corporation tax rate of 25% from April 2023 for the lifetime of the portfolio would reduce NAV by approximately £4.6 million or 0.8 pence per ordinary share.

16. Financial risk management

The Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks; including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, power price risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for overseeing the management of financial risks, however the review and management of financial risks are delegated to the AIFM. Each risk and its management are summarised below.

(i) Currency risk

Foreign currency risk is defined as the risk that the fair values of future cashflows will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company seeks to minimise the volatility of cash flows in non-GBP currencies over the short to medium-term through its foreign exchange hedging policy; which requires a minimum of 50% of all forecasted distributions denominated in foreign currencies to be hedged over 5 years in order to give the Company some certainty over the future cashflows and reduce its exposure to foreign exchange risk. The Company also has the ability to hedge a portion of value thereafter so as to limit volatility of the Company's NAV to foreign exchange risk. All derivatives and FX hedges are held within the intermediate holding companies.

The portfolio of assets in which the Company invests all conduct their business and pay interest, dividends and principal in sterling, with the exception of the euro-denominated investments which at 31 December 2021 comprised 53% (2020: 44%) of the portfolio by value on an invested basis and 54% (2020: 54%) of the portfolio by value on a committed basis; and zloty-denominated investments which at 31 December 2021 comprised 11% (2020: 0%) of the portfolio by value on an invested basis and 9% (2020: 0%) of the portfolio by value on a committed basis. The valuation sensitivity to FX rates is shown in Note 15.

(ii) Interest rate risk

The Company's interest rate risk on interest bearing financial assets is limited to interest earned on cash and loan investments into project companies, which yield interest at a fixed rate. The portfolio's cashflows are continually monitored and reforecast, both over the near future and the long-term, to analyse the cash flow returns from investments.

The Group may use borrowings to finance the acquisition of investments and the forecasts are used to monitor the impact of changes in borrowing rates against cash flow returns from investments as increases in borrowing rates will reduce net interest margins. The Group's policy is to ensure that interest rates are sufficiently hedged to protect the Group's net interest margins from significant fluctuations when entering into borrowings. This includes engaging in interest rate swaps or other interest rate derivative contracts.

The Company's interest and non-interest bearing assets and liabilities are summarised below:

Assets

As at 31 December 2021

Interest
bearing
£'000

Non-interest

bearing

£'000

Total

£'000

Cash and Cash Equivalents

64,963

28,983

93,946

Trade and other receivables

-

450

450

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

421,203

64,214

485,417

Total assets

486,166

93,647

579,813

Liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

-

(2,124)

(2,124)

Total liabilities

-

(2,124)

(2,124)

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

Assets

Interest
bearing
£'000

Non-interest

bearing

£'000

Total

£'000

Cash and Cash Equivalents

78,268

8,917

87,185

Trade and other receivables

-

127

127

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

203,026

55,654

258,680

Total assets

281,294

64,698

345,992

Liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

-

(2,065)

(2,065)

Total liabilities

-

(2,065)

(2,065)

(iii) Power Price risk

The wholesale market price of electricity and gas is volatile and is affected by a variety of factors, including market demand for electricity and gas, the generation mix of power plants, government support for various forms of power generation, as well as fluctuations in the market prices of commodities and foreign exchange. Whilst some of the Company's renewable energy projects benefit from fixed prices, others have revenue which is in part based on wholesale electricity and gas prices. The Investment Manager continually monitors energy price forecast and aims to put in place mitigating strategies, such as hedging arrangements or fixed PPA contracts to reduce the exposure of the Company to this risk.

Further information on the impact of power prices over the year is provided in the Portfolio Valuation section of the Investment Manager's report.

(iv) Credit risks

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty of the Group will be unable or unwilling to meet a commitment that it has entered into with the Group. The credit standing of subcontractors is reviewed, and the risk of default estimated for each significant counterparty position. Monitoring is on-going, and year end positions are reported to the Board on a quarterly basis. The Company's largest credit risk exposure to a project at 31 December 2021 was to Nordex SE who are supplying wind turbines on the Cumberhead project representing 6% of the total portfolio by value (2020: OX2 Construction AB on the Ljungbyholm project: 16%).

The Company's investments enter into Power Price Agreements ("PPA") with a range of providers through which electricity is sold. The largest PPA provider to the portfolio at 31 December 2021 was NPower who provided PPAs to projects in respect of 18% of the portfolio by value (2020: EDF 21%).

Credit risk also arises from Cash and Cash Equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions. The Company and its subsidiaries mitigate their risk on cash investments and derivative transactions by only transacting with major international financial institutions with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies.

The Company has assessed IFRS 9's expected credit loss model and does not consider any material impact on these financial statements. No balances are past due or impaired.

The Company's commitment in respect of its conditional acquisition is accounted for as a derivative option in an intermediate holding company.

(v) Liquidity risks

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group may not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The AIFM and the Board continuously monitor forecast and actual cashflows from operating, financing, and investing activities to consider payment of dividends, repayment of trade and other payables or funding further investing activities. The Group ensures it maintains adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

The Group's investments are generally in private companies, in which there is no listed market and therefore such investment would take time to realise, and there is no assurance that the valuations placed on the investments would be achieved from any such sale process.

Financial assets and liabilities by maturity at the year/period end are shown below:

 

31 December 2021

Less than

1 year

£'000

1-5 years

£'000

More than

5 years

£'000

Total

£'000

Assets

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

-

485,417

485,417

Trade and other receivables

450

-

-

450

Cash and Cash Equivalents

93,946

-

-

93,946

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

(2,124)

-

-

(2,124)

 

92,272

-

485,417

577,689

 

 

31 December 2020

 

Less than

1 year

£'000

1-5 years

£'000

More than

5 years

£'000

Total

£'000

Assets

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

-

-

258,680

258,680

Trade and other receivables

127

-

-

127

Cash and Cash Equivalents

87,185

-

-

87,185

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

(2,065)

-

-

(2,065)

 

85,247

-

258,680

343,927

Capital management

The Company's capital management objective is to ensure that the Company will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to equity Shareholders. The Company's investment objective is to provide investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of Renewable Energy Assets in the UK, Europe and Australia.

The Company considers its capital to comprise ordinary share capital, special reserve and retained earnings. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. The Company's total share capital and reserves shown in the Statement of Financial Position are £577,689,000 (2020: £ 343,927,000).

The Company has implemented an efficient financing structure that enables it to manage its capital effectively. The Company's capital structure comprises equity only (refer to the statement of changes in equity).

The Company's direct subsidiary, ORIT Holdings II Limited, has a £150 million revolving credit facility with Banco de Sabadell, Intesa Sanpaolo, National Australia Bank, NatWest and Santander. The facility was £nil drawn at 31 December 2021 (2020: £nil).

The Board, with the assistance of the Investment Manager, monitors and reviews the Company's capital on an ongoing basis. Key points to note are:

· Share capital represents the 1p nominal value of the issued share capital.

· The share premium account arose from the net proceeds of issuing new shares.

· The capital reserve reflects any increases and decreases in the fair value of investments which have been recognised in the capital column of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

17. Related party transactions

During the year, interest totalling £12,660,000 (2020: £ 7,680,000) was earned, in respect of the long-term interest-bearing loan between the Company and its subsidiaries. At the year end, no interest earned was outstanding.

AIFM and Investment Manager

The Company has appointed Octopus AIF Management Limited to be the Alternative Investment Fund Manager of the Company (the "AIFM") for the purposes of Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Alternative Investment Fund Managers. Accordingly, the AIFM is responsible for the portfolio management of the Company and for exercising the risk management function in respect of the Company. The AIFM has delegated portfolio management services to Octopus Renewables Limited, the Company's Investment Manager.

The AIFM is entitled to a management fee of 0.95% per annum of Net Asset Value of the Company up to £500 million and 0.85% per annum of Net Asset Value in excess of £500 million, payable quarterly in arrears. No performance fee or asset level fees are payable to the AIFM under the Management Agreement.

During the year, the Investment management fee charged to the Company by the AIFM was £4,144,000 (2020: 3 447,000), of which £1,364,000 (2020: £1,638,000) remained payable at the year end date.

Directors

The Company is governed by a Board of Directors (the "Board"), all of whom are independent and non-executive. During the year, the Board received fees for their services of £141,000 (2020: £160,900) and were paid £2,700 (2020: £3,000) in expenses. As at the year end, there were no outstanding fees payable to the Board.

Each of the Directors, save for Elaina Elzinga (who is a U.S. Person), has agreed that any fees payable to them shall, save where the Company and the Directors agree otherwise, be satisfied in Ordinary Shares transferred at market value. Any Ordinary Shares transferred to the Directors pursuant to these arrangements shall be subject to the terms of the Lock-in Deed, which prohibits them to sell, grant options over or otherwise dispose of any interest in any Ordinary Shares transferred to them in satisfaction of their entitlement to directors' fees (save in certain circumstances, including:

(i)  in acceptance of a general offer made for the entire issued share capital of the Company; or

(ii)  pursuant to an intervening court order; or

(iii)  following termination of their appointment as a non-executive Director of the Company) prior to the date which is 12 months after the date of transfer of the relevant Ordinary Shares.

The Directors had the following shareholdings in the Company, all of which were beneficially owned.

 

Ordinary Shares

as at date of this report

Ordinary Shares

as at 31 December 2021

Ordinary Shares

as at 31 December 2020

Philip Austin MBE

108,867

108,867*

43,229

James Cameron

65,306

65,306

26,301

Elaina Elzinga

-

-

-

Audrey McNair

51,383

51,383

26,733

*  with effect from 23 November 2021, Mr. Austin's shares have been held jointly with Mrs. J Austin, a PCA of Mr. Austin

In March 2021, the Directors identified a potential procedural issue in respect of the payment of the First Interim Dividend in 2020. Out of an abundance of caution and in order to ensure that the Company cannot make any claims in respect of the First Interim Dividend against the Directors or those shareholders who received the First Interim Dividend, the Directors concluded that the First Interim Dividend was not made in accordance with applicable law. Accordingly, the Company held a general meeting on 4 June 2021, at which a resolution (the "Resolution") was passed authorising various rectifying actions to put all potentially affected parties, so far as possible, back in the position in which they were always intended to be had the dividend been properly made. These actions included entry by the Company into the shareholders' deed of release and the Directors' deed of release. The entry by the Company into the Directors' Deed of Release constituted a "smaller related party transaction" (as defined in the Listing Rules) as each of the Directors is a beneficiary of the deed.

The total aggregate amount of the First Interim Dividend, which was paid to Shareholders on 21 August 2020, was £3,710,000.

18. Subsidiaries

As a result of applying Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27), no subsidiaries have been consolidated in these financial statements. The Company's subsidiaries are listed below:

Name

Category

Place of business

Registered
Office*

Ownership
interest

ORIT Holdings Limited

Intermediate Holdings

UK

A

100%

ORIT Holdings II Limited

Intermediate Holdings

UK

A

100%

ORIT UK Acquisitions Limited

Intermediate Holdings

UK

A

100%

Abbots Ripton Solar Energy Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Chisbon Solar Farm Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Jura Solar Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Mingay Farm Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

NGE Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Sun Green Energy Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Westerfield Solar Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Wincelle Solar Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

Heather Wind AB

Project company

Sweden

B

100%

Solstice 1A GmbH

Portfolio-level Holdings

Germany

C

100%

SolaireCharleval SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireIstres SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireCuges-Les-Pins SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireChalmoux SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireLaVerdiere SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireBrignoles SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireSaint-Antonin-du-Var SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

Centrale Photovoltaique de IOVI 1 SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

Centrale Photovoltaique de IOVI 3 SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

Arsac 2 SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

Arsac 5 SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireFontienne SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

SolaireOllieres SAS

Project company

France

D

100%

Eylsia SAS

Portfolio-level Holdings

France

E

100%

CEPE Cerisou

Project company

France

F

100%

Cumberhead Wind Energy Limited

Project company

UK

A

100%

ORIT Irish Holdings 2 Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

UK

A

100%

ORIT Irish Holdings Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

UK

A

100%

Copernicus Windpark Sp. Z.o.o

Project company

Poland

G

100%

Forthewind Sp. Z.o.o

Project company

Poland

G

100%

Nordic Power Development Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

UK

A

100%

Saunamaa Wind Farm Oy

Project company

Finland

H

100%

Vöyrinkangas Wind Farm Oy

Project company

Finland

H

100%

ORI JV Holdings Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

UK

A

50%

ORI JV Holdings 2 Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

UK

A

50%

Simply Blue Energy Holdings Limited

Portfolio-level Holdings

Ireland

I

12.5%

South Kilbraur Wind Farm Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Windburn Wind Farm Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Wind 2 Project 2 Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Wind 2 Project 5 Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Wind 2 Project 3 Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Kirkton Wind Farm Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Bwlch Gwyn Wind Farm Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Wind 2 Project 6 Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

Wind 2 Project 4 Limited

Project company

UK

J

25%

*  Registered offices:

A -  6th Floor, 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT, England

B -  Lilla Nygatan 1, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden

C -  Maximilianstraße, 3580539 München, Germany

D -  52 Rue de la Victoire 75009, Paris, France

E -  4 Rue de Marivaux, 75002 Paris, France

F -  Z.I de Courtine, 330 rue du Mourelet, 84000. Avignon, France

G -  Wojska Polskiego 24-26, 75-712 Koszalin,

H -  Teknobulevardi 3-5, 01530 Vantaa, Finland

I -  Woodbine Hill, Kinsalebeg, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland

J -  Wind 2 Office, 2 Walker Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 7LB

ORIT Holdings II Limited is the only direct subsidiary of the Company. All other subsidiaries are held indirectly.

19. Guarantees and other commitments

The Company guarantees the foreign exchange hedges entered into by its intermediate holding companies to enable it to minimise its exposure to changes in underlying foreign exchange rates.

As at 31 December 2021 the Company's subsidiaries had future investment obligations totalling £141.7 million (2020: 89.5 million) relating to its wind farms currently undergoing construction and its conditional acquisitions in Spain and Ireland. The intermediate holding companies have provided guarantees in respect of these commitments.

20. Contingent acquisition

On 30 September 2020 an intermediate holding company, ORIT Holdings Limited, entered into a Share Purchase Agreement ("SPA") for the acquisition of a 100% interest in a portfolio of solar PV assets located in southern Spain. The purchase price, estimated at c. £30 million as at 31 December 2021, will be based on the MW of the portfolio and will only become payable once the assets become ready to build, which is expected to be in January 2023. With the exception of the initial payment, no other assets or liabilities have been recognised in respect of this transaction as at 31 December 2020 as planning approval has not yet been granted and this will determine the MW of the portfolio and acquisition price payable.

If the conditions of the sale are not satisfied, the initial payment of £1.8 million is fully refundable and backed by a Bank Guarantee.

On 26 July 2021 an intermediate holding company, ORIT Holdings Limited, entered into a Share Purchase Agreement ("SPA") for the acquisition of a 100% interest in a portfolio of five solar PV assets in Ireland. Completion of the acquisition is conditional upon four of the sites becoming fully operational, which is expected to occur in H2 2022. Total consideration for the acquisition is expected to be between approximately €138 million and €145 million (approximately £119 million to £125 million) which will, apart from any deferred consideration in respect of the fifth site, be payable on completion. The Company has secured a fully amortising debt facility of up to €88 million (approximately £76 million) from Allied Irish Bank plc and La Banque Postale to part finance the acquisition of the operational sites.

21. Post year end events

On 7 February 2022 the Company declared an interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2021 of 1.25p per Ordinary Share for £7.1 million based on a record date of 18 February 2022 and ex-dividend date of 17 February 2022 and the number of Ordinary Shares in issue being 564,927,536. This dividend was paid on 4 March 2022.

There are no other events after the balance sheet date which are required to be disclosed.

Other Information

Alternative Performance Measures

In reporting financial information, the Company presents alternative performance measures, "APMs", which are not defined or specified under the requirements of IFRS. The Company believes that these APMs, which are not considered to be a substitute for or superior to IFRS measures, provide stakeholders with additional helpful information on the performance of the Company. The Directors assess the Company's performance against a range of criteria which are viewed as particularly relevant for closed-end investment companies. The APMs presented in this report are shown below:

Gross asset value (GAV)

The Company's gross assets comprise the net asset values of the Company's Ordinary Shares and the debt held in unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

As at
31 December 2021

As at
31 December 2020

 

 

 

£million

£million

NAV

a

 

577.7

343.9

Debt

b

 

160.5

97.1

Total GAV

a + b

 

738.2

441.0

Total value of all investments

A measure of committed asset value including total debt and equity commitments

 

 

As at
31 December 2021

As at
31 December 2020

 

 

 

£million

£million

GAV

a

 

738.2

441

Commitment on existing portfolio

b

 

38.2

-

Commitments on conditional acquisitions

c

 

206.6

30.1

Total value of all assets plus commitments

(a+b+c) = d

 

983.0

471.1

Less Company and holding company assets

e

 

(94.2)

(88.3)

Less asset level cash

f

 

(11.2)

(13.2)

Total value of all investments

d-e-f

 

877.6

369.6

Total return since IPO

A measure of performance since IPO that includes both income and capital returns. This takes into account capital gains and reinvestment of dividends paid out by the Company into the Ordinary Shares of the Company on the ex-dividend date.

31 December 2021

 

 

Share price

NAV

Issue price at IPO (10 December 2019) - pence

a

 

100.00

98.00

Closing share price at 31 December 2021 - pence

b

 

110.80

102.26

Benefits of reinvesting dividends

 

 

 

 

- pence31

d

 

0.06

0.62

Dividends paid since IPO - pence

c

 

6.93

6.93

Total return

(b+c+d)÷a)-1

 

17.7%

12.1%

 

31 December 2020

 

 

Share price

NAV

Issue price at IPO (10 December 2019) - pence

a

 

100.00

98.00

Closing share price at 31 December 2020 - pence

b

 

113.80

98.26

Benefits of reinvesting dividends - pence31

d

 

0.02

0.02

Dividends paid since IPO - pence

c

 

2.12

2.12

Total return

(b+c+d)÷a)-1

 

15.9%

2.4%

Total return for the year/period

A measure of performance for the year that includes both income and capital returns. This takes into account capital gains and reinvestment of dividends paid out by the Company into the Ordinary Shares of the Company on the ex-dividend date.

31 December 2021

 

 

Share price

NAV

Opening share price at 1 January 2021 - pence

a

 

113.80

98.26

Closing share price at 31 December 2021 - pence

b

 

110.80

102.26

Benefits of reinvesting dividends - pence31

d

 

0.05

0.37

Dividends in the year/period - pence

c

 

4.81

4.81

Total return (with dividends reinvested)

((b+c+d)÷a)-1

 

1.6%

9.3%

Note: the total return since IPO is equal to the total return for the year/period for the period ending 31 December 2020.

Premium to NAV

The amount, expressed as a percentage, by which the share price is more than the NAV per Ordinary Share.

 

 

 

As at
31 December 2021

As at
31 December 2020

NAV per Ordinary Share - pence

a

 

102.26

98.26

Share price - pence

b

 

110.80

113.80

Premium

(b÷a)-1

 

8.4%

15.8%

Ongoing charges ratio

A measure, expressed as a percentage of average net assets, of the regular, recurring annual costs of running the Company per Ordinary Share. This has been calculated and disclosed in accordance with the AIC methodology

 

 

 

Year ended
31 December 2021

Period ended
31 December 2020

 

 

 

£'000

£'000

Average NAV

a

 

437,480

342,264

Annualised expenses32

b

 

5,022

3,931

Ongoing charges ratio

(b÷a)

 

1.15%

1.15%

Dividend yield

This is the annualised measure of the amount of cash dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the market value per share.

 

 

 

Year ended
31 December 2021

Period ended
31 December 2020

 

 

 

Dividend declared in the year/period - pence

a

 

5.00

3.18

Ordinary share price as at 31 December - pence

b

 

110.80

113.80

Issue Price at IPO - pence

c

 

100.00

100.00

Annualisation factor from IPO

 

 

 

 

to 31 December 202033

d

 

-

0.94

Dividend yield by reference to share price

(a÷bxd)

 

4.5%

2.6%

Dividend yield by reference to Issue Price

(a÷cxd)

 

5.0%

3.0%

n/a = not applicable.

31  Calculated by taking the dividend per share and assuming it is re-invested at the prevailing NAV/share price on the dividend payment date

32  Pro-rated down to 365 days where the accounting period is greater than one year

33  The multiple required to pro-rate the calculation where the period is greater than 365 days

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts.  The financial information for 2021 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2021, which will be delivered to the registrar of companies.  The statutory accounts for 2020 have been delivered to the registrar of companies. The auditors have reported on the 2020 and 2021 accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not include a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2021 was approved on 25 March 2022.  The full Annual Report can be accessed via the Company's website at: https://octopusrenewablesinfrastructure.com/investors/

The Annual Report will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

This announcement contains regulated information under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ("AGM")

The AGM of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc will be held at 6th Floor, 125 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5AS on 17 June 2022 at 10.00 a.m.

Even if shareholders intend to attend the AGM, all shareholders are encouraged to cast their vote by proxy and to appoint the "Chair of the Meeting" as their proxy. Details of how to vote, either electronically, by proxy form or through CREST, can be found in the Notes to the Notice of AGM in the Annual Report.

Shareholders are invited to send any questions for the Board or the Investment Manager in advance by email to oritcosec@PraxisIFM.com by close of business on 15 June 2022.

 

28 March 2022

 

For further information contact:

 

Secretary and registered office:

Sanne Fund Services (UK) Limited

6th Floor, 125 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5AS

Tel: 020 3327 9720

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
FR UBRSRUOUOUAR
UK 100