Project Finance Risk Scoring

Financely Project Finance Risk Score | Methodology, Weights, Covenants

Financely Project Finance Risk Score (F-PFRS) Methodology

F-PFRS is our transaction level risk score for greenfield and brownfield projects. It takes the real drivers of default and loss and converts them into one number used for screening, debt sizing, covenant setting, and credit enhancement selection. It is model based, document driven, and auditable.

Scope And Use Cases

  • Eligibility kill bad files early when bankability gaps are structural, not cosmetic.
  • Structuring map risk to leverage, reserve sizing, covenants, and hedging requirements.
  • Price discovery align coupons, fees, and credit wraps to expected loss rather than narrative.
  • Change control re-score on material changes such as EPC swaps, PPA revisions, or permitting slips.

Model Architecture

F-PFRS separates default risk from loss severity. Layer one estimates a PD proxy from construction, offtake, resource, and counterparty signals. Layer two estimates LGD from security, cash flow resilience, and legal enforceability. EAD follows the debt draw and amortization path. The composite score S is a weighted sum of pillar scores and maps to decision bands that force specific mitigants.

Pillars And Weights

Each pillar is scored 0 to 100. Higher is better. Weights reflect loss experience in project finance and what actually breaks deals.

Pillar Weight Key drivers
EPC and construction risk 14% Wrap strength, LDs, schedule, interface count, contingency
Resource and technology risk 9% P50 to P90 deltas, degradation, OEM track record, warranties
Offtake and revenue model 14% PPA terms, take-or-pay, tariff indexation, merchant share
O&M and operating risk 7% LTSA, availability guarantees, spares, operator capability
Counterparties and sponsors 8% Sponsor support, equity true-up rights, offtaker rating
Sovereign, permits, and ESG risk 9% License status, court enforceability, land rights, community impact
FX and interest rate risk 7% Currency mismatch, hedging, convertibility and transfer
Security and cash controls 10% Security package, step-in rights, accounts waterfall, DSRA
Financial model quality 8% Auditability, error checks, sensitivities, version control
Leverage and coverage strength 10% DSCR, LLCR, PLCR, sculpting, reserve adequacy
Insurance and force majeure cover 4% CAR/EAR, DSU, PRI, business interruption
Compliance and integrity risk 4% KYC, UBO, procurement, sanction exposure

Scoring Mechanics And Math

Let pillars i = 1..12 with weights w_i (Σ w_i = 100) and sub-scores s_i in [0,100].
Composite score S = ( Σ w_i · s_i ) / 100
Decision bands:
A  = 85–100   Bankable. Standard leverage and covenants. Wraps optional.
B  = 75–84    Bankable with conditions. At least one hard mitigant.
C  = 65–74    Conditional. Require multiple mitigants and tighter covenants.
D  = 50–64    Heavily structured or ECA/PRI backed only. Otherwise decline.
E  = <50      Decline or redesign.
PD proxy:
z = α0 + α1·DSCR_P90 + α2·LLCR + α3·MerchantShare + α4·SovScore + α5·BuildRisk
PD = 1 / (1 + e^(−z))  with caps per sector
LGD proxy:
LGD = base_sector · (1 − SecurityScore/100) · (1 − CashControlScore/100) · FX_penalty
EAD:
Use draw curve D(t) and amortization A(t). EAD_peak drives DSRA and hedging tests.
Expected loss:
EL = PD × LGD × EAD_peak   → pricing and enhancement grid

s-scores come from rubrics with at least five buckets each. Quant inputs are clipped to avoid single variable dominance. DSCR and LLCR are taken from independent model checks, not sponsor slides.

Debt Sizing And Covenants Linkage

  • Debt sizing minimum of DSCR lock, LLCR lock, and construction tail test. Sculpt to flat DSCR on P90 CFADS.
  • Reserves DSRA 6 to 12 months of debt service depending on S band. MRA for major overhauls in lower bands.
  • Hedging rate and FX hedges to at least 75 to 100 percent of scheduled debt service in B and below.
  • Cash waterfall revenue → taxes → O&M → reserves → debt service → restricted distributions. No leakage until tests pass.
  • Distribution tests lock up if backward and forward DSCR tests fall below thresholds or if cure rights are used.

Sector Modules

Renewables

Resource risk dominates. Use independent yield studies, interconnection readiness, curtailment caps, degradation curves, and PPA step-downs. Merchant tails are penalized unless hedged.

Thermal And CCGT

Fuel supply and heat rate variability feed PD. Capacity payments and take-or-pay LTSAs lift s-scores. Emissions and carbon price exposure hit LGD unless passed through.

Transport And PPPs

Demand risk and political risk matter. Availability-based concessions score higher than pure demand. Handback and termination payments reduce LGD when enforceable.

Midstream And Storage

Throughput commitments, ship-or-pay, and counterparty credit drive PD. Site control, easements, and environmental permits affect both PD and LGD.

Overrides And Hard Stops

  • Sanctions or illegal works immediate decline until cleared by counsel.
  • Missing permits if on the critical path and not de-risked by conditions precedent, decline.
  • Unhedged structural FX mismatch decline or require revenue currency reset.
  • No DSRA and weak sponsor support decline for B and below.
  • Document subjectivity if step-in, termination, or security enforcement is vague, LGD floor applies.

Data Room And Validation

Item Details
Financial model Fully linked, versioned, with audit sheet, P50 and P90 cases, sensitivities
EPC and O&M Contracts, wraps, LDs, warranties, LTSA, performance guarantees
Offtake PPA or TSA, tariff path, indexation, curtailment, termination payments
Permits and land Register of permits with status, land leases, consents, E&S plans
Insurance CAR/EAR, DSU, PRI where needed, limits and exclusions
KYC and sponsors Corporate pack, UBO, track record, funding sources, support letters

Worked Examples

A) 150 MW solar PV, 20-year take-or-pay PPA, USD debt
Key inputs: EPC wrap with LDs, DSCR_P90 1.35x, LLCR 1.55x, DSRA 6 months, FX neutral
Pillar scores → S = 86. Band A.
Result: Leverage 75–80% of EPC+IDC, standard hedges, distributions after DSCR tests.
B) 600 MW CCGT, 50% merchant, 50% tolling, local currency revenue, USD debt
Key inputs: Partial hedge, capacity payments with curtailment risk, DSCR_P90 1.20x, LLCR 1.35x
S = 71. Band C.
Result: Lower leverage, DSRA 12 months, tighter covenants, FX hedge to 100%, PRI requested.
C) Availability PPP toll road, availability payments, strong termination regime
Key inputs: ECA-backed, DSCR_P90 1.40x, LLCR 1.60x, step-in rights, handback reserve
S = 88. Band A.
Result: High leverage, long tenor, soft covenants, modest enhancement.

How Sponsors Improve The Score

  • Upgrade EPC to a true wrap with meaningful LD caps and tested interface management.
  • Increase contracted share or add floor hedges for merchant tails.
  • Raise DSRA to 9 to 12 months in weaker jurisdictions and lock in rate and FX hedges.
  • Strengthen security and cash waterfall. No leakage before reserve and DSCR tests.
  • Deliver clean permit status with dated evidence and counsel comfort on enforceability.
  • Replace weak offtakers or add guarantees or confirmations that survive bankruptcy.

Request An F-PFRS Pre-Screen

Send your base and downside model, key contracts, and permit register. We return a scorecard, debt sizing grid, and a covenant term sheet.

Submit For Risk Scoring

FAQ

Is F-PFRS a credit rating?
No. It is an internal score that informs structuring and pricing. It is not a public rating or an offer to lend.
Does a high score guarantee funding?
No. Files still pass KYC, AML, sanctions, legal review, and approvals by lenders or ECAs.
Which metrics matter most?
DSCR on P90 CFADS, LLCR, offtake firmness, EPC wrap strength, permit status, and cash controls.
Can sponsors view the rubric?
Yes at mandate under NDA. We share the scoring sheets and change-impact levers.

F-PFRS is an internal Financely framework. It supports screening, structuring, and price discovery with regulated partners. It is not a commitment to fund or insure. All transactions are subject to full due diligence, KYC and AML, sanctions checks, legal review, and the approvals of lenders, ECAs, and insurers. Financely arranges via regulated partners and does not issue bank instruments.

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