Note 34 Information on risks and financial instruments

General

The following financial risks can be identified: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is defined as the risk of loss due to an adverse change in market prices. Alliander’s main exposure is to commodity price risk, currency risk and interest rate risk. The credit risk is the risk arising in connection with the default of counterparties to trading and sales transactions. The liquidity risk is the risk of the company being unable to meet its payment obligations as they fall due.

This note provides information on these financial risks to which Alliander is exposed, the objectives and policy for managing risks arising from financial instruments as well as the management of capital. Further quantitative information is provided in the various notes in the consolidated financial statements.

Market risk

Alliander is exposed to the following potential market risks:

• commodity price risk: the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in commodity prices; this mainly affects the cost associated with network losses;

• currency risk: the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in exchange rates;

• interest rate risk: the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

Alliander hedges market risks through the purchase and sale of derivatives and attempts to minimise income statement volatility as far as possible through the application of hedge accounting. All transactions are carried out within the guidelines approved by the Management Board.

Commodity price risk

As regards the cost of network losses, Alliander is sensitive to the effect of market fluctuations in the price of various energy commodities, including but not limited to electricity and green certificates (renewable energy certificates - RECs).

Currency risk

General

Alliander is exposed to currency risk on purchases, cash and cash equivalents, borrowings and other balance sheet positions denominated in a currency other than the euro. The currency risks concern transaction risks, i.e. risks relating to future cash flows in foreign currencies and balance sheet positions in foreign currencies. Currency risks as at 31 December 2017 mainly relate to balance sheet positions in USD. These risks are hedged as far as possible.
Subsidiaries report currency positions and risks to Alliander’s Treasury Department. These positions and risks are principally hedged back-to-back with external counterparties through spot and forward exchange contracts.

Exposure to currency risk and sensitivity analysis

Alliander’s exposure to currency risk based on nominal value is presented in the table below. This table shows the pre-tax effect that a possible increase or decrease in the value of foreign currencies relative to the Euro would have, assuming all other circumstances remained unchanged, on Alliander’s finance income and expense and equity, taking into account derivatives concluded to hedge the currency risk. The effects on equity and results are calculated at year-end exchange rates. Alliander operates mainly in the Netherlands and to a small extent in Germany and so has no currency risk on its normal operations. Non-operational risks of this nature as at year-end 2017 related to the assets and liabilities connected with two cross-border lease contracts disclosed in the financial statements.

Liander recognises USD investments and liabilities for two CBL contracts in the balance sheet. The table shows that currency risks do not directly affect the equity position. All currency translation gains and losses are recognised through the income statement.

Finance was raised in 2017 under the Euro Commercial Paper Programme, denominated in US Dollars (USD). This position, too, is hedged by means of forward currency contracts. The currency translation differences are recognised through profit or loss and do not affect the equity position.

Currency risk sensitivity analysis

The following important exchange rates were applicable as at the balance sheet date:

Exchange rates

Interest rate risk

General

The following table provides information on the extent to which Alliander is exposed to changes in interest rates on financial instruments and shows the effective interest rate at the balance sheet date and the maturity date or, if earlier, the contractual interest repricing date.

Alliander had no interest rate swaps outstanding as at year-end 2017 or 2016.

Maturity date or earlier contractual interest repricing date

Sensitivity analysis in relation to fixed-rate assets and liabilities

Alliander does not have any fixed-rate financial assets or liabilities carried at fair value through profit or loss.

Sensitivity analysis in relation to cash flows for variable-rate assets and liabilities

A change of 100 basis points in interest rates as at 31 December 2017 would, assuming all other circumstances remained unchanged, have a pre-tax effect on Alliander’s equity and income on an annual basis (finance income and expense) as shown in the following table.

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis

Hedging transactions

Fair value hedging

In order to provide a complete or partial hedge against risks of fluctuations in the fair value of financial assets and/or liabilities as well as commitments entered into, Alliander made use of derivative financial instruments in preceding years.

Credit risk

General

Credit risk is the risk of a loss being incurred because a counterparty is unable or unwilling to meet its obligations. Credit analysis and management are applied throughout the organisation, with the degree of review undertaken varying depending on the magnitude of the credit risk in a transaction.

Surpluses of cash and cash equivalents are placed in the money and capital markets on market terms and conditions with institutions satisfying a list of criteria drawn up by the Management Board, making them approved counterparties, up to the maximum limit set for the party in question. In addition, minimum requirements have been set for the credit ratings of such investments set by credit rating agencies. Changes in investments made by Alliander relating to the cross-border lease contracts require the individual approval of the Management Board. These investments were made for long terms, with the intention of generating sufficient returns to meet future lease obligations. The portfolio of investments on which Alliander is exposed to credit risks consists mainly of deposits and securities. Credit risk is managed through an established credit policy, regular monitoring of credit exposures and application of risk mitigation tools.

Credit quality

Treasury

The creditworthiness of financial institutions from which Alliander has a receivable is monitored using specific credit analyses, CDS data and credit ratings. The greater part of the cash and cash equivalents, as well as cross-border lease investments and deposits and interest rate and currency derivatives, is placed or invested with parties with a credit rating of A or higher. 70% of the cash and cash equivalents (2016: 88%) is placed with parties with an AA rating or higher.

Sales

Alliander is exposed to credit risk; this is the risk of non-payment by customers for services provided. The company has procedures to limit credit exposure to counterparties and to ensure that outstanding positions are covered by collateral, for example, in the form of bank guarantees.

Maximum credit risk

The maximum credit risk is the carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivative financial instruments. The maximum credit risk that Alliander is exposed to in respect of the cross-border lease transactions is $2.8 billion (2016: $2.7 billion). The carrying amount of the associated available-for-sale financial assets included in Alliander’s balance sheet amounts to €193 million (2016: €224 million).

Overdue instalments

Receivables which are past due, but for which no provision has been recognised, are without exception trade receivables from normal sales. The provision for bad debts also exclusively concerns trade receivables from normal sales. The ageing analysis of trade receivables was as follows on the balance sheet date (gross amounts):

Ageing analysis of trade receivables

The movements in the provision for bad debts relating to trade receivables were as follows:

Movements in the provision for bad debt

The major part of the provision for bad debts is calculated using a graduated scale based on historical figures. The remainder is based on an assessment of individual accounts. The fair value of collateral obtained relating to overdue accounts and bad debts written off was nil (2016: nil).
The other receivables and the prepayments and accrued income do not contain any accounts older than one year.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that Alliander is unable to obtain the financial resources required to meet its financial obligations on time. In this connection, Alliander regularly assesses the expected cash flows over a period of several years. These cash flows include operating cash flows, dividends, interest payments and debt repayments, replacement capital expenditure and the effects of a change in Alliander’s creditworthiness. The aim is to have sufficient funds available at all times to provide the required liquidity. Liquidity and capital requirement planning is performed with a four-year horizon as a minimum. As at year-end 2017 Alliander had a committed credit facility of €600 million (up to 28 July 2022). This facility can be used for general operating purposes, working capital financing or debt refinancing. In addition to this credit facility, which was not drawn on as at year-end 2017, Alliander has an ECP programme totalling €1.5 billion under which an amount of €0.225 billion was outstanding as at year-end (2016: €0.075 billion) and an EMTN programme of €3 billion under which an amount of €1.4 billion was outstanding as at 31 December 2017 (2016: €1.4 billion). To provide information on liquidity risk, the following table shows the contractual terms of the financial obligations (translated at the balance sheet rate), including interest payments.

The liquidity risk arising in connection with possible margin calls related to foreign currency and interest rate management transactions and commodity contracts intended for own use is closely monitored and limited by ensuring diversity in the number of counterparties with which transactions are entered into as well as ensuring that appropriate thresholds and other terms and conditions are included in ISDAs (International Swaps and Derivatives Association) and CSAs (Credit Support Annexes). In 2017, as in the preceding year, Alliander did not receive any margin call requests.

Liquidity risk 2017 and 2016

Measurement of fair value

The following table lists the financial instruments measured at fair value in descending order of the fair value hierarchy. According to this hierarchy, the input data levels for measuring fair value are defined as follows:

• level 1, quoted prices (unadjusted) on active markets for comparable assets or liabilities;

• level 2, inputs other than level 1 quoted prices observable for a particular asset or liability, either directly (i.e. in the form of actual prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices);

• level 3, inputs not based on observable market data.

Fair value hierarchy

The hierarchical analysis of the instruments is arrived at as far as possible on the basis of the availability of quoted prices on active markets or other observable inputs. Changes are made only as necessary owing to changes in the availability of the relevant inputs. No such changes were made during the year and there were therefore no transfers from one level of the fair value hierarchy to another.

Methods used for level 2 fair value measurement

Available-for-sale financial assets consist of investments in securities whose fair value is equal to the carrying amount. These assets relate to cross-border lease contracts. The fair value is arrived at by discounting the future cash flows using the interbank interest rate as at the reporting date plus market credit spreads for these or similar investments.

Fair value of other financial instruments

The following table lists the fair values of the financial instruments that are not recognised at fair value but at amortised cost. Also shown is the input data level according to the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortised costs

Measurement of fair value

The fair value of these instruments is measured as follows:

Other financial assets: The fair value of loans granted by Alliander is measured on the basis of the incoming cash flows discounted using risk-free interest rates plus credit spreads for these or similar investments. As regards the current portion of these assets, it is assumed that the fair value is more or less the same as the carrying amount.

Interest-bearing debt: The fair value of the Euro Medium Term Notes is measured on the basis of market prices quoted by Bloomberg. The fair value of the other loans received is measured on the basis of the outgoing cash flows discounted using risk-free interest rates plus credit spreads applicable to Alliander. As regards the current portion of these liabilities, it is assumed that the fair value is more or less the same as the carrying amount.

Finance lease obligations: The fair value of these obligations is measured on the basis of future cash flows discounted using risk-free interest rates plus credit spreads applicable to Alliander.

The fair value of the following financial assets and liabilities is more or less the same as the carrying amount:

• trade and other receivables;

• current tax assets;

• current other financial assets;

• cash and cash equivalents;

• trade and other payables;

• current tax liabilities.

Financial policy

Alliander’s financial policy, which is part of its general policy and strategy, is to obtain an adequate return for shareholders and to protect the interests of bondholders and other providers of capital, while maintaining the flexibility to grow and invest in the business. As part of Alliander’s financial framework, the subordinated perpetual bond loan issued in 2013 is treated as 50% equity and 50% borrowed capital. This is contrary to IFRS, under which the subordinated perpetual bond loan is considered to be 100% equity.

Finance income and expense

The table below shows the income and expenses in respect of financial instruments recognised in the income statement:

Effect of financial instruments on income statement