Ormat Technologies Reports 2011 Year End and Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

RENO, Nev., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

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The highlights for the year and recent developments:

• Total revenues increased 17 percent to $437.0 million;
• Operating income of $64.0 million and an Adjusted EBITDA of $166.7 million;
• Net income excluding a non-cash tax-related valuation allowance was $18.8 million;
• The net loss after the valuation allowance was $42.7 million;
• Record Product backlog of approximately $240 million; and
• Completed 26 MW of new geothermal generation.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, total revenues increased 17.1 percent from $373.2 million in 2010 to $437.0 million in 2011.  Product revenues increased 39.0 percent to $113.2 million, up from $81.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  Electricity revenues increased by 11.0 percent to $323.8 million, up from $291.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.

The 2011 results include a non-cash tax-related valuation allowance in the amount of approximately $61.5 million, which was recorded against the company's U.S. deferred tax assets.

Realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the U.S. prior to the expiration of the tax credits. An analysis was performed in order to confirm the ability of the company to realize deferred tax assets, and it was determined that a valuation allowance of $61.5 million against the U.S. tax assets as of December 31, 2011 is required. Although a valuation allowance is recorded against these deferred tax assets, no economic loss has occurred as the underlying net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits remain available to reduce future U.S. taxes to the extent income is generated. 

Commenting on the results, Dita Bronicki, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat, stated: "2011 was highlighted by  major improvements in most operational areas of the company:  26 MW added capacity in Tuscarora and Puna, an increase in EBITDA at almost all of our operating plants, and strong performance of the product segment contributed to the 17 percent growth in total revenues. Product segment revenues in 2011 grew 39 percent, and we forecast an additional 40 percent increase for 2012.  Cash flows from operations and new financing secured in 2011 provide us with sufficient cash to support our capital expenditure program for 2012."

"We made important progress in our construction projects including the 30 MW McGinness Hills project where the field development has been completed, and the 36 MW expansion to the Olkaria project where 75% of the geothermal production is already secured," continued Dita Bronicki.  "Lease acquisition and greenfield development remain key to our long-term objectives.  In 2011, we added 346,000 acres and our exploration land portfolio totals over 675,000 acres. Our exploration efforts continue, and we added new prospects in Chile, New Zealand and the U.S. We currently have 42 prospects in various stages of exploration. Going into 2012, we have the largest ever product backlog in Ormat's history."

"And finally, in terms of our future outlook, based on current SRAC forecasts, we expect our 2012 electricity revenues to be between $315 and $330 million, and between $150 and $165 million from our product segment."

Financial Summary

Annual Results

For the year ended December 31, 2011, total revenues increased 17.1 percent from $373.2 million in 2010 to $437.0 million in 2011.  Product revenues increased 39.0 percent to $113.2 million, up from $81.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  Electricity revenues increased by 11.0 percent to $323.8 million, up from $291.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The average revenue rate of the company's electricity portfolio increased from $78 per MWh in 2010 to $83 per MWh in 2011.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $40.4 million to $64.0 million from $23.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase is principally attributable to higher rates and lower operating costs in our electricity segment and higher volumes of customer orders in our product segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the company reported income before tax of $6.8 million and a net loss of $42.7 million, or $0.95 per share (basic and diluted), mainly due to the $61.5 million valuation allowance. Excluding the impact of the valuation allowance, the company would have recorded a net income of $18.8 million, compared to a net income of $37.2 million, or $0.82 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2010, which included a $36.9 million gain from the acquisition of the controlling interest of the Mammoth complex in California.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $166.7 million compared to $164.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Adjusted EBITDA includes consolidated EBITDA and the company's share in the interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization related to the company's unconsolidated 50 percent interest in the Mammoth complex in California for the period from January 1, 2010 to August 1, 2010, the date we acquired the remaining 50 percent interest. The reconciliation of GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA and additional cash flows information is set forth below in this release.

As of December 31, 2011, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $118.4 million. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, the company had available committed lines of credit with commercial banks aggregating $409.0 million, of which $70.1 million is unused.

As of today, we have a product backlog of approximately $240 million, which includes revenues for the period between January 1, 2012 and today. This amount includes an EPC contract in the amount of $21.4 million related to the Thermo 1 with Cyrq Energy, Inc. for which revenues will only be recognized upon reasonable assurance of payment by the customer, and $27 million related to a geothermal supply contract, which is subject to the customer finalizing its financing arrangements for the project.

Fourth Quarter Results

For the three-month period ended December 31, 2011, total revenues increased 33.3 percent from $92.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 to $123.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Product revenues increased 139.4 percent to $46.2 million from $19.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Electricity revenues increased 5.5 percent to $77.6 million from $73.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the quarter, the company reported net loss of $43.0 million or $0.95 per share (basic and diluted), compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.10 per share (basic and diluted), for the same period in 2010.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $45.1 million, compared to $29.4 million for the same period last year. The reconciliation of GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA and additional cash flows information is set forth below in this release.

In accordance with the company's debt covenants, on February 22, 2012, Ormat's Board of Directors decided not to declare a quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of 2011. However, the company expects to pay a dividend of $0.04 per share in the next three quarters.

Conference Call Details

Ormat will host a conference call to discuss its financial results and other matters discussed in this press release at 10:00 A.M. EST on Thursday, February 23, 2012.  The call will be available as a live, listen-only webcast at www.ormat.com. During the webcast, management will refer to slides that will be posted on the web site. The slides and accompanying webcast can be accessed through the Webcast & Presentations in the Investor Relations section of Ormat's website.

Webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live call. A replay will be available from available from 1 p.m. EST on February 23, 2012. Please call: (855) 859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) (404) 537-3406 (International) and enter the Reply code: 47730580.

About Ormat Technologies

Ormat Technologies, Inc. is the only vertically-integrated company primarily engaged in the geothermal and recovered energy power business. The company designs, develops, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants around the world. Additionally, the company designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and recovered energy power units and other power-generating equipment, and provides related services. The company has more than four decades of experience in the development of environmentally-sound power, primarily in geothermal and recovered-energy generation. Ormat products and systems are covered by 82 U.S. patents. Ormat has engineered and built power plants, that it currently owns or has supplied to utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 1430 MW of gross capacity.  Ormat's current generating portfolio includes the following geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants: in the United States - Brady, Brawley, Heber, Jersey Valley, Mammoth, Ormesa, Puna, Steamboat, OREG 1, OREG 2, OREG 3, OREG 4 and Tuscarora; in Guatemala - Zunil and Amatitlan; in Kenya – Olkaria III; and, in Nicaragua - Momotombo.

Ormat's Safe Harbor Statement

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" as described in Ormat Technologies, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2011.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Ormat Technologies, Inc.