Alkane Energy PLC Trading Update and Notice of Results (6842C)
January 21 2015 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMALK
RNS Number : 6842C
Alkane Energy PLC
21 January 2015
21 January 2015
Alkane Energy plc
("Alkane" or "the Group")
Trading Update and Notice of Results
Notice of Results
Alkane (AIM: ALK), the independent gas to power producer, today
announces an update on trading ahead of the results for the year
ended 31 December 2014 (the "period"), which Alkane will publish on
11 March 2015.
Trading Update
For the period, the Group expects power sales to have reached
close to 200GWh (2013: 192GWh) with an expected average base load
price of circa GBP52/MWh in the year to 31 December 2014 (2013:
GBP53/MWh). Alkane now has 27 sites with a combined operating
capacity of 145MW. The three power response sites acquired from
Carron Energy in July 2014 are now operating in line with
expectations and we have brought on upgraded capacity at both
Shirebrook and Wheldale just before the year end. We are pleased to
report that we have seen record levels of production for the Group
as we enter the new year.
As previously announced, there are a number of adjustable items
in the 2014 results including the exceptional profit from the
transfer of Alkane's shale interests to Egdon Resources plc, offset
by non-developed licence impairments and mark to market adjustments
at the year end. There were also the deal costs of this and the
Carron Energy transaction as well as a provision against the
remaining outstanding debt from the TEG Group. After accumulating
these adjustable items we are expecting a contribution of circa
GBP1.5m from these items in addition to the adjusted profit before
tax.
There were a number of operational issues in the last few months
of the year which have impacted on profit before tax. The upgraded
capacity at Wheldale and Shirebrook were commissioned two months
later than expected, and there were fewer than anticipated calls
from National Grid under the STOR programme. We had 29 calls under
STOR in the last quarter of 2014 (last quarter of 2013: 66 calls).
As a result adjusted profit before tax for the period is now
expected to be between GBP3.25 - GBP3.5m. Net debt is expected to
be circa GBP17m.
We have a prudent medium term power selling policy which we are
delighted to report has secured stable pricing in 2015 and into
2016. Alkane has contracted approximately 82% of the Group's
expected 2015 base load output at an average price of GBP52/MWh and
we have secured prices of GBP51/MWh on 30% of 2016 expected base
load output. Current market prices for the balance of 2016 are
around GBP45MW/h which we will continue to monitor. The drop in
selling prices has a negative impact on baseload margins but we are
seeing our power response activities benefiting from lower gas
prices to partially offset base load.
Looking forward, the coal mine methane ("CMM") project pipeline
is on schedule with a new drill starting in Stoke this year and the
build phase of the successfully drilled Markham Main site in
Yorkshire due to start during H2 2015. In addition, we have applied
for a number of new CMM licences as part of the 14(th) Onshore
Licensing Round. We are well placed to grow output during 2015.
On 5 January 2015 Alkane announced it had been awarded Capacity
Mechanism Agreements giving us visibility on over GBP14m of new
income from 2018 up to September 2033. The agreements are for 101MW
of capacity, of which 46MW is new build sites, and we have
commenced the process of procuring the new assets ahead of the
delivery date in 2018.
Commenting on the update, Chief Executive Officer, Neil O'Brien,
said:
"We have been busy integrating and upgrading sites in 2014,
which was another year of good solid progress for Alkane. We have
made a strong start to the new financial year with record
production and have secured stable pricing for 2015. We are well
placed to increase output in the coming year and are confident of
reporting further growth."
For more information please contact:
Alkane Energy plc
Neil O'Brien, Chief Executive
Officer
Steve Goalby, Finance Director 01623 827 927
Liberum Capital Limited
Clayton Bush
Joshua Hughes 020 3100 2000
VSA Capital Limited
Andrew Raca 020 3005 5000
Hudson Sandler
Nick Lyon
Alex Brennan 020 7796 4133
Background information
Alkane is one of the UK's fastest growing independent power
generators. The Company operates mid-sized "gas to power"
electricity plants providing both base load and fast response
capacity to the grid. Following the acquisition of three power
response sites from Carron Energy Limited and Dragon Generation
Limited, Alkane has a total installed generating capacity of 145MW
and an electricity grid capacity of 160MW.
Alkane's base load operations, where power is generated 24/7,
are centred on a portfolio of coal mine methane ("CMM") sites.
Alkane has the UK's leading portfolio of CMM licences, enabling the
Company to extract gas from abandoned coal mines.
As CMM declines at any one site, Alkane retains valuable
generating capacity and a grid connection which can be redeployed
to power response. Power response sites are connected to mains gas
and produce electricity at times of high electrical demand through
peak running, or in order to balance the electricity grid through
participation in the National Grid's short term operating reserve
programme ("STOR"). Participants in STOR are paid premium rates
when called upon by the Grid to meet temporary supply shortages.
Alkane now operates 93MW of power response, one of the UK's largest
power response businesses, with contracted STOR revenues extending
out to 2025.
The Group operates from 27 mid-size (up to 25MW) power plants
across the UK, 13 CMM only, 7 mains gas only, 6 using both fuel
sources and 1 using kerosene only. Alkane uses a combination of
standard modular reciprocating engines and gas turbines to generate
the electricity and sells this power through the electricity
network. The engine units and other plant are designed to be
flexible and transportable allowing additional capacity to be
brought onto growing sites and underutilised plant to be moved to
new sites to maximise efficiency.
Alkane transferred in June 2014 its shale gas interests to Egdon
Resources plc. Alkane received 40m Egdon shares making us the
largest shareholder in Egdon, a significant player within the UK
shale industry.
Alkane has a range of core skills encompassing the entire
project development cycle including planning and permitting,
sourcing plant and managing the build and commissioning stage. This
has enabled Alkane to establish a design, build and operate ("DBO")
business for third party clients in the biogas and oil & gas
industries.
The Group has circa 800km(2) of acreage under various onshore
Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences ("PEDLs").
More information is available on our website
www.alkane.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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