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Endesa Chile (NYSE: EOC ) Q4 2014 Results Earnings Conference Call January 30, 2015, 9:00 am ET Executives Fernando Gardeweg – Chief Financial Officer Analysts Nicholas Schild – Santander Operator Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the year-end 2014 Endesa Chile SA ADS earnings conference call. My name is Kathy and I will be your operator for today. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode, we will conduct a question-and-answer session towards the end of this conference. [Operator Instructions]. As a reminder, this call is being recorded for replay purposes. During this conference call, we may make statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements could include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Endesa Chile and its management with respect to, among other things, Endesa Chile’s business plans, Endesa Chile’s cost reduction plans, trends affecting Endesa Chile’s financial conditions or results of operations, including market trends in the electricity sector in Chile or elsewhere, supervision and regulation of the electricity sector in Chile or elsewhere and the future effect of any changes in the laws and regulations applicable to Endesa Chile or its affiliates. Such forward-looking statements reflect only our current expectations, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include a decline in the equity capital markets of the United States or Chile, an increase in the market rates of interest in the United States or elsewhere, adverse decisions by government regulators in Chile or elsewhere and other factors described in Endesa Chile’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, including under Risk Factors. You may access our 20-F on the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of that date. Endesa Chile undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to disclose any development as a result of which these forward-looking statements become inaccurate. I would now like to turn the presentation over to Mr. Fernando Gardeweg, CFO of Endesa Chile. Please proceed, sir. Fernando Gardeweg Thank you, Kathy. Good morning everyone and welcome to Endesa Chile’s conference call to review 2014 year-end results. I am Fernando Gardeweg, CFO of the company and joining me today is Mrs. Susana Rey, Endesa Chile Investor Relations Director and our IR team. As always, we will be available to assist you and answer any questions you might have after the call. Slide two. First of all, I would like to highlight the following issues. One, operating revenues increased 21%, mainly due to higher energy sales, as a consequence of higher average sale price of electricity in Chile, Colombia and Peru. Two, hydro generation increased 10% due to better hydrology in Chile, Colombia and Argentina. Three, operating costs increased by 35% due to higher energy purchases and fuel consumption in Chile and Peru, along with higher transportation cost and other services expenses in Colombia and Peru. Four, consolidated EBITDA increased by 12%. Five, net income attributable to Endesa Chile’s shareholders decreased 5%, primarily due to non-recurring accounting effects related to the HidroAysen and Punta Alcalde. Six, consolidated generation declined only 3% despite lower thermal availability mainly explained by the Bocamina II stoppage. Let’s move to slide three. The most important consolidated changes are as follows. Net income attributable to our controlling shareholders decreased by 5% amounting $587 million, primarily due to 21% higher revenues mainly attributable to higher energy sales as a consequence of higher average sales prices of electricity in Chile, Colombia and Peru. 35% higher cost, primarily due to higher energy purchases and fuel consumption costs in Chile as a consequence of the temporary shutdown of Bocamina II. 50% lower net financial expenses mainly as a result of higher financial income in Argentina, explained by the renegotiation of Costanera debt with Mitsubishi, offset by a greater exchange difference expenses in Chile. 94% lower related company results, mainly due to the impairment of HidroAysen and the lower net income from Enel Brasil caused by lower profits from the generation business. 16% increase in taxes mainly due to higher taxable base in Colombia and Peru and higher tax rate in Chile. Lastly, consolidated EBITDA increased 12% for 2014 in comparison to 2013. In slide four, you can see each country’s contribution to our EBITDA. From the total amount of $1,920 million, 45% comes from Colombia, 34% from Chile, 17% from Peru and 4% from Argentina. Our operations in Brazil are accounted for under the equity method and contributed to a total of $109 million. In slide five, regarding our commercial policy. The company sold 16,244 gigawatt hours on the spot market. From this amount, 6% of our energy sales in Chile were sold on the spot market, 30% in Colombia, 6% in Peru and 92% in Argentina. In slide six, let’s look at our strong financial position. We have a healthy debt maturity profile. On the total debt of $3.5 billion, only 18% matures within the next two years and 89% came from Chile and Colombia. Our consolidated debt has an average life of eight years and an average cost of 7.2% when adjusted for maturity and duration. We have $552 million in cash and cash equivalent plus access to an additional $481 million of committed undrawn revolving credit line. Our leverage amounted to one times and interest coverage ratio was 7.7 times. In slide seven, you can see our free cash flow increased by 3% amounting to $643 million, as a consequence of higher EBITDA and lower net financial expenses. I would like to now give a brief summary of our operating performance on a country-by-country basis starting with slide eight. Argentina, regarding the Argentinean energy sector, energy demand in the system increased 1% reaching 126,396 gigawatt hours and price continued to be kept at 120 Argentine pesos per megawatt hour, approximately $14 per megawatt hour, as a consequence of Resolution 240 of 2003. EBITDA from our Argentina operation decreased 18% amounting to $80 million, primarily explained by 46% lower energy sale as a consequence of less sales to regulated customers in the spot market. Let me highlight that as of December, Argentine net income has increased by $116 million, following the refinancing of Endesa Costanera’s debt with Mitsubishi. The estimate FX for Endesa Chile will be additional earnings of $104 million and a reduction of financial debt of $138 million. In Chile, slide nine. Regarding the Chilean energy sector, total physical energy sales accumulated in Chile as of December 2014 were 3% higher than for the same period last year, amounting to 64,857 gigawatt hours. Total hydrology available from water flows during the year were consistently below average. In August, levels start to recover exceeding historical average level and reaching 81% of historical water flows. The total level of water stored in dams as of December 2014 had reached 30% of capacity, an improvement of 499 gigawatt hours of energy equivalent. As of December 2014, the average marginal cost reached $117 per megawatt hour, 23% lower than in 2013. EBITDA from operations in Chile increased by 2% reaching $649 million due to 7% higher physical energy sales and a greater average electricity sales price expressed in Chilean pesos. The full consolidation of GasAtacama represent an additional $80 million in EBITDA. In Colombia. Regarding the Colombian energy sector, 2014 demand in the season was 63,569 gigawatt hours, a 4% increase compared to 2013.. The total level of water stored in dams at 2014 reached 85% of capacity, representing on improvement of 310 gigawatt hour of energy equivalent. As of December 2014 the marginal cost average $58 per megawatt hour, decreasing significantly with respect to June 2013, a consequence of better hydrology. Colombian EBITDA increased by 23% reaching $866 million due to 17% higher energy sales explained by better hydro generation, lower power purchase and lower fuel costs. Also, during 2014we benefit from the regional generation resulting from the Salaco’s capacity optimization. In Peru, slide 11. Regarding the Peruvian energy sector, electricity demand reached 57,457 gigawatt hours, 5% higher than 2013, one of the highest growth rates in two years. During 2014, Edegel real water levels were similar to historical average recobering in the month of December and reaching 121% of the historical average. The total level of water storage in Edegel dams in 2014 reached 52% of capacity, similar to 2013. Marginal price in the Peruvian spot averaged $15 per megawatt hour decreasing significantly with respect to June at $32 per megawatt hour. Peruvian EBITDA increased by 17% reaching $324 million due to 14% higher energy physical sail to regulated and unregulated customers as a consequence of higher thermal generation. Finally, in slide 12. Enel Brasil EBITDA increased by 8% to $1045 million due to favorable results from the [indiscernible] primarily due to 49% higher EBITDA in [indiscernible]. Remind you that Enel Brasil is accounted for under the equity method and over 37% ownership amounted to $109 million of net attributable income from the year 2014. Regarding the Brazilian energy sector, demand for the Brazilian CIEN was 558,158 gigawatt hours, a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2013. On average, the spot price in the [indiscernible] system reached $275 per megawatt hour, 163% higher than 2013, due to lower water availability. Now let me focus in our investment during the period. In slide 13, on December 22, Laguneta, the last remaining power plant of the Salaco optimization project started its operation. With its completion, Salaco has 145 megawatts of new capacity resulting 482 gigawatt hours of estimated additional generation yearly. By the end of 2014, the project has generated 324 gigawatt hours. In slide 14, as a result of the acquisition of GasAtacama in April 2014, Endesa Chile EBITDA increased by $80 million. In slide 15. El Quimbo, our 400 megawatt installed capacity hydroelectric project continues its construction on schedule. As of December 2014, the project had reached 86% completion. We have continued securing agreements with local residents and the necessary contract to be able to carry out work on dam. We expect to begin operation of the first unit at the end of the first half of 2015. In slide 16, regarding Los Cóndores, a run of the river hydro power plant located in Chile, as of December 2014, the level of completion reached 9%. On August 2014, we signed the treatment contract and currently is under review. On November 2014, we will reach 100% of the civil work of the basic engineering of the tunnel and 40% of the backup continuing. Currently we are more than half of the assessment contract signed for the transmitter line. We expect to have most of the land available at the end of this year. In slide 17, regarding our projects. In the next five years, we are adding 670 MW and our plan includes the development of and additional 678 MW. Before ending this conference call, in slide 18, I would like to highlight the most important issues during this period. One, better operating results for 2014. Consolidated managing increased 11% mainly due to better margin in future Chile, Colombia and Peru, benefiting from our portfolio diversification. Two, diversified portfolio. Having operations in five different countries allows us to diversify risks inherent to each country. We continue to profit from our prudent commercial policies and an efficient mix of generation assets. Even though we face challenge, we improved EBITDA by 12%. Three, HidroAysen impairment, during the year, there have been two administrative resolution that forced us to rethink the project. In May 2014, the Ministers’ Committee revoked the environmental qualification resolution of the project and in January 2014, the general direction of water denied the additional water rights needed to make the project viable. Endesa Chile manifested its willingness to keep defending the water rights and the environment approval grants, continuing legal action are already underway for implementing new administrative or judicial actions to this dam. We maintain the conviction that the ecologic resources of the CIEN/Rio region are important for the country energy development. However, in the current situation there is uncertainty about the recovery of the investment made so far, since it depends on both judicial decisions and definition on matters on the energy agenda that today we are not able to provide. HidroAysen is not an immediate project of our portfolio. The company reminds that the original transmission line studies, the generating studies of the plant and the environmental were non-recoverable assets. Consequently the company decided to record a provision for impairment of $121 million, reducing net income for 2014. Four, Punta Alcalde impairment. As it has its environmental qualification resolution approved, but to complete its environmental approval, we also need the approval of the environmental impact assessment associates with the transmission line which now came in. Endesa Chile’s engineering team with the support of our coal technology experts have studied the possibilities of adapting Punta Alcalde to make it a profitable and technology more sustainable project. The conclusion they reached after one year of study is that such adaptation will involve major modifications to the approved environmental qualification resolution making the process much more difficult. The company has decided also to stop the development Punta Alcalde and the Punta Alcalde Maitencillo Transmission project, waiting to be able to clear the uncertainty about its profitability. Therefore, the company has decided to record an impairment of $22 million as of December 2014. Five, Bocamina II temporary shutdown. On November 6, 2014, the supreme court suspended the injunction and state the steps required to start operations. Endesa Chile should give warranties related to the desulfurizer and seawater suction. We are waiting for the Environmental Superintendent to certify this warranties so the plant can begin operations again. Additionally, we are still waiting for one, the outcome of the environmental court of Valdivia in order to request the annulment of the sanction under reduction of the fine received from the Environmental Superintendent and to the resolution of the environmental evaluation service of Concepcion regarding the new environmental impact study to optimize the plant. Six, Tecnimont agreement. The Board of Directors of Endesa Chile in an organization held yesterday has accepted and approved all the terms and conditions through which all the parties can end the arbitration and provide a mutual supplement for liabilities under the construction contract. As of September 2014, our financial statement on paying the claims against Endesa Chile for an amount of $1,294 million in the case of Tecnimont claims and $15 million in the case of SES with the agreement will eliminate this. Finally, as a result of the transaction, the final effect for Endesa Chile and Bocamina II project in particular will be the recognition of greater investment of $125 million. Seven, non-operating assets. Nonrecurring accounting assets related to HidroAysen and Punta Alcalde, lower results in Enel Brasil mainly due to higher energy costs in the [indiscernible] company as a result of the drought affecting Brazil, full consolidation of GasAtacama, increase in tax payment as a consequence of higher taxable base in Colombia and Peru and higher tax rate in Chile due to the recently approved tax reform and five, a larger negative foreign currency exchange affecting primarily in Argentina. As a consequence of the above mentioned, net income attributable to Endesa Chile shareholders decreased 5%. This concludes our review of Endesa Chile financial results for 2014. Now I will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Operator? Question-and-Answer Session Operator [Operator Instructions]. Sir, you have no questions at this time. [Operator Instructions]. The first question comes from Nicholas Schild from Santander. Nicholas Schild Hi. Good morning, Fernando, Thank you for taking my question. I have two questions regarding the use of cash for this year. On one side, I wanted to know if you had a final solution for the situation in San Isidro, where you are having problems for the steam tubing regarding the availability of water? And the second question is that, I noted that you were leasing a facility to AES Gener, which is Nueva Renca and I was wondering if adding Nueva Renca to supply this project in San Isidro too? Or you could have the three power plants working at full capacity at the same time and using this maybe to sell a portion on the spot market or to supply your contract in the first half of this year. Thank you. Fernando Gardeweg Thank you for your question, Nicholas. Regarding the San Isidro, since July 17, 2014 to-date, San Isidro is operating in open cycle due to the lack of water necessary for the operation of the steam cycle, the cooling systems supply. As a consequence, power generation will decrease this year of this power plant. Regarding the Endesa Chile, Gener, indeed, we signed an agreement with Gener. It is usual that generator exchange gas when they show some profit or deficit in the energy balances. Endesa Chile has made several of these exchange agreements at market prices in the past. This is a non-public bilateral short-term agreement that benefits both generators given a specific situation in the market and cannot be considered as a stable long-term contract. This type of arrangements have been done before and also been a part of the system as a whole. Nicholas Schild Okay. Thank you. Just to be sure, so the limitation of capacity is going to be also for 2015? Because I think someone told me that you built a new or the regulator authorized you to build a new well that might have a final solution for the lack of water in that facility in San Isidro specifically. Fernando Gardeweg Nicholas, we are working in trying to solve the problem. It will take us couple or maybe half a year or some many months. But we are trying to solve and reach the capacity of this power plant or the generation of the capacity of this power plant. Nicholas Schild Okay. Thank you, Fernando. Operator We have no further questions. I would now like to turn the call over to Mr. Fernando Gardeweg for closing remarks. Fernando Gardeweg Thank you, Kathy. Since there are no further question, I would like to thank you for participating in today’s conference call. If you need further assistance, our investor relations teams will gladly help you. I also invite you to visit our website where you can obtain the most relevant data concerning our company. At our website, we have also posted the complete set of financial statements. Thank you very much. Operator Thank you for your participation in today’s conference. This concludes the presentation. You may now disconnect. Good day. Copyright policy: All transcripts on this site are the copyright of Seeking Alpha. However, we view them as an important resource for bloggers and journalists, and are excited to contribute to the democratization of financial information on the Internet. (Until now investors have had to pay thousands of dollars in subscription fees for transcripts.) So our reproduction policy is as follows: You may quote up to 400 words of any transcript on the condition that you attribute the transcript to Seeking Alpha and either link to the original transcript or to www.SeekingAlpha.com. All other use is prohibited. 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