Notes to the Financial Statements

19. Borrowings and Other Debt


2019

2018


€’000

€’000

Total borrowings

198,581

134,838


198,581

134,838

These loans are repayable in the following periods after the year end:



Between two and five years

-

34,838

In more than five years

198,693

100,000





198,693

134,838

Short-term bank borrowings

-

34,838

Long-term bank borrowings

98,684

100,000

Private placement borrowings

100,009

-





198,693

134,838

Current bank borrowings:

The Company has put in place an agreement with Ulster Bank DAC, amounting to a €50m revolving credit facility. This facility was for an initial five year term with an option to extend for two one year periods, subject to bank approval. The Company exercised its option during 2019 to extend the facility which is now due for repayment in full in March 2024. This facility was un-drawn at the year-end (2018: €35m).

The rate of interest on the loan is variable based on EURIBOR and the applicable margin. There is no tangible security held by Ulster Bank on this facility.

Short-term bank borrowings in 2018 are shown net of capitalised debt issue costs €163k which are being amortised over the term of the debt. The facility is expected to be redrawn in 2020 and the remaining debt issue costs of €112k are therefore shown in other receivables (note 15).

Long-term bank borrowings:

In December 2015 the Company entered into a Finance Contract with the European Investment Bank in respect of a €100m project finance facility. This facility is for a 20 year term of which was fully drawn down at year end. The balance outstanding at 31 December 2019 was €98.69m (2018: €100m).

Private Placement borrowings:

In December 2019 the Company issued €300m unsecured senior bonds to a range of institutional investors. These fixed rate bonds are issued in Euro currency and are listed on the Global Exchange Market of Euronext Dublin. The maturity date of the bonds is September 2049. At 31 December 2019 €100m of bonds had been purchased. There is a commitment in place for the investors to purchase the remaining €200m of bonds, referred as forward purchase bonds, at specified dates in 2020 and 2021. However, the Company has the option to cancel the commitment to purchase some or all of the forward purchase bonds at no cost.

In addition, the Company issued an amount of unlisted notes to a subset of investors for a nominal price. Unlisted notes offer an alternative mechanism for investors to subscribe for the remaining bonds (instead of purchasing forward purchase bonds). At 31 December 2019 €9,000 had been received by the Company in relation to the purchase of unlisted notes.

The private placement debt and other facilities have conditions which require the Company to maintain certain covenants.  At 31 December 2019 the Company is fully in compliance with all covenant requirements.