In an effort to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the Philippines, The AES Corporation (AES) plans to expand its Masinloc power generation facility. The company estimates a capital investment of approximately $800 million, obtained from a combination of non-recourse financing and equity. The company plans to double the size of its 660 megawatt Masinloc I coal-fired power plant.
The company noted that the growing power sector in the Philippines requires new low-cost electric generation capacity. Compounding the need for energy, the national economy in that country will likely grow at an average of over 5% year over year through 2015, with demand for electricity expected to grow 5% for the same period. Recently, the Philippines received an investment commitment worth $2.4 billion from foreign companies, providing a boost to economic growth.
AES, following its acquisition of the Masinloc I facility in the Central Luzon region in 2008, became the largest foreign investor in the country, enabling it to capitalize on the growing potential of a developing economy. The company increased the plant’s capacity to 630 megawatts from 450 megawatts, expanded availability to 74% from 50% and spurred net production by 62% within two years.
In this context, the company is deploying substantial funds for capacity expansion in the Latin American and Asian markets to boost growth and profitability.
The company reported a strong second quarter, largely driven by a combination of better operations at the generation businesses in Asia, increased volumes and prices in Latin America and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. However, lower North American margins and a higher effective tax rate due to the gain of $115 million on the sale of the company’s indirect investment in CEMIG, a Brazilian utility, were partial offsets.
During the second quarter conference call, the company guided full year 2010 earnings to a band of 90 cents to 95 cents per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2010 is 25 cents per share and for fourth-quarter 2010 is 24 cents per share. For full years 2010 and 2011, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are, respectively, 95 cents per share and $1.12 per share.
We maintain our Neutral recommendation on AES Corporation. The quantitative Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating) for the company indicates no clear directional pressure on the shares over the near term.
Based in Arlington, Virginia, The AES Corporation is a global power company having a diverse portfolio of thermal and renewable fuel sources.
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