Virescent Renewable Energy Trust (VRET), the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) proposed to be launched by KKR-backed Indian renewable energy platform Virescent Infrastructure, has received a ‘AAA/Stable’ provisional rating for its bank loan facilities from CRISIL.
The proposed Virescent InvIT is awaiting final approval from the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), a release from Virescent said.
VRET is India’s first renewable energy InvIT, proposed to be launched by Virescent Infrastructure, a KKR-backed renewable energy platform in India.
Healthy Rating
A ‘AAA/Stable’ rating is the highest provisional rating that CRISIL assigns. VRET is the first renewable energy InvIT in India to be assigned a provisional “AAA” rating from CRISIL, and it is among the few infrastructure companies in India which have been assigned a “AAA” rating, the release said.
The ‘AAA’ rating reflects Virescent’s healthy revenue visibility due to long-term power purchase agreements at pre-determined tariffs, in addition to its track record of enhanced generation capabilities, its healthy financial risk profile, and its expectation of low leverage. Virescent’s low leverage has resulted in a healthy debt service coverage ratio over its entire debt tenure, supported by adequate liquidity.
InvITs Worth Rs.80,000 Crore In The Pipeline
According to Sanjay Grewal, CEO of Virescent, “The provisional ‘AAA’ CRISIL rating for Virescent’s proposed InvIT opens up a 
“InvITs worth Rs.2 trillion are expected to enter the market over the next five years, and Rs.80,000 crore of InvITs are in the pipeline for launch within a year. The proposed InvIT of Virescent Infrastructure gives us a first-mover advantage to create new long-term and stable investment opportunities in India’s fast-growing renewable energy market,” added Grewal.
Portfolio
VRET’s initial portfolio will comprise of nine solar energy projects, with an aggregated capacity of approximately 400 mw. The assets are located in, and service, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. VRET aims to achieve approximately 1.5 GW of assets in the initial phase of its growth over the next two to three years.
The portfolio will continue to be largely focused on solar energy assets (estimated to comprise approximately 80-90 per cent) of VRET’s portfolio, and that are diversified in terms of location and participating counterparties
Government Thrust On InvITs
It may be mentioned that India’s Finance Minister announced, as part of this year’s Budget plans, the government’s plan to enact legislation to allow debt financing of InvITs by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), in addition to various key initiatives. The provision demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to InvITs and REITs, the release added.
(Featured photograph for illustration only)
