debt restructuring

Buoyant predictions about a rosy future for African photovoltaics, based on the continent’s abundant solar resources, continue to overlook the difficulties of securing investment, as Empower New Energy co-founder and CEO Terje Osmundsen explains, referring to a report published by the Africa Solar Industry Association at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi today.

The poly making parent company says it needs extra time to finalize its 2020 figures so trading in the stock appears likely to remain suspended for the rest of the week. GCL is due to complete the paperwork related to a proposed debt restructure this month.

The poly maker yesterday secured approval from unpaid creditors to restructure the company’s debts and will commit the anticipated $115 million windfall from its shares placement towards its financial commitments.

The holders of $500 million of unpaid senior notes which matured last month have agreed to receive 5% of the money now, plus a share of a $17.8 million fund, with the balance to be paid out in three years’ time.

Investors sitting on three-year notes worth $500 million have been asked to postpone settlement for another three years and to sign away their rights to oppose the debt restructure plan which would be needed if the company defaults on the commitment, triggering a cross default.

The Chinese solar panel making division of the debt-saddled company appears likely to be broken up after admitting creditors will take controlling stakes in its business units following the successful petition of a court in Hebei province.

The Chinese manufacturer had not updated its English-speaking investors since October and now appears set to have its chief Chinese operations taken over by creditors.

Now Chinese state-owned, the developer appears to want to draw a line under a traumatic two-year period which saw its fortunes reversed in dramatic fashion. Effectively now part of China’s Shuifa construction conglomerate, the proposed new name is intended to reflect the fact.

The Chinese solar manufacturer today admitted it is in talks with its lenders and strategic investors about a break up of the company after its 2018 annual accounts revealed an apparently unserviceable debt pile. Any strategic investor is likely to constitute a Chinese state-backed bail-out.

The latest date for hearing the petition will fall just four days after shareholders vote on a proposed Chinese state-backed HK$1.55 billion bail-out of the business.