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, gas 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. At year-end 2021, there were no balance sheet positions in foreign currency which would lead to currency risks.

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 operates mainly in the Netherlands and to a small extent in Germany and so has no currency risk on its normal operations.

The funds raised in 2021 under the Euro Commercial Paper Programme, denominated in US dollars, were repaid the same year. As at year-end 2021, this item was zero (2020: zero). The currency translation differences have been recognised in the income statement and do not affect the equity position.

Exchange rates

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

Interest rate risk

General

Alliander had no interest rate swaps outstanding as at year-end 2021 or 2020.

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

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

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 CBL 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 is placed or invested with parties with a credit rating of A or higher. Of this 93% (2020: 74%) 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 CBL transactions is $715 million (2020: $3,112 million). The carrying amount of the investments in bonds was zero at year-end 2021 (2020: €147 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 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 zero at year-end 2021 and year-end 2020.

The other receivables and the prepayments and accrued income do not contain any accounts older than one year.

Movements in the provision for bad debt

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

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 investments 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 2021, Alliander had a committed credit facility of €900 million (up to 10 November 2026). This facility can be used for general operating purposes, working capital financing or debt refinancing. In addition to this credit facility, which had not been drawn on at year-end 2021, Alliander has an ECP programme totalling €1.5 billion, under which no amount was outstanding at the end of the financial year (2020: zero) and an EMTN programme of €3 billion, €2 billion of which was outstanding as at 31 December 2021 (2020: €2 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).

No margin calls were triggered for Alliander in 2021 but Alliander did make margin calls. On account of this, Alliander held security deposits worth €72 million as at year-end 2021 (2020: zero).

Liquidity risk in 2021 and 2020

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 the fair value 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

Alliander had no derivatives outstanding as at year-end 2021 or 2020.

Fair value of other financial instruments

Alliander had no financial instruments recognised at fair value at year-end 2021 or 2020. 

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:

Investments in bonds and 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 receivables, 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.

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 2018 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 expenses

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