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Småkraft Annual Report 2023
(EUR 105 million). Received inflows from loan raising of
EUR 54 million (EUR 18 million) and paid EUR 88 million
(EUR 8 million) in instalments on credit facilities and
leases. Dividends of EUR 37 million (EUR 5 million) were
paid to the shareholders.
Risk review
Operational risk factors
Risk management is important for value creation and is an
integral part of the business activity in Småkraft.
The company’s result will be influenced by changes in
power prices, climate and weather changes, and changes
in currency exchange rates & interest levels.
Significant volume, price, and foreign currency exchange
risks are associated with the production and sale of
electric power. Only a few of the Småkraft AS power plants
have reservoirs, and unregulated power production is
more exposed to fluctuations than regulated production of
electric power.
Hydrology, power prices and capture rates remain the
main risk factors for the upcoming periods.
The Nordic Commodity markets for power have been less
liquid than normal. Less liquid markets make financial
hedging activities challenging. Småkraft halted its hedging
activities during the summer 2021, and during 2023
Småkraft has mainly adjusted its current hedges to match
its production volatility during the year better.
Increased future power prices increase indirectly
unrealized hedge loss. When the prices are increasing
such as during 2022, this normally leads to stronger
financial cash flows for Småkraft. However, it may also
lead to large unrealized losses that have a significant
negative effect on Småkraft’s book equity. The
development in 2023 has been the opposite. A decrease
in future prices has decreased the unrealized losses and
consequently improved Småkraft’s equity ratio.
The company is exposed to operational risks, such as
failure of the power producing equipment or other vital
equipment. To limit these risks, the Småkraft Group has
well-established procedures and emergency preparedness
plans. All power plants are insured, and production is
covered by interruptions insurance. Significant emphasis
has been dedicated to manage the QHSE risks in the
company.
Småkraft may also be affected by a changing climate,
and the company has initiated several measures to
identify potential risks and opportunities. Evaluation of
new acquisitions and development opportunities are
assessed in light of the expected changes in hydrology.
During detailed planning of new plants, we now assess
how climate change can affect the design criteria for new
installations, both in form of increased run-of, but also the
safety of installations in relation to extreme weather.
Financial risk factors
The Group is exposed to a range of financial risks: liquidity
risk, market risk (including currency, interest rate, and
price), and credit risk. The financial risk management
process focuses on the unpredictability of financial
markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects
on the Group’s financial performance. To some extent,
the Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce
certain risk exposures. Financial risk management
is carried out at a Group level. The Group identifies,
evaluates, and hedges financial risks in close co-operation
with the Group’s operational units.
Because of its significant growth, Småkraft is continuously
working on financing initiatives with new equity and debt.
Småkraft’s shareholders have committed equity for at least
50% of the agreed price for coming investments. Småkraft
is working actively with banks and debt investors to
finance the remaining part of the investments. In addition,
several of the ongoing construction projects will be
finalized and construction loan facilities will be rolled over
to and refinanced with long term debt structures.
The board of Småkraft AS has established written
principles for risk management of foreign exchange
risk, interest rate risk and the use of derivative financial
instruments as an integral part of our risk policy.
Liquidity risk
The Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between
continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of credit
facilities and to have sufficient cash or cash equivalents
at any time to be able to finance its operations and
investments in accordance with the Group’s strategic plan.
Småkraft held cash and cash equivalents amounting to
EUR 40 million at the end of 2023. This is deemed to be
sufficient funding for the Group’s current activity levels and
committed capital expenditures during 2024. The Group
seeks to mitigate the market and liquidity risks by further
cost reduction and efficiency improvement programs and a
continued focus on capital discipline.