ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) announced that it has achieved commercial operation of its 1,240 MW coal-fired Mong Duong 2 power plant in Vietnam six months ahead of schedule.
“Bringing the 1,240 MW Mong Duong 2 plant on-line six months early is a significant milestone for Vietnam and for AES,” said Andrés Gluski, AES President and Chief Executive Officer. “Executing on our 7 GW construction program is the main driver of our cash and earnings growth through 2018. Beyond Mong Duong 2, we see a number of potential opportunities for AES in Vietnam, to help meet their rapidly growing demand for electricity.”
“Mong Duong 2 amassed 18 million man-hours without a lost time incident, with almost 44 million man-hours worked, representing AES’ world-class safety and engineering and construction standards,” said Michael Chilton, AES Senior Vice President for Global Engineering and Construction. “Our remaining 6 GW under construction are progressing well and are on time and on budget.”
The plant was built under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement and has a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), a state-owned utility, as well as 25-year coal supply agreement with Vinacomin, a state-owned entity. The PPA includes a capacity payment denominated in U.S. Dollars and a fuel pass-through that protects the project from fluctuations in coal prices. AES has a 51% equity interest in the $1.95 billion power plant, while PSC Energy Global Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of POSCO Power Corp., and Stable Investment Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Investment Corporation, own 30% and 19%, respectively. Mong Duong 2 was financed with $1.5 billion in non-recourse debt. The plant is the largest private sector power project in Vietnam and is the country’s first new private sector power plant to be commissioned in the last ten years.
According to the Vietnam institute of Energy and the National Center for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast, Vietnam’s power demand and GDP are expected to grow by 10.5% and 6.5%, respectively, over the next five years. The Government of Vietnam has future plans to increase the country’s installed capacity by more than 60 GW over the next five years.
Mong Duong 2 complies with the Vietnam and World Bank environmental standards and also allows lenders to meet the requirements of the Equator Principles. Mong Duong 2 is located in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam.
About AES
The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 200 global power company. We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 18 countries through our diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. Our workforce of 18,500 people is committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. Our 2014 revenues were $17 billion and we own and manage $39 billion in total assets. Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.
Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to the Offering and the Repurchase. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a guarantee of future results, but instead constitute AES’ current expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Consummation of the Offering and the Repurchase are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as our continued eligibility to use our shelf registration statement, our ability to fund the Repurchase and general economic conditions and other risks and uncertainties discussed in AES’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 7: Management’s Discussion & Analysis in AES’ 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to read AES’ filings to learn more about the risk factors associated with AES’ business. AES undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Any stockholder who desires a copy of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated on or about February 26, 2015 with the SEC may obtain a copy (excluding Exhibits) without charge by addressing a request to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy of the Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at www.aes.com.
